ian1964

Beasley nearly scores there

43min USA 1 Mexico 0,Beasley corner

Done, Beasley playing well

Game is about to start if anyone is interested,we are not allowed to put links up now......................................but the last one I put up is showing it

Cheers Jon.............never seen this thread :cheers:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/7884505.stm

The day................

KRIS BOYD gave Walter Smith food for thought this afternoon when he bagged a double in a bounce game against Hamilton Accies. Maurice Edu, RangersThe striker partnered Kenny Miller in attack against Billy Reid's men and was clearly out to impress ahead of Sunday's massive Old Firm encounter. The game gave run-outs to Steven Naismith and Mo Edu with youngsters Danny Wilson, Stephen Stirling, Jamie Ness and Gregg Wylde also featuring throughout the 90 minutes alongside Kirk Broadfoot and Lee McCulloch. Ness and Wylde were the others scorers for the Gers and coach Ian Durrant believes it was a worthwhile exercise. He said: "Coisty phoned up Billy Reid, they had a lack of training facilities so we thought it was an ideal opportunity for us to get a game. "We won 4-1 and I thought it was an excellent work-out. "Boydy scored a couple while Mo Edu and Stevie Naismith also got some action under their belts. "So our squad is brimming right now. "Almost everybody is fit and they are desperate to get in the gaffer's starting line-up."

Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier against San Marino will be subject to a pitch inspection following torrential rain in Serravalle. An inspection of the playing surface will be carried out at 1700 GMT. The downpour has lasted several hours and, although the playing surface is rated as good, it could struggle to cope with the amount of water. Victory over San Marino could see Northern Ireland leap into second place in Group Three on goal difference. But they are without Norwich City's Sammy Clingan who has been ruled out because of a thigh strain. Doncaster's Dean Shiels has also been ruled out by an ankle injury. Damien Johnson, Kyle Lafferty and Grant McCann are being tipped to play in midfield with Martin Paterson partnering David Healy up front. Birmingham midfielder Johnson will make his return to Northern Ireland duty after a lengthy absence caused by injury. Clingan's injury is likely to open the door to a start for Scunthorpe United's McCann. Paterson's recent run of goals for Burnley is likely to mean promotion to the starting line-up, with Healy's regular striking partner Lafferty playing in midfield alongside Johnson, McCann and Steven Davis. George McCartney will be available to play in defence after missing training on Monday because of blisters while Warren Feeney is also expected to be available despite a minor virus. Clingan broke down in training at the squad's base in Riccoine and will be returning to his club for treatment. Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington described Clingan's unavailable as a "disappointment". "Sammy is a big player for us," added the manager. "He did not train Sunday and yesterday and had to step out of today's session, so he will be going back." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7881469.stm

I would like to see Boyd & Lafferty deployed in a 4-4-2,with Fleck on the left wing

Hope there is no truth in this rumour http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2488537.0.0.php

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/2009/02/11/sponsor-jjb-s-financial-problems-won-t-affect-us-say-rangers-86908-21113998/

What I am questioning is,does WS actually know his best team ?,not just for this match!! He probably does know what team he is going to put out @ the piggery,but then why not just say it,without naming the team ?.

Horrified..................BUT NOT SURPRISED ????

By Andrew Dickson WALTER SMITH admits it's still too early to think about putting together his team to face Celtic on Sunday because of the international break. Rangers' preparations for this weekend's crucial league derby have been hampered somewhat by the fact so many players have been called up by their countries. Barry FergusonBarry Ferguson, David Weir, Allan McGregor and Kirk Broadfoot all attended Scotland's training camp at St Andrews earlier this week. Kyle Lafferty and Steven Davis are also scheduled to play for Northern Ireland tonight against San Marino in a World Cup qualifier. The same applies to DaMarcus Beasley, who is in the United States squad to face Mexico in the same tournament this evening. Madjid Bougherra is away with Algeria for their home friendly against Benin while Andrius Velicka completes the set as he is representing Lithuania against Andorra. In all, Gers have been without nine senior players over the last couple of days and it would have been more had Kenny Miller been fit enough for the Scots' gathering. With three of his stars involved in competitive games and many more away from Murray Park, Smith is unsure of what state they'll return in. Until he has them back together as one group, he concedes he can't settle on what side he'll field at Parkhead and it could be Friday before he has an idea of who he'll use. All he knows at this stage is that he will be without the injured Nacho Novo and Kevin Thomson, although Miller will be available. Smith said: "It is too early in the week at the moment to say what we'll do at Parkhead on Sunday as we still have people away. "There are a few people who are yet to get their international games out of the way such as Lafferty, Davis and Bougherra. Madjid Bougherra"They're all guys who have been in our team recently but we must wait and see if they return to us injury-free before we know what we're doing. "We won't be sitting down to pick a side until tomorrow or Friday. It's different with the Scottish boys as they're attending a training camp. "We wouldn't expect them to get injured but there are other lads taking part in World Cup qualifiers and they can be a wee bit teethy. "The situation is not perfect in the sense that you like to have your squad together as one in the lead-up to a big game. "The fact the players who were away with Scotland didn't train in the early part of the week because of the weather was a problem, especially as our game at Forfar was off. "I know these things happen but it's not ideal. At least the fact we're playing on Sunday gives us a bit more breathing space. "When international games are on in midweek, we sometimes only get players back on a Friday morning and that's not great if we're then playing on Saturday. "Because the match in 24 hours later, we still have a couple of days together to prepare so it isn't too bad."

AMERICAN star DaMarcus Beasley is relishing the prospect of two massive derby matches in the space of five days. Beasley is in line to face Mexico tonight for the United States in Columbus, Ohio in a vital, sold-out World Cup qualifier. DaMarcus Beasley scores against AC MilanAnd he is desperately hoping to clinch a place in the Rangers squad for Sunday's Old Firm showdown at Parkhead. There is massive rivalry between the US and Mexico and the game at Columbus Crew Stadium was sold out in 90 minutes. Beasley was a hero the last time the sides met there in 2005 when he scored the second goal in a 2-0 win which sent the Americans on their way to the 2006 Finals. It's the first match in the final phase of qualifying for the USA and they want to get off to a flyer Beasley said: "It's a really big game. We'll be at home to our closest rivals and the tie will play a big part in who goes to the World Cup. "I have good memories of playing in Columbus against Mexico because of what happened four years ago. "We haven't lost to them in a while now and have only been beaten by them once in the last eight or nine years.DaMarcus Beasley "People don't realise how big the USA v Mexico games are. When you go to the Azteca and there are 100,000 people there cheering the other team it is pretty intense." Beasley, who has put himself back in the Rangers picture by scoring against AC Milan last week, added: "it could be a really big week for me with the Celtic game coming too. "Celtic games are the same and I'll take all of that as it comes. It would be great to think I could be part of both of them" Beasley is one of a handful of Rangers players away on international duty. Kyle Lafferty and Steven Davis are with Northern Ireland in San Marino for a World Cup qualifier they must win while Madjid Bougherra is in Algeria for a friendly with Benin. It will be Friday before all of them are back at Murray Park

WILLIE HENDERSON still remembers it as one of the greatest days of his career. Becoming the youngest-ever Rangers player selected by Scotland was a special honour. To cap it off with a wonderful winner simply added to the 18-year-old’s sense of thrill. Almost 50 years on Henderson can still recall every moment of his historic international debut in the 3-2 win over Wales. But the Ibrox icon insists he’d love John Fleck to smash BOTH records next month. George Burley is ready to fast-track Fleck into the Scotland senior side for the World Cup crunch in Holland. At 17, he’d be the second-youngest Scotland debutant of all-time if he stars in Amsterdam on March 28. Gers legend Henderson said: “I remember everything about my debut, even though it was 1962. “It was a great honour for me and for my family. “The huge thing was that I scored and we won 3-2. “It is still up there with the best days of my career. “But if John goes on to play for Scotland next month, it would be a fantastic honour for him. “I would be thrilled for him if he beats my record. Nobody would be more pleased than me if that scenario happens.” Henderson was just 18 years 270 days when he played against the Welsh at Ninian Park in 1962. Fleck would beat that record by more than a year if he’s capped in the Group Nine crunch. Only John Lambie of Queen’s Park, who made his debut at 17 years and 92 days in 1886, would be younger. But Henderson reckons Fleck could handle the pressure of being thrown in against the Dutch. He said: “It would be a massive honour for John to play for his country. “To go down that road at such a young age would be fantastic for him. “It is building up to a huge time in the boy’s life and he has to be looked after. “It’s a lot to take on board for a boy of 17. Luckily, he has Walter Smith and Ally McCoist to help him. Advertisement “In my day, I had my parents for help and advice and Bobby Shearer was a huge influence in the dressing room. “But you can only be advised so much to look after yourself and watch what you are doing. “A lot of it is down to yourself, but John seems a level-headed boy.” Fleck has burst on to the first-team scene since the New Year. Henderson watched his full debut in the 3-1 win over Falkirk and saw his first goal in the 2-0 triumph over Dundee United. And he insists the superkid will have no fear if he’s thrown into a Scotland shirt by boss Burley. He added: “I saw John for the first time in the Falkirk game. He played well in that match and also against Dundee United. “Bringing him into the Rangers team has been a great experience for the lad. Taking him into the Scotland squad would be just as good for him. Speaking from personal experience, I didn’t have any fear about playing for Scotland at such a young age. “You don’t see any fear, you only think about what is in front of you. “He looks a confident young boy and that will be a huge help to him. “He will have to go through a lot if he’s capped for Scotland at 17. But it’s obvious the football side isn’t going to be a problem for him.” Fleck would be the third teenage wing king to emerge from Ibrox and be capped by Scotland. Willie Johnston followed in Henderson footsteps and won his first cap in 1965 at the age of 18. Henderson said: “The Rangers fans take to anyone who can play, and it certainly looks like John can play. You should never under-estimate the opinions of supporters. “I think and hope that they can see some rewards from Murray Park. “There has been a bit of money spent on it over the years. “But Alan Hutton was sold for a lot of money — and now another great boy has come through. It’s great to see home-grown talent in the team and John is the type of player who excites the fans. “They have to pay a lot of money to watch football these days. It’s nice for them to see quality like John. “There has been a lot of talk about money problems at Ibrox recently. “But the scenario could work out well with no players leaving Rangers last month and now John coming through.”

Published Date: 11 February 2009 By MARTYN McLAUGHLIN A REFEREE who officiated in football's top flight has been charged over alleged racist remarks about a former Rangers player. Mike Ritchie, 49, who has taken charge of games in the Scottish Premier League, is claimed to have described a former Rangers striker as a "black b******" after a function in Aberdeen. Ritchie is alleged to have made the remarks about the French ADVERTISEMENT player Jean-Claude Darcheville on 10 November last year while leaving the Mannofield Cricket Club following a meeting of the Aberdeen and District Referees Association. Police said yesterday that a report has been sent to the procurator-fiscal concerning the alleged incident. Mr Ritchie, from Macduff, has officiated several prominent fixtures in his career, including games featuring Rangers. Appointed a grade 1 referee ââ?¬â?? the most senior rank ââ?¬â?? in 1999, he has scaled down his workload after breaking his ankle. He works with the SFA to train young referees and is employed by the NHS as a risk trainer. A Grampian Police spokeswoman said: "A male has been charged in relation to an incident at Mannofield Cricket Club on November 10, 2008. A report has been sent to the procurator-fiscal." No-one from the SFA was available for comment. http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Top-referee-is--charged.4966810.jp

By Andrew Dickson LEE McCULLOCH knows there's every chance Rangers will revert to a 4-5-1 formation at Celtic on Sunday - and says Kris Boyd CAN play as the lone striker. Kris Boyd celebrates a goal with Lee McCullochThe club's leading scorer has been used more often by manager Walter Smith this term and has already started more games than he did in the whole of last season. But if the Light Blues revert from their usual 4-4-2 system to something more cautious, Boyd is the man many will expect to drop out of the starting XI. The 25-year-old has spoken in the past of his preference to play alongside another forward as he feels he struggles performing on his own up front. Yet McCulloch insists he's the ideal option for Smith if he chooses to put an extra man in midfield and field just one attacker. With 23 goals so far, nobody in Scotland comes close to matching Boyd's strike rate of one goal for almost every Gers start he has made. For that reason, utility man McCulloch is confident giving the former Kilmarnock attacker the support he needs from the middle of the park can pay off. He said: "There are a lot of candidates for the role if we only play with one up front at Celtic and we saw Kyle Lafferty get his chance in the friendly with AC Milan last week. "But he's not the only one and you've got guys such as Andrius Velicka, Kenny Miller and Boydy vying for places too. "In my opinion, Kris can play up front on his own but it's down to whoever the manager chooses and that's what counts most. "He'll go with the player he feels is our most in-form striker at the time and we'll have to wait and see who that is. Kris Boyd, Rangers"I certainly feel Boydy can do a job as a single striker and maybe it's up to us, his team-mates, to convince him of that. "He's a guy who has a lot of confidence - that's for sure - but he has said in the past that he doesn't feel he can play up front on his own and that he needs someone beside him. "He prefers having a strike partner but if we have five men in midfield behind him, there'll be plenty of support there. "Kris is such a natural finisher that he'll still get chances with that number of people around him. "I don't pick the team and it's not for me to say who should play. That's the manager's decision but Boydy is certainly capable."

I wonder how much he won on the last OF game @ the piggery ???

And your predicted scoreline is ?

What a game to win................imagine the feeling after we give them another skelping in the piggery,c'mon Walter redeem yourself.............well a little bit anyway!!!!

ALEX RAE is backing Rangers to complete a Parkhead double on Celtic this weekend and go top of the SPL. The former Ibrox star reckons the pendulum has swung in the title race in recent weeks although he is still anticipating a battle royal for the crown. It promises to be a huge occasion on Sunday when the two sides meet for the third time this season. Speaking to RangerKenny Miller celebratess World, he said: "Of course Rangers won at Parkhead earlier this season. I was there that day and Rangers played ever so well. "So that indicates that they have what it takes to go there again and win. "The huge incentive is there because if they win they go top and that would be a huge boost at this stage of the season. "Rangers have a lot of good players in their side and if they play as they did last August then they can win the game alright." Having been involved in a title campaign that went to the last day, Rae is also anticipating a tight contest in the remaining matches. He added: There is no doubt it is going to be neck and neck. "I think it has been a very good SPL this year because there are four or five teams who are capable of turning over the Old Firm. "When you look back three out of the last six championships have gone to the last day of the season so there is every chance the same will happen again. "There is very little between the two teams and you could see that in the last game at Ibrox. Celtic got a very good victory that day but the game could easily have gone the other way. "So there is a lot of football to be played and I know from experience how things can suddenly change. "Because of the nature of the SPL with Dundee United, Aberdeen, Hibs, Hearts and Motherwell all feeling they can beat the Old Firm on any given day, it's all up in the air."

Does he ?, see above post

MOPES 0 Rangers 2 Mendes, Lafferty