buster.

Given the value they added this calendar year, not much to replace. However, being without decent centre forward options cost us in the Eintracht game. Strange how we have often had the same issue for our European (semi)finals and it has cost us. 67: no centre forward 93: Hately suspension 08: Cousin suspension 22: Morelos injury The one where our first choice was available, he scored (Stein) and we won. Back to 2022, the 'same old' won't win the title this upcoming season.

Getting close to the squad's Monday flight to Portugal with no business of note yet having been done, in or out. It looks as if we wanted Colak on board for the week on the Iberian peninsular but that is looking increasingly unlikely. The closer to the CL qualifiers we get, the more likely it is going to be a case of relying on the same old. Generally, that doesn't tend to work out well, regardless of how well in Europe we went the season just ended. After the epic 92/93 season, we went out in our first tie against Levski Sofia. In the summer of 2008, we left our main recruitment drive until AFTER Kaunas had put us out. In the worst case scenario this season, we will play at least 8 games in Europe. Absolute minimum, that first CL qualifer is worth about 7M euros on it's own. Winning it would guarantee a 5M consolation payment if we were to go out of the Play off round, plus an extra home tie (gate money etc.). If you consider whatever our transfer budget might be this summer, an extra incoming 7M euros has to be huge. 30 days until the competitive KO, with the CL qualifier a few days later. I hope we use the time to act in a timely fashion.

Looks like Colak may be doing two foreign training camps this pre season. PAOK/Netherlands, Rangers/Portugal At least he'll be fit and ready come the games. Looks like much of the business is going to be either done or not, towards the end of the window when budgets become clear and the customary last few days mayhem ensues. On the other hand, it is difficult to keep up with the development signings. To go along with that, there has to be a pathway established when youngsters are good enough and we have one or two that are now ready. I would be happy with Lowry taking Aribos place in the squad, should the latter move on.

The next few weeks are very big in terms of the financial playing field between us and them. We've been playing catch-up in recent years and have gradually eaten in to the gap. The end of last season saw an opportunity to finally bridge it and even edge in front. However, we lost the league and they took the direct entry to CLGS. We did wonderfully well to get to the EL Final but couldn't win it and reap the rewards on offer. - We still have a chance of making the CLGS - We need to have our player trading model produce significant money and not let the value we have created walk out the door for nothing. Then of course.... we need to be successful in bringing in the right players. Never an easy task but one where you can mitigate the effect of the financial gap, if successful. Their recruitment last summer was what led to them winning the title. We need to get it right to give ourselves a chance this upcoming season and we probably need to sell big before we can get the necessary quality to come to Ibrox. Why is this so important ? If our player trading model doesn't bear significant fruit, we don't make CLGS in August, nor win title 22/23.... The danger is getting left behind financially and then, on the park for the foreseeable. We need to have a good couple of months on various levels.

If it was to replace Alfredo, then I think we'd need someone better. To complement him, fine. He scored 2 in 4 minutes at Ibrox, then didn't score another in the 6 group games. Having played all but 39 minutes of them. (Malmö managed one goal in the six games: Juve/Chelsea &Zenit)

You posted that on the same minute Compo is typing about 5XL size on Home Shirt thread Are Castore tied in with or coordinating offer with new caterers? 😄

He'll be the European Golden Boot winner but we'll all be deid.

Would depend on what hack you were referring to but they (H&H) wouldn't put it out there unless they were fairly sure of it's veracity. That said, unless the deal is done between all parties, there is always scope for something going awry. I think it would be a necessary first step for us to start recruiting new players. So, although we would miss Big Joe, we have to move on and the faster the better. Ideally have a couple of important additions prior to Portugal.

For me, "a nice strip" has to lose the sponsor(s). I guess over time, familiarity breeds getting used to and accepting it or for many, not having seen anything else. That unblemished blue top from the 70's was simply beautiful.

I didn't think the age profile on here would place much importance on the subtle differences of the playing kit from season to season. Guess it means a break from the transfer thread !! How many on here actually buy and wear the top ? Can't remember the last time I bought a football top. Probably the late 70's

At 22 years old, it is now or never. At 19, Ajer went on loan to Kilmarnock. Played regularly for six months, returned to Celtic, was a first team player for 4 seasons then was sold for around 14 million pounds. Note. They paid around 500,000 to buy into system. That is what we need to start doing on a relatively regular basis.

I'd hope there will be higher offers given how he was playing when he came back from the International break in January, this year. That was a game-changing player but you balance that out against his contract situation. It'll be down to what offers come in rather than what we think any price should be. I don't think we can afford to let all three (Morelos, Kent and Aribo) run their contracts down. Getting one decent fee in would help our bargaining position with the others. It might end up being Bassey where serious offers may come in. With the players in the driving seat, it rarely works out how clubs would ideally have it.

The argument that he has never changed can be countered by the actual damage done last season, starting with the last minute Hearts equalizer at Ibrox. He didn't have an excellent season, it was a mixed bag. When he was good he was very good but..... Any player can make mistakes but in this case it gives our domestic opposition an obvious tactic to follow to create substantial danger in our box without having to actually create much. We may not expect him to come for cross balls but it makes the defensive duties a lot easier if you have a keeper who will look to dominate at least their 6 yard box. Then there is distribution, a huge part of the modern game. His shot saving is excellent but how many that he saves would go past McLaughlin ? Your talk of "ageism" is clutching at broken straws. The fact that the manager has went with this is more of an argument and now that it is done, we'll just have to see what happens. I've already said my piece on the balance of the squad and that there are too many players in it (as it stands) who need 'managed', whether it be for age (limitations it can bring a footballer) or chronic injury.

The shadow of Peter's legacy.

Still a long way to go in the window but I have reservations about how the squad is shaping up, whilst hoping they are dismissed come said window slamming shut. As it stands IMO, there are too many players who will have to be managed because of age or chronic injury problems. I'd also mention the changes in backroom staff, eg. Doctor. I hope money is spent in this because we will need people who know what they are doing. McGregor Souttar Helander Jack Davis Arfield Ofoborh Roofe I think the optics of resigning a 40 year old keeper who is extremely suspect at set-plays and isn't going to get any better whilst apparently letting go a promising 24 year old because of this doesn't make much sense.

The 'high flying' provincial clubs care enough to have commissioned their own review on revenue raising (IIRC). However, when you have any opposition divided into sub groups. It is easier for the SPFL executive to avoid a meaningful collective scrutiny. People baulk at bridge building but not doing so has consequences.

Aye, Luton. He was the Nottingham Forest manager and someone called Brian Clough took over from him.

Rangers wanted to sign him and bring him back to Scotland. Scot Symon had been his manager at East Fife during their 'glory years' and wanted him at Ibrox.

You remember him ? Don't often meet or speak with people who saw him play. I never saw him play in real time. He was finishing up when I was born. THe club have (or had) a system where they could only pick 5 players from each decade, to be club legends. Matthews and Mortenson were two and despite being there for only 6 years, my uncle joined them. Ironic point, I was shown an old UK newspaper front page at a young age. It was early 50's and my uncle was on it after having broken his leg in the act of scoring the goal that took Blackpool into FA Cup semifinal (year of Matthews final). Well, the ironic part was that the main story on that front page was Shah of Iran taking over thanks to Operation Ajax. I always remembered it 😂

Don't have a date but the game against Sunderland is on the 9th at the end of about a weeks training....so approximately July 2nd. Edit Saw it mentioned in press as 4th of July.

My uncle (Allan Brown) played alongside them in the same forward line. Blackpool paid a then record transfer fee (26,500) to a Scottish club for his services.

Still early, but I'd hope that some significant business both in and out has been done prior to the flight to Portugal.

Not just as sure that McGregor would accept automatic second fiddle or his agent will fancy a large reduction in salary. Imo better not to have a goalkeeper (even on the bench) whose best days are behind him. His weakness at set-plays will cost goals.

He has saved quite a lot of penalties over the years, including the hugely important save from Samaras, that opened a door to a league title. However, the two penalty shootouts I can remember him being involved in, the opposition scored 9 from 9 (St.Johnstone and Eintracht).

Fair enough but I think we'd be better keeping him, letting AMcG go / JMcL No.1. I don't think AMcG would be good back up. He either plays or goes (for me) and given his weakness at set plays isn't going to improve, he should go. I don't see him being suited to coaching either but that is just a hunch.