Jute

Excellent post Tom. When Strachen was first appointed I had hoped he would challenge the way the national team was being run. Instead he embraces the old boy net work by appointing McCall and McGhee and continued with the policy of not selecting non old firm Scottish based players. Very little has improved under him and we are on course to finish in the same position as our last campaign. The only reason we are still in the hunt is 24 teams qualifying this time round.

Northern Ireland can qualify if they beat Hungray on Monday. Germany's 3-1 win gives us a glimour of hope but a very slim one.

That's us out. Very flat performance. How Brown came out for 2nd half is beyond me. Totally ineffectual. Substitutions reeked of McGee's influence.

Just surprised this story hit the press now. Would have expected it next Friday so it was fresh in everyone's thoughts for the Saturday in an attempt to unsettle team and fans. Most football fans have the attention span of a goldfish and will have forgotten about this by next weekend.

Denmark have the edge in head to head games. Away goal in 1-1 draw in Tirana.

Just seen that. Unimaginable that they could not make a 24 team tournament but it's a possibility now.

Wales taking a massive step towards qualification with 1-0 win in Cyprus. Meanwhile Iceland as good as guarantee Dutch will have to get through via 3rd place play off at best. Currently 8 behind Iceland and 6 behind the Czechs. Massive game in Instanbul on Sunday as Turks are only a point behind them.

Cheers. Loved the trips to Candlestick in the past and to be honest was a bit gutted when they announced the move to the new stadium however everything I have heard about facilities at Levi makes it sound like it is going to be a great stadium to visit.

Agree that we look a little short up front. An injury to Rooney especially would leave us relying on strikers who have hardly been prolific over the last few years. Hopefully Shankland does well at St Mirren and we have a recall clause that will allow us to take him back in January to provide extra cover.

Arabs loan out Robbie Muirhead to Thistle so they can loan another striker in from Fulham. Seems a bit odd.

Not a great performance but as the old cliche goes its a sign of a good team that can win when they do not play well. Lucky with first as looked like handball to me. Also helped by Thistle being shite. They are in for a long season and will be lucky to avoid relegation.

Arabs sign Billy McKay on loan with a view to permanent deal according Dundee evening paper.

Stick your name on the ticket list then.

Great draw for me. Can walk to stadium in 2 minutes from my house.

Full draw Kilmarnock v Heart of Midlothian Livingston v Inverness Caledonian Thistle Ross County v Falkirk Rangers v St Johnstone Celtic v Raith Rovers Morton v Motherwell Dundee United v Dunfermline Athletic Hibernian v Aberdeen

We might not but apparently both Hibs and County are both trying to.

Lowest ranked team left at home would be my choice. If it is an away tie then Dunfermline, Livingston, Falkirk or Hibs would suit.

Would be disappointed if nobody else came in following Shanklands departure. Parker's record is not great his spell in Slovenia aside so relying on him as back up is a bit of a gamble. Injury to Rooney will leave us in really short.

Kari Arnason interviewed on Sky about beating Tims. Last question from interviewer to him was did he think Celtic playing on a Thursday would help Aberdeen challenge he replied "I hope so. Once a Don always a Don." Always liked that guy.

Heading along to this one. Thistle looked pish from highlights of their game against Hearts so expecting us to win this one comfortably. In Boozer in West End Away end Train back to Edinburgh 2-0 Dons, McGinn and Rooney

Motherwell and Hearts both win in extra time.

Did I miss the Ronnie Roar. Great result as it denies them a bucket load of cash.

Better get tickets ordered then.

Not in your wildest dreams cunto. Just cleared space in the trophy cabinet and got the victory speech prepared.

Bit of a joke the Shinnie cannot get in to the squad but apart from that think its a decent squad.