Over the last couple oi weeks, the capital (and even this oiiice) has been the scene oi that occasional phenomenon, the emergence oi the Closet llibs Fan. In the lean years this species keeps its allegiance a closely-guarded secret, and who can blame them? 1993 though has seen the hardy Ialthiul oi Easter lload swollen by several thousand more ilckle souls, attracted by the astonishing iacts that Hibs are top of the Premier Division and once more in the ilnai oi the League Cup, and rediscovering the iorgotten joys oi the wearing oi the green.

llibs’ sudden transiorrnation into tree-scoring purveyors oi quality soccer has been due in no small part to the attacking prowess of recent acquisitions Darren Jackson and Kevin McAllister. Jackson’s aggression in and around the penalty area, and McAliister’s creative skills have suggested that this year llibs could have more substantial ambitions than a couple oi decent cup runs and a mid-table place. A League Cup victory could be the springboard ior a

1! ~‘

k

WEATHER “ENE.

; resilient deience oi their impressive early season league position. i When they won this trophy two

the iinal. This time their opponents : are the rather tougher Rangers. The f champions are in the midst oi a major crisis at the moment, with an early exit irom Europe hitting the club coiiers as well as the players’ pride. That, combined with some horrendoust embarrassing results in the League, will ensure that Dangers, " with McCoist back leading the attack, : will have an extra element oi , determination in the season’s iirst ; iinal. albeit one played at the hated ;' Paradise. With a guaranteed place in Europe, ! as well as that rather nasty (and f unsponsored) trophy at stake, Celtic 1 Park looks set to stage a contest oi 9 above-average competitiveness. on 3 current iorm it also looks likely to be the only silverware coming anywhere : near Parkhead this season. i The League Cup Final is at Celtic Park,

Greenock. 3pm.

SECOND DIVISION

I East Stirling v Arbroath Firs Park. Falkirk~ 3pm.

I Meadowbank v Dueen’s Park Meadowbank Stadium. Edinburgh. 3pm.

Sunday 24

LEAGUE CUP FINAL

I Hibernian v llangers Celtic Park. Glasgow. 3pm. The high-flying. free- scoring League leaders take on the mid- table also-rans for the first tr0phy of the season. Who’d have thought the former would be Hibs. while Rangers struggle to get their act together. See preview.

Saturday 30

PREMIER LEAGUE

I Aberdeen v Dundee Pittodrie Stadium. Aberdeen. 3pm.

I Dundee Iltd v St Johnstone Tannadice Park. Tannadice Street. Dundee. 3pm

I llibs V ilearts Easter Road Stadium. Albion Road. Edinburgh. 3pm. The Edinburgh derby is traditionally a dour affair. although Hibs are looking much livelier this season. with McAllister and Jackson providing plenty of threat upfront.

I Motherwell v Kilmamock Fir Park. Motherwell. 3pm.

I Partick Thistle v naith novels Firhill

Park. Glasgow. 3pm. 1 seasons ago llibs laced Duniennline in l

I Rangers v Celtic Ibrox Stadium. Glasgow. 3pm. The Old Firm have been spectacularly inept thus far. with Celtic barely still in Europe. and Rangers coming unstuck regularly against the Premier League’s minnows. Expect plenty more passion from both sides this

afternoon. 3 FIRST DIVISION I Ayr V Clyde Somerset Park. Ayr. 3pm.

I Clydebank v Dumbarton Kilbowie Park, Clydebank. 3pm. I Duniennline v Brechin East End Park.

g Dunfermline. 3pm.

5 Glasgow on Sunday 24 October at 3pm. '

Events are listed alphabetically by sport, then by day. Sport Listings compiled by Tom Lappin.

BASKETBALL Friday 29

I The Harlem Globetrotters Murrayfield Ice Rink. Edinburgh. 7.30pm. £14.50. £11.50. £9.50. Family tickets £33. Not so much sport as showbiz razzmatazz as the flash American basketball exhibitionists bring their brand of tn'ck shots. comedy routines and general showing~off to Edinburgh. It’s their 67th season on tour (don’t worry the team has changed over the years) and they‘ve ‘won’ 8.186 games on the trot.

I Ilace Days Tuesday. Thursday and Saturday. Shawfield Stadium. Rutherglen Road. Glasgow. There are ten races in each meeting. starting at 7.45pm. £2.

Edinburgh

I llace Days Tuesday. Thursday and Saturday. Powderhail Stadium. Beaverhall

; Road. Edinburgh. Each meeting includes

ten races. starting at 7.30pm. £2.50 Stand. l

Race programme free with admission.

Saturday 23 : PREMIER LEAGUE I Aberdeen v Dundee United Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen. 3pm. I Celtic v Motherwell Celtic Park. Glasgow. 3pm. Tommy McLean's side have confounded critics‘ expectations this season with some fine young players fulfilling their potential. Celtic meanwhile. stumble from crisis to crisis. Should be close. I Dundee v lillmamock Dens Park. 7 Dundee. 3pm. I St Johnstone v Baith ilovers McDiarmid Park. Perth. 3pm. FIRST DIVISION I Airdrie v Falkirk Broomfield Park. Airdrie. 3pm. I Dumbarton v St Mirren Boghead Park. Dumbarton. 3pm. , I Duniennline v Stirling Albion East End ' Park. Dunfermline. 3pm. I llamilton v Clyde Douglas Park. Hamilton. 3pm. I Morton v Clydebank Cappielow Park.

FOOTBALL '

I llamilton v Alrdrie Douglas Park. Hamilton. 3pm.

I Morton V St Mirren Cappielow Park. Greenock. 3pm.

I Stirling Albion v Falkirk Annfield. Stirling. 3pm.

SECOND DIVISION

I East Stirling v Stranraer Firs Park. Falkirk. 3pm.

I Meadowbank v Stenhousemuir Meadowbank Stadium. Edinburgh. 3pm.

Thursday 4

I Edinburgh Races Musselburgh Racecourse. Linkiield Road. Musselburgh. First race Ipm. The very last gasp of the Flat season takes place on the tight seaside circuit.

RUGBY , Saturday 23

MCEVIAN’S TOI- INTER DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP

I Glasgow V Edinburgh Hughenden. Glasgow. 3pm.

SPEEDWAY

Friday 22

I Edinburgh Dull Dil Monarchs v Swindon llobins Powderhali Stadium. Edinburgh. 7.15pm. Robins have been one of the best sides in Division Two this season, led by champion Gary Allan and teenager Jason Crump.

Friday 29

I Edinburgh Cull Monarchs v Sheffield Tigers Powderhall Stadium. Edinburgh. 7.15pm. Tigers last visit to Powderhail in May ended in a record 85-23 defeat. Since then they’ve strengthened the side with the recruitment of Chris Morton and Czech Romas Matousek.

£50 Off Round the World Tickets bought before 3 I st October LONDON—BOSTON—SYDNEY—BANGKOK- VIENNA—LONDON now £674 LONDON—TORONTO—LOS ANGELES—SYDNEY— SlNGAPORE—DELHI/KATHMANDU—surface— BOMBAY-LONDON now £867 W O R L D W I D E Glasgow to: LOS ANGELES £144 £288 NEW YORK £110 £220 SYDNEY £386 £637 Campus Travel Dundee University . Students' Association Edinburgh IOI Airlie Place HONG KONG £289 £582 Dundee 00' 4”” JAKARTA £298 £544 Campus Travel 4 E U R O P E 53 Forrest Road Edinburgh EHI 2Q? Glasgow to: DUSSELDORF £71 £142 Campus Travel Glasgow University . The Hub Edinburgh to: Hillhead Street £52 £102 Glasgow 6 I 2 8BR ZURICH £75 £149 I Campus Travel University of Strathclyde Students' Association 90 john Street TRAVEL Glasgow GI IJH And Telephone bookings: 03| 668 3303 l Nationwide Retail agents I l

J

The List 22 October—4 November I993 73