ian1964

Celtic defender Glenn Loovens has lost his appeal against a one-match ban for his challenge on Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu last season. The 25-year-old Dutchman will now miss Saturday's Scottish Premier League match at home to Motherwell. Loovens had appeared before the Scottish Football Association appeals panel on Thursday to state his case. He had caught Edu with his studs after making a clearance during Celtic's 1-0 defeat by Rangers on 9 May. Referee Craig Thomson, in the headlines for not awarding Celtic an Old Firm penalty at the weekend, missed the incident but referred it to the SFA's review panel after watching television footage. The one-game ban was announced in August, but the Dutch international's challenge allowed him to play in the opening league game of the season at Aberdeen and he has since been waiting for an appeal date to be set. Celtic assistant manager Mark Venus last month accused the SFA of lacking professionalism over the delay in organising the hearing. Loovens said at the time of the review panel's involvement: "I really don't know what all the fuss is about. "I'm a hard player but also fair. "I just went in for the ball and at some point my leg had to come down to land on the ground. "Edu went off for treatment and I spoke to him as soon as he came back on. I said sorry, asked if he was okay and he told me he was fine." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/8291288.stm

By Andy McInnes A FURIOUS row is brewing over how Falkirk and Celtic fans will be asked to show their respects at the Remembrance Day fixture on Sunday November 8. Angry Bairns fans last night aired their fears on sports websites that a two minute applause rather than silence will be ordered by either the club or SPL officials before the game which will be shown live by ESPN kicks off. One supporter posted a message saying he was " totally disgusted " at the thought of applauding and warned that such a move would make a farce of the day and would bring " bad publicity" for Scottish football as the match was being screened throughout the country. While another called himself Bairn4life said " we should not give in to them ( Celtic) as it is supposed to be a time of reflection not joy " Another opposition fan declared : " It would be ridiculous if my club was to change things to suit a minority" But last night Falkirk's Operations manager Keith Hogg insisted no decison had yet been taken on the issue and that they would be seeking guidance from the SPL . " We haven't started our planning for the Celtic match yet." he added " In the past we have had applause to commemorate an individual as after the death of former player Paul McGrillen and we've also held a period of silence on other occasions when we felt that was the most appropriate action. " We will be speaking to the SPL and seeking their guidance over the next couple of days before any decision is taken " Last night SPL spokesman Greg Mailer revealed the issue would be raised today at a Board Meeting. " As last year was the 90th anniversary of Armistace Day we teamed up with Poppy Scotland and asked clubs to do something special. But before that we did not dictate what anyone should do allowing individual clubs the choice between silence and applause. " We have received emails on the matter over the past couple of days however and while it is not on the official agenda for the Board Meeting I'm sure it will be discussed further." http://www.express.co.uk/football/view/134120/Web-fury-erupts-as-Falkirk-fans-demand-silence

Borrowed from another forum : DANIEL Prodan spent two and a half years at Ibrox and never got to wear a Rangers jersey in the first team. But his boy is more than making up for that disappointment. In fact, the former Romanian international's son Razvan is so Rangers daft Prodan has a tough time getting a Light Blue shirt off his back at bedtime. Razvan may be just 10 but already knows who he will support all his life. It isn't Steaua Bucharest, where his dad started a career that saw him win 54 caps. It certainly isn't Unirea Urziceni, the Romanian top dogs who visit Scotland on Tuesday in the Champions League. Not when they are coming to take on Rangers. Young Prodan might not remember much of his time in Glasgow but knows he was born there and that his dad, despite a serious knee injury killing his Rangers career, loved the club. That is enough for Razvan - and why there is no question of where his loyalty will lie next week. Daniel, now 37 and working as sporting director with the Romanian FA, laughs at the thought of just how Rangers-mad his boy has become. Prodan said: "Yes, it's true. Razvan was born in Scotland during my time at Rangers and has always followed the team because of that. When we were in Glasgow last year he bought a Rangers strip with Barry Ferguson's name on the back. He's never got it off. "Last week a crew from Romanian TV came to our house and Razvan told them he was born in Glasgow and wanted Rangers to win the games against Unirea. The reporter asked him why and he said, 'because I was born in Scotland, I'm Scottish'!" Prodan senior believes his son will be kept happy on Tuesday because he reckons Rangers will rack up a home win against Unirea. But the former Steaua and Atletico Madrid stopper, who was signed from the La Liga club by Dick Advocaat for �£2.2million in 1998 but arrived with knee ligament damage that never healed properly, reckons Walter Smith's men will have a tough time in Bucharest on November 4. The Romanians, coached by Prodan's former international teammate Dan Petrescu, switched the Euro ties to Bucharest because their own stadium isn't up to standard but the lack of home comforts didn't stop them drawing with Stuttgart on the night Rangers lost to Sevilla. Prodan said: "It will be hard for Unirea coming to Glasgow because it's not often the top teams in Europe lose two games in a row at home. "I know from my time in Glasgow how passionate the crowd can be and that will be a test for Petrescu's side. As they showed against Stuttgart, Unirea are capable of giving most teams a good game here in Romania, although anything can happen and I wouldn't rule out a Rangers win over here either. But it won't be easy." The defender, who was eventually freed by Advocaat in February 2001 without playing a first-team game, returned to Romania but managed just 27 games in three seasons before hanging up his boots. And while Prodan's memories of Scotland are tinged with regret over his failure to overcome his knee problems, he told how the friendliness he encountered at Ibrox helped make him feel at home. He said:"It was a difficult period for me because I had four operations on my knee and couldn't play for the team. That was a big disappointment but I'll never forget the kindness of the Rangers fans and Scottish people who were so friendly towards me. "I met some great people at the club, people like John Greig and the kitman Jimmy Bell were so good to me. There will always be a piece of Rangers in my heart." Unirea's spectacular rise from rural also-rans to Romanian champions after years of domination by wealthy Bucharest clubs Dinamo and Steaua has been one of Europe's success stories this season. Prodan is full of admiration for the manner in which Petrescu has built his team and admits loyalties will be divided over the next two Champions League nights, even if his son's aren't. He said: "There are no star names in the Unirea team but they have a very strong group mentality. Actually, their most important player is Dan Petrescu himself. He is an excellent coach, his teams are always very well organised and they play with a real passion. That is why they are always dangerous opponents. "Romanian football is a bit like Scottish football because we need good results in Europe to improve the country's co-efficient. "That leaves me in a difficult position. I want Romanian football to be a strong as possible but at the same time still have a lot of respect for everyone connected with Rangers. "I'll be going to the game in Bucharest with my son and it will be a good chance to catch up with some old friends like John and Jimmy. "However, Rangers must be favourites to win in Glasgow." __________________

I for one can see Fleck has '' potential '', I don't think many would disagree with his potential tbh, however it's all about taking the next step and realising his potential which is the hard bit and the only way he has a chance to make that step is game time, until he has a sustained run in the team in his correct position I guess we will never know how good he is. He has had some game time but not in his preferred position and he hasn't really showed enough to retain his place in the team, getting him in the team in his preferred position is the hard bit IMO.

Not 100% certain, but I thought he has missed 3 ??

http://www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=467815

Mmmmm, I'll wait and see if he plays in the next one

Why does this guy always pull out of the MOPE games ??,is it just coincidence ??, wonder if he will play in the next one ???

HA!HA!.......Quality

SA, just started a new thread in the bluenose lounge, ''favourite tipple'', after your question, I am right into Glenrothes 10 year old malt, it's relatively new on the market

Is that a serious question ?,or trying to pick up on my typo error ?

Finished my red wine Craig...............now then !!!, a tin of export or a wee whiskey ????................

Oh dear.........I'm babbling again,apologies..........too much red wine maybe ,ah well I still think Davis is an underachiever

Absolutely,and Thomson still has that potential,but Davis has just as much,if not more, in his locker to win games.................I just hope he goes on to show his undoubted talent and shut me up

Aye, and then I think how/why did he end up @ Rangers ??,if he was that good maybe he would have still been in the EPL earning good money ??, maybe he is not as good as I think he could be

This is why I find Davis sooooooooooooo frustrating, I reckon this guy is the best midfield player in the SPL by a mile, IMO, but feck me he frustrates the shit out of me, I'm not having a go at him as such, I just feel this guy has all the attributes to be a superstar but always seems to play well within his true capability !!!!, I don't know what it is but I always get the impression he could do a lot more, not just for Rangers but for himself, he can get right into teams with his pace and skill but all to often he gives me the impression he looks for the easy way out, I don't know if he actually believes in himself, or maybe I think he is, could be, better than he is

Yip...........I would give him a try @ centre midfield, just to see what he would bring to the team

Been impressed with this guy since he broke into the Hertz team

Whittaker did ok, Adam not so good,the defence looked quite solid,IMO, but Scotland could not keep the ball........nothing in midfield or up front. As Fraser said............no injury to Whittaker

I think what he has to say is pretty reasonable tbh. It just didn't work out for him at Rangers and if he does go on to be a '' great player '', he certainly never showed anything while he was here to suggest this, then good luck to him.

TBH, I don't think Boyd will improve the other parts of his game that much, he is what he is IMO,

Youââ?¬â?¢ll hear it repeated ad nauseam between now and Christmas if the latest news on Maurice Edu is accurate, so you might as well read it here first: when he regains match fitness after more than four months sidelined through injury, Maurice Edu will be like a new signing for Rangers. Thereââ?¬â?¢s very little arguing with that statement: Edu showed in a short spell towards the end of last season that he has enough raw talent to make the Ã?£2.6m paid for him in the summer of 2008 look like a very shrewd investment indeed. And if Sundayââ?¬â?¢s Old Firm match was anything to go by, such talent will surely find itself in considerable demand as this season progresses. It was in the aftermath of the ââ?¬Å?boozegateââ?¬Â affair that Edu found himself called on by Walter Smith last term. Barry Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s enforced exile from first-team affairs left a breach in the middle of the park during the SPL title run-in into which the 23-year-old stepped with precisely the degree of confidence and assurance you would hope for in an American. Prior to that, his first-team appearances had been rationed. Since Rangersââ?¬â?¢ championship-winning display at Tannadice on May 24 they have been non-existent: a Darren Dods challenge just before half-time in that game put paid to his ability to train for the next three months. His return, therefore, brings a much-needed injection of quality to the Rangers engine-room, but equally valuable might be his versatility. That, at least, is the view of Steve Nicol, the former Liverpool and Scotland stalwart, who was hugely impressed by Edu when he was a Major League Soccer player with Maurice Johnsonââ?¬â?¢s Toronto FC. ââ?¬Å?Heââ?¬â?¢s a player who can perform in a number of different roles,ââ?¬Â said the 47-year-old coach of New England Revolution of a young Californian who has played for his country in midfield, at centre-back and at right-back. ââ?¬Å?Heââ?¬â?¢s not just a central midfielder. Thatââ?¬â?¢s probably where he prefers to play but heââ?¬â?¢s got that ability to step in to other positions. If you can play at centre-back itââ?¬â?¢s obvious that you have the ability to read the game, so he is a real asset.ââ?¬Â Edu, who was drafted by Toronto as the first overall pick of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, is visiting a specialist in London this week and expects to be given the green light to return to full training after several weeks of gym sessions and running. Having signed a five-year contract at Rangers last August, he was forced to bide his time in the reserves before circumstances propelled him centre-stage in April. At the time Rangers were barely hanging onto Celticââ?¬â?¢s coat-tails in the title race, but suddenly they became a far more competitive unit, in part due to Eduââ?¬â?¢s hunger and energy. Where Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s performances had been inconsistent and not infrequently flaky, Edu was physically adept, robust in the tackle and resourceful in terms of supporting the front men. Arguably his most impressive performance came in Rangersââ?¬â?¢ 1-0 win over Celtic at Ibrox in May ââ?¬â?? a shift that spoke well of his maturity and composure in the most fraught of environments. ââ?¬Å?Itââ?¬â?¢s not easy to step into Barry Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s shoes, as he was asked to do towards the end of last season,ââ?¬Â says Nicol. ââ?¬Å?When Rangers signed him heââ?¬â?¢d had less than a full season as a professional, heââ?¬â?¢d come out of college and been picked early in the draft by Maurice Johnson. Compared to most other Old Firm players, heââ?¬â?¢s inexperienced. But I think now youââ?¬â?¢ll probably see the best of him. As far as I know heââ?¬â?¢s impressed when heââ?¬â?¢s had the chance, but itââ?¬â?¢s not easy to make the switch from a completely different environment after one season as a pro, and it usually takes a while for a player to settle. ââ?¬Å?In the MLS, for such a young player he was someone Toronto relied on. You knew he was a player of real quality when you came up against him, even though he was inexperienced. He picks good positions, he defends well, but he also distributes the ball well, so youââ?¬â?¢ve a guy who has a lot of ability.ââ?¬Â Rangers may not have made any permanent signings in the most recent transfer window, but thereââ?¬â?¢s a fair chance one of their 2008 investments could be about to start paying dividends. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/maurice-edu-can-be-like-a-new-signing-for-rangers-1.924522

KRIS BOYD insisted last night he never wants to leave Rangers. But with the cash-strapped Ibrox club poised to deliver a crushing contract blow, the fans' favourite knows he might have to. SunSport revealed yesterday that Rangers have started the ball rolling on a new deal for the 26-year-old striker. But it's emerged Boyd will be forced to take a whopping drop in wages if he is to stay with his boyhood heroes. TALKS ... Walter Smith TALKS ... Walter Smith He wants a pay deal in line with other regulars in Walter Smith's first team. The former Scotland star is paid less than frontline team mates Kyle Lafferty and Kenny Miller - despite being the club's top goalscorer for the last three years. Now Boyd - who is free to talk to other clubs in January - could be forced out of Ibrox unless Gers bosses up the ante. Boyd told SunSport: "Everybody knows my feeling towards Rangers. "Everybody knows I love playing for and scoring goals for this club. "If I had my way, I wouldn't ever want to leave Rangers but it's not up to me. "It is down to the club and we'll need to wait and see what they say. I just want to concentrate on doing my best for Rangers until the end of the season and then whatever happens happens. "As far as I am aware they haven't even spoken to my agent. But they have his number so they know what they have to do. "I don't want to get involved in any contract talk through the papers because I've seen how it has affected other players in the past. "I'm not prepared to go down that road, my agent will deal with it." Boyd was taken to hospital following a clash of heads with Celtic's Landry N'Guemo in Sunday's Old Firm game. Advertisement Quantcast He was released almost immediately but will see a specialist this morning after seemingly aggravating the injury blowing his nose. He revealed: "I have a fracture in my eye socket and when I blew my nose it opened up again and that allowed some air to penetrate. "That said, it's a lot better today than what it was yesterday. "I will have a clearer idea of where I stand in the morning. "But it feels all right so that has given me hope that it's not as bad as I first thought."

KRIS BOYD has thrown down the gauntlet in an amazing challenge to the critics who've savaged him. The Rangers star turned on his tormentors last night as his patience finally snapped in the wake of yet more personal attacks. Boyd has had his fill of what he sees as over-the-top abuse - and has challenged the critics who are caning him to take him for a coaching session at Murray Park. CRITICISM ... Mark Hateley CRITICISM ... Mark Hateley The Ibrox No 9 said: "Instead of writing their columns or going on the radio and mouthing off, why don't they come in to Murray Park and show me themselves what I'm supposed to be doing wrong? "Failing that they could get my mobile number and give me a ring. "But I'd much prefer it if they came in and showed me themselves. "They could take us all for a coaching session - that would help us instead of them taking digs all the time. "We've got some very good coaches at Ibrox, but there are some out there who clearly believe they can do better. "So why don't they come in and show us? "If they care about the club as much as they say they do they should be coming in and giving us an hour of their valuable time. STICK ... Derek Johnstone STICK ... Derek Johnstone "If it makes me a better player then I'm all for it." Stick from the likes of Derek Johnstone, Mark Hateley and Charlie Nicholas has stung Boyd the most. He blasted: "You're always a better player when you've finished the game and hung up your boots. "I have been criticised since I joined Rangers, it's nothing new to me and it doesn't affect me any more. "I score goals and if I'm not then fine, criticise me. But it has gone too far. "Every time there is a Scotland game on I've got to sit and watch the TV and there's a guy there who will say I should have done this or I should have done that. "At the end of the day, I've scored more goals for my country than him. "Just because he may not like me he feels the need to have a go. Just move on mate." Three games without a goal between them in the SPL had put Boyd and strike partner Kenny Miller in the firing line ahead of Sunday's Old Firm showdown. ABUSE ... Charlie Nicholas ABUSE ... Charlie Nicholas Their response was emphatic as the pair combined to blast Rangers to victory. Yet Boyd confessed: "If you are a striker and you're not scoring then you are going to be disappointed. "I've not been happy with the start I've made to the season. But at the same time some of the criticism has been over the top. "It goes with the territory when you're at the Old Firm, but with some people it gets personal. "You sit and read the papers and you listen to what they are saying, some of them hardly even played the game. "Kenny Miller and I were laughing on Saturday. One guy, who never got out of the First Division as far as I am aware, basically said Kenny and I weren't up to the job. "Sunday was the perfect response as far as we were concerned. "It's one thing when ex-players have a go, but when others who've never even played the game start then you just have to laugh. "They'd be as well going for a cup of tea with their missus." Advertisement Hier klicken! Quantcast Boyd admits his performances so far this season haven't been good enough. He added: "I've had a poor start by my standards and that has been disappointing. "Against Celtic I was feeling better and hopefully I can build on that. But I know at the end of the day I will be judged on the goals I score. "I wear the No 9 on the back of my jersey and I play for Rangers. "That brings it's own pressure, but I know I will soon be back scoring goals. "The goals are never very far away and I will turn this around."

OOPS!!!, should have put this in the other football section