John Gibson: Touch of the Germanics about it all

SO Moses wasn't a basket case after all. He DID part the Red Sea. But that's by the way.

You'd notice, maybe, how many times the Edinburgh commentary mentioned that the Popemobile was made in Germany in the Eighties. It could have been in the UK but the British motor industry possibly was on strike.

Another Germanic touch about the Pontiff's big shindig. The background pipers seemed to be hung up on Highland Cathedral, composed by two German musicians for a Highland Games held in Germany in 1982.

Besides, their ditty has been proposed time and again for Scotland's national anthem. It does appear to have a certain magnetism. Which is why we've been brainwashed with with it at the Tattoo and on Waverley Bridge.

Personally, I've got it up to here.

The alternative? There's always Flower of Scotland, Amazing Grace and Sunshine on Leith.

Idle chatter

Off her trolley? Not quite. But Playhouse publicist Pam Blyth admits her mind was frazzled somewhat after spending several mad Python-ish hours with Eric Idle, up in advance of his production of Spamalot there (October 18-23).

"True to form, Eric was a riot before settling in to Sandy Bells, the Forrest Road pub, to sing and play folk songs into the wee small hours.

He left flaunting one of Sandy's t-shirts." Laughedalot.

Heid the ba'

Says a lot about the state of the game in Scotland, wouldn't you agree? "You can never say never in football," Barry Ferguson's mouthing.

But you can show two fingers (or was it one?) and get embroiled in the so-called "boozygate" scandal and still Scotland's manager Craig Levein comes running, pleading to Ferguson, no chicken, to come back and play for his country.

Up off your knees, Craig. We well know our national squad are hopeless. But so dire we need him? How demeaning.