ian1964

CELTIC last night demanded an apology from ex-ref Jeff Winter after he called Aiden McGeady a "cheating b******" and branded Neil Lennon a hate figure. The former Premiership whistler, a Rangers fan, spoke out on his wesbite after attending Tuesday's Old Firm game. Record Sport was inundated with calls from angry Celtic fans about an article on Jeff Winter; the Ref Fights Back in which he described Celtic Park as "The Glitter Dome" - a reference to the abuse scandal at Celtic Boys' Club. Regarding McGeady, Winter said: "Lee McCulloch was unwise to launch himself into a challenge having already been booked but the cheating b****** McGeady did not help matters by deliberately going to ground without any contact being made." Later in the article Winter added: "So Lennon got his victory and I, like most Rangers fans, would be happy to see him get the job. He provides an excellent 'hate' figure and also it would mean he does not join Chesney (Gordon Strachan) at Middlesbrough." Winter later removed the comments from his website but that didn't stop Celtic expressing their fury. A Parkhead spokesman said: "For someone involved recently in professional football and who speaks on various media out lets, t his is disappointing and irresponsible. Celtic will be seeking an immediate apology." Winter, 55, also had a dig at Artur Boruc, saying: "Boruc incurred the usual stick from the travelling fans, but big time. "He appeared to spit on the ground at the Rangers fans as he was substituted and then perhaps lived up to his description as he fondled himself after the match." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2010/05/08/celtic-fury-at-ex-premiership-ref-jeff-winter-s-internet-slurs-on-club-after-old-firm-clash-86908-22243250/ ALL ABOARD THE OFFENDED BUS

I don't blame him for wanting the move, I just think it would be better for him to stay for another couple of seasons and develope his talent, it would also be better for Rangers if he stayed,however he is getting a dream move to the EPL and with the state Rangers are in at the minute he obviously feels it is the right thing to do, time will tell he is correct.

First leg of the semi final play off, should be a good game, mon oor Charlie 12:45 Kick Off

The 36-year-old centre-half just pipped Portuguese powerhouse Jose Semedo to the prestigious accolade in the closest fans' vote for years. Skipper Nicky Bailey, the winner of the Charlton Athletic Supporters' Club award last year, finished in third place. Winger Scott Wagstaff, who has featured in every matchday squad this term, was named young player of the year by the club's management team at the end-of-season dinner at The Valley. "I feel very proud," Dailly told the official website. "There are a number of players in our team who I'm sure that were up there, the likes of Jose Semedo, Nicky Bailey, Frazer Richardson - countless others who have done so well. http://www.cafc.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=36053&newstype=p

DANNY WILSON will seal his dream switch to Liverpool in the next week. SunSport understands the Kop giants will table a fresh bid for the Rangers superkid after their first move was knocked back last week. And skint Rangers boss Walter Smith will be forced to give up his fight to hang on to the �£3million-rated defender. Liverpool last week offered �£1.5m plus a glamour testimonial at Anfield as they tried to lure Wilson south. Gers insisted they wouldn't part with the 18-year-old stopper on the cheap. But Wilson has made it clear he does not plan to sign a new Ibrox contract - and Anfield insiders believe the deal will be done after the final day of the season tomorrow. We exclusively revealed in February the Premiership outfit were leading the chase to sign Scotland's Young Player of the Year as they begin a rebuilding programme. Tottenham were also keeping tabs on Wilson's situation, but have now conceded defeat. Snaring the Scotland Under-21 starlet is regarded as a major coup at Anfield. Wilson will be handed a bumper wage rise and the promise of a chance to make the grade among English football's elite. Kop boss Rafa Benitez wants Wilson to sign this summer so he can have three years at the club before the age of 21. That would allow him to be regarded as 'homegrown' in the eyes of UEFA for future Champions League tournaments. New UEFA rules demand competing teams have a certain percentage of players who were developed by the club. Meanwhile, Gers boss Smith revealed he'll forge ahead with the bank's Plan A limited spending budget if Gers don't find a buyer by the end of next week. Businessman Andrew Ellis is still in the frame to take over the cash-strapped SPL champions. And Smith hopes any buyout would hand him a bigger transfer kitty for new players. However, the Gers gaffer is fearful no takeover deal will be done and he has revealed he can't wait forever before starting to revamp his squad. Six players could be on their way out of the club after tomorrow's final league clash with Motherwell and Smith has identified possible replacements. He said: "The situation is just the same at the present moment. "But that is not the club's problem, if you follow me. "That is the least of the problems, when you consider what we have to prepare for in the coming season. Advertisement Click here "I hope we have a clearer picture, within the next week or so, on which of the paths we're taking. "As long as we know which one it is, that's the main thing. "I've not been able to do a great deal of planning, so that's a little logistical problem we have to get over. "We've been doing enough in the background to keep us up to speed with what we need and what we want - effectively what we can get. "Although our scouting department was cut back fairly dramatically, we've still been active in that area and we have a fair idea of some of the targets we would want for next season." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2964840/Danny-Kops-it.html#ixzz0nKDVKffn

I have seen a couple of Old Firm games at Hampden and several at Ibrox, but until Tuesday evening I had never been to one at Parkhead. The day did not start well, computer problems wasted an hour, and then my travelling companion Geoff thought I had said a 1.30pm meet and not 1.00pm as agreed. Anyway the tosser turned up at 1.40pm. The day could only get better. We shot up and were checked into the hotel by 4.15. Thinking that we were probably not going to eat until after the game, Geoff had eaten for most of the journey. It was then decided we were going for a meal pre match and obviously a couple of beers to wash it down. On the way to meet Scott and Stan for a very good Italian, we popped into Buchannan Galleries. There is an excellent stand in there that does 'Legends' tee shirts. He got the 'Davie Cooper' one and I plumped for the 'Simply the Best' Baxter, Laudrop and Cooper one. As is usual when with the boys everything seems to be last minute. Having travelled a couple of hundred miles, the game is the be all and end all for me, but at 6.45 we are still polishing off sweet in central Glasgow. A very swift walk to the car park at St.Enochâ��s followed and then some 'Lewis Hamilton' type driving got us near to the ground. Well when I say near, we parked in some estate about a mile or so away from the stadium. I have never been to any league game and seen so many coaches for the away side, made all the more incredible by the fact that the game was in the same city as the home team. It was obvious that for security reasons the fans approach the ground from their own sides. But even on a night game it was amazing to see where the coaches had come from. One was from Devon, a journey that I have been complaining that I have to make this Sunday. These guys probably make it every game. For once we got to the ground before the Leven boys. Good to keep them waiting, mind you they would not have been stuck with out tickets, as Rangers fans were walking round without the priceless piece of paper. Bucket gave me stick for having a go at him in the article 'Champions Again'. Once again Scott had done the business and for �£38 I had the ticket for the 'party'. During my many years I have seen hundreds, indeed probably thousands, of games and I have refereed virtually every big derby game in England. As I said earlier I have experienced the OF atmosphere, but never have I witnessed anything like this night as 7,000 Bears had the party to end all parties. The result in Celticâ��s Cup Final could have been better, but nothing was going to spoil the occasion. The fans conducted non-stop singing from before the game until long after the final whistle. Song after song was sang with gusto and the terracing literally did bounce. The early in jury to 'Shagger' I am sure affected the outcome of the game. Alexander appeared nervous and both goals could have been avoided. Mind you after the Alamo, had Rangers got off at half-time level it would have been a result. The second half was much better and Rangers were very unfortunate not to get a point. In fairness the ref did not do too badly, keeping the lid on a game that teetered on the edge throughout. Tackles were flying in and the inevitable sending off came much later than I had earlier anticipated. Lee McCulloch was unwise to launch himself into a challenge having already been booked, but McGeady did not help matters by deliberately going to ground without any contact having been made. I hope that he is proud of himself! Boruc, having incurred the usual stick from the travelling fans, bit big time. He appeared to spit on the ground at the Rangers fans as he was substituted and then perhaps lived up to his description as he fondled himself after the match. Pity he went off actually as he would probably not have got to the deflected shot that the sub keeper made an excellent save from. So Lennon got his victory and I, like most Rangers fans, would be happy to see him get the job. He provides an excellent 'hate' figure and also it would mean that he does not join 'Chesney' as a coach at Boro. I donâ��t think I have ever left a ground having watched my side get beaten in such a relaxed manner. Okay the result was important from a pride point of view, but I had witnessed a party, celebrating number 53 and two in a row. Next season I am sure that there will be more at stake on the outcome of the games and I am sure that Rangers fans will help create a similar atmosphere. Well thatâ��s it for this season. I am up in Glasgow on Sunday night for the Scottish Football Writers Dinner as a guest of my horse racing buddie Fraser, but canâ��t drive the 476 miles from Bideford Football club in time for the lunchtime kick off at Ibrox. Perth races in a few weeks time promises to be a good weekend especially as a night out with the Leven boys is included in the trip. No doubt this article will provoke the usual responses from cowardly, fictitious emails from 'IRA', 'Gerry Adams' and 'Billy King', but FUCK them all. Freedom of speech, thatâ��s what our brave soldiers gave their lives for. Sincere thanks to Scott and the boys from Buckhaven and Methil Rangers Supporters Club, not only for getting me tickets but for their friendship and loyalty. I have enjoyed speaking at numerous dinners and events and look forward to many more in the future. http://www.jeffwinterentertainmentandmedia.co.uk/rangers/0910006.php

I don't think it is a lot to ask for,but may prove difficult to find,we can only hope

Nacho Novo today admitted heââ?¬â?¢s preparing for the worst day of his life ââ?¬â?? and an emotional farewell to the Rangers fans. The Spanish striker will play against Motherwell on Sunday after fears he suffered a broken wrist in this weekââ?¬â?¢s Old Firm game proved to be unfounded. Fansââ?¬â?¢ favourite Novo, who has spent six seasons at Ibrox, winning three league titles, three League Cups and two Scottish Cups, is out of contract in a few weeks time. And, while negotiations over a new deal have resumed in the past 24 hours between the club and his agent, Jorge Leira, unless there is a dramatic improvement in the wages being offered and the length of term, then Novo will leave. Gordon Strachanââ?¬â?¢s Middlesbrough are leading the chase after the Championship side tabled a lucrative deal that is significantly above what cash-strapped Rangers have offered. Three Spanish sides are also pursuing his signature. Leaving is a decision that will break Novoââ?¬â?¢s heart, but he knows the SPL trophy presentation party this weekend could come at the end of his last appearance in a blue jersey. ââ?¬Å?I think everyone knows how much Rangers and the fans mean to me,ââ?¬Â Novo said, ââ?¬Å?It will break my heart if I have to say goodbye. ââ?¬Å?It will be an emotional day for everyone on Sunday as it might well be the last game for a few of us. At the moment, nothing has been agreed with Rangers. ââ?¬Å?I am 30 years old now. I have my family and my own future to think about ââ?¬â?? Iââ?¬â?¢ll need to wait and see what happens in the next few days, but I have to say that the thought of having to say goodbye to the Rangers fans kills me. It would be the worst day of my life leaving this club after six years.ââ?¬Â Novo, who has remained in the lowest paid bracket of players at the club since arriving from Dundee in 2004 for Ã?£450,000, is not looking for a kingââ?¬â?¢s ransom to sign on again. If Rangers were to come up with a decent increase, he would almost certainly agree to stay for less than he would get at Boro, and back in his homeland. Kirk Broadfoot is in a similar position to Novo, in that he wants to stay but the money being offered to him means he is likely to quit. Kris Boyd was told back in January that the new contract offered to him ââ?¬â?? believed to be around Ã?£18,000 a week ââ?¬â??was as high as the club could go. He is expected to move to England on a lucrative Bosman transfer. Stevie Smith and DaMarcus Beasley will definitely move on, while Davie Weirââ?¬â?¢s future will be determined shortly. Meantime, German side Hannover have been linked with a Ã?£1million move for Lee McCulloch. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks-ignore/nacho-novo-waving-goodbye-to-rangers-will-be-my-worst-day-ever-1.1026078

Feckin marvelous!!!!

The dive [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyUvkW-z9NI]YouTube- Rangers McGeady Dive May 4 2010.wmv[/ame]

DAVID Weir arrived at Ibrox as a stop-gap central defender on a short term salvage mission. It has turned into a quite remarkable three-and-a-half-year extension of his top flight playing career which will see him savour both collective and individual glory on Sunday. In the afternoon, the Rangers captain will step forward to collect the SPL trophy after the final match of the champions' season at Ibrox against Motherwell. A few hours later, Weir will be the centre of attention at a gala awards dinner in Glasgow when he receives the Scottish Football Writers' Association's Player of the Year honour. Weir, who will celebrate his 40th birthday on Monday, has earned the grateful and enduring affection of Rangers supporters for his contribution to the on-field success they have enjoyed over the past three years against a backdrop of financial uncertainty. His longevity and consistency has defied logic. The veteran defender has missed only three SPL matches since Walter Smith recruited him from Everton on an initial six-month contract back in January 2007. Six major trophy wins and a Uefa Cup final appearance later, Weir continues to shrug aside talk of retirement. "I'm keen to play on and enjoy it," he said. "But it would have to be right for me and not just for the sake of it. Until something is put in front of me, I can't give a definitive answer. "I genuinely don't know what will happen in terms of staying at Rangers. The manager has been asked the same question about his own future and I don't think we are in a position to answer. No-one knows how the land lies at the club or how it will lie. It's a case of wait and see. "There are six players out of contract, including me, along with the coaching staff. It's a strange circumstance, but that's the way it is. I would imagine it might be quite late in the summer before a decision is made about me." Weir may not be short of alternative options. He is close to completing the full set of coaching badges and is sure to be regarded as a suitable candidate for a step into management. While he maintains his policy of never trying to anticipate what the future holds, however, Weir is fairly certain he will not seek to combine playing with a coaching role. "I don't think player-manager is doable for me," he said. "It's a hard job. Playing is hard enough without being a boss too and having to compromise on both jobs. I'd never close any doors, but I'd say it is unlikely. "I just hope to stay in football. It wouldn't be through choice if I found myself out of the game. I love the game, whether it is playing it, watching it or talking about it. But there are a lot of people out of a job in football and chasing just a few posts. "Football is changing and you have to be realistic as a lot of people want jobs. I've done well out of the game, so I won't feel hard done by if I don't get a job. But I hope to stay in football one way or another." Wherever his career path takes him, Weir will always cherish the time he has spent wearing the colours of the club he supported as a boy. "It has exceeded expectations, without a shadow of a doubt," he added. "I just came to Rangers for a few months, to try and help stabilise the club. The target back then was just to make sure we finished second in the SPL. By Rangers' standards, what we were aiming for was not high. "So to go from that to winning championships and cups has been incredible. You can't underestimate the achievements here over the last three years and how the manager has turned the club around during difficult times. "You don't really get time to savour things here, because there is always another story breaking about Rangers and another game to get ready for. But maybe when the season ends on Sunday, we can take in just how big an achievement it has been to win the title again. "I don't really think about winning the league on a personal level, but I am looking forward to Sunday and the trophy presentation. It is a massive achievement. Retaining the trophy was huge for us. We won it last year after chasing Celtic all the time. "That was a massive sense of joy, but this year was a new challenge and a bigger test. It was a relief to win it because it was harder. I'm proud of this, because good Rangers teams in the past haven't won championships. Hopefully this means the current crop will be remembered as a good team." Weir's coronation as Scotland's top player at the age of 39, the oldest winner of the award, may be regarded as evidence of a lack of quality among his younger colleagues. He insists, however, that the Scottish game has cause for optimism. "I genuinely don't think we are in too bad a shape," he said. "I watched Sunderland against Manchester United last week and two Scots, Craig Gordon and Darren Fletcher, were the best players on the pitch. Then you look at the Championship, where guys like Charlie Adam are outstanding every time you see them play. "There is still Scottish talent out there, just maybe not the strength in depth of it that there used to be. But we do have people coming through, like Danny Wilson and John Fleck at Rangers. There are a lot of good things happening in Scottish football." While Weir was typically self-effacing when informed of his Football Writers' Association's Player of the Year award, he was clearly thrilled to see his name added to a star-studded roll of honour stretching back to 1965. "I must admit, I did look up the previous winners and that's when it strikes home what it means. It goes all the way back to the likes of John Greig and Billy McNeill, so to be in that company is great." :spl: http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Evergreen-Weir-not-ready-to.6279136.jp

Portsmouth's administrators have revealed the relegated Premier League club's debts now stand at �£135m. In February, Pompey became the first Premier League club to enter administration with debts of �£60m-�£70m. And in April it was revealed the FA Cup finalists, who have had four different owners this season, were �£120m in debt. The news comes on the day creditors have approved the drafting of a debt-repayment plan that will enable the club to emerge from administration. The club is offering to pay at least 20 pence in the pound over five years, and Pompey's current owner Balram Chainrai has said that small creditors (those owed less than �£2,500) and charities will be paid in full at a total cost to him of �£200,000. MATT SLATER'S BLOG After months of speculation, weeks of debate and days of frenzied, last-minute number-crunching, the wait is finally over: Portsmouth's creditors will gather at Fratton Park to decide what happens next to the first Premier League club to enter administration The new plan - a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) - will be drawn up by the club's joint administrators from UHY Hacker Young and distributed within 10 business days of Thursday's meeting. Another meeting will then be arranged within 14-28 days to approve the CVA. This will require the backing of 75% of the club's unsecured creditors (based on amounts owed), whereas a straight majority was enough on Thursday. Portsmouth's so-called "football creditors" must be repaid first and in full under football's rules. This group includes clubs still owed over �£17m in transfer fees by Portsmouth, and current and former players who are owed almost �£5m in bonuses, wages and image rights payments. Chainrai will also get his outstanding �£14.2m loan repaid in full but his three predecessors - Sacha Gaydamak, Sulaiman Al-Fahim and Ali Al-Faraj - will have to accept the same reduced rations on offer to the non-football, unsecured creditors. Prominent among this group is Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC), which is owed �£17.1m in taxes and National Insurance contributions. Under the new plan, the company Portsmouth City Football Club will be liquidated after nine months and a new one set up. The CVA plus the club's assets will be transferred across, including the 'golden share' that is membership of the Football League. The liquidation of the old company was agreed to by HMRC as it allows a thorough investigation of the whole situation at Portsmouth to take place. It was made clear in Thursday's meeting that the alternative to this plan would mean the creditors would see nothing. The creditors' committee is made up of Ocadia (Gaydamak's company), the Professional Footballers' Association, football agents Capstone, and two local suppliers acting in concert. The first year of the CVA will be funded by releasing or dramatically reducing the wages of all out-of-contract players, and beyond the first year the funding will come from the parachute payments made to clubs relegated from the Premier League to the Championship. The target is to get the annual payroll down to �£10m from the current total of approximately �£20m. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/8664722.stm

Superb that

I'll be happy to see the bank clear out of Ibrox

It's the biggest club he has played for and ever likely to play for

I'll be glad to see the back of him,never wanted him in the first place,one of the youth players would give you more over a season

Artur Boruc looks to have played his last game for Celtic as Spanish giants Sevilla line up a �£2million bid for the keeper. Sevilla are looking to buy a top-class replacement for veteran No.1 Andres Palop this summer and Boruc is high on their shopping list. He last week agreed to be represented by top agent Struan Marshall - who also looks after Robbie Keane - and Record Sport can reveal there has been contact with Sevilla about the Pole. Boruc has a year of his �£30,000-a-week contract to run at Parkhead and it will not be renewed at that level in the current financial climate. That is likely to lead to his departure next month as it means the Hoops will get a transfer rather than lose him on a Bosman next year. Sevilla will have a huge transfer kitty this summer as they are expected to sell Luis Fabiano for around �£17m. Palop, 36, who was No. 3 keeper for Spain when they won Euro 2008, is now regarded as a liability and apologised for cost ing Sevilla their Champions League place after a howler against CSKA Moscow in the last 16. Boruc - who has been at Celtic for five years - would welcome a move to La Liga but Hamburg and Olympiakos have also declared their interest. It now looks increasingly likely Tuesday night's Old Firm victory was the 30-year-old's last game for Celtic as Boruc suffered two broken fingers that rule him out of Sunday's final league match of the season against Hearts. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2010/05/06/celtic-goalkeeper-artur-boruc-in-frame-for-2m-summer-transfer-to-sevilla-86908-22237538/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8658858.stm BBC Highlights http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/8663871.stm

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lg7fGSJa9M&feature=player_embedded]YouTube- Champions again ole ole[/ame]

The BHEASTS second goal should have been chalked off for a foul on Smith

WALTER SMITH has hit Andreas Hinkel with a stinging blast for claiming Celtic are better than Rangers. And the Ibrox boss raged: Why didn't you prove it? Smith was seething with the Hoops ace after his side lost at Parkhead last night. Smith said: "Hinkel said in the papers the other day that Celtic are the better team. "If he sits down and analyses what he said, then you've got to ask 'Why does he think they're a better team, when Rangers have won six trophies and reached a European Final during a period when Celtic have won just two trophies?' "He must feel something is wrong. "It might be that, if they had shown the same attitude as they did for the first half of this game, they would be in a better position. "As he sits down and says they're a better team, he should ask himself if he's proud of the way they have played over the last few seasons. "I'm certainly proud of the way my team has played - and my team have something tangible to show for it. "I can't understand why any professional doesn't take a good look at himself first before saying they are the better team. "It's patently obvious that they're not. "It might be as simple as their approach and attitude to the game, which Neil Lennon is now bringing out of them. "If it takes a boss to bring it out of you, you are looking at a poor set of professionals." Advertisement Hinkel's comments came after Gers hitman Nacho Novo said he was laughing at Celtic for not winning the title. Stand-in Hoops gaffer Lennon was FUMING with Smith's comments. Lenny said: "That's not Walter's place. He not the Celtic manager. "I don't comment on Rangers and never have done, not as a manager anyway. "I think I've been quite gracious towards Rangers and how they have dealt with things and their mentality. "It's not Walter's place to criticise Celtic players. He should leave that to me." Asked how much the win will help his job prospects, Lennon added: "I don't know how big this could be. "But it is immensely satisfying." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2959572/Rangers-manager-Walter-Smith-lays-into-Celtics-Andreas-Hinkel.html#ixzz0n3CmszKK

It could have been worse,if we had Keane playing for us!!!! :spl:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2RXIlCQABw]YouTube- Rangers Fans Cheer the Celtic team.[/ame]

First half we never played well, second half we were the better team and over all we deserved at least a draw. How fitting that the BHEASTS continued the way the always are by cheating their way through a game,how they never got a man sent off just shows how their pressure on refs work. Miller was our MOTM last night,great goal and was unlucky a few times including hitting the post,although if the ref had any balls he would have given a penalty just before it. It was pleasing all the same to see the BHEASTS celebrating like they had won the league,LOL. I wonder if the MOPES will say McGeady cheated when he took a dive to get Jig sent off????, not a chance, C****c FC rotten to the core. The Rangers fans showed why WATP,tremendous throughout the game. We welcome the chase.

Aye,shit manager, but he is '' C****c minded ''