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After a nervy final 24 hours of the transfer window, with Chinese bids received and rejected for our top scorer, we survey the state of the squad and look forward to welcoming Hibs to Ibrox this weekend. Lennon's side will undoubtedly be combative. Look no further than the last game between the sides at Ibrox in August and the refereeing performance of John Beaton. At times it felt like a wrestling match Beaton was overseeing; and like all wrestling matches - he seemed to be steering towards a pre-determined outcome. Jesting aside, like many, I struggle with the idea that referees are actually biased. But that doesn't meant that they don't jump through some ridiculous mental hoops when it comes to how they referee us. Are we judged to a different standard? It often seems that way. But more likely, the standard of our officiating reflects the standard of the Scottish game overall. One of the the key protagonists for Hibs back in August was Anthony Stokes who, curiously, left Hibs yesterday by mutual consent. it seems even the bold Neil Lennon will only put up with his clear attitude and behavioural issues for so long, and that tells you something! Lennon has however brought in Florian Kemberi on loan from Grasshoppers Zurich to replace Stokes. He also brought in Cammy Bell from Kilmarnock, who replaces the departing Scott Bain who was on loan from Dundee and has now joined Celtic; as well as another couple of loanees - Jamie Maclaren and Faycal Rherras. Simon Murray who scored Hibs' first goal back in August has joined Dundee on loan, with Liam Fontaine going to Ross County. How much of an impact those player changes will make for Hibs remains to be seen. But as ever at a clubs like ours, it comes down to our own attitude and application first and foremost. We will need to win the battle first, before we can settle to play the game on our own terms. Murty has instilled a bit of grit to the team and its clear we find the big games easier to play in. With the new additions to our own squad, coupled with a productive training camp in the US for the Florida Cup, we've started the new year with confidence. Hibs will no no doubt put us under pressure at various times. The last game between the sides in December saw them go a goal up in the first few minutes and they were clearly the better side until we scored two goals late in the first half through Windass and then memorably Morelos, with his cheeky near post finish after a glorious bit of skill to eliminate his marker. We saw the game out but Hibs were wasteful at times and the game could have gone either way. Fans favourite Morelos remains with us for the time being. Murty's post match words on Sky following last night's scrappy win against Fraserburgh seemed to suggest that perhaps there wasn't much substance behind the bids from China. Given their transfer window still has another month to go, speculation will no doubt continue. I would however start Morelos and resist the obvious GIRUY temptation to start with Cummings on Saturday. I think its important we put an arm round the lad and make sure he knows he is loved and can progress his career with us. If he continues to improve he will get the move he wants so its not in our interests to stand in his way long term, unless we want to have a Dembele-like situation developing. Much of the rest of the team picks itself in my view, based on the game versus Ross County. Cummings for me is a stick-on to come off the bench and get a goal. I for one can't wait to see his celebration and the look on the spoon burner's faces. Match Prediction: Rangers 3 - Hibs 1 Morelos FGS

Yeah, when I think back to what an utter shambles the club seemed to be, both on and off the pitch, when McInnes knocked us back, I wouldn't have believed we could have strengthened the side the way we have. Like most of us I really want Murty to do well and one thing this transfer window has done is bring a renewed sense of optimism to the support. There's a belief now we are going in the right direction. Every single signing makes sense, there's a core to the squad now of people who understand the league, the opposition and the what the club means to the support, that can only be a good thing. I think we're still missing a bit of craft, particularly in midfield, but overall I'm delighted with the progress we've made in the last couple of months.

This apology is related to a tweet from same journalist earlier today where he informed his followers that his 'source close to the Chinese club' had denied a bid had been made as well as some claptrap about foreign player limits (despite Renhe signing an Argentinian player yesterday evening). In the day where BBC Scotland posted video footage of the Rangers stonewall penalty last night in which all three of their match commentators decided it was harsh this is quite something. Interestingly their match reporter last night (Martin Dowden who also helps produce much of their sporting output) suggest Holt tripped over the ball. Good to see Rangers challenge this nonsense and once again the Scottish football media are seen for the liars they are.

A queue of applicants form outside the SFA offices.

In case he bumps into Alex Salmond?

Thompson from DUTD? Petrie? some Rangers hater will get it.

Regan is no loss to Scottish Football, a celtic quisling no longer of use as Liewells puppet, so therefore surplus to requirements.

Sir, The BBC apologising to Rangers is like a dog walking upon its hind legs, it is not done well, but it is surprising to see it done at all. (With my apologies to the Sage of Lichfield.)

I couldnt disagree more in Niko's situation. It is clear to a blind man that his body simply can't react as quickly as his brain. IMHO you actually need to see it live. I have always been a Niko supporter but when I was at the Motherwell game a couple of days after Christmas it was painfully, and sadly, obvious that Niko's body has given up on him. His brain is as sharp as ever and some of his touches were sublime that night - one deft touch and he had beaten a Motherwell player with ease.... but even though the ball was only a yard or two away from him he couldnt get the next touch because he was so slow to make the next move. No amount of match practice will improve Niko's body and lack of mobility - the years and the injuries have taken their toll unfortunately. It is a crying shame because, at his peak, he would be the creative force we need. The ONLY way we could utilise him, IMO, would be in front of the defence in a 4-2-3-1 - but the other person in the "2" would need to be his legs. I am not convinced we need that now though given we have Goss who is more than able at spotting vertical passes. It is sad because Niko is an all-round good guy and someone that you just will to succeed and have the utmost respect for.

A youth player attempting to get into the Rangers first team (and staying there) is a very different prospect from getting into the Hearts or Hamilton first XI to name but two other clubs. Of course any Rangers manager would want to promote the best young players but only the very best are capable of making that step and it's worth noting that players develop at different stages as well.

I don't have any worries about Morelos other than he may struggle now and again without having had a proper rest of note since last April.

I think he's just pointing out that a striker 4 years older than Morelos with a pretty average scoring record in the championship has gone for £10m, £2m more than was offered for Morelos. 12 goals in 44 last season, 8 in 27 this season. For once Sutton is right, Scottish clubs are letting players go too cheaply.

Just a wee comparison to money being spent on a striker

Erm, what's that to do with us?

I would tell Moreloss keep scoring plenty of goals and we will have to sell you when the 40 million pound offers come flowing in

Seems like cause for optimism. I'm not sure how I'll cope with that but will try. ?

Written by: Admin Thursday, 21st of August 2014 The date was 27th of July 2012 and Scotland's biggest and most successful football club faced oblivion. Just two days before the club were due to face Brechin City in the Angus town, Rangers FC had no licence to play football. This doomsday scenario had been created by twisted individuals representing the SFA, SPL and others. Their determination to see Rangers punished to the full for an as yet unproven "charge" (a charge which the club was subsequently found not guilty) was matched only by an underlying driven agenda to see Rangers damaged as much as possible, perhaps beyond repair. The club had been given a stark choice - accept sanctions and trophy stripping or be granted no licence to play football, in any league, anywhere. Rangers, with Ally McCoist and Charles Green representing, had fought bravely to retain the clubs' history, heritage and sporting record in the face of those determined to steal it away at any cost. In defiance of the Scottish Football authorities equivalent of a firing squad they fought valiantly for a club that had already lost most of its first team squad following SPFA and agent interference allied to greedy individuals who saw a fast buck. The future of the Scottish game lay in the hands of those men sat round a table. Their dirty game of chess had reached stalemate; their attempted "Five-Way Agreement" had morphed into a carefully contrived monster that included: stripping of 5 SPL titles stripping of 6 Scottish Cups a signing embargo The message delivered was loud and clear. Accept "guilt", and accept our punishments or we put you out of the game. We feel it's necessary to repeat this; no ruling had yet been made on EBTs from Lord Nimmo Smith, and two years and two appeals later, the EBTs are still judged in law to be loans that did not give Rangers any footballing advantage in the years the scheme was in use. Whilst SPL Chief Ralph Topping was regaling anyone who'd listen with tales of Armageddon and insisting the SFL accept a club the SPL had thrown to the wolves, the SPL looked to maximise revenue from that same club they had just kicked out. So, on that day 27th of July 2012, the last possible day that agreement could be reached, the SFA's lawyers Levy & Macrae hosted all senior stakeholders in the Rangers issue to their office in St Vincent Street, Glasgow. By this stage, Rangers had forced the title stripping off the agenda, however, they were not to be meekly handed a punishment free passage in to the SFL. Other measures were being quickly discussed. The determination of some to punish the club as much as possible at a late stage where desperation saw them more likely to accept to get the licence and keep the club alive hadn't waned. The presence of Duff and Phelps could not help the Rangers cause; they were now bystanders only interested that the business entity they were representing wouldn't have any financial liability thrown in its direction. With a draft agreement on paper and separate signature pages at the back (to be signed upon all attendees reaching agreement on the conditions of Rangers re-entry in to the SFL and SFA), talks got underway. All in attendance agreed that a conclusion had to be reached and papers signed off that day, no matter what. The future of Scottish Football and that of its biggest member club was at stake. Reaching agreement on any issue was difficult, and the meeting was interrupted several times as Stewart Regan answered his mobile phone and left the room. An expectant wife was calling from Yorkshire. Mr. Regan was reminded he had a dinner date that evening. With no indication that middle ground could be found regards the many sticking points and Scottish football facing disaster the SFA Chief Executive took a remarkable and shocking decision that reinforced the belief of many that he is inept and has zero interest in the welfare of the beautiful game here. At 5pm, with the document far from finalised and even further from being agreed, he took the SFA signature page from the table and signed it, informing all of those present that he would put his name to whatever was agreed, had a dinner engagement with his wife and friends in Leeds, and wasn't going to cancel. In essence, Regan signed a blank piece of paper. The Chief Executive of the SFA, with overall responsibility for the game in Scotland, was more interested in having dinner, than leading the decision makers to reach an agreement to safeguard the future of both Rangers, and Scottish Football. The meeting lasted approximately another four hours before a conclusion was reached. Rangers were forced to accept their second transfer embargo in 4 months, and various other financial penalties including the signing over of television rights, and the payment of football debts, on the agreement that they wouldn't have rights to SPL prize money, or debts owed to the club. There were a number of revisions to the draft document in Regan's absence which already had his signature, as he travelled to Leeds and made his way out to dinner. To the best of our knowledge Regan didn't phone anyone in attendance after his departure for a progress update. Regan's signature page was simply inserted into the final document and issued as the Five-Way Agreement. This absolute disdain for the future of Rangers and Scottish football has never left that room, until now. One month earlier, Mr Regan had shown a similar lack of interest when an email written by him had been leaked to the press. In his email, amongst a bunch of 'decisions' he had pre-determined, Regan revealed that while Scottish Football was in disarray, he was off on holiday. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/Regan-controversial What would Regan have done the following day if any of the people in the room had simply scribbled 'I, Stewart Regan, knowing that I am unfit to hold the position of Chief Executive of the SFA, hereby tender my immediate resignation.' Vanguard Bears henceforth ask that members of the SFA, SPFL and SFL demand Stewart Regan's resignation. This man should not be heading up Scottish Football, especially at this very crucial time where attendances are dwindling and sponsorship is drying up. The phrase "NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE" has never been more apt. https://vanguardbears.co.uk/stewart-regans-succulent-lamb.html

Interesting that Thomson resigned as Chairman of Dundee Hiv's during the week. One door shuts another opens?

I thought he was an absolute donkey and so completely out of his depth at Rangers he was going to be the ginger Scott Nisbet. I was being harsh on Nisbet there. I may have been a trifle hasty in that judgement. He definitely looked like a proper defender recently. That might be because we now have a manager who has some understanding of defending of course. On balance he's earned his spot and if he can keep it in the next few weeks then aye, he's earned a new contract offer.

A bunch of bigots and knobheads

Another patsy will be placed

He is an under 15 player signed from Drumsaggard Boys Club in the summer, Rangers tried to sign him a couple of years ago but he opted to remain at Boys Club. Rangers beat of several clubs including our rivals across the city to sign him. His older brother Andy was a Rangers a few years ago.

I guess this maybe also pours a touch of cold water on the idea of a reconciliation with the BBC given the rumoured visit by King last week.

Not bitter at all mate. You want what is best for your son, which is what ANY parent should do. And if you are a Bear as well then you would more than likely be desperate to see him break through at Rangers. The frustration will always be that, at Rangers, it is so much tougher to break through - and that says nothing about your son's quality - sometimes breaking through comes down to luck as much as anything. Hopefully he will break through at Rangers but, if not, then hopefully he goes on to great success elsewhere and, possibly, even come back at some future point.

I think the difference with Niko though is that even when he had got himself fitter and was getting regular games, he was still woefully off the pace physically. Also, he was back training full time circa November from memory, so if he is unable to get himself fully fit and functioning after 10-12 weeks then I'm afraid he never will. I can't fault his attitude or effort. by all accounts he's well liked in the squad and is a positive influence... He's just not physically equipped to do the things his brain wants to do. And its a real shame.

thanks for listening to my rants and moans folks, I am just a bitter parent, feel free to ignore me

Frankly, if i was you I would seek some legal advice, from a lawyer versed in sports' law. It is important to establish just where he stands contractually, and if the Club has been in breach of its obligations.

Yeah - I'm not saying we must do it. However it would be a bit of a sweetener for him and his agent as we look set to block what could be life changing amounts of money for him and his family. I expect this type of business will be done behind closed doors though.

Agreed. Its like what we mentioned about Jordan Jones and the way Killie rejected out bid so publicly and essentially stated they felt he was worth £1m? If that is the case, are they reflecting his value in his wage packet? The same logic would apply to how we are remunerating Morelos. Keep him motivated, let him develop, give him a rest (i.e. when Cummings is fit enough to start) and lets see if he can't kick on and push that value up and over £10m.

A 7 million plus profit on a player in 6 months would be exceptional. If he is staying we should get him on a new deal he only signed for 3 years i think.

PS: I'll publish it tomorrow am.

I'm not surprised, there needs to be a clear pathway to the first team. I don't see why everyone is so concerned about having senior backups for every position. I find it bizarre. How little trust do we have in our U20s that we wouldn't trust them to step in on an odd occasion? And the big thing for Rangers is we're throwing money away to do this.

Of course! He's a solid defender, loves heading the ball and clearing his lines. His distribution is abysmal, but that's nothing we didn't know already; he can always get better but I doubt he'll ever be good. You need defenders that can defend, and he's as good as anyone in the League.

Agreed. Games like last night on a tight, soft and bobbly pitch, showed how exposed his distribution can look. Its definitely something that can be improved but probably never going to be his strong suit.

Kris Boyd's comments on Niko Kranjar last night were very strange indeed. He seemed to be eulogising his performance and Commons also joined in with the chorus, as they played a clip of his best moments in the match. Now, I think its fair to say that between them they know far more about playing football than I do, but what game were they watching? Yes it was poor overall, but Niko especially, those couple of glimpses aside, was absolutely dreadful. He's shot as footballer and just doesn't have the legs to compete. I lost count of the number of times he was outpaced and oumuscled, the number of times he misplaced passes and gave the ball away, or was stretching to reach a ball because he wasn't quick enough to reach it in the first place... it was embarrassing quite frankly and I can't fathom why he was given a run out unless it was some sort of final hurrah for being a good guy round the squad and because the U-20s were playing Villareal the other day. Was Boyd over-compensating for his ridiculous comments on our bid for Jordan Jones? He's fast moving into Chris Sutton territory for me.

Glad someone is on the ball

Coming at this from a slightly different angle. If you sell morelos to a epl club with a 10 percrnt sell on fee you have a good chance of getting another 3 to 5 million. Sell him to china and that seems unlikely. So demand far far more.

It's usual to take an interest in your biggest rivals. Celtic fans take that to a whole new level, and in many cases it is an obsession that borders on mental illness. You can't compare the two fan bases when it comes to this. It's night and day.