26th of foot

St Johnstone 0 Rangers 2 FGS : Silva.

There will be loud mood music around McDiarmid Park tomorrow and after today's result at ra Stade de Gadd, there will be another persistent noise to add to the cacophony. Specifically, it is an increasing hiss. Increasing pressure through a growing hole is deflating the huge sense of entitlement present among the green'n'grey hooped horrors. It is a disturbance in the air, ignore it Rangers and concentrate on defeating St Johnstone.

Peter is compelled to return to the ancestral homeland every time he is confronted with an awkward situation(see the final month of season 2007-08). A direct descendant of Admiral Yamamoto of the Japanese Imperial Navy, well that is what his maw told him after purchasing his school uniform from the Army and Navy store.

I remember reading an article several yers past on the meticulous methods of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, he had brought a specific throw-in coach to the club. The corners thing is something that rips my knitting. At Ibrox, we average a dozen corners; last night against Ross County we achieved twenty. Whether in is out swinging or in swinging, it makes no difference as we barely achieve the first touch. Ross County's central midfielder, Yan Danda took two corners last evening, both wickedly whipped balls, one grazed the bar, the other was the recipient of a Jack Butland one handed punched clearance. If we receive at least a dozen opportunities to put an unfettered ball into the opposition's box every game at the Stadium, maybe a specific coach could inspire much improved outcomes? I nominate Rosseau, do I have a witness?

Rangers 4 Ross County 0 FGS : Dessers.

I know this is off topic but we are in the second page of the thread. I attended my first old firm game at Celtic Park on the 1st of January 1966. I had witnessed Rangers victories against them at both Ibrox and Hampden however, the Piggery experience was horrid. Rangers had lost 2-3 to the then Scottish Cup holders, Dunfermline Athletic at the Stadium the week before and trepidation was in the air. It was a freezing foggy afternoon, the pitch was solid and as a nine year old I was bundled into a duffle coat. The track was utilised to store stacked bails of hay, in those days Sellik protected the pitch from frost by spreading hay across the surface. It started well, a through ball in the first minute found Davie Wilson rounding the keeper to notch the opening goal. It was 0-1 at half time. The green'n'grey horrors had a large wide player at the time, John Hughes nickname, 'Yogi'. He ran out for the second half in a pair of baseball boots. As it darkened, the sky cleared and a hard frost descended. It was football on ice. Needless to say, Hughes ran amok in his rubber soles, Chalmers scored a hat trick and, Rangers slumped to a 1-5 defeat. It was the Jock Stein effect.

"Penalty to Rangers"? As of today 13th Feb'24 - 25 games have been played in the Scottish Premiership and the penalty/red card stats are thus : Sellik have been awarded 12 penalties, conceded nil and, received 1 red card. Rangers have been awarded 9 penalties, conceded 1 and, received 4 red cards. The much vaunted Masonic Conspiracy that fail failed to halt Sellik's quadruple Treble appears to be operating much in the same vein. However, the Scottish establishment triumvirate of the Scottish Government, BBC Scotland and, ra Sellik continually need a grouping to blame and be the recipient of the collective pointed finger when the facts get in the way of their preferred narrative. Rangers and Rangers supporters are necessary, so many mortgages and life styles depend upon the club. Small independent countries receive regular call outs from the Gang Hut, it is half term and the First Minister and his wife, Nadia are off to Qatar whereas RAB Cosgrove descends upon Sri Lanka. Burgeoning property portfolios aside, these brave, bold lands are ripe with opportunity. Humza can press his international credentials whilst meeting the Hamas leadership. At least he is consistent, it is a lot like being an MSP for Pollok whilst residing in Broughty Ferry. The concerns for the folks in Gaza are uppermost from a long, long away. RAB lionised Sri Lanka continually then, a corruption inspired meltdown occurred. Remember ordinary Sri Lankans were trashing the President's home whilst swimming in his pool? RAB maintains radio silence on the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka these days. It is a bit like ra Sellik, this last week we have had two BIG stories involving both the First Minister, Humza Yousaf and his Health Secretary, Michael Matheson. Humza stated if he was not involved in politics, "I would be Chairman of Celtic". As if Peter would let him? Michael resigned his position eventually because he attempted to claim mobile roaming charges(£11k) incurred in Morocco whilst viewing his beloved Sellik, as a legitimate expense. It is the very epitome of establishment, two Sellik related inconvenient stories and the Gang Hut just switched off the amplifier. Once again, the national broadcaster abdicated it's responsibilities. Concurrently, Tam the Token ran a number of gags where Rangers players and Rangers supporters were the punch lines. Scotland's failure to defeat France in Saturday's rugby union match at Murrayfield was a VAR(TMO) travesty, "ah could not believe it, after five minutes they could not award a try then ah realised Connor Goldson was involved in that pile on". The national rugby side lose to France and it is deemed more acceptable when you blame Rangers. The comfort of the Gang Hut supersedes all, place a Rangers player into another sport, in another stadium with a different shaped ball and it runs more interference on a Government minister attempting to steal eleven grand due to his obsession in watching Sellik. Penalty to Rangers will run and run because it means Rangers and Rangers supporters are paying the penalty.

Rangers 4 Ayr United 0 FGS : Silva.

No, no and, thrice no. Surely, we want to face St Mirren at Ibrox in the quarter-final?

All very well but, I will wait for both Compo and Scott7's personal recollections of the match.

I suspect you are correct. It must be over a couple of years past that I was told of an alleged rumour involving former Chair of the Football Association of Ireland, John Delaney. He was also a Board member of UEFA's Executive Committee. I am sure you remember the outrageous circumstances of his resignation from both posts? Anyways, apparently the unravelling of Delaney's life provided opportunity for Lawwell, he had always fancied a post on UEFA's Executive Committee. The shoo in became acrimonious as Delaney believed he had been back stabbed. Remember the FAI was on the brink of bankruptcy when Delaney(the Chair) provided a one million Euros emergency loan from his property portfolio account. His resignation was demanded and subsequently he lost his treasured place on UEFA's Executive Committee. He divorced the wife, married his long term mistress and, moved his new wife and child to London. He had been in the UK a matter of months when the well connected Delaney swore revenge. I was asked to connect the dots. I believe Peter serves on two UEFA Committees, Vice-Chair of one.

Whatever became of Police Scotland's investigation into the fire bombing of Peter's house in Thorntonhall? I remember Police Scotland's first response was they were refusing to rule out a sectarian motive for the attack. Maybe the investigation led down a road closer to home? We should be told.

You are correct, only Rangers voted against the continuing governance of Neil Doncaster and Murdoch MacLennan. When Rangers resisted, the then Sellik TV pundit, Michael Stewart utilised his platform on BBC Radio Scotland to participate in a debate and conclude : "I do not understand Rangers' criticisms of Neil Doncaster and Murdoch MacLennan, in this issue Neil and Murdoch are the good guys". Those were the last words uttered on the issue, no dissension as team line ups were then broadcast for that Saturday's games. It was the way Peter wanted it and Michael took great delight in being the very epitome of the establishment man. At that time in an effort to support Michael's support for Neil and Murdoch, RAB Cosgrove's contribution to Off the Ball's topic, 'pleasant surprises' was thus : Folks will be surprised to hear that for a period of just over a year I worked for Cannel 4 in a building next to the newspaper where Murdoch MacClennan was CEO. He had a chauffeur driven car and would regularly give me a lift home to my flat just south of the river. He was a most pleasant man with a sound knowledge of Scottish football. You see how the Scottish football establishment works, it is a web with Peter at it's very centre. Doncaster, MacLennan, ............ Stewart and Cosgrove; all willing lackeys.

Brenda' reaction to the Aberdeen appointment of Neil Warnock was a surprise. I suspect he is feeling a tad pressurised by warning the Yorkshireman about the both the state of the pitches and Refereeing in Scottish football? I watched, listened and, read most of Warnock's reaction to Ibrox and it was overwhelmingly complimentary. Further, he praised Referee, Don Robertson, particularly for NOT changing his on field decision to red card Sterling after being asked to check the VAR screen. The 75 year old Englishman did have one criticism and it was the Ibrox ballboys, specifically quick recycling the ball when the game was all square but, going AWOL after Rangers nudged ahead. Now, before Brenda grabs at this life line; may I point out this practise was an important aspect of 'Angeball'. Mercurial speeds and choreography saw Sellik Park ball bhoys draw admiration from the All England Tennis Club, Wimbledon such was their efficiency. Sellik were warned off by UEFA for the practice. Oh the irony of Angeball biting Brenda on the arse just like that night he endured with the Chick with a Stick.

Rangers 2 Aberdeen 0 FGS : Cantwell.

Tomorrow evening's Aberdeen at Ibrox is a collective shoulder applied to the wheel situation. Rangers players and Rangers supporters must create the necessary atmosphere, I want the electricity to crackle, I want the support to stay to the end and, I demand we all realise how important this game is to the club going forward. Be brave, go at them and get at them.

Warnock has been appointed interim Gaffer for the Dandies, he will be in the dug out at Ibrox tomorrow evening. Aberdeen supporters on the whole appear to be up for the appointment of the 75 year old Yorkshireman. How will it go? I suspect both Cormack and Burrows are going for the short term new manager bounce, if so I hope it is after their visit to Govan. The style of play will be interesting, do the Dandies have the players to fit Warnock's preferred style? He is a motivator but, Aberdeen need no motivation when facing Rangers. Further, what becomes of Bookies' favourite, Neil Lennon? Continuously, Neil is heavily hyped for the now, regular vacancies in the world of football, particularly in Scotland. Is there something lurking in Lennon's past that prevents appointment? Surely, a man that led ra green'n'grey hooped horrors to victory over Barca' cannot be allowed to languish on Peter Martin's Sellik Podcast, PLZ Soccer? Have Aberdeen appointed the wrong Neil?

I voted for Ross McCausland because he always showed for the ball and took it whilst often closed down. However and there's always a forever. I wish Ross would occasionally go on the outside of the opposition defender and hit the by line. Particularly, at Ibrox when the low block is in operation.

Charlie Mulgrew. The only employee of ra Sellik arrested for leaving a child alone.

Rangers 4 Livingston 0 FGS : Desser.

Lord Carloway strikes again and, again and, again.

Interesting, sounds like the FARE template.

Back in the day, a drummer who could not hold a four on the floor rhythm was classifies as a Jazz Drummer. Is Kenny Ball still touring these days? The Ibrox drummer could bring an eclectic note to the Jazzmen.

Through the Window. Seventeen years ago, Richard Gordon aka, 'BIG DICK' hosted BBC Radio Scotland's three hour transfer speculation show, 'Through the Window' on the 31st January'07. The transfer window slammed shut at midnight and reporters were stationed at various grounds to report on last hours movement. It was a slow night and the usual suspects resorted to their favourite fall back position, sticking the boot into Rangers. It was several minutes before the witching hour when Big Dick announced he had just received a hilarious transfer related e-mail and he would broadcast it, if his Producer deemed it appropriate. Over the next twenty minutes or so, he returned to the communication and told us he was still waiting for approval. Clearly, Richard Gordon was anxious to broadcast the details. A few moments later he asked for quiet and told of a last minute shock transaction : "Edinburgh Zoo have accepted the transfer of Rangers player, Filip Sebo, they plan to exhibit him". Big Dick, Chris McLaughlin, Kheredine Idessane, ....................... etc all laughed like drains. Dehumanisation of Rangers players and supporters was a big thing at Queen Margaret Drive back in the day. Only an Excuse had the portrayal of a gorilla replete in a Rangers scarf banging a drum in an orange parade, RAB Cosgrove often referred to Rino Gattuso as, "a monkey" or, "the wee chimp" so, why shouldn't Big Dick be denied his particular pleasure of depicting a Rangers player caged in a zoo? Depiction, a picture being worth a thousand words - the Sellik support had a banner at the time - the Darwinian seven stages of the ascent of man. The first two characters were apes on all fours, dragging their knuckles wearing Rangers jerseys. The last character walking upright on two feet was a blond haired, Billy McNeill. Complaints reference Richard Gordon's conduct poured in and, BBC Scotland launched an internal inquiry. It took almost a year and it was accepted the e-mail should NOT have been broadcast. Big Dick turned himself into the victim he said, "it was the worst year of his broadcasting career and he would not want to repeat it". Seventeen years later to the very day and, inclusive of Richard's thirty minute radio bio-pic where he began, "I was raised to absolutely hate Rangers", Richard Gordon remains employed at PQ. I hope this provides a window into the workings of the Gang Hut.

Specifically reference BBC Scotland's handling of the Celtic Boys Club investigation and compensation, the Assistant Editor and News Editor over the period has been Claire Kelly, daughter of former Celtic Chairman, Kevin Kelly. There are several claims from those involved that Claire Kelly has both suppressed and pulled interviews and items relating to the issue. The most recent one was a lengthy interview conducted with Pat Nevin. He was anxious to reposition himself after a glib contribution from a couple of decades past, where he admitted knowing what was going on but since he was the son of one of the senior coaches, he was left alone.