Levein Must Go

I've stood up for Craig Levein for a while now but no more. Today Ian Black, after about 200 appearances for Hearts and Inverness without a Scotland call-up (in the SPL) has been called up for Scotland after 1 game with The Rangers in Division 3. Lee Wallace hasn't been called up and he's arguably our best FB.

I understand their are injuries, but there have been injuries before and where was Black? I'm not sticking up for him; he's a thug but because he plays for The Rangers he gets a call-up. I'm all for picking players that aren't in the SPL and are in the English leagues, as long as they don't play below Championship level (unless you're Jordan Rhodes ), but frankly this is ridiculous. It's not about the player, it's about the club he plays for.

So long Craig, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

http://sport.stv.tv/football/140954-ross-mccormack-and-ian-black-added-to-scotland-squad-after-four-ruled-out/

He should have been booted out after playing his 6-4-0 formation. He has a lot to do to get me back on his side.

Could anyone do any better? Can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Say Black turns out to play well this week (aye right) Levein then has the dilemma of selecting him again. How is Black (who is at Rangers for a pay day, as is the rest of them) meant to maintain that level while playing in division 3?

What I don't understand is why Levein picks ANYONE who plays in ANY of the leagues in Scotland.

If you want players capable of playing at a competitive level you aren't going to get them from Division 3 or the SPL.

Most SCOTLAND players are ENGLISH anyway, Levein & the SFA can go take a flying Fuk at themselves.

How he can justify picking Black is beyond me.. Especially as he aint picking Wallace for the same reason, that he is in div 3.

#HEEL wrote:Most SCOTLAND players are ENGLISH anyway, Levein & the SFA can go take a flying Fuk at themselves.

What a stupid statement. There are 5 "English" players in the squad. That ain't "most". The list below is going by place of birth, you don't know the circumstances behind each player. They could have been born and brought up in England with Scottish parents. By your logic Maloney should be playing for Malaysia...

Think you are still bitter at the SFA, don't know why - they have let you off lightly.

GK Matt Gilks ENG
GK David Marshall SCO
GK Allan McGregor SCO
DF Christophe Berra SCO
DF Gary Caldwell SCO
DF Danny Fox ENG
DF Grant Hanley SCO
DF Alan Hutton SCO
DF Russell Martin ENG
DF Charlie Mulgrew SCO
DF Andy Webster SCO
MF Charlie Adam SCO
MF Barry Bannan SCO
MF Ian Black SCO
MF Don Cowie SCO
MF James Morrison SCO
MF Matt Phillips ENG
MF Robert Snodgrass SCO
FW Shaun Maloney MAL
FW Ross McCormack SCO
FW Steven Naismith SCO
FW Jordan Rhodes ENG

Jordon Rhodes to be fair was brought up in Scotland when his old man played up here, that's why he lists Celtic as his favourite club and Larsson as his all time favourite player

As for Ian Black, he's about 12th/13th choice, if the manager has to dig that deep for a player then it must be a pretty horrendous call-off situation, that being said, teams need to be handed in one hour before kick off so Levein should have been sacked 59 minutes before his first competitive match when it was revealed he lined up with no strikers in the Czech Republic, he's clueless and an ego-maniac

Yeah the Czech game should have been his first and last competitive game, shocking tactics, i don't understand why he was forgiven.

I decided to watch the Rangers game on Sky on Saturday as there was nothing else on and couldnt belive the poor standard of the Rangers players. Ian Black just ran around kicking people and not finding team mates when passing the ball. I know you have an injury crisis but there must be somebody better?

davidl1061 wrote:I decided to watch the Rangers game on Sky on Saturday as there was nothing else on and couldnt belive the poor standard of the Rangers players. Ian Black just ran around kicking people and not finding team mates when passing the ball. I know you have an injury crisis but there must be somebody better?

That's Ian Black's whole game Our best player, Fletcher, is injured and after him we have nothing in midfield.

That's just the standard up here Juan, even in the SPL.

I actually think the Team GB Women's team could do well up here. Certainly technically they are as good (or bad)

Horrible negative tactics, Levein should go imo

It's all very well saying Levein "should go" but given the state of Scottish football, the paucity of technique, skill and fitness in the game exactly who would you replace him with with a view to improving things.

The people that really have to go are those in charge of the scottish game at roots level, not a manager who has to select a team from a bunch of deadbeats with very little chance of beating anyone.

Not sure how Levein can be blamed.

Walter Smith.

I think you'd be turd polishing regardless of who was in charge.

Is Walter Smith still alive even?

Scotland really do have a chance of making Brazil if we aren't so negative, the defence is a bit of a worry but up front we have plenty of options

Forrest ....... Naismith ....... Mackay-Steven

.................... Rhodes

Or

Mackie ....... Maloney ....... Phillips

.................. Fletcher

Or

Commons ... McFadden ... McCormack

................... Goodwillie

All that depends on whether Levein will swallow his pride with Commons and Fletcher and McFadden (if he ever gets truly fit again)

Johnny Russell
Craig Mackill-Smith
Kenny Miller (if needed)

For me there is options at his disposal, it's just a matter of whether he is willing to use them

You numbskulls need to remember Del Bosque also played a 4-6-0 formation when he was low on good striking options. As far as i'm concerned, you either have at least 2 up front or none at all. No point in 1 man being up front, he gets smothered.

You have to get it into your nummbskull that Scotland funnily enough don't quite have the quality of player as Spain...can't believe I actually had to say that to someone

Numbskulls ehh, what d'ya do without one

Gaffer, Scotland have about as much chance of crapping in the queens handbag as qualifying for Brazil, I admire your optimism, but it isn't reality.

I think Levin needs to bury the hatchet with Steven Fletcher for a start. Hope that Darren Fletcher can regain his fitness (and some weight) and hope he is like the player his was before his illness. Hope Danny Wilson goes on loan and gets some first team football cos he could be a good CB.

Matt Phillips looks like he could be become a good winger. Jordon Rhodes looks like one of those players just know where the goal is.

Levin has to name a team to win! Not to avoid defeat; and have confidence in the team he selects and also take the blame when they don't get the desired result.

Am sure that you would rather see Scotland go out swinging rather then playing 6-4-0 and like a damp squib.

To be fair to Levein he has won 10 of 20 internationals and not many of them were against lower ranked sides than us which isn't too bad considering we've played Spain twice and Brazil in those matches. However i think we have the makings of a decent team, a few years ago we had mostly SPL players and championship players but we must have a good 20 odd players in the premier league now, unfortunately Steven Fletcher won't play anytime soon and Darren Fletcher might never return imo. If we qualify it will be down to the team rather than Levein, some of his picks are terrible, Rhodes should start against Macedonia, better international sides than us have young players in vital roles and to get to Brazil we need to take all the chances we get.

Scotland will do well to finish third, though I think fourth is a more likely outcome.

Croatia and Belgium are pretty good, whilst Serbia are probably too good for Scotland.

They are all good teams, a bit better than us but none are top end teams. Croatia lost at home to Switzerland last night with they're defense all over the place. Serbia were were outqualified by Estonia last time and have since lost Stankovic and Vidic, i think Belgium will be the team( won 4-2 against the Dutch last night) to beat i think, then Croatia with us and Serbia on they're coat tails.

Certainly the best group SCotland have had in years, I actually think Levein isn't that bad as he's picking people playing in a decent league (by and large, bar a few choppers from Scotland and div 3)

Highly amusing that even at international level the anti Rangers hordes are salivating at the mouth. For all the pre match judgemental nonsense, they go out, have a decent performance and win 3-1. tartan army fans booing ANY of their own should be hung from the parapets of Edinburgh Castle....treachery of the highest order....mind you Scottish football authorities along with our marvellous Poopie stirring press have done their best to ensure such nonsense, I hope they're all proud of themselves!!

Fans were not booing Black, they were booing Levein's choice of choosing a 3rd division player for the squad. That's obvious, stop making it out to be something else.
Black had 200+ appearances for Hearts/ICT and never had one call up. He plays one crap 3rd division game and he gets a call up....
How Levein can stand by that I have no idea. How is Black supposed to maintain "international level" while playing in the 3rd division?

As for Black, he may say it's the proudest moment of his career but surely he should of thought about his international career before joining a 3rd division club #mercenary

R, is anyone playing in Scotland regardless of which division really able to reach international level?

Black chose the mercenary route over his ambition to play for his country when he ditched the SPL for a 3rd division club. The fact that he is taking the place of possibly an upcoming youngster (who would love to play for their country) is a disgrace.

super: That's not the debate here, whether they are playing in Scotland, England or wherever, the national team does not need mercenaries whose only care is money.

I agree Dunc, I just don't really think any of the SPL players are good enough internationally, mercenary or not, but agree, why didn't Black go and play in the Championship or League one.

Should they not care about money then?

Newsflash: Footballers also have bills to pay...

When he chose to play in division 3, he chose money over his international career. He went for the money so now has to deal with the consequences of not having an international career/getting ridiculed/booed every international game he does play (while in div 3/2/1)

Josiah, you'd think even an ordinary player like Black could earn as much in the English Championship/Div One and be playing at a better standard than Div 3

RDuncan8 wrote:When he chose to play in division 3, he chose money over his international career. He went for the money so now has to deal with the consequences of not having an international career/getting ridiculed/booed every international game he does play (while in div 3/2/1)

He played international Football last night, wtf you slavering about.

RDuncan8 wrote:When he chose to play in division 3, he chose money over his international career. He went for the money so now has to deal with the consequences of not having an international career/getting ridiculed/booed every international game he does play (while in div 3/2/1)

What? So the booing is at Black then and not at Levein, for goodness sake Duncan make up yer mind or is it too twisted for you think about it in the same way for 2 posts.

Anyway, looks like he's having his cake and eating it at the moment. Can I just check we are infact talking about the same guy here, this is the same guy who was man of the match at the Scottish Cup Final a few weeks ago. How shocking for an international manager to even consider picking him. Also, third division or not he'll be playing in front of bigger crowds week in week out than most of the rest of the squad as well as having access to state of the art training facilities. I'm inclined to agree with Super, the standard of the SPL is so shockingly poor that he's not really missing much.

I don't really care either way whether he plays or not. I just find it odd that non Rangers fans are still so so bitter that they consider his inclusion an outrage.

scottish football in general is in a bad way, and to blame levelin is harsh IMO....its not like he has any generally class players to choose from, he's just picking the best from a bad bunch..

I'm loving the mock outrage among a few of Black being booed, this is the same guy who has made a career out of playing the SPL's Pantomime Villain and thrives on winding up fans of almost every other Scottish club, he's also attemped potential career ending tackles on fellow professionals like Nikica Jelavic, Jamie Murphy, Aiden McGeady and Alexie Eremenko in the past three years

He is what he is and its all by his own design, the only fans who'll ever like him are the fans unlucky enough to have him at their club and even then that's not guarenteed

Was he getting booed because:

a) He played for Hearts and the game was at Easter Road?
b) He plays for a 3rd Division team and should never have been picked?
c) He's a scumbag?
d) All of the above?

I think its a mixture of all of the above along with the fact that he was a controversial selection and fans who don't like Levein will use anything to voice their disapproval for the manager

So not withstanding the limited options he has at his disposal, how exactly does Leveins record compare with that of his predecessors?

I sincerely hope we ain't sleepwalking toward the English disease of delusional fans, fired up by a Poopie stirring press, making out that the team should be performing better than they are and that it must be somebody's fault.

I say leave the manager to get on with his job or if you think you can do better send your CV in to the SFA and see how far you get!!

.....and with regard to all the piffle about being mercenary....what a load of blinkered tosh. At least Black is still plying his trade in his own Country. Mercenaries are those that prostitute themselves to foreign leagues for big money that further advances those foreign leagues and widens the quality gap between those leagues and our own.

Apparently Miller will start against the Serbs. I have no problem with Miller but he is off for a payday now in the MLS and is 33, he's done a good job for us over the years. But surely after countless failures it's time to try Rhodes on his own, better in pretty much every facet of play than Miller, guys like Forrest and Bannan can give us some genuine flair, it's ok trying to play not to lose but in a group such as this i think we HAVE to win the first two home games. I think we can do that but i think continuing to pick Miller is pointless and a step backwards.

I don't think we need 6 points, 4 would do but that has to be the bare mminimum, we can't afford to lose a Home game at this stage, I do feel ever team will cut each others throats though

#HEEL wrote:

RDuncan8 wrote:When he chose to play in division 3, he chose money over his international career. He went for the money so now has to deal with the consequences of not having an international career/getting ridiculed/booed every international game he does play (while in div 3/2/1)

He played international Football last night, wtf you slavering about.

It won't last and he should't have been picked. Clueless manager.

RDuncan8 wrote:

#HEEL wrote:

RDuncan8 wrote:When he chose to play in division 3, he chose money over his international career. He went for the money so now has to deal with the consequences of not having an international career/getting ridiculed/booed every international game he does play (while in div 3/2/1)

He played international Football last night, wtf you slavering about.

It won't last and he should't have been picked. Clueless manager.

Any complete tool can call somebody else clueless (one of the joys of living in a free country) however, I gave you and others the chance to back up your vilification of Levein with a question asking for hard facts like...how does his record actually compare with that of his predecessors...you failed miserably to make any effort to address the point. #ProjectionOfClueless

JAS wrote:

RDuncan8 wrote:

#HEEL wrote:

RDuncan8 wrote:When he chose to play in division 3, he chose money over his international career. He went for the money so now has to deal with the consequences of not having an international career/getting ridiculed/booed every international game he does play (while in div 3/2/1)

He played international Football last night, wtf you slavering about.

It won't last and he should't have been picked. Clueless manager.

Any complete tool can call somebody else clueless (one of the joys of living in a free country) however, I gave you and others the chance to back up your vilification of Levein with a question asking for hard facts like...how does his record actually compare with that of his predecessors...you failed miserably to make any effort to address the point. #ProjectionOfClueless

4-6-0 enough said. We should of been at the Euros this year if it wasn't for that. His attitude after, the "I don't want to talk about that, it's in the past" talk and refusing to take responsibility for the failure of the campaign.

Records can be misleading too. Lots of wins come from meaningless friendlies. Qualification campaigns is where it matters for now and Levein is solely responsible for screwing the last one up.

We will not be qualifying this time either so don't anyone be getting there hopes up.

RDuncan8 wrote:

JAS wrote:

RDuncan8 wrote:

#HEEL wrote:

RDuncan8 wrote:When he chose to play in division 3, he chose money over his international career. He went for the money so now has to deal with the consequences of not having an international career/getting ridiculed/booed every international game he does play (while in div 3/2/1)

He played international Football last night, wtf you slavering about.

It won't last and he should't have been picked. Clueless manager.

Any complete tool can call somebody else clueless (one of the joys of living in a free country) however, I gave you and others the chance to back up your vilification of Levein with a question asking for hard facts like...how does his record actually compare with that of his predecessors...you failed miserably to make any effort to address the point. #ProjectionOfClueless

4-6-0 enough said. We should of been at the Euros this year if it wasn't for that. His attitude after, the "I don't want to talk about that, it's in the past" talk and refusing to take responsibility for the failure of the campaign.

Why should we have been there?? Scottish football is in a mess, has a current chronic lack of talent and is more obsessed with trying to kick one of its cash cows when it's down rather than trying to work out how to make itself better. Given the complete debacle played out over the summer I simply don't currently see how Scotland can reasonably expect to qualify for any tournament for the next few years although I'd love to be proved wrong