ian1964

Tottenham Hotspur have pledged to provide support for troubled former player Paul Gascoigne (Sunday Telegraph)

OOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!,Yer a hard man :uzi:

HT 0-0:cheers:

WERDER BREMEN'S star player Diego was sent off yesterday for clashing with former Rangers star Soto Kyrgiakos as his side lost 1-0 to Eintracht Frankfurt. The Brazilian reacted violently after a challenge by the big Greek defender five minutes before half time and Rangers' euro rivals went on to lose the match. Thomas SchaffHe shoulder charged Kyrgiakos and the referee decided he had to go off. Diego could miss the next two Bremen Bundesliga matches but, of course, he is free to face Rangers at Ibrox on March 6 in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup. Werder's general manager, the former German international Klaus Allofs said: "Diego can't behave in that manner, what he did was definitely wrong! Even if he had been fouled for the tenth time in the match". Coach Thomas Schaaf hit a similar not, saying: "There is no excuse for what he did, but, it takes two to tango." Diego admitted: "Yes, I lost my nerve and I am very disappointed that I allowed myself to be tempted into reacting the way I did - which damaged the whole team". "I apologise to my team and my trainer for my actions."

Why not? However,I never even expected Ally to go into coaching and to be honest I don't think we really know how good he is as a coach,but if Walter thinks he's a good coach then who am I to argue

Happy birthday, gaffer! Exclusive by Lindsay Herron WALTER SMITH should probably be cautious when he goes into the dressing room on Sunday ahead of the Gretna game - if he has learned anything in nearly 30 years of dealing with Ally McCoist. Walter is 60 on Sunday and there is bound to some form of high jinks with people like McCoist and partner in crime Ian Durrant about! Ally McCoist, Walter Smith and Kenny McDowallThe two of them were the kings of the Rangers dressing room in Smith's first period in charge and when he was assistant to Graeme Souness. Now they are his valued lieutenants in his second term as boss and deadly serious about their business. However, few people can lighten up a room like McCoist or Durrant and there are bound to be a few laughs before the day is through. McCoist said: "We have to wish him a happy birthday although I think there is many a time he didn't think he would make it! "It's a great birthday and behalf of the staff and all of the players we hope it's a happy one. "Knowing the Gaffer as I do, the best thing to make him happy would be a win against Gretna!" The relationship between Smith and McCoist stretches back further than the trophy-laden years they spent together at Ibrox in the 1980s and 1990s and their more recent jobs with Scotland and Ally McCoist and Walter SmithRangers. McCoist revealed that Smith had the misfortune to have a youthful Ally under his charge when the Scotland under-17 team when to the French Riviera. Smith, then a blossoming coach with Jim McLean's Dundee United, had been appointed assistant to Andy Roxburgh in the youth set-up and was well thought of in football circles. Unfortunately, he fell for a trademark McCoist gag - although Ally soon learned the angry side of Smith! McCoist told me: "I first came across Walter when he was assistant to Andy Roxburgh with the Scottish youth team. "We took a side to Monaco. I was still at school at the time and was playing with St Johnstone. "I was rooming with big Davie Moyes and I made the mistake of locking Walter on the balcony of our hotel room! "He made the mistake of falling for the old 'what a good view we have here' routine and walked out onto the balcony and the door was promptly locked! "Twenty minutes later I was terrified to unlock the door and big Davie had to let him in and, funnily enough, I never locked him out on the balcony again after that!" It was to be 1986 before McCoist and Smith were fully connected when the latter joined Rangers as assistant to Graeme Souness in the ground-breaking move which rocked the football world. Nacho Novo and Ally McCoist arrive in SpainSmith had been part of the most successful period in Dundee United's history, helping them win the Scottish Premier League title in 1983 and reaching the European Cup semi-finals the following year. United and Aberdeen had attacked the Old Firm's dominance of the game and won with the Dons also winning the title in 1980, 1984 and 1985. Tannadice was a place to be feared and that was not lost on Souness who had got to know Smith through the international set-up. Following the death of Jock Stein in 1985, Alex Ferguson had taken over as Scotland manager on a temporary basis and he made Walter his assistant. McCoist revealed: "I remember being at a Scotland get-together at the Grosvenor Hotel prior to the Mexico World Cup and Graeme was there as a player and Walter was there as assistant manager. "That was the first time we heard that they were coming to Rangers and what a transformation that proved to be, not only for Rangers Football Club but for Scottish football in general." It is well documented the impact the appointment had and Rangers fans could not have imagined the riches that lay in store. A first title in nine years along with the League Cup came in year one and the new Rangers were off and running.Walter Smith and Ally McCoist Celtic won the crown back in 1988, but it was fleeting success. The nine in a row era was about to start and the League Cups kept coming. McCoist, though, never had the best of relationships with Souness who, having signed Mark Hateley in the summer of 1990, chose to partner the big Englishman with Mo Johnston rather than Ally. McCoist was on the bench more often than not, earning him the nickname of The Judge. Being a man who thrives on humour, Ally accepted the tag but, again, there was a serious element to it all which almost resulted in him leaving Rangers. It was Smith who, by his actions, convinced Ally to stay and the rest, as they say is history. When Souness left for Liverpool, Smith made McCoist and Hateley the most terrorising strike partnership of the period McCoist explained: "Walter put faith in me in his first season in charge and that was important for me. "I have to be honest and say that I was at a bit of a crossroads at that time. We had competition for places the previous season and it's well documented that Graeme wasn't that too sure of me, which is a polite way of putting it. "Thankfully, when Walter took over he played me. I managed to go on a good run with big Mark and it worked out wonderfully well. "One of the first games that season was against Hearts at Tynecastle and he gave me my chance and I scored that night. Kenny McDowall, Walter Smith and Ally mcCoist"So I was very thankful that he gave me the opportunity to play and it snowballed from there for me." Those who were around Ally during his playing days at Rangers would be the first to admit that they did not foresee a day when he would lead training sessions and organise tactics on a grand scale. However, he has proved in the last three years that he has this ability in spades and, of course, Walter Smith was the catalyst by recruiting him for the national team. He said: "I was thrilled to bits when he gave me the opportunity with Scotland. It was a massive move and a massive chance for me. "In many ways it was better than going somewhere else full time. It was a perfect experience and learning curve to come into a part-time environment. "And it proved to me that I wanted to do it full time." McCoist got that chance last January when Smith returned to Rangers to replace Paul Le Guen, steadied the ship and now has his eyes on all of the major prizes this season. So, what's it like now all these years after locking Walter out on a balcony in Monte Carlo? He said: "My relationship with him now is not that much different from when I was playing for him. "He is still the boss, and that's the way it should be, but we are obviously closer in the sense that we talk about things and talk about the team a lot more on the coaching side. "I am very respectful of the relationship we have and thankful of the relationship we have and it's one that I value very highly. "It is different in the sense that as a player there are things your manager would not discuss with you but now we are open with each other on so many things." There is a family celebration of Walter's special birthday coming up which will undoubtedly be a great affair but it is unclear what the coaching staff and players have planned. McCoist, with that impish smile he has never lost, said: "There will be something in the dressing room for him, but I'm not sure it will be a birthday cake!" Many happy returns, Walter.

Hard programme I agree,however they're professional athletes and should be able to play a couple of games a week,and i'm sure the players would rather play than train,as they should all be at the peak of thier fitness at this time of the season,except injuries of course.

Easy to say,sometimes in life some people need a helping hand

Going back Rangers as maybe youth coach would do him the world of good,back with Coisty,Durrant & Walter

http://www.celticineurope.com/

Feb 23 2008 Exclusive by Keith Jackson NEWCASTLE boss Kevin Keegan has begun laying the foundations for a s12million summer bid for Celtic golden boy Aiden McGeady. Record Sport can reveal Keegan had to abort a plan to run the rule over the player in person at Wednesday night's Champions League clash with Barcelona. He instead sent right hand man Terry McDermott to Glasgow, along with a senior director from St James Park. McDermott returned south to tell Keegan it will take "funny money" to tempt Celtic into selling the fabulously-gifted 21-year-old. Now Keegan will spend more time monitoring the player and deciding whether or not to weigh in with a massive cash offer at the end of the season. Keegan has been promised a s50m war chest to rebuild his firstteam squad when the transfer market reopens for business and is keen to draw up a list of priority targets as early as possible. But McDermott did not see enough of McGeady's skills against Barca to be convinced the Republic of Ireland international is worth such a huge chunk of Keegan's budget. Newcastle believe it will require a bid of at least s12m to bring Celtic to the table but McGeady was not given the chance to justify that massive fee on a night when Celtic were dominated and defeated by the classy Catalan outfit. Keegan, though, remains a big admirer and will track the winger's form over the coming weeks as he prepares to reconstruct an ailing side flirting with a top-flight relegation battle.

Aye,I know

The thing is guys,we can sit on here all day and talk about who should / shouldn't be playing and never agree,that's why we have a manager,if either of these players were that good do you not think he would play them ?,I mean ffs give WS some credit for deciding who plays and who doesn't,I for one believe he would play who he thought was the best for Rangers FC

Bolton Wanderers have made an official complaint about "overzealous and disproportionate" treatment of their supporters by Spanish police. The club contacted European football's governing body Uefa after the 0-0 draw at Atletico Madrid in the Uefa Cup. Club chairman Phil Gartside said he would take the issue to the "highest level" to get an explanation. Bolton said there were "a number of assaults and unprovoked baton charges" and about 17 fans were injured. British police also criticised Spanish officers' "heavy-handed" tactics. James Kirk, one of an estimated 3,500 Bolton fans in Madrid, said: "We came out of the stadium and just as we came down loads of police with shields and batons rushed back just where we'd come from. ... unfortunately the Madrid police have a reputation for not taking dissent very well Ch Supt Dave Lea, Greater Manchester Police "They were battering people to the ground - it was absolutely brutal and appalling. I've been to Spain many, many times but I tell you I don't want to go again." Another fan said: "I've been all over the country watching Bolton and the police in Spain behaved like animals. I have never seen anything like it." Mr Gartside said: "I have great sympathy for any of our supporters who have been injured by what is clearly an overreaction by the Spanish police. "Bolton Wanderers Football Club will be pursuing the matter at the highest level and seeking an explanation from the Spanish authorities." The football club is liaising with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and the British Embassy to try to establish what happened. Junior officers Ch Supt Dave Lea, of GMP, said the problems started when police baton charged hundreds of Madrid fans out of the stadium. "That incident has probably set the tone for the policing of the whole match and unfortunately the Madrid police have a reputation for not taking dissent very well," he said. The police chief said a number of sporadic incidents followed which resulted in police being "very heavy-handed" with the Bolton fans, and he blamed senior officers for the problems. "They didn't have enough control over their junior officers who were far too quick to use their batons rather than talking to the fans who would comply with their instructions. "Lessons need to be learned and I will make sure that my observations will be captured in a full report for the Uefa security investigation that I know is going to be forthcoming," he added. Next stage The result of the match at the Vicente Calderon stadium meant Bolton won the tie 1-0 on aggregate to reach the last-16 stage of the competition. Before their Uefa Cup match against Red Star Belgrade in December, Bolton fans were detained at a hotel in the Serbian capital. Local police acted amid security fears after trouble involving Red Star supporters the previous weekend. Last April, a number of Tottenham fans were injured at their Uefa Cup tie in Seville in violent clashes with Spanish riot police.

RANGERS manager Walter Smith has expressed his delight at guiding the club through to the last 16 stage of the UEFA Cup and praised Nacho Novo after the Spaniard's goal in Athens proved decisive. Nacho NovoNacho admitted himself that he should have found the net on a couple of occasions at Ibrox in the first-leg but made up for that with a clinical finish on 80 minutes to give his side an aggregate win. His workrate throughout the game was tremendous and Smith always felt that he would take his chance when it came along. He said: "It was good to see Nacho score as he deserved it for the effort he puts in. "I know he was disappointed after the first-leg but he showed great composure with his finish tonight. "He is always there to get a goal and that showed that again tonight. He has now scored some very important ones for us this season." The gaffer was frustrated at the goal his side conceded in what was a disappointing first-half performance but Rangers fighting spirit was again evident as they battled back in the second-half. He said: "I thought we made it difficult for ourselves tonight. "Panathinaikos were perhaps the better side early on and we were disappointed with the goal we conceded. "They opened up a bit the second-half and we managed to get level at a good time in the match. "We didn't create that many clear cut chances but we put them under a bit of pressure and eventually that paid off. Nacho Novo scores"It was a good move that led to our goal and we had a few of them in the second-half. "But we knew the game was going to be tight tonight as it was in Glasgow. "That proved to be the case but we had players sitting on the bench that could go on and make a difference. "We have now scored a few goals on our travels in Europe this season so we were always confident that chances would come our way." Rangers now face Werder Bremen in the last 16 stage on March 6 and 12 and Smith is looking forward to facing the impressive Germans. "We face a bit of a fixture pile-up in the months ahead but it is great that we have progressed further in the UEFA Cup. "The players are delighted and we have to remember that we had eight unavailable from our squad tonight. "So from that point of view I am very happy for the boys tonight and everyone can now look forward to the next round."

From Lindsay Herron in Athens BARRY FERGUSON will reach another major milestone tonight when he equals the Scottish Euro record for appearances with his 76th game in this arena. And the Rangers skipper has his sights set on clearing the 100-game barrier. Barry Ferguson at the AcropolisFerguson will draw level with Dave Narey who played 76 times in Europe for Dundee United having already surpassed John Greig's Rangers record of 64 games last season. He said: "I didn't even know I was close to that but it's good to hear. "Hopefully I can continue a good while longer - I don't see why I couldn't reach 100 with Rangers. There are a good few years left in me so that would be a nice number to hit. "I've never actually given it much thought to be honest, certainly not when I made my European debut. That was against Shelbourne down at Tranmere - a good start. "Since then I've equalled Greigy's record which never looked like being beaten. Now I'll be equalling the Scottish record and that's definitely a nice thing to achieve. "I enjoy playing in Europe. Obviously the Champions League is the place to be but I enjoy every game in Europe, I really do. "You find you're up against the very best players in the business and you find out how you do against them. I could name loads of top names, guys you learn from. "The atmosphere is also electric which is what you want as a player."

If that's true,then yes i'd play him if he's staying for the rest of the season

This guy should be put to sleep.Just watching the first half highlights and he comes out with the quote, '' Messi never played well against Rangers,he flatters to deceive '', :uzi:

The wee irish prick is delighted that Hutton moved,he can now climb out of his pocket

Total pro & class player

Glad to see the result,Barca couldn't score against us @ Ibrox as were are a better team.How did the world class scum version of Ronaldo play ?

Feb 20 2008 By James Traynor KRIS BOYD is set to be unleashed on Panathinaikos tomorrow night in a bid to fire Rangers into the last 16 of the UEFA Cup. The Ibrox club need a nold-fashioned centaur forward in Athens and the striker has been praying for the call. And yesterday, as Rangers headed for Greece, it seemed certain Walter Smith was ready to gamble on Boyd. But the Ibrox boss will wait until he sees the condition of the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium surface tonight before finalising his side, although word from within the camp said the former Kilmarnock hitman had shot to the top of the starting list ahead of Daniel Cousin. The Gabon striker, who was booed when he went on as a substitute in the first leg which ended 0-0 at Ibrox last week, will be on the bench. But Smith appears to have turned his attention to Boyd. The 24-year-old's goal against his old club at Rugby Park on Sunday was his 16th of the season and he made an impassioned plea for a starting berth right after that game. However, it has always been assumed that Boyd cannot play as a lone striker and Smith seems to have been of that opinion as well. But this time he could play Boyd at the sharp end with Lee McCulloch, who started up front on his own in the first match, just behind in midfield. Whether to rely on Boyd or not has been a dilemma for Smith since he returned to Ibrox but given the chance he will find the net and the manager is prepared to use him tomorrow night. However, if he does start his inclusion shouldn't be seen as Smith bowing to public opinion as he has always made it clear he believes Boyd is a scorer. The problem has been his workrate when his side aren't in possession. But Rangers have to score to go through and Smith is ready turn to Boyd. Cousin would have been a certain starter had FIFA not dithered shamefully over the legality of his transfer to Fulham. Everything has been agreed between the clubs and the player has sorted out his terms and wants to get on with his career but FIFA' sinability to make a decision has left him in limbo. Smith wouldn't be drawn on his team but on Cousin he said: "Daniel is not the first player to have found himself in this position yet FIFA have acted quickly. "This time it is dragging on. I don't understand why a decision couldn't have been reached."

KENNY McDOWALL expects a more positive approach from Panathinaikos when Rangers face them on Thursday - and says that can help the Light Blues win. The sides will meet in the second leg of their UEFA Cup tie at the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium in Athens eight days after they shared a 0-0 draw at Ibrox. Ally McCoist, Walter Smith and Kenny McDowallOn that occasion, it was Walter Smith's Gers who created the best chances and the Greeks' shoot-on-sight policy meant they barely threatened. First-team coach McDowall believes the Greens will be more upbeat as they try to clinch a likely last-16 meeting with German cracks Werder Bremen. But he also thinks they could leave themselves exposed at the back and that could provide Rangers with the opportunities they need to progress themselves. McDowall said: "There is no great need for us to go out and score an early goal. We know we are going to have to play away and be patient. "This is a big match but we know we can score a goal and the squad is feeling confident of getting one. "The onus will be on Panathinaikos to attack us and I fully expect them to do that. In turn, we are hoping that will give us a chance to get behind them and pick them off."Kenny McDowall and Walter Smith Rangers flew into Greece today on the back of Sunday's 2-0 SPL win at Kilmarnock, their eighth league win in succession. That result allowed them to extend the number of matches they have played without conceding to eight as well. The run of 764 minutes without losing a goal is Gers' best for more than 12 years and they last had so many clean sheets in a row in December 1995 and January 1996. Despite being in such good form at the back, McDowall has stressed how difficult it will be against Pana. Although the Light Blues are no longer in the Champions League, he insists the standard of competition in the UEFA Cup is just as high. McDowall added: "There are still a lot of good teams in this tournament and we are here to play one of them so we will need to be at our best to win the tie. Daniel Cousin"The UEFA Cup perhaps isn't held in the same regard as the Champions League but anyone involved in it will tell you differently. "There are a lot of decent players and good teams in the tournament and there is no doubting this will be a difficult fixture for us." Lee McCulloch is the only player in the travelling party carrying a knock but the minor injury he suffered in training won't stop him from playing. Also in contention to play is Daniel Cousin, whose protracted move to Fulham is now unlikely to happen before next week. FIFA has delayed a decision on whether he will be allowed to join his third club of the season until then and McDowall is adamant the striker will give his all for Gers in the meantime. He said: "Daniel has been back training with us, is part of the squad and he is available for selection. "The way we have to look at it is that he is a Rangers player and carry on regardless until we are told differently."

Rangers 2,Pana 0 : Novo,McCulloch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjqjh3_i0TQ