Talk of the Town: Willie knew how to play the media game

TRIBUTES keep pouring in for former Hibs player and manager Willie Macfarlane, who died last week – with many former colleagues fondly remembering his often cheeky relationship with the sports media.

During a post-match analysis of his first game in charge of Hibs in 1969, when Macfarlane famously secured a victory over Rangers by asking players to swap shirt numbers to confound their opponents' man-marking tactics, Macfarlane told the reporter off-camera that the result was "a victory for brains over dumb brawn".

The comment was said to have had the reporter in stitches, but he suggested it might be bit inappropriate to call the Glasgow giants "dumb brawn" on national television.

With the cameras rolling Macfarlane was asked what he made of his first victory. "Well," he said, "I think it was a victory for brains over dumb brawn!"

TV's 'Mr Nice' tops Capital's dream landlord poll

FROM Gordon the Gopher's sidekick to the This Morning sofa, Philip Schofield has carved himself a comfortable niche as TV's Mr Nice.

So much so, in fact, that the people of Edinburgh apparently think he would be the ideal landlord.

The National Landlords Association asked Capital residents which famous people they would most like to take their rent cheque. Pips apparently topped the poll because he would be compassionate, friendly and reliable.

Don't forget the tissues

PARENTS of sensitive children beware. We're sure there will be more than a few tears at Goodbye Mr Muffin, a puppet show which is being put on as part of the Imaginate Festival this month.

The show tells the "warm, heart-rending story of the last days in the life of a beloved guinea pig". It's on at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Saturday 27 March, and is suitable for children aged six to ten (with parental guidance).

We've been assured no animals have been harmed in the production.

Read something in to it

THERE isn't much room for friendship between opposition councillors in the combative arena of the City Chambers, but one Tory councillor clearly wants to bridge the divide.

Councillor Cameron Rose's recent gift to city leader Jenny Dawe was something of a political statement in itself though – a copy of The Hockey Stick Illusion, where an amateur researcher fights to discredit talk of climate change.

Cllr Rose was disappointed to learn that Councillor Dawe has still not managed to read her new book.

"I regret that it is sitting on the top of a huge pile of books that I really should be reading," she said.