Wilbur

What about a non-ridicule, non-insultability, non-being-an-arsehole pact rather an open-ended non-wankability deal ? That would be my choice FS.

Werthers mate. I've got no friends.

Is that a Haiku or a Limerick ?

Yousaf's first Cabinet is a massive own goal. Where's the talent ? By shutting out all of those who had backed Kate Forbes ( who won 48% of the leadership vote) he has managed to split the SNP beyond recovery. His debut as First Minister at FMQs today was cringeworthy. Utterly f**king hopeless. Nothing but pre-prepared, rehearsed answers unrelated to the questions he was asked by the opposition. Clearly incapable of offering a valid, pertinent response to probing questions. A Sturgeon puppet with no believable ideas of his own. Douglas Ross, a Grade 1 fud, beat him hands down. Stating the bleeding obvious alert - this guy is not fit for purpose !!! With a potential by-election looming at Rutherglen, ok maybe not until August, the SNP can expect a right royal shafting from Labour. The writing is on the wall, the tables are turning in Scotland. This saddens me (being pro-independence), but Yousaf's leadership of the SNP and his term as FM must be short lived. Get him to f**k. Soon.

Up till only a few years ago I would have echoed this sentiment exactly. Alas, since the SNP Scottish government became beholden to the Scottish Greens they have lost my support. I'm certain many other long-term SNP supporters will feel the same. Slarti, you have highlighted an excellent point that many SNP-haters don't grasp. It is a common misconception by some that an independent Scotland would automatically mean that the SNP would govern forever more. As you rightly point out, there would still be other parties to chose from coming from a wide spectrum of political views. In fact, post-independence, why would the SNP continue to exist at all. It would be 'mission accomplished', no longer a need to campaign for independence, no need to continue. Using Brexit as a parallel example, what has become of UKIP since 2016 ?

The Greens now hold the balance of power. The tail has been wagging the dog throughout this parliament. If SNP voters had wanted Green policies to become law they would have voted for the Green candidate at the election. But of course you already know this. SNP are a minority government because of the electoral system rules. They require the support of the Greens MSPs to create the majority that allows them to outvote Labour / Tories / Lib Dems at Holyrood. Consequently the people of Scotland are being greenwashed. But of course you already know this. Humza would not be the choice of the majority of Scottish voters. Opinion polls showed Kate Forbes was the public's preference. Yes, SNP are hopelessly out of touch. We all know this.

Now now, FS, are you being difficult ? I think we both understand that Guinness's post is referring to SNP's alliance with the Greens being "vote-losing" for the SNP. Today's appointment is (IMO) a suicide note signed by about a third of the SNP membership (26k of the eligible 72k had him as first choice). The Scottish public have made it clear in recent opinion polls that the 'continuity candidate' was not their preferred person to lead the Scottish Parliament and, sure as eggs is eggs, support for the SNP will continue to ebb away.

Surely the anomaly within his playing history is him being picked up by Middlesbrough based on his previous unspectacular record at six non-league clubs.

Aye, the scene of one of my happiest days out supporting the Buddies back in 2000. Yardley and Mendes. What a day !!

Aye, me too. I think I own 150 shares bought back then but I've never considered those as an 'investment', more like a donation to help keep our beloved club afloat. I've never anticipated getting any financial return from that donation.

Oh aye !! This smells like a Ponzi scheme !!

Please, may I provide you with my bank account details ????

Agreed, although I didn't suggest that England wouldn't / couldn't win, was just surprised they would be favourites away to Italy. Now 1-2 though ......

Bet365 odds for Italy v England tonight. Italy 15/8 England 6/4 Draw 11/5 England favourites ? Really ?

When was the last time you predicted a win for us ?

This was a match I felt we needed to win if we were aiming for a top-6 spot, so it's disappointing that we only drew. However, I suppose after our dire start today most of us would have settled for a point, which has just about kept our top-6 hopes alive. A few tough fixtures to come before the split, so the Livi and Killie games are now absolutely must-wins.

I'm sure your ignorance of Irish pronunciation would be widely forgiven. I'm less sure that your insult of the Irish language will be acceptable to all though.

So far, having Irish connections have proved hugely beneficial to us. Kierney, Goodwin and Robinson, all of them appear to have opened a door for us to talented players with bucketloads of potential. Here's hoping this boy is the latest of them.

Is this a done deal or still media speculation ? If all is done and dusted, can he join us this season or is he one for the future ?

If my auntie had balls ...... Joking aside, that was a brave bet on Langer Dan when the Skeltons have been so off form lately.

Bet365 are currently offering Evens on Constitution Hill (3.30), currently 4-11 elsewhere.

Cheltenham Festival kicks off today. Of course horse racing isn't everybody's tasse de thé, but Cheltenham usually provides a great spectacle for racing fans with most of the country's (and Ireland's) top quality national hunt horses taking part. Tricky for punters though, short odds certainties don't always do the business on the day. No "tip-of-the-day" from me today, nothing leaps of the page. Any tips ?

Is it the dug? Nah, he signed for the Rovers instead.

I thought that lad might have been Paul Kinnaird phoning his bookie.

I worked there too. The industrial relations problems at Linwood were caused by both management and the unions whenever it suited them. IMO the biggest problem at Linwood was the product. Poorly designed cars, mainly low spec and rotten build quality. I couldn't understand anybody wanting to buy one.