Blame the players

All those "Walter Smith must go" campaigners are going to have to hang around for some time yet.

Okay, Rangers are out of Europe and the vultures are hovering around Ibrox waiting for the head of the team boss.

I've been there with Coventry and Sunderland, so I know what it's like.

Not so much for myself but for my wife and family.

And right now that will be figuring in Walter's mind as much as just what has got wrong in the grand European design at Ibrox.

The same applies to Roy Aitken, who is in the firing line at Aberdeen.

What everyone forgets is there is still a lot to play for. After all we are only six or seven games into the season.

What is not in doubt is that Smith has been let down by the players.

And I'm sure he has let them know that in no uncertain fashion.

Walter comes over as the cool calm and collected type. But as I've said in the past that is only the facade.

He can be as tough and ruthless as the best of them.

And I've a feeling that a few of the big name stars at Ibrox are about to find that out.

There is no disguising the fact that being out of Europe is a big blow.

Just as it is to Celtic and Arsenal, who have also spent big.

But it ain't the end of the world.

I can recall when the Manchester United fans were calling for the head of one Alex Ferguson.

And just look at where they are now!

It's not very often I pay compliments to SFA chief executive Jim Farry but he did a brilliant job in the way he arranged Scotland's World Cup qualifying ties.

Back-to-back games against Belarus and Latvia to finish the section were just what was wanted.

Frankly for Scotland failure against Latvia is unthinkable.

I'll be in Rome for the altogether tough tussle between Italy and England.

I still think England can make it. And yes I do think Glenn Hoddle will play Gazza in midfield.

I know Paul has his critics - plenty of them.

But the other players like to have him around and he's hugely influential.

Either way both Scotland and England are guaranteed a play-off place.

But I'd like to see them take the easier route.

Payback time perhaps!

I don't know about you but I'm finding the whole Top Ten breakaway becoming a bit of a bore.

In fact every time I see Lex Gold appear on screen with the latest instalment I immediately switch over to teletext!

Get your act together, Dunc!

Duncan Ferguson has now made it official. He doesn't want to play for Scotland ever again.

Somehow I don't think either Craig Brown or the Tartan Army will be too distraught about that.

Right now big Dunc should be concentrating on getting his finger out and getting it right at Everton.

He's a very privileged young man on huge money. Two clubs have invested considerable cash in his talent.

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