ian1964

by David Melvin GREGG Wylde could scarcely have hoped for a better opening to his first term as part of Rangers' under-19 set up. The young left back has made himself a first choice in Billy Kirkwood's defence and last month collected the Clydesdale Bank's rising star award for the SPL youth league's best performer. But the talented 17-year-old is refusing to get carried away and insists he will keep his head down and continue to work towards his long term goals. He said: "I feel I've started quite well and hopefully I can keep that going throughout the rest of the season." "Greig Wylde in actionIt was good to get the award and it's something I'd like more of in my career in the future, but this is just a nice way to start. "It was a great boost to get recognised in that way but when I was first told about it, it was a real surprise." Wylde has already managed three goals from the full back position, including one in last month's convincing 6-0 win over Brora Rangers in the Youth Cup at Ibrox. That victory set up a fourth round tie with Dumbarton on Sunday again set to be played at the club's famous home. Wylde admits he enjoyed the experience of getting on the score sheet in such a significant fixture as his side kicked off the defence of a trophy that Kirkwood's teams have won in each of the last two seasons. He added: "I've enjoyed the start to the season with the under-19s and although we haven't been playing too well recently we've been grinding out results. "It's been good to get forward and get a couple of goals, but as I've said it's just a start and it's up to me to keep it going through the season. "I've got license to get forward and I like starting from that position because you can see the game in front of you better. I'm there to defend first and foremost but a full back can be an attacking option too. "I'm happy anywhere as long as I'm playing although it's fair to say my best position is probably left back but wherever Billy Kirkwood needs me to play I'll be happy to do that.Gregg Wylde "It was a great experience to get another game at Ibrox last month. I'd played there a couple of times at younger levels but that was a cup game and it was a different atmosphere. "It was nice to get a goal there too in what was an important game for us. Although this is my first year in the 19s we know that we've got a cup to defend. "It's important for the new group to make it three out of three. Rangers need to be winning trophies no matter what level it's at because that's what the club is all about. "This game against Dumbarton will be a tough one and we'll need to approach like we would any other game in the league." Wylde's approach to the game has seen him tipped for big things in the future but the Scotland youth star admits for now he is concentrating only on the aspects of his game that he can improve. He admitted: "I know there is plenty to work on and my delivery is just one thing that I need to spend time on. "It's not just about getting in the right positions; you need to deliver well once you get there. "But with all the help I get from the coaches here I feel I am progressing and I hope that continues." Despite having beBoyd congratulates Fleck after his great strikeen one of the youth players invited to train with the first team already this season, Wylde admits he is not thinking too far ahead as he looks to build on early season successes. He said: "At the moment I'm only concentrated on the 19s. It's my first season at this level and I'd expect a couple of years with the 19s and then on to the reserves and we'll see what happens from there. "There are guys in the first team squad now that have followed that path and that's the benchmark for all the guys in the youth teams here. We're all aiming to follow in their footsteps. "There are plenty of examples for us young guys to follow. The likes of Alan Hutton, Chris Burke and Stevie Smith all got their chance after doing well in Murray Park's youth teams. "And last season John Fleck got off the bench in the Scottish Cup Final and he was only 16 then.Billy Kirkwood "That's encouraging for all of us in the youth department as it shows that you will get a chance if you perform well consistently." Wylde has certainly managed that so far this season and his coach has been delighted with his progress. Billy Kirkwood said: "Credit to Gregg; he's been fantastic from the left back area and wide on the left. "He had three goals in three games at one stage and he's been doing very well. He has a great asset in his pace and down that left side he delivers a great ball in to the box. "He's shown a good consistency and hopefully some of the other lads can do the same and pick up the rising star award through the season.

Welcome to the best Rangers forums mate

By Andrew Dickson WHEN Kyle Lafferty completed his move from Burnley to Rangers in June, he was thrilled as his childhood dream of joining the club became reality. Having signed for the Light Blues team he grew up supporting at home in Northern Ireland, he beat a path so many other youngsters try to take without any success. Kyle LaffertyBut if he thought becoming the new darling of the Ibrox support was to be an easy or straightforward affair, he quickly found out that wouldn't be the case. The versatile forward was plagued with minor injuries in his first few weeks at Gers as back, hamstring and tooth abscess problems all sidelined him. Furthermore, being used in a left-sided midfield position when he was fit rather than up front as he prefers made for an awkward start to his time in Glasgow. It is natural that having cost in excess of �£3million to recruit, there is pressure on the 21-year-old to live up to his price tag. So far - for the reasons listed - he has only shown brief glimpses of what he's capable of, yet the criticism aimed in his direction as a consequence hasn't exactly been fair. Maurice Edu is a player who has rightly been afforded time to adapt to the game in Scotland, having only had one full season as a first-team regular. Despite coming in for an outlay of �£2.7million, he is seen as one for the future rather than a player for the present and that has widely been accepted by the majority.Kyle Lafferty With that in mind, it has been strange to see far more disparaging comments being made about Lafferty's early showings for Walter Smith's side. Of course, he has been a professional for longer than Edu - albeit by just six months or so - and has only moved to the SPL from England rather than the United States. But he is over a year younger than his colleague and last term was the first in which he didn't find himself named on a list of substitutes every other week. In a society where people rarely display more patience than they feel they have to, perhaps an exception should be made in Lafferty's case. After all, he is seen within the corridors of power at Murray Park as somebody who could spearhead the side's attack alongside the likes of Steven Naismith in the long term. There are a number of Rangers supporters who feel the sum paid for the Ulsterman's services was too high for someone seen as primarily as potential. Kyle Lafferty, RangersBut the feeling amongst the club's coaching staff is it was an amount worth parting with and the former Turf Moor favourite is eager to prove them right. More than that, he's confident he can and those who were in attendance at the last home match against Aberdeen 11 days ago might just be inclined to agree. There was a distinct change in Lafferty's persona during that fixture as he moved into attack from the wing and virtually became a different player within minutes. Having previously appeared shorn of confidence, there were signs his swagger was returning and with support and encouragement, he feels he can only build on that. Coping with his valuation is something Lafferty has had to learn to get used to in recent times and at last he seems to be getting his head around it. "I didn't really think too much about how much money had been paid for me to begin with," Lafferty said. "I had started pretty well when I was on the field. "But after I had more little injuries and I began to spend a lot of time on the bench, people started to highlight how much Rangers had paid for me.Kyle Lafferty celebrates with Sasa Papac after scoring "Some were putting pressure on me and I think they're forgetting I'm still quite young and that I'm learning the game. "I'm not using that as an excuse, it's just true. I've been a pro for a little over three years but last season was my first when I've played more than I've been on the bench. "Even at that, I wasn't playing in my best position up front because Burnley used me out on the left instead. "In the long run, I'm sure training with the players here and working with the coaching staff will help me improve as a player. "I've been criticised quite a lot but it isn't going to get me down. If anything, it makes me stronger and makes me want to prove to the fans I can do a job. "I want to show the people out there who are doubting me that Rangers do have a good player on their hands. Kyle Lafferty"All I have to do is work hard and keep listening to the people around me. If I take their advice, I'm hopeful of doing well. "I want to prove people who knock me wrong and I believe I can do that. The people close to me believe that too." It isn't terribly surprising, given how shy and softly-spoken Lafferty can be, that his morale waned when his critics began to have their say. Key to lifting his spirits again has been the approach adopted by those behind the scenes at Rangers, manager Smith and his assistant Ally McCoist in particular. Indeed, coaxing Lafferty back into form rather than demanding an immediate upturn seems to be working over time. The hitman added: "The gaffer and Coisty have both had a word with me and they told me to keep my head up and not to get despondent. "If I picked up the ball, ran at defenders and then lost it, I was expecting to get a telling off for it but they've really encouraged me instead "They've told me to keep playing my own game and I've agreed with what they've said. It has been great to have their support.Kyle Lafferty "It has made me feel a lot more relaxed on the ball and it has helped having guys in the team who talk to you all the time as well. "When I was out on the right of midfield against Aberdeen, I enjoyed having Kirk Broadfoot behind me because he kept me right." You could understand to an extent if Lafferty were to cast an envious eye back to old club Burnley and wonder what might have been had he stayed there a little longer. The Clarets caused one of English football's biggest upsets so far this season when they knocked Champions League finalists Chelsea out of the League Cup last month. They also occupy a promising position in the Championship table as it nears its midway point and their hopes of gaining a place in the top flight are as high as anybody's. Kyle LaffertyBut as he considers what the players he left behind have done in the last few months, Lafferty is adamant there isn't an ounce of regret at moving away from Lancashire. He said: "Burnley have been picking up a lot of really good results. Obviously they beat Chelsea in the League Cup and are well placed in the Championship. "But my time there is all in the past now and my only concern is Rangers and how we do here. That's who I supported as a kid and I always wanted to play for them. "People might come up to me and say that Burnley are doing really well and that I might wish I'd been part of it all there this season. "But I got my dream move and I'm so happy about that. I wish Burnley all the best and hope they do well. "It would be great if they went further in the cup and got to the Premiership because then we'll all be happy. They'll have got to where they want to be as I have already." As Rangers move into December, a crucial quartet of league matches lies ahead. Three games are at home, the first being against Hamilton Accies this weekend.Kyle Lafferty The teams met twice in the space of four days in October, with Smith's team emerging victorious both times. After a 3-1 league win at New Douglas Park, Gers were 2-0 winners in the League Cup at Ibrox and Lafferty scored the clincher. One of just two goals for the club so far, he rates that effort - a soaring header from 12 yards - as the brightest moment of his time north of the border to date. Having already breached Billy Reid's defence once this season, Lafferty is intent on doing the same again on Saturday if he plays. "The goal I scored in the League Cup against Hamilton is probably the highlight of my time at Rangers over the first few months," he added. Kyle Lafferty"Things didn't start off too well for me because of the injuries I had shortly after I arrived. It was a bit stop-start in the first few weeks. "When I got into the team at first, I thought I did fairly well but then I dropped out when I pulled up again. "In the game with Hamilton, I had come back from an injury and it was good to score as it was at a point when I was getting a bit frustrated. "Even those it wasn't a league game, it still meant a lot to me and it was great to score another goal at Ibrox. "You can score against anyone so I don't necessarily go along with the theory that there are certain teams people like playing because of goals they've got in the past. "But with that said, it does tend to be the case that some players have a habit of scoring against particular side and it would be nice to think I could have that with Hamilton."

Sounds like a WS tactic there Gribz..............play a player out of position :fish:

Can't really argue with anything he is saying.I am disappointed in him so far but I think that stems from frustration I have with the whole team.Fact is he IS still a young boy and being played out of position which can't help.I hope the lad just buckles down works hard and I am sure he will be a good signing for the GERS given time

Dec 3 2008 By Keith Jackson RANGERS boss Walter Smith will have to unload as many as SIX top-team players to cobble together enough cash to make a New Year swoop for Portuguese defender Tonel. Smith is a huge admirer of the 28-year-old centre-half who first caught his eye last season playing against Rangers for Sporting Lisbon on the Ibrox side's march to the UEFA Cup Final in Manchester. And sources in Lisbon believe Portugal international Pedro Mendes is playing a key role in helping Smith persuade Tonel to set up a new life in Scotland despite interest from Lazio and Panathinaikos. But before Smith can table a serious offer he will have to carry out the second part of a mass cull ordered by chairman Sir DavidMurray back in August following the humiliating European exit at the hands of Lithuanian minnows Kaunas. We revealed back then Smith had been told to chop at least half a dozen big earners from his squad. But although he sold Carlos Cuellar and Daniel Cousin and arranged loan deals for Alan Gow and Andy Webster, Smith used the money he raised to bring in Mendes, Steve Davis, Maurice Edu and Aaron. Now he has been instructed to make further cuts which means Smith will be open to offers for the likes of Brahim Hemdani, DaMarcus Beasley, Jean-Claude Darcheville, Chris Burke, Christian Dailly, Stevie Smith and possibly Lee McCulloch. Ironically, McCulloch has recently emerged as a potential defensive option for Smith who believes the ex-striker has all the attributes needed to make a new career as a stopper. If Smith cannot get enough cash together to go for Tonel he is likely to hold on to McCulloch even though Premiership outfit Stoke remain serious about taking the 30-year-old south in January. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/2008/12/03/exclusive-rangers-may-need-to-dump-six-stars-to-land-january-transfer-target-tonel-86908-20942301/

RANGERS' Homecoming Scottish Cup fourth round tie with St Johnstone will now take place on Tuesday 13 January. The game at McDiarmid Park has been moved from Saturday 10 January for television purposes, with BBC Scotland broadcasting the game live. Kick-off in Perth against Derek McInnes' team will be at 8.05pm, with any potential replay date still to be announced by the SFA.

Cheers Craig,never knew that,but I will remember it for my next spelling mistake,which won't be too long a wait

Aye, very good guys

OOPS !!!..................just noticed I got the spelling wrong in the title, mods please correct it,cheers

Rangers 2, Motherwell 1 by Amir Rashid JOHN FLECK was on top form as Rangers dug out a vital win which keeps them hot on the heels of league leaders Hibs. Fleck has only just returned from an injury lay-off but his quality shone through in a difficult game in bitterly cold conditions. With leaders Hibs defeating Dundee United 3-0 on Friday, the Light Blues knew they could not slip up and they made a bright start. After just two minutes a nice bit of skill by the young Englishman Kane Hemmings down the right, led to a cross in the box for Jamie Ness - whose shot went wide of the left post after being forced to shoot from an awkward angle. Hemmings had the ball in the net minutes later but it was ruled out for offside and then Fleck began to dictate proceedings. Fleck showed why he is so highly thought of on 15 minutes, when a mesmerising run down right left three opposing players in his wake before rounding the keeper and unluckily hitting the foot of the near post with his shot. Moments later Fleck was involved again when his beautifully crafted through ball nearly released Isa Bagci through on goal but an excellent intervention from the Motherwell defender led to a corner instead. The break-through came on 26 minutes when a perfect Fleck corner found Bagci unmarked on the six-yard line and his header beat the diving Steven Coutts. Rangers were hungry for more goals and after the half hour a sweeping move by the champions led to Ness finding Gregg Wylde out wide who delivered an inch perfect cross that was headed just wide by Bagci.John Fleck Motherwell's only decent chance in the first period came when Steven Lawless slid a ball in for Ryan Martin in the Rangers box - he pulled the ball back across goal but fortunately for Rangers there was no one there to meet it. Fleck came desperately close to scoring in the early moments of the second half. He collected Chris Scott's clearance and his pace took him past the last defender before his shot was well saved low down by Coutts. The rebound fell back kindly to Fleck but he was unable to seize the opportunity. Then in 51 minutes Bagci found Fleck on the edge of the box and he hammered a venomous strike that was tipped over the bar for a corner by Coutts. Motherwell controlled the majority of possession in the second half, with most of Rangers attacks coming from breakaways. Motherwell however failed to create many goal scoring chances with their possession. The Rangers defence was solid - tackling and clearing away any dangerous balls into the box. Captain Ross Perry led by example at right back, with commanding central defenders Scott and Danny Wilson both playing their part. Arturs Vaiculis's goal was tested on 72 minutes when Motherwell came forward in search of the equaliser. Substitute Calum Hendrie and Ryan Martin linked up on the edge of the box before the latter released a thumping shot to the top right corner that was excellently saved by Vaiculis With 15 minutes left the Clydesdale Bank player of the month Wylde burst away down the left flank, before releasing a low cross along the Motherwell goal that found Archie Campbell who slotted the ball into the back of the net from close range. Motherwell refused to admit defeat and came back at Rangers when Paul Slane skipped pass Ness near the corner flag and struck a shot from a tight angle that rattled Vaiculis's crossbar. And in stoppage they got their consolation goal when Hendrie picked up the ball and ran with it into the box before finishing with a stunning strike into the top left hand corner of the Rangers goal. RANGERS: Vaiculis; Perry, Wilson, Scott, Wylde; Ness, Hutton, Stirling, Fleck; Hemmings (Campbell), Bagci (Forbes) No chance of Fleck getting a game then, I mean the lad is obviously playing good football the way it should be played

TBH, I couldnae gee a fuck what the commentator says, we were shite, we got gubbed, whatever the commentator says disnae change thing

I don't give two flying fucks what his best position is, at the end of the day, can he not trap a ball,pass a ball,take a man on ?,this lad needs to start showing if he is a Rangers player !!!!

Aye,true,but he will be played left wing................

Walter,Walter,Walter....................waken up ya auld eejit

By Andrew Dickson WALTER SMITH insists Hearts beat Rangers at their own game as they won 2-1 against the Light Blues at Tynecastle. Strikes by Marius Zaliukas and Laryea Kingston in quick succession gave the Jambos a commanding lead midway through the first half. Charlie AdamAnd although a Christos Karipidis own goal gave Gers a lifeline, the hosts packed their back line and held on to the three points despite having Lee Wallace sent off. A defensive approach helped Smith's men so often last season and he was frustrated at seeing his side stopped by the same tactic. He said: "Hearts did well but we made it easy for them and we didn't create an awful lot up front. "That was surprising because we've made a lot of opportunities in previous matches but never came up with any of note many here. "Hearts deserve credit. They had their players back in position and played very much in the manner we played in a number of games last season. They did very well. "We spent the last hour of the game almost entirely in Hearts' half of the pitch but never really created any opportunities to score." Smith was annoyed at the manner in which Rangers lost their goals, both of which came from poorly-defended set pieces. And he refused to hide behind the excuse that having key players such as Kenny Miller and Kevin Thomson out was a reason for a second away defeat of the league campaign.Steven Whittaker The manager added: "You're going to miss players of that quality but you're going to go through the season without some people and there are no excuses there. "We're still good enough without them. I felt in the first 20 minutes or so that we struggled in a defensive sense by giving away too many fouls. "That gave Hearts the opportunity to get the ball into our area and we ended up losing two goals from such situations. "With the consistency Celtic have shown, any points that we drop are a blow to us and it certainly means the three Old Firm games left are ones where the pressure is on us. "We deserve that because we didn't deal with set plays well today. Normally we defend well but against Dundee United we gave away two bad goals. "Those little bits of inconsistency have plagued us in games and that has been costly for us."

Correct

Ok, I take your point, however I know for a certainty that the MOPES will be celebrating this Rangers defeat more than than Jambos as it is only a win for them,where as the MOPES see it more of a step closer to 4IR

Can't argue with that assumption,although I still think good players can play anywhere,and that is the problem............we don't have any real good players

I agree with you Johnny, but I am a great believer in the players HAVE to take most of the blame for poor passing,poor control,lack of movement and lack of effort

Agreed gain

Maybe the title thread should be changed to Rangers who

Correct Gribz,that is why I get annoyed when players get singled out,but then saying that these players can still put in a decent shift at least

My point is the thread title

There is only one person to blame for this shit............WS he signs them,then he plays them,Walter you really need to get a grip here and question your own ability.........or GTF.