A New Year's whiff of scandal

                                                                                                                              By Bernard Thompson

Irish Times online edition
Well, there was no top league football last week but there were enough allegations, speculations,

Foul play?: The mystery referee

terminations and humiliations to occupy the attentions of the avid Scottish football fan.

First came the curious case of the "Top Ref" who condemned Rangers for their disciplinary record. The unnamed official claimed, in a newspaper, that the Ibrox club's conduct this season has left something to be desired after a flurry of red cards and a few controversial incidents such as Fernando Ricksen's notorious "straightening out" of an Aberdeen player's unmentionables.

The referee went on to speculate that Rangers should follow the example of Scottish football's blue-eyed boys, Celtic, and stop mobbing referees. He even went so far as to suggest that Celtic's 12-point lead is attributable to their being all round bloody good sports.

All this praise of Celtic really is now becoming a bit gut-wrenching - it's just not what they are used to. Next, the team will be taking the field with apples, scones, flowers and any other presents usually associated with teachers' pets.

The story became more intriguing with the suggestion that the criticisms came from none other than Scotland's top whistler, Hugh Dallas. Like any decent referee, Dallas is disliked by most fans but he is also hated by a large number of Celtic supporters to the point of insanity. Apparently he is clearly biased against the club and this goes back to the claim that he had applied for the job as Celtic's General Manager to be pipped by the unfortunate Jock Brown.

That lead to leaked murmurings at boardroom level that the snub might affect his impartiality. Fans tend not to need much reason to foam at the mouth, of course, and the bad feeling escalated until, in 1999, he was struck on the head by a coin in the most bad-tempered Old Firm match of recent times. On the same evening, his home was attacked by a member of the Celtic lunatic fringe.

This season, Dallas disallowed a Celtic goal that was shown to be a good three feet over the line and although he was said to have been shocked by the television pictures and, haplessness of his assistant, there was little benefit of doubt being offered from the green and whites.

Needless to say, the comments attributed to him have infuriated Dick Advocaat who has labelled the officially unidentified referee "a coward". The Rangers boss is also reportedly considering a move for Dennis Wise, so it is fair to say that he is unrepentant about any of his players' transgressions. Of course, it is unthinkable that Dallas might engineer such a public fall-out with Rangers but it might go some way to appeasing the more rabid of his sworn enemies amongst Celtic fans.

Relations also became strained between George O'Boyle and the entire football world. If the attitude of Sammy McIlroy is typical, then O'Boyle has kicked his last ball in anger after St Johnston terminated his and Kevin Thomas's contracts following allegations of drug taking.

McIlroy said last week that, at 33 and having suffered serious injury problems, O'Boyle's career was as good as over. As yet, there has been no evidence against the players offered publicly, other than eye-witness testimony. However, after such a serious accusation, O'Boyle would appear to be damned by his own silence on the matter.

To be honest, I tend to be of the "sitting on my moral high-horse" attitude, when it comes to drugs. We all have weaknesses, of course. I am told that I have been seen drunk but I have no memory of the occasions so I hesitate to own up. But footballers filling their noses with illegal substances come just below fox-hunters in my list of people that I would sentence to ten years listening to "There's a Bridle Hanging on the Wall."

That said, my sympathy for His Royal Highness, Prince Charles of Wales, after falling off his horse while chasing one of the little red animals is beyond question.

When players' careers are ended through injury, it is sad but when they are victims of their own stupidity the tragedy is less deserving of sympathy. O'Boyle has been a good player in his time but I find it difficult not to contrast his downfall with the efforts of Michael Mols as he strives to recover his form following an unfortunate injury. I can't help feeling that a model professional like Mols must look at the likes of O'Boyle, and his apparent contemptuous attitude to his career, with a degree of disdain.

So there will be no O'Boyle when St Johnstone play Dunfermline, in the third round of the Scottish Cup. Saturday's heroes were Buckie Thistle from the Highland League, who knocked out Hamilton Academical. They have a convenient draw with Ross County, meaning that they don't have too far to travel. Of the rest, Celtic visit Stranraer, which I would not wish on anyone. Rangers entertain Brechin City to prompt more reminiscences about Inverness Caledonian Thistle defeat of Celtic last year and the Bronze Age victory of Berwick Rangers over their Glasgow namesakes - which is annually recalled.

It is unlikely that Lorenzo Amoruso will play, however, as is wanted by both West Ham and Fulham, with the latter ready to pay more cash. Scottish football can scarcely afford to lose an entertainer like Lorenzo, although Rangers believe that they can as they hope to welcome Craig Moore back to the team sooner, rather than later.

Never mind, no doubt Amoruso is preparing a "My Rangers Hell" exclusive to a tabloid newspaper that will keep us amused for weeks to come. We may never see another Amoruso and hopefully, there will be no more George O'Boyles.

Drug allegations cast shadow over O'Boyle's future

By Bernard Thompson

Published in Irish Times online edition

The future of Northern Ireland international, George O'Boyle is in doubt after accusations that he and St Johnstone teammate, Kevin Thomas, snorted cocaine on a Christmas night out.

Other players were also present on the night although it is understood that the allegations relate only to O'Boyle, 33, and 25-year-old Thomas.

It is understood the pair were reported to the club by a member of the public who was concerned at their behaviour. As yet, no drugs test has been carried out and no criminal action is expected.

A spokesman for Tayside Police said: 'We have not been formally informed of the incident… We are aware St Johnstone are considering disciplinary action against two members of staff following an allegation of them having misused an illegal drug.'

The pair have been suspended by the club, although both are expected to fight any moves to terminate their contracts and are taking legal advice.

A press conference, scheduled for yesterday was cancelled after both players refused to attend, claiming that they had not been given due notice.

SPL Chief Executive Roger Mitchell, said, "We have not been informed of the latest incident but we are aware of it. The SPL must remain neutral as far as specific players are concerned because they have a right of appeal.

But in general terms, we deplore everything to do with illegal drug taking." Mitchell went on to say that there is a possibility of drugs tests in Scotland increasing after the success of such measures in Italy.

On hold for the bleak midwinter

 By Bernard Thompson

Tartan Special

Published in the Irish Times new media edition

At this happy time of year, all of the things that the Scots are famous for come together. Kilts, shortbread, whisky without an "e" and getting screaming drunk find harmony in the traditional festivities. Scotland is the only nation on earth that has a New Year, apparently, and everyone goes out on "Hogmanay" just waiting for the accordion thrill that signals the time to salivate on the cheeks of complete strangers. Then they play football.

Sadly, the collective headache of a people has put an end to the New Year's Day fixture list but the appetite is merely stronger on the following day. However, no team has rejoiced in the changing of the calendar more than Dundee United. Only days ago, all connected with the club were seething loudly at the unsportsmanlike behaviour of Hibernian players.

Apparently, some Hibees thought that the injury that felled Jim Lauchlan, as the game wound up, was a little too convenient. With the match at 0-0, there were suggestions that Lauchlan had nothing that could not be cured by hearing the final whistle. So, rather than return the ball to a United player, it was sent upfield where a corner and then a penalty ensued.

The result was a last gasp winner for Hibs to leave angry Dundonians asking where the referee found the extra three minutes of play. All this is very frustrating of course, unless you happen to be a neutral  - when it is little short of hilarious. Not so funny was the reaction of United's goalkeeper Alan Combe, who is alleged to have attempted to headbutt the fourth official.

Still, you can now dust off your "auspicious sign" clichés, for the first match of 2001 brought unheard of joy to Tannadice. Their distress against Hibernian was forgotten about with a home win over Motherwell. It took Utd nearly ten months to win at their own ground in 2000 so there is at least some room for optimism in the City of Discovery.

It was a less happy start for Kilmarnock. With his famed eloquence, their manager Bobby Williamson, described his team's 6-0 defeat against Celtic as "the worst experience I've experienced" in football. From Killie, it was as shoddy an exhibition as has been seen since Paul McCartney displayed his paintings and when Williamson heaved Ally McCoist on at 5-0, the merciless home crowd's day was complete.

Larsson scored four as he continues to search for his best form. Sutton scored another couple to make the Celts' fans feel like world-beaters. That they are not but Scot-thumpers they most certainly are.

As far as the Celts go, though, the big story of the week has been the undignified exit of Allan MacDonald. MacDonald was supposed to be Celtic's answer to David Murray. There were, though, a few differences.

For instance, Murray owns most of Rangers whereas MacDonald was merely a boardroom figurehead. However, MacDonald left with generous parting shots at almost all of the people who supported him throughout his period of tenure.

He claimed that Celtic had already planned to sell Henrik Larsson, before his arrival, and that only MacDonald's intervention secured the future of the superstar who notched his 100th goal for the club on Tuesday. This has angered the shakers and movers at Celtic, not least Dermot Desmond who is singled out for special criticism.

MacDonald also claimed that Desmond preferred Joe Kinnear to Martin O'Neill as the Celtic manager. However, one figure from Celtic Park (the legendary "insider") disclosed to me that the allegations relating to Henrik Larsson were hotly disputed.

He responded that "Joe Kinnear was much closer to getting the Celtic job than even he probably realises" but that "Desmond was never against O'Neill". In relation to Henrik Larsson, he went on, "as far as the board were concerned, it was Allan who seemed to think that selling Henrik was a good idea because it would bolster the accounts from the start. The board felt compelled to back him in anything he did as he was a new appointment, but they also supported him when he was persuaded that the fans would not tolerate selling Henrik."

He went on that Desmond and the board view MacDonald's recent comments as "a betrayal as they feel that they supported Allan to the final full stop." If that is so, they have moved swiftly to deliver a "Not welcome" message to the former Chief Executive. "The word went out that Allan is effectively persona non grata at Celtic Park."

"They know that they can't really bar him but they want to make him aware that he is unwelcome." To that end, "MacDonald's Executive Club status is now void" and even his entry to the car park at the ground was to be "subject to negotiation." Of course, this is fairly standard fare when a major figure leaves Celtic.

MacDonald, for all his accusations, was a failure at Celtic and he seems to be unable to accept that as he attempts to maintain a reputation that will assure his continued success in the business world. Regardless of his jibes against Desmond, it does seem that it was the former Chief Executive who made many of the bad decisions at Celtic Park.

Now, the club even refuses to credit MacDonald with the appointment of Martin O'Neill, which they say was instigated by a "non-executive Director" which suggests that MacDonald was even less successful than his record suggests. When that record includes appointing John Barnes, you have a fair bit of explaining to do.

Anyway, enough of Celtic. The other Glasgow team defeated St Mirren, partly thanks to two goals from £12m Wonder-Norse, Tore Andre Flo. The 3-1 victory came as something of a relief to Dick Advocaat but St Mirren were in no condition to give the Ibrox club any pre-winter break blues.

Yes, the action now ceases so that the players can recharge their batteries, in preparation for the final push for glory. In other words, the Scots male must now revert to accordion-playing until the footy returns. It will sound awful for a few weeks but the result at New Year is magnificent.

Bad tidings from the ghost of Third Lanark

By Bernard Thompson

Published in the Irish Times online edition

Bloody useless double-glazing! There I was in my nightshirt and bedcap, when a chill draught shrilled through me. I stepped miserably from my warm bed to quell the influx of air but could not evade a jangling sound.

I was bemused by the fanciful idea that it sounded rather like dragging chains when "Holy Moses, there's a man in my room!" The bottle of beer that I keep at my bedside for emergencies smashed with a froth as it sailed through the red tracksuited figure to the wall behind. "I am the ghost of Third Lanark", it moaned, "One-time decent Scottish football outfit, defunct since the sixties."

"And what do you want from me, chump?" I said, wetting myself with fear but petulant, nonetheless. "Learn from my mistakes," he said, "For there are other Scottish teams that could one day suffer my miserable fate." I now knew him to be quite mad as no one ever learns from mistakes so I was a little more respectful in my tone, "And what fate is that, Sir?"

"Who-o-o-o-ah, oh woe! Since I left this happy world, I have been forced to travel the grounds of the League of Ireland - I never miss a game." Now, I was truly scared. "You will be visited by three spirits this night. They will show you things past, present and yet to come. Heed them, he-e-e-d them!"

"Stick the heid in them given half a chance," I thought, but I kept my powder dry.

I reached for my Partick Thistle scarf, which banishes all things football but it was to no avail. In the corner stood a curly-haired man with goggle specs and a big woolly coat. It was Roger Mitchell, Chief Executive of the SPL.

"So you'll be the first," I said.

"No, I'm just pre-match entertainment," he squeaked but his smile faded. He thrust open his coat and what do you think I saw? Two whimpering children sat at his feet, one in the red of Aberdeen, the other in Dundee United's Tangerine and Black.

"This Dundonian is hunger," he said "Yon Aberdonian is want. Fear them! For they are crap and it's not getting any better."

In a flash, he was gone and a decrepit, white haired, whiskered figure stood leaning heavily on his walking stick.

"I know who you are!" I pointed accusingly.

"So you should, for I have been around as long as the game of football itself."

It became clear to me, "You are Tom Boyd, ancient captain of Celtic FC, recently displaced by Ramon Vega."

"Do yourself a favour son," he replied, "Don't mention Vega." He transported me to Lisbon where crowds swarmed merrily on a football pitch. "Cellic are European Champeeons," said one, "Nae bother! We're the best team in the wurrld!"

In a trice, I was at a ground with two towers where a figure in dark blue was playing keepy-uppy on the wing. The fellow next to me laughed. "England, World Champions? Nae bother! Scotland are the best in the wurrld now, ya big …. Aye, you, Stiles!"

I had just deduced that I was in 1967 when I was thrust into the middle of a riot. Plastic bullets and tear gas spattered the air. I hid behind a particularly large combatant who bellowed "Show's yir Barcelona chapels. Cup-Winners' Cup for the Rangers - the best team in the wurrld!" <

And then I was in Gothenburg where a tearful Aberdonian turned to me and said, "We've won the Cup Winners' Cup. We beat Real Madrid! We must be the…" "I know," I cut in, "the best team in the wurrld."

"Forget this not," said Tom and he vanished faster than you could say "Airmiles?"

By the time the stubbled Italian spirit arrived, I was dressed for a holiday in yellow Hawaiian shirt and white shorts.

"Don't worry. Lorenzo can give you some fashion advice. Come with Lorenzo."

I was ill-equipped for the frosty ground of Dundee where jaunty lads in green and white were nonchalantly leaving the pitch as a bespectacled Irishman repeated "Fantastic, fantastic lads, fantastic."

A large crowd mixed chants of "4-0, 4-0" in a medley with copious obscenities and references to terrorism.

"This is Celtic and they top of the League. I dunno why," Lorenzo remarked.

"Celtic top of the League!" said I, "This is strange fruit indeed."

"Hah, you should see the oranges," said Lorenzo as I found myself in a room where there were several men in blue. "I eavesdropped the conversation."

"Gonnae speak English!" said one in a voice of broad Scots.

"Gonnae learn Dutch!" came the reply, as half of the room was awash with laughter.

"Let us not squabble, "said the latter, "We have beaten St Johnstone, 3-0. The year is done. Come now, a toast to the founder of the feast."

There seemed to be mixed enthusiasm as the assembled group raised teacups and oranges and echoed, "To Dick, the founder of the feast."

When I was finally met by a postman at my flat, he was not bringing the Christmas cards or cheques that I had hoped for.

"I'm just a part-time spirit. I'm also a postman and I play for Hearts. There are many like me," he revealed, "I must show you things of the future, as this old year and century ends."

There were almost too many things to relate. I saw football grounds with chains on the gates and "For Sale" signs in the car parks. I saw fathers telling tearful children that he could not afford to take them to the game but that he would pay a tenner so that they could watch the match on telly. There were men in suits with Celtic and Rangers crests grovelling on their knees.

One said "Oh English masters, let us into the Premiership. We can't get a European League started." A man flicked cigar ash at both and scoffed "Don't make me larf. How 'bout the Nationwide League?"

I saw celebrating Irishmen as their team had knocked a Scots side out of the UEFA Cup. "That bit's already happened," the spirit revealed.

It was all too much. I pleaded to be shown no more and, still shouting, I awoke. Imagine my joy when I discovered that there was yet time. "I have been given a gift!" I shouted from my window, "I will save this game preaching youth development, and League reconstruction. I will call for less League matches and fixture lists that accommodate European competitors. I will demand that skill be emphasised for school age footballers, with imported coaches if necessary. I will call for measures to encourage the playing of talented Scots. I will save Scottish football."

I made off, still in my Hawaiian shirt, and ran not caring if I would first reach Ibrox, Celtic Park or the Head Office of the Scottish Football Association. Alas, I never made it. I was lifted by some cop who would only say, "It's for your own good, son" and am now remanded in a secure hospital.

So if this message reaches anybody, please see that it gets to the powers that be. Just tell them that it came from Third Lanark.

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.

Jefferies departs amid uncertainty at Tynecastle

By Bernard Thompson

Published in Irish Time online edition,

As supporters of Heart of Midlothian come to terms with the departure of their manager, Jim Jefferies, the reactions are of anger, frustration and disappointment, but not surprise. On winning Hearts' first major trophy for 36 years with a Scottish Cup win, in 1998, there was optimism at the club that they were finally making substantial progress on the field.

However, neither the Cup success, nor a major sponsorship deal was to signal a sustained challenge to their domestic game's established order. Last year, the Scottish Media Group, invested £8m in Hearts, with the promise from Chief Executive, Chris Robinson, was that half of that amount would be spent on players. In fact, less than £2m went on transfer fees, with the club arguing that a similar sum was allotted to player salaries. This infuriated supporters, who felt that they had been betrayed.

In a catastrophic failure of communication, Robinson appeared to be back-peddling from his earlier promises and it is clear that Jefferies had been under the same illusion as the supporters. Instead, after believing that he would be in a position to sign players of greater stature, Jefferies would be further dismayed to find that financial problems meant the gradual disintegration of his playing squad.

Since the Cup win, Neil McCann, Paul Ritchie, David Weir and, most recently, Gary Naysmith have left the club, representing much of the core talent at Jefferies disposal. The departure of Colin Cameron has been seen as inevitable since the season began, and it has been made clear to Darren Jackson that the club cannot afford to honour a contractual clause, guaranteeing him a one year extension. By any measure, Jefferies was in an irresolvable position.

The extent of Hearts, financial difficulties were indicated with the revelation, earlier in the season, that the club was attempting to manage losses of £250,000 per month. Clearly, this meant little prospect of improvement and an offer by former Chairman, Leslie Deans, to invest £2.25m in the club led to increased acrimony.

Again, Jefferies was in the middle of a situation that was outwith his control. Deans is a friend and admirer of Jefferies but his offer was dependent on the removal of Robinson, who had been known to be lukewarm in his support of the manager. The claim that Robinson had proposed dismissing Jefferies infuriated fans and was roundly criticised in the media, where a drama of personalities was increasingly represented.

For Robinson, who remains defiant in his statements, the question of Jefferies future has always seemed to be critical to his role within the club. Robinson's support in the boardroom still holds.

However, the warmth generated by his relationship with the fans approaches absolute zero and yesterday's events will surely test the resolve of the directors. Meanwhile the comments by Paul Ritchie, now with Manchester City, that no one can succeed at the club while Robinson remains, reflect an opinion that is widely held.

The timing of Jefferies' resignation, on the same day that Stuart McCall announced that he had no wish to manage Bradford City has caused some people to link the two events. Jefferies may well go to Bradford - he must be a strong candidate - but, unquestionably, his commitment to Hearts was total. If the availability of the Premiership club's position had any bearing on his decision, it is unlikely that there were any sinister dealings, as the club's agreeing to pay him for the remainder of his contract would indicate.

But he was also aware that his own reputation was at stake. Results have been mixed and there have been recent fan protests outside Tynecastle. Jefferies will have been well aware that it was better to leave while the supporters remained solidly behind him than risk his own credibility with further decline and he had voiced concerns over the security of his position, earlier in the season.

He will also be aware that the timing of his departure was astute, in terms of the club politics. The shouting matches by fans outside the ground had been in addition to a red card protest during a recent match with St Johnstone. Again, Robinson was the main target of abuse.

With Jefferies having stated his desire to return to Hearts in the future, the pressure on Robinson and the Board of Directors is intense. The touted appointment of former player, Craig Levein, might buy a degree of goodwill but it is difficult to see how he could improve on Jefferies achievements.

Last night, the protesters were not concerned with results and performances but were a highly inflamed group of supporters reacting to a situation which, as far as they are concerned, has clearly defined heroes and villains. In the last three years, Hearts have experienced the good and the bad. Now they must prepare for the truly ugly.

Are Rangers on the road to ruin?

by Bernard Thompson

Irish Times online edition

In the Scottish tabloids, one of the most recognisable images of
the past decade has been the Celtic crest with a crack across its middle.
Accompanying the words, "Celtic in Crisis", the graphic has been so commonly
used that it has become a visual cliché. But, with Celtic currently riding
high at the top of the Scottish Premier League, the abysmal form of their
city rivals has seen the Rangers club badge come under scrutiny.

Dick Advocaat says the word "crisis" is not applicable in football. He may
be right but the performances of his team in recent months has done nothing
to generate positive hyperbole. "The table doesn't lie" allegedly, and if
that often used remark is a truism, then Rangers have profound problems.
They currently lie fourth in the table, thirteen points behind Celtic, who
have played one game more. However, as Advocaat has already commented,
"Playing like this, you lose every game".

His team have done nothing to disprove his forecast. The most vehement
condemnation of players that most observers can recall, after losing to St
Johnstone, did nothing to motivate his squad to achieve better things.
Defeats by Sturm Graz and Kilmarnock followed, leaving the Ibrox side's
season on the brink of collapse. The 3-0 loss at home to Kilmarnock marked
Rangers' third consecutive league defeat; something which last occurred 11
years ago.

And, frankly, there are not the faintest signs of recovery. Various analysts
point to different aspects of the club's current troubles as the most
significant. Perhaps the best conclusion to be drawn is that that very
disagreement indicates a malaise that is as broad-ranging as it is deep.

Advocaat can legitimately point to serious injury problems that would test
the abilities of any coach. In the short time that he was fit, Michael Mols
looked capable of showing himself to be one of the most talented forwards in
British football. However, problems with his knee have ruled him out for
several more weeks at the very least.

In his absence, it is apparent that Rangers do not have a replacement who
can be considered to be remotely comparable to the Dutchman, a fact to which
the solitary goal in the last seven matches testifies.

Injuries have also limited the contribution of Jorg Albertz and Giovanni Van
Bronckhurst. Albertz is not a favourite of his boss, yet his long-range
goals have been invaluable on countless occasions.

Van Bronckhurst, on the other hand, is very much the man to make Rangers
tick. Clearly the best midfielder in Scotland, his current groin injury
looks certain to limit his powers for the forseeable future.

These are just three of a clutch of injuries that can be used in the defence
of the Head Coach. Yet there lingers a suspicion that too much of Rangers'
success depended on the presence of these three players. The performances of
the other squad members barely justifies the enormous salaries they have
been collecting.

This has lead to much speculation with regard to the question of their being
unable or, perhaps, unwilling. There are emerging claims of factionalism
within the dressing room, strengthened by Advocaat's assertion that he knows
what the problems are but is reluctant to articulate them.

It is alleged that some of the non-Dutch players resent Advocaat's apparent
readiness to back his countrymen regardless of the relative performances of
their teammates. Albertz, the French goalkeeper, Charbonnier, Scots striker
Billy Dodds, and the Australian defender Tony Vidmar, are just a few who
could justly feel aggrieved that they have been seen as expendable amid some
performers who have played like journeymen but are paid like superstars.
Then, of course, there is captain Lorenzo Amoruso who Advocaat strongly
supported last season, but who he clearly now wishes to be rid of. That has
been made impossible by the loss of Craig Moore and the hopelessly inept
form of Bert Konterman, signed as Amoruso's replacement. This pair are the
central unit of a defence that is little short of chaotic and which was
ruthlessly exposed in the 6-2 defeat by Celtic.

An unhappy dressing room is not new to Avocaat. He had even worse problems
when coaching the Netherlands in 1994. However, his track record of five
trophies in two years entitles him to have a certain degree of faith shown
in him, even if some of his signings have been questionable.

What might be more significant though, is whether or not Rangers can provide
the means to allow him to undertake the major task of repairing a team.
The much vaunted signing of a world-class striker has never materialised and
the abandonment of attempts to sign John Hartson and Raul Tamudo has been
viewed with suspicion in some quarters.

And a retiring Director of the club, Hugh Adam, recently expressed fears
that David Murray is leading the club into financial danger. If Adam is
right, there may not be quite the amount of money that Murray (known to
supporters as "The Mint") would like the public to believe.

All may be revealed soon as matters are set to come to a head over the next
two weeks. If Rangers lose to Monaco and finish bottom of their Champions League group,
they will be deprived of the chance to earn the European revenue that even a
UEFA Cup place would allow them.

Furthermore, if they do not begin to reduce the ten point gap between
themselves and Hibernian, they are also in danger of losing sight of
Scotland's second qualifying place in the Champions League.

Added to this is a game on Tuesday against Dundee United in the CIS
Insurance Cup. Two months ago, Advocaat and the Rangers fans would
cheerfully have exited this tournament rather than be distracted from their
greater pursuits. But in the current circumstances, defeat against the team
that has failed to win a League match in six months would not bear
contemplation.

All of these problems raise huge question marks over the future of Advocaat
himself.

Dismissing him is not an option but, faced with an end to Rangers' Champions
League adventure, and without the means to improve the side, there is a real
possibility he will leave.

That would give Murray the problem of finding a coach who was willing to
take on a large Dutch contingent in an unhappy dressing room and with
limited funds to make his own mark.

Few candidates would have the ability to succeed. So, somehow, Rangers must
immediately convert a run of surrendering form to a winning streak which
will take them beyond the Old Firm match at the end of this month.
If they succeed it will be one of the most dramatic reversals in the history
of Scottish football. If they fail, the consequences may be felt years into
the future.

Theoretically, they have the ability to salvage this season. But the clock
is ticking loudly.