I like new things.

Every now and again something new comes out which is a lot like something old I already have, and I instantly feel I simply must have it - why is that?  The original item which I already owned had done me fine up until the point I knew the newer version existed and suddenly it seems rubbish, out of date and in need of replacement by this newer shiny thing.

Normally with new things there is a reason for their being, they are “new and improved” with extras that the old model didn’t have so I can normally find a way of justifying spending some cash on this new necessity.

What is a contract worth?  Anything or nothing?

It is meant to provide security for both parties - if you employ someone to do a job for you then a contract with them would provide peace of mind that they will turn up and do what they are supposed to, and from their point of view it ensures that if they do that then you are duty bound to pay them fr doing so.

In the sporting world though, contracts seem to mean diddly-squat and that doesn’t really seem fair on anyone at all.

So, for the first time in 14 years, there will be no country from Britain or Ireland at a major football tournament.

Boo hoo.

From a personal standpoint, and this is something I never thought I would be saying, I think that the order of home nations who deserved to get to the finals given the way they have performed in the qualifiers is:

1.  Scotland
2.  Northern Ireland
3.  England
4.  Wales

Supporters may not agree on the exact order, but I think only the most ardent England supporter could argue against the fact that Scotland have performed much better than anyone expected - including us Scots it has to be said.

Sport - why on earth do we watch it?!

No matter what the sport is, the order that results happen is of paramount importance to how we feel and react as supporters - for example a goal scored against our favourite football team in the first minute isn’t greeted with as much dismay as one scored in the final minute.

Of course tonight, us Scotland supporters had to endure both of those scenarios!
What a rollercoaster of a game - I hate that cliche, but if every it applied to a game of football, it was this one.

Living in Scotland is excellent - we have stunningly beautiful landscapes all around us, lovely historical landmarks and we are lucky enough to live in relative safety.

The downside to living in Scotland can be summed up in one word - sport!

We have a history of punching above our weight when faced with a better opponent, yet being beaten by those deemed lesser challenges and some would say it’s happened again last night when Scotland were beaten by Georgia - but it was never going to be an easy task.