ian1964

NICOLA Sturgeon has blamed the opposition parties at Holyrood for a recent upsurge in sectarian trouble that has led to increased assaults on the police. The First Minister said the opposition’s repeal of a law designed to stop religious bigotry at football matches last year had sent “entirely the wrong signal”. She told MSPs: “We now have to deal with the consequences." READ MORE: Scotland needs to look to its own history on sectarianism Earlier this week, the Herald revealed assaults against police officers has risen by a third amid increased sectarian tensions. More than 563 officers were hurt as a result of assaults between April and June, an increase of 32 per cent on the same period in 2018. Police were forced to respond to sectarian violence in Glasgow last month as Loyalist and Republican marchers and protesters clashed. At First Minister’s Questions, SNP MSP Kenny Gibson asked if Mr Sturgeon thought the repeal of the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act had “sent a signal that behaviour considered unacceptable just a couple of years ago is somehow less reprehensible”. She replied: “Yes, I agree with Kenny Gibson. I’ve consistently said that the repeal of the Act in my opinion sent entirely the wrong signal. “The Scottish Government resisted appeal because no viable alternative was offered at that time, and as we have clearly seen since, the issue of sectarianism at football has not gone away. READ MORE: Rosemary Goring: If we want to end sectarianism, we must abolish Catholic schools “Repealing the Act rather than seeking to strengthen it took away important protections to help us address the issue, and we now have to deal with the consequences because of this. “The tactics used by Police Scotland to police events and parades are obviously an operational matter for the Chief Constable. However I know that all police officers receive regular officer safety training, and all public order officers receive additional training and have access to enhanced protective equipment.” Ms Sturgeon added: "Nobody should be the victim of abuse or violence while at work. Attacks against our police officers despicable and the perpetrators must be dealt with in the strongest possible way. “There is a wide range of powers available to tackle such crimes and we fully support the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in dealing robustly with perpetrators.” She said those convicted of assaulting emergency service workers could be jailed for up to 12 months or fined £10,000 or both, and new restitution orders would add more fines. MSs voted 62-60 to repeal the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act in March 2018, seven years after it was introduced in response to a spate of sectarian incidents at games. Backed by fan groups, Labour MSP James Kelly led the repeal, arguing the legislation treated football fans as second class citizens and was unnecessary given the other laws available for punishing disorderly behaviour. He said at the time that he was delighted to see the end of “the worst piece of legislation in Scottish Parliament history”. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17944954.sturgeon-blames-opposition-rise-sectarian-trouble/?ref=twtrec

Scots footie coaches can take one-to-one kids’ sessions WITHOUT passing criminal record checks FOOTIE coaches can take one-to-one kids’ sessions without passing criminal record checks, it has emerged. Authorities place no obligation on trainers undergoing child welfare courses and obtaining disclosure papers before starting solo work. The loophole has been slammed by qualified coaches and former players, who warned it risked kid safety. Kevin Thomson, 34, told how he gained his Protecting Vulnerable Groups certificate as part of his new career. The ex-Rangers and Hibs ace, who runs his own academy and coaches youngsters at Ibrox, said: “It was as important as getting my SFA coaching badges. I wanted to do all the welfare courses about mental health and wellbeing. “And I had to have the PVG certificate to work with Rangers’ youths, but I would have got it anyway. “I think that anyone running coaching courses — one-to-one, small groups or taking large groups for coaching sessions — should have all the same qualifications and safeguards as we do. “If they don’t have them in place, the Scottish Youth Football Association need to find a way to regulate this part of football coaching.” Ex-Scotland international Thomson is one of a number of retired players offering one-to-one and small group coaching sessions focussed on raising skill levels. But one director of an Edinburgh coaching company, who asked not to be named, said: “If someone wants to get into this field because they want to get access to children, there is nothing to stop them. “Our organisation has PVG and welfare certificates in place for all coaches. We know other organisations where that’s not the case. “I don’t know anyone in this industry who doesn’t have the best intentions, but if you ask me is it completely without risk, I have to say no. “The onus has to be on parents to ask questions. Ask if they have their PVG, or if anything else makes them uncomfortable, they should take their kid elsewhere.” Tam Smith of Hutchison Vale Boys’ Club in Edinburgh said increased safeguards on clubs in recent years had to be applied elsewhere. He warned: “While people are allowed to run a business coaching children one-to-one or in small groups without being regulated to the same standards as the clubs, we are taking a chance. "It is likely someone will suffer for it.” The Scottish Sun on Sunday unmasked ex-Rangers scout Harry Dunn, who was facing trial over a string of abuse allegations when he was found dead in 2017 aged 85. We told how Ibrox coach Gordon Neely was axed over claims in 1990. He died from cancer in 2014 at 62. And Frank Cairney was jailed for four years in February — one of four beasts convicted from Celtic Boys Club. The Scottish FA referred us to the SYFA for comment. A spokesman for the youth association said: “We don’t have jurisdiction over school football teams and professional clubs. "In the same way, we can’t dictate rules to people setting up a coaching business.” https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/4802327/football-abuse-coaches-kevin-thomson-rangers-celtic/

Jermain Defoe is in talks with Rangers boss Steven Gerrard about making his Ibrox stay a permanent one next season. The striker, who turns 37 on Monday, is currently on loan from Premier League outfit Bournemouth. His contract at the Vitality Stadium expires next summer – and Defoe wants to extend his time in Glasgow. He’s already bagged nine goals from Gers this term, despite playing second fiddle to Alfredo Morelos. And Defoe admits discussions have taken place with Gerrard about signing on a Bosman next term. He said: “I’ve spoken to the manager and he knows how much I’ve enjoyed my time here. “I haven’t been here that long but the appreciation you get from the fans is something special. “You don’t always get that. I sat down and had a relaxed chat with the gaffer. “For me, it’s not just about being happy on the pitch but off it as well. “The younger players at Rangers are always 
asking me questions and it’s nice to help them, it’s nice to be able to give 
something back. “The manager knows I love it here and I know he wants me here.” Even at 37, Defoe insists he still feels sharp and capable of playing on for another few years yet – even if next season will be his 21st in senior football. He said: “I never think about stopping playing. I’ve been quite lucky with 
injuries and I still feel fit and sharp. “I still feel as if I can get my shots off and do things I was doing a few years ago. Mentally, I’m in a good place right now.” https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/jermain-defoe-issues-rangers-plea-20470037??2

https://rangers.co.uk/news/galleries/gallery-gazza-visits-rangers/

That is our 2nd defeat of the season, lots to be confident about for the rest of the season

Aw diddums!. Tav is asked/encouraged to get forward as often as he can so it is up to other players to cover, that is the system we play, so yes I agree with you if the system is not working then the manager needs to tweak it.

Aye, we all did initially but if you then keep on the witch hunt it becomes embarrassing when our captain gets hunted for days after the match!. FWIW I think we as a team were below our best, Morelos & Jack apart most were average and that is why we lost, IMO.

So are you saying Tav weak is our weakness? considering Feyenoord lost that didn't seem to be the case!. We can't afford to buy a better RB than Tav and we don't have anyone on the books who could replace him.

Nearly every one of our players could/should be dropped then based on last nights performance then? Tav was not the only one who made mistakes! Barisic got caught out of position a couple of times, their first chance was the sitter they missed from inside the 6 yard box came from Barisic. Goldson failed to cut the cross out after Tav lost the ball for their first goal and Helander should have got something on the cross as well, he tried but missed it.

The Rangers Charity Foundation and Rangers FC have been honoured with a prestigious international social responsibility award, thanks to the Foundation’s life-changing work. https://rangers.co.uk/news/club/rangers-recognised-with-international-csr-award/

All the key moments from Rangers' UEFA Youth League round one tie away to Young Boys. https://rangers.co.uk/tv/view?it=17822&act=view&c=News

And could be argued Goldson failed to cut out the cross & Helander failed to get a foot on it as well?

I don't think he has been playing bad enough to be dropped, he was excellent v the sheep, he is the captain and he is pivotal to the way we play. Tav is the best RB in the league and at Rangers, we do not have any player who could come in and provide as much to the team than he does, unless SG wants to change the system?.

Jack was the only player who never made any mistakes, and was running the match up until he went off, so he gets my vote. Morelos with another one man show up front was excellent, however he actually gave the ball away too easy a lot in the match, he needs to hold the ball up more, but worked his goal well and finished it sweetly.

I think Ojo is more effective playing on the right, which is where I expect him to play when Kent is back. You also add Murphy to the list of LW type

Barisic, Helander, Goldson all made mistakes last night, unfortunately YB managed to score from Tavs mistakes, even Davis gave the ball away a lot of times, such is football.

It really is quite annoying coming on here after a defeat!!, so much finger pointing and scapegoating! no perspective whatsoever, so I think I will log out for the rest of the night.

Can't believe we never got a penalty when Morelos got clipped when he was about to score!!!

We could/should have been a goal down, we survived and started to take care of the ball much better and eventually we got a goal, Morelos outstanding play again to score. We need to keep hold of the ball more this half and I'm sure we will get another couple of chances.