CammyF

I guess everyone noticed that Rangers changed from their traditional black socks with red tops to an all red sock (or stocking, if you are old fashioned like myself) at Parkhead on Sunday and the official line was that the black socks clashed with Borat’s socks (however, both teams have white shorts, strange that one). Anyway, I am going to assume that I will be in the vast minority hear, but I prefer Rangers to play in red socks, however, my preference would be to have these topped with white. Now, this isn’t a lily-livered liberals response to the outlandish and bizarre claims by Celtc supporters that we only wear black socks, topped with red to signify that we are ‘up to our knees in ****** blood’. Like all of their eccentric claims against us, this just doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. The line ‘up to our knees in ****** blood’ is from a song that glorifies The Billy Boys, a Glasgow gang from the 1930’s. The song itself wasn’t truly sung until much (decades) later and a quick trawl through old Rangers photographs will show that Rangers played in black stockings with red tops as early as 1907 (please refer to the excellent Rangers blog site - http://blogs.myspace.com/glasgowrangers1873 for a extensive selection of historical Rangers team photos). Anyway, I’m digressing, back to the red stockings. The reason I prefer these is probably due to the fact that when I was becoming ‘aware’ of the Rangers, seeing them in newspapers, magazines and match programmes left lying around by family members, Rangers were then wearing red and white socks (this would be around 1973ish- see below). I can also remember getting my first Rangers strip for Christmas around this time. Back then, the strips came in a packaged box and the RFC crest and number had to be ironed/stitched on (I had Number 9 and thought that I dreamed I was Derek Parlane as I ran around the back garden). To me, this will always be the classic Rangers ‘look’. However, Rangers would soon change back to the traditional black and red socks and would continue wearing these until the arrival of Graeme Souness where he reverted back to the red socks (much to my approval I may add). Again, as this was a wonderful era for all Rangers fans, especially those who had suffered previously, this could also explain why I prefer the red socks – it heralds me back to a greater time, an exciting, exhilarating and ambitious time where Rangers seemed to ‘come alive’. This is a rather whimsical look at something that many may not feel worthy of megabyte of space in hyperspace, whilst others, like myself will believe that these small things are important and part of our history and heritage. As far as I have been able to gather, traditionally, we adopted stockings in black with red tops as these are the colours of the burgh of Govan. Nothing more sinister than that and a nice touch to the citizens of our home burgh, but it’s a pity that they hadn’t adopted red and white as their colours. Cammy F – Blue, White & Red Loyal

Wasn't the worst player in a white jersey, not by a long shot.... Boyd, Naismith and especially Wittickar were woeful. Only slight positive was rare and fleeting glance at Aaron - two 20 minute appearances but already looks the part - he MUST be given a start on Saturday. Cammy F

In all seriousness, could you imagine the reaction of the press, if SDM did allow a clued up fan loose on these people (not saying that I'm clued up!).... First up, if it were me, I'd ban any reporter who printed lies about Rangers or our fans. Secondly, I would challange every negative story printed or reported in the media - this would be done by pointed out facts and done in a professional manner. With Rangers employing such a high profile PR firm, you think this would be already happening. I'd save SDM a fortune.... Cammy F

I am currently looking for gameful employment and would happily offer to be the defender of Rangers name and a person who would tackle the biased reporting by the media and the so called impartial observers. Come on SDM, it makes sense, :fish: Cammy F

I dispise Celtc with every bone in my body, with every fibre of my being...... I wouldn't want them to win a game of tibbley-winks, never mind a game of football. Its called football rivalry. Cammy F

Are this current Rangers team (squad) and management team skilful enough and tactically aware to continue to squander glorious opportunities presented to us to leave (at this time) ordinary and laborious Celtc team in our wake? After the debacle of transfer window and the ââ?¬Ë?who will leaveââ?¬â?¢ and ââ?¬Ë?whoââ?¬â?¢ll be left at Ibroxââ?¬â?¢ soap-opera, we were left with (almost) a full squad to pick from, and more importantly hadnââ?¬â?¢t lost any players who could be counted as crucial in regaining the SPL title from our most bitterest of foes. This could have been portrayed as a slight advantage as Celtc failed to boost their meagre resources, Wilo Flood being their only signing. Any slight advantage we have this season, weââ?¬â?¢ll need to grab on to and maximise to its full advantage, as as the credit crunch starts to bite, and with no signs of it abating (in fact, itââ?¬â?¢ll get worse and could hit season ticket sales, advertising etc) the refusal of some players to be whored out of Ibrox, and the fact that Martin Bain has made it impossible for us to move on fringe players (salaries and length of contract, thatââ?¬â?¢s his domain), weââ?¬â?¢ll probably lose anything between eight and ten players in the summer. Anyway, that argument is a discussion for another day / time. Presently, we have somehow found ourselves alive and kicking in a title race that appeared over at the tale end of the year. Celtc has stuttered dramatically since defeating us at Ibrox but yet, we have still contrived to pass up the opportunity to overtake them and leave them in our wake. To refuse such a gift once (Pittodrie) was criminal, to have refused such a gift twice is incompetence. When Walter went 4-1-4-1 at Pittodrie and included Lee McCulloch in place of Kris Boyd, he showed his hand to the entire SPL. His cowardly tactics showed that The Rangers now donââ?¬â?¢t have the ambition to travel to Pittodrie and back their talent to take care of a very average Aberdeen team. The tactics that day were a direct result of Celtc losing four goals from set-pieces at the same venue the previous week. Putting simply, Walter shat himself. Never mind some fans said, a draw at Pittodrie was an ââ?¬Ë?OKââ?¬â?¢ result and kept us in the title race. Sorry, that draw didnââ?¬â?¢t keep us in the title race, Celtcââ?¬â?¢s inability to see of the likes of Dundee United, Hearts and ICT has kept us in this title race. Never mind, an OF game is on the horizon, time for Walter and Rangers to redeem themselves. In the build up to this game, every Rangers fan KNEW that Walter would once again shit himself and go to nullify Celtc, even though there was very little, if anything to nullify. Once again, we refused to take the initiative and passed up the opportunity to overtake a stale looking Celtc team. Now, how many other chances will we be presented with? And if we are presented with them, will be capitalise on them? Will our manager find a backbone and realises that this is the opportunity of all opportunities? The latest instalment of OF mania was a dire affair, with Rangers not displaying any real ambition until the second half. Perversely, we actually played well in the second half and had sufficient chances to win the game. Nevertheless, it was hardly a sparkling performance. The only upside, it showed how ordinary our opponents really are. We are in a position where our form against the other SPL teams could lead to us gaining a points advantage before the split and the concluding OF game of the season at Ibrox. We have three home games in the next four, whereas Celtc travel to Fir Park and Tannidice, where we know to our cost, results are never easy to obtain. So, hopefully Walters negativity will go into hiding over the next month and we can do what Rangers should be doing. Installing a belief in our players and trust and back their ability to defeat opponents. Never mind worrying about them, let them worry about facing the Rangers. Recently, I was watching some old Rangers DVDââ?¬â?¢s and something noticeable jumped out. In our two previous SPL triumphs, we were always scoring goals early in matches. We set an exhilarating pace to the games, especially at Ibrox, that didnââ?¬â?¢t allow teams to settle. This meant that by the time 30 minutes had surpassed, we were well in control of the games. There were very few games that werenââ?¬â?¢t ââ?¬Ë?in the bagââ?¬â?¢ by early in the second half. Recently, we have been the exact opposite as we havenââ?¬â?¢t been imposing ourselves on opponents until the second half. The aftermath of the game has hardly been surprising either. Dubbed the worst OF game in history (it was far from that) and we are blamed for that ââ?¬Ë?factââ?¬â?¢. The referee making mistakes right, left and centre and the only controversy in the media is that Vinegar Of Castlemilk was ââ?¬Ë?harshly bookedââ?¬â?¢. Oh, and guess what, Celtc failed to win an OF game and the old ââ?¬Ë?sectarian cardââ?¬â?¢ is played by the ââ?¬Ë?impartialââ?¬â?¢ delegate at the game (Dick by name,ââ?¬Â¦Ã¢â?¬Â¦..). However, we can actually take solace in the fact that the media are more then happy to criticise our performance (on and off the field) as it is a sure fire indication that they are worried and are trying every vile trick in the book to deflect any attention being given to Celtcââ?¬â?¢s terrible current form. Cammy F -

As reported in the aftermath of the OF game at Ibrox in December, I was threatened with arrest for pointing out that the Celtc fans were singing sectarian songs, and songs in praise of the AyeRanAway. Instead of the police doing their duty, to uphold the law, they decided that it was easier to approach me, a law abiding citizen and claim that pointing out that the singers were nothing other than 'terrorist loving scumbags' is the greater offence that actually breaking the law..... Thats what we are up against. Cammy F

Unless SDM is somehow directly linked to this, he'll site back and stay tight-lipped. He only comes out on the offensive when his name is soiled, he has no interst in the clubs name (which is funny in a way as you'd think that he'd be doing everthing in his power to ensure that we are squeaky-clean for that quick sale he's looking for)..... Cammy F

Amazing that these SFA delegates ALL have selective hearing. I'm amazed that none of them have as yet, managed to hear sectarian singing from Celtc fans in EVERY away game they play, especailly given that Celtc fans have been arrested and charged with sectarianism in TWO of these away games.... I am amazed that none of these so called impartial delegates haven't heard 52,000 Celtc fans refering to successive Rangers managers as Orange Bastards when they sing (when they are winning) - Cheer Up (insert Rangers managers name here).... As Frankie says, bring on an investigation, it'll show up this sham for what it is. Cammy F

What all the hate for Anton Rogan, he's one of my favourite Cetlc Players! Borac Walter Kidd Willie Miller Mick McCarthy Tosh McKinley Aids McGeady Neil Lennon Pater Grant Nazi Di Cannio Chris Sutton Frank McGarvie (who's wife and a questionable reputation!) -------- Cammy F

I hope Rangers (and Hamilton as they have a say in ticket prices) ensure that tickets are reasonably priced - �£10 for adults, �£5 for concessions should see a near to full Ibrox for this tie. Anything more expensive will lead to a half empty stadium. Cammy F

What, Boyd has only ever played against Celtc 4 times in his entire career? Kevin Thomson has a better scoring record against Celtc than Boyd does. Christ, even Eric Bo Andersson has a better OF scoring record than Kris Boyd and Mr Blobby Williamson has the same record :fish: Cammy F

Yip, would this happen in any other association? Don't think so.. Cammy F

That is the crux of the matter - the Kenny Millers of this world are ALL we can attract - he is hard working, gives 100% and scores the odd goal. He was bought to replace Cousin who whilst being 10 times the player Miller is, decided himself when and where he performed. BTW, it's not Kenny Millers fault that he is currently back at Rangers.... A lot of fans direct their ire at Miller, it should be directed elsewhere. Cammy F

Yip, this is a fantastic read even tho you aren't a fan of Walter Smith and his managerial style / record. The opening chapter of this book is worth having a copy of this book. Cammy F

By the SFA - Rangers (or SDM) can't nominate Ibrox, the nomination has to be presented by the 'national association'. Cammy F

Will be interesting to see how this pans out Cammy F

Yip, another waste of money as Scotland had at that time another 5 star stadium that was ready to host a European Final (it still is and the SFA still REFUSE to nominate it to host a final).... Cammy F

Not like Celtc not to hand over a person indulging in criminal activities to the Police is it EDIT - received a text regarding the Borac 'newspaper' exclusive last night and dismissed it as usual pre-OF rubbish - but hey, who knows? Cammy F

Good job you weren't around in the early years of Rangers FC when Rangers and Celtc traded players on a regular basis :fish: See what you are saying, but if any player can improve the team then he has to be considered. Has Kenny Miller improved our team? That is another arguement for another day. Just a little off-topic question, would you welcome an ex-Celtc fan into our ranks if they saw the light and dropped all interest in the hooped horrors and chose the 'bright-side'? Cammy F

If the above is true, surely this is a matter for the Police? Cammy F

Yeah, even climbing the stairs into the old Rangers end was awe-inspiring. The noise of singing getting louder and louder as you climbed, then into section J for a sash-bash from 1st minute to last (whether it was Rangers or Scotland that you were there to see!)... Changed days Cammy F

Hampdump has to be one of the worst 'international' stadiums around. In it's favour, it isn't ideally located for expansion as it is surrounded by houses etc. It also have a large percentage of seats that give you a terrible view of the game, especially in the the later rows of the Rangers and Celtc ends or if you happen to be in the first half-dozen rows of any of the 'stands'. Can't believe that the SFA ploughed �£20M into the 'redevelopment' of Hampden - this money could have been used for grass-roots football and the SFA could have used any number of stadiums for internationals and used Murrayfield and or Ibrox and Torbett Towers for cup finals. However, as has been mentioned, the old Hampden was awesome - who can forget choking to death every time Rangers scored as you were submerged in red ash..... Cammy F

Nope - have reinstated my self-imposed excile from that cesspit.... Given the over-zealous policing and stewarding, I reckon that I'd last 5mins at Torbett Towers. Seriously, after my last two visits, that showed that Rangers fans was 90% more likely to face arrest I stopped going. This was even after a written run-in with the match commander at the time (wonder what he's up to now ) Cammy F

I'd be tempted to go 4-3-3 and go at tham from the first minute to the last.... McGregor Broadfoot Weir Boogie Papac Davis Ferguson Mendes Perm any three from four Boyd Miller Lafferty Fleck GET INTO THEM.... Cammy F