UEFA Euro 2024: Mod Note Added 2/7/24

RTE Panel level of research and homework impressive. Fallon had her young fella researching the age profiles of each squad.

It is night and day compare to the level of work the panelists put in in the not too distant past. I can remember a world cup where John Giles was laughing about knowing nothing about either side.

If Spain get the win tomorrow, they might well put out a B side in the last game against Albania alright. Decent enough position to be in considering the group they got drawn in.

I don't mind that being given, but it'd nearly always be given as a free so can understand the frustration

Ooof some effort, probably should've scored the rebound

this is shaping up to be a great game

Hungary looking much sharper now than in that first game. Some lovely little pieces of play to move between the lines.

One of my TA around modern footy is the unnecessary changing of kits.

Both teams wearing their away kits today. Germany playing in Germany wearing purple.

Both could have worn their home kits today, the colours the world knows them all by. The colours of their flags ffs. But no, wear your away kits, cos we have to sell them.

That was a great chance for Varga to level the game. Instead he headed over.

Really well worked goal. Germany do look to have an extra bit of class compared to everyone else so far this tournament.

I thought their very high press they played against Scotland would catch them out today but they are even further forward and seem to still find space.

It was mentioned in RTE commentary that Germany's Purple Away Kit, is their fastest selling away kit in their history.

I know we are known as the greatest fans in the world but I have to say the Tartan army are pushing us close...incredible support

Good break. Bit of luck, but the Scots go one up.

I felt Scotland would need help to score. And that's what has happened. Switzerland with a moronic own goal. It was going straight into the goalkeeper's hands otherwise.

They lose a fair amount of credit for the awful noise of the bagpipes bag of tortured cats. There's a tonne of them over in Germany going around playing, thinking people want to hear that hellish noise.

The start Scotland needed, albeit pretty fortunate. Long way to go though.

That's top class. Scotland the plonkers

Now that's a proper goal. Quality strike from Shaqiri into the top left hand corner.

What the hell was that pass about

What a goal for Shaquiri though - unreal strike

Shaqi can. Superb finish. Horrible error from Ralston though. Big test for Scotland now, I could see them folding.

Was going to say did I hear it right about him, some finish to shut him up (if only)

Good break by Switzerland. Decent save by Gunn, but the finish wasn't good enough.

Now it looks like Gunn has gotten away with a mare.

I think they’ve actually responded quite well since losing the goal. You’d have to say the Swiss look the more likely though.

Lots of stuff McClean said.

Volleyball the night before the Spain Game Euro 2012

Back in Euro 2012 he was on about how Trapattoni did not really engage/communicate with him. So through the Trap press conference McClean was under the impression that he would not be playing (only just out of LOI) and was there for experience.

The night before the Spain match he saw people playing volleyball on the beach and decided to join in. His phone was going mad. John O'Shea told him to "get off the f**king beach". Then McClean ended up coming on as sub against Spain after all that.

Criticised Trap on Twitter 2012 after a win v Kazakhstan (A) WC Qualifier

The next episode he had was after the Euros Ireland were due to play the Kazakhstan. McClean was convinced he would start or at least play. As Trap was "bigging him up" in the media. But he stayed on the bench.

And what did McClean do? He was shown how to access roaming on his phone by one of the lads on bench. So he decided to go on twitter and say congrats for the result. Even though he "Didn't "f**king play".

At this stage according to Kevin Doyle (sitting beside him in studio).- Doyle said most of the Irish squad thought that McClean would have a very short international career. But McClean apologised to Trap. Trap was OK with that but said if he ever did that again, he would never play for Ireland again.

Mclean on Ireland's preparation for the Euro's in 2012

He said in hindsight the preparation was not professional and all over the place. Which he realised when he compared the 2016 Euros.

In 2012 McClean and Doyle said the Irish team hotel was like a non stop party because it was central in town and full of Irish fans. The players could not go down to the lobby or they would be swamped by fans. McClean also said he saw John Delaney singing drunk in the bar etc etc as well. Which was not a great example to the squad.