July 2009 Archives

IT'S fast getting to the stage where clubs from these shores would be as well not bothering with European football.

Last night's latest episode which saw Aberdeen humiliated and Motherwell all but knocked out of the Europa League in the qualifying stages was another reminder of our place in the continent's pecking order.

A 5-1 defeat to Sigma Olomouc in Mark McGhee's first match in charge means the Dons can already forget any dreams they had of getting to the group stages.

Embarrassment doesn't begin to describe events at Pittodrie last night. To be thrashed in such a ruthless manner is simply unacceptable.

Motherwell had a far harder task in front of them and it was perhaps no surprise to see them lose 3-0 to Steaua Bucharest in Romania. Like Aberdeen, the second leg will be about restoring pride.

With woeful Falkirk already out on their ear after their dismal defeat over two legs to FC Vaduz, and Celtic hanging onto Champions League qualification by their fingernails, our footballing stock has suffered another blow.

Our game is clearly in trouble. Our consistent failings in Europe show that we have to work harder to find ways of improving our clubs' performances at this level.

Otherwise we will continue to make fools of ourselves when we come up against our European cousins.

*LIVINGSTON appear to enjoy the luck of the devil if yesterday's events at Hampden are anything to go by.

In a nutshell, the SFL have given their blessing for a club to be run by a court-appointed administrator who is happy for two businessmen to pump in untold amounts of cash while the original owner, who refuses to sell his shares, whistles in the dark. Good stuff.