So as expected George Burley has been sacked as Scotland manager for a run of poor results that really were indefensible. The next Scotland friendly is in March against the Czech Republic so it's vital that the SFA take their time on this one and get the right man. But who is the right man? Some of the obvious candidates seem to be distancing themselves from the job before they've even been shortlisted. Graeme Souness yesterday and now Mark McGhee this morning has said he's not interested despite being interviewed and very close last time round. It's easy to think that Souness has his media work and McGhee is newly installed as Aberdeen boss (although that hasn't stopped him moving on abruptly before, ahem Reading, ahem Leciester) but if you look at recent history, no-one seems to want the job! Alex McLeish had done a great job with the Scots in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, beating France home and away and coming withing minutes of beating Italy (that is some tough group no?), but fancied a job at Birmingham. Birmingham you say? A yo-yo club sat in the Championship, or being the man at the helm of you're country? Alex came soooth to Anglaand. Walter Smith had the same dilemma when the Rangers job was on offer and again walked away from his country. It's no surprise then that the people who are clamouring for a crack at the toughest job in British football are people with no jobs or experience (John Collins), people with shit jobs (Jim Jeffries, Kilmarnock) and probably just about any other bloke who has a Scottish cousin. Craig Levin who has had a great start to the season with Dundee United is probably favourite right now, unless Walter Smith wants to give it another go - just until he gets that call from Cardiff City or West Brom of course.
Kieran Gibbs starred in the England U21's 1-0 win over Portugal at Wembley on Saturday, which has prompted more calls from the media that he should be given a shot with the senior team. As an Arsenal fan it'll come to as no surprise that I really rate Gibbsy and if he can get a decent run in the side (Clichy's dodgy back will see to that right now) he should go to SA. He played left midfield for England on the weekend which shows versitility, he has got bags of pace, could give that England left side a natural balance (tuck Gerrard in at 65mins vs. Argies in the quarters?) and all these things and more are what Wayne Bridge doesn't have. I'm glad the world is slowly waking up to the fact that Bridge is absolute shit, a view I've held for some time. More Arsenal love-in from me, but there isn't a better place in the world for a young player to be than at London Colney every day. Wenger gives the young lads a chance, sends them on good loans (where they're actually needed and used) and even if they're eventually sold on, the education and support they get is superb.
Speaking of on loan Arsenal players, Jay Simpson continues to impress at QPR as their top scorer this season. He did really well in the Carling Cup run last year and it was only a question of competition that a loan was the sensible option. However, with RvP now crocked for the time being, if the loan clause permitted I'd like to see him brought back as a bit of extra cover. You don't even have to be that good or that experienced a player to play up front for the Gunners, with all the savage balls you get from Cesc and Shava you're bound to tuck a few away. Van Persie for the record has been given a prognosis of 6 weeks by the Arsenal official site, but I suspect that is 6 weeks on his arse until he can get back into full training and match fit etc, so probably early January before he's back involved. Considering that it could have been 3/4 months I suppose we have to take that as good news, and look at the positives like 'he'll be fresh' and the fact he'll be back and running hot by the time the last 16 of Europe comes round. Rob has been quoted as saying he's flying (with the Arsenal medical team's blessing) to Serbia to meet some weird witch doctor woman who will massage placenta on his poorly ankle, and make it all better again. Rob's been spending too much time in those Amsterdam coffee shops if you ask me...Take her easy.
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