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In the run up to the 1986 World Cup the Scotland squad had a pre-tournament training camp in America prior to the tournament. It was being used to acclimatise the players to the heat and altitude they'd face in Mexico as well as to allow the management team of Sir Alex Ferguson and Walter Smith to work on tactics, shape and so forth. Rod Stewart, at that time living in Hollywood, threw a party and invited all the players. When Ferguson heard he forbid any players to attend. Needless to say a few quite fancied attending a party in Hollywood surrounded by starlets and an escape party was created and an escape and return was executed. One of the members of this party was Graeme Souness, at that time captain of Scotland, one of the most decorated players and senior members of the squad and also the new Rangers manager. Needless to say Ferguson found out and wasn't too happy. You get a group of guys together and impose rules on them some will look to break them, that's normal behaviour in my experience. Whether it's a works golf outing or a group of well paid professional footballers, there will be some who break the rules. I mean do we really think this isn't going on at every club in Scotland? I'll bet it is, the problem Paterson has is no one cares if 5 Livingston players and their girlfriends get together, no one would even recognise them. How many members of this forum have 'bent' the rules over the last 10 months? Those of us with teenage children, can we all really say that they've followed every rule by the book? Let he who is without sin and all that. This has almost certainly cost Zungu a contract, that's a big punishment. Paterson and Bassey could have realistically played a decent amount of first team football in the next two months. Paterson, had he come on last night, played well and continued to play well for the rest of the season could have even forced himself into the Scotland Euros squad this summer, right back is a problem position for Scotland after all. That's gone now. I get the anger and the disappointment, they did something stupid, something really stupid. I just don't think it should cost them their jobs, I don't see how that helps them or us.

Could have something to do with the fact people are not booting him up and down the park with impunity.

We've been doing the high line for a while now and it usually works pretty well as it takes something special t score a header from the edge of the box. Unfortunately, that happened last night along with poor marking. To be honest though, I think their first goal was very close to offside, and the chance late on from a similar free kick definitely was. The officials, including the VAR guys, were atrocious.

How much would it cost to buy a defibrillator for the house? I think I need to get hold of one before next Thursday.

I managed in just under 9000! It's on the forums now.

Most of those who attended the Rangers Wrexham game in 2019 came away raving about the performance the Rangers right back, who was the best player on the field before he went off injured and he's subsequently been one of the few who have broken through from the Academy into the first team squad, and he has impressed whenever he has had the chance to play for the first team. Last night's injury to Tav would have been the ideal opportunity for him to come on and show what he can do and perhaps get a run in the team but his idiotic behaviour last weekend and subsequently having to self-isolate has put paid to that. Gerrard is talking of looking externally for cover, suggesting that Patterson's career with us is over but should he be given another chance? Tannochside Bear put forward a well-argued and reasonable viewpoint. However, I would argue the opposite, and would allow him back in after the club's punishment has been meted out. TB says this wasn't getting into a fight outside a nightclub, and he's correct. It also wasn't players inviting round some random hairies that they've picked up on Twitter/Snapchat/Tinder like Jones and Edmundson. This was young players who see each other in training and are therefore in the same bubble getting together with their partners who are bubbled with each of them (I'm ignoring the fact that Dapo's on loan for the purposes of this!). While what they did is against the rules and should not have happened, it appears to have been done with relatively minimal risk. Yes, they deserve to be punished but does it mean that Patterson's career should be over? He's 19, and we've all made major mistakes at that age. I'd argue that some of Gazza's antics while at the club were worse than what these boys did. While I'm loathed to look at what other club's do, should Arsenal get rid of Aubameyang because of his tattoo? If playing Patterson was the difference between winning the league this season or not, would you be willing to sacrifice it to punish a boy for meeting friends, who are in the same playing bubble, and their partners who are bubbled. Nobody will be feeling worse than Patterson right now, and this could be kick up the backside that results in him having an outstanding career with the club. Does the punishment of the end of a career with the club meet the crime? I can understand those who say it does, but I'd argue that it doesn't and he deserves another chance.

There is an often used statement that there are no easy games in Europe, and that it is difficult to win away from home in Europe. Our amazing form this season makes a mockery of those statements. Lincoln Red Imps 0 Rangers 5 Willem II 0 Rangers 4 Standard Liege 0 Rangers 2 Benfica 3 Rangers 3 Lech Poznań 0 Rangers 2 Royal Antwerp 3 Rangers 4 P6 W5 D1 L0 F20 A6 I can’t quite believe these stats when looked at collectively, and I’m pretty sure if a certain other mhob had such a sequence of results an awful lot more would have been made of it. I was in Luxembourg to see the worst result in our history just a few short years ago, when we were the laughing stock of Europe, well they are not laughing at us now! I salute the management and players for this fantastic effort.

They've lost three home league games in the last couple of months and their November home group stage game with LASK of Austria, but last season the only home game they lost was the second leg of the Europa League play-off against AZ Alkmaar in August... and that was only after extra time... and it was moved to the Heysel/King Baudouin in Brussels. So there was a minimum 14 month unbeaten home record of some sort in there. Fearsome. Plus the thing to note about that game with AZ last season is they were a man down after 30-odd minutes and then, in the 75th minute, Lamkel Ze - he of the Anderlecht shirt to training who will play at Ibrox next Thursday - scores to put them 2-1 up on aggregate, jumps the hoardings to celebrate with the punters, gets his second yellow and they go down to nine: AZ equalise in the 90th minute. And after losing at home to LASK, by one goal, in this season's Europa League group stage double-header they went over to Austria and beat them by two. This ain't over. But it will be if we noise up Lamkel Ze in the tunnel.

It's been three months since our last update so thought provide you with the latest stats from our forum MotM votes so far this season (up to and including the Killie game). In the last few months we've seen Goldson and Barisic drop out of the top 5 being replaced with Morelos and Davis. I note the latter has been discussed as a possible PotY candidate in the media of late but it seems clear (even recently) that Kamara remains our top-performing midfielder when it comes to our forum users. Despite a drop off in his performances, the skipper is still top of the pile for now but, if his injury is a bad one, then it seems Kamara and Kent will battle it out for the forum PotY. Outwith the top 5 contenders, players such as McGregor, Goldson, Barisic, Hagi and Roofe all have a good share of the vote and it's very close from places 4-10. Anyway onto the stats! Votes Cast (at time of image creation): 910 Games Played (including Leverkusen 2nd Leg): 41 Number of Different MotM Winners: 14 Current Leader: James Tavernier (7 awards / 14% of the total votes cast)

I only we hadn't let Josh Windass slip through our fingers. That aside, it's very surprising none of our central defenders feature in the top five, given this is a season largely built on our defensive record.

Where's 'Flanno'?

It was a match strewn with errors, by both defences and the officials. Could've been 9-8.

A display like the old day's this team doesn't throw in the towel, well done Rangers For there's not a team like the Glasgow Rangers no not one and there never shall be one ,

That Antwerp team are far better on the attack than defending , we were miles better than them . But for a very lenient ref and some dodgy VAR decisions we would have won that out of sight . hope Tav is ok , we need to take time and get to the bottom oh Roofes calf issues for next season . lastly , don’t you just love the Rangers .

Worth noting that Morelos, after missing an early great chance, had a hand in all 4 goals. It is no coincidence that after 3 games of only scoring once he comes back into the team and we get 4 against a good opponent. Hope he can add goals too as we will be depending on him to score now that Roofe is out for another 6 weeks or so. So many talking points in this one, not going to be getting much sleep tonight!

Certainly a few candidates from last night. I thought Goldson was immense again, Davis again did well for long periods, Barisic was superb in the second half and Kent hugely important too but has to be Morelos who showed exactly how important to the team he is, explaining why people always want him banned.

BBC article about last night: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56123622 Leon Balogun, 32, took over at right-back and Gerrard has "no issues" with deploying the Nigeria defender there. "He did that in this German days," Gerrard said of the ex-Mainz player. "We've also got Ryan Jack, whose done it previously. We want to keep Jacko where he is and we don't want to put him back to using him as a right-back, same with Glen Kamara and Scott Arfield. We have got options in there; they're not the ideal options in terms of the midfield lads." Can any illiterate muppet get a job with the Beeb these days?

Think Big Edmunson still harbours hopes of rekindling his Rangers career - no huddle for him ?

He was clearly heard to say the words 'would of' last night. A sacking offence.

Some of the reactions are almost hysterical.

I can appreciate the comments of BD and others who say rehabilitate, only a teenager, we all do something stupid sometimes, etc. In any other situation I would probably be on that side of the argument as well. However, the seriousness of this situation cannot be minimised. A global pandemic, emergency laws brought in to control the spread, and for players they are told how important it is to keep to the rules, as all it takes is for one player to catch this by being at a party and not get caught, then the virus spreads through our whole squad. Or, we have half our squad having to isolate. This was pre-meditated. You dont end up at a party in a lockdown, and can put this down to a spur of the moment mistake. You choose to go to a party in full knowledge it is illegal, dangerous, and goes directly against what your bosses have told you that you can do. It is that level of stupidity and ignorance, coupled with sticking two fingers up at Gerrard, his coaches, teammates, and fans just so he can go to a party. I just cant get my head around that at all. Any player who doesn't stop to think about that before they proceed to go to the party, and who doesn't have the right people around him to tell him how ridiculous even the thought of that is, is NEVER going to be Rangers class. If Tav is out for the rest of the season, and the lack of cover with Patterson sacked costs us games either in Europe or at home, that is down to him and our rage and ire should be solely in his direction. For us to say, here's a fine and say you're sorry and you wont do it again, is just so out of step with the actions. It is nowhere near enough. I really dont get the comparisons with Gazza, but for what it is worth, I was one of the minority of fans who wanted Gazza sacked as soon as it was admitted he had beaten up his partner/wife. That type of person is not welcome at our club. His sale probably cost us "the 10" but I wasn't sorry to see him go as a person, despite his talents on the field which were simply sensational. I didn't want Flanagan anywhere near our club for the same reasons. Ricksen's constant off the field antics should have seen him shown the door also. Being a Ranger is so much more than at any other club. The standards are higher, so much higher. We have class and dignity as the cornerstones of our existence. Has been that way since the start. No other club comes close to us. We must guard that with everything that we have. No excuses. No lowering of the standards.

Gazza broke the law as well and actually did harm someone, unlike these 5, so I don't see what's so extraordinary about the comparison.

Pending Michael Stewart's decision?

Surely he can't play on Sunday, even if we wanted him he'll have to self isolate for 10 days as a minimum after breaking the Covid bubble, won't he? I believe in second chances, particularly for teenagers. If he can rebuild his career at Rangers he should get that chance, but it won't be this season and he'll need to work very hard to earn the trust of the management team and the support. I suspect if someone made a bid for him or any of the others we'd accept it. It might be best for him if he goes out on loan for the first half of next season, he needs first team football and I suspect a right back just went to the top of Ross Wilson's to-do list.

Goldson has been a rock. He's rarely MotM because central defenders tend not to stand out but he's a big part of why we've done so well this sesson.

I just hope Tav can continue to add to his percentage.

Keeper was trying to wind him up to put him off so Barisic gave him some back.

The winner of the Dalmore Whisky is Stuart Mitchell who has been notified. Congratulations Stuart! An incredible £825 was raised via the raffle every penny of which will go to the Restoration of Rangers Graves project.This will help to ensure that our work continues over the coming weeks and months. Thanks very much to Mark Hilson for donating the whisky and to everyone who participated WATP

Then again ... handball overlooked in 2 mins, Morelos clean through and might have scored, like the follow up might have. Kent blasts at the goalie after he scored a much more difficult goal, their 3-2 was rather lucky through both centre halfs and in off the post. Not to mention the dive for their penalty 2 mins (no reason for that) beyond the allocated 4 of extra time. Obviously, Aribo dilly-dallied and gave them a great chance and the Japanese hit the post too and Jack cleared some danger late on, but that was that from their point of view. Alas, it was a decent enough open and good game of football, not least for the neutral. I for one didn`t expect us to be 100 % flawless after weeks and weeks of dire Premiership fare that hardly tested our defence in the way Antwerp or other Europeans have and had. A good wake-up call nonetheless.

I attended the game against Wrexham and the lad is an asset, more importantly, he is our asset. It's baby with the bath water, he will be deservedly punished by both club and association. The club also has a duty to rehabilitation.

As he's a youngster, I'm happy for him to be punished and given a route back.

i do hope that later one would have been chalked off. I think it would.

Said _DON_ over at FF ... Rangers could have made all the excuses in the world tonight. We haven't been anywhere near the levels we were at the start of the season. We lost two of our best players in the first half. We couldn't start Jack and Kent due to the risk of injury. Arfield was clearly nowhere near fit. But you know what? We didn't make any excuses, we just went out and did the job. https://www.followfollow.com/forum/threads/antwerp-fans-reaction-to-the-game.153522/

Last 16 beckons after late winner secures Europa League win in seven goal thriller A 90th minute penalty secured Rangers a vital away win in Belgium tonight in a seven goal thriller against Royal Antwerp at the Bosuilstadion. Borna Barisic’s late spot kick ensured a deserved victory in a crazy night of football which saw seven goals, three penalties, a sending off and two Rangers players leaving the field through injury. The win makes Rangers favourites to progress to the last 16 of the Europa League for the second successive season, whilst currently sitting four wins away from their first league title since 2011. It was a crazy night in Belgium, and for long periods it looked like Rangers were going to squander their overall superiority through a mix of shoddy defending and even shoddier refereeing. But Barisic’s late spot-kick ensured there was a happy ending to an unbelievable night. Fil Helander, Scott Arfield, Glen Kamara, Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos all started as Steven Gerrard made five changes to the side which beat Kilmarnock on Saturday, with Leon Balogun, Ryan Jack, Ianis Hagi, Cedric Itten and Ryan Kent all having to settle for a place on the bench. Rangers started brightly and could have had a penalty when the ball appeared to come off Maxime Le Marchand’s arm. The referee and VAR agreeing that there was no case to answer. Tavernier and Arfield both had efforts from distance which went over the bar, then Antwerp had a chance when De Laet shot just wide of Allan McGregor’s right-hand post. Then came the first major moment of the night when James Tavernier sustained an injury which ended his involvement in the game. The Englishman went in for a 50-50 tackle with Martin Hongla and appeared to damage his knee. The Rangers captain tried to play on but had to be replaced by Leon Balogun. The injury looks like it has the potential to be a serious one. The timing of it almost cruel given the recent shenanigans of Nathan Patterson meaning there is not an obvious replacement. Before the half was up Rangers would also lose Kemar Roofe to yet another calf injury. Before he went off, however, Roofe had a huge part to play in Rangers’ opening goal. Connor Goldson played a long ball to Roofe, who chested it down and made his way to goal. Alireza Beiranvand in the Antwerp goal should have collected, but spilled it then chased it so far out his box that Joe Aribo was able to pass the ball into an empty net from 20 yards. Rangers then dominated for a period an appeared to be going in with a half-time lead until a crazy seven minute spell saw them behind. First Felipe Avenatti looped a header over Allan McGregor after a good free-kick from Ritchie De Laet. Then referee Georgi Kabakov made the first of a few questionable decisions which allowed Antwerp to go in at half-time with the lead. Firstly he bizarrely played three minutes over the announced four minutes of injury-time. Then he awarded the softest of penalties when Lior Refaelov threw himself to the ground after a challenge from Steven Davis. Incredibly VAR officials agreed with the decision and Refaelov heaped on the misery by scoring from the spot. Rangers started the second-half strongly and should have equalised when Joe Aribo was put through by the impressive Glen Kamara, only to see his effort cleared off the line. Beiranvand in the Antwerp goal overstretched himself in attempting to save Aribo’s shot and would leave the field a few minutes later to be replaced by Ortwin De Wolf. Then VAR came to Rangers aid in the 58th minute when Morelos shirt was tugged by De Laet after a great cross from Barisic. The referee initially allowed play to go on but was instructed by VAR officials to review the incident. The result of the review was an amended decision and penalty, which Borna Barisic hammered home to equalise. Again Rangers started to dominated but incredibly they found themselves behind again after Martin Hongla finished well from outside the box on 67 minutes. Hagi came on for Scott Arfield in 74 minutes and should have scored a few minutes later when Barisic sent in a great cross which the Romanian put just wide. But Rangers wouldn’t be denied for long, and Ryan Kent equalised on 83 minutes after a nice give-and-go with Morelos allowed the substitute to fire home an excellent goal to pull Rangers level again. It felt like there was more drama and goals to come in the game - and that was the case. Kent came close to scoring again when he was through on goal, only to be denied by outstretched leg of De Wolf. Then almost immediately some slack play from Joe Aribo put Martin Hongla in on goal, only for McGregor to block in a similar fashion to De Wolf with an outstretched leg. Then Antwerp came close again after McGregor saved brilliantly again from a Abdoulaye Seck header, with Ryan Jack then clearing De Laet's shot off the line from close range. Then came the winner. Rangers broke up the park and Ryan Kent’s effort on goal struck the hand of Seck. The defender had been booked earlier in the game and saw red. Barisic stepped up again to fire home the all-important winner. But the drama wasn’t finished there, and Antwerp came close to equalising when Koji Miyoshi struck the post – the final act in an unbelievable night of football. Steven Gerrard said after the game: "I'm obviously very pleased with the outcome of the game in terms of the result. I think the boys showed amazing character to fight for the right result. "It was a crazy match. I'm sure the neutrals enjoyed it but as a coach I'll be looking into it because we had too many issues defensively. "The goals we've conceded are poor from our point of view. There is certainly work and a lot of improving to do. "At this level, you get punished a lot more. "We've put ourselves in a promising position and it's very difficult to win away from home. "So there's a lot of me that's pleased and proud but there's still things going around in my head about needing to improve defensively." ANTWERP: Beiranvand, Seck, Le Marchand, De Laet, Buta, Boya, Hongla, Lukaku, Refaelov, Gerkens, Avenatti. SUBS: De Wolf, Verstraete, Miyoshi, Nsimba, Opoku Ampomah, Gelin, Chevaughn, Pavlic, Van Den Bosch. RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Helander, Barisic, Davis, Kamara, Arfield, Aribo, Roofe, Morelos. SUBS: McLaughlin, Simpson, Hagi, Jack, Itten, Kent, Wright, Stewart, Balogun. REFEREE: Georgi Kabakov (BUL)

I’m sure I read/heard somewhere that Antwerp haven’t been beaten at home by any team for 14 months?

Interesting to see that there was only 3 home wins in the 16 ties this evening. Not much joy there for unseeded sides. Compared to last season when our first leg victory over Braga was one of 9 home wins for unseeded sides. Last season only 6 seeded sides made it through to the last 16 from this round. Looks like being a higher number this time. I see Arsenal are 3rd favourites for the tour, I don’t fancy them getting past Benfica next week. We are now 25/1 to win the trophy, about 12th in the list.

Morelos was brilliant tonight. Should have scored in first half but attitude throughout was excellent and, like you say, the guy remains an integral part of the way we (want to) play. That's why everyone else hates him.

Good luck to @Govan Rear Bear in trying to keep a match report to under 10,000 words for this one! Quite incredible, proud of our attacking play, great fight and desire, terrible defending at times, 3 pens, 6 yellows, a red, some great goals, some sitters missed, injuries, VAR, some ridiculous refereeing, this game had it all.

I think we’ll manage well without Tavernier. I’d rather have him fit and playing but we’ll adjust without much difficulty. There are other players who can do the job and who won’t let us down.

Season 76-77 is best forgotten, it was the season sandwiched between two Trebles. However, something noteworthy occurred. A crisi in central defence saw Jock Wallace contact his old mate and manager of Southampton, Lawrie McMenemy. The Saints had just won the FA Cup and their Scots central defender and BIG Bluenose, Jim Steele was available for short term loan. Clutching his FA Cup winners medal, Jim pitched up at the Albion and kicked everybody. He played five straight games in six weeks, including ra Sellik. He was deservedly booked in all five games and tried extra hard against ra Yahoos to get another booking. He was staunch. You can imagine the end of season discussions at all the RSCs? Jim won six RSC POTY awards, on the strength of those successive cautions. In this vein, I am voting for Nathan Patterson because it will annoy the hell out of the usual suspects.

I’m a pragmatist and if it looks like it will damage Rangers I would give him a route back. There are other ways you can punish him. He is 19 and the first player in a very long time who like he can make the transition from academy to first team. If he achieves this he becomes an asset worth good money too whereas we would be giving away a huge bargain if we let him go now. Not a very principled opinion but that’s where I am with it.

Survivors snubbed in BBC football abuse series The BBC contrives to leave survivors of abuse at the separate entity on the cutting room floor. The makers of a documentary on sexual abuse in football, came to Scotland, and interviewed survivors (a distressing experience for the victims I should think), but excised them from the final documentary. Another coat of whitewash. Or is it greenwash? Whatever the explanation, or rationale, or excuse, it will be hogwash. The SFA's "Independent Report" which appears to be nothing of the kind, and seems bowdlerised by Pederasty Central, itself, and now the censoring of a major documentary. Is it me, or is there something sinister about all this? From today's Times: Survivors snubbed in BBC football abuse series Marc Horne Friday February 19 2021, 12.01am, The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/survivors-snubbed-in-bbc-football-abuse-series-0vk087x3h The BBC has shelved plans to highlight Scottish cases in a primetime series exposing sexual abuse in football, leading to anger from survivors. Last week a report commissioned by the Scottish FA found that paedophiles infiltrated the national sport with ease and preyed on vulnerable boys and teenagers for more than three decades. The Independent Review of Sexual Abuse in Scottish Football called on clubs, including Celtic, Rangers and Hibernian, to provide compensation and issue a “clear and unreserved” public apology to the dozens of victims who endured “incalculable” suffering. Researchers working on a BBC 1 documentary series travelled to Scotland to speak to survivors of abuse at Celtic Boys Club after several senior figures at the feeder team were convicted for molesting young players. The show claimed that the series, entitled Football’s Darkest Secret, would shine a light on historical abuse “all across the country”. However, only English testimony will feature in the three-part programme, which is directed by the Bafta-winning filmmaker Daniel Gordon and will be shown later this year. “We were delighted when we heard the BBC were interested in telling our stories,” said one Scottish-based survivor, who asked not to be named. “We felt that at last, after everything we have gone through, our voices would finally be heard across the whole of the UK. “When I heard that our contributions weren’t going to be used it felt like I had been punched in the stomach. We have been let down once again and it’s hard to take.” A spokeswoman for the programme stressed that a BBC Scotland investigation, entitled Football Abuse: The Ugly Side of the Beautiful Game, first screened fours years ago, would be repeated next month. A source close to the production said: “As part of the initial extensive research for the Football’s Darkest Secret project conversations were held with ex-Scottish players. None of them were interviewed on camera.” A press release for the documentary states: “The series will examine abuse that has taken place in youth football all across the country, from Manchester to Newcastle, Crewe to Southampton. “Three years in the making, Football’s Darkest Secret is the definitive account of this dark chapter in English football and the ensuing attempts to seek justice decades later. The series aims to shine a light on the damaging ripple effect caused by child sexual abuse and offers a unique insight into the way it impacts survivors and their families.” The Scottish FA-commissioned report found that known paedophiles had worked together to groom boys and trafficked them over borders, within the UK and overseas, for abuse.

Dunno why they didn`t include the handball the ref missed early doors, within the first 10 mins I think. Maybe we`ll go "3"-4-3 similar to Antwerp for the weeks ahead, with Balogun - Goldson - Helander, while Barisic drops into the 4-3-3 when we lose the ball. I doubt that Balogun will be as attack-minded as Tav, even though he ventured forward quite a bit against a good team. Speaking of which, how good was it to see us and the opposition play a "good game of football". Not that week-in-week-out attempt of breaking a 10-man defence.

I thought Morelos was very good bar the missed chance and a couple of bad passes, one which led to the counter attack out of nowhere which they scored from. His link up play was really good. He really seems to enjoy playing away from home in Europe. I don’t know what it is but his touch and passing are much more consistent than in some domestic games.

The Blarney Lament. Ra Brave Bhoys had just thrashed Aberdeen 1-0 and misty eyed Pat began the Blarney Lament. Surely, Steve Clarke will be interested in David Turnbull. "he's the first name on Neil Lennon's team sheet"? Last night's result had put Pat in a maudlin mood, he eulogised Sellik's February form, five wins in a row and wondered aloud, "why couldn't Neil get this reaction last month"?. Pat explained ra Sellik had dropped nine points in January and introduced ifs, buts, and maybes. If ra Sellik had only dropped three points, but circumstances like Dubai, and maybe pressure could have been put on Rangers. Uninterrupted and unchallenged, Pat concluded, "we know Rangers react badly to the pressure of a challenge, I mean there are still two remaining games against Rangers and if only, well it's a pity Celtic could not find this form earlier". Oh Pat, you're just saying what the Gang Hut are thinking. Sincerely, I hope the hope does not kill you. Herculean Effort? It began on Sunday evening, Rangers issued a Tweet stating awareness of a party involving players and fixed penalties. It ended promising an internal investigation. By Monday morning, BBC Scotland had the party as both their lead news and sports story. Further, the party featured as a news story on the BBC UK news and led the BBC UK sports. Similarly, BBC websites and CeeFax prominently reported the party. I do not know the machinations, but I suspect BBC has a bidding system ie one of the regions pitches a story and extrapolates on the probabilities of the story rapidly expanding to having national consequences. A Senior Editor at PQ went out on a limb to guarantee such UK coverage. By early Monday afternoon, BBC Scotland's Sports Correspondent, Chris McLaughlin was ready to add much needed momentum to the story. He told the Midday News Bulletin, previous transgressions by footballers during lockdown had seen the First Minister issue a yellow card, could a red card be forthcoming? Chris attended the FM's daily Covid briefing and asked the second question. Nicola's dozen second answer was a couple of lines about elite athletes and footballers, delivered by disdainful wave of a hand. All momentum had evaporated. Again, I do not know the machinations, but I suspect David Graham played the game extremely well. The Tweet seized the narrative, then the paucity of information only allowed speculation. We did not know all the names involved until Gerrard's Presser. PQ's Herculean efforts to bump Rangers into a statement failed and I suspect, has queered their relationship somewhat with Salford? Promising something they could not deliver. Out with PQ, hand picked usual suspects willingly lent their shoulders to the wheel. There were Monday morning articles/columns from Ewing Grahame, Alison McConnell, and Catriona Stewart(Gregor Cox). They all speculated(expected) the FM to shut down Scottish football because of Rangers players' actions. Dubai hardly merited a mention. They were sold the pup of false hope and it will be a little harder to convince their Editors of the newsworthyness of the next Rangers Bad story. Such effort should be recognised and acknowledged. We should remember Hercules expired because of acquired poison from Hydra's blood. The Gang Hut's poison pens will write their own demise. The Labours of Hercules. I am sure more than a few Gersnetters had to endure what used to be called, 'a classical education'? I cannot remember 99% of my school timetables, but I do still have the occasional nightmare over my third year, Every Monday morning began with triple Latin. It ruined my football playing weekends. These last several years I feel cheated by BBC Scotland, but also with my education. I was taught their were 12 Labours of Hercules, however it has become apparent that the Greek God(let's call him Chris) had a thirteenth. As well as slaying bulls, boars, lions, hydras, ....... etc, Chris scrupulously adheres to, 'putting the continuous boot into the H-u-ns'. It has been over five years since Chris attended Ibrox or Auchenhowie. In a show of solidarity, no BBC Scotland Journo attends Rangers Pressers. Providing information to Rangers supporters is not even an after thought. Our contract is with PQ, we pay our License Fee, they provide us with a service. Why are BBC Scotland Journos attending Royal Antwerp's Pressers? Not one of them has met and questioned Steven Gerrard, but they hang on every word uttered by Franky Vercauteren. I am sure this was just a bit of foresight in possibly exploiting the party story? I will need to recheck Hercules, what happened when his bird spent a month on the island of Lesbos? Did it end well Chris?