STARK REALITY

High farce rather than great drama. That is the only way to describe events at Raith Rovers this week.

And I must admit I've got scant sympathy for the Stark's Park board who have handed out an object lesson in how NOT to run a club.

Frankly they can't have it both ways. On the one hand they sack Jimmy Thomson.

Then they end up with egg on their face when Tommy McLean keeps going through the revolving door.

In the old days it used to be that clubs gave the manager a run at least until Christmas before they started panicking.

Nowadays its a matter of weeks rather than months. Pathetic isn't it?

Fergus McCann was trumpeting at the AGM that it's only a matter of time before we have a midweek European midweek League with both Celtic and Rangers taking part.

Certainly both clubs have the stadia and the fans to meet UEFA's exacting requirements.

But judging by events in midweek they certainly have some way to go on the playing side.

Rangers looked lethargic against Grasshoppers with Brain Laudrup marked out.

And Hamburg clearly saw Di Canio as the danger man.

Anytime he got near the ball he was immediately surrounded by three Germans.

In physique and technique the continentals have us licked. And I think that applies to English as well as Scottish clubs. We still have a blinkered view of Europe where they have such high levels of skill and fitness.

It speaks volumes that John Collins is the only Scottish player plying his trade at the highest level in Europe.

The bottom line is that British clubs are going to have to really pull their socks up in Europe.

Until that happens a European trophy will remain a distant dream.

The millions pumped into football by both satellite and terrestrial TV means you can virtually watch a game live every day of the week.

It is now possible to tune into German, Italian and Austrian action - never mind the Premiership.

TV is certainly calling the tune and it is great for managers. Craig Brown was telling me that recently he went to the BBC studios and watched three different matches in one afternoon.

Perhaps the players should also take advantage of the in-depth coverage.

And if they do get bored there's always Eastenders!

FIZZING!

The Coca Cola Cup has come in for some flak recently with the big guns advocating it be downgraded. I think not.

The mid-week quarter finals throw up two Glasgow v Edinburgh clashes with Celtic visiting Hearts and Rangers hosting Hibs.

Can either of the capital clubs come up with a major shock?

I reckon Hearts have the best chance on their home patch.

Dunfermline should take struggling Partick Thistle.

But the intriguing tussle will be between last season's finalists Dundee and Aberdeen at Dens Park.

The Dons will be pushed all the way in this one.

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