tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:46:10 +0000Scottish football and nothing less. Although sometimes maybe a bit more.http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/corriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)Blogger311125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-6874522578296071310Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:06:00 +00002010-02-06T03:30:34.494ZScotlandBarry FergusonEuro 2012 qualifiersGeorge BurleyKris Boydcraig leveinAllan McGregorAndrew DriverIf The West Wing is to believed - and the few strands of sanity I cling to would fall from my grasp if it is not - then Friday is "take out the trash day." The day when you bury any controversial stories in a blizzard of releases on the premise that nobody bothers with the news on a Saturday.I'm sure that it was only coincidence then that Craig Levein chose yesterday to confirm the return of at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/0-CieGFzKjw/back-in-blue.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/02/back-in-blue.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-1396200347095838632Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:04:00 +00002010-02-06T02:10:49.253ZActive Nation Scottish CupScottish Cup 2009/10And so the Active Nation Scottish Cup returns this weekend with the promise of a sporting festival that will knock the Superbowl and Winter Olympics combined into a cocked hat.Sadly prior engagements mean I'll only be able to keep one eye and half an ear on proceedings and the dictates of time rob me of the chance to write a complete preview.So allow me to point you in the direction of Seb at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/XRMpJv86tvg/our-cup-overfloweth.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)1http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/02/our-cup-overfloweth.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-250516804339464706Sat, 06 Feb 2010 01:34:00 +00002010-02-06T01:52:02.969Zjim jefferiesScottish football mediaHibsThe ScotsmanCaledonian MercuryHeraldHeartsScotland's first online newspaper, the Caledonian Mercury, has launched offering a different national perspective to that of The Scotsman or The Herald.There's an excellent review by Craig McGill on Contently Managed that pretty much covers everything that needs to be said.The Sport section is covered by former Sunday Times Scotland scribe Richard Wilson and, although still finding it's feet, it http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/d4aJuCN_II4/caledonian-is-calling-me.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/02/caledonian-is-calling-me.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-1843248870964917911Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:25:00 +00002010-02-05T01:34:17.502ZSFABBC Scotlandyouth footballcraig leveinhenry mcleishThe kids are alright?Well, no actually. A couple of items from the local press caught my eye yesterday.Firstly in the East Lothian Courier (the courts page acts as a kind of offline social network for my alma mater) an experienced youth coach can be found "slamming" the current youth set up in Scotland. Scott Robertson, former chairman of Musselburgh Windsor, compares the Scottish system with thehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/6AWOh4cl0IE/honey-we-failed-kids.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/02/honey-we-failed-kids.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-586822607814661031Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:47:00 +00002010-02-06T02:13:17.465ZScotlandSPL 2010/2011MotherwellSPL 2009/2010craig brownThis time of year is commonly known as the "awards season." It seems each February and March it's almost impossible to avoid getting some kind of tacky gong.Football, of course, is happy to fire out cheap plastic baubles throughout the season. But, as Oscar season approaches, it's fitting that our very own elder statesman, the Morgan Freeman of the fitba', should pick up the SPL's Manager of the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/vYPC7Ed4HS4/craigie-frown-no-more.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/02/craigie-frown-no-more.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-5704389924989651435Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:28:00 +00002010-02-02T16:37:53.593ZCelticTony MowbrayRobbie KeaneSPL 2009/2010The revolution, when it came, was televised.Throughout the day yesterday Sky Sports News was awash with rumours of comings and goings at clubs across Britain. But it was in Glasgow’s east end that they found the most productive negotiations.If Tony Mowbray had arrived at Celtic in July with a grand, but long term, plan he has redrafted it before our eyes since the turn of the year. Gone is the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/30roO682OSI/hopes-and-fears.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)3http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/02/hopes-and-fears.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-7816774381635338320Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:26:00 +00002010-02-02T14:34:39.359ZSt JohnstoneScottish League Cup 2009/10Cooperative Insurance CupRangersSt MirrenHeartsA quick preview of the two League Cup semi finals that take place tonight and tomorrow:Hearts v St MirrenTelevision scheduling and the arrival of an Irishman in Glasgow have probably combined to overshadow tonight’s first semi final of the Co-operative Insurance Cup.But both Hearts and St Mirren will fancy their chances of progressing to the final and giving their fans a day in the Hampden sun. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/TCY0d5xu8vU/hampden-bound.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/02/hampden-bound.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-471890080764411204Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:45:00 +00002010-01-31T19:45:00.177ZWayne BridgeEnglandChelseafootball mediaJohn TerryApparently John Terry kissed the Chelsea badge when he scored against Burnley yesterday. Shame the badge belonged to one of his teammates.Ha ha etc etc.How much do I care about John Terry's off field pursuits? About as much as I care about his on field pursuits. Which is to say very little.Will he be stripped of the England captaincy? Fabio Capello will make his mind up on that based on what he http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/-jeggAmjiE0/thoroughly-modern-footballer.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)2http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/thoroughly-modern-footballer.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-8320488869098925438Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:24:00 +00002010-01-31T12:24:00.127ZCAFAfrica Cup Of NationsTogoFIFAIt takes an organisation of quite incredible incompetence to make one thankful for the expertise and tact of the SFA.So take a bow the Confederation of African Football.On the eve of their showpiece final, at the start of the biggest year in the history of African football, CAF have announced that Togo will be fined $50,000 and banned from the next two tournaments.Their crime? Withdrawing after http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/n8JD6wQ7u6g/lost-for-words.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)2http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/lost-for-words.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-2234493218803638984Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:55:00 +00002010-01-31T01:03:56.354Zjim jefferiesscottish football managerscraig brownWalter SmithJimmy CalderwoodEverything changes. Everything stays the same.Walter Smith in charge at Ibrox. Jim Jefferies in charge at Hearts. Craig Brown back in the dugout. Kilmarnock turning to Jimmy Calderwood.If the BBC was once called hideously white must we know see the SPL managerial cabal as hideously old? (And hideously white as well, of course, but that's a whole different kettle of fish).For a country that prideshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/9DZErUATUv0/silver-surfers.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)3http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/silver-surfers.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-7899862058235977880Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:25:00 +00002010-01-31T18:48:00.467ZMark BrownGraeme SmithJohn HughesHibsYves MakalambayThe news that Hibs have signed Mark Brown as back up to current number one Graeme Smith must surely bring to an end the Easter Road career of Yves Makalambay. Once more we in Scottish football must mourn a true maverick.For some time now he has been a figure of fun. One of his final appearances came when he appeared as a half time substitute against Falkirk earlier this season. His every ganglinghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/lPnNhNOcV7g/macalamity-no-more.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/macalamity-no-more.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-416851186485657200Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:46:00 +00002010-01-31T10:32:36.881Zjim jefferiesVladimir RomanovCsaba LazloHeartsA pub conversation on Thursday night centred around SPL managers who might soon be feeling the cold blast of unemployment.Tony Mowbray and Csaba Lazlo were the two names that cropped up most often. My own take was that Csaba was safe if he got to the end of the transfer window without getting embroiled in a full scale bust up with his lord and master.Well, I never claimed to know anything about http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/9C-OzU8tXWE/home-is-where-hearts-is.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/home-is-where-hearts-is.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-6559696888754538271Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:14:00 +00002010-01-21T23:27:36.920ZKeith JacksonCelticTony MowbrayDaily RecordScott BrownSo, it seems the Scott Brown story won't go away.Speaking on Celtic's Channel 67 (online) Tony Mowbray said:The story of Scottish football really isn't big enough for the newspapers that are out there and they try to create an agenda that can run for a few days and can cause a bit of unrest.It gets reaction from supporters, it gets letters pages going, it gets the back page the following day http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/W37TJKPev0E/sniping-at-gutter-press-part-ii.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)3http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/sniping-at-gutter-press-part-ii.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-2030646054445411889Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:41:00 +00002010-01-21T21:59:32.651ZScottish Blog Awardsscottish football blogScottish RoundupThe good people over at Scottish Roundup ("The best of Scottish blogging every week" - including me last week) have put together the Scottish Blog Awards.There's some cracking blogs included in a lengthy list (142 blogs were nominated) and I'm glad to say that The Scottish Football Blog is there as well.I think there's going to be categories (I'll be in Sport presumably) but at the moment the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/QldCXneGSVY/scottish-blog-awards-self-promotion.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)3http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/scottish-blog-awards-self-promotion.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-560565406825663391Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:24:00 +00002010-01-21T14:13:15.190ZKeith JacksonMark VenusCelticTony MowbrayDaily RecordScott BrownWhen I heard that Celtic were considering legal action against a news outlet for they what considered to be an erroneous story concerning Scott Brown I immediately trawled through Google News.I was amazed by the sheer volume of stories concerning young Scotty that seemed to tip over into fantasy:Now he's a good player and we all hope his recovery can spark a return to his best. But, seriously, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/uV9Ywfn5D3M/sniping-at-gutter-press.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/sniping-at-gutter-press.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-9051228113699294288Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:10:00 +00002010-01-15T16:17:35.348ZSPL predictionsSPLSPL 2009/2010SPL fixturesA combination of the holiday season and the destructive weather means the weekly prediction post has gone a bit awry of late. Hopefully we can get back to normal now. A full fixture list tomorrow:Celtic v FalkirkThere’s a “heid” shaped hole at Celtic Park after dear Gary took his incredible talent to the stage his innate genius so surely deserves. Wigan. Another three players have also been movedhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/rm4iYYf2EyA/back-to-normal.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)1http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/back-to-normal.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-772206130373276228Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:00:00 +00002010-01-13T18:00:03.161ZWembleyScotlandSFAEngland v ScotlandHampdenToday the Mother of Parliaments took time off from discussing the lack of salt and blaming each other for the weather to discuss a return for the Scotland v England football fixtures.The Record reported:Independent MP Andrew Pelling (Croydon Central) has suggested that the promotion of Scottish culture throughout the UK could be encouraged by having both Celtic and Rangers play in the English http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/ZHl6fuzj_hA/bring-it-on.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)2http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/bring-it-on.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-9103031450617409574Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:36:00 +00002010-01-13T17:36:00.319ZOld FirmCelticSPL 2009/2010Transfer GossipRangersApparently Gary Caldwell’s transfer to Wigan almost fell through because of the bad weather.Until 40,000 Celtic fans volunteered to help clear the road.Boom, boom!In his defence Gary brightened up the SPL. The inexplicable mistakes, the charging runs that so often came to absolutely nothing, the complete lack of self awareness in his pronouncements to the press, the embarrassment of having to http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/o9Oxfos8jBA/big-month.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/big-month.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-8267575980204365222Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:12:00 +00002010-01-13T13:17:53.164ZScottish football mediaTommy McLeankilmarnockJim McLeanThe ScotsmanMaybe the fact that the managerial merry-go-round seems to have slipped through the space time continuum has thrown them.Or maybe it's just a sign of the now terminal decline at the ever poorer Scotsman.Whatever the reason, further proof arrives that someone at The Scotsman doesn't know their arse from their elbow. Or their Tommy from their Jim.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/AL47YiYoyHM/he-aint-heavy-hes-my-brother.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/he-aint-heavy-hes-my-brother.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-3508537918140751563Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:36:00 +00002010-01-12T20:15:14.548ZMotherwellkilmarnockscottish football managersDundee UnitedSPL managersUpdate: For the second day in a row Kilmarnock take me at my word.They've just announced Tommy McLean as interim manager probably until the end of the season.Yes. That Tommy McLean.With the dust now settling on Jim Jefferies’ departure from Rugby Park (predicted on this site – not that it took Derren Brown to see where the dysfunctional Kilmarnock family were heading) we suddenly find ourselves http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/Wnt2I9LtMb0/round-them-up.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/round-them-up.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-3707391753016361756Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:25:00 +00002010-01-12T17:25:00.043Z2010 World CupAfrica Cup Of NationsTogoI was going to do regular updates on the three SPL players at the Africa Cup of Nations. Sadly the progress of Sol Bamba, Madjihd Bougherra and Landry N’Guemo doesn’t seem that important in the shadow of the attack on the Togo team bus.I must admit I wasn’t really able to follow the story all that closely over the weekend so the complexities of what happened and why are a bit beyond my ken I’m http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/qQAlUIritnc/africa-cup-of-nations.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/africa-cup-of-nations.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-359924126812908062Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:14:00 +00002010-01-11T20:32:47.769Zjim jefferieskilmarnockmichael johnstonkevin kyleUPDATE: Kilmarnock have confirmed that Jefferies and Billy Brown are to leave the club by mutual consent: "An agreement has been reached among Kilmarnock Football Club, team manager Jim Jefferies and assistant team manager Billy Brown which will allow Messrs Jefferies and Brown to leave the employment of the club with immediate effect. "The agreement was reached by mutual consent.It’s never been http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/pb9DFKhH3o0/killie-me-softly.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)0http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/killie-me-softly.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-1335095087992017627Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:43:00 +00002010-01-11T14:51:35.122ZActive Nation Scottish CupScottish CupScottish Cup 2009/10So the big freeze pretty much froze out the Active Nation Scottish Cup at the weekend. And the arguments for summer football gather pace.On the plus side the much mocked sponsorship deal worked. The moment I read Active Nation in the paper I immediately got off the couch and did 100 sit ups. Or not.That aside the games that did go ahead were quite diverting and we’ve got the added bonus of being http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/QV__gFGQpLo/frozen-out.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)1http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/frozen-out.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-496210574514689439Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:10:00 +00002010-01-09T18:16:56.181ZCelticOwen CoyleBoltonBurnleySo finally Owen Coyle has been officially appointed as Bolton manager. A fairly protracted process, for sure, but one that was inevitable when Coyle chose to avoid his post match media duties after last week's game.Beware the no show manager who leaves his assistant to explain that he's been called away to see his family.Many have been perplexed by Coyle's decision. Plaudits galore at Burnley or http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/AYaljEbpbg4/coyle-leaves-celtic-out-in-cold.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)2http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/coyle-leaves-celtic-out-in-cold.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125237999223639219.post-7683632164266913366Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:56:00 +00002010-01-05T18:12:45.174ZSPL 2010/2011SPL 2009/2010Scottish football 2010Well, if you don’t ask you don’t get. So here is my January wish list for the year ahead.1. The weather to improve: seems obvious but this is getting intolerable. The calls for a winter break will get ever louder. Hard to see how that can work without a massive restructuring of our game to reduce the number of games played. Why? Because the break would need to last for weeks to cover the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheScottishFootballBlog/~3/c-p7WA1J6f4/ten-for-2010.htmlcorriganreid@hotmail.co.uk (the scottish football blogger)2http://www.scottishfootballblog.co.uk/2010/01/ten-for-2010.html