Forget the ‘Miracle of Istanbul’, this was the ‘Miracle of Inverness’.

Liverpool in Istanbul. Manchester United’s 1999 Champion’s League win. Take That. All great comebacks. What happened on Saturday may well be the greatest comeback yet though as Lochbroom fought back from 3 down with 20 minutes left to win 4-3 against Jewsons of Inverness.

A great comeback. Just not as good as this one by Broom.

After a couple of successful seasons in the Ross-Shire League Lochbroom have began a new adventure in the Inverness Welfare League, where the side will start in the third division. Broom arrived at Bught Park filled with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation as this was a step in to the unknown for the side. Any fears about the teams ability to compete were soon put to bed as Lochbroom flew out of the traps, creating numerous guilt-edged opportunities. Each chance was spurned though, leaving manager Charlie MacRae to contemplate whether he’d be sensible to follow the lead of Sir Alex Ferguson and announce his retirement. Broom were soon made to pay for this lack of an end product when Jewsons took the lead after a clever turn and finish from the edge of the area.

The second half followed a similar pattern early on to the first. Broom continued to pass up chances to such an extent that you had to laugh or you might start to cry. This feeling of exasperation turned to sheer desperation when Jewsons capitalised with a quickfire double to make it 3-0.

With 20 minutes to go Lochbroom look destined to set off on the road to the first division with a false start. However, a tap in by birthday boy Big Neilly gave the side hope. Daryn MacRae then curled a free-kick into the top corner to put Broom within touching distance. Jewsons were like a boxer on the ropes and the equaliser came soon after. A slick move was finished by right winger Tannar to bring Broom level. From here the game only seemed to have one winner and for once it followed the script. Neilly bagged his second with a composed finish to spark wild celebrations and ensure Broom started the season with a memorable win.

‘Same old pundits, always boring!’

Mark McGhee, Paddy Cerand, Schteeve McLaren, Gordon McQueen, Dion Dublin, Robbie Savage. And this was just the start (admittedly, just the ones I can remember). It seemed that between them Sky Sports and the BBC managed to ask every single individual who has every encountered Sir Alex Ferguson about Sir Alex Ferguson. ’Did you ever receive the infamous hair dryer treatment?’ met by the standard response ‘No, but I seen it in full force and it was an awesome sight’.

Sir Alex Ferguson retires as one of the game’s greatest ever managers

Sir Alex is quite obviously a remarkable man whose ability to motivate a group of footballers was unmatched in the modern era. Most football fans understand that. There is no need for Alan Curbishley to confirm this. I acknowledge Sky Sports News has a lot of air time to fill due to the 24/7 nature of the coverage. However, surely there is more interesting and innovative stories to cover than conducting an interview with a former player turned nobody about Ferguson. The repeated loop that the coverage often runs on only serves to make their views even more unbearable.

Don’t get me wrong. I love Sky Sports News. The coverage is great with some brilliant presenters. At times though I sense just like the rest of us the question Jim White actually wants to ask the likes of Iain Dowie is not ‘What’s your thoughts on that red card?’ but ‘Have you not got anything better to do?’. Dowie seems to have set up permanent home in the studio just to make sure he is at the front of the queue for any breaking stories ahead of the other jokers like Dave Bassett.

I thought about popping in a photo of Dowie here but felt the blog’s appearance would receive greater benefit by Charlotte Jackson’s presence.

My respect for Dowie has risen in recent weeks though having read former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan’s autobiography. Jordan described finding files on Dowie’s computer with names such as ‘Operation Owls’ , within which Dowie had set out his blue print for rejuvenating Sheffield Wednesday whilst he was still in charge of Palace. Farcical titles apart you have to admire the big mans ambition and downright cheek.

The Bigger They Are The Harder They Fall – Glasgow Rangers Crisis

Back in August 2011 both halves of the Old Firm had been unceremoniously dumped out of Europe. I claimed at the time that the Old Firm had ‘tapped out’as the stranglehold of a lack of funds became too tight. Since then both clubs have followed different routes as they tried to recover from such dissapointment. Celtic went on to win the title belt having swept aside all before them in the SPL. Rangers, on the other hand, have recently been disqualified from future participation due to the use of a performance enhancing drug known as the Employees Benefit Trust (EBT).

Rangers relegation to the lower leagues means the Old Firm derby will be removed from the Scottish footballing calendar.

The time spent in the lower leagues should help Rangers to get their house in order. However, considering the scale of the turmoil currently engulfing the Govan club that seems easier said than done. 9 players have already signaled their intent to reject the opportunity to sign for NewCo Rangers, citing fears of their career’s stagnating as the major reason.

Noone can really blame them either as it would be doing their career an injustice, both in financial and on the field terms, if they plied their trade in Division 3. More will follow their lead likely leaving Rangers crippled, especially if the transfer embargo is enforced. Things might actually end up that bad that David Healy gets a regular game. Surely those depths will not be plunged.

Yesterday, I heard someone in the pub claim that they would not be surprised if Rangers cease to exist entirely come August. Although this remains a possible scenario I struggle to see how a club with such a huge fan base can just vanish completely.

Great double act.

The old saying ‘one mans loss is another man’s gain’ may not actually be true in Celtic’s case though. Their rivals demise presents a double edged sword for Celtic. A new trophy room may be needed at Park Head as it seems likely that Celtic will dominate for years to come, with their biggest challenger banished for a few years. On the other side, the Old Firm rivalry provoked an intense competitive spirit within both clubs as they seeked to prosper over one another. Some things just need a partner. Like Ant without Dec. Bangers without Mash. Salt without Vinegar. It may well be good but it leaves a sense of unfilled potential.

All this is occurring against the backdrop of Euro 2012 – another major tournament at which Scotland failed to reach. That’s 7 in a row now and it does not seem we are getting any nearer. With Celtic and Rangers, whose players have consistently made up the Scottish team, facing uncertain times the national team looks certain to suffer. It may not in the short term as the likes of Naismith head off to England to continue their development. But longer term a lack of emerging talent seems a major problem.

The collateral damage inflicted upon Glasgow Rangers has left the Scottish game in A and E, lying on a hospital bed with a pulse near flat-lining. Defibrillators are been applied as we speek in a desperate attempt to resuccutate fitba but whether the game can ever truly recover remains to be seen. A long bout of medication, perhaps some counselling from those who know best, is required to get the old chap back to the pristine health his pals fondly remember.

Conclusions from Days Two and Three of Euro 2012.

Craig Levein….Football’s Great Visionary

Knows his stuff.

Never thought I’d say this after that night in Prague when Scotland slumped to a 1-0 defeat but Craig Levein must know what he is talking about. It may have been one of the worst Scottish performances in recent memory (which takes some doing) but the tactical blue print inspired the world champions. Del Bosque opted to field six midfielders and no strikers against the Italians. However, whereas Scotland played with what seemed a flat back 9 that night Spain actually attempted to attack the opposition’s goal. All joking aside, the true inspiration for Spain is Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola’s use of Messi as a false 9 was remarkably successful but whether such tactics can be employed without a player with Messi’s characteristics remains to be seen. I wasn’t convinced by Spain’s formation. At times they seemed to lack an out ball to help keep the ball in the opponents final third. But then again what do I know. Levein obviously knows best.

Playmakers reign supreme at the Euro’s

At the moment European football is blessed with an abundance of top class playmakers all capable of dictating games with their speed of feet and mind.

Sneijder could open a tin of beans with his right foot. Fact.

His team may have lost against the Danes but Wesley Sneijder was brilliant. His appreciation of space and understanding of how Denmark were trying to shut him down was uncanny. By positioning himself in the hole between the Danish back four and midfield with clever off the ball movement Sneijder at times seemed impossible to pick up. And when he got the ball in these areas his passing was precise and incisive. The ball he played to Huntelaar with the outside of the boot was probably the outstanding piece of individual play in the tournament so far. Also this goal he scored in training was half decent to say the least.

The Spain–Italy game was also characterised by some of football’s top playmakers. Spain played a team full of them but Xavi still stands head and shoulders above the rest. I can’t remember the last time I seen him give the ball away. For the Italians Pirlo stood out. His penetrative pass for DiNatale’s goal was sheer class and just about summed him up.

Robben is so left footed it is not right.

The wingers are not bad either.

A winger taking on a bewildered full back by sending him down the river with a dummy and jinking past is one of football’s great sights. When he managed to get turned Ronaldo caused Boateng all sorts of problems with his direct running and pace. His ability to go either on to his left or right foot causes defenders all sorts of problems as they try to second guess the Real Madrid star. Nani also offered a great outlet for the Portugese and put in a good shift. Shame they had Postiga up top though who was about as much use as a chocolate kettle.

Robben for the Dutch was largely disappointing though. His dependence on his left foot is actually laughable and allows full backs to just show him to the byline because he clearly does not fancy using his swinger. Who am I to slag off someone for been one footed though? I’ve lived by Rivaldo’s ‘My right foot is for standing on’ philosophy for years and to limited success.

Conclusions from Day One of Euro 2012

Black boots are dead.

The trend of coloured boots, started by David Beckham when he first slipped on a pair of white Adidas Predators, has been taken to a new level. Some would say it has gone too far and that it highlights ‘everything that is wrong with the modern game’.

For the last few years an unwritten code seemed to exist in football with respect to boot colour choice. Defenders and hard working midfielders have shown resentment to the coloured boot craze, preferring instead to stick to the traditional no nonsense Copa Mundial’s. On the contrary, wingers and attackers preferred to reflect their on-pitch flair with a pair of coloured boots ranging from pink to mango.

RIP black boots.

This actually provided Sunday amateur outfits with additional tactical information on the opposition. All that what was required was a thorough examination of the opposition’s warm up to help identify the danger man. Any player wearing pink Vapors would quickly be picked out, with his opposing number told to ‘see if he fancies it’. In other words, ‘hit him’.

Day one of Euro 2012 has pointed towards a blurring of the lines though which suggests a worrying future. Tough centre backs have been tempted, probably by big money from Nike, to adorn a pair of white and pink boots. If this paves the way for amateur defenders to follow suit the game will be changed forever. For the better? I don’t think so.

The Euro’s need SkySports.

I thought Adrien Chiles insight was inept until the dulset tones of Mark Bright hit the airwaves over on BBC One. A stream of ridiculous statements left Bright’s mouth during the Poland v Greece match which made little sense. A personal favourite was ‘Czech Republic and Russia will be sitting in their hotel rooms with their feet up watching this’ at 6.50pm. Czech Republic v Russia kicked off under an hour later at 7.45pm. Do the maths Mark.

At least ITV’s coverage didn’t follow the BBC protocol of plugging England at every opportunity. There’s a time and a place for a Scott Parker interview and half time between Poland v Greece is not it.

Samaras is a liability.

On his day Arshavin is a top player. Shame those days are few and far between.

Having watched Georgios Samaras ‘performing’ for Celtic for a couple of years this should have already been clear. However, the European stage only helped to emphasise how poor a player Samaras really is. At least other bang average players put in a shift. This clown clearly believes he is a good enough player to saunter about and wait for the ball to come to him. Would label him a ‘luxury player’ but there is nothing luxurious about the Greek.

Arshavin is a ‘mood’ player.

Jim Beglin claimed that ‘Arshavin is in the mood today. He’s a mood player and today’s he’s in the mood’ as the Russian schemer pulled the strings for his country. And Beglin’s right. Certain players need confidence and belief in their game to allow them to perform. The fact Russia play through Arshavin helps give him a sense of importance at times I think he lost in an Arsenal shirt where he felt like a bit part player. Maybe Torres is a similar case.

Euro 2012 – A Scottish perspective.

Euro 2012 is upon us. I for one can’t wait. Even though Scotland have been forced to respond ‘Not attending’ to their party invitation, this tournament has me more stoked than a Rory Delap long throw. Not even the notion that I will be subjected to Adrian Chiles’ patter for 3 weeks can put me off. And that’s saying something as he’s about as funny as piles. In fact thats probably harsh on piles. A more fitting assessment is that Chiles is as funny as Miranda Hart was at the Diamond Jubilee concert.

A number of sides look to be in imperious form. Spain are one of the best sides ever although the injury to David Villa could cause them problems. His replacement Fernando Torres still struggles to convince me that he is ‘back’. At times he looks as though he has forgotten how to run with a ball at his feet, never mind score goals, which seems absurd for someone blessed with such undoubted talent. Cue him scoring the tournament winner with a peach after dribbling past German defenders as if they were cones.

Spain are hoping to become the first country ever to win 3 major tournaments back to back…and they have a great chance of doing it.

Germany will be there or thereabouts come the final as they always are. Couple that with a talented squad boasting the likes of Neuer, Lahm and Schweinsteiger and you would be a fool to write them off. However, Laurent Blanc has performed some miraculous CPR on a France side that was flat lining just a couple of years ago so Les Bleus also have a chance. Furthermore, Holland also have some exceptional forward players capable of breaking down any back four. Even the mighty Hibs centre half James McPake struggled to keep them at bay in a recent friendly. Portugal will also fancy their chances if Ronaldo turns up, as on his day he is unplayable. A tough group and ropey defence though point to an early flight home for the Real Madrid star.

On the flip side, Italy look to have hit the self destruct button just before the tournament kicks off and England seem a bit of a shambles. The decision to leave Rio Ferdinand at home is laughable. OK, Terry and Ferdinand may not be a compatible central defensive partnership anymore but that Ferdinand’s Euro hopes have been tarnished due to his brother accusing Terry of racism is scandalous.

John Terry enjoys appearing at historic events in which he played no part.

Nevertheless, Roy Hodgson has instilled a ’1-0 to the Engerland’ defensive philosophy in the squad which may improve their chances. Ive never understood the whole idea of this England squad lacking ‘technical ability’, which seems to be the go to reason for inept performances.  The squad is crammed full of City, Chelsea and United stars who never seem to struggle to pass the ball to a teammate for their clubs. The problem seems more mental than technical in my opinion. At the end of the day, England are bottlers.

Amateur football in the north of Scotland.

Amateur football at it’s finest. My team, Lochbroom (red), were knocked out of the Highland Cup by Avoch (black). An enjoyable watch regardless.