It always seems a bit strange at this time of year. We are midway through the season and, with Christmas upon us, it feels like the only decent thing to do is become all nostalgic for the year we are leaving behind. As a Hibby I must confess I am just a touch uneasy when I look at the league tables. Hibs are at the top end so that is a bonus, however, they are not a noticeably better team than any of their rivals for the championship, which is worrying. Please tell me I am wrong for thinking that if this team was still in the Premier League we would be really struggling. I should point out that I was at the cup game against St Johnstone and this is the basis for my concern, so your argument had better be a good one.

I expect 1998 will probably be remembered for the absolute mauling Celtic gave the Huns. (Obviously I am talking in a football context here and an event like the narrow aversion of war against Iraq is fairly important as well) Nobody could have predicted a win for Celtic never mind a 5-1 victory. Did you see the face on Dick Advocaat after the match? He looked as though he had just been asked to play a game of Twister with Julian Clary and Boy George. Of course, this Old Firm game, like every other one, gave the Glasgow biased media the opportunity to pretend that no other teams exist for a few hours. The guff we are fed about the 'special atmosphere' of these games is quite nauseating considering the outdated vitriolic bigotry that is spouted by both sets of fans. Rangers started the game with three Scots while Celtic had four so I would love to know what the fifteen foreign mercenaries involved made of the background to this 'special atmosphere'.

Is it just me who's getting bored with reading about Celtic take-overs? The consortium of Tims led by Kenny Dalglish and Jim Kerr (I know his brother Juan) are planning to transform Celtic by throwing millions of pounds at the team in the hope that they can beat Rangers again. Is this the 'Glittering Prize' then Jim? I always wondered what your songs were about. Did you know that Mark Burchill of Celtic is the brother of the Simple Minds' drummer, Charlie Burchill? Now that Jim Kerr is getting involved it would appear that the connection between Celic supporters and Simple Minds is a strong one. I'm sure there has to be a good gag there somewhere so I will give a prize to the best one sent in to the Leither. I think the consortium should invite U2 along and there will be so many rock dinasaurs around they could start up a mini Jurassic Park during the summer break. I don't wish to boast but you may be impressed to know that I am a close personal friend of The Edge so he lets me call him 'The'.

Here's another exclusive for you. I have recently discovered that Celtic are to introduce special St Patrick's day celebrations next year so that their overseas players can get a feel for the 'ould country'. The highlight of the day, I am told, is a series of lessons on the Irish language to be entitled "Brush up your Erse"

Leither column, Dec 98

Tommy.