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I'VE never been one to sit on the fence. Even if that means upsetting a mate, I'll tell it straight. I'd like to think I'm pals with both Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist, so this week's events make this column a tricky one to write. That will NEVER stop me being honest. I simply can't understand why the SFA let Coisty off the hook. The SFA reckon there's not a case to answer. Sorry, but that's just miles out. There IS a case to answer. McCoist was the one who initiated the bust-up with Neil Lennon, he sparked it. What he said has nothing to do with anyone else. He'll take that to the grave. Let's not forget HE was the one who whispered something in Lenny's ear. That's why Lenny reacted the way he did. McCoist should have been banned the way Lennon was. He was hit with a four-game ban after being sent to the stand at Tynecastle. Why, therefore, not the same punishment for Coisty? Then there's El Hadji-Diouf. The boy reacted in totally the wrong way having been sent off in that Old Firm game. Why wasn't he down the tunnel having a shower? Rangers had just been dumped out of the Cup, but he decides to take his shirt off and chuck it into the fans. As I said at the time I'd have thrown it back it if I was a Rangers fan. Diouf was on his own at this point, there was no one else in sight. He should have been keeping his head down? Why wasn't he consoling his team-mates after they had just lost a really important game. Diouf shouldn't have been anywhere near those fans after being sent off. Before that he had barged the Celtic physio for no good reason. Then he started a row with Neil Lennon - again for no good reason. To get away with a �£5,000 fine is a disgrace. That won't hurt him. Diouf is a millionaire, he won't exactly miss the money he's been fined by the SFA. The only way to hurt guys like him is suspending him from games. By hurting him, you hurt Rangers. He should have been banned. As for Madjid Bougherra? If you raise your hands to a match official you should be punished. End of. I still have no idea what he was trying to do. His hands were all over the ref. You can't do that. In all my time as a player, I never made contact with a referee of a linesman. You just can't do it. It's totally disrepectful to the ref. The players were behaving like THUGS in a Sunday League game. They were playing in front of millions of people and a full house at Celtic Park. The whole world was watching and they acted like thugs. I bet Walter Smith slated them when they got in the dressing room but that doesn't warrant them getting off so lightly. Yet somehow, both Diouf and Bougherra got off scot free. Once again people will be asking if there's a conspiracy. Once again, I'll say yes there is. Bougherra should have been given a three-game ban, just like Lennon got when he barged towards Stuart Dougal in 2005. Why hasn't he? I will tell you why. It's because this is a particularly tough time of the season for Rangers. They have got a lot of games in a short space of time. It's a massive time in their history. Walter Smith would love to win the title in his last season, leave with three in a row. The SFA have obviously put two and two together and realised suspending these two major players for the run-in would really hamper Rangers. Instead, they have fined the players and let Coisty off the hook. Rangers have got off scot free. That's my opinion. I'm saying all this without my Celtic hat on, trust me. It's got nothing to do with scoring over 100 goals for the Hoops. I just don't know what else people are meant to think. If you punish one side, then surely you also have to punish the other? Believe me, I'd be saying the exact same thing if the tables were turned. Why can't we simply have some consistency? I'll tell you what it is. Rangers are the Manchester United of Scotland. The FA down there are scared stiff of Fergie. Wayne Rooney smashes James McCarthy over the head with a vicious elbow and gets away with it. Then he swears into a camera and they feel they have to act because they are right up against it. If there's no pressure, they won't act and it's exactly the same with Rangers. It would have been really interesting to see what would have happened if it had been a Celtic player. People say these things balance themselves out. From what I can see, that's not the case because the SFA have done it again. Look at the St Johnstone game against Celtic. Referee Iain Brines should be embarrassed with that display. How did he not give a penalty after big Michael Duberry handled TWICE? Imagine St Johnstone went up the park after that and scored? All of a sudden the title would be right back in the balance. Brines was absolutely awful on Tuesday night. If you are a player, you analyse your game. You ask the gaffer for the video and have a look at your performance. Brines has to watch his performance, and he has to be ashamed with it, because he was just completely out of touch. The decisions he got wrong were a disgrace. The penalty, the Scott Brown foul in the first half. How he got off with that I'll never know. Then there was the Duberry two-footed lunge that deserved a red card. That was a potential leg-breaker, yet he escaped. Aside from all that, even in general play he was terrible. All it's done is give people even more reason to believe there is a conspiracy. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3526464/SFA-are-scared-stiff-of-Rangers.html#ixzz1JRt8QVFA

Chris Jack Share 13 Apr 2011 Stewart Regan must explain the reasons behind the decisions to clear Ally McCoist, Madjid Bougherra and El-Hadji Diouf for their part in last monthââ?¬â?¢s Old Firm shame game ââ?¬â?? and show his support for Scotlandââ?¬â?¢s referees. That was the call today from former top flight whistler Stuart Dougal today as the fall-out from the controversial Parkhead clash continued. McCoist was successful in his appeal against a two-match touchline ban for a bust-up with Celtic manager Neil Lennon at the end of the Scottish Cup tie, while Bougherra and Diouf were handed Ã?£2,500 and Ã?£5,000 fines respectively for their behaviour after being dismissed. Bougherra tried to restrain referee Calum Murray as the whistler attempted to flash his cards, while Diouf refused to leave the field after receiving his marching orders at time up and instead made his way to the Rangers fans to throw his jersey to the crowd. In the explosive aftermath, Regan, the SFAââ?¬â?¢s chief executive, promised stringent action against all those involved, with the Rangers trio all hauled in front of the Disciplinary Committee to explain their actions. But Dougal has urged the SFA to explain the decision-making process that led to the Gers trio escaping without serious censure ââ?¬â?? and drew flak from Celtic lawyer Paul McBride. ââ?¬Å?Despite what people think, match officials are big boys who have thick skins ââ?¬â?? they can take a lot,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?But what will concern them is this: Where is the protection for them? ââ?¬Å?Stewart Regan has spoken out, but it doesnââ?¬â?¢t look as if heââ?¬â?¢s offering any protection for the officials. The SFA chief executive now really has to come out and tell the referees why this decision has been taken. ââ?¬Å?They should at least tell everybody why they havenââ?¬â?¢t imposed a ban on Bougherra. Referees have only two interests ââ?¬â?? handling games well and being protected by the authorities. ââ?¬Å?We talk, in refereeing, about a standard of discipline on the field. What standard is the SFA setting here, with this decision? Personally, I can understand why theyââ?¬â?¢ve done this. But I donââ?¬â?¢t think it sends out the right message. ââ?¬Å?It has probably been looked at as a judgement on whether he showed aggression towards the official or whether it was pure frustration. ââ?¬Å?But anybody who has raised their hands to a referee must run a real risk of picking up some sort of punishment, probably a suspension.ââ?¬Â McCoist, Bougherra and Diouf, backed by a three-strong team of top lawyers representing the Ibrox club, all pleaded their case individually to the SFA panel including the use of video evidence before being told that they would escape any serious punishment. It is believed Bougherra and Diouf received no further censure because Murray, who will take charge of Rangersââ?¬â?¢ match with Aberdeen tonight, stated yesterday he did not feel threatened or fearful for his safety in their respective flashpoints. The official neither felt the need to ask for further punishment to be handed out in his official match report. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/referee-dougal-urges-regan-to-go-public-on-rangers-let-offs-1.1096149

hugh macdonald Share 13 Apr 2011 THERE are moments when the Scottish Football Association just takes the breath away. There was the one when a leading office-bearer described Celtic complaints as ââ?¬Å?tiresomeââ?¬Â when cases were under consideration. Two ââ?¬Å?tiresomeââ?¬Â complaints subsequently resulted in victory for Celtic, with Neil Lennonââ?¬â?¢s first ban for an incident at Tynecastle being deemed excessive by an independent hearing. His second ban was against the associationââ?¬â?¢s rules. When a QC pointed this out, the SFA took the huff, complaining of having to spend money on their QC to defend the indefensible. A simple keek at the rule book might have saved them, and our national game, money. Then we had the referee who gave Celtic a penalty, then rescinded it. Then lied to the match observer and to Neil Lennon. He was given a warning by an SFA committee before he had to be prised from his job. Then there was the referee who gave Rangers a penalty in an Old Firm match while looking the other way. Then last night there was the official who, from 10 yards, watched as Michael Duberry, presumably believing he had been fouled, used both hands to control the ball on the ground. No penalty. There have been other major instances of downright incompetence but all of the above may charitably ascribed to ââ?¬Å?the pressure of the gameââ?¬Â by sympathisers. After watching another referee give Rangers a penalty in a cup final then change his mind and book a player for diving without recourse to further evidence, my patience is exhausted. This referee ââ?¬â?? Craig Thomson ââ?¬â??incidentally gave Celtic a penalty in an Old Firm game; unfortunately this occurred 24 hours after the final whistle. The decisions by the disciplinary committee of the SFA yesterday, though, are the high point of the season in terms of absurdity. They are the Monty Python sketch in the comedy that this nationââ?¬â?¢s football has become. They also fly in the face of the policy to support referees. Whatever oneââ?¬â?¢s view on yesterdayââ?¬â?¢s deliberations, it was not a show of support for Calum Murray. One must wait for the ballot today when the referees, presumably enraged at the leniency of the sentences, take to the picket line. After all, Madjid Bougherra manhandled one of their members as he was about to book him. And then he did it again. Bougherra was fined and told not to do it again. Presumably, the naughty step was being used. Another Rangers player, El-Hadji Diouf, bumped into the Celtic physio, had a slanging match with Lennon, who was banned for his behaviour, then would not leave the field when advised to do so by the referee. He then ignored the intervention of a police officer and threw his jersey into the crowd. He was warned and fined. Lennon, who has served a ban for his part in incidents at Tynecastle and Celtic Park, was on the touchline last night. He watched as Iain Brines comically missed a penalty so obvious that the Celtic manager had to be forced into humour. ââ?¬Å?He just used the two hands,ââ?¬Â he said of Duberryââ?¬â?¢s intervention. He was strictly serious when addressing the sentences imposed on two Rangers players for, as the charges had it, misconduct of a significantly serious nature and the clearing of his counterpart Ally McCoist for their confrontation. ââ?¬Å?You have to write it. I canââ?¬â?¢t comment about a lot of things these days,ââ?¬Â said Lennon. ââ?¬Å?You have got to see it for what it is. If you have any media integrity, you will call it as it is.ââ?¬Â It is embarrassing, contrary to the interests of the game and to the rule of match officials, and shameful. We feel your pain shuggie:grin: http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/celtic/embarrassing-against-the-rules-and-shameful-1.1096025

The pair have both been warned over their future conduct but have escaped suspensions. Madjid Bougherra and El Hadji Diouf have escaped bans from the Scottish Football Association for their actions in Rangersââ?¬â?¢ loss to Celtic in the Scottish Cup. Diouf has been fined Ã?£5,000 by the governing body, with Bougherra receiving a Ã?£2,500 punishment. It is known Bougherra has been given a warning over their future conduct. The Rangers pair faced the SFAââ?¬â?¢s disciplinary committee to answer a case of ââ?¬Å?misconduct of a significantly serious natureââ?¬Â on Tuesday, with referee Calum Murray in attendance to give his account of events. Upon leaving the disciplinary hearing, Bougherra was asked by STV if he would be free to play in the Old Firm derby on April 24, replied: "Yes, yes, yes, the referee understands what I did." An official statement is due from Rangers shortly. Bougherra was shown two yellow cards during the game, grabbing Murrayââ?¬â?¢s arm as the official showed him a red card. Diouf meanwhile received his second yellow card after the full-time whistle, after becoming involved in a confrontation with the same official. The Senegalese striker has since spoken out over the incident, giving his version of events. ââ?¬Å?The ref said to me: 'You don't have the right to speak to me,' which annoyed me,ââ?¬Â Diouf said in March. ââ?¬Å?At the end I told the ref he was the worst ref I've ever had so he gave me another card. ââ?¬Å?I said 'you can give me as many cards as you like, the match is over now'. I know it's not good to get cards but I'm only suspended for the cup, not the league.ââ?¬Â The SFA are yet to announce whether they will charge Diouf for his remarks to Canal Plus on the affair, in which he also described Murray and his colleagues as ââ?¬Å?officials who were against us.ââ?¬Â Both Bougherra and Diouf received automatic suspensions for their sendings off in the match on March 2, although the bans will not apply until next seasonââ?¬â?¢s competition. http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/rangers/243197-bougherra-claims-he-faces-no-further-punishment-for-old-firm-flashpoint/

POLICE will issue the Old Firm with a list of banned songs as they begin their biggest crackdown on sectarianism. Both Celtic and Rangers will be asked to distribute the list to fans and ask them to stop singing them. The banned songs are thought to include The Famine Song, The Billy Boys and other tunes that glorify terror groups such as the IRA and UDA. Senior Strathclyde police sources say officers are ready to wade into stands to arrest offenders. A source said: "The police and the clubs need to work together and there has to be change in attitude by fans. "Thousands sing these songs but we cannot turn a blind eye any longer. "These songs have to become as socially unacceptable as drink-driving." Persistent offenders will be warned inside grounds. If they fail to stop, they will be arrested and could be taken to court and banned from attending matches. Fury over sectarian singing has increased in a season which has already featured six highly-charged Old Firm matches. The Catholic Church last month compained about singing coming from the Rangers end during the Co-operative Insurance Cup final, which Rangers won 2-1. And Rangers fans have been prosecuted for singing The Famine Song, described as racist by High Court judge Lord Carloway. It contains the words "the famine is over, why don't you go home" and has also been attacked by Celtic chairman Lord Reid. Last month, the Sunday Mail revealed a Celtic fan had received a two-year banning order and a �£300 fine for a song which described Rangers manager Walter Smith as a "sad, Orange b*****d". Lawyer David McKie last month successfully defended police officer Christopher Halaka who was accused of chanting pro-IRA slogans at a Perth taxi rank. He was cleared of breach of the peace with religious aggravation at Perth Sheriff Court. Mr McKie said: "Some songs about the IRA and UDA may be sectarian but singing them isn't necessarily breaking the law. The lyrics may be about history and politics and have nothing to do with religion." Scottish historian Professor Tom Devine, of Edinburgh University, said: "There should be caution until we see how this works. "But questions remain. How are those engaged in such singing to be identified? "Will they be charged with breach of the peace aggravated by sectarian intent? "And will the ban apply to all football matches and parks in Scotland?" Last night Celtic said they were unaware of the plans and couldn't comment on the new measures. Rangers were also unable to comment. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2011/04/03/police-chiefs-give-celtic-and-rangers-list-of-banned-songs-in-sectarian-crackdown-86908-23035258/

Professor Tom Devine comments in today's Herald Letters page: http://www.heraldscotland.com/mobile/comment/herald-letters/why-the-fans-who-sing-songs-of-hate-are-committing-an-offence-1.1093147

Front page of today's Herald. Do you think there's an election looming and someone wants to sell catholic votes to the highest bidder? Rancid bastards. Church to send Old Firm film to police Published on 26 Mar 2011 MARTIN WILLIAMS AN Old Firm row has erupted after it emerged the Catholic Church in Scotland is to study all footage of last weekââ?¬â?¢s League Cup final to provide evidence to police of anti-Catholic songs sung by Rangers fans. The move follows complaints that Sundayââ?¬â?¢s showpiece final at Hampden Park in Glasgow was marred by sectarian chanting, despite renewed pleas from senior politicians, police and Celtic and Rangers for an end to bigotry. The Church is collecting information after being told action should be taken to ban the fans responsible. Although Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill described the match, which Rangers won 2-1, as the ââ?¬Å?final everyone wanted to seeââ?¬Â and a ââ?¬Å?great advert for Scottish footballââ?¬Â allegations were made of Rangers fans singing banned sectarian songs. Mr MacAskill said last night any evidence of crime should be submitted to Strathclyde Police. However, the force insisted widespread arrests were not the solution. Catholic Church spokesman Peter Kearney said there was particular concern about Mr MacAskillââ?¬â?¢s comments and Strathclyde Chief Constable Steve Houseââ?¬â?¢s own glowing praise of fansââ?¬â?¢ behaviour, while Rangers fans were singing songs described as offensive. Mr Kearney added: ââ?¬Å?We have had quite a lot of messages and emails from people who on the one hand are concerned at the singing and the tone and the lyrics, but more so on the Justice Ministerââ?¬â?¢s comments. ââ?¬Å?We are receiving and accepting the reports, many of which are detailed, and we will look through them and we will be willing to act accordingly. The right port of call for complaints of this nature would be the police and I imagine a lot of the people who are compiling or providing information to us will probably be giving it to the police anyway. ââ?¬Å?The point is, if people are displaying open, anti-Catholic hostility, that is a matter we are rightly able to comment on. Was it appropriate for Mr MacAskill to give a glow-ing and universal compliment of everyoneââ?¬â?¢s behaviour?ââ?¬Â Police and Government chiefs had been on high alert for the final after an ill-tempered Scottish Cup tie that Celtic won 1-0 on March 2. There were 34 fans arrested in the ground, three sendings-off and a touchline clash between Celtic manager Neil Lennon and Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist. First Minister Alex Salmond later convened a summit that resulted in a series of measures being suggested, including the possibility of arresting players on the pitch if their behaviour boils over. A spokesman for Mr MacAskill said: ââ?¬Å?This sort of unacceptable conduct is exactly why we established the Joint Action Group at the summit, and tackling sectarian chanting is one of the specific issues being addressed. ââ?¬Å?Sectarian chanting is totally unacceptable and indeed illegal. We support the strongest possible action to deal with it. Any evidence should be submitted to the police.ââ?¬Â Andy Kerr, president of the Rangers Supporters Assembly, said it was wrong for the Church to single them out for criticism and was surprised by the Churchââ?¬â?¢s stance. He said: ââ?¬Å?I am surprised this is coming from the Church. I would have thought they would be wanting to work with the groups to see if there are ways of dealing with this if there is a perception of ongoing problems. ââ?¬Å?I am clear there are still examples of songs being sung that we would rather not hear, and that applies across both clubs. If there was a way to switch it off, it would be great. ââ?¬Å?I donââ?¬â?¢t think for one minute we are the only fans who fall below the standards expected.ââ?¬Â Joe Oââ?¬â?¢Rourke, general secretary of the Celtic Supporters Association, has also written to Mr MacAskill complaining that at the cup final he was ââ?¬Å?subjected to 120 minutes of racist, sectarian singing from the fans of Glasgow Rangers.ââ?¬Â A Strathclyde Police spokesman said: ââ?¬Å?We do and will continue to robustly police any sectarian activity reported to us. We acknowledge there is still much to be done, however this is not a problem that will be fixed by arresting our way through it. ââ?¬Å?We are working with the Government and other partners on the joint action group to find real and long-lasting solution to the problem of sectarianism.ââ?¬Â A Rangers spokesman said: ââ?¬Å?We oppose all forms of sectarian behaviour by supporters of all clubs wherever it is displayed.ââ?¬Â

THE Old Firm could be set to clash on a Friday or Monday lunchtime in the crucial final derby of the season at Ibrox. Sky Sports are due to screen a live game from the SPL on both Easter Friday and the Monday May bank holiday. Both matches are scheduled for noon kick-offs and Celtic's visit to their bitter rivals could yet be pencilled in for either slot when the post-split fixtures are announced. The police are against the idea of Old Firm games taking place on bank holiday weekends following the trouble which marred Rangers' league clincher at Celtic Park in 1999. That game took place on May 2 - one of the proposed dates for this year's fixture. However, the police might have to make an exception this season as SPL chiefs are also keen to minimise the chance of the title being decided in the Ibrox showdown. The first two rounds of fixtures after the split are both holiday weekends and pushing the derby back any further would risk the championship being on the line when the Old Firm meet. That is sure to leave the SPL and the police with a huge dilemma, with Friday April 22 and Monday May 2 big possibilities as dates for the crunch game. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2011/03/29/celtic-and-rangers-set-for-easter-bank-holiday-spl-title-showdown-86908-23023366/

Taken from the Daily Reocrd. I don't see the reason for bringing Findlay or Gorams apparant slur at Larne Rangers Club 6 years ago or why Goram chose to wear a black armband back in 1998.

Published Date: 27 March 2011 By Tom English and Martyn McLaughlin THE head of the Scottish Football Association has warned that Old Firm games may have to be played behind closed doors if sectarian chanting continues to mar fixtures. In an interview with Scotland on Sunday, Stewart Regan, the SFA's chief executive, said that while no-one in the game wanted to see fans prevented from attending the most high-profile matches in the Scottish club calendar, such a "doomsday scenario"can't be ruled out. The controversial step has been proposed by police officials, but Regan is the most senior figure in the Scottish sport to accept it is an option. Supporters groups have claimed any move to keep fans out of Rangers and Celtic ties would "destroy Scottish football". But Regan conceded it could be the "ultimate sanction" if all else failed. He said: "People will be honest and I'm sure there will be some soul-searching by us all about what can be done, because I'm conscious that it (sectarian chanting] is becoming more of an issue in recent times. I've been told that it's gathering momentum and it's more prevalent now than it was this time last year. "I'm determined to do our bit because I don't want it to taint Scottish football and I don't want us to be accused of tolerating it. The ultimate sanction has to be the doomsday scenario of matches being played behind closed doors." In the aftermath of a fiery Scottish Cup fifth-round replay earlier this month, which led to a confrontation between Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist and Celtic coach Neil Lennon, and saw three Rangers players red-carded, police warned that fans could be shut out of games. Les Gray, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, said the "madness cannot go on" and called for the derby to be played behind closed doors. But Andy Kerr, president of the Rangers Supporters Assembly, described Old Firm ties as the "lifeblood" of the Scottish game and warned that banning fans would "more or less destroy Scottish football". However, Regan's decision to contemplate the same step as Gray is likely to cause wider ripples within sporting and political circles, given his standing at the SFA and the fact he is a member of the Joint Action Group convened by the Scottish Government in the wake of a summit held to discuss disorder surrounding Old Firm games. Recent fixtures have spurred debate over the conduct of players, officials and fans, but attention returned to sectarian chanting after last Sunday's Co-operative Insurance Cup Final. Although Kenny MacAskill, the justice secretary, described the match as a "great advert for Scottish football", there have been complaints about Rangers supporters singing sectarian songs at Hampden. The Catholic Church in Scotland said yesterday it intends to study footage of the game to provide evidence to Strathclyde Police of Rangers fans singing anti-Catholic songs, and questioned whether MacAskill's summary of the fixture was "appropriate". Regan, who grew up in north-east England, said he was not familiar with the alleged offensive chants. He said: "I would have needed somebody to tell me it is one of those unacceptable songs." But he said he would raise the issue with club officials, the government and police at the next Joint Action Group meeting on Wednesday. "We need to understand the extent to which our powers can be applied," he added. "Uefa has implemented matches behind closed doors. "At this stage, we need to discuss and get clarity as to what we can do." http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/scotland/SFA-chief-ready-to-close.6741076.jp?articlepage=2

EL HADJI DIOUF has branded Calum Murray the worst ref he's ever seen - and claimed all the officials in the Old Firm shame game were against Rangers. The Senegalese hot-head insists Murray gave the Ibrox side NOTHING in the Scottish Cup clash at Parkhead on March 2. Murray sent Diouf off after Steven Whittaker and Madjid Bougherra had also seen red. But Diouf said: "We lost 1-0 with nine players before I was sent off and the officials were against us. "Early on I went to see the ref as I was being kicked. He said 'You don't have the right to speak to me' which annoyed me. "You have to say the ref messed up the game with cards flying everywhere. "At the end I told the ref he was the worst ref I've ever had so he gave me another card." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3492403/Diouf-Ref-Murray-is-worst-ever.html#ixzz1Hhyvo4iD

I apologise for the length of this article but I think the subject has to be covered properly as opposed to restricted. Sectarianism in Scotland - The Simpleton's Solace When Rangers beat Celtic (or progress in Europe for that matter), the reaction from some quarters is always easy to predict. Either blame the referee or if that isn't possible when the light blue's were clearly hard done by, then place the focus on to what songs the Rangers fans sung. Let's be clear from the outset and do something that these dangerous people refuse to consider and be objective. Some songs Rangers fans sing are offensive. Moreover, I can also understand that other dirges such as 'No Pope of Rome' or imbibing hitherto harmless ones with stuff like 'FTP' could be seen as less than tolerant. Ergo, I personally feel that using chants like this has nothing to do with supporting Rangers and only gives credence to the flawed opposing argument that only one club have a serious problem with such issues. However, when discussing this subject I think it is also important to highlight that, while people may find offence at any specific term/song/chant, absolutely none are banned in this country per se. More than two weeks ago a summit was held within the Scottish Parliament to discuss the issue along with the broader subject of Old Firm associated troubles. In addition, once again the SNP Government promised funds of over half a million pounds to deal with said topic. When one considers that the previous Scottish Labour government also spent millions on combating sectarianism, one must ask where this money is actually going given a solution seems no less near than ever before? Furthermore, dialogue with football supporters in respect of the sport's contribution to this wider social disease remains minimal. You or I weren't invited to any summit; just talked down to instead of with once again. To that end, when the summit findings were announced, I took the liberty of contacting all the neutral authorities involved in the matter - the First Minister, the Justice Secretary, Strathclyde Police, ACPOS, the SFA, the SPL and the Leader of the Opposition in Scotland - Iain Gray. In my letter I specifically requested a list of proscribed songs/terms/chants which could be applied under the 'Unacceptable Conduct' rules oft quoted by the footballing organisations and with respect to racially/sectarian aggravated breach of the peace laws oft quoted during the extremely minimal prosecutions we hear about. It won't surprise many to hear that despite the promises made at the summit the replies received were inconsistent with each other, made excuses, were patronising, didn't answer my clear questions or in the case of serving MSPs (Iain Gray aside) or footballing authorities didn't even reply within the two week time-frame requested. Yes, these organisations really are serious about the issue! Nevertheless, one conclusion was clear from those that did reply: there was no available list of banned songs/terms/chants because no-one really had the courage to say what was acceptable and what wasn't. In many ways, when you then examine the number of arrests we see at football games (and in Scotland generally) for hate-related crimes, this wasn't a surprise. The problem is greatly exaggerated and quite simply generally only exists in the minds of people who harbour a grudge. This grudge has been clearly visible since Rangers' fine win over Celtic on Sunday afternoon. Instead of examining an excellent display from the Ibrox men or the poor performance of the match officials (this time arguably in favour of Celtic), the usual suspects have declared they once again find religious offence. Be it less than official online bloggers, official Celtic fan groups or discredited journalists for 'The Times'; the organised planning of their reaction has been immediate. Coordinated articles in broadsheets, complaints to the government and emails to UEFA is the usual MO and the recent resurgence of 'The Billy Boys' apparently the main source of their faux annoyance. In 2006, this song was allegedly banned by UEFA and Rangers fined twice since for 'discriminatory' chanting - be it using terms like fen*an and/or adding FTP to otherwise non-problematic songs. The fact Rangers were also given a 5 year probationary period is also meaningful as this runs out in May which may explain why a dead issue is suddenly valuable to a few people again. Nonetheless, at the time, our club and support acted quickly and the songs/terms involved almost disappeared overnight. Unfortunately, in the intervening time the same principles haven't been applied to other clubs and supports. Disgraceful songs (and behaviour which is formally illegal) in glorifying outlawed terrorist groups; chants urging 'h*ns' to go home (directed any anyone with a perceived Protestant background - be it Rangers, Hearts, Dundee or match officials); regular club-sanctioned displays in support of the IRA; approved banners of Ibrox on fire; songs about Walter Smith being a 'sad orange b**tard'; all amidst an overall anti-British sentiment which makes a mockery of Celtic FC's inclusive policy. Yet we hear next to no criticism of this. Interestingly, the recent promotions of Neil Lennon firstly to Celtic captain then manager as well as the signing of Paddy McCourt have led to increasingly large elements of the Celtic support celebrating their Irish Republican 'heritage' more vocally than ever before. 'Like me and you he's a Provo too', 'Soon there will be no Protestants at all' and 'Paddy McCourt's Fen*an Army' are sung (or displayed via banners) with gusto. Therefore, it's not a surprise that some Rangers fans have saw fit to retaliate to this provocative banter in kind given excuses are made for Celtic fans. This has seen 'The Billy Boys' return of late but of course the usual hypocrites immediately complain about the same 'f' word being used. First of all, I don't think there is any doubt some people use the word fen*an in an bigoted manner. However, no more than those who use literally similar h*n in the exactly the same way. The fact that Celtic fans now use fen*an more than ever to describe themselves is also extremely relevant to any debate. The authorities I contacted above spoke about difficulties in banning specific songs/terms/chants because of context. I'd suggest that both sets of supporters being happy to use one word to describe the ugly anti-British, Republican nature of sections of the Celtic fan-base is exactly what they mean and why we've seen minimal arrests or action despite 'TBB' returning at some games. Of course Celtic fans then attempt to apply a flawed 'n*gger' analogy but this is clearly erroneous given the disgusting 'n' word isn't an adjective than can ever be used simply to describe people of a certain colour. Fen*an though can be used to describe people who celebrate the IRA and are anti-British. Indeed, that is its literal meaning. As a result, by increasing the celebration of their Irishness in such an offensive manner, they only give validity to the Rangers fans' behaviour they hypocritically complain about. Evidently what we have is a complex issue and one which can't be discussed easily in an article such as this or in a one-off summit between parties who all have their own motive. This is also true for people who use such a controversial matter to score points or, even worse, to make money from. Be it unemployed people whose very existence is to blog daily anti-Rangers lunacy or members of the Fourth Estate who choose to deliberately skew their own simplistic coverage, these people only serve to make the problem worse than actually offer genuine solutions for what is an age old social challenge. To sum up these people don't discuss a complicated matter like sectarianism because they have more morals than you or I. Nor do they convene 'summits' because they genuinely think a few small charities and a chin-wag will solve an issue that has blighted parts of Scotland for over a 100 years. Quite simply, the over-exaggerated and laughably biased outlooks we've read over the last few days are for nothing more than for financial or political gain. Now that really is Scotland's Secret Shame.

Gregg Wylde today revealed there are more Murray Park wonderkids waiting to force their way into the Rangers first team in the near future. Lightning-quick left-winger Wylde is the latest in a long line of teen sensations to force their way into Walter Smithââ?¬â?¢s side in recent times. The Kirkintilloch lad played in a narrow Europa League defeat to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven last Thursday night and did brilliantly well. And he followed up on that mature showing with a fine individual display in the Co-operative Insurance Cup Final win over Celtic at Hampden on Sunday. His performances were further evidence that, despite frequent claims to the contrary, the Scottish championsââ?¬â?¢ much-maligned multi-million pound training complex in Milngavie is working. Indeed, Wylde has followed in the footsteps of Darren Cole, Kyle Hutton and Jamie Ness by making the breakthrough into senior football during the 2010/11 campaign. That hugely promising quartet have themselves been inspired by the likes of John Fleck, Andy Little and Danny Wilson ââ?¬â?? who won a big money move to Barclays Premier League club Liverpool last summer ââ?¬â?? before them. The latest youngster to leap to the attention of the Light Blues faithful is hoping to be involved in the push for the SPL title between now and May, despite Vladimir Weiss, who had been nursing a bruised foot, being fully fit again. He is also confident he will soon be joined in the first team by many more of the boys whose progress has been overseen by Billy Kirkwood, Jimmy Sinclair and Tommy Wilson. Wylde, who turned 20 yesterday, said: ââ?¬Å?To be honest, I have been a wee bit surprised to get into the first team in the way that I have. I was totally shocked when I was chosen to play against PSV Eindhoven and delighted to stay in the team for the cup final. ââ?¬Å?The two games I have played in since coming into the team were massive and I am sure they will stand me in good stead for the remainder of the season. Our next game is against Dundee United at Ibrox on Saturday week. Hopefully, I can get a game in it. ââ?¬Å?There are quite a few games to be played between now and the end of the season and the aim is to make that position down the left flank my own. ââ?¬Å?I donââ?¬â?¢t know what is happening with Vlad at the end of this season, but if he goes back to Manchester City I will by going after his place. ââ?¬Å?It has been a great year for the academy kids. The gaffer has called up a lot of the young boys, Darren, Kyle, Jamie and myself, and given us the chance in the first team. ââ?¬Å?There are a lot of talented young players working hard behind the scenes at Murray Park. I am sure that in the seasons to come there will be many more of them who come to prominence.ââ?¬Â Wylde, the son of former Kilmarnock player and current Clyde assistant manager Gordon, has been influenced by many of the coaches in the youth set-up in the five years he has spent at Rangers. But Manchester United and England superstar Wayne Rooney is the one person who has given him the most inspiration as he has fought his way up through the ranks. Rooney shot to the attention of the football world when he was just 16 at boyhood heroes Everton and has since gone on to win the Champions League with United and become one of the worldââ?¬â?¢s best players. Wylde said: ââ?¬Å?There have been a fair few coaches who have been a big help to me over the years. But I think if you want to get on you have to take responsibility for yourself and put in the work that is going to help you make it. You canââ?¬â?¢t look to anybody else to do you any favours. ââ?¬Å?The guy I really look up to is Wayne Rooney. I think his attitude to football is unbelievable. His desire for the game and his will to win is so impressive. There is a lot you can learn from watching how he goes about his business.ââ?¬Â Despite his delight at the unexpected cup final victory over Old Firm rivals Celtic ââ?¬â?? which was secured when Nikica Jelavic slotted home a dramatic extra-time winner off the post ââ?¬â?? Wylde was sorry for opposing centre-half Charlie Mulgrew. The youngster has known the versatile player, who also hails from Kirkintilloch, for many years and turned out for the same youth outfit as him when he was starting out in the game. He explained: ââ?¬Å?We played for the same team together when we were young and I still speak to him from time to time. I didnââ?¬â?¢t see him after the game on Sunday and I havenââ?¬â?¢t spoken to him since the final, but he is a friend and I did feel for him. ââ?¬Å?It was quite strange to be playing against him in, but I was totally focused on helping Rangers get the victory and will be doing exactly the same thing between now and the end of the season if I get the chance.ââ?¬Â http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/young-greg-wylde-says-kids-are-set-to-roll-off-murray-park-s-production-line-1.1092440

OLD Firm matches should be played on Monday nights, pub bosses and business leaders insisted yesterday. Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and the Scottish Licensed Trade Association want to have Celtic-Rangers games outside weekends to limit fans' drinking time and damage to business. Chamber chief executive Stuart Patrick said: "The city centre retail and restaurant trade loses business on weekend match days. Monday evenings would be best." And SLTA chief executive Paul Waterson added: "More matches have to be played on midweek evenings, preferably Mondays, traditionally the city centre's quietest night of the week." First Minister Alex Salmond held a summit with police and both clubs after more than 200 arrests for violence and domestic abuse followed a controversial match on March 2. Celtic boss Neil Lennon and Rangers assistant Ally McCoist scuffled on the touchline at the end of the game in which three Rangers players were sent off. Last night, a spokesman for Rangers said: "The view expressed by the licensed and retail trade may reflect their members' interests but there are many other aspects to be taken into account." A Celtic spokesman said: "In terms of scheduling, we need to understand more about many related factors. "We certainly remain to be convinced Monday games are the best way forward." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2011/03/24/plan-to-play-every-old-firm-game-on-a-monday-86908-23011908/

Twelve months ago today, Neil Lennon was on his way to Ireland to check out a player. Little did he know that, in his absence, Tony Mowbray was about to check out of Celtic and open the door for the then second-team coach to be handed the biggest challenge of a life already defined by huge challenges. The bitter disappointment of losing his first cup final as a manager at the weekend was just another loop in the roller-coaster ride which Lennon has negotiated since he took control of a Celtic side lurching so badly that it threatened to come off the rails. His record shows that, in the 49 games across five different competitions in which he has sent out his side, Celtic have won 37, drawn five and lost seven. They have scored 105 goals en route, and conceded 40. Impressive stats, but they do not even begin to tell the story of how Lennon ââ?¬â?? ably assisted by Johan Mjallby, Alan Thompson and Garry Parker ââ?¬â?? has turned a juggernaut around. The prefix ââ?¬Ë?successfullyââ?¬â?¢ may have been attached to this, but, at the moment, it does not seem fully justified, least of all in the eyes of Lennon. Only when the SPL flag is flying above Celtic Park once again will he believe he has returned the club to where they should be. For any manager, setting such a goal is ambitious, especially given how far Celtic lagged behind Rangers when he took over ââ?¬â?? 10 points and with two games more played. Factor in the double handicap, firstly that Lennon aimed so high with no managerial experience behind him, and secondly in the knowledge he was going to have to completely rip apart the team he inherited and start again, and you begin to wonder if he bit off more than any man could reasonably expect to chew. But, like an attack dog, as soon as he was unleashed, Lennon went for the jugular. He set himself an initial three-point plan: Closing the gap between Celtic and Rangers in the league ââ?¬â?? which he found embarrassing ââ?¬â?? was the first thing in his sights. Beating Rangers in the final Old Firm game of the season ââ?¬â?? something Mowbray had fatally failed to do during his nine tortured months in charge ââ?¬â?? was next up to post a declaration of intent for the following year. Claiming the one piece of silverware still available to Celtic at that time, the Scottish Cup, was the last aim. That final objective came crashing down around Lennonââ?¬â?¢s ears when Ross County rocked him and everyone else in football by defeating Celtic in the semi-final on April 10, just three games into the new managerââ?¬â?¢s reign. Even allowing for his 100% record in the eight SPL games ââ?¬â?? including victory over Rangers ââ?¬â??that Hampden humbling could have shaken the confidence of men like Dermot Desmond, John Reid and Peter Lawwell, not to mention those supporters who had put so much faith in the former captain riding to the rescue in the clubââ?¬â?¢s hour of most need. What it did not do was shake Lennonââ?¬â?¢s own belief that he was up to the job. In a perverse way, it actually strengthened his resolve to prove he was the man to shake Celtic out of their decline and take them back to the heights he enjoyed as a player with them, under Martin Oââ?¬â?¢Neill and Gordon Strachan. No one, least of all the underachieving players, were left in any doubt many futures were on the line, not just those of the rookie boss and his hastily-assembled backroom staff. More than a few did not survive the summer cull required to allow Lennon to build his own side. Touchline critics tried to pick him off with claims that, just like Mowbray, he was bringing in too many new faces at one time. However, given the mis-matched squad he inherited, Lennon had no choice but to wield the axe on much of it and start again. Given licence to stamp his own mark on the team, aided by the money generated from selling players such as Aiden McGeady, Artur Boruc, Stephen McManus and several others, and releasing the wages being paid to loan signings including Robbie Keane, Diomansy Kamara, Landry Nââ?¬â?¢Guemo and Edson Braafheid ââ?¬â?? the latter reputed to be collecting around Ã?£40,000-per- week ââ?¬â?? Lennon had to prove to his paymasters he could get more bang for their buck. His years of watching men like Oââ?¬â?¢Neill, Strachan and even Mowbray had confirmed to him that, ultimately, a manager is judged on two things: the signings he makes, and the trophies they deliver. To this point, he has been proved to be astute in the transfer market, having unearthed nuggets among the 14 players he has recruited such as Emilio Izaguirre, Gary Hooper and Beram Kayal. Others, such as Joe Ledley, Kris Commons, Daniel Majstorovic, Charlie Mulgrew and Anthony Stokes have also proved to be genuine value for the money paid, either in terms of wages for the Bosmans or relatively small transfer fees. Of course, when you are trawling for so many players, a few are going to get caught up the net who you might prefer to throw back. There is no doubt that Efrain Juarez, who cost just a tad less than all the aforementioned put together, has been a major disappointment, while Daryl Murphy, Cha Du-Ri, Freddie Ljungberg and a few more currently stuck in the stands have also failed to fire. However, Lennon has signed enough players of the required standard to haul Celtic to the top of the SPL and into the semi-final of the Scottish Cup. True validation of his credentials as a manager who can return the club to where they need to be will not arrive until he gets his hands on the SPL trophy he last held aloft as a coach under Strachan. If he can do that, a well-earned increase in the terms under which he has operated for the past year will be forthcoming, along with the eternal gratitude of a support who, 12 months ago, began to disengage with the club. They have not only re-affirmed their bond, but now stand to a man behind the rookie boss who is battling not only to take his team back to the top, but to be allowed to lead from the front, or, at least, the touchline. The on-going war with the SFA is a side-issue which Lennon could well do without, and he must remain vigilant that he does not become pawn in the game which has been played out between Celtic and the Hampden hierarchy since the season began. Lennon has enough to contend with as threats to his safety and that of his family have forced him to operate on a daily basis against a sinister backdrop which would be a distraction to even the strongest character. A year ago, he was carefully articulating how he planned to bring Celtic back from the brink. Today, his silence says even more as it amplifies the pressures, both personally and professionally, Lennon is now challenged to endure. He is older, he is wiser, and he is even more determined to succeed with the experience of the past 12 months etched on his soul.

BEING a great player doesn't mean you'll be a great manager. Just ask John Greig. Things never quite worked out for the Rangers giant in the dug-out the way they did when he was on the pitch. Walter Smith prays that the same fate doesn't await Ally McCoist. The out-going Gers boss knows well that circumstances conspired against Greig when he finished one season as a player and began the next as a gaffer. Greig was just 15 minutes away from doing the treble back in 1979, before Celtic stole the championship from under his nose. Financial pressures and an ageing squad never allowed Greig to fully recover in the four years that followed. Luck deserted the man who was named The Greatest Ever Ranger. Something that has never happened to the Ibrox club's Greatest Ever Striker. Just as well. Because Smith believes his protege will need every ounce as Rangers fight suffocating money troubles. He explained: "There are similar circumstances between both men. "At the time John had an excellent start as Rangers manager, but the financial aspects of the club were poor as well. "In his first season John was 15 minutes way from winning a treble. "His problems came when he had to start changing a team that was getting a bit older. "You always need a wee bit of luck to handle those circumstances and I'm not sure that John had that. "The club ended up going through a nine-year period without winning the championship - not just in John's time in charge. "In my own mind, that was solely because the club didn't have the necessary finance to keep them at a high level. "And there is a hell of a difference between being a popular player and being a popular manager. "It might help people to embrace Ally as a popular manager, but once the games start you've got to win. That's the biggest thing. "Ally knows that, none of it will come as a big surprise to him. "He knows he will be working in an environment where there are no excuses. "What Ally needs is a bit of the famous McCoist luck and hope that the background situation at the club can be sorted out." As the hangover from the Co-operative Cup win faded, manager Smith looked ahead to what lay in store for McCoist. He said: "No matter what happens, Ally will always be a Rangers legend. I don't think you can take that away from him. "People said to me when I was coming back, 'you might lose what you gained in your first spell as a manager'. "But if you've got that kind of ego then you shouldn't be in management anyway. You should never be afraid to take the job on. "I think there are a lot of comparisons to be made between Neil Lennon's situation and Ally's. "Both have known what it's like to play for their club, and that's important. "A lot of people come into a club without that knowledge. I was one of them. "Some don't realise the overall intensity that there is at the Old Firm. So there are parallels between Ally and Lennon. "Ally is ready to take the job. It's something he has always wanted to do." McCoist's own journey in management might just be starting out, but Smith's is coming to an end. Twenty trophies isn't a bad return for the Godfather of Scottish football. There might be one more to follow before the end of the season as the title race goes to the wire. One thing is for sure, Smith has already prepared himself for the fact that any silverware won this season will be his last. He stressed: "No, I don't anticipate working in football. If someone came and offered me an opportunity somewhere I'd consider it. "But it would need to be an exceptionally good one for me to consider that, on a footballing basis never mind finance or anything else like that. "It would need to be something that I wanted to do. "I'm not leaving with any great anticipation of going to another job in football. "I'll never come back as manager again and I won't come back to Ibrox with another Scottish team either. "So there will be things I'll miss about it but you still need to make the decision because retirement comes to everybody - unless you're Sir Alex Ferguson." The club's greatest ever boss thought he'd be long gone by now. With massive debts and a takeover still dragging on, Smith just hopes he hasn't left McCoist and Kenny McDowall fire-fighting in the long-term as they embark on their new adventure. He admitted: "I thought last season would be my last, although I never mentioned it to anybody. "Then I started to look at the circumstances and thought 'would it be better for me to handle this season, win or lose, than throw them into it'. "But when I look at the circumstances now if they don't get a buyer for the club I'm probably leaving at the worst period of time. "I really wanted to avoid a situation where there was a problem but Alistair knows everything that's going on at the club. "So whether it's my decision to leave last year or this year, he's just delighted to be getting the opportunity to be the manager of Rangers." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3485115/John-got-no-luck-I-pray-Ally-does.html#ixzz1HQIKtMcD

Itââ?¬â?¢s the hunger that never seems to go away. A quarter of a century ago Rangers fans warmed up for a Scottish League Cup final by celebrating the death of an IRA man who had starved himself to death five years previously. ââ?¬Å?Could you go a chicken supper, Bobby Sands?ââ?¬Â they chanted. Yesterday they were dipping farther into the past, but the soundtrack of 2011 has even more sinister undercurrents.The ââ?¬Å?Famine Songââ?¬Â harks back to the Irish potato blight of 1845, which led to mass emigration and the death of one million people. Sung to the tune of the Beach Boysââ?¬â?¢ Sloop John B, it asks of the Roman Catholic population of western Scotland: ââ?¬Å?The famine is over, why donââ?¬â?¢t you go home?ââ?¬Â This is how things move on in the Old Firm fixture. Glasgow is very different 25 years on. It is a cosmopolitan city ââ?¬â? at least in the centre ââ?¬â? full of bars and restaurants that would not be out of place in Los Angeles or Sydney. Head towards Celtic Park and the East End, though, and the past is on a collision course and the impact comes earlier than expected. Barely beyond the regenerated carpet factory of Glasgow Green, with its trendy brewpubs, you arrive at the Barras. Here, the city of half a lifetime ago is still recognisable, shabby, unkempt, with Irish tricolours flying over the pubs. ââ?¬Å?A Fenian flea market,ââ?¬Â one Glaswegian sneers. In the Barras it feels exactly as it did in October 1986, when the Scottish League Cup final pitted Celtic against Rangers. More than 74,000 filled Hampden Park to watch a fractious match that Rangers won 2-1 after scoring a penalty in the last five minutes. The result is less famous than the incident for which the match is remembered. Mo Johnston was sent off for head-butting Stuart Munro. As he left the pitch the Celtic striker made the sign of the cross, blessing himself, fully aware that it was the most provocative gesture he could make in this hotbed of sectarianism. Johnston, a hero to the green legions at the time, gets no mention on the guided tours of Celtic Park. There are no obvious pictures of him in Bairds Bar, the alternative Celtic museum, either. In 1989 he became the first high-profile Catholic to sign for Rangers. In typically Glaswegian style, it was not that simple. Days before, Johnston had been introduced to an adoring Celtic Park crowd in a hooped shirt after a spell with Nantes. The deal was not yet complete, however, and Graeme Souness, the Rangers manager, gazumped his rivals. In Bairds there is a sign warning patrons not to indulge in racist or sectarian abuse. There is a painting of Madonna and Child, the baby wearing a Celtic shirt. Many of the ââ?¬Å?artworksââ?¬Â on display are ironic ââ?¬â? Marilyn Monroe above an air vent exposing a Celtic garter, the Beatles in hoops ââ?¬â? but there are clear signs of Catholic identity among the shirts and scarves, some of them anachronistic. Portraits of John F. and Bobby Kennedy abound; there is even a framed tea towel featuring the assassinated brothers. The link between football and this identity is what creates the fault line in Glasgow. At Celtic Park Jock Steinââ?¬â?¢s statue sits close to a likeness of Brother Walfrid, the man who founded the club. The juxtaposition is satisfying to those singing the Famine Song. It accuses the great Celtic manager of covering up child abuse at the club, complicity linking them with the Catholic Churchââ?¬â?¢s sex scandals. There is no justification to level these accusations at Stein. In the Orange enclaves, though, the Protestant Stein is thought of as a traitor. Almost under the shadow of the huge stands at Celtic Park is Bridgeton Cross. Bars here ââ?¬â? the Crimson Star and Walkers ââ?¬â? display the Red Hand of Ulster and the Union Flag. In Walkers the drinkers sup away under a portrait of the Queen. At the bar is Donnie. Like Stein, he has crossed the divide. In 1986, Donnie ââ?¬â? who does not want his real name used; few do when talking about this subject ââ?¬â? took me to Hampden for the Skol Cup final. He wore a Rangers shirt and was immersed in the culture of Ibrox. Yet his family did not have strong religious convictions; they were left-wing idealists. The football allegiance developed at his ââ?¬Å?Protestantââ?¬Â school, where Rangers support was universal. He was far from a bigot, though, and able to accompany his Celtic-supporting girlfriend to their home ground. Then, at the end of the 1988 season, the couple were walking home from a match. Neither was wearing colours and felt safe walking down London Road, back to town. A mistake. Donnieââ?¬â?¢s girlfriend was wearing a shirt that had a hint of green in it. ââ?¬Å?As we walked past,ââ?¬Â Donnie said, pointing to the place near the bar, ââ?¬Å?I heard one of this group of fellas suck up snot from his nose, make a huge snort and then a hack into his mouth. He spat it at my girlfriend. It missed her and hit me. At that moment I knew I couldnââ?¬â?¢t support Rangers any more.ââ?¬Â Yesterday he was in the Celtic end at Hampden. Donnieââ?¬â?¢s Damascene moment came at the place a 16-year-old Celtic fan died after having his throat slashed in an unprovoked attack in 1995. The air of menace remains in Bridgeton Cross, in one of the poorest areas of the city. ââ?¬Å?People say one side is as bad as the other,ââ?¬Â Donnie said. ââ?¬Å?Itââ?¬â?¢s not true. Rangers are worse.ââ?¬Â Some say that the enmity between Rangers and Celtic is on the decline. A primary school teacher told me that his class encountered sectarianism for the first time when given a book on bigotry as part of the curriculum. ââ?¬Å?Weââ?¬â?¢re putting the idea in their heads in the schools,ââ?¬Â he said, adding with cynicism: ââ?¬Å?Itââ?¬â?¢s a Protestant school, only now we call it non-denominational.ââ?¬Â The school system is the cause of anger among the anti-Catholic contingent. Catholic schools are seen as ââ?¬Å?separatistââ?¬Â and given as proof that this community does not want to fit in with Scottish culture. The distinct identity is resented by the most vehement of Rangers fans and the greatest symbol of Catholic heritage in Glasgow is a Celtic shirt. At Hampden yesterday the Rangers support gave full voice to their disapproval. The great majority of chants booming from the Rangers end were sectarian in nature. ââ?¬Å?Weââ?¬â?¢re up to our knees in Fenian blood, surrender or you die,ââ?¬Â they sang. Orange marching songs such as The Sash My Father Wore were aired. And, of course, the Famine Song, with its ethnic-cleansing undertones. By contrast, the Celtic chants were largely confined to football, although a rendition of The Soldierââ?¬â?¢s Song, the Irish national anthem, caused fury in the Rangers end. Some of the imagery used by Celtic fans is provocative in the extreme, too. One youngster, barely out of his teens, wore a shirt with ââ?¬Å?Long Kesh 81ââ?¬Â on the back, in tribute to Sands and his fellow hunger-strikers of 30 years ago. However, it would be difficult to justify Les Grayââ?¬â?¢s assertion that three quarters of the crowd at an Old Firm game could be arrested for hate crimes. The chairman of the Scottish Police Federation made this comment after last monthââ?¬â?¢s fractious cup-tie at Celtic Park and, despite the obligatory sending-off in this fixture during yesterdayââ?¬â?¢s 2-1 victory to Rangers, the atmosphere did not reach poisonous levels in the stadium. Yet the aftermath always has the potential to turn nasty. The casualty department in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary was quiet immediately after the match yesterday, but it was a sense of calm before the storm. Wait, everyone says, until the drink kicks in about 10.30pm. ââ?¬Å?Twenty-five years since you were here?ââ?¬Â Donnie said. ââ?¬Å?Come back in 25 years and itââ?¬â?¢ll still be going on. Youââ?¬â?¢ll die before it does.ââ?¬Â Somewhere across Argyle Street there is the distant echo of the Famine Song. One thing that seems to endure in this rivalry is the appetite for conflict. Counting the cost of rivalry 75 Percentage of Old Firm fans whom a Scottish police chief thinks could be arrested 17 Percentage of Scottish population who are Catholic 140 Percentage leap in domestic-violence complaints when Celtic-Rangers games kick off at Saturday lunchtime 229 Arrests after Old Firm match last month 50 Distance in miles troublemakers had to be transported to find available accommodation after all the cells in Glasgow were filled in the wake of Februaryââ?¬â?¢s game

Within the last few weeks the mhedia have been in their glory pontificating to all who would listen about the disgraceful scenes at recent "Old Firm" games and their own reasons for what caused them. Needless to say enemy number one was "The Rangers", their fans, players and club officials etc. We were told before the game that Strathclyde's finest had spoken to both teams before the game and threatened all concerned with the full weight of the law should anyone step out of line. In a game that was always going to be contentious what was the biggest changing factor from the previous two games that helped keep a lid on things? For a start the yahoos were not running around the pitch like deranged idiots trying to wind up every Rangers player that they could. There was no intimidation from their Management team attempting to get our players into trouble. So was the police warning enough to calm things down? Or is it just a coincidence that there was one person missing from their bench on Sunday and things didn't "kick off"? I think not. I expect normal service to resume when the mentally disturbed "victim" returns from his ban. Whenever the SFA Celtic supporters club deem that to be.

Sectarian 'keyboard warriors' facing five years in jail Mar 21 2011 by Paul O'Hare OLD FIRM bigots who spread sectarian poison on the internet could soon face five years in jail. Crown lawyers have briefed ministers on plans to go after the "keyboard warriors" who spout hatred in online fans' forums. And the law chiefs are considering a dramatic rise in the maximum jail term for such crimes, which currently stands at just six months. Under the proposals, offenders who make death threats online or incite religious hatred would face jury trials and maximum five-year sentences. Plans for a web crackdown were first revealed by Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini in the Daily Record last week. And the five-year jail sentences unveiled yesterday are just one of the anti-bigotry measures proposed in the wake of recent Old Firm violence. The Lord Advocate has also revealed plans for a specialist Crown Office unit to tackle sectarianism. Prosecutors are set to create a new charge of football-related breach of the peace, which will help courts get tough on hooligans. Crown lawyers will carry out a detailed review of sectarian offences committed in the past year. And in a move designed to stop thugs flouting football banning orders, season tickets issued in future will include holders' photos. The crackdown follows the recent Scottish Cup "shame game" where Celtic boss Neil Lennon and Rangers's Ally McCoist clashed angrily on the touchline. Lennon is under roundthe-clock guard after death threats from bigots. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2011/03/21/sectarian-keyboard-warriors-facing-five-years-in-jail-86908-23004927/

NEIL LENNON bounced and fidgeted in the main stand, a simmering ginger bundle of energy and frustration. He yelled. He cursed. He fed a non-stop stream of instructions to his sidekicks on the sidelines. Nothing the Celtic boss could say made a difference in the end. No amount of tinkering or yelling or substitutions could turn the tide of a game that always seemed destined to end in defeat. This time, when it was over, he couldn't even blame the ref. Let's be honest here - Craig Thomson got off the hook yesterday - big time. Had Rangers lost this titanic final, there would have been hell to pay for the two stonewall penalties he refused to give them. Instead? Well, Old Firm fans have better memories than an elephant who's spent six hours a day playing the Brain Training game on its Nintendo DS, so neither decision will be forgotten soon. At least history will boil them down to a side issue, a pub argument over what year it was that some diddy rubber-eared a kick in the knee and a blatant handball. Which, for the sake of a decent bloke, is a blessing. I've watched both those incidents over and over and still can't for the life of me understand why they weren't no-brainers for a man of Thomson's experience. Each time, he's in a perfect position. Each time, he could not have made the job easier for himself. Yet in the first half, when Thomas Rogne's boot clearly catches Nikica Jelavic, he gives the spot kick before changing his mind - presumably on the advice of linesman Graham Chambers 50 yards away. Then, when Mark Wilson sticks out his left arm to block Maurice Edu's flick on the hour mark, he has the best view in the stadium - yet waves appeals away. Someone said to me later that, to be fair, the guy got nothing else wrong all afternoon. What keeper ever got away with that excuse if he had a blinder only to throw one in ten seconds from time? Fact is, when it mattered most in a national cup final, Thomson got it absolutely wrong. Not once, but twice - three times if you count the call deep in extra-time when he only booked Charlie Mulgrew for hauling down Jelavic to prevent what would have been a clear goalscoring opportunity. These are the moments that can define careers. Scotland's No 1 referee is very lucky they won't stain his forever. As for Walter Smith? Well, he'll reckon - rightly - that justice was done in the end, because his team deserved this triumph, as he does himself as he heads towards the Ibrox exit door. On Thursday, he'd watched them go out of the Europa League to PSV Eindhoven thanks to a performance that simply wasn't good enough, brave enough or attacking enough. I wrote then that unless key men pulled their finger out at Hampden, they could kiss their chances of silverware goodbye for the season. One of those who needed to produce more than most was Steven Davis, missing in action against the Dutch. Well, he didn't half take a look at himself here. His goal capped a Man of the Match display, robbing the dozy Joe Ledley before driving on and shooting low beyond Frather Forthter's left hand - albeit a trundler in off the post - but his contribution was excellent, full of power, drive and desire. Davis was the catalyst for Rangers. Plenty others took the hint, none more so than Jelavic. His winning goal was maybe even scruffier than the first, hitting the left-hand post before spinning along the line and in. It's actually arguable whether any goals in an Old Firm final have taken so long to go in since Tam Forsyth - watching from the stands along with a cast of old-time stars - bobbled the winner in the 1973 Scottish Cup. do Rangers care? Don't be silly. They NEEDED this triumph - for their gaffer, for their fans, for their own battered self-esteem and they more than earned it. Celtic never came close to hitting the heights of the last few derbies, never knocked it around with anything like the swagger they've shown in recent months. In Beram Kayal, they had an outstanding midfielder, someone willing to scrap for everything and to constantly scope out the right pass. He was to Lennon's side what Davis was to Smith's but unlike Davis, he found few takers when he looked around him for handers. Georgios Samaras threatened to make an impact without ever delivering. Kris Commons and Gary Hooper had lost their spark. The best Joe Ledley can say is that his headed equaliser made amends for his part in selling the shirts earlier on. Forster never looked in command, Rogne and Mulgrew were suspect and - crucially - neither Wilson nor Emilio Izaguirre got to impose themselves going forward the way Rangers had let them in games gone by. By the time a limping Izaguirre saw a straight red for barging over substitute Vladimir Weiss, time was almost up and the game was too. Though just for once, a sending off and half-a-dozen bookings shouldn't be allowed to reflect badly on a meeting between these two, because both sets of players reacted admirably to all the warnings about the responsibility they carried towards the fans. No one over-reacted to tackles, they kissed and made up over tangles and, all in all, they produced a final that should be remembered for all the right reasons. Though to be fair, I'm writing this before they add up the final score in Glasgow's hospitals

Will we need another OF summit seeing as someone was sent off ? Or will we just ignore it ? Will we just accept that these things happen ? Will anyone have the balls to point out that it was somewhat of a timid match with few powderkeg moments... and that this transpired when LENNON was nowhere near the action ? lowest common denominator in every incident that has happened between the two teams this season.... yep, the one guy who wasnt allowed near the action today - and unsurprisingly we didnt see too many ugly moments. Didnt think so.

WALTER SMITH last night condemned as ââ?¬Å?dangerousââ?¬Â the decisions of the referee after Rangers won the Co-operative Insurance Cup final 2-1 at Hampden. A goal from Nikica Jelavic gave Smithââ?¬â?¢s side victory in extra time after Celticââ?¬â?¢s Joe Ledley had equalised Steven Davisââ?¬â?¢s opener, but the match included a major controversy when Craig Thomson, the match referee, awarded Rangers a penalty in the first half only to rescind it immediately. Thomson pointed straight away to the spot as Thomas Rogne, the Celtic defender, attempted to challenge Jelavic inside the box. Seconds later he had told players it was not a penalty and booked the Rangers striker for diving. Thomson also turned down a Celtic appeal for a penalty when Mark Wilson fell in the box under a challenge from Sasa Papac and another plea from Rangers when Wilson appeared to handle in the box. However, it was the decision to overturn the penalty that angered Smith. ââ?¬Å?It is dangerous for a referee to do that. Very dangerous. If it had been in the other penalty box, I donââ?¬â?¢t know . . .ââ?¬Â he said, referring to penalty controversies that have involved Celtic in recent seasons. ââ?¬Å?I felt a wee bit aggrieved that Jelavic got booked,ââ?¬Â said Smith. ââ?¬Å?Obviously, the referee must have thought himself there was something in the decision to give a penalty in the first place so therefore it was strange he booked him afterwards especially as there was a similar incident at the other end of the field.ââ?¬Â This was a reference to Wilsonââ?¬â?¢s fall under Papacââ?¬â?¢s challenge. Smith could not shed any light on Thomsonââ?¬â?¢s process of thought as he changed his mind immediately. But he insisted that incident was relevant, despite the result. ââ?¬Å?It matters. It matters, none the less. It was a strange one,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?I would prefer to talk about winning rather than refereeing, but that was a very strange one,ââ?¬Â he said. The Rangers manager added that when ââ?¬Å?Celtic were mounting their campaign at the start of the seasonââ?¬Â over referees he had put forward his own philosophy. ââ?¬Å?If your team is good enough then you will win. That is how I have always looked at it. Regardless of a refereeing decision in todayââ?¬â?¢s game, we have come out of it good enough to win.ââ?¬Â Of the match, he said: ââ?¬Å?It was a terrific game. I thought we slightly edged the game overall and deserved to win. But it could have gone either way. We played exceptionally well.ââ?¬Â He said of the match-winner: ââ?¬Å?Jelavic is getting somewhere near match sharpness for us and he played very well for us today. Although, I felt that Steven Davis was, by far, the man of the match.ââ?¬Â Smithââ?¬â?¢s pleasure at the victory was enhanced by the vindication of his side, who had gone into the final as underdogs after a run of four Old Firm matches without victory. ââ?¬Å?I think it was strange for them to find themselves in a position where they were almost written off for todayââ?¬â?¢s game,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?It was a nice little challenge for them and they accepted it very well. The boys here do not need to prove anything to anybody. They have given everything for the club and have played exceptionally well. ââ?¬Å?They have to keep winning and today they found quite a bit which is a testimony to their own professionalism, overall fitness and desire to win. The motivation has to come from within.ââ?¬Â Smith was pleased to lift the trophy on a personal level, saying: ââ?¬Å?It is a nice one. The last time when I was leaving [1998] we did not win anything.ââ?¬Â Johan Mjallby, the Celtic assistant manager, felt his side struggled to play to their capabilities defensively. He explained: ââ?¬Å?Itââ?¬â?¢s very disappointing. Itââ?¬â?¢s always hard to swallow when you lose a cup final, but all credit to Rangers who won it. ââ?¬Å?There wasnââ?¬â?¢t really much in it. From our aspect we were a bit disappointed the way we lost our two goals.ââ?¬Â He added that the substitution of Thomas Rogne with Glenn Loovens was for tactical reasons. ââ?¬Å?Jelavic was creating some problems for Thomas,ââ?¬Â he said. The Swede was succinct on the reasons for the defeat. ââ?¬Å?Maybe our passing game should have been a wee bit better,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?We didnââ?¬â?¢t really create as many chances as we hoped. But we still should have defended better for the goals we conceded.ââ?¬Â http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/rangers-manager-critical-of-referee-thomson-after-dangerous-decision-to-rescind-penalty-1.1091500

The conceit of these politicians - secular and religious - knows no bounds. They can't let any opportunity pass to convince us they are justified in continually interfering in all aspects of our lives. As illustrated by the following article this morning..... Don't you just wish they'd all just fuck off forever. Page last updated at 02:12 CET, Sunday, 20 March 2011 Churches back Old Firm clash call Celtic and Rangers will meet at the Co-operative Insurance cup final following an ill-tempered clash last month. First Minister Alex Salmond issued a plea for a final of which "all of Scotland can be proud". The Catholic Church and Church of Scotland said there was no excuse for violence, abuse and bigotry connected to football matches. In a joint statement, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland's General Assembly, The Right Reverend John Christie, and Cardinal Keith O'Brien, leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, described football as an "enormous force for good in society". They said it brought the young and old, Scots and people from across the globe together in a "shared passion for our national game". "We understand fully that sometimes this passion spills over and can cause serious problems, some of which are felt far from the football grounds," the statement added. "Of course, this is something we stand together against - there is never an excuse for violence, abuse and bigotry, however that connects to football matches." "Consequently, we would wish to give every possible encouragement to those involved in the process of ensuring that our major football matches are always forces for good and do not disgrace the good name of Scotland." Mr Salmond said police had made "crystal clear" to players and staff where their responsibilities lie in the run-up to the final at Hampden Park in Glasgow. He said: "However that responsibility extends to every fan at the match and watching on television. "The result of a game of football is never an excuse for unacceptable or illegal behaviour, whether that be violence or bigotry. "Neither is the misuse of alcohol, which fuels such behaviour." He added: "These things shall not be tolerated in modern Scotland."

Not bad at all...

From the ET.