ian1964

It was one thing recently for the Old Firm to drop out of the Deloitte Top-20 List for Europeââ?¬â?¢s richest football clubs: when you consider the Milans, Real Madrids and Manchester Uniteds of this world, what right do either Rangers or Celtic have to be permanently hobnobbing with the elite? Within the Scottish context, though, I was still shocked by the poor financial health of Rangers, given their most recent set of accounts issued in recent days. It was alarming, even given their Champions League exit in August, to note that Rangersââ?¬â?¢ turnover amounted to a feeble Ã?£21 million ââ?¬â?? almost Ã?£13 million down on the previous year and just 44 per cent of Celticââ?¬â?¢s equivalent figure. Even worse were the ancillary figures in their interim report. Rangers made a pretax loss of Ã?£2.7 million, down Ã?£6 million on 2007, and their retained loss was Ã?£4 million, a decline of Ã?£6.2 million on the previous year. It appears that Rangers are on course this season for a total income-from-trading of around Ã?£42 million to Ã?£43 million, way below the target the Ibrox hierarchy should be hitting in this day and age. Or, put it another way, the amount of business that Rangers will generate in the present financial year will be less than Celtic posted for their first six months. Sir David Murray recently rebuked ââ?¬Å?the amateur economistsââ?¬Â who had been poring over Rangersââ?¬â?¢ figures and picking holes. In one sense he is on sure ground: his business track record stands as a testament to his financial bravado and risk-taking. But Murray, surely, will deplore the fact that Rangers are falling so far behind Celtic in almost every area off the park. Compared with Rangersââ?¬â?¢ six-month Ã?£4 million loss, Celtic have just posted an Ã?£8 million profit, and are making millions more than Rangers from their commercial affairs. The Old Firm were never meant to be as unequal as this. Even worse now is that old, dreaded subject of Murray and Rangers: debt. Four years ago, Murray, scolded by coverage of Rangersââ?¬â?¢ near Ã?£80 million net debt, vowed to wipe out the Ibrox overload and proceeded to chip away at it. Ultimately, it took the absorption of the Rangers debt by Murrayââ?¬â?¢s umbrella company, Murray International Holdings, to fix the problem, but, nonetheless, fixed in that sense it was. But look at it now. Rangers tried and failed to sell a principal playing asset during January, and now we know why. Their figures to December 31 have set alarm bells ringing again, and the Ibrox debt is once more estimated to be somewhere between Ã?£25 million and Ã?£30 million and rising. Again, the contrast with Celtic will pain those Rangers fans who crave the day when their club are back on a healthy footing. Celtic have just announced that their debt is less than Ã?£1 million, which means that, over the next two years, they will be in a far healthier position to enhance their team. Given all this, when you recall the August day that Rangers sold Carlos CuÃ?©llar to Aston Villa for Ã?£8 million, it all makes more sense now. Rangers will not have received all of that money up front, but their loss-making would have looked even worse had CuÃ?©llar not been sacrificed. It is putting it too strongly to say that Rangers are back in a financial mess, but their financial performance is deeply unimpressive. The question is, who is to blame? Many Rangers fans are asking: why is their club being run so much worse than Celtic? Is Murray to blame? Is Martin Bain, the clubââ?¬â?¢s chief executive, at fault? Is it Andrew Dickson, Rangersââ?¬â?¢ head of football administration and Bainââ?¬â?¢s right-hand man? Someone is certainly falling below standards inside Ibrox. Murray cites the Champions League as if it is a cureall. He was at it again on Friday, claiming that ââ?¬Å?the importance of qualifying for the Champions Leagueââ?¬Â was underpinned by Rangersââ?¬â?¢ poor financial figures. The Champions League, however, should not be the be-all and end-all of their commercial worth. Given that qualifying for Europeââ?¬â?¢s elite club tournament has been an erratic business in recent years, Rangers should have a business formula in place that preserves them when they are not in Europe. Right now, evidently, that formula has escaped the clubââ?¬â?¢s boardroom. And another thing... Undermining of Strachan so difficult to fathom These days some of the most embittered and aggrieved football supporters I come across are those of Celtic. There is a vocal rump of them who dislike Gordon Strachan, dislike the football his team play, and have constantly disliked his signing policy. ââ?¬Å?Strachan demeans Celtic,ââ?¬Â one of them told me recently, while another fan I spoke to actually said: ââ?¬Å?He is not a manager worthy of Celticââ?¬â?¢s name.ââ?¬Â And just to stem the conspiracy theorists, both of these people were of my own faith-tradition, which is to say, of the Reformed tradition. And they donââ?¬â?¢t seem to be alone among Celtic fans in their views. It leaves me wondering . . . if Strachan does go on to make it four championships in a row with Celtic, just how the heck are these people going to explain their position? It would be indefensible, wouldnââ?¬â?¢t it? Refreshing attitude One of the most refreshing parts of my tasks from last week was hearing out James McCarthy on the subject of bigotry. The young Hamilton Academical star has a right to feel as vehement as anyone on the subject, given the abuse he takes from the terraces, yet McCarthy was utterly refreshing when asked about the anticipated singing of The Famine Song by Rangers supporters at New Douglas Park on Saturday. ââ?¬Å?It doesnââ?¬â?¢t bother me in the slightest,ââ?¬Â McCarthy said. ââ?¬Å?These people are just idiots. There are always people in a crowd who want to abuse me, but it just goes in one ear and out the other. Like I say, itââ?¬â?¢s a bunch of idiots shouting.ââ?¬Â With an attitude like this, sometimes I wonder why the rest of us bother about such chants. If McCarthy can bring himself to laugh it off, and believes that it just makes the choristers seem slightly thick, why should the rest of us care about it? Laborious process So Henry McLeish, Scotlandââ?¬â?¢s former first minister, is to chair a coalition committee wherein a procedure for streamlining between Scotlandââ?¬â?¢s three football governing bodies ââ?¬â?? the SFA, the SPL and the SFL ââ?¬â?? is to be established. Would someone wake me up once they have their findings? Young guns misfire It was billed as the John Fleck v James McCarthy show at New Douglas Park on Saturday, but neither showed up in the Hamilton-Rangers game. Fleck was dropped by Rangers, while McCarthy, who did play, failed to ââ?¬Å?turn upââ?¬Â in the old, disparaging phrase for footballers who donââ?¬â?¢t perform. May it serve as a lesson to those ââ?¬â?? and Iââ?¬â?¢ve been counted among them myself ââ?¬â?? who have tended to speak of these two young players as if young Diego Maradonas have appeared among us in Scotland. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article5828321.ece

By Amir Rashid TWO-GOAL hero Archie Campbell helped Rangers U19s thump Hamilton Accies 4-0 at New Southcroft Park and maintain top spot in the league. The prolific striker was the main threat throughout the game, opening the scoring on 28 minutes with an emphatic finish from inside the box, before rounding of his performance with a volley half an hour before the end. The gulf in class was apparent during the 90 minutes and Rangers could have moved up the gears if required. In the opening stages, however, Billy Kirkwood's kids lacked any real tempo in their game. Archie Campbell, RangersA Kal Naismith free-kick failed to trouble Gavin McLachlan and Hamilton went close to taking the lead when Alistair Crawford's attempt went over the bar on 23 minutes. But five minutes later and Rangers were celebrating when a ball over the top of Campbell was brilliantly controlled by the frontman who thumped it hard and low inside the keeper's far post from close range. A minute after the goal and Campbell was involved again when he linked up with Hutton who ran powerfully at the heart of the Accies defence before being clipped inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot and Hutton himself stepped up and put his side two up. The Murray Park starlets were clearly enjoying themselves in front of an impressive turnout and Hemmings should have increased their advantage with ten minutes of the first half remaining. The young Englishman was clean through on goal having been put through by Naismith. Campbell was there for the tap in but having only the keeper to beat the former Tamworth forward opted to shoot but was off target. Just before the break Jamie Ness had an equally good chance after Stephen Stirling's clever pass found him in the box but the midfielder's low effort was pulled past the post. The second period saw little in the way of a fight back from Hamilton with Rangers cruising. And it was not long before the next goal arrived. Following a stinging shot from Ness substitute keeper Stephen Hall parried the ball in the air allowing Campbell to volley in to the bottom right hand corner for his second of the game. Hamilton's best chance came near the end of the game. Liam Fagan's shot on the stretch from a few yards out went over after a header from a freekick was played across goal. It was Rangers who finished the strongest when Naismith's exquisite cross found Dylan McGeough at the back post and the youngster turned in the simplest of chances to complete the scoring. Team: Vaiculis, Cole, Forbes, Wilson, Perry, Hutton, Ness, Stirling (Dick 68), Naismith, Hemmings (McGeough 75), Campbell (Wright 81) Subs: Adam, Durie, McCabe, Bagci

A lot of talk about an object thrown @ Davie Weir ?????, never seen it myself,did anyone see this ?

I wish he would'nt try and make a one yard pass!!!!!,he can't do it, but no-one can deny the guys defensive contribution to Rangers

Agreed, been saying this for ages now, the amount of slagging Weir gets is unbelievable, for me he has been our most consistent player this season so far

For me,this is why I said Walter Smith gets criticised, why bring on Whittaker on the left midfield ?????, when was the last time he played there ?????, when you have wide creative players sitting on the bench ????.........how can anyone justify that substitution ???,aye we won the game but that sub is what I find baffling with WS, unless of course I am just talking out of my arse

Now that we are top of the league,and hopefully remain that way after today,I fully expect more pressure from the MOPES attacking the Rangers fans songs

Andrew Dickson reports from New Douglas Park RANGERS manager Walter Smith has made two changes to his team for this afternoon's crucial SPL clash with Hamilton Accies. Following the news we brought you earlier today which revealed Pedro Mendes is out, Mo Edu comes in to take his place in central midfield alongside Barry Ferguson. Kyle Lafferty also starts and he replaces John Fleck on the left side of midfield, with Steven Davis taking up his usual place on the right flank. It's the usual back five with Allan McGregor in goals and a defensive line of Kirk Broadfoot, David Weir, Madjid Bougherra and Sasa Papac. Following their three-goal show against Kilmarnock seven days ago, it's no surprise that Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd are retained up front. Boyd in particular will be keen to find the net again today, having already done so against Hamilton on six occasions this term. DaMarcus Beasley is amongst the substitutes and returns to the squad after he had to come off against Forfar 10 days ago. With Gers kicking off at 12.30pm, this is a great opportunity for them to increase their lead at the top of the SPL before Celtic play St Mirren at 3pm. The Light Blues have a 100% record in three games with Billy Reid's Accies this season but will be wary after initially falling behind in two of them. RANGERS: McGregor; Broadfoot, Weir, Bougherra, Papac; Davis, Edu, Ferguson, Lafferty; Miller, Boyd. Subs: Alexander, Aaron, Beasley, Fleck, Dailly, Naismith, Whittaker

February 27, 2009 Ã?· By Editor Ã?· Filed Under Celtic, Rangers, SPL After the recent Old Firm Derby match at Celtic Park, where it was alleged racist, sectarian and bigoted songs were being sung by the Rangers supporters - and that the Match Delegate would be putting it into his report. We waited for the report to become public or at least a statement from the SPL to be released. However it has not been forthcoming and news on any action if any would be taken seems to have been swept under the carpet. But this afternoon we received an answer to our email from David Ogilvie, the SPL Operations Administrator - who is in charge of the Match Delegates. From the look of it, it is just your typical Statement by a company in the process of undertaking action or the possibility of taking action. However it also seems from comments made by the SPL Marketing & Communications Manager to David Ogilvie in a forwarded reply - that was not deleted by the way - that they have a pre-written statement that is sent out to those they feel would publish a statement in the public doman, such as Scotzine.com. David Ogilvieââ?¬â?¢s Email Statement: Dear ******, Thanks for your e-mail. The process to possible breaches of SPL Rules in relation to unacceptable behaviour is as follows: - We will consider the reports submitted by our Match Delegates and any other complaint which we may receive from other parties, including the opposing Club, the Match Commander and the SFA. - The report will be passed to the Clubs involved in each match for comment. - Complaints or reports which in the opinion the SPL Board provide ground for further investigation will be passed to an independent Commission, with a legally qualified Chairman, which will be appointed to determine whether or not a Club has breached SPL Rules. - The Commission will also determine the sanction that would be applied in the event of a breach of the SPL Rules. - A wide range of progressive sanctions may be applied. Any sanctions applied will be proportionate to the nature of the breach and will consider the previous record and work undertaken by the particular Club. We conduct much of our work in this area below the parapet. We have found this to be a much more effective form of governance in this area and it is policy which we will continue with. The introduction of our rules has resulted in a number of improvements across the board which is the aim. Our clubsââ?¬â?¢ policies and procedures of trying to prevent ââ?¬Ë?unacceptable conductââ?¬â?¢ and deal with it if it occurs have improved. That is not to say that this social problem has been solved as clearly it is more complex than that but progress is being made. Regards David Ogilvie Scottish Premier League First of all we would like to thank David for his reply and for taking time out of his busy schedule to do so. But given the comments made by Greg Mailer in an attached email to David Ogilvie, it is clear in my opinion, that they have had this statement written to be sent out and when someone they want to fob off contacts them, they duly send the prepared statement out. Why is that? are they still considering punishing Rangers? are they preparing a way to brush it under the carpet, hoping it all goes away? or are they awaiting Celtic fans to make a move that will give the SPL a way out to punish both clubs or neither? Tags: controversy, Rangers, SPL, statement http://scotzine.com/blog/?p=3422

Much as I would like to see Davis in his natural position, I think Edu should be given this opportunity to step up to the mark and show he is ready for the first team

SIR DAVID MURRAY knows no one can escape the brutal impact of the global credit crunch. Not the High Street chains who have crumbled in the face of multi-million pound debts. Not the highly-paid bankers who are now shouldering the blame for much of this desperate crisis. Not even the superstar footballers whose sky-high salaries are about to hit a downward spiral. Rangersââ?¬â?¢ newly-published club accounts paint a gloomy picture of the finances. But the chairman insists the big spending stops now as Gers seek to cope with these unprecedented times. No fewer than EIGHT first-team stars will be cut adrift this summer. David Weir, Christian Dailly and high-earner Brahim Hemdani are out of contract at the end of the season. The likes of Charlie Adam, Steven Smith and DaMarcus Beasley are likely to be moved on. Andrius Velicka and Graeme Smith are also expected to be casualties of the cash cutbacks. Murray has warned the stars who stay the days of bumper wages may be gone FOREVER. He said: ââ?¬Å?We had far too many players, too big a squad and no safety net in Europe this season. ââ?¬Å?The absence of European competition, together with the economic downturn, has confirmed the size of the squad was neither sustainable from a financial nor football point of view. ââ?¬Å?It is our aim to rationalise the squad to a more manageable level going forward, and integrate the young talent now emerging from Murray Park. ââ?¬Å?Next season our wage bill will be down by between Ã?£4-5million. ââ?¬Å?I would say that within a couple of years it will be a rare commodity in Scotland to have a player on wages beginning with a two. ââ?¬Å?And the vast majority might not even be beginning with a one.ââ?¬Â That is an ominous warning to Ibrox mainstays like Kris Boyd and skipper Barry Ferguson. Both are closing on the final year of their contracts and will soon be due to open negotiations with chief executive Martin Bain. Boyd is unlikely to receive an offer to match the Ã?£17,000-a-week he rejected from Birmingham. Ferguson can expect to be asked to take a mammoth cut on his Ã?£25,000-a-week-plus contract. Murray wants the first-team squad slashed from 28 to 20. The big names will be supplemented by home-grown kids like John Fleck, Jamie Ness and Danny Wilson. After the crushing blow of Kaunas, the chairman has vowed to never again rely so heavily on Euro cash. He added: ââ?¬Å?The situation is unfortunate but we knew this was coming. ââ?¬Å?We have to bring down costs and this financial downturn is a reality check for everyone. ââ?¬Å?If we stick with the business model I talked about in January, which we will, then we will be fine.ââ?¬Â Advertisement Click here Gersââ?¬â?¢ increasing debt levels are in stark contrast to the upbeat financial figures unveiled by Celtic last week. The crucial income stream from the Champions League has been vital to the Hoops. So as the Old Firm again battle for the SPL title, the price of success and the cost of failure has never been higher. The golden ticket of direct entry to next seasonââ?¬â?¢s Champions League is worth up to Ã?£15m. He said: ââ?¬Å?We are competing well again in both domestic cups, we are in the final of the Co-op Cup and the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup. ââ?¬Å?Savings in operating costs through efficiencies and reduced European expenditure have been partly offset by higher player wage costs and other charges due to last summerââ?¬â?¢s signings. ââ?¬Å?Incorporating the effect of these additions to the squad, less the gain on sale of players, results in an overall decrease of Ã?£5.8m in profit before interest and tax to a net loss of Ã?£2.7m. ââ?¬Å?Due to the increase in the average debt, the interest charge of Ã?£1.4m was Ã?£0.6m higher than the same period last year, resulting in a retained loss after tax of Ã?£3.9m compared to a retained profit of Ã?£2.3m last year.ââ?¬Â The figures, while hardly unexpected, make worrying reading for Gers fans. Itââ?¬â?¢s not quite a case of win-or-bust for Gers in the SPL title chase. But the clock is ticking on some very high-profile stars. http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/article2280715.ece

by Lindsay Herron RANGERS have been hit with a pre-match blow ahead of the lunchtime clash at Hamilton with the news that Pedro Mendes will miss out. The Portuguese playmaker is suffering from a slight thigh strain and it's enough for him to sit out the match at New Douglas Park. Mendes had been troubled with a knock in the build-up to last week's Kilmarnock match but produced a terrific performance. He will miss out today but the Murray Park medical team think he will be OK for Wednesday's match against Inverness Caley Thistle. The loss of Mendes will cause some disruption for Walter Smith. He may decide to bring Steve Davis into a more central role and use a more attacking player on the right side or he could bring in Maurice Edu to partner Barry Ferguson. We will have the full team news from New Douglas Park fastest and first right here.

JORDAN MCMILLAN will have mixed emotions this weekend when he sits in the stands at New Douglas Park to watch Rangers take on Hamilton Accies. The young defender moved on loan to Billy Reid's side at the start of January and has grown fond of his new surroundings and teamates Jordan McMillanBut he has never hidden his love for the Gers and when his current deal with the Accies ends in May he will return to Murray Park with one objective in mind - to make the grade as a first-team player with the club he has always supported. Jordan will not feature in Saturday's game due to an agreement between the clubs but is now fit and ready for action having suffered a frustrating spell on the treatment table with a hamstring injury picked up in his first game against Ross County on January 10. Getting back in to the Hamilton first-team will be easier said than done for the 20-year-old who has watched on as the club went on a six game winning streak before losing in the SPL to Motherwell on February 14. They then got back to winning form against Falkirk last weekend. McMillan has been hugely impressed with the group of players he has joined and insists Rangers will have to be at their best if they are to get three points from this weekend's crucial SPL clash. He said: "Hamilton are definitely an up and coming team just now and there is a good mix of youth and experienced players. "The young lads are bursting with enthusiasm which undoubtedly helps the team. "I have been well impressed with the likes of James McArthur, James McCarthy and Brian Easton. "They have been very good and you can see that there are players coming through behind them for the future also. Jordan McMillan and Paul McGowan "But to balance things up you have more experienced pros such as Mark McLaughlin who has a key role for the Accies. "He is 33 and you can learn a lot from the way he conducts himself and his attitude to training and games, he is a lot like Davie Weir. "He always wants to help the young kids and that helps a lot. "I definitely think Hamilton has a great team spirit and they are going places. "They will be up for the game against Rangers and will go in to it with no fear. "They recently went six games unbeaten so I think the boys are confident they can beat anyone and stay in the SPL which would be a great achievement." Jordan is hoping he can now play his part in the SPL run-in with the Accies and show Billy Reid and the management team at Rangers that he is ready to take the next step in his blossoming career. He said: "It's been great being at Hamilton, I needed the change to be honest. Jordan McMillan"I have been at Rangers for a long time and found it difficult to push in the first-team this season "So I had to go out and gain a bit of first-team experience. "It's just a pity that I broke down with an injury almost straight away but that has cleared now and I am just desperate to get back in the team and get a few games under my belt. "Leaving Rangers was not something I never really intended on doing. "I always said that I am a massive Bluenose and in the last couple of seasons when I spoke to the Rangers News I always said I never wanted to leave at any point. I want to be kicked out the door. "But as a career opportunity coming to Hamilton has been hugely beneficial and it was something I had to do. "I spoke to a lot of experienced players and the coaches at Murray Park as well as my family. "I looked for advice from everyone really and with the size of the first-team squad at Rangers right now it is difficult to break through. "But being at Hamilton has opened my eyes a lot in a good way. "They are an up and coming team and are trying to establish themselves in the SPL as am I. Pedro Mendes "That is why I decided to join the club until the end of the season and I have learned a lot. "You are fighting for a different cause and I had to adapt quickly. "But it has been a great experience and I couldn't have asked for a better bunch of boys to be working with." Walter Smith recently admitted his first-team squad could be trimmed from 28 players down to 20 in the summer with several youngsters being drafted in to make up the difference. Jordan believes this will provide a massive incentive for every Reserve and under-19 player at Murray Park and he will be doing everything in his power to secure one of those places. He said: "Obviously when you are at Rangers it is more difficult to push in to the first-team because of the quality there and the size of the squad. "But it has been well documented that that the gaffer will cut the number down a bit and this could give more youngsters a chance. Kris Boyd celebrates"We will wait and see what happens but I have no doubt that there are players in the Rangers Reserve team that could come to Hamilton and play every week. "I look at things just now and there are young boys at the Accies who have played over 100 games at first-team level and you can see they have benefited from that. "Of course the pressures at Rangers are totally different and that always has to be taken in to account. "The team is expected to play well and win convincingly every week, a draw is seen as a disaster. "At Hamilton it is all about getting results. There was a stage there where the team did not play to their best but kept clean sheets and got points on the board. "Sometimes that is what football is all about. "So it is a different culture but it is something I am really enjoying and I am thankful to the manager Billy Brown for giving me this opportunity."

KYLE LAFFERTY believes that the current Rangers squad have the confidence to carry on their title charge between now and the end of the season. Kyle LaffertyAs his side prepare to face Hamilton at New Douglas Park the Northern Ireland striker says the turn around in fortunes in 2009 has given them renewed belief. Since falling seven points behind Celtic after defeat in the final Old Firm game of 2008, Walter Smith's side have overhauled that deficit to return to the top of the SPL on goal difference. And Lafferty insists that they have what it takes to maintain that run and bring the league trophy back to Ibrox. He said: "I think a lot of people wrote us off when Celtic went seven points clear but there was still a lot of belief in the squad and in the coaching staff and that's still the case. "Everyone's confident that if we keep going the way we are we will win the title. "Celtic will feel they can win it and we believe we can win it. So it's up to us to go about things in the right way - if we do that I think we will win it. Kyle Lafferty"We're happy because I think over the last two months we've been playing some really good football and Celtic have dropped some points when we were picking up them up. "But there are still a lot of games to go and we can't get too carried away. We have to keep trying to go about things and looking to pick up points where we can until the end of the season." Tomorrow's meeting with Billy Reid's side will Rangers' fourth of the season and despite bagging twelve goals in the previous three matches between the sides the Gers have experienced their troubles against the SPL new boys. Hamilton have twice taken the lead before Rangers turned the games round and Lafferty expects a similarly tough encounter in a game that kicks of a run of important matches for his side. He added: "Hamilton are a good side and they caused us a few problems before and the next four weeks will be a difficult spell. "It will be interesting to see how we come out at the end and if we get maximum points I think we will be looking good."

WALTER SMITH is firmly anticipating a tough encounter when Rangers travel to Hamilton aiming to stay top of the SPL. Rangers are in a position to move three points clear before Celtic kick off at home against St Mirren if they can beat Hamilton in the early start at New Douglas Park. However, Smith is taking nothing for granted. He has been impressed with the way Billy Reid has got things going so well that the Accies are on the verge of the top six. He said; "I think when you look at Hamilton at the start of the season they were in a situation where they had just achieved two very consistent seasons in the First Division. "Kris BoydThey had just missed out on promotion two years ago and then got it last season so they were coming into the Premier League in good shape. "That showed in the early games of the season when they were full of enthusiasm and achieved some good results. "There was a period where they dropped down again but the changes that Billy Reid has made have been significant ones and it has been a terrific bit of management by him. "His changes have been really good ones and he has got them into a position where they looking to push for a top six position which would be a fantastic achievement. "We went one down the last time we went to Hamilton so we know that Saturday lunchtime is a very big date for us. "I have been impressed with a lot of their players - and not just the young ones. I think you have to look at the team overall and they have done very well. "It's their teamwork and togetherness that has got them through and as I said Billy deserves a lot of credit." Rangers are likely to be along similar lines when they make the trip to Lanarkshire as the game will come too soon for injured trio DaMarcus Beasley, Lee McCulloch and Nacho Novo.

WALTER SMITH is hopeful that any findings from a prospective Scottish football think tank are acted upon in a bid to improve things in the game in this country. Ally McCoist and Walter SmithFormer First Minister Henry McLeish will head a panel that is set to review a number of issues in the game including a possible restructure of the league and a winter shutdown. But with experience of a number of similar initiatives Smith believes that the success of any such group is based on its ability to implement its findings. He said: "If we are having another think tank I would like us to act on some of the things we find. We've have three or four already but to me football looks the same as it did before we had those. "So if we are going to do it again and we're going to make improvements through the findings then we should act on them and that's not something that we've done in my years in Scotland. "I don't have a particular element that I'd change but I'd hope it's not another one where we waste everyone's time." Recent suggestions have also seen the prospect of a longer half time break and the introduction of player quotas with a necessity for six home grown players in a team's starting line up. Walter SmithThey are changes that Smith feels would make little difference to the game as it stands. He added: "I don't think quotas would be a great disadvantage now. It may have been a few years ago when we had a fair number of foreign players. "But we have a fair base of Scottish players now so I don't think it would be a major disadvantage. "It would just mean that the country would be under a pressure to keep producing a level of player that would satisfy all the teams. "As for half time I thought we were having 20 minute ones now! As long as they make the 20 minute half time last 20 minutes and not the 10 minute half time that runs to 18 minutes at the moment that's fine. "At 20 I think we would maybe need a warm up before the second half but I think football is fine at the moment so I don't see that it needs to be messed around with to be honest."

Graham Spiers Rangers are believed to be about to reveal a slight downturn in their financial fortunes for the first six months of the current season when the Ibrox club releases its half-year accounts this afternoon in Glasgow. Having reached the Uefa Cup final and very nearly won the Clydesdale Bank Premier League last season, Rangers' fortunes suffered a setback when they failed to qualify for the group stage of the 2008-09 Champions League, a factor that has impacted on the club's turnover figure for the first half of the season. Rangers' turnover to December 31 should still be in the region of Ã?£30million, though the club is expected to have taken a hit due to its non-participation in Uefa's premier club tournament. The Champions League - even with Celtic sharing Scotland's pot of money - would have netted Rangers an extra Ã?£8million to Ã?£9million in ticket sales and other retail spin-offs in the run up to Christmas last year. Against that, the sale of Carlos CuÃ?©llar to Aston Villa for Ã?£8million in August will have softened the blow of missing out on a Champions League windfall. Without the CuÃ?©llar sale, Rangers' six-month figures would have been much tougher. This time last year the club recorded encouraging half-year figures, with turnover up by Ã?£10million to over Ã?£33million, though that was mainly due to their 2007 Champions League adventure. Today's figures are expected to show a dip by comparison. Sir David Murray, the Rangers chairman, will preside over today's interim accounts, and is also expected to clarify the current debt situation at Rangers, which is estimated to be in the region of Ã?£23million. Murray has repeatedly stated the importance of playing in the Champions League as the key to Rangers' financial performance in recent years. ââ?¬Å?For the Old Firm, who do not have access to the riches of some of the other big leagues of Europe, the importance of Champions League participation cannot be over-estimated,ââ?¬Â one football analyst told The Times yesterday. ââ?¬Å?It is tough if they miss out on the group stage or beyond, because of the obvious earning power of the tournament. So the defeat to Kaunas back in August [in a Champions League qualifier] will have hit Rangers hard.ââ?¬Â The current debt of Rangers is intriguing, given Celtic's revelation last week that they are just Ã?£900,000 in the red. There has been a distinct divergence in fiscal policy between the Old Firm in recent years, with Celtic feverishly trying to eradicate their debt, while Rangers have allowed theirs to climb steadily upwards again. Between 2003 and 2007, Rangers successfully arrested their bank borrowings from a frightening high of Ã?£80million to around Ã?£5million, though in the last 18 months the figure has risen sharply again. Murray and Rangers took some flak recently for revealing that they hoped to sell one of their main playing assets - either Kris Boyd or Barry Ferguson - to ease the financial pressure at the club. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article5810535.ece

Feb 27 2009 THE Rangers player involved in one of Scotland' most tragic football accidents was honoured yesterday by his home town. Members of Sam English's family travelled to Northern Ireland as guests of theMayor of Coleraine, to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth. English was involved in a clash with Celtic goalkeeper John Thomson in a match at Ibrox in September 1931. Thomson bravely dived at English's feet, and the goalie's skull was accidentally fractured by the striker's knee. Thomson died later from his injury. Although Engl i sh was absolved of any blame, he was left a broken man. In season 1931-32, English hit 44 league goals for Rangers, a record which stands to this day. He gave up playing aged just 28 and died in 1967 from motor neurone disease - the same condition which claimed the life of Celtic legend Jimmy Johnstone. English's family, including daughters Charlotte and May, from Clydebank, attended the civic reception and the unveiling of memorial plaques yesterday. Son-in-law Ronnie said: "Sam was a shy man. He would have been more pleased for his daughters." Last year, Fife-born Thomson was inducted into the SFA Hall of Fame after a campaign supported by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/02/27/honour-for-gers-striker-english-86908-21156310/

Feb 27 2009 By Keith Jackson SPL bosses have held secret talks about the nightmare scenario of sending Celtic to Fir Park for a THIRD time this season as the title race goes down to the wire. Record Sport can reveal the proposal would also see championship rivals Rangers playing Mark McGhee's men at Ibrox three times - and avoid returning to Motherwell's dreaded pitch in the run-in. The potential fixture farce will almost certainly explode if Well can fend off challenges from Hibs and Hamilton to stay in the top six at the split. Motherwell edged into sixth place last weekend with a 1-1 draw at home to Celtic on a playing surface which is so badly damaged Record Sport columnist Mark Hateley called for the authorities to shut Fir Park down immediately on health and safety grounds. If the the current top six of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Dundee United, Aberdeen and Motherwell all make the final cut the SPL will have to make drastic changes to the card. Top-flight bosses Lex Gold and Iain Blair have discussed contingency plans and have drawn up two alternatives - neither of which will go down well with Celtic or their fans. If the Hoops are not forced to go to Fir Park for a third time they will almost certainly face a third trip to face Hearts, with the Tynecastle men playing Rangers at Ibrox three times. Ensure That would be necessary to ensure as many top-flight teams as possible play 19 home and 19 away fixtures over the season. In previous years Rangers have had to go to Aberdeen and Dundee United three times to make up for this anomaly - but Celtic have neverbeenadverselyaffected. However, that will change this time should Motherwell make the top six. As is stands, Rangers will have played 16 home games at the split with Celtic on 17. Celtic would then be due to play two away games at Ibrox and Pittodrie, with three further home clashes against Dundee United, Hearts and Motherwell. Rangers would face Celtic and Aberdeen at home with away days at Tannadice, Tynecastle and Fir Park. But that would mean Celtic had 20 home games compared to the Ibrox side's 18, which is why the SPL would intervene by switching two of the games to send Gordon Strachan's men to Fir Park or Tynecastle. Dundee United could also benefit as they would be in line to be the only team in the top six to play 20 home games and 18 away. Last night SPL chief Iain Blair confirmed talks have taken place to thrash out a rearranged fixture list. He told Record Sport: "Yes, we are aware of the potential problems. Our only objective is to come up with the fairest set of fixtures possible." How the split fixtures would work: RANGERS Home: Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts or Motherwell. Away: Hearts or Motherwell, Dundee Utd. CELTIC Home: Dundee Utd, Hearts or Motherwell. Away: Hearts or Motherwell, Rangers, Aberdeen. DUNDEE UTD Home: Aberdeen, Motherwell, Rangers. Away: Celtic, Hearts. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/2009/02/27/exclusive-spl-in-talks-over-plans-to-send-celtic-to-fir-park-for-third-time-but-rangers-would-avoid-pitch-nightmare-86908-21156598/

Good goal but not as good as this one:[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWjkq3z3xRE]YouTube - Rangers vs Stuttgart Charlie adam goal[/ame]

Adam scores a cracking goal for Blackpool http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/video.aspx?VideoPath=BLAC/poolvaccy_goals512k_stream.wmv&VideoID=32425&ArticleID=5018528

Feb 26 2009 By Hugh Keevins ALLY McCOIST will help build a lasting tribute to Davie Cooper on Friday night ... then honour his old pal's memory by continuing the search for the Super Coopers of tomorrow. A debate about the health of Scottish football has raged since Walter Smith and Gordon Strachan attacked the level of criticism aimed at the last Old Firm game. McCoist doesn't deny some of the stick was justified but refuses to believe this country's well of talent has dried up. Along with Celtic coach Neil Lennon, McCoist will tomorrow help with the fund raising for a sensory park for special needs children in Clydebank, the town where Cooper began and ended his playing career. But Rangers' assistant manager refuses to believe the exceptional skills Cooper possessed, and which ultimately took him to Rangers and a place in the national side, have skipped a generation. McCoist said: "I'm a glass half full kind of guy. I'll concede Coop was the last of the breed of players who learned their football in the streets but I won't accept pessimism so far as the future is concerned. "The talent is still out there and Scotland will continue to produce the type of player who makes you feel the anticipation of the crowd whenever he gets on to the ball. "Kids don't play on the streets any more for a variety of reasons but that doesn't mean to say genius no longer exists. "Aiden McGeady has ability to go past people for Celtic. Aaron and John Fleck at Ibrox have it as well. They're the players who produce the stuff the fans go to the pub on a Saturday night and talk about. "The priority for coaches is to make sure the team they work for wins matches. If we don't do that, we don't have a job but football has an obligation to entertain After the Old Firm had been slaughtered for the derby game, I felt we went out against Kilmarnock with a 'Let's show these people' attitude. "Coop was the consummate entertainer. Whether it was the swivel of the hips or the 40-yard pass, he entertained no matter the fixture or the surroundings. "The highest tribute I can pay him is to say I worked many times with Ruud Gullit on TV and he was always raving about Davie and a game he played against him while he was at Feyenoord. "I like the idea of a lasting tribute to Davie in Clydebank because I first became aware of him in 1976 when the Bankies took Rangers to four games in the League Cup before we got rid of them. I won't name names but there were two Rangers full-backs who tried swopping sides of the park during the first of those games because one of them was getting such a chasing from this young kid. "Coop was, first and foremost, a humble man but when people talk about him they don't mention his medals, they talk about his skill." Cooper, who died in 1995, was revered by his team-mates at Ibrox and McCoist smiled as he recalled one occasion when they literally pulled his leg. He said: "It was Coop's testimonial match and we racked our brains over a gift. "Then one of the lads had a brainwave and got the right leg off a tailor's dummy and wrapped it up in brown paper with the message, 'What do you give the man who's got everything ?' "I couldn't put a price on what that left peg of his would be worth in today's transfer market. Beyond price I would say. "I appreciate there's more to the game than goalscorers and I say that as someone who made his name as one. Rangers had three quality finishes on Saturday against Kilmarnock and Pedro Mendes was outstanding with defence-splitting passes. "But fans love the genius of a Coop or a Jinky Johnstone or a Willie Henderson. We need more like them and I know they can still be found." Part of McCoist's remit is to help discover and develop stars of the future - a job a certain ex-colleague would never have expected him to take. He said: "I can guarantee Coop will be looking down at me shaking his head. The prospect of me in management would have tickled him. "Never a day goes by that I don't think about him and Tommy Burns. You might go from the Old Firm to work elsewhere but in your heart and mind you never leave Rangers or Celtic. "Stefan Klos once told me it was what distinguished the Old Firm from German clubs. "That's why Davie will be on my mind when I pay tribute to him in Clydebank on Friday night. He had that magic ingredient and others will come to show they have it too." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/rangers/2009/02/26/exclusive-duty-is-on-us-to-find-the-new-generation-of-davie-coopers-insists-ally-mccoist-86908-21153912/

The forum is a bit quiet today, so...............will we win the league title this season ?. How confident are we on here of bringing the league title back home ?. I think we are on course to win our 52nd title, although we still have a lot of football to play yet, but I just feel that now we have our blue noses back in front of the MOPES, all be it on goal difference, we are going to win the SPL. :rfc:

OOPS!!,Apologies

A player for Rangers that I was Lucky enough to see and unfortunately I will never see a player like him in a Rangers jersey again. R.I.P. Davie