ian1964

Rangers boss Walter Smith’s persistence has paid off as Rapid Vienna striker Nikica Jelavic inks a deal at Ibrox. The Gers had been locked in talks with Rapid Vienna over the Croatia international and lodged an improved bid but the club were initially reluctant to sell their star player. Chief executive Martin Bain flew back to Glasgow last week empty handed and some feared the deal was dead, but it now appears Jelavic has got his wish to step up a level with the Scottish Premier League Champions. "The Scottish league is stronger than the Austrian league and Rangers are a great club," said Jelavic in the Daily Record recently. Smith will be pleased to have added another striker to the squad as competition for James Beattie who only joined Rangers from Stoke City last week. http://www.tribalfootball.com/exclusive-ranger-sign-croatian-international-jelavic-1049281

i seem to remember hearing/reading about them toiling for cash,big trouble,and are freeing a lot of their players???

not happy with tatties,now they want a turnip

what a shame:)

Chairman John Reid intimated the team's fortunes under previous manager Tony Mowbray, who departed in March after a 4-0 defeat at St Mirren all but handed Rangers their second successive SPL title, were partly to blame for the financial downturn. Feck of tosser,Rangers were handed nothing,Rangers won the league because we are a better team:):spl: "Some pride was then restored from an unbeaten run in the SPL at the end of the season, with Neil Lennon taking temporary charge. Ross County aside he did well in restoring pride:)

Rangers signing target Nikica Jelavic is preparing to waive a personal pay-off to secure a move to Ibrox. The SPL champions withdrew from the race for the Croatian ace at the end of last week after agreeing a Ã?£4million deal with Rapid Vienna. It is believed the powerful striker was holding out for a bonus payment included in his contract should a club table a bid for him. However, the Austrian club were only prepared to sell the player if he abandoned the right to such a pay-off and it now looks as though Jelavic is ready to forget his payment in push through his transfer to Rangers. Contact was made between the two parties over the weekend as the player’s advisor called Rangers chief executive Martin Bain and informed him the highly-rated striker was determined to make it possible for the deal to go through. Smith believes Rangers would be landing a top talent if they can land Jelavic and is confident the club could sell the striker on to an English Premier League side for a massive profit a couple of years down the line. Although Gers have landed James Beattie from Stoke City and are also in the hunt for Portsmouth’s Tommy Smith, Jelavic is without doubt the player Smith wants to lead the line. Now that Jelavic has indicated he is desperate for the move to go through, Rangers will once again work on concluding that over the next few days, but Smith also wants other players brought in to enhance his squad. A winger with pace remains a priority and he is also keen to secure the services of another attacking midfield player who will get into the penalty area and score goals. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/nikica-jelavic-bids-to-revive-rangers-move-1.1048565

You obviously have a personal dislike for Miller,which of course you are entitled to,however I think that is way OTT. I don't know who we could get to score goals against the cream of Europe:confused:. Miller has stepped up to the plate for Rangers since he resigned and has improved his goal scoring as well,in fact I'd go as far as to say he is playing the best football of his career under WS. I find it quite strange that he would refuse to sign another contract,and I hope he does,after WS was under pressure from the Rangers fans not to sign him, and he himself had to prove himself to the Rangers fans and he has done that. But hey,don't let football matters get in the way of your thinking.

You can tell your mates that the biggest attendance @ the weekend in the UK was @ Ibrox:thup::spl:

Sources at Rangers were bemused yesterday at reports claiming that a Russian banker is about to take over the club in a Ã?£75m deal, while supporters reacted with a weary shrug at the latest speculation. A tabloid yesterday quoted an anonymous source close to Vladimir Antonov as saying “the takeover is 99% certain” and that “the money is there, it’s real and the deal can be done”. But Ibrox insiders yesterday said they knew nothing about any proposed deal, and Rangers and their owner Sir David Murray have yet to be approached. When directors met before Saturday’s game against Kilmarnock, no Russian deal was mentioned. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/rangers-deny-talk-of-antonov-takeover-1.1048406

Meanwhile, Rangers signing target Nikica Jelavic has taken it upon himself to rekindle negotiations with the club having feared his move to Ibrox was dead. Jelavic’s agent made contact with Martin Bain, Rangers’ chief executive, over the weekend and made it clear the Croatian internationalist would still like to join the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions. Rangers’ position has hardened over the past few days, though, having become frustrated with the Ã?£4m-rated striker for stalling over a payment he was due from Rapid Vienna. Rangers backed away from the deal and signed striker James Beattie, then made a bid for another, Tommy Smith of Portsmouth, instead. That prompted Jelavic, 24, to get in touch and now the on/off deal is alive again. Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, still regards Jelavic as his main summer target. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/emilio-izaguirre-set-to-sign-for-celtic-while-rangers-move-for-nikica-jelavic-could-be-rekindled-1.1048409

2-3, Motherwell penalty.......good wee game

1-3 Miller scored a good goal

1-2 hivs................

1-1 Stokes,it's been all Motherwell HT

Well done again to TBO for their efforts testerday http://img175.imageshack.us/i/14082010095.jpg/ http://img832.imageshack.us/i/14082010098.jpg/

1-0 Motherwell. Motherwell have a flying right winger,Chris Humphreys:)

You just did:)

THE Russian tycoon putting up almost �£75million to buy Rangers is from a dynasty dogged by allegations of links to the MAFIA and MONEY-LAUNDERING. But Gers fans will happily become Russian Bears and hail Vladimir Antonov a saviour if he funds a takeover that wipes out the Ibrox outfit's �£30million debt mountain and provides cash to buy players. Antonov, 35, has had to angrily deny stories that his family's business empire is associated with the underworld and money-laundering. The banking magnate recently had a third �£6million bid to buy AFC Bournemouth rejected by the lowly English team. And last year his father Alexander, 60, survived being shot 18 times outside his luxury Moscow apartment in a failed assassination attempt. Antonov and his business associate Roman Dubov are providing most of the cash for English property developer Andrew Ellis to launch a new bid for the SPL champs. The sensational move comes just two months after owner Sir David Murray took Rangers off the market after Ellis had spent months trying for a takeover. But it has now emerged that Ellis, 41, could be WEEKS away from taking control thanks to Antonov. Last night a source close to the controversial Russian businessman said: "The takeover is 99 per cent certain. "The only real issues left are ones of timing for the announcement and the practical administration of the takeover deal. Sir David has not yet met Vladimir or Roman but he's been assured that the money is there, it's real and the deal can be done." Antonov, who is thought to be worth more than �£200million, made most of his fortune from corporate banking. His father controls the Russian bank Convers Group. And Rangers fans will be hoping he can pour millions into their club - just like his fellow Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich has done at Chelsea. But the Antonovs have been dogged by claims of links to organised crime. Last March, Vladimir's dad Alexander was left with a severe chest injury after he and his bodyguard were blasted in the street by a gunman. They were both rushed to hospital for life-saving surgery. And last year it emerged the FBI, US government and the Swedish security agency Sapo had all expressed fears over the Antonovs' operations. They had been investigated by Sapo's financial experts over their involvement with car maker Spyker. The little-known Dutch firm had announced plans to buy Swedish giants Saab from American parent company General Motors. But Sapo claimed it had found connections between the Antonovs and organised crime as well as involvement in money-laundering. To stop the Russians gaining control of Saab, the Swedes handed their files to the FBI and US government - who then put pressure on General Motors to ensure that the Antonovs had no involvement in any takeover. Vladimir was forced to sell his stake in Spyker and sever his ties with the company before the deal was agreed. But he was FURIOUS at how he had been singled out by the Swedish and American authorities. In February he wrote to the New York Times newspaper to condemn the "surreal allegations of alleged "economic crimes", "money-laundering" and other "false horror stories". Antonov, who has a home in Kent, insisted: "The main aim of those who should have been worried about Saab's survival now moved to ensure the exclusion of this 'evil' Russian investor." He added that: "On December 18, 2009, the deal between GM and Spyker was suspended. I was forced to give up my investment in Spyker because the Swedish government had threatened to veto the deal, insinuating that I had ties with criminal organisations. "There was no proof, but rumours were spread in the media. It is obvious European business has strong prejudices against investors from Russia." The Financial Services Authority has also refused Antonov a UK operating licence for Bankas Snoras, a subsidiary of his family's financial empire. Snoras, the largest listed bank in Lithuania, was first knocked back by the FSA in 2008. According to the regulators, the bank had given "misleading and incomplete" answers to them. The FSA also criticised Antonov, the chairman of Snoras Bankas's supervisory board, personally, saying: "These failures are not an isolated instance but are examples of an ongoing pattern of behaviour by institutions controlled by Mr Antonov." However, Snoras officials insist the authority's reservations about their controls on money-laundering and financial crime were unjustified. Antonov's involvement in the new Rangers takeover bid is not the first time he and Dubov, 36, have tried to get involved in British football. Only last month the pair failed with THREE offers to buy English League One side AFC Bournemouth. After rejecting their bids, club chairman Eddie Mitchell said: "I was approached by an agent on behalf of the Russians. "He asked if I'd be interested in selling my shares. I didn't have to think about it. I just said no." The bids for Bournemouth had been submitted through a third party on behalf of Convers Group Holdings. Now Rangers fans will be hoping that Bournemouth's loss is their gain. Ellis and his consortium first tabled a bid for the Ibrox club in March but the �£33million offer failed to impress Sir David Murray and the takeover seemed dead in the water. In June, the Gers owner announced: "Murray International Holdings has received interest in its controlling stake from a number of parties. At this time, however, the board of MIH has not been able to secure an offer which it considers to be in the best interests of the club, its shareholders and its fans. The interests of stakeholders are presently best served by providing the football management team and board with an opportunity to implement its business plan. MIH hereby announces it is no longer marketing its controlling stake in the club for sale." But the News of the World understands Sir David is now ready to do business with Ellis, business partner Chris Akers, 46, and their mega-rich Russian backers. An influx of cash would be welcomed by Light Blues boss Walter Smith, who has overseen an exodus of players from last season's SPL-winning squad. Middlesbrough snapped up striker Kris Boyd, 26, and midfielder Kevin Thompson, 25, while left back Steven Smith, 24, moved to Norwich. Defender Danny Wilson, 18, signed for Liverpool, Nacho Novo, 31, returned to his native Spain and American forward DaMarcus Beasley, 28, has also left. Last week Rangers fans were dealt a further blow when we revealed their manager would not get a penny of the �£12million Champions League windfall to spend on strengthening his squad. But on Friday, Smith finally made his first signing in two years when Stoke City striker James Beattie, 32, joined the club in a �£1m deal. Now the Gers faithful will be hoping Antonov can match the success of his countryman Abramovich at Chelsea. The 43-year-old tycoon - worth an an estimated �£7.2billion - bought the London club in 2003 for �£140million. The gas and steel magnate hired manager Jose Mourinho, 47, then splashed out millions on the team, including �£30.8m for Andriy Shevchenko. In 2005 his spending brought Chelsea their first title in 50 years and they've gone on to win eight major trophies. The Teddy Bears will hope Antonov can bring them the same kind of result. http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/scottish/scottish_news/909736/Banking-tycoon-is-behind-sensational-new-Ellis-bid.html

He wanted more money than McCulloch. I hope his injury is not too serious.

Spot on mate.He has some illness,virus,or whatever. calm down guys he's going nowhere:)

Initially I think dissapointed on his debut,looked unfit,out of touch,,but it was his first game so it is only fair to give the guy some time to settle in and so that is what I will do,give him time

Back on Topic:) James Beattie was at Ibrox yesterday to begin negotiations on a move from Stoke City, but Walter Smith insists that he is not yet resigned to losing out on Nikica Jelavic. Rangers are also awaiting permission from Portsmouth to speak to Tommy Smith, after agreeing to meet the administratorââ?¬â?¢s valuation for the player. The deal to bring Jelavic to Glasgow has been protracted, despite a fee, of around Ã?£4m, seemingly having been agreed and the Croatian internationalist expressing a desire to move to Rangers. Little headway has been made this week, but Smith is not yet prepared to give up on the deal. ââ?¬Å?Itââ?¬â?¢s not the end of that, weââ?¬â?¢ll still be looking to try to progress that one,ââ?¬Â he said, ââ?¬Å?but your patience starts to run a bit thin with the problems that have been occurring over the last two or three weeks. The longer it goes the more unlikely it becomes. There are two or three elements involved that are causing complications. We donââ?¬â?¢t seem to be able to get a resolution with any of them. I would hope that we can do that one, but weââ?¬â?¢ll have to wait and see. Itââ?¬â?¢s not dead yet.ââ?¬Â A Ã?£1.5m fee has been agreed for Beattie, and the striker met Smith to discuss a potential move to Ibrox. The 32-year-old would bring strength and vigour to the forward line, and is believed to be keen on playing in the Champions League. Wages will be a potential stumbling block. Rangers are also hopeful of making progress with Smith, and the Ibrox manager believes that all three signings could potentially be accommodated in his budget. ââ?¬Å?We could stretch to [all three],ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?It just depends on the outcome of all three of them, and what itââ?¬â?¢s going to cost, which is still debatable. Conceivably, we could take the three if we have to.ââ?¬Â One piece of business done and dusted yesterday when midfielder Lee McCulloch signed a two-year contract extension with the club. Rangers moved to tie the 32-year-old to Ibrox until 2013 in the wake of interest in the player from south of the border. It is understood Ipswich and Blackpool were keen to sign the former Wigan player but he has pledged his future to Rangers, instead. ââ?¬Å?I know the club are trying to secure the players who are going to be out of contract next year and there are efforts being made to bring in new faces, too,ââ?¬Â said McCulloch. ââ?¬Å?I want to be a part of things at Rangers and now Iââ?¬â?¢m really looking forward to the season ahead. My extension offer came about very quickly and it was a no brainer to sign.ââ?¬Â

Everyone thinks Rangers are skint and boring but Celtic are making all the right moves in pre-season. Sound familiar? by Alexander Anderson on 13 August 2010 As the new SPL season dawns, why can everyone be sure Rangers will ensure this season finishes the same as last? Because we have exactly the same situation as at this point last year. Rangers are champions, Celtic are chasing. There's a new man at the helm at Parkhead with all sorts of romantic notions having pushed his installation, there's Walter Smith still at Ibrox. There's lots of money being spent on new Celtic signings, there's none being spent at Ibrox. But there's also the small fact that yet again Celtic are out of the Champions League group stage, Rangers are already in it and therefore the big UEFA TV money will be coming to the blue half of the city. Rangers are settled, disciplined and cohesive. Celtic are a team of under-pressure strangers. And we all know how both clubs fared from this start point in 2009. Only a last-minute goal in a replay at the home of Scotland's new third force prevented The Gers completing a domestic treble. Instead they had to "settle" for a second straight SPL title, won at an absolute canter, and an historically sensational CIS League Cup final win over a St Mirren side with a two-man advantage when they fell behind. A few days later, as Rangers made that Scottish Cup exit to a destiny-fuelled Dundee United, news came through that St Mirren had coped surprisingly well in their first match after their Hampden tragedy. The Paisley Buddies played against a full Celtic side for 90 minutes in the SPL, and stuffed them 4-0. Tony Mowbray, the man who'd come to Parkhead as the new guru of glam at the outset of 2009/10 was gone within 24 hours. It was a season where even the bad stuff had great repercussions for Rangers fans. The Gers went crashing out of the Champions League with three straight home hammerings. But the fact they conceded only one goal per away game, losing only one of those games, vindicated the defensive formation which took them to the 2008 UEFA Cup final with a series of home draws. There'll be no more blind calls for Rangers to aimlessly cede possession against European opponents at Ibrox. Furthermore, the unnecessary fan backlash after the freakish 4-1 loss to Unirea Urziceni sowed the seeds for Walter Smith's best tactical move of the season. In a radio interview a few days later he played The Rangers Supporters Trust off against the Lloyds Banking Group to make two organisations he dislikes to create the media storm which took all the pressure off him and his players. Neil Lennon's next big game is the Europa League play-off. It may actually benefit Celtic to have drawn Utrecht, whose home ground's atmosphere makes it the Tynecastle of Holland. This way the green-and-white hooped ones can go crashing out of Europe altogether and not see continental competition become a further drain on their slim domestic chances, as it did last season. Celtic need the confidence from a Europa League group place but the money they'll gain is negligable in comparison to what Rangers will make in the big boys' competition. And the greater long-term gain is to be made in qualifying for next season's Champions League. The financial disparity between the two clubs will soon be closed. Skint Rangers may be, but only by their own standards, only by Champions League standards - this does not mean they can't lay on the excitement in Scotland. Last season Rangers won both Old Firm games at Ibrox. They went down at Pittodrie but that just set in motion a run of form which blew the league away. Within the space of a few December days Rangers beat Dundee United by an aggregate of 10-1, home and away. Having gone a man then a goal down before coming back to beat Hearts at Tynecastle in August, The Gers returned there in spring to win 4-1. They claimed the title with a second win at Easter Road, the first one being achieved with a 4-goal backlash after Hibs scored the fastest goal in SPL history. And for those who think defending like an open barn door is a more "honest" form of football, what about the champions' 4-1 loss at St Johnstone? Doesn't get much more "stylish" than that. Neil Lennon has endured two meaningful games as Celtic manager, in terms of competition. He lost both spectacularly. But if we take Braga and Ross County out of the equation, Lennon has enjoyed one win in his short tenure which Celtic fans will see as significant. Beating Rangers 2-1 last season long after the title was in Ibrox hands. Basically, Rangers lost the last derby of the season at Parkhead in exactly the same style they'd won the first one at Ibrox. But the reaction couldn't have been more different. Celtic had more of the ball at Ibrox, had a penalty claim turned down, lost 2-1 and then all hell was let loose in the media as refereeing conspiracies and those nonsensical accusations about "style" came flooding out the away dressing room. Nothing was mentioned of the fact Rangers lost three key players in the 24 hours leading up to the game and two more before half-time. At Parkhead in springtime, Rangers had more of the ball than during any trip to the home of their biggest rival in the last decade. Kenny Miller was sensational, scored a great goal and was denied a stone-wall penalty. Rangers lost 2-1 as Celtic burst out of their strait-jacket twice to score. No one at Ibrox complained. Rangers people understand football. They understand the breaks do indeed even themselves out and, most of all, they know that winning football - as long as it doesn't involve outright cheating - is the most stylish football of all. Everything else is just window dressing. And that's all Celtic's 2010/11 campaign is. Their new management team, their striker signed from Scunthorpe, their belief Rangers are lucky and their idea that Neil Lennon - who played for the club for half a decade - is some sort of "through and through Celtic man" or that that has anything to do with his ability to manage: All just window dressing. The ribbons will be staying at brox, on the handles of the SPL trophy. http://www.sportingo.com/football/a14023_why-parlous-rangers-will-trump-celtic-third-successive-spl-title

listened to him on SSN there,'' I got a few txts from some friends telling me I have signed for the biggest club in the world ''.