AJF

Yes?

It’s not up to Rangers what allocation Hearts get, it’s entirely the decision of the SFA. The league cup semi-final was very disadvantageous to Hearts fans. I think we discussed it at the time (or maybe it was the LC final against you), it’s hard to sell the tickets in tranches then hand them back due to the way the concourses and entryways are set up. I think the SFA want to avoid opposing sides using the same turnstiles and stairways so it means there are only a few natural segregation points at Hampden. However, I suspect a 50/50 split will be decided for this one.

Lundstram please. Arguably our POTY thus far and seems to have really stepped up under Clement.

Well, I don’t think that’s really the issue. From what I can see, back in 2019 all 42 member clubs were contacted by the BBC and asked how they’d vote regarding strict liability and only 3 of the 42 clubs indicated they’d be in favour of it. The overwhelming majority of these clubs won’t have Rangers visiting them (unless they draw them in a cup competition) so I don’t think you can suggest that clubs are voting against it because they’d get in trouble for the actions of Rangers fans.

I’m pretty sure the last time it went to a vote (or an indicative vote) it was a majority of clubs that went against it.

I don’t think you’ll find me disagreeing with you. But I kinda covered this earlier. Until clubs vote for strict liability then the SFA are pretty helpless to do anything. Then in terms of identifying people it becomes a bit of a nightmare unless they are huckled and identified by police at the match.

Don’t worry I don’t take it personally. I appreciate why people feel that way.

It happens at all clubs. Rangers evidently take action and ban fans, to suggest otherwise is wrong, but identifying everyone that does something wrong is another matter. Missiles were thrown at Rangers players last night while Shankland had a corkscrew lobbed at him and I don’t recall fans being banned. This isn’t to instigate whataboutery, but to demonstrate It’s not easy to identify people, especially in an away crowd unless the police spot them and huckle them out.

Sad and frustrating it’s got to this stage. Away days with your mates is already a thing of the past for matches at Celtic Park, Tynecastle and St Mirren to an extent, now add ER to that list. I’m in no way saying Hibs are not entitled to reduce the allocation nor am I defending any actions by supporters, it’s just a sorry state we’ve got to.

Not sure I agree. You can see in the first 30 seconds of this clip from the replays that Sterling’s left foot gets caught up in Obita’s legs as he is running.

The account you’ve quoted has been a bit economical in the description of the incident and selective of the replay angles, IMO. Marcondes and Goldson are essentially running side by side before Marcondes decides his legs don’t work after he realises Butland is gathering the ball. Sterling gets in front of Obita and is brought down by a tangle of legs rather than any tussling going on. That’s not to compare the incidents to any of the others you mention, just the account that tweeted these seems to be a bit selective.

What have I doubled down on? I never said the song wasn't being sung when Boyle was down receiving treatment. I said the original post that @RuMoorequoted that said "Walk off the pitch Hibs" where he said it was a highlight of his was not in reference to the songs aimed at Boyle, but it was in reference to a Hibs red card. @stressballhas even admitted as much, so again, I'm not sure what I'm doubling down on. I've never once disputed any songs being sung.

To be fair, it was a bit naughty to try and attribute what had been said to anything regarding songs while Boyle was getting treatment. I assume that’s why he red dotted your post suggesting it was.

Good turn of pace from Goldson to reach the ref so quickly. Encouraging to see for a big 31 year old centre half.

Well, for me it is anyway I never saw the game, just clips of the penalty, goals and red cards so can’t really comment on any boot to the face, but those incidents I have seen it seems to be a wild overreaction from Hibs fans and social media. Do you have a clip of the boot? Systemic and ingrained bias can only be evidenced by clearly wrong decisions I’d have thought. And I’ve said before, I do believe referees show bias towards Rangers and Celtic at times, but from the incidents I’ve watched from last night that doesn’t seem to be the case. Sectarian singing is clearly an issue that needs dealt with, but until clubs vote for strict liability (they won’t) then our governing body is pretty powerless to tackle it as it is a police matter. So it’s a false equivalence to compare the SFA to UEFA in this instance as they simply don’t have the same powers as they do.

This is the main issue after last night. The reactions online from prominent figures will make it seem like the decisions were errors and feed the ongoing narrative. I see folk like Tam McManus saying players and managers could go on strike. It’s absolutely ridiculous over 3 decisions that all look pretty reasonable.

I mentioned this in the European thread after Thursday, it looked like Sterling had some ice/strapping on his hamstring. Seems a bit crazy to have played him tonight now that he seems to have done his hammy if it is the same issue he had on Thursday.

Having seen the decisions now, I don’t think there can be many complaints about the straight red. The boy flew in and had both feet off the ground. He wasn’t in control and the red was fine. Second yellow for Obita is just one of those blocks that always get called a foul. In isolation just a foul but I read someone here say he was essentially on a final warning?

Not able to see this one, sounds like a dull one for Boyle though. Oxygen as he went off the park? Hopefully it’s nothing serious and he is back pretty quickly.

Wonder if we will see a bit more of McKinnon today after his cameo on Thursday and a few absences. McCausland possibly to come back in though if he is fully fit. Expecting this will be a lot closer than the last match at Easter Road regardless.

Indeed, that is what Warnock’s Aberdeen stint will be remembered for. Absolutely.

And with that, his job here is done

Hard to say what our line up will be for this one after Thursday. Lundstram looked very fatigued so maybe time for him to start this one from the bench with Jack or Raskin taking his place. Some shift from Ridvan too against Di Maria so wouldn’t be a massive shock if Barisic comes in too despite Ridvan being a much better player at the moment.

I think in an ideal world everyone would be playing on a decent grass surface, but we also need to appreciate that it’s hard to achieve and maintain a decent grass surface. Even a club like Celtic have a horrendous grass pitch at the moment. There are clear cost saving benefits to having an artificial pitch as well as opening it up to allow more people to use it. The football may be different but not to the extent that it is disadvantageous to the away side much, in my opinion.