26th of foot

From memory. We have played Benfica twice in Euro' competition, season 2020-21 in the Europa League group stages. We drew 3-3 in Lisbon and 2-2 at Ibrox. Interestingly, the first time we faced Portuguese opposition in Euro' competition was during our ECWC winning run in 1971-72, the last sixteen round where we were the first team to progress on the away goals rule. Having defeated Sporting Lisbon 3-2 at Ibrox, we lost 3-4 in Lisbon; thus 6-6 on aggregate but, we scored one more away goal. Since then, we have faced Porto on three occasions, six games winning 3 drawing 2 and, losing one. Braga on two occasions winning 3 and losing one. Maritimo once, winning one and losing one. We went through on penalties. Boavista once, winning both games. Sporting on three occasions winning 2, drawing 3 and, losing 1. In conclusion we have played various Portuguese teams in 22 competitive matches - winning 11 games, drawing 8 and, losing 3. I suppose we should be optimistic?

Reference the old Travel Club. My wife and I did several trips under the auspices of the Rangers Travel Club - Athens, Zurich, Parma, Copenhagen, ........ etc. They were well organised and contained three or four options on standard of hotel, length of stay and, type of ticket. It was the Ticket Office staff that administered the travel club and provided an excellent service. Why did Rangers change something that was working so well?

Laying Siege to Mentality? Thirty minutes after Sellik securing a 1-3 victory yesterday at Fir Park, Brenda appears to conduct the post match interview with BBC Scotland's Jane Lewis. The 53 year old experienced PQ Staffer began, "The victory ensures the title race continues"? Brenda : "In terms of the title race, the story has already been written about this group but, we will write our own story" Jane Lewis : "Can you elaborate on that"? Brenda : "No, no you know exactly what I mean". Jane Lewis : "It's quite cryptic, can you explain"? Brenda wound up the interview by concluding : "Done, good girl, well done". Jane Lewis handed back to Richard Gordon in the studio and he said, "oh, oh well" and, than laughed. It was a surprising reaction from ra Sellik Gaffer to a reasonable line of questioning. It sounded as if Brenda had rehearsed(a la john Leslie in front of a mirror) his reply whatever the question. Why he ran for the comfort of condescension in his guillotining of the interview is even more damning but, quite illuminating. Of course, in the nature of any hint of negativity enveloping all things Sellik, the immediate action is vicTIMhood. Jane Lewis was being mercilessly trolled last night on social media, she is a bitter 'Well fan, exercising her long running agenda with Celtic, .......... etc. Ms Lewis did exercise her thirty-odd years of experience by insisting she was not fazed at all by his comment, "just for the record, I am not rattled, hurting, bitter or, deflated". Jane should be worried about her employer, PQ's initial reaction was Brenda had made a James Hunt of it, embarrassed himself and the club by adopting such a misogynistic, patronising line. An hour later, the wagons had been circled and the website declared, 'Celtic will write own story says defiant Rodgers'. The establishment broadcaster abandoned the sensitivity of it's reporter and got right behind the establishment football club. Both PQ and Sellik are refusing to comment on the interview. Concurrently, two days after it had been broadcast at half time on Friday evening's live coverage of the Thistle - Dunfermline live match; PQ has stuck Tom English's Auchenhowie conducted interview with Jack Butland(see immediately above) on it's website. Again, the PQ Producers, Directors and, Editors are laying siege to mentality when it suits them.

Clearly, Diomande is a most technical player. He has the ability to get his foot in, a bit of the Brahim Hemdani. Breaking up opposition attacks as they are getting started is a rare skill. Yesterday's left foot shot was a crisply hit pass into the interior side of the net from 25 yards. As good as it was, it paled against last week's right foot strike at Perth. On a bumpy pitch, he took a touch and then hit across the ball with the outside of his right foot from 20 yards. I believe his right foot is his chocolate? A headed goal from Dio would be nice on Wednesday evening at Rugby Park.

Please Rangers. Concentration, concentration and, concentration. Just ensure tonight at five O'Clock we are five points ahead of the separated brethren.

Rangers 2 Hearts 1 FGS : Dessers.

KLAXON KLAXON Hear this! Hear this! It is Friday night and I am viewing BBC Scotland's satellite channel's live coverage of the Championship match between Partick Thistle and Dunfermline Athletic. Half time is 1-1 and the trio of Jonathon Sutherland, James McFdden and, Leeanne Crichton spend ten minutes discussing first half events. There are another five minutes before the second period begins and the Shetland pony announces an interview of Jack Butland by Tom English. We know BBC Scotland's Chief Sports Writer has been banned from both Sellik Park and Lennoxtown since the close season by Peter because he penned the truth about Brenda's departure to Leicester City. Initially, Peter banned BBC Scotland in it's entirety but relented after demanding both the corporation and Tom English apologise. The Gang Hut offered full throated consummation because ah mean, 'faithful through and through'. However Tom has refused and remains on the naughty step. Tom's five minute chat with Butland is nothing spectacular but reveals the English keeper is not remotely interested in returning down south any time soon. Significantly, the interview was conducted at Auchenhowie. PQ have NOT flagged up this interview on their website or on any of their numerous TV and radio news shows. It has been sneaked in at half time during a Friday evening Championship live coverage. The Gang Hut will be raging, BBC Scotland's Chief Sports Writer providing a service to license fee paying Rangers supporters! Steven Gerrard was Rangers manager for three and a half years and the national broadcaster does not possess a single second of interview pertaining to that time. Has Tom gone rogue?

I am happy, was hoping for a draw against Benfica to ensure another enjoyable trip to Lisbon. My advice to those intending to travel is thus : 1. Leave the Fado to Spiersy and Ewan Murray. How many over wrought songs about lonely seagulls can one person endure? 2. Find a restaurant offering wooden boards of Serrano and ewes' milk cheese, delicious particularly when accompanied with a bottle of Douro. 3. Make the effort of a morning to attend my favourite bakery, 'Manteigaria' - on Rua do Loreto. Excellent coffee and the best pasteis de nata(custard tarts).

All week, I have read, viewed and, listened to everyone and his dog tell me; Rangers have signed an Algerian forward driving midfielder, Mo M'en Tum. Apparently, he is fit and ready to grace the Ibrox turf this coming Saturday against Hearts. All credit belongs to Rangers Gaffer, Phillipe Clement. He has discovered him, installed him and, got him going. We should be optimistic because he is both a strength and a force, a missile! I remember from my anti-tank days that the purpose of the missile is to carry the warhead to the target. I am hoping for a BIG impact. I am intent upon entering the club superstore on Saturday morning and purchasing a home top with both name and number on the back. At £3 per letter, that is £24 and, with £5 per numeral ........... etc. What squad number has been allocated to Mo M'en Tum?

Nein to the Nine. It was launched five years past and allocated an annual budget of £32 million. BBC Scotland's new satellite channel arrived with considerable fanfare and it's flagship news - current affairs show was 'the Nine'. One hour each evening between nine and ten O'Clock between Monday and Thursday. On weekends the Nine became, 'the Seven' and held on to one hour of broadcasting time on each evening between Friday and Sunday. PQ described the Nine as, "a world class programme combining international, UK and, Scottish news with the needs of a Scottish audience". Instead, the Licenses Fee payers received a five year flowing trough in which the usual suspects dipped their hungry snouts. Producers, Directors, Researchers, ............... and, Presenters got to indulge in their favourite topics; Scottish and Irish nationalism plus, a regular dollop of matters Sellik. Amazing really, they could squeeze in such obsessions whilst worshipping Nicola. In excess of 250 daily live briefings from the Former First Minister during Covid Lockdowns and PQ endorsed and broadcast that several minute fawning mush of Primary school children thanking Nicola for keeping them safe. Nothing from the Care Homes. It was a winning formulae, in a country with a population nearing six million, 'the Nine' attracted less than 1,700 viewers on occasion, 'the Seven' plumbed new lows with less than 200. It does NOT even amount to 0.1% of the population. Just another PQ scam, with the likes of RAB Cosgrove and his production company living high on the hog whilst feeding us bon mots on Twinning's Tea and Irish players named Cosgrove playing for Perth Harp in the 19th century. No wonder a breathless RAB in his 72nd year continues to chase up the PQ stairs after Producers. Today, PQ announced the cancellation of the Nine, the Seven and, the Edit. Airmiles Angus Robertson, the Scottish Government's Cultural Secretary criticised the decision to axe the show, claiming it ran counter with the growing success of Scottish TV.

Reference John Collins. John Collins and his Agent travelled to Ibrox and the signing had been agreed. He received a telephone call from his old man pleading not to sign, Collins was upset and asked to postpone for overnight further thought.

I believe Brenda is the sole occupant of pictured Bothy this coming week.

Diomande has notched an unexpected but, wonderful goal. Our midfield has been lacklustre both in and out of possession. More often than not, their backs are to goal when receiving the ball, the second touch is the proverbial tackle. Of course the pitch is under par but, it is the same for both sides. If we are going to persist with balls over the top, we are going to have play them with more accuracy.

St Johnstone 0 Rangers 2 FGS : Silva.

There will be loud mood music around McDiarmid Park tomorrow and after today's result at ra Stade de Gadd, there will be another persistent noise to add to the cacophony. Specifically, it is an increasing hiss. Increasing pressure through a growing hole is deflating the huge sense of entitlement present among the green'n'grey hooped horrors. It is a disturbance in the air, ignore it Rangers and concentrate on defeating St Johnstone.

Peter is compelled to return to the ancestral homeland every time he is confronted with an awkward situation(see the final month of season 2007-08). A direct descendant of Admiral Yamamoto of the Japanese Imperial Navy, well that is what his maw told him after purchasing his school uniform from the Army and Navy store.

I remember reading an article several yers past on the meticulous methods of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, he had brought a specific throw-in coach to the club. The corners thing is something that rips my knitting. At Ibrox, we average a dozen corners; last night against Ross County we achieved twenty. Whether in is out swinging or in swinging, it makes no difference as we barely achieve the first touch. Ross County's central midfielder, Yan Danda took two corners last evening, both wickedly whipped balls, one grazed the bar, the other was the recipient of a Jack Butland one handed punched clearance. If we receive at least a dozen opportunities to put an unfettered ball into the opposition's box every game at the Stadium, maybe a specific coach could inspire much improved outcomes? I nominate Rosseau, do I have a witness?

Rangers 4 Ross County 0 FGS : Dessers.

I know this is off topic but we are in the second page of the thread. I attended my first old firm game at Celtic Park on the 1st of January 1966. I had witnessed Rangers victories against them at both Ibrox and Hampden however, the Piggery experience was horrid. Rangers had lost 2-3 to the then Scottish Cup holders, Dunfermline Athletic at the Stadium the week before and trepidation was in the air. It was a freezing foggy afternoon, the pitch was solid and as a nine year old I was bundled into a duffle coat. The track was utilised to store stacked bails of hay, in those days Sellik protected the pitch from frost by spreading hay across the surface. It started well, a through ball in the first minute found Davie Wilson rounding the keeper to notch the opening goal. It was 0-1 at half time. The green'n'grey horrors had a large wide player at the time, John Hughes nickname, 'Yogi'. He ran out for the second half in a pair of baseball boots. As it darkened, the sky cleared and a hard frost descended. It was football on ice. Needless to say, Hughes ran amok in his rubber soles, Chalmers scored a hat trick and, Rangers slumped to a 1-5 defeat. It was the Jock Stein effect.

"Penalty to Rangers"? As of today 13th Feb'24 - 25 games have been played in the Scottish Premiership and the penalty/red card stats are thus : Sellik have been awarded 12 penalties, conceded nil and, received 1 red card. Rangers have been awarded 9 penalties, conceded 1 and, received 4 red cards. The much vaunted Masonic Conspiracy that fail failed to halt Sellik's quadruple Treble appears to be operating much in the same vein. However, the Scottish establishment triumvirate of the Scottish Government, BBC Scotland and, ra Sellik continually need a grouping to blame and be the recipient of the collective pointed finger when the facts get in the way of their preferred narrative. Rangers and Rangers supporters are necessary, so many mortgages and life styles depend upon the club. Small independent countries receive regular call outs from the Gang Hut, it is half term and the First Minister and his wife, Nadia are off to Qatar whereas RAB Cosgrove descends upon Sri Lanka. Burgeoning property portfolios aside, these brave, bold lands are ripe with opportunity. Humza can press his international credentials whilst meeting the Hamas leadership. At least he is consistent, it is a lot like being an MSP for Pollok whilst residing in Broughty Ferry. The concerns for the folks in Gaza are uppermost from a long, long away. RAB lionised Sri Lanka continually then, a corruption inspired meltdown occurred. Remember ordinary Sri Lankans were trashing the President's home whilst swimming in his pool? RAB maintains radio silence on the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka these days. It is a bit like ra Sellik, this last week we have had two BIG stories involving both the First Minister, Humza Yousaf and his Health Secretary, Michael Matheson. Humza stated if he was not involved in politics, "I would be Chairman of Celtic". As if Peter would let him? Michael resigned his position eventually because he attempted to claim mobile roaming charges(£11k) incurred in Morocco whilst viewing his beloved Sellik, as a legitimate expense. It is the very epitome of establishment, two Sellik related inconvenient stories and the Gang Hut just switched off the amplifier. Once again, the national broadcaster abdicated it's responsibilities. Concurrently, Tam the Token ran a number of gags where Rangers players and Rangers supporters were the punch lines. Scotland's failure to defeat France in Saturday's rugby union match at Murrayfield was a VAR(TMO) travesty, "ah could not believe it, after five minutes they could not award a try then ah realised Connor Goldson was involved in that pile on". The national rugby side lose to France and it is deemed more acceptable when you blame Rangers. The comfort of the Gang Hut supersedes all, place a Rangers player into another sport, in another stadium with a different shaped ball and it runs more interference on a Government minister attempting to steal eleven grand due to his obsession in watching Sellik. Penalty to Rangers will run and run because it means Rangers and Rangers supporters are paying the penalty.

Rangers 4 Ayr United 0 FGS : Silva.

No, no and, thrice no. Surely, we want to face St Mirren at Ibrox in the quarter-final?

All very well but, I will wait for both Compo and Scott7's personal recollections of the match.

I suspect you are correct. It must be over a couple of years past that I was told of an alleged rumour involving former Chair of the Football Association of Ireland, John Delaney. He was also a Board member of UEFA's Executive Committee. I am sure you remember the outrageous circumstances of his resignation from both posts? Anyways, apparently the unravelling of Delaney's life provided opportunity for Lawwell, he had always fancied a post on UEFA's Executive Committee. The shoo in became acrimonious as Delaney believed he had been back stabbed. Remember the FAI was on the brink of bankruptcy when Delaney(the Chair) provided a one million Euros emergency loan from his property portfolio account. His resignation was demanded and subsequently he lost his treasured place on UEFA's Executive Committee. He divorced the wife, married his long term mistress and, moved his new wife and child to London. He had been in the UK a matter of months when the well connected Delaney swore revenge. I was asked to connect the dots. I believe Peter serves on two UEFA Committees, Vice-Chair of one.

Whatever became of Police Scotland's investigation into the fire bombing of Peter's house in Thorntonhall? I remember Police Scotland's first response was they were refusing to rule out a sectarian motive for the attack. Maybe the investigation led down a road closer to home? We should be told.