ian1964

I must have been watching a different game !!, I thought we were pish today and that Hearts were the better team, Mendes, Davis were shocking, Edu tried very hard but IMO no way was he our best player today, SW gets that vote followed closely by Weir, if we have any hope of winning the next OF game and subsequently the SPL title then we have to up our game at least 50%

Tell you what, he is still our best midfielder IMO, Mendes & Davis were shocking today and Edu was posted missing for most of the game, our midfield was terrible today and before all the Barry haters rattle on about our results since he has been out of the team, aye we have had good results without him but if you really believe we are better of without BF then I do think you have a problem regarding BF

This is an incredible decision, same as POTY, how can anyone win this award when we can still win a double, it's quite simply a joke and very sad of what Scotland is all about

None of the Barca players would get in our team.............they're too attack minded

KENNY MILLER has backed Rangers strike partner Kris Boyd to exorcise his top-six demons and blast the Ibrox side to the SPL title. Hitman Boyd has smashed in 29 goals this season and clocked up a sensational century of strikes in 112 starts since he arrived from Kilmarnock in 2006. Yet his critics point to the fact that only four of his goals this season have come against teams in the top six and claim Boyd is only deadly against dud defences. But Miller believes his buddy is ready to blast that myth into oblivion by continuing this season's scoring spree against Rangers' rivals - with defending champions Celtic top of his hitlist at Ibrox on Saturday. Speaking exclusively to Sport of the World, Miller said: "It's the one thing Kris' critics throw in his face all the time, that he only scores against teams in the lower half of the league. "Well the last time I looked at the table, Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and Dundee United were in the top six and Kris has scored against all of them this season. He polarises opinion. You either love him or hate him "Celtic remain the one team he hasn't scored against this season, but the way he is playing at the moment, I'd back him to put that right when it matters most - at Ibrox. "To be honest I don't care who scores for us in that game, as long as it's a winner. "Neil Alexander or Allan McGregor can come up for a corner in injury time and nod one home and you won't hear any complaints from the strikers. "But to be honest, Kris could bang in a hat-trick in the Old Firm game and some people would still say: 'He doesn't do that very often'. "He's just that type of player. He polarises opinion. You either love him or hate him. There aren't too many who sit on the fence when it comes to giving an opinion on him. The thing is the criticism doesn't get to him. He really doesn't care what anyone else thinks. He just gets on with the job of scoring goals and lets his tally at the end of the season do the talking for him. "And remember, he's still only 25 and improving all the time. "At the start of the season people were harping on about his work-rate and saying he could put himself about more and get involved in the build-up play more. "Not even his harshest critic could claim he hasn't improved that side of his game this season. "He took what the manager and Ally McCoist said on board and he did something about it. Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd "That's why I believe he could be in for a very special end to the season because he's in form going into the home straight. "Can you imagine the boost it would give him if he could score against Hearts and then follow it up with a crucial goal in the Old Firm game? "That's the kind of impact goal which could turn the title race in our favour and Kris, fresh from scoring his 100th Rangers goal last week, is in the mood to get it." Miller knows better than anyone what it feels like to score for Gers in an Old Firm game, having helped himself to a precious double against the Hoops on his return to Celtic Park in August. He also appreciates how hard it is to score any SPL goals and has nothing but admiration for the way Boyd knocks them in week after week. Miller has bagged a dozen goals of his own this season, 17 less than goal-machine Boyd. He added: "People go on about this top-six, bottom-six split as though there is a massive difference in standard. "Obviously the best defenders tend to play for the teams at the top of the table, but when you play the teams at the other end of the league they are fighting for their lives. They pack their defences and try desperately to give nothing away, so it's always tough. God help any defender who gives him an inch in there "With the possible exception of Celtic, everyone defends in numbers against us. It's our job to find a way through that, though, and no one in the SPL is better at that than Kris Boyd. "So to suggest that he won't score in our last five SPL matches is just crazy. I doubt Kris has gone five games in his entire life without scoring! "He's bang on form and his game is always the same. He comes alive in the box like no other striker I know. "That's his domain and God help any defender who gives him an inch in there. "The most frustrating game we've played this season was at home to Hibs just before Christmas. "They packed their defence and set themselves out to make it virtually impossible to find a way through. It was like coming up against a brick wall. "They played two centre-halves in the middle of the park, then had a back four behind them and their two wide players in midfield also doubled back to help out their full-backs. "It was as tight a defence as we've been up against. It was like a European tie and no one could find any space. Then Boydy popped up after an hour to score the only goal of the game. "That's all he needs - just one chance and he can bury you. "Even at international level he scored seven goals in 15 appearances for Scotland, and you certainly don't play against any dud defenders at international level. But Kris knows he is always going to be knocked for the way he plays. "I just get the impression he knows he has a huge part to play in this title run-in and he knows he can really stuff a lot of words back down people's throats by coming up with the goods in our final five SPL games. "Can you imagine the lift he would give himself and the whole team if he does score against Celtic next week, with just three league games to go? It might not make Kris Boyd's season - but it could break Celtic's. "That's the kind of momentum he could then carry all the way to the Scottish Cup Final and I suspect there really would be no stopping him then. "It would be the biggest two fingers up to his critics ever, but we'd better not go there." http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/scottish/scottish_sport/287687/Kris-is-a-ghostbuster-Kenny-Miller-Kris-Boyd-Rangers.html

RANGERS have been handed a timely boost ahead of today's game against Hearts with Walter Smith being named Clydesdale Bank Manager of the Month for April. Walter Smith wins the Clydesdale Bank Manager of the Month award for April 2009The manager has guided the club to four consecutive league victories against Falkirk, St. Mirren, Motherwell and Hibs and to the Scottish Cup final thanks to a 3-0 win over St. Mirren at Hampden on April 25. The results have kept the Light Blues' double hopes alive and they will be looking to make it six wins on the bounce this afternoon when they face Csaba Laszlo's Jambos at Ibrox. Rangers were three points behind Celtic at the top of the league at the start of April but they managed to close the gap to just a point with Gordon Strachan's men taking ten points from a possible twelve during the same period.

Steady Johnny boy..............you started on that home brew cider already

Setanta are showing another game,Liverpool I think

Also, I believe the MOPES have never played a team three times away in any season,could be wrong but think I am correct

I think if we can get him on a free, and his wages are reasonable then he would be a good signing as he is a fit guy, just look how well Weir has played for us and Hermann Hreidarsson is a top professional with bags of experience

Just couple , I still think we will win the SPL :box:, I TAKE IT YOU DON'T

Don't know how anybody else feels ?, but for me we are going to win the league this season, and the Scottish Cup, I've seen enough in the last 2-3 games to make me believe we will do it, if we can't win the title back this season then we don't deserve to win it, I do not fear anyone and it is there for us to win it, and I believe we will

So would I, however I'd like to see Adam played in his best/natural position of CM before writing him off

Never mind,we will take care of the Hertz then hump the hoops

2-1...........monkey bastards

1-1 og.......................mopes bastards

1-0 to the sheep

SICK thieves have stolen a fans' memorial to Celtic legend Tommy Burns, a fortnight before the first anniversary of his death. The "God Bless Tommy Burns" banner has been torn down from outside the Glasgow church where his funeral was held. We can reveal that the green and white sign - put up by fans after the 51-year-old lost his battle with cancer on May 15 last year - is being hawked around east end pubs. The poignant tribute had been fitted to a billboard next to St Mary's RC church in Abercromby Street in Calton, where thousands of fans joined football heroes at Burns's funeral. It's understood it was paid for by a local supporters' group. All that remains now are the severed ropes used to hang it and a tattered corner from where it was ripped down. The Record has been passed a photograph of it being shown off in a Gallowgate bar. An underworld source who watched it being passed around one pub said: "The guys who nicked the sign have been parading it around several bars over the last few days as some kind of trophy. "But it's not going down well with the fans. To see the sign being hawked around pubs is heartbreaking. Anyone with a shred of decency would put the sign back where it belongs, at the chapel. "Apparently, some people in the Blackpool area wanted it but it looks like the deal has fallen through because of the bad reaction." Burns had a lifelong connection to the Calton area and regularly attended St Mary's. To mark the first anniversary of his death, the club have just launched a tribute DVD, Faithful Through And Through, featuring footage of the star's glittering career and his life as a dedicated family man. And on May 31, a team of former Parkhead stars will take on the current first team in a benefit match to celebrate Burns's life. It will feature ex-players such as Pierre Van Hooijdonk, Stilian Petrov, Paul McStay, Murdo MacLeod, George McCluskey, Neil Lennon, John Hartson, Paul Lambert and Alan Stubbs, with more to be confirmed. On the day of the match, Burns's widow Rosemary will unveil a bronze statue of him outside Celtic Park. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2009/05/02/exclusive-fury-as-sick-thieves-steal-banner-tribute-to-tommy-burns-86908-21325609/

By Andrew Dickson POLL Rangers fans for their favourite moment supporting the club and some obvious choices will crop up. The Cup Winners' Cup victory against Dynamo Moscow in 1972 is one, the night Nine in a Row was clinched at Tannadice a quarter of a century later another. Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Sergio Porrini celebrate at the final whistleSo too is the day the Light Blues went to Parkhead and won their 48th league title with an emphatic 3-0 win over Celtic in Dick Advocaat's first season as manager at Ibrox. It's hard to believe that this today it is exactly 10 years since Neil McCann's double and a Jorg Albertz penalty led to that dramatic victory. For most Gers supporters, memories of the day remain as vivid now as they were in the weeks that followed their team's remarkable triumph. Scheduled to start at 6.05pm so that it could be broadcast live by Sky Sports, a lot of people reflect on what unfolded over the next 90 minutes for the wrong reasons. Generally regarded - maybe even accepted - as Scotland's shame game, it was a match in which referee Hugh Dallas was struck by a coin and several home fans invaded the pitch. Three players were also sent off and a man fell from the second tier of the Jock Stein Stand as many of those in attendance let the occasion get the better of them. Yet as it was, the visiting Light Blues support's behaviour wasn't in question and the club's only blemish back then was Rod Wallace's red card four minutes from full time. Rangers fans celebrate winning the league at ParkheadIt consequently goes down as one of Rangers' greatest Old Firm victories and on the day they claimed their 100th derby success, taking the title too made it so much sweeter. A decade on, the SPL's decision not to have such a match deciding the outcome of the championship again - a ruling made in the aftermath - stands firm. That's why Rangers and Celtic will meet for the final time this term on May 9 - a date when it's impossible for either team to win the league on the day - rather than later on. There's something sad about that when you consider the side that came out on top in 1999 played little part in the shameful scenes witnessed at Parkhead. For everyone with Ibrox connections, the way Gers took their Glasgow rivals on in Advocaat's debut season and won on their own patch is to be celebrated. The Little General's men were the better team on the day and better over the course of the season as they went on to take the silverware by six points. Jorg Albertz celebratesNeil McCann gave Rangers an early lead on 13 minutes when he poked in Wallace's low, fast cross after he had been released by Giovanni van Bronckhorst. And Albertz made it 2-0 from the spot on the stroke of half-time to spark bedlam at both ends, given Dallas had been treated after being hit on the head by a coin seconds earlier. It says much about the former official that he called every major decision in the game correctly, including Vidar Riseth's foul on Tony Vidmar that led to the penalty. It may say more about Albertz that of the 76 goals he scored for the club, his finish in the city's east end was one of his coolest as he sent keeper Stewart Kerr the wrong way. "It wasn't hard for me to concentrate on the penalty because I liked making decisions like that on the park," the German said. Jorg Albertz and Giovanni van Bronckhorst celebrate the German's penalty making it 2-0"I knew that if I missed we would probably have allowed Celtic back into the game but I was strong enough mentally to cope. "In fact, I was looking forward to taking the kick. It was probably the most important one of my career because of what was at stake. "It was the best atmosphere I've ever played in that day at Parkhead but it was also the most dangerous. "It was only one or two idiots who ran on to the pitch to take a swipe at Dallas and in hindsight it could have been a lot worse had others decided to charge on. "You get nervous when you see people running on to the park but the majority of fans would never think of doing that. "You always get abuse from fans when you go away but that's part of the game - it's more serious when people start trying to attack the referee. "Dallas deserved a lot of respect for how he handled the situation as it was all going off around him when he awarded us the penalty. "When you watched the game back on television later, you saw that every call he made proved to be right." Neil McCann scores his second goal and Rangers' thirdMcCann - now at Falkirk - ensured Gers would be crowned champions when he slotted in the clincher 15 minutes from full-time. Moved inside to support Gabriel Amato up front, Advocaat's decision to give the little winger a slightly different role was a masterstroke as it paid off handsomely. Substitute Jonatan Johansson threaded him in on goal with a cute touch and McCann rounded Kerr to slot into the empty net. But his run took him straight in the direction of seething Celtic fans as he celebrated and it goes without saying that he was quick to veer away from them again. McCann said: "I knew as soon as I had scored the third we were champions but I was also conscious of what was going on around me. "I didn't want to cause a riot with my celebrations and my momentum was carrying me towards the Celtic fans so I had to slam the brakes on pretty quickly. "As I changed direction and I started to run towards the Rangers fans, I definitely let myself go a little bit more but that's not surprising. Neil McCann celebrates his second goal and Rangers' third"Scoring the goal that clinched the championship was a great honour and it is something I will never forget. It was a great feeling. "I was delighted with both goals because I was just looking for us to win the game and to score twice was out of this world. "The first was very special for me because it put us in a very good position and set the ball rolling. "But my second was my favourite because I knew that as soon as I had rounded the keeper we had won the championship." Of course, the shameful incidents at Parkhead 10 years ago weren't on the same scale as some of the troubles at previous Old Firm games. Exactly 100 years back, for example, fans of both sides rioted for four hours when it was decided extra-time would not be played in a Scottish Cup final replay between the clubs. As the trophy was withheld, troublemakers tore down barricades, lit fires and fought with police and it was a similar story in running battles after the 1980 final at Hampden. Rod Wallace and Jonatan Johansson congratulate Neil McCann on his second goalWhat happened in 1999 has still left a lasting impression though and from Gers' point of view, it was for keeping their heads when others were losing theirs. "It was an incredible match and the whole experience is something I'll never forget," McCann added. "It was the most amazing atmosphere I've ever played in. "I thought it was all going to boil over when Dallas was hit by a coin and a couple of fans started to stream on to the pitch. "I think we were all a bit scared as we thought about the consequences but we had to retain our concentration and just get on with the game. "The majority of the players involved managed to keep their cool but there were a few who lost it. "I didn't understand some of the Celtic players who lost the place because they must have known what was at stake for their club. "Probably the pressure and atmosphere on the night got to them but I was pleased we held it together and I think we deserved our win. "To go there and win the championship was obviously very special for everyone involved with Rangers." For Advocaat, claiming his first title in Scotland gave him the second part of what was to become a magnificent Treble. Lorenzo Amoruso celebrates at the final whistleThe sixth in the club's history, it was completed when Wallace's strike gave Rangers a single-goal Old Firm victory in the Scottish Cup final four weeks later. Advocaat went on to win the league and Scottish Cup again before stepping aside and making way for Alex McLeish to take his place in the hot seat in December 2001. His first campaign was undoubtedly his best at the Ibrox helm and even he couldn't have imagined it going so well. Advocaat said: "It was a big occasion for the Rangers fans to win that game against Celtic and we were very proud to have done that for them. "I was absolutely delighted with the way we both played and controlled ourselves. I think we deserved the championship over the course of that season. "We lost the first game then went top after the third match and from then on we stayed there. We deserved a lot of credit for that. "When you look at what we did in Europe and our triumphs in the championship, Scottish Cup and the League Cup, I don't think it could have gone any better. "I'm a person who likes to win and that year was a good one for me. What we achieved in that season exceeded my expectations."

Charlie Adam last night revealed he will be unable to contribute to Rangers' Clydesdale Bank Premier League title challenge because of red tape over his registration. Adam has been on loan to Blackpool since February but their Coca-Cola Championship season ends against Swansea tomorrow. The 23-year-old midfielder hoped it would free him up to return to Ibrox for their remaining league games and the Scottish Cup final. Adam will return to Scotland days before next weekend's final Old Firm game of the season but has accepted that tomorrow's Blackpool fixture will be the last game he can play this season after looking into his contract situation. advertisement "My contract at Blackpool runs out on June 2," he said. "I had thought that I could go back and play again for Rangers. But the rules are the rules. I think it's because it's two different national associations involved and another international transfer, which means that I can't be registered to play again for Rangers this season. I'm a wee bit disappointed about it, to be honest." Adam made only nine appearances for Rangers this season before leaving on loan but two of those were Old Firm games. Manager Walter Smith appreciated his discipline and defensive work-rate as a wide midfielder and gave him starts at Parkhead in August and again when Celtic were at Ibrox on December 27. It was his last appearance before leaving for Blackpool on the final day of the January transfer window. Since then he has watched from Lancashire as the Old Firm had a 0-0 league draw in February and Celtic beat Rangers in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final the following month. "I came in for the first Old Firm game and we won 4-2," he said. "My last game was the 1-0 defeat. You never want to miss those games. It's been tough not being involved in the big games but I've had major games down here as well, playing for Blackpool against some big sides." http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.2505613.0.Red_tape_scuppers_Adams_Old_Firm_return.php

STEVIE SMITH believes that Rangers now have a winning mentality that will be vital in the SPL title run-in. Steven SmithThe 23-year-old has been impressed with the way his side have battled through adversity to win their last five games in the league and Scottish Cup. Injuries have mounted in recent weeks and Madjid Bougherra will now miss Sunday's crucial showdown with Hearts at Ibrox due to suspension. Walter Smith has had to use utilise his entire squad in games leading up to the split but Stevie is confident whoever steps in to replace his Algerian teammate will give 100 per cent for the cause. He said: "I think the team will go in to the match on Sunday with confidence regardless of who is playing. "In the past four or five games now the boys have shown a determination to win football matches and that has been so important. "Hearts came to Ibrox the last time and sneaked a 2-2 draw but that was a game I thought we played well in, especially in the first-half. "But this weekend's game is a must win situation for us regardless of the result between Celtic and Aberdeen and we will be fully focused on the job. "Everybody always wants to play well and put in a good performance and that would be great on Sunday if we can do that. "But getting three more points is all that matters and if it is a scrappy 1-0 victory I would take that ahead of next week's Old Firm game. Steven Smith in action against Motherwell "We are without Madjid which is a blow; he is a big presence at the back and I think he has been brilliant for us this season. "He wins the ball in the air and can cover a lot of ground with his pace. "He will be a loss but we have players that can come in and whoever takes his place will give everything to help the team. "We have big Lee back in the squad who can fill in and Christian is there as well. "He can play in almost every position; he is a fit guy and has experience of playing in big games. He can come in and handle that no problem at all." Stevie hopes that Rangers can get off to a good start on Sunday and believes his side have the firepower to shoot down Csaba Laszlo's men. He added: "I think we need to start well and get the fans on our side, they will play a big part in the next couple of weeks. "An early goal would be great to settle any nerves but if we don't manage to do that we know we have the players at any stage of a match that can hit the net. "Boydy has been brilliant in recent weeks and if we get the ball to him there is always a chance he will put it away. "But it's great that both Andrius and Kenny scored against St. Miren last week and they will be confident that they can also score given the chance."

It's free to have a go guys

If the MOPES sing this at the youth game,26 seconds in,then I wonder what they would be like if the soldiers were paraded in front of them at Ibrox [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJKjenjiQxc]YouTube - rangers v celtic reserve league clincher 28-4-09 part 1[/ame]

by Lindsay Herron PEDRO MENDES has proved his fitness to be ready for Sunday's vital Hearts clash but it looks like Sasa Papac will miss out. The other good news is that, as reported yesterday, Kyle Lafferty is back in the squad while Lee McCulloch is also available again. Mendes trained with the squad this morning at Murray Park and Smith said: "Pedro, Kyle and Lee are all back with us and they are in the squad for Sunday. "Mendes took a nasty knock last week on the top of the knee but it was just bruising and there was no ligament damage. We will check that there is no reaction but we don't expect there will be and we expect him to be OK. "Papac is a doubt, however, and of course we have Madjid Bougherra suspended so with Kirk Broadfoot still injured we are a bit stretched at the back. "We will miss Bougherra because has been playing very well but the lads who have come in before have done very well. The last time we played Hearts, for example, we had Lee McCulloch and Christian Dailly made up our central defensive partnership so hopefully we won't miss him that much." He has options for the centre back role with Dailly, McCulloch or perhaps Andy Webster coming in for what would be his first top team game of the season. Smith confirmed today that Webster is in the squad and could feature. He said: "Andy will be involved in Sunday's squad. "Obviously his career here has not gone the way he would have wanted it to go and that's down mainly to injury. He has missed most of my time here. He has been fit for the past few months but it takes time to get back into the squad." Papac suffered an ankle gash against St Mirrren on April 5 and it could be that Stevie Smith, who has been playing in midfield, moves back to play in his normal left back slot. DaMarcus Beasley was back in training today but Smith will wait before making a decision on his inclusion. The American was hurt in the same St Mirren game as Papac, suffering rib damage.

Watch the wee ball boy about 10 seconds in.........GIRUY