It is quite normal for Scotland to go down to Wembley and win. After all we have been doing that for almost 150 years and as we invented the game, developed it through 'scientific football,' and provided the best players the world has ever seen, though Pele, Eusebio and Maradonna were all right, if you like that sort of thing, it will come as no surprise to see us put the arrogant imperialists back in their box. So, needing to win at Wembley last night was not something to worry us. However, having displayed all the intellect of one of Boris Johnson's cabinet members, we threw away our chances of going through by losing badly to the Czech's a few days before. Therefore, we needed at least a point and in the end hard work, team work, and individual brightness brought us a no score draw, and I think this was two points dropped.
England, as the English press have it, were not very good. Nothing is said re Scotland outplaying them? England, the manager tells us, "Got the point that ensures qualification," which is true. What manager Gareth Southgate did not mention was the vermin of the English press would have savaged him, a decent bloke, had he lost to what they consider an inferior product. His team and tactics reveal a sensible man.
However, this is just England. The game used to mean a great deal, not now. From 1872 until 1972 the Scotland v England clash provided an outlet for national pride, now it means little. Scotland has long lost interest in these games apart form the points. Certainly we wish to win, but for me Scotland require to develop a team that can take on European sides and win, beating a 'British' side like England means little. Our loss to the Czechs showed we need to play a style that can beat such sides, power and strength against England means little. The game against Croatia, who desparately need to win to avoid the wrath of their own fans, will reveal both our managers tactical ability as this level and our ability to play against such teams.
Forget England, Scotland requires to amend the league structure, change the way TV covers the game and how such cash is used, and develop young players who can make it at international level. We need to get players once again who can get the ball down on the grass and beat the opposition, players like Bobby Walker, Tommy Walker, Jimmy Johnson and Jim Baxter. We are way short of this today.
We also must ask, how do Wales do it? No league of their own to speak off, players spread across many nations, yet they continue to play in all tournaments, qualifying more often than Scotland. Having one man earning £600,000 a week in Spain cannot be the reason, he is only a part of that.
Scotland must ask why Wales are better than us?
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