retired_southdown

retired_southdown

December 2009

The players filed in, one by one, holding bottles of drink. Some continued to text on their phones, others tapped away to the tunes on their ipods, staring vacantly into the distance. The overall mood in the room was tense. A Monday morning team meeting was not an uncommon event - this one certainly was, given that it started at 5:30 in the morning. To make matters worse, the central heating was broken.

What followed was a passionate team meeting like no other. I spoke at first for five minutes. "It's pretty obvious that we all need to lift our game for the remainder of the season," I started. "Myself included. The last six games or so, I've been outclassed tactally like never before. It's like learning to read and write all over again. The system that worked for us so well for the last five years is now obselete - it's a bit like cellophane. Every other club can see through it.

"The truth is - we're a bloody good football club. Half of our top eleven is going to South Africa in June. We're not lacking in talent at all. What's important is that we use our talent properly and get some proper results instead of losing games where we can earn at least one point, if not all three.

"Starting this week, we're all going back to school on our tactics. I don't want us to play like the Dutch in 1974 anymore. I don't want to see Gavin Skelton trying to set up miracle goals from the back anymore. Gavin, with respect, mate, your job is a defender. It shouldn't be up to you to score goals, that's the top of the people in front of you.

"Defenders - I want you to act like robots. Imagine that you're the Terminator. You see the ball, you kill it. Splificate it. Hasta la vista, baby." The room cracked up at my Arnie impersonation. "That's right. I don't want to see Libis work at all. Let's all make his job that much more easier, yeah?

"Midfielders....from now on, you're going to be deployed in a diamond, instead of a flat four. We'll have a defending midfielder - most likely Freddie - to mop up any of the mess left behind by the defenders. We'll have another guy up front to service the ball to Connor and Dean. We have two great goal-scorers, but they're not scoring any goals. I want to see that fixed, quickly.

"We're called the University club now, but we're playing like Neanderthals. Let's play smarter, not necessarily faster or harder, but smarter. Let's play like we belong at a university, and not at a dole office."

The rest of the players then took turns to speak. Most of the lads pledged to try harder and commit themselves to staying up in the Premier League. If team meetings win games, then we've just won a dozen.

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On the transfer front, I arranged the signing of former Danish U21 representative Bajram Fetai from Rangers to provide competition for Gethins, Walker and Paatelainen up front, as well as give the midfield something to think about. After being a regular member of the Gers squad for the last five years, Bajram will join us when the transfer window opens in the new year.

The new tactics would be put to a stern test when Celtic came to visit, and the results were mixed, although we only allowed the Buoys 9 clear shots on goal. "What are you all looking so sour about?" I asked the players after the game. "2-0 is heaps better than 5-0, which is what it was last time. A month ago, you would have cheered a two-goal loss to the mighty Celtic, now look at you! That just shows how far we've come already in 90 minutes. Keep believing - we're going to stay up!"

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">5/12 - University 0 Celtic 2Scorers - (Boutahar 26, Mahoney 81)League Position - 12th</pre>
After the game, Martin O'Neill did me a tremondous compliment by saying that University would be mad to get rid of me at this stage of the season, and that a manager who secured three promotions in four years must know more than a bit about football.

Celtic's Darren O'Dea agreed during the week to join University when the transfer window opens. I feel it's important to get fresh blood into a defensive unit which is looking a bit haggard at the moment. His fee to Celtic will cost in the region of $120,000.

Freddy Guarin will be out for three weeks after fracturing his jaw during training. His absence will most likely give Mick Dunlop another chance to establish himself as a midfield option, having played just 46 games in his five years here.

Sensational news on Wednesday, with Craig Levein getting the sack from Rangers! There doesn't seem to be any justification in his sacking, with Rangers only six points behind Celtic with a game in hand. During Levein's reign of four years at Ibrox he managed to win the Premier League twice and League Cup twice. The sacking may be a blessing in disguise for Scotland's World Cup hopes now, as Levein can devote his full energies to the upcoming campaign.

Falkirk came to town and delivered a crushing - but not fatal - blow to our team's morale.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">12/12 - University 0 Falkirk 4Scorers - (Duffy 33, N'Zigou 43, Thomson 65, Moutinho 82)League Position - 12th</pre>
As if to compound our recurring nightmare, we drew Rangers in the third round of the Scottish Cup.

Our defending woes didn't get better at Dunfermline, but at least we were in the contest this time. Ryan Conroy became the fourth University player this year to receive a red card, and he may find his initial one-match ban extended well into the new year, pending a review by the SFA.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">19/12 - Dunfermline 4 University 2Scorers - Walker 30, 44 (Hepburn 22, Dunn 50og, Gilhaney 66, 90)League Position - 12th</pre>
Christmas came and went, and we travelled the short distance to Kilmarnock in a game between the two bottom teams in the Premier League. This game would play a major role in determining our fate for the rest of the season. Would we be two-season-wonders? Or would we see light at the end of the tunnel?

In the end, it was progress. Sort of. A bit.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">26/12 - Kilmarnock 1 University 1Scorers - Gethins 40 (Easton 45pen)League Position - 12th</pre>
Former Plymouth manager Bobby Williamson was confirmed as the new Rangers manager on Boxing Day, and would begin his new assigment eight points behind Celtic.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scottish Premier League Table - December 20091. Celtic 45 +372. Rangers 37 +143. Falkirk 32 +64. Hearts 32 +65. Dundee Utd 29 +46. Dundee 26 -37. Hibs 22 -38. Gretna 20 -99. Aberdeen 20 -910. Dunfermline 19 -811. Kilmarnock 16 -1512. University 12 -20</pre>

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January 2010

With the 'noughties' out of the way and the 'teenies' ushered in, the new year started with two new faces in the squad and a match against Aberdeen at Collegians Road where we sought our third win of the season. Sadly, although the effort of the team was top-notch, the game got away from us, and we surrended by two goals to none. Gavin Skelton received his second red card in two months.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">2/1 - University 0 Aberdeen 2Scorers - (Mikko Paatelainen 77, Wyness 84)League Position - 12th</pre>

John Gorman was sacked as Dunfermline's manager the next day. Ross County's Alex Smith was swiftly head-hunted as his replacement.

Calamity struck the University training sessions later in the week, with Marco Pelosi (hip) and Libus Andres Arenas ruled out for three and one month respectively, leaving me scrambling to patch up the glaring holes their absence leave in my squad. The very next day, Ederson got his wish and packed his bags for Tottenham for $525,000. The Brazilian midfielder scored 13 goals in 100 games for University in his tenure at the club. The transfer was very good news for us as Ederson had also been in talks with Sunderland and Leeds but those two clubs would not pay a transfer fee and prefered to wait until July for his services.

Given the instability at the club, our loss to Rangers should have come as no surprise.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">9/1 - University 0 Rangers 3Scorers - (Novo 40pen, McCormack 50, Cameron 88)Scottish Cup Third Round</pre>

"I can't fault the team at the moment," I told Sky Sports afterwards. "Sometimes we play like a one-armed taxi driver with the crabs, but we haven't given up. Not by a long way."

The club's injury crisis resulted in more fresh faces joining the squad. Stephen O'Donnell joined from Boston United, goalkeeper Stuart McCulloch signed on from Dundee United's reserve squad, whilst Dunfermline sold Ross O'Donoghue back to us for a fraction of what we originally signed him for. Unfortunately, Ross is battling an injury crisis of his own and won't be back in action until February.

An exciting encounter followed at Raydale Park, although we were lucky to hold on with a draw. The referee ruined the match for University supporters, however, when he saw fit to issue ten yellow cards in the game, including eight for University.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">16/1 - Gretna 0 University 0Position - 12th</pre>

The next game was an utter car crash.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">23/1 - Dundee 4 University 0Scorers - (Khanyeza 45, 63, Weir 51, Robertson 69)Position - 12th</pre>

After the game, a Dees supporter had the utter gall to target me with a joke. "What does a University supporter do after his team wins a game?" I thought to myself: Should I? Shouldn't I? I couldn't resist....."What?"

"He turns off Football Manager and goes to bed."

Rubbish rained down on me as I walked my way back to the dressing sheds.

14 games in a row without a win - a new club record. Yet, we were still 'just' six points behind 11th-placed Kilmarnock. A sudden rush of good form could see University climb the ranks, yet to win games we had to score goals - something we hadn't done since December 26.

Unfortunately for me, we had to stay in the city of Dundee to play our next game. The attacking problems were sorted somewhat against Dundee United. Unfortunately, our defensive problems were not.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">30/1 - Dundee Utd 4 University 3Scorers - Gethins 8, Guarin 78, 82 (Wilson 21, 37, Aidoo 30, Kean 76)Position - 12th</pre>

With just one point earned from four league games during January, the situation is starting to look serious for University.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scottish Premier League Table - January 20101. Celtic 49 +382. Rangers 45 +193. Dundee Utd 39 +94. Falkirk 37 +75. Hearts 37 +56. Dundee 32 +17. Hibs 29 -38. Aberdeen 25 -99. Dunfermline 24 -910. Gretna 21 -1411. Kilmarnock 19 -1712. University 13 -27</pre>

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February 2010

"Daaaaaaad?"

I looked up. Sam and Callan were looking very worried at the end of the bed.

"Whaa.....what's the time? Oh......."

"We wanna football shirt for our birthdays....."

I really had no time for this. "But why? Your birthdays aren't till August anyway. Besides, you have lots of University shirts..."

Sam spoke up. "We want Hibs shirts. Mickey Morgan said University suck."

Cue double-blink from Dad. "Who's Mickey Morgan?"

Callan replied brightly. "He's the boy from day care who teasesed us and stepped on our lunch last week. He said, that his dad said, that University were a pack of fu...."

"Hold it, hold it, hold it. Go and talk to Mum about it."

It was hard enough trying to keep a team afloat without my twin sons being set against me.

After a short break due to international friendlies - and the drawing of the groups of the 2010 World Cup in Cape Town, with Scotland to face Italy, Japan and Paraguay - we descended into 'Fat February'. A critical month in the short history of the University club, and yet we were to face our four toughest opponents - Hearts, Hibs and the Old Firm.

After the Dundee incident, jokes about the team and myself were sweeping the country. It had even gotten to the stage where Sheena's principal asked her if I had really spent the 90 minutes during the Falkirk game locked away in the men's toilets. Whilst I assured her that this was just a temporary craze, and that the spotlight would soon deflect off University and onto another club, she remained adamant that perhaps the time had almost come for me to say goodbye to the team I had built up.

Eventually we reached a compromise. As soon as it was mathematically impossible for University to avoid relegation, I would release the following statement to the media.

The piece of paper was undated and unsigned, and went into a sealed envelope and placed under the bed matress.

The month started with a sold-out crowd for another Edinburgh derby. In an incredible turn-around of recent form, University sprung one of the upsets of the seasons with a dominant win against Roberto Carlos's Hearts. Man of the match was Ross O'Donoghue, playing his first game back in a University shirt.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">10/2 - University 3 Hearts 1Scorers - Walker 22pen, McManus 27, Gethins 58 (McCusker 51)Position - 12th</pre>
Unfortunately for us, we couldn't repeat the effort in our Valentine's Day derby against Hibs, who dominated from start to finish. In seven meetings, we are still yet to beat our other Edinburgh rivals.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">14/2 - Hibs 3 University 0Scorers - (Duff 15, 40, O'Connor 45)Position - 12th</pre>
The gap between University and Kilmarnock was closed to five points, although the Killies still had a game in hand.

With his 100th league goal for University, Connor Gethins got proceedings against Rangers off to a cracking start, and for the first time this season we were able to sustain our level of play for the entire 90 minutes, choking Bobby Williamson's team out of the contest.

"Just brilliant! Just brilliant! Why can't we play like that all of the time?"

The result meant that the gap between us and Kilmarnock and Gretna was reduced to just two points, although both clubs had an extra game in hand.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">21/2 - University 2 Rangers 0Scorers - Gethins 2, Guarin 19Position - 12th</pre>
In the lead-up to our match against Celtic, Martin O'Neill was again preaching my virtues in the media, claiming that University's current form vindicated his earlier prophecy that we would survive the drop to First Division. Of course, considering we had done his boys a massive favour just the week before made the words easier to say. In response, I merely said that University had 'far too much talent to be relegated. We're going to survive, and we never stopped believing that'.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">27/2 - Celtic 3 University 1Scorers - Betai 65 (Lawson 23, Severin 77, Petrov 82)Position - 12th</pre>
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scottish Premier League Table - February 20101. Celtic* 61 +442. Rangers 52 +193. Dundee Utd 45 +94. Falkirk 44 +125. Hearts 44 +56. Dundee 36 +17. Hibs 35 -28. Aberdeen 29 -99. Dunfermline 28 -1010. Gretna 24 -2111. Kilmarnock* 21 -2412. University 19 -28* Game in hand</pre>

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March 2010

The managerial merry-go-round spun once more this week, and this time Gretna's Marius Lacatus was the one who fell out, having been sacked after fifteen months at Raydale Park. During that time, the Black and Whites failed to build on their credible first season in the Premier League under Rowan Alexander, and face possible relegation this season. Somewhat surprisingly, my name was mentioned as a contender to replace Lacatus, along with Gordan Strachan, Jim Duffy and John Gorman.

My job at the moment was on avoiding relegation, and we made a brilliant start to the month with a good win over Dunfermline. The result, coupled with Kilmarnock's loss to Rangers meant that we were out of the relegation zone for the first time since November, although the Killies still had a game in hand and superior goal difference in their favour.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">10/3 - University 3 Dunfermline 1Scorers - Gethins 22, Walker 40, Guarin 45 (Noble 3)Position - 11th</pre>

Another trip to the Falkirk Stadium followed, with a 2-2 draw that kept both sets of supporters happy.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">13/3 - Falkirk 2 University 2Scorers - Walker 45, 54 (Fernandez 34, Gray 43)Position - 11th</pre>

Celtic won their second League Cup in a row with a 1-0 win against Hearts. It was Hearts's first apperance in a cup final since 1998.

A six-point game then followed for us - against relegation battlers Kilmarnock. All of the effort during Fat February would be for nothing if we did not produce the goods here today. However, we dominated the Killies from start to finish and did not even allow them a straight shot on goal all game. With eight games to play in the season, we were four points ahead of the now-entrenched Kilmarnock.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">20/3 - University 2 Kilmarnock 0Scorers - Fetai 8, Gethins 82Position - 11th</pre>

The atmosphere are the game was similar to a cup final. Players walked around with the biggest smiles on their faces. The supporters were chanting outside, some sort of reference to a computer game...The sense of relief in the dressing sheds was obvious.

Our run of good form continued in a dour game at Pittdorie, which ended in a bang for University.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">27/3 - Aberdeen 0 University 2Scorers - Gethins 83, O'Donoghue 88Position - 11th</pre>

Kilmarnock appear to be all but relegated now, with a 2-0 loss to Celtic placing them seven points behind us on the ladder.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scottish Premier League Table - March 20101. Celtic 73 +472. Rangers 56 +163. Dundee Utd 55 +134. Hearts 51 +75. Falkirk 46 +106. Hibs 45 +17. Dundee 37 -28. Aberdeen 32 -129. Dunfermline 32 -1210. Gretna 30 -2011. University 29 -2212. Kilmarnock 22 -26* one game in hand* two games in hand</pre>

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April and May 2010

After an undefeated March, we got April started on the wrong foot, giving Gordon Strachan a good start in his debut with Gretna

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">10/4 - University 0 Gretna 1Scorers - (Bradley 37)Position - 11th</pre>
Dunfermline upset Rangers by the lone goal in their Scottish Cup semi-final replay at Hampden Park and will play in their third cup final in seven seasons.

The last game before the competition split was played against Dundee and resulted in an uneventful draw. On the same day, Celtic won their third successive SPL title with a 2-0 win over Dunfermline.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">17/4 - University 0 Dundee 0Position - 11th</pre>
And so we began our final five games of the season, knowing that nine points would certainly secure another season in the Premier League, and perhaps as little as three points would do just as well. The run of five games began with another bleak trip to Pittdorie, the third of the year.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">23/4 - Aberdeen 2 University 0Scorers - (Heikkinen 60pen, Namouchi 71)Position - 11th</pre>
University's Wouter Artz will be leaving the Premier League next season, having decided to return to his native Holland and play for FC Utrecht. During the season he had been getting rather homesick, despite securing the right defender's spot and making it his own.

Kilmarnock's thirteen-year tenure in the Scottish Premier League came to an end with Bajram Fetai scoring two brilliant goals to keep University alive in the SPL for another season. The highlight of the Killies time at the top include their third place finish in 2005/06 and their win in the Scottish Cup final of 2005. The knives are out for Jim Jefferies following their relegation.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">28/4 - University 2 Kilmarnock 0Scorers - Fetai 45, 83Position - 11th</pre>
As I staggered back home after a big night of celebrations, I noticed that Sheena had the wine on ice. Next to the bottle was the resignation letter.

"I guess we won't be needing this anymore," she said as she set it alight in the fireplace.

With promotion secure, and tenth place practically out of reach, the rest of the season passed in a blur.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">1/5 - University 1 Gretna 1Scorers - Gethins 4 (Snodgrass 32)Position - 11th</pre>
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">8/5 - Dunfermline 1 University 0Scorers - (Young 88)Position - 11th</pre>
Partick Thistle will participate in the Premier League in 2010/11 after securing promotion with a 1-0 win over Motherwell in the final game of the season, just edging out Queen of the South on goal-difference. It will be Partick's first excursion in the SPL since 2003/04.

Aston Villa crushed Sevilla 4-2 in the EURO Cup final held at Santiago Bernabeu. It is their first piece of European silverware since 1982.

University's sixth season ended with a 0-0 draw against Dundee at Collegians Road. Elsewhere, the United half of Dundee were about to celebrate finishing in second position in the Premier League, their best result since winning their only championship in 1983. Rangers fans would rue the day they sacked Craig Levein, considering they were only six points behind Celtic when the deed was done - the final margin between the two clubs was an incredible 31 points. With Rangers having not won an Old Firm Derby since 2006, it was increasingly a case of not the Old Firm, but Celtic and the rest.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">15/5 - University 0 Dundee 0Position - 11th</pre>
Manchester United retained the Champions Cup with a win over Barcelona in Sweden. Just a day later, Celtic won the Scottish Cup over Dunfermline, thus completing their second domestic treble in a row. Having lost just 13 of 114 Premier League games in the past three-seasons, it would seem that Martin O'Neill's team is set for a long reign at the top.

And so our second season in the top flight ended. A tale of bludging goalkeepers and ignorant seashells. A saga of local heroes returning home, new faces in new places, and a gallant captain relinquishing his title. A season where our strikers developed 'scoring constipation' but developed a case of the runs just in time. A time where fourteen was the loneliest number, but eleventh was absolutely brilliant, all things considered.

What on earth would 2010/11 be like?

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<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | C | Celtic | | 38 | 29 | 5 | 4 | 86 | 25 | +61 | 92 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Dundee Utd | | 38 | 18 | 9 | 11 | 54 | 45 | +9 | 63 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Rangers | | 38 | 17 | 10 | 11 | 51 | 40 | +11 | 61 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Falkirk | | 38 | 17 | 8 | 13 | 60 | 48 | +12 | 59 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Hearts | | 38 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 50 | 50 | 0 | 55 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Hibs | | 38 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 45 | 44 | +1 | 53 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Dundee | | 38 | 10 | 17 | 11 | 39 | 39 | 0 | 47 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Aberdeen | | 38 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 36 | 39 | -3 | 47 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Dunfermline | | 38 | 9 | 16 | 13 | 39 | 53 | -14 | 43 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Gretna | | 38 | 11 | 8 | 19 | 39 | 56 | -17 | 41 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | University | | 38 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 41 | 65 | -24 | 35 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | R | Kilmarnock | | 38 | 4 | 12 | 22 | 26 | 62 | -36 | 24 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

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Off Season Events

Mark Dempsey signed for Morton and joined the team as a free transfer after 140 games and 2 goals for University.

Connor Gethins's World Cup dream came to a shattering end after suffering a broken jaw during a training camp in Cork. He will be out of football for two months, but should return in time for our league campaign.

Veteran Celtic defender Joos Valgaeren will be joining University in July after agreeing to a one-year contract. The 34-year old Belgium has represented his country on 31 occasions, although he was unexpectedly left out of Belgium's World Cup squad. He joined Celtic in 2000.

Young Motherwell defender Alex John-Baptiste signed on, with $250,000 sent to Motherwell. John-Baptiste was one of the signing lights in an otherwise forgettable campaign for Motherwell, and his signing adds depth to our defenders.

Continuing the defensive theme in our recruitment, young Dundee defender Scott Henderson was quickly snapped up after one of our scouts noted he was off contract. Henderson spent most of last season on loan at Ross County.

Dirk Neumann, a former German U21 representative, signed on for four years and looks to become an integral part of our midfield in years to come. The 22-year old had previously seen limited action for three Bundesliga clubs.

Sergio Jauregui, a talented Bolivian defender, signed for the club just after the transfer window opened. He has already been capped on 52 occasions for his country.

John Voight joined us just before the pre-season fixtures started. Contracted to Dundee since 2004/05, the young striker has spent much of the time away from Dens Park on loan, notching up 37 goals in the process.

Moving in the opposite direction was Ryan Conroy, who signed for Ross County with a fee of $90,000, although nearly half of that went to Dumbarton due to a clause in his contract. Ryan made 74 apperances for University since 2005 but never really cemented a place in the top line-up.

Original squad member Kieran McAnespie signed for Montrose after six years and 117 games for the club.

Markus Paatelainen leaves the club after 111 games and 37 goals, almost all of them off the bench.

Liam Buchanan was also released after just 15 games in five years.

Original staff member Roy Davidson announced his retirement from football at the age of 64. His retirement gift was a gold watch and his very own University jersey with the number 64 on the back.

"A lot of new faces in the team," I commented to my staff. "Therefore we're going to have to work twice as hard to keep our place in the Premier League. On the other hand, these new faces should ensure that we rise up the ladder, as opposed to treading water."

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2010 World Cup
Three of University's players made their respective national squads in South Africa - the Republic of Ireland's Aiden McGeady and Colombia's Freddy Guarin and Libus Andres Arenas.

The cup started with a gala opening ceremony in Johannesburg, as a crowd of over 90,000 watched defending champions Argentina defeat Canada 2-1.

Scotland kicked off their campaign against Italy at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg and did themselves proud with a 0-0 draw. The next day, Aiden McGeady scored in Ireland's 3-1 win over Kuwait, whilst Freddy Guarin came off the bench in Colombia's 2-0 loss to Belgium.

The Scots continued their dream run with a 2-1 victory against the improving Japanese side, although qualification to the second round was placed in jepodary with a 1-0 loss to Paraguay in Cape Town. With Japan's failure to draw against Italy, Scotland were given a repreieve. Ireland and Colombia also found their way into the second round.