ian1964

Season tickets up for renewal??

RANGERS and Celtic fans are heading for a midsummer clash in London with both clubs invited to take part in glamour tournaments on the same weekend. Celtic have already confirmed they will participate in the Emirates Cup on Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1 alongside hosts Arsenal and continental big guns AC Milan and Lyon. Record Sport can reveal that over the same two days Rangers have been asked to play in the Wembley Cup which will feature Chelsea and a top La Liga club. The SPL champions have yet to accept the offer from event organisers IMG although if they do, about 30,000 Old Firm fans could descend on the capital for the two events. Security concerns have been raised but it's understood the Metropolitan Police have given the green light for Rangers and Celtic to be in London at the same time. They feel they can cope with a massive influx of supporters from north of the border - an attitude in stark contrast with Manchester police who blocked plans to lure Rangers south for Gary Neville's August testimonial. Meanwhile, Rangers are set to lock horns with former boss Alex McLeish after lining up a friendly with Birmingham on August 7.

As long as it doesn't pan out like this!!!! [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU0XRidWNU4&feature=related]YouTube- TGFITW show their true colours[/ame]

We've all missed 2-3 weeks this season

Manchester police concerns stop Rangers playing at Neville testimonial. Manchester United have abandoned plans to invite Rangers to be the opposition for Gary Neville's testimonial match because of objections from the police and council officials about supporters of the Glasgow club returning to the city where they rioted two years ago. Neville's representatives had asked United to approach Rangers because the presence of the Scottish champions would virtually guarantee a sellout crowd at Old Trafford. United then made what are described as "unofficial soundings" with the relevant authorities and were told in no uncertain terms that Rangers were probably the least desirable opponents. The police, in particular, were alarmed about the prospect of tens of thousands of Glaswegians flooding into Manchester, citing the running battles that turned the city centre into a battleground on the night of the 2008 Uefa Cup final. An estimated 150,000 Rangers travelled for the game against Zenit St Petersburg and trouble flared when a giant screen failed in the largest fan zone. Rioting fans went on the rampage for five hours, causing hundreds of thousands of pounds' worth of damage and injuring one policeman so badly he needed six months off work. One Zenit fan was stabbed as the Russian team won 2-0. The prime minister, Gordon Brown, branded the fans "a disgrace" and the first minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, said the violence was "shocking and unacceptable". Two years on, there is still enough bad feeling in Manchester for the police to have concerns that there could be reprisal attacks if Rangers were to play again in the city and that it could be a magnet for football hooligans from different clubs. The bigger concern, however, was the prospect of another mass invasion of Rangers fans and United were informed that, for such a match to take place, it would require a huge policing operation. United also sounded out Manchester city council as well as the security firm that supplies the club's match-day stewards and concluded that, aside from the risk of trouble, the costs of organising the match would take up too great a percentage of the ticket profits. The club are looking at other possible opponents but Celtic have informed them they cannot fit the match into their schedule. United wait to see whether they are involved in the Community Shield before finalising a date to honour Neville, their 35-year-old defender. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/apr/29/manchester-police-rangers-gary-neville

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1182500_police_boss_council_caused_rangers_riot_by_turning_off_big_screen

It's Friday again guys http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/predictor/

DAVID Murray last night labelled Rangers' financial critics as scaremongers. The Ibrox owner is raging at millionaire bus group owner Douglas Park after he told a couple of Glasgow papers the SPL champions couldn't be sold while under investigation by the taxman. It was also suggested Lloyds, the bankers for both Rangers and the Murray Group, could seize all the money from season tickets and next season's Champions League matches. But Murray has dismissed those claims - and demanded Park and any others who might want to buy the club to "put up or shut up". He said: "If Douglas, Dave King, Paul Murray or anyone else wants to buy the club they all know what to do. Stop saying why you wouldn't buy it. What's the point continually trying to undermine Rangers when it's clear finances are improving? "Rangers' debts continue to fall and this club will make a profit next year. That's a remarkable turnaround. "So talk about the bank or anyone else ring-fencing Champions League and season-ticket money is nonsense. It just isn't true and it will not happen." Murray wouldn't talk about exact figures but accepts it will be necessary for Walter Smith - or whoever takes over as manager should he decide he's had enough - to bring in new players. That's why he can't understand why it is being suggested the bank would sweep up every penny. Murray said: "It's just not realistic and amounts to nothing more than scaremongering. "It undermines the club at a time when all the hard work people at Rangers have put in over the past two years is beginning to pay off, both on and off the pitch." Murray is still waiting to hear if London-based Andrew Ellis will press home his �£33million bid for the club and it is understood his people have not been put off by HMRC's interest in Rangers' affairs. Record Sport understands Ellis and his people are close to making their decision but Murray believes the rumours of the past few days which he says link Ibrox directors King and Murray and Park have not helped at such a critical stage. He said: "If you care about the club would you endeavour to undermine it by making the kind of statements we've read from Douglas? One can only wonder why. "Is it an attempt to weaken the club in the hope of getting it at a cheaper price? "I don't know but I do know Rangers are not in any danger because of their financial position. "Rangers is a stand-alone company and there are no cross-guarantees tying them to the Murray Group's finances. The two are separate. "Even when the Murray Group were weak about 15 months ago there was never any danger of that hitting Rangers. People can think what they will of me but one thing I would never do is put the club in that kind of danger. "Let me say this again - never at any time were Rangers in jeopardy when the Murray Group were weak. "Rangers and the Murray Group have rallied extremely well and it is annoying to hear people who should know better sniping at us. "I seem to recall Douglas Park got in touch a couple of times. Two years ago he called Mike McGill, the finance director, and offered to buy the club for �£1. "Then he said he'd like to take over the running of the club but we felt that wouldn't have been in Rangers' best interests. I think it's time Douglas stopped shadow boxing and got into the ring. "If he or anyone else wants to buy let them make their play. They do the due diligence and see where they are but there's nothing to hide here. "I've had the club up for sale for two years because I do want to get out of football after more than 20 years in the thick of it. I'm not going to be hard to deal with and it is a straight-forward process. "If Douglas, Dave King or anyone else wants to buy Rangers they all know what to do. But please, stop undermining what has been a tremendous effort by everyone at the club during very difficult and trying times." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2010/04/30/rangers-owner-sir-david-murray-tells-ibrox-sale-critics-to-put-up-or-shut-up-86908-22222386/

By Terry Murden RANGERS owner Sir David Murray says he is hopeful that a new owner will take over at Ibrox by the start of next season. The former Ibrox chairman, who has been in talks with London-based property tycoon Andrew Ellis, told The Scotsman: "The sooner a deal is concluded the best it will be for all." Murray, whose group of companies own 92 per cent of Rangers, said the proceeds from a sale would be used to pay off the club's debt which is understood to have fallen from �£31.1 million to about �£25m. "A buyer would pay a figure to buy a debt-free club," he said, adding that "Rangers are in a much-improved position". Rangers made an operating loss of �£11.74m last year after the team crashed out of the Champions League in 2008 by losing a qualifying match to Lithuanian side Kaunas, denying the club a minimum �£10m windfall from the group stages of the competition. But management have turned round their operations so that debt will be reduced and the club will be able to make a profit this year and probably next. Murray unveiled a financial restructuring of his Murray International Holdings empire yesterday but said it would not involve Rangers, which will remain separate from the group. In accounts for the 18-month period to last June he said he remained "completely committed to finding an appropriate investor to secure the future development and stewardship of the club". Ellis is the only interested party who has been confirmed as in talks with Rangers, through a Stock Exchange announcement. There have been other hints of interest, mainly through the media, from businessman Douglas Park, South Africa-based Rangers director Dave King, and an underwritten Supporters Trust buy-out, but Ellis remains the main player. Earlier this week it was revealed that Rangers are subject of an on-going HM Revenue and Customs inquiry into the club's tax affairs. Commenting on the investigation, Murray said he had received legal advice that the club would put up a defence against claims that it used offshore accounts to pay its players. "We have a strong case according to our lawyers and will robustly defend it," said the 58-year-old. He said the tax arrangements had been in the club's accounts for many years. http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/David-Murray-eyes-Rangers-sale.6264080.jp

Could Ellis just be a front man??

Alastair Johnston will jet into Glasgow next week to prepare for a series of crucial meetings that will shape Rangers’ future. The Ibrox chairman will attend the presentation of the SPL trophy at the final game of the season against Motherwell at Ibrox on Sunday, May 9. He will then enter into ... * Vital talks with bankers Lloyds over the business plan for the year ahead. * Discussions with Walter Smith on whether or not he will stay on next season as manager. * Consultations with the club’s lawyers to be given an update on the HMRC tax probe we revealed this week. * Meetings with interested parties who want to buy the club. Lloyds have yet to tell Rangers what the budget is for next season – a decision that will have a direct impact on what Smith decides to do. And, as we also revealed this week, there are major fears inside the club they will be asked to operate once again under the constraints of a crippling business plan with incoming monies from season tickets and the Champions League being set aside against the overall debts. Johnston confirmed: “I did not want to arrange meetings with Lloyds, or the management team, until after the game on May 9. I didn’t want to be presumptuous about us winning the SPL title, despite our points advantage. “Lloyds will have to take a view. But I will be telling them Rangers need a level of investment to maintain our status as SPL cham-pions and to represent Scotland in Europe. “There are only so many times you can polish up an old bus and pump up the tyres. “These points will be made by myself, by the board and by the management team in our consultations with Lloyds. Hopefully, they will recognise what Walter has been saying – that Rangers need a level of investment.” Smith will almost certainly walk if Lloyds do not relent, change their 18-month policy which has given Rangers no room to breathe and supply a budget for players and wages. Senior figures also hope the possibility of another fans’ backlash – if the club is crippled again – will push the bankers to soften their stance. Six players are out of contract – Davie Weir, Nacho Novo, Steven Smith, DaMarcus Beasley, Kris Boyd and Kirk Broadfoot – and, if they all walk, Smith would be left with a squad of 14 first-teamers and two goalkeepers. “My mission is to persuade him to carry on,” said Johnston, “Walter’s concerns – and rightly so – are over the unpredictability of the situation. “This season it has been difficult to try to complete the business plan until such times as we had won the championship and knew if we were directly qualified for the Cham-pions League or not.” Johnston hinted Smith – and chief excutive Martin Bain – had to battle to stop sales in January. The bank had planned on accepting offers, but Smith and Bain’s reaction – and the supporters’ public attack on Lloyds influence and protests against controversial director and ‘turnaround specialist’ Donald Muir towards the end of December and into January – led to them backing down. “I clearly have knowledge of what Walter and his team have had to deal with behind the scenes,” Johnston said. “You should not underestimate what Walter and Martin managed to do in January. We had enquiries for players. In the end, only Pedro Mendes left. We have had redundancies and cutbacks recently, very difficult times.”

I also think Millers strike at Ibrox against Motherwell was a superb goal and should have been on the list,voted for Bougherra all the same

TGFITW?????? http://ifyouknowtheirhistory.blogspot.com/

Glass houses and stones,pot,kettle,black!!!!! [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D07eThRa2TI&feature=related]YouTube- Celtics Riots 08[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU-yUXBBvOY&feature=related]YouTube- Celtics riot damages nonprofit organization[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaBrU9ExgBk&feature=related]YouTube- Boston Celtics Victory. Fans Go Crazy in the Streets[/ame]

BOSTON has sparked fury with a campaign to halt a unique Old Firm derby in the city after claims that Rangers fans could run riot. Celtic and Rangers could land a �£1million-plus close-season bonanza with a friendly in the US. But the Boston Globe - one of America's most-respected journals - is leading the bid to have the game at Fenway Park called off. It has accused Gers supporters of causing mayhem and violence at home and abroad. In a stinging editorial, it falsely claims "tensions between Celtic and Rangers fans" caused the Ibrox Disaster in 1971. The astonishing attack has been slammed by the SPL champions and has sparked a fierce backlash from angry Gers fans. The Boston Globe wrote: "While it is recognised that not all Rangers fans involve themselves in such activity, one can't help wonder how the city of Boston will fare after a Fenway game, should the Rangers faithful feel the need to express themselves, as they did in Manchester in 2008. "Following their team's defeat in the UEFA Cup Final, the blue-clad fans left parts of Manchester in a shambles and forced the local constabulary to don riot gear to restore order. "But Rangers have a long history of violence on their travels, dating back decades. "Who can forget their pitch invasion in Barcelona in 1972, which earned the club a one-year ban from European competition? The same fans brought their particular brand of fanaticism to Romania last year, clashing with police who were forced to use tear gas. "With Spanish police reporting Rangers violence in 2006 (Villarreal) and 2007 (Barcelona), the list goes on and on. "Most notably, disaster struck at Rangers' Ibrox Stadium in 1971 following a crush-barrier failure. It is widely accepted that the tensions between Celtic and Rangers fans played a major part in the 66 deaths. "Celtic, by comparison, can be charged with, well, not much at all. If their arch-rivals have dragged the name of Glasgow through the mud, it must be said that Celtic fans have done their best to restore the good name." Angry Rangers insist they will demand a retraction from the newspaper. Advertisement Quantcast A spokesman said: "Rangers fans can be assured the reference in this article to the Ibrox Disaster, in particular, which is both inaccurate and offensive, will be taken up with the newspaper." Stephen Smith, of the Rangers Supporters' Trust, said: "The remarks about 1971 are disgusting and entirely inaccurate." Celtic, meanwhile, have added another date to their American tour. They will face Seattle Sounders on July 18. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2952064/We-dont-want-your-yobs-Gers.html#ixzz0mSt3rvUX

I just wish to feck something would happen soon,this is all getting a bit tedious and frustrating.If the fans actually knew what the feck was going on then maybe just maybe we could look at doing something, but who cares eh?, I mean we are only punters

"What we have been doing all year is trying to bring a level of stability to the club and I think everyone from my colleagues on the Board down have tried to demonstrate that we are not in a panic mode. No,but maybe the fans are !!!!

There's only one nacho novo

Aye,spot on mate,.......................WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS :spl: :robbo:, the BHEASTS are hurting big time

RANGERS fear losing Danny Wilson for next to nothing after contract talks collapsed. SunSport can reveal Gers have been told the 18-year-old won't pen a new deal. Liverpool target Wilson, a frontrunner to be Young Player of the Year, is out of contract next summer. We revealed three months ago that the centre half had turned down an extension on improved terms. We also revealed last month that Liverpool had moved ahead of Aston Villa, Spurs and Manchester City in the race to land Wilson. Contract talks between Wilson's agent David Manasseh and Gers chief executive Martin Bain restarted recently. And boss Walter Smith outlined his desire for the home-grown stopper to re-sign. But Ibrox chiefs have now given up hope of keeping Wilson beyond his present contract. Gers have already held talks with Liverpool over a possible summer deal for the defender. But if Wilson stays until the end of his contract, Gers would only receive a nominal sum for developing him. A source close to Wilson last night admitted that two planned meetings between Manasseh and Bain had NOT taken place. He said the youngster could still sign an extension but SunSport understands Ibrox bosses have already resigned themselves to losing out on the kid. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2950420/Rangers-fear-top-prospect-Danny-Wilson-will-let-his-contract-run-down.html#ixzz0mNDKTj6m

SIR Alex Ferguson believes the capture of this season's SPL title has confirmed Walter Smith as a Scottish managerial great. The Manchester United legend took time to break from his own nerveshredding championship chase to hail the stunning achievements of the Ibrox gaffer. Ferguson, who had Smith as his assistant at Old Trafford, is involved in a frenetic flag fight with Chelsea as his team chase glory. However, the United supremo and godfather of management has hailed Smith after the Rangers boss extended his remarkable run of success. The Light Blues manager added another championship crown to his CV after seeing his side defeat Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday. Given the financial hardships and constraints he has had to work under, the success ranks as one of the Ibrox manager's most memorable. Ferguson believes Smith's quality is evident for all to see and feels the Ibrox gaffer should now be judged as one of the country's best managers for his work. Sir Alex told Record Sport: "First of all, you need to have ability and endurance to last such a long time as a manager. "Even more so given the fact that he has had to manage Rangers with the unbelievable expectation and with pressures on him all the time. "These are things that Walter has always had. "He has ability, has always been a great coach and, when he reverted to management, he proved the step up was at the right time in his career. "Walter has gone on to prove himself as one of the best managers in Scottish history. "The number of trophies he has got, which I think is now 19, tells you that." Ironically, Smith is at a decision time in his career at the same moment as speculation surrounds Sir Alex's future at United. Ferguson has yet to commit on how long he will stay in the Old Trafford job, while Smith is also undecided as to whether to extend his period at Ibrox as the club gets set for a massive upheaval. The Rangers gaffer will take a final decision at the end of the season or in the summer, but Ferguson says Smith has always enjoyed a love of the game which could play a part in swaying the decision. Sir Alex added: "The most important thing is that Walter has always kept his feet on the ground. "He has always had a great love of the game and never lost that. "These are the qualities that you need to be successful." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2010/04/27/man-utd-boss-sir-alex-ferguson-hails-walter-smith-86908-22215090/

KYLE LAFFERTY is living his Rangers dream, as he revels in another title party. But only a few months ago he felt stuck in a NIGHTMARE. Disillusioned and dejected after Walter Smith dumped him from his 18-man squad, the under-fire �£3.25million striker was ready to walk away from the club he loves. It was one thing coping with ferocious stick from all quarters about his playing ability and personality. It was another when it seemed even his legendary boss had given up on him. That cut to the bone and, suddenly, Lafferty started thinking about quitting Ibrox. There are Premier League clubs who'd happily take the ex-Burnley ace back south. Lafferty, however, never wants to leave Glasgow on the back of taunts of being a waste of money. The 22-year-old told SunSport: "I'm not going to deny there have been moments this season when it's got particularly tough and I've thought about leaving Rangers. "But my team-mates have always been there for me and that's meant a lot. They have lifted my spirits. "I never want to leave Glasgow classed as a dud. In years to come it'd be nice if the fans were saying 'That Lafferty's a good player' or 'That Lafferty, he was a good player for Rangers'. That would do me. "The lowest point this season for me was a few months back. I got dropped from the squad. "Before that I'd at least been on the bench for every game when fit. "Being left out of even the 18, that was hard to take. "It hurt me badly. But it also hit home then I had to do MORE to be a Rangers player. I started working harder and dedicated myself more to the job. "I got healthier and my attitude improved. Being dropped completely was my lowest point at Rangers." Ex-Celtic target Lafferty - tracked by Wolves, Stoke, Hull and Southampton - is often a different player for Northern Ireland. Indeed, he even candidly admits to be being a BETTER player for his country - and he thinks he knows why. Lafferty said: "There have been times I've played better for Northern Ireland than Rangers, but that was also the case at Burnley. "When I'm playing for my country I'm more relaxed about my game. When I'm playing for Rangers I can get too uptight, I try too hard. "I know that sounds strange, but whenever I get the ball I feel a pressure to do something. "I know I've not really expressed myself in the way I wanted to, but I don't want to leave Rangers until I've proved to the gaffer, his coaching staff, my team-mates and the fans that I'm good enough for the club. "I just want to stay here and prove my critics wrong. "Being at Rangers means everything to me. It was a dream fulfilled when I signed. "Knowing that the gaffer rates me, that he thinks I can do a job, gives me great belief. "I think in the last few games I've shown glimpses of what I can do. I was delighted with Sunday's goal. "Over the last six weeks I feel I've been doing the things that got me the move to Rangers. "The lads have been brilliant. One of the best for me, someone who has been an amazing support, is Kevin Thomson. He's become one of my closest friends. "Kevin is captain material and I hope he stays at Rangers for the future." Advertisement Quantcast Quantcast Lafferty was his own worst enemy earlier this year in an interview in which he appeared to brag about his Bentley, his house and his wages. And bluntly disrespecting arch-critic Charlie Nicholas hardly helped matters either. Lafferty doesn't take back a word of his Nicholas attack - but does deeply regret the public's perception of him now. He said: "I'm still maturing, still learning about things. "I'm one of those players who needs to be egged on, to have their confidence boosted, to have an arm on the shoulder. "That's been happening. The coaching staff have been brilliant. The gaffer didn't really say much to me about the Charlie Nicholas comments. It was more Coisty and Kenny McDowall. They said if I was going to have a pop at someone as big as that then I was going to have to take what was coming back. "I got off my chest what I thought about Charlie and I DON'T regret what I said. "But when Charlie came back at me and said I couldn't take a beach ball off him in a telephone box I actually LAUGHED. I thought it was a great come back. "I'm not going to deny that I said what I did about my money and Bentley in the recent interview. "But I was responding to a question put to me about rumours of me having financial problems, that I was poor. "When I opened the paper, saw the article and looked at my quotes I thought 'What have I done? Why have I said that?' "People since then have understandably looked at me as being flash and arrogant, a big-time Charlie. But I'm NOT like that. "My mother also reacted badly to it all. It's tough for her back home in Northern Ireland to open the paper and be left with the impression that everyone's out to get me. "Whoever knows me well knows I'm not the character that's been described." The Bentley, by the way, has since been ditched. Lafferty's instead trying to steer himself back to credibility on and off the pitch. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2948918/I-nearly-walked-out-on-Rangers.html#ixzz0mHNwX0PN

Great goal from Charlie [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWjkq3z3xRE&feature=player_embedded]YouTube- Rangers vs Stuttgart Charlie adam goal[/ame]

The roars of the championship celebration may still echo in the ears of Walter Smith and his team, but the Rangers manager knows that something substantial has to be put into action at the club. And that must happen now, if not sooner. Smith is aware the planning for next season must start immediately. The football world continues to spin, but Rangers remain directionless. In the global world of football plc, if a side is not going forward, then it is going backwards. Standing still is not an option. The Rangers manager has serious concerns in the short-term. This morning, in a normal world without a Ã?£30m-plus debt, he would be sipping an Anadin-laced refreshment while planning to secure the future of players whose contracts are running down and assessing the possibilities of signing recruits. Instead, Smith has to stare at indecision. He craves movement. ââ?¬Å?For us, the financial situation is well-documented. If anybody wants to look at the business columns, youââ?¬â?¢ll see exactly what it is,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?But we have to handle the problems that weââ?¬â?¢re left with because of that situation. We can only handle that for so long. I would feel, right at the present moment, that the ââ?¬Ë?so longââ?¬â?¢ period is up. Unless something happens, then you canââ?¬â?¢t keep asking this same group to come back and play week-in, week-out.ââ?¬Â Smith then mounted an appeal for clarity and a speedy resolution to the present situation where a clear budget has not been drawn up for the manager. ââ?¬Å?If itââ?¬â?¢s going to be the bankââ?¬â?¢s plan, if itââ?¬â?¢s going to be a new owner, if there is something else that comes along ââ?¬â?? a supportersââ?¬â?¢ buy-out or whatever ââ?¬â?? we donââ?¬â?¢t need it in a monthââ?¬â?¢s time,ââ?¬Â he said, stressing the immediacy of the crisis confronting him. ââ?¬Å?I can only have an opinion on how long it can be allowed to drift. And Iââ?¬â?¢m saying to you that, if something doesnââ?¬â?¢t happen shortly to let us know exactly where everybody stands at the club, then weââ?¬â?¢ve got a major problem.ââ?¬Â That problem may be exacerbated by the departure of the manager. ââ?¬Å?That leaves me with a decision. Iââ?¬â?¢ll need to say them: ââ?¬Ë?If nothing is going to change in the short-term, what is happening?ââ?¬â?¢ ââ?¬Â He was acerbic, too, about Rangersââ?¬â?¢ almost certain qualification for the group stages of the Champions League. If Bayern Munich knock out Olympique Lyonnais tonight in the semi-final of the competition, then the Ibrox side can start counting Ã?£10m of income. Smith said of the bankers: ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢m the manager. I can only point it out from the playing side of things. From the other side of things, theyââ?¬â?¢re elated arenââ?¬â?¢t they? Because thatââ?¬â?¢s them, theyââ?¬â?¢ve got an opportunity of the Champions League money again, theyââ?¬â?¢re rubbing their hands.ââ?¬Â Indeed, he had an unusual take on where Rangers could be if successive championships had not been won. ââ?¬Å?The club would maybe have been sold. There you are,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?Why? Because theyââ?¬â?¢re sitting back looking at two lots of Champions League money, arenââ?¬â?¢t they? Thatââ?¬â?¢s Ã?£24m, dead easy from their point of view. We have been disadvantaging anybody buying the club by winning. Thatââ?¬â?¢s what weââ?¬â?¢re doing.ââ?¬Â His contact with the people making the financial decisions is minimal. ââ?¬Å?You keep asking me the questions and I donââ?¬â?¢t know anything about it. They just tell me what they want to tell me, which is very little,ââ?¬Â he said. The impact on the playing side of the club, though, is substantial. ââ?¬Å?There has to be a situation, for the sake of the football side ââ?¬â?? never me or my position ââ?¬â?? that clarifies exactly where the club is going. If we donââ?¬â?¢t get that, then the club will suffer. Never mind me, never mind anybody else, the club will suffer,ââ?¬Â he said. What chance would there be of a third successive title? ââ?¬Å?I said quite clearly that the team will suffer,ââ?¬Â said Smith briskly. And the Champions League? ââ?¬Å?The thing about the Champions League is, if we donââ?¬â?¢t strengthen and donââ?¬â?¢t get any extra players in, weââ?¬â?¢re basically going in for the money. Thatââ?¬â?¢s how it is. Weââ?¬â?¢re not going to win it anyway. It would be a folly to consider that. ââ?¬Å?But the year that we had the big European games, challenged for the championship, won a couple of cups and got to the final of the UEFA Cup, we had 26 players on the staff. Weââ?¬â?¢re now down to roughly 16, taking away the younger ones. Iââ?¬â?¢m talking about boys with reasonable experience. Weââ?¬â?¢re down to 16, six of whom are out of contract. You start to see the problems that can occur.ââ?¬Â The only way out of that situation is for a budget to be drawn up now so Smith can make his dispositions. However, that is contingent on stability at the club. There are already growing whispers that Rangers could be the subject of a sustained, serious bidding process this week, possibly after their Champions League fate is ascertained. Smith would then almost certainly remain with the club with the proviso that his coaching staff remained untouched and his budget for players was realistic. But he is tiring of the situation. He said: ââ?¬Å?It was 18 months ago now that everybody was put up for sale. And for six months before that, we had the situation boiling away in the background. So weââ?¬â?¢ve had to deal with it for a couple of years now. But weââ?¬â?¢ve had a really good group of players, thatââ?¬â?¢s the one thing. They are great lads, terrific boys to work with.ââ?¬Â He said ââ?¬Å?the brightness and edgeââ?¬Â had been rubbed off the players by the rigours of the season. ââ?¬Å?I donââ?¬â?¢t think people appreciate just how much it takes out of a player in an Old Firm team, to go and win every week,ââ?¬Â he said. The campaign has taken its toll on Smith, too. It is not just time that is running out but his patience, too. He is standing on the front line with no sign of reinforcements and with at least two leading players ââ?¬â?? in Kris Boyd and Madjid Bougherra ââ?¬â?? likely to leave the ranks. The joy and justifiable satisfaction accrued by consecutive title victories will endure for some time. It has to be bolstered by substantial team-building. Rangers badly need a battle plan. The club is still fighting for its future. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/walter-smith-warns-that-planning-for-next-season-must-be-taken-immediately-at-rangers-1.1023298

That's called denial