Hampden hope for Edinburgh
THE Edinburgh Tartan Army last night insisted Scotland should stay put at Hampden.
The future of the National Stadium is in doubt as the SFA haven’t committed to a new lease in partnership with the ground’s owners Queen’s Park ahead of their current deal ending in 2020.
But a spokesperson for the ETA said: “The only Tartan Army supporters’ club to voice an opinion was the ETA who are in favour of staying.” HE has been the hammer of the Hoops and Rangers’ go-to guy in the derbies.
Kenny Miller has long established himself as the Light Blues’ talisman against bitter rivals Celtic with a phenomenal strike rate of 10 goals in 19 Old Firm clashes.
Ally McCoist is the undisputed derby goals king with an astonishing 27 and 1970s Ibrox icons Derek Johnstone and Derek Parlane netted 11 and 10 respectively.
Miller is the latest derby specialist but he will be missing when Glasgow’s big two lock horns again at Celtic Park a week on Saturday.
The 37-year-old striker is hopeful of returning to the first-team fold in the new year after suffering a hamstring injury during the 2-1 win over Hibs last midweek.
And ex-Ibrox team-mate Kevin Thomson feels interim head coach Graeme Murty should hand Miller a coaching role on derby day.
The former midfielder believes the attacker’s experience in and around the Rangers dressing room could have a massive impact and said: “If I was Graeme, I might be inclined to bring Kenny on to the coaching team for the game against Celtic.
“His experience in the dressing room could be vital on a day like that. I know the kind of character Kenny is and he will definitely still want to be around the lads. He is not the type of player who wants to sit in the stands or in the house and take days off just because he is injured.
“The fact Graeme brought him back in after the Pedro Caixinha fiasco speaks volumes on how highly he values his contribution.
“It also tells you the two of them have a good relationship.
“I am pretty sure any support Kenny could give Graeme over this festive period would be welcome, especially so on derby day.
“As a player Kenny is a character and has a big voice in the Rangers changing room. He is also not shy in telling you what he thinks.
“When I was at Rangers we had a squad of 25 players who were all like that. We demanded off each other and Kenny was at the forefront of a lot of what was said.
“He has a soft approach but he also has a snappy approach like all the top players have. He can be fiery at times and was often the cause of skirmishes in training just because he is such a competitive animal.
“That never bothered anyone when I was at Rangers and I was exactly like that myself.
“Players like Kenny and myself