ian1964

By Andrew Dickson WALTER SMITH admits he's feeling the pain of defeat more than ever - and that it's making him even more determined to bring the league title back to Ibrox. Rangers resume their SPL campaign again this weekend when they host Hearts and it's a game everyone at the club is desperate to win. Walter SmithLast week's League Cup final defeat to Celtic and the recent loss at home to Inverness have left the manager hurting as much as anyone. But he's eager to bounce back from those two disappointments when the Jambos come calling and is looking for his team to respond positively. Smith said: "Defeats get harder to take as you get older and I can't really put my finger on why that's so. "Whether you have a greater deal of resilience to them when you're younger or whatever, I'm not sure. "But it certainly takes a bit more to get over them now. It was similar last season with the way the campaign finished. "Now it takes a bit longer for them to go through your system but even then, they don't go until you get going on a good run. "You always want to win. That's why we're here and we don't take jobs on thinking we're going to lose out at a certain stage. "We know what we have to do - we're trailing behind Celtic a little at the moment but we've got a home game to come and we'll have to try to catch up with them. Ally McCoist and Walter Smith"We've shown a determination to get back on top after falling a few points behind last season and now we're keen to do that again." The destination of last season's championship was determined by Celtic's seven-game winning run in the closing stages of the campaign. Smith reckons it'll take something similar to settle this season's competition - and he knows the onus is on his men to produce. He added: "It would seem as though one of the teams in contention is going to have to come up with something like that if they want to come out on top. "The most important thing for us is that we catch up first with Celtic and the biggest thing after the disappointment of the final is to get back on track. "After any defeat, such as an Old Firm loss, that's the main thing and that's what makes tomorrow's game as vital as it is for us." Smith, meanwhile, insists there's no problem with his defence after it was criticised for the goals it has lost recently. Walter SmithStrikes conceded against Hamilton, Inverness and Celtic all came from high balls but the manager is adamant it's nothing to worry about in the long term. Smith said: "We have just had a situation where, for a long number of games, we've handled that sort of thing quite well. "We have still conceded the fewest goals in the league and it's just that I keep complaining about the ones we do lose. "It's always a poor way to concede when you do so from set pieces and we have been a wee bit dozy in those cases over the season. "We just need to put up with the criticism we've had. Everybody gets it these days whether you're a banker, a politician or something else. It's something we have to accept. "Statistically speaking, we have still been better at the back than anyone in the SPL and we haven't been that bad."

Villarreal v Arsenal Manchester United v Porto Liverpool v Chelsea Barcelona v Bayern Munich Ties to be played on 7th/8th April and 14th/15th April. Champions League semi-final draw Manchester United or Porto v Villarreal or Arsenal Barcelona or Bayern Munich v Liverpool or Chelsea Ties to be played on 28th/29th April and 5th/6th May.

Rangers 3 - Novo 2, Lafferty 1 Hertz 0

Get the petition drawn up

The state of this country is in, it can't be much worse whoever is in government

Maybe we should all e-mail him and tell him we will vote for him if he takes up our fight

I read that mate, it seems Rangers are the only club with this problem ??

If more people,players,refs were more open/honest about the teams they support then it certainly wouldn't bother me,although I could see the amount of allegations of favouritism it may create, but to be honest referees and players must support a team to be involved in the game professionally, I have no problem with them showing who they support

Blah ! blah !, You talk the talk, it's time to walk the walk

By Andrew Dickson KENNY McDOWALL says Rangers can handle the weight of expectation as fans look for them to deliver the SPL title this season. The Light Blues get back to league business on Saturday after two cup ties when they host Hearts. Barry Ferguson and Kenny McDowallWith just 10 games to go and this match presenting a chance to go top of the table, it's a fixture Walter Smith's men are determined to win. They know they're under pressure to bring the championship back to Ibrox for the first time since May 2005. And McDowall insists that he, the rest of the management and the playing squad are all ready to meet that challenge head on. The first-team coach said: "There's always pressure at Rangers and the players know that. "When you don't achieve things and it's starting to cost the club money, it's a bit different. "Rather than hoping to win, you find that you have to and that's when things are really cranked up. "We're comfortable with having to handle that. It comes with the territory and we know we have to deliver trophies and championships. "If you can't take the heat from that, I think you're in the wrong job but our players deal with it well and I think the coaching staff does too. Walter Smith and Kenny McDowall"The manager's the master at it. He's been there and done it all before and he's passing his experience on to us and the players. "For that, we're grateful and we absolutely feel we can get the SPL title back here this season. We've never said anything else. "Our defeat in the Inverness game a couple of weeks ago was a blip we didn't need but we're still in the thick of things in the league. "We'll take the Hearts match when it comes on Saturday, hopefully win that then look to kick on from there. "It'll be a tough game and one in which we'll need to be on top form to get the result we're looking for. "Once it has gone we'll then look at our situation, decide what needs to be done and push on once more."

I think we all have hope, the point being that is all we have

I have never said we won't win the league, I normally bet on form !!

The fact is,even if we do win the league I don't think the criticism of the teams performances will go away, yes it will be less of an issue and will just be papering over the cracks, the doom and gloom that surrounds this club are not initiated from the fans, the fans are worried about the future of the club, quite rightly so

Cal, if some fans don't share the same confidence you have and feel the need to vent their frustration and disapointment in the teams performance then that is their parogative.But the point you make about how the Rangers fans are gutless and were out sung by the MOPES is just a dig at your own fans,and wrong IMO.Rangers fans turned out in numbers at the cup final and will turn out at every game in the hope of a good result, I personally wouldn't have a go at the fans especially as I wasn't at the game, however I will be at Ibrox on Saturday as normal and give my team the support I always do, but again I will be going there HOPING for a good result. I don't think the league is over, but I won't be running to the bookies with my cash to have a bet on that, are you?

By Andrew Dickson WALTER SMITH has backed his Rangers players to respond positively to their League Cup final defeat to Celtic at the weekend. Many of the squad that travelled to Hampden two days ago returned to Murray Park for training today, with the rest due to report back tomorrow. Walter SmithThey'll work together for the rest of the week in preparation for Saturday's crucial SPL match with Hearts at Ibrox. It's a match which will take Gers to the top of the league standings if they win, albeit perhaps only for a day. Claiming three points is essential and manager Smith expects a good reaction to the Old Firm loss in that fixture. He said: "The only guarantee with football is that you'll face disappointment from time to time and that was the case on Sunday. "If one team is far better than the other in a final then you can have no complaints about losing but the game at the weekend was a tight one. "Hopefully our defeat will lead to a determination to ensure our remaining games this season are successful for us. "It hasn't been through choice that we've had disappointments to come back from already this season but it has been the case that we've responded to them strongly. Walter Smith"We'll have to make sure we do that again and the players have shown previously that they have character. "They want to win and have a competitive streak in them. That gets tested throughout the season and this is one of those times. "There's a managerial responsibility in terms of treading the right path when you're looking to go in the right direction again. "But the players have a responsibility too and they'll pick themselves up. They have their pride and don't like losing so they'll want to ensure this doesn't affect them too greatly." There are worries that Smith could find himself with a defensive crisis on his hands ahead of the clash with the Jambos. While David Weir is suspended for the meeting with his old club, Madjid Bougherra, Kirk Broadfoot and Lee McCulloch are all carrying knocks too. Bougherra missed the final with a calf injury and McCulloch limped off on Sunday with the same problem. Madjid BougherraBut both should be fine for the weekend along with Broadfoot, who was able to take part at the national stadium after showing signs of progress. Smith added: "We're hopeful Madjid will be fit. He just missed out at the weekend and unless something untoward happens, we think we can get him back fit again on time. "Lee had a calf injury and there was always going to be a chance on Sunday that he could be affected by tightness there. "That's what happened and that's why he had to come off. He isn't injured as such and he'll be okay after a couple of days rest. "As for Kirk, his injury is quite a simple one. It's on the base of his foot and he needs a little bit of rest to let it heal. "He has had a couple of weeks where he wasn't training but he is doing a bit better now and he'll have no problem being fit for the Hearts match."

Ach, Walter is just lulling them into a false sense of security,watch the next OF game, it will be all out attack.........................!!!!!!!

Aye.........the most offensive thing was a bunch of numpties running around impersonating Rangers players :devil:

TBH, I'm more worried about our defence

The Dutch will be quaking in their boots!!!

FIVE Gers first teamers will join George Burley's Scotland squad for the international double header with Holland and Iceland at the end of the month. Kirk BroadfootThe Scots travel to Holland to face the group leaders on March 28 before returning to Glasgow to host Iceland at Hampden on April 1. Allan McGregor will once again vie with Craig Gordon for the starting spot between the sticks with four of his Ibrox team mates also hoping for a starting berth. Kenny Miller is expected to fill a lone striking role in Amsterdam with Barry Ferguson certain to captain the team against the Dutch. Davie Weir is again selected in the pool of defenders as he looks for his 64th cap for the national side. Kirk Broadfoot will face competition for the right back spot from returning former Ger Alan Hutton who is back in the squad after an injury hit period with Spurs. Broadfoot, who scored against Iceland on his international debut, could switch to left back if Hutton is recalled, with the pair lining up that way against Argentina in a Hampden friendly. FULL SQUAD Goalkeepers Craig Gordon (Sunderland) ALLAN McGREGOR (Rangers) David Marshall (Norwich City) Defenders Graham Alexander (Burnley) Darren Barr (Falkirk) Christophe Berra (Wolverhampton W.) KIRK BROADFOOT (Rangers) Gary Caldwell (Celtic) Alan Hutton (Tottenham Hotspur) Jamie McAllister (Bristol City) Stephen McManus (Celtic) Gary Naysmith (Sheffield United) DAVID WEIR (Rangers) Midfield Scott Brown (Celtic) Kris Commons (Derby County) BARRY FERGUSON (Rangers) Darren Fletcher (Manchester United) Paul Hartley (Celtic) James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion) Gavin Rae (Cardiff City) Gary Teale (Derby County) Forwards David Clarkson (Motherwell) Steven Fletcher (Hibernian) Chris Iwelumo (Wolverhampton W.) Ross McCormack (Cardiff City) KENNY MILLER (Rangers)

What's the story with Hemdani ?, I mean we all know he's as far from the first team as can be, what is the reason for this ?, anybody know ?

f fortune favours the brave then it surely follows that the converse also rings true. Rangers' misfortune in Sunday's Co-operative Insurance Cup final stemmed largely from their own faintheartedness. Walter Smith has never been one to gamble recklessly with team selection but it is one thing to be cautious and respectful of the opposition, and quite another to be ultra conservative to the point of strangling all creativity. For Smith, the fear of losing has now overtaken the desire to win. Simply put, Rangers should not be lining up in a 4-5-1 formation at a neutral venue. It is a system just about acceptable away from home against one of Europe's leading lights, or in a league match at Celtic Park. A national cup final at Hampden against Celtic is like heads up at poker. Smith assessed his hand, calculated what Gordon Strachan had on the other side of the table, and effectively folded. It spoke volumes about the Rangers manager's evaluation of his squad that he did not entrust them with the task of taking the game to their opponents, preferring instead to try to nullify Celtic and hope to sneak something on the counter-attack or from set-pieces. The irony, of course, is that both Celtic goals arrived from dead balls and that they similarly lined up 4-5-1. Gordon Strachan, though, turned the problem of a misfiring strikeforce into an opportunity by playing an extra midfielder, and allowing Aiden McGeady to roam free in a supporting role beside Scott McDonald. He has also shown a willingness to indulge his flair players like McGeady, Shunsuke Nakamura and Scott Brown in the knowledge that it is better to try to win a game, rather than simply attempting not to lose it. McGeady, Nakamura, and Brown may lack defensive discipline on occasion but they at least offer a regular spark in attack. Rangers, in contrast, were lifeless. advertisement They, too, had players at Hampden capable of offering an injection of ingenuity. Unlike Celtic's, however, they were all dressed in suits and seated in the stand. It would be unfair to lambast Christian Dailly, who has been a fine servant to many clubs as well as the national team throughout a distinguished career, but his inclusion on the bench aged 35 and without an appearance to his name for six months, was baffling. With just five substitutes permitted in this competition, Dailly's inclusion, presumably in case Kirk Broadfoot succumbed to the foot injury that had been troubling him in the build-up, used a berth that could have been taken by Steven Naismith, John Fleck, DaMarcus Beasley, or Aaron Niguez. Granted, none of that quartet has posed a consistent threat this season, but up against a Celtic defence shorn of its best operator - Gary Caldwell was redeployed in midfield - any one of them would surely have created at least a handful of chances. Denied any real service from the wings and with Kenny Miller utilised as a lone(ly) striker, it was little surprise that Rangers failed to score for the third Old Firm game in succession. Kyle Lafferty was his team's best player on the day but was given only half an hour in his preferred position through the middle before he was taken off. Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo made next to no impact from the bench, Pedro Mendes did little to suggest he should be a contender for Player of the Year, while Barry Ferguson's days of dominating the midfield battles seem increasingly to be behind him. Smith, reportedly, had prepared all week to play 4-4-2 with Lee McCulloch stationed wide on the left behind a front two of Lafferty and Miller. On receiving Celtic's teamsheet, however, Smith had a change of heart. Sensing the need to go like for like in midfield, McCulloch was moved inside, Lafferty shunted to the wing, and Miller left to go it alone up front. The reshuffled unit contained Celtic for 90 minutes before Darren O'Dea made the breakthrough early in extra time. Rangers had precious few resources with which to respond and paid the ultimate price. Smith now has 10 league matches left in which to make amends and shape his legacy. Should Rangers fail to win the title, it seems unlikely he will be given another season to try to end the championship drought. Another season without success and Celtic would be halfway towards 10-in-a-row. Should Smith win the title this season he may decide, aged 61, there will not be a better time to walk away. Ever the pragmatist, he will realise that one cup final defeat does not signal a need for panic. Until the shock loss to Inverness Caledonian Thistle recently, Rangers had gone through their opening 10 games of 2009 undefeated, conceding only two goals in that time. Madjid Bougherra, injured on Sunday, will return this weekend to further fortify the defence. A case could also be made for Steven Davis to be given an overdue opportunity to play in the central midfield role he so craves at the expense of either Ferguson or Mendes. Lafferty has done enough to earn an extended run at centre forward, while Fleck will return hungrier after dropping out of the side following a stellar start. Navigating the closing weeks of the season will be a real test of nerves for all involved. It will take strong hearts and minds. Sometimes it will also require a sense of adventure and a willingness to take a gamble. Fortune does favour the brave, after all. http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.2495904.0.Time_for_Smith_to_abandon_his_conservative_instincts.php

If uncle Walter reads this, there is no chance of BF being dropped

Mar 17 2009 By James Traynor WALTER SMITH has a decision to make and he needs to make it quickly. It might already be too late but if Rangers are to have any chance of winning the SPL he has to act ruthlessly and he has to act now. Frankly, the manager's choice should be an easy one because the evidence is damning. It isn't the up-and-down form of Steven Whittaker or David Weir's lack of mobility Rangers' fans should be fretting about. And forget the tiresome debate about Kris Boyd. These players are not the real problem and with all the intensity of aprison spotlight during a jail break, Rangers need to turn the focus of attention on one player, and one player only. Barry Ferguson. The biggest under-achiever in the Rangers squad has to be benched. The captain has brought nothing to the side since his return from a spell south of the Border and he is now more of a hindrance than a benefit to the team. As a skipper Rangers would be better with Captain Jack Sparrow. At least he's crafty enough not to lose the pieces of silver no matter the odds against him. This will sound like blasphemy to some because Ferguson is the Ibrox club's captain and everybody knows he'd be a season ticket-holder if he hadn't made it as a pro. He is a Rangers man through and through but he's not a leader of Rangers men and this club is heading towards the world's end. He looks much better than he actually is with his puffed-out chest and his bristling indignation when things don't go Rangers' or his way. He shouts a lot and often points like a cop on rush-hour traffic duty. Sadly, he is Rangers' all-action zero and it is time for people inside Ibrox not just to admit the truth but to act on it. Rangers have gone backwards since Ferguson returned and although he cannot be held responsible - other than taking �£25,000 a week in wages - for the club's financial meltdown you would have thought he, of all the players on the books, would have been setting the correct example in difficult times. After all, he was rescued from the south to give Rangers direction and impetus. He was seen as the one man who could drag the side towards league titles but he's been part of only one championship triumph. He rejoined in the January of season 2004-05 and AlexMcLeish's Rangers went on to win the title. That was the last one as Celtic threaten now to make it four in a row and you have to ask what Ferguson has actually achieved in that time. Apart from make life tougher than it might have been for Paul Le Guen. This isn't to suggest Ferguson was responsible for the Frenchman's Scottish nightmare but he could have helped more by making sure all players were behind the manager. Instead, splits developed within the camp and Le Guen realised his gamble in taking over from McLeish had failed. When the going is rough and faith is dwindling a club needs an onfield leader to work on the pysche of the squad pulling the factions together and making sure they're united in the cause of winning. But with Ferguson this club lost under Le Guen and they continue to lose while the same man continues to wear the armband in the centre of midfield. Without his captain Le Guen had no chance and now, perversely, Smith has little chance with him. Unfortunate coincidence? His apologists - and he isn't short of them - will say yes but Ferguson and Rangers' failure in the championship are linked because he has not been able to drive his team through tough games and he hasn't dominated opponents never mind matches. But since we mentioned coincidence, how about this: Why is it Rangers were a better, more skilful and free-flowing team when he was injured? And why is it that players like Kirk Broadfoot, Steven Whittaker, and even Pedro Mendes looked better when the captain wasn't around? Could it be he has a stifling effect on others or that one or two retreat into their shells when Ferguson is on the pitch moaning at everyone? He is supposed to be the midfield general and it's because of that myth Smith has been playing Steve Davis on the right of midfield when he is at his best in the centre. He wants to play there and now is the time for Smith to shuffle him inside to his real position. There's nothing to lose and everything to gain because Smith has kept faith with Ferguson and allowed him ample opportunity to prove he is the man. It's clear now he isn't and because Rangers are running out of time and matches they must do something radical. There is no time left for Ferguson to prove himself worthy of a start in the centre of midfield and the team would lose nothing if Smith left him out. Those players who appear to shrink in stature when he's about might again become emboldened in his absence and it isn't as though Smith is without alternatives to play on the right. Nacho Novo is fit again and if nothing else Rangers would benefit from his running, passion, and fierce desire to be a winner. Also, you just know the little Spaniard still believes it's a privilege to wear the jersey and his is exactly the attitude Rangers want right now. There's also Steven Naismith, who could play wide right, and that would free up Novo to go straight through the middle with Kenny Miller, although he looks as though he has lost confidence, Kyle Lafferty or Boyd. And because drastic times call for drastic measures why not let John Fleck play his preferred position just off the strikers, although that would leave a gap to be filled on the left. Accommodating the right players for the correct times is always difficult but by sticking with what is regarded more or less as the norm Rangers are losing the title to Celtic. Bold changes could be Smith's only salvation. It's easy to sit on the outside as a neutral observer but it is obvious Rangers need a shake-up and binning Ferguson just might be the start of a revival. If you weigh up his contribution since coming back to Ibrox nothing much would be lost. But just look at what might be gained. It might even be his own reinvention. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/rangers/2009/03/17/rangers-must-axe-barry-ferguson-before-they-blow-chance-of-winning-title-86908-21204544/

JOHN FLECK is one of four Rangers youngsters to be named in Billy Stark's Scotland U21 squad for the country's forthcoming European Championship 2011 qualifiers. Andrew ShinnieIt is Fleck's first call-up for the under-21 set-up and he is joined by goalkeeper Scott Gallacher, midfielder Andrew Shinnie and striker Rory Loy. The 2009 European Championship finals will be played this summer in Sweden but with Scotland failing to progress to this stage they will now get their qualifying campaign for 2011 underway with a double-header against Group 10 opponents Albania. The fixture dates are as follows: Albania v Scotland Ruzhdi Bizhuta Stadium, Elbasan Saturday, March 28 - Kick-off: 3.30pm Scotland v Albania The Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk Wednesday, April 1 - Kick-off: 5.30pm Scotland's other Group 10 opponents are Austria, Belarus and Azerbaijan. The ten group winners and four best runners-up advance to the Final Tournament Play Off which will take place between the 9th and 13th of October 2010.