Chairman Nimmo kept proceedings in order and added his own thoughts as the night progressed.
Wednesday's panel in action
The session began with memories of the 1991 cup win and both representatives from the winning team expressed the view that the magnitude of the achievement was still sinking in! Jim noted the joy on the day in seeing friends an family celebrating while Chris referred to the whole cup run and in particular to the semi final replay. It was clear that both they and the audience hold that day as a gem.
Many topics were covered
- the revelation that Willie was tapped while he played for
- Scott said that his pet hate was fans not giving players (especially the younger ones) a chance and he recalled the distress that can be caused to family members by abuse from some ‘fans’. He made it clear how much of a lift the team got when the crowd got behind the team and said that it really mattered to the players.
- Chris expanded on the ‘art of defending’ while the panel agreed that present offside law was confusing. Drills at coaching sessions were taking the new rule into consideration.
- Scott revealed the thoughts of referees on the offside law gleaned from the coaching course he took recently and he let it be known that he has a high regard for Willie Young!
- the contrasting disciplinary record in the last couple of seasons was examined
- Jim (and the others) felt that the league should be expanded to sixteen teams and that Rangers and Celtic should remain. Some argued that by reducing the proportion of matches teams would play against them it was more likely that someone would split them at the top of the table.
- Jim talked of the psychology of the game and how important it was for teams to believe that they could beat Rangers and Celtic. Chris revealed the frustration and depression which existed in the away dressing room after Sunday’s game because the team felt they had a chance if winning.
- Some discussion took place about the changing circumstances of players’ contracts and registrations. Examples from Willie and Jim about annual renewals with little option for the players in years gone by were added to by Scott who pointed out that he had taken a pay cut to remain!
- Chris revealed that “Alex McLeish was right” when he suggested that Chris’s knee would not allow him to play at SPL level (this was shortly before he moved to
The audience was treated to a free pie at the half time break and a bottle of malt was won in a raffle which raised £75 for the Trust funds. Martin Rose offered a vote of thanks and the audience showed its appreciation to the panel for their time and thoughts. It was much appreciated.