buster.

We've had an excellent season with the main goal already attained alongside solid building blocks being put in place for the future. We've done it by getting value for money on a much reduced budget and having a light but motivated squad. You could say it's make-up was almost perfect with regards to timing on the main goals. However it is now as we look towards tomorrows 'bonus' game that the squad is showing signs of being too light with too few options. Injuries and cup-tied players leave us short out wide and the bench is going to be very light up front and at the back. If I'm honest, I'm not really looking forward to the game although we do have players that give you some hope. I thought MW got it spot-on when he talked about the present gap (especially when taking on board circumstances around this game) and more important than the semi-final tomorrow, was to narrow the gap prior to 2016/17. Not only was it very true but might just help push Celtic into being a little over confident tomorrow.

It would be appropriate karma if Tierney, a player with about 20 first team games at his back was to aggravate an injury when with the Scotland squad. You'd almost think Strachan was helping previous employers by raising the profile of the youngster and fast-track the inevitable 10M transfer value that will occupy headlines sometime in the future.......when the more experienced and suitable fringe LB candidate for the WC 2018 qualifying campaign is obviously Lee Wallace, who will be playing in the top tier come the start of the qualifiers.

You have to wonder why Whittaker was named in the squad to begin with given he hasn't played a minute of first team football in 2016.

Wallace appears to be an on-field extension of the management team in that the application of tactics, shape etc trump the 'rant & rave' as a first reaction to adversity. It also appears a natural fit because of what appears to be the LW on-field character. LW has played exceptionaly well this season and the captaincy seems to have helped his game and approach, certainly not hindered it in any way. He's quietly stayed with the club throughout these past few years whilst some others were getting overly lauded and he is now coming out the other end ready to make the most of the last third of his career. IMO he's the best player at the club and this season seems to have developed his game in the attacking third. The way he placed his shot into the top of the net against Morton recently was a thing of beauty. I look forward to the day we see him holding the top flight League Championship trophy above his head. --------------- As for the Falkirk game, signs of complacency were there from the start with numerous defensive blunders that went unpunished. It tends to happen to teams that have already won or more or less won the League. I see it as something that can be made into a positive, bringing the squad back down to earth, keep the language modest leading up to the semi-final and attempt to time our run back to high tempo and all round concentration for the Celtic match.

For authorities and governing bodies to try and sanitise this game and to actively look to stamp out and prevent what is natural won't work and will only produce the inevitable outcry for the media to run with for X or XX amount of days post-match. It is what it is. Control the segregation but don't waste time and resources looking for subjective 'hate crimes' when the reallity is that hate exists, sticks and stones break bones and very, very few actually take offence to the lyrics of songs. They may not like them but they actually want to hear them so as they can try and get the 'other side' done.

Fair enough, but the problem goes beyond referees. It's about the actual regulations, the culture and media attention surrounding matters and the near impossibility of consistency within such a subjective call by different individuals in different circumstances as they see them in a particular moment. It shouldn't be about different sets of supporters effectively shouting "Miss, Miss look what Billy has done" and until supporters recognise that they are collectively self-harming regards freedoms and the match-day experience, the pathetic side show will rumble on. Regards the use of the 'in danger of causing a riot' clause being used to justify punishments....I think it's abused and officials/match delgates should be advised that it shouldn't be used unless there is a real danger of one, eg. what a large group of Motherwell fans did at the second play-off game, facing-up and goading the Rangers support could IMO be said to qualify. The Haliday gesture (celebration), Mixu (picture above) etc. are part of the game and should be accepted as such.

Craig, as things stands you are right. My issue is that I don't agree with how 'things' have developed in Scottish football and society in general regards much of the OTT regulations and relevant political correctness that concern public behaviour. Let's forget that this particular instance involves Celtic......I don't see anything terribly wrong with what actually happened and IMO any stewards should have simply been encouraging the fan to return to his seat. Pete I don't think there was any possibility of a riot whatsoever at Rugby Park. The Haliday booking you refer to can't IMO be justified. For the rulebook to stand behind the claim that it may have incited a riot is laughable. Authorities often cite extremely unlikely scenarios of what might happen to justify actions or regulations.

KR seems to be doing what I'd hope any footballer would do in an effort to protect his own teams support. It's just in todays enviroment various support's have become our and their own worst enemies in trying to get the others lot done. Thereby making it ever easier for authorities to impose stricter (and discriminatory) regulations/law and make matchday more about what you can't do rather than what you do.

While I understand the economic imperative regards loans compared to signing players for X years, I'd like to think that we give priority to developing our own players where they are considered worthy of a chance. Gametime is so important and while it's fine if your loan player is performing and adding to the collective as planned, it's often the case that a significant percentage of loan players are for whatever reason, underwhelming. Taking the example of Liam Burt. If this lad is good and has what it takes then why not fast-track him and see what happens. Send him on loan to get first team football up until January and if he is the real deal bring him back and start giving him more gamtime. We'll only create value by giving the lads gametime and if the new sustainable model is to work then this alongside managing their contract situation is the way to go. We have to remember that there is a far way to go to become sustainable and it will require a very different way of going about business than in past years.

It's generally very difficult for young centre-halves at big clubs to get into the first team. It's such a vital position and I doubt that Gasparotto is being considered as first team material for next season. We have Kiernan and Wilson contracted to the club and a good chance another will be brought in. Finance is always a challenge and I think this may mean no contract offer for the lad but I say all that having hardly seen the lad play.

Get that contract signed and don't let agents do a 'Scott Allan' on you. When and if good enough, he should go straight into the team no matter his age. Good Luck Liam !

It wasn't advice though, BH. It was my own observation,.......... only you decide how you put accross your opinion. However the rest of us are the 'consumers' of said opinion and only tend to 'react' as a collective/majority.......when there is something to 'react' to.

It's one thing to have an opinion on a player, it's another how an opinion is put accross, delivered, emphasised, stressed etc.

Body language of the Hibs players tells a story.

Regards the League, the old 'depth of squad' theory being vital has been turned on it's head. I tend to think it's not only luck or good fortune that has seen relatively few injuries and a real collective desire and spirit to keep performing at a high level. It's more to do with the MW&Co way of going about business, light, competitive squad backed up by good infrastructure and training.

I'd rather you didn't bother. Wouldn't trust your probable slant.

Time to relax Rab, we are already there. Team can now play league games without the pressure that can sometimes get to you. Hibs players know they have play-offs to come and pressure will build.

Good start for the lad. Hopefully earn him a start at the weekend.

Is that the 'young agent 0013' that has been fitted out by the DLow instructed 'Q'... with extra large lugs and the trademark bunnet, so as to hear what is being said in the Directors box ?

Somebody tell him the election campaign has finished ...

In my heid, it is now .......... We aren't scoring many but have tightened up at the back (lost 2 goals in 8 league games this year). Hibs don't believe anymore and will look to the Cups and play-offs.

11 points (+1) difference 10 games left. We ain't going to lose 4. Champions elect

Nothing wrong with a different view but twitter isn't usually the best place to be able to explain further.

Scottish football is essentially a 'low-quality' enviroment. The vast majority of the surrounding media fit in nicely with and only help preserve that level. They aren't going to enjoy the way MW brushes them off and will look for any opportunity to have a go back. That is we are told 'the way it works', if a manager gives them stories they'll give him a better press. What they did find leading up to the January transfer window, during it and now occasionally still going on about it was a disproportionate and relentless theme being covered on DK/30M/5 players/MW let down?, etc. I didn't see anyone doing the work and going into the actual details so as to help put a lid on the understanding of some of the issues. Instead it was just a superficial rant saying the same thing as another so called journalist had said the day before. Bottomline is that 90% of the Scottish footballing media isn't worth consuming.

The hypocrisy shown only shows up even more how rushed, flawed, poor, discriminatory, flawed, unnecessary and hypocritical the Act passed in 2010 was. The politics and nature of the SNP are what they are and that isn't going to change. However this hypocrisy is something that should be highlighted. Politics encompasses life and can be mixed with anything. You can't say with credibility that politics shouldn't be brought into football/sport. Some may not want to mix it but we are not here to satisfy the some.