Who Gets The Job? It's A Secret

IT IS often suggested, mainly by those of a green and white hooped persuasion, that Scottish Football is run by a Presbyterian-Masonic conspiracy.

After this week's developments in Scottish Rugby, we might ask which secret society is in-charge at Murrayfield?

Nothing against Steve Scott and Duncan Hodge, who have been handed the poisoned chalice which is management of Edinburgh, but, once again I find myself wondering what is going on.

The Murrayfield "blazers" were maybe a couple of months tardy in dispensing with the services of Messrs Bradley and Back, but, given the results of the past two seasons, the clear-out at HQ should not end there.

It will be interesting to see what transpires between now and the start of next season. Clearly either Duncan Weir or Ruaridh Jackson will be heading along the M8 come the end of the season; accompanied, I would suggest, by a couple of tight forwards (at least).

But, the big question is, who will be asked to manage Edinburgh? The SRU could do a lot worse than give Kenny Murray and George Graham a shot, either individually or in partnership - they deserve their chance.

However, such a radical move is unlikely, which is bad news for two excellent coaches and, for Scottish rugby. So, "Basil" Redpath it is then.

TONIGHT, the Scotland Club XV is entertaining their Irish counterparts at Millbrae. I have said before and will doubtless say again, this is an excellent idea, to showcase the top talent in the club game - but, they need more than merely one game per season.

If we can have Full, Under-20, Students and Women's Six Nations games, why not a Six Nations for club players? To me, it makes sense.

And, whilst I am at it, if we cannot have more Six Nations games for the Scotland A squad, why doesn't the SRU re-establish good relations with the second or third tier European nations, by scheduling more A team games, against the likes of Spain, Portugal, Romania, Georgia and the likes.

Or, does player development stop once our guys get pro contracts?

SO, John Barclay, the last of the Killer Bs, is following Messrs Beattie and Brown out of the Scotstoun door. When Barclay first surfaced he seemed destined for the very top, Scotland captain at least, possibly the Lions leadership. However, his career has stalled and he surely needs the new challenge of life outside Glasgow.

I wish him well and trust, like Beattie, he will be re-born in pastures new, he is too-good a player to vanish from the top flight.

LAST weekend I re-acquainted myself with Scottish Rugby, after a wonderful month cruising the South Pacific, by taking-in the Ayr v Stirling County cup tie.

Pre-match, I speculated on how referee David Changleng would approach his brief: would he punish County for denying his beloved Gala a possible Premiership title, or would be do his best to deny Ayr a possible double?

In the end, David did well, but, since he is no longer seeking advancement in refereeing circles, he is now free to call it as HE sees it - not as he thinks THEY want it seen; and is a better referee for this freedom.

I was impressed by young County lock Ruaridh Leishman, who, if he can put in the hours in the gym without it intruding on his McHarg-like ability to get around the paddock, could go places.

I was less-impressed by Sean Kennedy at scrum-half. He showed some worrying signs of petulance, as if opponents weren't allowed to touch him. These included a childish handbag waft at Finn Russell, after the Ayr stand-off brilliantly took him, quite legally, out of a ruck.

Sean son, never believe your own publicity, it's the first step on the way to a heavy fall. You're good - but not yet that good.