CammyF

Simple question that we've never had answered - where has all OUR money gone? Don't believe we will ever know the full extent of SDM's financial missmanagment as there will probably be some sort of non-disclosure agreements attached to the sale of the club (if we ever find a buyer). Cammy F

The Return Of The Rant Itââ?¬â?¢s been a while since I last vented my frustration on you poor souls, so this is long overdue! The reasons for the lack of rantings are many and varied, starting a new career which is eating into my time, lack of new and meaningful Rangers related topics (I know, more of that later) and a general malaise in what is happening in and around our club. So enough of the excuses and on with the ranting, but where to start! Our esteemed Chairman has gone AWOL and taken Boogie with him and the bank appear to be pulling the (purse) strings within Ibrox. Iââ?¬â?¢ll leave you to decide if the two are related. This disturbing turn of events have been predicted for a while from those described as ââ?¬Ë?doom-mongersââ?¬â?¢ but it appears that SDM has taken us to the brink and we are in serious financial trouble and in freefall. Tomorrow sees our latest financial results published and theyââ?¬â?¢ll make for interesting reading. It is predicated that the debt will have risen to over the Ã?£30M mark (again) and with little or no sign of this improving. This financial meltdown has gotten the hopes of a takeover heightened but there appears to be no-one willing to show their cards and place a firm offer to SDM for Rangers. The recent ââ?¬Ë?riot in Romaniaââ?¬â?¢ and inconsistent form, especially in Europe and the continued speculation of whether further staff cuts (including players and management) donââ?¬â?¢t exactly make Rangers attractive to potential buyers. However, the recent happenings must have finally opened the eyes of even the most ardent SDM supporters. He has overseen the most irresponsible overspending in our entire history and has taken us to the brink and into the hands of the bank ââ?¬â?? we are at their mercy. Despite SDMââ?¬â?¢s and the banks protestations, there are likely to be wholesale changes at Ibrox come January if a buyer doesnââ?¬â?¢t come forward. This will mean players sold and not replaced and the enforced promotion of young players (not necessarily a bad thing if managed correctly) and a change in the management of the club (again, not necessarily a bad thing). All this at a time where our bitterest rivals are struggling on the pitch and at a time where even a half-decent Rangers team would have had the title all but wrapped up. Tony Mowbry has a worse record than John Barnes and are still 2 points clear of us in the title race (we do have a game in hand). Our recent form has rightly raised concerns and the usual excuses of injuries and suspensions have been trotted out. Neither explains the lack of basic footballing ability constantly displayed by our players. We have decent players, that is unquestionable, but they appear to be unable to consistently turn in acceptable performances. This leads to the question of whether they are being coached properly. If all of the above is overtly depressing, have some sympathy for your author, I am sitting here typing this listening to The Smiths and Joy Division and with tomorrow being the day we hear about finances, UEFA sanctions and the EPL decision, the mood isnââ?¬â?¢t going to lighten any time soon. In the dark and distant days of the early to mid eighties, I used to think that there was never a dull moment following Rangers and despite the lack of success and decent players, I always believed that there was light at the end of the tunnel. In retrospect, I believe that this was youthful exuberance and the naivety of youth ââ?¬â?? no matter what it was, the sleeping giant that was The Rangers were awakened and we went to dominate domestically for over a decade. Maybe itââ?¬â?¢s my age, but there is little or no optimism when looking at the future of The Rangers unless we can convince the EPL to adopt us and attract substantial financial investment. Without this, and being resigned to a life in the SPL, The Rangers that we know and love will continue on a road to ruin and will be the death of The Rangers. No One Likes Us? At times it certainly feels this way and at the moment its open season on Rangers and especially us, the fans. The Scottish media who are never slow in putting the boot in, are having a field day with the off-field issues and the ââ?¬Ë?riot in Romaniaââ?¬â?¢. UEFA will have their say tomorrow. Domestically we have to suffer sectarian abuse on a weekly basis with no mention of this in the unbiased media. It even appears that the weather is conspiring against us with the postponement of the game at Tannidice due to a pitch that was no worse at half-time than it was a kick-off. Sitting in the Fair Play Stand watching the officials run round the pitch with a ball under their arms (which was never used to test the surface), watching the DUFC subââ?¬â?¢s deliberately kicking balls into puddles in both halves of the pitch whilst the officials were out, then kicking water at their backs, you just knew that the game was being cancelled. On leaving Tannidice, you couldnââ?¬â?¢t fail to notice the ire emanating from the Rangers support, at last the sleeping giant had awoken. Like a wounded animal, the Rangers support can only take so much ââ?¬Ë?pokingââ?¬â?¢ before it bites back. It appears the recent happenings have finally witnessed a snarling, biting response for the Rangers fans. Lets make sure we direct our ire in the right direction as people will start to take notice, and long may it continue. So given this, wasnââ?¬â?¢t it heartening to hear and see the welcome Hamburg SV had prepared for the Tims? You know, The Tims who are loved by every club they play against? Who have ââ?¬Ë?specialââ?¬â?¢ relationships all over Europe? I just wonder if the Hamburg boys would loan us their display for The Piggery on January 3rd? After all Rangers allowed Celtc to set up a display last season, surely John Reid will return the favour (if h isnââ?¬â?¢t too busy insulting us as a way to deflect from his own troubles). More power to the HSV fans who, with a quick search of Youtube, a fantastic fan-base who add colour and noise to every ground they visit. Some Poor Monkey Has A Tony Mowbry Heid The Blue Order are rightly praised for their continued contribution to the atmosphere at Ibrox and have been behind some memorable displays, banners and songs. Recently, probably due to the lack of support they receive from the rest of the ground on match-days whilst trying to get the singing going, they have resorted some old school (or should it be skool?) classics like ââ?¬Ë?Frank McGarvieââ?¬â?¢s wife is off ill reputeââ?¬â?¢, ââ?¬Ë?Jorge Cadette and his hair like spaghettiââ?¬â?¢, ââ?¬Ë?If I had the wings of a sparrow (if I had the arse of a crow, Iââ?¬â?¢d fly over parkhead tomorrow and shite on the barstewards below)ââ?¬â?¢. However, surely nothing can beat The Blue Orders homage to the new Celtc manager. Some Poor Monkey Has Got A Tony Mowbry Heid must rank amongst the funniest footballing songs ever. Lest We Forget Iââ?¬â?¢d like to finish on a serious note and take this opportunity to pay tribute to all those brave servicemen and woman who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and also to all those who have served ââ?¬â?? we will NEVER forget. Cammy F

Done - hope its not too late!!! Cammy F

Helen also loved her personalised Rangers top.... Know someone who vistied her pub in Torquay and she is deffo one of us........ took time to talk to my mate and his family and asked him to leave his RFC top so she could hand it in her pub. Cammy F

As someone who hasn't missed a domestic game this season, In a word NO Cammy F

I think the kindest words that can be used to describe our early season form is ââ?¬Ë?erraticââ?¬â?¢ both on the domestic front and in Europe. There have been a few highs (2nd half against Stuttgart, first half against Seville, victory at Tynecastle and our recent OF victory) but these have been outweighed with negatives. We have failed to win another away game since that memorable victory in Edinburgh and have failed to score against Motherwell, Killie and Aberdeen. Thankfully we managed to get back on track against Celtc and earned a well deserved 3 points to close the gap to one point when most feared that weââ?¬â?¢d fall 7 points behind. It isnââ?¬â?¢t only the results that are worrying, some of the performances have raised alarming questions regarding the quality of our squad, especially once we have injuries and suspensions. There are also credible concerns regarding our discipline after receiving three red cards in our opening three SPL away games. In saying that, it could be argued that all three decisions were incorrect (however, it can as easily be argued that all three were correct depending on your interpretation of the rules). We continue to have a sound defensive base to build upon with us ensuring that goals against are at a premium and its undeniable that we are hard to break down (unless your Seville!). It is further forward we are appearing to struggle. Our midfield is constantly being chopped and changed and none of our strikers have set the heather on fire so far this season. It can be argued that they are being starved of their usual quality service as our creative players have been limited with injuries and suspensions. Hopefully this is improving as we are slowly but surely getting most of our players match fit and ready for action. The only exceptions are long-term absentees Kirk Broadfoot and Mo Edu. With all due respect to Kirk is exclusion from the squad whilst being missed, in my opinion, it is the enforced absence of Mo Edu that has hampered us this season. This is an extraordinary admission from myself as when I first heard we had signed the young American for Ã?£2.6M I believed it was money thrown away. The early sightings of the slight American hardly filled me with confidence but when injuries forced our management team to unwrap the cotton wool from the youngster and throw him into the title race, I quickly realised that we had a very promising prospect on our hands. For one so young he appears to be able to read games very well. His slightness hides a physical presence that he is able to channel correctly. His game also allows others around him to play with a freedom. Not one single player can take any extra credit or glory for overhauling Celtc last season but Mo Edu can be proud of his contribution in the nail-biting finale to the season. This included a brillaint OF debut where Mo helped Rangers to a 1-0 victory over Celtc at Ibrox. His energy in that game was outstanding as was his general performance. I was looking forward to Mo taking this form and confidence into the new season but the knock he took in the final game of season was more serious than first imagined and we were informed that heââ?¬â?¢d be missing for a prolonged period. As said above I believe that this has had an impact on our early season form especially given the fact the Kevin Thomson is also just coming back from serious injury. It is encouraging to hear that Edu is on the road to recovery and I for one canââ?¬â?¢t wait until he makes his comeback into the Rangers starting 11. Cammy F

For those unlucky enough to have been reading my inane ramblings for some time, this next statement may come as a huge surprise, there was once a time where I wouldnââ?¬â?¢t have had a negative word to say about our beloved club. I was always a champion of the club and even although privately I had reservations of the way it was being run, I wouldnââ?¬â?¢t allow a bad word to be uttered relating to Rangers FC. I canââ?¬â?¢t recall when my attitude changed but reflecting on over 10 years of posting on GersNet, it appears that I have always been an old cynical so-and-so who never looks on the bright side of life, especially where Rangers are concerned. On further reflection, and looking for any excuse to explain my negativity, I believe that the general malice surrounding our fortunes is what has transformed me into the cynic that I am. Let me get one thing straight from the start, I donââ?¬â?¢t enjoy being cynical and I certainly donââ?¬â?¢t enjoy witnessing the continued demise of the club that we all love. But, it is hard to find anything positive to pen regarding Rangers. I thought long and hard about this article as I remember writing the same things numerous times over the years and as always nothing has improved. Sir David Murray has moved (or been moved) aside and a new Chairman has taken the reigns, but do any of us expect this to change anything? Will our crippling debt suddenly disappear? Will our manager suddenly decide to play free-flowing attractive football? Will the club finally stand up to the agenda driven journalists earning a substantial living from continually berating Rangers? Will Ibrox be renovated / upgraded so it is once more the majestic stadium that it once was? Will we suddenly transform ourselves into a marketable brand and re-establish a successful merchandising department? Will Murray Park suddenly start producing a stream of players who are genuine Rangers material? Will the vast majority of the Rangers fan-base even care? Football clubs mean different things to different people. I am not unique and I am not looking for plaudits but I can honestly say that I love Rangers with ever fibre of my being. After my family, Rangers are my life. Thatââ?¬â?¢s what makes the current state of our club so personal and so hurtful. It is like watching a family member dying and being unable to help. I think we can all recall times that the Rangers result hurt so much that you just went home, curled up into a ball and refused to communicate with the outside world for days. We can also recall times where the Rangers result made your day, week, month or year. Thatââ?¬â?¢s the joy of being a football fan. One second can change your whole mood and entire outlook. However, recently I have found that no matter the on-field success (which I have enjoyed) hasnââ?¬â?¢t quite supplemented the feelings for doom and gloom. After the initial high of the success comes the realisation that the club is still rotten to the core. It is easy to sit and pen articles like this and not come up with ways to improve the situation. However, even if I were to give solutions to all our problems, our club wouldnââ?¬â?¢t be interested. After-all, we are all faceless and clueless. But I wonââ?¬â?¢t let our managers assessment of internet fans deter me from putting over some suggestions! Iââ?¬â?¢ll admit that reducing the crippling debt has to be our priority. How do we manage this without weakening the team? That is the $64,000 question and one that I have no answer for other than to find an escape from Scottish Football or to cut our cloth accordingly. The one negative surrounding Rangers that I would love to be able to tackle (Iââ?¬â?¢m open for discussions Mr Johnston) is how to tackle the odious journalists. If I were tasked to develop a solution I believe that I would have this sorted in a matter of months. Firstly Iââ?¬â?¢d ban any journalist that had shown prejudice in reporting on the ills of Scottish Football and who implicated Rangers and no other teams / clubs. I would then inform their editors of why they were banned and inform them that the ban wouldnââ?¬â?¢t be lifted until they ensure impartiality. Make no mistake these papers need us more than we need them. Certain journalists wouldnââ?¬â?¢t be given a 2nd chance, they would serve a life-time ban from Ibrox and Iââ?¬â?¢d release a statement informing everyone why they were banned including showing examples of their one sided reporting. As fans we can invoke change here ââ?¬â?? simply donââ?¬â?¢t buy newspapers. I havenââ?¬â?¢t bought a newspaper for over 7 years. It is also worth noting and recalling at this juncture, we the fans are still the biggest single financial contributor to Rangers FC. Another worrying aspect is how we have become an unmarketable brand. This is solely down to neglect from our custodians. They have allowed us to slip from being the single most recognised Scottish Institution to a badly run laughing stock. Our current sponsorship with Carling is highly unlikely to be renewed and that leaves us with another potential financial head-ache. Make no mistake, our rivals from the East End are a far more marketable brand than we are and are in sound financial state at this moment in time. I heard a story this week that supposedly came from one of our current coaching staff. Now, before going any further, I donââ?¬â?¢t believe a word of this, but its another example of the negativity around our club. The story goes that if we hadnââ?¬â?¢t made it to the Champions League this season then the administrators would have been called. The story continues that if we donââ?¬â?¢t escape from Scottish Football then they may still be called to Ibrox. As stated above, I donââ?¬â?¢t believe that our current financial predicament is that serious, but weââ?¬â?¢d be kidding ourselves if we didnââ?¬â?¢t believe that we could reach that perilous state soon if things donââ?¬â?¢t improve. The millstone that is our debt is stopping other areas like Murray Park being utilised to their full potential. This is also true regarding the upkeep of Ibrox Stadium that looks like a tired old lady now rather than the super-model it used to be. It breaks my heart seeing the state of Ibrox ââ?¬â?? broken TVââ?¬â?¢s, dirty and disgusting toilets etc. This is Scotlandââ?¬â?¢s first UEFA 5 star accredited stadium we are talking about here. It is also a remembrance of those who lost their lives at the Ibroxââ?¬â?¢s disasters. I have had many discussions with many Rangers fans regarding the above issues and why I am so negative and cynical and I appear to be in the minority. Am I missing something? Am I overtly negative and cynical? Should I just shrug my shoulders and refuse to believe that my club would ever go to the wall just because we are ââ?¬Ë?Rangersââ?¬â?¢? I canââ?¬â?¢t believe how blind some Rangers fans are when it comes to the long-term future of the club we profess to love. Never mind we won the SPL title and have just beaten Celtc ââ?¬â?? everything is hunky-dorey eh? Cammy F

Other reports stating that Boyd will be offered a new contract on the same wages he is currently on...... as will Novo. This is the strongest hint yet that the current management team are likely to sign extensions to their contracts (wonder if their wages will shrink or stay the same). They wanted assurances regarding finances and wanted certain players offered new contracts. Looks like they have gotten their way and have Johnstons ear. Wonder what Mr Bain will have to say! Cammy F

I get angrier and angrier every time I see that incident. I don't think I've every seen such a stonewall penalty not given. Not just a penalty but a red card as well. As for it being a strange night, I though that in some respects it followed a host of other European games at Ibrox - a large (anf growing) section of those in attandence are not the type of fans we require at Ibrox. This has been evident over the last couple of seasons during European campaigns. Cammy F

Sitting in the Broomie lower BF4 we were showered with scrafs, soft drinks and half-eaten pies by those leaving early. They were not content with leaving early but had to throw what ever came to hand into another section full of Rangers fans. As the OP and OT stated - fuck off and don't come back. Cammy F

4-5-1 tomorrow without a doubt with Kenny Miller being deployed as a lone striker. It's on nights like these that we miss the likes of Cousin and / or JCD. Cammy F

So you are saying that Boyd is BIGGER than the club? Offer Boyd a new contract no matter the consequences? If the powers that be are on the same wavelength why are they actively trying to sell Boyd? Why haven't they offered him a new contract that would be to an end all this 'speculation'? Cammy F

Why? What if Boyd signs a new contract and then REFUSES any offers that come his way. Rangers are left to pay him for the time of his contract. Hardly makes financial sense does it Cammy F

Even to the deprement of the long term stability and financial health of the club? One man bigger than the entire club? I can and you were. However, the club aren't whoring Boyd around for no reason. They (rightly or wrongly) believe that for the short term good of the club, Boyd has to be sold (or let go). That may change over the coming year, but I doubt it. We have, but obviously not by enough as we are still looking to off-load players before the transfer window slams shut. Cammy F

As soon as he hooks up with Alan Smith after the Newcastle game tonight Cammy F

Why offer a 'token' contract to a player who you are actively trying to get off the books? Say Rangers offer Boyd a 4 year dedal at �£7-�£10K per week just to get someone to offer a bid for him. Boyd, well within his rights knocks back all these bids. Rangers then have to pay him his wages for the term of the contract. It may just be my opinion, but it is the reality of what is happening. If you care to tell me any other option we have to reduce the wage bill and squad size that doesn't require us to sell players or let them go, then I'm sure not only me, but Martin Bain would like to hear them. Cammy F

So have I get a poll for Walter to sign me up Cammy F

Loaded question / poll as Boyd's departure will be due to financial constraints and nothing else. Even if 100% vote 'stay' that won't change the reality of the situation. If Boyd leaving helps the club financially then 'go' is the only option surely? Cammy F

Rangers can afford to let Boyd's contract expire, they done it with Hendami who was on more than Boyd. Cammy F

If Boyd was going to offered a new contract, he'd have signed it by now. If Boyd was going to be offered a new contract, Rangers wouldn't be whoring him around at every opportunity. We are trying to sell him whilst he still has 'some value' (as he is under contract). If we don't, or Boyd refuses all advances, he'll simply depart on a free next summer. How do I know they won't be offered new contracts? Well, Martin Bain has been tasked to reduce the wage bill even further and trim the first team squad. He won't do that by not selling players (or letting players go) or by handing our new (and improved) contracts. Maybe I have just grasped the reality of Rangers FC circa 2009 - less than 24 hours until the transfer window closes and we still haven't added to our squad. Still no cover at centre-half, still no genuine width and for the first time in living memory that we haven't signed even 1 player. Cammy F

:sd: or :sw: Cammy F

As part of the financial cut-backs at Ibrox, a very select few players (if any) will be offered new contracts. Boyd (and for that matter Novo) are amongst those who won't be. Its about time that we all realised what a financial mess we are in. The debt has risen to over �£25M and growing, and thats despite having CL money this season. Just because we wish Boyd to stay forever, doesn't mean its going to happen. Peter Lovenkrands has offered to take a �£3K per week contract to resign for Rangers, yet we can't even afford that. Yet we expect one of our mid-to-high earners to be given a new (and improved) contract?????? Cammy F

Boyd will leave - whether it is this summer, January or next summer is the only point up for discussion. He is out of contract next summer and will not be offered a new deal. Cammy F

A good article regarding Alastair Johnston - http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20040111/ai_n9627727/?tag=content;col1 Cammy F

Therein lies the problem - the RSC's only get these inflated numbers due to the fact that season ticket holders aren't signing up in the same numbers for away games, especially your Kilmarnock, Motherwell etc where RFC get a decent allocation. If more season ticket holders signed up for away allocation, the RSC's would get less tickets - simple.... Getting back to Tynecastle, was speaking to a friend who got a ticket for the game from Hearts. He said that when he first applied for Tynecastle last season they took contact details from him. In the lead up to the latest game at Tynecastle, he received an email from Hearts asking him if he wanted to apply for this game. A simple 'yes' to that email ensured him a ticket. Wonder if it would have been as simple if dealing with Ibrox... Cammy F