I watched it, simply because it was football and it helped pass the time til the Champions league final. It was either that or housework and whilst the prospect of watching Scotland scrape past a team ranked 84th in the world didn’t appeal neither did mopping floors. And as I’d just made a coffee I figured I might as well sit on my arse and tune in.
To put this into context, Curacao are a country with a population almost equivalent to the size of the city of Dundee (although that’s where the comparisons end though as one’s an island paradise in the Caribbean and the others on the east coast of Scotland). Well done Dundee for getting a mention without me moaning about the Tannadice pitch.
So it came as absolutely no surprise to anyone anywhere ever when Curacao took the lead. Chong of Sheffield Utd slotting home past 43 year old Craig Gordon to put the visitors a goal up. (Curaçao are ranked one place higher in FIFA rankings than Haiti whom everyone (least on this side of the Irish Sea) assumes we will beat with ease in the USA).
Scotland were up against it and whilst the final score of 4-1 looks pleasing on paper we were rank rotten and but for the sending off of Miami FCs Locadia in the 38th minute the story could have been - would have been - completely different.
Curaçao came with a game plan: they weren’t here to kick a ball around and lie down, they came to compete, and competitive it was. Indeed competitive enough for Scotland midfield wizard Billy Gilmour to suffer an injury that’s ruined his chance of playing at the World Cup. When I saw him limping away I feared the worst and although he’s a youngster of 24 this may have been his one and only chance of ever playing for the what was the Jules Remit trophy. I hope it’s not but Scotland's inability to qualify for these tournaments mean it’s highly likely. I’m angry, bloody angry. Sure, I mean, yeah, play some fringe players in friendlies but we knew Billy would have been a regular starter so what did he have to prove? Fuck you Steve Clarke and Fuck the SFA.
We’ve another pointless friendly coming up against Bolivia at on Saturday, (9pm kick off and available on the BBC if you’re desperate. If not, I could give you a couple of movie suggestions. Just ask. Oh, and no Scottish TV are showing England v New Zealand so no point turning over, unless it’s to sleep.
In other news St Mirren managed to retain their SPL status having taken care of Partick Thistle in the play offs.
Congratulations also to Auchinleck Talbot who won the Scottish junior cup for the 15th time in the club's history.
And finally …
Congratulations to Celtic FC women who despite being reduced to ten after Emma Lawton was awarded a second yellow still managed to overcome their bitterest rivals at Hampden and lift the women’s Scottish Cup. It’s been a rocky old season for Celtic women after losing coach Elena Sadiku. And under new manager, former Hibs boss Grant Scott, it looked like a season to write off but as has been said before “there’s something of a fairy tale about this club”. And against the odds Kelly Clark’s ghirls did the business. A goal from Morgan Cross and some outstanding keeping from American keeper Adelaide Gay gave captain Kelly Clark and manager Grant Scott a lot to cheer about at the end of a difficult 25/26.
This Friday June 5th Scotland women line up against Israel as they do again on Tuesday the 9th. I believe we should take a stand and refuse point blank to play these matches. As long as Israel continues to commit genocide and war crimes daily we shouldn’t be turning away and pretending everything is fine. Maggie Chapman of the Scottish Greens and Leòdhas Massie of Your Party have along with councillors across the board urged the SFA not to let these games go ahead. But whilst it might be a lion on the badge we’re ran by cowards and they’ll carry on regardless.
Israel is a genocidal state committing war crimes and backed by the US and UK is carrying out atrocities that would give Putin nightmares. Shame on the SFA.
Til next time
🐼 Gary Robertson is the TPQ Scottish football correspondent.
No comments