ian1964

It's all about opinions Gribz,I happen to think Buffel is shite,Boyd gets far too much criticism IMO

If there is one player who deserves a new contract it's Nacho,he's still only 29 I think,his energy alone ups the pace in any game he plays in

You mean the four teams are at the same level

He brought in a 17 yer old left back against Lyon,made him captain in what was only his second first team game !!!!!!!!

I don't like the idea of a British team,I also don't like the idea of Scotland breaking away from the union,independance ?,not for me !!!!!

Is Faye not here on loan ?,I think he is and therefore we shouldn't play loan players ahead of our own players.

There's no doubt England have better players,BUT so do France and Lyon and Barca have better players than Rangers,doesn't make them a better team

I just hope that wee Rangers fans don't rise to his antics in future and just let him make a fool of himself at every opportunity and we can get a good laugh at him

ANTI-FOOTBALL? Dry your eyes, Leo. . . game was for you to win not for Gers to throw away Lionel Messi exposed his immaturity Charlie Adam and Kevin Thomson close in on Ronaldinho as Rangers stick to the game plan by Darrell King LIONEL MESSI has contributed to many an enjoyable evening around Glasgow for those - myself included - who take great pleasure in watching him showcase his skills on Sky's superb La Liga coverage. 'Leo' is arguably the best footballer in the business right now. That mesmeric dribbling, when the ball seems attached to his boot, the sensational slalom runs and wonderful ability to finish, has rightly for me seen the 20-year-old Argentinian tagged as the new Maradona. But Lionel should let his football do the talking. His attack on the Rangers' players for their display in Tuesday's Champions League draw with Barcelona, describing their tactics as "anti-football", is ridiculous. The only thing anti-football about Ibrox the other night was the way both he - and his below par team-mate Ronaldinho - started collapsing and diving when anyone came within a foot of them as things started to drift away from Frank Rijkaard's side. advertisementIt appears the tactics set out by Walter Smith have upset the diminutive Argentinian. Aw, diddums, Lionel. Did that pesky little Scottish team not open up enough for you to rattle in a couple of goals for the cameras? My goodness, surely they should have gone with three up top and allowed you - and the four other team-mates who join you on the short-list for World Player of the Year - to put on a show and reinforce just why you are one of the greatest talents on the planet? Maybe Messi should look at his own application and over-elaboration on the ball as the reasons why he couldn't score. After all, he was attacking a defence that contained a guy six months shy of his 38th birthday; a makeshift left-back who gave him as good as he got; and a defender who hasn't played 20 games yet in a country where he can't fully speak the lingo! Unlike his more experienced team-mates, Thierry Henry, Eidur Gudjohnson and Carles Puyol, Messi showed a lack of understanding of the game - and the main objectives of this tournament. His three amigos, in more diplomatic terms and without complaint, suggested Rangers had put most of their team behind the ball for most of the night. They were spot on. It was backs to the wall, hoof it anywhere, don't give them an inch, fight and scratch for every ball. Did that come as a shock to them? Not in the slightest. Had Henry, Gudjohnson or Puyol been Rangers boss they would have done exactly the same. They headed home to Spain confident that, when Rangers turn up at the Nou Camp, they will get in behind more, finish with more aplomb, win by a few, and close in on the last 16. Never mind Messi, the reaction is astonishing from some in this country to what was a fabulous, hard-fought display from a team who continue to punch above their weight in a section in which no-one gave them an earthly. Smith had started out praying that Rangers could get a point, now they have seven. But some, even among his own support, had a pop at his tactics. Opposition fans claimed they would hate to see their team play that way, and that Rangers fans had paid �£35 to watch a training session. Sure, watching your team getting stuffed by three or four is so much more fun. Smith went for it in the past, with teams that included such as Brian Laudrup, Paul Gascoigne, and Richard Gough - and took a right sore face from the likes of Juventus and Ajax. Scotland's Euro 2008 wins over France illuminated this country and gave the nation two of the best sporting nights in our history. Is the way Rangers played this week any different? Does it deserve any less praise? The brilliance of Shunsuke Nakamura's late free-kick winner aside, was it that dissimilar to Celtic's home performance against Manchester United last season that took the Parkhead men into the last 16 of the Champions League? That evening, Celtic knew they were against players who man for man were technically superior. But Gordon Strachan got it spot on tactically, pressed United in midfield, and had players who were so determined that any inferiority in terms of ability was overcome by sheer endeavour. Rangers, a team without a trophy and in turmoil for two years, were dumped out of two domestic cups by St Johnstone and Dunfermline a year ago. Since then they are, incredibly, on a nine-game unbeaten run in the Champions League. But they are expected to go and launch themselves, gung-ho, at Barcelona? Smith knows Rangers are not pretty to watch at times. They do lack flair and finesse, and could maybe do with bringing in the likes of Thomas Buffel to try and add a bit of magic dust. The manager is still searching for the right blend in a squad that has seen more than 25 players come and go since he took the helm 10 months ago. But he has to perform this against the backdrop of an insatiable appetite among his support for results. And that, young Lionel, is what this game is all about. The object of the premier tournament in club football, the Champions League, is to finish as high up as you can. In a couple of months' time, that point Rangers snatched the other night could be worth millions of pounds, should they go through to the last 16. Gordon Strachan summed it up perfectly after Celtic had beaten AC Milan a few weeks back at Parkhead. On his way to address the media, delighted at what he had just seen as his players produced a stunning victory to beat the reigning champions, he came across a fan. "It's lucky it's only the result that counts," Strachan was told. Astonishing. On Planet Glasgow, it's the norm for fans on either side of the Old Firm divide to refuse to give the other lot credit for their European achievements. Petty on both sides, maybe. But, for me, that's fair enough. Rivalry is healthy if it's channelled properly, and it's no different to Spurs supporters wishing Arsenal get stuffed in Europe, as highly unlikely as that may be right now. But for those within the supports of the Old Firm to have a go when the teams have just drawn with Barcelona, or beaten Milan, is simply unfathomable. As for you, young Master Messi. Apparently your nickname is The Flea. Well, here's one in your ear, because it was you who didn't come up to scratch the other night, not Rangers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofNTK7qb2_M

Is he too young for a big move ?,IMO he'd be better to play at Rangers for a few more seasons,and I think he would want to stay at Rangers for a few more seasons

Defending well is a skill on it's own,it's not just luck that teams find it hard to score against a good defence,our skill is that we are a good strong team all over the park and capable of scoring as well,ask Lyon

He's been out of work for approx 18 months,then is at Leicester for 6 weeks,strange one IMO

The guy is not only a wanker,he is a trouble making wanker,on Saturay when McManus was down injured he grabbed his balls and was gesturing to the Rangers fans,the man is a TIT

We are also one of the best teams in europe just now :cheers:

Agreed,however never mind the next qualifiers,lets get intae the Italians and get to the finals :cheers:

You're Fan-tastic RANGERS Chief Executive Martin Bain today praised the Club's supporters for creating an 'outstanding Champions League atmosphere ' against Barcelona at Ibrox. He said the Rangers fans ensured that Ibrox was seen 'at its very best' and the supporters provided a massive boost to the team. The chief executive said: "Our fans deserve real credit for the effort they put in to create another outstanding Champions League atmosphere at Ibrox. "The players have asked me to convey their thanks to the fans for their tremendous support. It really makes a difference to the team to have the whole stadium in full voice. "Our supporters put an enormous amount of work into creating a card display which reflected the visitors are 'more than a club' and that they feel the same way about Rangers. "They also made sure the atmosphere was kept up throughout the game which was a great boost to the team and showed Ibrox as an excellent arena for these big games. It was a very good night all round for Rangers." Mr Bain also paid tribute to Rangers fans groups for launching their 'Champions League - We're Having a Ball" campaign to celebrate the Club's two glamour games against Barcelona. He said: "The fans are determined to create a party atmosphere around these games and Barcelona is a special place for our Club. To see the Barcelona supporters applauding the Rangers fans at full time was fantastic. "The 'Having a Ball' campaign deserves the full support of every Rangers fan and everyone associated with the Club." :cheers:

A bit different from BORAT :cheers:

UEFA Champions League : Group A Table 03 October 2007 21:38 P W D L F A GD PTS 1 Marseille 2 2 0 0 3 0 3 6 2 FC Porto 2 1 1 0 2 1 1 4 3 Liverpool 2 0 1 1 1 2 -1 1 4 Besiktas 2 0 0 2 0 3 -3 0 UEFA Champions League : Group B Table 03 October 2007 21:38 P W D L F A GD PTS 1 Chelsea 2 1 1 0 3 2 1 4 2 Valencia 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3 3 Schalke 04 2 1 0 1 2 1 1 3 4 Rosenborg 2 0 1 1 1 3 -2 1 UEFA Champions League : Group C Table 03 October 2007 21:39 P W D L F A GD PTS 1 Olympiakos 2 1 1 0 4 2 2 4 2 Real Madrid 2 1 1 0 4 3 1 4 3 Lazio 2 0 2 0 3 3 0 2 4 Werder Bremen 2 0 0 2 2 5 -3 0 UEFA Champions League : Group D Table 03 October 2007 21:39 P W D L F A GD PTS 1 Shakhtar Donetsk 2 2 0 0 3 0 3 6 2 Celtic 2 1 0 1 2 3 -1 3 3 AC Milan 2 1 0 1 3 3 0 3 4 Benfica 2 0 0 2 1 3 -2 0 UEFA Champions League : Group E Table 23 October 2007 01:00 P W D L F A GD PTS 1 Barcelona 3 2 1 0 5 0 5 7 2 Rangers 3 2 1 0 5 1 4 7 3 Lyon 3 1 0 2 2 6 -4 3 4 VfB Stuttgart 3 0 0 3 1 6 -5 0 UEFA Champions League : Group F Table 23 October 2007 01:00 P W D L F A GD PTS 1 Man Utd 3 3 0 0 6 2 4 9 2 Roma 3 2 0 1 4 2 2 6 3 Sporting 3 1 0 2 3 4 -1 3 4 Dynamo Kiev 3 0 0 3 3 8 -5 0 UEFA Champions League : Group G Table 23 October 2007 01:00 P W D L F A GD PTS 1 Inter Milan 3 2 0 1 4 2 2 6 2 Fenerbahce 3 1 2 0 3 2 1 5 3 PSV 3 1 1 1 2 3 -1 4 4 CSKA Moscow 3 0 1 2 4 6 -2 1 UEFA Champions League : Group H Table 23 October 2007 01:00 P W D L F A GD PTS 1 Arsenal 3 3 0 0 11 0 11 9 2 Sevilla 3 2 0 1 6 6 0 6 3 Slavia Prague 3 1 0 2 4 12 -8 3 4 Steaua Bucharest 3 0 0 3 2 5 -3 0 We're sitting good as it stands just now, CAN WE GET THROUGH ?

Henry Says Rangers Will Make Knockout Stages Oct 24 2007 By Craig Swan THIERRY HENRY insists Rangers are heading to the knockout stages of the Champions League. The French flyer made his assessment after the Scots produced a heroic display to quell Barcelona in an engrossing Ibrox encounter. Henry and the Catalan giants enjoyed large chunks of possession against Smith’s men but were unable to find a way through the disciplined Rangers rearguard. The point earned kept Rangers in joint-top spot in Group E after three matches and leaves them in a position few of their supporters could have dreamt about when the draw was made. Henry insists the opportunity is there for Rangers to follow through with their good start and grab a spot in the last 16 at the expense of French champs Lyon and German title winners Stuttgart. The key game game could come for Rangers against the French on matchday five but their 3-0 success in the Stade Gerland last month has left Henry in little doubt about the chances of Smith’s side. When asked if Rangers were heading through the former Arsenal star said: "Why not? I don’t know how the game is going to be at our place but I think Rangers have what it takes to also win in Stuttgart and the decisive game could be here against Lyon. "If it goes like it is right now Lyon would have to come here and win with a big scoreline. "To be honest, although I am French, I don’t see that happening here. "You have to give Rangers credit. They fought very hard, they are top of the group with ourselves and they deserve to be where they are." Rangers entered the group as bottom seeds and were expected to be cannon fodder for their more illustrious opponents. But the Light Blues have refused to accept their underdogs tag and now stand on the verge of a sensational progression to the last 16. Henry said: "The seeding situation is just a question of what you did in the past in the Champions League. "At the moment Rangers, Celtic and Scottish football is showing that they are doing well. "I surely know all of the players who are playing here and I know what they are capable of. "Seedings are just about the past years and I am not surprised. Some people might be but not me." The form of Rangers and Scotland’s other sides in Europe was predicted by Henry before the season started. The ex-Gunner spoke out during the club’s pre-season stay at St Andrews and was adamant that good times were ahead for the nation’s football. Now it is happening and Henry admits he’s taking great pleasure in seeing the people who scoffed at his prophecy eat humble pie. He said: "I said it and sometimes you just have to try to believe in it. When I said it at St Andrews I saw a couple of people were laughing when I spoke of players who were at Dundee United. "I was sure they were more than decent players and they are showing that Scottish football is way better than some think. "Milan lost 2-1 at Celtic and although we didn’t lose here, it is still a good point. Rangers won convincingly in Lyon and that is a team which won the league six times in France. "It is not easy to win that league and I know what that takes. "You just need to go and win and Rangers and Celtic and Scotland have shown that you can do it. "They have shown there are no such thing as small and big teams." Henry knows that Barca controlled large portions of the encounter last night but credited Rangers for their sterling defending. Keeper Allan McGregor was not overworked during the contest and the French ace said: "I thought the game was going to be this way. I thought they would stay back and try to get us on the counter attack. "I think Rangers did well. We had control of the ball for long spells in the match, although Daniel Cousin had a chance in the last 15 minutes when he shot over the bar. "Overall we might have played our game a little quicker when we passed it around but I think a point away from home in the Champions League is a good result. "We have played two away matches since the group started and now we have two home matches coming up. "If we can get the wins I think we can go through. "It was also an important point for Rangers and I think that is why they played the way they did and all credit to them. "They managed to go to Lyon and win 3-0 so the draw for them was a good result, although a victory would have been better." Henry heaped praise on the Rangers support after the game as well as Smith’s team and added: "The fans were unbelievable again. Not shouting, swearing or calling stupid things. They just supported their team and that is what you like to see." Rangers, of course, will face a similar siege when the go to the Nou Camp in a fortnight but Henry said: "I don’t know if they can expect a different Barcelona because the only thing we missed was a goal. We had so much of the ball at our feet. "We tried to play and do some good movement but we have to give credit to Rangers. We will try to play the same in the Nou Camp and add a goal."

To be fair to Henry,he is tipping Rangers to qualify and praised them and the fans for a great atmosphere

He's French !!!!!!!,he would not have been looking forward to coming to Scotland because we always beat the French !!!!!!

It's only a matter of time before one of the big clubs come knocking on the door for him IMO

That was a massive point IMO,Barca are one of the favs to win the competition and before a ball was kicked I would have taken a point,and we're still top of the league with Barca

The TimesOctober 23, 2007 Frank Rijkaard glowing in acclaim for opposition leaderPhil Gordon Frank Rijkaard and Walter Smith exchanged compliments yesterday about their respective playmakers but the Barcelona manager’s endorsement of Barry Ferguson was so glowing, that if the Rangers captain lives up to his potential tonight, he might be playing alongside Andres Iniesta in the Nou Camp next season. The coach of the Spanish team admitted before the Champions League encounter between the sides at Ibrox that he was wary to nominate a player from the opposition, because it always “leads to stories that Barcelona is interested”. However, with Ferguson, he could not help himself. The 29-year-old Scotland midfield player was described as “the spirit of the Rangers team” by Rijkaard and the back-to-back fixtures with Barcelona in group E represent an excellent shop window. “I do not like to speak about just one player in particular, but I have to say I like Barry Ferguson,” Rijkaard said. “He is one of their key players. He has been at the club a long time and represents the spirit and mentality of the team. “He is a good team player but also a very technical footballer. He makes decisions and reads the game very well. Rangers have a lot of important players but sometimes it is necessary to have someone that draws the attention of everyone else, and that is Ferguson.” Rijkaard, of course, is usually spoilt for choice when it comes to just about every position. However, the absence of Deco and Yaya TourÃ?© through injury has impacted upon Rijkaard’s options in midfield, so much so that he may restore Eidur Gudjohnsen to the team and asked the former Chelsea striker to help out Iniesta and Xavi in the the centre of the pitch. Related Links Smith: Rangers will not suffer from fear Smith revels in newfound status Ironically, just a few hours earlier, Smith had also held a press conference inside Ibrox, when he specifically picked out Iniesta as an unsung hero in terms of the global coverage of Barcelona, which is infatuated with the galacticos, such as Thierry Henry, Lionel Messi or Ronaldinho. “Xavi and Iniesta are very good players and get overlooked,” he said. Iniesta has the same feel for Barcelona that Ferguson has for Rangers. It is home. The player who was given his debut by Louis van Gaal at the age of 18 was linked during the summer with a Ã?£40 million move to Real Madrid, but says that he wants to remain at the Nou Camp until he retires. However, Iniesta expects a fierce contest in midfield tonight. “Rangers are a strong team and I know they will fight us for every ball,” the 23-year-old Spain player said. “They have good forwards and two Spanish players [Carlos Cuellar and Nacho Novo] who will want to do well against a side from their own country.”