Kingsmills

I agree. If Billy gets decent service he will be a threat at Championship level and could yet make up for being part of the team that got us relegated by helping to lift us back up. A new season, a fresh start for everyone, fans back in the ground. Much to look forward to. Let's start by taking all three points against a decent looking Peterhead side this evening.

It would be far more of a concern if we were giving players of that age longer contracts.

I am sure that the great majority of England fans are decent people but there remains an element of yobs and racists. The Scottish national team is followed by many fewer yobs than England but we have our fair share of racists even among fans of ICT. Things are, without doubt, better than the days when Mark Walters got pelted with bananas from the terraces with only a passing mention and very little outrage in the Scottish media but there remains work to be done and progress to be made.

Andrew Shinnie was significantly later and the only player, so far, to have a full Scotland cap while actually playing for the club.

Getting excited. Somehow, last season seemed both surreal and unreal. This feels like the first start to a proper football season for to years and, with a new manager and a refreshed squad as well as fans back in the ground, there are real grounds for optimism.

Sadly, all to predictable but thel social media platforms and criminal authorities need to pull out all the stops to to identify those England 'fans' who have been directing abhorrent and disgraceful racist abuse at the three young men who either missed penalties or had them saved and, once identified, they need to be properly punished with, in the worst cases at least, significant custodial sentences. Enough is enough.

I think that is a bit harsh on England. Yes, they had the advantage of playing all but one of their games at home, but they are a very decent side who probably were the second best in the tournament.

It did. To the only nation in the final where it had been before.

Another thoroughly entertaining game with Italy deserved winners.

Maybe one more defender and we undoubtedly have a squad which, competently coached and managed, is capable of challenging for promotion.

I wouldnd gloat. If our own Covid problems had been a week later it would have been us.

Maybe biased but a lot better than the nothing posted by our club yet. Seems to have been a worthwhile exercise on our part playing slightly stiffer opposition than our usual pre season opponents.

I am familiar with the facility and drive past most days so am not surprised at the issues encountered. I actually know the 'irate farmer' and you were fortunate that it was cows released into the field! However, thanks for the long range report and your efforts are very much appreciated.

It was ridiculous that a country as small as ours had two separate codes, never the twain shall meet, of adult professional football. Wonderful to see the closed shop that was the senior league system being gradually opened up with the next step, from next season, being teams from the North Caledonian League or Junior Suoer League given the opportunity to play off with the team finishing foot of the Highland League provided the former meet minimum criteria. Just a pity that it took over a century of self protectionist, self interested, pulling up of the draw bridge to even begin the process.

There is no doubt that Italy are far more pleasing on the eye but, with home advantage yet again, I would say that England are favourites.

A second successive hugely entertaining semi final but that was emphatically not a penalty.

It's tomorrow.

Long overdue.

I wish that I could give you three quarters of a 'like'. I entirely agree with your first paragraph. I also entirely agree that the SPFL have ruined it over the last few seasons. However, I entirely disagree that it should be scrapped rather than reformed. It was once a great competition and could be again affording the clubs out with the top tier their only realistic opportunity of a national trophy and giving the fans of the finalists a great day out. Kick out the colts teams, keep it entirely within Scotland (plus Berwick) admit the juniors, find a decent sponsor and stop tinkering with the format and it could be a great and very worthwhile competition once again.

Lineker and Motson can indeed be irritating but neither can hold a candle to the late Jimmy Hill when it came to condescending and arrogant jingoistic attitudes. Who who witnessed it can forget Dave Narey's 'toe poke' from 25 yards against Brazil.

Italy v Spain. By far, the best game of the tournament so far. Pleased to see Itsly prevail but what a pity that wasn't the final.

It will stand us in good stead to have a game against better quality opposition before the competitive stuff begins. Hopefully, we will have a full squad to choose from and a much better idea of our starting XI after Thursday.

I have never really been in the Anyone But England camp but, given what has happened to them this tournament, I will be rooting for Denmark tomorrow. As far as the final is concerned, if Denmark qualify, I will be rooting for them whoerver the opponent. If England reach the final I would probably support them over Spain but would back Italy if the Azzuri were their opponents.

Still think it is a very bad idea indeed that this competition features Premiership colts teams.

I thought it looked familiar.