Just like the good old days of the European Cup Winners Cup (remember that? We played in it a few times I think) this game brings together the Scottish and Ukrainian cup winners. Shakhtar Donetsk beat the Ukrainian champions on penalties in the final. A great way to win it.

They changed manager in summer and so far he's unbeaten over 90 minutes. Their only loss was on penalties to Panathinaikos.

They've won away from home this season at Besiktas and Servette, and drew away to Panathinaikos. So fair to say we're massive underdogs for this.

Do we rest players for Dundee? Every game gets billed as a "must-win" just now only for it not to be, but I think failure to win that one might be a defeat too far for the board. 

Dorrington, Bilalovic and Ambrose all definitely can't play anyway as they're not in the squad. Would like Bilalovic at least to get a run out v Dundee.

Personally, I'd stick with a similar team that started at Fir Park and the 5-2-3, get some familiarity into it. Just three changes: Nisbet, Aouchiche, Palaversa out; Lazetic, Armstrong, Clarkson in. Even if we lose, a big performance at least (and whisper it, maybe even a goal) would give us a badly needed lift.

Edited September 28, 2025Sep 28 by Panda

What just happened. Ball went in the netty thing at the end of our park and people are dancing?

Anyone else feel like we've just flicked a great big fuck off Ukrainian bear in the nuts then run off flicking it the V's? 

Mitov has to save that.

Mitov

 

29 minutes ago, tlg1903 said:

Anyone else feel like we've just flicked a great big fuck off Ukrainian bear in the nuts then run off flicking it the V's? 

Yes and now we have realised the Bear is fucking fast and is going to catch us. 

23 minutes ago, Jute said:

Yes and now we have realised the Bear is fucking fast and is going to catch us. 

And Brazilian.

Second aside, their goals were both peaches. Some pings.

To the cocks in the Red Shed that think it is acceptable to boo one of our own players on to the pitch, get the fuck out of my club

YASSSS NICKY DEVLIN. Lazetic unlucky with his effort

Nice one Nicky. 
 

Lazetic having his best game. 

Lazetic looks the business. Nisbet might struggle to get back in.

Let’s hope that’s not our goal quota for the month. Can we get a third??

Put on three strikers and mitov starts fucking about with it at the back. Prick!

That’s the problem with the data-driven football decisions, there’s no statistic for “yass min” which means you end up with Jensen starting more games than Devlin. Nicky was immense tonight.

Can definitely be happy with that level of performance. Now fucking make it happen domestically please.

Devlin and Milne were immense.

Only downside, and I know it's hard to make that much of an impact when you're that low on confidence, but Yengi really was a blunt instrument when he came on. Felt like that took the wind out of our sails.

10 minutes ago, Slim said:

That’s the problem with the data-driven football decisions, there’s no statistic for “yass min” which means you end up with Jensen starting more games than Devlin. Nicky was immense tonight.

The ochilview Cafu

A frustrating watch in the first half,could barely get near the ball,...or lost it when we had it.Much better in the second when we moved it about quickly with intent.

    Milne,Lazetic and Devlin all good.Hopefully fired us up for the Dungdee game

Decent performance. I think mitov should do better with first two goals if I'm honest. 

Great fight back. Lazetic bullied quality defenders and should do really well in our league. 

My mate sivert was really good when he came on. As was shinnie TBF. 

Keskinen, worked hard but really doesn't know what to do with the ball. 

Milne was great and will probably be our next big sale in the summer.

Feeling like it came together a lot more and that Jimmy might just get out of this... Might

I'll take that, that's easily the best team we have played so far this season and we had them nervous and time wasting the last ten minutes.  We defo could have done better on their goals but there were some spells in the second half I liked what I saw going forward.  Especially when you consider at one point we were staring down the barrel of a gubbing.   Lazetic is incredibly unfortunate not to have his first goal (but a hell of save it has to be said) but delighted it was Devlin to tuck it in.  Agree it's his best game as dandy, my biggest take on him from tonight (spin and volley aside) is for a big lad he much prefers taking high balls down than getting his head on it much like Marouane Fellaini used to.  He had some really nice wee touches too and he certainly puts a shift in...... a few more perfomances like that maybe our 9 worry will ease a bit. 

It was good to hear the fans singing and not booing at full time though shame on anyone who booed Nilsen on the park as far as I'm concerned.  

Agreed, the booing of Nilsen was very hunesque and reminded me of the dark days of JC's tenure. Recall Foster and Byrne maybe getting that treatment? I mind it definitely happening at a Falkirk game and a mate of mine up from London couldn't believe we booed our own onto the pitch 😂

^^^Thats embarassing 

I think Keskinen did really well with the ugly stuff and didn’t really look out of place at LWB, other than the 2nd goal but Mitov should be coming for that anyway. Can’t question his work-rate.

Was that our first penalty since mcgrath’s belter vs rangers??

much of the Motherwell game was better and we were unlucky not to take something from that, and tonight we scored and had some strong performances from what I read. My fear is we change up too much for Sunday. Really would like to see lazetic and devlin get a run of games and, to be fair on them, they haven’t played that much so shouldn’t need rested if fit. 
how was Armstrong tonight?

Also agree with the comment about Milne, think he’s really kicking on and two things, he’ll play more since I see a back 3 quite often, and Tobers is injured. Sadly, one of our few Scots who may move sooner than later.

 

24 minutes ago, redordead said:

Decent performance. I think mitov should do better with first two goals if I'm honest. 

Great fight back. Lazetic bullied quality defenders and should do really well in our league. 

My mate sivert was really good when he came on. As was shinnie TBF. 

Keskinen, worked hard but really doesn't know what to do with the ball. 

Milne was great and will probably be our next big sale in the summer.

Feeling like it came together a lot more and that Jimmy might just get out of this... Might

Yes, Milne looks much more assured in a 3. Thought Topi did OK but as someone else said doesn't seem to know what to do when he's got the ball. Clarkson put in a great shift helping Devlin make sure the WB nearly always had to turn back.  But Devlin was just superb - he'll either be at LB on Sunday or on the bench😆

19 minutes ago, OrlandoDon said:

Was that our first penalty since mcgrath’s belter vs rangers??

 

Only if you don't include the Cup Final😆

37 minutes ago, Slim said:

I think Keskinen did really well with the ugly stuff and didn’t really look out of place at LWB, other than the 2nd goal but Mitov should be coming for that anyway. Can’t question his work-rate.

Yeah I would agree with that and go further and say he's contributing far more and more effectively from this position.