OrlandoDon

I also think that the likes of karlsson and lazetic came here knowing European games will get them exposure. Dont think karlsson is eager to save himself for livi away. Although could be wrong.

How quickly does red tv put up the full European game? I know we only get the audio coverage live, do they put up video right after the game?

No quotes but the bbc saying killie are ready to listen to offers for Watson. Would be a really nice pick up. We can compare how we developed Ferguson vs the diminished roles of Barron, Lyall Cameron, and Luke McGowan, but certainly tough to compete with the Glasgow two, plus I think he’s a rangers fan??

It wouldn’t let me edit, my last point was that of whose spot would he take. Maybe the likes of Tommy Conway, another Englishman with a Scottish grandparent who has done virtually nothing to get us to the World Cup either.

I don’t overly disagree with you regarding the rules, but changing the rules isn’t the debate. Whether it is right or not, it’s the rules and we’re not a country oozing with talent. The debate is do you bring him in or not, knowing there are plenty of countries out there who will take advantage of this for a competitive edge. Do we do whatever we can to give us a greater chance of success, or are we cutting off our noses to spite our face? We put on a very poor showing at the last two euros, adding Barnes makes us a better team and that means something to me. I dont think it’s selling our soul to the devil, and we’re not hauling in a good 5-10 players in the same situation and punting guys who got us here. I don’t think we have the luxury of turning down opportunities like this when our next best option may be a player from the championship/SPL or lower who is definitely not as good and may well have the similar Scottish grandparent situation.

I don’t think the argument is eligibility, that hasn’t changed in years. I think the issue is him Possibly only wanting to play for us now that we are in the World Cup, even though he’s never been approached or rejected us. It’s my understanding Gunn took some convincing to play too, and declined mcleish in 2018 before accepting in 2023 when we were desperate. Don’t recall the same push back at that time. we’re limited in talent, I don’t see an influx of mediocre players replacing legit Scots. I think Barnes is the only one and provides something we clearly lack. I just want us to put up a good showing, and adding Barnes helps us.

Being hard to beat is a definite thing, and I definitely think we are showing a lot of strength in character these days, we certainly work hard defensively for these points. At the same time, we need to be better in attack. We could have crumbled after the league start, but we haven’t done that, and beating hearts today is a very good win for us.

Is it any different to Angus Gunn? Made his Scotland debut at 27.

Yup! Almost another game I am pissed off at the end. Second half again was just wave upon wave to an extent. Hoof up the part and another attack. No clue what we practice in training…? Good defending practice again but we got lucky.

Addressed that already.

Add that to my post. Definitely a period of transition and figuring out who stays and who we move on. At the same time, definitely positive with character building, grinding out results, and improved defending. jack Milne and McKenna should be starting central pairing next June!

Don’t want to be overly critical, good win. At the same time, we just don’t have a very good midfield, our lack of goals and inability to keep the ball and dominate, is clear. Obviously hearts today is tough, but it’s the same weekly. we’re definitely a square peg round hole team. Armstrong on the left, then clarkson. Thought aouchiche had his best game yet today, but I just don’t think we have any central midfielders worth building around long term (not including kjarten) and little width of any real quality. no clue what we do with topi or milanovic, neither look the level of ability and consistency. Is milanovic the next McGarry??

Much like previous games, not pretty. But another shutout and result! Grinding it out while not pretty is what Mcinnes used to do. Well done!!

Hanging on too much. Don’t like this!! Got to get up the pitch!

Shit right now. Need more and to keep the ball.

Great opportunity there in the left corner and we fuck around like we don’t know what to do! Even hearts didn’t really press and we don’t look threatening!

Definitely a game we play as if it’s 0-0. Can’t come out second half and sit, have to play and go for a second. One one and momentum shifts, got to be aggressive and attack. They are top of the league for a reason, can’t let them dictate the second half.

Not good not bad but we are very wasteful in possession. Need to keep the ball so much better. A bit too fast and desperate at times.

But is showing up and giving your all a participation trophy? And that also has grant hanley written all over it. Giving your all isn’t enough in my eyes. Agreed, squad harmony means a lot, but fresh blood in the squad is badly needed. We were the oldest squad at the euros, and we have a bunch of 30 plus players. I really want to see Lewis Morgan, Gould, Bowie, jack Milne, even David Watson given a look in the spring. Josh doig and max johnson too. I’d suggest Watson is better than Barron. id actually prefer we looked at lyall Cameron, even Luke McGowan, before Barron.

Yea. I wonder if we cater to him too much. Back to topi who has repeatedly proven there’s not too much between the ears. Would have liked us to have given milanovic, even bilalovic, the start.

Disappointed too in this 11, but our problem is midfield and getting a grip of games, I totally understand why we don’t then go two up top. My patience is getting thinner with topi Polvara and aouchiche. my fear is the lack of bite and energy in midfield. I expect us to get dominated/over run. Polvara is too passive, I think Armstrong compliments a heavy lifter, and topi and aouchiche are hit/miss. Such an unreliable midfield. hope Milne continues his fine form for his national call up in the spring.

Beating a dead horse but bored until kickoff. Is only wanting players who really want to play for Scotland the same as only signing players who really want to play for Aberdeen? We offer them money, and incentives like cup finals and Europe. Sadly it’s modern football and those good enough who are Scottish through and through who would run through a brick wall to play for Scotland is an ever diminishing list. I think, sadly, we have to be more open minded if we want to be competitive and play in major championships.

I wish that were the case, same argument for angus Gunn though, took a while for him to want to play for us, and in a position we are really limited in talent. I’d love a 25 yr old Jim Leighton or Craig Gordon, but does that exist any more? Like Gunn and George Hirst who played for England at all other levels, I don’t see barnes as much different. I’d love us to be a team full of legit Scots but those days are long gone. If we stick by the ‘he must really want to play for us’ then we’re limiting our options, even cutting off our noses to spite our face. Generalizing, but this attitude is not how most other counties see it or world football these days. Living in the states, very different/opposite but similar, how many are legit Americans vs foreigners with us ties. Kinda reverse but a lot of foreign parents who came to the us and had kids. I also think there’s so little legit Scottish talent coming through that i fear this might be a peak in Scottish performance and the future is bleak. Much like Aberdeen where you’ve heard me endlessly want a Scottish core, I don’t think the national team is that much different. You’ll have your legit Scots and the group with Scottish family ties.

If he is, is it that big a deal? Yes he scored a couple of good goals, but has been rather underwhelming otherwise. Opportunity for topi or milanovic to step up and claim a starting slot regularly.

One or two means new additions. Like it or not, Adams Gunn and to a lesser extent Hirst are not getting punted from the squad. Who is better that replaces them??