I have to admit it’s getting better (couldn’t get no worse)

I risk a verbal pounding come tomorrow night butin all honesty; I’m past caring. I still get folk who get in touch with me and try to tell me how to think; what to write and who I am. 20 odd books, four films and a million of these pieces seem to go over their heads.

Anyway; there’s definitely upsurge in Scottish football and I hope it continues. Last week, Dundee Utd and Hibernian both achieved good first leg away results in Europe and hopefully they are both enough to carry them through to then next stage.

A stand out results from my youth was when Dundee Inited lost 4-0 to Vitesse Arnhem on 1990 at Tannadice in the 2nd round of the UEFA Cup. I can’t tell you the shockwaves this sent around Scottish football given United’s European pedigree then.

And things were never the same again for them in Europe.

As equally big a shock came a year before when Hibs entered European football for the first time since 955 (a slight exaggeration for comedic effect) Their fans were just delighted to get a trip somewhere, anywhere and they drew Videoton of Hungary (This led to much hilarity round my way as our local video rental shop was called Videotec and you get the drift)

Anyway, Jibs went over and skelped them 3-0 which I’m sure most took as a joke when they found out the result.

I’d love to see these types of teams continue to progress in Europe although I am prepared for this being a load of shite and both being knocked out on Thursday.

With the noises coming from Tony Bloom at Hearts (is it just me or does he sounds like Jools Holland?) we may just be on the verge of a new era in Scotish football where teams can better, be better organised and generally have a purpose to the existence.

Now that would be something.

As for Celtic a trip to tKazakhstan now awaits. A ballache for sure but one that should be negotiated regardless of whether Dermot Desmond remembers his responsibilities or not.

Not that I would ever tell him how to think.