Hold Scotland, Hold, They've Won Nothing Yet

IT'S TURNING into a Dad's Army World Cup, if you're Scottish. Right now, the call is Lance-Corporal Jones' catchphrase: “Don't panic, don't panic.” They have still to get through a semi-final, and possibly a final, before we can all turn into Private Fraser and say: “We're doomed, doomed Ah tell ye.”

 

 Sound advice from the village butcher - they haven't won the thing yet

I must admit, I am not certain about the ability of Croatia to beat Them in the semi-final. I think the Croats have the better players, Modric and Rakitic for instance, however – they have been through extra time and penalties in both the last-16 and the quarter-final, and, that might tell on Wednesday night. But, even if England wins the semi-final, I am absolutely certain that whoever wins between Belgium and France will prove too-strong for Them in the final. But, there is always the feeling – it's fitba, and nothing is certain.

Actually, They are growing on me. I have long had a soft spot for Gareth Southgate, I like and admire the guy and the job he has done since being appointed keeper of the poisoned chalice.

They don't have quite as many bawbags and fuds in their squad as in the past; for instance, I really admire Harry Maguire. I don't think he is international class, but, by heck the big lad from Sheffield has played a blinder this far. He's the sort of big, solid defender who was supposedly out of fashion years ago. He'd be in my team at Kilbirnie, as we say in Ayrshire.

But, and what a shame there has to be a but – with England in the World Cup, you get the English media. Of course, since it is in effect the propaganda arm of the English/British Establishment, we in Scotland MUST be subjected to the ridiculously jingoistic and over-the-top pro-England cheer-leading which passes for commentary on BBC TV these days – Oh my McLaren and my Arlott long ago.

 John Arlott - proud Englishman, but never an England cheer-leader

At least, yesterday's game was on BBC. Bad and biased though they may be, the BBC commentary and studio talking heads teams are less overly pro-England than their colleagues on ITV. I personally think Clive Tyndesley is the SNP's biggest pro-independence asset.

Any way, why cannot we have a dedicated, less-biased BBC Scotland commentary? And, speaking of commentators, Ally McCoist and John Champion showed, yet again during the Croatia v Russia quarter-final, they are, by a lang Scots mile, the best commentator/analyst team at these finals – or any I can think of.

They have achieved the “Test Match Special” criteria, of sounding like a couple of pals, sitting together and watching the game as fans. Of course Champion wants England to win, but, alone of the ITV, and more-so the BBC commentators, he doesn't shove his pro-England view down the throats of the other UK nations. While Coisty, a natural broadcaster, also brings I feel, far more insider, technical knowledge than even the likes of the much-hyped Glenn Hoddle.

OF COURSE, we are a long way away from even qualifying for the World Cup, far less contesting a semi-final, so we need diversion, to stop us dwelling on events in Russia and what it might be like if They win the damned thing. No, best not to go there.

There was a wee diversion in Glasgow on Friday night, with Steve Gerrard's new-look Rangers sticking six goals on Bury, a team I would fancy Auchinleck Talbot to beat at Beechwood. Forty thousand of Ra Peepul turned-up to witness Stevie G's managerial debut; well, if nothing else, it gave some of the cross-Channel (North Channel that is) tourists something to do in Glasgow, as they readied themselves for a Saturday disrupting the traffic in the city centre and parading their bigotry and prejudices.

And, to be honest, poor team though Bury might be, it was fitting that wee Johnny Hubbard's old club was in town in the week the South African legend was buried. But, even a six-goal win cannot hide the fact, which is not being reported that much by the mainstream media – that all is not well off the field at Ibrox.

The Chairman – the Glib and Shameless Liar (GASL) is up to his erse in alligators in his ongoing fight with the Take-over Panel, and, should he ever enter Scotland, he could well find himself facing contempt of court charges. Then, we learn from The Donegal Blogger, who relishes such stuff – Mike Ashley is ratcheting-up the pressure in his ongoing battle with the club over who sells the replica strips.

Apparently, Ashley is sitting on a warehouse full of Puma replica kit, which may impact on Rangers' ability to flog their new Hummel kit – with a subsequent negative impact on Rangers' finances. There is a belief, the GASL and his allies have arranged an alternative replica retailer, and in so doing have breached the existing agreement with Ashley's Sports Direct business.

This is, as we say in the business – a developing story, but, don't expect to read too much about this in the mainstream media, where it doesn't do to upset Ibrox.

SPFL Chairman Murdoch McLennan - has upset the GASL

Elsewhere, Rangers are continuing what amounts to a witch hunt against SPFL Chairman Murdoch McLennan, who is also Chairman of the Irish Independent News and Media group once owned by rugby legend Sir Tony O'Reilly.

Apparently, the fact Celtic's principal individual shareholder, Dermot Desmond, and Denis O'Brien, his fellow Irish billionaire and Celtic shareholder are also shareholders in IN&M is unacceptable to Rangers and their GASL Honcho.

Responsible Rangers fans of whom there are many, are, at the least, somewhat shame-faced at some of the stunts which the GASL have pulled since taking control of the club. One friend, who has a seat in the posh area of Ibrox told me frankly: “He's not Rangers-class and to me, he is proof of Ian Archer's opinion on Rangers' fans. This was, in case you've forgotten: “They are a permanent embarrassment and ocasional disgrace.”

Still, there's European football next week, with the early qualifying rounds of the Champions League and the Europa League. I wonder, how much Progres will Rangers make, if any, this season.