pete

Rangers recorded a second easy victory on their short tour of South Africa, beating Jomo Cosmos 2-0 after goals from Kris Boyd and Gavin Rae. Playing at what will be one of the 2010 World Cup stadiums in Bloemfontein, Rangers manager Paul Le Guen fielded a strong line-up - including new signings Jeremy Clement, Karl Svensson, Lionel Letizi and Libor Sionko - and all four excelled against Cosmos. Most of the play was centred around the midfield battle where first Clement and Brahim Hemdani and then Senegal international Makthar N'Diaye all played well as they controlled the centre of the park. Boyd struck in the third minute when Cosmos defender Moketi Tsoletzi overran the ball and tripped, handing an easy run to Thomas Buffel. The Belgian sent a perfect through ball for the Scotland striker to beat the keeper and score his third goal in as many games after similar efforts against Linfield and a Jomo Select. The visitors were let off twice in the space of a minute as first Cosmos' Anthony Laffer missed a chance in the box and then Lionel Letizi was called on to make a strong save from Chris Katongo's powerful shot. Boyd missed what would have been an easy second with an open goal in front of him when his shot rolled just wide after a beautiful touch through once again from Buffel in the 13th minute. Gavin Rae added the second in the 68th minute after a ball up the wing from Steve Smith. Rae drove into the box, slipped a pass to Nacho Novo, who back-heeled it into the path of the former Dundee midfielder to beat the keeper easily. Rangers then had a brief scare when South Africa Under-20 international Calvin Kadi made a strong run through their defences, but could not control the ball in the box. The kick-off had been delayed for 16 minutes when the match officials were involved in a traffic accident. Two of the three officials were seriously injured and taken to a nearby hospital, prompting organisers to find another referee and linesmen for the game.

I guess the guy deserves a chance if he has played so well. Could this be the uncut diamond everyone has talked about.

FERNANDO THICKSEN Guys like Mo and Macca knew when and where to go over the top - and a plane with your gaffer on board ain't one of 'em Ally Mccoist THE only person who can salvage Fernando Ricksen's career at Rangers is the Dutchman himself. It's not too late but there are more than a few harsh realities to be faced before he can even think about anything else. He has been slaughtered by the media and fans alike for his drunken antics on board the flight to South Africa and he'll need to accept that this is his rock bottom. I often hear managers telling people that no player is given special treatment at a club but take it from me, that is not true. When you have a talent such as Paul Gascoigne involved then sometimes it's a case of turning a blind eye to certain aspects of their personality. With exceptional players such as him there is always a certain amount of leeway that is given and it will always b e that way. Advertisement Unfortunately for Fernando he doesn't even come close to being near the characters I'm about to mention who have that extra licence to get away with murder. With the likes of Maurice Johnstone, Charlie Nicholas, Frank McAvennie there were always times when they attracted the wrong headlines but each had something in common which Fernando seems to lack. They were clever enough to know when and where they could get away with going over the top. I'd suggest that on a plane with your manager on board isn't one of them. When I first heard Fernando had been sent home from South Africa, the first thought which crossed my mind was Paul Le Guen using the situation to make his mark. Maybe the new Rangers boss felt it was the ideal opportunity to make an example of one of his high-profile players to really stamp his authority on things. I could be wrong as I don't really know enough about what actually happened on the flight so it would be wrong of me to speculate. One thing is clear - Fernando has problems that need to addressed. I have met him hundreds of times and I have to confess I have always found him funny, friendly and a great guy to be around. Let's be honest for a minute, though, we are talking about someone who has had a history of problems ever since he arrived in Glasgow. There is only so much a football club can be prepared to accept and if they consider him to be a disruptive element then there is only going to b e one winner. It appears Fernando has a strange idea of acceptable discipline and only Le Guen is going to emerge from this the stronger party. If there's to be a way back for the player then he better be prepared to eat one heck of an amount of humble pie. If he's serious about pulling on a Rangers jersey again he should make contact with his manager and make an unreserved apology over his conduct, as well as giving assurances about his future behaviour. Although it may be hard to believe, I've been guilty of making the odd error of judgment that has landed me in a couple of predicaments. But I always knew where the line was and that's the biggest problem with Fernando. That line has all too often been blurred for him and he's not helped himself by crossing it in sometimes spectacular fashion. But he should be learning his lesson. He's no longer a youngster who could be accused of being naive. He's at an age where he has to take the responsibility for his actions. If he's accepted that he now needs to seek professional help to deal with whatever problems he may have then he should be given credit for that. I genuinely wish him well. But resolving these issues won't just help his career -more importantly it will help him make a success of his life. He owes it to himself to get to the root of why he's continually being at the centre of controversy and he will need to get to it fast. This was always going to be a huge season for him under a new manager and especially after the last campaign which was a virtual non-event for him. But a ball has yet to be kicked in anger and already it's been a disaster for him. More worryingly still is the fact it appears the majority of the Rangers fans have now turned against him over the latest incident. He can return from his time in Tony Adams' Sporting Chance clinic a better person and a better player. I wouldn't say his time at Rangers is over as there is always a way back but maybe moving on would be a better thing for him. Achange of scene may offer him a better chance to escape his demons and whatever it's going to be, I hope it's the right choice. Fernando gets my sympathy as he's clearly a troubled person right now and he's someone I like immensely. But it's his and his club's responsibility to get his mind sorted out so he can get things back on track. Difficult decision. We will not get much for him if we sell him. He has shown over one season he can be a great asset. Can he return to that? Whatever happens he must be the biggest asshole to captain our great club. Time to ship him for me.

He looks like one of the three muskiteers. He maybe be a french spy.

Right Frankie my new works card has that as well. It doesn't matter how you put it into the reader it will read it.

If the the 18mill that we got from jj? is not to be used for players, does anyone know what our current debt lies at?

It certainly looks that way Frankie. I hope when he does sell he keeps his word and only sells for the betterment of the club. Unfortunatly his word is not always binding .

I have got it up to 1730 now. i think it depends where you hit as well.

Most of mine were about that as well but that one went crazy.

Just one word on the cheating issue i have not read much on Crouch pulling the Trinidad & Tobago guys hair to score the first goal for them. Is that not cheating. It would seem like Engerland are squeaky clean if you hear them talk. He who has never sinned can throw the first stone.

Best Butt 1309. it was a stoater.

Ferguson and Clement are a certainty when Fergie is fully fit. ---------------Letizi Ponroy-- Svensson-- Rodriguez-- Smith ------Ferguson---Clement--------(Hemdani, Rae and Murray as replacement) Sionko---------Buffel------------------Prso -----------------Boyd----------------- Once Burke comes back i feel it will be to the cost of Buffel. with Prso moving to a central position.

I think Clement has been bought for the deep roll Gribz. If Barry keeps retreating as in the last few years then i think his days will be numbered. Unless he proves he is better than Clement in that position

Seems we will be playing a 4-2-4 formation with everyone attacking and everyone defending. That seems to be the reason Clement was so important as he seem to be able to run the show.

I thought they were both two left-sided attacking players koeman that is why posted. If Adam scored 3 from left -half tonight then we may have a real star arising.

I don't know about another chance as he has had plenty of them, but i do hope he sorts himself out.

If he shot himself in the head, then more than likely he will be brain damaged for life. If this is the fact then i am afraid i hope he dies. Keeping him alive will only put a lot of pressure on his family. If he can make a full recovery then it is a different story of course.

Le Guen obviously preferred Adam to McCormack. Great to see a young player getting a chance. N'Daiye seems to be shaping up as well. Great if we end up with a reasonable player for nothing. His wage demands won't be that high either i would think.

If you don't like it stop talking Bullshit Colshy! You were not voted the Gersnet idiot for nothing No they didn't it has been widely publicised they want to cut out racist or sectarian chants. you should take that message on board instead of thinking you are a good protestant that is having his feet swept away. Typical Colshy answer. Sometimes you use" you" in a total concept and not mean one person. You should know that as you have a univercity degree Again you seem to have missed the simple English of using You as a general term. Maybe i should talk like the Queen and say " one can join the British national party. Again you miss the point is there not a term in psychiatry about someone who thinks he is always being attacked Colshy Schizophrenia i believe We are part of the human race mate and have to set our standards that are not offensive to other people. Why do we have to prove we can shout FTP on a saurday or match day? Please tell me how i insulted any invalids? You should read what one say's Colshy Colshy if you don't want to say anything sensible then just don't say anything otherwise you will be the Gersnet idiot for many years to come.

He was a good signing and although he was not the first Catholic to be signed he was the first to cross the big devide. A bit unfair to say it took room away from Coisty as he was not dropped for nothing and if Mojo had been with us as long as Coisty was, who knows what he would have done.

Cammy, it does not matter what is written in a book or you say your principles are if you don�t live up to them. Ask Fernando Ricksen. The Orange order has allowed it�s members to be seen drinking to excess in public parks with it�s members causing trouble and intimidating passers-by. FTP and Fenian ba**ards is more of a norm than a rarity. That is what the public see not a loving church going community. Hating Catholics seems to have become more important than following their own religion. As for Rangers supporters it is time to return to: I love to see the lassies with they�re blue scarfs on. And not orange sashes. I love to hear the boy�s all roar: and not shout FTP or fenian ba**ards And i don�t have to tell you whats the best of all we love to see the Rangers score. No we should not forget our history, we should not forget how Rangers FC was formed or led to 51 league flags. We should not forget Bill Struth or even big Eck for that fact. What we should forget is the pure verbal hatred that has been shouted at Ibrox for many years. Colshy i really can�t believe some of the crap you spew. UEFA nor Rangers want to take away our heritage, or our political beliefs, or our religous beliefs. They want to stop the verbal hatred that is being chanted. If you want to join the OO then you are totally free to do so. If you want to join the British party you are also free to do so. Yes you can even be a catholic and support Rangers. All they want, is us to stop chanting FTP and singing a song that is seen as abusive to outsiders. If shouting FTP is your heritage, or where you come from as you say, then you want to be a patient in your ward and not someone tending the sick. Football clubs or FIFA are not killing the churches. Modern attitudes and better scientific knowledge are. And boring 1.5 hour services.

Except for one season he has been treating Rangers like shite, by playing below his ability. The year he needed a new contract he all of a sudden throws the booze and plays like he should be playing. I am afraid i have no sympathy for you Fernando, you have been ripping good supporters off for most of your years at Ibrox. Shut the door behind you as you leave!

Getting freed by Cercle Brugge dosn't really make him a top notcher. I think he will either not get through the trial or at most used as back-up. I can't see him putting any of our current defenders in any danger. I see the daylate record have him as a striker. A few years late on this one, it would seem he has played in defence for some years, although he started as a striker.( German websites have him also as defender)

Ole Budtz\ Cercle Brugge on a weeks trial. Marco di Vaio\ Valencia for 4 mill. Not too happy with these ones. Too many clubs with little success. Sorry i can't copy and paste for some reason, see the Herald.

I am not that great in flying myself but don't abuse anyone. If he needed something to settle him down then he should have had that sorted with the medical team much in advance. He has done too much for this to be a one of situation. Just a ned in my book.