Scotland national team are in dire straights and have been for sometime. It just got me thinking how much do Scotland really underachieve? Please bare in mind a country with a population of just over 5.3 million and their huge Rugby sporting culture. Population wise Scotland match up to Paraguay, Denmark, Norway. Belgium is 11 million.
What's Scottish people's views on turning the current situation around and realistically what would they be satisfied with?
I'm English and for us i think Quarter final is pretty much par and shouldn't be vilified if we achieve this position. Playing attractive and more imaginative and expansive brand of football would also be nice. In fact the latter and reaching knockout phase of comps i would accept with a potential to go further in tournaments.
Views and thoughts?
Scotland underachieve, but how much??
posted on 7/9/13
i think the issue is Coaching standards in the Uk are a stark contrast to the ones in Europe.
But still you would think that 1 player in 15 years would have come out of the woodwork. You would almost get odds of around 100 to 1 on that happening.
Probably Darren Fletcher stands out and he was coached at United, but still way off Bale.
posted on 7/9/13
We've had good goalkeepers through the years. Leighton and gorman then gordon and mcgregor. Barry Ferguson wouldnt of looked out of place in any team in europe in his peak. But yeah not in the class of Bale.
posted on 7/9/13
You chaps happy with Gordon Strachen? For me he's comedy genius and football needs characters.
posted on 7/9/13
Yeah I'm happy with him. At least he talks about shape, keeping possession and getting further up the park. Levien was clueless and totally out of his depth. He was overly defensive against average teams. We've done better with strachan against good opposition than levien did against average opposition.
posted on 7/9/13
You surprised me at Wembly i though Scotland played well and showed signs of hope. Just need to unearth a couple of players. Who knows this season may be their break through season.
posted on 7/9/13
Going back to the Irish lads comment about Rugby is Scotland a minority Rugby playing country.
My point behind this is for countries such as Spain, Germany etc football is primarily their big sport, butt England although football is massive and by far number one we do compete to a reasonable level at athletics, rugby, cricket and many other sports. Not sure these other countries are the same as Uk based countries.
This reduced funding and other potential participants....
Or am i just clutching at straws..
posted on 7/9/13
Haha they they surprised us all at wembly. Havent seen us pass the ball like that in years. The players must of been pumped up cos it was england. We were never gonna beat belgium last night but hopefully we can see improvement on tuesday against macedonia.
posted on 7/9/13
Actually pre-scottish game i wasn't too bothered about rekindling the fixture, but now im well up for it. Great entertaining game which the players looked like they enjoyed immensely. Proper blood and thunder.
posted on 7/9/13
be funny if we could wind the clock forward 20/30 years and everyone is now playing long ball Except England and Scotland who by then play slick, intricate passing games.
posted on 9/9/13
When was the last time England, Ireland and Scotland all qualified for a tournament at the same time? Im not sure its happened, but may be wrong.
Eng & Scot - 1986
Eng & Ire - 1990
Eng, Ire, Scot, Wales - 2800