A rivalry that makes the Old Firm seem friendly

                                                                                                                            By Bernard Thompson
Irish Times online edition
It's that time of the season again in Scotland. The country's most bitter rivalry resurfaces with a league match that brings together the two sets of fans who reserve a special degree of contempt for each other.

The teams in question are, of course, Rangers and Aberdeen.

Black and White?: Controversy rages on about this tackle

For more than a decade these two sides have maintained a level of hostility that would make the relationship between Celtic and Rangers seem to be tame in comparison.

It would be naďve to say that the Old Firm fans have developed a healthy regard for each other - football related murders remain too fresh in the memory for that. But the antipathy between followers of the Dons and the Ibrox side regularly plumbs depths that would shock and bemuse most outside observers.

In preparation for Sunday's match at Pittodrie, another unsavoury incident occurred, on cue, with the likely result being a Rangers visit to the Granite City that will be brimming with vitriol.

This week, Aberdeen officials were forced to make their excuses for an unregulated forum, on the club's official website, in which fans had made distasteful remarks about the tragic deaths of two Rangers supporters in a weekend road accident. It was just the latest in a series of antagonisms that have often puzzled onlookers searching for its origin.

Although Aberdeen's visits to Glasgow had been highly charged affairs since the days of Alex Ferguson, commentators usually cite 1988, and the injury of Ian Durrant, as the birthdate of the real hatred.

One of British football's most promising midfielders at the time, he suffered at the hands of Neil Simpson, who seemed to stamp on Durrant's knee as he went in for a tackle. Durrant's recovery was slow and painful and he was never to achieve the same level of performance that had preceded the injury. While Rangers fans rallied round him, Aberdeen supporters felt that Simpson was unreasonably vilified during the protracted court case that followed, resulting in a Ł225,000 award of damages.

As a result, Aberdeen fans indulged in regular taunts, relating to Durrant's misfortune. The player himself recalled, in his autobiography, that when pictures of his new baby son appeared in the newspapers, an Aberdeen fan sent him a copy of a photograph with a bandage drawn on the child's knee.

There have been numerous other incidents. David Murray was forced to distance himself and Rangers from an unofficial fan magazine that had used its pages to urge Rangers supporters to "pay a visit" to an Aberdeen pub, which was a notorious haunt for the North-East clubs' fans. The management of the bar in question had announced to the media that they had installed new perspex urinals, which would have Rangers videos playing behind them.

More recently, Murray was forced to take action with regard to the Rangers' official match programme describing an element of the Aberdeen support as "scum".

Another occasion saw a well known Rangers-supporting comedian being attacked on the Ibrox pitch, as he led the home supporters in a song on one of Aberdeen's visits to Ibrox.

The upshot of this has been a degree of paranoia surrounding both sets of supporters where the other side is concerned. Aberdeen's poor performances against Celtic over recent years have led to absurd accusations from Rangers fans of them "lying down".

Those with this conviction seem unaware of the fact that the Dons' competitive performances against Rangers are probably directly inspired by the acrimony that such claims cause.

On the other side, Aberdeen fans complained that when David Murray urged Rangers fans to buy orange Netherlands shirts for last season's Scottish Cup Final against Aberdeen, it was a direct incitement to violence. And the decision, by the SFA, to refuse Aberdeen an equal share of tickets for the same match did nothing to improve relations.

There have been lighter moments. Dick Advocaat, oblivious to the history of ill-feeling between clubs, made the mistake of claiming there was little difference between playing Aberdeen and Greenock Morton, when stating his case for a 16-team league. The remark was received with customary indignation.

However, the incidents which can be greeted with amusement have been few and far between. The aforementioned goading on the Internet is more typical.

If Aberdeen manage to secure a result on Sunday which will further damage Rangers defence of the Championship, a gleeful reception from the Pittodrie followers will be guaranteed. However, in the climate of hatred that exists between the clubs, it is never certain that the talking points will concern the football.

Scotland proving prickly for Scandinavians

By Bernard Thompson

Tartan Special

Published in the Irish Times New Media edition

In the religious calendar of Scottish football, the feast of the European adventure is a time for recrimination. Three clubs, Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen have known the taste of champagne from continental cups. Each of these exemplified the perfect lives, in comparison to which, all modern endeavour is reduced to the level of good intentions on the road to hell.

There was a time when four teams taking on opponents from different nations would have been greeted with enthusiastic anticipation of the spectacular. These days, mindful of the fact that a Scottish casualty is traditional against the most benign of opponents, apprehension precedes the joining of battle.

Last week's probable candidates were Aberdeen, rudely coshed in their own home by a Bohemian parcel of rogues from an island at Europe's western extremity.

Their poor manager, Ebbe Skovdahl, enjoys neither luck nor luxury as he tries to fashion half a team of coalmen into diamond miners. As is customary when someone is enduring acute embarrassment, there was the inevitable application of schoolboy snot from an opposite number who has yet to know the pressure of expectation without facilitation. If, as Roddy Collins says, Skovdahl's 55 years make him too old to manage a major club, he has, at least, a maturity that is commensurate with his age.

It was a poor week for Skovdahl all round. John Jensen, guiding force of Danish Champions, Herfolge, had hoped to take advantage of Rangers' poor form and uncertain defensive combination to announce his arrival to Europe with an unlikely win. That his side lost 3-0 on their home ground, making them the only team, this season, to fail to breach that back line was the fault of Skovdahl, apparently.

With a grace befitting an infant who had dropped his ice cream on a dirty part of the pavement, Jensen wailed that the advice given to him by Skovdahl was no good. Particularly disappointing was Skovdahl's observation that the Gers' German midfielder, Jorg Albertz, invariably strikes the ball in a straight line. This was reasonable enough as "The Hammer" routinely invites defensive walls and goalkeepers to accommodate his shots, battered with such force as to verge on the malicious. Curling one into the Herfolge goal was a dirty trick indeed.

Elsewhere, Hearts showed that Iceland's middle ranking clubs hold no fears for the Scots elite by despatching IBV Vestmannaeyjar (a household name in Iceland) in a 2-0 away victory.

For good measure, the Martin O'Neill dream was preserved with a four goal trashing of those giants of Luxembourg club football, Jeunesse Esch. These are dreamy times for Celtic fans. The spark injected to the side by O'Neill (already lauded in a song to match any Norwegian Eurovision entry) has caused the fans to start digging out their optimism. Not only did the team come from a goal behind to beat Kilmarnock on Saturday but the hitherto useless Bobby Petta turned in a showing that should have earned him the man of the match award.

A less dignified performance came from his club's Chief Executive, Allan MacDonald. MacDonald's time at British Aerospace seems to have given him a grounding in the arms industry that extends to dodging bullets. The weekend papers were full of quotes from him pointing out why Celtic's troubles in his period of tenure were the fault of Kenny Dalglish, who he appointed, and Fergus McCann, who appointed him.

The comments about Dalglish were particularly lame as MacDonald fed Dalglish's enemies in the tabloid media with ammunition to continue their tiresome attacks relating to the former Director of Football's holidays.

More constructive was the announcement that both halves of the Old Firm are now moving forward with the development of a European League. Previously, David Murray had been dismissive of notions that Rangers would participate in such a venture but he is now positive about the benefits that it can bring. The plan has had many names but the most commonly used is the "Atlantic League". The new set-up would encompass teams from Scotland, Portugal, The Netherlands, Belgium and probably some Scandinavian countries.

With such success against the challengers from Iceland, Luxembourg and Denmark, it is unsurprising that the Scots should feel ready to take on the big boys - and Aberdeen may yet overcome Bohs, to show that Caledonia is mighty indeed. If they do, expect the four defenders of the football faith to be ushered to the next round with the traditional Scots toast: "Here's tae us. Wha's like us? Damned few an' their aw deid!"

Bohs can haunt Aberdeen

Aberdeen v Bohemians / UEFA Cup preview

By Bernard Thompson

10/08/00: Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange" was dubbed "A nightmare vision of the not too distant future." That particular horror found its way onto the banned list in Britain but there is a danger of Scotland

experiencing its own version when Bohemians play Aberdeen in the UEFA Cup.

In days gone by, drawing a side from the League of Ireland was a dream come true for any Scottish team. There would be no uncomfortable journeys into European backwaters; no need for the club to bring a chef for fear of being served the head of some domestic mammal; the supporters would enjoy visiting a country where their native culture was appreciated - and a win was a foregone conclusion. Aberdeen can expect to experience most of these pleasures but the latter is not assured.

The Dons go into the tie under greater pressure than any Scottish team, entertaining an Irish side, has known. Recent years have seen Celtic and Rangers tackle St Patrick's Athletic and Shelbourne respectively, and discover that the gulf between the League of Ireland and the Scottish Premier League appears narrower than it has ever been. Shelbourne, especially, caused uncomfortable moments. Such hiccups invariably furrow the brows of Scottish football's critics.

There are easy parallels to be drawn between Scotland and its near neighbour. But that proximity leaves Ireland within pointing distance of those who see a Scottish game in decline. Unpalatable as it may be for followers of Irish domestic football; the League of Ireland is held as an example of the catastrophe that could befall the Scottish League.

So when the Dons and the Bohs clash, it will not simply be a friendly inter-Celtic rivalry that will be at stake but a measure of the health of Scottish football as a whole. And Aberdeen are in a poor condition to bear the nation's standard.

Having finished at the bottom of the League last season, their Chairman, Stewart Milne, was unable to provide Ebbe Skovdahl with the funds to continue his squad rebuilding. Their precarious position has been exacerbated by injuries to Thomas Solberg, Russell Anderson and Derek Whyte, requiring Skovdahl to recruit ex-Dons defender, John Inglis, on a temporary contract.

Skovdahl, who endured continual jibes last season as his team was branded the worst in Europe, has a thankless task but he meets cheap remarks with dignity and Confucian wisdom. If Roddy Collins thought that his digs regarding Skovdahl's age would irritate him, he would have been better to devote his attentions to the job on the field rather than target a man who is undeserving of such disrespect.

Bohemians may have a real chance but the fitness of Aberdeen's Moroccan's Belabed and Zerouali (who wears a zero on his back), combining with Arild Stavrum, can give them a potent goal threat.

However, the issues in this game extend beyond the two protagonists. Despite their poor league form in recent years and their failure to buy since last season, Milne continually emphasises that outside of the Old Firm, Aberdeen spend more than any Scottish club each year.

Potentially, they are the third most powerful club in Scotland and the success brought to the North East by Alex Ferguson is not forgotten. So losing to a team from the League of Ireland would lead to a poor prognosis for the future wellbeing of Scottish league football.

On their best form, Aberdeen can win but, if ever a Scottish team was in danger, in such a tie, it is now. Skovdahl has the nerve - and many still believe, the knowhow - to repair the damage, even of a defeat by Bohemians. But has the Scottish game?

•  Bohemians' nerve holds firm

Leighton bows out with a bang

 By Bernard Thompson

Published in Irish Times, New Media edition

Leighton is stretchered off after breaking his jaw
only two minutes into the Scottish Cup final

One of the reasons that football keeps us watching is the mystery of it all. It is a game that seems able to defy logic, simply to keep us on our toes. And it is a sport with apparent scorn for the deserts of the individual protagonists. That fact was illustrated in the cruellest fashion to Aberdeen's Jim Leighton, in the Scottish Cup Final.

Ending his playing days in the same week as a 19-year-old keeper lifted European soccer's greatest prize, Leighton had cause to reflect on his own years as guardian of the net. He could not have imagined that the finale to his career would last only two minutes and end with his face being smashed by an opponent's knee.

Before the game, few believed that an, often hapless, Aberdeen side would assist their most senior player to a last badge of merit. But the passing of a player of Leighton's standing is an auspicious occasion and there have been many instances of the old sport seeming to bend its own rules to mark such a date.

This time, however, the fates of the fairytale game were observing the holiday weekend. It was a pitiful end to 23 years that have been as magnificent and desperate as any in the Scottish game.

When, in 1977, the 17 year-old Leighton joined Aberdeen, it was as understudy to Bobby Clark, who was something of a cult figure in the North-East of Scotland. In the era of the slapstick Scottish goalkeeper, Clark was one of Scotland's best, although he tended to remain frozen in the "ready" pose seconds after the ball had passed him.

In those days, the scoffing English media had special slots in their Saturday television shows for Scottish goalkeeping gaffes.

Whereas, England had Clemence and Shilton, Scotland had the uniquely accident-prone Alan Rough. As alternatives, Stewart Kennedy, of the Wembley five-goal fame, remained in favour at Ibrox, save for the challenge of the, often hilarious, Peter McCloy.

Jim Blyth of Coventry City was touted in some quarters, but his part in the most absurd of own-goals, when playing against Wales, did nothing to further the reputations of gloved Scotsmen. Celtic were better served, but by an Englishman, Peter Latchford, and then Pat Bonner.

With Leighton, everything was to change. He was Alex Ferguson's Number One as Aberdeen broke the Old Firm's Scottish dominance and secured the European Cup Winner's Cup in 1983.

Ferguson believed in building on solid defensive foundations and his stalwarts would be Willie Miller, Alex McLeish and Jim Leighton. While playing behind the former two was a help for any goalkeeper, Miller was a captain who demanded the standards of amazing consistency that he produced himself. His close vicinity was no place for fumblers.

However, Leighton was more than an irreplaceable part of that side. His consistency and brilliant save-making gave a new respectability to Scottish keepers in general. The admiration showered on him changed attitudes in Scotland and further south. From there, his potential seemed unlimited.

Following Ferguson to Manchester United in 1988 was a logical move. After 11 years at Aberdeen, the club's great times were clearly behind them. Ferguson rated his most trusted charge as Britain's best in his field and he expressed that faith with £450,000, the highest fee ever paid for a British goalkeeper. But the Renfrewshire man's fortunes were soon to decline.

His performances in England were sometimes magnificent but occasionally erratic. He was not suddenly robbed of skill but, over two years, he lost something more precious than form; the confidence of his team-mates.

The decisive blow came in the FA Cup Final of 1990. An uncertain display and three lost goals contributed to a draw with Crystal Palace. Ferguson - himself under extreme pressure - believed that he had no choice but to replace Leighton with Les Sealey in the replay. An assured victory suggested that there would be no return.

Most observers agreed with Ferguson's decision but, to Leighton, it was an undeserved humiliation. He spent two stifling years in the reserves before being sold to Dundee but a near obsessive faith in his own ability enabled him to revive his career.

A promotion-seeking club in Scotland was a humble venue for his talents but his contribution to their success was noted. A move to Hibs seemed to be a step in the right direction but the success of an international recall in 1994 would lead to further anguish for a man who was familiar with feelings of injustice.

At 35, he won his 60th cap and another 31 would follow. However, it seemed that Leighton was the reliable workhorse for the unglamorous qualifiers while Andy Goram declared injuries that prevented him from playing for Scotland but not Rangers. As Euro 96 approached, there was an ominous feeling that bitter news would be delivered.

In the previous two years, Leighton had been called upon many times and usually played well. However, the fans, the media and, more crucially, Craig Brown, could not be swayed from the belief that Goram was the better player. Scotland's opening match at Wembley would be one of the biggest games the nation had witnessed but Brown dismissed any idealistic notions and gave Goram the nod.

Leighton had every right to feel aggrieved. Goram, it seemed, had no interest in playing against the journeymen of Europe but could expect to take centre stage on the great occasions. Brown, never a darling of the Scottish press, had taken the populist option but Goram's outstanding showing lent no weight to the case for appointment based on principles.

Leighton considered ending his international career then but played on through the World Cup of 1998. Goram's erratic behaviour, and subsequent walkout, gave the older man another chance to play in a major tournament and, buoyed by the experience, he stated his intention to win 100 caps. But after some particularly harsh criticism of his performance against Estonia, he gave up playing for his country, nine caps short of his target.

By the end of the season just completed, he was re-established as Aberdeen' best (and only credible) goalkeeper. Attempts to replace him only resulted in would-be successors floundering with perfect comic timing.

Nevertheless, Aberdeen manager, Ebbe Skovdahl, had made no secret of the fact that he did not wish to have a 42 year-old goalkeeper, who was more apt to making mistakes than when in his prime. Skovdahl's offer of a six-month contract with a coaching role, has, apparently, left Leighton feeling slighted once again.

There is a suspicion that, to Leighton, there will always be another good season left in him, but he would rather retire than accept an offer that he feels is belittling. It is just another example of the self-belief, so fragile in other 'keepers, that has allowed him to defy the doubters.

Ironically, it would seem to be the critics, so despised by Leighton, who have given him the vigour to repair and renew a career that was both glorious and wretched. He deserved better than to end his playing days with a broken jaw and teeth but dealing with pain is nothing new to Jim Leighton. It may even spur him for another season. If so, it must be hoped that the fates are more attentive.