£1 (SUBSCRIPTION PRICE 72p) MONDAY JANUARY 18, 2021 WWW.THENATIONAL.

SCOT

McConnell appears to label half

of SNP voters as ‘extremists’
EXCLUSIVE: SNP NEC REJECTS INDY WORKING GROUP CALL

‘STARK BIAS’:
BBC’S NEW
VIRUS SHOW
BLASTED
Exclusive: ‘Deep concern’ raised over format
of FM’s briefing – with opposition given slot for
Covid response without any input from SNP
Exclusive: Rowley’s warning to Exclusive: ‘Inconceivable’
Labour on ‘bitter’ indyref2 split EU would say no to Scotland
2 The National/Monday, January 18, 2021 WWW.THENATIONAL.SCOT / @SCOTNATIONAL

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THE last thing you need in the middle of a strange,
stressful and upsetting global health crisis is a
tangled mix of voices arguing amongst themselves.
The fact the BBC decided back in the autumn that
briefing show
this was required in order to avoid ‘bias’ while the
FM updates the nation with vital information was Lack of input from SNP ‘deeply concerning’, says Brown
ridiculous in the first place. But the new format,
complete with opposition members invited to give BY LAURA WEBSTER featured nearly every day it aired.
opinions on the response, is frankly concerning. Labour’s Anas Sarwar and Sarah

T
HE BBC has been urged to
change its coverage of
NEWS 4 Scottish Government
coronavirus briefings after
UNIONISTS the programme was branded “overtly
political”.
FUME OVER The SNP’s depute leader Keith
Brown wrote to bosses at BBC Scot-
NEW INDY land with concerns that the show
has a “stark bias against the largest
TASKFORCE party”.
During what is now called the BBC
Scotland News Special – previously
COMMENT 10 Coronavirus Update – BBC journal-
ists discuss the country’s Covid-19 re-
NEW BENEFIT sponse, show part of the First Minis-
ter’s briefings, and then cut away for
BIG STEP FOR interviews with public health experts
OUR SOCIAL and opposition politicians.
The BBC One Scotland coverage
SECURITY started including opposition repre-
sentatives in September, when the
corporation U-turned on plans to
NEWS 18 only broadcast Nicola Sturgeon’s
briefings based on “editorial merit”.
PLANS FOR When the broadcaster scrapped the
plans, director Donalda MacKinnon
£34M LEISURE told staff they would “incorporate
DEVELOPMENT
ARE UNVEILED
PLUS, THE BEST
Indy becoming inevitable,
COLUMNISTS IN BY ANGUS COCHRANE
THE BUSINESS ...
S
COTTISH independence is
becoming inevitable,
TODAY 8 according to former
BBC presenter Gavin Esler.
KIRSTY The former Newsnight host, who
STRICKLAND: described himself as having a
“strong Unionist inclination”, says
‘WINNER’ OF the UK now seems destined to
break up.
LABOUR JOB Citing Brexit, Boris Johnson’s
leadership and media bias, the Scot
HAS THEIR explained in a column for the Mail
on Sunday why he believes the
WORK CUT OUT Union is “sliding at a glacial pace
into a constitutional crisis”.
Esler warned Scots are
PUZZLES 19, 25-27 “scunnered” and “thrawn”, writing:
“If a nation of five million people
LETTERS 20 can be summed up in two words
right now, it is these two. Most
TELEVISION 28 Scots are scunnered by events at
Westminster since 2016, notably
Keith Brown says the briefing
coverage is now ‘overtly political’
other voices and other perspectives …
involving politicians from across the
political spectrum”.
The BBC Scotland channel contin-
ues to air the briefings in full with no
political input at the end.
Now the SNP is “deeply con-
cerned” about the format of the pro-
gramme – particularly the final 15
minutes where politicians discuss the
pandemic response. Last week Scot-
tish Tory leader Douglas Ross was
by Brexit and what they see as the
incompetence of Boris Johnson and
his government.”
He also warned the UK is at a
crossroads. “Whether you are a
British Unionist or one of the several
versions of Scottish, English, Welsh
or Irish nationalists, the truth is that
the United Kingdom is now united in
name only,” Esler wrote. “The choice
before us is either to come together
and make profound changes to the
way we are governed, or to accept
that the UK is ultimately a failed
state and agree to split apart.”
He added: “I have a strong
Unionist background and inclination,
yet I have come to believe that
Britain may indeed be coming to its
end. It is not alarm bells I hear. It’s a
death knell.”
Esler believes the pandemic offered
the perfect chance for the Prime
Minister to heal the divide between
Boyack were given interview slots,
while the Scottish Greens were r
epresented by Patrick Harvie and
Ross Greer.
“To not feature the SNP in that po-
litical space is grossly misrepresenta-
tive and deeply unfair,” Brown wrote.
“When the old programme, which
was initially solely focused on the pub-
lic health response to the pandemic,
changed to accommodate opposition
politician voices, the SNP questioned
BBC Scotland on why non-pandemic
related matters were arising in oppo-
sition politician interviews,” Brown
told bosses in his letter.
“It was explained that the BBC
could only control what was asked
and not the response – and that in
any case this was ‘a contested space’.
“This ‘space’ is no longer ‘contest-
ed’ – it is now overtly political with
a stark bias against the largest party.”
Brown added that his constituents
had been in touch to “rightly” point
out that the “First Minister’s only fo-
cus is on public health and pandemic
related matters”.
the four nations of the UK after
Brexit. However, that chance was
squandered. “Rapidly, the Prime
Minister of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
shrank to becoming Prime Minister
of England only – and at times only
parts of England,” Essler wrote. “The
global health emergency prompted
different national solutions, but in
the UK the pandemic once more
raised serious questions about our
multinational state.”
Detailing why the constitutional
crisis has come about, Esler notes
broadcasting bias. “Broadcasting
organisations may present themselves
as British national institutionalism,”
he writes. “Yet they, too, are run very
differently in Scotland, Northern
Ireland and Wales. To take one
example, at the start of the pandemic,
the Scottish businessman and SNP
adviser Andrew Wilson posted a
 WWW.THENATIONAL.SCOT / @SCOTNATIONAL
“So why is the BBC enabling non-
SNP politicians to have a ‘free hit’?”
the MSP asked. “I urge you to recon-
sider the format of and our exclusion
from this programme as a matter of
urgency.”
A senior SNP source told The Na-
tional: “We’re trying to work with
says former Newsnight presenter
screen-grab on Twitter from an ITN
News bulletin broadcast on the
Scottish television channel STV.
It showed a map of hospital bed
‘critical care capacity’ in England
and Wales, with Scotland cut off.
Wilson’s ire was clear: ‘Come on.
Make an effort, you are broadcasting
to the whole UK.’
“Even the BBC, as a cherished
institution paid for by everyone
through the licence fee, is frequently
lambasted for exhibiting this kind of
unthinking metropolitan bias.”
Esler, who ran as an anti-Brexit
Change UK candidate in the 2019
European Parliament election, stops
short of backing independence.
He points out that since its
inception, the Union has been
“reformed, renewed, reinvented and
sometimes renamed” and advocates
for a fresh approach. He wrote:
“Federalism, I believe, can be seen
the BBC – but the politicisation of
this programme with the continued
absence of an SNP voice is just a non-
sense and they need to get real.”
In response, the BBC said it contin-
ued to show the briefings on multiple
platform “particularly at this time
given the state of the pandemic”.
as a strength that allows ‘British’
institutions to react on a local
level. The question for the future is
whether that devolutionary impulse
can be made more coherent while
maintaining the idea of a United
Kingdom, with clear written rules.”
Responding to Esler’s comments,
SNP depute leader Keith Brown
said: “The growing momentum
behind independence, and a fresh
referendum on our future, is
unstoppable.
“Scotland has been dragged out of
the EU against our will by a right-
wing Tory Government we didn’t
vote for. People in Scotland want
the chance to choose a better future,
inside the EU. Boris Johnson’s
Trump-style attempts to deny
democracy simply won’t stand.
“The longer the Tories run scared
of democracy, the more support for
independence will grow.”
The National/Monday, January 18, 2021 3
EU rejection of
Scotland ‘not
conceivable’
according to
top economist
BY EMER O’TOOLE
A TOP European economist has said
it would be “inconceivable” for the
EU to reject an independent
Scotland’s membership.
Fabian Zuleeg, who is the chief
executive and economist of the Eu-
ropean Policy Centre, also said it
“could ease some of the frictions and
unresolved issues” the rest of the UK
will be left with after Brexit if an inde-
pendent Scotland rejoins.
Writing for thenational.scot he
said: “If an independent Scotland
shows its commitment to EU val-
ues, willing to fulfil the conditions
of membership, it is inconceivable
that it would be blocked permanently
from becoming a member state.”
He went on: “It would be important
for the EU to be convinced that an in-
dependent Scotland was not driven
by a negative nationalism of “us vs
them” but that it could even provide
a bridge between the EU and the rest
of the UK, helping to ease some of the
frictions and unresolved issues.”
But Zuleeg warned the process
would not be automatic but that Brex-
it has changed the case for Scotland
in the EU compared to after the 2014
independence referendum.
“Then, a vote for independence
Scottish The spokesperson added: “We would potentially have meant an exit
Tory leader are also committed to delivering on from the EU, followed by an uncer-
Douglas Ross our obligations around impartial- tain accession process, facing not
featured nearly ity and we therefore hear from a only some sceptical member states
every day the
programme range of other voices – either po- struggling with secessionist move-
aired last week litical or public health experts – on ments but also the potential veto of
our BBC One Scotland offer to the rest of the UK,” he said.
our audiences.” “Now, EU countries recognise
that Scotland has been taken out of
the EU against its will and that there
could well be a legitimate case to re-
enter the EU.”
He said an independent Scotland
would have to prove it “truly belongs
in the EU” by pursuing a membership
for reasons other than to achieve in-
dependence.
“The last thing the EU would want
at this stage is a new ‘awkward’ part-
ner,” Zuleeg continued. “Key here is
a strong and visible commitment to
EU values and the rule of law, in step
with the overall direction of Europe-
an integration.”
Zuleeg warned against pursuing
alternative routes to independence
instead of waiting for Westminster’s
permission saying it “would create
a dangerous political and legal prec-
edent” in the eyes of EU member
states. He said it “could stir up seces-
sionist movements”.
Zuleeg concluded: “If constitu-
tionally separated from the UK, and
willing to commit to EU values and
accession conditions, it is highly
likely that an independent Scotland
would become a member of the
Gavin Esler ran as a Change UK candidate in 2019 European Union.”
 4 The National/Monday, January 18, 2021
SNP NEC votes
down motion
for indy strategy
working group
Party’s new ruling body rejects proposal by majority
EXCLUSIVE
BY KATHLEEN NUTT
T
HE SNP’s new ruling body
has rejected a motion calling
for the party to set up a
working group to advance a
strategy to achieve a second
independence referendum.
Sources told The National that the
proposal was voted down by the par-
ty’s National Executive Committee
(NEC) over the weekend.
“The NEC held the vote on setting
up a working group but it was voted
down by a majority,” one insider said.
The plan for a working group was
originally the idea of MP Joanna
Cherry and was put forward as a pro-
posed resolution to the party’s annu-
al conference for debate back in No-
vember by the party’s Common Weal
Group (CWG).
But conference organisers rejected
the motion – and a previous Plan B
motion put down by Angus MacNeil
and Chris McEleny – leading to anger
among some party activists.
However, it is understood support-
ers of a working group were hopeful
the party’s new NEC may have sup-
ported the idea.
Unionists fume at SNP over announcement of new
BY KATHLEEN NUTT
U
NIONIST parties have
launched a fierce attack on
the SNP for announcing a
new dedicated
independence taskforce to lay the
groundwork for a new Yes
campaign.
Keith Brown, the party’s depute
leader and campaign director,
unveiled the initiative yesterday,
saying the group would bring
together strategic direction and
expertise which is the “final piece
in the jigsaw” to help deliver
independence.
The new NEC has a higher num-
ber of members open to examining
alternative routes to independence
if Boris Johnson fails to agree to a
new vote than the party’s previous
ruling body.
The working group plan was ad-
vanced and supported by SNP CWG
on the NEC when the body met
on Saturday.
A National Assembly meeting to
discuss a “Plan B” is to be held virtu-
ally later this month.
In a statement to The National,
the SNP CWG said the motion was
brought forward and supported by
members of the SNP Common Weal
Group (CWG) and would have es-
tablished “a working group to ex-
plore democratic and legitimate
routes to independence proposed
at the upcoming National Assem-
bly and make recommendations
to the NEC on how to implement
these proposals”.
Responding to the plan being
turned down, a spokesperson for the
SNP CWG said: “If these reports are
correct, it is extremely disappointing
that our party’s NEC has rejected a
proposal for a working group on in-
A “high-profile” campaigner to
head the taskforce is expected to
be announced in the next few days,
which Brown said will “fire up” the
wider Yes movement.
The objective of the group will be
to lay the foundations of the indyref2
campaign before the Scottish
Parliament elections due to take
place in May, the SNP said.
But the Tories and the LibDems
are furious about the development.
“The SNP are ramping up their
push for indyref2 this year while
the rest of Scotland is worried
about their jobs and when they’ll
get the Covid vaccine,” said Scottish
dependence strategy when independ-
ence underpins everything the SNP
aims to do.
“We need to begin laying the path
towards independence and the CWG
recognises that there are a range of
different opinions within the party
on how to do that.
“The upcoming National Assembly
is an opportunity to discuss those
views and build consensus.
“This working group was intended Conference
to further that work by uniting the organisers
party behind one clear strategy to de- rejected a
motion from
liver independence. Joanna Cherry,
“The National Assembly is an im- as well as
portant democratic exercise and a previous
its outcomes will reflect the demo- motion put
cratic will of party members. It is down by Angus
crucial that these outcomes lead to MacNeil (top
real action. right) and Chris
“The CWG has worked with the McEleny
party grassroots on a plan to improve
internal democracy and give members
a say on independence strategy and
party policy. The grassroots delivered
a message at the last party conference
elections – it is time for change. Our
representatives on the NEC must re-
spect that message.”
The SNP yesterday announced it
Conservative leader Douglas Ross.
“They are stuck in the Holyrood
bubble with no clue about the
priorities of people across Scotland.”
He said: “Escalating their plans
for indyref2 is rash and incredibly
self-indulgent when the country
is struggling through another
lockdown.
Scottish Tory “Their shameless push for another
leader Douglas referendum this year would wreck
Ross called our recovery from the pandemic.
the move We need to focus on building up
‘self-indulgent’ Scotland, not breaking up our
country.”
Tory MP John Lamont added: “My
inbox is filling up with messages
was ramping up the drive for inde-
pendence with the creation of a dedi-
cated taskforce to lay the groundwork
for a new Yes campaign.
The party’s campaign director
Keith Brown told the Sunday Na-
tional that the group would bring
together strategic direction and ex-
pertise which is the “final piece in the
jigsaw” to help deliver independence.
A spokesperson for SNP CWG said:
“The announcement of an ‘independ-
ence unit’ is welcome but given its
remit, it is now even more surprising
that a motion to facilitate grassroots
input into our independence strategy
was voted down.
“It is crucial that elected NEC rep-
resentatives have democratic over-
sight of this new unit’s work and that
from concerned constituents about
the slow pace of the vaccine delivery
in Scotland, They are asking why
the SNP Government is focusing on
independence. They are right – the
priority should be vaccines, not
referendums.”
Scottish LibDem leader Willie
Rennie said: “The First Minister
promised that the SNP wouldn’t
start a referendum in the middle of
a pandemic, but off they go. They
can’t help themselves. Thousands of
people are ill with Covid. Business
and workers are desperately worried
about their immediate future.
“Despite the promises of the First

the grassroots have meaningful op-
portunities to contribute to it.
“We will continue to work with
party members across the country to
deliver the action on independence
that the SNP membership and wider
Yes movement believes in.”
Responding to the motion being
rejected by the NEC, an SNP spokes-
person said the meaning of the deci-
sion was that NEC would defer to
the membership’s discussions at the
National Assembly on January 24 and
return to the subject thereafter.
Citing from the meeting’s notes:
“The NEC will look at the potential
for establishing a Working Group on
Independence Strategy once the Na-
tional Assembly has reported on its
meeting of January 24.”
indy taskforce
Minister in the Scottish Parliament,
nationalists will always put their own
interests first.”
Brown said: “Our Independence
Taskforce at SNP headquarters will
be welcomed by party members and
grassroots Yes activists across the
country.
“I really believe that when I make
the appointment it will also fire up
the wider Yes movement.”
The head of the taskforce will
work with existing SNP headquarters
staff and strategists across the party,
with more staff to be added if the
party achieves successful results in
Holyrood in May.
Former Tory
Cabinet
minister
appears to
snub Ross
FORMER Tory leadership
contender Jeremy Hunt
appeared to snub Douglas Ross
when he took to social media to
highlight Tony Blair’s view that
the best opposition leader to the
SNP has been Ruth Davidson.
Hunt, who stood
unsuccessfully against Boris
Johnson in the Conservative
leadership contest in 2019, took
to Twitter to highlight the
former’s Labour PM’s views.
He tweeted: “The only
effective opposition to the SNP
in the last decade was when
@RuthDavidsonMSP was
leader.”
Hunt, the former Tory health
secretary, did not give his view
on the performance of current
Scottish Tory leader Douglas
Ross.
Blair’s comments were seen
as a damning verdict on
Scottish Labour by insisting the
only effective opposition the
SNP faced in the past decade
was when Davidson was Tory
leader. But by highlighting his
comment it suggested Hunt may
agree with him.
Davidson – like most of the
Tory MSP group – backed Hunt,
a former Remainer in the Tory
leadership race, with Brexiteers
in the group such as former Tory
MSP Michelle Ballantyne – now
Reform UK Scotland leader --
and Oliver Mundell backing
Johnson.
Moray MP Ross – who also
backed Brexit – also supported
Johnson in the Tory leadership
election and was later rewarded
with a junior ministerial post. He
later resigned from his role over
the PM’s response to his chief
aide Dominic Cumming’s visit to
Durham from London during the
spring lockdown.
An SNP spokesperson said:
“It is almost impossible for
voters to tell these two pro-
Union parties apart.
“With Labour and the Tories
currently trailing in the polls, the
SNP will continue to work hard
for every single vote and ensure
Scotland has the right to decide
The its own future – not Boris
Johnson.”
priority A Scottish Conservative
should spokesperson declined to
comment.
be Johnson beat Hunt in the last
round of voting in the contest to
vaccines become Tory leader and
succeed Theresa May as PM.
The National/Monday, January 18, 2021
McConnell under
fire for suggesting
half of SNP voters
are extremists
BY KATHLEEN NUTT
L
ABOUR peer Jack McConnell
ha s c ome u nder f i r e for
suggesting half of SNP voters
are extremists.
The former first minister was criti-
cised for describing 50% of SNP sup-
porters as “extreme nationalists”. He
also claimed most Scots would “choke
on their breakfast” at the imminent
prospect of a second independence
referendum.
His comments were made during
an interview with the BBC yesterday
morning, where he was asked about
the resignation last week of Scottish
Labour leader Richard Leonard.
“I think people across Scotland will
be choking on their breakfast, you
mentioning another referendum at
this particular time. We’ve had a pan-
demic crisis that’s been in our country
now for 12 months,” McConnell said.
Pressed that this might not be the
case for the 57% of Scots which the lat-
est poll recorded as supporting inde-
pendence, McConnell replied: “That’s
not the issue, the issue is whether they
want a referendum or not and they
want another referendum soon.”
He went on to say that Labour were
in an “ideal position” to offer some-
thing different from “extreme nation-
alism and extreme Unionism”.
He said: “We have this polarised
debate in Scotland which has divid-
ed our country for the best part of a
decade with extreme nationalism on
one side and extreme Unionism on
the other and what Scotland wants is
a government that can lead us out of
this crisis, that will help rebuild our
economy, improve our education ser-
vice and make sure we are better pre-
pared for any future pandemic than
we were for this one.”
Pressed on whether Labour needed
to find a better stance on the constitu-
tional issue, he added: “I estimate that
about half of those people who cur-
rently either vote SNP or who might
someday support independence are
not extreme nationalists.
“They don’t want this country po-
larised in the way it has been and they
certainly don’t want another referen-
dum happening anytime soon.”
The SNP Holyrood candidate for
Dumbarton, Toni Giugliano, hit back:
“Insulting the electorate is a strange
way to win back voters. Lord McCo-
nnell – from his privileged position in
the House of Lords – should reflect on
why Labour voters have left his party
in droves. Labour would rather have
the Tories in Westminster harming
our communities, than the chance to
5
build a fairer Scotland with the full
powers of independence.
“Not only is Labour working hand
in glove with the Tories to stop an in-
dependence referendum, they voted
for a shambolic Brexit deal which is
already making Scotland poorer – it’s
unforgivable.
“Scotland is tired of Labour politi-
cians who make excuses for the To-
ries. I look forward to making the
positive case for independence to the
people of Dumbarton constituency in
the weeks and months ahead.”
Chris McEleny, who has been push-
ing for a Plan B if Boris Johnson won’t
agree to a second independence refer-
endum, said support for independ-
ence “is now normal”.
“This is a very disappointing inter-
vention from Jack McConnell. Eight-
een opinion polls in a row have said
that a majority of Scots now believe
Scotland should be an independent
country.
“Of course, Lord McConnell of
Glenscorrodale has a conflict of in-
terest as he won’t have his seat in the
House of Lords anymore if Scotland
were to become an independent coun-
try, but the reality is independence is
now normal. It is, however, an odd ap-
proach by the Labour Party to try and
win voters back by calling more than
half the country extremists.”
Last week, a Savanta ComRes sur-
vey – the 18th in a row to record
majority support for independence –
showed that on the Holyrood con-
stituency vote, voting intention shows
more than half of likely voters will
choose the SNP (53%), with 19% opt-
ing for the Tories and 18% for Labour.
It also recorded that more than a
third of 2019 Labour voters are now
more likely to vote for the SNP in May
because of the Scottish Government’s
response to the pandemic. A further
13% of Tory voters said likewise.
This is in contrast to just 14% of
2019 SNP voters who say they’re more
likely to vote Labour in May, and just
8% of 2019 SNP voters who are more
likely to vote Conservative.
 6 The National/Monday, January 18, 2021

Rowley warns
Labour must
resolve ‘bitter’
indyref2 split
Former deputy leader rules himself out of contest
EXCLUSIVE
BY KATHLEEN NUTT party’s list rankings still ongoing regional lists elections will be so you among a number of senior Labour
it was not known who from the may have a small group of individuals politicians, who included fellow

A
LEX Rowley has ruled
himself out of the
S c ot t i s h L ab ou r
leadership contest
as he warned the party their
t r ouble s wou ld not b e
solved until they agreed
“where it stands on the
future governance of
Scotland and the absolute
right of the Scottish people to
determine their own future”.
The party’s Holyrood front-
bencher also appeared to question
the legitimacy of a contest before
the election, due in May, saying they
should have decided to wait and elect
a new leader after the Scottish Parlia-
ment poll.
In a bombshell intervention, the
MSP and former deputy leader re-
ferred to the process where candi-
dates have to get the backing of sit-
ting MSPs and pointed out with the
party would be in Holyrood
after the election.
His suggestion was that
candidates would get
backing from MSPs who
may no longer be sitting
in a few months time.
“I will not be standing,
my own view is we should
have waited until after
the elections and asked
the interim leader to lead us
through the elections,” he told
The National when asked if he
would be throwing his hat into the
Scottish ring for the leadership.
Labour MSP “No-one in their right mind is sug-
Alex Rowley gesting Scottish Labour can win in
appeared to
question the May, but our objective must be to
legitimacy of come a good second so the question
a contest for of who becomes FM does not arise
leader before for Labour.”
the election He added: “As it is today, we do not
know what the results of the internal
deciding the next leader when they
themselves are not even going to be
returning to the parliament.
“I also take the view that it will not
really matter who the leader is if the
party cannot come together and agree
where it stands on the future govern-
ance of Scotland and the absolute
right of the Scottish people to deter-
mine their own future.
“On this issue, Labour in Scotland
remains bitterly divided and people
do not vote for parties that are divid-
ed and full of bitterness.”
Rowley is among the senior Labour
figures who believe Scottish Labour
should not oppose an independence
referendum if there is majority sup-
port for one.
His stance followed a devastating
defeat for Labour at the 2019 General
Election, when it lost six of its seven
MPs.
Following the result, Rowley was
MSPs Neil Findlay and Monica Len-
non, to urge the party not to oppose
a second independence referendum –
though they still took a stand against
independence. There are now fears
on the Scottish Labour left that the
new leader will advance a hardline
Unionist position in a bid to win over
former Tory voters, alienated by Bo-
ris Johnson.
When news of Leonard’s resigna-
tion emerged, Findlay said he had
been brought down by internal crit-
ics, adding “these flinching cowards
and sneering traitors make me sick”.
He later told the Morning Star that
the party’s performance in 2017 –
when it got seven MPs – was due to
Jeremy Corbyn’s left-wing message
and not so much the Unionist one ad-
vanced at the time by Scottish Labour
leader Kezia Dugdale. As we went to
press, pro-Union Anas Sarwar was
the party’s only leadership candidate.

Yes Cymru: Vote Labour out Starmer allies reportedly call for
for Welsh independence Brown to lead drive to save Union
BY KIRSTEEN PATERSON The Green Party and Gwlad are BY KIRSTEEN PATERSON saying: “Although he has not given
also pro-independence. a firm commitment, his attitude is
WALES must vote Labour out of Jobbins told the BBC that Yes SENIOR Labour figures have urged ‘let’s wait and see what happens’.”
office this year to set a path for Cymru will not tell its members Gordon Brown to return to Reacting, Kirkcaldy SNP MSP
independence, Yes Cymru says. who to vote for, but the country frontline politics and lead a drive to David Torrance said: “Voters haven’t
There’s been a Labour First needs a government which “has a save the Union, it has been claimed. forgotten the broken promises
Minister in Cardiff ever since the path to independence”. Brown stepped down at the 2015 made by Gordon Brown and the
Senedd’s creation in 1999. But Acknowledging the “tension” General Election after being a Better No campaign in 2014. Labour
Sion Jobbins, the chair of Yes over Yes Cymru members who are Together figurehead in the run-up were quick to jump into bed with
Cymru, says devolution is a also in the Labour Party, he said: to the 2014 Scottish independence the Tories and deny the people of
“cul-de-sac” and Wales needs new “If there’s no change in Cardiff referendum. Scotland the chance of a better
political leadership. Bay, there is no independence and Yesterday the Sunday Times future. Now, they’re all too eager to
Yes Cymru’s membership now this is a message also to Yes reported that the former PM has do the same thing all over again.
tops 17,000 after a massive uptick Cymru supporters. been approached by Keir Starmer “As long as Labour continue
in 2020. According to its polling, “There needs to be a party there allies to return to argue the case for to line up behind Boris Johnson
around one third of Welsh voters which supports independence and the Union again from the frontlines. and ignore the majority of Scots,
with an opinion would back either forces another partner to It’s understood party leaders see who believe that decisions should
independence at the ballot box. have a clear pathway to trigger Brown as the only Labour figure be made by governments entirely
Plaid Cymru has promised an independence or it’s not going to SNP MSP David who can “cut through” in Scotland, elected in Scotland, they will
independence referendum if it wins happen and our supporters need Torrance had where they now have just one MP. continue to alienate even their own
a warning for
a majority in the Senedd this year. to understand that.” Labour The paper quoted a Starmer ally as voters and remain irrelevant.”

Sarwar and Lennon in race to
be new Scottish Labour leader
BY KATHLEEN NUTT
A
HEAD-TO-HEAD race
between Anas Sarwar and
Monica Lennon began last
night to become the new
Scottish Labour leader.
Sarwar declared his intention
to stand on Saturday night while
Lennon announced she was putting
her name forward as The National
went to press, ahead of a midnight
deadline. She tweeted: “Following
discussions with party members,
I have decided to put my name
forward to lead the Scottish Labour
Party.
“Our members deserve to have
their say about the best way to take
forward our vision for a fairer and
A number of more equal Scotland. I look forward
senior politicians to being considered. “
in the party The party’s health spokeswoman
have now urged has won plaudits across Parliament
against opposing for her campaign on period poverty,
a second successfully bringing in legislation to
independence
referendum provide free sanitary products.
Lennon had earlier been urged to
stand by several figures in the party
including former MP Ged Killen.
Sarwar, the Glasgow MSP and a
former deputy leader, confirmed his
bid to succeed Richard Leonard as
the next Scottish Labour leader.
The Glasgow MSP used an article
for the Observer online to set out
his stall in the leadership race,
which was triggered by Leonard’s
resignation on Thursday.
Late on Saturday night, he tweeted
to say the country “needs political
leadership that will bring people
together” and that he wants “to
rebuild Scottish Labour, and then
rebuild Scotland”.
In his column, Sarwar wrote:
“Over the past few years, I have
gained a new perspective on our
politics and realised that the things
we argue about mean little to
people’s lives.
“We spend too much time
highlighting our differences, rather
than focusing on what unites us.
“I firmly believe we cannot go
back to society as it was before the
pandemic – insecure work, hollowed-
out public services, an underfunded
health service, and the constant
focus on another independence
referendum when there’s far more
important things we need to be
dealing with.”
The 37-year-old also discussed
facing racism and fighting prejudice
in the article, adding: “Speaking out
against the racism I’ve faced was the
hardest thing I’ve done in politics.
“My family faced death threats
as a result. But I’ve used that
experience to spend my time in our
communities working on what unites
us and bringing people together – I
have listened and I have learnt.
“I want to bring that same
approach to our Labour movement
so that we can rebuild our party and
rebuild our country.”
Sarwar was beaten by Leonard in
the party’s 2017 leadership election,
following a three month long bitter
contest in which Leonard was given
the support of influential trade
unions, such as Unite.
After news broke of Leonard’s
resignation, Sarwar paid tribute to
his former boss, saying: “Richard
has led our party through one of the
most difficult times in our history.
“He is Labour to his core, and we
are all grateful for his service.”
Earlier on Saturday the party’s
executive agreed to a condensed
The National/Monday, January 18, 2021
timescale for any contest with the
Holyrood elections less than four
months away.
Candidates had until midnight
last night to declare their intention
to run and will require support
from at least four of the party’s
MSPs or its sole Scottish MP by
midday on Tuesday to be formally
nominated.
Scottish Labour’s chair Cara
Hilton said: “The Scottish Executive
Committee today agreed that a new
leader of the Scottish Labour Party
will be elected by a ballot of party
members and affiliated trades union
members in February.
7
“The new leader will be
announced on February 27 and
will lead Scottish Labour into the
Scottish Parliament election with
a fresh energy to carry Labour’s
message and take the fight to the
Tories and the SNP.”
The next leader will be the tenth
Labour has had since devolution
and the fifth since the independence
referendum in 2014.
Leonard announced his
resignation last Thursday saying that
the speculation about his position as
leader had become a distraction to
the party’s ability to get its message
across ahead of the vital Scottish
Parliament elections. Reports later
claimed UK party leader Sir Keir
Starmer had made clear he did
not have confidence in Leonard as
the Scottish Labour chief during a
Zoom call with senior party figures
and potential donors the previous
evening.
Leonard saw off an attempted
coup by Labour MSPs in September
and insisted he would lead the
party into the election, expected to
be a landmark in Scottish history
as the SNP seek a fourth term
in government and a vote on the
right to hold an independence
referendum.
Leonard’s resignation was
attacked by figures on the left of
the party who said he had been
undermined. After his resignation,
Neil Findlay said: “Looks like those
who have led a three year campaign
of briefings to journalists, leaks
of private conversations and the
constant feeding of stories to the
media to bring down a decent and
honest man have succeeded. These
flinching cowards and sneering
traitors make me sick.”
 8 The National/Monday, January 18, 2021
‘Winner’ of
worst job in
Scots politics
will have their
work cut out
A
ND so it begins. Again.
Scottish Labour is now
looking for its 10th leader
since the creation of the
Scottish Parliament. That figure
wouldn’t be so damning if the
previous nine had fizzed and
whizzed through their tenures,
as impactful and short-lived
as fireworks lighting up the
night sky.
Instead, the party has endured
a series of flops who have tried to
rebuild the party after successive
electoral failures and found that
they, like their predecessors,
weren’t up to the job. With every
new leadership contest and each
bold promise to unite the fractured
party and start “listening’’ to
voters, Scottish Labour has become
increasingly demoralised as the
ambition has made contact
with reality.
It’s easy to blame Richard Leonard
for Scottish Labour’s most recent
woes. He was an ineffectual leader
who never quite managed to rally
the troops after the bitter
leadership contest he fought
against Anas Sarwar.
He was – and remains – largely
anonymous among ordinary voters.
In truth, he should have resigned
after the December General
Election, when it was clear that his
party had lost what little confidence
it had in him.
In their farewell statements, his
allies and foes alike have been
keen to point out that Leonard is a
thoroughly “decent’’ man. Outside of
politics, decency is a desirable thing
to be thought of among your peers.
And in it too: Scottish politics could
do with a bit more decency. But it
also smacks of being damned
with faint praise.
The Labour Party in Scotland
are going to need more than
decency to reverse the
decades-long decline of
its standing in Scottish
politics.
So, it’s easy to pick fault
with Leonard’s leadership
over the last three years,
for all he has done and
failed to do. But as the
party has seen many,
many times before, a new
leader will not in and of
itself solve Labour’s myriad
problems. With each passing
election, its MSP talent pool
has dwindled. There has been
Kirsty Strickland
little opportunity to inject new
life and energy into the Holyrood
group and we can now see the
consequences of that as they once
again go about choosing
a new leader.
At the time of writing, Anas
Sarwar was the only candidate to
have put his name forward. By the
time you are reading this, others
may have done so. All eyes are on
Monica Lennon to see whether
she decides now is the time to
make her bid.
If she decides to hold off, we
could see a coronation of a new
leader, rather than a contest. Or
somebody could do as Michelle
Ballantyne (remember her?) did
and put their name forward purely
as a mechanism to allow the party
to debate and scrutinise the leading
candidate.
Not that any of this matters all that
much. If front-runner Anas Sarwar
does become Scottish Labour’s
newest leader, he will have very
little time to reverse the fortunes of
the beleaguered party ahead of the
Holyrood election.
It would be of little surprise if his
first strategic act as leader was to
go hard on the recent mutterings
that the May election should be
postponed. To do so would send a
message that Scotland, unlike
all the other countries that have
held elections during the pandemic,
is somehow uniquely incapable of
pulling off such a feat.
Whoever “wins” the worst job in
Scottish politics will have their work
cut out. It’s like getting a job as a
postman but before you can
actually deliver any letters you’ve
got to write out every address in
Scotland, plot them on a map,
and sort out a 10-year backlog of
It’s easy to undelivered post. Over the coming
pick fault days we will hear a lot from Scottish
with Richard Labour politicians about what
Leonard’s Scotland wants.
leadership, We’ll hear this most often in
but replacing
him will not response to questions about how the
solve Scottish party intend to reconcile
Labour’s myriad the growing support for
problems independence with Scottish Labour’s
current strategy of ignoring the
electoral reality of the need for a
second referendum.
To this question, they will say
“What the people of Scotland
really want is ...”
Then they will offer a list of
priorities: health, education, dealing
with the pandemic and economic
recovery.
In dodging the question, they
will inadvertently highlight why
the outcome of the leadership
contest that they have been
Labour booked to talk about won’t make
are going any difference to the party’s
fortunes.
to need Ignoring the sustained and
growing majority support for
more than independence won’t make it
decency less real. When the new leader
sets out their centre-left domestic
to reverse agenda, who are they pitching
it to?
the party’s Scottish Labour can’t out-Unionist
decline in the Scottish Tories and however
progressive its Holyrood 2021
Scottish manifesto is, the party dsn’t have
a hope of winning back former
politics Labour voters while it is so set
against the idea of a referendum
on independence, let alone
independence itself.
For as long as Scottish Labour
continues to tell people in Scotland
what they want, rather than listen to
the votes and voices that show what
they want, its downward trajectory
will continue.
TOMORROW:
MICHAEL FRY

Celebrations planned after anti-nuclear treaty enters force
MEMBERS of the anti-nuclear
weapons group Trident Ploughshares
will celebrate the entry into force of
the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of
Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) on
January 22 with banner drops,
billboards and projections on
buildings, and bell ringing in town
centres across the UK.
In Edinburgh, messages will be
projected on city centre buildings
with billboards proclaiming “UN
outlaws nuclear weapons. Time for a
clean break”, with a variation asking
“What about Scotland?” depicting
Nicola Sturgeon alongside her words:
“No ifs, no buts, no nuclear weapons
on the Clyde, or anywhere.”
The group said that messages will
appear in other cities around the UK
in the coming weeks.
The treaty was adopted by the
United Nations in July 2017 with the
support of 122 member states.
The National/Monday, January 18, 2021
With Honduras’s ratification
on October 24, 2020, the TPNW
acquired the 50 ratifications needed
for it to enter into force and become
international law after 90 days.
Founder of the group, Angie
Zelter, said: “After decades of
nuclear resisters sitting on cold wet
roads, swimming freezing lochs,
being dragged through courts and
thrown into police cells and prisons,
today we are welcoming the arrival
9
of the nuclear weapons ban treaty.
We have argued many times in court
that nuclear weapons are immoral
and illegal because any use of these
terrible weapons would cause a
humanitarian and environmental
catastrophe.
“The entry into force of the ban
treaty signals a massive change
globally, recognising that nuclear
weapons are one of the greatest Angie Zelter
threats to humanity.” is the group’s
founder

September target
for Covid jag offer
to all adults in UK
BY KIRSTEEN PATERSON
died was 17 higher. It was the

E
VERY adult in the
UK will be offered a
first dose of a
coronavirus vaccine
by September, Dominic Raab
has pledged.
The Foreign Secretary said
it would be “great” if the roll-
out could be faster but that
the Government was working
to the early autumn target.
In an interview on Sky’s
Sophy Ridge on Sunday,
Raab said: “Our target is by
September to have offered all
the adult population a first
dose. If we can do it faster
than that, great, but that’s the
roadmap.”
He said that he hoped
by the “early spring” some
restrictions can be lifted
“gradually” so the country can
“get back to normal”.
Raab warned, however, that
it could be put “at risk” by the
new variants and pressure on
the NHS as he urged people
to follow the rules.
More than 3.5 million
people in the UK have now
received their first dose of a
vaccine and some 324,000
doses of coronavirus vaccines
were administered in the
space of 24 hours.
The Foreign Secretary also
said people should not go
on holiday as he stressed the
NHS is “on the cusp”.
“We’ve just got to stay at
home as much as possible
unless there are really strong,
limited exceptional reasons
for travelling domestically or
internationally, and that’s the
way we get through to a better
place.”
Asked about reports that
ministers could introduce
quarantine hotels, he
first time this year the number
of new cases in Scotland had
dropped below 2000, although
official figures being reported
tend to be lower at the
weekends.
As of Friday evening, 1863
people were in hospital with
recently confirmed Covid-19,
up three.
There were also 145 patients
in intensive care, an increase
of four.
Today it has been confirmed
that the British Army will
help set up 80 coronavirus
said the UK Government vaccination centres
has “considered all of throughout Scotland as part
the possibilities” and has of the largest peacetime
strengthened checks. resilience operation carried
When pressed on whether out by the armed forces.
there would be enough Defence Secretary Ben
vaccine supply for someone to Wallace confirmed the
get their second dose within deployment of 98 soldiers
12 weeks, he said “we ought over the next 28 days to
to” be able to deliver. identify and prepare suitable
His comments came as locations for NHS Scotland
another 1295 deaths in the UK to administer the Covid-19
were reported on Saturday, vaccine.
the third-highest daily total Soldiers – mostly from
since the pandemic began, the Leuchars-based Royal
but the lowest number of lab- Scots Dragoon Guards – will
confirmed cases this year was organise vaccine delivery to
reported – 41,346. the sites, prepare storage for
The figures will be seen medicines and equipment,
as a sign that infections may how to register and record
be levelling off or falling patients as well as sorting
as a result of the lockdown car parking and traffic flow
measures, though scientists around the sites. They will
believe the peak in deaths will then hand over the running of
come later. the sites to the health service.
Another 1753 new cases of Wallace said: “Using the
coronavirus in Scotland were logistical expertise of military
reported yesterday, along with personnel, honed in warzones
78 deaths of people who tested around the world, frees up
positive for Covid-19 in the NHS Scotland and local
last 28 days. authorities to continue to
The number of new focus on administering the
infections was 407 below the initial 900,000 doses provided
2160 announced on Friday, to Scotland by the UK
but the number of people who Government in January.”
 10 The National/Monday, January 18, 2021

Labour deal with rivals ‘could oust Tories in 2024’

BY KIRSTEEN PATERSON
A CAMPAIGN group has drawn up
the plan it says would take Labour
to Downing Street – teaming up
with other parties.
The party’s MP numbers tanked in
2019, when a snap General Clection
saw it reduced to just one seat in
Scotland and 202 as a whole.
As Labour lost 60 constituencies,
the Conservatives gained 48 in
a result that strengthened Boris
Johnson’s hand.
Now the Best of Britain group
says Keir Starmer’s party could win
up to 351 seats at the next General
Election – if it works with the Greens
and LibDems.
The claim – which predicts the
fall of Alister Jack – also cites SNP
“strength” as a reason why Labour
must change.
It is based on fresh analysis of a
focaldata poll released last week
which showed the Conservatives’
80-seat majority crumbling, with
Labour set to win back seats across
the North and Midlands.
However, the projected seat tallies
were very different than those
proposed by Best for Britain, at 283
for Labour and 284 for the Tories.
The organisation launched as an
anti-Brexit campaign in 2018 and
now promotes internationalism
within UK politics.
It says that if Nigel Farage’s
Reform UK party were to stand aside
for the Tories, as happened in 2019,
Labour’s seat total could nosedive
further to 251.
But it claims that by joining forces
with the Green Party of England and
Wales and LibDems, Labour would
be on track for as many as 351 seats.
This includes winning back 39 of the
“red wall” seats in the English North
and Midlands that fell to rival hands
last time around.
Such a result would hand Labour
a majority in parliament for the first
time since losing the 2010 General
Election – regardless of any pact
made between Farage and the
Conservatives.
This, it is predicted, would also
see several of the current Cabinet
rejected at the ballot box.
This includes Scottish Secretary
Jack, who it is thought would lose
the Dumfries and Galloway seat he’s
held since 2017.
Fellow Cabinet minister Alok
Sharma would also lose in Reading
West, it is predicted, with Foreign
Secretary Dominic Raab, Lord
Chancellor Robert Buckland and
Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs Secretary George Eustice also
forced out.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps
and Wales Secretary Simon Hart
would not keep their seats either, it
is suggested.
Best For Britain CEO Naomi
Smith said: “Labour has done well
to rebuild since last year’s election
collapse, but as things stand they’ll
need the support of other parties
to make a return to government in
2024.
“This reliance is even clearer when
you add Nigel Farage’s Reform UK
party into the picture, previous
iterations of which have stood aside
for Conservative candidates over
the last two elections in a show of
nativist unity. The group says
“If Keir Starmer wants a shot at Keir Starmer’s
party could
No 10 in three years, the party must win up to 351
be open to working with the Greens seats in the
and LibDems, particularly given the next General
impending constituency boundary Election
changes and SNP strength north of
the Border.”

New benefit a big step for

our social security system
This year will see us take our first applications for disability assistance
COMMENT This year we will take our first
BY SOCIAL applications for disability assistance.
SECURITY Delivering disability assistance
SECRETARY brings new challenges and is more
SHIRLEY-ANNE complex than anything else we
SOMERVILLE
have done to date. The new Covid
restrictions will impact on our staff
and delivery partners. But we are in
a good place and worked hard last
contact them as part of our case
transfer process.
This new benefit will be an
important step in establishing our
new service. We want to make sure
that people know this support is
available for them and their families.
We will continue to work with
disabled people’s organisations

T
HE year may not have
started as most of us would
have hoped, with a new
Covid-19 lockdown in place.
This brings all kinds of challenges,
including possibly the need for
many people with a long-term
health conditions to take additional
steps to stay safe; additional caring
responsibilities; and the balancing
of childcare and home schooling
with other pressures such as
working at home.
There is also the economic impact
of Covid, which is being felt by many
and will not go away just because
restrictions ease.
Our new social security system is
there to help. People on low incomes
can get extra money to help with the
costs of having young children, there
is support there for young carers
and young people who are fortunate
enough to be finding work right now.
There is money available to help
people on certain benefits or tax
credits should they lose a loved one
and be responsible for the costs of a
funeral. And we have introduced a
Self-Isolation Support Grant if you
are on a low income and on benefits
and will lose money if you need to
self-isolate.
We’ve also prioritised the
introduction of the game-changing
Scottish Child Payment, putting an
extra £40 every four weeks into the
pockets of eligible families. This
starts on February 15. The first
payments will roll out from the end
of that month and you can apply
now. The Scottish Child Payment
isn’t the only big addition to our
social security service in 2021.
year to progress with the design and
set up of this new benefit.
We are looking forward to taking
our first applications as part of a
pilot this summer in Dundee, Perth
and Kinross and the Western Isles.
From autumn, families across
Scotland will be able to apply
for Child Disability Payment,
our replacement for the UK
Government’s Disability Living
Allowance for children. This is
for families of children and young
people with a disability or long-term
People on health condition and will help with
low incomes the associated additional costs.
can get extra There will be no need for families
money to help currently in receipt of Disability
with the costs
of having young Living Allowance for children to
children re-apply for the benefit, as we will
We want to make sure
that people know this
support is available for
them and their families
and third-sector partners to get
information to those who need it.
We will run accessible awareness
raising campaigns to make sure that
those who need this help know it is
there and how to access it.
And we will make it as easy as
possible for people to apply for
disability assistance. People will be
able to apply for Child Disability
Payment online, which is a first
in Scotland, as well as having the
option to apply by phone, post
and – subject to progress with the
pandemic – face to face, when safe
and practical to do so. If applicants
need face-to-face support, they will
be able to make an appointment to
access this at a time and place that is
most convenient for them.
Taking our first applications for
disability assistance is the next
big step for our social security
system. Like other benefits we
will do things differently from the
current UK system and deliver
disability assistance that is centred
on the needs of people from
application onwards.
12 The National/Monday, January 18, 2021
Why new national
Yes organisation is
a fundamentally
different initiative
T
HE national movement in
Yes Alba will be bottom Scotland is in a febrile,
testy state at the moment,
up, not top down. It will caught between
unprecedented political success
be controlled by the and internal division. What is going
on and are we about to snatch
defeat from the yawning jaws of
membership – and the victory? Here’s the solution.
First, look at where we are in
membership alone more detail. On the one hand,
the latest polls confirm both a
continuing, solid majority in support
of independence and also that most
folk – whatever their stance on the
constitutional question – want a
fresh referendum in the next few
years. And while the Tories sack
prospective candidates for being
… well, Tories, and while Scottish
Labour’s whirling leadership (?)
door takes another spin, the FM
continues to record stellar
popular ratings.
On the other hand, bizarrely it
seems, the indy movement appears
to be a loggerheads with itself. There
are deep divisions over strategy:
Plan A versus Plan B. There is the
looming threat to the FM – not
to mention the stability of the
SNP Government and higher civil
service -– over the outcome of the
Parliamentary investigation into
the administration’s handling of the
Salmond affair.
There are also the deep
antagonisms inside the SNP and
the Yes movement’s rank and file
over attitudes to transgender rights
– or at least the elevation of that
issue (which is an important one)
as a political metaphor for other
ideological frictions.
The sum total of these political
differences – real, imagined or
exaggerated – has created a toxic
atmosphere in the SNP and in
the wider national movement, not
to say a meltdown in personal
relationships. Conspiracy theories
George Kerevan
abound replacing rational discourse.
Folk are quick to “cancel” other
activists – sometimes rightly but
far too often on the flimsiest of
evidence. Former movement leaders
become non-persons. Turf wars
are becoming more common in the
movement, sapping energies better
devoted to opposing Unionism.
What to do? First, we need to
understand why we are in this
contradictory state – seemingly
trapped between glorious national
success and internal girning. The
answer is simple. Since the near-
victory of the 2014 referendum, the
active independence movement has
expanded in numbers by hundreds of
thousands.
We have become the largest,
sustained political movement in
Europe. Not since the days of the
Solidarnosc (Solidarity) movement
in Poland in the early 1980s, or
the Peaceful Revolution in East
Germany that brought down the
Berlin Wall, have ordinary citizens
mobilised in our numbers to effect
change from below.
As a result, our movement has
overflowed the boundaries of the
existing pro-independence political
parties. That, in turn, makes it
difficult to structure debate and give
the movement direction – hence the
sometimes-unruly discourse among
indy groups and individuals.
Yet our political strength lies
in this diversity and grassroots
initiative. Witness the mass rallies
and demos organised by All Under
One Banner (AUOB). Witness
the Yes hubs and committees
that have erupted spontaneously
across Scotland. Witness vibrant
new indy media providers such as
Broadcasting Scotland or
The National itself, which did not
exist in 2014.
How do we keep this fantastic
grassroots dynamic and find
a mechanism for structuring
debate and accountability inside
the movement? One answer
that has been proposed is the
creation of a non-party, national
membership organisation to give
every indy activist an equal voice
in deliberations, and to structure
debate on strategy and tactics
nationwide. This would be along
the lines of the Catalan National
Assembly.
An initiative to create such a
body in Scotland was launched in
November at an online assembly
called by AUOB and supported by
movement activists including Lesley
Riddoch, Ian Grant of the Scottish
Independence Foundation and the
SNP MP Angus MacNeil.
F
OR the last two months, the
15-person elected steering
group – I’m co-convenor
along with Gillian Mair, and
the committee has a majority of
women – has been developing a
website and putting in place the
necessary infrastructure. The
public launch will be this month
followed by a first national
assembly in March.
The sole basis on which to
found this national membership
organisation has to be a guarantee it
will be controlled by the membership
– and the membership alone. It has
to be bottom up, not top down. For
many, modern politics seems remote
and elitist. Our new organisation
seeks to be different. We are a mass
organisation wholly controlled from
below by ordinary members.
Policy is made through mass
assemblies and electronic voting
by every member – not by remote
committees. We prefigure the kind
of open democracy a future Scotland
should aspire to. That includes giving
 The National/Monday, January 18, 2021
the movement a direct say in the
strategy and tactics for achieving
independence.
The “why now?” bit is easy.
Far from being a distraction, the
movement needs a national forum –
open to every indy activist whether
party member or not – to discuss
strategy. Here I need to make a
modest reference to the recent
SNP conference, which I attended.
Branch motions on strategy –
what to do if the Tory regime at
Westminster refuses a Section 30
order – were simply excised from
the conference agenda. That is not
democracy.
The new national membership
organisation is not anti-SNP,
nor is it a covert political party.
The organisation will not put up
candidates or express any preference
in voting. But it will provide the
movement with an unfettered
opportunity to discuss strategy and
tactics, and to launch campaigns
which the grassroots deem
necessary.
Current tensions in our movement
are the result not of too much public
debate but of too little. They arise
from the attempt by some in high
places to suppress open discussion,
on the grounds that these worthies
alone know best. On the contrary,
our independence movement can
only be strengthened by being able
to decide tactics and strategy in a
genuinely collective manner.
Some will ask if it is right to start
a new independence campaign
body in a time of pandemic.
Most indy activists view the
13
The latest serial incompetence of the Tory
polls confirm Government’s handling of the
a continuing, Covid-19 crisis as fresh reason for
solid majority Scotland to govern itself – now not
in support of
independence later. But they also respect the fact
that the Scottish Government sees
its first priority as dealing with the
pandemic (not to mention the chaos
of Brexit).
As a result, we need a division
of labour, with the new national
membership organisation taking
up the reins of campaigning for
immediate independence.
The SNP’s deputy leader, the
much-respected Keith Brown, has
There is just announced the creation of an
a need “independence taskforce” working
“within SNP headquarters”. This
for a new body will “lead on strategy
around independence as the party
national heads towards a referendum in early
stages of the next parliamentary
forum – term”.
Cynics might wonder what a party
open to committed to indy has being doing
every heretofore. And SNP members know
full well that the modest-sized party
indy HQ is less than efficient in running a
mass organisation.
activist – With due respect to Keith,
the grassroots movement has been
where doing its own thing regarding
campaigning since the FM cancelled
we can the SNP’s official referendum
initiative back in 2016, after the
discuss Brexit vote.
strategy Rather than rely on SNP HQ –
which has its own problems and
will allow no deviation from Plan-A
appeals to Boris for a Section 30 –
the spirit of the times suggests we
need to organise ourselves. And now.
14 The National/Monday, January 18, 2021
Ayrshire and Afghanistan meet
as unique Burns event goes online
BY KIRSTEEN PATERSON
IT is the Burns Supper that attracts
Japanese dignitaries and Algerian
politicians.
This year the community organisa-
tion between a Bard bash celebrat-
ing the master poets of Scotland and
Afghanistan is to welcome attendees
from around the globe as it moves
online.
The glittering event by Glasgow
Afghan United – which works to
strengthen cultural and community
ties – celebrates both Ayrshire’s Rob-
ert Burns and Persian poet Rumi,
whose writing has been celebrated
since the 13th century.
Politicians from both countries
regularly attend the annual din-
ner, with First Minister Nicola
Sturgeon and Dr Abdullah Abdul-
lah, the chair of the High Council
for National Reconciliation, both
set to give the opening remarks
tomorrow night.
Normally held in Westminster,
the event is amongst many this
year to go virtual in response to the
coronavirus pandemic.
That shift means many more will
now take part, with attendees expect-
ed to log in from Jamaica, Germany
and other nations to see comic Karen
Dunbar deliver Tam O’Shanter and
Glasgow provost Philip Braat do the
Immortal Memory.
Dignitaries from the Japanese con-
sulate, the Algerian parliament and
the Royal Navy will be amongst those
logging in, as will representatives of
Scotland’s Sudanese, Iraqi and Chi-
nese communities.
MPs, MSPs, councillors and mem-
bers of Police Scotland are also set to
attend, with Sabir Zazai, the Afghan
head of the Scottish Refugee Council,
and Unesco chair in refugee integra-
tion Alison Phipps, of Glasgow Uni-
versity, also on the guest list.
All are urged to enjoy a tradi-
tional feast “or whatever you fancy
cooking up”.
The event is the work of Glas-
gow Afghan United director Abdul
Bostani, who said: “Even though
we cannot gather together in one
place this year, that should not
stop us enjoying our food and rais-
ing a glass of whatever we enjoy
to toast our haggis to Rabbie and
Rumi.”
While Burns Suppers are tradition-
ally formal, those attending via their
laptops and tablets will be spared
black tie attire.
However, Bostani says the event
may be “a rare opporchancity to dress
up for the evening” after months
stuck at home due to the coronavirus
pandemic.
While Burns was born in 1759,
Rumi came 550 years earlier.
Also known as Mawlana, he is
considered the greatest Sufi mystic
and poet in the Persian language
thanks to works like the epic Spiritu-
al Couplets, which became influential
throughout the Muslim world.
Refugee-led Glasgow Afghan Unit-
ed was founded in 2004 and uses cul-
ture and sport to promote social inte-
gration and overcome barriers – work
that has won it several honours.
While much of the UK’s Afghan
population is centred in England,
the Scottish Afghan community has
grown in recent years as people relo-
cate through a number of UK Gov-
ernment schemes, including one for
interpreters who worked with British
forces in Afghanistan.
That scheme was extended late last
year after some of those ruled ineli-
gible under the previous terms were
targeted by the Taliban. A group re-enacts the first Burns Supper held in 1801,

Map reveals global
reach of Burns Night
Web
T
HOUSANDS of Bur ns
suppers on five continents
project have been mapped in a new
interactive tool by Scottish
unlocks experts.
Bard specialists want Burns clubs
details and Scots around the world to join
in a global gathering on January 25
of parties by sharing their photos and details
of their 2021 celebrations using the
around hashtag #VirtualBurnsNight.
The interactive map is said to be
the world the “broadest, most detailed” record
at a click of such activities ever made.
It’s the work of the Centre for Rob-
ert Burns Studies at Glasgow Univer-
BY KIRSTEEN sity.
PATERSON Co-director Professor Gerard Car-
ruthers said: “Robert Burns is a glob-
al writer whose life and work have
given rise to one of the great world
cultural phenomena – the Burns Sup-
per. At the heart of this celebration of
Scotland’s national Bard is his word,
from poetry to song.
now celebrated around the world “This Burns Night 2021, due to a
The National/Monday, January 18, 2021
global pandemic, many of us won’t
physically be able to come together.
In a testimony to the Bard’s endur-
ing appeal not only in Scotland but
around the world, we are calling
Scots, at home and abroad, and lovers
of Burns to join with us in Glasgow
to virtually celebrate and map this
global impact and appeal.”
He went on: “Burns speaks strongly
to people through his words which
still have resonance right up to today,
not just in Scotland.”
The first such supper was held in
July 1801 by the Bard’s close friends
as a memorial dinner. Today it’s esti-
mated that more than 9.5 million peo-
ple around the world take part in a
Burns Supper every year.
The map, available at www.burn-
sc21.glasgow.ac.uk/supper-map, re-
veals private and public events in
Honolulu, Hawaii, Nuku’alofa in
Tonga and Stanley in the Falkland
Islands.
There are three events entered for
15
South Korean capital Seoul, and oth-
ers are documented in Dar es Salaam,
Tanzania, and Luanda in Angola.
Food, drink, attendance and the
Immortal Memory speaker are listed
where possible.
The university – where researchers
are charting the history of the Burns
Supper – is also working in partner-
ship with the Scottish Government to
encourage people around the world
to take part in a “Burns Night In” this
year and join in a toast on social me-
dia to “celebrate Scotland’s welcom-
ing and inclusive culture”.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop
commented: “Although we are una-
ble to meet up physically this year, we
can still come together and continue
the traditions of Burns Night from
the safety of home.
“This map is an excellent accompa-
niment to the range of virtual events
taking place this year showcasing an
incredible array of artistic talent and I
encourage everyone to get involved.”

Will Tories’ Union report
ever see the light of day?
W
HEN Theresa May
decided in 2019
that a review should
take place into
strengthening the UK Union,
she showed much more foresight
than was demonstrated throughout
much of her time as prime minister.
Seeing the inevitable outcome of
the Brexit vote, in which Scotland
watched Ruth Davidson’s promise
of “vote No to stay in the European
Union” become an overnight
liability, the former prime minister
began preparing for a sharp rise in
support for independence.
Unfortunately for May, the knives
were out long before she had a
chance to see Tory peer Andrew
Dunlop’s final report.
When the finished report finally
did arrive on the desk of Boris
Johnson in early 2020, it was to little
fanfare – and the resounding silence
that followed suggests it may have
“accidentally” ended up down the
back of Johnson’s couch with the red
wine stains and long-forgotten bank
notes that reside in such places.
With that it was almost forgotten –
until last week, when a small group
of MPs representing the devolved
nations banded together to demand
that the report be published in full.
With the UK falling to pieces
faster than Johnson’s expectations
of what it would be like to be Prime
Minister, it seems almost bizarre
that a report that could save our
crumbling political union would
withhold its findings. Unless, of
course, it could do no such thing ...
There are, I suspect, three
potential reasons the review has
never seen the light of day. Firstly,
Dunlop’s report was a bust. There is
every possibility, even probability,
that a clear path to saving the Union
just no longer exists.
And is a member of the House
of Lords even capable of making
the kind of recommendations that
would have a radical impact on
the relationships between the four
nations that comprise the UK?
I would suspect that any
meaningful democratic reforms,
such as scrapping the role of
unelected peers at Westminster, does
not feature high on the list
of recommendations from
Baron Dunlop.
Without the will to
seriously challenge the status
quo, what are we left with?
A governmental leak
last year revealed that
one recommendation
from the report would
be to move Whitehall
officials out of London
to Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland in a bid
to ensure “policy takes into
account the differences within
the country”. While potentially
headline-grabbing, it’s difficult
to see how a change like this
would have any meaningful
impact in the lives of your
average member of the public.
Westminster governments
have repeatedly shown they
have little interest in the
needs of anyone outwith
the south of England. Local
issues aren’t about to be given
Stephen Paton
The National/Monday, January 18, 2021
the time they deserve just because
some Whitehall officials have to talk
about them over Zoom now.
The Dunlop Review
allegedly contains more than
40 recommendations the UK
Government can follow to repair
the deteriorated relationship
Westminster has with all devolved
nations, but if this is the calibre
of thinking I’m not surprised the
document has spent the last year
gathering dust.
However, I suspect the real reason
that the review has spent the past
year in relative obscurity is because
the UK Government just isn’t
interested in following any of the
recommendations.
The House of Commons, and
its brooding Etonian sycophants,
are steeped in a history of
traditionalism, exceptionalism
and privilege. Only Britain could
have birthed the born-to-rule class
with such enthusiasm, and its
innumerable politicians with more
triple-breasted suits than morals.
To think the House of Commons
could make meaningful changes to
the UK’s institutions when MPs still
need to spend six hours walking
through doors to decide what to
have for dinner is laughable. I
suspect the suggestion of moving
officials out of Whitehall would be
viewed as outright insurrection by
some of Britain’s elite.
A few small changes from the
review have allegedly started moving
forward already. In publishing the
review, the UK Government would
only be highlighting the lengths to
which they won’t go to save the
Union. Finally, and most cynically,
17
Tory peer perhaps the reason Johnson’s
Andrew administration has kept Dunlop’s
Dunlop’s review recommendations under wraps is
arrived on the down to the fact they view them
PM’s desk early as ammunition in the coming
last year, to
little fanfare referendum.
Given the general behaviour
of successive Conservative
governments since the independence
referendum in 2014, it would be
hard to take any generic promises of
more powers as a serious potential
outcome of a second vote against
independence. The fact Scotland
has been so consistently sidelined,
ignored and even undermined in the
following years must have led to an
understanding that any promise of
further powers or benefits will need
to come with a little more than a
handshake – and the Dunlop Review
could hold those answers.
The problem for the Conservatives
on this front is that, fundamentally,
The this approach undermines any
problem claim that the Tories are working
to strengthen the Union. If they
for the can resolve longstanding inequities
Tories of the United Kingdom right now,
but choose not to lest it leaves
is that this them with less influence in a
approach future referendum, that would
only underline how delivering
undermines for Scotland comes second to
any claim maintaining power in Scotland.
Until the Dunlop Review sees the
that the light of day, it’s impossible to really
they are know exactly why it has remained
absent from the public eye. However,
working to the fact that its recommendations,
strengthen and even its early implementation,
have remained hidden from the
the Union devolved administrations that it
directly relates to tells me that the
Union remains beyond reform.
TOMORROW:
WEE GINGER
DUG
18 The National/Monday, January 18, 2021

Here’s hoping Producer Spector dies while serving for murder

McIntosh gets MUSIC producer Phil Spector has
died while serving a prison sentence
for murder. He was 81.
pronounced deceased of natural
causes at 6.35pm on Saturday, at an
outside hospital. His official cause
fired into her mouth while she was
in Spector’s mansion in 2003.
Spector made his name as a record
her shot at The California Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation
of death will be determined by the
medical examiner in the San Joaquin
producer for what became known
as the “Wall of Sound” recording

Olympic glory confirmed Spector died of natural

causes in hospital on Saturday.
A statement from the department
County Sheriff’s Office.”
In 2009, he was jailed for a
minimum sentence of 19 years for
technique.
He worked with some of the
biggest names in music including
BY MAUREEN said: “California Health Care murdering actress Lana Clarkson. John Lennon, Ike and Tina Turner Music producer
MCGONIGLE Facility inmate Phillip Spector was The 40-year-old died of a gunshot and The Righteous Brothers. Phil Spector
SCOTTISH
WOMEN IN

Pharma sector worth

SPORT

FLEXIBILITY is one of the

bywords which I feel perfectly
sums up 2020/21. In this time of

£1.8bn, report finds

continued uncertainty, we have
all had to be flexible in our plans
while we try to second-guess
the future, all the time knowing
any plans we make may need to
be cancelled or changed at the
last minute.
With this in mind I am hoping Figure up 6% on 2017 and industry now employs about 5600 people
there will be flexibility required
ahead of the re-scheduled 2020 BY JANE CASSIDY “Scotland’s industry is stronger to-
Olympic Games being staged in day than it was three years ago with

July and August.
Named last week as one of
four shooters selected for Team
GB was Seonaid McIntosh, the
2017 UWS Sportswomen of the
Year at the Scottish Women in
Sport Awards and Britain’s most
successful female rifle shooter
of all time.
This will be her first Olympics,
but I don’t think it will be the
last. Fingers crossed that
despite the current odds, the
Games will go ahead.
What is astounding to learn is
that Seonaid has reached these
heights while living with
rheumatoid arthritis, for which
she requires daily medication.
This resonates with the story
of tennis player Francesca
Jones who has qualified for her
first Grand Slam tournament,
despite a rare genetic condition
which meant she was born with
only three fingers and a thumb
on each hand, four toes on her
left foot, and three toes on
her right.
In more disturbing news,
I read about Yves Jean-Bart, the
former chief of the Haitian
Football Federation, who was
found guilty by Fifa of having
sexually harassed and abused
female players, including minors.
This is shocking and a
dreadful abuse of power, and I
am concerned that there may be
other stories of the same ilk that
remain buried deep within the
horror of those who have
suffered.
We need to weed out these
individuals from whatever sport
they lurk in and ensure they are
removed at speed. We also need
to empower our young women to
be confident enough to say no
and to report any such pressure
or abuse of power, and that, at
all times, they be listened to.
E
MPLOYMENT and exports
have continued to grow in
Scotland’s pharmaceutical
s e c t o r, a c c o r d i n g t o a
new report.
Figures from the University of
Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander In-
stitute report suggest the industry is
worth £1.8 billion, almost 6% higher
than when the last major review took
place in 2017.
It indicates the industry now ex-
ports £575 million worth of manu-
factured goods, up from the £550m
reported in 2017.
Across Scotland there are current-
ly around 5600 people directly em-
ployed by pharmaceutical companies
with the majority of jobs in North
Ayrshire, the Highlands and Dundee.
The annual average salary of
£35,600 is described by the Associa-
tion of the British Pharmaceutical
Industry (ABPI) Scotland as “signifi-
Plans unveiled for £34m leisure development
PLANS for a new £33.8 million
leisure-led development have been
revealed.
The proposals from Morris Leslie
Ltd for a site at West Kinfauns,
Perthshire, aims to include retail,
a four-star hotel, lodge-style cabins
and a museum telling the story of
transport and vehicles over
the last century
A proposal of application notice
has been submitted to Perth and
Kinross Council with an online
community consultation to be held
on March 16 between 3-7pm.
The development would
incorporate a park and ride, which
already has planning consent, if
progressed by the local authority.
Morris Leslie, chair of the plant
machinery company which has
its headquarters in the area, said:
“This exciting £33.8m development
provides the perfect opportunity
cantly higher than Scotland’s annual The Scottish
median income of £24,486”. pharmaceutical
It also marks a 9% increase on the industry now
exports £575m
5130 full-time-equivalent employees worth of
reported in 2018. manufactured
Alison Culpan, ABPI Scotland di- goods, up from
rector, said: “In a year that has seen £550m in 2017
our companies stepping up and start-
ing to lead us out of the pandemic
with the vital vaccines we need, I am
proud that the pharmaceutical indus-
try continues to thrive in Scotland.
The Perthshire to maximise the potential of the
proposals aim location and draw tourism to the
to include area on a local and national basis.
retail, a “Well-connected to the
four-star hotel surrounding road network, including
and a museum
the A90, this premium destination
will provide a gateway to Perth, to
the surrounding area and beyond.
“The proposed scheme is of a
scale that can support additional
more people employed in good jobs,
more being spent on research and de-
velopment, and exports topping half a
billion pounds.
“It is important that the Scottish
Government is ambitious and works
with us to nurture and promote a sec-
tor which is not only exporting Scot-
tish excellence around the world but
delivering for the health of people
here in Scotland.”
Mairi Spowage, Fraser of Allander
Institute deputy director, said: “Our
economic analysis shows that the in-
dustry continues to grow in Scotland
with direct employment, exports and
GVA increasing.
“The contribution of the sector ex-
tends beyond the activities of pharma-
ceutical companies themselves, with
their output supporting employment
and income right across the country
including areas of historically high
unemployment and deprivation.”
development and is ideally placed in
terms of transport connection.”
As part of the plans, the hotel
from “an internationally recognised
brand” would include 120-150
guestrooms over four storeys.
Retail space would also be
provided to complement the hotel,
museum, lodges, existing Caledonian
House office and the village of
Kinfauns.
Perth and Kinross Council leader
Murray Lyle said: “This leisure-led
development has the potential to
make an exciting contribution to the
local economy.
“These plans, although at an
early stage, are a significant vote of
confidence in Perth and Kinross and
our ambitious plans for the area,
which include the redevelopment of
Perth City Hall to house the Stone of
Destiny and the creation of the Cross
Tay Link Road.”
 The National/Monday, January 18, 2021 19

IN THE WORLD TODAY Navalny flies

back home
LEADING Kremlin critic Alexei
Biden to start Navalny has left Germany to
return to Russia, where he faces
the threat of arrest, after
executive recovering from his poisoning in
August with a nerve agent.

action blitz Navalny, who announced on

Wednesday that he planned to
return, said he was “very happy”

I
N his first hours as president,
Joe Biden plans to take
executive action to roll back
some of the most controversial
decisions of his predecessor
and to address the raging
coronavirus pandemic, his
incoming chief of staff said.
The opening salvo would herald a
10-day blitz of executive actions as
Biden seeks to act swiftly to
redirect the country in the wake of
Donald Trump’s presidency without
waiting for Congress.
On Wednesday, following his
inauguration, Biden will end
Trump’s restriction on immigration
to the US from some Muslim-
majority countries, move to rejoin
the Paris climate accord and
mandate mask-wearing on federal
property and during interstate
travel.
Those are among roughly a
dozen actions Biden will take on his
first day in the White House, his
incoming chief of staff, Ron Klain,
said in a memo to senior staff.
Other actions include extending
the pause on student loan
payments and actions meant to
prevent evictions and foreclosures
for those struggling during the
pandemic.
“These executive actions will
deliver relief to the millions of
Americans that are struggling in
the face of these crises,” Klain said
in the memo.
“President-elect Biden will take
action – not just to reverse the
gravest damages of the Trump
as he boarded a plane in Berlin
bound for Moscow’s Vnukovo
Airport yesterday.
It remains to be seen what
reception awaits him in Moscow.
On Thursday, Russia’s prison
service said he faced immediate
arrest on his return.
Navalny has blamed his
poisoning on the Kremlin.
Death toll in
Sudan rises
THE death toll from tribal
violence between Arabs
and non-Arabs in
Sudan’s West Darfur
province climbed to
administration – but also to start at least 48,
moving our country forward.” including women
“Full achievement” of Biden’s and children, a
goals will require Congress to act, doctor’s union and
Klain wrote, including the 1.9 trillion aid worker said, as
dollar (£1.46trn) virus relief bill he sporadic violence
outlined on Thursday. continued.
Klain said Biden will also propose The deadly clashes
an immigration reform bill to grew out of a fist-fight
lawmakers on his first day in office. on Friday.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1 Hey! Blue Thistle may have the desired
effect (3,3,8)
9 Rachel West makes energetic moves (10)
10 Contract also incorporated official record (4)
12 Pig munched tuber (5)
13 You and Alice treated stings (6)
16 Late changes to colour (4)
17 Paperboy is working with condition (10)
19 Thought I’d met Ian to conduct review? (10)
20 Quarrying quartz unifies some people (4)
22 Big shapeless lump! (6)
23 Advises editor to ignore legal papers (5)
26 Spherical Robby could be left out (4)
27 Lang conducts search for supernatural
beings (10)
28 Leonard can’t stand mix-up regarding the
other-worldly (14)
DOWN
2 Attracted to alternative? Not I! (4)
3 Ascends spires (6)
4 Apprentice and so on ring up citizens (10)
5 Slug lying in plain view? Gross! (4)
6,24dn Solid support for koalas (10,4)
7 Doctrine? It is managerial, in a way (14)
8 Familiar with something specific (10,2,2)
11 Cry about Alistair becoming a radical (5)
14 Support student getting into Arab
dance (10)
15 Dishonest article took our breath away (10)
18 Held rose (5)
21 Stoic, Ann only carries a weapon (6)
24 See 6dn
25 Last of the old characters (4)
CALGACUS

SATURDAY’S SOLUTION:
Across: 1,26 Calculated risk 6 Odin 9 Expediency 10 Flip Down: 1 Crew 2 Lips 3 Underwhelmed 4 Abele 5 Enchilada
12 Irresistible 15 Marihuana 17 Force 18 Repel 19 Staccatos 7 Deliberate 8 No pretense 11 Staff canteen 13 Imprimatur
20 Misrepresent 24 Toes 25 Middlebrow 27 Internment 14 Prepossess 16 Assertion 21 Sidle 22 True 23 Twit
20 The National/Monday, January 18, 2021
THE NATIONAL
CONVERSATION
Have your say by emailing letters@thenational.scot!
Double standards at
play as Tories call for
Freeman’s resignation
D
OUGLAS Ross is calling
for the Health Secretary
Jeane Freeman to resign,
saying she has broken the
ministerial code because she gave
too much information about
vaccine supply on the Scottish
Government’s website.
In the meantime Victoria Prentis,
the UK fisheries minister, is backed
by Boris and presumably DRoss
(since he has not said a word against
her) even though she admitted to a
parliamentary committee she was
too busy at Christmas to read the
new regulations in the Brexit deal
for fisheries.
So he is calling for one person
to resign for giving too much
information while the other person
who admitted to not doing her job is
backed. It’s the old Tory way – do as
I say, not as I do.
I just hope the fishermen who were
promised the world have learned
a lesson, and this will be reflected
in their vote in May. Never mind,
though – Rees-Mogg says the fish
are happier now they are British.
Winifred McCartney
Paisley
THE publication of the “transition”
paper on Scotland’s security in
Friday’s National couldn’t have
come at a more appropriate time
(Trident removal critical to security
of indy Scotland, January 15).
This paper, promoted by the
Scottish Independence Convention
and written by Isobel Lindsay,
highlights that we have to look at all
the current and future threats facing
Scotland. It’s not about simply a
case of getting a share of the UK’s
mismatched defence forces but a
deeper examination of the threatst
an independent Scotland would face.
Included amongst these would
be pandemics and cyber crime. We
are all well aware of the impact the
Health
Secretary
Jeane Freeman Clarifications
apologised to
her counterpart and corrections
Matt Hancock IT is our policy to correct errors
after sensitive
information as soon as we can and all
was mistakenly corrections and clarifications
published will usually appear on this page.
We are regulated by the
Independent Press Standards
Organisation (IPSO) and adhere
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current Covid pandemic is having
both in Scotland and elsewhere
across the globe but the recent
news about the cyber attack on the
Scottish Environment Protection
Agency seems to stress the need for
a security review as advocated by
Isobel Lindsay.
It’s more of this type of analysis
and planning we need to make the
transition to independence. As the
paper highlights, we already have
some powers we could use to prepare
Scotland for this transition, and
the sooner we start this process the
smoother will be our transition to
regaining our independence.
Cllr Kenny MacLaren
Have you got
Paisley a good story?
A GOOD appraisal of Scottish Contact us on
Labour’s travails by Gerry Hassan
in yesterday’s Sunday National (The
0141 302 7000
problem is Scottish Labour, not the
leader, January 17). represent the natural political home
Labour’s entrenched tribal hatred of many – most of whom in the
of the SNP (largely reciprocated – meantime have joined (or will at
despite or because both parties in least vote for) the SNP as the vehicle
recent years have actually espoused for independence.
very similar managerial, neo-liberal Almost paradoxically,
politics) has blinded even decent independence achieved will be
left-wingers such as Neil Findlay something of a problem for SNP
MSP to the radical opportunities members and politicians. Long
that Scottish independence could bound together only by the idea
open up. To be fair, he and a of independence as an un-met
few colleagues have at least now aspiration, the reality could force
recognised the democratic argument them to decide what kind of politics
for a further referendum. their party actually represents, or
Unfortunately, I cannot see the whether they can all remain in the
voluntary establishment of an same party at all.
Independent Labour Party here – “Bring it on” indeed!
especially with that loaded word Cathy Watkins
in its title! – while we remain in West Calder
the UK. The best thing that could
happen for Scottish Labour is WHEN the leaders of the
actually independence: once this is a oppositions parties in Scotland
fait accompli, they no longer have to are told by their paymasters down
take sides in that debate and could south to jump, the only question
set about creating in Scotland a they should be asking is “how
genuinely left-radical party. high?” Jackson Carlaw and
Scotland needs such a party to Richard Leonard forgot to ask

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.thenational.scot
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thenationalnewspaperscotland
the all-important question and
paid the price.
Labour can turn over the
poison chalice to any number
of hopeful luminaries but
in the end they’ll fall by the
wayside like all the rest. The
problem is in their policies,
not the leadership. Even if
Labour in Scotland embraced
the right for Scotland to decide
its own future, it would have to
stand on its own two feet. It has
revealed again what we all know to
be true – you can be the leader of
an opposition party in Scotland as
long as you like, providing you don’t
diverge from central office thinking.
If Monica Lennon becomes
leader with a pledge to diverge
from London and embrace not
independence but the right to hold
a referendum, the fortunes of the
Labour party in Scotland would
change. It would be hard without
London money, but it could be the
beginning of a fledgling new party
Comments
betray an
ignorance
of nutrition
CRAIG Ross, who has been
dropped as a Conservative
MSP candidate over comments
about users of food banks
being fat and liable to diabetes,
is ignorant of how diet works.
Poor people are likely to
obtain cheap foods which
are high in carbohydrates,
sugars, saturated fats, salt and
chemical additives. These are
mass-produced to be attractive,
easy to keep and serve. Foods
that are high in protein, fibre,
vitamins and trace elements
tend to be more expensive and
hard to bring to the table. Thus
the poor become short of vital
parts of their diet. But the body
urges them to keeping eating in
a vain attempt to make good the
deficiencies. They persist in
eating the empty calories,
which become deposited as
adipose tissue. This is a part of
the combination of factors that
leads to bad health.
Experiments with animals
show they instinctively adjust
their diets to include all the
complex of parts. All children
in Scotland must be allowed
to follow this natural path to a
wholesome balanced diet by
being provided with the whole
range of foods necessary.
Iain WD Forde
Scotlandwell
that might have a big appeal after
independence.
Mike Herd
Highland
I REFER to the letter from
James Dippie (January 17)
regarding the introduction
of neonicitinoids in farming
insecticides despite them
being a danger to our
ecosystems, and ultimately
human health. The human
digestive system system has evolved
With Monica over millions of years, but since the
Lennon as end of the Second World War it has
leader, perhaps been blasted by chemicals which
Scottish have changed our digestive systems,
Labour would and NOT for the better.
recognise the The introduction of neonicitinoids
right to hold is just the latest attack on human,
indyref2 animal and plant life by big pharma.
Unless we fight back we, and the
animals and plants that feed us, have
no chance of survival.
Margaret Forbes
Kilmacolm
The National/Monday, January 18, 2021
OUR ROADSHOW
PLEASE note that due to the
coronavirus pandemic, The
National’s roadshow events
have been suspended until
further notice.
Are you are self-isolating and
in need of help with shopping
or collection of prescription
medicines? Or are you worried
about an isolated friend or
relative who may need
assistance in the coming
weeks, or perhaps just
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Get in touch with us by emailing
community@thenational.scot
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individual reader in the local
community.
 WEBSITE COMMENTS
British will not easily give
up their ‘precious’ Union
Former BBC Newsnight host
Gavin Esler says Union seems
destined to break up
Scottish independence is NOT
inevitable! I used to say it was
inevitable because any
constitutional settlement that
succeeds in terms of the aims
and objectives of the British
state necessarily fails in terms
of the aspirations and priorities
of Scotland’s people. But I
have since learned that the
British political elite is much
more contemptuous of
Scotland’s people and the
principles of democracy than
I had supposed.
Independence would only be
inevitable if the British state
was truly democratic. It would
only be inevitable if the wishes
of Scotland’s people counted
for something in the British state.
Independence is NOT
inevitable. The restoration of
Scotland’s independence will
only be possible when we have a
Scottish Government that is
prepared to confront the British
state. Power is not given. Power
is only taken. The British will not
easily give up their “precious”
Union. Our independence will
have to be wrenched from
Britannia’s jealous grasp.
Peter A Bell
When for years the Tory party
so visibly deals in lies,
generalised dishonesty and now
blatant corruption coupled to
stunning incompetence, when the
Labour party has descended into
a crowd of playground gangs
clamouring away inside their own
wee dimwit biscuit tin, and when
the Liberals had a moment of
21
glory dangling in front of them
and immediately, faster than
light, descended into dishonour
betraying the country’s students
for some imagined thing of
personal gain, Gavin Esler as
a news person is very late to
this party.
Who in their right mind would
not reject Westminster when the
reality of the stench of that place
is stuffed up your nose daily?
Gavin at least tells us again
what we already know – Scotland
has a choice and for that we are
amazingly lucky. It’s a jackpot.
Won life’s lottery indeed.
And the best part – for all of the
SNP’s government glitches,
mistakes and failures they are
recognisably of us. People we
know in everyday life. People we
can see as our aunties, brothers
and cousins. They are true
people with all the ups and
downs that entails. They are
what a people’s government
should be. Westminster cannot
be fixed – Scot-Gov is the only
game in town.
Nicholas Durant
Ah, this started off so well, with
Esler acknowledging that the
Union is finished.
Then pops up the F word! Jeez,
these guys are so agonisingly
unimaginative!
Where I thought Esler was
going with this was a velvet
divorce. That is the logical
conclusion.
Thom Muir
I do like his statement “It is not
alarm bells I hear, it’s a death
knell” - here’s hoping!
Tom Carroll
22 The National/Monday, January 18, 2021
Reactions
to seafood Have your say by emailing
letters@thenational.scot
crisis show Who will
true colours
PAGES eight and nine of
Friday’s National demonstrate
very clearly why our fishing
industry, and in particular our
seafood sector, has been – as
predicted by almost everyone
except the Tory government
– seriously incapacitated by
Brexit (“Tory minister shows
‘total contempt’ over Brexit
chaos” and “Rees-Mogg claims
fish ‘are happier now because
they’re British’”, January 15).
Though the Westminster
government will doubtless
attempt to appease the general
public and the industry by
announcing compensation of
some kind and the defence of
“red tape teething problems”,
the real reason for the
continuation of the economic
woes the industry will suffer
can be found in the reactions of
the Tory ministers involved.
Scottish Tory minister David
Duguid shamelessly exhibits an
apathetic disdain for the future
of the seafood industry that can
only be described as ignorant,
arrogant and delusional.
Westminster fisheries minister
Victoria Prentis admitted she
had not bothered to read the
Brexit deal, a stunningly
brainless statement, even by
the shallow standards of Tory
ministers. Perhaps she believed
that because her leader has
made a career out of ignoring
the perusal of documents, she
should follow suit.
Worst of all, however, is the
contemptuous and xenophobic
reaction of the Leader of the
House of Commons to the
immediate existential difficulties
of Scottish fishermen. Mr
Rees-Mogg, the contemptuous
MP for North East Somerset,
cemented his reputation as a
man of limited empathy by
claiming patriotic feelings and
rights for fish. This was no
doubt intended to appeal to the
little Englander he and Mr
Johnson pander to, but was
deeply offensive and also sadly
predictable given his track
record in the sensitivity stakes.
The response of these
ministers and the Conservative
government to any tribulation
suffered by the people of
Scotland mirrors Trumpian
standards of care and fellow
feeling. The sooner we leave
them and their amoral
government behind the better.
Owen Kelly
Stirling
THE NATIONAL
CONVERSATION
write a 2021
sequel to
McGrath’s
vital play?
I
WAS reminded recently, while
watching Kirsty Wark’s series
The Years that Changed
Modern Scotland on BBC
Scotland, of the power of John
McGrath’s play The Cheviot, the
Stag and the Black, Black Oil. In
1974 I watched the TV production
of the play with my father, then in
his sixties. By that time I had given
him up for lost as a lifelong
Unionist, but from the day we sat
together and watched The Cheviot
he moved inexorably towards a
position of support for an
independent Scotland.
A quarter century later, a couple
of years before he died, I was
working in North Africa and had
been issued with a new laptop by my
employer’s Cairo office. On a visit
home I showed him the “Made in
Greenock” label on the back of the
machine. He smiled and said, “Aye,
but for how long?” As a younger
man he would never have asked
that question. He would simply have
accepted that it was good to have a
factory in Greenock making world-
class products.
I am convinced the play altered
his perspective on both the politics
and the economics of Scotland as a
part of the UK, and that it did so for One of the latest examples being
many others too. Fiona Bruce BBC Question Time
Where is today’s equivalent of last week and her attitude towards
The Cheviot? Something that will Dr P Whitfield MP.
open the eyes of many more people Or is it Union fatigue? I think for
of all generations to the realities of me it is.
the way we are governed. The play The same disregard and disrespect
told a miserable story, but people is shown to Ian Blackford MP week
came away from it feeling uplifted. on week at PMQs. Extend that to
Feeling, somehow, that they had a all SNP MPs, and just that coming
better understanding of why we from the Tories. Add in the Scottish
were where we were and maybe, Labour and LibDem MPs. When did
just maybe, they understood you last hear or see them talking up
something about what needed to be Scotland in Westminster?
done about it. Now we see the rise of pro-Union
Since 1974 we’ve had the Thatcher bombardment. Embedded in print,
years, interminable foreign wars, actually do something about it. Any radio, TV, as well as social media
Brexit and many other events as playwrights out there fancy the job? Want to platforms, it is insidious. The facts,
cumulatively damaging to our Cameron Crawford advertise in figures, articles, statements, critiques
country as any of the tribulations Rothesay The National? and interviews come neither with
imposed on us cited in The Cheviot. Contact: challenge nor a balancing pro-indy
I believe John McGrath’s play A WHILE back there was a worry Stephen input. It’s cloaked, it’s hidden.
should be compulsory viewing for the country might experience McTaggart Was the recent public intervention
everyone living in Scotland, but I “compassion fatigue” in relation to 0141 302 6137 by Our Scottish Future merely a
also believe there needs to be an charitable donations. But are we stephen. coincidence? Or part of a strategy
equally entertaining and challenging now experiencing Covid fatigue mctaggart@ including Leonard’s removal?
sequel to demonstrate that the with all the false, unchallenged thenational.scot With a change in Labour leader
story will repeat forever until we facts, figures and anti-Scottish bias? here we’ll see a fresh onslaught. Not

how to save their precious Union,
but the myth of making it better
for Scotland within the existing
Union with their latest, new leader.
Will soft Nos be tempted? Will
undecideds decide to give the Union
another go? We may expect the
Tories will suffer due to the practical
failures of Brexit and the emergence
of Farage here.
In the grassroots we may be
confident about the FM and the
Scottish Government’s handling of
the Covid crisis. But no matter that
we all do what we can individually,
no matter how much we do in
lockdown in our virtual hubs and
groups, it is difficult to counteract
the passing of legislation when there
is that Tory majority in Westminster.
The Internal Market Bill, is the
latest, the most dangerous threat
to Scotland and our future: direct
funding, emasculating Holyrood
prior to dismantling it. And Covid
lockdown is helping since public
meetings, campaigning, marches and
stalls just cannot happen.
The National/Monday, January 18, 2021 23
Picture The long letter...
of the
day Wake up to the reality
READER Gordon
McCredie snapped
of a UK desperate to
this fox on an
autumn morning
behind his
workplace
retain its last colony
I
N her letter in Friday’s
National, L McGregor
highlights her well-founded
fear at the establishment of
the Scottish hubs in
Edinburgh and Glasgow. His
correspondence is exactly a
clone of my own thinking when
some time back there was very
little publicity shown in the Tory
media, let alone in The National,
about these hubs – unless I
missed it through perhaps a copy
that I was unable to get.
Some time back I became Holyrood is under threat
aware that these hubs had been
set up in Edinburgh and Glasgow independence. The structure,
for “the UK Government in principle and and noted
Scotland”. Why? Was this agreed competency of individuals in the
by Holyrood? Scottish Government already
Anyway, this subtle infiltration exists. Procrastination will not
of what could easily be construed succeed in achieving
as English nationalism taking independence in any form.
better control of Scotland simply W D Mill Irving
equates to past powers of British Kilbirnie
colonialism such as quietly
installing a Government House CAN’T agree more with L
along with a governor and his McGregor of Falkirk and the
trimmings for future ceremonies answer to the question in her last
and a colonial infrastructure to paragraph is no, they are doing
control and fly the flag to allow absolutely “nowt” to combat it.
the UK to cling to its past empire They are all so concerned with
before it is lost forever in this plan A or plan B, they haven’t
fast-changing world. Are these seen the wagons circling.
two hubs a last-ditch effort to that That leads me nicely on to
end, by retaining Scotland as its Maggie Chetty’s letter (Letters,
last worthwhile colonial country January 15), which is 100%
Submit your of any note and thus ensure USA correct. By the time our elected
photographs and EU will still give the UK some members take their “heeds oot o
to pictures@ respect? the sand”, the game’s a bogey.
thenational.scot As L McGregor writes: “wake Three years ago the UK
up Scotland!” Government pulled the funding to
Independence will be difficult our green energy project, Why?
But is it time for organised action? enough dealing, with BJ pulling Just, as it happens, when
A themed day, a week? Could we out all the stops legally or Scotland was for the first time
sustain a month? Is it time to display otherwise with his majority at self-sufficient in green electricity.
the Saltire where we can? Is it time Westmonster and hundreds of This would have given us another
for window posters again? Is it time unelected lordships, without string to our bow, and that can’t
to be visible, as May approaches? having to dismantle this sort of be allowed to happen. Yes, this
Selma Rahman scheming intrusion by an anti- shower o rogues will decimate
Edinburgh independent UK clinging hard to everything we have built up over
its past empire. Most of the UK’s many years in one stroke of the
I READ with interest the long letter previously existing colonial pen just to keep the Union alive.
from Donald Anderson regarding countries that gave them past Do you honestly think Johnson,
Is it time to the “suicide” of the nationalist and serious clout in the world are now Gove, Patel and 18th-century man
display QC Willie McRae. I would urge
supporters of independence to read
independent, and I have yet to
hear of any that wish to return to
Rees-Mogg care a damn?
Johnson would rather be seen
the Saltire Ron Culley’s book Who shot Willie the UK fold. “dying in a ditch” than be
and McRae?” This details the events
leading up to his death and the
Let’s not waste more time and
get independence under way. The
“tagged” as the PM who lost
Scotland. WHAT ARE WE AND
window ludicrous official version. Mr Culley Brexit that Scotland did not vote OUR ELECTED ONES DOING OR
posters explains that the threat Willie
possessed evidence of the corrupt
for was not delayed or stopped
because there was a serious
GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? Maybe
a few of our MSP or MPs would
where Heath/Thatcher years made him a pandemic. It simply gave BJ a like to enlighten us through your
we can? target. Mr Anderson, an OAP like
myself, must be determined to live
further opportunity to bolster his
ego. We need to get moving
pages.
Please read L McGregor and
to see an independent Scotland and without an excuse provided by Maggie Chetty’s letters if you
some justice given to the many like this pandemic. We have the haven’t already, and digest.
Willie who didn’t live to see it. ability and means to succeed and Ken McCartney
Mrs V Nelson cope with a pandemic and Hawick
Leven, Fife
 24 The National/Monday, January 18, 2021
THE TIES THAT BIND
Latin link shows how Scots looked
to Europe rather than England
LAST week, we introduced the most
neglected tradition in Scottish
literature, poetry in Latin, now
available to a new readership in the
Association for Scottish Literary
Studies publication Corona Borealis:
Scottish Neo-Latin Poets on King
James VI and his Reign, 1566–1603,
edited by Steven J Reid and David
McOmish. Here Alan Riach and the
philosopher Alexander Broadie,
emeritus professor of logic and
rhetoric at Glasgow University,
discuss how this tradition arose.
Alan Riach: Alexander, I share with
you the sense that the idea of
“Scottish literature” could do with
some expansion. The category of
“literature” isn’t closed. When we
introduce the work of secular and
religious philosophers, we open
enquiries into matters of meaning
and value that complement, rather
than rival, the work of poets, fiction
writers and playwrights. Where
would you begin to outline this
territory?
Alexander Broadie: One way is to
raise the old question of the canon.
Overwhelmingly, in the Middle
Ages, writing by Scots, within or
outwith Scotland, was closely related
to matters of religion and theology,
and it was written in Latin.
Alan: But also even beyond the
philosophical and theological areas,
there’s a substantial contribution to
Scottish literature in Latin in the
form of poetry. So do you think we
could be more inclusive and say
that the Scottish literary canon
should include not only poems in
Latin but also religious and
theological work in Latin?
Alexander: Indeed, yes. Theological
writings are deeply embedded, not
fiction or poetry but, for example,
commentaries on “The Sentences”
of Peter Lombard – that was the
main educational text in theology
in the Middle Ages. By profession,
I’m a philosopher, and most of the
primary sources I study are in
Latin, and these are hardly
recognised within the Scottish
literary community on the whole.
Alan: Let alone the wider public!
Alexander: I say this not
aggressively or competitively but to
emphasise there is still so much
more to bring into our
understanding of the subject.
Alan: And of Scotland, the whole
inherited cultural file. We’re
talking about education, in the
broadest sense, which in so many
ways is under threat these days.
Where to begin?
Alexander: The beginning. The
Scottish universities came into
being in the 15th century, so let’s go
back before that. At this time,
Scottish scholars went abroad for a
university education. Partly that
meant England, but England didn’t
take many Scottish students
because times were troubled.
Travelling from the Scottish
Borders to Oxford or Cambridge
meant crossing dangerous territories.
So Scottish students would travel
by sea to the continent, to Paris or
to Bologna in Italy. For example,
Richard de Victor’s Latin name is
Ricardo de Sancto Victore Scotus.
He died around 1173. At that time,
“Scotus” and “Hibernicus” or
Scottish and Irish were distinctly
identified, so we should call him
Richard the Scot to emphasise the
point. His book De Trinitate is
centred on the concept of love. The
Trinity is generated by successive
acts of love, so the world is generated
by love. The practical theological
aspect of this is love of your
neighbour and love of God.
Then there was John Duns
Scotus, who came from Duns, in
the Borders, before any Scottish
university existed. On his tomb in
Cologne there’s an inscription that
reads, “Scotland bore me, England
brought me up, France taught me
and Cologne holds my bones”.
Alan: He was a great European, a
brilliant intellect who bestrode
academia throughout Europe and
was immensely influential and
widely recognised internationally.
And he was known throughout
the Middle Ages by the name
of the country he came from.
So he was one of many
Scots representing
Scotland on the continent
of Europe.
Alexander: Yes. Now, let’s
come to the universities.
St Andrews was founded
in 1411, Glasgow in 1451,
King’s College Aberdeen in
1495: three medieval
foundations, all of them with
the job of protecting the truth, as
the church saw it, from error and
heresies. All the teachers in the first
100 years of the Scottish
universities received a terrific
education – in Latin – at the
University of Paris, then came back
to Scotland to teach.
Alan: So where did their students
come from? And in what language
did they learn?
Alexander: They were taught in
Latin. This was the language of
education, of the textbooks and it
was the spoken tongue of the
classroom. The Latin mass was the
normal thing in the church. Even
the minutes of faculty meetings
were written in Latin. In the
zScottish
poetry in
Latin is the
focus of the
wonderful
AHRC-
funded
online
resource
created
principally
by Steven
J Reid and
David
McOmish:
Bridging the
Continental
Divide:
Neo-Latin
and its
cultural role
in Jacobean
Scotland, as
seen in the
Delitiae
Poetarum
Scotorum
(1637), now
available at:
www.dps.
gla.ac.uk.
Check
it out.
minutes of the Arts Faculty of quite personal. This great theologian
St Andrews, a teacher and philosopher and logician of the
complained about the Middle Ages should not be excluded
students playing football from the Scottish literary canon.
and shouting at each other Alan: Wasn’t one of his students
– but not in Latin! Imagine John Knox?
the people on the Alexander: Yes, indeed. Another
terraces today shouting one was George Lokert from Ayr.
“Populus sumus!” (We He became Abbot of the College of
are the people!) Sorbonne, theology’s headquarters
Alan: So culture, wide in Paris, and ended up Dean of
and deep, was marinated Glasgow Cathedral. William
in Latin. Manderston was another one, a
Alexander: All the children member of Mair’s Scottish circle
in schools learnt Latin, not who became Rector of the
only the children of the lairds, University of Paris, then Rector of
but also the sons of agricultural the University St Andrews. He was
John Duns labourers learnt Latin. One a fine Latin stylist on very good
Scotus, (above) labourer’s son, John Mair, went to terms with George Buchanan.
and depicted Cambridge, then to Paris, lived in Alan: And Buchanan was
alongside the same house as Erasmus, became recognised throughout Europe as
Thomas well-known, returned to Scotland to one of the greatest humanists of his
Aquinas (main spend seven years from 1518 as era. And increasingly Buchanan is
picture), is principal of Glasgow University, acknowledged not only as a crucial
considered one
of the three returned to Paris and then finally political thinker whose insistent
most important back to Scotland from 1534 till his argument utterly rejected the idea
philosopher- death in 1550 as Provost of of any “divine right” of kingship,
theologians of St Leonard’s College, St Andrews. but also as a playwright recognised
Western Europe By then he was in his 80s and had as a major figure throughout
in the High published more than 40 books, the Europe, a poet, a playwright, a man
Middle Ages last one a commentary on Aristotle. of letters and a man of ideas, a
The epistolary prefaces to his writing philosopher.
are full of gossip, full of information Alexander: And thus is the canon
about his colleagues, sometimes revised!

DOUBLE CROSSWORD
CRYPTIC CLUES
Across
1. Bill takes Diane back a
chemical (4)
8. It’s very sharp, the blazer
Dora ordered (5,5)
9. Blades that are not used
for cutting (8)
10. It sounds painful to
touch when headless (4)
The National/Monday, January 18, 2021 25
WORD WHEEL
18. Creatures backing a You have 10 minutes to find as many words as
celebrity (4) possible using the letters in the wheel. Each
must use the hub letter and at least 3 others.
19. Fashionable supporter for Letters may be used only once. You cannot use
a score of soldiers (8) plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. There is
21. Now most oil is refined at at least one 9-letter word to be found.
half speed (4,6)
22. Need to get out of
paradise (4)
E D
Down L I
2. Sporting creatures? (7,3) A
3. Small quantity of work
given to the doctor (4) N C
4. A book, a drink and a
flower (6) I T
5. There’s nothing French in
the book of the East (6) How you rate:
25, average; 35, good;
6. Mistakes for underwear (8) 45, very good; 60 or more, excellent.
7. Bighead upset the girl (4) QUICK CLUES
SPIRAL
11. Ring curate up to make Across Down
peace (4,1,5) 1. Increase (4) 2. Play list (10)
8. Monstrous (10) 3. Made fabric (4) Starting from 1, fill in the grid clockwise with
13. I glance, say, on a face (8)
9. Rite (8) 4. Powerful (6) four-letter words. The last letter of each word
16. An outfitter from Rialto, 10. Differ (4) 5. Solicitor (6) becomes the first letter of the next to reveal the
12. As Pete changes a perhaps (6) 12. Series (6) 6. Distorted (8) seven-letter key word in the shaded boxes.
Spanish coin (6) 17. It’s not just that the funfair 14. Seldom (6) 7. Observe (4) 1 2 3
14. A singer good at hasn’t started (6) 15. Steal (6) 11. Demotion (10)
darts? (6) 18. It’s all right for the 17. Drag up (6) 13. Endless space (8) 9 10
15. Hopeless sailor caught distress call to come to 18. Slender (4) 16. Despoil (6)
14 15
in a plane (6) nothing (2-2) 19. Speed (8) 17. Lump (6)
17. Depose when a tune’s 20. A number fashionable in 21. Neighbouring (10) 18. Bolt (4) 8 11 4
rewritten (6) the North-East (4) 22. Tug (4) 20. Snug (4)
16

SUDOKU CODEWORD 13 12

Codeword is the crossword puzzle with no clues. The number in each square 7 6 5
corresponds to a letter. Work out the words in the grid using the letters provided.
Fill in these known letters first, then use skill and judgement to work out the others.
5 9 4
Medium

1. Tablet 10. Information

1 14 2. Produces eggs 11. Relatively long
time
3 1 8 7 2 15
3.
4.
Wound mark
Thick cable 12. Ooze
13. Mutual
1 8 2 3 16
5.
6.
British nobleman
Plunder
agreement
14. Ruffian or
7. Gratuities
8 7 9 5 4 17
8. Went fast
roughneck
15. Great delight
5 18 9. Deceased 16. Resound
5 1 4 8 Keyword clue: Education term
6 19
L G
9 8 5 6 7 20 Previous day’s solutions
6 7 3 8 21
DOUBLE CROSSWORD:
Cryptic: Across:
23=U, 24=Q, 25=W,
26=E.
7 Heave; 8 Private;
7 8 6 9 9 22 9 Twister; 10 Harms;
12 Moderation;
NINER:
TERMINALS
10 23 15 Court-dress;
5 1 9 11 24
18 Dingo; 19 Tension;
21 Mariner; 22 Graze.
WORD SPIRAL: 1 Hump;
2 Pull; 3 Lush; 4 Hack;
5 Kill; 6 Loss; 7 Spiv;
Down: 1 White-faced;
2 Rapid; 3 Felt; 8 Veal; 9 Lisp; 10 Pals;
12 25 4 Sparse; 5 High mass; 11 Seek; 12 Kind;
6 Hair-oil; 11 Sun- 13 Drab; 14 Ball;
15 Limb; 16 Burn.
13 26
lounges; 13 Outdoing; Keyword: Varnish.
14 Runners; 16 Return;
17 Divan; 20 Nigh.
Hard

Quick: Across:
7 Rouse; 8 Calling;
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 9 Verbose; 10 Round;
12 Paltriness; SUDOKU
15 Subterfuge;
18 Yield; 19 Eternal; 9 1 4 2 7 8 3 5 6
21 Recital; 22 Stiff. 8 3 6 4 9 5 2 1 7

NINER Down: 1 Previously;

2 Hurry; 3 Zero;
4 Accept; 5 Alarming;
5
6
7
2
5
4
7
9
1
6
3
8
3
2
5
1
4
9
8
7
6
4
8
3
9
1
2
6 Diluted; 11 Disqualify;
Each number from 1 to 9 represents a different letter. Solve the clues and insert 13 Anecdote;
3 8 2 7 1 6 5 9 4
2 7 8 1 4 3 9 6 5
the letters in the appropriate squares to discover a word which uses all nine 14 Absence; 16 Feeble; 4 9 3 5 6 2 1 7 8
letters. 17 Antic; 20 Else. 1 6 5 9 8 7 4 2 3
THE CLUES WORD WHEEL:
653789 gives courage; BLOCKHEAD.
13762 gives dignity; CODEWORD: 1=C, 2=G,
63742 gives ambition. 3=B, 4=R, 5=X, 6=Y,
7=H, 8=F, 9=M, 10=P,
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11=O, 12=T, 13=I,
14=V, 15=N, 16=D,
17=Z, 18=S, 19=L,
20=A, 21=K, 22=J,
26 The National/Monday, January 18, 2021

GIANT CROSSWORD
                  

  

    



      



        

  

        



      

  

       

 

      



           

  

        

       

     

ACROSS
64 Relating to birth (5) 123 Fruit skin (4) 52 Frantic (9)
66 Turn to ice (6) 124 Couch (6) 53 Springs (7)
68 Portion of time (6) 54 Obstruction (7)
1
5
Famous fictional collie (6)
Urn (4)
69 Units of land DOWN 55 Sport (5,4)
measurement (5) 57 Non-metallic element (7)
8 Parody or imitation, 2 Timeless (7)
71 Foe (5) 59 Extend (7)
informally (4-2) 3 Meagre (6)
72 Of the heart (7) 61 Sudden, unexpected (6)
10 Spanish city (8) 4 Hold spellbound (7)
75 Ant bear (8) 65 __ Hemingway, US novelist (6)
15 Thin length of cord or twine (6) 6 Indigenous Australian (9)
77 Motive (5) 67 Drew __, US actress and
17 Challenges (5) 7 Wear away (5)
79 Music writer (8) director (9)
23 Witty retort (8) 8 Taylor __, US singer (5)
81 Suit of workman’s overalls (9) 70 Grasslike plant (5)
24 Art of paper folding (7) 83 Internal organ (7) 9 Widely, internationally (11) 73 Sunday dinners (6)
25 Accumulate (5) 85 Closed (4) 11 Type of stove (3) 74 Disaster (11)
26 Disappointing conclusion (10) 86 Towboat (3) 12 Fundamental nature (7) 76 Small bottles used for
27 Humbles or debases (7) 87 Eye disease (8) 13 Skill (3) medicine (5)
29 Animal skin (4) 89 __ Murphy, US actor and 14 Device (7) 77 Call into question (9)
30 Focus of an earthquake (9) comedian (5) 15 Facial expression (5) 78 Eyelid inflammation (4)
32 At any time (4) 91 Characteristics (6) 16 Wandered (6) 80 Freedom from war (5)
33 Project (10) 93 Former Portuguese monetary 18 Reverence (3) 82 Allow (7)
34 Vote in (5) unit (6) 19 Senior nurse (6) 84 Scottish football team in
35 Strongbox (4) 95 Small unobvious detail (8) 20 Drinks (9) Edinburgh (9)
37 Donkey (3) 97 Busy insect (3) 21 Friend (4) 88 Person in pursuit (6)
38 US actor known for The 102 Annoy or anger (4) 22 A tool for pounding (6) 90 Sweetheart (7)
Godfather series (2,6) 103 Be of the same opinion (5) 26 Median (7) 92 Nabs (7)
40 Gorgonzola, for example (6) 104 Exaggerated depiction (10) 28 Usually (9) 94 Internet address (init.) (3)
41 Mother __, Roman Catholic nun 105 Den (4) 31 River in Devon (3) 96 Dressmakers (7)
and missionary (6) 107 Be prominent 35 Portly (5) 98 Make bigger (7)
42 Belonging to them (5) or important (4,5) 36 Asian river (6) 99 __ Franklin, late US singer (6)
44 Munificent (8) 110 Depend (4) 37 Slightly open (4) 100 Swiss city (6)
47 Append (3) 111 Walks softly (7) 39 Open to view (5) 101 Clergyman (6)
49 Carpenter’s tool (4) 113 Behead (10) 40 Lizard (9) 104 Stop (5)
51 Precious stone (7) 115 Capital of Bulgaria (5) 42 Meals ordered for delivery (9) 106 Unfortunately (4)
54 Rebellious 117 Tolerant (7) 43 Synthetic fibre (5) 108 Overweight (5)
56 German shepherd (8) 118 Branch of maths (8) 45 Hair product (7) 109 28 Days __, 2002 horror film
58 Nicola __, UK boxer (5) 119 Common viper (5) 46 Yeast (6) directed by Danny Boyle (5)
60 Indiscreet (8) 120 Congenital (6) 48 Felix __, late UK comedian and 112 Definite article (3)
62 Not as old (7) 121 Level of contact (8) Fast Show actor (6) 114 Chopping tool (3)
63 Hugh __, UK Notting Hill actor (5) 122 Nullify (6) 50 Inns (7) 116 Animal’s coat (3)
 522144553
Giant Sudoku Giant Crossword
322154557  5 6 ;  4   : 8 . 1  2 /   <   3 0 7 = 9 Across: 1 Lassie, 5 Vase, 8 Send-up, 10 Valencia, 15 String,
322124473 . 4 =  3 0   2   ; 9 7   6 : 5   1 < / 8 17 Dares, 23 Repartee, 24 Origami, 25 Amass, 26 Anticlimax,
27 Demeans, 29 Pelt, 30 Epicentre, 32 Ever, 33 Enterprise, 34
9 digits: 9  8 : 0 <  =  3   6   1 4 7 / 2 5  ; . 
Elect, 35 Safe, 37 Ass, 38 Al Pacino, 40 Cheese, 41 Teresa,
4334771 / 2   < 6 7 5  1   8 0 3 . = ;  9    : 4 42 Their, 44 Generous, 47 Add, 49 Adze, 51 Emerald, 54
1455224 4223551    7 1 9 ;  / . < 5 4 = :  8 3  0    6 2 Breakaway, 56 Alsatian, 58 Adams, 60 Tactless, 62 Younger,
: 6  3 4 ; . 8 0 7   =   5  / 9  2 <  1 
7 digits: 1377334
63 Grant, 64 Natal, 66 Freeze, 68 Period, 69 Acres, 71
Enemy, 72 Cardiac, 75 Aardvark, 77 Cause, 79 Composer,
99213
0  . <   5 :    9 7  ; 8 2 4 1 = 6  3  /
5 digits: 85644
 7 5 / ; = 1  6 9 0 2   8 :   3 <  .  4  81 Dungarees, 83 Stomach, 85 Shut, 86 Tug, 87 Glaucoma,
5182 5819 6485 89 Eddie, 91 Traits, 93 Escudo, 95 Subtlety, 97 Bee, 102 Rile,
1  9 2   4 /    < : 3 .  0 6  ; = 8  5 7
4 digits: 2845 103 Agree, 104 Caricature, 105 Lair, 107 Loom large, 110
462 546 565 915  =   8  <  3 2 6 4 / 5 1 7 .    9 : 0 ;  Rely, 111 Tiptoes, 113 Decapitate, 115 Sofia, 117 Patient, 118
3 digits: 262 264 7 9  0   8 ; . < 3  2 /  6 1  =  : 4 5   Geometry, 119 Adder, 120 Innate, 121 Exposure, 122 Negate,
34 42 43 72 74    = 2 / 3 4   1 8 < .  9 5 0 : 7  6   ; 123 Rind, 124 Settee.
2 digits: 22 25 27 < 8 3 1  5  7 9 6 =  ; :  4  . 2  /   0  Down: 2 Ageless, 3 Scanty, 4 Enthral, 6 Aborigine, 7 Erode, 8
 : ; 4   0  1  9  5  6 /  8  3 < = 2 7 . Swift, 9 Universally, 11 Aga, 12 Essence, 13 Art, 14 Machine,
 . / 5 6  : 2 =  4 0   7 < ;    1 9  8 3 15 Smile, 16 Roamed, 18 Awe, 19 Sister, 20 Beverages, 21
Mate, 22 Pestle, 26 Average, 28 Generally, 31 Exe, 35 Stout,
=  4 8 : 1 9 0 5 /    <  3  2 7 .  ; 6  
Fit the listed numbers into the grid.
36 Mekong, 37 Ajar, 39 Overt, 40 Chameleon, 42 Takeaways,
2 ;    3  6  : 7 = . 8 9  < 1  /  5 4  0 43 Rayon, 45 Shampoo, 46 Leaven, 48 Dexter, 50 Taverns, 52
NUMBERFIT  0 <  . 8 2  7 = 5 / 1 6  ;  9  4  3 :   Desperate, 53 Bounces, 54 Barrier, 55 Water polo, 57 Sulphur,
3 1 7  9    4  ;  0  2  : 5 6 8 .  / < = 59 Prolong, 61 Abrupt, 65 Ernest, 67 Barrymore, 70 Sedge,
5 /  6  .   < ;  : 3  4 =   0  7 2 8 9 1 73 Roasts, 74 Catastrophe, 76 Vials, 77 Challenge, 78 Stye,
8 3 0 .  : / <  4  6  1 5 2 7 = ;    9   80 Peace, 82 Entitle, 84 Hibernian, 88 Chaser, 90 Darling,
92 Arrests, 94 URL, 96 Tailors, 98 Enlarge, 99 Aretha, 100
N
26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14  < 1  5   .   8 7  9 0  3  4 6 ; / = 2 :
Geneva, 101 Priest, 104 Cease, 106 Alas, 108 Obese, 109
6    =   9 8  2 .  ;  0 /  < : 4 7 1 3 5 Later, 112 The, 114 Axe, 116 Fur.
O
13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
4  2 9 / 7 = 1 ; 0 : 3   <    . 5 8    6
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ ;  :  7 2 6 3  5 /   4 =  9  8 1 0  .  <
Codewords
1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Numberfit
D I O Y W K M G S U R E T
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26       
Z H A F J X C V N P Q L B      
     
       
        
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13        
2
PAGES 7 & 8
R X I M K B O F P Q H V C      
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26      
Z W G L D N Y U S E T A J       
SOLUTIONS
0 .  =   5  3 
8     . / 1 4 
1 3 5 < ;  =  9 
= 2  6  5  
  5 2 7 ;   1 0 . : / < 3
9 1    : 3 <
2 < = 2 : 6 8 7  9
C
26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14
  = 5 < . 7 0
O
13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
5 4 9   .   6 2
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ  ; 6    4 1 9 0
1 < ;  0  / 5 6 : 2 
= 2 / 8 3  ;    :
 0 4 = 1 7 9 <
6   ; 5 0 : 7   /   
: 5    2 <    8 .
9 .  4 / 8 
8  ;  2  / 1
 .   : 3 <  0 ; 1  7
6 ; 2 4 1   <  5
  5 9   4 ; 8 0 6
  : 8 3  0 4 . 7 
 : 4 3 ; 9 8  5
1  ; .  2  8 0 <  =  9
knowledge of words, complete the puzzle. / 8 6 :  7 =  0   2
in V wherever a square contains 8. Using your
example, if 8 turns out to be a V, you can write 7 = 3 <    . 4 : 5
number always representing the same letter. For
printed in the grid represents a letter, with the same
This puzzle has no clues. Instead, every number Every row, every column and every 5 x 5 box must contain every digit from 1 to 9 and every letter from K to Z.
CODEWORDS GIANT SUDOKU
27 The National/Monday, January 18, 2021
 28 The National/Monday, January 18, 2021

TONIGHT’S
TV PICK
Bradley & Barney Walsh:
Breaking Dad (STV, 8pm)
IN an episode originally scheduled
for last week, the father-and-son duo
continue their European adventure
in central Germany. They head to
Frankfurt, where Brad attempts to
abseil down the side of a building,
facing forwards. After that drama,
the boys also stop off at a bratwurst-
themed hotel and soak up some local
Bavarian culture when they have a go
at fingerhakeln (finger wrestling). The
pair finish off their time in Germany
with a wet and wild adventure in the
mountains.

Long Lost Family (STV, 9pm)

THE Bafta-winning family reunion show
is back for its 10th series. Phyllis and
Kevin Haran have spent more than 40
years searching for their first-born son.
The couple fell in love as teenagers
in Ireland in the 1970s and Phyllis
became pregnant. They fled to London
but their landlady kicked them out
when she discovered they had a baby
in their flat. Homeless, jobless and
desperate to put their baby’s interests
first, they agreed through an agency to

Phyllis and Kevin Haran in the 1970s

place their son in the care of a family,

with the possibility of adoption.

Mark Kermode’s Secrets of

Cinema: Pop Music Movies
(BBC4, 9pm)
KERMODE combines his twin
passions – music and film – as he
looks at the success, or otherwise, of
pop movies. There’s the classic pop
star vehicle, where the biggest acts
play a version of themselves, then
there are pop biopics, dramatised
accounts of the stars’ lives. Kermode
also sees what happens when actors
play musicians, and when musicians
take on acting roles and celebrates
some of the true cinematic oddities
that have emerged.

999: What’s Your Emergency?

(C4, 9pm)
‘SEXUAL offences and how we deal
with them are a major issue, now
more than ever”, says South Yorkshire
Police call handler Terry Batchelor. In
recent years the number of reported
sex offences in the UK has increased
by 15% and range from indecent
exposure to rape. As late-night
clubbers start to throng the streets,
police are called to a suspected sexual
assault outside a nightclub; and in
another early-morning incident, officers
confront a man after he exposes
himself in the street.
The National/Monday, January 18, 2021 29

The recycled paper content of UK

newspapers in 2019 was 63.2%
 30 Sport/Monday, January 18, 2021
WOLVERHAMPTON
White & Gold
AYR 2.20 Getariver
12.25 Bass Rock 2.50 Zabeel Star
12.55 Gold Miner 3.25 Atomic Jack
1.25 Dame De Compagnie 3.55 Lucky’s Dream
1.55 Event Of Sivola WOLVERHAMPTON
2.30 Darius Des Sources 4.10 Spirit Of Rowdown
3.00 Charm Offensive 4.40 Highest Mountain
3.35 Made For You 5.10 It Must Be Faith
4.05 Everyday Champagne 5.40 Sarah’s Verse
LINGFIELD 6.10 Rainbow Dreamer (nap)
12.15 Rose Ohara 6.40 Athmad
12.45 Italian Legend
1.15 Not That Fuisse
1.45 Win My Wings
7.10 Rain Gauge
7.40 Critical Thinking
8.10 Elegant Love
4.10
1 433-
LADBROKES FOOTBALL ACCA BOOSTY HANDICAP
(CLASS 5) of £6,545 for 3yo Only. 1m 1f
HAFEZ bf,b (R Hannon) 9-7
2 766- SCHABANG (Ed Walker) 9-5
3 587- DARK ESTEEM (R Teal) 9-5
4 884- RENBAWI (M Johnston) 9-4
5 13-2 LIVIA THE EMPRESS bf (G Scott) 9-2
6 11-3 SPIRIT OF ROWDOWN cd,p (M Usher) 8-13
7 84-6 HEAT AND DUST (Sir M Prescott) 8-10
8 99-2 NURSE DEE (R Fahey) 8-5 Laura Pearson (5)
Betting 7-2 Livia The Empress, 4 Hafez, 5 Heat And Dust, 6
Spirit Of Rowdown, 7 Nurse Dee, Renbawi, 8 Others.
Last year No corresponding race.
FORM: LIVIA THE EMPRESS 9-4fav (9-7) Towards rear,
ridden and headway entering final furlong, pressed winner
close home, not quicken, 2nd of 12, nk behind Liberated
Lad (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol. HAFEZ
10-3fav (9-2) Led after 1f, ridden 2f out, narrowly headed
over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, no extra final strides,
3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Thapa VC (9-5) at Wolverhampton
7f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) in Dec. HEAT AND DUST 5-1 (9-3)
Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway from 2f
out, not clear run and switched left inside final furlong, not
trouble leaders, 6th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Uncle Dick (9-6) at
Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6).
4.40 BOMBARDIER BRITISH HOPPED AMBER BEER CLAIMING
STAKES (CLASS 6) of £5,593 for 4yo to 6yo. 7f
1 2/70- LETHAL LUNCH d,t (M Bell) 6-9-12
2 100- EMBOLDEN d,v (L McJannet) 4-9-8
3 03-4 ONE HART cd (M Johnston) 4-9-8
H Russell (5) 5 some headway over 3f out, no impression and well beaten
4 18-2 HIGHEST MOUNTAIN c,v (B Ellison) 5-9-4
5 21-1 REVOLUTIONARY MAN c,d,b,e,t (S Curran) 6-9-4Grace McEntee (5) 4 final 2f, 5th of 8, 24l behind Stradivarius (9-2) at Royal Ascot
6 76-6 DANCING RAVE cd,p (D O’Meara) 5-9-1
7 74-0 KUMASI (Archie Watson) 4-8-13 Hollie Doyle 1 Tracked leaders, headway to dispute lead 3f out, narrowly
8 10-9 TREATY OF DINGLE c (S Curran) 4-8-13 T Greatrex (3) 8 led when pushed along 2f out, plugged on once headed
9 697- FORONCEINMYLIFE (J Osborne) 4-8-9
Betting 5-4 Lethal Lunch, 6 One Hart, 7 Dancing Rave,
Revolutionary Man, 8 Highest Mountain, 10 Kumasi, 16
Treaty Of Dingle, 20 Embolden, 25 Foronceinmylife.
Last year Kodiline (6-8-12) Richard Kingscote (8-1) P
Evans, drawn (1), 5 ran.
FORM: LETHAL LUNCH 33-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 15th
of 17, 18l behind Motakhayyel (9-7) at Newmarket 7f hcap (2)
gd in Jul. ONE HART 6-1 (9-7) Keen close up, led over 2f out,
ridden and headed approaching final furlong, one pace and lost of 8, 1 1/2l behind Lucky Deal (9-2) at Kempton 2m hcp
2 places towards finish, 4th of 12, 6l behind Corazon Espinado 0-105 (2) pol.
(9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
LINGFIELD
12.15
1
EBF MARES’ STANDARD OPEN NH FLAT RACE (GBB
RACE) (CLASS 5) of £4,500 for 4yo to 6yo. 2m
9-8 ANNIE MOORE (M Loughnane) 5-10-12
2 CAROLE’S TZARINA (Miss Amy Murphy) 5-10-12
3 8-7 DISTANT UNIVERSE (A Carson) 6-10-12
4
5
6
U3 FIRST GLORY (P Kirby) 5-10-12
5 MILLIE ROUND (T R George) 5-10-12
40 MISS MOCKTAIL (Steph Hollinshead) 6-10-12
7 0 OKHOTSK (Chris Honour) 5-10-12
8 4 ROSE OHARA (J Snowden) 5-10-12
9 SHIROCCY ROAD (Emma Lavelle) 5-10-12
10 75 KADIYAMA (N Gifford) 4-10-1
11 LUNAR FLIGHT (P Webber) 4-10-1
12 PHILLIPSTOWN ELLEN (M Harris) 4-10-1
Betting 9-4 Rose Ohara, 4 Carole’s Tzarina, 5 Millie Round,
6 Shiroccy Road, 7 Kadiyama, 10 First Glory, 14 Lunar
Flight, 16 Phillipstown Ellen, 20 Others.
Last year No corresponding meeting.
12.45 VISIT ATTHERACES.COM STANDARD OPEN NH FLAT
RACE (CLASS 5) of £3,500 for 4yo to 6yo. 2m
1
2
CLEAR ON TOP (T R George) 5-11-4
32 DATSALRIGHTGINO (J Snowden) 5-11-4
3 7-86 DENABLE (A Carson) 5-11-4
4 5 IMPERIAL STORM (F O’Brien) 5-11-4
5 3 ITALIAN LEGEND (N Henderson) 6-11-4
6 3 LELANTOS bf (N Henderson) 5-11-4
7 3/1-8 MISS AUSTEN bf,d (H Morrison) 6-11-4
8 6- ROBELLI (I Williams) 6-11-4
9 WHITTON LOCH (Mrs S Humphrey) 5-11-4
10 KIMMINS (N Henderson) 6-10-11
11 HANAFY (K Bishop) 4-10-7
12 26 SHIELD OF HONOUR (N Littmoden) 4-10-7
13 SOCKS OFF (A Keatley) 4-10-7
14 TIZIO (E De Giles) 4-10-7
Betting 3 Miss Austen, 9-2 Imperial Storm, 5
Datsalrightgino, 7 Kimmins, 8 Lelantos, 10 Italian Legend,
12 Shield Of Honour, 14 Clear On Top, 20 Others.
1.15
1
WATCH SKY SPORTS RACING IN HD ‘JUMPERS’ BUMPER’
NH FLAT RACE (CLASS 4) of £5,000 for 4yo plus. 2m
880 ESPION DE SAFLO (G L Moore) 7-11-4 Jamie Moore
2 35-P ESPRIT DE SOMOZA d (G L Moore) 7-11-4 Joshua Moore
3 234 FAIRWAY FREDDY d (N Gifford) 8-11-4
4 P2F FANZIO d,t (Richard Hobson) 6-11-4 Paul O’Brien (3)
5 6P6 LUCKOFTHEDRAW d (N Twiston-Davies) 8-11-4 S Twiston-Davies
6 134 NOT THAT FUISSE d (D Skelton) 8-11-4
7 568 WHATTHEBUTLERSAW d (D F Davis) 12-11-4 Mr B Ffrench Davis (7)
8 344 FRICKA (A Carson) 8-10-11 G Carson (7)
Betting 11-8 Not That Fuisse, 9-2 Luckofthedraw, 5 Fanzio,
6 Esprit De Somoza, 8 Fairway Freddy, 12 Espion De Saflo,
25 Fricka, 33 Whatthebutlersaw.
RACING
Going: Heavy. Draw: A middle to high draw is an advantage in sprint
Going: Standard. Draw: No advantage. TV: Sky Sports Racing. AYR races, low numbers favoured on the round course. TV: Racing TV.
5.10
1 569-
PLAY 4 TO WIN AT BETWAY HANDICAP (DIV 1) (CLASS 6)
of £5,593 for 4yo plus. 6f
LADY QUICKSTEP (Miss G Kelleway) 4-9-11 G Bass (7) 1
6.40
1 79-2
BETWAY HANDICAP (CLASS 3) of £11,500 for 4yo plus.
1m 1f 104yds
TESTON d,p (I Furtado) 6-10-3 J Hart 6
12.25
1
EBF ‘NATIONAL HUNT’ MAIDEN HURDLE (GBB RACE)
(CLASS 4) of £6,800 for 4yo plus. 2m 4f 100yds
5-22 BASS ROCK bf (A M Thomson) 5-11-5 R Mania
2.30
1
SPRING BREAKS AT WESTERN HOUSE HOTEL HANDICAP
CHASE (CLASS 4) of £8,035 for 5yo plus. 2m 5f 110yds
13-3 MANETTI c,d (N Alexander) 9-11-12 B Hughes
2 420- POETRY AND ART (W Haggas) 4-9-10 T Marquand 9 2 113- POWER OF STATES (H Palmer) 5-9-10 T Marquand 3 2 3-24 CHAMPAGNESUPEROVER bf,c,t (Olly Murphy) 6-11-5 A P Heskin 2 348 BAKO DE LA SAULAIE (Mrs R Dobbin) 10-11-12 Craig Nichol
3 132- IT MUST BE FAITH cd,v (M Appleby) 11-9-7 Sophie Jones (7) 11 3 055- HOME BEFORE DUSK cd,p (K Dalgleish) 6-9-10 C Rodriguez 4 3 8 FAMOUS MOMENT (Mrs R Dobbin) 6-11-5 Craig Nichol 3 117 VOCALISER d,t (Olly Murphy) 9-11-11 F Gregory (3)
4 997- GLORIOUS CHARMER d (M Herrington) 5-9-6 T Eaves 5 4 121- MYTHICAL MADNESS cd,v (D O’Meara) 10-9-7 S Gray 8 4 4-44 HONOR GREY (B Pauling) 6-11-5 N De Boinville 4 P14 ARD CHROS c,p (W Coltherd) 9-11-10 Sam Coltherd (3)
5 388- SWISSAL d (J G O’Shea) 6-9-5 Adam J McNamara 10 5 132/ LEDHAM c (G Hanmer) 6-9-6 Hollie Doyle 5 5 4- OPERATION OVERLORD (Miss L Russell) 6-11-5 D R Fox 5 435 CABOY d,t (Miss L Russell) 9-11-9 B Campbell (3)
6 004- MY FRIEND STAN (Julie Camacho) 4-9-4 P Mulrennan 3 6 909- KASER cd (David Loughnane) 6-9-3 Rossa Ryan 7 6 2-72 SIMPLE RULES (M Todhunter) 5-11-5 S Quinlan 6 321 SKIPPING ON (Laura Morgan) 12-11-7 C O’Farrell
7 219- AVARICE (J Butler) 4-9-3 Laura Pearson (5) 1
7 90-7 SECRET POTION c,d,b (R Harris) 7-9-3 D Probert 7 7 74-2 UGO DU MISSELOT (Tristan Davidson) 7-11-5 H Reed (3) 7 1-51 DARIUS DES SOURCES c,p (C Grant) 8-11-3 S Quinlan
8 33-1 ATHMAD cd (Mrs R Carr) 5-9-1 P Mulrennan 2
8 00-1 ONEBABA cd,b,e (A Carroll) 5-9-1 R Kingscote 8 8 213 MELANAMIX (R M Smith) 6-10-12 B Hughes 8 566 ARDERA CROSS c,d,p (William Young Jnr) 10-11-2 R Mania
9 47-3 DYNAMO WALT c (D Shaw) 10-8-12 L Morris 2 Betting 5-2 Power Of States, 4 Mythical Madness, Athmad, 9-2 9 42-5 WORCESTER PEARMAIN (Mrs R Dobbin) 11-10-12 L Murtagh (3) 9 21P ORIONINVERNESS (Miss L Russell) 10-10-12 S Mulqueen (3)
10 0-02 TAN c,d (Mrs L Williamson) 7-8-4 George Rooke (5) 4 Teston, 10 Home Before Dusk, 12 Ledham, 14 Avarice, Kaser. 10 4-P3 LASTIN’ MEMORIES d,b (Miss S Forster) 9-10-7 T Dowson
11 66-8 GENTLY SPOKEN (S Dixon) 4-8-3 K O’Neill 6
Betting 11-4 Bass Rock, 3 Champagnesuperover, 4 Honor
Last year Kaser (5-8-13) Thomas Greatrex(3) (9-4) JtFav Grey, 7 Ugo Du Misselot, 8 Melanamix, 10 Operation 11 6P9 NO NO MAC c,d,p (I Duncan) 12-10-5 D R Fox
Betting 4 Onebaba, 9-2 It Must Be Faith, 5 Dynamo Walt, 6 David Loughnane, drawn (4), 7 ran.
Overlord, 12 Simple Rules, 25 Others. Betting 7-2 Skipping On, 5 Darius Des Sources, 7 Lastin’
Poetry And Art, 7 My Friend Stan, 8 Swissal, 10 Others. Last year Mayo Star (8-11-5) Brian Hughes (7-2) N Memories, Vocaliser, 8 Manetti, 10 Others.
Last year Mount Wellington (5-9-5) Rob Hornby (4-1) JtFav
S C Williams, drawn (10), 12 ran. 7.10 BETWAY MAIDEN STAKES (CLASS 5) of £5,300 for 3yo Richards, 8 ran.
plus. 1m 1f 104yds
1 8-9 JURISTE (P Kirby) 7-10-0
FORM: BASS ROCK 4-7fav (10-12) Prominent, close up
T Eaves 2 when not fluent 3rd, upsides 4 out, led narrowly after 3 out,
Last year Strong Economy (8-11-2) Sean Quinlan (7-1) I
Duncan, 9 ran.
FORM: SKIPPING ON 15-2 (12-0) Mid-division, headway
5.40 PLAY 4 TO WIN AT BETWAY HANDICAP (DIV 2) (CLASS
6) of £5,593 for 4yo plus. 6f
2 0-0 GRANDBOB (W Knight) 4-9-13
3 54- CARMENERE (D Coakley) 4-9-8
C Shepherd 7 ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of
C Bishop 4 12, 8l behind Severance (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f mdn hdl
9th, went 2nd final bend, jumped left 2 out, 2 1/2 lengths
down when not fluent last, stayed on flat, led towards finish,
Rossa Ryan 1
1
2
3
252-
09-7
804-
REBEL REDEMPTION d,v (J J Quinn) 4-9-10
BAHUTA ACHA cd,e (M Mullineaux) 6-9-7
KUPA RIVER cd,h (Roger Fell) 7-9-5
J Hart
P Dennis
Tyler Heard (7)
3
10
6
4 5-2 BE MY BEAU (David Loughnane) 3-8-6
5 0- HE’S A DREAM (W Knight) 3-8-6
6 5-4 INVINCIBLE GIFT (Archie Watson) 3-8-6
H Shaw 11 (4) hvy in Nov. CHAMPAGNESUPEROVER 8-13fav (11-0)
K O’Neill 12 Not always fluent, chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, hung
D Probert 5 left before last, lost 2nd and weakened tamely flat, 4th of 8,
won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (5) sft in Dec beating
Lickpenny Larry (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran. DARIUS DES
SOURCES 13-2 (11-9) Midfield, headway to chase leaders
7 0-0 NAYON (P Evans) 3-8-6 JP Sullivan 6 12l behind Rocheston (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn hdl 3rd, hit 7th, awkward 9th, close up when blundered 4 out,
T Marquand 2 4 92-1 JUMIRA BRIDGE c,t (D Shaw) 7-9-5 L Edmunds 2 8 RAIN GAUGE (J Tate) 3-8-6 J Fanning 10 (4) hvy in Nov. HONOR GREY 10-3 (10-12) Pressed leader,
J Mitchell 6 5 979- MAJOR VALENTINE cd (J G O’Shea) 9-9-3 C McKee 1 hit 2 out but still in touch, ridden before last, led flat, stayed
9 3-7 THE THUNDERER (M Botti) 3-8-6 L Morris 8 awkward 1st, not fluent 3rd and 4th, shuffled back to midfield
J Fanning 7 6 15-6 WE’RE REUNITED c,p (R Harris) 4-9-3 J F Egan 11 10 THEYAZIN (J Gosden) 3-8-6 Hollie Doyle 13
on, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (5) hvy in Nov beating
D Probert 8 7 5/08- KINGSLEY KLARION c,d (J Butler) 8-9-0 P J McDonald 9 6th, ridden after 3 out, faded before last, 4th of 7, 22l behind Slainte Mhor (11-4) by 1/2l, 12 ran. LASTIN’ MEMORIES
11 24- WALLEM bf (A Balding) 3-8-6 H Turner 9
C Bennett 4 8 40-2 SARAH’S VERSE (R Harris) 4-8-13 D Costello 4 12 6- WAY OF LIFE (J Portman) 3-8-6 J Haynes 3 Gaston Phebus (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) 18-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway into midfield 3rd, out-
L Morris 5 9 508- OUR MAN IN HAVANA cd (A Carroll) 6-8-10 Elisha Whittington (5) 5 13 69- YOUARENOTFORGIVEN (J Osborne) 3-8-6 N Currie 1 sft in Nov. UGO DU MISSELOT 10-1 (10-9) Chased leading paced before 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on for
3 10 4-43 ONE ONE SEVEN cd (A Brittain) 5-8-3 C Hardie 7 trio, closer in 3rd place 4th, 2nd before 2 out until the last, modest 3rd approaching last, kept on but could not reach
11 93-3 CHILLON CASTLE (M Herrington) 5-8-2 F McManoman (3) 8
Betting 9-4 Wallem, 5-2 Theyazin, 5 Be My Beau, 7 Rain kept on again into 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind leaders, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Darius Des Sources (11-9) at
Gauge, 8 Invincible Gift, 10 The Thunderer, 16 Others. Portstorm (10-12) at Ayr 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec. Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (5) hvy in Nov.
Betting 4 Jumira Bridge, 9-2 Kupa River, 5 Rebel Last year Never Alone (3-8-6) L Morris (2-9) Fav C Appleby,
Redemption, 6 Sarah’s Verse, 8 Others. drawn (2), 11 ran.
Last year No corresponding race.
12.55 AYRSHIRE CANCER SUPPORT PATIENT TRANSPORT
NOVS’ HURDLE (CLASS 4) of £5,800 for 5yo plus. 3m 3.00 SUPPORT THE INJURED JOCKEYS FUND MARES’ HCAP
HURDLE (CLASS 5) of £5,844 for 4yo plus. 2m 5f
6.10 CONDITIONS STAKES (AW CHAMPIONSHIPS FAST-TRACK
QUALIFIER) (CLASS 2) of £19,000 for 4yo plus. 2m 120yds
7.40
1 14-3
HEED YOUR HUNCH AT BETWAY HANDICAP (DIV 1)
(CLASS 6) of £5,593 for 4yo plus. 1m 1f 104yds
CRITICAL THINKING cd,p (David Loughnane) 7-9-12R Kingscote 11
1
2
3-P1 SEVEN EYE BRIDGE (Mrs R Dobbin) 6-11-4
5-21 CORACH RAMBLER d (Miss L Russell) 7-10-12
C O’Farrell
1 5-44 CHARM OFFENSIVE (N Alexander) 7-12-1
D R Fox
2 353 TIMELESS BEAUTY (W Greatrex) 6-11-12
B Hughes
A P Heskin
3 1-23 GOLD MINER bf,d (B Ellison) 8-10-12 B Hughes
3 5-48 PAPER PROMISE (D Whillans) 9-11-8 Craig Nichol
1 36-8 BATTLE OF MARATHON c (J Ryan) 9-9-5 T P Queally 7 2 335- WIN WIN POWER (R Hannon) 4-9-11 Rossa Ryan 12
4 21P HOUSTON TEXAS d (A Whillans) 7-10-12 Craig Nichol
4 554 SINNDARELLA (Tom Lacey) 5-11-6 T Gillard (7)
2 034- CARNWENNAN (C Fellowes) 6-9-5 S Donohoe 4 3 89-1 VISIBILITY cd,p (S Dixon) 4-9-11(5ex) K O’Neill 3
5 2-03 IMPERIAL KNIGHT (B Pauling) 9-10-12 N De Boinville
5 4-P4 ON WE GO cd,p (Kenny Johnson) 8-10-10 Alison Johnson (7)
3 472- COSMELLI (Miss G Kelleway) 8-9-5 T Eaves 5 4 7/9-3 FIRST DANCE cd (T Tate) 7-9-9 JP Sullivan 1
5 756- HOT TEAM (R Fahey) 5-9-9 B McHugh 10 6 7-P2 STOLEN MONEY (D Whillans) 6-10-12 B Campbell (3)
6 896 SHANBALLY ROSE (Mrs R Dobbin) 7-10-10 C O’Farrell
4 425- MEKONG (J Osborne) 6-9-5 J P Spencer 2 7 42-5 WORCESTER PEARMAIN d (Mrs R Dobbin) 11-10-5 Doubtful
6 90-4 JACK D’OR (Ed Walker) 5-9-8 T Marquand 5 7 P11 HOT GOSSIP d,b,t (Mrs D Sayer) 7-10-9 D McMenamin (3)
5 485- MILDENBERGER bf (M Johnston) 6-9-5 J Fanning 6
7 432- CORKED (A Whillans) 8-9-8 P J McDonald 6 Betting 13-8 Gold Miner, 2 Imperial Knight, 7-2 Seven Eye 8 650 ORIENT SUNSET (I Duncan) 7-10-9 T Willmott (5)
6 44-2 NATE THE GREAT (A Balding) 5-9-5 R Kingscote 9
7 33/4 OUTBOX (Archie Watson) 6-9-5 Hollie Doyle 3 8 563- ARABIC WELCOME (M Botti) 4-9-7 Christian Howarth (7) 7 Bridge, 10 Corach Rambler, 16 Stolen Money, 25 Houston Texas. 9 860 SILKEN MOONLIGHT (W Coltherd) 7-10-4 Sam Coltherd (3)
9 982- NEVER SAID NOTHING cd,h (M Loughnane) 4-9-7 L Morris 4 Last year Escaria Ten (6-11-4) Adrian Heskin (4-6) Fav G 10 6/30 LOVE AT DAWN (F Murtagh) 8-10-0 L Murtagh (3)
8 453- RAINBOW DREAMER cd,p (A King) 8-9-5 T Marquand 8
9 38-7 STARGAZER (P Kirby) 8-9-5 P Mulrennan 1 10 2/7-0 HENRY CROFT (A Carroll) 8-9-6 Mollie Phillips (7) 2 Elliott, 7 ran. Betting 3 Hot Gossip, 4 Charm Offensive, 9-2 Timeless
11 384- TANQEEB c,p (I Williams) 5-9-4 Hollie Doyle 8
Betting 9-4 Mekong, 3 Rainbow Dreamer, 7-2 Mildenberger,
7 Outbox, 14 Carnwennan, Nate The Great, 16 Others.
C Fallon 3 Last year Rainbow Dreamer (7-9-5) Hollie Doyle (10-3) A
12 10-1 FINAL ATTACK cd,p (Sarah Hollinshead) 10-8-13 L Keniry 9
Betting 11-2 Critical Thinking, 6 Visibility, 7 Corked, Final Attack,
Win Win Power, 8 Jack D’Or, Arabic Welcome, 10 Others.
FORM: GOLD MINER 11-10fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led
after 3 out, headed after mistake over last, weakened on the
run-in, 3rd of 9, 3l behind South Terrace (11-7) at Catterick
Beauty, 5 Sinndarella, 10 Shanbally Rose, On We Go, Paper
Promise, 16 Love At Dawn, 20 Others.
Last year On We Go (7-11-3) Alison Johnson(7) (4-1) Kenny
2m 3f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec. IMPERIAL KNIGHT 3-1 (10-9) Johnson, 7 ran.
K O’Neill 2 King, drawn (4), 5 ran. Last year Traveller (6-9-3) C Hardie (4-1) A Brittain, drawn (6), 12 ran. Raced in touch, headway 4 out, led after 3 out, headed 2 FORM: HOT GOSSIP 4-1 (10-2) Chased leader, led after
J Fanning 6 FORM: MEKONG 33-1 (9-2) Started slowly, held up in rear, out, ridden before last, kept on one pace flat, 3rd of 11, 3l 3 out, clear before next, strongly pressed run-in, kept on
C Hardie 7 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) sft in Jun. RAINBOW DREAMER 7-2 (9-3)
8.10 HEED YOUR HUNCH AT BETWAY HANDICAP (DIV 2)
(CLASS 6) of £5,593 for 4yo plus. 1m 1f 104yds
behind Golden Gift (10-13) at Huntingdon 3m 1f mdn hdl (4)
gd in Nov. SEVEN EYE BRIDGE 9-4 (11-2) Towards rear,
headway to track leaders in 3rd 4 out, pushed along and
gamely and found extra towards finish, won at Sedgefield
2m 1f hcp hdl (5) gs in Nov beating Flood Defence (11-4)
by nk, 10 ran. CHARM OFFENSIVE 11-4 (10-10) Tracked
1 481- ELEGANT LOVE (A Carroll) 5-9-11 T Marquand 9
pressed leader 2 out, soon led on the run to the last, driven
2 693- CLAY REGAZZONI cd (K Dalgleish) 4-9-11 S Gray 3 leaders, went 2nd from the 2nd until 4th, not fluent 3 out,
out and extended advantage after the last, won at Carlisle
3 2-70 ONE TO GO (Archie Watson) 5-9-10 Adam J McNamara 10 no impression from next, 4th of 9, 9l behind Little Mo (10-
C Shepherd 9 inside final furlong but lost second final 110 yards, 3rd of 3m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Stolen Money (10-13)
9, 3/4l behind Island Brave (9-3) at Newcastle 2m stks 4 30-4 TUNDRA (P Evans) 5-9-9 Hollie Doyle 6 10) at Hexham 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec. TIMELESS
(3yo+) (2) in Dec. MILDENBERGER 5-2fav (9-3) Prominent 5 794- COVIGLIA c (M W Easterby) 7-9-8 Joanna Mason (5) 5 by 10l, 8 ran. CORACH RAMBLER (12-2) Tr ldr, 2nd 1/2way, BEAUTY 12-1 (10-12) Close up, ridden 4 out, plugged on,
early, led by halfway, shaken up and headed over 3f out, 6 78-0 BRAVO FAISAL (Adam West) 4-9-8 D Probert 7 rdn bef str, jnd ldr 2out, ld bef last, ko strongly run in, won at 3rd of 11, 38l behind Ballycallan Fame (10-9) at Wetherby
outpaced 2f out, ran on again inside final furlong, 5th of 7 742- CITY ESCAPE (Mrs S Humphrey) 4-9-7 W Humphrey (7) 11 Monksgrange 3m ire ptp gd in Sep, 9 ran. 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
9, 2 3/4l behind Island Brave (9-3) at Newcastle 2m stks 8 59-4 INTERNATIONAL LAW cd (A Brittain) 7-9-7 C Hardie 12
(3yo+) (2) in Dec. OUTBOX 10-1 (9-9) Led after 1f, pushed
along over 2f out, ridden and strongly pressed over 1f out,
battled on well until headed 150 yards out, no extra and lost
9
10
11
12
333-
589-
33-5
69-7
BROKEN RIFLE (I Furtado) 4-9-6
MONSARAZ (David Loughnane) 4-9-3
G FOR GABRIAL (R Fahey) 4-8-13
HARD TOFFEE (L Allan) 10-8-5
K O’Neill
Rossa Ryan
B McHugh
L Morris
2
1
8
4
1.25 WESTERN HOUSE HOTEL GIFT VOUCHERS NOVICES’
CHASE (CLASS 4) of £8,035 for 5yo plus. 2m 110yds
1 3P-2 CORNERSTONE LAD d (M Hammond) 7-10-12 B Hughes
3.35 JOIN RACING TV NOW HANDICAP HURDLE (CLASS 5) of
£5,844 for 4yo plus. 3m
2nd inside final 100 yards, dropped to 4th last strides, 4th 1 71/4 J’AI FROID (Laura Morgan) 8-11-13 M Kendrick (3)
Betting 4 Elegant Love, 11-2 Clay Regazzoni, 6 City Escape, 2 511- DAME DE COMPAGNIE d,h (N Henderson) 8-10-5 N De Boinville 2 P-5F SHAUGHNESSY (Mrs A C Hamilton) 8-11-12
T Gillard (7)
7 Tundra, G For Gabrial, 10 Others. Betting 4-6 Dame De Compagnie, 5-4 Cornerstone Lad. 3 233 MADE FOR YOU (Olly Murphy) 6-11-8
F Gregory (3)
Last year No corresponding race. Last year Glinger Flame (8-10-12) Brian Hughes (15-8) N 4 148 DEQUALL (W Coltherd) 5-11-3
Sam Coltherd (3)
Richards, 5 ran. 5 3-7P THE OGLE GOGLE MAN d,t,p (I Jardine) 9-11-2
C O’Farrell
6 P54 CRANK EM UP d (S G West) 10-11-2 J Kington
FORM: DAME DE COMPAGNIE 5-1fav (10-12) Held up
7 PP4 CAIRNSHILL (Kenny Johnson) 10-11-1
Alison Johnson (7)
in touch, tracked leaders 3 out, shaken up to challenge
Going: Standard to slow. Draw: Low best in races up to a mile. TV: Sky Sports Racing. approaching last, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well, assert-
ed near finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl G3 (1)
8 457 FINAL FLING d,p (Mrs R Dobbin) 10-10-9
L Murtagh (3)
9 P03 WIND OF HOPE cd,p (A Whillans) 12-10-7
C Bewley
10 33-5 THE PINE MARTIN (M Hammond) 11-10-1
A Cawley
sft in Mar beating Black Tears (11-2) by 2 1/4l, 25 ran.
K Brogan (5)
1.45
1
SKY SPORTS RACING ON VIRGIN 535 ‘JUMPERS’
BUMPER’ NH FLAT (CLASS 4) of £7,200 for 4yo plus. 2m
9 CATFISH ROW (M Scudamore) 5-11-4 T Scudamore
2.50
SKY SPORTS ‘JUMPERS’ BUMPER’ NH FLAT RACE
(CLASS 5) of £3,800 for 4yo plus. 2m
1 4P1 JUMPING CATS cd,p (G L Moore) 6-11-10
CORNERSTONE LAD 10-3 (10-9) Held up, chased leader
11 45-9 MORE MADNESS d,p (N Alexander) 14-10-0
4th, close up 7th, ridden after 3 out, lost ground on leader 2 Betting 5-2 Made For You, 4 J’Ai Froid, 7 Final Fling, 8
Jamie Moore out, no extra from last, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Cheddleton (11- Shaughnessy, 12 Wind Of Hope, Cairnshill, Dequall, The
B Hughes
Pine Martin, 14 Others.
J Quinlan 2 5-P4 CHAMBARD (Miss V Williams) 9-11-4 C Deutsch 2 09P AGINCOURT REEF (R Teal) 12-11-4 T Cannon 4) at Haydock 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Dec.
G Carson (7) 3 747 DISTINGO d,v (G L Moore) 8-11-4 Joshua Moore Last year Emma Beag (9-11-8) Henry Brooke (5-1) Julia
3 802 ARONIUS (D Skelton) 6-11-4 H Skelton
RETRAINING OF RACEHORSES (ROR) HANDICAP CHASE Brooke, 9 ran.
J Williamson (7)
J Bowen
C Hammond (3)
4
5
6
P EZZRAH (M Attwater) 5-11-4
4 JERSEY WONDER (O Sherwood) 5-11-4
P MOBHAM (J R Jenkins) 6-11-4
N F Houlihan (7)
D Jacob
A Coleman
4 027 COMMANDER MILLER (Mrs D O’Neill) 7-11-4
5 PP0 DANDY TIMES (Joanne Thomason-Murphy) 8-11-4 A Thorne (5)
6 653 MEGALODON d,t (P Henderson) 8-11-4
G Sheehan
1.55
(CLASS 4) of £8,035 for 5yo plus. 3m 3f
P Brennan 1 P05 POLYDORA (Tom Lacey) 9-11-12
FORM: MADE FOR YOU 17-2 (11-7) Close up, headway
9th, ridden 3 out, headway approaching last, kept on one
B Hughes pace, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Juge Et Parti (12-0) at Fakenham
B Carver (3) 7 608/ MONJENI (I Williams) 8-11-4 C Todd (5)
7 P72 NOW CHILDREN (Alexandra Dunn) 7-11-4 C Deutsch 2 1-31 STRONG ECONOMY c (I Duncan) 9-11-9 D R Fox 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec. J’AI FROID 11-2 (11-11)
G Sheehan 8 17-1 SUPAKALANISTIC (N Twiston-Davies) 8-11-4 S Twiston-Davies
9 225- TIMBERMAN (F O’Brien) 6-11-4 P Brennan 8 080 NYE BEVAN (N Twiston-Davies) 6-11-4 J Neild (10) 3 85F SUTTON MANOR (Miss L Russell) 10-11-7 S Mulqueen (3) Soon chasing leaders on outside, went 2nd before 7th
B R Jones (3)
J M Davies 10 110 SUNRISE RUBY d (N Henderson) 7-10-11 J Bowen 9 775 SAY THE WORD (T R George) 5-11-4 C Gethings 4 212 SCOOP THE POT bf,t,p (B Haslam) 11-11-6 A Cawley mistake next, lost 2nd 4 out, plugged on, 4th of 8, well
R McLernon 11 68-2 WIN MY WINGS (Christian Williams) 8-10-11 Jack Tudor (3) 10 7-23 UNCLE O (Clare Hobson) 7-11-4 J McGrath 5 223 BUDDHA SCHEME (Miss L Russell) 7-11-2 B Campbell (3) behind Bushypark (10-7) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110
6 322 EVENT OF SIVOLA bf,p (M Walford) 7-10-8 T Dowson (4) hvy in Dec. FINAL FLING 12-1 (10-12) In rear, not much
M Bastyan (3) 12 0 NIGHT BEAR (A Carroll) 4-10-7 H Bannister 11 61-4 ZABEEL STAR d (I Jardine) 9-11-4 R Johnson
7 5-11 ASKING FOR ANSWERS c (M Todhunter) 8-10-5 D McMenamin (3) room 3 out, never involved, 7th of 13, 14l behind Cudgel
13 4P SERGEANT (M Harris) 4-10-7 K Jones (3) 12 823 CORRIE LAKE (Suzi Best) 8-10-11 D Jacob
C Brace (3) Betting 9-4 Scoop The Pot, 4 Asking For Answers, 9-2 (11-3) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec.
14 P EPSOM DREAMER (M Attwater) 4-10-0 Jamie Moore 13 P/77 SHANANDOA cd (D Brace) 10-10-11
SHAUGHNESSY 25-1 (11-9) Close up, ridden when fell 5
14 064 TIERRA VERDE d (Emma Lavelle) 10-10-11 B R Jones (3) Strong Economy, 7 Event Of Sivola, Buddha Scheme, 8
Betting 4 Jersey Wonder, 5 Timberman, 11-2 Polydora, 10 Sutton Manor. out, in a race won by Trimmers Lane (10-0) at Wetherby 3m
Supakalanistic, 6 Sunrise Ruby, 7 Chambard, 8 Night Bear, Betting 3 Jumping Cats, 11-2 Now Children, 6 Aronius, 8 Last year Donna’s Delight (9-11-9) R Mania (2-1) Fav A M nov hcp chs 0-105 (5) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
10 Win My Wings, Monjeni, 14 Others. Zabeel Star, 10 Tierra Verde, Megalodon, Say The Word, 12 Thomson, 7 ran.
FORM: JERSEY WONDER 13-2 (10-12) Chased leader, unti- Uncle O, Corrie Lake, 14 Others.
dy and pecked on landing 1st, not fluent 4th and soon shuf-
fled back to mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, kept on well
FORM: SCOOP THE POT 15-8fav (10-9) Prominent, pushed
along after 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, soon
ATTHERACES.COM ‘JUMPERS’ BUMPER’ NH FLAT RACE ridden, stayed on well flat, just held, 2nd of 8, nk behind
4.05
WATCH ON RACING TV STANDARD OPEN NH FLAT RACE
(GBB RACE) (CLASS 3) of £8,300 for 4yo to 6yo. 2m
J Bowen
G Sheehan
G Carson (7)
after the last to take 4th, 4th of 12, 27l behind Atholl Street
(11-4) at Taunton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec. TIMBERMAN
3.25
(DIV 1) (CLASS 4) of £5,000
1 8-82 AIR HAIR LAIR (Miss S West) 5-11-4
for 4yo plus. 2m Charlie Snow Angel (9-9) at Kelso 3m 2f amat hcap ch (4)
sft in Dec. ASKING FOR ANSWERS 3-1fav (11-1) In rear,
N F Houlihan (7) not fluent 2nd, closed after 5th, mistake and lost place 6th,
1 2-21 AVIEWTOSEA (G McPherson) 6-11-11
2
3
U-1 AHOY SENOR (Miss L Russell) 6-11-4
EVERYDAY CHAMPAGNE (N Richards) 5-11-4
M Kendrick (3)
D R Fox
B Hughes
7-2 (10-12) Prominent, chased easy winner before 2 out,
P Brennan 4 3-55 FABULEUX DU CLOS (S G West) 6-11-4 J Kington
soon ridden, never on terms, lost place before last, weak- 2 46 ATOMIC JACK (G Baker) 6-11-4 R Johnson headway approaching 14th, ridden in 5th and plenty to do
D Jacob 5 3 FORTESCUE WOOD (N Alexander) 6-11-4 G Cockburn (3)
ened flat, 5th of 13, 17l behind Fiddlerontheroof (10-12) at 3 570/ DIAMOND JOEL (Sarah Hollinshead) 9-11-4 Bryony Frost final bend, went 3rd last, stayed on well final 200 yards, led 6 PARISENCORE (N Richards) 5-11-4 R Day
J McGrath
Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) hvy in Dec ‘19. SUPAKALANISTIC 4 445 DONT GO GENTLE (N Twiston-Davies) 5-11-4 S Twiston-Davies towards finish, won going away, won at Hexham 3m hcp 7 FAODAIL (R M Smith) 5-10-11 R Mania
T J O’Brien 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec beating Flaming Glory (10-3) by 3l, 14
14-1 (11-4) Made all, went clear before 2 out, stayed on 5 658 FULL SPES (W Greatrex) 5-11-4 G Sheehan 8 K C BAILEY (A Whillans) 5-10-11 C Bewley
T Scudamore ran. STRONG ECONOMY 5-1 (11-0) Held up last, still plenty
strongly, unchallenged, won at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 6 813 MYSTIC DREAMER bf (N Gifford) 7-10-11 Tabitha Worsley (5)
Bryony Frost to do 4 out, headway on outside next, went 2nd 2 out, led Betting 3 Aviewtosea, 7-2 Everyday Champagne, 4 Ahoy
(4) gd in Nov beating The Domino Effect (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 7 834 RAVEN’S RAFT (Dave Roberts) 6-10-11 L Edwards and dived at last, soon joined, stayed on gamely to assert
A Coleman Senor, 6 Parisencore, 7 Fortescue Wood, 12 Faodail,
11 ran. SUNRISE RUBY 5-1 (10-7) Chased leaders out 8 333 SATURN ‘N SILK (M Scudamore) 6-10-11 T Scudamore towards finish, won at Ayr 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec Fabuleux Du Clos, 14 K C Bailey.
S Bowen
wide, weakened approaching 2 out, 12th of 14, 16l behind 9 74 ROYAUME UNI (G L Moore) 4-10-7 Joshua Moore beating Up Helly Aa King (11-5) by 1l, 6 ran.
J Quinlan Last year No corresponding race.
The White Mouse (10-1) at Wincanton 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl
A Anderson (7) Betting 3 Atomic Jack, 7-2 Dont Go Gentle, 5 Mystic
(2) gd in Nov.
D Bass
Dreamer, 6 Saturn ‘n Silk, 8 Royaume Uni, 10 Raven’s Raft,
2.20 YOUTUBE.COM/ATTHERACES ‘JUMPERS’ BUMPER’ NH Air Hair Lair, 12 Full Spes, 25 Diamond Joel.
FLAT RACE (CLASS 4) of £5,000 for 4yo plus. 2m RESULTS
1
2
518 DAREBIN cd,v (G L Moore) 9-11-4
3-06 DON’T ASK (A Hales) 8-11-4
Jamie Moore
S Twiston-Davies 3.55 ATTHERACES.COM ‘JUMPERS’ BUMPER’ NH FLAT RACE
(DIV 2) (CLASS 4) of £5,000 for 4yo plus. 2m SOUTHWELL 3.05 1 False Id P Dennis 13-2, 2 Maykir 13-8 fav, 3
Dramatista 3-1. 6 ran. 12l, 512l. D C Griffiths. Tote: Win
3
4
5
302 GOOD BYE (M Harris) 6-11-4
445 IMPHAL (G L Moore) 7-11-4
268 JACK THUNDER (C Mann) 7-11-4
M Bastyan (3)
Joshua Moore
H Bannister
1 877 ACE TIME (J R Jenkins) 7-11-4
2 123- DARLING ALKO d (Toby Bulgin) 8-11-4
A Coleman
J Quinlan
1.05 1 Fast Emma C Fallon 4-1, 2 Smokey Malone
9-1, 3 Katty D 9-4 fav. 10 ran. 1l, 114l. M Bell. Tote:
Win £3.60; £1.40, £1.20, £3.00. Exacta £49.30.
£6.60; £3.20, £1.30. Exacta £19.50. Trifecta: £64.50.
CSF £16.54. NR: Hammer Gun.
3.35 1 Requinto Dawn Connor Murtagh 9-1, 2
3 9P8 LORD HOWARD (Joanne Thomason-Murphy) 5-11-4 A Thorne (5) Tricast £100.96. Trifecta: £183.60. CSF £40.78. Alsvinder 11-2, 3 Katheefa 7-2 fav. 9 ran. 34l, ns. R
6 453 JARLATH d (J W Mullins) 10-11-4 K Jones (3) 1.35 1 Ghost Rider P J McDonald 2-7 fav, 2
4 97/0 LUCKY’S DREAM (I Williams) 6-11-4 T Scudamore Fahey. Tote: Win £11.20; £2.70, £2.00, £1.50. Exacta
J M Davies 7 113 KITTY’S LIGHT (Christian Williams) 5-11-4 Jack Tudor (3) Driftwood 8-1, 3 Mellys Flyer 14-1. 8 ran. 4l, nk.
5 00-0 PERFECT PERCY (N Twiston-Davies) 6-11-4 J Nailor (5) M Johnston. Tote: Win £1.10; £1.10, £1.70, £2.40. £63.20. Tricast £206.97. Trifecta: £313.10. CSF
8 0PP SEVERUS ALEXANDER (Clare Hobson) 5-11-4 J McGrath £57.84.
6 96P GETAWAY FLYER (D Brace) 8-10-11 C Brace (3) Exacta £4.80. Trifecta: £23.10. CSF £4.10.
9 36F SUNNY EXPRESS (W Greatrex) 6-11-4 Mr Caoilin Quinn (10) 4.05 1 Motawaafeq A Rawlinson 7-1, 2 Nordic Fire
7 6P5/ GETAWAY HONEY d (Kayley Woollacott) 9-10-11 H Cobden 2.05 1 Thrave Frederick Larson 10-3, 2 Defence
H Skelton 10 32-1 ZOLTAN VARGA (Miss S West) 7-11-4 J Best Treaty 5-1, 3 Parallel World 5-2 fav. 6 ran. 34l, nk. 13-2, 3 Iva Reflection 9-1. 11 ran. 1l, ns. M Appleby.
11 233 GETARIVER bf,d,h,t (D Skelton) 8-10-11 H Skelton 8 13P VEGAS BLUE d (N Henderson) 6-10-11 J McGrath Tote: Win £8.10; £2.30, £1.80, £2.80. Exacta £55.70.
M Appleby. Tote: Win £4.30; £2.10, £2.10. Exacta
12 566 NORTHERN PRINCESS d,p (Mrs L Wadham) 7-10-11 Bryony Frost 9 3P ISAYALITTLEPRAYER (G L Moore) 4-10-0 Jamie Moore £20.10. Trifecta: £65.30. CSF £20.28. NR: Headland. Tricast £430.73. Trifecta: £459.10. CSF £52.05. NR:
2.35 1 Notation O Stammers 5-4 fav, 2 Chipiron De Little Engine.
Betting 11-4 Getariver, 6 Kitty’s Light, 7 Darebin, 8 Sunny Betting 13-8 Vegas Blue, 9-4 Lucky’s Dream, 6 17-2, 3 Mukha Magic 3-1. 5 ran. 412l, 5l. M Johnston. Placepot: £40.20
Express, Northern Princess, 10 Good Bye, Zoltan Varga, 12 Isayalittleprayer, 8 Getaway Honey, 10 Darling Alko, 20 Ace Tote: Win £1.90; £1.10, £3.30. Exacta £9.20. Trifecta: Quadpot: £28.70
Don’t Ask, Imphal, 14 Others. Time, Perfect Percy, 25 Getaway Flyer, 50 Lord Howard. £24.40. CSF £11.83. Kelso meeting abandoned due to frost

Wilson cool
ahead of his
leap into the
unknown
Coach plays waiting game
over fixtures and players
STUART
BATHGATE
at Scotstoun
A
COACH invariably
knows when his next
match will be and
which players he will
have available for it. Right now,
Danny Wilson knows neither.
The Glasgow coach is not
overly perturbed by this
situation, deeming it to be just
another awkward aspect of a
season which has already been
liberally strewn with unusual
obstacles. But, as he tries to
build on the many positives
of his team’s 23-22 win over
Edinburgh at the weekend,
Wilson knows his task is
certainly not being made any
easier by those uncertainties
about fixtures and personnel.
Richard Cockerill’s team have
a PRO14 game against Zebre
in Parma on Saturday then a
re-arranged match against the
Dragons in mid-February. By
contrast, the Warriors have been
Injured McInally may miss Six Nations opener
STUART BATHGATE
S C O T L A N D c o ach G r e gor
Townsend faces an anxious
wait before learning if Stuart
McInally will be fit for the
start of the Six Nations after
the hooker missed Edinburgh’s
loss to Glasgow at the weekend
because of a neck strain.
With the Warriors’ Fraser
Brown already ruled out of the
whole Championship because of
a neck injury, losing McInally
1872 CUP
unable to reschedule their game
against Benetton, apparently
because of the Italian team’s
unwillingness to travel at a
time when the Covid pandemic
continues to worsen, and like
every other team in the league
are waiting for the PRO14 to
confirm the remaining regular
season fixtures.
Two years ago, Glasgow won
seven league games on the trot
from late January in a season
which ended with them reaching
the final. Their poor autumn
form means they will not get
close to doing that this season,
but Wilson is nonetheless
hopeful that they will hit a good
vein of consistent form once they
get a run of games. Or rather, if
they get a run of games.
“At the moment we’ve been
told we won’t be playing next
week or the next two weeks
and then there’s a bit of a
debate,” he said. “I think
we’re planning to play the re-
arranged game against Treviso
in three or four weeks’ time.
I’m hoping that comes as soon
as possible, because we don’t
want a backlog and we want to
be able to roll on after a win.”
would stretch the national
team’s resources. Edinburgh
coach Richard Cockerill said
after his team’s 23-22 defeat
that he hoped McInally would
only be sidelined for two weeks,
but admitted it could be a
longer-term problem.
“At this point I’ve no idea,
but hopefully yes,” Cockerill
said when asked if McInally’s
absence would only be for a
fortnight. We’re hoping it’s not
a long-term injury, but we’ll
We don’t want
a backlog. We
want to be
able to roll on
after a win
have to see. We’re still waiting
for him to see a specialist to see
what exactly the issue is.”
Townsend will announce his
squad for the Six Nations on
Wednesday, with Scotland’s
opening fixture being away
to England on February 6. If
McInally is ruled out, Glasgow’s
George Turner will be a firm
favourite to start in the No.2
jersey, with back-up coming
from his team-mate Grant
Stewart or Leicester’s Jake
Sport/Monday, January 18, 2021
The major difficulty for
Wilson and for Cockerill in
the autumn was the lack
of players being released
back by Scotland during
the extended international
window. The desire to adhere
to Covid protocols was part
of the reason for that, but
the pro teams’ coaches were
not helped by the PRO14’s
decision to stage games on a
Monday night.
With league matches
now set to be held over the
weekend again, Wilson hopes
it will be easier for Scotland
coach Gregor Townsend to let
players return to their clubs
when they are not needed
Kerr, both of whom have just one
cap. Edinburgh’s David Cherry,
who has previously been called
into the national squad but has
yet to win a cap, could also come
into consideration.
Edinburgh flanker Jamie
Ritchie missed the 1872 Cup
match after sustaining a head
knock in training, and he will
have to pass his concussion
protocols before being allowed
to resume. Glasgow loosehead
Oli Kebble is in the same
31
Danny Wilson is hoping he will
have better access to
Glasgow’s Scotland players
than in the autumn
on any given Six Nations
weekend.
“I’ve had conversations with
Gregor,” he said. “Gregor has
his plans in place and there’s
still a bit of uncertainty about
the Six Nations generally and
what the rules and regulations
are going to be. I think they’re
still putting that together.
“I’m anticipating that there
will be chunks of time when
players are kept together [by
Scotland], though maybe not in
as big a squad. That’s my hope.
But we’ll have to wait and see.
“For me it’s a tough one,
because you understand that
the money needs to come
back into international rugby
because that’s the lifeblood of
us as a sport. But at the same
time, with your Glasgow hat on
you can’t be without that many
players for that long.”
Asked if he thought
Townsend would feel able to
allow players to drop in and
out of the national squad more
than they did during the
autumn, Wilson was optimistic.
“I think he will, for the reason
that he will want players to
be getting games. If we’re not
playing on Monday nights that
will help. The Monday night
fixtures give us a problem
because of the testing process.
“Then there’s the testing
itself. Will everyone be kept in
a bubble? There are all these
different permutations at the
moment. I’ve got to a stage this
season where you’re better off
just waiting for confirmation.”
Although he has now secured
the services of Duncan Weir
for next season, Wilson still
hopes to sign a stand-off with
immediate effect given the
injuries that have ruled out
Adam Hastings and Pete
Horne. He declined to confirm
his target was Ian Keatley,
who is now a free agent after
being released by Benetton,
but did suggest that the more
players who were called up
and retained by Scotland next
month, the more he would have
to recruit either on loan or as
short-term signings.
boat, having injured his head
in training on Thursday, as
is Warriors second-row Scott
Cummings, who was unable to
finish Saturday’s game after
failing a head injury assessment.
Edinburgh lock Ben Toolis
was a late withdrawal from
the visitors’ squad after feeling
the effects of a toe injury, but
he could be passed fit for his
team’s rearranged PRO14
match against Zebre in Parma
on Saturday.
32 Sport/Monday, January 18, 2021
Mackay-Steven brings
Gary Mackay-Steven holds off Alloa’s Lucas Williamson on his Hearts debut, a second-half showing where he impressed on the wing
bag of tricks for Irving
ALISON
MCCONNELL
at The Indodrill
Stadium
G
ARY Mackay-Steven
infamously took a dip
in a Glasgow river
one evening but even
on the back of a second-half
showing against Alloa on
Saturday, there is every
indication that he will be a big
fish in a small pond in the
Championship for the latter
half of this campaign.
If the winger’s most recent
football itinerary had a touch
of glamour – New York,
Miama, Florida – his return
to Scottish football at the
Indodrill stadium with the
bright lights of Lidl and KFC
gleaming brightly in the
background was quite the
descent to earth.
His first appearance on a
football pitch since November,
Mackay-Steven played the
second period of a comfortable
win for Hearts where most of
the hard work was done by
the break. Two cracking goals
from Andy Irving and Elliott
Frear in the final 10 minutes
of the first half set the tone for
the day.
Alloa kid Lucas Williamson
was sent off, harshly, for a
second booking after clashing
with Mackay-Steven and
although Kevin Cawley
pulled a goal back for the
hosts to prompt a late burst
of intensity, Josh Ginnelly’s
goal came after Alloa had
committed goalkeeper and all
to a final attack.
Mackay-Steven was running
out of puff before the final
whistle but his pace and
trickery suggest he will
augment what is already a
strong Hearts pool. Certainly,
20-year-old Irving is confident
of benefitting from his
experience.
“He’ll be a good signing
for us,” he said. “He brings
something totally different
with a bit of trickery and
confidence as well. We need
players that can do something
different with a bit of skill and
We need players
that can do
something different
SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP
unlock the defence, at home
and away.”
If MacKay-Steven caught
the eye on one flank, Ginnelly
offered similar encouragement
on the other. It is early days
yet for the on-loan Preston
winger who has started just
two league games but he
brought a directness and a pace
that suggests there is more to
come from him. Consistency
will be key in that respect
but certainly with a seven-
point lead at the top of the
Championship it looks like a
fairly steady course for Robbie
Neilson’s side as they look for a
return to the top flight.
Irving’s opening goal when
he curled an effort from outside
of the box into the net was
impressive too and underlines
the confidence within the
Tynecastle side. The midfielder
was applauded by his manager
after the game for his attitude
and willingness to learn with
the player keen to continue his
education this term. “The run
of games that I’ve had from
Morton onwards has helped
me,” he said.
“Every game I think I’ve
improved at things but also
maybe made mistakes in other
positions where I need make
improvements in as well. But
the more I play, the more I feel
I’ll get better.”
Irving is out of contract at
the end of this season but has
maintained that his focus
needs to be on on-field matters
for now.
“I just need to keep
concentrating on my football
and I’m sure it’ll get sorted
out when the time comes,” he
said. “All I want to focus on
is playing football to the best
of my ability and helping the
team win. Hopefully at the
end of the season we reach our
objective of getting out of this
league.
“I need to work on everything
really! I’m only 20 so I’ve got a
lot to learn and get better at.
Physicality is definitely one of
them. The guys that we have,
Mikey [Williams] and Bob
[McCunn] helping us in the
gym is great for the younger
players because physicality is
such a big part of the game
now.”
Gardiner:
ICT want
to play on
SCOT Gardiner insists Inver-
ness Caley Thistle are desper-
ate for the campaign to con-
tinue – because they want the
chance to win promotion back
to the Premiership that they
were denied last season.
The Highlanders chief exec-
utive has criticised the SFA for
‘misrepresenting’ their views on
suspending the Championship af-
ter they found themselves at the
centre of a row over the weekend.
Manager John Robertson’s
questioning of the motivation
for continuing the second-tier
in the face of growing Covid-19
safety concerns led to SFA chief
executive Ian Maxwell writing
to all Championship clubs to
ask if they wanted to call a tem-
porary halt to the fixture list.
But Gardiner has made it clear
Robertson’s ‘ruminating’ was
not the club’s official stance and
they are fully behind the deci-
sion to play on.
Gardiner said: “Last year we
were misrepresented and they
were saying we were doing it
for one side, and this time we’re
misrepresented and it looks like
we’re doing it for another side.
“Really, all we wanted to do
was not have Inverness’ name
taken in vain.
“I have no problem, I don’t
think any club will ever have
a problem, with Ian or anyone
else calling us and saying, ‘we
read this, are you guys fully on
board?’.
“We were denied the chance
last year to get promoted. We
were in second place and it
wasn’t anyone’s fault, we were
just denied that chance.
“We are desperate to get pro-
moted this year. We’ve got a lot
of games in hand but if we win
them we’re right back in the mix.
“The main thing that got us,
and why it caused us such anxi-
ety, was because we were being
represented as not wanting the
game to go ahead, as opposed to
the other nine clubs, potential-
ly. That’s not fair on Inverness.”
He told the BBC: “We’re hap-
py for the League or the SFA to
call us, that’s what we need more
of. Pick up the phone, give us a
quick call, we’re always available
and we can say, ‘we’re fine’.”
Iain Collin
Inverness chief Scot Gardiner
 FOOTBALL RESULTS Sport/Monday, January 18, 2021 33
SPFL PREMIERSHIP P W D L F A Pts Sheffield United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 3 P W D L F A Pts GERMANY. BUNDESLIGA

Fixtures
Celtic 0 Livingston 0 Hearts 11 9 0 2 33 14 27 McGoldrick 59 Aurier 5 Lincoln City 21 13 3 5 32 18 42 Borussia Dortmund 1 Mainz 1
Dunfermline Athletic 11 5 5 1 20 13 20 Kane 40 Hull City 21 12 3 6 33 20 39 Cologne 0 Hertha Berlin 0
Celtic Hazard, Ralston, Bitton, Duffy, Laxalt, McGregor, Dundee 11 5 4 2 22 20 19 Ndombele 62 Portsmouth 20 11 5 4 33 15 38 Hoffenheim 0 Arminia Bielefeld 0
Soro, Frimpong, Turnbull, Johnston (Henderson 66), Morton 11 4 4 3 10 13 16 Kick off 7.45 unless stated
Sheffield United Ramsdale, Basham (Sharp 74), Egan, Doncaster Rovers 19 11 3 5 34 21 36
Rogic (Okoflex 80). Subs: Taylor, Connell, Robertson, Raith Rovers 9 4 3 2 21 11 15 Stuttgart 2 Borussia M’gladbach2
Doohan, Harper, Welsh, Dembele Booked Ralston 29 Ampadu, Bogle, Lundstram, Norwood (Bryan 67), Fleck, Peterborough United 20 11 3 6 33 20 36 TODAY
Ayr United 11 3 4 4 16 16 13 Charlton Athletic 22 10 6 6 34 28 36 Werder Bremen 2 Augsburg 0
Stevens, McGoldrick, Burke (Brewster 71). Subs: Premier League
Livingston Stryjek, Devlin, Ambrose, Guthrie, Brown, Inverness CT 9 3 3 3 15 12 12 Ipswich Town 20 11 2 7 26 22 35 Wolfsburg 2 RB Leipzig 2
Queen of the South 12 3 2 7 17 29 11 Baldock, Lowe, Jagielka, Foderingham Booked Norwood Arsenal v Newcastle (8.00).
Lawson, Bartley, Mullin, Pitman, Sibbald (Forrest 62), Sunderland 20 8 9 3 27 15 33 Yesterday
Robinson (Hamilton 76). Subs: McCrorie, Fitzwater, Alloa Athletic 12 2 2 8 12 28 8 23, Lundstram 50, Egan 86, Ampadu 90 Accrington Stanley 18 10 3 5 25 18 33 Bayern Munich 2 Freiburg 1 TOMORROW
Emmanuel-Thomas, Serrano, McMillan, Tiffoney, Taylor- Arbroath 11 1 3 7 7 17 6 Tottenham Hotspur Lloris, Rodon, Dier, Davies, Aurier, The Emirates FA CUP - Third round
Crewe Alexandra 22 9 5 8 29 25 32 Eintracht Frankfurt 3 Schalke 04 1
Sinclair Booked Bartley 67, Lawson 84 SPFL LEAGUE 1 Ndombele, Hojbjerg, Reguilon (Sanchez 90), Bergwijn Fleetwood Town 21 8 5 8 28 19 29 Southampton v Shrewsbury (8.00).
Referee J Beaton (Lucas Moura 87), Kane, Son (Vinicius 90). Subs: Gillingham 22 9 2 11 24 27 29 Premier League
P W D L F A Pts
P W D L F A Pts Alderweireld, Bale, Lamela, Hart, Sissoko, Fernandes Oxford United 20 8 4 8 30 27 28 Leicester v Chelsea (8.15), West Ham
Hamilton Academical0 Dundee United 0 Falkirk 11 6 3 2 18 8 21 Bayern Munich 16 11 3 2 48 25 36 v West Brom (6.00).
Referee A Marriner Blackpool 21 8 4 9 21 24 28
Hamilton Academical Fulton, Hamilton, Martin, Easton, Cove Rangers 11 6 1 4 15 9 19 RB Leipzig 16 9 5 2 28 14 32 Sky Bet Championship
Plymouth Argyle 22 7 6 9 29 38 27
Hodson, Odofin, Stirling, McMann, Callachan, Smith Montrose 11 5 3 3 19 15 18 P W D L F A Pts Bayer Leverkusen 16 8 5 3 30 16 29 Blackburn v Swansea (7.00), Derby v
Milton Keynes Dons 22 6 7 9 26 28 25
(Winter 76), Moyo (Ogboe 68). Subs: Trafford, Stanger, Airdrieonians 10 5 1 4 17 11 16 Manchester United 18 11 4 3 34 24 37 Shrewsbury Town 20 5 9 6 21 25 24 Borussia Dortmund 16 9 2 5 32 20 29 AFC Bournemouth (6.00), Reading v
Mimnaugh, Munro, Gourlay, Owolabi, Johnson Booked Partick Thistle 10 4 3 3 9 6 15 Manchester City 17 10 5 2 29 13 35 Union Berlin 16 7 7 2 32 20 28 Coventry (6.00), Rotherham v Stoke,
East Fife 9 4 1 4 12 13 13 Rochdale 21 5 7 9 33 40 22
Hamilton 87 Leicester City 18 11 2 5 33 21 35 Bristol Rovers 19 6 4 9 20 28 22 Wolfsburg 16 6 8 2 24 19 26 Watford v Barnsley.
Dundee United Siegrist, Neilson, Connolly, Reynolds, L Peterhead 11 4 1 6 10 13 13 Sky Bet League One
Dumbarton 9 3 2 4 5 10 11 Liverpool 18 9 7 2 37 21 34 Northampton Town 21 6 4 11 19 36 22 Eintracht Frankfurt 16 6 8 2 28 24 26
Smith, Clark, Powers, Harkes, Robson, Appere (McNulty Tottenham Hotspur 18 9 6 3 33 17 33 AFC Wimbledon 21 5 6 10 25 36 21 Borussia M’gladbach 16 6 7 3 30 26 25 Blackpool v Northampton (7.00),
Clyde 8 3 0 5 9 19 9
58), Shankland. Subs: Sporle, Pawlett, Edwards, Forfar Athletic 10 1 3 6 5 15 6 Everton 17 10 2 5 28 21 32 Wigan Athletic 21 5 5 11 24 38 20 Freiburg 16 6 5 5 29 26 23 Crewe v Bristol Rovers (7.00),
Mehmet, Bolton, Fotheringham, Mochrie, K Smith Booked Chelsea 18 8 5 5 33 21 29 Swindon Town 22 6 2 14 29 45 20 Doncaster v Rochdale (7.00), Hull v
SPFL LEAGUE 2 Stuttgart 16 5 7 4 32 24 22 Accrington Stanley (5.30), Lincoln
Neilson 45, McNulty 70, Reynolds 90 Southampton 18 8 5 5 26 21 29 Burton Albion 24 3 7 14 29 51 16
Augsburg 16 5 4 7 17 25 19 City v Gillingham (7.00), Milton
Referee G Aitken P W D L F A Pts West Ham United 18 8 5 5 25 21 29 SKY BET LEAGUE TWO Werder Bremen 16 4 6 6 19 24 18
Aston Villa 15 8 2 5 29 16 26 Keynes Dons v Fleetwood Town
Hibernian 2 Kilmarnock 0 Queen’s Park 9 7 2 0 18 5 23 Barrow 1 Scunthorpe United 0 Hertha Berlin 16 4 5 7 23 25 17 (7.00), Peterborough v Charlton
Power 52 (og) Elgin City 9 6 0 3 18 9 18 Arsenal 18 7 3 8 20 19 24
Kay 58 Hoffenheim 16 4 4 8 22 30 16 (6.30), Portsmouth v AFC Wimbledon
Gogic 80 Stranraer 10 5 3 2 19 11 18 Leeds United 18 7 2 9 30 34 23
Stirling Albion 9 5 3 1 16 10 18 Crystal Palace 19 6 5 8 22 33 23 Bolton Wanderers 1 Cheltenham Town 1 Arminia Bielefeld 16 4 2 10 10 24 14 (7.00), Sunderland v Plymouth (7.00).
Hibernian Macey, McGinn, Porteous, Hanlon, Doig, Gogic, Doyle 86 May 54 Cologne 16 2 6 8 13 27 12 Sky Bet League Two
Edinburgh City 9 4 1 4 20 13 13 Wolverhampton 19 6 4 9 21 29 22
Hallberg, Boyle (Cadden 83), Irvine (Doidge 74), Murphy Stenhousemuir 9 3 3 3 14 16 12 Newcastle United 17 5 4 8 18 27 19 Bradford City P Crawley Town P Mainz 16 1 4 11 15 34 7 Cheltenham v Newport County (7.00),
(Gullan 90), Nisbet (Mallan 90). Subs: Gray, Wright, Annan Athletic 10 2 2 6 9 15 8 Schalke 04 16 1 4 11 13 42 7 Crawley Town v Stevenage (7.00),
Brighton & Hove Albion 19 3 8 8 22 29 17 Postponed - due to frozen pitch.
Stevenson, Dabrowski, McGregor Cowdenbeath 8 2 1 5 6 15 7 Morecambe v Walsall (7.00),
Burnley 17 4 4 9 9 22 16 Colchester United 1 Cambridge Utd 1 FRANCE. LIGUE 1
Kilmarnock Rogers, McGowan (Dabo 80), Dikamona, Albion Rovers 8 2 0 6 9 20 6 Southend v Cambridge Utd (7.00),
Fulham 17 2 6 9 14 25 12 Taylor 39 (og) Knibbs 12 Tranmere v Forest Green (7.00),
Findlay, Haunstrup, Mulumbu, Pinnock, Power, Tshibola Brechin City 9 1 1 7 5 24 4 Angers 0 PSG 1
West Bromwich Alb 18 2 5 11 14 41 11 Harrogate Town v Exeter (6.30).
(Burke 60), Kiltie, Whitehall (Kabamba 60). Subs: Doyle, PREMIER LEAGUE Forest Green 1 Port Vale 1 Marseille 1 Nimes 2
Sheffield United 19 1 2 16 10 32 5
Waters, Cameron, Brindley, Taylor Booked Power 79 Cadden 20 Rodney 76 Yesterday WEDNESDAY 20 JANUARY
Fulham 0 Chelsea 1 SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP
Referee W Collum Mount 78 Grimsby 0 Southend United 0 Brest 1 Rennes 2 The Scottish Premiership
Ross County 4 Aberdeen 1 Fulham Areola, Aina (Bryan 83), Andersen, Adarabioyo, AFC Bournemouth 0 Luton 1 Harrogate Town P Exeter City P Lille 2 Reims 1 Livingston v Celtic (8.15).
Shaw 1, 84 Iacovitti 45 (og) Tete, Reid (Kamara 83), Reed, Zambo, Robinson, Ivan Dewsbury-Hall 67 Postponed - new date to be confirmed. Lorient P Dijon P Premier League
Lakin 20 Cavaleiro (Onomah 79), Lookman. Subs: Hector, Odoi, Barnsley 0 Swansea City 2 Lyon L Metz L Fulham v Man Utd (8.15), Man City v
Leyton Orient 2 Morecambe 0 Aston Villa (8.15).
Hylton 90 Kebano, Rodak, Ream Sent off Robinson 44, Booked Reid Cabango 45 Nantes 1 Lens 1
69, Lookman 88 Knight-Percival 88 (og) Sky Bet Championship
Ross County Laidlaw, Naismith, Morris, Iacovitti, Randall, Lowe 55 Angol 90 Nice 0 Bordeaux 3
Chelsea Mendy, Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Rudiger, Birmingham v Preston North End,
Paton, Vigurs, Lakin, Charles-Cook (Draper 65), Shaw Blackburn Rovers 1 Stoke City 1 Mansfield Town P Carlisle United P Strasbourg 1 St Etienne 0 Brentford v Luton (7.00), Cardiff v
Chilwell, Kovacic, Jorginho (Abraham 65), Mount,
(McKay 88), Hylton. Subs: Andreu, Gardyne, Watson, Ziyech (Hudson-Odoi 75), Giroud (Werner 75), Pulisic. Buckley 76 Powell 38 QPR (7.00), Huddersfield v Millwall
Postponed - new date to be confirmed.
Kelly, Tillson, Munro, Reid Booked Morris 49, Charles- Subs: Arrizabalaga, Zouma, Gilmour, James, Havertz, Bristol City 2 Preston North End 0 P W D L F A Pts (7.00), Norwich v Bristol City (6.00),
Cook 59, Shaw 87 Newport County 0 Salford City 0 PSG 20 13 3 4 44 11 42
Emerson Palmieri Booked Ziyech 72, Thiago Silva 82, Diedhiou 8 Nottm Forest v Middlesbrough (7.00).
Aberdeen Lewis, Hoban, Taylor (Logan 31), Considine, Azpilicueta 90 Vyner 77 Stevenage Borough 0 Tranmere Rovers 0 Lille 20 12 6 2 35 15 42
Hayes (Ngwenya 64), McCrorie, Ferguson, Kennedy, Referee P Bankes Walsall 1 Oldham Athletic 1 Lyon 19 11 7 1 39 18 40
THURSDAY 21 JANUARY
Cardiff City 1 Norwich City2 Premier League
Wright, Main (Anderson 76), Cosgrove. Subs: Ojo, Leeds United 0 Brighton & HA 1 Jules 45 Keillor-Dunn 75 Monaco 20 11 3 6 39 29 36
Ralls 65 Hanley 3 Liverpool v Burnley (8.00).
McGinn, McLennan, Campbell, Virtanen, Woods Maupay 17 Cantwell 22 Rennes 20 10 6 4 30 22 36
Referee B Madden Leeds United Casilla, Dallas, Ayling, Cooper, Alioski P W D L F A Pts FRIDAY 22 JANUARY
Coventry City P Sheffield Wednesday P Carlisle United 21 12 3 6 32 20 39 Marseille 18 9 5 4 26 18 32
St Johnstone 1 St Mirren 0 (Hernandez 67), Struijk, Harrison, Rodrigo (Roberts 62), Angers 20 9 3 8 25 31 30 The Scottish Championship
Klich, Raphinha (Poveda-Ocampo 75), Bamford. Subs: Postponed - new date to be confirmed. Newport County 21 11 6 4 31 21 39 Arbroath v Dundee.
Kane 46 Cambridge Utd 23 11 5 7 36 22 38 Bordeaux 20 8 5 7 23 21 29
Llorente, Helder Costa, Davis, Caprile, Shackleton, Derby County 0 Rotherham United 1 The Emirates FA Cup -
St Johnstone Clark, Kerr, Gordon, McCart, Rooney, Bryson Jenkins Booked Ayling 42 Forest Green 22 10 8 4 28 19 38 Lens 19 8 4 7 29 29 28
Lindsay 86 Fourth round
(Craig 88), McCann, Tanser, Wotherspoon (Davidson Brighton & HA Sanchez, Webster, Dunk, Burn, Veltman, Salford City 23 10 7 6 29 17 37 Montpellier 20 8 4 8 33 35 28 Chorley v Wolverhampton.
68), Melamed (May 68), Kane (Hendry 82). Subs: White, Gross, March, Trossard (Tau 73), Mac Allister Middlesbrough 0 Birmingham City 1 Cheltenham Town 22 10 6 6 31 22 36 Brest 20 8 2 10 31 36 26 Sky Bet Championship
Conway, Parish, Booth Booked Tanser 65, Davidson 85 (Bissouma 62), Maupay (Propper 81). Subs: Alzate, Hogan 26 Leyton Orient 23 11 3 9 34 26 36 Metz 19 6 7 6 20 18 25 Stoke v Watford.
St Mirren Alnwick, Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy, Tait, Zeqiri, Walton, Sanders, Khadra, Jenks Booked Webster Nottingham Forest 3 Millwall 1 Crawley Town 22 9 7 6 34 28 34 Strasbourg 20 7 2 11 29 32 23 Sky Bet League Two
MacPherson, Doyle-Hayes, McGrath, Connolly (Erhahon 71 Ameobi 34, 70 Thompson 89 Morecambe 21 10 4 7 27 32 34 Salford City v Harrogate Town (7.00).
Nice 19 6 5 8 22 28 23
60), Brophy (C Quaner 68 (McAllister 87)), Erwin (Obika Referee K Friend Yates 83 Exeter City 20 8 8 4 41 27 32 Kick off 3.00 unless stated
Walsall 23 7 10 6 28 31 31 Reims 20 5 6 9 28 31 21
87). Subs: Flynn, Durmus, Foley, Dennis, Lyness Booked Leicester City 2 Southampton 0 Queens Park Rangers P Wycombe Wanderers P
MacPherson 45 Sent off MacPherson 56 Maddison 37 Colchester United 22 7 9 6 28 30 30 St Etienne 20 4 7 9 20 30 19 SATURDAY 23 JANUARY
Barnes 90 Postponed - new date to be confirmed. Mansfield Town 23 6 11 6 31 30 29 Nantes 20 3 9 8 20 32 18 Betfred League Cup - Semi-final
Referee S McLean
Leicester City Schmeichel, Castagne, Fofana (Soyuncu Reading P Brentford P Port Vale 24 8 5 11 33 34 29 Nimes 20 4 3 13 16 41 15 St Johnstone v Hibernian (5.30).
YESTERDAY 53), Evans, Justin, Ndidi, Tielemans, Albrighton, Postponed - new date to be confirmed. Tranmere Rovers 21 8 5 8 23 25 29 Dijon 19 2 8 9 12 26 14 The Scottish Premiership
Motherwell 1 Rangers 1 Maddison (Perez 77), Barnes, Vardy (Iheanacho 90). Oldham Athletic 23 8 4 11 36 41 28 Lorient 19 3 3 13 20 38 12 Aberdeen v Motherwell, Rangers v
Watford 2 Huddersfield Town 0 Bolton Wanderers 23 7 7 9 27 35 28 Ross County.
Cole 21 Itten 72 Subs: Ward, Amartey, Under, Ricardo Pereira, Mendy,
Thomas Booked Fofana 15, Albrighton 45 Cleverley 54 Harrogate Town 21 7 4 10 22 26 25 PORTUGAL. PRIMEIRA LIGA The Scottish Championship
Motherwell Kelly, O’Donnell, Mugabi, Gallagher, Carroll, Joao Pedro 64 Guimaraes P Farense P
Southampton McCarthy, Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Bradford City 21 6 6 9 20 25 24 Dunfermline v Ayr, Hearts v Raith,
Campbell, Crawford (Maguire 84), Polworth (Lamie 80),
Stephens, Bertrand, Armstrong, Diallo (Valery 87), Barrow 23 5 8 10 30 32 23 Pacos Ferreira 2 Braga 0 Inverness CT v Alloa, Queen of South
Seedorf (Maciver 70), Cole, Watt (Lawless 70). Subs: P W D L F A Pts Scunthorpe United 23 7 2 14 22 34 23 v Morton.
Ward-Prowse, Smallbone (N’Lundulu 61), Walcott, Tondela 3 Boavista 1
McGinley, White, Morrison, Devine, Johnston Booked Adams (Long 72). Subs: Watts, Vokins, Forster, Ferry, Norwich City 24 15 5 4 33 21 50 Stevenage Borough 21 4 9 8 16 22 21 The Emirates FA CUP - Fourth
Yesterday
Carroll 50, Cole 65, Lawless 74 Tchaptchet, Chauke Booked Diallo 44, Bertrand 59 Swansea City 24 13 7 4 29 13 46 Grimsby 24 5 6 13 19 40 21 round
Rangers McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun, Barisic, AFC Bournemouth 24 11 9 4 38 20 42 Gil Vicente L Maritimo L
Referee S Attwell Southend United 22 5 5 12 14 33 20 Cheltenham v Man City (5.30), AFC
Kamara, Davis, Aribo, Hagi (Itten 55), Morelos (Defoe Brentford 22 11 8 3 36 21 41 Nacional 0 Moreirense 1
West Ham United 1 Burnley 0 SPAIN. PRIMERA LIGA Bournemouth v Crawley Town,
83), Kent (Barker 88). Subs: Bassey, Helander, Zungu, Watford 23 11 7 5 27 17 40 Santa Clara L Famalicao L Swansea v Nottm Forest, Barnsley v
Antonio 9
Patterson, Stewart, McLaughlin Booked Hagi 47 Reading 23 12 4 7 34 28 40 Guimaraes L Farense L Norwich, Millwall v Bristol City,
West Ham United Fabianski, Coufal, Dawson, Ogbonna, P W D L F A Pts
Referee D Robertson Cresswell, Soucek, Rice, Bowen (Yarmolenko 82), Middlesbrough 23 10 6 7 28 19 36 Atletico Madrid 15 12 2 1 29 6 38 Brighton v Blackpool, Sheff Utd v
Benrahma (Lanzini 68), Fornals, Antonio. Subs: Alves, Stoke City 24 9 9 6 27 23 36 P W D L F A Pts Plymouth, West Ham v Doncaster,
Real Madrid 18 11 4 3 30 15 37
P W D L F A Pts Noble, Diop, Fredericks, Johnson, Randolph, Odubeko Bristol City 23 11 3 9 25 24 36 Barcelona 18 10 4 4 37 17 34 Sporting 14 11 3 0 31 9 36 Southampton/Shrewsbury v Arsenal
Rangers 24 21 3 0 60 7 66 Booked Soucek 73, Ogbonna 83 Barnsley 24 10 4 10 27 31 34 Villarreal 18 8 8 2 26 17 32 FC Porto 14 10 2 2 36 17 32 (12.15).
Celtic 21 13 6 2 46 16 45 Burnley Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters, Blackburn Rovers 24 9 6 9 39 28 33 Sevilla 16 9 3 4 21 13 30 Benfica 14 10 2 2 29 14 32 Premier League
Hibernian 24 11 7 6 33 24 40 Gudmundsson (McNeil 46), Westwood, Brownhill, Brady, Luton 24 9 6 9 21 26 33 Real Sociedad 19 8 6 5 29 16 30 Braga 14 9 0 5 23 15 27 Aston Villa v Newcastle (8.00).
Aberdeen 22 11 6 5 29 24 39 Wood (Rodriguez 72), Barnes (Vydra 63). Subs: Cork, Preston North End 24 10 2 12 30 33 32 Granada 17 7 3 7 19 29 24 Pacos Ferreira 14 7 4 3 19 12 25 Sky Bet Championship
Livingston 22 9 4 9 28 27 31 Stephens, Norris, Bardsley, Long, Benson Booked Barnes 63 Huddersfield Town 24 9 4 11 28 34 31 Celta Vigo 18 6 5 7 22 28 23 Guimaraes 12 6 2 4 15 12 20 QPR v Derby.
Dundee United 24 6 10 8 19 29 28 Referee C Kavanagh Cardiff City 23 8 5 10 30 27 29 Cadiz 18 6 5 7 15 22 23 Sky Bet League One
Moreirense 14 4 5 5 11 15 17
Kilmarnock 23 7 3 13 24 28 24 Wolverhampton 2 West Brom 3 Millwall 23 5 11 7 20 24 26 Athletic Bilbao 18 6 3 9 21 22 21 Charlton v Swindon, Crewe v AFC
Santa Clara 13 4 3 6 12 16 15
St Mirren 21 6 5 10 16 24 23 Silva 38 Matheus Pereira 8 (pen), 56 (pen) Coventry City 23 6 8 9 22 31 26 Levante 17 5 6 6 23 24 21 Wimbledon, Gillingham v Rochdale,
Boly 43 Ajayi 52 Rio Ave 14 3 6 5 10 16 15 Ipswich v Peterborough, Lincoln City
St Johnstone 24 5 8 11 22 33 23 Birmingham City 24 6 8 10 18 29 26 Real Betis 17 6 2 9 20 31 20
Wolverhampton Rui Patricio, Nelson Semedo, Boly, Coady Nottingham Forest 24 6 7 11 19 27 25 Valencia 18 4 7 7 24 25 19 Tondela 14 4 3 7 13 23 15 v Northampton, Oxford Utd v Bristol
Ross County 24 5 5 14 18 43 20
(Ait Nouri 64), Saiss, Dendoncker, Neves (Gibbs-White Queens Park Rangers 23 5 9 9 22 30 24 Eibar 18 4 7 7 15 18 19 Maritimo 13 4 2 7 15 18 14 Rovers, Portsmouth v Hull,
Motherwell 22 4 7 11 19 33 19
Hamilton Academical 23 5 4 14 21 47 19 60), Joao Moutinho (Cutrone 79), Traore, Silva, Pedro Sheffield Wednesday 23 6 7 10 15 23 19 Alaves 18 4 6 8 16 23 18 Nacional 13 3 4 6 11 16 13 Sunderland v Shrewsbury, Wigan v
Neto. Subs: Hoever, Vitinha, Ruddy, Shabani, Kilman, Rotherham United 21 5 4 12 20 29 19 Valladolid 18 4 6 8 16 25 18 Gil Vicente 13 3 4 6 10 15 13 Fleetwood Town.
SPFL CHAMPIONSHIP Corbeanu Booked Dendoncker 73, Silva 90 Derby County 23 4 7 12 14 25 19 Getafe 16 4 5 7 12 17 17 Farense 13 3 3 7 15 19 12 Sky Bet League Two
Alloa Athletic 1 Hearts 3 West Bromwich Albion Button, O’Shea, Ajayi, Bartley, Wycombe Wanderers 23 3 6 14 16 35 15 Elche 15 3 7 5 13 18 16 Belenenses 13 2 6 5 6 11 12 Cambridge Utd v Bradford, Exeter v
Cawley 87 Irving 35 Gibbs, Livermore, Sawyers, Snodgrass, Matheus Pereira *Sheff Wed deducted 6 points for breach of regulations Osasuna 17 3 6 8 15 25 15 Stevenage (1.00), Morecambe v
Portimonense 13 3 2 8 9 17 11
Frear 45 (Furlong 83), Grosicki (Robson-Kanu 69), Robinson. Huesca 17 1 9 7 14 26 12 Colchester, Oldham v Newport
Subs: Krovinovic, Ivanovic, Edwards, Peltier, Kipre, Field, SKY BET LEAGUE ONE Famalicao 13 2 5 6 14 24 11
County, Port Vale v Walsall,
Ginnelly 90 Lonergan Booked Ajayi 36 ITALY. SERIE A Boavista 14 1 8 5 14 24 11 Scunthorpe v Grimsby (1.00),
Alloa Athletic Parry, Robertson, Graham, Jamieson, AFC Wimbledon 0 Sunderland 3 Bologna 1 Verona 0
Referee M Oliver
Williamson, Grant, Hetherington, Cawley, Scougall
YESTERDAY
Wyke 7, 87, 90 Sampdoria 2 Udinese 1 SENIORS Southend v Mansfield, Tranmere v
Bolton, Leyton Orient v Forest Green.
(Buchanan 67), Murray (Brown 63), Thomson (Evans Accrington Stanley 0 Gillingham 1 Torino 0 Spezia 0 FA Trophy 4th round
82). Subs: Connelly, O’Donnel, Lynch, Wright Booked Aston Villa P Everton P Dempsey 45 Yesterday Bath City 0 Peterborough Sports 1, Boreham SUNDAY 24 JANUARY
Williamson 54, Hetherington 81 Sent off Williamson 84 Postponed - new date to be confirmed. Bristol Rovers 0 Charlton Athletic 1 Atalanta 0 Genoa 0 Betfred League Cup - Semi-final
Wood P Torquay United P, Havant and W P
Hearts Gordon, Smith, Halkett, Berra, Kingsley, Walker, Liverpool 0 Manchester United 0 Millar 64 Crotone 4 Benevento 1 Livingston v St Mirren (4.00).
Inter Milan L Juventus L Altrincham P, Hornchurch 1 King’s Lynn Town 1, The Emirates FA Cup - Fourth
Irving, Halliday, Roberts (Mackay-Steven 46), Henderson Liverpool Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Henderson, Burton Albion 0 Ipswich Town 1
Robertson, Shaqiri (Jones 76), Thiago, Wijnaldum Napoli 6 Fiorentina 0 Kettering P Leamington P, Maidstone Utd 2 round: Chelsea v Luton (12.00),
(Boyce 59), Frear (Ginnelly 65). Subs: Haring, Naismith, McGuinness 73
(Milner 89), Salah, Firmino (Origi 85), Mane. Subs: Sassuolo 1 Parma 1 Dorking Wanderers 1, Oxford City 4 Haringey Fulham v Burnley (2.30), Brentford v
Popescu, Stewart Booked Walker 55, Irving 86 Fleetwood Town 0 Portsmouth 1
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino, R Williams, Phillips, Borough 2, Stamford P Hereford FC P, Stockport Leicester (2.30), Man Utd v Liverpool
Referee A Muir Marquis 16 P W D L F A Pts (5.00), Everton v Sheff Wed (8.00).
Kelleher, N Williams Booked Shaqiri 33, Fabinho 66 County 1 Notts County 2, Sutton Utd 3
Dundee P Ayr United P Manchester United de Gea, Wan Bissaka, Lindelof, Hull City 1 Blackpool 1 AC Milan 17 12 4 1 37 19 40 Dagenham & Redbridge 1, Wealdstone P Sky Bet Championship
Postponed - new date to be confirmed. Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Pogba, Bruno Wilks 51 Yates 81 Inter Milan 17 11 4 2 43 23 37 Gloucester P, Weymouth 0 Darlington 1. Preston North End v Reading (12.30),
Queen of the South 2 Arbroath 2 Fernandes (Greenwood 89), Martial (Cavani 61), Napoli 17 11 1 5 40 16 34 Middlesbrough v Blackburn.
Northampton Town P Oxford United P Roma 18 10 4 4 37 29 34 Vanarama National League
Shields 46, 52 Stewart 63 Rashford. Subs: Bailly, Mata, Henderson, Alex Telles, Kick off 7.45 unless stated
Matic, van de Beek, Tuanzebe Booked Rashford 90 Postponed - due to waterlogged pitch. Juventus 16 9 6 1 35 16 33 Maidenhead Utd P Yeovil Town P, Wrexham 3
O’Brien 65 Referee P Tierney Atalanta 17 9 5 3 40 22 32 Dover 1. MONDAY 25 JANUARY
Peterborough United 3 Milton Keynes Dons 0
Queen of the South Ferguson, Gibson, Buchanan, Obileye, Lazio 18 9 4 5 30 25 31 The Emirates FA Cup -
Manchester City 4 Crystal Palace 0 Clarke-Harris 7 Vanarama National League North Fourth round
Maxwell, Shields, McKee (Dobbie 78), Pybus, Sassuolo 18 8 6 4 31 27 30
Stones 26, 68 Szmodics 30, 65 AFC Fylde P Blyth Spartans P, Gateshead 1 Wycombe v Tottenham Hotspur.
Fitzpatrick, McCabe, East. Subs: Breen, Goss, Robinson, Gundogan 56 Verona 18 7 6 5 22 17 27
McGorry, Joseph, Cowie Booked McKee 38, Pybus 47, Plymouth Argyle 1 Crewe Alexandra 1 Guiseley 0, Kidderminster P Spennymoor Town P,
Sterling 88 Jephcott 11 (pen) Finney 64
Sampdoria 18 7 2 9 28 29 23 TUESDAY 26 JANUARY
McCabe 68 Manchester City Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Benevento 18 6 3 9 21 34 21 Chorley 3 Farsley Celtic 2, Alfreton Town P Premier League
Arbroath Gaston, Thomson, Davidson (Linn 60), O’Brien, Zinchenko, De Bruyne (Joao Cancelo 71), Fernandinho, Rochdale 3 Wigan Athletic 3 Bologna 18 5 5 8 24 31 20 Boston Utd P, Bradford P A P Chester FC P, AFC Brighton v Fulham (6.00), West Brom
Hamilton, Whatley (Stewart 55), Gold, Williamson, Gundogan (Torres 71), Bernardo Silva (Foden 60), Humphrys 7, 90 Joseph 9 Spezia 18 4 6 8 23 32 18 Telford 1 Curzon Ashton 1. v Man City (8.15), Newcastle v Leeds
Craigen, Hilson, Doolan (Ruth 72). Subs: McKenna, Gabriel Jesus, Sterling. Subs: Steffen, Rodri, Mendy, Beesley 58 Lang 16 Fiorentina 18 4 6 8 18 29 18 Vanarama National League South (6.00), Southampton v Arsenal (8.15).
Swankie, Donnelly, Gallacher Booked Thomson 40, Mahrez, Delap, Doyle Keane 77 Udinese 17 4 4 9 19 27 16 Sky Bet Championship
Billericay 2 Dulwich 0, Hampton & Richmond 2
O’Brien 82 Crystal Palace Guaita, Ward, Tomkins, Cahill, Mitchell, Shrewsbury Town P Lincoln City P Genoa 18 3 6 9 18 30 15 Millwall v Watford (7.00), Bristol City v
Milivojevic (Riedewald 68), Townsend (Batshuayi 79), Cagliari 17 3 5 9 23 34 14 Ebbsfleet United 1, Hemel Hempstead P Concord
Referee S Reid Postponed - new date to be confirmed. Huddersfield (7.00).
McCarthy, McArthur, Eze, Ayew. Subs: Butland, van Torino 18 2 7 9 26 35 13 Rangers P, Slough 3 Braintree Town 2, Welling P
Raith Rovers P Inverness CT P
The Scottish Championship
Aanholt, Dann, Clyne, Benteke Swindon Town 1 Doncaster Rovers 2 Parma 18 2 7 9 14 34 13 Tonbridge Angels P, Dartford 1 Hungerford Town Raith v Hearts.
Postponed - new date to be confirmed. Referee L Mason Hope 73 Okenabirhie 5, 45 Crotone 18 3 3 12 21 41 12 1, Havant and W 1 Eastbourne Borough 2.
34 Sport/Monday, January 18, 2021
Irvine delighted
to be back after
months of park life
Things looking up for midfielder as
Hibs move ends most challenging time
GRAEME
MACPHERSON
at Easter Road
J
ACKSON IRVINE does
not want to make too
much of his hardship.
Just two years after
playing for Australia against
France, Denmark and Peru in
the World Cup, Hibernian’s
new midfielder was training
alone in a public park, trying
to stop passing dogs from
pinching the ball from his feet.
Without a club after being
released by Hull City last
summer, the onset of the
pandemic made life uncertain
for the 27-year-old, a state of
limbo that only came to an end
last week when Hibs offered
him a short-term contract.
If there were raised eyebrows
when he was named in the
starting line-up for Saturday’s
game against Kilmarnock –
when an Alan Power own goal
Lewis throws down gauntlet for Aberdeen after
ALASDAIR FRASER
AT THE GLOBAL ENERGY STADIUM
JOE LEWIS insists it is up to
the Aberdeen players to prove
Saturday’s disastrous
Dingwall performance was a
one-off.
With dissatisfaction growing
among Dons’ fans, Derek
McInnes’ side blew the chance
to crank up the pressure on
struggling Celtic and mount a
genuine tilt for second place in
the league.
Had County’s north stand
been packed out in red as it
usually is on these occasions,
McInnes and his players
would have certainly faced a
deafening cacophony of dissent
at the final whistle after the 4-1
defeat.
and a thumping effort from
Alex Gogic sealed a 2-0 win –
it was only because Irvine had
not played a competitive match
for 10 months.
Tired but grateful
afterwards, the former Celtic
youth player outlined what the
past seven months without a
club had been like.
“It was incredibly
frustrating,” he admitted. “Now
that I am signed and playing
again it is something I can
reflect on as probably the most
challenging time I will ever
face in my career, especially
not being able to see family and
friends during a time when
you are out of the game. It just
emphasises how much I am
hoping to make up for lost time.
“I did a lot of individual
training. I had some great
support from the national
team on the strength and
conditioning and sports science
side of things. They were
giving me programmes and
things to do on my own.
“I was just training in parks
in Hull, with labradors coming
Oli Shaw struck the home
opener after 36 seconds, with
Charlie Lakin slamming in
a second on 20 minutes. A
deflected finish, credited as
an Alex Iacovitti own goal,
mustered hope on half time,
but the second half proved lame
in an attacking sense, with
increasing desperation late on
creating gaping holes in the
Dons’ defence for Shaw and
Jermaine Hylton to pick off.
The fact this crushing
setback came just two days
after Jonny Hayes trumpeted
his hopes of Aberdeen splitting
the Old Firm made it all the
more galling for fans watching
at home.
Attacking failings – with
decent chances missed and
striker Sam Cosgrove looking a
SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP
and taking your ball away
when you’re trying to do a drill.
“Honestly, there were times
when I was thinking to myself,
‘Two years ago I was playing
in a World Cup. Now I’m in a
public park, on my own, doing
running…’
“Football is funny, how things
can turn for you. I’m just so
grateful to be back at a great
club, competing at the top end
of the table, looking to win
trophies and get into Europe.”
Irvine, though, appreciates
that others have gone through
a lot worse in the past year so
does not want to grumble too
much about his own problems.
As well as those who have
suffered in the pandemic, his
girlfriend Jemilla works on the
front line as a firefighter.
“It was frustrating and
difficult for me but in the
grand scheme of things
people are facing a lot worse
situations than not being able
to find a football club,” he said.
“It’s not even remotely close
to how difficult this time has
been for other people. Having a
shadow of his former self – were
Aberdeen
goalkeeper at the heart of one of the worst
Joe Lewis results of the McInnes era.
watches Ross A “McInnes Out” banner,
County’s third unfurled at Pittodrie on
goal, by Oli Saturday evening, did the
Shaw, go by social media rounds although it
him was an isolated visual protest.
There is certainly growing
dissent, though, fuelled by
frustration at failing to take
advantage of the open goal that
is Celtic’s troubles.
There also seems to be
boredom among fans over the
team’s predictable style of play,
with McInnes now eight years
in the job, as well as fatigue
and frustration at the all-
too-familiar sense of missed
opportunity for Scotland’s
perennial third force.
The Dons are clearly missing

Jackson
Irvine
rises to
the
occasion
in a
challenge
with
Killie’s
Alan
Power
County collapse
the spark and creativity of
injured Marley Watkins, now
unlikely to return from Bristol
City after his serious hamstring
problem.
McInnes could move to
replenish his creative options
in this transfer window, but it
is thought he has already been
informed resources are thin to
non-existent.
More probably, the Dons
face being weakened by Scott
Wright’s departure to Rangers,
with the identity of any make-
weight player swap now crucial
to appeasing supporters.
Lewis, the Dons goalkeeper
and captain, sidestepped talk
of crisis, but summed up the
depth of dismay in the away
camp.
“We’re very disappointed,”
SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP
partner in emergency services
has helped me keep things in
perspective.
“I’m like, yeah, I’ve had a
hard day running in the dog
park. She’s coming home from
doing what she does – and
there’s no question about the
perspective there, it’s definitely
an eye opener.”
Things, though, are looking up
for Irvine. Having done his bit
to help Hibs to their first victory
since before Christmas, he now
has a chance of featuring in
Saturday’s Betfred Cup semi-
final against St Johnstone.
“To come in during a time
when the club is competing for
a chance to put themselves in
a final and to potentially play a
part in that is very exciting. I
can’t wait,” he said.
“It’s kind of a strange one
being at Hibs now having
played on the Ross County side
in that final [in 2016]. Maybe
winning that game gave Hibs
the spark to go and win the
Scottish Cup that season!”
There will be no such
cup action for Kilmarnock
this weekend, giving them
additional time to reflect on a
24-hour period that saw them
awarded the chance to play
Motherwell in a re-arranged
game – after an SFA panel
overturned the SPFL’s initial
decision to award them a 3-0
loss for breaches of coronavirus
protocol – and then lose in a
scrappy game at Easter Road.
For defender Clevid Dikamona,
getting that Motherwell game
back on the fixture list was the
correct course of action.
“I’ve been in a lot of countries,
I’ve played for a lot of teams
and I can’t understand some
of the decisions from the
SPFL,” he said. “But we have
the chance now to fight for the
three points and that’s the best
decision. That’s what’s fair. To
get the points on the pitch not
in front of people who don’t
even play football.”
he said. “You have to assess
the game and sometimes when
emotions are high it’s best
to reflect maybe on Monday
morning. We have to make sure
we’re nothing like that going
forward.
“We were slow to react to
things in either box. We were
flat-footed and didn’t make
the most of any opportunities
we had – and obviously Ross
County did.
“We ball-watched a little
too much when it came into
our box. We didn’t anticipate,
at either end, where the balls
were going to land.
“We were waiting for things
to happen rather than being
proactive and taking it by the
scruff of the neck. We need to
make sure we lift ourselves.”
Fulton says wonder save just
part of defensive progress
JACK HAUGH
AT FOYS STADIUM
WHEN Ian Harkes appeared
out of thin air to power a
wonderful delivery towards
g o a l h e mu s t h a v e b e e n
convinced he had broken the
deadlock against Hamilton.
Unfortunately for the Dundee
United midfielder, goalkeeper
Ryan Fulton had other ideas,
throwing his weight back to his
right, clawing the ball off his
line and on to the roof of the
net. It is the kind of save which
happens only once or twice a
season.
As Harkes collapsed to the
turf in disbelief, the Accies
goalkeeper jumped to his feet
and ignored his team-mates’
plaudits. And, following the 0-0
draw, did much the same when
asked how he had managed to
keep the ball out of the net.
“First and foremost, we
needed to keep a clean sheet,”
the former Liverpool youngster
said. “It was a bit unlucky [we
didn’t win] and we had a few
chances to nick one.
“[The ball] came across and
I was just making sure I got
there. When he headed it, I just
threw a hand to it. There’s not
Kerr can’t wait for semi
upon return to Saints side
JOSHUA BARRIE
AT McDIARMID PARK
JASON KERR was delighted
his rest oration t o the St
Joh n s t one s t a r t i n g X I on
Saturday coincided with a
return to winning ways ahead
of their Betfred Cup semi-final
against Hibs at Hampden at
the weekend.
The St Johnstone skipper’s
start against St Mirren was
his first since being given his
marching orders in the reverse
defeat to Jim Goodwin’s side
last month.
That suspension, followed
by time in self-isolation after
he returned a positive test for
Covid-19, saw Kerr miss all of
St Johnstone’s five games be-
fore Saturday’s win which was
their first since November.
“The last game I played
against St Mirren I got sent
off, so this definitely feels a lot
better,” a visibly relieved Kerr
said .“It was scrappy but it’s a
win. The gaffer had said before
the game that we would take
a 1-0 like that and that’s what
we’ve done.
“We got a bit nervous because
Sport/Monday, January 18, 2021
really much to think about and
you are just trying to save it.
“[I was a bit worried it might
drop in] and the wind helped it
a bit! It blew it over the bar.
“At the start of the season we
conceded too many goals but the
recent form has been a lot better.
“That’s all over the pitch from
the front to the back and we
are a lot better defensively and
need to keep building on that.”
Unfortunately for Fulton, his
heroic weekend ended with Ac-
cies bottom of the table after
Motherwell secured an unlikely
point against runaway leaders
Rangers yesterday.
“We are always in a dogfight
and we all back ourselves,” the
24-year-old said. “We all trust
in each other. But we don’t
want to be there and want to be
higher up.”
Ryan Fulton sorry not to win
we haven’t won in a while and
I think we were thinking ‘let’s
just get the ball forward’ a bit
too much. We knew how much a
win meant, both in terms of the
league which is getting tighter
and going into our semi-final.”
The defender also revealed
details of his Covid-19 diagno-
sis.
“I don’t actually know where
I got it so it shows just how
careful everybody needs to be
– wash your hands and wear
your mask. It’s proof that it can
get anyone.
“The more positive results
that come back the greater
the chance of football shutting
down again and we really don’t
want that to happen.”
Having been involved with
the club as a young player when
Jason Kerr happy to be back
35
Few had a better view of Ful-
ton’s save than United’s Nicky
Clark, who might have fancied
his own chances of putting
Dillon Powers’ cross away. It
would have been the perfect
end to a week which saw the
29-year-old commit his future
to the Tannadice side, despite
interest from rivals Dundee,
and shine in his new midfield
role.
“I was keen to stay here and
I am now just focusing on mov-
ing things forward with the
club” Clark said. “It took longer
than I wanted to get into the
Premiership, so I am not just
going to give that up and move
away.
“It all happened kinda quick
and I never knew anything
about it [the Dundee interest]
until I saw it in the press. The
club just wanted to get it done
and I was delighted as I wanted
to stay here.
“It [his new position] is a wee
bit different but I am enjoying
it. I am involved in the game a
lot more and obviously you need
to do more of the defensive side
of things.
“You have the licence to
get forward and get into the
box.”
St Johnstone won the Scottish
Cup in 2014, Kerr knows just
how special cup success can be.
“I know it’s a different compe-
tition but this win will give us a
lot of confidence going into the
semi,” he said. “It’s a winnable
game. We all know that. We
know we’re good enough to go
and beat Hibs. I feel like we de-
served to beat them in the last
two games we’ve played.”
St Mirren have been the story
of the League Cup, beating
Rangers on their route to the
semi-final. They could set up
a final date with St Johnstone
if they can navigate their way
past Livingston in the other
semi-final.
“Livingston are the favourites
as they are the form team and
they drew at Celtic Park so they
are full of confidence right now,”
said defender Joe Shaughnessy.
“But I think it is two similar
standard of teams and I am
sure it will be a close game and
I am looking forward to it.
“You want to get to finals in
your career and have the chance
to win silverware. After our win
over Rangers you really have to
go and make it count now.”
36 Sport/Monday, January 18, 2021 SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP

Wheels well and

truly off as Celtic
screech to a halt
...and other talking points from Parkhead
side’s stumble to stalemate with Livingston
think we can complain at the home side, but while Tom
FIVE THINGS result.”
It all rather petered out
Rogic was game, he was clearly
a fish out of water trying to
GRAEME in the end, which could well lead the line.
McGARRY be the epitaph of their tilt at “We still had a strong side
10-in-a-row. and a good shape to us,” said
Frimpong. “We just didn’t play

2
DAVID MARTINDALE well enough.”

1
CHAMPIONS GOING
DOWN WITH A
WHIMPER
Self-inflicted mitigating
circumstances or not with
their missing personnel, this
performance from Celtic
was symptomatic of their
title defence as a whole:
uninspiring, listless and
nowhere near good enough.
It was always going to
be difficult up against a
Livingston side who came
into the game on an eight-
game winning streak and
bursting with confidence, and
the differing levels of belief
were evident in the opening
exchanges as Livi came flying
out the traps.
Celtic very rarely looked
like scoring, with a fine Max
Stryjek save from Jeremie
Frimpong in the first half and
a decent Anthony Ralston
cross being spurned by late
substitute Armstrong Okoflex
the closest they came.
“If that had gone in it might
have been a different story,”
DESERVES
LIVINGSTON CHANCE
Livingston will take on Celtic
again at the Tony Macaroni
Arena on Wednesday night,
but manager David Martindale
has an arguably more
important appointment earlier
in the day when he should
finally find out if he has passed
the SFA’s fit and proper person
test.
Martindale’s crimes
and conviction are well
documented, but so too is his
openness about his past and
rehabilitation, and there can
be little question over his
capability to do the job.
His influence on Livingston’s
team and tactics has long been
apparent, and the reaction of
his players to his leadership is
obvious.
Having done his time, it
would seem contrary to the
SFA’s own values of inclusion
to send Martindale back into
the shadows. His team here
were again a fine testament to
his managerial ability.
That Celtic did not play
well enough is incontestable,
but there seems little doubt
that the lack of a focal point
on attack contributed to that.
Livi got their tactics spot on,
pressing Celtic high up the
park knowing that playing
long to a target man was
not an option for the home
side.
Any time the ball came near
Rogic, it was swallowed up by
Jon Guthrie and Efe Ambrose,
who perhaps had as easy a day
any pair of visiting centre-
backs to Celtic Park have ever
had.
“That was definitely the
game plan,” said in-form Scott
Robinson. “With the run we Jeremie Frimpong takes a shot perceived benefit of Celtic
are on we felt we could come under pressure from former having 13 players self-isolating
here and stamp our game on Celtic player Efe Ambrose in the last two matches,
Celtic and take the game to during the 0-0 draw then it should have been the
them. opportunity it presented to
“We tried to do that and it no surprise to see Livi creating those on the periphery of the
was working. For the majority opportunities from set-pieces. first team to stake a claim for
of the game we played really Twice Ambrose got on the end more regular involvement.
well and just needed that goal of dead ball deliveries in the Instead, most of those
in the end.” second half, with the first of drafted in only served to
those chances particularly underline why they are not

4
said Frimpong about his NO MATTER THE glaring, as the former Celtic central to manager Neil

chance. “The keeper made a
good save to be fair. These
are the things you need to go
your way.
“We didn’t create too much
in the game. One goal might
have done it but I don’t
I don’t think we
3
NO FORWARD, NO
CHANCE
The Celtic players and
management were keen to
downplay the influence that
not having a striker available
had on the bluntness of the
PERSONNEL, CELTIC
CAN’T DEFEND
SET-PIECES
It may seem churlish to
criticise the Celtic defence
given its makeshift nature
and the fact they did indeed
record a clean sheet, but
that had more to do with the
profligacy of Livingston – with
centre-back put a free
header over from around eight
yards.
When Shane Duffy was
brought to Celtic in the
summer, he was seen as the
man to toughen up that soft
centre at the heart of their
defence, but opposition teams
are still making hay from
Lennon’s plans.
Ralston gives his all and put
in a couple of decent crosses,
but there has to be doubts over
whether he will ever make the
breakthrough at this level,
while Mikey Johnston has
been ineffectual over the past
two matches.
In fairness to the winger, he

can complain
Ambrose the chief sinner –
than any solidity in the Celtic
back line.
about the result
In fact, it seems that no
matter who takes to the
field for Celtic, the same old
deficiencies remain, and it was
simple balls thrown into the has been out injured for a long
heart of the box. time and still looks some way
short of match fitness, but in
5
CELTIC FRINGE these games where Celtic
PLAYERS HAVE NOT have been crying out for
MADE THEIR CASE creativity, he has been found
If there was to be one wanting.

Frimpong mystified over poor display
JEREMIE FRIMPONG says
there is no excuse for Celtic’s
dismal performance against
Livingston at the weekend,
and that their players now
face a huge test of character
to avoid their season fizzling
out.
The champions’ title defence
is surely over already as their
depleted side spilled yet more
points in the goalless draw at
Celtic Park on Saturday, but a
crestfallen Frimpong refused
to use the fact they were
without 13 first-team players
as a justification for their poor
display.
“It just wasn’t good enough
from us,” Frimpong said. “We
didn’t get the result we were
looking for. We had to win.
“All we can do is keep going
now. Of course we should
SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP
have had enough out there to
produce a better performance.
Although there were a lot of
players missing, there were
enough regulars out there.
That’s no excuse.
“The team that’s picked has
to go out and perform. But we
just didn’t do that.
“I felt confident before the
game that we’d produce the
performance that would get us
the result we needed but it
didn’t work out like that. I can’t
explain why.
“It’s been strange the past
few days without the manager
and John Kennedy being
around as you work so closely
with them. They’ve obviously
got their messages through to
us but obviously it’s just not
the same as seeing them in
person.
“As a footballer, you’ve got
to deal with every situation. It
is what it is. There is no point
in complaining. It’s happened.
We’ve just got to deal with it.
“There’s maybe a slight lack
of confidence at the moment.
That only comes if you are
winning games and it will only
return when we do that.”
Celtic will take on Livingston
again away from home on
Wednesday night, and
Frimpong is hoping that a
full-strength side can help
them back to winning ways.
“It’s a good thing that we’ve
got a game on Wednesday,”
he said. “We have to go there
and win. It’s that simple.
“We should be helped by a
number of players coming
back which is a positive.
Hopefully we can win.”
Sport/Monday, January 18, 2021
Hartson says
Lennon should
exit Parkhead
MARTIN McMILLAN
JOH N H A RT S ON b el ieve s
former Celtic team-mate Neil
Lennon’s time as Parkhead
boss should be up.
The champions concluded a
calamitous week with a goalless
home draw against Livingston
on Saturday which delivered
another blow to already ailing
hopes of a 10th successive
Scottish Premiership title.
Lennon, assistant John
Kennedy and 13 first-team
players were still self-isolating
as close contacts of Christopher
Jullien who was confirmed to
have contracted Covid-19 after
returning from a controversial
training camp in Dubai.
First team coach Gavin
Strachan was in charge for the
1-1 draw against Hibernian last
Monday night and again for the
visit of in-form Livi who were a
match for the weakened hosts.
The result left the champions
20 points behind Old Firm
rivals Rangers at the top of the
table with two games in hand,
before the Ibrox side’s 1-1 draw
at Motherwell yesterday.
Former Wales striker Hartson
has been a big supporter of
Lennon, whom he played with
at Celtic Park between 2001
and 2006, but he now believes
it is time for him to go.
He told the ten10podcast.
com: “I am a pundit but I care
like the fans care, I am a Celtic
supporter and ex-player and it
is just very disappointing to see
how this season has so fizzled
out. I think a change is needed.
“I send Neil best wishes and
good luck when he needs it but
to lose the league in such a big,
big season in the way they have,
has been so disappointing.
“Not just me, look at Chris
Sutton, Stan Petrov, Alan
Thompson and Henrik Larsson
[former team mates], we all love
Neil and want him to succeed
and we were all delighted when
he brought home the quadruple
treble but I do genuinely think,
with the situation in the league,
a change is needed from the
bottom to the top, I really do.
“The whole thing needs to be
changed and it needs to happen
pretty soon. Maybe the players
need a different voice. Neil
might want a new challenge,
a fresh start. Sometimes it
doesn’t work, Neil is intelligent
enough, he has to see this.
37
John Hartson says the players
have got away with murder
“It has taken me this long
to say I would like to see a
change, new staff, a freshness,
something different. Neil has
done amazing. His trophy haul
has been fantastic both as a
player and a manager.
“I just think the club need
to say that they are going to
change the manager, whether
he goes at the end of the season
or now, it is tough call for me to
say it but I think it needs to be
done. The time has come.”
Hartson believes the Celtic
players should be glad no
supporters are allowed into
Parkhead this season due to
the coronavirus restrictions.
He said: “I actually think it
is a blessing that the fans are
not allowed in because at this
moment in time there would
probably be about 15,000 fans
watching Celtic. I think a lot of
them would have stayed away
having watching some of the
drivel Celtic have shown up
this season.
“I think the players have got
away with murder. I played at
Celtic Park for five years and I
had the Celtic manager and the
crowd barking down my throat
every time I gave the ball away.
“The players are giving the ball
away willy-nilly now, the passing
is not crisp, not accurate, there
is a lot of sloppiness going on.
The defenders are not winning
tackles and interceptions, the
crowd would go berserk, you
would be booed off half the time.
“That has not happened so in
a way you could say, yes, they
have missed the crowd but they
would get on to them and make
it more difficult. How much
stick would they be giving
Shane Duffy now?”
38 Sport/Monday, January 18, 2021 SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP

RATINGS
Motherwell
LIAM KELLY
Assured performance. Dealt
7

with crosses well and looked

confident when tested.

STEPHEN O’DONNELL 6
ITTEN RISES TO
Alexander’s
Solid defensively and got
forward as much as he
could from right-back.
men make
DECLAN GALLAGHER 7
Strong in the air and kept
lacklustre
tabs on the Rangers attack.

BEVIS MUGABI 6
visitors work
Marshalled Alfredo
Morelos well and chipped
in with a couple of key
for point
tackles and interceptions.

JAKE CARROLL 6 CHRIS

A threat going forward and JACK
impressive with his back to at Fir Park
goal. Lost Cedric Itten for
Rangers’ equaliser.

LIAM POLWORTH 7
Battled well in the middle. Motherwell 1
Kept Motherwell ticking and
made good use of the ball. Rangers 1

R
ROBBIE CRAWFORD 6 ANGERS are a point
Provided a lot of energy in closer to the finishing
midfield. Kept going for the line in the
full 90 minutes and stood Premiership. But this
up well against a strong will feel like two squandered
Rangers middle line. for Steven Gerrard’s side as
they were held for only the
ALLAN CAMPBELL 6 third time this term.
Did not get forward as much Not since the draw at
as he would have liked but a Easter Road in September
tireless shift nonetheless. have Rangers failed to win on
league duty. On the day they
SHERWIN SEEDORF 5 could have moved 23 points
A relatively quiet afternoon clear of Celtic, they could only
for the attacker. Struggled add one to their tally as Cedric
to get on the ball and was Itten earned them a draw
wasteful at times. against Motherwell.
The point for the Steelmen
DEVANTE COLE 7 and new boss Graham
Took his goal well and Alexander could be crucial
caused problems at the top in their battle to beat the
end of the park. Great drop. At the other end of the
clearance off the line in the Premiership, Rangers have the
second half. breathing space to ensure that
faltering at Fir Park does not
TONY WATT 7 prove costly in the title race.
Linked up well with Cole A Devante Cole strike in the
and provided the assist for first half gave Motherwell a
Motherwell’s opener. Tidy. chance of becoming the first
side to beat Rangers in the
Substitutes league this season. In the end,
STEVEN LAWLESS 5 Gerrard’s side would preserve
(For Tony Watt, 70) Looked their record as their winning
bright. Could be a handy run came to an end just as
addition for Graham they had the finishing line in
Alexander. sight.
ROSS MacIVER 4 When Motherwell went to
(For Sherwin Seedorf, 70) Ibrox, Rangers had a unique
Put himself about in the challenge to overcome with
latter stages. More of a the visitors setting up in the
defensive shift. infamous 5-5-0 formation in
RICKI LAMIE 3 one of Stephen Robinson’s
(For Liam Polworth, 80) On final matches in charge. His
to shore things up in the successor Alexander was more
dying minutes. orthodox in his approach here,
BARRY MAGUIRE 2 and certainly more attacking.
(For Robbie Crawford, 83) On The plan at Ibrox had
too late to make an impact. been to nick a goal and then
defend it, attempt to stifle
Cedric Itten equalisers for
Rangers, after Devante Cole,
below, had given Motherwell
the lead in the first half
and frustrate Rangers. It
took Motherwell longer to
break the deadlock this time
around, but they were worthy
of their advantage against a
lackadaisical and lacklustre
Rangers.
Given what is at stake and
the opportunity that they had,
it was hard to fathom just why
Gerrard’s side were so off it for
long spells. The goal from Cole
did raise their levels slightly,
but it was not enough as they
trailed at the break and could
have no complaints about doing
so.
They would get into some
promising positions, but the
finishing touches were not
there as crosses were cleared
and openings closed. In
terms of tempo and quality,
Rangers were lacking during
a surprisingly ragged and
wretched first half.
There was, however, plenty
to admire about Alexander’s
side in terms of their shape
and their pressing and their
efforts paid off after 20
minutes as they took the lead.
A low drive early on from
Allan Campbell was a sign
of their intentions to be more
purposeful with the ball on
this occasion and they would
exploit a weakness in the
Rangers defence to break the
deadlock.
The build-up was patient
down the left and Liam
Polworth slipped in Tony Watt.
He had time to pick out his
man and it was Cole who was
in the right place at the right
time to convert from close
range.
The failure to stop crosses
at source has been a point of
consternation for Gerrard in
recent times and that mistake,
coupled with some misjudged
positional play from Leon
Balogun, cost Rangers. It was
such an avoidable goal to lose,
but one Motherwell rightly
savoured.
The efforts from Rangers to
pull themselves level ranged
from near misses to high and
wild. A glancing header from
Alfredo Morelos was narrowly

THE CHALLENGE
wide of Liam Kelly’s left post,
while an attempt from Glen
Kamara was closer to clearing
the Davie Cooper Stand than
hitting the target.
That effort summed up
Rangers in the first half and
there would surely have been
some stern words from Gerrard
once his side had traipsed back
up the stairs that lead to the
makeshift away dressing room
at Fir Park.
The team that re-emerged
certainly had more intent.
A snap shot from Ianis Hagi
did not worry Kelly, but the
goalkeeper did save well from
Ryan Kent on the angle just
minutes after the winger failed
to hit the target as he stretched
to get his head on a Hagi cross.
It had taken Rangers far too
long, but they finally looked a
threat and Itten would arrive
in place of Hagi. It was Connor
Goldson who almost pulled
Gerrard’s side level, though,
as his header was cleared by
Cole on the line as the striker
played his part at the other
end of the park.
Motherwell were penned in
by this stage. The pressure
SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP
was building, but the goal still
would not come as nobody in
blue could convert when James
Tavernier nodded a cross back
into the danger area.
Thankfully for Gerrard,
Itten was on hand the next
time there was a chance. The
cross from Borna Barisic was
pinpoint and the header from
the Swiss was clinical as he
scored for the fourth time
in three outings against the
Steelmen this season.
Like at Ibrox, Rangers had
been forced to wait for their
goal. Now they had the winner
in their sights going into the
final 15 minutes.
There was only half that
time when Gerrard turned
to his bench again and
introduced Jermain Defoe
in place of Morelos. With
seconds remaining, the striker
unleashed a low shot that
Kelly did well to save at the
near post.
It was the moment that
earned his side a share of
the spoils. Motherwell will be
pleased with their point, but
Rangers were left to rue the
fact they didn’t have all three.
Gerrard thanks hosts for
early warning over pitch
RANGERS manager Steven
Gerrard said there was
nothing for Motherwell to be
ashamed of after revealing the
Steelmen flagged up the
condition of the Fir Park pitch
ahead of their clash.
After the 1-1 draw, Gerrard
refused to blame the state of
the surface for a rare poor
performance by his side and
appreciated the heads-up
from the Fir Park outfit after a
prolonged period of bad
weather took its toll.
“We had an email off
Motherwell to be fair a few
days ago talking about the
standard of the pitch but we
knew that at this stage of the
season you’re not going to get
perfect pitches,” Gerrard said.
“Ibrox isn’t perfect at the
moment. It is what it is. We
have to be ready for these
type of environments and
these pitches and we have to
Sport/Monday, January 18, 2021 39
RATINGS
C
Rangers
ALLAN McGREGOR 6
Left exposed by his
defence for the opening
Alexander goal. Had little to do in the
second half.
left annoyed JAMES TAVERNIER
Got into a number of
6
promising positions but
GRAHAM ALEXANDER was could not have the desired
frustrated Motherwell were impact in the final third.
undone by an “offside” goal as
Rangers earned a share of the CONNOR GOLDSON 7
points at Fir Park. Another comfortable
After Devante Cole gave afternoon for the stopper
the hosts a first-half lead, as his fine form continued.
Cedric Itten stepped off the
bench to head home a cross LEON BALOGUN 6
from Borna Barisic from close Has to take some
range and rescue a point, but responsibility for the
Well boss Alexander reckons the Devante Cole goal. Steady
effort from the Swiss should not enough thereafter.
have been allowed to stand.
“I’m proud of the players and BORNA BARISIC 6
everyone at the club,” Alexander No lack of effort down the
said. “There’s a lot of work gone left and persistence paid
on behind the scenes this week off as he got an assist for
with ground staff and office Cedric Itten.
staff to try and create an environ-
ment for the players to feel STEVEN DAVIS 7
together and we saw that today. The best of the midfield
“We were excellent in the three by some way as he
first half. We were comfortable impressed on his 300th
and scored a fantastic goal and appearance.
deservedly went 1-0 up.
“Although I didn’t see it at the GLEN KAMARA 6
time, it looks like an offside goal Not at his best in the first
got them a point...It was only half but did improve and
after the game when someone grow in influence after the
showed me the still and a bit break.
of footage, and that hurts us a
little bit. But it’s good the JOE ARIBO 6
players are frustrated at taking Needed to show more
a point from a side who are quality when it mattered as
unbeaten this season.” it turned into a frustrating
outing for the midfielder.
IANIS HAGI 6
A couple of moments
aside, the Romanian could
not really get involved or
worry Motherwell on a
get on with it and do what we low-key afternoon.
can.
“I don’t think the pitch was RYAN KENT 6
to blame for our first 45 Bright in spells but could
minutes because you can’t not make the most of his
blame a pitch for being chances on a day when
passive and having no quality. manager Steven Gerrard
“In an ideal world we want to needed him to step up.
play on a perfect pitch but at
this stage it’s not going to be ALFREDO MORELOS 7
the case but there’s no fingers Did not get the support that
pointed at Motherwell because he required at times. No
given the weather and the goal this time around but a
conditions and the country we good all-round performance.
play in, it is what it is.
“It was heads-up that if we Substitutes
had a period of weather that CEDRIC ITTEN 6
was bad the game could be (for Hagi, 55) Continued
50-50. Thankfully the game his record against the
went ahead but we hosts with a header.
appreciated the heads up but JERMAIN DEFOE 3
it’s nothing for Motherwell to (for Morelos, 83) Could not
be ashamed of because you grab the winner off the
see all the pitches, you saw bench.
Hibs’ pitch on Sportscene, BRANDON BARKER 2
Celtic Park, Ibrox, I think a lot (for Kent, 88) No impact in
of people are having issues.” final minutes.
SPORT
Injured McInally set to
miss Six Nations opener
Gerrard call
for focus
as title talk
ramps up
Rangers manager looks to
block out noise after draw
CHRIS JACK
S
TEVEN GERRARD
is confident Rangers
can remain focused on
the job in hand in the
Premiership and block out the
noise surrounding their title
bid this term.
Striker Cedric Itten earned
Gerrard’s side a point against
Motherwell yesterday as the vis-
itors were held for the first time
since September on league duty.
Rangers remain 21 points
clear of Celtic at the top of the
table and on course for their
first Premiership crown in a
decade after maintaining their
unbeaten top-flight run.
“It’s going to be a challenge be-
cause the reality is there are big
prizes to play for,” Gerrard said
when asked if it was hard not to
get carried away given the noise
around Rangers this season.
“It’s impossible not to realise
where we are as a group and
what’s at stake. But it’s impor-
tant that we stay focused and
don’t get ahead of ourselves.
That’s where we are trying to
keep the boys in terms of their
thinking and the preparation.
Page
31
NO EXCUSE
Frimpong left
frustrated by
another draw
Celtic 0 Livingston 0 fallout. Pages 36-37
“After a fantastic win no-
one’s getting too high and if we
have a bump or don’t get the re-
sult we want it’s important to
stay calm. We haven’t managed
to stretch our lead today but at
the same time we haven’t lost
anything either.
“You’ve seen two sides of us
today, a first half showing that
wasn’t us and wasn’t good
enough but the second half was
an awful lot better.”
Rangers were far from their
best at Fir Park as Itten came
off the bench to cancel out a first
half strike from Devante Cole.
And Gerrard was frustrat-
ed with aspects of the perfor-
mance as his side missed the
chance to extend their advan-
tage over their Old Firm rivals.
Gerrard (inset) said: “I think
1-1
as a group we all know where
we are at and where we are try- 
ing to get to. 
“We had to get into them at
half-time and demand more
from them in and out of posses-
sion. We got a reaction.
“We were really good in the
second half and we were unlucky
 
not to get another goal or two.”
Match report. Pages 38-39 Cedric Itten (left) celebrates his equaliser against Motherwell at Fir Park yesterday