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Bottom line is Gerrard is spot on, all the Rangers haters are all terrified of Alfredo, panic has set in because of the threat from Rangers, brilliant to watch their fear and pain! the thug Brown goes around kicking players and never highlighted in the Scottish gutter press, Christie is a diving coward who also gets a free ride with refs, SFA and Scottish gutter press. Separate Entity FC continue to intimidate Scottish football and tbf it works for them, Gerrard has the balls to challenge that however the club needs to grow a set as well, a big hitter in the boardroom is required & our PR needs to improve massively or this just goes on & on.

Not only that but this season is absolutely pivotal. King, Gerrard and everyone else don't want them to get 9IAR because the pressure on making it 10 would be extraordinary - however, if we can win the title this year then that run is broken and there may be slightly less pressure, allowing the use of youngsters to come in. The other thing is that, as Gerrard builds his squad and makes it much stronger and putting teams to the sword more often, it will eventually result in comfortable leads which allows the youngsters the odd 30 minutes here and there. Along with that, we can bring youngsters in for full games given the starting XI is so strong - we haven't had that for years where you can actually carry a player or two. I suspect that many of those complaining about a lack of rotation would have been bemoaning when Morelos was left out of the Celtic game at Ibrox earlier in the season... among other games too. For me, play your strongest team every game if you can - the only time to drop someone is if they are out of form or to strategically ensure they won't miss important games through suspension. This season is too important to play around with rotation - even the weaker teams still make things difficult.

Come and join us in the famous Bluenose Lounge!

I don't believe the titles are misleading! almost everything on the official web site is for subscribers.

This is the crux of everything. The heat is on and I can just imagine the seethe if he went with a couple of youngsters and any points were dropped. This is likely to be a close run thing. A single draw that should have been a win could lose this league. Some might think fielding a team of youngsters against Stranraer may be practical but I don't. I want the first team out there working to shake off any January break rust before the real battle begins again.

Well find your own viewing then! I will not post anymore ''official interview/highlights/training vids. They are all on the main sight anyway

Oil & Gas pipelining is as dead as a Dodo just now, been struggling to get working for a few years now mate. It is near impossible, so far! to get a job out with O&G, been trying for even min wage jobs as well, a lot of ageism out there, worse than I thought!! Edit: should keep this out of the thread!

Aye, get it together Ian, just not good enough ! Just kidding mate

Ian, could you put an "RTV subscribers only" or " RTV s/o" into any forthcoming topical headlines please. ? Spares me and others to open all the video topics if they are locked for non-subscribers.

My impression from afar is that we currently have a football operation (including youth development) that has a level of professionalism higher than Rangers have ever had previously. That's currently a big positive and begs questions of the past wrt making the most of what we had. Touch wood, but for an example of a major positive, I look at our injury list over the time SG&Co have been at the club, it's not about luck. Given the pressure to win or win at Rangers, the fabled pathway is a very difficult engineering project, even if the youth development structure is sound. As I previously mentioned, If you lose the projected cream then it gets more difficult. If today's system and financial hierarchy was in place when Barry Ferguson got to his 16th birthday, would he have ever played for us ? Youth Development at Ibrox has been a good news story for a while (the Sinclair departure seems to have been a positive)...but will it produce players for us or are we caught up in a place where the cream go to more resourced clubs and the rest end-up at smaller clubs, where occasionally we end up buying them back ? The only way I see a major change is if we were semi-forced down the road of playing more youngsters because of financial reasons.

Hard not to completely love him

#1 https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1215038179943833600 Steven Gerrard slams Alfredo Morelos' Rangers critics and claims there's an agenda to 'kill' striker's career The Ibrox gaffer didn't hold back as he defended the Colombian from criticism aimed at him since the derby victory at Celtic Park. By Gary Ralston 22:30, 8 JAN 2020 Steven Gerrard has accused jealous rivals of trying to kill the Rangers career of Alfredo Morelos. The Ibrox boss claims there is an agenda to drive the Colombian striker out of Scottish football and undermine their title challenge. Celtic fingered Morelos in a recent statement for his cut throat gesture to their fans after Rangers claimed he was subjected to racist abuse by home supporters following his red card in the recent Old Firm game. The Parkhead club have also been angered after Ryan Christie was hit with a three match ban but no action was taken against Morelos over clashes with Christie, Scott Brown and Anthony Ralston in a game last season. Former Parkhead striker Chris Sutton also claimed Morelos, who has scored 28 goals this season, should cop at least a five game ban for his gesture in the aftermath of his dismissal on December 29, which Rangers insist meant only ‘game over’. Bullish Gerrard, speaking from his club’s mid-winter training camp in Dubai, also told rivals to get their own house in order as he went on the front foot in defence of his player. Gerrard said: “Is Alfredo perfect right now? No. Will he makes a few mistakes going forward? I predict he probably will, but a lot of the fallout and the opinion, people do want to kill him. “People want to see him on the other side of the world for good. You also have to understand where that’s coming from and the reasons why it’s getting said. “It’s because he is a threat, it’s because he scores big goals and is a big player for Rangers. He is one of the big reasons and the key factors that, if we are to be successful, they know it will be largely down to his goals and his contribution. “We understand all that, there’s no problem. The most important thing for us is that he’s going to help us massively in the second half of the season. “The people that fire the negativity also have to also remember what they have got under their roof as well. Not everyone is perfect in other teams as well. “I’m not going to sit here and paint a picture that Alfredo’s an angel or he’s perfect but what I can guarantee is he’s doing everything he can to improve.” Morelos has been given additional time off to spend with his family in Cerete as he misses the next three games as a result of suspensions picked up in the Premiership and Scottish Cup. Gerrard has also backed the statement released by Rangers in the aftermath of their Parkhead victory that stated the cut throat gesture by Morelos was lost in cultural translation. Gerrard also spoke of his respect for Hoops boss Neil Lennon as he swatted aside criticism from former Parkhead frontman John Hartson, who claimed his handshake at the end of the match should have been more chivalrous. Gerrard added: “Listen, it’s an emotional game. You guys have been around me every time I have spoken about Neil Lennon and Celtic and I have shown nothing but respect. That will continue to be the same. “As a pundit, I have been there and they all have to please their bosses and try and create headlines and go a little bit outside the box. “I have nothing but respect for John Hartson. I’ve had people firing bullets my way since I was 18 years of age. My shield is up and that will continue, no problem. “In terms of the celebrations, it is my responsibility to make sure the players celebrate in the right way. “That individual situation (Morelos) is one that the club have already dealt with and spoken about. It is important people know it is not something we ignore or forget. “We always try to ask the players to behave and celebrate in the right way. “We’ll deal with it (the charge) if it comes. We can’t control the decisions that are made by other people but, if they come, we’ll deal with it. “The Ryan Christie situation is for Neil Lennon to talk about, it’s for Celtic to deal with. “In terms of consistency across the board with referees and getting cited, all the managers are going to ask for consistency - especially when you’re on the wrong side of it. “Prior to that, we’ve had decisions that haven’t gone our way. A Cup Final went against us because of a decision. “We never got a penalty up at Aberdeen. Look, you can cry wolf, you can get the violin out if you want but the reality is, you have to get on with it. “Whatever comes our way, positive or negative, we’ll deal with it and move on.”

Listening to it now. Only 12 minutes in - but listening to these two is actually fun.

Bugger that. Just you keep on posting these links. I'm a lazy bastard and would miss half these things if someone didn't provide an easy link. I also don't give a shit if the titles are misleading ?

Come on BoJo, make the BBC self-funding. Give them five years to prepare, then bring the licence fee to an end and let the bastards find an audience that will pay for their bullshit.

That's quite a thought. If we can keep improving our squad it could happen, but that's a big if. Replacing Alfredo's goals could be the biggest recruitment challenge Rangers will face this whole decade.

Under 18 League table is almost impossible to find. Fortunately the results are on the SFA website so I made my own. Team Pl W D L F A GD PTS Rangers 12 12 0 0 52 4 48 36 Aberdeen 10 9 1 0 29 8 21 28 Celtic 12 8 2 2 34 12 22 26 Hamilton Acc 10 5 2 3 12 9 3 17 Kilmarnock 12 5 1 6 17 16 1 16 Hibernian 11 5 1 5 20 21 -1 16 Motherwell 12 4 1 7 18 31 -13 13 Hearts 13 3 3 7 12 22 -10 12

You've actually picked a great example to illustrate what the major obstacle is between 15/16 and the first team. Michael Stewart may have been technically very good, but I see hundreds of kids who are technically excellent at 15/16/17. The ones who make it have the right attitude, but that's missing in most of the youths I see. Stewart has subsequently proven he's got a massive chip on his shoulder, coupled with a sense of entitlement. I think that poor attitude is typical of players who are big fish in small ponds at youth level, and therefore fail to make the next step. I have watched boys from age 5/6 develop into some of the most skilful players I've ever seen, but you can see the poor attitude evolve and eventually kill any prospect of a footballing career. I've no idea how to maintain that hunger and desire to keep improving, but thankfully we have a gaffer who has done it so maybe he can help them. If he can't, I don't know who can. Clubs get the blame for not developing the players, but these days most clubs follow the same pathways development programme so in my opinion it's 90% down to the attitude of the player. When our first team stops training, Tav, Barisic, Kent (in particular), Jack, Morelos, Defoe (even eve days) are all staying behind to work on things themselves. When the youth training stops, very few stay behind to work on anything. That tells me a lot.

Yeah, but the title of the thread is misleading. It's not really an official site interview (open to everyone) but more of an RTV interview (open to subscribers only). ?

Lennon is in the papers this morning, demanding the SFA admit they are wrong on the Ryan Christie citing and prosecution, and apologise. Three interviews over three nights and no one uttered the above on BBC Scotland camera. PQ have sent a Journo and camera crew out to Dubai for the second year running to almost exclusively report on matters Sellik, and they don't get an exasperated Lennon demanding an admission of wrong doing, and an apology. Seriously, where do the Gang Hut go from here, allocating more public monies to continue ra Sellik propaganda for no juicy tit bits: or do they withdraw the rota of Gang Hutters willing to wash both Neil and Peters cars? We should be told?

Snatched from FF While there might be interest, I can't see this happening, even as a loan. When fully fit, Jordan Jones is sure the main contender for the left-wing / left-attacking midfield slot behind Kent. Barker hasn't shown even half of the promise that Jones did early in the season and the latter is a proven player at Premiership level. Thus, I'd rather envisage a loan for Barker rather than Jones. King is away now, Grezda too. I reckon that Middleton and Docherty will follow, most likely on loan. There will probably be interest in Foderingham, while Polster has already stated that he won't look to move on. It was also said that he can and has played as DM (as well as RB), an area where we have lost/will lose two players. Likewise, he hardly put a foot wrong when he was on the park. While others may disagree and probably point at the "never change a running system" mantra, I do find it somewhat strange that we keep picking the same players over and over again (whether in form or not). We play teams of a varying degree of quality every week, sometimes twice a week, yet won't give the "back-up" folk a chance to keep themselves sharp in case some of the "first row union" drop out through injury et al. The only real change that happened of late was the exclusion of Ojo from the starting line-ups and even the bench (without much of an official explanation). Obviously, Aribo's form and the arrival of Kent have to be thrown into the equation here.

That's still a youth Craig. Most 17 year olds are still playing age-group appropriate football, McKay did when he joined us. I'm not being a pedant, but the challenge we've regularly failed at is taking a talented 17, 18, 19 year old and turning them into a first team player. McKay managed that and has gone on to have a reasonable career at a decent level.

Suggests a pretty steely focus and resolve. Fantastic for us. Scary for everyone else.

I simply pointed out that it had already been posted as others have done to me in the past. No criticism was intended and have already agreed with your previous post on this.

Barrie McKay can't really be considered a Rangers youth product though as he came to us from Killie at 17

Know your place, Timmy! ?

I think there's a thread about Scum FC transfer activity on Kerrydale Street.

All about the Rangers

Reference the other Bluenose on Off the Ball, he was a Crofter from Harris/Lewis and was on to publicise his up coming TV series on BBC Alba. A year on a Croft will offer an insight into real island living. Of course, the alternative is Ian Blackford, humble Crofter/Hedge Fund manager. I am sure one of them regularly castrates lambs utilising their teeth? It was probably the presence of Amy Irons and the Crofter that irked DrStu', his conclusion on St Johnstone handing over three stands to Glasgow's big two; was the type of deal he prefers, "Rangers give us half a million for Michael O'Halloran and then they hand him back for nothing a few weeks later". DrStu' labeled the Crofter, "a glory hunter" after he revealed his support for Rangers. BBC Scotland for the second year running has sent a camera crew and Brian McLauchlin to Dubai to cover ra Sellik's winter break training camp. Last night, we had an interview with James Forrest. Tonight, like last year, it will be Aberdeen. On Wednesday, it will be Lennon/Kennedy, ...... etc. Like last year, BBC License fee paying Rangers supporters will receive no coverage of their team training a mile down the road. At some point, Michael Stewart will be given at least another two/three opportunities to utter, 'I don't like the way Rangers do things as a club'.

Damn. I don't want to see us lose ANYBODY in January. But I feel Kamara is really starting to find his early year form again. Thought he was at the heart of everything good we did on Sunday past. Would hate to see him go because I think he can be a very, very good player for us. Remembering also that Davis isn't getting any younger - I think Kamara alongside Jack could be a fantastic engine room for us. For once Stevie, I really hope youre wrong.

IMO Gerrard together with his backroom team are the real deal and what I think is important, is that big clubs don't scare him, quite the opposite, he's a real leader. Initially I wasn't convinced by the simple logic that SG would go straight into the Liverpool job once he'd finished at Ibrox but as time has passed, I have started to see more than one reason why Liverpool would choose him to go straight in as long as he keeps improving our standard in Europe and starts winning stuff.

I believe SG will be here for a wee while yet especially if we win the league and the board continue to back him, SG loves Rangers and his desire to get us back to the top is obvious!. Right now SG probably couldn't get a better job than he has, IMO.