04-04-2015, 21:33
I think you're being a tad unfair on Walter there. We had some superb flair players in the mid 90s who played constantly. I think the problem was the absolute domination of the domestic game meant that the team had trouble stepping up to the plate on the European scene.
Rangers and Celtic had their best European runs in recent years when they were neck and neck on the domestic scene. Whether that be reaching last 16 of CL or getting to final of UEFA cup - competition at home assisted their efforts abroad.
In Walter's later years he attempted - and succeeded - to bring the level of success expected of the Club without the transfer activity of his previous reign. Not that we spent nothing at all, but that we relied on free experience and a lot of that was as you describe: physical, capable etc.
I think McLeish tried to sign talented players via the free market and it didn't work. Walter took note of that. He also came back with a soft spot for Scotland internationals that had taken well to his methodology with the national side.
Success with Walter's methods (during his second term) is a lot different from failure with them. This last season Ally seemed lost at sea. Almost frightened to try something new. He has us on a scary trajectory. Standing on the gouchlj e with his arms folded as the team folded on the pitch. Just compare that mental picture to Walter on the touch line of a cup final, down to nine men and directing everyone of his players. Driving them to victory with his will to win.
Ally will always be a great, but he just appeared to have given in.
Rangers and Celtic had their best European runs in recent years when they were neck and neck on the domestic scene. Whether that be reaching last 16 of CL or getting to final of UEFA cup - competition at home assisted their efforts abroad.
In Walter's later years he attempted - and succeeded - to bring the level of success expected of the Club without the transfer activity of his previous reign. Not that we spent nothing at all, but that we relied on free experience and a lot of that was as you describe: physical, capable etc.
I think McLeish tried to sign talented players via the free market and it didn't work. Walter took note of that. He also came back with a soft spot for Scotland internationals that had taken well to his methodology with the national side.
Success with Walter's methods (during his second term) is a lot different from failure with them. This last season Ally seemed lost at sea. Almost frightened to try something new. He has us on a scary trajectory. Standing on the gouchlj e with his arms folded as the team folded on the pitch. Just compare that mental picture to Walter on the touch line of a cup final, down to nine men and directing everyone of his players. Driving them to victory with his will to win.
Ally will always be a great, but he just appeared to have given in.