MONDAY JURY
THERE’S a real dogfight at the foot of the Premiership. Who goes down automatically, who’s in the play-off and who escapes? IT will soon be time for Player of the Year awards to be handed out. On the international front, who is the Scotland national team’
Our top writers give their verdicts on the burning issues as we gear up for another big week in Scottish football at home and in the European arena
1
HAMILTON’S win at St Mirren has kept them alive again. Another win in Dingwall might cement their status as the Harry Houdini of the top flight and leave the Staggies in trouble. Kilmarnock will get out of it with Ross County dropping down and the Accies grabbing a lifeline in the play-offs.
2
THERE have been all manner of heroes in dark blue shirts but it’s difficult to see past John McGinn as the pick of the bunch. He is simply a consistently outstanding performer on the international stage.
3
IT’S time to throw the kitchen sink at this kind of behaviour. UEFA’s 10-game ban for Ondrej Kudela has set a very low bar. If Tiffoney is found guilty then Scottish football should make an example of him but it might well be easier said than done.
IT’S almost a pin job. Impossible to call. Kilmarnock might still escape, leaving Ross County in the play-off and Hamilton at the bottom, but it could go any way now.
McGINN has been terrific through the whole year but Kieran Tierney has just been different class since getting a run of games.
NO ONE in the game at any level should be subjected to abuse of this nature. However, pinning down exact punishments is not a simple task for the authorities.
IT’S another great escape for Hamilton as they climb above relegated Ross County and sustain their top flight status via a play-off while Killie survive by the skin of their teeth in third bottom place.
THERE can be only one stand-out candidate and that is McGinn. The Aston Villa midfielder is made to play for his country, a cut above with his goals and passion in the dark blue.
SADLY, there will be incidents such as these in the game as sport isn’t immune to the worst of human behaviour. It’s notoriously difficult to prove and there are usually two sides to the story. If he’s guilty it’ll be a ban for a few games.
IT’S musical chairs down there and it could stop with any of the three. It’s daft to bet against Accies but this could be the year and Kilmarnock are going to face the play-offs.
McGINN. He’s the driving force in this Scotland side, leading by example and weighing in with key goals. His ridiculous overhead kick to salvage a point against the Austrians might prove absolutely crucial.
DAVID COX quit football in the wake of alleged abuse over his mental health by Stenhousemuir player Jonathan Tiffoney. If found guilty, what is an appropriate punishment?
THERE has to be a lengthy ban to send out the message this kind of vile behaviour is not on. Ten games should be the starting point.