26th of foot

I believe the SPFL are keen on a tendering system, similar to the National Lottery. Camelot have not tendered because the SPFL preferred administrators for VAR are a consultancy Chaired by Chris McLaughlin, Vice Chair is Creepy Connie McLaughlin, Secretary is registered at Tom English and, the Arbiter Committee is to be selected from a pool consisting of Jum Spence, RAB Cosgrove, Graham Spiers, Roger Mitchell and, the Pope.

The Fruit of the Dead. In Greek Mythology, the Pomegranate is known as the fruit of the dead; it was said the plant arose from the blood of Adonis. John Greig was intent upon having more than a bite at one particular pomegranate, midfielder Claudio Sala. Unlike the rest of his Torino team mates, Sala had played on the Saturday before. He was Italy's number ten and had participated in the Azurri's 2-1 defeat in Greece. Rangers had endured a tough game at Rugby Park, and the Skipper had taken it upon himself to be Rangers raging boar to Torino's Adonis. The Gods would not smile upon a bad seed. As Greig clattered into Sala, Willie Waddell held his head in his hands. Assistant Manager, Jock Wallace punched the air. The reactions of the vast majority of the 35,000 crowd inside the Stadio Comunale was a mixture of anger and respect. Rangers were worthy opponents, they had worked out the main man. Waddell had addressed the players before leaving the team Hotel in Asti, he told them to forget the Club's three previous meetings with Italian opposition. It was all about the future, if Rangers could win the tie they would win the European Cup Winners Cup. Peter McCloy later revealed Waddell took him aside as they were boarding the team coach and offered, "it's simple, don't concede tonight and we are through". The Captain's tackle from centre laid down a marker and Torino - Castellini, Mozzini, Fossati, Zecchin, Cereser, Agroppi, Rampanti, Ferrini, Pulici, Sala and Bui took note. Rangers lined up as - McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Greig, Jackson, Smith, McLean, D Johnstone, Stein, MacDonald and, Johnston but played the Catenaccio system. Dave Smith wore number six, DJ wore number eight; the Aberdonian played the Sweeper role whereas the Dundonian in possession sat in front of Colin Jackson, out of possession he slotted in beside him. Smith's range of passing was the key, as soon as a Torino attack broke down, Smith pinged off to willing runners, Johnston and Stein. The Antipasto was delicious for all Bluenoses, Sala stayed tackled and Rangers served up a first half fiesta of possession football. Torino looked good enough to eat, they abandoned their Granata jerseys for the then Italian Cup winners traditional all white ensemble with red, white and, green tricolour badge. On the 12th minute, Dave Smith found an advancing Mathieson and WullieWanFit ghosted past two defenders before crossing deep to the back stick. An on rushing Bud Johnston did not have to break stride, clinically slamming the ball into the back of the pokey. Torino attempted to get their game going but every attack fell on the eighteen yard line with, either DJ intercepting a pass or Dave Smith taking a touch before passing into midfield or further. There was a fright just before the break, DJ matched Ferrini's run into the box and his challenge coincided with the Italian falling to the turf. Referee Kamber waved play on. A half time 0-1 lead did not flatter Rangers, Torino boss, Giagnoni decided width was the answer. He substituted full back, Fossati for left winger, Toschi. On the hour mark it paid off, Toschi's left foot drive was deflected goalward by centre forward, Pulici. The deflection wrong footed McCloy but Bomber Jackson followed the ball to the goal line. Unfortunately, his attempt at a swinging clearance bulleted the ball high into the net. There were thirty minutes left and expectation was a rested Torino to power on against a tiring Rangers. The Teddie Bears provided the Afro Gato, continuing possession football brought jeers and horns, the double espresso arrived courtesy of Bud, two opportunities to restore the lead. The game finished 1-1 and the action transferred to the tunnel. Johnston had given Torino full back, Mozzini a torrid evening. Eventually he caught Bud in the tunnel and promised the Fifer he would break his legs in a fortnight's time at Ibrox. Bud admitted relief at the appearance of Jock Wallace who shoved the Italian away with an accompanying, "fcuk off". Gustavo Giagnoni stood at the mouth of the tunnel and paid Rangers two big compliments, "I've never seen a fitter team' and, "they came here and played the Italian game, beautifully". Waddell proclaimed DJ to be, "the new John Charles". The Italian press whilst acknowledging Giagnoni's compliments were livid with the Referee, "the Scots are rough, there should have been one if not two penalties awarded, the Swiss Ref' was lenient", wrote Bruno Perucca of La Stampa. Sala remained quiet. On the Charter flight home the next morning, Rangers learned they were not dining alone at the Euro table. Sellik had won 1-2 in Hungary against Ujpest Dosza, BBC Scotland showed that game live in glorious black and white. The colour was all Rangers as the mercurial winger, Wullie Henderson was waiting at Ibrox with his legal representative, big Juve and Sellik man, Joe Beltrami. Wullie wanted to remain a Ranger, the Club was intent on transfer listing him and, Big Joe had enjoyed climbing the marble staircase.

I want to hear the newly appointed Disability Access Officer announcing a new purpose built facility Get our fellow Rangers fans out of the wind and rain.

A Killie Pie followed by a Glass of Barolo. The Miners Strike was over, power had been restored and, Neil Young's Harvest was the new number one Album. The needle and the damage done was uppermost in the mind of our Skipper, it was rumoured John Greig had taken a Cortisone injection. Heart of Gold had a hook melodic chorus enhanced by Linda Ronstadt's soaring vocal, the combination of gruff and sweet harmony only intermittently available in Rangers midfield. Spring had sprung and the Board attempted to mend a misfiring middle order by bidding £45,000 for St Johnstone's purring feline, John Connolly. The offer was rejected, Everton bid £75,000 the very next week and was accepted. Tannochside RSC's bus was awash with further rumour. Rangers through the auspices of Programme sponsor, Ian Skelly were offering Wullie Henderson a Ford Granada to return to the fold. The car had been newly launched and I could see why it would solve a walkabout problem, Wullie had staged a Walkout. We arrived at Rugby Park without Henderson, our faith lay with Alfie Conn. Eighteen thousand gathered to see Killie run out : Hunter, Dickson, Cairns, Maxwell, Rodman, McGrory, McSherry, Gilmour, Mathie, Morrison and, Cook. Rangers - McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Greig, Jackson, Smith, McLean, Conn, Stein, MacDonald and, Johnston. Then, Rugby Park was renowned as possessing the best playing surface in Scotland. We witnessed a tentative first forty-five but football arrived in the second period. Sandy Jardine opened the scoring in the 48th minute, Ross Mathie equalised on the 55th and, Conn burst from midfield to round Scottish international Keeper, Ally Hunter and notch the winner just after the hour mark. Heading back to deepest, darkest Lanarkshire after a 1-2 victory at killie, meant a journey through the Fenwick Moors. The gloom descended, a couple of older men on the bus lamented Alex MacDonald, he was 'a corner boy' and no match for the classy Italians. We were reminded Rangers had never made it past Italian opposition in Europe. There had been three attempts with only one victory in six games, a 1-0 win against Inter Milan in 1965. Torino were challenging City rivals, Juventus for top spot of the Scudetto, Waldorf and Statler chirped again, "if DJs no fit, we're fcuked". Derek was 18 and Gaffer, Willie Waddell had ordered Club Physio', Tom Craig to work around the clock on his troublesome thigh muscle. Torino's Manager, Giagnoni had also attended Rugby Park and he lionised both Dave Smith, "so artistic" and John Greig, "the power and the strength". The Scottish Daily Express carried a double page broadsheet article tying in the Ibrox Disaster with the tragedy visited upon Torino 23 years earlier. The Granata(the Pomegranates due to their burgundy jerseys) were traveling back to Turin from a friendly against Benfica, their plane clipped the 2,200 feet Superga peak on approach and the resulting crash killed everyone on board. The team were known as, 'Il Grande Torino' because they were in place to win their fifth successive Scudetto. Torino fielded their Youth team in the last remaining fixtures, the opposition did likewise as a mark of respect, the Pomegranates succeeded in their five-in-a-row quest. Torino were the club of the Turin people, most supporters worked for the town's biggest employer, FIAT and the motor company owned Juventus(the Bosses club). Rangers took a squad of 17 players and based themselves thirty miles from Turin, Asti was the heart of Piemontese wine production. The previous three years had seen the advent of a pre-season tournament, 'the Anglo-Italian Cup'. It had been televised and was popular. Four mid-table clubs from each country competed and the English media quickly became outraged at the Italian teams constantly surrounding the Ref', committing sneaky fouls and, simulation. Willie Waddell caught the drift and played a pre-match blinder. He sympathised with match Ref', Kamber of Switzerland. He utilised a British - Italian match up taking place the evening before the Rangers game. Juventus were playing Wolves in the same ground, the Comunale Stadium in a Fairs Cup quarter final and Waddell took the entire squad along as an acclimatiser. He told the press, "Everyone knows the Latin temperament but I don't expect any trouble in our game. Torino are too intent with getting on with the job". He added with the Juve' game about to start, "Unlike other Italian sides, Torino have no prima donnas". Fellow Scot, Jim McCalliog scored Wolves goal in a 1-1 draw and Big Derek Dougan was a choirboy. Waddell celebrated his 51st birthday at the game and after match, he invited Wolves Boss, Bill McGarry to enjoy a glass of Barolo. In vino veritas, the light coloured drop is notorious for delivering quite a bang, traditionally 14% plus. Willie was worried about Torino's Italian international centre forward, Claudio Sala. McGarry assured the Deedle that the sodden turf of the Stadio Comunale had been well cut up and 24 hours would not improve the situation. Waddell smiled, he knew DJ had passed a fitness test that late afternoon, but DJ at centre half would have no responsibility for Sala, Club Captain, John Greig was to be the man marking Soldier Blue. Rangers won the toss and elected to kick-off. Greig whispered to Doddy to lay the pass back a little short. Sala noted the lack of weight on the ball and rushed to intercept. Ham and Egg prepared to put in a solid tackle ........................ Tune in tomorrow for the match report.

Dundee 1 Rangers 2 FGS : Morelos.

Sylvester Jasper, what a wonderful name for Scottish football? He is a 20 year old on loan from Fulham to Hibs. The winger was born in London to a Nigerian father and Bulgarian mother and, thus qualifies for all three countries. He has opted for Bulgaria, played a couple of Under 21 games for the East Europeans. I am watching the Motherwell - Hibernian Scottish Cup quarter final on TV and Sylvester Jasper has been at the heart of the action. He has crossed the ball for Melkersen's opener, then sent a wonderful ball through to the same Norwegian to notch his second. Further, he has just been correctly cautioned for simulation, diving to the ground without a touch. The lad is made for the Pantomime that constitutes Scottish football. Edinburgh Playhouse should do the honourable thing and award the lad an Equity card, Sly Jasper as Sir Jasper, BOOOOOOOOOOO. I predict a transfer to St Mirren?

Jim Denny.

Wishing on a Red Star. As we have already discussed on this thread, BBC Scotland largely ignored Rangers knocking out Europa League favourites, Borussia Dortmund from the tournament. I do not mind PQ decided our Ladies and Mens Olympic Curlers journeys to winning Gold and Silver medals respectively was deemed more worthy of coverage. I do not mind they decided the Celtic - Bodo Glimp tie in the Europa Conference League was more worthy of live commentary and, I don't mind the machinations at Aberdeen are considered more worthy for the bulk of discussion over the period. All PQ had to do was pay BT Sport the required amount to show the game's goals . They did not. At the start of the season, RAB Cosgrove provided first evidence of BBC Scotland's take on matters Rangers, "ah don't get it, Rangers fans are standing on the side lines, beelin". RAB repeated this line a few times and if you think about it, BBC Scotland were deliberately putting us on the side lines and their reaction was to ignore us and our aspirations. Even Michael Stewart gave up on his weekly 'Trial by Sportscene'; demanding numerous retrospective red cards for Morelos. It could be argued PQ is just reflecting Scots wider society's take on the Club, not one of the SNP's 108 MPs and MSPs support Rangers. Those credentials were flashed again last week when none of the SNP MSPs at Holyrood signed the early day motion offering congratulations to Rangers on their 150th anniversary, including First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon whose constituency includes Ibrox. However, BBC Scotland is contracted by the License Fee to provide a service, even to Rangers supporters. I detect a slight change this week in the wake of the Red Star game. On Thursday night after Midnight, BBC Scotland's last news bulletin carried the Ranger result and having paid BT Sport the necessary fee, showed Rangers three goals with a Kheredine Idessane voiceover. Today, Cosgrove and Cowan mentioned the result at the top of the show, then talked endlessly about last night's Ayrshire Derby. Mention it early, then consign it to the sidelines is the current Immediate Action - coping mechanism. Jum Spence wears his black heart on his Twitter sleeve, he Tweeted 17 times when Dundee United defeated Rangers earlier this season; on Thursday evening he issued one Tweet, "penalty to Rangers". Later, he reinforced this broadcast by claiming, "it succinctly captures events at Ibrox". PQ's journey with the Rangers - Red Star Belgrade tie began with a wishing on a Red Star moment(apologies to Rose Royce). Four days before the game, the headline on the Website was, 'When Red Star beat Rangers on the way to Euro' Glory'. A dozen paragraphs lionising the Red Star team that won the European Cup, particularly since, "they drew and brushed aside Rangers". As the article went on it sharpened, "the Belgrade side routed Rangers on the way to their greatest triumph". The relevance of events 32 years ago were tied into current times with, "BBC Scotland can reveal Red Star are privately pleased to be paired with Rangers". It was the last paragraph before PQ threw in a bit of balance, "nonetheless GVB's men will aim to channel the spirit of 1964 and 2007, two years when Rangers got the better of Red Star". BBC Scotland's various contributors to the numerous shows on Scottish football constantly opine, even bitterly moan about folks missing opportunities to talk up Scottish football. The above preview fails but the real piss on your chips moment arrived during the two and half hour live coverage of the game itself. BIG Dick hosted Richard Foster, Charlie Adam and, Leeanne Chricton. Now, Charlie was enthusiastic but his emotion did not influence Big Dick. After 25 minutes, I tuned in whilst seated in Bar'72. I wanted to find out the reason for the award of our penalty. Rangers are winning two zip and Big Dick is NOT talking up the Scottish game, "we have had twenty five minutes and the ball has been in play for barely sixteen or seventeen minutes, this is not what VAR is for". I was deliriously happy with VAR, everyone around me was in agreement. The fact that PQ cannot be arsed to walk half a mile to the Stadium and participate in the atmosphere of a Scots team achieving a victory that again improves the National co-efficient, is a big part of the problem. Any given Sellik Euro game, we have Big Dick with the Blarney Twins constantly eulogising the green'n'grey hooped heroes, straining to heard over the Stade de Gadd PA banging out the Irish music. VAR had failed Big Dick, lamenting Red Star's offsides constantly but, relief arrived at one minute to ten(four minutes after the game ended) when BBC Scotland's football coverage finished. At half time I tuned in once again and Big Dick did not discuss the first forty-five happenings - two goals, three VAR decisions, a converted penalty, a saved penalty, five minutes added time, ............. etc; the weekend's Scottish Cup fixtures and the Dundee - St Johnstone relegation fight were deemed more important. Could you imagine BBC Scotland doing similar during half time at a Sellik Euro game? On Friday morning, GB's Para-Olympians were front and centre, by Noon the Ayrshire Derby was being previewed but, none of it runs interference on Big Dick's summary before the second half began, "busy first half, Allan McGregor was lucky to get away with a fumble, Ryan Kent's penalty was certainly a controversial one, Red Star also missed a penalty as well as having the ball in the Rangers net twice but not counting, however Rangers are two nil in front and, errrh well errrm that is good for Scottish football" That last line, I am sure as Big Dick uttered it he had his fingers crossed, whilst wishing on his Red Star?

Both of those clips will be subject to a 30 minute presentation by Michael Stewart on Sportscene tomorrow evening. He will demand the Compliance Officer offers Morelos a retrospective dozen game ban

Tav' was outstanding, Lundstram showed real tactical awareness, Ryan Jack continues to be our metronome, Ryan Kent was ......... etc However, I am going for Alfie. A good goal and a constant pest. In the second half, Greegs was firing the ball at him, knowing he would take it in, lay it off, win a free kick, ....... etc. The clincher was his attitude in the first half, we were struggling and the through ball sees Alfie arrogantly push the Belgrade defender away before taking control of the ball and moving towards goal.

The first Rangers Euro tie I remember was the first round of the European Cup in September 1964, Rangers versus Red Star Belgrade. it was a tie that really caught the imagination of a seven year old, 'Red Star' was such an exotic name. I accompanied my Grandfather and Old Man to the Main Stand, I still have the tickets, they were four shillings and sixpence each(22.5 pence). The attendance was 80,000 and we won 3-1, Ralph Brand notched a double and Jim Forrest getting the other. Red Star in their broad red and white stripes, black shorts and, red socks looked wonderful under the floodlights. A week later in the former Yugoslavia, the return game was played early-afternoon. Our Primary School Headmaster allowed a radio in the Assembly Hall, the Janitor wheeled in a large wooden box(transistors had not made it to Lanarkshire County education Department). It was only second half commentary and the immediate news was a half-time report, the game was tied 1-1, John Greig had opened the scoring. Smiling faces morphed into glum visogs as Red Star quickly ran in three goals in the first 20 minutes of the second half. We were 4-1 down in the game, losing the tie 4-5 on aggregate. Ronnie McKinnon saved most of us from a belting, nodding in our second with six minutes left on the clock. The school bell rang soon after and Bothwell Primary emptied apart for a dozen diehards waiting on the final whistle. Our Headmaster, Bill Crichton was a self proclaimed Albion Rovers fan and he told us the aggregate score was five all and offered the teams would be decided by the toss of a coin. The next day Bill announced he was wrong, the tie would go to a play-off. Highbury, the home of arsenal was chosen and the game took place at the start of November. Again, it was second half commentary, we were 2-0 at half-time. Jim Forrest had secured a first half double, Ralph Brand adding a third clincher on the 75th minute. Red Star got a consolation with ten minutes remaining. I would happily take a similar 3-1 result tonight.

Rangers 3 Red Star Belgrade 2 FGS : Morelos.

Today, I note the PR Agency initially brought in by Separate Entity FC to micro-manage the growing storm of a class action, has entered liquidation. Hollicom has been unable to pay it's debts and entered insolvency on the 28th February, a court order for winding up business was issued on 4th March. The company has ceased trading and seven members of staff have been made redundant. Owner and founder of the Agency, Mark Hollinshead sold te business in late December'21. Hollicom silenced all parties wanting to discuss the fifty years of organised child abuse that may have occurred at Celtic Boys Club in both broadcast and print media. The then CEO of Radio Clyde, Lorraine Herbison instructed her Superscoreboard to refuse to take any calls on the matter, it was company policy. Lorraine and Agency founder, Mark Hollinshead have been in a relationship these last several years. Let's hope the seven members of staff being made redundant receive better support than all those boys who had aspirations to play for their favourite football club?

The Tom Tom Club. Oh the anguish! Yesterday, BBC Scotland's Chief Sports Writer, Tom English Tweeted, "The BBC has asked me to delete a tweet I posted at the weekend about Celtic's statement on Shane Warne, as it did not meet Editorial standards". Tom had found Celtic's comment on the death of the Australian international Cricketer to be akin to ambulance chasing. FC Separate Entity saw an opportunity to tie in and reinforce their new found love of all things Australian. They posted a photograph of Shane Warne sporting a training top with Club sponsors, 'Dafabet' - the online gambling company prominently displayed across his chest. Underneath the photo it read, "Everyone at Celtic FC is saddened to hear of the death of Australian Cricket legend, Shane Warne. The thoughts and prayers are with Shane's family at this extremely sad time". Now, as Rangers supporters we know Tom's Twitter account is a personal account and NOT BBC Scotland's responsibility because that is what we are told when we complain about some of his comments on the means. It's the very same with Chris McLaughlin et al. Why has BBC Scotland changed their practice? The Chief Sports Writer's response to Celtic's opportunism was, "Shoehorning in a promotion for the Club's sponsor? This is so crass". Of course, Celtic could have utilised any one of 100,000 stock photographs of Shane Warne in his international pomp. Shane's career spanned 24 years, his international period lasted 15 years, he never wore a Dafabet top whilst playing. Anyways, the Yahoos bombarded Tom with every complaint apart from the usual anti-Irish one. They got on to his employer, BBC Scotland and demanded an apology. Pacific Quay did not do their habitual thing ie Tom's Twitter is a personal account and not our responsibility, no they turned 180 degrees and told Tom to delete the Tweet. Tom became most compliant and did as he was ordered to do, he deleted his Tweet. These last five years, BBC Scotland has justified it's continuing stance on delivering a lesser service to BBC License Fee paying Rangers supporters upon the principle of, 'Journalistic Freedom'. I would have expected a host of senior, experienced Journos at PQ to be publicly pleading with Tom to adhere to those principles of journalistic freedom? Nah, they are all searching the building for Editorial Standards.

BIG Dick is Pig Sick. Saturday was the usual, Big Dick hosted, 'Open All Mikes'. Thus, all Premiership and Championship grounds hosting a fixture had a BBC Scotland reporter with an open microphone providing; a match preview, team news, score flashes, updates, a half-time report and, a full time report. All grounds except one, Ibrox. The vast majority continue to pay their BBC License Fees and receive a lesser service. It amounts to whoever is het, sat on the naughty step watching the live TV feed. Big Dick announces, 'Whoever will be right across all events at Ibrox'. In reality, we receive team news, a thirty second half-time report and, a similar timed full time report. On Saturday, it was Rory Somebody. Of course, the PQ Dandies were all glued to the TV feed, including Big Dick. The half-time report was a dirge from Rory, Aberdeen were defending stoutly, Rangers were huffing and puffing. Full time was all about the goal, Rory thought two things; Bassey had perpetrated a clear foul on Aberdeen player, Calvin Ramsey and, there was a question of offside. Big Dick then does a run down of results and throws in a bit of colour, ie scorers, club position in the league as a result, incidents to look out for on Sportscene. Big Dick decided John Beaton was the fulcrum, "Rangers supporters will be unused to some of his decisions today" and, Aberdeen will certainly have a couple of questions over Roofe's goal". Big Dick then got quite hissy over Alan Preston's quip about Aberdeen retaining tenth position in the Premiership. Big Dick's favourites last visit to Ibrox saw Big Dick take to his Aberdeen Press and Journal column to castigate John Beaton for awarding Rangers a penalty when Don, David Bates grabbed Sakala's jersey and pull him to the ground. Like his team, Big Dick only spits venom on three or four occasions per season. Sportscene proved Jonathon Sutherland does the same. He is another Dandy host determined to frame discussion on shown highlights in a Northern Light. He echoed Big Dick and Rory by introducing two questions, the foul and possible offside? Both questions were quickly dismissed by the panel. It's a determined effort, Jim Goodwin continues to shout offside and Bates is in today's newspapers proclaiming, "you don't get the big decisions at Ibrox". Is this all to mask Aberdeen are tenth in the table and Scott Brown is in a huff and wanting to leave Pittodrie? Maybe Big Dick will tell all in this week's P and J column? Oh, and while his snout is in the game changing trough, he might want to comment on Assistant Referee, Frank Connor's contribution last week at Ibrox(two flags for Morelos) and yesterday at Livingston(awarding a corner when Ralston handled the ball over the line for a bye-kick)?

I suspect it was realised the all white kit made us look like sheep and the club did not want to visit the unsavoury spectacle of tumescent Dandies pole vaulting around the pitch, upon Ibrox regulars?

Rangers 3 Aberdeen 1 FGS : Morelos.

Ironically, The last time I witnessed Rangers in a true all white kit was the Scottish Cup third round replay on the 10th February 1975. We drew Aberdeen away and 30,000 crowded into the Hill O'Dung to see Ally Scott put Rangers ahead on 67th minute. New striking sensation, Wullie Miller had just spent a season at Highland League, Peterhead, scoring 29 goals. He came on as a Sub' and equalised in the 87th minute, thus a replay. Ibrox hosted 55,000 to see Rangers run out in all white. Dons winger, Arthur Graham scored in the first minute but Bobby McKean equalised after half-a-hour. It finished 1-1 and extra time was played. Another winger, another sub', Davidson notched the winner for the Dandies with several minutes left on the clock. We lost 1-2.

I have not run out of patience. Tomorrow, do not waste time showing the necessary respect. Get after them all around the pitch from the first whistle. Be relentless and ruthless. get a quick goal, get another, and another, ..... etc. Ignore Brown, do not even acknowledge his presence, leave him exasperated. Abergreen are 10th in the league for a reason, they are a less than moderately talented, unmotivated(unless they're playing us) precious bunch. By half-time, I want to hear the PQ Dandies, Big Dick, Liam McLeod, Jonathan Sutherland, Wullie Miller, .... etc squealing in anguish.

In light of this week's decision by Lord Arthurson to allow the survivors of sexual abuse to continue their Class Action against Celtic FC, I wondered if any Gersnetters ever played against Celtic Boys' Club? I have respect for the work undertaken by the Spotlight team and acknowledge the real courage shown by Gordon Woods and the Gray family. The continuing actions are the epitome of a deliberately cast aside grouping fighting to take the initiative against the Establishment. The Club, both print and broadcast media and, the Scottish Government chose to ignore decades of pain, anguish and, serious mental health concerns that in some cases have culminated in suicide. We know there have been multiple appearances in court, dozens of convictions four criminal trials pending and, six Club perpetrators as a result of conviction have served/are serving custodial sentences. Further, a Class Action is now pending. We know Celtic disbanded Celtic Boys Club a decade past and set up a new official Youth Club, St Patricks. Celtic claimed the near half century old Celtic Boys' Club was a separate entity. We know that key designations in several organisations have deliberately run interference in both investigation and reporting. The Establishment is powerful. The reason for this posting is connected to the Barcelona Bound thread on Rangers Chat. Frequently, I mention my own experiences of Schools - Youth - Amateur football in the late 60s/early 70s. Like a lot of my age group, I played organised football at my Primary School, the Cubs/Scouts, local Boys' Club, Secondary School and, in my teenage years graduated to Amateur football officially connected to a senior Club's Youth development. I was at Uddingston Amateurs for two years organised by former Hamilton acas Keeper for a decade, Billy Lamont(went on to manage Partick Thistle, Falkirk, Alloa, .... etc). I moved to Fir Park Boys' Club for just over three years; under the tutelage of Joe Wark and Billy Campbell. In nearly six years, I took the field against Celtic Boys' Club on a least a dozen and a half occasions. I think we secured a couple of draws, mostly we were deservedly defeated by at least two or three goals. There were two league games each season and ultimately progression in the cups was dependent upon when you drew Celtic Boys' Club. We made a couple of finals. Whatever the circumstance, the experience was always similar. We turned up with 13-14 players, eleven started and there were two Substitutes. When CBC trapped, it was unique. Seriously, there could be nearly three dozen lads; all replete in badged dark green blazers, white shirts and club necktie. Grey flannels and polished shoes accompanied combed hair. To complete the full automaton look, all carried the green with white piping flight bag holding their kit. 'CBC' was stencilled across every bag. It was intimidating, like us they could only strip(no attempts at humour please) 13 players. There were 20 lads standing on the side of the pitch, the majority of whom could have easily walked into our team. Celtic Boys' club were attracting such numbers at all age group levels in 1972, only six years after foundation. The popularity of the club was such that it was replicated in several of the countries regions ie CBC East was in Edinburgh, CBC North in Aberdeen, .... etc. In the early days, if you wanted to read a match report of your game against the club; you could pick up a copy of the Celtic View(official newspaper of Celtic FC) Edited by Jack McGinn and there was a match report on each game played by each age grouping. The London Road Celtic Supporters Association is a three storey building, each floor has wrap around glass. Until a decade ago, you could not see inside the windows because each window ledge was adorned with all the silverware secured by CBC. Celtic Boys' Club was accepted and celebrated by all Celtic supporters. I can talk about one player, a truly fantastic midfielder I faced regularly in both schools and Boys Amateur football. I was fortunate to play several games in the same team, both representing Lanarkshire School Boys. He was over a year younger but regularly played in the grouping above, he was easily the best player I ever shared a pitch with. John McCluskey was the younger brother of George, he signed for Celtic in 1972, aged 13 years. He testified in court against Jim Torbett in his 1996 trial. John, or as we knew him, 'Friar' because of his pudding bowl haircut; was the outstanding player at Wembley in the 1975 English Schoolboys versus Scottish Schoolboys fixture. We won 3-5(not to be confused with the Paul McStay, John Robertson, Paul Rideout, .... etc game of a few years later when we won 4-5) and John scored two. Friar was a genial lad, always chatted away during games and, did not hesitate to congratulate team mate or opposition. He blamed his Mother for his hairstyle, he claimed she insisted on cutting his locks. Rewards were big at CBC, semi-finals were hosted by a Junior club, finals were taken to a senior ground. We got skelped at Thorniewood United's park in Tannochside and coming off the pitch chatting with Friar, I was jealous when he informed me he was off in a couple of weeks on a CBC Scandinavian tour for several days. The next time I faced John was several weeks later, in a schools match and we defeated Holy Cross, Hamilton 3-0. Friar had changed, he was barking at his own team mates. Swearing and blaming lesser players. Holy Cross Coach, former Celt, John Cushley subbed him at half-time. The last time I played against him was a final at Cliftonhill, home of Albion Rovers. The paragraph where I described the host of automatons trapping and hoping was again apparent and easily matched by a larger horde of CBC officials, all similarly attired. Friar was sullen and uncommunicative, we put it down to BillyBigBaws, he was on his way. Frank Cairney was top man, he lived locally and was well known. After the match, he entered the CBC dressing room with a chromed tape recorder. There were several dozen lads and officials in the dressing room and out in the corridor bouncing to the Celtic Song and Irish rebel tunes. Frank had made a tape. I went to Uni' and Friar made his debut for Celtic aged 16 years in the European Cup tie against Luxembourg side, Jeunesse Esch. It was to be his only game, suffering a horrific knee injury in a reserve fixture the next season. The injury finished his career. Five years later I met John on Cadzow Street, Hamilton. I was home on leave and he had just finished a shift, he was a Labourer for Hamilton District Council. We chatted for a few minutes, promising to get together for a few pints. I have not seen John since. Thinking about it, the last time I talked to John, he was 14 and I was 15. I read the Daily Record's reporting of Torbett's first trial. Both John McCluskey and Allan Brazil were most courageous. I realised from John's testimony, the Scandinavian tour that provoked my green monster was the beginning of his misery with Torbett. These guys, the Cairneys, the Torbetts, .... etc all gravitate into areas where they get access. Then, they strictly adhere to the principles of defence - all round defence, mutual support, depth, camouflage, concealment, administration, ..... etc. Even to this day, Celtic, the majority of the media and, the Scottish Government continue to adhere. It's a continuing, co-ordinated, multi-layered defence. If any Gersnetters have played against CBC, please share your memories but be careful. Keep it general, do not mention specific players by name. My referrals to John McCluskey are in the public domaine because he testified. The work of Spotlight must be respected.

Truly, I am surprised at Sellik telling us that this proposed friendly match is a goer. Given the situation in Ukraine and those brave Bhoys of the Green Brigade currently engaged in stopping Russian Motor Rifle Divisions, will the lhads and lhassies be granted leave to travel to attend the match? This situation requires foresight and penetrative thought, you cannot just disengage Green Brigade Flying Columns at the drop of a Leprechaun's hat.

I think Gio has to change it at half-time? Good start, early goal and first 20 minutes we are in control. Saints have stuck at it, getting tackles in on the half way line and, springing the diagonal out right. Bassey has been cautioned, thus more pressure coming his way. The last 15 minutes show Saints having 65% possession. Our midfield have fallen out of it. We need forward pace on our right, or Tav' is going to be sucked into getting further and further forward. Saints remain very much in this game.

St Johnstone 1 Rangers 2 FGS : Morelos.

Any RSC running a bus?

Just reported. Lord Arthurson has decreed Celtic and Celtic Boys' Club were intimately linked. Thus, permission has been granted for the Class Action lawsuit to proceed. The Class Action Lawsuit seeks to prove Celtic is vicariously liable for the multitude of sexual assaults.