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The European Knife-edge · Scots With A Mic

0:01
Hello and welcome back to the latest episode of Scots with a
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Mic podcast. Today I'm joined by James Scott,
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Adam from Gorgie Talk. I'll be your host today.
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Finn Crocker, I'm back again. We've got a lot to talk about
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today, guys. Obviously, since last podcast,
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the first leg of the European ties for for some of the
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Scottish clubs have gone on and now we can look ahead to the
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second ties after the results from the first legs to come in.
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So starting with the Rangers, obviously last Tuesday, I think
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last Wednesday I can't remember, played Panathinaikos at home at
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Ibrox was an important game obviously because of how the
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seedings working for for for the ties for the next round.
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Got a good two nil win. Finley Curtis, first senior goal
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I think and another debutante goal.
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They're in a strong position now after that first leg.
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And how do you think the the second leg will play out in
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Greece? I mean, it's hard to always tell
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these ones because was dead to go down to 10 men early in the
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second-half and you know that that's that's changing the path
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of the game straight away. Their Rangers go on and grab a
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2nd 20 minutes after that and managed to keep a clean sheet.
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So I mean going over where I lead the strongest to know
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really good for them. It was always going to be a
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tough away game no matter what they did that I approx So but
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yeah, I think they've I think they've done enough to hopefully
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squeeze through 2 Niles 2 Niles. A good lead to take and think
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they've got it in them. Would.
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You agree with what James is saying, I think, I think like it
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probably would have been a closer game had there not been
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for the red card. But yeah, getting that second
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goal has given them that that bit of cushion that they need.
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And I think the way Russell Martin sets up his teams, they
1:56
will be very organized as well. So if they were to give up that
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two goal advantage, it would be more a surprise now at this
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point than anything else. But you know, like, you know,
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like you said, never know. It's always a tough away game.
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But I'd be confident if I was a Rangers fan that they would get
2:12
through the next round. Yeah, if they do get through,
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they'll face either Survet or Victoria Pleasant.
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Which either way is a big draw for the coefficient, but more so
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if it's Survet right now. I think yeah, we're 17th going
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into the season for the country coefficient.
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Switzerland right above us in 16th.
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Only 1.45 points coefficient points separate us.
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So to face survet would be a big one.
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If if they do lose against Panathinaikos, they lose the the
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tie, they'll drop down into the Europa League qualifying round 3
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and they'll face the winner of Shakhtar the next versus the
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Shakhtar. So I'd argue that's an even
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harder draw than than Svetto Pleasant.
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Shakhtar currently 42-UP, Svet currently one nil up against
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Victoria Pleasant and that was away from home.
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So they've got the second leg at home.
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So you'd fancy them maybe now. So obviously a big game there.
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But that was not just Rangers who had a good result last week,
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Hibs also, I'd say a good result on paper away from home in
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Denmark against Midgalin to the European pedigree has really
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kind of risen in the last couple of years.
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Did well in the Europa League last year and and went away and
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got quite a a good a good one one draw.
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Jamie McGrath was his first competitive goal for Hibs with a
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free kick in the 7th minute. Wasn't the the prettiest, but it
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was an error from from the goalkeeper kind of that led it
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in and they defended really well throughout the game until the
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72nd minute, obviously through through no fault alone really.
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But it was a an incredible free kick from Mitchell and to who
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plays the game and and helps kind of sought out from there.
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Even there was a couple scares near the end.
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I was thinking that they might Chuck it at the end but they did
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hold on and they've got the second legate Easter Road now.
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Yeah, yeah, I watched that. That one, pretty much most of
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this second-half I've seen for that one, it was depends how you
4:09
look at. I think obviously it was that
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you could argue that they were always in the back foot for most
4:14
of the game. But then equally they knew they
4:16
were probably going in as the underdog and they obviously got
4:20
their legal that David Gray would be looking for anyway.
4:22
And then that would give them that bit of cushion, right, To
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just sort of not so much set back, but like you've got that
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bit an advantage now to see you can come at us and then we'll
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just try and counter you. And they were obviously just
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trying to unlock the door the whole game.
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And credit to Hibs slightly biased opinion, it's not the
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greatest defence in the Premiership I've seen the Hibs
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defence, but I would say they contained them really well
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considered in my own opinions that defence like I think they
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could have played all night and they wouldn't have got that
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second goal. So I'll let you say the goal
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they did get was from a set piece.
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So yeah, a massive, massive result for them.
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And to be honest, the way they've got them and in the home
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leg now he's throw the thing. It's been confirmed today as a
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sellout. So yeah, As for the back end of
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that attendance, 20K plus, like, yeah, I would be be, I think
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it's in the balance. Like I think it's 5050 in the
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sense of because they've got that home advantage.
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It's clear that Michelin do hold a lot of the cars maybe in terms
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of quality and experience in Europe.
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But you you never know. Again, Hibbs could get that goal
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and go in front and and see it out this time and again they've
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got a very favorable draw if they do win.
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Yeah, if if they do win, they'll face Norwegian side Frederick's
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dads. But on the flip side, if they
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lose, they'll likely face Partisan Belgrade who are tunnel
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up against the tunnel up in their tie against Ukrainian
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side. And Partisan Belgrade obviously
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would be a really tough away day in Serbia.
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Fans are really hostile. Lots of.
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Violence as well. The tunnel is like reviewed as.
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The infamous tunnel. Fearsome tunnels in European
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football, so it looks like a war zone, so I know.
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Yeah, it's, it's, it's a, it's a really tough one.
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It's probably 5050 like you said going into the first leg.
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I think Mitcheland were were predicted 8082% likely to to
6:11
prevail in the tie. Now that's down to around 65%.
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So it's reduced quite a bit. They're still favoured even if
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they're away from home. But like you said with the sell
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out Hibs fan back of them that that could be really vital for
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the tie. Yeah, and then that get, if they
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make it to the groups, they get there.
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I think the group stage prize money just for getting there's
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3.6 million. That's quite a, that's a quite a
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big chunk for like a club that's not 1 old farm.
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Like they'll be glad to have that coming in.
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It's just a shame how it's worked out with both Hibs and
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Rangers with this set of fixtures that arguably like
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losing, puts them in a worse situation just because, like you
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said, Donetsk and Belgrade are two sides that news will buy up
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in the Champions League. Yeah.
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But I mean, I mean, it's it's kind of the opposite for
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Aberdeen, I'd say, because obviously they've not found out
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their opponents yet. They're in the Europa League
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playoff round. If you look at the prize money,
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at least from this season, last season, I mean, because this
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season's not really been confirmed yet anywhere for, for
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making the the league stage, the prize money is not that
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different at a base. Obviously the win money is
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slightly different. I think it's like a 200KA150K
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difference for each win. But I'd say as an Aberdeen fan,
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I wouldn't mind being in the confidence like over the Europa
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League. Obviously not for away away
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games because those away trips for the Europa League look a lot
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better. But just from a purely sporting
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perspective, I think we're more likely to be able to push up to
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that top 24, get into the playoff round and then maybe
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accrue some some more prize money through win bonuses.
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I mean, look at that last time we were in the league phase, we
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didn't get through, but we beat Frankfurt away from home.
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A few disappointing results against Helsinki.
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But I think in the Europa League, it's a different kettle
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of fish. I mean you look at some of the
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teams in there and their budgets are just 10X20X the size of of
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the likes of Aberdeen, Hibs. So I think conference league
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from US boring and coefficient wise could also be better.
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I suppose, I suppose that's what we're looking at.
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But I mean, I kind of like I've always played with a spot in my
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head of which one would Rangers fans rather see their team in
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and obviously find most of the Champions League just because
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you you got aim for the top. But the reason Celtic have got
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that point so strong financially has been and that milestone of
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Champions League football consistently and that in turn
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brings in the revenue and across the years we'll see them allow
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themselves the belt better. And I have anything I'm saying,
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well, Rangers of all this had so much success in the Europa
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League. Would they rather just be in
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that league? I suppose when you think of it
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in terms of long term financial goals, truly would prefer just
9:09
to be up that one because if you can get there a couple of years
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in a trot, it makes a big difference budget wise and.
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I mean, yes and no, because I think the difference between
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Conference League and Europa League is a lot smaller than
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Europa League. the Champions League.
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I think the Champions League money is is is a lot bigger a
9:35
gap than than Conference League to Europa League and I think.
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I think I think that's right when when Hearts went out last
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season, it was we were talking with that whole idea to like get
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in the Europa League playoffs. Do you want to get the like, let
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you say the more glamorous away these and then stronger
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opposition and just put your wits against them?
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Or do you go to the Conference league might get the odd good
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tie or two, but then you're obviously going to know what a
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ties actually believe in. You're going to win.
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Yeah. And I think to be honest, like
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personally watching each game over Super Hearts last season,
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it's like if I'm if I'm putting that position again, which
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hopefully next season it will be, then it might it would be a
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no brainer if anyone asked me that question.
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It'd be Conference League 100%. Like, yeah, I was looking for, I
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was looking for the the figures here.
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That's kind of why I was. There's not much difference
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money wise, yeah, but my chance to getting through.
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Yeah, for the group stage in Europa League it's €3.63
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million. For Conference league it's €3.17
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million. So there's about 500 K
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difference. The win bonus is, like I said,
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€230,000 different euro difference, that's about 200,000
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lbs. And a top 8 finish is worth
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404100K and playoff is 200 K. So looking at the monetary
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difference, it's it's about 500 K difference between league
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phase and Europa League and conferencing.
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So from a financial standpoint, if you get one more one in the
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conferencing than you do Europa League, that's kind of covered
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already. Yeah, I think, yeah, yeah, just
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the the sporting point from a, from a fan perspective as well,
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wanting, wanting to see your, your team not just qualify for
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the Europa League and then get scudded in most of those games
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and finish, you know, 20th, 21st.
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But actually kind of pushing not 20, sorry, like in the 30s on
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the lower side, but actually in the conference, they're kind of
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pushing towards them, the lower to mid level of those playoffs
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and kind of, you know, European knockout football is not
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something we've had for 40 years, you know, since the 80s.
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So and then we've had a lot. Better as well if you do get
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through like even though heart started like 2-3 games then and
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they were like pretty much I think we were in the top 8 or on
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the cost bit. Yeah, you're, you're predicted
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like 99% chance of getting through.
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And obviously we got beat for plumbers and then finished like
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25th. So I missed it like the worst
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way possible. But even like, you know, you
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would then think, right, So see, you finished top 24 and then you
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get through an awkward thing right here.
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He's 5050, take a chance. But likely you go out sort of
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thing. Even that like you can find
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there's some surprises like Shamrock Rovers and teams like
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that. There's a chance at one point
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the way the draw would go if we actually got through because
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they got Shamrock Grover's. No, I'm not by any means saying
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that Neil Crutchley's hearts would be Shamrock Grover,
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especially really within Europe, right?
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By no means I'm saying that, but what I'm saying is you're still
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actually getting through a group stage going into a knockout,
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still potentially well winnable tie like as an on paper
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winnable, whereas you normally think you know yourself, you get
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to certain points to Europe and you Hank call.
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If we do do the medical and get through the group, we go in and
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knockout probably we actually aren't in the conference.
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You may actually still have a decent chance of getting to like
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a quarterfinal or whatever. Yeah, Look at June Garden from
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Sweden. I think they got to this.
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I think it was quarters of semis, I can't quite remember.
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And they faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
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I mean, what in a way did that be?
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Exactly, Yeah. So yeah, moving on now to Dundee
13:01
United that they had their first leg at Tanner Dice last week.
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They did get the result. They needed one though when it
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was quite scrappy. Jim Goodwin said he was kind of
13:12
disappointed with the margin of the result but obviously was
13:14
delighted with the result. They are ahead, they are in,
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they, they face, you know, in a stress and away in Luxembourg.
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Now, if they win the tie, they'll face Austrian side rapid
13:24
VN, which is a tough ask in my opinion.
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If, if they were to get through. Obviously if they lose this one,
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they're out of Europe completely because it's in the conference
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league. I, I, I do still fancy them to
13:35
get through, but I was kind of expecting a, a three or four at
13:39
home. Obviously there was a bit of
13:41
doubt because you know how Scottish shades do when their
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favourites in Europe, but kind of I thought that they would get
13:49
3 or 4 under the belt and kind of have it sorted for the second
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leg. But it's now it's going to be a
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tight and scrappy affair in Luxembourg.
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Yeah, I think Dundee out of the three, I think actually I
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thought like obviously Dundee United was the most obvious one
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where you would say home again on paper, like they should win
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again at home. Forster, the favorite and the
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tie. They should have that sewn up
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first leg. I think like what was a wee bit
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frustrating about Dundee United's game, as well as the
14:19
fact that obviously they have made a lot of changes to their
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squad. Don't don't know why
14:25
specifically. I'm not sure if I had loads of
14:27
people a contract or whatever. I don't know the insides to to
14:30
their their squad details, but I certainly know obviously they
14:32
didn't have any British players in their starting lineup.
14:34
They had an abundance in new players.
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So like I do think that kind of pleasant and how the result
14:41
ended up the way it did things that are more settled team and
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they took that team into the first leg.
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They might have got the 2 three goal advantage and I do.
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I'm a wee bit concerned like it's going to be one of them
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where it's either going to be really comfortable and they do
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they do get the one and it's no problem, or they they get like
14:58
another shameful result for Scottish football, But I hope
15:01
it's not the latter. But that's what what is mail?
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We bet going to Luxembourg, but only I won the lead.
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And I don't. Know what your thoughts
15:07
surnames. Yeah, it's just from those sort
15:12
of ones where you really prefer to have a much bigger margin
15:17
taken across just because the doors never shut even 2 nil, so
15:21
one nil and you never you just never know how how the night's
15:24
going to go. You've you see these games where
15:26
they're our favourites and what Rangers who was that They had
15:29
Unicorn. That was Luxembourg, wasn't it?
15:31
Way back but. Progress.
15:33
Progress. Needle corn.
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Yeah. Yeah, like it happens.
15:37
So yeah, I mean you would obviously looking at it on
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paper, you said Dundee they could go over there and not
15:43
forepast them and put it to bed really on the door site.
15:46
But you said they've got rapid vena waiting on them again that
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is that is quite a tall order for my family.
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Like you said, if I went to one, I'd be I think they'd have to
15:56
have to put now, you know, a. Stellar performance.
16:00
Yeah, because they'll they'll, they'll bring out.
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Yeah, so, so those are the three ties, obviously second legs this
16:08
week. Celtic and Aberdeen still weigh
16:10
in their opponents. I think the draw for the playoff
16:12
round where we find out potential opponents would be the
16:14
4th of August. I know that's for Aberdeen.
16:16
I don't know if it's the same for the for Champions League for
16:18
Celtic. But moving on now to the Premier
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Sports Cup, obviously the league stage is now rounded up.
16:24
Know all the the the 16 teams that have that have got through
16:29
obviously 5 already confirmed because they were in Europe.
16:33
There's a few all Premiership ties like Kilmarnock, Dundee
16:35
United, Livingston versus Hibs, St.
16:38
Mirren versus Hearts, but obviously the standout ones are
16:41
ranges are at home to the lowest ranked side still left in the
16:44
competition, Alloa Celtic against new Premiership side
16:48
Falkirk, Greenock at home against Aberdeen, Partick
16:52
Thistle at home against Ayer United and St.
16:55
Johnston who beat Elegant City 8 nil in the last round against
16:57
Motherwell. So what what are your thoughts
17:00
on those ties and where'd you see the the quarter final kind
17:04
of hidden? I mean from a from a fan of the
17:09
Championship club, I do like seeing it when 2 Championship
17:13
clubs still manage to get drawn against each other part of the
17:16
game because it ensures there will still be a Championship
17:18
club in the quarter finals. And you never know once you get
17:22
into that same competition if you could get another result and
17:25
just go out one step further. So yeah, it's quite exciting
17:28
seeing that one. Partick was, I was, I didn't
17:31
really know how they were going to get on the season.
17:34
And obviously pregnant Mark Wilson after they asked Brian
17:37
Graham to take the job, didn't know that they were going with
17:41
their sort of obviously they weren't going with their first
17:43
option at that point. And I felt there was, you had a
17:46
quite a grumbling online from the Partick supporter.
17:49
So I was kind of shocked to see them.
17:51
So I just cruised for the group, putting Ross counting to bed 3-1
17:54
in the final match just to finish top and now they've got
17:57
themselves a brilliant draw to try and maybe push on into the
18:00
the later stages of the competition.
18:05
Yeah, I don't honestly. Francis and Johnson against
18:08
Motherwell, maybe in the next round as well.
18:10
Obviously Motherwell don't look amazing.
18:13
They will probably lose Lennon Miller as well because interest
18:18
in him is picked up from Bologna I.
18:20
I was doubtful about Saint George's going into the season
18:22
as well after they got relegated, but they've looked
18:25
quite good in the league stage. 8 nil against Elegant I think.
18:28
I think that's the biggest win of the the league stage.
18:31
I think St. Mirren beat 8.
18:34
Two I. Think someone else, 82.
18:36
I can't remember quite. I can't quite remember who else
18:39
it was. Yeah.
18:41
Biggest win of the league stage going out and.
18:44
And that was it. Yeah.
18:46
Going into this this round of 16 at home against Motherwell, I'd
18:49
fancy them. Maybe.
18:50
Yeah, I got, I got some stats from it.
18:53
Just to do some research today. The only four teams won all four
18:57
matches. So Hearts, Partick, St.
18:59
Johnstone and Alloa. And the highest scoring teams
19:03
was Hearts scored 16, St. Johnstone scored 15.
19:06
So that echoes your point there about Saint Johnstone.
19:08
Motherwell, Falkirk and Ayr scored 14 and the mighty Ray
19:12
scored. 13 I just took some. I took some other sort of funny
19:19
stats as well, like because I've noticed that Kilmarnock finished
19:23
on 10 points right, scored seven, conceded none.
19:26
So 4 clean sheets for Kelly, six of the eight groups of the team
19:30
that finished on no points. Yeah, stolen Albin one of them.
19:34
I know that. But he can.
19:35
Sterling and brother Rangers didn't score a goal And then my
19:39
last one was Dunfermline and Airdrie.
19:41
Both managed 9 points but didn't qualify.
19:44
So I think 5 teams finished on 9th that finished second and
19:47
they both missed out by like a goal or a goal for or something
19:50
like that. Yeah, if, if St. it was Saint
19:53
Mirren versus Ayer and I think if Ayer had drawn that or won
19:57
it, then Dunfermline would have went through.
20:01
But because of how results went, they didn't.
20:04
So 9 points and not to qualify is quite tough to take I'd say.
20:09
Yeah, but I think that echoes your point like about Saint
20:11
Johnstone. I think they will.
20:13
I think they'll want to make a point.
20:15
They're trying to beat Motherwell as well.
20:16
Obviously they're of course they're going to go into one.
20:18
It's a cup game. They want both teams one at
20:20
1:00. But I think, like we talked in
20:21
the previous part that Motherwell having struggles just
20:25
off the field until Lennon Miller's situation sorted and
20:28
then just the struggles on it more around just obviously new
20:31
manager, a new style, not, you know, not to say it's not going
20:33
to work, but it's more just getting up, up to speed and
20:36
things. So obviously a member mentioned
20:38
before that they were still getting the points and then
20:40
obviously they continued to do so.
20:41
So they got through. But St.
20:43
Johnstone obviously actually liked St.
20:45
Johnstone under Valacare as well.
20:46
To be honest. They were just obviously just
20:49
lacking that bit of quality. And as what St.
20:51
Johnstone have suffered from in the past is obviously not having
20:54
people to finish, finish the job off at the final for the pitch
20:57
and all. They've dropped down a level and
20:59
they're they're playing sort of lower league teams in that group
21:02
stage. But certainly confidence wise
21:04
and obviously keeping Valakari and his methods over the summer,
21:08
they'd probably be, I think they'll have a bit more
21:10
foundation about them than what Motherwell will have.
21:12
But again, it'll be be interesting to see a Motherwell
21:15
cope with that. And Hearts, obviously we got
21:17
that that drawaway at Saint Mirren.
21:21
I don't think many people were happy with it, but I'm not
21:23
really too sure like what what people were.
21:27
I know people maybe want our or whatever, but like and obviously
21:30
maybe a home draw. But like I think the point is,
21:33
you know, you're trying to win those games and get seeded so
21:36
that you don't face obviously the better teams in the country
21:39
right until at least a quarter or so.
21:40
Sit down and as much it'll be a hard game.
21:43
They're not one of those teams. So often that's the message
21:45
like. I mean, I mean as a team that's
21:49
not Celtic, a Rangers, Your, your aim is just to avoid them.
21:52
Yeah. As an Aberdeen fan, I'm happy
21:56
with the draw against Greenock away.
21:58
Hopefully don't have another cup upset on the hands safely
22:03
through to the quarters. I've been I've I've been pleased
22:09
with the signings we made this summer so far.
22:10
I think what we're missing is just a goal scorer.
22:13
I mean, we've got Papi Gay, Peter Ambrose, Saltkler, but if
22:19
you look at their goal scoring records away from Aberdeen but
22:23
also at Aberdeen, no one's really impressed.
22:25
And you know, Kevin Nesbitt's went away and we've not really
22:29
replaced him. Obviously not.
22:31
We're not going to get him back because Millwall's asking prices
22:33
too much. So we kind of really need a goal
22:36
scorer to not even replace him, but kind of trying to improve
22:41
upon him because I think that was one of the points that let
22:43
us in last season as well. There's been a few reports
22:47
earlier today that we're in for AC Milan striker Laura Zich.
22:51
I don't know how to pronounce his name, but his gold scoring
22:54
record underlined stats that I've kind of, I've not done the
22:57
research, but I've seen on Twitter look really good.
22:59
So hopefully that goes through. There's been a few other
23:02
transfer developments, obviously, the big one being
23:04
Lennon Miller seems like he's going to be the next to join the
23:08
Scottish contingent over in Italy, kind of pairing up with
23:11
with Lewis Ferguson if he stays as well at Bologna.
23:15
It looks like things are progressing quite quickly
23:17
actually, as a few reports coming in, in the last kind of
23:21
half an hour as well, because we've been added in them that
23:25
Bologna are actually quite close to signing them.
23:30
So we'll just have to see what happens on that front in the
23:33
next couple of days. But I think from a sporting
23:35
perspective, Bologna would be the perfect move for him.
23:38
It's kind of before the summer, I said before we started
23:40
recording that. That's kind of the move that I
23:42
want it to happen, not specifically to Bologna, but
23:44
just for him to go to Italy. I think seeing how how well
23:48
Scots have done, it's just a perfect move.
23:50
Well. When he was talking about the
23:52
potential move because as I mean, this is the transfer of
23:55
the summer first, like you know, any Scotland international, I
23:58
feel, I think it's the one everyone's just been willing to
24:00
see what was going to happen. And obviously I think he heard
24:04
stuff come out from what the player was saying and one of his
24:07
biggest demands was around first team football, getting minutes
24:12
playing games and Bologna, Bologna fet that template and
24:18
they've proven themselves in the past to do that.
24:20
I think obviously Celtic is a name that you always heard to
24:23
get floated around and for me that was something where I just
24:25
didn't want them to go because we've seen too many guys go
24:28
there and just not get the minutes just because of the
24:30
demands at Celtic and what they are going for.
24:33
The youngsters don't always get a look in, whereas blown you off
24:36
of us odd Hecky. They've had fags and they've got
24:39
a good track record. Not this with young players but
24:41
young Scottish players that they've invested in, pushed them
24:43
on ones obviously got on them really well.
24:46
Now we are Premier League club, finally his first game again in
24:49
two years. It was good to see Arden Hecky
24:50
back but obviously Ferguson as well was going on and become
24:54
captain of the club. So there's a template there.
24:56
And if you're Lennon Miller, you will be saying, well, that's a
24:59
no brainer. Yeah, they agree, James.
25:02
So most of what you said that I think like there's enough
25:05
Scottish players have been there recently to show that Italy is a
25:08
platform for them to play in a top league regularly as well.
25:13
I think something about like Scottish midfield, there's going
25:17
to see it, see it. I know it feels like a pathway
25:19
almost has been that many now. But yeah, I think like Bologna
25:23
as well. They probably could could do
25:25
with somebody like Lennon Miller as well, somebody that's got
25:27
that hunger that that that confidence and and their own
25:30
ability with the youth that they've got also that will just
25:33
elevate them a bit more as well, I think and take them away from
25:38
certainly sort of Scottish football and putting them up to
25:41
a bigger challenge. I think he's kind of ready for
25:43
it. Obviously stood head and
25:44
shoulders above the obviously the players on his own team, but
25:47
probably, you know, it would walk into nearly most other
25:51
teams a finger range in Celtic. There's an argument it would get
25:54
in their teams. But like you've said, it's just
25:56
that 5050 of like would they get regular time or not?
26:01
As you know, you could use numerous examples of players
26:04
that you don't probably want them to go there because you
26:06
know they're not going to the regular time.
26:08
Where is it somewhere like Bologna?
26:11
Yeah, you've seen a lot of people flourish and I think it
26:14
actually would probably put more firmly in Steve Clarke's plans
26:17
as well in terms of World Cup and whatever.
26:19
You know, if he kick starts really well at Bologna, gets
26:22
that big move and does really well, he's, you know, definitely
26:25
knocking the door to starting that.
26:26
What is an already strong midfield for Scotland?
26:29
Yeah. I mean you can just see the
26:31
template from how many players have went over to Italy
26:33
obviously comes to mind. Scott Mctominay, Billy Gilmore,
26:38
Lewis Ferguson, obviously from from Aberdeen, Aaron Hecke, Josh
26:42
Doigs back in Syria after getting promoted from Sarah B
26:45
last season, Jay Adams. I mean the list goes on.
26:50
And there is kind of that proven template now, as you said, that
26:54
going over to Italy, you're going to get assured game time,
26:56
which you're not guaranteed at Celtic and Rangers.
26:59
I'd say. I mean, there's been countless
27:00
examples where where where there's obviously been talented
27:04
players there, but they've just not been been given the chance
27:08
to to show their abilities at like the Celtic and Rangers.
27:12
So I think moving abroad would be the best thing for them and
27:16
I'd be excited to see how he did because obviously Lewis, it'd be
27:20
interesting to see how they they set up in midfield as well.
27:22
Because Lewis Ferguson was speaking earlier this week or
27:25
last week about his role in the team and kind of saying that he
27:27
was. He's going to be playing more
27:28
deeper the next season. Yeah, to what to.
27:32
What he's to, what he's used to said that he's happening in his
27:35
role, but I think that partnership would be a match
27:38
made in heaven and I think it's one that we'd all be interested
27:41
and keen eyed to see. So so moving on now, Max Johnson
27:47
also kind of attracting interest.
27:49
He started the season with Storm Grats well, first first game,
27:52
first start, first assist in the a win for them.
27:57
He's been attracting interest from League Two side to Saint
28:00
Etienne along with a lot Championship clubs.
28:05
There was talk of Southampton earlier.
28:07
Leicester. I think he's really come on
28:10
leaps and bounds since his move from Motherwell first season.
28:13
He was a fringe player there, they won the league title, but
28:18
most of his appearance were off the bench and last season really
28:21
kind of came on as a as a main player in the team started most
28:24
games, if not all, and they won the league again on the last day
28:29
of the season to do it two times in a row.
28:32
He's obviously been been Crown Cup champion there as well, so
28:35
it'd be interesting to see if he made a move away this summer or
28:38
kind of stayed, tried to develop a bit more and then went for a a
28:41
bigger move next summer. Who was that you said he was
28:44
linked to again there? Sorry, fun.
28:46
League League 2 League door side St.
28:48
Etienne. There's been talk of
28:50
Southampton, a few other Championship clubs.
28:53
Kind of a host, kind of. Yeah, it's a tough, it's a tough
28:56
one like for for Matt Johnson. I think like just near enough
29:00
he's not as his fourth season at Stumgratz now, so says he's
29:04
already made like 60 odd appearances for them as well.
29:08
Even in those two seasons where he wasn't necessarily always
29:10
starting, like you said, she seems to have progressively been
29:12
getting put into the 1st 11 and obviously has a massive
29:16
contribution and a lot of their play as well.
29:18
I think if he was to move, it's one of them a game where you're
29:24
it would need to be right in the sense of like so say goes to a
29:26
Championship club again at the aspirations of that Championship
29:30
club. What is their squad like in
29:33
terms of like we're in the pecking order with match
29:35
Johnston going in terms of like is he going to be going in as
29:38
the first choice right back or is he yeah, you know, as it is
29:41
again place they all that kind of stuff.
29:43
Because I feel like if a team couldn't guarantee him that even
29:47
then potentially a better standard league where it would
29:49
maybe kick him on like say Championship to Premier League
29:52
sort of thing. Not sure it's the best move, but
29:56
again, there's plenty of time in the window.
29:58
It could be anybody getting it and against numerous factors
30:01
that go into if it's the right move in the right time
30:03
indefinitely. I mean, obviously is really
30:06
improving and he will be another one who he obviously will sends
30:09
hickeys back for example. And they'll be ideally from our
30:12
perspective buying out for that right back slot and was
30:15
obviously both of them show a lot of promise and and
30:18
adaptability as well. They're both young as well, so
30:21
you want them fitting and fitting each other for those
30:23
spots internationally. But yeah, from their own
30:25
perspectives, it's more about wherever they go or stay, Can
30:29
they, can they get that sort of regular spot in the clubs that
30:32
they they end up at or, or continue with?
30:34
Yeah it was good to see Iron Hickey back last week came on
30:38
second-half against Portuguese side Hill Vicente and
30:42
Brentford's pre season friendly. A lot of fans were really happy
30:46
with with not just him coming back, but obviously his
30:48
performance. One of the best boys on the
30:50
pitch. Apparently first competitive
30:53
game back in 20 months. I mean, I remember when he first
30:57
got injured and it was just, you know, a couple weeks, then
30:59
turned to a couple months and then it just got more and more
31:03
serious. And you were thinking, when did
31:05
this happen? I mean, a a year and eight
31:07
months later, finally back. I remember when when kind of the
31:12
world the the Euro qualifiers were happening and you know, it
31:16
was really competitive. Our wing back positions, you had
31:18
Nathan Patterson, Aaron Heckey, among others, kind of just
31:23
competing for those spots and the Robertson and a few others.
31:27
And that was kind of where we were excelling kind of that five
31:31
at the back pendulum system where Porteous would go into
31:34
right back when when Nathan Patterson, whoever was in that
31:37
right wing back position would go up.
31:39
So it's good to see him back and hopefully not too long until
31:42
he's back in in the Scotland squads as well.
31:45
I could actually say an awful bit hecky to be honest, like
31:47
funny, like when I when I seen him at Hearts, obviously we've
31:49
gone from Celtic. Yeah.
31:51
And like he came into the team I think 1718 and he was like for
31:55
the moment it started, I think he actually played like sort of
31:59
2930 role. Like he played like somebody had
32:01
been playing for as long as the experience heads in the.
32:04
Team It's like Lennon Miller last season.
32:06
Kind of just looks like he's been doing it for a decade.
32:08
And he could play and I think he started as a midfielder and you
32:11
can see that obviously his technical side, but it's just
32:13
how he leads the game, making play left back, right back,
32:16
going back. And he's got four or five
32:18
positions he can easily play and just like an abundance of talent
32:21
like. So when he when he got that move
32:23
to Bologna, it was like nearly the whole fan base was like,
32:26
there's no surprises too good for us sort of thing.
32:29
It was one of them. And obviously instantly then
32:32
moved to the Brentford, right. It's just, yeah, bizarre short
32:35
injury scenario, but thankfully, yeah, back on the pitch.
32:38
Yeah, I mean before his injury he was looking like you might be
32:40
going to Arsenal or or other places.
32:42
There was a lot like so. And another one that was
32:45
mentioned was Man City. I remember back not long, like
32:48
you said, not long before he got injured.
32:50
That was the rumours that were flying about guardians giving
32:53
them praise just to take the worst time.
32:56
And and you, you hope you don't, you never know what's going to
33:00
happen if that comes back during this time.
33:02
Well, like, you know, you like you said, he was playing really
33:05
well. He was doing good things.
33:06
And you just hope that you can hit those heights again now he's
33:10
back. Yeah.
33:11
And. Hopefully sooner rather than
33:14
later. Gavin's Call and Scott are 6
33:16
quite competitive World Cup qualifiers coming up in Melton.
33:20
Yeah, I think that's a good place to wrap up.
33:23
Guys. Thank you very much for joining
33:26
me again as usual, Adam from Gorgie Talk, James Scott as well
33:30
on the podcast. I've been your host, Finn
33:32
Crocker. Thank you very much for
33:33
listening. If you've enjoyed, please give
33:35
us a rating on Spotify or wherever you're listening and
33:38
we'll see you again soon. Cheers, guys.
33:40
Bye bye.