Hello and welcome back to the Scott Smite Podcast.
My name is James Scott. I'm joined by Finn Crocker.
Finn it's been a couple of weeks since we've been on the mics,
but we're back now. Yeah, it's been a while, but
it's good to be back in a new set, a new studio.
Obviously a bit different to the one that the video viewers are
are used to, but not bad I don't think.
I know it's scrub up well. Scrubs up well, Yeah, we've
been, like I said, we've been away.
We've missed our a couple of things, had the Scotland
doubleheader that we've not had a chance to talk about, but it's
a bit annoying now to be going back to discuss that.
But we do have Premiership action returning, we've got the
post fixtures split, post post split fixtures even and that's
caused a bit of debate. Also got the Premiership table
final six, top and bottom have been confirmed and a couple
other dealings in the the Championship, League One and
League Two that I've caught at eye.
So good to discuss all them. But first of all, Finn spotted
the bottle up there, something I've not seen before.
Do you want to talk to us about? That Yeah, just a bit of news
before we jump right into the action.
I think may or may not have noticed the El Dorado lovely
bottle looking very beautiful on our shelves as well as the wee
bag there. So moving forward, Eldorado will
be sponsoring and and helping support the podcast and the the
Scottish football content that we bring to you.
So just before we get into a big thank you to Eldorado for their
their support. Yeah, big summer and yeah.
Yeah, big summer coming up and. We need to live fuel.
We need to write fuel if. If you need fuel wherever you
are in Scotland, if you're if you want to sneak it over you go
ahead. Is it over?
Is it banned in the states? Well, it's got caffeine in it,
so you can't buy it there. But yeah, it's the it's the
drink for Scottish football fans.
So thank you very much for El Dorado and we can jump jump
right into it. No, definitely right first up,
Premiership. Yeah, a lot of talk to, a lot to
talk about. Top and bottom sex confirmed.
So Hearts currently at the summit at the table and then
Celtic Rangers, Motherwell, just I had abs and then Balkirk make
up that top 6 come to the bottom of us all the others United
Aberdeen, Setman, Kelly Livingston, Dundee on the order.
But but yeah, no, it's a bad debate around the fixture split,
though. Obviously hearts not getting
game at Tynecastle for the final game of the season despite being
top and also Rangers been say I think they said it's the first
time 2nd and 1st place. I've not had a finishing game at
home and I still have to go third.
Well, the only one are the only ones who can lift the title as
champions at their home ground. If it was that the final game,
it might well do. Yeah, you'd expect, Oh well, you
don't want to speak too soon, but you'd expect it to, to
potentially go to the final game with how tight it is, obviously.
Yeah, I'd be shocked if anyone pulled away from the back at
this. Point.
I mean, those six pointers can have big swings, but you know,
I'd expected to go at least the second final day, if not the
final day. Yeah, yeah.
So hi Hearts at Celtic Park, Rangers will be at Falkirk.
Falkirk Community Stadium I think.
Yeah, so I mean it's it's going to be a wild day, that one,
yeah, Hearts fans in Glasgow, Celtic fans in Glasgow,
helicopter Sunday, yeah and all apartment, maybe 7-8 hundred
Rangers fans. All the Rangers support will
also be in Glasgow so. Yeah, powder keg.
Could you imagine the scenes though of Hearts went at Celtic
Park? I mean, they start to worry
about Hearts because they seem to be on a bit of wobble.
But I mean, we'll jump straight onto their result yesterday and
Sunday. At the time I record in big win.
Motherwell obviously kind of going off the boil about
themselves looked an entertaining game.
Motherwell to the leads. Hearts equalized and then a
couple of good chances, but Hearts get a pain away That
seems to have caused a bit of debate that we'll discuss.
And then obviously they got their goal later on to make it
31. So yeah, they've got, not saying
they're on a wobble, but you know they're in a good place now
going into the splat one behind them and Celtic and Rangers
always are backing up their wins too.
Yeah, obviously there's there's there's been a bit of debate
about the penalty. It's if it goes either way, you
you could debate that. I think it's one of those we
were talking about it before the pod where if it's given you, you
don't argue. If it's not given, you don't
argue. Like it's, I mean.
Either way, yeah, upset about it.
Because realistically, I mean, if you've not seen it, go and
see it because you'll see why it's called such a debate.
There's a sort of scuffle in the box.
I can't remember the boy's name. Charter.
Yeah. Drops to the ground and the ball
is coming down on top of him. And he, while lying on the
ground, tries to nod the ball. And Steven Welsh goes to kick
the ball. A real state, a player, you
know, in terms like endangering opponents or themselves.
And they're included in that if they they're, you know, they're
in a compromised position, such as on the ground.
And you know, you know, you folk talk about high feet, you know,
kicking on the head. Flashback that London Dicks goal
against Israel. I think it.
Was obviously that's what the rule rules there for if the
players on the ground. They shouldn't be trying to
head. It they shouldn't be trying to
head it because they are endangering themselves.
I think the debate comes to whether I mean what you question
is he has broken the rules by trying to head of the ball.
Stephen Welsh has broken the rules by kicking.
Putting the ball in the face. Putting the ball in the head,
Yeah. If he doesn't attempt to head
the ball, the ball is still kind of dropping into his head area.
And this is where I kind of feel it's possibly not a penalty
because I don't want people going to slaughter him if this.
But, like, if he hadn't attended the head of the ball and Steve
Welsh kick some penalty. Yeah.
Because, like, the guy realistically can't move.
He's not attempting to play the ball.
Steven Welsh, you know, doesn't take the cares, you know,
doesn't as a you know, as a player, you've got an obligation
to look after other sportsmen If you catch someone hit that point
foul. But the fact he he's put.
Himself in the danger area. Yeah, well, like, not he's
already in there, but like, he, he still makes, he makes
conscious effort to still engage with the ball.
And I think for me it's such a great area.
But like, I mean, it ended up being a very decisive moment in
the game. Yeah, because obviously that's
that's a massive win for Hearts, one that was really important,
especially after after the slip of against Livingston.
Yeah. And you know, Motherwell played
probably better in in that game at Tynecastle.
If you look at the XG. If you look at the all the
stats. I've not seen much of the
highlights from the games have lost.
I kind of didn't know what to expect going into watching this
one. But they looked good.
I mean, their goal was a lovely bit of play.
You know, the boy picks the ball up deep, nice bit of skill to
turn play the ball forward out wide back post perhaps.
And you know, it's a it's a lovely goal.
And you know, there was also another nice bit of play from
Mash when he say he picks up the ball, drops a little bit, but
takes a heavy touch round the defender and you know, that's
the score he has to score. He he actually beats, you know,
he beats the defender again, beats the heart's defence again
when he like sort of chops across.
A bit too much. You know, he opens up some
perfectly. He gets himself into a situation
where, you know, 9 times a 10 most strikers score that
especially him. Yeah, no, the most 17.
Score in the league. 17 goals a season, Yeah, Yeah.
So I mean, obviously and that seventeen goals when that comes
off the back of maybe a slight, not a drought, but like, he's
not yeah, he was. He was.
Far he was far and away the top scorer.
I think he's like, you know, him and Motherwell have had a bit of
different form, you know, I think it's ever since.
Was it Celtic at Celtic Park? Yeah.
Where, you know, people were starting to question maybe.
It's it's a. 4 horse, it's a four horse race.
And then obviously that game happened and they and they lost.
And I think it's been a bit, I don't know if spiral is the
right word, but you know, it's been a bit of a of a downwards
trend and they've not really been able to pick themselves up
from that. Yeah, but yeah, he's been an
amazing striker. 9 times out of 10 he scores that.
Yeah, so I mean, you like, and that's again, that's one of the
that's one of the moments of the game where, you know, it's
almost like sliding doors, like he scores that mother
potentially going to win. Harsh are in real trouble.
Yeah. You know, they're no longer top
of the league. But then you know he doesn't
score squat and get pen away and then you know that's that's how
he ends up. That's it.
Yeah, I mean, I think it's about the narrative as well.
I think you've you've, you may, you might have heard some Hearts
fans saying this. I think Adam from Gorky Talk
said that the last time he was on the podcast as well, where,
you know, these these wins where they might have not been the
best team, but they're still grinding out the three points.
A lot of people tend to jump on that and say, oh, you know,
they're lucky. Yeah, it can't keep going on
like this. But if it was Celtic or Rangers,
you might look at it differently and think, oh, you know, that's
a sign of champions, yeah, you know, getting these results in
the hard moments. And it's funny, that was
actually something Derek Mcinister was asked about before
the game, you know, because it has become a talking point, the
one that wins, yeah, that you don't grinding stuff out.
And I think it was just quite funny at the end of the game of
Hearts running 31 victors and at Celtic, who almost sort of
grinding out a victory at the park against St.
Mirren. It's just funny, you know?
Oxley Chamberlain, Yeah. Yeah, good.
I mean he also got an hour ago but it was offside.
But yeah, but no, just to touch on, before we got in the Celtic
game, I mean we had comments from Derek Mccannas and he said,
you know, in terms of Mother Bell they have been one of the
best teams in the league in terms of exciting play.
He went and causes a bit of anxiety with their speed.
But I thought our shape was good and we shaded the first half.
We went down one nil. We had a lot of work to do, but
importantly we stayed calm. Once he even said himself.
So I wasn't sure about the penalty, but everyone's telling
me it was 1 so and he's been kicked in the head.
So, you know, that's how it goes.
Yeah, they've they, you know, he played give credit to his
players he went with, managed to be a good team by digging deep
and showed the motivation. Fans stayed well as well.
And it's easy, you know, you could feel for the fans back
because like, there's a lot in the line here and I think
anxiety has been probably building over the last couple of
weeks. You know, my one of my
colleagues finally came right into the the line sort of
talking going, you know, we can win this.
And when I met him last week, he was back to going, no, I don't
think we went. We've just we've not got we've
just not got enough to go in this final stretch against the
big teams. But no, the fans of us backed
them to help. 31 What victory in the end asked who said it took
us 1015 minutes to decide how to deal with hearts tactics.
And from there we thought we got more and more control of the
game. They had their moments,
especially in set plays, but in the second-half we started
bright and took control and created moments we and created
moments when we had to, he said. I thought we were the better
team and we didn't take the moments we had.
Yeah, you, you can't really argue with that.
I think you've, I've, I've also heard a few murmurs.
I think it comes around every year about this time about, you
know, how good would it be with with a league reconstruction
moving potentially from from 12 teams to to something like 16.
And I think that would reduce the amount of times you play the
Celtic and Rangers from, you know, potentially 4 in the
league down to two. Yeah.
And I think, you know, that I'd create a lot more variability
with title races. We've always had this one this
year, but this is the first and God knows how long where it's
went down to the wire. Obviously Aberdeen were were
there in abouts until December last year and that was the first
time in a while it had even gone that far.
Yeah. And if you reduce the amount of
times you play these, you know, the Old Firm down to two, well,
4 total instead of eight, it halfs the amount of points that
that's at stake. Because obviously if you, if you
lose all 80 points and that's, you know, 24 points gone
already. If you only play them four
times, that gets reduced into 12, which is such a a much
smaller gap. That's why Celtic Rangers don't
want that to change though. Exactly.
Well, that's why I'm not saying
they don't want it. I'm not putting words in the
mouth. But like, if you were to be,
they vote against you to be cynical.
Like you've said, there's a clear benefit for other teams if
they don't have to play selling Rangers multiple times.
So yeah, interesting. But no, it's it's it is going to
be good to agree with that. I can't, I can't wait to see how
this is going to play out even. I mean, they'll be
disappointing. I mean, I think I speak for a
lot of Scottish football fans. It'd be nice to see status quo
change. Even if it doesn't, it's still
going to be entertaining. It's still going to be good for
Scottish football and hopefully it's something that we're not
just this isn't just a flash in the pan from Hearts and it will
be something we can see seasons going on into the future.
And, and if you're, you know, cast your minds back to just a
bit before this season started when when Tony Bloom first came
into hearts and he said. 10 years. 10 years if if hearts
don't win in in 10 years, I'll be disappointed and everyone
laughed them they generally was you know there was a bit of well
that's quite ambitious, but a lot of people went not a chance
you. Think I heard it and I was like,
I don't know, I I wasn't able to film with this game to like the
level of fight I knew like Brian and stuff like.
Well, yeah, you do question like it's one thing seeing it.
Obviously, obviously, like people that know about Tony
Bloom and know about, you know, how successful he's been with
Brighton and and Union St. and Belgium, yeah, would maybe take
more notice of it. But if, you know, you're a
casual and you see this guy coming to a club and he's going,
yeah, we're going to win the league in the next 10 years when
the one's done it since 1984, then, you know, are you really
going to take him seriously? I don't know, I think a lot of
people were laughing at him, but fair play.
Yeah, and I think Scottishable has had his fair share of people
coming in going, oh, we're going to, you know, shake.
Yeah, like false promises. Yeah, well.
There's been so many. Yeah, so so he said we'll Celtic
first, obviously, like we said, I mean, I mean Martin O'Neill
said he was a bit concerned with the energy levels from his
players. I mean, it was just a one that
when they grinded out against him and that offside goal.
But I mean, I don't know how much that man really threatened
them to be honest. But from the highlights, I think
it's fair to say Celtic didn't look at their best.
I was, you know, they just, it was weird as you think Hearts
are maybe dropping off a bit, Hearts back up again and Celtic
scraping past that man. Although they have been a team
that's given Celtic about a bowl of season in the cup final, you
never know really how that plays on players, how they approach a
game and seven man players are trying to recover from moving on
from Steve Robinson. Don't know how that affect
effects things. Yeah, I mean, I didn't see the
game. I was unfortunately watching
Kilmarnock versus Dundee which will get onto the VAR decision
or not decision more. When the decision.
Was was incredible. But staying on Celtic for the
moment, yeah, from what I've seen of the highlights, it
didn't look, I don't know if it didn't look comfortable, but it.
Didn't look comfortable. Yeah, it was.
It wasn't. It wasn't.
It wasn't an emphatic when and there's not been many of those
under under Martin O'Neill in the second interim spell in the
league anyway. And you know, we've been
probably saying it for two months now.
You can't keep graded out these one the wins, but they are.
But you do wonder if they're going to be able to, to do that
against Hearts, Motherwell, Rangers, even Falkirk and Hibs
maybe. I don't, I don't think Celtic
are are in a position to to be favourites at this stage.
I think it for, for me anyway, it comes down to Hearts or
Rangers and obviously those six pointers between those two will
be will be massive. Yeah, and they said like they're
going to have to potentially deck out results.
I mean, even Martin O'Neill said he's like similar heart control
of all a second-half. We just had to dig in, grind out
the result. It's.
Not what Celtic fans want to hear though.
No, no, it's not that, you know, But is it?
It's just where they are. It's just a reflection of where
that team is at right now. I mean, what's the quality in
there, You know, Negrams, the second got top goal scorer in
the league. It's got 15 goals.
Yeah. It's, it's, it's going to be
interesting to see who drops the first points of this split
because it'll really test their mail because you know when
Celtic, Celtic and Rangers is at the in the middle, isn't it?
Yeah, I think it's third game. Yeah, if I'm almost, I mean I've
not looked in depth at the the post split fixtures of an
Aberdeen fan. You've got your.
Own no the the I was about to say the relegation split is more
important for me than than the top split, but yeah, I think
it's in the middle. Yeah, I mean, I think, I think
speaking from Celtic, Hearts is going to the last game of
season. You I think someone's going to
be on on the cards. Yeah, Hearts fans of, I mean,
like the guys I spoke to are quite concerned about the Hibs
game. Yeah.
They feel like that's where points could be dropped and it's
not. You said, isn't it?
It's a Easter Rd. hips have. Run hips are going to be so up
for they're. Well, for especially the and
they've run them close. They have run them close so far
this season. So interesting to see how that
plays out. But yeah, I mean, like like
Rangers, the other team, they're in the top three within, you
know, going in this top the splat.
So obviously you mentioned they're not exactly emphatic
when the Celtic wanted at Celtic Park against Simone, but at
Fokker Stadium. I don't know if if you was harsh
not to call 63 an emphatic one for Rangers, but.
They had to work for. Yeah, they had to.
They were two nil down. It was certainly like, I mean,
Hearts fans must have been very intrigued by how that first half
was going. You know, at one point a little
Dave Fokker were going to pick up a massive win against
Rangers. Not the first time they've got a
result against them. Or at least the Rangers drop
points. Yeah, at least they'll drop
point even if they came back to. Especially yeah two nil down
you're well tunnel Fokker tunnel up hearts fans are looking the
lips thinking you know even if they come back and score to 2.2
points dropped yeah you know a bit more of a lead going into
the split but now we're. Playing the ball about well, I
mean, I watched a good part of the game and I mean I'm off as a
as a refund. I'll number the players in that
Folkert side used to play for their overs and Brad Spencer
watching him stroke the ball about.
He's a good player. He's and you know, the folk
would really, you know, they weren't just defending their
lead. They were just stroking the ball
about and you know, certain half just like, you know, walking
about the patch instead of just like, you know, sideways passes.
So it it it looked by all means that Rangers had a real game on
their hand and all changed in a moment when Rangers were not
long before half time attacking crosses put in.
Now the soccer players stop and appeal for the by CAC as the
cross goes over the goal, potentially behind the goal
referee and Lionel don't stop playing balls nodded back into
the six yard box and it's slashed home.
So and like in a second it's 21. Suddenly Rangers just need one
goal and then you've got the whole second-half to go and find
it. They end up going to find five.
Yeah, which is crazy. Obviously that one just pour
half time and then second, second-half, they came out
absolute firing and I think it was three goals and 11 minutes,
four goals and 16 something crazy like 3-4 goals and 19
something like that. Yeah, yeah, there's 4752 and 58.
Your your good friend Miowski. Get in.
On that, yeah. Yeah, Chimi Miowski got two.
Well, Chimi got two. It was Raskin with the other one
and then it was Chigwani in the first half.
Yeah, obviously Bulker did get it back to 4/3 at one point.
Yeah, from the spot. Good penalty.
I thought it was a good penalty. My dad said I wasn't but.
Goal and assists for him as well.
Yeah, I'm not. It's good going.
You know, obviously John McGlynn talking about him and and how he
could be an asset to Scotland's squads.
I don't think he'll he'll get the call up.
I don't think he's even in contention, unfortunately, but
he's a really good player. He's going back because he was.
You're not like pronunciated. You're probably way too young to
remember this, but there was a time when I was when I was at
high school. Calvin Miller was included in an
article that he was like deemed to be a kind of his top 20 young
footballers in the world, you know, and it's just, it was just
a point to see the way his career sort of tailed off.
You never really, you know, even Celtic, he never really hit any
heights and. Now Celtic fans want him back.
Yeah. Well, yeah, it's crazy.
But he usually, because he was a striker by then.
Yeah, he was a striker. And then, you know, basically he
seems to have worked out. He's now, you know, I mean, I
remember, I remember watching him for this, got into it.
Anyone's hoping that he was just going to kick on and it's never
happened and he's playing well, but I just let you sit when
you're staying there. About John Mcglenn happened on
1st Scotland Co-op. In terms of the Scotland squad,
I don't know. I just want to think about
options. Then they cut us, actually.
Yeah, we're not that strong in his area, obviously.
He definitely makes the 55 man squad, the initial the initial
55 man squad that Clark has to draft up we.
Can go through a full 55 later on in the podcast.
Yeah, we'll cover that at the end, but I just, I don't know, I
think was it 26 man for the World Cup?
Yeah. And then obviously the initial
55 that Clark cast a name that I don't think that will go public
though. No, not at all.
Which is, you know. I think some of the players
won't even know they're in it. No, I doubt it.
Yeah, but players don't know until the squad released, you
know? I mean usually sometimes like
they wait and see it getting released on there unless they
get a wee text or something can. Move on to Championship.
Yeah. Yeah, Johnston picked up a big
win. Three points closer.
Obviously. Partick Thistle also picked up a
good one. You know, there was a point
where part of this were kind of closing the gap on Saint
Johnstone. But I think now it's probably
the league now that is is the the most predictable for Who
Will Win the league, I think St. Johnstone.
Three games, I have 5 point gap. Yeah, I mean.
I can't see part. Of this asking drawn that back,
yeah, part if I saw. Asking from a lot, for a lot of
favours. Yeah.
From, you know, like the Rovers. I've got St.
Johnstone on Friday night to Friday's time.
Yeah, I think they've, I've got a feeling they've got a roof as
well. Yeah, I would take that, but.
Yeah, obviously the Rover has also got a big win.
Dougie Emery with a well not he didn't score it, but obviously
Dougie Emery's wrath. Rovers side with a a late winner
against this former team Greenock Morton.
As Ian Murray, X-ray manager in charge, of course, like some
weird episode of Football Wife Swap.
They're like, yeah, yeah. Robert, I forgot he was the
manager and I. Yeah, it was a weird game.
The Rovers kind of I felt we controlled most of the first
half. Didn't really didn't really get
questioned too much about Morton apart from the one chance they
really had where they I mean, it was an absolutely.
But scored two, didn't they? In the first half though, Oh
yeah, like it was a crazy good, like the strike, it was Cameron
Blues, like you know, isn't even postage stamp level at top
corner. It was like even farther at the
top corner. Josh Ray really had no chance.
But I had confidence in the team in the second-half that we could
come back and get the lead, not even draw it like going to win
because we had been dominating and died. 2 penalties
potentially from the referee and then but we did get the goals we
needed. We're kind of exposed to Morton
getting you know one goal lead at that point and wanted to come
back and make it 22 but we managed to get LA one.
I think for the Rovers that's I think I mean we're completely
clear to 10th. 9th would require some sort of level of
compatulation from us. Our away form has been dire.
The last only problem for the Rovers we're the worst team in
the league for away form, like even Morrison County, which is
pretty surprising. Yeah, obviously that's nine
point gap now between you and 9th place Airdrie and it looks
like Ross Kent, you're heading towards back-to-back relegations
after their loss to Queens Park. Was it?
Yeah, well now on the Friday night fixture, Aidan Conley with
three header apparently. How many points adrift are they
now? Just a 2, but Airdrie has a game
in hand on them. Yes, and I mean Ross County's
final games against Air Morton and the Rovers, I mean.
Some winnable games in there, but yeah, with how bad they've
been the whole season, you you don't find some in any game
really. No, I mean I was kept to record
it was a 61 pumping, yes. And it's crazy because obviously
at the start of the season, if I'm not mistaken, they were
bookies favourites for the championship.
They looked like they were thrown about more money than St.
Johnstone and they looked like they were the ones recruiting
more aggressively. I had the new league campaign
both off the backer allegation and it's just not, I mean, it's
it is, I mean there's not there's not hitting heights
expected and then there's what's happened that.
I mean it's crazy, like the money they've spent compared to
you know, someone like an Arbroath who are still semi
perot I think who are in and about the playoffs now.
Yeah, Arbroath are on 47 points one point again.
I had it done Fairmont but not got.
They're one game ahead of them, though, and they're eight points
ahead a riff. Although my dad was trying to
convince me that the Rovers can steal a playoff place if I mean
I love. His That's his Rover's heart on.
I love his optimism, but like I was saying, I.
Don't see that about I. Mean our roof does have a quite
a difficult run and they've got they have got unfair 1 the
Rovers and Partick. The Partick if they want to put
a squeeze on Saint Johnson will look to win that.
The firmly are looking to leapfrog Arbroath and Arbroath's
not been in the best form of late.
You know, 3 losses on the goal, now on a trot.
How many? Points behind them are you?
We ate behind them, but we've got to play them and we've got a
game in hand on them, so yeah, we've played.
Them and then from. We've played them next weekend,
Yeah. Then this is like,
hypothetically for words, man speaking, but we're playing them
next weekend. If we beat Queen Spark in the
week and we beat them next weekend, but only two points off
them. With a game in hand?
No, that's the game in hand. Level on games so.
You'd need them firmly to slip up as well though, right?
No. Well, if you have done firmly
and beat our roof, they got above our growth and then we
would need to win our final games and probably get a point
against Johnston. But I mean, because air is in
the same point as US 59. But air, I've got their own
problems right now. Yeah, I mean they're they're
nine points ahead. The air, which again there's I
can't see anything there. Airdrie realistically, when we
have ambitions of catching Morton, I feel this point here
are 6 points ahead and they've got a game in handle more than
at least. But I mean, it's going to be
it's going to be an interesting end to the Championship season.
It's definitely, I think, where people should be looking at that
table is the bottom, not the top.
Yeah, I think as we said previously, the title looks more
set than than any other divisions, but relegation is
still very much exciting. So I think we can move one
further down to League One, Yeah, where the title race was.
At OCO view. Yeah, OCO View, obviously Stanny
kind of surprise contenders after going up two seasons ago
from League 2 and they've been, you know, in and around 1st
place the whole season. Obviously leapfrogged Inverness
Cali I think a couple weeks ago, maybe a month ago now.
And I've stayed there since on a big point for them with a late
penalty, I think 82nd minute, yeah, which was very dubious.
I think even more dubious than than the Hearts penalty that we
mentioned earlier. I don't think there's a penalty.
I think it's it's a big decision.
But Steny fans won't mind. I think they'll be happy to take
that. Two points ahead and Inverness
going into their final. Obviously Inverness with the
game in hand though, I think. Yeah, three-game.
Yeah, Inverness. I've got four games before the
end of the season. Steny just only got 3 to play.
But I mean, yeah, that's maybe incredible because like,
Inverness came with resources and like, off the back of their
relegation and things like that. Standard to me.
I'm pretty sure they're still part time under Gary Naismith.
If you look further than the table in League One as well,
it's just as tight than the bomb, obviously.
Hamilton Aki's three points above Celtic Hearts at the
bottom, which is what, 2 points, 2 points, which is quite
remarkable given they've been deducted 21 in total, I think.
And they got initial 15 and then our initial 6th and another 15
or other way around. And they're still fighting for
survival. They are returning to Hamilton.
I don't know if you've seen that for next season.
They are Douglas Park. Returning to New Douglas Park,
which is, you know, really good news for the fans who have been
through. I can imagine getting this place
like that. Yeah, a lot to Broadwood,
obviously. I think they've been all over in
in recent years. I thought as a stadium, I think
I'm fair, Broadwood. Well, I'm sure Hamilton fans
will prefer no part. So I'm just saying if I was
going to watch, if I was having to go and watch Hamlin players
and away supporter, I think broad would be my preference.
But yes, it was quite still. Yeah, I think there has been
plans to develop a ground. I'm not sure where that is.
I think you might have read rather Glen, maybe I.
Thought rather Glen someone I saw because I mean, I grew up in
Google Maps. Because obviously there was, you
know, they just swapped stadiums.
I remember going to Aberdeen versus Clyde in the Scottish Cup
and going to New Douglas Park and I and I want.
To take off a new stadium when they move.
It yeah, yeah. So no, it'll be good for
Hamilton fans to return back to to their actual stadium just.
Depends if it'll be. In and the two or league.
They'll be hoping it's in League One.
Yeah, moving on to League 2 now I think Title race still really
tight. They're both teams slipping up
though. East Kilbride losing to four fur
Spartans and Spartans losing to Sonora.
So yeah, it's a it's a game of who wants to win it more.
I think neither of them are picking up the results they they
wanted that weekend. Especially the title races all
over the, you know, in each league apart from the
championship like you said. Yeah, I mean, even like up until
a couple of weeks ago it was Premiership, Championship,
League One, League 2 low and League and the High end league,
all you know, titles completely open, obviously.
Highland. League is now decided.
I mean it just finished there the weekend like this weekend,
but it was kind of decided and the effection between Beacon and
Rora that you know, first and second up against each other
Rora 2 one winners there. Yeah.
You know, I think they would have to have lost in some crazy
situation would had to card with Beacons when for that deficit to
be overtime in terms of yeah, but they drew at the weekend.
They ended up winning the league by one point yeah, they go into
the Premier League playoff pediment to get into League 2.
So congratulations to brew Rangers.
I've got a pile up Brodaway actually, so.
There you go. Show it to him.
Whoever. Yeah.
What's his name? Campbell.
There you go. Are.
You getting mine this year actually.
Oh well, there you go. I'll be going up for that, so.
So there you go, Broda will Well, they'll face either Lunska
Rose or Clydebank. Obviously.
Luska Rose beat Clydebank 4/1 was it?
Yeah 41 which is a massive 1 leapfrogging them to the top of
the table. I think they played Bonnie Rae
Glass game in season. Well, yeah, going into going
into the the weekend's fixtures, Bonnie and I at the time of
record, yeah, Bonnie and I grew on 68 when the Gurus were on 69
and Clydebank won 70. Two points between 2:00.
Points separating the top. 3 is there.
On left grow is, you know, 41 Vector is very convinced against
Clydebank. You know, they're still I mean,
to be fair, I mean in terms of who I'd like to seen.
I mean, I've done a couple of posts on the tech talk and
Instagrams about like lost aims of the past and yeah, kind of
refreshed me in terms of get up to speak with Clyde Bank story.
I knew about it, but I had never actually.
Yeah, personally, I'd prefer Clyde.
Bank the journey they've gone through the Scottish people
tiers to get back to this point one step away from the
professional leagues again yeah their.
Their whole story of. Yeah.
Of losing their club really, and having to rebuild.
Yeah, it'd be a great story. Obviously the world needs Bonnie
Rig to do them a favour against Alaska Rose.
Yeah, last game of the season is Clyde Bank of Hope, Caledonia
Braves. Which should, yeah, you'd expect
them to to win. As fifth versus second, but I
mean, Claybank will be home and that and they'll be 1.
Bonnie Raiku because of their draw at the weekend, means they
can't really overturn the goal difference.
A mental final day with that but if they won three horse race
final day season yeah first versus.
Second, I think if they won it would it would be much.
One point. It would really one point in
that. Yeah, it'd be, it'd be crazy,
you know, they'd be needing, they'd be needing it to be,
they'd be needing a draw. Clay Bannon been in a draw in
that game because any other result would rule them out.
But body makes draw has kind of ruled them out that now.
And now they're looking through. Well, Clay Banker, we hope they
do them a favour. Yeah, well, whoever wins that
will then go into that playoff against Broad Rangers and then
whoever wins that will go into the Tigers and Bracelet who have
been confirmed bottom League 2 only because of their point
deduction. Stonewalling would be sitting
bomb at the time of recording if they hadn't got that points
deduction. So yeah, Edward City, we feeling
pretty hard done by again there. You know, they've had a pretty
good season by by their by their expectations at the start of the
season. So, you know, commiserations to
them and I think that wraps up everything around the SPFL.
Yeah. I mean, it's yeah, it felt good
to go top to bottom there and give a lot of coverage because
we we do usually talk Premier League, but like I said,
Highland League when I was broader, we've got an interest
into the season the only. We don't just watch the
Premiership, I promise. I would love to have gone up for
that. We had talked about going on
trying to cover the Aurora region game, but it was midweek.
Yeah, it just, you know, full time job and full time shouldn't
kind of be everyone going that one.
Yeah. So that covers league stuff,
Scotland, it's only going to get worse as.
Well, excited every time. Every get excited every time I
talk about it. I So for the World Cup Steve
Clark is due to name for FIFA requirements.
This won't be like a public squad that released.
He has to name a 55 man squad which is like the preliminary
national squad that he then packs the final 26 man squad
from. He did a joke about including
himself and that he wasn't sure if he was going to be able to
find 55 players. I've got 55 the.
Help of my friend has drafted up his 55 man squad.
I've saved us. I think we'd probably go through
most of the same players twice, but and just.
Agree or disagree? Obviously.
Yeah. Like Jim said, if we both did
one then we'd probably pick at least 40 of the same players.
So to spare you the hassle we've just got mine.
I've got a few rogue names in there and you can tell me if you
think I've missed any out. So yeah, starting with
goalkeepers, I've gone for only four Craig Gordon, Angus Gunn,
Scott Bain and Liam Kelly. Yeah, it makes sense.
Left backs I've got Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Josh Doig, Harry
Milne and James Penrice. Can't argue with that, really.
Yeah, Centre Max. I've got Scott McKenna, John
Sitter, Jack Kendry, Stuart Finley and Craig Calcott, as
well as Stephen Welsh. Grant Hanley, who I included
because I know Steve Clark well. You includes Grant Hanley.
Yeah, you wouldn't. And if no, in a 55 man squad I
would. Right.
And Luke Graham, you. Wouldn't you wouldn't include
him in the final squad? No, no, he's not been playing
enough. He's been injured, though.
Exactly. Yeah, but come the end of the
season, assuming he's been playing, no, no.
OK, So it's not whether or not it's not the fact he's not been
playing enough. You just don't want to squad.
Don't. Want him in the squad, but
obviously for what he's done for the national team, for how many
Cavs? I don't think he gets in a
minute like that. I think he actually does bring
someone to the team. I think a lot of people disagree
with you. I'm fine man.
Yeah, and then the last two being Luke Graham and Dominic
Kia. Have I missed anyone?
Ryan Porters. Ryan Porter's almost made it in.
Almost. How is he not making it?
I just I've not seen him enough at LAFC and I don't think.
He's been playing so well for them.
I was, I was more thinking of a real like who was more likely to
get in. And he's not been seen by anyone
since, Well, barely been seen since obviously that.
Germany backs again. Give them time.
Scott McKenna, John Serter, Jack Kendrick, Stuart Finley, Craig
Calcott, Stephen Welsh, Grant Hanley, Luke Graham and Dominic
Keon. I think there's been a four on
that list you've named. I would have him in over.
Who? Probably Halka or Finley Welsh
and then did you? Have him in over Steven Welsh.
Yeah, and then Luke Graham. Really.
Mate, he's playing a good level. He was playing a good level
before he went across there. He's consistent.
I I can't believe how much he has been punished for that.
You know, people make mistakes. The German game we had an
absolute Howard. He's he's played the all time
for us since, but not really got a notable game time.
He was a mainstay in that team and he.
Mainstay when we were having the the five at the back kind of
pendulum system. Good.
And we, you know, we, you know, Steve Clark has admitted we will
have to jump between systems. I feel like.
Yeah, it disappoints me. He's the way he sort of dropped
out but I'm surprised he has made your 55 man squad.
There you go. You can add him into yours then.
Yeah, but right back I've got Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson,
Ross McCrory, Max Johnston and Colby Donovan.
Anyone of us you? Didn't say it, you said Allison.
No, not a chance. He's getting it there.
Not a chance. He said before, realistically I
know Heinle get included, so I've got to include him.
Oh, spite, I'm not including him.
I mean, I actually thought Tony Ralston should I shoot more for
Scotland than I mean, I know it's just one game, but I wasn't
overly impressed with McCrory against Ivory Coast.
Yeah, I wasn't overly impressed with him either, but.
I think I think Ralston gets in there ahead of him from I agree
with Kobe. Oliver Merit or like actually a
Billy? A Billy, OH.
Come on. And I wasn't impressed by
Mccrory's ability were. You impressed by Anthony Ralston
in any game? I don't think he's like, as bad
as people make out. He's not.
I've generally I don't remember
a good game he's had for Scotland.
Never seen a good game, I said. He had that.
He wasn't awful. He's been awful in most.
Games, I mean, I had, I had day expectations about Macquarie.
I heard quite good things from Bristol say.
Yeah, and it's been one game. Yeah, I know.
It's a friendly as well. I just didn't.
And he wasn't good. But if you look at the ages,
McCrory is younger so, so I think for the future, you have
to to look at him. And I think for Anthony Ralston,
he's proven time and time again for me.
I don't want to use him as scapegoat because I know I do
sometimes. They had a hell I mean.
He's awful. He's awful in the EUR and he's
been awful since then. I don't, I don't know.
How he has got person's heroes? I don't think he has for
Scotland and I think I would much rather Colby Donovan than
Anthony. No, but OK.
I mean, I think we're arguing about something as immaterial
because, like, in the final squad, I think he'll be in it.
I think he'll probably still be in the final squad.
Yeah. Because, I mean, for me, Clark
does give. And all folks are saying about
the Finley carts and being quite surprised that Clark included
him. But Clark has proved himself to
be a guy that will give youngsters a chance when he
thinks the time is right. And because he's not either a
partisan for the Euro 2020, either.
Billy Gilmore, Lena Miller has finally got his chance.
And people would argue, maybe not as quick as they would have
liked to seen him. I still don't think he's given
Lennon Miller enough minutes at all.
No, you had different he got, but he's good some.
Did he get 0 in the last in the last break again?
But but he hasn't called them. I'm just but like, if you're not
going to give them minutes in these friendlies against Japan
and Ivory Coast, he's not going to get any in the World Cup, is
it? Or maybe he does what he does
with Billy Gilmore and chucks in the deep end, but I can't see
that happening. No, I can't see it.
I mean, I think the Billy Gilmore thing was out of
necessary for what the Scotland team was facing at that point in
time. But yeah, I mean it was, it was
disappearing, the point not similar because we got to see
McLean again, even though we know what you can give.
Exactly. I like McLean.
I think friendlies are about experimenting more than he did.
Yeah, I think you maybe did. Experiment is not amazing.
We want to see yeah, but no club Donovan is has been playing.
He is someone, if he could finish the season good for
Celtic, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be in the squad
of arouse then. But what will he be?
Yeah, exactly so right, midfield.
Midfield first, just centre mids.
I've got Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, Lynn Miller, Billy
Gilmore, Elliot Watt, Rogue One, Jordan Helsgrove.
Not rogue at all, mate. Him out?
Yeah, good. Under Ian Kathros out.
Yeah, one of he's been Ian Kathrow has been named as one of
the 23 most. Exciting young managers.
I think Hearts fans will
probably be laughing at that with his 26% win record.
But he's been doing really well. Obviously was under the wing of
no Esperanto Santo I think and then has kind of found himself a
Esteril who were favourites for relegation and has gotten to
come to me mid table, even pushing to the to the upper
thirds at times. I mean, he had quite a poor
start to the season and he's not the season.
He has been there for a bit longer than that.
But he's he's a national on boarding period was about ropy.
But once he got the gaps where I mean, they've been sort of
heralded for playing some of the most exciting football in the
league. Exactly.
And Jordan Holsgrove, it's part of that.
One of the one of the key stays in that team.
So I've got him, I've got Kenny McLean.
And then just to fill out the I was struggling for names at one
point, David Watson, Mark Leonard and Tyler Fletcher.
Tyler Fletcher, you know, he's been involved in the Man United
first. Team has been, yeah.
You have to be pretty decent to, well, maybe not now you usually
have to be pretty decent to to get into that, to that first
team. Yeah, my has been doing better
though, and Sony's. Well, yeah, they are third or
fourth. So those are my centre meds.
I know Liam Henderson. I did that.
I I did forget. I won't lie, I did forget.
Even you I mind writing an article about him many years
ago. Been like, you know, I thought
he was. He was.
In Serbina? Or is he back in Syria?
Is he Empoli Sampdoria he's been all about?
I think he's Sam, Sam Dorian, Sam Dorian and the SAB.
So yeah, I missed him out. I would probably put him in.
Back in, we're talking about. Yeah, you won't get into the
final squad. Centre attacking mids have got
McGinn, Mctominy and the Irving, Rheingold and Josh Mulligan.
I know he's not as a calm as the others.
Josh Mulligan, obviously injured as well, but 55 months scored
and I'd put them in. Yeah, wingers.
I've got Ben Guy and Duke Finlay, Curtis, Tommy Conway,
Calvin Miller that we mentioned earlier, Lewis Morgan, Ollie
Burke, who is the fastest player in the Bundesliga.
I saw that he's still been the fastest player of the season, 37
kilometres an hour. Come back after this
conversation because. Ollie works in there.
Might not be this podcast but I mean looking at I genuinely
think Spark should be in the squad, the final squad. 100% I
think it gives us something. That, you know, in a team, I
mean, he. Should have been in an instead
of from the curse or both. A deal?
Well. I mean, Luke, I think we've
touched this before, which one doesn't have Ben Duke in the
squad? There's a frightening lack of
pace. And I think when you looked at
how we played an Ivy Coast game, we controlled the game.
But getting up the patch quick and opportunities where we
really could had the better urgency about us and a better
pace to brave Ford. We lacked that.
Yeah. And that took away from our
attacking threat. And it's what made Ivory Court
such a threat. I don't, I don't think they
didn't control the game, but they've had one nil victors and
they had a couple of moments where they really had a
scarpering to get back. Exactly.
And and I think that that's the thing, we're in the World Cup
where we're playing Morocco and Brazil, we're going to expect to
not have much of the ball. And how we're wanting to attack
is probably mostly counter attack.
And apart from Ben Gan and Doke, we have no pace like we saw.
And you know, if you think about, you know, the likely
frontline that we're going to have, it's probably going to be
Ben Gan and Doke, hopefully fingers crossed, as well as
either probably Christie or McGinn out on another one.
And then Jay Adams or London next on top.
Like in those kind of situations, you kind of look
even because I know like Christy and began our traditional
wingers, you kind of look to your feel backs for that pace.
Yeah, Robertson's just not like not easy.
He's not he's not slow, but he's not like he was before and he's
not got the legs to do it later in the game.
Jason. Patterson has that pace, but
he's probably not going to be starting.
Iron. Hickey isn't the fastest, you
know. He's not known for his pace.
Yeah. So I mean, I think, I think I
wasn't, I wasn't surprised not to see Bark in the most recent
squad, but I haven't seen how the game is played out and how
he played. I think peace is an issue that
needs addressed and you know a bit, even if dork's fat, I think
I would. I would like to see Bark and
their national squad for the friendlies to see what he brings
because as also. Friendly.
Obviously, since we've been away, the Bolivia friendly has
been confirmed. Yeah, it's going to be Bolivia.
New Jersey Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Is that the New York one? Really It's it's a new New York,
New Jersey. Yeah.
So that's on the 4th. Yeah, yeah, it's it's a week
after the Crusoe game at Hamden. Few 32 pointers going to get
knocked off their perch in the Scotland Sports Club with that
one. I don't know if it's counting
towards points. Oh, true.
Yeah, I hope it's not. I hope it's not.
Yeah. Well, we got what you're saying
the Ivory Coast game well. Because that ivory.
Might it might not count towards the EUR it'll.
Count towards the EUR if this game doesn't get if the Bolivia
game doesn't get counted, so it better fucking knockout.
Yeah, I think it might. Like, I've got that.
Well, I mean, but yeah, no bark. You're talking about bark in
those games against Brazil. He's actually got experience
playing against Brazil for Scotland, so too long
tournament. What was that again?
When was that? We're going back.
I mean, he did. It was on the 20s.
I think he must have been about 2021 and he's now, he's the same
age as me. So that's going back eight
years. Eight years ago, Billy Gilmer
was, I think it was a tournament before Billy Gilmer got named.
Very strong player of the tournament.
Greg Taylor scored actually against Brazil and in one of the
games Bark was really good there.
Again, that was back when he looked like he was going to be.
A real next big thing and. Yeah, a real force in Scottish
football. But I mean, it's not worked.
He's he's got a good week here going over in Germany right now.
And like, I mean, he would make my final squad.
He'd make is it OK? But Rush, yeah, he would make my
squad for the friendlies. And I think, I think having
Lyndon Dykes and George Hurst together doesn't offer you much
different. And I drive.
George Hurst been in there. Such a waste scored.
At the weekend, though, Yeah, well, we'll stand by it, Yeah,
but no, no, no. I mean, seems a nice guy, but
yeah, I'm not. Yeah, yeah.
Then closing out, yeah, along with Holliberg closing out the
winger section, I've got Danny Armstrong, who's obviously
playing his football in Romania, Dynamo Bucharest.
I think, yeah, this one. And then a rogue One, Emilio
Lawrence, who's been playing really well in League One for
Luton Town. Yep, scored today at 10
recording, which is a Sunday. And yeah, he's been really good.
Obviously scored four goals back in that game against Gibraltar
for the Scotland on the 20 ones. So he looks, you know, hopefully
like the next one with a bit of pace as well that can come
through, you know, maybe. So a long way to go the.
Nations League or or Euro qualifying campaign and then
closing at the squad with the Strikers.
I've got Linen Dykes, Jay Adams, Barney Stewart, Olie Mcburney,
Robbie Uri, Ross Stewart, Kieran Bowie, Lawrence Shankland and
then another Rogue One, Ryan Oni, who just won the League One
league with Lincoln City. Yeah, his goal pretty much put
the seal. Goal put the seal on it.
Lincoln City fans love him, obviously he's on loan from
Sheffield United and they're not too happy about that.
They're they've fallen in in love with a lone player.
Like they've said, all done it, they've all done it, but it'll
be. Right now actually pull into
what they're over. He's going back to Rangers.
He's he's he's got he's gone on a better things.
What a player. Yeah, it'll be interesting to
see how he gets on at Sheffield United.
If he gets the game time in the Championship, yeah, he probably
deserves. Because he's he's proved himself
in League One of the season, He's not actually had the amount
of goals he's scored. He's not actually had as many
starts as you think. He's been a real impact player,
came off the bench and got a lot of, you know, put a lot of goals
to his name. They've ultimately held Lincoln
to their promotion. So I think he's he's above
level. League One.
He's proved himself there. Well, Sheffield United keep him.
Well, he go on loan. Yeah, someone else next season,
who knows. But yeah, he's doing good thing.
Great to see. Dad used to play for the Rovers
actually. Armando.
Yeah. So yeah, Frenchman.
So he's obviously half like Ryan.
I don't know who it was it brought.
I think it wasn't just the Rovers they played for.
I've got a feeling he was my Petronaut and stuff as well.
But yeah, our mind was, it was at the Rovers.
It was actually he was in the Rovers team the season, the
first season I started supporting us and this is all
these years. I got relegated.
No, no, we were League. I was old Division Two by then.
And he was, yeah, that was the season Craig Levine came in to
help set the ship at the Rovers and he helped bring in John
Mcglin. That was John Mcglin's first
role in management. There you go.
Yeah, so, but yeah, I, Ryan, obviously son of Armand because
of that move the, I don't know if it was moved to overs or
whoever that brought him to Scotland, but he's he's kind of,
he's looking a better player than his dad that way.
So yeah, obviously I've not included James Wilson.
That's probably a mess on my part, I've just realized.
But he could probably be playing in the same league as Ryan only
next season when Spurs get relegated to the Championship.
Yeah, it's crazy. I didn't imagine being James
Wilson. The element starts season right,
mate? You're going to get moved to
spars. Great.
No one catches hearts while we're playing champions like
football next season and you're going to be in the chat and
you're going to be in the chat. Oh, it might not come to pass,
but it's. They're in the real usually.
Not looking. It's one of the things where
you're surely not, surely not surely not like market title.
Yeah, yeah, I bought it exactly and keep it just keeps going on.
Like close it my 50 man 55 man squads.
Let us know if you've you think we've missed anyone glaring on.
Glaring him, obviously. Let us know if you agree with me
about Ryan Portis, because I feel like I'm fighting a useless
fight. Yeah, but.
Let me know if you agree with me with Anthony Ralston, Grant
Hanley, so you'll have a. Few agree.
Me and Hanley, but I'm not. Absolutely.
I'm not here for. That Well, yeah, I think that
closes out the podcast. I think we've talked about
everything we can. So yeah, thank you very much for
listening. Again, thank you very much to
our sponsors, Eldorado. Yeah, good job for helping us
create this content and empowering us to to be able to
create this content. Fueling our fire held up to the
World Cup. Yeah, there'll be plenty drunk
here and over there, so get your hands in it while you still can.
Thank you very much for listening to the podcast.
And we'll, we'll see you again very soon.