andy steel

Well, that's true, but I don't see why antisocial yobbery can't be condemned regardless of who's doing it. John Reid only managed to find his voice when he stook down as an MP, remember.

I assumed this was for the Hoops to keep on trying until it was mathematically impossible to stop us!

I do object to the MP Mike Rumbles (don't know what party he represents) describing the poor form on show yesterday as by 'Old Firm supporters.' I think he'll find it was one set of supporters.

That's a gas! Although a bit anti-Prod, mind you. I'm a bit anti-Prod myself, so I can't argue. Burn that flute! I thought it was going to be "I married a fen***, her name was McGuire, she ordered my flute to, be thrown on the fire..."

Just what the blazes is going on with you? Far too keen to buy into a story. I know nothing of what's going on here, so I have no comment to offer. Probably good advice.

I guess it will be Alexander in goal for the foreseeable, then.

I'm not very impressed by BBC Scotland's word choice when reporting this story, which they must be delighted with. How anyone can live in this country, be exposed to the biggest sports broadcaster and STILL think there's an agenda against Celtic is beyond me. An impartial reporter would note that they are considered erroneous by Celtic and their fans, they're not de facto facts, if you can say that. And apologies if this is not from the BBC, but whoever wrote it is plainly watched through green tinted spectacles.

It was probably Wabash.

Saddest thing is it's well enough written by someone who has clearly had an education, and yet is divorced from reality enough to (presumably) believe that mince.

This...and the snow...and the idiots....I wonder at anyone with a way out staying round here for one second longer than they have to.

"It's crap", they say.

therangers1872 is a total youtube godsend. I was watching the Alania Vladikavkaz games from decades ago yesterday, fabulous stuff. If you discount the golden commentary team of Gerry McNee, Andy Walker and Charlie Nicholas. I'm all for not having ex-Rangers in the commentary booth as it can be boringly subjective, but that was ripping the pish.

A most interesting thread. This is the only bit I disagree strongly with: Not at all! Don't buy the papers - they are overpriced to the point where I don't buy them on economic grounds as much as moral ones, but the point remains it's easy to avoid what they are saying; I haven't seen Scottish news since my son got into The Simpsons, which must be since Manchester, and the 'off' button is always within easy reach; while I need not 'click' on any thread I don't wish to. In the pub or wherever, you can always NOT take part in a discussion should it come up. It seems to me that the only thing stopping people passing comment on or viewing the lives of others is their own prurience.

No-one a bit surprised to see Kevin Thomson in there? He's hardly been fantastic for us.

I don't see why? Protecting McGregor from himself and others is one of the recurrent motifs of Smith's second tenure. Hardly forced to turn to Alexander, either, who is more than competent. It absolutely IS the point, Danny. You mention his private life - not admirable in my opinion but really, none of anyone's business but his and his family's. You mention a newspaper spread - I wouldn't, but hardly a capital crime. You mention an accusation we know nothing about - there's nothing pro or con that can be said on a subject we are ignorant of. Then you mention his guilt or innocence at the weekend: guilt of what? That's nothing so much as accepting the drip, drip of innuendo and deciding that it amounts to something tangible. Your opinion, so fair enough. But I don't agree with the analysis. I posted yesterday that he should probably leave Glasgow - but not because he is 'baggage' or whatever, but because his quality of life will be improved. In other words, he should leave for his sake, not Rangers's. (sp?)

Yes, the paranoia has got to me - that was what I was thinking too! That's just how it is up here, and with the exception of the state-funded BBC there's not a thing to be done about it. AlexScott is bang on imo, Allan should give up on Scotland and get moving. Not as if he's the first player who finds lifestyle incompatible with living in Glasgow. Now, that is as much his fault as anyone else's, but in the words of Roger Waters: come on, it's time to go.

I agree with Zappa, I was hoping for someone with more financial clout than Mr Park. But, if it's that or nothing, who am I to complain?

If he's a cross between Jimmy Millar and Ralph Bri-and, he'll do me.

Not bad, no games too near the start or end of a season, so the players should be up to speed. And playing Spain means they will have taken all points from the other teams they are going to, meaning we will know exactly where we stand. I think the SFA have done a good job there. But why the Friday nights?

Well, they could...but they'd have to find a level of consistency they've failed to find so far, and I can't recall and example of a team suddenly bursting into vibrancy in February. First time for everything, though. <cautious loyal>

For once, we can truthfully say that the rest of the SPL is dragging us down. You can't ignore our own faililngs but if any team outwith the OF had even had one season - just one - when they had managed to defeat teams from the footballing powerhouses of Finland or wherever, this could have been avoided. Don't they want to play in the Champions League?

As far as I'm concerned, Walter Smith is the Rangers legend of my lifetime. I still remember Derek Johnstone handing out the prizes at a BB display in the 70s, I still remember Ally Dawson being held up as an example for we Johnstone High kids to follow into pro football (unkindly, perhaps, the line was 'if he can make it, so can you'), I still recall the time Coisty touched my shoulder in MacVid - one for the older fan, there - and said 'Scuse me, mate,' so he could reach Last Man Standing starring Bruce Willis. And I still worship the memory of Davie Cooper. None of these Rangers heroes can match Walter Smith for me, despite the criticism he received and still receives. A lot of it is understandable: a support which can watch the likes of Arsenal and Man Utd is unlikely to be thrilled by the fare we serve up. But we win, dammit. And you can have all the cavalier stuff you like: all I want is to see the Rangers captain, come the good weather, lifting silverware. On that score it's hard to argue that Walter Smith has delivered. Add to the haul of Cups the UEFA run to the Final in Manchester, which for all the baggage we took was still unforgettable. I'll always remember watching the quarter final while I was supposed to be at a wedding reception; I'll always remember sitting immobile through the penalty shootout in Florence in case I hexed us by moving. Don't be telling me that the manager had nothing to do with all these memories. Even more persuasive has been the Old Firm effect since his return to the hotseat. It's just like the old days; sometimes we thrash them, other times we are pummelled but still sneak a win or a draw. Compare the great man's aura with that of his embattled counterpart across the city, Tony Mowbray. I happen to think he's a good football coach with an unfortunate (for them) failure to consider defending a part of the game. If they're willing to stick with a manager who divides his support to the extent that Mowbray is doing, good luck to 'em. I prefer the man who gets results, no matter how. I still recall the putative 10 in a row season, saying to my pal Jim that we were coming to the end of a Golden Age. While Walter can't be accused of bringing back that sort of dominance, he's not only a link with that era he is also the only man I can think of who has the experience and class to drag what is, frankly, an ordinary side to a level where the glint of silverware is just around the corner. The upcoming Old Firm game, widely seen as a title decider should we win it, gives a taste of what Smith has done for me at least. I'm quite confident that we will win, either comfortably, or sneakily, or that at worst we shall get a draw which is equally precious in the title race. I could be wrong, of course, and we could go down to defeat - such things do happen. But with Smith at the helm I am confident going into game that we'll win, and confident that should we lose he'll sort things out lickety spit. You can't ask for much more from your manager than that.

You know me far too well. Time for a namechange!

Wabash, you may be right for all I know. It's just getting a bit 'broken record'.

His fitness hardly affects his registration, though.