It’s been a great week to be a Scotland supporter after Steve Clarke’s side gained promotion to the Nations League’s top tier.
The 0-0 draw against Ukraine in Krakow secured promotion to the top tier of the Nations League, secured a Euro 2024 playoff spot and propelled us into the second seed spot for the qualifying group draw next month. On the back of victories over the Ukrainians and Ireland at hampden, it's been some week for the national team ahead of the domestic action resuming this weekend.
But not everyone shared the Tartan Army’s excitement, with Alan Flett saying: “I honestly can’t believe how blinkered Scotland fans are! Our progress is not down to Steve Clarke and his players, it’s because of UEFA keeps shifting the goalposts in an attempt to ensure that all the big guns qualify for the tournaments. They don’t want a World Cup without the likes of Italy and Germany. It also means that the so called smaller nations will have a better chance of playing in major finals but that’s the downside of the UEFA plan.
“The big tournaments are set up to favour the elite and anyone who thinks otherwise is delusional.”
Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, emailed in: “So after a backs-to-the-wall 0-0 draw with Ukraine at a neutral venue it appears that some Scotland supporters are going overboard. Ryan Porteous is now a £10million pound player and there’s calls for Clarke to be given an extended contract! Dream on!
“Porteous is bang average at best and Clarke would not get a job with any top club. It seems that failing to reach another World Cup is an achievement worth celebrating for some people.”
The fall-out from the new Sky deal was on the mind of Rob McNab, Dunoon , who said: “What is the point of SPFL pretending they are a fair organisation where members make key decisions? If it’s not the decision they want, they just rewrite the rule book so that they get their way! Twice this has now happened with the SPFL and Neil Doncaster pushing their agenda on us all, it’s starting to sounds like a dictatorship.
“Well done Neil, that’s another fine mess you’ve got us in. A 60-package games but Sky don’t have to show that many and clubs can only show up to five matches, so it’s the fans that lose out again.”
Paul McArdle, Gourock , isn’t impressed by the Rangers board either, saying: “We’ve got food banks, governments collapsing, an energy crisis and a major recession. Yet Rangers see fit to bring out a FOURTH strip this season!"
Kyle Lafferty faces a 10-game ban after being hit with an SFA charge over an alleged sectarian slur. But some Hotline callers reckon he should never kick another ball for Kilmarnock if the case against him is proved as they called on Rugby Park chiefs to show the Northern Ireland striker the door.
Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh , said: “Kyle Lafferty really needs to be fired by his club. Bigotry is Scotland's shame and outsiders must see these sad pathetic souls as hate filled knuckle draggers. I aim the accusation at ALL who sing these pathetic songs.”
Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny , added: “Kyle Lafferty is not alone in going out to enjoy himself but all players are highly-paid professionals and role models for their respective clubs and need to be careful what they say or do in public. If any player brings their club into disrepute with any form of shameful comments, they should be dismissed - not banned or fined. A football career is short but it should be cut even shorter if you are found guilty of sectarianism and bigoted slurs.”
What do you make of Friday's Hotline calls?
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