ian1964

ANDY Webster has been added to George Burley's Scotland B squad for tomorrow's meeting with Northern Ireland. Andy Webster, ScotlandThe central defender has had a tough season in terms of first team football but has been a stand out for Tommy Wilson's reserve side and has been rewarded with a return to the international scene for the first time under Burley. Webster will join preparations with fellow Ger Stevie Naismith and former team mate Chris Burke as they get ready to welcome Northern Ireland to Broadwood Stadium for a 7.30pm kick off. It will be a welcome return to Scotland duty for a player whose last cap came back in March 2006 against Switzerland when Walter Smith selected him alongside current Rangers stars Davie Weir, Christian Dailly, Kenny Miller and Barry Ferguson for his 22nd appearance in an international shirt. Gers reserve coach Wilson, who will make do without Webster for today's trip to Inverness, believes Webster is due his chance after a season of hard work. He said: "Andy has been improving as the season has gone on, he has played well for us and is looking strong. "This call up is thoroughly deserved and it will be a good preparation for him should he get a recall to the first team before the end of the season."

ALEX McLEISH is planning a spying mission at Ibrox on Saturday as he considers asking Kris Boyd and Madjid Bougherra to join him in the Premiership. Record Sport understands the Birmingham City boss, who clinched a �£40million ticket into England's top flight on Sunday, hopes to attend the Judgment Day derby in person as he begins the task of drawing up his summer shopping list. And Boyd and Bougherra are the two players he will scrutinise most closely as he contemplates a possible �£10m double summer swoop on his old club. McLeish had a bid of around �£4m accepted for Boyd in January only for the prolific striker to kill the deal stone dead by refusing to accept City's personal terms - even though he stood to pocket a cash bonus of �£200,000 had promotion. Boyd has gone on to smash through the 100-goal mark for Walter Smith's side with his finishing prowess keeping Rangers just one point behind champions Celtic as the SPL season reaches another thrilling climax. But McLeish must now make up his mind whether or not it's worth trying again to land the striker at the end of the campaign, which is why he will today attempt to secure a ticket for the match from Ibrox chief executive Martin Bain. And the impressive Bougherra is also on the radar of the Birmingham boss . ASt Andrews source told Record Sport: "It's obviously well know Alex wanted Boyd in January and he remains a possible summer target. "The irony is Boyd might find it a lot harder to score goals for a club at the wrong end of the Premiership. than he would have done had he been a part of the promotion chase. "But Alex still believes Boyd is a player who might be able to do a job for the team next season. It's something he has to consider carefully which is why he plans on heading north for Saturday's match. Bougherra's name has also been brought to Alex's attention and it will be good to see him tested in an Old Firm environment. "Carlos Cuellar made the move to the Premiership. after one season at Ibrox and has done a good job at Aston Villa. "Bougherra has filled his boots very capably at Rangers this season and might be exactly the kind of player Alex needs if he's to make Birmingham resilient enough to cope with life in the Premiership." Meanwhile, Kevin Thomson last night revealed he feels honoured to be in the running to replace Barry Ferguson as Rangers captain. The 24-year-old has been tipped by many to take over Ferguson's armband from the start of next season. Thomson, who confirmed yesterday he is ahead of schedule in his comeback from career-saving knee surgery, said: "I'm pretty sure I'm speaking on behalf of the 25 first-team boys at Rangers when I say to be linked with the captain's armband is a massive honour. "I'm sure any individual at Murray Park would die to be captain of a great club like this. "But I'm in the situation I am in. Getting fit and back playing is the only thing that really bothers me at the moment. I'm obviously not dissing the captain's armband by any stretch of the imagination. But I'm sure people appreciate the situation I am in and all my focus is on getting back playing." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2009/05/05/birmingham-chief-alex-mcleish-in-spying-trip-on-rangers-pair-boyd-bougherra-86908-21332995/

Get it done now Cammy,nothing better than a weeks build up to an OF match,especially this one

By Andrew Dickson MADJID BOUGHERRA has been named as the Rangers Player of the Year at tonight's glittering ceremony in Glasgow's Hilton Hotel. Rangers Players' Player of the Year 2009 Steven DavisThe Algerian was chosen by the club's supporters as the standout performer in Walter Smith's side this season and he succeeds the 2008 winner Carlos Cuellar. It was a night to remember for Bougherra as he also claimed the John Greig Achievement Award for the good example he has been since joining Gers from Charlton. The 26-year-old has shown great consistency in his 34 Light Blues appearances so far, scoring once against Hibernian back in September. And he was thrilled to have his efforts recognised by an Ibrox support which has taken him to their hearts in the last few months. Bougherra said: "This is fantastic for me because it is my first year here and to have two trophies really means a lot. Everything is perfect. "It was a surprise to me that I won because the likes of Steven Davis, Pedro Mendes and big Davie Weir were all in contention. "Allan McGregor and Kris Boyd were there too and each one of those players could have won it instead of me. "I am very pleased because if the fans vote for you to win, it means you have done very well. I've given everything for the team and I want to win the title. Rangers Young Player of the Year 2009 John Fleck"This is the biggest night of my career. When you win trophies like these, you have more motivation to win the title with the team as well. "I dedicate this to the Rangers fans and thank them for the trophy but this is also for the people of Algeria too. "Because I play for Rangers, there are many Rangers fans over there now and this is for them." One of the men nominated alongside Bougherra for the main prize, Steven Davis, was picked as the Players' Player of the Year. His quick feet, intelligence and work ethic have made him a real fans' favourite and he was delighted his team-mates agreed with the supporters. Davis said: "I'm really chuffed. It's really good to have your fellow professionals voting for you like that. "They're the guys I work and train with every week. I've put a lot of effort in throughout the season and I'm really pleased they recognise that." Carling Fans' Goal of the Season winner 2009 Pedro MendesCompleting the list of victors were Portuguese midfielder Pedro Mendes, 30-goal hitman Kris Boyd and youth prospect John Fleck. Mendes was given the Carling Fans' Goal of the Season award for his rasping drive in the 4-2 win over Celtic in August. Boyd was the first recipient of the Sam English Bowl, which will be awarded annually to the leading goalscorer. And Fleck retained the Young Player of the Year prize he won in 2008 for his performances since becoming a permanent member of the first-team squad this year.

KEVIN THOMSON has pleaded with Walter Smith: Make me Rangers captain. Midfielder Thommo, 24, has been crocked since November with a serious knee injury. But he revealed heââ?¬â?¢s set to be back playing in time for the start of next season. And he would love to take shamed Barry Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s place as Ibrox skipper. Thomson said: ââ?¬Å?Tony Mowbray made me his captain at Hibs, Iââ?¬â?¢ve captained the Scotland B side and now been lucky enough to be linked with the armband here. That is a big honour for me. ââ?¬Å?I donââ?¬â?¢t know why I am seen as a leader or potential captain, but itââ?¬â?¢s something I would thrive on. ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢m sure guys like Tony Mowbray have seen attributes in me to be a leader.ââ?¬Â Davie Weir took over when Ferguson was stripped of the captaincy. But Thomson, who was crocked against Kilmarnock, would love to take the role in the long-term. He added: ââ?¬Å?Itââ?¬â?¢s flattering. ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢m pretty sure Iââ?¬â?¢m speaking on behalf of the 25 first-team boys at Rangers when I say that to be linked with the captainââ?¬â?¢s armband is a massive honour. ââ?¬Å?Any pro at any club would feel that, but especially when itââ?¬â?¢s a club the size of Rangers. ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢m sure any individual at Murray Park would die to be captain of a great club like this. ââ?¬Å?But getting fit and back playing is the only thing that really bothers me at the moment.ââ?¬Â Thommo admitted his five-month rehab has been hard. He added: ââ?¬Å?Itââ?¬â?¢s been tough. From a point where you played one or two games a week to a situation where you struggle to put your socks on, is a bit of a shock. ââ?¬Å?From day one I have had to show real mental strength and character and thatââ?¬â?¢s stood me in good stead to get back playing. ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢ve worked ever so hard as well and hopefully if I do get through this the rewards will come.ââ?¬Â http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/article2411490.ece

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/8030129.stm That's the only one I could find mate?

--------Alexander Whittaker-Bougherra-Weir-Papac ----Davis-Edu-Mendes-Lafferty --------Boyd-Miller Think this will be the team Walter picks for the OF game

by Lindsay Herron SASA PAPAC is on course to return to the Rangers line-up for Saturday's Old Firm showdown. The Bosnian defender missed out on yesterday's 2-0 win over Hearts as a result of a knee injury but he should be fit take his place in the left back slot. Madjid Bougherra will also be back after his one-match suspension and Kirk Broadfoot could even be knocking at the door as he returns to top team training this week. With Kenny Miller and Kyle Lafferty already back in the squad, boss Walter Smith has considerably more options than he did a couple of weeks ago. Smith told rangers.co.uk: "Sasa has a chance of being fit. He has a knee injury. We thought he would be fit for the Hearts game but he just failed to make it so I imagine he would be OK for Saturday. "Kirk Broadfoot is also back in training this week but whether he will be ready for the game or not we will have to wait and see how he progresses."

I think Walter will play Lafferty LM, with Miller & Boyd up front

Don't know but I wouldn't mind some

Walter will be wanting to revert to his favoured 4-5-1 formation...........will it be Barry or Hemdani?

Yip,looking foward to his return..............I hope he plays well or there will be another witch hunt on

I'm not saying BF should come back into the team here. Just wondering why some players get away with things and BF doesn't, I also don't believe grown men and professionals can be put off their game because of someone moaning, and if that is true then players in other teams can also put them off, bottom line is some fans will only be happy if Fergusons head is on a pole

The same thing could be said about BF

Interesting to see him on the bench yesterday!!! RANGERS: Alexander; Dailly, McCulloch, Weir, Whittaker; Davis, Edu, Mendes, S.Smith; Velicka, Boyd. Subs: McGregor, Hemdani, Novo, Miller, Lafferty, Little, Wylde.

The MOPES HATRED of Rangers,rather than their love of their own team means they will be happy as long as anyone from Rangers don't win anything

By Andrew Dickson MO EDU reckons today's clash with Hearts was perfect preparation for next week's Old Firm derby with Celtic at Ibrox. Rangers had to dig in for their 2-0 win over a Jambos side which was physical and moved the ball about well. Mo EduIndeed, it took grit rather than guile to see the Gorgie men off - and American midfielder Edu thinks it could be a similar story when Gordon Strachan's team comes calling. As such, he feels Walter Smith's men are ideally set up to handle the white hot atmosphere of a game which will have a big say in who wins the championship. Edu said: "It was a battle against Hearts and there were a lot of times where you never got a lot of opportunities to play football. They made the game hard for us. "I think we did well to cope with that, overcome it and come out with the win. That was really important. "Against Celtic next week, we're going to have to come out and deliver. We know what we're capable of and what kind of game it's going to be. "It might just end up being a battle too and we need to be prepared for anything. We'd obviously like to go and out play the way we can but it might not be like that. "In the end, we've just got to do what we can to win. You never know if it's going to be an attractive match or not but we'll be ready for whatever happens. Rangers players celebrate"We are having to cope with a lot of different styles of play at the moment but we're getting wins and that's the biggest thing for us. "Hopefully we can go into our next game and do whatever it takes again to come out with three points." Edu was quick to praise strikers Andrius Velicka and Kris Boyd, both of whom scored in the crucial victory against Csaba Laszlo's team. While Velicka's incredible run on his return from nowhere continues, Boyd took his tally for the season to an outstanding 30 goals. Edu added: "I'm happy that they're on my side. I'm really pleased for Vela because he has come in and made the most of his opportunity to play. "What else can you say about Kris Boyd? He's a goal scorer and both players have obviously been working very hard. "They're getting goals for us but they're tracking back and defending too so I'm happy overall with how they've been playing. They've added a lot to our side."

I never said we were better with him, what I'm trying to say is he is the only midfielder we have on the books that is capable of dominating games,although he hasn't done it for a while but hasn't been any worse than any other midfielder, but Mendes & Davis cannot do it either. I am not shouting for him to be back in the team,merely giving my opinion on him as a player. We need to win the league and we are not strong enough to discard a player like BF, I just think it is up to the manager to play who he thinks will win games,there are too many fans that simply don't want BF to play because they dislike him as a person,I just want to win the league and if BF can help us to do that then fine by me.

I can see Velicka being replaced by Miller for the OF game

CELTIC midfielder Scott Brown has been named Scottish football's player of the year. The Scotland internationalist saw off competition from team-mate Gary Caldwell and Rangers pair Pedro Mendes and Steven Davis to land the prize for the first time at last night's PFA Scotland awards dinner in Glasgow. Brown, 23, was recognised for a series of dynamic displays that have helped propel Celtic to the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and to victory in the Co-operative Insurance Cup. The Parkhead outfit completed an awards double when Gordon Strachan landed the manager of the year prize for the second time. Strachan, who won the inaugural manager of the year award in 2007, beat last year's winner Billy Reid of Hamilton and Derek McInnes, who has led St Johnstone to the Irn-Bru First Division crown. Strachan signed Brown from Hibs for Ã?£4.4million almost two years ago and has since watched him blossom from a raw talent into the driving force behind Celtic's bid for a fourth straight Premier League title. "How good he'll be is what we should be looking at, that's for sure," said Strachan. "It's up to himself, really. Through his career, he's worked with good people at Hibs; hopefully, he's worked with good people at Celtic. Where he goes, I don't know. But he can play at a really high level – that's for sure." The young player of the year award went to Hamilton's teenage winger James McCarthy, who has taken the SPL by storm in his debut season. The 18-year-old had been nominated alongside team-mate James McArthur, Hearts winger Andrew Driver and Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher. After missing out on the main award, Ibrox midfielder Mendes had the consolation of picking up the goal of the season prize for his stunning long-range strike in Rangers' 4-2 Old Firm derby win at Parkhead in August. In the First Division, Leigh Griffiths of Livingston picked up the player of the year award. The striker collected the award ahead of nominees Stephen Dobbie of Queen of the South, Partick Thistle's Gary Harkins and Kevin Rutkiewicz of St Johnstone. Bryan Prunty of Ayr United lifted the Second Division award, seeing off competition from Kevin Smith of Raith Rovers, Paul Cairney of Queen's Park and East Fife's Bobby Linn. The Third Division honour went to Bobby Barr of Albion Rovers, beating Cowdenbeath pair Paul McQuade and Darren McGregor, and Kevin Motion of Stenhousemuir. A special merit award was made to the Aberdeen team who won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1983, many of whom were present. Meanwhile, Walter Smith has been named Clydesdale Bank Premier League manager of the month for April after guiding Rangers to four straight SPL wins last month. http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/sport/Scott-Brown-named-player-of.5231112.jp

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/default.stm

Absolutely, don't forget Hearts lost an entire team during the war, and they are the east coast brothers

Agreed, the Hertz Manager deserves this award IMO, Chesney or Smith doesn't, however if we do win the double the Smith should get it before Chesney, and Bougherra is the POTY

Absolutely outstanding today, I am so proud of our fans for giving the soldiers a deserved reception, they are the real heroes, I was nearly in tears at that, it makes me proud to be a Rangers fan, we should have done this next week against the scum and show them up for what they are [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhFsaRuZPQI]YouTube - 45 Commando at Ibrox 5th May 2009 "We Support Our Troops"[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdSvTkYpmwI]YouTube - Heroes Back At Ibrox 3-05-09[/ame]

Give me Barry before any of the midfield players we have playing just now any time