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With my big Kilmarnock bunnet? Ne'erday'68 was hugely exciting, Rangers new Manager, Davie White had the team playing open, expansive football. It was just as well, Rangers dismissal of Scot Symon the previous month had been controversial. Thirteen successful years were not enough, Jock Stein had arrived and his brand of winning football was perceived as modern. It was a stark dichotomy, Symon was blazer and flannels, Stein was strictly track suit; Symon blended players, Stein annotated blackboards and fitted players into his system. Rangers needed a modern manager to compete with Big Jock. White had coached Clyde to a third place finish the previous season, he had been appointed Rangers Assistant Manager just four months previous. After the Bells, Davie White's ten game tenure was brought to focus. Eight league games won, including a ten-2 demolition of Raith Rovers, and Cologne knocked out the Inter City Fairs Cup by a 6-1 aggregate. The day before, Rangers had journeyed to Pittodrie and won convincingly, 4-1. Goals were flowing, Our summer signing, (Sir) Alex Ferguson had notched nine in the period, Persson and Johnston achieved the same total between them. The next afternoon, Partick Thistle were battered 5-2, and the three games in four days culminated in a 2-2 draw at Celtic Park. Looking back, I blame my Uncle Eddie. He had been doing missionary work in Newmilns, Ayrshire for a dozen years. The deepest, darkest Lanarkshire/Ayrshire cross pollination downside, was having to listen to dear Eddie's Ne'erday interpretation of, 'My big Kilmarnock Bonnet'. Killie, under Wullie Waddell's tutelege, had won the League Championship two and half years before. Uncle Eddie was a convert. We would receive our comeuppance at Rugby Park at the penultimate game of the season. We traveled down to Ayrshire in sunshine. It was the last week of April and a New Year run of 14 games had seen 13 wins and a draw. We were level on points with Celtic, their goal average was better. The draw had occurred the previous midweek, a 3-3 draw at Cappielow, and Celtic were playing at the tail o' the bank whilst we took on Killie. Comparatively, the Rugby Park surface was deemed the best in the UK. The previous year, the then world cup holders, Brazil had based themselves in Troon, utilising the Juniors pitch in morning fitness sessions, but doing afternoon ball work at Rugby Park. I was excited, the pitch was akin to a bowling green, in those days Ibrox was a sand pit after Christmas. Primary school was finishing, and I knew I would begin Secondary supporting the Champions. Kilmarnock had a team of household names, King, Queen, McInally, McLean, McGrory, .... etc and 25,000 Bears had a quick intake of breath when Killie took the lead on the eleventh minute. Dave Smith and Andy Penman took control, both Henderson and Persson on either flank were seeing a lot of the ball. Our Swedish world cup semi-finalist scored a typical Orjan goal, working along the bye-line before shuffling the ball on to his weaker foot and slotting into the far corner. Drawing level before half time had everyone smiling, but Persson was clearly injured as he hobble off. The substitute was Alec Willoughby, cousin of Jim Forrest and a fine player. He scored the winner with a dozen minutes left to play. We turned our attention to the numerous Bears cradling large radios, 'what's the score at Cappielow'? It was 1-1 and remained so when the referee blew at Rugby Park. We were a point ahead with Aberdeen to play at Ibrox. We invaded the pitch, whooped in the sunshine for a few minutes; then news arrived that Lennox had scored a winner in injury time. The wailing began and continued the following Saturday when Rangers lost their only league game that season, the Dons winning 2-3. Uncle Eddie's party prophecy was wrong, we had triumphed in Kilmarnock. Another attendee at my parents' Hogmanay party was a near neighbour who played a significant part that day. The referee at Cappielow was John Paterson of Bothwell, he allowed a couple of injury time minutes and Lennox reportedly scored with the last kick of the ball. I suspect it is the fate of all ten year old lads to both whoop and wail within a few minutes, I cannot help but think a more timeous Mr Paterson should have possessed greater awareness? Celebrating a title win that never was, continues to live with you. I offer tomorrow night's game has the same importance? Our last game saw a first victory over the dominant Brendan Rodgers, the first in thirteen games. There is a momentum to be garnered, it's difficult because the fixture fates have Rangers visiting both Killie and Livi on two plastic pitches in the space of four days. Rugby Park's surface these days is arguably the worst in the top flight? We have had two players(Waghorn and Murphy) sustain long term injuries at the venue. We have to get on with it, we won handsomely in the league cup earlier in the season, courtesy of an Alfredo hat-trick. Tomorrow, we must take the game to them, right from the first whistle. Killie's offensive threat is diminished by the loss of Greg Stewart and Steve Clarke must be indecisive on playing Jordan Jones? Boyd and Burke might be obvious replacements, these days neither are going to run away from any defence. Thus, we must maintain a high press and line, do not allow them wide and the opportunity to throw the ball into our box. Clarke's success at Killie is well reported and much deserved; in the calendar year of 2018, he has accrued the most league points. I believe the foundation of Killie's continuing dominance lies with their midfield central pairing. Alan Power and Gary Dicker are real deal professionals. The Dublin born duo are the wrong side of thirty, but get around the pitch with purpose. They play on the legitimate side of legal, tough tackling, winning it, and feeding the ball wide. Opposition teams attacking, quickly have to find their defensive feet when hitting the Power and Dicker wall. Our team will probably mirror the starting eleven against Helsinki? The evidence was Morelos pushed wider, mostly left and Kent abdicating width for the front point of the diamond. Attacks broke down and two quick passes wide and back in, found Helsinki on the edge of our box. I would hope we go with a more recognisable system and team : McGregor, Tavernier, Worral, McAuley, Halliday, Jack, Davis, Kent, Arfield, Candeias, and Morelos. I would leave Defoe to the final 20-30 minutes. I prefer whooping to wailing, 3-1 to the Bears; another Morelos hat-trick(four goals) would suffice. We MUST win it.

I am great believer that football at professional level should only be played on grass .

From this morning's Kilmarnock game press conference:

Willie Waddell Memorial Dear Member We have recently been contacted by the Willie Waddell Memorial Committee, who have asked for our assistance in circulating their appeal letter as they seek to create a lasting memorial to this Rangers great. We are pleased to assist them with their efforts and have enclosed their fundraising letter below. We will also be promoting their fund raising efforts via our social media channels. Club 1872 Dear Supporter, Firstly thank you for taking the time to read this letter. We are a small group of like-minded supporters who reside is a small mining village called Forth in South Lanarkshire, where Willie Waddell, a legend in Glasgow Rangers Football Club’s history came from. He was born on 7th March 1921, went to our local primary school, attended our local high school, Lanark Grammar, and played for the local junior team Forth Wanderers. Then at the age of 16 he signing for Glasgow Rangers Football Club and the rest is well known to all. It is the aim of our group to fund raise in order to mark the birthplace and achievements of a local lad who went on to achieve legendary status as a player, manager and lately an honorary director of the Glasgow giants. Our aim is two- fold, to rename the Local Sports centre to Willie Waddell Sports and Community Centre and secondly to erect a fitting monument that will reflect his achievements and stature. We have the full support for this project from the Scottish Football Association, Rangers FC, Kilmarnock FC, Forth Wanderers FC and the Waddell Family. For information on our activities please see our Facebook page https://www.facebook./williewaddellmemorial and Just-Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/williewaddell We are actively fund raising in order to reach a target of £17,000 alongside some external funding to allow us to proceed with our projected vision. We would be grateful if you would please consider donating to this very worthwhile cause. Any amount will be gratefully received to assist us in reaching our goal and honouring a man who changed Rangers Football Club for the better with his vision and modern thinking, who started off his journey in Forth. Yours sincerely, Neil Orr Secretary Willie Waddell Memorial Committee

The Dutch are giving a subsidy of 300.000 euro's to clubs who change back to grass but they won't ban plastic pitches.

We've seen a lot of that in the games we've struggled in this season, balls being lumped towards a crowded out Morelos. I think we need to be able to comfortably switch between 1 up front and 2 because only a fool believes one size fits all in football.

Some whispers on FF (could be wrong) that Wallace might join up with Kenny Miller at Dens Park to hasten the transfer of Kamara. Probably not too bad an idea, given that Wallace won't see that much action with us ... even though he didn't do too badly when called upon in December. Meanwhile, Herrera has played 4 games with Necaxa now, scoring a goal in 3 of them.

yeah that tweet is slightly miss quoted. He mentioned that everyone has their price but nobody would be leaving in this transfer window.

Aslong as Alfredo is on the same page as SG, fine ! A couple of goals at Rugby Park tomorrow would help

Are you advocating "No Deal"?

I know there is another thread catering for Saturday's Scottish Cup tie at Parkhead, between ra Sellik and Airdrie; but the Evening Times coverage brings a surreal note to reporting events. The eighteen words in the headline tells you the degree of discomfort felt by the Sub-Editor. The story is credited to, 'the Evening Times online team'. The level of control exerted is indicative of an Orwellian dystopian novel. The Newspeak reads : 'A Glasgow football fan to stand trial for allegedly punching three police horses at Celtic vs Airdrie game'. The story below continues : Kevin McGuire, 35, is accused of causing unnecessary suffering to Nerston, Oban, and Glasgow on January 19 at Kinloch Street on his way to see Celtic play Airdrieonians at Parkhead. He is also accused of, whilst acting with others, behaving in a threatening and abusive manner by throwing missiles, including bottles, stones, and lit cigarettes at stewards and police. McGuire, from Cardonald, is charged with two police assaults, including allegedly trying to pull Sgt Mark Steinlet from his horse and punch him on his head and body. He is also accused of resisting, obstructing, and hindering an officer by running away, lashing out with his arms and struggling with him. McGuire appeared from custody where he pleaded not guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court through his lawyer, Kevin Brady. After ten minutes, there were twenty registered comments; then comments were disabled. I suspect the Evening Times are trying hard not to stray into sub judice? Further, I urge Gersnetters not to stray into this area too. McGuire and his actions are well known to many. Let's hope he is the recipient of a fair trial, for the sakes of Nerston, Oban, and Glasgow? You cannot make this up, it is the necessary result of compliant Journos and Editors adhering to dictats issued from ra Stade de Gadd.

I was just looking at the fixtures. They have St Mirren, Hamilton and St Johnstone all at home within 7 days. Youd expect they will get 9 pts therefore we have to take max pts from Kilmarnock and Livingston. It could be a defining week.

Ive got quite a good record of winning at Pittodrie when going to the game. Im sure the last one Prso scored a peach of a back heel.

Be careful it's not full of football players?

McAuley is frightfully slow, that’s my only concern on the counter with the quick Brophy and Jones. Katic looked good against Helsinki, good to see his goalscoring threat too.

Would be Worrall & McAuley for me. My worry with Katic & Worrall would be the lack of experience. So, I guess, for me it would be McAuley plus one of the other two.

First team train on grass, predominantly - unless weather causes them to go inside. There is also a 4G synthetic outdoor pitch at Auchenhowie (was laid last summer) but that is used for the Academy teams.

Let’s hope 26th is right. Let’s hope Defoe plays, scores at least once and comes off uninjured. I have a memory, not too distant, of a fairly prominent Glasgow club going to Kilmarnock after the break with a new star striker, successful,in the EPL. The signing had just won them the league, apparently. The new guy didn’t score and Kilmarnock won easily. A similar fate will not befall a much more prominent Glasgow club, will it?

He certainly wasn't happy with BB yesterday but my feeling about this press conference is that he just didn't like that particular journo. His whole mood changed as soon as he was directed to that particular guy asking the questions. Anyone know who he was or if there's any substance to this? Gerrard's mood changed again when asked another question by the same guy (about Pena).

IMHO, we mis-used Herrera in that "must-be 4-3-3 system" which simply failed to work under MW and PC in the Scottish environment and with the players at hand. When Herrera signed, this is what he said: Herrera had been at Pumas since 2007, but was on loan at Santos Laguna when they were managed by Pedro Caixinha, now the Rangers boss. The 6ft 2in forward has scored 57 goals in 207 appearances in Mexico. He won the first of his nine caps in March 2015 and has scored three goals for his country. "I will bring a lot of work and a lot of sacrifice and hopefully a lot of goals," said Herrera. "I am a centre-forward and I like to be in the opposition box looking for a chance to score. I am used to playing as a target man, to have the ball and support my team and other players in those types of situations." https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40372768 Now, how often did we beg for a target man up front, someone who stays in the box rather than roving about like Miller & Co. even Morelos does that (and we hope someone shows up in the box - nowadays Arfield, under MW it was Holt - before he was moved to DM) In the packed-box world of Scottish football, one striker is usually swamped and we could have made much better use of Herrera and Cummings had we played them alongside another striker. We shall see how the arrival of Defoe will change our approach ...

Best not to risk Goldson on that pitch.

North East bookies dancing in the streets.