PASS ME ANOTHER SLICE OF EUPHORIA

Eck got us high in Paris - now it's up to Old Firm and Dons to keep feelgood factor alive
Traynor
ODD feeling isn't it? And no, I'm not talking about that sensation you get when you look in the mirror in the morning and wonder when the stranger moved in.

But it is peculiar this kind of numbness which has descended like a heavy, damp cloth on the nation's mood.

One moment we are all giving it yahoo in the wake of Scotland's tremendous triumph in Paris and the next we're close to moribund. The pulse has slowed, the exhilaration has subsided and you realise walking on air has a down side.

Gravity always drags you back down and when the adrenalin rush has ended reality slaps you around the head. You look up and see Scotland is still a little nation with big social problems and guess what? It's still bloody raining.

There will be no apologies for helping those of you who are still playing extra time from last week by asking the wife: "Come on Ally vouz the matin?

"Gonnae geeza petite cafe au lait? Oh, et deep fry moi wan ae thae croissants? Gracias doll!"


Advertisement


Sooner or later, though, we have to come back to the real world and that's why Saturday was a letdown. Plenty of matches, loads of goals and incidents and bizarre calls by refs yet it was all still a bit flat.


Blame Big Eck. He sent that team out to beat France. It was he who made us dream about qualifying for Euro2008 and it's his fault the country's population got stuck somewhere between reality and fantasy.


For a few days Scotland was like a huge home for the demented. People wandered around with daft expressions as though matron had doubled the dose of happy pills.


But the feelgood factor subsides and from having been shot through the roof by James McFadden's goal our senses lost elevation and crashed into the basement.


Saturday should have been enjoyable but not even the scoreline from Recreation Park - yes, I know I'm an Airdrie fan and we were at home, but it's always good news when the creepy crawlies are gubbed - could dispel the cloud of apathy.


When Scotland win, when they stand up, reach out and grab the glory there is no better high and it takes time to recover from such delirious times. Usually we need to work at making the normality of our leagues seem exciting but not this time.


The Champions League begins for real tomorrow with Celtic against Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine then Rangers' home tie against Stuttgart. Then, on Thursday Aberdeen take on Dnipro in the UEFA Cup.


These matches have just sort of tip-toed up on us while we were all so focused on Scotland's European Championship exploits. For once the Champions League wasn't allowed head room but now that Big Eck's boys are having a break from national service the biggest club show on earth is about to kick in.


So, too, is the adrenalin. If you are a supporter of football and this country you are about to jump back on to the rollercoaster with the Old Firm and the Dons.


Celtic, of course, are the only side going into Europe with a win behind them. They thrashed Inverness 5-0 while Rangers lost 4-2 at Tynecastle and Aberdeen were beaten 2-1 at home to Motherwell but European competition can bring out the best in players and that's what Walter Smith and Jimmy Calderwood must be hoping.


And Gordon Strachan? He knows he has players capable of turning a match with one touch but even though Celtic were banging them in from all over the place on Saturday the manager knows Shakhtar are a very able outfit.


One of the richest men in Ukraine, Rinat Akhmetov, owns Shakhtar and he spent £41million bringing in seven signings during the summer. They have six Brazilians including youngsters Ilsinho, a £7m full-back, and wide midfield player Willian, who is valued at £9.5m.


The other Brazilians are Fernandinho and Jadson, also midfielders, and front runners Adriano Luis and Brandao, who scored against Celtic a few years back. But he might not play this time because Shakhtar raided Livorno to sign Cristiano Lucarelli, who has just earned a return to the Italian national squad.


Clearly, Akhmetov means business and Shakhtar, who are top of their league, will be extremely tough opponents.


Even so, Strachan has reason for optimism with players such as Shunsuke Nakamura, Massimo Donati and Aiden McGeady on form and Celtic could help resurrect the nation's feelgood factor before we move on to the next night's helping.


Rangers are not in the best shape for their game against Stuttgart but Smith has the consolation of knowing his players can't be so lacklustre two games in a row.


But more than a few of his troops will have to find more than they have shown so far.


DaMarcus Beasley has to do more than flit around the edges of games. He is too easily dispossessed and so far has done nothing more than flatter to deceive.


If the American is really a player Wednesday would be a good time to prove it but Daniel Cousin has to impose himself more often as well. Then there is Alan Hutton who reverted to his old ways on Saturday by lunging into a stupid challenge on Kestutis Ivaskevicius which gave Hearts apenalty at a time when Rangers were dragging themselves back into contention.


Smith's team will have to be at their best if their Champions League campaign is to avoid derailment on the first leg of the trip.


The same applies to Aberdeen, although it is difficult to see who can step forward and score for them. They are having a miserable start in the SPL but one good result at European level can spark a season and that's what Calderwood is looking for.


With a bit of luck the country could be walking on air again by the end of this week and before we know it Scotland will be back in action against Ukraine.


Isn't it great to be alive? Isn't this old game just terrific? And by the way, who is that in the mirror? Can't be me. He's smiling.