26th of foot

Chris McLaughlin and Hibs - Rangers games. It was August'15, Rangers had been drawn away to Hibs in the opening round of the Petrofac Cup. BBC Scotland sent Chris along to cover the match at Easter Road. Pre-match, Chris was confident newly appointed Hibs Gaffer, Alan Stubs would triumph against Rangers new manager, Marc Warburton. After twenty-odd minutes, Chris reported, "as expected, Stanton has put Hibs one up". At half time, Chris reported injustice, two quick time Rangers strikes saw a 1-2 scoreline, "Hibs have been mugged". The full time result was Hibs 2 Rangers 6 and McLaughlin's match report began, "Four Rangers supporters have been arrested and charged with offensive, sectarian chanting". Chris was still on Twitter nine years past and few Rangers supporters engaged with him, myself included. Chris assured us the information was supplied by the Match Commander and that he always conversed with the MC after a game. Four weeks later, Chris's favourites were away at Pittodrie and those of us watching on TV were regaled with the full IRA karaoke from the travelling support. Chris was pitch side for BBC Scotland and his match report was all about the football. Again, he was engaged on Twitter and he told us he had conversed with the Match Commander and no arrests for offensive chanting had been made. Imagine our surprise when Tuesday's Aberdeen Press and Journal reported six Yahoos in court, four for offensive chanting. Chris left Twitter. The next two seasons saw Chris double down on his perception of accuracy and objectivity. Rangers withdrew his press credentials and for the next five years, BBC License Fee paying Rangers supporters received next to no service from the national broadcaster. Chris was promoted twice during this period, his current designation is, 'Sports News Correspondent'. Sectarianism remains a problem in Scottish football and an element of our travelling support contribute to it. However, sectarianism is NOT a one way street and Chris MUST acknowledge this.

Oh good, he will be ready to participate in the annual large open air music festival that takes place in Larkhall. I believe a masked flautist would be novel?

The Rangers travelling support should take careful note of the Hibs statement. We can indulge in whataboutery because hypocrisy drips from the Hibees travelling support but, it will NOT help. The Scottish Government are determined to push their 'Hate Crime' policy through Holyrood and they are looking for a specific to aid the process. As a club, Hibs enjoy a raft of both political and social influence. Ian Blackford, Peter Murrell, Kenny Macaskill, ....... etc are all Hibees. There is not a single elected representative in either the SNP or the Green Party will admit to supporting Rangers. Our club is not the establishment club in this country and has not been for in excess of half a century. I will remind you of Humza's determination to see club and players punished for a clearly doctored video of supposed sectarian singing within the Blue Room. The initial consequence will be a cut in the Rangers allocation. The long term effects will be harder to bear, we are already on FARE's hate list and they have considerable influence within UEFA. Rangers do not have the excuse regularly awarded to other clubs ie 'cheeky rivalry'.

After we face the Portuguese custard tarts on Thursday, our separated brethren take on the Perth Saintees at ra Stade de Gadd on Saturday. By the time we travel to Dens on St Paddy's day, we could be one point behind in the Premiership.

I have seen it and it is not pretty. Remember, there are three types of Accountant and, their actions are always in triplets. Get a BIG tub of lubrication, he will beat you around the head with his slide rule whilst ramming his abacus up your jacksie. Some of those wooden abaci can be most uncomfortable to accommodate. Three types, those that can count and those that cannot. There lies the rage.

Careful, you do not want to be the subject of Bean Counter rage.

Back during the festive period, I saw a Tweet referring to the attention seeking Michael Stewart, it might have been in the wake of the last old firm game? It went along the lines of : 'if I was stranded on a desert island with a packet of Jammy Dodgers and Michael Stewart, I would eat Michael and talk to the fcuking biscuits'. Kinda sums up dearest Michael.

Earlier in this thread, I articulated the worry of leaving the pitch in Portugal at 22.15 hrs, rehydrating, sleeping and, returning to Glasgow Friday afternoon. Saturday was a loosener and an assessment on whom was prepared to go out on to the Easter Road pitch on Sunday evening. Joe Newell expressed it perfectly, "I hope the Rangers players are knackered after their exploits in Lisbon". Hibs started as expected, pressing us all around the pitch, particularly high in our own eighteen yard box. It was a hard watch because we did not pass the ball well. The players remained calm and were prepared to play the percentage game. If we ran out of options, we slung it over the top. The calmest character in our camp was the Gaffer. Both pre and post match, he keeps it simple, respectful, humble and, focused. The evidence is increasing, the players respond to his approach. We did not become involved in an increasingly fraught situation. Philippe has drilled the players and we all benefit. Our manager is blessed with penetrative thought, he sees it, calls it and, the players respond.

Hibs 1 Rangers 2 FGS : Silva.

I suspect Neil knows the semi-final Scottish Cup draw will pair Aberdeen with Rangers? Thus, Neil would rather watch the game wearing his scarf from within the Dunoon Rangers supporters club.

Hibs midfielder, Joe Newell is in today's Herald expressing his hopes that, "Rangers are knackered from Thursday night's Euro exploits". We left the Lisbon pitch after ten O'Clock, rehydration and sleep would ensue then a mid morning flight return to Glasgow. Today will be a loosener and discovering of the extent of injuries and further injuries. Tomorrow will be an Easter Road challenge from a well rested and prepared Hibs. I suspect Newell will get his wish. The Gaffer should pin his wish list on the dressing room wall as a reminder; the team will have to up for it from the off.

I voted for Jack Butland, his frequent saves kept us in the game/tie. However, as JohnMc has alluded, his distribution was erratic. A couple of wayward throw outs caused us difficulty which he resolved. I wonder if he is being coached on his kick-outs, both from hand and ground? The flat trajectory from hand looks like it is being done to aid the forward's purchase on the flick on? When Roofe came on, he showed how a forward can win and hold a ball.

Benfica 2 Rangers 2 FGS : Silva.

Our next three games are all away, played in a short ten day period and are in different competitions. 1. Tonight in Lisbon against Benfica in the Europa Cup. 2. Sunday at Easter Road in the Scottish Cup. 3. The following Sunday at Dens Park against Dundee in the Premiership. After our defeat by Motherwell on Saturday last, this next ten days could be the defining point of our season. The Gaffer has a ton of credit in the bank but, I fear our specific injury crisis in the creative - wide areas of the pitch will be a huge factor. I suspect the consensus among our support is to survive Lisbon, no further injuries and remain in the tie? A waiting Hibs team finding a bit of form and growing confidence is probably as hard as it gets having only one day recovery. If we are leggy and, we will be then, our start will be most important ............. etc. Trepidation Loyal RSC.

Sam English was from County Londonderry and grew up in Dumbartonshire. He was a shipyard apprentice before his professional football career, returning to the tools after retirement. Tom English is from a wealthy middle class Limerick family who owned a number of local newspapers. Tom was privately educated hence, his obsession with rugby.

Celtic Connections. This year has seen the thirtieth anniversary of the Glasgow based arts festival, 'Celtic Connections'. An early New Year, month long celebration of concerts, ceilidhs, talks, musical sessions and, workshops. The most tenuous connection to Scottish folk and traditional music is exploited to allow everything from Robert Burns readings to spiritual blues to be performed. Obviously, it works because it has been going thirty years and numbers in terms of those performing and attending continue to grow. These days it is a rare boost to Glasgow's night time economy and increases opportunity for those involved to network. At Pacific Quay, Celtic Connections has a different effort and aim. The members of the PQ CSC apply themselves in improving their standard of life both individually and collectively through on message support furra green'n'grey hooped horrors. This last week we have had RAB Cosgrove being the subject of a Kevin McKenna Herald double page interview, where RAB is demanding BBC UK provides more resources for BBC Scotland. Former Sellik View Editor and weekly contributor to ra Sellik Way podcast, Kevin McKenna lionises RAB for his academic achievements and agrees RAB's government grant funded production company is worthy of a bigger slice of the economic pie. After five years, the Nine is being scrapped because no one is viewing and the annual £32 million budget is being redirected. The man in his seventy-second year who continually informs the listenership of his chasing Gang Hut Producers around the PQ building has a considerable property portfolio to support and he was relying on his snout continuing in the Celtic Connections flowing trough. McKenna is Godfather to Angela Haggerty's son and since his tertiary education days when he founded his own amateur football side, 'the Vatican Strollers'; he only lends helping hands to fellow travellers on his designated road. Another Celtic Connection was BBC Scotland staffer, Paul English plugging Susie McCabe again in a Herald double paged feature last week. The two long term regularly appearing guests on RAB's 30 year old show took to the paper to sell tickets for Susie's gigs. It was the usual much told story of working class Susie(from leafy Garrowhill) sparking her bits on building sites, fighting anti-gay, anti-catholic and, anti one legged saxophonist prejudices to be signed by one of the UK's top established agencies, 'Off the Kerb'. Susie assures us her life has been harder than her hard hat and she is funnier than a fire in an orphanage? I first saw RAB Cosgrove some 36 years past, it was a TV show called, 'Halfway to Paradise'. RAB was the big star in a wee picture, sitting in a metal cage interviewing Gerry Dunbar, the Editor of Sellik 'zine - Not the View. RAB has always been Sellik connected.

Rangers 2 Motherwell 0 FGS : Dessers.

From memory, There have been at least three instances of Rangers players sustaining long term injuries on the Rugby Park surface : Stevie Smith, Martyn Waghorn and, Jamie Murphy.

Apparently, we are waiting on a specialist's report on the Cortes injury. If this injury is a medium to long term job, I hope Clement reintroduces young Lovelace back into the fold. The ability to step inside and unleash an accurate attempt on goal will be necessary in the coming weeks.

Survival was a major achievement. The team survived going behind, the pitch, inappropriate footwear, inexplicable refereeing and, five substitutions. The support survived, just. The seventh minute of time added on saw us concede three successive corner kicks. The Cortes injury is a real worry. He fell over clutching the back of his thigh and looked extremely stiff as he hobbled off. At the point where the games in all competitions come thick and fast, the potential loss of Cortes compounds Cantwell's hammy injury. Both these players provide necessary movement, their constant runs create exploitative angles. We have survived tonight but long term survival will continue to be a concern.

Kilmarnock 1 Rangers 2 FGS : Silva.

Kronenbourg do a four pack of pint tins in their 1664 range. I fear the extra quarter of a litre will be necessary this evening?

I am positive I have seen Red Swingfire listed on the Max Factor Royal Marine colour chart.

A rouge missile you say, is that a euphemism for a pastel shaded lipstick?

Since we returned to the Premiership, our league record at Rugby Park on the drastic plastic has been poor. This will be our eleventh visit. Thus far : played 10, won 3, drew 2 and, lost 5. I suspect big Phil will bring his practical head similar to both Saints games at Paisley and Perth. The surface is the same for both teams but, Killie train on it every day. The Saints' surfaces were not ideal and Phil instructed the team to continually turn the opposition by balls over the top, up the sides and, long diagonals. We must match Killie's work ethic and stop their crosses.