The Rioch Are Different

JOCK STEIN FAMOUSLY had little time for goalkeepers. In fact he totally ignored the intellectuals of fitba players in his famous dictum about how to succeed as a manager. According to Big Jock the secret was: to make sure the five players in the team who liked you were more influential than the five who didn't.”

But that was then, back in the pre-Bosman days, when the clubs held nearly all the cards; the fitba players contracts landscape is a lot different today. Back then, there was no social media whereby players or more-likely their agents could tweet about how unhappy their fragile egos were because the big, bad manager was bullying the poor wee soul.

It seems the unbridled regard The Bears who inhabit the cheaper seats at Ibrox have for Belgian midfielder Nico Raskin is not shared where it matters – in the Manager's office. Russell Martin quite clearly does not rate Raskin – or, from whispers which have been emerging, does not trust him to work within the tactical parameters which the Gaffer has laid down for the team; so he has left the Belgian out of his squad to face Hearts this weekend.

We are in the age of The Head Coach as God: the guy who picks the team has total power, but, when things go pear-shaped, it's up to the Board as to when they pull the plug. It's infintely-easier to sack a Coach and replace him that it is to get rid of the up to half a dozen players who are taking a good wage but not delivering anything like value for money – so, the Coach goes.

Martin inherited Raskin, he isn't his player, so Raskin has a choice to make – he either buckles down and plays the role the Coach asks him to, or he tells his Agent to: “get me out of here in the January transfer window” and takes the hit in his wallet from the lack of appearance moneys and potential match bonuses.

There have always been unhappy players, and players who didn't get on with their Manager/Coach. It is fairly-common knowledge in his Orange County East Ayrshire back yard, where he was treated like a God, that Eric Caldow never got on with Manager Scot Symon. At a time when he was Scotland Captain, Eric lost the Rangers' Captaincy to Bobby Shearer. At the time Rangers had three International full backs on the staff – Shearer, Caldow and Johnny Little, there was a time when Caldow was the odd one out – not getting a game in the first team.

Matt Busby noticed, post-Munich Manchester United needed an international-class full-back and Captain to replace Roger Byrne, who had died in the crash. He enquired and was told he could have Caldow, for £75,000 – which would have been a record fee for a defender back then. The personal terms were good, all Eric had to do was pick-up the pen and sign.

But, he couldn't do it. For all his arguments with the Manager, playing for Rangrs meant more, so he stayed – got back into the team and played his way to legend status. Maybe Raskin needs extra lessons on what wearing that strip is all about.

ACROSS THE CITY, there's a wee family argument going on. The dissenting section of the Celtic Family, led by the Green Brigade, have planned a wee demonstration for tomorrow's match at Rugby Park. Brigade Orders are that the troops assemble outside the ground, but, do not enter until the 12^th minute – to demonstrate their lack of confidence in the board. Not your best idea Chaps, I fear.

For a support which parades their Socialist credentials and support for the down-trodden, over the years the wider Celtic Family have shown themselves only too willing to be ruled over by a small cadre of self-appointed ”aristocrats”. It took them an awfully-long time to divest the club of The Four Families – indeed, it took one of their own (the wider support's own that is) – Wee Fergus – to get the job done. Fergus then put in place a means whereby the ordinary fan would have a real say in how the club was managed, but, too-many opted to sell their shares to the present Politbureau.

I don't know, I'm only a Proddy – but maybe it's a hold over from Catholic Guilt – that the bulk of the fans want their club run for them – so they have somebody of something to moan about.

I fear, the only thing which might bring change at Celtic Park would be an organised boycott – hit the Politbutreau where it hurts, in their pockets. Stop attending games at Celtic Park, ignore the club shop, hit their finances. That may well be the only way to get the changes they want put in place.

SO – BIG ANGE is back in the English Premiership – inheriting Brian Clough's old Kingdom at the City Ground, Nottingham.

The Australian's new club is currently tenth in the table – exactly half-way up. Mind you I can probably guess why his predecessor was let go: if your club is below Manchester Unitedin the table, then clearly the Manager is failing.