Scottish footballers... where are they?

Big Ron ****... why can't you say his surname? It probably get scrubbed again.

Y e a t s.  “Take a walk around him.  He’s a colossus”.
It is not un-noticed that your nom-de-plume is that of a very famous Scot who, as a young player, once filled the boots of an even greater Scot, Willie Bauld.

For some reason Ronnie's surname gets ***** by Betfair - what's he done wrong

I still think my ambivalence to supporting England is largely due to growing up in the 80s and being drawn to Scotland where the king, Souness and Hansen were playing. Why bother with England's bunch of second rate Utd and Forest players when the gods were playing in a different team?

Can't get to the Premier League quickly enough.

The dearth of top class Scots in English football is now an aged one.  Craig Brown, who was a teacher at one time, accused the teacher’s strike of the seventies as a root cause.  Because teachers gave up (completely) their extra curriculum efforts of running schools football he argued that youngsters were denied the chance to learn their skills.  Was never able to go along with that but it may have been a contributory factor.  Somewhere, and somehow, the game lost its appeal to kids and has never returned.  The all-day Sunday take-on just disappeared, as did football before, during and after school. It simply disappeared into the ether as a succession of other entertainments found their way into the hearts of kids.
I know there is still organised youth football in Scotland but it produces footballers no better than McGinn and nowhere near as good as Souness.  Pick any examples you want.
Top flight football in Scotland, played by Scottish footballers is done, sadly, never to return.

Brian Clough seemed to like a few Scottish players in his team. I think the Scottish team at the moment is very poor and its very hard to see it improving anytime soon.

great stuff bairn i knew wilson

Good on you bairn and same best wishes.
My mate Bobby was spotted and invited for a trial with Broxburn.  Aged 19. Like you Bairn he scored goals for fun.  But the bold Bobby was a playboy. Drink and babes were the order of a Friday night. Out to Broxburn on Sat. lunchtime and Bobby sat on the bench, never got on.  ?   When he asked why he was told they’d phoned his home several times on the Friday night added two and two together and told him if he was swerious about playing Junior he’d have to change his ways.  They gave him another date, made sure he was in on the Friday night and told him he’d be on the bench but get on in the second half. Bobby sat for an hour, was told he was going on.  Desperate to do well and thus adrenaline streaming he jumped off the bench, forgetting where he was, cracked his head on the concrete plinth above the pre-war bench and was knocked spark out.  Was never asked back either. Bobby still swears it’s true.  Played top level amateur thereafter. 

For me the decline started in the eighties and the national side has bit by bit reflected it.  I hate being unkind to players who are all terrific pros but  crazy, modern -day fan-led euphoria about our ability and prospects of doing well anywhere just beggars belief.  Then, when they boo them at Hampden, as they are prone to do, it makes me sick to my stomach.  I look at the side that Brazil kicked off the park in 1974 and WEEP every time I hear the so-called Tartan Army telling us how good we are!
Which is why I give Steve Clarke such credit.  Taking away two, maybe three first class players he has worked wonders with a load of dross.  Up till last tournament that is.  When a Scottish manager decides to play backs to the wall football and to leave out Scotland’s top scorer from every group match then give him a paltry 15 mins. at the end of group match three it is time for him to go.  And he will very soon in my view.

i like clarke too honcho, a guy celtic missed out on as player and manager, scotland done ok last night, not great but got a result

no loyal it was irish lads here, i don't like the guy commentary analysis , but he is only doing a job and getting few quid, my opinion on him as pundit is irrelevant

I can just about remember, mid 70's , Martin Buchan as captain of Man Utd and being a key player for Scotland.

Buchan was a rock solid central defender who had exceptional pace - that set him apart from most.  Fancied himself as a guitarist driving squads mad, so I gather.

those days are gone and in the past they must remain. cheers.

Couldn’t agree more.  It’s like being forced to fed English ODI cricket.

I’ve never seen us outplay a side quite like we have done this one tonight for a long time.  We have looked a pretty solid outfit tonight.  These players know each other so well having played so much together.  Well done Scotland.