IT HAS all gone quiet down Edmiston Drive way, which is perhaps for the best, while Charles Green and his mystery backers go through the books and determine if they can indeed pull together a CVA, or if discretion is the better part of consolidating their cash and they tell Sooty & Sweep: "Thanks, but no thanks".
This allows me to turn my attentions to other aspects of Scottish football, such as the international squad's end-of-season jolly to face the USA. Time was, at the end of the domestic season, Scotland's finest headed for Europe. The style for these trips was set by wee Hughie Gallacher in 1930 - starry role in a Parisian win over La Belle France, followed by a wee swally down Montmatre way and an effective two-year ban from playing for Scotland.
These European trips continued annually until the 1960s, when the increasing fixture list of competitive games - World Cup and European Championship qualifiers made such tours a thing of the past. There were good trips, bad ones and indifferent ones; highs such as beating Spain 6-2 in Madrid in 1963 or reigning World Champions West Germany 3-1 in Stuttgart in 1957, or Austria 4-1 in Vienna in 1955, were mixed-in with lows such as losing 5-0 in Vienna in 1931, 3-0 in Paris in 1948 and 4-0 in Vienna in 1951. I have spoken over the years to some - players and "blazers" who went on these trips and all agreed it helped mould the various squads into Scotland "teams".
So, if the squad does indeed bond in Florida, good and well. I do, however, hope Craig Levein gets something positive out of the trip. For instance, given that two of the three goalkeepers - Allan McGregor and Craig Gordon - will be moving-on from their current clubs during the close season (I cannot see McGregor staying with Rangers), then surely now is the time to find out if Blackpool's Matt Gilks can cut it internationally. We need to find out new formations in defence, midfield and up front, in fact, with the World Cup qualifying campaign starting in September, Levein ought perhaps to have more than just one game lined up - our squad is in a bit of a state of flux.
THEN there is Saturday's Cup final to think about. I hope this isn't the Kiss of Death, but, I honestly fancy Hibs to finally end those 110 years of hurt by winning the thing. Sure, on paper, Hearts will start as slight favourites, but, in O'Connor and Griffiths, Hibs have the sharper cutting edge and on the day, that just might carry them home. Nothing against Hearts, several cousins, having gone to Tynecastle Secondary, wear maroon regularly, but another emotional rendition of "Sunshine on Leith" come shortly after 5pm would be no bad thing.
OF COURSE, the Scottish Cup Final is a mere appetiser, the really big end-of-season jamboree will go on on Sunday, 27 May, at Livingston, when Shotts Bon Accord try to stop Auchinleck Talbot from winning the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup for the tenth time.
The one thing which can beat Talbot is their own over-confidence; but Tommy Sloan is a wily-enough manager to nip any such thoughts in the bud. I still think the 'Bot will win, but, Shotts will give them a game.
I am not in favour of Livvi as a venue - I have never liked the ground; however, it is the right size for the Junior Cup final, it will be pretty-well full and the atmosphere will be great.
Speaking of Tommy Sloan - I cannot help but think Ayr United missed a trick when they didn't go for Tucker as replacement for Brian Reid, who really deserves a medal for how well he has managed United over the past five years, before resigning earlier this week after their play-off loss to Airdrie United.
Tucker as manager, with Mark Roberts as his assistant would, for me, have been the better appointment, but good luck to Mark in his first managerial post - it will be a difficult learning experience for him.
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