Winter
Well-known member
Down to the wire we go between Ukraine and Scotland to see who will become a top tier team and join the upper echelons of Group A sides next season.
We've all been here before with Scotland of course so the less said about that the better.
We know we can do this.
The more said about that the better.
This is a neutral venue so an away game for both countries with the emphasis on Scotland being the away, away side.
With the rest of the world all sympathising with the Ukrainians obviously, against wee bonny Scotland
(we're not used to that) everybody's usually wanting us to win these games because we often don't. So hopefully that will work in our favour and all the pressure is on Ukraine ( ano feel terrible typing that).
That said , I'm sure we have loads of support in Russia, Iran and China.
This will be tough in more ways than one,
I remember the last time we played them, ( last week) they were brutal and with the Ireland game just as bad, its taken its toll and we have bad news.
For Scotland's most important game since Saturday, news in today.
Scotland, (despite the manager saying) our bhoys were ok, are not ok.
We will be missing Kieran Tierney and Scott McKenna who both were injured during the Ireland game.
Andy Robertson is still out injured and joining them Scott Mctominey's yellow card proved really costly as he is suspended.
That's some really experienced players missing there and Scott McKenna.
Have no fear as these days the depth of our squad is really strong and in comes.. Hearts duo
Barrie McKay and Stephen Kingsley.
Both experienced internationals with one cap each.
This will likely mean Greg Taylor starting as KTs direct replacement, it appears both Patterson and Hickey have travelled but who will be partnering Hendry at CB is anyones guess.
Looking at our squad possibly looking at Ryan Porteus or Declan Gallagher slotting in beside Hendry and we might have to go with a back 4 .
Worked against Ukraine last time , though I'm no Steve Clarke.
The fact it appears to be only McKay and Kingsley that's been draughted in gives the impression Clarke has confidence in Porteus and Gallagher.
Tbh I'm not sure why the need for McKay but again I'm not Clarke he knows best.
I'm not convinced of a back 3 though Taylor Hendy Hickey/ or/Patterson doesnt look bad we were better with the back 4 I felt.
Fortunately Souttar and Hanley are out
Ukraine made ELEVEN changes, aye XI changes from the side we beat at hampden and they whipped Armenia 5-0 so theres no underestimating their sense of determination, thankfully Zinchenko is out injured.
That is a boost for us.
A draw is enough but we cant play for a draw said our Celtic captain Calmac so it's full throttle again strap in , gonny be another mad night and something else if we pull this off with our defenders dropping like flies ( not fruit flies they're everywhere).
Can we book a place in the next Euros play offs before it's even started and go into the elite group A tier at the same time?
That would be an incredible achievement for Clarke has to be said.
C'MON THE SCOTLAND
We've all been here before with Scotland of course so the less said about that the better.
We know we can do this.
The more said about that the better.
This is a neutral venue so an away game for both countries with the emphasis on Scotland being the away, away side.
With the rest of the world all sympathising with the Ukrainians obviously, against wee bonny Scotland
(we're not used to that) everybody's usually wanting us to win these games because we often don't. So hopefully that will work in our favour and all the pressure is on Ukraine ( ano feel terrible typing that).
That said , I'm sure we have loads of support in Russia, Iran and China.
This will be tough in more ways than one,
I remember the last time we played them, ( last week) they were brutal and with the Ireland game just as bad, its taken its toll and we have bad news.
For Scotland's most important game since Saturday, news in today.
Scotland, (despite the manager saying) our bhoys were ok, are not ok.
We will be missing Kieran Tierney and Scott McKenna who both were injured during the Ireland game.
Andy Robertson is still out injured and joining them Scott Mctominey's yellow card proved really costly as he is suspended.
That's some really experienced players missing there and Scott McKenna.
Have no fear as these days the depth of our squad is really strong and in comes.. Hearts duo
Barrie McKay and Stephen Kingsley.
Both experienced internationals with one cap each.
This will likely mean Greg Taylor starting as KTs direct replacement, it appears both Patterson and Hickey have travelled but who will be partnering Hendry at CB is anyones guess.
Looking at our squad possibly looking at Ryan Porteus or Declan Gallagher slotting in beside Hendry and we might have to go with a back 4 .
Worked against Ukraine last time , though I'm no Steve Clarke.
The fact it appears to be only McKay and Kingsley that's been draughted in gives the impression Clarke has confidence in Porteus and Gallagher.
Tbh I'm not sure why the need for McKay but again I'm not Clarke he knows best.
I'm not convinced of a back 3 though Taylor Hendy Hickey/ or/Patterson doesnt look bad we were better with the back 4 I felt.
Fortunately Souttar and Hanley are out
Ukraine made ELEVEN changes, aye XI changes from the side we beat at hampden and they whipped Armenia 5-0 so theres no underestimating their sense of determination, thankfully Zinchenko is out injured.
That is a boost for us.
A draw is enough but we cant play for a draw said our Celtic captain Calmac so it's full throttle again strap in , gonny be another mad night and something else if we pull this off with our defenders dropping like flies ( not fruit flies they're everywhere).
Can we book a place in the next Euros play offs before it's even started and go into the elite group A tier at the same time?
That would be an incredible achievement for Clarke has to be said.
C'MON THE SCOTLAND
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