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Dec 21 2008 By Mark Guidi BOBO BALDE has reported Celtic to FIFA after being fined a total of �£100,000. Mailsport can reveal the Guinea defender has been docked four weeks' wages for a variety of breaches of discipline since August. Balde doesn't agree with the punishments and asked the PFA and his lawyers to try to reach an agreement with Celtic chief Peter Lawwell. That move failed and on the recommendation of the PFA a dossier was sent by Balde to FIFA. The PFA are confident FIFA will side with the player but Celtic believe their case is rock solid. FIFA have received Balde's paperwork but it could take months to reach a decision and it's likely the player will have left Glasgow before they announce their verdict. Balde is no longer a recognised member of Gordon Strachan's squad and has been banished to train with Chris McCart's youth team at Barrowfield. The stopper's first-team ticket allowance has been wiped and he is banned from the stadium when Strachan's side are playing. Balde, signed by Martin O'Neill in the summer of 2001, was fined for not reporting for the opening SPL game against St Mirren. He was in France having been handed written permission by the club to talk to interested parties to organise a move out of Parkhead. Celtic had given Balde the Friday off but wanted him to report back to the team hotel on the eve of the game. The player thought he had more time to work on a deal. Balde was also fined for refusing to train with the youth team when Strachan first made it clear he wouldn't be considered for action. He reported to Lennoxtown and trained on his own but has been working out with the youths for the past four months. A move to Birmingham on transfer deadline day in August was on offer but Balde said no. City boss Alex McLeish is back in for the player and plans to land him in the January window. Balde is now ready to leave and hopes he can sort out an amicable departure next month. But he won't sign a confidentiality agreement and that means he could be at Parkhead until his contract ends in May unless Celtic can smooth a parting of the ways. http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/sport-news/scottish-football/spl/celtic-fc/2008/12/21/bobo-balde-wants-fifa-to-help-after-feud-with-celtic-78057-20986495/

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan confirms the club is preparing a bid for Hungary international Szabolcs Huszti. More...

STEVEN DAVIS believes there is more to come from both him and his team mates as they prepare to finish 2008 with two home games against Hibs and Celtic. Steven DavisDavis has arguably been Walter Smith's most consistent performer since signing a permanent deal with the club back in August. But he feels there is still another level for him to reach as he comes to the end of a rollercoaster first year with Rangers. He said: "Overall I'm happy with how things are going although I know there is still a lot of room for improvement both personally and for us as a team. "We've made a decent start to the season albeit with a couple of slip ups where we would have liked to collect points that we dropped. "If we can iron that out I think we can look forward to another very successful season. "I like to think there's more to come from me too. I think no matter what age you are you can still improve as a player. Steven Davis celebrates scoring"There are always new things to pick up from different managers and different players in the squad so it's been good to come here and learn from some top midfielders. "In Barry, Pedro and Kevin Thomson we have some top class players and if you can take different aspects from their games it can only help you develop as a player." The Northern Ireland international has added goals to his game this season and trails only Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller in the club's scoring charts after strikes against Motherwell, Dundee Utd, St Mirren and Hamilton. "This year we've all got a bit more licence to get forward with the way the team is playing this season," added Davis. "The change in the mentality of the whole team and the way the manager wants us to play has helped me get goals. "It's a side of the game I enjoy and hopefully I can continue to add a few goals between now and the end of the season."

Gordon Strachan says he has endured worse weeks as Celtic manager despite his high-profile dispute with midfielder Aiden McGeady. More...

Poor old Graeme Smith, he's another Alan Gow! WS buys him on a free, never plays him and is then booted out the door. What a waste of 18 months.

By Andrew Dickson WALTER SMITH insists there's no advantage to be gained by Rangers if they win a day before Celtic play this weekend. The Light Blues entertain Hibernian at Ibrox tomorrow before Gordon Strachan's Parkhead side travels to play Falkirk at Westfield on Sunday. Walter SmithIt will be the fourth successive weekend that Gers have played before their Old Firm rivals and the two will then meet in the derby next Saturday in Govan. The gap between the teams at the top of the SPL currently stands at four points with 18 rounds of fixtures gone and the halfway point in the season approaching. But while some feel Rangers can strike a psychological blow to their fellow challengers by bringing the gap down to one - however temporarily - Smith isn't one of them. "I don't think playing before Celtic really matters," he said. "We operate under that sort of pressure every single week. "We just have to keep winning our games and the most important thing when we play Hibs tomorrow is that we get the victory. "We will see what happens after that. None of these things are that important - the pressure is simply on whoever is chasing and that is us at the moment. "We must accept that and know, going into each game, that our main objective is to win the match. The onus is on us to come out on top.Walter Smith in Kaunas "If we win our next two games, we will be in a far better position than we're in at the moment but we know doing that will be tough." Smith refused to be drawn on speculation linking Rangers with a move Spartak Moscow defender Martin Stranzl. There have been media reports saying the manager is keen on the Austrian stopper but he refused to confirm if that was the case. Smith did reveal Madjid Bougherra, who he hoped would be fit enough to play this weekend, is still doubtful for tomorrow's game with a thigh knock despite training today. If he misses out, he'll be one of five first-team players sidelined for the clash with the Easter Road outfit. Chris Burke has fallen victim to the flu outbreak currently sweeping across Scotland and is too unwell to be considered. Maurice Edu and Andrius Velicka are also unavailable as they both have ankle knocks. Long-term crock Kevin Thomson is the other casualty.

ââ?¬Ë?Greigy is a one-off. He epitomises the Rangers spirit and is the genuine article ââ?¬â?? a true Rangers legendââ?¬â?¢ ââ?¬â?? Ally McCoist There are few players who get to experience the high of winning one treble during their playing careers, John Greig managed to bag three trebles and captained the team to two of those tremendous achievements. Rangers entered the 1963-1964 season as defending champions after a runaway league campaign where they won the league by nine points from Kilmarnock. Rangers came tantalizingly close to winning the treble the previous season, only a narrow 3-2 defeat to Kilmarnock (our closest challengers for a few seasons around this time) in the League Cup semi-final stopping Rangers from claiming a ââ?¬Ë?triple-crownââ?¬â?¢ (Rangers easily defeated 3-0 in the Scottish Cup Final), but the triple crown was only postponed as Rangers would claim this crown during the 63-64 season. However, after a season of domestic success, no one would have believed that Rangers would then go an astonishing 11 seasons without another league title to their name (more of that later). Rangers started season 1963-64 by destroying Celtic 3-0 in a League Cup section game at Parkhead. Jim Forrest started the season with a bang, netting two goals in the season opener and went on to claim a remarkable 39 goals for the season, including 4 in the league cup final against Morton. Two further group games witnessed wins (5-2 v Queen of The South and 4-1 v Kilmarnock). A further 3-0 victory of Celtic (at Ibrox), along with another 5-2 victory over QoS and a 2-2 draw with Killie ensured that we safely progressed to the knock out stages of the league cup. The defence of our league title started in the middle of the League Cup section games and we were held to a 1-1 draw away to Dundee with Ralph Brand netting from the spot. Our 2nd league game saw Celtic visit Ibrox and they were dispatched with goals from McLean and Brand in a 2-1 Rangers victory. East Fife were defeated 3-1 on aggregate in the league cup and Motherwell and Hibs were soundly defeated in the league. Our first defeat of the season came at the hands of Real Madrid in the European Cup ââ?¬â?? a 1-0 reverse at Ibrox. This didnââ?¬â?¢t appear to affect or domestic form, however, we were to suffer an embarrassing 6-0 defeat in the return game in Madrid. Again, this didnââ?¬â?¢t affect our domestic form where we continued to race away in the league and were freely scoring goals in most games, both home and away. Only two draws, at home to Aberdeen and away to title challengers Kilmarnock blotted a near perfect domestic copy-book. The league cup was secured with a 5-0 demolition of Morton at Hampden and as stated above, young Forrest getting 4 of the goals in the final ââ?¬â?? a fantastic feat. The final will also be remembered for the record attendance of 105,907. December saw a change of fortunes were let points slip against Motherwell, and lost at home to St Johnstone. We also lost a two-legged British Championship to Everton. The traditional New Year Day game saw us once again victorious against Celtic with Miller scoring the only goal at Parkhead. We lost to Clyde in the Glasgow Cup semi-final, then opened the defence of the Scottish Cup with a 9-0 win over Duns! St Mirren inflicted a rare defeat in a 3-2 win at Ibrox which would be our last defeat of the season until the last game of the season. The league was secured by a comfortable and Rangers were crowned Scottish Champions for the 34th occasion. Passage to the Scottish Cup Final was guaranteed after Duns, Partick Thistle, Celtic and Dunfermline were put to the sword and Rangers would face Dundee in the final. This final would long be remembered as a classic and is still believed to be one of the finest finals in modern history. Rangers finally run out 3-1 winners with the magically M&B partnership scoring the goals (Millar with 2, Brand with 1). One further point to note in this wonderful season ââ?¬â?? we defeated Celtic in every game we played them in that season. Two league victories, 2 League Cup wins and a Scottish Cup triumph. For the record of League / Scottish Cup Winning Teamââ?¬â?¢s were as follows : League Cup ââ?¬â?? Ritchie, Shearer, Provan, Greig, McKinnon, Baxter, Henderson, Willoughby, Forrest, Brand & Watson Scottish Cup - ââ?¬â?? Ritchie, Shearer, Provan, Greig, McKinnon, Baxter, Henderson, McLean, Millar, Brand & Wilson The next time Rangers were to win the league title in 1974-75 season, it would be after 11 long years of hurt in which Celtic dominated the Scottish game and won their 9-in-a-row. The only bright light in this era was the winning for the Cup Winners Cup in Barcelona and our centenary Scottish Cup victory (3-2 against Celtic ââ?¬â?? famous for Tom Forsythââ?¬â?¢s 6 inch thunderbolt that will always be remembered in Rangers folk-lore). The league was clinched with a pulsating 1-1 draw at Easter Road. Colin Stein headed the winning goal, but anyone who witnessed this game, couldnââ?¬â?¢t forget captain for the day Sandy Jardine being replaced by Mr Rangers in the closing minutes. Greig missed the game due to injury but was sent on to sample the last few minutes. The victory scenes on and off the pitch will live on in the memories of Rangers fans. A huge travelling support finally witnessing Rangers winning their 35th title. The following season was witness Rangers dominate the Scottish game claiming another treble and with John Greig rejuvenated and he would be voted Player of The Year. As was the norm, Rangers started the season in their League Cup Section with Clyde, Motherwell and Airdrie. Passage was secured without too many problems and we started the defence of our title at the home of our arch rivals and secured a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Derek Johnstone and ââ?¬Ë?Cuttyââ?¬â?¢ Young. The following game at Tynecastle saw Rangers win in bizarre fashion, both goals in our 2-0 victory were own goals. After a decent start, Rangers had a very shaky spell of form around the October and November time. This would include a few draws and defeats to Ayr United, Motherwell, Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen. We would also be knocked out of the European Cup by a classy St Etienne side. However, it wasnââ?¬â?¢t all doom and gloom, we secured the League Cup by defeating Celtic 1-0 at Hampden thanks to a brilliant diving header from Alex McDonald. It should be noted here that by all reports, this victory was dominated by fantastic performances from both John Greig and Tom Forsyth. We recovered brilliantly from this glitch in form and went on an unbeaten run from Dec 6th (1-0 defeat to Aberdeen) until the end of the season. A run that totalled 32 games, including 21 league fixtures with the league title clinched at Tannidice with Derek Johnstone scoring after 22 seconds. Derek Johnstone would net 31 goals that season and was one of the main reasons for Rangersââ?¬â?¢ success. However, we can also thank a fantastic strength of squad which is emphasised by the fact that Scottish Internationals Sandy Jardine and Derek Parlane were constantly used as substitutes in the 2nd half of the season. The Scottish Cup, and final part of the treble was secured with an easy 3-1 victory over Hearts in the Scottish Cup Final with Derek Johnstone finally breaking the deadlock after a nervy 45 seconds! DJ would score again and Alex McDonald score our other goal in the final. For the record of League / Scottish Cup Winning Teamââ?¬â?¢s were as follows : League Cup ââ?¬â?? Kennedy, Jardine, Greig, Forsyth, Jackson, McDonald, McLean, Stein, Parlane, Johnstone & Young Scottish Cup ââ?¬â?? McCloy, Miller, Greig, Forsyth, Jackson, McDonald, McKean, Hamilton, Henderson, McLean, Johnstone After this clean sweep, Rangers entered the 1976-77 season as firm favourites for the league and were considered good bets to repeat the treble. As it turned out, Rangers finished this disappointing season trophyless after losing to Celtic and Aberdeen in the domestic cups and finishing 9 points behind Celtic in the league. Cammy F

Celtic captain Stephen McManus insists dressing room spirit has not been affected by Aiden McGeady's spat with manager Gordon Strachan. More...

Celtic are advertising for a sports scientist/strength and conditioning coach to work in their academy. The job description does not look to be particularly demanding; a sports science or related degree and practical experience in football desired. I spent 4 years at Glasgow University gaining a BSc (Hons) degree in Physiology and Sports Science. I also undertook various work experience opportunities with smaller football clubs (Aberdeen, Q.o.S) and in various other sports. I then went to Edinburgh Uni and gained a MSc in Strength and Conditioning and was employed via Stirling University to work as a Strength and Conditioning Coach in Falkirk FC's academy last year and into this season. I also recently began work with the SRU in a similar role although had to give them up moving home It's a competitive field and I've had rejections for similar roles, however why couldn't it be Rangers looking!

CRAIG THOMSON has been named as the referee for the crucial Old Firm game at Ibrox on December 27. The whistler - who has recently gone part-time in his job as a lawyer to help him concentrate more on refereeing - has plenty of experience in the fixture now and is regarded as the best whistler in the country. Thomson's last Old Firm outing was Celtic's 3-2 win at home in April.

THE COUNTDOWN is on to the crucial second Old Firm derby of the season and it's a match no-one wants to miss. Rangers, of course, triumphed in the first meeting with that stunning 4-2 win at Parkhead back on August 31. However, since that day Celtic have opened a lead in the title race and Rangers are determined to notch their second win of the season against their rivals.Steven Davis, Rangers It's a match every fan wants to go to and you can win tickets right here. Check out this question: Who scored Rangers' first goal in the 4-2 win on August 31? A - Kenny Miller B - Daniel Cousin C - Pedro Mendes GOT IT? Now text GERS A, GERS B or GERS C to 88442 and you could be on your way to the big match. The competition closes on Monday, December 22 at 5pm so make sure your mobile is switched in at that time. Texts cost �£1.50 plus you usual rate.

Czech left-back Milan Misun is set to sign for Celtic on Thursday, according to the player's agent Ondrej Chovanec. The 18-year-old, presently with FK Pribram, trained with the Scottish Premier League leaders last week. "We are delighted as we have managed to get Milan to one of the biggest clubs in Europe," said Chovanec. "There was also huge interest from AC Milan, but Celtic acted quickly and my player should be in Glasgow on Thursday to pen a professional deal." And Czech Republic under-20 international Misun says he is delighted at the prospect of joining Gordon Strachan's team. "It is the best gift I could have got for Christmas," he said. We have not received any feedback from Celtic yet Erlend Hanstveit's agent, Per Bjarte "When I was at Celtic on trial for a couple of days, they treated me really well and I believe I can improve as a player there." Celtic have deployed Lee Naylor and Mark Wilson in the left-back position this season, but Wilson is a naturally right-footed defender. Misun was joined at Celtic's Lennoxtown training centre by FK Pribram team-mate Anton Fantis, but Celtic have put a possible move for the 16-year-old on hold. Meanwhile, Brann Bergen defender Erlend Hanstveit, who was also on trial with Celtic, has returned to Norway early for his wedding. Hanstveit's father and agent, Per Bjarte, was last night still in the dark over a possible move. "We have not received any feedback from Celtic yet. We were concentrating on his wedding, but we expect an answer soon," said Bjarte. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/7783307.stm

It's my birthday on the 29th of this month and I just want one thing. The early birthday present (or a late xmas present if you like) of a crushing victory over Celtic with a Boyd hat trick. What's everyone's dream scenario for the 27th? (I know we have Hibs to deal with first but you cant help but look ahead to the next Old Firm).

So despite the warnings on this forum, no doubt in the gutter press and I am sure within the confines of Murray Park and the away dressing room at Tannadice, for the eighth time in 9 games Rangers return from Dundee without the 3 points. How we manage to sustain such an embarrassing run is mystifying. Whilst Dundee United have a reasonable home record, before today�s game they had the best home defensive record, and had won 5 out of 8 games, they are hardly invincible. Indeed one of the SPL�s less glamorous clubs, Kilmarnock, have travelled to Tayside and returned victorious. There is no doubting we have a superior squad to choose from. The league table does not lie and a ten point gap tells it own story. Over the course of the season Dundee United are frankly not even close to us. So why do we struggle in so many one off games against the Arabs? The previous article on this topic pinpointed the key factors for our lack of success in this fixture. Levein�s tactical nous and ability to set up his team to frustrate and even dominate Rangers, particularly in midfield, allied to his team�s ability to carry out his orders and undoubted quality within the ranks. As the team�s trudged off at half time however you would be forgiven for believing that Smith, Ferguson and co. had learnt from past mistakes and figured out this Dundee United enigma. Surprisingly Levein did not field his usual 5-man midfield that we often struggle against. The extra man in midfield has previously allowed United to dominate the engine room and hence possession and the pattern of the game. Many suggested we should play a five-man midfield to combat Levein�s favoured tactic whenever the fixture list pairs the two sides. However I was not in favour of altering our team to counteract what should be inferior opposition. It would also have meant disrupting the deadliest strike force in the league. In any case Levein continued with a 4-4-2 formation and this likely contributed to an upturn in fortunes during the opening 45 minutes. Perhaps, also, as a result of a fine early Kris Boyd turn and strike thumping Rangers into the lead, but the customary pattern of United�s midfield dominance and Rangers long ball football did not ensue. Rather Ferguson and Mendes, supported by McCulloch and Davis, enjoyed not playing at a numerical disadvantage in the centre of the park. With Boyd forcing us into an early lead before any real pattern of the game had formed, United resorted to long ball football up to Daly and Feeney. This played into the hands of Weir and Broadfoot who were comfortably repelling all the straight, long balls. With United unable to take control in the centre of the park, they could not dominate possession and territory, nor pin back our midfield and defence. Boyd and Miller were receiving decent supply and the only worry was that we had not taken a greater lead in at half time. With a more competent display from the linesmen in particular we may have done. The only positive for the Arabs in the first half was Conway, when they could get the ball to him. Time and again he linked well with Dixon on the United left to get forward and swing balls in. Whittaker and Davis could not get near them and allowed too many balls into the box. The signs were there in the first half and you would expect Smith to have spotted this from his vantage point high up in the stands. Maybe the players were a bit too comfortable in the first half and did not go for the kill. Though I am not convinced that is the case and is merely an example of picking holes using hindsight. At half time Levein must have put a real rocket up his team. They came out second half and attacked us from the off, though there was no change in personnel and little change in tactics. The commitment and effort of the Dundee united players, allied to the ability to feed their left hand side with more of the ball destroyed Rangers in the opening ten minutes of the second half. They came out with their manager�s words in their ears, the Rangers player were simply not prepared. We learnt nothing of United�s few successes in the first half, allowing Conway and Dixon the time and the space to fire balls across our box. Wilkie playing an unusually advanced role for a centre back converted the first at the back post, Feeney despatching the second just four minutes later. There was nothing clever or inspiring about United�s play, a competent right back, a confident goalkeeper or a dominating centre back could have prevented these foals. For me most the blame lies with the right back, who had a wretched afternoon and was afforded little protection from his midfield partner. Fortunately there was time left to snatch at least a point or even a victory if we could hit back soon. However all the composure and cohesion had left our play. The player�s were shell shocked and needed to get back into this game fast. With Lafferty replacing McCulloch and Novo later replacing Miller we were able to salvage a draw. Novo a man who is never beaten, never accepts defeat, came on and immediately got in United�s faces. Not long after his introduction he produced a fine run and pass to set up Lafferty. He opened his body and showed excellent composure to beat Zaluska, a man who has a habit of foiling Rangers strikers. As much as we pushed late on we struggled to fashion any more quality opportunities and were left snatching a draw from the jaws of defeat. Smith, the players and fans alike will be left wondering how we ended up having to sneak a draw from a game in which were so dominant first half. We could have left Tannadice with no points having been second best only for the opening period of the second half. We showed first half we have the beating of United. Tactically we were superior, we were committed and our quality players stifled and dominated their Tannadice counterparts. As suggested in the previous article it is difficult to precisely identify why one team becomes another�s bogey side. Why do United hold somewhat of an Indian sign over us? This weekend Levein did not demonstrate the tactical nous that has often outwitted Smith. It would also be churlish to put it down to luck. Perhaps, the psychological issues previously proffered as the reason are key. How else can a dominant team coasting to half time fall behind with two quick goals right after the break. A lack of belief, a lack of confidence in holding a lead against a bogey side and most worrying a lack of character and winning mentality within the Ibrox ranks. If we are to finally start going to the hard to win venues and emerge victorious and somehow ensure it is Celtic and not ourselves who go into these ties feeling the pressure of remaining in the title race then it is up to the management and the leading players to find this winning mentality and install belief in the rest of the squad.

OK, so 15 mins left and a thread is started - so we can fully expect two Tim goals in that time..... Did anyone check the stats ? Celtic - 4 shots total (1 on target). Jambos 9 in total (3 on target). Seems they really ARE struggling. Also, is Maloney injured ? He was replaced after just 30 mins.

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The agent of Czech left-back Milan Misun says Celtic are close to signing the 18-year-old. More...

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RANGERS enjoyed the perfect weekend last week when their crushing 7-1 victory over Hamilton was followed the day after by title rivals Celtic dropping points to Hibs at Easter Road. Kenny Miller celebrates his goal against HamiltonBut Kenny Miller insists any thoughts of the four point gap between the Old Firm being narrowed with the aid of other clubs is out of Rangers players' minds as they prepare for a tough trip to Tannadice this weekend. A victory against Dundee United in the early kick off on Saturday would narrow the gap to a single point ahead of Celtic's meeting with Hearts at 3pm, but Miller says his side are concentrating only on their own fixtures. He said: "Obviously it's a boost but we can only take care of our own games. The slip ups we've had are the reason we were seven points behind at one stage. "We just have to keep winning games and if Celtic slip up that's a bonus for us. Last week it was the perfect weekend for us with seven goals and a good performance and then the result on Sunday was a big boost for us. "It's another big weekend this week and if we can get the win in the early game it puts that wee bit of pressure on Celtic if the gap is down to a point." Kenny MillerMiller knows that this is another crunch weekend as Rangers aim to pick up maximum points in the run up to the December 27 Old Firm meeting. He said: "It's massive for us. There's no point in us winning 7-1 and seeing Celtic slip up if we don't then narrow the gap again. "We've got Dundee Utd away and then Hibs at home and they don't come much tougher than that. We have to win those games to go in to the Old Firm game a maximum of four points behind. "It's natural when you're in that position that you'll check what their result is to see if we've gained any ground but at the end of the day we can only look at ourselves and try to win games. "If the opposition slips up then that's obviously a boost for us. For us the next game is always the toughest one, it doesn't matter where it is. "Tomorrow's is a big game for us and we know we need to win these kind of games to go on the long winning runs you need to pick up titles." Miller's contribution to that title bid has been to weigh in with 7 goals and help his strike partner Kris Boyd to notch another 16. Their combination drew praise from the Gers No.9 who hailed Miller as his perfect front line foil, a feeling echoed by Miller. Kenny Miller and Kris BoydHe added:"I think the way it's been going it's definitely getting better. It takes a bit of time to form a partnership but we spent some together with the national side and we get on well off the park. "I think you're starting to see that on the pitch. It's been my most productive partnership, certainly over the last 6 or 7 games and there have been a lot of goals flying in - mostly for big Boydy! "I'm enjoying my football and we're playing some cracking stuff at the moment. Myself and Boydy rely on service from the midfield and that's been fantastic this season."

Out-of-favour Celtic striker Chris Killen is a target for Hearts in the January transfer window. More...

ROD Wallace was a hero of Old Firm meetings in his time in Glasgow and believes victory for the light blues in this month's derby clash will see the title momentum swing to the city's south side. Rod WallaceWallace picked up five medals in a successful three year spell at Ibrox and now feels the current crop of Rangers stars can add a title success to their CVs after the disappointment of missing out last term. The diminutive Englishman took the Scottish game by storm when he switched to Rangers from Leeds in the summer of 1998. Dick Advocaat brought the striker north of the border on a free transfer and he rewarded the Dutchman with a flying start to his Ibrox career. His debut season in a light blue shirt saw him bag 27 goals as Advocaat led his side to the domestic treble in his first season at the helm. And Wallace forever endeared himself to the Ibrox faithful in the final game of that first season when he hit the only goal of the 1999 Scottish Cup final against Celtic. His 49th minute strike was the goal that secured the treble for Advocaat's team just weeks after they had landed the title at Celtic Park It also ensured that Wallace ended his incredible debut season on a high note with three medals in his first year in Scotland. He went contribute another 20 goal haul the following season to help his side to the domestic double and take his silverware tally as a Rangers player to five trophies in two seasons. Now, having watched Walter Smith's current side narrow the gap to Celtic to just four points over the weekend he feels the title might just be heading back to Ibrox after a three season absence. He said: "I always keep an eye out for the results to see how the club are getting on. Of course they lost last week but it's good to see them get a result this weekend. "Hopefully they can pick up a few results and go on a bit of a run now and kick on from there. If they can do that I don't see any reason why the title won't come back to Ibrox this season." With an Old Firm game to come at the end of December, Wallace knows Gers will have a chance to further decrease the gap at the top of the table.Rod Wallace And he admits he will be keeping a keen eye on events when the two rivals lock horns again after Christmas. Walter Smith will be looking for one of his stars to deliver a belated Christmas gift on the 27th of the month and Wallace knows all about being the man who makes a difference against Rangers' rivals. As well as that Scottish Cup winner in '99, Wallace grabbed the only goal of the game in March 2000 as Rangers left Parkhead with full points on their way to a second successive title success. He was also part of the famous team that clinched the '99 title on their neighbours' patch just weeks before his Hampden triumph. Although he was on the receiving end of a late red card in that title winning visit to Parkhead he remembers his appearances in derby matches throughout his Gers career fondly. He added: "I had a few good times here and it's hard to pick out one that stands out over the rest. "The Cup final was a great experience, without doubt one of the best. It was a great occasion and one of the first finals at the new Hampden which just added to the experience. "Scoring the winner at Parkhead was another great occasion but there were so many in my time up here that it's hard to really pick one as the real highlight. "That would certainly be one of them though and I'll be looking out for the boys to see how they got on at the end of the month." Wallace was back at Ibrox as a half time hero against Hamilton at the weekend and he admits it was great to bring back some happy memories from his time in Glasgow. Rod WallaceAfter reuniting and reminiscing with some familiar faces around Ibrox he said: "It's been great being back here. "I've really enjoyed seeing some old friends and having the chance to catch up with what they've been doing. "I had a great three years up here and have got some great memories from being part of this great club. "Of course I won a few things but I also met some really good people and that helped make for a really enjoyable time up here for me." It is little wonder that Wallace enjoyed his three seasons north of the border as he built up an impressive record in his time as a light blue, scoring 54 goals in 120 games over the three years. After leaving Glasgow Rod returned south where he had a further three seasons in England with Bolton and Gillingham before injury forced him to quit his playing career at the age of 34. Since then he has maintained a keen interest in remaining in football and is now working towards his coaching badges whilst gaining hands on experience with Kingstonian FC's youth teams. And at just 39 he is hoping to continue his involvement in the game with more senior coaching roles to come once his professional coaching courses have finished. He added: "I finished in 2004 because of the toll the injuries took on me. Since then I've been looking in to the coaching side of things. "I'm working on level three at the moment and I've been concentrating on that for the last couple of years now. "I'm keen to stay involved in the game if I get a chance. It's all about luck really, but once I get the qualification I'll see how things go from there."

Surely not Dean Shiels is being lined up to become the latest Northern Ireland international to join Rangers. Rangers manager Walter Smith already has midfielder Steve Davis and striker Kyle Lafferty and now he fancies signing versatile Hibs ace Shiels. The 23-year-old, son of former Coleraine and Ballymena manager Kenny, started his career at Arsenal before moving to Easter Road in 2004. Shiels hit the headlines two years later when he he had an operation to remove his right eye, which had been blind since a domestic accident when he was eight-years-old. The damaged eye was causing headaches and it was agreed that surgery was the best solution. Known as ââ?¬Å?Dixieââ?¬Â, he made his Northern Ireland debut in 2005 and has been in and out of the squad ever since. He missed the shock 2-0 win for Hibs over Celtic at the weekend due to an ankle injury but is on the way back, just in time for Rangers to make their move in January. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/scottish/shiels-poised-for-big-move-to-ibrox-14101458.html

I have never really been a Alan McGregor fan, but his heroics against Celtic in the 1-2 game at Parkhead and the Uefa cup performances won me over. I was dreadfully disapointed that he was injured saving the Scott Mcdonald penalty when he turned his ankle. Now, before those heroics McGregor was a mediocre goalie for the most part. He done the correct things to be a good Gers player, i.e go through the youth ranks, go on loan for a season for first team experince at a lesser club. And to be honest there are times he makes saves that make him look world class. But, i now think the time has come for him to move on. This may upset a few Gers fans as he is a popular player with Rangers fans. but he is now no longer a young player. He is a mid 20-odds goalie who's confidence has been sunk for a while. The mistake he made versus Dundee Utd at Ibrox cost us 2 vital league points. Today he apparantly made a howler(which i've yet to see). And against Kilmarnock at Ibrox he gifted them an opening goal. Don't get me wrong, three mistakes should't cost anyone a career. But i am positive now that there's a few other reasons to go against him. McGregor now believes the hype from last year still applies and as a consequence he stil thinks he is a better player than he really is. This over confidence clashing with his other belief that he thinks he's able to crack the English premiership is costing us dearly. The constant transfer speculation about him joining Spurs amongst other top teams is messing with this mans head. If he hadn't have gotten the ankle injury he may well have got the move i think he wanted and Rangers would have been payed around 5 to 6 million pounds. It didn't work out but McGregor to my mind is still thinking that all the speculation is directed towards where he is going. Well Alan, i'm not so sure that any top side would want you anymore, especially going by the clangers you've made and the current form you've displayed. Another thing that gets on my goat is his idiotic playboy image. The hype from last season appeared to inflate Alan's ego to extraordinary proportions and we saw him buying rediculous flash cars, get stupid tattoos and attempting to be the Scottish Beckham with that girlfriend of his. I realise that this view won't be everyones view and that many will disagree. But were it not for Walter Smiths loyalty to this player, we may well have had an even better goalie between the sticks in Neil Alexander(who is more than equal in technical and physical abilty to McGregor and supercedes McGregors mental ability by miles). Also the �£5/6m we may have got from McGregors transfer could have bought us a replacement for the aging Davie Weir and the sometime dodgy defence of Rangers could have squeezed the life out of sides resulting in us not being 7 points behind a Celtic side that are unbelieveably fluky. Anyway, i'd very much like to hear you guys opinion on Mr mcGregor as i'm sure we could move on without him.