alexscottislegend

By 'tartan tories' I just meant a shorthand way to summarise the fact that they are a capitalist party; you may be right in that, post-independence, they would change radically.

It didn't fail in Russia from 1917 to 1923 when the revolution was defeated and betrayed by the West and their White armies. It has never been fully implemented anywhere . The nearest modern approach would be Venezuela, but that is a work in progress.

If the only option is an SNP government implementing their version of capitalism ("they may be Tories but at least they're oorTories") then I'd vote no too.

At the moment, Wales is technically a principality, in fact less independent than Scotland as they don't have a parliament just an assembly. But I imagine most Welshmen see themselves as a nation.

Absolutely not. But I do get irked by people who think English and British are synonyms.

I'm certainly not taken in by the SNP; an independent Scotland under capitalists will simply be a smaller version of the current UK. If, however, the SNP were a genuine socialist party then I think it would offer something to the people of Scotland. Think that's the reason Galloway is opposed, though he's no role model. Never had any time for champagne socialists.

You know, seeing that Lee Rigby flag at Sheffield made me realise just how schizophrenic I have become as Socialist, proud Scot and Rangers supporter. I was introduced to Rangers by my trade unionist Protestant uncle, but that was not my prime reason for supporting them; in fact, I could lay claim to them being my local team, having been brought up in Penilee. I still proudly have a copy of a book by Hugh Taylor inscribed by my grandparents at Christmas 1961 just before I moved to England where Iâ??ve been ever since. I donâ??t know how many times Iâ??ve had to explain the Union Jack to English people (they wouldnâ??t even have a union flag if it wasnâ??t for our James V11, yet we are frequently insulted by hearing Prince George referred to as the future King of England). In the aforementioned book, Taylor, referring to the following Rangers had in Wolverhampton in the Cup Winners Cup of 1961, speaks of: â??Their banners had no foreign flavour. They were Union Jacks and Scottish Standards.â? Throughout, Taylor refers to the supporters as â??Scotsâ??. And thatâ??s the thing for me: thereâ??s no dichotomy here between Scottish and British. My family, all true Scots, with just a tiny NI link, saw themselves as Scottish and British. Now, it seems, you canâ??t be both: you are either a rabid Nationalist (and I was as embarrassed as anyone by Salmondâ??s opportunistic flag stunt after Andy Murrayâ??s Wimbledon win) or you are an integrationist Brit who has to support â??our boysâ?? right or wrong. As Andy Steel has pointed out elsewhere, some of the stuff our troops get involved in is nothing to be proud of. In 1967 my family were ectstatic when Celtic became the first British (and that is exactly what they are, despite what the Green Brigade would have you believe) side to win the European Cup. I am still bitter that the English have failed to give them enough credit for that achievement (that honour was reserved, donâ??t you know, for Matt Busbyâ??s babes). Now, to hear some Gers fans on here, that would amount to treachery to rival Lord Haw-Haw. Given that the English see â??Rule Brittaniaâ?? as one of their anthems, what I would ask those Scots who feel the need to proclaim it, is would they be happy if Scotland as an entity was abolished and simply absorbed as part of England? Would you like to see our national team, soon to be paraded at Wembley where once Jim Baxter and John Greig strutted proudly, become part of GB/UK team which in turn would soon be referred to as England? On a side note, the Met Office website has Scotland,Wales and Ireland described as â??regionsâ??, not nations! Itâ??s a problem that we will have to face in 2014. Because, although I distrust the Tartan Tories of Salmondâ??s hue, thereâ??s a small part of me that fears if we reject independence, we forfeit the right to consider ourselves a nation ever again. To show how truly schizophrenic I am, I would hate to see the Ulster heritage of our club discarded; in fact., I always saw us a kind of Athletic Bilbao â?? a proud exclusivity setting us apart. Alas, that had to change in the Souness era. So here we are today, with a group of Rangers supporters defining their identity not because of what they believe they are, but simply posing it in apposition to the Keltic Brigade. The sad fact is that this faux Britishness is welcomed at best by indifference, at worst by downright contempt by the very people we reach out to â?? the English. So Iâ??ll guess Iâ??ll just have to persevere, Janus-like, in supporting Scotland, Rangers and wishing England to lose at everything.

When was thelast time Canada beat Croatia away?

That the decision to get of him was hasty was further emphasised when he found a new lease of life at a good Aberdeen side as a fleet-footed right winger, supplying the likes of Joe Harper. Think Scot Symon was himself fired at the end of season 69?

Sorry to be even more pedantic, but it's 'Occam's razor.'

Yep, great piece of writing. This is why I don't even bother to look at other forums (apart from the fact I got banned by the puerile FF); the standard of writing here is so much more mature than, than... the press.

Are they being mooted as our centre back partnership? I'd take that in a jiffy.

Bobby Williamson has international experience; wouldn't mind him.

Appointed as manager of Sheffield Utd. Destined to be a manager IMO. Should be a future Rangers manager, but I guess that Everton will come calling if he makes it a success. If we were in our rightful place he would good for us now, though I always think it a good idea for a prospective Rangers manager to learn his craft somewhere else. Ex-players would be my choice. Currently we have Billy Davies, Derek McInnes and I'm struggling to think of others who could be Ibrox managers in waiting. Contrast that with the Tims who have Hartley, Coyle, Collins, Roy Keane ,McKay all having served their time somewhere else. Maybe Barry Ferguson might fancy a crack?

And on this day Airdrie have just changed their name back to "Airdrieonians". No ire directed at them for being liquidated or oldco or whatever. As DB says, it's a load of cobblers. I doubt anyone in Italy really thinks that Fiorentina are not the Violas of old.

'Rangers FC'? I like that name.

When Killie beat THEM in the League Cup final last year, he was the main reason IMO. Surprised you didn't see the highlights.

I've said this before, but that phrase.."the quintessential British club" should be put on a plaque at Ibrox, similar to the "This is Anfield' at L'pool.

I think they would. In their case Div 3 was a step down. For Jig, to be fair, he is in the twilight of his career and Div 3 may be his level now. In Lee's case, moving from Hearts was a step up. He is still young and like with Templeton can build his career anew after maybe losing his way. Naismith, Davis et al are all at their peak. That's why I can't join in too much with the 'traitors' brigade.

Of course. Any idea of the Manure lineup?

Sorry to harp on it, dB but why does 'FC Rangers' sound any more ridiculous than 'FC Arsenal'? Celtic (sorry to swear there) are usually referred to as simply Celtic, so we should not be given an extra soubriquet!

That's simply to make the songs scan. It's UNofficial. I'll accept it when people say 'London Arsenal.'

Another one who needs educating as to the name of our club. So as not to confuse us with Berwick or QPR? Look at the headed notepaper or the name above the Ibrox gates.

Nice to see another Dylan fan on here. Sadly we're surrounded by an 'Idiot Wind.'

Cardiff and Swansea to be in the EPL next season. That 's Wales' Old Firm - should be us and them in their stead. I'm as jealous as hell.