buster.

If we were to qualify, it might help keep MW at the club. I'm sure he'd welcome the challenge of direct European football involvement after his previous work with the NextGen series.

New contingency dates have been pencilled in. Getting into Europe by winning the SC would mean summer qualifiers starting in the second round on July 14th. We would need to go through 3 qualifiers to make the group stages and we'd almost certainly be unseeded in any draw.

Yesterday was great and was the first layer of icing on a solid construction of a cake that has been quickly but carefully prepared. The most important thing is putting in place a solid structure with the right people in charge and the right mix of players that represent good value rather than 'overspend'. I can't think of anyone better than the current management team who would have been a better fit. Yesterday was golden and surprised me as I had feared the game was going to be one too far given how limited our resources had become against a rival who would be up for the game. MW thought otherwise and marshalled what he had at his disposal as well as he could. His pre-match media pressers gave off just the right message to help boost what was a growing feeling that Celtic were the better side and simply had to turn up............. MW&Co now have to organise the time and what players we have left thinking towards the SC Final. In Mark we trust. Memo to Mark:........... Well done and stay for a while longer

Kiernan and Wilson need to be wrapped up in cotton wool.

Does his booking mean he is out of the final ?

Fantastic effort from players and management team. Surpassed expectations given tools available. ................................

May aswell went with Burt. Never thought Law would add much and indeed made a bad mistake that nearly cost us.

Second half Great effort to keep things together without threatening much middle to front (asking McKay to do everything). Both teams looked as though they may aswell go straight to penalties. Another 30 will require more concentration....keep it going lads.

Fantastic first half. Lot's of concentration, few mistakes and not letting Celtic get into the game. More of the same is needed along with a bit of luck and a second goal.

...or Derek Johnstone in 1970. ---------------- Clark will get on If the manager rates Burt and his game suits the situation then I'd put him on in front of Law and Zela who are leaving the building soon and haven't recently been playing much or been 'at it'.....but I doubt it'll happen.

Only 5 subs when 7 are allowed illustrates how light we are in what are on the face of it, not great alternative options. The eleven who start are going to have to play a concentrated stormer of a 90 minutes against what is a physical middle rump that is looking to set up McKay-Stevens, Roberts and Griffiths. Let's hope Barrie McKay and Lee Wallace can do some damage down the left.

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.