Bill

I think a much bigger contributory factor was another poorly informed, poorly prepared and inept policing operation from Cressida's finest.

That's quite a deflection, even for you. What you're actually saying (explicitly) is that rich people getting a ticket is a "motivation" for violence and criminal behaviour. But of course you're in no way excusing it. Not much.

At a very fundamental level, so many problems today stem from that awful combination of a profound sense of entitlement and a lack of personal resilience, leading to a complete inability to cope with disappointment. Couldn't get a ticket, couldn't score a penalty kick, couldn't win a trophy, couldn't afford that holiday, etc. Life, eh?

That's an appalling post but so very predictable.

The issue for me isn't who said what, where and to whom. It isn't even that individuals exploit opportunities for personal gain. We should be well used to that by now. No, the really issue is that there are still so many Rangers supporters willing to play sheep to these wolves.

Thanks @Rousseau for the doing the hard work, much appreciated as always. Congratulations to the Champion, @Tannochsidebear

I've been watching footage of the carnage before, during and after last night's game at Wembley - some really good examples of human excrement at its violent and degrading worst, backed up by the usual torrent of racist abuse online. Common consent seems to be that any hope of staging another World Cup in the UK is gone after the nostalgia of some replica 1970's hooliganism. Thankfully it all seems far removed from my sedate northern existence. Then I thought of Manchester in 2008, when I witnessed the same dregs of society practising their daily routines on the streets. Bodies comatose in the gutter, openly shooting up in the closes, fighting in the shops - all on a day I hoped to celebrate our own football achievement with my family and fellow supporters. They embarrassed me then, just as yesterday's mob must embarrass most England fans and the wider country. I draw this parallel in case anyone is tempted to make the mistake of thinking yesterday's scenes were somehow uniquely English and an excuse to suggest national differences. In any case, it usefully illustrates that football continues to attract a disproportionate number of boorish scumbags who I'd rather not have to rub shoulders with, ever. Sadly, I long since passed to point of hoping to see universal social decency and remain committed to a policy of segregation.

Best team won in the end but England still had it in their hands. Was it a mistake taking on your penalty takers so close to the end? Close but no cigar. I’m disappointed, the country could have done with the lift

Surely it’s got to be England’s cup this time

Mon England

England now looking the more likely winner???

Not if you admit it ?

Club1872. Still think it acts in Rangers’ interests? Still got it’s hand in your pocket?

It’s the Union Jack if people call it the Union Jack and people do call it the Union Jack and no amount of Canute-like pedantry is going to change that.

It was a truly dreadful game. Who knew these two teams could serve up so much crap and make Raheem Sterling look steady on his feet. 96 minutes of diving and whining.

Nationalism, Scotland’s shame

It won’t be long before someone comes calling for Gerrard but I just don’t see him as one of the itinerant managerial circus where the same faces flit from club to club. He might well leave but I think it will only be for a specific challenge, not the money or the status. I think he’s a certain England manager one day.

There is no way Rangers is losing money in this fixture. Or that RM is prostituting themselves for seven figures of Rangers money. I also think it's highly unlikely this friendly is taking place at Rangers' sole request. Sometimes, the inherent negativity from some quarters of our support is just absurd. The apparent need to find fault with the club suggests an urgent need to review priorities. We have predictions of share issue failures, accusations of share price shenanigans, and now throwing money at Real Madrid. When you consider the prudence shown in recruitment these last few seasons and the rebuilding of infrastructure and brand, you have to ask where does this pessimism and lack of trust come from?

I've been behind Italy since I watched their first game in this tournament but it's beyond parody to see then preferred to England on the basis of cheating. I can think of no country that's achieved more in football by "cheating" than Italy. I've a feeling some carefully composed camouflage is starting to come loose where England is concerned ?

I've really no idea how these things work but I'd be surprised if major sponsors aren't involved in at least partially funding a friendly like this. The exposure for the likes of Castore would be significant.

I’d love to know what the income is per game and per annum from match RTV subscriptions. How much for example does a game against RM bring in?

Italy 1 - 2 England

Real Madrid might be thinking the same

I find I have no difficulty wishing our neighbours well or understanding their joy at a small success after so many years of failure. In fact it would be petty and parochial to be anything other than generous towards them. Let them be proud to be English and if some of them go over the top then let's not be so disingenuous to think we wouldn't do exactly the same. Otherwise we just look like people with an enormous chip on our shoulders .... we're not, are we?