Listening to my car radio yesterday just before the Old Firm derby kicked off and I was moved by how  the minute's silence was superbly observed. To mark the tragedy of 40 years ago when 66 people lost their lives at Ibrox (as well as a tribute to the death of Avi Cohen who appeared for Rangers) there was apparently talk of holding a minute's applause.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-12083091
    This modern tribute has made a recent appearance and works at drowning out unsavoury elements in the crowd intent on spoiling the occasion. When I first heard it the crowd clapped for George Best and it worked and felt an appropriate way to mark his life and career. However, for honouring tragedies such as that on Stairway 13 then silence is the only proper mark of respect and in what is arguably one of the most intense rivalries in British sport it was heartening to hear nothing but an overhead helicopter and some seagulls. Some things are more important than petty local tribal sporting issues and yesterday both Rangers and Celtic fans did the city of Glasgow and the sport of football proud.