Friday, November 23, 2007

England sacks McClaren

I really feel for Steve McClaren when he talks about his sacking today as being "one of the saddest days of my career". It says something about the attitude in English football which is very different to our attitude. When Scotland loses a game or is put out of a tournament, the Tartan Army cheers louder to offer support for the players, the press generally is sympathetic. Not so when it comes to English football. And let me make it clear that I'm talking about football only here. Anyone watching the match last night (I was glued to it!) will have heard the attitude of the commentators who by 15 minutes into the game were saying such things as "the entire ground is in deep shock" (I'm surprised it wasn't the entire world) and "Croatia are here to play". No, really?!

Twenty minutes into the game and the England fans start booing. Our lot would just have sang Flower of Scotland louder. One intimidates and the other encourages. It's a curious thing. And then, of course, comes the sacking of Mr McClaren. That was being touted before the 90 minutes was up. It seems very unfair to me and a bit of a knee jerk reaction to pacify angry fans who believe they have a right to win.

Maybe that's the difference. In Scottish football we expect to lose so we're over the moon when we win and generally accepting when we lose. The England team expect to win and don't cope well when they don't. Maybe they could do with an injection of reality. And perhaps what we need is more self belief. That said, I pass on my condolences to my friends and family (no blood relatives don't worry) who are England fans. Maybe seeing as neither team is going to the European Championship, 2008 could be the year we restart the Scotland vs England "friendly"!
Posted by Anne McLaughlin AKA IndyGal at 00:09:54 | Permanent Link | Comments (3) |

Saturday, November 17, 2007

So near and yet so far

So, the intimidation of the Italian team didn't work. Ah well. I didn't figure on them getting the referee on side. I had heard, of course, that they were given a free kick that was undeserved but no losing team is ever happy. However I've just seen the highlights and it's right enough. They deserved to win that game. The free kick that lead to the winning goal was not deserved. But let's not wallow in self pity. You win some, you lose some. And we know that we now have a consistently good team that can take us into the world cup. We'll keep our powder dry for that one. Wonder how many deep fried pizzas will be bought in Scotland tonight.

Posted by Anne McLaughlin AKA IndyGal at 23:28:25 | Permanent Link | Comments (3) |

I did my bit for the boys

And before anyone says anything it's the Scotland team I'm referring to. I can't believe how my life has changed in recent years. Time was I used to go to every single Scotland home game. Did this for years - through the bad times and the bad. Then they put the prices up during a bad spell and I missed the odd game. Once you're out of the habit of course, it becomes all too easy to just go to the pub. So, today, I had arranged to meet some mates in Hubbards in the West End of Glasgow. I can't say I wasn't warned of course - several of them told me to make sure I got in early. I thought it was so I could get a seat but who sits during a football match? Certainly not someone who's not managed to reach 5'2" yet! However, it seems the reason I was to get there early was to get INSIDE in the first place. Hmmm. So to cut a long story short, I couldn't get in and I'm now at home listening to it on the radio. My dad and I used to listen to games on the radio so that's fine and who knows, he might be listening with me :-)

Anyway, my bit for the boys - well, there I was in the city centre with my mate The Barefoot Contessa, when we spotted this Parks of Hamilton bus with "Italy, Team A" on the windscreen. And a hotel next to it. And a huge crowd of Scotland fans singing:
"We're gonna deep fry your pizza"

We realised our role was to intimidate the Italy team as they made their way to Hampden. So that's what we did. And I'm sure the thought of us deep frying their pizzas was deeply disturbing. Unfortunately they have scored a goal but it's a one off isn't it? Anyway I've done my bit. And I filmed it. Actually, I ONLY filmed it because I don't do intimidation - couldn't even if I tried and I'm too nice a person. That and the fact that I went a bit weak when I saw them :-) I am going to figure out how to upload from my phone onto Youtube and you can all enjoy. Fingers crossed we equalise soon!
Posted by Anne McLaughlin AKA IndyGal at 18:01:45 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Champagne Celebration for the Ton

So, last night, I went over to the home of www.tartanhero.blogspot.com for this fab folding session. Grant, I have to say, has a certain amount of style because we folded campaign leaflets, perched on a chaise longue and sipping champagne. But I forgot to tell him that the champagne was very apt because yesterday Greenock Morton won the league!! How fantastic is that? And I thought Celtic were at the top too :-) Two of my cousins, John and Scott were amongst the 2000 away guys at the game against Raith and both were pretty happy afterwards.

I remember going to a Morton game years ago with John and every ten seconds he was just utter the word "Ton". But he didn't just say TON, it was more of a kind of To---on, an elongated TON. Occasionally it would be "Mon the Ton". I was trying to work out what on earth a TON was for quite some time.

I also went to a Hibs vs Morton game many years ago at Easter Road. I went with a couple of big Hibees, my niece Christie and her dad, Ian. When Morton scored I leapt in the air screaming with excitement, saw the panic in their eyes, sensed an eery silence and then I remembered I was amongst the opposition! Hmmm.

Anyway we're doing not bad. In 1922 we won the Scottish Cup and in 2007 top of the league! Mon the Ton!

ps due to play Ayr United soon, Nicola Sturgeon's team. And more importantly her dad Robin's team - you'll need more than Batman to get you outta this fix Mr S!

Posted by Anne McLaughlin AKA IndyGal at 21:31:15 | Permanent Link | Comments (2) |