Hope Springs

Main for me - never stopped getting in Hearts’ faces, got his goal because he put himself in the right place and used up valuable time to run the clock down at the end. A brave and skilful performance. Credits too for McHugh, Tait, Dunne, Campbell and Carson. In truth, there were no failures in our team who were playing against 12 men and a bigger away support. Back to Hampden - COYW!!

Not to mention a substantial overhaul of the playing squad

Looking for a bit of magic from Ciftci today and the usual steadiness at the back. That should see us to a narrow win. COYW

In the West we are deeper in the shadow of the OF. Although it is natural emotionally to hold allegiance with a local team, the life of Scottish provincial clubs is being squeezed incessantly by the Glasgow giants. Rodgers now has the temerity to comment on every other club’s business and on whether Scotland should be playing friendlies. Nor is Scottish football working and that’s largely down to the stranglehold the OF have on Scottish football’s finances. Only a large club/business can wrest some of that control back, hence should we not at least contemplate an amalgamation?

Is it time clubs amalgamated to become a big enough challenge to the Old Firm, especially in the West of Scotland