- 2 days ago
Brian Rice talks Rangers, Celtic, gambling addiction, Hearts can win this league and four-four-two!
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00Welcome to the football show on PLZ Soccer's YouTube channel. I'm Peter Martin, Alan Ruff,
00:11Tam McManus, and I'm delighted to see Brian Rice is with us, the Livingston coach, and
00:16of course, basically someone that you always can count on. When you see that comfort zone
00:21Ruffie of someone that you can count on that's going to be at a match, I just look over and
00:24I think everything's alright, Chipper's in the stand, we're okay.
00:27Yeah, you're right, you know, and first thing you say down the park, as soon as he lifted
00:32his head up, you would go, okay, here's another 40 yarder coming.
00:37Yeah, absolutely. So over and above that, we've got lots to talk about with Brian in the studio,
00:44but of course, the overriding thought process at the moment is yet another dismal night in
00:50Europe for Scottish clubs, not so much for Aberdeen, I think we've got to give them credit
00:55for a good away point, but for Celtic and Rangers, dismal.
01:00Yeah, I think in terms of Celtic, first half performance was really, really poor defensively.
01:05I think they got picked apart. I think Midgerland kind of took it easy on them second half.
01:10I think they took two or three best players off after an hour. The game was done.
01:13Celtic got the goal towards the end and made it a little bit more respectable, but in terms
01:17of Celtic, really, really poor performance. Rangers, I think nobody expected them to beat
01:20Roma. I thought Rangers were okay last night. I thought they battled away. Roma were a different
01:24class from them, but yeah, it's now been a great couple of weeks for Scottish clubs in
01:28Europe.
01:29Yeah, let's start with Michelin because, quite simply, Ruffy, I don't think anybody, is it
01:34fair to say nobody really expected Celtic to beat them because they are on a good run
01:39in European football?
01:40Yeah, they're not a big name in European football, but they're certainly sitting top of that group,
01:44you know, which says something with the results that they've had. And then I was listening
01:48to the commentator going through their team, you know, where their players were from, a
01:52couple off of Brazil, a couple off of Colombia. So they've really tapped into a market that's
01:57doing particularly well for them. I just think, we've spoken about it on numerous occasions,
02:02Celtic have just went backwards in Europe. The players they've brought in just aren't of
02:06the quality that they used to have in Europe. And you can see that last night defensively,
02:10you know, not a lot of experience there. And they just struggled all night.
02:15Yeah. Brian, Martin and Neil got that kick out of the players that he was looking for
02:20for a couple of games. Obviously, football, you know the nature of it, two wins and everybody's
02:25clamouring for you to get a job. He was far more realistic, especially in today's press
02:30conference at Celtic, where basically he was well aware that there's a difference between
02:36what they're doing domestically and what you need to do in Europe.
02:41Definitely. I think new manager coming inbounds, Falkirk at home, Rangers in the semi-final,
02:47big games for them, real big games. And got the fans on side, got a couple of good victories
02:52and everybody's bouncing again a little bit. But last night was back to reality. You know,
02:58I think Ruff is spoke about it there. When you play in Europe, you've got to defend.
03:02You've got to defend properly away from home. A lot of inexperience last night, I thought
03:06Celtic showed. Michelin are a good team. I saw them against Hibs. I was at the game
03:10at Easter Road when they played here early in the season. And they were a good team.
03:15And I think last night, like Tam alluded to, first half especially, you know, they went
03:19for the juggler to try to get the game won. And they could have scored more. And second
03:24half, again, tapered out a little bit. But Martin's been in the game long enough. You know,
03:28he's been around the block a lot of times. And he knows there's not a quick fix. It's
03:34not going to be a quick fix at Celtic. And it's just been a matter of time now before
03:38I think they appoint someone.
03:39Yeah. And over and above that, Tam, as Brian mentioned there, when you're talking about
03:44the problems that both Celtic and Rangers have faced this season, in the back line,
03:51the first two goals all came from Celtic's right flank. And it came from, you know, Martin
03:57O'Neill's side, when you look back over the 20 years ago, it was all about stop the cross.
04:02My God, they were able to nip in between Ralston and Arnott Engels for the second goal. And
04:08it was similar in the first goal down that right-hand side. And the challenge wasn't
04:12there. The cross was in easy enough for the floated ball to the back for the header.
04:17Yeah, it was. And Martin O'Neill's probably looking at that squad and thinking, if this was
04:21my team, they'd be all over six feet. I mean, we all know Martin O'Neill's team in the
04:25early 2000s. I was fortunate to play against them. They were the biggest team I've ever
04:27played against. They were massive. They played 3-5-2, three big massive centre-halves. And
04:31you're right, they defended it. It was hard to get a cross in against Celtic, never mind
04:34getting a goal against them. You know, the two wing-backs really stopped the crosses coming
04:37in at source. And, yeah, I think in terms of Celtic, I think the drop-off from Celtic,
04:42I mean, February this year, they're a minute away from beating Bayern Munich, you know, in the
04:47Ireland's arena and getting to the next stage of the Champions League. And the drop-off from
04:51that to this season, you know, is incredible. You wouldn't think it was the same club, Peter.
04:55You know, and I think defensively they've been poor, but I think the forward areas, I mean,
04:59you look at the players that Celtic have lost, I just don't think they've replaced them with
05:02the same quality and that's why they're struggling this season as well.
05:04Yeah, and as ever, as you mentioned there, sometimes the difference when you're playing,
05:09no disrespect to the likes of Falkirk, and even, you know, at times, you could tell in
05:12the Rangers game that a new Celtic were up for it because they were pressing, they were
05:16first to do it. They were, they just had that little bit that you thought Martin's got into
05:21a few people's heads and filled them with confidence. But when you've got a Michelin
05:25side that are technically good and have been together and have got some really good results
05:31and good scalps along the way and they've got a good pedigree in Europe, then suddenly,
05:35you know, they're up against it. And Celtic's problems, you know, as well as the defence up
05:40front, you know, they've suffered the loss of Osmond. He got a penalty, but then he's picked
05:45up an injury. Ian Acho was a few weeks away from even seeing the first team domestically.
05:49Yeah, it's very difficult when you've not got strikers. I remember somebody, I can't
05:53remember who it was, says, you're only as good as your strikers. You know, in Tom's case,
05:57right enough.
05:58I think I was Tony Robby who said that in you before I spoke to him.
06:00You're only as good as your strikers, Peter. You know, it's something you're struggling
06:03in that department at the minute. For me, defending starts at the front. You know, when you'd
06:09rushed in the Gleish at Liverpool many years ago, people would say, who's your best
06:12defenders? Rush and the Gleish. They started the press and everybody else could move with
06:16that. Celtic aren't at that level now, right now, you know, and defensively look really
06:22naive. I see it all the time now. Full-backs get out to wingers and think they've done their
06:27job. Their job's to stop the cross. To put a tackle in. They think getting out of there
06:31and showing them doing the line is enough. And when the ball comes in the box, the centre-halves
06:35have got to go and head that ball. You know, they've got to put their body on the line.
06:38They've got to be big. They've got to be strong. And the goals were far too easy last night.
06:42And all the players will be disappointed with that. You know, I think Engels for the
06:47second goal was really poor. Bralson needed a hand and he's let them come inside and he's
06:51let them go through the two of them. I think Engels' position, he's a good player. He's
06:54a good offensive player. But I think just defensively last night, you know, Celtic were really,
06:59really struggling.
06:59Yeah. And with that in mind, you know, and I don't want to hark back because so many fans
07:05will be thinking, oh yeah, talking about the older generation. When Martin was at his peak,
07:08he had. Effectively, Thompson was a midfielder, but he played that left side in a 3-5-2. But
07:15his role, like Agat on the other side, was quite simply, if you allow that cross to come
07:21in, then it's Valharan, it's Mialbi, it's Bobo Baldi. It's a powerhouse who's got a chance
07:30to clear the danger. That's not the case. I mean, the third goal was embarrassing.
07:35Yeah. Listen, I just think Celtic were really, really poor defensively, Peter. And no matter
07:39how good you are, and Martin Neal spoke about it after the game, you lose the first goal,
07:44you dig in, you don't lose the second goal. You dig in away from home, you keep it 1-0 at
07:47half-time, you regroup. As soon as Celtic lost the second goal, you're thinking they're up
07:50against it. Then the third goal came quickly, game over. So I think Celtic never stayed in
07:54the game long enough to try and get that into half-time, you regroup and maybe change the
07:57system, change the personnel. But yeah, I think all three goals are avoidable in terms of Celtic.
08:04And the one that he cuts inside, similar to the one against Hearts. I don't know, because
08:07the readers cut inside and they showed him into his stronger foot. Ralson, you're talking
08:11about, he's got to show him. If he shows him inside, he's got to show him into bodies. And
08:13that's where Chipper's talking about angles, he's got to do better. But if he's right-sided,
08:17you're playing against a left-sided player and he's right-sided, you've tried to show him the
08:20line. In that area, you don't want him cutting in 20 yards for a goal and he can bend in the top
08:24corner. So yeah, I thought it was naive from an experienced player, Ralson. But yeah, I just
08:29think Martin Neal will know that there's a lot of work to be done at Celtic.
08:32Yeah, and of course, they'll obviously be looking for a manager, whether that manager's in place
08:36when suddenly the international break comes about. And then they've got to try and engineer
08:43a manager that can get the best out of the squad, maybe change the way they're playing,
08:47who knows, maybe in the January transfer window, give them a budget to change a couple of players
08:52here and there. In that group, it's quite disappointing when you look at Celtic and Rangers because
08:58roughly they're now 27th in the league table, Celtic, but they've got Feyenoord, Roma, Bologna
09:03and Utrecht coming up in that group.
09:06Got to win three of them.
09:07Well, not only that, but got to win three of them. And when you consider that the coefficient,
09:15I was looking at the coefficient overall for us and we've dropped down to 18th. Now, we're
09:21going to be playing Scottish clubs. I'm talking about all the Scottish clubs. We are going to
09:25be playing quite a number of qualifiers even to get to group stages.
09:30Yeah, I think everybody knows how important that coefficient is, you know, that you don't
09:35want to be playing all the games. You know, that's a starter. But from another view as
09:40well, when they're not doing particularly well, the rest of Scottish football aren't
09:44they doing well because they're not getting that big UEFA handout. You know, it's amazing
09:48how many Scottish clubs rely on the big two to do very well and get the coefficient because
09:54when that UEFA handout comes in, you could be talking about 100 grand, you know, these
09:59smaller clubs. They get the bonus of that. So, it affects them as well, not only as well
10:05as the coefficient. So, we've got to get them winning games.
10:08Yeah. And when you were playing at your peak, Ryan, you would, I mean, we were joking about
10:14the fact, and Ruffy's mentioning you, you're prone to a 40-yard diagonal. But nevertheless,
10:19any midfielder worth his salt, when he lifts his head, he needs a willing player who's going
10:25to show for you or a willing player who's going to run in behind. Who did you play with up front
10:30that you enjoyed the most, by the way?
10:32Gary Birtles. Yeah. Gary Birtles. Gary Birtles. As soon as you got the ball and you lifted
10:38your head, he'd come and show for you. Or he'd come and he'd spin in the channel and
10:42he allowed you to play that ball in there. You know, so you didn't have to be too precise
10:45when they're running the channel. But he was fantastic to play with. You could play it into
10:49him. He could hud it up all day, bring the midfielders into the game. That gets him closer
10:54to the attackers, which pushes the defenders back. And it's quite simple. It's just up, back and
10:59through. It's a thing we don't really say that much of you now, Ruffey. You know, we
11:03were all taught that as kids. Get it here, get it into the striker, lay it back, next
11:08one through for runners. And once the forwards are running, everybody else is running. If
11:12they're no running forward, it means a midfield player can't run forward. So it's very important
11:17that you've got a mixture. You know, that's why I like two strikers. You know, one coming
11:21short, one going long. So if it is up and back, the next one's through for the next striker.
11:25Or the wide player coming inside, making their runs.
11:29Now, I was joking the fact that, you know, we would go to games and Tam will go and Ruffey
11:33and we'll see you there. Because you're obviously looking ahead if Livingston are playing a potential
11:39club or you're getting an insight into a manager, the way he sets his side up. Have you seen
11:45a drastic change? And have you seen that change that you wonder why? You know, the game is
11:51simple, sometimes complicated by players, as many a manager would tell you. But have
11:55you seen changes that you think, I don't know why they're doing that. I don't know why they're
11:59embracing that. I mean, the one that is our bugbear at times is, you know, teams that decide
12:03that they want to play out from the back and then allow the opposition to press right up
12:08on them. And you get goals. I mean, all you'll have to look at what, I think the biggest one
12:12is Ange Postacoglu. And now Motherwell. Motherwell will do it. And they're a joy to watch if
12:17they can get out, but not when they don't. Yeah, no, I have seen a change. I can understand
12:23why they try to do it, to entice the opposition on. But I just think when you do entice them
12:26on, then the next ball's got to miss them out. You know, and play long up to the striker
12:31and then get support from there. It's very difficult. If you do it and you're winning,
12:37it's correct. If you do it and you lose goals, like Motherwell did at Celtic Park, then what
12:41are you doing if you've learned your lessons? Yeah. But the biggest thing for me is that,
12:45for me, football's about scoring more than the opposition. Yeah. You know, and any team
12:49that I've managed or had a sale over a team selection, I've always tried to go with two
12:55strikers. I've always tried to think, well, put the ball in there, get the ball in the
12:59opposition's half, get crosses in, get link up, play with two strikers. I think it's easier
13:04to score with two strikers than that as we won. Yeah. It's just my thoughts. Why do you
13:08think there's been that change away from that? Is it because... Television. Television.
13:13Television. I think television's to blame for loads of, loads of tactical stuff now. We
13:17see all this European stuff. You can turn on your tele 24 hours a day and watch games for
13:21any place in the world. And it's all... You've been up at Tamses?
13:25I think it was the Pep Guardiola a wee bit as well with the 4-3-3 and Barcelona and false
13:39nines and all that stuff. That's great if you've got the players that can do that, Tam. They're
13:43doing it with the best players in the world. I'm seeing teams try to do it with people that
13:47aren't comfortable. I heard Dean Saunders, a great bit on the radio six weeks ago, and
13:52they're talking about playing it for the back pair and they're saying, why is a goalkeeper
13:56a goalkeeper? Because he was the worst player. Who's the next two worst players normally on
14:00the ball? Your two centre-halves. Then who? Probably your two full-backs. So all of a
14:05sudden now we put the five players into our own penalty box and say, right, go and try and
14:09beat the opposition. It's just ridiculous unless you've got the best players. And if you've got
14:13the best players, you can play whatever way you want. Because they'll decide the right
14:18decisions. You know, too often I see teams are coached and it's, I need to do this and
14:24I need to do that. Whereas for me, when you're on the pitch, you're the decision-maker. Can
14:29I play it back to the goalkeeper? Can I play it to the centre-halves? Do I need to miss them
14:32out? Do I need to go on? It's about decision-making.
14:35It's funny you're saying that because that was obviously from, you know, Martinino that
14:39we're talking about there, we're about to go into Rangers and again centre-halves and pro-backs
14:42are a real problem there, is the fact that Brian Clough would say, listen, you two, I
14:49didn't send you to play football. And Martin O'Neill used to say to the three centre-halves,
14:53listen, you head the ball away from the danger area. And again, the reason why we brought
14:59Chipper on is because he just leathered you. The worst player is the goalie.
15:03I can't even argue with that. I can't even argue with that. I mean...
15:08Yeah, I know.
15:12You're right now at school, you know the teams get picked and the wee fat guy or the hopeless
15:16player get three or nine goals. That's the way it is.
15:20Thank God I was thin when I was younger. But nevertheless, Rangers have a problem.
15:25Lost 2-0. The bottom of the whole Europa League table, 36th. I don't think anybody in their
15:33right mind, Ruffy, thought Rangers are going to put up a performance against Roma, regardless
15:38of the positives that, you know, you look at the game against Celtic, there were some positives
15:43out of it. They still lost the game. That's the ultimate. But this guy, Danny Roll, has
15:50said, I'm well aware. I knew exactly what the problems were. So it wasn't a case of coming
15:56into a job and it surprised me. So nobody expected them to take anything off Roma.
16:01But he's got to buy, he's got to get the supporters to buy into that as well. They weren't
16:05buying into it with the previous manager. They're listening to this guy now. He's getting
16:09into the crowd. He's getting them on board, you know. And I think Rangers are just at a
16:14moment in time where they're looking for a spark. And you go into their games, they need
16:18to score first. They need to score first to get the whole crowd behind them. And that
16:23didn't happen. They had a couple of chances last night for it to happen. But for me, they're
16:27just sort of emoting on and they're looking for somebody to dig them out a hole and lift
16:32them. And it just never happened last night.
16:34Soley and Pellegrini got the goals. The second one, he just was a beautiful side
16:40foot. But the first one, again, highlights exactly what the problems have been for Rangers.
16:45Yeah, I think defensively, Peter, Rangers have not been good enough all season. I think
16:50they're going to have to get into the transfer market in January and buy two, possibly three
16:54centre-halves. I think that's a real weakness for Rangers for me. He's went with three at the
16:58back. He's changed it with Russell Martin, you know, favoured a four at the back. But down
17:02the sides, I think you can get at Rangers. I think, you know, Chitler's obviously involved
17:05at Livingston. I think if you look at that Rangers team, whether it's Tavernier or Magoma
17:09or Max Ahrens, I think you can get down the side of Rangers. And I think that's what Romer
17:14done last night as well. I don't think it was a bad Rangers performance. I didn't expect
17:17Rangers to get anything out of the game. Romer are a top team. You've seen some of the players
17:21coming off the bench, you know, 25, 30 million pound players. They're a class above Rangers.
17:26But I think Danny Roll is just desperately trying to get to January. I think he's been
17:30left, he's not been dealt, he left a great hand at Rangers in terms of the players that
17:34they've signed and they're lacking in confidence. So I think he's just got to get to try and
17:39put some sort of run together domestically, try and keep the Rangers fans engaged, keep
17:43them on side, get to January, strengthen the team. I'm sure there will be more money
17:47available. But I think Rangers and Celtic will just write off the Europa League now. I think
17:52that more importantly is doing well domestically and trying to catch hearts.
17:56Yeah, and the other aspect of it that I think, you look at how far, and I think they mentioned
18:03it last night, two elements of it that Ali McCoy's mentioned. One of them was that they
18:08looked as if they were tiny against physically taller, better specimens, technically better
18:13than them as well. But over and above that, it's seven defeats in a row and they've got
18:19to be the only team that's been in a European final and most of the signings since then
18:24have made them worse.
18:26Yeah. You know, I've heard a lot of Rangers fans say that, we've spent £20
18:31odd million and we're worse now. And it's going to take time. I thought last night
18:35there was signs. I thought last night they played forward a lot more than they have
18:39done under Russell Martin. And I'm not decrying Russell Martin by any means. Everybody's
18:43got their own style. But I thought they had forward runners last night.
18:46Mikey Moore. When he stuck on the wing as he was with Russell Martin, he looked ineffective.
18:53But I was at Easter Road last week and he was playing sort of like in the pocket and
18:57last night picking it up and actually getting it players. You know, it was very, very difficult
19:02for Rangers last night. Rangers are a team playing with very little confidence at the
19:05minute because of the way the results have been this season and whatever else is happening
19:10at Ibrox. And they're playing against a fantastic team last night. Disappointing to lose.
19:15You're always disappointed to lose but I think they can walk away last night seeing a little
19:19bit of improvement. And the fans were behind them last night. You know, they were behind
19:24them. I think they appreciated the effort the boys were putting in. And the big lad up
19:27front, I feel for him. I think he just needs a goal or two.
19:30He does. I think he's a good attribute. I like it.
19:32I think he just needs a goal or two. He's got some good attributes.
19:34You know, he got to sell into some good areas. And he's wanted to run and take players on.
19:38Yeah, you're talking of course about Germiti.
19:39Yes.
19:40Big chance he had though.
19:41Yeah, it was a chance. He's done the right thing. He's come across a goalkeeper and it's
19:45by the far post. But it's how he got in there. His willingness to get in there. His willingness
19:48to take people on. You know, he's still young. And I know people say he's £9 million,
19:53whatever, whatever. You know, but I just think he's playing in a team that's not got a lot of
19:58confidence at a minute. And one or two victories, I'm sure Ranger will improve. I can see improvements
20:03right now.
20:04Yeah. Do you think Germiti is suffering from, obviously overall as a team, their confidence
20:10is low, they've had poor results. Do you think he's suffering also from the fact that the whole
20:17aspect of football now and how people are demanding you hit the ground running right away?
20:22You know, nobody's got any time anymore. You either score the goals or you don't.
20:25I mean, even at Rangers, it's slightly different because sometimes the expectation outweighs
20:30reality. My God, you know, Dessert scored 29 goals and they didn't like him.
20:35I think it's very difficult for a striker, you know, when they get into a club, especially
20:40when the club's paid money for them. You know, they're expected to score goals because they've
20:44paid money for them, you know. And I don't think it helps them that the director of football
20:50or technical director was at the club he was at before and the fans have fell out with him.
20:54I don't think that's helping the boy either. He's getting sort of paired alongside him, which I
20:58think is very unfair. But when you go into a club as a striker, you want that first goal as quick
21:04as possible. Then you want your second goal. And like I say, I've seen little signs there that,
21:09you know, once he gets two or three goals, I would expect him to go on a wee run. And again,
21:13I'll go back to it. I think he'd be better with somebody right up close to him.
21:17Last night, Rangers had good possession of the ball at times. They've got it in the left
21:21back area, right back area, and they've only got one man to hit. You know, and it's easy
21:25for me to sit here and say, go two up top. That means you need to lose a player elsewhere
21:29and against good teams. You know, they can overpower you, overrun you. But no, I think they're better
21:35to comfort the big man.
21:36I think the problem is, Peter, with Rangers at the minute, is none of the strikers are
21:39scoring. So I always think if you watch a team and they're not scoring goals, but none
21:44of the strikers are scoring, then for me, that's a service problem. I don't think that they're
21:49creating a lot of chances, Rangers at the minute. Miofsky, I think, is a fantastic striker.
21:52He's hardly scored the goal. Danilo scored against Ibs, but not scored a lot of goals.
21:56Cerniti's struggling to score goals. So I think it's a service. I think that the set-up
22:00that Rangers at the minute, Chipper alludes to there. Maybe go another guy up front, you know,
22:04and go a bit more direct, put crosses in the box for these guys. But I don't think the one up front
22:08works. I don't think Cerniti can play in a one. I'm not sure Miofsky can play in a one
22:12either. And also, it's amazing when a team's struggling, and a team's really, really struggling
22:17for form, how bad a player you can look, because the whole team's struggling.
22:20The thing about it is, the two strikers that you've just mentioned there came to Rangers,
22:24they weren't scoring goals. They weren't prolific. They weren't, he's hit 20 here and he's
22:30hit 20. They've brought in two guys who haven't been...
22:33But if they were hitting 20 goals...
22:35They wouldn't get them.
22:37It's a very good point. It's a double-edged sword, isn't it?
22:39It's a double-edged sword, Peter. It's difficult to find somebody to come to your club that's
22:42doing really well. A big club, you know, to come for what you can pay.
22:47Yeah, another aspect of it, which Brian mentioned there as well, is, Ruffy, that the fans are
22:53wanting Kevin Thelwell out, and they certainly don't like the fact that his son is in there.
22:57It's a little bit of nepotism in their eyes. I cannot comment on the boys' quality and ability
23:03to do deals. But the Rangers fans are certainly combing every aspect of his career at the moment
23:09to see what type of player he's managed to recruit and what CV justifies his dad bringing him over to there.
23:17It's difficult when you're not winning because then fans tend to, Ruffy, look for every problem that they can within a club.
23:23Yeah, and that's one of the things I have to improve on, you know.
23:27And not only they two, but it puts a wee bit of added pressure on the manager because he's got to win games.
23:31You know, and if he starts winning games, he'll forget about they two, the father and son,
23:35and concentrate on the team. When they meet up, oh, my team's playing well, he's playing well.
23:40They don't want to be talking about what's happening behind the scenes.
23:43And that's the case with every club. If you're winning on the part, nobody gives a hoot about what's happening behind the scenes.
23:48Yeah, okay. And with that in mind, not good for Rangers. Seven European defeats in a row.
23:54It's not a great record to brag about. And suddenly I'm looking, I'm thinking to myself,
23:58oh, Aberdeen, you know, it could be a totally miserable night.
24:02But it wasn't, Ruffey, because, okay, they're from Cyprus, not exactly the hotbed of European football.
24:09Yeah, but that's what you're thinking, not exactly the hotbed of European football.
24:12But from their point of view, they were on a good run as well as coming up against Aberdeen.
24:17Okay, the main chances fell to them. They missed a sitter right at the end too, one of the Cypriot players.
24:27But, nil-nil's a good result for Jimmy Tulane.
24:30Oh, I think it is. You know, in the light of what's happened, the 6-0 in the last game, you know,
24:34I think the fans were a wee bit perturbed about that. So he had to go there and put in a performance.
24:39It was a backs to the wall. I only saw the highlights, but they were under pressure.
24:42And then the boy gets the chance at the end, which nobody would be talking about the backs of the wall if he sticks that in.
24:48But I think the Cypriot teams, I think it was Neil Lennon that said that these Cypriot teams are now backed financially.
24:54You know, it used to be just Cypriots that were owned.
24:56I mean, there's a Russian content in there owning all these clubs and they're piling money into Cyprus football.
25:02So you can see the better players that they've got.
25:05Milanovic. Now, you'll have worked with, you mentioned Gary Birtles. Strikers who are worth their salt in the middle of the penalty box.
25:14I always used to think that only Coyle's heart rate dropped to the point where he was so calm that he just stroked the ball into the net.
25:22Milanovic, you've just got to stroke that in and it's a goal and you win the game for Aberdeen.
25:28Yeah, especially at the time of the match. You know, your back's against the wall. You've hung in there.
25:34Especially after, as I've said, getting beat sixth on the last time away from home in Athens.
25:37You know, I think Aberdeen would have took the point.
25:42Yeah.
25:43And I think a clean sheet away from home is fantastic.
25:45But you're talking about one of Coyle there.
25:47You're talking about that boy that would walk off the training pitch and score 15 goals that day and tell you,
25:51four with my right, seven with my left and four headers.
25:55You know, you're just a fantastic finisher.
25:59Yeah.
26:00Him and Peter Davenport, a boy who played with Forest as well, went to Manchester United.
26:04Fantastic finisher.
26:05Never lashed it into the net when they could place it in.
26:09Peter Davenport used to always say to me, I just try and hit the post I aim for the post.
26:13He says, if I'm close to it, it's either just passed or it's just in.
26:16Fantastic finisher.
26:17Great way to look at it.
26:18And for anybody of a generation that wants to look at the really great strikers,
26:24you know, at times, they will look for it.
26:27I mean, the great Jimmy Greaves used to pass the ball into the net.
26:31Ruffy, you'll have known exactly what he was like as a footballer.
26:35He scored on his debut for every club he signed for.
26:38Yeah, absolutely amazing.
26:39I think the downside of his career was he never got picked for England, didn't he,
26:44for one of the World Cups.
26:45The World Cup final.
26:46Yeah, he picked all the way in there.
26:48All the way in there, he missed it.
26:49So, no, he was up there with all the top strikers.
26:52And another one to throw in.
26:53Obviously, we've been talking about the Kenny Douglas film that's out just now.
26:57I watched it before we came in.
26:59Ian Rush did exactly what you are talking about.
27:02He just hit it into the ball.
27:04No pace, nothing.
27:05Just placed it into the corner, inside the post.
27:08Fantastic.
27:09Absolutely.
27:10Okay, fixtures to look forward to over the weekend.
27:12We're going to talk about the SPFL in the Scottish Premiership.
27:16But, just as a footnote to all this, Tam.
27:19Next up for Celtic.
27:20Feyenoord, Roma, Bologna, Utrecht.
27:22Next up for Rangers.
27:23Braga, Ludegarets, Ferenc, Fares and Porto.
27:26And then, next up for Aberdeen.
27:28Noah, Strasbourg and Sparta, Prague.
27:30Noah's not one boy, by the way.
27:31It's a team.
27:32Just in case you thought they were playing for a draw.
27:34No, I think, as Chipper said there, I think it was Aberdeen have had back-to-back clean sheets now.
27:40I think they've been doing 1-0.
27:42And I watched them against Hibs just after the Athens game.
27:45And they could have conceded it in our five or six.
27:47You know, Hibs had real opportunities.
27:49He's definitely tightened up.
27:50He had to.
27:51I think he was coming under a bit of pressure.
27:53I think he's really tightened up.
27:54They've got two clean sheets.
27:55They've got a good point away from home.
27:56And they'll be looking to continue that in the league.
27:58But, I don't see Celtic Rangers getting many points out of their fixtures,
28:01the way they're both playing at the minute.
28:02Yeah, absolutely.
28:03We'll talk about them in the Scottish Premiership.
28:05The fixtures.
28:06Falkirk against Livingston.
28:07St Mirren, Hibs.
28:08Aberdeen, Motherwell.
28:09Dundee, Rangers.
28:10Hearts Dundee United.
28:11And Celtic against Kilmarnock.
28:12And as we look to the domestic front on this,
28:15and looking at what's happening,
28:17you've got to say congratulations to Derek McInnes.
28:19He's the manager of the month for the third consecutive time.
28:23And boy, everything looks rosy in that garden at Tynecastle, doesn't it, Chipper?
28:27It's looking fantastic at the minute.
28:30Undefeated.
28:32Scoring goals.
28:33No conceding.
28:34We're talking about a team playing with confidence.
28:36A team that's going on to the pitch right now, expecting to win.
28:40Even when they go behind.
28:41They were three behind against Muller at home.
28:43Got a 3-3.
28:44I've been at a lot of their games.
28:46And you can feel the excitement from the stand.
28:49Even in the warm up, the place is buzzing.
28:52And they expect goals.
28:53And they've got players.
28:54They've got game changers.
28:55Yeah.
28:56Nobody's really spoke about it.
28:57You know, about the way he's playing.
28:59It's like an old fashioned 4-4 too.
29:01You know?
29:02Yeah.
29:03Is that why he's getting it right?
29:04Is there something significant?
29:05Yeah.
29:06I mean, you watch games.
29:07You study them.
29:08You've worked under some fantastic managers.
29:11So when you're sitting in the stand, and I see you there, and you're watching the game.
29:15And you're obviously going to give David Martindale as much of an insight as you can for your team.
29:21But when you're sitting in the stand, you obviously as a footballer before.
29:25What has he got that you see that they're reaping the rewards?
29:29What's he doing?
29:30I think he's made a significant change.
29:32Moving Harry Milfey left back to wide right.
29:36You know?
29:37He's different on the other side with Kazeridis.
29:40They get the ball to Milne quite a lot.
29:42And he comes inside.
29:43And he can hit a quick switch of play with that left foot of his.
29:4640, 50, 60 yards.
29:48Right to Kazeridis.
29:49Because the ball's travelled so quickly to get to him.
29:52He's got 1v1s.
29:53And if you watch when Hart's got the ball down the right side.
29:56Kazeridis doesn't come in like a normal winger would come in close to the strikers.
30:00He holds his position.
30:01Hoping he can get the ball quickly on a switch to get at you 1v1.
30:05And that's one of his strengths.
30:07Either taking him on the outside or coming inside as we load to early.
30:10And shooting.
30:11You know?
30:12He's got a fantastic strike on him.
30:13Hart's have just found a way to play just now.
30:16You know?
30:17We were talking about the boy Braga.
30:19You know?
30:20Him and Shanklin together.
30:21They're fantastic together.
30:22The wee combinations.
30:23Shanklin just drops into the pockets.
30:25Just drops into the wee pockets.
30:26And Braga, he's got great ability holding the ball up.
30:281v1s.
30:29Everybody's just playing with our confidence.
30:32They're playing with our confidence.
30:33You know?
30:34Losing Penrice I thought would be massive for them.
30:37Because he was fantastic last season.
30:39But, because they've got Kazeridis just staying on the touch line.
30:43And getting the ball at him as much as possible.
30:45You know?
30:46They put the ball on the box.
30:47That's one thing with Derricks teams.
30:48They get there and they put the ball on the box.
30:50They don't dress it up.
30:51They don't take the extra touch.
30:52And see when it goes in the box?
30:54They've got bodies going in there.
30:56And they've got people that want to score.
30:59They'll put their head on things.
31:00And they keep things alive.
31:02And I just think it's fantastic.
31:04It's fantastic to see a team playing with confidence.
31:07Expecting to win.
31:09And let's say three managers.
31:11The month awards.
31:12Fantastic.
31:13Do you think he's changed as a manager from the way he used to set up at Aberdeen?
31:16Do you think he's learned?
31:17Or has he got players that can let him be more expansive?
31:20I think he's got players that can be more expansive.
31:21I think he's got a fantastic team at Aberdeen.
31:23Don't get me wrong.
31:24When he had Niall McGinn, Johnny Hayes, Adam Rooney for example.
31:28They got it wide and they got the balls in the box as quick as possible.
31:31And set plays have always been massive for Derrick.
31:33And Hearts has been the same.
31:35Look at the amount of late goals they've scored.
31:37And a lot of them have been balls into the box.
31:39Three kicks, corners.
31:40Hal Kit Hibbs.
31:41Yeah.
31:42They've done the United away.
31:43Braga Livy.
31:44Was it Braga Livy?
31:45Yeah.
31:463-2.
31:47That was offside.
31:49I think he's got game changers.
31:51Rangers.
31:52Yeah.
31:53Also on the bench.
31:54On the bench.
31:55And I think that's the big difference now.
31:56When I look at Hearts, Celtic and Rangers.
31:59Hearts' squad.
32:00Somebody comes off, somebody comes on.
32:02It does not weaken the team.
32:04Yeah.
32:05That's a key point here.
32:06And with that, Ruffy, and I don't want to get, obviously, Brian into a corner on this,
32:10but we've talked about it ad nauseum.
32:13The performances in Europe are abysmal for Scottish clubs.
32:16Not good enough.
32:17The standard of Scottish football, we think, has dropped.
32:21Although, what we are watching at times is managers trying to play football with what they have at their disposal.
32:27And there are a clutch of clubs that I can never work out.
32:30I wouldn't put a bet on them.
32:31Dundee United, they're one of those clubs.
32:33Because Dundee United, he's, you know, he started well.
32:36I watched them and I thought, they've played really well.
32:38Really good.
32:39Then Kilmarnock dismantled them.
32:40You know, and then you get a situation where they lose to Motherwell in their last time out.
32:44You can't quite, there's two or three clubs, you just can't quite work out.
32:48You know, they can get, they look as if they're getting momentum and then they don't.
32:51And Dundee United are going to Tyne Castle trying to put the buffers on this juggernaut at the moment.
32:57Well, it's all about consistency and it's all about getting into games with confidence.
33:01And if you're winning a game and then losing the game, winning the game, losing the game,
33:05you're going in onto the park.
33:06You don't know what's going to happen as a player.
33:08And the manager will be the same, you know.
33:10So you've got to string, you know, maybe two or three wins together.
33:14But there's none of them doing it.
33:15You know, Hearts are the only exception.
33:17The rest of them are all just all over the place.
33:19So I think if one team can string three or four wins together,
33:23it would be surprising to see where they end up in the league.
33:25Give us your prediction.
33:27Oh, Hearts are on a run, don't they?
33:29Yeah.
33:30No stopping them?
33:31No.
33:322-0?
33:332, I'll go 2.
33:34Comfortable 2-0?
33:35Yeah.
33:36Go ahead, Tom.
33:38Yeah, I just agree with everything that Brian said there.
33:41I just think Hearts are playing a crest of a wave at the minute.
33:43Real confidence.
33:44Goal scorers, I think they're winning a comfortable 2-0 as well.
33:46Yeah.
33:47I want to ask you for a score prediction, but Hearts to win?
33:50I think Hearts against anyone at Tencastle at the moment,
33:52very difficult for the opponents.
33:54Right, okay.
33:55So, suddenly, we're in a situation where we've looked at the league leaders.
33:59By the way, do you think anything, won't it?
34:01Yes.
34:02Yeah, I think Hearts can win the league.
34:05I think they'll strengthen in January.
34:10I really do.
34:11I think Tony Bloom will think, I said Hearts can win the league within so many years.
34:16I think he'll look at it right now and say, this is going to be our best chance.
34:19We know European football.
34:21You know, Celtic and Rangers are struggling a bit at the minute.
34:24We're playing the crest of a wave.
34:26We're nine points clear.
34:28I think they'll definitely strengthen in January.
34:31And I think they're serious, serious contenders.
34:33I've said this now for before five.
34:36You know, I've seen enough of them and know they've got something.
34:40They've definitely got something.
34:41And I look at the other teams and I think they're very inconsistent.
34:44Really inconsistent with Hearts consistency.
34:47You know, it was a big match at St Myrna Cup last week.
34:51Yeah.
34:52A really big match for them.
34:53Coming off the Celtic game.
34:54The euphoria of the Celtic game.
34:56I think going there and getting a point was a really, really good result.
34:59And I think that shows you where Hearts are at this minute in time.
35:02Right.
35:03Get the money on.
35:05Because if Hearts do win the league, Chipper, we have a bet going on in the studio.
35:09Where Tam has agreed to wear the entire hip.
35:12Hearts top.
35:13Shorts.
35:14Shinnies.
35:15Socks.
35:16The lot.
35:17Can you talk to me about betting, Peter?
35:18Yeah.
35:19No.
35:20Absolutely not.
35:21Aye.
35:22No.
35:23We're not talking to you about financial.
35:25We're talking about stupidity.
35:26Which is your money is going to be on a Hearts top.
35:29This was about four or five weeks ago.
35:30And every week.
35:31Every week now I'm like that.
35:32Oh no.
35:33Yeah.
35:34I think I'm in big trouble to be honest with you.
35:36I agree with Chipper.
35:37I think they can win it.
35:38I just think I look at Celtic game Rangers and Chipper's right.
35:42There's never been a better opportunity for somebody to upset the top two.
35:45The big two.
35:46I think we should make that bet even more now.
35:49We should move on now that we have Maggie's as our charity.
35:52I think he should be outside Tynecastle with that strip and I'll be Maggie's bucket.
35:56Yeah.
35:57Yeah.
35:58Yeah.
35:59Yeah.
36:00I'll be lynched.
36:01I was just about to say.
36:02And then on the Monday show we can go tribute supporting it for Tommy Manners who was lynched
36:06by all the jambos who were there.
36:09Although you would probably make a fortune for Maggie's.
36:11Yeah.
36:12Well mentioned.
36:13The Maggie's is our designated charity for the entire season.
36:17Go to www.maggies.org and you can find out all the fabulous work they do and the support
36:22they give to family members, friends that you know who are affected by cancer.
36:28Just on that point, I know you mentioned there about it.
36:30Is it something that you live with every day, that betting thing?
36:33Yeah.
36:34Every day.
36:35Is there a strength that you need to show in your mind or are there things that you,
36:41are there triggers in your mind that you have to remind yourself?
36:44No.
36:45No.
36:46Sorry, I'm wrong.
36:47When we go up in the morning, just don't bet today.
36:48You know.
36:49That's all it is.
36:50You know, I've got six years now.
36:52It's just a day to day thing.
36:54It's just something you live with, you know.
36:56Addiction is a terrible thing, whatever addiction is, you know.
37:00It so happens that's my addiction.
37:02That and football.
37:03Yeah, absolutely.
37:04But no, I love it and I deal with it.
37:06Just another little point on that.
37:08How important is it the strength of your family?
37:10I see your wife with you a lot of the time.
37:13Yeah.
37:14I don't think she believes me I'm going to all the games.
37:17Well if she doesn't, you're having an affair with me because I see you in there all the time.
37:21No, listen.
37:22You need your family.
37:23You need support.
37:24But you've got to show them you're making the effort.
37:26You've got to show them that, you know, you want to do this more than anything else.
37:29And that's where I am with my life.
37:31Is it another thing?
37:32The clubs should be looking into it more for their players.
37:35We do roughly.
37:36They do this.
37:37They do.
37:38They send people out and we have a chat and all that.
37:40It was funny.
37:41They came to Livingston and they were talking.
37:43And this ex-player told his story.
37:46And they obviously knew I was in the audience.
37:49And then we'd done a podcast about it.
37:52And they'd be around all the clubs as well.
37:54So there's loads and loads of support there.
37:56I just, I keep saying to everybody.
37:58Look.
37:59See when we were in the dressing room at Eastside Road.
38:01See if you asked for help.
38:02You'd have got slaughtered.
38:04You would have got slaughtered in the days.
38:06It was a weakness asking for help.
38:07But see right now.
38:08Asking for help is a strength in whatever it is.
38:10Mental health.
38:11Whatever it may be.
38:12Asking for help is a strength.
38:14That's the message I try to get across.
38:15There's people there to help.
38:17I'm there all the time.
38:18I deal with loads of players.
38:20With this.
38:21You know.
38:22Unfortunately for football players they think it's a quick fix.
38:24Which it, sadly it isn't.
38:26You know.
38:27This is ongoing every single day.
38:28And if somebody was watching you right now.
38:30And what you've just said.
38:31If somebody said,
38:32I want to approach Chipper but I'm scared.
38:34What would you say right now?
38:36Phone me at the club.
38:37Get in touch.
38:38Get in touch.
38:39I'm here to help.
38:40And if I can't help, I know somebody that will help you.
38:42But there's help out there.
38:44You know.
38:45You're not alone.
38:46You're not alone.
38:47It's fabulous.
38:48I just wish someone maybe had intervened.
38:50You always think earlier.
38:51I wish somebody had intervened with you earlier, Chipper.
38:53And you know.
38:55But again.
38:56There's a learning curve.
38:57And you actually, as many a person with addiction will tell you.
39:00You have to get to that place though.
39:02Even with the help, you have to get to it yourself.
39:04So, Hearts Dundee United is one game.
39:09Dundee against Rangers.
39:10Certainly, Steven Presley says he's going to have to take a perfect performance
39:13to take more points off Rangers, as they did back in August.
39:16The one thing that he has been positive about in the press conference this week
39:19is mentioning that Simon Murray is getting back to greater fitness, better fitness.
39:23Yeah.
39:24I think he's a massive player for Dundee.
39:25You know.
39:26Brian Cedele.
39:27The striker starts the press and there's nobody better, I don't think,
39:29in the Scottish game than Simon Murray.
39:31You know.
39:32He's a buzz bomb.
39:33He's got tons of energy.
39:34He leads from the front.
39:35He's our captain.
39:36He's a real big, important player for them.
39:37I just think when teams are playing against Celtic and Rangers now,
39:40you're sniffing something.
39:42You know.
39:43When I played against Celtic and Rangers in the early 2000s,
39:45you played Celtic and Rangers, you were thinking,
39:47right, we've got a point here.
39:48We're absolutely jumping for joy.
39:49But, look at the amount of points they've dropped this season.
39:52And Dundee have already taken points off of Celtic and Rangers,
39:54so they'll go into this game thinking that they can go and do more damage to Rangers.
39:58And I think Rangers will need to put in a real performance as well,
40:00because I've been impressed with Dundee at times this season.
40:03I think that, again, like other clubs are inconsistent.
40:05They started well last week against Hearts the first 20-25 minutes,
40:08then they kind of crumbled.
40:10But I think Dundee have got players that can hurt Rangers.
40:13And if Rangers don't turn up on the day, I think they'll drop points.
40:17But I just think if you're any club now and you're playing against Celtic and Rangers,
40:20you're going into it with a wee bit more confidence than you used to do.
40:23Yeah, so with that in mind, Ruffy, Rangers put the result to Roma aside.
40:31And again, he'll have to tweak it and look at it and see what he has to do domestically.
40:36Away from home needs that like a hole in the head.
40:39Yeah, but he's already been on record to say he's not frightened to rotate.
40:43And he is going to rotate.
40:44He wants to see all the players that he's got available,
40:46because obviously January is coming up.
40:48And he's also went in case, look, if I see players that I don't fancy,
40:52they're not going to be here.
40:53So every player is scrapping for a place in that team.
40:56It depends how many he leaves out and who he brings back in.
40:59But I think Steven Prez is right.
41:01It's up to them.
41:02They need to turn up 11.
41:03Not just 8 or 9 or 10 of them.
41:05The rest, they all need to turn up.
41:07No mistakes.
41:08And get a wee break of the ball here and there.
41:10Because as Tam says, if they go ahead,
41:13you can see, you know, they're all wanting it.
41:16But when they go behind, it seems to be 2, 3, 4.
41:19Well, they managed to take the scalpel of Celtic.
41:21Obviously, 2 points off Rangers, but this one is a big one for them.
41:25Just on that point, isn't it amazing that Rangers fans,
41:28looking at this season,
41:30maybe 2 or 3 weeks ago they were writing it off,
41:32they're only 5 points behind Celtic.
41:34Yeah, but it's no Celtic that need to catch Peter at the minute.
41:37It's hard.
41:38You know, and got into Dundee.
41:39The last time Dundee took a 4-0 beating at Aberdeen.
41:43And Steven got on the training pitch for 2 weeks.
41:45And they came back and beat Celtic.
41:47And I was at the game.
41:48You know, and there was a confidence about Dundee that day.
41:51And I think what helped them was they got the first goal.
41:54You know, because Steven sets them up really well.
41:57They're well organised defensively.
41:59They're good.
42:00And if they get the first goal, they can be hard to break down.
42:03But it's a must-win game for Rangers.
42:06It's a must-win game for Dundee as well.
42:08You know, I always feel as though a team's played in Europe on the Thursday night,
42:13vulnerable about rotation.
42:15You know, that first goal.
42:17That first goal was so vital in the Premier League.
42:19Dundee, Rangers?
42:21Rangers 2-1.
42:22Yep, I think that.
42:25One each?
42:27I think Rangers 0-1.
42:29Okay.
42:30So, Celtic at home against Kilmarnock.
42:33Martin O'Neill was asked today about whether there was any update,
42:36contact, whatever, discussion about the manager's job.
42:39He just said, no update on the manager timeframe.
42:43And he responded to the accusation from Chris Sutton that,
42:47well, not so much the accusation,
42:49the observation that he shouldn't hang around too much.
42:51He doesn't want to tarnish his legacy.
42:53And Martin said to say his best line of the day was,
42:56I'm not worried about my legacy.
42:58When you're dead, you're dead.
42:59And I thought, no.
43:01Now, only because I've got an insight into it.
43:03I know the way he's thinking.
43:04He doesn't think like you, Ruffy.
43:06He's thinking 73.
43:07How long have I got left?
43:08Whereas Ruffy's thinking, I'm going to be here,
43:10sitting in this chair chipper at 94.
43:12You know?
43:13As we call it, weekend at Bernays,
43:15when we're just swatting flies off him.
43:18But, nevertheless, that's Martin's humour.
43:21That's Martin's insight into it.
43:23No, I think we've said the window's coming up.
43:26I think that'll be the time when we start seeing all the contenders getting thrown in.
43:30You know, they'll have a whole week to do discussions and meeting people.
43:33We saw all the meetings Rangers had done in London.
43:36I think that'll be ongoing.
43:37I think Martin's already said, look, I like being here the nerve.
43:40I don't want to be here.
43:41He's already expressed, you know, his heart rate's going up and everything.
43:45He's 70-odd.
43:46So, you know, he'll enjoy every minute of it and why not?
43:49You know, I think this one at the weekend should be a wee bit easy ride for him.
43:53I think Kilmarnock are going through that wee bit of a bad spell.
43:56They're now losing bad goals, which they weren't doing at the beginning.
43:59But I think Celtic are still on a high just now.
44:0373, do you think he would take it if they offered him it?
44:07I think he should have got it last Sunday.
44:11He would think that himself.
44:12Why did he not leave on Sunday after that?
44:14I've known Martin as I've known him through the years.
44:18He's a football man, eh?
44:20And it's Celtic, you know, and he's been here.
44:23He's done it.
44:24He's a legend at the club, you know, and he'll be hurting.
44:27Don't get me wrong, he'll be hurting today, you know,
44:29because he knows what it means to the fans.
44:31And he knows the pressure's on.
44:33The pressure's on, but a home game against Kilmarnock,
44:36normally you'd be saying, that's the three points to Celtic.
44:39But, you know, I just think in the Premier League right now,
44:42there's no guarantees.
44:44There's absolutely no guarantees.
44:45Are you surprised by Kilmarnock's free fall?
44:47I am a little bit.
44:49I think he changed the system a little bit as well.
44:52One thing, he plays the two men up front.
44:54You know, he goes with a big man and a wee man up front,
44:57and he gets the ball forward and they get in the box.
44:59And the boy Watson, who's a fantastic player in the middle of the pitch,
45:03gets forward-scored goals.
45:04And he's got an awful habit of scoring against the old firm.
45:06You know, so it won't be easy.
45:09Kilmarnock will be well set up.
45:10But again, I think the first goal here is so, so important,
45:13especially with Celtic's limited strike force.
45:17You know, who's going to play up front?
45:19It looks like it'll need to be Kenny again,
45:21or Maida maybe go up there.
45:22You know, so it's a massive game.
45:27Even with the point that Martin's holding the reins,
45:30even if he is game by game, as he mentioned,
45:32you know, you've still got Kettle Knutson, 13-8 favourites.
45:35Some people are dropping in and out, up and down.
45:37Robbie Keane, obviously Craig Bellamy's made his own feelings clear
45:41on what he's focusing on at the moment,
45:43which is the Wales international side.
45:47Yeah, listen, I think Knutson has been on Celtic's radar for a long time.
45:51I think that if you remember Bodo Glimt going to Celtic Park
45:54and absolutely dismantling Celtic four or five years ago,
45:57it's been an upward trajectory for him ever since at Bodo Glimt.
46:00He's been linked with a lot of big clubs.
46:02They could possibly lose the league this season for the first time in a while.
46:05In Norway it's tight at the top.
46:06He's got them into the Champions League.
46:08I think he would be a universal popular appointment at Celtic.
46:12I think the way he sets his teams up, the success he's had,
46:15I think that he'd be a really good appointment for Celtic.
46:18The rumour is it's a manager that's going to be available in December
46:21and the Norwegian league obviously runs through the summer,
46:23so they'll win their break in December.
46:26I think he ticks a lot of boxes for me, Peter,
46:28and I wouldn't be surprised if he was the next Celtic manager.
46:30And strangely enough, that might give Martin the time to walk Celtic out in the League Cup final.
46:34It could all set up perfectly.
46:36I think that Martin, you know, I think he's got the buzz back.
46:39I think when you're out of the game, he's obviously been doing a bit of punditry and stuff.
46:43It's not the same as being on that touchline, you know,
46:45and coming in at 73 obviously he's got a couple of younger coaches there with him,
46:48but that buzz up Hamden beating Rangers, you know,
46:51it's something that can't be replicated.
46:52So I think if he gets the opportunity to go and lead Celtic out in a cup final against St Murnan
46:57and winning our trophies as a manager and then ride off into the sunset,
46:59I think it would be perfect for him and Nudsen coming in.
47:01So it might just be that the timing all fits in perfectly for Celtic.
47:05Yeah.
47:06Okay.
47:07I'm curious to get your thoughts, Chipper, on the best of the football.
47:12We've complimented hearts.
47:14Boy, do I love watching Motherwell.
47:16They're good to watch.
47:17The triangles, the press, the playing around.
47:20Sometimes from the backs a bit, you hear them scare them.
47:22But nevertheless, when it works, as you said, it looks really impressive.
47:27Sometimes you look at managers,
47:30we tend to disregard homebred managers and then comes a foreign manager
47:34and we think, oh, what's he got to offer?
47:36But this boy's had an immediate impact on Motherwell.
47:38He ends Berthalasgow.
47:40He's had a massive impact, you know.
47:43It's funny.
47:44I was at Motherwell's first game of the season against Rangers
47:46and the two teams were playing in the rainbox.
47:49Honestly, it was a game for school.
47:52It was so good to watch.
47:54I thought, they cannae stay doing this.
47:56They can't keep doing it.
47:57But they're persevering with it.
47:59And when it works, it's fantastic.
48:02When it doesnae work, they just go again.
48:06I just think he's been a breath of fresh air,
48:11you know, the way he's got his team played.
48:13I watched him against Falkirk two weeks ago
48:15and the first half is as good as I've seen a team playing
48:18for a long time in Scotland.
48:20Yeah, the boy Aidan Nisbet looked at me at half time
48:26as I'm walking down to the press room and he looked and went,
48:28we're going to get battered.
48:29I mean, he said it was unbelievable.
48:31They gave them an absolute doing.
48:33I've seen the first half when they played against St Mern as well at Paisley.
48:37And it was the same.
48:38They were really, really good because the team sat off them.
48:41You know, second half Falkirk went and pressed them
48:44and they got the upper hand.
48:46St Mern went and done it for the last 30 minutes as well
48:48and got the upper hand.
48:49When I went back and spoke to Davey about what we were going to do against them,
48:52you know, we decided, no, let's go and press them.
48:55I think you've seen a lot now a team's going man for man at the back
48:58and taking that chance.
49:00Especially when, you know, they're not going to kick it 40 yards.
49:02Yes.
49:03You can take that chance.
49:04But if they beat your press, you know,
49:07and they've got game changers up the top,
49:09they've got game changers up the top.
49:10But you're a man who's Davey's right hand man, okay?
49:13You're a man who's in the stand.
49:15You say, right, they're coming to us.
49:17Now, for me, when I look at it, at times, you know,
49:21this is how I thought Jimmy Tallinn's side last season came a cropper.
49:25Because guys like you are sitting in the stand, you say,
49:27right, I'm watching this.
49:28I'm watching the way they play.
49:29Aberdeen, the two holders, and then the three.
49:32And then eventually people started to really work out
49:35what they were all about.
49:36Motherwell, Faddinger, what?
49:39Just, there's your rule three in that engine room
49:43and they're the ones that give them the out.
49:45But I'm looking at the areas, how do they get them out?
49:49How do they get on the ball?
49:50When I said they're back, guess that they're trying to play into Faddinger or what?
49:53Or when it goes to a fullback, they're trying to play into Faddinger or what?
49:56To get the next pass forward.
49:58So, a lot of your stuff was Faddinger or what?
50:01Get high on them, press them.
50:03Because I've seen the manager, to be fair to them,
50:05when the fullback gets it and plays a ball down the channel,
50:08he's out screaming his head off.
50:09Yeah.
50:10That's not how we play.
50:11So, that gives you a chance then.
50:13Because they don't change too much, you know,
50:15it gives you a chance to set up against them.
50:17You know what they're going to do.
50:19The problem is, when they do it really well and do it quickly,
50:21which they did in the first half against Falkirk,
50:23they're fantastic.
50:25The way they got through you.
50:26The goal they scored, Manloise's goal was superb.
50:29And they've got their boys in the pocket.
50:32It's like a box in there.
50:33The two midfielders and the two wingers are in there.
50:35And they're very close together.
50:37And they can play quick combination passes.
50:39And if you're no uptight against them, they will play through you.
50:43Yeah.
50:44How do you see Motherwell, Ruffey?
50:45How do you see it going?
50:46I think for Motherwell, they've got to pick themselves up.
50:48Nobody likes to lose a semi-final.
50:50You know, and then you need characters in your team
50:52to just sort of enjoy the training,
50:54get it in the back burner and they've got another game ahead.
50:57So, I'll sit on the fence this one.
50:59I'm going to go a draw.
51:00Yeah, fancy a draw.
51:01Yeah.
51:02I'll go a draw.
51:03I think Aberdeen will do Motherwell win.
51:04I think Motherwell has beat them a couple of times this season.
51:07I think Motherwell will get a result.
51:09Okay.
51:10And with that in mind, we've got to pay tribute to a manager
51:13that just keeps defying logic.
51:17Because Steven Robinson and St Mirren,
51:20they worked out a way to beat Motherwell.
51:21They've been top six, finished three times in the trot.
51:25He just worked wonders, doesn't he?
51:27And by the way, how do you view the criticism
51:30of this physical side?
51:32They are.
51:33They are.
51:34But I think that plays into Steve's hands
51:36because they're in other teams' heads.
51:38They know we're going to play some man.
51:40They're big.
51:41They're strong.
51:42They're physical.
51:43Set pieces.
51:44Balls forward.
51:45Chasing lost causes.
51:46It's in your head before you go and play them.
51:49And I listened to Steven's interview when they played Motherwell
51:51at home in the league.
51:53And he says, I got the press wrong in the first half.
51:55Second half he got it right.
51:57And he got it right last Saturday.
51:59I couldn't call it last Saturday.
52:01I had no idea what way I thought it was.
52:03A good clash of styles in terms.
52:05Yeah, absolutely.
52:06But it just shows you there's more than one way to win a game.
52:09Yeah.
52:10You know.
52:114-1 winners.
52:12Some fantastic goals in the game.
52:14But to beat St Myrne at any time,
52:16you've got to be ready for the battle first and foremost.
52:19You've got to be up for the battle.
52:20You've got to win your header.
52:21We spoke about it earlier.
52:22Celtic no defending their box.
52:23If you don't defend your box against St Myrne,
52:25you're in big trouble.
52:26Yeah.
52:27And with that in mind,
52:28they're playing against Hibbs.
52:29You were able to peg Hibbs back right at the death.
52:32Does that say more about your determination to not give up,
52:35even when you're scrapping for every point?
52:37Well, I think when you play under David Martin,
52:39you never give up.
52:40You know, it's demanded.
52:41It's demanded at every club.
52:43But Livingston through the years has always been known as
52:45team of battlers, team of grafters,
52:48never giving up,
52:49underdogs,
52:51fighting lost causes.
52:52You know,
52:53and we showed a bit of that last Saturday,
52:55although we played well as well.
52:57At least you deserved.
52:59Yeah, we did.
53:00I wasn't at the game time.
53:01I was down south at another game.
53:02But I saw bits of it and I spoke to the gaffer about it.
53:06For a long time.
53:08And we were delighted the way we played.
53:10And a bit of character.
53:11No, see when you're bottom of the league.
53:12The week before we lost the goal in the 94th minute.
53:14Rangers beat us at home in the 96th minute.
53:16Hearts beat us at home in the 94th minute.
53:18Dundee beat us away in the 97th minute.
53:20It takes character to keep going when you're bottom of the league,
53:22to peg it back.
53:23And I think the boys showed that last week.
53:25And you've missed Gowser.
53:26Missed Gowser?
53:27Oh, we've missed him.
53:28Definitely.
53:29He's the captain.
53:30He's the leader in the back four.
53:31Him and Danny Walson have got a good partnership.
53:33A massive loss there.
53:35Right out the blue as well, Peter.
53:37I think that's where it was.
53:38It wasn't an injury at training.
53:39It wasn't an injury in a game.
53:40It just came right out the blue.
53:42He's been a massive loss.
53:43But let's say great character for the boys.
53:45To keep trying to dig out.
53:47We've been in most games this season.
53:49I think Hibs away and Celtic away.
53:51We weren't at the races.
53:53But see every other game.
53:54We've been right in there.
53:55Yeah.
53:56So St Mirren Hibs.
53:58I mentioned David Grayside pegged back.
54:01This is a tough one to call.
54:03St Mirren Hibs?
54:04Yeah, I think it is.
54:06But like I said, St Mirren are difficult to beat.
54:08Particularly on their own ground.
54:11The two strikers.
54:12I like the two strikers.
54:13I like the way St Mirren play.
54:14Listen, if they're going to turn you,
54:16they'll just turn you.
54:17And the two strikers chase everything.
54:19They're a real handful.
54:20And not only lost causes,
54:22but they hold the ball in.
54:23They're skillful.
54:24The guys scored a cracker last week in the semi-final.
54:27So, no, I think it's a really, really tough one to call.
54:30Hibs.
54:31Disappointed our last couple of performances.
54:32I've watched most of Hibs' games this season.
54:34I thought against Rangers they were
54:36dereft to any real chances they created.
54:41And I think that in terms of Livingston,
54:43I thought Livingston deserved at least a point as well for that game.
54:45So, still sitting third in the league.
54:47But I think there's so much more to come for this Hibs team.
54:49In terms of them creating and scoring goals.
54:52And I think this will be a tight game.
54:53I'm going to go for a score draw here.
54:54Yeah, I think you're right.
54:55There's so much more to come from Hibs.
54:562-1 St Mirren for me.
54:58I think Hibs are one of the teams that really need to start winning two and three games.
55:05I know they're sitting third top, but people are now looking at the stats.
55:09You know, Tam's looking at the stats.
55:11What is it in wins in the mini games?
55:13It's not that good.
55:14I think they've won three in 11 games, but they're sitting in third,
55:16which is how tight the league is.
55:17I know.
55:18So, they really need a win.
55:19I think they might just dig it out.
55:212-1.
55:22Okay.
55:23I think St Mirren at home.
55:24I think it's difficult.
55:26The first goal last weekend starts.
55:27Shamal George.
55:28Three kick and a half way line.
55:30Goalkeeper puts it into your box in this score.
55:32I think a really, really tough game to call.
55:35I think St Mirren might just edge it.
55:37Yeah.
55:38Last point before we finish, Brian, which is Livingston.
55:41It's no wins in 10.
55:43How do you keep and how does David keep the boys focused not to lose heart
55:49when you go on that run and you're searching for the win?
55:52I think, like I spoke about earlier there, we've been in all the games.
55:56You know, you can't sugarcoat it and say if this would have happened,
56:00if that would have happened.
56:01We don't do that.
56:02We show them how we're doing in games and what's costing those games.
56:06It's been individual errors a lot of the time.
56:08You know, if I go back two seasons when we got relegated,
56:11it's a completely different feel right now.
56:13You know, then you could sense it a little bit, the disheart and the calm.
56:17You know, you feel as though you're going to lose.
56:20We don't feel that now.
56:22We definitely don't feel that.
56:23You know, there's a real togetherness in the squad.
56:26There's a freshness in the squad.
56:28No, the boys are in good form.
56:31You don't need to pick them up.
56:32That's one thing about this group.
56:33You don't need to pick them up because they know they've been so close in so many games.
56:37And just a wee footnote about John McGlynn.
56:39Boy, they've surprised everybody.
56:40I thought it was going to be Livingston, Dundee and Falkirk.
56:43Suddenly, you know, they've got themselves up into that top half.
56:46Well, they're winning games that they need to win.
56:50You know, they've beat Dundee.
56:52They've beat Kilmarnock.
56:53They've beat Motherwell.
56:54You know, they went to Aberdeen and won.
56:57Fortunately enough, we beat them.
56:59But they're picking up points against teams.
57:01John would probably have said, right, we need to pick up points in these games.
57:04And they've been fantastic at that.
57:05You were their bogey team last season.
57:06You were their bogey team last season.
57:07Yeah.
57:08They didn't beat us last season.
57:09They only scored one goal, I think, a penalty against us.
57:12But that was last season.
57:13They're stronger this season.
57:14And I believe we're stronger as well.
57:16Yeah. Okay.
57:17Always great to get your thoughts.
57:19Obviously, we're aware that your boss, David, was on.
Recommended
1:04:18
|
Up next
5:23
1:01:32
54:00
7:39
59:24
1:03:29
42:44
4:37
6:35