MORE OPINIONS/SNIPPETS

MORE OPINIONS/SNIPPETS THOSE LOVELY HUNS AGAIN

Now that Rangers have made their annual early exit from Europe (twice) you really have to laugh at some of the Rangers fans reason for this. "Scottish footy is crap and doesn't offer enough competition. Cowdenbeath, Alloa you have a lot to answer for. This excuse is a pile of shite as teams in Norway (Rosenborg), Holland, Denmark and Switzerland seem to do alright, and none of their leagues are "world class". in my opinion Rangers lack of success in Europe is down to 1) bad luck with injuries 2) buying average foreigners (Laudrup excepted) 3) ignoring good Scottish talent (including probably their own young players)

Rangers fans complain they shouldn't have to play minnows in the preliminary rounds of European Competition, but until they actually beat some of the "minnows", they will always be one of the minnows themselves.

STAND UP AGAIN?

Martin Edwards, chairman of Man Utd recently came out in the press and said he would like to see the return of a small, safe standing area; his manager Alex Ferguson then backed him up saying he thought it would be a good idea. This unfortunately will never happen, as the government & the football authorities have gone too far down the road of all-seater stadiums to turn back now, even though sports minister Tony Banks agrees with them, but who listens to him?

I feel the pressure of another Hillsborough happening again would be too much for any government to bear. Edwards and Ferguson try to make out they're only thinking of the extra dosh this would bring in.

A RIGHT GOOD FEED

Just when are we going to be able to get a proper feed at Tynecastl00e? We have a Chief Executive who has spent most of his adult liFe in the catering trade, yet we still selidried out hamburgers, cold burnt pies and an amazing choice of about three different chocolate bars! When are we going to be able to get a fish supper? How about Chips and Curry sauce? Cheap, easy and very tasty. Pizza? Why not, it wouldn't lie for long. Tynecastle boasts the biggest youth club in Britain, yet we don't cater for them. A kiosk could easily sit in the corner between the Wheaffield Stand and the Gorgie Stand, in fact the walkway is almost big enough to host an outdoor market. I know profit margins are the driving factor, but in 1997 when Hearts should be looking forward, we should try to get away from the pie/bovril/hamburger scenario and try to gradually introduce some other forms of sustainance, we would buy it - even after the game.

FESTER ROAD vs TYNIE

It was great to see Tynecastle being awarded the semi-final of the Coca Cola Cup between Dundee.Utd and Aberdeen recently. Now that the Gorgie Stand is built it was no surprise to me that we were awarded a showpiece game and in the future I'm sure we will be given a lot more.

Recently, Easter Road has been getting the games we should have been getting, and quite honestly it has been embarassing. Thank God they switched the Latvia game to Parkhead as this saved us the embarassment of that coup being showed around the world!

I know I am biased, but they only have two stands, the rest is like sitting in a rubbish tip, and also they don't even have a level playing surface. For the foreseeable future, any high profile games which are awarded MUST go to the only decent football stadium in Auld Reekie - TYNECASTLE.

BIG DUNC

I found it quite funny recently when Duncan Ferguson wrote to the SFA explaining that he didn't want to be considered for future Scotland squads as he wanted to concentrate on his England career. This would be a reasonable thing to do if he was a regular member of the squad but the truth is he is not. He's either injured or in jail. Last time he played for Scotland against mediocre opposition he was mince (Estonia in Monaco). My message to the tosser is good riddance, you won't be missed!

ROBBO

We hear - that John Robertson is taking an interest in the licensed trade. He is one third of a partnership taking over the old Star and Garter Bar in Linlithgow. Last time we spoke to Robbo, he said it wasn't going to be a "football" pub, but it was going to be a proper ale-drinking pub (as opposed to a wine bar).

CELTIC FANS

We hear - that Celtic fans did quite a lot of damage at Tynecastle during their recent visit (particularly in the toilets). Hearts will write to Celtic but don't expect anything to come of it. Seemingly in football circles, Celtic fans are quite well known for wrecking opposing grounds facilities, but the authorities keep it quiet so the situation does not escalate.

MOTHERWELL SOCIAL CLUB

We hear - when speaking to a diehard Motherwell fan that 'Well fans have all but stopped using the Motherwell Social Club which is right next to the ground. Seemingly the Committee are more committed to the blue and white cause and make Rangers fans welcome, while looking for any excuse to either eject 'well fans or prevent them from getting in.