A caller to the Sports Hotline has proposed a radical blueprint to breathe life into Scottish football, pointing a finger at Celtic and Rangers for their academy systems. The fallout from Scotland's World Cup elimination continues, with fans expressing anger at former manager Steve Clarke and the state of the game.
World Cup Fallout and Clarke Criticism
Steve Clarke has departed the Scotland scene, and the sight of conquerors Brazil and Morocco advancing to the last 16 has done nothing to stem anger. Both teams defeated the national team during the Group C campaign, resulting in elimination from the summer showpiece. However, that has not cut Clarke much slack with the punters who are just as annoyed with his comments after leaving.
Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: “Let’s hear it for Steve Clarke who, in his opinion, has ticked all the boxes. What an incredibly low bar he set himself. Perhaps he could have let the Tartan Army know his goals before they left for the United States. We will be so much better off without having to hear his miserable comments. Get ready for all the comments on how good Brazil and Morocco are after they progress. Next we will be hearing that Haiti beat Tranmere Rovers third eleven in a friendly.”
Rab Hunter, Dumfries, said: “So picking and playing your pals, some of whom can’t even get a game for their club side while leaving far better players at home, isn’t a formula for success. Who would have thought?”
Duncan McDougall, Greenock, said: “It is not surprising that Scotland came home early. The goal they scored was a deflection and that does not say much for a shot shy forward line. Shocking defending that gave Brazil their first. They also lacked punch up front. All they seemed to do especially against Morocco was pass the ball across the park and then back to the keeper. You are supposed to push forward not sideways. As Tommy Docherty once said: Have a go. Perhaps looking back it may have been better all round if the team did not qualify in the first place. As for Clarke, it’s goodbye from him.”
But Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, said: “When you watch Brazil and Morocco, you realise Scotland did not bad. We could have been really hammered. As a manager Clarke done okay, but, as usual, the players didn’t turn up.”
Blueprint for Scottish Football
Gerry Campbell took a wider outlook and said: “In the aftermath of the World Cup shambles, we are all looking for reasons. The greed of clubs is right up there. Taking young kids at six, seven, eight tying them to clubs and then discarding them at twelve is a disgrace. How many come through the academy systems in Scotland and make the grade especially at Celtic or Rangers? Why don’t we reinvent junior football and set age limits whereby players must be under 23 to play junior football which would allow them a chance to re-enter the professional game. Boys club/school football has also been a great loss. The academy system at clubs has failed no matter what they say.”
World Cup Giant Killings and Club Frustrations
Elsewhere at the World Cup, Germany and Netherlands are big-name last 32 casualties. Charles Maxwell said: “Congratulations to Paraguay. It was great to see that the underdog can actually get a result. Who doesn’t love a giant killing? It looks like big Stevie won’t be the only manager on the buroo this week. The SFA shouldn’t rush into any decisions. By the end of the tournament there could be a few impressive CV’s going round.”
Alan Lough, Dunbar, added: “Paraguay eliminate Germany from the World Cup and surely, for Manuel Neuer, it will be his last.”
Back on the club scene, Paul Price, Belfast, isn’t happy and commented: “I’ve said all along the best friends Rangers have in Scottish football are the Celtic board, who lack vision and ambition and are making fools out of our support. The interim chairman in an interview three weeks ago said Celtic will be very active over the next few weeks on the transfer front. Well there’s three weeks have passed and not one player signed. Total disgrace.”
