A Play What I Wrote

EVEN the best double acts seldom survive the loss of one half: think Ernie Wise after Eric Morecombe's death, Bernie Winters without Schnorbitz, (not that Bernie Winters was ever in a good double act).

Only Peter Cook,Ronnie Corbett, and Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, all of whom are: "National Treasures" can be said to have survived the break-up of a double act.

I fear, all this nonsense with the referees might also signal the break-up of perhaps the most-treasured double act in Scotland, the Old Firm; since there are signs that, maybe this time, Rangers have recognised that Celtic have gone too far, and might not be willing to under-pin their dearest friends in their battle with the SFA.

Apart from one or two journalists, nobody has yet come out and told it like it is - this current row is of Celtic's making. The unholy alliance of Celtic - the footballing arm of the Catholic Church in Scotland: led by Lord John Reid - "cardinal" of the Labour Party in Scotland - the political arm of the Catholic Church in Scotland: and with timely intervention from said Church's pr arm, have helped get rid of Hugh Dallas, long time target of the Celtic "family's" anger.

One down, one to go, with Dougie McDonald next on the CF's hit list. Except, Dougie, if his thick skin doesn't thin, will be a bit harder to get. He's already been punished for his indiscretions following the Tannadice yes/no penalty; he's still got the protection of the former referees on the SFA's Referees Committee - no, he's safe, at least until the end of the season.

But, crucially, Rangers are not standing silently behind Celtic. Walter Smith has had his say, as has Dundee United's Stephen Thompson - the consensus is out there: that this is Celtic's fault. Now, Scottish football has to find the cojones to do something about that club.

If they do, it will not be pretty and I suspect, for starters, Neil Lennon will be watching from the stands for a long time.

It will be interesting too, if Dallas and some of the other former SFA employees sacked in the aftermath of the rogue e-mail, decide to sue for unfair dismissal. After all, this e-mail has been fairly well distributed, it has featured in a prime time TV show. With the right employment lawyer, Dallas might be able to demonstrate that the SFA's decision to sack him was over-the-top and perhaps motivated by other events. In which case - chaos.

Yes, we live in interesting times.

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RANGERS might have lost to Manchester United in midweek, but, they certainly put-up a better show against them, in both legs of the Champions League matches, than did Blackburn Rovers yesterday.

I know you cannot make snap judgements on a couple of games, but, I reckon Rangers could survive and prosper in the English Premiership, even with their present "weak" squad.

At the risk of being accused of harping-on, I've said this before and will no doubt say it again, but Walter Smith ought to shut up about how he needs funds to strengthen his squad and get them back at Murray Park in the afternoon, working on their weaknesses, particularly their inability to keep the ball, sorting out these failings. That way, the current squad just might go a long way in the Europa League. And while he's at it, in these dog days of your managerial career, how about changing the habits of a life time and trusting young players Walter.

Kyle Hutton didn't look at all overawed against Manchester United, give him, young Fleck, Wylde Junior and the other kids more game time. They deserve the chance.