I SPOTTED a few familiar faces at Rugby Park on Saturday - guys more-often seen there when Killie are at home than perhaps at Millbrae, Bellsland or even Scotstoun. Of course, taking an international to the ground made it an event, a good case for being able to say: "I was there", but, the demographic in the stands did show that when it comes to internationals there is perhaps a Scotland following rather than a specific rugby or football one.
But, this still doesn't answer a question which has troubled me of late. How come, the Scotland rugby fans can make such a good job of singing Flower of Scotland, while the Scotland football fans' performances are a constant embarrassment?
One of the shrewder thinkers in the football-writing fraternity has a theory, which is, without the band getting in the way of the second verse, the rugby Tartan Army can march at their own pace, whereas the football Tartan Army is always racing the band.
I don't know, I just wish the football guys would wise up and learn to sing it properly.
RANT over, back to reality. Where now stands Scotland in the rugby world? Interesting point to ponder. Yes, we had a good Autumn, but, we have had these before, then bombed when it came to the Six Nations - can we get it right this year?
I certainly hop and think so. We were in the same position as England and Wales found themselves against the All Blacks. We were in the game with some 20-minutes to go, but still lost. I don't think we collapsed as badly as did the English and the Welsh, but, that said, we weren't facing as-strong an ABs XV.
I think Steve Hanson and Co reckoned, it would take them an hour or more to subdue the English and Welsh threats, they maybe expected to have taken care of us by half-time, so, we perhaps took advantage of their under-estimating us.
Wales, I have long said, are not as good as their supporters in the media would have us believe. They are a one-dimensional, bish-bash-bosh side who, if they are stood up to, will back down. Their front row also cheats disgracefully at the scrums.
One of the things which got the ABs in front of them on Saturday was Wayne Barnes's ultimatum to Paul James: "Start propping or go off". If only more referees would be as firm with them.
England too have a pack which likes to bully people. Stand up to them and they are not so hot, while their continued failure to come up with a settled midfield will hurt them come the Six Nations. Again, their media has built them up as stars, which they aint; there are some seriusly-over-hyped individuals in that England side.
We have a coach who will not panic, who will let the guys play and who knows how he wants us to play. We have a tight, together squad. Traditionally, we struggle in the years when we have to go to Paris and London, perhaps it is time to get over this.
I would not go so-far as to tip us to win the Six Nations, but, I fancy we can be top three this year, and I can see us having a good World Cup in less than a year's time.
Now, that, for Scottish rugby, is a good place to be.
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