tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:04:00 +0000Scottish football and nothing less. Although sometimes maybe a bit more.http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/noreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)Blogger284125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-8083942762232880894Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:04:00 +00002009-12-24T09:04:00.247ZScottish football historyFootball at ChristmasAs football reaches saturation point there are few days when a game is not within easy reach of the armchair fan. For those of who might, after reasoned argument, still consider ourselves to be young Christmas Day is football free zone.But that’s not always been the case. League fixtures in Scotland were common on Christmas Day until relatively recently. I don’t know if this phenomenon had its http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/Aul0zQRtO2Y/christmas-cheers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/12/christmas-cheers.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-1517958269533422405Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +00002009-12-22T12:00:03.148Zboring SPLScottish football decadeCelticspl championsRangersIt would be nice to be writing a different article. One where I could wax lyrical about the SPL being one of the most open and competitive leagues in Europe. But I can’t. I can’t because Celtic and Rangers dominated the league in the past decade to a far greater extent than they have ever done in the past.The truth is the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, as it is currently called, is a league http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/57YOJXH5F-0/scottish-football-decade-spl-champions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)1http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/12/scottish-football-decade-spl-champions.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-2450953169918705145Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:47:00 +00002009-12-21T15:54:08.745ZMerouane ZemmamaCelticSPL 2009/2010HibsRangersWarning: Omerta Code broken.It had to happen eventually. And it fell to Merouane Zemmama to do the talking. Following Hibs win against Aberdeen on Saturday, the jinky Moroccan trickster, faced the question that every one in green has been avoiding. Hibs, he claimed, are setting out to win the title:All of our players are motivated and I think we will win this game. The gap between us and the Old http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/07wEY9yuxHY/believe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/12/believe.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-5564649150061487933Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:14:00 +00002009-12-21T12:20:05.391ZScotlandGeorge PeatSFAgordon smithScotland ManagerDundee Unitedcraig leveinWhen George Burley was finally relieved of his duties as Scotland boss I put together a list of the men I considered to be the runners and riders. I had this to say about Craig Levein:Few would argue with this and we could expect to see Scotland adopting a revolutionary new approach based around organisation and cohesive tactics. But Levein is only 45 and master of all he surveys at Dundee Unitedhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/GOMnLEjFv-Q/will-he-wont-he.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/12/will-he-wont-he.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-1251629829954894469Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:04:00 +00002009-12-21T11:19:20.338ZScottish football decadeActive Nation Scottish CupScottish football reviewScottish CupThere is comforting stability about the Scottish Cup, the world’s oldest national trophy. It’s always been there, it always will be there.There’s still something special about the trip to Hampden on a sunny May day, about smaller clubs going all out for an upset in the earlier rounds, about the joy of it all.Unfortunately, this being Scotland, we must temper that giddy idyll by pointing out that http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/fcJodAwesDc/scottish-football-decade-scottish-cup.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/12/scottish-football-decade-scottish-cup.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-6139280775251334642Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:22:00 +00002009-12-19T00:43:31.236ZSPL predictionsSPL 2009/2010SPL fixturesSometimes I get predictions right. Like this week I predicted I'd not have much time to write my predictions. And I got that right.But, of course, a shed load happens that I don't have time to write about.Rangers swat aside Dundee United. Celtic concede three in 19 minutes and then come back to draw. Good night Vienna?Gordon Smith dons his John Forsyth style blue rinse and, like Blake Carrington http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/29eIJY3seGY/seeing-future-quicksmart.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)1http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/12/seeing-future-quicksmart.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-7348086569982402014Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:22:00 +00002009-12-16T18:20:18.113ZScottish football decadeScottish League Cup 2009/10Cooperative Insurance CupScottish football reviewThe Mickey Mouse Cup. The Diddy Cup.Funnily enough it's always the fans of teams who have just been knocked out that are quick to dismiss the League Cup with any number of witty nicknames.Sour grapes, perhaps, but there is no getting away from the fact that the Cooperative Insurance Cup is the poor relation in Scotland’s triumvirate of top trophies. Not even always the bridesmaid, more always thehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/Ws_HrxPQZpw/scottish-football-decade-league-cup.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/12/scottish-football-decade-league-cup.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-6872836930485712243Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:42:00 +00002009-12-15T00:53:32.792ZSPL predictionsDundee United v RangersSPL 2009/2010SPL fixturesThe world of Scottish football is endlessly fascinating. Where else in our national life would a bout of handbags between the heir to a grocery empire and a former male model provide headlines like "It's War?"But tonight's clash between Dundee United and Rangers has provoked such a skirmish. It's hardly been an Ali-Foreman type bout but both Stephen Thompson and Martin Bain have been almost http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/siKNVSdbUuU/just-ticket.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)1http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/12/just-ticket.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-2726372951685422611Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:47:00 +00002009-12-15T00:02:32.315ZSPL refereesScottish refereesJim GannonSFAApparently, during his time managing in England, Jim Gannon refused to talk to Sky Sports for a number of months. Not in an Alex Ferguson, Harry Redknapp type bust up. No, Jim wouldn't talk because he got a bad picture from his satellite dish at home.An amusing anecdote but also a sign that Mr Gannon is not above taking an unconventional approach or taking on the big boys.So perhaps it's no http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/KJzFttCNR5c/blowing-whistle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/12/blowing-whistle.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-3217792417153131476Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:47:00 +00002009-12-15T16:47:38.725ZScottish FootballScottish football decadeUEFA CupEuropa League 2009/10Scottish teams in EuropeChampion's LeagueAnd so the decade ends. Or doesn't depending on who you believe and what patience you have to live through another thousand pub bore discussions that you hoped had run their course in 1999.In the time honoured media tradition of such year/decade/century closing moments the Scottish Football Blog is looking back on the decade lumbered with the terrible nomenclature. Ladies and gentlemen, the "http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/QvlOzbTzYkU/scottish-football-decade-europe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/12/scottish-football-decade-europe.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-1963083295878199515Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:48:00 +00002009-12-12T00:59:53.795ZSPL predictionsSPL 2009/2010SPL fixturesA week that began with the rumble in the tunnel at Hamilton ended with the rumble in newspapers over the terrible referees that blight the Scottish game. About which more, I'm sure, later.Anyway this week's SPL fixture list looks a little like this:Aberdeen v HamiltonThat Hamilton actually won their game against Hearts last week has been somewhat overshadowed by the events that followed in the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/0Fl0lShkSZM/today-in-spl.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/12/today-in-spl.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-3326999902157113927Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:00:00 +00002009-12-10T13:13:37.684ZFrances de SouzaSFAgordon smithDan PetrescuScotland ManagerIt seems that the SFA supremo Gordon Smith has cancelled a meeting with Dan Petrescu's agent to discuss the vacant Scotland manager's role.The Unirea Urziceni manager's application was a surprise. As an ambitious young manager enjoying a first season in the Champion's League, the Scotland job would appear to be a less than glittering prize.The SFA are, however, perfectly right to seek further http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/001rSK75eFo/dans-man.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/12/dans-man.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-2743137054239129187Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:01:00 +00002009-12-10T00:12:45.451ZVladimir RomanovMichael StewartHeartsSo the panto season descends.And wasn't Michael Stewart happy to get straight into the slapstick comedy. His red card was harsh, his subsequent Tony Adam's style, vein popping tirade at the referee was stupid and his tumble in the tunnel is already becoming the stuff of legend.From Stewart's tunnel tumble to the mass tunnel rumble ensured that Sunday's game against Hamilton was not just any otherhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/BsrUpIBJxg0/heartsache.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/12/heartsache.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-2428587717987329358Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:04:00 +00002009-12-04T21:07:53.513ZSPL predictionsSPL 2009/2010SPL fixturesFinally we come off the back of a European with a Scottish win under our belts. That it was ultimately futile stands is a fitting tribute to our misadventures abroad this season.With Rangers and Celtic still trading places at the top both Hibs and Dundee United continue to move along very nicely. All they can do is keep the pressure up and hope that the Old Firm haven't yet got all their dropped http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/4M3GZ_MtIcU/spl-weekend.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)1http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/12/spl-weekend.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-3853113614365461491Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:36:00 +00002009-12-02T15:50:25.441ZCeltic in EuropeEuropa League 2009/10CelticTony MowbrayCeltic v Hapoel Tel-AvivCeltic supportersIt’s funny what managing Celtic can do to a man. Gordon Strachan was the quick witted, Match of the Day, rent-a-joke pundit before taking over. By the time he left was a snarling bundle of rage, unable to decide if the fans or the media were most deserving of a Strachan savaging.When Tony Mowbray arrived he gave the impression of a man doing the job he was born to do. Not a press conference wouldhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/oFW4n-0GjlQ/preview-celtic-v-hapoel-tel-aviv.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/12/preview-celtic-v-hapoel-tel-aviv.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-650035823148747031Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:47:00 +00002009-12-01T17:47:00.110Zkenny millerRichard GoughRangersMadjid BougherraAnyone wondering why Richard Gough’s managerial career has stalled somewhat can sleep easy. He’s not carved a career in the noughties because he subscribes to a brand of football that became outdated in the 1970’s.In my time at Ibrox we had a core of very strong characters. Mentally, we were very strong and I think that’s why we had so many bust-ups. There was Mark Hateley, Ally McCoist, Andy http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/jPsJrlaayio/fight-club.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/12/fight-club.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-6923094505980892866Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:49:00 +00002009-12-01T16:56:09.330ZScottish Cup PredicitionsActive Nation Scottish CupScottish Cup FixturesScottish Cup 2009/10St Andrew’s Day and the Homecoming finale. Yesterday was a good day for our national cup competition, the world’s oldest national trophy, to make a splash with the entry of the big names into the third round draw.A live broadcast during the main evening news would have caused people to sit up and take notice. With junior side Irvine Meadow still involved the draw was always likely to be rich in http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/zMumKQDVVN0/can-anybody-hear-us-scream.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)2http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/12/can-anybody-hear-us-scream.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-2126883170990328979Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:12:00 +00002009-11-27T18:05:23.022ZSPL predictionsSPLSPL 2009/2010SPL fixturesOh, think twice,‘Cause it’s another day for you and me in paradiseSo warbled 1980’s drummer, singer and Kinnock-bashing baldy Phil Collins. It would be nice to think that, even in these dark hours, Tony Mowbray is still so elated about landing his dream job that he finds himself serenading Mark Venus with that very chorus.Somehow it seems unlikely. Tony clearly felt that his team had done enough http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/Mb-FflMlLlk/but-seriously.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/11/but-seriously.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-4394300623074297788Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:24:00 +00002009-11-25T17:24:00.701ZChampions League 2009/10rangers supportersrangers crisisRangersIt seems hard to imagine now, having seen them dumped out of Europe with a match to spare, that Rangers’ Champion’s League group was actually interpreted as a cause for optimism when the draw was made. Not looking quite so easy now.It was, in fact, a group of modest talents but one that still proved too much for Rangers to handle. Only Seville stood out as offering a top European pedigree and http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/FmTopAL-Exk/over-and-out.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/11/over-and-out.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-1620246080073857685Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:15:00 +00002009-11-25T17:15:00.356ZkilmarnockKilmarnock Scottish ChampionsFrank BeattieIt’s maybe to our shame that those of us who don’t count ourselves as Kilmarnock supporters might never have heard of Frank Beattie, whose funeral takes place tomorrow.Beattie, or Big Frank, played for Kilmarnock from 1953 to 1972, playing over 600 games in his one club career, earning the love and respect of the fans as the “heart and soul” of the side.His greatest achievement came in 1965 when,http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/kqxVdaeIgu8/frank-beattie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/11/frank-beattie.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-5237284707018135131Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:15:00 +00002009-11-25T00:10:36.091ZRepublic of Ireland v France2010 World CupThierry HenryFIFASee, there we all were giving George Burley a right good kicking for not even getting us a play off place. And he was doing us a favour after all. What misery he saved from, what tortured nights of the soul, the sheer injustice, the pain of being denied by a cowardly act of cheating. That's a hard one to get over. Just ask Terry Butcher.So this blog is full of sympathy for the Irish players, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/xp38w4sZgfY/to-replay-or-not-to-replay.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)4http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/11/to-replay-or-not-to-replay.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-4967695367721286444Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:40:00 +00002009-11-20T00:50:45.063ZSPL predictionsSPLSPL 2009/2010SPL fixturesAnother international break and it all went a bit medieval. After being slain in a distant land we embarked on a spot of regicide. So it's bye, bye George and hello .... ? God save the king, whoever he might be.We don't know. Walter Smith and Mark McGhee have already said they don't want the job. Jim Jefferies won't talk about it, Craig Levein is hotly tipped but United are extending a half http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/eiu7of1m1sI/back-to-business.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/11/back-to-business.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-2743688938310398884Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:21:00 +00002009-11-17T19:38:37.165ZScotlandSFAgordon smithGeorge BurleyScotland ManagerIt was a contrite and regretful Gordon Smith that broke the news of George Burley's departure. Or was it? Interpreting for the cynical:The decision was taken after a meeting with the board of directors and, subsequently, the national coach. The board was in unanimous agreement. The rest of them agreed with my decision. I then met George and told him to “get tae.”It should be stressed the decisionhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/hC5yH-ujs-c/say-what-you-mean.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)2http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/11/say-what-you-mean.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-4322592869855898099Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:36:00 +00002009-11-17T01:12:22.945ZScotlandChick YoungBarry FergusonScotland ManagerKris BoydAllan McGreggorIt did not take Chick Young long. In his obituary of George Burley's reign as national team boss the great oracle of our game points out that a new manager means a new chance for Kris Boyd, Allan McGregor and Barry Ferguson.Fair enough. A new broom and new beginnings. No manager taking the job should have his hands tied.Likewise the new man (if it is indeed it is a man: let's not reduce our http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/JaEkh-jcr7g/chance-of-second-chance.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)1http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/11/chance-of-second-chance.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-7414450939148214521Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:55:00 +00002009-11-17T00:08:29.037ZScotlandSFAGeorge BurleyScotland ManagerAnd so George Burley's reign ended as we knew - and in his heart of hearts he must have known - it would. The sheer inevitability of his sacking was blatantly obvious at around 3.30 Saturday afternoon.In truth it has been inevitable throughout a 14 game reign that never looked like building momentum. The flickers of life that were detected during the defeat to Holland and the win over Macedonia http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/LD9RCgA89QE/it-could-be-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2009/11/it-could-be-you.html