Frankie

Humza Yousaf MSP was his name and he's part of the Justice Committee. Also a Celtic supporter by his own admittance. He's suggested he wasn't intending to refer to Saturday's game and has apologies for any confusion. I'll say one thing for the guy, he's definitely approachable on Twitter etc and has been critical of his own club/fans formally.

No-one knows the outcome of the hearing so not sure how anyone can say such an outcome is 'definite'.

His crossing (and decision-making) can be weak but I think it is improving as his overall distribution. One has to remember that a winger is also reliant on his strikers making the correct runs. For example, against Killie, I thought Ortiz did very well and got into some great positions (in the first half especially). His crossing wasn't great from there though but neither were the runs from Jelavic and Lafferty. Generally, I think Wylde is a great option to have because he can do the defensive job pretty well also. This, along with his pace, gives us good balance on the left hand side and while there is plenty room for improvement, the lad is doing a decent job.

Rangers surge nine points clear at the top of the SPL with another solid victory - this time at home to Hibernian. http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/2010/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=447:rangers-1-0-hibernian-player-ratings-and-mom-poll&catid=1:articles&Itemid=67 :gw: I think the lad is getting better with every game. Improvement in his decision-making, stronger on the ball and generally more consistent with his distribution. Really gives us a good balance on the left.

Good to see Dr Stuart Waiton in beside The Blue Order on Saturday. A penny for his thoughts on the heavy handed policing/stewarding?

As usual, tiresome nonsense strung out to sell copy. If the government want to find ways of solving offensive behaviour in Scotland, then they could start by addressing sensationalist media tripe like this.

No surrender was included because, IIRC, it's the motto of the UB's... It wasn't used as any gesture.

Hmmm, I'm not so sure. I think Jelavic often prefers to blast the ball which accounts for him missing the target more often than we'd like. Generally I think he's playing well enough and only struggles when we don't support him effectively. Like any striker he'll miss his fair share of chances but I'd be more worried if he was getting (and was the case last night) and making these chances.

Didn't know about this mate. Good news for the lazy and work-shy among us...

Don't get wrong, of course the SNP should be criticised specifically but the point I'm trying to make is that, they're not alone in their poor management of the whole issue which is why people shouldn't get annoyed at their party of choice being singled out.

I wouldn't take the SNP thing as a political statement - the chant/banners were more anti-government and given all parties are involved in approving the legislation, then the protest was more accurately aimed at the Scottish Government as opposed to one person/party. There was no sectarian abuse last night. None. And no arrests that I'm aware of.

I believe Ms Munro is also on holiday so I had to detail my concerns to one of her deputies.

A fair point but I'd consider it a defiant and worthy description of how many fans feel about this new legislation and why our fans are continually singled out for less than special treatment.

I'd imagine the working group have already contacted the club hierarchy this morning but I've also written to them asking them to defend their supporters against such unreasonable policing/stewarding. I'd recommend other fans do the same.

On September 27th 2011, The Union Bears and The Blue Order held a protest at Ibrox Stadium in the opening ten minutes of the match against against Kilmarnock. The protest consisted of anti-SNP chanting and the unfurling of 3 banners namely; "Undefinable Laws Against Supporters" "SNP Weak On Criminals - Tough on Fans" "Football Fans Not Criminals" The protest was not challenged by the police and passed peacefully, with other sections of the Rangers support showing unity with the message of the protest. For clarity, there are several reasons why we feel we must make a stand upon this issue. We are protesting against the implementation on the 'Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill' as proposed by the current SNP government. This bill discriminates against football fans, singling out a demographic of the population for specific laws. The implementation of the bill means that almost any football supporter, whether you be vocal in support of your team or not, could be subject to arrest, without significant police evidence of any actual offence caused. The criminalisation of football supporters threatens the game which we all love. Supporters attending a football match will now be met with fear of arrest, losing your job and being named in newspapers despite having not had your court case heard. The Union Bears and The Blue Order would like to make it clear we are against Sectarianism and Racism in all forms. We feel current legislation covers offences of these matters and further legislation is not necessary nor required. We feel this action is being used for political gain, and being supported by police officers in order to preserve their level of responsibility and therefore preserve their level of funding in what is economically challenging times. We have all seen that our supporters are subject to unnecessary harassment from police officers and we have and will continue to work with the Rangers Supporters working group on resolving these matters. In a completely separate incident tonight, around 100 supporters in the BF1 section walked out in protest at the heavy handed stewarding and policing which took place within the section at the match. The groups have issued a complaint to the police and the club and this will be dealt with in due course. We would like to thank the rest of the Rangers support for the support shown towards the group regarding this matter. Astonishingly the whole reason for the stewards getting involved was due to a young supporter in the section having a water bottle in the ground. One which he had cleared with another steward before entering and was told it wouldn't be a problem. Among the incidents was also the situation where mounted Police outside the stadium charged at young supporters including one who was visibly walking with aid of crutches. He was told by the mounted officers to run. We will be taking further protest action in forthcoming matches, and would urge you all to stand with us as we fight the injustice against the supporters of Rangers Football Club. We will issue another statement prior to the game on Saturday, which will detail how we wish to have your support. Supporting Your Team Is not a Crime. No Surrender The Union Bears and The Blue Order

Sometimes it makes sense to allow opposition teams (who would otherwise park the bus) time on the ball - as well as some territory - to free up some space as we attack quickly on the counter. Obviously, such a tactic is somewhat risky but it isn't as daft as it sounds as long as you are disciplined defensively.

Thanks for that Gav- always interesting to get an issue from a learned perspective. I don't think anyone is under-estimating just how difficult it is for the police and stewards at football games - even low category ones like last night. As said earlier, I sympathise with them as, no matter how much we think we're all angels, there are plenty of idiots who attend matches. However, last night was the perfect example of the issues you highlight. Ergo, during a climate where governments and politicised police forces (and their unions/federations) are seeking to criminalise fans for offensive behaviour, it is vital they ensure their actions are balanced and sensible. This wasn't the case last night so it worries me greatly ahead of further changes to the way such matches are policed.

There were anti-Salmond songs. Not as loud or as widespread but there were plenty people chanting against him.

To be honest, I initially sympathised with the police to a degree last night. The whole situation appeared to be catalysed by the fat steward who was intent in pulling at least one fan out for behaviour as yet unknown. Certainly no offensive songs were song (unless you deem Fuck the SNP as unacceptable). Clearly, because of the number of fans in our section; the police had to make their presence felt to assist the steward. At that point many of the fans got upset because there appeared to no reason for the lad to be ejected. I honestly feel at this point, the police should have retreated and allowed the situation to settle down but once again this steward insisted upon entering the middle of the lower section to grab another fan. By this point the atmosphere was getting quite hostile and the police were clearly losing control of a nothing incident. Best thing to happen was the lower few rows walking out in protest. This allowed them to make their point and helped settle the situation down. Not enough for the same steward who kept moaning loudly and longly at the back of the section to a colleague. I intend writing to the club to object to this questionable stewarding. Clearly, I don't know the full story but as a 'reasonable person', I found the stewarding heavy-handed and inappropriate. I also found the subsequent policing unnecessarily intimidating and poorly organised.

Please take to pm Ian...

The clubs probably won't have much choice if the increasingly politicised Strathclyde Police continue to force through their 'footprint' costs for local clubs. In some ways, the alcohol point may be true for some midweek Old Firm games but for others (such as the one on the 28th December); I'd fancy a lot of people will take the next day off so would be just as drunk as if the game was on the Sunday.

IIRC, Broadfoot said yesterday anyone can 'report' such incidents. What isn't clear is who decides what gets referred to their Compliance Officer - allegedly an Edinburgh lawyer called Will Cole.

I contacted Regan and the SFA twitter account asking about the Hooper incident at the time. They didn't reply.

I've defended McCulloch against the more vehement criticism he receives but on his showings this season, the guy looks finished. I appreciate he's been coming back from injury (or pre-season rustiness) in most of his games so that may account for a lack of sharpness but in almost every game his lack of pace and mobility have been exposed - particularly later in matches. He and Papac were both culpable last night - McCulloch for being unable to cope with quick counters and Papac refusing to work hard to get back into position meaning Wylde had to not only supply the attack but cover defensively for the Bosnian also. I hope both are dropped for Saturday.

The G denotes 'GAOTU'... * * Not a wrestler.