disgruntled_bear 157 Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 Now we are all aware of the International friendlies doing the rounds at the moment, but I'm sitting here wondering why we didn't take advantage of arranging a friendly game. It's not like we would have been short of offers... Considering most countries who qualified for the World cup, would have wanted to play against a team with a British style of football.Other part is we have just installed a new manager in Craig Levein, surly he would have wanted another game under his belt and a chance to experiment more, when the 2012 European qualifiers are fast approaching.Maybe I missed the reason why we never took a friendly on, but to me it seems like a really good opportunity missed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
super hans 55 Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 I've no idea why we're not playing a few friendlies, especially with the qualifiers approaching. SFA need to get their finger out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab 73 Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 Maybe I missed the reason why we never took a friendly on, but to me it seems like a really good opportunity missed I think you did miss the reason big man.I'm sure Levein said he was ditching a pre-season tour as not to be shit to the players.http://forum.rangersmedia.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=152102&view=findpost&p=1057982983 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gid 46 Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 Maybe because everytime we have a friendly at the end of the season it is heavilly criticised. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab 73 Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 Done a bit of Robert Research:"I had a long chat with Gordon (Smith] early on," said Levein. "While the Czech Republic game is on the agenda, there was a tour planned to Australia and New Zealand on the 25 May, which would include two games and be between ten and 14 days long. I have knocked that on the head."I just think that if we have an important qualifying campaign coming up next season do I want to be flying players, who have got families and who have worked their backsides off all season, out to Australia for ten days? That eats into their holiday time."We have a date in August, which I will utilise," he continued. "And then we are into the campaign. There might be some slight benefits from taking them away, but those would be vastly outweighed by them losing their recuperation time."http://sport.scotsman.com/football/Spirit-of-Christmas-in-the.5936823.jp Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab 73 Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 He mentions August, I'm sure we play Sweden from memory. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
disgruntled_bear 157 Posted May 25, 2010 Author Share Posted May 25, 2010 Did Levein really say that Boab?I find that a bit puzzling... Especially with his lack of experience at this level, and the little window he gets to operate with. That he would just discard a opportunity to get as many players as possible to meet up and experiment. Now... No doubt we would have had a few call offs, but even so. He could have got a second string to join up with a few youth players. It would have gave him and these players valuable experience, and if we needed them for the qualifying campaign further down the line. They wouldn't have been brought in cold. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOAT 30,449 Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 if it stops one of our players from potentially picking up needless injuries in meaningless friendlies and stops us having a bunch of morons embarrass us by singing about a fucken deer for 90 minutes, then im fucking happy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
disgruntled_bear 157 Posted May 25, 2010 Author Share Posted May 25, 2010 Done a bit of Robert Research:"I had a long chat with Gordon (Smith] early on," said Levein. "While the Czech Republic game is on the agenda, there was a tour planned to Australia and New Zealand on the 25 May, which would include two games and be between ten and 14 days long. I have knocked that on the head."I just think that if we have an important qualifying campaign coming up next season do I want to be flying players, who have got families and who have worked their backsides off all season, out to Australia for ten days? That eats into their holiday time."We have a date in August, which I will utilise," he continued. "And then we are into the campaign. There might be some slight benefits from taking them away, but those would be vastly outweighed by them losing their recuperation time."http://sport.scotsman.com/football/Spirit-of-Christmas-in-the.5936823.jpCheers Boab Well that answers the question, do I agree with it... No!Could see the point if we had players that were playing in European finals etc, but this season has been kind to a lot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab 73 Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 Done a bit of Robert Research:"I had a long chat with Gordon (Smith] early on," said Levein. "While the Czech Republic game is on the agenda, there was a tour planned to Australia and New Zealand on the 25 May, which would include two games and be between ten and 14 days long. I have knocked that on the head."I just think that if we have an important qualifying campaign coming up next season do I want to be flying players, who have got families and who have worked their backsides off all season, out to Australia for ten days? That eats into their holiday time."We have a date in August, which I will utilise," he continued. "And then we are into the campaign. There might be some slight benefits from taking them away, but those would be vastly outweighed by them losing their recuperation time."http://sport.scotsman.com/football/Spirit-of-Christmas-in-the.5936823.jpCheers Boab Well that answers the question, do I agree with it... No!Could see the point if we had players that were playing in European finals etc, but this season has been kind to a lot.Your welcome, wish I had the same memory for routes driving about Glasgow Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab 73 Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 DB, Levein also gets a rep (at the time) for being able to stand up to the SFA and not have need-less friendlies. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac444 6 Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 Walter and Eck both were against playing needless friendlies, instead favouring squad get togethers, neither of them had experience at International level, and like Levein knows most of the players. If he is as successful as them I'll be happy, hopefully he stays a little longer as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManchestGer 347 Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 I can see where Levein is coming from but it wouldn't have necessarily needed to be a trip as far away as Australia and New Zealand Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lando 249 Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 He mentions August, I'm sure we play Sweden from memory.Whew, it's a good thing Scotland isn't playing Sweden in June.http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/swedenroyalsmarriage Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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