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Just because we're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get us. I think this phrase rings quite true when you look at the current Scottish sports press. Chinese club bids for Rangers striker - investigations are carried out and false claims made by prominent Scottish 'journalists' which are then backtracked on. No one bids for Celtc striker - wild claims abound about huge fees being proposed without a shred of evidence and no investigations carried out to verify the claims.

After a nervy final 24 hours of the transfer window, with Chinese bids received and rejected for our top scorer, we survey the state of the squad and look forward to welcoming Hibs to Ibrox this weekend. Lennon's side will undoubtedly be combative. Look no further than the last game between the sides at Ibrox in August and the refereeing performance of John Beaton. At times it felt like a wrestling match Beaton was overseeing; and like all wrestling matches - he seemed to be steering towards a pre-determined outcome. Jesting aside, like many, I struggle with the idea that referees are actually biased. But that doesn't meant that they don't jump through some ridiculous mental hoops when it comes to how they referee us. Are we judged to a different standard? It often seems that way. But more likely, the standard of our officiating reflects the standard of the Scottish game overall. One of the the key protagonists for Hibs back in August was Anthony Stokes who, curiously, left Hibs yesterday by mutual consent. it seems even the bold Neil Lennon will only put up with his clear attitude and behavioural issues for so long, and that tells you something! Lennon has however brought in Florian Kemberi on loan from Grasshoppers Zurich to replace Stokes. He also brought in Cammy Bell from Kilmarnock, who replaces the departing Scott Bain who was on loan from Dundee and has now joined Celtic; as well as another couple of loanees - Jamie Maclaren and Faycal Rherras. Simon Murray who scored Hibs' first goal back in August has joined Dundee on loan, with Liam Fontaine going to Ross County. How much of an impact those player changes will make for Hibs remains to be seen. But as ever at a clubs like ours, it comes down to our own attitude and application first and foremost. We will need to win the battle first, before we can settle to play the game on our own terms. Murty has instilled a bit of grit to the team and its clear we find the big games easier to play in. With the new additions to our own squad, coupled with a productive training camp in the US for the Florida Cup, we've started the new year with confidence. Hibs will no no doubt put us under pressure at various times. The last game between the sides in December saw them go a goal up in the first few minutes and they were clearly the better side until we scored two goals late in the first half through Windass and then memorably Morelos, with his cheeky near post finish after a glorious bit of skill to eliminate his marker. We saw the game out but Hibs were wasteful at times and the game could have gone either way. Fans favourite Morelos remains with us for the time being. Murty's post match words on Sky following last night's scrappy win against Fraserburgh seemed to suggest that perhaps there wasn't much substance behind the bids from China. Given their transfer window still has another month to go, speculation will no doubt continue. I would however start Morelos and resist the obvious GIRUY temptation to start with Cummings on Saturday. I think its important we put an arm round the lad and make sure he knows he is loved and can progress his career with us. If he continues to improve he will get the move he wants so its not in our interests to stand in his way long term, unless we want to have a Dembele-like situation developing. Much of the rest of the team picks itself in my view, based on the game versus Ross County. Cummings for me is a stick-on to come off the bench and get a goal. I for one can't wait to see his celebration and the look on the spoon burner's faces. Match Prediction: Rangers 3 - Hibs 1 Morelos FGS

Cheers mate they are always brilliant when I don't do them. I am sure Stewarty will accept your compliment though.

Having seen most of his games for Under 20's (although he was an overage player) I was very surprised that he made the break through to the first team. He has proved me and a lot of others wrong, but to be where we want to be I think we need better. I see parallels with Stephen McManus, having seen a lot of him at youth level I was shocked he broke in to Celtic's first team. Ultimately he turned into a competent defender, captaining Celtic and playing for Scotland. I never thought David Bates would be at Rangers beyond his current contract, but I think he has done well enough to justify a new contract within reason.

The stronger we become the more those who would do us harm tremor.

We have had an eventful few weeks at the club and more importantly around the town, so it is only correct that we place on record our thanks to each and every one of you who have helped in any way. For fear of forgetting someone it is difficult to list the many who helped from both near and far but please know your help was highly appreciated. Many thanks also to all the businesses and homes which had decorated their windows and gardens in the colours of the club and in some cases the colours of our opponents. It has been a fantastic sight going around the town and seeing what it means to everyone to have a football club at the heart of it. If there was ever a reminder to us of our roots and to continue what we do, then this was it. It is genuinely heart-warming to think that our club has been the catalyst for all the good will and happy faces we have witnessed recently. It has past now, and we move back to normality but with that we can take the memories with us and aim to try and replicate that feeling again. In my own head I don’t think there is anybody prouder than me to be a Brocher but deep down I know that isn’t the case and what I have witnessed recently gives me confidence that we really do have a great town bubbling under the surface of all the negativity we hear sometimes. As is always the case there are some who you can never please and who will find the pettiest of things to complain about, but that is life. We tried our best to do the right thing and unfortunately got abuse from some people but once they understood what we were trying to achieve they realised we were trying to look out for them. However, from a very small section of people, we continued to get abuse and criticism and the bad side of social media makes it look worse than it really is. We could come out and say that we don’t care and if you don’t like it then tough, we don’t need you. That might be a reasonable response to some folk, but we won’t do that, it isn’t our style. We want as much people as possible to embrace the club and the town. We don’t get everything right and sometimes we don’t even get most things right, but we do try our best to do the right things in the hope that it works. The Fraserburgh FC Supporters Club have done a marvellous job and I must thank Brian Topping, Kenny McDonald and Mike McLean for the fantastic amount of help they gave us in getting the tickets distributed. The night of the space heaters might sound like a Science Fiction movie but in fact was one of the most humbling things I have ever witnessed and cemented my belief that we truly have a decent community. It was a shame that it didn’t work but it showed to us that we have help there when needed. Rangers FC, The Scottish FA, Aberdeenshire Council and last but by no means least Police Scotland have all been unbelievably helpful. Without the help and support of you guys we would not have got off the ground. Every one of those organisations are made to look like cannon fodder with the amount of criticism they receive sometimes but we have nothing but respect and gratitude for them all. Nothing has been a problem for them. To my fellow Directors and club officials, I thank you for all the hard work in getting the game hosted at Bellslea Park and subsequently being the great occasion, it was. I don’t think people realise how much work goes into the running of a football club and getting matches organised but even I was taken aback by the magnitude of work required for this. We got there though and can look back with pride. Finally, to the players, coaching staff and management. You were the reason we were in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup and must thank you for that but more importantly the way you all conducted yourselves in the media storm that surrounded the game. It was great fun, but it was done in a professional way that portrayed the club in a good light to the watching nation. We can’t ask for more than that. It was an occasion for everyone in the town and one we can all look back on fondly. A million thanks ! Finlay Noble A Very Proud Chairman Fraserburgh Football Club Updated 21:16 - 2 Feb 2018 by Finlay Noble

Back in the day of Spiers Sports Diary in Scotland on Sunday, his Sports Editor, Kevin McKenna demanded Graham's worst fantasies appear in print. Who can forget Graham's insistence that the Enclosure was belting out, "Klinsmanns a Klansman"? Then, there was the denial that the Dandy Dons sang, "nice one Simmy", and his demand we see the better nature of a child molester playing right back for Hearts.

Only my second trip to Ibrox this season. Looking forward to it but a wee bit nervy...I'd hate to drop points to that mob. Hope the team are well up for it.

A bidding war ideal.

But who decides what options the members are given? If there's a vote on whether they should contribute towards safe standing then a majority would vote yes, but will members be given a choice between that, disabled facilities and one or two other projects? I'm not so sure.

He had no complaints when Stokes was wrestling our player to the ground 'off the ball' and stayed on the park and not a word when we have guys with broken noses and season ending injuries going unpunished.

You’re right - the response to this bug has been nothing short of hysterical. Compare that to the years of Demebele nonsense in which not a single piece of that guff has been questioned. Again, are they being paid to voice these queries?

I try to pretend that these guys (McCoist, Ferguson, Boyd) don't matter any more, and that their opinions don't affect me, but they have. McCoist was a hero of mine when I was younger and I'm very bitterly disappointed in them (and others) in the way they seem to be benefiting (and taking enjoyment) from the negative stories about our club. If there was good reason for them to take an opposing position, I could at least understand it, but there isn't. This latest story about Morelos is incredible. Is it so wrong for us to have received a bid that it requires so much investigation from the BBC, and comment from previous club captains? I've been saying for a while that some of our club's legends (obviously Boyd isn't in that bracket, but the other two are) are in danger of losing all credibility and respect. Well, they now have!!! I have had enough of them and wish never to see them at our club ever again. I hope they're nowhere to be seen when we get 55 as they've proven that they're just lazy detractors who will say and do anything for the money these days. They continue to damage the club for their own benefit. There isn't a single true bear that I know of that would do that. So, please no one ever refer to them again as Rangers men, or legends, or idols, or heroes. They're not! They're just money grabbing, attention seeking, parasites!!! #GTF

I will second that and and emphasize the never

I'd settle for that bud to be honest I'll take 1-0 with a debatable penalty in the last minute

55 years old? Embarrassing to be acting like a teenager at that age.

I am not on Twitter. (Surprised? I thought not.) But if I was, I might venture: Graham Spiers so boring . He has all the worst tweets. What a loser. Sad.

When a journo is caught telling lies about is he goes on the naughty step. Its not a difficult concept.

Every project that club1872 spend money on , we are members get to vote on it and the majority decide , this isn't someone's pet project , everyone had a vote on it , if you didn't vote don't moan

That man is simply beyond it. A different universe doesn't even cover this lunacy.The sad thing is, he and his believe in every word. They put the Spanish inquisition's determination to shame.

After a wee sabbatical I've returned with a review of the Aberdeen and Ross County games. Inside I talk about the dominance we had over Aberdeen to the tactical trial run we had against County (that was a bit rough). In addition I run the rule over some of the new signings, including what Jamie Murphy looks to be bringing to the team! Thanks again for reading and supporting, any comments or criticisms - especially general discussion! - is welcome https://www.rangersobserver.com/views/2018/2/1/analysis-new-signings-and-new-hope-at-ibrox

Apparently a bluenose, and allegedly a lesbian. What's not to like?

Thanks for that mate. Enjoyable analysis as always. I worry we still give away too many good opportunities - yes we dominated against Aberdeen but in the first half they had too very good chances due to us switching off and/or poor positioning. What I would say though is that we're better at closing down teams in and around the box. Murphy's contribution has been quite interesting. Like Cummings you can see he's not fully fit but he looks a really intelligent player and makes good runs which I've no doubt will be very effective as relationships build.

Thanks for this. I didn't know I could do that. I'm like TB in that I don't think this is a prudent use of Club 1872 funds and I'm really disappointed that any money is being spent on this. I'm in favour of a standing section, but not at the expense of safeguarding the club by buying shares. I always thought this was the priority. If special interest groups want to raise funding for a standing section, or the club choses to pay for it, then fair enough. In my opinion though, this is not something that Club 1872 should be distracted with.

Dear Club 1872, While you continue to advocate spending money on safe standing, you will get not one additional penny from me. I currently pay two DD's to C1872 each month, one for £11.25 that used to go to RST and one for £18.72 that used to go to RF. Both of those payments will be cancelled if one penny of this is earmarked for safe standing. So instead of me giving an additional donation towards the share purchase, which I would be happy to consider, you might be losing my £359.64pa if you continue with this nonsense. I am sure I am not alone in this way of thinking.

Barry's article today was one of his worst,his comments on the non-transfer of Morelus and the actual one of Wilson were poor.

PS - thanks @Whosthedado

All i can say is that Pete and I have never been seen in the same room. Spooky!

That's the preview up mate - many thanks: https://www.gersnet.co.uk/index.php/news-category/match-analysis/871-rangers-v-hibernian-wrestling-refereeing-and-rejecting-transfers

That's a good post and one I agree with. In many ways, I think the current squad size is an exception to the rule. We have around 30 right not but usually 22-24 is a good number and I'm certain we'll reduce back to that in the summer and hopefully some of the younger lads will be part of that more efficient number.

Who the fuck wrote that. Green woukd have sold the titles for a fiver

Leanne Dempster being touted by the Sun.

New contract yes he's earned one. As for starting, I'd have Cardoso playing ahead of him.

It will be interesting if the next person is “Celtic minded” or has obvious links to Lawell.

He is an under 15 player signed from Drumsaggard Boys Club in the summer, Rangers tried to sign him a couple of years ago but he opted to remain at Boys Club. Rangers beat of several clubs including our rivals across the city to sign him. His older brother Andy was a Rangers a few years ago.

I saw a humorous comment on this post which said Canning had signed his double, same nose, same fringe etc.....