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Grabbing the Comfort Blanket. This is new, modern Scotland where nothing is hidden. Transparency trumps all, it's a firm no to sparing anyone's blushes. Off the Ball is petty and ill-informed, we know this because we've been told so for 27 years. The big stories are NEVER shirked. Thus, when the Scottish PF Office(and Crown Office) has reportedly already paid both David Whitehouse and Paul Clark £10 million each, another £4 million between them is expected to be awarded, and a public apology is about to be issued; we expect some meat on the bones? Both Administrators were victims of malicious prosecution. Big Sellik man and former Lord Advocate, Frank Mullholland was the man who boasted in his Golf Club about the fun to be found in administering justice amid Rangers implosion. DrStu' ignored both the pay out and any Mullholland conversation in favour of another big Sellik man, former long term Daily Record Journo, Anthony Haggerty. Tony was Saturday's guest and the topics up for discussion were favourite rants, best bets, and St Johnstone reaching the League Cup final. Since Tony's departure from Anderson Quay, he has matriculated at Galsgow Uni', studying English, hoping to become a Teacher. Tony is bashful and did not crow about his Degree trumping the other big Sellik supporting Haggerty, Angela had to settle for an HND from Cardonald College. Still, Cosgrove does not descriminate, Angela is a regular guest on his Media Review Podcast with Eamonn O'Neill. Just another outlet where DrStu' ignores the uncomfortable and inconvenient stories. Anyways, the comfort blankets were grabbed, the three best rants in Scottish football were John Brown in Edmiston Drive bellowing, "show me the deeds", Pedro in the bushes in Luxembourg, and Craig Levein and Eddie Thompson inside Ibrox lambasting Mike McCurry and Rangers. Warm and fuzzy was the name of the game and best bets had a familiar ring too. Tony told of sitting beside Ewing Grahame(yep, that one, the one sacked because of his unprofessional behaviour on Rangers trip to Stuttgart) as Bears departed Easter Road after losing the Ramsden final to Raith Rovers, congratulated Tony on his Rovers tip. Tam Cowan told of him and his auld man piling on Ajax to defeat Rangers in the CL in 1995, and Tony told of getting to Seville with his auld man because he won £11, 000. Just Tony, his Da', and another 100,000 crazed Bhoys in Seville? Forget the League Table, ignore Gerrard's two and a half year record in Europe, this is new, modern Scotland where events of six to 25 years past are more comforting. I've said it before, Cosgrove enters his seventieth year in November coming. False memory syndrome is an increasing problem for the denizen of Dennistoun. He recalled St Johnstone having reached the League Cup final twice before. In 1969, they lost 1-0 to the Lisbon Lions and in 1998 they lost to Rangers nine-in-a-row team. Well, not really, it was Dick Advocaat's first season. However, it was the next part, "we were unlucky, McBreen equalised for us and after extra time and penalties, Rangers got the cup". I attended said League Cup final at Sellik Park, the game did not go to extra time. Rangers won 2-1, goals from Guivarc'h and Albertz for the Gers, the Saints scorer was Dasovic. In new, modern Scotland, the history of Scottish football will be continually re-written on BBC Radio Scotland as you listen. Here's the thing, no one will disagree because Cosgrove is a know-it-all. Match Reports from under the Comfort Blanket. Chick Young occupied the PQ naughty step on Saturday. He was across all events at Ibrox, a euphemism for sitting inside a PQ studio watching Rangers TV. Both his half time and full time reports amounted to three minutes. We were told of the justice that ensued when Tav' had his penalty saved, because Morelos had been brought down outside the box. Oh, and it five zip Rangers because of exceptionally poor Ross County defending. As afternoon entered evening, Clive Lindsay's match report appeared on BBC Scotland's website. The highlights were, "Ross County's chocolate teapot defending" and Morelos being felled outside the box. This was Edited within the hour, 'the chocolate teapot' was removed. This morning, another report appeared lionising Rangers fourth goal. Apparently, 19 passes from our corner flag to Ryan Jack passing the ball into the net. Pity, both Chick and Clive were under the PQ provided comfort blankets? Blinded by the Comfort Blanket. We reach Sunday and Michael the Mouth also ignores the current League Table and Gerrard's record in Europe with Rangers. Dearest Michael has become Blind Harry. You know the Minstrel who told us everything we know about William Wallace, 200 years after his demise? Wrap the comfort blanket around your napper and become a Seer. Michael takes to the BBC website to tell us he wants Livi manager, David Martindale to rival Steven Gerrard for the award of Manager of the Year. I hope the American with the Australian accent has picked up the film rights. In perfect homage, I hope the ghost of Charles Hawtree plays the part of Michael Mouth.

Better than mediocre, Compo 58 Tests, 229 wkts @28.39. 159 ODIs, 235 wkts @26.42 https://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/13411.html

Zidane might be sacked shortly. He could end up at the Piggery, taking Benzema and Isco with him.

Perhaps our players aren't liars but misheard what Gardyne said. I hope Goldson can recover from whatever heinous insult he heard or thought he heard. Sounds like it was a traumatic moment.

What a strange topic!! The chances of Lampard or Benitez ending up there are between zero and nil. Pie in the sky. Plus why would Gilmour even contemplate leaving never mind going there?

hopefully he does go to celtc. what they need is a rangers supporting failure in charge.

We started discussing it in the Premier League thread in Football Chat ? Lampard at Celtic wouldnt be a nightmare for me at all. Gerrard was twice the player and proving to be twice the manager.

Yup - it shows you the difference between Roman's decision making and the likes of Arsenal and Man Utd who have stuck by Arteta and OGS (paying off at the moment but for how long). But it seems Lampards poor form has triggered Roman to upgrade to Tuchel which is shrewd. I think Howe at Newcastle would be a good fit as he is mostly a coach and will get onto the training ground and improve the current squad.

Quietly going about our business, while our "rival" is in the throes of an implosion... You love to see it.

Between the two of them ? Possibly.

Seems ok for me just now. Pm me if you get any errors please. (I can check these)

Odds on. I hear Peter has lined up £150 million transfer fund for Frank's rebuilding. That won't include a centre back or goalkeeper however, as Frank is happy to stick with Duffy & Barkas.?

I hope they're all okay. PTSD counselling might be in order.

Still better than mediocre. Very decent record at Test level.

Excellent news. I hope his new contract included a clause about getting his hair sorted out.

Amazing fuss about nothing.

So, Rangers players and staff are liars?

I seem to remember Real Madrid had similar debt problems 15 or so past. Didn't Madrid Council and central Government arrive at a fudge? Whereby Real sold a number of properties and tracks of land acquired under Franco's rule to central gov't and hawked their training ground to the council? I remember reading about it in the Spanish papers in Mallorca.

Subjective and probably wrong.

Legal settlements in civil actions aren't about merely replacing lost income. Could it be a reward ? Sure. Doesnt mean it is though.

Better regarding avoiding serious injury, yes i agree. Better regarding playing ability then i hope he is every bit as good because Stephen was a fine young player.

I recall some folks saying the same about Ryan Jack, Kamara too.

I think Tuchel will get more out of that squad.

Ouch! I can't see any basis for that assessment.

I think he's being bought to boost the homegrown players and to replace Stewart/Jones. Nothing to get excited about.

That's quite a stretch, asil.

Yeh he will. For a start he will get far more opportunities to run the ball and link up with other attacking players. I saw on their forum a number of them saying they play better football when he is in the team and Hedges is at his best when Scott Wright is playing. I think he could be a very decent backup player. One concern I would have is his finishing, I noticed in the highlights he isn’t exactly clinical. We’ll see I suppose.

Good business. Wouldn't mind getting him early.

True - it wont happen under Ashley but it was mentioned Rafa has unfinished business there. If a takeover went through and he was given a tidy transfer fund then Newcastle would be comfortable top 8 and I think would eventually win a cup. I really rate Benitez and was screaming for West Ham to go for him before Moyes. There is some good names available on free's right now - Benitez, Allegri and Tuchel.

Man U v Liverpool was a much better affair this time round than the borefest of their league meeting. Not a fan of either club but that was an entertaining watch (on mute and missing out the pre & post match stuff) with United deserving their victory.

There is no chance of Rafa returning under Ashley regime. If the takeover in the summer had been approved, Rafa would have been appointed in place of Bruce. I live in NE England. He is the Messiah in these parts. It was hoped with proper targeted investment he would have improved them. Although, Bruce is a Geordie, he is not held in high regard and his brand of football is soulless. We are so fortunate to have rid ourselves of Ashley and SD. His shadow hangs heavily over Newcastle Utd, if you think we've had it bad spare a thought for Toon followers. No silverware since 1969!

Finance Guru: Rangers in line to become richest Scot club amid Desmond reveal – Exclusive By Adam Williams speaking to Kieran Maguire - 21st January 2021 at 4:00pm Dermot Desmond and Celtic shareholders have given Rangers a helping hand to soon become Scotland’s richest club. So says finance wiz and new Football Insider columnist Kieran Maguire, speaking after a week of PR gaffes from the Hoops hierarchy. A widely criticised trip to Dubai and subsequent press conference meltdown from manager Neil Lennon came amid Rangers extending their yawning lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Celtic’s nine-year spell of dominance is collapsing, and so too is their financial advantage over Rangers. Maguire believes that the Parkhead moneymen’s decision not to invest in the club during their footballing supremacy may have opened the window of opportunity just wide enough for Rangers to slip through. He told Football Insider: “If the owner had put a little bit of money into the club, and he hasn’t put any money into the club for a long time now, Celtic could potentially have stretched the financial gap over their rivals to make it very, very difficult for Rangers to come back. “They didn’t do that and now Gerrard’s side are clearly competitive and going to win the Scottish Premiership this year. “I was on a radio show in 2018 and I said that Rangers just need one big season to eliminate the financial gap between themselves and Celtic. “If Rangers win the Premiership and qualify for the group stages of the Champions League, that would not only be eliminated but I think Rangers could potentially overtake Celtic in terms of their ability to generate revenue. “Although Europe is absolutely essential to that.” Celtic’s revenue fell by 15.8% to £70.2million over the last financial year — a pre-tax profit of £100,000. Rangers, by contrast, enjoyed an 11% upturn in revenue to £59m, although they posted a £15.9m loss. The Light Blues are accelerating away from Celtic atop the Scottish Premiership, with the gap between the clubs now at 20 points. In Europe, they have far outstripped their Glasgow rivals too, advancing to the first knockout round after Celtic finished bottom of their group.

We need the objectivity and clarity uniquely provided by the Rangers Tax Case Blog. After nearly two years and over a million impressions, the RTC Blog disappeared overnight. I was thinking they could shine a bright light into the dark corner that is Frank Mullholland, now Lord Mullholland. Three years past, Stuart Cosgrove said, "Rangers supporters should forget about the Rangers Tax Case Blog". I think folks would be most interested in how much the RTC Blog has cost - is costing the country?

"maliciously prosecuted" That's one hell of an admission. It says the justice system in Scotland is unfit for purpose and is operating on behalf of someone other than the people of Scotland - and in the absence of any stated remedy, that this remains the case today. And that is a characteristic of a failed state. It means you cannot trust anything from parliament to the judiciary to the justice service to the police. It's almost beyond words what has happened to this country.