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The league flag will be unfurled tomorrow as Rangers are crowned champions for the 53rd time, a world record. It is two-in-a-row for Walter Smith's men and in many ways, perhaps the most remarkable of the the 9 championships he has delivered as Rangers manager. Rangers do not have their problems to seek off the field. A debt estimated circa �£25-30m, restrictive business plans imposed upon the club and an ongoing takeover saga. On the field, Rangers have not forked out a transfer fee on any player since August 2008. The squad has slowly eroded over that time with only loan deals supplementing the squad. The season began with a new Celtic manager in Tony Mowbray. High quality, high tempo, attacking football was promised. It is, after all, "The Celtic Way". Sadly, the Monkey Heid lasted only until March. By then, the league was lost and only pride was left to play for. Rangers though, stumbled toward the finishing line, but reached it with 3 games to spare. It may not have been pretty for much of the season with a number of results ground out through sheer belligerence - but given the circumstances, what more could we realistically expect? The close season holds plenty of fears and poses many questions. Will someone take over and wipe out/ drastically reduce our debt? Will that person(s) have Rangers best interests at heart? Will the manager have funds to strengthen the squad? Who will be our manager? Which players will move on to pastures new? Nevertheless, it is a time to celebrate. To rejoice at the achievements of a team who have stood firm against forces that would have floored lesser men and lesser teams. You can never quite get enough of that winning feeling, and lets hope we finish the season with three points. Motherwell showed on Wednesday night that they are capable of scoring goals and with the Rangers players no doubt looking to put on a champions performance, there could be some good entertainment on offer. The team that plays may prove difficult to guess correctly but I'd like to see one or two young players play a part. I'd go for the following: :na: :sw::kirk::sp: :nn::kt::sd::jf: :kb: Prediction: Rangers 3-2 Motherwell

DANNY WILSON will seal his dream switch to Liverpool in the next week. SunSport understands the Kop giants will table a fresh bid for the Rangers superkid after their first move was knocked back last week. And skint Rangers boss Walter Smith will be forced to give up his fight to hang on to the �£3million-rated defender. Liverpool last week offered �£1.5m plus a glamour testimonial at Anfield as they tried to lure Wilson south. Gers insisted they wouldn't part with the 18-year-old stopper on the cheap. But Wilson has made it clear he does not plan to sign a new Ibrox contract - and Anfield insiders believe the deal will be done after the final day of the season tomorrow. We exclusively revealed in February the Premiership outfit were leading the chase to sign Scotland's Young Player of the Year as they begin a rebuilding programme. Tottenham were also keeping tabs on Wilson's situation, but have now conceded defeat. Snaring the Scotland Under-21 starlet is regarded as a major coup at Anfield. Wilson will be handed a bumper wage rise and the promise of a chance to make the grade among English football's elite. Kop boss Rafa Benitez wants Wilson to sign this summer so he can have three years at the club before the age of 21. That would allow him to be regarded as 'homegrown' in the eyes of UEFA for future Champions League tournaments. New UEFA rules demand competing teams have a certain percentage of players who were developed by the club. Meanwhile, Gers boss Smith revealed he'll forge ahead with the bank's Plan A limited spending budget if Gers don't find a buyer by the end of next week. Businessman Andrew Ellis is still in the frame to take over the cash-strapped SPL champions. And Smith hopes any buyout would hand him a bigger transfer kitty for new players. However, the Gers gaffer is fearful no takeover deal will be done and he has revealed he can't wait forever before starting to revamp his squad. Six players could be on their way out of the club after tomorrow's final league clash with Motherwell and Smith has identified possible replacements. He said: "The situation is just the same at the present moment. "But that is not the club's problem, if you follow me. "That is the least of the problems, when you consider what we have to prepare for in the coming season. Advertisement Click here "I hope we have a clearer picture, within the next week or so, on which of the paths we're taking. "As long as we know which one it is, that's the main thing. "I've not been able to do a great deal of planning, so that's a little logistical problem we have to get over. "We've been doing enough in the background to keep us up to speed with what we need and what we want - effectively what we can get. "Although our scouting department was cut back fairly dramatically, we've still been active in that area and we have a fair idea of some of the targets we would want for next season." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2964840/Danny-Kops-it.html#ixzz0nKDVKffn

Nacho Novo today admitted heââ?¬â?¢s preparing for the worst day of his life ââ?¬â?? and an emotional farewell to the Rangers fans. The Spanish striker will play against Motherwell on Sunday after fears he suffered a broken wrist in this weekââ?¬â?¢s Old Firm game proved to be unfounded. Fansââ?¬â?¢ favourite Novo, who has spent six seasons at Ibrox, winning three league titles, three League Cups and two Scottish Cups, is out of contract in a few weeks time. And, while negotiations over a new deal have resumed in the past 24 hours between the club and his agent, Jorge Leira, unless there is a dramatic improvement in the wages being offered and the length of term, then Novo will leave. Gordon Strachanââ?¬â?¢s Middlesbrough are leading the chase after the Championship side tabled a lucrative deal that is significantly above what cash-strapped Rangers have offered. Three Spanish sides are also pursuing his signature. Leaving is a decision that will break Novoââ?¬â?¢s heart, but he knows the SPL trophy presentation party this weekend could come at the end of his last appearance in a blue jersey. ââ?¬Å?I think everyone knows how much Rangers and the fans mean to me,ââ?¬Â Novo said, ââ?¬Å?It will break my heart if I have to say goodbye. ââ?¬Å?It will be an emotional day for everyone on Sunday as it might well be the last game for a few of us. At the moment, nothing has been agreed with Rangers. ââ?¬Å?I am 30 years old now. I have my family and my own future to think about ââ?¬â?? Iââ?¬â?¢ll need to wait and see what happens in the next few days, but I have to say that the thought of having to say goodbye to the Rangers fans kills me. It would be the worst day of my life leaving this club after six years.ââ?¬Â Novo, who has remained in the lowest paid bracket of players at the club since arriving from Dundee in 2004 for Ã?£450,000, is not looking for a kingââ?¬â?¢s ransom to sign on again. If Rangers were to come up with a decent increase, he would almost certainly agree to stay for less than he would get at Boro, and back in his homeland. Kirk Broadfoot is in a similar position to Novo, in that he wants to stay but the money being offered to him means he is likely to quit. Kris Boyd was told back in January that the new contract offered to him ââ?¬â?? believed to be around Ã?£18,000 a week ââ?¬â??was as high as the club could go. He is expected to move to England on a lucrative Bosman transfer. Stevie Smith and DaMarcus Beasley will definitely move on, while Davie Weirââ?¬â?¢s future will be determined shortly. Meantime, German side Hannover have been linked with a Ã?£1million move for Lee McCulloch. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks-ignore/nacho-novo-waving-goodbye-to-rangers-will-be-my-worst-day-ever-1.1026078

Rangers manager Walter Smith has revealed that he will sit down and consider his future at Ibrox. More...

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks-ignore/walter-smith-needs-assurances-if-success-is-to-continue-1.1026091 Analysis by Darrell King Share 0 comments 7 May 2010 Walter Smith will receive the silverware this Sunday, but will he get the answers? The weekend ahead promises to be one of the most crucial in Rangersââ?¬â?¢ history, as a behind-the-scenes search for clarity on the future goes on, against the backdrop of the clubââ?¬â?¢s first home SPL trophy presentation day in seven years. Smith is becoming an increasingly frustrated figure, and justifiably so. None of us, try and probe as we might, are likely to find out the full extent of the fires heââ?¬â?¢s been fighting in the past year or so. But the clock is now ticking on the most important issue at any football club ââ?¬â?? just who is the manager going to be? Unless Smith is given guarantees in the next few days that there will be funding to repair a squad that has been hacked at and systematically downsized over recent transfer windows, then he is almost certain to walk. And who could blame him? He has been happy to operate without a contract from the end of January until now, just in case a new owner arrived and didnââ?¬â?¢t fancy him, thus removing any compensation bill to bring in a new man. But isnââ?¬â?¢t Smith entitled to now put himself first over club politics? After everything heââ?¬â?¢s given to Rangers, over many years and not just this second spell, he has earned the right to be treated in a far better way than this. He knows the problems and the issues. In fact, he is the man who has brought many of them into the public domain. More than that, Smith has continued to drive the message in bold red warning letters to the heart of the supporters ââ?¬â?? many of whom still appear to be in denial ââ?¬â?? much to the annoyance of faceless men who have barked orders behind the scenes that he should be silenced. He was one man they could not control, and they dared not push him too far given the chaos that would have ensued had Smith departed during Rangersââ?¬â?¢ title defence. But his patience is now being tested. And if he does go as a result of more financial restrictions being imposed ââ?¬â?? and as of yet budgets have still to be agreed between Rangers and Lloyds ââ?¬â?? then there could be an almighty backlash from a support which holds him in as high esteem as they have done at any time in his two tenures. For instance, last Friday ââ?¬â?? after a week in which the club was again rocked by in-fighting in the wake of revelations that a tax investigation was being conducted with regard to payments made into playersââ?¬â?¢ off-shore accounts ââ?¬â?? Smith met the press to reiterate the need for investment and a plan to take Rangers forward. Almost as he was speaking, Sir David Murray was announcing to the BBC there would be a ââ?¬Ë?limitedââ?¬â?¢ budget for players, which was in stark contradiction to his successor Alastair Johnstonââ?¬â?¢s revelations days before that they still had to meet Lloyds to discover what the business plan would be, a process that will begin next week. With those kind of mixed messages, what chance does Smith have? He has pencilled in 16 players for next term, including the injured Andrius Velicka, two goalkeepers, and two kids in Danny Wilson and John Fleck. He knows that will simply not do. The business plan must identify what will happen to the Ã?£55,000 per week that would be freed up from the possible exits of six out-of-contract players ââ?¬â?? Davie Weir, Kirk Broadfoot, Kris Boyd, Nacho Novo, Stevie Smith and DaMarcus Beasley. Smith knows he needs at least six new players. Does he get that money? Does he get hard cash for transfer fees? And how much? What level of player is he pitching at? These are the issues he must have resolved before any call can be made on what he does next. In the midst of all this, Smith also had to cope with the revelations attributed to would-be buyer Andrew Ellis, who was forced to break cover when the content of his chance meeting and blether with a Sky TV presenter ended up becoming public knowledge. Smith would be offered a new three-year deal, Ellis said in a hurried public declaration, adding that he would offer a life presidency title to Sir David should he gain control ââ?¬â?? which he hoped would happen in three to four weeks. Clearly irked, Smithââ?¬â?¢s response to this was that ââ?¬Å?maybe the chap concerned should speak to me first before speaking about meââ?¬Â. Given the men have never shared a conversation, just what was Ellis thinking about? That episode has only added to Smithââ?¬â?¢s frustration. But there are two key situations at Rangers right now. Firstly, the immediate future of the manager and the budget for next season with, as we have revealed, senior figures inside the club still fearful of what conditions the bank will try to impose when Johnston meets them face-to-face at the start of next week. Secondly, the ownership issue, which is no further forward. As we stated last week, there are many inside Ibrox who simply do not believe Ellis will follow his interest through, unless there is some hidden business going on behind his proposed takeover that has yet to be unearthed. Time will tell on that, but he has no plans to meet Johnston in the immediate future according to his people, which does appear strange. As does his lack of urgency in calling Smith. Ellis, in fact, is close to being bracketed in the ââ?¬Å?put up or shut upââ?¬Â category that was outlined by Murray in reference to other interested parties last week. But will any of them? The ownership issue, however, is of less immediate concern to Smith. Assuming the budgetary issue is resolved to his liking, then the matter of finding a new owner would be no more than a sideshow, a bearable distraction. It would have no material effect on his day-to-day running of the team, as long as he has the appropriate financial plan laid out, guaranteed, and is allowed to manage without interference. Smith simply wants to know what Rangers 2010 will look like ââ?¬â?? then he can make a decision. While he wants to see the clubââ?¬â?¢s long-term future resolved as much as anyone, itââ?¬â?¢s what he will have to play with in terms of his team for next season that holds the key right now. Undoubtedly, people like Johnston, chief executive Martin Bain and the supporters want to see Smith given the resources to rebuild and strengthen a team that has won six trophies in three years. Unfortunately, they donââ?¬â?¢t hold the key to that. The bank do. And given their actions over the past 18 months, will they sanction what Smith needs? If they donââ?¬â?¢t, things may be about to get a lot messier ââ?¬â?? and the most important man of all could be lost in the fall-out.

WEIR and Wilson win playing awards after Smith claim manager's prize More...

DAVID Weir arrived at Ibrox as a stop-gap central defender on a short term salvage mission. It has turned into a quite remarkable three-and-a-half-year extension of his top flight playing career which will see him savour both collective and individual glory on Sunday. In the afternoon, the Rangers captain will step forward to collect the SPL trophy after the final match of the champions' season at Ibrox against Motherwell. A few hours later, Weir will be the centre of attention at a gala awards dinner in Glasgow when he receives the Scottish Football Writers' Association's Player of the Year honour. Weir, who will celebrate his 40th birthday on Monday, has earned the grateful and enduring affection of Rangers supporters for his contribution to the on-field success they have enjoyed over the past three years against a backdrop of financial uncertainty. His longevity and consistency has defied logic. The veteran defender has missed only three SPL matches since Walter Smith recruited him from Everton on an initial six-month contract back in January 2007. Six major trophy wins and a Uefa Cup final appearance later, Weir continues to shrug aside talk of retirement. "I'm keen to play on and enjoy it," he said. "But it would have to be right for me and not just for the sake of it. Until something is put in front of me, I can't give a definitive answer. "I genuinely don't know what will happen in terms of staying at Rangers. The manager has been asked the same question about his own future and I don't think we are in a position to answer. No-one knows how the land lies at the club or how it will lie. It's a case of wait and see. "There are six players out of contract, including me, along with the coaching staff. It's a strange circumstance, but that's the way it is. I would imagine it might be quite late in the summer before a decision is made about me." Weir may not be short of alternative options. He is close to completing the full set of coaching badges and is sure to be regarded as a suitable candidate for a step into management. While he maintains his policy of never trying to anticipate what the future holds, however, Weir is fairly certain he will not seek to combine playing with a coaching role. "I don't think player-manager is doable for me," he said. "It's a hard job. Playing is hard enough without being a boss too and having to compromise on both jobs. I'd never close any doors, but I'd say it is unlikely. "I just hope to stay in football. It wouldn't be through choice if I found myself out of the game. I love the game, whether it is playing it, watching it or talking about it. But there are a lot of people out of a job in football and chasing just a few posts. "Football is changing and you have to be realistic as a lot of people want jobs. I've done well out of the game, so I won't feel hard done by if I don't get a job. But I hope to stay in football one way or another." Wherever his career path takes him, Weir will always cherish the time he has spent wearing the colours of the club he supported as a boy. "It has exceeded expectations, without a shadow of a doubt," he added. "I just came to Rangers for a few months, to try and help stabilise the club. The target back then was just to make sure we finished second in the SPL. By Rangers' standards, what we were aiming for was not high. "So to go from that to winning championships and cups has been incredible. You can't underestimate the achievements here over the last three years and how the manager has turned the club around during difficult times. "You don't really get time to savour things here, because there is always another story breaking about Rangers and another game to get ready for. But maybe when the season ends on Sunday, we can take in just how big an achievement it has been to win the title again. "I don't really think about winning the league on a personal level, but I am looking forward to Sunday and the trophy presentation. It is a massive achievement. Retaining the trophy was huge for us. We won it last year after chasing Celtic all the time. "That was a massive sense of joy, but this year was a new challenge and a bigger test. It was a relief to win it because it was harder. I'm proud of this, because good Rangers teams in the past haven't won championships. Hopefully this means the current crop will be remembered as a good team." Weir's coronation as Scotland's top player at the age of 39, the oldest winner of the award, may be regarded as evidence of a lack of quality among his younger colleagues. He insists, however, that the Scottish game has cause for optimism. "I genuinely don't think we are in too bad a shape," he said. "I watched Sunderland against Manchester United last week and two Scots, Craig Gordon and Darren Fletcher, were the best players on the pitch. Then you look at the Championship, where guys like Charlie Adam are outstanding every time you see them play. "There is still Scottish talent out there, just maybe not the strength in depth of it that there used to be. But we do have people coming through, like Danny Wilson and John Fleck at Rangers. There are a lot of good things happening in Scottish football." While Weir was typically self-effacing when informed of his Football Writers' Association's Player of the Year award, he was clearly thrilled to see his name added to a star-studded roll of honour stretching back to 1965. "I must admit, I did look up the previous winners and that's when it strikes home what it means. It goes all the way back to the likes of John Greig and Billy McNeill, so to be in that company is great." :spl: http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Evergreen-Weir-not-ready-to.6279136.jp

Rangers FC secured another league title against Hibernian at Easter Road, breaking our own world record taking our tally to 53 SPL title wins, with Kyle Lafferty scoring the only goal of the game with a fine finish to start the party for the travelling fans,having the League Cup already safely in the Ibrox trophy room the double was achieved in what has to be one of the toughest seasons for Walter Smith and his team. It would be understandable then if the players switched off for the rest of the season and start thinking about their Holidays with their families. Not this team, they went up to Tannadice with nothing to play for and the fans travelled up to continue the party that was started at Easter Road. WS took the opportunity to rest several first team players and give some of the fringe players a run out. Despite this fixture being a tricky one normally during the season they could have been forgiven if they drew or even lost, however Rangers went out and attacked DUTD from the start and were rewarded when King Kris scored his 100th Rangers goal within two minutes, a feat that he has to take a massive amount of credit for proving he has no challenger in the SPL when it comes to finding the back of the net, and the whole team showed what they are made of with a great performance and effort gaining another 3 pts when wee Nacho scored with a good run and neat finish, special mention to young Fleck who was involved in everything good that Rangers did. Onto the OF game tonight at the piggery. Is this a meaningless game???, I think if you asked the fans the answer would be not a chance, beating the BHEASTS at any time is a must and under no circumstances do we want the wee bigot getting a first win of the season in an OF game,I want to piss all over them in their own midden and shut all the moaning MOPES up for another season at least, let's have a party and let them know WATP Ask the same question to the Rangers players and I'm in no doubt the answer would be the same,well maybe not the '' wee bigot '' bit . However this team have shown over the course of the season that they are made of stern stuff, the kind that makes CHAMPIONS :spl:. Make no mistake here regardless of what we hear from our players there is no way they are going to allow this greeting faced piss poor team take anything from this game as I'm sure they will have read all the crap spouting from some of the C****c players,past & present,and will want to go out and show what CHAMPIONS :spl: are made of and I for one think we will come out of the midden with a convincing win.I have a feeling this game is going to be quite an explosive event with the BHEASTS doing everything and anything to beat the CHAMPIONS:spl:, which of course includes diving,fouling and cheating at every chance they get, as they always do,and expect the ref to have a busy night and have no doubt the wee bigot will have them wound up into a frenzy, but I have faith in this group of players,they know what it takes to win games and that is why we are simply the best. However should we get beat we will still be having a party at the piggery as CHAMPIONS:spl: As for the team that Walter Smith will put out??, again as has been all season who knows what players will take up the fight but I'm pretty certain it will be the strongest team we have and one that WS will be confident of getting another win against the BHEASTS, after all he is the daddy in these fixtures. BHEASTS 1 CHAMPIONS:spl: 2

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8654665.stm Sir David Murray insists "limited funds" are available for Rangers boss Walter Smith to purchase new players. The former chairman, who controls 90% of Ibrox club, told BBC Scotland that directors are planning to help the club through its wait for a buyer. He said the sale of his stake is the remit of chairman Alistair Johnston. Murray insisted it was "obvious" that Smith will require investment after reducing the squad to ease the club's finances with a reduced wage bill. The delay in Murray selling his stake in Rangers continues, while London-based Andrew Ellis carries out background research and mulls over a bid reported to be worth �£33m. Murray was commenting as he filed the accounts of his company, Murray International Holdings, which control of more than 90% of Rangers as a wholly-owned subsidiary. Murray's company reported a �£175m loss, mainly through write-downs in its property portfolio, and also through the price of metal falling sharply during the 17-month accounting period to the middle of last year. Rangers suffered a �£12.7m loss and saw its debt rise to �£31m during the year to June 2009. There's no truth to the bank wanting to ring fence the season ticket money Sir David Murray However, Murray is confident it will turn a profit in the current year and next, having just re-qualified for European competition next season and Smith will be in a position to add players to the Ibrox roster. "There are limited funds available to strengthen the team, which is necessary, and Alistair Johnston and the board are drawing up a business plan for that," said Murray. Murray has denied there was any cross-guarantee of funding between Rangers and other parts of his business empire. However, he has had to disentangle the cross-guarantees used between other divisions. Rangers debt levels are being reduced under pressure from Lloyds Banking Group and are expected to be closer to about �£20m by June. The former Ibrox chairman firmly denied reports that the bank is insisting on using ticket sales revenue to pay down any of the club's debt. "There's no truth to the bank wanting to ring fence the season ticket money," he said. Responding to reports that Rangers are under investigation by HM Revenue and Customs, the former chairman said the club would respond robustly. He added: "Lots of football clubs and other businesses are in a similar situation."

Walter Smith is playing down Nacho Novo's critical comments of arch-rivals Celtic ahead of Wednesday's Old Firm clash. More...

IBROX misfit Filip Sebo has told born-again Kyle Lafferty to seal his transformation from embarrassing flop to fans' favourite at Celtic Park on Tuesday. Then become the most unlikely Rangers cult hero since himself! Lafferty's highly-publicised gaffes on and off the pitch left Gers fans dismayed at the �£3.25million signing from Burnley. But Sebo reckons Lafferty - for so long the butt of fans' jokes - resurrected his reputation last month with crucial goals against Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs. Those three games saw Lafferty hit more SPL goals than Sebo managed in a calamitous 12-month Rangers career under Paul le Guen then Walter Smith following his �£1.85m transfer from Austria Vienna. However it didn't prevent Sebo becoming the darling of the Light Blues brigade three years ago as they took the Slovakian striker to their hearts. Now Sebo says Laff must seize the opportunity to do the same against Celtic. Sebo, now at French club Valenciennes, said: "The club spent a lot of money on Kyle, almost double what they paid for me, but it's fair to say he's found it hard to justify that price tag. "I have more sympathy for him than anyone because no one knows better than me how difficult it is trying to make a career at a massive club like Rangers. "I didn't find it easy. I was a new player, I was young and inexperienced and the club had a new manager in Paul le Guen. "The fans were amazing towards me, but they were not blind. They could see it just wasn't working and I wasn't scoring a lot of goals. "I know the rules when you are a striker - it's only about the goals. People can talk about the work you're doing for the team, how unselfish you are. "But the bottom line is you have to score goals and I only scored two. "That was it. I was finished. I don't look back and blame Walter Smith, Paul le Guen or anybody else. "It's the law of football, the way it is. "Fortunately Kyle looks as if he is overcoming his problems. He has scored some big goals recently, against Aberdeen and Hearts. "More importantly he scored the goal against Hibs which delivered the title - the Rangers fans won't forget that goal for a long time. I have one thing which Kyle would love to have "Now he has the opportunity to create an even stronger bond with the fans if he can score or produce a great performance against Celtic. "If the fans take to him the way they did with me he will have earned something very special indeed." Sebo says the greatest thing about achieving cult status with Rangers fans is it's a lifetime award! He said: "I have one thing which Kyle would love to have - the Rangers fans will never forget my name and that's special to me. "They gave me strength when I was in Scotland. I didn't bring my best form to the games, but the fans were on my side every time, cheering my name. "Even now, three years after I left Scotland, the fans send me lots of emails and messages. They still keep in touch and that is amazing. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me to play for a big club like Rangers. It didn't work out and it didn't last much more than a year and yet the fans still keep in touch with me. "I feel I have a special bond with them. Don't ask me why we hit it off, you would have to ask the Rangers fans. "But in my opinion it was because I tried to give everything I had for them. I didn't leave one part of myself out on the pitch at the end of a game. "Even if I was only given five minutes on the park I wanted to give everything I had for them. In return they sang my name and encouraged me when they could just as easily have turned against me." Gers fans did turn on Lafferty after he failed to impress in a wide left role, then bragged about his lifestyle, earnings and his Bentley car in a misguided attempt to dismiss stories he couldn't pay an overdue debt. Sebo's approach on his website is rather different - saying he drives a company car! With Lafferty's Ibrox career finally showing signs of taking off, Sebo says the most important lesson the Northern Ireland striker can learn is to keep his feet on the ground in future. He said: "I do have a company car - from our club sponsors Toyota. "Of course I have my private car as well, but I don't speak about it because that is my private life. "I prefer to be modest. It's just the way I am. "I don't like to boast and talk to the press about money, about cars about houses as Kyle did. "We all have the right to a private life and footballers are fortunate because a lot of us enjoy a very good lifestyle. "Maybe we enjoy the lifestyle a little too much at times! "But I don't think it's nice to speak publicly about things like this or show them off. "It's not my way. So when I was in Glasgow I had my club Honda, here in Valenciennes I have my club Toyota, and I'm happy with that. "Kyle has probably learned the hard way that it's better to be modest because we do have a lot of privileges some fans will never be fortunate enough to share. "In football the bigger the club, the bigger the pressure and Rangers is a very big club. "If you can't provide success for the club there has to be change. "At big clubs you don't have time to adapt and get there eventually. You have to make things happen right away. "The pressure's the same for a striker or any big-money signing as it is for a manager. "If you are not successful immediately then don't be surprised if you're asked to leave." http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/scottish/scottish_sport/801270/Filip-Sebo-says-Gers-ace-wont-be-Laffing-stock-for-much-longer.html

Andreas Hinkel lit the blue touchpaper ahead of the final Old Firm derby of the season by insisting Celtic will prove to a global audience they are better than champions Rangers. The German defender cannot envisage the prospect of completing the SPL campaign without a win over Walter Smith's side. Instead, he claimed Celtic will be inspired by their feeling of frustration about the three previous Old Firm matches, which have all featured controversial decisions in two home wins for Rangers and a 1-1 draw at Parkhead. 'It is always an important game against Rangers and we want to prove we are better than them,' said Hinkel ahead of tomorrow night's game. The league is finished but we can show all of Scotland, and all of the world, that we are the better team. 'When you see the three games we have had against them this season, then think about it. Even the game we lost in the last minute, we deserved a draw. We were very unlucky.' Rangers striker Nacho Novo revealed last week that the Ibrox players had laughed in the face of Celtic's weak challenge this season. Celtic have lost 14 games in all competitions, while Rangers have lost seven. 'I did not read anything from Nacho Novo,' said Hinkel. 'To be honest, I don't think about things like that and don't care what Novo says or thinks. He is not that important to me. It is always important to beat Rangers. It is the biggest game in the city and there is so much history attached to the fixture. 'It does not matter if the league is finished or not. It's one game but we want to beat them. 'We cannot turn around the season and the league is now finished but we would still love to beat the champions. 'I can't say in a few words why we are the better team, but just watch the previous Old Firm games. 'The last time we played them here, we scored only one goal but we made so many chances. We just let in one late goal for a 1-1 draw. 'Not taking our chances and conceding too many cheap goals has been our main problem for the main part of this season. 'We dropped too many points because of that. 'I don't want to talk about the (refereeing) decisions in the Old Firm matches but you can see them. We are frustrated about all three games against Rangers. 'I don't know if beating them would do anything psychologically for us for next season. 'But, if you think about the three Old Firm games so far, we deserved to win at least one of them. 'Actually, we dominated the first one at Ibrox and also the one here at New Year. 'We will give everything we can on Tuesday to get at least one win over them in the season.' Hinkel has 12 months left on his Parkhead contract, with Schalke 04 believed to be keen on taking him back to his native Germany. 'Everybody knows the situation - I have one year left on my Celtic contract,' he said. 'People are saying: "Is Hinkel staying or going?" I can only say that if a club like Schalke is being mentioned, then it shows my performances here have been noticed. 'They are a big club in Germany. But I have not spoken to them. 'Celtic have not spoken to me, either, about my contract still having a year to run. 'It's a good sign to be linked with a big club. You have to ask Celtic what they want to do.' :fish: :spl: :robbo: Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1270864/Celtic-defender-Andreas-Hinkel-Were-better-Rangers-prove-derby.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0moj4gTuW

Steven Davis, Danny Wilson and Walter Smith all scooped prizes in Scotland's PFA end of season awards. More...

. http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/169635/Ibrox-takeover-will-sway-Boyd

Walter Smith is hoping the futures of Kris Boyd, Nacho Novo and Kirk Broadfoot will be decided soon. More...

SMITH hopes to get plans for next season underway More...

STEVIE Smith wants to leave Gers with a title medal More...

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..erm, in the ET: http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks-ignore/fans-deserve-home-truths-1.1024057

Not long ago we were being embarrassed by teams like Unirea in Europe and the general consent was that we wanted shot of Walter but we were so skint that we may as well just keep him. Now a couple of trophies later he's God again. My opinion of Walter is exactly what it was a few months ago. He's a reliable, solid albeit old fashioned manager, good domestically but out of his depth in Europe. He came back to steady the ship and there's been several periods where it as been steadied only for us to go on a dodgy spell again. Walter has done everything he can do with the club and it's time to move on IMO. We need new ideas and I'd like to see us as a side that can play decent football and cause some problems to big teams in Europe. It doesn't take a fortune to build a half decent European side rather than one that just hopes for a 0-0 draw. Everyone is saying that this season is a fantastic achievement but Celtic are so abysmal that it would have been hard not to win it. It's the worst Celtic side I've ever seen by a mile. Time to move on and develop.

BOSTON has sparked fury with a campaign to halt a unique Old Firm derby in the city after claims that Rangers fans could run riot. Celtic and Rangers could land a �£1million-plus close-season bonanza with a friendly in the US. But the Boston Globe - one of America's most-respected journals - is leading the bid to have the game at Fenway Park called off. It has accused Gers supporters of causing mayhem and violence at home and abroad. In a stinging editorial, it falsely claims "tensions between Celtic and Rangers fans" caused the Ibrox Disaster in 1971. The astonishing attack has been slammed by the SPL champions and has sparked a fierce backlash from angry Gers fans. The Boston Globe wrote: "While it is recognised that not all Rangers fans involve themselves in such activity, one can't help wonder how the city of Boston will fare after a Fenway game, should the Rangers faithful feel the need to express themselves, as they did in Manchester in 2008. "Following their team's defeat in the UEFA Cup Final, the blue-clad fans left parts of Manchester in a shambles and forced the local constabulary to don riot gear to restore order. "But Rangers have a long history of violence on their travels, dating back decades. "Who can forget their pitch invasion in Barcelona in 1972, which earned the club a one-year ban from European competition? The same fans brought their particular brand of fanaticism to Romania last year, clashing with police who were forced to use tear gas. "With Spanish police reporting Rangers violence in 2006 (Villarreal) and 2007 (Barcelona), the list goes on and on. "Most notably, disaster struck at Rangers' Ibrox Stadium in 1971 following a crush-barrier failure. It is widely accepted that the tensions between Celtic and Rangers fans played a major part in the 66 deaths. "Celtic, by comparison, can be charged with, well, not much at all. If their arch-rivals have dragged the name of Glasgow through the mud, it must be said that Celtic fans have done their best to restore the good name." Angry Rangers insist they will demand a retraction from the newspaper. Advertisement Quantcast A spokesman said: "Rangers fans can be assured the reference in this article to the Ibrox Disaster, in particular, which is both inaccurate and offensive, will be taken up with the newspaper." Stephen Smith, of the Rangers Supporters' Trust, said: "The remarks about 1971 are disgusting and entirely inaccurate." Celtic, meanwhile, have added another date to their American tour. They will face Seattle Sounders on July 18. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2952064/We-dont-want-your-yobs-Gers.html#ixzz0mSt3rvUX

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks-ignore/the-facts-that-shine-light-into-darkest-corners-of-the-crisis-engulfing-champs-1.1023755

RANGERS fear losing Danny Wilson for next to nothing after contract talks collapsed. SunSport can reveal Gers have been told the 18-year-old won't pen a new deal. Liverpool target Wilson, a frontrunner to be Young Player of the Year, is out of contract next summer. We revealed three months ago that the centre half had turned down an extension on improved terms. We also revealed last month that Liverpool had moved ahead of Aston Villa, Spurs and Manchester City in the race to land Wilson. Contract talks between Wilson's agent David Manasseh and Gers chief executive Martin Bain restarted recently. And boss Walter Smith outlined his desire for the home-grown stopper to re-sign. But Ibrox chiefs have now given up hope of keeping Wilson beyond his present contract. Gers have already held talks with Liverpool over a possible summer deal for the defender. But if Wilson stays until the end of his contract, Gers would only receive a nominal sum for developing him. A source close to Wilson last night admitted that two planned meetings between Manasseh and Bain had NOT taken place. He said the youngster could still sign an extension but SunSport understands Ibrox bosses have already resigned themselves to losing out on the kid. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2950420/Rangers-fear-top-prospect-Danny-Wilson-will-let-his-contract-run-down.html#ixzz0mNDKTj6m

Amongst the hyperbole and sensationalism over legal tax loopholes (yes, I did say legal), last night's result in France where Bayern Munich routed Lyon over two legs means Rangers have now qualified for next season's Champions' League Group Stage. Currently we're third seeds but we could easily make it into the second group of seeds given the right results. However, future performance aside, the main issue for those who control the club and, for many of us who support it, will be the associated finance with this competition. Up to �£17million of income could be secured if, as expected, Celtic fail to negotiate a difficult qualifying route to the group stage. In an era where our future participation in the competition will be far from guaranteed, that money could well be the last pot of genuine gold at the end of the UEFA rainbow. Moving back to the hysterical coverage in the media then and the debate turns to how will that income be used. Will it be ring-fenced to reduce debt or will it be reinvested into the club to address such crucial issues as the loss of out-of-contract players and, erm, the broken big screens? To be honest, despite the protestations of the club yesterday evening, the former is most likely with a bank ever wary of a club (and parent company) sailing close to the rocks in recent times. Of course, panic aside, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. The club debt may well be reducing but it is certainly agreeable to use any future income to reduce it further and/or prepare in advance for less lucrative seasons. After all, without a decent run in European football, an annual loss is probable to be reported. Years of cuts in playing staff and wages, along with savings made elsewhere may signal efficiency but perhaps still not enough to break even without the UEFA cash cow. And this is where the harbingers of doom have some sway. With various players out of contract or likely to be sold and the management team similarly non-committal, just what is the competitive future of the club? After all, while the bank has every right to expect its debt to be repaid, why are they so keen to dispense with already agreed and perfectly reasonable repayment structures? The plight of the crumbling MIH empire may well be casting a dark shadow of influence and their delayed annual accounts will be interesting reading when finally released this week. However, Rangers remain in profit and, unlike other teams in Glasgow, our fans have shown they will not desert our club even when success may not be imminent. As such, the immediate future is not as bad as some would like to paint. Nevertheless it appears the battle-lines have been drawn. Potential owners and sources within the club itself are lining up to leak information to all and sundry - from internet mischief-makers, to tabloid journalists, to phone-in hosts and more. Suddenly - less than 48 hours after securing our 53rd title - the muck is being thrown and the 'Rangers in Crisis' headlines are of a huge gauge on the street paper-stands. Once again, the average Rangers supporter is left worried and bewildered as opposing camps fight it out in the media. Hardly the dignified approach our loyal and committed support deserve. Ever since the ownership issue suddenly appeared to be the main topic of the club's immediate future, some fans have called for clarity and leadership from those who purport to buy and represent us. Unfortunately, there has been little evidence of this from any party involved. Fingers are pointed, accusations are thrown and blame is cast as the poker game gets very dirty indeed. It seems everyone has had their say but few in a positive sense. From Dave King, to Douglas Park, to Andrew Ellis, to Graham Duffy, to the RST, to Sir David Murray, to Alistair Johnston, to Walter Smith, to Donald Muir and to all the journalists choosing their side of the fence to stand on; all should be asking themselves just what this very public battle is doing for our club. This should be a time of celebration and oneupmanship as we break our own world record. Instead division is again rife, and those who matter most at the vital time of season ticket renewal, are treated with disdain and disrespect. To a man, Rangers fans care passionately about their club but the 'political' sleaze currently surrounding it is as distasteful as the spin we see mirrored in the General Election debate. But, at least we're given a vote and debated with in that arena. As its stands, not one of the main names mentioned above has had the honesty, the integrity, the transparency and the leadership to actually come out and show why they should own the club and why their plans will ensure our world record will be maintained in future years. Not one has come to our support and said this is why you matter to me and why your opinion will form an important part of the club for its future. That is nothing short of a disgrace and is just as worrying as any financial issues we may face in the coming years. Rangers need leadership - it is well beyond time for those who think they're capable of that to show it.

Walter Smith admits it is vital for Rangers to be granted a place in the Champions League group stage. More...