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While I baulk at paying Hearts any sort fee for a player out of contract in 5 months the big picture is winning the league this season and the access to the Champion's League money that brings. That money could stabilise the club, clear our debts and set us up for a decade if used correctly. We currently have no natural right back cover and our left back cover is playing at centre half. It seems Simpson isn't good enough, both Gerrard and now GVB have been reluctant to play him, Helander is injured and might be back soon or might not, Balagun is fit again but is also in the final months of his contract as is Goldson. If both remain, no matter how professional both are, would they play through the pain barrier for us, would they risk injury or take a chance with a niggle for us? An injury to Tav and to Bassey or Barasic will see us really stretched and playing either weans or someone out of position, that's far from ideal. Buying Souttar now might be the best bit of business our board ever make.

Being circumspect about signings is exactly what I want from our manager. The aim is to conclude deals at the best price and time - you can't do that if you're signalling intentions to your market. We should be happy to have left behind the profligate mistakes of the past.

Exactly. I don’t understand the attitude people have to signing him in this window, it would be well worth it at the right price and I still hope a compromise can be reached.

Hopefully they'll check his other equipment while he's there.

Absolute gutter. 100% need transfer movement now.

We have been 1 injury away from simpson and bassey being our CH's for months we are at best getting away with it.

I am gutted for Ianis. Poor lad. Hope makes a full and speedy recovery.

The important thing is that he scores the winner tomorrow night, if selected.

Souttar's performance at Ibrox for Hearts earlier this season is the best performance I have seen by a domestic opponent for a couple of years. If we can bring him in for anything up to £500K, letting Goldson go to wherever is daft enough to give him the money he craves, and will should get a fee in excess of £500K for Goldson, and bring in a better player, younger, cheaper than the one leaving. It seems a total no-brainer to me.

We have conceded 3 goals since GvB took over. One was a penalty given away by a forward. I grew up in the 9iar era and for me the biggest difference between that team and this one is in the midfield. We are very short in that area currently. I can see your point of view but i think we are covered and don't want to give hearts any money. I dont see Soutter as a first choice - i think he will replace Baloguns spot and not replace Goldson or Helander who will be first choice picks. We need to stop being held to ransom by other Scottish clubs. We hold all the cards here and 300k isn't a throwaway for us given we haven't spent any money on transfers in since last summer (i think?)

you say we don't need him but we have a left back playing centre half and no right back cover.

Couldnt agree more. Cant fathom paying 300k for a player we will have for free in 6 months where we already have Goldson, Helander, Balogun, King, Simpson and Bassey. We could sign a youth prospect or two for 300k.

Hearts want £300k. I wouldn't give them £50k - Souttar will arrive in the Summer.

Yeah, looks like a lot of imagination went into that appointment

Hodgson?? suppose he has to supplement his pension.

If Arfield is ready then great. Probably Kamara - Lundstram - Arfield. Not sure we need Sands for this type of game.

Wouldn't be surprised if Aribo came straight back into the team for Wed. We are very light.

Shocker about Iannis Hagi. But mainly it's a shocker for him and we should all be sending our support for his safe recovery. On the other hand, if this really is Ryan Jack back at last then things are looking up big time.

The incentive for Hearts is money versus no money and they have bills to pay like everyone else.

If a deal is done it will inevitably be a last-minute/blink-first affair.

Not that I've got much to go on, but I really think he has the technical ability to play for us and do well in the number 10 position, playing between the lines. Look at Carvalho at Fulham. I'd be looking to get him on the pitch at least every time the game is safe to see how he does.

Again just as well

Just as well with Hagi out.

Jack and Arfield back for tomorrow's game though.

Aribo back in Scotland tonight and should be available for the Ross County game.

I think you are right, a modest fee for Souttar is better than an unhappy player between now and the end of the season. Although they are probably aiming for a Europa spot in the league they know they will never qualify for the group stages so that wont achieve anything for them financially.

Hearts are desperate for us to buy him now. I don't think we need him at all. We do really need players in other positions though, so the money would be better spent elsewhere.

There are some who are saying that as Soutar will be coming in the summer, there is no need to pay anything to get him now. Bearing in mind we rate him enough to sign him, I'm sure we'd take him now if the price is right. On the other side, Hearts are making all the noise now and talking up the price for him to go now. This is standard fare in this type of situation. As the deadline nears, common sense usually takes over and he goes for a reasonable sum. As the Hearts fans have taken against Soutar, this will only get worse if he stays and Hearts will end up not playing him. From Hearts point of view it makes no sense to keep him. It would not surprise me if he comes to Rangers. Hearts will claim they have secured a large fee, thus satisfying their baying fans. Meanwhile Soutar settles in to Ibrox, becomes a favourite of our fans and a hate figure for the Tynecastle morons.

On the flip side, as someone who grew up with the 9IAR team, I still think our central defence isn't as solid as it could be and looks suspect at times to the sort of long ball approach a lot of clubs use against us. They also still give me the fear a bit at set plays, nowhere near as bad as it was a couple of years ago, but I think we should be defending a lot better than we are. From the list of players we have, Bassey has done well, but is a LB. Simpson hasn't looked great whenever he's played. King is untested. Helander clearly has his injury issues. Balogun has done well, sometimes brilliantly, but can blow hot and cold. 300k? I don't see the downside given how important the league is, or even being able to rotate with a bit more confidence and actually try to win the SC this year for example.

Rangers 4 0 Lowry

Talk of him seeing specialists and needing an operation. Who knows for sure.

OK OK no need to rub it in. 😂 Besides it doesn't matter how much or how little shit there is, it's still shit.

Think I read it's a hamstring injury, not just a pull that's why it continues to happen fairly regularly this season (I could be wrong tho).

I actually think it is you missing the point Gonzo. There was absolutely zero distinction in Bill's original post between supporter and employee. It simply said you werent fit to wear the badge if you supported the SNP. Either way, the thread is starting to move off tangent

Strange.

Scott Brown is Scott Brown and Scott Brown is going to be Scott Brown. I cannot get upset with Brown, or any of his supporting media. Everyone is entitled to their view including KT, it's all tomorrow fish and chip wrappings. What gets my goat is Kevin Clancy. I expect a truly woeful exhibition of refereeing from him. He does not disappoint, he is bad for both teams every time he walks on to a pitch. However, what cannot be forgiven is walking off the playing surface smiling whilst allowing Scott Brown to wrap his arm around him. Seriously, have you ever seen that before, I haven't? The Ref' waits inside the centre circle until joined by both Linesmen, then they depart in a loose extended order.