Bluedell

Yes, excellent night, and it was great to meet Big Spliff and Franker.

Thought edu had a good game.

Whilst it was only a friendly he looked outstanding against Milan. If he can replicate that again then we won't have a problem. Big "if" though.

I don't have such a problem with Edu playing. I think we could end up getting bullied if we playred 2 out of Naismith, Fleck, Aaron and Beasley wide.

Aaahhhh. Lafferty on the left.

Yup, Scotzine kids on at being neutral but clearly shows his bias yet again. The Celtic fans were as much to blame during the old firm game and had another IRA-fest at last week's game, but of course he missed that.

Consolidated Profit & Loss Account 6 months to 6 months to 31 December 2008 31 December 2007 Unaudited Unaudited �£'000 �£'000 Turnover 20,136 33,076 ------ ------ (Loss)/profit before interest & tax (2,700) 3,099 Interest (1,419) (826) ------ ------ (Loss)/profit before tax (4,119) 2,273 Taxation 203 - ------ ------ Retained (loss)/profit for the period (3,916) 2,273 ------ ------

The level of debt would be reflected in the purchase price, so I'm not sure that in itself would scare people off. The more worrying thing is that if we don't qualify for Europe we are looking at a �£10m+ loss, and if we do qualify we will only break-even. Hardly an incentive for anyone to risk their cash.

They never disclose the debt in the half year accounts (unlike celtic who have different rules as they operate on a different stock exchange from us). My estimate would be around �£30m, but it's difficult to calculate accurately due to lack of information on transfer payments in and out, the JJB payments etc.

Turnover was indeed under �£25m, so Spiers was wrong yet again. His estimate of the debt is widely out as well.

Rangers Football Club today published its unaudited interim results for the six months to 31 December 2008. Chairman's Statement The first six months of the financial year excluded income from UEFA Champions League football in comparison to last year. The absence of European competition, together with the economic downturn, has confirmed that the size of the squad was neither sustainable from a financial nor football management point of view. It is our aim to rationalise the squad to a more manageable level going forward, and integrate the young talent now emerging from Murray Park. We are competing well again in both domestic cups, with participation assured in the final of The Co-operative Insurance Cup and progression into the quarter finals of The Homecoming Scottish Cup. The importance of Champions League qualification to the Club underpins our determination to reclaim the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title and with it, direct entry into the Champions League group stages. Turnover for the six months to 31 December 2008 decreased by �£12.9m to �£20.1m, due to the lack of income from the UEFA market pool, ticketing and hospitality associated with European competition. Savings in operating costs through efficiencies and reduced European expenditure have been partly offset by higher underlying player wage costs and amortisation charges due to the summer signings. Incorporating the effect of these additions to the squad, less the gain on sale of players, results in an overall decrease of �£5.8m in profit before interest and tax to a net loss of �£2.7m. Due to the increase in the average debt, the interest charge of �£1.4m was �£0.6m higher than the same period last year, resulting in a retained loss after tax of �£3.9m compared to a retained profit of �£2.3m last year. The players and management are committed and relish the challenges that lie ahead, and I have no doubt that with your collective support we can achieve our objective of securing the league title and Champions League qualification for next year.

I can be contacted by PM....

Maybe, but I don't want to make too much of a fuss about it, in case I've got it all wrong.

I find it hard to believe that the debt is as low as �£23m, not that it's disclosed in the accounts that we will issue. I also don't believe his estimate of turnover of �£30m. I'd say it was going to be under �£25m. Perhaps he's got the figures round the wrong way?

I like the Boyd one. Nice one Shroomz.

The story is probably made up, so it doesn't prove that he has managed to sell any copies.

I know, mate. I just thought bookies calculated accumulator bets accurately. Perhaps they don't. I'm no expert.

The combination odds don't look right given the individual odds. To do the League and Scottish Cup double should be 17/5 and not 3/1, should it not?

You wouldn't normally describe a 2-1 win as a gubbing.

I put it down to the fact that he just doesn't have a big club mentality.

Jock Stein apparently suggested it in the 70's, so it's an old idea that resurfaces occasionally, perhaps when needed to take the heat off playing matters.

He's losing his hair faster than I am.

Boyd would have got a 4 from me. As I said on Saturday night, I thought he was by far our worst player, and it was one of his worst performances of the season to date.

If that's the case then it would certainly explain a substandard performance.

Even if he'd scored one goal, his general perfomance would have been far better than Boyd's, but perhaps that needs at least a degree of objectivity on the subject.