There's not been a friendly since Bannock-burn, in any meeting between England and Scotland and yet, following the totally one sided exhibition match that was the opener in the Rotterdam tournament, the underwelming gnashing of teeth and toys being thrown out of the pram from the 'mighty hoops' was a joy to hear.

'It doesn'a mean anything', 'it was jest a friendly', 'look at the money they've spent', ........yeh right!! Scott Brown didn'a think it was a friendly, neither did Barry Robson, both of whom showed the kind of tackling abilities that put the frighteners up Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir. The amazing thing about watching that game was the difference in abilities and tactical awareness between the two clubs. This was Celtic, Scottish league winners for three in a row and going for four by all accounts. This was a team that has got to the knock out stage of the Champions league. This was Celtic..........yeh right!!

Sometimes, we find it difficult to put games into prospective, this was one of those. For me, we played them off the park in all aspects. We were so much better, it was unrealistic. Were Celtic that bad or were we that good?

So onwards and upwards, 'twas the Germans next. Following their first game, a re-run of WW2, where they laid waste the port city of Holland, surely Borussia would be a sterner test. Wrong.......OK, Gomes had a couple of saves to make in this one, but thank god for that, I was wondering if we would ever see him in action. 3-0, with goals of skill and speed and youth. The last in final few minutes, showed what a difference the new training is making. No tired limbs here folks, O'Hara, Lennon, Smith, O'Hara......goal.

So there it was, the Scots and the Germans in one weekend. Just the Italians left before the important stuff starts. Friendlies? No such animal!

Hey, it's good to be Spanish today. Paella is the new fish and chips, every team is after a Spanish manager and Benidorm is the must place to visit for next years hols.

Leaman showing us why SourKraut is best left in the cupboard. His face gazing wistfully at the celebrating Spaniards, must rank with that of John, 'I'm not bitter' Terry at the CC.

And Micheal Bollock dropped another one. How's the song go Michael, '10 green trophies hanging on a wall...............

So at last, totally ignoring the Olympics, we move onto the important stuff again. Pre-season and those friendlies! This year we're off to Holland, where keeping off the grass and playing with the Pro's have totally different meanings. Love it.

Will Robbie be with us. Not if the gutterpigs have their way. Do me a favour, there's only room for one real Spanish manager in town and 'El Goatee' ain't it. Of course, we all know the link, Robbie's Irish and there are loads of Irish in Liverpool. Easy really. 

As stated in Monday the First, I felt we needed a new Pat Jennings and lo.........we sign Pat Gomes. Big hands, even longer body, Jeees, what a length, should be better at reaching those top corner shots that Robbo used to watch sail by.

Final thought for today, that Senna bloke looked good. Best I saw in that defensive midfield position in any of the teams. Worth a punt I think......

Until next time senors.

So another Monday morning and the weekend has been full of the usual ITK not occuring. What about that Bentley interview! Just 'cause he sounds like Beckham, doesn't mean he plays like Beckham. I hope we don't go after that twat.

Petr Cech really must have felt like a Turkey at Christmas. Two goals by the disowned son of Marty Feldman. A real case of a football match getting ugly in the last few minutes.

Hope Mr. Van Basten rests all his players with two legs against Romania, just so that we can wave goodbye to the posing French and the moaning Italians.

Berbs to Barca is the latest. Could see that happening as part of a secret deal to bring Julio Bangorini to Spurs for nothing. Who he you say..........

So looking ahead, I feel a goalie coming on! Son of big Pat would do for me. Look for someone with really big hands and a bad haircut.

And of course the fixtures are out. So Woody goes back in the first match. Will we face Robbo in goal and Mido up front? Ah, there's a name from the past....