Older Gersnetters will remember those wonderful annuals edited by Ken Gallacher, 'Playing for Rangers'? Every year for nearly thirty years, your Christmas stocking contained wonderful tales of derring-do and unbridled optimism for the remainder of the season. All the insight on new signings, cup ties won and lost, and an interview or two with unsung members of the back room staff. A shattering defeat in a Euro tie during early Autumn nights, was guaranteed to be revised. The conclusion was always along the lines of, "but for a couple of unfortunate peripheral factors ie baking heat in Spain, dodgy foreign food, and flight hold-ups, the result could have been reversed".
My patience evaporated on a rain soaked night in Cologne. Leading 2-1 from the first leg, myself and five thousand other Bears were encouraged by manager, John Greig assuring us that he had a plan for Pierre Littbarski. The then young blond German was a true mercurial talent. We believe the plan was for Gregor Stevens to man mark Pierre, five minutes after half time, the big mark was Cologne 5 Rangers 0. Littbarski had scored one and made another couple. It was a hard night for Gregor, he didn't even get booked. Playing for Rangers review suggested the rain had made the surface unplayable. I wish someone had told Littbarski?
These last ten weeks, I have been hugely impressed with Hollicom's game plan. Every Yahoo that ever kicked a baw and possessed a tongue was mobilised. Whether it was print or broadcast media, a prepared script was available, reinforcing the given briefing. Votes came and went, and again ahead of the developing curve, Rangers haters were brought to the conflict. Declaring ra Sellik worthy winners was the task, it didn't matter that Chris Sutton supported the Hollicom point, whilst at the same time providing reasoning why Liverpool should not be crowned English champions. Principles did not matter, proven by Cosgrove and Stewart being determined to deliver the provided sound bites.
Reconstruction has come and gone too, and Neil, Rod, and Shifty McGifty have escaped without a glove being laid. Hearts are taking the legal road, a new Hollicom campaign will be unleashed, Budge had better be prepared.
Scotland has no satirical outlets these days, the fawning cult of Nicola dominates. Her halo cannot be burnished. I suggest we acknowledge those regularly turning out for Hollicom, they should receive appropriate recognition. Now, in the British Isles, we award caps; I note in Holland, the players receive a small ceramic rabbit on international debut. I suggest if the chapters of Playing for Hollicom contain a Sutton, a Cosgrove, a Stewart, a David Low, ...... etc, they are most deserving of a Fresh Jobby in a Box. Of course, we must have a donor(s) with the constant ability to provide the necessary supply of Mr Whippys, curled on the cardboard, winking at you category. Those only capable of tapered at both ends category need not apply, it's an aesthetic thing.
Let's open nominations and give the first eleven and five substitutes their Fresh Jobby in a Box.