I was about to post something similar re the English league to be honest. Nobody doubts the fact that they get the British game, but actually they don’t always get the Scottish game. It’s different. It’s a two horse race at best. Most times the other 10 teams play 11 behind the ball and counter attack you quickly. Breaking down teams isn’t always easy and often takes a good footballing brain, constant movement, quick feet or real physicality
I accept that when we were signing players from England, or English players from elsewhere, who were EPL and often international standard that was a good policy, e.g. Woods, Stevens, Butcher, Roberts, Wilkins, Spackman, Walters, Hateley, Falco, Francis, etc.
However, in recent times, we’ve been signing average guys on ridiculous money, on long contracts, and often renewing them for long periods when undeserved or they’re heading for the back end of their career. The only two exceptions of note have been the younger guys like Sterling and Bassey.
My view on the other recent British/English league background players signed::
Tavernier - Great for the money we spent, but there’s no denying that he’s a mediocre defender. He’s not that quick and has lost pace. He gets caught out of position too much and isn’t always quick at getting back. The superb goals tally blinds too many folk on here. An okay penalty conversion record at c80% if I remember rightly, can hit a good, sometimes great free kick, with good frequency, and chips in with some other goals. Not a great captain either as he’s not vocal enough. Disappears too often in the big matches as a defender (which is supposed to be his job), particularly against Celtic. I’m saying more about him because he’s almost as much of the problem as the solution. (And NO, he’s NOT the least of our problems, or the most, I accept)
Goldson - In the past has been a good organiser, but he’s not a top centre half. He’s okay in the tackle, but poor in the air (defensively and as a threat from corners) and caught out of position far too often. Also prone to massive brain farts. Wouldn’t even have him in my top 10 centre halves post Souness, yet if I’m not mistaken he’s our top earner?
Lundstram - Runs cold, then some hotter periods, then cold again. Too slow on the ball, slows our play right down, doesn’t pass quickly enough, doesn’t create much or score much. Defensively not bad. Worth £1m a year plus? Should we renew that? Nope.
Cantwell - Great on social media, and sometimes on the pitch. Generally does put in a shift though doesn’t create enough or score enough. Ultimately he’s not as good as he thinks he is.
Dowell - Good at jogging, gets injured a lot. Waste of wages.
Lawrence - Good at jogging, perhaps unlucky with the long injury early in his time with us, but too slow and main redeeming feature is occasionally he has a game where he shoots a lot.
Matondo - Generally nowhere near good enough. His performances are miss, miss, miss, miss, kind of hit (with a goal), then repeat pattern.
Kent - Gone but not forgotten. Couldn’t fault his work rate, but a hide and seek champion in the main. Shocking goals tally for a forward who had so much of the ball. Notable that the only time that was at an acceptable level was in front of no crowds, in line with his previous best work, in Liverpool’s academy team.
Flanagan - Rubbish, end of.
I could go on, but the general point is English league players no longer give us enough quality or good value. I don’t believe for a minute that we couldn’t get players from Scotland (imagine that!!) or say Scandinavia, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, etc for less who would be technically competent enough and actually have won trophies and have that winning mentality, more so than a lot of the journeymen we’ve been signing on high wages.