Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich).
These players keep one of the most skillful intelligent playmakers out of the Scotland national football squad for the World Cup in USA.
Tom Cairney's quest to earn selection was hampered by Fulham's manager Marco Silva who preferred waste-of-space Emile Smith-Rowe and barely played the flying Scotsman this season. We all witnessed what Cairney could do in the last match of the campaign with his sizzling strike to destroy Newcastle!
Steve Clarke, an ex-Chelsea coach, despises Fulham and he used any excuse to not include Cairney. Had Fulham played him more, even Clarke would not be able to ignore his talents.
There are many players who have been disgracefully overlooked for a call up to their national team, but from a Fulham point of view, long time loyal servant Tom Cairney was the MOST deserving and shamefully, will never get another chance.
You've just made Piri your friend for life
Don't get jealous Blingo, Piri still loves you.
I love Tom and if he had the same work ethic as a Souness or McGinn he could have been one of Scotlands greatest players but sadly he chooses not to.
It's difficult as international football is different from the way we play.
But McGinn at Villa and Ferguson at Bologna are definitely better.
The Kilmarnock boy Curtis still only 19,is hailed as the new Dalglish.
So with Mctominay at Napoli in their squad as well,then I have to say Tom isn't good enough to get in their squad.
I think Clarke and Tom fell out a while ago on Tom's availability for squads.
How many of the Scottish squad could have scored the goal he did against Newcastle, not many if any. Scotland need him if only to come on in the last 20 minutes to calm play down and keep possession. Bad mistake not taking him.
Quote from: Bill2 on June 09, 2026, 09:00:38 AMHow many of the Scottish squad could have scored the goal he did against Newcastle, not many if any. Scotland need him if only to come on in the last 20 minutes to calm play down and keep possession. Bad mistake not taking him.
They managed to qualify for the WC without him so can't really see why they would want him now.
Cairney is definitely good enough to be in that squad, but we're kidding ourselves if we think he's better than McGinn.
Quote from: Bill2 on June 09, 2026, 09:00:38 AMHow many of the Scottish squad could have scored the goal he did against Newcastle, not many if any. Scotland need him if only to come on in the last 20 minutes to calm play down and keep possession. Bad mistake not taking him.
Mcginn Mctominay Ferguson,one goal doesn't make him an international star.
He's barely even Scottish really, so I'm not sure how he bothered he is.
Tom is nearly 40 and we use him sparingly. Can you really see him coping well in tournament football when it's 57 degrees Celsius in the shade.
Tom Cairney has just turned 35 and Scotland have a 43 year-old in their squad. They've just lost the bang average Billy Gilmour and are a man short. Serves them right, and I predict they won't get out of their group.
Not sure he's ever been particularly interested in playing a sort of physically demanding game. He's clearly a much more accomplished midfielder than the others you mention. It may be that his face doesn't fit with the management.
Yes. I am pleased TC has been with Fulham and stayed with them. I am also Scottish so pleased to see TC involved but he is down the pecling order a bit for both Scotland and Fulham. It happens when you get a bit older.
Maybe not now, but 5/10 years ago when they were a lot worse and he was a lot better he definitely should have been in the Scotland team, can only presume there was some issue there. I was at the 2-2 draw between Scotland and England in '17 and he was on the bench that day. For a player of his quality to only play in two friendlies in the period between 2017/24 is ridiculous, but the moment has now gone
Quote from: blingo on June 09, 2026, 01:47:41 AMYou've just made Piri your friend for life
I'm half Scottish, grew up in London but have always supported Scotland over England as they never to fail to entertain, no matter what in a good way or a bad way, far more entertaining then boring England other them
Maybe the Gascogne era, maybe
I got a lot of stick for wearing that classic 1978 Umbro Scotland shirt to school but insisted on wearing it no matter what
I find it to be an absolute crime Nick that Toms not in that Scotland squad for this WC as he would be an absolute asset and probably the missing link on what they need, a play maker that can take control of any game, just look at that last Newcastle game for example
I'll still support em tho but there is a massive part of the jig saw missing
I just don't understand it
Quote from: iansthailand on June 09, 2026, 01:53:11 AMDon't get jealous Blingo, Piri still loves you.
Me and Bongo simply don't see eye to eye on this subject, never have done, never will
Scotland have an amusingly knockabout attitude to World Cup participation throughput the years.
This started with their first effort in 1954 when, although squads of 22 were allowed, they decided to send a squad of 13 players to Switzerland.
It is not known whether this was due to over-confidence in their strength in depth (should be ' strength in shallow'), their imperviousness to injury (only one goalkeeper was taken), or a desire to save money.
If the latter, it worked well as they lost both their matches (0-1 to Austria, 0-7 to Uruguay) and promptly returned to their native shores. It is not recorded whether or not an open-top bus parade down the Royal Mile was arranged.
Quote from: perry geyton on June 11, 2026, 03:41:45 PMQuote from: blingo on June 09, 2026, 01:47:41 AMYou've just made Piri your friend for life
I'm half Scottish, grew up in London but have always supported Scotland over England as they never to fail to entertain, no matter what in a good way or a bad way, far more entertaining then boring England other them
Maybe the Gascogne era, maybe
I got a lot of stick for wearing that classic 1978 Umbro Scotland shirt to school but insisted on wearing it no matter what
I find it to be an absolute crime Nick that Toms not in that Scotland squad for this WC as he would be an absolute asset and probably the missing link on what they need, a play maker that can take control of any game, just look at that last Newcastle game for example
I'll still support em tho but there is a massive part of the jig saw missing
I just don't understand it
You forgot to tell him where you're staying and what room you're in :slap: :slap: :slap:
Quote from: perry geyton on June 11, 2026, 03:45:05 PMQuote from: iansthailand on June 09, 2026, 01:53:11 AMDon't get jealous Blingo, Piri still loves you.
Me and Bongo simply don't see eye to eye on this subject, never have done, never will
And to make it worse........he's half Scottish hahahahahahahhaa
Quote from: blingo on June 13, 2026, 01:53:49 PMQuote from: perry geyton on June 11, 2026, 03:45:05 PMQuote from: iansthailand on June 09, 2026, 01:53:11 AMDon't get jealous Blingo, Piri still loves you.
Me and Bongo simply don't see eye to eye on this subject, never have done, never will
And to make it worse........he's half Scottish hahahahahahahhaa
Tom Cairney was born in England, his mother is English 🏴.
He lives in England, works in England for an English Football Club, and his accent is English.
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on June 13, 2026, 02:43:58 PMQuote from: blingo on June 13, 2026, 01:53:49 PMQuote from: perry geyton on June 11, 2026, 03:45:05 PMQuote from: iansthailand on June 09, 2026, 01:53:11 AMDon't get jealous Blingo, Piri still loves you.
Me and Bongo simply don't see eye to eye on this subject, never have done, never will
And to make it worse........he's half Scottish hahahahahahahhaa
Tom Cairney was born in England, his mother is English 🏴.
He lives in England, works in England for an English Football Club, and his accent is English.
Apart from that, his big toe might be Scottish.
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on June 13, 2026, 02:43:58 PMQuote from: blingo on June 13, 2026, 01:53:49 PMQuote from: perry geyton on June 11, 2026, 03:45:05 PMQuote from: iansthailand on June 09, 2026, 01:53:11 AMDon't get jealous Blingo, Piri still loves you.
Me and Bongo simply don't see eye to eye on this subject, never have done, never will
And to make it worse........he's half Scottish hahahahahahahhaa
Tom Cairney was born in England, his mother is English 🏴.
He lives in England, works in England for an English Football Club, and his accent is English.
Yeah and his dads Scottish 🏴
Obviously Clarke and Tom fell out.
Quote from: Hugh Janus on June 09, 2026, 06:18:36 PMTom is nearly 40 and we use him sparingly. Can you really see him coping well in tournament football when it's 57 degrees Celsius in the shade.
he's 35 which is not nearly 40 and where is it 50 odd c in the shade , temperature officially is always measured in shade .