ian1964

Joseba Etxeberria has signed a one-year contract extension with Athletic Bilbao which will see him play the final season of his career for nothing. The former Spain international agreed the deal with his current contract due to expire at the end of this season. Etxeberria said he wanted to end his career as an Athletic player, adding: "I wanted to do this gesture but never did I want to set a precedent." Midfielder Etxeberria, 31, joined the club from Real Sociedad aged 17. 606: DEBATE This really puts to shame all those players making a fortune out there and not giving a penny back!! He hopes to reach the landmark of having played 500 games when he retires after a 15-year career at San Mames. "It's an idea I've had for years," added Etxeberria, who played at the 1998 World Cup and two European Championships for Spain. Club president Fernando Garcia Macua said: "From the club's standpoint there are not words enough to thank such a gesture."

By Andrew Dickson ALLAN McGREGOR has retained his place in the Scotland squad despite his omission from the starting line-up at Rangers. After the 26-year-old sat out the last three Light Blues games, there was speculation his replacement Neil Alexander would take his national team spot too. Allan McGregor, ScotlandBut McGregor has been selected once more by George Burley for the crucial World Cup qualifier with Norway at Hampden next weekend. In Scotland's last game at the national stadium, the Gers star made an excellent penalty save from David Healy and that will have stuck in Burley's mind. McGregor is one of six Ibrox players chosen in the 25-man pool for the meeting with the Scandinavians. Kirk Broadfoot keeps his place in the group after he capped his excellent international debut against Iceland with a headed goal in the 2-1 victory in Reykjavik three weeks ago. David Weir has also been called upon and with Celtic's Stephen McManus suspended for this match, he could start in his place. Kevin Thomson gets another summons while strike duo Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd complete the Gers sextet asked to report for duty. FULL SQUAD Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Sunderland) ALLAN McGREGOR (RANGERS) David Marshall (Norwich City) Defenders: Graham Alexander (Burnley) Darren Barr (Falkirk) Christophe Berra (Hearts)Kevin Thomson, Scotland KIRK BROADFOOT (RANGERS) Gary Caldwell (Celtic) Jamie McAllister (Bristol City) Gary Naysmith (Sheffield United) DAVID WEIR (RANGERS) Midfielders: Scott Brown (Celtic) Kris Commons (Derby County) Darren Fletcher (Manchester United) Paul Hartley (Celtic) Shaun Maloney (Celtic) James Morrison (WBA) Barry Robson (Celtic) KEVIN THOMSON (RANGERS) Forwards: KRIS BOYD (RANGERS) David Clakson (Motherwell) Steven Fletcher (Hibernian) Chris Iwelumo (Wolves) James McFadden (Birmingham City) KENNY MILLER (RANGERS)

I know he has had a couple of injuries, but for the money we paid for him, I for one am expecting a lot from him this season, for me he really should be starting to make an impact yet no-one seems to be saying much about him !!. Thoughts

By Lindsay Herron SANDY JARDINE has called on the Rangers players to follow the example of Kirk Broadfoot as the Light Blues look to consolidate their SPL pole position at Love Street on Sunday. Kirk BroadfootJardine, voted Rangers' best right back, says Broadfoot deserves enormous credit for the way he has applied himself after his move from St Mirren last year. Rangers legend Jardine said: "I think Kirk has done really well. His best position is probably centre half but because of various injuries and other things like the Alan Hutton transfer, he has moved to right back. "I think he has grown as a player. If you look at the difference in him in the space of a year it is quite considerable. He has applied himself really well and he deserves all the credit for the simple reason that no-one works harder. "If some other players with so-called better ability worked as hard as Kirk Broadfoot they would be far better for it." Broadfoot is ostensibly a defender but he set up both goals for Kenny Miller at Easter Road on Sunday and, of course, scored on his Scotland debut in Iceland last month. Broadfoot is a certainty to be picked by George Burley when he names his squad for the World Cup qualifier with Norway today.Sandy Jardine And Jardine feels the Ayrshireman is not appreciated as much as he should be. He added: "Outwith the Rangers support Kirk doesn't get the credit he is due. "Of course there was that comment - limited ability - but that was completely wrong. He does not have limited ability. He is a really good defender. "He is also a very adaptable player because he can play right across the back four. "When he made his Scotland debut it was one of the best Scotland debuts I have seen - and not just because he scored a great goal. "His performance on the night made him one of our best players. Kirk Broadfoot"He deserves huge credit for the way he has gone about his job, considering that his best position is centre half." Broadfoot has admitted it would be another massive high for him if he could play for Scotland at Hampden on October 11 when the Norwegians come to town. He said: "First and foremost I hope to make the squad for the Norway game and if I can be involved in the game I will be delighted. "There are a lot of experienced players that George Burley might go with. Graham Alexander is there, for example, so it's up to the manager. "Guys like him have been over the course before so he might choose to go down that route. "But if he does pick me to play at Hampden in front of the home crowd it will be something special. "To make my debut in Iceland and score there was a fantastic feeling but to play in front of the home fans would be brilliant."

RANGERS goalkeeper Neil Alexander today confirmed Fairbridge in Glasgow as the Rangers Charity Foundation's new Community Charity Partner for season 2008/09, which will see the Foundation work with the organisation to raise �£25,000 for projects set to benefit the city's young people. Neil AlexanderFairbridge in Scotland provides support and training to young people in some of Glasgow's most deprived areas, dealing with issues such as homelessness, unemployment and problems at home and at school. The Fairbridge team help to develop young people via a personal programme which combines learning new life skills with challenging activities and one-to-one personal support. The Rangers Charity Foundation will fund new sports equipment for the charity, including canoes, kayaks and a new trailer - adding an exciting and challenging new activity for young people at Fairbridge to experience. The funding will also pay for a residential canoe course and part of a series of healthy living courses. Neil Alexander said: "It was a great privilege to meet some of the young people who are currently working with Fairbridge here in Glasgow. "I know the organisation offers invaluable support to the city's young people in areas such as job interviews and educational opportunities and builds their confidence and practical life skills with a range of outdoor activities and challenges." Charity Foundation Manager, Connal Cochrane, said: "We are really looking forward to working with Fairbridge to raise their profile and boost the opportunities available to young people. "As a Club we have a responsibility to work with the local community and this partnership, together with our Community Grants Scheme, demonstrates our commitment to the people of Glasgow."Connal wants you to raise money for the Foundation Scott McAlpine, Fairbridge in Glasgow Manager, said: "We are delighted to be appointed as Rangers Community Partner. "This partnership will not only help provide vital equipment for our centre but will also help to promote a more optimistic and positive attitude for Glasgow's young people. "Furthermore, the platform Rangers will offer us means we can take our message and an understanding of the work of Fairbridge in Glasgow to a wider audience in the hope that every young person in Glasgow can be given a fair chance in life." The appointment of Fairbridge in Glasgow as Community Charity Partner will be followed in the coming weeks by the announcements of the Foundation's new International and National Partners for season 2008/09. These new partnerships have been instigated following a strategic review of the Foundation's activities as a result of the growing success of its charitable and fundraising concerns.

By Andrew Dickson STUART McCALL has revealed he wants to keep Rangers midfielder Dean Furman at Bradford on loan until the end of the season. Dean Furman playing for Bradford CityThe City manager, an integral part of the Light Blues side which won nine league titles in a row, currently has the 20-year-old in his squad until January 5. But he has been so impressed by the South African in his first few weeks at Valley Parade that he wishes to extend the arrangement by another four months. Furman made his first League Two start for the Bantams on Saturday and played the full 90 minutes as they lost 2-0 at Shrewsbury Town. With fellow midfielders Chris Brandon and Lee Bullock out injured, he now has a chance to establish himself in the side. McCall said: "My thinking is that Dean is going to stay with us for the season because he has been a real asset. "In a perfect world, he'll get into our team and do well and Rangers will do fantastically well without him up at Ibrox.Dean Furman "If that happens, I'd love it if Walter (Smith) decided that because he was getting some decent coaching with us, he'd let us keep Dean. "It is early days yet but with the competition for places at Rangers and Barry Ferguson still to come back, it's difficult to break in there. "I know a lot can happen in a week in football, never mind three or four months, so we'll see what happens. "We've not discussed anything like that and it would be no good for Dean to stay with us if he wasn't getting a regular game. "But I'm sure he'll get a place in my side in the foreseeable future. If he performs the way he has been in training, he'll make a starting shirt his."

by Thomas Jordan RANGERS Spanish hitkid Aaron has told Walter Smith he's ready to stake his claim for a first team place. And the teenage midfielder admits he can't wait to run out and play in front of 50,000 fans at Ibrox after warming the bench in recent weeks. He said: "It will be an unforgettable moment when I finally run on to the pitch at Ibrox in front of the club's great supporters. I have seen the team win at home and the atmosphere is incredible. I am really looking forward to it. "It is a dream of mine to play in the first-team at Rangers and even although I am only 19 it would be a fantastic opportunity. advertisement "Hopefully this will come along soon but it is up to the manager of course. "When I first arrived at the club I needed to get a couple of weeks' training and a bit of time to settle into my new surroundings. "I am now ready to play whenever the manager needs me." While Smith will have plenty of options as he prepares to face St Mirren on Sunday, he heads to Love Street in the knowledge his side face a difficult match. He added: "Gus MacPherson has organised his teams in such a way that they're never easy to beat. "In fact, they've always proved themselves to be awkward opponents." Meanwhile, Smith has admitted the rest of his team may have to fit into Kris Boyd's style of play for the maverick striker to be a first pick. The Ibrox manager left the striker out of his starting line-up at the weekend for the 3-0 win over Hibs, but he is expected to return to the team on Sunday. He said: "Kris has probably played around 75 per cent of the games since I came back here. "The fact the ones he missed were the bigger matches can be a criticism of us as well, but Kris has played long enough for us to know what his assets are. "I'd hope the team would get more comfortable playing him in a lot of these games and we can handle all the other aspects you need to win a match." http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2455457.0.0.php

SCHOOLKIDS in Malawi were overjoyed after Glasgow MP Ian Davidson travelled to the poverty-stricken country to deliver footballs and strips donated by the Rangers Charity Foundation and Provident Financial. MalawiFurther gifts included tracksuits, drinks bottles and boot bags as well as pens, pencils and other writing material supplied by the Glasgow South West MP. Mr. Davidson passed on a goodwill message from Rangers after collecting the kit supplied by the Rangers Charity Foundation from captain Barry Ferguson. He then watched as pupils from Milonde Community Day Secondary School played a match against each other - one team wearing the jerseys supplied by Rangers and the other in the financial company's strips. "The kids love their football and enjoyed wearing proper kit, they were absolutely delighted to get it," he said after his visit. "Most of them were playing in bear feet on a hard surface, probably just as tough as red blaes. "I am no football expert but the skill level seemed pretty high."

By Andrew Dickson KENNY MILLER doesn't care where he scores for Rangers or how many goals he gets - all he wants is for the team to keep winning. Kenny Miller stoops low to head in the opener against HibsThe Scotland striker netted twice at Easter Road on Sunday to set the Light Blues on their way to a 3-0 victory over his old side Hibernian. Miller's double brought his tally to four goals since he returned to Ibrox, with the remaining pair coming against his other former club Celtic in August. Each of the 28-year-old's efforts have come on the road and he now has his sights set on grabbing the first Ibrox strike of his second spell with Gers. But he admits he would quite happily go through a whole season without a home goal if it meant the team stayed on right track. Miller said: "The boys have been saying they are just going to play me against my old teams from now on because I keep scoring when we go to play them. "All joking aside, I went into the weekend feeling good because I'd had a few chances last week against Motherwell and played well without scoring.Kenny Miller celebrates "At Hibs I was able to get on the end of Kirk Broadfoot's cross then his lay off and I was delighted to finish them both off. "If I'm honest though, I don't care where the goals come and I'd take 50 away from home instead if it helps the team to do well. "I just want to stay in the team because we've got a lot of good players and the manager has used a few different partnerships so far. "It's my aim to do enough to stay involved and I'll happily take goals if they come along as well." Miller was thrilled with the result three days ago for a number of reasons, not least because of the manner in which Gers won. Charlie Adam and Kenny Miller celebrateCeltic had gone top of the SPL the previous afternoon with a win against Aberdeen but Walter Smith's men overtook them again with a ruthless showing in Edinburgh. Miller added: "I suppose there is always a wee bit of pressure on you when your rivals go above you in the table the day before you play. "But getting three points was the most important thing on Sunday and for us to go to Easter Road and win so well was great. "It's a tough place to play at and Hibs produce some cracking football so it was pleasing to do a good job. "You could see how good we are in the first half. We passed the ball about well and created some really good chances. "We did the hard work before the break and managed to go two goals up through some really good play. "After half-time we had to weather the storm because we knew Hibs would come back at us and we were able to do that.Kenny Miller scores his first against Hibs "Neil (Alexander) made a couple of good saves and that gave us a platform to go on and settle the game through Madjid (Bougherra) when he scored. "I'm over the moon with the way things are going and barring a controversial decision, we'd be sitting with maximum points from seven games. "We were happy to go to Easter Road and win to go right back to the top of the league again. It shows the character and mentality we have in our side."

Those Rangers supporters who continue to ignore pleas from club officials to refrain from singing the Famine Song may see Walter Smith's team penalised by the game's ruling body. Strathclyde Police consider singing Famine Song to be an arrestable offence. On Sunday, just as Celtic chairman John Reid issued a statement describing the song as "racist and deeply offensive", thousands among the travelling Rangers support sang it loudly and repeatedly during the 3-0 victory over Hibernian at Easter Road. The public view of the Rangers Supporters Trust is that the song is merely banter and it is true that it is mainly the refrain (to the tune of Sloop John B) "The Famine's over, why don't you go home?" which is sung. However, the verses of the song are undeniably racist, accusing Irish immigrants of, among other crimes, raping their children, and Strathclyde Police have confirmed that they consider the singing of such songs as an arrestable offence. Now the Scottish Premier League has revealed that they are monitoring the situation. The SPL introduced fresh regulations last season and a key change from previous legislation is that clubs are now held responsible for the behaviour of their followers at away grounds. Yesterday, Greg Shields, the SPL's marketing and communications director, refused to pre-judge the issue but admitted they are keeping tabs on the problem. "We are still waiting for our match delegate's report," he said. "However, concerns have already been raised about the lyrics of this song and we've had meetings with Strathclyde Police on this matter. Our first step was to gather their views and they've been speaking to the Crown Office on this subject. We're keeping a close eye on it and if this is flagged up then we would take the relevant next steps. We brought these rules into play last year in order to address these issues." "We would not comment on the lyrics of any particular song," said a spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police last night. "However, where any songs or chants are perceived to be offensive, whether in a racist or sectarian manner, efforts will be made to identify those responsible and appropriate action will be taken by officers. "Strathclyde Police continues to work closely with clubs and authorities to tackle racist and sectarian behaviour that unfortunately can prevail within certain sections of Scottish football." Of course, taking direct action against a large group of people in a confined space poses logistical problems and could endanger the safety of police officers, as the spokeswoman conceded. "When practical, we would go in and deal with it," she said. "When there are thousands of people doing it then that becomes more difficult but we would still endeavour to identify those responsible and take action." Lothian and Borders Police adopted a different stance. They disclosed that only one arrest had been made during Sunday's game and that it was for an unrelated offence. "There is no investigation ongoing in relation to any songs sung by fans at yesterdays' Hibs v Rangers match," said an official statement. "There is a burden of proof required by the Procurator Fiscal when proving such a charge and there was insufficient evidence to identify or charge any individual with this offence." It is a problem which shows no sign of going away, though, and Walter Smith, whose side have responded impressively since their traumatic Champions League elimination at the hands of FBK Kaunas, must despair at the intransigence of that section of his support.

I just wish we could take this cretin on though

Graham Spiers Even when things get as mad and agenda-driven in the sectarianism debate as they did last week in Scottish football, some aspects remain crystal clear in their need of condemnation. That is, if people have the courage to say so. Celtic, streets ahead of Rangers when it comes to cleaning up their act, nonetheless will find it hard to fully divorce themselves from their benighted city rivals unless that clump of idiots in their away support who croon about the IRA can be silenced. The Celtic Park club, and in particular their chief executive, Peter Lawwell, have spoken out about it before, but perhaps another public push on the matter is essential. The fact is, the IRA chanting is galling for Celtic, given that the club have led the way over the past 15 years in eradicating bigotry from the vast swath of their support. For years now Celtic Park ââ?¬â?? unlike Ibrox ââ?¬â?? has been largely free of sectarian or racist chanting. Over at Ibrox, the latest favoured chant to pollute the air deserves open condemnation from Martin Bain, the Rangers chief executive, if only he can find the guts to do it. The so-called Famine Songsmacks of a brain-dead racism of the type too many Rangers fans simply cannot leave behind: antiIrish and antiCatholic. No wonder Strathclyde Police are now threatening to make arrests at Ibrox for racist behaviour. And it is inconceivable that, in private, Bain does not deplore the song, though he canââ?¬â?¢t bring himself to say so publicly. I have only one measure of sympathy for Bain, who in every other sense is a decent man and a talented football executive, and it is this: he must be weary of the prejudices of the white underclass which continue to infect a large minority of the Ibrox support. Rangers have suffered humiliation upon humiliation in recent years ââ?¬â?? in Villarreal, in Pamplona, in the Uefa prosecution over bigoted chanting, and most recently and shockingly in Manchester. Just what must it be like being this clubââ?¬â?¢s chief executive? That, however, does not excuse Bainââ?¬â?¢s timidity last week over the Famine Song. Of it, without a word of condemnation, he said: ââ?¬Å?Clearly some of our supporters feel aggrieved that a song they believe to be no more than a ââ?¬Ë?wind-upââ?¬â?¢ of Celtic supporters should be singled out like this...ââ?¬Â Iââ?¬â?¢m sorry? Unfairly ââ?¬Å?singled outââ?¬Â and a mere ââ?¬Å?wind-upââ?¬Â? Given the recent tradition of the bigotry problem at Rangers, I fear this latest dirge about ââ?¬Å?Irishââ?¬Â or ââ?¬Å?******sââ?¬Â being sent back to Ireland deserves something slightly more withering than Bainââ?¬â?¢s folksy ââ?¬Å?wind-upââ?¬Â claim. The song is trash, it is racist, and he should find the guts to say it. Back in 1972 ââ?¬â?? yes, it goes this far back ââ?¬â?? when the Rangers fans rioted in Barcelona and got the club flung out of Europe, you didnââ?¬â?¢t find the then Ibrox manager, Willie Waddell, indulging in this sort of obfuscation. On the contrary, facing his own supporters and with the steam coming out his ears, Waddell went straight for the jugular in condemning those who embarrassed his club. ââ?¬Å?It is to these tikes, hooligans, louts and drunkards that I pinpoint my message,ââ?¬Â Waddell said. ââ?¬Å?It is because of your gutter-rat behaviour that we [Rangers FC] are being publicly tarred and feathered.ââ?¬Â Every football club chairman or chief executive, like Bain, needs to keep reasonably ââ?¬Å?on-messageââ?¬Â with his own customers. But racism and sectarianism need to be condemned, not shirked. The madness of last week, involving BBC Scotland headlines and pages of the fall-out in many Scottish newspapers, had its own peculiar evolution. We have now reached the stage where organised bodies of Celtic and Rangers fans, often via those modern lunatic asylums called fans websites, are in a race to land the first propaganda blow. I must admit, when last weekââ?¬â?¢s story first broke about alleged ââ?¬Å?Irish diplomatsââ?¬Â poking their noses in by ââ?¬Å?getting in touchââ?¬Â with the Scottish Government about the chanting of Rangers fans, something wasnââ?¬â?¢t quite right about it. Just who was stirring which large pot here? There was something strained and farfetched about the way the story developed. Personally, it made me suspicious, and it only fed the now-rampant paranoia that goes with wearing a Rangers scarf. Then, predictably, something even more ludicrous happened. A group of Rangers fans, voraciously casting around to find someone ââ?¬â?? anyone ââ?¬â?? to make a similar complaint about Celtic, came up with the dubious figure of Gregory Campbell, a Democratic Unionist MP from Northern Ireland, who duly expressed his inability to venture to any Celtic game due to some supportersââ?¬â?¢ unsavoury singing. You could almost hear the underground clamour: ââ?¬Å?Quick lads, weââ?¬â?¢ve found an equaliser, get this Campbell bloke on to the TV stations!ââ?¬Â And so the whole daft scenario unfolded, tit for tat, jibe and counter-jibe. In terms of addressing sectarianism, last week was not one when our media covered itself in glory. One other fallacy needs to be debunked here. No one is suggesting that football chants should have either a squeaky, Mary Poppins air about them, or that they should be strictly football related. On both counts, of course not. Football largely enjoys the colour and daftness of its fans, and any killjoys in this regard should be kept well away from the debate. But neither bigotry nor racism is funny. If only someone, somewhere, could teach a section of the Rangers fans to love themselves, rather than hate others, a huge step forward would be taken. And another thing... Quiet times are over for Calderwood at Pittodrie Are we not about due another Aberdeen FC crisis? Itââ?¬â?¢s almost four years now since we had a thoroughgoing palaver at Pittodrie ââ?¬â?? far too long a period for those of us who had been accustomed to one every 18 months or so. Aberdeen managerial crises often had their own unique quality, with a venom unmatched even by the Old Firm. Iââ?¬â?¢ve seen the environs of Pittodrie positively spluttering with invective on such occasions. There were the dramas of Roy Aitken, Paul Hegarty, Alex Miller and Stevie Paterson ââ?¬â?? all managers who came a cropper amid a hot-breathed northeast lynch mob. It is quite a spectacle. Now Iââ?¬â?¢m starting to worry if this might not be around the time for ââ?¬Å?Jabberingââ?¬Â Jimmy Calderwood to fall into the trough. Calderwood, notwithstanding the odd close shave, has had quite a serene time of it these past four years, but I smell a set-to on the horizon. In their four home Premier League games now, Aberdeen have won none, drawn one and lost three, and their fans were haranguing Calderwood on Saturday following the 1-0 loss to Dundee United. On top of everything, more than a few of them still begrudge him his alleged Rangers leanings. It may be time to look out the hard hat, Jimmy. Lawwell shows how to survive at top table Peter Lawwell, the Celtic chief executive, left, surprised quite a few last week by turning down the offer of the same position at Arsenal to stay at Celtic. But one thing Lawwell did get right in his decision-making was avoiding the nightmarish real estate problem at their former ground at Highbury, which Arsenal are struggling to resolve, and which would have fallen Lawwellââ?¬â?¢s way. I still say Lawwellââ?¬â?¢s longevity at Celtic is amazing. Thatââ?¬â?¢s five years heââ?¬â?¢s clocked up now, in a job where, previously, the men in white coats arrived with the strait-jacket roughly every three years to take them away. Weââ?¬â?¢re talking here of a born survivor.

I think we should be thankful we have such a good second goalie and one that is happy to be back up

Aye.........very good johnny boy

You really have to give this guy credit, I think Miller was our best player but Kirk ran him a close second,superb energy the guy shows trying to get up and down the wing, well done big man :cheers:

Agreed,although i'm not slagging him off as he is a good player

Another poor performance from him yesterday,this guy really needs to start playing much better to convince this bear that he has what is required,hasn't really done anything for me since he's been here,apart from the odd game here and there,must do better

Game was crying out for Fergie today,on todays performance from our midfield BF should have no problem going straight back into the team

Alexander looked so comfortable today,deserves to keep his place

He is going to have an interesting time today at Killie v Scum

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article4794938.ece

No doubt Timmy will be fuming at this

Just some more accurate journalism !!!!!!!!!

When Glasgow Rangers fans sang the lyrics 'from Ireland they came, brought us nothing but trouble and shame' at an Old Firm derby, they never thought it would cause so much trouble. But the song, which goes on 'well the Famine is over, why don't they go home?' angered one fan so much he put in a complaint that led Irish diplomats to raise the concerns with the Scottish government. Now anti-censorship campaigners have stepped into the row, claiming this weekend that any attempt to curb the fans from singing the lyrics would be a 'dangerous' assault on freedom of speech. It is the Rangers fans' right, they say, to insult the Irish over the Great Famine if they choose. Index on Censorship's Irish-born spokesperson, Padraig Reidy, said he was concerned about the state intervening. 'Considering we all know that there have been nasty, offensive songs at Old Firm games for years, making it into a national issue seems absurd and dangerous. It's trying to set a legal limit on speech that isn't incitement to violence. Rangers and Celtic have an agreement between themselves to sing what they want,' he said. Reidy said that, while the song about the Famine is undoubtedly offensive, behaviour should be controlled by the two clubs rather than the state. 'It's different to anti-discrimination laws, which are a very good thing, but seeking to outlaw any kind of insulting or offensive speech/songs does become very problematic, because someone will always take offence,' he added. A complaint was made after Rangers' victory over Celtic last month. Irish diplomats raised concerns with the Scottish government over chanting by a section of the Rangers support at the Old Firm match. Rangers FC said it has asked its fans to refrain from singing the song. The controversial song refers to the Irish famine that killed an estimated one million people in the 1840s. Tens of thousands of Irish people emigrated to Scotland's central belt to find work. Four decades later these emigrants and their descendants helped to create Glasgow Celtic in 1888. Rangers Football Club has approached Strathclyde Police for guidance, a spokesman for the club said, adding fans had been actively discouraged from singing the song at games. A spokesman for the Scottish Executive said the government in Edinburgh was working with both Glasgow clubs to lower sectarian tensions. Meanwhile Northern Ireland's Sports Minister has rejected an invitation to Celtic Park. Democratic Unionist MP Gregory Campbell had been invited to a Celtic home game by the club's chairman and former Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid after Campbell and his wife were subjected to sectarian abuse by Celtic fans on a ferry between Scotland and Northern Ireland. Campbell wrote to Dr Reid last week calling for Celtic to take more robust action against fans who sing pro-IRA songs at away games. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/sep/21/rangers.celtic1

Craig,i'm not saying it is right if he walks straight back into the team,what I am saying is the players are all professional football players and will play when they are asked to play,how many players were upset when Cousin started against Celtic ?,but WS got the result and team selection spot on !!!,that's what counts.