Will Gio remain in charge at Rangers and who will win the World Cup? - Monday Jury
The domestic duties are in cold storage after the tournament kicked off in Qatar on Sunday.
Do England have any chance of winning the World Cup?
KEITH JACKSON: No. They have some world class players but a manager who simply doesn’t know how to get the best out of them. They’ll get through the group but they won’t get much further than that. DAVID MCCARTHY: No. Their defence isn't strong enough to withstand the quality they'll have to face at some point in the tournament. If they get to the last eight, they are likely to face France and that will be that. MICHAEL GANNON: No chance. England are a decent side and no doubt they’ll top their group and land another cushy draw in the last 16. But they can’t avoid the big boys all the way so will run into trouble in the quarters.
ANDREW NEWPORT: With the attacking talent on offer to Gareth Southgate of course they've got a chance but the likes of Kane, Sterling and Foden can't afford to miss a beat with the dodgy defence of theirs.
If it's not coming home then where is it going?
KEITH: Buenos Aires. After everything Lionel Messi has given this game of ours over the years there could be no more fitting finale than the little magician lifting the biggest prize of all. DAVID: Buenos Aires. This will be Lionel Messi's last crack at it and he is surrounded by a team of top players, brimming with self belief after winning the Copa America in Brazil last year and on the back of a 36-match unbeaten run.
MICHAEL : It’s hard to see past Brazil. They’ve got a frightening frontline and their defence is rock solid these days. They will take some stopping. ANDREW: For all the joy Leo Messi has given us down the years, my heart would love to see the wee man finally claim the one prize that's eluded him so far. My head, however, says it's a toss up between France and Brazil.
What did you make of Gianni Infantino's pre-tournament press conference?
KEITH: It was an absolute disgrace. When he landed the presidency he should have positioned himself as some sort of anti-Blatter. If anything he’s even more blatantly narcissistic than the last guy. An utter embarrassment to the game. DAVID: Infantile. Self-indulgent nonsense. He basically accused everyone who is against the World Cup being held in Qatar as being racist. The own goal of all own goals. MICHAEL: A total riddy. The FIFA chief was absolutely shameless and he would have been better just keeping the head down instead of ramming his foot in his mouth. Embarrassing beyond belief. ANDREW: More bizarre bluster from FIFA 's top brass which only served to insult the minority groups actually suffering at the hands of the Qatari regime. What is it about the game's governing body and their habit of picking absolute bangers as president?
Will Gio van Bronckhorst still be in charge at Rangers when the World Cup is over?
KEITH: Yes. The accident prone Rangers board has fluffed its lines again. Van Bronckhorst will remain in charge until the Old Firm derby on January 2. Win it and he’ll soldier on. Lose it and they’ll finally be forced to act. DAVID: Looks like it, doesn't it? You'd have to think that if GVB was getting the boot, it would have happened by now to give the Board time to get a replacement before the ball starts rolling again. MICHAEL: Unless a big name potential replacement pops up then it looks like he might be allowed to continue. It’s a gamble as van Bronckhorst will be living game to game the moment he gets back, and that’s no real way to operate. ANDREW: It's looking more and more like it, given you'd expect the Ibrox board would want to give his replacement as much time as possible to work with his new team. They better hope GVB can get a reaction when they return to action against Hibs, otherwise the backlash might just whip all the way up the marble staircase.
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