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At last a statement that make's sense. POSITION STATEMENT ON ââ?¬Ë?THE FAMINE SONGââ?¬â?¢ Friday, 03 October 2008 POSITION STATEMENT ON ââ?¬Ë?THE FAMINE SONGââ?¬â?¢, ACCUSATIONS OF ââ?¬Ë?RACISMââ?¬â?¢ AND DR JOHN REIDââ?¬â?¢S SEPTEMBER 2008 LETTER TO THE CELTIC SUPPORT BACKGROUND The Board of the Rangers Supportersââ?¬â?¢ Trust believes that Celtic Chairman John Reidââ?¬â?¢s letter to his clubââ?¬â?¢s supporters in September 2008 referring to a four-line chant sung by Rangers fans (colloquially known as ââ?¬Ë?The Famine Songââ?¬â?¢) deserves a full and public response. We view Dr Reidââ?¬â?¢s letter as the latest salvo in a campaign largely based on misinformation and driven by a sectarian political agenda. Ideally a response to this nonsense would come from the Chairman of Rangers Football Club, but in the absence of this the Rangers Supportersââ?¬â?¢ Trust has no hesitation in absolutely rejecting accusations of ââ?¬Ë?racismââ?¬â?¢ made by Reid and other prominent Celtic apologists. RACISM Most impartial observers understand that racism is what was aimed at England player Emile Heskey in Zagreb on 10 September. Or closer to home, the shameful racist abuse aimed at Mark Walters at Celtic Park on 2 January 1988. ââ?¬Ë?Racismââ?¬â?¢ is not a wind-up, however distasteful, aimed at Scottish Celtic fans and in rejecting these specious accusations the Trust restates our opposition to racism and sectarianism, which stands comparison to any other similar body: The RST sponsors the Walter Tull Trophy, named in honour of the 1st black commissioned officer in the British Army and contested by Rangers and Spurs: The Trust has close links with the local Asian Community and sponsors a number of season tickets which give local kids the chance to attend and support Rangers; The Trust organised and hosted the 2007 ââ?¬Ë?Gers Prideââ?¬â?¢ Conference at Ibrox, involving high-profile speakers from Northern Ireland, Germany, academics and MPs in debate around positive aspects of identity and support; The Trust was closely involved in the successful ââ?¬Ë?self-policingââ?¬â?¢ initiative and has consistently sought to engage Rangers in meaningful dialogue with the Rangers support about culture, identity, behaviour and tradition; The sole external link on the RST website front page is for ââ?¬Ë?Show Racism The Red Card Scotlandââ?¬â?¢. SCOTS-IRISH COMMUNITY ISSUES Dr Reid is entirely wrong in stating that ââ?¬Ë?The Famine Songââ?¬â?¢ is ââ?¬Å?directed against the community of Irish descent in Scotlandââ?¬Â, if for no other reason than many of those Rangers fans who sing this song are themselves of Irish descent. That such an obviously fallacious statement is unchallenged exposes the sheer poverty of public debate on this issue. The Trust asserts that Dr Reid has no right to appoint himself as a spokesperson on behalf of Scots of Irish descent, or to speak for anyone except himself or the Football Club he works for. Dr Reidââ?¬â?¢s statement; ââ?¬Å?the Famine is non-sectarian and millions of people who died or were forced into mass emigration were from all faiths and traditions within Irelandââ?¬Â alsocontradicts his own assertion that the Famine Song is ââ?¬Ë?racistââ?¬â?¢. If a song refers to a ââ?¬Ë?non-sectarianââ?¬â?¢ event which affected ââ?¬Ë?all faiths and traditionsââ?¬â?¢, how can it possibly be racist ââ?¬â?? or sectarian, for that matter? The historical reality is that Scotland received relatively few immigrants from Ireland as a result of the Famine, the vast majority havingarrived before or long after.[1] Notwithstanding, Celtic FC choose to play two songs over the stadium PA on home match days referring to the Famine: ââ?¬Ë?The Fields of Athenryââ?¬â?¢ and ââ?¬Ë?Let the People Singââ?¬â?¢. The reasons for this are puzzling, but Dr Reidââ?¬â?¢s inflated rhetoric condemns a song which, far from being some sick ââ?¬Ë?celebrationââ?¬â?¢ of human tragedy is actually a mocking response to Celtic fans' tenuous, borderline obsessive, affiliations with the Republic of Ireland. As we demonstrate below, this is based predominantly on support for violent Irish Republicanism, the crudest anti-British rhetoric and a mentality rooted firmly in victimhood, regardless of the evidence. We believe such a position is no basis for making objective assessments about racism. TACKLING SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES 1) CELTIC FC The Trust believes that Dr Reidââ?¬â?¢s efforts would be better spent putting his own house in order. We note with great interest his statement that he will ââ?¬Å?condemn, without equivocation, the use of any chants or songs which can be interpreted as support for religious or ethnic hatred, or for acts of violence.ââ?¬Â The Trust fully supports Dr Reid in this laudable aim and believes it would be helpful to detail the following. Large sections of the Celtic support regularly indulge in vile chants celebrating the deaths of Rangers players such as Davie Cooper; laud the IRAââ?¬â?¢s sectarian murder gang with songs such as ââ?¬Ë?Boys Of The Old Brigadeââ?¬â?¢, ââ?¬Ë?Roll Of Honourââ?¬â?¢ and ââ?¬Ë?Sean South of Garryowenââ?¬â?¢; have Celtic Supporters Clubs named after IRA members such as Tom Williams; sing sectarian abuse at Rangers fans, employees and players, using phrases such as 'orange b*stards', 'huns' and 'animals'; celebrated the death of 66 innocent people in January 1971; sing ââ?¬Å?soon theyââ?¬â?¢ll be no Protestants at allââ?¬Â in their version of ââ?¬Ë?On The One Roadââ?¬â?¢; sing ââ?¬Å?and when the music stops, F*ck King Billy and John Knoxââ?¬Â and ââ?¬Å?Oh itââ?¬â?¢s great to be a Roman Catholicââ?¬Â in their version of ââ?¬Ë?Roaminââ?¬â?¢ In The Gloaminââ?¬â?¢; abuse members of the Royal Family; and sing that they hope a Roman Catholic Rangers player, Nacho Novo, is murdered in his bed by the IRA. These are not the actions of an inclusive organisation ââ?¬Ë?open to allââ?¬â?¢. This behaviour would, in any normal society, be worthy of at least the same level of political comment and sustained media scrutiny as the song at issue. Despite the best efforts of Messrs. Reid, Lawwell and their cheerleaders, these are far from the actions of a small minority and the Rangers support wishes Dr Reid every success in taking the ââ?¬Å?stringent actionââ?¬Â needed to tackle this abhorrent behaviour. 2) RANGERS FC We believe that if the Club had treated the original complaints about ââ?¬Ë?The Famine Songââ?¬â?¢ with the contempt they deserved, emanating as they did from the lunatic fringe of the Celtic support, ridiculous charges of ââ?¬Ë?racismââ?¬â?¢ would have evaporated. Dr Reidââ?¬â?¢s letter is not in our view about tackling problems of racism and sectarianism. It is a thinly-veiled attempt, supported by the usual suspects, to beat Rangers FC and Rangers fans with a convenient stick. Nor have Strathclyde Police or the Procurator Fiscal given any cogent reasons why this chant breaches legislation. The Trust takes this opportunity to make a public appeal to both the Chairman and the Chief Executive of Rangers FC. It is regrettable that a week after the Chief Executive issued an eloquent written plea for supporters to stop singing ââ?¬Ë?The Famine Songââ?¬â?¢ at the home tie against Motherwell, the away support sang the song loudly and frequently at Easter Road. Our view is that this is yet more evidence of the absence of meaningful relationships between the Clubââ?¬â?¢s senior leadership and the wider support, and the Trust repeats the offer it has made many times in private, to help build and develop such a relationship, essential if Club and support are to move forward together. We firmly believe for all those who love Rangers that self-regulation, an engagement based on shared values, around an inclusive common identity celebrating the best of our traditions and built on mutual respect, represents the only viable way forward. The sooner we start to identify that common ground and move together, the better for all parts of the Rangers family. (1) Brenda Collins in 'Irish Immigrants And Scottish Society' states that between the 1851 and 1871 census years, the number of Irish-born Scots remained virtually static at around 207,000. In the period 1876 to 1921, she states that some 94,000 Irish immigrants came to Scotland, with a considerable number from Ulster. In Graham Walker's book, 'Intimate Strangers', the 1931 Scottish census showed that the total number of Irish-born was then 124,296, 2.5% of the total population, with 55% of these born in what was now Northern Ireland. Immigration to Scotland during and following the First World War was heavily from the Republic. http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rstsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=234&Itemid=43

I know we've had a few debates about finances recently but im hoping this grim picture painted by one of them is more in hope than in fact. While income and expenditure both turned slightly against Celtic last season, it was bonanza time at Ibrox where Rangers published record turnover as a result of the double bounty; Champions League group stage income followed by a run to the Uefa Cup final in Manchester. Celtic turnover (t/o) was �£75.237m compared to Rangers �£64.452m, but Rangers outsource their merchandising operation, including only a licence payment from JJB Sports in the figures, whereas the Celtic figure includes total income from merchandising sales. Celtic earned �£16.092m from merchandising sales, contributing a margin of �£4.8m in a financial year without the release of a new home shirt. When Rangers signed the JJB deal in 2006 they revealed they would earn �£3m each year, plus �£1.45m amortised in the Profit and Loss account (P&L) but paid at the start of the contract in 2006, criteria was in place to provide for bonus payments should unspecified targets be achieved. It was, therefore, with some astonishment that no bonus payments were earned, despite the unprecedented proliferation of Rangers merchandise walking the streets ahead of the Manchester riot. I understand that the bonus is dependent on progress to the latter stages of the Champions League, which ironically would have sold a lot less kit for JJB; it appears Rangers had overlooked a clause for Uefa Cup progress. The big area of interest from a financial statement is the indication of where a company is heading next. Celtic will earn at least �£70m this season but if they finish higher than bottom place in the Champions League group stage they should reach �£75m. By contrast, Rangers are looking at financial Armageddon. In 2004-05 they earned �£34.48m (from continuing operations), a whopping �£30m less than last season, but 2004-05 included four home European games, each with TV rights, compared to only one this season. �£34m will be the upper limit of their income potential this season; it will be less still, unless a good run in the domestic cups includes high-earning home games, a whole �£40m less than what I expect from Celtic and still �£28m less than the Celtic figure adjusted for comparable merchandise income. Celtic salary costs were �£38.981m, a �£2.5m increase on the previous season, compared to �£34.339m at Rangers, up a massive �£10.1m on 2007. The latter figure will in part reflect incentive payments for European progress, although the clutch of new signings who arrived at the club in 2007 will make up the bulk of the increase. In a masterstroke of business acumen, Rangers chief executive, Martin Bain, appears to have included the Uefa Cup in bonuses to be paid, but not on bonuses earned. I was delighted to learn that Rangers pay more for the remarkably unpopular Bain (�£668k) than Celtic pay for 'Self Appointed Football-Integrity Judge and Jury' (W.Smith), Peter Lawwell (�£514k). Although perhaps Bain's remuneration also reflected Uefa Cup progress. You would think that with such big numbers flowing into his own bank account the whole 'What will be get if we do well in the Uefa Cup?' question would be at the front of his mind when he negotiated with JJB. Football club's P&L income figures do not include player sales, with are recorded on the balance sheet, so Rangers sale of Cuellar will bring in �£7.8m more than the income figure, which itself will be offset in cash terms by the �£1.45m banked back in 2006 from JJB. Before they start to spend on extravagances like footballers, clubs have considerable costs to pay. Rates, electricity, property maintenance, policing, to name only a few, cost Celtic �£15.395m. Rangers figure was higher than this, perhaps as a result of exceptional items resulting from the run to the Uefa Cup final, so the previous year's cost of �£16.262m will be a better indicator of costs this year, which is just �£18m less than their anticipated income available for football and other operations. By comparison, Celtic will have in the region of �£45m available for football and other operations when adjusted for the merchandise sales difference. Net bank debt at Celtic was �£3.52m compared to Rangers' �£21.559m but while Celtic are set to come out of debt in May (barring an exceptional expense in January), Rangers net year-end debt is likely to rise beyond �£30m unless significant steps are taken to sell players in January. Celtic are in an exceptionally strong financial position. They can survive the vagaries of football fortune, or economic downturn, without the threat of cutback should income dip. Conversely, Rangers are in dire trouble. This year will not be financially the worst Sir David Murray has bestowed on his club, but it will make for horrendous reading to any prospective buyer of the club and provide further evidence that they are hopelessly adrift of financial security. Winning the league this season and qualifying for next season's Champions League will not provide succour from their structural problems, it would only result in a temporary slowdown in decline. Rangers debt has risen inextricably, and is set to continue to rise, at a time when bank facilities have become more difficult and expensive to acquire. Should new HBOS owners, Lloyds TBS, take fright at the property-to-football conglomerate, Murray International Holdings, which includes Rangers, frankly, the consequences are so dramatic, I don't think we should discuss them, as I have trouble sleeping when I get too excited. We live in a time when things which simply cannot happen, happen. When some of last year's most credit-worthy companies in the world have gone into receivership; when one of the centuries-old pillars of the Scottish business community crumbled in days. No company dependent on a significant increase in its debt is safe. Rangers Football Club, 1873 - 20??

WITH the success of Pedro Mendes this season, many Rangers fans have asked whether Barry Ferguson will feature when he fin-ally regains full fitness. Mendes and Ferguson are, after all, almost identical central midfielders; they like to get on the ball, dictate play and weigh in with a few goals. Portuguese star Pedro has been outstanding for the Gers since clinching a �£4million move from Barclays Premier League club Portsmouth in the summer. The 29-year-old netted a sensational long-range goal in the 4-2 demolition of Celtic on his Old Firm debut at Parkhead back in August. advertisement And the ex-Porto ace also sent the Glasgow giants into the quarter-finals of the Co-operative Insurance Cup with a well-taken extra-time winner against Partick Thistle last month. After such a blistering start, Ibrox boss Walter Smith will find it impossible to leave him out when his talismanic captain is available again. So where, then, does that leave Ferguson, who is on the brink of returning to action after undergoing major ankle surgery back in July? Well, after the 1-0 defeat by St Mirren at Love Street on Sunday, Fergie will be welcomed back with open arms by his manager, team-mates and supporters alike. The Buddies' 3-5-2 formation stifled the creativity of former Champions League winner Mendes. But the ability and experience of Scotland skipper Barry alongside Pedro could have freed him to focus on the playmaker role. Former Rangers centre-half and captain and current BBC pundit Craig Paterson feels Smith will strive to accommodate both men in his starting line-up - and succeed. "Good players love to play with good players," Craig argued. "For me, the prospect of Ferguson and Mendes playing in the same starting line-up is a mouth-watering one. "Yes, both players are good at keeping the ball, are great passers and like to get up the pitch and into the final third. But Walter will find a way to incorporate the two of them in his team. "Rangers, and Celtic as well, are going to have games like the one against St Mirren on Sunday this season. Teams will set out to defend and frustrate them and sometimes they will succeed. "In those situations, Rangers will need all the good players the can get. Barry and Pedro have the ability to win the ball and grab a game by the scruff of the neck. The manager will want them both involved. "Rangers have done tremendously well to produce the run of results they have done without Barry in their team. But he will go into the side alongside Mendes as soon as he is ready." The defeat by St Mirren - the first they have suffered in Paisley in 22 years - meant Rangers failed to reclaim top spot in the SPL from Celtic. The unexpected loss has also led to an inevitable post mortem among their thousands of brassed-off fans - with many believing their team lacked any width. Off-form DaMarcus Beasley was benched as substitutes Kris Boyd and Kyle Lafferty tried and failed to make the breakthrough up front. Paterson, though, feels Smith was correct to go with the same group of outfield players who had dismantled Hibs in the league at Easter Road the previous weekend. He feels Buddies boss Gus MacPherson deserves tremendous credit for leading his bottom-placed side to a deserved triumph over Smith's team. Craig stressed: "Defensively, St Mirren were different class. They set out with a definite game plan and it worked. "Some fans are saying Rangers didn't have width, but it wasn't a problem at Easter Road. The full-backs, Kirk Broadfoot and Sasa Papac, did a lot of the damage against Hibs. "Gus has to be praised for identifying that as a danger area and ensuring his team snuffed out the threat." http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2458139.0.0.php

interesting reading - hahaha http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/6926/celticawayrecordus0.jpg

Rangers striker Nacho Novo claims he has received death threats as part of the Old Firm rivalry and insists he could never play for Celtic. Novo chose Rangers ahead of Celtic when he left Dundee in 2004 and according to the Spaniard, that has not been forgotten by the Parkhead fans. He said: "Rivalry between the teams remains something more than sporting. I have even received death threats this year. "I have seen on YouTube there is a video with a guy singing with his guitar that he hopes I die. That kind of thing has an impact on you. Threatening "In the four years I have been here, I have been through everything. Every time I face Celtic, the tyres of my car are punctured, the windows of my house are broken and I have been sent threatening letters. It is a pretty disagreeable situation." Novo, quoted in the Mail on Sunday via a Spanish football magazine, added: "Rangers have treated me so well, the fans have become like a family to me. "No matter how much money was put in front of me, I would never sign for Celtic." *********************************************** Just a thought, but, does anyone else agree that the government and SPL should be looking more at this than getting their panties in a twist about some daft song?? Is this the kind of world we live in these days? where a song about tatties is more to worry about than a man being threatened with his life because of who he works for??

Rangers striker Nacho Novo claims he has received death threats as part of the Old Firm rivalry and insists he could never play for Celtic. Novo chose Rangers ahead of Celtic when he left Dundee in 2004 and according to the Spaniard, that has not been forgotten by the Parkhead fans. He said: "Rivalry between the teams remains something more than sporting. I have even received death threats this year. "I have seen on YouTube there is a video with a guy singing with his guitar that he hopes I die. That kind of thing has an impact on you. Threatening "In the four years I have been here, I have been through everything. Every time I face Celtic, the tyres of my car are punctured, the windows of my house are broken and I have been sent threatening letters. It is a pretty disagreeable situation." Novo, quoted in the Mail on Sunday via a Spanish football magazine, added: "Rangers have treated me so well, the fans have become like a family to me. "No matter how much money was put in front of me, I would never sign for Celtic." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11781_4248717,00.html

FURIOUS Rangers fans have forced soap bosses to drop anti-Gers jibes. They flooded ITV switchboards after Coronation Street's Tony Gordon, played by Gray O'Brien, had a go at the Ibrox team. Now the producers of the long-running soap have dropped plans for Celtic-supporting Tony to return to the attack in next Wednesday's episode. Last week, "dozens" of Gers fans rang in with complaints after Tony told fiancee Carla: "I could no more be interested in Rosie Webster than I could support Glasgow Rangers." Chiefs at the soap were stunned by the hail of complaints last Monday. And they have reacted by deleting a line recorded for next Wednesday's episode. Ayrshire-born actor O'Brien had been scripted to tell Tony's bestman Liam Connor that he's allergic to "warm beer, the English national anthem and Glasgow Rangers". The producers' decision to edit the show to delete the Rangers reference is highly unusual. But Corrie producers were keen to avoid antagonising fans further. Internet messageboards on both sides of the Old Firm divide went into overdrive following the scene, with Ibrox fans incandescent that their team were taking a kicking on national TV. But online Hoops fans celebrated and even composed a song about the Celtic-daft Corrie character. The controversy comes just months after scenes of Rangers fans rioting in Manchester at the UEFA Cup Final brought shame to the Glasgow club. But ITV denied the jibes in the Manchester-based soap were in any way connected to the scenes of violence on the city's streets. A spokeswoman for the channel confirmed they received "dozens" of complaints from angry fans following the scene. She said: "Both comments were in keeping with the character of Tony Gordon. But we have to bear in mind that it does seem to have caused some upset, so the decision was made to take the line out. "It doesn't compromise the drama of the episode, and if it did, then the line definitely wouldn't have been taken out. "We also felt in the absence of a character balancing things up on the other side of the Old Firm, it was a line not worth repeating." O'Brien, a Celtic fan in real life, who quit Scottish soap River City last year for Corrie, last night admitted he was surprised by the uproar. He said: "I have no input into the scripts, but I've had to explain the implications to people at Corrie. I certainly wasn't going out of my way to antagonise any Rangers supporters." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2008/10/04/exclusive-coronation-st-bosses-drop-anti-rangers-jibe-from-script-86908-20771780/

By Andrew Dickson ALLAN McGREGOR has retained his place in the Scotland squad despite his omission from the starting line-up at Rangers. After the 26-year-old sat out the last three Light Blues games, there was speculation his replacement Neil Alexander would take his national team spot too. Allan McGregor, ScotlandBut McGregor has been selected once more by George Burley for the crucial World Cup qualifier with Norway at Hampden next weekend. In Scotland's last game at the national stadium, the Gers star made an excellent penalty save from David Healy and that will have stuck in Burley's mind. McGregor is one of six Ibrox players chosen in the 25-man pool for the meeting with the Scandinavians. Kirk Broadfoot keeps his place in the group after he capped his excellent international debut against Iceland with a headed goal in the 2-1 victory in Reykjavik three weeks ago. David Weir has also been called upon and with Celtic's Stephen McManus suspended for this match, he could start in his place. Kevin Thomson gets another summons while strike duo Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd complete the Gers sextet asked to report for duty. FULL SQUAD Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Sunderland) ALLAN McGREGOR (RANGERS) David Marshall (Norwich City) Defenders: Graham Alexander (Burnley) Darren Barr (Falkirk) Christophe Berra (Hearts)Kevin Thomson, Scotland KIRK BROADFOOT (RANGERS) Gary Caldwell (Celtic) Jamie McAllister (Bristol City) Gary Naysmith (Sheffield United) DAVID WEIR (RANGERS) Midfielders: Scott Brown (Celtic) Kris Commons (Derby County) Darren Fletcher (Manchester United) Paul Hartley (Celtic) Shaun Maloney (Celtic) James Morrison (WBA) Barry Robson (Celtic) KEVIN THOMSON (RANGERS) Forwards: KRIS BOYD (RANGERS) David Clakson (Motherwell) Steven Fletcher (Hibernian) Chris Iwelumo (Wolves) James McFadden (Birmingham City) KENNY MILLER (RANGERS)

You have contacted the UEFA disciplinary services to complain about a song called ââ?¬Å?Huns away from Europeââ?¬Â (???) that appears to have been chanted by Celtic supporters during the UEFA Champions League fixture between Celtic FC and Aalborg on 17 September. With all respect to your personal feelings and impression, the terms you object to do not appear to be connected with racial abuse or discrimination. Factually, the term ââ?¬Å?hunââ?¬Â has a historical background, notably in Europe. We understand that the chant "huns out of Europe" might have been referring to the fact that their arch rivals, Rangers, did not qualify for the UEFA Champions League! Celtics fans seem to refer to Rangers as the hun (the enemy). Should you still consider the text to have a sectarian background, we recommend that you address the matter to the competent authorities in Scotland. Yours faithfully UEFA Disciplinary Services So there you have it, hun is acceptable but ****** isn't.

Those Rangers supporters who continue to ignore pleas from club officials to refrain from singing the Famine Song may see Walter Smith's team penalised by the game's ruling body. Strathclyde Police consider singing Famine Song to be an arrestable offence. On Sunday, just as Celtic chairman John Reid issued a statement describing the song as "racist and deeply offensive", thousands among the travelling Rangers support sang it loudly and repeatedly during the 3-0 victory over Hibernian at Easter Road. The public view of the Rangers Supporters Trust is that the song is merely banter and it is true that it is mainly the refrain (to the tune of Sloop John B) "The Famine's over, why don't you go home?" which is sung. However, the verses of the song are undeniably racist, accusing Irish immigrants of, among other crimes, raping their children, and Strathclyde Police have confirmed that they consider the singing of such songs as an arrestable offence. Now the Scottish Premier League has revealed that they are monitoring the situation. The SPL introduced fresh regulations last season and a key change from previous legislation is that clubs are now held responsible for the behaviour of their followers at away grounds. Yesterday, Greg Shields, the SPL's marketing and communications director, refused to pre-judge the issue but admitted they are keeping tabs on the problem. "We are still waiting for our match delegate's report," he said. "However, concerns have already been raised about the lyrics of this song and we've had meetings with Strathclyde Police on this matter. Our first step was to gather their views and they've been speaking to the Crown Office on this subject. We're keeping a close eye on it and if this is flagged up then we would take the relevant next steps. We brought these rules into play last year in order to address these issues." "We would not comment on the lyrics of any particular song," said a spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police last night. "However, where any songs or chants are perceived to be offensive, whether in a racist or sectarian manner, efforts will be made to identify those responsible and appropriate action will be taken by officers. "Strathclyde Police continues to work closely with clubs and authorities to tackle racist and sectarian behaviour that unfortunately can prevail within certain sections of Scottish football." Of course, taking direct action against a large group of people in a confined space poses logistical problems and could endanger the safety of police officers, as the spokeswoman conceded. "When practical, we would go in and deal with it," she said. "When there are thousands of people doing it then that becomes more difficult but we would still endeavour to identify those responsible and take action." Lothian and Borders Police adopted a different stance. They disclosed that only one arrest had been made during Sunday's game and that it was for an unrelated offence. "There is no investigation ongoing in relation to any songs sung by fans at yesterdays' Hibs v Rangers match," said an official statement. "There is a burden of proof required by the Procurator Fiscal when proving such a charge and there was insufficient evidence to identify or charge any individual with this offence." It is a problem which shows no sign of going away, though, and Walter Smith, whose side have responded impressively since their traumatic Champions League elimination at the hands of FBK Kaunas, must despair at the intransigence of that section of his support.

By Andrew Dickson KENNY MILLER doesn't care where he scores for Rangers or how many goals he gets - all he wants is for the team to keep winning. Kenny Miller stoops low to head in the opener against HibsThe Scotland striker netted twice at Easter Road on Sunday to set the Light Blues on their way to a 3-0 victory over his old side Hibernian. Miller's double brought his tally to four goals since he returned to Ibrox, with the remaining pair coming against his other former club Celtic in August. Each of the 28-year-old's efforts have come on the road and he now has his sights set on grabbing the first Ibrox strike of his second spell with Gers. But he admits he would quite happily go through a whole season without a home goal if it meant the team stayed on right track. Miller said: "The boys have been saying they are just going to play me against my old teams from now on because I keep scoring when we go to play them. "All joking aside, I went into the weekend feeling good because I'd had a few chances last week against Motherwell and played well without scoring.Kenny Miller celebrates "At Hibs I was able to get on the end of Kirk Broadfoot's cross then his lay off and I was delighted to finish them both off. "If I'm honest though, I don't care where the goals come and I'd take 50 away from home instead if it helps the team to do well. "I just want to stay in the team because we've got a lot of good players and the manager has used a few different partnerships so far. "It's my aim to do enough to stay involved and I'll happily take goals if they come along as well." Miller was thrilled with the result three days ago for a number of reasons, not least because of the manner in which Gers won. Charlie Adam and Kenny Miller celebrateCeltic had gone top of the SPL the previous afternoon with a win against Aberdeen but Walter Smith's men overtook them again with a ruthless showing in Edinburgh. Miller added: "I suppose there is always a wee bit of pressure on you when your rivals go above you in the table the day before you play. "But getting three points was the most important thing on Sunday and for us to go to Easter Road and win so well was great. "It's a tough place to play at and Hibs produce some cracking football so it was pleasing to do a good job. "You could see how good we are in the first half. We passed the ball about well and created some really good chances. "We did the hard work before the break and managed to go two goals up through some really good play. "After half-time we had to weather the storm because we knew Hibs would come back at us and we were able to do that.Kenny Miller scores his first against Hibs "Neil (Alexander) made a couple of good saves and that gave us a platform to go on and settle the game through Madjid (Bougherra) when he scored. "I'm over the moon with the way things are going and barring a controversial decision, we'd be sitting with maximum points from seven games. "We were happy to go to Easter Road and win to go right back to the top of the league again. It shows the character and mentality we have in our side."

Timplosion at Celtic Park Tims were 1-0 up, Charlie Mulgrew the ex Celtic player has just scored two goals to go 2-1 up Come On The Sheep

CELTIC have taken all three points in the first Old Firm Reserve Game of the season thanks to an impressive second-half display at New Broomfield. Ross Harvey put Rangers ahead on the stroke of half-time with a fine header but a double from Paul McGowan and a further strike from Ben Hutchinson after the break sealed a 3-1 win for Willie McStay's team who maintain their 100 per cent record in the SPL. John Fleck in action against CelticTommy Wilson was able to field a strong starting eleven for this afternoon's fixture with Graeme Smith in goal and a midfield four of Chris Burke, Andrew Shinnie, Mo Edu and Aaron. The coach also selected the same back line that kept a clean sheet against Aberdeen last week with Jordan McMillan and Ross Harvey in the centre and Andrew Little and William McLachlan at right and left back respectively. Rory Loy and John Fleck, meanwhile, were given the nod in attack. Celtic suffered an early blow when midfielder Michael McClinchey had to be replaced by Koki Mizuno after only four minutes due to injury and the home side had to make a second substitution on 27 minutes when Doumbe also pulled up. The first moment of real class, however, came on six minutes from Aaron who was impressive throughout the opening period. Chris Burke was brought down 30 yards from Scott Fox's goal and the Spaniard curled a tremendous free-kick which smashed off the underside of the bar but bounced inches in front of the goal line with the keeper flapping at thin air. It was a brilliant effort from the on loan star who was a proving to be a constant thorn on the left in the early stages as was Burke on the opposite flank. Ross Harvey scores Celtic's best chance came on 19 minutes when the lively McGowan sprinted past the Gers defence and his chip over Graeme Smith clipped the cross bar before being cleared. With the clock ticking down it looked as if neither team would break the deadlock before the interval but Harvey had other ideas. The big defender sprinted forward for a corner with only minutes remaining and when Burke swung in a dangerous cross the centre-half rose above the Celtic defence and keeper to power a header into the net. Rangers made a pre-planned substitution at the break with Charlie Adam going on for Edu who looked steady and composed in his first Old Firm outing. Hutchinson was the danger man for Celtic when the sides last met at the end of last season and the former Middlesbrough man tried his luck from distance at the start of the second period with a powerful shot which Smith did well to hold. At the other end Adam dispossessed a Celtic midfielder and when the ball arrived at the feet of Fleck his raking effort from 30 yards was well over Fox's goal. Only seven minutes later and Celtic had a great chance to level the scoreline. Mo EduAfter some slack play from Rangers, Hutchinson slipped a neat ball to his strike partner Paul McGowan. The no. 10 had time and space to pick his spot but Graeme Smith darted from his line and dived low to his right to make a superb stop. This should have been a warning for the Gers players but poor marking was to prove costly again on 66 minutes when Celtic equalised. Mizuno delivered a teasing cross from the right and McGowan made no mistake this time with an easy header from six yards. Celtic were now in the ascedency and got their noses in front for the first time in the match with 13 minutes remaining. Kevin Cawley played the ball through to McGowan who slotted the ball coolly past Smith in the Gers' goal. With ten minutes remaining Charlie Adam was inches away from giving his side a point with free-kick from 20 yards but it was Hutchinson at the other end that was to secure a home win for Celtic in the final stages of the game. The powerful hitman latched on to a long ball with Rangers trying to play an offiside trap. He looked up once before lofting it over Smith from a tight angle to end a frustrating day for the Gers. CELTIC: Fox; Doumbe (Towell 27), O'Dea, Lafferty, Conroy; Cawley, Millar, McGlinchey (Mizuno 4), McCourt; McGowan, Hutchinson Subs: Gaughan, Marshall, Tidser, Monti, Graham RANGERS: Smith; Little, Harvey, McMillan, McLachlan; Aaron (Stirling 75) , Edu (Adam 45), Shinnie, Burke; Fleck, Loy Subs: Robinson, Perry, Bagci Never nice to read i know but i still think it should be mentioned on here. Edu,Aaron,Fleck, Burke. i think that answers the question for me about playing a weakened team for a cup game.

Maloney's just missed a penalty after 20 mins!

When Glasgow Rangers fans sang the lyrics 'from Ireland they came, brought us nothing but trouble and shame' at an Old Firm derby, they never thought it would cause so much trouble. But the song, which goes on 'well the Famine is over, why don't they go home?' angered one fan so much he put in a complaint that led Irish diplomats to raise the concerns with the Scottish government. Now anti-censorship campaigners have stepped into the row, claiming this weekend that any attempt to curb the fans from singing the lyrics would be a 'dangerous' assault on freedom of speech. It is the Rangers fans' right, they say, to insult the Irish over the Great Famine if they choose. Index on Censorship's Irish-born spokesperson, Padraig Reidy, said he was concerned about the state intervening. 'Considering we all know that there have been nasty, offensive songs at Old Firm games for years, making it into a national issue seems absurd and dangerous. It's trying to set a legal limit on speech that isn't incitement to violence. Rangers and Celtic have an agreement between themselves to sing what they want,' he said. Reidy said that, while the song about the Famine is undoubtedly offensive, behaviour should be controlled by the two clubs rather than the state. 'It's different to anti-discrimination laws, which are a very good thing, but seeking to outlaw any kind of insulting or offensive speech/songs does become very problematic, because someone will always take offence,' he added. A complaint was made after Rangers' victory over Celtic last month. Irish diplomats raised concerns with the Scottish government over chanting by a section of the Rangers support at the Old Firm match. Rangers FC said it has asked its fans to refrain from singing the song. The controversial song refers to the Irish famine that killed an estimated one million people in the 1840s. Tens of thousands of Irish people emigrated to Scotland's central belt to find work. Four decades later these emigrants and their descendants helped to create Glasgow Celtic in 1888. Rangers Football Club has approached Strathclyde Police for guidance, a spokesman for the club said, adding fans had been actively discouraged from singing the song at games. A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said the government in Edinburgh was working with both Glasgow clubs to lower sectarian tensions. Meanwhile Northern Ireland's Sports Minister has rejected an invitation to Celtic Park. Democratic Unionist MP Gregory Campbell had been invited to a Celtic home game by the club's chairman and former Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid after Campbell and his wife were subjected to sectarian abuse by Celtic fans on a ferry between Scotland and Northern Ireland. Campbell wrote to Dr Reid last week calling for Celtic to take more robust action against fans who sing pro-IRA songs at away games. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/sep/21/rangers.celtic1

This is the statement being released to the press about Sunday: We would like to start by saying that we as Rangers fans fully welcome the sectarian issue being tackled in Scotland. What we will not accept is the blame for sectarianism in Scottish football and Scotland's society starting and ending with Rangers or Rangers fans. Over the years we feel people have manipulated the sectarian debate for their own agenda's, career's and public profiles. This includes politicans, journalists and even the media bodies they work for. We accept many genuinely have good intentions but there work is undermined by profiteers. Recently the BBC Scotland main news bulletin had a report lasting several minutes highlighting "the famine song" under "a new sectarian storm" headline, which included highlights of the recent Old Firm game and karaokoe type lyrics across the screen so people could identify what was being sung by Rangers fans. To start with never before has this method of reporting been used when the issue of sectarian singing arises. Over the following days the story grew and evolved, this included Celtic fans Pro-IRA songs being clearly sang on the Saturday previous at Motherwell, statements from Rangers supporters groups and Rangers themselves being released. We also then had the Spanish consulate looking into death threats against Nacho Novo from Celtic fans. In the days that followed the BBC reported none of this. The BBC is paid for by the taxpayer and when reporting on all matters Political, Religious or Racial are duty bound to be impartial and give a whole account of the story. They failed on every point and not for the first time and for these reasons we will be protesting on Sunday outside their BBC Scotland HQ, the protest will be silent with protesters only having banners or placards calling for equality and non-bias when reporting on these matters. In the days that followed we had a "journalist" appearing on several radio stations as the guy who broke the story in Ireland, a Glasgow born self confessed Celtic fan now living Donegal with a background that is more than questionable for his credibility not to be questioned. The guy is no stranger to Rangers fans and often appears on media outlets especially if there is criticism to be had of Rangers fans. If any journalist worth his salt had to dig into his background as we have done, they would find that his motives are driven by his Political Religious and Football beliefs. The journalist is also happy to use pro-IRA slogans and derogatory terms for Rangers fans i.e "huns", we have proof of all of the above that can be reviewed by anyone. From now on anyone or anything that attempts to use the Sectarian issue in a non constructive or balanced manner will be targeted like the BBC. We WILL picket, lobby, protest and expose these people even if it means standing outside their offices for days on end. In a society where our schooling tells us were different from the age of 4, Rangers fans will not be held solely accountable or used by profiteers no more on the sectarian debate. Craig Wilson On Behalf of Rangers Equality.

Sep 19 2008 By Keith Jackson AIDEN McGEADY'S stormy relationship with Celtic manager Gordon Strachan could be heading for crisis point after the winger was singled out in the wake of last month's Old Firm defeat. Record Sport understands the latest rift between the pair was behind Strachan's decision to bench the winger for Sunday's emphatic win at Motherwell and the Champions League clash with Aalborg. The rift began when strict disciplinarian Strachan barred McGeady from a first-team debriefing in the aftermath of that 4-2 derby defeat. Strachan called the rest of his squad into a room inside the club's Lennoxtown HQ to pore over a video nasty of the match and analyse exactly where Scotland's champions had gone wrong as Rangers romped to victory. But McGeady - last season's SPFA Player of the Year - was told not to bother taking part. Instead, he was instructed to go for lunch on his own at the training ground canteen. Strachan has been growing increasingly concerned with McGeady's form since the start of the season and is determined to get the player refocused on playing the kind of football which wowed supporters last season. But sources close to the player insist McGeady is so furious at the snub he may even be considering his future in the knowledge he would have no shortage of suitors in the January transfer window, including the likes of Newcastle, Spurs and possibly even Manchester United. And Strachan's last two team selections have done little to lighten McGeady's mood. The Republic of Ireland international has shared a roller-coaster relationship with his boss ever since Strachan took over from Martin O'Neill three years ago. This time last season McGeady stormed up the tunnel in a bad mood after being substituted in a league match at Parkhead. Strachan did not take kindly to what he viewed as a public show of petulance and was quick to lay down the law. The pair called a truce and the player enjoyed his most productive season yet in Celtic's top team, helping the club to a third successive league crown and being honoured by his fellow professionals as the country's top talent - proving Strachan's actions right. But McGeady's form has slumped since the start of the new campaign and his involvement in a couple of latenight flash-points in Glasgow city centre did little to impress Strachan. With Shunsuke Nakamura hoping to return to Japan in January, Strachan sees McGeady as his long-term guiding light but is determined to make the player concentrate totally on his game.

Long read this but worth a look over lunch... http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=670&Itemid=1 As is usually the case after a Rangers win against Celtic, itââ?¬â?¢s not the excellent football and resounding victory of last Sundayââ?¬â?¢s match the media are talking about but the desperate claims of offence from the usual quarters. The tedious attempts of one-upmanship from the supporters, the mischief-making lies told by reporters (see Waddell and Spiers) and the usual appearance of Neil Lennonââ?¬â?¢s victim-status when it comes to the subject of sectarianism ââ?¬â?? all have been prevalent again in the last week. Before you start yawning, the one subject that did interest me in the debate surrounding the assault of Neil Lennon, was that of Jack McConnell raising the issue in Holyrood last Tuesday. Apparently he felt not enough was being done to stop the disgraceful events of last week ââ?¬â?? namely the Lennon assault (no matter what we think of this manââ?¬â?¢s questionable character he does have the right to be safe in his own city) and the Novo threats (see the shameful address publication of a player who has done nothing to warrant the hate festooned upon him by the Celtic support). And, for once, McConnell is right. Unfortunately as a man who used the issue of sectarianism as a political football (sic) during his time as First Minister, heââ?¬â?¢s just as guilty for paying lip-service to the problem as every other politician, football administrator and journalist who have gained out of the ever burgeoning anti-sectarianism industry (for thatââ?¬â?¢s what it is) in this country. Itââ?¬â?¢s easy to point the finger of blame. Itââ?¬â?¢s even easy to accept responsibility. But itââ?¬â?¢s much more difficult to remove it ââ?¬â?? especially when football is often wrongly blamed as the sole reason for the controversy. After all, thatââ?¬â?¢s the clear inference from most actions by McConnell previously. Not to mention it served as a decent divisionary tactic for the likes of Scottish Labour when people are talking about controversial football songs instead of the real problems within Scotland ââ?¬â?? crime, health and poverty. Iââ?¬â?¢m sure the SNP will soon need a similar red herring to deflect from the same and with Salmond also having previous for inaccurate and premature comment on the subject (see Boruc caution), one would hope heââ?¬â?¢ll enter the debate from a more neutral and informed position. So what did McConnell do to address the problem? Did he succeed, have the SNP continued the work and is there a solution in sight? In late 2006, a publicly funded ââ?¬Ë?Sectarianism in Football Working Group (SIF)ââ?¬â?¢ consisting of the Scottish Executive, the SFA, sportscotland, ACPOS, the SPL and the SFL - along with contributions from Rangers FC, Celtic FC and Glasgow University ââ?¬â?? reported on the effect Scottish football had on the social problem of sectarianism in Scotland. A wide range of action points were agreed by all parties involved to help address the issuea. Despite their obvious relevance to the subject, no fans were invited to take part other than the main office holders of fan associations which donââ?¬â?¢t always accurately represent the views all supporters. In addition, as a result of the SIF Working Group, in August 2007, at domestic level, the SPL also introduced new ââ?¬Ë?Unacceptable Conductââ?¬â?¢ Rules for their member clubs. SPL Rules H7.5, H7.6 and H7.7b which state that any alleged failure to discharge these Rules, the SPL Board or Commission, shall have the powers to investigate and censure the club involved. Letââ?¬â?¢s have a look and see how successful these initiatives have been. [CONTINUED in Post 2]

Can't agree more he really is a quality act.

I know I shouldn't and I should know better, but I did have a wry smile on my face when the final whistle blew in Macedonia last Saturday. I didn't see the match as I was travelling down to Birmingham for the weekend to watch the Masters, but I listened to most of it on the radio on the way down. It always intrigues me why I dont want Scotland players to do well if they play for celtic. And on top of that if there are more celtic players in the team than Rangers players, I cannot wish them success. I am proudly Scottish, but some of our "Scottish" culture really annoys me. Bagpipes, tartan, kilts, anti-englishness and that truly awful so-called anthem FOS. The results of England, Wales and NI dont even register with me, international football is just an annoying break from the real stuff in my opinion. I must admit that when we pushed France and Italy close under Walter, and then Alex in the last campaign I couldn't help but get caught up in it a wee bit and actually went to the local club to watch the Italy game on the big screens. Even then I could only look at players like McThug and Hartley and wish them every misfortune and wonder why the manager could not find someone better than them to play instead. I pick on the celtic players when they play for Scotland. Every bad pass, lost header or mistake is further proof that they should not be in the team, and Rangers players mistakes are "unlucky". Under new management, with a ridiculous pair of assistants, Burley has a lot to live up to. I was naturally sympathetic to Scotland's cause under the previous two managers due to them both being former Rangers managers. Burley on the other hand looked to me as under-qualified for the job. He ran away from Hearts before we could see if he was any good and his greatest success in England was over a decade ago. His first few friendlies last season were hard to judge as Rangers players were withdrawing due to our mammoth campaign, and friendlies are a waste of time. To pick 5 celtic players in the starting line-up barely a week since they were gubbed in the OF game was a poor call. The OF game is huge and their confidence must have been shattered (LOL). He can state that he had call-offs, but you must ask yourself why. It is already looking like Berti mark 2, with players seemingly uninterested to play for him, and I am sure most players will ask themselves why they should turn up to be coached by someone like Pressley, a player with "limited ability" if ever there was one, and no coaching experience at all, while Butchers experiences in the game since hanging up his boots are, sadly, hardly admirable. So I leave you with this question, When was the last time a Scotland team won an WC/EURO qualifier with more celtic players than Rangers players in it? Answers on a postcard to Iceland before tomorrow night.

Is McGhee trying to gift them 3 points so they can stay in touch with us ? 4-0 at HT - shocking.

The remark in red really worries me. I also wonder if Demarcus means it seriously or is having a dig. Surely Fergie has to fight for his place like everyone.

My local JJB shop has been sporting an all-Celtic window display this week. The other day was the first time I've walked passed it in months so I'm not sure how long it's been like that, but I couldn't believe my eyes. You'd think having a deal with them would at least secure a joint old firm window display, but it would seem not. What's all that about?

More proof of the media making up stories to slur our name. http://thelightblues.com/2008/09/07/did-nacho-novo-really-wrestle-with-celtic-st

With the next challenge to our title winning aspirations being the toughest game of our SPL calendar, is it time for Walter to finally depart from the formation that served him so well last season. On first viewing, that opening paragraph perhaps seems like a ridiculous decision; why change a winning formula? However, many will agree that whilst the defensive 4-5-1 formation, with equally defensive, counter attacking tactics served us so well in our exciting run to the UEFA cup final, it also likely cost us important domestic games. While we were getting results, against arguable superior opposition, and but for the intervention of our own governing body looked odds on for an unprecedented quadruple, there were few murmurs of discontent. Though many were unhappy at the way we played the game and demanded ball playing midfielders were bought in the summer transfer window to link our stingy defence to attack. Onto this summer and the manager has brought in these midfielders, albeit a few weeks too late, in the shape of Mendes, Edu, Aaron and the return of Davis. Early signs were encouraging as Mendes ran the show on his debut alongside Thomson. With Davis returning to the squad in time for the Aberdeen game, in the first half some of the interchanging in the middle of the park was reminiscent of the Advocaat era. The one complaint being that for all that the possession football was pretty, chances for the forwards were still at a premium. With a wealth of options in midfield, the management's greatest excuse for employing the ultra-cautious 4-5-1. Now many have argued that with the right players this 4-5-1 formation actually becomes a 4-3-3 when in possession. However, our club's insistence on playing solid, less attacking and pacy midfielders does not lend itself to this malleable formation. Certainly the true, pacy, tricky wide players are available to the manager. Players like Beasley, Novo and Aaron. And in the case of the first two, they will also provide some defensive qualities when necessary, with a willingness to chase back. So, the central midfield players are there, the forwards/wingers are there if the manager so chooses to employ this 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation. The only question is do we have the lone striker capable of spear heading this formation? A formation largely made popular by Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. Where Makelele anchored the midfield, Lampard dictated the play through the middle and the likes of Robben and Cole supported Didier Drogba at the spearhead. And it is at the spearhead that Rangers fall down. Didier Drogba is a bit of a special case in European football. I am not arguing he is the greatest striker in the game, although at his peak he was certainly one of them. However there are very few like him that can single-handed trouble an entire back line. His combination of raw power, pace, skill, technical ability, aerial strength and shooting ability allowed him to perform the role of lone striker like possibly no other player could. Do Rangers have a player in the squad with similar ability and playing style to the Ivorian? Not as far as this author can see. Perhaps the one player who most closely resembles a player with these attributes is fellow African Daniel Cousin. The Gabonese striker is strong, relatively pacy, tall and with good feet. However he has a terrible attitude and is unlikely to feature for the club again. With Novo the best candidate to fill a right wing berth at Parkhead, the candidates for the lone striker role this Sunday are Kris Boyd, Jean-Claude Darcheville, Kenny Miller, Andrius Velicka and injury dependant, Kyle Lafferty. Despite being the one true goal-scorer in the squad, Kris Boyd will not be deployed as a lone striker, due to a lack of mobility and despite improvements in this area, a lack of ability to hold the ball up. Jean-Claude Darcheville has strength and pace in abundance. However he cannot be relied upon to last 90-minutes and is composure in front of goal is also in question. New-recruit Andreas Velicka has performed this role well against the Old Firm in his previous spell in Scotland. Heââ?¬â?¢s strong, can hold the ball up well and has an eye for goal. Unfortunately, perhaps due to his lack of rest in going directly from a competitive Scottish season, to a Norwegian season and back to a new season in Scotland, Velicka has struggled for form resulting in him being dropped for yesterdayââ?¬â?¢s game at Aberdeen. Kenny Miller, a man who if played, as this fan suspects he will, could do with a goal and thereââ?¬â?¢s no time better than tomorrow. However, his frankly embarrassing career stats suggest it is unlikely he would be capable of finishing if he found himself in a position to do so. You get 100% effort from Miller, he runs the channels, he works the defence and he has some pace. However, when this formation worked so effectively for Chelsea, the spearhead was a 30+ goals a season striker. Miller is more like a 5 goals a season striker. Lafferty, returning from a knock and being a relatively inexperienced player, has height, good feet and again a little pace. However he has played much of his career out of position on the left wing and is unlikely to be thrust into such a high-profile, high-tension game with all the goal-scoring pressure on his shoulders. It appears obvious to this fan, that whilst we may now have the defence and midfield capable of making this 4-5-1 formation an effective ploy, we do not have the key player at the business end of the field to make it successful. Recent upsets at Parkhead have shown that the way to get to Celtic and upset their game plan is to go at them from the first whistle. Not sitting back, inviting pressure and hoping to hit on the break as we have done with the 4-5-1. The obvious solution is to partner two of our attackers upfront in a 4-4-2. We have begun the season playing 4-4-2, picking up 2 wins and a draw that would be 3 wins but for our questionable officials. And whilst performances have not been thrilling, gelling a strike partnership takes time. For me it is time to pursue our best attacking partnership and give it time. Partner the goals of Kris Boyd with the pace and running of one of our other strikers, be that Lafferty, Darcheville, Novo (who I would however, start on the right v Celtic) or perhaps even Miller. Go 4-4-2, go with Boyd and a.n.other and go for goals. That is my wish for this weekendââ?¬â?¢s opening Old Firm clash. I do however predict the inevitable 4-5-1 with the goal-shy Miller ââ?¬Å?leadingââ?¬Â the attack.