starchief

I think the Smith/Souness era is marked by a massive change in sectarianism reduction at Rangers. No longer are Rangers only signing players on the strength of their religion. Smith was wholeheartedly involved in that. It's never even mentioned these days. What religion is Jelavic? No idea. Papac? No idea. A very different scenario to the pre-Smith days. The club has had some very public pleas and campaigns against religious bigotry. So, I can't blame Smith, McLeish or le Guen for the religious hatred, as I can't blame O'Neill, Jansen, Burns for the excesses of Celtic fans. Who do I blame for the fans? Largely, the fans. They're adults (at least, the one who aren't children are). They are responsible for their own actions.

And the reason Morrissey was accused of racism? - he said 'reggae is vile' (just a joke, he loved raggae, plus it's far from racism to not like a style of music) - 'hang the DJ' was aimed at black people as they liked dance music (not only a racist viewpoint by categorising music but also wholly wrong - the news had just reported some bombing, riot or war [i forget which], then Tony Blackburn played Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, hence 'it says nothing to me about my life) - he has a fetish for skinheads, Confederates and the Union Jack, plus decries the loss of Englishness in England - he also heavily promoted Echobelly, with their Asian singer at the time - he wrote some songs taken as supporting racism, such as National Front Disco and Bengali in Platforms (actually about the 1970s - see This Is 1986 movie) and Asian Rut (how anyone can see support of hate in this song is beyond me) More reasons against: - he strenuously denies it and had the NME back down over claims and falsification and even successfully sued the Word over similar claims - he had a black girlfriend - he's taken part in socialist and anti-racism benefits with the Smiths and funded anti-racism campaigns out of his own pocket as a solo artist Where I disagree: - he referred to Chinese as a subspecies due to their treatment of animals. I understand where he's coming from but his language was completely wrong.

The only thing he pulled was himself (a joke someone shouted to a bunch of skinheads as we were leaving a student jaunt a good few years ago - could have strangled him as we ran for our lives!)

Hibs are woeful these days too. Could have been cementing third place if they'd continued as they were a couple of seasons ago. Now, I won't be surprised if they're playing County in SFL1.

So who's saying Lennon's an angel? He's a little ned in charge of a club that's tried to cheat their way to the title by influencing referees. Does he deserve to be bombed for that? That's the question. Not 'is Neil Lennon very nice'. Not much argument on that one. And what about McGinn and McCourt? What have they done to deserve being killed / disabled by a bomb?

But where else would he go? Almost certainly not EPL or OF. Probably not Championship challengers either. Go to Hearts, continue scoring for the 3rd placed team and he might do a Stokes. Alternatively, go to Sheffield Wednesday or Coventry. Not get as many chances to score and get lost like so many others. The Championship is tough enough with a good team. Lack of service from a poor team (which is where he'll probably end up) makes it nigh on impossible. If Leeds or Forest show an interest, go for it. Barnsley or Preston? It's a step backwards for a quick buck. The extent of Hearts ambition might be only to win a cup, compete in Europe and cement third place but what will Coventry realistically do in the next 3 years? Hope (and potentially fail) to stave off relegation? That's more ambitious?? That's everything wrong with Scottish football.

Yeah, you're right. When did Hearts last win anything? Oh yeah, 2006. And how are they doing now? Oh yeah, runaway third place without a fit recognised goal-scoring striker. No chance of winning a cup then...far better chance with never-won-anything-Watford And to make a challenge for the league, all a team needs to be is better than the other provincials (as Jim Jefferies previously did with Hearts). It's only to win it do they need to be better than the Old Firm (which I'm not suggesting they can).

For me, it's one of the departing players. But it just seems a bit mean to mention his name now so I'll keep schtum (if that's how schtum is spelt).

I really liked him. You got to play him as a wide midfielder (the Foran role), not in the heart of midfield as Hibs did. Excellent crosser, great shooting power. Can't track back but then Beckenbauer rarely hit the byeline. Never got why attacking players get criticised for not defending, yet defenders are excused whenever they fluff a shot. Horses for courses.

Exactly what I was thinking. You could say to players, we may not pay the best but we're loyal. Big gamble next year.

Was that why he got the chop from Rangers?

What about if it's split according to the star-sign of the right-back's surname. In case of injury, then it should switch to the reserve right-back, unless the left-back has moved over, in which case it goes to the elder of the right-sided central defender or right midfielder Seriously though... The whole point of the split is that the teams at the top can play amongst themselves for the Euro and Championships spot, whilst the rest have a relegation battle. Splitting any other way just means continuing the season without the split.

So many millions wasted on the likes of Cha, Juarez, Ki, Samaras, Murphy and others. All to take on a bankrupt (almost) threadbare (by OF standards) Rangers and a terrible run in Europe.

Big mistake if he does. Very difficult for even regular goalscorers to get spotted down there. A small pay rise in the short-term could lead to less money and prestige long-term.

Sounds promising!

Gary Brady looked a decent player. Potter also would have been a decent signing but if we're releasing Munro and Duncan, then it's just not in ICT's plans to go down that established veteran route. Ubern: if we're dismissing players simply because they got relegated (or, in this case, didn't), then we should sack Esson, Tokely, Munro, Foran, Ross, Rooney etc etc, all of whom were playing for a club that got relegated a couple of seasons ago and were in the SFL1 last season. If they were worse than St Mirren and Hamilton, why should we have kept them? Or is it not that simple? And just where should we be aiming for then? Have a look at where our players come from. We've not outbid Manchester City for the left-winger at Barcelona. They're mostly cast-offs from lower teams or players with no chance of making the grade where they are. Picking diamonds out of, er, "mud" is what teams like ICT are all about.

Il monidigrabbo

I think JC's record is exceptional, so I sincerely doubt they could do better than him. Duncan would be a good signing for them. Knows the game and could add to the SFL1 division for a few years. I'd only expect Munro to go if he was settled so much, he didn't fancy anywhere else. I don't see why the likes of Hibs or Aberdeen wouldn't have a look. He's better than some players they've already got.

Neil Lennon is annoying. He winds up other fans. Questions refereeing decisions. Suggests other teams won't try as hard against Rangers. He should be booed by every supporter outside of Celtic in the country. But that's it! Guns? Bombs? Over a hobby? No way! Blameless when it comes down to that extremity.

Won't lose too much sleep over anti-football (although they only switched to that after a couple of months into last season as they were getting hammered trying to play pretty football). I think they'll be there or, more likely, thereabouts next year. I'd imagine their bank balance is healtheir than most, they still have a number of decent youngsters, if not McCarthy / McArthur standard and a manager that knows the game of promotion. Don't think they'll be above Falkirk but doubt they'll slip backwards too much.

I can really see him ending up at Hearts. They have no regular goalscorer these days, so he'd fit the bill just nicely. Hope he doesn't but I think, despite what's been said about family, he'd have signed, or heavily indicated, by now. This way, he still has the fans on his side.

oops sorry for the delay. Yeah, first album called Return of the Durutti Column. The sandpaper sleeve was to scratch any other record alongside it. Vini Reilly didn't mean to make a record. Tony Wilson hired a studio for him to put down some songs. Next thing he knew, Factory had released it as an album. Similar thing with Buddy Holly. Went in to a rehearsal studio. Engineer thought it sounded pretty good so recorded it and sold it. Buddy only found out he had a record out when a DJ set a world record for continuous plays of one song (he barricaded the door to stop his radio bosses getting into the DJ booth). Mostly listening to the Fall these days. Here's their first tv appearance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuuwgmT3STM

Lennon's a wee nyaff but sometimes big personalities can be good to watch. I don't like him but I enjoy the passion he stirs. It's the hand of John Reid I despise. The whole refereeing debacle is so Machiavellian and playing to the gallery, I can only see it being this war criminal behind it. It's this playing the victim that's led to ref strikes and poppy hating (I know he was against it but that's what happens when you let the genie out of the bottle). I would also like to see Smith leave on a high, just as I wanted O'Neill to - sentimental old me - but that's definitely a secondary reason.

Looking back over match reports, Munro started the season well, had a dip, got farmed out to full-back, then got on back form towards the end. Not too unusual for many players - has Rooney or Ross or Cox been any more consistent?