Beattie

Press Conference is scheduled for 3 o'clock, it seems. And aye, just made a thread about the legal action.

The SFA are taking legal actions against Walter Smith for breach of contract, and against Rangers for inducement of breach of contract. They maintain there was NO compensation agreed, and there will be a statement released in the next hour.

WALTER SMITH is the new manager of Rangers. Smith's appointment has just been confirmed and he will be joined in the dug-out by Light Blue legend, Ally McCoist, who also makes the move from the Scottish national team to become Rangers' new assistant manager, and Kenny McDowall, the former Celtic reserve boss, who becomes first-team coach. The new management team's first match in charge will be at Ibrox this Saturday against Dundee United, ironically the team where it all started for Smith. A club statement reads: Rangers Football Club today (Wednesday January 10, 2007) confirmed Walter Smith, Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall as the new Management Team. Walter, who first joined in 1986 as Graeme Souness' assistant before guiding Rangers to its historic Nine In A Row triumph, returns as Manager while Ally joins as Assistant Manager and Kenny completes the new-look backroom team as First-Team Coach. Chairman Sir David Murray commented: "It is a great pleasure to welcome Walter and Ally back to Rangers Football Club. I have great respect for both men and their achievements and I am convinced they will take the Club forward. "I would also like to extend a special welcome to Kenny. He has a terrific track record as a coach and will undoubtedly enhance our new Management Team." Smith, who has transformed Scotland's National side and managed Everton since leaving Ibrox in 1998, has signed a three-year contract with the Club. He commented: "I am delighted to return to Rangers as Manager. This Club has always been in my blood and I can't wait to get started. "I am looking forward to teaming up with Ally and Kenny. I worked side by side with Ally during our time with the National team and I am also delighted Kenny has agreed to join us at Ibrox." McCoist, the Club's record marksman with an incredible 355 goals in 581 appearances between 1983 and 1998, stated: "It was a privilege to pull on the Rangers jersey for so many years but I am delighted to return as Assistant Manager. "I was honoured to be named in the Greatest Ever Rangers Team and included in the Club's Hall of Fame but this is something really special. I know the Club inside out and I am ready for the challenge." McDowall, the former St Mirren and Partick Thistle striker who has a proven track record as a youth coach with Celtic FC, commented: "This is an exciting new chapter in my life and I am relishing the chance to team up with Walter and Ally at Rangers. "Working at Murray Park on a daily basis will also be a real thrill." Press Conference shortly.

This is a shambles from Liverpool.

Fair point.

Big difference in being interested in someone and being quick enough to make the move, I guess.

You saying giving it to Hutton is funnier than a Lennon skippering Rangers?

This social life thing is being blown up.

Give it to Stevie Lennon for a laugh.

I remember a couple of years back, MacLean and Thompson struck up a good partnership in pre-season and I was excited to see it in the first team. Never happened.

Souness does indeed have a partner in all this.

Yeah, it more than likely is. Still, bit of an out-of-the-blue story.

No mention of a consortium. He must of got a fucker of a pay-off from Newcastle.

This is a bit of a weird one. Souness has bid �£20m to buy Wolverhampton Wanderers.. although the Wolves folk have denied it. Souness has come out today saying he infact has. Didn't see this coming.

Quashie just signed for West Ham.

"Following contact from Rangers Football Club, the SFA held a meeting this morning with Walter Smith. At this meeting, Walter Smith asked to be relieved of his contract. This request was refused, and Rangers Football Club have been advised accordingly".

Just watching Sky Sports News.. the SFA have rejected Walter Smith's request to be released from his contract and told Rangers they won't let him go.

Oh for God sake. Body language? He's just standing there.

God forbid a footballer has a smile on his face at training.

That's exactly my concern.

PSG, apparently.

Brown never plays up front. He played right side of a forward 3 a few times, but that's it.

I agree. We've been pissed on from a great height too often.

No ones mentioned Souness yet.

Smith won't leave the Scotland job, and he said in an interview a while back he didn't wanna do it part time, so he won't come back. Billy Davies has a good thing going at Derby, but he could be tempted. Who does that leave? I await the always entertaining yet wholly unreliable media rumours.