[0762]

As expected, Scotland dominating this match for long periods and Che Adams scoring a decent goal in the 1st half to give us a deserved lead. Then an added bonus on 34 mins - Siminovic sent off and Luxembourg down to ten players for the rest of the game. The "floodgates" should've opened up with lotsa goals for Scotland had Che Adams and Dykes decided to "follow the scoring script". They didn't!! Adams should've bagged a "hat trick" on the hour mark and Dykes should've scored with two easy headers. Also McTominay just cannae score for Scotland - another "peach of a cross ball" to his napper and couldn't score from about 6 yards!! I hope this kinda poor scoring prowess doesn't continue into the matches that matter v Czechoslovakia, England and Croatia. Chelsea's Billy Gilmour on for the second half and didn't disappoint with a splendid display of midfield skill until a Luxembourg player came off the subs' bench and absolutely "nailed him" in a disgraceful challenge for all to see - a red card, indeed a double red card to easily mete out by the match referee but amazingly he didn't do his job of protecting players from this type of footie thuggery. Gilmour immediately replaced but thankfully more of a precaution from the team doctor. But a lucky laddie not to be badly injured. That's two Scotland matches where the assigned match refs have been rank rotten with their decision-making - a mystifying free kick to The Netherlands, in the previous friendly international match, thereby giving the Dutch side a chance to equalise in the dying mins and duly taken by Depay. I hope this isn't a "flavour of things to come" in the important upcoming Euro matches.

[hibeejim21]

I think we've looked fairly decent over both the games. Gilmour looks a cracking player and could be worth a start v the Czechs.
I like Che Adams a lot, think he will score goals for us....and well you know what I think about Dykes already. But I guess he's better than Mcburnie.

Think people are underestimating us a bit going into this tournament, like the Netherlands did - they got too flashy with their passing and got caught out. Stevie has done a good job and we aren't as bad as some are making out, just we don't carry enough threat going forward and we will likely be defending deep in the coming games.

[WakeyTerrier]

I don't think anyone is underestimating you, I would say its vital that you get something from the Czech game, win and the pressure is off a little for the England game on the 18th more so if England fail to beat Croatia. That is my nightmare scenario.
On paper England should beat Scotland, trouble is you don't win games on paper. Our last meeting in Glasgow finished 2-2 and that showed on the day and with a little bit more luck Scotland could quite easily have won. So I'm taking nothing for granted

[ritchiebaby]

We'll be taking nothing for granted either. Steve Clarke has made a huge difference with his work ethic and positive vibes within the team. We've consolidated our performances and have the individual players who could make a difference . Like you, Wakey, a couple of solid 1-0 wins would be acceptable. I honestly think we could do well - don't overreach, small steps will do for now.

[spireitematt]

I honestly don't think we will get out of the group. Southgate is too defensive minded and too conservative by trying to play it safe, the amount of talent that we have on offer we should be getting to the semi-final or final but just can't see it happening. Even if we win the group we are probably going out in the last 16 as we will have to play Germany, France or Portugal who come 2nd in Group F. Whoever comes 2nd in our group have to play whoever comes 2nd in Group E which means Spain, Sweden, Poland or Slovakia.

I reckon Italy will win it under Mancini. Turkey and the Netherlands I would say will be the dark horses.

[WakeyTerrier]

I honestly don't think we will get out of the group. Southgate is too defensive minded and too conservative by trying to play it safe, the amount of talent that we have on offer we should be getting to the semi-final or final but just can't see it happening. Even if we win the group we are probably going out in the last 16 as we will have to play Germany, France or Portugal who come 2nd in Group F. Whoever comes 2nd in our group have to play whoever comes 2nd in Group E which means Spain, Sweden, Poland or Slovakia.

I reckon Italy will win it under Mancini. Turkey and the Netherlands I would say will be the dark horses.

I'd be pretty disappointed if we didn't get out of the group given that the best 4 3rd place teams also qualify for the last 16. They key is obviously getting off to a decent start for both Scotland and England. If they can both get a win in that first game then that should ease the pressure on both teams.
You're spot on with the round of 16 draw if we win or come 2nd in the group but if you're going to win this then sooner or later you have to play a giant of the European nations.

A bit of luck and its anyones

[spireitematt]

I honestly don't think we will get out of the group. Southgate is too defensive minded and too conservative by trying to play it safe, the amount of talent that we have on offer we should be getting to the semi-final or final but just can't see it happening. Even if we win the group we are probably going out in the last 16 as we will have to play Germany, France or Portugal who come 2nd in Group F. Whoever comes 2nd in our group have to play whoever comes 2nd in Group E which means Spain, Sweden, Poland or Slovakia.

I reckon Italy will win it under Mancini. Turkey and the Netherlands I would say will be the dark horses.

I'd be pretty disappointed if we didn't get out of the group given that the best 4 3rd place teams also qualify for the last 16. They key is obviously getting off to a decent start for both Scotland and England. If they can both get a win in that first game then that should ease the pressure on both teams.
You're spot on with the round of 16 draw if we win or come 2nd in the group but if you're going to win this then sooner or later you have to play a giant of the European nations.

A bit of luck and its anyones

I would love for us to go as far as possible even win it but it reminds me too much of 2016 when Hodgson didn't know his best team. I would like to see Scotland and Wales go as far as possible as it's always good to see the home nations do well at tournaments.

I agree sooner or later you have to play the likes of Portugal, France, Germany etc.

[0762]

I don't think anyone is underestimating you, I would say its vital that you get something from the Czech game, win and the pressure is off a little for the England game on the 18th more so if England fail to beat Croatia. That is my nightmare scenario.
On paper England should beat Scotland, trouble is you don't win games on paper. Our last meeting in Glasgow finished 2-2 and that showed on the day and with a little bit more luck Scotland could quite easily have won. So I'm taking nothing for granted

That was the story of a Scottish player named Stuart Armstrong who, in the last 30 secs of that match, couldnae "sell a dummy" and "stand on the baw" - just hold it OR hoof the baw to the far corner of England's half of the pitch into the North Stand!! That failure by Armstrong has never been forgotten by lotsa Tartan Army fans and some Scottish footie pundits - Armstrong sadly always remembered for the wrong reasons and a famous victory needlessly denied by a lack of guile and footie nous in the dying seconds of a tight match!!

[hibeejim21]

Some of the newspaper headlines have been pretty disrespectful of Scotland. Hope Stevie uses it to inspire the team.
Really not sure who will win it, England have as good a chance as any if they turn up. The only problem I see with their chances is Pickford, I really don't rate him at all.

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I don't think anyone is underestimating you, I would say its vital that you get something from the Czech game, win and the pressure is off a little for the England game on the 18th more so if England fail to beat Croatia. That is my nightmare scenario.
On paper England should beat Scotland, trouble is you don't win games on paper. Our last meeting in Glasgow finished 2-2 and that showed on the day and with a little bit more luck Scotland could quite easily have won. So I'm taking nothing for granted

That was the story of a Scottish player named Stuart Armstrong who, in the last 30 secs of that match, couldnae "sell a dummy" and "stand on the baw" - just hold it OR hoof the baw to the far corner of England's half of the pitch into the North Stand!! That failure by Armstrong has never been forgotten by lotsa Tartan Army fans and some Scottish footie pundits - Armstrong sadly always remembered for the wrong reasons and a famous victory needlessly denied by a lack of guile and footie nous in the dying seconds of a tight match!!

Yeah....Shame really as he had a decent enough game, just thats what he's remembered for.

[WakeyTerrier]

[quote='hibeejim21' pid='213142' dateline='1623140805']
Some of the newspaper headlines have been pretty disrespectful of Scotland. Hope Stevie uses it to inspire the team.
Really not sure who will win it, England have as good a chance as any if they turn up. The only problem I see with their chances is Pickford, I really don't rate him at all.

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[quote='0762' pid='213134' dateline='1623095678']


The English tabloids love to stir things up, "Och aye the who" for Scotland apparently, if we get through and face Germany it'll be "2 world wars and world cup" no doubt.  It's all rather embarrassing a bit like sections of our support booing the the players taking the knee and using the excuse of politics in football but yet the same people sing No Surrender halfway through our national anthem...embarrassing.

Personally I have nothing but good experiences with Scotland fans, both at Wembley and up in Glasgow and the same goes for the Wales support we met prior to our meeting at Euro 2016. I hope we all do well but obviously I still want to beat Scotland/everybody and win the bloody thing