26th of foot

Hibs 1 Rangers 2 FGS : Silva.

I suspect Neil knows the semi-final Scottish Cup draw will pair Aberdeen with Rangers? Thus, Neil would rather watch the game wearing his scarf from within the Dunoon Rangers supporters club.

Hibs midfielder, Joe Newell is in today's Herald expressing his hopes that, "Rangers are knackered from Thursday night's Euro exploits". We left the Lisbon pitch after ten O'Clock, rehydration and sleep would ensue then a mid morning flight return to Glasgow. Today will be a loosener and discovering of the extent of injuries and further injuries. Tomorrow will be an Easter Road challenge from a well rested and prepared Hibs. I suspect Newell will get his wish. The Gaffer should pin his wish list on the dressing room wall as a reminder; the team will have to up for it from the off.

I voted for Jack Butland, his frequent saves kept us in the game/tie. However, as JohnMc has alluded, his distribution was erratic. A couple of wayward throw outs caused us difficulty which he resolved. I wonder if he is being coached on his kick-outs, both from hand and ground? The flat trajectory from hand looks like it is being done to aid the forward's purchase on the flick on? When Roofe came on, he showed how a forward can win and hold a ball.

Benfica 2 Rangers 2 FGS : Silva.

Our next three games are all away, played in a short ten day period and are in different competitions. 1. Tonight in Lisbon against Benfica in the Europa Cup. 2. Sunday at Easter Road in the Scottish Cup. 3. The following Sunday at Dens Park against Dundee in the Premiership. After our defeat by Motherwell on Saturday last, this next ten days could be the defining point of our season. The Gaffer has a ton of credit in the bank but, I fear our specific injury crisis in the creative - wide areas of the pitch will be a huge factor. I suspect the consensus among our support is to survive Lisbon, no further injuries and remain in the tie? A waiting Hibs team finding a bit of form and growing confidence is probably as hard as it gets having only one day recovery. If we are leggy and, we will be then, our start will be most important ............. etc. Trepidation Loyal RSC.

Sam English was from County Londonderry and grew up in Dumbartonshire. He was a shipyard apprentice before his professional football career, returning to the tools after retirement. Tom English is from a wealthy middle class Limerick family who owned a number of local newspapers. Tom was privately educated hence, his obsession with rugby.

Celtic Connections. This year has seen the thirtieth anniversary of the Glasgow based arts festival, 'Celtic Connections'. An early New Year, month long celebration of concerts, ceilidhs, talks, musical sessions and, workshops. The most tenuous connection to Scottish folk and traditional music is exploited to allow everything from Robert Burns readings to spiritual blues to be performed. Obviously, it works because it has been going thirty years and numbers in terms of those performing and attending continue to grow. These days it is a rare boost to Glasgow's night time economy and increases opportunity for those involved to network. At Pacific Quay, Celtic Connections has a different effort and aim. The members of the PQ CSC apply themselves in improving their standard of life both individually and collectively through on message support furra green'n'grey hooped horrors. This last week we have had RAB Cosgrove being the subject of a Kevin McKenna Herald double page interview, where RAB is demanding BBC UK provides more resources for BBC Scotland. Former Sellik View Editor and weekly contributor to ra Sellik Way podcast, Kevin McKenna lionises RAB for his academic achievements and agrees RAB's government grant funded production company is worthy of a bigger slice of the economic pie. After five years, the Nine is being scrapped because no one is viewing and the annual £32 million budget is being redirected. The man in his seventy-second year who continually informs the listenership of his chasing Gang Hut Producers around the PQ building has a considerable property portfolio to support and he was relying on his snout continuing in the Celtic Connections flowing trough. McKenna is Godfather to Angela Haggerty's son and since his tertiary education days when he founded his own amateur football side, 'the Vatican Strollers'; he only lends helping hands to fellow travellers on his designated road. Another Celtic Connection was BBC Scotland staffer, Paul English plugging Susie McCabe again in a Herald double paged feature last week. The two long term regularly appearing guests on RAB's 30 year old show took to the paper to sell tickets for Susie's gigs. It was the usual much told story of working class Susie(from leafy Garrowhill) sparking her bits on building sites, fighting anti-gay, anti-catholic and, anti one legged saxophonist prejudices to be signed by one of the UK's top established agencies, 'Off the Kerb'. Susie assures us her life has been harder than her hard hat and she is funnier than a fire in an orphanage? I first saw RAB Cosgrove some 36 years past, it was a TV show called, 'Halfway to Paradise'. RAB was the big star in a wee picture, sitting in a metal cage interviewing Gerry Dunbar, the Editor of Sellik 'zine - Not the View. RAB has always been Sellik connected.

Rangers 2 Motherwell 0 FGS : Dessers.

From memory, There have been at least three instances of Rangers players sustaining long term injuries on the Rugby Park surface : Stevie Smith, Martyn Waghorn and, Jamie Murphy.

Apparently, we are waiting on a specialist's report on the Cortes injury. If this injury is a medium to long term job, I hope Clement reintroduces young Lovelace back into the fold. The ability to step inside and unleash an accurate attempt on goal will be necessary in the coming weeks.

Survival was a major achievement. The team survived going behind, the pitch, inappropriate footwear, inexplicable refereeing and, five substitutions. The support survived, just. The seventh minute of time added on saw us concede three successive corner kicks. The Cortes injury is a real worry. He fell over clutching the back of his thigh and looked extremely stiff as he hobbled off. At the point where the games in all competitions come thick and fast, the potential loss of Cortes compounds Cantwell's hammy injury. Both these players provide necessary movement, their constant runs create exploitative angles. We have survived tonight but long term survival will continue to be a concern.

Kilmarnock 1 Rangers 2 FGS : Silva.

Kronenbourg do a four pack of pint tins in their 1664 range. I fear the extra quarter of a litre will be necessary this evening?

I am positive I have seen Red Swingfire listed on the Max Factor Royal Marine colour chart.

A rouge missile you say, is that a euphemism for a pastel shaded lipstick?

Since we returned to the Premiership, our league record at Rugby Park on the drastic plastic has been poor. This will be our eleventh visit. Thus far : played 10, won 3, drew 2 and, lost 5. I suspect big Phil will bring his practical head similar to both Saints games at Paisley and Perth. The surface is the same for both teams but, Killie train on it every day. The Saints' surfaces were not ideal and Phil instructed the team to continually turn the opposition by balls over the top, up the sides and, long diagonals. We must match Killie's work ethic and stop their crosses.

From memory. We have played Benfica twice in Euro' competition, season 2020-21 in the Europa League group stages. We drew 3-3 in Lisbon and 2-2 at Ibrox. Interestingly, the first time we faced Portuguese opposition in Euro' competition was during our ECWC winning run in 1971-72, the last sixteen round where we were the first team to progress on the away goals rule. Having defeated Sporting Lisbon 3-2 at Ibrox, we lost 3-4 in Lisbon; thus 6-6 on aggregate but, we scored one more away goal. Since then, we have faced Porto on three occasions, six games winning 3 drawing 2 and, losing one. Braga on two occasions winning 3 and losing one. Maritimo once, winning one and losing one. We went through on penalties. Boavista once, winning both games. Sporting on three occasions winning 2, drawing 3 and, losing 1. In conclusion we have played various Portuguese teams in 22 competitive matches - winning 11 games, drawing 8 and, losing 3. I suppose we should be optimistic?

Reference the old Travel Club. My wife and I did several trips under the auspices of the Rangers Travel Club - Athens, Zurich, Parma, Copenhagen, ........ etc. They were well organised and contained three or four options on standard of hotel, length of stay and, type of ticket. It was the Ticket Office staff that administered the travel club and provided an excellent service. Why did Rangers change something that was working so well?

Laying Siege to Mentality? Thirty minutes after Sellik securing a 1-3 victory yesterday at Fir Park, Brenda appears to conduct the post match interview with BBC Scotland's Jane Lewis. The 53 year old experienced PQ Staffer began, "The victory ensures the title race continues"? Brenda : "In terms of the title race, the story has already been written about this group but, we will write our own story" Jane Lewis : "Can you elaborate on that"? Brenda : "No, no you know exactly what I mean". Jane Lewis : "It's quite cryptic, can you explain"? Brenda wound up the interview by concluding : "Done, good girl, well done". Jane Lewis handed back to Richard Gordon in the studio and he said, "oh, oh well" and, than laughed. It was a surprising reaction from ra Sellik Gaffer to a reasonable line of questioning. It sounded as if Brenda had rehearsed(a la john Leslie in front of a mirror) his reply whatever the question. Why he ran for the comfort of condescension in his guillotining of the interview is even more damning but, quite illuminating. Of course, in the nature of any hint of negativity enveloping all things Sellik, the immediate action is vicTIMhood. Jane Lewis was being mercilessly trolled last night on social media, she is a bitter 'Well fan, exercising her long running agenda with Celtic, .......... etc. Ms Lewis did exercise her thirty-odd years of experience by insisting she was not fazed at all by his comment, "just for the record, I am not rattled, hurting, bitter or, deflated". Jane should be worried about her employer, PQ's initial reaction was Brenda had made a James Hunt of it, embarrassed himself and the club by adopting such a misogynistic, patronising line. An hour later, the wagons had been circled and the website declared, 'Celtic will write own story says defiant Rodgers'. The establishment broadcaster abandoned the sensitivity of it's reporter and got right behind the establishment football club. Both PQ and Sellik are refusing to comment on the interview. Concurrently, two days after it had been broadcast at half time on Friday evening's live coverage of the Thistle - Dunfermline live match; PQ has stuck Tom English's Auchenhowie conducted interview with Jack Butland(see immediately above) on it's website. Again, the PQ Producers, Directors and, Editors are laying siege to mentality when it suits them.

Clearly, Diomande is a most technical player. He has the ability to get his foot in, a bit of the Brahim Hemdani. Breaking up opposition attacks as they are getting started is a rare skill. Yesterday's left foot shot was a crisply hit pass into the interior side of the net from 25 yards. As good as it was, it paled against last week's right foot strike at Perth. On a bumpy pitch, he took a touch and then hit across the ball with the outside of his right foot from 20 yards. I believe his right foot is his chocolate? A headed goal from Dio would be nice on Wednesday evening at Rugby Park.

Please Rangers. Concentration, concentration and, concentration. Just ensure tonight at five O'Clock we are five points ahead of the separated brethren.

Rangers 2 Hearts 1 FGS : Dessers.

KLAXON KLAXON Hear this! Hear this! It is Friday night and I am viewing BBC Scotland's satellite channel's live coverage of the Championship match between Partick Thistle and Dunfermline Athletic. Half time is 1-1 and the trio of Jonathon Sutherland, James McFdden and, Leeanne Crichton spend ten minutes discussing first half events. There are another five minutes before the second period begins and the Shetland pony announces an interview of Jack Butland by Tom English. We know BBC Scotland's Chief Sports Writer has been banned from both Sellik Park and Lennoxtown since the close season by Peter because he penned the truth about Brenda's departure to Leicester City. Initially, Peter banned BBC Scotland in it's entirety but relented after demanding both the corporation and Tom English apologise. The Gang Hut offered full throated consummation because ah mean, 'faithful through and through'. However Tom has refused and remains on the naughty step. Tom's five minute chat with Butland is nothing spectacular but reveals the English keeper is not remotely interested in returning down south any time soon. Significantly, the interview was conducted at Auchenhowie. PQ have NOT flagged up this interview on their website or on any of their numerous TV and radio news shows. It has been sneaked in at half time during a Friday evening Championship live coverage. The Gang Hut will be raging, BBC Scotland's Chief Sports Writer providing a service to license fee paying Rangers supporters! Steven Gerrard was Rangers manager for three and a half years and the national broadcaster does not possess a single second of interview pertaining to that time. Has Tom gone rogue?

I am happy, was hoping for a draw against Benfica to ensure another enjoyable trip to Lisbon. My advice to those intending to travel is thus : 1. Leave the Fado to Spiersy and Ewan Murray. How many over wrought songs about lonely seagulls can one person endure? 2. Find a restaurant offering wooden boards of Serrano and ewes' milk cheese, delicious particularly when accompanied with a bottle of Douro. 3. Make the effort of a morning to attend my favourite bakery, 'Manteigaria' - on Rua do Loreto. Excellent coffee and the best pasteis de nata(custard tarts).