Leaderboard

Just what exactly are we looking for ? Guardiola ? Gaffer, can you explain how you believe that Murty is "lower risk" than Clarke ? Clarke has more pedigree than Murty having been assistant manager at some big clubs and one where Mourinho (IIRC) eulogized over what he brought to Chelsea. Say that Killie are a mid-table club all we like - but the fact remains he has taken 4 of 6 points from Celtic and 7 from 9 against us since he came into Killie - he has had a fraction of the budget of both clubs and yet has done an excellent job against both - indeed, Killie have become much more consistent with him at the helm - even their own fans felt that they were relegation candidates prior to his appointment. I think that Steve Clarke is an excellent coach and is more than handling himself at Killie. Given we don't have the funds to spend on a renowned manager I would contend that he would be an excellent choice. Indeed, I would be far happier employing Steve Clarke than I would have been with McInnes (doesn't say a great deal but hopefully you get my point...). We have no idea how he would handle the transfer market with increased funds - he could do great but equally could be a bust. However, he clearly knows how to get the sum of the parts to perform in excess of the individual components, something we need in order to catch Celtic given the financial disparity. Even going for a renowned coach, there is risk. With reduced transfer fees can they get the collective to operate in excess of the individuals ? Clarke is demonstrating he can do that already. The only issue, for me at least, goes back to what Rousseau says and that is the "style" - Killie will rarely have an opponent who isn't willing to go "toe to toe" with them which keeps the game open and allows both sides to create opportunities. At Rangers any manager will face a parking the bus mentality outwith OF games - it is this difference in styles that is the big unknown IMHO. However, there are very few managers out there who have encountered this tactic and who would also be available - further, they likely would cost a fortune.

Do we ever learn about signing players in their mid thirties who are past their best ?

When we replace Foderingham we should do so with someone who is on the way up. Not with someone who is on the way down.

So Steve Clarke..... Assistant Manager to Ruud Gullit at Newcastle Assistant Manager to Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant at Chelsea Assistant Manager to Gianfranco Zola at West Ham Head Coach to Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool Manager at West Brom in the Premier League Manager at Reading in the Championship Assistant Manager to Roberto Di Matteo at Aston Villa Manager at Kilmarnock ....is less experienced than Graeme Murty Assistant Youth Development Coach U12's - U16's at Southampton Youth Development Phase Lead Coach U16's then U18's Norwich Head Coach Rangers U20's Caretaker Manager Rangers 1 month Caretaker Manager Rangers 6 months +

Murty is lower risk because he knows the players, he knows the club, he's started to build a team that was capable of beating Celtic (and should have if the team had just performed even close to the level they should have), and has a good relationship with the DoF. Given that we are within touching distance of Celtic, why on earth do we want to start changing the manager? If there was an outstanding candidate then by all means, but I don't see who that is. Everyone else that's been mentioned is good, but I'm not convinced they're any better a risk than sticking with Murty.

If only Clarke had experience at clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool

The fact of the matter is it doesn't matter one iota what Murty's failings might be. What matters is the ability and willingness of the board to acquire anyone who's better than Murty.

Liam Kelly is the man! we also have young McCrorie on loan to Berwick

they may have had inferior players but they didn't have an inferior team

I will forever be grateful to Dave King for being the prime mover in saving our club and wresting it from the hands of the reptiles who were destroying us. I'll always be grateful for the money he has put in. However, "gravitas" is not only something that he does not bring to the table but is also one of the last words I would think of with which to describe him. The last time we had someone leading us who had that quality was decades ago, alas. It used to be the norm, but that is becoming a distant memory.

On the 17th March 1877 Rangers contested our first ever Scottish Cup Final against Vale of Leven. Our Scottish cup campaign of 1877 saw the young Rangers, after trips in earlier rounds to places such as Mauchline in Ayrshire, incredibly reach the Scottish Cup Final where the mighty Vale of Leven lay in wait. Vale had caused a sensation of their own in an earlier round by handing Queens Park their first ever defeat on Scottish soil. The final was to be played on 17th March 1877 at Hamilton Crescent in Partick and our lads got to work to make sure that they were prepared. Moses fondly recalled tuck-ins of ham, eggs and steaks every morning after a 6am rise, then a 10 mile training walk and a 90 minute session with the football. This was all in an attempt to make themselves bigger and stronger. The lads would train for the Final at their Kinning Park ground often late into the night and because of this the local residents daubed the Rangers ‘The Moonlighters’ a name which would stick with us for a few years. To say that the final of 1877 caught the imagination of the Glasgow public is a massive understatement as thousands made their way to Hamilton Crescent. The match first played on the 17th March ended in a 1-1 draw with the Rangers goal coming via a Vale own goal. A crowd of over 8,000 attended that day to see this team of youngsters take on the mighty Vale. The draw actually saw the young Rangers team carried off shoulder high by the crowd. The replay took place on 17th April William Dunlop scored in normal time ,that game also ended 1-1.We then went into extra time William Dunlop scored again but the goal controversially was disallowed. Glasgow Professor of Surgery George B McLeod was standing behind the goal and was prepared to take an oath and vow that the ball had actually went through the goal and struck him on the head then landed back in the goal-keepers arms! The match umpires were consulted. One umpire gave the goal one umpire said no goal and the third who was on the field of play said he was too far away and couldn’t say for certain. The goal never stood. This led to supporters of both sides invading the playing field, bedlam ensued and the match was duly abandoned. Of course the moral of this particular story is that The Rangers were being cheated by referees 10 years before Celtic were even formed! The Scottish Cup of 1877 was eventually decided at first Hampden, with Vale winning 3-2. This series of games saw the transformation of the Rangers from what was essentially a boys club into a respected football club one which caught the imagination and admiration of the Glasgow working class. The Rangers were never to look back.

I wouldn't take him back. He's not good enough. Fod is much better in my opinion. Hearts is about his level so he'll do an ok job for them I'd think.

For which, Caixhina and McCulloch are also partly responsible. Going on the whole season is a wee bit pointless when discussing Clarke's credentials.

You're taking into account games when Clarke wasn't manager. Exclude these games and Killie are lying in 3rd place, 4 points behind Celtic and 1 point behind us. Hardly mediocre, given the spending by both sides of the old firm. It's outstanding given the circumstances.

What is becoming clear to me on this thread and on others, is that it should be OK for us to let off smoke bombs etc because they don't/can't cause harm....however, if they are thrown my opposition fans then they are lethal & said fans should be hunted down like vermin. Our fans are obviously more responsible & if we did use in a dangerous manner, it would be the fault of the Scot Govt or the Police anyway. Our fans should also be allowed to behave in any manner they wish, coz other fans do it & that makes it ok. Should we also welcome back & encourage organised gang fights before/after/during games, coz that would be a right laugh for everyone.... I may be wrong....but I though civilised society had move on from all that???

Good nets would probably have been better.

A belter!!! Would sure hand Dundee some advantage in the fight against relegation. I probably was still somewhat enthused about my hometown icehockey team's mauling of last season's runners-up Wolfsburg in the current play-off series ... A couple of goals of that unexpected but welcomed 8-1 win

Quite a result Dundee winning 1-0 against Dundee The sending off looks like a Thomson vendetta against Motherwell.

Some photos here. Includes some Scottish grounds during the 90s. https://www.theguardian.com/football/gallery/2018/mar/20/the-game-football-through-the-lens-of-stuart-clarke-in-pictures

Not to do so would be tantamount to signing their own death warrants, I'd like to think they're not that daft.

Who would have thought?....... ‘Fixing matches like nobody has done before’: Skenderbeu’s amazing tale https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/mar/19/match-fixing-skenderbeu-albania-uefa-report-ban Albania’s leading club are accused in a leaked Uefa report of routinely manipulating games for betting purposes and may be banned for 10 years In Korce they love their football team and that is why, on 21 February, thousands of the Albanian city’s inhabitants gathered to sing for Skenderbeu. The rally stretched far down the main avenue, one placard standing out among scarves and banners. Its message was clear: “Do not kill our dream.” Everything Skenderbeu have achieved is on the verge of being discredited by the most extraordinary match-fixing inquiry of all time. A leaked Uefa report has recommended the six-times national champions, who competed in the Europa League group stage this season, are banned from its competitions for an unprecedented 10 years; if the governing body’s control, ethics and disciplinary body agrees, almost a decade of progress will come to a shuddering halt. Uefa has not made the report, written by two of its ethics and disciplinary inspectors, public but it has circulated widely in Albania and has been seen by the Guardian. It brought the population of Korce on to the streets and its contents are damning. It concludes Skenderbeu “has been fixing football matches like nobody has ever done before in the history of the game”, alleging the club have essentially operated as a vehicle for organised crime, and shines a light on the detail that underpins Uefa’s match-fixing inquiries. Uefa did not confirm or deny the document’s authenticity. Skenderbeu have previously received punishment for match-fixing, a year-long suspension from European competition served in 2016-17. That was upheld by the court of arbitration for sport (Cas), as an “administrative measure” in a two-step Uefa process; the current investigation forms the second stage and is part of a more serious “disciplinary measure”. Skenderbeu are accused of 'manipulation attempts to obtain criminal betting profits on a stunning global scale' The suspension came after Uefa’s betting fraud detection system (BFDS) identified 53 matches involving Skenderbeu – spanning friendlies, domestic fixtures and European club competitions – allegedly manipulated for betting purposes between November 2010 and April 2016. The case focused on four games: two from the 2015-16Champions League qualifying rounds and two from that season’s Europa League group phase. Skenderbeu were, based largely on the BFDS’s processes, banned. The new report adds fresh evidence from a panel of coaches while employing an external company to reconfirm its findings in an effort to press the case for a more severe punishment. Skenderbeu are accused of “manipulation attempts to obtain criminal betting profits on a stunning global scale”, earning millions of dollars. The report alleges the club have “no respect for the integrity of the game” and that they contrived a highly organised structure intended to harvest huge sums through gambling. It is an allegation the club have denied. “KF Skenderbeu’s legal department is following the necessary procedures for the issue in question and expresses confidence that the case will be closed successfully,” read part of a statement on Facebook after the report’s existence became known. The report argues two group stage games, at Sporting Lisbon and at home to Lokomotiv Moscow, are of particular concern. Skenderbeu lost 5-1 and 3-0 respectively, both matches’ outcomes following rapidly escalating betting patterns almost to the letter. The former saw a flurry of “exuberant and illogical” bets made for six or more goals to be scored with Sporting 4-0 up late on; the latter, according to the report, became subject to a rush of highly suspicious, and accurate, bets when Skenderbeu were a goal down with five minutes left. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing from Skenderbeu’s opponents. The best-known of the ties is a Champions League second qualifying round, second leg against the Northern Irish side Crusaders on 21 July 2015. Skenderbeu had won the home fixture 4-1 and went 2-1 up in the return. There followed what the report terms “some outrageous suspicious live betting” totalling “a minimum of several hundreds of thousands of dollars”; Skenderbeu ran scant risk of losing the tie at this stage and conceded twice in the last 10 minutes, with Crusaders also having two goals disallowed. A tweet from the Crusaders goalkeeper, Sean O’Neill – “If there is not a Uefa investigation into our game tonight, then there is something wrong” – is among the evidence submitted. The BFDS uses algorithms and mathematical models to assess betting movements around games, which are “escalated” for further examination if irregular patterns appear. Skenderbeu have had more than twice as many games escalated as any other club since the system’s inception in 2009. Uefa has enlisted a British firm to conduct anonymised analysis of betting data from 10 of those games; the results bore almost total similarity to those of the BFDS and are central to the report’s conclusion. Another cornerstone will be the findings of an “expert panel” whose members included the Leicester City assistant manager Michael Appleton. They were asked to review incidents from alleged “appalling” and “embarrassing” play against Crusaders to “a few suspicious moments” in another cited game against Dinamo Zagreb. The situation allegedly developed after Agim Zeqo was appointed Skenderbeu president in January 2010. At that point the club risked relegation. They survived, proceeding to win the league five years running; the report shows the first of their games to be “escalated” occurred in November 2010. Contacted by the Guardian, Zeqo said: “I vehemently deny that any match-fixing occurred during my tenure as KF Skenderbeu’s president. I stand ready to face such allegations openly in public, including any court of law if necessary.” I vehemently deny that any match-fixing occurred during my tenure as KF Skenderbeu’s president The current Skenderbeu president, Ardjan Takaj, who succeeded Zeqo in 2012, and the former Albanian finance minister Ridvan Bode are said to have been influential to the alleged scheme. The latter is stated by the report to have been a key donor. He allegedly holds “the power, the connections and the knowledge to influence Skenderbeu’s matches, and ... has done so over the years”. Takaj is accused of targeting friendlies for illegal gain and using relationships with Skenderbeu players to impact their on-pitch actions. A labyrinthine section of the report focuses on Takaj’s business dealings, exploring links between Skenderbeu and betting companies in which he allegedly is, or has been, involved. Both men deny match-fixing. Bode told the Guardian he had never supported Skenderbeu financially. He said the allegations were made with “reckless ease” and continued: “I was never part of and have never been aware of any attempt to influence any match’s result.” Takaj told the Guardian the allegations about his business involvement were “decontextualised”, and continued: “I have never been involved, directly or indirectly, in any activities aiming to manipulate the outcome of the match, neither [have] persons related to me.” The 40-year-old goalkeeper Orges Shehi, whom the report alleges profited from match-fixing through his actions, remains in the team. The defender Tefik Osmani, accused similarly, is still around too and both issued denials to the Guardian. Shehi said: “I believe in the values of sport and of sportsmanship and have tried all my career to give an example for the next generations.” Osmani said: “I completely deny these allegations.” Takaj is determined to clear the club’s name and told the Guardian: “A 10-year sentence is in practice a capital punishment.” t does not help Skenderbeu that Albania’s football federation last year stripped the club of its 2015‑16 title, also deducting 12 points for 2016-17, for match-fixing at national level. Another appeal to Cas is believed to be pending. A further strand of the report’s argument is that, since the Cas hearing in July 2016, no Skenderbeu matches have been escalated. Skenderbeu must wait for Uefa’s decision and came under the spotlight when the governing body announced last month that its disciplinary inspectors had received death threats after the report was leaked. The club distanced itself from those but they underlined the unsavoury nature of the case. A letter by Sotiraq Filo, the mayor of Korce, to the Uefa president, Aleksander Ceferin, concluded by asking Ceferin and Uefa not to “kill the resurrected hope of an entire nation for football”. If Skenderbeu are found guilty this time, then responsibility will lie closer to home.

Was a great keeper. No ide if he is any good now

Macgregor probably a better all round keeper but it's a no for me, we can't afford not to treat the vast majority of our signings as investments. There will be the one off player who won't be an investment but is still worth signing (Dorrans and Murphy). But not the likes of Naismith, Lafferty, MacGregor. Every penny counts at Rangers just now.

But he has at least served his apprenticeship as an assistant under some top managers. Murty's apprenticeship has been to coach youngsters and with very little assistance from ANY 1st team managers, let alone top managers. You simply can't compare their two managerial records. Look at the losses of both managers. Murty's loss ratio is 30% exactly. Clarke's is 36%. There can surely be no doubt that given the team's and leagues Clarke was managing in that you would expect his loss ratio to be significantly higher than Murty's - yet it actually isn't. I guess it just goes to show you can make statistics prove whatever you want them to prove. Murty may have a 63% win rate (which is admirable) but Clarke was managing West Brom and Reading for most of those games, playing against teams he wouldn't be expected to beat. Murty is expected to beat most of the teams he faces.

Cheers you just torpedoed your own nonsense from earlier in the thread. Thing is as has been demonstrated over and over again you don't need to be a great manager to succeed in Scottish football competence is usually sufficient and Clarke is certainly competent.

Oh I know full well that Lawwell and the moonhowlers would to try and stitch us up if they could but legally its not something that can happen. Perhaps I'm being generous but this seems to be an appeasement attempt being facilitated by Lawwell to keep the green pound flowing. Its going nowehere. Hence why nobody serious is taking this seriously.

Which is an apples and oranges comparison if we are to assess Murty v Clarke credentials.

Saying all that, I get that people have their doubts about Clarke. I do think that he's a far better prospect than Murty, but there may be better realistic candidates out there. Identifying them is the hard part.

They'd be top of the league if we only took Clarke's period in charge into account.

Hamilton Crescent was a cricket ground if i remember right.

Spot on, Darther. ?

It would help if the players could pass the ball to another Rangers' player with some degree of consistency.

Jesus wept.

Was 5 nil to us, I remember because I had us at 6 nil with Clarke first scorer and was getting excited after Clarke scored, had a tenner on it at 600/1 That was the night the UB's let off the smoke bombs in the disabled section and 3 or 4 or them had to like yourself leave.

He had his bloody chance so forget about him.

King is certainly a huge step up from previous incumbants. But hes been far from perfect. Weve come a long way in 2 years. Peoole should remember that. Lots still to be done and lots still to worry about.

Why do you think he is going anywhere? They are lording it over us right now. I doubt he is in high demand in England after his failed exploits on Merseyside.

I wouldn't blame anyone for being critical of our board, given what we have gone through in the last decade. It's essential, in fact. RM has some lunatics posting, so I only look over there for some amusement and don't take any of it seriously. I'd take criticism from that forum as a back-handed compliment, if I were you. The board are doing what they can but have definite limitations in finances and knowledge. I really hope they seek some sound advice before appointing our next manager because it's vital we make the right choice.

I wouldn't be in the slightest surprised if it were revealed Jackson had been dining on succulent lamb.

Jackson has it in for King for some reason, and never hesitates to stick the boot in. It appears to be personal for Jackson.

In addition to Bluedell's post earlier in the thread, I guess there's the chance board members (or indeed the chairman) may well be replaced at some point over the course of the next share issue (or two). In the meantime, it would be folly not to pay close attention to the good and bad points of the incumbents. Yes, that has to be done under the proviso there's not really anyone else putting themselves or their wealth forward but that shouldn't veto any valid criticism either.

It is a big decision. The role was thrust upon Murty, but we all knew he wasn't ready. I'm not going to criticise a man who didn't want the job and is not ready for it; he had only just started as a youth coach. He's still done well: he's got us to a stage where we can compete with most sides -- outwith the situation rbr outlined above, the ability to break extremely compact sides down; it's not easy. The semi will be different because Celtic will not be sitting-deep; that's not Rodgers' style. This result only dents our chances of gaining second -- which is still the target. I don't -- and never did -- want him as permanent manager, but I'll thank him for the work done.

You are missing the sub text behind all this stewarty - title stripping is still on the table. The moonhowlers are determined to succeed. Given the chair shuffling currently going on at the SFA and SPFL it wouldn't surprise me if that's what happens. Liewell is playing the long game without having his own name in the frame.

This is news to anyone? It has been blatantly obvious for years. Bears who vote for that lot are conflicted.