ian1964

Anti football ???

"Celtic devote a lot of resources to their reserve team, so for us to challenge them for so long is a credit to the players here. Not sure what he means by that quote ? Webster is one player I think most Rangers fans would like to see getting fit and playing like we all know he can,let's hope he is injury free and can start showing his worth

My crystal ball doesn't stretch that far in front

MOPES to drop points against the sheep...........Rangers to win their next two games

by Alison McConnell RANGERS star Pedro Mendes today confirmed he expects to be fit for the visit of Hearts on Sunday afternoon. The Portuguese midfielder was injured in Saturday's Scottish Cup victory over St Mirren amid fears that he had suffered serious ligament damage. Despite the fact he is fit, Mendes was scathing about the tackle from Will Haining that led to him being stretchered off. Reader Poll Should Rangers fans get a bigger share of tickets for the Scottish Cup final than their oppenents, Falkirk? Yes No Don't know "I should be OK to play this weekend," said Mendes. "My knee swelled up quite a bit but I should be fit. "If my foot had been planted on the pitch, then that kind of tackle could have broken my leg. "These are some of the tackles that can happen in Scotland; it is a harder, tougher and faster kind of football than the English Premier League." Mendes has been nominated for the SPFA Player of the Year award, but maintains that his main focus is on securing the title for the Ibrox side. "I am more worried about winning the SPL title and the Scottish Cup," he said. "We are one point behind Celtic in the league and we now have the final as well at the end of May. But Celtic still have to come to Ibrox and everything is in our own hands. We can have a great season and win two prizes. "So I am more concerned with that than any individual award." http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2504774.0.0.php

And what's wrong with that team?

RANGERS Reserves will be doing everything in their power to stop rivals Celtic clinching an eighth consecutive SPL title at Ibrox this afternoon. Willie McStay's side are currently six points clear at the top with a game in-hand and will be crowned champions if they avoid defeat . The biggest challenge facing Tommy Wilson today will be naming his starting eleven as the first-team squad is already stretched going in to the split and the club's under-19s face Hibs in the final of the SFA Youth Cup tomorrow night. Steven Naismith, Andy Webster, Aaron, John Fleck and Graeme Smith are all expected to feature alongside under-21 stars including Andrew Little and Steven Lennon. Today's Old Firm showdown will kick-off at 2pm. Entry to the match is via East Enclosure turnstiles (26 and 27) only and turnstiles will be open from 1pm. Season ticket holders can take in this game for free on production of their smartcard at turnstile 26. Non season ticket holders can also come along to cheer on the Reserves - kids go free and adults can watch the game for just �£5 - simply turn up on the day and pay at East Enclosure turnstile 27 (cash only). There will be free parking in the Albion car park adjacent to the stadium.

BIRMINGHAM and Newcastle will fight it out over Ã?£4million Madjid Bougherra ââ?¬â? but only if Rangers LOSE the SPL title. Cash-starved Gers will have to sell some stars if they donââ?¬â?¢t pip Celtic to the crown. The Ibrox club are desperate for the Ã?£15million passport direct into the Champions League that comes with the title. And if they donââ?¬â?¢t get it, Algerian ace Bougherra will be high on the list of potential summer departures. Newcastle were keen on the stopper, 26, during the January transfer window and they still want him. They would only move if they keep their Premiership status ââ?¬â? while Birmingham will only bid if they go up. Former Gers gaffer Alex McLeish needs a win at Reading on Sunday to guarantee an instant return to the top flight. But itââ?¬â?¢s understood Bougherra is high on his wish list should he lead City into the cash-rich Premiership. French championship pacesetters Marseille have also had the ex-Charlton star watched this season. But Bougherra would prefer to stay in Britain as he believes his style of play is better suited to the game here. Fresh doubts over the playerââ?¬â?¢s long-term future were raised after the Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren on Saturday. Speaking in a radio interview, he appeared to hint that heââ?¬â?¢d leave if Gers didnââ?¬â?¢t win the title. Those remarks were subsequently retracted in a statement on the clubââ?¬â?¢s website. Bougherra said: ââ?¬Å?I have to say to the fans that I have no intention of leaving.ââ?¬Â SunSport understands he is committed to Walter Smithââ?¬â?¢s side and is happy to stay for the long haul. He wants to sample the Champions League with Gers and is keen to plant roots in Glasgow after several moves over the past five years. But itââ?¬â?¢s believed heââ?¬â?¢s also aware that he is likely to be sold if Gers miss out on the financial bonus of direct entry to the Champions League. http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/article2398932.ece

It was a sarcastic comment in response to Gazzas thoery

Looks like they are doomed then

DANNY WILSON admits that leading Rangers out at Hampden in this week's SFA Youth Cup final will be one of the proudest moments of his life. Danny Wilson, RangersThe 17-year-old central defender is seen as being one of the most talented young players in the country and has been a stand-out as skipper of Billy Kirkwood's under-19s. Like his coach he was gutted to miss out on League glory this season after Hibs clinched the title on Friday but he will be doing everything in his power to stop the Edinburgh side doing the double at the national stadium. He said: "Playing at Hampden is going to very special for all the players and I am really looking forward to it. "When you are growing up you always dream of leading your team out in a cup final and I will be very proud to do that for Rangers. "It's a very big game for us after we lost out on the league last week and we want to finish the season by winning a trophy. "Hibs, of course, are a strong team this year and they have their sights set on the double. "We have played them twice this season and they have been tight games so I expect this one to be the same. "It will be tough but I am confident we can win the trophy for the third season in a row." Cheer on the young guns at Hampden on Wednesday 29th April. The match kicks off at 7.30pm and there will be a cash gate on the night with tickets priced at �£5 for adults and �£2 for children and senior citizens.

By Andrew Dickson RANGERS have confirmed Pedro Mendes' thigh injury is not as bad as was first feared after a hospital scan today. Following tests, the Portuguese midfielder - who has heavy bruising - will now recuperate for a few days with a view to returning to training at the end of the week. Pedro Mendes and Gary CaldwellIt remains to be seen if he will be risked in Sunday's home meeting with Hearts, especially with the Old Firm derby coming just six days later. And it could be that the former Champions League winner is given as much time as he needs to ensure he's ready for the vital clash with Celtic on May 9. News that Mendes is not as seriously hurt as he appeared when he was carried off in the first half of Saturday's 3-0 Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren is a major boost. And manager Walter Smith has been given a further lift as Lee McCulloch, Sasa Papac and DaMarcus Beasley are all hopeful of being involved at the weekend. Kirk Broadfoot and Kyle Lafferty are also closing in on comebacks - with the latter having every chance of playing in the derby - as Gers' injury crisis finally clears. Smith said: "It was a nasty knock Pedro took and a fairly painful one but it has had a bit of time to calm down now. Pedro Mendes holds his injured knee"There's no ligament damage there and we're hopeful it will settle down further over the next few days. "There is still a possibility he will be fit for this week's game against Hearts and that's a big relief for us. "At this stage of the season, we need everybody to be fit and especially in midfield because we've been without Kevin Thomson for a lot of the season. "When you're a man down in one area, you don't want to lose anyone else through injury or suspensions. "The news on Pedro is good for us and if the majority of our players can remain fit and we get others back, it will be a big help in our last half dozen games."

By IAN BLACK BAYERN MUNICH today fired coach Jurgen Klinsmann and appointed Jupp Heynckes for the final five games of the season. Klinsmann's fate was sealed after a meeting with club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, general manager Uli Hoeness and director Karl Hopfner today. He has been in charge of the defending Bundesliga champions since last July, but failed to take the club to the top of the table. advertisement Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Schalke left the club three points adrift of league leaders Wolfsburg with five games of the season to go. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2504544.0.0.php

by Matthew Lindsay RANGERS officials are often asked by dignitaries from visiting clubs and their own supporters why there is no club museum. After all, the Glasgow giants, founded way back in 1873, have a rich and colourful history which would fascinate anybody with a love of football. Yet, the answer to these queries is always the same - Ibrox Stadium itself displays all of the items which are of histor-ical significance to the Gers. The many articles of clothing, caps, photographs, paintings, medals, miscellaneous pieces of memorabilia and trophies inside the world-famous Govan ground tell Rangers' remarkable story eloquently. That is especially true now that the exhibits which will be on show to visitors on tours of the Category B-listed building have been extensively updated and expanded. For instance, mementoes from the club's epic run to the Uefa Cup Final in Manchester last year - including the medal which manager Walter Smith collected after the game with Zenit St Petersburg - can now be seen in the breathtaking trophy room. Sandy Jardine, the legendary former player who now works at Rangers as player recruitment and welfare manager, has been heavily involved in the extensive overhaul. He said: "There are a lot of great stadiums in the world. There are some wonderful brand new stadiums. "But not many of them have a trophy room like we do. As soon as you walk in it has a wow affect. "Over the last four or five months we have taken it and changed it a bit. Because we had new memorabilia we have taken all the pennants and put them up high where everybody can still see them. We have put new memorabilia around the wall. But we also still have extremely old pieces of memorabilia as well. "We have the original of the constitution of the club in 1874. It tells you the rules, tells you what the club will be called, what the strip will be like, and the people who will be involved, Moses McNeil, people like that. Jardine added: "But we have many other things. We have Willie Waddell's handwritten team for the European Cup- Winners' Cup Final in 1972. "It is written on the morning of the match. He still hadn't decided what the team was. One position was between Penman, Conn and Parlane. "We have the handwritten team lines drawn up by manager Scot Symon at the Grand Hotel and handed to the referee before the very first European final we played in 1960. "In those days European competitions weren't as regulated and didn't have the same back-up and admin. "Whenever we win a cham-pionship we put a miniature of the league flag up on the wall in the trophy room. We have a world record of 51. Hopefully, we will get another one to add to our collection at the end of the season." While Rangers fans could spend hours poring over the many exhibits in the well-stocked trophy room, the same is true of other stops on the tour - the old manager's office as well as the impressive Blue Room. Jardine continued: "We have manager memorabilia in the office. We have the typewriter that Mrs Dallas, Bill Struth's secretary, used to type letters. "It has Rangers headed notepaper from 1925 in it. We have the ink stand which used to sit on the table. Any player who signed for the club would have used that ink to put pen to paper. We have Bill Struth's walking stick for his bad leg. "We have the decanter set which was given to Willie Waddell on the occasion of the completion of the redevelopment of Ibrox Stadium. We have the actual phone, complete with its original phone number Ibrox 1858, which Scot Symon used to use." The Blue Room, with its murals of Rangers managers, chairmen and captains on the mosaic walls, is one of the most eye-catching in the stadium and it has also been changed this year to celebrate the club's most memorable matches. Jardine explained: "We have photographs and medals of the most significant games in the club's history through the years. We have the first medal which was ever won by the club in 1879 in the Glasgow Charity Cup and medals from all the European finals we have been involved in. "The club have acquired the medals through auctions. Either that or they were loaned to us or we have just found them in the safe." Former Rangers players have also been happy to donate the Scotland caps they have won for their country so they can take their place alongside the greatest players ever to turn out for the club. Jardine said: "We have the greatest collection of caps in the world. They date from 1892 right to the present day." And if Rangers have their way, there will be many more additions in the years to come. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2504524.0.rangers_trophy_room_is_in_a_different_league.php

One hundred goals for Rangers? Aye, but what else has he done?' It is hard to think of another player who divides opinion as much as Kris Boyd. It may take the striker's eventual retirement from football before a measured and reflective assessment of his achievements and talents can be properly made. Given he is only 25, and in relative rude health, we may have to just put up with another seven or eight years of claim and counter-claim in the meantime. Boyd's goal against St Mirren in Saturday's Homecoming Scottish Cup semi-final brought up his century in Rangers colours, to add to the 68 he bagged for Kilmarnock and his seven Scotland goals. He is undoubtedly the most consistently prolific scorer in Scottish football but acclaim has not been universal and is traditionally delivered with caveats attached. Scott McDonald, his only real modern-day peer when it comes to the art of regularly finding the net, is lauded not only for his goals but for his endeavour and unstinting work ethic as well. St Mirren's chances of springing a shock on Saturday were weakened by an injury to Craig Dargo, a striker who rarely scores but drags himself tirelessly across the pitch unsettling defenders and creating space for others. advertisement Boyd, for all there has been a marked improvement in his all-round game this season, is not renowned for tracking back, making dangerous runs into the channels, or unselfish acts. His talent is an unerring ability to put the ball in the net, whether it is from three yards or 30. Should that not be enough? There is an obsession in this country with players "working hard" and "giving 100%". We become suspicious of those, like Boyd, we think are lazy and therefore not making a substantial contribution to the greater good. Conversely, praise is showered on teams who have battled valiantly but failed. I can't fault the boys for effort,' is an oft-repeated paean of the defeated manager, as if trying hard at your job is something worthy of congratulation rather than a given. Granted, football is evolving. The modern striker is often utilised in a 4-5-1 formation and expected to be the pivot in all his team's attacks rather than just a goalscorer. Boyd cannot play this role. He is no Didier Drogba or Francesco Totti. He has limitations in his ability, fitness, and vision. But played alongside someone who can perform this role, Kenny Miller for example, in a 4-4-2 system and Boyd invariably scores. His goal on Saturday, trundled low past Mark Howard after Steven Davis had put it on a plate for him, and took him to 29 for the season. He has scored at least 20 goals in every campaign since making the move from Kilmarnock at the start of 2006. It has not been enough to earn him a nomination for the Player of the Year award, a surprising snub from his fellow professionals. There is no doubt that Boyd does not command the same respect for his achievements, from his fellow players, sections of the media, and even some supporters, that was bestowed unconditionally on Ally McCoist or Henrik Larsson, goal-getters of some repute. That may be partly to do with the aforementioned personal limitations, his sullen media persona - in stark contrast to his chirpy personality away from the cameras - or his decision to turn his back on the Scottish national team at the end of last year. There is also recurring criticism that he traditionally fails to score in the games that really matter, against Celtic and in Europe. David Weir, his Rangers team-mate, acknowledged those flaws but felt Boyd has it in him to make further improvements. "I'm not sure of the statistics but if there are less goals against the top six teams then that is something he will work on and something he will do," Weir said. "If he gets a chance, he is more than likely to score - whoever it is against. "He is still a young man and I think a lot of people brush that under the carpet. He is learning his trade and doing so in a tough environment. You don't get much time at Rangers to bed in or make improvements. Everything is about the finished article and the end product. But he doesn't let things affect him. He knows what he does best and I think Kris would admit that is how he answers his critics: he puts the ball in the net. As long as he is doing that, then people can snipe all they want." Boyd's future at Rangers is uncertain. Only the player's stubborn refusal to move south prevented Birmingham City from signing him for �£3m in January. Rangers' deteriorating financial health plus the St Andrews' side's potential elevation into the Barclays Premier League could tempt Alex McLeish return in the summer for the striker he signed for Rangers. Should Boyd somehow end up staying at Ibrox, Weir can only foresee more of the same from the player. "Can I imagine him scoring another 100 goals for Rangers? Yeah, definitely. As long as Kris is fit and in the team, he will put away the chances that the team creates. The thing with Kris is that he likes football and wants to be the best he can. If you have that attitude then you will go a long way. We wouldn't swap him for anybody." http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.2504444.0.Firstclass_century_and_out_for_Kris_Boyd.php

1 Wolverhampton 45 14 5 3 43 21 12 4 7 36 31 27 87 2 Birmingham 45 14 5 4 30 17 8 9 5 22 19 16 80 3 Sheff Utd 45 12 6 5 35 22 10 7 5 29 17 25 79 4 Reading 44 12 5 5 39 15 8 9 5 30 23 31 74 5 Cardiff 45 14 5 4 40 23 5 12 5 25 29 13 74 6 Burnley 45 13 5 4 38 23 7 8 8 30 37 8 73 7 Preston 45 15 3 4 37 19 5 8 10 27 34 11 71 8 Swansea 45 11 9 2 40 21 5 11 7 23 28 14 68 9 Ipswich 45 7 9 6 28 25 9 6 8 32 27 8 63 10 Bristol City 45 7 13 3 30 23 8 3 11 24 27 4 61 11 QPR 45 12 7 4 28 19 3 9 10 13 23 -1 61 12 Sheff Wed 45 10 6 6 25 14 5 7 11 25 44 -8 58 13 Doncaster 45 9 5 9 16 18 8 2 12 26 34 -10 58 14 Crystal Palace 45 9 7 6 26 19 6 4 13 26 36 -3 56 15 Watford 45 10 6 6 39 31 5 4 14 26 40 -6 55 16 Derby 45 9 7 7 31 26 5 5 12 23 38 -10 54 17 Coventry 45 8 8 7 26 26 5 7 10 20 30 -10 54 18 Blackpool 45 5 8 10 25 33 7 9 6 21 25 -12 53 19 Plymouth 45 7 5 10 30 33 6 7 10 13 22 -12 51 20 Nottm Forest 45 7 7 8 24 27 5 7 11 23 37 -17 50 21 Barnsley 45 8 7 8 28 24 4 6 12 15 33 -14 49 22 Norwich 44 9 5 8 35 26 3 5 14 20 38 -9 46 23 Southampton 45 4 10 9 23 29 6 5 11 22 37 -21 45 24 Charlton 45 5 8 9 29 36 2 7 14 19 36 -24 36

PEDRO MENDES looks like being fit to play a major role in the run-in despite being carred off at Hampden last Saturday. The Portuguese playmaker was in real pain as he was taken off by stretcher following a challenge with Will Haining in the 3-0 Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren. However, he was in much better shape yesterday and he will have his thigh injury scanned today. It is too early to know when he will be able to play again but the medical team are hoping for positive results today. That being the case he may even be ready for Hearts on Sunday. MORE ON THIS STORY LATER TODAY

He has done as good as anyone else in that position and while he did have quite a poor game yesterday he is doing well enough to retain his place in the team,IMO. Also the fact that he has been out of the first team for so long it does/will take a few games to get back up to speed

I don't think anybody can deny he has talent,for me he always had fitness problems and the fact that he could never get a game in his natural position in centre midfield,sound familiar?,however when player is put out on loan he has to use it in a positive way and do as well as you can to earn a return to your team as an improved player or impress enough to get a move elsewhere, looks like he is doing the correct thing and whatever happens I wish the guy all the best

Ahhh!!!, I said it was just luck...................but I had a dream

Just luck, a good win in the end and a cup final to look forward to

RANGERS' greatest goal-scorer Ally McCoist reckons Kris Boyd deserved his 100th strike in today's Scottish Cup semi-final - for his sheer hard work and endeavour. Some critics take issue with Boyd's contribution outwith his goal-scoring but assistant boss McCoist says Boyd worked for all he got. KRangers fans celebrate Kris Boyd's 100th club goalris clinched the centrury in 146 Rangers appearances when his left foot strike put Rangers two up and McCoist - who holds the club record of 355 goals - is insistent he deserved it. He said: "It's a phenomenal record for Kris. I'm delighted for him and I felt he earned that today.They all talk about Boyd the finisher - just get the ball in the box and he will put it away - but he worked hard today and he worked hard for his goal. "I told him at half-time that he was working his socks off and if he continued to do that he would get his goal. He was playing people into the game and he was taking a few knocks and I said you will earn your goal and he did that." Rangers got a dream star when Andrius Velicka scored in 74 minutes but it was not until the second half that they played to their potential and won the game well. McCoist added: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be in the final. We got a dream start and then we struggled. I don't think St Mirren were parrticularly good either but our passing was poor for about an hour and then we ended up scoring two great goals to make sure we got through, "The most important thing in any semi-final is to get to the Final and we did that. It lookd quite comfortable in the end but we did struggle a bit in the first half. However, we are through. "Velicka has now scored three goals in three games and you can't argue with that. The one thing about him is that he positions himself to make a finish and he did that today. ""I though second half Davis and Edu were magnificent. We suffered the blow of losing Mendes and the two of them did really well in the second half."

by Lindsay Herron RANGERS are hoping that Portuguese playmaker Pedro Mendes will not be missing from the climax to the season. Mendes suffered a heavy thigh injury just before half-time in the semi-final with St Mirren in a challenge with Will Haining and had to be carried off. The former Tottenham and Porto star looked in serious discomfort as he was taken up the tunnel on a stretcher and the initial fears were that he had suffered a serious knee problem. However, while he is in discomfort Rangers are hoping the injury will not prevent him from playing a key role in the final five SPL matches and, of course, the Cup Final on May 30. Assistant boss Ally McCoist said: "I spoke with Pedro and he is very sore at the moment. From our point of view we hope it's nothing more than a kick on the botom of the thigh. "He is iced up and he he has been strapped up and we will have a better idea in the next couple of days." Mendes left Hampden on crutches but the Murray Park medical team will get to work on him from Monday once the swelling has gone down.

MADJID BOUGHERRA has insisted that he is totally committed to Rangers and has no thoughts of leaving after post-match quotes at Hampden today were misinterpreted. The Algerian defender was interviewed in the media mixed zone after the 3-0 Homecoming Scottish Cup victory over St Mirren and appeared to say that he would seek a transfer if Rangers did not win the SPL. However, nothing could be further from the truth. What Bougherra was trying say was that if you don't have what it takes to win a title then you should play for a lesser club. Bougherra told rangers.co.uk: "First of all I have to say to the fans that I have no intention of leaving Rangers. "I was trying to say that if you don't have the mentality to win a championship then you should not be at a club like Rangers. "I did not express myself properly in English and I believe what I said sounded bad to the supporters listening to the radio. "It is my dream to win the title with Rangers and that is something I hope we can achieve. "I want to make it clear that I am very happy to play for Rangers and I want to have success this season. "It is great that we are in another cup final and we have five games left to win the league." Bougherra is suspended for the first post-split fixture with Hearts on Sunday, May 3.

Delighted for Boyd, an enigma indeed, fantastic achievement, well done