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They are missing key players due to Covid 19. They were also awarded a league title due to Covid 19. Can’t have it all ways.

Why focus on Wilshere? I can see that he is a free agent but he's not even a former Rangers player. Meanwhile Flanagan is still available!

There's no doubt in my mind that at some point our players will come down with this as well so we have to hope we can cope when it happens. However, IF (and it's a big if right now), Forrest, Eduoard and Christie are all missing a week on Saturday then that's a big bonus for us and it's something we need to take advantage of.

Okay, Holicom have gone, or have they? I don’t know, is it a case of meet the new Boss, same as the old Boss? Whom ever, whatever has taken over ra Sellik PR, the results are stunningly similar. Two instances occurred in Glasgow overnight, broadly similar instances of vandalism and graffiti, let’s have a look on how both are reported by main stream media. Easterhouse is a sprawling scheme in the north east of the city, notorious with multi-social and economic deprivation. Last night, a grouping decided to take a spray can to the local Sports Centre, the message was familiar, “UB-07” and “Kill all Tai-gs”. Simply, it’s sectarianism writ large. The Evening Times journo, Jack Haugh calls it out, and quite rightly too, “Vile Glasgow Bigots” is the headline and the following several paragraphs condemn in equal measure. A ready and waiting raft of political and professional talking heads deliver suitable condemnation and reasonable consequence. Councillor Ruairi Kelly says, “this type of behaviour costs the people of Glasgow thousands of pounds to clean up and nobody should have to see intimidating messages on walls, making them feel unsafe in their own neighbourhood”. Councillor Kelly is a regular contributor in this type of incident, he goes further, “I will be following this up with the local police and housing associations to ensure those responsible are made aware of how unacceptable this is to the residents of Easterhouse”. Next up is Nil by Mouth’s, David Scott, he suggests society would be better off without such idiots. He states, “those responsible are scraping the barrels of idiocy” He continues, “if, after months of people facing down this pandemic together, regardless of colour and creed, this is the best these morons have to offer society, they need to know we are better off without them” MSP, Ivan McKee pitches in, “I want to see this vandalism dealt with as swiftly and decisively as possible”. I think it is all fair comment, it’s measured, and offers a way ahead. Terms such as vile, morons, and idiots are appropriate. There is a barb that Gersnetters might recognise from listening to Cosgrove on BBC Scotland? You know where we are placed on the sidelines, raging and beefing; all three contributors place the perpetrators out with society, at the very least not worthy of society. The second incident occurred at Patrick Thistle’s ground, Firhill. Israel have been training in Maryhill, in preparation for tonight’s match at Hampden against Scotland. There’s a familiarity about the vandalism and graffiti, “Israel ensures Palestinian blood flows”. The frontage of the stadium is daubed in red paint and the strap line is repeated along the length of the main stand. Those responsible are termed, “pro-Palestinian campaigners”. Jack Haugh reports police inquiries are continuing. You may remember, a month past the same thing happened at Hampden? The same message, the same red paint, the same 70-80 members of the Green Brigade flying Irish flags, gathered to shout abuse at the Israeli team bus. Tonight, the Green Brigade are promising another similar protest at the national stadium. The North Curve(a campaigning nome de guerre - like all those Irish republican resident associations back in the day) have again claimed responsibility. Oh, let’s remind plod - police inquiries are continuing. Do not expect any arrests. We have had three incidents in as many months in Glasgow, all perpetrated by the Green Brigade; the 4-5 hour amble around the city centre changing road and street signs, the Hampden ruckus, and now Firhill. We have not had a single comment from Nil by Mouth, Councillor Rhuiri Kelly, Ivan McKee MSP, ........... or evening the Chief Rabbi of Scotland. simply, they have not been asked, and won’t be. Some vandalism is to be condemned and labelled vile, other vandalism is to accepted as necessary. I hope some of those deciding which is which, remember the old catechism, “who killed Christ, the Jews killed Christ”? The guys who used that excuses back in day were deservedly termed pariahs of society. Seriously, they claim it, they film themselves doing it, they receive praise from the usual suspects, and yet not one can call it out, THE GREEN BRIGADE.

Nothing to do with Hollicom. Everything to do with institutionalised prejudice of which very little is unconscious.

No guys we aren’t taking up arms... ?? This is Jean and Les who are the Restoration of Rangers Grave Project gardeners.They work tirelessly at keeping the plots of our legends at Craigton Cemetery in pristine condition. The worldwide Rangers support says thank you ??

The St Mirren keepers did nothing wrong either but still had to play their game....

Well, all kinds of everything?

While I'm at it, one more random fact. Walter Smith only lost the first Old Firm game of the season once and it was the 94/95 season. For his very high standards, that was one of his worst seasons. Knocked out of Europe, the League Cup and the Scottish cup very early. Won the leaugue of course but only won 1 of 4 games against a very poor Celtic side who finished 4th. That loss didn't bode well for the season.

Whilst this is true we all knew they would win the league anyway had it been played to a finish.

He can still train alone on a treadmill. Not ideal for them but he shouldnt completely lose match fitness in 10 days.

Since promotion, our record in the first Old Firm of the season is horrendous. 16/17 - 5-1 Loss Away 17/18 - 2-0 Loss at Home 18/19 - 1-0 Loss Away 19/20 - 2-0 Loss at Home Incidentally, in each of Walter Smith's 4 seasons in his second spell as manager, he didn't drop a point in this fixture. I think it carries a lot of weight psychologically and sets the tone for the season. The winner of this fixture almost always goes on the win the league. Even without them missing some big players, this is a great opportunity for Gerrard to put this record right and send the message that this is our season.

Balogun started his Rangers career well and looked very comfortable. Since returning from injury he's looked less so but that's fairly understandable until he retains sharpness again. I'd argue that Goldson and Helander are our best partnership but we're lucky to have another three centre-halves capable of stepping in when fit and available themselves.

There is a fair chance that we will have similar problems at some point this season. Sadly this season might turn into a farce too.

Expect several of their players to fail tests now

The Fluffers. This piece is specific to BBC Radio Scotland’s broadcast on the afternoon of Saturday, 3rd October’20. The evening before saw four Scottish Premiership fixtures, one was postponed ie Motherwell-Kellie, and the other two fixtures played out on Sunday. There was no Scottish football on Saturday, 3rd October. It was a blank canvas awaiting paint. Ninety minutes on the national broadcaster was handed over to Peter Lawwell’s Fluffers. The SPFL Chief Executive, Neil Doncaster, the SPFL Vice Chair, Mike Delaney, and Sellik TV’s Michael Stewart made a pitch. I have waited to see how much the trio were in tune with new, modern Scotland. Another full throated consumer of Peter’s cock, Chris McLaughlin delivered the uninspiring verdict yesterday afternoon. Back at the start of Lockdown, I was the recipient of a Literature quarterly review. It dealt with an unheralded niche of fairly modern popular reading habits. From the mid sixties to the late seventies, a group of authors ie Jaqueline Susanne, Harold Robbins, Sydney Sheldon, ..... etc rode a genre wave that led to Hollywood Babylon. Formulaic blockbusters demanding a major sex scene in the first dozen pages, beloved of bored housewives and teenage lads. Before Kenneth Anger penned Hollywood Babylon, these books took lurid anecdotal Hollywood gossip, changed the context to include in their hoary narratives. We had to guess at the name of, ‘the human ashtray’ a Hollywood heart throb who demanded his boyfriends stub out their cities on his chest. Jaqueline, Harold, and Sydney teased with tales without names. Anger followed upon a few instances, Robbins in one of his early tomes partly told the story of well paid trio called, ‘the Fluffers’. They were controlled by an Agent who ran the Hollywood gay porn scene, and regularly starred in one of Hollywood’s ongoing productions. Burt Ward was Robin to Adam West’s Batman, his big earner was the the Fluffers. The vibrancy of Hollywood porn was dependent upon keeping their desire tumescent. On Saturday, Big Dick introduced Neil, Mike, and Mikey and handed over the show. It was rehearsed, kept to the script, and Michael Stewart emphasised and reinforced when necessary. Neil began with the Scottish football industry being held to a competitive disadvantage. Mike Mulraney opined the Scottish Government being behind the European curve; further he stated that science was not driving decisions, it was now political. Both Doncaster and Mulraney expressed an intention to maintain pressure on the Scottish Government. Michael Stewart provided the summation, “Neil and Mike have been up front, honest, and on the point”. Mulraney told us, “our fans are frustrated and have had enough”. Doncaster told of speaking to a Premiership Chairman earlier in the week, “he told me his club had over 800 local suppliers in his club’s area”. Michael becomes strident, “the Barnet consequential are not enough” and ends with,”our football clubs are much loved institutions, in this case the Scottish Government is wrong”. The pitch reached the crescendo, Michael wanted fans back in grounds in substantial numbers, at least 30%. He questioned Neil on assurances given to the SG, “the Government know the professionalism is in place, once accepted, can we scale this up quickly as confidence returns Neil”? Doncaster confidently replies, “absolutely”. The Ginga Ninja finishes with, “we are all working as one, Scottish football stands shoulder to shoulder”. Yesterday, Chris McLaughlin reported the meeting of both Doncaster and Mulraney with Scottish Government Sports Minister, Joe Fitzpatrick. Apparently, some money will be available, an unquantified amount. One would hope Doncaster can carry such newly found vigour into his quest to find the SPFL a sponsor? One worries at Willie Miller after hearing the trio say the SG actions were not clinical but political, he wants Nicola voted out if she won’t listen. One hopes Peter has his understanding head upon his shoulders when Mikey has to report back? I thought his Scottish football working as one and standing shoulder to shoulder was worthy of caped superhero, Robin banging his fists together and proclaiming, “holy smoke Batman”? I know, I know, ninety minutes handed over for that; however, I hope it becomes a regular feature. What is more important to the nation than the task of keeping Peter perky?

Two different types of player both good in their own style IMO.

I trust that Ryan Jack and Jon McLaughlin have barricaded themselves in their rooms.

Some years ago, Scotland's Shame FC signed a striker from Norway. His name was Harold Martin Bratbaak, and he had a rather good scoring record in the Eliteserien (if such it was called, then). He flew into Scotland to be hailed at the airport by hordes of devout and dedicated sellik fanatics, and that was just the media. However, far from a Norse God, or a Viking Thunderboots, what emerged from the 'plane was a bespectacled chap who looked less a footballer, and more a mild mannered accountant. He played a couple of years for the fhilth, was not terribly successful as a striker, and returned to Norway. With an irony, which may only be described as immaculate, he subsequently played for Rosenborg FC, in the CL, against the beasts from the East, and scored both goals in a 2 - 0 victory, which, a f a I recall, ejected them from the Competition. Oh how we laughed! When I saw the photos of their newly borrowed full back, involuntarily, and immediately, Harald, who had completely passed from memory, came to mind.

I think that is a great point. Part of the reason those players you mention are here is down to him. It is no secret that Gerrard was a great admirer of Wilshere. He is quoted in 2013 as saying he could win 100 caps with England. Now 7 years on and an injury strewn career since, we will just have to wait and see if he still feels he could offer us options! Interestingly the first ex Celtic player to pour cold water on it? Step forward the legend that was Carlton Cole! Carlton states Wilshere won't be able to play on plastic pitches. Well Carlton, from what I recall from your time here, you couldn't play on grass ones either!?

One other thing that hasnt been mentioned with respect to Wilshere, which I think we all should acknowledge..... if we didnt have Gerrard as manager would Wilshere even consider us ? We have had a few players now since Gerrard came in where you think "did we really sign him" - Defoe, Roofe, even Hagi. Gerrard commands respect even in management. Clearly we need him to win us silverware but WHEN that happens we could very much end up the dominant force in Scotland again with Celtic eyeing us enviously whilst they have Lennon snarling along..... "quietly terrified" indeed Graham Speirs...

i expect lots of clubs are talking to Wiltshire we would be remiss not to be one of them.

An old mucked of Gersnet pitched up on BBC Scotland last evening, on the Nine. The President of the NUS(Scotland), Matt Crilly ironically stated, “undergraduates are paying for a service they don’t receive”. Now, we’ve had John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon offering mixed messages to Scotland’s undergraduates this last week. First, it was a case of any undergraduate in residence was not allowed to visit the parental home, against the law said Nippy. Being populist and noting parents were arriving in cars at the doors of Uni’ residences, and removing their little darlings; Nicola and John decided such actions were not against the lockdown laws, and it’s okay to go home for Christmas too. Crilly on BBC Scotland, highlighting the injustice of students being charged for accommodation they won’t be using, must surely tug at a heartstring? Every Rangers supporter does similarly, we pay our BBC license fee and receive no service. I am positive Matt can be trusted to pursue our injustice along side the one being experienced by his members? Given Holicom no longer hold ra Sellik account, anyone know who has taken over ra push for ten?

It is a shame Hollicom appear to have departed ra Stade de Gadd. I understand when ra Sellik play the next Europa Cup game at home, and have no issues; it will be a club record. Three home games in a row without a UEFA fine. A club record a long time in the making and Hollicom won't be there to trumpet it.