Is this the change strip for Craig Levein’s men?

Well, trawling the internet usually turns up something of interest and today we found this little number skulking about on a few pages.

Yellow has been a regular colour in Scotland away kits so it is not as if this is a huge surprise if it turns out to be the away kit but what do you all think?

On first glance, it seems a bit bright but then again, is that a bad thing? It certainly seems to be the in thing with many kits these days and it will certainly add a splash of colour to proceedings.

No doubt it is the sort of top that will be worn in its thousands when the Tartan Army march on Spain…and who knows, maybe even Poland and the Ukraine.

The Scottish badge is fairly prominent in the main body of the strip, standing out (in this picture) more than the same badge in the current adidas home kit.

Oh well, the away kit has to be a change and this is certainly a lot more vivid than the home kit. We’re sure it’ll sell in its thousands and if it is worn when the team manage to pick up a few points on the road, it may just become a huge favourite!

What choice of colour would you choose for the Scotland away kit?

Related posts:

1. Get your hands on the new Adidas Scotland kit It’s not all new World Cup strips this summer Remember...
2. New Adidas Scotland kit unveiled A dog is doing a s….. Out with the Diadora...
3. Rangers stars dominate Scotland squad Some new faces as well for new boss Levein New...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

It’s not all new World Cup strips this summer

Remember way back when in March when the new Scotland kit was launched?

Scotland made a winning start under Craig Levein and in their new Adidas international kit with a 1-0 home win over the Czech Republic thanks to Scott Brown’s goal. Let’s hope Scotland can achieve similar results when we face this opponent for real in the qualifying campaign.

Adidas are finally preparing the launch of the kit for the fans and it’s going to come at a time when the World is going football crazy. The only sad thing is that Scotland will not be gracing the football stage in South Africa this summer.

The kit will be released on Thursday the 10th of June. This is the day before the World Cup kicks off so football fever will be reaching epidemic proportions.

It is also the day our friends at Cold Blooded Clarity are hosting a charity gig in aid of The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. More info about what should be a great night can be found here.

Returning to the Scotland kit, in one respect, this release of the kit is great timing, the school holidays are coming up and families that are lucky enough to be getting away will be looking to get kitted out for their trip.

Football strips are more expensive than any other tops you can buy for most children, the value for money from the amount of times they kit is worn makes it a strong purchase. That and the material used is conducive to spending time in the sun and warmth – so we agree with the timing of the kit in this regard.

We just can’t help but think it will be lost a wee bit in the World Cup rush at the moment.

A Kitbag catalogue dropped through WeKnowSFA Towers last week and the range of kits and products for the World Cup was fairly impressive. Not everything hit the spot but there were a lot of great tops and training kit.

Adidas and Scotland are competing against this market and the World Cup is going to be in everyone’s face for the next month and a half.

It’s a big ask but followers of the Scottish national team will be more than used to challenging the bigger guns and hoping for something to go right.

When you think the SFA and Adidas still have the change kit to come when the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign begins, they get to have two bites of the cherry…and it is this that probably justifies the early Summer release of the new Scotland top.

10th of June is when you can get your hands on the new kit but pre-orders are being taken now.

Related posts:

1. New Adidas Scotland kit unveiled A dog is doing a s….. Out with the Diadora...
2. Rangers stars dominate Scotland squad Some new faces as well for new boss Levein New...
3. Can Scotland scare the Spanish at Hampden? It has happened before The last three games between Scotland...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Maybe they’ll rescind his red card?

The SFA made a big show of inviting all Grade One officials to Hampden for the debut game of the Craig Levein era, no doubt hoping to create a sense of unity behind the beleaguered refs and linesman.

Yes, its a strange one. Hugh Dallas has been critical of refs this season but then rewards them in this manner, we wish our bosses rewarded incompetence, it would make life a whole lot sweeter. Cos we’re fairly incompetent.

Anyways, there would have been a bit of embarrassment amongst the ref’s seats when Scotland took the lead. A great cross from Wallace was nodded back across goal by Barry Robson and Scott Brown was in the right place at the right time to fire the Scots into the lead.

It was changed days from Sunday when Brown was in the wrong place at the wrong time when Dougie McDonald deemed his clash with Kyle Lafferty deserving of a red card. Celtic fans will be hoping that this goal may encourage the SFA to look upon the players appeal with a bit more kindness.

Then again, is there point in trying to work out the SFA logic? Nope…anyways, back to Craig Levein.

There is obviously no guarantee about what will happen in the qualifying campaign but this victory will hopefully give the national team a confidence boost for the vital head to head matches against the Czech Republic.

The most startling thing was the fact that it was Scotland’s first friendly win at Hampden in 14 years. So for that reason alone, the Craig Levein era has got off to a great start.

What was your high point of the evening?

Related posts:

1. Celtic and Brown: Ex-men in black opinions Dermot Gallagher shows up Dougal You all know by know...
2. Scott Brown is the captain of the good ship Celtic He brings good staring credentials As we all know, Scott...
3. Celtic sign Ki Sung Yueng – what now for Brown? Four year deal for South Korean star Following the awarding...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

No start for goal-grabber

With Liam McFadden failing a fitness test, Craig Levein’s first Scottish national team lines up as:

Gordon, Hutton, Caldwell, Webster, Wallace, Robson, Brown, D Fletcher, Thomson, Dorrans, Miller.

This means there is no start for the SPL leading goal-scorer Kris Boyd, although his strike partner Kenny Miller plays from the start.

We think this is no bad thing. It is right that Boyd is back on the squad and should get some time on the field but a little bit of atonement is not a bad thing for the player.

Certainly not for Levein, nor for the SFA but for the fans watching the game tonight.

The problems with the Burley era were well documented and there was something rotten in the camp but its time to move on from that. However, it wasn’t only Burley Boyd turned his back on, it was the fans.

Everyone deserves a second chance but a wee spell on the bench should serve as a punishment for treating the fans in the way he did.

Tonight is only a friendly, if there were points up for grabs, Boyd would be on from the start but its not, so it gives Craig Levein the chance to lay down the law and start the new era off in the right tone and manner.

The best way Kris Boyd can get back in the Tartan Army’s good books so when he does get the chance, lets hope he can carry his SPL goalscoring form into the international arena.

Are you happy to see Boyd back in the fold?

Related posts:

1. Boyd back in the Scotland fold Rangers hitman to make Scotland return? var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp?type(img)g(18262124)a(1741564)'...
2. Boyd’s Rangers future dependent on Smith’s? Striker would rather the boss stays The respect that Kris...
3. Rangers and Kris Boyd: Happy talking? Agent and Martin Bain in discussions At the time of...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

A dog is doing a s…..

Out with the Diadora and in with a brand that isn’t embarrassing to wear. The SFA deal with Adidas sees Scotland back amongst the major footballing brands, if not yet back amongst the major footballing nations.

Fletch and Faddy look positively delighted to be wearing the new kit and this is the sort of new found optimism that we were hoping Craig Levein’s appointment would bring to the squad. There is no stopping us now.

That said, the shirt pretty much does what you would want from a Scotland kit, it keeps it simple and is likely to be a big hit when it officially goes on sale.

It will be worn at Hampden on Wednesday night when Scotland take on Euro 2012 qualifying rivals the Czech Republic in a friendly match.

Not only is it the debut of Adidas but it sees Craig Levein taking charge of his first Scotland team.

Levein has been denied the services of Lee McCulloch who was injured by Kevin Thomson in the Rangers v Celtic match on Sunday. James McFadden also remains a doubt for the match with an injury but such is the life of an international football manager.

Will you be buying the new Scotland adidas kit?

Related posts:

1. Rangers stars dominate Scotland squad Some new faces as well for new boss Levein New...
2. Will there be a Joy Division for Scotland in Warsaw? Would unknown pleasures suit Levein in Sunday draw? Craig Levein...
3. Boyd back in the Scotland fold Rangers hitman to make Scotland return? var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp?type(img)g(18262124)a(1741564)'...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Long suffering fans get more bad news

You know what it’s like, you are sitting waiting to see pictures of the new Scotland kit and start messing about with websites that you really shouldn’t be on. The sort of sites that if someone found on your internet history that would make you really embarrassed.

Yes, we hit the SFA website.

Sorry.

Anyways, they have a teaser of the new Scotland but a bundle of other stuff that caught our eye, firstly, the tagline for the new kit:

Be Stronger
Be Scotland

B A Robertson for the 2012 song?

Okay maybe not but the tagline “Impossible is nothing” can’t be applied to Scottish football. Try and get Celtic and Rangers fans to agree on a refereeing performance, that’s fairly impossible!

Following on from our B A Robertson joke though was the news that an even bigger musical atrocity was set to align himself to the SFA.

Perennial loser and national embarrassment Darius Danesh will be singing the national anthem before the friendly against the Czech Republic.

We wanted rid of the “C’monnnnn” Corrie but Danesh? Pffft, ach well, maybe it shows that we are never happy, serves us right for having musical taste.

In an ideal world, Mogwai would be performing a rousing anthem before the Scotland match but for now, that is unlikely to happen! Mogwai fans though can check out their latest DVD, on sale around May hopefully and which received its UK premiere last night at the GFT and is reviewed here!

Back to Danesh, it could be the first time Scottish fans boo their own national anthem!

Who would you want singing the national anthem…and even then, what do you want the anthem to be?

Related posts:

1. Levein to be the new man for the SFA? Tannadice boss ready to leave for the national post? WeKnowSFA...
2. Hibs make a stand for the fans…and against the SFA East Terrace says goodbye and Liam Miller will be there...
3. Heart’s Andy Driver puts Scotland in the driving seat Player ‘dead keen’ to join the Tartan Army Craig Levein...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Some new faces as well for new boss Levein

New Scotland boss Craig Levein has finally picked his first squad for the forthcoming match against the Czech Republic. Not only will it be the former Dundee United and Hearts boss first foray into international management, it will be a precursor to the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

Scotland were drawn alongside the Czech Republic (not to mention current European Championship holder Spain) so this match could lay down a marker for Scottish progress. If we win. If we lose, it will clearly have no bearing on the tournament itself!

Sorry, it’s probably best to move away from the negativity that surrounded the Burley reign and if you can’t be upbeat before a ball is kicked, what is the point in turning up?

It will also be the first time the national team turns out in its new adidas kit.

The squad for the match will be:

Goalkeepers
Neil Alexander (Rangers)
Craig Gordon (Sunderland)
David Marshall (Cardiff City)

Defenders
Alan Hutton (Tottenham Hotspur – loan to Sunderland)
Christophe Berra (Wolverhampton W.)
Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic)
Paul Dixon (Dundee United)
Garry Kenneth (Dundee United)
Lee Wallace (Heart of Midlothian)
Andy Webster (Rangers – loan to D United)
Steven Whittaker (Rangers)

Midfield
Charlie Adam (Blackpool)
Scott Brown (Celtic)
Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion)
Darren Fletcher (Manchester United)
Paul Hartley (Bristol City)
Lee McCulloch (Rangers)
James McFadden (Birmingham City)
Barry Robson (Middlesbrough)
Kevin Thomson (Rangers)

Forwards
Kris Boyd (Rangers)
Steven Fletcher (Burnley)
Chris Iwelumo (Wolverhampton W. – loan to Bristol City)
Kenny Miller (Rangers)

There is more of a Dundee United contingent than previously would have been included, which is to be expected but it is not as if any of the players are not worthy of consideration for a cap. We are not too convinced with Garry Kenneth and would maybe have tried David Goodwillie up front but the Tangerine selection is about right.

Of course, the headlines will focus on the returning players and those who haven’t returned. Lee McCulloch and Kris Boyd are welcomed back into the fold. McCulloch has clearly settled the family issues that saw him retire from international football but the midfielder has performed well for Rangers this season.

As for Boyd, it would be madness to leave him out of the squad and hopefully Craig Levein can get the best out of the striker.

Barry Ferguson remains unselected but he may well return for competitive matches and goalkeeper Alan McGregor has not been included, although he probably has other matters to contend with at the moment.

So, a new beginning and here’s to a successful campaign towards 2012.

Are you happy with the squad?

Related posts:

1. Dundee United’s Goodwillie for the Scotland squad Fresh start, new names It is almost time for the...
2. Boyd back in the Scotland fold Rangers hitman to make Scotland return? var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp?type(img)g(18262124)a(1741564)'...
3. Levein to be the new man for the SFA? Tannadice boss ready to leave for the national post? WeKnowSFA...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Oxfam Scotland and the club are teaming up

You could say that Celtic have been doing a lot of charitable work all season. They’ve been dishing out points and goals to all and sundry this season and they have been doing a lot to preserve the financial wellbeing of their city neighbours Rangers.

Wonderful work from a club that was set up with charitable intentions!

Of course, their fans haven’t been too impressed with that style of charity work but the latest move from Celtic should be viewed as a positive issue.

Oxfam Scotland and Celtic webpage

Poverty in Africa has been a cause that the world has been aware of for the past few decades and although great work has been done, the situation is still pretty dire for many. The World Cup in South Africa will hopefully show the great elements of the game and the continent but Africa is huge and there will be many areas not on the radar this summer.

Any Celtic fan going along to the game against Dundee United should be aware that there will be an Oxfam van parked up beside the Celtic superstore where donations can be dropped in for sale at Oxfam shops. As you would expect, books, cds and clothes will be gratefully accepted.

They probably won’t take Lee Naylor though…sorry hoops fans.

It is a good step and it will hopefully help some people be more aware of the situation and will get a few people acting to assist.

Okay, it is probably a bad day if some people need a football team to tell there that is wrong in the world and to encourage them to help out but every little helps and again, it should be viewed as a positive thing.

Oxfam Scotland and Celtic webpage

Related posts:

1. Evening Times do their best to sell Celtic star Aiden McGeady Transfer window slow news day for everyone…including us var uri...
2. Draw tells tale of Celtic’s season Good but it’s not right. var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp?type(img)g(16586064)a(1741564)' +...
3. Did World Cup dreams destroy Aberdeen? Samaras and McDonald have something to aim for. 3 home...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Some Friday night games for the Tartan Army

The fixture list in full:

2010
Friday 3 September - Lithuania v Scotland
Tuesday 7 September – Scotland v Liechtenstein
Friday 8 October - Czech Republic v Scotland
Tuesday 12 October - Scotland v Spain

2011
Saturday 3 September - Scotland v Czech Republic
Tuesday 6 September - Scotland v Lithuania
Saturday 8 October - Liechtenstein v Scotland
Tuesday 11 October - Spain v Scotland

8 games in the campaign and only two being played on a Saturday? International football is definitely changing and it will be interesting to see how the switch to Friday and Tuesday games will affect the Scottish side.

Friday the 3rd of September is when it all kicks off with a trip to Tynecastle, err Lithuania and this is quickly followed by Liechtenstein at home on the Tuesday night.

Czech Republic away and Spain at home (again, a Tuesday night) will be tough games putting more pressure on the team to pick up points in the opening two matches.

After the last campaign, Kenny Miller was quick to moan about playing the big team (Holland) at home in midweek so it will be interesting to see if Miller will moan to Levein about the Spanish tie taking place in midweek.

We expect Miller to keep quiet this time around!

After the Spanish lose at Hampden (c’mon, live a little for now), Scotland will have a crucial home double-header in September 2011 where 6 points could go a long way to securing qualification or a play-off spot.

This is followed by a trip to Lichtenstein before concluding in Spain on Tuesday 11th October 2011.

Wow, that is a long way away isn’t it? Those fans who were looking forward to the Spanish trip have a long time to wait!

So, the fixture list, some initial thoughts:

It is very drawn out, over a year to play effectively 4 double headers. This could be good or bad I suppose. Almost a year of a break between the first group of games and second group is a long time.

Finishing with two away ties isn’t ideal although if the Spanish have top place sewn up by their last game, it could be ripe for the Scots to plunder a point or three.

6 points need to be grabbed in September 2011.

Can Scotland at least grab a play-off place?

Related posts:

1. We’re Levein Home for Euro 2012 – Scotland’s Draw Craig Levein’s Scotland were drawn in Group I for the...
2. Will there be a Joy Division for Scotland in Warsaw? Would unknown pleasures suit Levein in Sunday draw? Craig Levein...
3. Levein to be the new man for the SFA? Tannadice boss ready to leave for the national post? WeKnowSFA...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

It has happened before

The last three games between Scotland and Spain have all taken place on Spanish soil and as you would expect, the Spanish have the upper hand…but not by much.

A 1-1 draw on 3rd of September 2004 – game abandoned on 59 minutes!
A 0-0 draw on 27th of April 1988
A 1-0 defeat on 27th February 1985

However, on the 14th November 1984 Hampden Park was rocking as Scotland thrashed the Spaniards 3-1 in the 1986 World Cup qualifying group. This was Scotland’s second game of their group on the road to Mexico and this victory saw the Scots sit top of the table with 6 points.

Scotland’s opening game was a 3-0 Hampden win over Iceland with Celtic midfielder Paul McStay notching two of the goals. Arsenal striker Charlie Nicholas got a third late on to put a good finish on the game and set Scotland up for their clash with the Spanish team.

Group 7 was one of three four team group in the European Qualifying round and the runner up in Scotland’s group would have to play off against the Oceanic winners. Spain were always likely to be favourites in the group so second place was what Scotland needed to look for.

By half-time against Spain, Scotland were two up and cruising, Maurice Johnston netting twice. The player had not long signed for Celtic by this point but these two goals managed to get virtually the entire country behind him. How things were to change a few years later for Johnston!

Spain pulled a goal back through Goicochea on 65 minutes and Hampden braced itself for a night of disappointment but Kenny Dalglish, the true Last King of Scotland, scored a phenomenal strike to restore Scotland’s two goal advantage. That was the last of the scoring and Scotland looked well on their way to Mexico.

As everyone knows, there were a lot of twists and turns to come in that qualifying campaign with a defeat in Spain followed up by a disappointing loss at home to Wales. A nervy 1-0 win in Iceland set Scotland up for a massive clash in Wales where a draw would ensure Scotland would finish above Wales in the qualifying group.

As most people know, a late Davie Cooper penalty got Scotland the point they needed but the death of Jock Stein was the abiding memory of that evening. It may have been a brief qualifying campaign and it had some great highlights but the loss of Stein overshadows it all.

Scotland at least defeated Australia in the play-offs and reached the World Cup but the home win over Spain will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it.

It will take something special to defeat the current Spanish side, who are amongst the best in the world.

King Kenny Dalglish’s goal against Spain can be seen in this video, at the 3:24 mark. Enjoy!

Related posts:

1. Will there be a Joy Division for Scotland in Warsaw? Would unknown pleasures suit Levein in Sunday draw? Craig Levein...
2. We’re Levein Home for Euro 2012 – Scotland’s Draw Craig Levein’s Scotland were drawn in Group I for the...
3. Rumours of Dalglish for Liverpool…or Rangers? All the talk is of Kenny var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp?type(img)g(18327164)a(1741564)'...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.