ian1964

Rangers have ended their pursuit of Rapid Vienna striker Nikica Jelavic and are now anxious to fix-up James Beattie and Tommy Smith. After two weeks of negotiations with the Austrians and the Croatian striker, the SPL champions have walked away. The 24-year-old has been quoted as saying a switch to Scotland may still happen in the next few days, but any movement will now have to come from his camp. Rangers offered around Ã?£4m and Ã?£15,000-per-week wages. Rapid accepted the deal, but Jelavic wants a pay-off from his club, so the move has stalled. Chief executive Martin Bain said: ââ?¬Å?We have withdrawn from negotiations with Nikica Jelavic.ââ?¬Â Stoke striker Beattie held talks with Walter Smith and Bain last night having arrived in Glasgow for a look around, but returned south with no deal done. A fee of around Ã?£1.3m has been agreed, but Beattie is on Ã?£35,000-per-week and Stoke may have to offer him a sweetener to leave. Blackburn are believed to be trying to hijack Gersââ?¬â?¢ move. Beattieââ?¬â?¢s agent Mike Morris said: ââ?¬Å?Negotiations will continue today.ââ?¬Â Meantime, despite matching the Ã?£1.5m fee quoted by Portsmouth for Smith, Rangers have still to hear back from the club. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/martin-bain-no-nikica-jelavic-deal-1.1048143

Aiden McGeady has completed his �£9.5m switch from Celtic to Spartak Moscow and agreed a four-and-half-year contract with the Russian club. The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland midfielder is the most expensive ever export from Scottish football. "It's what he wanted to do and sometimes you can't stand in the way of that," said Celtic boss Neil Lennon. "It's a huge offer and I think it's the right offer. It's good business for Spartak and good business for us." McGeady's departure will provide Lennon with funds to bolster his squad and may see Celtic revive their interest in Stoke winger Liam Lawrence. The money generated from the record transfer could also help facilitate a loan move for Manchester City forward Craig Bellamy. However, speaking on Thursday, the manager expressed sadness at losing such a talented player. MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to this story "I'm sorry to lose him, he is one of the entertainers in the game," said Lennon. "We'll probably miss out on his peak years but he came to us and said that he felt at the end of the season it would be better for him to move on. "It's difficult to stand in the way of someone who doesn't want to be here." One player hoping to benefit from McGeady's exit is Pat McCourt, a winger who has been on the fringes of the first team for two seasons now. "We've probably lost the best player in the league," said the Northern Ireland international of McGeady. "I'm sure it's going to be a big hole. But it's up to someone to step up to the plate and fill it. "It's up to whoever gets a shout and gets the jersey to hold on to it, and I'm hoping it'll be me. This year's the year I really want to kick on and be a regular in the side." Spartak, managed by former Russian World Cup star Valery Karpin, lie in eighth position in the Russian Premier League, having won only five of their 15 matches. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/8896037.stm

maybe somebody sniffing about him:whistle:, and I'm not talking aboot wumen:)

"I want to be a part of things at Rangers and now I'm really looking forward to the season ahead. My extension offer came about very quickly and it was a no brainer to sign. Lee McCulloch"Martin Bain and the gaffer asked me what I wanted to do and I told them I wanted to stay. It was nothing to do with money - I just wanted to be here trying to win trophies. "Everything was done and dusted in a matter of minutes. I didn't have to think about it and was delighted to stay." pity a few other players didn't have this attitude!!

He's not every fans favourite but tbh he is a guy who never hides and plays for the jersey who can be utilised anywhere on the pitch, and knows what it is to play for The Rangers

http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/?action=read&id=223752&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+tmw%2Fnotizie+%28TUTTO+mercato+WEB%29: Translated by google: There are only a few details to settle the contract after the Croatian striker Rapid Vienna Nikica Jelavic (24) will become a new player for Rangers.

you obviously never read my reply to you:)................I'm in denial:(

Oh Feck, I hope not!!

maybe Thomson wanted a pay rise??,maybe jig has resigned on the same wages??

That's exactly what I was going to ask:confused:

Either that or we've signed him:)

Done,Gersnet_ian-rfc

So are you writing him off already?.

They've no got rid of tattie face yet??

Walter Smith hopes to conclude the signings of James Beattie and Tommy Smith before Saturdayââ?¬â?¢s SPL opener with Kilmarnock at Ibrox. The Rangers manager says he has not totally given up on his pursuit of Rapid Vienna striker Nikica Jelavic ââ?¬â?? but that deal appears to be all but dead unless the player lowers his financial demands. Beattie is set to cost around Ã?£1.5million from Stoke City and was on his way to Glasgow for contract talks with chief executive Martin Bain. Rangers are believed to have offered Ã?£900,000 to Portsmouth for Smith and were waiting on an answer from the Championship side before entering into wage talks. The Rangers manager confirmed today: ââ?¬Å?We are in negotiations with Stoke and Portsmouth for the signings of James Beattie and Tommy Smith respectively. ââ?¬Å?It is difficult to say just how long it will take to conclude these signings ââ?¬â?? but we hope to complete both deals in time for the weekend.ââ?¬Â Beattie would look the more likely deal to be pushed through, with Pompey boss Steve Cotterrill insisting of Smith: ââ?¬Å?He isnââ?¬â?¢t a players weââ?¬â?¢d be looking to lose. ââ?¬Å?Heââ?¬â?¢s a good player, and whatââ?¬â?¢s been offered wouldnââ?¬â?¢t be the figure weââ?¬â?¢d put on him if we did want to sell.ââ?¬Â Jelavicââ?¬â?¢s protracted transfer from Rapid Vienna has rumbled on for the best part of two weeks. Rangers have tabled a transfer package of close to Ã?£4million for the 24-year-old, with a Ã?£16,000 a week wage offer, but he is sue a slice of any sale and senior sources at Ibrox, privately, have all but given up hope of his arrival unless there is a change in stance on his behalf. Smith explained: ââ?¬Å?As for Jelavic, I admit that one is looking more doubtful as there are complications there that we had not foreseen. ââ?¬Å?Things have not gone smoothly ââ?¬â?? but we have by no means given up on bringing him to the club.ââ?¬Â Smith will also arrange a closed-door game for Honduran international Georgie Welcome early next week in order to make a final decision on whetherââ?¬â?¢s heââ?¬â?¢s worth a deal. He was denied a work permit to play in a second-string game against Glentoran this week and could face red-tape issues. Arsenal kid Nacer Barazite also remains on trial. Smith said: ââ?¬Å?Welcome has been unfortunate in that he is not allowed to play in any public games and so we are in the process of arranging a closed-door game and we will make a decision on him after that. As for Nacer, we will continue to look at him.ââ?¬Â Smith also confirmed that he will continue to work right up to the closure of the transfer window on August 31 as he bids to beef up his squad. ââ?¬Å?We have only 14 experienced players in our squad right now and it is obvious that we need to add more in terms of quality and experience,ââ?¬Â he added. ââ?¬Å?We have been working on a number of other deals, but these players are in demand elsewhere and that has made it difficult. ââ?¬Å?But we will keep working on things until the closure of the transfer window ââ?¬â?? and we hope to be able to bring in another couple of new faces above the players I have discussed.ââ?¬Â Meanwhile, Kenny Miller should be fit for Killie despite suffering from shin splints. Smith said: ââ?¬Å?Kenny has been struggling, but the fact he has not played midweek for Scotland should allow him to be OK for Saturday. ââ?¬Å?It is not a chronic condition with him so that bit of rest should have sorted things.ââ?¬Â But the Rangers manager confirmed that Lee McCulloch, who is in any case suspended for the SPL opener, will need up to a fortnight to recover from the virus he is suffering from. Smith said: ââ?¬Å?Lee picked up the virus coming back from Australia and we expect him to take another couple of weeks to make a full recovery.ââ?¬Â http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/walter-smith-confirms-beattie-and-smith-deals-1.1047824

Wierd that!!

I know, I know, I'm in denial,I really hope he doesn't go to the BHEASTS:(

While that's an ideal situation Frankie, it is not always about a sell on value,IMO, if Beattie comes in and scores goals and we win the league again then that alone should justify his signing and help generate more income by hopefully getting into Europe again

What!!!!, no Beattie:)

They are still shite at the back:)

Good player,even though he is a total prick of a man,anyway he didn't stop us winning the league last time he joined the BHEASTS

Ah come on Frankie,Rangers are just out of practice of negotiating new signings:)

True,more so with Gudjohnson who I would be more excited about even on loan than Beattie&Smith,could be proved wrong with these two of course,I hope so. I think would also have preferred Eagles tbh

Agreed, but I can't see them signing him,he will sit tight and take the money off Man City first,if he can't get a move to another EPL side,IMO.

Or maybe WS is calling Rapids' bluff;)