Quantcast
Blogs

Scotland on Sunday pay tribute to the Wattymobile

|

Celtic's fare dodgers?

What an amazing week of free publicity it’s been for bus operators up and down the country.

As Stagecoach, Firstbus, National Express and of course Celtic’s very own favourites Citylink started the week they couldn’t have imagined the attention that they were about to enjoy.

Ever since Rangers heroic goal-less draw with Manchester United on Tuesday a festival of bus parking themes have been launched on television, radio, newspapers and online.

Anywhere that you look there are references to bus parking. Any team setting out a mildly defensive formation can be handed the bus parking tag as Rangers stretched their winless run in the Champions League to eleven games.

The bus parking theme has deflected attention away from Walter Smith’s new look 1-9-0-1 formation highlighted by Stan Collymore as he commentated in amazement from Old Trafford.

Bus parking looks likely to continue all through the week stretching the imaginations of the most creative minds to come up with something original.

Aiden Smith of the Scotsman stable is one such character who has pulled out all the stops to come up with a lively nostalgic tribute to the heroes of Old Trafford.

Every line of his piece in today’s Scotland on Sunday carried a punch.

Recalling the various transport themes to Rangers history Hibs fan Smith writes: “There were all the wee blue cars for the disabled which used to ring Ibrox. There was the entire fleet belonging to Ian Skelly, the former car king and Rangers director who used to advertise heavily in the club’s match programme back when I poured over every detail.

“There was the coal lorry from the 1972 Cup-Winners’ Cup celebrations. And stationed right out front, similar to the Popemobile but – ha ha – not that similar, was Smith’s Wattymobile.

“The Wattymobile is on its farewell tour of Europe and continental competition. No-one is criticising him overmuch for Tuesday, and certainly not Sir Alex, although if Smith hadn’t been a friend, I’m sure Fergie would have let rip.

“I accept his defence of his team’s defensiveness, but only up to a point. His strategy was based on Man U putting out their strongest 11, a line-up respectful of “the greatest competition in the world”. But when he saw the teamsheet and who was missing, why didn’t he take a chance and go bolder?

“I can’t believe, despite his inherent caution, that he’s not regretting this now. A win in what was potentially their most difficult fixture could have set them up for qualification.

“God knows, Rangers are difficult to love but I’ll always want them to beat an English team. There’s the return to come, of course, and he must be more progressive. Doesn’t he want to be parading in the Wattymobile, kissing babies?

Milan Misun’s Dundee debut

Scotland on Sunday article

Some great bus parking pictures

Follow Video Celts on Twitter,  Facebook and YouTube

Lynx presents Professor Green

Videocelts Extension Button

Share this article

Online and independent- the only way to be. Enjoying instant news access and reaction, following the trends if not an influencer!