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Sacked in the Morning? Craig Levein was the guest on Off the Ball yesterday, he was intent on promoting the new Blog he co-presents with Amy Irons, 'Sacked in the Morning'. A great title and made an even better start last week when Craig referred to Michael Stewart, "as a bellend". An increasingly frustrated Michael took to social media last midweek rueing a missed opportunity to sink another boot into the H-u-ns, "I don't know when I'll appear on Sportscene, I have not been invited". I suspect Michael is a victim of the escalating war between Staffers and Freelancers at PQ? As Michael looks forward to a Jum Spence type future, he will become increasingly reliant on Stuart Cosgrove evoking his memory. The Fir Park scoreline of Motherwell 1 Rangers 6 was described by Cosgrove as, "shocking and frightening" before he grabbed his Jum Spence comfort blanket. Does Jum remain relevant? Did you know Jum has stepped down from his role as Rector of Dundee Uni'? He resigned with a whimper last March claiming he could not effectively support the undergraduates. In other words Jum's conservative catholicism does not allow him to fully engage plus, the unpaid role was a penurious road. Anyways, RAB(rancid auld bigot) Cosgrove liked the 'Well Bois banner, 'Happy Halloween ya Zombie Bastards' and had no hesitation in replying to a Craig Levein story of Souness and Smith attempting to sign him at the Forth Bridge Motel in late 1987 with, "did they offer you an EBT"? Murray did not even own the club at that point, but it is Spence-esque. You know demanding Rangers should be prosecuted under the Proceeds of Crime Act and Jum assured BBC Radio Scotland listeners this was the case because he lectured in Law. Of course, it fell apart when he was asked what was the crime and who has been found guilty? The Staffer - Freelancer conflict is interesting. BBC Scotland regularly employs over a dozen Freelancers for it's coverage of football. PQ can legitimately claim they have no control over the comments of Freelancers and these last thirty years they have used Freelancers to articulate comfortable preferred prejudices. Jum was let go twice because he was a Staffer. RAB Cosgrove and Richard Gordon have been Freelancing for 30 years. Big Dick's prejudices are well documented on this thread, the nearest he came to being relieved was 2007 when he casually abused Rangers player, Filip Sebo. It was the last hours of the Transfer month and Big Dick was hosting, 'Through the Window' on BBC Radio Scotland. He told the listeners he had an e0mail announcing the transfer of Filip Sebo but he would have to clear it with his Producer. This went on for nearly an hour and finally at the end of the show he broadcast, "Edinburgh Zoo have accepted the transfer of Rangers player, Filip Sebo, they plan to exhibit him". The PQ Gang Hut laughed like drains. Rangers supporters took Big Dick the whole way and BBC Scotland reprimanded him. Now, Richard Gordon occasionally refers to this as the worst thing he has ever experienced in broadcasting. Why is it always Rangers and Rangers supporters Rheinhardt? You were raised to hate Rangers and continually, you flash those credentials. Only last week you went off on one from the PQ studio. Apparently, you had a better view from the studio of Sakala being dragged by his jersey to the Ibrox turf, than I and tens of thousands of others had, attending Ibrox. You attempted to involve Pat Bonner in your accusation that a Referee, John Beaton had cheated your beloved Dandy Dons. You did not receive satisfaction thus took to your Aberdeen Press and Journal column to pen the following poison : "The Don's resurgence would have looked even stronger had they not been cheated. The game swung on an embarrassing, but hardly unexpected decision by Referee, John Beaton to award Rangers another controversial penalty and hand them the opportunity to snatch a point. Only the official and inexplicably the Sportscene pundits, thought it was a spot kick and the frustration of Stephen Glass and his players was entirely understandable". Big Dick accuses the Ref' of cheating, it was another controversial penalty and, berated his BBC Scotland colleagues on Sportscene for not being on message. You see the freedom enjoyed by a Freelancer? Yesterday, Dick was sick and vented his frustration again at Sakala, "a hat trick hero but nothing he did in the first forty minutes of the match would lead you to believe he was capable of such an achievement". I guess it's inexplicable. Another inexplicably arrived yesterday, the day before at Celtic Park where Big Dick was present; a visiting American Journo, White House Correspondent Philip Crowther over here for COP26 took in the Sellik-Livi' game and was disappointed at the racism aimed at Ayo Obileye by the home support. He heard 'monkey' being screamed and this was reported in a number of USA newspapers. Similarly, last Wednesday at Easter Road where BBC Scotland had live commentary. Former Sellik View cub Reporter, Andrew Smith took to the Hootsmon to complain long and hard at the constant songs of sectarianism emanating from the Green Brigade. Again, Big Dick ignored something he would have raised if Rangers supporters had been accused. I suggest RAB Cosgrove, Richard Gordon, JumSpence and, Michael Stewart form a self help group.

I have to say, I quite like Levein, Big Avril is quite happy putting the boot in when others coory away.

From "choose the least bad" on Wednesday to spoilt for choice on Sunday. As hat tricks don't come often, I'll go for Sakala.

Who cares!

I think they will be coming down with the decorations in January. A couple of injuries to key personnel, say Rice and Antonnio and they havent anyone to cover at that level. Plus and i cannot under estimate this sentiment, they are a shower of so called cockney shite!!!

Spurs has sacked Nuno. Shocked, me. According to SKY, Conte is in advanced talks. Levy and Conte: they will be pals for a week.....if that.

I fixed that for you. I agree about SAF's successor. I think the 'Spurs fans will be up in arms if Moyes is the target.

Fantastic weekend. Here’s hoping that could be a turning point in the season. Celtic had won 5 in a row and nobody expected them to drop points without scoring at home to 3rd bottom Livingston. A 6-1 win goes some way to restoring a our fear factor. Delighted to see Arfield getting a run out. We have badly needed a midfielder who can break the lines and contribute in attacking moves. Sure, he is winding down but he is still a player who can offer something different.

I've always had time for Levein. That doesn't mean I agree with everything he says but his willingness to express an opinion makes him a treasure in this age of conformity and compliance.

That will be about right. Just before he realises he has been sold a pup by Levy and begins making pronouncements in the press.

Can't really blame them. It's nearly 20 years since I set foot in the Piggery and I haven't missed it one bit - nothing but a putrid den of nefariousness and victimhood.

Looking at the stats, Lundstram looked very similar to Arfield so I was expecting the same. I don’t watch the EPL so I hadn’t seen him at Sheffield United but I wonder if he has maybe lost a bit of his mobility in the past 2 years and had to move further back the pitch as a result. Yes, Bacuna was brought in to play a similar role, I’m sure Gerrard alluded to it. I’m not going to write him off yet because he does have something, although his start has been inauspicious.

It's a wonder no one's hired Lennon one of the most successful managers out there ?

Arfield links midfield and attack so well. I was hoping Lundstram would take over from Arfield, but they're looking to be different players. Maybe Bacuna, going forward?

Hopefully for Sakala’s next hat trick, Hakainde Hichilema makes it a congratulations video, wearing a Rangers top.

You can’t not give it to the hat trick hero. Especially when we have been lamenting wastefulness in front of goal all season. A big confidence boost for him and hopefully he can kick on from here.

Two cracking goals from James

Newcastle 1 Chelsea 1 ..... ye of little faith

I thought Arfield was terrific, alongside Davis. Two players I've criticised often. Tavernier was the catalyst for the comeback. But, Sakala got a hat-trick. I think he deserves it, for that. It's been a difficult start to his Rangers career, but he's shown today that he can make the grade.

It's perhaps the obvious strategy but if we're effectively calling them one-sided publicly it makes any partnership untenable. We should be lobbying privately for sure.

Devastating news. I was heading to bed when I jumped on twitter and was floored with the news. Bawled my eyes out and again when I woke up the next morning. There will probably never be anyone like him ever again. We'll no longer be able to see him on RTV and say to ourselves "aww there's Walter" accompanied with that warm feeling of security. This will take a long time to heal. We've lost our Rangers dad??

After reading this comment, purposely I tuned into BBC Radio Scotland's lunchtime news and sports bulletin at 1pm. Jonathan Sutherland hosted the five minute sports slop. Two items; firstly Scotland's qualification for the cricket T20 world cup was discussed, and quite rightly too. Scotland won all three of their qualification matches against Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea and, Oman. This involved a couple of recorded interviews with the Skipper of the side and a recently retired Scots cricketer. Secondly, another two minutes were allocated to the scarcity of Rugby Union Referees in Scotland. No mention of the Rangers match or BBC Scotland's coverage. Just as well, the coverage was Big Dick and Tom Anguish in a PQ studio, watching a TV and making comments. There was neither a half time or full time report, simply told the audience the result. At half time, Big Dick announced a chat on Scotland's other club participating in European football and, Tom immediately used the adjectives, "tremendous", "extra ordinary" and, "fantastic". The sellik support were buying into Ange, "they believe in him" and then he eulogised Tuesday afternoon's attendance, "we're talking sixty thousand at three O'Clock here, better than a dozen Champions League games". According to Tom one of those CL matches was Barcelona against Rangers? You need a helluva lot of Brasso to put a shine on a turd, I suspect Tom has been enjoying a fly tipple? To complete the circle, no mention of our score on BBC Scotland's early morning sports bulletin either. No wonder Cosgrove can regularly state he doesn't get Rangers supporters, "they're on the sidelines beelin". We are well done the road to Espanyolification at PQ. They don't want to talk about us unless it's a BIG negative; however they continue to take our License Fees because they have mortgages, school fees and, holidays to pay for. It's a huge efort on their part, maintaining the hatred.

A 100 Year Old Bahamian Folk Melody. It began last week, Rangers released their new 150th anniversary strip. A tribute to the Gallant Pioneers, the minute long launch video was accompanied with appropriate mood music, 'Four Lads had a Dream'. Most folks will know the tune as the Sloop John B, popularised by the Beach Boys. Some will remember Gorbals own, Lonnie Donegan covering the song in the early sixties? The air is a traditional Bahamian folk song about a sunken ship, first published in 1916. The same melody is also utilised for the so called, 'Famine Song'. Glasgow University Senior Lecturer, Jeanette Findlay took to Twitter in her role as Chair of Call it Out. The former Secretary of the Irish Republican Bands Association labeled the tune "racist" stated the club's launch was, "pandering to racists" and concluded, "this is no accident". Four minutes later, BBC Scotland's Senior Journo, Margaret Gilmour re-Tweeted Findlay's opinion whilst liking it and, five minutes further on, Michael Stewart did similar. The usual suspects piled in and on. Angela Haggerty was in a state of fulmination. Michael took it further, made a few more Tweets linking the launch tune to those arrested whilst marching through Glasgow City centre on the morning of the last old firm game. Michael demanded explanation for his interpretation of club formal backing of intimidation? The high water mark of this latest outrage was reached when Fettes College educated Hibee and Herald Journo, Aidan Smith did two pieces; firstly explaining the furore, then reporting Michael's outrage. Humza, Dornan, Devine, ........ etc did not reinforce and the necessary momentum was lost. It was left to PQ's Hater-in-Chief, Stuart Cosgrove to attempt a resuscitation during Off the Ball. At one O'Clock on Saturday, there is usually a five minute chat with Big Dick on matters to be discussed on the upcoming Sportsound. DrStu' was already lamenting no Big Dick as Host, the Token Kenny Macintyre promised live coverage of five of the afternoon's fixtures, and being right across happenings at Ibrox. DrStu' pushed it, "any discussion on the underlying trends in Scottish football this week"? Kenny showed Cosgrove a straight bat thus the Saintee pushed, "looking forward to hearing Michael Stewart's take"? The Token told a tale of no Michael contribution. Michael over egging a rancid pudding should be put to a century old Bahamian folk melody. Chico the Clown. These last thirty plus years, BBC Scotland's Comedy Unit has relied heavily on the existence of Chick Young. Those who schooled with Chico at Bellahouston Academy tell of his love for Rangers. Chick began his journalistic career as a Cub-Reporter at the Rangers News, his first book was, 'the Rebirth of the Blues' a diary of the Souness first season as Rangers boss. Chick bought a Cabin Cruiser 25 years past, became Captain Calamity and, smelled the PQ wind lifting from the water. After enduring the navigation from Rhu to Cumbrae, Chick experienced a catharsis announcing he had become a Buddy - constantly articulating a life long devotion to St Boo. Cap'n Calamity has safely navigated passage to his eighth decade and rode the BBC Scotland waves last weekend by immersing himself in conspiracy theories. He wondered aloud on Sunday, "Sportscene showed us Porteous tackling Aribo last week, why no highlights of Aribo's launch into Cammy Devlin"? Chico was only following the joint Twitter outrage of Tam McManus and Michael Stewart. James McFadden answered the question, "I've seen the footage, the Ref' got it right with a yellow card". Unfazed, Chick set the tiller into the strong breeze, "St Mirren play Rangers next week and Jim Goodwin will want to avoid such refereeing". The eddies and currents swirled as the skipper pulled his anchored adorned cap over his pate. The discussion was Newcastle's predicted managerial vacancy. McFadden, Foster, Cricthon all agreed the Georgies would probably have Gerrard on their discussion list. The name, his record in Europe and, the manner of last year's Premiership victory would be in his favour. Kenny Macintyre added Gerrard had stated he would not get involved in the speculation because Steve Bruce was a good friend and in position. Chico went full Coco, "before Newcastle look at someone winning one out of nine trophies available, they should be looking at St Johnston's Callum Davidson". Chick should be sailing on a sea of sand, advising the Saudis. Tom Talks Tosh. Last night Angeball was retrieved from the slates and re-inflated. Sellik had done the fourth team in the Hungarian league and Tom Anguish was purring. It was unusual, Big Dick hosting with Tom adding colour. Where was Pat Bonner? Any game at Paradise requires Pat and Tom giving the blarney large, in stereo. Anyways, Tom made up for Pat's absence. At half time he dismissed Ferencvaros as, "playing for the draw" and speculated Sellik's possession stat'," would not be less than 25%"? Big Dick looked at the stats and relied, "it's 63%". Tom did not want to disrespect the statisticians, then went on to do just that. He reminded the listenership of how unique the event was, "it's three O'Clock on a Tuesday afternoon and there's sixty thousand here". Once Tom begins to polish a Sellik turd there's no stopping the Bhoy, "these supporters have had to put up with the whole Covid vaccination passport thing too". Talking of Vaccine Passports, BBC Scotland went big on both TV and radio with this. Chris McLaughlin, remember him? He conducted vox-pops for both mediums, taking to his fellow supporters of the green'n'grey pre-match. All were articulate, all praised with the Scottish Government approach and, all were willing to put up with anything furra Sellik. I don't know why Chris didn't just go into the PQ Canteen and interview members of the CSC which he Chairs? Tomorrow night, the current resident of the PQ naughty step is Richard Foster and he will watch Premier Sports in a studio and "be right across all events at Ibrox". There will be no vox-pops.

Jack Ross appalled by Porteous abuse. Eleven days after the game, in the wake of two international matches and, less than 48 hours before Hearts visit Ibrox; Hibs boss, Jack Ross has returned to the subject of Ryan Porteous. Nothing to say about Dundee United's visit to Easter Road, no Jack's mind is focused upon, "potentially dangerous taunts via social media". BBC Scotland's BIG Jambo, Brian McLauchlin has nipped in before Alan Preston and Michael Stewart to put pressure on Saturday's Referee. He reports Porteous was sent off for a first half tackle on Joe Aribo when Hibs were leading 1-0. He quotes Jack Ross on a continuing injustice that sees the Hibs centre half banned for Hibs next two league games against Dundee United and Aberdeen, "We have to separate what happened on the pitch, it was a tackle and there are lots of different opinions on how bad a tackle it was. Was it a good tackle or a red card. It's done". Ross goes further, "In the aftermath he has received an awful lot of abuse that goes beyond the pale. In my opinion it was unacceptable. I've seen screenshots of sectarian abuse, homophobic abuse, people wishing him to die of tumours, I am shocked by the venom". The Hibee Gaffer was warming up, "I reckon some of the punditry surrounding the incident is a contributing factor. I cannot say for definite the language used by some who give opinion on what happened on the pitch has helped stoke things but I certainly don't think it helps" . Apparently, Ryan is a sensitive lad, "it's not been nice for the boy, we are fortunate here that our head of player care is a former Police Superintendent and we took guidance from him. It's an individual thing if you want to report such abuse in a criminal sense". Jack Ross finished by expanding comments on wider Scots society, "I don't think we can differentiate between different kinds of abuse in Scotland where sectarian abuse has never gone away and remains rife. Certainly, from what I've seen, it was sent to Ryan". Both the timing and the choice of BBC Scotland are deliberate, Jack knows he will receive full bang for running his mouth off. Wikipedia tells us that Porteous is a product of Dalkeith High School. I believe it to be a non-denominational school, the charge of sectarianism must be explained. Surely, it's too serious a topic to suffer claims that dilute? Reference the homophobic charge, there is no reason in today's society why Ryan should not proclaim his true identity. Say it loud, say it proud. I love the comment on Hibs head of player care being a former senior Copper. Tell me Jack, what did he say, in fact what did you say when Irvine Welsh was calling Alfredo Morelos, "a sticky bun" and advocating slicing him into pieces with a machete? All on Hibs TV too.