Hello, this is the Scots for Mike podcast.
My name is James Scott, welcome to the show.
Joining me for this one as we talk about league drama and a
freshly revealed Scotland squad for our two World Cup warm up
matches against Japan, Ivory Coast, our Fen Crocker and our
guest speaker back on again Adam.
It's been a while. Adam from Gorgie talk.
How we doing boys? Good, James, Good.
Hi, good to be back on. Good to be back on.
Just like to talk about the squad.
Yeah, no studio today with Dutch, the Glutts in the glamour
studio. So the cameras have been put
away. We're just back on the mics to
get quick reaction different. It's been going on because it
has been a fairly hectic weekend as usual with regards to the
football and at the time that according the Scotland squad has
just been released. So we'll be decking into that as
well to look at who's back in, who's maybe a new face and who's
not been included. So I think that's where we'll
start. Obviously the Scotland squad,
Clark has announced his man for our two games at the end of the
month from the 28th against Japan and the 31st against the
Ivory Coast. I'll just take a quick rundown
and squad first before we get into it, if you've not already
heard that. So missing Craig Gordon still
from the goalkeepers it's Scott Bain, Angus Gunn returning and
Liam Kelly And the defense. We've got Hanley, Hendry, Hayam
and John Souter as well as Scott McKenna as a centre house along
with Nathan Patterson, Ralston, Andy Robertson and Ken Tenet.
Fill backs Ryan, Christy, Ferguson, Gilmore, Andy Arvan,
Megan McLean, Mcnamey and Miller make up the midfield.
And then in terms of forwards, we've got She Adams, Tony Conway
back in London, Dykes, George Hearst and a first call up for
19 year old Finley Cars. So yeah, very exciting.
I think that's where we'll start actually.
Finley cars a bit of a shocker there, I think.
Not that he doesn't deserve it, but usually get we sniff at this
in the media. I think Mark or Leonard's name
was text. We had that post on the accounts
a couple of weeks ago. Obviously he's not made the cut
by there was no whispers about Finley Cars, but he's found
himself and Scotland scored at the right page in 19 just for a
World Cup. Must be feeling pretty good
about himself there. I mean, big call up, big, big
call. Obviously the first one for him.
I think it's obviously a direct replacement for Ben Cannon,
Duke, who's just I think like on Saturday got himself back into
the Bournemouth squad, didn't come off the bench, but he's
back on the squad, which is good to see after that length injury
that he obviously sustained in the Denmark game.
But yeah, it's another exciting, quick kind of winger, even if
he's not been really utilized there much under Neil McCann yet
at Kilmarnock. But obviously at the start of
the season he was kind of a bright spot and a really poor
Russell Martin team. Obviously a lot of Rangers fans
were called from to get more game time.
That hasn't happened under Danny Roll.
And if he's got his loan to Kilmarnock can even at fullback,
he's he's kind of excited fans and obviously excited Steve
Clark. I think probably what got over
over the line was, you know, Steve Clark been in attendance
at that that Kilmarnock Hearts game.
And yeah, good to see a young player that wasn't really
expected in the squads. You're kind of expecting
surprises, if that even makes sense.
There wasn't many of them. But Finlay Curtis is is one
that's really exciting me, me personally at least.
Yeah, because Clark did mentioned that Toggy talks about
the evolution of the squad and stuff.
And you know that I think somebody's actually been quite
good at is bringing young players and he's might have been
questioned for not doing it quick enough.
But you know, Lennon Miller, Billy Gilmar, I think Aaron
Hecky is where would have been and obviously Nathan Parks and
these are guys all the old opportunities underneath from
like quite a young age. So this, I wouldn't say it's,
it's anything I've trained with what he's been doing.
In terms of talking about Finley Curtis exclusively.
When he was at his press about the squad, he said he came into
the Rangers team and I liked him then and I thought he was quick,
that it tries to make things happen.
I've watched my little bit on video, but then I went to watch
him at the weekend against Hearts and I thought he was
decent. He's not a young one.
Everyone seems to keeps getting on at me.
Everyone keeps getting on about me and saying I don't evolve and
change the scored. But there there's an actual
evolution to any group of players, which is kind of what
this touched on there. And he says, yeah, he all tries
to feed the young guys in at the right time.
And if he was like, this is the right time for Finnickers to
come in. And like you said, I think he's
pretty, pretty obvious now. Haven't had dork on the team
when he's not there that we are messing about a Weds a bit of
peace, fairly car springs and and there's no better time to do
it than a friendly. So fair play to me.
We'll be absolutely buzzing with that.
I think you impressed well on Saturday, Adam, up against the
Jumbos. Impressed on my how well she
was. They plan for them or she was
planned for us, to be honest, today was planned.
Yeah, it was good. The couple of things I've seen,
I've seen them in Europe for Rangers.
I think again like what Finn touched and I think a key point
is like when when Rangers were so poor under Martin, it'd have
been quite hard to call out anybody that was performing well
because then how poor the team was on a whole.
And the fact that how old he is, you put it all together that
Rangers fans were singing his praises and then they wanted
Kilmarnock was a bit left field. But again, it's such been a
shining light. Yeah, I.
Did say that, you know, he was quite impressed by the fact you
obviously wasn't getting too much strange game time at
Rangers. Yeah, and he's going to Kelly
and he's playing weekly. Yeah, and I think so.
I think there's that and there's also the element that you
touched and there's not much pace in the team.
He's quite a forward thinking player, very tricky to play
against, offers that turn, turn afoot and turn the pace.
He's put a few possessions as well, I think between Kelly and
Rangers. Obviously he's had sort of like
A1 back position suddenly just plain wide left.
This hadn't sort of kind of free romance.
So the odd sort of 10 position as well for time to time.
So he has flexible as well and gives gives other options
because I know something's Clark likes to move the odd player
around in terms of, you know, depends who we're playing or
whatever. She gives that flexibility.
I don't think there's a better time, like you say, with dork
messing. I think it was maybe just a bit
a surprise in the sense of, let's say no one talked about.
We weren't really thinking about it because we're more looking at
other maybe what we would default was obvious candidates.
But I suppose that's why Clark's and that all that is done.
So he spots things that we maybe haven't seen as what would be
glittering obvious. But yeah, definitely the daytime
we put them in for these two friendlies and see what he can,
what he can bring the team. I think he will bring something
a bit different and that's a perfect time to take his claim I
suppose, right? Yeah, I think the other big name
that people were maybe a little bit surprised to see was Dom He,
Atten, Dominic Ham, obviously playing for Wrexham.
I think 35 appearances this season for Wrexham, obviously
36. Sorry, sorry, one off.
Starts. Appearances start.
Yeah, all starts as well. Obviously scored that goal in
the FA Cup against Norton Forest, which Wrexham went
through on penalties. He's been in the squad a couple
of times, but his last appearance was in the 91st
minute. He came on in that famous away
win at the Ulaval against Norway.
Yeah, I remember that. He's he's not really been
involved much. Obviously Wrexham going through
the leagues, that's kind of helped him.
He's he's an excellent captain and obviously them pushing for
promotion to the Premier League is kind of caught Steve Clark's
eye. I think there was a few names
that were kind of like Adam mentioned, there were obvious
candidates that aren't regulars. So you say a few in, you know,
Motherwell and Hearts team in particular like Craig Halkett,
obviously Stuart Finn was injured like you touched on
their James as well. Mark Leonard was kind of tainted
in the media to be on the cusp of a call up and in the
Motherwell. Team.
He made a funny comment at the press conference about that, he
said when he was asked about whether or not the Hearts are
Motherwell players have caught his eye and he said, I mean, so
I'll just read the quote, not the quote directly.
They basically said, you know, sometime you basically said that
the player like everyone's under consideration, but sometimes a
team is a better than the sum of its parts.
Nuts. Credit to the manager, which
I've never had them be so blunt as to say basic.
I mean, because it's out of character from I wouldn't want
to take it at face value 100%. It's maybe just it's a slap of
their tongue, but usually he's never so blunt as they like, say
basically a player is not good enough, you know?
Yeah, he's been asked about players before and he very much
danced around it or doesn't address.
Yeah. Doesn't address it at all.
That felt quite head on. I.
Think it felt quite. I don't know.
I don't know the right word to use.
I think it's quite harsh to be honest.
Yeah, that's the word I just found Harsh would be the one.
I think, yeah, especially when you've got players like Anthony
Ralston who I don't want to single that again.
I feel like I do every podcast but.
But I suppose you'll think about positionally, like who in the
hearts are obviously taking his position because Steve
McDonald's been centre half? I'd still put in Harry Milton
even if I know it's the left. I know he's left sided, but I'd
even take Penrice over over Ralston like I obviously you
can. You can see why Elliot what and
Mark Leonard didn't get into the squad because our midfield is
so, so strong. But then when you look at you
know, it's, it's an opportunity to experiment and you know, it's
good to see Tommy Conway back in the squad.
But I would have liked to see Barney Stewart.
Obviously his rise has been meteoric.
Started in the 7th tier at the start of last season, but you
know he's been absolutely killing it for Falkirk, scored a
hat trick against Hibs, scored a couple of braces as well.
I think it's eight goals and 14 games, maybe one off on either
side. And I think yeah, I was, I was
kind of hoping for one or two more at a left fear field.
Maybe like a Jordan Hillsgrove has been, you know, kind of
labeled one of the best midfielders in the top 7 leagues
in Europe, Esteril in Portugal or you know, one of those Elliot
Watts maybe days Emilio Lawrence or someone like that.
Or, or as you mentioned, kind of a Stephen O'Donnell or or High
Milne, but it seems like he's kind of stuck with a core group,
which on one hand does make sense.
Obviously you do want stability going into these, these kind of
final proper warm up games. But again, it's kind of, yeah,
it's a time for, it's a time for experimentation if you're ever
going to do it. Yeah, even when you said Rouse
and I was thinking, well, I actually quite like Kobe,
Donovan, you know, Celtic younger, right back at Celtic.
I mean, I guess it is this attachment to how compared to
the squad now is, because I'll keep harking on about it.
But a midfielder trying to get into that squad that's trying to
get into the most competitive area on the patch.
I mean, I don't know who drops out of that because Mclean's not
going to go. Miller, McDonald name again, all
mainstays, Gilmore, Ferguson, Christie.
Realistically, Andy Arvin kind of takes that last spot and he
seems to have, you know, he's playing conference like
football. It's part of Prague, you know,
he's obviously done enough to like, keep his place, I guess
because it it would have to be him they would knock out.
Yeah, I think over the next couple years it'll there'll be
those two spots. It'll be kind of the spot, Andy
Irving's and then McLean as he slowly gets phased out.
Obviously, he's not got long left.
Yeah, I mean, he's fair to. Can't really see what I noticed.
McLean. I've been a I've defended McLean
many times. I think he's a great player, but
when it comes to the players ages, you've been looking at
robbers and you are looking at the next tournament going last
two years down the line where all these guys be then and that
you have to start having that conversation at the start
qualifying. It's not something you do just
for the tournament or halfway through.
You want, you know, know your team and like Clark says, fees
and guys and youngsters and at the right time is, you know the
best way to go by doing that. You also you also said in his
interview he said fees and players and prepare for the next
campaigns and stuff or something almost like to and be that for
myself or another manager and I really can't read that.
I don't know. I'm very pro Clarks.
So I'm, I'm already kind of thinking ahead to the Nations
League in terms of who could be in charge because.
What do you both of you think? Do you think he will stay on or
do you think this is kind of a last horrific?
I think I think so too. I think so too.
I. Don't want to and I think I.
Think it, I think it should. I think it should in that
interview today, like he did seem a bit more like it's not
not that it's not direct. And like he does come across
like quite like it is very much the stereotypical Moody
Scotsman. But like he doesn't give like
that much away either at the same time.
So it may be it's more like, you know, that way it's more like
the perception as opposed to the information.
Whereas that's time like today, like you said, the comment about
like Motherwell and Harts, like he was like he was suggesting
like if he was able to call up Braga and Elijah, just like
they'd be in. But because it's like, I don't
know, Harry Mullen and what then all of a sudden it's like, well,
maybe they just look a bit better because they play with
them. That might be that might be that
might be wrong. But like equal, like you said,
well, you could look at it differently and say, well,
again, I'm not saying this should be embedded means, but
like you could say, well, Stephen O'Donnell, he's been in
the Scotland squad, he's at right back.
Where's this arguably a problem position?
Do you give him another shot there?
What about like how who's a mainstay at centre back and is
definitely not just a bit part player at Hearts?
Like he's a leader at Hearts, his captain.
So again, it's the same bracket as Dom Higham for the wrecks.
I'm like obviously chose him over him, but again, you
wouldn't say that how it was the best part player of Hearts and
is probably our main reason as to why they're top of the
league. So that's a bit of a funny
comment. But then yeah, again, the thing
about like the future, like how he was talking about the future,
it seemed me be more like talking about as if like the
World Cups, like the beginner or the end of his tenure.
Yeah, where all ends. I think before he might have
been more cautious to like make sure he doesn't burn any bridges
but I think I don't know. Maybe this is just me or looking
too much into things, but I think he's not really caring as
much about what. Beyond the World Cup, Yeah,
yeah, yeah. I think I think he's going after
the World Cup. I think the way that even the
SFA have been talking about, you know, contracts, negotiations
and, you know, we'll do it if if the time comes and stuff like
that. I think I think he will go after
the World Cup and then, yeah, I think we'll need to look for
someone that can replace him. Obviously it's a big, big role
to fill. He's undoubtedly probably one of
the best, if not the best Scotland manager.
I wouldn't put him as the best, but you know, if you look at the
tournaments he's got us to after that long absence, some people
will make the the argument. You could argue.
You could argue if it could become the best depending on
Yeah I know, obviously. The World Cup, Yeah.
What happens is what happens. But yeah, like it's yeah, it is
one of the best, but I don't know about the best.
But that could change in my opinion anyway.
I could change dependent on the World Cup.
But yeah, obviously the the grip is the grip.
We'll see what also happens. Like contract wise, like in
terms like just at the actual behind the scenes of all, I feel
like I feel like something would have been announced by now.
I don't know it's going to it's going to be bad when we've got
Yens better ask you in charge for the the Nations League.
Oh, you. Know what I would absolutely
love that I know. It won't happen.
Well, I mean. That's a quick talking point.
Is there anyone that jumps to mind that you think would do a
good job if they were to come in?
Obviously David Moyes is the obvious one if he would take the
job. Obviously it's at Everton right
now but there's not, you know, years gone by there was, there
was a lack of talent in the squad and we were rife with
Scotland managers and I think it's kind of.
Reversed. I've got someone go on by Ganj.
You know what? I just want I would just love to
see like it'd be the only time in any of our lifetimes we'll
get to see like a a full on attack in Scotland side like
used to like see like the one up front chat.
Yeah. So imagine having everyone on
the halfway line if you get somebody sent off just to let
ready to run like what he did and.
Then I would not mind that. I would not mind that at all.
I don't think it'll happen, but that would be great.
But that, we see, he has done. National attack football though.
No, I mean, he's done. He's in Australia.
Yeah, yeah, he's done it, Yeah. It's not alien.
I don't. Think he's ever done national
team football for obviously a country that's not his.
So yeah, obviously it does have close ties to Scotland with
Celtic, but you know, wait and see.
I. Don't know.
I've just got this. I've just got this list I made
earlier, guys. I don't know if you've got if
we've touched on all the names, but only the missions I had was
Craig Halkett, Harry Milne, Josh Doik, Stephen O'Donnell, Stephen
Welsh, Luke Graham, Brian Porches, Eliot Shanklin and boy,
all he bought calling Mcburney. So there were the ones that I
thought that were either play and mention.
Yeah, you could obviously can meet caveats for some like Shang
Khan's literally going to be just back.
So like he might be going to be there for the fence but the
same. Token, you're saying he's just
back? I mean, Grant Hanley hasn't
placed his first affair, but he's just back in training and
he's likely they'll be in the hip squad on Yeah, I mean.
Defend Clark. Sometimes of these decisions
like, you know, oh, it's a trusted group, but like Hike, I
don't know how to be. Honest with me, right, you could
make that argument that was saying like, well, if you're
putting handling and like he's been nowhere near the squad, but
then Shank was just back and you know he's playing next week, but
you're not putting him in the squad.
Like why? Why is that?
But then I suppose sometimes like clubs and countries have
conversation as well. So I don't know if I don't know,
I don't know how, I don't know if Clark works with club manager
or whatever, but sometimes, yeah, I saw.
Napoli fans getting annoyed like Oh yeah Mcdorman and Gilmore
just back watch them get ended and two useless friendlies.
So I was translating Italian, especially after.
How much they heralded Gilmore for his game the other day.
Oh wow. Yeah, they were.
If you've not seen, we made a post about some quotes that
we've translated and basically they're saying Gilmore is a
level above anyone else in their team, which has quite some some
praise. Yeah, good to see him getting
recognition because I think Lavaca has kind of had that
position in the middle of the park nailed down for a while and
they do quite similar rules, I think.
So it'd be nice to see Gilmore sort of step in and getting more
acclaimed to that start in Jersey.
But yeah, I'm bolded, bold out more to school and stuff in the
coming weeks. I'll be interesting to see how
we get on those two friendlies. 2 new opponents.
It was too tough. Friendly.
It's too tough. Friendly.
Yeah, I don't think it 2. Losses wouldn't be the, you
know, the question. I mean, it's going to be two
very challenging matches, but it'll be exciting to see
because, I mean, for the reasons I've already been caught, like
different football cultures, different styles of play, you
know, they're from two different confederations, not European
nations. It should give us, it should
give us something exciting. I can't wait for the Japan.
Yeah. So that's the one I'm most
excited for. But I and we'll talk more about
Scotland in the coming weeks. Back to league action, obviously
heart still at the top of the table, but they're just hanging
off a defeat to Kelly at the weekend.
A1 nil defeat is is a big loss. I mean, Kelly, despite an upturn
in form, are still just off the foot of the table.
Pretty easy goal. Who scored Adam?
I mean, that McInnes kind of spoke about his displeasure
about that. He said in the warm up he
thought they were looking good, nice and sharp.
But when they came on the patch that this wasn't the case and
the goal was way too easy. Not not really too much pressure
on the ball. And the three man at the back
post was just, you know, he's not going to miss that.
So yeah, it wasn't great. And then I just wonder what your
perspective on that is, because I was also going to ask you
about a potential penalty shout. Yeah, so I think like the first
point like when I was I was at the game on Saturday night, so
it was a sore one like driving back from from Ayrshire and
getting home at late midnight to then get off for my kids
football in the morning. I was absolutely dying.
But yeah, I was a total want to take hearts were really poor
Kelly to their credit like somewhat when we didn't get the
result in Paisley against that midweek a few weeks back.
Just same idea where they had their game plan.
We obviously wanted to do ours and then actually managed to
implement ours and then didn't have any real foot in the game.
And then even when we did, when we had more possession
second-half, it was arguably cause Kelly let's have more
possession. They had that one goal to
protect. We weren't really offering very
much. We were quite passive, not as
direct as we normally are and you just came to offer in
general the goal itself. I can't remember who the centre
back was that started it. They literally got to run pretty
much from the edge of his own half for about 1520 yards
unchallenged, then chip the ball over at the right hand side to
then put it across the left hand side.
Guy was wide open and I think two or three chances before that
was the same thing. Crossed down the channel and
missing out the midfield, which happened quite frequently.
And then just guys at the back post or like The Odd Couple of
chances before the goal, which literally was showing you the
threat that Kelly were offering and we weren't reading the signs
that were coming. And then, yeah, once they got
their goal, I felt it was very somewhat of some middle Rangers
actually. Like once that one goal was then
given the conditions and the weather and stuff that there
wasn't a lot of chances getting created.
And then like I said, Kelly just for that, to defend that and and
basically get into the dogfight that they're in, obviously down
there. And that really kind of suited
them more than us. And we didn't want to begin in
any dogfights, but that's pretty much what we let ourselves in
for and we failed. So yeah, I mean like 2 points
ahead, eight games left, like. Taking some of his.
Arm off for that in August. So are you getting a bit?
Nervous though, no. I find like I'm not, I'm not
nervous like I'm at the point where where that it's, I say,
sadly it's not sadly, it's obviously a great thing as well.
But it's at that point where you're like that close that you
would be gutted if you didn't want it.
But the nerves are not really there because it's not like the
nerves would only be there if it was like last game set and last
game. And it's like, you know, that
one game to win it sort of thing, 'cause it's eight games
out. There's actually a chance that
we could be, you know, the rules could reverse and like 3-4 games
time and that would be gotten. But it wouldn't be like like
inconceivable where it's like to be like 3637 games and still be
like level or a point or two points in front or behind.
Then you're like sort of every games like like properly like on
the line still feels like a cup final of the game, but the
nerves aren't quite there because we're still like not
convinced we're going to do it anyway.
So yeah. But it'll be a painful one if
it's an 86 because Franksler didn't experience an 86.
But everyone likes to remind me about it online every year.
So yeah. So I know up at.
Dundee. Did you lose up at Dundee or
something for that one? I've never seen documentaries
about that An 86. Yeah, I was, I was -2 So you
might have seen pictures though. I've seen plenty of pictures
this season anyway. So I think it was something like
it was like goal average instead the goal difference.
So it's a different like ruling. I think like we ended up on the
same points. And if it was like nowadays, so
if it was goal difference, we would actually won the league.
But because it's goal average, we lost the league.
So that's good, absolutely. I'm sure the last day.
The last day of the season, like, yeah, we lost and that's
why Hearts of that thing with St.
Mirren like that little bit of needle because like we lost to
Dundee, obviously Albert kid and then I think like Celtic needed
like don't. Even find goals or something,
but already goals. They needed but that's where
they absolutely bathered St. Mirren and there's always that
argument about like all they laid down to them and stuff like
that. And then it doesn't help when
like St. Mirren had like a Celtic club
shop in the stadium and stuff like that.
So Kelly's. Kind of your bogey team aren't
there, Kelly. At rugby.
Park. I would talk, well, either up
there, they're up there, but like St.
Mirren, Aberdeen of course, fan and I Hank them, but what's the
waitress I've seen? No matter how many times we got
Motherwell, St. Mirren or Aberdeen, I'd never
get a result there. Regardless of how, regardless of
how good or bad we play, I didn't get the result.
My team is the only one that's got a point this weekend, so I
think that's the first. I think that's the first time
I've said that all all season. So it wasn't.
Yeah, I think, I don't think we even deserved it.
But obviously we've not touched on it.
There's obviously top six, bottom 6 is done already, but
Stephen Robinson gone from Saint Mirren to Aberdeen.
I don't want to say too much what I think about the
appointment because it'll probably get clipped up if I say
what I think. And then he has a good tenure.
But let's just say I wasn't too pleased.
I think if you're going to appoint him, you have to do it,
you know, soon after that League Cup win.
But to to kind of wait three months, put Peter Levine in in
charge and, you know, have all these links to these foreign
managers have it basically done. He's flying into Aberdeen and
then suddenly there's unforeseen circumstances and then you go
for the easy appointment of a guy that's not got a great style
play. He's struggling down the bottom
of the league and his or probably in my opinion only in
this was only even in the Saint Mirren job because he won the
League Cup. You know it's.
Never a good look when someone who very clearly isn't your
first choice candidate ends up being the guy you take.
I think that's about the some of it, really, when you're looking
at all these different guys that you say and then a guy who's not
been tuned doing too great in the league where a team like you
said, it just you know what? There's nothing really to get
excited about, especially after, you know, the long period of
search and then just take the guy who's down the road.
Yeah. It just, it just doesn't read
too well, to be honest. Yeah.
I think we were kind of forced into action, maybe with how
tight it is actually getting, you know, touch with the you
think they want to wait. Till the end of the season,
yeah, I. Don't I I mean, it's just a
hunch touch with the you know, it doesn't happen, but we are,
you know, quite close to getting dragged into the to the
relegation playoff scrap. Obviously that Kilmarnock
wouldn't did not help. So thanks very much, Adam.
No, I think just 66 points. Trust me, trust me, we.
Did happily want it for you, but it's just we did, yeah, manually
turn up. I was actually supporting.
You as well, but yes, I think it's I think it's six points
between US and killing now, said Vern.
Obviously in that relegation battle as well.
So it'll be interesting post split to see what happens when
when we go to Smizer. Yeah, it's it's it's not a great
look. I don't think any Aberdeen fan
really expected it. I think it was, you know, it was
a bad second after to last season, but it was, you know,
ended with the Scottish Cup when maybe try and build on that.
But it's been, you know, not much good to say.
Got like a couple of. Takes on that appointment like
and some of them again you're closer than I am than obviously
been Aberdeen sport. But it maybe can shoot me down
and if I'm reading this wrong or you've heard something
different. But like a mass speculative unit
is like they have had a panic button, like you said, James.
And I do worry about like the fact that they've recognized
that no matter how many coaches they've put that in that dugout
or whatever setup they're trying to put in the form isn't
changing. And it was becoming a bit of
like a the slippery slope was like like they were about
falling off a Cliff edge of how bad it was and it would quite
quickly just went South. And then, like you said, they
could quite easily just end up in a playoff and then
comfortably playoffed and no matter could be even worse.
I think like they've then thought looked at Robinson and
thought how his style of play is and with what Aberdeen have at
their disposal and can he get a better tune out of the players
to the point where it then rules out the problem of getting into
a playoff and equally hot and all right.
And also Madden's not got domestic form.
I get that. But in terms of like stay with
football and what like you need to tell you survive relegation.
It hurts that Madden a wee bit as well.
And they're a direct rival rival in that.
And I came to thought that like, yeah, I.
Thought I thought was. That Madden costume and already
they won the League Cup and I'm by no means standing between the
Scottish Cup and I know they've obviously got Celtic etcetera.
But you can't defend like in a scenario where if Aberdeen were
safe or in the top 6 or let's say that their season was over
in the sense like everything was like, I think that's what
Aberdeen board wanted. They wanted it to be safe so
they could just ride out to the summer and it didn't.
They go that way. So they panicked.
And I think like they forced Robinson's hand because they
want to not only be safe, but that part of being safe is also
directly Hearts that matter at the same time, which then maybe
drags them into as well. And I just don't see it being I
don't actually see Robinson getting a bigger job than
Aberdeen. And I hotched some manners.
What's up? You know, Aberdeen is a bigger
job than certain man. And so like, why would we not
take it at the end of the day, if he's it was getting told you
have to take it now. I can't see not boy obviously
hasn't said no. But you know, I mean, you get
when you hands forced. I think, yeah, he's not going to
get a bigger job or a bigger opportunity than this potential.
As well that you genuinely could have got his jars and said
Madden and things kept going the way it was going.
So like, I mean, potentially thinking they're like, you know,
if we go out with Scottish Cup and we end up finishing the
season really poorly, I could get sacked at the end of the
season. He said.
Man, fans have been courts in online had he gone just after
the cup final victory. They were doing pretty bad about
it. But like, they actually, I mean,
I've said, I've seen plenty of people saying, you know, want to
heart by losing them, you know, they kind of felt like the
season wasn't going to negate direction.
I think that kind of gives you a flavor of what they were
thinking and, you know, whether or not at the end of the season
if you had been relieved of his duties, but not the bit.
But I mean, that's all speculative.
It's not happened. But yeah, no, I mean, we'll come
back to the top really quick because obviously Celtic got a
decent result against a mother outside.
It's had been on the rampage for a good few months though, until
Dundee stopped them in their tracks.
They won three, one at Celtic Park.
It's made a little bit easier after one of the Motherwell
players, his name escapes me. It was pretty much a rugby
attack, or wasn't it? To give away the penalty.
Don't attain, man. They always 31.
Celtic is close, yeah. Yeah, yeah, except.
The close that gap down to two points.
I I mean, I know you're saying that you're not getting nervous.
There has been a lot of it's funny how quickly these things
swing background and all we're thinking.
So I felt like only in the last couple of especially since the
turn of the year, people have really started to believe Hearts
could win the league. But I feel like in the space of
a weekend, you know, hearts dropping points, Celtic closing
the gap. Suddenly we're hearing things
like, Oh, it's Celtics league again.
Like I it was ABBC podcast. Listen to a later on, I think
I'm sure Scott Allen said he felt he felt that you know,
Celtic would win the league and you're saying but then if result
was cool there for me next week when I might be back pitching
its hearts. It's just so hard to.
Predict I think heart it's because hearts have still got
Motherwell to play pre split as well.
That's the thing. I just, I think.
More from a Celtic point of view.
Not Celtic, although they've been getting results.
I mean, they played so poorly against Rangers in the cup.
They won that game on penalties. But if that was the 90 minutes
of football it was up, it was a robbery.
They would have got with one point, Maya Brooks and it would
it would have been a robbery because they're pained in their
box for most of the game, sorry and even.
Before that, they were so lucky to even win in against us with
Audrey. Yeah, and.
We've been in, Rangers perform. Rangers have been getting.
Such high praise for the way they've been playing.
So I just think it's interesting that no, you know, that Hearts
have dropped points. There's literally 3 points
separate and 1st and 3rd, but somehow it's Celtic.
They seem to be instantly getting tapped.
I don't know if it's just this mindset that Celtic or just this
juggernaut that will kick back into action at some point.
But I mean, yeah, eight games to go, we'll see how that I finally
so. There's a couple of things that
like. So I think the reason I'm not
nervous is because people are thought like you say, the moment
some some twist happens and it involves a negative for hearts,
everyone's default is we're just not going to win it.
So that's why you'd have the nerves because people have came
to convinced you like you're not going to win it anyway, so it
doesn't matter. Yeah, I feel there's also my.
Work of that line of thinking because I came in I was like
well you've not had a great weekend this weekend to one of
my colleagues who's a Jambo and he was like yes, I can't I can't
see this one now you seem to have lost the thief that so.
So I do like, I would say it personally speaking like I do
have like that that sort of silent like belief that we can
do it. Like, no, I don't think we can
do it. It's just like, I'm not going to
overly hate myself because history tells you it's not going
to happen. And then it's so it's like
there's that and then the constant media output of like,
so another example of it. And it's again, it's history and
reputational. But it's like the most games
where maybe like Hearts have scored like a late winner or or
whatever, and then folk have instantly jumped on like all
that's the wheels coming off lately.
It took them to like see how much to escape through that
game, how many league goals of Celtic scored and nobody said,
oh, that's some script through the struggle.
And it's the opposite. They're like, oh, Martin O'Neill
keeps getting results at them, so they're going to win the
league champions the. Yeah, it's just like that's.
What champions do feed it for them like sleeping through
playing terrible, but when we actually play all right, but
just kind of get the kind of get the goal till the end, they go
all that some struggling. So again, it's that narrative of
like history tells you that, you know, if one team does, it's
'cause their their champions and if their team does, it's 'cause
all that on the downward spiral. So again, it's not really, it's
not fair reflection. I think like, the fact is,
whether we do or not, it's like the refreshing part is it's so
good when you've got three teams win three points to share with
eight games to go, that as a genuine title race, including
someone else other than just day two.
Yeah, and that's the first time. Managers.
That's literally the 1st in my lifetime and it's so good.
He's got football. No, I mean.
See, a point I would make to you is.
Alright, just quickly before we move on, right, see the point I
would make AC just a quick question.
So like see this the current Celtic squad now.
So obviously I'm not including like Carter, Vickers, Johnson
that people that are out like I mean like literally who can play
from right now. Would you say that they've got
the worst squad that the three of us like playing squad
currently fat and available out of Celtic, Rangers, Hearts?
Are they the washed out the fleet if you go on?
Form probably if you go on actually names actual.
Names. Names no, right?
So and then and then who defence got the best manager?
How the three? Either Hearts or Rangers.
I can't. That's it.
Probably Rangers right now, I think.
I think, yeah, Danny. Rolls got Rangers playing.
I think I need to win the football.
I mean, I just. Wouldn't have it like history
tells me for see Martin Neil as a kid and I'm destroying like
Rangers teams that were way better than Danny Rolls Rangers
team backs to the wall Celtic team recently that still won,
albeit on penalties, but they got penalties and then you've
got the record speaks for itself.
I know, but the before the. Before the performances were
good. The performances with this team
is, I know, like you can frame it two ways where you know,
they're playing badly and they're scraping by and it can't
continue. Or you can go down the route of,
you know, that's what champions do.
But it is not the same Martin O'Neill that, you know, was
tearing these these Rangers teams apart.
And it's not the same type of squad either, I think,
obviously, but it is but. It has the same outcome, though.
Same Martin, Neil. It's winning games.
Yeah, well. We'll just have to wait and see.
Eight games left. I don't know for me if if.
It was if somebody's asked me who's favourites, I would say
Celtic and another. The other reason for the other
reason I say Celtic as well, is because after this, what they're
likely to have us and Rangers at home.
Yeah, I think it'll come down to those those obviously mother
will play a big part, but it'll come down to those head to heads
where it's a six pointer. I just.
Think it's so interesting that there's not been any element of
Celtic closing a gap and really going on a run here.
I mean, the teams are all just as close as they have been.
Hearts. I've just dropped a couple of
points and I just find it so strange that when people have
been asked who the favour are, there's nothing much hesitation.
Celtic, there's a snap answer and I'd like you said, don't.
As you mentioned, the Adam been conditioned to bang that way
from years of watching Scottish football, but it's just I just
don't think we can protect it. This league could go either way.
It's just definitely. Can protect it?
Definitely not. No for sure.
Yeah, we'll step away from the Premier League now.
I think we've we've pretty much touched the whole exciting
aspects that's going on. Obviously there's a couple of
results elsewhere, but although of course the Dundee Darby might
as well. I just want a quick companion
from you boys here, obviously 22 very good performance from
Dundee to grab, you know, a last last minute goals.
It was Luke, Luke Graham, Ross Graham who scored the wrong goal
after give now a free kick on edge there that led to the the
final goal. But the first goal of the day
was a pen away. I don't know if he's a yeah, I
was what seen it. I was watching it.
I mean for. Me, that's not a penalty.
I mean, I know the yeah, these are controversies in Scottish
football. Is that the?
Was that the? Handball.
Yes, I remember. My handball, that's not penalty.
I think I mean. There was screenshots after the
game or even during the game of I think it was Scotland's
coefficient shouted to him again, where and the laws of the
game or or the SPFL specifically said before the season that have
like it wouldn't be a penalty for every handball.
If it's not impacting play massively, it's not going to be
a penalty. And if you look at that, it's
the ball's going out-of-the-box, it's not good.
It's not even going near the goal.
It's in the opposite direction. His hands.
In a natural possession for the start, yeah, I don't think he's
actually expecting the boy to play it first time.
And the guy has literally, from the space of a couple of yards
away, kicked the ball straight, his hand.
I mean, I'm sure. As well, I'm saying what he said
something to the ref like all noise.
Like what I must what else must what else must put to put like
what else am I supposed to do? And again, further adding to
your point about like because it was a natural movement and the
guy pretty much like let you say the ball in a direction nobody's
expecting honestly back out the box.
So that how can that be deemed like he's deliberately handled
that? I don't still get it.
Yeah, I felt. I felt it was the error from the
referee and the game and it probably should have been
overturned. I think we've seen far too many
these ones. It's just strange because I feel
like usually we see that one get given by VAR.
It was weird to see the referee give it because, you know, I
felt like the national common sense would have been like, you
know, he was just as far away from the players, the guy and
time money was when he was hand struck like it's, you know, such
a close distance. But I do feel from there.
But I suppose it they kind of got off it and then by getting
the draw, yeah, I think that was.
Hilarious. Ross Graham giving away the free
kick. Basically laughing in the guy's
face then. Heads.
What a great header it was by the way, into the top corner.
What is? He trying to do by the way.
It's right off the. Top of his head and yeah, it's
almost like it's. Almost like he's trying to head
to the back out the box but can't quite get the reach and
instead just it because it doesn't.
It's not like, yeah, it's a connect with it moving his head
that direction. It's going to play off the top
his head and it was hilarious. Yeah, Omar Fattah, by the way,
was absolutely incredible. The boy that's he was training
with Mansi. I think he came from Troy in
France just or somewhere around there and he was alleged at the
whole game. But no, it was that was pretty
funny. Obviously Dundee United
absolutely cruising until the 94th minute.
Then I think it was hey, that got the first goal to get him
back in it 94th minute. And then obviously that Ross
Graham circus the. The joby job juggernaut rolls
on. It yeah, top of the.
Bottom 6. By the way, you heard that your
first top of that will be top of the bottom second Celtic.
Celtic. Do have to play Dundee again.
Obviously they dropped the drop points against already against
Dundee already this season. I think that was another game
people were sort of highlighting.
This may be a Trekkie one for Celtic coming up, but we'll wait
and see. That's at Dennis Park again.
Yeah. Come on Stephen Perez.
Like, come on, Stephen. We'll take a quick glance there.
The lower leagues it was. It's getting a bit tight at the
bottom of the championship, I think only only three points.
Celebrating, celebrating, separating.
You're not celebrating. Anything this season?
No. We're in the cup final actually,
so, so yeah, the Grovers are in 7th and it's Morton, Airdrie and
Ross County all underneath them. We have got a game in hand but
there is only three points separating 7th and 10th.
I was at East End Park on Saturday and it was a pretty
gutless performance from the Rovers.
And I think, you know, all these teams I've just mentioned are in
a relegation fight. I think Queens Park's done well
to create some distance between themselves and this sort of
lower pack of teams that are kind of all congested in that
war area. Only lost one of.
Those 5, yeah, they're doing. Really well and considering
where they kind of wear at points in a season and then
selling their most not valuable asset to Saint Johnson, they've
kept on quite well from that. So is they're doing they're
doing exceeding expectations in that respect.
But I mean, from from a reef and point of view, I think that all
a talk from the supporters going to Saturday was, you know, this
could be a big sign about how we're going to fare in this
relegation battle. Because, you know, you've got to
be out for the fight in these sort of scenarios.
And if you can't find the fight in a local Derby, how are you
going to be able to find it on a Tuesday night, you know, up
against Partick Vessel or on a, you know, a way to Queens Park?
Yeah, it's going to be it's going to be a test in a couple
of weeks as well. Am I?
Reading the fixtures right, you have got four home games and
that all next one. Of them's our cup game, it says
you've got it's the. Average range of fixtures It
says you've. Got the March?
Yeah, after the 24th year and 27th and then a little break and
then Morton on the length of April, they're all at home.
You've got 5. Home games in a row, one of
them. What's happened there?
Is the cup game is replaced in away game on fairly certain and
then the Partick mid week game as a rearranged fixture from
when they were in the cup against another week so it's
just scored for four. Games, is that right?
Well, obviously take the Cup game, I think.
It's been January. We did score again.
We've not scored since January in the league.
But we did score. Against St.
Johnson and we should games. Massive Now, the way I know
they're all massive, but you know what I mean?
Like that. Yeah.
Like the Six? Pointers, But I mean, just to
touch your point by the goals we did score against and Johnston,
it was a a goal that I've chopped off for been offside
when he was about yard on, which is kind of again, the sort of
luck you seem to get when things aren't when you're at the bottom
of the table. But I mean, like you said there
certainly he's been about a boogie team for us in the past
couple of season. Just looking at the head to.
Heads apart for that cup game that he's having scored against.
Obvious. No, it's not.
It's not been great. I mean one of the Rovers.
Rate Rovers and East Kilbride in the same league next season.
It's. Very much like it's even just
like broadly looking at it's looking like goals are the
biggest problem like the final fourth was defensively.
It's not like it's not that bad to be honest.
It's more you see, either I don't know if it's not great
enough chance they're just not finishing them or both, but I
mean we. Paid a couple of chances on
Saturday, but to be honest, the only one that really got more me
off my seat was an effort that was just slightly off target by
Down Easton and today. Some didn't really, you know,
didn't really inspire the fans too much into, you know,
thinking, you know, we're really going to break free because I
know it was free now and that kind of reads quite bad.
It it wasn't bad because of the score line.
We were just were one nil down for the majority of the game and
in Dunfermline cost on the counter late when we're really
trying to push for a goal. It was the fact that we
dominated the second-half in terms of possession and, you
know, chances, let's say, even if there weren't great chances
and we didn't make that count at all, we just couldn't
breakthrough him. It looked very soft and, you
know, gentle and weak, but you say it's not.
What? You know what you're wanting in
the battle, No. Yeah.
To be fair as well, I mean and may talks quite well and it's
hard to dislike him when you know when he's talking his post
match interviews because he the way he speaks kind of is matters
what the fans are saying in terms of what they want from the
players. But I mean if early doors it was
fairly easy to see that dumb family are playing with a set up
where it was 3 center halves. They're playing quite wide and
it wasn't long before us a diagonal.
Of course, a patch to their left winger exposed our right back
for the second time, who was just nowhere near them.
And it wasn't just me that was that.
There's a couple of fans in the crowd that I spoke to afterwards
that commented on the side, the wet as you getting exposed, and
we didn't react to that. There was no change in shape.
You know, we have the guys to to change up a bit and react to
stuff like that and we didn't. So that was discount
disappointing. So I just hope we can kick on in
a couple of you know, in the next couple of weeks.
We've got the home games. Hopefully we can make the most
of it. But yes, it's not, it's not
great for us, but it's certainly going to make for an
entertaining and to the the championship season silver
service and Johnston at the top. They have extended a fair lead
over Partick and I'd be surprised if they didn't
maintain that, shall we say. Whereas things look like they
can, they can change a lot at the bottom of the table.
Yeah, I think. That was most of the
championship talked about. I think another league that we
don't talk about a lot in the podcast, that could change a
lot, as is both the Highland and Lowland division.
Yeah, I. Mean to bring it up a couple of
weeks ago when it was the Bonnie Red Clyde game.
Yeah, I think both. Both leagues are looking
absolutely crazy, obviously in that lonely that you just
touched on there. Bonnie Riggs are Bonnie Riggs
are sitting top after being relegate last season, 63 points.
Clyde Clyde banker on 58 points or five points behind, but
they've got a game in hand. Then Tranent are sitting two
points back at 56 points but they've got two games and and
then Lannis grows in 4th 53 points where they've got three
games at hand. So if everyone wins third games
in hand, it would be tested. 22. Points would.
Be two points. Yeah, 2 points between 1st and
4th, which is mental almost. Yeah, probably better than the
Premiership and it was a huge. It was a huge win for Claybank
the other week. It was 51 when again stop shows
51 against Bonnie Reg and again that you don't ask really was a
sex pointer. All they've got the game in
hand. That would have put a better
daylight between them and Bonnie Reg up the top.
And it would be good to I mean fair enough.
It'd be good to see all any of these teams up and the up in
League 2. But I mean, given the history of
Claybank, the fact that they're a Phoenix club that you know,
from obviously Clydebank in their days back at Kilbay Park,
you know, a fairly, you know, part of Scottish football's test
today. And I think it would be a it
would be a very nice moment for their fans if after all the
years of suffer and they finally go back to the top four flights
Scottish football. Because I mean, when you look at
the average attendances, even in the Woolen League, they're still
clocking an average attendances of about 800 fans a game.
Caledonian Braves. No, no.
But you know that I think that's a totally different story
altogether. I mean, you know, you know,
Claybank fans for those I've watched their team sort of, you
know, lose their ground and Kilbay, they went to ground
share and I think Partick and Cap Capital One maybe one of the
two places they went. I want to say Bulkheads or
Dumbarton as well. I might be wrong.
They don't get too annoyed if I've got a wrong bank case.
But yeah. And then, you know, to watch a
club effectively go down the tubes and then, you know, the
the new club that was established right at the bottom
of Scottish football to work its way back up the form league,
supporting their club the whole way.
And then, you know, it's taken 20 years or so, nearly 30 years
now. But yeah, you know, it'd be.
A really great story and I'd much prefer them than having to
go back to New Dundas Park at any time because I think when
Bonnie Rig were in League 2, that was the stadium that
everyone dreaded to go to. Obviously you know, it could
still change, but it looks like it'll be Edinburgh City that
will go into that playoff. Obviously with that 15 point
deduction, they've done really well to to get back where they
are. If they didn't have that point
deduction, they'd be sitting in fourth in the playoffs.
There's six points between them and Dumbarton.
They have dropped off a little bit.
There's still obviously nine games to go in the season, so it
could change even still an Albion are getting dragged into
it a little bit. But I mean, I think, yeah,
Rangers. Breaking as well and then
they've actually got up there one of the last games of the
season on the the 4th of April. We need to.
Get to that. I think it's it's a Friday
night. It's a week night.
I mean, we're Friday night, but it's a week night because I did
look at and think I'd be a great one to travel up front, you
know, capture, capture about what's going on there, because
we can say one of you know, the famous clubs in Scotland, I'm
pretty sure they're one of the oldest teams in the hedge is was
a was a a landmark of Scottish football.
So I was ashamed to see them drop out the leagues.
And then you've got broader Rangers.
I've kind of been a really successful club in the champion
in the in the, in the Highland League for many years now, but
they've just never quite managed to break out in the top league.
And I don't know if it's because obviously in terms of maybe in
terms like funding and stuff, I think there's a lot of money
going so far away going. Yeah, there's a lot of money
going around in the Lowland League now, being teams like
Tranane and Caledonian Braves have come up from like real
level at the Sport Academy. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Like not. Obscurity.
But like, you know, they weren't, they weren't, they
weren't knocking on the door like they are now.
So broader, broader have been always up and around that area.
They've been involved in the playoffs, so it'll be
interesting to see which one of those Dukes, I think.
I mean there's only three points between them, but Breaking's a
game behind so former team are not far off as.
Well, if they win their game in hand and breakdown their game in
hand. That is, there'll be two points
between. 1st and 3rd there as well.
So it's crazy in both leagues, Yeah.
So I mean. It's going to be a tight end to
the season. It's definitely, definitely
worth keeping an eye on them. We've not got enough time to get
into League One because I know there's the goalie.
Inverness. Of what actually touched now
there was a there was a goal by cover Rangers goalkeeper that
was saved echo of Rangers and gotten a point and Verness and
Verness got the given handles. What I meant to say.
So they've put the sex potentially a three-point lead
on stairs if they were not, but yeah, because it's a little bit
and drop off to Aloe, Queen of the South behind them.
And I've I don't know, we'd like to play either on the playoffs.
So hopefully, I hope. We'll bring in Burness to Cove
you next month as well, right? Find the host and Burness, Yeah.
They're. Yeah, half five kick.
Off. Yeah, there's lots of these.
Bad games happening, but you want to get back to the.
Championship. You'll need to do it on a cold
night and no Cove you back. I've been there a few times.
I was watching Queens Park actually, when they were when
they were ground using that grounds while lesser ham them
has been developed. So I think we'll call it there
though, boys. I mean we've we have tapped down
into the lower leagues and I think we're over there Mark now.
So or just coming up there at least.
So yeah, not a good chat. Plenty going on.
I think the next time we chat to Adam, I'm sure there'll be
another twist in the story of heart season.
I'm sure we've got the Scotland games coming on to I don't know
if we'll be coming to you from the studio or just on the mics,
but whatever. Whatever I come to you from,
make sure you are reading the podcast and sharing it with your
friends if you enjoy it. And word of mouth and things
like that go a long way more than you probably realize.
So I always appreciate it from the team because a lot of hard
work goes into preparing for these things and making them
happen. And then edit number, which is
what then I'll be going to do now.
So Yep, I think I'll call there boys.
Thanks again for coming on joining me.
Cheers. Thank you.
Take care guys.