Scotland Appreciation Thread!!

Whatever happens from now on, I must say that Scotland can hold their heads high!! They have had a remarkable qualifying campaign, no one (myself included) gave them any chance of going anywhere near qualification in a group which includes Italy, France and Ukraine. Any european country would have suffered in such a group, and the scots have had the world cup finalists worried throughout the campaign!!!

It may very well be that the Scots have dropped the ball in the last game, but it could still be a win against Italy (God forbid).

That Scotland have been teh best team from the british isles is beyond doubt. Well done Scots, hope this is a start of a new era for you guys!!

Best country on the British Isles

Fey wrote:Best country on the British Isles

Belgium = best country in the Lowlands

We've seen this from Wales before aswell, and like Wales their performances will be forgotten if they don't qualify and they will fade back into mediocrity.

http://www.faz.net/s/RubAEA2EF5995314224B44A0426A77BD700/Doc~EAE5A720B379C4047ACBDF9278FBDA58C~ATpl~Ecommon~SMed.html#7B59BE61F8424B9D8D415B2626770E97

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-EGhIrCvvg

@ Bluey, What do you think of Grosso's comments regarding Scotland?

Good for them will improve their rating so they can be 3rd tier team next time rather then 4th , Walter Smith is/was probably a decent manager and it perhaps shows what a good manager can do.

They have done well sure, and i know a lot of people including yourself didn't rate them one bit! But they actually have a few decent players these days. However the only reason they are in a position to qualify is because of Walter Smith and he has now gone. So i don't see them qualifying for the world cup. And i also think England have a better chance of qualifying even at this point than Scotland, though i hope Scotland qualify as they probably deserve it.

my homage to this great nation...


Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome to your gory bed,
Or to victory!

Now's the day, and now's the hour;
See the front o' battle lour,
See approach proud Edward's power—
Chains and slavery!

Wha will be a traitor-knave?
Wha can fill a coward's grave?
Wha sae base as be a slave?
Let him turn and flee!

Wha for Scotland's king and law
Freedom's sword will strongly draw,
Freeman stand or freeman fa',
Let him follow me!

By oppression's woes and pains,
By your sons in servile chains,
We will drain our dearest veins,
But they shall be free!

Lay the proud usurpers low!
Tyrants fall in ev'ry foe!
Liberty's in ev'ry blow!
Let us do or die!

@ LRD Scotland beat France in France under McLeish. Definitely resurgence began under Smith, but they have done well under well McLeish so he deserves some credit too.

Kimbo wrote:We've seen this from Wales before aswell, and like Wales their performances will be forgotten if they don't qualify and they will fade back into mediocrity.

Possibly, though Scotlands next generation (including the likes of Brown, Fletcher & Gordon in the current setup) is far more romising than the present one.

We will make the 2nd tier of teams for the World Cup qualifiers not the 3rd. Our players are young and whether we qualify or not we can go into that group with confidence.

I think it was Marcello Lippi that claimed Scotland are the best emerging nation in Europe. I'll take that [/img]

Calidad wrote:

Kimbo wrote:We've seen this from Wales before aswell, and like Wales their performances will be forgotten if they don't qualify and they will fade back into mediocrity.

Possibly, though Scotlands next generation (including the likes of Brown, Fletcher & Gordon in the current setup) is far more romising than the present one.

What do you make of this Brown chap? How good is he? Good enough for the premiership?

Kimbo wrote:

Calidad wrote:

Kimbo wrote:We've seen this from Wales before aswell, and like Wales their performances will be forgotten if they don't qualify and they will fade back into mediocrity.

Possibly, though Scotlands next generation (including the likes of Brown, Fletcher & Gordon in the current setup) is far more romising than the present one.

What do you make of this Brown chap? How good is he? Good enough for the premiership?

Well considering he used to play for Hibs, I'm a big fan.

I like him a lot. He's like Scotland's version of Steven Gerrard. Doesn't have as much of a goal threat (something he needs to add to his game), but is for me is more skillful. Covers every blade of grass like Gerrard too. I definitately think he is good enough for the premiership. He has all the all the parts to succeed (pace, strength, skill, etc)

Yeah agree with Calidad Brown is definetly good enough for the Premiership. Has looked like Celtic's best player every time i've seen them. You really notice an effect on his team when he doesn't play like Scotland against Georgia

Scotland are up to 13th, 2 spots behind England, in the world's most inaccurate rankings

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7059726.stm

It's funny because each year a team steps up. northern Ireland did pretty well a few years ago, then before Wales. Now Ireland and England are in danger. Scotland did very well and they can still qualify from their last game, which a great performance knowing that there were the winner, the runner up and the quarter final of the last world cup.

Alive and Kicking wrote:It's funny because each year a team steps up. northern Ireland did pretty well a few years ago, then before Wales. Now Ireland and England are in danger. Scotland did very well and they can still qualify from their last game, which a great performance knowing that there were the winner, the runner up and the quarter final of the last world cup.

Yeah but Scotland fight...they go into a game like they can win it and despite not always being the best set of players on the pitch...they believe in their ability, give 100% and battle. They then pull of deserved results. Fair play to them for it. England and Wales need to take note of the attitude Scotland have.

Grosso's comments have to be taken in the right spirit - he has to show confidence in his team's ability. After all, Italy are the world champions. A part of Grosso's comments were proven right when the scots went down to georgia. The pressure takes time getting used to.

But I have no doubt that the scots stand a great chance to upset Italy. They are an improving side, have the confidence, and always good at home. If Celtic could beat Milan, then the scots can beat Italy. The Italians will have to play a top game to ensure qualification!!

My best case scenario is Ukraine beating France...

But the main thing is, any team in the world would have struggled in this group in scotlands place... whether it were England, Holland or even Brazil! The scots have a lot to be proud of, and Wales did have a coupla decent campaigns, but NEVER at this level against this kinda opposition. We are talking 3 WC quarterfinalists, including both the finalists!!

EMP wrote:@ Bluey, What do you think of Grosso's comments regarding Scotland?

McLeish has resigned as Scotland manager. I'm guessing a job in the Premiership is next for him.

Who will Scotland get as a manager?

Strachan could still manage Celtic as well as the national team.

Souness.

What a disgrace, he would never have got the Birmingham job if it wasnt for that stint with scotland. He's a shite manager anyway, Smith done the hard work, they already had the momentum.

Scotland's new manager, Billy Davies of course.

What an absolute pile of poo, money talks I suppose. You'd've thought the Scottish FA could've drummed up a £1m package to keep him.

I suppose victories over France away and Ukraine weren't "hard work".

Better not be Souness!

wow

if Scotland leaves the UK

what are Englanders left with ?

it's like "Fish and Chips" without

the FISH

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/oct/15/alex-salmond-scotland-referendum-deal

There's no chance of Scotland leaving the UK. If Salmond thought he could win a referendum he would have had it already instead of waiting until 2014.