The Black Bra

My midfield four would be Christie & Gilmour deep, McTom & McGinn further forward. Think Christie’s done enough to deserve it this season even if McGregor is fit. Maybe this is Clarke’s intention and playing the way he did in the last two friendlies was to throw out opposition of the scent….

Don’t know Louis Jackson, is he eligible for anyone else?

Think they’re unbeaten in 14 games. Won their qualifying group but wasn’t the toughest group. They also beat Germany in the last NL but as you say, the big teams don’t take it that seriously. They might learn the hard way if it affects their seeding for qualifying groups, are England not going to be in pot 2 for next WC qualifiers?

I haven’t seen anything of Hungary recently, basing my opinion on them based on the last Euros and the nations league where they beat England home and away.

I was a lot more optimistic 6 months ago. I was happy with Germany as pot 1 team as they were in the worst state they’d been in in my lifetime and I’d rather have them than England, France or Portugal. Not so sure about that now…. Looking for positives, I think our recent record in competitive games is ‘won 15 of last 21’, if you take into account the last 2 were dead rubbers, you could say ‘15 wins in last 19 meaningful games’ which is incredible for us. We’ve always been pish in friendlies and they were mostly against top teams so maybe they’re meaningless? The way we played against Netherlands for an hour was great apart from the finishing. As usual with us I’m hopeful, but if I was going to put my house on it I think there’s a very good chance we’ll lose to Germany and Hungary. A win against Switzerland might be enough for 3rd, don’t know much about them.

OK, so as it stands and assuming Hickey makes it: Gunn, 2 from Gordon, Clark & Kelly Robertson, Tierney, Porteous, Hendry, Souttar, McKenna, Hickey, Ralston Christie, McGregor, Gilmour, McTominay, McGinn, McLean Adams, Shankland, Dykes That makes 20. Has it been confirmed yet that squads are 26? If so, that’s 6 places up for grabs. I’d take Fraser, other possibilities are McBurnie, Doak, Turnbull, Conway, Johnston & Cairney. Wouldn’t be surprised if Clarke takes Greg Taylor. Anyone I’ve forgotten? (Gauld has no chance).

What about McKenna?

Hasn’t McTominay been out as well? Can’t see anyone busting a gut in the June friendlies, won’t want to risk any more injuries.

Anyone know when Gilmour is due back? Didn’t think his injury was serious but can’t remember.

A massive moment in Scottish football history, if Bremner had scored we’d have beaten Brazil and won the group, who knows what might have happened? Our entire history could’ve been different, getting that monkey of progressing past the groups out of the way so early. Who would’ve though back then that all these tournaments and decades later we would still be waiting for knockout football?

Not in the ‘Steve Clark Fuck Off’ camp at all as the positives far outweigh the negatives. Just want to add that the reason we qualified for Euro 2020 was due to us winning our Nations League group which McLeish was in charge for, Clarke took us through the 2 play off games. Really hoping that after June, we’re all saying ‘who gives a fuck about friendlies?’

Poland didn’t have an effort on target in 2 hours of football.

Maybe it’s a psychological thing, the last 2 qualifiers there was nothing at stake and the games since have been friendlies which we are historically been pish at. Maybe it’ll be completely different when the games mean something again….clutching at straws here.

Ferguson and Tierney only players with pass marks for me.

Can only think he wants to see whether Cooper is still worth his place in the squad as well, or wants a look at him in case McKenna, Hanley or anyone else miss the tournament. Bit baffled by that one. He may want a look at all 3 strikers over the course if both games. Would’ve preferred Shankland on from the start again.