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Aberdeen have confirmed that Mark McGhee will remain as manager following lengthy talks over his future. More...

PATIENCE is rarely a virtue when it comes to the Old Firm but Walter Smith believes he's now reaping the rewards of a slow-burner approach with key members of his squad. The Ibrox boss is only too aware that a quick-fix is normally the order of the day at Rangers or Celtic. But after adopting the strategy used by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, Smith feels the long-term approach taken with the signing of guys such as Steven Naismith, Kyle Lafferty, Kirk Broadfoot and Steven Whittaker is now paying dividends. Whittaker has blossomed into a genuine top-class performer after a tentative start to his Ibrox career, Lafferty is finally coming good while Naismith has arguably been the best player in the country during the first four months of the season. And Smith said: "Patience and the Old Firm don't go hand in hand but I felt we had to look longer term because of the position we were in. "In the past, we looked for players who would be instant successes and the pressure was on us to do that. Now we have to look a bit further into the future. "At Man United, for example, they bring in younger players and the older ones in the group handle that situation and help bring them on. "Cristiano Ronaldo scored five or six goals in his first two or three seasons then all of a sudden he was into the 20s, 30s and 40s by his last season. "You have to allow these players time to mature. The same thing has happened with a number of our players although we had a problem with Naismith in that his injury interrupted the process. "With Whittaker, he has met the demands of playing for the Old Firm and it has improved him as a player. "Some players don't handle the constant pressure but the majority of the group we've got have handled it extremely well and revelled in it in many ways." As he geared up for tonight's visit of Hibs, Smith revealed the obstacles players must overcome if they are to meet the unique demands of playing for the Old Firm. He said: "Players in their late teens and early 20s often produce a good performance and then go down a bit. "With Naismith, you could see his level of ability, but he might not be the same in another game. "The main thing players gain here is a consistency of performance and you can see it with Naismith now. "Whittaker and Broadfoot have raised their levels too and young John Fleck is coming in just now. "He has been here for a few years and knows the demands but it takes these players a while to impose themselves on games. John is going to have to start where Naismith started." Colin Calderwood brings his struggling Hibs side to Ibrox on the back of three straight defeats, including a brutal beating in Sunday's derby at home to Hearts. But Smith has warned his players to be wary of a backlash from the Easter Road outfit who roll up in Govan with nothing to lose. Three points pretty much looks a given for the SPL leaders on paper although Smith admits he is still concerned by the damaging effect of his team's gruelling Champions League campaign. The Gers boss feels his side's mental focus has been blunted in recent weeks on the back of tough European assignments. It's a an affliction not just confined to his own team, with Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal and Group C rivals Valencia all losing at the weekend after being on Champions League the previous midweek. Smith said: "It is not always a physical thing. It is a mental thing. Look at Spurs. "How do they go from beating European champions Inter Milan to losing at Bolton? "Mentally, you are not attuning yourself to the game. "We've handled our matches after Champions League fixtures OK but have been slow to start them. "At St Mirren the other day we had 76 per cent possession in the first half but we never had the edge to go any further. I don't think their keeper had a save to make other than punching the ball into his own goal. "You need that extra edge and we got it for the first 25 minutes of the second half. "It's a natural thing to happen and it is difficult to counter. "Man United do it by changing players and they've also got to a situation where they are well used to it. It's normal. "For us, we have to expend a hell of a lot of energy in the Champions League and we need to do it in every game. "Tottenham are in their first year in the contest and they are seeing it as well. It is a problem. Last season, we dropped a fair number of points after European games and it was a bit of a concern. It still is as we have a hell of a run of fixtures right now. "The edge has come off the team in spells. "We scored the first goal against Inverness and then just played within the game. The edge was missing. "But we have a small group and can't really change things round. "We've been a bit flat in several matches. We have Hibs and Aberdeen next. They have both shown us before that they will make it difficult and these two games are dangerous ones." TeamNews Vladimir Weiss is in line to play against Hibs at Ibrox tonight despite struggling with injury. The Slovakian winger has been troubled with severe bruising on his heel but has trained over the last couple of days and will be available for selection. Rangers manager Walter Smith has no fresh injury concerns but long-term crocks Andy Webster, James Beattie and Nikica Jelavic are still sidelined. BETBOX Kenny Miller can't stop scoring in the SPL and has six in four games against his former club (including a hat-trick this season). Back Miller to score two or more at 5-2. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/rangers/2010/11/10/walter-smith-rangers-long-term-policy-of-investing-in-youth-has-paid-off-86908-22705747/

Taken from FF. An excellent gesture.

Thought that was a terrific game, at least the second half anyway. Bolton played some great short passing in the final third and have many decent players. With them 3-0 up they looked in cruise control but Alan Hutton went on one of his 2007-esque runs and scored one of the best goals you'll see a fullback score all season. It was refreshing to hear Andy Gray call it right yet again by saying if Bale had done it everyone would be 'waxing lyrical'. pavlyuchenko then got a phenominal volley and just when spurs thought they were back in it Martin Petrov burst through and scored a decent goal. I've never been much of a Bolton fan and although the Kevin Davies flick on is still a common route to goal, they pass the ball about. Owen Coyle has a good future in the game IMO. Yet another shocking defensive performance from Spurs and this will stop them ever getting anywhere. They are great fun to watch but Redknapp is a very poor tactician IMO. Their victory over Inter was special but you would rarely see an astute tactician losing 4 goals to bolton. I'm not sure if Spurs success is overly down to Harry, it's hard not to pick up points when you have probably the best midfield in the league outside Chelsea and Arsenal, at least in terms of creativity. Then again he signed them, even if he has spent more than some of the best teams in the world over the past 5 seasons. Van Der Vaart is quickly looking like the signing of the century, on his day there's few better. PS - It's frustrating to see a side like Bolton have the likes of Petrov on the bench. We need a random billionaire to take an interest in us

The phrase "stop start" doesn't quite do justice to the ups and downs in the nascent career of John Fleck. Having only turned 19 in August, Fleck seems to have been around the scene at Rangers for ages, having made his first-team debut in a pre-season tour at 15, his league debut at 16, and set a record as the youngest ever player in a Scottish Cup final when he came on for the last five minutes of the 2008 win over Queen of the South, aged just 16 years and 274 days. So much was expected of him that Fleck appeared to be overwhelmed by the hype, which included being nominated as Scotland's Wayne Rooney, only for him to suffer a disappointingly long spell off the boil. It must be mentioned that he had some extra-curricular problems that would have been normal teenage activity - a tantrum here, an illicit pub visit there - except for the fact that he lives in the Old Firm goldfish bowl where all such misdemeanors are exaggerated into grand felonies. In retrospect, was that early introduction to the big time a hindrance rather than a help? The lad himself is uncertain. "I thought it was great being involved," said Fleck, "but maybe it was too early. I'm not so sure myself, but I just did my best and got out of it what I got out of it. I just tried to let (all the hype] go past me, but obviously there was a bit of pressure on my shoulders with everybody expecting me to do probably a lot more than I did. But I just tried to get on with it myself and do the best that I could." Season 2010-11 was supposed to see Fleck put all that behind him and make the impact which his undoubted talents demand, only for the player to injure a hamstring during a pre-season friendly with Clyde. He made his belated return for 45 minutes against Inverness last week and looked fit again. Fleck explained: "It was just a wee tear of my hamstring at the start, but I did it another twice when I came back into training. It was obviously very disappointing because I just wanted to get back as quickly as I could. Maybe that was the wrong thing to do. "After the last time I did it I had a few weeks off, and that's me back fine to full fitness now." He is trying to break into a team that is unbeaten in the league as Rangers prepare to face St Mirren today in the final match of the opening third of the season, and as such he is realistic enough to know an early return is no gimme. "The team's been doing well, so you can't expect to go straight back in," said Fleck. "You just have to take your chance when it comes. "Everybody's fighting for their places just now, you can't complain because they can't get left out with how well they've been doing." That includes the Champions League matches he sorely misse I felt bad for myself, but the boys did great, which is the main thing that matters here. It's not more important than any other season to me, but the more games I get the better it's going to be for me." His manager Walter Smith has mentioned the possibility of a midfield role for the youngster. Fleck said: "I like playing behind the strikers, but I'd play anywhere really to try to get a shot. "I've played centre-mid, on the left and just off the strikers. I feel comfortable in any of the positions. Wherever I'm put in, I'll just do my best. I'm an attacking player, but I have been working on defending. When you've not got the ball, you've got to get back for the rest of the boys and not let them down." Many Rangers fans thought that Fleck being handed the No.10 jersey for the season after signing a three-year deal was a sure sign that he would be a regular first choice player, but it has not worked out that way. "There's a lot of people keep saying that to me, how did I get the No.10 jersey, but it doesn't bother me. I could wear No.50, it's not a problem to me. If anybody else wants the number, they can take it. "It was Nacho Novo, he said to (kit man] Jimmy Bell to give it to me. Obviously I was happy, but any number is good to me." Fleck will be in the squad for today's match at St Mirren Park, and Smith is delighted that the player's career could soon be back on track: "He started the season really well in Australia, but the injury has gone on for two months. I hope this season he will get more playing time and have more influence on games. His attitude has always been good and there is more of a realisation in him now about what he has to do to make the step up from youth football." The prospect of a fit John Fleck back to his best would have the fans drooling at Ibrox, but this time around, everyone concerned about his future for Rangers and Scotland should perhaps resist hyperbolic urges. "Give the boy time" is the message. http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/sport/Interview-John-Fleck-Rangers-player.6615898.jp?articlepage=2

Our squad is threadbare and out of necessity many youth players will likely be required. Which ones do you think should play? Which are good enough? John Fleck has for some time supposedly been the player of the future. He did seem promising but was often moved around positionally and never really found his groove. From what I can see his ideal position seems to be a 'classic no 10' type player off the main striker, or on the left in a deep lying forward role in a 4-3-3. I think he's 19 now and at an age where he really needs to start playing first team football more often. Jordan McMillan was meant to also have a good future, at 22 and seemingly miles off the first team what chance does he have? Is he good enough? It's good to see Hutton and Wylde coming through, who else could make the grade? With the state of our finances and the global economy, kids really are or should be the future. But it's a case of if they'll get a chance and whether they are good enough. In the last 10-15 years there has not been a plethora of talent coming through the Ibrox ranks but things do look a bit better.

I just noticed the 'pure speshul' player who came nowhere near the criteria required for a work permit but got one anyone on appeal because Celtic told them to currently plays in division 2 in Japan. We also got Maurice Edu on similar grounds but that case had merit and he has since proven his worth for club and country. Given a player proven to be a no mark (Mizuno) was judged to be good enough to not require a proper permit, where does that leave clubs wanting foreign imports who don't meet the criteria in the future? The Mizuno fiasca looks even worse when you consider Jason Scotland was not permitted a new permit to play in the SPL at Dundee Utd. Scotland has since scored freely in the English championship and even played a season in the premiership. Incidentally, this cringeworthy quote is worth a read. This other 'pure speshul' sensation Nakamura who rarely played well against us barely got a game for Espanyol and now plays for Yokohama Marinos :spl: Better than Dalglish :confused: . No wonder Gordan Strachan is such an absymal manager with judgement like that

Reagan has an easy answer to his present and future ref problems, caused by the *******s, convince his bosses to revert to the old system, refs decision is final and fuk all these panels and appeals crap, some you win some you lose, that is how the cookie crumbles. One thing is for certain in the days of Walker/Farry, this shit would never have seen the light of day, the *******s wouldn't even have tried it, cracked down on right away.

Now that we seem to be a lot safer financially and have improved drastically on the pitch, we really need to start protecting our star players. In recent years we've appeared very much a selling club and not so long ago every player 'had their price'. Now while that still may be the case (some offers can't be turned down), I think we really need to distance ourselves from that ethos and start to function like other big clubs, telling the media we're not looking to sell anyone. For the first time in a while we don't have a conveyor belt of players going in and out each season and have had much the same team for a while, something Celtic have struggled to do. We need to tie our better players up on longer contracts and can't afford another Boyd or Wilson situation. With the way we've been performing in Europe many of our players will attract interest, particularly McGregor, Bougherra, Miller and Naismith. I want to see us standing up and making it difficult for clubs to sign our players. With the signing of Jelavic we're now looking like a club again that has ambition

VLADIMIR WEISS last night gave Rangers an Old Firm boost by hinting he may stay at Ibrox. The on-loan Slovakian is due to rejoin Roberto Mancini at Manchester City in the summer, but he refuses to rule out a permanent move to Glasgow. He said: "The question of my future is a difficult one. "I have a contract in Manchester until 2013 and I would like to return there, if that is possible. "But I am very happy in Glasgow - Rangers are a club at the highest level with excellent training facilities. "More people know me here and the interest in football is enormous." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3193536/Vladimir-Weiss-hints-at-permanent-move.html#ixzz13AdPX2ZS

Chairman Alastair Johnston admits Rangers are not optimistic about securing a new owner in the near future. More...

David Weir admits he does not know whether Allan McGregor will stick with Rangers in January. More...

As mentioned in another thread, Jan Fabel's article from FF. I think the Nazi Germany analogy damages the credibility of the argument slightly, but a decent read nonetheless. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ââ?¬Â¦for The Rangers, our fans and for Scottish society. This, goes on a bit and can be seen, if you wish as, a bit of a rant but Iââ?¬â?¢m merely trying to see the latest anti-Rangers stitch up and the inaction of those who should be our ââ?¬Ë?friendsââ?¬â?¢, in a wider context. Itââ?¬â?¢s up to you if you want to read the piece or notââ?¬Â¦ BBC Scotland has, on numerous occasions made very high profile and repeated negative reports on the actions of Rangers' supporters, players and the club's officials. The Sports and news departments within BBC Scotland are populated with people who are entirely comfortable with their inbuilt Rangers FC antipathy/positive Celtc FC outlook and are equally insouciant when it comes to making editorial decisions on how to 'spin' particular stories or, indeed, whether to report particular events at all. Only a fool would be unable to fathom the correlation between the 'recruiting policy' within these BBC departments and the highlighting of anti-Rangers stories and the constant supply of pro Celtc pabulum. The most disturbing aspect of the policies of these departments, within a publically owned, tax payer funded service, like the BBC, is the Gobbelsesque demonisation of a particular group within Scottish society. Each day the more aware on this forum point out the bias within BBC Scotland and the wider Scottish media. We are aware because we have become attuned, over time, to the anti Rangers nature of the reporting. The changes in this period have been considerable; there has always been the blatantly inaccurate over the top attacks from people like Archer, Spiers, McNee etc, much worse still is the almost subliminal torrent of anti-Rangers propaganda, the main thrust of which is to make it appear that somehow Rangers fans are ââ?¬Ë?differentââ?¬â?¢ from the rest of Scottish citizenry and therefore seem somehow less able to behave properly in civilised society. In a separate prong of the relentless attack, the achievements of our club on the football field are to be belittled or dirtied with the implication being that any success for The Rangers is achieved only in an underhand way and/or with the collusion of a supposed corrupt proââ?¬â??Rangers football officialdom. This is of course, laughable but this classic Jesuitical line, of trying to silence the screams by accusing the victim of the crimes of his or her tormentor is the line being trotted out by unsavoury, agenda-driven elements within the Scottish media and reinforced by corrupt and bigoted politicians. The most frightening aspect of this agenda is, that it is working; non Rangers football fans, of all colours, can always be relied upon to jump on the ââ?¬Ë?hateââ?¬â?¢ bandwagon. Worse still, from Rangers FCââ?¬â?¢s point of view, are the wider Scottish public, who support no particular football team, in the sense that they do not contribute fiscally or vocally by attending games or buying merchandise and those with no interest in football whatsoever. The danger with this group is that they are being manipulated by the Scottish media to associate all the negative aspects of Scottish society, be they religious, political or social with The Rangers and its fans. As an example, how long did it take the Scottish media, led by BBC Scotland to attribute blame to The Rangers for Scotlandââ?¬â?¢s failure in the Czech Republic? That, of course, is a rhetorical question. Now, as far as the Scottish media is concerned the pretence is over, subtlety is no longer required and all fig leafs rendered unnecessary for a Scottish public ââ?¬Ë?softened up,ââ?¬â?¢ by a continuous stream of overt and covert anti-Rangers propaganda. To return to the Goebbels reference: initially, when the Nazis targeted the Jews as a mass problem for the German state, they had difficulty in persuading the majority of the German public to see the Jewish people as evil. Most Germans knew Jews as individuals, worked with them, socialised with them and many had even fought with them in the trenches in the First World War. Goebbels succeeded in turning the tide of public opinion against the Jews by use of relentless programme of anti-Jewish propaganda, based on distortions through to out and out lies. The Jews were blamed for all of Germanyââ?¬â?¢s ills. A campaign of violence and destruction against the Jews and their property then followed; the Jews were to be 'dehumanised'; treated as animals and the wider German public was encouraged to engage with the lie: after all it is easier to shoot a dog than to shoot a man, especially when those who chose to speak up for the Jews fond themselves subject to the same Sonderbehandlng ["special treatment"] an outrageously obscene euphamism in any language. I know many of you will view the comparison between the fans of our football club and the attempted systematic eradication of an entire ethnic group as ridiculous. But I see many a parallel. In a difficult time for the country, where the old values are continually, derided and abandoned in favour of a promised new, as yet undefined, ââ?¬Ë?Utopiaââ?¬â?¢ that appears to be taking an inordinate time to arrive, it is easier for those in the vanguard of the new wave to select a scapegoat for their failure to deliver the new ââ?¬Ë?visionââ?¬â?¢. The Rangers are seen as a symbol of something to be despised by the Celtc-minded and that is no surprise, as they hate everything about the country that has raised them and given them succour; they bite the hand that feeds them in favour of the view of a foreign country that, in their fuzzy vision, vacillates between some kind of sunny, Rome blessed, agrarian idyll and a land in a perpetual state of turbulent revolution. This ââ?¬Ë?paradiseââ?¬â?¢ is where a mixture of bog standard criminal gangsters, vie with violent, Marxist-Leninist terrorist murders for control. In this world both are lionised just as long as they are killing Protestants. The BBC is merely one of many Scottish institutions that has fallen under the control of what can be usefully termed as: the ââ?¬Ë?Celtc-mindedââ?¬â?¢ but when added to education, the law and politics then the control of the agenda is complete and provides the rest of us with a nightmare vision of our and Scotland's future.

We or rather the english are on the road to ruin........the danger is that they may suck us into their house of cards, with promises of untold riches, which is in truth crippling debt. The warning signs are there for all to see. They will need us.... the Old Firm.... more than we will need them. Manchester City have swept past Manchester United in the pay league for players, the club's annual report revealed. The figures also show details of City's astonishing spending spree on players and salaries which have led to record losses of �£121.3million. Although City's turnover increased by 40% to �£125m this has been swamped by total salary costs of �£133.3m, a �£50m rise on a year ago. That puts City - bankrolled by Abu Dhabi-based owner Sheikh Mansour - ahead of United, whose wage bill is �£123m, and Arsenal (�£110m) and closing in fast on Chelsea (�£142m). City chief executive Garry Cook said the losses "should come as no surprise" but that the club would now scale back on new signings.

Mentioned on elfideldos site. http://rfcyouths.wordpress.com/2010/10/01/youths-win-again/ Was on trial during the summer along with several other youngsters. One for the future.

WALTER SMITH has urged the SPL to follow Fifa's example by scheduling fixtures to assist leading clubs with their Champions League commitments. Rangers return to domestic action with a noon kick-off against Hearts at Tynecastle today, some 62 and a half hours after the dust settled on their 1-0 win over Bursaspor at Ibrox on Wednesday night. It is the first of five successive away fixtures the Scottish champions will play in the SPL immediately after being in Champions League action, with trips to Celtic, St Mirren, Dundee United and Inverness following their remaining Group C games. Having seen a benefit from Fifa's decision to switch international 'double header' qualifying matches to Friday and Tuesday evenings in order to allow players more recovery time ahead of their clubs' next games, Smith believes the SPL should consider offering similar dispensation to those teams representing them in Europe. "I don't want to get into fixture arguments with anyone," said the Rangers manager, "but, setting aside our own situation at the moment, they should have a look at the overall situation in regard to Scottish clubs playing in Europe to see if they could move games back a day. "Valencia, for example, have managed to get their league game at Barcelona moved back a day before they play us in the next Champions League fixture. They seem to be able to do that whether it is televised or not. "For us to play at Aberdeen last Sunday, then in the Champions League on Wednesday and now practically on Saturday morning certainly gives us a test, especially when other Scottish clubs are playing Saturday to Saturday with no midweek games. "You have to ask an awful lot of players to get the same intensity into their game. The same applies with international games when the boys go away for what are normally high-intensity and high-profile matches. Coming back from that is not easy. "From that point of view, it has been a big help having the international games a day earlier. It gives players time to recover for the following weekend with their club. That is recognition that something can be done to help clubs. "I would hope in the future the SPL would do what they can to help any team in Europe. It would help all of the clubs." Smith previously locked horns with the SPL on the issue at the end of the 2007-08 season when Rangers played their final six league matches in a 19-day period prior to the Uefa Cup final. He dismissed the prospect of asking the SPL to make any changes to Rangers' schedule over the coming months. "We asked previously and were knocked back," added Smith. "I don't want to make a big fuss about this as it is done. The fixtures are out and five of our fixtures after Champions League games are away from home. "Circumstances like the ones we face this week are awkward but we just need to get on with it. Our games at Tynecastle are always high tempo and I'm sure this one will be the same. So it's a matter of us making sure we play in the same manner we have done in our last three or four games." Smith's immediate concerns ahead of today's match lie in defence where both Madjid Bougherra and Kirk Broadfoot will be assessed this morning after suffering hip and foot injuries respectively against Bursaspor. Andy Webster returns to the squad as a potential replacement for Bougherra. Nikica Jelavic, ineligible for the Champions League, is one player who will be untroubled by the presently hectic nature of Rangers' fixture list. The Croatian international striker is building what looks like a formidable partnership with Kenny Miller who spoke in glowing terms of his new team-mate yesterday. Miller, who was named Clydesdale Bank/SPL Player of the Month for the second month in a row, said: "As much as we miss Nikica on the European nights, it's good to have him eager and hungry to get back on the pitch when the weekend comes around. "He has settled in really well and got off to a good start. I feel the two of us have a good understanding already. I've been among the goals and he's scored a few already. I think the partnership can get even better. "The type of player he is, he will find the SPL easy to settle into. Goalscoring is his main strength but he is also good technically and holds the ball up really well. "Look at my second goal against Dundee United a couple of weeks ago, when he went through at 3-0 and no-one would have blamed him if he'd tried to score himself. "But he picked the right option, cut the ball back and gave me a tap-in. I don't think Kris Boyd would have cut it back to me in that situation, although he'd probably have scored, to be fair. But it can only help me to play up front with someone like Nikica." http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Walter-Smith-says-SPL-should.6561908.jp?articlepage=2

I have spent the greater part of the past two ââ?¬â?? maybe three days in an attempt to understand thepolitics of the whole RST / FF / RM/ GNF / VB issue. I must admit that throughout my lifetime I have been a distant (geographically) but very enthusiastic supporter, and never in touch with the mainstream supporters groups, although I was instrumental in the formation and early organisation of one such SC in my local area. I have been a member of FF since 2006, joining because I had time on my hands in my camp rooms, and it was the one forum that I knew about ââ?¬â?? and for no other reason. I may just as easily have joined any other forum and enjoyed it as muchââ?¬Â¦.itââ?¬â?¢s just the way I went. My 700 odd messages in that period have mostly been in the last year. I will state that I know personally only one other FF poster, and we have never discussed FF in conversation, so I cannot be regarded as part of any clique, and I have no similar aims to anyone as far as I am aware ââ?¬â?? Iââ?¬â?¢m just me. No-one set me up to this ââ?¬â?? Iââ?¬â?¢m just getting frustrated with the lack of progress the RST are making with their agenda. I wholly support the visions of the RST and have been a member for the past two years, building up a humble monthly sum for the RST to invest on my behalf when the opportunity looks a bit brighter. So, thatââ?¬â?¢s me in a nutshell ââ?¬â?? Iââ?¬â?¢m not brave enough yet to give my name away, and I donââ?¬â?¢t intend writing a book . In the past three days, just to try to get a view from outside of FF I have joined Rangers Media and GersNetForums and have read their threads regarding the subject and yes, at times I do detect a feeling of animosity toward FF and their close relationship with the RST ââ?¬â?? and possibly because of their closer relationship with the RST. In the heat of the day, it was a struggle to reach the end of any thread, the comments were coming in as fast as I could read them, but I persevered in the hope that I would reach some conclusion as to where we, as the Rangers Support could go in the hope that some day, somehow, we can set our differences regarding Football Forums aside and really concentrate on what should be a common issue for all to concentrate on ââ?¬â?? HOW CAN WE BEST ACHIEVE OUR COMMON GOAL OF DELIVERING RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB INTO THE HANDS OF THE REAL ââ?¬Ë?OWNERSââ?¬â?¢ THE SUPPORTERS! I believe that the start has already been made, by the formation of the Rangers Supporters Trust. Before anyone gets upset, I will agree that some work needs to be done to get the RST into a position where it will achieve exactly what it needs, the wholehearted support of the majority of supporters to go forward and to achieve itââ?¬â?¢s already well structured plan of deliverance. So how can we go about this? Firstly, we need to put to bed the present quarrels and bitching. I believe that the RST have answered the recent questions regarding the accounts adequately, (to which the Auditors have agreed) although even they have admitted that bad practices had been allowed to go on. Although not illegal, these have encouraged this recent feeding frenzy to overindulge in claim and counterclaim simply because of slack management of the financial day to day running of the club. It has done nothing for the reputation of the RST, and it must go down as a lesson learned for all future financial dealings, both inward and outward. They must be seen to be absolutely squeaky clean, otherwise they will never earn our trust. Hopefully the recently recruited CA will add the professionalism that is required to well and truly close that door. Next, we need to build bridges between the completely unnecessary divides between the various supporters / internet forum groups. I understand that this will be the most difficult task, but I donââ?¬â?¢t believe that the RST can function from a position of strength whithout a coming together of the mindsets of all of these groups. The present divisions seem to be the restriction that has held the RST back now for too many years, they all know it, but they will just not let go of their own little empires to allow the RST to flourish. Who can do this? In my opinion, there is no other choice, this has to be driven forward by the RST themselves. First they need to break down any barrier which may be seen to deter individuals (or groups) from giving them their support, and by this I mean that the RST should not be seen to favour one group more than the other, i.e. it should not make use of FF any more than it makes use of any other forum. A strong RST should be able to create a forum of its own, and Iââ?¬â?¢m sure that, in a new position of strength, volunteer moderators could be found to support itââ?¬â?¢s running, and it should turn out to be the most used Rangers Forum bar none. That is not to say that the other forums will die, they will be just as necessary as they are now. As a side issue, why do these forum groups not form a forum users group to encourage regular communication in trying to resolve the cross forum sniping, and to set up rules to disencourage members in participating in such activity. Do it ââ?¬â?? you are holding us all back! In my brief encounter in another forum I was astounded by the vicious attack on one FF regular who owned up to being such ââ?¬â?? it was a disgrace coming from not only a fellow supporter, but also several others who decided to jump on the bandwagon. So what next? Once this has been seen to be achieved, under the present committee the RST should relaunch its objectives and invite members and non members to an open meeting to discuss a way forward with a spirit of unity ââ?¬â?? and this point should be stressed. This would need a strong, independent and respected chairperson (would Donald Finlay?) and strict rules to be followed by all in attendanceââ?¬Â¦.the opening of the meeting could be used to insist on a code of conduct so that everyone can understand the limitations of involvement. The RST should plan an agenda to discuss targets that they want to achieve at the meeting, but also allow discussion from the floor, from individuals who may see other avenues of approach and perhaps be able to forward new ideas. Bitching about past issues should be quickly stepped onââ?¬Â¦.future, future, future should be the only topic ââ?¬â?? bar none. The committee structure should be included in discussion, perhaps allowing willing enthusiasts to be co-opted for a certain unity building period, settling back to a more manageable committee number once their troublesome period has well and truly been put to rest ââ?¬â?? say two years. So, in theory, if handled properly this should inject a new sense of enthusiasm into the supporters, a new united RST, still under the stewardship of the old committee, but with the next AGM not too far away to give any potential future committee members the opportunity to shine. They should have more willing helpers wanting to get involved in organising information events throughout the country to build again and again on the stronger foundation than existed previously. Perhaps this is an over simplistic view from someone who does not really understand the politics that goes on in the real world of Rangers Supporters. In my view, it is the logical way to go forward, and I for one am desperate for that to happen before another Mr Ellis appears. Sometimes I wish I lived in or near Glasgow so that I could get involved in things like the RST, I have a lot of energy for things that I love. However I can now reflect on Mr Edgars experiences and be thankful that I live somewhere safe from threats of death or injuryââ?¬Â¦.the Middle East!

Before and after this midweek�s 7-2 destruction of Dunfermline I have been discussing the impact of the domestic cup competitions on our biggest target, league trophies and European football. As a Ranger; fan, player or manager, we demand success in every competition. In every match. We have reasserted domestic superiority, winning 6 of the 9 trophies Smith and his management team have been able to compete for and this season we are chasing three-in-a-row. Our record in the domestic cups has been almost flawless since Walter Smith and Ally McCoist returned home and restored Rangers to our rightful position in Scottish football. Having rejoined a club already knocked out of both domestic cups and trailing in the league, it was not until his first full season (2007/8) back in charge that Smith could compete for silverware. And what a season it was, a European final, two domestic cups and narrowly missing out on the SPL title thanks to a lack of integrity of the league�s governing body and other member clubs. In the following season (2008/9) Nacho Novo secured Scottish Cup number 33 to sit proudly in the trophy room with the SPL title. We were unfortunate to lose out on a domestic treble with an extra time defeat in the league cup final. Earlier this year in March we regained the League Cup trophy continuing our dominance of that competition, once again completing a league and cup double last season. Our defence of the Scottish Cup was unsuccessful, losing out to Dundee United after a quarter final replay; leading on to the inspiration for this piece. Under the guidance of Smith, or McCoist (it is not entirely clear who has been in charge throughout these competitions), we have 2 Scottish Cups, 2 League Cups lost one league cup final and one Scottish Cup quarter final replay. But that is only half the story. In that phenomenal 07/08 season we contested a mammoth 68 competitive games, including a 5th round Scottish Cup replay against Hibs, a Quarter Final replay against Partick and a Semi Final eventually won on penalties after extra-time against St. Johnstone. The League Cup was also only won against Dundee United following penalties. In what could have been an unrivalled season we quite rightly cast accusations against the SPL and its member clubs for the way in which were hamstrung in our attempt to win a European trophy and regain some pride and recognition for our national football. We must, though, also accept that taking our eye off the ball in the Cups and often against lower league opposition did not help our own cause. It has been a worrying trend in Walter�s second tenure. The following season, 2008/9, we required extra time and a fantastic Pedro Mendes� strike to finally see off Partick Thistle at Firhill. Once more stuttering against lower league opposition, if not quite as apathetic as the season past. A worrying lack of concentration and adherence to the task at hand continued last season. Hamilton Accies took us to a replay at Ibrox in the 4th round of the Scottish Cup. Again in the 5th round we edged out St Mirren in a replay with a solitary Boyd strike in the 86th minute. Perhaps it is an inability to take the Cup seriously that finally caught with the players as Dundee united knocked us out at the quarter final stage, despite having led 3-1 in the original tie. Costing us a shot at a treble for the second time in consecutive seasons. League Cup success was achieved more straightforwardly and of course with just 9 men as a fine Kenny Miller strike returned the trophy home to Ibrox. So, in spite of our current dominance of the domestic scene, I was sweating over whether or not to include Rangers in a midweek coupon. Could we be trusted to dispose of lower league opposition in the regulation time limit? Would we need a replay? Penalties? Would we succumb to shock defeat? Recent seasons have taught me not to dismiss lower league opposition, not least the Pars (who defeated Rangers in Durrant�s only game in charge and are a match for much of the SPL). Nine goals later and you make think "what are you worried about"? Was Tuesday�s game a sign that we are no longer treating this competition lightly? Our team selection might suggest otherwise. Smith has been loath to throw many youngsters into these so called lesser competitions or to juggle his selections too much. Often the meat of the SPL and Champions League team has contested the cup competitions too. As has been the case these past few seasons, we have been told to expect more squad rotation and more reliance on youths. It has, however, not always been forthcoming. It was, therefore, a pleasant surprise to see the likes of Kyle Hutton shine in midfield, many fans man of the match. Andy Little played from the start at right back and young Greg Wylde got a late run out. Fringe men such as Kyle Lafferty, probably not part of our strongest first XI, staked a huge claim with a hat trick. So what was the difference this midweek? A more professional approach from players and management alike? Walter Smith taking over control of first team affairs once more and no longer delegating to McCoist? A more sensible approach to squad rotation? Plain old lady luck? Perhaps only a sustained run in both the League and Scottish Cup will tell us more; however I will be keen to see us continue to dismiss lower league opposition without the embarrassment of routine replays, extra time and penalties. As stated at the outset, we have a more then enviable record in the past 3 seasons. Indeed it is success akin to our NIAR dominance of Scottish football. So once again, you may be asking why the fuss? However, as alluded to earlier, all these additional games, the energy sapping extra-time midweek in between testing SPL fixtures, can prove detrimental to our league title challenge and quest to ensure CL football in successive seasons. League trophies are critical to our future. To ensure we continue to reign as top dogs in Scotland, to maintain our reputation and to grant us entry into the Champions League providing us with the prestige of competing against Europe�s elite and the financial bounty it provides. If we want to avoid the fixture pile up of 07/08, contributed to in part by our inability to see of inferior, lower league opposition at the first attempt then we must continue with the attitude and team selection that served us so well against Dunfermline. We must make the fullest use of our squad, admittedly made difficult by the lack of experienced numbers and blood the impressive youngsters we have desperate to make the breakthrough at Ibrox.

Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty is hoping he is now in a position to let his football do the talking. More...

Sasa Papac has revealed he would be more than happy to remain at Rangers for the rest of his career. More...

When Fergie speaks, we listen, especially on the goggle-box where he still refuses to talk to the BBC. Thus, the quick couple of minutes Sky's Geoff Shreeves manages to grab with him, pre-match, take on an almost Frost/Nixon aspect. On Tuesday we were pre another Champions League. "Wonderful, marvellous, the greatest competition in the world," purred Fergie. He was talking up the first group match in front of the sponsors' board but we savoured his words as if he'd unlocked the secret of life's inner meaning. Then he signed off with his customary "Well done" to his grand inquisitor, strolled to the dugout, a wave here and an autograph there, and settled down to watch ... Well, what was that? Man U reserves plus England's fallen idol and Scotland's captain versus the anti-football specialists? The future of the greatest club side in the world versus our doughty representatives, defending as if their lives depended on it and turning row Z-ing into an art form? Hmm. It certainly wasn't the Battle of Britain, as billed. It definitely wasn't one of those "big European nights" that Sir Alex Ferguson so cherishes. It was all that was wrong with the Champions League. A tournament that rarely lives up to the hype. A contest that doesn't get serious, or even interesting, until March. A goose that was laying golden eggs just fine until UEFA, in their foolishness and greed, decided to stretch its neck. But it's easy to blame the organisers. What of Tuesday's participants? Man U will argue they at least tried to attack, to score goals and to win - that Rangers didn't really have designs on these things. Afterwards Walter Smith offered up an eloquent defence of his hard-up club's tactics, pointing out that, as with England's Premiership, only the super-rich few can win the Champions League. So Rangers have to park the bus. What a quaint phrase. Who coined it? Noel Coward, I think, when he was summarising an Anderlecht-Panathinaikos group match a couple of years ago. Another phrase popular among the likes of Coward and Alan McInally is: "Such-and-such set out their stall." When we first heard that one - perhaps back when Smith would argue the Champions League was more of a level playing-field - we were in no doubt that it involved a statement of defensive intent, but the statement bit was key: as if the team were handing out pamphlets warning of 90 minutes of pinch-faced parsimony from a basic wooden shack - the aforementioned stall. Now, when their frustrated opponents talk of a stall being set out - and both Fergie and Rio Ferdinand used the phrase on Tuesday - we imagine the structure having been dragged into the centre circle to stand next to the bus, with a "Back in 90 mins" sign in the window. This was how Rangers played the game at Old Trafford. Actually, there was more. There was a stall and a bus. By AIDAN SMITH http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/football/Aidan-Smith-Rangers-didn39t-just.6539053.jp I feel your PAIN

Was just having a look on Bert Kassie's website. Our co-efficient points gained for the 05/06 season are due to come off of our ranking. We collected just over 12 points that season and would want to achieve around the same this season to hopefully maintain our ranking and ensure we are seeded for future tournaments and should we qualify continue to enjoy at least 3rd seed status in the CL. Thanks to bonus points and the draw with Man U we already have just over 5 co-efficient points. For this season we were the 31st ranked club in Europe. For 2011 we would currently also be ranked 31st but of course there are many points to play for. We all also know how important the countries co-efficient is for qualification of our clubs to European competition and will hope to accrue more poitns from that point of view.

Andy Webster is determined to overcome his latest injury setback and finally make a name for himself at Rangers. More...

I was in two minds whether to post this in Rangers Chat or Football Chat. Seeing as they're both ex Rangers men, I opted for Rangers Chat. Admin, feel free to move it if you have any issues. Anyway, this article is from The Daily Record. I meant to post it the other day after the Scotland game in midweek but clean forgot.

So, its that time of the year again, who will stay and who will go? We've just had the end of the season and before pre-season we'll shortly be entering the silly season. The Sun has us interested in Tommy Smith, the Portsmouth striker. He only scored one in 16 last season, but was a promising under 21 player, albeit that was 10 years ago now. Apparently we're haggling over their valuation, but given the money troubles at both clubs you have to wonder if we're offering to pay them in bottles of ginger while they're holding out for a supply of Tunnocks tea cakes based on future performances. Its all gone quiet on the Lee Miller front and somewhat predictably, the usual papers are fawning over Celtic's (to be confirmed) management team and all their top signings. If this focus continues, I think it could work in our favour, with Walter and Ally quietly going about their business as usual. Maybe a few rules to keep the thread on track? I can't wield the ban-hammer myself, but I'm sure Frankie will give this his full support. Feel free to add to them First mention of Eillis = ban. First mention of Alan Smith, Tonel, Hreidarsson, Robbie Fowler or David Healy = ban. First person to suggest we don't need any new strikers because we have Lafferty gets a free bus ticket to the loony bin. Genuine transfer Latest Players IN: None Players OUT: Nacho Novo (Real Sporting de Gij�³n) Steven Smith (Norwich City) Out of contract: David Weir Kris Boyd Kirk Broadfoot DaMarcus Beasley