Stramash

Published on Saturday 14 February 2009 21:21

VALUE FOR MONEY IN YOUR BRIEFS ENCOUNTER

EYES down – then up, then roll them all about – for a game of Old Firm bingo. Just chalk off the following hackneyed phrases as they are inevitably given an airing in the course of the latest 'crunch' Glasgow derby.

• Form book goes out of the window

• No quarter asked for or given

• Greatest derby in the world

• Tackles flying in

• Played at frantic pace/100 miles an hour/ breakneck pace

• A cauldron of noise

• Powderkeg confrontation

• Passions running high

• No Old Firm game complete without controversies

• A city divided

FORGOTTEN FAUX PAS ...

The Sun showed they had a long memory for others' miss-the-mark predictions in an article on Thursday that recalled how new Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink almost became Celtic manager in May 2000. "One Scottish media man even reported that Hiddink WOULD be the next Hoops boss," read a rather arch comment. Somehow the words "houses", "glass", "stones" and "throw" sprang to mind. 'BOYD'S A GONER; He'll head off to Brum today as Gers cash in, he's a goner!" anyone?

... AND GLORIES

"The Amateurs (Queen's Park] are 33/1 to pull off the most famous result in their history," ran the Daily Record preview on the morning of last Saturday's Scottish Cup tie between Celtic and Queen's Park. Never mind those famous results that helped Queens' to 10 Scottish Cup wins and two FA Cup finals.