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Lafferty said: "I don't want to leave this club. It meant everything for me to join Rangers. "But I realise the only way I can make sure I stay at Ibrox is to perform well on a regular basis. "If my discipline isn't right, though, then I put all of my hopes at risk." SunSport can reveal Smith had a private pep-talk yesterday with Lafferty after his warning. Lafferty added: "I've ended up getting stupidly sent off and I could have lost the game for the team. "I'm really disappointed with the first red card of my Rangers career. "Now I'm just going to have to accept my ban and move on. "It's a massive season for everybody here and with three new signings the competition for places up front is intense. Vladimir, James and Nikica are quality signings and I've got my work cut out to get my place back. "I've got to work even harder to make sure I stay in the manager's plans." Lafferty reckons the red card from ref Iain Brines was harsh. He went on: "I thought it should've just been a yellow card each, but the referee seemed to make up his mind early on. "I know my initial tackle looked bad. But having watched TV replays I think the red was harsh. "I did go over the top of Liam Miller, but that was because I pulled out the tackle as I was going in. "I admit I reacted badly after being hit with the ball by McBride, but I think in that situation most players would have done the same."

Nothing about this on the official site yet.

Nothing comes easy with this guy.

Over the last few weeks it won't have passed many that I have been having discussions on the Bill Struth morals and the Rangers way. If we have the Rangers way or if we are to follow morals the way Bill Struth is perceived to have run the club, then today threw up a situation where these morals should be upheld. When Walter Smith names his team for the game against St Johnstone next weekend then the first name on the team sheet should be Neil Alexander. The circus act that Alan McGregor acted out today should see him relegated to the stand for the next few games. If there is a Bill Struth model or the Rangers way, then Walter Smith can give the players a message that the Rangers way does not tolerate such actions. The SFA won't be taking action i read in another thread. Walter Smith should. That should be the Rangers way that makes us proud to be a Rangers supporter.

Rangers manager Walter Smith is adamant that his club did not hijack Vladimir Weiss from Celtic. More...

Rangers have ended their pursuit of Rapid Vienna striker Nikica Jelavic and are now anxious to fix-up James Beattie and Tommy Smith. After two weeks of negotiations with the Austrians and the Croatian striker, the SPL champions have walked away. The 24-year-old has been quoted as saying a switch to Scotland may still happen in the next few days, but any movement will now have to come from his camp. Rangers offered around Ã?£4m and Ã?£15,000-per-week wages. Rapid accepted the deal, but Jelavic wants a pay-off from his club, so the move has stalled. Chief executive Martin Bain said: ââ?¬Å?We have withdrawn from negotiations with Nikica Jelavic.ââ?¬Â Stoke striker Beattie held talks with Walter Smith and Bain last night having arrived in Glasgow for a look around, but returned south with no deal done. A fee of around Ã?£1.3m has been agreed, but Beattie is on Ã?£35,000-per-week and Stoke may have to offer him a sweetener to leave. Blackburn are believed to be trying to hijack Gersââ?¬â?¢ move. Beattieââ?¬â?¢s agent Mike Morris said: ââ?¬Å?Negotiations will continue today.ââ?¬Â Meantime, despite matching the Ã?£1.5m fee quoted by Portsmouth for Smith, Rangers have still to hear back from the club. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/martin-bain-no-nikica-jelavic-deal-1.1048143

Rangers boss Walter Smith expects the club to complete the signing of Nikica Jelavic on Friday afternoon. More...

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/rangers-loan-bid-for-manchester-city-star-1.1049012

Haven't seen this on the Board IAN Maxwell watched his Partick Thistle side taken apart by Rangers yesterday, with trialists Nacer Barazite and Georgie Welcome starring as Beauty and the Beast. The Jags player-coach took charge of the First Division side in a 5-0 closed-door defeat at Murray Park. And he gave the pair rave reviews and insists both could earn deals with the Ibrox club. Rangers also had Dutch winger Etienne Esajas on show but the former Sheffield Wednesday man didn't catch the eye. And Maxwell believes ex-Calais midfielder Salim Kerkar - another trialist who had been recommended by his friend and countryman Ibrox star Madjid Bougherra - could land a deal from Walter Smith. Maxwell was underwhelmed by Honduran striker Welcome's general play but says it's impossible not to be impressed by his scoring instinct - as he bagged a hat-trick. He said: "All his goals were different. For his first he lashed in a shot after brilliant play by Barazite. His second came from a back-post header after a corner and for his third he ran through and finished after outmuscling our young defender before sticking it away. "He certainly doesn't possess a particularly good touch but he's a real handful as he's a big lump of a boy. "He's strong, always tries to back into defenders and get in their faces. He does the ugly part of a striker's play well but there is no finesse about him. "Welcome has all the requirements to be an effective target man as the one thing he showed was an instinct for a goal. "It says it all that he fell well short of standing out - yet here we are still talking about the fact he scored a hat-trick. "It's the kind of situation Kris Boyd found himself in. He'd be given a critical review yet he'd be carrying the match ball away with him at the end." And Maxwell was full of praise for Arsenal's Barazite. He said: "Barazite is a class act. He has a wonderful touch and grace about his play and picks his passes brilliantly. Sensation "But it's his ability to play in the hole and the difficulty we had in picking him up that caught my eye. "He was given a free role and was on the left, the right and the centre and operated in areas where nobody really wants to pick you up. "Defensively he isn't going to work back the park but he has such great feet and he's big and strong. He has a wee bit of everything and was head and shoulders above anyone else on the pitch. "He had the trademark poise and elegant touch on the ball and was exactly what I would expect from an Arsenal player. He's a star turn and could be a sensation in Scottish football. "I'm sure Rangers will be pulling out all the stops to get him. He could be a key man for them and a huge influence in a creative role from midfield. "Esajas was quiet and never really managed to get too involved. "But we knew all about Kerkar. He played for Motherwell last week and terrorised us. "At Murray Park he scored but wasn't as effective. He's direct, strong and talented and could be an option for Rangers."

Noooooo! Never been a success wherever he played.

http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/rangers/192239-rangers-give-trial-to-second-dutchman/ [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT8DRjZQvC0]YouTube- Etienne Esajas Stunning Freekick Against Sheffield United[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X06WnqhRWH4]YouTube- Etienne Esajas Freekick VS Birmingham[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3lUOg8sdCM&p=BBA70FAC2437666C&playnext=1&index=33]YouTube- esajas goals vs rotherham[/ame]

THE Russian tycoon putting up almost �£75million to buy Rangers is from a dynasty dogged by allegations of links to the MAFIA and MONEY-LAUNDERING. But Gers fans will happily become Russian Bears and hail Vladimir Antonov a saviour if he funds a takeover that wipes out the Ibrox outfit's �£30million debt mountain and provides cash to buy players. Antonov, 35, has had to angrily deny stories that his family's business empire is associated with the underworld and money-laundering. The banking magnate recently had a third �£6million bid to buy AFC Bournemouth rejected by the lowly English team. And last year his father Alexander, 60, survived being shot 18 times outside his luxury Moscow apartment in a failed assassination attempt. Antonov and his business associate Roman Dubov are providing most of the cash for English property developer Andrew Ellis to launch a new bid for the SPL champs. The sensational move comes just two months after owner Sir David Murray took Rangers off the market after Ellis had spent months trying for a takeover. But it has now emerged that Ellis, 41, could be WEEKS away from taking control thanks to Antonov. Last night a source close to the controversial Russian businessman said: "The takeover is 99 per cent certain. "The only real issues left are ones of timing for the announcement and the practical administration of the takeover deal. Sir David has not yet met Vladimir or Roman but he's been assured that the money is there, it's real and the deal can be done." Antonov, who is thought to be worth more than �£200million, made most of his fortune from corporate banking. His father controls the Russian bank Convers Group. And Rangers fans will be hoping he can pour millions into their club - just like his fellow Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich has done at Chelsea. But the Antonovs have been dogged by claims of links to organised crime. Last March, Vladimir's dad Alexander was left with a severe chest injury after he and his bodyguard were blasted in the street by a gunman. They were both rushed to hospital for life-saving surgery. And last year it emerged the FBI, US government and the Swedish security agency Sapo had all expressed fears over the Antonovs' operations. They had been investigated by Sapo's financial experts over their involvement with car maker Spyker. The little-known Dutch firm had announced plans to buy Swedish giants Saab from American parent company General Motors. But Sapo claimed it had found connections between the Antonovs and organised crime as well as involvement in money-laundering. To stop the Russians gaining control of Saab, the Swedes handed their files to the FBI and US government - who then put pressure on General Motors to ensure that the Antonovs had no involvement in any takeover. Vladimir was forced to sell his stake in Spyker and sever his ties with the company before the deal was agreed. But he was FURIOUS at how he had been singled out by the Swedish and American authorities. In February he wrote to the New York Times newspaper to condemn the "surreal allegations of alleged "economic crimes", "money-laundering" and other "false horror stories". Antonov, who has a home in Kent, insisted: "The main aim of those who should have been worried about Saab's survival now moved to ensure the exclusion of this 'evil' Russian investor." He added that: "On December 18, 2009, the deal between GM and Spyker was suspended. I was forced to give up my investment in Spyker because the Swedish government had threatened to veto the deal, insinuating that I had ties with criminal organisations. "There was no proof, but rumours were spread in the media. It is obvious European business has strong prejudices against investors from Russia." The Financial Services Authority has also refused Antonov a UK operating licence for Bankas Snoras, a subsidiary of his family's financial empire. Snoras, the largest listed bank in Lithuania, was first knocked back by the FSA in 2008. According to the regulators, the bank had given "misleading and incomplete" answers to them. The FSA also criticised Antonov, the chairman of Snoras Bankas's supervisory board, personally, saying: "These failures are not an isolated instance but are examples of an ongoing pattern of behaviour by institutions controlled by Mr Antonov." However, Snoras officials insist the authority's reservations about their controls on money-laundering and financial crime were unjustified. Antonov's involvement in the new Rangers takeover bid is not the first time he and Dubov, 36, have tried to get involved in British football. Only last month the pair failed with THREE offers to buy English League One side AFC Bournemouth. After rejecting their bids, club chairman Eddie Mitchell said: "I was approached by an agent on behalf of the Russians. "He asked if I'd be interested in selling my shares. I didn't have to think about it. I just said no." The bids for Bournemouth had been submitted through a third party on behalf of Convers Group Holdings. Now Rangers fans will be hoping that Bournemouth's loss is their gain. Ellis and his consortium first tabled a bid for the Ibrox club in March but the �£33million offer failed to impress Sir David Murray and the takeover seemed dead in the water. In June, the Gers owner announced: "Murray International Holdings has received interest in its controlling stake from a number of parties. At this time, however, the board of MIH has not been able to secure an offer which it considers to be in the best interests of the club, its shareholders and its fans. The interests of stakeholders are presently best served by providing the football management team and board with an opportunity to implement its business plan. MIH hereby announces it is no longer marketing its controlling stake in the club for sale." But the News of the World understands Sir David is now ready to do business with Ellis, business partner Chris Akers, 46, and their mega-rich Russian backers. An influx of cash would be welcomed by Light Blues boss Walter Smith, who has overseen an exodus of players from last season's SPL-winning squad. Middlesbrough snapped up striker Kris Boyd, 26, and midfielder Kevin Thompson, 25, while left back Steven Smith, 24, moved to Norwich. Defender Danny Wilson, 18, signed for Liverpool, Nacho Novo, 31, returned to his native Spain and American forward DaMarcus Beasley, 28, has also left. Last week Rangers fans were dealt a further blow when we revealed their manager would not get a penny of the �£12million Champions League windfall to spend on strengthening his squad. But on Friday, Smith finally made his first signing in two years when Stoke City striker James Beattie, 32, joined the club in a �£1m deal. Now the Gers faithful will be hoping Antonov can match the success of his countryman Abramovich at Chelsea. The 43-year-old tycoon - worth an an estimated �£7.2billion - bought the London club in 2003 for �£140million. The gas and steel magnate hired manager Jose Mourinho, 47, then splashed out millions on the team, including �£30.8m for Andriy Shevchenko. In 2005 his spending brought Chelsea their first title in 50 years and they've gone on to win eight major trophies. The Teddy Bears will hope Antonov can bring them the same kind of result. http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/scottish/scottish_news/909736/Banking-tycoon-is-behind-sensational-new-Ellis-bid.html

JAMES BEATTIE was relieved Walter Smith had to resort to Plan B against Kilmarnock - because it handed him his Ibrox debut. The Rangers gaffer's Plan A was to start the match with the 32-year-old hitman on the bench. When Steve Davis failed to shake off a virus, picked up when he was on international duty with Northern Ireland in Montenegro in midweek, Smith sent for new boy Beattie. The striker, who received a warm ovation from Gers fans when he was substituted 10 minutes before the end of the champs' 2-1 victory, said: "I was only told I was playing two hours before kick-off. "I didn't even know Davo was ill, but I sort of gathered something was happening when the gaffer pulled me into his office. I knew I hadn't been here long enough to do something wrong! "Even before he started talking I knew I was gonna say: 'Yeah, I'd love to help out'. As far as I'm concerned there's no time like now to get started." Beattie failed to make a scoring start on his home debut, but he put himself about and linked well with his new partner Kenny Miller. He confessed he was still kicking himself after missing out on a couple of chances he might well have buried on another day. He added: "You always want to score on your debut and I had two decent chances. "The first was a crossfield ball and Kenny did really great to get the header back into the danger area. "I connected with the ball really well, but the keeper made a good save. "I think if I'd have mis-hit it then it would have gone in. For the second one the centre-half slipped and I went through. Then I cut inside and I slipped too, so maybe that was karma! "I don't know how long it will take for me to hit match fitness. The sooner the better really. "I've done a whole pre-season and haven't missed any days. "I haven't played - or been allowed to play - games against decent opposition. "Whenever the games come I'll give it everything I've got whether it's 60, 70 or 80 minutes, whatever the gaffer decides to play me. I'll give him everything I can. "I'll work hard this week and I'm sure the fitness coaches will have some stuff lined up for me which I'll be happy to do. "Obviously you get your match sharpness from games and hopefully I'll be able to retain my place and play against Hibs next Sunday." Beattie had to take a back seat as goals from Miller and Stevie Naismith earned all three points for Gers. The champions were made to sweat for the last half hour after Jamie Hamill converted a penalty when Sasa Papac pushed over James Dayton. Beattie, below, struck up an instant rapport with Miller. He said: "I've known Kenny for quite a while. "He's good friends with Joleon Lescott who I played with at Everton. Kenny was Joleon's team-mate at Wolves so I've seen him around. "I was looking forward to playing up front with him, even though it was a bit earlier than I was expecting. "If you put two good players together then it's going to be a strong partnership. "We did OK today and it was nice to start with a win. "The lads came out for the start of each half very well and we dominated the first 20 to 25 minutes of each. "Obviously we got the goal in the first half, but then we took the foot off the pedal which is something the gaffer wants to address and stamp out of our performances. "Likewise we came out strong in the second half, got the goal, then let Kilmarnock in straight away with their penalty." Gers boss Smith said: "There's no doubt James has a bit of sharpness to find. Under normal circumstances he wouldn't have been asked to play today. "He's only had a couple of games for Stoke reserves, while the majority of the boys have had five or six full matches. "He's well down in terms of pre-season preparation and that will take him a few weeks to catch up on. "We were pleased with his initial showing, considering his training routine has been upset this week." Killie gaffer Mixu Paatelainen added: "We passed the ball well at times and we caused them some problems. "There were quite long periods when I felt we were on top, which was fantastic. "The players deserve so much credit because they have only been together for six weeks. The boys are starting to know their roles, but we were a little blunt in the final third."

With the deal for Rapid Vienna�s Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic seemingly having reached an impasse in the last few days, the Rangers manager may turn his attentions to Dundee United�s David Goodwillie and Portsmouth�s Tommy Smith. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/smith-still-seeking-some-more-strikers-1.1048352

Can safely say I've not heard of him but this is the second LB we've been linked to in recent weeks.

Everyone thinks Rangers are skint and boring but Celtic are making all the right moves in pre-season. Sound familiar? by Alexander Anderson on 13 August 2010 As the new SPL season dawns, why can everyone be sure Rangers will ensure this season finishes the same as last? Because we have exactly the same situation as at this point last year. Rangers are champions, Celtic are chasing. There's a new man at the helm at Parkhead with all sorts of romantic notions having pushed his installation, there's Walter Smith still at Ibrox. There's lots of money being spent on new Celtic signings, there's none being spent at Ibrox. But there's also the small fact that yet again Celtic are out of the Champions League group stage, Rangers are already in it and therefore the big UEFA TV money will be coming to the blue half of the city. Rangers are settled, disciplined and cohesive. Celtic are a team of under-pressure strangers. And we all know how both clubs fared from this start point in 2009. Only a last-minute goal in a replay at the home of Scotland's new third force prevented The Gers completing a domestic treble. Instead they had to "settle" for a second straight SPL title, won at an absolute canter, and an historically sensational CIS League Cup final win over a St Mirren side with a two-man advantage when they fell behind. A few days later, as Rangers made that Scottish Cup exit to a destiny-fuelled Dundee United, news came through that St Mirren had coped surprisingly well in their first match after their Hampden tragedy. The Paisley Buddies played against a full Celtic side for 90 minutes in the SPL, and stuffed them 4-0. Tony Mowbray, the man who'd come to Parkhead as the new guru of glam at the outset of 2009/10 was gone within 24 hours. It was a season where even the bad stuff had great repercussions for Rangers fans. The Gers went crashing out of the Champions League with three straight home hammerings. But the fact they conceded only one goal per away game, losing only one of those games, vindicated the defensive formation which took them to the 2008 UEFA Cup final with a series of home draws. There'll be no more blind calls for Rangers to aimlessly cede possession against European opponents at Ibrox. Furthermore, the unnecessary fan backlash after the freakish 4-1 loss to Unirea Urziceni sowed the seeds for Walter Smith's best tactical move of the season. In a radio interview a few days later he played The Rangers Supporters Trust off against the Lloyds Banking Group to make two organisations he dislikes to create the media storm which took all the pressure off him and his players. Neil Lennon's next big game is the Europa League play-off. It may actually benefit Celtic to have drawn Utrecht, whose home ground's atmosphere makes it the Tynecastle of Holland. This way the green-and-white hooped ones can go crashing out of Europe altogether and not see continental competition become a further drain on their slim domestic chances, as it did last season. Celtic need the confidence from a Europa League group place but the money they'll gain is negligable in comparison to what Rangers will make in the big boys' competition. And the greater long-term gain is to be made in qualifying for next season's Champions League. The financial disparity between the two clubs will soon be closed. Skint Rangers may be, but only by their own standards, only by Champions League standards - this does not mean they can't lay on the excitement in Scotland. Last season Rangers won both Old Firm games at Ibrox. They went down at Pittodrie but that just set in motion a run of form which blew the league away. Within the space of a few December days Rangers beat Dundee United by an aggregate of 10-1, home and away. Having gone a man then a goal down before coming back to beat Hearts at Tynecastle in August, The Gers returned there in spring to win 4-1. They claimed the title with a second win at Easter Road, the first one being achieved with a 4-goal backlash after Hibs scored the fastest goal in SPL history. And for those who think defending like an open barn door is a more "honest" form of football, what about the champions' 4-1 loss at St Johnstone? Doesn't get much more "stylish" than that. Neil Lennon has endured two meaningful games as Celtic manager, in terms of competition. He lost both spectacularly. But if we take Braga and Ross County out of the equation, Lennon has enjoyed one win in his short tenure which Celtic fans will see as significant. Beating Rangers 2-1 last season long after the title was in Ibrox hands. Basically, Rangers lost the last derby of the season at Parkhead in exactly the same style they'd won the first one at Ibrox. But the reaction couldn't have been more different. Celtic had more of the ball at Ibrox, had a penalty claim turned down, lost 2-1 and then all hell was let loose in the media as refereeing conspiracies and those nonsensical accusations about "style" came flooding out the away dressing room. Nothing was mentioned of the fact Rangers lost three key players in the 24 hours leading up to the game and two more before half-time. At Parkhead in springtime, Rangers had more of the ball than during any trip to the home of their biggest rival in the last decade. Kenny Miller was sensational, scored a great goal and was denied a stone-wall penalty. Rangers lost 2-1 as Celtic burst out of their strait-jacket twice to score. No one at Ibrox complained. Rangers people understand football. They understand the breaks do indeed even themselves out and, most of all, they know that winning football - as long as it doesn't involve outright cheating - is the most stylish football of all. Everything else is just window dressing. And that's all Celtic's 2010/11 campaign is. Their new management team, their striker signed from Scunthorpe, their belief Rangers are lucky and their idea that Neil Lennon - who played for the club for half a decade - is some sort of "through and through Celtic man" or that that has anything to do with his ability to manage: All just window dressing. The ribbons will be staying at brox, on the handles of the SPL trophy. http://www.sportingo.com/football/a14023_why-parlous-rangers-will-trump-celtic-third-successive-spl-title

http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/rangers/191653-rangers-sign-james-beattie-from-stoke-city/ Woo?

RANGERS are close to tying down a trio of prized assets with Allan McGregor, Kenny Miller and Sasa Papac all ready to sign new deals. And in another boost to boss Walter Smith, who just weeks ago looked like having his squad decimated by big-name departures, Lee McCulloch has already signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2013. McCulloch's commitment comes in the wake of interest from Ipswich and Blackpool, who were keen to lure the player south of the border again. The former Motehrwell man said: "I know Rangers are trying to secure the payers who are going to be out of contract next year and there are efforts being made to bring in new faces." But it's the news over McGregor that will most thrill Gers fans. He is one of the club's most sellable assets and a string of Premiership outfits were believed to be preparing a raid. The Ibrox No. 1 again proved his class on his international recall against Sweden on Wednesday night when he prevented a 3-0 beating from turning into an annihilation. And to swell the feelgood factor Miller and Papac - who are in the final year of their existing contracts - are also poised to agree new deals as Smith further plugs the Ibrox exodus.

Walter Smith hopes to conclude the signings of James Beattie and Tommy Smith before Saturdayââ?¬â?¢s SPL opener with Kilmarnock at Ibrox. The Rangers manager says he has not totally given up on his pursuit of Rapid Vienna striker Nikica Jelavic ââ?¬â?? but that deal appears to be all but dead unless the player lowers his financial demands. Beattie is set to cost around Ã?£1.5million from Stoke City and was on his way to Glasgow for contract talks with chief executive Martin Bain. Rangers are believed to have offered Ã?£900,000 to Portsmouth for Smith and were waiting on an answer from the Championship side before entering into wage talks. The Rangers manager confirmed today: ââ?¬Å?We are in negotiations with Stoke and Portsmouth for the signings of James Beattie and Tommy Smith respectively. ââ?¬Å?It is difficult to say just how long it will take to conclude these signings ââ?¬â?? but we hope to complete both deals in time for the weekend.ââ?¬Â Beattie would look the more likely deal to be pushed through, with Pompey boss Steve Cotterrill insisting of Smith: ââ?¬Å?He isnââ?¬â?¢t a players weââ?¬â?¢d be looking to lose. ââ?¬Å?Heââ?¬â?¢s a good player, and whatââ?¬â?¢s been offered wouldnââ?¬â?¢t be the figure weââ?¬â?¢d put on him if we did want to sell.ââ?¬Â Jelavicââ?¬â?¢s protracted transfer from Rapid Vienna has rumbled on for the best part of two weeks. Rangers have tabled a transfer package of close to Ã?£4million for the 24-year-old, with a Ã?£16,000 a week wage offer, but he is sue a slice of any sale and senior sources at Ibrox, privately, have all but given up hope of his arrival unless there is a change in stance on his behalf. Smith explained: ââ?¬Å?As for Jelavic, I admit that one is looking more doubtful as there are complications there that we had not foreseen. ââ?¬Å?Things have not gone smoothly ââ?¬â?? but we have by no means given up on bringing him to the club.ââ?¬Â Smith will also arrange a closed-door game for Honduran international Georgie Welcome early next week in order to make a final decision on whetherââ?¬â?¢s heââ?¬â?¢s worth a deal. He was denied a work permit to play in a second-string game against Glentoran this week and could face red-tape issues. Arsenal kid Nacer Barazite also remains on trial. Smith said: ââ?¬Å?Welcome has been unfortunate in that he is not allowed to play in any public games and so we are in the process of arranging a closed-door game and we will make a decision on him after that. As for Nacer, we will continue to look at him.ââ?¬Â Smith also confirmed that he will continue to work right up to the closure of the transfer window on August 31 as he bids to beef up his squad. ââ?¬Å?We have only 14 experienced players in our squad right now and it is obvious that we need to add more in terms of quality and experience,ââ?¬Â he added. ââ?¬Å?We have been working on a number of other deals, but these players are in demand elsewhere and that has made it difficult. ââ?¬Å?But we will keep working on things until the closure of the transfer window ââ?¬â?? and we hope to be able to bring in another couple of new faces above the players I have discussed.ââ?¬Â Meanwhile, Kenny Miller should be fit for Killie despite suffering from shin splints. Smith said: ââ?¬Å?Kenny has been struggling, but the fact he has not played midweek for Scotland should allow him to be OK for Saturday. ââ?¬Å?It is not a chronic condition with him so that bit of rest should have sorted things.ââ?¬Â But the Rangers manager confirmed that Lee McCulloch, who is in any case suspended for the SPL opener, will need up to a fortnight to recover from the virus he is suffering from. Smith said: ââ?¬Å?Lee picked up the virus coming back from Australia and we expect him to take another couple of weeks to make a full recovery.ââ?¬Â http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/walter-smith-confirms-beattie-and-smith-deals-1.1047824

Here we go again. Will this guy ever play for us.

Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill has warned Rangers they will not land Tommy Smith at a bargain price. More...

WALTER still hopeful of Jelavic deal too More...

Walter Smith has confirmed Rangers are trying to sign Stoke's James Beattie and Portsmouth's Tommy Smith. More...

Rangers to trial Arsenal youngster on ex-Celtic bossââ?¬â?¢ recommendation Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:14:03 GMT Rangers will give a trial to Arsenal youngster Nacer Barazite in their friendly with Glentoran on Tuesday night. The 20-year-old, who has made three appearances for the Gunners, was recommended to the SPL champions by former Celtic manager Liam Brady. Brady, who is now involved with the London clubââ?¬â?¢s youth academy, made it possible for Ian Durrant to include the Dutch forward in his squad for the game, which will see a youthful Rangers line-up take to the field. The performance of Barazite on the evening will be of particular interest to Gers boss Walter Smith, who has previously spoken of his desire to sign wide players to bolster his squad ahead of the new season. ââ?¬Å?The squad will be mostly made up of reserve players but it is still very strong and there are players here who have already, or will this season, play in the first team,ââ?¬Â Durrant told the Belfast Telegraph ahead of the game against Glentoran. ââ?¬Å?We will have a young lad on trial for us called Nacer Barazite who comes to us from Arsenal and was highly recommended by Liam Brady and that will be a good opportunity for us and the Rangers fans in Belfast to have a look at him.ââ?¬Â Barazite, who was born in Nijmegen in Holland to Moroccan parents, is a current Under-21 international with Oranje. He has also represented his country at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-20 levels, featuring in the Under-17 European Championship in 2007. A versatile attacking player, 6ft 2in Barazite spent the 2008/09 season on loan at Derby County, playing 36 times for the Rams as they reached the semi-finals of the Carling Cup. It was in the same competition the player made his three appearances under Arsene Wenger, last playing in the game with West Bromwich Albion in September 2009. Barazite is capable of playing in any position going forward, having been deployed all across the midfield and up front for Arsenal as he has worked his way through the ranks. During his time at Derby, he featured mainly on the right wing.

If we sign Jelavic, Smith and Welcome who would you prefer be sold, Naismith or Lafferty? Everyone seems to think that one or t'other will go as, even if Smith rotates, both won't feature as much as they'd like.