ian1964

I'm actually quite dissapointed he will miss the game on Sunday

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 Scottish Premier Home Team Score Away Team Time Hamilton 0-1 Aberdeen FT (HT 0-0) * Vernon 90+1 Sheepy bassas scored in the last minute

I wonder if Kerkar playing today at left back has any baring on Papac resigning????

I'm still angry at this game being called off a day & a half before kick off with a thaw on!!!!,it's absolutely ridiculous.

Headline: Fairly cloudy but mainly dry with light winds. Today: Mainly dry but fairly cloudy. A few patches of light rain possible over the high ground of Breadalbane. A few brighter intervals are also expected these mainly around Dunkeld and Pitlochry. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 �°C. Tonight: Staying mainly cloudy through this evening and overnight with some mist and murky conditions especially around the snow fields and through the carse of Stirling. Winds calm. Minimum temperature -1 �°C. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/ta/ta_forecast_temp.html

RANGERS fans used to have shirts with Fernando Ricksen written on the back. Other people had bullets with his name on them. That was life in the Old Firm for former Rangers star Ricksen. Some players love it, thriving on the firecracker atmosphere of the Glasgow derby. Ricksen, though, hated the poison that swallowed up his life on and off the park. The Glasgow goldfish bowl bubbled with bile and pushed him over the edge towards alcoholism. Just days before the next showdown between Rangers and Celtic, Ricksen opened his heart to SunSport in an explosive interview. After two years out of the game, Ricksen is back playing with Dutch side Fortuna Sittard. With his colourful past the midfielder is a prime candidate for abuse from fans. But after death threats and attacks in the street, Ricksen insists NOTHING could be worse than the torture he endured in Glasgow. He said: "I have played in Scotland with Rangers numerous times against Celtic. There are 80,000 football fanatics one metre from me at these games. "What do you think the fans are saying to me? That I'm a lovely boy? "I've had hate letters sent to me with bullets in them. I'd messages telling me bullets were sent to the IRA so they could kill me. People phoned my son threatening to sort him out and beat him up at school. Supporters have physically and verbally threatened me on the field. "My wife was abused in the street by them, they spat in my face while we were out shopping. "So do you really think that it interests me what a small group of Dutch fans chant? Not one bit." No player deserves the abuse hurled at Ricksen during his six-year stay in Scotland. But the man who was capped 12 times for his country admits he didn't do himself any favours. He confessed: "During my time in Glasgow my faults were getting worse all the time. "It may sound crazy but unconsciously maybe I was creating another situation so in the process I'd learn how to become better. "It was as if I was continually searching for clarification and insight. Playing football saved me. It was my outlet valve. Advertisement Quantcast "Unfortunately it was replaced by alcohol. I don't have any regrets for what happened but I'd do it completely differently now. "I made some very big mistakes and that's inexcusable. Like when I was caught drink-driving or having fights with my team-mates. "When you're a footballer you have to be a role model. I realise that now. I should have been more like Dennis Bergkamp, anonymous and living a quiet life. "Alcohol was the cause of a lot of problems in my life. I've made loads of mistakes but thanks to those bad experiences I'm in a better place. I'm content." Despite a thirst for the drink that forced him into rehab, Ricksen insists he wasn't the hellraiser he was made out to be. He claimed: "I am an alcoholic but in Scotland you're one if you drink a glass of wine. "When you have that sort of reputation people keep talking and writing about it. "In Holland, and certainly in the UK, everyone in football drinks. The problem is when you have someone like me who doesn't give a s*** what other people think. "That causes trouble. I don't deny I had a problem but it wasn't as bad as people make out." Despite the boozing and bad-boy image, Ricksen doesn't want to be remembered for the wild nights out and infamous bust-ups. He wants people to look beyond the rap sheet - and take a look at his roll of honour instead. He said: "At Rangers I won seven trophies. At Zenit I won the championship, the UEFA Cup and the European Super Cup. I played for Holland 12 times. "So in that context the true football lover won't forget how I played and what I achieved. "I am portrayed as a nutter, a sensation seeker. If they really think that I suppose it doesn't concern me. "The people who really know me know that I'm a good person." After his self-imposed exile from football Ricksen finally fell back in love with the sport. But he insists the game he loves is still polluted with low-lifes and back-stabbers looking to do nothing more than make money. He claimed: "I'm a lover of the game but nowadays it's not about the football any more, it's all about marketing, business, betting and other macho sideshows. "Quality isn't a deciding factor. Everyday football is a shady charade, filled with deception - and lying has become normal practice." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3321599/They-sent-me-bullets-and-vowed-Id-be-killed-by-the-IRA.html#ixzz19USLfCgF

Aye,they seem to manage their money better than us though,if of course he does sign half the players he's in for

Terrible,very sad news

Bin the domestic cups for me,the SPL title and the YOOFA cup will do

Former Israel and Liverpool defender Avi Cohen died on Tuesday from head injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in Tel Aviv last week, his son Tamir Cohen said. Cohen, who was 54, was the first Israeli to play in the English top flight when he signed with Liverpool in 1979. He made 24 appearances, scoring one goal in the match against Aston Villa which secured the Reds the 1979-80 league title. http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/28122010/2/former-israel-defender-cohen-dead-motorcycle-crash.html

Do you not think the players have had enough rest?.The game on Sunday will take care of itself,these cancellations are going to have a serious impact on our season

We're all big boys,walking on a wee bit of ice is always dodgy,canny believe the polis get so much say in if a fixture should go ahead,the weather forecast is not bad. It's denying clubs money and the SPL should over rule this. Do the polis close down shopping centres because of ice on the pavements???,and why is there ice on the pavements??,the local councils should be held responsible,remind me again what we pay our council tax for???. Disgrace.

David Leggat http://leggoland2.blogspot.com/2010/12/let-there-be-dignity-silence-and.html

Alex McLeish today denied he was making moves to snatch Kenny Miller away from Rangers. The Birmingham City boss – who has targeted former on-loan Celtic striker Robbie Keane as his main January signing from Spurs – had been reported to be interested in Miller, who is stalling on a new deal with his current contract expiring at the end of the season. Rangers are still hopeful that they can strike an agreement with the 22-goal hitman, but McLeish says he is not trying to throw a spanner in the works. “I know Rangers fans are desperate for Kenny to sign his contract. I’ve not been in contact,” McLeish said. While Miller’s situation remains in limbo, Rangers today made the first step in trying to tie down Sasa Papac, who is also out of contract at the end of the season. The 30-year-old defender, whose first option is to stay, admitted at the weekend he would consider talking to other clubs next month if nothing concrete emerges from Rangers. But he was scheduled for contract talks today with chief executive Martin Bain over a new deal, and the club are confident he will stay. Boss Smith insisted: “Martin Bain was due to talk to Sasa in Turkey when we played Bursaspor in the Champions League but the player didn’t travel because of injury. “And since then further opportunities have been lost because Sasa had flu. But hopefully everything will be okay.” Meantime, on the injury front, Smith could land a triple fitness boost ahead of this weekend’s Old Firm clash. Steven Naismith’s hamstring injury that forced him off against Motherwell on Boxing Day will keep him out of tomorrow night’s game against St Johnstone. But boss Smith is hopeful the player will make the Celtic match. And both Kyle Lafferty and summer signing James Beattie should be included in the squad for Perth, and will be in the frame to face Neil Lennon’s side. There is even an outside chance that Maurice Edu could return for Sunday’s derby. “Naismith’s injury isn’t a full-blown hamstring or anything like that, but it is sufficient enough for him to miss St John-stone,” said Smith. “We’ll need to monitor it closely, but we’re hoping he’ll be okay for the Celtic game. “Lafferty and Beattie should be back with us for Perth. “Edu’s comeback has been hampered by a bout of tonsillitis and a slight hamstring problem so, again, we’ll be keeping an eye on him but there’s a chance he could be available this weekend.”

Neil Lennon is eyeing up a January swoop for West Ham striker Benni McCarthy. The Celtic boss ââ?¬â?? who was today linked with a loan move for Spurs midfielder Niko Kranjcar, although that could be a tough deal to pull off ââ?¬â?? is interested in signing the South African hitman. Itââ?¬â?¢s understood the 33-year-old would jump at the chance to move to Parkhead after falling out of favour at Upton Park. Lennon has yet to make any concrete moves for McCarthy, but is well aware of his availability and is weighing up whether to try and land him on a loan deal until the end of the season or try to strike a deal with the Hammers to sign him permanently. SportTimes understands a new striker and a defender are the two priority positions the Hoops manager wants to fill during the transfer window. With Gary Hooper still missing for at least another month through injury, Lennon believes his team are crying out for a natural goalscorer and McCarthyââ?¬â?¢s goals-per-game record would suggest he could make a real impact in the SPL. The former Blackburn Rovers and Porto striker is contracted to West Ham until 2012, but the manager who signed him, Gianfranco Zola, is no longer in charge and the player has fallen out of favour under Avram Grant. Having made just six substitute appearances in the league all season, McCarthy is short of match fitness but is desperate to resurrect his career. The Celtic manager is thought to have already drafted up an extensive list of potential signing targets to fill the two positions. He has also been linked with Spurs star Kranjcar. However, the 26-year-old Croatian has already rejected a loan move to Everton because he wants a permanent switch if he leaves and would cost around Ã?£6million. Itââ?¬â?¢s understood interest in Malmo midfielder Guillermo Molins, and Utrecht midfielder Michael Silberbauer, has cooled. And after SportTimes revealed yesterday that Lennon was hoping to run the rule over Canadian cap Dwayne De Rosario, Toronto interim general manager Earl Cochrane is denying that the player even has permission to train with the Parkhead club. Benni McCarthy hasnââ?¬â?¢t featured regularly at West Ham and that has alerted Celtic boss Neil Lennon as he steps up his striker hunt ahead of the January transfer window http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/lenny-in-for-benni-1.1076840

This means the BHEASTS will be one point ahead of us going into Sundays' game,providing they win of course,tis a conspiracy I tell ye:boogie:

The forecast isn't too bad!!!! http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/ta/ta_forecast_warnings.html

According to Wiess on his twitter http://twitter.com/VladiW7

MARCO NEGRI has told Rangers talisman Kenny Miller to steer clear of squash courts and smash his Ibrox goals tally to lead the charge to three in a row. Miller's heroics at Motherwell were another clear demonstration of his value to boss Walter Smith and the Italian striker reckons there would be no greater New Year gift for fans than a new contract offer that is acceptable to the Scotland hitman. Negri, now 40, was at Ibrox when Miller arrived over a decade ago as a relative rookie in a �£2million deal from Hibs and has watched from afar as his career has blossomed at club and international level. He knows from his own experience Miller is riding the crest of a wave in a season very few players are ever fortunate enough to savour. Negri's campaign ultimately floundered after a bizarre eye injury sustained in a game of squash with team-mate Sergio Porrini in January 1998. Negri had scored an astonishing 33 goals in only 26 games in the first half of season 1997-98 but netted just three times in the second half after a rush back from injury led to a loss of form and confidence as Ibrox hopes of 10 in a row bit the dust. Miller has already scored 22 this season in 27 games and is on course to beat his own personal best of 26 he netted when Wolves returned to the Premiership in 2003. Negri wants the goals to keep flowing - and, who knows, it may even persuade Rangers to find the money Miller feels he deserves for the next three or four years. He told Record Sport: "I still remember Kenny when he arrived - fast, with a good shot, a funny guy and a very good professional. "For much of his career he has played as a No.2 striker. They're always among the least selfish players on the pitch because much of their work is done running away from goal - pulling defenders into corners, running into channels and creating space for others. "The departure of Kris Boyd has allowed him to prove his worth as No.1 and he has the maturity and self-confidence to show the qualities he's learned over the years. He knows the type of runs to make towards goal and it is paying off for him and Rangers this season. "Sometimes you get these magical campaigns when everything you touch turns to goals. I know, because I had a few of them at Perugia when I scored 19, 18 and 15 goals in Serie A before coming to Scotland. "Then, of course, there was my first half-season at Ibrox. I'd advise Kenny only to keep living his life as he does right now. Things are working well for him - but, please, don't go near any squash courts. "He will be feeling at the moment as I did when I was scoring all those goals. You believe in yourself and your team-mates, you're keen to score more and more and it seems every pass arrives at your feet in the box at just the right time. "I hope Kenny scores more than I did and that Rangers keep the title for at least another year. Who knows, if he keeps finding the net maybe Rangers will even find the finance to cover a new contract." Negri is living in Bologna with wife Monica and six-year-old son Christian and studying to become an Italian and UEFA-licensed coach. Much of his time at Rangers was shrouded in acrimony and yet he retains a fondness for the club and still keeps in touch with their results and performances. He added: "I'm sure Kenny is being torn between his head and his heart. In his head, he knows this is his last big contract and it has to be right for him, so he must examine all options. "But he will also know there is no place like Ibrox. You cannot find that atmosphere and support in another place. I'm sure there's a big part of him wants to stay. He is playing for the best team in Scotland. "He has established a good relationship with his team-mates and the fans and I'm sure his family are also happy living in their own country. But I hope he doesn't dwell too much on it because there is a danger the magic might leave him if he starts to worry about it. "There's little point. Let's face it, I don't think Kenny is close to living on the streets. And can you really see a guy who could win the Golden Boot being without a contract? "I hope Rangers can come up with the contract he desires, but he should trust and know the right decision is in front of him." Miller has even been touted with a move to AC Milan and while it has raised the eyebrows of some, Negri isn't so surprised. He said: "Pippo Inzaghi picked up a really bad knee injury recently and is out until the end of the season and Milan need a penalty-box striker. "I'm sure Kenny has come to their attention because of the number of goals he has scored. "It would be different in Serie A for him but someone who scores so often in Scotland could score in Italy, although chances do not come along as often. In Italy, if a team are winning 1-0 that's enough, shut up shop, game over. "I remember at Rangers we won games by four, five, six and seven goals because the mentality of the squad was to keep going, always." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2010/12/28/i-d-love-to-see-kenny-miller-beat-my-rangers-goal-tally-says-ex-obrox-hitman-marco-negri-86908-22811436/

Better back that up at the bookies:boogie:

Poor form and yet over on kiddyfiddlerstreet they are predicting 2,3,5-0 for their game against Motherwell:)

Rangers striker Kenny Miller and Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov both scored twice at the weekend and climbed in the standings... There wasn't much action at the weekend with the Bundesliga, Serie A, Primera Division and Ligue 1 all enjoying the winter break. However, the Scottish and English Premier League both had a full matchday and players like Kenny Miller (Rangers), Dimitar Berbatov (Manchester United) and Carlos Tevez (Manchester City) all took full advantage of the inactivity of their colleagues. Miller netted a brace to help the reigning Scottish champions to a 4-1 away win over Motherwell on Sunday and now sits third in the standings with 31.5 points. Elsewhere, Berbatov scored twice in United's 2-0 win over Sunderland to gift the English table toppers the full three points. The Bulgarian striker climbed to joint sixth position in the standings following his successful weekend. Controversial Manchester City attacker Carlos Tevez bagged a brace as well on Sunday and has now scored 12 league goals, just enough to enter the top 10 of the European Golden Shoe Standings. http://www.goal.com/en/news/755/europe/2010/12/27/2278882/european-golden-shoe-weekly-update-rangers-star-kenny-miller

Hot on the heels of Freddie Ljungberg arriving for talks with Celtic, another international midfielder is set to jet in from across the Atlantic. Dwayne De Rosario is currently the skipper of Toronto FC in the MLS, and the 32-year-old is hoping a deal can be struck to allow him to make the switch to Parkhead. Neil Lennon today confirmed the man who has won 55 caps for Canada, scoring 15 goals in the process, is in line to spend time at Lennoxtown to let them see if he might be worth signing. The Celtic boss still has a central defender and a striker as his priorities when the window opens this weekend. But he feels he can’t afford not to consider experienced attacking midfielders Ljungberg and De Rosario now that they have become available. De Rosario has played in Europe, for two years with German club FSV Zwickau when he was a teenager, before moving to the States where he played for, among others, San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo. Since he moved back to Canada to play for Toronto FC he has been voted Canadian Player of the Year three times. This season, De Rosario scored for the MLS-All Star team that lost to Manchester United, and now he wants to test himself on this side of the Atlantic. He is in the second year of a four-year contract at Toronto, but is unhappy at his wage of Ã?£300,000, as it is less than a quarter of what midfield team-mate Julian de Guman receives. As Lennon prepared to meet with 33-year-old Ljungberg and his agents, the manager explained: “Dwayne might be another one who we may be able to bring in for a week or so to have a look at him. “He’s a player who has been put to me. I’ve not had time to see much of him. But hopefully today I will get the chance to view some footage of him to see what I think.” Asked if it will be a case of Ljungberg or De Rosario who gets the chance to bring experience to the squad, Lennon replied: “It could be both. There are opportunities there. “I’m not saying we are going to sign everyone who comes our way, and I’m not saying this is a done deal. “But it might just be a little bonus for us along the way without it costing us the earth.” Ljungberg – who is a free agent after ending his contract with Chicago Fire – will have to prove he has fully recovered from the long-term hip problem which required surgery while he was playing in the States. Lennon said: “Freddie has looked after himself very, very well throughout his career and he has a good mentality towards the game. “He had a bad time with injuries while he was at West Ham, and I understand that. “But he has overcome this. He had surgery while he was in America, and for the past 18 months he has been playing on a regular basis. “Freddie wants to come back and play in Europe. His agents contacted us and we felt there might be an opportunity there to have a look. If he likes what he sees, and we like what we see, there might be a deal worth doing.” Meantime, after arriving last night to be met by countryman Johan Mjallby at Glasgow Airport, Ljungberg says he is fit and raring to go – and would love to play against Rangers this Sunday at Ibrox if a deal can be struck. The former Arsenal man said: “I’ve seen the Old Firm derby on television and I’ve had friends who have been over to the game. “They said some amazing things about the fixture so, of course, I would love to play in it. I’m available to play for any club on January 1 so we’ll see what happens. “I’m as fit as I’ve been for a long time since I had surgery on my hip two years ago.” http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/dwayne-s-world-1.1076656

Mmmmmmmmmmm!!,Xmas has come and gone!!!!,maybe they meant next Xmas

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/9321763.stm