ian1964

Arthur Numan may not be considered thus by Rangers fans who witnessed him collect eight trophies in five seasons at Ibrox - particularly now that the Dutchman has made his home in Scotland - but the 38-year-old believes his former club should be looking to expand their horizons. advertisement <A HREF="http://ads.telegraph.co.uk/event.ng/Type=click&FlightID=27064&AdID=32704&TargetID=6217&ASeg=&AMod=&Redirect=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/flanders" target="_top"><IMG SRC="http://adc.telegraph.co.uk/f/flanders/cobrands/flanders_300x250.gif" WIDTH=300 HEIGHT=250 BORDER=0></A> Ironically, considering he was speaking in order to publicise broadcasters Setanta's exclusive rights to tomorrow night's Old Firm game, Numan played down the importance of that particular encounter and argued that Walter Smith should make winning the Uefa Cup the club's priority. Numan is of the opinion that winning the SPL title is a done deal and that local bragging rights should take a back seat to preparing properly for the visit of semi-final opponents Fiorentina in nine days' time. "For me the Uefa Cup is, without a doubt, the most important competition," Numan said. "Winning that would be a bigger achievement than five league titles put together. "Rangers have won 51 league titles, but how many European trophies have they won? Just the one. "In this country everyone is so focused on the league but when you look at the teams Rangers have already beaten in Europe this season you realise what this would mean. "It would also be good for Scotland as a country. Celtic and Rangers have already reached the last 16 of the Champions League and the national team has also been improving. "To be honest, I've been surprised by how well Rangers have done and I'd be lying if I said I was the only one. No-one expected them to get this far. "The home-grown players at the Old Firm know what it means to play for Rangers or Celtic but maybe you need to think like a foreigner to win the Uefa Cup. "I remember losing 5-1 at Parkhead in my first Old Firm game and afterwards Ian Ferguson just went mental. He even said he would rather beat Celtic four times each season than win the league. "But the club is now just two games away from going to Manchester for the final and that would be fantastic. It should be their priority." Celtic's management and staff claim that retaining their title remains a possibility, but Numan gives the impression that opinion is right up there with Scientology as far as questionable beliefs are concerned. "At the moment Rangers are four points clear with two games in hand," Numan said. "The way they're playing just now, realistically that puts them 10 points clear with just six games left. "Celtic have been losing a lot of games recently while Rangers have lost just one of their last 30 matches. So there's no need for them to worry -Rangers can afford to lose both games at Parkhead and still win the title. "Of course, that would make life a little more difficult for them because that's when the pressure comes. I remember in 2003 we were eight points clear with nine games left and then we lost twice to Celtic and drew with Dundee after missing two penalties. "That meant it came down to goal difference and we beat Dunfermline 6-1 while Celtic won 4-0 at Kilmarnock. But I don't think that will happen this time." Numan has been impressed by the resilience of Rangers since Smith's return, but doesn't doubt that the team he played in was superior in almost every respect. "We were a far better team and we also played better football," he said. "The strength of the current group is that they are well-organised and play as a unit.They're hard to beat and they don't give a lot of goals away." "My one regret is that the Rangers team I played in never made it past the first stage of the Champions League, especially when you look at the squad we had."

Unwashed 0 Champions 2 JCD,Novo

RANGERS will face Celtic in the Scottish Youth Cup Final for the second year running - and they will be hoping for the same outcome. Andrew Shinnie and Stevie lennon celebrate with the trophyCeltic won through today by beating Aberdeen 2-1 and Rangers will meet their Old Firm rivals at Hampden on Wednesday, May 23. Billy Kirkwood's boys romped to a 5-0 win last season with Stevie Lennon, now too old for the 19s, scoring a hat-trick, Andrew Shinnie and Dean Furman getting on the score sheet. Everyone at Murray Park hopes it will be the second leg of another League and Cup double. The 19s will clinch the title on Friday if they can avoid defeat against Motherwell.

Carlos Cuellar has revealed that he wants to end his career at Rangers and believes the Ibrox club can win the quadruple this season. The Spaniard has been a towering presence at the heart of the Rangers defence during this campaign and his performances earned him the Clydesdale Bank Player of the Year award at a dinner in Glasgow last night. Inevitably, his impressive form has attracted interest from down south, with Kevin Keegan, the Newcastle United manager, taking in the club's recent home game with Sporting Lisbon. Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, is also said to be an admirer. advertisement Jean-Alain Boumsong, the French international defender, was only at Rangers for half a season before leaving for the Premiership, but unlike his forerunner Cuellar is enjoying life on and off the park in Scotland and revealed that he sees his long-term future at Rangers. "I have a contract for another three-and-a-half years but I would like to stay at Rangers for life," he said. "I always wanted to play in the big league with other big players but now I am very happy at Rangers. "I play in the Champions League and I can win the league and other trophies including the UEFA Cup." Cuellar joined from Osasuna last summer and has taken to Scottish football like a duck to water. Swopping one of the best leagues in Europe for the Scottish Premier League may not seem like the most attractive proposition, but Cuellar has flourished since his change of environment. As the 25-year-old pointed out, the standard of domestic football in Scotland is offset by the the club's European involvement, particularly this season where they face Fiorentina in the semi-final of the UEFA Cup. "La Liga in Spain is a good league but when you play for a normal middle-of-the-table club like Osasuna you can play in the UEFA Cup or Champions League maybe one year in 20 in Europe. But here at Rangers you play every season in the Champions League. I am playing for one of the biggest teams in Europe" Rangers have already won the CIS Insurance Cup this season and are in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup and the UEFA Cup, as well as being four points clear of Celtic at the top of the league with two games in hand. Victory in tomorrow's Old Firm derby would all but seal the league title and take Walter Smith's side closer to an unprecedented quadruple. Cuellar says that Rangers can be victorious in every competition this season. "I think we will win the four trophies," he said. "I know European football and I know this Rangers team well and I think we have a very good chance of winning every trophy. If we beat Celtic on Wednesday night we have seven points more than them - a very important lead." Cuellar's partnership alongside David Weir. in the centre of Rangers' defence has been the bedrock of the club's success and the Spaniard is also in contention for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year awards', voted for by his fellow professionals. He is also likely to be a contender for the Scottish Football Writers Association annual award. Cuellar praised Weir for helping him to settle quickly into the team. "He has been a very big help to me this season. I hardly speak English but he has tried very hard to understand me." Cuellar has worked hard to improve his English and, although he still falters at times, has learned enough to be able to become a strong presence in the Rangers dressing room. His team-mate and friend, Nacho Novo, laughingly revealed recently that the defender's English is actually better than his own, despite the latter being in Scotland for seven years. The presence of fellow Spaniard Novo, who lives close to Cuellar and socialises with him regularly, has aided his transition too and Cuellar declared himself happy with life in Scotland. "I just love playing for Rangers and living in Glasgow," he added. "On a personal level, it's also very important for me to win this trophy

Fookin superb

Well noody expected us to get this far,so why would anybody expect us to reach the final ?,it's just another game in europe to overcome.But the fact is we have got as much chance of winning it as every other team that's left in it.I for one still don't believe we are good enough to win it,however as i've said,we do have a chance

The thing is though,both the OF teams have been buying the best players from the other SPL teams for years,it's just the way it is,i'd love the good players to stay at Ibrox,but if they go then as long as we are getting top dollar for them then we just have to keep replacing them

Apr 13 2008 Exclusive by Mark Guidi SPURS are lining up a bid for Rangers keeper Allan McGregor. The 26-year-old Ibrox No.1's outstanding form this season has attracted the attention of several Premiership clubs. McGregor is contracted at Gers until summer 2010 and valued at more than �£5million. Tottenham boss Juande Ramos is aware of the keeper's ability after glowing recommendations from his scouts. He wants to bring in two new keepers in the close season to replace Paul Robinson and Radek Cerny. Ramos signed Alan Hutton from Rangers three months ago for �£9million and the right-back is already considered a bargain buy. Chiefs at White Hart Lane feel Mac could make a similar instant impact. McGregor is happy at Ibrox but has told those close to him he would love to play in the Premiership and is aware of the growing interest in him. He has also not ruled out making a fresh start away from the Glasgow "goldfish bowl". Hutton has raved to his old Ibrox mates about life in the Premiership and has urged them to join him there if they get a chance. McGregor knows Rangers will decide what happens next if they receive any bids for him. Newcastle gaffer Kevin Keegan is also considering a move for the Ibrox No.1 after his first choice, Celtic keeper Artur Boruc, told him he is not interested in joining the Magpies. The transfer fee would not be a problem for the wealthy Magpies. Keegan saw McGregor - and his other Gers target Spaniard Carlos Cuellar - in action at the home game against Sporting Lisbon. Rangers can prepare themselves for bids during the coming months. However, Spurs appear to be in pole position for McGregor and will have a representative in the stand for Wednesday night's Old Firm clash at Parkhead.

Some game........QOS 4Sheep 3 QOS took the lead 4 times,not finished:onetoomany:

By Julian Taylor "When Rangers limped off after a Champions League capitulation at home to Lyon in December, few thought that just four months later the same players would be eyeing a European final. The dejected Glasgow club were parachuted into the Uefa Cup and now only Fiorentina stand in the way of an appearance at the City of Manchester stadium on 14 May. It would be a remarkable achievement and long overdue for a club who have not tasted continental success since a European Cup Winners' Cup victory in 1972. HOW HAS SMITH SUCCEEDED? One of the main criticisms of Smith's first spell in charge was that, for all Rangers' domestic domination, he could not adjust his teams to the European arena. Ironically, this time around, the Light Blues have fewer resources, and their Uefa Cup run has been the result of Smith's greater experience and pragmatism. His approach has been to play with just one striker up front, with Jean-Claude Darcheville carrying the responsibility, with the prolific Kris Boyd featuring just once, against Panathinaikos. This hasn't always been popular with the fans, but the former Scotland manager's persistence has paid dividends, as Rangers have conceded only two goals in six games ahead of the semi-final clash against the Italians. Rangers looked comfortable for long periods in Lisbon, with a maturity to their possession play in midfield. Darcheville simply delivered when opportunity arose. Smith admitted earlier that the prospect of Uefa Cup football was firmly down his list of priorities, with the SPL title the main item on his agenda. But now, with each passing success, confidence and excitement has grown, with Rangers supporters eager for their club to emulate Celtic's run to the 2003 final. THE SCOTTISH FACTOR Smith's experience with the national team has helped - his emphasis on Scottish-style industry has transformed Rangers. The 60-year-old's success with Scotland - particularly when plotting the famous Hampden win over France - will no doubt have imbued him with the belief that, as a manager, he can outfox the biggest names at the highest level. Central to the Uefa Cup campaign has been the form of key Scots such as goalkeeper Allan McGregor, veteran defender David Weir plus Barry Ferguson and Kevin Thomson. McGregor's performance away to Werder Bremen was quite outstanding, while captain Ferguson has always looked comfortable in any European company. Weir's partnership with the exceptional Spaniard Carlos Cuellar - who has a rugged, traditional Scots style - has been one of the major reasons why Smith can rely on a solid backbone in pressurised situations in Europe against quality sides. RANGERS' NEW EUROPEAN RESILIENCE On several occasions the Ibrox side have answered a stern test of their character. The second leg of their tie in Bremen saw the German side dominate. Yet Rangers prevailed, thanks to McGregor, Smith's organisation and a fair slice of good luck. A tricky tie in Athens was negotiated when Nacho Novo netted a priceless late away goal against Panathinaikos, and Steven Whittaker's sublime finish against Sporting crowned a deserved win. Curiously, it could be argued that the Uefa Cup adventure has been a relatively relaxing diversion from the SPL title battle with holders Celtic, with the season set to reach another edgy conclusion. The fact is that the prospect of actually winning the Uefa Cup is only now beginning to dawn on Rangers, taking even Smith by surprise. The manager will continue to claim that winning a 52nd Scottish championship will be the main priority. However, a serious tilt at the Uefa Cup now gives Rangers a profile in Europe they certainly would not have dreamt of earlier in the season. "

Adam goal against Stuttgart. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfDmEMlx0mI&feature=related

I'm afraid this is going to end with money being the deciding factor,Middlesburgh,Everton to name a couple are after the lad

RANGERS could face 14 fixtures in the final six weeks of the season if they stay on course for glory in the Scottish Cup and UEFA Cup. The Ibrox's side's outstanding trips to St Mirren and Motherwell have still to be scheduled and if Rangers do progress in both competitions it will be a challenge for the SPL to find suitable dates. Here is how the fixture line-up looks for Rangers: April 13 - Partick, Scottish Cup quarter-final replay (away); April 16 - Celtic, SPL (away); April 20 - Possible Scottish Cup semi-final v St Johnstone (Hampden); April 24 - Fiorentina, UEFA Cup semifinal 1st leg (home); April 27 - Celtic, SPL (away); May 1 - Fiorentina, UEFA Cup semi-final 2nd leg (away); May 4 - Hibs, SPL (away); May 7 - Motherwell, SPL (home); May 10 - Dundee Utd, SPL (home); May 14 - Possible UEFA Cup final v Bayern Munich or Zenit St Petersburg (Manchester); May 18 - Aberdeen, SPL (away); May 24 - Possible Scottish Cup final v Aberdeen or Queen of the South (Hampden). TBC: St Mirren (away), Motherwell (away). Fook me,it's quite frightening when you look at this list

Aye agreed mate,I think we will struggle to keep him

Smith Keen To Keep Davis WALTER SMITH has admitted that he would very keen to sing Steven Davis on a permanent deal. The Nothern Ireland international has been a key player in the second half of the season with terrific performances in midfield since joining on loan from Fuilham. Given that the Craven Cottage side is threatened with relegation, Davis may see his long-term future elsewhere. Smith hopes that place is Ibrox. Smith said: "I haven't really spoken with Steven but I need to. His situation is different from Christian Dailly's because he was released by West Ham and free to sign for us whereas Steve is on loan. He will revert back to his club at the end of the season. "There is an option to make the deal permanent but that doesn't count for much. A lot of other clubs will be interested in him. "We would like to keep him but that might be a little more awkward than it looks."

THIEF...........!!!!!!!!!

By Andrew Dickson RANGERS' win last night has helped ensure whoever wins next season's SPL goes directly into the group stage of the 2009/10 Champions League. Along with the club's continued progress in Europe, this week's Champions League results and Aberdeen and Celtic's continental performances this term have also contributed. Kirk Broadfoot celebrates after Jean-Claude Darcheville scoresA combination of the three has allowed Scotland to stay 10th in UEFA's country rankings list for the second consecutive campaign. Whoever wins the league this term should also start next season's Champions League in the group phase, with the same incentive now definitely on offer for the following competition. The basis for UEFA's country rankings is the performance of each nation's club in European competitions over a five-year period, with points awarded for wins, draws and progression. The list is consequently used to determine how many clubs should enter continental tournaments and at what stage. Lex Gold, executive chairman of the SPL, said: "We wish Rangers continued success in the UEFA Cup. "Oiur clubs' performances in European competition this season have been superb and continue to raise the standing of our game across Europe."

by Lindsay Herron LORENZO AMORUSO can't wait for his former clubs Fiorentina and Rangers to go into battle for a place in the UEFA Cup Final. And the former Ibrox captain says the two sides are not only evenly matched but very similar in style. Amoruso, who joined Rangers for just under �£4m from Fiorentina in 1997, is eagerly anticipating the clashes between the two sides. Adrian MutuHe told rangers.co.uk: "It's fantastic that the two teams that mean the most to me are playing each other for a place in the UEFA Cup Final, but the sad thing is that one of them has to go out. "Fiorentina and Rangers will always have places in my heart because they are the best clubs I played for. "But I won't be supporting either of them when the matches come along - how can I? I will just go to the second leg here in Florence and hope that the best team goes through. "I think either side could do it and they are very similar because they are teams without superstars but fantastic work ethic. "Of course, Fiorentina have Adrian Mutu who is a big player and Giampaolo Pazzini is his strike partner who is also a good player. "But they are a team that works very hard for each other. They don't have the big names like Milan, Juventus and Inter have but they are ahead of Milan in the league in fourth position and with a bit of luck they could be even higher. "Rangers are the same. Of course Barry Ferguson is a big influence, but the team is working so hard as a unit and that is down to the good judgement ot Walter Smith and Ally McCoist." The Street is Moving

by Darrell King RANGERS fans will be celebrating their team's historic march into the Uefa Cup semi-finals today - and a possible �£25million Euro windfall. Walter Smith's side beat Sporting Lisbon 2-0 on their own patch last night to set up a last four showdown with Italian side Fiorentina and a guaranteed �£20m. Jean-Claude Darcheville and Steven Whittaker were the goal heroes as the Light Blues kept alive dreams of making the final in Manchester on May 14. And while 4000 Gers fans partied into the small hours in the Portuguese capital, the club's money men were also celebrating all the way to the bank. Reaching the semis is worth a further �£2.5m for the club, who have already earned �£17.5m for their eight-month European campaign that has so far seen them play 16 ties - 10 in the Champions League and six in the Uefa Cup - and visit seven different countries. Rangers will be paid a qualification bonus of �£500,000 by Uefa for making it to the last four. And with 50,000 fans set to cram into Ibrox for the first leg against the Italians on April 24, that will be worth another �£2m in ticket revenue and additional spin-offs. Should Rangers go all the way to the final in the City of Manchester stadium, they would bank at least a further �£2m, and �£500,000 more than that if they can win their first European trophy in 36 years. The side also stand to rake in millions more in marketing and vending opportunities. And Rangers players are also quids in. They were on a �£35,000 a man win bonus to beat Sporting last night and have now earned more than �£100,000 each for their exploits in Europe this season. They are believed to be on �£50,000 a man if they win a European trophy for the first time since 1972 when Rangers beat Moscow Dynamo in Barcelona to win the Cup Winners' l Cup. There will, however, be a massive ticket scramble for the second leg against Fiorentina which will be played in Florence on May 1. The Stadio Artemio Franchi only holds 47,000 and Rangers security chief Kenny Scott, who will fly to Italy next week to begin planning for that game, doesn't expect the away allocation to be much more than 2000. Today, Gers fans were rushing to book budget flights with Ryanair, who fly from Prestwick to Pisa, which lies about an hour away from Florence. But travel prices went through the roof within minutes of the final whistle blowing in Lisbon as the low-cost carrier hiked prices for the route. At 10pm, return flights were selling for a reasonable �£195. But as more and more fans logged on to the airline's internet site, prices jumped by �£100 within minutes. Thousands are also expected to travel via other air routes and on buses to be in Florence for the semi-final second leg next month. Rangers chairman Sir David Murray shelled out �£50,000 from the club's earnings to buy the official 2500 allocation for last night's match in the Jose Alvalade Stadium as a thank you to their fans. But a further 1500 supporters travelled independently and managed to get tickets. Ladbrokes today cut the price on Barry Ferguson lifting the trophy in Manchester from 14/1 to 11/2. Fiorentina are 5/2, Bayern Munich 10/11 favourites and Zenit St Petersburg 11/2.

Scott GallacherName: Scott Gallacher Date of Birth: 15.07.89 Nationality: Scottish Grant AdamName: Grant Adam Date of Birth: 16.04.91 Nationality: Scottish Callum ReidfordName: Calum Reidford Date of Birth: 26.05.87 Nationality: Scottish DEFENDERS Alan LowingName: Alan Lowing Date of Birth: 07.01.88 Nationality: Scottish Ross PerryName: Ross Perry Date of Birth: 07.02.90 Nationality: Scottish Chris SmithName: Chris Smith Date of Birth: 31.08.88 Nationality: Scottish Steven KinniburghName: Steven Kinniburgh Date of Birth: 13.06.89 Nationality: Scottish Jordan McMillanName: Jordan McMillan Date of Birth: 16.10.88 Nationality: Scottish Michael DonaldName: Michael Donald Date of Birth: 20.01.89 Birthplace: English Nicholas GallacherName: Nicholas Gallacher Date of Birth: 24.01.90 Birthplace: Scottish Scott DurieName: Scott Durie Date of Birth: 11.11.91 Nationality: Scottish Kyle HuttonName: Kyle Hutton Date of Birth: 05.02.91 Nationality: Scottish MIDFIELDERS Paul EmslieName: Paul Emslie Date of Birth: 13.03.88 Nationality: Scottish Dean FurmanName: Dean Furman Date of Birth: 22.06.88 Nationality: South African Andrew Shinnie Signs new three year dealName: Andrew Shinnie Date of Birth: 17.07.89 Nationality: Scottish Stephen StirlingName: Stephen Stirling Date of Birth: 05.01.90 Nationality: Scottish Alistair ParkName: Alistair Park Date of Birth: 11.01.90 Nationality: Scottish William McLachlanName: William McLachlan Date of Birth: 19.03.89 Nationality: Scottish Ross HarveyName: Ross Harvey Date of Birth: 13.04.89 Nationality: Scottish Jamie NessName: Jamie Ness Date of Birth: 02.03.91 Nationality: Scottish Jeroen Van Den BroeckName: Jeroen Van Den Broeck Date of Birth: 16.02.89 Nationality: Belgian Gregg WyldeName: Gregg Wylde Date of Birth: 23.03.91 Nationality: Scottish Name: Georgos Efrem Date of Birth: 05.07.89 Nationality: Cypriot Name: Marco Michetschlager Date of Birth: 26.03.90 Nationality: Austrian STRIKERS Rory LoyName: Rory Loy Date of Birth: 19.03.88 Nationality: Scottish Steven LennonName: Steven Lennon Date of Birth: 20.01.88 Nationality: Scottish John FleckName: John Fleck Date of Birth: 24.8.91 Nationality: Scottish Archie CampbellName: Archie Campbell Date of Birth: 10.01.91 Nationality: Scottish Lancine CherifName: Cherif Lancine Date of Birth: 10.01.91 Birthplace: Ivory Coast Chris CraigName: Chris Craig Date of Birth: 13.05.89 Nationality: Scottish Andrew LittleName: Andrew Little Date of Birth: 12.05.89 Birthplace: Northern Irish Craig McSheaName: Craig McShea Date of Birth: 04.11.90 Nationality: Scottish Don't know BD,he's not on this list,and this is the only one I can find

I take stuff from other sites now and again,not trying to take any credit though,just if it's good then we can share...........remember we all belong to the Rangers family

Quality BD,what's wrong with stealing from another site ?

BILLY KIRKWOOD'S Rangers under-19 side is showing as much spirit as Walter Smith's first team after their 2-0 win over Dundee United yesterday. Isa BagciThe youths beat the Arabs at Glenesk Park with goals either side of half-time from Isa Bagci and captain Andrew Shinnie. Collecting another three points takes the young Gers a step closer to retaining the SPL title they won last year. When they will have a chance to claim the trophy once more is unclear because of the situation regarding Gretna and their remaining fixtures. If the Borders side is unable to fulfil them and points won against them are removed from the standings, nearest challengers Hibs would move three points closer to Rangers. Regardless, Kirkwood's team could win the league on Monday when they take on United again at Murray Park, although Friday's clash with Motherwell is a more likely date. Yesterday's victory was all about grit and determination and the manager was delighted with the application his men showed.Andrew Shinnie Kirkwood said: "It was an exceptional team performance. Every single player, including the subs who went on, showed real desire and resilience. "Without playing fantastic football, there wasn't a single failure and that was the most pleasing thing. "We have still got a wee bit of work to do, but only because we don't know the situation with Hibs. "Our result yesterday puts us nine points ahead of Celtic, who only have three games left, and we have a superior goal difference to theirs. "That means Hibs are probably our only realistic challengers and if we can win on Monday then take a point next Friday, that could clinch it." RANGERS: S. Gallacher, McLachlan, Kinniburgh, Perry, Harvey, Ness, Stirling (Hutton), Shinnie, Bagci (Little), Fleck, Efrem (Durie).

Eh!....................................................NO

Got a funny feeling this OF game is going to be,'' hey girl we're having a party '',and this will surely drive timmy over the top,they will go fookin mental