JFK-1

It's all good, now we know they have a minimum 2 games against Falkirk to go through and given what's at stake I expect that to be a bruising encounter. Even if they can negotiate that same again with a match against Kilmarnock before they can think about us as our guys relax and iron out any remaining niggles and knocks.

I agree in the sense that we see even more dangerous activities on a regular basis such as deliberate attempts to elbow an opponent in the face which could cause massive damage and isn't punished in this way. They're showing a huge level of inconsistency. Regarding bad tackles I suppose it could be argued a tackle whether it be a bad one or not is at least part of the play and at a minimum showing some sort of intent to play the game whereas this eye gouging thing came when play had been stopped and can't in any way be seen as any part of the game but I would say the same thing about elbowing even though that generally occurs during play.

Yes it seems to happen alarmingly often doesn't it and when you consider these are highly trained professional athletes playing at the top level of the game it's all the more disturbing. Condolences to his family.

Dinamo Bucharest and Cameroon midfielder Patrick Ekeng has died aged 26 of a suspected heart attack after collapsing on the pitch. Ekeng fell to the floor in the 70th minute of a televised Romanian league match between Dinamo and Viitorul. He was pronounced dead in hospital two hours later. Ekeng's former club Cordoba tweeted: "We have no words to express our sadness at the loss of Patrick Ekeng. We mourn your loss." Ekeng had also previously played for Le Mans and Lausanne. In 2003, Cameroon international midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe died after collapsing during a Confederations Cup match against Colombia in France. http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36234022

Might be said this outcome adds just a little more icing on the cake of what has been a remarkable season for us. It's difficult to estimate how much money they lost that the lower division clubs then gained due to their blind stupidity. It's akin to deciding to eat the goose that lays the golden eggs. And now a twist of fate means the golden eggs will be denied them even longer while Falkirk, Hibs and Raith fight tooth and nail to follow the goose. They're going to have to deal with at least 2 of that trio next season and possibly all 3 and they will quickly discover that's going to be a mighty struggle.

Spurs received nine yellow cards against Chelsea, the most by one team in a match in Premier League history Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mousa Dembele has been banned for six games by the Football Association for violent conduct against Chelsea's Diego Costa. Belgium international Dembele appeared to eye-gouge forward Costa duringSpurs' 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Monday. Referee Mark Clattenburg did not punish the 28-year-old during the game. Dembele chose not to contest the charge, and will now be unavailable to manager Mauricio Pochettino until Spurs' fifth game of next season. He has made 29 appearances in the league this season, scoring three goals. Dembele was one of nine Spurs players booked in the draw at Stamford Bridge - a Premier League record for one team. Monday's result ended Tottenham's hopes of winning the Premier League. Pochettino's side have two games remaining this season, against Southampton and Newcastle, with three points almost certain to secure second place. 'The punishment is way too high' Stoke and former Republic of Ireland keeper Shay Given told BBC Radio 5 live that he thought the punishment was "way too high". "Looking at the incident, did he stick his finger in his eye and actually gouge his eye?" he said. "I've seen worse tackles on the field which don't get a suspension or a maximum of three matches. If someone is going to go in two-footed, lunging, and their opponent are out for six to nine months with a broken leg and they don't get a ban - I don't understand that. "Dembele's fingers weren't right in his eye. He scraped a bit of his face. I think it is harsh. I know the FA are trying to send a message that this isn't acceptable, but I've seen worse things on a football pitch." Former West Brom striker Jason Roberts agreed, saying: "Things happen on the pitch that can genuinely hurt somebody - like Fellaini's elbow on Huth. That in my opinion was much more dangerous and more of an issue than what Dembele did." http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36229203

Maybe we see different things in it. I see this. And that's what I respond to, the presumption as did the majority of people who responded.

The topic isn't about will we be in Europe it's presuming we will be and proceeding from there. Good or bad?

It's ludicrous for multiple reasons.

There are too many plus factors regarding European football to be concerned about any possible but uncertain negatives. If we win this cup and qualify for Europe then immediately the manager knows there is going to be more money in next years coffers and he has a more attractive package to offer Summer recruits. Some of them and I'm thinking of the young goalkeeper Daniel Bentley we have been linked with as an example who will receive offers from various sources in England may be swayed in our direction because it can only do him good to have European credentials on his CV. Extra money in the millions almost goes without saying and rather than being a distraction it may actually be a benefit if the squad can get regular matches against European opposition a grade above the typical SPL opposition. Nobody in their right mind given the choice would turn down Europe. It's even what all the mega rich EPL clubs are scrambling for and dreaming of. Why wouldn't we?

And how many more times do you intend to say it before it becomes obsessive repetition no one else appears to be remotely interested in?

All 3 goals somewhat scrappy but the result is what counts and maybe that's what happens most of the time for a team playing that pressing style similar to our own.

It's in our interest for them to win it and go on to face another two legs with Falkirk who I suspect will be a tougher nut to crack than Raith.

I didn't know until I saw this that providing they can beat both Raith and Falkirk which I think will be a grueling test they would then need to play the first leg of the play off final 4 days before playing us. The cup final would be their 6th match in 17 days. What a shame. Raith and Falkirk will kick them black and blue.

Hibs' potential end-of-season schedule Wed 4 May: Raith Rovers (A)QF play-off first leg Sat 7 May: Raith Rovers (H)QF play-off second leg Tue 10 May: Falkirk (H) (*if beat Raith)SF play-off first leg Fri 13 May: Falkirk (A)*SF play-off second leg Tue 17 May: Kilmarnock/Hamilton/Partick (**if beat Falkirk)Play-off final first leg Sat 21 May: Rangers Scottish Cup final Wed 25 May: Kilmarnock/Hamilton/Partick**Play-off final second leg

KENNY MILLER is confident boss Mark Warburton will spurn any offers from England this summer and remain at the Ibrox helm to lead Rangers’ challenge for the Premiership title. The Light Blues will play top flight football once again next term after clinching the Championship crown last month and could also have a Europa League campaign to look forward to as they set their sights on Scottish Cup glory. Warburton has been linked with several positions since moving north of the border from Brentford, with Everton the latest to be credit with an interest in the 53-year-old. But Miller is eager for Warburton and David Weir to remain at Ibrox as the Gers target further success next season. He said: “We certainly hope he is here. The manager says when people are linked with other clubs then it is a reflection of how well they are doing within the team. It is the same with the manager and the job he is doing. “There is no doubt that none of the lads can speak highly enough of the manager and Davie and the atmosphere they have created. “There is no doubt he is going to be linked with big jobs in England because he has done a fantastic job here. It is not just the success we have had but it is the way we have all gone about our jobs. “We hope he is here and will be here for a long, long time. He knows the size of this club, what the goals for next season and there is no doubt he wants to be a part of it. “When other teams come calling then he will have a decision to make but we are hopeful he will be here for a long time.” Warburton has already started putting plans in place for next season by booking a summer training camp in America and agreeing deals for Accrington Stanley pair Matt Crooks and Josh Windass. The cup final clash is the main focus at present but Miller is confident Rangers will be in the right shape come the big kick-off next term. He said: “The board have done a great job since they have come in and I am sure they will back the manager as much as they can with the summer recruits we are looking to get. “There is no doubt we need signings because we are light in numbers and there are also situations that need to be resolved with the boys who are out of contract. “We will need to sign players and we have full faith in the manager, Davie, Jim Stewart and Frank (McParland) and the work they have done so far. We have full belief and trust in them.” http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/rangers/14468581.Kenny_Miller_confident_Mark_Warburton_will_lead_Rangers_into_Premiership_battle/?ref=eb

Might simply be the case that the boy thinks the standard of coaching he receives while with us is superior to anything he could hope for with them and I would agree with him in that respect if that were the case.

I think it's simply because he's a complete tit who most likely wouldn't have the nuts to talk to anybody at all like that to their face and isn't the type of kindred spirit you would hope to find in a community like this. Not funny not someone who has anything of any great interest to say. To summarise a waste of screen space on such a forum but there is a simple answer to simple minds wasting screen space. Over time pointless wastes of screen space are filtered out.

Glad to see that this disgusting behaviour is being contrasted with the behaviour of Everton fans regarding the Hillsborough disaster.

I can't remember why I originally put him on ignore but judging by what you guys are saying I can see confirmation that he has nothing of any worthwhile content to say. A waste of screen space.

Absolutely outrageous and I wouldn't have been surprised if some cop stepped on from the track and got involved as I once saw almost happen at a Rangers match at Ibrox. I can't remember who they were playing or who the players involved were but two players started trading punches and this cop standing on the track near where I was sitting made to walk on to the pitch and become involved. Just as he put a foot on the grass it was broken up and he stepped back.

Indeed, they could have an extended stay in store.

Well done Kasper Peter Schmeichel who apparently pulled off a wonder save to get them the draw at Old Trafford yesterday. Can't be too many father and sons who have won a top league title.

Me too. Good offer by the bookies I would say.