Dundee Utd 0
Rangers 2
League (Premier Division)

Manager's Programme Notes

Sorry to disappoint all you fans who enjoy Jim McLean's article in the match programme. This is a concerted effort from all the Directors EXCEPT Jim McLean. Those of you who take the Sunday Mail would have read the vicious attack on Jim by a Mr Don Morrison in the issue of 11th September after a Mail reporter was banned at the after-match conference the previous day. Unforunately, the Sunday Mail do not give us the right of a full and fair reply so this is our only means of cornmunication. For example, on 5th June Mr Morrison reviled us for seeking interest from Hearts on the unpaid balance of the transfer fees for Willie Pettigrew and Derek Addison almost two years previously. We wrote the editor, pointing out that Hearts had written us on 20th January, 1982, stating, "Heart of Midlothian will pay interest at the current rate on the outstanding debt." The editor stated he was willing to publish a letter making this point. Instead only an extract was published by Mr Morrison with a facetious footnote. Then, on 21st August, Mr Morrison referred to the large turnout for Hamish McAlpine's testimonial and included the following remark about Hamish. "Not only has he been a United stalwart for 17 years but has had to put up with Jim McLean for 12 of them. I reckon that's going beyond the call of duty." Mr Morrison, in his scathing attack on Jim in his article of 11th September, says that he jocularly remarked Hamish McAlpine deserved his bumper testimonial because he had put up with Jim for so long. What a sick type of humour! He also says in this article Jim cannot take criticism. The other Directors refute this. He can take criticism provided it is constructive and fair but wlien Mr Morrison criticises what players have been signed this is sheer arrogance. He is not even accurate in his statements.

The trouble about telling a lie is you must remember afterwards what the lie was. He had earlier castigated us for demanding interest from Hearts. He now says we had demanded speedy payment of interest from Hearts. Some difference. Incidentally the interest is still unpaid. Our supporters obviously support Jim's latest action in banning the Sunday Mail reporter as extracts on page 13 from one or two of the many letters received show. Mr McLean's fellow Directors are 100% in agreement with his action as, in fact, are the players, especially, as we have reason to believe the situation was set up by the Mail. It seems to be a particularly stupid action on their part as we had arranged to meet their sports editor and Mr Morrison on the 22nd of this month to try and remedy the situation. This meeting has, of course, been cancelled in view of Mr Morrison's aggravation of the situation. Mr Morrison is banned from Tannadice and the Mail refused contact with anyone connected with Tannadice until Mr Morrison apologises. If you believe he will. you will believe anything.