26th of foot

Bobby Graham was a helluva player. He arrived at Motherwell at 27, from Shankly's Liverpool. I was playing Junior football at the time and 'Well decided to farm out Graham to Lanark United for several games to hone match sharpness. I played directly against him at Moor Park, he gave me a chasing, easily the best player I ever played against.

'Swanky'? There's a word that provokes emotion. It's mid 60s on a Sunday morning. Before Kirk, and the Sunday Post is opened to reveal the latest adventures of the Broons and Oor Wullie. Regularly, one or other of the Glebe Street residents' culmination is a slap up meal at a "swanky establishment". Yep, our new right back is hereby known as, 'the swankster' or just, 'swanky'.

A quarter-final home tie against the cup holders, I'm pumped!

This time last season, it's the build up to the first Rangers/Hibs league fixture, and Stubbs goes public with the need for a strong referee at Ibrox. It was 3-4 weeks after the Petrofac Cup tie, a 2-1 victory for Rangers after extra time. The media concensus was the game turned on Hibs being reduced to ten men after a dodgy red card. The incident was immediately to my front, the Hibs midfielder slapped the flat of his boot on to the inside of MacLeod's ankle, a straight red. BBC Scotland banged on about the injustice but refrained from showing the incident. Anyways, Stubbs was lauded for going public with the demand for a strong referee, Alan Preston encouraged more managers to highlight decisions at Ibrox. McCoist had a decent retort, inviting Stubbs to name his own ref', or he could even ref' the game himself. Hibs came, deservedly battered us 3-1 and referees and decisions were conveniently forgotten about over the next three fixtures between the clubs. I listened last Saturday as Stubbs was interviewed on BBC Radio Scotland by Connie McLaughlin(sister of Chris). She asked about the Scott Allan transfer saga and it felt like a rehearsed line as Stubbsy replied, "we were open and honest, impeccable the whole way through". Connie purred. I prefer Rangers to do their talking on the pitch, batter them again and dearest Alan will be under pressure to find pastures new. I suspect one of Stubbs old clubs, Bolton Wanderers might be looking for a new manager soonest? They like him in Bolton, he left under open, honest, and impeccable circumstances.

Bobby Petta? I seem to remember the Dutch abdicator of marital financial responsibility ripping the pysh out of ten man Rangers at ra Stydome in a 6-2 defeat, and being lauded. I hope Nathan replicates Bud's actions some 44 years past next Sunday, sit on the ball and beckon the full back forward. Certainly, Bud upset Jim(the bigot)Craig, and it remains a warm memory.

Three parties are involved in any transfer : the selling club, the buying club, and the player. The perceived wisdom on this particular transfer sees the selling club receive a few hundred grand, a player they know well(Dylan McGeouch), and a season long loan of a similar type play maker, Liam Hendrson. Further, they get a troublesome player, who does not want to be there, out the door. The buying club receive a promising young talent for a peppercorn fee, who provides cover, and rid of a wage and another young talent gains game experience. Both selling and buying clubs get to stick it up Rangers. The player receives a higher wage, a chance at winning some medals, a sniff at European football, and a long time sitting on the bench. He has Brown, Commons, Biton, Johansen, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Forrest, Rogic, ... etc in front of him. I am disappointed if this transfer goes through; however, it presents another example of the continuing position of weakness that our club finds itself.

I loved Neil McCann as a Ranger. Neil delivered, playing through the middle at ra Stydome in May'99, then against Parma at Ibrox, and Dunfermline on the last day of the season 2003. He came on as a second half sub' and provided the momentum for the necessary further three goals. My favoured memory is the Scottish Cup final against the green'n'grey hoopsters. I was seated at the juncture of the South Stand and Rangers end, looking right up the touch line. What a sight, Neil on the wing, ball at his feet, inviting them to come out and tackle. He reminded me of Bud and Jim(the bigot)Craig. His cross for Lovenkrand's winning header was sublime, and the sound of 25,000 thousand tip-up seats thwacking, as they scrambled for the exits ........, it stays with me.

I was listening to Cosgrove and Cowan on Saturday afternoon and one of their three topics was, 'memorable debuts'. A Dandy chap from Furryboots City highlighted Paul Hartley's debut at the Hill'o'Dung, he scored a hat trick, of penalties. Cosgrove wondered aloud how many times such a feat had occurred? Guffawing ensued as Cowan stated, "we'll have to ask Rangers Historian, David Mason for the answer"? I seem to remember a deserved hat trick of penalties in a 2-2 draw at Dens Park a dozen years past, but I cannot remember the last time we were awarded one. How many did we receive last season?

Another week, and the old Fettesian and former Sellik supporter, Aidan Smith has another kick at Rangers. Pacific Quay should do the decent thing and give this clown a job. Haw Aidan, how did Hibs get on yesterday?

Ah cheers mate, didn't know that.

Over the last year, the Herald has attracted an infestation (include own collective noun) of Yahoos on the comments pages. They are prepared to pay an annual subscription to be allowed to spout the bile of hate filled maggots. The Herald allows it because it's monies and hits for advertising revenues. The same infestation used to populate other newspaper forums, particularly the Scotsman, until pest control was utilised. The Herald will arrive at the same conclusion eventually, and the infestation will move on. The link provided is from over four years past, it shows the work Yahoos are prepared to undertake to create a comfortable home.

As stated on the other thread, BBC Scotland's 'live' commentary was Rob McLean inside Pacific Quay, watching BT Sort's coverage on the TV.

BBC Scotland produced 'live commentary' from Pacific Quay, whilst watching the live telly broadcast provided by BT Sport. Rob McLean watched the screen and provided a couldn't be arsed commentary, whilst Gary Teale and Craig Patterson added colour.

Have St Mirren sold their full allocation?

The thing about Principled Tom is, you must accept that Tom is principled. Right from the off, those principles were bristling. Tom began in journalism, working for Rupert Murdoch. Yep, Principled Tom's first job in the inky business was at Wapping. Who would have thunk it, Principled Tom's starter was full throated consumation of the Wapping Wedge? Spiers too, another snout in the Wapping trough. See principles, see BBC Scotland?

Jum's decision to immediately give the first interview exclusive to Phil McMountain Rescue, is most telling. It's about positioning the narrative. It will become common currency that Jum was a martyr for veracity, those big bad Bears forced him out because the truth did not suit. Two years ago, Jum had a major exclusive on league reconstruction, the one with three divisions, the bottom tier being 20 clubs. It meant no promotion for Rangers from the bottom tier. It was pre-planned, ground prepared, and all the usual suspects supported the concept with alacrity. Jum was live on Sportsound and breathless with excitement explaining the divisions splitting half way through, the bottom halves playing the lower to halves, ........ etc. It would mean no meaningless games and when the issue of the third division champions, Rangers receiving no reward, Jum stated, "every reconstruction sees winners and losers, Rangers have to accept the majority view". On further questioning, Jum explained he had this 30 page reconstruction plan for two weeks, and had read it most carefully, and concluded it was an excellent plan for Scottish football going forward. Further, he had handed it to his then teenage, junior playing son for his appraisal. His son studied it over an entire weekend, discussed it with friends and fellow players and all were enthusiastic. A momentum was building quickly as the usual suspects reinforced given positive views. A few minutes later and with Richard Gordon about to launch into match previews, the Producer patched through the Chairman of Elgin City to question Jum, "you say this 30 pager has been circulated around all clubs, I have never seen it, nor heard about it, until your revelations twenty minutes ago". Jum spluttered about a break down in communication, then the Chairman of Annan Athlectic came on, "ah wonder how your son has had time to peruse 30 pages and I've seen nothing". Jum continued to splutter about smaller clubs and part time administration until Donald Findlay, Chairman of Cowdenbeath(then a First Division club) came on live and supported the other two Chairs and demanded to know why a journalist had been well briefed before all clubs had been informed? The whole thing was dropped and BBC Radio Scotland refused to take further calls. That example above and several others like it, is why Spence's resignation has not been contested, and why he has engaged Mad Phil. Interestingly, long time friend and fellow Rangers hater, Stuart Cosgrove offered an illuminating comment on the reconstruction affair, "Jim has allowed himself to be placed naked on Stephen Thompson's lap and fed peeled grapes".

Jum's decision to immediately give the first interview exclusive to Phil McMountain Rescue, is most telling. It's about positioning the narrative. It will become common currency that Jum was a martyr for veracity, those big bad Bears forced him out because the truth did not suit. Two years ago, Jum had a major exclusive on league reconstruction, the one with three divisions, the bottom tier being 20 clubs. It meant no promotion for Rangers from the bottom tier. It was pre-planned, ground prepared, and all the usual suspects supported the concept with alacrity. Jum was live on Sportsound and breathless with excitement explaining the divisions splitting half way through, the bottom halves playing the lower to halves, ........ etc. It would mean no meaningless games and when the issue of the third division champions, Rangers receiving no reward, Jum stated, "every reconstruction sees winners and losers, Rangers have to accept the majority view". On further questioning, Jum explained he had this 30 page reconstruction plan for two weeks, and had read it most carefully, and concluded it was an excellent plan for Scottish football going forward. Further, he had handed it to his then teenage, junior playing son for his appraisal. His son studied it over an entire weekend, discussed it with friends and fellow players and all were enthusiastic. A momentum was building quickly as the usual suspects reinforced given positive views. A few minutes later and with Richard Gordon about to launch into match previews, the Producer patched through the Chairman of Elgin City to question Jum, "you say this 30 pager has been circulated around all clubs, I have never seen it, nor heard about it, until your revelations twenty minutes ago". Jum spluttered about a break down in communication, then the Chairman of Annan Athlectic came on, "ah wonder how your son has had time to peruse 30 pages and I've seen nothing". Jum continued to splutter about smaller clubs and part time administration until Donald Findlay, Chairman of Cowdenbeath(then a First Division club) came on live and supported the other two Chairs and demanded to know why a journalist had been well briefed before all clubs had been informed? The whole thing was dropped and BBC Radio Scotland refused to take further calls. That example above and several others like it, is why Spence's resignation has not been contested, and why he has engaged Mad Phil. Interestingly, long time friend and fellow Rangers hater, Stuart Cosgrove offered an illuminating comment on the reconstruction affair, "Jim has allowed himself to be placed naked on Stephen Thompson's lap and fed peeled grapes".

Hearing that Jim Spence finished at BBC Scotland on Friday, and on Sunday has provided an interview to that very well known member of Donegal Mountain Rescue, Phil McNumerousnames. I wonder if Chris, Graham, and principled Tom will be doing likewise?

I am hearing Tom English is tweeting his support for fellow hack, Chris McLaughlin. Tom has decided to show his solidarity by boycotting Ibrox. Tom is a principled man. Thus, when Dundee banned Jim Spence, Tom boycotted Dens Park? When ra Sellik banned Hugh Keevins for two years, just lifted at the end of last season, Tom boycotted ra Stydome? When ra Sellik banned Keith Jackson, continuing still, Tom boycotts ra Stade de Gadd? Remember, Tom is a principled man?

I do not agree with banning Journos, I believe in taking them on. The initial emotion is legitimate, 'good and about time'. However, he will become a martyr and a cause celebre. Infuriating too in a way. Spiers is reduced to a weekly column in the Herald and a half hour golf spot on BBC Radio Scotland. Suddenly, he is high profile again. I hope the club spells on the reasoning for the ban, and I hope they have got their ducks in a row?

I assume we have defeated ra Yahoos in this morning's semi-final? Confirmation will arrive soonest when BBC Scotland's Chris McLaughlin tweets on the number of Rangers under 14s arrested for vile sectarianism.

It must be stated that an element of our own support continue to provide the opportunity for BBC Scotland to exercise that bias. Sellik will visit Tynie soon enough, let's see if Chris is as good as his word and treats the game similarly? We should be mindful reference this fixture because I suspect the official observer appointed will be Sellik friendly, BBC Scotland will concentrate on the football action, and Chris will be hors de combat. Maybe his sister and fellow BBC Scotland employee, Connie will step up to the plate to lionise the hooped horrors? The Solicitors defending the arrested and charged Rangers supporters should pay particular attention to McLaughlin's indiscipline, there may be legitimate claims of sub judice.

It's deja vu all over again. Our first game of 2008-09 season was away to Inverness Caley Thistle and BBC Radio Scotland decided to be pro-active with the then SPL match observer. Diarmid O'Hara had recently been appointed BBC Scotland's News Editor and Rangers supporters were in his sights. Barry Ferguson put Rangers one up and a twenty second burst of the Billy Boys by an element of the travelling support, saw BBC Radio Scotland presenter, John Barnes move into over drive. Half time arrived several minutes later and Barnes announced, "we have received dozens of complaints by listeners reference sectarian chanting and have dispatched Chick Young to locate the official match observer, Alan Dick to ENSURE this unacceptable episode in INCLUDED in his report". The next 3-4 days saw every BBC Scotland news bulletin begin with the issue, we even had the depictation of the Rangers support singing with a bouncing ball at the bottom of the screen highlighting the lyrics. This tactic reappeared later in the season, after an old firm match at Parkhead reference the Famine Song. Fair enough on a matter of principle, if sensitivities are being offended then BBC Scotland will react correspondingly, won't they? Three weeks after the Inverness intervention, ra Sellik visited Tynecastle and the IRA karaoke was at full volume throughout. BBC Radio Scotland received no complaints from listeners, dispatched nobody to locate the SPL match observer, and ensured no inclusion. Former Sellik player, Andy Ritchie was the observer and it took the Edinburgh Evening News to question Ritchie whilst leaving Tynecastle, "the Celtic fans sang a few old Irish songs, it's no big deal". Thus, the BBC's bouncing ball was rendered redundant. Chris McLaughlin is utilising a precedent. The ducke are in a row: an unexpected Rangers win, another loss of discipline by elements of the away support, BBC Alba and BBC Radio Scotland providing live coverage, and a Sellik man as official Observer. The recent highlighting of both the Lord Advocate, Frank Mullholland and Justice Minister, Michael Mathieson's determination to make the statistics benefit their plans, and Chris is pushing at an open door. However, the door remains firmly closed on Diarmid's brother, Brendan O'Hara, the recently elected SNP MP for Argyll. His social media outpourings over the years were published by the Scottish Daily Mail, apparently the term, 'Rangers supporter' is NOT common currency with the great grandsons of one of ra Sellik's original founders. No, H-n, orange wanker, animal, knuckle dragger, ............. are preferred. Brendan has apologised and his fellow Sellik season ticket holders, Frank and Michael view his offence as statistically inconvenient.

I note BBC Scotland are reporting Hibs are in negotiations with St Mirren's John McGinn. Apparently, a development fee will be triggered. I wonder if a bid of circa £300,000 would secure Allan's release? The corollary is Stubbs' post match interview on BBC Radio Scotland. He emphasised situation, no change, "Scott Allan remains a Hibs player and that's not going to change". I suppose we have to trust Rod Petrie to be an evil cnut and sell Allan behind his manager's back?

Cheers. I thought the feelgood factor at Easter Road was higher, runners-up and Scottish Cup semi-finalists. Further, the honeymoon with Stubbs continues and Pat(weather vane of all things Hibbery) Nevin's enthusiasm is brimful. Seriously, expected Hibs to be achieving 7-8,000 season tickets.