ian1964

Rangers have lodged a counter-claim against former chief executive, accusing him of being in breach of his £400,000-a-year contract. Former Rangers chief executive Martin Bain has dropped a move to secure further details of the club's tax debts. Lawyers acting for the ex-director had brought forward the attempt to secure more information ahead of Mr Bain's £900,000 compensation claim against the Ibrox club scheduled to be heard this summer. At the Court of Session on Tuesday, Nicholas Ellis QC, for Mr Bain, said he was seeking to explore the club's financial position on two specific issues, but following debate before Lord Hodge he indicated that the motion, which was opposed by Rangers, would be withdrawn. Mr Bain has already secured a warrant of arrestment to freeze £480,000 assets at Ibrox after the judge ruled that there was a real risk of insolvency if an outstanding £49m tax case goes against the club. The former Ibrox director is suing the firm, alleging breach of contract following the takeover at Rangers FC by venture capitalist Craig Whyte from the former owner Sir David Murray. In the action, Mr Bain claims that his salary from December 2009 to December 2012 was agreed at £400,000 per year, while he was also in line to receive bonuses. He maintains the remuneration was not excessive for the position. The former chief executive maintains the committee had "a difficult relationship" with Mr Whyte in the run up to the take over and after the shares changed hands he "took steps to remove those who he considered were not wholly committed to him personally". Mr Bain states in court papers that he was suspended at a board meeting when in America on business on May 23, 2011, and did not return to work. He denies the Rangers counter-claim that he was in breach of contract or of fiduciary duty. He resigned from his post in June 2011. The former chief executive claims that the takeover of the club was concluded in the full knowledge of the extremely substantial potential tax liability faced by Rangers in its case against HM Revenue and Customs. In the summons lodged with the court, Mr Bain claims the takeover was structured so that it has the effect that Mr Whyte will enjoy priority over other creditors, particularly HMRC, in the event of insolvency. Rangers are contesting the case, which is due to be heard in August. They also maintain that if they are liable to pay compensation for breach of contract, which they deny, the amount sought is excessive. The Ibrox club contends that Mr Bain used his position with Rangers to secure "excessive and unwarranted financial benefits" for himself at a time when Rangers were not in a secure financial position. At the Court of Session on Tuesday, a timetable was set out between lawyers for Mr Bain and Rangers FC Plc for the lodgings of productions and witness statements in the case. Former finance director at Ibrox Donald McIntyre settled a £300,000 damages claim out of court with Rangers in December. Mr McIntyre had also had £300,000 of Rangersâ?? assets frozen through a court order in the action suing the club for damage to his reputation. In his first TV interview since taking over the club, Mr Whyte told STV News the club suspended Mr McIntyre and Mr Bain as they were being "investigated". He added: "We will fight the court cases. These are people who have taken a lot of money out of Rangers over the years and maybe havenâ??t done the best of jobs in running the business. And I think they have a cheek in saying some of the things they say, in suing Rangers for even more money." The latest round of hearings in the £49m tax case are taking place at the first tier tribunal in Edinburgh this week and are expected to conclude on Wednesday. Further hearing dates could be fixed in the tax case, or a judgment on it released in between four to six weeks' time.

CELTICâ??S name has been hijacked by a gang of Celtic supporters who want to start a Scottish Republican Army and launch a reign of terror. And a picture of the Parkhead clubâ??s manager, Neil Lennon, is being used as a recruiting poster for the website, TalkCeltic.netâ??s campaign to raise an IRA-style gang of murderous thugs to turn Glasgow into a version of Belfast when the IRA terror campaign was at its height. The call for the setting up of an illegal terrorist gang called the SRA is sure to have attracted the attention of Strathclyde Police, who are just as certain to launch an investigation. But what will be interesting is watching and waiting to see what action Celtic take to clamp down on these wild men among the club's support. Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell must surely be worried that once again his clubâ??s name is being dragged through the gutter, this time by Scottish wannabe terrorist murdering thugs. While manager Lennon is sure to be outraged that his picture is at the head of the TalkCeltic.net, above the siteâ??s leaderâ??s call to arms for a Scottish Republican Army to take up the bomb and the bullet. However, it is Lawwell who has the power to step in and help to stop this latest campaign linking Celtic with terrorism. By using the clubâ??s name in their website title the would-be terrorists are certain to have infringed some copyright law, which means that if Lawwell unleashes the Parkhead lawyers the thugs can be stopped in their tracks. No martyrdom for them. Just the site being closed down for the much more mundane offence of breach of copyright. I am sure Paul McBride QC can advise Lawwell on how to go about this. McBride QC may like to also take a moment or two to explain to Lawwell why it is many may see this latest outrage as a direct consequence of the way the Celtic chief executive has appeared to indulge the wilder and more dangerous elements of the clubâ??s support, in particular the zealots and terrorist supporters numbered in the ranks of the Green Brigade extremists. If, that is, Lawwell, a highly intelligent and well educated man, has not already worked that one out for himself. In the view of many, the call by Celtic supporters to start a bloodbath on the streets of Scotlandâ??s towns and cities by raising a Scottish Republican Army along the same lines as the IRA, once again proves the law of unintended consequences. But it is what Lawwell does now and what happens next, which will be fascinating to watch. AND...... Just what does Celtic digital director and Celtic View columnist Tony Hamilton have in common with The Dutchman who writes on the Celtic Underground site? Well, whoever the Dutchman is, he shares at least one thing with Hamilton. Neither know that it isn't "baited" breath you wait with. It's BATED! The anonymous Dutchman made that mistake on the Celtic Underground site. And Hamilton once made it when his efforts at trying to have a wee sly dig at me in the Celtic View, foundered because he didn't know the difference. Is the hook baited? I await with bated breath.

Thanks for all your efforts Davie,a top quality defender and a great captain and all the best for the future. Pity we never signed you 20 years ago. A master stroke signing from WS.

CELITC FAN'S RACIST ATTACKS ON RANGERS AND THE H WORD THE news that Strathclyde Police have launched a probe into racist attacks by a Celtic fan on Mo Edu and Kyle Bartley has been met with a familiar outbreak of hypocrisy on more than one Celtic web site. I say hypocrisy, for while the Celtic sites rightly condemn the disgusting language used by one of their own folk, they have stopped short of criticising the disgaraceful H word, used by Celtic supporters as a low slur aimed at Protestants. While the Celtic sites rightly insist the colour of a person’s skin gives nobody of a different race the right to use ancient insults, they do not seem to similarly agree a person’s religion should not see him compared to the SS Death Camp guards, the Gestapo and the exterminators of six million Jews, the German Nazis, known as Huns. A sadist in leather boots wearing the SS insignia, the sinister Gestapo, Joseph Mengele and Adolf Hiter and his goose stepping evil cohorts. That’s what I think of when the insult Huns is used. Not honest working class Protestants, who may chose to support Rangers, or Motherwell, or Hearts. But despite the fact that Strathclyde Police assistant chief constable, Campbell Corrigan has made it clear that the H word is now illegal, some Celtic fans, with Jeanette Findlay of the Celtic Trust, Joe O’Rourke from the Official Celtic Supporters Association, plus the members of the deeply Fascist Green Brigade seeming to be to many to be in the vanguard, refuse to accept this new law. It would be particularly nice to hear what Findlay and O’Rourke have to say on the matter. And of their view on the racist attacks two Rangers players have suffered from a Celtic supporter. It would also be interesting if someone from the so secretive Green Brigade would take off their balaclava, reveal themselves and give us the Green Brigade’s views. What will most certainly be even more interesting to discover is what will happen after the racist Celtic supporter is identified by the polis, lifted and dealt with by the full Majesty of Scottish Law . If, for instance, he is a season ticket holder at Parkhead, will Celtic chief executive, Peter Lawwell step in and remove that ticket? If the culprit isn’t, will Lawwell still make sure he is banned from Parkhead? Mind you, the sectarian Celtic thug who attacked a Rangers captain is still at large, as is the hate filled bigot who attacked the Rangers doctor, both of these shameful incidents happening at Parkhead. And only one Celtic sectarian thug has been banned by Lawwell following the night Celtic disgraced Scotland in Italy in December. That is something I am sure UEFA will take into account when they decide on the severity of the punishment for the club’s fans’ latest outrage, which made them serious serial offenders. What happened in Italy and its ramifications for Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan’s pal and fellow SFA board buddy, Lawwell, Celtic and the club's relationship with UEFA, is a matter I will be returning to. Until then we have to assume that Celtic supporters believe white Protestants should not be afforded the same dignity of their race and religion, that they believe others – for instance, Bartley and Edu – deserve. Hypocrisy only begins to describe the Celtic stance.

I don't see anything wrong at all in getting players in on trial,quite the opposite in fact,Juventus had Aluko on trial,lot's of clubs do it so why not?

Honduran international Jorge Claros is reportedly on his way to Scotland to take part in a trial with Rangers. The 25-year-old who plays for Motagua in his homeland claims he is flying to Glasgow to train with Ally McCoist's side with the view of a possible transfer to the current SPL champions. Claros told Honduran newspaper Diez: "I'm in a position to test myself at Rangers, we are working on the rest with the board. I am calm but down-to-earth. "I know it is a big team in Scotland. I spent time looking for information on the club." Nicknamed 'Pitbull', the player spent time out of the game after being shot in the head by thieves while sitting in his car in a petrol station. However he has since made a full recovery from the incident and added: "I'm happy in life. Several months have passed by since the accident and in a few months I will be a father. They are blessings from God and I wish I could stay in the team." The midfielder was rumoured to be a transfer target for Old Firm rivals Celtic last summer. The Parkhead club already have fellow Honduran Emilio Izaguirre on their books. And Claros says he has spoken to the Celtic ace about a move to the SPL. He said: "I talked to him and I am very grateful because he has opened a door. I was told at the last minute. I'll do whatever it takes to stay at Rangers. Claros has appeared over twenty five times for his country and would require a work permit should the Ibrox club wish to pursue any deal. http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottis...rangers-trial/

He is claiming his blog was hijacked after a lot of anti catholic stuff was written. I'm at work with an incredibly slow internet connection or I would have a look at his web site,someone else could do it though

RANGERS have confirmed that police have been alerted to messages received by players on social networking site Twitter today. A statement read: "These comments are disgraceful and we immediately notified the Police who are now investigating the matter. "The Club will assist with all inquiries." http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/football-news/article/2577168

Strathclyde Police are investigating complaints of racist messages directed at Maurice Edu and Kyle Bartley. Police are investigating complaints that a Celtic fan sent racist messages to two black Rangers players on Twitter. Kyle Bartley, who is on a season-long loan from Arsenal, and Maurice Edu were targeted by a user whose profile gave his location as Glasgow. The messages to both players were posted on the public site but included the players' Twitter user names so they would show up on their message streams. One told Edu to "go back to the jungle were u belong", while another sent to Bartley read: "Hope you crash on the way hame" followed by a racist insult. Another message, apparently directed at Bartley but sent instead to striker Kyle Lafferty, who is white, said: "cany wait til wan of the hoops decapitates u". Bartley later tweeted: "Disappointing that in 2012 things like this are still happening. Hopefully the police will take action. Thankyou all for the support." Strathclyde Police said they were aware of the abuse and details of the messages would be passed on to the appropriate officers. http://news.stv.tv/scotland/west-central/293678-rangers-players-targeted-in-twitter-racist-abuse/

Scottish Premier League (5): 1998â??99, 1999-00, 2002â??03, 2004â??05, 2008â??09 Scottish Cup (5): 1999-00, 2001â??02, 2002â??03, 2007â??08, 2008â??09 Scottish League Cup (5): 1997â??98, 2001â??02, 2002-03, 2004â??05, 2007â??08 Birmingham City Football League Cup (1): 2010-11 [edit] IndividualSFWA Footballer of the Year (2): 1999-00, 2002â??03 SPFA Players' Player of the Year (1): 2002â??03 SPL Player of the Month (4): November 2000, December 2000, February 2002, January 2003 Quite successful I'd say.

Seriously?. I think BF has had a very successful career as a football player.

If he achieves half of what BF achieved then he will be a successfull football player.

Wednesday, 4 January 2012 ATTACKS ON McCOIST AN OUTRAGE SOME of the attacks on Alistair McCoist in the past few days from Rangers supporters have been beyond outrageous. I find it hard to believe that there are Ibrox fans out there who are calling for the manager to go and wholesale and dramatic changes to be made. Or at least I would if I hadnâ??t heard it all before. Over and over and over again and again and again. Only the names have been changed. Five years ago, with the team on the run under the mismanagement of the French farce that was Paul le Guen, there were those who howled their derision and anguish when it was announced that Rangers had turned to Walter Smith. Honestly, there were Rangers fans who did not want Smith back at Ibrox. And in the four and a half years which followed there continued to be calls for Smith to go, despite three titles out of four, cups galore and the glory Euro run to the UEFA Cup Final. Perhaps some of those who now want McCoist out were those who didnâ??t want Smith back, while other members of the current lynch mob no doubt wanted Smith strung up too. Thereâ??s no pleasing some folk. If Rangers were to win all of their SPL matches in any given campaign, but go out of the League and Scottish Cups, you can bet your bottom dollar there would be some banshees out there howling for blood. The truth is that there is, and has been, very little between Rangers and Celtic for the past four seasons. In which time Rangers have won three SPL titles and only failed to land the 2008 championship because of a fixture backlog brought on by a combination of bad weather, domestic cup replays, the adventure which took the team to the UEFA Cup Final, plus a lack of help and understanding from an lilly livered SPL hierarchy which bent the knee to Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwellâ??s demands. Under those circumstances, three in a row is quite and achievement. Four in a row would be beyond most sane peopleâ??s wildest dreams. If there are some Rangers supporters still out there who believe the Ibrox club has some sort of God given right to be crowned champions every year then I refer them to the Wee Red Book. The nine in a row era at Ibrox was as much an anomaly on that side of the city as it had been when Celtic ruled the roost. In fact, the third title on Rangersâ?? run was the first occasion that three in a row had been achieved since the 1930s, under Bill Struth. Study the record of champions and you will see what I mean. Of course supporters bitching about their manager is nothing new. It is just that, given the circumstances Rangers, the club are in this season, one would have thought fans would have been a little more understanding and forgiving of any shortcomings in Rangers, the team. Rather than giving aid and succour to the many enemies of Rangers â?? and there are enough of them out there â??Rangers fans should be circling the wagons and joining together to help owner Craig Whyte and manager McCoist work together to ensure the future of the club is as happy, glorious and victorious as its history. Of course, winning a fourth successive title is not some hopeless cause. Rangers remain a mere two points off the top of the table and there may well be a succession of ups and downs in the remaining near five months of the championship chase. But if Rangers should come up short, then it will not be the first time they have failed to take the title. It will not be the end of the world. Even Bill Struth didnâ??t make them champions ever year of his reign. Indeed the lowest point in Rangersâ?? league history came in season 1925-26 when Rangers were SIXTH. No doubt there were mumps and moans from supporters back then, the only difference being they were confined to the pubs in the days before message boards and radio phone ins. However, had the internet and phone ins existed back then ,then itâ??s a safe bet the same sort of lynch mob would have been howling for Struth to go. The other difference back then â?? and this is the most vital one - is the very existence of the club was not imperiled. For once in the clubâ??s history, winning the title is not the priority. The priority is surviving and living to fight and win another day. What a pity that those who wish Rangers ill, and who are hovering like vultures smelling blood, are being given encouragement by those who claim to be loyal Rangers men. McCoist and the Rangers of Struth, of Scot Symon, of Willie Waddell, of John Greig and of Walter Smith, deserve better.

All I wanted to know is how are playing?,good?,bad?..........................

Hope he recovers fully.We miss him bad. Why is the match thread closed?.

I fancy us to beat them any time,regardless of form or team selection. Now before anybody has a pop at me for that,I am telling the truth,at some point we won't win the league,law of averages,but we are the champions and murdered them in the second half at Ibrox earlier this season so why worry?

It's funny how a lot of fans say they are worried going into the game against the BHEASTS,we are the champions for the last three seasons so I wonder what fans are worried most?. Form means nothing going into these games and it wouldn't surprise me to see the champions turn in their best performance of the season.Have you ever been confident going into this game regardless of form?,aye for me as I always fancy us to beat them.

Absolutely. Every time a good player leaves everybody worries about losing said player,at the end of the day we will always replace any player and carry on as normal.

Bougherra was a good player,but he thinks/thought he was better than he was/is. Bottom line is have we missed him?,no.

Well being the true pro that he is he would probably do ok

No problem mate,glad you're here to keep me right:thup:

If he does move on then I would like to nthink he would get a final farewell game at Ibrox. The man is a total pro and has been one of the best signings Rangers have made. Thanks Davie and I wish you all the best for the future wherever that might be.

Hamutenya joins Glascow Rangers Miguel Hamutenya, a 19-year-old Namibian soccer player signed a professional contract with Scottish football giants Glascow Rangers on Friday. Hamutenya, who was part of the Bolton Wanderers Academy programme Edukicks for two years, attended trials with Rangers which he passed with flying colours, according to his agent Jonathan Hope. “Miguel Hamutenya has been successful at trials with Glasgow Rangers and has subsequently been offered a pro contract. Glasgow Rangers have committed to this and we are now organising the required work permit to ensure the player can start immediately. Miguel has been outstanding in his trial period and has delivered a high standard of all the important criteria to be successful,” Hope said. Glascow Rangers are the most successful club in Scottish history, having won the league title on 54 occasions, while they also won the Scottish League Cup 27 times and the Scottish Cup 33 times. Rangers is also one of the biggest clubs in Europe and has a history of producing and signing some of the best players in the world. According to Hope, Hamutenya had the right attributes to make a success of his career. “I have worked with names such as Cristiano Ronaldo and I can honestly say that Miguel is up there in terms of attitude and work rate. He is genuinely one of the nicest lads I have had the pleasure to work with and I see a very prosperous career for him. I think this is great for the people of Namibia to be associated with such a player and club and this should be an inspiration to other young players playing out of Namibia.” “Glasgow Rangers have to be thanked and this is another building block of the new regime which excites me greatly. Gordon Smith and his team have such an exciting agenda and I am honoured to be apart of it all. I see big things coming from Rangers and I see a great future for young stars like Miguel",” he added. Hamutenya told Namibia Sport that it was a huge honour to be signed by Rangers. "I am so honoured at the prospect of playing in the Scottish Premier League. Rangers are a massive club and the staff and players are brilliant with me and I will settle in with ease. The facilities at Rangers are the best I have ever seen and we are looked after extremely well. I am going to get my head down and fight for my place in the team. I would like to thank my agent Jonathan Hope so much for believing in me and directing my career to the biggest club in Europe, without his honest guidance I don’t believe I would be here at this stage. Also I would like to thank Rangers for giving me a chance to be apart of their club. I am honoured and so happy,” he said. Hope told Namibia Sport that he discovered Hamutenya at the Bolton Wanderers Academy two years ago. “Miguel was part of the Bolton Wanderers Academy program EduKicks for two years and in that time I spotted him playing whilst down visiting my players and friends such as Marcos Alonso. I was really impressed with what I saw when Miguel was pointed out. He was very quick and his work rate was tremendous.” “Afterwards I spoke with the player and he shocked me as to his upstanding attitude. For 18 years old he was so polite and mature and most importantly determined to improve and develop. There are natural talents such as attitude and work rate that you can’t teach and Miguel had it all.” Hope then met with Miguel’s father Mathews Hamutenya, the executive director of the Namibian company Millenium Group to discuss his future. “I spent some time assessing him and he reminds me of a young Patrick Evra and not to far off Marcos Alonso style of play. I then arranged to meet with his father Mathews Hamutenya and I explained I wanted to take him on as a client and I felt his talents would be best served in Scotland.” According to Hope, Hamutenya earned a diploma in Sport Science whilst at the Bolton Academy while he also represented Namibia U20 on three occasions. “Miguel has played for Namibia U21's three times and has had several call ups. This boy will be a massive player in Scotland and beyond. He will no doubt make the Namibian national side now and is a true role model to any young player.” “Glasgow Rangers receive thousands of names on a daily basis and Miguel had no privileges and earned his contract on merit. He is very well respected and liked at his new club. He will also undertake an education course where he will further his off field studies,” he added. http://www.namibiasport.com.na/node/21439

Hamutenya joins Glascow Rangers Miguel Hamutenya, a 19-year-old Namibian soccer player signed a professional contract with Scottish football giants Glascow Rangers on Friday. Hamutenya, who was part of the Bolton Wanderers Academy programme Edukicks for two years, attended trials with Rangers which he passed with flying colours, according to his agent Jonathan Hope. “Miguel Hamutenya has been successful at trials with Glasgow Rangers and has subsequently been offered a pro contract. Glasgow Rangers have committed to this and we are now organising the required work permit to ensure the player can start immediately. Miguel has been outstanding in his trial period and has delivered a high standard of all the important criteria to be successful,” Hope said. Glascow Rangers are the most successful club in Scottish history, having won the league title on 54 occasions, while they also won the Scottish League Cup 27 times and the Scottish Cup 33 times. Rangers is also one of the biggest clubs in Europe and has a history of producing and signing some of the best players in the world. According to Hope, Hamutenya had the right attributes to make a success of his career. “I have worked with names such as Cristiano Ronaldo and I can honestly say that Miguel is up there in terms of attitude and work rate. He is genuinely one of the nicest lads I have had the pleasure to work with and I see a very prosperous career for him. I think this is great for the people of Namibia to be associated with such a player and club and this should be an inspiration to other young players playing out of Namibia.” “Glasgow Rangers have to be thanked and this is another building block of the new regime which excites me greatly. Gordon Smith and his team have such an exciting agenda and I am honoured to be apart of it all. I see big things coming from Rangers and I see a great future for young stars like Miguel",” he added. Hamutenya told Namibia Sport that it was a huge honour to be signed by Rangers. "I am so honoured at the prospect of playing in the Scottish Premier League. Rangers are a massive club and the staff and players are brilliant with me and I will settle in with ease. The facilities at Rangers are the best I have ever seen and we are looked after extremely well. I am going to get my head down and fight for my place in the team. I would like to thank my agent Jonathan Hope so much for believing in me and directing my career to the biggest club in Europe, without his honest guidance I don’t believe I would be here at this stage. Also I would like to thank Rangers for giving me a chance to be apart of their club. I am honoured and so happy,” he said. Hope told Namibia Sport that he discovered Hamutenya at the Bolton Wanderers Academy two years ago. “Miguel was part of the Bolton Wanderers Academy program EduKicks for two years and in that time I spotted him playing whilst down visiting my players and friends such as Marcos Alonso. I was really impressed with what I saw when Miguel was pointed out. He was very quick and his work rate was tremendous.” “Afterwards I spoke with the player and he shocked me as to his upstanding attitude. For 18 years old he was so polite and mature and most importantly determined to improve and develop. There are natural talents such as attitude and work rate that you can’t teach and Miguel had it all.” Hope then met with Miguel’s father Mathews Hamutenya, the executive director of the Namibian company Millenium Group to discuss his future. “I spent some time assessing him and he reminds me of a young Patrick Evra and not to far off Marcos Alonso style of play. I then arranged to meet with his father Mathews Hamutenya and I explained I wanted to take him on as a client and I felt his talents would be best served in Scotland.” According to Hope, Hamutenya earned a diploma in Sport Science whilst at the Bolton Academy while he also represented Namibia U20 on three occasions. “Miguel has played for Namibia U21's three times and has had several call ups. This boy will be a massive player in Scotland and beyond. He will no doubt make the Namibian national side now and is a true role model to any young player.” “Glasgow Rangers receive thousands of names on a daily basis and Miguel had no privileges and earned his contract on merit. He is very well respected and liked at his new club. He will also undertake an education course where he will further his off field studies,” he added. http://www.namibiasport.com.na/node/21439

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