Yes its true, Paul Ritchie is now on the NIT...Online... team. He will be given you the real inside stories on the daily going ons at Tynecastle. Thanks to Paul for taking the time to keep us fans updated with the REAL goings on inside Tynie.

ARCHIVES

May 16th (Cup Final Day)

Well I don't how I could put this to words but the feeling I had that morning was one of fear,nerves and also something in me knew that we were going to win the cup.
Once we had finished pre-match all the boys were a wee bit nervous which was understandable,kick off was only 3 hours away.We boarded the team bus and under a police escort made our way to Celtic Park. As we arrived at the park the hearts song boomed out over the bus which gave the boys a buzz and to see all the supporters outside so early was tremendous.
With kick off approaching the nerves started to kick in again but deep down this was a good feeling as I think it gives you an edge to your game. Once Micky scored the penalty so early there and then apart from when McCoist was pulled down by horse did I knew were good enough to win the cup.
Everyone reading this will know about the game but the scenes after the game both at Celtic Park and on the way home will remain with me for the rest of my life ......
If I never acheive anything else in football at least the 16th may will be etched in my memory for ever...

Paul

Thursday 14 th May

Friday 15th May

Well its 10 30 am and already the butterflies are starting in my stomach and thats a day early.We are in this afternoon and go away tonight so this is the last chance I will get to talk to you all until after the final. So here is hoping the next time we chat we will be 1997/98 Scottish Cup winners.

cya

Ritch

Thursday 14 th May

Press day.This is where the silly photos and all the "I never said that"qoutes are given for the next days papers and all the interviews for the T.V and radio are also given.
Must admit I did a couple of these photos..

Wednesday 13 th May

Another short training session before we left for the airport.. That was the end of the training camp and it was good to get away but also good to get home and get a couple of nights in our own beds.

Tuesday 12 th May

Checked out the hotel and made our way back to the training ground for another double stint of going over what we had done yesterday but before Big Slim suggested to the managament that we do 4 x 3 minute runs, they agreed.GREAT LAUGH.........
Hazel Irvine was down doing the necessary interviews for the cup final edition of Sportscene.
After lunch a few of the boys decided to put the cricket pads on and have a laugh in the cricket nets.I have got to say that for stick that Allan McManus recieves about having foreign blood in him I can tell you its not Indian or Pakistainian because he is the worst bowler of a cricket ball I have ever seen.Hopefully the Sportscene crew got some off his efforts as this had to be seen to be believed.
We arrived at our new hotel and this was where Scotland stayed before the Euro championships and to be honest it wasn't as good as the previous hotel.At least Hammy had something to do at night, he would be able to haunt the corriddors of this old Mantion type hotel.
Before dinner we were playing the play station in McCanns room while Hazel continued interviewing different players in the grounds of the hotel.As I was whipping Terry's ass at Fifa 98 we heard laughing outside the room and as we looked out the window here was Stevie fulton running about in Jose's nike althletic suit,the one similar to what Linford christie wears.The was certainly no lunch box there......

Monday 11 th May

After a 1 hour bus journey we eventually arrived at the training ground and it was worth the wait.The facilities were tremendous as was the playing surface.
The training was based on shape so there were no real oppertunities to stuff the old boys.
Neil Pointon was given the task by the BBC to record our wee break with a state of the art camcorder and that was all that Jose needed,the wee fruit was at all his capers with and without the ball and gave us all a good laugh.....
Neil McCann didn't train but will be Ok for Saturday.
Back to the hotel and another 9 holes of golf and another doing from McManus and this time he didn't need any shots.
Robbo ,Dissa ,Hammy and Roddie decided to play afull round and by the time the reached the 18th we had all eaten and were assembled on the balcony over looking the par 3 18th.We watched their tee offs and Robbo was the only one on the green and the proceeded to three putt much to the delight of the onlooking players.

Sunday 10 th May

Well less than a week until the big day and it is an early start with us reporting at Edinburgh Airport for 9am. The gaffer has decided to take us away for a couple of days preperation at Strattford Upon Avon.
Stevie Fulton has us in stitches with his peroxide blonde hair-do but in all fairness I think he suits it.
Well the boys are buzzing especially after the reception we recieved at the end off the Dunfermline game and then I realised I had made the right decision in signing for another 2 years.I signed before the game and with only 1 booking away from suspension the gaffer decided to leave me out so that I wouldn't miss any games at the start of next season.
Played golf in the afternoon with my twin brother Chalky and was stupid enough to give him 10 strokes without seeing him play for over 6 months(many Saturday afternoons on the golf course).I'm an 18 handicapper and mangaged to play better than that but still mangaged to recieve a hidding. Robbo scored an 1 under par 71.

Friday 8th May

Bad day when you make the old team at 22 but with all the ground staff training today that was the situation.Anyway a victory made up for it.
On to tommorrow and the biggest battle of the day will be between Neil McCann and Steveie Fulton who are both in the runnning for the Star check player of the year in the Sundya mail.Terry is in front by 1 point and anything can happen tommorrow.The gaffer has also threw in the chance that one or both might be rested,whoever it is wont be happy.
BY THE WAY BOYS I'M OPEN TO BRIBES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If the right money was flashed in front of my eyes the other player will not recieve the ball ll day.SO SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cya Ritch

Thursday 7th May

Another limited number at training and a small sided game was in order with Billy brown the referee.
After a poor start in which Billy went crazy at the standard the game picked up and only some dodgy refereeing decisions stopped the young boys recording another victory.
Terry(Neil McCann)Hammyand myself all went out on Wednesday to the opening of the new sports cafe in the grass market. I was suffering a bit in the morning as was Hammy and Terry but it didn't affect our performence especially Neil who continued from where he left off on Saturday by SHOWBOATING!!!!!!!!
Anyone who watches Soccer A.M on Saturday morning will no what we are talking about.David Rowson on Saturday and John Robertson this morning.

Tuesday 5th May

Another hard Tuesday which we never expected with a bit of running and circuit.
There was a reserve game on the Wednesday so it was only the first team from Saturday and no one was very happy with the situation. The ball work we did get was small boxes and my team of Fulton McCann and Weir got a pumping.

Monday 4th May

DAY OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday 1st May

Another victory for the young ones today again and we thourghly desevred it even though Billy tried his hardest to give the old ones goals left right and centre.
On to the game tommorrow and Mark Bradley is in the squad incase wee Micky doesn't make which looks likely.Hopefully we can get back to winning ways as the cup final is only a couple of weeks away and we need to get back into good habits...

Ritch