Richie

Its obviously fairly complex and has a variety of reasons. I think the country possibly has an unrealistic sense of what attendances should be. We keep comparing ourselves to a country 10 x our size. You have the scenario where Ross Co were forced to build a 6k seater, when Dingwall doesn't even have that many inhabitants. Small away attendances (I say this in proporpion to the large stadia) makes for generally shit atmospheres. The game is actively talked down by those charged to sell/promote it. Two disproportionately large clubs from whom the authorities are shit scared - Leading to a sense of an imbalanced competition, even before we get into the numbers in terms of transfer funds available etc. Shite weather Cost

The George Stephenson stand would be quite fitting for the away end, as it's often populated by utter Rockets.

The thing with the (pseudo)protest is its motivation. I'd suspect a huge part of it was bear-baiting and an attempt to appear edgy, rather than genuine concern for the plight of Palestinians. Either way, a football game in Scotland isnt the forum for it - Not lease because any exposure it creates will be limited to fans of Scottish Football.

A CB pairing of Hartley and Aldred is pretty tasty tbh.

Unfortunately I think that's a symptom of the opposition having >75% of the stadium, rather than the actual Final as an occasion, if that makes sense.

10 mins from the end Celtic fans (for reasons fuck all to do with a football game in Scotland) unfurled a banner about Palestine, Israel, Zionism etc... Just to add to the NI conflict shite. Whatever your viewpoint, its a fitba game in Scotland FFS

I know its a bit late, but the shed just said they're now open to people without tickets.

It's funny what a game of football can do to you. Emotions definitely building. Think I may have a tear in my eye when the pipe band walk past pre-match. That got me the last time

Woke up at 4:30am . Managed to get an hour or two's sleep since though ...Oh well. Here we are and it's a fittingly sunny day. Hope everyone has a great time, takes it all in and enjoys the memories. Give the team 100% backing and then celebrate in style. We can do this. It's New Hero Time guys.

I'm getting premonitions of Charles Dunne scoring and Richard Tait holding the trophy aloft in one hand.

Just think. This time tomorrow we'll be celebrating a cup win

Was about to say that. Goggles & Flippers, if you're in the shed beforehand I'll get you one. *Proof of Forum ID required Otherwise this could spectacularly backfire.

It came up at the end of Si Ferry's 'Right in the Coupon' thing.

Main first goalscorer and Motherwell to win. 98/1 ...Although looking at it, that must be an online special.

If only Jock Brown was doing the commentary. Iconic. Sure as hell beats the "Oh wow" when Jutkievicz scored v Hibs. Although to be fair Derek Rae was decent in the play-offs.

"Do you think the Celtic CB's are up for the scrap?" "I hope so, because they've one coming on Saturday" Love it https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44156871

Its not awful, but its kind of like your bird getting a dodgy hairdo... You want to like it, but you just preferred it the way it was.

When is the open top bus parade? On the Sunday I take it?

Surely there's no place in this tiki-taka Celtic team for 'Hammer-throwers'?

Chris Cadden has now been called up to the (full) Scotland squad for the Mexico/Peru games

Obviously going to be a tough game, but trying to look at positives. Celtic on occasion have a heavy defeat in them. Fair enough usually in Europe, but Hearts utterly dismantled them earlier in the season. Their form has noticably dipped post-split. Weare more likely to win an isolated cup than anyone win a double treble.

There's also Crossmyloof which I'll certainly be going to. Different line (off the cathcart circle) and generally quiter. Its a longer walk by about 15 mins, but you'll go straight past The Shed, Church on Hill etc, the former of which at least will be bouncing with 'Well fans.

Apparently Craig Gordon is a doubt now as well. ... Keep em coming.

I know we shouldnt be looking at other teams when resting players., but in terms of integrity I guess this is the game to do it - Rather than against either of the relegation threatened teams.

Are the trains gubbed again today?