The Hampden Roar

As it says at the start of the episode, been so busy recently that I've been unable to organise an ep for this week. So here is Nicky Devlin chatting to me about his involvement in the Scotland squad, as part of my conversations for my book A Long Time Coming: The Inside Story of Scotland's Journey through the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

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Creator and host Andy Bargh welcomes the Herald's Matthew Lindsay, Kev Lynch from the North East Tartan Army & Laura Brannan from TNT Sports (formerly Motherwell FC) to discuss the atmosphere improvements at Hampden, mainly a singing section.

Feasibility, appetite, logistics, likelihood and plenty more on the table about what we could improve on for 2027's qualifiers.

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Scotland were pretty battered by Slovenia on Tuesday.

A wide open defence and insipid forward play led to the 2-1 outcome. But we looked decent at times in Slovenia and North Macedonia.

What are the narratives now? We don't have the players? We should have been careful what we wished for? Is this reactivity or valid question raising?

The guys have a chat after a bit of dust settling.

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Back to the drawing board.

A turgid display of football at Hampden. A 2-1 defeat means we are pretty certain to be pot 3 for the Euros draw. But more alarmingly than the result, the positivity from some of the previous displays under Pocognoli has been undone as Slovenia absolutely bossed us and had us sussed out easily.

Andrew Petrie joins Andy Bargh not long after full time for a quick chat. More in depth episode to come this week.

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If only we could finish chances!

Scotland were excellent in North Macedonia but our lack of a clinical touch left the result at 2-0.

Bowie impressed, Binks and Welsh brilliant, Gilmour influential, Gannon-Doak promising, Robbo reaches 100... let's just hope we can put the ball away a bit better over the next three games. A good night overall.

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Jack Hendry's early red card pretty much ruined any chance of excitement or learning about Sebastian Pocognoli's style as Switzerland swatted us aside 3-0.

McBurnie played well & Binks' debut was fine. Other than that, nothing to feel good or positive about after the encouragement in Slovenia. The boys chat about Gunn, McGinn, Hendry, options and more.

Thanks for tuning in.

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After a slow start, Scotland grew into the game against Slovenia and dominated the second half without finding that winning goal.

Chance creation, the higher press, the tweaks, the initial uncertainty, the new boys, what we might see against Switzerland and much more covered in this episode.

Andy Bargh is joined by commentator Calum Brown, UEFA A license holder Tony Bryson, the Daily Record's Fraser Wilson, The Scotsman's Barry Anderson and Alan Risk from the Air Force Wan Twitter page.

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Will Sebastian Pocognoli choose a formation with three centre-backs to build with? Or opt for the use of the wingers in the squad?

With Tierney out, who might play left CB, will Gilmour come straight back in, who will start up front?

So many questions needing answers ahead of our Nations League opener on Saturday. With so much change, exciting times!

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12 players out from the World Cup squad. 7 uncapped players in, 5 for the first time. 6 players recalled. Wow.

Loads to talk about as Sebastian Pocognoli stamps his authority on the Scotland set-up. New strikers, centre-backs, returning midfielders, wide options. It's all go!

Creator and host Andy Bargh is joined by regular guests Thomas Mackintosh and Alan Risk as well as commentator Rory Hamilton and Gavin Noon from Scotland's Coefficient.

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How many changes will Sebastian Pocognoli make from the World Cup squad?

Some seem certainties to drop out, like Souttar, Fletcher and Stewart + more, but who is likely to come in?

Have Welsh and Graham earned a spot at CB? Gilmour and surely Miller to return in midfield? And what about up front, will Hirst or Dykes keep their place with Ure and Bowie impressing?

The guys also discuss Steve Clarke's contractual situation admission at a recent event.

Thanks for tuning in!

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