The Edinburgh massive

The rivalry between Hibs and Hearts here in Edinburgh is, frankly, not as friendly as it should be at times. I have friends on both sides of the maroon-and-green divide, and over the course of the season -- when and only when Dumbarton are not playing -- I will make trips to see both of them.

That said, I live in Leith and Easter Road Stadium (pictured) is less than a mile from where I stay… plus the Hibees link with the Sons, through gaffer Ian Murray and others, is strong. So I lean green. Or at least, I  have in recent Scottish Cup finals, though I tend to avoid the derbies.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the possibility/probability that the mighty DFC will get to play at Tynecastle next season, and hope that Hearts can recover and flourish as a fan-directed club after their recent woes. This afternoon they are up against Inverness Caley Thistle (former boss: new Hibs gaffer Terry Butcher) in the Scottish League Cup semi-final this afternoon… and, ironically, the match is at Easter Road.

If I'd had the time and money I'd have tried to grab a ticket. As it is, I'll be watching on BBC1 Scotland. The other semi, won 4-0 by Aberdeen against St Johnstone, grabbed the headlines for the right, footballing reasons. I hope the same is true of today's showcase, given the unsavoury happenings after the game at Gorgie yesterday.

There will be another major Scottish final without either of the Old Firm involved at the end of this season, that's for sure. This can only be good for the game here, which deserves much more of a break (especially in the media) than it gets.

Green versus green

Leith is in the spotlight tonight, as Celtic, who have already lost to Hearts in Gorgie this season, seek to avoid more capital punishment in Edinburgh this evening. They face Hibernian at Easter Road, competing for a place in the semi-final of the Scottish Communities League Cup.

Since the match is taking place around a mile from where I live, I was very tempted to be there. But the lure of watching the game on Sportscene and saving precious football pounds proved more of an attraction in the end, compounded by the thought of more Old Firm gloating.

So far - with half-time approaching - Colin Calderwood's decision to put out an attacking Hibs line-up (partly because he lacks resources elsewhere, compared to the Hoops) is paying off, with the Leith side one up as a result of a deflected own-goal within the first five minutes.

Celtic are also struggling on the left, failing to cope with deep balls, hesitating at set pieces, and squandering chances. The one that produced the biggest local cheers, unsurprisingly, was a shot that clicked off the outside of the post from former Hibee Anthony Stokes.

Oh how sweet it would be to have an SLC last four without either Celtic or Rangers in it. I haven't made a League Cup Final yet, but I'd go for it if two other teams made it to Hampden.

Reality bites big time in the second half, however. Four Celtic goals in 24 minutes. Ivan Sproule off for Hibs for a second bookable offence. The ten men have 20 minutes to avoid further humiliation. Glad I didn't go now... 
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A great second half effort

Hearts' new manager Paulo Sergio must have found that one of the hardest half-time talks of his career. Spurs' superiority is so great in the first-leg of the Europa League qualifier at Tynecastle, that it's difficult to see what they can do. Well, other than closing down space, putting pressure on the ball, going for man-marking, and running themselves ragged down the flanks. But it's the morale factor which also matters hugely.

Whatever Sergio said, it seemed to have worked some early magic. A series of Hearts attacks, three corners, a couple of close ones - including a great opportunity when Andrew Driver cut in from the right and almost found Ryan Stevenson with a low cross. Tottenham have barely been out of their half in the first 11 minutes. And a fabulous run from Templeton, just denied by a very pacey Walker. Good to see.

But then Gareth Bale breaks and makes it 4-0 to Spurs. Cruel. Let's hope the  Jambos can come away from this with some dignity in tact. Fantastic breakaway goal for Spurs. Hearts fans sportingly applauding... and chanting, "We're going to win 6-5!"

5-0 to Spurs, and footballing credit to them. Men versus boys, sadly. 
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Hearts on the rack

Great to discover that the big Scotland-England clash is on ITV4 tonight. Even though I'm a Leither and a Son, I'd have loved to have got a ticket for the game at Tynecastle tonight. But it's going to be a tough watch, I fear.

On paper, even a weakened Tottenham Hotspur team playing its first competitive game of the season in this Europa League qualifier against Hearts are easy favourites - they are ten times as wealthy, for a start. And sadly, due to a little defensive over-crowding and a really unlucky deflection, Spurs have their away goal within the first five minutes - Van der Vaart being the man who's done the initial damage.

At the moment, just getting the ball is the Scots' main problem. John Sutton has just had a shot. But it would best be described as a long-range speculative punt. Then, oh dear, on 13 minutes Jermaine Defoe makes it 2-0 and the Spurs fans start to chant "easy","You're supposed to be at home" and "Are you West Ham in disguise?"

You won't catch me saying this often, but 'mon you Jambos! I fear that their main task now is avoiding too much humiliation. (As I type this, Defoe makes it 3-0).

Incidentally, the ITV commentators and summarisers haven't bothered to learn a single thing about Hearts.  Such arrogance.
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Fans with a real stake in Scottish football

First published in Sons View, 09 April 2011, Dumbarton -v- Peterhead

While the Sonstrust took a pioneering lead in establishing supporters’ trusts as an established and growing feature of Scottish football, others have continued the movement forward – not least Stirling Albion and Clyde, who have become Trust-owned and Community Interest companies respectively.

Both, of course, face massive challenges on and off the pitch. But they have also made significant strides forward in the face of huge financial obstacles. The current economic climate, and the structure of the game, makes it increasingly difficult for small teams.

That’s why it was so encouraging to hear that a SPL club, St Mirren, are embarking on “something very special”, according to businessman Richard Atkinson – who is seeing through a radical community-backed takeover of Saints.

Atkinson has set up a Community Interest Company called ‘10,000 Hours’ to buy a controlling 52% stake in the club, which was recently put up for sale by five of the current directors.

The total £2 million deal is going to be financed by local people, charities, community groups and businesses buying shares. That will include around 300 fans contributing £10 a month, which will get them a say in how the club is run. There will even be a chance to earn a seat on the St Mirren board.

Overall, the Saints will then become a partnership of individuals and organisations, ensuring that a wide range of people have genuine stake in the future of the club. Community links, expertise, further funds, and networks to others are also created.

Richard Atkinson told the Paisley Daily Express: “We’ve launched a website –10000hours.org – that will [everyone] to register their details if they wish to join the CIC. The reason for the name of the company is that 10,000 hours of professional training or education in any complex task is generally seen as what is required to bring you to a world-class level.”

He adds: “At the heart of this, it’s not just talking about being naturally talented, it’s that if you put the hard work into any task, you can be world class. Hopefully we are now going to see the benefits of that kind of mentality coming through at St Mirren.”
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Taking it on the chin

JR cogitates...

East Fife manager and Hearts legend John Robertson stopped over for a quick chat with the Edinburgh Sons' supporters' car on the way out of Strathclyde Homes Stadium today. And very good hearted he was, too, seeing that his side had just been beaten 4-2 by Dumbarton - something of a dent to their play-off aspirations. Sons' striker Jon McShane, who scored two superb goals, had played a fantastic game, Robbo willingly conceded. His own front-man Craig Johnstone had hit a really polished equaliser midway through the second half, it should be added. Indeed, all the goals will be well worth watching via the SonsTV highlights early next week. The only pity is that, as a result of SFL rules (which really don't seem to benefit anyone at the moment), DFC are only allowed to show five minutes of the match. Even though we pay to film it. Football is a mad industry, sometimes.
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Rangers down and out

Diouf is briefed by Smith

It's Europa League night again. The multi-millionaires of Manchester City have just been dumped out of the second-string European competition by Dynamo Kiev, Liverpool have a careless goal deficit to overcome against FC Braga (Who made monkeys of Celtic) and - in the match I'm watching - Rangers are trying to dig themselves out of the hole they've got themselves in against PSV Eindhoven.

Controversy will follow this one, as a clear Dutch handball on the line by Atiba Hutchinson (a cast-iron penalty and sending off) is missed by all five officials. UEFA will have some questions to answer. However the Glasgow Blues only have themselves to blame for the situation they're in. As for much of the 0-0 first leg in the Netherlands (a good result for Walter Smith's men), the 'Gers chased the game for the first 50 minutes - outplayed, out-positioned and out-paced. This is not the SPL, fellas.

In the latter part of the second half, Rangers - behind to a well-taken Jeremain Lens goal, provided by slack marking on the break - are showing some purpose and have gone 4-4-2. They'd get killed trying that on Barcelona. But PSV are a different proposition. Greg Wylde is having a good game for the Scots. They are now looking to Steven Naismith and El Hadji Diouf to work some magic.

I can't see it happening. They should be be level by rights, but even then they'd be out on away goals. I want Rangers to pull it back for ex-Dumbarton man Walter Smith's sake (his last season in charge), and because they represent Scotland. Normally I wouldn't give them the time of day, being Old Firm. And the mourning period will be very brief if they exit tonight. Funny old (emotional) game.

Update:  Rangers, Manchester City and Liverpool all out. OK, back to real life.
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Things are (still) looking up

Cookie

A few weeks ago, when he came along to Dumbarton to watch Hibs loanee Euan Moyes playing for Brechin City - who the Sons face on Tuesday night, incidentally - it seemed as if Easter Road manager Colin Calerwood was doomed. He certainly didn't cut a very enthusiastic figure that day... though having to watch second division football (not at its finest) might had something to do with that.

Anyway, I'm glad to see that my Edinburgh near-neighbours (I live a mile away from Hibs' ground) have picked up a bit, with four wins in the last four games. Their resurgence has coincided with Dumbarton's, as it happens. The latest victims were 2010-11 SPL surprise package Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who are Terry Butcher's proteges... and who I also wish well. What a fund of generosity I am at the moment! It must be Sons' five wins and a draw in the last seven games speaking.

On the subject of delight, it is always a pleasure to see an Old Firm defeat. I've witnessed two such occasions this season, one for each of the pair against Hearts at Tynecastle. Today Celtic crashed 2-0 to Motherwell. The Steelmen had relegated Francis Jeffers to the bench, too. Happy days.

Oh, and Dumbarton's 19s continue to set a pace, with a stonking 6-1 victory over rivals Morton at the Tail O' The Bank. Alan Cook (pictured), a product of our youth set-up, got one of the goals, along with two each from Reece Pearson and Ryan Metcalfe, and anther from Steven Jones.

Our first team may have lost at Forfar on Saturday, but things are still looking up. A win against the Hedgemen at Glebe Park on 1 March will be a tough call. But it's possible. 'Mon Sons!
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Grounds of hope

An imposing frame...

Arriving at Airdrie United's 10,171 all-seater Excelsior Stadium, still known to most of their supporters as New Broomfield, is a bit of a culture shock. This palace of football (relatively speaking) is an SFL Second Division football ground? Surely not...

Well, its beneficiaries - not the favourite club in the league, given their emergence in 2002 at the expense of Clydebank - certainly have aspirations greater than that. Don't mention the words "SPL2". Nor around here, anyway. But in the meantime it served very nicely as Dumbarton's visiting theatre of dreams on a chilly Tuesday night earlier this week.

As the indispensible online Scottish Football Ground Guide puts it: "The Excelsior is a smart looking all seated ground comprising four separate, single tiered, covered stands. The Jack Dalziel Stand (named after a former Airdrieonians Chairman) at one side of the pitch, is the largest of the four stands. Impressive looking, it has a row of executive boxes running across the back. The other three stands are of an equal height which gives the ground a balanced look. The corners of the ground are open apart from the tall floodlights."

Actually, it looks rather larger than its ten thousand capacity. Whereas, in my experience, many lower league English grounds seem smaller than they really are.  It also has the merits of being well designed, if not over imaginative, and very unlike the hideous soap boxes that emerged in the 199os among clubs that had to upgrade but couldn't afford a graduate architect.

As for the artificial pitch - well, I retain and inherent bias against them, but I have to confess that as utility playing surfaces they have improved beyond all recognition since they days of those hideous, lumpy, bouncy monstrosities that QPR and others introduced to the world way-back-when. Give me manicured grass and day, though.
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Hearts hype is way short of reality

According to much of the sports media, the Scottish Premier League title is now 'open' and a 'three-horse race'. My advice is not to believe the hype. 'Hearts on fire' reads the Scotland on Sunday headline (aping the famous song) after the Tynecastle club squeaked a 1-0 win over Rangers yesterday with a 77th minute goal from Ryan Stevenson. Even the BBC is telling us they are "genuine title contenders".

Nonsense. Far from being 'on fire' Hearts looked lacklustre for the majority of the match, with only Rangers' failure to take their chances giving them the opportunity to claim all three points from what was effectively their first shot on target from the game. Don't get me wrong. I was delighted to see the 'Gers beaten, very happy for Edinburgh, and extremely satisfied to have seen both Old Firm sides lose on my two live games in Gorgie this season (this one being made possible by the regrettable calling-off of Dumbarton's game at East Fife).

But there's no point kidding ourselves. The Jambos would (I'm sad to say) struggle in the second tier of English football, let alone the first. Rangers looked peaky too, especially in the wake of Kenny Miller's probably ill-fated decision to take the money and run to Turkey. And Hearts looked weak up front without Kevin Kyle, with Rudi Skacel looking less than his best - and with Rangers' Kyle Lafferty seeming lonely up front too, incidentally.

I'll be happy to be proved wrong and to see the Celtic-Rangers duopoly broken for the first time since the mid-80s with Alex Ferguson's high-flying Aberdeen. But the economic circumstances are much less equitable now than then (naive advocates of a ten-team SPL in the C21st, please note), the Old Firm depth of squad much greater, and the real test of Hearts' mettle will be the two away games at Parkhead and Ibrox which are just about to come up. My advance prediction is that they won't take more than one point out of those two encounters. Sadly. 
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Rangers pay the penalty

Battling away on the big screen...

After Rangers' heroic defensive efforts at Old Trafford and a home result against Valencia that did not do justice to their efforts, I tucked into an Irish pub in North London to watch the second Champions League showdown with Manchester United. The Boston Arms in Tufnell Park was showing three games. The other two were Spurs versus Werder Bremen (whom I had seen pre-season facing Fulham at Craven Cottage) and Barcelona away to Panathinaikos. Curiously, I started out being the only person in the entire establishment watching the Scottish-English clash. Later in the second half I was joined by two extravagantly well-fuelled Arsenal supporters whose vocally unflattering take on Wayne Rooney meant that they, too, would have been happy to see a Glasgow victory. Sadly, it was not to be.

Without Madjid Bougherra, Sasa Papac and Maurice Edu, the 'Gers (who I should stress I would not dream of supporting other than in European competition) still looked well organised and very determined. In a first half which was more about survival than adventure, they had their fair share of the ball but struggled to know what to do with it. There were few clear-cut chances at either end, with United inevitably looking far more menacing. The quality, pace and excitement ratcheted up a notch or two after the break,  thankfully. But in the end it was a penalty converted by the otherwise uninspiring Rooney that ended up separating the two teams after 180 minutes of football. That in itself is a considerable achievement for Walter Smith's men, whose reward is a crack at the Europa League. Almost certainly, they will not have the depth of squad to cope, and their final CL group stage match against Bursaspor will likely prove the 'Gers last appearance in the Champions League proper for some time, what with the coefficient further downgrading Scotland's stake in the competition.
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Tumult at Tynecastle

Hearts press the Celtic defences

Given that my last experience of hopping on a bus and watching a midweek game at Tynecastle hadn't been entirely positively, I umm-ed and ah-ed a bit over this one. But in the end, upon discovering (to my astonishment) that it was still possible to get a decent ticket for Hearts' SPL clash with Celtic that night before the game, I succumbed. I'm definitely glad I did.

I wouldn't swap my match days with Dumbarton for the world. But sometimes it is good to get to watch a live game at a significantly higher level, and to soak up a bit of the 'big match' atmosphere. This one was buzzing, particularly where I was sitting, in the spacious and comfortable Wheatfield Stand, adjacent to the corner where the Jambos' faithful crossed words with the Hoops' travelling support.

Given the mighty financial and footballing gulf between the Old Firm and the rest in the Scottish Premier League, I had braced myself for disappointment in my hopes for an upset. Hearts aren't bad, but Celtic came into this one off the back of a 9-0 drubbing of Aberdeen, and though few thought that would happen again in Gorgie, there was an understandable air of tension and apprehension among the home support.

Waving goodbye...

That soon changed. The Bhoys looked lacklustre, for sure. But nothing should detract from the determination and skill that Hearts displayed. This was a high-tempo game where concentration was vital if they were to succeed. For the most part, perhaps with the exception of those early moments in the second half when the Jambos looked as if they might try to sit back on a 1-0 lead with what would almost certainly have been disastrous consequences, they kept on top of both the match and the opposition - and, crucially, not just when in possession.

Technically, this match was far from flawless, but it had all the ingredients of a great game: passion, atmosphere, pace, constant endeavour, a couple of decisive goals - even a red card on the pitch and one for Celtic manager Gordon Lennon, too, for his (justified but over-exerted) complaint about a penalty call. The Hearts fans taunted the frankly rather unlovely Glasgow visitors - who didn't appear to have heard the tannoy appeal against sectarian chants - with "It's a conspiracy!" when they scored or got a decision. Altogether, a thoroughly enjoyable evening and a fine 2-0 home win.
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Good news from Clyde

It's not often you can say that - because Dumbarton's Cumbernauld-based neighbours (well, almost) are having an even rougher time than we are, propping up Division Three rather than Division Two. The good news, though, is that they have just announced themselves as a Community Interest Company. This is a change in the terms of ownership (rather than a change of ownership itself), but gives the members a direct say in the running of the club and provides a framework for maintaining the priority of community concerns over private profit. I have written a short piece about this on the Sonstrust website.
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Not much chance of another New Firm

Tonight I got my first opportunity, since moving up to Scotland, of getting to see a full 90 minutes of SPL level football - albeit on television, and a Co-operative Insurance Cup tie. Inevitably it involved an Old Firm side. Frankly, I'd rather have watched Dundee United versus Motherwell or Aberdeen versus Falkirk yesterday, but that would have been as likely as the emergence of another New Firm to challenge the green and blue duopoly.

As it happens, St Johnstone versus Celtic at McDiarmid Park turned out to be pretty absorbing in the second half, with a noble fightback from the Perth club almost taking us into extra time. They came back from 3-0 down, before eventually losing 3-2. It didn't start that way, though. Some feeble defending had the Bhoys three up inside 13 minutes. Thankfully, a very sweetly struck response from St Johnstone's Sam Parkin, albeit from another defensive lapse, recaptured some interest and possibility in the game. The BBC studio must have been mightily relieved to have a talking point (they tried bravely to portray the match as an uncertain contest)... other than pundit and Dons captain Paul Hartley's strange inability to find a shirt that fitted him for his latest TV appearance.

Murray Davidson's header also gave Saints cheer, but they missed vital scoring opportunities late on. Credit also goes to incredibly hard-working Collin Samuel, incidentally. Overall, though, this was too often like watching a League One or lower level Championship match in England - which given the absurd gulf in resources and population is not surprising, but is nevertheless sad. Up here the SPL is the big bad wolf for lower league supporters. Down south, I would have very much liked some coverage - especially as English football is compulsory on Scottish television, while our own game goes neglected because of the self-fulfilling prophecy of "lack of interest". That and the Old Firm resource-sucking machine.  Yes, I know, they generate considerable revenue too, but the distortion of the market is palpably negative overall. Thus the scrabbling around for some semblance of a credible SPL restructuring idea.

My instincts in Scotland are to support anyone playing Rangers and Celtic, and not really to care when they play each other. In European competition, everything is suddenly reversed, and the Old Firm are the plucky minnows - complaining, with no sense of irony, about the imbalance created by the Euro billionaires. Anyway, I was strangely pleased that the 'Gers defied Manchester United in the Champions League.

As a BBC message board poster succinctly put it at the time: "Possibly the best example of the chasm between both teams lies in the fact that Manchester United played a player in defence for whom they paid a sum which is almost as much as Rangers all-time record signing and worth more than all of Rangers's signings in the past four years. Sadly, the player in question was Chris Smalling, not Rio Ferdinand, which sort of underlines how impressive the result was from a Rangers perspective." Indeed.
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An alternative pitch

Yes, I know. The descent of Dundee FC into their second period of administration (and possibly much worse) in seven years is the result of two successive seasons of foolish over-ambition on the part of people with more money than sense - but not quite enough money, when it really counts. Looking back to 2003 provides some sickening warnings. Yet any fan of Scottish football worth their salt can only feel sorrow at the plight of the fans, the players, the backroom staff - all who love the game and the club who are staring dissolution in the face. Hopefully it won't come to that.

The answer to the deep money-driven malaise in British football, played out at a stratospheric level in the sometimes ludicrous Liverpool soap-cum-docu-drama, has to be in supporters playing a far greater role in running clubs. Labour, the Lib Dems and the Greens are among those who have talked, in different ways, about a statutory 'people's stakeholding' in every professional club. The Tories mocked before the election, of course. But reality bites, and fans need a way of biting back that is about wrenching the game back to those who love it, rather than just whining from the sidelines. 'Big Society', anyone? Among other things, as I've said over at the Sonstrust site, Trusts can make a real difference... in small matters, and (given the opportunity) in large.
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Breaking through

Half-time at Ibrox, Rangers are 1-0 up against Turkish champions Bursaspor, and according to Dutch analysts InfostradaLive, Steven Naismith is the first Scot for over three years to score a Champions League goal for the 'Gers at home. The last was current Blackpool captain Charlie Adam against VfB Stuttgart on 19 September 2007. Also, Lee McCulloch scored at Ibrox last season in the match against Unirea Urziceni. But unfortunately it was in the wrong net. Meanwhile, it's a 0-0 borefest in Spain between Valencia and Manchester United.  [Coda: Rangers won it with that single goal. MUFC found a get-out-of-jail car right at the end.]
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Trauma counselling in Europe

Normally, I'd be backing whoever the Old Firm are up against in the SPL or Cup competitions. But the rules change a bit for a European night, so I hope Rangers can get a win against Bursaspor of Turkey in the Champions League this evening... though I might draw the line at cheering them, especially as I will be watching the game in a pub in Edinburgh, since STV are showing Valencia -v- Manchester United.

In theory this ought to be winnable, but that might mean coming out of defending mode (which the 'Gers did very well against United), and this has undoubtedly been the Blues' undoing: they haven't won any of their last six European home games. They've scored just twice, and have not tasted victory for 13 games.

As Roddy Forsyth put it in the Telegraph this morning: "There will, of course, be team talks before tonight's Champions League meeting of Rangers and Bursaspor, but there is a case for trauma counselling, too."

No Turkish side has ever won in Scotland, though Bursaspor will be giving it a real crack, I'm sure. And Rangers are the team "who conceded four goals in successive group stage matches last season against Sevilla and Unirea Urziceni at Ibrox and who finished with the worst home record of any side in the group stage with three defeats and 10 goals against."

Could be painful viewing, whichever way it goes. 'Mon you coefficient!
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Hearts of darkness

Peering through the gloom at Tynecastle

Living in Leith (natural Hibernian territory), as I now do, sneaking off to Tynecastle is not something you do without a few furtive looks over your shoulder. Or a pair of dark glasses. Well, it was a sunny evening when I set off for Gorgie. By the time I got in to the ground to watch Hearts take on English foes Wolverhampton Wanderers in a pre-season friendly, however, my mood was definitely darker.

After 50 minutes or so being made to hang around outside, waiting for an unnecessary queue to evaporate, I'd missed the first 19 minutes of the game and the only two goals (Wolves won 2-0, with embarrassing ease). Thanks to a 'family friendly' 7pm start and the daft decision by the Club to stop home supporters getting tickets on the gate, we all had to hang around while ticket-office operators slowly scrolled their computer screens to find numbered seats. Yes, for a non-packed friendly. Away fans, I later discovered, had been able to hand over their hard-earned cash at the turnstile. As a result they got to see Wolves claim two cheaply conceded goals, including a penalty, in the first half - while hundreds of locals were left outside. Not a good way to encourage people to come back or bring friends and family along. So, hello Tynecastle; and farewell. When I'm not watching Dumbarton and have the chance, I'll be down Easter Road instead.

As for the part of the match I did get to see: it was pretty but poor - an all-too-typical training game in which, much as they huffed and puffed, a slightly under-strength Heart of Midlothian could not get anywhere near the stratosphere occupied by a side that finished just above relegation in the EPL last season. Not a great testimony to to the SPL, I'm afraid. There wasn't a great deal of goalmouth action, either. And what there was I strained to see: because after making me hang around for the best part of an hour, the Hearts admin kindly put me behind a pillar in the 'main' stand. Pity, because the rest of the ground is great, and there was acres of space across the way on the cantilevered side.

(Oh, and it was good to have the kids on the pitch at half-time, to receive some applause and encouragement. That was definitely the bright spot of the occasion.)
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Men versus Bhoys

No joy for Celtic this evening. At times it looked as if Arsenal were treating the game as a training match. Indeed, given their team selection and substitution, it was almost boys versus Bhoys. Eduardo's penalty was fortuitous, to put it politely. The replay showed no contact by Boruc. Celtic tried to push forward after Arsenal's opener, but with the exception of an offside goal from McDonald and a stunning (if intended) consolation strike by Donati in time added on, it was mainly a case of punt and hope. At 3-0 to the Gunners the tie was pretty much over at half time, sadly. The 5-1 aggregate result was a fair reflection of the gulf in class, even if three of Arsenal's goals had elements of fluke or deception in them. Next year, there will be no automatic SPL entrant to the group stages of the Champions League. It could be a long drought for Scottish football on the European stage.
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Almost a sigh of relief

Ah well, it could have been worse. Dumbarton's scrambled 3-3 draw against fellow-strugglers Clyde at least means we have a point, even if we are propping up Division Two at the moment. After falling two behind inside 25 minutes, I feared the worst. Thank goodness for Clyde 'keeper Calum Reidford's red card. And the largeish home gate got a bit of entertainment with the goals -- not that the performance appeased Jim Chapman. Meanwhile, the signing of former Rangers youth defender Ross Harvey (pictured) looks hopeful, if my contact at Brechin is right.

As for the local lads, Exeter City clocked up an away win at Carlisle on Saturday, thanks to a Marcus Stewart penalty and a fair bt of hard work, by the sound of it. I'll catch the home game against MK Dons this weekend. That'll be the first time I've seen "Franchise FC". I'm told their new home is "soulless" and "a dump... Too symmetrical. Horrible place." The trip down to the southwest will be a refreshing change, then.

The second leg of the Champions League qualifier between Arsenal and Celtic will be on telly at my local this evening. I'll take a gander to reward myself for all the hard work I've done today -- but it could be painful. Supporting one of the Old Firm because, in this context, they're the underdogs: that's a strange business, too.

Tony Mowbray wants the Bhoys to grab an early goal at the Emirates in order to have any chance of reversing the 2-0 deficit, achieved by the Gunners at Parkhead by two slightly lucky goals (though no-one could deny their embarrassing superiority overall). Frankly, they'll be lucky to stop Arsene Wenger's men grabbing a hatful. Still, Arsenal are a team whose ethic and footballing splendour I have great respect for - "the acceptable face of the big four" (if such a thing is possible). It would be really good to see them grab the English Premier League title this season. Won't happen, though. Still not enough staying power, I fear.
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