O Flower of Scotland

Well, Scotland getting out of their qualifications group and now looking like you have saved Ross County, I don't think anyone is doubting your abilities anymore. A shame about the Rangers job coming up at the wrong time but I am sure it will come around again!

Scotland have today announced their squad for their friendlies against Croatia and Switzerland. After returning from injury Jon McLaughlin returns in place of Robby McRorie, Jack Harper comes in for Lawrence Shankland, Alex Mowatt comes in for John Fleck and Oli McBurnie comes in for Declan Gallagher. Spanish born Harper will be looking to make his debut after an impressive run of form for Alcoron. Alex Mowatt has recently committed to the Scotland squad after conversations with Christopher Burns and he will be looking to steal Fleck's place in the squad permanently as the Sheffield United player has been struggling for form this season. McBurnie is finally getting on the score sheet for Sheffield United and will be hoping he can make the same impact for Scotland and finally get off the mark for his country.

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It would seem that everything is going well TheLFCFan, maybe a little too well... Aye Rangers could come around again, they've made an utterly bizarre appointment; Kurban Berdyev, his stats look good it's a tad random though.

Scotland opted to play against two top twenty sides as they begin preparations for EURO 2020 in the summer. It was Croatia that were up first and despite fielding a strong side and perhaps being the better side throughout Scotland couldn't really get going. Their strikers let them down and they succumbed to a 2-0 loss. It was quite the reverse against Switzerland though as they beat the Swiss 2-0 and that was with completely rotated side too. Newbies Alex Mowatt and Jack Harper were handed starts after coming on as subs against Croatia and both lads repaid the faith shown in them as they were the match winners as each of them got on the score sheet. Kieran Tierney was also impressive as he set up both goals and defended excellently and thoroughly deserved his man of that match display.

A mixed couple of games. Interesting to see the 'weaker' team grab the win. Good to get the experience against some good sides before the Euros get underway!

Have been enjoying this story from afar! Only signed up so i could comment and say keep up the good work!

After waiting so long to reach a major international competition Scotland have only gone and drawn England and Wales in their group. It truly is a real Battle of Britain as three of the home nations look to fight it out to reach the knockout stages. The other team drawn in the group is the side currently considered fourth in the world; Croatia, who Scotland recently lost to in a friendly. With the draw made Christopher Burns got his plans under way as he arranged some warn up friendlies against Austria and Hungary.

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@TheLFCFan;
It was a bit disappointing how poor we were against Croatia and it just reiterates that need for a top striker which is in line with real life too. Good win against Switzerland though and it was great to see a couple of debutants score, perhaps Jack Harper can be my striker...

@JuddeaLCFC;
Nice one mate thank you! Be good to see you around the place.

What a group... if Scotland and Wales got their arses into gear more often, it would be nice to have it irl.

England, Scotland and Wales in the same group is incredible...

Mission accomplished!

Having been tasked with the job of rescuing Ross County's season and rescuing them from relegation Christopher Burns has resigned from his job as the clubs manager after fulfilling his task. After a rocky start to life with The Staggies Burns eventually managed to get a good run going at the club as he was able to implement a winning formula at the club. He adopted a similar style of play to his Scotland side and once he was able to bring in his own players they started to prove their worth. There was also a couple of key players in the existing squad that Burns built his team around and Joe Chalmers epitomised everything that was positive in the Ross County team. A fantastic box to box midfielder Chalmers also had a fantastic strike on him as his nine goals in the second half of the season showed. He has been tipped to link up with his former manager on the international front to earn his first cap. That Ross County went on to survive relegation after just two wins in nineteen games is quite remarkable. In their final few months though they went on to win eight games and drew a few too. A fantastic turnaround and a job well done by Christopher Burns and co. Willie Donachie, who was brought in by the outgoing manager, has been tipped to take over.

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@ScottT;
I know, if only!

@Griffo;
I know it's unreal int it! Shock to the system with them all qualifying, N.Ireland qualified too so it was just Ireland that failed to. Yes mate, mission accomplished!

Having completed his club duties and ending his spell with Ross County it was back to international duties for Christopher Burns. His first order of business was to announce his highly anticipated squad for the forthcoming EURO 2020 tournament. Having already announced his thirty man squad it was a tough decision for him to cut seven players from the team. Jon McLaughlin, Greg Taylor, Ryan Jack, Lawrence Shankland, Jack Harper, Ross McRorie and Declan Gallagher were the unlucky members of the squad to be cut. The two biggest calls by the manager was the decision to include Robby McRorie over McLaughlin and to include Joe Chalmers over the likes of Ryan Jack and several other senior players that didn't even make the thirty man squad such as Stuart Armstrong and John Fleck. Armstrong hasn't feature for Southampton though and Fleck has been in poor form so perhaps it does make more sense to call up a player such as Chalmers who has been in great form for his club in the second half of the season. Scotland's group for the Nations League was also announced prior to competing in this summer's tournament.

Scotland named a really strong side to face Austria in their first warm up match. The surprise starter was Joe Chalmers who was handed a central midfield role alongside Callum McGreggor and Christopher Burns showed a lot of faith in his Rutherglen boy to do that. Leigh Griffiths missed a penalty once again after Ryan Fraser was pulled down in the box by Konrad Laimer. Thankfully, Griffiths managed to slot the rebound past the goalkeeper and put his side ahead. Marko Arnautovic leveled for the Austrians just seven minutes later as a long ball over the top was undetected by the Scotland defence and Arnautovic slotted the ball past Craig MacGillivray with ease. It was a frantic first half and one in which Scotland obviously dominated. The same could be said for the second half but it was the home sides strike force which once again let them down. Oli McBurnie came on for the disappointing Griffiths but he couldn't find the winning goal for his side either. Even as Austria went down to ten men after Laimer was sent off after fifty-three minutes Scotland still couldn't break their opponent's down completely which doesn't bode well for the Euros.


There was a fair few changes to the squad for the game against Hungary as only Matt Ritchie and James Forrest retained their place in the team. There was a second cap handed to Robby McRorie and Burns opted to play Ryan Christie in place of Ryan Fraser on the wing and Oli McBurnie upfront in place of Leigh Griffiths. With the starting eleven not quite cemented it was a clear indication that he was looking for more from the wingers and strikers as Griffiths and Fraser haven't been impressing. Just minutes into the game, it was Christie who set up McBurnie for the opening goal. Peter Vincze was shown a straight red for a horrible lunge on James Forrest after his side also had a goal disallowed for offside just minutes earlier, not a great first twenty-five minutes for Hungary. Christie added a second goal just before half time as he slammed in his effort courtesy of a Kieran Tierney cut back. As the game neared it's conclusion Krizstian Papp scythed down Christie in the box to once again hand the Scots a penalty. With substitute Tom Cairney, on for Matt Ritchie, set to take it he received a shout from Christopher Burns to let Oli McBurnie take it. Unlike Ryan Christie who defied such an order several games ago now and lost his starting place, Cairney obliged and McBurnie despatched the penalty very calmly. A nice routine win which will restore some confidence in the players and fans who will now be heading to Wembley for their match against The Auld Enemy; England.

Congratulations on achieving survival with Ross County. The job is done and therefore resigning to focus on your duties with Scotland makes sense. Some surprising inclusions and vice versa... Ryan Jack missing out is a huge surprise to me, but you haven't been shy to make brave decisions yet. You should be able to survive in the Nations League group at the bare minimum and the warm-up game against Hungary sets you up nicely for a tough campaign at the Euros. Good luck!

It's a Battle of Britain in the first game of EURO 2020 for these sides as the Auld Enemy clash in group D at Wembley stadium. Scotland name their starting eleven and if the numbers are anything to go by then it's Christopher Burns strongest squad as all of the players have first team numbers. After impressing in the last match Ryan Christie and Oliver McBurnie kept their places in the team alongside James Forrest and Matt Ritchie who have failed to impress recently. There was a couple of surprises to England's team as Joe Gomez starts before Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan Bissaka starts ahead of Kyle Walker. The outcome of this game should be a comfortable win for England but will they be able to meet their expectations?

2: It's Scotland with the first chance here and it's Ryan Fredericks running down the wing he looks like he's going on his own, is he? He is but he hits the side netting, a close one.

6: We have the first booking of the match as John Souttar goes through the back of Harry Kane and he will have to be careful the rest of the game now.

9: It seems that Scotland are dictating the play here as England look to sit back and let them spray the ball around.

14: Ryan Christie joins Souttar on the booking list as he goes in hard on Jadon Sancho as the tricky winger attempted to showboat.

16: Aaron Wan Bissaka has the ball out right now and he floats it into the back post for Raheem Sterling who looks to take the shot on from the angle but Fredericks recovers to block the shot and the ball goes out for a corner.

17: Sancho whips the corner in now and Gomez gets on the end of it..... SAVED by Craig MacGillivray!

20: As Christopher Burns shouts at his team to show some passion James Forrest goes on a mazy run here and he's in on goal now is he going to shoot..... He does but it hits the side netting once again.

27: Scotland have a nice little move going here as MacGillivray plays a fine ball out to Christie on the wing who cuts the ball inside to John McGinn and he plays an excellent ball over wide left to Andrew Robertson who brings the ball down fantastically, takes on and beats Joe Gomez then whips the ball into the box for Forrest AND FORREST OPENS THE SCORING FOR SCOTLAND!!! Fantastic goal, a potential goal of the tournament already!? A superb team goal.

29: Scott McTominay gets his name on the booking list now as he brings down Ben Chilwell and these bookings could really come back to bite Scotland on the bum here.

45: England are spraying the ball around now as they look to equalise before half time. It's Wan-Bissaka to Jordan Henderson, inside to Barkley now it's Kane to Sterling who looks to line it up for a shotttt, ohhhh he drags it wide of goal. Close but no cigar.

Half Time: It's Scotland who go into the break in the lead and they actually look decent value for their lead. Gareth Southgate will be looking at what he needs to do to get his team back into this match.

50: With McTominay starting to tire and on a booking his number has just been put up by the fourth official and Callum McGregor comes on as Scotland make their first change. England also make a change and it's Marcus Rashford on for Sancho.

53: England are on the counter here as substitute Rashford goes down the wing and cuts the ball across goal for Barkley, surely.... No it's straight at the goalkeeper.

56: Fredericks brings down Rashford who is looking very direct here and it will be Sterling who takes the free kick. He whips it in and he's found Henderson who heads it towards goal... HE'S DONE IT. HE'S PULLED HIS SIDE LEVEL.

57: Wait, we have a VAR moment here as there are suspicions of offside... IT'S DISALLOWED. No goal.

59: Fredericks is having an eventful game here and he's on one down the wing here, he's passed to Forrest and Forrest shoots..... Side netting again.

63: Matt Ritchie floats the ball in from a free kick out wide here Souttar gets his head to it AND IT GOES OVER THE BAR. The whole ground thought that was in there.

78: After a spectacular game Ryan Fredericks is being substituted as he's picked up an injury. A real shame as he's been the best player here. Callum Paterson comes on in his place.

80: Sterling has the ball out wide here, he crosses for Kane and Kane is in a fantastic position here is he going to score? No! MacGillivray pulls off a great save to deny the forward.

82: It looks like Burns is trying to get his team to play with a little more caution now.

90: There will be five minutes of added time here and I don't think anyone in the ground knows why. It's squeeky bum time for Scotland now. It's clear that Scotland are now dropping back big time in order to secure the win here.

92: It's Liam Cooper on for Matt Ritchie as Scotland look to protect their lead by tightening up at the back.

93: James Forrest is looking to run the clock down here as he runs up the wing and Paterson is free in space behind him, he receives the ball from Forrest now and cuts it across goal AND JOHN MCGINN SLIDES IT HOME!! SCOTLAND 2 ENGLAND 0 WOW!

94: Rashford looks to be inspiring his team mates here as he brings the ball forward but McKenna slides in, his tackle only forces the ball to Kane now though and KANE PULLS ONE BACK! Is it too late?

Full time: It is too late as the referee draws an end to a truly great Auld Enemy clash. No one expected this result and Scotland have pulled off a big upset here.

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@ScottT;
Thank you mate. It was always my intention and I was glad to do it having achieved what I set out to. Ryan Jack hasn't been playing for Rangers as often or as well even when he does play so it's an easy decision. Stuart Armstrong is the same, he is transfer listed though so hopefully someone signs him and actually plays him. I certainly hope so on both accounts, thank you!

As both of these teams go into this game having won their opening game in the group both sides are on a massive high. Scotland's 2-0 win over England was a massive result but Croatia thumped Wales 4-0 and must be flying. The Croats will also have their recent friendly win over Scotland fresh in the mind too. As a result Croatia go into the match as favourites. Both sides also keep faith in the starting eleven from their previous match as they both name unchanged line ups.

3: Ryan Fredericks is looking to make something happen early on here as he takes on Borna Barasic out wide, he passes the ball inside to Matt Ritchie who's shot gets blocked by Luka Modric but the ball falls to McGinn and he balloons his shot over the bar.

6: On the opposite flank Andrew Robertson is looking to cross the ball in for McBurnie who's free in the box but Sime Vrsaljko blocks it and Scotland have a corner.

7: Ritchie with the corner here... Oh lord that was poor he's knocked the ball to the other side of the pitch and completely out of play.

13: Robertson is again looking to make something happen here as he drives towards goal and Vrsaljko appears to bring him down here. The referee want's to check with the VAR team to see if that was a penalty.

14: IT'S A PENALTY TO SCOTLAND!

15: Christopher Burns is telling Oli McBurnie to take the penalty and Ritchie does not look happy as he hands the ball to his team mate.

16: It doesn't matter now though as he runs off to celebrate with McBurnie who has just netted his third international goal.

17: Ritchie goes out to take the corner here and he'll be hoping for a better effort than last time. Ritchie sends a good ball in here can anyone get to it? YES THEY CAN! YOU COULDN'T MAKE IT UP, MCBURNIE KNOCKS IN RITCHIE'S CORNER!!

35: Croatia are looking to counter here as Dominik Livakovic kicks the ball long for Marko Pjaca who heads it on for Andrej Kramaric who pulls it back and gives it to Mateo Kovacic who passes to Josip Brekaloooo, ohh he drags it completely wide. That was a real chance there and a great move too.

36: The ball is with Ryan Fredericks now and he is desperate to break his Scotland goal scoring duck isn't he? Not on this occasion though as he skews his effort typically wide.

37: Modric is lining up this free kick here, he looks like he's eyeing up an effort on goal is he? Ohh that was dreadful, it was high, wide and not at all handsome.

45: Brekalo is on the break here, he plays a through ball to Kramaric and he shoots! IT'S OFF THE POST AND CLEARED OFF THE LINE BY ROBERTSON! That would have been a real blow to concede that goal before half time.

Half Time: Once again Scotland go into the break with the lead although Croatia had a fair few chances before half time there and will be confident that they can go into the second half and get at least one goal.

47: It's right back to it for Croatia here as Barasic looks to find Brekalo but Fredericks slides in to take it off of him but his interception frees the ball to Kramaric who's through on goal now and he shooottts, SAVED. MacGillivray puts it out for a corner with a fantastic save.

53: Scotland go so close to getting another there as player after player gets a shot off in the box but can't quite find the net and that was a let off there.

62: Kramaric and Pjaca will make way for Ivan Perisic and Ante Rebic as the Croats know they need to get back in to this game.

68: Nikola Vlasic is coming on now and he will replace Ivan Rakitic.

75: Scotland full backs Fredericks and Robertson make way for Callum Paterson and Kieran Tierney as Burns looks to bring fresh legs on to face the substitute wingers brought on by his counterpart Zlatko Dalic.

80: The Scotland players now seem to be dropping back and playing more cautiously on their managers instructions.

83: Ryan Christie is replaced by his Celtic team mate Callum McGregor.

85: Brekalo is lookking to make something happen here and he whips the ball in for REBIIIC but Souttar makes a timely intervention and clears the ball out to Tierney. Tierney is on to something here as he runs down the wing, passes to McGregor now will he shoot? He doesn't he passes it sideways again and it reaches John McGinn who let's fly from thirty yards AND SCORES! It's 3-0 Scotland and it is all over.

84: It doesn't look like they are finished here as Tierney links up with McGinn and Ritchie out on the left before receiving it back from McGinn and he's crossing it low here for Oliver McBurnie and MCBURNIE SCORES!

Full time: Wow! What a team performance that was as Scotland smash Croatia 4-0 courtesy of a Oli McBurnie hat-trick and man of the match performance. They had all the right ingredients before and now it looks like they have the forward to fill the missing piece of the jigsaw. Scotland have qualified for the Second Round!