ian1964

Exclusive by Darrell King FROZEN out Scotland trio Barry Ferguson, Allan McGregor and Kris Boyd could all make a sensational return to the international fold - if the new manager wants them. On the day that former skipper Colin Hendry called for bad-boys Ferguson and McGregor to be re-instated, SportTimes can reveal that there is no 'sine die' ban in place from the SFA after their Boozegate shame last March. Legally, the governing body cannot impose any lifetime suspension on a player - although the duo were told in a fax sent to the club during their disciplinary process with Rangers that they would not be considered for selection whilst former boss George Burley remained in charge. It has always been a major bone of contention that the terms of the ban were never explained to them. Indeed, there has never been any dialogue between Ferguson, McGregor or anyone at the SFA since the entire Boozegate fiasco blew up. advertisement Now, with Burley axed after his shambolic tenure, a new man will have to make the call on whether or not he wants to select Ferguson, McGregor and Boyd who walked away of his own volition after being consistently overlooked. Whether the players would want to return to the national set-up remains to be seen. Ferguson - whilst admitting full blame for his part in the Cameron House fiasco - blasted the SFA for the handling of the affair in a series of exclusive interviews with this newspaper back in August. But whoever takes over as the new Scotland manager will make the call. If he wants to wipe the slate clean, there is a possibility they could all return. And Hendry believes that should be the way ahead - as the struggling national team can't afford to do without players of their ability. He said: "Scotland are limited in quality, so we need our best players - and that means Ferguson and McGregor should return. "We are not in a position where we can afford to dismiss players with their kind of talent. The same goes for Boyd, too, because he is a great goalscorer. "We are talking about guys with the kind of proven quality Scotland doesn't have in abundance. "Barry and Allan suffered a backlash from the Tartan Army but, if they came back, they would find time has been a big healer with the fans. We need our best players pulling together if we are to move forward. "I have watched Barry and he has done really well for Birmingham. He has been very consistent and managed to keep a low profile most of the time. This season, he has proved a few things to some people." Walter Smith - the man who severely punished Ferguson and McGregor for their part in Boozegate - is highly unlikely to be making the call. He has distanced himself from a return to the Scotland hot-seat, even though it is believed the SFA would consider waiting until his situation at Rangers is clarified before naming anyone else. Smith is out of contract at Rangers in mid-January. He is awaiting news on a potential take-over. But in all probablity - even if a change in ownership happens - he will remain as manager until the end of the season. But a return to Scotland is not on his agenda. Dundee United boss Craig Levein is now a front-runner. But SFA chief executive Gordon Smith - who was today ready to go public on the way ahead - could have a big job convincing him to quit club football. Graeme Souness and Mark McGhee have ruled themselves out of the running and Owen Coyle has reiterated his commitment to Burnley. Jimmy Calderwood and John Collins both want the job, while Jim Jefferies says he is flattered to be linked with the vacancy. Leo Beenhakker is the latest to throw his hat into the ring, but Smith is likely to look closer to home. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2535172.0.0.php

Correct Craig, nobody plays more than one up front against us @ Ibrox,plus it would give us more going forward,Davie Weir can be rested and played whenever we revert to a back four,away from home

No reason why we can't play three at the back,certainly @ Ibrox

By Gavin mcCAFFERTY RANGERS manager Walter Smith admits Madjid Bougherra is a major doubt for Saturday's clash against Kilmarnock after Algeria were forced into a World Cup play-off. The defender faces a qualification decider against arch-rivals Egypt in Sudan tonight after his country lost 2-0 in Cairo on Saturday. Emad Moteab headed home Egypt's crucial second goal five minutes into injury-time to leave both countries with iden ADVERTISEMENT tical records at the top of Group C in the African qualifying tournament. Bougherra played the full 90 minutes on his first appearance since an international against Rwanda on 11 October. The 27-year-old has not played for Rangers since the 4-1 defeat by Sevilla on 29 September. He missed the 2-1 victory over Celtic and had to sit out another win at St Johnstone when he returned late from international duty after his passport was stolen. Bougherra then suffered a knee injury in training and missed his club's subsequent five matches. The former Charlton defender is now not due back to Murray Park until Friday and Smith admits the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Kilmarnock at Ibrox may come too soon. "It's one of those things we could have been doing without, and I dare say Madjid could be doing without it as well," Smith said of the play-off. "I haven't heard yet how he has got through the game or if his injury has caused him any problems. "We'll obviously have to see how he is, considering the fact he'll have been away nearly a fortnight. He has not played for two or three weeks prior to that. So, having two games in such a short space of time, having not played much, it might be asking a bit much of him to be involved in Saturday's game." Meanwhile, Bougherra claims Algeria's players are fully fit and "ready for the war" with Egypt in neutral Sudan as the two teams chase the final African place in the 2010 World Cup After their last match was marred by violence on Saturday in Cairo and with thousands of fans flying in from Algeria and Egypt to see today's match, a massive security operation has been mounted in Khartoum with 15,000 police on the streets. "The full team is ready... for the war," said Bougherra while laughing. "Every player is okay." Three Algerian players suffered facial cuts when their bus was stoned on their arrival in Cairo last week. Attacks on Algerian supporters after Saturday's match left 20 injured and Egyptian businesses suffered extensive damage when vandalised in Algiers on Sunday. There was also rioting in Marseille, where French youths of Algerian origin went on the rampage. "Some people had mental (problems), it was very rough, we were afraid ââ?¬â?? some people were injured," said Bougherra. But he said the 9,000 fans due to arrive from Algeria had given them the confidence boost they needed. "We are confident, we feel comfortable ââ?¬â?? all recovered," he added. ââ?¬Â¢ Rangers played a closed-doors game against Dundee United yesterday but Kirk Broadfoot was not involved following a slight hitch in his bid to return from an eight-month lay-off. http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Madjid-Bougherra-unlikely-to-be.5833136.jp

Ticket price war breaks out between Rangers and Dundee United over replayed game Nov 17 2009 Colin Duncan RANGERS and Dundee United were last night embroiled in a bitter dispute over ticket prices for next month's rearranged SPL clash. Irate Rangers supporters groups launched a blistering attack on the Tayside club accusing them of breaking a promise to provide free entry for the game on December 15 for fans who travelled to the first match, called off at half time due to a waterlogged pitch. But United director Derek Robertson said:"There must be some sort of perception problem. We requested people keep their ticket stubs in the event they could be used for some purpose but we decided that was not the way to go. "At no point did we say fans would be given free entry to any rearranged match. "There are substantial costs, in excess of �£20,000, in putting on a game of this stature.We are not trying to rip anybody off. We are just trying to minimise our loss." But Rangers Supporters Trust spokesman David Edgar said: "Given Dundee United made an announcement at the game, at their own behest, you'd think they would have a moral obligation to the supporters to go through with it. "No one would have had an issue with Dundee United charging if that had been their policy from day one." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2009/11/17/ticket-price-war-breaks-out-between-rangers-and-dundee-united-over-replayed-game-86908-21828137/

One name that is not on that list,unless I missed it, who would do a job IMO, Roy Hodgeson,sp, Fulham

Gary McCallister will be in with a chance IMO

Was expecting Rangers to make some sort of statement on this issue tbh

DUTD left back,decent player

Whoever the new manager is will insist on choosing any & all players available to play for Scotland regardless of what happened in the past,Davie Weir did the same with bungling Bertie,or they should not take the job on

Agreed, I would not be going to that game,however I would boycott it

Are that fans that have ticket stubs not entitled to a refund ???

Aye,evrey fixture up there

Do we start the game 1-0 up and only play 45 minutes ???

Feck them, is this legal ?????

Rangers fans have been warned it's now or never if they want their voice heard in the bid to save their club. Around 150 supporters gathered at Ibrox on Saturday afternoon to hear influential fan groups outline the role the Light Blues legions can play to preserve the future of the cash-strapped SPL champions. The Rangers Supporters Trust organised the Gers pride conference but made it clear all major fan groups, including the Rangers Supporters Association and the Rangers Supporters Assembly, are united in their desire for change. They will now forge ahead in the coming weeks with details of an investment drive they hope will encourage fans to commit what they can afford with the long-term aimof taking control of theclub. The groups also plan to appoint a famous Rangers figurehead, quite possibly from the nine-in-a-row era, to act as their public face and give even greater credibility to their survival scheme. Stephen Smith, chairman of the Rangers Trust, said: "The clock is ticking and January is not moving in the calendar. The banks have indicated that's crunch time and if we're not under new ownership by then our crown jewels are likely to besold. "We could lose Pedro Mendes, Steven Davis, Allan McGregor and Madjid Bougherra and that would directly affect the chances of Rangers winning the league and qualifying for the Champions League, which is so important to the financial performance. "In terms of representing the Rangers support we'll work and talk with anyone short of Lucifer and Dermot Desmond. We'll meet anyone who has the best interest of Rangers at heart." Senior figures from the three fan groups are working together behind the scenes on the best vehicle to drive fan investment, with their ultimate ambition to make Rangers fully owned byits support. In the short term they hope to work with a major investor but despite speculation linking Dave King with a takeover and reports of a mysterious Florida based backer noone has yet shown their hand. However, if they do emerge in the coming weeks the Rangers fan organisations want to be in a position to support their plans, if they are acceptable, with significant investment of their own from rank and file supporters. Smith said: "Our goal is to win the hearts and minds of the vast constituency of Rangers fans who are looking for leadership and direction. We're confident theTrust, the association and the assembly can achieveit. "We're actively exploring the idea of a figurehead, an ex-player with an excellent profile, to bring home the message to Rangers fans not yet engaged in this process that thingsareserious. "The best-case scenario is we float an investment scheme that attracts an enormous and immediate support fromthe Rangers family so we're in a position to invest money with the aim of making Rangers a membership-owned organisation. "Worst-case scenario is we don't get the message across and the Lloyds Group plays even harder ball. "The words of chairman Alistair Johnston haven ot been encouraging. It appears the banks have a major say in the operation of Rangers and that's not acceptable to fans." Rangers supporters listened to addresses from fan representatives of Hamburg and Espanyol, with the meeting chaired by central Ayrshire MP Brian Donohoe, a member of the House of Commons Rangers SupportersClub. Jens Wagner from Hamburg revealed his club are entirely member owned and boasted a turnover last year of �£168million and a profit of�£9m. Wagner said: "Most countries in Europe are democratically organised structures so why not our clubs? "I'd even encourage Rangers fans to involve the bank in their talks because it might be no bad thing to have them as part of the club. They have the financial expertise and the fans have the heart. "It might be the case Rangers decide to go for youth development and commit to that for five years. Sure, Celtic might win most of the trophies then but at least fans could say their club belongs to them." Gers supporters were encouraged by the talk-in as a first step toward a better future for theirclub. Gordon Stewart, 26, of Milton of Campsie, said: "I'm a fan of the Hamburg model and would love to see it as a long-term goal." Drew Caldwell, 46, of Linwood, said: "Fan involvement is key. I'd like the club to recognise the support and engage with us."

Will we ever get a group that the fans want/trust to take the lead for this ???

No for him it wisnae

Out of interest,who would you like to see taking the Scotland managers job ?

Single out today, if you can spare 79p then go and buy it, it's for a good cause after all! http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/wont-you-be-mine/id337664774

Nov 15 2009 Mark Guidi, Sunday Mail LUBO MORAVCIK reckons Celtic should take advantage of an untapped market in several European countries. Moravcik insists there are excellent young players in his homeland Slovakia and other places such as Slovenia, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Hungary. But in order to find another 'Lubo' he believes the Hoops must invest heavily in scouting on the continent. And the way to find the money to do that is to reduce the first-team squad wage budget and plough that into finding the foreign stars of the future. Hoops hero Moravcik, 44, said: "Less than 10 years ago Celtic were paying out �£6million for players. But the days are over of buying in quality like Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton and John Hartson. "So there has to be investment in developing top players of your own. "Celtic do put a fair amount of their budget into their youth academy but there is more they can do. "There is no perfect solution. Nothing can be 100 per cent. But maybe the strategic planning has to be looked at. "It's not what the first-team manager would want but I would take money out of the top-team salary budget to use as an investment for scouting in Europe. "In my opinion it would be better to spend an extra �£500,000 or �£1m a year to bring through your own kids rather than give it to a player to come to Celtic who is only a squad player in the Premiership. Is there not more satisfaction in producing your own? Finding entertainers, stars who excite the supporters? "Recruiting players doesn't necessarily mean signing a 16-year-old kid out of school. "There are guys playing at a lower league level in countries all over Europe - in France, Slovakia, Czech Republic and other countries. "To get these players you need a proper structure abroad. "You need one guy to oversee Europe, delegating the work and with scouts and contacts working for him. The players are out there - you just need to find them or be told about them. "Would I be interested in something like that for Celtic? Of course I would. "Another thing that Celtic would have in their favour is that kids may well prefer to go to them rather than the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool. "Kids and their parents would know they would get a better chance to play first-team football at Celtic than in the Premiership because those clubs can spend �£50m every year on transfers. "I don't have all the answers, I only have some ideas. Maybe my ideas are good, maybe some people will think not. But I believe in them." Moravcik recently quit as Slovakia Under-17 national boss. According to him he now spends too much time on the golf course and has a handicap of 29. He misses being involved in football. Back in Glasgow this weekend for a charity function, Lubo told MailSport: "It was a pleasure to play for Celtic and to have had the career in football I enjoyed. "But I'm old now. Unfortunately my time in the dressing-room has gone. "I hope the players of tomorrow at Celtic can taste the pleasure I had in Glasgow. "However, they must work hard and be able to cope mentally with the pressure. It's not all about being good with the ball at your feet. "You have to be a strong character to be successful at Celtic. That is so important." Moravcik is sad the Old Firm won't be playing in the English Premiership in the near future. The move was booted out last week and he said: "It was a nice dream. Now it must be put to one side and other ways found to advance the club. The �£20m or �£30m in television payments are not going to happen. "Other ways must be found to help bring success to the club. It will be a difficult job but it must happen." Meanwhile, Lorenzo Amoruso admits he's shocked at Rangers' cash woes - but hopes it spurs the club into restructuring it's scouting network to unearth some gems. During Amo's time at Ibrox a young Rino Gattuso was brought to the club for nothing from Italy and sold on four years later for �£4million. And the former defender now wants to see his old club focus on finding the stars of tomorrow to ensure Rangers have a bright future on the park and financial stability off it. Amoruso - who skippered Gers to the treble in 1999 - told MailSport: "I still keep in touch with what's happening at Rangers and things are quite scary at the moment. "There have been financial problems for too long now and it saddens me the club is �£31m in debt and unable to buy a player. I hope things are resolved quickly and Rangers can move on as it can't go on like this. "Whatever happens though Rangers should be planning for the future right now and reorganising the club. "Rangers have to employ more scouts. "Not only that, they must pay good wages for the right kind of scouts. "It's important to pay good salaries to get the best people in this department of the club. "And not just have people in Scotland and the rest of the UK. They should be looking all over, increasing their contacts abroad and building a global network. "You have to work really hard to get young players now. "Many clubs in Italy didn't pay much attention to scouting and youth development in the past but that has changed. "For example, AC Milan are now investing a lot of money in it as they know it's the right way to go. "Other clubs are doing the same and Udinese employ a minimum of 150 scouts. It has been a good strategy for them because they recently found a young striker from Chile called Alexis Sanchez. "He is top quality and they could sell him for millions of Euros if they wanted. "It's all about having the right people working for you. People with good contacts and a knowledge of young players. "Rangers managed to get Gattuso a few years ago and he was great. Profile "They must find more like him. But players like that will not drop out of the sky and land on the doorstep. "They have to be found and be persuaded that Rangers is the right club for them." Amoruso, 38, was back in Glasgow last week for a charity function. The Italian still has a strong affection for Rangers and wants to see them thriving again as soon as possible. And he'd welcome the chance to playa role in the future of the club. He said: "I hope a new buyer is found and things improve. "Rangers are the champions and will battle it out with Celtic again this season for the title and it is important Walter Smith and the players win it again. "Maybe time is running out but they'd like to have a new buyer in for January so they can bring in one or two quality players for the second half of the season. "But that won't happen until someone comes forward. We know people don't buy football clubs to make money. They usually buy it for the publicity and to increase their profile "But when the new owner comes in and everything settles down I'd be happy to work for Rangers and try to help them continue to move forward. "It's changed days from when I played for Rangers and the club were spending lots of money on players. "However, not spending millions and millions in the transfer market shouldn't be a reason for not doing well." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2009/11/15/celtic-and-rangers-need-to-restructure-scouting-network-if-they-want-success-say-old-firm-legends-86908-21823378/

I'm sure there will be some photos posted up for the less fortunate members from gersnet

I like Lee Wallace from Hertz

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2728842/Dont-rub-them-count-them.html

Could Wilson cope with Bougherra taking off on his marauding runs ???, he would be left exposed IMO, the more he plays with Weir the better he will get