26th of foot

I Know I am overthinking this, I fancy further artificial embarrassment at Alloa. Their Chairman, Mike Mulraney is quickly honing his Foghorn Leghorn act, and broadcast media love such bombas.

Remember the excitement of this time last season? We had a foot back in the big boys' playground, proper clubs from Edinburgh to brush aside whilst eyeing our Premiership detractors. Hibs were an absolute shambles, no management team, and no players. Hearts had blooded the lads and came good at the end of their previous 15 point punishment season. TV pays the piper and called the tune, they demanded a dramatic overture; both Hibs and Hearts at Ibrox in the space of 4 days. A strangled 2-1 victory over 'the first to wear the green', after extra time, was followed by the same scoreline reversal against the boys in maroon. A harbinger of a season where we finished third in a two horse race. Tomorrow, the fixtures are published, will TV ensure an away start at a sun bathed Easter Road, or will one of the powerhouses of Renfrewshire grace the Ibrox turf? How about a tricky opener on the Palmerston plastic? What do Gersnetters want, what do you think we will receive?

Yesterday afternoon on BBC Radio Scotland, Warburton and Weir's appointments ranked fourth, and final item on the Sports News. After a couple of sentences blandly acknowledging the appointments, the venom was spat in the last line, "Warburton won 51% of competitive matches at Brentford". Obviously, the well hyped performance related signings, Moneyball, Billy Beane's model, ...... etc had to be presented negatively.

These last couple of years, Rangers and Rangers supporters are in a position where the usual suspects continually tell us what/how we should be thinking, and how we must act. Remember contrition from Spence and Cosgrove? We ignore their advice; in fact tell them to stick it up their collective arse, and they round on us for not doing as we've been telt. Cosgrove keeps up the scare, he loves to indulge in vignettes, little constructed morality scenes. Who can forget his several minute telephone conversation with, 'Gordon the Jambo from Glasgow' in the immediate wake of Hearts 2-0 win over us at Tynecastle? Gordon spat the venom and Stu' purred. Who played the part of Gordon? Then, Stu' told of three lifelong friends who had been long term season ticket holders at Ibrox, but no longer attend because of shame of our immorality, and because we are not the same club. I am sure Gersnetters can see the fault line in that one, but Stu' cannot help but over egg a rancid pudding. Lastly, just last week, Cosgrove praised Dave King's love and support of fine art. Lionised him for being a collector of Irma Stern's work. Described the German born, South African's work, and applauded King's decision to hang three pieces on the walls of his offices. Tam Cowan replied, "Dave sells those three paintings and ploughs £30million into Rangers"? Cosgrove purrs the punch line, "sadly, the South African tax authorities now own those works".

Jane is a Motherwell supporter. Reference your last line, I defer to Archie MacPherson's comment reference the UEFA Cup final of 2008. I have heard him twice relate the story of retiring to BBC Scotland's canteen to watch the Rangers/St Petersburg game. He entered an absolutely packed refectory, and realised quickly that the majority of colleagues were supporting the Russians. Further, he was taken aback at the reaction to Rangers conceding the first goal, dozens jumping on top of tables to punch the air, whilst others hugged each other in celebration. He compares this reflection with all other Scots teams in European finals being absolutely supported to the Nth, even in abject defeat. Last week, Cosgrove on two separate shows, utilised Sepp Blatter and FIFA to swing the boot at Rangers. Cosgrove regularly accuses BBC Scotland of bias, with reference to last year's referendum on independence. When the same charge is levelled reference Rangers, big Stu' says, "nonsense".

Similarly, my Samsung TV showed Sportscene's highlights last evening, and there appears to be a problem with the volume. Whilst showing the taunting 'Well fans immediately in front of the Rangers supporters occupied stand, the BBC Scotland commentator, Liam McLeod was screaming, "shameful, shameful, their three year journey will last at least another season". Surely, Liam was not referring to the non-reacting Rangers supporters? One does not want to visit the sins of Liam's brother upon Liam, but this is really shameful. A decade-dozen years past, whilst his brother was attending Aberdeen University, he made the newspapers for having lots of vile, disgusting references to the Ibrox Disaster, on his various social media sites. "Shameful, shameful", I'm sure you'll agree, Liam?

Peter Houston working as a Sellik scout! Given the recent revelations reference Jackie McNamara, it's good to see he continues the motion as the United manager being a Sellik scout.

Kris - 'whit dis it sae'? Jig - 'ah don't kno, ahm gonnae colour it in'.

Alan Gow and Stensas?

Were you biting, or being bitten?

I hope you cope? I believe the Prawns in the Copland sannys are actually ......... SURIMI.

Aidan has been spewing bile and spitting venom at all things Rangers for at least two decades. When Kevin McKenna was Sports Editor at Scotland on Sunday, Aidan had a column fully fashioned to slaughter all things Rangers. He was in full fantasy mode in those days(early-mid nineties), presented himself as a horny-handed son of Leith. Working class credentials flashed at every opportunity, an exhausted character swaggering from the pages of an Irving Welsh novel. Yep, Aidan only jogged on cobble stones whilst replete in Hibee green. The truth emerged slowly, "was Aidan Smith the same Dan Smith who attended Fettes College"? An Old Fettesian remembered Aidan's old man, a senior partner in an established law firm, picking up the young lad at the school gates in the chauffeur driven car and whisking him through to Glasgow to cheer on ra Sellik.I suppose one green'n'grey scarf looks pretty much like another? Anyways, this information spawns a 'mea culpa' article from Aidan, and he retires to the colour supplement pages and book writing. Aidan pens a tome about following Hearts for a year. The resonation being that Aidan is a mad, mental Hibby and he has to cheer on the Boys in Maroon for a season! I know, I know, where does his beloved Sellik fit into the picture? I suspect, just like his working class upbringing, rode away on a white unicorn down the incline of Kerrydale Street. The one thing in Aidan's life that remains an ever constant, is his hatred of Rangers.

Genuinely forgot about this, hope you do not mind if I view and put up the Hibs v Rangers preview tomorrow morning?

I note there has been considerable interest in whether Dave King will remain in situ' to Chair Rangers? I doubt it, South Africa has the same time zone as the UK, directly due south. Thus, all decisions and indeed discussions can be conducted in real time. A strong Chief Executive appointment will ensue and Dave will be absentee for most of the time. Of course, his presence will be mandatory for a number of issues(and at this point I must credit a fellow Bear on the Herald forum, John Mercer), "Rangers participation in the Champions League, Annual title celebrations, and of course, Charing Referee briefings". Our separated brethren collapsed into fulminating meltdown at that superb retort.

It was 5p, the equivalent of a shilling, the country had just changed from the Imperial to the Decimal system. The match was against Arsenal and we lost two goals in injury time to lose 1-2. I believe the official attendance that evening was given as 80,000? Anyone in Ibrox that night, myself included, thought it was nearer six figures.

Zappa, If Hibs away is still open for preview, I'll get something up at some point on Thursday?

Oh, the usual suspects will be blowing the dust off a dozen year old file. Lot's of continuous references to "wee Dick", brown brogues, bad wigs, the orange homage, .............................................. etc.

What do you think of Queens' Zander Clark? Commanding,, strong wrists, and for such a big unit, seems to get down quite easily.

On Saturday, BBC Radio Scotland's Cosgrove and Cowan spent two hours of their, 'Off the Ball' show discussing, 'the election and football. Anyone that also listens to Thursday afternoon's weekly 30 minute media review with both Stuart Cosgrove and Eamon O'Neill on the same channel, will know BES(Big Establishment Stu) regularly accuses Pacific Quay of bias. Regularly, he reminds BBC Scotland of their own guidelines and calls for accuracy, to ensure Producer objectivity. Eamon generates the odd bit of abrasion to erode the cigarette paper separating his view from BES. So, to last Saturday, BES was awash with triumphalism and particularly keen to lionise Mhairi Black. BES forgot those guidelines he is most keen to quote, because on several occasions he told the listenership that Mhairi jokingly tweeted her intention to boot Celtic fans in the baws. BES was sure Ms Black could do it too, referring to her heavy vocal delivery. He promised the listeners that Mhairi would soon be a guest of the show, she had defeated heavyweight Douglas Alexander in the election in Paisley South and was a Partick Thistle supporter. Despite the jokingly booting Yahoos in the baws mantra, Producer objectivity should have told us what Mhairi actually tweeted, "I have only just realised I fcuking hate Celtic, yer joke scum". Further, her address at the Hope over Fear rally in George Square contained the laugh like a drain moment when she articulated her fantasy reference Labour Councillors at last year's Independence Referendum, "it took everything, every fibre in my being not to put the nut on one of them". Mhairi's broadcast swagger extended to labeling both Ed Milliband and Douglas Alexander as "cnuts". Yep, tomorrow belongs to you, Mhairi. Objectivity demands I point out that Hope over Fear is/was a Tommy Sheridan project, the one where the Irish Republican bands provide the cabaret. Cosgrove's performance, running interference on what Mhairi actually said, opposed to what he wants the listenership to remember as jokingly said; is akin to his similar act with Channel 4 Journo, Alex Thomson. Remember, he broadcast a YouTube video of the Ibrox Disaster statue of John Greig walking away, then utilised Cosgrove's show to plead ignorance? Cosgrove was a then senior Channel 4 Executive and led Thomson by the nose through a 20 minute apology. The very next day, Thomson referred to Rangers supporters continuously as Daleks, and we know they're not very good with stairs either! Back to the Off the Ball, and BES also raised Edinburgh South. Ian Murray is the surviving Labour MP in Scotland and BES promised he would return to the show. Murray's work with the Foundation of Hearts was rightfully praised, apparently they are a model club? BES volunteered that the SNP PPS, Neil Hay had made some inappropriate texts and tweets that may have led to non-election. He utilised the big hand over small map approach, "aye, Neil faced strong local issues". Again, evoking Producer accuracy and objectivity beloved by BES, Mr Hay wondered if pensioners knew the day of the week and whether they should be allowed to vote? Further, anyone not voting nationalist was, 'a Quisling'. At least BES referred to both Paisley and Edinburgh Souths, and assured Mhairi and Ian would guest on the show. BES ignored the Argyll constituency and Brendan O'Hara's utterances, perhaps the frequent lunch companion of the Lord Advocate will raise the matter the next time both place their knees under the table at Tom Kitchin's? Maybe, Big Stu' will assure us that Brendan will be a guest soonest? We know BES is a man of principle, bound by accuracy and objectivity, underpinned by BBC guidelines, don't we? Well, here is something recently broadcast by BES on the Media Review some weeks past, when the odious Jeremy Clarkson was to the fore, "I do not want to live in a society where some people can say offensive things without consequences". Over to you BES.

No, no, and thrice no. Monsieur Green is now, 'Charles of Normandy'.

Of course you are correct, We must be mindful of Sub Judice. However, it did not stop the Rangers Tax Case Blog.

Keef has provided a summary of the situation. In my professional days, we avoided such a loss of opportunity cost by stating, "situation - no change". Further, I would be interested in any Journo talking about 'the execution' of the way forward, eg how many phases?

I think we are confusing content and presentation. I disagree with the content, provided reasoning for my objection. His presentation is good, succinct, pithy, and punchy. He is a columnist, thus sets out to illicit a response, and is successful in doing so. He is a good writer.

Gordon Waddell is a good writer. A genuine Falkirk fan, and regularly swings the boot at both halves of the old firm. A couple of weeks past, he filleted Peter Lawwell, legitimately questioning the number of hats worn by ra Sellik's Chief Executive. He wondered aloud, if Peter sometimes forgot the titfer atop his noggin? He reminded Peter of his constant utilising of the old advertising adage, 'you need a hat to get ahead'. It was a hard hitting piece and I am sure Peter swapped another hat, to ensure the publishers of ra Sellik View and the match day programme for ra Stydome, 'Media Scotland'(also publish the Sunday Mail and Daily Record) even the score. Waddell alludes to the fact that both grounds of the old firm are mostly half full, then specifically labels those missing Bears as glory hunters. It begs the question, why are ra Sellik failing to attract supporters whence the glory continues? Surely, a more pertinent question? Further, older Bears will confirm that the five years between 1966's Scottish Cup win and 1971's League Cup victory, saw ra Sellik's relentless march to nine-in-a-row, and a Europen Cup success. Interestingly, Rangers average crowds in five long trophy less years topped ra Sellik's, by a fair few thousand. There are a number of reasons why Ibrox is on average, just more than half full. I venture recession, style and quality of football to be endured, and the constant uncertainty experienced by Rangers these last several years. I suspect Waddell has been instructed to pen such a lazy piece? Further, I suspect he would much prefer to fill his column with the possibility of glory for his own club, Falkirk at the up coming Scottish Cup final?

It's another old firm Youth Cup final. Ra Sellik defeated Hibs 6-zip last evening at Cappielow. As yet, no date or venue given for the final.