CammyF

Only to be wasted by the moronic element that can't stop themselves from adding the ef***ee ditty during this song. Cammy F

... always a Ranger - hat doffed to Gordon Ramsey - excellent segment on Rangers, Ibrox and Murray park on tonights F Word Cammy F

Frankie, I believe that we are short in the following areas : One x left back one x right back one x long term experienced centre-half to partner CC one x creative midfield player one x wide player These players are 'missing' to a mixture of long term injuries and us not having cover in certain areas (full backs as an example). We simply can't go another season playing centre-halfs as full backs. Cammy F

Mad? No, although some would agree with your assessment of my mental well being. Won't argue that McGregor is the best keeper we have, but from what I have seen in pre-season, he doesn't look fit. We only get one shot at the CL so we must go with our best 11 on the night. Cammy F

With the start of the new season galloping over the horizon, the title of this article should actually read, Read! We Better Be. We have a very tough start to the season both in the CL and the SPL. Kaunas arrive at Ibrox on Wednesday evening and present themselves as the first hurdle in our race to reach the Champions League group stages. They will be a very tough proposition and weââ?¬â?¢ll need to be at our best to overcome the Lithuanian champions over two legs. The fixture list and injury curse could have been kinder to us as we enter the season without the injured Barry Ferguson and are without Carlos and Beasley for the first leg on Wednesday. Worryingly, there is a doubt over Kevin Thompson for Wednesday so we are VERY short of options for the central midfield role that is essential to our chances. Lee McCulloch is also a doubt but the official website states that both ââ?¬Ë?shouldââ?¬â?¢ be ready for the game. Looking beyond the CL qualifier (if we dare), we have a very hard start to the SPL race with only one home game in the opening four and with visits to Falkirk, Abergreen and Celtc ââ?¬â?? the SPL couldnââ?¬â?¢t have given us a harder opening if they had tried. Reflecting on the abysmal end to last season and the scarce additions to the squad, it is hard to find any evidence that points to us being a decent shape for the obstacles we face in the next 4-5 weeks. We are at least 5 players short in my opinion especially in the full back and creative midfield positions. It doesnââ?¬â?¢t look like these glaring gaps are going to be addressed or filled prior to the start of the season and weââ?¬â?¢ll just have to go with what resources we currently have starting on Wednesday. Even given WS splashing all of his apparent transfer budget on strikers, it is hard to see him deviating from his preferred 4-5-1 formation or his ultra-cautious approach especially in European ties. Given this, it looks like the tried and tested formation and personnel on Wednesday and I believe the team will line up as follows : McGregor Whittikar Daily Weir Papac Novo Hendami Thompson Adam McCulloch And pick one from the numerous strikers WS has at his disposal (if pushed, I think heââ?¬â?¢ll plump for Cousin). Personally, I wouldnââ?¬â?¢t play McGregor in goal as he has looked rusty in pre-season and doesnââ?¬â?¢t look back to his best. I can also see WS playing Broadfoot alongside Weir, pushing Daily into midfield and dropping Adam to the bench. I would play Lafferty out wide left as we are at home and have to take an (large) advantage to Lithuanian. So my starting 11 would be : Alexander SW Daily Weir Papac Novo Hendami Thommo Adam Lafferty And again, pick one of the many strikers to play the lone front man ââ?¬â?? if pushed, Iââ?¬â?¢d also go for Cousin with JCD a close 2nd. All in all, it will be a nail-biting start to the season and the opening fixtures will go along way in deciding how successful (or otherwise) season 2008 ââ?¬â?? 2009 will be. Winning the league is a MUST, nothing can detract from this fact ââ?¬â?? we simply canââ?¬â?¢t let them win the league again. So are we ready? Well only time, results and performances will tell. We have to hit the ground running. Cammy F

As always my heart says yes but my head is saying NO. We are 5 players short at the moment and doesn't look like we'll be signing anyone of note. Our squad is no better than it was last season - last season squad wasn't good enough to win the SPL title so I'd say this seasons squad will fall short as well - hope I'm wrong tho. Cammy F

Entering the last year of his contract in Germany - I'd take him back next summer on a Bosman or it a cut price (say circa �£500K) in the January transfer window. Better than most we currently have and looking for a return to Scotland. Cammy F

Youtube Link taken from TBO website - quite interesting, Rangers fans belting out FOS - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=uPMZRMFb1Hc&feature=related Some brilliant footage from pre-kick off - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4VGylDaB7cI&feature=related Cammy F

Great post Frankie, but I don't see what there is to be positive about. We haven't stregthend our team, in fact, it has been weakend due to (yet more) injuries. We are set to go into this season with no recognised full backs (another season of 4 centre halfs in our back four), no creative midfield player, no genuine width (due to injuries) and no link player from midfield to forward. In fact, we have very little option in midfield. We have a chairman who has shown that he has no ambition left, we have fallin behind our rivals on and off the pitch and don't look like overtaking them any time soon. Once again, even with an extra �£40M income, we are signing players who are no better than we currently have. Sure, when I am at Ibrox (and elsewhere) watching Rangers, I'll get behind them like I always do - I'll play my part, but already its looking like one long hard season ahead. The first 4 games will make our break our season. We need change on and off the field but I can't see that happening either. Cammy F - In a Fcuked off frame of mind Loyal RSC

Strip away the semantics (sp) for how our last two titles, and Celtc's last season were won (or lost, depending on your opinion), winning 2 of the last 5 or 6 titles is a shocking statistic. Cammy F

Come on Jon - don't think expecting Rangers to win the SPL title from the position we were in can be equated to 'anti-Gers'. We handed the title to Celtc its as simple as that. Are you happy to settle for 2nd best in a two horse race? Apart from 2 last day title successes, we'd be staring down Celtc going for 7 in a row - thats a terrible thought. Cammy F

As I instigated this discussion, let me clear a few things up from my original post. Getting to the UEFA Cup Final was a wonderful achievement and we totally deserved to be there. We played to our strenghts and it's up to the opposition to break us down. In fact, I would say that the away leg against Sporting rates as one of the best European performances that I have witnessed Rangers achieveing (as Did Lyon away in the CL). Domestically, we ran out of steam - we did all the hard work early on in the season that blew it big style. In fear of repeating myself, 2nd best isn't good enough for The Rangers. Too many fans have fallen into The Mints downsizing of ambitions. IMO The Rangers should be winning the SPL title more seasons that not and should still be able to make an impact in Europe - that shouldn't be mutually exclusive. Great debate BTW Cammy F

Now that the dust has well and truly settled on last season and we are hurtling towards the new season, it is time to look retrospectively on how well, or badly our success rates in regards to our ââ?¬Ë?quadrupleââ?¬â?¢ expectations. If you say it fast enough, winning both domestic trophies, taking the SPL title to the wire and getting to the UEFA Cup final, you could actually believe that last season was a success. I may be cynical, but I would rate last season as a failure. Whilst we won our first trophies in 3 seasons, we capitulated in the SPL run-in and handed the title to Celtc. We can point to the ridiculous schedule we had to endure and we can reflect on many dubious refereeing decisions, but the bottom line is, we were streets ahead in the title race and we let our leas slip and our form towards the ends of the season was horrendous. Getting to our first European Final in 36 years was the highlight of the season. We played (and defeated) some very decent teams in the CL and UEFA Cup and nothing should detract from the marvellous achievement of getting to Manchester. I believe that we were very unlucky to come up against a team managed by former boss Dick Advocaat. He would have installed a ââ?¬Ë?donââ?¬â?¢t underestimate Rangersââ?¬â?¢ mentality in St Petersburg and in reality, when they scored the opening goal, we all could have gone home. The team faded drastically after that and sitting at Fir park the following Sunday watching Rangers limp to a 1-1 draw, I think it was then that it finally sunk in that we had lost the UEFA Cup and the SPL title. So, me being an old cynic, I fear that we have another long hard season ahead of us. Unless WS pulls some cracking transfers out the bag, we havenââ?¬â?¢t improved one position in our team from last season. We are still short of a right and left back, a centre to partner King Carlos, a creative midfield player and a ââ?¬Ë?linkââ?¬â?¢ between the midfield and forwards. We now also require a player (or players) to replace our injured captain, Barry Ferguson. His injury is a massive blow and our whole season will hinge on our resolve in his absence. We donââ?¬â?¢t have anyone (currently) in our squad who can replace Barry Ferguson and I fear for our chances without him. We arenââ?¬â?¢t a one-man team and for all his faults, Ferguson gives us a ââ?¬Ë?leaderââ?¬â?¢ and he can be inspirational at times. To ensure that we donââ?¬â?¢t let ââ?¬Ë?themââ?¬â?¢ get their 4th successive title, all the above positions need to be addressed and strengthened. Not winning the title for a 3rd consecutive season was both heart-breaking and gut-wrenching, not winning it this season is not only unthinkable, but it simply canââ?¬â?¢t be allowed to happen. Cammy F

I think Shittu would have been a decent signing. Problem we have at the moment as that we require at least 5 new players, all who require to be of the standard to walk straight into the starting 11. We urgently require a left back, right back, partner for CC, creative midfield player and a wide player. Unless we get the above, its going to be a long hard season. Cammy F

Brilliant peice Pete. IMO, Ferguson was outstanding whilst surrounded by very good players but it was RDB who brought out the best in Ferguson. De Boer seemed to know exactly when Fergie was about to burst from the midfield and they linked up brilliantly. RDB has never been replaced at Ibrox and I believe that Ferguson, more than most has suffered for this lack of creativity ahead of him. Cammy F

Now, I am generally not a fan of ‘pre-season friendlies’ and as a rule don’t go to many. This changed last season when we were visited by Chelsea and I have to say, I really enjoyed the match and the atmosphere generated pre and post match by the fantastic travelling Chelsea support. I am also not one to indulge in love-ins or ambulance chasing that the Tims have off to a tee. However, the Chelsea game was a fantastic spectacle and our welcome certainly transmitted through to our visitors as Jose Mourhino, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Didier Drogba all later commented on the atmosphere that day and some Chelsea players were convinced to show their allegiance to The Rangers after that game. When I read that this season, we are to play Liverpool, my initial thoughts were of genuine anticipation of welcoming Liverpool to Ibrox for the first time in many a year but as the game has gotten closer, I have started to have major reservations regarding this ‘glamour friendly’. At the Chelsea game last season, the atmosphere was superb with Rangers and Chelsea songs being sung together. The same should happen this season, like Chelsea there are many Rangers supporters who have Liverpool as their English team. I for one have never supported Liverpool but was always aware that many Bears did and whilst I was growing up, they always had a ‘Scottish Connection’ with players like Souness, Hansen, Wark, Nichol et al. More recently, I have been very impressed with the Liverpool support. They have introduced many brilliant songs celebrating their long and proud history. Now that we have touched on the subject of songs, you may now have an idea as to why I have started to have reservations regarding this friendly. There is no doubt that Liverpool fans will sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ at Ibrox, why shouldn’t they, it is their anthem. However, with this being a pre-season game, and with ‘joe-public’ able to buy tickets, there will be some Rangers supporters who will and for no reason, believe this to be some sort of ‘Celtc Loving Wind Up’ from the Scousers, nothing could be further from the truth. At this junction, it is worth noting that Liverpool fans routinely sing a version of ‘Every Other Saturday’ and have a wee ditty that is sung to the tune of the sash. It is also worth noting that Liverpool have a huge following within the Loyalist / Protestant community in Ulster (as they do in the Republican / Catholic community). In fact, if you visit the Official Linfield Store on The Shankill Road, you can purchase Linfield, NI, Rangers, Chelsea and LIVERPOOL merchandise from the store (Linfiled online store - http://www.linfieldfc.com/ worth a wee look!). In fact, on my recent visit to Belfast, I saw more Liverpool tops than I saw Rangers. I have also been witness to several Flute Bands finishing off a cultural evening by playing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, both in Ulster and Liverpool. So what I am getting at here? Well, basically, You’ll Never Walk Alone isn’t a Celtc song – it’s a song that their fans (stole) sing, if that makes sense. In fact, almost all ‘big clubs’ supporters sang You’ll Never Walk Alone in the 60’s and it wasn’t unheard of for the ‘Rangers end’ to give this laldy at Scotland matches during this period. For whatever reason, it only really stuck with Liverpool, then like most things in their history (their catholic identity, their beloved hoops, et al), the Tims stole it and tried to convince the world it was theirs. It is the reaction from certain Rangers fans to this Liverpool anthem that I fear could turn this glamour friendly into something less enjoyable. What I hope for is that when the Kopites start You’ll Never Walk Alone, we drown it out with a rousing rendition of Follow Follow (or The Blue Sea Of Ibrox, or the likes). I hope this is the only reaction we give to Liverpool fans singing their song. I will be attending this friendly and will be hoping that I enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed the Chelsea game last season – it’s always nice to get one over the English, even if they are fellow Blues, or in this case, Red Brothers. Cammy F

I am not looking forward to this friendly at all - reason will be given in an article yet to be penned and submitted Cammy F

I believe that I only missed something like 4 or 5 games from 1983-1993 following Rangers (thats home and away domestic games, including pre-seaon friendlies)! Found my old season ticket books recently and all of the stubs were taken from books 1983-1993 - after that, it was a different story - most home games attended, but not as many away games! harder to recall when its a smart-card as you've no evidence of tokens taken from books / stubs left etc..... Cammy F - Bring Back The Books Loyal RSC

Yes, but as Alexander did nothing wrong, why should McGregor waltz straight back in the team? I seem to remember not so long ago, McGregor was moaning that that likes of Klos etc walked straight back in the team. I believe that McGregor is our No1 keeper but shouldn't take the position for granted. Alexander was / is more than an able keeper who has done NOTHING to deserve being dropped. Cammy F

I hope that McGregor doesn't waltz straight back into No1 as Alexander did nothing wrong as his replacement Hendami at centre-half - no chance, he can't head the ball to save his life........ I would like to see Papac and CC get a run together with a new right and left back. Midfield is where we struggle - we nedd at least one, if not two creative midfield players. At the moment the strongest 3 are Thomson, Ferguson and Hendami (as Davis isn't yet signed) and I'd play Lafferty and Beasley as the wode players with Velicka as the lone striker. Cammy F

Oh, the lead singer of Biffy Cylo (sp) said on Soccer AM that he was a Rangers fan! Cammy F

Mark Hateley, Jorg Albertz, Alex Rae, Andy Watson, Alan Smith, More interestingly, Jeff Winter - read his book and he praises us and hates Celtc - he has also sparked a huge debate on his website - http://www.jeffwinterentertainmentandmedia.co.uk/ interesting to read some of the comments left by Celtc supporters and I wonder how or why or unbiased and ballanced media haven't brought this to the wider spectrum - over to you Keevins, Speirs et al..... Cammy F

Well, I spoke to Alan Smith at the UEFA Cup Final and my father-in-law saw and spoke to Frank Lampard at the game as well Robert Carlise is a Rangers supporter and 'Monty' has claimed to be a Bear as well. There is a website somewhere that lists celeb supporters and I think ours included 'celebs' like Lulu, AC/DC, Travis (except Fran!), WetWetWet, Newsreader Alastair Someone or other (who once said, live on air, during our 9-in-a-row-days, Hiberian 2, Celtc and they must be getting used to it by now, NIL!!!!).... Cammy F

Amy McDonald and yes its a Rangers scarf. She was interviewed in last months Q Magazine and stated that she was a huge Rangers supporter. Photo was taken at her gig in Edinburgh the night we played in the UEFA Cup Final. Cammy F

....... a 'celeb' not frightened to show their colours Cammmy F