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I still believe we are lucky to have SG, sometimes it's still weird saying Stevie Gerrard is our manager, although the way he is dismissed by all in Scotland you wouldn't think we have an ex player of his stature doing an excellent job in his first managerial position! only in Scotland eh!

I really hope VAR is never introduced in Scottish football. It is awful, in general and given the level of our officials, I expect it would be even worse here. You've scored. No you haven't. You might have. Just wait 6 minutes to find out. Cool.

The article linked to at the bottom of this post was published back on April 25th five days after we convincingly beat Hearts 3-1 at Tynecastle prior to the current transfer window opening and is titled "Embarrassment of riches – Glasgow Rangers have so many options in key position" Today's result and performance against Oxford factoring in the situation of a fluid 11 littered with debutants playing our last pre season warm up before a Euro tie was more than acceptable. It's likely most or even all of us would have have accepted a comfortable 2-0 in this situation but what we got was a rout of a side who are at least comparable with the bottom half of the SPL. The Europa league at this stage is crucial for us. Making that group stage is a financial game changer for us. Potential funds for a major January signing for a final push on the title. Making the groups is my major hope for the season Euro wise. I'm not so concerned about results in the group should we make it since I want the league to be the priority and believe the Thursday/Sunday games were a factor in our failure to win the league. If we make it to the group stages and one of the games followed by an encounter with the yahoos on the Sunday I want that yahoo encounter to have priority even to the lengths of simply 'resting' multiple key players. Just making those groups is our major requirement and I would make that the priority till or if it's obtained. Since the opening of the transfer window window the side has indisputably in my view been strengthened. We had 4 debutants in the starting 11 against Oxford while reportedly all of them performed acceptably well. Add in to that other newcomers such as Lewis Mayo from the academy performing creditably we have a strength in depth that hasn't existed in a long time. And the window is still open for sometime yet with, currently, our greatest outlay being around 700K or so for Edmundson. I would think it reasonable to assume that more than that and possibly even much more than that was promised to Gerrard for this window even if Morelos stays. While losing Morelos who is young and a guaranteed source of goals when he's playing would be a bitter blow for what is a crucial season on a number of fronts not just for Rangers but for Gerrard too. If he can pull this off this season he will have ticked one box on the Liverpool manager application form. And I feel this may be his greatest chance to pull it off. If he doesn't pull it off this season the yahoos are then likely to pull out all the stops to get a 10iar making it even tougher next season. Regarding the potential loss of Morelos If that happens in the current climate I would expect it to be a minimum £10 million potentially comfortably more and a lucrative sell on clause. If that scenario unfolds I would expect a sizeable chunk of the money to then be spent on a replacement guaranteed goal source or at least as close to guaranteed as we can expect in the circumstances. Defoe is a guaranteed source of goals but there has to be quality back up for a guy who is at the outer edge of his career. As an aside Daniel Sturridge was reportedly at the Oxford game. We all discovered at the end of last season that we can indeed play and win convincingly scoring freely without Morelos. Since that time I would now rather lose Morelos than Tavernier if it had to be one or the other. We absolutely must retain Tav since he's probably the only one linked with any transfer out rumours who could throw a real spanner in the works of this strengthening operation. It would take more than we can afford to bring in an equivalent quality replacement and even if we did he couldn't directly replace the local and Rangers experience of Tavernier. However it all pans out before the window closes I do expect us to have tangibly strengthened even further and with that in mind have some minimum expectations for the season ahead predominately league games wise. We played some good football last season but displayed erratic inconsistency too often for a title win. Sometimes the stutters came in games against the lower league opposition playing a backs to the wall packed box strategy we couldn't break down. This time I have a minimum expectation that we have added good quality options which will provide the key to breaking them down, consistently. Another category of 'stutter' was against those just below us in the league who were also often to at least some degree playing the same backs to the wall strategy of the lower league teams in which where we were predominately dominant but still couldn't win. This time I have a minimum expectation that we will be at least as dominant against these sides while winning more of these games than we did last season. And as a little add on to that I suspect rather than expect that we may score even more goals than we have the in the past two seasons both of which we finished as top scorers with 76 goals scored in the league in 17/18 rising to 82 league goals last season. Perhaps we could hit the 90's this time. A minimum expectation I will be looking for us to again at least match the yahoos in our league encounters as we did last season and I would argue even overall outplayed them in 3 of the 4 games. We won on aggregate over those games. Bring all that together and we are surely looking at winning consistently and being top or within touching distance of top from day one. And realistically that's probably what's going to be required in this relatively poor league where the yahoos find it so relatively easy to be dominant consistently. I feel we can do it as thing stand though there is till time for the yahoos to make a significant response. Link to the article mentioned at the beginning. Embarrassment of riches – Glasgow Rangers have so many options in key position

C***s!

Not a surprise other clubs want Gerrard but also not a surprise he wouldn't fancy leaving Rangers for Newcastle.

Bang on mate. Imagine going mental at a last minute winner against Arsenal at Ibrox in the Europa League Quarter Final only to then be told five minutes later actually it's offisde or there was a foul in the build up. Takes the whole spontaneity out of it

League winners nothing less.

The collective noun for BBC pitch side reporters is "an exuberance"

Roofe would mean the ba's oan the slates for Morelos, then?

I'm hugely in favour of VAR in Scotland. We may well have won the league with VAR in place last season. Think of the last minute penalty we were denied at Easter Road first time round, the Hibs goal in the second match there, several offside goals and penalty appeals that had they been checked and given would have seen us win matches we didnt. You can probably take off a few tims goals as well as some of their red card count increasing. Of course i hope it will get quicker than some of the reviews we have seen recently, but that is mainly down to inept refereeing (which I know we specialise in here in Scotland!), but frankly I am happy to wait another couple of minutes as long as we get more correct decisions. It will benefit us more than any other side in Scotland, I am absolutely certain.

The collective noun for BBC Presenters is "an exhorbitance".

A Chapter, obviously but perhaps a diocese?

Endeavours? I spoke with several Oxford United fans yesterday, a couple of the guys got access to Bar 72 through their company having an office in Glasgow. They enjoyed their day thoroughly, the trip proving popular with over a thousand of their fellow Yellows. One of the lad's sister works at BBC Oxford and she was surprised at the blunt refusals from PQ to furnish their sister station with commentary, live updates, and text updates. Like all BBC regional stations, Oxford provides these services to both viewers and listeners for supporters in their broadcast footprint ie Reading, Swindon Town, and Oxford United. Apparently, there had been a few discussions and confusion over, 'Rangers dispute with the BBC'. I endeavoured to provide an objective appreciation on BBC Scotland's dispute with Rangers supporters paying their license fee. The Return of the Hag. The spectre of Lyra McKee's murder is dissipating and Angela Haggerty is again being wheeled into numerous BBC Scotland studios to vent forth on an entire spectrum of issues where she is deemed expert. Last week, three exposures on radio included twice on Shereen Nanjiani's show(current affairs) and once on Kay Adams show(an appeal for a more measured approach during on line debate). Obviously, a Producer or a grouping of Producers(what is the collective noun for BBC Scotland Producers) like the sound of Angela's voice! Angela's on line presence is the epitome of the measured approach. On the night of Lyra McKee being shot dead by a balaclava clad republican, her twitter feed was a case in point. Another contributor set out the extreme circumstances surrounding the young Journo's death ie a line of police being confronted by a hundred youth who had lobbed in excess of fifty petrol bombs at the police, and had several shots aimed at them from an automated pistol; Angela replied it was not an unusual occurrence. Further, stating it was a usual Saturday night event was most measured. The last Journo murdered in Northern Ireland was during 2001. I am mystified as to Angela's frequent appearances, because she appears vacuous. On Saturday morning, the first twenty minutes is taken up by Andy Murray's return to SW 19. Shereen is particularly delighted that Andy has teemed up with Serena Williams for the Mixed Doubles. She suggests the team should be known as, 'SerAndy'. Angela's only contribution was, "ah don't get it, it sounds like Sir Andy, is that the point"? We a\re all beneficiaries of Angela's measured approach. Whenever Angela appears, there is a guarantee that she will state, "ahm fae the Isle of Bute", followed by, "ahm 33", and concluding, "ahm a big Sellik supporter". I propose Angela is worthy of a sobriquet. I suggest, 'Angela Interesting Haggerty' ? Let's hope Love Island is relocated to Bute next year, Angela can say she is from the Isle of Bute, she is a big Sellik supporter, and in keeping with measured interest, "ahm 34". As a Rangers supporter, or as Angela would say on line, 'a member of der Klan'; I would say that, wouldn't I? Big Hooses. We know DrStu' has been heavily exercised with Big Hooses down south during the tenure of our last two national managers. DrStu' was demanding both Gordon Strachan and Alex McLeish sell their family homes in Engerland and commit to Scotland. The current Boss, Steve Clarke also has his family home(Big Hoose) in England's green and pleasant land, but no demand as yet from DrStu'. We should be told why? DrStu's green steak of jealousy is regularly exposed when the salaries of his fellow BBC presenters are revealed. Gary Lineker, Chris Evans, Jeremy Vine, .... et al - they all have numerous Big Hooses and DrStu' resents contributing in part to their purchase through paying his license fee. Of course, DrStu' has told us on numerous occasions about his Big Hoose in Dennistoun. On Saturday, he revealed he was once again off on holiday to Sri Lanka. Further, his motivation for buying his property(Big Hoose) in Sri Lanka was the location is called Kinross Beach. Now, I wonder if Gersnetters are allowed to feel resentment about contributing in part through our license fees? As DrStu' often says, "it's the hope that kills you". I note last week, Sri Lanka was advertising for two Executioners, the first appointment in over 45 years. Here's hoping.

DR article on our first Euroopa League squad

It baffles me why the OF game has not been moved to help Scottish teams do better in Europe that said I don't want them to do well, but the league should want this more money to teams in the league the better I would of thought

Wrt Barasic...Comes down to the management team and at least getting the best out of players / improving them / adding value. For our business model to be successful, Barasic is the type of player we need to be a success. That said, only eleven can start in the first team and there will always be those who fade and leave. Regards recruitment and timing, I think we need to take on board lessons from the double swoop on Osijek....but still maintain that Barasic has the game to be THE outstanding LB in Scotland.

Who exactly will want to work with Ashley anyway? They will end up with someone who is needing a job like Moyes as the up and coming managers wont fancy working with Ashley.

At first I was unsure about VAR. Now I really dislike it. I've noticed, speaking to football fans, that people who attend a lot of football matches are far more sceptical about it than those who don't. But people who attend football matches are largely ignored and treated like cattle or criminals, so I doubt we'll be given much of a say.

Katic? He is the best defender we have. Goldson's shirt is the one that should be on a shoogly nail. Goldson is a bombscare at times.

In 1840 most of the Govan area was farmland and the country estates and houses of the better off. From the east, estates and mansions identified on old maps were Plantation, Mavisbank and Haughhead, Cessnock, Miln Park, Craigiehall, Broomloan, Moorepark, Hillock House (named after the nearby Doomster Hill), and Merrylands. Beyond the parish church there were Teucharhill, Craigton, Cardonell, Bern/know, Greenfield, Fairfield, Merryflats, Linthouse, Greenhead, and Shieldhall. Farms were Whitefield, Ibrox, Broomloan, Craigton, Greenside, Langlands, Drumoyne East, Mid Drumoyne and West Drumoyne, Holmfauldhead, Moss, and Hardga The writer remembers seeing the buildings of West Drumoyne, Shieldhall and Hardgate farms in the 1930s. The latter farm stood in Renfrew Road opposite the SCWS complex of factories. Shieldhall Farm occupied the land between Hardgate Road and the Southern General Hospital, and behind the Clyde Sawmill & Wood Storage Go's yard. Holmfauldhead Farm buildings survived in Elder Park until the late 1990s by being used for the storage of Glasgow City Council Parks Department equ

It has to be a major push from day one. Vital to take all points from the opening games before meeting the yahoos. Kilmarnock away on the opening day might be a tricky one given they are now something of an unknown entity with a new manager. But we still have better players than they do all over the pitch so it’s up to the players and management team to make sure that superiority prevails by hook or by crook.

League and cup double and last 16 in Europe at least. Shame FC will implode, anyone who plays for them should hang their heads in shame. They have no respect for themselves or their families. They are a sordid sewer of a club and we should wipe the floor with them. I can’t wait for 55

Would rather have willie collum than VAR .

Central defence is probably the one area where we need some more experience IMO. An injury to Goldson would currently see us with Mayo as back-up to two 21 year olds.

Yes, Frankie cleared it up a few posts ago. Take away being that Murphy most likely will be unavailable for games at Hamilton, Livingston and Kilmarnock. No luck for the guy, given the last game of last season and first European and League games for this season are on plastic.

As far as SG's management career is concerned, I reckon the up and coming season will determine much about the route it will take.

The orange and black training top is a cracker. Got the niece one and the home top for myself from Gers store online.

Thank's Frankie ! So you'd expect him to get at least 45 minutes against Marseille to show his stuff !

He didn't feature yesterday because tomorrow's game is on astro-turf so priority was given to players who will be available for that match.

McPake seemed to take a heavy knock to his back when knocked over by an opposition player but I doubt it's serious.

I believe Tom (RTV commentator) said that Murphy wan't playing as they don't want to rush him back from last seasons injury and the friendly against Oxford wasn't deemed as a neccessary risk

Watched the final and that was a waste of 2 hours although id did provide some funny moments. How this is being portrayed as improved games / standard and pitched in the media is funny. The standard is terrible and that was the WC final. I wish a pundit or someone in the media would just come out with it and say its awful standard. Typical yanks being unsportswomen like. There was a drop ball in the first half which the dutch didnt go in for meaning they expected the ball back and the amercians played on with it.

I will admit to listening in tonight and this is a must not miss podcast. Stewart Weir and Colin Armstrong put up a fantastic pod. Really not to be missed! I can't wait until Wednesday to hear it again.

That was the reason I posted it. I will be honest and say i totally agree with Bill, I was 100% for it but now have serious doubts. For me they are making decisions through a microscope and that was not my perception of it. If we call in VAR for every corner it will be a penalty. I will say though that I do think Mayo played the ball with his hand. Defoe could have been offside but will need a different camera angle. Ojo could have fouled the defender again a different camera angle would be needed. If the Referee has to watch it 10 times to make a decision then it can be deemed He\she is not totally sure of the decision and the original decision should stand.

As with the CO and her Shadow Court stuff, anything the VAR does and decides needs to be protocolled and explained, so transparancy is there. Else the stuff can go right out of the window, given the rubbish we saw last season. And I have not much hope regarding VAR either, as those we have running about with Specsavers ads will be the same who sit on that screen the next week.

I’m one of those who wanted VAR but have changed my mind completely now I’ve seen it in action.

The Pillocks of Hercules.

I didn't see it I have only seen the result and read some sketchy reports but 5-0 is a good result and especially so with all the rotation. Also nice that the newbies did well. It's already being derided by the usual suspects hubz/sheep etc as 'only league 1 opposition' My reply to that would be league 1 is where the bulk of your signings come from. And Oxford are a side who benefit to at least some degree from the English football trickle down effect plus have an average home attendance of 7,315 Only 5 out of the 12 SPL sides can beat that average attendance figure. Kilmarnock, who finished 3rd in the league, have an average of 6,895 Agreed they're no litmus test for our ambitions but as an example of what the 'average' SPL side might face at Ibrox this season I see it as a fine demonstration.

It's certainly indicative of GCC general incompetence, although I wouldn't say that incompetence is confined to Glasgow. Anyone expecting them to do any favours for RFC will have a long wait.

I watched it on RTV and the quality was excellent: certainly 720p if not full HD at times.

Great read mate. I can never remember what I did the day before never mind 30 years ago.

Sam Ricketts would look at a Greg Docherty Shrewsbury return but feels midfielder has moved 'beyond' Town By Lewis Cox | Shrewsbury Town FC | Published: Less than an hour ago Sam Ricketts would be keen on a return for Greg Docherty but feels the midfielder may have gone ‘beyond’ Shrewsbury Town. The 22-year-old Rangers man was a huge hit in Shropshire last season and was crowned Town’s player of the season. Docherty made 50 appearances for Ricketts’ side, scoring 10 goals and laying on 11 assists. The Rangers fan wants to break into Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side and has featured in pre-season friendlies. He is expected to have a chance in Europa League qualifiers beginning next week. Ricketts believes that, if Docherty was available, his next move could be to a higher level. “Doc would be of interest to a lot of people and I wish him the best,” Ricketts, who has been linked with Docherty’s Portsmouth-bound Rangers team-mate Ross McCrorie, told Scottish media. “I hope he goes on and does really well this year. If he was available, then obviously we would be keen. “But that doesn’t mean that it would happen. I think he could be out of our reach because he performed that well and he could be beyond us now.” The Shrews boss believes Docherty’s ability, attitude and energy make him a ‘special’ player – and backed him to develop under the ‘phenomenal’ Gerrard. Ricketts added: “He came away and played a full season of 50, 60 games, which is no mean feat for any player. The exuberance he has to want to do well is brilliant. I never watched him play at Rangers but he came here and worked so hard. “It is not just his running and his pressing, they are excellent, but his goals and all round game were terrific. “When you have got a player that is willing to put that shift in, that will run you 12km in every game, but also do it at his intensity, that is a major asset to any team. With Greg, you have his quality at the end of it and that is what makes him a special player.” Ricketts added: “You won’t learn from anyone better because Steven Gerrard was one of the best players that the Premier League has ever seen. He was a phenomenal talent but he could get box-to-box, and Doc can do that too. He can score goals, he can assist goals and Doc has not got anyone better to learn from.” The Shrews boss is looking forward to keeping tabs on Docherty’s career and believed Town will have played their part in the heights he goes on to reach. “The whole idea of taking lads in on loan is to give them a platform to perform and to improve and I think that is exactly what happened with Doc last season, which was brilliant,” Ricketts said. “I will follow him and I will wish him all the best and I hope that he can go and impress again this season and do well. “We are really keen for him to go on and have a great career and then we can say that we helped, that we were a very small part, of helping him achieve that.” https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2019/07/06/sam-ricketts-would-look-at-a-greg-docherty-shrewsbury-return-but-feels-midfielder-has-moved-beyond-town/ Personally I think he will have to make the breakthrough this season to the first team or he may never make it! it will be very tough for him to do it.