ian1964

Draw today, getting excited already

Barriers in Scotland to any Independent Inquiry by the Scottish football authorities and the Police. https://footballtaxhavens.wordpress.com/2019/06/14/barriers-in-scotland-to-any-independent-inquiry-by-the-scottish-football-authorities-and-the-police/

https://rangers.co.uk/news/galleries/gers-return-for-preseason/

THE SPFL and Scottish Government have been urged to release a secret document which uncovers the level of sectarianism in Scottish football. The Herald reports that ministers are withholding nearly two years of data on “unacceptable conduct” in footie grounds – supplied to them by Hampden blazers. SNP administrators say the information was provided by the SPFL confidentially and publishing it would undermine the football governing body’s trust in the Government. But anti-bigotry campaigners insist the dossier- gathered from the start of the 2017-18 season - should be released into the public domain. Nil By Mouth has lodged an appeal with the Scottish Information Commissioner to make the records available after being refused access by the Government under the freedom of information legislation. And the charity’s head Dave Scott has called for transparency as he blasted the SPFL’s hush-hush stance. He told the Herald: "Scottish football thinks it is a law unto itself and despite the investment of millions of pounds of public money into the game over recent years the SPFL seems to feel it doesn't have to be publicly accountable. “Duncan Morrow's report called for football to be transparent in its dealings on this issue and it's clear that the SPFL will go to any lengths to ensure this isn't the case. "Government and Parliament can't allow the SPFL to call the shots and if the commissioner finds in our favour we will be contacting Holyrood's Health and Sport Committee asking it to undertake an investigation into the report's findings allowing a cross-party group of MSPs to fully question the SPFL in public session." He added: "For too long the SPFL has operated its own system of 'selfregulation' where no-one is ever held to account and the issue of bigotry is swept under the carpet. “As a direct result the problem of sectarianism within the game festers with a third of all Scottish Premier League managers speaking out in recent months about repeated instances of sectarian abuse toward them, at games. "The SPFL cannot be allowed to dodge, deflect and deny its way out of its responsibilities for the problem and we are confident the commissioner will rule publication to be firmly in the public interest." Scottish football has been plagued by sectarian issues this season, with fans, players, managers and officials all being targeted from the stands. In February, Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke hit out after chants of “sad ****** b******” were directed towards him at Ibrox. Just two months later Aberdeen gaffer Derek McInnes was abused with “sad Orange b******” chants during a Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic. Labour MSP James Kelly said: "The SPFL and the Scottish Government should be up front and open when it comes to the levels of unacceptable conduct being recorded in football stadiums. "Without this transparency not only are we unable to view a clear picture of the scale of the problem, but we have little idea of what individual incidents are being classed as such." Scots Tory MSP Donald Cameron added: "There's no point in having freedom of information laws if data like this is kept secret. It's yet another example of the SNP trying to do government behind closed doors. "What's also concerning is that such secrecy and obstruction just serves to heighten suspicion about what's being kept under wraps. "In fact, Scottish football fans are among the best behaved in the world, and the authorities should therefore have nothing to fear from releasing this information." A Scottish Government official agreed that the information should be released but said their hands were tied. The spokesperson said: “Our strong preference was, and remains, that the SPFL should make the data publicly available. “However, the information has been provided to us on the condition that it was in confidence. "That followed discussions between the Scottish Government, Scottish FA, SPFL, Police Scotland and other stakeholders, where the football authorities agreed to collate data on unacceptable conduct in Scottish football for the first time from the start of the 2017-18 season - but on the condition that it remained confidential." The SPFL was asked whether they would agree to publish the figures and a spokesperson said: "We absolutely condemn all forms of unacceptable conduct at SPFL matches. “Our focus is on supporting the extensive work that our clubs and the police do to identify and punish the small minority of individuals who engage in this type of dangerous behaviour." https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4373389/spfl-snp-government-secrecy-row-over-footie-sectarianism-dossier/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1560703145

Jordan Jones speaks to RangersTV for the first time after signing from Kilmarnock. https://rangers.co.uk/tv/view?it=17377&act=view&c=News&s=54

Greg Docherty reveals Andy Halliday inspiration as he looks to make Rangers impact The midfielder was out on loan last season but is desperate to make his mark under Steven Gerrard. Greg Docherty could barely have done more to please Rangers gaffer Steven Gerrard. When the Ibrox boss sent the midfielder to Shrewsbury Town on loan a year ago there were two objectives. To play games and to impress. Having racked up 50 
appearances and bagged 10 goals for the League One outfit, Docherty’s first box was 
comfortably ticked. Throw in the fact that he picked up the club’s Player of the Year award and you’d have to say he has done everything his manager asked of him. When Gers stars report back for pre-season training at the Hummel Training Centre tomorrow, the 22-year-old will attempt to show Gerrard the full benefits of his stint with the Shrews down south. Docherty accepted that he wasn’t going to play regularly at Ibrox last term so launched himself into a new experience at New Meadow. But after a season of hard graft, three different bosses and a memorable FA Cup goal on live TV, he feels he’s a much improved player from 12 months ago. As a boyhood Rangers fan, he has watched every game from his digs in Shropshire, admiring how Gerrard has shaped a 
new-look midfield. Towards the end of the 
season, he marvelled at the form of experienced duo Steven Davis and Scott Arfield in the Ibrox engine room. And now Docherty feels ready to join them. Gearing up for the biggest summer of his career so far, the former Hamilton Accies kid is relishing the opportunity to compete with the likes of Davis, Arfield, Ryan Jack and Glen Kamara for a slot in Gerrard’s starting line-up. He told MailSport: “The 
midfield has been terrific for Rangers, especially towards the end of the campaign. “But I have to believe I can fight my way in there. I knew when I signed for the club there would be quality additions to the squad. “I’ve loved watching Davo and Scotty in particular. They’ve both played at the highest level and I want to be around these guys to learn off them. “I spent a couple of weeks at the training ground near the end of the season and it was great speaking to them. “Those boys, along with the likes of Ryan Jack and Glen Kamara, have got the lot. But I definitely feel I can bring something different to the midfield. I have belief in my own ability. “In certain games, I believe I can contribute if the manager needs something different. “I got close to Scotty last year because he was in from day one. And the odd day I went back, he was full of praise for me. “He’d ask how many goals I had at Shrewsbury and he was pleased I was doing well. He’d send me few texts as well. “I watched him score two belters for Canada last week. “He was talking about improving that side of his game last pre-season so that proves he has worked on it. He’s such a clever player. “That’s the side I’m 
desperate to learn off him, the cuteness of his play. “With Davo, he just oozes class and he’s a joy to watch. He’s a top midfielder. “I’m aware that the 
balance of the midfield has looked really good recently and I’ve a fight on my hands to get in. “But I knew it was 
never going to be straightforward at such a big club. I have to trust myself, stay fit and, when the opportunity comes, I need to take it.” Rangers monitored Docherty’s performances at Shrewsbury on a regular basis, with assistant boss Gary 
McAllister watching him in the flesh more than once. New Ibrox loans manager Billy Kirkwood developed a bond with the midfielder and wouldn’t always tell him when he was going to be in the stand. Docherty admits he matured a lot in England – and feels 
satisfied he achieved what he wanted by going out on loan. Now he would love to emulate Rangers team-mate Andy 
Halliday who was also 
previously shipped out before returning to nail down a spot in Gerrard’s squad. Doc said: “I feel I’ve improved massively after the experience of going out on loan. Playing games is the best way to do that but everything was new to me down there. “Different people, different grounds, different style of play. “I was the only Scottish boy in the dressing-room so I 
had to adjust to a different 
environment. “I had a few managers as well so there were highs and lows. To come through it then pick up the Player of the Year award was brilliant. “I’ve put myself in a good place coming back to Rangers. “The chat I had with the 
manager a year ago was about playing games and doing well. “I have now achieved both of those targets. “Before I went, I only knew Kirky in passing. We would say hello in the corridor at the training ground. “But since he took on his new role we’ve developed a really close relationship. He has been the middle man, feeding 
information back to the club and the management. “If I ever needed anything at all, Kirky was always there – we had regular contact. “I lost count of the amount of games he was down to watch. “Sometimes he’d let me know but the odd time I’d get a text afterwards to say he’d been there. “And if I’d played well, it was great to know that. “I now look at someone like Andy. “He went out on loan, came back to Rangers and forced his way back in. “His attitude is first class, you can’t fault him. He has taken a lot of stick but just brushes it off and bounces back. I’m full of admiration for him. “He has shown in the last year just how much he wants to be at the club – that’s the guys I have to look at. “He’s willing to give his heart and soul for a jersey and I feel the same.” Docherty and Halliday are now in a growing group of Rangers supporters in Gerrard’s 
dressing-room who are all desperate 
to wrestle the 
Premiership trophy off Celtic and stop their rivals winning nine-in-a-row. The likes of Allan McGregor, Graham Dorrans, Jack, Jamie Murphy and new boy Greg Stewart also fall into that 
category. Docherty is 
convinced it will be a close-run title race this season – and is desperate to be part of it. He said: “To be part of a squad going for the championship would be priceless for me. “Just the prospect of Rangers being involved in a proper race – as it was last season before our blip in January – would be really exciting. “The manager has spoken about the team finding that consistency and, if that 
happens, it will be great. “Things are different now – if you look at the Old Firm games last season, it’s now a more 
level playing field between Celtic and Rangers. “The clubs will be going head to head for the title and it’s an exciting prospect for me to be involved in it.” https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/greg-docherty-reveals-andy-halliday-16522664

Ibrox sources have told Football Insider the terms of a deal have now been agreed between League One club Doncaster and Rangers, who are hoping it will have the same benefit for Middleton as Greg Docherty’s loan at Shrewsbury Town in the same league last season. Grant McCann’s side will pay a six-figure fee for Middleton as well as contributing to his wages for the campaign. https://www.footballinsider247.com/ibrox-sources-english-club-to-sign-rangers-player-after-agreeing-fee/

Club facts: Rangers Wednesday 1 August 2018 Rangers FC Formed: 1872 Nicknames: The Gers, The Teddy Bears, The Light Blues UEFA club competition honours (runners-up in brackets) • UEFA Cup: (2008) • UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1): (1961), (1967), 1972 Domestic honours (most recent triumph in brackets) League title: 54 (2011) Scottish Cup: 33 (2009) League Cup: 27 (2011) Ten-year European record (UEFA Europa League/UEFA Cup unless indicated otherwise) 2017/18: first qualifying round 2016/17: did not take part in UEFA club competition 2015/16: did not take part in UEFA club competition 2014/15: did not take part in UEFA club competition 2013/14: did not take part in UEFA club competition 2012/13: did not take part in UEFA club competition 2011/12: play-offs (having transferred from UEFA Champions League third qualifying round) 2010/11: round of 16 (having transferred from UEFA Champions League group stage) 2009/10: UEFA Champions League group stage 2008/09: UEFA Champions League second qualifying round Records UEFA club competition • Biggest home win 10-0: Rangers v Valletta 28/09/83, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup first round second leg • Biggest away win 0-8: Valletta v Rangers 14/09/83, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup first round first leg • Heaviest home defeat 0-4: Rangers v Juventus 01/11/95, UEFA Champions League group stage • Heaviest away defeat 6-1: Eintracht Frankfurt v Rangers 13/04/60, European Champion Clubs' Cup semi-finals first leg 5-0: Köln v Rangers 03/11/82, UEFA Cup second round second leg UEFA Europa League/UEFA Cup • Biggest home win 4-0: twice, most recently v Hapoel Tel-Aviv 22/02/07, round of 32 second leg • Biggest away win 0-5: Amica Wronki v Rangers 21/10/04, group stage • Heaviest home defeat 0-2: Rangers v Auxerre 15/12/04, group stage • Heaviest away defeat 5-0: Köln v Rangers (see above) © 1998-2019 UEFA. All rights reserved. https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=858204.html

The Scottish Football Association will make a decision before the end of the year whether to pursue Rangers in connection with "alleged irregularities" in the Ibrox club's application for a UEFA licence in 2011.Two years ago, the SFA tasked its compliance officer with launching an investigation into the applicationRangers are understood to have had an unpaid tax liability at the time the application was submitted which, had it been disclosed, would have almost certainly voided the application and Celtic would have competed in the early qualifying rounds of the Champions League rather than their Glasgow rivals.The Light Blues maintain that the "Five-Way Agreement" signed in 2012 by the SFA, Scottish Premier League, Scottish Football League, the old Rangers and the new club set up by Charles Green means that Scottish football's governing body has no jurisdiction in the matter.Last July, the Association's judicial panel agreed, and indicated that the case would be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, if they decided to punish the club.SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell told The Times: "I would expect that to come back to the board in the not too distant future.“It [going to CAS] is still under consideration. We’ll come back on that in due course. I wouldn’t want to put a timescale on it... but I don’t think we would let it go for ever.”https://www.scotsman.com/sport/foot...uefa-licence-before-end-of-the-year-1-4946541

Mr ''over exuberant''...…………………………….

RANGERS have appointed Steve Doyle as Lead Technical Scout with the club aiming to increase the efficiency of its scouting process. https://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/gers-appoint-lead-technical-scout/