MALTESERS CHOCOLATE SOLDIERS
aggregate score. But what sticks out most from the tie was Chris Woods’ missed penalty.
If anything typified the gulf in class between the teams, it was the fact Rangers allowed their keeper to go up and take a spot-kick.
When the big Englishman pulled it wide of the post, there were fake jeers and boos. And laughter.
That’s how Scottish clubs treated Maltese opposition back then. With ridicule and contempt. Now, the joke’s on us. Have Maltese football and their club sides improved so radically since 1990 that they’re now on a par with us because we’ve stood still?
Or is it actual ly the case they’ve gradually got better and we’ve declined at such a rapid rate that we’ve bumped into them on the way down?
I’m more inclined to believe the latter. Either way, it’s not good.
And call me a pessimist but it has got me seriously worried ahead of the start of Scotland’s World Cup campaign in September.
Where do we kick off our bid for Russia 2018? Malta, of course. The thought of anything going wrong there brings me out in a cold sweat.
Speaking to Birkirkara’s captain and international midfielder Gareth Sciberras on Thursday night sent a shiver down the spine.
He claims the Maltese are relishing Scotland’s visit. Surely not?
They are opponents who must be dealt with accordingly by Gordon Strachan’s team. After all, they haven’t won an international game in a year.
But, as always with us, there’s a note of caution. Italy, Austria and Croatia have only scraped one-goal victories against them in that time.
If Scotland can’t do at least likewise on September 4, all hell will break loose. That really WILL be crisis time.
And all of a sudden, Birkirkara’s result in Gorgie might not seem that big of a shock after all.