TeeMan

Discounting Anderson, Livramento is the only one I've heard say anything personal about Scotland. Before the last Euros I read and interview where he was asked if he'd consider Portugal over England and he said something along the lines of "my dad isn't much into football but my mum would love it if I played for Scotland". I doubt that makes it him any more likely to play for us imminently though.

I wasn't there but my dad said something similar..

FFS I come on TA Ramblings so I don't have to think about Queens

One of the worst things was you could see how much he could still offer as an overlapping fullback, he got in some great positions looking to combine with McGinn but was so rusty and lacking in confidence. Hickey has been brilliant for us but Patterson would be a great option and attacking wise offers things Hickey can’t. Everton has been a terrible move for him. He needs to find somewhere the manager trusts his natural game, not Dyche.

Does anyone know how Liam Morrison has been doing at Wigan? I see he's played a fair few games.

Which goes back to what I said, if Shankland doesn't start we can assume that Shankland isn't going to be a starter at the Euros but it won't stop fans and the media calling for him to be. If Clarke thinks Shankland can play that single striker role then he needs to see him against a decent team. Worst case scenario for me having to deal with Hearts fans at my work is Shankland starting against NI and scoring a couple of goals and I really don't understand why Clarke doesn't prioritise my office environment.

I don't think he will but that won't stop a large number of "Shankland can do everything Dykes can AND score goals" folk calling for him to start. Like I said, I'd start Dykes or Adams but even then I'd be interested to see how he did starting against a decent team - maybe his level is higher than I think.

If Shankland doesn't start tomorrow then I can't see any way he'll have more than a sub role at the Euros. We'll learn nothing from him playing against NI and a couple of goals there will just drag out the matter. I say this as someone who would have Dykes and Adams ahead of Shankland anyway. The way Carver talked about needing to get back to winning ways makes me think it unlikely that Clarke will start him.

No way Hendry isn't going if fit. For me Porteous, Hendry and Tierney are in possession of the centre-half positions and only a fully fit Hanley (which is looking at least doubtful) *might* get into the lineup ahead of them.

I like the home one, very dubious about the away.

Good point. It's probably wrong to think of Tierney as first change at left back - much rather see him at LCB with Taylor outside him if Robertson is injured. He's still vital to making that back 3 work for us.

Clarke knows what McGregor offers, it might be good for him to have a couple of weeks off at this point looking towards June (assuming the injury isn't serious)

You might as well bring along a couple extra to fill out the squad as this is the last chance of a get together before the Euros and who knows what injuries might happen before then - Cooper and Conway? I also don't think he'll pick Doig ahead of Taylor.

This. I love the Nations League but the addition of extra relegation/playoff places is too much.

From the couple of Bologna games I’ve seen Ferguson looks like he’s up against McGinn/McTominay/Christie for one of the advanced midfield roles. As effective as he’s been it is hard to see him starting ahead of any of those three.

He was always good at that side of the game, it was visible at Queens when he did a lot of defensive work for Dobbie.

Was he not just player of the tournament while winning the u21 Euros? I doubt he's given up on his hopes of playing for England.

Gilmour has very similar characteristics to Pascal Gross who seems to be a favourite of the manager. They do play together in the double pivot but more often than not if he is rotating in another player Gross keeps his place. From what I've seen Gilmour has done well and I expect him to get a decent amount of game time, especially if they have to move Gross further forward or to full back due to injuries. I also expect him to keep improving over the course of the season.

Anecdotal evidence but out of the group I go with (fairly regular travellers points between 14 and 24) there is a pretty even split of folk who are thinking 1, 2 or all 3 group games simply due to other life commitments.

This is why McGregor and Gilmour in midfield is a must for me. edited to add: beyond the fact both would be on my team sheet in every game anyway if fit!

This. Same team as Georgia with Adams and Christie in for Dykes and McTominay.

I've only ever seen it being reported that there is no buyback clause.

The get together in June was also part of an extended post-season training camp this will be for three days where we have to prep for an important qualifier in Cyprus. I think I'd wait and see until the fixtures in October and let him get a bit more first team experience. Maybe minutes at the end of the France friendly?

Exactly. Plus everyone in the group buys season tickets so you are all in together and to get a decent seat. The week of football also makes it more of a pain for anyone outside the central belt. I'd happily go back to the old system of points just for away games maybe retaining the 2 bonus points for renewing. I don't think the points for home games has any value.

The points for home games is one of those things that lots of folk were calling for who felt they were missing out on away tickets but weren't willing to just go to some meaningless friendly. Like you I think it has made it harder to get on the ladder - now you pretty much have make sure you've been to the full last 10 home games. The only winners are the SFA who will undoubtedly be selling a lot more home tickets now even if they aren't always used.