' HAS CARDIFF'S NO1 LOST HIS PLACE? '
Sat Mar 26, 2016 8:35 am
David Marshall may well fail to get much of a chance in goal for Scotland with McGregor in such good form.
Allan McGregor pulled off a number of superb saves on Friday in the 1-0 win away to the Czech Republic
Daily Mail
Saturday 26th March 2016
Six months before a daunting campaign kicks off in Malta, the identity of those capable of forming a cohesive central-defensive partnership remains a mystery. So, too, is the name of the individual who can play the lone-striker role at international level.
In midfield, Scotland are better served but the miles on the clock of our 30-somethings is a growing concern.
In one area of the field, though, Strachan appears to have problems of all the right kind.
Despite Cardiff’s David Marshall currently being sidelined with pneumonia, only injury or a dramatic collapse in form would prevent him from retaining his place when we get down to business in the autumn.
Yet, if competition is still one of the key ingredients for excellence, Strachan can view the log-jam of keepers currently pushing his first-choice No 1 with a degree of contentment.
McGregor is favourite to start in the match against Denmark at Hampden Park on Tuesday night in Glasgow
Since Allan McGregor seriously injured his shoulder at the outset of the failed Euro 2016 campaign, it’s been hard not to view his Scotland career as being on the wane.
An unused sub in the opening matches against Germany and Poland two years back, the Hull City custodian appeared destined for a bit-part role even if he hadn’ t been forced to withdraw.
Craig Gordon’s resurgence with Celtic seemed to knock the ex-Rangers man further down the pecking order. But the way he maintained a clean sheet in the Czech Republic on Thursday suggested that’s an issue which may be soon be re-visited.
Four times in the match the 34-year-old made interventions that suggested his battle with Marshall might yet extend beyond the outcome of this year’s English Championship.
For those who would be thankful for McGregor’s part in a spirited defensive display, the prospect of renewed competition for the position can only be a good thing.
‘He was unbelievable and showed everybody what he’s capable of,’ said team-mate and close friend Alan Hutton. ‘He is obviously pushing for No 1 with Marsh at the moment.
‘We are very fortunate in that position. We have three, four, top-class keepers all going to push each other. It’s great for the squad.’
The Czechs topped their Euro qualification section ahead of Iceland, Turkey and Holland. They will be expected to give a good account of themselves in France so, in anyone’s language, it was a small step in the right direction.
‘The Czech Republic won so many games in their qualifying campaign so they were on a high,’ said Hutton.
‘They started off well so, for us to get the win, it has done all sorts for us.
‘The key thing out of the game is that we can go to places like that and not maybe play amazing football, but show we can work together and get a great result.
‘It was tough. We set out to play good football in the first half but were pegged back. But we got a great breakaway goal and we were happy.’
For Hutton, the occasion was always bound to be memorable. He pulled on a dark blue jersey for the 50th time in Prague to join the illustrious names in the Hall of Fame.
‘It’s a great honour,’ he said. ‘I never once thought I’d get this many, so to get to 50 is a dream come true.’
His first cap in Austria in 2007 was, coincidentally, also the night McGregor made his bow.
He may be 15 caps shy of Hutton’s milestone but, for the keeper, a man-of-the-match award for his contribution in the Generali Arena made it a night to savour all the same.
‘I’m really happy with the way it went,’ said McGregor after Ikechi Anya’s first-half goal proved the difference.
‘In the first half we struggled a wee bit to keep the ball and had to work our way into the match. But we kept ourselves in the game and then restricted them to only a few chances.’
Allan McGregor pulled off a number of superb saves on Friday in the 1-0 win away to the Czech Republic
Daily Mail
Saturday 26th March 2016
Six months before a daunting campaign kicks off in Malta, the identity of those capable of forming a cohesive central-defensive partnership remains a mystery. So, too, is the name of the individual who can play the lone-striker role at international level.
In midfield, Scotland are better served but the miles on the clock of our 30-somethings is a growing concern.
In one area of the field, though, Strachan appears to have problems of all the right kind.
Despite Cardiff’s David Marshall currently being sidelined with pneumonia, only injury or a dramatic collapse in form would prevent him from retaining his place when we get down to business in the autumn.
Yet, if competition is still one of the key ingredients for excellence, Strachan can view the log-jam of keepers currently pushing his first-choice No 1 with a degree of contentment.
McGregor is favourite to start in the match against Denmark at Hampden Park on Tuesday night in Glasgow
Since Allan McGregor seriously injured his shoulder at the outset of the failed Euro 2016 campaign, it’s been hard not to view his Scotland career as being on the wane.
An unused sub in the opening matches against Germany and Poland two years back, the Hull City custodian appeared destined for a bit-part role even if he hadn’ t been forced to withdraw.
Craig Gordon’s resurgence with Celtic seemed to knock the ex-Rangers man further down the pecking order. But the way he maintained a clean sheet in the Czech Republic on Thursday suggested that’s an issue which may be soon be re-visited.
Four times in the match the 34-year-old made interventions that suggested his battle with Marshall might yet extend beyond the outcome of this year’s English Championship.
For those who would be thankful for McGregor’s part in a spirited defensive display, the prospect of renewed competition for the position can only be a good thing.
‘He was unbelievable and showed everybody what he’s capable of,’ said team-mate and close friend Alan Hutton. ‘He is obviously pushing for No 1 with Marsh at the moment.
‘We are very fortunate in that position. We have three, four, top-class keepers all going to push each other. It’s great for the squad.’
The Czechs topped their Euro qualification section ahead of Iceland, Turkey and Holland. They will be expected to give a good account of themselves in France so, in anyone’s language, it was a small step in the right direction.
‘The Czech Republic won so many games in their qualifying campaign so they were on a high,’ said Hutton.
‘They started off well so, for us to get the win, it has done all sorts for us.
‘The key thing out of the game is that we can go to places like that and not maybe play amazing football, but show we can work together and get a great result.
‘It was tough. We set out to play good football in the first half but were pegged back. But we got a great breakaway goal and we were happy.’
For Hutton, the occasion was always bound to be memorable. He pulled on a dark blue jersey for the 50th time in Prague to join the illustrious names in the Hall of Fame.
‘It’s a great honour,’ he said. ‘I never once thought I’d get this many, so to get to 50 is a dream come true.’
His first cap in Austria in 2007 was, coincidentally, also the night McGregor made his bow.
He may be 15 caps shy of Hutton’s milestone but, for the keeper, a man-of-the-match award for his contribution in the Generali Arena made it a night to savour all the same.
‘I’m really happy with the way it went,’ said McGregor after Ikechi Anya’s first-half goal proved the difference.
‘In the first half we struggled a wee bit to keep the ball and had to work our way into the match. But we kept ourselves in the game and then restricted them to only a few chances.’
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Re: ' HAS CARDIFF'S NO1 LOST HIS PLACE? '
Sat Mar 26, 2016 10:16 am
Hopefully it will give him the fight to get over the pneumonia and put in some top class performances soon 