The Boxing Day fixtures will be very interesting. Motherwell were well hammered by Falkirk at the weekend but McGhee will make sure they are up for it at Ibrox. But just like it was at Shittodrie, we have to impose ourselves on the game, make sure we are the team calling the shots and get the three points which will heap the pressure on the Mockit Ones who will be kicking off at Tannadice an hour later than us.
Like Motherwell, Dundee United suffered a morale-sapping defeat on Saturday so they too will be looking to make amends. We all know the hooped horrors are incapable of keeping a clean sheet on the road so there is every possibility of them slipping up again. But that shouldn't bother us unduly, we have to look after our own business, get the three points against Motherwell, and again against Hibs on Saturday, to make sure the top spot is up for grabs when we head for Breezeblock Boulevard next week.
On Saturday the HIVs appeared to be unbothered by the departure of John Collins and for long periods they looked capable of picking up all three points. Mind you, once Ra Sellick got level I reckoned it was just a matter of time before they got the winner and, when the radio commentator said there would be five minutes of added time - aye, FIVE feckin minutes! - I let out a 'Ah don't believe it' roar. But our nearest and dearest sure are struggling these days and I've heard it said that, if they were still playing now, they wouldn't have got a second goal.
Strange though it may seem, I think I'm happier about playing Hibs at Easter Road than I would be if the game was at Ibrox. They have the ability to sit in, then hit on the break, but at home they will have to open up and that should give us the opportunity to do a bit of damage. Both Steven Whittaker and Kevin Thomson did well at Sheepieville and I'd like to think they'll be determined to make up for the embarrassment of being subbed against their old club in October. Of course, they'll get the verbals from the Trainspotters but that should act as a spur rather than a problem.
While I'd gladly accept any gifts in the shape of the Scum Of dropping more points, my prime concern is that we go to the Piggery no worse off than we are at the moment. I just hope Walter doesn't look to our games in hand and set out the team to get a draw on January 2. Lets get out there, play the game in their half of the pitch and show that we are worthy title contenders, not just chancers who are in the hunt by default because they're hitting the buffers. With wins in all three Old Firm games since his return, Walter has shown he has the measure of Gordon The Garden Gnome and it would be great if he could hammer home the message one more time.
If we go for the win but find ourselves having to settle for a draw - just like we did at Pittodrie - you won't hear me complaining. But if a point is the extent of our ambition, one dodgy break could rob us of it and the Manky Mob would get the lift they badly need at this point in the season. They are on the ropes and we have to make sure they stay there. Victory at their place, then in our two games in hand, would give the league table a long overdue true blue complexion and would make for a very enjoyable second half of the season.
Even with the setback of dropping two points at that pit on Sunday - 'Trump This Dump!' brilliant banner - there was recognition of a good team performance. More than one Bear pointed out that, in similar circumstances a year ago, it is a game PLG's Gers would have lost. We maybe passed up a chance to move right in on FC Semtex but no ground was lost and I firmly believe the omens are good. Three wins over the next week or so would make it a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for FFers everywhere.
Enjoy it, Bears.
LITTLE BOY BLUE