Scotland Under 17s Qualify for Euros

Scottish football fans have reason to be optimistic as their young guns came through the Elite Round to be one of eight nations to qualify for the European Championships in May. The squad has come through two rounds of qualifying to make it, winning five games and losing just one on the way to qualification.

Their journey started on the 19^th of September 2007, at in Kirkcaldy at Starks Park (Raith Rovers FC’s ground) where they were convincingly defeated 4-0 by Slovakia. After the game, journalists and supporters alike were dismissing the youngsters’ chances. However, the young Scots defied the critics by beating Liechtenstein 8-0 at Almondvale (Livingston FC’s ground) and Belarus 5-1 at Broadwood (Clyde FC’s ground). These two wins took them through to the Elite Round of the competition, to determine if they would qualify for the Euro Championships in Turkey.

The squad then travelled to Northern Ireland for three games which would decide their future in the competition. At Belfast they faced hosts Northern Ireland and ripped up the script and won 3-1 with a double from captain John Fleck and a Robert McHugh goal.

The squad then moved on to Newry where they had a double header against Wales and Slovenia. A 1-0 victory over Wales, with a goal from Archie Campbell which sent the Scots to the top, and they only needed a draw going into their final match with Slovenia.

They accomplished their aim, and more. A solitary John Fleck goal was enough to win 1-0 and send the Scots through to as they now turn their focus to the May tournament in Turkey. They will aim to emulate the Scotland Under 19 side which made it all the way to the European Championship final in 2006.

Tartan Army fans will be on the lookout for future heroes, as many players look to make the step up. One player to do that is Steven Fletcher who was in that Under 19 side of 2006. The Hibs frontman was called up to the senior side this week and is expected to get his first cap in the friendly against Croatia on Wednesday night.

More and more of the Tartan Army are now increasingly aware of the success of the younger teams and attendances at these games are increasing because of the higher standard of the young sides. Many see the young Scotland international teams as the overall standard of Scottish football and success in the younger sides seem to be making their way to the top as the senior side continue their success – ‘Long May It Continue’ is the cry from the Tartan Army.

Chief Executive a success?

Eight months ago Gordon Smith was the surprise appointment by the SFA as chief executive. “A positive step” the then Scotland boss Alex McLeish claimed. Many said that David Taylor’s successor was a fresh start for Scottish football and were glad that a “football man” was appointed compared to the usual businessman who has ample experience in running an organisation.

Many of his proposals have captured the imagination with bold plans to make the Scottish game more appealing. Before the job even became vacant he submitted a paper to the SPL regarding a winter shutdown which would see no games played in January and February and the season extended into June. However, the SPL are opposed to the idea and read out a statement to clarify that no winter break would be incorporated into the 2008/2009 SPL fixture list.

His next bold proposal was to re-introduce alcohol into Scottish football grounds. This was after a successful trial at Scotland international rugby matches at Murrayfield. Smith plans to have a voucher system at the turnstiles where spectators over 18 attain “two or three” vouchers so they can buy a limited amount to try to avoid problematic situation. Of course, the vast majority will undoubtedly be responsible with the new proposals – as seen with international rugby matches. However, there is a massive difference between rugby and football – crowd wise. At all international rugby games, the crowd is encouraged to integrate and there is a friendly atmosphere, even between fans of fierce rivals England and Scotland. The culture of football is somewhat different. Unfortunately there will never be a time where Celtic and Rangers fans will be encouraged to sit together. Football is already tainted with violence from a minority of fans and alcohol will only fuel it, even if it is only a few pints.

Gordon Smith also wants referees to be able to review matches after the game so that cheating and diving can be punished. Video has already been used for reviewing red card appeals and off the ball incidents. From this video evidence then bans can be rescinded for unjust red cards, handed out for tackles or incidents which were missed by the referee or extended for violent incidents worth more than a red card. The calls were renewed for video evidence to ban cheats when Saulius Mikoliunas won a penalty for Lithuania against Scotland with a blatant dive, which at the time, could have been very crucial to potential hopes for Euro 2008 qualification. However this was quickly shot down by world governing body Fifa who said it would “contravene the rules”.

Arguably his boldest plan is for the league structure of the SPL and the 1st division in Scotland. Under his proposals Smith wants to see two leagues of 12 teams. After each team has played each other twice in their league the leagues then splits. The bottom four of the SPL and the top four of the 1st division form a new league and start again on zero points. The top eight of the SPL and the bottom eight of the 1st division will carry on with their leagues with their respective points which they have already gained in the previous two rounds of games. The new league will be a play-off-esc league with each team has played each other twice. The top four of the play-off-esc league will start in the SPL and the bottom four will start in the 1^st division the following season.

Gordon Smith has adventurously tried to reignite the home nations competition between Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The English FA however did not react positively to the proposals which led Smith to contact the FAI (Football Association of Ireland) to participate in a Celtic Cup between Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The four nations have agreed in principle to start the tournament in 2009 with the door still open for England to participate.