Uilleam

As usual, the real heroes of the day were -and remain- unrecognised, and unrewarded: step forward Air Traffic Control

SAVAGED BY A SHEEP https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/sport-columnists/3164914/richard-gordon-column-a-remarkable-season-like-no-other-but-one-to-forget-for-aberdeen/ Shameful scenes may be a concern for Uefa The headlines all week have rightly been dominated by the reprehensible scenes in Glasgow last weekend as Rangers fans ‘celebrated’ lifting the Premiership trophy. There was a blizzard of condemnation, statements issued by the First Minister, Police Scotland and the football authorities variously describing what had happened as an abomination, an embarrassment and shameful. Nicola Sturgeon spoke of vile anti-Catholic prejudice, and a quick trawl through the footage shows there was plenty of that. It was a display that humiliated our country and must have left the decision makers at UEFA pondering the wisdom of staging Euro 2020 in the city. It took over 24 hours for Rangers to issue their statement, and while they did denounce the behaviour on show, many would take issue with the claim that only a small minority was involved. The club cannot be held responsible for the morons who rampaged through Glasgow, but they should be issuing life bans to all found guilty. I have to ask if anybody has actually seen the plentiful footage of "vile" (obligatory usage) anti Catholic prejudice. I haven't.

The ball is screaming for mercy.

That's a tartan, you know, the Hurting Stewart....

Apparently, Olivier Ntcham is available on a free. Just saying, like...

I had quite forgotten that justice is a many wheeled pantechnicon, and that its wheels grind, and grind, and grind, continually, and finely, on many matters of public concern, most of which, these days, seem to involve The Rangers, even if tangentially. Messrs BDO versus Messrs Duff and Phelps proceeds apace (a legal term, meaning 'with the speed of a runaway glacier'), and below is a report from The Times to prove it!!! Apparently, as they say in Poileas Alba, Mr Craig Whyte was 'difficult' to deal with - who knew? Mind you, ah ken a few lads who would deal with him readily, easily, and handily; in fact, they are itching to do so. Mr Kenny McBrearty, QC, and BDO's brief, said that "Rangers was not just a football team but was a social, political and religious phenomenon..." I am not sure about that. A "religious phenomenon"? Really? In that its fortunes are followed "religiously", and not merely by its own support? A "political phenomenon"? Really? In that it is hated by the largest party in the Scottish Parliament, its members, and voters? A "social phenomenon"? ......Well, probably. Actually, the learned McBrearty could -should- have said "Cultural Institution", "Sporting Institution", or just plain "Institution"; any would have sufficed. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dealing-with-craig-whyte-was-not-easy-says-rangers-administrator-paul-clark-69smdctpl Dealing with Craig Whyte was not easy, says Rangers administrator Paul Clark James Mulholland Saturday May 22 2021, 12.01am, The Times Administrators in 2012 wanted Craig Whyte, who then owned Rangers, to transfer his majority shareholding One of the Rangers administrators has told how Craig Whyte “wasn’t the easiest man to deal with” during attempts to save the “social, political and religious phenomenon” from going under. Paul Clark, 56, told a court how he and colleagues persuaded Whyte to follow a plan designed to help the club out of administration in 2012. They wanted Whyte, who then owned Rangers, to transfer his majority shareholding to people who were proposing to take control of the club. The administrators were trying to arrange for new owners to take control of Rangers and set up a Company Voluntary Agreement to repay creditors. In June 2012 HMRC — the largest creditor — said the proposal was unacceptable, leading to Rangers being liquidated. Clark told the Court of Session that Whyte was a “reasonably experienced businessman” but added: “He’s not the easiest character to deal with.” Clark said: “Our view was that if we could get him on board and get him agreeable to some form of transfer willingly then that should be the best way forward.” He was giving evidence in a case brought against him and his fellow administrator David Whitehouse by the liquidators of Rangers, BDO. It is suing them for £56.8 million, claiming they failed to cut costs sufficiently. The pair deny this and are contesting the claim. Whitehouse and Clark went on to sell the business and assets to Charles Green’s consortium for £5.5 million before BDO were appointed to liquidate the old company. The three men were later among seven indicted over fraud allegations relating to Rangers before the case against them was dropped in June 2016. Both Whitehouse and Clark raised a multimillion pound action against the police and prosecutors last year. Prosecutors admitted the case against the duo was “malicious” and conducted “without probable cause”. They both received a multi-million pound settlement. Prosecutors also admitted that Green, who was also arrested during the inquiry and eventually acquitted, was wrongfully taken to court and that the prosecution against him was malicious. In court yesterday Clark told BDO’s advocate Kenny McBrearty QC that he felt a “lot of pressure” when he was an administrator to Rangers. McBrearty asked: “Once you got into post, you would have realised that Rangers was not just a football team but was a social, political and religious phenomenon. Would you agree with that?” Clark replied: “Yes I would agree with that and that was something that we realised before taking the role.” The hearing continues. Comments for this article have been turned off

It will, ahem, come under the sub section which states "and like full protection under this Act will be given to anybody, person or group, who might conceivably vote for the Scottish National Party"

A chap who identifies as a masturbator is surely protected under the law.

WullyWanker?

The enquiry was delayed because Mr Neil Diamond, on hearing the video, declared, "Christ! That's criminal!"

Faggots, mushy peas, and Brown Ale are enough to turn any man's head.

This must be one of the worst cut and paste jobs I have ever seen. It's so bad the confusion it engenders surely must be deliberate. Here is the relevant part of the article: Gerrard and players encouraged fans to gather at Ibrox after St Mirren win, say police Mark McLaughlin Friday May 21 2021, 12.01am, The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gerrard-and-players-encouraged-fans-to-gather-at-ibrox-after-st-mirren-win-say-police-0sxkfbf86 Steven Gerrard and his Rangers players “actively” encouraged fans to gather and celebrate the club’s anticipated league championship victory in a “disgraceful” disregard for coronavirus public health measures, Police Scotland officers have said. The manager and team members engaged with fans who congregated outside Ibrox stadium as Rangers came to within a point of winning the Scottish Premier League with a victory against St Mirren on March 6. More than 4,000 people tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland that week, there were 639 people in hospital that day and about 13 people were dying every day in early March. Police Scotland officers urged the club to put out a “stay at home” message before the game but instead players and management “actively” encouraged fans to gather, according to documents released by the Scottish government. After the final whistle Gerrard, 40, and some of his players were seen peering out the dressing room windows. Players also approached gates where fans were gathered on the other side. Superintendent Emma Croft and Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland said: “The Rangers team engaged the crowd through gates and by hanging out of open windows despite assurances from the club that no such activities would happen. “On conclusion of the event engagement with Police Scotland and Rangers FC continued to encourage the club to strongly support a stay-at-home message. “Whilst assurances were given, this did not materialise. Further engagement did not result in any further statement relating to fan behaviour or responsibilities being issued, despite numerous statements encouraging celebration, including from the manager. “Both the manager and players actively engaged from within the stadium with fans gathered in disgraceful displays of encouragement, in solid opposition to the public safety issues arising, to their responsibilities given the privileges under which football operates, and to the commitments they had made around public communications.” Rangers FC have been contacted for comment. WHIT? "Steven Gerrard and his Rangers players “actively” encouraged fans to gather and celebrate the club’s anticipated league championship victory...." As far as I can see, they did not, and post hoc, ergo propter hoc argument is piss poor copy from The Times, and, at best, disappointing. "The manager and team members engaged with fans who congregated outside Ibrox stadium..." "After the final whistle Gerrard, 40, and some of his players were seen peering out the dressing room windows. Players also approached gates where fans were gathered on the other side." “The Rangers team engaged the crowd through gates and by hanging out of open windows..." The Club, as I recall, consulted with Poileas Alba and the Government, prior to the match, and had asked supporters not to pitch up the the Stadium. Such request(s) fell on stony ground, clearly. I have neither seen, nor heard, any report, official or otherwise, which justifies the opening paragraph of this piece. The players 'engaged' with the support, but this occurred, only after the support had gathered. I seem to recall, too, a report which said that the players approached the gates only after consultation with the police at, and on, the ground, the logic being, presumably, that of one curtain call, and the crowd will disperse. (I didn't work.) Prior to the final match I recall Mr Gerrard asking/advising supporters to stay home to celebrate. The last para of this part of the article should be read as third last, to avoid confusion.

There's another one?

Most mischief starts East of High Street.

I think La Sturgeon more likely to encourage, condone and applaud such community activism against outmoded and repressive UK laws.

Yes there are, and Mr Scott7, I expect, will be along to explain the origins of said name.

There ain't no such thing.

Give us Barabbas!!

Those days are passed now, and in the past they must remain, but most players then could have passed a past participle into the net. (If they had knew what it was).

Euro 2020: Billy Gilmour, David Turnbull & Nathan Patterson in Scotland squad Steve Clarke has sprung a surprise by including uncapped trio Billy Gilmour, Nathan Patterson and David Turnbull in Scotland's 26-man squad for Euro 2020. Chelsea's Gilmour, 19, Rangers' Patterson, 19, and Celtic's Turnbull, 21, are all under-21 internationals but have never previously been called-up. Liam Cooper of Leeds United and Greg Taylor of Celtic, plus Hibernian's Kevin Nisbet, are also included. It will be Scotland's first appearance at a major men's tournament since 1998. Clarke's side face Czech Republic (14 June), England (18 June) and Croatia (22 June) in Group D, with the first and third games at Hampden in front of 12,000 spectators. "Well done to the lads that have made the squad and a big thank you to the ones that haven't but have been part of the journey to get here," Clarke told the Scottish FA. "When you've got talent coming through and players injured and three extra places, it's a chance to bring the young boys in. "But I've tried to remain true to the spirit of the squad I've had before, and keep the core and nucleus together." Turnbull scored nine goals in 35 appearances in his debut season at Celtic while Patterson helped Rangers win the Scottish Premiership and reach the last 16 of the Europa League. Gilmour has featured 22 times since breaking into the Chelsea team last season and could play in this month's Champions League final against Manchester City. ReportNisbet has scored 18 times for Hibs this season, including the opener in the 2-0 semi-final victory over Dundee United that set up Saturday's Scottish Cup final meeting with St Johnstone. He will compete with recent debutant Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes for attacking places. The rest of the squad is along familiar lines, with captain Andy Robertson one of three left-backs in a selection that also includes Ryan Fraser, who has not played since scoring for Scotland in two games in March. Experienced campaigners Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Christie, John McGinn and Scott McKenna all make the cut along with the established goalkeeping trio of Craig Gordon, David Marshall and Jon McLaughlin. Scott McTominay is included, too, but came off injured during Manchester United's draw with Fulham on Tuesday. 'Ones that haven't made it should stay fit' Scotland depart for a training camp in Spain on 27 May, and play friendlies against Netherlands and Luxembourg on 2 June and 6 June respectively. Changes to the squad can be made up until the eve of the opening game, in case of injury or Covid issues. Andy Considine, Liam Palmer, Callum Paterson, Leigh Griffiths and Lawrence Shankland miss out after featuring in recent months, while Ryan Jack, Kenny McLean, Oli McBurnie and Oliver Burke are injured. Uncapped Ryan Gauld also misses out, despite a stellar season in the Portuguese top flight with Farense. "The ones that haven't made it, they have to keep themselves in good shape because you never know, things can change - especially at this strange time in the world," Clarke added. "For the ones that have made it, they have to be excited and look forward to the summer and they have to dream. When we get to the first game against Czech Republic, we'll be ready." https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57171330

That is what she thinks. But the tiger she hopes to ride into the New Jerusalem will most surely consume her.

A nodding FM from down Niger Did smile as she rode on her tiger; They returned from the ride With the lady inside, And the smile on the face of the tiger.

Pratum vincit Plasticum, as they say in the Fintry, ken.

Ignorance and arrogance: a heady and dangerous brew.