Hotline LIVE | Steve Clarke presser ahead of Scotland’s Morocco showdown | Prem fixtures revealed

[00:00:00][music] [music] >> Hello and welcome to Record Sport's hot lane live. Every save counts on and off the pitch. Keep your shower short, but only buy the water you need and don't leave the tap running. Goals matter, but water is always worth saving. Search Scottish Water today. My name is Daniel Colm, delighted to be joined by Record Sport's Keith Jackson and Scott McDermott. We've got a packed show for you. Scotland boss Steve Clarke and his captain Andy Robertson. We'll hear from both of them. We're going to talk Rangers, we're going to talk Hearts, but before all that guys, how's it going?

[00:00:41]>> Not bad, Dan. Not bad to see you couldn't be bothered coming down to Foxboro [laughter] today for the press conference.

[00:00:47]>> Take it real easy.

[00:00:49]>> Well, well, as you I'm four days in and he's starting to get I I can't be bothered. Enjoy your [clears throat] lunch at the hotel, Dan.

[00:00:55]>> That's good.

[00:00:55]>> Nice.

[00:00:56]>> Big bigger fish to fry.

[00:00:57]Bigger fish to fry, guys.

[00:00:59]>> Ah, it was good. It was a good day.

[00:01:01]>> Good.

[00:01:01]>> We're feeling it. We're feeling >> Me and Jack over the $15 packet of crisps each >> [laughter] >> and and an $8 bottle bottle of juice.

[00:01:09]>> I hope you enjoyed your fillet steak.

[00:01:11]>> Ah, nice one. That wasn't a fillet of salmon, Scott. Come on.

[00:01:14]>> All right, Dan.

[00:01:14]>> Ah, the game the game's been good to you, Daniel. You've been on it two minutes.

[00:01:17]>> By the way, I'm going to get you blown a gale in here if you didn't already know.

[00:01:22]It's It's about wind in the field.

[00:01:24]>> Scottish weather was changeable. This is ridiculous.

[00:01:26]>> One minute it's roasting, the next minute it's >> I know.

[00:01:29]>> And we had planned >> had planned, hadn't we, to do it from inside the stadium cuz it's such a spectacular backdrop.

[00:01:35]And of course, the minute we walked in the minute we walked in, up started the sound check and it was blaring.

[00:01:42]Thought, "Danny, can't even battle against this." So, here's here's actually an an interesting thing for the guys back home. This is right outside um the stadium here in Foxboro. It's like I think it's it's pitches um >> The New England Patriots >> The New England Patriots use I I I think this is their youth team.

[00:02:03]mean, again, you look at the surfaces.

[00:02:05]It's unreal. Facilities around America have just been incredible. So So that's it. That's the stadium in the background there.

[00:02:12]Well, we'll be tomorrow night.

[00:02:15]>> Collecting three points.

[00:02:17]>> Well, one will do. Well, one will do, Dan. One will do. Well, listen, three before we come Three would be I mean, three would just be phenomenal. And by the way, before we go on, I think it's worth pointing out another European side, Czech Republic, just got a draw. Scotland is the only European side at this competition to have won their opening game without conceding a goal, keeping a clean sheet.

[00:02:40]Name's on the cup.

[00:02:41]>> Might as well just give us the trophy now.

[00:02:44]>> [laughter] >> Um before we before we talk more about football, guys, as I say, we'll hear from the Scotland manager and captain.

[00:02:50]>> By the way, Henrik will Henrik will Swedish producer will be hating this chat.

[00:02:54]>> [laughter] [gasps] >> Um we we were up to Fenway Park last night for the Boston Red Sox. Keith, I know you love absolutely every minute of it.

[00:03:05]>> I'll erase it from my memory.

[00:03:07]Honestly.

[00:03:09]>> It didn't even mention.

[00:03:11]>> All right, see that the last thing Put it this way, right? I'm I was trying to think, what's the last thing that I've walked out halfway through? Do you know what it was?

[00:03:20]About 10, 15 years ago, John Bishop at the Hydro. And it was murder. [laughter] Murder.

[00:03:27]And then do you know something? I would go back and watch the second half of that John Bishop stand up than watch that baseball again. Honestly, I So I mean, it was mind-numbingly boring.

[00:03:39]Yeah, great stadium, nice wee day out and all that, but really, Scott, you just liked it because you could sit in your seat and get cheeseburgers delivered to you.

[00:03:47]>> It's Listen, I don't know what you're laughing about.

[00:03:50]And you know, he just doesn't appreciate sport and culture. Do you know what I mean? Scott is not cultured.

[00:03:57]Iconic venue.

[00:03:59]Great atmosphere.

[00:04:00]The nine nine nine innings I learned that you've got in baseball.

[00:04:05]There was nine innings. Every one enthralling. Nine innings.

[00:04:08]There was three runs scored. Look at that. Look at that. It's a three nil away victory for the Blue Jays. I think there's only one.

[00:04:15]Amazing.

[00:04:16]Rebel Wilson Now, he says to me in the taxi the way over, he says "Am I allowed to delete that NBA app that we got last [laughter] year?"

[00:04:25]NBA.

[00:04:27]He thinks he was at a basketball. That's how much That's how much attention he was paying. I don't know where I am or who I am anymore, Scott. All I know is I've been on the road for 19 days and I'm hanging by a thin thread. And that last night was a was just too much I had to test. Do you know something? One of the guys did a great job because he managed to get his tickets and I feel I'm going to look really ungrateful if I walk out of this when I wanted to walk out at which was after 10 minutes. I had to stay for two hours just to I got halfway through five innings. There was like two runs scored.

[00:04:56]See you later, guys. And I've walked out and I what I did enjoy was I walked all the way back from Fenway Park. I walked all the way back into the city center into the hotel.

[00:05:07]Took me about 45 minutes. But walking down by the river banks through the through the middle of Boston.

[00:05:15]And it's it's alive at night and in not in a scary way. There's nice people out doing nice things. Fairy lights and trees and everybody's having a great time. Magic city. And do you know what?

[00:05:25]They were the clever ones cuz they didn't go to the baseball. Oh, it was alive [laughter] It was alive around the stadium down winter where we used to post match post match meet up. A load of Americans wanted drinks massive cans of lager.

[00:05:39]Again, what's wrong with What's wrong with that?

[00:05:41]>> [laughter] >> Some of us are more sophisticated, Scott. Sorry. Sorry. You refuse.

[00:05:46]Now, listen. He's He's just not cultured, Scott. We just There's nothing we can do about it.

[00:05:51]>> Is it the Trump's generation that I'm talking to here?

[00:05:54]>> [laughter] >> David in the comments section says you can't be a game around us. Rebel wants to know how much the hot dogs were at the the Red Sox game. I actually think they were pretty pricey, weren't they? I got some mozzarella bites for $12, but >> But let me tell me tell you something else, Rebel. Hey, see this pair here?

[00:06:11]This pair and you in particular we going We can't I says I'll get us around, boys. Four four cans of beer, four monster cans of beer, way too big. Uh $60. $60.

[00:06:24]>> $60, man.

[00:06:26]>> So so then I'm waiting. I'm thinking, "Oh, that's [clears throat] all right.

[00:06:28]That's me. At least I've I've taken the first half, but the boys they'll they'll come back." Next thing I know I'm sitting down and Scott's getting a burger and chips and chicken nuggets and a big pint. Same T C. I'm like, "Where's mine?"

[00:06:41]Honestly, the selfishness.

[00:06:43]Dan You know what I mean? I gave up now.

[00:06:45]>> There's no mentioning the lovely Cabernet Sauvignon I got him.

[00:06:49]>> After that >> And the round I the round I got him didn't mention that. The round the big round I got him was the I got him after the game when he when he'd already left and walked up the road. That's the thing, you know.

[00:06:59]>> I I There's no benefit to me that.

[00:07:01]>> [laughter] >> You put your hand in your pocket. It'd be nice if you done it when I'm around.

[00:07:06]>> Kyle in the comments says Lady Jaco must be delighted with 19 days without you.

[00:07:10]That's banging your order that.

[00:07:12]>> She's missing me terribly. Who can blame her?

[00:07:14]>> She's only human.

[00:07:15]>> As if she's telling him.

[00:07:18]>> [laughter] >> She watches us play the game.

[00:07:21]You're class, Mark.

[00:07:23]>> Um right, let's move on to Scotland. You guys have been hearing from Steve Clark and Andy Robertson today. Before we go on actually, should we hear from the pair of them just now?

[00:07:33]Let's have a little listen to the pair of them.

[00:07:36]>> Anytime you play a team that's inside the world top 10, you know you're you're going to have to be good at what you do without the ball.

[00:07:43]You know, you're going to have to be good at what you do with the ball.

[00:07:46]So, we're under no illusion about the size of the task in the next game.

[00:07:50]I feel Morocco really, really good side. Reached the last four of the last World Cup.

[00:07:56]And I've got a feeling this Moroccan team is is probably slightly better than that. So, that I think that gives you a an idea of the the task ahead. That's Scott's one of our one of our key players.

[00:08:06]I'm lucky. I've got a lot of key players. Andy Robertson, John McGinn.

[00:08:11]For me, Grant Hanley, Kenny McLean, people like that. We we We've built a really good squad over the years.

[00:08:18]Scott gets a lot of headlines, but he's also one of the first to understand that without the help of his teammates, it's it's more difficult for him to be that talisman. If he can be a talisman tomorrow, then that'd be great. Next game, for sure, Morocco are going to be the most difficult.

[00:08:32]Cuz that's the next game.

[00:08:33]I think both both teams are inside the top 10 in the world. So, we know for us, two big challenges.

[00:08:41]I thought Morocco were excellent first half against Brazil.

[00:08:44]Brazil showed a little bit of experience in the second half in that in that game to get back in.

[00:08:48]Uh But, no. We expect a difficult game game from both. So, just try and separate them is difficult. If I'm being honest, they they travel all all over the world.

[00:08:58]Sometimes in great numbers, sometimes not very many, but they get around. They they They always support the team. They're very, very positive. Wherever they go, they they create a great impression.

[00:09:09]Like you say, they they know how to enjoy themselves, but they also police themselves very well. They they They don't cause too much trouble, and they come here. They've come to a World Cup for the first time in 28 years, and they're here to enjoy themselves. And I think the people of Boston have probably have probably recognized that.

[00:09:25]>> Try trying to not think about it, because we've got such, you know, tough tasks ahead of us. But, um you know, I don't think any of the lads and the coaching staff and all the backroom staff have shied away from it that we want to be the first team to to be able to do that for our country and um it's obviously a nice feeling to to try and do that, but we know how difficult it's going to be. We're now playing against one of the best teams in the world, but um you know, we believe that we can make any game difficult and and if we can do that and if we can put in our best performance, then you know, I believe that we can get what we want and hopefully be um the ones that achieve the history. Yeah, like we we believe in ourself. We I don't think we would we would be here if we didn't because we had to believe at times in the qualifying campaign that we could do it when, you know, maybe people didn't think we could. You know, you just take the Denmark game for you know, you know, you go behind or they equalize twice, especially late on and and we just kept believing and believing. So, this squad's full of belief. We know we've got a tough game tomorrow. We know we're playing one of the best in the world, but we also believe that if we perform to our maximum, then we can make it difficult for anyone. I think we've proven that over the years. So, it's up to us to be at our best. It's up to us to to do what, you know, the game plan is and um you know, hopefully if we can do that, then we get the point or we get the three points that we need to to to make history.

[00:10:47]>> Guys, we've debated this a few times on the show since we beat Haiti, but Christopher Holmes wants to know will Steve Clarke change his formation tomorrow night against Morocco?

[00:10:57]>> I asked him that exact question in the presser and as you would expect, I mean, I don't know what I was thinking. You know fine well he's not going to tell you. I just wanted to gauge it a little bit. Um and I said to him, "Look, you've you've spent so much time ahead of us tooling working on the 4-4-2 formation. It's served you well. It's looked good." But, I asked, "Was that all simply aiming up for the the opener? And do you have a a sort of tactical change in mind for games two and games three?"

[00:11:28]Uh he kind of just said, "Look, we've All the systems that we've used we've we've done a lot of work on and and we're comfortable in in switching. So it wasn't a yes we're going to we're going to switch but it wasn't a no we're going to stick with with what's got us here or what's what what they've been using recently in the build up to I think he'll switch.

[00:11:49]I don't know what that switch looks like yet whether it's the four at the back and a five.

[00:11:56]But I've been told makes the starting lineup. I know that's been a a debate but yeah I I I anticipate a change. I don't think we'll go 4-4-2. Having said that I've said it already Steve Clark to use a baseball analogy the king of the curveball and let's let's not forget it's one of our biggest wins under Steve Clark was Denmark away.

[00:12:18]And and he went with two up top.

[00:12:21]He he That's right sorry and he went with two up top in that game and and Lyndon Dykes and and Che Adams.

[00:12:27]Anything is possible if you're asking me I think we'll I'll be surprised not surprised not amazed but I think he'll he'll switch from the 4-4-2 to something a little bit more robust.

[00:12:38]>> It's funny when we were coming coming here the day in the taxi then me Jacko were talking about the Denmark game it was interesting more I thought about it.

[00:12:46]Well that Denmark game probably the last game we played where we had to get minimum a point in terms of getting the campaign off to a a positive start and he he devised this this plan which kind of surprised us on the night 4-4-2 pretty flat 4-4-2 with two strikers.

[00:13:04]Dykes obviously being the target man up front with Adams and it worked a treat.

[00:13:09]So no we because we had two up top we actually created the chances.

[00:13:14]We were really solid we could play play long and direct when we when we when we had to so that's definitely an option for him but I'm going to stick to my guns and say I think it'll probably be 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1 however way want to look at it.

[00:13:29]Uh yeah I still think he'll bring another midfielder in and sacrifice one of the strikers.

[00:13:34]And Jack Ross doing well in the week.

[00:13:36]I've got a funny feeling Lyndon Dykes might might start potentially for the other striker. He might start up front his own cuz we mentioned it last week. I just think he's so good at that job. Gives you a focal point. You know, gives you that capability to go more direct.

[00:13:51]He's probably the best at holding it up in terms of his power and his strength.

[00:13:55]>> So, um I think there'll be a couple of changes.

[00:13:59]No more than that. I mean, I I did say last week Steve Clarke said pre-tournament, but most teams would change three or four players game to game. That might well be the case. I mean, he might change a he might change one of his center backs or >> All right.

[00:14:12]>> Talking about Kieran Tierney maybe coming in, which probably involve a change in the system, but I think there'll be a minimum a couple of changes and and obviously a tweak tactically as well.

[00:14:23]>> And in the comments, Christopher says he thinks he'll leave Shankland up top in his own.

[00:14:28]Allan seems to agree with >> for a for a minute. I think that's the least of our worries.

[00:14:33]>> Um Chris Allan says he thinks it'll be 4-5-1 with Lyndon up front to start with to be the battering ram. And Jimmy Jimmy's in really confident mode. He says it'll be a 3-5-1 starting with 10 men. So, I think that'll be That'll be interesting, Jimmy, if we do that. I mean, go out and beat Morocco with a 3-5-1.

[00:14:50]>> [laughter] >> I canny see We're so confident We're so confident we're going to go out and hammer them.

[00:14:54]>> Exactly.

[00:14:54]>> Sorry. Jimmy's actually going to touch on a 3-5-1-1. Sorry about that, Jimmy.

[00:15:00]Um Ross says Scotland needs to go for it tomorrow. We need three points to guarantee we're through to the next round. Ross is right, obviously, guys, but one point I think more or less gets us there.

[00:15:09]>> One point One The way The way that these The first round of fixtures across all the groups have have panned out, it's looking more and more likely that one point is all but guaranteed. In fact, Daniel, there's been so many draws in these in the the opening round of fixtures.

[00:15:26]They're starting to look at it and think there's a very good chance that three points might get you through.

[00:15:30]We might have done enough already, but >> [snorts] >> Scotland can't think that.

[00:15:35]And then it comes down to goal difference. Or or maybe not Scotland because there might be there could be a number of groups where where the third place team has just get two draws, two two points.

[00:15:45]>> Craig in the comments says "Tierney's >> Hold that. We could pour over all the the details of that later when we when when we know. But I think you can say take it to the bank right now if we get one point tomorrow night, we ain't going home.

[00:16:00]>> Yeah. Yeah, Craig in the comments says "Tierney's definitely starting. It'll probably mean Doak is benched though."

[00:16:05]Um Joseph says >> starting.

[00:16:07]>> He says "For me Doak and Cut this will start. Young, fast, fit. Lyndon Dykes is too slow for chasing the ball."

[00:16:14]>> [clears throat] >> Rebel says >> Who's he chasing the ball?

[00:16:17]>> "Play the way we beat Spain 2-0." Uh check says "Shankland would be wasted man playing up in his own. He'll pass it around him for fun." Um what was I going to ask you there?

[00:16:28]Uh I Kieran Tierney, I think you'll come in guys. Danny, you share that view and do you both agree that you now think that Ben Doak will start on the bench?

[00:16:35]>> Well, I'll hold on there cuz one of our one of our viewers says that he's definitely Kieran Tierney is definitely starting. Going to try and get the boy's number because I could do with him in the Record Sport desk if he's >> [laughter] >> he's going to weigh in. He's going to weigh in with with team lineup exclusives more than 24 hours out.

[00:16:49]>> That's from a KT who's based in Boston apparently.

[00:16:53]>> [laughter] >> So if if you think he'll start then, I take it you think we're going with a five then.

[00:16:58]>> That That's That's my hunch. Obviously, you know, [laughter] there's a good chance I could be wrong, but I think there's a chance that he might flip it around and go with a back three {slash} five tomorrow night.

[00:17:07]>> You're very seldom right, Dan, to be fair to you.

[00:17:10]>> [laughter] >> Listen, all last season Keith, I said Martin O'Neill would still be Celtic manager next season, didn't I? Come on.

[00:17:15]Didn't I?

[00:17:15]>> Yeah, you you did. Well, wait, did you?

[00:17:18]I don't >> know.

[00:17:19]I've [laughter] told you, Dan, I'm I'm losing sight of things and things like that.

[00:17:22]>> I don't know what that is.

[00:17:23]>> I don't know what my name is.

[00:17:25]>> So, what is it with Robertson? The comments agrees with me. I can just see Kieran Tierney coming in to back up Robertson in that sort of left back sort of area with Hakimi and >> If they don't think that done I'm comfortable with it. They've used it before.

[00:17:39]Uh I'm just I'd be surprised if mid-tournament after getting a win in your first game you then kind of break up the the back four. Well, we'll see what happens.

[00:17:48]>> Right.

[00:17:49]But but we we did as I said the other night, was it last night or the night before? Can't remember. But um Steve Clark did have a a bit of a a prolonged exchange, protracted exchange [clears throat] with with Kieran Tierney side of the training pitch in Charlotte um before one of the sessions. And it and it, you know, the guy the guy that kind of saw that said to me, he felt really strongly that it looked like the manager telling exactly what was going to be expected of him.

[00:18:17]So, it >> Well, it's >> It could It could well be the case.

[00:18:21]>> It's funny, Keith, that you say that because Craig has written back in saying, "Keith, I watched the training session. Clark had an in-depth conversation with KT. It looks like he's definitely starting."

[00:18:30]He may be >> having an in-depth conversation about the Cheesecake Factory.

[00:18:34]>> [laughter] >> Tell him why he's not playing for the second game. Tell him that.

[00:18:37]>> I We've had those in-depth We've had protracted conversations about the Cheesecake Factory, haven't we, mate?

[00:18:43]>> We certainly have, boss.

[00:18:43]>> So, so they're your favorite >> What is it?

[00:18:45]>> We've had another one, haven't we?

[00:18:46]>> He certainly will.

[00:18:47]>> [laughter] >> Um right, let's talk about domestic matters. Um Can Can you guys Can you tell us any more about Derek McInnes? The Derek McInnes era is under way at Ibrox. Uh Keith, when can Rangers fans expect to hear from the new manager?

[00:19:02]>> That is the only development that I've I've got for you on that one, Dan. I I believe that Derek McInnes is still in Florida. He was in Boston, traveled back down to Florida um on holiday.

[00:19:14]Uh his family and I believe he'll start making his way home over the weekend and I would expect the official unveiling of Derek McInnes as Rangers manager to be made um next week before the end of next week. Um I'm not unsure exactly in the specific timescale but I expect it to happen next week and it's going to be so interesting to hear from him.

[00:19:39]It's also going to be so interesting.

[00:19:42]I think that you know one of the things that we picked up on the fact that he's not head coach. I'm very much looking forward to somebody from the club explaining why they went down the the head coach sort of route under Kevin Thelwell. Why they've reversed back from it and why it's important for the club and for Derek McInnes that that this appointment the word manager keeps as as so prominent. It is not by by accident.

[00:20:06]This is a sign for me that Rangers are taking a big change in the direction that Kevin Thelwell pointed for them and I'll tell you something that seems to me to be the shrewdest thing that they can do.

[00:20:17]>> To be fair Jacko, in terms of hearing from the club I need to give them a wee bit of credit and Andrew Calvin in particular so far they have fronted up.

[00:20:26]>> Oh no totally totally but on on this specific thing. Yeah yeah I think they've all and he has said he's taking ownership for the mistakes that have been made. And and I think I think changing the job title of the most important role at the club was a major mistake and I I thought it was unbecoming of the position.

[00:20:43]>> I think you know as well as I do Andrew Calvin has had conversations with people ex-players, people that have been around the club, people that know the club and my reading of that situation is he's taken all of that on board and he clearly you're right it is a change of track.

[00:20:59]He clearly thinks a Rangers manager is the way to go about things now as opposed to a >> Or What well or that what be that Derek McInnes stipulated it in his talks. I don't want to be employed and get and given that role as assistant coach. I want to come in the door as manager.

[00:21:15]And I I need the respect that comes with the position.

[00:21:19]>> In the comments, guys, Ross says, "Do you see Derek McInnes breaking up the side the Celtic title rhythm, Keith? The pressure is on McInnes before a ball is kicked."

[00:21:28]>> I Two things. First of all, Celtic seem to be hell-bent on breaking up the Celtic title rhythm.

[00:21:35]Um which is good timing for Derek McInnes.

[00:21:38]I Look, I I'm full of admiration respect for Martin O'Neill, and I've said so on many occasions. I also said that that he did enough last year to to probably earn the right to decide if he was ready to go again.

[00:21:51]Clearly, he did decide that. But the sort of turmoil that his his backroom team hasn't just been ordinarily appointed um at the same time, everyone feels a bit off with Celtic.

[00:22:04]They're vulnerable right now. And I think that Derek McInnes could sense that when he was at Hearts.

[00:22:09]Maybe he just didn't have the budget. I think that a massive part of that, Daniel, maybe a little bit of an exclusive was around about January time when um when uh Lawrence Shankland got injured. I think that Derek McInnes told the his superiors at Tynecastle that he desperately needed a striker to cover that that that problem area to to fill the boots that Lawrence Shankland had had left him.

[00:22:36]And I believe whether it was Tony Bloom uh I'm not I'm not entirely sure, but the message come back no no but they're not prepared to. And I think that Derek McInnes had actually got a striker in mind. And in his his view, he couldn't replace Lawrence Shankland like for like, but they might have had that the goals in this particular player that would have kept them at a safe distance at the top of the table. And if you remember, they went through a run of three or four games and the points just started to go down like that and it meant that both Celtic and Rangers got themselves back into a race that they should have been run out of. And if I I think if Derek McInnes had got that back in in January, we might be talking about a very different end of the season, a very different running.

[00:23:18]I think that will have really frustrated him. I think that's one of the reasons why when when Rangers came calling, I don't think he really hesitated in any way, shape or form. And I think he expects to be fully backed. Now, if Hearts fully back him, we're not talking. It's not in the same It's not in the same ballpark in terms of the budgets and and the the kind of financial muscle that Rangers can offer him. And I think that Derek McInnes will fancy his chances. He nearly did it with on the Hearts budget.

[00:23:46]How much closer can he get on the Rangers budget?

[00:23:50]>> Uh in the comments, guys, before I I wrap up, John Paul says, "Scotland uh will top the group and not settle for third place pass." Um Brendan says, "He will need to play five at the back to double up on Diaz and Hakimi."

[00:24:04]Um Chuck says, "Shankland has peaked for Rangers. He's now a depreciating asset."

[00:24:09]Um Uh Rebel wants to know the most >> by the way, that's an interesting theory. It could There is There is that theory out there and who's to say? I doubt it because he's looking as fit as a fiddle. Uh he's looking sharp. I mean, he scored three goals a couple of games ahead of this tournament starting. Um But, last season, there is there is that theory that that was that the peak?

[00:24:32]Lawrence Shankland, was that as good as Lawrence Shankland gets?

[00:24:35]Can he repeat it in a Rangers shirt?

[00:24:37]These things are yet to be shown. I I I I I fancy him to repeat it because he's looking lean and and he really understands the the enormity of this.

[00:24:47]>> a lot more chances as well.

[00:24:48]>> He'll get a lot more chances.

[00:24:49]>> Yeah, you'd think so. Um and sorry, just finally to finish up with those comments. Uh Jimmy says, "How Michael Nicholson is still in a job is baffling." And Rebo says the silence from Celtic Park on all matters is scary. Um >> I think they're all watching everybody's watching the World Cup then.

[00:25:05]>> I pretty much I the last little thing that I wanted to get your take on was we mentioned Hearts there Keith but they might have a new manager pretty soon. Rennie Hucker former Feyenoord and Manchester United assistant. Obviously I don't think we know too much about him but I mean from outside the Hearts project still a pretty exciting one they've got the Champions League qualifiers coming up.

[00:25:25]They've still got Tony Bloom.

[00:25:27]Um I don't know I think it would be a pretty appealing job to a lot of coaches.

[00:25:32]>> Yeah, I think so and also this this will be really interesting.

[00:25:37]Because what you can see with absolute certainty is you look at the the managerial appointments that Jamestown have held Brighton to make and Union Saint Gilloise in in in Belgium.

[00:25:49]They've got it right almost every time.

[00:25:52]And you know I I just think about the job that De Zerbi come in did when he come in and very few people had even thought of touted him for a job in English Premier League. Absolutely hit the ground running.

[00:26:07]Great football.

[00:26:09]So yeah I think it's interesting. I wonder if Tony Bloom because his system is so successful because his data and analytics have have been so useful to him in making these appointments. Wonder if they might kind of think about it doesn't matter if it was Derek McInnes.

[00:26:25]I wonder if that might be a mistake.

[00:26:27]Because I I did to to minimize the impact that Derek McInnes had on Hearts last last season I think would be a silly thing to do.

[00:26:39]But then again as I said to you the system seems to work.

[00:26:42]Brighton are absolute proof of that.

[00:26:44]>> It's all about the system Jacko. They I don't think it'll bother Tony Bloom in the slightest. Derek McInnes is >> I think I think he actually might want a a head coach to come in who is who is much more receptive to >> Yep.

[00:26:59]>> You know, and you know, I think David McInnes wanted to run in the place. He wanted to be the manager that And I'm not sure that that's exactly what a Tony Bloom >> No.

[00:27:09]>> first team coach looks like, if you know what I mean.

[00:27:11]>> We talked about it the other night, but it's just a small thing, but with the the analytic system, so the same players keep playing specific positions. Daniel, if you see the the numbers stack up, but I think you can probably argue that goes towards the being the last season. A lot of players that that were brought in by James done for David McInnes, neither of them are playing and that's the playing in different positions. Now, that was his prerogative as as manager, obviously. Um he's watched them in training every day, but just for a a James done point of view, for a Tony Bloom point of view, I think David won't always you see the head coach to take the players in. Um make them better and basically play them in the positions that they've been signed to to play. Um and that might be a stipulation for a for a new manager coming in.

[00:27:58]>> That's the system, isn't it? That's the system. That's that's that's the program. That's that's what works.

[00:28:02]>> I think they will think, you know, what David McInnes did a good job for us, but we will find the next guy um who will who will hopefully be even better. And I agree with you, Daniel, what you said is that actually take the Hearts job now it has more appeal though because of what they did last season.

[00:28:19]Because they told the players to come back in um And if you look at the I had a look the other day at the kind of bookie's odds for the next manager and just the caliber of names even on that list just gives you a gives you an idea that just suggests that you know, a lot more coaches and managers out there are interested in Hearts.

[00:28:38]>> 100%. You know what? Hearts Hearts rewrote the whole narrative of Scottish football last year. Everybody sat up and paid attention, yeah. And they now look like one of the most progressive front footed clubs anywhere in the country, anywhere in the UK.

[00:28:53]Um so guys that are looking at that going, "Wow, if you if you get this right, if you nail this, if you become the first guy to succeed where David McInnes just failed last season, won a title, the whole world's going to pay attention to what you're doing." Uh so it's a much more attractive job, a much more attractive prospect than it was before David McInnes took it.

[00:29:13]>> Because every manager out there David McInnes done an unbelievable job last season to get Hearts to where it was.

[00:29:19]But managers everywhere, they've all got an ego.

[00:29:22]>> No, I don't think so. I don't think so.

[00:29:23]I could take them out.

[00:29:24]>> If David McInnes can get them a cup within a couple of points of Celtic, >> I could go there and those way don't >> overtake them.

[00:29:29]>> Yeah.

[00:29:31]>> Last couple of comments, guys, before >> the door way open.

[00:29:35]>> You hear about Scott going back to >> [laughter] >> Let's hear that.

[00:29:39]>> I think I'm living on edge here, Stan, honestly. [laughter] We used to I I left my room last night to get and I was watching the football so late. I just thought I'll just leave the TV on cuz I'll catch the end of the game later on. I'll channels are a bit funnier here, so I thought I'll keep I'll keep watching this.

[00:29:57]>> [laughter] >> Cuz I've been last week >> Channels are a bit funnier.

[00:30:01]>> They're a bit funnier.

[00:30:03]>> There was no Sky One, there was no BBC.

[00:30:05]>> [laughter] >> I went last week after a few beers and I've opened my door and of course I can hear a man talking.

[00:30:15]So I think there's something in the room.

[00:30:16]>> [laughter] >> I I I generally open the >> Show me. Show me. Show me. Do the motions. I'm >> [laughter] >> I hear two guys talking. I think somebody's in my bathroom trying to rob me here.

[00:30:30]>> [laughter] >> Obviously it's the canteen in the room as you realize. It was just two football pundits.

[00:30:34]>> Yeah. It was a It was a It was a German plumber on the telly.

[00:30:37]>> I. [laughter] Yes.

[00:30:40]>> Honestly, I'm going to have my heat >> You hear to have your warming.

[00:30:43]>> Uh let me let me throw a few of these comments at you before I let you go, guys.

[00:30:47]Uh Chick says, "Is the reason why McKinnis left Hearts because he had no control?"

[00:30:52]Craig says, "I think Bloom will be secret- secretly delighted. He'll be getting cash to part company with a manager who blew the league while he imploded. He was probably wanting red anyway." Ian says, "Maybe if we play a 6-5-2 tomorrow night and just hope the ref doesn't notice." And very finally, Blue Nose John wants to know talk about baseball as we Scottish favorite baseball team, the Texas Rangers.

[00:31:16]>> Yes.

[00:31:17]>> A man excellent avid follower. Avid follower of that.

[00:31:20]>> I don't think anybody would be an avid follower of that junk.

[00:31:23]>> I I seriously had a I had a great I had a great time last night.

[00:31:27]>> It's a nice It's a nice looking stadium, don't get me wrong. And what I really liked about it was it looks as if it's never changed. It looks as if that was probably the way it was when Babe Ruth was slugging them.

[00:31:36]>> Um [laughter] >> See, I'll give you knowledge.

[00:31:39]>> Uh But yeah, I mean, the the actual sporting spectacle I mean, I can understand remember back in the day it was all there you know right one Oh, I don't know how that. And then it's a walk they they kind of walk back to the bench and everybody's sitting there smoking a That kind of looked It looked a bit like that to me.

[00:31:59]>> You and when Jack left then you'll know this, but a guy that was four seats along from ended up catching the ball, didn't he?

[00:32:07]>> I did. Right next to him. It could have been him.

[00:32:10]Could have been him.

[00:32:13]>> [laughter] >> All right. Well, look, on that note, guys, I think that brings us to the end of Thursday night's Hotline Live brought to you by Scottish Water. Thank you very much for all the comments. We will be back tomorrow. Keith, I think I'm right in saying pre-match and post-match.

[00:32:27]That's how much we care about the viewers of this show.

[00:32:29]>> Pre-match and post-match and I've been quite good so far. I got a little bit of the the old nerves started to kick in before the first game, but I was really confident we'd get the job done.

[00:32:41]I'm not sure what kind of state I'm going to be in ahead of kickoff tomorrow because I will never in my life will I have covered a game that means as much as this. Um, any game. Uh >> That's a big statement, no?

[00:32:53]>> Well, I I absolutely stand by that.

[00:32:55]Scotland at a World Cup, we've never got through the groups and we we go into this with two games to spare, no one more point.

[00:33:03]Um, this is history. This is history in the making. So, yeah, I I I think my tummy might be feeling the strain this time tomorrow and that's got nothing to do with a planned visit to the Cheesecake Factory tonight.

[00:33:17]>> I'll bring my toilet wipes with me.

[00:33:18]>> Do that, mate. I >> [laughter] >> I was going to ask for your your pre-match thoughts, but we'll we'll we'll we'll do that in our we'll do that in our pre-match show tomorrow.

[00:33:27]Uh so, tomorrow Keith actually Rebellious asked what time are we going out tomorrow? We're thinking 8:00 p.m.

[00:33:31]UK time and the second one post-match we'll be waiting for you on Saturday morning. That's right, isn't it?

[00:33:38]>> Yeah, I'll be there breakfast bundle.

[00:33:40]>> That's it.

[00:33:40]>> And and I I just hope that you guys at home are all waiting up Saturday morning watching it and we're all celebrating because And when I when I say when these words can get tossed around and all that, historic, this is what this is. This is potentially history in the making.

[00:34:00]So, come on now. Come on, boys.

[00:34:02]>> Absolutely. Perfect note for us to end on. As I say, thank you very much for watching. The Hotline Live brought to you by Scottish Water. We'll be back tomorrow. Hope you can join us then.

[00:34:10]Cheers.

[00:34:15]>> [music]