Diamond Scot

So unable to say then. As I suspected. You are unable to provide the traits because you know it wouldnt stand up. Slagging Airdrie wont affect me. Im the 1st to say that we have a not insignificant element of our support that a hugely scummy.

Go on then. What are the traits that Hearts share with Rangers but no other fans share. (Because Hun isnt used to describe these teams)

Lowry looked really good from the highlights. Most impressed by his end product and looks comfortable with both feet. Hopefully he gets a run in the Rangers team. He certainly performed better than most in the cup and again tonight from what ive seen.

The religion of Hearts is relevent because its one of the "traits" that link Rangers with Hearts. If its just about scummy fans then loads of clubs up and down the country would be huns. Did you not even read my last post? I married a catholic, my son is a catholic. Im more than aware of the difficulties that catholics have been subjected to. That however is no justification for continuing the use of bigoted language regardless of what side of the divide you are on. I want Scotland to be a better place to live and work. Is that such a bad thing? Would the world not be a better place if football rivalry could just be about football and not about their faith, political views or family background? The uber defence of one side of the argument based on what team you support is a large part of the problem but as Ramy says, if you are through and through then its ok isnt it. And just for the record, saying Airdrie died really doesnt bother me as im not in primary school.

The only agenda I have is seeing the harm bigotry and its association with football in particular has on society. Spend some time in Glasgow sheriff court and cases are full of needless violence, often sparked by or escalated by bigotry. Its so engrained into west coast society that even intelligent normal people get blinded by its effects. Hearts share many of the traits of Rangers? I dont even know what that means if its not that their support is mainly pro union / protestant. (And vocally scummy) Are linfield also Huns or Hun light etc. If so it makes a mockery of the suggestion that its to with Rangers and more to do with certain traits associated with agrressive unionist protestants. I dont intend to go round in circles though. My question to Ramy was specifically about his use in connection to Hearts. His reply that he was Celtic through and through probably said more about the deeper problems in society than I could ever elocute. And for the avoidance of doubt in case you think im having a go at Celtic, I equally despise the use of any bigoted term used to describe Catholics given that I married one and have christened my son as a one.

You have a better memory than me. Any previous discussions have been around people using the word hun in reference to Rangers. Theres a postion (not one I agree with) but a position to be forwarded in defence of that however my interest tonight was about the use of the word hun to refer to Hearts. I cant for the life of me get my head around how the use of a word which is apparently about Rangers can then be justified when refering to a completely different team, in a different city with no actual connection to Rangers.

Nope. I just struggle to get my head around why grown adults would choose to use bigoted language and always interested to hear their attempts at justifying.

Can you offer an explanation of the use of the word hun to describe both Rangers and Hearts?

Yeah but that position only works when you arent describing Hearts as Huns.

I honesty dont mean this as a ctiticism but do you see that you have picked up bigoted language (whether you meant to or not) and continue to use it. I assume you and your mates didnt invent the use of the term diet hun and as you say you have seen it used elsewhere. I hope you can see from my explanation about the context of the use of the word that its not used to describe Rangers but linked to people who are protestant or in favour of the union. Id never criticise somebody unless they know better. You now know better I hope.

Im not asking you to justify anything and im not here to have a go at you. I am just curious about the use of the term. What do you mean about acting the same way? By same way do you mean that both supports have large elements of pro union / protestant supporters who are vocal in that regard? If its not that and is just scummy / aggressive support then surely the word hun cant be used in that context? Im not sure what you mean by part time celtic or celtic in your blood. Whats the relevence of that to the language you use?

I appreciate that you hate both of them. My question is about the use of the word hun which you use to cover both teams.

If the justification for using the word hun is that it refers to Rangers and not anything to do with religion or political views then how can it be used in the context of Hearts? Diet Rangers makes no sence whatsoever.

Hagi out for the season its being reported. This could be massive as he is one of the few Rangers players who can unlock the door when games are tight.

There was some chat on one of the other threads that the performance schools might be replaced or scrapped. This would be madness imo as we are finally seeing players who are comfortable on the ball.

Theres a difference between playing a team full of kids against a fellow premiership team and playing 2 or 3 youth prospects against a part time side in the bottom tier at home. I guarentee that fans would enjoy watching Lowry and King over Simpson and Barker tonight.

There are games in every season where rotation is required for a number of reasons. Not least allowing young players to get some experience. Starting your captain, vice captain, 5 other internationalists and no young prospects against a part time team who are in bottom half of the lowest division is embarrassing. Young player comes on due to injury and makes an impact. Much more benefit to see how a player like that performs than the likes of Barker and Simpson who have no future at the club.

Tonights starting 11 tells you everything you need to know about Rangers attitude to youth development. At home to a side in the bottom half of our bottom league yet not young player. Instead opting for Simpson who is rumoured to be moving back south soon and nowhere near good enough, Barker who has never and will never be good enough and the rest being genuine 1st team players. If guys like King cant get a start in a game like this then there is zero point him being at the club.

I agree that we havent seen the best of McTom yet but I disagree that he has been poor. Games arent just about goals and assists. As I said previously, he has been instrumental in how we play, especially when playing rcb with his ability to pass with accuracy through the lines rather than putting the ball long into channels. Fletcher got slaughtered on here, at games and on phone in's (causing me to make my 1 and only call to a phone in to defend him after Maccedonia away. It was only later in his career and more so when he was absent that he started to get the credit he deserved. The very same thing was thrown at Fletcher, how many goals and assists does he get for Scotland. Also similar for Robertson not so long ago. Its no surprise that Robertsons performances appear to have gotten better when he has a solid defence beside him and attacking players with intelligence and movement to play with. He hasnt suddenly started playing better. As I said, I wouldnt put McTom into the midfield 3 for the semi if others are fit. Doesnt mean he has been poor though. To flip your question, how many goals has he been directly responsible for?

Is part of the disappointment not because of who he plays for. Because ppl think that becauae he plays for Man Utd that he should be doing Roy of the Rovers stuff every game. Darren Fletcher got the same for years. My general point on McTom for Scotland is that he has been good. He has lacked the standout, grabbing the game by scruff of the neck game but he raises the quality of our play. 2 players can play the same pass but 1 makes a huge difference to the outcome of the game if they play it quicker, the pass is hit harder and more accurately. Thats what McTom does comparred to McClean, Fleck etc. McGreggor has been good for Scotland recently and the only reason I think deserves to play before McTom is the relationship with Gilmour and McGinn and the fact the next games a semi final. That being said id play Mctom as one of the 2 behind Adams. Alongside McGinn.

Theres a difference between nit wanting to break up a winning formula (that I agree with) and the declaration that McTom has been rubbish or not ever performed for Scotland. He has mainly been played out of position and on the whole has played very well at rcb. Yes, his positioning at times has been off but his ability to be calm on the ball and find accurate passes through the lines is massive for us and also key to the good performances of ppl like McGinn. When he has played in CM it appeared to be in a defensive role. Again he has done that well but its not playing to his strengths. He scored the winner in our most important recent game. Not saying you are guilty of this but far too many football fans look for the highlight reel events to determine whether somebodys played well or not. McToms ability to move the ball fast was crucial in turning around the Cyprus game (almost certain it was this game that he came on as a sub). His ability on the ball means others can benefit. If we had played with defenders who defend 1st and foremost and dont have his composure then the likes of McGinn and Gilmour would be busy running around after lost causes rather than getting the ball to feet where they can influence the game.

Last nights game would have been interesting if there was VAR in Scotland. Imo Aberdeen get a penalty in the first half. Im not sure what the linesman and to a lesser extent the ref were thinking. Did they think there wasnt contact in which case VAR overturns. I think the Aberdeen pen that was given remains although I dont think its as much as a stonewaller as everybody is making out. Even Kris Boyd thought it was which made me doubt my own eyes but after seeing it a few times I dont think his arm is particuarly away from his body / in an un-natural position and he doesnt appear to move it towards the ball. That being said im not saying it wasnt a pen. The actual penalty would be taken again as ball was moving. Stand to be corrected but pretty sure thats the rule. I think Kents 2nd yellow gets overturned on VAR as he barely touches Brown. Enough for a foul but not for a yellow. Tavanier possibly gets a red for his high challenge. That one is borderline but think VAR would defo ask the ref to look at it and in slow motion or a still photo it would be more likely than not to be upgraded. Overall though im glad its not in place as im not a huge fan of it for non factual situations.

I think Clarke has created a system where you dont drop an established player out of the squad even if their form isnt great unless their replacement is obviously going to be replacing them in the long term. Nisbet was better than Watt last year and Watt is better this year. Would anybody be confident that Watt will be better next year? Probably not so on that basis ive no issues with Nisbet keeping his place in the squad meantime. Obviously there is a cut off point where your form is poor over a long period that you get you dropped. Its one of the things i like about Clarke and why I think he has formed a stronger type knit squad with fewer call offs. Its also the reason why I dont think Oddonnell will be dropped for Ralston in March. Theres no doubt in my mind that Oddonnells days for Scotland are numbered but im not convinced Ralston will be in the same place in terms of form and appearences this time next year so would be premature to make that call now imo. Likewise with Ramsey although if I was a betting man id say he has all the tools to push on.

Aberdeen totally controlled the game but not once did they go past a player. You are correct though, crossing was shocking but alot of the crosses were the easy thing to do rather than drive into the box.

Too many forward players lose all self belief when playing the Old Firm. Was the same with Hibs last night. Defence soak up pressure then get it forward and the attackers / wingers are far too happy to turn back rather than going at their man or trying to make something happen.