CammyF

But the actions of SDM and his underling Bain over the last 5-7 years have proven that we are a selling club. The list of players sold off under various managers is astounding - Arteta, Ferguson, Boumsong, Hutton, Lovenkrands, Cousin, Tugay, Albertz to name but a few. Where did all the transfer money go? it certainly didn't go back into investing in the squad. We have weakened our squad in every transfer window except this summer in the last 5-7 years. If that doesn't make us a selling club with little or no long term ambition then I'm Sir David Murrays lovechild. Also, as Frankie says, it is the manner in which we do our business that is a worry. We are not just talking about transfers, but we are a mess from top to bottom at the moment. Areas like PR, Ticket Office, relationship with fans (or are we customers) etc leave a lot to be desired. And as Frankie says, welcome to the forums. Cammy F

Cool - Cammy F

Excellent article Frankie and one very important question to come from Bains continued missmanagement is where Cousin will stand if UEFA don't sanction his move south (can they still sanction this after the window has closed?). Will we as a support welcome Cousin back into the squad knowing full well that he'd rather be playing in a relegation battle in the EPL? I bumped into Allan Hutton at Stanstead Airport on Tuesday and we was like a wee boy lost. I didn't know whether to approach him but finally did and I got the impression that he had his heart set on staying with Rangers. Get the feeling that the lad was pushed out the door and this reaks of the Barry Ferguson transfer to Blackburn. Wonder if we'll get Hutton back at a reduced price in 18 months? It is obvious that Celtc have tried to strengthen their squad - whether they have is another point and we'll only know the answer after the next month or so. IMO we haven't strenghtend, we have substantially weakened our squad. Hutton has been brilliant since WS took over and IMO, Cousin was starting to find his feet, and more importantly, his way to goal before the window opened. 2 or 3 injuries or suspensions to players like Fergie, CC, JCD will leave us brutely exposed - this shouldn't be used as a excuse if we don't win the league, but under SDM we have turned from one of the richest clubs in Europe to a selling club with little or no long term ambition. Cammy F

Christ Del, even you're better than Charlie Boy Cammy F

Villa didn't 'bin him' he was sold for over �£4M...... Having seen a fair bit of NI's European campaign Davis stood out along with Healy as the best players that they have. He was outstanding in the victory over England and set up Healy's winner. Will be a very decent addition to the squad IMO and we really need a creative midfield player that can take some of the workload from Fergie. Cammy F

Walter Smith was indeed the correct, and in may respects, the only man to come back in and steady the ship after the shambles that was PLG's reign. However, the big question is, is Walter Smith the correct person to take us forward now the ship has been steadied? IMO, he is (rightly or wrongly) a SDM man so will take most of the shit (our best players being sold and unable to repalce them etc) that SDM throws at him and will be moderatly successful in the domestic arena. That appears to be the SDM mantra at the moment - clear the debts, make us an attractive club to take over and he'll run off to the hills with pound notes stuffed in his hip pocket. However, Rangers should be aspiring to bigger and better things and IMO Walter Smith is NOT the manager to deliver us this success. That opinion would be the same even if SDM was bankrolling a spending spree. Cammy F

Believe it or not, my uncle finished his career at Wolves and won his only medal playing for them (LVD Vans trophy or something similar). The WBA team my uncle played in in the early 80's was fantastic - players like Bryan Robson, Laurie Cummingham (RIP), Cyrille Regis, Willie Johnston (!), Asa Harford, Tony Brown etc... Ask your workmate if he remembers a big scottish huddy called Ally Robertson who played centre half (along side Wyle) from early 70's (he made his debut against Man U in 69 I think) until the late 80's...!! Cammy F

Well my uncle did play for them for over 20 years!! Boing Boing Loyal... Cammy F

Another reason I hate Keane (good player that he is).... Cammy F - West Bromich Albion Loyal RSC

Leading on from Gribzââ?¬â?¢s post regarding Manchester Unitedââ?¬â?¢s decision to enforce a minutes silence at the Manchester derby in respect and memory of those tragically lost in the Munich disaster - http://www.gersnetonline.net/vb/showthread.php?t=5718 I thought that I would take this opportunity to question why so many Scottish based Rangers fans despise Manchester United so much. Especially when you look closely at both clubs, youââ?¬â?¢ll see that we have so much in common. Unfortunately, the most obvious thing that we have in common is that we have had to cope with disasters that have shaped our futures. We have also had to endure endless taunts regarding these tragic events. In fact, after Hillsbourgh, the Manchester United fans sang to Liverpool fans, ââ?¬Ë?Whereââ?¬â?¢s Your Famous Munich Songââ?¬â?¢ ââ?¬â?? a reference to the years of taunts they were subjected to from the scousers. A dignified way to show the scousers up for their cruel jibes and taunts. Another tag that even we are guilty of associating with Manchester United fans is the fact that a large number of their fans are not from Manchester. So, what is the crime there? Is it any worse Man U fans coming from London than Rangers fans hailing from Edinburgh, Aberdeen or even London? Of course it isnââ?¬â?¢t. Here is something else that we have in common. The city that we hail from is important, but it isnââ?¬â?¢t restrictive. We are know as ââ?¬Ë?The Rangersââ?¬â?¢, they are know simply as ââ?¬Ë?Unitedââ?¬â?¢. The team name is more important than the city. I hear arguments from Rangers fans that they hate Man U due to their ââ?¬Ë?love-inââ?¬â?¢ with Celtc. Well, if you read any Manchester United fanzine, youââ?¬â?¢ll find that the ââ?¬Ë?love-inââ?¬â?¢ is mostly a one way street (like most of the Celtc love ins). It is also worth noting the activities of the Manchester casuals ââ?¬â?? read their book and see what they think of The Vatican City and the Bloody Sunday marches in their home citiesââ?¬Â¦! One of the strongest similarities is that both Rangers and Manchester United as despised in their own countries. The simple reason for this? We are seen (and in our case are) as the most successful clubs and are the clubs that fans of other clubs love to hate. It is actually an underhanded compliment. If you question Ulster based Bears, a large percentage will name Manchester United as their English team ââ?¬â?? usually down to George Bests career, but it is a tradition that is carried on today. Manchester United fans are also very imaginative when it comes to bringing new songs to their games. This is something that we were famed for but have sadly neglected in recent years. However, with the invention of fans groups like TBO, CDL etc, this has made a welcome return to Ibrox. I was also very impressed with the actions of Manchester United fans when their club was sold to the 'Yanks'. They organised themselves brilliantly and I believe that our very own RST are mirroring the Man U ST in some of thewir actions - not a bad example to follow. In conclusion, and I say this is no friend of Manchester United, I donââ?¬â?¢t understand why so many of us hate Manchester United. However, no matter what you think of them, you have to respect (even although it may be grudging) their decision to stand by their morals and enforce a minutes silence rather than applause. Cammy F

There was a brilliant interview with a Spurs fan on SSN this evening where he said that Spurs would beat Arsenal tonight and that he would enjoy it as it would mean getting to a final. He also stated that Spurs had no excuses not to win as they were playing a team full of kids. At last, a fan with a sense of reality - that'll never take off.... Cammy F

Shock, horror, Arsenals youngsters are human.... About the only way / time that Spurs will beat Arsenal :devil: Cammy F

Surely then Mike your issue / problems should be with whoever signed Cousin then? As you said, he never hid his desire to play in the EPL. In SDM's world, this has been a fantastic signing for Rangers. We paid under a million for him, paid his wages for ~6 months and have sold him for over �£3M. He also scored some important goals for us. In the short term, its hard to argue that this has been a wonderful deal for Rangers. However, like everything SDM touches, lets look at the longer term. Will WS get the �£3M to sign a replacement? Will WS's squad be better after the window closes than it was when it opened? Will WS be allowed to buy a much needed left back, keeper and striker? I think we all know the answers to the above - it'll be no to all of the above. The names getting banded about to replace Cousin appear to be 'step downs' rather than equal or better standards of players. Cammy F

Can't see Hertz letting him come to Rangers. Hopefully WS and his team have a suitable replacement lined up. However, knowing Rangers, we'll sign a Franny Jeffers minutes before the window closes. Cammy F

Has to be a minutes silence and if City can't abide by that, well thats there problem. Cammy F

I think mark mcgee just let it slip live on sky - congratulated George Burely on getting the Scotland job only to be told by the SSN fellow that an announcement hadn't been made - ooooops :admin: Cammy F

What - Henrick? Cammy F

For what its worth and I doubt that my opinion will matter as I don't go in for international football but I'd like to see Scotland appoint a 'figurehead' like Souness or George Graham along with a coach like Alex Miller or Joe Jorden. That would allow the 'figurehead' to do the day in, day out SFA type 'stuff' and allow the coach to coach the players when we have an international game / get-together and allow them to continue with their club commitments. Cammy F

The release clause can only be activated in the summer according to WS. Cammy F

Completely agree - however, WS will not deviate from the system and it's hard to argue with it. It has gotten us to a domestic cup semi-final, saw us perform well in a very tough CL group and we are 4 points ahead in the SPL. When we have our strongest 11 on the pitch, it is an ideal formation to play and before we suffered injurues ans suspensions, the formation and first cjoice 11 looked very solid and very promising - AMc Hutton Weir CC Papac (New left back) Run DMB Thommo Fergie Hendami McCulloch JCD Admittedly, without Run DMB and McCulloch to support the lone front-man it isn't as effective. However, McCulloch is now fit and free of suspension and IMO Novo would be ideally suited for the Run DMB role. Unfortunately and IMO even his staunchest supporters would admit that Boyd doesn't have what it takes to fit into that system. Cammy F

As mike said above - �£2.5M Cammy F

Does watching Rangers equate to value for money? The simple answer is no and I am nnot just talking about the product on the pitch, I am talking the entire package. We have a board that treat us like sh1t, they refuse to defend us in the face of aggresive policing and a media campaign that some of the most posioness journos won't rest until we are 'no more'. The product on the pitch has gotten worse over the course of the last decade - from players like Gazza, Laudrup, Albertz, Amato, Gio, Tugay etc to players from Hibs and Killie. As our custodians lack of ambition and decision to downsize kicked in the product has gotten steadily worse. I for one have thought long and hard regarding renewing my season ticket for the last 3-4 seasons (usually the cheque was in the post as soon as my renewel form hit the door mat) and I'll be thinking carefully for the foreseeable future. Cammy F

Also persistant rumours that Boyd has been a naughty boy hence his fall from grace. Personally, I wouldn't say he was our 5th best striker but he simply can't play in the system adopted by WS at the moment. Cousin andf JCD are the only strikers we have that can play the lone front man with any success. If we were to change to 4-4-2 then Boyd MIGHT get more opportunites. Cammmy F

SSN now reporting that we've turned down the bid. Cammy F

Officials ââ?¬â?? Simply Terrible, Or Something More Sinister? Ok, before anyone launches into a rant about ââ?¬Ë?leaving the paranoiaââ?¬â?¢ to Celtc fans, lets unlike The Tims, look at some facts regarding the ridiculous decisions that could have (but thankfully havenââ?¬â?¢t) robbed us of out priceless lead in our quest to regain our SPL title. It would be fair to say that in the vast majority of our SPL games this season we have either had a good goal disallowed or a stonewall penalty denied (and in some cases both). For arguments sake, lets review the major decisions in out last 2 SPL encounters. Firstly against Gretna we were denied one, possibly 2 stonewall penalties at crucial stages of the game. The decision by the ââ?¬Ë?linesmanââ?¬â?¢ to flag Naismith offside as he was pulled back in the box was ridiculous. However, for the same eagle-eyed linesman then to miss the Gretna keeper handle the ball yards outside his area is inexcusable. In fact, it is safe to say that the officials were the only people inside the stadium to miss the incident. Now, you never like to see players red-carded, but by the letter of the law the keeper had to go. Yesterday in Inverness, we once again fall foul to incompetent officialling when Charlie Adams ââ?¬Ë?goalââ?¬â?¢ was wrongly disallowed. Firstly, Cousin never touched the ball and secondly, even though he did, or was deemed to be ââ?¬Ë?interfering with playââ?¬â?¢, we wasnââ?¬â?¢t offside. TV replays showed that he was yards onside and the linesman had a perfect view of the entire situation. Now, the main point here is that there is supposed to be an SFA and Refereeing observer at every SPL match and they report back to the powers that be regarding all aspects of the game, including the performance of the officials. Surely these observers arenââ?¬â?¢t turning up to Hampden today telling the ââ?¬Ë?beaksââ?¬â?¢ that the officials had a great game? If they are, this is were sceptics like myself believe that something more sinister is afoot. If officials are continually getting major decisions wrong, and going by watching Rangers regularly this season, they are, why arenââ?¬â?¢t they being sanctioned? Is it too much to ask that the officials know the fundamental and rudimentary laws of the game and implement these in a fair and sporting manner? I am not for one minutes asking for preferential treatment, but as football supporters we are entitled to have officials that know and implement the laws. If they are failing in their duty then the SFA / SPL must act. If we were supporters of a certain other team in Glasgow (and Iââ?¬â?¢m not talking about Partick Thistle) we would currently be abusing yesterdays linesmanââ?¬â?¢s family, posting his personal details on internet sites and giving his kids a kicking at school. But thankfully, we arenââ?¬â?¢t supporters of that other club. Cultural Differences Thank the lord that we arenââ?¬â?¢t all the same, but I had a fantastic discussion with a friend last week regarding two of our greatest passions outside football ââ?¬â?? comedy and music. My esteemed friend and myself have hugely different views on football (if you get my drift!) but usually like the same comedy shows and musical acts (mostly punk / ska music). Now, where we do differ is if the USA or the UK have / had the best comedy and punk bands, or were the UK simply the best in these categories. My friend stated that the USA couldnââ?¬â?¢t touch the UK when it comes to comedy and punk music, this is what I took exception to! Lets take comedy as a starting point. The UK has had far to many decent comedy shows to list here, but IMO the best the UK has had to offer are Faulty Towers, The Office, Only Fools & Horses (although it got a bit lame in later years), Blackadder (all variants), Not The Nine Oââ?¬â?¢Clock News and The Young Ones (as I said above, Iââ?¬â?¢ve missed out loads, but these are my favourites, youââ?¬â?¢ll no doubt have yours). Across the pond, out American friends have long been accused of not getting ââ?¬Ë?comedyââ?¬â?¢ but shows like (again, too many to mention them all) Married With Children (Kelly Bundy Loyal RSC), Fraser, Friends, The Simpsons (and the vastly under-rated Futurama), Sienfeld are as good as, and in some cases as ââ?¬Ë?ground-breakingââ?¬â?¢ as the list of brilliant UK shows. As for punk music, whilst the UK spawned brilliant bands like The Clash, The Jam, Stiff Little Fingers, Sex Pistols, Angelic Upstarts, The Damned and off course the ââ?¬Ë?post punkââ?¬â?¢ explosion of new romantic and indie music. All these bands came on the back of The New York Dolls, Iggy & The Stooges, Pattie Smith, Talking Heads and The Ramones. The US then had an influx of brilliant punk bands like Bad Religion, The Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Minor Threat, Blondie etc. In Bad Religion, America has a punk band that is still recording, touring and spreading important messages regarding social justice, welfare, war etc as loud and as proud as all punk bands did in the late 70ââ?¬â?¢s and 80ââ?¬â?¢s. So in conclusion and as I stated to my friend, the USA acts are as important, as funny and as ground-braking as the UK ones. In fact, Iââ?¬â?¢ve modelled myself on the lyrics of Bad Religion and try to be a cross between Homer Simpson and Al Bundy. Apologies that these are short and sweat this week but I have the dreaded 'lurgy'....! Cammy F