Gribz

Germany 4-4 Sweden Germany 4-0 up with 30 mins to play. Has to go down as the comeback of the century considering the Germans are pretty much one of the top 3 teams in the world. http://www.footytube.com/video/germany-v-sweden-135851?ref=wv_relbox

Cant believe I never put a bet on the correct score. Just waiting for the SFA to come out with "There is no benefits of sacking a manager during a qualifying campaign". But this campaign is already over....get that amatuer out. Another 2 qualifying campaigns totally wasted. This group was quite kind to us. Belgium have hugely improved but still beatable. But we dont play Belgium 10 times, its Serbia, Macedonia and Wales who are very beatable for a half decent team.

Celtic have already shown their playing standards are on the decline this season, they will soon get fed up being dragged down to the other clubs level. Its quite funny how messageboards and Facebook fans of other clubs all wanted to play Rangers at home prior to the league cup draw, it just proves they cant live without us as the actually WANT to play us. I was delighted we didnt get Aberdeen at Pittodrie, all my AFC mates were begging for it. I would have loved them or Utd at Ibrox to put them out. Not sure I want them at Hampden in a semi to give them satisfaction. League reconstruction will happen albeit a poor one. I can see SPL trying some silly temporary set up with fast tracks Rangers back to the SPL a bit early (of course we need to win this league first with AM at the helm) with SFL clubs getting a bit of the TV cash. But if the SPL is in a financial mess the the SFL does hold an ace card and it could force reconstruction and end up the SFL being the stronger organisation. They already hold the ace card of having the biggest attraction in the game as a member (Rangers). The only way the SPL can start to run things again is to have both Rangers and Celtic in the same league. The only card the SPL hold at the moment is entry to Europe but thats the sort of thing that can be forced to change. But so many people have been saying and seeing it for years - the WHOLE game is a mess at every level and needs a total revamp from the grass roots to the international side.

McArthur in for Broon. At least its not Adam.

Different thread for what might be be Leveins last match in charge, and a brief match preview seen as I havent done one for Rangers this season. I cant see a miracle and Scotland beating the most improved side in Europe. Levein should get Paul Lawrie in from the Ryder Cup team to give some inspirational talk. But even a win in this game means we will still have to beat Belgium in the reverse fixture at home, then get at least 4 points from two matches v Croatia and not lose in Serbia.....not to mention beating Wales and Macedonia. Scotland need about 17-19 points from 7 games due to the opening two draws at Hampden plus the collapse in Cardiff. Belgium borders and is surrounded by 3 great footballing nations - Germany, Holland and France. So in recent times they have obviously looked at what France did in the 90s and what Germany and Holland have always done and now their side is full of quality. If they can avoid the in-camp fighting that 2 of those countries are known for then they could see themselves rise to the cream of Europe over the next few years. Their starting XI is very strong boasting the talent that includes Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen, Moussa Dembele, Eden Hazard and Kevin Mirallasbut. But to catch the likes of Germany, Spain and others they need a strong 23. Levein says its a must win match, that means he might be tempted to play 1 upfront. But if he wants half a chance then Charlie Adam cant be near the team, once he came on for Broon on Friday he was a disaster and gave the ball away all the time. In defence Alan Hutton who hasnt played 1 minute for Aston Villa will start at RB. The former Rangers full backs career has went massively backwards after moving down south but on his day is still a top notch player. Southamptons unknown Fox will be at LB with Caldwell and Berra sitting infront of the man who saved Levein's job at Hampden against Serbia - Allan McGregor. In midfield will be Darren Fletcher, James Morrison, Kris Commons and Shaun Maloney are likely starters but with Scott Brown pulling out Id suggest Levein will play Charlie Adam to make a 5 man midfield. Don Cowie has been drafted in and if he starts it will prove another baffling decision by Levein and people will ask why was he not in the original squad if he intended to play him over others - same as what happen with Commons last Friday. Upfront Steven Fletcher who is scoring in the BPL will lead the line in a likely solo role with the hope Maloney, Commons and Morrison will get up and support him. Id personally start with both Fletcher and Kenny Miller and drop Adam from the below team. There is goals in both Miller and Fletcher and Miller has always played better in a 2 man attack. ________________________McGregor_______________ Hutton___________Caldwell_________Berra________Fox Commons____Adam_______Fletcher____Morrison___Maloney ________________________Fletcher__________________ I can only see one outcome - Belgium 2-0 Scotland.

More like the SFA cant keep picking duds! Broon had the benefit of a good era of players. Vogts was a disaster but partly down to him not understanding how bad the Scottish level was compared to the German game. Walter knew what was required and was excellent by getting the best out of players. We'd have qualifed for Euro 08 or WC 2010 had he stayed on. McLeish benefited from what Walter left over. Do give him credit for beating France though but you could see a slight decline in play. Burley was an alky. Levein was a get out of jail no risk appointment for the SFA, he couldnt be any worse than Burley at organising. Considering there is plenty other good potential appointments he was a joke, and Im not talking about Ferguson or Moyes. Walter should return but they will give it to Strachan or Dalglish. Strachan wasnt the best at Coventry or Southampton, he did ok with them but nothing spectacular. George Graham would still be fine for international management with Joe Jordan as his No.2. Id still look at Redknapp, he should be next to Walter on the list.

.......and in 2-3 years they will be the new Portsmouth once he jumps ship to Liverpool or Newcastle (who sack Pardew from his 8 year deal for 4 defeats).

Puma looks good if your an athlete. Its them and Kappa who have tight tops. Adidas is first choice by a country mile. I was in one of their stores yesterday and even their own designed shirts are well tidy, better than most teams shirts. Umbro need to get a new design team in. Id rather to go Le coq sportif or dunlop than what they have been doing of late.

If he said Wigan I dont think anyone would have cared, but Villa have good history and reputation. But what Green says is right, they are useless now ever since O Neill left. Obviously its ok for the average punter to say it but while Green is on a high against the SFA / SPL he didnt need to come out with this one.

Yip definetely at least ask him. He wont ever get the England job now and cant see him getting a top job in the Premier League for a while. He'd only go to a team with money. Liverpool are the only possibility if Rodgers doesnt work out. Walter is by far the No.1 choice but Strachan or Dod Graham would be good with Joe Jordan and Gary McAllister as assistants. Just comparing those names to Levein and Houston is funny.

Very nice piece if its true.

Should add that the SFA need a good overhaul. Vogts, Burley and Levein all appointed and ruined things and themselves. You wonder who would take the job. Walter wasnt a yes man but they were desperate and he put the team right back on the road again. Had Le Guen worked out at Rangers then Scotland would have played in another tournament by now. Walter must return.

Scotland could lose again but some dodgy decision against the team will give Levein a lifeline as he wont get sacked due to the unfairness of the situation. But bollocks to that he shouldnt even have been given the job in the first place.

They have cost me twice this season at home as well mate. Never backing them again. Never liked them since Warnocks days.

Agreed to an extent except with good friendly relationships with the likes of AC Milan, Hamburg and Linfield. Thats shown by playing friendly MATCHES and with fans getting along. But when was the last time we invited Aston Villa to Ibrox or vice versa.

Not just that, we were in attacking possession and he did a classic Barry Ferguson maneuver turning 180 degrees and headed for his own goal and gave the ball away plus a foul. That cost us the match. What was the chopped off goal all about? The linesman fucks up because Adam was offside by half a yeard but not flag went up and play on, he then pins a perfectly good cross in which Fletcher scores and his flag goes up to cancel out his previous error. Levein didnt pick Commons in his original squad yet calls him up late as cover yet starts him. What was he planning on playing before he called him up! Cant be for Rhodes as they ar different players. Hutton hasnt played 1 minute for Villa this season yet has played in all 3 games. If he was playing regularly and near his Rangers form then he's a no brainer but he looks about2-3 stone over weight at the moment. Both Levein and Houston said its not a must win game. Get rid of them today!

Thats Owen Coyle. But he nicked McCanns hair.

See where your coming from. Id say almost all Scottish Rangers fans have let go of some support for the national team on some basis, whether its hoping they get gubbed or like me where they still want them to win but there is no passion for a win due to the reasons you have listed. And game by game with Levein in charge this is dropping.

I was putting the perspective into the size of these games compared to any SPL match including Rangers.

Agree. The total attendance of the highland derby would fit into the Broomloan Rd stand with seats left over. The total attendance of the Tayside derby would fit into the Govan stand with loads of seats left over.

Thats right, Durrant and Hateley scored in a cup match, 1993/94. Mhanks were given Broomloan and Govan stands, hope they were wiped clean for ST holders afterwards!

Their classic 1994 League cup final against Raith was played at Ibrox as was the 1997 Scottish cup final between Falkirk and Kilmarnock. As we were pretty much in most finals in the 90s we had quite a few finals at Parkhead during the period Hampden closed twice. 1993 Scottish cup final v Aberdeen 2-1, 1993 League cup final v Hibs 2-1, 1996 league cup final against Hearts 4-3, 1998 Scottish cup final against Hearts (bad game 2-1 defeat), plus a cup match where we gubbed Dunfermline 6-1. But after this year I hope we tell them to jog on and that they cant use Ibrox. They will then look at Murrayfield but the Rugby toffs wont want the likes of Celtic coming in and throwing seats about. So they will be left with using Easter Road or Tynecastle or Rugby Park.

[/img] What a smug barsteward.

Quite ironic in a week where Jock Stein would have been 90 these teams meet at the same ground in a same WC qualifier. The difference is these 2 sides arent a patch on what they used to be. Wales under Gary Speed were going somewhere but since Coleman came in they look back to there worst. 10-20 years ago this game would have thrown up almost as much interest as a England v Scotland game, now we might just ending up throwing up watching it (Pete theres one for your next Taxi). If Scotland dont get a win then it is an absolute must Levein is punted regardless if the Belgium games is a few days later. Wonder what genius formation Levein will attempt this match. I will still watch it and be supporting Scotland but anything other than a win will be my last until Levein is removed.

Thats right, he's scored 5 goals in the top league down south and he might not play. The worst thing about the international break is having to look and hear from these two turnips - Levein and Houston. I seriously am worried in case Levein is a contender as the next Rangers boss. You never know what can happen in football, if he doesnt pick up a win in these games then he will get the boot and that makes him available should Ally go.