Evening Times

Tv Bid to Get More Scots to Give Blood; (Pounds) 150,000 Advert Aims to Boost Supplies

BLOOD transfusion bosses today launched a TV appeal for 100,000 new blood donors in Scotland. The Blood Trans-fusion Service unveiled in Glasgow its latest bid to top-up dwindling blood supplies - a (pounds) 150,000 advert which shows patients anxiously waiting for live-saving transfusions.

Alarm Bell's Sound Out for Diamonds

AIRDRIE were given a sharp lesson in how difficult life in the First Division is going to be as they crashed out of the Bell's Cup. The test for Sandy Stewart's side now is to learn the lessons of their defeat by Queen of the South before taking on St Johnstone at the Excelsior Stadium for their opening league game on Saturday.

Sloan Wins Spot-the-Ball Competition

Steve Reilly was hero and villain for Queen's Park as the Spiders put their name in the hat for the next round of the Bell's Cup. The defender levelled from the spot in extra time against Stenhousemuir to cancel out Paul McGrillen's strike - also from a penalty - but then missed the first kick in the resulting shoot- out.

Bell's Cup

ST MIRREN Buddies boss Gus MacPherson felt his side's 2-1 defeat was a tale of two penalty claims: "The last time we played Ross County at Love Street Alex Smith made noises that they didn't get anything their way. Well, this time it was the same referee and he didn't give us a thing. "I'm really disappointed because there was nothing in it and the two key decisions, for what were both stonewall penalties went against us. That was the difference in the end."

Rab Christie Celebrating the Franco-French Alliance at Firhill; One Juan's Won Over the Hearts of Thistle Fans..

Only one title race really matters this season so let's cast our eyes over the main runners and riders in the First Division PARTICK THISTLE The Jags could start minus key personnel. Aussie defender Adrian Madaschi is at the Olympics while new sensation Juan Ramon Escalas could jet off to join his national team. Juan was the man of the match in Thistle's 3-0 cup triumph at the weekend - anyone who can score twice against Brechin is surely worth a shot for Spain - especially against Scotland.

Wait Until I Really Get Into Gear Says Ramon; Firhill Exclusive: As If Two Goals On Debut Are Not Enough...

SPANIARD Juan Ramon Escalas has promised the Firhill faithful "the best is yet to come" after marking his competitive debut for Partick Thistle with a double in the 3-0 win over Brechin. With Billy Gibson firing Jags in front in 15 minutes, Ramon adding a double and Jamie Mitchell squandering a penalty and an open goal, it really was a salad day in the summer sun for Thistle.

Jefferies Still in Joly Mood After Drawing Blank

KILMARNOCK manager Jim Jefferies is hoping the French connection can turn his side into a major success story this season. The Rugby Park gaffer ran the rule over a trio of trialists from France in the 0-0 draw with Derby County at the weekend.

Butcher's Boys Told to Buck Up or Else

Motherwell boss Terry Butcher has warned his side to buck up in time for this weekend's opening league game against Celtic. The Fir Parkers were defeated 2-0 by Stranraer, and Butcher insists a vast improvement will be required ahead of the trip to Parkhead.

Celts Better Than Gers

CELTIC will run away with the SPL championship again this season, says Roma boss Cesare Prandelli. Ironically, his side lost 4-1 to Alex McLeish's team in Austria, and defeated Martin O'Neill's Bhoys 1-0 in Toronto.

Now Sort Out That Defence, Martin...; Celtic Analysis: Exhausting Tour has Shown Parkhead Boss Where Problems Lie

SAFELY unpacked after Celtic's exhausting trip to the stats- obsessed States and Canada, Martin O'Neill is today auditing the facts revealed by the bottom-line figures. While the Yanks and Canadians will have provided him with reams of paper detailing how many games played, goals scored and conceded, assists, throw-ins, etc., it is his players who have given the Hoops boss most food for thought.

Flair Player Must Be Big Eck's Prayer; Rangers Analysis: Boss Alex Mcleish Can Take Positives From Tyneside Tour but How He Wishes He Still Had a Gazza

THERE was more than a hint of irony in the sight of Paul Gascoigne holding aloft a Rangers jersey at St James' Park in Newcastle yesterday. The Geordie midfield maverick is exactly what his old club are missing from their locker as they head towards the start of the new season.

Souness to Swoop for Moore

BLACKBURN ROVERS have been given permission to speak to Rangers' out-of-favour defender Craig Moore. And former Ibrox boss Graeme Souness is confident of landing the axed skipper and teaming him up with his old team-mates Barry Ferguson and Lorenzo Amoruso.

Bhoys Are Tired but Well Ready

ALAN THOMPSON today insisted Celtic's taxing tour of North America can provide a good return for the SPL champions. The midfield star now has his sights set firmly on getting off to a flyer in the league against Motherwell this weekend, with retaining the title the No.1 aim for the season.

You're Talking Shear Rubbish, Bobby; Toon Boss Blast 'a Disgrace'

IBROX legend Derek Johnstone today branded Sir Bobby Robson a disgrace for his stinging attack on Rangers fans. The veteran Newcastle boss slaughtered the 15,000-strong Gers legions and claimed they directed "muck" at star striker Alan Shearer during Saturday's fiery 4-2 win over Alex McLeish's side in the Gateshead Cup.

Streets Ahead...; 15 Reasons Why We Should Be Proud of Buchanan Street

WHERE can you buy an encyclopedia at 9.59pm, imitate Dr Who, pay homage to our nation's father or stand under a giant peacock? Buchanan Street, that's where. Scotland's best-loved street has changed beyond recognition in the last five years.

Why Military Intelligence Is a Contradiction

MY pal was put in charge of new septic tanks in the first Gulf War. His mum asked him what they were like to drive. He had signed up in his teens, eager to see the world and right its wrongs. It didn't take him long to learn that wars don't determine who is right, only who is left.

Give Firefighters a Pay Rise

AS a supporter of our firefighters, I am concerned about the ongoing FBU talks, in which goalposts are being shifted, and workers are being expected to take on extra duties which were not part of the original agreement reached. It is terrible to think that the people who did such an excellent job at the Maryhill disaster should still be waiting for their long- overdue pay rise.

Timespast:Liz Mccolgan, 1986

Today you would be hard-pressed to name a Scottish sporting superstar. The days when the likes of Kenny Dalglish and Jackie Stewart were in their prime are but distant memories.

Five Fight for Glory in House

The Big Brother popularity contest was reaching its climax this week as viewers decide which of the five remaining housemates will win the reality television show. One of the five will be booted out on Wednesday night ahead of the big eviction night on Friday.

Owner Sees Profits Reach for the Sky

AIRPORTS operator BAA saw profits soaring as they climbed 18.2% to (pounds) 175million. BAA said all its operations had done well in the three months to June 30, with a record number of passengers passing through its airports, which include Glasgow, Edinburgh, Heathrow, and Gatwick.