Dick Advocaat, Rangers Dutch manager was quoted as saying that life in Scotland was getting him down. He complained that it was dark when he went to work and dark when he went home. He has apparenrly seen nothing of the country despite living near Loch Lomond. He suggested that there was little to do for entertainment.
Resisting the obvious comment that he is obviously working too long a day, Edinburgh Monarchs have invited the workaholic Advocaat along to Armadale to savour some Scottish Speedway.
"We would like to help him have a better opinion of our country" commented a Monarchs spokesman.
So as not to appear biased, Monarchs have also invited Celtic manager, Slovak Doctor Jo Venglos. The pair of them should provide some great unintelligible trackside interviews!
The was no mention of inviting managers from nearer home. Jim Leishman and Ray Stewart, of local team Livingston, might be candidates with their team well placed for promotion from the Second Division. Alex McLeish of Hibernian, who are running away with the First Division should have some spare time on his hands once the title is settled within the next two weeks. There will be little point in inviting Jim Jefferies, manager of struggling Hearts, for the next two months or so. Jefferies, a cousin of Mick Powell, will be far too busy trying to avert the 'big drop' for his bottom of the table Jambos.
Former Scotland Rugby Union star John Beattie did come to Armadale a couple of weeks ago in his capacity of sport presenter on Radio Scotland. He was taken round the track by Kevin Little and then had a go on his own on Kevin's bike during the Press and Practice Day.
The obvious match to invite Glasgow's grusome twosome will be the April 16 match against Glasgow. This will help to acclimatize them to a Glasgow side getting stuffed by one from Edinburgh!