PLZ Soccer Podcast

Stephen McGowan reckons a win for Rangers on Sunday at Celtic Park sends a strong message that Derek McInnes' side can win the league. Hugh MacDonald says all the pressure is on Celtic's board if the home side lose. Peter Martin believes David Gray still has some credit left in the bank as Hibs boss. The panel also discuss Pocognoli's first Scotland squad.

Alex Rae believes Derek McInnes now has options that can deliver in big games. Peter Martin reckons Martin O'Neill's side doesn't have the quality he demanded to win big games. Tam McManus thinks Sam Johnstone will be back on the bench for next Sunday's old-firm league encounter. Aberdeen's Stephen Robinson deserves all the praise for a semi-final place. Tam has a chilling stat for the Edinburgh derby at Hampden.

No away fans could sway this cup tie in Rangers favour says Gordon Parks. The rest of the panel think Celtic's firepower will win the day. No manager should be getting sacked this early in the season, but Tam McManus thinks the axe will fall if Hibs lose to Ross County. Dons fans have lost faith in Stephen Robinson, but Roughie is adamant he still needs time to mould his own Aberdeen side.

Graeme McGarry reckons one particular manager could be facing the axe this weekend with a Premier Sports cup exit. Is it too early to talk sackings? Peter Martin thinks chairmen should avoid panicking. Gordon Parks dismisses the value of the set-piece coach. Who is the best summer signing in Scotland?

Alex Rae has welcomed the SFA's plans to try and create a pathway for young Scottish talent to play first-team football in Scotland, but he has major reservations about the bigger clubs embracing the strategy. Tam McManus says Hibs boss, David Gray must win Saturday's cup match against Ross County or face the sack. Alan Rough believes Stephen Robinson is under pressure from Dons fans still living in the past with high expectations. 

Gordon Parks has highlighted groups of supporters who, unless checked and punished, will continue to create chaos, intimidation and destruction within our game. Will the SFA summit prompt change and deliver ideas to improve our players and the product in Scottish football? Which teams are playing the game the right way in the Scottish Premiership? Tam McManus has suggested the best footballing team in the country will cause an upset in the weekend fixtures.

Peter Martin talks to lifelong Celtic fan Matt McGlone about his part in 'Celts For Change' back in 1993 that removed the old Celtic board and signalled the arrival of Fergus McCann. Matt's memories of Celtic, games, players, a brush with the KGB and the personal toll on his personal life trying to save Celtic from dying are all discussed. 

Alex Rae believes the win over Aberdeen is a huge step in the right direction for Rangers, but there are many more battles they must win. Peter Martin doesn't believe Celtic will get all the players they need in this transfer window. Roughie and Tam are predicting a Hibs win in the Edinburgh derby.

SFA ban for Rangers and  Celtic, is the punishment fair? Who carries the can for dismal performances in Europe by a number of Scottish clubs? Is the pressure on Derek McInnes at Rangers so soon into his managerial reign? How many players will Martin O'Neill need and eventually get at Celtic before the window closes?

Stephen McGowan believes there are many individuals, groups and board members that are to blame for Celtic's play-off exit from the Champions League. Hugh MacDonald ranks the defeat as Celtic's most calamitous result in their history. Peter Martin rules out any prospect of change in the boardroom or strategy from the majority shareholder. What are the prospects for the remaining Scottish clubs in European competition this week?

Tam McManus is certain Martin O'Neill will have different levels of player he wants depending on their Champions League qualification. Rangers will make it past Jablonec, but it's going to be tight, according to former midfielder Alex Rae. Alan Rough believes Steven Pressley is getting all the praise he deserves for transforming Dundee on a tight budget.

Gordon Parks reckons the Rangers players are still playing with a fear of failure and making mistakes. Which clubs will qualify for the group stages of European competition? One pundit has suggested one of the top teams in the Scottish Premiership needs six new signings! Which club will claim the bragging rights in Dundee?

Peter Martin, Graeme McGarry and Hugh MacDonald are pessimistic about Scottish clubs in Europe and fear there might only be two clubs left in European competition by the end of the two-leg play-offs. There is optimism around the appointment of Sebastien Pocognoli as Scotland manager and the talent he will be able to call on for the squad in the future.

Pocognoli has to try and find the talent, promote youth, attack and win! No easy task ahead for the new Scotland boss, according to the PLZ panel. McInnes with breathing space but he still needs new faces. Which Scottish team will triumph in Europe? Tam McManus is tipping more than a few painful casualties this week in the Europa Conference League.

Tam McManus pulls no punches, as he believes Derek McInnes has to start winning games, beginning with St Mirren on Sunday or he will be facing calls to sack him! Peter Martin thinks the Celtic juggernaut is so far ahead of everyone in the league. Can Motherwell defeat Freiburg?

Peter Martin, Michael Grant and Hugh MacDonald assess the SFA's request for a summit to work out a strategy to develop more homegrown Scottish players and to work out a pathway to playing regular first-team football at the highest level.

Peter Martin questions the lack of leaders on the pitch in the Scottish Premiership. Tam McManus believes Hibs fans are waiting for an excuse to call for David Gray's head at Hibs. Gordon Parks reckons Falkirk might have a battle to stay up this season. Predictions, arguments and Tam's hair dominate the show!

Stephen McGowan is adamant there will be no change to the strategy at Celtic until there is a change to the ownership and board. Hugh MacDonald says there's no time for Derek McInnes, it's win or bust. Infantino has a 50/50 chance of survival at FIFA.

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.