John Gibson: Truly he was the prince of wingers

Gordon Smith was something else. Something special. A one-off. A gent. You won't find a Hibs, Hearts or Dundee fan who disagrees.

Passed on at 80, seven years ago. Clean living. Abhorred drink, though he did own a pub at Willowbrae. Never smoked. Now his son Tony, 47, who plays piano for a living, has written book about him.

"I started on Prince of Wingers over two years ago, publishers Black & White in Leith plan publication mid-September and hopefully we'll have a launch at Easter Road."

Phil hits 90

Weigh them all up and the Duke of Edinburgh, ever good for a gaffe, is about the pick of the Royals. Did you see them galivanting at the Derby? Wills and Harry proper plonkers in their toppers, Kate's legs looking like something out of a Lowry painting.

Put it this way. The Grand Old Duke was the least obnoxious of the bunch and tomorrow night on his birthday on telly he'll be worth watching when Fiona Bruce talks to him about hitting 90.

Guaranteed it won't remotely resemble the drag last time Phil the Greek, as he's known to his mates, was interviewed at length by uppity Trevor McDonald. A monumental yawn.

Deek's up early

Pizza in our time. Spotted in La Campagnola, the West End chippie, at two on Sunday morning, one Derek Riordan. By himself. Grabbing a perfectly peaceful pizza.

We won't be seeing Deek at Easter Road again, he was able to confirm to head fryer Mauro Crolla. Bound for the cod-and-chips diet at some English club. At two in the morning he did look a wee bit wappit, possibly shadowed by the polis.