Gribz

That sounds crazy when you think of it. Its like lending him to Turkey and we pay 700k but they pay his wages. I do want him back and Id rather Miller for 1.1m that Goodwillie for 1.5m - 2m.

Europe is more hard to judge until we are a) in the CL proper and b) know who is in our group. The minimum should be to reach the group stages for this season though. But unlike the SPL where we know our opposition and know we are good enough to win that, we are guessing in the CL as we could end up with 3 top Euro teams in which there is probably no expectation. But if drawing an average group we should be in the top 3.

I believe its McDowall. But like you Danny id prefer someone like Wilkins. IMO the No.2 is in some cases as important as the manager and having an experienced No.2 is key. McDowall will be good around the place though.

I think plenty on here mentioned a one year playing / coaching deal was the best for all. Ive previously always thought we should have had Gough as a defensive coach.

Thats the summer weekends with no football over and its full steam ahead as the season kicks off this coming Saturday and the league flag will be unfurled. :spl: As usual we will have our expectations of the team going into a new season. With a new (ish) management team in place they are likely to have different ideas about how we play but with not much difference in the squad thus far Im hoping Ally carries the baton from where Walter left off. We finished last season on a high and we were scoring for fun. We showed that when we played to our strengths and attack teams that we are a huge distance above 10 of the other SPL teams. With a number of players signing new lenghty deals it can only settle things. I expect a few new faces coming in this week, ideally Cuellar will agree personal terms and if we can get Bougherra to sign on also then our defensive woes will be disappearing. The defence is the most concerning area of the pitch at the moment. We are still in the market for possibly one futher defender with the names of Rodriguez and Bartley being touted. One major boost at the back is the long term deal of Allan McGregor. Good enough for any team in England The New Goalie will be between the sticks at Ibrox for 6 more seasons which still means I cant ever remember Rangers having anything less than a top class first choice keeper since I started following. 3 youngsters made good progress last season and established themselves in the squad. Hutton, Ness and Wylde all have a full season under their belt now they should be kicking onto the next level. We picked up 2 of the 3 domestic trophies last season and for me that should be expected every season with the league title always being one of them. Last season I said at the time that winning the league cup was possibly the better cup to win than the Scottish Cup as it was at a time when we were out of Europe therefore the focus could be 100% on the league. We have to negotatiate 2 rounds of qualifiers for the Champions League where the 10m windfall is hugely important for the near future planning of the team. I fully expect to get past the first game against the likely opposition of Malmo. If Torshavn turn that tie around then id expect victory even more. For me, my expectations are: SPL - Winners Scottish Cup - Winners (or vice versa with the League Cup) League Cup - Good run Europe - Champions League Group Stages. Brand of Football - Similar to the last 6 games of last season. Attack minded, pacey but still solid at the back. So what is the expectations of everyone else: SPL - Scottish Cup - League Cup - Europe - Brand of football -

I cant see him becoming a worse player over the summer break, if anything the rest will make him better for the start of the new season. If we get Cuellar back then he wont be ready until September so having Weir step in until then is a clever move. I agree that he shouldnt be first choice if Cuellar and Bougherra are fit, but i dont think we can underestimate how much he adds around the place. It will also be interesting to see how others play without him as they have all shone when partnering him. Perhaps he can mould Broadfoot a bit more also. How good would it be going into the season with our squad showing: Cuellar, Bougherra, Weir and Bartley as our options in defence.

He'd be nuts to turn down the chance of Bolton or Sunderland to go to Blackpool. I wouldnt be surprised to see Blackpool back in League 1 in the next few years.

Im sure we will be adding bonuses and signing on fee, and considering he will get more appearance money (Villa dont play him as much) then the drop may not even be as high as 7.5k.

But when your blending those in with Hutton, Ness, Wylde, Jelavic (only 24) then experience counts a lot. Plus Miller is 31 and easily could give us 2 good seasons. Gattuso could easily run give us 2 seasons also. As for Cuellar, he could be Rangers captain for next 4 seasons.

Has Big Jig not got one of these aswell?

Logistically Malmo is the best draw (Belgium would have been fine also). Much better than Georgia or Lithuania. And we should be too strong for them.

Cant see that one. Dont think Cuellar is that type of guy. Plus Villa wouldnt have accepted the offer if he wasnt willing to come back. Im sure he has sat down with Mcleish and spoke about it. The only strange one is how other EPL teams havent bid for him. He'd improve most defences down there and 2m is a snip in their market.

Normally Im not for players returning but if its out better previous ones who have either a) went onto better things and b) would improve the team then Ive no problem with them coming back. Id take Hutton, Gattuso, Miller and Cuellar in an instant. How could anyone prefer Whittaker, McCulloch, Lafferty and Broadfoot to the first 4 names?

Yeah was wondering that. Perhaps a generous but affordable signing on fee also?

He would be a welcome signing for numbers but if we get Cuellar and then bougherra signed a new deal it would makes things better as then we have Weir and Broadfoot as cover plus Papac and Whittaker can play there. Would still prefer Bartley back.

Will wait until he has signed but cant say Im not excited. Well done Big Eck on accepting 2m.

Is this a thank you match for taking Beattie away last season?

I thought Weiss was terrific. Players cant be like Maradona every week and will have the odd quiet game. But for a right winger he did very well for us on the left and Id be delighted to see him back.

What a dope the guy is. Im quite pleased with Ortiz, seems a promising signing.

Not too bothered about Goodwillie, Id much rather Miller resigned. But top priority should be Cuellar, we should be doing everything to sign him. And if we got Bougherra on a new deal then those 2 at the back would suit me perfect with Weir as back up.

If it had been 1 bad result id not been concerned but to come away with 3 defeats and no goals scored has to raise an eyebrow. Its nothing major but you wonder how the players feel coming away from a trip to Germany having not scored a goal and having defensive errors. Fitness will be up which is the good thing but organisation and tactics will be up in the air and any new signing will now have to fit it straight away in competitive matches.

I would guess it was Weir or Ehiogu.

Saying all the right things there, but we need to see the signature. Absolutely need strengthening at centre half and players who go straight into the team.

Salmond setting up a spy network? Scotsman July 12.

You have a point that it might have struck Ally he needs at least 2 more first teamers. I think everything knew this pre-season though. The other blessing in disguise might be that things have went wrong in friendlies rather than during the season.