The 2015 tennis season gets "properly" underway in the early hours of Monday morning as the Australian Open, the traditional first Grand Slam of the Year begins.
Four time champion Novak Djokovic is favourite for the men's title with Roger Federer who won his 1000th game recently and fit again Rafael Nadal not far behind. Defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka is sure to want a say as well.
Here are five men though that could also be making headlines in Melbourne over the next couple of weeks.
Andy Murray
It might seem an obvious choice to pick the man from Dunblane, but as Murray enters 2015 he stands at somewhat of a crossroads in his career. A difficult 2014 saw him struggle to reach his best form after returning from back surgery, though in the latter half of the season he did win three titles in the space of five weeks to ensure he reached the World Tour finals in London. A thrashing by Federer at the O2 ensured a terrible end to the year, in which he failed to reach a slam final for the first time since 2009.
Having kept faith in coach Amelie Mauresmo for now, the early signs in 2015 have been good for Murray. He might only have played in exhibition matches, but he notched up an impressive win over Nadal in Abu Dhabi as well as winning all three of his singles matches at the Hopman Cup.
In the close season, Murray made the tough decision to part ways with long time coach and hitting partner Dani Vallverdu as well as fitness coach Jez Green. Comments in recent days suggest Murray thinks he's in ideal shape to try and win a tournament at which he's reached the final at three times. He'll need to be fully fit as he's been handed a tough draw, which potentially pits him against his Wimbledon conqueror from last year Grigor Dimitrov in round four and then the trio of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic from the quarters onwards.
Murray does love the Melbourne hardcourts, but with the tough draw and the fact he is still searching for his best game, he heads into the tournament with an outside chance.
Kei Nishikori
The man from Japan made himself known to the wider public when he made it all the way to the US Open final last year before losing out to Marin Cilic. His victory over World Number one Novak Djokovic in the semi final showed all his capabilities as a top player and his form last year means he goes into this tournament as world number five and as a serious contender.
Coach Michael Chang has brought a new belief and aggression to Nishikori's game which enabled him to win four titles in 2014. His best run in Melbourne is a run to the quarter finals in 2012 but he is a much more dangerous prospect now as shown by wins over Djokovic, Federer and Murray last year.
A tricky first round tie against Spain's Nicolas Almagro awaits but Nishikori remains a great outside bet for the title.
Grigor Dimitrov
After starting to realise his potential in 2014, the big question now is can Dimitrov win a slam in 2015? He got into the world's top eight last year and is currently ranked 11th but has been tipped by John McEnroe to be the next new Grand Slam champion.
He showed his capabilities last year winning titles on three different surfaces as well as defeating defending champion Andy Murray at Wimbledon on his way to the semi finals. He also made the quarter finals in Melbourne in 2014 taking Nadal to four sets.
There are still big question marks over Dimitrov and whether he has the consistency and attitude of someone like Nishikori to go all the way in a slam as his form in the second half of 2014 tailed off badly meaning he missed out on the world tour finals in London. It seems inevitable that he will win a slam but he's been hyped up for so long, its easy to forget he's only 23.
The draw hasn't been too kind to him with a first round tie against the energetic Dustin Brown potentially giving him a few headaches. A third round tie against David Goffin is a potential banana skin, but get through that and he could face Murray who will be keen to avenge his Wimbledon loss so he faces tough ties to even make the last eight in Australia, but on form he is more than capable of going deep into the tournament.
Dimitrov is frustrating and exciting to watch in equal measure, so that's why his progress is well worth following.
Nick Kyrgios
The Australian youngster who is still only 19 stunned the tennis world when he defeated Rafael Nadal in the fourth round at Wimbledon last year which included a winning shot he played through his legs. The teenager also defeated Richard Gasquet, a top ten player and 2007 Wimbledon semi finalist in the second round, leading to him being labelled as one of the stars of the future.
He subsequently made the third round of the US Open before skipping the rest of the season, saying he was burnt out. Fresh for 2015, big things are expected of Kyrgios who is now in the top 50 in the world. Winner of the junior title in Melbourne two years ago, he'll be hoping to make a big impression in the main draw. With a potential match up against Ivo Karlovic in round two, it won't be easy but with a home crowd backing him, he could be a surprise package down under.
David Goffin
Now ranked 22nd in the world, the Belgian won the comeback player of the year award in 2014. Having burst on the scene in 2012 when he reached the fourth round of the French Open after only getting in as a 'lucky loser', Goffin's career didn't go upwards as planned as he slipped to 110th in the world rankings.
However, a first round defeat by Murray at Wimbledon last year spurred Goffin on to finally realise his potential. Between July and August he won four successive tournaments and although three of them were at Challenger level, winning 20 matches in a row took some going.
He then followed that up by winning the ATP final in Metz beating Jo Wilfried Tsonga along the way before reaching the Swiss Indoors final in October.
He'll be looking to get past the first round for the first time in Australia but with renewed confidence, he'll be feeling good about his chances.
My pick for the title remains Novak Djokovic, who excels on these courts but Nishikori is a great outside bet.
Saturday, 17 January 2015
Wednesday, 7 January 2015
How Gary Anderson became World Champion
Scotland has a new world champion. And we should all be shouting the name of Gary Anderson from the rooftops.
The 44 year old from Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders was crowned Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) world champion after a thrilling 7-6 victory over the greatest ever darts player, Phil "The Power" Taylor at the Alexandra Palace in London on Sunday night.
The chance to lift the world championship trophy had been a long time coming for Anderson. Although he had only previously only reached one world final in 2011 when he lost to Adrian Lewis, the Scot was regularly heralded as the best player to never win a world title.
That was because of his terrific form over a number of years, including a win in the final of the 2011 Premier League as well as wins in the World Darts Trophy and the International Darts League in 2007. He also came into this year's World Championships in terrific form having won the Players Championship just before hand as well as notching up semi final appearances at the World Grand Prix and World Matchplay.
Anderson didn't have it plain sailing in London though, far from it. American Scott Kirchner with his ludicrously slow style of play unnerved Anderson in round one, making him average only 86 in a nervous match.
Round Two saw Anderson on the brink of defeat at one point against Dutchman Jelle Klaasen. He was 3-1 down in a race to four and was a leg away from an early exit before roaring back to win 4-3.
Further battles had to be overcome against Spaniard qualifier Cristo Reyes in the third round where he was a set down early on. Anderson's best performance so far came in the quarter final against Peter Wright which set up a semi final against reigning world champion Michael Van Gerwen, whom Anderson lost to into the third round of the 2014 event, despite leading 3-1.
It looked as though history was going to repeat itself, as Van Gerwen fought back to level at 3-3, after being 3-1 down. This time though, it was him that let Anderson in who ended up averaging 102 and hitting one out of two on the doubles to win 6-3 in an impressive display.
The small matter of 16 time world champion Taylor awaited in the final. Anderson came out the blocks firing and quickly led 2-0 and then 3-1. However, he lost a grip of the match and combined with some Taylor excellence, he found himself 4-3 down. Taylor allowed Anderson to draw level at 4-4 when he missed three darts for the set.
Then came a horrific run of luck for Anderson as he endured several bounce outs, the worst being when a third dart knocked the previous two out of the treble 20 and he ended up scoring zero. He was also put off by a fan whistling from the crowd which made it all the more remarkable when he won the set and the next to lead 6-4 and be on the brink of success.
Taylor wasn't done yet though and some blistering darts set up a nail biting 13th and final set. It was Anderson who found his form at the vital moments and with a double 8 sealed his place in darting history, finally.
Anderson's sheer determination and will to win have to be admired. He said last year when he let that lead slip against Van Gerwen, that the next year would be different and he has delivered big time on that statement.
Anderson has also had personal tragedies to deal with over the last few years. His brother Stewart died of a heart attack aged just 35 in September 2011 and his father Gordon died in March 2012. Naturally Anderson found darts tough after those losses, but now he is reaping the huge benefits of relaxing on stage and enjoying his job.
I had the pleasure of meeting Anderson once. I played a leg of darts against him (he took out 135 on the bull to beat me) but he said well played and did the same with everyone who took him on in Coral that day in 2013. He was happy to chat away with fans and sign autographs.
Gary Anderson is one of the good guys who has had to wait for his success, but he knew he'd have his chance some day and he wasn't going to let it slip.
I'll be a rare Scot in the crowd at Leeds in February on the opening night of the Premier League cheering him on as world champion, but the atmosphere inside Glasgow's Hydro Arena a month later will be electric to welcome back 'The Flying Scotsman'.
Gary Anderson truly deserves his spot in Scottish sporting folklore alongside his darting hero Jocky Wilson.
The 44 year old from Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders was crowned Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) world champion after a thrilling 7-6 victory over the greatest ever darts player, Phil "The Power" Taylor at the Alexandra Palace in London on Sunday night.
The chance to lift the world championship trophy had been a long time coming for Anderson. Although he had only previously only reached one world final in 2011 when he lost to Adrian Lewis, the Scot was regularly heralded as the best player to never win a world title.
That was because of his terrific form over a number of years, including a win in the final of the 2011 Premier League as well as wins in the World Darts Trophy and the International Darts League in 2007. He also came into this year's World Championships in terrific form having won the Players Championship just before hand as well as notching up semi final appearances at the World Grand Prix and World Matchplay.
Anderson didn't have it plain sailing in London though, far from it. American Scott Kirchner with his ludicrously slow style of play unnerved Anderson in round one, making him average only 86 in a nervous match.
Round Two saw Anderson on the brink of defeat at one point against Dutchman Jelle Klaasen. He was 3-1 down in a race to four and was a leg away from an early exit before roaring back to win 4-3.
Further battles had to be overcome against Spaniard qualifier Cristo Reyes in the third round where he was a set down early on. Anderson's best performance so far came in the quarter final against Peter Wright which set up a semi final against reigning world champion Michael Van Gerwen, whom Anderson lost to into the third round of the 2014 event, despite leading 3-1.
It looked as though history was going to repeat itself, as Van Gerwen fought back to level at 3-3, after being 3-1 down. This time though, it was him that let Anderson in who ended up averaging 102 and hitting one out of two on the doubles to win 6-3 in an impressive display.
The small matter of 16 time world champion Taylor awaited in the final. Anderson came out the blocks firing and quickly led 2-0 and then 3-1. However, he lost a grip of the match and combined with some Taylor excellence, he found himself 4-3 down. Taylor allowed Anderson to draw level at 4-4 when he missed three darts for the set.
Then came a horrific run of luck for Anderson as he endured several bounce outs, the worst being when a third dart knocked the previous two out of the treble 20 and he ended up scoring zero. He was also put off by a fan whistling from the crowd which made it all the more remarkable when he won the set and the next to lead 6-4 and be on the brink of success.
Taylor wasn't done yet though and some blistering darts set up a nail biting 13th and final set. It was Anderson who found his form at the vital moments and with a double 8 sealed his place in darting history, finally.
Anderson's sheer determination and will to win have to be admired. He said last year when he let that lead slip against Van Gerwen, that the next year would be different and he has delivered big time on that statement.
Anderson has also had personal tragedies to deal with over the last few years. His brother Stewart died of a heart attack aged just 35 in September 2011 and his father Gordon died in March 2012. Naturally Anderson found darts tough after those losses, but now he is reaping the huge benefits of relaxing on stage and enjoying his job.
I had the pleasure of meeting Anderson once. I played a leg of darts against him (he took out 135 on the bull to beat me) but he said well played and did the same with everyone who took him on in Coral that day in 2013. He was happy to chat away with fans and sign autographs.
Gary Anderson is one of the good guys who has had to wait for his success, but he knew he'd have his chance some day and he wasn't going to let it slip.
I'll be a rare Scot in the crowd at Leeds in February on the opening night of the Premier League cheering him on as world champion, but the atmosphere inside Glasgow's Hydro Arena a month later will be electric to welcome back 'The Flying Scotsman'.
Gary Anderson truly deserves his spot in Scottish sporting folklore alongside his darting hero Jocky Wilson.
Monday, 15 December 2014
What more did Rory McIlroy need to do to win Sports Personality of the Year?
In the grand scheme of things, Rory McIlroy is hardly going to lose much sleep over losing out to Lewis Hamilton in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award last night. He will be aiming to win far bigger things in his career, like The Masters in April next year where he will aim to complete golf's Grand Slam of Majors by the age of just 25.
And Hamilton too has a world title to defend in 2015. Last night's award was a welcome bonus to him in a year when he has responded in the best possible fashion to critics.
However, Hamilton winning was the wrong result in the celebration of 2014 in sport. Let me put a few things straight first of all. I don't hate Formula One. I'm not an avid fan but I have always been a keen follower of something I wouldn't hesitate to call a sport. And Lewis Hamilton's achievements in winning a second World Title are something to be celebrated by British sports fans. And I accept that last night that it was a public vote and the public made their voice heard.
But for him to beat McIlroy by a considerable distance last night (Hamilton earned 209,920 votes to McIlroy's 123,745) was a baffling endorsement by those who voted. Hamilton may have shown critics this season that he could win in a Mercedes Car, but McIlroy also kept his critics quiet this year after a 2013 in which he struggled for form (he only won one tournament all year) and also got himself involved in legal battles and even walked off course during a tournament.
If that was McIlroy's worst year as a professional, then he returned in 2014 with a bang and became completely unplayable no matter how good his challengers were playing. In the same week he split from fiance Caroline Wozniacki, he won the European Tour's flagship event, the BMW PGA Cha at Wentworth, coming from seven shots behind on the final day to win.
And then came his unbelievable performances over the summer, starting at The Open Championship at Hoylake. He led the field from start to finish, holding off challenges from two world class golfers in Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia on the final day which showed for all his brilliant play on the first three days, he had the capabilities mentally to win golf's oldest prize as well.
Many people would have rested on their laurels after winning an Open Championship, but not the man from Northern Ireland. After a week off, he again overhauled Garcia, this time at the World Golf Championship event at the Firestone Club in Ohio. Trailing by three shots going into the final round, McIlroy was at his imperious best on the final day shooting a 66 to win his maiden World Golf Championship event.
And the week after that, McIlroy completed one of the most remarkable spells in golfing history by winning the US PGA Championship for a second time in three years. Again, he faced the stiffest competition on the final day from Fowler, five time major champion Phil Mickelson and the player of 2013 Henrik Stenson who all passed him on the Sunday as McIlroy faltered on the front nine. However, an eagle on the tenth hole sparked him into life and seemed to put the jitters on the other contenders playing ahead of him.
Two more birdies at 13 and 17 followed by a par on the last sealed a second Major of 2014 for McIlroy which led Jack Nicklaus, the winner of 18 Majors to say that he has the opportunity to win 15 or 20 Majors in his career.
He capped an incredible year by playing a vital talisman role as Europe defended their Ryder Cup trophy at Gleneagles in September. He delivered three points for his team, including an incredible 5+4 singles win over Fowler, a match in which he was six under par through the first six holes.
Add in that he returned well and truly to the top of the World Rankings, won the money lists on both the PGA and the European Tour and won the PGA Tour Player of the Year, then you have to wonder what more McIlroy had to do to win the public over last night.
Hamilton is clearly a supremely talented driver, but his only true competition was his teammate Nico Rosberg, whereas McIlroy has to contend with challenges throughout the year from numerous brilliant golfers.
McIlroy's clubs help him to a certain degree, but certainly not to the extent Hamilton has in having the best car on the grid every time he lines up for a race.
Clearly Hamilton's achievements were more fresh in the voting public's mind than McIlroy's but it is hard to argue with those who say that if he has another stellar year in 2015, McIlroy should consider appearing via video link like 2013 winner Andy Murray did.
So for those who feel Hamilton was the worthy winner last night, I ask what more did McIlroy did need to do in 2014 to get you voting for him? Did he have to win all four Majors?
Or is it a case this year, that the misleading word "personality" in the award's title really did come into it for once?
And Hamilton too has a world title to defend in 2015. Last night's award was a welcome bonus to him in a year when he has responded in the best possible fashion to critics.
However, Hamilton winning was the wrong result in the celebration of 2014 in sport. Let me put a few things straight first of all. I don't hate Formula One. I'm not an avid fan but I have always been a keen follower of something I wouldn't hesitate to call a sport. And Lewis Hamilton's achievements in winning a second World Title are something to be celebrated by British sports fans. And I accept that last night that it was a public vote and the public made their voice heard.
But for him to beat McIlroy by a considerable distance last night (Hamilton earned 209,920 votes to McIlroy's 123,745) was a baffling endorsement by those who voted. Hamilton may have shown critics this season that he could win in a Mercedes Car, but McIlroy also kept his critics quiet this year after a 2013 in which he struggled for form (he only won one tournament all year) and also got himself involved in legal battles and even walked off course during a tournament.
If that was McIlroy's worst year as a professional, then he returned in 2014 with a bang and became completely unplayable no matter how good his challengers were playing. In the same week he split from fiance Caroline Wozniacki, he won the European Tour's flagship event, the BMW PGA Cha at Wentworth, coming from seven shots behind on the final day to win.
And then came his unbelievable performances over the summer, starting at The Open Championship at Hoylake. He led the field from start to finish, holding off challenges from two world class golfers in Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia on the final day which showed for all his brilliant play on the first three days, he had the capabilities mentally to win golf's oldest prize as well.
Many people would have rested on their laurels after winning an Open Championship, but not the man from Northern Ireland. After a week off, he again overhauled Garcia, this time at the World Golf Championship event at the Firestone Club in Ohio. Trailing by three shots going into the final round, McIlroy was at his imperious best on the final day shooting a 66 to win his maiden World Golf Championship event.
And the week after that, McIlroy completed one of the most remarkable spells in golfing history by winning the US PGA Championship for a second time in three years. Again, he faced the stiffest competition on the final day from Fowler, five time major champion Phil Mickelson and the player of 2013 Henrik Stenson who all passed him on the Sunday as McIlroy faltered on the front nine. However, an eagle on the tenth hole sparked him into life and seemed to put the jitters on the other contenders playing ahead of him.
Two more birdies at 13 and 17 followed by a par on the last sealed a second Major of 2014 for McIlroy which led Jack Nicklaus, the winner of 18 Majors to say that he has the opportunity to win 15 or 20 Majors in his career.
He capped an incredible year by playing a vital talisman role as Europe defended their Ryder Cup trophy at Gleneagles in September. He delivered three points for his team, including an incredible 5+4 singles win over Fowler, a match in which he was six under par through the first six holes.
Add in that he returned well and truly to the top of the World Rankings, won the money lists on both the PGA and the European Tour and won the PGA Tour Player of the Year, then you have to wonder what more McIlroy had to do to win the public over last night.
Hamilton is clearly a supremely talented driver, but his only true competition was his teammate Nico Rosberg, whereas McIlroy has to contend with challenges throughout the year from numerous brilliant golfers.
McIlroy's clubs help him to a certain degree, but certainly not to the extent Hamilton has in having the best car on the grid every time he lines up for a race.
Clearly Hamilton's achievements were more fresh in the voting public's mind than McIlroy's but it is hard to argue with those who say that if he has another stellar year in 2015, McIlroy should consider appearing via video link like 2013 winner Andy Murray did.
So for those who feel Hamilton was the worthy winner last night, I ask what more did McIlroy did need to do in 2014 to get you voting for him? Did he have to win all four Majors?
Or is it a case this year, that the misleading word "personality" in the award's title really did come into it for once?
Friday, 5 December 2014
Why Ally McCoist must do walking away
I take no pleasure in writing this article. Ally McCoist was one of my early footballing heroes and I loved his cheeky chappy persona on programmes like A Question of Sport.
However, like many other Rangers fans I have now reached complete breaking point with Ally McCoist, the football manager. Wednesday's 3-2 defeat against Alloa was the latest in a long, long line of results that have embarrassed a club which still has the second highest wage bill in Scotland since McCoist took over as manager in 2011.
The manner of defeat at Alloa was nothing short of a disgrace. To lose a match against a team of part-timers, who had been working during the day with a comfortable lead with 15 minutes to go, shows the lack of confidence and standards that have been built into this McCoist Rangers team. To start the ball rolling on why he must go, consider the fact that Rangers have had three years of opportunities to win the Challenge Cup in various guises, and have failed every time.
The main problem right now is that due to the clubs perilous financial state, Rangers cannot afford to sack McCoist and coaches Kenny McDowell, Ian Durrant and Jim Stewart. So that's why one of the all time greatest Rangers players and a man who held the club together during the dark days of administration and liquidation in 2012, must walk away for the good of the club.
To put it simply, Ally McCoist is just not cut out to be a football manager. He played a vital role with Walter Smith, firstly with Scotland and then when the pair returned to Rangers as a coach. He was the one players could turn to when they needed a boost in their spirits. But not all assistant managers have what it takes to take the step up to be the main man and McCoist falls into that category.
The demotion to division three offered Rangers and McCoist a wonderful opportunity to rebuild the club and implement a new footballing strategy at the club. Instead he signed many SPL players on high wages, rather than giving youngsters the chance of a lifetime to give their all in a Rangers jersey and compliment them with players that knew what the likes of Division Three was about. Signing a Brazilian defender (Emilson Cribari) to play in the lowest tier of Scottish football sounded like the start to a bad joke.
Whilst McCoist can argue that he won the first two stages of the journey back to the top with ease, it is with respect to these teams that anyone could have led Rangers to the Division Three and League One titles. What was remarkable was the amount of slip-ups Rangers had on the way to the titles and the amount of games where the team scraped over the line against part-time opposition. In Division Three, Rangers didn't win an away match until the end of October and went through a spell of only two wins in six matches at one stage.
Home losses to Annan and Peterhead occurred and there was only one win in four matches against Stirling Albion (McCoist lost to a Stirling Albion side in October 2012 who didn't have their manager on the touchline as he was getting married). The home defeat to Annan showed how poor Rangers fitness was even against part-time players and the lack of effort to try and avoid a humiliating home defeat was hardly there. That result occurred in March 2013. Watching the game on Wednesday night, that attitude hasn't changed the club and that stems from McCoist.
Whilst many blame the board for staying away from Ibrox, I can't help but think that McCoist's style of play is also ensuring that fans are not turning up to the stadium in their droves. To put it mildly, Rangers have been consistently tough to watch under McCoist during his time in charge. A couple of wins over Celtic, fine cup performances against Motherwell and Kilmarnock and a couple of thumpings in the lower leagues aside there haven't been many enjoyable performances to view under McCoist. He has no concept of implementing a style and just thinks his players will go out and win a game.
His tactics are outdated and clueless in the modern age. Long balls were bread and butter for lower league defenders and the fact that fans are continuing to see those 'tactics' in the Championship against better sides, shows McCoist's inability to change a game. And as for his gold-medal attempts at arm folding on the touchline when a game is going wrong, I find that truly remarkable for someone who loves the club as much as someone sitting in the stands.
Where is the reaction to get the players going again? Where is the rage at conceding a soft goal? Sometimes there is barely any show of emotion when the opposition concede which is unacceptable.
McCoist may have managed to beat three top flight sides in cup competitions this season but overall his big game record is awful. As mentioned earlier, he's had three opportunities to win the Challenge Cup and he's failed every time with the worst moment coming in the final against Raith Rovers this year when he started players who were clearly unfit and he paid the price as Raith won 1-0.
Cup games against Dundee United (twice), Inverness and Hearts (twice) and Hibs also show his inability to pit himself against the best and truly get the best out of his players when it matters. That was prevalent when many senior players lost their discipline at Tynecastle when Hearts won 2-0 a couple of weeks ago. The ill discipline of many players at the club shows that they feel they can get away with a lot of things under McCoist. Look at Ian Black even betting against Rangers. Would that have happened under Jock Wallace, Graeme Souness, or even Ally's mentor Walter Smith? I very much doubt it.
Right now, Rangers are a shambles on and off the park. McCoist is largely responsible for the mess that has been created on the park this season which leaves the side nine points behind Hearts before Christmas. For me, McCoist is now in a similar position as to which David Moyes was at Manchester United last season.
Rangers may well go on an eight game winning streak again like they did after the loss to Hibs in September, but McCoist is always one bad result away from a crisis now. A draw and defeat to Alloa and a defeat to Hearts in the last three weeks has now multiplied the anger ten fold. When a manager knows he is in that position with the fans, then it is going to be uber hard to turnaround those feelings and a deficit in the league.
I met McCoist once and I have no problem in admitting I was slightly starstruck even at the age of 20. I found him to be nothing but a gentleman and countless others have told me similar tales.
But it takes more than being a nice gentleman to be a successful football manager. I'm afraid McCoist is becoming more and more like a modern day John Greig. A legendary player but not cut out to command respect in a dressing room.
That soundbite in the days after administration; "We don't do walking away" has become a noose around McCoist's neck. It's time he loosened its grip and shows a bit honesty towards the fans and say "I'm just not up to the job."
If he did that, then he will protect his legacy which is in some danger of being ruined currently.
However, like many other Rangers fans I have now reached complete breaking point with Ally McCoist, the football manager. Wednesday's 3-2 defeat against Alloa was the latest in a long, long line of results that have embarrassed a club which still has the second highest wage bill in Scotland since McCoist took over as manager in 2011.
The manner of defeat at Alloa was nothing short of a disgrace. To lose a match against a team of part-timers, who had been working during the day with a comfortable lead with 15 minutes to go, shows the lack of confidence and standards that have been built into this McCoist Rangers team. To start the ball rolling on why he must go, consider the fact that Rangers have had three years of opportunities to win the Challenge Cup in various guises, and have failed every time.
The main problem right now is that due to the clubs perilous financial state, Rangers cannot afford to sack McCoist and coaches Kenny McDowell, Ian Durrant and Jim Stewart. So that's why one of the all time greatest Rangers players and a man who held the club together during the dark days of administration and liquidation in 2012, must walk away for the good of the club.
To put it simply, Ally McCoist is just not cut out to be a football manager. He played a vital role with Walter Smith, firstly with Scotland and then when the pair returned to Rangers as a coach. He was the one players could turn to when they needed a boost in their spirits. But not all assistant managers have what it takes to take the step up to be the main man and McCoist falls into that category.
The demotion to division three offered Rangers and McCoist a wonderful opportunity to rebuild the club and implement a new footballing strategy at the club. Instead he signed many SPL players on high wages, rather than giving youngsters the chance of a lifetime to give their all in a Rangers jersey and compliment them with players that knew what the likes of Division Three was about. Signing a Brazilian defender (Emilson Cribari) to play in the lowest tier of Scottish football sounded like the start to a bad joke.
Whilst McCoist can argue that he won the first two stages of the journey back to the top with ease, it is with respect to these teams that anyone could have led Rangers to the Division Three and League One titles. What was remarkable was the amount of slip-ups Rangers had on the way to the titles and the amount of games where the team scraped over the line against part-time opposition. In Division Three, Rangers didn't win an away match until the end of October and went through a spell of only two wins in six matches at one stage.
Home losses to Annan and Peterhead occurred and there was only one win in four matches against Stirling Albion (McCoist lost to a Stirling Albion side in October 2012 who didn't have their manager on the touchline as he was getting married). The home defeat to Annan showed how poor Rangers fitness was even against part-time players and the lack of effort to try and avoid a humiliating home defeat was hardly there. That result occurred in March 2013. Watching the game on Wednesday night, that attitude hasn't changed the club and that stems from McCoist.
Whilst many blame the board for staying away from Ibrox, I can't help but think that McCoist's style of play is also ensuring that fans are not turning up to the stadium in their droves. To put it mildly, Rangers have been consistently tough to watch under McCoist during his time in charge. A couple of wins over Celtic, fine cup performances against Motherwell and Kilmarnock and a couple of thumpings in the lower leagues aside there haven't been many enjoyable performances to view under McCoist. He has no concept of implementing a style and just thinks his players will go out and win a game.
His tactics are outdated and clueless in the modern age. Long balls were bread and butter for lower league defenders and the fact that fans are continuing to see those 'tactics' in the Championship against better sides, shows McCoist's inability to change a game. And as for his gold-medal attempts at arm folding on the touchline when a game is going wrong, I find that truly remarkable for someone who loves the club as much as someone sitting in the stands.
Where is the reaction to get the players going again? Where is the rage at conceding a soft goal? Sometimes there is barely any show of emotion when the opposition concede which is unacceptable.
McCoist may have managed to beat three top flight sides in cup competitions this season but overall his big game record is awful. As mentioned earlier, he's had three opportunities to win the Challenge Cup and he's failed every time with the worst moment coming in the final against Raith Rovers this year when he started players who were clearly unfit and he paid the price as Raith won 1-0.
Cup games against Dundee United (twice), Inverness and Hearts (twice) and Hibs also show his inability to pit himself against the best and truly get the best out of his players when it matters. That was prevalent when many senior players lost their discipline at Tynecastle when Hearts won 2-0 a couple of weeks ago. The ill discipline of many players at the club shows that they feel they can get away with a lot of things under McCoist. Look at Ian Black even betting against Rangers. Would that have happened under Jock Wallace, Graeme Souness, or even Ally's mentor Walter Smith? I very much doubt it.
Right now, Rangers are a shambles on and off the park. McCoist is largely responsible for the mess that has been created on the park this season which leaves the side nine points behind Hearts before Christmas. For me, McCoist is now in a similar position as to which David Moyes was at Manchester United last season.
Rangers may well go on an eight game winning streak again like they did after the loss to Hibs in September, but McCoist is always one bad result away from a crisis now. A draw and defeat to Alloa and a defeat to Hearts in the last three weeks has now multiplied the anger ten fold. When a manager knows he is in that position with the fans, then it is going to be uber hard to turnaround those feelings and a deficit in the league.
I met McCoist once and I have no problem in admitting I was slightly starstruck even at the age of 20. I found him to be nothing but a gentleman and countless others have told me similar tales.
But it takes more than being a nice gentleman to be a successful football manager. I'm afraid McCoist is becoming more and more like a modern day John Greig. A legendary player but not cut out to command respect in a dressing room.
That soundbite in the days after administration; "We don't do walking away" has become a noose around McCoist's neck. It's time he loosened its grip and shows a bit honesty towards the fans and say "I'm just not up to the job."
If he did that, then he will protect his legacy which is in some danger of being ruined currently.
Monday, 17 November 2014
Where now for Andy Murray?
As the 2014 tennis season draws to a close, Andy Murray's career stands at a crossroads. Returning from back surgery at the start of the year, it is fair to say it has been a difficult one for the man from Dunblane.
There was a failure to reach a Grand Slam final in a year for the first time since 2009, the split with coach Ivan Lendl, who had been widely credited for breaking Murray's Grand Slam duck and also a drop out the top 10 of the world rankings for the first time in six years.
There were some positives though for Murray, particular in the latter half of the year when his form post US Open saw him win three titles in five weeks to secure a place in the end of season finals in London. And despite not making a Grand Slam final, he still had quarter final appearances at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open and a career equaling best semi final appearance at the French Open and he has risen back up to 6th in the ATP rankings.
However, after the excellence of 2012 and 2013, Murray's 2014 has been somewhat of a disappointment and there are now questions being asked over his style and mental capability on the court. So what does Andy Murray need to do in 2015?
The first thing Murray should be working on between now and the New Year for his game is to rediscover the aggression that made him a Grand Slam champion and a player to be feared by everyone else on the tour. Lendl encouraged Murray to go for more shots during his reign as his coach and it paid large dividends, as witnessed by millions when he defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets to win Wimbledon last year.
Now if he is to challenge the top three of Djokovic, Federer and Nadal once more as well as players like Nishikori, Dimitrov and Wawrinka then Murray must show at the Australian Open in January a different style of play to what we have seen throughout 2014. For example, his meek straight sets defeat to Nishikori at the tour finals in London, wasn't down to the Japanese player playing exceptionally well, it was also down to the fact that Murray never tried to dictate the game at the 02 arena. It was a similar story when he surrendered his Wimbledon title in a straight sets loss to Dimitrov in July.
Murray must surely recognise that what made him a Grand Slam champion and easily one of the top four players in the world (if not one of the top two between 2012-13) was his ability to go for more powerful ground strokes and get players running all over the court. Now, like earlier in his career, Murray is the one being hounded on court again.
Murray's serve has also weakened during 2014. His second serve has always been the weakest part of his game, but it has now regressed to the point where he is serving around 70-75mph and giving opponents free points on it. As for his first serve, it hasn't looked to be of the same strong standard as in years gone by, with Murray throwing away many service games after breaking an opponent. A look at the style and ball tosses of Wawrinka and Nishikori over the close season would benefit Murray.
As for the issues raised around Murray's coach Amelie Mauresmo, it is still too early to tell if it has been a success or not, but the relationship between the pair faces a critical test at the Australian Open in January. Failure to play well there and there will be louder calls for Murray to admit he made a mistake in appointing her and to perhaps bring back Lendl or even bring in John McEnroe as has been touted in some quarters.
Mauresmo needs to stamp her authority on the Murray game as well in the way Lendl did. As people like Tim Henman have pointed out, Murray's game seems to have lost it's identity under Mauresmo. If that means trying new things out that Murray hasn't tried before, then so be it if it works for him in the big matches. You just have to look at the way Stefan Edberg has got Roger Federer, at the age of 33 being more aggressive at the net to see how age is no limit to trying out new styles as a tennis player.
Murray's performance against Roger Federer on Thursday night raised serious alarm bells with Murray suffering his worst defeat in seven years and a first loss of a 6-0 set in four years. Having played so much tennis since the US Open in September, Murray may be suffering from a classic case of burn out, but his nine losses in nine matches against the 'big three' of Djokovic, Federer and Nadal in 2014 suggest other mental demons are at work with Murray once again.
Until the wins of Wawrinka at the Australian Open and Marin Cilic at the US Open this year, Murray was one of only two players to break the wins of the 'Big Three' at the Grand Slams and the only player to win multiple grand slams in that period apart from that trio. He was deservedly talked about in the same breath as those legends of the game and after winning Wimbledon in 2013, he looked set to win more Grand Slams.
At the age of 27, Murray still has time on his side and it is hoped he won't suffer any more problems with his back after undergoing major surgery at this time last year.
But consider this. Murray and Djokovic were born only a week apart in May 1987. Right now Murray must feel light years behind him.
Murray can contend in Melbourne in January where he'll be trying to win a first Australian Open title, but he needs a serious re think of his tactics over the next six weeks if he to achieve that goal.
There was a failure to reach a Grand Slam final in a year for the first time since 2009, the split with coach Ivan Lendl, who had been widely credited for breaking Murray's Grand Slam duck and also a drop out the top 10 of the world rankings for the first time in six years.
There were some positives though for Murray, particular in the latter half of the year when his form post US Open saw him win three titles in five weeks to secure a place in the end of season finals in London. And despite not making a Grand Slam final, he still had quarter final appearances at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open and a career equaling best semi final appearance at the French Open and he has risen back up to 6th in the ATP rankings.
However, after the excellence of 2012 and 2013, Murray's 2014 has been somewhat of a disappointment and there are now questions being asked over his style and mental capability on the court. So what does Andy Murray need to do in 2015?
The first thing Murray should be working on between now and the New Year for his game is to rediscover the aggression that made him a Grand Slam champion and a player to be feared by everyone else on the tour. Lendl encouraged Murray to go for more shots during his reign as his coach and it paid large dividends, as witnessed by millions when he defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets to win Wimbledon last year.
Now if he is to challenge the top three of Djokovic, Federer and Nadal once more as well as players like Nishikori, Dimitrov and Wawrinka then Murray must show at the Australian Open in January a different style of play to what we have seen throughout 2014. For example, his meek straight sets defeat to Nishikori at the tour finals in London, wasn't down to the Japanese player playing exceptionally well, it was also down to the fact that Murray never tried to dictate the game at the 02 arena. It was a similar story when he surrendered his Wimbledon title in a straight sets loss to Dimitrov in July.
Murray must surely recognise that what made him a Grand Slam champion and easily one of the top four players in the world (if not one of the top two between 2012-13) was his ability to go for more powerful ground strokes and get players running all over the court. Now, like earlier in his career, Murray is the one being hounded on court again.
Murray's serve has also weakened during 2014. His second serve has always been the weakest part of his game, but it has now regressed to the point where he is serving around 70-75mph and giving opponents free points on it. As for his first serve, it hasn't looked to be of the same strong standard as in years gone by, with Murray throwing away many service games after breaking an opponent. A look at the style and ball tosses of Wawrinka and Nishikori over the close season would benefit Murray.
As for the issues raised around Murray's coach Amelie Mauresmo, it is still too early to tell if it has been a success or not, but the relationship between the pair faces a critical test at the Australian Open in January. Failure to play well there and there will be louder calls for Murray to admit he made a mistake in appointing her and to perhaps bring back Lendl or even bring in John McEnroe as has been touted in some quarters.
Mauresmo needs to stamp her authority on the Murray game as well in the way Lendl did. As people like Tim Henman have pointed out, Murray's game seems to have lost it's identity under Mauresmo. If that means trying new things out that Murray hasn't tried before, then so be it if it works for him in the big matches. You just have to look at the way Stefan Edberg has got Roger Federer, at the age of 33 being more aggressive at the net to see how age is no limit to trying out new styles as a tennis player.
Murray's performance against Roger Federer on Thursday night raised serious alarm bells with Murray suffering his worst defeat in seven years and a first loss of a 6-0 set in four years. Having played so much tennis since the US Open in September, Murray may be suffering from a classic case of burn out, but his nine losses in nine matches against the 'big three' of Djokovic, Federer and Nadal in 2014 suggest other mental demons are at work with Murray once again.
Until the wins of Wawrinka at the Australian Open and Marin Cilic at the US Open this year, Murray was one of only two players to break the wins of the 'Big Three' at the Grand Slams and the only player to win multiple grand slams in that period apart from that trio. He was deservedly talked about in the same breath as those legends of the game and after winning Wimbledon in 2013, he looked set to win more Grand Slams.
At the age of 27, Murray still has time on his side and it is hoped he won't suffer any more problems with his back after undergoing major surgery at this time last year.
But consider this. Murray and Djokovic were born only a week apart in May 1987. Right now Murray must feel light years behind him.
Murray can contend in Melbourne in January where he'll be trying to win a first Australian Open title, but he needs a serious re think of his tactics over the next six weeks if he to achieve that goal.
Sunday, 28 September 2014
Five Reasons why Europe won the Ryder Cup
Another Ryder Cup has finished and once again it is the European team who will be taking the trophy home for another two years.
Paul McGinley's men sealed a 16.5-11.5 triumph at Gleneagles to secure their third win in a row and eighth win in the last ten outings.
So what were the main factors behind another European triumph?
1. Paul McGinley's performance as captain
The hero of the 2002 Ryder Cup as a player when he holed the winning putt barely put a foot wrong as captain 12 years later. Having been backed by the vast majority of players including Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell, he didn't let them down and created a wonderful spirit amongst the Europe dressing room.
His attention to detail was second to none and when he had to make big decisions on pairings, he got most of them spot on. Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson was a decision that bore Europe three points. Foursome partnerships between experienced players like Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood alongside rookies Victor Dubuisson and Jamie Donaldson respectively bore four points in total and were key to victory.
And on the final day, his decision to send out Graeme McDowell first in the singles paid dividends when G-Mac fought from three down to beat Jordan Spieth 2+1. G-Mac is someone who would kill his own granny, so to speak for a singles win and he was exactly the right choice to lead the Europeans out to make sure momentum remained with the home side.
2. The team spirit.
As has been said so many times over the last decade or so, the Ryder Cup always seems to mean more to the European team no matter the team line-up and that was the case once again at Gleneagles. This time around there was nine different nationalities in the European team but they all came together to play for a continent.
Meanwhile, certain Americans looked like they would have rather been anywhere else bar the centenary course at Gleneagles. Bubba Watson barely cracked a smile all weekend. Jimmy Walker looked like he'd have preferred to be on holiday. For all his antics particularly on the Sunday, Patrick Reed at least showed some passion as did fellow rookie Jordan Spieth.
Ian Poulter's passion at Medinah inspired the rest of his European team. Perhaps if Reed had some help in that regard, it would have been a lot closer.
It is truly incredible that every two years 12 men come together to give their all for a continent, yet only twice in the last 15 years have 12 American golfers looked like caring for the Ryder Cup.
3. The foursome results
Europe won the two foursome sessions by a combined 7-1. USA didn't even win a match in those afternoon sessions on the Friday and Saturday relying on two halves to make up that score. That is a truly stunning result and once again shows how the foursome pairings for Europe gelled together and how the Americans simply couldn't get chemistry going with each other bar two rookies in the form of Spieth and Reed.
America more than held their own throughout the rest of the Ryder Cup and indeed won both fourball sessions and put up a great fight in the singles today for long spells. But you can't lose one format 7-1 and expect to win the Ryder Cup.
4. Bad decisions by Tom Watson
As good as Paul McGinley performed as European captain, criticism has to come the way of American captain Tom Watson. Watson was picked because he was the last American captain to win the trophy on European soil, back in 1993 at the Belfry. And there aren't many more respected figures in the world of golf than Watson.
However, for all his experience he got some decisions badly wrong this weekend. The decision to bench Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed on the Friday afternoon was astounding. The pair had performed brilliantly in the morning to defeat Poulter and Stephen Gallacher 5+4 and were raring to go. The fact that they were benched would have given the European team a big confidence boost.
Another poor decision by Watson was to bench Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley for the entire day yesterday. Although they had been beaten 3+2 by McDowell and Dubuisson on Friday afternoon, the pair had proved a tremendous pair at Medinah and surely deserved a chance to put things right. Furthermore, Mickelson was the senior figure in the US team and the seeming lack of trust by Watson in him was strange and it is no surprise to hear that "Lefty" has already criticised Watson's captaincy formula.
5. The differences in choice of vice-captains
Whilst there's certainly a case for arguing that McGinley's appointment of five vice captains was excessive, he certainly made wiser appointments to the team room than Watson.
By hiring Jose Maria Olazabal and Sam Torrance, he had hired two successful European captains, including the man who turned it around at Medinah two years ago. And in Torrance he had someone who knew the course inside out. Factor in the cool and charismatic personality of Miguel Angel Jimenez, and the knowledge of Des Smyth and Padraig Harrington, then McGinley had a winning formula.
Contrast that with Tom Watson. He piled on the experience to his side by picking 72 year old Ray Floyd and 64 year old Andy North. In hindsight this was a mistake. Whilst experience can be an advantage in any sport, in the Ryder Cup it is better to pick vice-captains who still have links with the players. In fairness, Watson did try to do that by selecting Steve Stricker as his third vice-captain. But where were they during the weekend? You barely saw them on Sky's coverage.
Why didn't Watson pick Paul Azinger, the successful Ryder Cup captain from 2008 or even a Justin Leonard or David Toms figure. Another area where McGinley got one over on Watson.
In two years time at Hazeltine, Europe will be strong favourites to win a fourth successive Ryder Cup, something they have never achieved before. There will be strong competition for places considering players like Luke Donald, Francesco Molinari and Nicolas Colsaerts missed out this time to name a few.
For America, they have two years to find a team spirit to stop this tournament developing into one that was as one sided in the pre European days.
Paul McGinley's men sealed a 16.5-11.5 triumph at Gleneagles to secure their third win in a row and eighth win in the last ten outings.
So what were the main factors behind another European triumph?
1. Paul McGinley's performance as captain
The hero of the 2002 Ryder Cup as a player when he holed the winning putt barely put a foot wrong as captain 12 years later. Having been backed by the vast majority of players including Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell, he didn't let them down and created a wonderful spirit amongst the Europe dressing room.
His attention to detail was second to none and when he had to make big decisions on pairings, he got most of them spot on. Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson was a decision that bore Europe three points. Foursome partnerships between experienced players like Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood alongside rookies Victor Dubuisson and Jamie Donaldson respectively bore four points in total and were key to victory.
And on the final day, his decision to send out Graeme McDowell first in the singles paid dividends when G-Mac fought from three down to beat Jordan Spieth 2+1. G-Mac is someone who would kill his own granny, so to speak for a singles win and he was exactly the right choice to lead the Europeans out to make sure momentum remained with the home side.
2. The team spirit.
As has been said so many times over the last decade or so, the Ryder Cup always seems to mean more to the European team no matter the team line-up and that was the case once again at Gleneagles. This time around there was nine different nationalities in the European team but they all came together to play for a continent.
Meanwhile, certain Americans looked like they would have rather been anywhere else bar the centenary course at Gleneagles. Bubba Watson barely cracked a smile all weekend. Jimmy Walker looked like he'd have preferred to be on holiday. For all his antics particularly on the Sunday, Patrick Reed at least showed some passion as did fellow rookie Jordan Spieth.
Ian Poulter's passion at Medinah inspired the rest of his European team. Perhaps if Reed had some help in that regard, it would have been a lot closer.
It is truly incredible that every two years 12 men come together to give their all for a continent, yet only twice in the last 15 years have 12 American golfers looked like caring for the Ryder Cup.
3. The foursome results
Europe won the two foursome sessions by a combined 7-1. USA didn't even win a match in those afternoon sessions on the Friday and Saturday relying on two halves to make up that score. That is a truly stunning result and once again shows how the foursome pairings for Europe gelled together and how the Americans simply couldn't get chemistry going with each other bar two rookies in the form of Spieth and Reed.
America more than held their own throughout the rest of the Ryder Cup and indeed won both fourball sessions and put up a great fight in the singles today for long spells. But you can't lose one format 7-1 and expect to win the Ryder Cup.
4. Bad decisions by Tom Watson
As good as Paul McGinley performed as European captain, criticism has to come the way of American captain Tom Watson. Watson was picked because he was the last American captain to win the trophy on European soil, back in 1993 at the Belfry. And there aren't many more respected figures in the world of golf than Watson.
However, for all his experience he got some decisions badly wrong this weekend. The decision to bench Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed on the Friday afternoon was astounding. The pair had performed brilliantly in the morning to defeat Poulter and Stephen Gallacher 5+4 and were raring to go. The fact that they were benched would have given the European team a big confidence boost.
Another poor decision by Watson was to bench Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley for the entire day yesterday. Although they had been beaten 3+2 by McDowell and Dubuisson on Friday afternoon, the pair had proved a tremendous pair at Medinah and surely deserved a chance to put things right. Furthermore, Mickelson was the senior figure in the US team and the seeming lack of trust by Watson in him was strange and it is no surprise to hear that "Lefty" has already criticised Watson's captaincy formula.
5. The differences in choice of vice-captains
Whilst there's certainly a case for arguing that McGinley's appointment of five vice captains was excessive, he certainly made wiser appointments to the team room than Watson.
By hiring Jose Maria Olazabal and Sam Torrance, he had hired two successful European captains, including the man who turned it around at Medinah two years ago. And in Torrance he had someone who knew the course inside out. Factor in the cool and charismatic personality of Miguel Angel Jimenez, and the knowledge of Des Smyth and Padraig Harrington, then McGinley had a winning formula.
Contrast that with Tom Watson. He piled on the experience to his side by picking 72 year old Ray Floyd and 64 year old Andy North. In hindsight this was a mistake. Whilst experience can be an advantage in any sport, in the Ryder Cup it is better to pick vice-captains who still have links with the players. In fairness, Watson did try to do that by selecting Steve Stricker as his third vice-captain. But where were they during the weekend? You barely saw them on Sky's coverage.
Why didn't Watson pick Paul Azinger, the successful Ryder Cup captain from 2008 or even a Justin Leonard or David Toms figure. Another area where McGinley got one over on Watson.
In two years time at Hazeltine, Europe will be strong favourites to win a fourth successive Ryder Cup, something they have never achieved before. There will be strong competition for places considering players like Luke Donald, Francesco Molinari and Nicolas Colsaerts missed out this time to name a few.
For America, they have two years to find a team spirit to stop this tournament developing into one that was as one sided in the pre European days.
Thursday, 25 September 2014
First Blood to Europe: Friday morning's Ryder Cup fourballs
The time for shouting is just about all over. At 7.35 am tomorrow the first tee shots will be hit in the 40th Ryder Cup and once again the eyes of the world will be on Scotland.
The 2014 edition at Gleneagles certainly has a lot to live up to after "The Miracle of Medinah" two years ago, when Europe came from 10-4 down at one stage on the Saturday to win and another superb tournament at Celtic Manor in 2010.
Today's opening ceremony certainly threw up some interesting pairings on both sides for tomorrow morning's opening fourball matches.
Here's how I think they'll go.
Match One: Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson (Eur) V Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson (USA)
A match featuring three Majors and a FedEx Cup winner isn't a bad way to get the Ryder Cup under way. Rose and Stenson are two of the greatest drivers of the ball in the European team, and they aren't too bad at iron play either which should set up plenty of birdies for both of them.
However, they will come up against a very formidable American pair. Two time Masters champion and US Open champion Webb Simpson formed a superb partnership at Medinah as they won two fourball matches 5+4, including one against Rose when he partnered Francesco Molinari.
I expect this one to go down the 18th and such is the standard of golfers on both sides in this match, I'm going to give each team a half for this match.
Match Two: Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer (Eur) V Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker (USA)
The Bjorn/Kaymer partnership took me aback somewhat when it was announced earlier. Bjorn's experience cannot be denied and Kaymer's won two of the biggest tournaments in golf this year, but I was surprised to see McGinley leave out matchplay specialist Graeme McDowell or even Lee Westwood out altogether.
It's still a strong pairing though with Kaymer back to his best this year, after being at this worst in the run up to the 2012 Ryder Cup, where he still managed to hole the winning putt. Bjorn is enjoying a comeback in his 40s like so many golfers do nowadays and is one of the most respected golfers on tour.
However, I think that the US pairing of Fowler and Walker will have too much for them. Fowler has the potential to become a talisman for his side over the weekend having finished in the top five in all four majors this year whilst Walker has enjoyed three wins this season and his long hitting will setup plenty birdie opportunities.
USA to get the first full point of the match in this one.
Match Three: Stephen Gallacher and Ian Poulter (Eur) V Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed (USA)
The hometown hero and Mr Ryder Cup against two Ryder Cup rookies. I know where my money is going in match three and let's just say it might just get messy for Spieth and Reed.
The noise that will greet Gallacher and Poulter at the first tee at 8.05am tomorrow morning will be unbelievable and will give rookie Gallacher a massive boost. Poulter is of course 'Mr Ryder Cup' and boasts a record of 12 wins out of 15 matches. I've had a few texts from friends saying they think Poulter is due a bad Ryder Cup, but all I see is someone that is fired up to deliver again.
Spieth and Reed are two youngsters who have burst onto the scene in the last year or so and like most rookies, they will be fired up. But Watson has made an error here by putting two rookies together rather than pairing one of them with say a Jim Furyk figure.
Europe to win this one.
Match Four: Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy (Eur) V Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley (USA)
Mouthwatering. That's the only word to describe the final fourball match of tomorrow morning. And after Phil Mickelson's "litigation" jibe towards McIlroy yesterday, it comes with added spice.
McIlroy and Garcia is a partnership which intrigues me as I thought Rory would be paired with Poulter. But the men who pushed each other so close at the Open will team up to form an incredible partnership. McIlroy has been in scintillating form throughout this year, winning back to back majors and cementing his position at the top of the world rankings.
And Garcia looks like a man who is loving his golf again and he isn't far off Poulter in terms of someone who thrives on the Ryder Cup.
But the pair from Northern Ireland and Spain respectively will face the partnership that blew Europe away for two days at Medinah in the form of Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley. Neither has been at the top of their game this year but the pair thrive off each other's personality and will be keen to avenge that loss at Medinah more than anyone.
I'm sticking my neck out though and I'll say Europe to win this one on the 18th green to take a 2.5-1.5 lead into the afternoon.
The Ryder Cup is three days of sporting action every two years that has me glued to the television (or in the case of the Medinah match, my friends Sky Go on his phone as I was on a trip to London) and the fact that it is in Scotland makes that little bit extra special this year. Let battle commence.
The 2014 edition at Gleneagles certainly has a lot to live up to after "The Miracle of Medinah" two years ago, when Europe came from 10-4 down at one stage on the Saturday to win and another superb tournament at Celtic Manor in 2010.
Today's opening ceremony certainly threw up some interesting pairings on both sides for tomorrow morning's opening fourball matches.
Here's how I think they'll go.
Match One: Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson (Eur) V Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson (USA)
A match featuring three Majors and a FedEx Cup winner isn't a bad way to get the Ryder Cup under way. Rose and Stenson are two of the greatest drivers of the ball in the European team, and they aren't too bad at iron play either which should set up plenty of birdies for both of them.
However, they will come up against a very formidable American pair. Two time Masters champion and US Open champion Webb Simpson formed a superb partnership at Medinah as they won two fourball matches 5+4, including one against Rose when he partnered Francesco Molinari.
I expect this one to go down the 18th and such is the standard of golfers on both sides in this match, I'm going to give each team a half for this match.
Match Two: Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer (Eur) V Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker (USA)
The Bjorn/Kaymer partnership took me aback somewhat when it was announced earlier. Bjorn's experience cannot be denied and Kaymer's won two of the biggest tournaments in golf this year, but I was surprised to see McGinley leave out matchplay specialist Graeme McDowell or even Lee Westwood out altogether.
It's still a strong pairing though with Kaymer back to his best this year, after being at this worst in the run up to the 2012 Ryder Cup, where he still managed to hole the winning putt. Bjorn is enjoying a comeback in his 40s like so many golfers do nowadays and is one of the most respected golfers on tour.
However, I think that the US pairing of Fowler and Walker will have too much for them. Fowler has the potential to become a talisman for his side over the weekend having finished in the top five in all four majors this year whilst Walker has enjoyed three wins this season and his long hitting will setup plenty birdie opportunities.
USA to get the first full point of the match in this one.
Match Three: Stephen Gallacher and Ian Poulter (Eur) V Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed (USA)
The hometown hero and Mr Ryder Cup against two Ryder Cup rookies. I know where my money is going in match three and let's just say it might just get messy for Spieth and Reed.
The noise that will greet Gallacher and Poulter at the first tee at 8.05am tomorrow morning will be unbelievable and will give rookie Gallacher a massive boost. Poulter is of course 'Mr Ryder Cup' and boasts a record of 12 wins out of 15 matches. I've had a few texts from friends saying they think Poulter is due a bad Ryder Cup, but all I see is someone that is fired up to deliver again.
Spieth and Reed are two youngsters who have burst onto the scene in the last year or so and like most rookies, they will be fired up. But Watson has made an error here by putting two rookies together rather than pairing one of them with say a Jim Furyk figure.
Europe to win this one.
Match Four: Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy (Eur) V Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley (USA)
Mouthwatering. That's the only word to describe the final fourball match of tomorrow morning. And after Phil Mickelson's "litigation" jibe towards McIlroy yesterday, it comes with added spice.
McIlroy and Garcia is a partnership which intrigues me as I thought Rory would be paired with Poulter. But the men who pushed each other so close at the Open will team up to form an incredible partnership. McIlroy has been in scintillating form throughout this year, winning back to back majors and cementing his position at the top of the world rankings.
And Garcia looks like a man who is loving his golf again and he isn't far off Poulter in terms of someone who thrives on the Ryder Cup.
But the pair from Northern Ireland and Spain respectively will face the partnership that blew Europe away for two days at Medinah in the form of Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley. Neither has been at the top of their game this year but the pair thrive off each other's personality and will be keen to avenge that loss at Medinah more than anyone.
I'm sticking my neck out though and I'll say Europe to win this one on the 18th green to take a 2.5-1.5 lead into the afternoon.
The Ryder Cup is three days of sporting action every two years that has me glued to the television (or in the case of the Medinah match, my friends Sky Go on his phone as I was on a trip to London) and the fact that it is in Scotland makes that little bit extra special this year. Let battle commence.
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