Continually learning Gordon Strachan

956

I remember Scotland-England games being huge events.  They were proper derby games, fired up by a balance – a vastly more resourceful England were in the ascendancy, but Scotland had more wins in the history books.  Despite the odd hiding we thought we could take them.

The Home International Championships probably ended at the right time, just before Scotland lunged into mediocrity.  No derby remains attractive if one side dreads the game coming round, while the other considers it a formality, but our former manager has given us reason for hope.

Gordon Strachan took time off from the game to invest in his stock of knowledge before becoming Celtic manager.  Despite an, erm, memorable opening week, Gordon blitzed Scottish football as Celtic manager.  He filled the boots of legend Martin O’Neill, and within 18 months eclipsed him by reaching what we used to refer to as ‘the next level in the Champions League’.

Despite going on to reach the knock-out stage of the Champions League again, and becoming our third manager to win three-in-a-row, Gordon stopped progressing.  His time at Celtic petered out, while the entire Middlesbrough episode was a nightmare.

Gordon, like Martin before him, looked as though the game had passed him by.  His resurgence at Scotland is evidence of his outstanding attribute – he’s a student of the game who continually learns.

Roy Hodgson has by far the better players, but never bet against Gordon.

Shaun’s goal on Friday

31 years ago in Sarawak, Malaysia, a midwife, Beatrice Lo, assisted in the delivery of a boy born to a Scottish family who lived in her community.  Beatrice got in touch with a common friend after wee Shaun’s goal on Friday, very proud of the kid she brought into the world.

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  1. neil canamalar lennon hunskelper extrordinaire

     

     

    21:00 on 18 November, 2014

     

    Credit where it’s due, that was some ball for the goal

     

     

    ——–

     

     

    It was a peach!

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  2. Chico terrible pass and wrestling “challenge” ;followed by yellow card; followed by 0-2 for Engerlund. Time to switch channels ;-))

  3. A fresher England with Scotland looking to be struggling after their exertions against Ireland.

     

    Oh – and theres another England goal.

  4. Lennon n Mc....Mjallby on

    The ‘away’ support had their chance with an army to do what they’re chanting for nearly thirty years and couldn’t,you would think they would want to move on and forget about it.

  5. Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire on

    The glorious balance…,

     

    They are being liquidated owing £300M so £500M has been recovered so far, I expect a similar exercise to rangers is happening so there maybe a few Scottish professional indemnities to be plundered by the debt recoverers :)

  6. mullet and co 2

     

     

    21:06 on 18 November, 2014

     

    Three good subs. I still fancy us to win this.

     

     

    —–

     

    Aye 3-2 will be grand!

     

     

    Charlie was unlucky with his booking.

     

    Marginal. Aye right!

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  7. Keeping The Faith on

    the huddle .. Re Jimmy Greaves , before my time but from what I’ve seen one of the greatest finishers ever . His book is well worth a read too unlike so many others.

  8. Chico was immense against ROI but he has been dire tonight……….so far. Engerlund “fans” giving it laldy. Deary me.

  9. Strange night ..County getting gubbed by Accrington

     

    Italy cannae beat Albania

     

    Wimbledon getting gubbed

     

    France struggling …A few coupon busters methinks.

     

     

     

     

    H.H.

  10. Keeping the Faith

     

    I used to watch Greaves and Gilzean when I was in London in the 60’s. a great pair of strikers . Greaves was world-class.

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