THE Head of Sport in here was at the Evening Times some 25 years ago, which was just past his 50th birthday incidentally, when a very small, delicate and young female voice came on the phone, asking about a photograph of the then-equally young Motherwell midfielder Phil O’Donnell, and could she have a copy.

Unfortunately, given the dreaded red dot on the back (denoting it was paid for), it didn’t belong to the Times, so the answer had to be no. But why that photograph?

“I just think it’s the best picture of him, ever.”

“Are you a fan?”

“Oh yes. I’m his fiancée.”

Mr Weir made moves to find out who took the photograph, but during his investigations, our one-time graphic artist Michael Douglas Brady offered to pencil sketch the photo. His wonderful drawing was then framed and presented it to Eileen, who in turn, made it a gift to Phil.

One of the many stories from the archive of oor Sweir, this one is all the more poignant this week. No jokes now. Uncle Phil, one of the nicest blokes to kick a ball, remains badly missed by all.

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And now to Partick Thistle. Or as we like to call them, Hipster FC.

The half-time draw at Firhill the other night was done jointly by Alan Rough and Kingsley. One, of course, is famous for his big yellow face, daft hairstyle, and often bizarre behaviour on the pitch. And the other is Kingsley.

We are here all week. Tragically.The Herald:

Hats off to the Thistle fans, actually that will be trendy caps, for their rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas at this game.

All together now; “And an Alan Archibald.”

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There was no one minute of silence, clapping or indeed jitterbugging at Celtic Park in midweek following the death of George Michael.

We have no strong evidence the now sadly deceased singer was much of a football fan; however, the Green Brigade have taken to singing Last Christmas and inserting Brendan Rodgers into the key moment of the song.

They should have given a little respect (that was Erasure, Ed) but not even a mention on the website. Very poor.

Although as one Celtic fan of our acquaintance, and of a certain vintage, said only the other day; “Imagine trying to start up a Wham song in the Jungle. You would have been lynched.”

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Mark Warburton has clearly been reading the many Rangers press releases. The Diary is comforted that someone is.

During his press conference this week he described his club as “the most successful in the world.”

In your face, Real Madrid. And Barcelona, Manchester United, Ajax, Bayern Munich….The Herald:

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Phil Taylor has always come across as an excellent darts player but not a particular decent man.

And this was shown to be the case during an interview with Sky, who cover the darts rather splendidly, on Thursday night.

‘The Power’ did not like it when pundit Wayne Mardle asked him a question about previous opponent Kevin Painter after Taylor had beaten Kim Huybrechts.

Taylor took offence and said: “Of all people you should not ask me a question like that. Because you are going to put me in the s***ter.”

It was at this point he was warned about his use of language. For the sake of clarity, he wasn’t in the s***ter at the time. He was on a couch.

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As most people know, the biggest issue facing mankind right now is whether Rangers are a new club or not.

There are many, many people who could help the world out by campaigning about global warming, the rise of the right wing, Michael Gove being allowed to walk the streets or child poverty, but would rather concentrate on this subject.

Someone who has gone to great extremes to prove that Rangers are “deid” goes under the name of CelticResearch on Twitter.

“By way of contrast,” he told us this week. “The bitter ex-partner in the marriage has used the term "Old Firm" on their website 134 times in the past year alone.”

Who has the time to do this?