Heilandee

Jim Traynors take on thing's......... RED HAND OF ULCERS AND EMERALD BILE TRAYNOR RANGERS, we salute you. Toiling in the SPL and out of both cup competitions they were able to step into Europe and raise their game. Fair enough, they were up against a poor side in Hapoel Tel Aviv, but scoring four times in the UEFA Cup is still a pretty decent achievement. So, once again, Rangers we salute you. But hold on, maybe we don't. Or to be more accurate, perhaps shouldn't. Maybe it is insulting to print that. I mean, won't Celtic's fans get all pious about the mere mention of Rangers and salutes? Probably, but too bad. The pair of them, what are they like? Scotland's football giants are among the largest clubs in Europe, yet still too many on one side remain up to their knees in sectarian mud while a section of the other lot refuse to be cashiered out of the Boys of the Old Brigade. Sometimes you look closely at the people around you in this, the so-called best small country in the world, and think what a bubbling, steaming cesspit it actually is. We are about as modern and sophisticated as Borat. But at least he's proud of his country, unlike so many of the Old Firm's fans who simply refuse to get rid of their Irish paraphernalia. When you see them with their flags and giving their red hand of Ulster salutes you do wonder why they want to live here. If the bond with the place across the water is so strong that they cannot accept they are Scottish supporters backing Scottish clubs what possible reason could there be for hanging around in this country? Unless, of course, it is just to annoy, embarrass and shame the rest of us. Please, stop clinging to the past and try to move on. Brother Walfrid would hang his head in shame if he could witness some of the spiteful specimens who have aligned themselves to his charitable effort while decent folk in Northern Ireland must squirm when they see Rangers fans pay twisted homage to that part of the world. So what if generations ago labourers came across to work in the Clyde's shipyards. That's no reason to be celebrating an Irish connection at Ibrox all these years later, but then again these people are not interested in Northern Ireland. They believe they are somehow protecting Protestantism and it really is bollocks. Let it go lads, there are no Catholics hiding under your beds or waiting to steal your women. Come on into the modern world, it's actually quite a nice place. Why, if we believe it is important to send tartan emissaries from the business community out into the world to promote the country, do we then allow morons attached to football the freedom to travel abroad and destroy any of the good work achieved by businessmen and women? People in other countries must be looking on at the Irish, British and Scottish flags when the Old Firm play and wondering if we are a nation of schizophrenics. We don't know who we are or where we belong. Frankly, these so-called fans belong in locked wards. It is a form of insanity and some of us are sick of their behaviour. They are incapable of understanding that their time has long gone and that there are people within their clubs who cringe when they see or hear them. They are not wanted yet they continue to linger like a bad smell and every now and then their clubs have to make excuses for them. For instance, UEFA were alarmed at pictures of a small group of Rangers fans with their arms raised and palms up during the club's match in Tel Aviv a couple of weeks ago. The Ibrox club pointed out that these were not Nazi salutes but red-hand signals. UEFA, in their wisdom, decided that was all right then. Nothing to see here, nothing to be done. Whether or not they were all redhand salutes and nothing at all to do with Hitler's mob - although there are many who have their doubts - what kind of mentality must a person have to indulge in such behaviour in Israel of all places? How were the people there supposed to interpret that salute? Whatever those fans were doing that night was at best insensitive and at worst cruel and hurtful. People who are thinking straight and who have respect for others just wouldn't do it. It is that simple and Rangers need to send out more of their strong messages which, hopefully, are sinking in. Unfortunately they have some slow learners. But there is no place for their attitudes in a modern society and that message applies to those Celtic fans who still believe terrorist organisations are to be lauded. And please, don't tell me this kind of Celtic fan no longer exists. There are still fans, especially among the away support, who belt out the Boys Of The Old Brigade and who would just love the freedom to do it at Parkhead. Fortunately, the majority of the season ticket-holders will have none of that these days, but there are still throwbacks. If that were untrue then Celtic's chairman Brian Quinn and chief executive Peter Lawwell wouldn't have to make their occasional pleas for reason and tolerance. Both clubs have come a long way in the fight against sectarianism and should be supported more by our politicians but the Old Firm have to persevere and do more to make sure sections of their fans don't disgrace all of us. Please, ditch the Irish stuff and all that comes with it. What is really so terrible about supporting football and Scotland in the correct manner?

Agree totally suspicious,think the tongue in cheek smiley is missing again,but yes i'd love to be able to sit with mates of the opposite persuasion at games and enjoy the craic.Went down to Buckie on Saturday for the game v Loco's,great day out ,great craic,home and away fans mingling and joking but all committed to thier own team.£6 to get in,hot peh's and bovril and no hassle from anywhere,dont think i even saw a polis.reckon the highland league will be getting my attendance more often.

With the exception of the 2003 cup final ,I haven't been to a game against either OF since the 80's.Got scunnered with the pre match rituals,buses getting stoned,vitriol from the terracing,violence if your team had the audacity to beat them etc etc. In fairness to ICT i dont see much more that they can do ,you cant throw people out for not cheering no matter how obvious their allegiance is.

No that eh'm bitter towards Livvy or anything , but eh widnae lose any sleep if this happens Livi flauntin rules again.

:clapping04: :clapping04: sooooperb

seems some see it for what it is..... red hand salute? I dont support either pair of the twins easily but watching thon diveing pr*ck fae AC Milan helped sway me and Rangers easily outclassed Hapoel Tel Aviv so fair play, hope they meet Newcstle (meh English team) then we'll see what there made of.

Never experianced it in a fitba capacity ,but in the forces you had to do gas chamber training,meant just to test your respirator fitted and worked properly, but most disip Corporals were miserable chunts and would make you take them off"just so you know what it's like lads" depending on how much cheek and grief you'd gave them depended on how much of a whiff you got :009:

Check Mannies link fae that gemme,great day oot,eh wiz still at Alness and Bobby Geddes got us compo's as his Brother in law wiz in the RAF wi us Nairn gemms Still think Dee V Hibs 3-3 was best eh ever saw

We're only one point behind St J now,second place distinct poss which i would have bit yer hand off for pre season,probly tooooo much to catch Gretna,11 points ,11 games, but recent run gives hope for the future,cheers for yer info Mannie,thought it was more than that and yes, i know better than most that a 9 point cushion doesn't gaurentee anything.....before anybody says!!!!

were ICT behind Clyde when they won promotion? grasping at straws DSC

Eh watched the wee ginger when he wisnae much more than a boy.

Good luck the morn folks,might bump into some of you's as i've got a day oot at the fuuny ba game,but no sure where the "rugger" types go drinkin for pre hospo :001:

I'm going to spend ALL of the money going to the pub to watch it!!! :drinking02: :drinking02: :drinking02:

As long as it's no the highly paid IHE

Mebbes ICT have just peaked at the wrong time with Scottish crowds in decline,SPL and the folk running the game p*ssing off Joe public to the point of no return and apathy for football in general(outwith the OF).I used to go to many ICT games through the divisions but SPL prices make me think long and hard about which games i as a neutral go to,Sure their are many more incomers like me who enjoy a day at the fitba but £40 plus for me the bairn an a couple of pehs is hard to justify.I personally wouldn't consider missing a cup game just because my season ticket didnt cover it but mebbes some folks budget for a seasonn ticket and thats their lot

Will that be you the same age as Mrs Paulibee then? :016:

You can be the one to tell Tommy he's losing some oh his turf

brain?

Kinell, next thing ya know they'll be issueing FBO's

Get Sky+ and dae them both!! Loookin forward to seein the wee fruits get a doing (dinnae let me doon now) then off to watch the egg chasing with a kerry oot :drinking08:

Well done to the ICT supporters trust and all who sail in her, despite the negativity and doubts of some. As one of our own more prominent trust members continually points out, "You dont need your umbrella till it starts raining"

Mebbe's something to do wi the cost of doctors call oot charges !!!

No done and dusted but fae our fishul site:- "On the way out today was club captain Bobby Mann, who seemed bound for a tie up with former boss Steve Paterson at Peterhead, we'd like to wish Bobby every success in his future career and the thank him for his outstanding efforts in Dark Blue"

2-0 ICT,Robson missing a penalty and Dodds scoring in the last minute to tie it up :021: now, where did i put that ICT scarf?

CAN EH MIND IAN URE....FFS HOW AULD DO YOU THINK EH AM!!!! :008: he left in 62 ,Sure Kevin would be flattered to be likened to him. Their keeper was ex Arab Samson and fair seemed to enjoy the "banter" fae oor fans (not)