Scots lack bright spark to Bale us out in hard times
One Premiership manager was on the phone last week to take issue over this column’s opinion.
What was a fair critique of his club by any standards hadn’t gone down well.
But there was a calmness in the conversation and an invite for a coffee and a chat to discuss any bones of contention.
Sometimes brutal honesty, when writing about matters in Scottish football, becomes an occupational hazard.
There are one or two individuals in our game who are far too precious when they come under scrutiny.
But they should be thankful the Press here aren’t like the Spanish.
Take Gareth Bale’s treatment where media organisation Marca branded him a “parasite” and accused him of “sucking” Real Madrid’s money.
Not even his part in bringing 14 trophies to the Bernabeu, including four Champions League titles, provided him with any form of immunity to such a savaging after nine years’ service to the club.
The Welshman’s response was to score two brilliant goals in his country’s 2-1 World Cup play-off win over Austria on Thursday.
“Slanderous, derogatory and speculative journalism,” was Bale’s response to the remarks thrown in his direction.
The issue was a reminder of the generally healthy approach the Scottish Press have with those who play and coach in Scotland.
There is the occasional exception. One former Rangers player took offence to a “note to medics, check for pulse” remark next to his name after one inert display – and that relationship hit the dustbin.
Anyway, it’s a long-winded way to say that Scotland’s Under-21 side were woeful in their Euro Championship qualifier against Turkey at Tynecastle on Friday night – and the brutal truth will out on this one.
A 2-0 loss to a team of no great shakes was all the more alarming given the absence of any genuine goal threat or attacking guile.
The Turks moved above Scotland into third in Group I, behind Belgium and Denmark, and already we are making up the numbers.
That lack of individual thought has become a sad feature of the latest crop of young Scottish kids.
There’s also a reason why, as a nation, we’ve become dab hands at developing exceptional full-backs.
It’s because pro-youth coaching has become a process of pass, pass, pass and please take your brain out.
Coaches like Scot Gemmill and Peter Houston should have everyone’s sympathies.
No doubt the covid-stricken U21 head coach was at home watching his side falter against Turkey and tearing his hair out.
It’s just a calm analysis of where we are. If Scotland are on a World Cup play-off collision course with Wales then it’s someone with the brilliance of Bale who’ll stick the sword in.
While the emergence of genuine quality defenders is encouraging, it’s the other end of the pitch where we will be found wanting.
A harsh but true opinion of the state of play – but unlike the Spanish, there’s a reality, decency and respect about the whole affair.
So no need for phone calls, just ditch pro-youth football ASAP please, and allow players to develop with freedom of thought and natural instinct.
Pro-youth is process of pass, pass .. take your brain out