ian1964

Thieves have stolen a memorial plaque to a victim of the Ibrox Disaster ââ?¬â?? just three weeks after it was unveiled in a Glasgow park. The brass plaque, which paid tribute to 16-year-old Robert Mulholland, was torn off the memorial bench in Victoria Park, Whiteinch. Rangersââ?¬â?¢ fan Joe Burke, who led the fundraising campaign for the tribute to the Drumchapel youngster, said the thieves were ââ?¬Å?nothing short of disgustingââ?¬Â. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/editor-s-picks/sick-thieves-steal-ibrox-disaster-memorial-1.1114489

By Andrew Smith DUNDEE United manager Peter Houston doesn't want to see David Goodwillie move to the Old Firm over fears Glasgow's streets would prove a baiting ground that could result in the player sustaining serious injury. Rape charges against Goodwillie were dropped last week on the grounds of insufficient evidence and the collapse of that case has reignited bidding for a striker considered the country's most exciting young talent. The 22-year-old has also appeared among the more wayward and indeed still has assault charges hanging over him. Off-field problems might be a factor in no club meeting United's �£2 million valuation. Rangers have twice bid little under half that while it has been reported that a �£1.6m package including sizeable add-ons from Blackpool was rejected on Wednesday. The striker has said to Houston that favours a move south of the border - the United manager dismissing a link to Celtic yesterday - and the Tayside club's manager believes that option would be the sensible option for the personal safety that Goodwillie must show greater maturity in protecting. "I don't think Glasgow is the right I place for him to come to," Houston said. "That's me speaking as a Glaswegian, still staying in the city. "Is it the right thing to go to Celtic or Rangersâ�¦ simply because of what goes on? Half the city hate you. Half the city are waiting on you going into a pub to give you stick. Don't get me wrong, I'm not tarring all the Old Firm fans with the same brush. It's a small minority of people like that. But is that what David needs in his career? "David has probably been a silly young boy. I can go back to some of the chats we have had recently and he thinks he is over all that now. He is past that. But I say that in the same breath that has said he was past it before. So I can't hold my hand up and say that's definitely it because he has obviously been in situations where he has been in trouble and fighting. What he has to learn is to walk away. "I think this is it for him," Houston said when asked if his concerns over Goodwillie in Glasgow were in any way related to that city's blade culture. "When you get into a brawl with a 22-stone rugby player or fight when the nightclubs are finished in Glasgow because somebody whacks your pal, that's one thing. But this is a whole different scenario and I genuinely think this is the one that has scared him the most. I've said to David that my major concern is that, in the past, he has been able to look after himself through his hands. But there is always someone out there who thinks they can do better. "This society we live in now, my fear, and I've spoken to him about this, is that he will go down the wrong road and someone, knowing he is good with his mitts will use something else. And from that there is no comeback. That's not just Glasgow, it's all over. But, again, it comes back to getting himself in a situations where he can walk away. "Don't get involved, enjoy your nights. Life is no rehearsal. Think about your career, be fully focused and on track and be the best you can be as a football player. Speaking to him (in recent days] he thinks it's not time to move down to Glasgow. That's not to say if one of the Old Firm came in and he was tempted that he will stay that way. David is a bit inconsistent that way." Houston doesn't view Goodwillie as a consistent performer physically as yet to be considered a fit for the English Premiership player, but ready-made goalscorer at Championship and a buy who would represent a gold-plated investment at the fee being sought by United chairman Stephen Thompson. "Is �£2 million too much to ask for Goodwillie? Conor Wickam has gone to Sunderland for fortunes (an �£8m fee with a possible �£4m add-ons] and he is still just potential," Houston said. "I use him as an example because of the money they paid for him. In my opinion, �£2m is a bargain because David can finish. All through youth levels, all through first-team level, SPL, Europe and the big boys as well he has shown he can do it. "The next step, hopefully, is that he gets a wee crack at international level and sees if he can do it there. Certainly in the market in England �£2m is not unreasonable. "Why should English clubs bid �£750,000 for David Goodwillie when they can pay far more for players who, in my opinion, are not as good as him. I don't even think the chairman is looking for �£2m up front. I think it's something up front then add-ons which take it up to that." One problem with Goodwillie realising his footballing worth for United might be the potential for unwanted add-ons faced by any buyer. Meanwhile, Rangers have taken former Germany international winger David Odonkor on trial. The 27-year-old is a free agent after leaving Real Betis, who he joined in 2006. Odonkor flew into Glasgow on Wednesday to spend "the next few days" training at Murray Park, the club announced on their website. Odonkor made just 52 appearances in five years for Betis amid a series of knee injuries. The right-sided player did not play at all last season, but he has come to Glasgow determined to prove his fitness. Odonkor, who is known for his pace, broke into Borussia Dortmund's first team aged 18 and played for his country at the 2006 World Cup and in Euro 2008. Rangers failed with another offer for Anderlecht's Hungary internationalist defender Roland Juhasz yesterday. http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Peter-Houston-warns-David-Goodwillie.6809443.jp?articlepage=1

RANGERS have slapped in a new �£2m-plus offer for Anderlecht centre-back Roland Juhasz and taken Germany winger David Odonkor on trial. But they look set to hold fire on Dutch wide man Wesley Verhoek after the Den Haag ace insisted he won't make a decision on his future until the end of next week. With hopes increasing that Arsenal will also allow Kyle Bartley to return to Ibrox on another year-long loan later this week, manager Ally McCoist has moved to strengthen his backline with an increased bid for Juhasz The Hungarian ace is keen to quit Belgian football this summer and the Light Blues hope that putting in a concrete offer will give them the edge on interested sides from England and Germany. Rangers have also had a long-standing interest in powerful wing ace Verhoek. But Blues sources last night insisted there have been no fresh bids since they had an initial proposal turned down a week or two ago. Den Haag are believed to be looking for �£2m, but Rangers are not ready to stretch that far right now. As a result, they have brought in Odonkor for a few days' training as he searches for a new club. The 27-year-old, who has 16 caps for Germany, left Spaniards Real Betis at the end of last term and is available on a free transfer. Odonkor has been through three knee operations in recent seasons, though, and will have to prove his fitness to land any kind of deal. However, clear difficulties surrounding a move for Verhoek make him well worth looking at. English clubs such as Aston Villa have been sniffing around Verhoek and McCoist is now waiting to see if they put forward anything meaningful. With Verhoek stating that he will not even discuss his future until the second leg of a Europa League qualifier with Cypriots Omonia Nicosia next Thursday, there is no major rush for the SPL champions to slap more cash on the table. The 24-year-old said: "Every footballer has his ambitions, and everyone knows what a big club Rangers is.But I am not thinking of that right now.I am totally focused on Thursday's game. "I want to put all that behind me because we have a big game."I'm concentrating on Den Haag until Friday, and then we'll talk about it." http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/261730/Rangers-in-raid-for-Roland-Juhasz

WESLEY VERHOEK last night issued a come-and-get-me plea to Rangers boss Ally McCoist. The Dutch winger, 24, has told SunSport he's desperate for a switch to the SPL champs after hearing of Gers' interest. Ibrox gaffer McCoist has had a �£1million bid rejected and will have to up his offer with his club ADO Den Haag demanding �£2.6m. Verhoek said: "I will only leave here for a big challenge and for me Rangers are a fantastic club. "But we aren't there yet as the clubs have still to agree a fee and after that I'll see what happens. "When we return from Cyprus I expect ADO will want to speak to me. "Every footballer is ambitious and everyone knows Rangers are a big club." Verhoek - who is also being tracked by Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa - played for Den Haag in last night's 3-0 defeat by Omonia in a Europa League qualifier in Cyprus. He'll return to Holland today and hold immediate showdown talks with Den Haag chairman Mark van der Kallen in a bid to resolve his future. Dutch clubs Utrecht and AZ Alkmaar are also chasing the winger Gers hope to lure to Ibrox. Forest - whose boss Steve McClaren watched Verhoek in action last week - have already had a bid of �£750,000 rejected by the Dutch club. Den Haag have slapped a �£2.6m price tag on Verhoek's head and his plea to McCoist came as Gers failed with another offer for Anderlecht defender Roland Juhasz. As SunSport revealed the Hungarian international is high on the Ibrox wish list. A �£2.5million bid was tabled, but an Anderlecht spokesman said: "We received a second bid from Rangers today which is way below our valuation. "Rangers know our valuation for the player and haven't met it." Anderlecht originally quoted the staggering sum of �£6m for Juhasz when McCoist first enquired. If they stick to that the deal is dead. Meanwhile, Gers have taken German winger David Odonkor on trial while David Goodwillie and Kyle Bartley both remain on the radar. Gers are reluctant to get into a bidding war for Goodwillie after we revealed yesterday Celtic are also chasing the Dundee United striker. But Goodwillie is a player McCoist really wants and Gers will return to United with an improved offer for the 22-year-old hitman today. As we also revealed yesterday, Bartley is close to rejoining Rangers on a season-long loan. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will make a final decision on Bartley's short-term future this weekend. One player hoping to impress at Murray Park is Odonkor who has joined Gers on trial after his contract with Spanish side Real Betis ended. Odonkor who has been capped 16 times by Germany, is fit again after a nightmare three-year injury spell. Meanwhile, Dorin Goian will NOT be able to answer McCoist's SOS in Malmo next week, after UEFA blocked his bid to face the Swedes. Rangers' new Romanian signing had hoped to cut through red tape and be available for the crunch Champions League clash. But despite paperwork being registered with UEFA before last Monday's deadline one vital piece was missing - an accession card that Romanians need to work in the UK - and Goian won't be able to play. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/3720962/Come-and-get-me-Coisty.html#ixzz1TRao806z

Aye,I was thinking that mate,he's a better player now than when he was here

Cheers,I couldn't remember where he went.

Where is Burke now Zappa?,I seem to remember him being released by Cardiff?,I think??????

http://www.jeffwinterentertainmentandmedia.co.uk/world2012/1112003.php

http://leggoland2.blogspot.com/

I don't like to single out individual players as it's a team game. The fact is the team have had a bad start to the season.

DORIN GOIANââ?¬â?¢S hopes of helping Rangers rescue their Champions League dream in Malmo have been strangled to death by red tape. UEFA have confirmed that the Rangers new boy will not be allowed to feature against the Swedes next week even if - as expected ââ?¬â?? his UK work permit is processed in the next 24 hours. Rangers thought that by lodging the football paperwork with the SFA and UEFA on Monday night there was a chance the Romanian could feature in Tuesdayââ?¬â?¢s clash with Malmo. But UEFAââ?¬â?¢s rules prevented the player being fully registered without the permit being issued by the UK Border agency. After losing 1-0 at home to the Swedes, Rangers boss Ally McCoist then expressed a hope that Goian would be given dispensation to play in the return leg. McCoist said: "There is a wee problem with the paperwork but we are hopeful he will be able to play in the return leg in Malmo.ââ?¬Â Ã?¬ There is a wee problem with the paperwork but we are hopeful he will be able to play in the return leg in Malmo Ã?® Ally McCoist Goain was also keeping his fingers crossed after sitting through the agony of the first leg. The 30-year-old former Palermo man said: ââ?¬Å?I think I am registered for the squad so I hope to be cleared to play in Malmo.ââ?¬Â However, the signing deadline for both legs of the third qualifying round was Monday night and UEFA will not bend their rules. A spokesman said: ââ?¬Å?The player required an accession card to be issued by the UK border agency and this has not arrived. ââ?¬Å?Without this document the player could not be registered in time for the third qualifying round. ââ?¬Å?He would be eligible for the Champions League play-off round or subsequent Europa league matches if the permit is lodged before the signing deadline for the next round of UEFA competition.ââ?¬Â http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/261520/Dorin-Goian-counted-out-of-euro-rescue-bid

CELTIC are prepared to hijack Rangers' move for Dundee United star David Goodwillie. SunSport understands Hoops manager Neil Lennon has asked to be kept informed of the �£2million-rated striker's situation. Ibrox gaffer Ally McCoist is desperate to sign 22-year-old Goodie but has had two bids rejected. Premier League outfit Wigan and Championship side Blackpool are also in the hunt. But Lenny has quietly been tracking the Scotland star. United are adamant they won't accept a penny less than �£2million for their biggest asset who has just had rape charges against him dropped. And that price may yet scare off Parkhead chief Lennon who is as keen as McCoist to bolster his attacking options. Last night Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston bid �£1.6million plus add-ons for Goodwillie but that offer was rejected by Arabs owner Stephen Thompson.

KYLE BARTLEY is on the verge of rejoining Rangers on a season-long loan from Arsenal. SunSport understands Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has finally given his approval to under-pressure Ally McCoist to land stopper Bartley. It's understood the player and Ibrox boss McCoist are now confident a deal will be agreed within 72 hours. Bartley, 20, played a starring role for Gers in the Europa League last season before suffering a medial ligament injury on the eve of the Co-op Cup final against Celtic last March. He's now fit again and made a playing comeback for Arsenal reserves three weeks ago. McCoist has never lost interest in Bartley and kept in constant touch with him. Not even the �£800,000 capture of Romanian defender Dorin Goian put him off Bartley. McCoist's need for further cover at the back was underlined by the hamstring injury suffered by skipper Davie Weir in the 1-0 Champions League qualifying defeat to Malmo on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Gers are set to lose out on Wesley Verhoek after Dutch club Den Haag slapped a �£2.6million price tag on his head. Boss McCoist launched a �£1m bid for the highly-rated winger as SunSport revealed. But that offer falls way short of Den Haag's valuation with any deal now hanging in the balance. SunSport understands Verhoek - currently in Cyprus ahead of Den Haag's Europa League qualifier against Omonia tonight - is aware of Rangers' interest. The 24-year-old has a year left on his contract and has told friends he'd jump at the chance of a move to Ibrox. But the SPL champs will need to significantly improve their offer as Alex McLeish's Aston Villa are also trailing Verhoek. The Sun

Rangers are lining up Anderlecht defender Roland Juhasz — as Qatar champions Lekhwiya refuse to give up on luring Madjid Bougherra from Ibrox. The SPL champions have followed up an initial Ã?£1.5million inquiry for the Hungarian international with further talks. If Ally McCoist lands Juhasz, it would clear the path for Bougherra to exit for the Middle East, as Rangers would be unlikely to turn down a near-Ã?£3m bid for a player with only 11 months remaining on his contract. Bougherra, who has been swayed by the prospect of Ã?£35,000-per-week tax-free wages in Qatar, is still required for next week’s Champions League qualifying second leg with Malmo in Sweden, because there is a major question mark over the eligibility of new Ibrox arrival Dorin Goian. Rangers registered the Romanian before the signing deadline on Monday but had to wait for a work permit. Red tape continues to hinder his availability and Sportsmail understands the Ibrox hierarchy have asked the SFA to assist in their bid to have Goian cleared for Malmo. With the entire issue now being passed to UEFA, the European body seem set to find against Rangers. If Goian is ruled out, McCoist will have to do without the towering Romanian next midweek for the tie that will determine his side’s Champions League fate. Aggregate defeat in Sweden would see Rangers drop into the final round of Europa League qualifying and the manager, looking longer-term, would hope to have Goian and Juhasz in place by then as a new central-defensive partnership, particularly as 41-year-old captain David Weir is unlikely to play on beyond the end of this season. Lekhwiya want the Bougherra transfer completed as soon as possible and it is understood they will try to tempt the Ibrox hierarchy with another bid next week after a first offer of Ã?£2.5m was rejected. The Qatar club’s manager Djamel Delmadi said: ‘We are very ambitious for the new season. We are the champions and, as such, have to act like champions — and that means strengthening our squad. ‘We play in the Asian Champions League this season, too, so we need new players.’ While Rangers are still interested in bringing Carlos Cuellar back to Ibrox from Aston Villa and a second loan deal for Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley, the arrival of Juhasz would be welcome. The 28-year-old has a fine reputation in Belgium and has 63 caps for Hungary, as well as Champions League experience. Anderlecht want more than Ã?£1.5m but talks are ongoing. Rangers also remain in the hunt for Dundee United striker David Goodwillie as they wait to see if English clubs make a move for the Tannadice starlet. Meanwhile, Den Haag wide man Wesley Verhoek was the subject of interest but, with other clubs now bidding, McCoist is looking at other options for that position, especially now that Steven Davis is looking even more influential in a central role. Davis took the armband when Weir went off with an injury against Malmo and the Northern Ireland cap refused to blame the late-July nature of the fixture as the reason for a poor result. ‘I think that’s the easy option to take and we’re not going to use that as an excuse,’ said Davis. ‘We have given ourselves an uphill struggle now. ‘In the second half, they sat back and we had a lot of possession. We created a few chances but it just wasn’t to be for us. It was not the result we were looking for and, of course, everybody is disappointed. But we’ll go over there and try to progress. ‘If we get a goal, then everything will look a bit brighter.’ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2019580/Rangers-want-Roland-Juhasz.html?

Back page http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/850/recordhx.jpg/

Ally is asking for the same thing:)

http://leggoland2.blogspot.com/

Well I'm prepared to give the manager time.I don't believe anyone can be judged so early,especially his debut season as manger of the Rangers. I'm also quite shocked at the reaction from fans.Aye of course there may be some concerns regarding the first couple of games,I may add I have not seen any of the games so far so maybe I'm not entitled to say too much. But I believe the players are as much to blame,if not more so,then the manager. These players have won the title 3 years in a row,with Ally part of that team,so players performances can only be down to the players themselves.Obviously sharpness plays a big part in a players/teams performances. I can't remember many on here slaughtering the manager for his team selection for the Malmo game. One thing I will agree on though is the team need to get their fingers out of their arses,and soon,but to attack the manager this early is incredible.

Not disagreeing with you Craig,but to be able to develope ball control you need to have time on the ball to do it. Even at youth level in this country there is no time on the ball. How many players can do that in the SPL?,not just Rangers players.

A lot of that is down to playing in the SPL,no?,I mean I don't think you would see many of their players having the time on the ball in the SPL that they get in their league,European Leagues.

Agreed. I never seen the game,however it is a bad result no doubting that,but this tie is far from over and can be turned round,obviously we need to have a drastic improvement but it's still on for us to turn it round as it stands. Going by these stats it seems we had enough chances to win the game.

Aye,ok.....................

I seem to remember him breaking forward and scoring a cracking goal in the semi final at Hampden,not to mention his late winner against the BHEASTS:boogie:

Just tuned in,listening to the game on line through the official web site:thup:

Anybody any idea what the ticket sales has been like for this game?,I would hope that there would be a good turn out.