PLG, along with others from the Rangers backroom, attended Tynecastle to watch (and no doubt chuckle at) Celtic's performance against Hearts. However on leaving the ground he (and the others) were subjected to a torrent of abuse, amongst other things.
What went on exactly is a bit vague. What is sure is that he was spat upon, his car was littered with newspapers to obscure the view and he was abused and called an “Orange B**tard”. What has been alleged further, generally in international press, is that the car wing mirror and one window were smashed, and the car kicked several times.
Now, set aside the religious context of the abuse (and the terror-supporting and sectarian songs from the Mhank hordes, I hope others will take note of the jolly craicsters) and the lunacy of it, does this now mean that the manager of Rangers cannot take in another match in the
Scottish League without all this happening?
Gordon Strachan, surprisingly, has been a bit more vocal calling them “yobs”. Actually Gordon, I'd suggest the word “scum” sums them up. The press have been cagey on their reporting of it. Frankly, I'm not sure why as this is a fairly important story. I'd have thought that especially
in the current climate a team who's supporters abused (sectarian abuse at that) and spat at another team's manager, and vandalised his car would be big news.
Obviously not. In fact, the Daily Record suggested PLG was to blame for the abuse because he “naively” went back to his car! Elsewhere certainon-line publications have air-brushed this from history as never havinghappened.
One does wonder what would be made of this if the reverse had happened...
It would seem that we, as a footballing society, are really at the point whereby not only referees cannot officiate without being coined or rival players cannot take a corner kick without being assaulted, but rival managers cannot go to another game for fear for sectarian abuse and
violence.
Of course, I'm sure the Dim Tims will be expecting a UEFA Award for their troubles.
Vanderhogg
The East Enclosure Dutchman