26th of foot

Deep depression at half time, I could not see how we could change it? We could not retain possession, blind clearances from our box had no depth, we were failing to turn Dortmund, .......... etc. It was a procession towards our goal. Bassey's move to left back gave us an out ball. He takes it in, a couple of give and goes and your fifty yards up the park. Further, he is quite cute at winning free kicks. As soon as Alfie and Kent had the ball, Dortmund were turning. Even the Subway Loyal stayed to the end last night and joined in the post match celebrations.

I took my Nephew to Glasgow Airport late morning and because of weight of traffic on the M8, I took the Renfrew -Inchinnan - Abbotsinch road to the terminal drop-off point. Circumnavigating North and East of the runways, I received excellent views of the Borussia Dortmund Airbus. The livery is a distinctive black and gold and the tailplane has a 'BVB' roundel upon it. Suffice to say it's a BIG FOKKER. I demand the Board and Club'72 fund a BEARFORCE ONE.

This story has rumbled around for the last three days. It began when a woman living in Dalkeith awoke Sunday morning and looked at her door-cam footage. A designer wreath attached to the doorway in memory of her late Mother who had passed as a result of alzheimers had been taken during the night. The footage showed a grouping including Ryan Porteous removing the wreath. Apparently, Porteous ensured the wreath's return, minus a broach(incorporated into the floral reminder) belonging to the deceased and telephoned an apology. The glass assault is a new event being reported on quite an evening. Now, this is Hibs so the PR is already out there - a grouping staying close to their working class roots, drinking in the local Miners' Welfare up to daft boayness. Another round of exuberance? You know how it goes, another Hibby, Leigh Griffiths enjoys lounging in Minors' Welfare(requesting naked photos of 14 and 15 year old girls on Facebook) and it's a laugh. We await Irvine Welsh and another machete analogy?

The first half has been pretty unique. We have 75% possession, 2 corners, and 10 attempts on goal. Not one of those attempts was on target, not one troubled the Keeper and, only once have we delivered when in behind. United have had 4 corners and four attempts and, one deflected from just off the line, the other found the net.

Dundee United 1 Rangers 2 FGS : Morelos.

Half a dozen times a month, I help out my Nephew and his partner by taking their 4 year old daughter to Nursery. I love her but she can be a bit of a Madam. I was listening to BBC Radio Scotland's Sports Desk this morning and the first thing that struck me was, 'the line' has NOT been established. I was getting her out the car seat when the second Sports Desk began and the semblance of, 'the line' appeared, "of course Borussia Dortmund are not the team they once were". I missed who said it and a crisis had arisen with the merits of melon over chocolate buttons to get one through a day at Nursery. BBC Scotland are always moaning about folks not taking every opportunity to talk up the Scottish game, but Rangers winning away in Dortmund needs serious time(is there enough time) to find any degree of comfort. Anyways, 'the line' will be found. I await long time Journo, Hugh MacDonald's take - he and family are long term Borussia Dortmund supporters, regular attendees at the Westfalenstadion these last dozen years. Reference the Curling at the Winter Olympics, RAB Cosgrove was spitting venom at the weekend. He noted all Curlers attending are Scots, why are the not representing Scotland? It's like Rangers, fellow countrymen and women performing well but not worthy of support because of the colours being worn.

Tonight, after Rangers 2-4 victory in Dortmund and ra Sellik's 1-3 collapse to Bodo Glimt the PQ Gang Hut has concluded : Borussia Dortmund are an excellent side but they are no Bobo Glimt. Seriously, is Bodo Glimt a character from the Hobbit?

On a night when Rangers traveled to Germany carrying the Scottish standard, allowing the flag to flutter in a strong compelling breeze. The hope is that the AngeBall Cavaliers can consolidate upon Rangers solid 2-4 thumping of Borussia Dortmund in the Westfalenstadion to further improve the Scottish coefficient? An expectant flag fell limp in a strident Nordic breeze at ra Stydome. A team that had not kicked a ball competitively in three months arrived from the Artic Circle. They had to fight off polar bears and minus 20 temperatures to get on board the aeroplane. We know because we are constantly told that AngeBall is irresistible. BoBo is now forty-eight years of age, his diminutive Gimp replete in his Latex splendour; could hardly be expected to withstand the white heat of ra Stade de Gadd? Thank God for the Groin Brigade, continually singing the praise of the Egyptian Sun God, Ra. Oh ah up the Ra was a welcome refrain for BoBo and his bondage costumed chum. Such a thoughtful ditty ensured no one heard the air escaping from the burst AngeBall. I believe Sellik are now condemned to the Inter-ToTo Conference YoYo Cup. Ange has it all to do next week but, he is intent on signing Edvard Munch. BoBo and his Gimp know no ine can hear you scream in the Artic Circle.

When French Ref', Clement Turpin awarded that penalty, I thought he had changed his name to Dick? On seeing the VAR, a stonewaller.

Dortmund 2 Rangers 2 FGS : Morelos.

After securing the Dee's Scottish Cup progress at Peterhead(0-3 victory) just last Sunday, John Nelms has bulleted manager, James McPake. A home quarter-final Scottish Cup tie awaits against Rangers and the Dark Blues next Premiership match is a visit to Sellik Park. Of course, matters football are a mystery at Dens Park. Missing E-Mails turn up days later in SPFL's spam folder and the chain of command can be confusing. Gordon Strachan is Dundee's Director of Football and also a Consultant at Sellik, where his son retains a coaching job. Owner, John Nelms remains a self confessed BIG Sellik man and has always done exactly what Peter told him; but Peter has gone, hasn't he? Whatever, my money is on Neil Lennon getting off the bevvy and being appointed in time for Rangers quarter-final Scottish Cup visit.

A Fortnight past, we lost 3-zip at ra Stydome. A garrulous Tom Anguish was the most excited I have ever heard him, he could not decide between AngeBall and, "the white hot atmosphere unique to Celtic Park" as the reason for our downfall. The next meeting between the clubs is due at Ibrox. Tom will not set foot in Ibrox because he is a BBC Scotland employee; however, he and fellow members of the Yahoo Media Shamrock CSC know the Green Brigade with their, "witty banners" are a preferred preference in the Broomloan. The campaign, the co-ordinated campaign to get, "the masked revellers" back into the Ibrox has been growing momentum for a fortnight. Look at those demanding a green'n'grey presence, Rod Stewart, John Hartson, Chris Sutton, Paul Cooney, Hugh MacDonald, Alison McConnell,.................. etc. These are folks that tell us what language is appropriate, only present Sellik convenient facts and, only see our existence as something to be preached at. Last season, saw the first old firm match at Sellik Park as match dat 11(eleven). Traditionally, the first meeting was always between first and third; why eleven and why were all those mentioned saying nothing? Let's start with comparing like with like. Whether it's 7,500 tickets for the entire Broomloan Stand or it's 900 for the Broomloan - Govan corner; all these seats have unrestricted views. Compare and contrast with the reciprocated at ra Stydome? When was the last time - only time Rod Stewart, John Hartson, Chris Sutton, Paul Cooney, Hugh MacDonald, Alison McConnell, ......... etc sat in the away section at ra Stydome?

Annan Athletic 0 Rangers 3 FGS : Roofe.

Rangers 2 Hibernian 0 FGS : Morelos.

I served for 16 years in a Regiment where young soldiers having survived eight months basic training, P Company(a 3 week assessment on suitability for the Parachute Regiment) and, two weeks parachute training at RAF Brize Norton; found it hard to resist to run down the Tattoo Parlour and receive an inking. A decade later, those same soldiers were spending ten times the amount getting laser removal treatment. We had a CSM who had a Tattoo of a fox hunt that covered his entire back, the fox's tail disappearing up his arse.

We await outrage from Falkirk's MSP, BIG BIG Sellik man, Michael Matheson? I suspect as long as Leigh does not do the Hokey-Cokey(remember Michael wanted the hokey-cokey banned because he deemed it anti-catholic), he will be alright. Sexpesting on Twitter and Facebook a 15 year old Edinburgh girl and a 14 year old girl from Fife is okay though, Leigh was only asking for naked pictures. How about Falkirk's MP, John McNally is he outraged? Given both elected representatives are SNP; perhaps it's better if a party donor was to be outraged, or maybe a Stirlingshire based crime fiction writer who is the First Minister's Bestie could express outrage? How about Val's Gals refusing to play Falkirk Ladies?

Jambos, Fifers and, the Bairns in the Scottish Cup. Mark Feld was a Face from Stoke Newington. By the age of 14, he had accounts at several Tailors and a regular model for clothing catalogues. He was the epitome of the Modernist approach. Initially, as a 15 year old he played guitar in Helen Shapiro's backing band but graduated to his own beat combo whilst worshipping at the altar of the Modfather, Steve Marriott. He took a bit of acid, read a bit of Tolkien, found a bustle in his hedgerow and, emerged as a fully formed Peer of Glam Rock. Electric Warrior was the number one album and Telegram Sam was the toppermost of the singles chart. Marc Bolan had arrived eulogising Purple Pie Pete and Jungle Faced Jake. As the Jambos ran out at Ibrox on the 22nd of January'72, a few dozen Bears behind me in the Enclosure serenaded them to the tune of Telegram Sam, "Alfie Alfie Conn, he gies a haun tae his local flute bon". I don't think it caught on? A bigger talking point was the news of Wullie Henderson storming out of training midweek, promising never to return. Thirty-five thousand of us had stormed into the Stadium to watch Rangers - McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Greig, Jackson, Smith, McLean, Conn, D Johnstone, A MacDonald and, Johnston. Hearts - Garland, Sneddon, Kay, Brown, Anderson, Thomson, Renton, Ford, Winchester and, Murray. The Hearts Gaffer was former Rangers Assistant Manager, Bobby Seith and the general consensus was the Jambos were on the rise. At half time the Boys in Maroon were the talk of the Toon, Donald Ford had been the most spirited forward on show in a no scoring first period. The next forty-five saw a 20 minute DJ hat-trick, with further goals from Bud Johnston, Alfie Conn and big Ham and Egg. A six - zip thrashing, easily our best League performance of the season. The cacophony on the Tannochside RSC bus on the way home was all about Big DJ, he was maturing nicely. Derek had just turned eighteen. He must keep his place for next week's visit to Bayview. Methil was, maybe still is a dour town. Bayview was an electric venue to view football. An attendance in excess of several thousand created a crackling atmosphere. The high terracing behind the goals allowed for excellent vistas of Largo Bay and games against the Fifers tended to be hard fought. Schools football was back and the mate's Brother with the Tunnock's wagon was required to transport three of us from deepest, darkest Lanarkshire to coastal Fife. The lunch of champions was included, half-a-dozen of Tam's finest pastry enclosed mince pates went down a treat. The newspaper was a harder swallow, Flying Pickets and Three Day Week were new terms, notification of power cuts was a new experience. Bayview was surrounded by members of the NUM(National Union of Miners), all toting collection buckets as the Strike was at the end of it's third week. Thirteen thousand watched East Fife - Gorman, Duncan, McQuade, McLean, Martis, Clarke, Honeyman, Love, Hughes, Hamilton and, McPhee; Rangers - McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Greig, Jackson, Smith, McLean, Conn, Da Johnstone, A MacDonald, Johnston. It was blood and snotters in a stiff breeze and the glaur. Rangers dominated the first forty-five, Bud's pace continually got him to the bye-line and, DJ obliged in the 35th minute by nodding the opener into the net. The second period was a game of attrition. The Fifers Gaffer, Pat Quinn was a devotee of the Offside Trap and the Linesmen had sore arms. Bud beat the collective step forward, was hauled down by the Keeper and, Bud stroked the resulting penalty past the post. playing into the wind resulted in Tommy McLean being paired up front with Bud and the nicely maturing DJ was back with John Greig in front of our back four, heading and swinging at every East Fife lumped forward ball. We held on for a nil-one victory. The Scottish Cup third round draw saw us paired with Falkirk at Brockville. Another atmospheric ground where we had been vanquished the previous season 4-3. We were on a one week warning, a State of Emergency would be declared if the NUM Strike continued for a further three to four days. Conserving energy had seen nearly 2 million workers on a three day week, a number of the bigger companies were predicting large scale temporary redundancies and, the nationalised power authorities had drawn up plans for nine hour long power cuts. Twenty thousand squeezed into Brockville to keep warm. Falkirk - Donaldson, Jones, Gibson, Cattenach, Markie, Shirra, Hoggan, Ferguson, Jack, Young and, McLeod; Rangers - McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Greig, Jackson, Smith, McLean, Conn, D Johnstone, A MacDonald and, Johnston. Apparently, the tie was a fizzer, the game ended 2-2 after the Bairns opened the scoring through Jack(34). We notched either side of the break with DJ(42) and Greig(49) to go ahead 1-2 but could not hold on. Former Ranger, Alex Ferguson was the head of the Players Union in Scotland and he had released a statement in full support of the Miners then subsequently stuck one in the Gers pokey on the 72nd minute to take the tie to a replay under the lights at Ibrox. I missed all the excitement, did not even know the result until early evening. I had embarked on my Duke of Edinburgh award through the auspices of the Scouts. I spent the entire weekend in Lochgoilhead and on the Loch, kayaking and sailing. I was one of the 45,000that made the replay, it was allowed to go ahead despite the State of Emergency being called that very day, 9th February'72. The power cuts would begin the following Sunday evening. We lined up the same apart from Colin Stein returning in place of Bomber Jackson, DJ moving to central defence. Falkirk made three changes, Wheatley, J Scott and, Harley replacing Cattenach, Hoggan and, McLeod. CThe Loan Ranger, Colin, Colin Stein came to the party early, finding the net on the 2nd minute. Bud missed another penalty and the Bairns, Jack could not see green cheese, obligingly missing his spot kick too. Tommy McLean used his height to nod the clincher with 15 minutes left. We were drawn away in the fourth round to St Mirren, then solidly mid table in the second Division. It would be a week of contrasts, visiting Paisley and Turin. Ironically, the then Love Street had a greater capacity than Torino's Stadio Comunale. Anyways, that was three weeks in the future. We had the Arabs at Ibrox and two away days at Fir and Rugby Parks to negotiate in between and, we did not know if the floodlights would be on. The SFA were meeting to discuss moving Saturday kick-offs forward to Noon. How about us playing schools football, how were we going to get to the match?

Defeating Glasgow City 3-1 is a significant result, particularly since we had our Keeper red carded midway through the second half. There's a 30 minute highlights show on BBC Scotland this evening to allow us to see how yesterday's events at Auchenhowie unfolded. Of course, the vast majority of media coverage over the weekend has been focused on the former Raith Rovers Ladies team. Val McDermid withdrew her club sponsorship, two Directors resigned and, the female Skipper left the club. All as a result of Raith signing David Goodwillie from Clyde. Raith Rovers Ladies have formally disassociated from the club and are now called, 'McDermid Ladies'; the crime Author has transferred her sponsorship too. I would have thought, 'Val's Gals' would have been a snappier name? The point I am attempting to make is I viewed two TV reports and listened to one elongated radio report on McDermid Ladies. There are numerous newspaper articles on the game too. However, you will be lucky if any of the broadcast or print reports tell you who Val's Gals were playing and the result? It was Livingston Ladies and the McDermids lost 0-4. It's amazing the coverage available if you are one of the First Minister's Besties. Val's sensitivities trumped the Ladies game.

Rangers 2 Hearts 1 FGS : Morelos.

Cap'n Cook Endeavours. Today, BBC Scotland announced their successor to Sarah Smith as Scotland Editor. Sarah has decided to cast off for the calmer waters of the USA. Of course, her Father was former Labour Leader, John Smith and her six years at PQ have been largely ignored by the Gang Hut. She is very much the old establishment and her designation is in reality the liaison link to BBC UK. Further, she has criticised Nicola for using the Covid pandemic as a means of control, lots of air time handed over for daily briefings. Most importantly to the Gang Hut, she appears not to have hated Rangers and Rangers supporters. Her successor has very real Rangers hating credentials, his determined approach in this regard is probably only trumped by James Cook's naked ambition. You may remember Ally McCoist's tenure as Rangers manager? It was turbulent and in those days the club continued to converse with PQ. Dairmid O'Hara(brother of SNP MP Brendan) was News Editor and he was responsible for showing stock footage of the Rangers support singing, with a bouncing ball along the bottom of the screen highlighting the lyrics. He sent James to interview McCoist at Ibrox. BBC Scotland broadcast a three-four minute piece that showed Ally laughing off tough questions on supposed sectarianism. It also showed Ally looking off camera and raising his eyebrows(not taking the question seriously) after James Cook had pleaded for the issue to be addressed. McCoist's reaction to the broadcast was genuine anger, he disagreed with both content and presentation. He and the Club submitted a complaint. It took a few weeks but James Cook and his Producer both apologised. They admitted they had Edited the footage to make it look like McCoist did not take sectarianism seriously. They had cut the film and inserted clips of McCoist laughing before the interview began, as reactions to questions. James Cook was promoted for giving his Editor what he wanted, he headed off the States as BBC's USA Correspondent. BBC Scotland followed by broadcasting opening credits to a live Rangers match, heavily influenced by the Mad Men series. It was a graphic depicting Ally McCoist throwing himself through the second storey Ibrox window. PQ apologised for that too as they have had to do on a dozen occasions since. I am told James Cook supports Dundee United, he has navigated and satisfied his burning ambition upon the troubled waters of Rangers hate. He should be reminded at every opportunity.

Viewing the game on Sky last evening let us know ra Sellik sensitivity. Andy Walker was relentless and ruthless in continually stating, "Celtic are relentless and ruthless". It was his preferred comfort blanket, saying it one more time than his three appeals for ra Sellik, "to go on and get a fourth and fifth". Maybe, the Rangers management team and players should listen to a clearly excited, garrulous Andy and take inspiration? As a Rangers supporter, I was seated well back on my sofa after 20 minutes. I thought we were insipid, spiritless, vapid, abject, ................. etc. We start again at 4 O'Clock on Sunday against Hearts at Ibrox, by which time we could be 4 points behind? We must regain our competitive spirit.

Sellik 1 Rangers 2 FGS : Roofe.

In the spirit of new, modern Scotland; we should note turnout for the election was 1112% and Main Battle Tank production increased 8% on last year. An extra rice ration is available to all who voted early and often.

Joseph Kelly has been granted further bail. The Sheriff has ordered him back to court for sentencing in March. In the meantime, Social Services have been asked to conduct reports on Kelly.

Compare and Contrast? Below, are two BBC Scotland reports from two court trials held today in Scotland. The first case was heard in Dundee, the second in Lanark. 1. Dundee United fan sentenced for Ojo assault. A Dundee United supporter who attacked an Aberdeen player during a match has been ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work. Marc Jackson assaulted Funso Ojo as he ran towards home supporters to recover the ball when it went out of play. Jackson stood up and used both hands to shove the player backwards, causing him to stumble. Dundee United withdrew his season ticket for the rest of this campaign and his status will now be reviewed. 2. Man Guilty of Capt Sir Tom Moore 'offensive' Tweet. A man has been found guilty of posting a "grossly offensive" tweet about the death of fundraising hero Captain Sir Tom Moore. Joseph Kelly from Castlemilk, Glasgow, had denied the disrespectful nature of the message on 3 February last year. But Kelly, 36, was found guilty by Sheriff Adrian Cottam and released on bail ahead of sentencing in March. Captain Sir Tom Moore raised more than £32 million for the NHS after he walked 100 laps of his garden in the week before his 100th birthday. The first report tells you Marc Jackson is a Dundee United supporter and describes his actions. The second report fails to inform of Joseph Kelly's, "grossly offensive" tweet - "the only good Brit soldier is a deed one, burn auld fella buuuuuurn". Further, it fails to tell of Joseph Kelly's photograph on his opening Twitter page - replete in his Sellik strip, Tommy Burns scarf around his neck and, wearing a Leprechaun hat whilst holding aloft an Irish Tricolour. Another PQ omission is Sheriff Cottam having to ask Kelly to refrain from laughing twice, as the charge was being read out.