ian1964

Michel Gets Gers Clash ONE of the world's top referees, Lubos Michel, will handle Rangers' showdown with Lyon on Wednesday night. Ironically, he last covered a Rangers match at Ibrox seven years ago when the Light Blues drew 2-2 with Monaco in a match they had to win to reach the second group phase of the Champions League. The Slovakian was voted the second best referee in the world last year and has been a regular Champions League official and has also covered World Cups and European Championship finals He sent off Liverpool's Jermaine Pennant during their 1-1 draw away to Porto earlier this season and also handled the group phase match between Olympiacos and Real Madrid. Michel also sent off Bobo Balde in the 2003 UEFA Cup Final when Celtic lost to Porto and handled Scotland's 1-1 draw with Italy at Hampden in 2005 as well as the national team's 6-0 hammering by Holland in 2003.

The worrying thing about this,and other HEADLINES,it's surprising how many people believe what they read in the tabloid/shit stirring so called journalistic reports !!

Cousin Says Sorry Over Bevvy Row Dec 11 2007 By Keith Jackson RANGERS striker Daniel Cousin has apologised to his team-mates for branding them "out-of-shape bevvy merchants". Then he vowed to make it up to them by firing them into the last 16 of the Champions League. Cousin was mortified yesterday when comments attributed to him in an interview with a French newspaper ahead of the do-or-die Group E showdown with Lyon surfaced in Scotland. Cousin was quoted as criticising his Ibrox colleagues for drinking too much beer and gorging on fast food. But the former Lens hitman met boss Walter Smith at Murray Park yesterday to insist his words had been lost in translation. Record Sport understands Cousin asked teammate Amdy Faye to translate for him at the meeting as he explained himself to Smith. And Cousin then spoke exclusively to Record Sport to make a public apology to team-mates and supporters - before promising to deliver them to the promised land of the knock-out stage by dumping his countrymen. Cousin - speaking through agent Willie McKay - said: "If anyone is upset about my comments then I would like to say sorry to them. I did not mean to cause offence. "I was asked to explain the cultural differences between France and Scotland. Who am I to judge my team-mates or be critical of them? "I have explained all this to the manager because I feel my words have been taken out of context and made to look like criticism. "That was not my intention. All I can say is that the boys have been great to me since I joined the club and the fans have given me fantastic support. "If anyone feels let down by these comments then I will repay them the best way I know how - by scoring the goals against Lyon which take us to the last 16 of the Champions League. "It is my dream to give the club a night to remember." Cousin was also reported to have criticised the standard of the Scottish game and hinted that he is already seeking a move to England's top flight - just three months into his Rangers career. While it is possible that both player and club will part company at the end of the season, Cousin insisted: "Believe me, I am happy in Scotland. "I am with a great club and enjoying our European adventure. "My only concern is to make sure this adventure continues and to do that I will have to play my part and help the team get the result we need against Lyon." Rangers need just a point to join rivals Celtic in the knock-out stage. With Jean-Claude Darcheville ruled out, Cousin - who netted in a 3-0 away win over the French champions earlier in the campaign - is again in line to lead the Rangers attack. Share this article

At the end of the day,can any one of us have expected us to be in this position when the draw was made ?,don't think many would have,however here we are just needing a draw from the last game in the group of death,with european football guaranteed in the form of the UEFA CUP after a great performance,so far,in the CL.It's in our own hands now if we get through to the knockout stages,and for me I am delighted with our progress,so win lose or draw it is a definate improvement on the last couple of seasons and I truly believe we are on the way back to where we should be,the best team in Scotland,so what ever happens on Wed. we have made great strides forward,and for what it's worth I believe we will get the result we require to progress,and if we don't then i'm still happy the way we are back challenging on all fronts.

One thing that no-one has spoken about is, considering we only need a draw, don't you think that Lyon will be very wary of us scoring the first goal ?,which obviously will make their task a real up hill struggle,all the talk is about what Lyon are going to do to us !!!!!,let's not forget all the pressure is on THEM,they're away from home in the CL and NEED TO WIN,not an easy task for any team and especially at a ground where the home team don't often lose and where they are facing an incredible atmosphere from a massive home crowd.BRING IT ON !!!!

Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish will make a bold bid for Rangers and Scotland striker Kris Boyd this week - if the Glasgow giants go out of Europe. McLeish is a big fan of Boyd, the goalscorer he took to Ibrox in the first place and who was a regular in his international squads. Poacher Boyd is also a Rangers fan and will not want to leave if Walter Smith's men get a result against Lyon and join Glasgow rivals Celtic in the last 16 of the elite competition. But if Rangers lose, McLeish will be on to his pal and Ibrox manager Smith in a bid to do business for the prolific striker. Big Eck thinks he needs more goals to survive the relegation battle despite two encouraging performances against Tottenham and Newcastle in his first games in charge. Advertisement Boyd's name was circulated around England in the last transfer window and his long-term Rangers future is uncertain, especially if they go out of Europe.

It's easy to be sensible for this game mate,WS can hardly be described as adventurous,quite right IMO for this game,I reckon Cousin will play up front with Whittaker in on the right mid :cheers:

I don't think we'll see any surprises in our line up,Naysmith,Buffel and Burke will most probably be on the bench with the hope that they can come on and change our approach,should we need it

Xmas again mate

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1259153474

�£%&*^(*!"" :cheers:

Who on here has said Rangers will win easy ?

Full o the beer mate,a meant a result,i'll leave you to check my spelling seen as you've nothing better to do

Just trying to keep in line with your quotes mate

Well it's done now,wether it's correct or not,let's just hope for an on Wed.

Aye,blah!blah! :uzi:

To be fair,I think all the players would rather have played,ut it gives WS more time to work on the Lyon game and get his game plan worked on

Double standards mate,it's a forum and i'm entitlrd to my opinions,if you don't like them...........DON'T READ THEM

Exactly,so maybe Rangers were right to rest our players :cheers:

OH dear,who's the grumpy one today

If Boro can beat the mighty Arsenal,then we sure as fook can beat Lyon

2-0 Boro,bad result for the Arsenal

I see what you're saying regarding Downing,however what type of player will come to Rangers then,I mean he's an alright player,not world class

I hope he's better than Arthur Newman

We'll pump the French on Wed.