ian1964

By Andrew Dickson WALTER SMITH is hopeful Barry Ferguson will return to the Rangers line-up for this weekend's SPL clash with Inverness at Ibrox. The Light Blues skipper returned to action in the reserves last Tuesday against St Mirren after four months out with ankle injury. Ferguson is working with the group of players who have been selected in the squad for tomorrow night's home League Cup quarter-final with Hamilton. But he is highly unlikely to feature in the game and will instead play in Wednesday's second-string fixture against Dundee United. Should the 30-year-old come through that match unscathed, he will then come into contention for the meeting with Caley Jags. Smith said: "Barry will get another game on Wednesday and I'm hopeful that if he gets through that match without any problems, he'll come back in at the weekend. "I don't mean that in terms of his injury because that's okay now. If the after-effects of playing in midweek aren't too severe, we would look at him coming in on Ssaturday. "It is natural people are anxious now to get him back. I'll involve Barry in the pool of players for the Hamilton game but that game might be a bit early for him. "He will play against United's reserves and after that, I'd hope he'll become more gradually involved with the full side. "Barry played at St Mirren and did all of his training last week then had a recovery day yesterday so we'll see how he is at training today. "He is itching to get back playing again but he has an awareness of his injury now, as we do. When he makes his comeback, he'll be ready for it."

I don't think Weir has lost any pace since he signed for us,he just never has had any pace. I think Weir is a major part in settling in first Cuellar and now Bougherra, just ask them,and to be fair to Weir I think he has been an excellent signing and can still continue to do a good job for us, however I also think we should be looking for a replacement for him long term,but for me he will do for this season as we do not have European football only the domestic competitions to contest and he can certainly hold his own there.

Never seen the game,but I have to agree with Craig, he has no pace but if he can learn to hold the ball then that would make his game improve a hell of a lot, and for me that is something you can learn

Or get there earlier :cheers:

I would.................but k-off gets in the way of the bevvy :box:

2-2..............Mon the HIVs

by Lindsay Herron IAN McCOLL, one of the greatest servants to Rangers and a member of the legendary Iron Curtain defence, has passed away. He was 81. Rangers Chief Executive Martin Bain has led the tributes to true gentleman Ian, who was also a highly successful Scotland manager, He said: "We are saddened to learn of Ian's passing. He was a magnificent player for Rangers and, of course, a key member of the famous Iron Curtain defence in the post-war era. "The Club sends its condolences to Ian's family." McColl was a wing half, in the old parlance, of some distinction. He became captain of Rangers in the 1950s and can comfortably lay claim to being one of the club's greatest servants. Signed from Queen's Park - the epitome of the Corinthian spirit - McColl quickly learned that the winning was more important than the playing when you joined the Rangers ranks. He was the final cog in the legendary Iron Curtain defence, which was so effective in Rangers' considerable successes of the period. Bobby Brown in goal, George Young and Jock Shaw in the full back positions with McColl, Willie Woodburn and Sammy Cox in front of them was a formidable barrier in a tremendous time for the club. In a 10-year period Rangers averaged less than a goal against per game which is indicative of just how stong the defensive line was. McColl won six titles, five Scottish Cups and the League Cup twice in his fabulous Rangers career. He was also capped 14 times by Scotland. By the late 1950s McColl had become a peripheral player as a new team had been built, but he still had one key function to fulfil. He was recalled for the 1960 Scottish Cup Final as a replacement for the injured Harold Davis and was a steadying influence as two Jimmy Millar goals gave Rangers a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock. He went out at the top. Looking after the mercurial talent that was Jim Baxter would have been a daunting task for any manager but Ian McColl had to do it TWICE after his fantastic, 15-year Rangers career was over. McColl became Scotland manager in 1961 and utilised the incredible skills of Baxter in many of his selections - none more effectively than at the 1963 clash with England at Wembley when Baxter scored both Scotland goals in a 2-1 win. He then became Sunderland manager in 1965 and signed Baxter from Rangers but the move was not successful as sadly Slim Jim had started to have more fun off the field than on it. In 27 matches as Scotland manager he won 16 times which is undoubtedly a record to be proud of. He is survived by wife Jessie, son Ian and daughter Aileen.

WALTER SMITH will not give in to temptation and recall Barry Ferguson for tomorrow's SPL trip to Hamilton. The Rangers skipper made his comeback after four months out injured on Tuesday when he played 62 minutes of the 3-0 reserve win at St Mirren. Ferguson looked comfortable at Love Street and has continued to be heavily involved in training in the latter part of the week. But given the amount of time he has spent on the sidelines, Smith is adamant he has no intention of using the 30-year-old at New Douglas Park. The manager said: "Barry played in the reserve game the other day but he has been out for four months now and it'll take him a while to get ready. "We've got another reserve game next week and hopefully we can fit in a bounce match as well. "I'm sure after he gets two - maybe three - games under his belt, we can start looking at getting him back into the first team. "It's important for us to get all of our best players back and he has been a big factor in our team so we look forward to him returning. "But we have a squad of players there and it is not necessary to rush him back. We'll make sure he is right this time. "With that, I mean fitness-wise. His injury has totally cleared up and there's no problem with it now. It's just a matter of getting his fitness ready." While Ferguson won't be involved, Lee McCulloch is pushing for a return after scoring in his latest second-string appearance in midweek. Chris Burke is another who is hoping to be in contention after a fine goal and an impressive performance against the Buddies. Steven Whittaker and Steven Smith are also back in full training but are unlikely to make the trip to Lanarkshire. Smith added: "We've got a selection headache now as we've got a large group of players available and it's down to me to select the right ones to win games. "There is good competition and that's a great thing. We've got quite a number of players coming back into the squad now. "Lee is fit again, Barry's on his way and Steven Whittaker and Steven Smith returned into the group this week. I've got a lot to choose from."

No...............and niether wil SA !!!!!

Certainly mate,i'm a bit like that myself

http://www3.u.tv/news/localNews/index.asp?sel=1&sel2=1&local=1&id=91780&pt=n

http://www3.u.tv/news/localNews/inde...&id=91780&pt=n

Which is ok when your winning

Correct Barry,it's always a good atmosphere in beside TBO, so much so that you don't notice how quiet other parts of Ibrox is,don't like giving my seat up for the mopes though.

I knew it wouldn't last, but I have all weekend to enjoy it

Cheers Frankie, that is the nicest thing you have said about me

The Rangers Supporter Bond is the great new regular savings plan for Light Blues fans. You can save from �£10 to �£25 per month and build up a tax free cash lump sum for the future! Key features of the Rangers Supporter Bond: - Save between �£10 to �£25 per month - Tax free, cash lump sum in the future - Your money in safe hands - Supporter Bond is provided by Scottish Friendly Assurance Society - Great Rangers gift for every bondholder - Easy to apply - online, post or by telephone

Aye, excellent read, deserves better exposure, well done cal.

You are 100% correct Frankie,and if Rangers/SPL/BBC wish to prosecute then that is their right to do so, I am ready for them :box:

As a lot of you gersneters know, I have posted a lot of videos from the Rangers web site,however all the videos that I have posted through youtube have been removed from youtube,over 60 videos,due to copy rights. I have never tried to upload any since so I don't know if I can continue. I will have to wait until I am at home as trying to download anything takes all day on my work computer. Slightly off topic.

I actually thought Velicka was a shrewd signing at the time, so I am a bit dissapointed with his input,or lack of,if you want to get a regular place in any team then the training ground is where you bust a gut to show you want in the team,same as any player,obviously he is not showing enough.

Rangers and Coca-Cola today unveiled a new six figure sponsorship deal which will extend their long-running and highly successful partnership for a further three years. Assistant manager Ally McCoist was on hand to help make the announcement at Murray Park. Coca Cola have been official drink suppliers to Rangers since 2000 and provide the first team with sports drink Powerade, which plays a major part in the player's hydration and replenishment programme. As part of the deal a range of Coca-Cola Enterprises products will also be served at Ibrox Stadium and supporters will continue to benfit from a series of promotions and competitions to win great prizes. Stuart Cain, Head of Commercial Affairs at Rangers, said: "Coca-Cola is one of the world's biggest brands and a major investor in football so we are delighted that they have decided to renew their partnership with Rangers. As the world economy gets tougher and brands have to make difficult investment decisions, it's pleasing to see Coca-Cola's previous experiences with Rangers have resulted in them deciding to continue for another three years." Alan Halliday, Regional Director of Coca-Cola Enterprises, said: "This deal takes us to over a decade of support for Rangers and we are delighted to be renewing our partnership. We look forward to a fantastic three years and there will be some exciting opportunities for Rangers fans to win some top prizes through out 'Coke' zone website." Both Coca-Cola and Powerade will also be advertised on the LED screens at Ibrox.

RANGERS assistant manager Ally McCoist insists Kris Boyd can handle life on the bench and has never worked harder than he is doing now – at club level at least. McCoist said the striker has remained committed to the cause despite not starting for Rangers on a regular basis, a situation that has also arisen with the international squad and caused Boyd to quit following last weekend’s goalless draw against Norway at Hampden, where he was an unused substitute. “I’ve not seen Kris as committed to Rangers as I have in the last few months,” said McCoist. “I can’t comment, not being with the Scotland squad, but we certainly don’t have any complaints about his day-to-day work. Kris is in as good nick as I’ve ever seen him, we’re constantly looking at his levels of fitness and his results are very good.” Boyd played just 28 minutes in Burley’s six matches in charge so far. It is a situation McCoist can sympathise with from his own playing career. He was nicknamed ‘The Judge’ for sitting so long on the bench under Graeme Souness at Rangers, and also missed out on two World Cups, at Mexico in 1986 and France in 1998. “No-one knows better than me how it feels when the team’s read out and you’re sitting on the bench, but Kris has handled that side of it well at club level,” said McCoist. “I was told I was being taken to Mexico and I didn’t go, and I should have been in the squad for France. But I’m not comparing myself to Kris, no two people are the same and I was fortunate to get a cap after France 98. I never thought about telling Craig Brown not to pick me again because I’m stubborn and I knew I could get back into it. It wasn’t to show Craig, it was to show myself.” He disclosed that Boyd called him last Saturday night before the news broke about the attacker’s decision to withdraw himself for consideration for future Scotland squads, at least while Burley is in charge. “He was calm and composed, it certainly wasn’t a decision in the heat of the moment,” recalled McCoist. “All I said to him was to weigh up the pros and cons and judge what was beneficial for him. The only decision which effectively matters is the player’s. He’s made it now, we should all just get on with it. I can totally understand his frustration, I don’t think for a moment it’s been easy for him but I’m not going to say whether he’s right or wrong.” However McCoist fears that Boyd could come to rue his decision if Scotland earn a place at World Cup 2010. “I’d be surprised if he doesn’t have a tinge of regret if Scotland do well and I think second place [in Group 9] is still very achievable.” The Rangers assistant manager, speaking as Rangers announced a three-year renewal of their six-figure partnership with Coca-Cola, also scoffed at conspiracy theories that the Ibrox squad has turned on Burley – Lee McCulloch has also retired from international duty – citing Kirk Broadfoot as the prime example. “I catch big Broadfoot pinching himself every morning he’s in the Scotland team, that’s after I’m pinching myself as I can’t believe it either.” Terry Butcher, the Scotland assistant manager, criticised Boyd’s decision yesterday, claiming he had “turned his back” on Scotland. “This isn’t just the Kris Boyd show,” said Butcher. “There are others who were left out who started earlier in the campaign. Paul Hartley, who played in Macedonia, didn’t play [against Norway]. He hasn’t said that he’s not going to play for George Burley. Other good pros would do the same. He’s said ‘I’m going to work hard and be there [for the next game].”

Dos this mean Trevor McDonald is paid off ?..................

Here's the N Ireland goals, oh and be prepared for an avalanche of complaints from the mopes, David Healy making reference to the '' Famine is over ''. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QlEoj6qJZ7w