A READER sees The Herald story that former player John Brown is to represent the club at a Moscow Dynamo function in the Russian capital this weekend. Says our anxious reader: "Is it really such a good idea to send someone with the nickname 'Bomber' to Russia just now?"

And another reader phones: "That Vladimir Putin is a right miserable so-and-so. Apparently he's telling folk there will be no turkey this Christmas."

CURLING is back in the news. As reader John Duffy comments: "The BBC reports that modified brooms, known as 'Frankenbrooms' are to be banned from the sport and they quote Scottish curling men's champion Ewan Macdonald saying he accepted the need for a 'level playing field' in the sport.

"It's hard to imagine anything else."

OUR mention of Roy Rogers's horse Trigger being measured for a kilt in Glasgow reminds Wilf O'Malley in Inverness: "An old work colleague, now retired, met Roy Rogers and Trigger. There was a large crowd at Glasgow's Central Station and my colleague was delighted to get Trigger's signature for his autograph book. Apparently a pen was pushed into Trigger's mouth and the horse scribbled on the book thrust next to the pen. It became his treasured possession. "

CELTIC fans will welcome the news that Celtic are to unveil a statue to Lisbon Lion captain Billy McNeill next month before their game against Motherwell. We always liked the story about Billy when he was Celtic manager and asked midfielder Peter Grant before a crucial Old Firm game to heavily mark Graeme Souness, even if it meant the risk of fouling the Rangers star. He then told the crestfallen Peter: "Don't worry about being sent off. They'll miss him more than we'll miss you."

BATHROOM habits it seems can be universal. As Adam Hess ?mused: "Ah, looks like this bottle of shampoo is now empty. I'll just inexplicably leave it here in the shower for at least eight months."

OUR old chum the former Labour MP Tom Harris, who lost his Glasgow seat at the last election, is not a great fan of the new Labour leadership. When a London-based newspaper reported that Labour's Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell had said he wouldn't live at No 11 Downing Street, Tom immediately told his followers on social media: "You know something? I don't think it's something he'll have to worry about." Ouch.

TALKING of chancellors, George Osborne in the news of course with his tax credit u-turn in his Spending Review. The biggest queue yesterday was of people claiming they forced him to do it - the Lib Dems, the SNP, Labour, the House of Lords, lobbyists, economists, Tory back-benchers, his mum.

Although we might just have guessed that last one. Anyway, on other subjects in his speech, David Cornock tells us: "Rashly decided to eat a Jelly Baby each time George Osborne mentioned 'Northern powerhouse' during his speech. Feeling a bit queasy now."

PERSONAL trainers are becoming increasingly popular. But they can be a bit censorius. As Periwinkle Jones put it: "Personal trainer asked me, 'What did you have for dinner last night?' I told him, 'Lean beef and chopped vegetables with fruit juice'.Although technically it was a Happy Meal and wine."

HONESTY from Donna_McCoy who confesses: "My Christmas shopping will be financed by my swear jar again this year