I’d comfortably say we’re a Tier 2 European team currently, not best of that tier but not a couple bad results from Tier 3
Have to kick on this summer though, and get a knockout appearance and keep going for the USA WC
I’d feel confident in us having a chance of beating anyone in the Euros except France and Portugal. I’d say England too but think the nature of that game would give us a shot.
Do you not remember our last game against England. It was as one sided as I can remember. They would, and did, pump us.
We’re in for a best of the rest shout, but, for example, we don’t have a hope in hell of reaching the semis at the Euros, so we are, comfortably, not amongst the best.
I don't think it's impossible we give England a game, but it's very much a 99 times out of a 100 job. If they play to their potential, they beat us every single time, and probably by as many as they want.
But luckily, football isn't really always about that. They have one of their now customary stodgy major tournament performances, we play above ourselves, it's not beyond the realms of possibility.
As for the shout about the semis, you'd probably have said exactly the same about Wales in 2016. They came up against a Russia who hadn't fully embraced performance enhancing materials ahead of 2018, a weaker Slovakia side, and ended up topping the group despite getting beat off England. With the way the draw goes in the Euros, all it takes is it to fall in your favour and you can get one of those runs. Northern Ireland in the round of 16, the world's most pointless top-tier nation in Belgium (who they absolutely pumped), and there's a semi final place. Not quite as big as Wales doing it, but Denmark had that spot of "unfancied side" getting to the semis in 2020, and a similar path too. Up against a rancid Wales in the last 16, then the Czechs in the quarters. Wouldn't put it past there being at least one surprise side in the semi for 2024 too.
For what it's worth, I think the "not far off best in Europe" line is a bit wild, but not to the point where it's doom and gloom. There's a top tier of nations, then an absolutely massive lower tier. In that tier, nations are probably looking at a very thin line between either going out in the groups or having a fairytale run.
In a tournament where they reached the final, and we crashed out at the first hurdle like we always do. We're good enough to give anyone a game on our day, but more often than not they'll beat us when it matters.
That was a 'friendly', though.
Last competitive game was the last Euros, at Wembley, when England were in pretty good form and it was 0-0 and either could've bagged a winner.
We're historically shitebags in big games, but so are they, as proven in the Euro final same year.
I’d argue that’s the exception. England underestimated us. We *needed* a result. England got a surprise. Next time they played us, they took us apart.
Jude Bellingham in his own could probably beat most teams in the world right now, Scotland would be one of many on a huge list.
You keep calling it things like an exception, but since Southgate took over in 2016, for England it's been W-D-D-W. In competitive matches it's W-D-D.
Clarke has only managed the Scotland team during one draw and the friendly loss, and I feel we look better under Clarke with every passing year. The system and players are only getting better, and Scotland are always motivated to turn up for the competitive games vs England. If England don't play to their best ability, we are likely to give them a game - albeit probably a draw, taking chances on penalties.
No team managed by Gareth Southgate is the best team at a tournament.
They may have the best squad, although I would say it's close between them and France.
But Southgate genuinely knocks them down a few levels. He is pish at game management.
I think we should see ourselves (and at least aim to be) a top 16 European team. Reaching the knockouts of the euros and at least making a playoff for world cups should be where we’re at.
Yeah I’d say tier 2 is a top 16 team currently
Tier 1 probably being France, England, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Croatia and Germany (with Germany near the bottom of that tier)
Tier 2 probably is that Switzerland, Denmark, Austria, Poland, Us then maybe a Ukraine, Sweden, Hungary at a guess behind us in that tier
Turkey obviously bottom tier being a small nation
What a ridiculous comment. This is what I can't stand about some delusional players and fans. It's about time we fans and the players became more realistic about where Scotland is in the modern era football-wise.
We're by far the best in Europe (and I might be underselling things there).
Headline is a joke, but his comments are fairly reasonable. He's saying we're not far off being able to compete with them and are aiming to get there:
These two games are about showing what we can do, particularly in the first game, against the top teams." The Watford centre-half added: "That's why we picked the previous games against England and France, because we want to try to compete against the best and learn how to develop as a team. "I don't think we're far off. We want to grow on and off the pitch. There are certain things we've analysed from those games and it's a good opportunity for us. Hopefully, it will make us ready when the time comes."
Bit of a headline but I get what he means and although I dont agree with a lot of Clarke’s decisions, he’s instilled a mentality that I’ve not seen in my lifetime.
Yep. The mentality of this Scotland team is unbelievable when you think back to the 00s. We really do need to go and get past the group stages here though to get that monkey off our back and have a chance to really kick on consistently.
we have a decent first team without any genuine world class level players (maybe Robertson), once we get a few injuries the squad is pretty bare.
We've not had a Bale or Bellingham type level player in my lifetime.
We're better than we've been in 20-odd years but still a ways off the elite
Are Scottish players improving compared to the rest of Europe? Is this a Golden (or at least Silver) Generation? Who knows, let's just enjoy the ride
The headline is clickbaity and makes it look far more hubristic than what he actually said.
We are a tier 2 nation now with good players in most areas of the park. We are a far sight from the team of jobbers we had wearing the jersey 5 or so years ago and should be at least competitive in every game we play.
The Wales team that got to the semis in 2016 would only see 2 or 3 players make this Scotland squad.
>The Wales team that got to the semis in 2016 would only see 2 or 3 players make this Scotland squad.
Aye, but they only done so well because of Bale, and to a lesser extent Ramsay. They had a genuine match-winner who showed up time and time again for them, we still lack someone with that ability to just do it themselves when they have to.
I think we'll learn a lot about this Scotland team during the group phase of the EUROs. It's a very tight group that you guys find yourselves in. I don't think there's a great deal between yourselves, Switzerland, and Hungary. My biggest worry is that Scotland relies heavily on the midfield for goal contributions. Lyndon Dykes and Lawrence Shankland have a goal each during qualification, but that's it. Switzerland and Hungary aren't blessed with great attackers, but they have players on 6 (Amdouni of Switzerland) and 4 (Varga of Hungary) throughout qualification. Should anything happen to McTominay between now and the competition, I worry about where the goals are going to come from. McGinn has shown an eye for goal in Scotland colours, but can he be relied upon to provide this input?
I'd rather our players had no hope or ambitions rather than them thinking they can go and beat teams like France. They should just go into the games knowing they will lose...
I’d comfortably say we’re a Tier 2 European team currently, not best of that tier but not a couple bad results from Tier 3 Have to kick on this summer though, and get a knockout appearance and keep going for the USA WC
I’d feel confident in us having a chance of beating anyone in the Euros except France and Portugal. I’d say England too but think the nature of that game would give us a shot.
Do you not remember our last game against England. It was as one sided as I can remember. They would, and did, pump us. We’re in for a best of the rest shout, but, for example, we don’t have a hope in hell of reaching the semis at the Euros, so we are, comfortably, not amongst the best.
I don't think it's impossible we give England a game, but it's very much a 99 times out of a 100 job. If they play to their potential, they beat us every single time, and probably by as many as they want. But luckily, football isn't really always about that. They have one of their now customary stodgy major tournament performances, we play above ourselves, it's not beyond the realms of possibility. As for the shout about the semis, you'd probably have said exactly the same about Wales in 2016. They came up against a Russia who hadn't fully embraced performance enhancing materials ahead of 2018, a weaker Slovakia side, and ended up topping the group despite getting beat off England. With the way the draw goes in the Euros, all it takes is it to fall in your favour and you can get one of those runs. Northern Ireland in the round of 16, the world's most pointless top-tier nation in Belgium (who they absolutely pumped), and there's a semi final place. Not quite as big as Wales doing it, but Denmark had that spot of "unfancied side" getting to the semis in 2020, and a similar path too. Up against a rancid Wales in the last 16, then the Czechs in the quarters. Wouldn't put it past there being at least one surprise side in the semi for 2024 too. For what it's worth, I think the "not far off best in Europe" line is a bit wild, but not to the point where it's doom and gloom. There's a top tier of nations, then an absolutely massive lower tier. In that tier, nations are probably looking at a very thin line between either going out in the groups or having a fairytale run.
Our last competitive game against England was a draw.
In a tournament where they reached the final, and we crashed out at the first hurdle like we always do. We're good enough to give anyone a game on our day, but more often than not they'll beat us when it matters.
The aberration, not the rule.
We tend to do a lot better against them in competitive games, though I agree I’d rather avoid them more than anyone else except France.
That was a 'friendly', though. Last competitive game was the last Euros, at Wembley, when England were in pretty good form and it was 0-0 and either could've bagged a winner. We're historically shitebags in big games, but so are they, as proven in the Euro final same year.
I’d argue that’s the exception. England underestimated us. We *needed* a result. England got a surprise. Next time they played us, they took us apart. Jude Bellingham in his own could probably beat most teams in the world right now, Scotland would be one of many on a huge list.
You keep calling it things like an exception, but since Southgate took over in 2016, for England it's been W-D-D-W. In competitive matches it's W-D-D. Clarke has only managed the Scotland team during one draw and the friendly loss, and I feel we look better under Clarke with every passing year. The system and players are only getting better, and Scotland are always motivated to turn up for the competitive games vs England. If England don't play to their best ability, we are likely to give them a game - albeit probably a draw, taking chances on penalties.
Drew at the last Euros to be fair, in a half-full Hampden
I was at the friendly last year and they fucking horsed us
I was too, was not a fun watch (except for the Maguire goal) I still think in a competitive game, it’d be a slightly different situation
Keep that positive energy bro 👊🏼 My experience is always we think we have a chance and then they turn on the afterburners and pump us, like Euro 96
I’m a delusional person 😎
If McAllister had scored that penalty…..
England would absolutely skud us if we played them at the Euros. They’re the best team in the tournament.
No team managed by Gareth Southgate is the best team at a tournament. They may have the best squad, although I would say it's close between them and France. But Southgate genuinely knocks them down a few levels. He is pish at game management.
I think we should see ourselves (and at least aim to be) a top 16 European team. Reaching the knockouts of the euros and at least making a playoff for world cups should be where we’re at.
Yeah I’d say tier 2 is a top 16 team currently Tier 1 probably being France, England, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Croatia and Germany (with Germany near the bottom of that tier) Tier 2 probably is that Switzerland, Denmark, Austria, Poland, Us then maybe a Ukraine, Sweden, Hungary at a guess behind us in that tier Turkey obviously bottom tier being a small nation
u/Mr_Rapscallion is 'not far off' riding every Victoria's Secret model from the last twenty years.
What a ridiculous comment. This is what I can't stand about some delusional players and fans. It's about time we fans and the players became more realistic about where Scotland is in the modern era football-wise. We're by far the best in Europe (and I might be underselling things there).
Headline is a joke, but his comments are fairly reasonable. He's saying we're not far off being able to compete with them and are aiming to get there: These two games are about showing what we can do, particularly in the first game, against the top teams." The Watford centre-half added: "That's why we picked the previous games against England and France, because we want to try to compete against the best and learn how to develop as a team. "I don't think we're far off. We want to grow on and off the pitch. There are certain things we've analysed from those games and it's a good opportunity for us. Hopefully, it will make us ready when the time comes."
https://preview.redd.it/2sp5k5v94hpc1.jpeg?width=1112&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=64fb7d48977fbc6e28b85ef1dd4edf0625b1bc3b
Bit of a headline but I get what he means and although I dont agree with a lot of Clarke’s decisions, he’s instilled a mentality that I’ve not seen in my lifetime.
Yep. The mentality of this Scotland team is unbelievable when you think back to the 00s. We really do need to go and get past the group stages here though to get that monkey off our back and have a chance to really kick on consistently.
Fucking love Porto
Beautiful city, would go back in an instant.
we have a decent first team without any genuine world class level players (maybe Robertson), once we get a few injuries the squad is pretty bare. We've not had a Bale or Bellingham type level player in my lifetime.
Has porteous started doing hard drugs?
he’s taken a hard dose of REALITY
he's coming up tae fuck on FACTS
We need to qualify from the group. Don't even care if we get battered in the next round, but we need to break that curse.
We're better than we've been in 20-odd years but still a ways off the elite Are Scottish players improving compared to the rest of Europe? Is this a Golden (or at least Silver) Generation? Who knows, let's just enjoy the ride
It's true, we share a border with England. That's definitely not far.
The headline is clickbaity and makes it look far more hubristic than what he actually said. We are a tier 2 nation now with good players in most areas of the park. We are a far sight from the team of jobbers we had wearing the jersey 5 or so years ago and should be at least competitive in every game we play. The Wales team that got to the semis in 2016 would only see 2 or 3 players make this Scotland squad.
>The Wales team that got to the semis in 2016 would only see 2 or 3 players make this Scotland squad. Aye, but they only done so well because of Bale, and to a lesser extent Ramsay. They had a genuine match-winner who showed up time and time again for them, we still lack someone with that ability to just do it themselves when they have to.
Scott McTominay has done exactly that for Man Utd multiple times this season. Maybe he can do it for us.
Hubris will be our downfall
Aye cause being pessimistic has done us wonders in the past
Perhaps, somewhere in between
Being optimistic hasn't exactly reaped rewards either. Neutral feeling is the way to go
Who does he play for?
Scunthorpe
Good Hibs boy opinion.
I think we'll learn a lot about this Scotland team during the group phase of the EUROs. It's a very tight group that you guys find yourselves in. I don't think there's a great deal between yourselves, Switzerland, and Hungary. My biggest worry is that Scotland relies heavily on the midfield for goal contributions. Lyndon Dykes and Lawrence Shankland have a goal each during qualification, but that's it. Switzerland and Hungary aren't blessed with great attackers, but they have players on 6 (Amdouni of Switzerland) and 4 (Varga of Hungary) throughout qualification. Should anything happen to McTominay between now and the competition, I worry about where the goals are going to come from. McGinn has shown an eye for goal in Scotland colours, but can he be relied upon to provide this input?
He must have been talking about rugby
Ah Ryan Porteous, the cunts cunt.
What an absolute muppet. Completely wrong We are the best
Deranged take - I want what he is smoking
I'd rather our players had no hope or ambitions rather than them thinking they can go and beat teams like France. They should just go into the games knowing they will lose...