andy steel

Would someone mind doing a quick precis on Edu and Mendes? As I recall it, which is dimly, Mendes ought to be back next weekend but Edu (did he have an op?) is a bit of a blank for me. It's going to take quite a while for the football to take over from The Ashes for me, I fancy. Or maybe the CL Draw will do it, plus an afternoon of Fulham, then an evening laughing at Hearts. Spasm, chill the wine!

Talk about not being able to please any of the people any of the time! For a fanbase that moans about us not playing up to the heritage, there's not much appreciation of the use of 'reign' and 'glorious'. Where else have you heard those two words closely together? They just can't win!

I forgot about the international week, that's a good point: always assuming erractic Uncle George doesn't call him up, that is. I have to admit that I've been following the cricket all summer, and didn't even know we were playing on Sunday till I saw the news: were we struggling for midfielders? I know Mendes was out, but I would have thought Davis-McCulloch-Edu-Smith would have done.

I know he was keen to get back, but seeing as how he'd be fired up enough to press for a place, and to get stuck in to overcome the mental side of such a long lay off, was it maybe a mistake by Walter to play Kevin Thomson last Sunday? Though it all worked out well enough in the end, mind you. I just can't help thinking it was an accident waiting to happen. There you are, three days after the game. On the pulse as always!

You hav eto speculate that this is the first step in Murray selling. He could have quit in the summer, which would have made far more sense for club stability, for timing (going out on a high) and allowed more time for a new man to come in before the season was upon us. The timing points to a new man coming in. And since we haven't heard anything from anyone recently, I think it has to be middle eastern. Purely guesswork of course. But should a cartel of Arabs start gaining the majority of UK clubs I can see the much vaunted UK League coming about. Probably wishful thinking, mind you, but it's the only way I could see it happening. Anyway, those who have wanted Murray out may soon get their wish. Fingers crossed for the next 12 months!

I too get the 'all topics read' when returning to the main page, but it's not a big deal.

It's not a subject I find especially rib-tickling, but it takes all sorts, I suppose.

Hoorah! Well said indeed, sir. Calscot, I'm talking about btw.

40% after earning a rather nice sum, I would point out. I'd like to see an equal ban on taxation going to the armed forces; not going to happen. If you want the current system you have to take the warts as well as the breaks. I wonder at all these countries who don't follow the fine example set by the likes of Bermuda or the States. Hard to believe so many voters and politicians can be so blind, innit?

I wish the club had come out with this a lot sooner! Total common sense and some explanations a lot of us might not have thought of. Nothing like a bit of communication, is there?

As someone who considers Communism a bit right wing, I will admit to admiring Mrs Thatcher for his revolutionary zeal, commitment and refusal to be diverted from what she believed in. It's unfortunate what she believed in was the most insane monetarist rubbish, but you can't have everything.

He was one of my youthful heroes. Rarely missed a penalty, classy full back, star of many a wet Murrayfield afternoon.

Tbh I don't see much difference in quality between pots 2 and 3!

Does it have to be an experienced boss? Ferguson did all right at Aberdeen without decades of experience, Coyle looks impressive at Burnley, Mowbray did well at Hibs although he's stepped down a level recently, and Gannon at Motherwell - despite European defeat - looks to me to have MFC playing a better style of football than I've seen since Willie Pettigrew was doing his moustachioed thing in the 70s. It would be a gamble but I'd like to see a young, hungry, radical manager in next. Maybe keep an eye on how Derek McInnes does, uh, Paul Ince...errr...Dick Campbell...can't actually think of anyone, but the point remains.

I don't mind an automatic logout after a while, but it seems to be about 4 minutes at the moment, which is a bit hurried.

Why not offer him an extension but with a release clause of 3million?

Why does my account log out every 5 minutes or so? Does my nut in when I'm reading a thread, type out a considered response only to be told I'm not allowed to. Not exactly Gers chat I know, sorry.

I was thinking about this the other night. It's difficult to draw up a list of the qualities the preferred candidate would have. - a Rangers man - will deliver (qualified) success in Europe - must win league every year - have a record in developing youth - have to work well with a limited budget - must deal with madly high expectations of supporters - must be successfull in 2 years at most or face the boot Anyone fit the bil?

Or me. What is this, some kind of sick joke?

I fear that day is here already. And we have no to blame but ourselves. I was showing a pal my old scrapbook t'other night, and there's a ticket for us v Borussia back in the 80s. 3GBP. I know the 80s is as remote to those under 30 as the 60s seemed to me when I were a lad, but the increase in price measured against the increase in quality (in my eyes, a masive decrease in truth) doesn't add up, if you'll excuse the pun. Added to which, is the attraction of a far superior product immediately available in England. Look at the number of dads who took their boys to London last week - so many people have said "so and so was really looking forward to it, because he's an Arsenal fan as well" - having an English 2nd team is nothing new but I detect a slide toward having equality between the English team and the Rangers. What are we aiming at, pricing mediocre Scottish football at such levels? Are we trying to follow the English lead, and entice a middle class clientele into the ground? Ignoring the smaller size of such a demographic here, are they so ready to enter into our culture at the ground? I fear not. So instead of an expanding, affluent customer base, added to the core support, we have the core support alone, being squeezed tighter and tighter. Adding insult to injury, the club then proscribes certain activity amongst the core support - I'm no businessman but this seems pointless. Is there any way back from this brink? I can't see one. Should the club downsize to a realistic pricing policy, pay less for players and bring through their own, the end result will be we become even more of a selling club than we are already. Under the current repetitive and unenticing set up, it's a lose lose lose scenario. Unless the European League comes about - which I might add, has been mooted since the early 90s and seems no nearer than ever - we're done for.

Dr Dick's Midnight Surgery....how could anyone think that was a good name for a show?

Your point about journos is true enough, but I don't think they influence people as much as is made out. Anyone into football will have their views formed by family, friends and fellow fans far sooner than whatever ill constructed tripe Jim Traynor has scraped, kicking and screaming, from his word processor. Anyone who isn't into football won't, imo, care either way, or even read it. But we all have our views. Ach man, where did all these other posts come from? Techofear, it's happening again!

What an awesome post. Follow that! It would be impossible to argue with the central tenet - that dignified silence ought to be balanced out with occassional bites to let them know RFC has teeth - and my only quibble would be that I think that's what we ARE doing. Bluedell, in another thread, points to the success of the "Rangers For Me" boycott - well, as one who happily took part in same and who refuses to pick up the book, even for a glance, when in a bookshop, I would point to that as an example of how fans kick back against the pricks without the need to do the same at every single criticism. In the end, iirc, General Pericles was voted out - ostracised - from Athens, and lived out his time in comfortable exile. An uncomfortable thought for me!

I must be honest, I never watch STV at all anymore.

It works both for the scurrillous media types, and fans who see enemies everywhere.