Pacific Quay Musings?

[26th of foot 6,119]

The Girl in the Picture.

 

It's over a week after the event. For seventy-five minutes the Scots versus Argentina was a most uplifting experience. We succumbed to a 3-3 draw because of a lack of game management, exhaustion, and the international desire to remove the referee from the position as the sole arbiter of the game. In fifty-odd years of watching football, I saw something that I cannot recall seeing before. It was Erin Cuthbert's goal celebration. I have witnessed the full spectrum, from manly firm handshakes to cartwheeling, shirt removing. hip-hop dancing choreography. I don't think I have seen the small photograph being kissed and held forth on the run?

 

I thought this will be a story. Cuthbert is arguably our most exciting player and she is young. Her background, motivations, and ambitions will be explored and hung on the hook of that unusual goal celebration. The next day, whilst perusing another Rangers fans' website, I read that Erin started at Rangers, signed as a nine/ten year old. She spent five years at the club before moving on to Glasgow City, then signed for Chelsea these last two years. The photograph being brandished was a memory of the day she signed for Rangers. Her father had snapped it, held it for a decade, and handed it to her the day before the game. The reasoning was to remind his daughter of the day her dream started.

 

BBC Scotland's coverage of the female world cup was extensive. Chris McLaughlin was in France for the duration of Scotland's participation. All three game shown live on at least two of Beeb Scotland's channels, live radio commentary too. Thus, a team of more than a dozen including Al Lamont, Stephen Thomson, Gemma Fay, Julie Fleeting, ..... etc. Other PQ employees were over on holiday, Shereen Nanjiani and her partner followed the girls from venue to venue. Throw in the preview pieces on both radio and TV, vox-pops with supporters, and constant managerial updates; the coverage was comprehensive.

 

The opportunity is staring PQ in the face, will they pollinate a dream began at Ibrox? 

 

Last Thursday's Media Review had DrStu' lazily adopt 'the Scots had found a new way to not qualify from the group stages' line. I was surprised John Beattie accepted, "it's the hope that kills you" pysh spouted by DrStu', because Beattie's daughter, Gemma is one of our center backs. Erin Cuthbert's celebration did not receive a mention. On Saturday, Shereen Nanjiani had returned and hosted her show, the three guests were Angela Haggerty, Peter Gaughan, and Brian Beacom. Shereen gushed, praised the girls to the highest; whereas the guests were more interested in the nature of our failure. Haggerty admitted she hadn't watched the game, she followed it's progress through Kevin McKenna's twitter feed. She proved her non-viewer credentials by noting she had seen Kevin's tweet, 'and Erin Cuthbert has doubled the lead'. Cuthbert scored our third goal.

 

At least Cuthbert got a mention, Cosgrove and Cowan did not want to patronise the women, they focused on the lack of substitutions. Their guest, Paul McNamee(Big Issue Editor) followed his fellow Irishman(Peter Gaughan) in talking around without adding comment. I thought DrStu' would be consistant, he had lionised two Kosovans playing for Switzerland two years past, because of their goal celebrations. The next show was David Currie hosting three Sellik supporters, Pat Bonner, James McFadden, and Jim Duffy. A ten minute consensus on the tragedy, followed by fifty minutes on David Turnbull, and Sellik's continuing progress. Poor Pat continues to litter conversations about Sellik with, 'we'. A third Irishman in two hours of broadcasting, are we becoming a colony? 

 

Rangers signings and preparations received several minutes conversation, Aberdeen and Killie similar. Steve Clarke remains a case for optimism because the core of the national team are Euro tried and tested Sellik players. Kieran and Callum are worth at least £50 million, the return of Leigh Griffiths is like signing a £10 million striker, ............................. etc. I think we get the message, Rangers supporters' dreams are NOT articulated; and so it continued into the other shows over the weekend.

 

The girl holding the photograph received both coverage and acclaim, the girl in the photograph was deliberately ignored. The girl holding is a somewhat acceptable Scot, the girl in, is awkward and inconvenient. It was an exercise in dehumanisation, Rangers supporters do not dream.   

[Scott7 6,173]

I can’t get exercised about goal celebrations but that doesn’t detract from the theme and message of 26th’s post.

 

Actually I do get exercised about players’  goal celebrations. All right for wee lassies but not for grown men.

[JohnMc 2,802]

Excellent, as ever. 

[26th of foot 6,119]

9 minutes ago, Scott7 said:

I can’t get exercised about goal celebrations but that doesn’t detract from the theme and message of 26th’s post.

 

Actually I do get exercised about players’  goal celebrations. All right for wee lassies but not for grown men.

Scott,

 

As time progressed after Cuthbert's celebration, I got quite exercised by the continuing lack of comment. You can see PQ's problem, however they frame it, it is a Rangers positive. Erin says warm and fuzzy things about her childhood, her relationship with her father, and the backdrop is Rangers at a time of club turmoil. Remember, DrStu' was at pains during the same period to tell us that Rangers would make it back to the Premiership, but would play most games in front of 8,,000 fans. The rational being the vast majority of Bears are attracted by a SUCCESSFUL Rangers. Further, he knew Rangers supporters who had been season ticket holders and no longer attended because Rangers are a different club.

 

The girl in the picture is a problem for PQ and in the spirit of Espanyolification, is ignored.

 

Similarly, earlier this week, Rangers released record season ticket sales, in excess of 47,500. BBC Scotland's football website, Ceefax, TV and Radio broadcasts, ..................... etc; there is no mention. Only last month, all those means were telling us Scottish football was on the up reference attendances. we were reminded Hibs sold record numbers of season tickets last season, Killie have done similar this close season, Hearts are .... Again, Rangers popularity runs against the pervading narrative, thus ignored.

 

Hence, they separated the girl in the picture from the girl holding the picture.

[Scott7 6,173]

You are absolutely right, 26th. Your argument is 100% solid. No dispute.

 

I confused things by doddering off into a curmudgeon’s dislike of players over celebrating the scoring of a goal. It’s the fans’ job to do that..

 

BBC Scotland is dreadful. All Glesca wide boys (of both genders) and dreamy hielan’men.

 

Should I have said “all” instead of “both”)?

[Gonzo79 15,299]

8 hours ago, 26th of foot said:

I thought DrStu' would be consistant, he had lionised two Kosovans playing for Switzerland two years past, because of their goal celebrations.

Another indication of what a twat he is.  

[Yorkie Bear 633]

21 hours ago, 26th of foot said:

 

 

The girl holding the photograph received both coverage and acclaim, the girl in the photograph was deliberately ignored. The girl holding is a somewhat acceptable Scot, the girl in, is awkward and inconvenient. It was an exercise in dehumanisation, Rangers supporters do not dream.   

Poetry at it's best. Simply brilliant.

[Scott7 6,173]

3 minutes ago, Yorkie Bear said:

Poetry at it's best. Simply brilliant.

Disagree, Yorkie. Better than poetry. Incisive prose of high quality.

[Bill 13,717]

50 minutes ago, Scott7 said:

Disagree, Yorkie. Better than poetry. Incisive prose of high quality.

Better than any of that, it's accurate.

[pete 2,499]

I don't know if 26th is a professional writer or not. I only know he should be.