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H18sry
14-10-2009, 01:45 PM
As the international side continue its slump while the Old Firm resume their search for the exit door, what exactly does the future hold for Scottish football? Scotland's expected defeat by Japan in Yokohama at the weekend was met by a depressing acceptance and a sense of helplessness. Have we, a country which helped give the game to the world, really been reduced to George Burley picking a side to play for a draw in a friendly match?

If nothing else came out of the Japan defeat, we discovered that once you skim off the top 20 or so Scottish footballers, we don't have much beneath to call upon. And as qualification campaigns have proved over the last two decades, the first 20 are not too clever either.

The one Scotsman in the Nissan Stadium who had the ability and technique to produce a moment of magic, Derek Riordan, was left on the bench because, one must assume, he does not have the workrate of Lee Miller or Graham Dorrans, both of whom put in a sterling defensive display as Scotland strikers.
Shots on goal? Let's not go there.

Riordan was given 16 measly minutes to showcase his wares although in a Scottish context, where safety-first is now practised with almost religious zeal, that amount of game time could be considered almost reckless of Burley. Indeed, given that the loss of both goals came in the last eight minutes, he may well have regretted it.

No one took any notice of the beleaguered Scottish boss when he claimed the trip to Yokohama was a worthwhile exercise. Of course it wasn't. When Scotland play their next competitive game in around 11 months time, Dorrans, Don Cowie, Craig Conway et al will be again watching from the couch. The tried and tested failures will be back.

What price Scotland qualifying for the 2012 European Championships as third seeds? Only a misguided sense of patriotism prevents most people accepting that the national team may never see a major tournament again.

The Old Firm, bless their souls, have reiterated their solution to the ills of Scottish football. Leaving it. The hot air generated by the latest bid by Celtic and Rangers to cut and run could melt a polar ice cap. While two of the least talented squads of players ever to wear the green or blue continue to frustrate their supporters, many of whom are now voting with their feet, their overlords speak of moving to pastures new with baffling confidence.

Atlantic League? Do me a favour. There is already a European League for also-rans. The Europa League, which entails around 20 games if you go all the way to the final. And did no one notice that there were more at Celtic Park for the visit of St Johnstone than the Europa League game against Rapid Vienna? Are games against Copenhagen, Rosenborg or Standard Liege going to rejuvenate Scottish football?

What about skipping that idea to simply lobby for an invite in to the richest league in the world? As you do.

A couple of years ago the Premier League voted 20-0 against the idea of programming Celtic Park and Ibrox in to their Sat Navs but like a drunk chatting up the most attractive woman in a nightclub, the Old Firm are reluctant to take no for an answer while still scouring the dance floor for alternatives.

What about an EPL 2? Further down the English leagues? How about starting right at the bottom? It's getting late, is anyone interested? No mention of the Old Firm departing to England would be complete without the cliche: "Within three or four years, once they got the television money, they would be up there challenging." Up where challenging who?

Let's suspend reality for a moment and say that FIFA and UEFA would agree to the two top teams in Scotland moving to England. Let's pretend that UEFA would open the door to the possibility of the best Dutch teams applying to join the Bundesliga and top Portuguese teams moving to Spain. Let's also pretend that all the Premier League clubs embrace the idea of two clubs from Scotland setting their sights on English money and perform a U-turn.

If the Old Firm joined the Premier League next season they would start some way behind the top sides. Need a comparison? Think Arsenal and Celtic. Yes, but what about the £40million or so extra cash going in to the coffers? What about it? Don't clubs like Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton get that kind of money? Are they, "up there challenging?" How many top players would that money buy? Three?

Forgive my pessimism but the current Old Firm squads need more than three new players before they could be "up there challenging." Try 13. At each club. The Glasgow clubs would, of course, get better players but not of the standard good enough to challenge Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, although perhaps Gary Caldwell and Kris Boyd would get their new deals.

What we would be left with is Celtic and Rangers in the same situation as Newcastle United - a big club in the north of Britain with big home crowds but unable to attract the cream and that is what Peter Lawwell and Martin Bain should consider carefully. As we know, the Old Firm support is a different animal than every other in Britain, genetically programmed to exist on a diet of success. One shudders to think what life without European football or trophies for the foreseeable future would do to Celtic and Rangers fans who reach for the phone if their side as much as drops two points at home.

Nevertheless, while recognising that greed is the driving force behind the Old Firm's race to the border, we must acknowledge that their departure might sound the death knell for the domestic game. Never have so many supporters been so united in their contempt for Scottish footballers and Scottish football. There is a disconnect between the fans and the game.

Henry McLeish is chairing the Scottish Football Review panel which promises to assesses the state of the national game from top to bottom. If there is an ounce of credibility in this latest Think Tank, what will emerge is a proposal for a single body to run football in Scotland. However, only if there is a Santa Claus will the SFA, SPL and SFL vote for it. In truth, the solution to the problems within the Scottish game requires more in-depth assessment, analysis and evaluation than this column can dish out at one sitting.

But few would disagree that the game needs stripped back to its foundations. We need to forget about brand identification, income streams and "growing the product."

We need to get back to basics, maybe starting by bringing in the best coaches from overseas to teach players how to trap and pass the ball. To nurture defenders who offer more than height and power, to craft midfielders who can not only run for ever but who can create, and shape strikers who can hold the ball up, beat a man and shoot. It won't solve all the problems but it would be a start.

An Oriental philosopher once said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Maybe, after all, there was a lesson to be learned from Scotland's trip to the Far East.

Kato
14-10-2009, 01:56 PM
We need to get back to basics, maybe starting by bringing in the best coaches from overseas to teach players how to trap and pass the ball. To nurture defenders who offer more than height and power, to craft midfielders who can not only run for ever but who can create, and shape strikers who can hold the ball up, beat a man and shoot. It won't solve all the problems but it would be a start.


Heard it all before 30 years ago after Argentina. There are articles from the 1950's in which SFA President G Graham was bemoaning the lack of a good youth set-up.

Nothing will change drastically until someone shows some radical leadership and changes things in the way required.

The leaders within in the SFA at the mo' are not those type of people, they are there to pen-push and cow-tow to RangersAndCeltc, they don't care all that much and lack any kind balls to change things.

Hibs7
14-10-2009, 01:57 PM
Never a truer word said. :thumbsup:

HibeeB
14-10-2009, 02:05 PM
"A couple of years ago the Premier League voted 20-0 against the idea of programming Celtic Park and Ibrox in to their Sat Navs but like a drunk chatting up the most attractive woman in a nightclub, the Old Firm are reluctant to take no for an answer while still scouring the dance floor for alternatives."

:greengrin

Mag7
14-10-2009, 02:43 PM
As the international side continue its slump while the Old Firm resume their search for the exit door, what exactly does the future hold for Scottish football? Scotland's expected defeat by Japan in Yokohama at the weekend was met by a depressing acceptance and a sense of helplessness. Have we, a country which helped give the game to the world, really been reduced to George Burley picking a side to play for a draw in a friendly match?

If nothing else came out of the Japan defeat, we discovered that once you skim off the top 20 or so Scottish footballers, we don't have much beneath to call upon. And as qualification campaigns have proved over the last two decades, the first 20 are not too clever either.

The one Scotsman in the Nissan Stadium who had the ability and technique to produce a moment of magic, Derek Riordan, was left on the bench because, one must assume, he does not have the workrate of Lee Miller or Graham Dorrans, both of whom put in a sterling defensive display as Scotland strikers.
Shots on goal? Let's not go there.

Riordan was given 16 measly minutes to showcase his wares although in a Scottish context, where safety-first is now practised with almost religious zeal, that amount of game time could be considered almost reckless of Burley. Indeed, given that the loss of both goals came in the last eight minutes, he may well have regretted it.

No one took any notice of the beleaguered Scottish boss when he claimed the trip to Yokohama was a worthwhile exercise. Of course it wasn't. When Scotland play their next competitive game in around 11 months time, Dorrans, Don Cowie, Craig Conway et al will be again watching from the couch. The tried and tested failures will be back.

What price Scotland qualifying for the 2012 European Championships as third seeds? Only a misguided sense of patriotism prevents most people accepting that the national team may never see a major tournament again.

The Old Firm, bless their souls, have reiterated their solution to the ills of Scottish football. Leaving it. The hot air generated by the latest bid by Celtic and Rangers to cut and run could melt a polar ice cap. While two of the least talented squads of players ever to wear the green or blue continue to frustrate their supporters, many of whom are now voting with their feet, their overlords speak of moving to pastures new with baffling confidence.

Atlantic League? Do me a favour. There is already a European League for also-rans. The Europa League, which entails around 20 games if you go all the way to the final. And did no one notice that there were more at Celtic Park for the visit of St Johnstone than the Europa League game against Rapid Vienna? Are games against Copenhagen, Rosenborg or Standard Liege going to rejuvenate Scottish football?

What about skipping that idea to simply lobby for an invite in to the richest league in the world? As you do.

A couple of years ago the Premier League voted 20-0 against the idea of programming Celtic Park and Ibrox in to their Sat Navs but like a drunk chatting up the most attractive woman in a nightclub, the Old Firm are reluctant to take no for an answer while still scouring the dance floor for alternatives.

What about an EPL 2? Further down the English leagues? How about starting right at the bottom? It's getting late, is anyone interested? No mention of the Old Firm departing to England would be complete without the cliche: "Within three or four years, once they got the television money, they would be up there challenging." Up where challenging who?

Let's suspend reality for a moment and say that FIFA and UEFA would agree to the two top teams in Scotland moving to England. Let's pretend that UEFA would open the door to the possibility of the best Dutch teams applying to join the Bundesliga and top Portuguese teams moving to Spain. Let's also pretend that all the Premier League clubs embrace the idea of two clubs from Scotland setting their sights on English money and perform a U-turn.

If the Old Firm joined the Premier League next season they would start some way behind the top sides. Need a comparison? Think Arsenal and Celtic. Yes, but what about the £40million or so extra cash going in to the coffers? What about it? Don't clubs like Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton get that kind of money? Are they, "up there challenging?" How many top players would that money buy? Three?

Forgive my pessimism but the current Old Firm squads need more than three new players before they could be "up there challenging." Try 13. At each club. The Glasgow clubs would, of course, get better players but not of the standard good enough to challenge Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, although perhaps Gary Caldwell and Kris Boyd would get their new deals.

What we would be left with is Celtic and Rangers in the same situation as Newcastle United - a big club in the north of Britain with big home crowds but unable to attract the cream and that is what Peter Lawwell and Martin Bain should consider carefully. As we know, the Old Firm support is a different animal than every other in Britain, genetically programmed to exist on a diet of success. One shudders to think what life without European football or trophies for the foreseeable future would do to Celtic and Rangers fans who reach for the phone if their side as much as drops two points at home.

Nevertheless, while recognising that greed is the driving force behind the Old Firm's race to the border, we must acknowledge that their departure might sound the death knell for the domestic game. Never have so many supporters been so united in their contempt for Scottish footballers and Scottish football. There is a disconnect between the fans and the game.

Henry McLeish is chairing the Scottish Football Review panel which promises to assesses the state of the national game from top to bottom. If there is an ounce of credibility in this latest Think Tank, what will emerge is a proposal for a single body to run football in Scotland. However, only if there is a Santa Claus will the SFA, SPL and SFL vote for it. In truth, the solution to the problems within the Scottish game requires more in-depth assessment, analysis and evaluation than this column can dish out at one sitting.

But few would disagree that the game needs stripped back to its foundations. We need to forget about brand identification, income streams and "growing the product."

We need to get back to basics, maybe starting by bringing in the best coaches from overseas to teach players how to trap and pass the ball. To nurture defenders who offer more than height and power, to craft midfielders who can not only run for ever but who can create, and shape strikers who can hold the ball up, beat a man and shoot. It won't solve all the problems but it would be a start.

An Oriental philosopher once said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Maybe, after all, there was a lesson to be learned from Scotland's trip to the Far East.

I think many of us are well aware that this is likely to prove the case.

Exiled Hibby
14-10-2009, 02:54 PM
Much of it might have been said before, but still a very good article. Only criticism I would make is that it fcuses almost exclsively on the problems without suggesting alternatives.
I agree that Henry McLeish' think tank must insist on the amalgamation of the 3 ruling bodies to have any credibility at all - sadly I also agree that wont happen.
Just so I am not guilty of my own crticism, I would suggest that the way forward is for the SPL clubs who dont want to leave Scotland to split from the league, taking with them the top Div 1 clubs, so that we end up with, ideally, 2 leagues of 18 playing each team in league twicw a season only. 2 to be relegated 2 promoted. Pyramid system in place below that. Gate money split 50/50 after deduction for season ticket holders of each home club. If OF want to be part of it, fine, but put them in legally binding contract for minimum 10 years - any attempt within first 9 years of that contract to leave and go elsewhere, or suggestion by them to that effect, to be deemedas bringing league into disrepute and automatic fine plus 20 point deduction. Most of this has been suggested by others as well in other threads.
Do I think this will happen - No, but I believe it should.

CyberSauzee
14-10-2009, 04:37 PM
I agree that Henry McLeish' think tank must insist on the amalgamation of the 3 ruling bodies to have any credibility at all - sadly I also agree that wont happen.


Sadly, there's more than three!

There's the three 'senior' non leagues - East of Scotland, Highland and the South of Scotland. Then there's the juniors, with their 150+ clubs split into three regions. And not forgetting the Scottish Amateur FA. There's probably more. I think they just come into being a bit like boxing world titles.

NOLA
14-10-2009, 07:47 PM
As the international side continue its slump while the Old Firm resume their search for the exit door, what exactly does the future hold for Scottish football? Scotland's expected defeat by Japan in Yokohama at the weekend was met by a depressing acceptance and a sense of helplessness. Have we, a country which helped give the game to the world, really been reduced to George Burley picking a side to play for a draw in a friendly match?

If nothing else came out of the Japan defeat, we discovered that once you skim off the top 20 or so Scottish footballers, we don't have much beneath to call upon. And as qualification campaigns have proved over the last two decades, the first 20 are not too clever either.

The one Scotsman in the Nissan Stadium who had the ability and technique to produce a moment of magic, Derek Riordan, was left on the bench because, one must assume, he does not have the workrate of Lee Miller or Graham Dorrans, both of whom put in a sterling defensive display as Scotland strikers.
Shots on goal? Let's not go there.

Riordan was given 16 measly minutes to showcase his wares although in a Scottish context, where safety-first is now practised with almost religious zeal, that amount of game time could be considered almost reckless of Burley. Indeed, given that the loss of both goals came in the last eight minutes, he may well have regretted it.

No one took any notice of the beleaguered Scottish boss when he claimed the trip to Yokohama was a worthwhile exercise. Of course it wasn't. When Scotland play their next competitive game in around 11 months time, Dorrans, Don Cowie, Craig Conway et al will be again watching from the couch. The tried and tested failures will be back.

What price Scotland qualifying for the 2012 European Championships as third seeds? Only a misguided sense of patriotism prevents most people accepting that the national team may never see a major tournament again.

The Old Firm, bless their souls, have reiterated their solution to the ills of Scottish football. Leaving it. The hot air generated by the latest bid by Celtic and Rangers to cut and run could melt a polar ice cap. While two of the least talented squads of players ever to wear the green or blue continue to frustrate their supporters, many of whom are now voting with their feet, their overlords speak of moving to pastures new with baffling confidence.

Atlantic League? Do me a favour. There is already a European League for also-rans. The Europa League, which entails around 20 games if you go all the way to the final. And did no one notice that there were more at Celtic Park for the visit of St Johnstone than the Europa League game against Rapid Vienna? Are games against Copenhagen, Rosenborg or Standard Liege going to rejuvenate Scottish football?

What about skipping that idea to simply lobby for an invite in to the richest league in the world? As you do.

A couple of years ago the Premier League voted 20-0 against the idea of programming Celtic Park and Ibrox in to their Sat Navs but like a drunk chatting up the most attractive woman in a nightclub, the Old Firm are reluctant to take no for an answer while still scouring the dance floor for alternatives.

What about an EPL 2? Further down the English leagues? How about starting right at the bottom? It's getting late, is anyone interested? No mention of the Old Firm departing to England would be complete without the cliche: "Within three or four years, once they got the television money, they would be up there challenging." Up where challenging who?

Let's suspend reality for a moment and say that FIFA and UEFA would agree to the two top teams in Scotland moving to England. Let's pretend that UEFA would open the door to the possibility of the best Dutch teams applying to join the Bundesliga and top Portuguese teams moving to Spain. Let's also pretend that all the Premier League clubs embrace the idea of two clubs from Scotland setting their sights on English money and perform a U-turn.

If the Old Firm joined the Premier League next season they would start some way behind the top sides. Need a comparison? Think Arsenal and Celtic. Yes, but what about the £40million or so extra cash going in to the coffers? What about it? Don't clubs like Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton get that kind of money? Are they, "up there challenging?" How many top players would that money buy? Three?

Forgive my pessimism but the current Old Firm squads need more than three new players before they could be "up there challenging." Try 13. At each club. The Glasgow clubs would, of course, get better players but not of the standard good enough to challenge Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, although perhaps Gary Caldwell and Kris Boyd would get their new deals.

What we would be left with is Celtic and Rangers in the same situation as Newcastle United - a big club in the north of Britain with big home crowds but unable to attract the cream and that is what Peter Lawwell and Martin Bain should consider carefully. As we know, the Old Firm support is a different animal than every other in Britain, genetically programmed to exist on a diet of success. One shudders to think what life without European football or trophies for the foreseeable future would do to Celtic and Rangers fans who reach for the phone if their side as much as drops two points at home.

Nevertheless, while recognising that greed is the driving force behind the Old Firm's race to the border, we must acknowledge that their departure might sound the death knell for the domestic game. Never have so many supporters been so united in their contempt for Scottish footballers and Scottish football. There is a disconnect between the fans and the game.

Henry McLeish is chairing the Scottish Football Review panel which promises to assesses the state of the national game from top to bottom. If there is an ounce of credibility in this latest Think Tank, what will emerge is a proposal for a single body to run football in Scotland. However, only if there is a Santa Claus will the SFA, SPL and SFL vote for it. In truth, the solution to the problems within the Scottish game requires more in-depth assessment, analysis and evaluation than this column can dish out at one sitting.

But few would disagree that the game needs stripped back to its foundations. We need to forget about brand identification, income streams and "growing the product."

We need to get back to basics, maybe starting by bringing in the best coaches from overseas to teach players how to trap and pass the ball. To nurture defenders who offer more than height and power, to craft midfielders who can not only run for ever but who can create, and shape strikers who can hold the ball up, beat a man and shoot. It won't solve all the problems but it would be a start.

An Oriental philosopher once said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Maybe, after all, there was a lesson to be learned from Scotland's trip to the Far East.

1,2,3 and BREATHE!