26th of foot

Sounds appropriate.

Levein's Hearts will sit in, and be well organised and marshaled. We will go at them in waves, pushing our full backs further up the park to create the necessary angles. We will have little room to work, and opportunities to get in behind will be limited. Lafferty and Naismith will find increasing room as the game progresses. We must score ffirst and second. Set pieces will be significant for both sides. If we can secure the victory, a window of opportunity might appear the next day. Our hopes hang by the proverbial gossamer thread, but at least it's genuine hope.

Last night, listening to BBC Scotland's coverage of ra Sellik carrying the Scots standard in Europe; the cheerleaders included Chris McLaughlin, Pat Bonner, and Scott McDonald. It crossed my mind that United's star forward was sitting in a PQ studio cheering on his beloved green'n'grey, 24 hours before a crucial game for his club. Dundee United are trailing third behind a confident Livi', who have just stuffed the league leaders 4-1. It's a must win for the Arabs. What does resident PQ Arab, Jum Spence say? Back in late Autumn, Jum utilised his Dundee Courier column to tell the denizens of Dundee they must accept their new status, as a three club city. Dundee and United obviously; but ra Sellik were playing such attractive football, that Dundonians had to accept their fellow Clootie City dwellers desire to watch such exciting football. Well, we are all products of our conditioning and Jum revealed after a Rangers supporter had shouted at him from across his village street, "I was an altar bhoy". Police inquiries are continuing. If Livi' administer a sound thrashing, maybe we'll hear Jum squeak?

Tonight before kick-off in St Petersburg, Richard Gordon summarised the collective opinion of the PQ Emerald CSC, "over bounding optimism". Ra Sellik were going to match up all over the pitch, go toe to toe with the Russians, and prevail. Paddy Bonnar, Scott McDonald, and Chris McLaughlin led, eulogising Brenda's tactical genius in playing the midfield diamond. Big Dick, Liam McLeod, and Stephen Thomson agreed, Dembele would again pin both St Petersburg's central defenders. The aftermath of a three zip thumping is akin to Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. Pat reckons ra Sellik bottled it. Scott is solemn, although that may be all about Dundee United's laughable attempt to win the Championship. Chris laments ra Sellik's lack of aggression. Oh well, let's hope the Cossacks harry them at every turn, and ra Sellik players end up eating their boots. Over bounding optimism will not fill their stomachs.

It's the Shizuoka Stadium in Tokyo. In May'08, ra Sellik won the Cherry Blossom Cup during their post-season tour.

Yep, both Lafferty and Naismith will have room to play.

Levein's Hearts at Ibrox is the proverbial war of attrition. There will be little or no room in behind, Hearts will not come out. They will play for set pieces and hope to notch from one or two. We will be shooting from outside the box. A strong Referee will be required. I remain hopeful.

Reference Billy Dodds performance today, I have remembered another claim he made whilst talking to Richard Gordon, "all these offers of millions of pounds for Morelos, I have my doubts. If you need the money, then you would cash in, surely"?

Yesterday, Cosgrove stated that many of the tartan army were angered at McLeish's appointment as national coach because he is a recipient of an EBT. Then he lionised Jum Spence and quoted Jum's Courier column, "McLeish's appointment could lead to supporter apathy". Finally, Big Stu' demanded McLeish relocate to Scotland, revealing his current Fulham home was unacceptable. Further, if he decides to stay in his west London abode, he should not be paid for travelling to his work. The tune they played out on was the Beatles, 'with a little help from my friends'. Big Stu' knows the value of balance, thus added lamely, "I want to see Eck do well and we should get behind him".

I heard BBC Radio Scotland's full commentary today and was perplexed by some of Rob McLean, Derek Ferguson, and Billy Dodds contributions. We expect nonsense from McLean, and Derek's boy was in the Acas midfield. However, Billy Dodds is trying too hard to please his paymasters. Three points I had to check out on the highlights : 1. Windass scores his first goal but Billy doesn't want to credit him, it's an own goal from the Acas keeper. 2. The other two are undecided on the merits of Acas penalty; not Billy, it's a penalty and Martin deserves a caution because, "he makes a habit of leaving his arm in the air". 3. Only one of Rangers goals is deserving, as the other four were direct from Acas errors. Billy, I know you utilised your Sunday broadsheet column to inform the readership, "I no longer consider myself to be a Rangers supporter". I know you are a recipient of an EBT and at PQ, that makes you a moral leper. They are NOT going to love or respect you, climbing into Spiers clothes to be the latest useful idiot demeans both yourself and what's left of the listenership.

During Big Eck's tenure as Rangers manager, downsizing was continuous. Pre-season tours were held in Germany and Austria. A number of players were invited on to these ten day tours to see how they performed and some were offered contracts by the club. Michael Stewart was such a trialist and I remember he provided a number of interviews looking forward to picking up his career at Rangers. Big Eck decided NOT to offer Stewart a contract. Stewart was most angry at that point, he let it be known the exercise was a waste of his time. We have learned that Michael does not like to be bettered and he holds grudges. However, Michael should be used to both personal and career disappointments. His football aspirations died at Hibs after accusations he led a player revolt. His political aspirations died at Edinburgh South, he lost out on SNP selection to Michelle Thompson(she was a success), and his career as a pundit will crumble too as Stuart Cosgrove continues to champion him as the best pundit out there. You sound bitter Michael, are you bitter?

Now I understand why Hugh MacDonald of the National was on BBC Scotland spouting on about cronyism and the old boys club. Still, at least we know what Peter Lawwell thinks.

I would take Steve Davis back in a heartbeat. He is a heads-up player.

The clown that held the position of Radio Snyde's objective host of ra show, Gerry McCulloch; he is Chief of ra Sellik's media accounts.

That stone will curl.

I am happy to leave the mechanics of payment to those in contact with Rangers Lotto. Wouldn't it be most gratifying if Gersnet could have a £100 per week collective stake in the Lotto? All monies won ploughed back in .... etc. Anyways, if this can be organised, I am in for a fiver a week.

I signed up this week, a fiver to support the sterling work being carried out in youth development. Further, I would love to be part of a Gersnet collective.

Latest RAJAR figures popped into my in-box this afternoon. BBC Radio Scotland's latest figures are 100,000 down from last year's. Pacific Quay will ignore such a calamitous loss of listeners in a calendar year. They are correct and we are wrong. It's like the Herald. In the year 2000, after a dozen years of Harry Reid's Editorship, the blatt's daily circulation was just over 115,000. Then, we had five years of Mark Douglas Home as Editor, and two Deputy Editors, Joan McAlpine(now a SNP MSP) and former Sellik View Editor, Kevin Mckenna. That particular triumvirate took just five years to reduce daily circulation to under 45,000.

The Well Trust own the club.

In the spirit of exuberance, you understand? 'Macca is a Grass'.

Hugh Keevins wants Malky McKay. Tom English promoted Michael O'Neill, now he prefers Neil Lennon, but he will settle for Daniel O'Donnell. As long as he/she is Irish. Gerry Hassan is a Hibee who hates Rangers. All those complaining about Walter citing his Rangers connections, do not acknowledge the irony of their own promotions.

Due to the lack of coverage last evening, plus Rangers TV regular malfunctions; I listened to BBC Radio Scotland's commentary for over an hour. Liam McLeod was the commentator, just like those linked highlights. Quite a difference in both commentaries, I suspect the TV highlights version was completed sometime this morning? I am sure last night's radio commentary had Rangers losing.

Apparently, our away form is the best in the league' Our home form is truly appalling. Taking responsibility for the game at Ibrox does not suit us, more space in behind for the opposition to exploit. Overall, I am encouraged we are six points better off, and scoring more goals.

Frankie, The lad's name is Carl McGee, he is always referred to on radio as, 'Macca'.

The lad does attend football. I suspect he has been heavily influenced by Phil McFournames modus operandi, tell a big fib involving your child crying to illicit sympathy? After the 2016 Scottish Cup final, he was most anxious to tell all about his levels of exuberance. He is becoming a well utilised tool.