AYRSHIRE_ANGUS

Dempsey tweaked his groin and wasn't risked according to his old man before the game, hopefully nothing major.

I moved to the empty terrace when the gate was open and enjoyed standing there especially in the first half. The only downside was the gate obscuring the view of the SRE. I expect it will take a few games before the club susses out what works and what doesn't across all areas of the new stand.

I was thinking I don't think I've ever known a season where we don't have a single away game that involves travelling through Stirling and beyond. On the plus side it will be cheaper and has the potential for big away followings if we do well. On the other hand its ever so slightly dull. Maybe we'll get some absolute bangers in the cups to make up for it.

Never underestimate the power of the Old Firm to cause aggro weeks before a game starts. The appeal of both clubs is beyond me. I hate being in the SRE but was forced to when we played Rangers in League 1. I don't think I bothered the next time we played them and I suspect a lot fans have turned their noses up at the prospect of this game but would have bought tickets had it been pretty much anyone else. Both sets of fans living in their goldfish bowl still think the regular diddy club supporters have spent weeks salivating over the prospect of playing them. I'm going but not looking forward to it. Bring on the Bairns instead.

I'm baffled too. Let the Celtic fans go behind both goals and boost the playing budget for games that actually matter.

The good old days when the match summary included weather conditions of tourist areas...

Always remember Martin O'Neil being asked about the wonderful Celtic fans after a defeat I think, and he replied, "well numerically they were great"

Hamilton will definitely concede at least one

I'd ban extra time for every competition, it's rarely entertaining and causes hassle for everyone in attendance.

I posted a while ago about people being pretty miserable on here but I've since reflected on the fact that only a small percentage (including me) are fortunate enough to get to the away games, which have seen some of the better results over the last few seasons. Theres nothing that unites a support and adds to a feelgood factor like a decent home record and although I've not bothered to check the stats I think they're pretty honking over the last three years. I reckon making Somerset a fortress again is the No 1 priority for SB next season.

Do people here just get a kick out of being miserable?

Was stopped in my tracks by a poster advertising a circus from April 24 to 28 at "Somerset Park" (insert witty aside here) Surely not on the pitch?

Apart from the result the other highlight for me was seeing Bill McWilliams' new Pimpmobile. A thing of beauty.

I don't know if this has been discussed or finalised yet but if I were to buy a seat in the new stand would I still have access to the terrace for the two sunny home games each season?

Probably hinges on this weekend with ICT at home to a doomed Arbroath side who also play on Tuesday night. If we come out of Saturday afternoon still six points clear then that will hopefully be that.

I think it takes a while to come through after the payment receipt.

That penalty at the time confirmed my absolute belief that I'd never see us win at Inverness. I'd previously been let down by the ridiculous last minute penalty given to Terry Butcher's team (he agreed it wasn't a penalty) in 2010 in the 3-3 draw. But up pops our Honest lad Frazer. I didn't know why he was pointing to the sky until later last night. A decent gesture.

Sitting on the train after partying hard till 3am on the back of seeing us beat Inverness away for the first time in my life, having missed the three previous occasions. Whatever the future holds for Scott Brown I'll always remember his bold team selection and crucial three points secured this weekend. Right, I'm away back to stupidly grin at miserable Hearts fans in this carriage...

Round Christmas time the German grounds sell mulled wine. Never really liked it before but absolutely hits the spot in sub zero temperatures. The infrastructure of the country is far worse than it used to be though and the idea that the trains and public transport still run on time is a myth. Also been loads of strikes recently and will get worse as the economy tanks thanks to far east competition. Still a lot to learn from the way they run football though.

In the Commercial just now, decent boozer. East Port is always good for the football but no decent lunchtime games today. I've started going into Stephens bakery on the main street pregame , more bang for yer buck.

Finishing 5th is probably ideal in terms of getting the season wrapped up early and focusing on both the team for next season and the opening of the new stand with all the razzmatazz and publicity that comes with it. Anyway, last season put me right off the idea of playoffs.

Raith young team on the train seem to just have the one Scooter song which apparently involves going to the Premier League. You'll hear them soon.

Dunfermline's last win was December 9th, Arbroath's last on December 16th. Quite a lot depends on whether they can both break that run or not.

My old man died March 13th 2020, the day football was cancelled. I always thought he timed that to perfection!

Everything about Rangers, everything about playing Rangers, is diabolical and depressing.