07-08-2015, 09:05
We are where we are in the rankings because it's where we deserve to be, and something fundamental was have to shift before that changes. Scotland's 'best' were outplayed over 2 legs by a side from Azerbaijan, even if they scraped through in the end. That's pretty much how we rate at the moment.
Even so, on another day Aberdeen might have gone through. They were on top a lot of the time in their games this season, and if they can keep their squad and manager together one more year I think they could go a bit further next season. Consistency of progress is a big problem for us in Scotland though, with teams tending to feature in Europe for a year or two and then not qualifying for the next ten. It's back to square one every time.
Even so, on another day Aberdeen might have gone through. They were on top a lot of the time in their games this season, and if they can keep their squad and manager together one more year I think they could go a bit further next season. Consistency of progress is a big problem for us in Scotland though, with teams tending to feature in Europe for a year or two and then not qualifying for the next ten. It's back to square one every time.