Football and Largs Thistle legend George Wall's weekly column

Results this week in the WoSFL Premier shows how competitive that league is. Largs getting the three points against Troon with Cambuslang and Arthurlie also winning was a must to stay in the pack.

Largs although sitting in 12th position are only six points from the top. 
Europe is over for Scottish teams this season. None of the the teams set the heather on fire. Rangers a disaster, Celtic nearly a disaster, Hearts probably performed as expected. 
Why oh why was it so bad? You look at all these coaches in Scotland at grassroots level with UEFA qualifications that are required by the SFA, great they get the qualifications but should they not have experience in coaching and playing. 
The current system is just not working that brings Scottish players to the top level. Celtic started their game v Real Madrid with one Scot in the team, same with Rangers against Ajax. 
The Scotland U21’s squad was announced this week, from a squad of 24 only 11 are playing in Scotland, what does that say about 'pathways' at our clubs. The SFA even have a Scout qualifications that clubs ask for, so I guess anyone without that qualification can’t spot a player. 
I played on Saturday in a Rangers v Celtic charity game at Lochburn Park Maryhill. It was in aid of the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH). 
The fundraiser was organised by one of my ex Maryhill players Chic Howe in memory of his father who recently died. 
It was a good day and a competitive game. My regret is missing a simple chance in the first minute, never scored against Celtic, need to do a better warm up. 
Star men on the day were Charlie Miller (he scored two goals) for Rangers and Andy McLaren who turned out for Celtic. Both guys managed to be capped for Scotland and they make the game look easy . 
There was a great crowd at the game and it was well sponsored so a fantastic benefit for the charity. 
I was called out on Facebook this week by ex Largs goalie David (Toby) Thomson. Good news is he reads the column. He told me the score at the time in the game when it was abandoned against Glenafton over 40 years ago was 0-0. He is claiming a clean sheet. It says a lot about my memory and of course my skill as a defender in such difficult conditions. Thanks Toby.