[hibeejim21]

Clarke's devotion to Dykes just amazes me. And surely Turnbull or Forrest would have been worth a try-out. Another disappointing night, but we're bound to be getting used to it by now.

Its mental Ritchie....the guy played every minute of all our games I think He's xxxx rotten, never near international level.

Take your point about Turnbull, he was probably the nearest equivalent to Gilmour, in that he could have kept the ball better and take the ball into feet which is what was really lacking tonight. Anyway trying to close down aggressively players like Kovacic, Modric and Brozovic was just daft really, they aren't going to be unsettled by that. As 0762 says England used Phillips to disrupt them quite smartly. Instead when we ran out of steam we just sat off them.

Overall I don't think the 2 up front worked well in this tournament. Adams is a good wee player but he needs a better partner.

[0762]

I think our "gut feeling" after the Czech Rep game was "spot on". I said we were out of the Euros right after that 0-2 result, another match that I feel Clarke didn't field the best team for this particular opening group game. Bouncinghibees most cutting criticism after that game was as prophetic as it gets TBH!! We really needed to start well in this group and that IMO was the big loss for us and it also exposed the lack of that elusive prolific striker. Also remember we were the bookies favs to be eliminated from that tough group. Re the Dykes striking issue I must say that well before our opening group D match I professed that I'd rather have had a half-fit Griffiths in the Scotland squad mainly because he has scored at all levels of footie in which he has participated - WHY OMIT HIM ESP WITH BEING GIVEN THESE EXTRA PLAYERS IN THE SQUAD BY UEFA??? That view/criticism hasn't changed. Goals win matches and we have observed that failing, previously highlighted by me as a huge concern right after the Luxembourg friendly match, in every group D match!! Surely saving such a striker in a sub role made sense when one knows that the player squad was not awash with in form strikers of that quality anyway!!? IMO it's great to have that strong work ethic and togetherness. But the skill of scoring goals is a key factor in progressing through tourneys like this one or even just qualifying for a tourney.

[hibeejim21]

Thought also the team looked exhausted 2nd half.

Whats done is done, and all things considered I think there is a lot to be positive about. We are an OK side, shy of a quality forward and probably another defensive option. I think Stevie deserves a lot of credit for the way he's got the fans re-engaged with the national team, I've never seen so many bairns going about with Scotland tops for a long time.

Gilmour looks a real prospect, as does Patterson. Mcgregor and Mctominay both did well. When Clarke gets the organisation and tactics right we can be difficult opponents. On the downside Armstrong should only be used as a more attacking option and well you know my thoughts already re Dykes and O'donnell. Also the reversion to hoofball for much of the home games was very disappointing - we can do better than that.

[hibeejim21]

On the subject of griff, looks like celtic had an option for another year on his contract and are going to take it up.

[0762]

That's a big disappointment if that is the case as my info months ago was that Sparky was returning to ER Stadium and closer to home. I wonder how most Celtic fans view this as lotsa them wanted to see the back end of him anyway after their disappointing season 2020-21.
One last point to make re Scotland's position under Clarke is the fact that he certainly has a group of players who definitely wanna play for him - NOT MANY CALL OFFS THESE DAYS! Also one of my biggest bugbears that I can't change, or expect to be changed, is Scotland playing at Hampden Park, IMO a soulless place that has no atmosphere about it and has never been a formidable venue for opposing teams - the historical stats don't lie and Scotland's record in these kinda matches is downright f###### awful!! I know it's an old topic. But it's still one that really bugs me and never goes away. And playing on that huge pitch v these kinda slick Euro sides????? Not smart at all!!

[hibeejim21]

That's a big disappointment if that is the case as my info months ago was that Sparky was returning to ER Stadium and closer to home. I wonder how most Celtic fans view this as lotsa them wanted to see the back end of him anyway after their disappointing season 2020-21.
One last point to make re Scotland's position under Clarke is the fact that he certainly has a group of players who definitely wanna play for him - NOT MANY CALL OFFS THESE DAYS! Also one of my biggest bugbears that I can't change, or expect to be changed, is Scotland playing at Hampden Park, IMO a soulless place that has no atmosphere about it and has never been a formidable venue for opposing teams - the historical stats don't lie and Scotland's record in these kinda matches is downright f###### awful!! I know it's an old topic. But it's still one that really bugs me and never goes away. And playing on that huge pitch v these kinda slick Euro sides????? Not smart at all!!

Celtics manager was interviewed earlier and I got the gist that he was saying sparky can stay on "if" he screws the nut and works hard. Or he can xxxx off if he wont.