ian1964

Bartley has started training with Arsenal http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/pre-season-training-picture-special

I think that is a wee bit harsh on Papac,whilst I agree he gets caught out now and again he isn't alone in that aspect,overall he is steady,it could be argued that if he was better than than he is we might have lost him in one of the transfer windows.

http://leggoland2.blogspot.com/

ALEX McLEISH is ready with a �£3million offer to give Alan Hutton a quick way out of Tottenham. Big Eck wants to make the Scotland international one of his first signings at Aston Villa - 12 months after failing to lure him to Birmingham. McLeish had a �£6m bid for his former Rangers right-back rejected by Spurs last summer. But now he is eyeing up a cut-price move for the defender after being told Villa cannot have England Under-21 star Kyle Walker on another loan. Walker has just signed a new five-year deal and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp made it clear he expects him to challenge for a first-team place after impressing during loan spells with Villa and QPR last term and at this summer's European Under-23 Championships. Hutton cost Tottenham a whopping �£9m from Rangers in February 2008. But the Scot is entering the final year of his contract and Spurs could be happy to cash in on a cut-price deal now rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer. Hutton, 26, was already behind Vedran Corluka in the pecking order and is keen to make a fresh start away from North London after just 51 appearances in 3�½ years at Spurs. He also had a spell on loan at Sunderland in 2010 and Black Cats manager Steve Bruce wanted to sign him permanently - but was unwilling to meet Spurs' �£5m valuation. Meanwhile, Villa have told Liverpool they must pay �£20m to land STEWART DOWNING after snubbing a second bid from the Kop. Boss Kenny Dalglish offered �£15m for the England winger, 27. But Villa are in no mood to let Downing go for less than their asking price having already banked �£20m from selling Ashley Young to Manchester United. Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3679224/Alex-McLeish-ready-to-pounce-for-Alan-Hutton.html#ixzz1RJJh5L2U

HE DOESN'T have the flair of Xavi. He might lack the sublime skills of Andres Iniesta. Antonio Calderon says, however, Rangers new boy Juanma Ortiz is one of a kind. Dubbed 'Tiger' in his Spanish homeland, Juanma has the combative style that marks him out as a one-off in La Liga... and makes him PERFECT for the SPL. Calderon has watched the former Almeria ace relish the midfield war zones in Spain and the former Kilmarnock, Raith Rovers and Airdrie playmaker is convinced his countryman is tailor-made for the rigours of an Old Firm title fight. Right-sided midfielder Juanma will put pen to paper on a three-year deal this morning to complete his switch to Scotland. Ex-Raith boss Calderon - who is in the running to become the new boss of relegated Tenerife - believes the tough-tackling 29-year-old can be a smash hit at Ibrox. He also feels Rangers fans will immediately take Juanma to their hearts, just as they did Nacho Novo. Calderon said: "I think Rangers fans will love Juanma's commitment. There is no doubt about it. "He is a good pro and a fantastic worker. He's maybe not your typical Spanish midfielder - you wouldn't call him a silky player - but he is passionate and committed. "He'll work hard for the whole team, not just for 90 minutes but for the whole season. "The fans shouldn't expect a player like Joaquin who played for Valencia and Spain. "He was a quick winger whereas Juanma is not as spectacular. He is a box-to-box player but I think he will do well in Scotland and I'm sure he can do a job for Rangers. "I can see him adapting well to the game in Scotland. "I was there for a few years so I remember the way the game is played in Scotland. "The SPL is a very competitive league but for me that's why it is a good fit. Juanma is a very competitive player. "It's a good move for him. Rangers are a big club and he'll feel he is making a big step up. He will arrive full of confidence and will be highly motivated to do well. "He's been around for a good few years as well and has plenty of experience. It's not like he's a young raw talent - he is a solid professional and can do a job in a number of positions. "I've seen him play on the right wing, at right back, and even at left back. It's that kind of versatility that makes him very popular with managers. "Now this is a new challenge for him in a new country and he clearly wants to make a go of it in Scotland." Juanma came through the youth ranks at Atletico Madrid alongside the likes of Fernando Torres. He played just six times for the full side in five years with the club but Calderon insists his schooling was one of the best in Spain. Calderon said: "Atletico's youth system is very good and he was there for a number of years learning his trade. Some of the best young players were at Atletico. The likes of Fernando Torres was there as a youngster so you can see the kind of talent produced there." While he struggled to make the breakthrough at Atletico, Juanma was farmed out on loan to Osasuna where he gained first-team experience over two seasons from 2004 to 2006. The following year he played the full season on loan at Second Division side Poli Ejido before signing for Almeria in 2007. There he became a hugely popular figure with the fans. Calderon insists Juanma has shown he can hack it in one of Europe's top leagues and will be ideal for Gers. Calderon said: "He went to Osasuna on loan where he played some games but then he got good experience at Poli Ejido who were in the Second Division at the time. "When he went to Almeria in 2007 he played lots of games and did really well. "The last four or five years have been really good for him. "He has established himself as a regular for Almeria and I recall seeing him score a couple of good goals. "In fact, he scored one of the goals which put Almeria up to La Liga. "It was the first time in about 20 or 30 years that they were up there. "And when they were in the top division he scored a good goal against Seville. "The standard in La Liga is very high. You don't play in the midfield for a La Liga side unless you're a good player - and Juanma has some good qualities." Calderon was part of the Spanish armada brought over by Steve Archibald to Airdrie in 2000. However, there haven't been too many Spaniards gracing our game in recent years - and Calderon would love to see that change. He said: "I think Scotland would benefit from some Spanish influence because our football is now at its best. "The Spanish managers and players are now full of confidence. "We believe in our style of football and in the way our players are developed. "Scottish teams should perhaps be looking at more Spanish players. "I remember how popular Nacho Novo was with the Rangers fans. "He was very young when he arrived in Scotland from Spain but was full of passion and hunger. "The Rangers fans loved that about him - and I think they'll love that about Juanma too." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3679686/Theres-no-one-quite-like-Juanma.html#ixzz1RHGd2HRM

ALLY McCoist is hopeful Steven Davis will be next to pledge his future to Rangers following long-term deals awarded to Allan McGregor and Steven Whittaker on Monday. Rangers goalkeeper McGregor penned a new six-year deal while defender Whittaker has signed up for five and McCoist is keen for Davis - in the final year of his contract - to extend his stay in Govan. McCoist, who was last night hoping to secure Spanish midfielder Juan Manuel Ortiz as his first new signing since becoming Ibrox manager, told Rangers TV: "Hopefully Steven Davis will follow Allan and Steven. "I don't want to tempt fate, but contract negotiations are continuing with Steven and his representatives and I would be very hopeful that we could get something organised with Steven as well. "He certainly comes into the same category as Allan and Steven. He has been a top player for us and instrumental in the spine of the side. "I'm thrilled that Allan and Steven have signed new deals with the club that keeps them with us for a long time. "They are smashing lads and great players who have been part of the success that we have been lucky enough to enjoy in the last three years and hopefully there is more to come. "There were clubs looking at both players and that was not a surprise because they are valuable assets to the club. "When you have players of their quality then they do attract interest from elsewhere. "They had to weigh up their options and they had important decisions to make. "I think we all feel - and they do too - that they have made the right ones. "It was well documented that Bursaspor were after Steven and there were one or two clubs sniffing about Allan which is no surprise because he has been nothing short of sensational in the last few seasons." McCoist spent time in South America over the summer checking on targets and returned believing that he has an excellent core of players at Ibrox already. He said: "I was in Argentina over the summer watching about eight or nine games and I saw some good teams and some good players. But the best thing to come out of the trip was that it reinforced my belief that we have some very good players at this club. "Sometimes you look about, but the grass is not always necessarily greener on the other side." As well as the Whittaker and McGregor deals being signed this week, striker David Healy, utility man Andrew Little, left-back Sasa Papac and winger Salim Kerkar had already penned new one-year deals. And Whittaker expects more new signings to arrive before too long. "There is a long time to go before the window shuts and I'm sure we will have some new faces in before it does," said the defender. "Deals can be done very quickly and I'm sure he (McCoist] is eyeing up the right people to bring in. He obviously doesn't want to kind of panic buy and I'm sure he will bring in the right faces." Rangers head to Germany today for an eight-day training camp which will also involve games against Sportfreunde Lotte tomorrow, Bochum on Saturday and then Bayer Leverkusen on 13 July. McCoist said: "We are off and running. It doesn't seem so long ago that we were dancing about Rugby Park and then at Ibrox, but that's history now. We have to go and retain the championship. "We are off to Germany and it has a place that has been very good to us in the past. The facilities are very good, the games are ideal and the people are great." http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Ally-McCoist-hopeful-Steven-Davis.6796613.jp?articlepage=2

CARLOS CUELLAR told Juanma Ortiz to join Rangers - because they're the REAL MADRID of Scotland. Cuellar called close pal Juanma yesterday as he edged closer to joining the SPL champs. The pair were team-mates at Osasuna and the ex-Gers stopper told his fellow Spaniard he's making the right move. A source close to Juanma told SunSport: "Carlos phoned Juanma in Glasgow on Tuesday and told him he was thrilled for him that he was joining Rangers. He said it was a great move for him. Carlos described Rangers as 'the Real Madrid of Scotland' and that really excited Juanma. "They played together at Osasuna and they are good friends." Juanma, 29, has agreed personal terms with Gers and will sign a three-year contract this morning. The deal would have been completed last night but there was a delay in paperwork from Spain. If Gers can cut through the red tape in time, he'll fly out with his new team-mates to their German training base today and could be involved in tomorrow's friendly against Sportfreunde Lotte. Juanma said last night: "I want this to go through quickly so I can go to Germany. I want to leave with the rest of the lads. I have everything ready to be a Rangers player." Agent Bill McMurdo added: "I am convinced it will go through on Wednesday." Juanma could still be re-united with Cuellar at Ibrox. Gers have already enquired about the 29-year-old, who has a year left on his deal at Aston Villa. New Villa boss Alex McLeish has yet to make a decision on whether he will involve Cuellar in his plans for next term. Meanwhile, Juanma could be joined at Gers by Australian international Mile Jedinak. The 26-year-old midfielder is available on a free after leaving Turkish club Genclerbirligi and Gers boss Ally McCoist will consider making a move in the next 48 hours. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3679866/Gers-are-a-REAL-step-up-Juanma.html#ixzz1RH9CSubm

Rangers director of football Gordon Smith is confident more players will join Juan Manuel Ortiz in heading to Ibrox. The Gers hope to conclude a deal with the Spanish winger, below, that will see him become Ally McCoist’s first signing as manager. McCoist has been frustrated in his attempts to add to his squad this summer, with deals for Tomer Hemed, Craig Conway and Neil Danns all falling through and swoops for David Goodwillie and Lee Wallace hanging in the balance. He is finally set to land his first capture and it will not be the last as Rangers step up their recruitment drive. Smith said: “Ortiz is a player we’ve been looking at for a while. We believe he has something to offer. All being well, we’ll conclude talks with him and he’ll become part of the squad.” He added: “We were tipped off about Ortiz some time ago and our scouts were very impressed when they checked him out. “When everything is signed he will join up with the lads for the two games and training sessions in Germany. “Then we will move on to recruit other targets as soon as possible.” Ortiz is a product of the Athletico Madrid youth academy and expected to pen a three-year deal with the champions today. The 29-year-old said: “I almost signed for Rangers two years ago. It has taken me two years to get here, but I’m delighted I’m here at last. Hopefully the talks will go well and I will sign. “I have met Ally McCoist but I knew him anyway from Rangers’ earlier interest. I have followed Rangers for those two years and it’s great to be here now.” The winger, who is also known as Juanma, was an integral part of Almeria’s La Liga campaign last year but could not help them avoid relegation as they finished bottom of the Spanish top flight. Almeria sporting director Alberto Benito said: “I can confirm we have had talks with Glasgow Rangers and have reached an agreement over a fee for Juanma. He has been with Almeria for four years and he is a very important player. “He can play on the left or right-hand side of attack, but also defensive left and right. He is also very quick.” Meanwhile, Rangers could also take Spurs pair Bongani Khumalo and Jake Livermore on loan. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/gordon-smith-ortiz-will-be-the-first-of-many-1.1110359

Somebody has him signed for us already:grin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQvkUxh9hNw

http://leggoland2.blogspot.com/

ALLY McCOIST is on the brink of clinching his first new signing as Rangers boss - Spaniard Juan Manuel Ortiz. The midfielder, 29, jetted into Scotland last night and was given a tour of Murray Park before starting talks on a three-year contract. McCoist hopes the finishing touches can be completed on the deal this morning. The Almeria ace, known as Juanma, should put pen to paper in time to jet off with Gers for their pre-season camp in Germany tomorrow. The Ibrox club has agreed a fee with Ortiz's club, who are resigned to losing him. Director of football Gordon Smith said: "Ortiz is a player we've been looking at for a while. We believe he has something to offer. "All being well we'll conclude talks with him and he'll become part of the squad." Ortiz revealed: "I almost signed for Rangers two years ago. It has taken me two years to get here but I'm delighted I'm here at last. Hopefully the talks will go well tomorrow and I will sign. "I have met Ally McCoist but I knew him anyway from Rangers' earlier interest. "I have followed Rangers for those two years and it's great to be here now." Gers are also close to agreeing a new deal with Steven Davis. Further talks with his agent took place yesterday and Gers hope an agreement can be reached in the next 24 hours. They could also swoop for Spurs midfielders Jake Livermore and Bongani Khumalo. Harry Redknapp has met owner Craig Whyte to discuss possible loan deals for his kids. The Spurs boss said: "I met with the chairman and was very impressed, he's a nice guy. They are looking for some loans and I mentioned one or two lads we'd loan out." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3677619/Ally-Coisty-makes-his-first-signing.html#ixzz1RBFCzNzS

Not at all mate.I was just in too much of a hurry to get away on Holiday,I just booked the taxi for the return. No problem.

Some action at least anyway. Hols was good mate,just in the door

What's happened?

Pathetic,this country is getting worse,absolute joke

DAVID WEIR is not yet ready to call time on his Rangers career. The Ibrox skipper admits he has received offers from elsewhere, but is adamant only showdown talks with boss Ally McCoist will determine his future. The 41-year-old, who has interest from the English Championship and a coaching offer from Everton, confirmed to Express Sport last month that he plans to play on but doesn’t know whether it will be with his boyhood heroes or elsewhere. Weir said: “Nothing much has changed. “I have been on holiday and the manager is currently on holiday, so we will maybe get a meeting sorted when he comes back. “I received a text from Ally when I was away and he basically said we will get together and talk about things when he gets backs. I have had one or two approaches. Ã?¬ After I speak to Ally then I will have a better idea of where I stand. Ã?® David Weir “There are a couple of bits and bobs but I won’t be doing anything until I speak to Rangers. “After I speak to Ally then I will have a better idea of where I stand.” Weir has been a colossus since he moved to Ibrox four years ago. The veteran played more than 40 games last season and was an inspiration in the Co-operative Insurance Cup and SPL success. He now has to wait and see if he is going to figure in McCoist’s plans. Weir added: “I certainly wouldn’t be demanding to play every week. “I don’t think you could do that at any club, especially not with a team the size of Rangers. It might be that he wants to take things in another direction without me. If that is the case then I will look at the options I have available to me. “But I won’t know until that until I get a chance to sit down with the manager to see what his thoughts are.” Meanwhile, Carlos Cuellar’s agent, Pedro Bravo, is adamant that the defender wants to see out the last year of his contract at Aston Villa. The SPL champions have made a Ã?£1.5million bid but Villa have told them they will have to double that if they want the Spaniard back. But even if a deal can be struck with Villa then Cuellar is unlikely to agree terms with Rangers as there is currently a Ã?£15,000-a-week gulf between his current wage and the highest earner at Ibrox. Bravo said: “Yes, I have had an approach from Rangers. Carlos is very flattered that Rangers would like to re-sign him. “But the reality is that he still has a year left on his contract at Aston Villa. He is more than happy to sit that out and try and prove himself to the new manager (Alex McLeish). “I also think it would be unlikely that Rangers will be able to afford to pay what Carlos is currently on, so I expect him to see out his contract with Aston Villa.” Steven Whittaker’s agent has also confirmed that his client has turned down an offer of an improved contract. Turkish giants Bursaspor are set to make a fourth bid of Ã?£1m to buy out the last year of his contract. Meanwhile, Hearts are set to offer Lee Wallace a new deal in a bid to fend off interest from Rangers and clubs south of the border. Rangers have already held talks with the Tynecastle outfit about signing the Scotland left-back as he enters the final year of his current deal, but have not been able to agree a fee. Jambos director Sergejus Fedotovas said: “We are looking to discuss an extension, but, first, we need to put some things in order just now as we prepare for the new season.” RANGERS have tied up a deal for a young Gaelic football star from the Republic of Ireland. Aaron McGregor, 17, has signed a two-year contract with the Ibrox outfit and will leave GAA club Limavady Wolfhounds to change codes and switch full-time to the round ball. McGregor said: “I was delighted when Rangers made an approach as it’s an opportunity to make a career as a full-time professional footballer.” http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/255104/David-Weir-s-future-remains-in-doubt

RANGERS remain in the hunt for all their transfer targets but admit the interest of Premiership and Championship clubs could scupper any immediate signing spree. Talks are on-going with Dundee Utd about striker David Goodwillie and the Ibrox club expect a response from Crystal Palace free agent Neil Danns later this week about a move north of the border as well word on a deal to re-sign Carlos Cuellar from Aston Villa. Manager Ally McCoist is also keeping a watching brief on former star hit-man Kenny Miller amidst reports that he remains unsettled in Turkey and could accept a cut in wages to return to the Scottish champions. But his immediate priority is to secure the extended services of Steve Davis, Allan McGregor and Steven Whittaker before sourcing new players in sufficient time to prepare for the SPL Title defence and Champions League campaign. "I want my established players to extend their deals and then adding to my central defence is the next priority" said McCoist. Director of Football Gordon Smith has meanwhile confirmed Rangers could lose out on some of their targets if top English clubs move in with bigger transfer fees and better personal offers. "We can compete with a lot of clubs but not the really big guns or even some of the Championship high fliers " he said "Of course we would like the players we are interested in to consider things from a football as well as financial aspect . "The chance to play in the Champions League and win other trophies can be important to some players but it's an individual choice. We will however keep pursuing our targets until it is. http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/255192/Rangers-to-keep-pursuing-targets

JAMIE NESS will walk tall into Rangers' pre-season after a trip to Germany cured a posture-crippling groin problem. The 20-year-old rocketed into first-team contention last term after a stunning first start in the New Year Old Firm derby. But he hobbled back out of the season after just 13 appearances, plagued by an undiagnosed injury that laid him out for February and March and the last six games of their charge to the title. After a string of injections from legendary Bayern Munich doc Hans Muller-Wohlfahrt, Ness has straightened himself out and is ready to stake a claim for the midfield place he believes he can hold down from the off. Muller-Wohlfahrt has treated everyone from Ronaldo, Steven Gerrard, and Jose Maria Olazabal to Usain Bolt and Bono! And Ness said: "This has been the main thing troubling me for the past three or four months and the rest of the injuries all stemmed from it. "But hopefully that's me got to the bottom of it. "I'd been really frustrated but the doc examined me in Germany and said he'd seen a lot of people like me before so that was quite a positive for me. "It turned out it was nerve damage in the groin and the treatment I got was a spell of injections in my groin and my back. "And I do feel better. I actually feel taller. "I've stopped growing so I don't know whether that's me straightened out and my posture's better. "I now have exercises to do to prevent it happening again and I've also got new boots with specially-made insoles, so that should hopefully be me sorted." Ness has been so determined to get off to a flier this season he's shunned the time off the squad were given in June to get himself at the peak of his powers. He said; "I've been in for a lot of the summer doing rehab to make sure I'm ready for pre-season. It's been a short summer but it had to be done to make sure I'm fit." Ness turned in a couple of man-of-the-match showings in big games before missing out on the medal march in May. But he said: "My aim is to play as many games as I can this season. "The midfield is a strong area of the team for us - we've got Mo Edu, Steve Davis, Lee McCulloch, Kyle Hutton and me - five of us playing for two places. But I'm hoping if I have a good pre-season I'll be one of the picks. "I've always had enough confidence in my own ability that I'd be able to come into the team and make an impact. "From the 10 or so games I played in a row I think I showed I could do that and that has given me confidence I can do it to a greater extent next season." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/rangers/2011/06/26/jamie-ness-i-ll-walk-tall-now-my-rangers-injury-hell-has-been-cleared-up-86908-23228212/

THE mum of a schoolgirl groomed by footballer Craig Thomson called on his club to sack him yesterday and asked: "Have you no shame?" Breaking her silence, she condemned the sex-shame player and his bosses at Hearts after they announced he would be kept on at the club despite his conviction for targeting her 12-year-old daughter and another young girl online. She revealed the defender - who was a close family friend and had known his victim for years - bombarded her girl with obscene messages over nine months from January 2010. The shattered mum, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told how Thomson, 20, begged the youngster not to tell anyone about him. He made filthy comments about her appearance, tried to take her on drives and even sent naked photographs of himself. Speaking to the Sunday Mail at the family home near Edinburgh, the 47-year-old woman said Scotland under-21 international Thomson had known exactly how old her daughter was. He was put on the sex offenders' register for five years and fined �£4000 after admitting lewd, libidinous and indecent behaviour earlier this month. The mum-of-three said: "Hearts are not taking this seriously enough. As far as we are concerned, Thomson has got off with this. He needs to be sacked. "The only thing that will teach him a lesson is if he goes. Football is all he cares about. "Hearts are a family club and if he continues in football, he is obviously going to be around children. But who would take their kids to a game when they know he is on the pitch? "They obviously don't want to lose him because he is a decent player and could make them money. "They should be taking notice and investigating this. But there doesn't seem to have been anything of the sort - we haven't even heard a word from Hearts about it. "To us, he has been let off really lightly. By the time he is 25 he won't even be on the sex offenders' register anymore. And a �£4000 fine is nothing to him. "He's meant to be a role model for kids and yet he has used his celebrity status to get at young girls." The horrified mum, a support worker, said she had known nothing about Thomson's vile chats with her youngest child, now aged 13, until the police got in touch with her. And when she heard how the player - who had been a friend of the family through the girl's older sister for around six years - had been grooming the girl, she was at first stunned then furious. The mum said: "He was somebody we knew and trusted. It's not that my daughter was in awe of him because he was a footballer. He was a family friend she had known since she was about six. "He went to school with my older daughter and he used to come about the house quite often. He knew the whole family from a young age. "This was someone my older daughter was very close with. But while she was attending Hearts events that Thomson had invited her to, he was also grooming her little sister." Thomson began chatting to the 12-year-old at a party they were both invited to and the next day he added her as a friend on Facebook, then began chatting to her on MSN Messenger. The girl's mum said: "She would mention that she had been chatting to him and I thought nothing of it. I worry that I didn't pick up on that. "I wonder if she was trying to tell us something but didn't know how to. "He had asked her if she had told her big sister they were chatting. He told her he didn't think she should and that he didn't imagine she'd be too happy about it. "A couple of days in, he had pushed her into speaking to him in front of the webcam. "When I heard the things he was saying to her after the police became involved I was shocked and disgusted. He was commenting on her figure, saying he liked her big chest, what she was wearing and would turn up in places that he knew she was going to be. "Nearly every time he was in contact with her he asked her to take her top off. "He moved on to sending her pictures of himself naked and asking her if she thought he was big. She was a 12-year-old girl, it's disgusting." The sickened mum added: "He was well aware of how young she was. At one point he asked her how old she was now and when she told him she had turned 13, he said to her 'I knew that' before saying what he wanted to do to her. It is disgusting. "He also invited her to come to his house for a sleepover, as long as she promised to walk around in her underwear. He tried to take her on drives and I'm just so relieved she didn't go with him. I dread to think what might have happened. "I feel a bit stupid for letting this happen to my daughter. The worst of it is that if even if I had've known he was offering to take her out to McDonald's and that kind of thing, I would have just thought what a nice laddie he was. I wouldn't have thought he had any other motive than being nice to his friend's little sister. "He disgusts me. If he was a total stranger who had come on and said that type of thing, then she would have deleted him straight away. But because she knew him, she thought there was a wee bit of protection. "And it went on so long because she was frightened to say because he was a friend of the family." The family are unsure how Thomson came to be investigated but the mum told how when her daughter went to the police station about it, there were four other girls there too and she knew three of them. She said: "He has been found guilty of two, but there is probably lots more. This is a 20yearold footballer who could probably have any girl he wanted, yet he chooses to hang around at schoolgirls' parties." I SHOOK WHEN I SAW HIM THE VICTIM Thomson's young victim yesterday said the player's unwanted attention gave her the creeps. The girl, now 13, said: "I used to see him around all the time, he was everywhere. "I would always put my head down or put sunglasses on to try and avoid him. I just hated seeing him. "I used to shake when I did. He was always commenting on what I was wearing if I saw him. One time he drove past and waved and then later he asked if I was still wearing the leggings I had on earlier. "So I'd wear things that wouldn't get his attention. "I was scared to tell my mum and sisters in case they thought I had done something wrong. I was relieved once it all came out. "When I look back I think 'How did I ever think that was okay?' but I think I thought to myself that he was a friend of my family, and also a footballer, so surely he wouldn't do something that was wrong. "Surely he wouldn't risk everything by doing something bad. "Even when I see him now, he doesn't try and hide, he just stares right at me." PUTTING MONEY BEFORE MORALS THE AGENT A top football agent yesterday accused Hearts of putting money before morality. The players' rep, who asked not to be named, said: "The reason they have kept Thomson is quite simple. "He's an asset to the club and is somebody they will feel they can sell for upwards of �£500,000 or maybe seven figures in a year or two. "They have invested a lot of time training him and they aren't about to discard him now. "This is a financial decision, pure and simple. If he was an ordinary 20-year-old they'd be delighted to get shot of him. He stays because he has talent. "Football is littered with bad boys being given another chance and, as long as Thomson is doing the business on the grass, there will always be be a taker. "Of course, there may be clubs who take the moral high ground and won't want anything to do with it, but there will be plenty clubs who won't care." The agent, who has done business with Vladimir Romanov's club, said: "This whole thing isn't surprising to me. I have had a few dealings with the people at Hearts. "They are unpredictable, to say the least, and are tough negotiators when it comes to money." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2011/06/26/victim-s-mum-reveals-full-horror-of-hearts-star-craig-thomson-s-depravity-86908-23228208/

ALCOHOL could be barred from sale in shops throughout Glasgow before Old Firm games as part of a plan to reduce the amount of football-related violence at or around matches, under plans being considered by police and government officials. Talks between police and supermarkets will take place over the coming weeks to consider the moves that would bring off-sales into line with pubs, which are also shut until the games begin. However, licence holders say that the moves would only lead to drinkers stocking up in advance of a game, while also inconveniencing hundreds of supermarket customers who want to buy alcohol as part of their shop. The ban would form part of a joint action plan due to be unveiled at the end of this month by the Scottish Government. Last week, First Minister Alex Salmond announced he would allow more time to debate controversial measures to criminalise offensive behaviour at or around football matches, and to crack down on published religious-based threats. Supporters of free speech, however, say they are deeply concerned by the proposals and have launched a Holyrood petition opposing the plans. Last night, one leading expert on football-related violence compared the new laws to the German and Austrian ban on holocaust denial. However, Salmond and Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland say they will press ahead with the measures. Ministers have emphasised that the new laws are only a part of a wider crackdown brought about as a result of the scenes that marred the end of the last football season. Police sources say one option under consideration is to return to the old licensing laws that barred alcohol sales before noon on a Sunday. On moves to prevent alcohol from being sold in off-sales before a game, Paul Waterson of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association warned: "There is no doubt that is one of the ways they want to tackle this but if you stop people buying it then, they will just buy alcohol at another time." A spokesman for the Wine and Spirits Trade Association said: "We are working with the police and happy for them to have discussions with us and suggest a way forward." Last night one legal expert, Dr David McArdle, said the plans to crack down on offensive behaviour amounted to the "criminalising of hate speech". Under the legislation, offensive behaviour deemed likely to incite public disorder or which is offensive to a reasonable person will be deemed an offence. McArdle said: "It begins to get close to the laws on holocaust denial in Germany and Austria, or the laws on banning the 'n' word in certain parts of the US." He also criticised the fact that the offence only applies when at or near a football match. He said: "You would be able to sing these songs during the marching season when there is no football on, but then wouldn't be able to do it a week after when the football season begins." Yesterday, it emerged that freedom of speech campaigners had launched a petition campaigning against the crackdown, which they describe as "extreme and illiberal". One supporter of the petition wrote: "This Bill might become the thin end of a fascist wedge in which government attempts to select/censor speech." http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/news/Offsales--booze-ban-for.6791283.jp?articlepage=1

Rangers look set to miss out on another of their transfer targets as Nottingham Forest and Blackpool last night joined the race for Ã?£2million-rated Dundee United striker David Goodwillie. The Ibrox club have already watched Israeli striker Tomer Hemed and Scotland cap Craig Conway slip through their grasp, while the fee Aston Villa want for Carlos Cuellar remains prohibitive. Now Goodwillie also appears ready to snub Rangers’ advances. Dundee United's David Goodwillie Cardiff City have made their intentions clear to the Tannadice hierarchy about linking up the 22-year-old with former team-mate Conway, who moved to the Welsh capital on a free transfer. United chairman Stephen Thompson is also expecting to hear from two of their Championship promotion rivals. Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has long been an admirer of the Scotland international, who struck 19 goals last season, and wants him to spearhead their bid to make a quick return to the Barclays Premier League. New Forest manager Steve McClaren holds Goodwillie in similar esteem. The financial might of the English game may well be too strong for Goodwillie to resist. However, the controversial forward, who is preparing to face Drogheda in a friendly for United in Ireland today, has also been told by friends and colleagues that a move to the melting pot of Glasgow would be ill-advised, considering the off-field baggage he already carries. Goodwillie, charged with rape earlier this year, is due in court this week and expected to be charged with assault after an incident involving team-mates in Glasgow city centre last November. If he does decide his future lies elsewhere, then it will be another blow to new Rangers manager Ally McCoist, who is a massive fan of the United star’s talents. However, the pain of that snub would be substantially eased if McCoist negotiates a third Ibrox return for Kenny Miller. The Bursaspor forward has not settled in Turkey since landing a Ã?£50,000-a-week deal and would be open to a return home. His colossal wages are a stumbling block, but if Miller lowered his personal salary sights to the terms he rejected at Rangers last autumn then the Scottish champions could do business. The Scotland striker remains close to McCoist, who would love to link him with Nikica Jelavicafter Rangers were starved of options last season due to the Croatian’s knee injury and the January departure of Miller. Meanwhile, in a further twist, Bursaspor last night insisted they will tie up a Ã?£1m deal for Steven Whittaker this week. The versatile Scotland star is mulling over a new contract offer at Ibrox and the Turkish side have already had four bids rejected by Rangers. Bursaspor’s transfer director Erkan Kamat said: ‘We want to bring Whittaker to our training camp as soon as possible. We have agreed a deal in principle with him and we need to reach agreement with Rangers. ‘I will return to the UK on Monday and I expect Whittaker to sign this week.’ Bursaspor also hope to tie up former Celtic loan midfielder Landry N’Guemo. The Turkish side splashed out Ã?£2m last week for former West Brom and England goalkeeper Scott Carson. And they expect to be able to seal the deal for Whittaker in the coming days, too. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2008220/Rangers-miss-2m-David-Goodwillie-Bursaspor-swoop-Steven-Whittaker.html#ixzz1QMnEVILQ

WEST BROM last night failed in a dramatic swoop for Rangers keeper Allan McGregor. And SunSport can reveal the Scotland No 1 is on the brink of sealing a new deal with the SPL champs. Baggies gaffer Roy Hodgson wanted McGregor to replace former England keeper Scott Carson, who is destined for a �£2million switch to Turkish cracks Bursaspor. West Brom sporting director Dan Ashworth last night made an official enquiry about the 29-year-old star. But he was told that McGregor was NOT for sale and remained locked in contract negotiations at Ibrox. And it's believed those talks are close to a successful conclusion. McGregor has two years left on his contract, but Gers recently offered him a bumper six-year deal. And Ibrox owner Craig Whyte revealed McGregor had given him a personal assurance he would stay. Meanwhile, Madjid Bougherra says he has no plans to quit Ibrox. The Algerian ace was this week linked with a move to Swiss side Neuchatel Xamax, but he said: "I have not negotiated with any club. "I am on holiday with my family and I have completely forgotten about football. "There has been no offers for me and I will be back in Glasgow for pre-season training." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3658596/Bid-to-Bag-Al-repelled-by-Gers.html#ixzz1QHNj5Nqf

ALLAN McGREGOR has reached an agreement in principle to sign a new contract with Rangers. The Scotland goalkeeper still has two years of his deal left but Rangers are determined to secure him on a contract that will increase his wages and tie him to Ibrox until 2016. Herald Sport understands that McGregor has now reached a verbal agreement with Craig Whyte, the club�s owner, on a deal which will make him one of the highest-paid players at the club. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/rangers-in-verbal-deal-with-their-no-1-1.1108408?68802

Who is it that is pushing for an Olympic team?. I don't like the idea.

ALI RUSSELL took the fast track to success under F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone at QPR. Now Russell wants to put the REAL Rangers in pole position for global expansion. New Gers owner Craig Whyte has made the ex-Hearts whizzkid his Chief Operating Officer at Ibrox. He'll chase off-field success while Ally McCoist goes for glory on the park. Russell, 39, says the lessons learned under billionaire Bernie will be crucial in moving the SPL champions into top gear. The man who will replace outgoing chief executive Martin Bain said: "I very much learned the Formula 1 model on football, working with people like Bernie Ecclestone, Flavio Briatore and the Mittals. "That's been very useful for me to see a parallel commercial environment being used in football and I think they had a huge amount of success in those sort of areas. "I've had a fair degree of involvement with football. "I've been part of two new management teams that have come into football and been very, very successful. "This is a fantastic club and it has got a fantastic fan base. "What we want to do is to take this club forward and today is the start of that. I'm looking forward to helping develop the brand of this club, not just in Scotland but internationally. "I think we've got some huge opportunities. "The club has been under some challenging financial circumstances over the last couple of years. I think, moving forward, we've got to challenge ourselves. "How do we generate more interest in Scottish football? "How do we become central to that? "It's very early days but we're looking at how we move Rangers forward considerably and I'm thrilled to be part of this new management team." Russell has a wide-ranging remit in the new regime. He plans to take Gers to every corner of the globe on a massive marketing drive. Celtic have already targeted the Asian and American markets and Russell sees no reason why Gers can't do the same. For too long, he argues, Rangers have been a selling club. Now he hopes to sell Rangers to the world. Russell stressed: "It's about looking at all avenues. "It's about looking at the real estate here. "How do we maximise that? Is it just a football ground used for football or does it have more uses? "Obviously, football is the core focus, but can we use the rooms on non-match days more effectively? "What do we do to grow the brand, where do we play as a football team? "How do we integrate international players so that we're building the brand? "Where do we go with our own broadcast rights? "There are numerous areas we are looking to investigate. "What are the core markets that we're going to be focusing on - and really focus and be strategic about that, so that we reinforce it every time we do a tour? "So we don't just go where the biggest cheque is - we look at growing a fan base in different areas of the world which strategically fit back very well into the club itself." Russell knows Rangers and Scottish football must rebuild its image after the shame of last season. He said: "There's a sense that Scottish football's reputation bottomed out last season. "I think if you look at the Championship, that hit rock bottom some time ago. "I think the league reconstruction that they had there had a lot of innovation at the time. "There's a huge amount of interest in that play-off game at the end of the season. "We've met with Neil Doncaster and I think the SPL are looking at a lot of innovative aspects to move Scottish football forward and we want to be part of that." Russell will now look to maximise income at every opportunity. He's determined to prove the Champions League gravy train is not the only one Rangers can hop aboard and he's hinted at a cross-border cup competition which Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are thought to be keen on. Russell revealed: "There's been a lot of talk about cross-border cup competitions. "Also the Old Firm game is a fantastic game. It's about making it the biggest rivalry in world football. "How do we ensure that without some of the negativity that maybe came to the surface last season? "Looking at a cross-border cup I think the League Cup over the last couple of years is one that's had some issues in terms of teams like Arsenal and Manchester United playing their first teams in the early stages of that competition. "A cross-border aspect to that tournament would most certainly generate a lot more interest. "It's not something that's necessarily been discussed at this point in time but should we be involved in those sort of discussions? Absolutely." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3653319/The-Ali-shuffle.html#ixzz1Q40HqBds