(FM23) We're Gonna Deep Fry....Everything!!

[andychar]

Euro 2024 Qualifiers

Moldova (a)

Unsurprisingly we are favourites. 

No matter what happens here we go into the final game with it all in our own hands. Regardless a win here makes it all that easier.

6 players confused with the team sheet....

Its probably our weakest XI. Gamble?

10 minutes on the clock and all fears of a gamble are put to rest. Dembele gets his first goal for Scotland.

Brown pounces first after a save to knock it into an empty net. My decisions have been justified.

25th minute and Moldova are down to 10 men. Its not been a great day for them. We should coast home from here.

This game is flat. It has an air of "job done" about it. Lets just get to 90 and move on.

We huffed and puffed in second half. Would have liked more goals but it meant less work for me cutting out the images.

Austria waited until the 90th minute to get a winner against Luxembourg but it wouldn't have changed things either way.

We now know what we need to do in the last game.

 

[andychar]

Euro 2024 Qualifiers

Austria (h)

We are favourites.

We also know with Romania not qualifying we can't get a playoff place. Meaning this is it. Now or never. This is our playoff final.

The job needed is simple. Win or draw. A loss would see us out. Its going to be horrible and nervy. Its going to be Scottish International Football in a nutshell.

I've made a somewhat controversial decision to swap out Gunn in goal for Kelly. Other than that maybe the only surprise is Tierney and McTominay at CB while Turnbull keeps his place in AMC.

This is it. I'm going to hate this.

The start dreams are made of! And what a finish it was from Armstrong, he's slowly become the first name on the teamsheet and he has delivered. 80 minutes to go. A draw is enough. We are in the drivers seat.

Che Adams plays a lovely ball into Ryan Fraser and he slots home. There's a party atmosphere at Hampden. 

Its half time here and Flower of Scotland is ringing out. Not on the screenshot are 3 more bookings! 2 for us 1 for them. Its been a fiesty affair and if it finishes 11 v 11 I'll be amazed!

20 minutes to go and Austria have a lifeline. A long ball pumped forward finds the striker who fires home well. Game on? Still 11 v 11.

ARMSTRONG!!! All the nerves that were building disappear in one huge roar from Hampden. Surely, surely now our ticket has been punched!

Who ordered icing on that cake? Fraser gets his second. His goals toward the end of this group have been so valuable. Oh Flower of Scotland!

Adams gets in on the act. Has this been one of the all time great Scottish Performances?

Luckily we aren't playing last goal winner.

If it wasn't injury time I'd start to get worried.

We were clinical when we needed to be. 2 sets of bursts of fire was enough. What a game of football. Far from the cagey affair I thought we were going to have.

God that feels good. 

[andychar]

21 hours ago, mark b said:

Good thread, I'm finding this surprisingly interesting,considering I don't normally like international management myself! 

Cheers mate. I know what you mean, I haven't done any International Management in ages but thought I'd get my teeth stuck into this one and I've really enjoyed it so far.

[andychar]

127 days until we play Berumda and Guatemala. The Golden Duo as they are often described as.

[Rikulec]

Well done making the Euros.

[andychar]

21 hours ago, Rikulec said:

Well done making the Euros.

Cheers mate. We keep the job thats the main thing!

I've been busy.

Now I don't know how many of these are going to be kept but 8 Countries there. 2 you could say are tricky, Iran and New Zealand. The rest are fodder to get this save ticking along.

[andychar]

Dunno why we had to change a game but hey, Haiti are in the Top 100. A scalp?

What fresh hell is this?

Murray Johnson looks like he could be an amazing keeper. Liam Kelly would be the start when I've gotta give this 19 year old his first cap!

No real surprises. I want to win these games.

Dembele keeps finding himself in my squads and at this point I'm too afraid to ask why.

The traditional 3.

[andychar]

Friendly 

Bermuda (h)

Lets get this over with!

Ok that took longer than I thought it would but I'll take it! Armstrong with the goal.

Che Adams makes it 2. A nice easy goal. Should be a cake walk from here.

John McGinn makes it 3. Easy game this.

I feel this isn't a fair contest.

Oh shoot. I've just realised I didn't make the subs from the teams who wanted me to play 45 minutes....whoops! They played 46 minutes.

Dembele makes it 4.

Excuse me what?!

That'll do pig.

[andychar]

Friendly

Haiti (h)

Ryan Jack is injured so I've called up somebody I think will make somebody very happy

Nobody complained about 46 minutes instead of 45 so happy days!

On paper its the harder of the 2 so Lord knows why I went my Second XI.

Dembele to Adams and we have had worse starts.

A lovely well worked goal and its Adams again.

Nothing spectacular but a nice half time lead. Must remember to make subs!

Billy Gilmour has the easiest job in the World of tapping into an empty net after Robertson good work down the wing and a nice ball into the box.

I have no idea what happend, I was making subs. We scored...woooooo!

I like the idea that McTominay took his shirt off in celebration of assiting the 4th goal. Its a guess but I'm sticking to it.

2 Countries ticked off the list! We are on our way.

Its 7 down...so so so many more to go.

77 days until our next break and 2 more friendlies. Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Barthelemy await!

[andychar]

How the hell are England not on that list? Good to see the Scottish fans are as butt hurt as I am after that Sweden defeat though.

Nothing of this makes any sense? 65th Euros? Surely not? ROY KEANE?! Surely not!

Some tasty group games. Group D started out one I would have liked, quickly glad it was avoided. Serbia and Denmark are two games if we turn up we can win. I would be disappointed if we don't at least finish 3rd here and give ourselves at least a chance of qualifying. Italy once again. We gave them a good game in Italy. Now maybe 3rd time lucky? Early rivals have been detected!

We technically are the weakest team in the Group with our World Ranking.

No pressure at all here which is good. It won't end up with me losing my job!

[andychar]

Portugal, Holland and Ukraine...got it...

It does mean 2 friendlies have been cancelled but in place of those 2 friendlies we now have 6 fresh opportunities to tick off some teams.

 

[andychar]

Chuffing el its all go!

Well we have proven we can beat Austria and the other two are winnable ties. I'm happy with this draw!

2 hours ago, andychar said:

The only surviving friendly from this list was the 2 I've already played and Iraq. 

[andychar]

Annoyingly I had to cut this squad to 23 before I even played a game. 

Liam Kelly will get the nod here but Murray Johnson I think will be the starter after this tournament.

I don't think there are many surprises here. My starting XI will consist of Robertson LB McTominay and Tierney CB and Patterson RB.

Both Gauld and Erhahon are the only players who could win their first cap. Starting XI for the Finals will be up in the air.

I didn't see the point on wasting a space on a position where only 1 will play. No injuries please. I've gambled.

[andychar]

Friendly

Benin (h)

The first game of this International Break. We have 6, I want more though!

Some big names on the bench. 

Erm. That wasn't in the script!

Armstrong fires us level. A draw does us no good we need to win!

They cut us open like a knife through butter, a really good goal.

Ryan Gauld scores on his debut. Lovely move down the left and its slotted home into a near open net. Ok no more silly buggers!

Sorry forgot a post a half time stats image.

Turnbull with a thunderbolt free kick has potentially bailed us out!

Brown with a carbon copy of the 2nd goal and its a little bit of icing on this cake.

We deserved the win. Didn't think it was going to happen but its another Country ticked off. The first African Country.

 

[andychar]

Friendly

Congo (h)

No time to rest straight into the second friendly before the Euros.

Couple of changes. Adams comes in for Brown. Armstrong comes in for Gauld and Kelly will start the rest of the games in goal.

Sigh.

Lead didn't last long. Lucky for us!

Lots of bookings. They scored out of nothing really. Should still be on for a win. Don't want to rely on a freekick though!

We we didn't have to wait as long as last time but still not been comfortable! Turnbull came on and fired us into the lead.

Job done. Its not been a good performance but its going to be a win.

It'll do. Its another win. Another Country off the list. We move on.

 

[andychar]

Friendly

Bolivia (h)

On paper its probably the trickest friendly we have had so far. It would be the First South American team off the list as well.

Some changes. Decided to rest some of the bigger names. Might backfire today.

That was painful to watch!

A nice early second half penalty. McGregor been on nearly 3 minutes and scores. Lovely stuff.

Che Adams puts the game to bed.

The win masks the fact we had 5 shots on target from 29 attempts. Pain.

3 wins from 3 in the Friendlies. Time to get down to the serious stuff!

[andychar]

Euro 2024

Serbia (n)

We start our charge with maybe the easiest game on paper. A win here will take the pressure off the rest of the Tournament.

A shock to start as the Hosts fall to a last second penalty. Nice to see Austria get there still after we beat them, they must have got there via the Playoffs.

This is going to be close. So very close. 

No real surprises in Day 2.

We are Day 3.

The nerves are building. Its nice to have no pressure from the FA either way.

Out strongest XI. Lets go!

John McGinn puts Che Adams through who scores his biggest goal on the International Stage. Boom!

Its been a tricky half. We got the early goal but spent a lot of it under the cosh. Big second half ahead.

Now that's the best win of the save so far. Fantastic effort. Both teams gave it their all. Fantastic win!

Well I mean it wasn't a spectacular day but it will do!

[Herr Müller]

Always good to start a tournament with a win!

[andychar]

Euro 2024

Denmark (n)

Obviously we have Italy last, we could be already through before we even play them. A point here and surely it will be enough either way. Not great for the save though! We want to win!

Some big games in Day 4. Wales getting smashed but not as much as Israel. They will be delighted to get that out the way. Maybe a shock in the Holland game.

Day 5 produced no shocks other than the fact Ireland got destroyed. All these teams getting battered is good for me and their negative GD. It could come into play for those 3rd place qualifiers.

These odds look very similar to the Serbia game. We won that, it was a tight game but we won. Can we do the same here?

Day 6 and its the start of the second set of games. Austria make it 2 from 2 and qualify for the Second Round. Portugal also do the same and although not officially through yet they will be. Poland will take on Germany in the last game of Group A with qualification on the line while Slovenia know a win against Austria at least gives them a chance.

We are Day 7!

No changes from the win against Serbia. Not happy with the ref 1) He's English and 2) He's Anthony Taylor.

It had been coming. I was hoping we could hold on until half time but a free kick on the wing is headed home by Braithwaite. Honestly if he was better he could have had a hat trick in this first half. Kelly with some good saves.

We are still in this, a draw is as good as a win in this format. We haven't created much apart from the odd long shot. Need to be better to beat Kasper. 

Get in! We actually scored a few minutes before the screenshot but it went to VAR and I was sure it would be chalked off for offside. It wasn't and Che Adams fires us level very early in the second half. I complained about the lack of creativity. Instant response!

Che Adams misses a 1 on 1 to put us ahead and then they go straight down a score, a goal out of nothing for them as we have been the better side. Its a bitter blow.

RYAN FRASER! Cross comes in and its over Che Adams head but he does well to chase it down and keep it alive, he finds Fraser in the box who smashes it home! The travelling Tartan Army go wild!

The last act of the game is a Red Card and Denmark are down to 10 and his tournament could be over.

That will almost be certain to be enough for us to get to the knockouts. We aren't taking home the win and a ticking off of a Nation, in fact its our only draw this entire save but we are happy.

[andychar]

15 hours ago, Herr Müller said:

Always good to start a tournament with a win!

That it is! Even better to follow it up with a solid point!

[andychar]

Euro 2024

Italy (n)

Italy are through. Hungary and Sweden don't do themselves any favours by drawing.

Day 8 saw Holland get a much needed win although they left it late. Nobody has officially qualified from Group D but Spain with 6 points are pretty much certain. France 6 from 6, some strong teams showing good form.

Group F provided fun for the whole family. Outstanding effort. Israel bounced back well from a thrashing to give them a chance of the Last 16.

Group A came to a head. 

Slovenia are unlucky to find themselves bottom of the group with 3 points when some teams will get through with the same amount. Austria and Poland through but it will be surprising if Germany don't get through with 4 points finishing 3rd in the Group. They will be a danger in the knockouts.

We are just as likely to draw than we are to win here! It will be our 3rd attempt at Italy. We have lost both home and away, so lets beat them in Germany eh.

No surprises at all in Group B.

Sweden and Hungary will be going home. Two strong teams from this Group. Unlike Group A where I think if we turned up we could beat both teams confirmed to be through.

So we go into our game against Italy knowing we could finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd in this Group still.

3rd game in a row with the same XI. I was hoping Italy was going to go easy on us, fat chance!

We held out for as long as we could but its been one way traffic. Immobile scored as he always does against us.

The lead lasted less than 2 minutes as Ryan Fraser continues his fine tournament. Its the first time we have ventured forward. Game on!

The game became very subdued after the flurry of goals. No complaints at the moment! Could we sneak a win and tick off a huge Country off the list?

Oh my! A free kick in a dangerous position on the wing is fired in and it causes absolute confusion. The ball ends up in the back of the net thanks to an Italy defender. VAR checks the goal and its given. 20 minutes plus stoppage time to hold on for a famous victory.

Heartbreak! A silly foul to give away and its that man Immobile again, this time from the penalty spot. We were this close!

Man this save really knows who to sock a guy in the gut!

I feel like we always give Italy a good game but we just can't beat them! Happy with the effort shown.

Serbia give themselves a chance of qualifying with a hammering of Denmark who will go home.

We are through! What a performance its been this Tournament. Only 1 Country ticked off the list but I'll take it right now.

 

[andychar]

Group D finished interestingly.

Ukraine out of nowhere qualify for the Second Round, its another team I think we could beat. Holland are shockingly out. Czech Republic face a wait. Germany are now confirmed to be through to the knockouts. As are Serbia from our Group. 

No surprises in Group E really. 

I don't think Israel are going through with a -7 GD.

Norway are looking a force to be reckoned with.

The teams are set. Bosnia and Herzegovina are through along with Czech Republic. Some beatable teams but I'm not entirely sure how the draw will work so.....

We meet again!

We will have played 2 teams we qualified with. Its a very kind draw and we can beat these, we have done it twice before.

Belgium should beat Poland. Germany v Portugal is a tasty game. Italy should be through. I would like the winner of Ukraine and Switzerland in the Quarters please! Norway and France should get through and then the bottom game is spicy as well.

Some jobs will be lost after this...not mine though 

[andychar]

Euro 2024 Last 16

Austria (n)

3rd time we have played Austria and we are 100% against them.

But this is how close it is.

We are forced into one change. 2 yellows in the Group means Andy Robertson watches this from the stands. Harsh but thems the breaks.

I would like an early goal here, calm the nerves.

Cheers Che. Good lad.

Che Adams makes it 2 and we are in dreamland right now!

Ryan Fraser has had a brilliant Tournament in my opinion and he smashes home a 3rd. What a half of football.

Absolutely clinical. Tierney yellow means he will miss the Quarters (if we get there). That's a sickener.

Job very much done in the first half. What a brilliant performance.

[andychar]

What a game in the middle kick off. Heartbreak for Poland. We will play Portugal in the Quarters after the hosts were dumped out thanks to an Early goal. Tricky game but who knows!

A shocker as Norway, who looked very strong in the Group are dumped out by Serbia. Italy through meaning 3 teams from our Group still kicking! Switzerland win the other "not as attractive" tie thanks to an Extra Time goal despite being down to 10 men. 

I don't know the forward draw but can you imagine an England v Scotland final haha. A man can dream. France make sure there's no more Last 16 surprises.

I have no idea why Switzerland flag is the other way around but its doing my head in!

Obviously if we somehow manage to beat Portugal I would like the winner of Switzerland and Serbia!

[andychar]

Euro 2024 Quarter Final

Portugal (n)

This is what this save is all about. The chance to get to the Semi of a Major Tournament and tick off a big player at the same time.

No surprises here but you know what. I fancy our chances, I don't know why but I think we can beat them.

That's got to hurt for the Serbians. Biggest game probably ever and they self implode. Switzerland go through and I can comfirm...if we get through we will face them.

What is with the English refs!?

We welcome back Andy Robertson but as mentioned before we lose Tierney so Patterson comes in for his Tournament Debut. We also lose John McGinn through suspension so its Scott McTominey coming in for what might just be the biggest game in Scottish football History. A Quarter Final in a Major Final. Lets leave it all out on the field!

Noooo. We started really strong but the longer the game went on Portugal came into it. They let their dominance tell through a header from a cross. We didn't take advantage while we could.

Even first half. We aren't out of this. Big 45 minutes coming up.

Noticed a pattern with goals scored and conceded. If there's a free kick on the wing, there's a good chance its going to be a goal. That's what happened here and its dream quickly ending.

Well it just wasn't meant to be. Probably worst performance of the entire Tournament. Disappointing to go out like that.

[andychar]

We have 62 days until the next International Break but until then we have a Tournament to conclude.

Belgium fought from 2-0 down in the Last 16, this time they blew a 2-0 lead. Exciting Tournament for them.

England? Winning a Penalty Shootout? This game is literally unplayable.

Switzerland continue to annoy OCD people everywhere while we have a repeat of the Euro 2020 Final. Can England avenge that Penalty Shootout defeat?

Well well well. Switzerland make it to the Final. Can easily be seen as a shock. 

Now that's an avenging. 

England vs Switzerland. I'm not going to show the screenshot cos it will just bring the flag back up and nobody wants to see that.

"England? Winning a Penalty Shootout? This game is literally unplayable."

Is this the most England thing ever? Concede a 93rd minute equaliser to take the game to Extra Time and then lose to Switzerland on penalties.

Ok if you say so.

[andychar]

So I figure here is a good time for an update on things.

We are yet to start the Asia leg. I have tried several times but friendlies keep getting cancelled. Iraq will be the first game.

So far so good in North America. 3 Countries ticked off the list with no issues. 

Nothing in the OFC yet. One in South America, it was a good warm up for the Euros.

The two friendlies in Africa gave me a scare. Be interesting how we get on against the bigger African Nations.

All over the shot in Europe. A few in yellow and just as many failures. Wish I could have the Sweden and Romania games back. Italy with 3 losses already are our biggest nemesis.

[andychar]

Look. Admittedly Gauld has had a good season but its the MLS. I mean...I know the SPL isn't exactly a powerful league but...Wright gets the call up!

But enough about whos in or out what does the squad actually look like for our back to back away games to start this Nations League?

I said Murray Johnson will be the starter going forward and I intend to stick with that.

Absolutely no need to change the defenders. Robertson and Tierney will be here until they tell me otherwise. Centre backs could be any number of pairings really.

Surprisingly Ryan Jack is the only Rangers player to make the squad this time around. 

Scott Wright is the only person who could potentially make his debut. He won't.

We have to look at this as a chance to reach the top table and Division A in this competition. It would also take the pressure off a World Cup Qualification knowing we have playoffs in the bag.

Thought I'd show this. Its been stready progression recently. Fingers crossed that can continue.

[andychar]

Nations League 2024/25

Slovakia (a)

On paper this is a tricky game away from home. All 3 of them are really.

First set of games after the successful Euros so I'm kean to build.

We are seen as favourites in what could be a tight cagey affair.

Stuck to my guns in goal. Patterson goes RB meaning Tierney is free to go CB. Adams is actually being deployed as a winger so Brown leads the line. A few mini gambles, lets hope they pay off.

It is not paying off and we are lucky its 0-0 at the break. We are second to every ball and just not turning our possession into anything positive.

Turnbull came on for Brown so I could chop and change and stick Che Adams back up front and guess what....Turnbull scores a belter from 30 yards, not what I had in mind but beggars can't be choosers!

Porteous picks up his second yellow and we will play the last half hour with 10 men. Turnbull is the one sacrificed. McKenna comes on to shore up the defence. Big end of game coming up.

We defended like beavers and held on for a big win!

Another Country ticked off the list as well.

 

[andychar]

Nations League 2024/25

Austria (a)

For the 4th time this save we take on Austria, we are 100% against them so far and if we can keep that up it will go a long way for Promotion to the top tier of the Nations League. 

Obviously we aren't playing to tick off a Nation today, this is all about a position result. 1 point will do, 3 would be amazing.

Austria are favourites, which i think will be down to home field advantage. 

Both teams will be looking for a win to strengthen their hopes of finishing the league in first position this season.

Forced change at the back thanks to the suspension. Scott McKenna coming in. I've reverted back to the changes I made at HT so Che Adam leads the line and Turnbull starts.

Last time we played them we dumped them out the Euros...

And its been an equally good start in Vienna! Che Adams. Who else at the moment?!

One for the purists so far. Good stuff though, certainly take it.

We started the second half strong and Che Adams doubles our lead smashing it home.

Its been a fine 2nd half performance and Armstrong puts us in a commanding position.

Job done. 6 very good points.

The break couldn't have gone better for us if we tried.

[andychar]

Iraq, Israel and Slovakia away during the next International Break. Solid threesome there.

First time I've had the courage to drop Scott McTominay! He needs to move to start playing first team football. Pity to lose Turnbull after he was so good for us last window.

The usual 3 here. Can't see this changing for some time now.

Quite why I've called up 3 LBs. Josh Doig is likely to start against Iraq with Robertson starting in the competitive fixtures.

John McGinn back in after missing last time through injury. Ryan Fraser is the guy who I've been surprisingly dropping. He had a great Euros but I want to move on from him as he just isn't appearing to be good enough anymore.

Might throw Scott Wright a bone and give him a cap in the friendly. Might not!

[andychar]

Friendly

Iraq (h)

Our first chance to tick an Asian team off the list!

You don't get odds when its a Friendly but I imagine we will be favourites.

Stuck with my man in goal. Tierney, Robertson both rested. McGregor and McGinn also rested. Decided not to just throw caps around willy nilly so Brown will start and Wright might get some game time at the end depending on the score.

Brown justifies the selection almost immediately. 

We started the half well and finished it well. Brown getting his second of the game.

Its been one way traffic. Just what we want to see.

This was not a great game but we got what we wanted from it.

Another Country ticked off the list.

[andychar]

Nations League 2024/25

Israel (h)

Two wins here (both at home) will see us on the brink of winning the Group and Promotion to the Top Tier. More importantly here we have a chance to knock another Country off the list.

Tierney and Robertson back in the side. Porteous a little tired so Grant Hanley comes in. McGinn and McGregor back in the line up as is Che Adams. Lets go!

We were made to work for this goal. Armstrong heads from a free kick on the wing. Well deserved.

Should be more but we have the lead, lets build on it.

Che Adams has been quiet but he's popped up here for a nice goal. Comfort.

Ryan Christie has given us the lead I think we deserve.

A few minutes later and a lasp in concentration allows Israel a glimmer of hope. 

Good performance and much deserved victory. 3 from 3 in the Group.

Austria scored a 94th minute winner otherwise we would have a huge lead after 3 games. Shame but we still in the driving seat.

 

[andychar]

Nations League

Slovakia (h)

A good chance here to make it 4 wins from 4 and if results go our way top the group I think.

We are favourites and I'll be disappointed if we don't manage to win here.

Two changes, both in the Midfield, one through injury, we lost John McGinn and one through fitness, McGregor just ain't as fit as he used to be!

A mistake by the keeper and it took 16 seconds for Che Adams to pounce. I just couldn't get the screenshot off in time!

Its been 3 minutes and we are 2-0 up. Che Adams again. Absolutely unreal start.

Its been all Scotland and it really should be more than 2-0. Can't grumble though.

Slovakia came into it more in the second half but couldn't make it interesting. Game done in 3 minutes. Not a bad nights work,

Israel beat Austria so that is that! They can all sort relegation between them but an absolute domolition job of this group. Fantastic stuff.

We round up the Group in the next break. Be a nice relaxing one. 30 Days away.

[andychar]

We have steadily been getting higher and higher in the Rankings. 26th is certainly the highest we have been for a while!

[andychar]

Finally decided to call up Fraser again. I'm missing him.

  

The usual 3. Not sure who will get the nod here. Looking at giving Kelly the nod.

We are going to be looking a bit thin in CB. Mark O'Hara likely to make an appearance at some point.

I missed out Gauld a few squads ago. Since then he's been a rock and one of the first names on the teamsheet. Also been liking Erhahon. Rangers want him.

I'm going to give Laidlaw his first cap I think. Potentially bright future ahead of him.

I need to walk the line between taking it easy and not taking my foot off the gas. End of the day. I want to win both these games.

[andychar]

Nations League

Austria (h)

We once again welcome Austria to Hampden although the stakes are a little less than the last time they were here. We are top and promoted. We also have no Countries to tick off. Lets just get through them!

We are favourites but its not exactly odds on.

Strong XI with Adams the obvious omission. Gauld not fully fit so misses out.

Its normally a much quicker start than this against Austria but we can't grumble. Christie continues to be amazing for us with a good finish.

Its not been the most dominant of displays so far but we lead that's the main thing.

Great play by Armstrong as he works he way down the wing and crosses for an easy Christie finish.

One of those games where it could have gone either way. Lucky for us, on this day, it went ours.

[andychar]

Nations League

Israel (a)

We finish the Group in Tel Aviv. Its important to finish strong. In real life the performance in this competition is the basis for the Seeding of the next Qualifying so I want to be 2nd seeds at least.

We are favourites and rightly so. All 3 teams can still go down. If we beat Israel comfortably (4-0) and Austria and Slovakia draw then it would be Israel who are relegated.

Kelly keeps his place between the sticks. McKenna and Hanley come in at CB. Tierney out through suspension. McTominay replaces the also suspended McGinn. Gauld comes in in place of McGregor who once again is feeling it in his legs. Adams regains the start up front. Lets got for a perfect 6 from 6.

7 minutes is all it took for Christie to get his 3rd in 2 games. Israel suddenly getting a bit nervous, an early goal the last thing they needed.

On the stroke of the half hour mark Adams makes it 2. Some very nervous faces now in the stands.

We have done what was expected of us and as things stand all the other teams in this Group are sitting on 5 points.

Che Adams makes it 3 after a brilliant ball from Ryan Fraser. They haven't moved down the league table all game so I don't know how its doing it!

Slovakia score late!

Very professional job done here. We took our chances. They didn't.

Austria are down. The team who made the last 16 will be disappointed with how they have gone all campaign.

Our next game is a couple of Friendlies in 128 we play Libya and then Zimbabwe.

[andychar]

Nations League Report

Division A

France, European Champions Switzerland, Spain and Germany will contest the Finals in 2025. Wales, Poland, Romania and Turkey all drop to Division B.

Division B

Croatia, Us, Ireland and Slovenia make the leap upto the next tier. I think whoever finds themselves in the same group as Serbia or Denmark might stand a chance but it will be tricky for us all. Sweden miss out once again and poor Czechia missing our on GD. The only surprise relegation I'd say is Austria, the rest...yeah can see that.

Division C

Northern Ireland, Iceland, Albania and Kosovo reach the 2nd Tier. Could be some spankings there! Belarus, Malta, Estonia and Faroe Islands now all play a playoff to see who goes into the Bottom Tier. I think Malta being up there at all is an achievement for them! But I'd guess its Malta and Faroe's who will be relegated.

Division D

Moldova surprise everybody and pip Latvia to promotion while Luxembourg romped their group.

Some interesting results there.

 

[andychar]

Win 2 games comfortably. Go down in the Rankings. Its a cruel game.

[andychar]

World Cup 2026 Qualifying 

The first thing that came to mind was...crap, this is the new format so less Group games meaning less chances to tick off Countries. Then I thought, crap, got to actually get there first!

We are second seeds and I'll start by saying we can draw either Portugal (revenge!), Switzerland (European Champions), Germany, Holland, France or Spain as the first seed. I know which one I want!

Surprisingly France wasn't on the list!

Happy with the draw though, its 4 more Countries I can tick off the list for one and two it gives me a few chances to avenge the Romania defeat.

Would somebody please escort Mr McCartney out the Press Room please and don't let him back in. 

First time this save I've issued the classic "No Comment". I was close to storming out altogether.

Looking around the other Groups...

Group A should be simple for Italy. Group B looks tasty with Croatia and England. England will be favourites. Group C should be Belgium. Now Group D is the one you look at and think it could be wide open. Portugal should win Group E. Group F, again, could be interesting. Group G for Germany and H is for Holland.

Now just so I know 100% how this is going to go. Top is World Cup Qualification. So in our case France. Then 6 of the best 10 runners up in the Group also qualify for the World Cup. So really if we can win the 6 games away from France surely that should be enough? We will have to wait and see. For the Groups with the extra team in the results against the team that finishes bottom are disregraded.

We lost both friendlies. We will no longer be in a position to welcome the best of Africa.

 

[andychar]

Ok I've hit the first snag in this save. Something I think is going to stop me being about to realistically complete this.

I tried to arrange a friendly with Mozambique but I was told they wouldn't want to travel because its too far away. No problem I thought, I'll go to you! Except our FA won't sanction it as its too far to travel. 

Now lets face it...Mozambique are very unlikely to be getting to a World Cup any time soon and even if they did I would need to get very lucky in order to draw them...is there a way around this at all? Or am I going to have to put a black mark next to certain Countries?

[andychar]

So the first World Cup Qualifying Squad and it felt like the gap between games was huge this time. Much prefer it when its only a month!

Only the one game this break and I really wanted to squeeze in a friendly but I wasn't allowed. Scott Wright continues to be called up, this carrot of a debut cap dangling. He won't get it. Alex Lowry however might do.

Sorry Billy, you just not playing and I've got plenty of others I can call upon.

I know I said Murray Johnson would be the keeper going forward and if this was a Club save he 100% would be. But I'm not in control of his development really, so until he gets better Kelly should be the starter. Right?

No Robertson because he's suspended. Tierney, Patterson will be on the wings and CB partnership I'm not 100% sure on yet. Likely to be McKenna and Hanley.

Now you can see why I've called up Alex Lowry, don't see many Rangers players which is quite bizarre. Loving the player Turnbull has become.

No surprises here. Che Adams will play.

[andychar]

Oh no the 3rd choice keeper! Whatever are we to do! Jordan Archer gets the call up otherwise that seat would have been well cold by the final whistle.

[andychar]

On no the CB that wasn't really in contention to play! Whatever are we to do! Ross McCrorie gets the call up otherwise that seat would have been well cold by the final whistle.

[andychar]

Ok I get it. No more taking the Michael.

[andychar]

World Cup 2026 Qualifying

North Macedonia (a)

On paper this should be an easy game.

And the bookies agree with me. 

We have these then Faroe Islands back to back. Chance of a great start in this Group.

No point beating around the bush. Strongest XI. Only one game and a chance to tick a Country off the list. Lets go!

It took 24 minutes but we are on the board. Che Adams from a John McGinn through ball. 

Well its not been the domolition job we would have wanted but its a lead. Remember GD plays no part its the head to head record. Which means we don't stand any chance of finishing top!

A bit of a counter attack and a bit against the run of play but we will take it. Adams doubles his tally. He has been a brilliant striker for us.

Job done. It wasn't a performance that will be talked about for years but it will do me. 

[andychar]

Another big gap between fixtures. 

Back to back Faroe Islands. Who makes the cut?

Old Oli McBurnie!

How dare you accuse me of bias towards Mansfield Town players! Kelly is obviously the starter.

Robertson back in and chasing 100 caps. 

I have a feeling Lowry is going to find himself in this side sooner rather than later.

What can I say? I have a soft spot for McBurnie. Can't see him playing but its nice to see him back.

A few missing names but I wanted to shake it up a wee bit with 2 winnable games.

[andychar]

Well I tried. Scott Wright comes in to fill his usual slot.

[andychar]

World Cup 2026 Qualifier 

Faroe Islands (h)

We are heavy favourites. Another chance to tick a Country off as well.

I've given Ed McGinty his debut but other than that it looks like a very familiar line up. Got to win these games, can't make any mistakes.

Hampden was getting nervy but finally Christie heads home.

Turnbull fires home a wonderful free kick to double the lead and give us a nice cushion.

Icing on the cake there. McGinn with a stunning solo effort. We are in complete control.

Great first half.

Laidlaw comes off the bench to score his first Scotland goal.

They deserve it based on the second half.

Job once again done. Tick.