26th of foot

The last two games has seen O'Halloran constantly turn the opposition. Today, so far, he has had more touches inside his own half. Ross County are pressing high, there must be space in behind, tell O'Halloran to stay up the park and exploit any ball over the top. Since the turn of this year, ten whole months, we have more often than not succumbed to sluggish first halves. Hopefully, we can sort this out, get our forwards on the front foot during the second half. Further, can we cut out the constant opportunities gifted to County to throw the ball into our box?

Ross County 1 Rangers 3. FGS : Holt.

Davie is the proud possessor of a PHd in sanctimonious piety. Regularly plays golf with Dermot Desmond, counts Paul Cooney as an all time bestest mate, and grasps a wedge weekly from Rupert Murdoch. Perhaps, he will explain how he tolerated over a decade at a club where he daily celebrated the nickname, 'PROVO'? Don't hold your breath!

Of course he did. According to the Daily Record, he is worth £40million. Apparently, ra Sellik are offering two Dembeles for £75million, and you cannot say better than that. It's all true, information lifted from the Daily Retard's Mick Gannon talks pysh column.

Aw Gerry, see the next time Peter tells you to give such pysh another airing; tell him to tell Michael(Scottish Justice Minister) to tell the Polis to arrest Juan Ghuy. He is to blame for every piece of misbehaviour associated with ra Sellik.

Firstly, the match referee, Kevin Clancy! The only consistency was his inconsistency. A succession of pulls, tugs, arm wrap rounds, arms across, .................etc. All dealt with differently, and decidedly, not on their merits. Secondly, during the tenth minute those charming Saintees sprung a chorus of, 'your just a bunch of foreigners'. A bit harsh on O'Halloran, Wallace, McKay, Halliday, Holt, Miller, ..... etc. I remember reading that somewhere in Perthshire you are as far from the sea as is possible to be in craggy Caledonia. Thirty seven miles I believe. Maybe the lack of expansive stimulation explains the xenophobia? But then, they decide to boo Scots born'n'bred, Michael O'Halloran throughout the game. I am sure big Sadie Cosgrove will utilise another twenty minutes of license fee payers monies to explain it on Saturday's, 'On the Ball'? Thirdly, BBC Radio Scotland assembled the objective panel of Pat Bonner, Richard Gordon, Wullie Miller, and Alan Preston to portray Joey Barton as a victim. Yep, months of happily fashioning Joey as a stick to beat Rangers have ended. Remember, he was a BillyBigBaws with an even bigger mouth, disrespectful to Broonie and Brendan? He is up in front of his Bosses today and we cannot sack him. Preston was unequivocal, training/dressing room bust-ups are not sackable offenses. Betting is a no-no too, because we did not sack either Black or Simonsen. Rangers will have to pay the price of a costly mistake, Joey has a contract and should hold out for every penny. None of the four objectives mentioned Joey appearing on a national broadcaster, hours after being told to maintain club discipline. Well, that would be awkward to the Joey is a victim theme. Finally, the Joey Barton discussion ran for several minutes, even after Big Rheinhart opened with, "I don't think there's much mose to add to this matter,................". Coverage of the game itself after the usual rider, "due to the ongoing situation between the club and BBC Scotland", amounted to the result and scorers. Did you know that BBC Scotland's Chief Football reporter, Chris McLaughlin has NEVER appeared on Sadie and Tam's 22 year running Off/On the Ball? He has been invited but has constantly refused, thus the gruesome twosome do not even refer to him. I have concluded that Chris and Sadie should do the gig, decide once and for all who really, really hates Rangers and Rangers supporters the most, then ordinary Bluenose license fee payers will receive the coverage they deserve.

I was always convinced that Cosgrove was one of half-a-dozen main contributors to the RTC Blog. The thing about the Cosgroves of this world is that they need recognition, he wants certain folks to know he was integral to Rangers crashing. The Sarah Leyden credit in his book on soul music is self congratulatory. Those and such as those can enjoy the snigger, as well as satisfying both halves of his personality. Currently, along with Media Review colleague, Eamon O'Neill; they are favourites to produce the much talked about, 'Scottish Six'. If you tune into the media review on BBC Radio Scotland, Thursday afternoon between 12.30 - 13.30hrs; Cosgrove regularly credits his Donegal heritage. O'Neill is similar, it's a running in-joke/neme with them.

The early eighties is the correct analogy reference the league. We will be presented with opportunities, and we will squander most of them. Thirty-odd years past, we battled with St Mirren for fourth, this season it will be the other Saints. Killie on Saturday is a MUST win. If they beat us, they could go ahead in league position. I think we have to persevere, keep passing it. In the early eighties, we sacrificed Davie Cooper for hard running,. hard tackling players, and duly suffered. In ten league games, we have conceded first in seven of them. Let's cut that out, it may be marginal but that is where we can fashion an edge.

I note the Dandy Dons, always anxious to flash their credentials as hating us more than the Yahoos, have succumbed 1-0 to Hamilton Acas this evening. Thus, an 8-zip victory over Saintees would place us second. Clint Hill to score the eighth?

Opportunity Knocks! Whilst Marc Bolan was proclaiming the benefits of riding a white swan, the Beltane folk of Carnac were ignoring their necessary offerings to Alaunus. In a fit of pique, the sun god had washed our intended summer hols camp site into the Bay of Biscay. This information arrived a week before setting off, French stamped envelope, correspondence and returned cheque in hand; my old man was on the blower to the BBC Meteorological Department, wanting a long range weather forecast for Brittany? Apparently, the outlook for ducks was most promising. A bracing week in Portpatrick ensued amid vague promises over the unexpected windfall. A month later, another envelope delivered fulfillment. This was a much more exotic piece of stationery, it had the gates of Ibrox on the bottom left hand corner. Three season tickets all in the same name. Both Granddad and Dad had no imagination. I had always assumed Mother's aspirations for the windfall had drowned in a sea of misogyny; however, she insisted the events of six months previously had been uppermost. Section G of the Main Stand was Death's waiting room, a pinelands of pensioners seeking their last gasp. Well, that's how it looked to this fourteen year old in August'71. We were all gasping our last as ra Sellik cuffed us three times in the season's opening four weeks, all at Ibrox. Ah, and there as those that insist the reintroduction of the League Cup sections are a good thing? Bad went to worse, we lost the first three League fixtures, Thistle and Aberdeen straddling the green'n'grey. Mitigating factors were twofold, a couple of retired theatricals immediately behind us demonstrated their strict adherence to the cause of Rangers, and Gilbeys. It was all legal then, tartan flasks(not hippies) were consumed with gusto. The thermal wave of juniper competed for discomfiture with those old heavy oak seats, it was a gin'n'tanic experience. The taller of the two introduced himself as, 'Tommy Top Onions' and his intro' was timed to Rangers first corner/free-kick. As Andy Penman addressed the ball, and Bomber strode forward, he effected Hughie Green's transatlantic tone and bellowed, "opportunity knocks". He meant it, most sincerely. The rest of the turn quietly succumbed to a Gilbey induced slumber. The second ray of light arrived from rain sodden Brittany. Rennes to be exact, in the first round of the European Cup Winners Cup. Wullie Johnson's goal had secured a first leg 1-1 draw on a night of torrential deluge. The BBC did not lie in those days. The Ibrox return's defining moment came when a Colin Stein shot was parried by the keeper, Alex McDonald continued his late run into the box and slid the rebound into the net. At full time, Tommy was demanding we all vote for Doddie that week, as he had received a record score on the clap-o-meter. I was not aware of the phrase, 'managing expectations' in the autumn of '71, the demands of the Rangers support was ever present. We had won our first trophy in six years a few months before, DJ's headed League Cup winner. It was to be Wullie Waddell's first full season in charge, and Kilmarnock's Tommy McLean had finally signed for his boyhood heroes. The first five weeks of that season were truly crushing. Doddy's belief in continuing that run seemed to signify a continuing deep belief within the players. At Hampden on Sunday, whilst standing in the North Stand; an uninvited and unwelcomed Hughie Green flashed into my mind, as Jason Holt's unbroken stride met Tav's square cross. Opportunity knocked, but a centre half stymied Holt's needle on the clap-o-meter. In relating Jason Holt's style to that of Doddie, I am not emulating Billy McBungle's direct comparison of Stevie Fulton to be, "the new Roberto Baggio". Of course, it's easy to be mistaken of Bob Baggio traversing the terraced roads above Milan in his Lamborghini and Fulton's struggle to maintain his balance toting a Big Mac in each hand, as he bounces down the slopes above Greenock. In mitigation, we must remember Billy managed to relegate both Manchester City and Aston Villa in the same season. No, Holt is taking his first steps on a road that could lead to Doddie status. Further, there is no comparison in abilities between the 71/72 team and today's. There is one direct similarity, both arrived at the club for the reported transfer fee of £50,000, nearly half a century apart. McDonald's arrival from St Johnstone was not universally accepted by Bears. I remember numerous heated discussions on supporters' buses and terraces, there was a hard corps minority that claimed Doddy was a 'corner boy' not fit to wear the jersey. I loved his combative style, a powerhouse of a competitor, and his innate ability, even willingness to upset the Yahoos, at every turn. It took three years for Doddie to become a firm favourite. Similarly, we must encourage Holt to keep on, keeping on. Those runs up the blind side, always available, never hiding, must be applauded. I hope Jason can go on to emulate Doddie's 500 appearances and 92 goals? Tomorrow evening, the wily Tommy Wright brings a stuffy Saints, hoping to replicate last season's 1-3 result. They are ahead of us by two points, having played one game more. There is a three goal advantage to the Perth side in goal difference. We are quite similar, in that both teams lack genuine pace. It will be studies, tactical, and attritional aspects will determine ie the ability to keep making those runs. I believe Holt is our best hope in this regard. Kranjcar's injury is most unfortunate, because he has the ability to find the blind side runner. Will Dodson retain his place and ensure Tav' plays one forward? Can we convince a forward to remain in the opposition box? O'Halloran deserves a chance, but a tight Saints leave no room in behind. Should a clearly tired McKay be rested? I would go with Foderingham, Dodson, Hill, Kiernan, Wallace, Tav, Halliday, Holt, Waghorn, Miller, and O'Halloran to effect a 2-1 result. This is my emotional reaction, I have predicted 1-1 draw in Bluebear's thread. Interestingly, in Ally's first season in management, he was 13 points ahead of Lennon in late Autumn. We had St Johnstone and Killie in succesive games at Ibrox, we drew both 0-0 and the rest is history. Like Rennes in '71, I hope we achieve two victories, shining the light on the road ahead.

Rangers 1 St Johnstone 1. FGS : Miller.

Yep mate, I will post the match preview tomorrow morning, or early tomorrow evening.

She looks like she just ate Rick Wakeman.

I remember Rangers defeating B Gladbach 3-2 at Ibrox circa 73/74. A sixteen year old Alex O'Hara notching a couple. Truly, the highlight was watching Gunter Netzer strolling around the Ibrox turf, spraying passes with the outside of the boot. A wonderful player.

Stubbs says his Rotherham record of six points from 13 games is all Rangers fault, and can assure everyone that he will not be selling Scot Allen to Rangers.

BBC Radio Scotland's team of Tom English, Scot McDonald, Pat Bonner, and Richard Gordon are agreed. In conclusion, "Sellik are tired". Before the game, all four were discussing ra Sellik winning, and laying down a marker for the return game in Gladbach. One point in Germany, maybe even a win, and if Barca beat Man City, then when ra Sellik go to Manchester, second place and qualification remains up for grabs. As is pointed out earlier in this thread, Rodgers' Sellik had conceded 10 goals in two CL games. What will Chris McLaughlin say?

I suspect Murdo is succumbing to a sense of entitlement?

Imagine Chris Sutton emoting on the word, 'respect'? That would be the respect he showed his fellow professionals, particularly the Dunfermline players who had just succumbed at Ibrox by six goals. That would be the respect he showed DJ on Radio Snyde recently. A man that possesses a Euro winners medal and a couple of dozen more caps than Chris. Finally, the morally bankrupt Chris showed huge respect to then Sellik View cub reporter(now, Herald reporter), Alison McConnell.

There is a misconception among a group of Bears that Darren Cooney is the son of former Sellik PRO and Radion Snyde Managing Director, Paul Cooney. There is no relation. Darren's auld man is a journalist, Bryan Cooney from Aberdeen. Darren has over exposed himself on numerous occasions, he was the Daily Record's Online Editor for 3-4 years. He was on a personal crusade to elicit responses(most particularly from Nil by Mouth) on songs sung by the rangers support. The Daily Record is replicating BBC Scotland's mix of groupings anxious to be perceived as the most Rangers hating. A mix of ra Sellik and Aberdeen fans vying for the title, with the odd bod such as Gordon Waddell(Falkirk) and Cosgrove(St Johnstone) thrown in. The overwhelming conditioning factor that articulates their hatred to this day, was the Aberdeen fanzine from circa 25 years past, 'The Northern Light'. Darren Cooney is akin to former daily record Chief Reporter, Anna Smith; in that, his hatred for all things Rangers overwhelms his particular love for anything.

Thankful for small mercies. In the last two games, we have avoided the stings of both Jags. Three goals for, none conceded, and six points garnered. A wee word for BBC Scotland's Rob McLean. I was driving home last evening and as such a captured audience. Last night was your opportunity, AmDram Quine, Big Dick was missing and you had a blank canvas to paint as Host of the Show. We know the on message narrative and we know you are a strict adherent. However, your half-time and full time summaries over-egged an already rancid pudding. Repeatedly expressing disappointment that ICT had not taken their two scoring chances, and describing the referee's reaction to Andy Halliday's tackling as, "disappointing", "strange" and, "curious". You are trying too hard to impress the big bhoys at Pacific Quay CSC. Ever wondered why you were dispatched to the wilds of Inversneckie on a Friday night?

The exuberance is strong in John McGeever.

In May'99, Rangers won 0-3 at ra Stydome and won the league. The Refereee, Hugh Dallas was attacked on the pitch and struck with thrown coins. He returned home to Motherwell that evening and the Police arrested several Sellik supporters in different groupings wandering around his estate, with intent. They couldn't prevent Dallas's immediate neighbour, Kevin Dunn walking around the family home, armed with a golf club. He struck thirteen double glazed windows, fully smashing two. The entire Dallas family were inside throughout the several minute sustained attack. Kevin Dunn was a season ticket holder at Sellik Park, in fact he sat in the green leather, heated seats in the North Stand. His ticket was suspended, until court proceedings culminated. He was found guilty at Hamilton Sheriff Court on criminal damage charges, fined £2,000, and ordered to pay the costs of repair. Fortunately, Kevin owned a double glazing firm. The then Sellik chief executive, Allan McDonald was expected to confirm Dunn's ban. Instead, he stated that Dunn had come as close to banishment as it was possible to be, but was allowed to retake his seat. It was reported that Dunn was applauded and cheered to the echo as he retook his normal position.

I suspect Sheriff Mungo Bovey QC is the son of Keith Bovey? Seriously, is anyone surprised? Two effigies hanging by their necks, both had their hands bound behind their backs, one wearing a Rangers scarf, the other replete in an orange collarette; and yet no charge of hate crime attached. I keep going back to Stuart Cosgrove on BBC Scotland two years past, breathlessly informing the listenership that he had lunched with the then Lord Advocate, Frank Mulholland, and could report his office was NOT interested in pursuing anyone for usage of the 'H' term. The Justice Minister, Michael Matheson will NOT answer questions on 'Kill all H-n' banners on display inside the Green Brigade designated area. You can indulge in Rangers hating with impunity. A dozen years ago, Fernando Ricksen was struck on the head(drawing blood) by a lighter, whilst taking a throw-in at the Glitterdome. Peter Lawwell immediately issued a statement after the game assuring that every frame of every camera would be studied and the perpetrator banned from Sellik Park. We are still waiting.

Give it to John Hughes. Talks a good game and performs a Cabaret act at the same time. We need a laugh.

Well done you. I've been on the tour twice and thoroughly recommend the experience to all Bears. I have done similar sporting/historical tours in the USA/Canada. They often incorporate a piece of theatre or two. A fully attired 19th century baseball player or an 18th century soldier replete in red tunic and toting a musket appear, and relate the social and economic historical relevance. I can imagine a 15 year old Moses McNeil wandering out of the woodline at Fleshers' Haugh, in relevant 1872 football clothing and addressing the semi-circle of Bears. The inspiration of his Queens Park playing brothers, the motivation for playing football and training five nights a week, and the stimulation of the name, 'Rangers'. I am sure there will be a Gersnetter with the necessary Equity card?