Pacific Quay Musings?

[BlackSocksRedTops 3,476]

18 hours ago, Gonzo79 said:

An ex-partner can often still have an influence.  Christ, I still toast bread to go with soup!  

 

Piara Power is a pain in the bum. 

Toast in soup? That would be like one big crouton. I like crackers in my soup thanks to many trips to the USA. 

[Yorkie Bear 507]

27 minutes ago, BlackSocksRedTops said:

Toast in soup? That would be like one big crouton. I like crackers in my soup thanks to many trips to the USA. 

Crouton?  Sometimes I think I'm too working class for this forum.

[BlackSocksRedTops 3,476]

15 minutes ago, Yorkie Bear said:

Crouton?  Sometimes I think I'm too working class for this forum.

Garlic croutons. Now that's the stuff.

[Yorkie Bear 507]

On 20/08/2022 at 12:31, BlackSocksRedTops said:

Garlic croutons. Now that's the stuff.

Ooh! Get you!

[26th of foot 5,832]

Disco Dancing Dick.

 

This evening on BBC Radio Scotland, Big Dick is back in the Chair hosting coverage of Hearts attempts to reach the Europa Cup group stages against Zurich. He leads the discussion with Tom English and Alan Preston and turns attention to this afternoon's Champions League draw. Brian McLachlan intervenes to raise the topic of Hearts newly installed screen(s) and lights. Dick wants to know if the lights are as good as Sellik's disco lights? Tom interrupts with, "to be fair, Celtic's lights are very good and they'll get a run out this Autumn in the Champions League".

 

Back to the draw, Tom concludes Real Madrid is the real glamour and ra Sellik fans will be enthused. Big Dick goes off on one, "it was Murdo and Pat, always saying they were fed up with Celtic playing Barca', they wanted to face Real Madrid". Further, he bangs on about Sellik playing Real forty-odd years ago, George McLuskey scored, then Aberdeen beating Real in the ECWC final in Gothenburg and finishes, "it has been so long since any Scottish side last faced Real Madrid".

 

There's your problem right there, this decades long AberTic take on Scottish football continually falls at the Rangers positive hurdle. It is just a calendar year past that Real visited Ibrox and lost 2-1 to Rangers, Sakala scoring the winner.

 

Satisfaction only arrives in a chain reaction for Yahoos and Dandies.

[Gonzo79 13,609]

In fairness, I probably would ignore friendlies if I was discussing meetings between clubs in European competitions.  

[26th of foot 5,832]

"I fear for Rangers, I really do".

 

The above quote is from BBC Scotland's Tom English, it was the conclusion of his half-time summing up of events in the PSV's Philips Stadium. In his two minute interval report on BBC Radio Scotland, he fired off five timings, all opportunities for PSV to take the lead. In boxing parlance, Rangers were slumped upon the ropes and taking a pounding, the break was most welcome otherwise, "the Rangers bench would have been searching for the towel". As I was standing outside the Howf listening to my pocket radio, I thought Tom needed a towel to mop his feverish brow?

 

I had watched the first half in the pub and thought we had endured a sticky 10 minute opening spell, had played our way in and, controlled 15-20 minutes in the middle of the first period. I recognise the Dutch had made a couple of openings but, they had NOT worked our Keeper. Steven Thomson at the match and Neil McCann in the PQ studio agreed with my observations. Lundstram had whistled a shot past the post and, both Tillman and Colak had shot directly at the PSV Keeper. Further, everyone agreed the Dutch players' movement had tested Rangers in the final five minutes of the half.

 

"PSV made enough chances to win two, three games"?

 

The above quote is from BBC Scotland's chief commentator, Liam McLeod, it was his final sentence of a full time summation. Again, both Thomson and McCann talked up the achievement and, highlighted Lawrence rattling the goal frame with a wonderful strike after displaying quick feet in the box. Both agreed the final 30 minutes had been comfortable for a thoroughly professional Rangers. A full fifty minutes after the final whistle, Tom English reappeared from the depths of PQ, we were told he was filing copy?

 

Now, Tom has filed copy on dozens of occasions whilst broadcasting and he usually takes 15-20 minutes. He is a well practised Journo. At ra Stade de Gadd, Tom is back in the fold within 20 minutes to offer his views in breathless excitement. What was Tom doing for the extra thirty minutes on Wednesday evening, was he searching for the acceptable line? Both Tom and Liam had the script and refused to deviate from a pre-penned narrative despite, what their eyes told them. I fear for objectivity at BBC Scotland, I really do.

 

BBC Five Live's approach differed from PQ, enthusiastic at Rangers performance and, in agreement with both Thommo and Terry in their appreciation of Rangers professionalism. Yesterday, the Scottish Daily Express published a column asking why two arms of Auntie Beeb had arrived at differing narratives? Tom's copy was heavy on tough, dogged and, redoubtable Rangers, the accompanying unnamed piece asked, 'what do two clubs in the Champions League do for the Game'? You will not be surprised to hear our qualification creates a widening gulf and any benefits to the Scottish game are dependent upon what you want from the game??????? There you are Gersnetters, do NOT do drugs.

 

I suspect we all thought Rangers reaching the Europa Cup final last season created a seismic shift in our game. We were quickly informed by the usual suspects that losing the match on penalties was devastating. Immediately after events in Seville, Michael Stewart Tweeted :

 

"Winning the Scottish Cup for Rangers or Hearts will be huge. It will round off a great season for Hearts with European group football already guaranteed, for Rangers it will mean not finishing empty handed. Missing the Champions League money is a MASSIVE blow to their finances".

 

The MASSIVE capitals were all Michael's. He extrapolated on BBC Radio Scotland, reaching the Europa Cup final had temporarily dug Rangers out of a financial hole, players will have to be sold, "they didn't win the cup, the gamble may have failed. We will have to wait and see"? Since the above Tweet, Michael's Twitter feed has ignored the Scottish Cup final result and, Rangers Champions League qualification. He is fixated with Scottish independence and the tranquility of Catalonia. Like Tom's copy I am sure Michael is awaiting further narrative advice from the Kerrydale Accountants?

 

A comfort blanket, a much treasured comfort blanket has been wrenched from the collective PQ hands. We know in three and half years they chose not to interview Steven Gerrard, we know they have not interviewed Gio either, so far. When they do sit down with the Rangers Gaffer, I hope he does not miss, Michael Stewart is a MASSIVE target.

[compo 6,133]

All them BBC boys need a good hard kick in the Nadgers 

[Ted McMinnime 341]

Enlightening PQ piece as always @26th of foot. Interestingly, it puts into context the filed copy report on PQ web next day. From it's begrudging title "Dogged Rangers fight way to place with big boys" ' the article sets a tone of a very fortunate win from a "little team" riding their luck to the limit to grab a fortunate place at Europe's top table. All the profligate PSV players are named and shamed, as the article slanders PSV's failings. Tom rolls out full verbal armoury. "Slapstick, purgatory, wastefulness, missed chances etc", As for Rangers? By the end of first half according to Tom, "Rangers were "Hanging on" and "needed that whistle like they needed their next breath" No hope for our supporters, steeling ourselves to saying goodbye to glamour CL ties and " Hello  Europa League old friend. We're back"

Now it doesn't take a genius to figure all this copy would be written at half time as Tom prepared the final stamp on our death warrant.

So dear old Tom was forced to change the narrative. Searching for that acceptable line. He has to up the tempo. Rangers "doggedness" is mentioned several times. Lawrence, Colak and Tillman are the only 3 Rangers outfield players mentioned. PSV has 7 or 8 players referenced. Our away record in Europe is poor. Only one win since the beginning of last season. Apparently for our goal, Ramalho was entitled to miss the danger caused by Tillman, as for the first hour, the most powerful telescopic lens could not have picked him out. No mention from Tom of the great team counter pressing for the goal. Rather "one of the most glorious tap-ins in our history"

For a Chief Sports writer the article is downright sloppy and underwhelming. You can almost sense his disappointment between the lines. It belittles and disregards our teams European exploits over 4 seasons. It downplays the Europa League as a "little boys" competition conveniently overlooking the fact that most of our achievements in the EL have been beating teams "parachuted" out of the "big boy" league. Without actually stating the fact, it implies that the other Glasgow club somehow belong in this heady environment? Why not remind your readers Tom? To which club do Celtic have to thank for their automatic entry to the CL?

As you state @26th of footObjectivity? Not from the man from Limerick I fear. Really poor stuff!

 

[Gonzo79 13,609]

Why is an Irish rugby fan PQ's main Scottish football reporter?

 

The guy's a fud.