Lofty.

Surely the draw we all wanted, the first Old Firm Derby since April 2012 will take place on the weekend of January 31st/February 1st 2015 when Rangers take on Celtic in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup. From the Daily Record: Scottish League Cup Draw: Celtic and Rangers paired together in semi-final THE first Old Firm clash since April 2012 will take place in February after Rangers and Celtic were drawn together in the League Cup semi-finals. It's another fiesty affair in the second semi as Dundee United and Aberdeen face-off at Hampden. Rangers, who have already beaten Premiership sides Inverness and St Johnstone on the way to the semis, will play the Hoops for the first time since their demotion to the Third Division. The Hoops blew away Partick Thistle in the quarter-finals and hat-trick striker John Guidetti will be pleased with the draw, having welcomed the chance to be let loose on his side's bitter rivals. Rangers boss Ally McCoist has welcomed the prospect of a clash with Celtic – but warned his players not to let it distract them from winning the Championship. The Ibrox gaffer is relishing a League Cup semi-final tie with their Old Firm rivals after they were paired in last night's draw. They'll meet Ronny Deila's men at Hampden for the first time in two and a half years and McCoist insists his men are ready for the challenge. He believes that they're capable of competing with the Hoops in a one-off game but says he won't get caught up in the hype. McCoist is adamant that Rangers' priority is still to earn promotion back to the top flight where they'll go toe-to-toe with Celtic on a regular basis. After the draw, McCoist said: “It's a great draw for us. Everyone anticipated it and judging by the reaction from the boys in the dressing-room, they're happier than me. “It's a smashing game for us. We feel the boys have come a long way and we're now in a position where we can compete with teams on our day. “We're not going to get carried away but I think it says a lot about the last couple of years that we're now looking forward to that type of game. “It can't be a distraction, though, and it absolutely won't be. It's a League Cup semi-final with Celtic – but nothing more. “Whether anybody likes it or not, it still isn't as high on our agenda as getting out of this division.†Ronny Deila thinks his players will jave no problems with being favoured to win the match. Deila said: “There were three good teams there and I think we didn't get the best one “But I have to say it is the draw we wanted, of course. I’m really looking forward to the game, it’s going to be huge and hopefully we will win and make it even better. “Right now we are favourites. We are that in every game in Scotland. We are used to being favourites and we will be that against Rangers, unless something special happens in January.†Celtic striker Anthony Stokes is relishing the opportunity to face Rangers. Stokes added: "It was the draw we all wanted. We are looking forward to the game and we are hoping to keep up the form we are on at the minute. "I think it's going to be different to any other game, any other Old Firm game, because we have gone two or three years now without it. "I'm sure the fans will be looking forward to it, it's going to be an epic game." In the other mouth-watering clash, Dundee United face Aberdeen. United were taken all the way to penalties by Hibs in the quarter-final, while Aberdeen edged past Hamilton. The final is scheduled for the 15th March. After Celtic and Rangers were drawn against each other in the Scottish League Cup, William Hill make the Bhoys 1/5 to qualify for the final with Rangers 10/3. Celtic are 8/11 to lift the trophy with Aberdeen and Dundee United 4/1. Rangers are 6/1 “It is the tie that everyone wanted in the League Cup and old rivalries will be renewed even if the odds suggest a comfortable win for Celtic,†said William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly. Scottish League Cup winner: 8/11 Celtic; 4/1 Aberdeen; 4/1 Dundee United; 6/1 Rangers THE DRAW Dundee Utd v Aberdeen Celtic v Rangers Ties to be played Saturday 31 January, 2015 and Sunday 1 February, 2015

It's going to be an Old Firm semi-final: Dundee Utd vs. Aberdeen Celtic vs. Rangers Ties to be played on the weekend of Jan 31st Feb 2st 2015

Dumbarton 0-1 Rangers KRIS BOYD’S well-taken finish in the 44th minutes proved decisive as Rangers booked their place in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup at Dumbarton’s Bet Butler Stadium. The Light Blues were not at their best in the first half of this tie but Boyd’s tidy finish 60 seconds before the break put the visitors in a strong position and from there they were able to hold on to their lead. Dumbarton, to their credit, never let their heads go down and although Rangers dominated the second period, and could have added to their slender lead, they had to work very hard for this victory. Ally McCoist made one change to his side for kick off with Lee Robinson taking Steve Simonsen’s place between the posts. Simmo took a nasty head knock in Tuesday night’s League Cup quarter final victory over St Johnstone which meant Robinson made his first start for the Light Blues with highly rated 16-year-old Robby McCrorie on the bench as the back-up keeper. After a positive start to the tie it was the Sons who had the first attempt at goal. The ball was played down the right channel to Lee Mair and his shot across Robinson brought out an excellent stop from the Englishman who dived low to his right. Dumbarton were clearly fired up and boss Ian Murray would have been delighted with the way his side approached the opening 10 minutes. They were sharp, aggressive in the tackle and asking questions of the Gers backline. Jamie Ewings at the other end, meanwhile, did not have much to do during the same period albeit the Light Blues enjoyed more of the possession. With 19 minutes on the clock Robinson again had to follow the ball closely as it whizzed past his post. It was towering striker Colin Nish this time who tried his luck from distance after he had controlled the ball well from a clearance midway inside Rangers’ half. At the half hour mark Murray would certainly have been the happier of the two managers. Rangers were comfortable in possession but Dumbarton’s defence was organised and worked hard to contain the threat from Boyd and Kenny Miller. Indeed, on 38 minutes it was Richard Foster who hit Rangers’ first shot of note and it was from 20 yards, and off target. Three minutes before the break Foster was again given time and space to take a shot, this time with his trusted right boot. He attempted to find the opposite bottom corner of Ewings’ net and Boyd clipped it past the keeper from 10 yards. The Gers fans were out of their seats but the linesman in front of the Bet Butler Stadium’s only stand was quick to raise his flag for offside against the striker. Before half time Robinson had to crouch down low to make a save from Mark McLaughlin before Rangers got their noses in front a minute before the break. Lewis Macleod moved in from the right and he slipped a great pass into Boyd who was lurking between two defenders looking for just a yard of space. The lethal hitman took one touch before curling an accurate shot past Ewings and into the net via the post. Murray cut a dejected figure as he walked across the turf and up the tunnel at half time. His team had put in a lot of effort but they switched off for one second and Boyd made them pay with a typically composed finish. Within four minutes of the restart Boyd created another chance and if he had scored it would have been one of his best. The ball was played up to the Gers number 15 inside Dumbarton’s half of the centre circle and with a drop of the shoulder he bamboozled two defenders and sprinted through on goal. Ewings sprinted off his goal line and when Boyd tried to beat him a left-foot shot he produced a fine stop with his legs to deny the Gers star. With a goal in place Rangers were now pushing for a second and when Stevie Smith played in Miller he twisted past his marker in the 18-yard box but another defender appeared to block his net bound effort. Macleod, who was asked to play on the right wing in Fraser Aird’s absence, was always trying to make things happen and when he again cut inside his shot from 20 yards skimmed the side netting at Ewings’ near post. As the clock ticked down Robinson did well to get down to make an excellent stop from a header while Ian Black’s rasping shot from 30 yards would have stung Ewings’ hands. With Jon Daly now on in place of matchwinner Boyd, Rangers kept the pressure on in the latter stages but they were unable to net a second goal as the rain began to pour down on the playing surface. Daly would have been disappointed to blaze a shot over after he was teed up by Macleod on his left side but McCoist’s men held on to their 1-0 lead and they now progress to round four. DUMBARTON (3-5-2): Ewings, Mair, McLaughlin, Graham; Gilhaney, Megginson (McDougall 80), Fleming, Agnew Linton (Van Zanten 82); Nish, Campbell (Turner 69) SUBS NOT USED: Grindlay, McDougall, McCallum, Lightbody, Whitefield RANGERS (4-4-2): Robinson; Foster, McCulloch, McGregor, Wallace; Macleod, Black, Law, Smith; Boyd (Daly 75), Miller SUBS NOT USED: McCrorie, Clark, Faure, Mohsni, Templeton, Shiels GOALS: Boyd 44 BOOKINGS: McGregor, Foster REF: Bobby Madden

Team News: First Start For Lee LEE ROBINSON will make his first start for Rangers in today’s Scottish Cup third round tie against Dumbarton at the Bet Butler Stadium as Ally McCoist makes two changes to his side. Fraser Aird misses the game through injury with Steven Smith replacing him and Sunderland-born goalkeeper Robinson, now in his second spell with the Light Blues, makes his first start after previously making two substitute appearances for the club’s top team. On Tuesday night Robinson replaced fellow Englishman Steve Simonsen after he went off with a head knock and prior to that he went on for Ronald Waterreus in a 2-0 win over Hearts at Ibrox on 7 May 2006. Today’s tie is another opportunity for the 28-year-old shotstopper to impress and it’s also a big day for highly regarded 16-year-old keeper Robby McCrorie, who has been named on the Gers bench. The Scotland under-17 internationalist is seen as being one of the country’s brightest young talents and he will no doubt benefit from the experience he gains from being part of Ally McCoist’s squad today with both Cammy Bell and Simonsen unavailable. Elsewhere, Steven Smith comes in to the team as the second change to the side that defeated St Johnstone during the week, with Fraser Aird set to miss out with a thigh injury. Robinson will have the same back four in front of him who finished the game against the Saints, with Richard Foster, Lee McCulloch, Darren McGregor and Lee Wallace making up the defence. In front of them is a midfield consisting of Nicky Law and Ian Black in the centre with Steven Smith and Lewis Macleod likely to take up positions on either flank. In attack this afternoon is Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd and joining young McCrorie on the Gers bench are Sebastien Faure, Bilel Mohsni, Jon Daly, Nicky Clark, David Templeton and Dean Shiels. RANGERS: Robinson; Foster, McCulloch, McGregor, Wallace; Smith, Law, Black, Macleod; Boyd, Miller SUBS: McCrorie, Faure, Mohsni, Daly, Clark, Templeton, Shiels DUMBARTON: Ewings, Graham, McLaughlin, Mair, Gilhaney, Fleming, Agnew, Linton, Campbell, Megginson, Nish SUBS: Grindlay, McDougall, Turner, Van Zanten, McCallum, Lightbody, Whitefiled REFEREE: Bobby Madden

The first time I ever went to Loftus Road was in 1971, as a neutral, with a QPR mate. And I swear to God, I have never seen so many people short of their fair share of braincells in such a confined space as were in the Loft that day. Next time I went to Loftus Road was with Chelsea. That time it was a case of spot the QPR fan. And the IQ level on display was massively higher than on my previous visit. That's why they hate us. Because we always were and always will be bigger and better than they could possibly be, even in their wildest dreams. It's not even a real rivalry, never has been, The whole big club/small club argument has never impressed me, but the simle fact is that, despite the occasional blip, or the occasional massive bit of assistance from the likes of Chris Foy, they're just not in our league. I can see how painful it must be for them, when we've had proper rivalries with Tottenham and Arsenal, West Ham and Millwall, even Leeds that go back to the '70s and beyond, but in our eyes, QPR have never been anything more than a little club from down the road. Noisy neighbours at best, obnoxious, pretentious, mouthy c**ts at worst. Having said all that, the QPR fan who referred to Ossie as "a no good dead caant" is surely in need of serious psychological help. I don't hate Stan Bowles, or even Rodney Marsh, who let's face it, can be a right twat, but for this muppet to lay into Ossie like that..by any standards that's f**king bang out of order. .

From Thoughts of [a Bell [End]'s musings on Ebola: And on Mourinho: Well guess what, sh*t for brains. We don't want YOU either. f**king idiot.

Even though It would be hugely entertaining bordering on f**king hilarious to see Steven Gerrard go on to win his one and only Premiership while wearing a Chelsea shirt, the answer remains: Nein Danker. You reckon Stoke would want him then?

From a scouse perspective:

Of which year?

Maybe, but I prefer to think of the bloke as a dozy scouse git.

Update. When this scouse git first posted his item, he described it as "The Ultimate Chelsea Collection", including so he said, a signed-match worn Frank Lampard shirt, and no less than three programmes signed by Frank himself, together with a few other bits. This was at Everton, hence the Liverpool connection, so he said. Opening bid: £1,000 plus around £3 for delivery. No takers. Yesterday, he'd changed the description to read "Less Than 48HRS!!! Frank Lampard CFC 100th Anniversary Home Shirt Worn & Signedt". Opening bid was down to £100 (reserve not met), no takers. Bidding has now ended, apparently due to "an error in the listing", Description was the same, but with a starting bid of 99p and Free Express Delivery, there were still no f**king takers! From a grand to less than a quid and this dozey f**ker still can't make a sale.

I actually think that Ovrebo had a point, in so far as he was massively out of his depth, and was nowhere near qualifed or experienced enough to take charge of a game of such magnitude. I also believe that he did his best, but his best was woefully inadequate, and predictably so, the equivalent of giving a non-league referee the FA Cup Final. It just wouldn't happen. The blame therefore ultimately lies with Uefa for appointing Ovrebo in the first place.

Who can forget David Ellaray in the 1994 FA Cup Final? He later admitted that he "regrets" awarding the second penalty, the one that knocked the stuffing out of the side and effectively killed the game. However, it wasn't Chelsea fans who issued death threats against Ellaray, but Man U fans, albeit several years later. 'I had sent off Roy Keane for the third time. Then the death threats began. The police fitted a panic alarm at my house' That was in 1999, when the Internet was still comparatively speaking in its infancy. These death threats were sent to Elleray in person. Liverpool fans - to give just one example - would routinely issue threats to a certain admin of another Chelsea site over the phone, to himself and to his family, simply because he was naiive enough to make his number available online. And yet it's Chelsea fans who have the rep for issuing death threats, All because of a single silly schoolgirl who wrote on a forum somewhere that she wanted to kill Anders Frisk. . Frisk was perhaps the worst example of the "Look at me" type referee. A preening incompetent drama queen, his decision to retire following the purported "death threats" cemented both his place in the history books and the reputation of Chelsea fans based on the incident. Anders Frisk: Famous for running scared from a mouthy little schoolkid.

if I've got this right, "they" that is the powers that be who are as ever, intent on turning what should be a simple game into a vast money-making franchise, got the idea from American Footbal. They're reasoning being quite simply that if it works for them, why shouldn't it work for us. This argument is both facile and simplistic, based purely and simply on greed. Nothing new there when it comes to the mismanagers of the FA, Uefa, Fifa et al. Financial aspects aside, the counter arguments are equally straightforward, but have the weight of common sense behind them. - American football is an entirely different game, designed with TV audiences in mind, the frequent breaks in play are perfect for slotting in the equally frequent advertising breaks. - American sport generally does not have the tradition of away travel, largely due to the sheer size of the country, but also a vastly different sporting culture. This makes for a different target audience, a different kind of atmosphere. - This takes us to the gentrification and the glamorisation of the Premier League. Hillsborough was, in my opinion, used as an excuse to introduce all-seater stadiums. Now we're stuck with them, along with huge price increases, widely different demographics among match-goers (tourists, corporates, entertainment seekers), traditional supporters either priced out, and/or feeling ever more marginalised, with those who can afford to go all to often losing the basic choice of where to sit and who to sit with. All thanks to the self same greed, catering to the tourists etc. Of course, this overseas match - originally planned as an extra 39th game, but now adapted to export one of the existing 38 fixtures - could be played anywhere, not just in the US, but I've used the US as an example because American football was the original inspiration behind the idea. Now that's out of the way, we come to the question of why? Why is it a good idea? Why should it happen? Simple answers are it's not, and it shouldn't, which is not to say that it won't. Since when did the FA et al truly give a toss about what the fans want? Why should fans (so called or otherwise) in the US, Australia, Nigeria, Singapore or anywhere else, be given the opportunity to watch an English league or cup game in their own back yard? I've heard of the fanaticism of US supporters That's fine if they consider themselves real fans, who am I to argue. But they are US based fans of an English team. Same goes for anywhere else. And then there's the effect on the players. Travelling to and from midweek European games is known to have an effect on the following weekend's fixtures, giving an advantage to whosoever the team in question happens to be playing. The further the distance travelled, the greater the effect. No arguments there, right? So now the plan is to introduce a round the world trip simply for the sake of making a few quid. What were the "pro" arguments again?

Shot Of The Day: 10th April 1970: A group of boys celebrate the upcoming FA Cup Final between Leeds United and Chelsea at Wembley with a match of their own in Chelsea's Slaidburn Street

Rangers 1-0 St Johnstone LEWIS MACLEOD was again the matchwinner as his stunning header in the 86th minute took Rangers through to the semi-finals of the League Cup. With tonight’s tie at Ibrox looking as though it was going to extra-time and maybe even penalties the Scotland under-21 starlet popped up with a brilliant finish from Fraser Aird’s cross to book his side’s place in the draw for the next round. Having worked so hard throughout the 90 minutes few would argue Rangers deserved to go through and in the second half, in particular, they showed a real hunger and desire to get another morale-boosting victory against Premiership opposition. Having already beaten Inverness Caley Thistle in round two, in a match which also saw Macleod net the winner, the Light Blues will now find out who they will play in the semis when the draw is made live on BBC Scotland on Saturday at 5.05pm. With 13,023 fans within the ground there were a lot of empty seats as both sets of players made their way on to the pitch for kick off. However, a section of Bears in the Broomloan Stand did their best to lift their side while also attempting to drown out the Saints supporters who had made the journey to Glasgow from Perth. After a slow start to the match it was the visitors who had the first attempt at goal. Brian Graham picked the ball up 20 yards out but his shot lacked the curl required to test Steve Simonsen. On seven minutes his strike partner Michael O’Halloran then used his pace to create another opening. The number 29 darted past Ian Black on the right wing and his cut back cross made its way through to Murray Davidson. He looked certain to fire his side in front but Richard Foster was there to make a brave block on the six-yard line to keep the score goalless. Rangers were also making chances at the other end and on 16 minutes they were denied by Alan Mannus. Macleod sprinted past Chris Millar in the middle of the park before he slipped a perfectly timed pass through to Kris Boyd. The Gers hitman had time to look up having got in behind the defence but his low drive was blocked by the Saints keeper. Tommy Wright was forced to make the first change to his side on 22 minutes as Davidson collided with Darren McGregor 20 yards from Rangers’ goal. The midfielder looked to be out cold as he was stretchered off and with both sets of fans applauding the Saints star as he was carried up the tunnel it was Gary McDonald who took his place. At the half hour mark the game was goalless although Rangers now looked the brighter of the two sides. Macleod and Wallace were again linking up well on the left flank but on 41 minutes a moment of slackness from the pair almost proved costly. Lee Croft intercepted a pass from Wallace to his young team-mate and when the winger clipped a teasing cross into the Gers 18-yard box Frazer Wright was guilty of floating a header over Simonsen’s bar when he should have at least tested the Englishman. After Davidson’s injury four minutes of added time were played and during this spell Foster again produced a terrific defensive header under pressure after O’Halloran had crossed in from the right. Croft then tried his luck from distance with seconds remaining but Simonsen got down well to his right to make a comfortable stop. At the break it was almost impossible to guess who would win this tie and within five minutes of the restart both sides had chances to edge ahead. Macleod produced a clever cross to Boyd but, with the Rangers fans out of their seats, his shot was deflected wide off a defender’s ankle. At the other end O’Halloran was through but his shot across goal was palmed away by Simonsen for a corner. With 50 minutes on the clock a stretcher was back on the pitch and this time it was for the Rangers goalkeeper. Brian Graham rose above the home side’s defence to meet a free-kick and with the ball arrowing towards the bottom corner of Simmo’s goal he dived to make the save but his head smashed into the post. Lee Robinson went on to make his second appearance for Rangers in this his second spell at the club. The treatment given to Simonsen meant six minutes of injury time would eventually be played but as the game approached the hour mark most fans in the stadium were wondering if extra time and penalties would be required to decide this tight contest. On 64 minutes a dipping free kick from Macleod on the left was aimed for McCulloch but the ball glanced off the head of his marker Brian Graham and landed on the top of the Saints net with keeper Mannus flapping. Miller then linked up well with Miller to get in a good shooting position but Wright was there to make an excellent tackle at full stretch. With 16 minutes remaining Jon Daly replaced Boyd as Macleod was preparing to take a free kick and within 60 seconds of going on the big striker crashed a header off the post with his first touch. It was getting to the nail-biting stage of the tie and you felt one goal at either end could clinch a victory and a passage through to the semis. Indeed, on 79 minutes McCulloch had the ball in the net. The skipper powered a bullet header past Mannus from a Macleod free kick but the Main Stand linesman had already raised his flag. With the tempo of the game rising chances were coming thick and fast and when a cross from Foster made its way through to Macleod he blazed a volley over with Ally McCoist shouting at him to keep his effort down. On 85 minutes, however, it was the boy wonder who got the only goal of the game and it was a cracker. Fraser Aird delivered a great cross and Macleod was there to guide the ball into the far corner of the net with a superb header to send his side through to the semis. RANGERS (4-4-2): Simonsen (Robinson 54); Foster, McGregor, McCulloch, Wallace; Aird (Smith 88), Law, Black, Macleod; Boyd (Daly 74), Miller SUBS NOT USED: Mohsni, Shiels, Templeton, Clark GOAL: Macleod 86 ST JOHNSTONE (4-4-2): Mannus; Mackay, Anderson, Wright, Easton; Croft (McFadden 88), Millar, Davidson (McDonald 22), Lappin (Caddis 75); Graham, O’Halloran SUBS NOT USED: Banks, Morgan, Miller, Brown REF: Steven McLean ATT: 13,023

Ah ok. I managed to miss the joke... and I don't think I'll go looking for it somehow!

On the other hand, Lewis Baker is on the bench, and I would guess that Ake and Mikel start to give cover for Zouma and even more so for Christensen who makes his debut. I'd also imagine that the actual formation won't look anywhere near as defensive when the game gets under way as it does on paper.

Team News: Black Returns For Gers IAN BLACK returns to the Rangers starting eleven for tonight’s League Cup quarter-final tie against Premiership side St Johnstone at Ibrox. The experienced midfielder slots in beside Nicky Law in the heart of midfield with Stevie Smith dropping out as Ally McCoist makes just one change to the team that beat Dumbarton 3-0 on Saturday. Black missed the match at the Bet Butler Stadium because of a dead leg picked up in training. He has, however, recovered fully and will make his 11th start of the campaign against Tommy Wright’s Saints this evening. With Steve Simonsen between the posts a back four of Richard Foster, Lee McCulloch, Darren McGregor and Lee Wallace will protect the big Englishman’s goal. Wallace, who gives an exclusive interview in tonight’s matchday programme, netted his first goal of the season on Saturday with a superb strike and McCoist will be hoping for more of the same from the club’s powerful full back. In midfield Law and Black will be looking to dictate play from the engine room while Lewis Macleod shifts out to the left wing with Fraser Aird on the right. They will be asked to provide support to the front two of Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller who now have seven and three goals respectively in all competitions this season after they joined Wallace on the scoresheet against Ian Murray’s Sons at the weekend. RANGERS: Simonsen; Foster, McGregor, McCulloch, Wallace; Aird, Law, Black, Macleod; Boyd, Miller SUBS: Robinson, Smith, Mohsni, Shiels, Templeton, Clark, Daly ST JOHNSTONE: Mannus, Mackay, Lappin, Wright, Anderson, Millar, Graham, Davidson, Croft, Easton, O'Halloran SUBS: Banks, McDonald, Morgan, Caddis, McFadden, Miller, Brown REF: Steven McLean

Trust me there was nothing remotely exciting about the above. Just a completely wasted weekend. Oh and Pontefract reeks of liquorice (as in Pontefract cakes). The only consolation I had out of the entire episode was arriving at Kings Cross handcuffed to those two CID. Reason being that I was wearing a Chelsea scarf, so was getting "what the f**k has he done" looks from a variety of supporters presumably waiting for various specials to get in.

Oh sh*t.. how did I forget the time I never made it to Carlisle? Another skint Friday night, I decided to hitchhike up to Carlisle. My mate who was supposed to go with me, didn't go in the end because his misses wouldn't let him. Got as far as the Watford turnoff on the motorway, and who should turn up driving some kind of van, but this other mate of mine. Where the f**k are you going, says he? Carlisle, for the football, I told him. He was on his way to Nottingham, to see this nurse he knew, so he said. I can take you as far as Nottingham, if you like, he tells me. That'd be great says I, but then he changes his mind. "f**k it I haven't been to football for ages", and so we were off to Carlisle... We got as far as Pontefract when he tells me his eyes are burning, he can hardly stay awake, Could I drive the rest of the way? I had driven but never taken a test, so I thought it best not to risk it. So we pulled over on to the hard shoulder to get a couple of hours kip. Next thing I know there are blue lights everywhere, old bill all over the place. Not having a clue what was going, they hauled us off in separate cars, and slung me into a cell in Pontefract nick. Presumably my mate was in another cell. Nobody told me a f**king thing. Next morning I was handcuffed between a couple of CID and escorted down to Acton nick, where I was again left in the cells. After a while, they put some obviious grass type slimeball in with me. Not that I could have grassed my mate even if I'd wanted to, as far as I knew he'd been going to see this nurse he knew. Ask no questions hear no porkies. Around midday on the Monday morning, they finally let me out. "Ok you can go now", said one of the uniforms. That was when I was finally told why I'd been pulled in. Turns out my mate had not only nicked the motor but had used it for a robbery in Park Royal. Not only that, but there was another bloke with him, whose description wasn't a million miles from mine. When I got home, my mother was fuming because the old bill had turned the place over looking for evidence. It was harder work convincing her of my innocence than the old bill. Next time I saw my "partner in crime" was a couple of years or so later. No hard feelings or anything, and looking back there;s no doubt at all that it was for the best that he didn't tell me.

Another way to look at their equaliser is that it immediately followed Ivan's sending off, both yellows were harsh in my opinion, the second especially so. With 30 seconds left on the clock, there is next to no time to reorganise, to adjust to being a man down. Man U managed to take advantage of the confusion, and that was that. Having so many players booked - six in all, means that over half the team are necessarily holding back from challenges for fear of getting a second yellow. Note that I'm still not blaming the incompetent fat c**t for the result, merely stating that a refereeing performance as inept and as gutless as Phil Dowd's cannot have failed to have had an effect on the way the game went. Yes there is a difference.

Part-time players are also ineligible for the award.

Yesterday I read that Mike Ashley has assured the club that he has no intention of launching a takeover bid, or of increasing the level of his shares to more than 10%. We shall see. Meanwhile: McCoist Welcomes Investment ALLY McCOIST has welcomed Mike Ashley’s investment in the club in the form of a £2million loan through his company MASH Holdings Limited. The Rangers manager has stressed for some time the importance of attracting extra finance with which the Light Blues can move forward. MASH’s backing was announced to the London Stock Exchange this morning along with news Gers chief executive Graham Wallace has resigned from his position. McCoist later spoke with PLC chairman David Somers and football board chairman Sandy Easdale about developments. He has been told the reasons for accepting Ashley’s offer and believes the move is a positive step. McCoist said: “It’s good news, of course it is. I’ve said all along the football club needs investment and we’ve got that. “I have to tell you I spoke to David Somers this morning. I had a good 15 to 20 minutes with him and I spoke to Sandy Easdale as well. “It was very decent of the two gentlemen to phone me and give me an update, which they have done. “A lot of what was said will remain private but one thing I would say is both of them are very pleased and comfortable with the situation at the moment. “The chairman (Somers) gave me an indication of why they’ve decided to take the investment from Mike. “The board are happy with that. If they are happy with that, I as manager of the club have to be happy with that. “Mike is a very astute businessman and he’s decided to support the club and invest in it. I’ve said all along we need investment. All going well, I’d think that would be very positive. “Change is always a concern but I’ve been reassured this change is moving the club forward and that’s absolutely fantastic.â€