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I have seen a couple of Old Firm games at Hampden and several at Ibrox, but until Tuesday evening I had never been to one at Parkhead. The day did not start well, computer problems wasted an hour, and then my travelling companion Geoff thought I had said a 1.30pm meet and not 1.00pm as agreed. Anyway the tosser turned up at 1.40pm. The day could only get better. We shot up and were checked into the hotel by 4.15. Thinking that we were probably not going to eat until after the game, Geoff had eaten for most of the journey. It was then decided we were going for a meal pre match and obviously a couple of beers to wash it down. On the way to meet Scott and Stan for a very good Italian, we popped into Buchannan Galleries. There is an excellent stand in there that does 'Legends' tee shirts. He got the 'Davie Cooper' one and I plumped for the 'Simply the Best' Baxter, Laudrop and Cooper one. As is usual when with the boys everything seems to be last minute. Having travelled a couple of hundred miles, the game is the be all and end all for me, but at 6.45 we are still polishing off sweet in central Glasgow. A very swift walk to the car park at St.Enochâ��s followed and then some 'Lewis Hamilton' type driving got us near to the ground. Well when I say near, we parked in some estate about a mile or so away from the stadium. I have never been to any league game and seen so many coaches for the away side, made all the more incredible by the fact that the game was in the same city as the home team. It was obvious that for security reasons the fans approach the ground from their own sides. But even on a night game it was amazing to see where the coaches had come from. One was from Devon, a journey that I have been complaining that I have to make this Sunday. These guys probably make it every game. For once we got to the ground before the Leven boys. Good to keep them waiting, mind you they would not have been stuck with out tickets, as Rangers fans were walking round without the priceless piece of paper. Bucket gave me stick for having a go at him in the article 'Champions Again'. Once again Scott had done the business and for �£38 I had the ticket for the 'party'. During my many years I have seen hundreds, indeed probably thousands, of games and I have refereed virtually every big derby game in England. As I said earlier I have experienced the OF atmosphere, but never have I witnessed anything like this night as 7,000 Bears had the party to end all parties. The result in Celticâ��s Cup Final could have been better, but nothing was going to spoil the occasion. The fans conducted non-stop singing from before the game until long after the final whistle. Song after song was sang with gusto and the terracing literally did bounce. The early in jury to 'Shagger' I am sure affected the outcome of the game. Alexander appeared nervous and both goals could have been avoided. Mind you after the Alamo, had Rangers got off at half-time level it would have been a result. The second half was much better and Rangers were very unfortunate not to get a point. In fairness the ref did not do too badly, keeping the lid on a game that teetered on the edge throughout. Tackles were flying in and the inevitable sending off came much later than I had earlier anticipated. Lee McCulloch was unwise to launch himself into a challenge having already been booked, but McGeady did not help matters by deliberately going to ground without any contact having been made. I hope that he is proud of himself! Boruc, having incurred the usual stick from the travelling fans, bit big time. He appeared to spit on the ground at the Rangers fans as he was substituted and then perhaps lived up to his description as he fondled himself after the match. Pity he went off actually as he would probably not have got to the deflected shot that the sub keeper made an excellent save from. So Lennon got his victory and I, like most Rangers fans, would be happy to see him get the job. He provides an excellent 'hate' figure and also it would mean that he does not join 'Chesney' as a coach at Boro. I donâ��t think I have ever left a ground having watched my side get beaten in such a relaxed manner. Okay the result was important from a pride point of view, but I had witnessed a party, celebrating number 53 and two in a row. Next season I am sure that there will be more at stake on the outcome of the games and I am sure that Rangers fans will help create a similar atmosphere. Well thatâ��s it for this season. I am up in Glasgow on Sunday night for the Scottish Football Writers Dinner as a guest of my horse racing buddie Fraser, but canâ��t drive the 476 miles from Bideford Football club in time for the lunchtime kick off at Ibrox. Perth races in a few weeks time promises to be a good weekend especially as a night out with the Leven boys is included in the trip. No doubt this article will provoke the usual responses from cowardly, fictitious emails from 'IRA', 'Gerry Adams' and 'Billy King', but FUCK them all. Freedom of speech, thatâ��s what our brave soldiers gave their lives for. Sincere thanks to Scott and the boys from Buckhaven and Methil Rangers Supporters Club, not only for getting me tickets but for their friendship and loyalty. I have enjoyed speaking at numerous dinners and events and look forward to many more in the future. http://www.jeffwinterentertainmentandmedia.co.uk/rangers/0910006.php

Andrew Ellis must buy Rangers before talking about who is staying, insists boss Walter Smith May 7 2010 RANGERS boss Walter Smith has urged potential new owner Andrew Ellis to put his money where his mouth is and buy the club before making plans for the future. The London-based property developer was this week quoted as saying he hopes to move significantly closer to a takeover of the Scottish champions before the end of the month. He also revealed plans to offer Smith - who has been working without a contract since January - a new deal and current owner Sir David Murray the role of lifetime president. But Smith said: "You get frustrated when things like that happen because the individual part, whether someone wants to offer me a three-year contract or not, it doesn't really matter. "The most important thing is the football club. I stress that to you, that is the most important thing in our mind. "Myself, Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall, we are supporters and we are fortunate enough to be able to work at a club we love working at. "For anybody who is thinking about buying the club to make public that they are going to offer us three-year contacts without speaking to us is not right. "Buy the club first. If that's what they want to do, then do it. It's quite simple. "You don't have to use my name or anybody else's to do that. Rangers Football Club should stand on its own and, if he wants to buy it, then make an offer for it. "He's had plenty of time to make an offer so it's down to him." Smith will hold talks with chairman Alastair Johnston when he flies into Glasgow from his United States base this weekend. "I'll meet Alastair when he comes over," said the Rangers boss. "We've got a fair number of things that we need to chat about so we will do that. I've said this quite consistently that we have to get this clarity, regardless of what it is. "The main thing is just to try to get a situation where the club is sorted out and given a bit of direction, regardless of what that is, whether we carry on under the bank's rule, or new owners, supporter buy-outs or anything like that. "As long as there is clarity from everybody's point of view, it's a necessary thing to have. "I don't think you are going to have a situation where the chairman appears, has a couple of meetings, and then everything is clarified. It's not going to be quite as simple as that. "But the close-season is an important time for the footballing side of things so hopefully the sooner things get settled down the better." Smith knows fans are keen to learn whether he will still be at the Ibrox helm next term after leading Rangers to back-to-back Clydesdale Bank Premier League titles. But he stressed: "My situation is probably the least important. The club's situation has to be sorted more than any individual's. "Whether I'm in the Rangers dug-out at the start of next season or not is really not the most important thing. That's just the way it is. "I'll repeat, the most important thing is, in the next few weeks, that everybody starts to show a stability in where the club is and where it's going to go for next season. "Never mind the position of any individual - a manager or a player or anybody else - the club's situation is the most important thing. Once the club's situation is sorted out, everything else can follow in line with that. "Since January, everybody seems to be preoccupied by the fact that we are without contracts but we still get paid, there is no problem for myself, Ally McCoist, Kenny McDowall, there is still no problem for us working without a contract. "It's the club's overall situation that is the most important thing. "If the club gets a new owner and he wants me to stay on, he will indicate that. If he wants us to leave, then we will leave. "There is not a problem with that situation but it would be wrong of us to mislead people and say we are going to do one thing or another and then find out that we are not."

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

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

Johnston hails title win as he jets in for talks More...

How do you see our future in particular and that of Scottish football in general, is there hope of greater or better things to come, or are we consigned for the foreseeable future to life in the backwaters. I doubt we or the game here in general can expect any encouragement from the powers that be ....SFA or European bodies, to hear 'enry spoutin about �£500 million to put our situation Scottish fitba that is onto some sort of equilibrium, is to me somewhat embarrassing, are the same people who brought us to this position going to be entrusted with repairing the damage they are still causing. I think the major Euro teams will eventually break free in a sort of Euro Premier League situation, but will we get an invite ? The trouble with our game is that everything takes so long to implement, that wouldn't be tolerated in any other business where money and future are at stake. It is way beyond time for Scottish football to be run by one body, to many blazer wearing freeloaders, who do nothing for the game except take out of it, and time for two leagues of twenty or there abouts.

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

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

Official attendance for the Motherwell game given at just over 21,000 in this article. Did they not give it as 27,500? The attendance today given on the BBC website is 29,650. Under half again.

By Terry Murden RANGERS owner Sir David Murray says he is hopeful that a new owner will take over at Ibrox by the start of next season. The former Ibrox chairman, who has been in talks with London-based property tycoon Andrew Ellis, told The Scotsman: "The sooner a deal is concluded the best it will be for all." Murray, whose group of companies own 92 per cent of Rangers, said the proceeds from a sale would be used to pay off the club's debt which is understood to have fallen from �£31.1 million to about �£25m. "A buyer would pay a figure to buy a debt-free club," he said, adding that "Rangers are in a much-improved position". Rangers made an operating loss of �£11.74m last year after the team crashed out of the Champions League in 2008 by losing a qualifying match to Lithuanian side Kaunas, denying the club a minimum �£10m windfall from the group stages of the competition. But management have turned round their operations so that debt will be reduced and the club will be able to make a profit this year and probably next. Murray unveiled a financial restructuring of his Murray International Holdings empire yesterday but said it would not involve Rangers, which will remain separate from the group. In accounts for the 18-month period to last June he said he remained "completely committed to finding an appropriate investor to secure the future development and stewardship of the club". Ellis is the only interested party who has been confirmed as in talks with Rangers, through a Stock Exchange announcement. There have been other hints of interest, mainly through the media, from businessman Douglas Park, South Africa-based Rangers director Dave King, and an underwritten Supporters Trust buy-out, but Ellis remains the main player. Earlier this week it was revealed that Rangers are subject of an on-going HM Revenue and Customs inquiry into the club's tax affairs. Commenting on the investigation, Murray said he had received legal advice that the club would put up a defence against claims that it used offshore accounts to pay its players. "We have a strong case according to our lawyers and will robustly defend it," said the 58-year-old. He said the tax arrangements had been in the club's accounts for many years. http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/David-Murray-eyes-Rangers-sale.6264080.jp

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

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

Rangers in crisis ââ?¬â?? Douglas Park has spoken to director Dave King, but admits takeover is ââ?¬Ë?impossibleââ?¬â?¢ because of tax investigation For sale ââ?¬â?? but whoââ?¬â?¢s buying? Darrell King Share 0 comments 28 Apr 2010 Douglas Park, the businessman who has interests in several car *franchises and a coach company, last night confirmed he has spoken with Dave King, the South Africa-based *millionaire Rangers director who remains interested in taking over the club. Park told The Herald there was a ââ?¬Å?real willingnessââ?¬Â from several individuals who want to help the Ibrox club out of their financial plight. However, with the revelation that an HM Revenue and Customs investi*gation is ongoing into payments Rangers made into playersââ?¬â?¢ offshore trusts over the past decade, Park conceded there would have to be certain conditions agreed with Rangersââ?¬â?¢ owners, Murray Inter*national, and the clubââ?¬â?¢s bankers, Lloyds, before any deal could be done. The SPL championsââ?¬â?¢ debts are still hovering around the Ã?£30m mark, and the HMRC investigation could lead to a tax bill ââ?¬â?? the exact amount yet unknown ââ?¬â?? having to be met if the club is found to have a case to answer. When asked if he had held discussions with King over a potential buy-out, Park would only say: ââ?¬Å?I have had meetings with Dave King since January, but the contents of our discussions are private. There are people out there with a real willingness to put millions of pounds of their own money into the club to try to address the current situation and return the club to stability. However, unless certain conditions are met, it would be impossible for anything to proceed. ââ?¬Å?At the moment, the bank are in total control of the situation as the season-ticket money, and any Champions League money, comes in.ââ?¬Â Rangers are anxious to discover as soon as possible the bankââ?¬â?¢s plans for the biggest revenue stream into the club, season-ticket monies that annually amount to between Ã?£18m and Ã?£20m, with sources telling The Herald there are fears this money will be used to attack the overall debt as the wait for a new owner goes on. Last night, Rangers were guaranteed automatic entry to the Cham*pions League group stages next season after Bayern Munich overcame Lyon 0-4 on aggregate in France. The German side, along with Barcelona and Inter Milan, who contest the second semi-final tonight, are all guaranteed to play in the 2010/11 group phase courtesy of their domestic league positions and, therefore, an automatic position has been freed up for the champions of Scotland. There are people out there with a real willingness to put millions of pounds of their own money into the club to try to address the current situation and return the club to stability. However, unless certain conditions are met, it would be impossible for anything to proceed. Douglas Park This will generate revenue of around Ã?£15m for Rangers and, again, answers are being sought from the bank as to what will happen to that money, and how much will be put into the business plan for the season ahead. Rangers issued a statement last night denying that Champions League income ââ?¬Å?had already been ring-fenced by the bank to reduce the clubââ?¬â?¢s debtââ?¬Â. However, when our sister paper the Evening Times broke the story yesterday, their suggestion was that senior sources at the club feared the Champions League and season ticket money would be used to address debts, not that it had already been agreed. The statement added: ââ?¬Å?Discussions with the bank in relation to the business plan will take place in the coming weeks. The club would also like to reiterate once again that at no time has director Dave King made an offer for the purchase of Rangers.ââ?¬Â Manager Walter Smith has expressed fears since last October over the future of the club, but he will say nothing else on the financial situation, or his own contractual situation, until being informed by the board of what the business plan is. Smith is almost certainly unwilling to commit to another season at the helm if the club is going to continue downsizing. At the moment, with six players out of contract, *Rangers are scheduled to return for pre-*season training in July with a squad of 14 first-team players plus two goalkeepers. Of that number, three are young players in Danny Wilson, John Fleck and Andrew Little, while another is Andrius Velicka who is unlikely to be match-fit for the start of the season after nine months on the sidelines with a knee injury. They could be open to predators in the transfer market for players such as Madjid Bougherra, Steven Davis and Allan McGregor, with no guarantees that any money from sales will be allowed to fund replacements. There has been no scouting network in place because of the financial cutbacks over the past six months; while the pre-season tour planned for America, including a money-spinning Old Firm match against Celtic scheduled for Boston on July 21, *cannot be confirmed until a management team is in place for next season.

First of all, congratulations on helping deliver a 53rd title to our club. To do so - albeit aided by an impressive manager, committed players and loyal support - amongst difficult financial circumstances is worthy of praise; no matter the problems of the past. I'm also delighted to see a more robust defence of our club on a range of recent issues - long before time. However, the hard work is just started and laurel resting is not the order of the day! If we're to build on this season's title success and improve further I sincerely hope work is ongoing in that respect. Please forgive the empirical analysis below but every fan will expect action as we renew our season tickets before next week's deadline. First of all - the manager must be secured on a new contract immediately - with the promise that our out-of-contract players will be offered genuine deals in line with their value to the club. With the CL Group Stage income secured for next season, there is no excuse and no reason why this cannot be done. It may prove difficult to persuade one or two to stay but if they are unaffordable or we can't promise them regular first team football, say so now and act quickly to replace them. There are more than enough players available elsewhere who are out of contract and who will be affordable and persuaded to sign for a club again competing at the highest level. Similarly, if further finance is required to improve the team and if key players don't want to be part of our future - sell them now and organise their replacements effectively. Madjid Bougherra has been a fine player in his time here but this season has shown he is not indispensable. His intentions must be known by now - waiting until August to move him (and/or others in the same position) on and fund his replacement is risky. The quicker we turnover the squad, the quicker they gel and the less chance of problems. Ask Tony Mowbray. As well as these essential operations with regard to our on-the-field activities, the ongoing ownership saga and bank involvement is one that worries many fans. Despite your comments at December's AGM and quotes on similar issues since, doubt and cynicism remains. What is the financial agreement with the bank? How difficult is our relationship with MIH? Who are the preferred bidders and what do you think of their plans? Be honest with us and you'll find our loyalty will not waver but increase. To that end, fan/club relations must improve. We love the club and you thank us for our commitment. If that praise is genuine, bring us into the fold, use our opinions wisely and foster the skills we can bring to the table. The Rangers family is a vital component of the challenges ahead - instead of estrangement, let's get together more and bring back the kind of trust and respect that will make our relationship more fruitful than ever. Obviously, no-one is suggesting the above is simple and can be done over a couple of weeks. However, the issues mentioned have been clear for a number of months now and the same concerns remain. In that respect, we shouldn't be hoping you're acting competently on our behalf but expecting it. Therefore, in the same way we want to see any potential owner outline their plans for the club, it is also time for you to apply yours and show our investment for next season will not be a wasteful one. Can you deliver?

The roars of the championship celebration may still echo in the ears of Walter Smith and his team, but the Rangers manager knows that something substantial has to be put into action at the club. And that must happen now, if not sooner. Smith is aware the planning for next season must start immediately. The football world continues to spin, but Rangers remain directionless. In the global world of football plc, if a side is not going forward, then it is going backwards. Standing still is not an option. The Rangers manager has serious concerns in the short-term. This morning, in a normal world without a Ã?£30m-plus debt, he would be sipping an Anadin-laced refreshment while planning to secure the future of players whose contracts are running down and assessing the possibilities of signing recruits. Instead, Smith has to stare at indecision. He craves movement. ââ?¬Å?For us, the financial situation is well-documented. If anybody wants to look at the business columns, youââ?¬â?¢ll see exactly what it is,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?But we have to handle the problems that weââ?¬â?¢re left with because of that situation. We can only handle that for so long. I would feel, right at the present moment, that the ââ?¬Ë?so longââ?¬â?¢ period is up. Unless something happens, then you canââ?¬â?¢t keep asking this same group to come back and play week-in, week-out.ââ?¬Â Smith then mounted an appeal for clarity and a speedy resolution to the present situation where a clear budget has not been drawn up for the manager. ââ?¬Å?If itââ?¬â?¢s going to be the bankââ?¬â?¢s plan, if itââ?¬â?¢s going to be a new owner, if there is something else that comes along ââ?¬â?? a supportersââ?¬â?¢ buy-out or whatever ââ?¬â?? we donââ?¬â?¢t need it in a monthââ?¬â?¢s time,ââ?¬Â he said, stressing the immediacy of the crisis confronting him. ââ?¬Å?I can only have an opinion on how long it can be allowed to drift. And Iââ?¬â?¢m saying to you that, if something doesnââ?¬â?¢t happen shortly to let us know exactly where everybody stands at the club, then weââ?¬â?¢ve got a major problem.ââ?¬Â That problem may be exacerbated by the departure of the manager. ââ?¬Å?That leaves me with a decision. Iââ?¬â?¢ll need to say them: ââ?¬Ë?If nothing is going to change in the short-term, what is happening?ââ?¬â?¢ ââ?¬Â He was acerbic, too, about Rangersââ?¬â?¢ almost certain qualification for the group stages of the Champions League. If Bayern Munich knock out Olympique Lyonnais tonight in the semi-final of the competition, then the Ibrox side can start counting Ã?£10m of income. Smith said of the bankers: ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢m the manager. I can only point it out from the playing side of things. From the other side of things, theyââ?¬â?¢re elated arenââ?¬â?¢t they? Because thatââ?¬â?¢s them, theyââ?¬â?¢ve got an opportunity of the Champions League money again, theyââ?¬â?¢re rubbing their hands.ââ?¬Â Indeed, he had an unusual take on where Rangers could be if successive championships had not been won. ââ?¬Å?The club would maybe have been sold. There you are,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?Why? Because theyââ?¬â?¢re sitting back looking at two lots of Champions League money, arenââ?¬â?¢t they? Thatââ?¬â?¢s Ã?£24m, dead easy from their point of view. We have been disadvantaging anybody buying the club by winning. Thatââ?¬â?¢s what weââ?¬â?¢re doing.ââ?¬Â His contact with the people making the financial decisions is minimal. ââ?¬Å?You keep asking me the questions and I donââ?¬â?¢t know anything about it. They just tell me what they want to tell me, which is very little,ââ?¬Â he said. The impact on the playing side of the club, though, is substantial. ââ?¬Å?There has to be a situation, for the sake of the football side ââ?¬â?? never me or my position ââ?¬â?? that clarifies exactly where the club is going. If we donââ?¬â?¢t get that, then the club will suffer. Never mind me, never mind anybody else, the club will suffer,ââ?¬Â he said. What chance would there be of a third successive title? ââ?¬Å?I said quite clearly that the team will suffer,ââ?¬Â said Smith briskly. And the Champions League? ââ?¬Å?The thing about the Champions League is, if we donââ?¬â?¢t strengthen and donââ?¬â?¢t get any extra players in, weââ?¬â?¢re basically going in for the money. Thatââ?¬â?¢s how it is. Weââ?¬â?¢re not going to win it anyway. It would be a folly to consider that. ââ?¬Å?But the year that we had the big European games, challenged for the championship, won a couple of cups and got to the final of the UEFA Cup, we had 26 players on the staff. Weââ?¬â?¢re now down to roughly 16, taking away the younger ones. Iââ?¬â?¢m talking about boys with reasonable experience. Weââ?¬â?¢re down to 16, six of whom are out of contract. You start to see the problems that can occur.ââ?¬Â The only way out of that situation is for a budget to be drawn up now so Smith can make his dispositions. However, that is contingent on stability at the club. There are already growing whispers that Rangers could be the subject of a sustained, serious bidding process this week, possibly after their Champions League fate is ascertained. Smith would then almost certainly remain with the club with the proviso that his coaching staff remained untouched and his budget for players was realistic. But he is tiring of the situation. He said: ââ?¬Å?It was 18 months ago now that everybody was put up for sale. And for six months before that, we had the situation boiling away in the background. So weââ?¬â?¢ve had to deal with it for a couple of years now. But weââ?¬â?¢ve had a really good group of players, thatââ?¬â?¢s the one thing. They are great lads, terrific boys to work with.ââ?¬Â He said ââ?¬Å?the brightness and edgeââ?¬Â had been rubbed off the players by the rigours of the season. ââ?¬Å?I donââ?¬â?¢t think people appreciate just how much it takes out of a player in an Old Firm team, to go and win every week,ââ?¬Â he said. The campaign has taken its toll on Smith, too. It is not just time that is running out but his patience, too. He is standing on the front line with no sign of reinforcements and with at least two leading players ââ?¬â?? in Kris Boyd and Madjid Bougherra ââ?¬â?? likely to leave the ranks. The joy and justifiable satisfaction accrued by consecutive title victories will endure for some time. It has to be bolstered by substantial team-building. Rangers badly need a battle plan. The club is still fighting for its future. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/walter-smith-warns-that-planning-for-next-season-must-be-taken-immediately-at-rangers-1.1023298

Considering Davie Weir was originally brought in to cover us at the back for 6 months and he's now been at the club for 3 and a half years is a massive achievement. And in that time, has argueably been our most consistent performer. Regardless of whether he gets a new contract, and i personally hope he does for Wilsons benefit, he has always carried himself in a dignified manner and I think he has shown several signs that he'd make a very good coach. I reckon he'll be a future Rangers manager, we could do worse than to stick him in with Ally as number 2 if McCoist gets the nod for manager Thoughts . . .

SIR Alex Ferguson believes the capture of this season's SPL title has confirmed Walter Smith as a Scottish managerial great. The Manchester United legend took time to break from his own nerveshredding championship chase to hail the stunning achievements of the Ibrox gaffer. Ferguson, who had Smith as his assistant at Old Trafford, is involved in a frenetic flag fight with Chelsea as his team chase glory. However, the United supremo and godfather of management has hailed Smith after the Rangers boss extended his remarkable run of success. The Light Blues manager added another championship crown to his CV after seeing his side defeat Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday. Given the financial hardships and constraints he has had to work under, the success ranks as one of the Ibrox manager's most memorable. Ferguson believes Smith's quality is evident for all to see and feels the Ibrox gaffer should now be judged as one of the country's best managers for his work. Sir Alex told Record Sport: "First of all, you need to have ability and endurance to last such a long time as a manager. "Even more so given the fact that he has had to manage Rangers with the unbelievable expectation and with pressures on him all the time. "These are things that Walter has always had. "He has ability, has always been a great coach and, when he reverted to management, he proved the step up was at the right time in his career. "Walter has gone on to prove himself as one of the best managers in Scottish history. "The number of trophies he has got, which I think is now 19, tells you that." Ironically, Smith is at a decision time in his career at the same moment as speculation surrounds Sir Alex's future at United. Ferguson has yet to commit on how long he will stay in the Old Trafford job, while Smith is also undecided as to whether to extend his period at Ibrox as the club gets set for a massive upheaval. The Rangers gaffer will take a final decision at the end of the season or in the summer, but Ferguson says Smith has always enjoyed a love of the game which could play a part in swaying the decision. Sir Alex added: "The most important thing is that Walter has always kept his feet on the ground. "He has always had a great love of the game and never lost that. "These are the qualities that you need to be successful." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2010/04/27/man-utd-boss-sir-alex-ferguson-hails-walter-smith-86908-22215090/

Rangers boss Walter Smith believes his ninth SPL title was hard work, but he would not be drawn on his future. More...

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2942662/Gers-want-Jim-he-wants-Scotland.html Not fishing...

Last week the club sent out the season ticket renewal letters for season 2010/2011 - both by traditional post and by email. With a 53rd SPL title within reach and prices frozen for next year, surely everyone will be sending their payment back asap to ensure their seat at Ibrox! After all, the following promise in the letter will allay any fears we may have... Positive words then and I certainly appreciate the thanks for the supports' ever loyal financial and emotional investment each year. Some may find it patronising but I feel the gratitude is genuine enough - certainly retaining over 40,000 season ticket holders will be a big challenge for the club over the coming months. I know I can't be the only bear weighing up his options due to personal circumstances. And that is where the second part of the quoted statement comes in. Outwith the difficulty of finding the �£400+ to pay for the actual ticket, how can we be 'certain' our support will be 'rewarded'? To be clear, I don't expect success every year - that is unrealistic even if Rangers are capable of winning the SPL title at any given time. Similarly, I realise reaching a European final is a once in a generation event and even managing to qualify for (never mind from) a Champions' League Group may soon prove extremely challenging. As such, when I pay my �£400+; I don't do it because I expect success and silverware but simply to retain a close, emotional involvement with the club I love and supply one small investment towards achieving said success. On the other hand, what I do expect is the same commitment, emotion and investment from those connected with the club. Fortunately, for the most part, we do get that in return - even if it could be argued there remains a large gap between the support and those who run the institution. However, just what are the club doing to ensure we remain competitive? This season has seen many exciting aspects - from being on he brink of winning the title, to being unbeaten against Celtic, to winning the League Cup with only nine men - all with an admirable record in terms of statistics and value for money for those of us who renewed this time last year. Indeed if we do secure the title, it will be one of the most satisfying (and important) I've ever experienced. Nevertheless, there are many worries for the Rangers support which may accompany any title-winning hangover. First of all the club's ownership remains in doubt and, despite the manager's words in the season ticket renewal letter, he has been extremely vocal on this issue. Ergo, can we genuinely expect to keep our key playing assets as well as the moderate number of players whose contracts run out next month? Certainly it seems far from clear who will and who will not be here next year. Astoundingly even the management team are not guaranteed to be in charge. Just what influence do Lloyds Bank have on our great club and where does MIH sit - other than being a heavy burden on our immediate future? Furthermore, despite our good performance domestically, in Europe we have been poor now for two seasons on the trot and with an ever-weakening squad, there is little to be excited about in terms of improving on that record next season and beyond. Given the impact European football has on our finances, how does the manager and those who run the club expect to address that crucial challenge over the coming years? To conclude, I don't doubt the vast majority of fans will renew their season ticket - myself among them. And those that are unable to do so (for whatever reason) will likely be replaced by new fans that can. However, just how sincere are the words from the Chief Executive quoted above? Just where is our money going and how will it be spent? To maintain the 'spirit and unity' you mention in the letter, we need to know exactly what you are doing to reward our continued investment and loyalty. Actions speak louder than words. Why not start by making it completely clear just what the future holds for every Rangers fan.

I'll start by saying this isn't a very well formed argument just a few thoughts to ponder more in relation to an article on another site about John Paton's rise to being the Chairman of the club and the elephant in the room of a fans buyout. So let's take a little trip into the world of a fans buyout and who takes the helm. Walter whilst perhaps not having the business acumen required for the cut and thrust of today's business world knows the club inside out. He knows the fans very well (even if he has questioned sections of the support including the online community). He knows the mhedia inside out. Could he be the figurehead of the club as the chairman of a fans buy-out? Assuming we have a decent CEO and strong team in all the key roles in the club, what your thoughts? I think he's shown recently that he can be very bold (as generally he's unsackable at this point in time which I know is a contradiction seeing as he doesn't have a contract..but you get the drift). I'd say the general consenus is that we admire the qualities in him which we believe should be upheld as a Ranger and he's well respected throughout British football. What does he lack? or does anyone have other ideas on a preferred future chairman?

Rangers striker Kris Boyd is refusing to consider his future before the SPL title is secured. More...

When and where has Murray's future plans for the club if no new owner is found been discussed, I have never heard a mention of it anywhere. Some people think the Mint is an irrelevance...so they wouldn't have been asking the question or discussing it, I wonder does that bar anyone from wondering about the Mints continued involvement, as some of us are a bit more aware of the power he wields or do some not want to face up to that impalpable fact. I will of course contact Frankie as to what I can and cannot post, as I realise some are easily offended..........My original post is below All is quiet whither it is bright is another matter, has anyone of a journalistic bent or even supporters representative origins, had the foresight to ask our owner SDM, what are his plans for the club if there is no change of ownership. Do we tread water for the foreseeable future, or are those famous or rather singular moonbeam that he disclosed was at the end of a very dark tunnel going to explode into a full blown hanging moon, just let's hope it isn't a runaway train headlight he really saw. Ol Wabash knows a thing or two about runaway trains..and the wreckage aint a pretty sight...

All is quiet whither it is bright is another matter, has anyone of a journalistic bent or even supporters representative origins, had the foresight to ask our owner SDM, what are his plans for the club if there is no change of ownership. Do we tread water for the foreseeable future, or are those famous or rather singular moonbeam that he disclosed was at the end of a very dark tunnel going to explode into a full blown hanging moon, just let's hope it isn't a runaway train headlight he really saw. Ol Wabash knows a thing or two about runaway trains..and the wreckage aint a pretty sight...

- Walter Smith - February 3rd 2010 - Walter Smith - April 6th 2010 Two months of a difference, two markedly different appraisals of the situation, but both offered by the same man. Just which one do we believe and is the manager helping the cloud of uncertainty still hovering over a club which is just three wins away from the SPL title? On the face of it, Smith's words yesterday should brighten the sky for many bears. The SPL title is within our grasp and to let such a lead go now would be unfathomable. Our debt is decreasing while our closest rivals' is increasing. Our youth system is bearing fruit and our two best youngsters have either signed or are very close to signing extended deals. Meanwhile, we have various player assets that are worth a lot of money in income if we do decide to sell. Add in the likelihood of Rangers being Scotland's sole representatives in the Champions' League Group Stage, then surely our money worries are dissipating by the day? But niggling doubts remain. Smith tempered his comments yesterday by confirming that if the club isn't sold Lloyds Bank remain influential in terms of our strategy for next season and beyond. A strategy that precipitated Smith's doomsday predications of last year and suggestions our activity in the summer this year will be minimal given we need to work with the squad numbers again. That is worrying given we have several players out of contract in the summer - Steven Smith has rejected an offer while players such as Kris Boyd, Nacho Novo and Kirk Broadfoot have all yet to sign new deals; the SPL's highest ever goalscorer increasingly likely to move to the EPL for free. Similarly, key players such as Bougherra, Wilson, McGregor and Davis are continually linked with big money transfers out of the club. Potentially (and not unreasonably) that could mean as many as eight players leaving over the next 6-12 months and that doesn't account for natural degradation of young players moving on while the likes of Davie Weir stepping back. How do we replace these players - all of whom have played their part in our success - if we don't spend money? Therefore, it is extremely valid to ask how any owner of the club - be it SDM/Lloyds Bank or Andrews Ellis/Dave King - intends to address this situation. Our recent success since Walter Smith returned has seen money spent initially but that has dried up since then, even although it could be argued our subsequent settled squad has benefited us in terms of on-field continuity. With an estimated �£12-15 million about to be guaranteed from our CL participation and sales of any key players likely to add substantially to that, why is our manager so glum about the prospects of us using such monies to 'trade' our way through player turnover? If the debt is readily decreasing and success maintained with the SPL title, any owner would be foolhardy to risk a Scottish institution by grabbing as much of this profit as they can instead of sticking by already agreed payment terms. After all, allowing the squad numbers to decrease - both in terms of quantity and quality - means any future financial return is minimised and a sale difficult. Lloyds are surely not suggesting they want all of their �£25million back by January 2011 while a new owner would surely not expect to absorb said profits and keep the support of an ever-cynical fanbase? As always, there are more questions than answers. The only certainty about Rangers nowadays is uncertainty. Consequently, it is extremely difficult to look forward with any degree of positiveness when those that are in positions of influence seem as unsure and doubting as the rest of us. Given our current position in the SPL, this should be a time of aloof smiles and excitement about the future. Yes, the banter may be there but behind the smiles the stress remains for many of us. Is the SPL title the start of a new period of dominance for our club or simply the beginning of the end? The price may have been frozen but before I pay my �£400+ to renew my season ticket, I expect to know what I'm paying for. I'm not deluding myself as to the challenging future of our club so I certainly don't expect to be deluded to by those responsible for it. Too many doubts remain. Too much uncertainty prevails. It is beyond time for the key people in this situation to stop playing games and secure the future of our club.