JohnMc

Are people complaining about loyalty from professional footballers, really? Look, forget about that, for 99% of players it's a job, first and foremost, it's the way they make a living and they approach it it in that way. You know what that's how clubs approach it too, once a player is past his usefulness don't expect loyalty. Frankly most supporters are like that too. If a player has five good seasons and then one poor one a fairly high percentage of supporters want that player dropped and shipped out. Loyalty? Naismith (and Whittaker) was badly advised. His press conference was a mistake, (although reading his comments again his view of green was on the money). It hurt because he was a supporter and a talismanic player, he as much as anyone in the team at the time, could win us matches, produce that wee bit of magic every side needs. Plus he was a leader in the dressing room. He, along with Davis and McGregor, represented the players when deferring salaries and ensuring non-playing staff were treated well. Naismith leaving hurt. But loyalty? Kenny Miller has left Rangers twice and had a stint playing for Celtic, yet there's a clamour to give him a new contract. Loyalty? What kind of lives do you people lead? Have you never made a mistake, ever? Has someone close to you not made a mistake and apologised later? Did you refuse their apology and never speak to them again? If Naismith wants to come back, if our manager at the time wants him and if the club can afford him it would be insane not to sign him. In the grand scheme of people who have treated Rangers badly in recent years Naismith is far down the list. It would be just another example of a support intent on self-harm if he didn't sign because of some insane Albanian blood-fued bollocks.

The Glazer's bought Man Utd with a 'leveraged buyout' where they basically borrowed money, at eye-watering interest rates, and used Man Utd as collateral for the loan. So they borrowed money against something they didn't own to buy the thing they didn't own. I'm reluctant to type much more on this subject currently other than to say using a football club as collateral for a loan to buy that football club has been done before.

Mmm, he'll be our manager this time next season...

It's difficult to compare eras but I don't believe Messi would have close to the influence he is today if he'd played in the 90s or before. Put simply he'd have been kicked senseless in those days. The protection players get today allows guys like Messi to flourish, and that's a great thing, but if you watch some of the stuff players like Maradona put up with when they were playing you'd really question if Messi is physically capable of taking that kind of punishment. If Maradona had played in an era where you could barely tackle far less foul your opponents he'd have been literally unstoppable. Anyway, I've still got my doubts about our manager, I've seen nothing to make me change my mind on his appointment. Not yet at least.

It was my first chance to see Gilmour play live. He can certainly play, his movement and vision was noticeable and he's got a big heart too, challenging clearly bigger and older boys when some reticence might have been excused. I can see why we want to keep him and others want to take him. At that age group you have players who still look like kids, slight build, smaller and more child like and then you've got the strapping lads who could pass for 25 year olds. I always assumed the wee small ones must be really good to get on the same pitch as the boys who are clearly physically much stronger than them. Although I long ago realised you can't tell who is going to make it and who won't from watching one youth game I couldn't help speculating. Aitchison and the boy who got sent off caught the eye for Celtic, also I thought their full backs looked quite decent too. For us, Gilmour aside, I liked the defender Mayo and Kelly who I think was in midfield. But they could be flipping burgers or playing for AC Milan in 10 years for all I know. I started watching saying it doesn't matter what the score is, the score isn't important at this level, it's about performance and style and learning. Of course when our sub put that header over in the final minutes I was howling at the TV like a maniac and cursing him all ways, as ever it came down to really wanting to beat them.

Aye, that makes sense, take him out of school and move him to London would be the obvious reaction to that...

I do have an issue with kids going to pro-clubs. The churn rate of boys is appalling, the number who simply drop out wouldn't be tolerated in any other profession. Professional football clubs are by and large poorly run, with erratic football cultures, short-termism and self interest embedded in their DNA. They are no place for children. I also don't buy into this not being an easy decision because of the money. The boy's from Ayrshire, not a shanty town on the edge of Brazzaville. He already has a comfortable life in one of the wealthiest, Western liberal democracies in the world. I mean let's get some perspective here, if he doesn't make it in football there are still thousands of opportunities open to him. As for the mentality, he may well believe he can be a world beater, maybe his parents too, and maybe they are correct. But Rangers have helped get him where he is now and some degree of loyalty isn't too much to ask. And if for any reason they don't want to stay at Rangers then Chelsea is a bizarre choice of club to join. They've literally not produced a first team player from their own ranks since John Terry. They'll had 3 managers by the time the lad turns 18. I agree with you about the coaches though!

The nurturing and developing of talented footballers isn't actually something us, or anyone else in Scotland, has done particularly well in recent years. I don't want the lad to leave, but being brilliant at 15 means very little if history is any judge. I imagine if he was leaving to join Southampton or Spurs you could see the logic, both clubs have a good recent record developing top flight players, but to join Chelsea is clearly all about chasing money. If that's his mindset at 15 and that's the parental advice he's getting then we might be better without him. Football isn't just about ability, it's about mentality too. That this is even a discussion being had in his home suggests he has the former but perhaps not the latter. I read a great article about late developers recently. Ed Smith was a professional cricketer and although his piece is largely about rugby it's equally relevant to football. http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/sport/2017/03/praise-late-developer Professional football clubs shouldn't be allowed anywhere near children. No one suggests the kid who is best at Maths should spend five hours a week at PWC or the kid who excels in English should do a couple of shifts at the Herald during the week. It's madness, the whole structure of football needs to change, it needs re-thought and rebuilt. Gilmour clearly has ability, but he's 15 years old. We shouldn't even know his name yet, he should be playing with his school and Ayrshire schools and enjoying his football against boys his own age, he even looks like a child.

Actually, I've been thinking about this again and we've got our definition of 'hard' all wrong. We're all associating it with tough tackling, partial to violence, don't-mess-with-him types. Fine, but genuine hard are the players who went out knowing they'd be kicked, punched, fouled and verbally abused all match, and were still expected to win the game for you. Tommy McClean is no ones idea of a hard man, yet McLean was hacked mercilessly in almost every match he played. This in a time when the tackle from behind was legal and the entire sport accepted serious fouling as simply part of the game. Willie Henderson is another who got kicked every match as did Baxter of course. Before the modern era ball players, the genuinely skilful players, were subjected to almost laughable levels of physical abuse. Kicking people is easy, being kicked, every game, that takes guts.

For us probably Harold Davis, if his story was a Hollywood film you'd dismiss it as being to far-fetched. To be fair there were probably many now long forgotten players saw and did things in their lives we can't comprehend today. All depends on your definition of hard. Against Rangers I'll give you Claudio Gentile, played in the great Juventus side put to the sword at Ibrox in 1978. If you get a chance watch his 'performance' for Italy in the 1982 World Cup, his 'marking' of Maradona in the group matches and then Zico in the match of the tournament against Brazil is quite the eye-waterer.

Yeah, I agree, I'm surprised at the outright hostility Ferguson receives. Ferguson let himself down as a player once in my opinion, and that was with Scotland. His falling out with Le Guen, with hindsight, was justified, (not that I felt that at the time), he was the club captain and could see the club wasn't being managed properly, he was right to speak out. In recent years Ferguson has conducted himself very well, he's clearly matured. His spells in England and at Clyde will have broadened his horizons. Who of us can honestly say they'd didn't do anything in their 20s they now regret?

I mean this is all nonsense, innit? Not just the Darren Fletcher rumour that looks like complete fiction but also the 'tell me the four best young players' story. I mean if there's any word of truth in that then sign me up too for Ser Barstian Selmy's now closed thread. Any new manager should surely look at the squad for a couple of weeks and then say 'I need a centre half, a right midfielder and a sitting midfielder' or something like that? Not 'go sign me random young players'. I've my worries over Caixinha, everyone in Portugal seems astonished he's become our manager, but I'm willing to give the man a chance and see if perhaps he's learned a few things since leaving his homeland. But not for long if there's one scintilla of truth in that Jellybeans post.

I'm assuming Jamie Walker at Hearts? Isn't Nicholson a better prospect than him?

This link seems to be broken? The link in the first post seems to go to a personal Paypal page, is that correct? Great work, you guys continue to impress with your diligence and your tenacity.

I'd expect a bid for McKay, unfortunately.

I've just realised that Pedro Caixinha is younger than me. He will be the first Rangers manager I'm older than and this has depressed me no end on a Friday afternoon. Indeed I'm not sure it should be allowed.

Bill Struth had no managerial experience and had never even played football before he became Rangers manager. His football career had simply involved coaching prior to Wilton's untimely death. When Jock Wallace joined Rangers in 1970 he'd only managed Berwick Rangers. He'd spent some time coaching at Hearts but had no managerial or playing experience in the top flight of Scotland. I'd also point out that Willie Waddell performed as 'director of football' in all but name during most of Wallace's time at Rangers. Walter Smith had never managed anyone before getting the Rangers managers job. History is littered with successful Rangers managers who didn't have stellar playing careers or even impressive managerial careers prior to Rangers. Like most of us I've never heard of the man who it seems will be our next manager. Like most of us I'm a little surprised and little apprehensive. But, looking at what he's achieved (or not achieved as the case may be) without context and insight is pointless. PLG looked like one of the best managers in Europe before he joined us. Whoever comes in faces a big job. Our current squad isn't good enough to challenge for the league, we need some new and better players. The mentality of the squad needs to change too, it's weak and too easily bullied. I've no idea if Caixinha is the right man for the job or whether our directors have had too many fine roasted triple expressos washed down with organic craft beer and gone all hipster on us by plucking an unpronounceable Portuguese from the nether regions of football. He'll need to learn the realities of Scottish football and Scottish footballers fast, I wonder who his assistant will be, he'll be very important in all this.

It is in that article, and he seems to be getting criticised for it.

What is it people disagree with? McCoist is correct in everything he states, his point about McStay is very interesting, we've no one in our side currently who comes close to being a player of that ability or stature. As for why he's saying it he's working for Ladbrokes, has done on and off for a few years. It's an old PR trick to get the media to cover something that basically has no news value. Get someone who the media would like to interview along and allow them time to interview him in return for showing a pic of whatever is being promoted. What else are they going to ask McCoist about other than Rangers? I don't know if it's just a Rangers thing, or if it's a Scottish thing or if it happens all over, but fuck me we're quick to turn on our own. Just for fun here are the actual words he spoke; “It’s difficult to gauge the two periods,” said McCoist. “We’re certainly in a similar position now if not worse. That Celtic team – although we were dominant – was capable of beating us on the odd occasion. You don’t really see that right now. “I will contradict myself when I say Rangers can win the odd game, but as we all sit here I think we’d all say Celtic have got better players. In the 1990’s it wasn’t as much of a certainty that Rangers would win as it is now saying Celtic will win. “I always looked across the tunnel in Old Firm games and fancied our chances but there’s a big difference between that and knowing you’re going to win. There’s so many things can happen in an Old Firm game. “Celtic had some really good players. Paul McStay is one of the best I’ve ever played against. But when I looked at our team I was happy with it, although we never took it for granted that we would win.” “No Rangers fan in their right mind wants 10-in-a-row to happen but a far bigger issue is starting to compete against Celtic again on a regular basis,” he said. “They’ve got a chance on Sunday; the boys beat Celtic at Hampden in the semi-final last season and played as well as they have in a number of years. “But the in the last game at Parkhead, Celtic were dominant. Rangers were very good for around 55 minutes at Ibrox but Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair took over the game after that. “Rangers will have to play very well, defend well and carry a bit of luck. I feel for Graeme Murty. He’s in a position he wouldn’t have visualised at any time when he came up.” “Celtic are miles ahead. Aberdeen and Hearts are well run clubs and I have unbelievable respect for the way Anne Budge and Stewart Milne run their clubs – fantastic,” said McCoist. “But can they challenge Celtic? No chance. Celtic have kicked on. It’s not impossible – I think if you get investment you can get players to close gap initially and then work on other things. It’s not a no-hope situation but it’s very, very difficult. “In a one-off game you can beat Celtic. Rangers did it at Hampden last season, albeit on penalties when Celtic probably had the better chances. But that maybe gave people a bit of false hope; because Celtic have better players than Rangers at the moment. “Clearly, I don’t take any delight in saying that at all. In fact, before the 5-1 game at Parkhead I said Celtic were miles in front and Rangers wouldn’t challenge them this year. “I got dog’s abuse for saying that all over social media, so I was told. But was I right? I take no pleasure in it but Rangers are exactly where I thought they would be." “I’m certainly not going to be critical of previous managers,” I know better than anybody how difficult the job is even if you have a few quid. “This is not me being critical of Kenny McDowall, Stuart McCall or Mark Warburton. What I mean is Rangers needs massive investment – not just investment.” And if that doesn’t happen? “The same situation will follow. I just detect the patience of the Rangers fans – and the majority are fantastic – is wearing thin.” “There wouldn’t be a club if it wasn’t for the way the supporters rallied in the first couple of years after administration and then liquidation.” said McCoist. “They kept the club alive. “But I know better than anyone that the patience will be wearing thin. It’s only a matter of time before they turn on players, the board and individuals. That’s where we are at the moment. “Would Rangers be happy with second place? Most intelligent Rangers fans would have seen that as progress this season. Different question – would you settle for second being 35-40 behind Celtic? Probably not." Go on then, what is it anyone thinks is unfair, unkind or wrong about what McCoist said? I can see nothing to disagree with unfortunately, McCoist is measured and criticises no one.

Brilliant find, thanks for sharing.

Not when they manage us they don't...

I still back Warburton but McParland can get as far away from our club as possible as far I'm concerned. He's a liar who works to assist favoured agents not clubs.

I'm puzzled why people don't think we need midfielders, it's clearly the area of the pitch that needs strengthened first. I really like Halliday and Holt but they simply aren't good enough to move us to the next level. We need central midfielders who can take the ball under pressure from the back and dictate play. Teams are closing us down too easily, denying us space and forcing us to play it long. Obviously Kranjcar was meant for this as was Barton. Warburton's philosophy and style is based on dominating possession and that requires midfielders who can dominate the game, McKay apart we don't have any just now. We're so slow and pedestrian at times, we need quicker thinkers and faster movers in midfield. I'm far from convinced the two loan signings are the answer though.

Aird played a part for us, I remember his goal against Queen's Park causing a lot of relief all around me. Along with McLeod and McKay he looked like he might make it then, but for whatever reason it hasn't happened for him. Falkirk are a good club, he might find a second wind there. Good luck to him. Something has clearly gone wrong with Walsh. He has talent, but you need more than that to make it at a club like Rangers. It's a shame, every young player should look at Barrie McKay and see what can be achieved. He was another player who looked like it might not happen for him at one time. I noticed Morton are having a good season, sitting third with a game in hand and looking assured a play off place, Andy Murdoch is an ever present in their midfield and had his contract extended to the end of the season. He's the one whose release baffled me, why a ball playing central midfielder couldn't find a place in our squad when it's clearly our weakest area is a mystery.

He was injured but how serious it was I can't recall. I remember reading an article a few years back about the highest rated kids coming through in Scotland and Crawford and Jason Holt were two tipped for the very top. But then football is littered with kids who were world beaters at 15 and playing Junior by 21.