SCOTTISH CUP FINAL:
Rangers v Falkirk (Kick-off 1500 BST)
MY SPORT: DEBATE
|
To get involved use My Sport or text us your views on 80295. (Not all contributions can be used)
By Thomas McGuigan
|
1448: "I bet McCoist is glad it's not raining. His 'Alamo' hair-style doesn't hold up too well when it gets wet." Bringthemonjpn on My Sport
There's a touch of Teen Wolf or Art Garfunkel about his hair at its height, right enough!
1446: "Lee McCulloch and Barry Ferguson are both fit boys. The heat may be a problem, but they've played a couple of reserve games so they should be okay." Rangers manager Walter Smith with our man Jonathan Sutherland
1445: "The homecoming theme of the Scottish Cup is being marked by a pipe band led around the ground by Rangers legend Brian Laudrup and his Falkirk counterpart Alex Totten." BBC Sport's Clive Lindsay at Hampden
1440: "It's imperative we stay in the game for as long as we can. But my players are well-prepared and I just need them to go out there and play." Falkirk manager John Hughes speaking to BBC Sport's Jonathan Sutherland
1432: "Europe's 'Final Countdown' adds some poignancy as the teams warm up - let's hope the match is better than the DJ's choice of music." BBC Sport's Clive Lindsay at Hampden
Perhaps Susan Boyle could have given us a quick blast of one of her hits out on the centre circle. On second thoughts...
Abide With Me traditionally precedes the FA Cup final, but it's always been the pipers strutting their stuff at Hampden before kick-off.
1431: Hampden is starting to fill up nicely. Just under half an hour until kick-off. I stepped out for five minutes at lunchtime and it was really, really hot. I expect to see a few scorched faces at full-time.
1430: "McCoist is busy getting the Rangers players fired up; Hughes is on his phone to his agent." Bringthemonjpn watches the BBC Scotland pictures coming in from Hampden and offers his wry views on My Sport
1425: "Cant wait for kick-off - David Begg puts everything into commentary. Disappointed Aberdeen aren't there. MBE for Beggy - master at work." Anonymous text via 80295
1420: Rangers legend Brian Laudrup says a Scottish Cup final at Hampden is one of the greatest days in a player's career.
The Dane has just told BBC Scotland's Sportscene that he expects a cracker this afternoon. When pressed for a prediction he said: "my heart says Rangers".
Laudrup doesn't appear to have aged since his playing days at Ibrox. Come to think of it, neither have Altered Images singer Clare Grogan, A-ha frontman Morten Harket and John Gordon Sinclair of Gregory's Girl fame.
1412: "I'm a Rangers fan from Falkirk so even defeat today wouldn't hurt as much as it usually would. It would be nice for Falkirk to win it for Craig Gowans's family. However, I can see Rangers winning 5-0 and a man-of-the-match performance from Barry Ferguson." Kyle Server, from Falkirk, via text on 80295
1410: "I am surprised that Pressley has been left out. I think his experience would have been vital for Falkirk on a day like this, although in saying that they do have the experienced heads of McNamara and McCann. I'd have still had Pressley in there too though." Malky on My Sport
It looks as though this could be Pressley's swansong before he hangs up his boots in the summer. Will Elvis make a late appearance to end on a high note?
1405: Falkirk boss John Hughes says it will be an emotional day at Hampden if the father of Craig Gowans joins Falkirk skipper Darren Barr in lifting the cup.
Gowans was 17 when he was killed in an accident at the club's Grangemouth training ground in 2005 and his father will lead the team out before kick-off.
1400: BBC Radio Scotland pundit Chick Young says deposed Rangers captain Barry Ferguson is attracting interest from West Brom and English Premier League newcomers Birmingham City.
1353: "The Falkirk players are on the pitch early, while outside the stadium it's more like some kind of music festival - complete with impromptu picnics. There's sunbathing on any patch of grass to be found on Glasgow's south side." BBC Sport Online's Clive Lindsay at Hampden
1350: "Why is Walter playing Lee McCulloch. Why does he not play Davis in the middle with Novo or Beasley wide right?" Robgersfan on My Sport
1345: The pundits on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound are debating the future of Falkirk manager John Hughes. A lack of money to strengthen his Bairns squad in the transfer market for next season is being offered as a reason why he may seek pastures new.
What do Falkirk supporters think? Are you resigned to big Yogi leaving?
1340: TEAM NEWS
Rangers recall Barry Ferguson and Lee McCulloch for injured pair Pedro Mendes and Maurice Edu. Neither Ferguson or McCulloch have played much first-team football recently. A chink of light for Falkirk?
Falkirk give veteran Neil McCann a place in the starting line-up at the expense of Carl Finnigan. Suspended midfielder Arnau Riera is replaced by Kevin McBride.
Rangers: Alexander, Whittaker, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, Ferguson, McCulloch, David, Lafferty, Boyd, Miller. Subs: McGregor, Novo, Naismith, Dailly, Wilson.
Falkirk: Mallo, McNamara, Barr, Aafjes, Scobbie, Cregg, McBride, O'Brien, Arfield, Lovell, McCann. Subs: Olejnik, Pressley, Higdon, Finnigan, Stewart.
What do you think of the teams?
1330: Don't miss highlights of the Scottish Cup final tonight on BBC One Scotland at 2200 BST. Send your comments on the big match to the panel of guests - Craig Brown, Billy Dodds and Darryl Broadfoot - and they may be used on the programme. The email address is sportscene@bbc.co.uk
1325: "I'd love to think Falkirk will win, but sadly they won't. I'll be watching Everton instead..." ExorcistDavestrikes the first blow on My Sport
You would get decent odds on Falkirk and Everton winning today.
1310: Scorchio! Good afternoon and warmest greetings for the final day of the Scottish football season. This is it; the showpiece as holders Rangers take on Falkirk in the Homecoming Scottish Cup final at a sun-kissed Hampden.
The weather is more Morocco than Mount Florida, with hardly a cloud in the sky above the national stadium on the south side of the city.
So the players will no doubt look a bit flushed and puffed out by the final whistle.
The temperature pitch-side is an eye-watering 40 degrees!
Rangers are gunning to secure a league and cup double, while Falkirk manager John Hughes could write his page in the club's history books by winning the cup for the first time since 1957.
Hughes, who watched his side avoid relegation on the last day of the season, has been linked with the managerial vacancy at Hibs. Could this be his last game in charge of the Bairns?
Forget the BBQ until tomorrow and stay with us throughout the afternoon.
BBC Radio Scotland's live coverage from the national stadium is available online, on BBC One Scotland and you can see highlights on the same channel at 2230 BST.
You all know the drill by now; send your comments to My Sport and via text on 80295.
- buy generic cymbalta
- buy relenza online - buy generic relenza
- buy generic aciphex - buy Rabeprazole online
- buy generic celexa - buy citalopram online
- buy generic lexapro - buy escitalopram online
No comments:
Post a Comment