Clearly you don't watch a lot of Scottish football (and why would you want to?) because that's a very blase comment to make. The likes of Gary Hooper, Fraser Forster, James Forrest, Lassad Nouioui, Victor Wanyama and Emilio Izaguirre would all get into PL sides without much trouble. Adam Matthews, Charlie Mulgrew, Kris Commons and Joe Ledley are also tidy players. All the above players would get into our side without a doubt. Because if they didn't, they wouldn't be very good. And teams that aren't very good don't beat Barcelona or get into the last 16 of the Champions League. It's true the lower end of the SPL isn't a very good standard, but that's because they only let one team go up and down, so you end up with teams like Ross County, St. Johnstone, Gretna and Hamilton in there. But then if you look at the Premier League, few will remember Oldham, Swindon, Bradford and Barnsley as top flight teams.
Kris Boyd the all time top goalscorer in Scotland couldn't hack it in the Championship. Why would we take a punt now, not knowing what division we are going to be in? We could sign 3/4 now for the summer and then get promotion where they would no doubt be rubbish.
When I said "Rest of them" I meant the ones on the list upon which the thread is based. I admit it wasn't very clear from my comment. I almost specifically mentioned Gary Hooper as an example, but decided not to. He was great for S****horpe, but PL standard ? Not unless he got a lot better. Fraser Forster? Good goalie, PL? He might develop into it, but I would say not right now... and so on. The vast majority of that list were exactly as I described, L1 or L2 at best, and I wouldn't care to take a punt on any of the ones I'm not aware of. Celtic have done very well in the CL for change, compared to their norm, but then Leeds beat Man Utd in the Cup the other year. It doesn't make them a great team. There are a number of contributing factors to the underdog winning matches, which are not necessarily relevant in weekend football. We could argue for hours to be fair on this, but I'm sorry; We did well with Aluko due to Rangers going bust, but I see that as an exception, not the norm, and the free transfer list is a free transfer list for a reason. The players in main aren't good enough to get into poor teams.
Barnsley James O'brien Jim Mcnulty Birmingham City Paul Caddis Stephen Caldwell Chris Burke Blackburn Rovers David Goodwillie Grant Hanley Jordan Rhodes Blackpool Robert Harris Craig Sutherland Chris Kettings Barry Ferguson Matthew Gilks Stephen Crainey Scott Robertson Matt Phillips Bolton Joe Mckee Gregg Wylde Michael O'halloran Brighton & Hove Albion Gordon Greer Stephen Dobbie Craig Mackail-Smith Bristol City Stephen Mcmanus Stephen Pearson Louis Carey Mark Wilson Richard Foster Burnley Ross Wallace Cardiff City Craig Conway David Marshall Don Cowie Kevin Mcnaughton Derby County Craig Bryson Paul Coutts Huddersfield Town Murray Wallace Scott Arfield Paul Dixon Hull City Liam Cooper Leeds United Ross Mccormack Andy Gray Leicester City Paul Gallagher Middlesbrough Andrew Halliday Stephen Mcmanus Kevin Thomson Peterborough United Peter Grant Danny Swanson George Boyd Sheffield Wednesday Chris Maguire Rhys Mccabe Watford Stephen Mcginn Ikechi Anya Chris Iwelumo Craig Forsyth Wolves Christophe Berra THEY WHERE SO CRAP THEY DECIDED TO SIGN THEM
I agree, while I think most of the players listed are youth players anyway, there are a few that will be snapped up by Championship sides. Aluko was a standout performer for Rangers, I think somebody on here said at the back end of last season that Sone Aluko would be a good free transfer and put up the video of him for last season's goals. Hats off to whoever made that shout. I reckon Livingston are a good bet to scout, they've produced some alright players in the past; Graham Dorrans, Wes Hoolohan (although he was bought from Ireland, he's had a decent career in England since he left Livingston) and James McPake all spring to mind.
Didnt he play against us once for Rochdale? I seem to remember his as some kind of wonderkid there before he went to Septic. He has looked pretty tricky in the Aluko mould but not as good whenever Ive seen him.
They were on that list ? **** me I missed them sorry. I'm not carrying on this ******ed discussion. I'd bet a little cash that we won't sign one of those players that you want us to and leave it at that. I have faith in Bruce's ability to not sign a bag of ****.
I think one or two on the list could well step up, But the majority would be lower level Championship players at best. I dont watch a lot of scottish football, But If their PL teams went up against our PL teams they'd be out of their depth IMO. Also Stickywicket, Alot of the people on that list are just Scottish Footballers, Not Players who have played in the SPL then suceeded at this level.
McCourt played for Rochdale between 2001 and 2005, so I'm guessing he did. He went back to Ireland and Celtic picked him up from Derry.
If he didn't fail why did he not continue to play in the Championship? Why would no club take him? Instead he struggled to find a club. Agreed it may not be a complete fail but the point still stands.
