JohnMc

It's also telling that Tomkins is English and Fraser from Inverness, rather than the west of Scotland where the bulk of the population actually live, both are 'list' MSPs rather than constituency elected too. There will probably be a couple more if we really looked but it's a poor return from a possible 188 MPs and MSPs.

My point Bluedell is that no one is working for us, the best we get is ambivalence, and the worst is people who clearly dislike us and make it quite well known. Why is that? Why are there no votes, or at least why is the perception there are no votes, for politicians in being publicly pro-Rangers? To me, these threads come across as some posters using it to have a go at the SNP, to underline their own political beliefs. The SNP didn't invent it, it's been around for a couple of decades now across all political stripes. For me you're not identifying the problem at all, the issue isn't Susan Aitken being a dick on Facebook chat, it's why someone like Susan Aitken feels that's acceptable, indeed maybe desirable. In the end she's doing what the people in power before her also did, and they had a very different political belief. For me, if you want to fix this, you need to address why we have no political capital no matter who is in power. You're making this about the SNP, it's not about them, it's much bigger than that.

It's possible, I doubt it'll do Ms Aitken much harm politically. I'm not conscious of a Labour revival in Glasgow, but I suppose the SNP might fear Labour somehow harnessing some sort of grassroots 'Catholics as victims' to rebuild their vote. Certainly some people have been very keen to play up the 'sectarianism is alive' trope recently, despite most evidence to the contrary.

This 'demonisation' didn't start with Susan Aitken, or even the SNP, it's been going on for a lot longer than that Bluedell. It happened when Labour controlled Glasgow, it happened when Labour controlled Scotland, it happens when Tories are strong or when Tories are weak. For me you saying "anti-Rangers SNP" misses the point, almost all mainstream politicians in Scotland are at best ambivalent towards Rangers. So making this about the SNP and the inevitable polarising of opinions that brings neither addresses the root of the problem or solves the specific issue at hand. The fanzone debacle last summer was annoying and unfair. However, it wasn't a huge surprise either and it didn't happen in a vacuum. I'd contend the same thing would happen no matter who was in power in George Square. I'm not dismissing it as a joke I'm telling you how I thought it was meant. Tell me, how come the political landscape in this city and this country completely changed, moved from Labour domination to SNP domination to SNP with a Tory resurgence, and yet our friends across the city remain largely in vogue and we remain outsiders shouting at the gates with almost no political capital or influence? Do you think that's down to people like?

I said it was meant as a joke, I didn't say it was funny. Anyone who thinks Frank McAveety could ever be portrayed as being pro-Rangers has clearly never met him. Look, politics is a blood sport. They almost always play the man not the ball, particularly at local level. Do we really feel the politicians who've spoken out against Aitken on this are doing it through altruism or because they think it might damage her and her party and gain them some support? I know what I think. I also think if the shoe was on the other foot they'd happily say the opposite. The fact that our politics seem to be fracturing along 'identity' lines depresses me. Having lived in Northern Ireland I can say that type of politics is not healthy or conducive to getting good public services or indeed good politicians. It's my opinion based on my experiences. Seeing Scotland gradually head down that road too exasperates me. I refuse to join in, I won't cheerlead any particular party simply because I'm a 'bluenose' or a 'Prod' or whatever label I'm supposed to be. Susan Aitken saying she intends to impose restrictions on Orange parades just days after the spitting incident is the least surprising thing I've read on here. I'm disappointed that Rangers remain political kryptonite despite the seismic changes in our political landscape in the last decade. But I'm not surprised and I long ago gave up hope I can influence any change on that. I've concerns over some of the decisions being taken by Glasgow council, this isn't one of them.

I've no inside knowledge but the McAveety post is clearly a joke. McAveety is a massive Celtic fan and this isn't any secret, I suspect the post is meant to be funny. As for the first post, is anyone really surprised that councillors find Orange parades at best an inconvenience and at worst an embarrassment? That was posted 4 days after the priest was spat on. The media were all over the story and there was genuine revulsion from people like me. It doesn't surprise me that the head of Glasgow council was on a war footing about it.

Apologies Craig, I was trying to be funny. There was no talk of finance or how we could afford it, I just made that bit up. 4Lads explained he understood Armstrong was being offered to clubs, ours included, rather than it being someone we were actively pursuing. And for the avoidance of doubt I don't have the inside track, I'm only on to make the others sound good.

If you listen to the pod the finances of the deal, how it's structured, the dates and points of repayment and how amortisation will play a part are all explained in forensic detail. It's a chartered accountants wet dream to be quite frank... It's mainly me who has the inside track, the others are just there for colour.

I don't have an answer either, but I agree with those who say they need to find a solution. The Notting Hill Carnival in London resulted in serious rioting for a number of years. Yet they were able to work with police, the local council and the community to transform it into a global tourist attraction. They could perhaps speak with the people who run the Donegal Orange Walk which passes off peacefully every year and has also turned into something of a tourist attraction. Somehow they're able to hold a decent sized parade in the Republic Of Ireland without any problems. It doesn't strike me as impossible to turn the spectacle of a parade set to music from marching bands into something people with no association or connection might actually enjoy watching. I'm not Chinese but I've watched and enjoyed their New Year parade with the big puppet dragons and drums.

It was Stuart Armstrong dB. But you need to make time to listen to the pod now!

I was really surprised at just how negative Aberdeen were yesterday. They'd no creativity or invention in their side and were relying on set-pieces, you didn't even fear them on the break yesterday. That said they were without McKay-Stevens and McGinn two relatively creative attacking players, and Shinnie. As someone said last night Shinnie is a big player for them, he's their leader and one of their best players and they'll really miss him next season. I'm delighted with how Gerrard has us playing and his first season has gone pretty well. I doubt we'd be as entertaining had McInnes taken the job. Yet I still think McInnes is a decent manager, doing what he can with what he's got. I'm not sorry he didn't take the job with us, but I'd be happy if he took the Scotland job for example.

For those interested in transfer news and some background on Barasic, Grezda and Lafferty you really should have listened to last night's Gersnet podcast. Just as well you can listen to it again today. How would we all feel about signing an ex-Celtic player...?

The one thing that's impressed me about Aberdeen is their fitness. For all we've dominated them they've kept going to the end of the match, as such I agree we need to score first and draw them out of their defensive set up. If we can do that we should win with something to spare, if we don't they always look like they can score from set-pieces.

The 2011 census results said 27% are RC, 27% said Church of Scotland or other Christian and 38% stated no religion. Remainder are Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish or Buddhist. There have been Irish Republican marches in Glasgow for a long time, I remember them going through Milton in 1980s at the height of the 'Troubles'. There was usually bother at them then from stone throwing to full scale attacks on them.

I can see now that it's two thin red stripes on the collar, not gold, duh!

I've given up predicting who'll make it and who won't, the jump from youth football to first team requires more than ability to bridge. Our right back caught my eye, as did McPake but whether they've got any chance of making our first team in any regular capacity is anyone's guess. They all need to be starting to play first team football fairly soon to keep progressing in my opinion, I doubt that'll be with us though, I suspect a season at Falkirk or Morton on loan await a few of them. The wee Dembele lad at Celtic, who's had a lot of hype already, can clearly play, but he looks tiny when you see him at that level. I actually thought the other black kid Celtic had looked a better prospect, but as I said I'm no judge of these things.

My understanding of Chromecast is anything will 'cast' as long as it's being watched on the Chrome web browser. I don't understand how a specific website could prevent the browser from 'casting'. I can see how an app wouldn't work though.

I believe Stewart hates Levein almost as much as he hates Rangers, I understand the feeling is mutual. The graphics man did his job well as Findlay got his red card rescinded. What do you want to bet Clarke is less angry if his side lose this weekend?

Is it gold trim on the home strip? Quite like the red one but not the black one, it looks like something St Mirren rejected. Sponsor's logo is too big on all of them.

Fair enough. Membership of the Orange Order in Scotland is put at around 50,000, although the last 'big' walk in Glasgow had around 10,000 participants. The population of the city of Glasgow is around 600,000. It seems to me that most people in the city have no direct connection, I don't think I'm spreading falsehoods by stating that Barca. I'm not particularly popular on here, or in 'real life' either Barca, but it's kind of you to assume otherwise. You are correct, my statement was entirely anecdotal and based on what I see and hear among my finite group of acquaintances. I don't think it's stretching credibility to state that organisations like the Orange Order are less popular today than 10 years ago far less 30 years ago. That's not just here but in Northern Ireland too. For a variety of reasons fraternal organisations have become less popular in the last 30 years, be they trade unions, youth organisations, churches or the Orange Order. I'm not trying to slander them, it's just the way it is, I think.

That's interesting. It was more around doing more to discourage the 'hangers-on' at these events and then the creation of organisations like "Scottish Protestants Against Discrimination" which is hyperbolic and viewed as such by a good number of people who might otherwise have some sympathy towards organisations like the OO. Holding rallies and demonstrations tends to inflame and annoy, rather than get the 'not bothered' onside.

It's not an exact comparison though BD, is it. If you were standing outside your Orange Hall for example and some sort of Independence march went past and someone following it spat on you then I think you could in all reasonableness request no more of that type of march go past your premises, and the police would probably back you on that. All future 'walks' haven't been banned as far as I know. I think Glasgow Council, indeed most councils and the police, would probably be quite happy if there was a complete ban on Orange walks. That's the direction of travel currently, bams spitting on priests will only speed that up.

Okay, I live in Glasgow, I also work in Glasgow and my children attend our local school. I feel I'm qualified to comment on this. As someone who still has an involvement in our local Church Of Scotland I can say I don't in any way feel I'm discriminated against by the local council. Firstly let's be very careful about conflating the rerouting of an ABOD march with discrimination against Protestants. Someone spat on a priest in the street, let that sink in. Spitting on someone you don't know and who in this case had clearly hadn't done anything to deserve it is abhorrent. Surely no one disagrees with that? That person was following a 'walk' when he did it. For all the various loyal orders can say they have no control over who 'follows' them on the street they have to take some responsibility for the people they attract. This isn't a new problem for them either. I understand there's a distinction between the OO, the bands they hire and the people who walk alongside them. But for the vast majority of people they see them as one, all connected and only there in the first place because of the 'walk'. So, the 'banning' of this particular march is no surprise and frankly the wise thing to do. I can understand entirely why the council and police made the decision. That's no conspiracy. I lived in Northern Ireland in the 1990s and I watched the Orange Order make exactly the same mistakes then as I'm watching them make now. It's astonishing how resistant to learning they seem to be. In Glasgow today the majority of people have no connection to loyal orders. Most people won't care if they don't see another Orange march in their life. That's the harsh reality. As someone still involved in organised, mainstream Presbyterianism, I can tell you that Glasgow City Council are the least of our concerns. I'm now late for the Easter service.

Listened this morning, well done, really enjoyed it.

I agree, if Kilmarnock can fill 3 sides of their ground good on them. They've had a good season and they might, conceivably, still be challenging for second come that match. Certainly they'd want to secure third and European qualification and you have to say that's a pretty impressive season for them. Plenty of sides have been grateful for the blue pound over the years, but if they can fill their own ground they should. (I might revise this post if we're one win away from the title that day...).