GOODBYE AND GOOD LUCK, NEIL McCANN

I suppose it was all about money in the end. Southampton were able to offer us a fair bit of dosh and, with Berg and Vanoli coming on to the payroll, Neil McCann was on the way out. I don’t like it one little bit but, knowing the financial mess we are in, it was inevitable somebody would have to go.

Like most Bears, I was amazed when Tricky Dicky made the move for McCann but the player soon answered all my doubts and, of course, scoring twice at the Piggery in 99 was special. It was great to see him fly down that left wing and deliver those superb crosses and, although he has been doing it a lot less often over the past season or two, plenty of Rangers strikers benefited from the service he provided.

Blue Peter couldn’t have wished for a better ball when he grabbed his 92^nd minute Cup Final winner against You Know Who and, of course, it McCann’s free-kick which laid it on a plate for Amo against Dundee a year later. And coming on at half-time against Dunfermline in May, the man from Porto Glasgow was involved in all three of the Gers’ second half goals. Without his appearance, would we have got the goals we needed? Who knows?

I’m sure Neil McCann will do well in England, although I would've thought he could have found a better club than Southampton. They surprised a lot of people last season but, having had their cards marked, I don’t think the big boys will be caught out this time around. We shall see.

Best of luck Neil.

LITTLE BOY BLUE