26th of foot

Does Hampden have the same hospitality capacity as Ibrox? Reference as to whom I will have to sit next to, I will make enquiry through the auspices of my Butler. I feel we should all make the necessary sacrifices for the sake of our club. The Chairman and Board have made a roaring arse of this.

Given the informed rumour mill is now suggesting late October before the Copland Stand is fully renovated to accommodate much improved disabled facilities, should the Club be considering hiring Hampden for the full season to ensure the proposed improvements to both Broomloan and Sandy Jardine Stands are completed too? The Club are doing these renovations for all the right reasons. Fellow Rangers supporters will be accommodated in comfort with improved sight lines; however, the Board and Chairman have made a rip roaring arse of it. Bite the bullet and sort it out by utilising the best compromised option.

Reference Steve Carson, I thought a BBC Scotland documentary on his own circumstances would be a good watch. As stated, a Belfast raised Methodist marries a Dublin RC who has four daughters from her first marriage. Steve and Miriam go on to have four sons together. There are a number of interesting dichotomies to be explored? The Rebus production was something I binged watched since returning from Galicia at the weekend. I read the books back in the day and enjoyed the Rebus dynamic. Reading the credits I noted the Scriptwriter and Executive Producer is Gregory Burke. The Fifer has done good works, I enjoyed his play, 'Black Watch' and his film, '1971' journeyed across a confused Belfast city scape of the time; both gave soldiers' points of view but, Gregory concluded one side had a monopoly on the truth. The film riffs on the Jean McConville narrative. Similarly with Rebus, the drug dealers are Belfast Prods allowed to deal by the authorities to prevent a rekindling of the Troubles. In the fourth episode, there is a long lingering shot of the James Connolly memorial in Cowgate for no apparent reason. In the fifth episode, the main gangster character, Ger Cafferty gets to deliver the speech about being fearful of Irish unity because the Prods will return to Scotland after 400 years and chase out folks of his faith. Shades of Danny Morrison and his Ard Fheis rant about the Vietnam boat people being joined by a new category after unity, "the Protestants will become the swimming people". The final scene of the Banker being shot on his home's doorstep riffs with the Alistair Wilson narrative in Nairn. After those Wilson family photos of his sons in Rangers tops, what is Gregory attempting to say? Google Gregory Burke, particularly the assault he perpetrated upon a fellow undergraduate at Stirling Uni which confined his victim to three days in intensive care. The next Director at PQ will be a continuum of the Long Game.

Steve is Joe the Toff. BBC Scotland's Heid Bummer, Steve Carson has announced he is stepping down and is off to pastures new in Dublin. The Irishman has spent 11 years at Pacific Quay, the last four as Director. He prefers the role of RTE's Director of Video which I am sure will please his wife, Miriam O'Callaghan who shuttles between the BBC(London) and RTE(Dublin). Steve highlights the professionalism of the PQ team and reminds us he commissioned the productions of Guilt and Rebus. Steve mentions the launch of BBC Scotland's satellite channel but omits the cancelation of it's flagship show, 'the Nine' because no one was viewing. Anyways, Steve is off to Dublin in a dream, in a dream and, BBC Scotland announced, "the search for Steve's successor starts immediately". The front runners are good friends of the show : Kevin McKenna, Chris McLaughlin, Angela Haggerty, Gerry Braiden, .................... When Peter decides, he will tell ra Sellik State of Mind and, Paul John Dykes will tell Claire Kelly. we, the License Fee payers will find out the successor when RAB Cosgrove utters, 'I know him/her well and I like him/her a lot'.

I am hoping he will be a Scott Arfield type signing?

Leaders of the Gang. Come on, come on - do you wanna be in my gang, I'm the Leader, the leader of the gang I am. An exercise in taking a steaming turd and rolling it in Glitter. Let me explain. That was the Euros that was particularly for the Scottish national team. There appears to have been a deliberate coordinated move to provide leadership to the collection of Brigadoon refugees we all know and love as, 'the Tartan Army'. Senior PQ Producers and Gang Hut Leaders-Aff, Claire Kelly and Eamon Donoghue started with Chris McLaughlin on his four day recce to Germany, telling the foot soldiers what to expect in Munich, Cologne and, Stuttgart. To ensure the tartan terrors remained Sellik minded, each of the ten nights PQ broadcast, 'Late Night at the Euros with Martin Compston'. Singalong with Martin had Susie McCabe on as a guest twice, it is ra Sellik Way. The reason I say coordinated is because of the article penned by Herald Journo and current favoured recipient of Peter Relief, Graeme McGarry. Now, the latest incumbent of convenient useful idiocy is a claret and amber diehard but, is often chosen to initially present tricky Sellik minded thoughts. The article was entitled, 'Is Politics turning Rangers fans off the National Team'? This appeared a few days before the Germany game, it noted the declining presence of Rangers supporters within the Tartan Army. Reasons given were the SNP politicisation of the TA and the booing of three-four Rangers players representing their country in the last dozen years. Of course, simplistic nonsense but, it is true in that the Rangers support has become more disinterested in the fortunes of the national team. We can all add our tuppence worth and the two mentioned are part of the problem; however, reference politicisation there was a poll published in Nutmeg I think in the immediate aftermath of the 2014 independence referendum. It surveyed all 42 Scots football clubs and found the club with the single biggest Yes vote among it's support at 41% was Rangers. I was not surprised because providing leadership to the Rangers support is more difficult than herding cats. Rangers supporters think for themselves. The article was lazy but Sellik nature hates a vacuum and there was a rush to provide the necessary. BBC Five Live provided Connie McLaughlin, Pat Nevin, Chris Iwelumo and, Shebahn Aherne. The Herald gave us Gabriel McKay and PLZ Soccer nominated Hugh MacDonald. The Record has remained consistent with it's much warranted comedic credentials by presenting Michael Gannon as Commander of the Home Battalion of the Tartan Army, ............ The collective balaclava has been discarded and an ill fitting cock feathered adorned Tam-O-Shanter has been squeezed on to ra Yahoo beelin' heids, we will be hearing more renditions of, 'Lizzies in a box'. The responsibility of reporting on the team became more difficult when ra core of the team ie Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Scott McTominey, Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Tony Ralston, John McGinn, ............ suffered injury, lost form, disappeared and, played wayward passes. Truth hurts and the roaring arse of a Yahoo Daftie, James Dornan MSP comes out swinging. He blames BBC Scotland for uber criticism of Sellik players particularly singling out Neil McCann. Apparently Neil was raging every time Tony Ralston touched the ball. The one Dornan utterance we can all agree on is, "Liam McLeod is an absolute disgrace". I urge the national broadcaster to give Martin Compston the microphone for a much longer time, Singalong with Martin has legs. Come, come on ........

Count them, there are eleven. Next season's team?

Rangers are flush' Although I remain outside the country, I seem to remember we won our compensation case against Dundee for hotel accommodation costs incurred in St Andrews? Offer Aberdeen the lot for both Barron and Miovski.

I am sitting in a bar in Sanxenxo, Galicia. The disinterested Spaniards are animated about Ralston's wayward pass into space and, the resulting Shaqiri strike into the top corner for the Switzerland equaliser. I inform them that Anthony has started six games furra Sellik last season and the collective perceived wisdom is that it would have been better if he had started seven. Angus Gunn has come in for criticism too. I suggested we should change at half time, Gunn to right back and Ralston in goal?

That Gavrilo Princip took his shot at glory.

Jim Steele's Rangers career was truly unique. During season 1975-76, he arrived from FA Cup winners, Southampton for a month's loan. He played five games and was cautioned in each and every match. At the end of the season, several months after the conclusion of his loan period; he was the recipient of more RSC POTY winners trophies than the rest of the team put together. The Ibrox trophy room should display a chainsaw with a plaque dedicated to Jim Steele's tenacious tenacity.

I would like us to (re)sign Gregor Stevens. Now I know Gregor must be pushing 68-69, he was a couple of years ahead of me at Fir Park Boys Club during the mid seventies. He was a tough tackling, ball winning, no nonsense Centre half who when time allowed, got his head up and played passes. Gregor was never far away from red mist syndrome, even in training. This effecting his timing and to compensate he utilised both feet, studs up in his frequent red mist tackles. Gregor hit you, you stayed tackled for about a month. The reason I think Gregor would be a worthy signing is that Scottish Referees are okay with players exhibiting red mist syndrome and, fellow professionals queue up to parrot, "he's NOT that type of player". I witnessed Ryan Porteous being red carded on three separate occasions in games against Rangers, three less than he deserved. Fellow professionals and pundits(particularly at BBC Scotland) chorussed, "he's NOT that type of player". As long as Gregor is not awarded a Scottish international cap and the red mist strikes. I note Callum McGregor has exonerated Ryan's challenge against Germany, "what else could he do"? I think the time has arrived for Gregor and his particular red mistism. We are more tolerant of all folks these days, especially if you have an 'ism'. Give Gregor the gig.

I suspect the Germans might win this game.

Gott im himmel, das ist gut, ja ja Leck meine lederstiefel Her mit den chutney-scharfschutzen. Cue, groaning saxaphone and flashing neon.

Ah, I note the multiple usage of one of my favourite terms, 'foot soldier in the Tartan Army' being utilised this week. Does the Tartan Army only field infantry, does it have any cavalry? If they do, another term you hardly hear these days; would they be, 'Beggars on horseback'?

Restless Natives. My balcony of choice this summer is situated in the corner of Spain. Galicia's charms are all encompassing but, mostly ignored by Spaniards. Of course, the country is a loose coalition of waring tribes, most Castilians, Catalans, Andalusians, Basques, ....... etc think Galicia is part of Poland. Even il Caudillo, Generalissimo Franco played down his Galician heritage on advice from his personal priest, Bishop Josemaria Escriva - the founder of Opus Dei. Yesterday, I was sitting outside a bar in San Vicente and a coach load of French tourists alighted to their guide spreading his arms and proclaiming, 'Galicia is God's work'. Dan Brown will ensure the Guardia Civil jail the blasphemer in his next book. God's work continues at Pacific Quay. The appetiser for the Euros is the second series of Scottish football icons, the six chosen are : Frank McAvennie, Joe Jordan, John Robertson, Wullie Miller, John Greig and, Jen Beattie. The Executive Producer remains Claire Kelly(daughter of former Sellik Chair, Kevin Kelly) and Eamonn Donohoe (Sportscene Producer), a Celtic State of Mind pairing. We know PQ is most comfortable lifting personnel and ideas from Sellik supporters' Podcasts and the national broadcaster serves up continuity in their Euros coverage. Each and every evening of the Euros, we are being given, 'Late Night at the Euros with Martin Compston'. Now I know Gersnetters will be concerned as to the whereabouts of RAB Cosgrove and Tam Cowan, it's their gig these last thirty years? Diversity training takes it's toll and maybe they are losing the confidence of Claire and Eamonn? As BBC License payers, we must ask, has Martin Compston undergone diversity training? Remember Martin, it is only two years past since he conducted the balaclava attired Yahoos in the full IRA karaoke from a Las Vegas stage? Martin ticks all the boxes, he co-hosts a Podcast with Hibby, Gordon Smart called, 'Restless Natives'. BBC Scotland tells us, "Martin is hilarious" is his descant of the forty year old Scottish low budget film. Taking on the characters of Clown and Wolf, two disaffected youths get on their motor bikes and indulge in highway robbery. Tourist coaches are the target. Martin will be donning a clown mask instead of the usual balaclava. What are PQ CSC thinking? A Scots actor who has lived in Las Vegas this last decade is parachuted in and RAB Cosgrove says nothing. I suspect Martin's political sympathies and the thought of an impending word from Peter have silenced him. A man in his 72nd year knows his snout could be removed from the trough permanently. The suffocating blanket of God's Work decrees hating is no longer enough, Opus Peter is dictating. No wonder RAB is continually playing the Irish heritage card these days. I think PQ could have been a bit more snappy with the show's title, how about, 'Singalonga Martin'?

PP raised a frisson of excitement back in the day, it was the soul goddess, 'PP Arnold'. She collaborated with Steve Marriott on the Small Faces classic, 'Tin Soldier' and did the definitive cover of Cat Stevens, 'the First Cut is the Deepest'. (I am sure Gonzo will load the appropriate YouTube videos). Of course, these days in Scottish football, PP is short for, 'Peter's Placeman'. Today, they are all Peter Placemen, the snouts know who controls the gravy flow. The President of the SFA, Mike Mulraney has taken to the Scottish football press to inform us all that his fellow SFA Directors are not Blazers and, anyone labelling them so, "are ignorant". Further, they are all deserving of a doubling of salary and Peter approved the passing of yesterday's AGM motion allowing the increases. PP looks out for PPs and anothe PPP, Wullie Collum receives special praise. Mike utilises PLZ(Peter Martin's daily Sellik Podcast) to tell us, "from Australia to the Americas we looked at a number of candidates, the outstanding candidate in the world wide search was Wullie". PP approved. Whatever became of the Laptop Loyal?

I served something like four years or so in the then West Germany and I was only present once during a Soviet defection. The two Red Army formations facing us were 3 Guards Army and 7th Shock Army, 18 Divisions plus support against our four in BAOR. One hot summers Sunday, a T64 MBT came careering out of the wood line, zigzagging across the wheat field. I requested weapons free permission and provided the RA with the appropriate x-ray grid. I was told to, "wait out". The distance from their wood line to ours was nearly 4K but, it crashed into the trees about 300 metres to our left and, the crew poured out. They were howling drunk. It took a couple of days but Intelligence got back saying they had been expecting something over the weekend but had no specifics thus, no warning order. Hence, no weapons free permission either. Apparently, the 7th Shock Army had received their quarterly black boot polish bulk allocation the day before. A troop of three tank crews had placed their blocks of boot polish on loafs in direct sunlight, the industrial alcohol percolated into the bread and, they consumed it. An hour later, three of them decided on the mazy run. The others were blind drunk, literally. I suspect I have just contravened the Official Secrets Act?

If you find yourself disorientated in Berlin and want to know the direction home? My advice is the same as it was forty years past when I was charged with Berllin's anti-tank defence plan, follow the Soviet/Russian tanks, they will be heading west.

Reference Cortes,. there is an obvious danger of the longer the lad is out injured, the better a player he becomes. On the half-a-dozen games played, he looked an exciting young winger. A good spot by the Gaffer because he provided the team with balance on the right. I thought after the five nil scudding of Hearts at Ibrox, he was the piece in the jigsaw that would propel us to league winning celebrations. The very next game, Killie on the drastic plastic and he became the fourth Ranger to suffer long term injury on that surface.

Uruguayan, does he bite?

Hume, If Rangers survive, will you?

Raskin grew into the game, a good second half.

I have been impressed with Diomande's contribution, Raskin looks well off it. McCausland on in his natural position and move Sterling into the middle with Dio'? Just a thought.

Celtic 2 Rangers 3 FGS : Dessers.