ian1964

The wind of change swept through Hampden yesterday as all 12 top-flight clubs met for a crunch summit to discuss plans for radical league reconstruction. But Record Sport can reveal that an agreement is so far off it's almost certain to be stalled for at least another year. Top of the agenda was a proposal to increase the SPL to a 14-team league from the start of next season but that option is already struggling to win over enough support. Other structures were mooted, including cutting the top division to 10 teams or extending it to 16 or 18. And to further complicate the issue Motherwell last night demanded a winter shutdown and the introduction of summer football. A club statement said: "Our No.1 priority would be the introduction of a substantial winter break and a spring/ early summer start to the football calendar. "We also support innovations around the timing of games throughout the week to secure maximum attendance, new audiences and commercial advantage." But the 14-team plan - that would see the reintroduction of relegation play-offs and the two up two down system - is still widely regarded as the favoured blueprint even although it would involve keeping the mid-season split. In fact, the new league would be even more complex than the current set-up. All clubs would play each other home and away before being divided into a top six and bottom eight after 26 games. Sides in the same section would face each other another twice - meaning the top six would play a total of 36 matches while the bottom eight would play 40 before the play-offs could begin. One source involved in yesterday's talks said: "There was much debate and several ideas but, although we are a long way off reaching any agreement, it is encouraging there is a mood for change."

I'm sure a win gets you near enough �£1m,not sure about the draw,you also get cash for goals, we must be entitled to double cash for the two Edu goals:)

That's correct mate he does,still just a bit concerned with our squad size if we keep winning:)

If we were to qualify for the last 16 would we get a couple of new signings?. If we qulified for the Europa League would we get a couple of new signings?. I'm not too excited about the Europa League this season,reason being we have a limited squad size,so unless Rangers are going to bring in a couple of new signings I think the Europa League would only damage our chances of retaining the SPL title,which is our main objective every season. If we qualify for the last 16 then I don't expect us to go any further than that, and we'd probably earn just as much money,if not more?, not sure what the cash rewards are.

Aye,I'll go with Foster as well,the guy was thrown in and performed really well and never looked out of place,well done Ricky

Can I vote for the whole team???

Aye,I was just being a smart ass mate:)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APVthfIMVbw&feature=player_embedded]YouTube - Hullo Hullo Billy Boys[/ame]

It won't matter if we come from behind or not as long as we get a result:)

Aye,but I hate it when these BHEASTS get/gain anything:)

Celtic in for payday if Mowbray joins Boro The Parkhead club stand to benefit to the tune of �£400,000 if Middlesbrough appoint Tony Mowbray as their next manager. Celtic are committed to paying their former boss until the end of his contract next summer unless he finds a new club. (Various)

The Scottish Premier League is meeting on Wednesday to discuss plans to revitalise football in Scotland. Representatives from all 12 clubs are gathering at Hampden, with league reconstruction top of the agenda. Talks have been ongoing for weeks between concerned chairman, who privately admit that drastic action is needed to give the top flight a boost. If the majority get their way, the new-look SPL will welcome two new teams and become a division of 14. The favoured new set-up will also include relegation play-offs with a two-up, two-down system. BBC Scotland has gained access to detailed analysis undertaken by the clubs, who have been looking for the best way to fix what many see as a broken product. All options have been considered, from a top flight of ten, all the way through to a league of 24. Lists of pros and cons have been collated next to each option and a 14-team league is regarded as the favoured option. The plan is for each team to play each other once home and away (26 fixtures) before splitting into two sections, either six/eight or eight/six. Teams would then play other teams in their section once more home and away. It means those in the post-split section of six would play 36 matches and those in the group of eight would play 40 games. The SPL see the main benefit of this format as the balancing up the games after the split, since there has been controversy in recent seasons surrounding the disparity of teams facing more away games than others. Many fans favour a larger division still, but several chairmen are fearful of losing the financial benefits of playing the Old Firm clubs twice at home. They also believe that anything bigger than a 14-team division would dilute the appeal of the league to broadcasters, leading to reduction in much-needed media revenue. So what are the chances of plans becoming a reality? The SPL has discussed reconstruction in the past but inside sources suggest this time there is a genuine appetite for change. And there will need to be if the plans are to be signed off. If it goes to the vote then 11 of the 12 clubs will have to agree the same path forward. No decision is expected on Wednesday but those pushing for change would like to see a new set-up take off from next season. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/9108392.stm

Kicked off now,........................mon the Chelski:)

Agreed..........................

Of course he should,but will he???

Fuck the ref,just pump the scummy BHEASTS

He is going at the end of the season,end of,we will move on with McCoist in charge,but I'm certain WS will be available to ally whenever he needs some advice. If SA has not learned anything working beside WS for Scotland and Rangers then he will never learn anything. SA will get the support of 99.9% of Rangers fans,which is the way it should be,so I suppose time will tell if SA has learned how to manage the Rangers!!.

I had a look on the Manure fans forum and they are not too confident of beating Bursaspor,in fact the majority think it will be a draw?????

Mmmmmmmm, this is a hard one,obviously. Valencia are a cracking side and playing really well in La liga with quality all through the team,however the Rangers are playing well with a lot of desire and hunger,so I'm going for a draw. The Champions 1 Miller Valencia 1 Rangers 5/2 - Draw 21/10 - Valencia 6/5 More bets: http://sports.williamhill.com/bet/en-gb/betting/e/1484368/Rangers-v-Valencia.html

That might be the bet of the weekend,the BHEASTS to get a penalty. Or just stick with the safe bet of a Rangers win

just their usual diving,in fact the goal they lost was because their player,forget who it was,dived looking for a foul and the DUTD player took the ball went forward and scored,the wee chinky player also dived when in the box,ref plays on should've been booked for diving

Celtic could face a probe from the SPL and SFA after missiles were thrown onto the pitch at Tannadice in the aftermath of Dougie McDonald’s penalty U-turn. After having it pointed out to him by one of his assistants, the referee picked up a lighter that was tossed from the stand housing the travelling support, and will include the incident in his match report. Tayside police claim chestnuts and coins were also lobbed on, and that a number of Celtic fans were ejected. A spokesman said: “It was a rowdy Celtic support in the stadium. “Coins were thrown onto the pitch and, bizarrely, a number of conkers landed on the grass. “The referee will be making a report and police are making further inquiries.” However, after Neil Lennon’s face-to-face confrontation with fourth-official John McKendrick in the aftermath of McDonald’s decision, which led to the ref being called over to speak to Lennon, it is understood no further action will be taken against the manager.

Correct,and watch the massive TIMPLOSION, coins,lighters,mobile phones,bungee jumping,pitch invasions,scarves........canny feckin wait:spl:

Naismith for me as well,the wee man is on fire just now

CELTIC fans went bonkers yesterday at a controversial referee - and showered a pitch with CONKERS. Hoops supporters unleashed a volley of horse-chestnuts during a stormy SPL clash with Dundee United at Tannadice. Coins and other missiles were also thrown after ref Dougie McDonald cancelled a penalty he'd awarded to the Parkhead side. The match official then had to remove a green lighter which police say was thrown on to the field from the visitors' section of the stadium. And last night it emerged Celtic may face a probe by league chiefs into the crowd disorder. Police confirmed that a number of Hoops supporters were ejected from the ground during the game, which was broadcast live on Sky TV. Cops struggled to contain furious fans reacting to the referee's U-turn. And Celtic manager Neil Lennon was also captured on camera - appearing to repeatedly shout "F****** s***" at the fourth official when he realised his side had been denied a spot-kick. A Tayside Police spokesman said: "It was a rowdy Celtic support that was in the stadium today. "Coins were thrown on to the pitch and, bizarrely, a number of conkers landed on the grass as well. Still, I suppose it is that time of year." The spokesman added: "The referee will be making his report and police are making further inquiries." Celtic eventually won the match 2-1 thanks to a 90th-minute winner by English striker Gary Hooper. Moments later an accidental clash of heads left Dundee United forward Jon Daly covered in blood. Yesterday's shower of conkers join a long list of unusual objects thrown on to football pitches. In December 2001, several Celtic players were pelted with snowballs chucked by Aberdeen fans during an SPL match at Pittodrie. At the 2007 Carling Cup Final at Wembley, Arsenal's Spanish star Cesc Fabregas was the target of dozens of sticks of celery thrown by Chelsea supporters. The vegetables - linked to a rude terrace chant - were later banned by Chelsea bosses. In 1998, Hull City fans covered their pitch in tennis balls as a protest against club owner David Lloyd, a former British Davis Cup captain. A dead cat was aimed at the playing field at the end of a Charlton Athletic v Luton Town game in 1982. And in 1988, Newcastle United fans pelted ex-hero Paul Gascoigne with Mars Bars when he returned to their ground with new club Spurs. The legendary midfielder - later to star for Rangers - had said in an interview that he loved the sweets. In typically cheeky fashion, Gazza refused to be annoyed by the stunt. He simply wandered over in the middle of the game, picked up a bar, unwrapped it - and took a bite. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/3184489/Celtic-fans-throw-conkers-at-ref.html#ixzz12hHMHpvo