Leaderboard

Sweet Thursday. I don’t know, does John Steinbeck still hold sway? He wrote what he knew, the Monterey peninsula was the every time setting. Political commentary such as ‘the Grapes of Wrath’ competed with pot boiling page turners, ‘East of Eden’, room had to be found for regular morality tales, ‘Of Mice and Men’, and relief was found in, ‘Canary Row’ and, ‘Sweet Thursday’. Steinbeck was an everyday reading type of Author. I have long loved the cannon, twenty-five years ago I dragged the wife to California for a month, to pay homage. Standing on a corner of downtown Gilroy, as an open backed truck full of garlic passed wafting a thermal wave, is a real test of eye-watering love of literature. Sweet Thursday is a tale of what’s important in life, the noise and light being created by the community whore house, store, restaurant, bar, ....... etc are the essentials of our eponymous hero, Doc’s existence. His very being, a Marine Biologist relies on the camaraderie, the contentment, the honesty of prostitution, the nostalgia, the superficial take on his community; it is his most particular eco-system. As unique as any other garden inhabited by an octopus. The PQ Gang Hut is a culture, as vibrant as any other smear in a petrie dish. The bombastic camaraderie on display reinforces the mental imagery demanded by radio. Scotland has two clubs left in European competition, Rangers and Sellik are vying for Europa Cup group stage qualification. Big Dick introduces the Blarney Bhoys, Willie Miller, James McFadden, and Billy Dodds at six O’Clock. The discussion on ra hooped horrors visit to Sarajevo lasted 35 minutes. Like Steinbeck and Monterey, this is familiar. Pat and Tom take us through the individual players, the sections of the team, the managements style of play, .... etc. Everyone contributes, everyone wants to he heard contributing, it’s hopeful, the Scots banner is being carried. Now, ra Sellik game kicks off at seven, so 25 minutes left for Rangers discussion? Well, there’s European tour golf being played in North Berwick. Brian McLauchlin reports for five minutes and mentions Paul Lawrie will probably sign off after this event. Cue Big Dick, Liam McLeod, and Willie Miller telling us all again how much a Dandy Don is our Paul. Tom and Pat contribute too, then camaraderie of that day’s golfing foursome is recalled in warm nostalgia. It begins with Tom, “ah hear Ireland won again”? Another five minutes disappears as Big Dick debates with the Blarney Bhoys, the nationality of their Producer, Frank. Paired with Pat, the Newton Mortgage broth of a Bhoy assures the listeners that Frank’s in-laws are all good Donegal stock. As bonding exercises go, the weekly golfing foursome must be the envy of all BBC Radio Scotland listeners? Those of us, and and I suspect we might be the majority, relegated to standing on the sidelines, raging and beefing; when is the Rangers preview? Finally, at a quarter to seven, Big Dick turned to Billy Dodds and for the next five minutes we endured an interrupted discourse of platitudes. Players not discussed, side not broken into departments, and our manager’s style of play might have been ....... well, anything ..... because Billy was cut off as Liam McLeod began his live pitch side interview with Neil Lennon. I understand Liam was inside PQ and Neil was standing in Sarajevo on a hot, sunny afternoon - where the hell is Gabriel Princeps when you need him? Rangers do not have a hand on that Scots standard, we don’ t participate in the golf foursome, we are not worthy of 35 minutes of discussion, our manager is not interviewed, Billy Dodds willingly sits on the naughty step and provides very occasional up dates from Rangers TV, ........ etc. Steinbeck knew a narrative had to contain honesty, the fact the only honesty available in Cannery Row came from the whores, meant that the fabric could not hold without their essential weave. At what point do the Gang Hut acknowledge this essential truth?

Unclear whether it's new cash or loans being converted.

So does Leigh Griffiths! Sorry, just couldn't resist that!

When Peter Lawwell says it’s closed..

Jimmy Greaves used to say funny ole game watching premier matches p,ayed in London we had a minute's silence for the police officer murdered then they all along with the officials cant wait to get down on their knees to support an organisation that wants to defund the police

Zungu is a done deal according to eskbank on RM

Don't expect it before the end of this season

One of those games, Barker got a well deserved goal and settled the nerves at the end, so he's getting my vote.

Me neither, but I guess there was the usual Scottish press cover-up.

I’m choosing not to believe this one until it’s confirmed. Ok I haven’t watched full games, but from watching every video out there of him he just looks ok, nothing special. And his injury and appearance record isn’t good. I’m hoping there’s a surprise yet to come today.

Net?

I think this is the guy who headed up fhilth fc's scouting operation, then went to Huddersfield, as DoF, on its promotion.

I don’t want to sell Morelos at all but not sure why it’s such an issue to sell him today - fact is, we’ve already brought in his replacements in Roofe and Itten. So it isn’t as if we then don’t have time to bring in a replacement when they are already here. i love the wee man, but Roofe looks a better player to me in his short stint. Mobile, knows where the bet is, brings others into play as well. And I get the impression he also can work a back line. id rather have both right enough

Midnight

Not a rumour in sight of an outgoing today though, it would seem very unlikely at this stage. I'm really surprised Morelos is still here. I feared we would overvalue him and I wonder if that is what has happened. I think we'd have a stronger team if we'd sold him and re-invested the proceeds into a couple of quality players.

I’m more concerned about possible outgoing than incomings if I’m brutally honest .

Going to be a loooooong day I think. I am more worried about losing players than bringing anyone in. I include Morelos in that, I would of sold him weeks ago but I don't think it would be sensible to do that today.

I don't follow English football anymore but I watched a 7 minute Youtube compilation of his play after which, naturally, I am a bit of an expert in all things Juninho Bacuna. He would definitely add to the squad in terms of flair and creativity. Though there would certainly be question marks over how he would manage physically and whether he could be consistent. I highly doubt there is anything in this link anyway.

Bacuna's profile fits, for me: can play as a #10, or deeper in a double pivot (from looking at Huddersfield's last few games). However, I think Bacuna the player is a little lightweight and inconsistent. He's still young, so there might be sell-on value. I like the role, but not so much the player. Saying that, I've read contrasting opinions regarding his character on the pitch.

Its weird, there are reports that we have gone back in but also that the reason we didn't sign him earlier in the summer was because he was overweight.

Or he's worth more to English clubs than we can afford. Sometimes neither the club or the player are at fault. It can just be the economic gulf between us and the EPL.

We come to the final day of the transfer window. I'm hoping for some movement. It's looking like it'll only be one, if any. So, if it is just one player added, one position strengthened, which position would you prefer it was? For me, it has to be a box-to-box midfielder; someone with a bit of dynamism and energy; someone that provides an attacking intent.

Exactly my thoughts when I seen this, normally a loan move for our better youth players is linked to a contract extension. There is no advantage to Rangers on this loan move otherwise. If he does well at ICT he will have more pre-contract options come January, unless of course a signs an extension.

I had this exact discussion with Kevin Thomson. He said they had done far better than us at bringing youths through but I pointed out that the likes of Forrest, McGregor, Tierney etc were all coming through when Celtic knew they would win the league by 30 points as they had no competition. Their golden boy, Karamoko Dembele (who by all accounts IS a very good player) can barely make the bench. Their “youth policy” since we have come back up and have started challenging again has been virtually non-existent. We do have some very decent youths like Dapo Mebude, Ciaran Dickson, Kai Kennedy, Leon King etc.... but they need to be patient and they need to develop.

Villa should have scored more a lot more they must be disappointed ?

Easy one, Tav... However special mention to Barker for his goal that killed the game.

Well done Brandon after seeing agony in your face when injured nice to see smiles today after goal welcome back.

What’s up with Defoe? I was really hoping he’d get on for the last 20-30 mins. I’m not one for shop window theories, but a part of me thinks that the club would quite like to cash in right now (on Morelos)

Games like today where a team sits in calls for 2 strikers. Keep putting balls into the box & put them under pressure. For long spells today we simply couldn’t penetrate them and had no plan B. I also think we were very fortunate not to concede today. Was Helander injured?

Not one destined for a Christmas DVD release but I'll take 3 pts and a clean sheet after a Euro game all day long. Job done. Move onto the next challenge. PS. Still not convinced about Jones. Very happy for wee Barker

I got swept up in the optimism and changed from my initial 2-0 scoreline... Correct Result (1 pt): Everyone who entered. Correct Number of Rangers Goals (1pt): compo, gaspard, and Ted FGS (2 pts): Stewarty and FS. Correct Score (3 pts): gaspard and Ted Latest Standings:

Very like last season , when we drop our tempo we allow these teams into the game , we need to be much faster with our passing , however given the performance in mid week I can let them off , however we need to be right on it after this break .

It's those games that need to be won, games no-one remembers in a months time and who will yet be one puzzle-stone that brings you silverware. You would hope we finally learn how to play against the "low block" a.k.a. the brickwall sides, even though the Stags did not dug in that much. It was more like the case that we tried to pass our ball into the goal rather than someone actually shooting. Alas, we're off to the Scumhut next and seemingly do better away from home. A Willem II result would do nicely.

Could analyse to death but it's a 2-0 victory after a huge / tough European performance and a tough run of games. Clean sheet, 2 goals, 3 points and back to top of table. Well done Rangers, Euro League group stages and top of the league.

Not good enough by a long chalk today. Far too many complacent performances and, although we dominated as usual, we were lucky to concede two goals whilst we struggled to create at times ourselves and really lost our way for a spell in the second half. However, the team have worked hard lately so they're entitled to an off day so time for a rest now and to get ready for the big one in a fortnight's time.

A good display from Chelsea earlier and that plonker Pickford's gift has given Brighton an equaliser

The charming Frank Cairney, up for shaving. Once more. This champion of the sellik cause, this "unsung hero of the Celtic story", this "confidante and mentor" of future stars, who "gave 30 years of his adult life championing the Celtic cause", was General Manager of their boys' club for seventeen (17) years, and was involved with kids, there, for some twenty (20) years. Might we see him in the dock, again? And again? From today's Times: Celtic Boys Club ex-chief Frank Cairney faces abuse charges Marc Horne Saturday October 03 2020, 12.01am, The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/scotland/celtic-boys-club-ex-chief-frank-cairney-faces-abuse-charges-0zmpggx5m Frank Cairney will face charges at Glasgow sheriff court on October 30 A former senior figure at Celtic FC’s feeder club will face charges of sexual abuse within weeks. Frank Cairney, 84, served as general manager of Celtic Boys Club from 1974 until 1991. The Crown Office confirmed that Mr Cairney, of Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, has been charged and is involved in a live case. It is understood that the charges relate to the alleged sexual abuse of young people. A Crown Office spokeswoman said: “Frank Cairney has one live case that is scheduled to call at Glasgow sheriff court as an adjourned first diet on October 30.” Mr Cairney took over as general manager of Celtic Boys Club in 1974, replacing Jim Torbett, the founder of the feeder club. In 1986 Mr Cairney contributed an article to a souvenir brochure produced to mark the 20th anniversary of Celtic Boys Club. He wrote: “We have helped to make a lot of young boys happy. It makes me even happier to think we are fulfilling a role in their development. I will have special thoughts for every boy who has represented the boys’ club during the 20 years of our existence.” Mr Cairney resigned from the boys’ club in 1991 after leading 20 teenagers and five adults on a summer tour to New Jersey. He was present at Parkhead when Tommy Burns, his former protégé, was presented as the new Celtic FC manager three years later. On July 29, 1994, the Celtic View, the club magazine, lauded Mr Cairney as “one of the great unsung heroes of the Celtic story”. Burns, who died of skin cancer aged 51 in 2008, said Mr Cairney had brought him to the boys’ club as a teenager and had been his confidant and mentor ever since, adding: “He’s given 30 years of his adult life championing the Celtic cause.” The 1994 report said: “Frank was brought into the Celtic set-up by [the manager] Jock Stein and [the chief scout] John Higgins. He was entrusted to set up the system which would help the under-16s on to the next step of the ladder. “That system has paid off with one of those raw recruits becoming the man in charge of the club.” Four years earlier the publication offered congratulations to Mr Cairney on his “20th year on the Celtic staff”. Comments for this article have been turned off