Peter Martin is joined by top Scottish football writers to tackle the burning issues across the SPFL and beyond. In this week’s jam-packed episode, the panel dives deep into the stories shaping the headlines on and off the pitch.
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🔥 In This Episode of PLZ Soccer’s The Journos:
⚔️ Scottish Cup Semi-Finals Preview
Hearts v Aberdeen: Is Neil Critchley walking a tightrope at Tynecastle? The panel discusses whether a semi-final defeat could spell the end for the Hearts boss amid rising fan unrest and underwhelming stats.
Celtic v St Johnstone: Can Valakari’s side pull off a shock at Hampden? Why Celtic’s firepower might be too much, but the St Johnstone rebuild is showing promise under the Finn.
🔴 Hibs’ Revival & David Gray’s Impact
Unbeaten in 17 league games and a top-six finish secured — is David Gray the long-term answer?
How tactical tweaks, including a back three and wide deliveries from Nicky Cadden, have transformed the team.
Rocky Bushiri’s turnaround from liability to key performer.
💥 Rivalries, Respect & the Guard of Honour Debate
Should teams offer a Guard of Honour for champions? The panel agree: it’s contrived, noisy, and not needed — especially in the Scottish football culture.
📉 Hearts FC’s Struggles in the SPFL & Poor Recruitment
A hard look at the failed signings and backroom setup at Hearts.
Does their analytics-driven recruitment lack footballing intuition?
📈 Aberdeen Under Jimmy Thelin
A strong recovery since February: six wins, three draws, two defeats.
Tactical flexibility and smart January signings stabilising the team.
⚖️ Drink at Football Debate
Should alcohol be reintroduced inside Scottish stadiums? The journalists passionately debate the 40-year-old ban, classism, and inconsistencies in treatment compared to rugby and festivals.
Praise for Motherwell’s fan-friendly initiatives like pre-match beer gardens and community focus.
📝 Out-of-Contract Players & Summer Shake-Ups
The panel highlight potential free agents like Greg Taylor, Lawrence Shankland, Martin Boyle, Janes, and Mikael Mandron.
Who could be the next key signings — or lost talents — in the SPFL?
⚠️ Managers on a Shaky Peg
Is Barry Ferguson’s interim tenure nearing an end?
Will Neil Critchley survive the summer as Hearts FC manager?
Could Neil Lennon’s project at Dunfermline Athletic be his long-term return to Scottish football?
📲 Join the Conversation:
What are your thoughts on the Scottish Cup semi-finals? Should alcohol be allowed at football matches again? And which out-of-contract players would you like your club to sign? Drop your comments below 👇
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The Journos Highlights:
00:00 Intro – PLZ Soccer’s The Journos
01:12 Should the Guard of Honour in football be scrapped?
04:02 Will Neil Critchley be axed by Hearts FC?
17:41 Neil Critchley vs David Gray and Steven Naismith
21:28 Jimmy Thelin and Hearts vs Aberdeen Scottish Cup predictions
26:21 St Johnstone vs Celtic – Scottish Cup Semi Final
30:07 David Gray and Hibs FC’s Undefeated Record
34:24 Are football fans taken advantage of and treated poorly?
36:06 SFA alcohol ban at football matches
43:22 Scottish football players out of contract
46:26 Postecoglou and Barry Ferguson sacked by the summer
48:10 Neil Lennon Dunfermline Athletic – Return to Scottish football
50:07 Will PSG or Barcelona win the Champions League?
More to Watch:
Best football club team of all time: https://youtu.be/T5uwaSTE6ZU?si=VEwMrH0KE6Zw04_Y
Ian Durrant on his bust-up with Graeme Souness: https://youtu.be/XI7dE1ooR5c
Martin O’Neill “I’ve never forgiven Jose Mourinho”: https://youtu.be/HIRkTHwD6Gc
Martin O’Neill on his time at Celtic: https://youtu.be/in25WpJJnI0
Neil Lennon one-to-one interview: https://youtu.be/RMtX1MpB-70
David Martindale behind the scenes at Livingston: https://youtu.be/6yI6psxcfGE
Lisbon Lion Berti Auld interview: https://youtu.be/7x1ONLU8Z0s
Gordon Strachan’s Dream Team: https://youtu.be/Zs3Qt3oi1nM
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27 Comments
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So what you(peter) and the rest of the journos are saying is the guard of honour is bullshit , here's a scenario for you , what if Celtic turn up at rangers after the dundee utd game having won and the rangers players do a guard of honour , will they be doing it out of admiration or just because the americans told them to do so
Guard of honour? think it should happen, it's because it's always CELTIC that you guys are saying this ,c'mon the Hoops
they should have it HH why change it when its been happening for years 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
Of course it should be scrapped and only brought back if / when the rangers win it. I don't recall anyone trying to do away with it during the financial doping years of the original rangers.H.H.
Even Benbecula got a mention ,well done from Sydney Australia
Give Cover Up FC NOTHING
A club who is in the process of paying out victims of SA millions in compensation after the biggest cover up in sporting history, deserves absolutely nothing.
I wouldn't give a guard of honour never in a million years & am a Celtic fan!
Of course it should be scrapped , THE CHAMPIONS don't need coins or broken glass thrown at them , even at the shitpit . COYBIG , GLASGOWS GREEN AND WHITE , AND DONT FORGET , THERES ONLY ONE TEAM IN GLASGOW . HAIL , HAIL , From , Johannesburg . 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
You are talking shit! Its about demonstrating good sportsmanship!
Hight of respect
Basic sign of respect contrived or not, It shouldn't be the way that a guard of honour is even an issue, but here in Scotland accept that it is…. 8:10 please don't Dissect people Peter ! Drinking in a public place has been banned for ages and it still goes on, we do not have police recourses to deal with more incidents given the amount of games and fans. imo.
Your only having this conversation because it's rangers ….if it was Aberdeen away you wouldn't even mention it. Rangers are the most bigoted club in Scotland and you should be calling them out for refusing…not asking should it be scrapped
Ironic that the panel cited'civilised drinking' at rugby matches as evidence that it should be re-introduced in Scottish football, having previously slagged off the guard of honour as a nonsense. The fan rivalry vibe in Rugby is different from football. Rugby does not have any issue with the guard of honour. A mark of respect shown on the field that translates to the fans
only do when rangers win, so every 15 years or a pandemic
Peter I've just put this journos on and your opening statement was about barry ferguson AGAIN!! your right up hid ass, no way you grew up a celtic fan, gtf wae ferguson comments your making an arse ah yourself!!
It gets spoken about every year because it used to happen back in the day. Because SEVCO is real let’s not talk about it.🇮🇪
Gordon Parks of the daily Record . He was the scoop when asked by his boss Keef Jackson when covering the story for the paper , " how certain was the deal for McInnes to be the next theRangers head coach back in the day ? " Replying he said " as sure as night follows day ! " Oops a daisy …..Lots of Record sports reporters making huge gaffes and predictions over the years !
just listened to your podcast and can't believe you didn't discuss the chance of a Scottish team getting the chance of a European semi final
Very enjoyable show though lacking in anything resembling friction so my thoughts are that PETER should invest in a pretty large carry oot might get the JOURNOS going a wee bit..
Wee John McGinns goal against PSG was special running from inside his own half all the way up to the edge of opposition penalty box & bang , back of the net . No assist it was all him .
slow news day if this is a debate,,,,pathetic.
We are the media PMSL
Who are the guests?
Let’s get this straight. Celtic neither need one or want one.
Red neck turning up in the same clothes
No way Hearts are in the bottom six! I missed this weekends fixtures. Sack Critchley! He's got to go!