Bearman

Ashley will go before MPs Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley says he will now go before MPs to defend the firm's "good name". Mr Ashley has agreed to appear before the business, innovation and skills select committee (BIS) on Tuesday to answer questions on working conditions. He has been refusing to appear before the committee since March. Mr Ashley changed his mind last month and said he would answer questions if MPs visited the firm's Shirebrook warehouse in Derbyshire. However, last week he changed his position again, stating he would not attend because his lawyer Richard Gordon QC, was unavailable. Sports Direct has been criticised for working conditions at the warehouse, including employing staff on zero-hour contracts. In a letter to Iain Wright, chairman of the BIS committee, Mr Ashley takes issue with the MP's suggestion last week that he had "something to hide". He writes: "I can assure you that nothing is further from the truth." Failure to appear in front of MPs meant Mr Ashley risked being found in contempt of Parliament. In letter, Mr Ashley writes: "After much reflection over the last 48 hours, I have concluded that a lengthy legal battle would be of no benefit to either of us. "It would no doubt lead to further unwarranted accusations that I am being secretive, whereas in fact I have been open and honest at every stage of this process." Mr Ashley added that he would now appear "in order to defend the good name of Sports Direct on behalf of all the great people who work here". http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36456245

Judging by that, we'd be better off signing Liz Taylor...

On This Day: Sep 4 2014. From Rangers official site.... PICTURE: The picture we’ve used is the gift that St Etienne gave Rangers, a French racing bike! You can find out all about the bike and where it was found after some time by taking an Ibrox Tour (information here) or by watching the tour of the famous Ibrox Trophy Room on RangersTV here. http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/on-this-day-september-4/

Ally McCoist says he is ready to return to management following an 18 month break from the game. McCoist, who was sacked by Rangers in December 2014, is hopeful of getting back to work in time for the new season. The 53-year-old is also adamant that his Rangers record should not be held against him and has revealed that he has already been handed opportunities to make a return to management. McCoist claims he has twice come close to landing jobs in the Sky Bet Championship, saying: "I had a couple of interviews with a couple of Championship clubs down south which went well," he said. "I didn't get the job unfortunately but that's fine. I got down to the last two in both instances, so I was pleased to get back into it. I've missed the job, of course I have. I've been involved in football all my life. I was professional for 22 years and then involved with Walter Smith and Tommy Burns at Scotland before returning to Rangers with Walter. It's my life. "I've enjoyed the bit of time off I've had and the chance to do things I've not been able to do, like my telly work. "But football is my game and I'm looking to get back managing again." Ally McCoist played for Rangers for 15 years Ally McCoist played for Rangers for 15 years McCoist believes prospective employers would be wrong to judge his Rangers CV without taking into consideration the working conditions at Ibrox. He was in charge at Gers when the club suffered financial collapse in 2012 and successfully lead the side to two promotions before his reign was haunted by off-field turmoil. "Anybody with any common sense would look at it and say perhaps the hand of cards I was dealt was pretty unfortunate," said the Gers' all-time top scorer. "You could go on to say a million things about my time as Rangers boss. But I don't think there's any doubt that I was probably unique in being the only Rangers manager who had to work in those circumstances. "That's life. It was the dream job at the wrong time." http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11788/10303346/former-rangers-boss-ally-mccoist-wants-to-return-to-management?

I find this thread to be quite exhilarating reading the names that could be joining us, Kolo Toure lining up with Joey Barton next season is mind blowing...

Two Lies about Rangers FC and their Fans in 21st Century Scotland Outsiders say Rangers fans are bigots. We say we are not. Outsiders say Rangers fans are Protestants. We say we are not. 1st lie: Rangers fans are bigots 2nd lie: Rangers fans are Protestants It must be an Outsider craze thing shaping the future, who could that be?

That's how it was reported immediately after the match...the players will have plenty to say after a well deserved holiday with their mates and family (which they are all having as we speak). This won't be swept under the carpet, wait until the players come back for the new season, this won't be forgotten.

She recently changed her mobile number Compo, I'll try find out her new one and pm you with it mate.

So it's "inexcusable" "over-exuberance" now??

Hahahaha...Lecocq's

The term 'Diddy Cup' was brought up long long before the UEFA cup place was taken away. It was the tim fans who first 'thought up' this description and it was during Rangers dominance in the competition from the early eighty's right up until the UEFA cup place was dropped. The Old Firm generally qualified for Europe without having to win the trophy anyway through their league position. Timmy had gone something like 15 years without winning it whereas Rangers bagged about 10 of them. That is why the 'Diddy Cup' became the diddy cup, THEY invented it. I dearly hope to win the next one.

I thought the draw was awful early, the 2015/16 season was barely over, then I thought maybe it was because clubs would be going on holiday and this would give them a little lee-way on planning, tickets, catering etc etc...but nobody knows where they'll be playing? Begs the question - Why make the draw in the first place?

I had the honour of meeting him in Chatelherault Country Park a few years back on Grandpa duties, all I said was 'Hi Arthur' he said 'Hi' back.

Non Catholics are not allowed into Catholic schools in Scotland I believe, you can only be Catholic if one of the child's parents attend Mass for a minimum of 6 weeks. That deems the kid an 'official' Catholic and therefore qualifies for Catholic education. Crazy here in Scotland. Non Catholic schools have Rangers and C*ltic supporters in the same classrooms, nothing wrong with that of course.

This trophy is very important lads as you know, yes the set-up this term seems absolutely crazy and makes us all wonder what the **** is this all about, but let's look back in time. Sectional ties (Group Stage) were the order of the day when the League Cup was first introduced in the '46/47 season. Rangers drew Morton, St Mirren & Queens Park in their first ever venture into this brand new competition. Games were to be home and away fixtures with 2 points for a win and 1 point for a drawn game. The Sectional/Group finished with Rangers winning all their games with 12 points and Ca 18-2 goal difference, Morton were runners-up but unlike todays farcical set-up found themselves eliminated from the competition for good. We were then drawn with Dundee Utd in what was the Quarter-Final played over 2 legs...Rangers won 2-1 at Ibrox after Willie Waddell secured a 1-0 half time lead, the 2nd half saw United equalise with a 61st minute penalty from Lister before Caskie put Rangers ahead five minutes later to end the scoring before a 40,000 crowd. On to Tannadice now...18,000 watched as Rangers forward Duncanson scored just 6 minutes into the match for a 3-1 aggregate lead, Lister's equaliser on the night (again on the 61st minute mark) was too little too late, Rangers progressed to the Semi-Final. Hibernian were the opponents...Hibernian at that time were closest to Rangers than any other club in Scotland, in fact just two weeks before this Semi-Final tie they dumped us out of the Sottish cup 2-0 in a Second Round Replay at Easter Rd. Anyway...as I say two weeks later at the one-off Semi-Final tie at Hampden watched by a crowd of 125,000 Rangers trounced them, first half goals from Gillick, Thornton and Waddell had Rangers cruising before a late consolation goal from Cuthbertson ended the scoring. Aberdeen were to be our opponents in the first ever League Cup Final...yeah the sheep I hear you say. Excerpt from the match report: Having won the toss, the Aberdeen captain gave Rangers the benefit of the sweeping wind and set himself and his colleagues the task of battling against it and the sheets of rain that fell during the first half. Despite this, Aberdeen had three clear scoring chances before Rangers took the lead in the 25th minute. Aberdeen defender McLaughlan failed to trap a goal-kick from his keeper and Thornton sent Duncanson away.The winger crossed and Gillick, practically on the goal-line headed home. In 33 minutes Gillick's pass let Rutherford cross and Williamson bustled the ball over the line. 4 minutes from the interval Duncanson dribbled past their right back before rounding their keeper to slot in for Rangers 3rd goal. Duncanson added a 4th goal 12 minutes after the restart. Rutherford proved an excellent substitute for the injured Waddell. I just love these old reports. The Sectional/Group stages continued right up until season 1976-77 before it was scrapped. 5 years later for the 1981-82 season the format was re-invented, not sure why? Rangers again like in 1946 found themselves in the Section/Group stage alongside MORTON, (Raith Rovers & Dundee were the other sides in there) and just as had happened 35 years earlier Rangers won the section with 2nd place Morton exitng the competition. Rangers met Brechin City in the Quarters winning 5-0 on aggregate (Dave McPherson making his debut in the 1-0 2nd leg victory) The Semi-Final was a two legged affair against St.Mirren, I'm not sure why but the Paisley club played at Hampden against us for the first leg...the match finished 2-2, the 2nd leg played at Ibrox saw St Mirren take the lead from the penalty spot before half time later Bett replied, also from the spot, then MacDonald (John) grabbed a late 87th screamer to send Rangers into the Final. The November 1981 Final at Hampden was against holders Dundee Utd who were looking to win the trophy for the 3rd time in succession. Excerpt from the match report: Rangers staged a remarkable comeback to shatter Dundee United's dream of becoming only the second team to win the trophy 3 times in succession. Sturrock missed two good chances in the first half but he made the pass from which Milne scored in the 48th minute. 7 minutes later United had a goal from Sturrock - a blistering 20-yard drive - chalked off for offside against Holt. With 16 minutes left Hegarty pulled down MacDonald on the edge of the penalty area and Cooper sent a swerving free-kick into the net although McAlpine did get a hand to it. In the 88th minute Ian Redford, a substitute for Gordan Daziel, picked up a loose header from Hegarty and from 20 yards sent a lob over McAlpine, who had come off his line, to win the Cup for Rangers. Season 1983-84 would see the end of Sectional ties forever, the format was scrapped completely due to empty grounds because of lack of interest and poor attendance records and general disdain from the paying football public. Let's have a look at that particular season in history as well. Rangers found themselves in a group alongside Hearts, Clydebank & StMirren this time, Rangers walked this Section winning all games finishing with maximum points (12) and a 18-0 goal difference, 2nd place Hearts vacated right then. Winning the Section/Group meant entry straight to the Semi-Finals (I have no idea why) Our Semi-Final was a two-legged gig just like earlier rules, Dundee United, yes them again, were our opponents, the first leg at their dump...Davie Dodds (remember the unkind abuse this guy got? Aye him) scored after 67 minutes, Dave Mitchell (remember him? naw me tae) scored with 5 minues to go 1-1. 2nd leg Ibrox: Clark and Redford secured a 3-1 aggregate win. THE FINAL: This particuler Final was against a club who seem to for whatever reason have a disturbing obsession with their rivals Rangers Football Club. I can sit here all day and mention the obsession of the supporters of the club we met that day in March 1984. I don't really want to mess up my post by being side-tracked, but at this moment I will allow myself. Celtic had a great side once...they are proud of it and rightly so. What do they do? PLACE A STATUE OF BILLY MCNEIL FACING IBROX STADIUM???? That's serious obsession, and to an extent makes me wonder why are they thinking of Rangers when presenting their history to their own fans? I've enjoyed a belly laugh with family on that one, and will continue to for as long as I live. That's just this Bears take on it so allow me to get back on topic ffs! Where was I?...yes, The League Cup final of March 1984. Excerpt from the match report: This was an amazing Final with Celtic looking down and out only to come back battling from 2 down to equalise from a last-gasp penalty from Mark Reid which sent the game into extra-time. 10 minutes into extra-time Sinclair came on for Provan. 4 minutes later McCoist was sent crashing by Aitken. This time Bonner blocked McCoist's kick but the Ranger followed up to score. Rangers 3 Celtic 2 McCoist(44pen,61,104) McClair(67) Reid(89pen) Rangers have won the League Cup more times than any other club since it's introduction in 1946.

Comforting to read that mate, sometimes people can be so hateful of something it blocks them from realising the truth, seems to be a corner is being turned at tortoise pace.

Feel a bit gutted about that tbh. As others have said, it had to be bloomin' Ronaldo who won the Cup after not doing a lot in the game.

Atletico to win on pens, then their fans to invade the pitch assaulting RM players and threatening the Real fans. It's only 'over exuberance' afterall.

What a game! Enjoying this very much.

Atletico's strip has always been one of my favourite's...we had that a couple of times recently as our away kit, very smart.

From what I've seen so far I thought that was thoroughly deserved...though I might be biased

Just in the door, have I missed much lads?

I'm still drooling over this man signing on the dotted line...what a coup! Big step forward with more to follow I believe.

A good idea that Rangers should look at, the People in the good old US of A would snap up tickets big time for the gig. The venture for the club as a whole would have a good feel factor coming back for their next game too. Something to consider although many bears in Scotland would miss out for once. Would bring much needed cash into the coffers which is never a bad thing no matter how you spin it. Suppose it's up to FIFA if this idea is qualified. Big Bad FIFA.

He looks very fresh in his 'old age' Football management must be mightily stressful and the 5 months away has certainly done him the world of good, you wonder why men put themselves into these situations. Wonder what made him sign that 3 year £36 million contract ?