PLZ Soccer Podcast

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.

Stephen McGowan believes Steve Clarke has done more than enough to earn a new deal as Scotland manager. Do you agree? The title race looks as if one team is close to being counted out on the Journos. Is Dermot Desmond fattening Celtic up for a sale? Is Mo Salah in the greatest ever Liverpool team?

Our exclusive guest is former Hearts midfielder, Colin Cameron. He believes this current Hearts team have the chance to become legends and win the League. Colin offers his thoughts on the player of the year and talks about one man in maroon who should be in the Scotland squad.

Tam McManus believes the return of Lawrence Shankland to the first team has convinced him Hearts will win the League. Celtic beginning to falter, Rangers hanging in and Aberdeen in trouble at the bottom. The PLZ panel assess another crazy weekend in the Scottish Premiership.

Tam McManus insists Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin must start against Dundee as the title race hots up. Are there any slip-ups for the top three this weekend? Can Livingston perform the great escape or is this the last chance saloon?

Tam McManus reckons some players and teams' professionalism would be severely tested if they knew winning a game would hand their greatest rivals the title. Is Kasper Schmeichel close to announcing the end of his career? The embarrassment for English clubs in Europe.

Hugh MacDonald believes some serious questions need to be raised about Kasper Schmeichel's fitness. Who knew what and when? Did it have an impact on Celtic in big matches? The top ten Scottish Premiership players this season are debated. Steve Clarke's contract and Pep Guardiola's legacy are all discussed on the Journos.

Alan Rough would prefer the SFA wait till after the World Cup to assess whether Steve Clarke should get a new contract or not. Will the return of Shankland, Devlin and Beningime make a difference to Hearts' title bid? 

Tam McManus believes Martin O'Neill is a certainty to be Celtic manager next season if he wins the title this season. The PLZ panel pay tribute to Gordon Wallace and Jim Fleeting. The Scotland squad is discussed as well as more bamboozling refereeing decisions to keep everyone happy! 

Gordon Parks reckons the pressure will be too great for Hearts as they prepare for the 9 game run-in to the title. Martin O'Neill reckons the huge away support will become a thing of the past. The late statements from Celtic and Rangers are analysed by the panel as well as predictions for all six matches in the Scottish Premiership.

Tam McManus can see good times ahead for Aberdeen under new manager Stephen Robinson. The fallout from Rangers v Celtic continues and the dismal performance of English clubs in Europe is also on the agenda.

Hugh Macdonald does not think the attitude, conduct or indeed laws or sanctions will have any major effect on the old firm game going forward. The police handling of the match, fan behaviour and possible repercussions are all debated on today's show. The state of Aberdeen and Oli McBurnie's chances of a Scotland recall come under the spotlight too.

Peter Martin and Alan Rough discuss the possible sanctions and penalties for Rangers, Celtic and their supporters after Sunday's Scottish cup-quarter final.

Tam McManus believes the hooligans who tarnished the old firm Scottish Cup fixture must pay a heavy penalty for their actions. The PLZ panel assess the fall-out from the Rangers v Celtic derby and analyse where it went wrong for Danny Rohl's side in a game they dominated. The semi-final draw is discussed and what happens now at Aberdeen with no manager and very little to play for until the end of the season.

Rangers and Celtic winning nothing in a season would be the biggest failure in the history of the Premiership, according to the PLZ panel. It's Scottish Cup quarter-final weekend. Which team is the favourite to provide the shock of the round?

Peter Martin and Tam McManus firmly believe Callum McGregor must stay fit to keep Celtic on track to retain their Scottish Premiership title. The PLZ panel look back at last night's Aberdeen v Celtic game and look ahead to the four ties in the Scottish cup quarter finals.

Graeme McGarry is hoping other teams will follow Motherwell and Falkirk's lead to try and play attractive football next season. The standard of our game is discussed. The Scottish Cup quarter-final predictions and the new offside rule on the horizon.

The Operations Director of the Scottish Football Union, Alastair Blair, has called on fans to join up for free and offer their opinion on the key issues that concern them surrounding the beautiful game. Peter and Roughie debate the top ten old firm goals of all time.

Alex Rae believes Derek McInnes is well up for the battle for the title, and he has players ready to fight and scrap as well. The old firm fall-out is discussed. The wonder goal from Chermiti and the team selection of Martin O'Neill are all discussed by the PLZ panel. The Maswanhise factor at Motherwell and the battle to avoid the drop are also on the agenda. 

Tam McManus says it is a must win game for Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday against Rangers. Peter and Tam discuss the possible formations, the bookies odds and a possible matchwinner on the day in one of the biggest derbies of the season.

The PLZ panel have sympathy for John Beaton as the ref for Sunday's 'Old Firm' fixture. The race for the title. VAR revamp. The problems at 'New Firm'. Just a few of the topics discussed on the Journos, as well as the search for the Hibs fan who apparently wants Hearts to win the League!

Fraser Fyvie reflects on his career as he is forced to retire at 32. The former Hibs midfielder looks back on the best day of his life in football, the highs and lows of being a professional footballer and he offers his tip for the title, as well as naming his player of the year.

Tam McManus, with more U-turns than they have roundabouts in East Kilbride has now decided there's no stopping Hearts. The panel give a forthright opinion on Rangers not getting a penalty, Celtic not getting a penalty, Motherwell player getting a man sent off and referees!

Tam McManus thinks Martin O'Neill should drop Kasper Schmeichel for Celtic's match against Hibs on Sunday. The PLZ team discuss a new deal for Raskin at Rangers and whether full-time referees in Scotland would make any difference to the standards.

Stephen McGowan believes referees will face more scrutiny and abuse as the title run-in reaches its climax. The Journos discuss racism in football and whether Steve Clarke is worthy of a new Scotland contract before the World Cup begins.

Owen Coyle pays tribute to Oscar winning movie star Robert Duvall and shares hilarious memories of starring alongside the American actor in the Scottish movie 'A shot at Glory'. The Airdrie and Bolton legend talks about managing in India to Peter Martin and gives his thoughts on the race for the title in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Alex Rae is adamant Youssef Chermiti must score goals against the smaller sides to help drive Rangers on to win the Scottish Premiership. The PLZ panel also question whether Celtic can continue to score last-minute winners in their quest for the title. Tam McManus refuses to write off Hearts' chances of creating history.

Peter Martin reckons the Hibs fans are the most annoyed with Derek McInnes and his Hearts side at the top of the league. Can Hearts win again at Ibrox? Will Neil McCann do his old side Rangers a favour by beating Celtic. Will St Mirren fight their way out of a relegation dog fight at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership?

Tam McManus and Peter Martin believe Motherwell's matches against hearts, Rangers and Celtic could determine where the title ends up this season. The drama of Wednesday night's matches and managers getting sacked are all discussed on today's show.

Hugh MacDonald and Gordon Parks believe Derek McInnes should get all the credit if Hearts win the title, not Jamestown Analytics. The Edinburgh derby is discussed. The possibility of Celtic changing their signing policy in the summer and Eni Aluko's place in broadcast punditry.

Alan Rough reckons Rangers will defeat Motherwell and Hearts in their next two games. The PLZ team also discuss the away allocation in old firm games and Roughie's best ever Hibs eleven.

Alex Rae believes this could be a massive week for Hearts and Rangers in their bid to win the title. The Scottish cup draw is assessed by the PLZ team, as well as some huge games in the Scottish Premiership in midweek.

Gordon Parks doesn't think the Rangers fans believe they can win the league. It's Scottish cup weekend for the panel

Tam McManus believes Celtic's quest to sign free agent Alex Oxlade Chamberlain is a no-brainer for the title run-in. The PLZ team are singing the praises of Mikey Moore of Rangers. There are concerns raised about Hibs defending and an easy quiz question on the show.