Kingsmills

Pedantic perhaps but in Scotland the person in the dock is known as the Accused. Defendant is an English term. Whether a personal appearance is required is a matter for the sheriff. I have to say that it is a little surprising for someone even a first offender, pleading guilty to an offence involving a class A drug not to appear personally but if the sheriff was happy to sentance Mr Hart in his absence who are we to quibble ?

I'd rather that Deano had a chance before we think of signing any more forwards.

Don't you just relish reading the references to ICT in McKimmie's collumn.

According to today's P&J, the club's decision on Richie's future will be announced on wednesday. The board appear to be divided on how to deal with the matter.

Paradoxically, now that our target in the match against Italy is clear cut I believe that our chances of qualifying have improved.

I'm afraid that I did. Much as I would love to be proved wrong !

Having aquitted ourselves so well so far in the " Group of Death" can Scotland take th necessary 4 points from our remaing fixtures against Georgia and Italy and qualify for the finals of this competition for the first time in our history ?

Great result but we need to win again on wedenesday.

Oddly enough, I thought that might be your view on the matter Gringo !

I have removed the links in the above post to sites seeking to sell non prescription drugs. The link is inappropriate even if these substances do not, at present, breach the criminal law.

I believe that the SFL, now that they have a new major sponsor, are trying to negotiate a deal with Setanta.

I'm pleased to see the club take this line.

It seems to me that the club must take into account, at least, the fact that the incident took place during the close season. It's clearly a mitigating factor.

Your right it's, not a criminal offence to consume an illegal substance. It is an offence to be in possession whether you intend to use the drug or not. That's that position of the criminal courts. The various sporting authorities adopt a different position where they tend to penalise the consumption of either recreational or performance enhancing substances.

No court ever found them guilty of taking drugs. No player admitted doing so. Anyway, we're at risk of straying off the topic of Richie Hart who's future with the club hangs in the balance.

With respect RIG, neither of the St Johnstone players ever admitted any offence nor was it proved against them. For one thing the white powder allegedly in their possession was never recovered or analysed so there was no evidence that they were in possession of anything other than a white powder.

The mere fact that Richie has committed a criminal offence should not automatically lead to his dismisal. However, despite the relativley modest fine which reflects his early plea and the fact that he appeared as a first offender, possession of a class A drug is not a trivial offence. In my opinion, if Richie at any stage misled the club about his involvment that amounts to gross misconduct and he should go. If on the other hand he has been honest with the club from the outset I believe that he should be issued with a final written warning making it very clear that the club deplores his actions and that any further misdemenour WILL result in his contract being terminated. The situation with the St Johnstone playes is entirely different as that was only ever a matter of allegation never prosecuted and never admitted by the players at any time whereas there is now no doubt that Richie has committed a not insignifigant breach of the criminal law.

I can't see the Dons progressing from that group but, then again, I predicted that Rangers would only get a single point from their Champions League group.

Vertical stripes for all of the reasons discussed above.

I have a feeling about his game. Despite Aberdeen's recent good form and high confidence I believe that we will break our duck against him and that Niculae will bag his first league goal.

On balance I would have preferred it if Gretna had held out for a draw. It would till have kept us ahead of them but made life more interesting at the top of the table.

Gretna will have learned the lesson taught so cruelly to us in recent sesons of just how dangerous Celtic can be going nto the final few minutes of a match a goal behind.

Looks obvious to me. Highland League clubs and former Highland League clubs.

Not such a bad weekend after all but we will be facing a veryconfident Dons side indeed in our next match.

Aberdeen's comprehensive victory over St Miren combined with Celtic's late win over Gretna puts us another place up the table so maybe not such a bad weekend after all.