FOOTBALL - you remember: two teams, 11 men per side, 45 minutes each way; extra time and penalty kicks if necessary: the object of the game is to score more goals (that is when you put the ball into the net between the two sets of posts at either end of the park. The team which scores the greater number of goals win the match, and in the case of today's match - the Scottish Cup.
I just thought I would remind you all up front; after all, in recent weeks football has apparently been about CVAs, liquidation, double contracts, EBTs, administrators, creditors, potential new owners and a great deal of discussion, dissemination and dispute.
I have a sneaking suspicion that today just might be the long-awaited day for the Hibbees, we may get another emotional rendition of Sunshine On Leith. This suspicion is based on nothing stronger than gut feeling and the fact that, for the first time in the club's history, Hibs are the "home" team in the final.
However, the game is a local derby, abeit being played nearly 50 miles from home; and as anyone who has been in football for more than one half-game will tell you, when it comes to local derbies, you can take nothing on trust.
My first job was in Edinburgh and I found it strange - to someone brought up in Ayrshire Junior football plus the Old Firm - the lack of hate between the Jambos and Hibbees with whom I worked. In fact, four of the boys at work, two Jambos and two Hibbees used to go together to whichever club was at home that weekend - only splitting tribally for the Derby games, before meeting up afterwards for a drink and some mutual winding-up.
So, I am fairly easy about whichever side wins. They both deserve their day in the sun and my only hope is that we get a great final, one to remember for more than the fact of it being the first all-Edinburgh final since Queen Victoria was on the throne.
THE ABOVE said - we have to turn (again) to the on-going dreich drama of the Rangers problem. The buzz is spreading through the Scottish media village that the BBC's Mark Daly has unearthed some spicey stuff for his documentary, to be aired in midweek, about Rangers. The word is that Sir David Murray will be getting pelters in this ne, having thus far, escaped any kind of forensic study thanks to the presence of pantomime villain Craig Whyte.
It will be interesting to see what transpires post transmission. I predict a riot.
THE Hampden final isn't the only one taking place today. There is of course, the European Cup Final in Munich, between Bayern and Chelsea. Chelsea were, in my view, the luckiest team on earth to beat Barca in the semi-final. I honestly don't see Lady Luck smiling on them two rounds in succession and believe home advantage will work in Bayern's favour; and no, Chelsea will be beaten long before the inevitable climax, should it come down to a Germany v England penalty shoot-out - ze Germans win.
nicw written
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