Conference trucks::football;1

    
    Group contains
    
       San Marino         
       Faroe Islands      
       Finland            
       Scotland         
       Greece             
       Russia

    Pred:
    1. Russia
    2. Greece
    3. Scotland
    4. Finland
    5. San Marino
    6. Faroe Islands
    
    
    Russia and Greece, will they have qualified at halftime again ?
    I see good outsider :-) chances for Sco as well
    
    Heiko
    

    
    Tough group for Scotland. I wonder how they'll get on against
    San Marino?
    
    JBG

    
    	This seemed the most appropriate place around. Our Euro campaign 
    starts next week with a "B" international against Wales.
    Here is the squad;
    
    		Maxwell (Rangers)
    		Nelson (Partick Thistle)
    		
    		Wright (Aberdeen)
    		Robertson (Rangers)
    		McKinnon (Motherwell)
    		McCart (Motherwell)
    		Hendry (Blackburn)
    		Millen (Kilmarnock)
    		Telfer (Luton)
    
    		McKinlay (Dundee Utd.)
    		McGinlay (Celtic)
    		Hutchison (Liverpool)
    		O'Donnell (Motherwell)
		Bernard (Oldham)
        	McSkimming (Kilmarnock)
    
    		Jess (Aberdeen)
    		Booth (Aberdeen)
    		Dailly (Dundee Utd.)
    	
    
    	So the next question is, What would YOUR team be? I think I'd go
    with;
    				 Nelson
       	         Wright    McCart    Hendry(Capt.) Robertson
    	        McKinlay   Hutchison   McGinlay    O'Donnell
                            Booth      Jess
    
    although I've no doubt that our inspirational personality of a manager
    will come out with a far better set up (ha ha).
    
    John A.
    

      Good draw for us.I don't care what Brown says if we don't make it to
    England then we should just give up.And against my better judgment
    I'll support them on the way.
    
    
    SCott

    re.4
    
       Team looks fine to me.
    
    
    SCott

    
    RE .4
    
    Where's Tommy Burns playing?
    
     8-))

    I have 2 two tickets for the prestige friendly international match
    between Scotland and Holland on the 23rd March. Tickets are a tenner
    each. First come, first served....
    
    Ray....823-4213

    1 down, 1 to go. The remaining ticket is for Section G in the new East
    Stand, Passage 41-42, Row DDD, Seat 132, price still a tenner....a
    bargain....the ticket even comes in a pleasant presentation pack with a
    personal message from Craig Brown in it....what more could any
    self-respecting footie fan want!
    
    somebody, please take it off my hands!!!!it's burning a hole in my
    wallet

    
    Well, Scotland start their qualifying games next week with a match
    against Finland. The office here at South Queensferry is fairly buzzing
    with excitement.....eh, sorry, it's just the noise of the air
    conditioning!
    
    Anyway, good luck to Scotland, and just remember, there are no easy
    games these days.
    
    Archie
    

        
>    Anyway, good luck to Scotland, and just remember, there are no easy
>    games these days.


      Archie,With that sort of patter you could end up as the Scotland
    Manager.
    
    
    
      SCott

    Scott,
         I preseumed he was referring to Finland, that THEY should not
    think there are any easy games just because they play Scotland !

    Craig Brown (Scotland manager) should have been sacked after his first
    game in charge. Its the same players, tactics, everything that Roxburgh
    used, so why sack Roxburgh.
    Finland will beat Scotland to-night and that will be that.
    

    
    final scores :
    
    Finland 0  Scotland 2
    Faroes  1  Greece   5
    
    Del.

    
    I must admit to being a bit worried when I saw the team Brown
    picked,but the more the game went on my confidence grew.
    The defence did the trick with McLaren doing a good man marking
    job on their famous striker......what`s his name?
    Shearer scored with a great header from a perfect Boyd cross and
    Collins predators did the trick again when he volleyed into the
    bottom corner after a poor clearance from a Finnish defender.
    
    Euro Championships here we come,
    
    Davie.
    
    ps,Finland were cr*p.
    

    I only saw the highlights last night and I did not think it was a
    "good" Scotland performance. The Finns exposed our defence a few times
    and but for very poor finishing we could have been punished. At least
    we won and hopefully we can improve our performances against the
    mighty Greeks and Russians (whit?). One positive point I liked was
    Brian Irvine NOT playing, what a big haddy.
    

    
    In case everyone has forgotten, Scotland play the Faroe Islands on
    Wednesday night at Hampden Park in the second game of the campaign.
    There are no easy games at this level, so let's hope we scrape by on
    the odd five or six goals, although Craig Brown says he will be glad to
    win 1-0. With that kind of attitude, and tickets costing 14 pounds, I
    think there'll be the odd empty seat!
    
    Archie
    
             
    

    
    Any news of the team....????
    
    Dezzz.

    
    
     Craig Brown, the interesting Scotland coach, has not named the team
    for Wednesday's game as yet. Now, you may think that because of the
    usual half-dozen withdrawals prior to the game, he's a bit unsure of
    his team selection. Not so. He stated last week that he would not name
    his team until the last minute so as not to give the opposition any
    clues as to how they would play!!! F***ing hell, we're playing the
    bloody Faroe Isles, not Brazil!!
    
     We're already hearing the old favourite, "there are no easy games at
    international level nowadays" Sounds like the excuses are being
    prepared in advnace. If Scotland don't win by at least 6, then we've
    got a worse international team than I thought.
    
     Danny.
    

    All the family section is sold out but there are some remaining
    bargains to be had,priced at �12 and �14,hurry there may be a late
    rush[some hope].
    This game should have been priced at a fiver a ticket to try and
    generate some atmosphere rather than line the fat cats pockets of
    the Stingy FA,no wonder the're treated with contempt.  

    
    
     Scotland  5  Faroe Islands  1
    
     Goals from McGinlay, Booth, Collins x2 and McKinlay against probably
    the worst international team about. Not much can be taken from this
    game as the opposition was really dreadful, even though they managed
    to create a couple of great scoring chances before they scored late on.
    
     Next game home against Russia will be the big test. A win then will
    be very welcome.
    
     Danny.

    When Scotland play Russia next week, who do Greece play?

The Team for the Russia game is supposed to be :

	Goram		Rangers
	McKimmie	Aberdeen
	Levein		Hearts
	McLaren		Rangers
	Boyd		Celtic
	McKinlay	Dundee Utd
	McCall		Rangers
	McAllister	Leeds Utd
	Collins 	Celtic
	McGinlay	Bolton
	Booth		Aberdeen
	
Subs:	Gunn		Norwich
	Martin		Motherwell	
	Spencer		Chelsea

   >>>     When Scotland play Russia next week, who do Greece play?
    
    Tonights fixtures
                       
    Scotland v Russia
    Greece v San Marino
    Finland v Fare old Islands

    
    
      Scotland  1  Russia  1
    
      Booth        ????
    
      Scotland scraped a point against a very good Russian side who could
     have won by 3 or 4 goals. Russia dominated for long periods but poor
     finishing up front cost them a victory.
    
      Good performances from Goram and Booth who took his goal very well. 
     McKimmie and Boyd were pretty pish, Boyd should be kicked up the arse
     for strolling back when Russia scored, he had the opportunity to clear
     the ball before it crossed the line but was too slow.
    
      Although you really need to win your home games, Scotland should be
     pleased to take a point from this one. Still in with a chance of
     qualifying. Well, at least until the next game away to Greece!!!!
    
      Danny.

        Last nights results
    
        Scotland 1:1 Russia
        Greece   2:0 San Marino
        Finland  5:0 Faroe Islands
    
        Table now looks like this
          
                      P Pts
        Greece        3  9
        Scotland      3  7
        Russia        2  4
        Finland       3  3
        San Marino    2  0
        Faroe Islands 3  0

    Wasn't it Greece v. Scotland last night ??   Score anyone ??
    
    Ray

    No, it's on Sunday. Live on SKY with a 6pm kick off
    
    Kev...

	Has anyone seen the new away strip?

	Ha, ha, ha!!!

	Choppers

    I've seen it and I'm impressed!!!!It's obviously all part of Craig
    Brown's master plan to foil the Greeks by rendering them helpless with
    laughter thus ensuring a crucial 0-0 draw....
    
    what an awful strip!!!!I don't think Santa's sleigh will be bulging
    with these jerseys this Xmas....
    
    Ray....
    

    Ray
    
    
    I beg to differ. I think that the more awful the kit, the better it
    sells. Arsenal found that the strip which looked like a diarhettic
    pigeon had stamped all over it was one of their biggest sellers ever.
    That said, even that kit looked good compared to Scotlands ;-)
    
    Stuart

    so Arsenal fans taste in football goes for their shirts as well????
    
    (smiley thing)
    
    Ray....

    re -1
    
    Football? What's football?
    
    Perplexed of Highbury
    (Knowing little smiley type thing)
    

    
    
    Half time score
    
    Greece.......1  Scotland......0
    
    
    

    
    
    Final score
    
    Greece.......1   Scotland......0
    
    
    h'mmmmmmmmmmmm

   Well that takes the biscuit as far as I'm concerned,getting humpt by Greece,
Greece who the hell are they,a bloody holiday resort thats what Greece is,I 
don't know why I'M SHOCKED at that results I shouldn't have expected anything
better.When are the SFA going to realise that we can't keep expecteing to win 
international games by playing like a bunch of numptys,its about time the 
domestic league set up was change and more time and MONEY was devoted to 
our national game.How is it that Scotland who used to be be up with the rest of 
the world if not above them in most competitive sports now laggs well behind.
ie-Football,Golf,Rugby, too name but a few.LETS SEE SOME TIME AND MONEY INVESTED
IN SPORT AND BRING THIS NATION ALONG SIDE OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD.


 Sean.

    
    
    There is no chance of Scottish sport getting any better as all the
    ruling bodies are more interested in looking after there own interests,
    and they have very little time or inclination to change things.
    
    The football league will need to comply with the uefa ruling of a
    maximium of 34 leagues games a season, but you can bet that they will
    wait until the last possible moment to change the set up.
        It makes sense to me to change the Premier to 16 teams for NEXT
    season as most of the 1st division teams are no worse than probably
    the bottom 9 teams currently playing premier division football.
    
    

    
    > Greece who the hell are they,a bloody holiday resort thats what Greece is
    
    At least Greece is a real country :-)
    
    	merry Xmas,
    
    		Stefan

    
    Stefan,
    
    	I'd be surprised if a single smiley lets you off the hook for that
    comment. In fact, no ammount of smileys will. If there's one way to
    unite the Scottish against you its by suggesting that they're only
    pretending at being a real nation. The Scots are a brave people, hard
    as iron but friendly with it. When push comes to shove the Scot's will
    always stand & be counted. How many Swedes landed on the beaches of
    Normandy? 8-) ABBA aside, what have you chaps given us in the last 50
    years? 8-) Ok, so you've got a little squirt Brolin who can dive better
    than Klinsmann & you only went out of the WC on penalties to the great
    Brazil 8-) .......hang on there a mo, let me just get another nip of my
    Talisker.....

    JBG

JBG.  UN Peace keeping force.  Bringing conflicting countries into harmony.  
Vance and Owen have no chance whilst Jon's around.  Fancy a quick trip to 
Bosnia?

    
    Oh Hi Matt,
    
    	how did Swansea get on on the weekend??
    
    JBG

Footy :

1 : 1

Proper Gentlemens' sport :

21 : 12 (phew!)

    
    Matt,
    
    	any chance of putting in all the weekend's results in the other
    conference??
    
    JBG

sort of.....

		Finland 4           San Marino 0
                Greece 1            Scotland 0           

                                P  W  D  L Pts
            Greece              4  4  0  0  12
            Scotland            4  2  1  1   7
            Finland             4  2  0  2   6
            Russia              2  1  1  0   4
            San Marino          3  0  0  3   0
            Faroe Islands       3  0  0  3   0

    
    Scotland never looked like scoring against Greece and if it wasn`t
    for Andy Goram it could have been 3 or 4.
    McAllister and McKinlay were posted missing whilst Ferguson and 
    MacGinlay didn`t look interested.
    The bottom line is that the squad Brown picked was probably about 
    the best available and when it comes down to it Scotland are a less
    than average international side.
    
    I think it`s time to rake through Stan Collymores family tree for some
    Scottish blood...8*)
    
    Davie.
    
    BTW....I think we can still qualify......Greece are also cr*p.

    
    	Where to? Outer Mongolia?

Outer Mongolia would probably be too good for you lot :-)))

    
    	Shut yer face John ye sassenach get. I'm surprised you can even
    spell Outer Mongolia as I know your lack of knowledge about geography
    is only surpassed by your lack of knowledge about football. Next time
    you go down south I'm going to get the border closed so you can't get
    back.
    
    	Have a nice day,
    
    		Malc.
    
    PS going to lunch today ?
    

    
    The Scotland team was;
    
    Goram....the man`s a god.
    McKimmie....cr*p
    Boyd....caught out a few times.
    McLaren....not his usual dominant self.
    Hendry....had the right attitude,kicked everything that moved.
    MacKinlay....was he playing.
    McCall....not effective.
    Collins....tried hard to get involved.
    MacAllister....worst I`ve seen him in a Scotland jersey.
    Ferguson....Everton were done,some business by Murray.
    McGinlay....Had one good effort,that apart did nothing.
    
    Subs....
    
    Spencer....looked quite sharp,IMO should have been a starter.
    Leighton....nothing to do for the 10 minutes he was on.

    
    
    
    
    
Dear Tartan Army,

First of all let me wish you a happy Xmas, and a prosperous New
Year.

Thankyou for your wonderful support during the games Scotland have
played over the last year. I can assure you that it has been
noted at Park Gardens, where plans are afoot to reduce the ticket
price for the glamorous home game against San Marino by 50p as a
gesture of thanks.

I think you will agree that Scotland's performances over the last
year have left something to be desired. Too often, we have seen
Scotland teams taking the field inadequately or carelessly attired.
I think the recent Greece game showed a marked improvement, with
the team looking natty in a new away strip and colour-coordinated
tie-ups. This is what playing for the jersey is really about, and
I'm glad to see that cheeky laddie Duncan setting such a good 
example - he in fact designed the strips with crayons as part of his
homework.

You will be glad to hear that we have new tactics for the next year,
which to my mind will benefit us enormously. I have managed to
obtain some top-secret videos from my local supermarket, and I can
assure you I will be putting them to good use. So, look out for our
revolutionary tactics in the Russia game, which will see a recall
for Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness, as I was particularly taken 
with their performances on the "Liverpool: Team of the Decade" video.
I think my Mam's going to give me the "Brazil 1970 WC" video for
Xmas, too, so don't rule out the possibility of playing an all-out
attacking game with four forwards.

By the way, did you see Ajax's wonderful performances in the Champions
League? I stayed up once to watch the highlights programme and was
very impressed with the way they played Rijkaard (a midfielder) at
sweeper. I think John Collins could be a natural for this role, and it
is something we may have to look at in the Russia game.

I will be rendevousing with our spy in Moscow - cunningly disguised as
a local taxi driver who speaks patchy English - when we go across
there for the game, and will be basing my entire strategy around the
information he gives me. This is the way Andy did it, so it must be
right. I have a hunch that he'll tell me that Oleg Blochin and Lev
Yashin will be playing, so I will be recalling Joe Jordan to play at
right back in a 1-4-5-0 formation as a counter-measure. But only if
Stewart McKimmie is injured, as I couldn't drop him because Andy wouldn't
like that. He's playing really well just now anyway.

I'm sorry to say that certain sections of the press are continuing
their outrageous behaviour in demanding a return for Richard G**gh,
just because he's captain of the most successful team Scotland's seen
for 20 years. I'm glad to tell you that I'll be standing firm on this
one, and will pick Willie Jamieson ahead of him, even if the SFA ban
him sine die for killing someone. Anyway, Andy told me that G**gh is
part of a Witch-Cult that eats little girls for breakfast. Also,
G**gh once shouted at Andy on one away trip, just because Andy gave
him detention for not eating his grilled tomatoes. 

Finally, I'd like to say that I still believe we'll qualify for 
England '96. If we can take 17 points from our next 3 qualifying
games before the start of February, I think we'll leave ourselves with
a very good chance. I'm sure the continuity established in the squad
will help enormously - I firmly believe that it's best to ignore 
current form in picking the team, as this would rule out some of the
players Andy picked, and we must remain loyal to them.

Get behind them lads! Your national team's never been in better health!


Pa Broon

    
    1.	Leighton(Hibs)
    2.	Wright(Aberdeen)
    3.	Boyd(Celtic)
    4.	Hendry?(Blackburn)
    5.	Calderwood(Spurs)
    6.	McStay(Celtic)
    7.	McKinlay(Dundee Utd)
    8.	McAllister(Leeds)
    9.	McGinlay(Bolton)
    10. Shearer(Aberdeen)
    11.	Collins(Celtic)
    
    Subs:
    O'Donnell(Celtic)
    Nevin(Tranmere)
    Walker(Hearts)

    
    Anybody know what odds Scotland are to win.
    
    Davie.

    
    	Astronomical I would have thought Davie. I fully expect a severe
    cuffing this evening.
    
    	Btw I thought Hendry was injured (or so say Blackburn ) ? And that
    he had withdrawn from the squad last week ?
    
    Malc.
    

    Err, forgive my ingnorance but who are we playing?
    
    Gordon.

    
    In case you`re being serious,we`re playing the Ruskies who are quoted 
    at 8-15 on to win.
    Prediction from the heart,Russia 1 Scotland 2...
    ....and from the head,Russia to win 2 or 3 nil.
    
    Davie..

    
    Russia 0 Scotland 0
    
    

    re -2.
    
    Just to let you know, it was a serious question. For a number of
    reasons, not least being that I live in France, I tend not to be up to
    date with subjects such this one. I get most of my info from this
    conference.
    
    Here's another serious question: is 0-0 the final score or a
    prediction? I can't figure it out from the time the note was entered
    at 19:11 hours yesterday, although use of past tense in "they were 6-1"
    seems to be a clue. 
    
    You've got to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out some of these notes.
    
    Lads, any chance of some details in the notes for people who don't have
    access to the Daily Ranger/Rebel ?
    
    Cheers,
    
    Gordon. 

    
    
     Final score was 0-0. A good result for Scotland, they've drawn twice
    with the Russians who were the favourites to win the group. Scotland
    now have to play San Marino home and away, Faroe Islands away, Finland
    and Greece at home. 5 victories should see us through, anyone want to
    bet Scotland drop points against wee Sanny Marino or away to the
    Faroes.
    
     Danny.

    RE-2.   Gordon - I know how you feel - it's unbelievably tedious to
    wade through note after note about any old rubbish, till you find
    the one you're after - the score of last night's match.   Us ex-pats
    should know better shouldn't we ??   What was the Israel/France
    score ??   I only saw a bit on Eurosport ..
    
    Ray

    
    re. 62
    
    Oh ye of little faith Dan,
    
    With the tactical genius of Craig Brown at the helm we WILL win or last
    5 games and qualify in style !
    
    Del.
    
    ps. when was the last time Scotland won 5 games on the trot ? Have we
    EVER won 5 games on the trot ? :-)

    Ray,
    
    Israel 0 France 0
    
    The French have obviously decided that the way to win honours is by
    following the Arsenal method of defending and hoping to hit teams on
    the break. Although 2 goals in 5 games is taking it to an extreme ;^)
    
    Stuart

    
    San Marino...0  Scotland...2
    
    truly inspiring stuff.

    
    Hang on...that opening goal was a bit special ....
    
    Dezzz.

    
    Greece 0   Russia  3

    San Marino 0 Russia 7
    Faroes 0 Scotland 2
    
    Did Greece and Finland play?
    
    Can anybody put in the current table?
    
    Gordon.

    It just occurred to me that I haven't a clue who plays for Scotland
    these days. Can anybody give the team against the Faroes?
    
    Oh, and the scorers too, thanks.
    
    Gordon.

		P  Pts
Russia		6  14
Scotland	7  14
Greece		5  12
Finland		6  12
Faroes		7   3
San Marino	7   0

Finland v Greece on Sunday

    
    Re Scotland team...
    
    Leighton
    McLaren
    McKimmie
    Calderwood
    Burley
    McKinlay
    Collins
    Gemmil
    McGinlay
    Jackson
    ?Boyd
    
    Subs William Wallace and Rob Roy.
    
    

    Try this line up Davie,
    
    Leighton,Mckimmie,Mckinnon,Mclaren,Calderwood,Burley,Jackson,B.McKinlay
    Mcginlay,Collins,Shearer.
           
    Subs...Walker,T.McKinlay,Gemmill,Bernard ??
           Robertson,Dunleavie,Sludden.

    
    Oh well....I was nearly right.
    
    You`ve not sneaked a Daily Record into the fab by any chance?
    
    Davie
    
    ps,England has Cole,Collymore,Shearer and Ferdinand.
       Scotland has McGinlay,Shearer and Jackson......we`re doomed.

Finland 2 Greece 1 !!

		P  Pts
Finland		7  15
Russia		6  14
Scotland	7  14
Greece		6  12
Faroes		7   3
San Marino	7   0

g

    What do the panel think of Andy Goram pulling out of the game on
    Wednesday?...
    
    In my opinion, his excuse is a crock of $#!*....If the Scottish
    national team manager had any backbone he would tell Goram where to stick 
    his excuse....
    
    ....a great pity, because Goram is, without doubt, the best Scottish
    goalkeeper....
    
    Ray....

    
    	The panel thinks the general Rangers attitude towards Scotland
    matches is utterly appalling. Going right back to the Souness era their
    excuses for pulling out of matches are getting flimsier and flimsier
    (is that a word ?). I particularly remember Johnston and McCoist both
    supposedly being injured for a midweek Scotland match then playing in
    the Rangers game on Saturday.
    
    	Goram is an utter idiot with hardly a brain cell in his head. I
    heard a story about a speech he had to give to some SFA official dinner
    when accepting some award and it was so absolutely dreadful that TV and
    press made a pact not to mention it at all (for a start it was too
    obscene to broadcast).
    
    	What's happened to the days when it was considered an honour to play
    for your country ?
    
    Malc.
    
    PS My mate has just been on the phone with free tickets for the match.
    It's a hard life chaps.
    

I thought it was best summed up by a quote from Craig Brown

"He has psychological problems which a football person cannot 
help with."

Speaks for itself.

	Scotland 1-0 Greece
    	(McCoist 72)
    
    	Russia 6-0 Finland
    
		P  Pts
Russia		7  17
Scotland	8  17
Finland		8  15
Greece		7  12
Faroes		7   3
San Marino	7   0
    
    
    
    Scotland really should qualify now. 2 home games to play, (I think)....
    
    I got to the match last night,and although Scotland weren't great, at
    least they got stuck in and the Greeks couldn't handle the hard
    stuff. And well done to the crowd for getting behind the boys all
    night....
    
    Ray....
    
    MOTM???? Jim Leighton for that save in the 2nd half, superb!...
                    

    	Scotland		1		Greece		0
    	McCoist

    	A rather nondescript first half was followed by a fine second half
    with both sides having good chances. Arguably the best 45 minutes I
    have seen from Scotland in a few years. McCoist scored with his first
    (and only ?) touch of the ball having replaced Jackson who was quite
    frankly mystifying people why he was on the pitch. I thought Scotland
    just deserved the win although it took a phenomenal save from Jim
    Leighton to keep it at 0-0 in the second half. Several disappointing
    players last night : Collins had a good first half but faded in the
    second, McAllister was poor to start with but got better, Jackson and
    Shearer were dreadful, McCall did his headless chicken act most of the
    time but was not too bad overall. The defence was adequate but I
    wouldn't like to see them under sustained pressure. But Jim Leighton
    has put miseryguts Goram out of a job I reckon.

    	This result coupled with Finlands 6-0 defeat from Russia leaves
    Scotland masters of their own destiny and 4 points out of 6 should
    see us through to the finals. So stick that in your pipe and smoke it
    Stuart Stratford !

    Malc.

    Malc,
    
    >So stick that in your pipe and smoke it Stuart Stratford !
    
    Didn't touch a raw nerve yesterday, did I?
    
    Stuart

    
    > Didn't touch a raw nerve yesterday, did I?
    
    	Not at all Stuart. It was merely that I was expecting the full 10
    minute argument yesterday and it just fizzled out. I am emphasising the
    point that we CAN qualify for tournaments while England have to keep
    finding sneaky ways to enter.
    
    	For instance, how about Match of the 70s last night. First time
    Engalnd had to qualify for the World Cup for x years and they fell
    flat on their faces thanks to Norman Hunter and a (so-called) "clown"
    goalie. Makes me laff ...
    
    Malc.
    

    
    
     Only watched the "highlights" on telly last night but it looked a
    fairly even game with both sides having several good chances to score.
    From a Scotland point of view, Darren Jackson and Duncan Shearer looked
    well short of international class and must surely be dropped for the 
    next game. Jim Leighton had another good game to confirm his position
    as number 1, don't know what all the fuss about Goram is about, he
    would only have been on the bench anyway.
    
     Why does McAllister waste so many free-kicks/corner kicks? I think he
    hit 1 decent free-kick all night and his corner kicks were absolute
    crap.
    
     Danny.

    >Why does McAllister waste so many free-kicks/corner kicks?
    
    	He's been taking lessons from Gordon Strachan... :->
    	
    	Cheers,
    	
    	Rick.

    Malc,
    
    re.81 You forgot Craig Burley from your resume. Did he do any good?
    
    Andy

    
    Andy
    
    	I was including Craig Burley along with the defence as he was
    playing right back pushing forward. I think if Hendry had been fit
    McKimmie would have played right back instead. Similarly if McLaren had
    been fit Boyd would have been left back. However McKinlay had a good
    enough game.
    
    	Craig Burley did two things of note :
    
    	1. He clobbered the Greek left midfield player after about 15 mins and
    promptly got booked. I think he was scared to tackle anybody after that.
    
    	2. At one point in the second half he found himself right through
    with only the goalie to beat (by accident or design I am not sure) and
    hit the ball straight at him and thereby missed the best chance for
    either side in the match.
    
    	So, to sum up, I was not wildly excited by him.
    
    Malc.
    
    PS Is he George Burleys son ?
    

    Malc,
    
    > Why Paul Merson ?
    
    Speaking as an Asenal fan, I can testify to the depths that his corner
    taking ability has sunk in the past.
    
    Stuart

    Malc,
    
    > Why Paul Merson ?
    
    'cos he's only good at shooting...
    
    Stuart

    re .87
    
    Craig Burley is George Burley's nephew.
    
    Burley looks similar to Merson (pre-drastic haircut days) and shows
    good touches one day and crap the next. 
    
    Andy

    Anyone care to put in last night's scores, please.
    
    Gordon.

    Faeroe Islands 2 - 5 Russia
    
    Scotland 1 - 0 Finland
    (Booth)

    OOPS, I forgot:
    
    San Marino 0 - 4 Greece
    

    I was at the Scotland-Finland game last night. I suppose that a result
    is a result is a result, but Scotland were pretty poor and I thought they
    paid way too much respect to a poor Finnish team. The result should
    have been a much clearer victory for the Scots. Scotland need to show a
    lot more flair and imagination in attack. I think there were only about 5
    Scottish shots on goal, it should have been at leat trebled. Leighton,
    as usual nowadays, was faultless, the defence was OK, (McKinlay looked
    very comfortable at this level), the midfield were average and the
    strikers were poor. And why oh why oh why does any team pick Darren
    Jackson????, the chap was born offside!...
    
    ....barring miracles Scotland should qualify for Euro96, so at least
    I'll have someone to shout for next summer....
    
    Ray....
    
    ps....Mick McCarthy for next RoI manager..<controversial or what!>...
    

    
    
     re .95
    
     I wouldn't pick Darren Jackson for Ayr Utd, that's how bad he is. How
    he ever got into an international team I'll never know. Okay, Scotland
    isn't exactly bursting at the seams with good players but this guy is
    a joke.
    
    Danny.

    Say what you like about Darren Jackson, but even he wasn't as bad as
    McAllister or Collins. They were woeful. They were so bad in fact, that
    I would rather have seen McStay playing, and he is nearly as big a
    donkey as Tony Adams.
    
    After that performance I hope Rangers buy McAllister and Collins stays
    at Celtic.
    

    re -1
    
    >and he is nearly as big a donkey as Tony Adams
    
    Spoken like a man with a limited enough intelligence to read the Daily
    Mirror.
    
    

    hey,
       cool it guys, your all panicking. There is still a chance we won't
    qualify !
    
    
    Of course we would not be so worried if pa broon actualy picked the
    strongest team next summer but fatchance of this:
    
                               GORAM
       MCKIMMIE         GOUGH       HENDRY        ROBERTSON
    
             MCCALLISTAR       MCCALL      COLLINS
    
                              LE TISSIER  (nae pride have I)
    
              MCCOIST      FERGUSSON     BOOTH
    
    SUBS:  MCCOIST, JESS, SPENCER, WRIGHT, MCCLAREN, CALDERWOOD, MCSTAY

Three questions

1) You wouldn't be a Rangers supporter would you by any chance?
2) Are there two Scottish internationals named McCoist - see strikers
   and subs. list.
3) have the rules changed to allow 12 players on the park?

    yes
    no but he's worth two
    moscow dynamo taught us

    
    
     How can anyone seriously pick Andy Goram in place of Jim Leighton?
    Admittedly, Goram is a very good goalkeeper but surely Leightons
    performances in recent games justifies his selection. Okay, some (most)
    of the games have been against average or poor opposition but he made
    very important and great saves at crucial times against Russia, Greece
    and Finland. He is without doubt the right man for the job just now.
    Just because Goram is "mentally okay" now (although that's debatable),
    doesn't automatically give him the goalkeeping job.
    
     McAllister is another Paul McStay, very over-rated. A big name who
    doesn't deserve his place in the team. Just my opinion of course.
    
    Danny.

Got to agree with -1, while I think Goram is a great keeper (bear in mind that 
I'm a Celtic supporter) I do believe that Leighton should keep the position 
until he loses form. After all is this not what is done at club level?

    ok So I've seen little of Jim L in the last year, but Goram's
    performances in the big Euro games would put him ahead for me.
    
    As to his "mental attitude" it will be whatever Rangers want it 
    to be!*  As long as they are no summer fixture clashes I'm sure he will
    be ok.
    
    

I think what may happen is that Craig Brown will use the three friendly's he
is setting up to put Goram back in goal and then that'll be Leighton on the bench.

    Chaps....did Scotland ( or any other teams in the group ) play last
    night ?  Scores ?  Murder trying to get results / reports / coverage
    out here in the good 'ol US of A.
    
    Tim

    Russia 2 Greece 1
    
    Russia and Scotland now qualify for next year in England

Tim,
Specially for You:

 RUSSIA   - GREECE  2:1 (1:0)
 35.000; Alexandris (35./own),
 Onopko (71.); Tsalouhides (64.)
 SAN MARINO - F�R�ER         1:3 (0:2)
 1.000; Valentini (52.); Jonsson (42.,
 45.,59.)


  1. RUSSIA          9  7 2 0 31: 4  23
  2. SCOTLAND        9  6 2 1 14: 3  20
  3. GREECE          9  5 0 4 18: 9  15
  4. FINLAND         9  5 0 4 17:15  15
  5. F�R�ER          9  2 0 7 10:30   6
  6. SAN MARINO      9  0 0 9  2:31   0

 15.11. SCO - SM, RUS - FIN, GR - F�R

Heribert

    Scotland have either qualified as one of the highest scoring second
    place teams or, in the worst possible case, they will have to play off
    at Anfield for the last remaining place in the Euro-96 competition.
    
    Cheers,
    
    	Rick.

and as my Scottish mate says - Scotland are only going next year to make 
England look good!

g

    re last
    
    I don't think even we are capable of doing that....
    
    Kev...

    re .108 / 109
    
    Thanks for the update...
    
    Tim

    I tried to understand the article I found that explained how the best
    7 runners-up was decided can someone summarise the rules for my benefit
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

Andrew,

I'll try to explain the rules, as far as I understand them.

- England, as hosts, qualify automatically
- the top team in each group qualifies automatically
- take the second team in each group's record against the teams finishing 
  1st, 3rd and 4th in their group.  The top six based on their record 
  automatically qualify.  The bottom two then play off at Anfield for the 
  final qualifying spot.

To determine the position of teams within their group, if two teams finish 
level on points, then their head-to-head record is used.  If still level, 
then goal difference is used.

Clear as mud?

Jon

    Jon,
    
    ta - guess i'll wait til November 16th or whenever and see which lucky
    two teams get to play at Anfield - it'll be too difficult to work the
    rest out without a full set of results for each group.
    
    regards
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    comfortable finish for the scots over san marino and hey at least they
    didn't give up a goal after 7 seconds like the greatest team in the
    world
    
    Regards
    
    Andrew.D.Wicks

    
    	Scotland	5		San Marino	0
    	Jess
    	Booth
    	McCoist
    	Nevin
    	A San Marinian o.g.
    
    	I took in this match last night on yet another freebie ticket.
    
    	It was BLOODY FREEZING.
    
    	Malc.
    

    Scotland  5 - 0  San Marino
    Russia    3 - 1  Finland
    Greece    5 - 0  Faeroe Is.
    
    
    
    Final Table
    -----------
    
                P   W  D  L   F   A   Pts
    Russia      10  8  2  0   34   5  26
    Scotland    10  7  2  1   19   3  23
    Greece      10  6  0  4   23   9  18
    Finland     10  5  0  5   18  18  15
    Faeroe Is.  10  2  0  8   10  35   6
    San Marino  10  0  0  10   2  36   0
    
    
    
    Gary
    

    Any comments on Scotland's group for Euro 96?...
    
    England
    Holland
    Switzerland
    Scotland
    
    Ray....

    What about "You'll be going out in the first round??" for the first
    comment?
    
    Cheers,
    
    	Rick.
    
    

    
    .119  
    
     I have a comment about the price of the tickets..
    
     45 - 55 - 65  �'s     for severely restricted views..  *(^*^&% me 
    
    
    

    congrats to the Scottish U-21 side for reaching the semi-final of the
    European Championships last night. Coming from behind to win 3-1(4-3 agg.)
    against Hungary shows that they've got guts....
    
    Ray....