RicoS321

I think that's overstating it slightly. I watched him a lot for Scotland, and I wouldn't have said his free-kick taking was as good as Mulgrew's to be honest. Possibly splitting hairs as, whatever you think of Muglrew, his free-kick taking was pretty exceptional. I found Maloney struggled with anything over 25 yards, didn't really have the power to beat a good 'keeper. Basically, if he didn't get it right in the top corner/in at the post the goalie usually got to it. That said, he did usually put in a cracking dead ball cross, but for years in a Scotland top he never matched that with his in-play delivery. In fact his final ball was atrocious for Scotland for near on a decade until he moved into the central position. That was largely down to the fact - it seemed - that he never quite had the pace or trickery (that he certainly had in his early Tim days) to make the space for the cross in the first place. His last couple of years for Scotland were excellent though (especially his work rate), and showed the technique you talk of. As you say, he can play where he wants on the front line, however I'm concerned that played with Christie - for example - both will want to come inside where they're more comfortable leaving us a bit light on the wings. In short, I think Maloney is good, but I don't think he's as good as Hayes so we shouldn't expect that level of performance from him. Basically, I hope we dinna go treating the guy as some sort of Nicholas-like legend that we expect far too much from. Also, I hope we recruit wisely in the wide areas (or play Wright more often), as I think we've lost a lot of the counter attacking pace that served us very well in the last few seasons.

Haven't seen him play in a couple of years, but he vastly improved for Scotland in his later career, so hopefully his form hasn't dropped since then. The only concern for me is where to play him? I don't think Maloney has been a winger since his early Tim days, and was poor for Scotland until they played him behind the striker. Unfortunately we have Christie and McLean who both play that role, and a dearth of wing talent (is Wright our only winger?). At 34, I don't see Maloney offering us the wing play required, although he could do as McGinn did for much of the latter part of the season where he drifted in from the wing for large parts of games, almost providing an additional centre forward. Certainly a good signing on paper nevertheless. Didn't set the heather alight last time he was up here, so I'm not expecting huge things, but a good work rate and good passer, so should fit in nicely. Welcome aboard loon.

Drugs are what make sport cool.

I'm pretty certain I've seen Considine do that plenty of times. A nothing challenge really, where the commentator suggested a red before watching the replay and didn't really back down when it was obviously a yellow at most. Actually thought the ageing hun looked pretty decent unfortunately.

Looks like it's more cryptic than intended.

Does it even count when it's that blatant?

Utter nonsense Little hun fucks should never be allowed in the ground.

Agree with most of this. Said in January that our priority then should have been a striker (I think it was, but we couldn't get the targeted option - May). I think O'Connor and Reynolds is no worse than Taylor and Reynolds and will do us for the vast majority of games. However, the need for backup is a definite. Again, we look to the youth and see little coming through in that regard. I don't believe McKenna will make the grade. I think thon Stranraer youngster we've supposedly signed and also Harvie can play full back if I'm nae mistaken? This gives us options for cover if we can't find any good backup in this window. Considine is confident enough to play either side of the back two, so can cover for either and then bring in one of the two youngsters into fullback as first cover. McKenna could see out his contract as secondary cover if we have two centre halves missing at the same time. I just think we'll struggle to find a good central defender that won't mind being benched for a lot of the season (but that could be O'Connor I suppose like it was last season).

Leave him alone.

^^^This. It's nae. £1M plus or tell anyone to get fucked.

Excellent, good player. That's Jack and McGinn both replaced. Christie already replaced Pawlett. We've got to replace Taylor (which I think O'Connor already does) and of course Hayes. Striker still pretty key too. If we got Maloney and May - as the Herald article suggests - then that'd be a huge step toward completing the squad. I'd still like us to ship Storey and Stockley in return for one good striker as I'm nae entirely convinced by May. Keep it leanish forcing a bit more game-time for Wright and Ross (or perhaps Harvie if he doesn't go out on loan again). Sorted.

Whyte joined in 97, Miller left in 98 and Aitken was punted in 97. Must've been pre-season 97 that Linfield disgraced themselves by shooting at those Aberdeen legends. The laser thing is true though. Miller was often targeted in his dons days just as he was about to cross the ball.

The problem with Crawford is that he's almost identical to Christie and McLean (all could play striker, but you probably widnae). I'd also say that's probably an issue with Maloney too, as the advanced midfield role definitely became his best position over the last few years rather than out wide. Naismith can perform the striker role too.

Oops. I didnae ken that either. Fuck him off to Barnsley.

They've just agreed a price with Barnsley. Nothing to stop the dons matching it then leave it up to the loon. I expect if Deek was interested, that offer wid have been made. They've shown with McLean that they'll spend if the right potential is there.

Seagulls. Not something you see everyday.

Okay. What about Kyle Lafferty? Good striker. Might be available.

I don't get it. Edit: because ye didnae provide a fucking link.... http://www.afc.co.uk/news/9710.php#.WUlAqGgrLZs

I think he's a great player. Very professional and hard working. Minor incident with Milsom (was it?) aside.

Yep. He's a dirty tim fuck. That said, we got some money for the dirty tim fuck. He just had a bit more class than Jack, and didn't come through our system. We have no right to expect Jack to be completely loyal to the dons and expect him to hate the huns, but we have every right to boo the cunt.

Fyvie struggled after he returned from injury. He started very promisingly. In the end, he was being played out wide often, in one of the slowest midfields we've had in a long time. Guys like Arneson and Hughes gave him no guidance and leadership and by the time he was due to leave his career was heading backwards. I think Deek would have got something out of him mind you, but he wasn't to know that and he made the right decision to move and pick up some cash while he could. Nothing like a regular at hibs - much like Andrew Shinnie, who I'm very surprised to see mentioned here (he's gash) - and would do little to enhance our bench.

Don't know like. The Tims just signed Hayes...

So it sounds like shite then. Maloney is okay. His second spell at the Tims was fairly shite. He had nearly ten horrendous years for Scotland before coming good in about 2014 where he had a couple of good years. Hasn't played a competitive game for Scotland since 2015 (Gibraltar), with a couple of friendlies early 2016. I think we have a tendency to over-state players from the EPL slightly, and I'd put Maloney in about the same bracket as James Forrest or someone of that ilk. But I haven't seem him play in the last year, so I might be off a bit.

I think he's marginally more mobile, and good at using his body like Rooney (not in the air, just body positioning and making it difficult for defenders). I thought he was terrible anytime I saw him out wide, very much like when we see Rooney played there as regularly occurs under McInnes. Always looked like a player playing out of position.

Surely it's easier for you to get to the further East the draw is?