With Lyndon Dykes out of the Euros, who should Steve Clarke start up top against Germany?
ANDY NEWPORT:Lawrence Shankland. If Scotland are to get out of this group, we’re going to need as much attacking intent as we can muster and for me that means starting with the Hearts skipper.
MICHAEL GANNON: It was always likely to be Che Adams so nothing will change on that front. It’s a bitter blow though as Dykes has been a great option for Scotland these last few years.
FRASER WILSON: Lawrence Shankland for me. The Hearts man has the strength to hold the ball in and get us up the park and he’s good at linking play. More than that, if one big chance falls within 20 yards of goal, then he’s the man you’d want on the end of it. Che Adams’ could be very useful off the bench in the second half.
GAVIN BERRY: There’s a good chance Che Adams would have started in Munich anyway and the Southampton man looks certain to be on the team sheet now.
John Lundstram, Ryan Jack, Borna Barisic, and Kemar Roofe have all cleared their Ibrox lockers – how will they be remembered by the Rangers support?
ANDY: With bitter sweet memories. Jack, Barisic and Roofe helped deliver the title the Ibrox legions had waited a decade for while Lundstram was key on the road to Seville – but those were rare highlights amid a raft of bitter disappointments.
MICHAEL: As good servants who played major roles in restoring the clubs reputation on the European stage. It was time to go but these guys should never need to buy a pint around Govan for the rest of their days.
FRASER: Lundstram was magnificent in his first season but went off the boil. Barisic could be wonderful one week and woeful then next. Jack and Roofe will be remembered for their absence through injury as much as anything, other than the Jamaican international’s 54.6yard strike in Belgium. It’s the right decision to clear out.
GAVIN: Their recent failures are the freshest memories for fans who are hurting right now but in time they will be remembered more fondly. Lundstram for his incredible contribution on the run to Seville and THAT goal against RB Leipzig and the others for their part in delivering one of the most important titles in the club’s history.
Paulo Bernardo is being tipped to make his Celtic switch a permanent affair – should the Hopes press ahead with the £6million signing?
ANDY: Not at that kind of cash. He’s a decent player but has flitted in and out of Brendan Rodgers’ team this year. Get the fee down to £3million and it might be a deal worth doing. Otherwise, Celtic should take their money elsewhere.
MICHAEL: Six might be a bit rich but if they can land him for less, Bernardo would be well worth keeping. There is a player in there but needs to be more consistent.
FRASER: Only if they can negotiate the price tag down. Bernardo has produced big moments this season especially in Old Firm games.
But it’s not been anywhere near consistent enough to demand a £6m fee.
GAVIN: A young player who contributed to the double success, wants to be at Parkhead and his career is only going to go one way, particularly under Brendan Rodgers who has such a great track record of developing players like him. A no brainer.
It’s now 15 Champions League crowns for Real Madrid – but what does their Wembley win say about the state of continental competitiveness?
ANDY: That Uefa’s competition has gone stale. Some of the Real players looked non-plussed by the whole event as they lifted the trophy for the sixth time in the past decade. The competition needs a shake up and hopefully next season’s rejig delivers a fresh face as the winner.
MICHAEL : Not much, apart from the Champions League is now the domain of a few super clubs and the rest have no chance. Real are football royalty but there are only seven or eight clubs that can realistically lift this trophy now.
FRASER: Real are a level above the rest in terms of getting the job done. They remain the benchmark. The competition went stale years ago though and adding more games next year won’t help. I’d bring back the straight knockout format … but I can hear the cash-greedy high heid yins across the continent laughing at the mere thought.
GAVIN: It’s an incredible tally for the Spanish giants where winning this trophy is part of their DNA. But they started this run by winning five on the spin and have won two of the last six so there is plenty of competition.
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