ian1964

Same for me,might be a good thing anyway as it's a Totti thread

http://leggoland2.blogspot.com/2011/02/tales-of-unprofessional.html

"Nikica Jelavic is getting his fitness back, but the game won't be won by one player. "The main aspect will be the display by the team so we need to acquit ourselves as well as we possibly can." Meanwhile, Smith has confirmed on loan Arsenal kid Kyle Bartley is likely to be handed a start - possibly in midfield. Smith revealed: "Kyle has shown he's also capable of playing in midfield. "He hadn't played for a few weeks so I felt it would have been pretty unfair to ask him to play against Sporting after making a start against Motherwell last Saturday. "With Lee McCulloch out and Jamie Ness looking doubtful Kyle will come into our thoughts." Although Ness looks set to miss out Stevie Naismith and Jelavic will return for Gers. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3421056/You-dont-win-three-in-a-row-if-its-all-a-big-CONSPIRACY.html#ixzz1EMCFpx3u

CRAIG WHYTE'S �£33million takeover of Rangers is this morning on the brink of completion - and it does NOT hinge on the outcome of the Ibrox tax case. Sunsport can reveal that the HMRC probe into Gers' finances will not affect the plans of the multi-millionaire venture capitalist and his deal partner Andrew Ellis. Ibrox insiders remain confident they will emerge from the investigation into offshore payments to stars without a penalty to pay. This week behind-the-scenes talks have taken Gers fan Whyte close to completing the complex deal that'll end Sir David Murray's 23-year reign. Next week Gers' financial figures are expected to show that the club's debt level has fallen to below the �£25m mark. Now the Whyte deal WILL be completed before the end of the season and it will mean this: # The sale of the club will go through with Whyte aided by Ellis paying around �£33m for Murray's 92 per cent share. # Rangers will be guaranteed a total of �£25m worth of investment in the playing budget over the next five years - in effect �£5m per season before any money brought in by Euro success and other avenues. # Ally McCoist, Kenny McDowall and Ian Durrant being given the chance to take control of the first team when Smith bids an emotional farewell in May. Gers have come through some of the very darkest financial days of their history and survived after Murray appointed turn-around specialist Donald Muir and Mike McGill to the board. It's understood Muir and McGill - one of steel tycoon Murray's most trusted voices within his own empire - helped win a crucial vote to stave off a board bid to take the club's debt to �£50m. With that manoeuvre quashed, Lloyds were then persuaded to keep the club's annual player wage bill at the �£16m level and not engage in a policy of slashing it to �£10m-a-year that would have in effect have handed domestic domination to Celtic. Now it is hoped that Rangers will emerge from the mire as a club that operates within its means. The reality is Gers will still sell the club's best players to England. Lifelong Gers fan Muir, brought in by Murray to help rescue his entire empire, has been painted as the enemy within by sections of the support. Now the ship is steadied and the Whyte deal is imminent. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3421235/Whyte-on-brink-of-takeover.html#ixzz1EMAjxNWD

Rangers manager Walter Smith has accused Celtic of encouraging a climate of mistrust and paranoia among their support and of attempting to increase pressure on match officials with their unrelenting complaints about the performances of referees and their appeals against punishments handed out to players and manager Neil Lennon. The 62 year-old, in his final season in charge at Ibrox, has had enough of the conspiracy theories emanating from Parkhead and, as he prepares to take his team to the east end of Glasgow tomorrow, he welcomed former Celtic manager Gordon Strachanââ?¬â?¢s declaration this week that there was no institutionalised bias against the club. It was a comment apparently aimed at Peter Lawwell, Celticââ?¬â?¢s chief executive, and chairman John Reid. The latter had claimed at the clubââ?¬â?¢s AGM in November that the Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders would not tolerate being treated as second-class citizens by the governing bodies, hinting at a historical discrimination. ââ?¬Å?We wonââ?¬â?¢t be treated as less than anyone else,ââ?¬Â said Reid. ââ?¬Å?Those days are gone.ââ?¬Â With referee Iain Brines about to take charge of his first Old Firm encounter tomorrow, Smith echoed Strachanââ?¬â?¢s sentiments. ââ?¬Å?It would have been difficult for Gordon to have said anything else, wouldnââ?¬â?¢t it?ââ?¬Â he asked. ââ?¬Å?When you win three consecutive championships itââ?¬â?¢s very difficult to say that there are people conspiring against you. ââ?¬Å?You canââ?¬â?¢t win three successive titles with people conspiring against you. This has been a situation Celtic have been happy to promote but when their former manager comes out and says that there is no conspiracy then you can realise why. ââ?¬Å?He was good enough when he was there to lead his team to three championships so, from a Rangers point of view, did people conspire against us during that period of time? And the truth is that they didnââ?¬â?¢t and the truth is that they donââ?¬â?¢t. ââ?¬Å?The truth is that if youââ?¬â?¢re good enough then youââ?¬â?¢ll win and Celtic were during Gordonââ?¬â?¢s time as manager so I agree with what he says. ââ?¬Å?I think that Celtic have tried to use that to their own advantage ââ?¬â?? I donââ?¬â?¢t believe thereââ?¬â?¢s any doubt about that but Gordonââ?¬â?¢s comments this week have led everyone to the actual truth. ââ?¬Å?Like I say, if youââ?¬â?¢re good enough youââ?¬â?¢ll win but it suits them to build up an environment where everybodyââ?¬â?¢s against them when, obviously, theyââ?¬â?¢re not or they wouldnââ?¬â?¢t have won what theyââ?¬â?¢ve won if then world had been against them. ââ?¬Å?Everyone has to remember that Celtic have won three out of the last five championships so if people are conspiring against them I wouldnââ?¬â?¢t like to see what theyââ?¬â?¢ll do once they stop. ââ?¬Å?So it suits them just now to gain some motivation from that 'everyoneââ?¬â?¢s against usââ?¬â?¢ type of attitude plus everything is new and fresh there at the moment but weââ?¬â?¢ll just need to wait and see what happens. ââ?¬Å?If people want to keep, promoting that thatââ?¬â?¢s fine: I prefer to look at the footballing side of the situation rather than anything else. Going to Celtic Park will be difficult ââ?¬â?? all Old Firm games are. The games up until now have been close and the fact both teams have lost at home adds another aspect to it. ââ?¬Å?For us, having extra games with a smaller group is an obvious difficulty but we have a pride in our performance.ââ?¬Â Algerian defender Madjid Bougherra believes it is essential for Rangers ââ?¬â?? five points behind, having played two games fewer ââ?¬â?? to win the two remaining league fixtures against Celtic because he doesnââ?¬â?¢t anticipate any of the other SPL clubs taking all three points from Lennonââ?¬â?¢s side. ââ?¬Å?I think thatââ?¬â?¢s the case,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?If you want to win the championship you have to win all your games but the Old Firm games are very vital. If we win the two games in hand it is still in our own hands. ââ?¬Å?For us, if we win the game it will be fantastic for us to take into the [return leg against Sporting Lisbon] next Thursday as well as for the championship. ââ?¬Å?Celtic are going very well this season and donââ?¬â?¢t look like dropping many points, so it is the best moment to close the gap.ââ?¬Â http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/scottish-premier/8334743/Celtic-v-Rangers-Parkhead-club-happy-to-promote-conspiracy-theories-says-Walter-Smith.html

Rangers are reported to have rejected a bid for Madjid Bougherra from Terek Grozny. The ambitious Russian league club, managed by Dutch legend Rudd Gullit, revealed their interest in the Algerian defender ahead of last nightââ?¬â?¢s Sporting Lisbon game. Grozny, owned by Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov, are said to have made an undisclosed offer for Bougherra. The Russian transfer window is still open which allows them to do business under Uefa regulations with clubs anywhere in the world. Speaking in his homeland, Terek vice-president Haidar Alkhanov admitted lodging an interest in the defender before going on to admit defeat in the pursuit. He said: ââ?¬Å?We have signed the Pole, Piotr Polczak from Cracovia. ââ?¬Å?As for another centre-half, Bougherra will not come. Rangers have refused to sell him to us.ââ?¬Â Grozny finished 12th in the Russian League last season and appointing Gullit last month has led to speculation linking them with a string of top players. Bougherra has consistently been linked with an exit as he heads towards the end of his third season in Glasgow. He will be asked to sign a new contract this summer with 12 months to go on his deal. However, if an agreement cannot be struck, then the man signed from Charlton for Ã?£2million will be sold on rather than let him run down his deal. PSV in driving seat after draw PSV Eindhoven have a good chance of facing Rangers or Sporting in the last 16 of the Europa League after a stunning fightback secured a 2-2 draw at Lille. Two last-gasp strikes from Wilfred Bouma and Swedish midfielder Toivonen stunned the French side who had been two up at the interval through Idrissa Gueye and Tunio de Melo. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/russian-bid-for-madjid-bougherra-is-kicked-out-1.1086044

Vladimir Weiss believes Rangers paid for failing to keep the pressure on Sporting after taking the lead in their 1-1 Europa League draw at Ibrox. "We are obviously not happy because we had many chances to score and we didn't take them," said the Rangers winger. "I think we should have put more pressure on them after the first goal because, in the second half, we were the better team. "The manager doesn't like when we sit back and that wasn't our plan." Weiss sidestepped suggestions that he had failed to prevent Joao Pereira crossing for Matias Fernandez to head Sporting's equaliser in the closing minutes of the first-leg tie in the last 32 stage of the competition. "We were a bit unlucky with the goal we conceded," he insisted. "But the second game is still open and we will just need to go there and try to win the game. "They had the possession after we scored and created a few chances. There is still all to play for. I don't think there is a great deal between the teams Rangers captain David Weir "But their defence was open after the goal and we were just unlucky that we did not take the chances we had." Rangers captain David Weir also denied it had been a conscious tactic to sit back after taking the lead through Steven Whittaker's 66th-minute header. "At 1-0, it's a funny one because, do you stick or twist, try getting another one and risk losing one?" said the defender. "It's a difficult one, it's finely balanced and obviously it didn't work out for us this time." Sporting will reach the last 16 if they keep a clean sheet in the return leg in Portugal on Thursday. "To lose a goal as late as we did after managing to get in front and improving as the game went on, obviously the overall feeling is disappointment," said Weir. "There is still all to play for. I don't think there is a great deal between the teams. "I'm sure they will feel they have the upper hand now, but I still think we have every chance in the tie. "I think it will be the team that plays better on the night will go through and we have to make sure that's us. "The fact that we created chances when there was so little time left gives us hope." Rangers reached the final of the Uefa Cup in 2008 after seeing off Panathinaikos, Sporting and Fiorentina following goalless first legs at Ibrox. However, Weir does not think the Portuguese side's away goal will radically alter the dynamics of the second leg. "I don't think it will make a great deal of difference," he added. "We will approach the game in the same way and we will just have to take out chances when they come along. "We just have to get the balance right between creating them and keeping the door shut at the back." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/9401558.stm

I'll go for a repeat of our last visit to the piggery BHEASTS 1 - The Champions 3 Jelavic,Naismith 2

Rangers winger Vladimir Weiss has revealed that manager Walter Smith went berserk at the players after they lost their lead in the dying moments of Thursdayââ?¬â?¢s Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon. Steven Whittaker put ââ?¬Ë?Gers in front at Ibrox in the 66th minute but Sporting leveled in the 89th thanks to a Matias Fernandez header. Weiss said that Smith had a go at the Rangers side after the match and the Manc hester City loanee said he had every right to. "The manager was not happy with us because he felt we should not have backed off after we scored. "But we did and there is not a great deal he can do about that on the touchline." The Manchester City loan star admits Gers players have to take responsibility for the slackness that cost them victory. "It was our fault on the pitch we didn't win the game, but hopefully we can take the type of chances we created here in Lisbon. "We were terrific in the second half, especially in the first 30 minutes of it. "We scored and we should have had another one after that, but we backed off. "They needed to score and put us under pressure, but we were unlucky. "We were the better side and had more chances to score. Sporting may have had more possession, but they are a Portuguese team and you expect them to hold the ball. "But we had our chances to get a second and we didn't take them." http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/weiss-reveals-rangers-boss-smith-went-berserk-1458121?

And it's working,the BHEASTS are convinced there is something sectarian in it:grin:

Or even a 53 either side of his mohican:tongue:

You took the words right out of my mouth.....................................MEATLOAF;)

http://leggoland2.blogspot.com/2011/02/strachan-on-ball.html

David Healy fulfilled a lifetime ambition as he marked his Rangers debut with a goal last Saturday. Now the boyhood Gers fan has set his sights on achieving more landmarks. The Northern Irishman made his first appearance since moving to Ibrox on a short-term deal until the end of the season and quickly got off the mark with a well taken strike to complete a 6-0 rout of Motherwell. And the striker admits it was a moment he will never forget. He said: ââ?¬Å?To score at Ibrox at the Copland Road end is something that will live with me whether I score 50 goals or five goals for this club. ââ?¬Å?Whatever I do I can look back in 50 yearsââ?¬â?¢ time and say I scored at Ibrox. ââ?¬Å?Now I would love to score a winner for Rangers, not just at Ibrox but anywhere in a big game, maybe when weââ?¬â?¢re tied 1-1 to get a goal that would win a game ââ?¬â?? that would be sheer delight. ââ?¬Å?To score is one thing, but the game against Motherwell was already won and there will be bigger and harder games to come and Iââ?¬â?¢m looking forward to those.ââ?¬Â Next on the horizon for the champions is a Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon. And Healy insists the Gers will be going all out for victory, despite their congested fixture list. ââ?¬Å?Certainly for me I want to play for Rangers in Europe and hopefully that opportunity will come up,ââ?¬Â he told the Rangers News. ââ?¬Å?We have a lot of games, but you donââ?¬â?¢t go into any competition looking to fail. ââ?¬Å?People might say itââ?¬â?¢s a distraction, but if youââ?¬â?¢re winning games that mentality sticks with you.ââ?¬Â http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/david-healy-goal-was-lifetime-ambition-1.1085563

OOPS!!,meant to put this in the football chat:redface:

CELTIC are set to go to war with the SFA over Neil Lennon's touchline ban - and George Peat is firmly in their sights. Peat's actions during and after the SFA hearing to appeal Lennon's initial three-match ban will be the basis of a new appeal. Record Sport can reveal SFA president Peat was involved in the appeal hearing but LEFT the proceedings for an hour to make the Scottish Cup draw before returning to take part in the decision-making process despite missing sections of evidence. After his appeal failed the SFA doubled Lennon's ban to six games and Celtic were furious when Peat then described the club as "tiresome". In addition, Celtic have lodged complaints linked to their claim Lennon did not get a fair hearing . Lennon's solicitor was not allowed to cross examine a match ref and a fourth official outwith each other's hearing, meaning the officials were aware of each other's responses. The lawyer was also denied access to the SFA's papers showing precedents for appeals like Lennon's against "excessive misconduct". Celts were also denied written reasons for the appeal being rejected. It is understood the SFA has since offered Lennon a rehearing on the grounds that the circumstances of the initial appeal were "exceptional". Pressure However Lennon's new legal team, headed by prominent criminal defence QC Paul McBride, binned the offer. Instead, they will go straight to the next appeal stage which will be heard by senior judge Lord Carloway next month. That was scheduled for March 2 but has been put back 24 hours due to the Old Firm's Scottish Cup replay that night. With pressure now mounting on the SFA they have hired a s4000-a-day QC to represent them. He is Ronnie Clancy, an administrative lawyer who was in charge of the Crown case against the Lockerbie bomber's second appeal until it was dropped. A source close to Celtic said: "By offering a rehearing the SFA seem to accept the initial appeal was unfair. To describe it as a kangaroo court would be unkind to the kangaroos of Australia." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2011/02/16/celtic-on-collision-course-with-sfa-george-peat-again-over-neil-lennon-appeal-hearing-86908-22927033/

EL HADJI DIOUF is now a dye-hard Rangers player - after colouring his hair BLUE. The wacky Rangers star left his Ibrox team-mates stunned yesterday when he turned up for training at Murray Park. Diouf, 30, showed off his new look and the on-loan Blackburn ace could be set to keep the striking image for the Europa League clash against Sporting Lisbon. Diouf normally sports a shaved head with white mohican stripe. But Scottish football's most colourful character has now opted for a blue crop as a tribute to Gers supporters. Meanwhile, Vladimir Weiss insists Gers gaffer Walter Smith pulled off a MASTERSTROKE by signing Diouf. The Ibrox boss stunned Scottish football by landing Diouf on loan until the end of the season but Weiss insists it'll prove to be a brilliant bit of business. He said: "He's not scored yet but that will come. It's only a matter of time. "He's been good on the ball and a great player to play alongside. He has a lot of experience and I look at him as someone I can learn a lot from. "I just think the timing of his signing is great. It's a very clever signing by the manager - very shrewd. El Hadji has a big personality - a lot of character - and I see it as a key signing. "He has something about him most players don't have. People talk about his reputation but he is a brilliant, brilliant boy. Personally I can't say a bad word against him. "He's got his own style which is funny sometimes. "He tried to put on his iPod yesterday, but it wasn't working properly, so we've still to check out his taste in music. "The players love having him here and I think he's enjoying it too." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3413953/El-Hadji-BLUE.html#ixzz1E6c8vN00 :grin:

Disagree,it's been quite an entertaining game

Cracking goal for Crouch

Time he got himself away from Spurs me thinks

Started at quite a pace,Spurs pushing from the start.Is Hutton on the bench???

Bring it on,feck the BHEASTS. What is it they say about favourites going into these games???

Live Today on ITV4 Kick-off: 1700 GMT For all you fitba addicts

Poor show,I wouldn't mind going

Gary Hooper insists Celtic are brimming with confidence as they approach Sundayââ?¬â?¢s Old Firm showdown. The Parkhead striker believes Neil Lennonââ?¬â?¢s side have taken a great deal of heart from their performance the last time the two clubs clashed. Despite being reduced to 10 men in the first-half at Ibrox, when goalkeeper Fraser Forster was sent packing for bringing down Steven Naismith, Celtic emerged with a 2-2 draw. And Hooper says the way they managed to dominate Rangers with a man less is fresh in the Celtic playersââ?¬â?¢ minds as they prepare for this weekendââ?¬â?¢s SPL encounter. He said: ââ?¬Å?I enjoyed it at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup game. Going down to 10 men so early was a blow but even then we could have won it. ââ?¬Å?It just proves the quality we have in the team. We had 10 men, they had 11, but they were still sitting behind the ball trying to stop us playing. ââ?¬Å?When youââ?¬â?¢re down to 10 men away from home in an Old Firm game thereââ?¬â?¢s no hiding place out there. ââ?¬Å?Everyone has to stand up and be counted and we did. Itââ?¬â?¢s another massive game on Sunday but if we can play like that with 10, we shouldnââ?¬â?¢t have a problem with 11. ââ?¬Å?Weââ?¬â?¢re out to win it. We played really well away to Dundee United at the weekend and weââ?¬â?¢re aiming to maintain our form.ââ?¬Â http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/gary-hooper-10-man-stand-fills-celtic-up-with-confidence-1.1085335