Pacific Quay Musings?

[Soulsonic5791 408]

4 hours ago, 26th of foot said:

Entitlement.

 

"Entitlement" has become one of Stuart Cosgrove's favourite words. These last few weeks there has been a running battle on BBC Radio Shortbread over the exposure and specifics of National Clinical Director, Jason Leitch's proclamations. Aberdeen's owner, Dave Cormack has criticised the Scottish Government and it's handling of Covid arrangements and Scottish football. He feels there should be a graduated scheme to allow more fans into games in lower tier areas. Further, BBC Radio Shortbread should take the weekly questioning out of the hands of Cosgrove and Cowan, and place it into the hands of the more serious minded on Sportsound.

 

Cosgrove is raging and wonders aloud what entitles Cormack, "who lives in Atlanta, Georgia" to tell us how to conduct our affairs. Cosgrove also offers, "Off the Ball is not Newsnight". Well, quite. DrStu' is obsessed where folks live, he wanted national coaches, Gordon Strachan and Alex McLeish sacked because they would not leave, "their big hooses in Basingstoke and Fulham". Steve Clarkes big hoose is okay though. Of course, Cosgrove has a property portfolio that would choke the proverbial, four properties in three different countries. Oh, and DrStu's big literary hero, Irving Welsh splits his time between Chicago and New York.

 

What about Cosgrove's entitlement? Only two weeks past he told us, "ah've no missed a minute of St Johnstone's football this season". Well, when PQ send him and Tam to Fir Park to cover the 'Well/Saints game for Open all Mikes, or when he sits there after his Saturday/Sunday shows and watches live coverage coming into the studios, or even better; like last night when he has no broadcast duties and he goes in just to watch his team in League Cup action at Dunfermline. Entitlement by the endeavours of BBC Scotland engineers.

 

Approaching his seventieth year, Cosgrove is one very entitled person. Your ordinary BBC Scotland license fee paying Rangers supporter is not allowed to pitch up at PQ to watch their team live on a monitor. In fact, compare and contrast what Cosgrove receives for his license fee and what is received by your average license fee paying Rangers supporter? DrStu' the very entitled establishment man. Next, he'll be lunching at Gamba with Neil Doncaster?

Presumably, the gambas on the menu won’t be of the Sinhalese variety. We wouldn’t want Dr Stu to choke on his lunch or dinner now would we?

[ian1964 10,724]

 

[BlackSocksRedTops 3,752]

1 hour ago, ian1964 said:

 

I also note that the antics of their resident thug Brown have been overlooked by the MSM. If that was Alfie behaving like that there would be an avalanche of editorials and pundit opinions. Oh and while we are at it... has the MSM mentioned their fans pyro welcome for their team at Hampden? No social distancing and flares...tut tut

[26th of foot 6,084]

A Christmas Mystery - FARE'S Fair?

 

I need to take you back almost a fortnight, to Sunday the 13th of December. We have just defeated Dundee United 1-2 at Tannadice and the Alfie witch hunt is in full flow. Later in the afternoon, Rangers Ladies traveled to Broadwood to face Glasgow United. A comprehensive 0-5 skelping ensued on the drastic plastic. Live coverage was provided by BBC Alba; it was, "all the action from the first whistle to the last, every kick of the ball".

 

Commentary was Gaelic, provided by Barra born and bred, Alex O'Henley. There was an interview with Rangers and Scottish international, Nicola Docherty aired at half-time. The several minute discussion had been recorded earlier in the week at Auchenhowie. Post game, player of the match, Rangers and Northern Ireland international, Megan Bell was interviewed in the tunnel. No doubts, supporters of Rangers Ladies paying their BBC License Fee, receive at least the same package as other supporters.

 

Alex O'Henley is no stranger to Gersnetters. We know he is a Sellik man, faithful fro'n'fro'. He began as a Cub Reporter on the West Highland Free Press, specialising on football. It helped that the owner of the Blat was current Sellik Board member, Brian Wilson. The former MP for Cunninghame North also fulfilled a couple of Junior Cabinet offices in the three Tony Blair Governments. At one point, four Sellik season ticket holders, John Reid, Des Browne, Jim Murphy, and Wilson were in the Cabinet; very much the Establishment Club. It's thirty years ago, but Wilson was the official Centenary Biographer of ra Sellik. His tome, 'A Century with Honour' sold poorly, there are a couple of double garages holding tens of thousands of unsold books.

 

Thus, with such influence, it came as no surprise that Alex O'Henley was FARE's nominated observer at Rangers last sixteen Champions League second match in Spain, against Villarreal. It took a particular type of hate to pen that peculiar FARE report on a fellow Scots club, it has allowed the usual suspects 15 years of feasting. Still, O'Henley is prepared to visit Auchenhowie on official BBC Scotland(Alba) business and talk to Rangers players exiting the field of play. Rob McLean does similar whilst on BT Sport duty. Creepy Connie McLaughlin was working inside Ibrox last month on BT Europa Cup business.

 

So, six years down the line, why can't the usual suspects inside the PQ Gang Hut provide the full service to all Rangers supporters paying their License Fees? Truly, a Christmas mystery.

[compo 7,052]

6 hours ago, 26th of foot said:

A Christmas Mystery - FARE'S Fair?

 

I need to take you back almost a fortnight, to Sunday the 13th of December. We have just defeated Dundee United 1-2 at Tannadice and the Alfie witch hunt is in full flow. Later in the afternoon, Rangers Ladies traveled to Broadwood to face Glasgow United. A comprehensive 0-5 skelping ensued on the drastic plastic. Live coverage was provided by BBC Alba; it was, "all the action from the first whistle to the last, every kick of the ball".

 

Commentary was Gaelic, provided by Barra born and bred, Alex O'Henley. There was an interview with Rangers and Scottish international, Nicola Docherty aired at half-time. The several minute discussion had been recorded earlier in the week at Auchenhowie. Post game, player of the match, Rangers and Northern Ireland international, Megan Bell was interviewed in the tunnel. No doubts, supporters of Rangers Ladies paying their BBC License Fee, receive at least the same package as other supporters.

 

Alex O'Henley is no stranger to Gersnetters. We know he is a Sellik man, faithful fro'n'fro'. He began as a Cub Reporter on the West Highland Free Press, specialising on football. It helped that the owner of the Blat was current Sellik Board member, Brian Wilson. The former MP for Cunninghame North also fulfilled a couple of Junior Cabinet offices in the three Tony Blair Governments. At one point, four Sellik season ticket holders, John Reid, Des Browne, Jim Murphy, and Wilson were in the Cabinet; very much the Establishment Club. It's thirty years ago, but Wilson was the official Centenary Biographer of ra Sellik. His tome, 'A Century with Honour' sold poorly, there are a couple of double garages holding tens of thousands of unsold books.

 

Thus, with such influence, it came as no surprise that Alex O'Henley was FARE's nominated observer at Rangers last sixteen Champions League second match in Spain, against Villarreal. It took a particular type of hate to pen that peculiar FARE report on a fellow Scots club, it has allowed the usual suspects 15 years of feasting. Still, O'Henley is prepared to visit Auchenhowie on official BBC Scotland(Alba) business and talk to Rangers players exiting the field of play. Rob McLean does similar whilst on BT Sport duty. Creepy Connie McLaughlin was working inside Ibrox last month on BT Europa Cup business.

 

So, six years down the line, why can't the usual suspects inside the PQ Gang Hut provide the full service to all Rangers supporters paying their License Fees? Truly, a Christmas mystery.

*ban the lot of them 

[der Berliner 3,747]

Well, I had a quick look at the match report from BBC Scotland`s Scott Mullen on our game yesterday and somehow I thought I must have witnessed a slightly different game than he did, given that we scarcely escaped with all 3 points ...

Quote

 

Rangers are in a "much better place" in their challenge for the Scottish Premiership title, says manager Steven Gerrard, after his side edged by Hibernian at Ibrox.

Ianis Hagi's first-half goal opened up a 19-point gap at the summit, which Celtic - who have three games in hand - cut to 16 later in the day.

Gerrard's men have now won 12 league games in a row.

"Resilience and character are a must," said the Rangers manager.

"If we want to go the distance it's not always going to be easy. You know you're going to have to rely on your big players to stand up and be counted and I thought we did.

"We're in a much better place than we have been previously when faced with this situation because, recruitment-wise, we've got much better players in the door now with all due respect."

 

Jack Ross' Hibernian were the last team to deny Steven Gerrard's team a Premiership victory in a gripping 2-2 draw in Edinburgh back in September.

And, in truth, the Hibs manager, who was without suspended striker Christian Doidge, will be both proud of and perplexed by his side, who somehow did not come away from Ibrox with a similar result.

While surrendering much of the ball early on, they still had their opportunities.

In the opening moments, Josh Doig's sweeping cross was dangled at the back post, but Martin Boyle couldn't convert. And after Hibs went a goal behind, Doig's devilish delivery kissed the far post with Allan McGregor deceived and beaten.

There were also penalty claims during a late surge. The strongest came on the hour as Hagi's high boot thwacked away a ball inches from Joe Newell's head, and Melker Hallberg's dipping shot from range almost snuck in.

But while this Rangers team has shown its ability to win with a swagger during the season, their durability to get by Motherwell last week, and now Hibs, will please their manager going into a pivotal part of the campaign.

Connor Goldson's early effort was cleared by Hibs, before the impressive Hagi dragged a shot just wide from the edge of the box. However, the Romania international was not to be denied.

His decisive strike was grafted from endeavour down the left. Glen Kamara and Joe Aribo combined - the latter showing great strength to hold the ball up - to feed Kemar Roofe. His low cross was scuttled across the box in the direction of Hagi, who beat Paul Hanlon to the ball for a low finish.

Leon Balogun was unfortunate not to add to the hosts' lead as he was denied by the impressive Dillon Barnes on his first start, but most of the second half was about Hibs' pursuit of a leveller.

On the balance of play, it would have been deserved as Rangers - having lost Scott Arfield to injury shortly after replacing Hagi - offered little to trouble Hibs during that second period. But it was a familiar winning feeling for Gerrard and his table toppers, whose 100% domestic record at Ibrox continues this season.

 

What did we learn?

It is not so much what we learned as what we are going to learn in the coming week. Make no mistake, this was a huge win for Rangers. It maintained a large gap open over Celtic, with just one match now separating Rangers from a pivotal Old Firm derby against their rivals.

A slip-up here would have offered further encouragement to a resurgent Celtic who are albeit a dot in the rear-view mirror. Yet, the momentum continues to build.

The narrative has changed slightly for Rangers. A perfunctory midweek win away to St Johnstone has been bookended by two victories built upon the foundations of fight, character and resilience rather than fluid, flowing play. This Rangers team is finding new ways to win, offering more hope to their fans that they can go the distance this year. The next two games will tell us a lot of where the title may end up this season.

For Hibs, the loss of Doidge in attack could well have been a game changer. Newell, Doig and Boyle all impressed, predominantly during a second-half surge, but only one shot made it on to the target.

 

Possession - 63-37

Shots - 15-9

On target - 5-1

 

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55373709

 

Might have been that this impartial reporter got enthused by the late rally Hibs made for an equalizer that he lost "a bit" of perspective and forgot to check the stats. But the greenish taint becomes clear when he goes on about "a resurgent Celtic" and some hope-garbage about the next two games might determine how "the season may end up". Obviously, you have to ask how he defines "resurgent", since they barely won a cup final against a 2nd tier team on penalties and then "waltzed over" the bottom 2 teams of the Premiership. Some feat indeed. A win`s a win, they say ... so there you have it. Resurgence.

 

 

Highlights below show ...

 

Boyle would have required a smashing touch to divert the early cross past McGregor and Balogun.

Balogun`s shot cleared with the goalie beaten

Goldson header cleared on the line

Hagi just wide

Hagi goal

Hibs cross shaves the outside of the post (did anyoen mention the swirling wind)

Roofe taken out by a Hibs defender who also "wins" the ball

Newell goes down after noting Hagi`s foot was near his nose ... so maybe Collum "evened" the earlier "error out")

Balogun`s shot cleared on the line

Half-hearted shouts for a penaltywhen Tavernier is pushed by a Hibs man and hits another Hibs man who falls

Cross after a corner forces McGregor into a save ... but you see that the ball would probably have gone passed anyway

Hibs chance that was offside

 

 

[buster. 5,200]

On 25/12/2020 at 12:23, 26th of foot said:

...Alex O'Henley is no stranger to Gersnetters. We know he is a Sellik man, faithful fro'n'fro'. He began as a Cub Reporter on the West Highland Free Press, specialising on football. It helped that the owner of the Blat was current Sellik Board member, Brian Wilson.  

 

Thus, with such influence, it came as no surprise that Alex O'Henley was FARE's nominated observer at Rangers last sixteen Champions League second match in Spain, against Villarreal. It took a particular type of hate to pen that peculiar FARE report on a fellow Scots club, it has allowed the usual suspects 15 years of feasting. Still,...

The audacity in that appointment was only matched in our inability to bring wider public attention to why it was unsuitable.

[JohnMc 2,765]

I emerged from my Christmas hibernation this morning and read this on the BBC website. I suspect Rangers supporters are much more familiar with the story than others might be and of course for a significant percentage of people this story might seem like ancient history now. To people my age it's not though.  On the whole I felt it was quite a fair and accurate retelling of these tragic events. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/B0cJMZS3B1/Fiveboys 

[26th of foot 6,084]

Mrs Brown's Bhoys.

 

As yet, I have not seen a second of the Pacific Quay produced 'Mrs Brown's Boys'. In new, modern Scotland, our public service broadcaster is determined to provide us with, "a slice of life". Particularly, a slice of Irish life. Mrs Brown's Boys has been around for quarter of a century, played regular three week spells in the Pavillion Theatre for a decade before PQ stepped in and decided Brendan O'Carroll's drag act was the very dab. In many ways, it's the perfect metaphor for BBC Scotland. 

 

A well honed production built most carefully on patronage. The vast majority of parts on and off screen are either O'Carroll or Gibney family members. Brendan is married to fellow show star, Jennifer Gibney. In the last two-three years, there has been unrest and law suits surrounding the show, emanating entirely from the minority(non family) members of the show. Recently, Scots Actor, Gary Hollywood best encapsulates this concern. He is suing O'Carroll on grounds of workplace discrimination and constructive dismissal. Gary does not have patronage protection and feels sliced out of Brendan's Florida based slice of life.

 

Of course, as Rangers supporters we recognise Gary's dilemma. Let's say you are Michael Stewart and your job most weeks is to go on Sportscene/Sportsound and in the most unequivocating manner, state Rangers are the beneficiaries of Refereeing decisions. Sportscene has an Irish Producer and Sportsound's Editor is Claire Kelly(former Sellik Chair, Kevin Kelly's daughter); a proverbial ton of patronage back up. Michael is untouchable, already he has had several spills with Rangers and is allowed to carry on. Saturday Sportscene had him totally ignore the laws of the game and declare twice, "Hagi's high boot into the face of Joe Newell is a penalty all day". 

 

Rawking his big white sannies for confidence, he ignored a high boot in the box with no contact is an indirect free kick and talked over Neil McCann's opposing view. Further, imbued with patronage, he ignored Newell's deliberate simulation, going down holding his face whilst Hagi's boot is at least a foot away from contact. Even when Michael assumes his natural inclination as a Bully, ie makes a complete cnut of it, he can rely on other patronage recipients to ride to the rescue. Former Sellik View cub reporter, Alison McConnell is in today's Herald interviewing Newell, and Joe is harbouring a sense of injustice. Is there an old firm game this week?

 

I have asked and asked again, but I do not think we will get an answer as to why Michael left Sellik TV after a dozen weeks. Surely, the natural conclusion to all this patronage? I suspect Michael has higher ambitions. Why should Michael appeal for action against Rangers from the Compliance Officer, when he could just get on with the process of draconian punishment, if he was appointed(anointed) Compliance Officer. All four previous Compliance Officers have been Sellik season ticket holders, surely Peter's patronage can swing it for Michael on the basis of three months on Sellik TV?

 

Gone yourself Michael, get over to Florida and have a word with Brendan on how to stitch it up completely. Bring us back a slice of life.

[Uilleam 5,948]

3 hours ago, 26th of foot said:

Bring us back a slice of life.

Do you think that BBC Scotland would be interested in my new sitcom "A Life of Slice", showcasing the everyday antics  and happenings of the kenspeckle characters who work in the Lorne sausage factory?