ALEX MCLEISH REFUSED to quit as Scotland manager after their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign got off to a “horrible” start with a humiliating 3-0 defeat against Kazakhstan yesterday.
The Kazakhs, ranked 117th in the world, struck twice inside 10 minutes through Yuriy Pertsukh and Yan Vorogovskiy to leave an under-strength Scotland shell-shocked in the Group I clash in Nursultan.
McLeish’s men secured the safety net of a playoff to qualify via the Nations League in November and already that looks like their only realistic route to a first major tournament in 22 years as Baktiyor Zainutdinov’s terrific header made it 3-0 six minutes into the second half.
It was one of the most embarrassing results in Scotland’s history and McLeish admitted his players had paid the price for their woeful start.
“It was horrible. They hit us with two blockbusters,” McLeish said. “It was disappointing not to see a great reaction from that.
“At half-time we tried to change it a wee bit to see if we could unsettle Kazakhstan, but they were very sharp on the night.
“It’s a sore one. The facts are that we were beaten by a team ranked lower than us.
“On paper, we should win but I think you have to give Kazakhstan a bit of credit for the way they played.”
Scotland have a painful history of falling victim to shock results against the game’s minnows, but Kazakhstan are the lowest ranked nation to beat Scotland.
In terms of the misery inflicted only a 1-0 defeat against Lithuania in a European Championship qualifier in 2003 and a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica in the 1990 World Cup compare to the Kazakhstan shocker.
A draw against the Faroe Islands in 2002 was another low point, as were the 1978 World Cup draw with Iran and a 4-0 thrashing by Norway in 2009.
When it was put to McLeish that it could be enough to cost him his job, the former Rangers boss vowed to fight on.
“I’ll just continue doing my job and suffice it to say I’m not going to get drawn into that question,” he said.
“It possibly puts more pressure on me. We have introduced a few new names over the last year or so and it can take time, but I know we don’t have time.”
Asked if the loss was the worst of his career, McLeish added: “I don’t really rank defeats. I just feel in terms of losing then I have to bounce back.
“I always feel low after a defeat but I’m pretty good at bouncing back.”
Without captain Andy Robertson and the highly-rated Kieran Tierney, McLeish was forced to name Graeme Shinnie in an unfamiliar role at left-back, and the Aberdeen skipper was exposed for both the first two goals.
Scotland looked longingly for an offside flag that never came as Pertsukh ran onto a long ball over the top and fired high past the helpless Scott Bain.
The visitors never recovered and Shinnie was caught ball-watching as Vorogovskiy was picked out by Islambek Kuat’s pass to slot past Bain again.
Kazakhstan scored just six goals and failed to win a game in their entire qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup.
However, they had half that goal tally and the three points sewn up before the hour mark when Scott McKenna was outjumped by Zainutdinov, who directed his header across Bain into the bottom corner.
Scotland were also without Ryan Fraser and Charlie Mulgrew, who were not selected in agreement with their clubs due to the plastic surface the match was played on.
Bouncing back with victory away to San Marino on Sunday is now imperative for Scotland to have any chance of automatic qualification from Group I by finishing in the top two.
But with Russia and World Cup semi-finalists Belgium also in the six-team group, Scotland already have a mountain to climb.
© AFP 2019
Murray Kinsella and Andy Dunne dissect Ireland’s disappointing Six Nations campaign, and discuss the pros and cons of rugby’s new law proposals in the latest episode of The42 Rugby Weekly:
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Fantastic news
@G: the whole board trailing him would be the icing on the cake
@G: nothing will change
@Quentin Moriarty: the current president Conway should be out the gap too. Was far too concerned about jumping in and answering questions directed at Delaney. Then the failure to follow up on questions that they said they would. They’re now hoping things will blow over. He’s cut from the same cloth. Conway out!
@G: The document shredding begins …
@RJ: You should think before you text. Of coarse something will change. Everyone changes.
Everybody buy the Sunday Times tomorrow! Show support for the guys who actually did the work for it
@Chucky Arlaw: thats an excellent suggestion
@Chucky Arlaw: The Gardaí should be called in. Something illegal must have happened.
@Chucky Arlaw: great news. Now to get the next disgrace out! The clock is ticking varadkar!
@Chucky Arlaw: They’re reporting he spent 40k in six months on his company credit card. With a large number of cash advances made with it.
Splendid news!
@jamesdecay: I’m having a party and your all invited!! Just bring cans
@jamesdecay: I hope the door hits him on the way out
@Chonky Racoon: I’ll be straight over. Can I bring my banner as well?
@Earth Traveller: That was @jamesdecay
@Chonky Racoon: Can I put the cans down to expenses? . JD might be going but his methods live on!
@Chonky Racoon: 100k worth
@Chonky Racoon: scoops it is!
@Chonky Racoon: Delaney is buying
@Chonky Racoon: address?
Unfortunately probably with a big pension and a cushy number with UEFA
@Ian James Burgess: well he certainly won’t be going away empty handed thats for sure!
@Ian James Burgess: That’s why I’m pleasantly surprised. I think he needed to stay another couple of years to qualify for UEFA executive. Open to correction on that one.
@Thomas O’ Donnell: you’re right, hes up for re-election to the UEFA board next year but he has to be a member of his national board to be eligible for a UEFA position,good riddance to him
@Ian James Burgess: my sentiments exactly,no golden handshake ✋ ✋ ✋
@Thomas O’ Donnell: as far as the uefa gig is concerned , to be re elected you have to have a high role in a football association. Hence his change from ceo to the new role he could of continued. Is it possible for a legal charge here ?
@Derek Trotter: Should be subject to a revenue audit as well, as there are a number of questions asked about funds that came from uefa, FIFA for Irish football going into the ether.
@Ian James Burgess: he will probably loan the f a i another ball of money to pay himself off and get the intrest on the loan
@Ian James Burgess: you got him out and what else do you want? Complain he’s gone and now he’s done
The dictatorship is coming to an end.
He’ll probably become newly single aswell. Emma English is hardly with him for his Brad Pitt looks?
@Doubtchya Boy!: Oscar Wilde
@Hank Kingsley: how havent i seen that before! Uncanny.
He always reminded me of the young fella that used be on the front of a Holy Communion card
@Doubtchya Boy!: Nasty comment about Emma English.
@paul kelly: Are you upset petal?
@Doubtchya Boy!: he is a master shitetalker and manipulator though. Had and has plenty of ppl around his finger
@Doubtchya Boy!: haha was just thinking that she’ll be jumping off the sinking ship
@paul kelly: Doesn’t make it any less true.
@Doubtchya Boy!:
I could never understand what she saw in millionaire John Delaney?
@SidNolan @Gavin Carney: bit harsh to call her that though….
@paul kelly: he’s right though. If John Delaney was on 35k a year do you think she’d be with him today? Would she f+*k.
There’s only one reason pretty ladies go out with ugly men.
About time.
Should have resigned at the outset.
Hopefully this will pave the way for the whole truth to come out.
@Logan Shepherd: too smart to resign. He’ll be looking for a severance package no doubt the hungry f#cker
Need the rest to follow. Total clearout needed
This should only be the start. The investigation must continue into the financial affairs of the association. The loan(s), the treasurer’s ignorance of the many bank accounts, the refusal to answer questions on the CEO role, the withholding of prize money…. A can of worms has been opened, nobody should rest easy until the completion of a full investigation and financial audit. Token resignations with huge payoffs will only further encourage the cronyism and sense of invincibility of the chancers at the top. Close the door behind ye Johnboy and take that gombeen with the cap with ye.
@GrumpyAulFella: well said..now bring all of he’s cronies with him.let the lot them jog on..I’m sure there will be a serious session somewhere tonight,JD will have the large bottles ordered in.
@GrumpyAulFella: Conway out! He was evasive and defensive and full of sh@te. Part of the old guard that needs clearing. He’s lining himself up for CEO.
Great. He’ll no doubt have the last laugh with a top job with his European buddies or as an honorary Earl of Kilgarvan.
@damien o brien: it’s been a tough week for Healy Rae’s tongue. all that orse licking for nothing.
Ole ole ole ole
Will they now implement the recommendations made by the Genesis report.?
Remember that?
He’s still going to castleisland though is he?
Wow that’s brilliant news…. and now for the multi -million euro payoff which he in no way deserves. Creep
Cute boy. Won’t have to answer questions now .?
Has he been paid off ? Does he get to keep the Euro jobs ?
Lots of questions . Hope we get answers so we don’t have his type in these high cost jobs anymore
Will he go to Kerry to his good friend Michael Healy Rae ?
He should have been thrown off the board not allowed to resign.
Made my day only hope he is not getting a big pay off (which he doesn’t deserve). I hope there is a full investigation into the running of the FAI and that the next person appointed will be totally accountable. The board also should only be appointed for 3-5 years max.
Isn’t it about time that senior people who have been found to have compromised the corporate governance of organisations dealing with public money be just sacked and let them sue the organisation for compensation? At least all the evidence of how they behaved in their job would become public knowledge and a jury would be far less likely to hand out tax payers money than a board of cronies?
@Richard Mulcahy: jurys handing out compo the whole time to professnial claimers and noting being said about it
John Treacys decision was the fatal blow
Good for him to have acted so swiftly with no typical pussyfooting around .
With a massive pay off no doubt. He’s not the only 1 who needs to go. They need an overhaul
Wonderful news. Showed total contempt for the sporting public and taxpayer this week.
Not without a massive pay out and pension I’m sure….
And he won’t face any future questions
Had to be forced out after decades of damage to the League of Ireland and shambles like the Staunton appointment. Don’t let the door hit your a*se on the way out.
Don’t let the door slap you in the face on the way out John. And take your crooked buddies with you
This is great. Can’t wait for the papers tomorrow
Hounded out by the naysayers. Real fans know the truth.
#JeSuisDelaney
@thephantomshit: John thephontomshit Delaney.
@thephantomshit: yes we do he has been a parasite for far too long ,good residence
@thephantomshit: good man, was wondering when my daily journal laugh was due. Thanks
See ya now
A new era of Irish football, hopefully the resources are put into grassroots and developing young players rather than fat cats bank accounts
Feel like a weight is lifted.
He leaves his role within the FAI, but appoints himself as King of Ireland
@Wayne Quinn: the nerve of the man. King of Munster maybe, but king of Ireland. Now you are stretching it
No good enough ,the rest should go too or they will linger.
Niall Quinn, Brady, Kerr, Whelan, Duffer…the lost goes on of names who would bring Irish football forward. We need a fresh start as the Irish league is in need for an major upgrade!.
@T Jay O’Mea: list
@T Jay O’Mea: Duff has a good number with Celtic these days.
@T Jay O’Mea: Duffer are you joking another yes man, he’s the one had a problem with the fans protesting in the first place. Only for the fans he’d still have a job
@John Gilsenan: ok John, I did mention a list of ex players. I’m not picking the next board members. Open to options?
@T Jay O’Mea: Duffer are u mad! He was one complaining about the fans demonstrating in the first place, Duffer can F**k off.
@Ferg: ok obviously not an option. I was putting names out for a response ;)
@T Jay O’Mea: Not with those name will you bring Irish football forward
@T Jay O’Mea: Duffer are you kidding he was the one who had a problem with the fans protesting in the first place, only for the fans the Leach would still have a job!!
Great nrws
@@mdmak33: whrt?
Massive step in the right direction
About time too
He won’t like that! Losing his job and next the blonde . Poor John
Now if we can only get rid of Leo and the rest of the useless government things just might improve again
Great news. And he’ll probably get a massive payoff.
Pension?
The €100k wasn’t a loan, there was a lot more to it and FAI seemed to facilitate something for Delaney, possibly illegal, so why would he get golden handshake, should he and the board not get prosecuted instead? Just a thought!
Goodbye and good riddance
They’ll all be crying in Kerry… if MHR is to be believed
John Delaney just satisfied people never thought I’d see the day
Great . Wonder what these new revelations will be about
Slán leat
Clear the board out, boycott the next few matches.
Clearly the decks, whole new management new structure and complete transparency
Not before time
How much of a golden handshake will he have?
He will still leave with a nice lump sum thanks to us tax payers . Theses wa***rs always get away with fraud and deception once your high up position
Wait till we hear what the golden handshake will be.
Glad to see him gone. A big moment potentially for Irish football and I think our league in particular. Kind of cathartic… The next few weeks and months will be huge. The appointments made and decisions taken next will decide what happens to football here ling term. Need someone with integrity and imagination at the top. Fair play to John Tracey for calling this behaviour out. Tomorrow’s papers will be interesting.
No surprise he had to go over the 100k scandal but its a shocking disgrace that a bunch of idiot politicians get to keep their jobs despite mismanagement of taxpayers money in the scale of billions. It really is a joke of a country we’re living in.
Won’t be missed!, now dispose the rest of the cancer on the board.
Splendid, superb news, let’s have a party… Just some of the comments about this news article
John Delaney will resign because HE wants to.. he is laughing at all of us you fools… made a mockery of a government inquirie and is walking away laughing
@David Gannon: he will walk away with a huge pension and a job in UEFA. Seems crime does pay. Well in Ireland it does
Bye bye. Miss you already
I’d say the f.a.i have some electric bill with there paper shredders ! Lol maybe that caused the some of the exceeding of the overdraft limits
I hope the other sheep will follow him. I wonder will MHR welcome him to Kerry now. The sooner we get rid of all these gobs**tes from our organizations the better. Fund the people who need it and not the suits(or caps)
Will be missed. Man of the people :(
@Ray de Róiste: what people exactly?
he can run in kerry in next general election and there won’t be a ? asked
My son plays in the Leinster Senior League and I’m proud that that organization went against Delaney (unlike some rural leagues and Healy Rae and all the rest of the gombeens
They have probably lined up a job for him with the Qatari FA, tide him over until the uefa job in 2020
In short no accountability then. Run off with a cheque.
@TechBuzz Ireland: you are spot on there
This could be the beginning of something great for soccer in ireland,I think Niall quinn would be fantastic
He’ll be remembered as a guy who did one or two good things but who essentially got into a very unhealthy comfort zone and abused the hell out of the power he was tasked with to take Irish football forward.
His legacy will be remembered as a period where Ireland as a soccer nation got left behind when compared with other neighbouring underachievers England and Wales, where the very best players we have been producing for the past 10 years are not of required skill level and technique to play for top 6 clubs in England.
Delaney took a gamble and hoped that hiring a big name International manager along with attracting granny rule players would mask the slacking that was going on among the highly paid FAI officials in the background. But as was the case with Blatter and Hickey, the fans knew something smelled fishy for quite some time and seized the moment to have him removed when the opportunity came.
All of them must leave.
Will he get a big lump sum going. ???
@Ciaran Bolton: oh you can bet your wages on it he will alright.
Great stuff, a good start anyway. Where is Healy-Rea now, the clown.
@Eugene Comaskey: probably organising the session for JD tonight?haha
First guest of next weeks Late Late Show John Delaney
Good, he is a disgrace. Probably leaving with a golden handshake though
All the fossilized board members must go. Their inaction & kow towing to JD over the years facilitated the culture of impunity & lack of accountability around the FAI CEO. Like his mentor Blatter…JD thought he some sort of master of the universe…untouchable.
Breaking News. Michael Healy Rae has offered John Delaney a room in his house temporarily only till the rhododendrons are cleared from a site Delaney is looking at.
Big big story bteaking tomorrow
@Chris Tobin: care to elaborate?
How much is the pay off
Yippee.
Ride into the sunset and no answers the easy way out for those guys
No loss
I am thinking The Cherry Blossom ……
Hope its beacuse of the lone tennis ball last night at the Ireland v Liverpool match last night
A man bullied out of his job due to begrudgery. Shame
@David Washington: Thanks for the laugh!
@David Washington: is this Jackie Healey
#iluvyoujohndelaney
@David Washington: sure if he did nothing wrong and has nothing to hide then why did he resign? Nobody ever ran from innocence.
@David Washington: fine irony there. R u frm waharford too?
They all need to fall, a new era for Irish football on the horizon hopefully
Does he get a pension off us?
Bring in Niall Quinn as CEO…
It’s a results business. He’s been at the helm for almost 15 years. I can’t name one really really top level international that has come through during his reign? Duff, Robbie Keane, Roy Keane, Irwin, Shay Given were all Top 4 level players. They all came through in a generation before Delaney was in charge. We got left behind under Delaney because people who were not up to it found themselves in the biggest jobs.
SF, you have your candidate for Europe
Get Quinn and Kerr involved now. Don’t forget your shoes John !! Happy Days
Dodgy wheeling and dealings, get out!!
What is The42?
Finally justice
Does he get a pension plan?
How much is he getting???
Best of luck to JD in his new job with UEFA. Done fantastic work all over the country especially at grassroots level so leaves so much good from his time in office. All the best John.
Does this mean he won’t be getting the mother of all welcomes in Kerry?
He will be welcomed with open arms down in MHR country… Bye bye
There all gangsta material and Delaney is the Al Capone
Yurt
Now I know he bought the house 2 mile away from me we need him to feck off away from wicklow n he can move to Kerry
about time
Sorry people, I don’t really know the story why everyone is against him but if someone could please explain why everybody is against John Delaney and why it is such big news it would be much appreciated, thanks.
@tom pepper: eh Tom do you have a week to spare, otherwise join hands and contact the living!
Reading 2165 hits at the moment tells it’s own story, that’s the highest vindication of an opinion I have ever seen on the 42 well done
Niall Quinn sounds good to me.
Very honest and no bullshit type of guy
Wow. 40k in six months on the company credit card, with a massive amount of cash withdrawals wade using it.
@Stephen Small: and that’s it!! he won’t be going anywhere!!
Best news for ages. Dont let the door hit your arse on the way out Donkey Delaney…
How much will it cost to get rid of him.
About fecking time. He was like a bad fart hanging around the gaff.
Probably with a nice fat pension, like the rest of them
Always good to see arseholes get it.
People forget John don’t worry your my hero.Bank robbers are in and out in seconds. You took your time. You wouldn’t be rushed you wanted to sample the merch as they say. No balaclava for you John.
DONT.
A brass neck that guy has!
Whohoo!
LEAVE. REFUND EVERY CENT WITH PENALTIES (!) SIBERIA 11 YRS. NEW ‘FI’ ORG. ANNUAL AUDITS
A throw back to Irish cuteness. I thought we are developing as a nation after nearly 100 ears of independence. Attitude such as ” if you can get away with it best of luck to you” should be no longer with us.
I dig the skill yet I hate soccer, esp the blather -get a room y’all.
Merrion-gate, logogate, saipangate, Limerickgate, Trapaponygate (the contempt!) emotional blackmail and 50yrs of zero ticket sales made me v suspicious of betrayal.
As Judge Judy says If it doesn’t make sense, it’s not true (They say Putin learnt all he knows from IFA)
Paying 4 times the odds for a 90th of the result is insanity, but then irish soccer fans are insane which is part of the problem. Y’all let this fester for decades
Start new org FI (simple structure annual audits) Recoup.every.cent.
Fire and jail the board for corruption (5 lashes GPO in a thong, 11 yrs Siberia)
No loss
Great news
And he’s ugly too
@tom pepper: pathetic
@tom pepper: fooltroll