PLZ Soccer Podcast

Alan Rough believes £25m is too good to turn down for Arne Engels. Rangers will be tougher to break down this season, according to Peter Martin. Infantino is 'Dead man-walking', according to Tam McManus. Finally, The Football Show pays tribute to Franco Baresi, who passed away aged 66.

Tam McManus believes Hibernian will sack David Gray, if they get knocked out of Europe by Kosovan minnows Malisheva. Will new faces be enough to silence Celtic board critics? Peter Martn expects a different style of football at Rangers under Derek McInnes.

Tam McManus believes there will be a breaking point for Martin O'Neill if the Celtic board continue to drag their heels on recruitment. Peter believes the League structure must change to help Scottish football. Is the pressure already mounting on David Gray at Hibs? 

Alan Rough remembers Liverpool, Hamburg, Newcastle, Southampton and England legend Kevin Keegan, who has passed away aged 75 from cancer. Spain winning the World Cup, Scottish clubs in Europe and Celtic's civil war are all discussed.

Peter and Hugh give their verdict on the World Cup final. England's failure mentality stretches back to 1970 accroding to Hugh MacDonald. What is Celtic's signing strategy? Where does Hearts legend Craig Gordon rank among the best Scottish goalkeepers?

Peter and Roughie give their verdict on the World Cup Semi-Finals. The Rangers' signing of Cammy Devlin and the rumoured exodus of a number of Celtic stars are discussed, as well as the launch of the new PLZ predictor League for the season. https://bit.ly/PLZPREDICTORLGE

Peter, Tam and Roughie reckon Harry Kane could be the key to stopping Norway and Erling Haaland. Can anyone stop France? Will banning orders sort out pitch invasions and pyrotechnics in football grounds? Which team is better prepared for the new season in Scotland?

Tam McManus believes the decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's red card has left a sour taste and resentment towards 'Team USA' at the World Cup. Peter Martin tipping England to make the semi-finals and Roughie can't make up his mind about the GOAT!

Tam McManus and Hugh MacDonald dismiss any notion that David Moyes could leave the Everton job to take over at Scotland. The fallout from Steve Clarke deciding to resign is assessed and the question of his legacy is discussed. Who is going to win the World Cup? Have the panel changed their minds again?

Tam McManus is hoping John McGinn and the Scotland squad have a few more gears to go up to face Morocco on Friday after defeating Haiti narrowly on Sunday morning. The PLZ team believe Danny Rohl was working his ticket and has failed in his job at Rangers. Peter Martin believes Derek McInnes is a great appointment for Rangers. 

Political journalist Bernard Ponsonby talks football, politics and television with his old STV teammate, Peter Martin. It's a trip down memory lane on chasing stories, political leaders they admired and what Bernard's favourite team Celtic must do to get the fans back onside!

Hugh MacDonald reckons some Celtic fans are irrational in their dislike of Robbie Keane as a candidate for the manager's job. Scotland is not a certainty for victory over Haiti.

A new deal and worthy of the hall of fame, but is qualifying for a major tournament the best we can hope for from Steve Clarke? Roughie can see the improvement and benefits of VAR. When will Celtic announce their new manager? 

Gordon Parks and Hugh MacDonald can fully understand why Hearts fans are angry at Lawrence Shankland moving to Rangers on a free transfer. Many Hearts fans want to know why that deal was agreed. Which player do you think should be in the top 50 in the Premier League since 1975?

Tam McManus thinks Lawrence Shankland is a great addition to the Rangers squad. Peter Martin believes next season is where Derek McInnes will see the real value of Jamestown analytics at Hearts. Can anyone provide a challenge in the Scottish Premiership outwith the big three?

Tam McManus refuses to write off Dunfermline's chances of causing an upset in the Cup final. Alan Rough believes Neil Lennon can take inspiration from Aberdeen's efforts last season at Hampden. Peter Martin reckons Celtic are ready for the easier option of offering Martin O'Neill the Manager's job on a full-time basis.

Gordon Parks believes Celtic need to look for a new, younger manager and celebrate the legacy of Martin O'Neill's achievements this season. Hugh MacDonald dismisses any sort of strict liability or legislation for pitch invasions. Gordon Parks explains why Steve Clarke omitted Oli McBurnie from his final Scotland squad.

Alex Rae calls for strict liability for clubs with misbehaving fans. Peter Martin believes the majority of decent Celtic fans are disgusted with the supporters who threatened Hearts players on the pitch. Who should get the job as the next Celtic manager? Roughie believes Martin O'Neill will be in with a shout. Tam McManus does not think Danny Rohl is the man to deliver a title for Rangers.

It's the showdown for the title. Who wins, Celtic or Hearts? The predictions are in. The hysteria of the penalty against Motherwell and the threat to Referee John Beaton and his family are discussed by the panel. Will this game be decided by a VAR decision? Who are the match-winners? The decision by Danny Rohl not to give James Tavernier a fitting send-off and the possibility of a fifth straight defeat for Rangers is also on the agenda. Can Motherwell top off a great season by finishing fourth?

Tam McManus has criticised referee John Beaton and VAR official Andrew Dallas for gifting Celtic a penalty in the last minute of their 3-2 win at Motherwell. Roughie and Peter Martin disagree and have offered their thoughts on who has the advantage going into the final match of the season on Saturday. Rangers manager Danny Rohl has also been criticised for his decision not to play outgoing captain James Tavernier.

Gordon Parks believes there needs to be a clear-out at Ibrox in the summer and new faces signed to give Rangers a chance of winning the League. Hugh MacDonald fears the worst for St Mirren in the play-off final. Who are the top 50 players in the Scottish Premier League since 1975?

Tam McManus is predicting Danny Rohl will leave Rangers in the summer to be replaced by Steven Gerrard. The panel have been chopping and changing their mind on the title winners, one man has changed his mind again! Which one has switched to Celtic winning the League?

Peter Martin believes Martin O'Neill is already considered second only to Jock Stein in Celtic's list of managers. Tam McManus believes some Hibs fans will not accept David Gray's team finishing sixth and Hearts' winning the title. Alan Rough is tipping yet another twist in the title race this weekend, but where?

Tam McManus believes if Hearts win the Premiership, it will surpass the achievements of Sir Alex Ferguson's title-winning Dons side because of the financial disparity in today's game.

Stephen McGowan thinks the Rangers fans want change and Danny Rohl is not the man they believe can lead them to a title. Barry Anderson is tipping Hearts to win the title. Peter Martin believes Rangers and Celtic will flex their financial muscle in the summer to make sure Hearts don't threaten their dominance. 

There will be no favours as the PLZ panel assess East v West over Sunday and Monday in the capital city. Will Hibs knock Celtic out of the title race? Can Rangers upset Hearts at Tynecastle on holiday Monday? Tam responds to Ryan Stevenson having a go at him. Peter and Roughie still arguing over Manager of the Year!

Tam McManus says the Hibs players will be one hundred per cent professional in their attempt to defeat Celtic on Sunday at Easter Road, but he's not so sure the fans would mind a defeat to make sure Hearts don't get an easy ride to the title. Peter Martin, Alan Rough and Tam McManus eventually agree on the Manager of the Year from the nominees. The panel also discuss the best ever Champions League game. 

Peter Martin, Hugh MacDonald and Gordon Parks discuss the nominees for Player of the Year in Scotland. The title race twists and turns and the top sports movies of our time.

Tam McManus is now in serious pain, as he believes Hearts are now looking odds-on to win the Scottish Premiership. Have Rangers blown it? Can Celtic sneak in to win the league? The PFA player of the year and young player of the year are discussed on the show.

Tam McManus doesn't think James Forrest, Liam Scales and Luke McCowan signing new deals will get Celtic fans excited. Both Roughie and Tam are tipping Hibs to win the Edinburgh derby. Surprise! Surprise! Motherwell and Falkirk need to stop a possible flat end to the season.

Tam McManus discounts any real diehard Hibs fan wanting Hearts to win the league. The nominees for Player of the Year in the lower leagues are discussed. Tam and Peter Martin assess James Forrest's new deal. Tam believes James Tavernier has been a credit to Rangers.

Gordon Parks reckons Callum McGregor should call time on his Celtic career for one last payday elsewhere. Hugh MacDonald assesses James Tavernier's legacy at Rangers. Will Hibs derail Hearts' title hopes? The sad demise of Leicester City to League One. What's on your bucket list of stadiums to visit across the world?

In a special one-to-one, Peter Martin talks to Hibs defender Jack Iredale about the upcoming derby with Hearts and the chance to stop their great rivals winning the title. The screamer he hit in last year's derby win. Singing Sunshine on Leith. How a new piece of technology has changed his everyday life. His dream of playing in this summer's World Cup with Australia.

Peter Martin is tipping one team to slip up in the first post-split fixtures at the weekend. Neil Lennon won't be going to Hampden for the Scottish cup final just to make up the numbers, according to Tam McManus. Alex Rae wants to know which team has the bottle to handle the pressure of a title run-in.

Will experience hold the key to a place in the cup final? The PLZ team discuss the two Scottish Cup semi-finals and the comments from all four managers. The Championship team of the year comes under scrutiny and famous players who ended up becoming stars in new positions in their team.

Tam McManus isn't ruling out a meeting of old bhoys Martin O'Neill and Neil Lennon in this year's Scottish cup final, but Craig McLeish and John McGlynn have other ideas! The over-pricing at the World Cup Finals and the thrills of the Champions League games are all discussed on tonight's show.

On the Journos this week, Gordon Parks has called Rangers' summit on VAR a chance for all 12 clubs to moan, but nothing will happen to change VAR for the better. Stephen McGowan believes Rangers are looking the most capable team to win the league. The panel discuss the best 10 players playing in Scotland to sign in the summer transfer window.

Special guest, Gary Holt believes Neil McCann has brought a feel-good factor to Kilmarnock that will keep them in the top division. The Killie legend looks back over the memorable Scottish Cup win over Falkirk in 1997 and offers his own insight into this weekend's Cup semi-finals.

Peter Martin believes the Hearts fans will be hoping luck is on their side with only five games remaining and the Jambos still on top of the table. Rangers have the fire-power to win the title, but Alex Rae still refuses to rule Celtic out of the race! Are Aberdeen and Dundee favourites to stay up now with the points advantage? Just a few of the topics discussed on the show.

Cillian Sheridan reckons the return of the Green Brigade is a boost to Celtic's title bid. The panel discuss why Derek McInnes did not try and use the fixture schedule as a way to instil a siege mentality into his players. Where is Andy Robertson's next move after Liverpool?

Peter Martin and Tam McManus have predicted the outcome of the last six matches in the Premiership and the eventual title winner. No surprise they disagree on the title winner, but thankfully they've both agreed on the Manager, Player and Young Player of the Year!                        

Gordon Parks has a chilling warning for anyone upset at the price of tickets at the World Cup, nobody at FIFA cares! The panel discuss the post-split figures and question whether there will be a last-day title decider. Michael Grant has expressed grave concerns for Aberdeen's position in the top flight. Clubs facing financial ruin remains high on the agenda.

The post-split fixtures have been released and Alan Rough reckons the fixtures favour Celtic. The final 'Old Firm' derby of the season is at Celtic Park on May 10th, but the mouthwatering prospect of Celtic v Hearts on the final day of the season has Peter Martin wondering if this could be winner takes all for the title.

Alex Rae and Tam McManus have tipped Aberdeen as the most likely team to fill the play-off place as their bad run continues. Rangers looking like a good bet for the title. Could Iheanacho be a saviour for Celtic? Calvin Miller is making a late run for a Scotland place.

Roughie is tipping Rangers, Gordon sticking with Celtic and Peter is betting on Hearts. Who is going to win the league? Is there another twist this weekend? Martin O'Neill says they can win 7 in a row. Danny Rohl wants top spot on Saturday. Derek McInnes backing Hearts to keep pushing for the line, one game at a time.

In an exclusive one-to-one with Peter Martin, Dundee boss Steven Pressley talks about his plans at Dundee, developing players, league reconstruction, Scotland at the World Cup and how Hearts winning the title would be great for Scottish football.

Is it 26 predictable picks for the final squad for the World Cup or is there a surprise from the Scotland manager Steve Clarke? The Journos discuss another International defeat. The SPFL race is also high on the agenda.

Alan Rough believes every Hibs fan is dreading a Hearts title win, but if it arrives, they have to suck it up and get on with it. Roughie picks his all-time Scotland XI of players he's played with. We discuss the new offside rule being trialed in Canada.

Alan Rough doesn't believe Steve Clarkje should be judged on International friendlies. Scott Brown sacked at Ayr. Fans disapprove of VAR report. The PLZ team pay tribute to Alex Cropley.

Tam McManus wants consistency in retrospective penalties to players now that Callum Slattery has been punished. Scotland need to improve their record in friendlies. Roughie remembers Cubillas. Who takes the best free kick? Who is in the top 50 greatest players to have played in the Scottish Premier League?

Alan Rough reckons the Rangers fans will show their support for Chairman Andrew Cavenagh's latest share offer and proposed season ticket increase to help manager Danny Rohl. The odds on the next Celtic manager and a statue for Jim Craig, the Lisbon Lion all discussed.