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Transcript

00:00:00.

00:00:30Welcome to the Football Show on PLZ Soccer's YouTube channel.

00:00:51I'm Peter Martin, Alan Ruff, Alec Ray and Tam McManus are with me here in the studio.

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00:02:29There's more interesting developments coming up on PLZ Soccer that we hope you will embrace.

00:02:36But we get straight to the talking points and there's lots of them as well

00:02:40because Celtic and St Mirren will contest the Premier Sports Cup final in December

00:02:45after the two semi-finals at the weekend.

00:02:48Yellow and red cards have upset the fans in the old firm's semi-final showdown.

00:02:53We're going to get the boys' thoughts on that.

00:02:55Martin O'Neill's open to a call from Dermot Desmond, potentially as the next manager of Celtic.

00:03:01Or is there someone else that they should be looking to in Hearts?

00:03:04When everybody was looking towards the semi-finals of the League Cup,

00:03:08Hearts were stretching their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership

00:03:12to nine points with an emphatic win over Dundee.

00:03:16We'll also talk about Lauren Shanklin returns to the Scotland squad.

00:03:19Steve Clarke has picked his squad for those two vital World Cup qualifiers

00:03:24coming up against Greece and Denmark.

00:03:27But Hampden Park yesterday was ablaze with not only green and white,

00:03:33blue and white, but black and white as well

00:03:36because the man in the middle caused a fair bit of controversy

00:03:39and we're going to get our teeth into that as well.

00:03:41It finished Celtic 3, Rangers 1 after extra time.

00:03:44What did you make of it, Ruffy?

00:03:45Yeah, I thought it was a pretty exciting game, as you said.

00:03:47A lot of incidents that we'll probably talk about.

00:03:50I think, obviously, going down to ten men for Rangers made it very, very difficult for them.

00:03:54But I think you have to give them full credit for making a game of it,

00:03:57for, you know, right till the end.

00:03:59You know, they tired a wee bit in the end.

00:04:01The extra time, the legs got better.

00:04:03You know, you could see with Celtic having a lot of possession at that time.

00:04:06But certainly a lot of incidents for us to talk about.

00:04:09Better from Rangers, more optimistic in your mind, Alec?

00:04:13Yeah, absolutely.

00:04:14I think the first half, I think, was very dominant by Celtic.

00:04:17I thought they caused them problems in the full back areas

00:04:20once their wing backs were advanced.

00:04:22And then when they dropped back and Celtic penned in back,

00:04:25they were getting a lot of joy through the middle of the park.

00:04:27So I think from that opening 45 minutes, I think Celtic tactically got it spot on.

00:04:32Obviously, the talking points will take care of itself.

00:04:34The second half going down to ten men.

00:04:36I thought Rangers were excellent.

00:04:37I thought the way they went about the press went to a flat back four,

00:04:40which suited the game plan better.

00:04:43And as I said, as Ruffy just said there, I think, you know,

00:04:47as the game was wearing on, you could clearly see visibly

00:04:50that the players were kind of starting to run on quicksand.

00:04:53And when you get the introduction of guys like James Forrest, Osmond,

00:04:56it was just a little bit too much for them to make up that ground.

00:04:59And then Celtic ran out worthy winners in the end.

00:05:02Yeah, it would have been difficult, Tam, to make it a better game

00:05:06than the last Old Firm game.

00:05:08I mean, even one shot and goal would have pleased everybody.

00:05:12But I always had the feeling that we were going to go to extra time.

00:05:15And to be honest with you, even before we got to extra time,

00:05:18boy, Celtic and Rangers had big opportunities.

00:05:22Yeah, I thought it was one of the best Old Firm games I've seen in a while.

00:05:25I think.

00:05:26You think so?

00:05:27Yeah, I thought it was a great game, Peter.

00:05:28I thought it was a great game.

00:05:29I think talking points.

00:05:30I think both teams could have created loads of chances.

00:05:33Yeah, loads of chances in the game.

00:05:34New Rangers created two golden chances with ten men in the second half.

00:05:37So I thought it was a really, really exciting game of football.

00:05:40I thought Celtic were deserved winners.

00:05:42I thought first half, as Alex said, I thought they dominated the game.

00:05:45I think if they go 2-0, I think the game's done.

00:05:47But Rangers, to their credit, you know, on the show at Easter Road as well,

00:05:51they've got a wee bit of spirit about them.

00:05:52I think Danny Rolls, you know, rolled his sleeves up.

00:05:54They've got a wee bit of spirit about them and they stayed in the game

00:05:57and they got their opportunity for one each.

00:05:59But yeah, that's when we're going to talk about the many talking points in the game.

00:06:03But I think if you're watching the game, I thought Celtic would deserve winners.

00:06:07They win 3-1 in the end.

00:06:09And at the end of it, as soon as Martin O'Neill walks into the press room,

00:06:14everybody wants to ask him about the potential for Dermot Desmond

00:06:19to offer him this job on a full-time basis.

00:06:23Well, I don't think there'll be that conversation, Peter.

00:06:25I genuinely don't think that would be the case.

00:06:29I've come in.

00:06:31Deep down, I probably have enjoyed it a bit better than I'm saying to you,

00:06:36but not a lot.

00:06:37And so it was really strange.

00:06:42I've had enormous help from backroom staff,

00:06:45young Sean and Mark Fotheringham and big Stephen,

00:06:51all three that I managed at one stage or another.

00:06:54Gosh almighty.

00:06:55Now they're standing beside me in the coaching ranks.

00:07:00Well, he kind of ducked and dived on the answer first and foremost, Ruffy.

00:07:05But then, you know, we went back to him and he said, you know,

00:07:08he would take the call from Dermot to discuss, you know, the potential of it.

00:07:14But it's a long way off.

00:07:15And he anticipates that they'll wait possibly to December with the international break and then go and get their man.

00:07:22But there's no doubt about it.

00:07:24He would love to lead Celtic out for the cup final.

00:07:27But I actually think, knowing him as I do, I did say to him, listen, you've had Carlo Ancelotti,

00:07:33you've had Dick Advocat, you know, you've had the late great Sir Bobby Robson,

00:07:37all into their late 70s offering their services.

00:07:42And, you know, you could tell he was itching.

00:07:45He got the buzz back.

00:07:46Yeah, you can tell.

00:07:47He knows the magnitude of what it is.

00:07:49He was on.

00:07:50He was quoting to say, you know, how much it takes up your whole life.

00:07:53You know, and he did say at the end he was getting very nervous about games, the tension and everything.

00:07:58But when you're in that kind of scenario, I don't care who it was,

00:08:01after winning a semi-final, you're up for it, aren't you?

00:08:04You're wanting it.

00:08:05Give me it.

00:08:06Give me it now.

00:08:07Give me the final.

00:08:08Give me this.

00:08:09I think it'll be interesting.

00:08:10Give me the five million.

00:08:11Yes.

00:08:12It'll be interesting to see the names, obviously, they indicate that they're going to go for.

00:08:17But I think if he gets the final, he'll be happy with that.

00:08:20Yeah.

00:08:21I think it's a bridge too far to go back to Martin O'Neill.

00:08:24I agree with you.

00:08:25I think the buzz he's actually got over the last week or so has reinvigorated his love for the game.

00:08:33You know, because he was obviously doing the punt race, similar to this.

00:08:36But when you go back in and you're going to that full house at Hampden and the rivalry and the day-to-day preparation with young guys,

00:08:42I think he's obviously looked at it and thought, oh, I'll have some of that.

00:08:45But I think Celtic have a bigger fist to fry.

00:08:48I think that if he gets to the final, depending on when you're absolutely right,

00:08:51I think December, Celtic will announce our new manager.

00:08:54Martin O'Neill will be hoping that it's late December so that he gets the opportunity to lead his team out.

00:08:59Yeah, one of the key things that he did highlight in it, Tam, was he was keen to really talk up Sean Maloney and Mark Fotheringham

00:09:07rather than take any of the great credit himself.

00:09:10Yeah, I think he's obviously the experienced face at the minute, but I think the majority of the coaching will be done by Sean and Mark Fotheringham.

00:09:18I think they are very ambitious young coaches and I think they'll be taking the training.

00:09:21You know, and Martin will be, I think, man managing players, you know, going around having a word in people's ears, you know,

00:09:26and just trying to get them fired up for games.

00:09:28I think the tactics and everything else that's done will be the two younger coaches.

00:09:32So, you know, I spoke about it on Friday, we were speaking about, would Martin take it?

00:09:35And I did say that that buzz that he's just got at the weekend, that's something he's probably missed from the game.

00:09:41You know, sitting on a couch and talking about football.

00:09:43He's missed that, but I think they've got Magelland on Thursday and then they've got Kamarnock, I think, on Sunday,

00:09:48and then it's international break. So, again, if they go to Denmark and win and beat Kamarnock,

00:09:53I think there'll be a wee bit of a clamour for them to get it longer term about the end of the season.

00:09:57I think there's a wee element that the fans want that nostalgia back.

00:10:01Yeah, yeah.

00:10:02Without doubt. However, I think Celtic have to look at a bigger picture.

00:10:05The only problem with that, and this is the thing that could cloud the issue is, you know,

00:10:09if he gets a positive kind of result against Michelin, who obviously beat Norrigan Forest.

00:10:14Top of the group.

00:10:16And a tasty outfit, and then he gets something from Kilmarnock.

00:10:19As you say, Dermot Desmond, Irish connection, you know how this all pans out, you never know.

00:10:26He might get the buzz, but I...

00:10:27Can you see it?

00:10:28I can see suddenly the...

00:10:32How it looks.

00:10:33I can see how this board can suddenly diffuse all the anger towards them by saying,

00:10:39okay, we've given you your favourite, your messiahs back.

00:10:43There you are, we've given it.

00:10:44And that takes your eye off all the real negativity surrounding the board.

00:10:49So it's the type of thing that, you know, you might do.

00:10:52The thing about it.

00:10:53Yes.

00:10:54But if it was me, I would be looking at it and saying, listen Martin, lead them out in

00:10:57the final.

00:10:58This is a brilliant swan song.

00:10:59You'll never get a better chance.

00:11:01And then bring in a really forward-thinking European coach who's going to go there and

00:11:06say, right, now it's on to the next level.

00:11:09They may...

00:11:10This European coach, you know, if it was the boy from Bodo Glimt, Knutson, he might embrace

00:11:15Celtic's, you know, strategy and model and be able to develop it.

00:11:20But listen, there's lots of people who love Martin.

00:11:23I am very friendly with him, which is, you know, amazing.

00:11:26You consider we used to bit the hell out of each other in press conferences.

00:11:29But, you know, I know he's got the buzz for it.

00:11:32To the game, lots of talking points.

00:11:35Don't want to miss out.

00:11:36Don't want to miss out on your opinion because the good thing about us all we're going to

00:11:39give it will probably deliver our opinion just as fierce as some of the tackles.

00:11:44So let's get to it.

00:11:45Any argument with Asgard?

00:11:47No, I called it within two seconds.

00:11:49As soon as the ball went over, initially I didn't have to see a replay.

00:11:51I thought that could quite easily be a red card.

00:11:54So I don't have any qualms at all with that.

00:11:56I actually thought it was quite naive to think you can flick the ball over

00:11:59and then lead with your kind of studs.

00:12:01And he clearly catches them.

00:12:02So in the modern day, I don't have no qualms at all.

00:12:05No qualms?

00:12:06Nope.

00:12:07All red card for me, yeah.

00:12:08Okay.

00:12:09That's a good start, isn't it?

00:12:10It is a good start.

00:12:12I have to say, here's where it disintegrates.

00:12:14It is a tough one because the boy showed a bit of skill.

00:12:17What do you mean a bit of skill?

00:12:18No, turning it over.

00:12:19No, no.

00:12:20When he's flicked it over the two Celtic players, he went,

00:12:22Oh God, this boy's got something.

00:12:24And then obviously...

00:12:25Did you think it was ball to foot?

00:12:26Yeah.

00:12:27I thought it was a red card.

00:12:28To be fair, he did show a bit of skill with one ball and any other.

00:12:31He had done the other two in as well when they were coming towards him.

00:12:34The next part is where suddenly I don't think it's going to get a difference in opinion,

00:12:41unless you're going to tell me differently roughly.

00:12:43I'm going to you first because you're not what I call goalkeepers union.

00:12:47Okay.

00:12:48Trusty.

00:12:49Red card or not?

00:12:50A red card.

00:12:51There's no need for him to put his foot in there.

00:12:53The goalkeeper's got the ball.

00:12:55The play's moved on up the park.

00:12:57Jack Buckland's just about to get up, I would think.

00:13:00And he's done his foot in and he realises what he's done and trying to pull it out as if,

00:13:04well I didn't really mean that.

00:13:06I think he pulls it when he catches him.

00:13:07I don't think he tries to pull it at all.

00:13:09I think he's caught him and then realises.

00:13:11You're right there that time.

00:13:12I think he's naughty.

00:13:13I think he's just left it on there.

00:13:16A red card.

00:13:17Did you see what he said to the player?

00:13:19When you see it close up, he's one of the, I think it's Diamandi,

00:13:23he's raging with him and he goes, I didn't mean it.

00:13:26Alright, okay.

00:13:27That's alright then.

00:13:28Well, the thing I was going to say to you.

00:13:30He doesn't need to put his foot in there but Riffey's right.

00:13:32Because at the end of the day, it's one of those ones where you're saying to yourself,

00:13:35fine if you're trying to put your foot in at that timing issue when you're close to the ball.

00:13:42But not the way he did it after.

00:13:44It wasn't a 50-50.

00:13:45Jack Buckley had the ball.

00:13:46There was no need for him to put his foot in because he was never going to get it.

00:13:49Yeah.

00:13:50And I do think at that point, and this is where it gets interesting guys,

00:13:54because Tam, I can't wait to hear your referee's review from Willie Collum on YVR,

00:14:01who at times, this whole system with the three officials, are constantly intervening.

00:14:08If they're not trying to find ways to stop goals, they're certainly intervening to a point

00:14:13where you're wondering whether the referee's actually refereeing the game.

00:14:17I thought right away, as soon as you saw it, I thought, oh.

00:14:20I know what Willie Collum, I know what Willie Collum.

00:14:22Rangers have obviously put a complaint in and I know what Willie Collum's going to say.

00:14:24One, it wasn't reckless.

00:14:26It was the first one.

00:14:27Serious foul play.

00:14:28Two, was it a serious intent to injure the player?

00:14:32Probably not.

00:14:33What part of the rules does it say intent becomes part of it?

00:14:36That's not in the rules.

00:14:37There's no intent.

00:14:38Yeah, he's put the boot on.

00:14:40Do you think it was reckless or extreme force?

00:14:42But it's a serious foul play, you're endangering a player.

00:14:45I'm agreeing it's a red card, but I think that's what Willie Collum will say to him.

00:14:48No, I think he will go down to the subjectivity of excessive force.

00:14:53That's where they'll go with it.

00:14:55Yeah.

00:14:56So the interesting thing is, it's interesting you're talking about VAR having an impact.

00:15:00And with this particular referee, for me, we've seen this last year up at Dundee United.

00:15:06Yeah.

00:15:07When all the colleagues in the VAR van, whatever it is.

00:15:11Yeah, at Easterhouse.

00:15:15Selling cones on a half-time break.

00:15:18So anyway, but my point is, we've seen this last year with the Diamandi situation,

00:15:23when the on-field referee wanted to try and make a point of,

00:15:26I've seen this clear-cut.

00:15:28He reviewed the footage and he doubled down.

00:15:32So we've seen this last year.

00:15:34Yeah.

00:15:35So I think he's thought, we're sticking with this on-field.

00:15:37There's not enough force on that.

00:15:38And he basically says, don't even review it to there.

00:15:41So I'm fascinated to see the audio.

00:15:43Oh, sorry.

00:15:44Listen to the audio.

00:15:45Because I think it could be damning for him.

00:15:48Because surely the VAR has to have a look at this

00:15:52and advise them in whatever way they feel appropriate.

00:15:55Otherwise, they're all saying it's a yellow card.

00:15:58To a man, today when I've spoken to all the players that are in the dressing room,

00:16:02none of them have actually went, ah, it's a yellow.

00:16:05Some of them were winding this up early doors.

00:16:06I went, no, but serious, what do you think?

00:16:08Yeah.

00:16:09Because it's obviously the banter years that they all love it.

00:16:11Yeah, absolutely.

00:16:12And whatever way it falls, then you throw that in.

00:16:13But when you actually strip it back and you talk to the boys,

00:16:15they're going, oh, it's a red card.

00:16:17I don't think anybody in the press room afterwards when you're waiting for the managers,

00:16:21I don't think anybody was saying yellow unless you were writing for the most ardent of bloggers

00:16:27or vloggers or whatever.

00:16:29But the excessive force part of it, it was just downright naughty.

00:16:34And at that part, when he does it, you know, I don't know about even the intent of it

00:16:39or the excessive force.

00:16:41He's endangering him when he puts his stud across his head.

00:16:44So I thought, I automatically thought he's going off.

00:16:47Peter, do you know this?

00:16:48Because obviously it's a subjective fact.

00:16:49You might go, oh, he's no touch to him.

00:16:51And the other guy goes, see when I've got Trusty running,

00:16:53because he thinks he's winning the ball.

00:16:54So he's running at a fair clip.

00:16:56He's not just tiptoeing there and going, I'll just dip a toe.

00:16:58So he's running at full tilt.

00:17:00Jack's coming the other way.

00:17:01And then you catch him flush in the face.

00:17:03So for me, at what point does that not become endangering the opposite player?

00:17:09Yeah.

00:17:10I think, well, they call him and the referees will argue.

00:17:12They're wording.

00:17:13They'll come up with it.

00:17:14So again, it's subjective.

00:17:15That's my point, Tom.

00:17:16At what point do you say that's enough force on somebody's face?

00:17:19Because let me ask you a question.

00:17:20See, when you see the Asgard one, you go, ooh, that's quite a thing.

00:17:23Would you prefer a kick with the studs at the top of your thigh

00:17:26or getting volleyed or getting the side of the head?

00:17:29What one would you prefer?

00:17:30Probably on the thigh.

00:17:31Oh, that long.

00:17:32Yeah.

00:17:33So I think we're all of the opinion that he should have got a red card.

00:17:36And a listener will read out a lot of comments as they're coming in from the live feed

00:17:43as well as if you want to drop us a line, you can do.

00:17:46You can download the PLZ Soccer app and there's a contact section

00:17:49where you can give us your thoughts as well.

00:17:52And we'll read them out as the week goes on.

00:17:53Because the great thing about Celtic and Rangers playing each other,

00:17:56it usually gets to mid-December before the madness actually settles down

00:18:02and people have stopped talking about it.

00:18:04But we thought it was a red card.

00:18:06And as we move on from that situation, if that's a red card,

00:18:10let's talk about the Ralfson situation, Ruffy.

00:18:15Yeah.

00:18:16Because this one again is open to debate because some Celtic fans are saying,

00:18:21well, listen, there was an altercation between Ralfson and the Rangers player.

00:18:24He's falling down.

00:18:25Yeah.

00:18:26And the rules say that if he didn't make himself unnaturally bigger when falling,

00:18:32then why is he deemed it a penalty, even with the ball going to be on target?

00:18:37So is it a penalty in your mind?

00:18:40Well, there's no question he threw himself in front of the ball, you know,

00:18:44to stop it getting in or getting towards the goal.

00:18:47The point with me is always when the referees say it's a hit his elbow,

00:18:51is your arm in an unnatural position?

00:18:54I have to argue that I don't think it was because it was in.

00:18:57No, his arms were in his body, so his elbow's not up there to stop it.

00:19:04Yeah, but that's slightly different if somebody hits the ball to you like this

00:19:07and you do that, you make yourself bigger.

00:19:09Yeah.

00:19:10Assuming you're falling to the ground, that is making yourself bigger

00:19:12because you're making yourself bigger as the distance between the floor and there.

00:19:18So you make yourself bigger.

00:19:19If you're doing that, then you're just going to land on your chest.

00:19:22Do you think it was a penalty?

00:19:23Well, I said to him the fact that it actually was going on target

00:19:27and he's throwing his cell in the line of the ball, I think that's a clear handball.

00:19:31Do you know the great thing about it as well, and this is where I think

00:19:33and I listen, we will read out lots of people's opinions on this as well

00:19:40because that's the joy of it.

00:19:41The only thing missing here is a pint of lager and it's a great pub argument.

00:19:46But what happens is we read out some interpretation of the law

00:19:51and then what happens is by the time you get to Willie standing in front of one of our screens

00:19:58and he gives it, this is it and this is how we interpreted the law and this is it.

00:20:03And they say it in such a way that you think, no, you're a dimwit.

00:20:06This is how it should have been interpreted.

00:20:08Now, I can tell you that on occasions in the last week alone, you know,

00:20:15Willie has been absolutely, you know, probably apoplectic with how people have interpreted some situations,

00:20:23you know, because you're still getting the human error on these things.

00:20:27I thought because he blocked the shot, it was a penalty.

00:20:31I think it probably was a penalty, but I thought it was pretty harsh, Peter, the way he lands.

00:20:36No, but harsh doesn't come into it.

00:20:38The guy smashes it. It's the handball rule. It's subjective, Peter.

00:20:42One week you might get that and they'll give it, the next week they might not

00:20:45and that's the consistency that annoys you.

00:20:47But he's fallen to the ground, the guy's lashed it at him for two yards.

00:20:50I mean, probably a penalty.

00:20:52The people calling for a red card, I think they're totally, totally wrong.

00:20:56I don't think it's a second red.

00:20:58There's no intent.

00:21:00There's one for you, so see the one a couple of weeks ago against Kilmarnock

00:21:04when it ricochets off the boy and the boy's...

00:21:06I think he gave a yellow card there.

00:21:08You're not telling me that that boy thinks that he's trying to do that deliberately to...

00:21:13Some consistencies of it?

00:21:14This is what I'm saying, Peter.

00:21:15You get it one week, you won't get it the next.

00:21:17Here's one thing.

00:21:18You think it's a penalty?

00:21:20Yeah.

00:21:21I think it's a penalty. Do you?

00:21:22Me too, yeah.

00:21:23No. Right, can I ask you this?

00:21:24Is it a yellow card?

00:21:25Because remember, not every incident is a yellow card.

00:21:28Is it a yellow card because he's off then?

00:21:30No, and this is where it becomes a bit mismatch.

00:21:33That's my point, Peter.

00:21:35There's no deflection on the ball and it's just struck his hand.

00:21:38So then they deem, well, it's not worthy of a yellow card.

00:21:41Yeah, somebody could hit from that camera six feet away, scud your thigh, hit my arm and you get booked for that.

00:21:47And that is the inconsistency that people are going off their head about.

00:21:50Yeah.

00:21:51So again...

00:21:52So you didn't think it was a yellow card?

00:21:53No, but what I'm saying is, I don't know, that's what I'm trying to say.

00:21:55Yes, because one week it's hitting off you, hitting me and I get yellow cardied.

00:21:59Yes.

00:22:00Yet there's no deviation, deviation of the ball there and then going, nah, it's not a yellow.

00:22:04You might have gave him a yellow if he wasn't on a yellow.

00:22:06Remember that a year or two?

00:22:07Ah, now hold on you. Don't muddy the water.

00:22:09You might have gave him a yellow if he wasn't on a yellow.

00:22:11You can't muddy the waters, that's suppositioning your part.

00:22:14They seem to come out with rules that we don't know.

00:22:19You know, they bring out a rule.

00:22:21Do you remember the time with Conor Golson, way back, when the ball came up and they went like that

00:22:27and we went, that's a stonewaller.

00:22:28He's hands on an unnatural pressure.

00:22:30And then they came out and said, no, you're allowed to do that if it's going to hurt your face.

00:22:34Yeah, but let's be honest about it, Ruffy.

00:22:37And here is the crux of the matter.

00:22:40And this is probably what a lot of people will say in the anger and frustration from supporters up and down the country,

00:22:49whether you're red, blue, black, green, whatever, you know, your favourite team's colours.

00:22:55The point is this, we don't all know the rules.

00:22:58So you see the thing is?

00:22:59We don't.

00:23:00Peter, we sit and watch football night after night.

00:23:03We watch it and we look at the decisions and we're all sat here going,

00:23:07how do you give it one week and you don't give it next week?

00:23:09And that is the bit that it's muddy in the water.

00:23:11Yeah.

00:23:12Because there's no consistency to that.

00:23:13And I think that's the bit that's frustrating because what you get even over and above that

00:23:18is when you get clarity on a decision that's made, suddenly five weeks later,

00:23:24there's another one where they give you clarity again,

00:23:27which is totally the opposite of what they said five weeks before.

00:23:30So I can't wait to see what Willie Colum suddenly tells us all, you know, and by the way, you know,

00:23:36we're all Monday morning quarterbacks when it comes to determining what's right and what's wrong.

00:23:41But you've got ex-referees who are coming on and going, there's my interpretation on the television.

00:23:47And they're going, no, this is a penalty.

00:23:49That's a red card.

00:23:50This is a yellow card.

00:23:51And it brings me nicely to the next one, which is Cornelius with a tackle on Johnny Kenny,

00:23:55which again is open to interpretation.

00:23:59Was it a, was it a booking?

00:24:01Was it a red card?

00:24:02I don't think it was a red, no.

00:24:04I don't think it's a red, Peter.

00:24:05I don't think he's particularly high.

00:24:07He catches him on the follow through, but if you get a still on any tackle,

00:24:10you can freeze frame it and it annoys me about social media.

00:24:14People putting stills up of a tackle.

00:24:17Was that as contentious, that one, that we are all...

00:24:20No, I don't think it's a red card.

00:24:22I'm going to give you an example.

00:24:23I think it's a good tackle.

00:24:24I think it's a decent tackle.

00:24:25I'll give you a wee bit of insight.

00:24:26Big Philippe was, I think we lost a player at Ibrox.

00:24:32Is this the one who stands up in the press box?

00:24:34No.

00:24:35Yeah.

00:24:36So when Philippe was talking about tackling is,

00:24:38when you tackle, you tackle low.

00:24:40So you tackle down the way.

00:24:42Yeah.

00:24:43So what happens is sometimes where it becomes a bit messy is,

00:24:46when you tackle and then you come up,

00:24:48you then catch someone on the follow through up by the shin.

00:24:51Yeah.

00:24:52And he was really trying to encourage your people when they went to the ground,

00:24:54that you tackled down the way.

00:24:56So when you hit the ball, you're getting it down.

00:24:58So it would lope you.

00:24:59That's unnatural way of tackling.

00:25:00No, and I know that.

00:25:01But he was trying to encourage people, Tam,

00:25:02because the one thing about it,

00:25:03in our day, what you were trying to do was,

00:25:05you were trying to get the ball,

00:25:06and then catch them up on the way through,

00:25:07and they used to get the crowd going...

00:25:10Which was wonderful,

00:25:11because it was almost like scoring the goal.

00:25:13Yeah.

00:25:14You get everybody after a seat going,

00:25:15well, what a tackle.

00:25:16So what I'm saying is, they days are gone,

00:25:17so try and tackle down the way.

00:25:18And I thought Cornelius was on the way down.

00:25:20Right.

00:25:21Whereas you've seen that time after time,

00:25:22you go, oh my God.

00:25:24Tackle, catch people on the shin,

00:25:25and then it looks worse.

00:25:27Did you think it was worse?

00:25:28No, I don't think it was worse.

00:25:29Listen, at the end of the day,

00:25:31we're trying to give our thoughts on all of them.

00:25:34Get through them all, yeah.

00:25:35Now, here's one that I'm going to say,

00:25:36and it's not just something that I've said,

00:25:38because it's a Celtic Rangers game.

00:25:40I'm going to say it for any of the games.

00:25:42I pointed it out to you guys months ago,

00:25:46because at the start of the season,

00:25:48there was a suggestion from FIFA

00:25:50that they were going to embrace

00:25:51Arsene Wenger's suggestion that,

00:25:54you know, you've got to change this offside role

00:25:57so that it favours the centre forwards,

00:26:00the strikers, so we see more goals.

00:26:01It is an entertainment.

00:26:02And you witness week in, week out,

00:26:06this line where suddenly somebody's toe

00:26:09is in an offside position,

00:26:10whereas Wenger's saying,

00:26:11the way forward is,

00:26:13you need clear daylight

00:26:15between both players and the other.

00:26:17Yeah, that's right.

00:26:18So, if there's clear daylight,

00:26:20he's offside.

00:26:21But if there's a, you know,

00:26:22if his arm's suddenly just,

00:26:23and the players played him on,

00:26:25you give the benefit to the striker.

00:26:27Would you not interest that?

00:26:28Arsene Wenger, by the way,

00:26:29is delighted that he's offside,

00:26:31because he saved him the embarrassment of a goal.

00:26:33They were actually all over the place.

00:26:34I've seen a thing today,

00:26:35and I thought,

00:26:36that's a really good point.

00:26:37So, say the fact,

00:26:38say the two of us are stood,

00:26:39in line,

00:26:40and I've got a size ten foot,

00:26:42and you're a size eight.

00:26:43And I mean,

00:26:44your heels are identical,

00:26:46and then you're offside,

00:26:47and you're thinking to yourself,

00:26:48You're punished for having big feet.

00:26:49You're punished for having big feet.

00:26:50But do you know what I mean?

00:26:51And I thought,

00:26:52that's a good point.

00:26:53With a big nose in.

00:26:54Yeah.

00:26:55Exactly.

00:26:56Oh, what is it?

00:26:57Exactly.

00:26:58As long as it's on out there.

00:26:59I know, sir, guys.

00:27:00I've been offside every day of the week.

00:27:02No, I know,

00:27:03I was just about to say,

00:27:04Kenny Browning,

00:27:05It can't be a different offside,

00:27:07but a half way line.

00:27:08Imagine a manager saying to you,

00:27:10which size of feet,

00:27:11he's like,

00:27:12I don't have enough point,

00:27:13isn't it?

00:27:14That's a great point for Venger though, eh?

00:27:17I like,

00:27:18I want,

00:27:19I would love,

00:27:20let's see goals,

00:27:21let's see.

00:27:22Peter, if you need to draw two,

00:27:24we'll go to games to see goals,

00:27:25and see excitement.

00:27:26Don't be chopping off goals for marginal,

00:27:28marginal offsides.

00:27:29Deemed offside when he had nothing to do with it.

00:27:31Yeah.

00:27:32Yeah, here's a great,

00:27:33here's a great line, Nat,

00:27:34it just brings it back to you.

00:27:35I think they were using Etch-a-Sketch

00:27:37in the Maida goal.

00:27:38Um,

00:27:39well, Maida was offside,

00:27:40but when it eventually got to the box,

00:27:42it ricochets off.

00:27:43Plus, we've got the Fisher-Price VAR up here,

00:27:45we've not got all the angles at the Premiership.

00:27:46No, I think that's another part that we accept,

00:27:49but, eh,

00:27:50listen,

00:27:51it's one of those ones where,

00:27:52thanks for that, Tam.

00:27:53It's one of those ones where,

00:27:55we've discussed,

00:27:57we've given your opinion,

00:27:58you know,

00:27:59you might agree,

00:28:00you might disagree.

00:28:01Nobody is shirking away from the fact

00:28:03that Celtic won 3-1,

00:28:04and that brings us to the point,

00:28:06which is quite simply,

00:28:07Alec,

00:28:08there were chances.

00:28:09Cermiti,

00:28:10Cermiti missed an absolute sitter.

00:28:12Both goalkeepers,

00:28:13I think especially Butland,

00:28:15and by the way,

00:28:16can I just say something?

00:28:17I haven't put Butland in the team of the week

00:28:19this week,

00:28:20if only for the fact that,

00:28:22um,

00:28:23goal beater.

00:28:24Well,

00:28:25he's,

00:28:26he's,

00:28:27he's lost three goals,

00:28:28so,

00:28:29it was between him and Schmeichel,

00:28:30I thought Butland's saves at times was unbelievable.

00:28:31Yeah,

00:28:32I think he actually kept the score line down,

00:28:34Peter,

00:28:35and, um,

00:28:36I actually think over the course of this season,

00:28:37he shipped one against Camarnock,

00:28:38when he came to punch,

00:28:39and I think he went through to the back post.

00:28:41Yeah.

00:28:42But in the main,

00:28:43I think he's something like,

00:28:44is it five or six saves and penalties?

00:28:45He's been ridiculous.

00:28:46Yeah,

00:28:47six out of seven he's made.

00:28:48Yeah,

00:28:49so he's been one of the standouts,

00:28:50and he's had to be relied on time after time,

00:28:52and I thought he,

00:28:53he really kept them in at times,

00:28:55and, uh,

00:28:56but again,

00:28:57if you're at a big club like Rangers or Celtic,

00:28:59you need your keeper to stand up in,

00:29:01in big moments,

00:29:02and, uh,

00:29:03you know, he did keep them in it.

00:29:04And talking of standing up, Ruffy,

00:29:05the one great thing that you associate with Schmeichel,

00:29:07his dad,

00:29:08and him,

00:29:09was Rangers had two brilliant clear one-on-ones,

00:29:13and he stood tall,

00:29:14and he waited,

00:29:15and he tried to let the striker make the decision,

00:29:17so he could react,

00:29:19rather than sometimes the striker waits to see what the keeper's going to do,

00:29:21what the keeper's going to do,

00:29:22and then...

00:29:23Yeah, so it's a new goalkeeping art now, isn't it?

00:29:25They spread themselves, you know,

00:29:26and if they're not going to get it with their hands,

00:29:28they're going to get it with their legs,

00:29:29or their foot,

00:29:30and it is a technique of doing it,

00:29:32and he did it, uh,

00:29:33very well a couple of times.

00:29:34The one thing I would say, Tam,

00:29:36sitting in the press box,

00:29:38and you always get a gauge,

00:29:39and you'll know because you've played in these games,

00:29:41but from the minute the game kicked off,

00:29:44you looked at the way it was,

00:29:46you know, I was interested to see if, uh,

00:29:48Danny Rule was going to keep it all tight,

00:29:51and then you look at the way Martin O'Neill was going to play,

00:29:54and I was almost certain he was never going to adopt this

00:29:56constant tippy-tappy at the back,

00:29:58and he played a lot of diagonals in behind the back line,

00:30:01at times as well,

00:30:02they were looking for that out ball,

00:30:04playing it more direct.

00:30:05Uh, you know,

00:30:07I just knew in the first 10 minutes you thought,

00:30:09Celtic are absolutely up for this,

00:30:11this is a different Celtic from the Brendan Rodgers,

00:30:14you know, turgid stuff.

00:30:16Yeah, it was.

00:30:17Listen, I don't think Celtic were direct,

00:30:18but as I said to you,

00:30:19I don't think you're going to see Scales and Trusty

00:30:21just passing the ball at each other five or six times

00:30:22before it goes wide.

00:30:23You know, they got the ball wide,

00:30:24they got crosses in the box,

00:30:25they got the ball in behind,

00:30:26they had pace up there,

00:30:27with Kenny and Maida,

00:30:29and they tested.

00:30:30I thought Kenny was excellent.

00:30:31Kenny was excellent,

00:30:32he occupied the two centre match.

00:30:33And there's a lot of doubt about that boy.

00:30:34Oh, listen, as I said,

00:30:35I thought, see when you're like,

00:30:36as you're saying,

00:30:37you have that kind of technical ability to play through.

00:30:39See, once he picked her head up,

00:30:40Trusty and that,

00:30:41and they were hitting in the full-back areas,

00:30:43I thought Cornelius and Giga really struggled.

00:30:47Mostly on the sides.

00:30:48Giga's side,

00:30:49because you're just getting these brilliant runs,

00:30:50and it gets them up the pitch.

00:30:52And I thought that the Celtic tactics were excellent

00:30:55in the first half,

00:30:56because they were willing to play,

00:30:57because they're a possession-based team.

00:30:59But when the opportunity presented the Celtic hit in

00:31:02behind the outside centre backs,

00:31:06I thought they were excellent.

00:31:07And you know, obviously the introduction

00:31:08of the young boy, Osman.

00:31:09I think he pays to do that.

00:31:10I think, obviously,

00:31:11with Johnny Kenny,

00:31:12he wants to run him behind, Peter.

00:31:13Yeah.

00:31:14Ian Achill wants to come short,

00:31:15and I think that's been the difference.

00:31:17And Osman will obviously speak about as well,

00:31:19come on, looked really, really sharp.

00:31:20Where's he been?

00:31:21I mean, has he been locked in a cupboard or something?

00:31:23The point I'm going to make to you is this.

00:31:26With each game, with each minute,

00:31:28with each performance,

00:31:29it's another indictment on Brendan Rodgers

00:31:33and the way he went about his business,

00:31:35because Osman, come on.

00:31:37Trusting man in the match.

00:31:38Johnny Kenny, you know, you're looking and you're saying,

00:31:41lots of Celtic fans saying he didn't look the business.

00:31:43Trusty comes in without that balance from the week before

00:31:47that he wasn't happy that I asked him about.

00:31:50Martin O'Neill plays him on the right side of scales,

00:31:53no problem with his left or right foot.

00:31:55And those three players were nowhere near getting in the starting 11.

00:32:00And Martin O'Neill and Sean Maloney and Mark Fotherham

00:32:03get a trick out of them.

00:32:04Yeah, Callum Osmond, I think, has been playing with the B team.

00:32:06You know, he's been in Siberia.

00:32:08So, he obviously come on during the week against Falkirk and look sharp,

00:32:11and then come on at the weekend and scored.

00:32:12So, he's been excellent.

00:32:13Is that not a case of when Aya Nacho,

00:32:15and then obviously...

00:32:17Maybe next man up.

00:32:19And then you've got Kenny,

00:32:20and then he'll move third or fourth in the breaking order.

00:32:23He took his chance.

00:32:24Oh no, I thought he was excellent.

00:32:25I thought you got to get the boy Kenny.

00:32:27Huge amount.

00:32:28You know, he was nowhere to be seen.

00:32:30A young boy thrown in there with all the guys they've bought,

00:32:33and all the Maeed that's scoring all the goals.

00:32:35And you've thrown him in,

00:32:36and as you said, Peter, people are down.

00:32:38No, he's no quality.

00:32:39He's not what we should have up there.

00:32:41But he got a couple of goals in midweek,

00:32:42and you could see the young boy, as you'll know,

00:32:44as young players,

00:32:45the confidence just oozes at them.

00:32:47And you could see at the weekend there,

00:32:49you could really offer it, yeah.

00:32:51See the desire to actually put Golden at first.

00:32:53Go first, Celtic.

00:32:54I thought it was really impressive.

00:32:55And as a midfielder,

00:32:56and I make no bones about saying it,

00:32:58I did say it three or four weeks ago on the show,

00:33:01when again,

00:33:02you tend to get that knee-jerk reaction

00:33:04from people who slaughter or dismiss a player

00:33:07when things are not going according to plan.

00:33:09McGregor, for me, is like a Rolls Royce at times.

00:33:12He's the best midfielder in the country.

00:33:14Yeah, I have to say,

00:33:16I thought his performances in recent weeks,

00:33:19obviously the last couple of weeks

00:33:20he's been the driving force,

00:33:21but I felt as if it dipped a little bit, Peter,

00:33:23because his standards were so high,

00:33:25but for years...

00:33:26He asked him from then on.

00:33:28For years,

00:33:29he's been the number one midfielder.

00:33:31And one thing I'll talk about,

00:33:32Callum McGregor is,

00:33:33see if you want a number six,

00:33:35and you want to mould a six,

00:33:37what you would say to a young boy,

00:33:39he gets on the ball,

00:33:40he dictates play,

00:33:41he speeds up the play when it suits him,

00:33:44he slows it down.

00:33:45So he has the quarterback,

00:33:46he just keeps pulping that about,

00:33:48and then also he traps up with really important goals,

00:33:50because he's willing to pull the trigger,

00:33:52which you don't see for a lot of modern day sixes.

00:33:55They're happy to just play sideways and back,

00:33:57just possession based.

00:33:59This boy's trapping up with goals,

00:34:00so last year he gets double figures.

00:34:02He traps up with the most important goal,

00:34:04because that second one was really big for Celtic again yesterday,

00:34:07and then his leadership qualities.

00:34:09So if you're moulding a six,

00:34:11Callum McGregor's the guy you're looking at.

00:34:13Yeah.

00:34:14And again,

00:34:15I take Alex's point on just dipping a little bit,

00:34:18but I thought at times,

00:34:20because of the standards,

00:34:21I think everybody else around him had dropped off time.

00:34:24I thought they were all woeful against Hart.

00:34:26McGregor was the only man that I thought of.

00:34:28He got glass marks.

00:34:29I think before the Hart's game,

00:34:31if you asked any Celtic supporter or any neutral,

00:34:33you'd go,

00:34:34maybe he lost a yard.

00:34:35He just looked off it.

00:34:36Just as Alex said,

00:34:37his standards are up there.

00:34:38Every year, year on, year in.

00:34:3955, 60 games a year.

00:34:41Yeah.

00:34:42People are thinking,

00:34:43maybe all these games are catching up with him.

00:34:44But I think from the Hart's game,

00:34:45he was fantastic at Tyne Castle in the first half.

00:34:47Fantastic.

00:34:48And then he played well in midweek against Falkert,

00:34:50and then he was superb yesterday.

00:34:52So I think he's thought,

00:34:53listen, I need to step up.

00:34:54I'm the captain.

00:34:55I need to lead the team here.

00:34:56And he's led the performances,

00:34:57as he's done for recent years.

00:34:59Yeah.

00:35:00Okay.

00:35:013-1,

00:35:02little shoots of recovery.

00:35:03Room for optimism,

00:35:04I think,

00:35:05is the general consensus for Rangers.

00:35:07For Celtic,

00:35:08you know,

00:35:09Celtic fans will look and say,

00:35:10well, what do you think,

00:35:11Martin O'Neill?

00:35:12Should he be given a contract,

00:35:14or is it all about just,

00:35:15give him the,

00:35:16the League Cup final,

00:35:18and then say,

00:35:19thank you.

00:35:20And, you know,

00:35:21onwards to a new manager,

00:35:22and a new,

00:35:23a new plan with a younger man.

00:35:26Give us your thoughts on it.

00:35:28We'd love to know what you think,

00:35:30Celtic fans out there.

00:35:31In the end,

00:35:32it's Celtic in the League Cup final,

00:35:34and they're going to take on St Mirren.

00:35:37I must admit,

00:35:38I'll hold my hands up, Ruffy.

00:35:39I actually called both games wrong.

00:35:41Yeah.

00:35:42Because I'm shocked.

00:35:43I thought,

00:35:45I thought,

00:35:46I knew it was going to go long

00:35:47with Rangers and Celtic,

00:35:48and I thought Rangers,

00:35:49because of the way he'd set up,

00:35:51they might nick it in penalties.

00:35:52But,

00:35:53they got a different Celtic,

00:35:55and boy,

00:35:56did they get St Mirren.

00:35:57He's just an absolute master

00:35:58of working out how to beat their system.

00:36:00Yeah,

00:36:01really,

00:36:02I mean,

00:36:03I stopped by,

00:36:04I think I was the only one that stopped by them on Friday.

00:36:05You know,

00:36:06the difference.

00:36:07Yeah.

00:36:08I mean,

00:36:09it wasn't a,

00:36:10no,

00:36:11it wasn't a tactical decision.

00:36:12It was because,

00:36:13I think they've been quite.

00:36:14Is it not because you've got good hospitality there or not?

00:36:17No,

00:36:18no,

00:36:19I've not been there as well.

00:36:20No,

00:36:21more than anything,

00:36:22they've been the team that's been on the end of BAR.

00:36:24I think there have been a lot of decisions that have went against them.

00:36:27I thought they needed a wee rub of the green,

00:36:29but they didn't need it.

00:36:30Did they get a rub of the green where the ball wasn't stationary?

00:36:32Which led to the ball?

00:36:33No,

00:36:34I mean,

00:36:35you get a...

00:36:36It's in the rule books.

00:36:37No,

00:36:38you're not having it.

00:36:39It's moving.

00:36:40Wait a minute,

00:36:41wait a minute.

00:36:42It's not moving that much.

00:36:43Wait a minute.

00:36:44So the boot,

00:36:45the boot onto Butlin's head,

00:36:46it wasn't moving as much as you'd like it.

00:36:47No,

00:36:48we'll see later on.

00:36:49Butlin's head wasn't moving.

00:36:50Wait a minute.

00:36:51Later on,

00:36:52mother will get a free kick and they never took it for the right place.

00:36:55But this is...

00:36:56And nobody complained.

00:36:57And nobody complained about it.

00:36:58But you're missing the point.

00:36:59This is what Alex is talking about.

00:37:00It's the inconsistency of it all.

00:37:02The ball went in the box and got kicked out for a corner.

00:37:05Defend the corner and stop moaning about a ball that's rolling.

00:37:07That's not the issue.

00:37:08The issue is the incident that takes place.

00:37:11And the incident that takes place,

00:37:13the rules say,

00:37:14the ball's rolling.

00:37:15And this is the one thing I would say to you about Nick Walsh,

00:37:17which I found really infuriating.

00:37:19He didn't want to let the players play quick plays.

00:37:22He brought it back,

00:37:24blown the whistle,

00:37:25took the momentum out of the game,

00:37:27to the annoyance of Rangers and Celtic fans.

00:37:29There was a time that they'd done a give and go

00:37:31and he brought it in the middle of the park

00:37:33when Raskin smashed one of the midfielders

00:37:35and they were down the right-hand side with Maeda.

00:37:37So I agree with you.

00:37:38The source of frustration,

00:37:39you know,

00:37:40it's a bit letting the game roll on for that period.

00:37:42But to be honest,

00:37:43you see if the ball's a yard or two,

00:37:45you can tolerate that,

00:37:46but see if the ball's moving.

00:37:47We had it last week

00:37:48when Tony Watt tried to play one

00:37:50and the ball was moving.

00:37:51I was raging.

00:37:52I'm going, you have to play on,

00:37:53but...

00:37:54And then the referee was quite right to point out

00:37:55that the ball was still moving.

00:37:56Yeah.

00:37:57It's a freak...

00:37:58It's the same with the pulling jerseys.

00:38:00We had the Shankland one last week against St Mern.

00:38:03If you watch any freak, any corner,

00:38:05people pulling people and thinking,

00:38:07how can you be that consistent?

00:38:09This is not a four-hour show about you saying...

00:38:11You know what you're delving into?

00:38:13And Alec knows this because he works every now and then

00:38:16in my old show that I used to be on,

00:38:19Super Scoreboard.

00:38:20It's called Whataboutery?

00:38:22What about that?

00:38:23But what about that?

00:38:24As if it's justification.

00:38:25You deal with the incident,

00:38:26the ball's moving,

00:38:27take it back to the right place.

00:38:28Is it moving much?

00:38:30Is it rolling away?

00:38:31Is it rolling?

00:38:33Wait, no.

00:38:34Has it...

00:38:35It's rolling!

00:38:36You're seeing the ball...

00:38:37Has it moved five yards?

00:38:39How far did it move?

00:38:40It doesn't matter if it's moving.

00:38:42It's a free kick.

00:38:43Get it back to the right place.

00:38:44No, listen.

00:38:45Listen, I think that's the source of frustration with people

00:38:48because you would be looking for that to be brought back.

00:38:51However, I take your point on board that you still have to defend it.

00:38:54Yeah.

00:38:55Because at that point you have everyone defending the box.

00:38:57Yeah.

00:38:58Okay.

00:38:59In the end, it didn't make one blind that difference because St Mirren, to be fair to them, got

00:39:04the 4-1 win and this is how both managers saw it.

00:39:09We came here with no emotions today.

00:39:11A lot of people motivated us with things that were said, unfairly, unjustified in my opinion.

00:39:16And we used that as our motivation to show what a good side we are.

00:39:19And as I said, I'm delighted for the staff and delighted for the players.

00:39:23The way to success at the end is always bumpy and you have to lose a lot of football

00:39:31games to, in the end, become successful and win something.

00:39:35So, we'll have to live with that that was the case today.

00:39:39Well, I think he's right because Steve and Robbins will just probably be pinning up some

00:39:43of the cuttings if they do that even now.

00:39:45Or maybe they just say, look, here's some of the social media that's been going on on

00:39:49a big screen.

00:39:50Let's ram it down their throats.

00:39:52Didn't get it on this programme because quite simply all of us have mentioned the fact

00:39:56that St Mirren can mix it up and play really good football.

00:40:00Yeah, and listen, they played to their senses.

00:40:02They've got two really physical, athletic strikers.

00:40:06And they got the ball in behind and turned Motherwell and made them defend.

00:40:09And Motherwell, I thought Motherwell started the game really, really well

00:40:12without creating too many chances.

00:40:14You know, they kept the ball a lot.

00:40:15But I think St Mirren let Motherwell have the ball in certain areas

00:40:18and just have the ball.

00:40:19You can knock it about there 40-50 yards for a goal.

00:40:21You're not hurting his wheels stay in a tight shape

00:40:23and then you get the ball banked on the side of you.

00:40:25No, I thought St Mirren got their tactics spot on and they deserve to win the game.

00:40:30And I think they'll give Celtic a real test in the final.

00:40:33I don't think it's a, you know, Celtic turning up and just winning the game.

00:40:38I think St Mirren will test them.

00:40:40Can I ask you as a striker, you know, when you look sometimes,

00:40:44sometimes strikers are lucky enough to be running onto the ball,

00:40:48but the really good ones, I'm thinking, do you remember the Thierry Henry goal

00:40:52against Manchester United?

00:40:53It was, I think it was goal of the season.

00:40:55It just, it kind of flicks it up and then automatically gets it.

00:40:58Yeah.

00:40:59Lundaloo.

00:41:00Lundaloo doesn't even look.

00:41:01Yeah.

00:41:02I mean, he just, the ball just breaks to him

00:41:03and then he just, he knows where the goal is buying.

00:41:05Yeah, talk on there.

00:41:06No, brilliant goal.

00:41:07And as I said, I thought St Mirren, you know, really caused Motherwell problems

00:41:11in that final third with their pace and power.

00:41:13But I thought Kellan Phillips was excellent as well.

00:41:16I thought throughout the St Mirren team, you know, Gogic at the back,

00:41:19they've really, really got a great spine in the team.

00:41:21They're strong.

00:41:22They're powerful and they're hard to play against.

00:41:24And they knock the ball about when it's on to knock the ball about,

00:41:26but if it's on to turn defenders, they'll do it and it's hard to defend against.

00:41:30Yeah.

00:41:31Lundaloo, Mandron and Ayunga at times occupy the back line brilliantly.

00:41:36Yeah.

00:41:37But they actually have a particular way of playing as well.

00:41:39You know, as Tim says, it's not just Route 1 and set pieces,

00:41:42although they cause a lot of problems because of their physicality.

00:41:45Yeah.

00:41:46But as he says, Phillips, I've been impressed with him.

00:41:48You know, when you look at an energetic, powerful midfielder,

00:41:51you've got Harrah in there as well.

00:41:52You've got Gogic who is as dogged as you can get.

00:41:56Can I pay him a compliment in kind of a direction towards yourself?

00:41:58I like the guy.

00:41:59He's, for me, like a St Mirren Alec Ray.

00:42:04Capable of playing football.

00:42:05Did he get double figures every year as well, Peter and I?

00:42:07Yeah.

00:42:09By the way, see that couch there?

00:42:11That's the me-me couch, isn't it?

00:42:13I'm trying to pay you a compliment.

00:42:14I'm kidding.

00:42:15Not really winding up.

00:42:16But he is, break up the play when it needs broken up.

00:42:19Yeah.

00:42:20You know, we're talking about being able to play football as well.

00:42:23Oh, no, no.

00:42:24I like him.

00:42:25And then he contributes.

00:42:26And his engine is a bit like yourself.

00:42:28I actually like the fact that he is,

00:42:30he's one of the guys you would love to have in your team.

00:42:32I think if you were the opposition,

00:42:33going, no, this guy again,

00:42:34because he's like a rash.

00:42:35He's all over you.

00:42:36He tackles aggressively.

00:42:37And he's so committed.

00:42:39So, from a manager's perspective,

00:42:41you would think to yourself,

00:42:42this guy's a dream.

00:42:43But what he does is,

00:42:45he sets a tone for everybody else.

00:42:46Because he gets after people.

00:42:47Ahara, Phillips,

00:42:49they all get after people.

00:42:50And when you have that.

00:42:52And I also like the goalkeeper as well.

00:42:54Is it George?

00:42:55Jamal George, yeah.

00:42:56Oh, he looks quite cool as well, you know.

00:42:57So, they've obviously got, as Tam says,

00:43:00I think they've got a lot of good attributes.

00:43:02And I think on their day,

00:43:03they can beat anyone in a league.

00:43:05Yeah, but even at the back end,

00:43:06I mean, when you look at middle to front,

00:43:08which we've all been so complimentary about,

00:43:10the boy Freckleton's really caught the eye as well.

00:43:13Yeah, well, we thought he wasn't going to be playing.

00:43:15I think Alisson thought he was injured

00:43:16and he was out the game.

00:43:17But obviously,

00:43:18in the midweek game that he had,

00:43:20he was really impressive.

00:43:21And again, he's come in.

00:43:22And we had Steven in here, didn't we?

00:43:24And he was talking about his signing policy.

00:43:26And he goes,

00:43:27I'm six months ahead of everybody else.

00:43:28I've got somebody down south that's sourcing on.

00:43:31Martin Foyle?

00:43:32Well, I think it is, actually.

00:43:33It's one guy.

00:43:34Martin Foyle?

00:43:35What he says to him is,

00:43:36if he tells me that this guy is the real deal for us,

00:43:40he says, I trust him with my life.

00:43:42But the thing is,

00:43:43the proof's in the pudding.

00:43:44You know, he'd done it with Motherwell and that as well.

00:43:46It's interesting.

00:43:47I played against him back in the day.

00:43:48He was, I think he was a Port Vale striker.

00:43:50Martin Foyle.

00:43:51That's right, yeah.

00:43:52He was a handful

00:43:55and he was a good goal scorer at a level.

00:43:57But,

00:43:58it seems you're a manager

00:43:59and you've got a guy who you trust.

00:44:01And I think what they do is,

00:44:02they shop really well at the lower end

00:44:04with the greatest respect to these players.

00:44:06They shop down there

00:44:07because they know that they can afford to bring them up.

00:44:09Yeah.

00:44:10And then they just fit in brilliantly

00:44:11to what they're trying to do at St Mirren.

00:44:13Yeah, absolutely.

00:44:14No argument then.

00:44:15I mean, the quality of the goals.

00:44:16In the end,

00:44:17despite Motherwell making an interesting roughy,

00:44:19St Mirren got a wee bit of luck there,

00:44:21but then they finished them off with style.

00:44:23Yeah, I thought they were great for the 90 minutes.

00:44:25You know, I thought,

00:44:26what you saw in St Mirren is what you get.

00:44:28You know, it's in the tin.

00:44:30They just do it every week.

00:44:31They get used to playing that way

00:44:33and you can see the more and more games that they're getting.

00:44:36The players are really buying into the formation

00:44:38and everything that they do.

00:44:40Foregone conclusion in the Cup Final

00:44:41or is it a case of this one could be tricky?

00:44:45I think it just depends on when the goals get scored on the day.

00:44:48Yeah.

00:44:49You know, you would like to think of Celtic, go ahead,

00:44:51then I think they might win that one.

00:44:53Yeah.

00:44:54Interesting times.

00:44:55But it was a real strong,

00:44:57I don't know if you've noticed it,

00:44:58especially in the punditry.

00:44:59I'm not suggesting there's any kind of conspiracy, by the way.

00:45:03A real strong Northern Ireland contingent

00:45:06just working away successfully in the background.

00:45:10Neil Lennon punditry, Steve Davis was there.

00:45:13Stephen Robbins was working.

00:45:14O'Neill's back.

00:45:15Stephen Craig.

00:45:16Stephen Craig.

00:45:17They were all in there.

00:45:18I've got a bit of Irish background as well.

00:45:19Yeah.

00:45:20Absolutely.

00:45:21Well done.

00:45:22Let's crack on.

00:45:23Let's crack on.

00:45:25We all have.

00:45:26We all have.

00:45:27Yeah.

00:45:29Really?

00:45:31So while we're all talking about Cup semi-finals,

00:45:34sneaking in the back,

00:45:36just not maybe, you know, getting the headlines that they deserve.

00:45:41Hearts four, Dundee nil.

00:45:44You've got your maroon top one the day, Ruffy.

00:45:46Nine points clear, Ruffy.

00:45:48Nine points clear.

00:45:49Yeah.

00:45:50A lot of teams will get games in hand.

00:45:52You've got to win them right enough,

00:45:53but certainly nine points is very, very impressive.

00:45:56They dismantled Dundee quite easily.

00:45:58I can see Dundee being down there for a long, long time.

00:46:01Defensively, I don't think they defend properly.

00:46:03But again, I'll mention, star man for me, Harry Millen.

00:46:07Good player.

00:46:08Yeah.

00:46:09Sort of for Hill.

00:46:10Sort of Thistle.

00:46:11You know, he's got a lot of attacking.

00:46:13Football.

00:46:14Defensively, a wee bit raw.

00:46:17I was not there when it happened.

00:46:18Yeah, yeah.

00:46:19All we would have had.

00:46:21Yeah, I admonish for all responsibility.

00:46:23Isn't it Ruffy's poker?

00:46:24Yeah.

00:46:25I have to say, the one thing about Derek McInnes that we have highlighted, and regularly lots

00:46:30of Hearts fans have highlighted as well, is the fact that he's got players to call on

00:46:36coming from the bench, making a positive contribution.

00:46:39One of them, Landry Kabor, and McInnes was fulsome in his praise.

00:46:44He's a physical player.

00:46:45I mean, he's a good size, but he's got lovely feet, but the starting point for him is his

00:46:51aggression.

00:46:52He can't just go out and try and show he's a good player.

00:46:54And I think a wee bit he was getting the game the wrong way round at the start when the

00:46:57first come in.

00:46:58He wanted to show the lads he's a good player, which is fine.

00:47:01But what we need him for in Scottish football is to make sure he has that focal point and

00:47:05that kind of physicality to the front line.

00:47:09And then show all your skills off the back of that, to be honest with you.

00:47:13Yeah.

00:47:14Actually, quite a lot of people talking about Hearts Shanklin.

00:47:18Kabor got two.

00:47:19Magnussen got one at the end as well.

00:47:22I'd rather have the points in the bag, Tam.

00:47:25I know a lot of Hibs fans will not want to see Hearts win the league.

00:47:30Some people are saying, Billy Rob's saying, you want to hear Hearts have a real chance of

00:47:34second now.

00:47:35But they've got them in there and, you know, you're looking at them and you're saying to

00:47:41yourself, if they can just get, as I said before, an advantage somewhere close to that

00:47:46January transfer window, boy, it's going to be really interesting.

00:47:49Yeah, and they've got an opportunity next week to go to play on the Saturday against

00:47:52Dunday night at home, to go 12 points clear before Celtic play Kilmarnock.

00:47:55So, yeah, they've got a real opportunity.

00:47:57I think the proof will be really in that Christmas period where there's tons of games.

00:48:02I think there's seven, eight games in December, including going to Celtic Park.

00:48:06If they can come out of that with six, seven point lead, then you think, game on.

00:48:10But no, I was impressed with them at the weekend.

00:48:12Kabor, I think he's Burkino fast.

00:48:14I scored a hat-trick for them a couple of weeks ago.

00:48:16So they're plucking these guys from nowhere, you know, with the Jamestown analytics.

00:48:20They're plucking a guy from, I think he played in Estonia.

00:48:23I don't know if it was him or the other winger.

00:48:25So, they're getting good players in.

00:48:27They've got good strength and depth.

00:48:29And I think they rested Braga at the weekend, you know.

00:48:31So, guys came in and scored the goal.

00:48:33Shanklin, great goal at the weekend.

00:48:35So, they've got a real opportunity to go 12 points before Celtic kick a ball next week.

00:48:38Now, can I just put this point to you?

00:48:40And this goes back to what you said at the start of the programme, Alec.

00:48:43If you have a situation where hearts, let's just say they go 12 points clear.

00:48:48And Celtic have got Michelin and then Kilmarnock.

00:48:52Yep.

00:48:53And then you look and you say to yourself, let's just say they're nine points clear.

00:48:57Do you risk, with your appointment in that window, a manager coming in who doesn't know Scottish football,

00:49:05who has to change the system of the players or change the message from what Martin O'Neill's doing short-term

00:49:11and then say, right, you're going to have to hit the ground running.

00:49:15And, yes, you'll get players in January, but you're going to have to hit the ground running and win every week.

00:49:21Yeah, but I think whoever comes in will know that anyway, Peter.

00:49:24I think the DNA at Celtic is to win games.

00:49:27The expectation, the fan base is as well.

00:49:30And it's an interesting point because, again, you're absolutely right

00:49:34because, obviously, Brendan has had his style.

00:49:37Martin O'Neill's mixed it up a little bit, a little bit more direct, as well as the possession base.

00:49:42And then you may well get a guy come in and going, this is my philosophy and use him to kind of...

00:49:47But ultimately, you're going to have to get results because of the situation.

00:49:50They find yourself in with hearts in such good form.

00:49:53But it is, it's a really good question, by the way, because could it be during an international break?

00:49:59I know they'll have players away, but then you can start getting your ideas into half the squad.

00:50:03Could that maybe help them to try and implement it? It buys you an extra week.

00:50:06Yeah. And do you see enough from what Rangers produced in the second half

00:50:09and, obviously, the previous game as well to suggest to you,

00:50:13OK, everybody looks at it and offers their tuppence worth it.

00:50:18Rangers will eventually start to get momentum and reel hearts in too.

00:50:22Well, ultimately, for Rangers' perspective, they have to win games because of the gap.

00:50:27Was it 14 points currently where they have a game in hand?

00:50:30That's far too much. So you have to start reeling them back in and see how they cope.

00:50:34Then you'll have the head-to-head over. They've got another three of them.

00:50:37So there's plenty of games for Rangers to reel them back, but there's...

00:50:40You have to contend with all the other runners and riders as well, and you have to get momentum

00:50:45because I don't think Rangers have had to go... I could be wrong.

00:50:48I don't think they've had three, four, five wins on a trot this year.

00:50:51So that's something they've not been able to do.

00:50:53However, I've seen enough. Was it 80 minutes?

00:50:56Was it 80 minutes yesterday they played with 10 men?

00:50:58Yes.

00:50:59And they were really competitive within that period.

00:51:01So, you know, he's going to have to find a way.

00:51:03I find it fascinating because of the shape that they played there.

00:51:06He's obviously thought, I need to go with three at the back, shore it up a little bit.

00:51:09But I think there was vulnerabilities in that first half yesterday that other teams will look at

00:51:13and say, right, okay, if we can pin Rangers back, we can get possession of the ball.

00:51:17And then when they actually press with their wing backs, we can get in behind with their centre half.

00:51:21So I think there'll be stuff that opposition teams will be looking at yesterday

00:51:24and going, we can get joy against this Rangers.

00:51:26Do you think the final third's a wee bit of an issue for Rangers in terms of goals?

00:51:29Yeah, absolutely.

00:51:30Do you see somebody scoring 15-20 for Rangers?

00:51:32Yeah, I actually think if Danilo could get a real crack at it, I think Danilo has spoken.

00:51:36He's spoken at that.

00:51:37Actually, he's finishing.

00:51:38But again, for me, he has to play in a two

00:51:41because I don't think he has the physical presence to link the play.

00:51:44So I think he needs to play with two.

00:51:46Was it just tactical?

00:51:47He came off at half-time?

00:51:48Yeah, he took it as tactical, yeah.

00:51:50But see that point you're making though, you know, with regards to teams looking at Rangers,

00:51:56that weakness has been there for a long time.

00:51:59But they haven't really played a back three, Peter.

00:52:01That's what I'm saying.

00:52:02No, but he's looking to get to January.

00:52:04Yeah, and then...

00:52:05If he's worth his salt, he'll be saying, right, I'll tell you what I need.

00:52:08I need two of my own maybe people that I know before to come in and shore the back up,

00:52:13and then we can replace people that shouldn't be in that back line,

00:52:16and then maybe get a striker.

00:52:18Yeah, but again, it could also be another midfielder.

00:52:20I know they've brought Rothwell and that in, but he hasn't really kind of hit the ground running.

00:52:24Because it may well be a case that you need a good number six.

00:52:27Because Raskin, for me, you look at Nico Raskin, I think he's, what, been in the last 18 months?

00:52:33So he has to sign an extension or you have to cash in.

00:52:36And you don't really want him going to his last year because the value will diminish a little bit.

00:52:40So for me, that's an issue for Rangers going forward as well, the Raskin situation.

00:52:44So it could be a case that you either cash in or you get him to double down and sign a longer contract.

00:52:49And Ruffey, do you think Hearts second or do you think Rangers will rule them in?

00:52:53I think at this moment, you've got to say Hearts second.

00:52:56Have they not got over the line, Hearts?

00:52:58No, I don't think so, no. No, I don't think so.

00:53:01No? Too much for them?

00:53:02Well, listen, it would...

00:53:04Christmas period's huge, I think.

00:53:05Yeah.

00:53:06See, the counter-argument to that time is that, see the way that Hearts are playing currently.

00:53:12Hearts could be further away.

00:53:14They just need to beat all the rest.

00:53:15Because, you know, Celtic's current form, I know they've beat Falkirk

00:53:18and I know they beat Rangers yesterday in injury time.

00:53:21But the form recently hasn't been great.

00:53:23So teams will be looking and thinking we can maybe nick points off of, you know,

00:53:26obviously lost to Dundee, lost to Hearts.

00:53:28So it could even be more.

00:53:30And Hearts will be playing on a Saturday.

00:53:32Yeah.

00:53:33Which I think is crucial as well.

00:53:34Celtic Rangers are playing every Sunday.

00:53:35And then you also have the European situation could be a factor.

00:53:38So what I'm saying is this could actually be more than nine points.

00:53:40Yeah.

00:53:41This is why I was telling you, this is why I was asking Alec and yourself about,

00:53:44yes, there are key games that they've played before, but it's the appointment of a new manager.

00:53:48Do you see?

00:53:49Yeah.

00:53:50All these things could be thrown into the mix and might play into their hands.

00:53:53Can Hearts win the league?

00:53:55And of course, don't forget if you are.

00:53:57Can you imagine?

00:53:58Oh.

00:53:59These two.

00:54:00Oh my God.

00:54:01The Full Hearts kit is up.

00:54:03Oh.

00:54:04You know it's going to be.

00:54:05Going for a night out in Edinburgh straight after it as well.

00:54:07It's going to be.

00:54:08Yeah, absolutely.

00:54:09We're straight out there to Cinderella's.

00:54:12It's an old nightclub.

00:54:14Cavendish.

00:54:15Only Ruffie, yeah.

00:54:16Well, for Ruffie, more the Cavendish.

00:54:18You know.

00:54:19But.

00:54:20Yeah.

00:54:21Grab a granny.

00:54:22Yeah.

00:54:23That was the Savoy.

00:54:25That's what I like.

00:54:26Oh.

00:54:27Anyway, a couple of weeks.

00:54:30Let's party.

00:54:31I'm a Sav.

00:54:32Let's not get enough in the lift.

00:54:33But, nevertheless, 4-0.

00:54:36Dundee, Steven Presley, not happy.

00:54:40When you come to play the top of the table team, the one thing you can't do is lose two

00:54:46goals from set plays.

00:54:48And that's really disappointing because we really pride ourselves on that organisation.

00:54:54So, that made it a real uphill task for us.

00:54:58And in the end, you know, we found ourselves in the end of a 4-0 defeat and against a very

00:55:06good Hearts side.

00:55:07Yeah, it's going to be a long battle.

00:55:09I was speaking to a Dundee fan yesterday and, you know, I don't know what Dundee fans

00:55:13are expecting.

00:55:14The pressure of Dundee United being, you know, four points away from them, up further up

00:55:18the table.

00:55:19I just think, you know, he's got to be given this season to try and do something.

00:55:23Yeah, I think he has.

00:55:24But the unfortunate thing for us, the other two teams that we keep talking for are really

00:55:27fighting.

00:55:28Falkirk.

00:55:29Falkirk won't be in the bottom three.

00:55:30They're really fighting in there.

00:55:31Livingston's putting in a shift.

00:55:32Livingston's putting in a shift.

00:55:33They're scrapping away.

00:55:34Dundee, Livingston and Falkirk.

00:55:36Dundee are not scrapping away.

00:55:37Switch Falkirk and put Kamarnik in there.

00:55:39Yeah.

00:55:40That's a shift.

00:55:41I don't think Falkirk will be in the bottom three.

00:55:42I think they're too good at home.

00:55:43They're still going to be able to pick now because Kilmarnik a couple of weeks ago looked

00:55:46okay.

00:55:47Then all of a sudden Falkirk dismantled them at the weekend, Ruffy.

00:55:51Poor, poor, poor goals.

00:55:52Poor first half.

00:55:53You have to give credit to Falkirk.

00:55:55I thought they were very impressive.

00:55:56I think they, again, you know, have got a team of not individuals.

00:56:00They're all working together.

00:56:01They're on the final third.

00:56:03Big Brian's coming on and gets a head on and everything seems to be going well for

00:56:08them at home.

00:56:09It's a tremendous atmosphere at Falkirk.

00:56:11I don't know what the crowd is, 6,000, 7,000, but it's great.

00:56:14The binary are.

00:56:15It must be great to be on the park when you're winning with that crowd behind you.

00:56:18Yeah, absolutely.

00:56:19It was a good win for Falkirk.

00:56:21And then, of course, the Hibbies.

00:56:24What do you make of it?

00:56:25Threw it away?

00:56:26Yeah, I watched the game, Peter.

00:56:27I thought they were really, really poor the first half.

00:56:30The score after, what, 20 seconds?

00:56:32McGrath, great goal.

00:56:34And then I thought Livingston were by far the better side.

00:56:37And I think one of each probably flattered Hibs at half-time.

00:56:40I thought Livingston could have been in front.

00:56:41And then Martin Boyle gets a goal.

00:56:43And then I always felt Hibs needed the third goal.

00:56:46Listen, we'll talk about the Bowie offside.

00:56:48I know Hibs have asked for another angle and have not received it yet.

00:56:51Will they receive it?

00:56:52No, I don't think there is another angle from that camera.

00:56:55I think you've just got to trust.

00:56:57But I looked at the still and I thought he was onside.

00:57:00And I thought the line drawn was squint.

00:57:02Maybe it's my eyes going squint.

00:57:04Again, it's probably a Fisher-Price mouse I'm using.

00:57:07But I think that's incredibly, incredibly tight.

00:57:11And that's a crucial time in the game.

00:57:13But if you're asking me, did Hibs deserve to win?

00:57:15No.

00:57:16I thought the draw was a fair result.

00:57:17I thought Livingston played well.

00:57:18Deserved a point.

00:57:19Deserved a point.

00:57:20I'm looking now and you look at the table.

00:57:21Look at the table in the Scottish Premiership.

00:57:23And all I can say to you is quite simply,

00:57:26Hibs are third and you're saying that some fans are a wee bit miffed with them.

00:57:29Yeah, because I think they should be better.

00:57:31The level of investment in Hibs.

00:57:32I think they've spent one million, one and a half million in the summer,

00:57:36you know, on players.

00:57:37And they've won three games out of eleven.

00:57:39And okay, they're sitting in third at the minute.

00:57:42But I think they should be further up the table.

00:57:44And I think, you know, if Hibs are not in the top four this season,

00:57:48I think it's a very disappointing season.

00:57:50Okay.

00:57:51Interesting times.

00:57:52Ended up 2-2.

00:57:53Good point for Livy.

00:57:54Really tight in the Scottish Premiership.

00:57:56This week, the football.

00:57:57We'll keep our eye on it as well.

00:57:58It'll be a European show with Cara Henderson.

00:58:00Michelin against Celtic.

00:58:01Rangers, Roma and AEK Larnaca against Aberdeen.

00:58:05Some tasty games.

00:58:06Ibrox for Rangers, Roma will be brilliant.

00:58:08Yeah, absolutely.

00:58:09I think they're one point behind Napoli.

00:58:11I think.

00:58:12So, yeah, I think that'll be a really difficult tie for them.

00:58:15But they really need to try and get this campaign up and running.

00:58:18It's been a poor effort to date.

00:58:20But they stone bought them, aren't they?

00:58:22Stone bought them at the table.

00:58:23So, you know, they'll be looking for some sort of points

00:58:25to try and get it up and running because otherwise

00:58:27it's just going to peter out and be a damp squib.

00:58:29Yeah.

00:58:30I think all Scottish clubs' performances in Europe

00:58:32have been absolutely abysmal.

00:58:34We are going to be toiling, Ruffy,

00:58:36as we go down further into that coefficient table

00:58:39we're going to be playing two and three qualifiers.

00:58:41Yeah.

00:58:42And I think Aberdeen are doing Bolton as well in the conference,

00:58:44you know, and obviously the other teams are picking up

00:58:46the coefficient points.

00:58:48So, yeah, we're in trouble.

00:58:50Scotland.

00:58:51Two big matches.

00:58:52Can't wait for them.

00:58:53Greece away.

00:58:54Denmark at home.

00:58:55There's a little bit of optimism

00:58:56because he's got us in the battle, Ruffy,

00:58:58but you're just about to put a damp squib over the whole thing.

00:59:00He's named the squad.

00:59:01Shanklin's in it.

00:59:02Are you happy?

00:59:03I'm happy Shanklin's in it, yeah.

00:59:05Obviously he's a better player than what he was last year.

00:59:07I just feel that we know what's going to happen.

00:59:09That's one of these two games we're going to fall flat on my face.

00:59:12I personally think we're going to end up in the playoffs

00:59:15and I think we're going to lose out

00:59:17because we weren't good enough against the,

00:59:19I was going to say Diddy team there,

00:59:21but it seemed that we never scored enough goals against them,

00:59:26whereas everybody else had and we didn't.

00:59:28Yeah.

00:59:29Okay.

00:59:30So quite simply we've got Greece away on November 15th

00:59:33and then November 18th,

00:59:34three days later at Hampden Park.

00:59:36It's Denmark.

00:59:37We must get something out of the first game

00:59:39to make that second game a cup final, Peter.

00:59:41I'm so glad you said that.

00:59:42Here's the Scotland manager, Steve Clarke.

00:59:44We would have been delighted to be in this position

00:59:47coming into the last two games of the,

00:59:49the qualifying campaign having already eliminated

00:59:53one of the major threats in the Greeks.

00:59:56So they can't be involved in the playoffs.

00:59:59They can't be involved in the shakeup for first place.

01:00:04Do you think so?

01:00:05That doesn't mean to say it's not going to be a difficult game in Greece

01:00:07because I'm sure they'll be fired up to prove

01:00:09that they're better than Scotland.

01:00:11But we're in a good position.

01:00:13What we have to do is make sure that we get the result we need in Greece

01:00:17to make the Denmark game here a cup final.

01:00:20It would be fantastic, isn't it?

01:00:23Yeah, without doubt.

01:00:24It would be fascinating to see how Greece actually approach that

01:00:26because clearly they can't do anything within the group.

01:00:29It could be a case if the manager goes,

01:00:31you know what?

01:00:32We're going to get rid of some of the older guys.

01:00:34Maybe give us some of the younger boys,

01:00:35which may well help us a little bit.

01:00:37But I'm under no illusions.

01:00:39It's going to be difficult over there.

01:00:40I thought Greece were actually quite impressive at Scotland

01:00:44without getting that actual result.

01:00:45Okay, so are we doing it?

01:00:49I'm very hopeful.

01:00:51Yeah, I'm hopeful that we can get the result over there

01:00:53and then obviously bringing it back to you.

01:00:55I think a harder game is Greece away than Denmark at home.

01:00:57Honestly, I just think Denmark at home,

01:00:59if you need to win it, looks after itself full-handed.

01:01:02I think Greece away is the one for me where you're thinking

01:01:05they just need to get something out of that game of point

01:01:08and then you get into that needing to beat Denmark to top the group.

01:01:11Yeah.

01:01:12Okay.

01:01:13Over the next few weeks we are going to be

01:01:16not only talking domestic and international football,

01:01:18we'll be giving you lots of offers,

01:01:20some really great incentives to subscribe to PLZ Premium

01:01:24as well as the one that we have going at the moment.

01:01:26It's a chance for you to be in the draw

01:01:28to get yourself off to the Puskas Arena in Budapest

01:01:32for the Champions League final in 2026.

01:01:35We've got two tickets, flights and accommodation

01:01:37for you and your pal.

01:01:39It is a trip to remember.

01:01:40All you have to do is be signed up to Premium

01:01:43for the season and you're in the hat for that one.

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01:01:57but we've got competitions and quizzes coming up, Ruffy.

01:02:00It is all happening.

01:02:01It certainly is.

01:02:02And obviously that big prize at the end of the season,

01:02:04I think we'd all want to win that, wouldn't we?

01:02:06Absolutely.

01:02:07One thing at a time, Ruffy.

01:02:08Let's concentrate on the Christmas party.

01:02:11Anyway, thank you to Alan Ruff,

01:02:13who's been in vintage forum.

01:02:16When a rule doesn't suit his agenda,

01:02:18he then throws you off to another example elsewhere.

01:02:22Is that fair, Alec?

01:02:23Yeah, absolutely.

01:02:24No consistency with this guy at all.

01:02:25I thought he was going to dig out Maradona in 86

01:02:28with the handball rule.

01:02:29Yeah, absolutely.

01:02:30And by the way...

01:02:31I'll give that, I'll give that.

01:02:32Alec just leathered him with the theme of the show,

01:02:34which is consistency and inconsistency.

01:02:37One thing you'll consistently get though,

01:02:39is an opinion.

01:02:40Some you like, some you don't.

01:02:41But we do value you watching the programme.

01:02:43If you can, please subscribe to PLZ Soccer.

01:02:46Interestingly enough,

01:02:47tomorrow on PLZ Soccer's YouTube channel,

01:02:49we've released the interview that I conducted last week

01:02:53with the respected sports journalist,

01:02:55Roddy Forsyth.

01:02:56It is an interesting trip through Roddy's career as a journalist,

01:03:00and he is very emotional and very honest about how he's dealing

01:03:05with Parkinson's disease.

01:03:06It is well worthy of you casting your eye and your ear over it.

01:03:10You'll be able to download it in the podcast and watch it as well.

01:03:14Don't forget Women's Football Show.

01:03:16We've got the journals as well for you to enjoy.

01:03:18Lots more straight talks.

01:03:20There's lots of things happening in PLZ Soccer.

01:03:22From Ruffy, Tam, Alec Ray and myself, Peter Martin.

01:03:25Thank you for listening and watching.

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