O Flower of Scotland

After an incredibly tough start to the season you have really turned it around following that friendly. In terms of Scotland, as usual of late, things going very well.

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@ScottT;
It was a good month, I can't quite believe the run we're on at the moment. The finances are a big struggle I'm hoping we get a cash injection soon or a new owner.

@TheLFCFan;
I must admit I thought I'd made a big mistake after that first month of football but it inspired a well needed change in tactics that's inspired the team to good form of late. It's been a good spell with Scotland I just need to make that next step now.

The squad looks a lot stronger these days, doesn't it?

The Scotland squad looks about as what I'd expect it to at this stage. McBurnie = the ginger Pele, right?

After missing this save recently and feeling like I wanted to go back to it I realised that I could easily do so. Although it took me back to Crewe I decided that I would resign from them and just pick up the save with Scotland. Thanks to @Jahendricksi for inspiring me to bring it back and for @TheLFCFan for helping me bring it back by deleting all the posts that were no longer relevant.

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Good to see this back, looking forward to what can be achieved with Scotland!

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@TheLFCFan: Thank you mate, me too!

Glad you're back on this and back to your winning ways! Looking forward to how you do in the Nations League and maybe qualifying for the World Cup 2026.

Two good victories and a great way to get back into the swing of things!

Scotland have been drawn in a group with Bosnia & Herzegovina, Denmark, Estonia and Israel in the World Cup Qualifying stage. In what is probably a first in recent times Scotland haven't faced any of the teams they've been paired with in several years. Certainly not under Christopher Burns anyway and that could be problematic as there is no familiarity there so Burns and his team will have to thoroughly study to suss out their opponents. They are the favourites to top the group as they're the highest rank nation although Denmark aren't too far behind so perhaps pose the biggest threat. Bosnia & Herzegovina and Israel could pose a threat as they are decent nations and although Estonia are relative minnows they too can be a decent team on their day. This is a tough group for the Scots even if they have avoided any 'big' nations. They will be relying on top scorer James Taylor and co to ensure a good campaign is had. It is worth noting that Burns also turned down an approach by Bristol City for an interview which indicates that he is heavily focused on the task at hand too.

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@Jahendricksi: Thank you, hoping we can get through the WCQG easy enough but the teams we got aren't teams I know much about so will just have to hope we can play our own game and see them off.

@TheLFCFan: Indeed!

Confirming recent speculation, Craig Levein has accepted the offer to become the manager of Burnley in the English Championship. Levein will be a massive loss to Hearts as they began to look like the second best side in Scotland under him in recent times. With a second place finish last year as well as a cup double of the Scottish Cup and Scottish League cup there is a lot to live up to for the next manager. Having said that, Hearts form this season hasn't been quite as good as they sit in fifth place in the league, were knocked out of the Scottish League Cup by Motherwell, thus missing their chance to defend the trophy, and they failed to make the next round of the Europa League as they finished third in their group. As Jack Naismith draws up his shortlist of potential replacements one name that stands out among the rumoured targets is Scotland National boss Christopher Burns. Burns boasts an impressive club record which he's achieved whilst dual managing club and country. He should be the first choice for the club, there's no doubt about that at all. The Scotland boss left his position as Crewe manager just last month though and stated that he would be focusing on international matters for the foreseeable future. He also turned down the offer to interview for the vacant Bristol City job too. Failing to convince Burns, Hearts could look to Kilmarnock boss Steven Pressley, Hamilton boss Barry Nicholson or club legend John Robertson, currently managing Ayr.

A decent group for Scotland to contend with. I think the Tartan army will be content with that.

As for Hearts, it's always nice to be linked with jobs as it suggests you're doing something right. Whether you opt to take the plunge or not, I'm not too sure.

Scotland National team manager will perhaps have been disappointed to lose out to Angelo Alessio for the Hearts job recently but is handed a job in the same league days later. Despite previously stating that he would focus solely on managing the national side Burns has accepted Stewart Milne's off to become the new Aberdeen manager. It's also been revealed that he turned down another approach from the English Championship after Swansea made contact with him. His third spell in Scotland is all too familiar as he takes charge of another side languishing in the bottom half of the table. Although, taking charge of these sides seems to be a specialty of Burns' so Aberdeen fans could look forward to immediate improvement this season. Christopher Burns has surprised many with this move to Aberdeen but it is the length of contract that has many people talking. He has signed up to a three year deal on £5k p/w which is an unprecedented move by him as he normally only signs up to clubs for a year or two. Having said that, he has a frequent tendency to move on before the expiration of his contract anyway. With their club sitting in ninth position in the league Aberdeen fans will be hoping that their new man can bring about an upturn in form as they are currently on a six game losing streak in the league.

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@ScottT: It isn't the worst draw that's for sure, although I don't know much about any of them so can only hope we turn up for this campaign, fully expecting Denmark to give us a run for our money. Hearts job wasn't to be but it led to my next club job..

Interesting! Good luck with Aberdeen.

Good luck with the Dons and with the qualifying group. Not much to fear from that group as they normally don't put out strong regens and (right now) don't have many strong players to deal with. I agree Denmark will be tough but very beatable--looking forward to how you do in qualifying and the World Cup!