After an unsettling January, with all the transfer window speculation, and the latest you-couldn't-make-it-up nonsense about the songs we sing, the mood amongst Bears is getting better. At a time when so many 'experts' have been expecting (and praying for) our season to disintegrate, the Gers are fairly handily placed in all three domestic competitions and the Treble we were robbed of last season is once more up for grabs. It is a sure sign our enemies are worried when the old 'points deduction' kite is being flown again.
They just don't get it. For every song they try to ban, there will be a new one being made up by the sharper wits in the crowd. At Forfar on Wednesday, the ditty about German bombers in the air was replaced by a line about Plastic Paddies in Stranraer, with P&O doing the job of the RAF by reducing their number one by one. And Ireland's Slimmer Of The Year for 1981 was advised to change his diet, with a Forfar bridie taking over from a chicken supper on the menu. It was all tongue-in-cheek stuff, good for a laugh, but no doubt there are those amongst the Hack Pack who won't hesitate to take things out of context, put on the offended hat and start bad-mouthing the Rangers support yet again. If you were in the main stand at Station Park, you would have seen Speirsy straining to make out the words.
If our team can put together that long-awaited winning run, Timothy and his scribbling sympathisers had better get used to the sound of our singing. There are signs that our main men - Bougherra, Mendes, Ferguson, Davis - are clicking into top gear just as our rivals are beginning to look a bit jaded. The way we have been knocking the ball around has, from time to time, been a joy to behold and the emergence of John Fleck and Aaron Niguez has had the uplifting effect of the new signings we didn't get.
Being the cautious man he is, Walter will look long and hard at the fixture list before unleashing these kids on the SPL on a regular basis but, on the evidence of the past month or so, the time is right to go for it. And despite his absence from the action at Parkheid and his dismal performance in midweek, Kris Boyd must be in the side on Saturday. Regardless of his failings in other areas, Boydie can never be accused of giving his old club and easy ride and, once I get confirmation of the starting line-up, I'll be throwing a hefty wedge in the cream cookies' direction. First goal, last goal, a hat-trick, get in there Krissie!!!
Despite telling myself not to do it, I'll probably end up indulging in a 'Tell All The Tims You Know' routine on Saturday night. Aye, I know, you get nothing for being top of the league in February and the Great Unwashed will be quite confident of moving back to the top when Motherwell lie down on Sunday afternoon. Big Bob Malcolm can't do it all himself and, with McGhee no doubt prattling on about all the effort they put into Thursday's cup-tie at Paisley, I expect it to be a much-changed team which faces Celtic. Well, Sheridan is a certain non-starter, isn't he?
As if having the Dundee United keeper signed up on a pre-contract deal is not enough, Ra Sellick have got a number of players out on loan to other SPL clubs. This clearly strengthens the team for most games, especially against Rangers, but when it is Them in the opposing dressing-room the player isn't allowed to play, effectively weakening the side. I've said it before and I'll say it again, pre-contract arrangements and loan deals involving clubs in the same league should not be permitted. Anyone for integrity?
As the business end of the season begins to loom up on the horizon, the pressure will be on and our players must show that, after the trauma of last year, they can handle it. And off the field, in the dug-out and in the boardroom, the men running the show must be on their toes to guard against any behind-the-scenes jiggery-pokery which could load the dice against our team. A number of very worrying precedents were set last season so we must make sure there is the absolute minimum of manipulation of the fixture schedule regarding TV and Scottish Cup commitments, the appointment of referees and their performances must be monitored, with every dodgy decision highlighted, and any underhand dealings from the 'gentlemen' of the Press must be stamped on instantly.
While we keep winning, those whose hearts lie elsewhere will keep worrying, and as the return of the SPL Championship trophy to its rightful home becomes more and more likely, they'll dig deeper and deeper, stirring the shit in all directions in the hope of derailing our title bid. Having succeeded so spectacularly last time around, they won't be shy about going for it again and, while we don't have the distraction of Europe to contend with, we must not drop our guard for a moment.
Lets set our sights on winning every game. Barring a draconian change of the rules, that should be more than enough and a ruthless performance against Kilmarnock this weekend should be seen as a loud warning shot across the bows of our club's many enemies.
LITTLE BOY BLUE