Scott7

The County v the Rangers is on tonight at Victoria Park, now grandly named the Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall. I’ve been there a few times when Elgin City played – and usually pasted – them. No one in those distant days would have thought that Ross County would ever play in the same league as the mighty, world-famous Rangers but here we go and it’s not the first time. Nine matches have taken place, six in the league and three in cup ties. Rangers are unbeaten in these games but three have been draws, two of them at Ibrox and most of the results have been close. Another close win will do this evening to keep pace with the other contender for the championship but to emphasise title-winning credentials, to increase team confidence and to put fear into the hearts of the rest of the clubs in the league, a victory by more than a few goals would be most welcome. Have Rangers got a team to do that? Of course they have. Will this be it? Foderingham (McGregor apparently an injury doubt) Tavernier, Goldson, Helander, Barasic; Davis, Jack, Kamara; Ojo ( of course) Arfield Morelos. Kent and Barker are injured again. With them absent, Murphy would have been useful. It won’t happen but omitting Ojo or Arfield and playing Defoe up front with Morelos pulled back a bit might be interesting and I think Tav needs a rest so I’d try Polster. Arfield is also weary so I’d pick Stewart. Good luck for Rangers, isn’t it, that I don’t pick the side and Steve Gerrard does. County will field a big, competent side. They have had some pretty fair performances. They are close on the heels of Aberdeen, Scotland’s second club apparently, and well ahead of Hearts and Hibs. It will insult their followers dreadfully if I say they remind me of ICT a few seasons back, a team that doesn’t give up and gets results when not expected. The weather is cold but dry and not much wind. It’s on BT TV. The County badge is Cabar Feidh, the Stag’s Antlers. Take care, Rangers. Don’t get impaled on the horns of the deer.

No EPL tonight but EPL teams in their League Cup: Liverpool v Arsenal Villa v Wolves - that’s stormer Chelsea v United. What’s the odds on three aways?

I hope he can do better than Ricksen. If he achieves the standard that Papac did he’ll do well. Strange comparison in a way because they are different types.

Tav’s the best in the position for the system, no doubt. I think, though, he could do with a short rest. He’s not missed many games since he signed on.

Sammy Cox, Eric Caldow, Davy Wilson, Jimmy Millar and Ralphie Brand. Couldn’t argue against one of the previous, though.

No one. compo is only expressing his opinion. I share his sentiment but I concede that the coefficient booster posters are right. I just want celtic to lose every game no matter that my foot gets shot in the process.

Morelos is better than Palace.

I haven’t looked at your scores, compo. Let’s see what we agree. Southampton 1-2 Leicester City 3-2 Villa. (Wouldn’t mind seeing that one.) Brighton 2-0 Everton Watford 2-2 Bournemouth Hammers 2-1 Blades Burnley 1-2 Chelsea *Newcastle 1-1 Wolves (Wouldn’t mind going 70 years back in a time machine to see that one) Arsenal 2-1 Palace Liverpool 3-1 ‘Spurs Norwich 0-2 United * The 1949/50 Football League was won by Portsmouth on 53 points beating Wolves on goal average. Sunderland were third on 52, Manchester Utd fourth on 50 and Newcastle fifth also on 50. Arsenal and Blackpool were next trailing the champions by a distant 4 points. Some competition!

I’m glad they’re doing well. Proper club.

Bloody gunners. Peashooters more likely. Do you think tierney could have prevented the goal? Expensive lad to have on the bench.

Blades beat Arsenal 1-0 and are a respectable ninth in the table with a +1 goal difference. Palace are sixth, two points ahead with a -1 gd.

Not dropped, rested.

Good old Bill. Always a Sunbeam on this board.

Where was Hopeless Useless between the hours of 10pm on Thursday and 6am today?

Maybe “mythical” was the interviewing journo’s word. Any word will do for them.

If you mean the Neely affair, Rangers should do nothing of the kind. But they should, without delay, say who were the employees of the club who reported to the police, the manner in which the report was made and the police office it was made to. Helen Street, perhaps.

????? Come on, compo. Don’t keep us guessing.

I see what you mean but on the victim’s own account, the abuse was nowhere near the scale of that at parkhead. To ask for a Public Enquiry would equate Neely with the organised ring at celtic.

If he thinks Rangers are a myth and if he’s neutral between Rangers and the separate entity like no other, he can look elsewhere for a job.

So, the Rangers News is to be treated as a journal of record. Report to the Police is a different matter. The coppers can’t find anything in their files - par for the course. But there will be someone, an employee or a retired employee, who made the report, will be able to say when and to which station and by what means. At least I hope there is.

The rugby quarter finalists will be England, All Blacks, Wales and the Springboks, though Australia or Ireland or France or Japan could cause an upset. Now for the real stuff. I’m doing this week in code so no one will know that I’m wrong. Toffees 2-1 ‘Ammers Villans 3-1 Seagulls Cherries 2-1 Canaries Pensioners 3-1 Magpies Foxes 2-0 Clarets Lilywhites 2-0 Hornets Wolves 2-0 Saints Glaziers 1-3 Citizens Rags 1-2 Scallies Blades 1-1 Gunners

Lots of young Rangers in that squad. No celts. I suppose they’ll be signed up for ROI. What is Sonny Blu Lo-Everton doing playing for Watford with a name like that?

Damned few and they’re a’ deid.

Tom English should be recalled from Japan. This is too big an opportunity, sorry news event, for McLaughlin to handle alone.