26th of foot

Well, that was the week that was. 1. We begin the week with the Apologist, Michael Stewart utilising an unusual, hard to read format on his Twitter feed; to aplogise to Rangers, Rangers supporters and, Jim Traynor. 2. Rangers defeat RB Leipzig 3-1 at Ibrox in the Europa League semi-final to earn a place in the Europa League final. 3. Today, the Times announce they have decided not to renew the contract of Journalist, Graham Spiers. We are off to Seville and ra Bhoy in Corduroy(season ticket holder at ra Stade de Gadd along with his two sons these last three seasons) receives attention from the Spanish Archer. Graham continues to do a Podcast for a niche audience, he provides a service for ra Sellik-minded. This week he interviews Tom Devine about sectarianism, last week he interviewed the Apologist about hating Rangers and Rangers supporters. Joy of joys.

There is one item that guarantees you NOT to travel to Seville - a John Kennedy Dossier.

Well done you. Although, I suspect you will be unconsolable at the thought of depriving the Bookie of his son's/daughter's school fees? Enjoy a bowl of Gazpacho and a chilled Tio Pepe extra fino.

Is it true, you attend Suvul and are given a calculator?

Rangers 3 RB Leipzig 1 FGS : Kent.

Singing Sandy in Royal Blue and Whistling Dixie. Of course, the 1967 European Cup Winners Cup Final defeat by Bayern Munich in Nuremberg remained in the minds of both Rangers players and supporters. The one nil loss in extra time allowed Celtic's Lisbon triumph unrivalled centre stage, stealing a bit of the limelight is an important factor in Old Firm rivalry. Whereas half-a-dozen Rangers players in the current squad had taken the field in Nuremberg, mostly all had faced the Germans the season previously in the Fairs Cup. A similar unsatisfactory result had occurred at Ibrox because of a non demonstrative Swiss Referee. As the game moved into the last ten minutes, Herr Kamber awarded a free kick and kept his arm down. The 80,000 crowd were relaxed, it was NOT direct. Gerd Muller shot for goal and the ball hit the net without touching another player. Mania transpired when Kamber awarded the goal that knocked Rangers out. Rangers took to coastal Ayrshire to harbour their grievances, Largs was a safe haven. Interestingly, Celtic were preparing for their European Cup semi-final second leg against Inter Milan seven miles further down the coast at Seamill. Fitness worries dominated, the Club Doctor and Physio were working overtime with Jardine, McLean, Stein, Johnston and, MacDonald. Skipper John Greig was the main concern and most supporters thought his replacement was a toss up between Jim Denny and Alfie Conn? A similar decision lay with what TV channel you chose for live coverage of the games? STV were covering the entire Ibrox experience live and, BBC Scotland announced they would provide live coverage of the last thirty minutes at Parkhead. Staggered kick-offs allowed for this arrangement, Rangers would start at 7.30pm the east of the city had to wait until 8.00pm. The Scottish press were quite confident of Celtic's progress, Rangers could reach their third European Cup Winners Cup final maybe on a technicality? Remember, this was the first year of away goals counting as double in Euro football. Rangers had already benefitted from the rule, going through against Sporting Lisbon because they had scored three away goals in a 6-6 tie aggregate. The Sunday Journos had sparked the debate, suggesting Rangers could progress with a nil-nil at Ibrox because they had notched the away goal in Munich in the 1-1 first leg. Rules are rules, progressing on away goals is not ignoble. I suspect there was considerable fear among some of the fourth estate, defeating a collection of world class players was to be deemed, 'a technicality'? Rangers manager, Wullie Waddell was intent upon a clean cut victory, prematch he stated, "we will not spoil the spectacle". He waited until ninety minutes before Kick-off to tell the players the team. Captain John Greig had lost his fight for fitness, his replacement was neither Denny or Conn. A nineteen year old Derek Parlane got the nod, he was a hard running, driving inside forward with a nose for goal. As the teams emerged in front of 85,000 Rangers side included two teenagers, DJ was still only eighteen. Rangers - McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Parlane, Jackson, Smith, McLean, D Johnstone, Stein, MacDonald and, Johnston. Bayern Munich - Maier, Hansen, Breitner, Schwarzenbauer, Beckenbauer, Roth, Schneider, Zobel, Muller, Hoeness and, Koppenhoffer. The 'Technicality debate' was rendered useless after the first minute. A poor pass by Beckenbauer was intercepted by DJ, he passed out right to Jardine. Sandy carried the ball along the touchline for twenty yards, was shown the inside and he took the path of least resistance. Several yards short of the corner of the eighteen box he unleashed a wicked, swerving left foot 25 yarder. Maier appeared to allow the ball past, ushering it by the post? It found the net at the far post and the Stadium erupted in sequence. The uncovered West terrace cheered and danced, a Mexican wave of similar activity quickly ran down both sides of the ground, the Main Stand and Derry carried the good news to the Copland. I was in section G of the Stand and the debate rages as to whether it was a shot or a cross? TV viewers knew it was a deliberate strike. Rangers were all over the Bavarians like the proverbial rash, a Tommy McLean cross was met be an unchallenged Colin, Colin Stein. His fifth minute header came off the bar and bounced first outside the box, those old square wooden goal posts were true. A corner in the 23rd minute saw Bud curl an out swinger, a waiting Parlane on the eighteen yard line stepped forward a couple of paces and caught the dipping ball on the half volley. It rifled into the roof of the net. We were two-zip up and the game at Parkhead had not kicked off. Bomber Jackson and DJ marshalled Muller and Hoeness, whereas Parlane shackled Roth, leaving Dave Smith to show the Kaiser how to play the Libero role. Rangers were calm and assured, the Bayern players were clearly having a barney, lots of shouting and gesticulating. The second period began with a fright, Hoeness got across DJ and his shot was finger tipped on to the far post by a stretched McCloy. The West German Boss, Helmut Schoen watched from the stand as the nucleus of his team fragmented on the pitch. Colin Stein remembered getting close to Beckenbauer in the last twenty minutes and deciding to leave one on him. The Kaiser grabbed his calf, swore in English at the Lone Ranger before, collapsing to writhe around on the Ibrox turf. The Derry belted out, Barcelona here we come' and, 'Sandy in Royal Blue'. Tommy McLean recalled asking Paul Breitner as he was being subbed, "where's your mentality, where's your efficiency"? Breitner was a member of the West German Communist Party and probably thought his answer should be first referred to the relevant committee. The relevant committee inside my Old Man's car did not include the backseat duo of myself and school mate. My Grandfather argued from the passenger seat that a stop off at a pub to watch the extra time about to begin at Celtic Park was answered, "those two have school day tomorrow". The Kingston Bridge had just been constructed, the M8 Motorway ran as far east as Stepps Road, Cranhill. The M74 began at Calderpark Zoo. A big game night at Ibrox in those days was at least a one hour drive back to deepest, darkest Lanarkshire. There were 70,000 attending Parkhead thus, my Old Man took the Rutherglen - Cambuslang - Blantyre route before crossing the Clyde at Blantyre/Uddingston. I tell you this because Father decided to stop at the Fry Fare Chippy on Main Street, Uddingston. It was 10.20pm. The Fry Fare was owned by two Italian brothers who worked every day with each other but, did not speak. There was a dozen strong queue, orders given and we all stared half right and up at the old TV sitting on a plank, high above the frier. Extra time was just finishing at Celtic Park and the game and tie remained nil-nil. My Old Man and Grandfather joined us, another couple of dozen too as a train had come in. The penalties began, the Russo brothers continued to fry and wrap but kept their eyes on the telly. All five Inter players had scored, four Celtic players had found the net. The last player to step up was Dixie Deans. The Deans family were a large Bluenose clan from Carmyle. Dixie was a prolific goal scorer who waited on the call from Ibrox. Jock Stein did what he so often did, he signed Dixie from Motherwell for £40,000. Just like Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell, Danny McGrain, Dalglish, ...... another Bluenose improved his standard of life by signing for the man from Burnbank. Dixie spotted the ball, stepped back a few paces and, ran at the ball. His connection seemed strange, almost leaning back and, the result most pleasing to three dozen souls on Uddingston Main Street. Dixie skied the ball, it fell on to the surrounding oval red track, fully thirty-five yards behind the goal. If the Inter players were celebrating, we would not know. Several dozen more spilled out the three pubs surrounding Uddingston Cross and, several minutes of celebrating finished with a rendition of whistling Dixie. Five short years and a symmetry had been achieved, Inter Milan had exacted revenge for their 1-2 loss in Lisbon, Rangers had demolished Bayern Munich putting to bed big Roger Hynd's horrendous open goal miss in Nuremberg. Barcelona awaited and as I picked at cold chips I did not know, did not care who we were to face in the final. Of course, looking back I feel sorry for the personal grief Dixie had to face but am comforted knowing in the dozen old firm games he played for the green'n'grey, he NEVER notched against Rangers. On the Friday evening following, my Grandfather attended evening meal and pointed out that Moscow Dynamo were the the Soviet Union's KGB (State Security Police) football team and Spain was in it's 33rd year as a Fascist dictatorship. Rangers would be an unwelcome filling in that particular sandwich. I pestered Dad, "are we going"?

I met Jimmy once. It was December 2004, we were in the Netherlands to play AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Cup. My wife and I traveled to Amsterdam, booked in for 4 days with intent to do our Christmas shopping and, take in the game. Alkmaar is an old cheese town and most pretty. I journeyed through to Alkmaar the day before the game, hoping to pick up a pair of tickets, no joy at either Club shop or ticket office. The wife suggested I concentrate on securing a brief for myself. The game day, I took the train from Amsterdam central and began asking everyone for a spare? Two and a half hours before kick-off, I was outside the ground continuing to plead? A large mini-bus pitched up and Jimmy Bell jumped out. He went to the back and began to unload half-a-dozen hampers. There was a barbed wire adorned gate between jimmy/kit and the allocated changing room. He was handed a set of keys by a police officer who then joined three colleagues at the gate. I do not wear colours to the game, in fact I was wearing a Barbour jacket. I moved forward and grabbed an end of a hamper. Jimmy locked the bus and seamlessly returned to pick up the other hamper end. We went through the gate, repeating the process another several times. Whilst putting the hampers into the changing room he asked, "do you have a ticket"? He took fifteen minutes to empty the cases then took me to a small adjoined Port-a-Kabin, we put the empties inside and instructed me to sit on the floor and, he would return to let me out in a couple of hours. I offered a thanks. I saw us lose 1-0. I suspect Jimmy helped out a fair number of Bears over the decades?

Days of Wonder. Tonight the 2nd May'22, BBC Scotland are reporting on their website - 'Michael Stewart issues apology to former Rangers communications director Jim Traynor'. Michael Stewart has apologised to former Rangers communications director Jim Traynor for comments made on BBC Radio Scotland two years ago. A statement published on Twitter read, "I would like to apologise to Jim Traynor for comments made about him on BBC Sportsound programme on Monday 3 February 2020 and any distress caused to him and his family". "On the programme I referred to Jim as a dangerous character, a bully and someone who tries to create divisions for personal gain" Stewart added, "I have no justification for those remarks and withdraw them unreservedly". "I realise my remarks and the subsequent social media storm caused Jim and his family a lot of upset which I sincerely regret". "I am also conscious that my remarks have caused embarrassment to Rangers football club and I would like to apologise to them too". BBC Scotland apologised to Mr Traynor at the time. Since this thread began some four years ago, I suspect BBC Scotland and it's broadcasters have issued a dozen apologies to Rangers, Rangers employees and, Rangers supporters? As I have stated on a few occasions throughout, it is a rite of passage for those apologising, something to be done to ensure promotion.

We are all products of our conditioning. Those 13-14 weeks where Michael worked for Sellik TV have had quite an effect, broadcasting how palatable he finds ten year olds.

Sky's production of old firm games is similar to BT Sport. At the Cup semi-final at Hampden, we saw Rod Stewart in the crowd, Martin Compston in the South Stand, Leigh Griffiths taking his seat in the Sellik end, ............ etc; all before kick-off. I think we would all have enjoyed seeing the aforementioned after Rangers notched their second goal? Yesterday, it's John Terry adorned in a green'n'grey scarf before kick-off. I checked, John Terry's old man is a convicted drugs dealer and, his maw is a convicted shoplifter. Of course John Terry supports ra Sellik, he is very much one of their own.

Jock Wallace won the Treble in 1977-78 season and lost out on Manager of the Year to the newly appointed Aberdeen manager, Billy McNeill. Alex McLeish won the Treble in season 2002-03 and lost out on Manager of the Year to Sellik Boss, Martin O'Neill.

Now I Understand. The above posting on Michael Stewart taking two bites out of Rangers in three days was almost a query? Given the incoming flak that he has experienced for past similar preferred prejudice, you had to wonder why he was prepared to return to the fray? Michael Stewart's Twitter feed is best described as a tumbleweed and clanging bell zone. Since the turn of the year, barely a dozen posts; Michael knows he is broadcasting. This morning, Monday 2nd May'22 - Michael has posted(broadcast) his apology to both Jim Traynor and Rangers for comments he made on BBC Radio Scotland 3rd February'20. I hope Ian or Frankie can post a screen grab of the apology? Deliberately, the apology is posted in an unusual hard to read format. Further, he has posted another three or four items ie congratulations to Bury Town, recommendations for Whisky and, Bank Holiday good wishes; all to push down quickly his apology. Now, many will want to know why it has taken in excess of two years for Michael to do the right thing? I am told the Lawyers have been involved and, Michael ran out of road. It was publish the necessary apology to Jim Traynor and Rangers or face court proceedings. I am told Michael has also coughed up the accrued fees of all Legal firms involved. Michael's two bites in three days was an attempt at obscuration and, of course his application to succeed Richard Gordon as Saturday Host of Sportsound. Remember, Michael also had his 13-14 week stint as Sellik TV Host.

Celtic 2 Rangers 3 FGS : Sakala.

Two Free Bites. Last Wednesday, BBC Scotland screened the Youth Cup Final between Rangers and Hearts. The commentator was Andy Bargh and, Michael Stewart provided the snide and sneering. Rangers started well, could have been four up in the first dozen minutes but, for wonderful goalkeeping by Hearts Liam McFarlane. However, the young Bears persevered and, were rewarded with two goals by McInally and Rory Wilson. Leading two nil at half time, Rangers opted to manage the second period, Steven Naismith pushed his charges a further twenty yards up the pitch. Hearts spirited attempts continually failed inside the Rangers box. Ten minutes to go and Michael Stewart launched into a ninety second appraisal of Rangers youth players. He named Nathan Patterson, Leon King, Rory Wilson, Alex Lowry, ...... etc and asked, "where's the pathway to the Rangers first team"? Michael answered his own question, "if they want to develop like Billy Gilmore they have to move south". Andy Bargh countered, "we want to keep young talent in Scotland"? Michael concluded, "particularly at Rangers there is no clear pathway to the first team". I have no doubt Michael would have continued to snarl and bite but, in the 81st minute Hearts scored. Rangers won the game 2-1 and thus, secured the cup. The reason I mention this is Michael Stewart is showing a clear pattern of behaviour. He waits until near the end before baring his teeth because he knows it's harder to counter. Michael does not want debate, he prefers to proclaim and, it is premeditated. Yesterday on Sportsound, the soon Saturday retired, BIG Dick announced there would be a five minute discussion on Rangers continued Euro success. Big Dick laid out the facts of the game in Leipzig, Red Bull scored late but it was a deserving goal. Wullie Miller noted Rangers parked the bus, it was a bit more like Walter Smith's Euro run in 2008, Rory Loy thought Rangers still had opportunity at Ibrox, Alan Preston felt Leipzig would be as dangerous in Glasgow. Before Big Dick pulled the guillotine, Michael cleared his throat for another unchallenged proclamation, "Rangers can win this trophy, they need to win it. If they do not, then there will be a fire sale at Ibrox this close season". Clearly, this was premeditated, most Tabloids had his, 'Rangers are fcuked' proclamation on their digital front pages last evening. It was the final broadcast thought and again, went unchallenged. Where is Michael's reference? I suspect it is Phil McFournames? Surely, PQ are not allowing their preferred attack dog to continually take bites based on the outpourings of a slabbering idiot based on coastal Donegal? Well, if there is a fire sale; does that mean there is now a clear pathway to the first team for Rangers youth players? I am sure Michael will tell us today.

RB Leipzig 2 Rangers 2 FGS : Kent.

Tonight, the 27th April'22. BBC Scotland have announced that Richard Gordon aka Rheinhardt Gordon aka DIG Dick aka ............................ will step down from presenting Saturday Sportsound on BBC Radio Scotland at the end of the current campaign. The main Presenter for season 22-23 and, beyond will come from the other Dandy Dons; Liam McLeod, Tyrone Smith, Jonathon Sutherland and, Derek Rae. The bad news is Big Dick will be presenting Sunday Sportsound.

It was a talented Tottenham side, they won the UEFA Cup against Wolves in a two legged final. As well as Coates and Chivers, they had Gilzean, Martin Peters, Mullery, Mike England(Wales Skipper), Cyril Knowles and, Pat Jennings. Interestingly, the Everton side were very much fancied pre-season. They had Dai Davies(Wales Keeper), Darracott, Lyons, Harvey, Kendall, Ball, Connolly and, Joe Royal. Regarded as more of a team. The Toffees finished 15th to the Spurs 6th. Further, the Cockerels went to Goodison for the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and won 0-2. Clough's Derby County won the League.

I think that would be August'71? We played two pre-season friendlies against Everton and Spurs, three days apart. We won 2-1 against the Toffees, DJ getting a double and; defeated North Londoners 1-0, Bud notched. I remember the Everton game for the performance of their left back, Terry Darracott. He was all action, booted everything, including putting a ball boy into the air after a mis-timed slide tackle. The Spurs match featured their heavily hyped England(13 goals in 24 internationals) centre forward, Martin Chivers. He was a BIG unit. Ronnie McKinnon gave him a lesson.

Eighteen months past, BBC Scotland recorded an extensive interview with Pat Nevin reference Celtic Boys' Club. He was in the system for seven-eight years. Further, his Father was a long term Coach within the organisation. We heard Pat was open to his experience ie everyone knew there was on going abuse but since his Old Man took his level's training he was protected. Really, we do not know because the interview has still to be broadcast. Last week, Pat participated on Celebrity Mastermind, broadcast over Easter weekend. His specialist subject was Jeeves and Wooster. Appropriate, as Author PG Wodehouse reacted similarly to Pat in the summer of 1940. He decided to remain in the South of France after the Nazi invasion and, continue to write. It takes a particular type of tunnel vision and determination to continue within your comfort zone, knowing everyone around you is screaming.

The Bully Wee, Dens and, the Hi-Bees in the Cup. Rangers had just blown the froth from their Bavarian beers and, found themselves waiting in the traps at Shawfield. Under starter's orders, the Hare rail sang whilst, Rangers grasped for the blinkers. Clyde piled in and piled on, the only saving grace was a wayward swan from the river interrupting the Clyde flow. Her Majesty's bird was flapping, Her Majesty's eleven were flapping more. The Rangers supporters in the 10,000 attendance were preying for half time when, Clyde's Miller found the net. The Girvan Lighthouse could not get down quickly enough to parry the low drive. Leading 1-0 at the break, Clyde remained unchanged - McCulloch, Anderson, McHugh, Houston, McVie, Burns, McGrain, Miller, Flanagan, Hulston and, Sullivan. Rangers fielded - McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Greig, Jackson, Smith, McLean, Parlane, D Johnstone, Conn and, Johnstone. Rangers subbed Fyfe for Conn at the beginning of the second period. It worked, Johan slipped Bud in on the 50th minute mark for the equaliser. Despite the constant probing balls from Dominic Sullivan(would go on to both Aberdeen and ra Sellik), a stuffy Rangers held out, knowing a far sterner test awaited at Dens Park in just two days time. As discussed before on this thread, the Dundee side of the early 70s was a real footballing team. On the Monday evening all the ball players took the field. Dundee - Hewitt, R Wilson, Johnston, Stewart, Phillip, Houston, Duncan, Ford, I Scott, J Scott and, Lambie. Rangers - McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Greig, Jackson, Smith, Henderson, McLean, Stein, Parlane and, A MacDonald. A crowd barely in excess of 12,000 trapped and, speculation hovered between it being a Monday evening and Rangers supporters preferring to hold their cash for the Scottish Cup semi-final on Saturday coming, against Hibs. I did not attend and reports of the match all agree, Rangers did not tun up either. Half time was nil-nil and, the Dees Gaffer, former Rangers Manager, Davie White instructed his side to move and pass quicker, knowing the toll Rangers had paid in Munich. Within fifteen minutes, Dundee strolled through the Rangers lines twice to notch through I Scott and Stewart. The game finished two nil to the dark blues and, Rangers supporters were convinced the Captain was playing with an injury and Wullie Henderson was finished. Still, it was five days until Hibs at Hampden and, the real Rangers would be revealed? It was a most busy weekend. It began on the Friday as the IRA detonated twenty bombs in under two hours in Belfast, murdering nine folks. Apollo 16 launched from Cape Kennedy, intending to land a further two Astronauts on the moon and allow them three days to patrol in the moon buggy. It is a little known fact that NASA unveiled a plaque thanking both Anthony Stokes and Johnny Hayes for their contributions to the Space programme. Apollo 16 trial landed on Stokes face and the moon buggy was extensively trialed upon Hayes visog. The detonations at the National Stadium paled in comparison. I joined 76,000 souls at Hampden. I was intent upon supporting my team but, knew Eddie Turnbull's Hibs were easy on the eye. Hibernian - Herriot, Brownlie, Schaedler, Stanton, Black, Blackley, Edwards, O'Rourke, Baker, Gordon and, Duncan. Rangers - McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Greig, Jackson, Smith, McLean, D Johnstone, Stein, MacDonald and, Johnston. The Hibs midfield three were the perfect blend, Edwards could ping the diagonals, O'Rourke slid inch perfect weighted balls and, Pat Stanton's hard box to box running provided and created all the angles. John Greig felt the effects, hobbling off after 25 minutes. Would he be fit for Bayern's visit to Ibrox? Jim Denny came on for the Skipper and, DJ's late runs into the box knowing Dave Smith would find him; saw Rangers gather first half momentum. The reward came late, Doddy ghosting in at the back post to prod into the net on the 41st minute. The half time terrace gossip centred on the relentless fixtures and a growing injury list. European progress came at a price but failure to put away Scottish Cup opponents had already ensured three replays. Turnbull sent the Hi-Bees out in the second period to play further up the pitch with increased energy. Jimmy O'Rourke slotted the equaliser after just three minutes. We hung on for a further 42 minutes, ensuring another replay. Walking down the Polmadie Road after the semi-final, we found our ra Sellik had won at Methil to secure their seventh successive League Championship Bayern Munich were up next at Ibrox and they had just skelped Werder Bremen 6-2, Muller scoring a hat-trick. The Stadium was all ticket for the visitation of the Bavarians, 80,000 had been sold. The game was also live on the TV, kicking-off at 19.30hrs. Sellik claimed to have moved 70,000 tickets for the visit of Inter Milan, beginning at 20.00hrs. TV coverage of the Sellik game would only occur if the Rangers game did not proceed to extra-time. Two massive matches in the same city on the same night; 150,000 fans guaranteed and the Glasgow Polis did not blink. How times have changed?

After the ECWC Final defeat in 1967(0-1 Bayern Munich), the start of 1967-68 season saw the introduction of several younger players. Colin Jackson, Alex Miller, Dennis Setterington, etc. Easily, the easiest on the eye was a young inside forward called, Billy Jardine. I saw him score against Aberdeen at Ibrox in August'67. The following August when we defeated Sellik 2-4 at ra Piggery, he was still Billy Jardine. I do not know when the switch to Sandy occurred?

Yep. Both Sellik and ourselves finished on 73 points, 14 points behind Champions, Bonnyrigg Rose. We scored 105 goals, way higher than any other team and our goal difference was eleven better than ra green'n'grey. Previous three times winners of the League, East Kilbride finished two points behind us in fourth.

Motherwell 1 Rangers 3 FGS : Sakala.

Graham Fyfe - an Obituary. Looking over the team lines for 1971-72 season, Graham Fyfe is a fairly regular starter. He signed for Rangers in 1969, stayed seven years making 87 starts and, scoring 31 goals. It could be argued Graham sat on the bench for as many games? In the days of a maximum of one, then two allowed substitutions, Graham became Rangers first super-Sub'. Like David Fairclough at Liverpool, often he would come on late in a game and notch the important goal. He was a most versatile player, having appeared right across both Rangers front line and midfield. Skilful and talented, Graham had a keen eye for a pass. If no movement tempted him, he was most capable in creating more space by dribbling past two or three opposition players. A clever ball player and fairly regular scorer, older Gersnetters would agree, he was a good old fashioned inside forward. The European game suited Fyfe best, starting two of the nine game run to winning the European Cup Winners Cup in 1972. He was a named Substitute for half-a-dozen others, including being unused in the final. He made an appearance in the first ever European Super Cup final against Ajax. Fyfe was named Player of the Tournament in the Barcelona hosted Juan Gamper tourney in August'74. rangers defeated Athletico Bilbao 1-0 before succumbing 1-4 to Barca' in the final. Graham scored a wonder goal that day and local Journalists compared his talents to the opposition's Johan Cruyff. The Rangers support quickly adopted his new moniker in song, 'Johan Fyfe'. Born in Motherwell in August'51, Graham passed earlier this week aged 70 years. I have a personal favourite memory, an away League game against Celtic in September'74. We had up front injuries and Jock Wallace went with Quinton Young and Graham Fyfe as front two pairing. Despite Celtic taking a first half and half-time lead(1-0 Dalglish), we were the better, more fluid team. Young would go beyond, Fyfe drooped deeper to take the ball before reverse passing on to hard running pair DJ and Ian McDougall. In the second half Ted received a reverse pass, stepped into the D and shot off the post and into the net for our equaliser. Just over 15 minutes later, Bomber Jackson bulleted a header from a corner past Dennis Connaghan for the winner. Graham Fyfe was spectacular that day. He left Rangers for Hibs in the summer of 1976, he accompanied Ally Scott in a double swop for Iain Munro. A couple of seasons at Dumbarton ensued before spending his last six footballing years in the States at three clubs.

Vorsprung Durch Technik. My Old Man went off with an old Regimental Buddy on a three day trip to Munich. On the afternoon of the game, they took in a tour of the Audi factory and were overwhelmed by Teutonic efficiency. As a family, we had progressed by technology provided by Morris, Rover and, Austin. He returned on Thursday late afternoon accompanied by two fixed opinions, our next family car would be an Audi and Rangers had little to no chance of progression in the European Cup Winners Cup semi-final. He had just witnessed Rangers secure a 1-1 draw in the tie's first leg in Germany. Bayern had as yet to move into their new stadium, the Olympic Park ground was still under construction for the Games only three months away. The old Grunwalder Stadium, shared with TSV 1860 Munich hosted the game. Bayern were on the cusp of a new ground and stratospheric football success. The nucleus of the team were Sepp Maier, Skipper Franz Beckenbauer, centre forward Gerd Muller, centre back Georg Schwarzenbeck, midfielder Uli Hoeness and, right back Paul Breitner. These six players also formed the core of the then all conquering West German national side. Bayern would go on to secure three European Cups in a row(1974-76) and, west Germany would secure the UEFA Euro Championship in 1972 then win the World Cup in 1974. Rangers record against Bayern was not impressive, we had lost the ECWC Final against the Bavarians(1-0) during extra-time in Nuremberg in 1967 and, then failed to exact revenge in the 1970 UEFA Cup, losing 2-1 on aggregate. We had half-a-dozen players at the Club that had suffered those two set backs, John Greig, Sandy Jardine, Dave Smith, Bud Johnston, Wullie Henderson and, Colin Jackson had as yet to experience a victory over the budding Bundesliga Champions. The extent of Bayern's dominance of European football would be highlighted a short two weeks after the tie; Gerd Muller would secure the Golden Boot for the second year in a row and Kaiser Franz would be named, European Footballer of the Year. Due to a Scottish Cup replay against Motherwell, Rangers had crammed three games into five short days and, injuries were taking a toll. The Club needed a break because on the Saturday before the visit to Munich, they were scheduled for a League fixture away at Ayr United. Somerset Park was akin to the Somerset Levels, a sharp downpour making the ground unplayable. Jock Wallace went to Prestwick Airport to catch a ski flight to Austria, his intent was to take in Bayern's German Cup quarter-final against Cologne. Meanwhile, Willie Waddell put the first team squad through a training session at the Albion. Tommy McLean and John Greig missed the session. Bayern were purring with over confidence, their ten day long fixtures before the semi-final was a Bundesliga victory(0-3) in Stuttgart, seven players in the West German team that defeated Hungary(0-2) in the Euro Championship quarter-final, a 3-0 win over Cologne in the German Cup then, an exhibition match against Benfica in Paris. Playing four games in three different countries in ten days was Blitzkrieg pace. Whilst the Germans were returning from Paris, Rangers settled into their hotel ten miles outside Munich. Captain, John Greig was on the treatment table on Tuesday afternoon when Waddell ushered a couple of dozen Press Hacks into the room. The Manager announced, "This is Greig and he is club Skipper. Look at the cuts and bruises on his legs, he will be playing tomorrow evening". Of course, Waddell had been a Journalist himself and he was encouraging a photo opportunity that would underline Rangers committment. Bayern's Boss, Udo Lattek was fourteen years younger than his Scot's counterpart but, had similar managerial experience. Lattek settled upon modesty, hoping for similar good fortune they had enjoyed against Rangers in previous encounters. Kaiser Franz over praised the Glasgow club and concluded, "if we do not win by three goals at home, we cannot hope to survive the visit to Ibrox". Gerd Muller was sniggeringly pessimistic, "We can win one nil at home but this Rangers side will go to Barcelona and win the cup". The Bavarian press concluded the game's result was dependent upon where Beckenbauer played, sweeping at the back of the four or, Libero in front? A capacity 45,000 crowd saw Bayern Munich line up - Maier, Hansen, Breitner, Schwarzenbeck, Beckenbauer, Roth, Krauthausen, Zobel, Muller, Hoeness and, Suchnholz. Rangers ran out - McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Greig, Jackson, Smith, McLean, D Johnstone, Stein, MacDonald and, Johnston. My Dad's uber pessimism must have been based on the first half hour? Beckenbauer was prowling in front and, he probed constantly. Muller headed against the bar on the 8th minute, McCloy had been tested by a couple of long drives and, in the 23rd minute Breitner took a pass in the centre circle from Beckenbauer, strode forward to play a one-two with Muller on the edge of the box and, took the return stepping inside Jackson then dinked over a sprawling McCloy into the net from six yards. The half time was one-zip Bayern. Rangers decided to step forward the entire team 15-20 yards, squeezing Beckenbauer's area of freedom in the second half. DJ was told to man mark Hoeness and, Dave Smith was to sweep behind. It worked wonderfully well. Rangers equalised within five minutes of the restart. Bud gathered the ball in the centre circle and sent the Lone Ranger off down the inside right channel, Stein got ahead of the central defensive pairing and rounded Sepp Maier. He rattled the ball across the six yard line and the unfortunate Zobel met it with his head, bulleting the ball into the pokey. All the match reports agree, Bayern slowly deflated. The Rangers players credit the Jock Wallace inspired levels of fitness garnered from the Gullane Sands. The last fifteen minutes saw Rangers create three opportunities for an away victory. Billy Mathieson had twice sallied forward to hit a couple of raspers that Maier struggled to turn around the post. Tommy McLean tells of the last minute, Peter McCloy launched a ball the length of the field, Schwazenbeck misheaded and Johnston collected with only Maier to beat, the Referee blew the final whistle. The Scottish press lauded Rangers tactics and applauded their strong finish. Their German equivalents remained calm and, reminded their readers that this Bayern team had already dispatched Czech side, Skoda Plzen, Liverpool and, Steau Bucharest from the tournament. Several years later, I reminded my Old Man of his prediction and asked him for his basis? I was home on leave and we were enjoying a quiet drink in the village local, generally a relaxed atmosphere. He began, "don't tell your Mum". The story was the Audi visit, after the tour and mentioning they were intent on attending that evening's game; Audi invited both to the factory canteen where a pre-match meal was being served, with beer. A couple of coaches transferred the dining several dozen including Dad and mate to the ground. A Stand ticket was issued as they alighted the bus, inside the ground the Paulaner beer kept flowing. Dad admitted he had no memory of the second half, including the Rangers equaliser. He remembered the factory tour much better, by the end of summer the Austin Maxi was traded in for a beige Audi 100 GL Saloon. Dad swore the end of the tour was a lounge serving beer which included a 1932 photograph of Adolph Hitler behind the wheel of his personal car, a burgundy Audi Rambler.