ian1964

Pre-season games are all about match fitness,the results are irrelevent,IMO, although it's always nice to win.Why do so many fans look too much into these games??, they bare no relevance to the coming season!!!. We have won the title for the last two seasons and going into the new season as CHAMPIONS again looking to make it 3 in a row.

Same for me. Same every season tbh

Looks like Tattie face is going Aiden McGeady will return to Russia within the next 48 hours to clinch his �£9.5million exit to Spartak Moscow, Celtic boss Neil Lennon revealed last night. Insisting the winger's preferred move to England had failed to materialise, Lennon immediately set his sights on using the transfer cash to bring new faces to Parkhead. Moving on: Aiden McGeady is set to sign for Spartak Moscow Moving on: Aiden McGeady is set to sign for Spartak Moscow McGeady, who will sign a four-year deal worth around �£50,000-a-week once he completes a medical, made an emotional farewell to players and staff at Celtic's Lennoxtown training complex at the weekend. 'He's going to Moscow in the next couple of days to get it finalised,' said Lennon, after yesterday's 2-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers at Parkhead. 'In that respect, the sooner it is done and put to bed the better. Having spoken to Aiden yesterday, he seems more settled about the idea. You never know what might happen but, from what I gather, it should get done over the next couple of days. 'Aiden was in yesterday and more or less said his goodbyes, so we'll see how that develops over the next couple of days. 'I won't be relieved when it's done because I'll be losing my best player. No one wants to do that but we feel it's good money for a top player.' McGeady had been linked with Aston Villa but Lennon repeated a well-worn mantra when he said: 'It's not England but you can't always get what you want in football. 'He's going to a big club in a big city with a decent pedigree and it might develop him. This is what he wanted, so all we can do is wish him the best.' Lennon claims he will be given all the cash from McGeady's sale - the biggest outgoing transfer in Scottish football history - for new players, with Stoke winger Liam Lawrence, Nottingham Forest defender Kelvin Wilson and Valladolid keeper Jacobo Sanz among his targets. 'I'm not optimistic we'll have a new face before Saturday but we will work away to see if we can bring in not just one but maybe a couple,' Lennon sai. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1301459/Celtic-star-Aiden-McGeady-set-seal-9-5m-Spartak-Moscow-move.html#ixzz0w5sCH2KH

Rangers should consider trying to make a few bob by sending their players out to host those feelgood, “how-to-make-your-life-better” motivational seminars. They all seem unnaturally able to look on the bright side about absolutely everything in that dressing room. No setback is too grave for them to brush aside. They can sound like Monty Python’s Black Knight. Their arms and legs are cut off and they simply shout “’tis only a flesh wound”. Rangers lose their top goalscorer, a guy who was being tipped to be their next captain, and the brightest prospect their youth system has produced in years, yet all they do is shrug their shoulders and soldier on regardless. In all, six of their number have been moved on since the end of the season and so far there hasn’t been a replacement for any of them. But they have won two championships since last buying anyone and on Saturday they took care of a full-strength Newcastle side only a week away from taking on Manchester United at Old Trafford on the opening day of the Barclays Premier League. The dwindling band of guys who have delivered these results all speak with an evangelical refusal to be broken, bowed or even fed up with the erosion going on around them. At times they would sound like they were clutching at straws, or stubbornly refusing to accept the bleedin’ obvious, were it not for the fact that they keep on digging out the sort of results which ought to be beyond them. It was after their satisfying performance and victory against Newcastle that Steven Naismith became the latest to reach for an impressively upbeat interpretation of what it meant to be at a club which, metaphorically speaking, doesn’t have any money to feed the meter. “It is a close-knit group of boys and I think the well-documented problems last season brought us even closer together,” said Naismith. “As a group, we are all quite pally. Everybody talks to each other in the dressing room. That is one of the biggest things going for us. You can’t buy that. “It has obviously built up from when the manager came back. He has targeted players who will gel together and it has worked out. That togetherness can count for a lot. We do so much together. A lot of the families are quite close and that also helps. I can’t think of any player who you couldn’t sit down and have a chat and a laugh with.” At some level Naismith might be on to something. There must be something unusual, something powerful, that grows within a group of players when they have to rely on each other as much as this Rangers team have over the past two seasons. At times they’re like the guinea pigs in a football experiment: build up a squad as usual but then turn off the taps, then keep flogging it, without bringing in replacements to give anyone a rest, and see how long it can endure before it collapses in an exhausted heap. Rangers do still have some miles in them. Every one of the team which started against Newcastle was an internationalist. Two more came on as substitutes and another pair with caps were unused on the bench. Their first choice XI is acceptable. Sure, there is a lack of creativity and Kenny Miller often lacks support, but Walter Smith’s strongest hand is reasonable. The real glaring problem is the alarming absence of strength in depth. Kyle Lafferty and Andrius Velicka offer options, as does goalkeeper Neil Alexander, but the rest of the substitutes were Andrew Little (a Northern Irish international, but a young and raw one), Andrew Shinnie, Gregg Wylde, Kyle Hutton, Jordan McMillan and Archie Campbell. Everyone of them might become proper Rangers players one day but they aren’t the ones Smith would wish to be turning to when all the injuries and suspensions kick in during the season. Rangers’ back four is Mount Rushmore, there never seems to be any change to it. Steven Davis and Lee McCulloch were in front of them on Saturday and then a line of three – Naismith, Maurice Edu and Steven Whittaker – were behind Miller. There was little from them until Whittaker whipped in a cross and Miller stole in front of Fabricio Coloccini to score with a near post header in 24 minutes. Newcastle were patchy and unconvincing. Rangers scored again when the impressive Davis made nimble use of the ball and released Naismith for a low finish after 66 minutes. “At half-time Coisty [assistant manager Ally McCoist] mentioned their defence was pretty high and I managed to make a late run through to get my goal.” Peter Lovenkrands quickly pulled one back with an easy rebound after an Allan McGregor save from Kevin Nolan. The Dane exasperated the Ibrox support when he was one of theirs, but they applauded him generously. By the end Shinnie was in central midfield, Wylde on the left, and Velicka – looking alert and eager to be involved – supporting Lafferty. “Bringing the young boys into the squad has brought the enthusiasm levels up,” said Naismith. Well, what did you think he was going to say? Among Rangers players, life rolls along from one silver lining to another. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/rangers-2-newcastle-united-1-keep-on-keeping-on-still-working-it-seems-1.1046778

FT: 2-0 Rapid,Jelavic scored the second

About to K-off

I'll be watching our new Croation signing:)

I knew you would step up to the plate Barry;), irrelevant now,he won't be coming:)

News conference - Rangers manager Walter Smith Rangers remain confident of signing Rapid Vienna striker Nikica Jelavic and hope to complete a deal for the Bosnian-born forward early next week. The 24-year-old scored twice in the Europa League qualifying win over the Bulgarian outfit Beroe on Tuesday. "Negotiations are ongoing," said Rangers manager Walter Smith. "They are keen for him to play in their domestic game at the weekend. "We will hopefully find out one way or another at the start of next week." Jelavic scored 21 goals last season, including three against Celtic in the Europa League. And Smith is keen to land the striker following the departure of Kris Boyd to Middlesbrough. "Negotiations with both the club and the player and his agents are ongoing," said the Rangers boss. Rangers manager Walter Smith He's a player we've been watching for a while who would do a really good job for us Rangers manager Walter Smith "He's a player we have been watching for a while. As normal, the club initially weren't too keen to sell him, but then they indicated they would be happy to listen to what we had to say. "He's a player I think would do a really good job for us." Rapid Vienna may want to retain the striker until at least the play-off round for the Europa League against Aston Villa. Those games are scheduled for 19 and 26 August, which would leave only a few days before the transfer window closes. But Smith does not believe that will materialise. "No, there's not that fear," he said. "I think we have to have a resolution at some stage next week." Jelavic has been with Rapid Vienna for two seasons, having joined them from Belgian club Zulte Waregem He scored in the 1-1 draw at Celtic Park last October and bagged a brace in the 3-3 draw in the Austrian capital in December. Meanwhile, midfielder John Fleck faces six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Clyde. "Unfortunately he will miss maybe six weeks, up to that anyway," said Smith. "Hopefully we will get him back before then. "It's disappointing because he has been playing well in pre-season." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8893879.stm Rumours flying around this is a done deal??

You can watch him today against Sturm Graz

Ok,you win,he's shite:)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPS4xMRKBfQ]YouTube- ‪Rapid Wien - Celtic (3-3) Highlights 17-12-2009‬‎[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MG88J5nOfM&feature=related]YouTube- ‪Celtic Glasgow - SK Rapid Wien Zusammenfassung Teil 1‬‎[/ame]

Don't think it ever was tbh,players want cash not trophies

RANGERS are set to step up their quest to sign Dundee United striker David Goodwillie. And they could throw in central defender Andy Webster as part of the deal. United want around Ã?£2 million for their 21-year-old hitman. Successful They’d also like to sign Webster on a permanent basis following his successful loan spell last season when he captained them to their Scottish Cup triumph. Andy WebsterThe Light Blues initially baulked at United’s asking price but could be tempted to add Webster to the equation, given he’s entering the final season of his contract. He missed yesterday’s friendly against Newcastle United due to a thigh injury, which is expected to rule him out of Scotland’s friendly against Sweden. Turned down Meanwhile, Walter Smith has revealed he turned down the chance to sign Eidur Gudjohnsen. The former Chelsea and Barcelona striker was offered on a season-long loan by his current club, Monaco. But the cash-strapped champions couldn’t contemplate his Ã?£40,000-a-week wages. The Rangers manager said, “We can’t look at the money he’s earning, so he won’t be coming to Ibrox.” Smith, however, remains optimistic of landing Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic for Ã?£3.5 million from Rapid Vienna and Honduran World Cup striker Georgie Welcome after the player impressed during a week-long trial. http://www.sundaypost.com/sport1.htm

I thought Naismith had a good game and showed he is best through the middle,IMO. Whittaker was excellent yesterday and was just about our MOTM,IMO,if he can have as good a season as he did last season,or even better it then he will be a BIG player for us.He still looks better on the left though,IMO.

Aiden McGeady’s hopes of moving to the Barclays Premier League with Aston Villa appear to be over. It is understood that Martin O’Neill, who gave the player his Celtic debut in 2004, will not be pursuing his long-standing interest in him. Villa are on the verge of completing the sale of James Milner to Manchester City, with the deal thought to be worth Ã?£27.5 million. Around Ã?£15m will be paid up front, another Ã?£5m in add-ons, and Stephen Ireland will move to Villa Park in exchange. Although it was expected that as soon as Milner was sold, McGeady would move to Villa, it now seems that the deal will not happen. This leaves Spartak Moscow as the only club to make a bid, of Ã?£9m, for the Republic of Ireland international. McGeady spent several days in Moscow last week with his girlfriend and the 24-year-old is thought to regard the potential move to a new country as exciting, where once his only interest was in joining an English Premier League side. Spartak have reportedly offered the winger a four-year contract worth Ã?£60,000 a week. Neil Lennon, the Celtic manager, and the club, are known to be keen to sell McGeady in order to recoup transfer funds, while the player is looking for a new challenge. The collapse of his potential move to Villa is a setback, though. The capture of Ireland will provide O’Neill’s team with the additional creativity he is seeking and although other transfer moves might be possible once the wage bill is reduced, with Luke Young and Steve Sidwell both available, it seems that McGeady’s hopes of moving to the Midlands have been ended. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/celtic/villa-s-interest-in-mcgeady-is-dropped-1.1046701

Walter Smith is a phenomenon. At the age of 62, after 44 years in professional football, he has become a Patton without the bluster, a Churchill without the growling. Well, not in public at any rate. In his final season in charge of his beloved Rangers, his enthusiasm for the task is that of a grizzled general who wants to go to war one more time, a leader who will inspire his men on their last charge together. He does it quietly, of course. After all, it is not as if his record doesn't speak for itself. Smith would need to be manager into his seventies and win every title from now until then to beat the legendary Bill Struth's managerial record of 18 Scottish championships for Rangers, but with nine league flags collected on his own - Souness left before the end of season 1990-91 - plus three as assistant to Souness, not to mention five Scottish Cups, five League Cups and that run to the UEFA Cup final in 2008, Smith's place in the Ibrox club's history has long been secure. There are still a couple of records he might want. As Rangers match secretary and then first manager, William Wilton won four Scottish Cups and ten league titles, the last of them just days before his tragic death from drowning in 1920. Victory in either the Scottish Cup or SPL would give Smith 15 of the big two, second outright behind Struth. A tenth league title would also bring him equal with Jock Stein's record of ten championships. So there is further prestige to play for, and Smith is relishing the prospect of another campaign, even as the club's financial difficulties continue and they have shed Kris Boyd, Kevin Thompson, Danny Wilson, and Nacho Novo, with no replacements brought in as yet. "Everybody that's involved, management, players, everyone, has to accept the challenge of a new season," said Smith. "It doesn't matter how many you manage to win, you still face a huge challenge to show that you can do it again. "If you look at it historically, there are teams that can get up there and win a championship, but to try and win it year after year is a difficult motivation for anybody. "I admire guys in sport who can repeat their success season after season, as that is the true test of any team or individual. "It makes no difference that this is my last season. You still have that determination to succeed and if I didn't, I wouldn't have come back for another year. The easiest thing for me would have been to say 'that's it, I'm finishing' but the determination is still there." Smith also knows not to disturb a winning formula: "We need to bring in a few players, everybody knows that. But we are set in what we do and we have been doing it for the past three-and-a-half years, there's no reason to change anything. As far as the organisational aspect goes, we will be doing exactly the same as what we have been doing." At least the immediate future of Rangers in David Murray's ownership is secure, to Smith's relief: "The situation has maybe been clarified. Last year we had four or five months of somebody going to be buying the club. Hopefully, if somebody is going to buy the club in the future then they do so in a bit quieter fashion than we had last year." How Smith keeps his patience in the face of banking intransigence nobody knows. Judging by recent reports, it appears he has a case-by-case kitty for acquisitions this month, so Rangers fans should not hold their breath for big signings as the debt-ridden club's entire budget is under constant accounting scrutiny. Lloyds Bank has apparently made it clear to Rangers that maybe, just maybe, it might allow some of the Champions League income - boosted by more than �£2 million to a likely �£12m-plus by Celtic's exit last week - to be spent on players in the January transfer window. But that's a banker's maybe, the kind on which you wouldn't bet your bottom, never mind your dollar. Smith merely commented: "I would hope that if we qualified out of the Champions League group then money would be made available in January, but that's a big ask for us. If we got into the Europa League knockout stages that would also be financially beneficial for us. We'll just have to wait and see." How will they fare without the goal machine called Boyd? "It's an important factor for us," replied Smith. "We saw a bit of what was needed in the second half of the season when he didn't score as much, but it's going to be a big hole to fill. Whatever criticism anyone - including myself - had of Boydie, he got us a level of goals that was invaluable." The spine of the team is already laid out, said Smith, with McGregor in goals, Majid Bougherra and the evergreen Davie Weir in central defence and Steven Davis and Lee McCulloch in midfield, and Kenny Miller and A.N. Other up front. Davis in particular will be a vital cog: "He has moved into the middle which I feel can strengthen us. We just need to fill in at the front with support for Kenny Miller, which we're trying to do at the moment." Main rivals as ever will be Celtic, and their difficulties against Sporting Braga should be ignored, said Smith. "If you change the number of players that have been changed at Celtic it would be difficult for anybody to mould a team to play. I've experienced it myself - you don't get any continuity if you make that many changes. I don't think that will be an indicator of how Celtic will fare once they settle down." When Smith ended his first tenure at Rangers, he announced his departure early in the 1997-98 season which did not end with Rangers winning a record tenth title in a row. Smith sees this three-in-a-row farewell bid as markedly different: "I don't think the circumstances we are in at the moment can be looked upon as anything like that. "It's just about whether we as a group, management and players, take up the challenge for another season." No one should doubt his ability to be Rangers' general one more time. This is Walter Smith's last hurrah, and that's worth shouting about. http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/sport/Walter-Smith39s-ibrox-of-tricks.6463123.jp?articlepage=3

Glasgow Rangers have had a €4.2-million bid for striker Nikica Jelavic rejected by Rapid Vienna. According to Austrian press, Rapid snubbed the offer during talks held in Vienna over the player. "We have come to no agreement," said Rapid executive manager Alfred HÃ?¶rtnagl after the weekend negotiations. The 24-year-old Croat said he was unaware of the meeting. "I will only focus on the match against Sturm Graz (this Sunday)," he said. "I want to lead Rapid to victory." Jelavic is a strong striker who is great in the air and has good technique. He has already scored five goals in seven games for Rapid this season, and bagged 27 in 45 appearances last term. http://www.imscouting.com/global-news-article/Rapid-Vienna-reject-42m-Rangers-bid-for-striker-Nikica-Jelavic/9388/

And long may it continue

Goals from todays game http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/6495598/

maybe a lot of these fans are a bit upset @ Boyd walking out for nothing??

Thanks Jim:)

HA HA,just highlighting the fact that the story is being covered elsewhere,anyway Barry will translate it for us!!, but I'll bet it says something like Rangers in Talks With Gudjohnsen:whistle:

Aye,but he is better through the middle,there is goals in Naismith

of course,just like the way when he takes the ball he looks to get past the full back,and has pace,we don't have anybody like that so hopefully WS will give him more game time