craig

Agree in entirety Danny. He initially looked good at Leeds but assisted to run then into bankruptcy (along with the chairman who wasn't fiscally responsible - hmmmm, I sense a familiar feel to that). Once the purse strings were tightened he wasn't up to much at all. Likewise with Villa he looked OK initially but most clubs do better when they have a new manager - 6th was still a very good finish - but to me his mediocrity was apparent when you see what happened to them subsequent to that initial period

Cannavaro, whilst being the best defender - actually best PLAYER at the WC, is 32 and therefore in all probablility Real will get 2 good years out of him. I think it is very good business by Real - but wouldn't necessarily say a snip - having said that though, 13.7 mill these days doesn't seem to buy much of a player. Maybe it IS a snip

Gav, when you have missed as many games as I have in a decent league (and the only way I get to watch any SPL games is on a 3inch by 3 inch screen) then you want to get to a game no matter how when you are home. The wife and her mother are Hibbees (though I am sure I can convert the wife) so I will be taking them to the footy.... and hoping I can convince them that heading to the pub for beers is purely for medicinal purposes, especially as we arrive after flying for 10 hours just 3 hours befor KO. I am still hopeful Cammy (or anyone else on here - hint hint) can hook me up with at least 2 (if not 3) tickets for Ibrox on Aug 6 vs Utd.

Your subject line is a bit naughty Colsh, given Reo Coker wasn't even mentioned !!

The "New" Rangers is a very good point Jim - what an opportunity this all is for DM and the Club to start a fight-back. New Manager New season New players New attitude New no nonsense approach It would go a huge way in pushing forward the momentum that just signing PLG gave if the Board took it that stage further and said "the media will no longer be allowed to shit on us". I won't hold my breath

And to think I am going to watch those toss-pots next week against the sheep - now I won't be "supporting" EITHER side.

Which is all we ask for Cammy - but are rarely afforded !!

Seems that there are even MORE clubs involved. From sportinglife.... Two more clubs are set to be sucked into the Italian match-fixing scandal, according to a report. Italian newspaper Il Giornale has claimed that the head of the Calciopoli investigation will receive 300 pages of previously unseen documents, involving telephone transcripts which will incriminate at least two other clubs. The newspaper has so far refused to name the two clubs, but has promised to reveal all the details in the coming days. Juventus, Fiorentina, Lazio and AC Milan were found guilty of match-fixing last week, but all four clubs are appealing against the decision. It is feared that more revelations could cause a delay to the start of the Italian league season. Meanwhile, Inter Milan will be officially awarded last season's Scudetto within the next ten days, it is claimed. With Juventus relegated, and AC Milan deducted 44 points from last season's total, the Nerazzuri top the revised Serie A table. Initially it was thought that the title would be declared void, however, Inter are so confident they will be confirmed as champions that the Coppa Italia logo on their new replica shirts has been moved to the sleeve to allow space for the Scudetto to be recognised.

Good lad Gav !

Confirmed it isn't as serious as first thought but still misses the start of the season - and Fergie has picked up a heel injury now..... From skysports Rangers winger Chris Burke has been ruled out for the start of the new season. Burke is struggling with an ankle problem he picked up during Rangers' tour of South Africa. The Scottish international underwent a scan on the injury on Tuesday and although the injury is not serious he will miss the big SPL kick-off later this month. Rangers are also sweating over the fitness of skipper Barry Ferguson. Ferguson is suffering with a heel injury and he will miss this weekend's friendly with Middlesbrough.

Who gives a shit.... but Moyes has confirmed they are interested. From skysports Everton boss David Moyes has revealed Celtic are interested in Gary Naysmith. Celtic are searching for a left back and as revealed by skysports.com, Naysmith is among their list of targets. The Scottish champions are now thought to be ready to step up their interest in Naysmith after being frustrated in their attempts to sign Sparta Prague ace Michal Kadlec. Naysmith's future at Everton is unclear with several players battling for the left back spot at Goodison Park. Moyes has admitted he could be willing to let Naysmith go for the right price as he is well stocked at left back. The former Preston boss told Radio Clyde that Celtic are keen on Naysmith and that if they are willing to offer up to a �£1 million for the ex-Hearts star a deal could be done.

Do you know Tristan personally Gav ?? From sky sports..... Deportivo La Coruna striker Diego Tristan has ruled out the possibility of joining SPL champions Celtic this summer. The 30-year-old is surplus to requirements at El Riazor and is believed to be on the market for around �£2.4 million. Celtic have reportedly been interested in the experienced hit-man, but he has nipped speculation in the bud that he could move to Scotland due to the cold winter climate. However, Tristan would be interested in a move to Portuguese sides Porto and Sporting as they are in this season's UEFA Champions League. "The only thing that interests me is the possibility of playing in Portugal for a side who are in the Champions League," explained Tristan to the Daily Record. "There is absolutely no possibility that I would want to play in Scotland or anywhere in northern Europe as it is too cold for me."

Agreed Danny - but no matter what it can sully the good name of our club - and we don't hear the same half-truths (actually outright lies) in regards to our neighbours across the city. Biased reporting ? You bet !!

Wija, did you use the email address Frankie listed ? My email bounced back. I wrote a novel unfortunately. Mr Jackson, It is with complete dismay that I email you this morning regarding your article on the cancellation of the above game. May I ask, did you actually make any attempt to find evidence to support your accusation that the reason Greater Manchester Police cancelled the above game was because Rangers fans are a "threat" ? I doubt you did given that GMP have confirmed that they did not believe that Rangers fans were a "threat" at all. Your sensationalistic article is nothing more than an antagonistic attempt to slight the good name of Rangers, just what is your agenda Mr Jackson. Unfortunately these type of reports (yes, it is inaccurate, disdainful and unprofessional given your complete lack of effort to substantiate your story) give nothing but credence to those who wish a bad name on the club and if you throw enough mud it may well stick Mr Jackson. However, it seems that you also fail to realise that such reports which have indeed been found to be inaccurate also make the reporter themselves look very unprofessional and, dare I say it, unethical (if such a term could possibly be used for a reporter of such a tabloid). The quotation you have from GMP Bolton Division Chief Superintendent at no point mentions that they want nothing to do with Rangers travelling support - and you have allowed your journalistic licence to accuse Rangers and their fans of being a threat to public safety (he said public safety is always paramount) - just how does that make Rangers fans a "threat" ?? Ohhh, that's right, you can use that "journalistic licence" to suggest that this is what the Chief Super meant. You use an aged example regarding the Everton vs Rangers game for arrests made prior to the game - did you make any attempts to substantiate whether these arrests were Rangers fans, Everton fans or both ? Did you make an attempt to find out where the trouble stemmed from ? I highly doubt it as the trouble was created from the home fans - but why let the truth get in the way of a good story ? You also make an attempt to compare Rangers with Celtic fans - nice attempt to make the Celtic fans look holier than thou Mr Jackson - maybe you have forgotten all of the trouble that was caused by Celtic fans on their travels to Seville - the stabbings, the planes being re-directed, the fighting on ferries, the in-fighting ? But as long as the Celtic fans were allowed to travel to Manchester it makes a nice little comparison at the same time as trying to sully our good club's name. For such an article to be appearing in a well-read paper is appalling and you, Mr Jackson, should be completely ashamed of your reporting in this instance. Do you not have enough professional pride to report the truth and not suppositions ? Yours in disgust Craig Gardiner

How long does he have left on his contract ? Arsenal won't want to sell him to Chelsea so could try and punt him off to Spain - but would he want to move abroad ? Much of this rumour is stemming from Cole having a go at Arsenal over the tapping up thing - yet that is old news as he said Arsenal left him out to dry at the time too. I read that about Zambrotta too Gav - but I am sure I also read that Real and Barca want him as well - and that he would probably go to Real to team up with Capello again - or am I confusing him for someone else ?

You just aren't having a good day Cammy with all the BS anti-Rangers stuff we are being fed - AGAIN !!! Good on the RST - but David Murray should be taking a leaf out of their book and not allowing this bile be casting aspersions against our good name. And where is that PM with your address - I transferred the money from my paypal to my bank account last night - will be there sometime next week I would imagine !

Not necessarily scary Gav - Aberdeen will likely be interested as they played against him, same as Rangers. Just because Aberdeen are interested doesn't make him a worse player. I had read before the game that this guy and one other (forget his name) were going to be watched by PLG anyway as they were starlets in the African game. To use an extreme example... we would be interested in Thierry Henry, so would Aberdeen - does it make him a worse player because Aberdeen want him ? Ahhh screw it, course it does !

Thanks Frankie ! Email sent. Bounced back Frankie - his inbox full perhaps ?

Cole Would be a much better signing than Carlos as he has age on his side and is a better player. Given Chelsea have the cash they would be much better spending it on Cole.... but will Arsenal let him go ? If I were Chelsea and couldn't get Cole I would be much more tempted to try and bring in either Lahm (who had an excellent WC and can play either side of defence) or Eric Abidal who had a very effective WC too than I would Roberto Carlos. Carlos has seen his better days and would only be a stop-gap for Chelsea.

Anyone have Keith Jackson's email ? I would love to email him my displeasure at his antagonistic attack, yet again, of our great club.

But Cammy, Lynds didn't say WHO threw the bananas - she just said she remembered them being thrown.

A book by PL ? Who is PL ? Is this thread not about Ricksen ?

Received with thanks Lynds !! Thanks mucho !

Mike, I think the "too young" quote was aimed at the young Italian player that was on trial at the same time as N'Diaye. The one thing that I am probably most pleased about this pre-season is that PLG seems to be trying to build a team fir the future (just look at the age of the players he is signing - only Letizi is over 30, Sionko is 29 and the rest are young lads who hopefully will have the desire to succeed at a HUGE club such as ours). And I am sure that PLG will strengthen before the end of the transfer window in the positions that need strengthened. I am very excited about what this season holds for us - and only 12 days to go !!!!!

Agreed Cammy - we can amicably agree to disagree !! Now... where is that PM you promised me so I can get the funds to you for the banner ? I will be home a week on Saturday and can mail when I get home - or do you want it sooner ?