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A few weeks after the sacking of former-Scotland manager Berti Vogts, the Scottish FA revealed the new manager of Scotland, to the tune of “who’s?” from across the country, writes Gavin White.
When Vogts was initially sacked, everyone appeared extremely happy and upbeat after a couple of years living in hell under the boss. Now, the fans are even unhappier , if humanely possible, about the SFA’s choice to appoint Rick Thomson as the new Scotland manager.
The rookie manager only qualified to be a football manager under a month ago and has had no experience at any level of leadership and he himself appeared surprised.
“ I can’t honestly believe it,” the twenty-nine year old told the Daily Record. It was hard to hear the man speak over the mumble, and shyness, which he evidently posesses.
Many people are already saying “it’s a step forward sacking Berti Vogts and it’s a hundred-metre backward race appointing Alexander.” It’s not filling the new manager with confidence, but he knows he will face it, and his aim is to prove people like that wrong.
“ I’ve got a tough job on my hands. Scotland, in the past, have been known for bringing up players of some quality, but that has dried up recently. I’ve got to start producing the new talent and by this, I’ve got to look to the future... take risks and hopefully, a few will shine.”
At least the man knows about football. The man he appointed as his assistant manager minutes after taking over, David Redpath, appeared to have no knowledge of the game whatsoever.
“ My wifes proud of me, so I’m happy on that level. She was angry at me taking the course on, but at least it’s got rewards to it, and now she can shut up for a while... Euan says Scotland are rubbish, but I’ll see to that.” Clueless.
Whether or not the duo can cut it is questionable, but one thing they’ve got on their hands is a hard job....
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12-03-2004, 09:39 PM
"What's the opposite of a superlative?" A Scotland story Post #23
Three weeks after being appointed Scotland manager, Rick Thomson felt he was experienced enough to take hold of a group of players and train them for the day.
As David Taylor mentioned, it was to be played at the “worst club in Scotlands” training pitch. Unfortunately, they lived up to their reputation as the worst club, as the training pitch, quite frankly, was a field. The media were there in their bundles, taking pictures and jotting on papers.
“ Still better than the Hampden surface,” a Daily Telegraph reporter laughed to his photographer.
It didn’t take the ‘papers long to notice the absence of several Old Firm players. “ Oi! ‘Mon Rangers!” one boy screamed in Ricks’ ear.
The training session was nothing special - Rick tried to keep Davey out of the action, as he knew the media would have yet another field day over Davey, and it wasn’t doing his confidence any good.
After the training session, Rick ‘squared up’ to the media, telling them straight that there won’t be any Old Firm players in the squad.
“ I don’t like to favour certain teams, but I feel that there is better talent elsewhere, outside the Old Firm and at the moment I am trying to find that talent.” Printed the Daily Mail.
12-12-2004, 08:08 PM
"What's the opposite of a superlative?" A Scotland story Post #24
This will look messed up. Please bare with me, the one above is irrelevent.
***
Now, let me introduce a new character into the story...
Iain Anderson remembers everything about the national side; ask him where he was when Archie Gemill scored ‘that’ goal against Holland and he’ll know. At the time, only eight years old, he sat glued to his new TV which his parents had bought him especially for the World Cup.
Growing up on the dark streets of Edinburgh, the parts which tourists never quite see on their visits during trips to the capital, Anderson never supported a football club. Instead, he spent all of his hard earned cash on Scotland games. He didn’t really know why he had never devoted himself to a club, but he enjoyed being a neutral as he sat down on Saturday evenings watching Match of the Day and then on Monday watching the shoddy Scottish highlights show, Scotsport SPL.
At school, people couldn’t quite understand why he said “Scotland” when asked what team he supported. The only bias he had in him was for the non Old Firm teams in Scotland. He hated the fact that in school, there were the same number of Rangers and Celtic fans as Hearts and Hibs supporters, even though many lived within walking distance of the Hibs ground and a mere bus trip away from Tynecastle Park.
Now Iain was a man known for giving people chances. He backed Berti Vogts to the hilt, despite the pressure from a large percentage of the nation, most of whom took no interest in the game but still knew the much hated Germans name. But Iain’s trust in the Scottish FA didn’t stretch as far as the decision to make virtual unknown Rick Thomson the manager. And then there’s that stupid assistant manager, who basically puts down the nation as a whole.
Despite his anger in the decision, he had already booked the two away trips of the year. Both trips weren’t to inspiring countries. He would be flying into Moldova, a minnow country even to Scotland the morning before the match and would be escaping the country as quickly as he could, leaving at three in the morning. Then there was the African country of Cameroon, who Scotland will play in a friendly in November. The only bonus of the trip, Iain supposed, was the hot weather.
Also on this year, Iain noticed as he checked up on the Internet was the prospect of a friendly against Albania. It’s not all small nations, however, as before all three games, the Scottish national side will be taking on Norway and Slovenia, which will be the new managerial teams’ first game in charge.
When the Scottish FA accepted a friendly against South Korea, which included a match-up between the two under-19 squads, Iain was already on the internet searching for the cheapest flights to the Asian country.
12-13-2004, 09:53 AM
"What's the opposite of a superlative?" A Scotland story Post #25
Just a quick note. Instead of friendlies against South Korea, Cameroon and whoever the other team was, I’ll be playing Iceland, U.A.E and Slovakia.
***
Scotland vs Slovenia, Hampden Park.
Wednesday 8th September, 2004
Usually, Iain had a sense of anticipation ahead of a Scotland match. But, there was none this time, the man evidently not impressed by Rick Thomson’s young Scotland squad. Calum Elliot, who hasn’t yet earned his debut at Hearts, was one of the names in the squad list. The country was stunned.
The trip to Hampden was the usual. Michael, the pal who Iain had gone to Scotland games with since he was ten years old, always made the trip extremely easily with his great sense of humour. The same can’t be said for the man two rows behind, who tried to pull a crack at every opportunity, though a large percentage of the jokes weren’t at all funny.
The highlight of the day isn’t the bus journey for Iain, but the moment you first step into the stadium. The nerves suddenly tingle up and down your body, you claim your seats and take in your surroundings.
Michael and Iain didn’t have much time to dilly over the surroundings due to the poor calculations of the bus journey. They were five minutes late and Scotland were already on the attack.
James McFadden’s effort was well saved by the Slovenian goalkeeper and the pair noticed a surprise choice on the right wing. “Kevin Thomson!” They screamed together. The Hibs winger, who was due to play in the under-19 squad, had been picked last minute due to Darren Fletcher’s injury.
It was an open match until the forty-second minute when McFadden opened up the goal scoring. Slovenia’s midfielders took too long on the ball and Nigel Quashie was on to them in a flash. A good ball from the Portsmouth player found McFadden and the former Motherwell star slammed the ball into the back of the Slovenians net. The stadium erupted.
The Tartan Army’s hearts were in their mouths as Slovenia crafted two great opportunities which were both narrow misses. Ceh, the Slovenian right-winger hit a long range drive and the effort crashed off Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordons crossbar. A close range effort was flashed wide two minutes later.
Slovenia’s warning weren’t answered and the country equalised with twenty minutes left on the clock. A great ball, one of those undefendable crosses was headed into the back of the net.
Fortunately the Scots reacted well to the goal, with McFadden grabbing what proved to be the winner. Nigel Quashie again opened up the away sides defence, sending a through ball onto the run of McFadden and a cute lob left the goalkeeper with no chance.
Ceh once again troubled the Scots but Gordons crossbar was once again on hand to give Scotland all three points in the opening qualifier.Ceh’s great strike looked to have dipped into the back of the net, but it smacked off the crossbar and cleared the penalty area.
The match was sealed thanks to Plymouth striker Stevie Crawford. Crawford’s run was matched by the pass of Jackie McNamara, now of Aston Villa after a move from Scotland and he finished with aplomb.
12-21-2004, 05:53 PM
"What's the opposite of a superlative?" A Scotland story Post #27
Rick Thomson sat nervously, shuffling his teamsheet infront of him, as the press created their questions to ask the Scotland manager. He had become used to the role after over four months in charge, but did not understand the distinct lack of faith which the media had shown.
His latest squad selection was more impressive than the first, according to a Daily Record writer. Calum Elliot, the 17-year old who had never even represented his club, Hearts, never mind his country was out of the squad and in came talented players such as Joe Hamill and Neil Janczyk, though the latter only had a handful of appearences for the Gorgie Boys.
It became apparent to all quarters that Thomson was a Hearts fan. “ I thought you would have guessed sooner. Yes I am a Hearts fan, but it doesn’t affect my team-sheet when it comes to the big games, such as the two which are only a couple of weeks away.”
Rick had answered that question well, but there was plenty more to come. They still hadn’t fully realised why there was a lack of Old Firm players.
“ Why isn’t Stephen Pearson in your latest squad? To me, he’s been the best Scottish player this season.” A writer, pen at the ready, asked.
Rick breathed. Would he say “Oh, it’s because I hate Glasgow” or would he make another excuse? He decided to go with the latter. “ I feel there are better options avalaible. Colin Cameron has been playing well at Wolves, James McFadden has been earning plaudits at Everton and players like Hamill have impressed here in Scotland. I, for one, believe that we won’t miss Pearson. He’ll perhaps get a chance soon enough.”
Thomson finally wrapped up the conference, stating: “ They are too difficult teams to face, for different reasons. Teams like Moldova always surprise, while everyone knows that Norway have a touch of class in them. We’ve got to take the matches one at a time, as there will be two totally different styles played in each.”
12-30-2004, 12:07 AM
"What's the opposite of a superlative?" A Scotland story Post #30
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