On 18th of May, 2022, Rangers Football Club lost out on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt during the finals of the Europa League. The road to the finals of the Europa League had been a smooth race for Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s men, like the Ally 400. However, Aaron Ramsey’s penalty miss proved too costly for The Light Blues from Glasgow.
On June 1st, 2022, Scotland’s hope of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar crashed after Ukraine defeated Steve Clarke’s men by a 1-3 score line at Hampden Park. Scotland had not qualified for the FIFA World Cup since France in 1998.
Both Rangers’ loss at the finals of the Europa League and the Scottish National team’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup has made 2022 a dismal year for Scottish football fans. Many Scottish fans can’t seem to grasp the occurrence of those two events.
In 2021, Scotland also failed to make it to the knockout stage of EURO 2021. Rather than sulk about these losses, the question to ask is – how can Scottish football turn around these disappointments?
How Scottish Football Can Achieve Tremendous Success
Football in Scotland has witnessed a lot of successes in the past. Still, it is nowhere close to the successes achieved by other European countries. Club teams from England, Spain, Italy, etc., have often dominated the spotlights of European football. The Scottish national football team has remained an underdog for far too long.
Scotland has some of the continent’s most talented crops of young players. Talent is abundant, but it is never enough to turn around Scotland’s fortunes. Motorsports is one of the most successful sports in Scotland. There are a few important lessons that Scottish Football can tap from Scotland’s Motorsport success. And without a doubt, use these lessons to shoot for European and World football glory.
Lessons from Scottish Motorsport
Scotland remains one of the top countries that consistently produces motorsport champions. Although motorsport is an individual sport, a lot of team effort goes into its preparation, hence why some of its lessons can apply to Scottish football.
Scotland Motorsport has special programs that have groomed many of Scotland’s motorsport champions and champions from other countries. These programs help nurture young motorsport talents.
These talents have the opportunity to work with successful drivers. This exposes them to learning about improving their work ethic, commitment, strengths, and weaknesses.
The biggest lesson Scottish football can learn from Scottish motorsport is related to the “Team You” initiative. The “Team You” initiative involves parents, families, and coaches, forming a support network for the young talent.
Conclusion
Scottish football needs to replicate these models in their football academies with the hope of grooming top talents that will put an end to disappointing cycles in Scottish football.