PLZ Soccer Podcast

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.

Gordon Parks reckons Hearts loss to St Mirren is pivotal in the title race as Celtic and Rangers hunt them down at the top of the premiership. The Journos also discuss the business completed in the transfer window and the continuing unrest among Celtic fans towards the board.

Peter Martin and Alan Rough believe the experience within the Celtic dressing room will now drive them on to the title with new signings to help. The PLZ team also discuss the transfer window for all the clubs in the Scottish Premiership.

Peter Martin and Tam McManus believe the Celtic fans would not let this board get away with selling Arne Engels in this transfer window without a replacement. The PLZ team assess a poor Rangers performance against Hibs. and discuss Livingston's change of manager, as well as looking ahead to the midweek games.

Alan Rough has called on Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson to come out and explain the boards strategy on transfer business with £77m sitting in the bank. The PLZ team look at transfer business across Scotland. There is a tribute to John Robertson and a look ahead to the weekend's Scottish Premiership fixtures.

Tam McManus reckons Rangers now have the momentum to go on and win the title with good signings and results going their way. The PLZ team also discuss the ins and outs in the transfer window and asks why Ryan Giggs is not in the Premier League Hall of Fame in England.

Stephen McGowan questions Celtic's signing strategy. The Journos discuss Austin Trusty's failed appeal against the red card v Hearts. The panel also look at activity in the transfer window, Harry Kane at Bayern Munich and what support should be made available for footballers contracting Alzheimer's or dementia from reptetive heading of the ball in their professional football careers.

Peter Martin believes questions over refereeing decisions and VAR intervention will come under increasing scrutiny from conspiracy theorists as the race for the title reaches its climax. Alan Rough talks about his old teammate Gordon McQueen and his battle with vascular dementia. Roughie also looks back at a classic match against Brazil in 1982.  

Alan Rough reckons this week is the last chance for the board to make the signings to help bolster Martin O'Neill's squad for the title run-in. The PLZ team also look at Rangers' form and the new signings. Tam McManus also looks at two Premiership managers under pressure in their jobs.

Tam McManus reckons Martin O'Neill can do no wrong at the minute and Celtic will win at Tynecastle against Hearts on Sunday. The team also discuss Danny Rohl's search for more reinforcements at Rangers and look back over the European results for the old firm.

Tam McManus believes Hibs should cash in on Kieron Bowie now if a good offer comes in. The PLZ team also discuss new faces coming into the Scottish Premiership and the release of the football rich list.

Michael Grant reckons the loss of Shankland, Devlin and Beningime could be significant in their showdown with Celtic at Tynecastle on Sunday. The Journos also discuss the lack of activity in the transfer market at Celtic. Scotland's teams in Europe. Var also gets a mention!

Peter Martin and Alan Rough discuss the body blow to Hearts' title hopes with Lawrence Shankland out of Sunday's big match against Celtic. We also discuss the diminishing coefficient of Scottish clubs in Europe and the implications for qualification over the next few seasons.

Peter Martin cannot work out Celtic's game plan and why they haven't made an immediate move for Motherwell striker Tawanda Maswanhise. The team look back over the Scottish Cup 4th round ties and the last 16 Scottish cup draw as well as discussing the mayhem at the Africa Cup of nations final.

Peter Martin pulling Roughie's leg or not? Derek McInnes will have a statue outside Tynecastle if Hearts win the league and cup! Still no signings at Celtic, but Rangers want more new faces. Could there be an upset at East End Park as Dunfermline take on Hibs in the 4th Round of the Scottish Cup? Peter Martin, Alan Rough and Tam McManus look at all the cup matches over the weekend.

Tam McManus believes Celtic must avoid defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle in their next league match to have any hopes of winning the league. Peter and Tam look back at last night's Scottish Premiership matches and assess whether it's time for Stephen Robinson to look for a way out of St Mirren.

Hugh MacDonald believes Rangers' transfer business is geared to winning the league and Champions League qualification this season. The Journos, Peter Martin, Gordon Parks and Graeme McGarry also discuss the Jens factor at Motherwell, transfer window signings, the passing of Scottish legend Eddie McCreadie, Ronaldo's quest for 1000 goals and the best club players ever in the Scottish Premiership.

Peter Martin and Alan Rough reckon Celtic are taking a huge gamble in failing to land any transfer targets early in the transfer window. As well as midweek football to discuss, Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt winning player of the month is also on the agenda.

Tam McManus reckons Kieron Bowie needs to stay at Hibs until after the World cup and secure an even bigger move when the time is right. Alan Rough, Alex Rae and Peter Martin assess 43-year-old Craig Gordon and his world-class save for Hearts against Dundee, as well as discussing Danny Rohl and Martin O'Neill's quest for new players at Rangers and Celtic.

Tam McManus and Alan Rough believe Martin O'Neill will need to get his skates on to get signings in at Celtic, as Danny Rohl and Derek McInnes have had more time to plan their recruitment in the January transfer window.