Tuesday 31 March 2015

Gibraltar

A six one victory & yet. The first Scotland hat-trick since Colin Stein in 1969 & yet we have not had a player score 4 in one game since Colin Stein in 1969, more than that he scored 4 in a row.
Ludicrous ticket pricing saw a poor paying crowd supplemented by an East & West Stand freebie youth section, no bad thing as the experience of a good Scotland win may entice others to join the cause.
I for one however struggled to raise a cheer for home goals as it was only Gibraltar we were playing, mind you they brought a sizeable support that fully deserved their goal & to be honest I clapped the equaliser in their honour. One day Steven Fletcher will score a hat-trick of back heelers, he certainly has had enough practice.
The group is as we expected developing into one of death, we have been here before, see any of our qualifying groups in the major championships. Ireland insist on scoring in injury time and although we beat them 1-0 they, or we on their behalf still hit the crossbar well into the 90th minute at Celtic Park.
We march on to Dublin in what has become for Ireland a must win game & to be honest for us a must not lose match.
Poland are leading & deservedly so, we will have to beat them at Hampden & what an atmosphere that game will provide.
So 2 massive home games lay in wait & as usual new will have to get a result against the World Champs, no change there then. A tricky, awkward trip to Georgia awaits, the type of game we have lost in the past, can't afford it again this time.
Can we do it? Of course we can.
Can't wait.


Hamish

Tuesday 10 March 2015

Stuart McGrady

We were at the funeral is afternoon of Stuart McGrady, 29 years old who passed away in his sleep . A wee boy who grew up over the road. Forehill & Kyle Secondary School, Ayr Utd, Queens Park, Cumnock and Maybole Juniors for the last 7 years. He represented Scotland at schools level & beat England as captain.
A loving family brought up a smashing lad, a gent & a credit to them, football & the town of Ayr. A life ahead for him & his partner, instead we were listening to a really uplifting tribute. Lovely stories & memories of a real good guy. The players of Maybole Juniors represented him well today, what a lovely lad. The ceremony finished with' You'll never walk alone', I was greeting as everybody else did.
Life is cruel.


Hamish

Thursday 5 March 2015

I was invited to a Rangers game at home to Ibrox in the early 90's by a Lanarkshire builder, I was naturally delighted to accept. In arriving at the club deck c/w tie & jacket it was explained that Willie was a Celtic fan & had recently fallen out with the Kelly / White dynasty & had taken his custom & customers to Castle Ibrox.
We were 4 at the table joined with 2 couples from up north which led to much convivial conversation & a few drinks.
Walking out onto the Club Deck it was immediately apparent that the Bears sitting in the Debenture seats were fully aware that Willie was a Celt & there ensued some lively banter. My memory was of a close first half with the Dons providing stiff opposition. Half time came and went with the 2 couples enjoying a few brandies & possibly more.
Returning to the stand they were directly behind me, however after 5 minutes she was directly on me. She was blootered, she struggled to keep upright, her struggle to keep the contents of a sizeable Rangers drinks cabinet was however in vain. She was sick. After she was sick she fell in the sick. She was then carted out of the Club Deck much to the amusement of the Bears in rows 3 to 43.
' Willie, I see you've brought your sister' was the cry from a delighted Bear as not only were Rangers 1 up, the Celtic were in disarray & the lady that may indeed not have been Willie's sister was sick & in the sick, however both he & me were slightly splattered.
This story came to mind 2 weeks ago when asked for my thoughts by The Times of London, Scottish edition on the sale of alcohol to ordinary punters. A question of human rights me thought. If the corporate can have a pint then why can't we in the cheap seats?
Whilst not entirely convinced that there is much demand I can't see any reason why for example Elgin City can't approach the local licensing board to set up a wee bar.
The London Times, Scottish edition printed my thoughts & included my wee Ibrox anecdote. This week did I not find myself outside Willie's building factory & after introducing myself we laughed out loud at the memory of  the wifie landing in the sick.
The moral of the story is of course that perhaps we should leave the Corporate to drink themselves into a puddle of sick whilst we continue to drink a puddle of weak Bovril.
By the way Aberdeen drew 1-1 & soon after Fergus McCann saved Celtic. Willie has given up on football & listens to radio phone-ins.