26th of foot

Apparently, ra Sellik have organised a week's winter break in Dubai. Of course, whether they go does not matter, Peter learned that fact when previously, he told of a post season commercial tour of Japan. It seems the SPFL have once again acquiesced to peter's demands.

Look, this ongoing situation has become really important. I note today's Herald front page, Rod Stewart has called Jim White at Talk Sport and demanded Lenny be given more time to turn things around. Further, no other manager would touch ra Sellik job with a barge pole. How much more serious can this situation become, Rod gave up playing with his train set to make that call. Choo-choo!

To be decided, currently Peter is checking Ross County players' registrations.

St Mirren v Rangers Alloa v Hibs Livi' v Ross County Dunfermline v St Johnstone.

Tonight's draw for the League Cup quarter-final is the sixth home or away affair, faced by Gerrard's Rangers in three seasons. He has received one home draw against Ayr United and four away, Killie on plastic, East Fife on plastic, Livi' on plastic, and lastly, Falkirk on plastic. I have never been one for cup draw conspiracies; however, given the SPFL fixture list giving Peter his demand for the first old firm game to be scheduled for the 11th game ....... Thus, who do we want? Or, more likely, what will we be given? There's a choice of plastic, Mike Mulraney's Alloa Athletic or Livingston? Maybe, it will be the full hardest tie available, Hibs at Easter Road. I'll take Ross County at Ibrox.

Falkirk 0 Rangers 4 FGS : Defoe.

Curiouser and curiouser. I think that makes three BBC Scotland regulars not in a state of solidarity with Chris McLaughlin. Rob McLean, Paul Mitchell, and now Connie McLaughlin all members of the Blacklegs Loyal RSC. Again, reference Connie and her psychological strengthening efforts, ra Sellik manager was asked last night if Celtic's form will improve? His reply was pertinent, "there's no reason why we won't improve, I don't think it's a major football issue, it's more psychological than anything else". What has Connie been doing?

The answer to the bottom line question, was as predicted above, Billy Dodds. I am intrigued by Creepy Connie attending Ibrox : Who was she working for? Further, two-three months past, she was credited with aiding ra Sellik squad in their psychological battles, "strengthening their inner buzz". Why was she not in Prague?

A Doncaster is patois for £388,000 per annum. If you visit a Bureau de Change, you will receive half a million Euros for A Doncaster, guaranteed.

Rangers 1 Benfica 1 FGS : Morelos.

Genuinely surprised to note President Trump has paid tribute to the mercurial Artiste. The Donald is saddened at the passing of such a genius, has all her albums and continues to play them regularly. The soon to be Former President admits to starting everyday with a workout to, 'Like a Virgin'. Further, the Donald applauds the generosity of the Argentine people, taking responsibility for the funeral predicated on a strong performance in, 'Evita'.

Reminder. It's Thursday 26th November, tonight we play a renowned European side with genuine pedigree, Benfica. We have the opportunity of qualifying for the knock out stages of the Europa Cup after four group stage games. Meanwhile, ra Sellik travel to Prague hoping for a miracle. They sit bottom of their Europa Cup group. I watched BBC Scotland's news bulletin at 13.30 hrs, and they reminded viewers of tonight's football and coverage on BBC Radio Scotland. Here's the reminder, both clubs have elderly, infirm, lonely, remotely isolated, and living those lives on fixed incomes. Both sets of supporters pay their license fees, in return receiving a service from BBC Scotland. One grouping is more equal than the other, they will receive, "all the build up and full live commentary from Prague". The other grouping will receive, "updates from Rangers against Benfica". The Gang Hut's usual suspects get to talk sellik and are rewarded with an early night. The naughty step crew(actually, it will be just the one, probably Billy Dodds) will be contained in a studio, watching BT Sports coverage and doing both half-time and full time updates beginning with the phrases, 'we believe' or, 'apparently'. On Sunday, Liam McLeod commentated as live from SKY TV's coverage; obviously, there's a problem for PQ to acknowledge doing the same with BT or Rangers TV? In this country, we do not have a single MSP or MP prepared to highlight how one part of the community is exclusively shafted, again and again. We cannot expect the Gang Hut to acknowledge taking Rangers supporters' license fees and deliberately continuing to supply a much lesser service. Five years and counting, those fees have contributed to their salaries and expenses, they have helped pay their mortgages and school fees for their privately educated children. The departing words of Bill Whiteford appear to have fell on Steve Carson's deaf ears?

This morning, Gary Holt has resigned as Livi' Manager, "with great regret". Livi' are placed 10th in the Premiership and have only picked up one point from the last five games. Currently on 12 points, one ahead of St Mirren, and four in front of Accies. I am surprised, Holt has performed well in his nearly two and half years in charge. Despite misgivings about the way Livi' are governed, I suspect the usual suspects will be sniffing the opportunity of jumping back on the managerial carousel? What do we think? Tommy Wright, Neil McCann, Billy Dodds, or even Michael Stewart? Depending upon tonight's result in Prague, Neil Lennon might fancy the gig?

I am reliably informed, should ra Sellik suffer another Europa Cup defeat this evening against Sparta Prague? The principled Green Brigade are prepared to embark upon a hunger strike.

Phil McFournames has just Tweeted, "hint of anti-Irish racism about that banner".

"Save the 10 - Time to go Neil". The Green Brigade succumbed to the most demanding Yahoo emotion, 'to the car park, Declan'. They arrived in ra Sellik Way this morning and unveiled the damning banner. TGFITW have instigated candle lit prayer meetings proclaiming, 'we are all Neil Lennon', Tom English appeared on the national broadcaster last evening, pleading awareness of Neil's fragile mental health, and just yesterday, Alison McConnell was reminding her fellow Yahoos of Neil's winning credentials. Three hours into this latest story, none of the usual suspects are carrying the story on their Twitter feeds. The story with accompanying photograph is on the front pages of both the Herald and the Evening Times. It's a conundrum, at the beginning of summer, all those usual suspects were fulsome in their praise of the Green Brigade. Groupings were wandering around Glasgow in the early morning sunshine, toting extended ladders, changing road and street signs in support of Black Lives Matter. Further, any criticism of Neil, including legitimate criticism, ie threats of domestic violence, have been construed to equal anti-Irish racism. The question would have been, 'where has Neil to go'? I expect BBC Scotland's Chris McLaughlin to present the answers this evening. Of course, after Peter has given Chris and all the other usual suspects the accepted line.

Sunday Morning Coming Down. Kris Kristofferson's seminal lyric perfectly describes BBC Radio Scotland on a Sunday morning/afternoon, particularly when Rangers have a noon kick off at Ibrox. Kris tells the story of waking up in a small town, after the Saturday night gig, the night before. He needs a couple of beers to straighten out before donning his cleanest dirty shirt. Really, there's nothing short of dying, half as loansome as the sound of Jane Lewis attempting to stimulate some life into the Naughty Step Crew. Liam McLeod was joined by Billy("I no longer consider myself a Rangers supporter")Dodds and Richard Foster. Rangers home games ensures all the Naughty Step Crew can remain socially distanced and seated in a PQ studio, whilst watching SKY TV. I suspect Dandy Liam is not too happy because when SKY run a replay of Roofe being upended in the box, Liam has no room for manoeuvre? Apparently, Rangers were the beneficiaries of facing a Covid weakened Aberdeen, a couple of deflections, and a soft penalty award. Big Dick's "undiluted rage" appears to have disappeared like the dreams of yesterday. Dreary, drab, dreich, ......... are the emotions issued by the PQ QM. Monday evening saw the return of Tom English. There's a fire to be fought, Neil Lennon is under pressure. Kenny MacIntyre hosted, Craig Levein and Darryl Broadfoot added to the conversations. Broadfoot defended the SFA, Tom and Craig attacked the national association over their handling of the Under 21s and Covid. All three agreed Lennon remains the very man for ra Sellik job. Tom reminded the listenership of the fragility of Neil's mental health, lambasted Edouard, called two or three other Sellik forwards, "underachieving failures", and did the full symmetry by reminding the listenership of the fragility of Leigh Griffiths mental health. There was no insight into Gerrard and Rangers, Tom finds the whole Rangers thing frustrating. Craig Levein offered improved psychology on Gerrard's dealing with the media. He recalled Rangers winning at Tynecastle a couple of seasons past and Gerrard and backroom staff celebrating like the league had been won. This season, Gerrard's reactions are far more measured. We could hear a hurrumpf from Tom at this opinion and Craig showed he is a fast learner. Levein got after Kenny MacIntyre, "you'll be happy being a big Rangers man". Tom was guffawing. The demands of PQ are even getting to Craig. Still, it's good to know Tom can continue to laugh.

'One Game at a Time' - a hackneyed old phrase or a necessary strategy going forward? Starting this Thursday, the 26th November we play Benfica at Ibrox in a Europa Group stage match. Ending on the 30th December, we play St Mirren away in our last Premiership game of the year. It's a total of eleven games in thirty-four days. Do the arithmetic, that's one match every three days. We have a large squad, we are playing extremely well, and our mental approach appears to have improved. This run of matches will be a real test, knocks, strains, and injuries will kick in. Suspensions, refereeing decisions, and the fickle finger of Covid all await. Let's break it down, six league games, two at home, four away. Three Europa Cup fixtures, two at home, one away. Hopefully, two League Cup ties, one definitely away on plastic, and another(probably Livi' away), a quarter-final midweek on the 15-17th December. The six League matches are : Ross County and Dundee United, both away, followed by Motherwell at home. St Johnstone and St Mirren are also away, with Hibs at home squeezed in between. After Benfica, we have Standard Liege at Ibrox finishing against Poznan in Poland a week later. Inevitably, Rangers supporters will want to compare and contrast with our separated brethren's fixture list. I think we must desist. We must set out our plan, and adhere to it. All members of the squad should be informed they have a significant part to play. This includes players who are receiving little or no game time recently. I don't think prioritising competitions will work either. Gerrard must win silverware, we must progress in the League Cup. Our finances demand further advances in Europe. The League speaks for itself. I am tempted to ensure Europa Cup qualification occurs as soon as possible, certainly by the end of the next two games, both at Ibrox. The League Cup tie at Grangemouth on plastic should see a few changes. Falkirk are a club two divisions below and we have a record of serious injury on such a surface. On current form, all the league fixtures are comfortably winnable, but the merest hint of a wrong attitude, two or three of them could degenerate into battles. Gerrard and McAllister's ability to micro-manage will be tested. The games are coming thick and fast, the reward at the conclusion will be a visit to Ibrox from ra green'n'grey hooped horrors on the 2nd January. Will Neil still be manager? Let's take it one game at a time.

He owes the Forum, after jinxing yesterday's result at Easter Road.

Aberdeen have had two attempts at goal from Morelos taking a ball in on the edge of the Don's box, then attempting a cross field pass. Intercepted, one lump up the field and Cosgrove and Hedges have opportunities. I would rather Alfie took the ball in and invite the free kick. Still, 2-zip, the next goal determines how the game progresses.

Rangers 2 Aberdeen 0 FGS : Morelos.

Breaking news reference Scotland under 21s testing revealing positive tests and those traveling on coaches and aircraft in proximity to those positively tested, having to quarantine. Two Motherwell players and a player who was at 'Well until recently(Turnbull of Celtic) have been ordered to quarantine. Three Aberdeen players have been ordered to do likewise. The SFA have issued a statement assuring strict adherence, "on coach and aircraft manifests". Imagine, two groupings of players from two clubs sitting next to each other on the bus and plane? Billy Dodds has ranted about infection being down to your luck. Big Dick is fulminating, "there is undiluted fury among the clubs". Michael Stewart is talking about the end of winter, lighter nights, and vaccines being available. Neil Lennon was interviewed, he is angry, "it's a shambles", Gary Holt reminds us it's a pandemic, "don't need to blame anyone", and 'Well's Robertson is unhappy at the timings of passed information. We are promised Derek McInnes later, no doubt the source of undiluted fury? Gersnetters will not be surprised to find BBC Radio Scotland are providing live commentary from Easter Road. Paul Mitchell and Michael Stewart are present to reveal all the happenings from the Hibs/Sellik game. Understandable, both Edinburgh based. Pat Bonner is also in Leith, and he has described traveling through from Newton Mortgage to the Capital. Everything in the west is closed and he is surprised to see busy Edinburgh restaurants and shops. I thought our Dearest First Minister had told us Police Scotland would prosecute unnecessary travel? Couldn't they send Pat to a game in Renfrewshire/Glasgow? It's as well the soothing balm of Rangers financial results have been revealed, "their income is up, yet their losses are up too, we need to dig down into these figures" says mean bean counter, Pat Bonner. Big Dick is already feeling better, "and they made over £20 million from the Europa Cup". There, there, the fury is already being diluted.

I think we'll draw the curtains on that one?

Uilleam, I was sent an e-mail with an attached screen grab of the Tweet. It said, 'Helmut'. McBurnie probably meant Helmet, just like he meant to score last night. Maybe Oli is a polyglot and he was fcuking with Mikey's intellectual capacity?

Steve Clarke is a Genius. The international break lasted a fortnight. Scotland played three games, drew 1-1 in Serbia, and lost 1-0 in both Slovakia and Israel. The Serbian game was a final qualifier for Euro'20, thus went to penalties and Scotland triumphed 5-4. Steve Clarks has managed to accomplish something that George Burley, Craig Levein, Walter Smith, Alex McLeish, and Gordon Strachan could not. Our qualification has been backdoor, and the result of converting ten penalties in a row. Both Israel and Serbia could only manage eight. Steve Clarke is a genius. Steve does not have to satisfy the conditions laid down by ultra-nationalists such as Cosgrove. He demanded constantly both McLeish and Strachan sell their family homes in southern England, "the national manager must live in Scotland". The former Killie boss has kept his family home in southern England and Cosgrove says nothing. Of course, Steve has already thanked Chelsea for allowing his escape from vile sectarianism thirty-odd years past. Maybe McLeish and Strachan attended the wrong school? Keeping the hate warm during long international breaks demands greater creativity. DrStu' has long been a hater of Oli McBurnie. He has taken a number of opportunities to explain his sneering attitude. Despite McBurnie moving clubs on a few occasions for an accumulative £20 million and notching almost 50 goals in over a hundred appearances, Cosgrove is at pains to let the listeners know, "it's not because he's a Rangers supporter". No, no, and thrice no, McBurnie is simply not good enough for the national team. Unsurprisingly, fellow members of the Gang Hut agree with DrStu'. Michael Stewart took his disgust public on Twitter, Big Dick proclaimed McBurnie as being, "disinterested". Ryan Jack's last two performances have confirmed something I have long thought, once he settles into the demands, the slippers and pipe will appear. Now, this is awkward for the Gang Hut, the only H-u-n in the team is performing. McBurnie is an easier target and he supports the H-u-ns. Oli took to Twitter and replied to Stewart with a single word reply, "Helmut". Steve Clarke protects his players and he briefed off the record, asking for the Gang Hut to lay off. Remember, Steve is on record as publicly thanking Chelsea for removing him from Scotland. There's a piece of footage doing the rounds, it's recorded inside PQ during the Serbian penalty shoot-out. Two lines of chairs, the back three contain Steven Thomson, Neil McCann, and Billy Dodds. The front two have Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove. As Marshall sts himself for the Serbian fifth penalty, Neil McCan is already off his seat, clapping his hands in encouragement. As our Goalie saves, there is a back row explosion, the front row has Cowan on his feet punching the air. Cosgrove remains seated and raises an arm. On Saturday, Cowan was speculating on how long it will take before the BBC Scotland schedules have both Craig Levein and Michael Stewart in the same studio? This enthuses DrStu' to run interference. Again remember, it's only a couple of weeks past where Levein calmly labelled Stewart, "a Bully" on their show. Cosgrove decided there was even more tension to be mined between Neil McCann and Steven Thomson, "you have to look closely, but there's something cooking there". Neil and Steven were Rangers team mates, playing together in a Treble winning season. I wonder what we'll see or hear first, McCann and Thommo' having a spat, or Cosgrove getting out his chair. Fast approaching his seventieth year and the hate continues to rip out of him, that's what gets DrStu' out of his chair.