Well thanks for the info guys, but I don't think it is an age thing despite it being the U21's. The reason I say that is that the commentator on the game last night mentioned that one of the England players was 22; I can't remember which one he said. Hence the reason for my question; if one player can play at 22 yrs surely another can! And he surely has not been dropped for lack of form! So why?

Since I moved to Scotland in 1979 I have lived in Glasgow, Dunfermline, Linlithgow, and since 1989 to where I stay at present, Dalgety Bay. And this is where I will end my days; it is like being in heaven already. Incidentally I had temporary accomodation for about 3 months in New Mills which is only a matter of half a mile or so from Torryburn, and about 1 mile from High Valleyfield where my Daughter-in-Law's parents live. Also about 3 miles from Cairneyhill and 6 miles from the western fringe of Dunfermline where I used to live from 1980 to 1984, when I moved to Linlithgow (another delightful little place). Teams supported in that time: 1980 to '84 - Dunfermline Athletic (the Pars) 1984 to '89 - Falkirk and Linlithgow Rose 1989 to present DAFC again and occasionally Cowdenbeath Although I watch and support these other teams when convenient (and only one at once) they are just to fulfill the absolute need that I have to see a live game every Saturday. they cannot ever replace my feelings and support for Rovers which is and always will be the only team that really matters to me. P.S. I understand what you say about not planning a visit Cletus, but the open invitation I made acouple of posts back applies equally to all. So if you are in the area I would be glad to see you.

Well now there's a turn-up for the books; I find myself in agreement with Theno on the above. I would just add to what he has said that Rovers should test the market for Neil in January, but if, as is likely, they dont get a very good offer from any source i.e. at least £3m or an exchange that suits MH, then it would be better for Rovers to keep him to the end of his contract and keep him playing on top form for us. This should help us achieve a higher place finish which in itself will bring monetary rewards.

Fantastic strike from about 30 yds; which reminds me: does anyone know why Bentley was not playing for the U21's last night?

McClarky: Are you one of those that meets up in the Queens Head in Frederick St. for Rovers games on the Telly?. If so do you know Ernie and Peter?

Well whilst we are on that subject Capt, I would be delighted to meet yourself or any of the people on this site. That includes any of the people from abroad as well. Maybe if any of you find yourselves passing through this part of Scotland I would be happy to meet up or you might like to call and see us at home. We live in a beautiful part of Fife right on the Firth of Forth and only a few minutes off the motorway M90. If anybody is interested just PM me and we can sort out the details.

Well there would be if only you had got the calc right! They are all correct up to the Mark Hughes one: Mark Hughes 71 games - 100 points - 1.41 points per game Sorry about that colin, but........ I'll take the anorak!

I hope it's a complete sell-out; but just let me get my ticket first!

Bert is pretty fast; wonder if he could play both full back positions at once? OK I've already got me coat!

Well said that man! And I hope Rovers do make the WHOLE of the Dawen End available to Bolton fans, because if as Prestonwhite says they have the demand at their end we would be stupid not to do it. No doubt Wanderers FC will request more tickets from Rovers if they sell out the original allocation and demand is still high. Anyway here's hoping for a cracking local derby; almost as good as playing the Dingles!

I don't completely disagree with what you say Boz, but there have been in the past many examples of true loyalty from Rovers players. The most recent example and one you all have seen for yourself being that of Tony Parkes. Then further back you had Duggie, and Ronnie Clayton, and another who may surprise some of you being Ally McCleod or "Noddy" as he was affectionately known to Rovers fans. He was quoted in his book as saying that the club he most enjoyed playing for and he had fondest memories of was Blackburn Rovers, and he then went on to expand on this by stating that he loved the club and the people of the area as they were the most appreciative and friendly fans he had ever played in front of.

Oh how refreshing that is, considering that approx half the posters on here wanted shut of him just a few weeks ago! P.S. I am not saying you were one of them LW; I don't know which camp you were in.

You could well be right about that EW; the memory plays tricks on you when you get to my age. What is more likely is that I was suffering from a severe bout of "Rovers Starvation" and any sighting of a Rovers team would have looked superb to me at the time. I really did enjoy the game though, and so did my sons. I seem to remember Wegerle having a good game as well, but that too may be just down to my never having seen him before.

No 'fraid not Capt. Just drove over from Fife and dropped the wife and Daughter-in-Law in the town centre shops then my son and I went straight to the ground where we found a fairly large group of Rovers fans queuing to get in and having a friendly banter with the local Plods. So we joined them.

See Rule 11. (New International FA Board Rule 2): Second highlighted para down. Did Cisse make a move towards the ball or not? If he did, did that movement affect the actions of any defender or not?

Cisse whether he touched the ball or not was certainly distracting or having an influence on the actions of Rovers defenders, and he was therefore active and should have been given offside.

And what if nobody pays to go in and all wait for the free entry?

Ok chaps, I am prepared to admit the relative merits of the two goals is certainly debatable and maybe van Persie's effort is technically better. But that is my point; both goals are at least worth consideration and debate. The media dont even give Bentley's goal a mention, while at the same time are raving about van Persie's goal and tipping it for "Goal of the Season" at this early stage! Unreal!!

Maybe they have had to cool it in recent years; I wouldn't know as I have not been near any match involving Celtic or Rangers since the mid-80's. Also while we are on the subject of atmosphere at Motherwell, I was at the pre-season friendly Motherwell v Rovers in Aug '93 (I think) and sitting among the Rovers fans that day the only atmoshere came from the Rovers fans. I thought the Motherwell fans were all from the local cemetary!

"Pieeerrrre,.......! there's only one Pierre, there's only one Pieeerre, there's only one pierre. Repeat ad nauseam!

Would that be Pierre van Hooijdonk of Celtic fame? He was a good player for Celtic!

What a delightful thing for a father to say to his son!! :ph34r:

No prob BRFC4EVA! The difficulty with your finding a "Run of the mill" Celtic v (anybody) match is that from an atmosphere point of view there aren't any! Every game involving Celtic or Rangers, home or away, the atmosphere is the same; vitriolic! Puts me in mind of the Roman Coliseum at a gladiator contest, or Christians v Lions contest. That is why I refuse to be present at any of these matches.

If any of the teams I have "supported" in Scotland or in other parts of England where I have lived at various times were to play Rovers I would have been delighted and would have become a very noisy Rovers fan for the occasion. Unfortunately it never happened except once (early 50's) when I was in the Navy and Rovers played Plymouth at Home Park. For that match I stood in my usual place where I always stood for Argyle's home games and roared my head off for Rovers. I got a bit of abuse from one woman fan, but to give the rest their due they told her to shut up and "let the lad shout for his team". Neither Dunfermline nor Falkirk have ever played Rovers, but Rovers did play a few pre-season games against Hibs and Motherwell in 1992/93 seasons and I was there to support Rovers with my two sons. The game at Hibs was just as Rovers had signed Shearer and I was mightily impressed with his play that day. Obviously on these occasions we sat with the travelling Rovers fans and enjoyed the atmosphere.

Sorry to have to point out that you picked a very bad example for your comparison there BRFC4EVA. I have been to many Rovers v Burnley games at both grounds over many years and never have I felt literally afraid for my life. I wish I could say the same about old firm matches in Scotland, and I promise you I am not exagerating in any way at all. Strange that you should pick on a Falkirk v Celtic game as your example, because it was at Falkirk's Brockville ground that I had my most frightening experience that I have EVER had on any football ground. I had been a casual Falkirk supporter since moving to Linlithgow in 1984, and on this particular day in about 1987/88 they were playing Celtic at Brockville. I was stood in my usual spot on the large open terracing behind the goal which normally was for the home fans. Unfortunately when any Scottish team plays either of the old firm at home the entire ground is swamped by the away (in this case Cetic) fans.As the game went on I made the big mistake of shouting in support of Falkirk, and was immediately threatened by a large group of Celtic fans who were all around me. I am not one to be easily intimidated and I could certainly use myself when necessary, but the sheer fury and hatred of what seemed to be literally dozens of Celtic fans turning on me just for daring to shout for my own team on my home ground was terrifying, and when they found out from my accent that I was English it very soon became apparent that if I did not get out of there quickly I would be in grave danger. I moved away from there as fast as I possibly could through the dense crowd, and all the way to the exit I was being pushed and abused and laughed at by the crowd who were all Celtic fans or so it seemed. I had to leave the ground although it was only a few minutes into the first half. I found a Policeman outside and complained but he just told me to go home and forget it as that is the way of things and nothing he could do about it. I swore then that I would never again attend any match on any ground when Celtic or Rangers were playing and I never have. Although I had a season ticket at Dunfermline for many years, I would always miss out on the old firm games which meant missing 4 or 5 games every season for each of them. But if you had experienced the poisonous and threatening atmosphere at these games you would understand. Both are bad for different reasons, but Celtic are the wost for sheer hatred of "the English" and support for the IRA which you dare not protest against.