Scotland No. 2 Peter Houston has described Ian Black as one of the best players in the SPL.
Black was called into the Scotland squad on Sunday night for Wednesday’s game against Australia despite dropping down to the Third Division with Sevco.
The midfielder has one of the most brutal disciplinary records in the game picking up 13 yellow and 2 red cards last season in 38 games.
Every opposition supporter will have their own memories of Black’s ‘combative’ style with Joe Ledley on the receiving end of a typical challenge last season in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup against Hearts.
Defending the midfielders inclusion in the Scotland squad Houston claimed: “Ian Black is a talented player. The reason he is here is that we are looking for someone who can sit and play passes, more of a defensive type.
“We are quite short of that because of the call-offs. It was quite an easy decision. Ian Black’s name was foremost in our thoughts and certainly the backroom staff’s thoughts and the manager’s.
“He is delighted to be here, and I think he is here on merit. The manager did say that Lee Wallace would still be in his plans so I don’t see why Ian Black wouldn’t be,” Houston added.
“Ian has played SPL football for a number of years now and every single year we talk about him being one of the best players. I have always thought that Ian Black, even last year, was unlucky not to break into the squad.
“When we had everybody fit, that’d maybe be why he wasn’t in it last year. Craig’s rated him as a player. The boy is delighted to be here. He was here last night, within an hour of being called-up. Good luck to him if he gets the opportunity.”
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Dirty little ba***rd!!
Houston just a dirty little hun. With no team to follow, scum
2nd rate player, playing for a 3rd rate team, oh and i 2nd that a dirty little barsteward!
from that selection i take it Scotland will be playing with 10 men on a regular basis.
I’m sure his inclusion will add 000s more to the gate to see his silky skills. Yet people wonder what is wrong with Scottish Football when thugs like Black who can’t play but is paid £ 000s per week to ensure those that can are not allowed to do so….Entertainment dream on.
Levein & Houston deserve all that is coming their way….P45s. Scotland as ever are going nowhere with these clowns in charge.
Many players leave Scotland … To play at the highest level they can …
To test themselves against better players on a consistent basis …
Black,Kyle and Sandaza moved down to the pishy
3rd div for what?
Their career ?
To test themselves
No ! For cash !
No desire to improve
No desire to go up against an opponent whom will improve them
No desire full stop
I gave levein the benefit of the doubt adter4-6-0 gate …
He is now making us the laughing stock of international football
He must walk !
Ps
Bocanegra goian have been dropped for these very reasons
Goian is easily the worst defender in Scottish Football.
He’s struggling with a team in the 3rd division. Says it all really. Maybe if fat Sally hadn’t came out and criticised levein for leaving Wallace and black out then he may not have even been considered in the first place!
Ian Black has been regularly described by the radio pundits like Hugh Keevins as being a nasty character. I wonder if this label will still apply.
Houston: “He is delighted to be here and I think he is here on merit”.
You THINK he is there on merit? You mean you’re unsure? Dubious.
Ian Black, If ever a man was born to play for rangers it’s him, too bad it’ll never happen 😀
The first 5 seconds of this video are my definition of dilemma, do I love it because of the victim, or hate it because of the culprit. Ach I hate them both equally!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_deWx3LB7p4
Houston was struggling to put a positive slant on Craig Levein’s statement only the week before that he: ”couldn’t pick players from the Third Division because they are not playing at a consistently enough high level.” Well, well, well one week later and the ‘brotherhood’ strikes again. This time the Third Division ‘sev-cogers’ hatchet man Black has been included to crunch in a few tackles, break a few legs and shove a few Aussies around in the name of sport. A good enough reason to stay at home that day. . .cheating, corruption and bias. . . welcome to Scottish Football.
He’s a worthless little C*nt