23 Dec 2025 23:10:12
Right see this constant comment of "we always had a good core of players from the Scottish league who we would sign and we were great".
Well what's your point? That was back then and this is now. Clearly the players that played in Scotland in the 90s and early 00s were better players than what the Scottish top league can attract nowadays.
England wasn't as prominent and therefore the top scottish players stayed up here and played and this being the reason we signed or had them already. Comparing apples to oranges as per on here.
24 Dec 2025 00:17:51
Nonsense T, look at the league leaders for why a core group of Scottish lads is important.
Every successful Rangers team has had this, it's proven over time and will continue endlessly.
24 Dec 2025 03:37:24
"Back then we won and now we don't" exactly. You proved the point that we need a Scottish core. For the fans saying the likes of Devlin and Shankland aren't good enough for us…they're better than us right now. You couldn't make it up.
24 Dec 2025 05:46:00
With that theory then Forza, how come the likes of hearts aren't winning the league every year with their core of Scottish players? Or any of the other teams?
24 Dec 2025 06:46:55
What do you mean what's your point? The point is that its a proven winning formula.
24 Dec 2025 07:20:28
Very valid point OT and I fully agree with you, we only need to have Scotish players if they are good enough.
You guys with these snide comments, Celtic have won for years without having a core of Scottish players but the one thing I'll say about them is their captains are usually Scottish and I think that's what we miss!
24 Dec 2025 07:36:27
There is no magical formula that guarantees titles.
The way I look at it is pretty simple - over the last 5 seasons we average around 58 games per season and use an average of 30 players.
The current squad is made up of;
- 22 players from outside the SPL
- 4 players from the SPL
- 3 players from our Academy
The balance of this is completely wrong in my opinion.
Spreading our investments, and risk, across 22 players from outside our league has resulted in a significant dip in quality.
I'd much rather focus our spend on fewer higher quality players from outside our league (i. e 15), add squad depth with tried and tested players from the SPL (i. e. 10) and top up the rest from the academy (i. e. 5).
In terms of players nationalities, I honestly couldn't care.
24 Dec 2025 07:53:14
so Celtic won the league last 4 years with only McGregor and Taylor in their regular starting line up. yes they had a few others who got games but weren't in their best 11.
so how does that fit in with your core of Scottish players theory and it being that winning formula? you could say that the winning team had a core of Japanes players using that rationale.
24 Dec 2025 08:11:29
Orange fans will always look back to what worked before. That's the point, it worked and this isn't. I also think a large point is also seeing so many come and fail, that don't get Scottish football or the size and demands of the club. My goodness even our new owners didn't. You make a good point about the 90s and 00s but remember we also can't attract the same type of foreign players either.
Fans aren't being dilusional expecting floods of Dutch Internationals or Laudrup and Gazza etc. So what we see is players coming who aren't as good AND don't get the league. At least Scottish based players meet the 2nd part and having a core will help the others that do come. Just in the same way Celtic have done while dominating. It's a Good debate tho anyway. ?.
24 Dec 2025 08:12:05
Jim Celtic won in the last 5 years just off the top of my head with McGregor, Brown, Forrest, Tierney, Scales, Ralston, Welsh, Bain, Taylor, Christie, Turnbull, McCowan, Gordon, Griffiths. There is probably a few more that I have forgot. So I don't know how you can say that they have won for years without a core of Scottish players.
24 Dec 2025 08:22:09
There is a winning formula EHL.
1. We need to employ competent people in key positions who know the requirements of our game.
2. We need to implement a robust scouting system that identifies not only ability but those with the mental characteristics to succeed.
3. We need to appoint a captain who has exceptional mentality and an ability to lead.
That's just 3 key factors, at the moment we have none of those factors.
What area of coaching are you involved in?
24 Dec 2025 08:46:34
That's an incredible formula Club72.
Mind if I ask what happens if more than one team apply it?
24 Dec 2025 09:12:15
Competition happens, What do you think happens?
What area of coaching are you involved in?
24 Dec 2025 09:12:51
Angus I agree with your last couple of posts.
Someone who speaks the facts in this topic well done.
24 Dec 2025 09:20:55
Club but the majority of the those only played as squad players. also I agree with EHL and ask the same question: what happens if everyone else realises the brilliance of your formula and uses it? I am surprised clubs haven't thought of it before ?.
24 Dec 2025 09:43:21
Many clubs do employ it. Man City, PSG etc. I'm surprised Rangers don't employ it because it was a proven success under previous Rangers managers, the blue print is there. But Angus they were the core of Scottish players at Celtic.
How many games have those players all played for Celtic?
24 Dec 2025 10:29:25
Ah, but Club72 - I said there wasn't a magical formula that guarantees titles - because there isn't.
So, if multiple clubs apply your 3 step formula which one is guaranteed to win the title?
It's a Christmas conundrum.
24 Dec 2025 10:39:31
Appearances for Celtic.
Scales 82
McCowan 51
Taylor 156
Griffiths 173
Welsh 42
Christie 95
Bain 46
Turnbull 100
Gordon 147
Brown 407
Ralston 100
Tierney 116
Forrest 348
Yes some are squad players but they are vital squad players to that Scottish core. We had squad players who were Scottish and did not play as much as our other key Scottish players but were vital to that unit. More importantly they get it and breed that mentality to other players in the squad.
I would have started with bringing in McInnes and getting Ferguson before he went to Bologna. Shankland and Mulligan on a free were no brainers. Walter Smith would have snapped them all up. Its basics really.
24 Dec 2025 12:41:35
When do LG last play for Celtic club away an have a day off it's just utter nonsense from you constantly stick to being a Celtic fan.
24 Dec 2025 12:49:49
Club72. Absolutely agree with the squad part (tho not necessarily the guaranteed formula part) many may have been squad players but they also played a vital role in the team. And far more than was suggested. Also include others from the league signed so they had the best of the players who got Scottish football.
Noone is saying just flood the team with SPL players but we need a core that get it to help the new ones. It's about finding the balance, which we don't have now.
24 Dec 2025 13:22:37
I never said there was a magical formula to guarentee titles, can you show me where I said that? I said that there is a winning formula that most top clubs employ to be successful and those 3 points are key. Just look at how top clubs operate, they have competent people in all areas. We have neither in any of the 3 points I mentioned.
What area of coaching are you involved in EHL?
24 Dec 2025 14:03:46
Club72, ahhhhhh, so you are one of those posters who pick apart others posts and then change the narrative of your own posts.
Have fun fishing.
24 Dec 2025 14:04:35
How's it nonsense?. its a fact that every successful Rangers and Celtic team has had a core of Scottish players or players signed from other spl clubs. I would even include Ni and rep irish players in that core. What does it matter when LG last played? Its list of players over the last 5 year. When you have nothing else play the Celtic fan patter??.
24 Dec 2025 17:31:47
How have I changed the narrative?. You said that there's no magic formula and I said that there is a winning formula and then I listed 3 points that I think are key. You tried to be smart with your replies and caught yourself. ?
Ehl, what area of coaching are you involved in?