That is it nearly over, my summer trips are now a memory!
Seville, London, Ballentrae, Aberdeen,the Botanic Gardens ! Now it is time for so serious work, before my editor forgets me! So Everton never quite made it to Europe, snatched away from them on the very last day of the season by a Blackburn side who meant business, they slammed 4 past Spurs while the Evertonians could only watch in anguish as the Champions took all three points at Goodison, who said that United would play a weakened side !? Never mind that, it is all in the past now, and in the past it must remain, for we can still rise now and be a force again, oops nearly went into full sound there, sorry friends of St George ! Well after all the will they won't they, will he won't he, it's in the papers so it must be true, Everton have not yet brought in one new face despite being linked with everyone from Sean Davis to Steve McManaman. They did have one new face on trial with them on tour in Austria but the young man in question, Patrizio Pascucci has returned home to Italy after scoring three goals in two matches, thanks and good luck to Patrizio for the future. After the free scoring tour of Austria with the Blues winning 7-0 and 4-1 they have returned back to Britain with a bang with one of Moysie's split squad's losing 2-0 at Crewe the goals there were scored by Ashton and Rix but the other Everton side won 1-0 at Rochdale with Radzinski scoring the winner.
Now the Blues return to the promised land for their next stop on their pre-season tour....Scotland and a double header with Scottish treble winners Rangers and the visit to Ian McCall's new Dundee United, both should be very interesting matches for players and fans alike! First up for the Blues is the battle with the Scottish Champions and Treble winners Rangers at Ibrox, this will be a very tough test for David Moyes' men. Rangers have added players to their squad some names will be familiar to Everton fans David May and Emerson Thome are at Ibrox on trial and Khizanishvili and Capucho have joined the Gers on permanent deals. It will be a coming together of Everton and Michael Ball again after he has missed out the best part of a season through injury. Ball has played in the Gers friendly matches with the Ibrox side winning 3 out of the four matches so far. No doubt there will be a few followers of both clubs interested in Michael's progress this season and a few watchful eyes will be on him on Saturday. It promises to be a fascinating encounter and one that I am looking forward to. Looking back over the years and the clashes between the two clubs and some interesting facts and results between the two clubs, I wonder how many Tommy remembers?
1886- Rangers 1-Everton 0 this was an FA Cup tie !
1981- Rangers 1-1 Everton -Gers won 3-1 on pens-Colin Jackson Testimonial
1987- Dubai Cup Rangers had six goals chalked off for offside ! Must have been then !
1997-Everton 3 Rangers 2 - Dave Watson Testimonial
1963-Rangers 1 Everton 3,Everton 1-1 Rangers-unofficial British Championship match
1971 Rangers 2-1 Everton
I am sure that Everton are due another win over their Glasgow counterparts, let's hope that it is this Saturday!
I wonder what end these players would sit in if they could choose, they have played for both clubs over the years!
Thomas Myhre, Gary Stevens, Richard Gough, Alec Cleland, Michael Ball, Trevor Steven, Stuart McCall, Paul Gascoigne, Andrei Kanchelskis, Andy Gray, Duncan Ferguson, Mo Johnston, John Spencer and Alex Scott. With Walter and Archie in the dug out ! It should be a very interesting day on Saturday but don't be surprised if when you sing, If You Know Your History, a few boo's ring around the stadium, as this is also a Celtic song !!
I will be back with a full report and pre-view of the Dundee United match next week, until then be careful and enjoy yourselves in Glasgow ! Can't wait to see my Liverpool pals again!
One sad note, one of Reporting's finest journalist's and reporters Alex Cameron has sadly passed away this week. When I sit and write my weekly column's I think these are the guy's people like me are trying to be like, the real journalist's true professional in every sense of the word.