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Another OF triumph for the Rangers over the forces or darkness which results in another week of the media bleating about perceived injustices all against the MOPES. Lets get one thing straight here, we deserved our victory over the MOPES as we outplayed, outfought and outthought them and the all the refereeing decisions certainly didnââ?¬â?¢t favour us. Scott Brown (i.e lego eater) deserved his red card ââ?¬â?? it was for violent conduct and head-butting an opponent in the chest is certainly violent conduct. Only one option for the referee - a straight red card for Brown, as a result of this incident, the media have tried to shift the spotlight, and blame on Kyle Lafferty. His only crime in this incident was to be attacked by Brown. Next up, they complain that Boogie should have walked for ââ?¬Ë?persistent foulingââ?¬â?¢ of Robbie Keane. Perhaps they have a case, but no mention of the persistent fouling for Nââ?¬â?¢Guemo, including a ââ?¬Ë?nether regionsââ?¬â?¢ high assault on Kris Boyd. He certainly committed as many ââ?¬Ë?foulsââ?¬â?¢ as. Again, no mention that Kamera should have received a 2nd yellow card for diving in the first half, or of the stone-wall penalty that we should have received with Hinkle fouled Edu in the box. It could also be argued that our disallowed goal should have been allowed to stand as Kenny Miller inadvertently handled the ball whilst trying to avoid a Celtic boot taking his head off. However, none of this evidence suits their agenda. There has also been little said about the disruption of yet another minutes silence by the MOPES and their repugnant ââ?¬Ë?welcomeââ?¬â?¢ to a true hero, Simon Weston. The entire Celtic end chanting ââ?¬Ë? Argentinaââ?¬â?¢ as Simon was presented a Rangers jersey. These ââ?¬Ë?peopleââ?¬â?¢ never fail to outdo themselves when it comes to showing themselves up in front of the watching nation. However, they do this in the knowledge that all or most if it will go unreported and unpunished. Back to the game itself and once again Walter Smith for all his deficiencies managed to set up a Rangers team to defeat Celtic. We were all over them like a rash for the majority of the game and deserved our victory. It is hard to single players out in occasions like this but Thompson, Davis & Weir were outstanding and the rest of the team were not far behind. We had no real failures with everyone involved contributing to the performance. One of the most pleasing things to come from Sunday was the players and staff reaction to the goal. This just reemphasised the team spirit that we currently have with everyone galvanised behind the club. In these uncertain times, itââ?¬â?¢s something that we must endeavour to keep to the forefront. No doubt the agenda driven media will not give us the credit we are due for this season, but that makes it even sweeter, we can feel their pain. We might not be firing on all cylinders at the moment, but we are continuing with the momentum that should see us deliver our first back to back league triumph in a decade and we are also in pole position to land another historic treble. Lets keep focused Bears and lets ensure that this season ends with a glorious treble (almost unthinkable given the financial restraints we are currently operating under). Best moments from Sunday (in no particular order) : Kevin Thompsonââ?¬â?¢s rattling tackles in the opening minutes Kevin Thompsonââ?¬â?¢s rattling of the ball into a certain Mr Kameraââ?¬â?¢s nether regions Mo Eduââ?¬â?¢s 40-yard thunder-bolt of a finish with virtually the last kick of the ball to secure our well deserved victory! The jubilant scenes that followed that winning goal Meeting West Brom and Scotland midfield player Graham Dorrans on the way out of Ibrox Debating whether Robbie Keane & Adian McGeady were actually playing Watching Frankie doing 'cart-wheels' when Rangers scored (see other thread!) Listening to the drunken gibberish spouting from 'senior' Gersnet members through the entire game Cammy F - Better Late Than Never Loyal RSC

Rangers manager Walter Smith insists he is none the wiser on talk the SPL giants could be taken over. More...

BOSS wants rid of split as he joins reconstruction debate More...

Well maybe not. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks-ignore/don-hutchison-skipper-davie-weir-is-walter-smith-s-boss-of-bosses-on-field-of-play-1.1010708 Diehard Rangers fan Don Hutchison today identified the driving force behind the cash-strapped Ibrox clubââ?¬â?¢s incredible bid for a domestic Treble ââ?¬â?? his old mate Davie Weir. Hutchison played with Weir at former club Everton and with Scotland and has been delighted to see him enjoying great success in Glasgow in the twilight of his playing days. The ex-striker, now carving out a career for himself as a television pundit with Sky Sports, reckons the centre-half has been the main man for Walter Smithââ?¬â?¢s side this term. The 39-year-old defender helped the Gers keep a clean sheet once again in the Old Firm win over Celtic on Sunday and take a huge step towards retaining the Scottish title. The experienced player, along with Allan McGregor, Madjid Bougherra, Sasa Papac and others, has ensured Rangers have the best defensive record in the whole of Britain this term. In fact, Hutchison has been so impressed with his friendââ?¬â?¢s incredible evergreen displays he has half-considered dusting off his boots and coming out of retirement himself. He laughed: ââ?¬Å?I have been texting Ally McCoist asking him for a game for Rangers. I am almost the same age as Davie. If he can do it then so can I! Ally texted me back the other day and said: ââ?¬Ë?Youââ?¬â?¢re not far away son!ââ?¬â?¢ ââ?¬Å?I played with Davie with Scotland and with Everton for a number of years. Davie has always played with his head. ââ?¬Å?He has never, even at his peak, been blessed with great pace. But he is such an intelligent guy he has never let that hold him back. ââ?¬Å?Playing at the back, he can see the whole picture in front of him, can envisage the runs an opposition centre forward or midfielder is going to make and take the necessary action. ââ?¬Å?He has, too, always kept himself really fit. He is a very dedicated player.ââ?¬Â He added: ââ?¬Å?Davie is the perfect man to have as a captain as well. I was captain at Everton under Walter Smith for a while and know how he operates. He wants to be as close to a dressing room as he can be without interfering. ââ?¬Å?Davie will be a good go-between. He is the link between the manager and the dressing room. Davie will tell him how the lads are feeling, when they need a day off and when they need to train more. ââ?¬Å?He isnââ?¬â?¢t a shouter and a bawler either. He is a calm, intelligent type who leads by example on the park. He is the sort of guy the youngsters will look up to as well. The job he does as skipper should not be underestimated. ââ?¬Å?Both Davie and Walter deserve enormous praise for how Rangers have done this season, given the difficulties the club has off the park.ââ?¬Â Hutchisonââ?¬â?¢s great strengths as a player were in putting the ball in the back of the net and carving out chances for others ââ?¬â??something he did with regularity for every club he represented in his stellar career. Yet, he believes the uncanny knack Weir and the Rangers rearguard have at repelling opponents must have a positive knock-on affect on hit men Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller. He added: ââ?¬Å?I read that Rangers have the best defensive record in Britain and was not surprised. Nobody has scored more than one goal against them in a league game. That is some record. ââ?¬Å?It must be fantastic to be a striker in that side. If you know your back four, or back five if you include the goalkeeper, are not going to give away more than one goal it takes a lot of pressure off. ââ?¬Å?If, though, your defence is conceding a lot of goals then, at the back of your mind, you are thinking you are going to need to score two or three times and that puts pressure on them.ââ?¬Â The 26-times capped Gateshead-born player, who will be working for Sky when Scotland play the Czech Republic in a friendly at Hampden tonight, had a chance to play for his boyhood heroes and turned it down. And he predicted Weir, who also grew up following the Light Blues, will not give up the chance to represent them lightly when his current contract expires in the summer. He said: ââ?¬Å?I had the opportunity to play for Rangers when Dick Advocaat was manager and didnââ?¬â?¢t take it. That is something I have always regretted. My dad was a fan and I grew up supporting them. ââ?¬Å?It must be an unbelievable feeling to play for a club you actually supported. Especially a club steeped in so much tradition and history like Rangers. A lot of footballers never get that chance. It must make you give that extra five per cent. ââ?¬Å?Davie is no fool. He will know when it is time to call it a day. But he is still fit, is playing regularly, is enjoying his football and is doing well. I see no reason why he canââ?¬â?¢t keep going.ââ?¬Â

SMITH stands shoulder to shoulder with past greats, says Weir More...

Returns for Boyd & McCulloch. No place for McGregor and Ferguson. Reports are that Levein contacted Smith regarding McGregor and Smith felt his return should be postponed. Goalkeepers Neil Alexander (Rangers) Craig Gordon (Sunderland) David Marshall (Cardiff City) Defenders Alan Hutton (Tottenham Hotspur (ON LOAN TO SUNDERLAND)) Christophe Berra (Wolverhampton W.) Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic) Paul Dixon (Dundee United) Garry Kenneth (Dundee United) Lee Wallace (Heart of Midlothian) Andy Webster (Rangers (ON LOAN TO DUNDEE UNITED)) Steven Whittaker (Rangers) Midfield Charlie Adam (Blackpool) Scott Brown (Celtic) Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion) Darren Fletcher (Manchester United) Paul Hartley (Bristol City) Lee McCulloch (Rangers) James McFadden (Birmingham City) Barry Robson (Middlesbrough) Kevin Thomson (Rangers) Forwards Kris Boyd (Rangers) Steven Fletcher (Burnley) Chris Iwelumo (Wolverhampton W. (ON LOAN TO BRISTOL CITY)) Kenny Miller (Rangers)

Rangers manager Walter Smith insists poor refereeing decisions are not just reserved for rivals Celtic. More...

CELTIC'S bitter feud with the SFA took a fresh twist last night when it emerged the Parkhead club could be dragged into the Hampden dock for their latest attack on a referee. An official club statement which appeared to call into question the impartiality of big-match whistler Dougie McDonald was released on the internet hours after Tony Mowbray's side went down to a 1-0 defeat in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox. The explosive wording of the statement - which revealed Celtic's intention to appeal against Scott Brown's red card - has angered the game's hierarchy and the matter was yesterday referred to the General Purposes Committee who will now convene to decide whether or not to take action. But already it has poured fresh fuel on what was a combustible situation between the game's hierarchy and the powers that be at Celtic Park. The full Celtic statement read: "Celtic will appeal the red card given to Scott Brown during the derby clash with Rangers at Ibrox. Referee Dougie McDonald sent off the Celtic captain following a tangle with Kyle Lafferty, with the Rangers player unpunished for his part in the incident. "It immediately seemed to be a controversial decision to everyone in the ground and certainly any fairminded person looking at the incident at the time or subsequent TV replays could see it wasn't a red card. "It was a decision which had a major impact on the game and Celtic will now appeal against the red card, which saw Tony Mowbray's side down to 10 men for the last half-hour of the game. "Certainly, the Celtic support in the Broomloan Road Stand and beyond were left mystified and angry at yet another refereeing decision in a derby game this season which has gone against the club. "In the first derby match of this season at Ibrox in October, Celtic were denied a blatant penalty by referee Craig Thomson, who admitted after the game that he had made a mistake. "And in the game against Rangers at Celtic Park, referee Steve Conroy disallowed a Marc-Antoine Fortune goal, though replays showed that there was nothing wrong "Now, Dougie McDonald's decision is added to that list and will be the major talking point from the game." Celtic have compiled a dossier of evidence to back up their concerns over the standard of Scotland's officials throughout this season. Mowbray and chief executive Peter Lawwell will present their file during showdown talks this week with SFA chief executive Gordon Smith and refs chief Hugh Dallas. But the club could be facing a bumper fine if the General Purposes Committee decide to take action when they meet next month. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2010/03/02/sfa-set-to-throw-the-book-at-celtic-over-scott-brown-red-card-web-claims-86908-22079608/

THERE is consistent, and then there is Rangers this season. Even their Champions League campaign was impressively uniform ââ?¬â?? three comprehensive defeats at Ibrox, together with some closer-run things away from home. But in the domestic game, Walter Smith's side have been remorseless. Three 0-0 draws in their opening six league matches did not lead to wild excitement in the stands, but set the tone for a campaign which has been built so far on defensive solidity. ADVERTISEMENT They have now recorded six clean sheets in their last seven outings. Sunday's 1-0 victory over Celtic was a study in giving little away. They have conceded only eight goals in the league at home, and one fewer on their travels. How can Celtic even begin to contemplate eating away at a ten-point lead when the team at the top seem so resolute? The pursuers require a collapse on the part of Rangers. Sunday showed why this seems an even more fanciful notion than Celtic's claims of bias against their team this season. Though Rangers' season has been ignited by spells when they have excelled in front of goal, it is at the back where the champions have taken command of the league. Their strength in this department has told in clashes with Celtic ââ?¬â?? just as it did last season. Scott Brown's red card dominated the post-match discussions at Ibrox and obscured the central reason why Celtic were beaten. They did not do enough to win the match. Two shots on target ââ?¬â?? compared with 11 for Rangers ââ?¬â?? tells its own story, as does Celtic's tally of just two goals in three Old Firm fixtures this season. Madjid Bougherra was an influential performer on Sunday but was playing in his first Old Firm match of the campaign. His partner at centre-half, David Weir, has featured in all three and, on Sunday, in his 40th year, played his 36th club match of the season. There are not too many further places to look to understand where it has gone right for Rangers this season. On Sunday, against an admittedly far-from-fit Robbie Keane, Weir staged another masterclass in defending by employing one's wits. He was rarely extended and showed exactly why Smith was prompted to offer the defender another year's contract last year. Remarkably, whether or not he will be playing for Rangers next season seems to depend more on his own desire to continue travelling back and forth from his home in Cheshire. The Ibrox club, surely, will wish to retain his services. Weir, however, may wish to bow out on a high. It is not beyond the realms to imagine the player calling a halt to his career while captain of a treble-winning side, and reigning player of the year to boot. Intriguingly, the football writers' dinner in May, when their award is announced, takes place on the eve of Weir's 40th birthday. Even watching the centre-half warm-up on Sunday was instructive. Kenny McDowall, the first-team coach, tossed balls into the air for him, and the disgust with which Weir reacted following a less-than-firm connection signalled a man not content to simply trade on former glories. During the game itself Weir was involved in one comical moment in the Celtic box when, with the ball having surprisingly fallen at his feet, he swung one leg at it and missed. He then tripped over the ball with his other leg. But, although Celtic broke up-field from this moment of high farce, it was still Weir who somehow made it back to mop up. It was an inspirational performance from Weir, and while the likes of Allan McGregor, Keane and even referee Dougie McDonald stole the spotlight, it was the veteran defender who kept his head yet again. Even Smith showed he can get carried away after the winner from Maurice Edu with almost the last kick of the ball. Weir, at the end, took time to shake the hand of each Celtic opponent, despite the delirium of just a few moments earlier. Off the field as well as on it, Weir is influential. Steven Naismith has spoken of the skipper's banning of the word "treble" in and around the dressing room. Rangers are reaping the dividend of having this father figure on the pitch. It is in direct contrast with Celtic. A few weeks ago at St Johnstone, Celtic manager Tony Mowbray even wrapped a captain's band around Darren O'Dea's arm. The player had only just returned from a period in stir at Reading. Now Scott Brown is the leader of the gang. However harsh Brown's red card on Sunday, and in this observer's eyes it did appear a severe reaction from the referee, there is an upward movement of the Celtic midfielder's head into Kyle Lafferty's body as they tussle. It doesn't do for a skipper to be so lacking in judgment in a game that his side must win. It is fair to assume that Celtic's title challenge ended with his departure from the field. The cheering Rangers supporters sensed it too. The manner of their side's victory was an extra psychological blow for Celtic, who were edging ever closer to shutting out Rangers for the first time this season. It would have been a small "victory", particularly since a 0-0 draw would only have maintained the status quo. Mowbray conceded later that the title can only be lost now by Rangers. It is hard to credit that a team whose progress during this campaign has been pinned to resoluteness will begin throwing things away now. http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Rangers39-strength-is-built-from.6114305.jp

A SICK Celtic fan taunts brave Falklands hero Simon Weston - by waving an ARGENTINA shirt during yesterday's Old Firm clash. The vile stunt came as war veteran Simon - who suffered horrific burns in the conflict - was a guest of Rangers' charity at Ibrox. SIMON WESTON Guest ... hero Weston Furious ex-Army major Mike Rumbles MSP said: "It is totally unacceptable. This mindless rivalry between Old Firm fans has now hit a new low. This is deplorable." It's claimed other Hoops fans heaped more shame on their club during their 1-0 defeat by chanting the name of the South American country and waving its flag. Former SAS commander and top civil servant Clive Fairweather said: "It is very extreme and disappointing." And Stephen Smith, of the Rangers Supporters' Trust, added: "It's a disgrace that this abuse was directed at one of the country's war heroes. "There's no excuse for this type of behaviour." Hero Simon, 48, suffered agonising burns to almost half his body when his ship the Sir Galahad was destroyed by an Argentinian bomb during the 1982 conflict. He was the guest of honour at a special Rangers Charity Foundation's lunch the day before the Ibrox side's 1-0 victory. Celtic fans had claimed earlier this week that his appearance was deliberately designed to provoke them. One poster on the Celtic Supporters' Association website wrote: "This is a decision taken at the very highest level hoping to get a reaction from the Celtic fans. "Why didn't they present him with a jersey the day before Remembrance Sunday?" Celtic fans were also blasted for not respecting a minute's silence held yesterday for former Ibrox keeper Gerry Neef, who died last week. Rangers supporters' chief John Macmillan said: "It was a tiny minority who broke the silence but that is all you need." http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/2872402/Celtic-fans-sick-Falklands-War-stunt.html

Rangers manager Walter Smith is refusing to begin SPL title-winning celebrations. More...

SMITH'S fury at 'unfair' pressure put on McDonald by derby rivals More... WALTER SMITH has hit out at Celtic for heaping pressure on match officials ahead of today's Old Firm derby. The Parkhead club leaked their grievances about certain refereeing decisions to the media through an unnamed source in midweek. This came despite a series of calls going against the Light Blues last season without such staunch complaints, particularly at the opening end of the campaign. In turn, match referee Dougie McDonald's position was an awkward one going into this afternoon's fixture. That disgusted Smith, who praised his handling of the game and the whistler got most of the major rulings he had to make correct. They included disallowing a first-half Mo Edu goal after Kenny Miller handled the ball and sending off away skipper Scott Brown. Smith said: "I thought the referee handled the game very well today. It was always going to be awkward for him. "It was a totally unfair circumstance he was placed in this week but I thought the referee did very well. "The Old Firm game's always tough. The man in the middle comes under scrutiny and you'll always argue with his refereeing decisions. It doesn't matter what anybody says. "But it would be nice, if somebody was going to criticise, that they came out of the closet and did it rather than did it in an anonymous manner. "There's enough pressure on the referee without anyone else bringing up their problems before the game."

Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor has been questioned by police over alleged "inconsistencies" in his claim to have been assaulted outside a nightclub. McGregor had alleged the attack happened in Bath Street, Glasgow, on Saturday night. It was reported that McGregor was treated in hospital for facial injuries after being violently assaulted. The 28-year-old keeper was not interviewed under caution and he was not charged by police. BBC Scotland understands he was taken from Rangers' Murray Park training ground to Stewart Street police station where he was questioned for about two hours. Detectives arrived at Rangers' training ground while the club's manager Walter Smith was giving a press conference. The goalkeeper, who was left out of the Scotland squad because of his injury from the incident, trained as normal. Smith had declared him fit and available for selection ahead of Sunday's crunch Old Firm match. Police inquiries into this incident are continuing, as well as into a previous allegation of sexual assault, made some months ago against the goalkeeper. Rangers have refused to comment on the situation. BBC

RANGERS striker Kyle Lafferty's �£130,000 Bentley was attacked by yobs last night. A sticky liquid was poured over the vehicle as it was parked in the street. Lafferty feared it was paint stripper or battery acid and reported the attack to the police. It was the second time in four months the Bentley had been attacked. Last October, both the Bentley and a Land Rover were smashed up by neds as they were parked outside his home. Lafferty was back home last night and not available for comment but his girlfriend Tori Smith insisted: "Everything is all right now." After the earlier incident, Northern Ireland international Lafferty paid for his treasured Bentley to have a completely new shell, costing thousands of pounds. The latest vandalism happened in Byres Road in Glasgow's west end. The car, which has a distinctive personalised number plate, was parked outside an Italian restaurant. The vandal attack came just three days before a crucial Old Firm league clash at Ibrox in which Lafferty is expected to play. A police spokeswoman said: "There was a report of vandalism to a car at 8.20pm. We are investigating it." A source said: "Kyle was apparently livid. Someone has thrown some kind of liquid all over his motor. "And it's even harder to stomach after he just had his beloved car revamped because of neds." The attack came just a few weeks after Ibrox teammate DaMarcus Beasley saw his car destroyed by a fire bomb. The US international's �£65,000 BMW was torched outside his home in the west end of Glasgow. It was also the second time his car had been targeted. The arsonist poured a line of petrol on to the road before setting it ablaze and fleeing the scene in a waiting car as flames shot towards the blue BMW. Moments later, fuel in a container placed beneath the car ignited, engulfing the vehicle in flames and damaging another BMW parked next to it. In 2008, vandals scrawled graffiti on goalkeeper Allan McGregor's Bentley and his girlfriend Leah Shevlin's Range Rover outside their home in Glasgow. Months earlier, acid had been poured over McGregor's car. Last night, a spokeswoman for Rangers said she was unaware of the latest attack on Lafferty's car. The Rhecord

I was privileged enough to play in a lot of Old Firm games during my four years with Rangers. And though, on the whole, those games held happy memories for me, it didn't start too well for me. In the very first week I joined Rangers, we played three games - one in Europe, one in the Scottish Cup and one Old Firm derby - and we were beaten in all three of them. So it was a very poor start, but I picked up after that and I think it's fair to say we enjoyed most of the games against Celtic at that time. I remember the excitement surrounding an Old Firm game used to begin two or three weeks before, even though there were still one or two games to play. When I joined, that was all the players spoke about. They would try to explain to me and the other foreign players what the match meant, not only to the club but to the fans, although it's very difficult to prepare anyone who hasn't experienced it for the reality of what you're about to go through. Brian Laudrup and John Collins The Dane's first derby ended in defeat at Ibrox Certainly, in that first game, I remember the 90 minutes going by in what seemed to be about 10 minutes. I never really got into it, I was just so amazed by the pace of it. Maybe it wasn't the most beautiful football, but certainly, for heart and passion, it was unreal. Walter Smith would try to keep things as normal as possible in the build-up to the games against Celtic - he didn't need to emphasise the enormity of these games to the players. In fact, sometimes he had to try to take the edge off some of the players' passions pre-match in case some of them let that boil over onto the pitch. The Scottish players were generally very fired up - they are born and bred with this kind of hype - while maybe some of the foreigners got themselves prepared in a slightly different way. In a way, it was sometimes easier to play away from home in these matches, because you felt the weight of expectation a bit less from your own fans. Either way, though, when you walk down the tunnel, all you hear is a wall of noise - you can't hear any specific messages, but you can sense what the game means to the supporters. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8537926.stm

RANGERS' top goalscorer Kris Boyd admits the uncertainty surrounding the club could prevent him signing a new contract at Ibrox. Rangers are leading Old Firm rivals Celtic at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League by seven points and have a game in hand ahead of their meeting at Ibrox on Sunday. However, the cash-strapped Glasgow club are looking for a new owner, and amid the uncertainty manager Walter Smith and his backroom staff are working without contracts. Boyd has been offered an extension to his current deal which runs out in four months' time but the 26-year-old striker will continue to monitor developments at the club. "I love the Rangers and I want to stay here, but there is a cloud hanging over the club which makes everything uncertain," he told The Times. "My hope is still that I will be in a Rangers jersey for years to come, but I have to say the club just doesn't feel secure at the moment. "I don't even know who the manager will be next season and I've already had three managers in my time at Rangers. "People say to me, 'Kris, just go and sign' but it's not as easy as that. "There is uncertainty at Ibrox, and I don't want to be boxed in to a corner where, if it turns out that other players have to leave, then I'm the guy left in a situation where the club can't go on to the next level. "As much as I want to stay, I wouldn't stay in that situation." http://www.scotsman.com/spl/Kris-Boyd-voices-his-concerns.6107992.jp

Walter Smith is 62 today, so Happy Birthday Walter! Hope you have a great day and get molested by horny big breasted women. :devil: :cheers:

Portsmouth will go into administration by Friday unless a buyer is found for the Premier League's bottom club. If Pompey enter administration they will be docked nine points, but the winding up order against them due to be heard on 1 March will be suspended. A spokesman for Pompey owner Balram Chainrai said: "There is now only a short window of opportunity for buyers to come in with a credible offer. "Having the club wound up is not an option as far as we are concerned." Portsmouth have debts of �£70m and the winding up order was over �£7.5m owed to HM Revenue and Customs. The spokesman said: "The serving of this notice [that Portsmouth intend to appoint an administrator] means the winding up order is automatically suspended. "It means the club is safe, it can fulfil its fixtures and as far as is possible it is business as usual. "Administration would mean the club re-emerging as a healthy financial entity. 606: DEBATE Give your views on Pompey's future "It would then become an attractive proposition for a potential buyer who could invest new funds in rebuilding the club's future. "Mr Chainrai hopes the supporters will get behind the team for their Premier League match at Burnley on Saturday and the following weekend's FA Cup quarter-final at home to Birmingham. "We would like to ask the fans, staff and management of Portsmouth for their support and patience should this step be taken as we believe it is the only route left open." One of the parties interested in buying the troubled club has revealed he will not be able to take over the club ahead of Monday's winding up petition. New Zealand-based businessman Victor Cattermole is considering buying Pompey through his investment group but told The Guardian newspaper: "In an ideal world, we would like to purchase the club before Monday, but we will not be rushed." Portsmouth owner Balram Chainrai Chainrai relucantly took control of Pompey to protect his investment Cattermole's group is one of three potential buyers for the south coast strugglers. Chainrai recently became Portsmouth's fourth owner of the season, taking 90% of the club shares after the previous owner Ali Al Faraj defaulted on loan payments due to him. Eight points from top-flight safety, Pompey's financial woes have meant their players have been paid late on four occasions this season. Entering administration would leave them 17 points from safety, with only 12 matches remaining to preserve their Premier League status. The club are also involved in a separate dispute with former owner Sacha Gaydamak over whether they have missed a deadline in paying a �£9m chunk of the �£28m they owe him. The Premier League recently withheld �£2m of transfer payments and a �£7m slice of TV revenue to divert to Chelsea and Watford for the signings of Glen Johnson and Tommy Smith respectively. The Fratton Park club are also being sued by former Pompey defender Sol Campbell for �£1.7m for unpaid image rights. Earlier on Monday, another former owner Sulaiman Al Fahim quit as non-executive chairman and offered his 10% stake to the Pompey Supporters' Trust. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/8527495.stm

Rangers have been linked with a move for French internationalist striker Jimmy Briand. It is believed Ibrox scouts have been spying on the Rennes star following his return from a knee injury which kept him out of action for 10 months. With the possibility of Kris Boyd leaving in the summer, boss Walter Smith has asked his scouts to scour Europe for a replacement, especially if they should land another �£12m Champions League jackpot by retaining the title. If a new buyer comes in, the Rangers manager wants to be in a position to makes immediate moves for players. Briand, 24, who is also being monitored by Bordeaux and Marseille, had agreed to move to Paris St Germain before his injury while on international duty in March, but the transfer fell through when the clubs couldnâ��t agree a fee. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks-ignore/rangers-on-trail-of-striker-1.1007814

As far as I'm concerned, Walter Smith is the Rangers legend of my lifetime. I still remember Derek Johnstone handing out the prizes at a BB display in the 70s, I still remember Ally Dawson being held up as an example for we Johnstone High kids to follow into pro football (unkindly, perhaps, the line was 'if he can make it, so can you'), I still recall the time Coisty touched my shoulder in MacVid - one for the older fan, there - and said 'Scuse me, mate,' so he could reach Last Man Standing starring Bruce Willis. And I still worship the memory of Davie Cooper. None of these Rangers heroes can match Walter Smith for me, despite the criticism he received and still receives. A lot of it is understandable: a support which can watch the likes of Arsenal and Man Utd is unlikely to be thrilled by the fare we serve up. But we win, dammit. And you can have all the cavalier stuff you like: all I want is to see the Rangers captain, come the good weather, lifting silverware. On that score it's hard to argue that Walter Smith has delivered. Add to the haul of Cups the UEFA run to the Final in Manchester, which for all the baggage we took was still unforgettable. I'll always remember watching the quarter final while I was supposed to be at a wedding reception; I'll always remember sitting immobile through the penalty shootout in Florence in case I hexed us by moving. Don't be telling me that the manager had nothing to do with all these memories. Even more persuasive has been the Old Firm effect since his return to the hotseat. It's just like the old days; sometimes we thrash them, other times we are pummelled but still sneak a win or a draw. Compare the great man's aura with that of his embattled counterpart across the city, Tony Mowbray. I happen to think he's a good football coach with an unfortunate (for them) failure to consider defending a part of the game. If they're willing to stick with a manager who divides his support to the extent that Mowbray is doing, good luck to 'em. I prefer the man who gets results, no matter how. I still recall the putative 10 in a row season, saying to my pal Jim that we were coming to the end of a Golden Age. While Walter can't be accused of bringing back that sort of dominance, he's not only a link with that era he is also the only man I can think of who has the experience and class to drag what is, frankly, an ordinary side to a level where the glint of silverware is just around the corner. The upcoming Old Firm game, widely seen as a title decider should we win it, gives a taste of what Smith has done for me at least. I'm quite confident that we will win, either comfortably, or sneakily, or that at worst we shall get a draw which is equally precious in the title race. I could be wrong, of course, and we could go down to defeat - such things do happen. But with Smith at the helm I am confident going into game that we'll win, and confident that should we lose he'll sort things out lickety spit. You can't ask for much more from your manager than that.

BOYD admits Smith's long-term future will play big part in his own More...

Cash-strapped Portsmouth have asked the Premier League for permission to sell players outside the transfer window. However, BBC sports news correspondent Gordon Farquhar said he believes the transfer window, which ended on 1 February, is a Fifa regulation. "I don't think it's in the gift of the Premier League to allow Portsmouth to sell players outside of it," he added. The club confirmed: "We have put in a request to the Premier League to sell players outside the transfer window." There are two transfer windows a year in England, running from 1 January to 31 January and from 1 June to 31 August. However, if the window is set to close on a weekend it can be extended because of administration reasons, hence the most recent transfer window closing on 1 February. 606: DEBATE They simply cannot grant this as it will open the floodgates... famouszukeeper Pompey, who are believed to be about �£60m in debt, have not identified any specific players for sale but reports suggest Algeria international Nadir Belhadj, midfielder Kevin Prince-Boateng and young defender Marc Wilson could be made available. Portsmouth have already had four owners this season and are understood to be in negotiations with two buyers who are interested in taking them over. The south-coast club, who are bottom of the Premier League, survived a winding up order last week but were forced to deliver a detailed statement of their finances to both the High Court and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on Wednesday. And they face another winding up petition from HMRC over an unpaid �£11.7m tax bill on 1 March. Hong Kong-based businessman Balram Chainrai became the club's fourth owner of the season in early February when he secured 90% of the club's shares after previous owner Ali Al Faraj defaulted on loan payments due to Chainrai. Portsmouth are eight points from safety in the top flight and their players have been paid late on four occasions this season. The club are also involved in a separate dispute with former owner Sacha Gaydamak over whether they have missed a deadline in paying a �£9m chunk of the �£28m they owe to him. The Premier League recently withheld �£2m of transfer payments and a �£7m slice of television revenue to divert to Chelsea and Watford for the signings of Glen Johnson and Tommy Smith respectively. The Fratton Park outfit are also being sued by former defender Sol Campbell for �£1.7m for unpaid image rights. Meanwhile, a financial expert says Portsmouth face a very real threat of extinction because of their financial problems and he believes administration is an unlikely option. "Arguably, the level of debt associated with this case will mean that it is unlikely that a suitable or willing benefactor will be found," said Simon Wilson, a partner with restructuring experts Zolfo Cooper. To continue to underwrite the club would most likely result in greater losses at a later date Financial expert Simon Wilson "Portsmouth therefore face the very real threat of liquidation because it is increasingly unlikely that an administration order will be sought or granted. "In this eventuality, the players' contracts are no longer assets of the club and it would lose its membership of the Premier League. "The role of the liquidator would be to realise whatever free and available assets still remain. "The value of these assets would be nominal. While the unsecured creditors, including HMRC, would likely see no return from such a process, it is not in their interests to continue to support a business that is simply not viable and has no financial substance. "To continue to underwrite the club would most likely result in greater losses at a later date. This would be an unprecedented case in the realms of the Premier League and would throw light on the fact that clubs can no longer rely on 'white knights' to rescue them from financial ruin. "Many football clubs have allowed their levels of debt to grow to immense proportions. These debts cannot be serviced and investors simply don't have the appetite or ability to take on such poor business propositions." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/8522283.stm

RANGERS chairman Alastair Johnston believes the remaining 13 games of the SPL campaign hold the key to the Ibrox club securing a healthier, long-term financial future. Speaking as Rangers published half-yearly accounts which reveal an operating profit of �£13.1 million for the six months to 31 December 2009, Johnston admitted the value of Champions League qualification cannot be overstated in addressing the prospects of reducing his club's �£31million debt and attracting new ownership and investment. The Scottish champions' interim figures also showed a turnover of �£37.8million, directly attributable to their participation in the group stage of European football's elite club competition this season. Twelve months earlier, on the back of elimination from the Champions League in the second qualifying round by Lithuanian side Kaunas, Rangers posted a loss of almost �£9million and turnover of just �£20.1million. The contrast is startling and illuminates Rangers' need to retain their domestic title this season. With Scotland's Uefa co-efficient ranking in freefall, it is likely to be the last year for some time the SPL champions will qualify directly for the lucrative group phase of the Champions League. Rangers, who squeezed into the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup last night with a 1-0 win over St Mirren, are ten points ahead of Celtic at the top of the SPL with 13 games to play, leaving them on course for a championship success which would underpin Johnston's quest to steer his club out of their current fiscal storm. "The main thing for us at the moment is the short term and focusing on matters on the field," Johnston told The Scotsman last night. "The next ten weeks will impact significantly on how we aspire to make progress for the club. "The figures we are announcing today are pleasing and they show just how crucial it is to be in the Champions League. We have to sound a note of caution, because we still face many challenges, but clearly getting into the Champions League again would be of significant benefit." Johnston succeeded Sir David Murray as Rangers chairman last August during a period of turmoil for the club as their finances came under intense scrutiny from Lloyds TSB. While he concedes the bank's ongoing involvement in the club's affairs is "not desirable", Johnston sought to ease concern among supporters as he insisted it is currently to Rangers' benefit. "Looking back to August, when Lloyds TSB were taking a more than unusual interest in Rangers, we have to be satisfied with where we are now," he added. "We were successful in persuading them that their immediate reaction, which was to look to downsize the club, was impractical and particularly unwise in terms of maintaining the club's value. "We reached an agreement with them which is not ideal for either party but is practical in the circumstances. In no way would I criticise the fans who are entitled to voice their opinions. But as far as our relationship with Lloyds goes, it is working. We need them at this point in time. Murray (International Holdings) are not going to put any more money into the club, so we need the bank. They have been left holding the baby after the economic crisis hit Murray. The bank are our stop-gap measure." Donald Muir, the corporate troubleshooter appointed to the board to oversee the club's financial restructuring, has become the focal point of protests from Rangers supporters, but Johnston called for understanding of his fellow director's position. "To say Donald Muir is conflicted may be overstating it, but he is wearing two hats," said Johnston. "He is a non-executive director of Rangers and is expected to work within that role. He also represents the Murray group of companies, so in that role he is seeking to liquidate to Murray's advantage. "In terms of a possible new owner, there is activity, but it is like shadow boxing at the moment. I would hope something will happen sooner rather than later, but there has to be understanding and probably compromise. It will be challenging going forward and hopefully we can adjust the current business plan which was the subject of Walter Smith's ire recently, rightly so in my opinion." Smith had expressed his frustration at the restrictions placed on him in the transfer market where Rangers have now not paid money for a new player since August 2008. Johnston praised the veteran manager for his part in achieving ongoing success for Rangers despite those handicaps and is hopeful Smith and his assistants Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall will be in a position to agree new contracts this summer. "The guys know our position," he said. "Walter is at the stage of his career that whenever his time at Rangers does end, he will probably go and play golf. With Ally and Kenny, who are a bit younger, we are dealing with different scenarios. Walter is keeping an open mind at the moment. Whatever happens, history will show that Rangers were very fortunate to have him as manager during this period." Emerging from the January transfer window with the loss of only Pedro Mendes and Jerome Rothen was regarded as something of a bonus by Rangers but the club face further uncertainty at the end of the season when several players, including top scorer Kris Boyd, are out of contract. Boyd has decided to wait until the summer before making a decision on his future. "The offer to Kris Boyd remains on the table," said Johnston. "We hope he will stay but circumstances outwith our control, such as offers from English football, could persuade him to leave. We can't control the environment we are in when it comes to contract negotiations." KEY FIGURES TURNOVER �£37.8m Up by �£17.7m OPERATING PROFIT �£13.1m Up by �£17.0m OPERATING EXPENSES �£21.0m Down by �£3.6m http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Rangers-progress-in-cup-.6082665.jp

CHAIRMAN reveals profit of 13.1million pounds to December 31, 2009 More... RANGERS have announced unaudited interim results for the six months to 31 December 2009 and chairman Alastair Johnston has released the following statement: I HAVE pleasure in presenting the Interim Results for the six months to 31 December 2009, a period that saw the Chairmanship of the Club pass to myself in August 2009. The ensuing six months of my tenure saw us perform in Europe's elite club competition and reap the financial benefit of so doing in achieving turnover of �£37.8m and an operating profit of �£13.1m, an increase of �£22.0m on the prior year. These however have been challenging times within the Club, and credit must go to Martin Bain and Walter Smith and their respective teams in maintaining performance, standards and above all the intrinsic value of the Club over this period. Whilst our results in the UEFA Champions League were disappointing, we currently sit proudly at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, and have progressed to the final of The Co-operative Insurance Cup and the fifth round of the Active Nation Scottish Cup. This has been achieved with a first team squad that has been stretched through injury and suspension, which has in itself created opportunities for the younger members of the squad. Whilst the recent transfer window saw the departure of Pedro Mendes and Jerome Rothen, it was pleasing to retain our more valued assets in the run in for the league title. Discussions continue on various contract extensions, although a balance has to be struck between value and player expectations. Earlier this month we were delighted to confirm the appointment of Tennent's Lager as the official Club and shirt sponsor from 2010/11. We will continue to work towards a positive climax to a highly successful and productive seven year relationship with Carling. Work also continues in developing our ground-breaking media offering through http://www.rangersTV.tv, enabling live broadcasts and archive material to be viewed on demand. Although the effect of the current economic climate had an impact on ticketing and hospitality sales as well as the income from SPL media rights, the turnover for the six months to 31 December 2009 rose by �£17.7m to �£37.8m on the back of Champions League participation. Due to the timing of our involvement in the Champions League, revenue is weighted in favour of the first six months of the financial year. Net operating expenses decreased by �£3.6m to �£21.0m reflecting the reduced salary levels and efficiencies introduced throughout the Club, and resulted in an increase in operating profit of �£22.0m. Accounting for a �£5.5m decrease in gains from the sale of player registrations to last year, profit before interest and tax rose by �£16.5m to �£13.8m. Lower interest rates and historical tax losses contributed to a retained profit of �£13.1m, compared to a retained loss of �£3.9m for the same period last year, an increase of �£17.0m. Whilst the Interim Results are pleasing, a degree of caution is required as the future outlook is fraught with challenges. When I assumed the Chairmanship in August 2009, I realised that we had to take a short-term perspective on the business model that we needed to adopt for the financial year through to June 2010. The Board appreciated the understanding of Lloyds TSB Bank plc in supporting our initiatives to stabilise the Club without totally compromising the ability of the management team to field a competitive squad of players for the current season. We continue our efforts to source a capital injection into the Club to fuel the ambitions of the staff, supporters and shareholders, all of whom have been remarkably supportive as we navigate through the turbulence. Until such time as this is achieved, we are compelled to maintain our working relationship with Lloyds TSB Bank plc. The Board understands that reliance on such a facility going forward is not desirable if we are to retain control over the Club's destiny and avoid negatively impacting the potential for future success. However, a balanced view is required at this stage amongst operating sustainability, ambition, and the commensurate underlying value of the Club. Rangers will need continued commitment from all of those with the best interests of the Club in mind in the months ahead, and I remain totally confident that we will prevail together.

http://www.rangers.co.uk/articles/20...254024_1967825 Heres a run down of how each Rangers player performed. This isn't by me, it's from Laudrup1 on FF. Alexander did what we all know he can do. Was steady and reliable, caught a couple of crosses well and took two corners out of the air too. Didn't have any chance with the second which was a close range tap in. The first...now don't get me wrong, it was a cracking shot high into the net and close to the top corner...however he 'nearly thought' about moving for it. I think this is the slight difference between him and McGregor (and the reason that Smith took the option he did this summer over the no.1) I've seen it a couple of times with him. It's very hard to criticise but I sometimes think to myself "McGregor would have gone for that / actually got it" Certainly, if we're selling folk and McGregor is one to go, we're not gubbed if he has to stand in as we all knew anyway. There's not a gulf between them there like we've had between any other no.1s and their deputies (think more Klos / Waatereus than Goram / Maxwell) The two full backs. Cole's very much in the Stevie Whittaker mould of full backs. His tackling from time to time is suspect but he's good at getting forward (doesn't chip in with many goals all the same) and has looked decent for a couple of seasons now. He played reasonably well as usual but alot of the Killie play went down our left hand side. Kinniburgh is just back from an injury after a succesful loan spell at Oxford. If he hadn't been injured towards the end of that loan, he'd likely have gone on loan again after Christmas. From the first u19s double winning team, he's in the same boat as a number of others. I see him as a very capable player but like McMillan, Shinnie and Gallagher, given they're all 20-22 years old now, they're time may have passsed. I could well see Kinni being moved on in the summer with Wylde having appeared in the first team ahead of him already. The two centre halfs are promising. There's been alot of talk about Witkorski in the last wee while as folk become more aware of him. Both him and Chris Scott are doing well in the 19s and, considering they were up against guys like Sammon and Fernandez yesterday, didn't make too many errors at all. The second goal could well have been defended better all the same. They're maybe not "classy" in the Danny Wilson sense of the game but do have more presence. Nothing to suggest they won't progress further as they continue. Both are still available at 19s past this season too. Stirling, for me, is a cracking player. He's got a bit of a swagger about him in the middle of the pitch. Quite slight but will dictate play in games. Not comparing him to Gazza at all but he'll go past players in a similar manner by harldy moving the ball or his body. Again, like Wylde, I can see him being retained while the likes of Shinnie move on. They're maybe not any better as players (give or take) but being a couple of years younger, have that on their side. He showed his usual performance yesterday with a couple of great balls through to Little and small individual pieces of play that light the game up from time to time. Was good to see Bendiksen back. He was struggling with the pace in the initial stages as you'd expect of someone out for the best part of 18 months. Before his injury I was saying he reminded me or Reyna (and having seen more of Davis now, him too) in the sense that he can play on the right or in the middle and does alot of work while contributing with forward runs. I'd be surprised to see him leave without him getting another year of a chance given the problems he's had. Given that we paid �£100k for him too, I'd imagine he's expected to make something of it. He'll need time to get back into it though. Jamie Ness only played the first half before being replaced by Hutton. He's more of a Thomson type player. A left sided defensive midfielder. Big noises were made about him as Wilson and Fleck were also touted for the first team. McCulloch and Edu plus Thomson all being there in that role for the first team may mean he's going to have to wait a bit longer but he's got a great chance based on his career so far. Did have a poorer game yesterday than he can though. Beasley was just his usual self. Got hoofed in the air a good few times from late and poor tackles. Other times he was just bounced off the ball. Did make a great run for his goal though and took it well. I hate hearing folk go on about him being too lightweight. He's got a tonne of caps for America and played in a CL semi with Eindhoven against Milan which they only lost in the last minute? Are folk telling me that being up against Maldini wasn't as challenging as anything the Hamilton left back can do in the SPL? He is light but while the SPL is a rough league, it doesn't mean someone of his stature shouldn't be able to handle it. He's shown on a few occasions he can do it but we need to play to his strentgths and not expect him to be making tackles like John Brown. Some of our fans just can't accept a player who's not a "traditional Ranger" and always want to criticise. I think along with his lacking stature being blamed for his injuries, he's actually had a bad run of it with us. I hope he can show more of what he did at Tannadice earlier in the season. There's signs he can be a player for us but will never be a Laudrup. Little impressed me most of all yesterday. The Reserve Team Loyal have all long been of the opinion that Rory Loy scores more goals, seems to be quicker and shows more skillful turns to beat players than Little does. For what ever reason though, Little's ahead of him in the managements plans. Yesterday he played as well as I've seen from either of the two of them in a while. He was beating mean in the box to create space for a couple of shots and also held the ball up well regularly (getting the assist for the goal in that manner too) He's not a spectacular player in the sense that he won't do what Fleck does at this level from time to time and score a screamer but has attributes which mean, as he's shown, he will be capable in the first team. For me, he was our MOTM yesterday.