26th of foot

Dearest Graham remains a mentalist. I blame the cheese, these days ra Bhoy in Corduroy is the Laird of Dunlop. Currently, Graham aspires to consume the moon.

Enjoyed that. Reference Scott7's contribution; allow me to mention witnessing our 10-2 victory over Raith in '68.

It's truly wonderful that Tom acknowledges our shafting, I wonder when Tom will shine a light into the dark corner of all those administering the royal shafting? The club had been dealing from a continuous position of weakness for a decade, the maelstrom of allegations reference, "financial doping" being practiced, "industrial scales" became a strategy that overwhelmed. It became the accepted wisdom, the Rangers Tax Case Blog drove the agenda for 2-3 years. Spence, Spiers, Cosgrove, Delahunt, ...... et al worshiped at the altar and parroted the scripture. They legitimised the RTCB by ensuring it received the 'Orwell Prize' for revealing Rangers owed £200million. When the RTCB disappeared into the ether overnight, in light of the first ruling on the case; the usual suspects were seamless in screaming for CONTRITION. We MUST accept our guilt, even though we had been found Not Guilty. Recently, I heard Cosgrove chide a regular contributor to his BBC Scotland show; making reinforcing comforting remarks about face painters, florists, and newsagents, "och, ye're no still going on about that, we've moved on". Big Stu' knows they participated in a blood lust, he hopes it's in the past and there it will remain. As Rangers supporters, we must ensure Big Stu' and his ilk are reminded of discomfort; take that contrition and work it up their collective jacksies.

In principle, I am against capital punishment. I believe the statute book continues to carry the death penalty for Treachery, and Raising Fire in the Cinque Ports. I saw Charles Green walking around Hythe and Dover with a five gallon drum of petrol and several boxes of Swan Vestas. Do I have a witness? Hypocrite Loyal RSC.

Deepest, darkest Lanarkshire is aflame with rumour(okay several auld codgers in a couple of Bookies), Ian Black is undergoing a medical at Fir Park. What are the odds?

I suspect we will have to endure police interviews, reports to the PF, charges, trials, convictions, and sentences? Fcuk that, let's move straight to assembling a firing squad. ........ with a magazine of thirty silver bullets ............. LOAD ......

Given Chris McLaughlin's re-establishment of Journalistic privileges,I wonder if Tom English will rescind his self imposed boycott of Ibrox? I hope NOT.

The piece originates from Martin Williams at ra Herald.

Driving home last evening and Radio Snyde's Superscoreboard was being presented by the latest 'objective Host of ra Show', Gerry McCulloch. He was keen to talk about all things Rangers, apparently his team lost out on a Champions League jackpot earlier in the week. Thus, Gidion Zelalem's debut was the subject of choice for the necessary interference. Big DJ compared the Arsenal youngster to Graeme Souness, and Gerry sought objectivity by asking current 'friend of the show', Mark Burchill, "had you ever heard of him"? The Livingston manager's response was informative, he had heard the name being praised by the American coaches at youth level. However, his level of articulation may have raised an eyebrow, "the Americans are really enthused, he is their new big white hope". Gerry might want to readdress this once he bothers to view the highlights from Airdrie?

ES Clydebank.

I think we have unfinished business with Dundee United. Arabs at Ibrox, and let both Thommo and Spency sit where they like.

It's not over until the team lines are fully scrutinised. In saying that, ra Yahoos must be PIG sick.

Depending upon your preference, it was either Daniel Defoe or Benjamin Franklin who proclaimed on the certainty of death and taxes. We know night follows day, Hearts are a model club, and Aidan Smith spits venom after his beloved Hibs are spanked by Rangers. It's almost 48 hours since the Bears administered further punishment and Aidan has penned ................................ ? Only four weeks past, a 2-6 reversal at Easter Road received the usual rambling pysh treatment, the old Fettesian opined, "an over glamourised pre-season friendly". Aidan has displayed 25 years of confusing behaviour, an anti-establishment, former Sellik supporter, public school boy. His hatred of all things Rangers has been his one consistent trait. I am concerned for his mental welfare, I hope he is not reduced to hugging his Alma Mater's straw boater whilst attending a self help group? Perhaps, Aidan is utilising his time better these days? Penning articles urging Rod to demand Peter helps out further, Big Liam is unbalanced with that Big Heid, only Anthony Stokes brings the necessary weaponry and firepower. He will hit the net more times than he hit an Elvis impersonator. We need the certainty of Aidan's bile.

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.