Scott7

Roy Aitken and Dixie (ower the bar) Deans?

Monsieur, je vous lève le chapeau.

The only Evertonians I knew were my brother’s RC in-laws. Great blokes. Bro served his time on the Clyde so he wasn’t normally well disposed to the other side. He liked these guys, though. The day of his wedding Everton were at home to City. It’s a wonder the wedding cars didn’t go to Goodison instead of the Registry Office.

Don’t worry, compo. Johnnie Mackenzie and Dave McParland don’t play for them any more.

Adjusted that a little bit.

I’d like Arsenal first and Newcastle second or even the other way round but if it’s going to Manchester, then City all day every day. City take flak and “plastics” taunts for their new Middle-East wealth but I remember the Trautmann/Johnstone/Revie team and the wonderful Colin Bell side. “Plastics” don’t attract 30,000 crowds while playing in lower Divisions. I reckon 30-40,000 is their core, though, and the rest are glory hunters.

I watched a bit of Sportscene, something I haven’t done for a good few years. Hibs v Hearts looked like a good old fashioned cup-tie. Hibs unlucky though Hearts probably deserved the win. Good goal by Shankland and two yellows inflicted on him for reasons known only to the referee. I even watched the celtic bit. VAR and the ref (Clancy?) gave them a weird penalty to set them on their way. And Squeellum McLeod is most definitely one of them. Not even a Dons fan could be so ecstatically rapturous about a celtic throw-in. St Johnstone’s ‘keeper had three excellent saves. I suppose he and his fellows have terrific saves in games where Rangers are not the opponents. I just don’t seem to hear about them.

It’s an asset to want to play for Rangers. Not so much an asset to duck out of your obligation to your employer.

You can’t make announcements on the Sabbath. The journos are all at their devotions whatever these may be. Anyway I’m not bothered if we don’t get a player Swansea rated so highly they sent him on loan to some other nonentities. I’m not bothered if we don’t get a player who hasn’t fulfilled early promise and is reported to have attitude problems. I wouldn’t mind Raskin, though.

Toffees have melted, I’m afraid compo.

I see Swansea have a Welsh alternative on the team sheet. Who will be the first to demand Gaelic here? Sturgeon, Useless, Robertson or one of the flock of lesser oafs? Rangers have respectable Highland roots, right enough. When his wife dragged him ashore, my brother worked in South Wales for a couple of years. He said all the telly aerials were turned east to avoid native language channels.

Well assembled pros and cons. 4-3 for the pro transfer argument. The best in favour of keeping Goldson is Souttar’s fitness (and competence?) The best reason for transfer is money coming in. Depends how much, doesn’t it? I’d take £5M.

At least we’re conceding early. Gives us plenty time to catch up. It’s not a great strategy, though, is it?

Weston to Cove probably means his Premiership career will be at somewhere like Livingston or Kilmarnock. Perhaps he’ll go to England, Division 1.

I didn’t know Gordon was PRO at Cove. A snake has made his way into a basket of cobras.

How right is that?

Got smacked for five by Hearts. That semi must have taken a lot out of them. When did they last lose five to a Scottish team other than Rangers or celtic?

While I’m not at all familiar with dB’s family, I suggest a Kilmarnock last gasp equaliser was much more likely than any unique organ misalignment.

That was poor. Could have been Livi v Aberdeen. I see why in the league Wolves are going down and Liverpool are going nowhere.

Bassey’s assets were his strength, drive and enthusiasm. The Dutch will have coached the two latter out of him.

Just choking will do. No need to drag Killie pies into it.

Wolves v Liverpool in an effy cup replay isn’t very good. Wolves dominated the first ten minutes with shots at goal and a handball claim. The scousers got into it a bit and Elliott scored a great old fashioned inside forward’s goal since when nothing. Lot of reserves on for Liverpool. I see why they’re not regulars.

Wright constructed the winning goal brilliantly. I’ve been playing it over in my head and it’s just dawned on me where I’ve seen its like before. Willie Henderson. The same reverse turn seemingly going nowhere, the same close control, the same burst of speed to devastate the defence and the same precision cutback. Henderson operated on the left only occasionally but on his own wing this was what you expected every game. Pity Wright can’t manage it more often. There are times when he looks like the answer to Rangers’ attacking needs especially when he comes on as a substitute. Then there is the rest of the time.

Gunners’ barrage continues. 2-0 win away to the Hotspur. Newcastle third place 1-0 Fulham. Long way to go but Arsenal, Newcastle first and second at the end would be refreshing.

6th, 7th and 8th places occupied by Fulham, Brighton and Brentford above Chelsea and Liverpool. Everton and Hammers in the cellar.