alexscottislegend

Mightily impressed with Engelaar whom I hadn't seen before. Is he really (a) available, and (b) affordable for us?

Whatever it is, let's hope that it's actually ROYAL blue, not the light blue versions we've had in recent years. I know that back in the 1880's our strip was much lighter, but I was brought up to believe our colours were Royal blue. I once had a Vauxhall Chevette in that colour. Class!

What's even more interesting is that if a club like like Man. U can't tell other clubs to GTF - what chance have we e.g. with Carlos?

He's actually a left winger, which makes me wonder why we're going for him. It's not as though we don't have any left sided players, viz. Adam,Beasley,Fleck, McCulloch, Naismith. Or does WS see either him or Beasley playing on the right?

Make that 4 players and include McGregor.

I live near Coventry and can say he's highly regarded by the fans. Scored a few vital goals in relegation battle. Is small and quite skilful, but is he better than Novo? mm.... not sure. Certainly not the player to take us to the next level.

Best post I've seen in a long time. Rather than trying and failing to compete in the big money market we should be buying up potential from overseas and moving them on to the Barcas and Manu's when they develop. I wouldn't feel so bad about losing players then. Look at Africa. We once had a young lad from South Africa - name of Madigage - but it didn't work out. However, that was before Murray Park. Very few youngsters are going to walk straight into Fergie's team or Real's; in fact they could be stuck in the reserves for years. We, however, could give them first team football much earlier. I think the RST, Rangers Assembly, whatever, should lobby SDM and demand a thorough overhaul of the scouting system. Be pro-active, not wait for the Arsenals to snap up promising young talent which isn't ready for the premiership. That is what the French clubs seem to be doing now. It's horrifying to think that the Championship could be leaving us behind. The only other solution is to resurrect the Atlantic League idea, but that's for another time.

That must mean that Stevie Smith is not likely to recover from his injury. What's the news on him, anyone heard? Think Riise is a great player, can play left midfield, but LB is really his position surely.

Good on ya, Sebo. Shame it didn't work out. Oh, if only Cousin had your attitude!

As Alex Scott the non legend says above - we need McGregor to stay now. Hey! ---Alex Scott (way before your time so I'll forgive your cheek) was a speed merchant who chipped with a good few goals. Where's your Lovenkrands noo?

Best news we've had this summer so far. Just need McGregor to stay now. Before we even start thinking about who we bring in, it's imperative we get the best players to stay. Without the Euro run we might have been struggling.

You make a good point about Gers not being linked with decent players...Reading this morning that we are keen on Greening from W. Brom and Mifsud from Coventry - neither will take us to the next level. And Greening is a left winger; we already have Beasley who did not too bad I thought v England, despite being not fully match fit. If we don't show some ambition then any profits we made from this season will have been just frittered away.

As you say, something needs to be done. Somewhere along the line the Benficas and Ajaxes are gonna get cheesed off with the present disparity. It may have to come to the point that teams leave their own leagues, but I think the Old Firm would be better advised pursuing this option than dreaming about the premiership - because that's all it is - a dream. A real Euro league would not serve up the big four stalemate that now occurs in the EPL - it would be competitive. Can you imagine us getting worked up for our next league game v. say Porto or PSV? As for teams wanting to still play in the CL - there could be some sort of 'feeder' system; maybe the top 4 could qualify for the CL.

Was just sorting out my attic when I came across an old newspaper from 20001. There was an interview with Harry van Raay, the then president of PSV. Concerned that the smaller nations were losing out to the big 5 in the Champions League he proposed a Euro league for the likes of Holland, Portugal, Belgium etc. He said it was a cert. to happen in a few years. This got me thinking: Gers are hamstrung because of lack of cash, but so are other huge clubs like Benfica and Ajax. How about a league comprising the following: Rangers Celtic Benfica Sporting Lisbon Porto Ajax PSV Feyenoord Galatasaray Fenerbahce Olympiakos Piraeus AEK Athens Gothenburg Rosenborg + 2 others (suggestions?) Think of the sponsorship money that would attract. It could start to rival the main CL. Teams would probably play every Wednesday and could still remain in their own domestic leagues. It would be more like a LEAGUE not a knockout tournament which is what the CL is basically. What does anyone else think?

Even if it is only 10 million available we should still be able to get some quality - what we DON'T need are squad players. I'd rather 5 mill was spent on just 2 players if they are the right ones. After all it's not that long ago that we could attract the likes of Prso. Sorry, don't think Lafferty comes into that category.

You swine, you beat me to it. I wanted to post that witticism!

Despite his height I think he's actually a kind of left winger, which makes it difficult to envisage how he would be used by WS.

Talking about young Fleck, The Herald - not for the first time - this morning is claiming he is a cert for the first team next season. Be interesting to see what the line up will be if that's the case; he seems to be left-sided and not an out-an-out striker. Could he be the back-up to Darch from midfield that Fergie failed to be?

I heard Craig Brown say on Radio 5 that he thought the long-term replacement for Weir was...wait for it...Dailly! Honestly!

Like you, I'm in my fifth decade, so you'll probably recall a player called Ted McDougall? Played for Bournemouth and like Boyd scored for fun. But when he moved up to Man. Utd. he was found wanting. Similar scenario with Boyd. Only way it can work for him is if we play 4-4-2 with the right partner and that might -MIGHT - just be Kenny Miller. I don't want Miller more than anyone else does, but I can't see any other point in having him at Ibrox.

Agree that we threw it away. If we had done what we needed to there was nothing C****c could have done. Next season we must prioritise. And we can't sacrifice Europe. A good run - not necessarily winning it - is essential for prestige and cash. But the two cup competitions? We can certainly do without all the extra time and replays they entailed. So I suggest we save the Scottish Cup and League Cup for the Furmans and Flecks - really utilise our squad to the full, which is IMO what WS didn't do this season.

This is made for John Fleck to come on and be a hero! I remember 16 yr old Dere4 Johnstone!

How come you're watching this? I'm listening to Radio Scotland in England but can't get the game online!

Great stuff there mate. Did you see Albertz's goal v I think Stirling? From your list I'd take Elmander, Lennon (can we really get him?) and Thuram. Don't know why full back keeps coming up - what's wrong with Whittaker and SMITH? Anyone know if Smith is badly crocked?

You're dead right about the Carlos situation not being the same as the Hutton one. Then, we DID need the money:now we DO'NT. I know every player has his price, but even if WS had his budget doubled, where will he get 2 half-decent CB's from?