As expected, Virgil van Dijk got his red card rescinded, and as it should have been, so did Paul Paton of Dundee Utd, who, since the events of last Sunday, has cancelled his spring break to Ferguson, Missouri. He just couldn’t risk it, even though the Ferguson Police Department have no connection with the SFA, and he’s unlikely to be shot at.

This takes the number of red cards handed out on the word of linesman Graham Chambers and later rescinded to four.

Out of four.

At the time of writing, there are no plans to put Chambers in for extra training. That’s because there isn’t anyone at the SFA who knows anything about the rules of the game. Or, for that matter, how to run a governing body.

Another Scottish referee made headlines all over Europe this week, and to be honest, as my interest in the champions League was ended on a fateful night against Maribor, I wouldn’t have noticed had I not been flicking through the channels last night after the wife had gone to bed.

Don’t even think it. It’s a mortal sin.

Anyhoo, highlights of the Bayern Munich -Shakhtor game were just starting, and three minutes in-even sooner as it was the highlights-a penalty and sending off changed the game in Bayerns favour, and they went on to win 7-0 against the ten men of the Ukraine.

And when I saw the referee point to the spot and scamper out of the way, the “I’m more important than you ” strut of Willie Collum was unmistakable. And you didn’t need to watch the replay to see that it was a harsh penalty.

I mention this because its evidence again that whoever runs the referee training section of the SFA, and we have to assume someone does, it’s  perhaps its time to send him away on a refresher course. For about twenty years or so.

So, van Dijk can play against Dundee Utd,

Also in that game will be Paul Paton and Calum Butcher, who wasn’t called to account for committing the offence that got Patton dismissed. Which a neutral would have expected.

Aiden Connolly can play as well, as he wasn’t even summoned for his theatrical antics, but despite a “not proven ” verdict, United will be without Nadir Ciftci, as he was already suspended for Sundays game.

Not proven ?

There were tv pictures, still photographs and a mark on Scott Browns head.

Now, if only Brown had told the referee he’d kicked him, then perhaps he would have been banned, on the balance of probabilities. All this nonsense about evidence is just taking up too much of the courts time.

Which, in turn,  means that there will be a little edge to the League Cup final.

Good. I’ll get that 7-0 one way or another.

With a big game coming up, we have to expect the usual bad news stories, and this one’s a cracker, from the Scottish Sun, which isn’t Scottish, and certainly doesn’t emit life giving properties.

They were originally going to bring this out on the day of the game, but as it started to appear on social media, they decided to bring it forward.

And they decided not to go with

“Young Man Out For a Laugh And A Beer On His Day Off ” 

Thats because they want to sell papers, and of course the latter headline isn’t sensational enough. Remember ” the team that drinks together wins together” theme under Walter Smith ? Well, that sold papers, because the only people dumb enough to get their news from print media happen to like good news stories about their club, even after it died.

Drink together and win together. Thats if you don’t count the ones from that era who slid into mental illness, alcoholism and crime.

Another example of editorial policy comes from tabloid Radio station Clyde 1. ( Hard to believe there are two of them. )

Old Firm Fan Jailed For Sectarian Singing

An Old Firm fan was jailed for four months by a sheriff who slammed him for bringing shame on Glasgow.

Scott Lamont, was heard by police singing the words from the Billy Boy’s on Cathcart Road on February 1.  

I don’t listen to Clyde, its too far away to pick up a signal, and even further from my intellectual demands of an entertainment medium, but I was curious to know why they had called him an Old Firm fan, since the choice of song indicates he is unlikely to be singing the Fields of Athenry as an encore.

Surely theres another story here anyway, and any grown up news outlet would be asking why a man can be jailed for singing a song ?

And if thats the case, is it worth Chris Graham, the Second Rangers director who shared his inflammatory  and explicit artwork with the world, making any plans for the next ten years or so , that don’t involve visitation rights ?

Its perhaps wrong to draw any comparisons between the two crimes, although both, of course, are hate crimes, and both should be reprimanded, but theres a nagging question which will no doubt be answered sooner rather than later..

How long before the line between sectarian songs and republican songs is blurred beyond recognition, and after that, owning a Nolan Sisters album will get you sent down ?  ( Actually, it should, but not for that reason. )

That image has stayed with me for rather too long, and I probably need to see someone about it.

Speaking of images, heres one for the ladies;

Thats Derk Boerrigter, ( for those who had forgotten what he looked like ) presumably strapped to a nurse to help him learn to walk again after his early season injury. It could explain why James Forrest is always suffering groin injuries, I suppose.

He’s actually promoting Christian MacLoed “luxury ” belts, and told the Evening Times;

 “Christian MacLeod belts are unique, luxurious and of the highest quality. His brand is a true credit to the Scottish Fashion industry.

“I like wearing CM belts because firstly, they look amazing, the designs are unique and easily recognisable and lastly, it’s a feeling of luxury every time you wear one.

“Myself and the rest of the team are very excited to be wearing Christian’s belts at the cup final on Sunday, Christian has kitted us all out with his Rizza belt to accompany our formal attire which is one of my favourites.” 

 His English has come on a bundle, hasn’t it ?

These belts are a snip at around £150.

My whole fucking outfit, including jacket and boots doesn’t cost that much. Maybe someone in marketing needs to have a word with himself.

 If the players are going to advertise anything, how about something useful and affordable ?

 For example Boerrigter could promote painkillers, Stefan Johansen could be the new Duracell bunny, and James Forrest could parade around in surgical stockings .

 Oh, bloody hell, theres a marketing opportunity just waiting for someone, as I have just remembered what Ronny Deila promised to do if Celtic won the treble….

 Speaking of marketing and PR, still no reply from Ian Jamieson, the PR man at Celtic. Perhaps he’s busy. Although I did get an automated reply;

If your request is regarding In-Kind Donations please see criteria below.  If your request is regarding another matter we will reply to you in due course.

In order for the Club to consider a request for a charity donation, please write a minimum of six weeks prior to the event enclosing a letter from the charity confirming you are authorised to raise funds on their behalf and all other relevant details regarding the event.  Please also remember to include a postal address to respond to.  On receipt of the relevant information we will be delighted to consider your request.

If you have not sent in all relevant information we will be unable to consider your request.

PR Department

Ah, the personal touch.

Reminds me of when you ring the council, and you get that message…

“Your call is important to us, and you will be answered as soon as I’ve finished the paper. “

Clyde have answered as well;

I’m sorry to learn that you’re unhappy with something you heard on Clyde 1.

I have received your complaint and, if appropriate, will respond within the next 5 business days.

Kind regards

David Walker
Content Controller
Clyde 1

david.walker@clyde1.com
0141 565 2268  

Now, it might surprise you,( it certainly surprised me ) but I work  for a living, and risen quite high in my chosen field, and one of my rules that has always led to a successful and happy environment is that if something takes less than ten minutes to do, then do it immediately.

 Obviously the above is automated, but whatever happened to someone being at the end of a phone, or at the keyboard of a computer, and just answering questions when they are asked ?

 Or does it actually take these people days to think of a reply ?

The Diary often criticizes the media when they get it wrong, so credit has to go to STV, who apologised when they tainted Feyenoord fans, over to help with a charity appeal, as hooligans, putting the police on alert;

Can’t see it catching on, but its a start.

Congratulations to Sturat McCall, who has taken up the reins at Ibrox, and has committed himself to getting the new club out of the first Division, although supporters may be distressed at another season in the Second.

By the way, that wasn’t him on Question Time last night. That was Charles Kennedy.

It’s  Comic Relief Day, ( meaning it would be a relief if they actually showed something funny ) and I got collared by a collector this morning. I put some coins into his tin, and he said;

” Thanks, but aren’t they chocolate coins ? “

 ” Are those kids hungry or not ? “

A night of television with Lenny Henry, Griff Rhys Jones.

We hear they’ve also invited a couple of comedians.

Heres a picture from a far off land. Where is it ?

Finally, on a personal note, a happy fiftieth wedding anniversary to my mum and dad, over in Dunoon. Well done, and have a great day.

See you soon.