Ah! The Banter

“STICKS and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me” - thus goes the old chant from my childhood. On one hand, in a football context, the chant is worth remembering, when the opposition is belting out songs and invective designed to annoy and antagonise. On the other hand, a fans collective, rationing their hatred to songs and chants might reasonably be able to claim – it was only words, no violence was involved.

Rangers' MD Stewart Robertson

That appears to be the defence adopted by Rangers' Managing Director Stewart Robertson, as the fall-out from Saturday's Scottish Cup Final continues to dominate the football news.

It goes without saying – far better that the fans sing than fight. However, when the fans' choice of song has already landed their club in bother, both at home and abroad, and is widely considered to be illegal, under the terms of the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act – well, should they sing it?

In trying to defend belting out: “The Billy Boys”, I am afraid Mr Robertson merely joins the lengthy list of Rangers apologists, attempting to seize the moral high ground, not territory one normally associates with a club, and more-particularly a Support, lang syne recognised as: “A permanent embarrassment and occasional disgrace”.

Of course, the whole post-game shooting match on Saturday was kicked-off by the Hibs' supports' spontaneous field invasion on the final whistle – when they realised their 114-year wait for Scottish Cup success had finally ended.

1-0 Rangers

Then, a section of the Hibss' support made a bad situation worse, by running downfield to goad the disappointed Rangers' support.

2-0 Rangers

Another section of the Hibs' support then poured further petrol on the flames, by interacting with the Rangers' players. There is anecdotal evidence, one or two Rangers players were assaulted or jostled, one or two were certainly further goaded by fans of the Edinburgh club.

3-0 Rangers

However, faced with celebrating, goading Hibs' fans, a section of the Rangers support entered the park, to “do battle” with the Hibs' fans.

3-1 Rangers

As with the reports of Hibs' fans assaulting Rangers' players, there is anecdotal evidence of Rangers' fans co-operating to prevent Police reinforcements from getting to the ground after the trouble flared.

3-2 Rangers

Therefore, Rangers' do not emerge from the affair as the innocents and victims club spokesmen are trying to make them out. The greater share of the blame for events has to lie with Hibs' fans, but, Rangers' fans were also involved in the disorder.

To be fair to Hibs, they have apologised for the misbehaviour of their fans, and vowed to do everything in their power to assist the Police inquiry into the disorder, and to help bring the miscreants to justice. Rangers again poured petrol on the flames with their weasel words of Sunday. Since then, they have back-pedalled somewhat, but, the Glasgow club still comes across as trying to play the victims, and ignoring their part in the whole affair. For instance, there is an element of: “Don't mention the sectarian singing” coming out of Ibrox, but, what's new in that respect?

CONFIRMATION has come, he has been photographed holding the jersey – The Special One is now Manager of Manchester United. Let the revels begin.

The Special One

I still believe, Jose Mourinho and Manchester United is not a natural fit. Certainly he has a terrific record, the win/lost percentages of the clubs he has managed, the trophies he has won, these cannot be dismissed – he is a winning manager. However, none of his sides has ever won with the panache and elan the “prawn sandwich brigade” at the “Theatre of Dreams” seem to demand as a right.

His appointment is a gift to the football writers who are delegated to cover United, they will have fun, fun fun for however long he remains as MU boss – and I would not be confident of him seeing-out his new, megabucks, three-year contract. However, it cannot be denied: there may be trouble ahead; indeed, I redict a riot, but, it will be fun while it lasts.