Match 8 Scotland vs Czech Republic 2pm (BST) Hampden Park Live on BBC One

[thefmveteran86]

Thoughts on Scotland's opener? they'll want to open up with a win going into the Auld Enemy clash on Friday

Edited June 13, 2021 by thefmveteran86

[av3ry]

Think Scotland wins a tight game.

 Will probably have to miss this one though because of the kickoff time.

[Rob1981]

It's Match 8

[thefmveteran86]

1 minute ago, Rob1981 said:

It's Match 8

Damn could a mod change it to match 8 please :/

[Rob1981]

You can change the title, just go to Edit Post on the first post

[bestbrother]

Fuming this was my thread to make 

[thefmveteran86]

1 minute ago, Rob1981 said:

You can change the title, just go to Edit Post on the first post

Thanks man forgot about that

[EnterUsernameHere]

Gonna have to schedule a few emails from 2-4pm tomorrow

[GunmaN1905]

Must win game for both teams if they want to qualify.

Can't see the third team from this group making it if this game is a draw.

[skybluedave]

Lets go Scotland. 

I think if we'd lost today I'd be leaning toward Czech win ahead of Fridays game but now, I'm fully aboard. Hope they win

[Baptista_8]

Looking forward to seeing Patrik Schick properly

[GunmaN1905]

3 minutes ago, Baptista_8 said:

Looking forward to seeing Patrik Schick properly

Wonder what he feels like.

Back when he was a big talent with Sampdoria, he failed his Juve medical because of some inconclusive heart tests.

[thefmveteran86]

I'm expecting goals tomorrow, despite our rivalry against the old enemy 

[Baptista_8]

2 minutes ago, GunmaN1905 said:

Wonder what he feels like.

Back when he was a big talent with Sampdoria, he failed his Juve medical because of some inconclusive heart tests.

His technique used to remind me of RvP, a style very easy on the eye

Edited June 13, 2021 by Baptista_8

[TM]

if he plays, I reckon Che Adams will get on the scoresheet

don't think Scotland will keep a clean sheet though

[Baptista_8]

Gilmour gonna start? A Gilmour-McTominay-McGinn midfield doesn't look too shabby, if McGinn can hit some form.

[Pukey]

Could be an interesting game with both teams probably thinking this is their best chance of getting a win. They won't be playing for a draw that's for sure, but might be cagey to begin with.

[Rob1981]

On the one hand I would like to see Scotland get through. 

On the other hand I think Friday's game against England could be an absolute horror show if they have already got three points on the board.

Would be better if they had to come out on Friday and play a bit.

Edited June 13, 2021 by Rob1981

[bestbrother]

Win here all but puts us into the 16s imo

[Haguey]

Come on the tartan army!

[Hazzaj]

9 hours ago, Baptista_8 said:

Gilmour gonna start? A Gilmour-McTominay-McGinn midfield doesn't look too shabby, if McGinn can hit some form.

McTominay's been used quite often as a centre back of late hasn't he? With the 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 being used to accommodate both Robertson and Tierney at LWB and LCB. I'd guess a midfield of McGregor and McGinn would be most likely.

[Pompeyboyz]

I think this has a draw written all over it.  Goal apiece. 

[Tikka Mezzala]

A few thoughts come to mind on a special day for the country. Firstly, my maternal family are Czecho-Slovaks, split between the outskirts of Prague/Brno and Bratislava. I'm a Slavic-Scot. This would have been an occasion for some family to come to Glasgow for the Czech Republic's games at Hampden, but Covid had other ideas. Pity. 

Secondly, what a day for the country of Scotland. 1998 the last time we had an interest in an international tournament. I was only five years old then! The national team have suffered a lot of humiliations and heartbreak since then. We've messed things up plenty of times, but back in 2008 we came very close to getting out of a difficult group to reach Euro 2008. France and Italy were the front-runners, but we took the Italians right down to the final game at Hampden, losing 1-2 in a controversial encounter. That campaign we did the double over France with James McFadden scoring a famous goal in Paris. I remember the atmosphere in Glasgow around the Italy game. Everyone was right up for it. There was a belief that we could do it. Shop workers had their faces painted, musicians on the street were belting out Scottish songs. I ended up crammed into a small room with twenty people to watch the game, drinking horrible Tennent's Lager (underage, yes :D) and cursing the cheating Italians. It was a memorable day and I have been desperate to experience something like it again. It's a real pity that we won't have full capacity at Hampden today, because Scottish fans are great. It would have been an incredible noise. 

Finally, on the actual football front, the Czechs are favourites for me. They are a more technically gifted team. I just want Scotland to have a go. This should be the start of a cycle of qualifying for major tournaments. There's no real pressure on us as far as I'm concerned. We got to the Euros courtesy of the new format and very nervy penalty shootouts against Israel and Serbia. We're not at the level of the other teams in the group. But anything can happen. I just want to enjoy the first time I've witnessed Scotland at a major tournament with any sort of idea of what's going on. All I can remember from 1998 is the theme tune of the World Cup. We're a nation that has learned to laugh at our own failures, and our humour is very self-deprecating. It would be nice to have something to boast about for once. 

[Guest]

My first game with my half Scottish son whose old enough now to appreciate it and my Scottish wife.  My last time watching Scotland in a major tourney was also my first year in Scotland so I can't wait for this.

[arenaross]

Buzzing for this and even more so for my Scottish grandparents who I think had given up hope on ever seeing Scotland in a major tournament again. 

[Darius1998]

I don't have actual ancestral connections with any European country but my great-grandfather did do his law degree in Edinburgh so I would love to see Scotland do well here.

Also because this is the first international tournament Scotland have qualified for in my lifetime.

Edited June 14, 2021 by Darius1998

[Sons FC]

9 hours ago, bestbrother said:

Win here all but puts us into the 16s imo

Quote right McBB - our new major tournament mascot!

I remember 1998 very well. I rushed home from work to watch the rest of the Morocco match and in those days the old TVs took a few seconds to warm up - you heard the sound before seeing the pictures. As soon as I switched on, all I heard was Barry Davies saying "calamity upon calamity for Scotland" and the pictures came up just as Burley had been sent off and we were 2-0 down in a game we had to win.

Still, great excitement in the Sons FC household today (as I hope everywhere else Scottish). Sons FC Jr, while being half English will be supporting Scotland, Mrs Sons FC (who doesn't like football) will keep half an eye on the game and will also be wanting Scotland to win.

Like many others, I am more interested in us having a go than sitting back. I would rather lose 3-1 trying than lose 1-0 or 2-0 trying to keep it tight.

Every other team in the group will see us as their easiest game and will attack us, so let's see if we get the tactic and shape right to deal with it.

[miketheheadlesschicken]

1 hour ago, Hazzaj said:

McTominay's been used quite often as a centre back of late hasn't he? With the 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 being used to accommodate both Robertson and Tierney at LWB and LCB. I'd guess a midfield of McGregor and McGinn would be most likely.

He’ll be in midfield. His last four games for Scotland have been there.

[craigcwwe]

Pre tournament I had Scotland getting through this group in 2nd place, sticking with that prediction. 

Edited June 14, 2021 by craigcwwe

[Goldy]

Come on Scotland! Made sure I had no meetings this afternoon so I can have it on

 

[bestbrother]

First minute I want someone kicked, go in hard, leave everything in on it, let them know its football, not lets make friends passing it around time 

 

[mrw072]

I think Scotland will win this afternoon.  I know they struggled to qualify, but it's a fresh start for them and I think home advantage will swing it in their favour.

[EnterUsernameHere]

Imagine the cheek of people arranging a work meeting at 2.30 today 

[TM]

1 minute ago, bestbrother said:

First minute I want someone kicked, go in hard, leave everything in on it, let them know its football, not lets make friends passing it around time 

 

think you need to go back a few decades, days of Bremner/Souness

noticed 2008 mentioned above, that Georgia game in that qualifying section was typical Scotland.  We did the hard bit (beating France away and home) and then lost 2-0 to Georgia to lose the advantage after being in the top 2 for most of that group

[Barry Cartman]

These mid week 2pm games are rubbish for me, right in the middle of leaving work and doing the school run  

[skybluedave]

I've no idea how good Czechs are. We spanked them 6-0 or something in qualifying but then they beat us in Prague. And Scotland beat them twice in the Nations League. 

[bestbrother]

4 minutes ago, Barry Cartman said:

These mid week 2pm games are rubbish for me, right in the middle of leaving work and doing the school run  

Yeah im going to get hit on the school run, but ill have it running on my phone

 

[bigmarsh]

I’m like a big kid today, feels like I’m a teenager again. I’m 52 😂

time to post my France ‘98 photo again, me and the lads getting back together on Friday 

 

[GunmaN1905]

23 minutes ago, Barry Cartman said:

These mid week 2pm games are rubbish for me, right in the middle of leaving work and doing the school run  

Only 4 early work day games left.

No game tomorrow.

 

[Tikka Mezzala]

Tierney OUT!!!!! 

It's over!

[Tikka Mezzala]

I hope someone goes right through the racism apologist Soucek. 

[RTHerringbone]

I'm in a bloody meeting at 2 

Tierney injured? Imagine the surprise. 

[Tikka Mezzala]

Christie in instead of Adams? That's a negative move. Think Clarke is happy to take a point. The right side of the defence is also suspect. Not too confident about this. 

[TM]

a very negative looking team, 5 at the back and one upfront I think?

creativity on the bench but certainly not positive looking

[StevehFC]

3 minutes ago, TM said:

a very negative looking team, 5 at the back and one upfront I think?

creativity on the bench but certainly not positive looking

Adams for Christie and Tierney for Hanley then i agree with the rest. 

[RTHerringbone]

How good are the Czechs?

Clarke in a tough position because he'll want something but doesn't want to over commit too early. Arguably the easiest of the three matches so hopefully this doesn't backfire. 

[GunmaN1905]

3 minutes ago, RTHerringbone said:

How good are the Czechs?

Clarke in a tough position because he'll want something but doesn't want to over commit too early. Arguably the easiest of the three matches so hopefully this doesn't backfire. 

Creativity wise, surely better than Scotland, but their defense is questionable, especially with Pavlenka out.

If it was on a neutral ground, I think Czechia would win it, but in Glasgow? Can go either way.

Edited June 14, 2021 by GunmaN1905

[Tikka Mezzala]

The best thing you can say about the team is that there are options on the bench. 

The Czechs are technically good. They can play some nice intricate stuff. We'll have to cut out the silly mistakes that we are known for. No nonsense defending and a battling spirit. Follow Finland's example. 

[Hairycull]

Would have preffered a more positive team but oh well.

McGinn is going to be too deep to be effective 

[Hazzaj]

having to play League 1-Liam over Tierney must have influenced Clarke here to be more cautious - can see it playing into Czechs hands though as I don't see a quick counterattacking threat in that Scottish XI