ian1964

He'll need to play well to CEMENT his place in the team

Wer'e on the march wi Allys army...........................About the only time I think a lot of Scottish fans actualy believed we were going to win the WC!!!,tell you what though it was some team and I do remember thinking we've got a chance..!!!!,disaster,but probably the best Scotland team in my time,IMO.

http://leggoland2.blogspot.com/2011/06/republican-rose-and-anti-catholic.html

SCENE ONE. Enter stage right the Whyte knight of Rangers. His takeover deal is sealed and he strides purposefully towards Ibrox alongside his father Tom as adoring fans holler their thanks and rush to hug him. SCENE TWO: Far from the madding crowd in a quiet room in the bowels of Murray Park, Gers' �£14million training complex. The new chairman plots the transfer swoops he prays will secure a fourth championship in a row with boss Ally McCoist - the striker he once hailed as a hero from the Copland Road. FREEZE FRAME: We sit round a table in a Glasgow restaurant and Craig Whyte admits his Rangers story so far has felt like a script from a Hollywood movie. In the weeks since he swept into power at Rangers, to end Sir David Murray's trophy-filled 23 years in charge of the SPL champs, Whyte has faced the fiercest of scrutiny. The old regime went down kicking and screaming. Former chairman Alastair Johnston told Gers fans to be vigilant, that the new owner was worth watching. Whyte will have his say on those wounding words in SunSport on Monday, but yesterday he was relishing the challenge of being the new Mr Rangers too much for that. A wry smile played on his lips as he admitted: "I knew there was a circus that exists around Rangers, but I thought it would die down after two days. I know better now. "There are still times when I am sitting there planning our next move with Coisty at Murray Park where it feels like we are in a movie. "It's not what I expected to be doing at this stage of my life, but I am relishing it. "It is something to savour and enjoy for all the pressures it brings with it. "I have had to sign the first autographs of my life - normally I just sign cheques - and I still find that a bit surreal. "That walk down Edmiston Drive before the Hearts game will live with me forever. "To get applauded that way was amazing and I have to admit it was like living outside yourself and looking at someone else starring in a movie. "I think that is a very good way to describe it. "Mind you, I know if things go wrong then I could be getting the opposite reaction one day!" That is the nature of life in the Old Firm jungle. Whyte knows he will be judged brutally should his regime falter even in its early days. For now all the 40-year-old financial expert asks for is a chance to get his feet under the desk in a job he feels will challenge him to the limit. He added: "There are times in life when you either grab opportunities like this or you don't have the balls to do it. "Buying Rangers was like that for me. "I think there is great potential and I can add value to this fantastic club. I feel we can develop the commercial side and enhance the brand of Rangers and keep achieving where it matters most - ON the pitch. "It is is not the biggest business deal I will do in my career, but it is the most life-changing one. "I could have gone on living my life under the radar, but this felt right." This is Plan B. When Whyte first became involved in the bid to buy Rangers he planned to be the money man in the background. Former Northampton chairman Andrew Ellis was at first poised to be the front man with Whyte the financial muscle. But Ellis, the son of former QPR chairman Peter Ellis, carried too much baggage from the failed adventure into the Rangers quest though. He faded into the background and it was boyhood Gers fan Whyte, educated at Knowetop Primary School in Motherwell, who was thrust into centre stage. From the hedge fund to the transfer kitty, London's Square Mile to Govan's square go. Whyte has had to adjust to his new job rapidly in a climate of suspicion in some circles - and outright animosity from departing chairman Alastair Johnston. Whyte said: "The fans have been supportive to me and I will be judged on how the team perform. "Rangers fans know there have been issues with the previous board. "There were those on that board who would have wished this deal didn't go through. That was obvious. The negative stories came from those sources." Whyte must now also wrestle with the spectre of sectarianism as Gers face up to a travelling ban of one away game in Europe after a UEFA crackdown. It's clear that while he will fight to banish bigtory from Ibrox the new Gers supremo will stand behind his law-abiding supporters. He added: "I will be 100 per cent behind our fans and I will defend them. We're going to make things happen and I feel we have done a lot regarding sectarianism already. "I don't think changing the law will change the culture of the west of Scotland, but I have had talks with Alex Salmond. "I just want even-handed treatment for Rangers fans and that's what we will be monitoring." For now, though, Whyte will plot the way ahead with McCoist after the drama of a title finale he will always cherish. He pointed out: "During the games in the run-in this time I was just a fan willing Rangers to win. "At Kilmarnock I was sitting there desperate to see us lift that trophy. "I woke up that morning certain we were going to go to the last ten minutes. "Then six minutes in we were three up and we were champions, and those were six of the best minutes of my life. "It was brilliant and it was something I will remember for the rest of my time on this earth. "Then we had 35,000 people back at Ibrox for the party and that's when it comes home to you how important this club is in the lives of people. Once you've had memories like that you want more of them." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3645693/I-walked-down-Edmiston-Drive.html#ixzz1PbYGnxvp

Hemed to "consider Rangers offer" over the weekend Rangers target Tomer Hemed will consider a possible transfer to Ibrox over the coming days. Rangers' primary transfer target, Tomer Hemed, is to consider a switch to Ibrox over the weekend. The 24-year-old Israeli international has been linked with a move to Spain, but has indicated that the lure of Champions League football could be enough to sway him in favour of Ibrox. Hemed has now met with Rangers club officials and has been made an offer to join the club. Rangers manager Ally McCoist said: "He will consider Rangers' offer over the weekend and make his mind up next week". The striker, who finished top scorer in last season's Israeli Premier League, has options with from at least one other European club, believed to be Espanol, but McCoist remains confident of convincing him that Ibrox should be his next destination. Meanwhile, the Rangers boss has admitted his side face a tough opening to their SPL title defence, facing Hearts at Ibrox. McCoist said: "It's a tough start but I'm really looking forward to welcoming Jim, Billy and the Hearts team to Ibrox on the opening day". http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/rangers/258289-hemed-to-consider-rangers-offer-over-the-weekend/

RANGERS are ready to nail down the long-term futures of Allan McGregor, Steven Whittaker and Steven Davis … and the Ibrox club hope the move will ward off any big-money bids to tempt the trio away. Keeper McGregor, left, has two years left on his current deal while Whittaker and Davis are both entering the final years of their contracts. McGregor’s situation is being monitored by English Premiership clubs – and Northern Ireland international Davis is attracting similar interest. While Gers knocked back a third offer of Ã?£750,000 for Whittaker from Turkish cracks Bursaspor, as exclusively revealed in later editions of yesterday’s SportTimes. McGregor’s agent Dave Baldwin today confirmed that he has already had an initial meeting with Gers new owner Craig Whyte and is expecting to hold follow-up talks. He said: “We had a positive meeting with Rangers two weeks ago and I would expect a second meeting to happen very soon. “Allan is under contract and we know how highly Rangers value him, while his affection for the club is equally well documented. “By the same token, his status as a goalkeeper of top quality as a proven international with Scotland and a Champions League performer of some distinction is well known. We are hoping to sit down with Rangers shortly to progress things. The club are due to get back to me.” Rangers will also hold early talks with Whittaker’s agent Ken Anderson after booting out Bursa’s latest bid. And today there were reports that the Turks’ move had collapsed after five club directors were allegedly held in a swoop by cops over financial irregularities. Anderson said: “Rangers have made contact and they are keen to get talks going as soon as possible. “I would hope to get round the table with them at the beginning of next week. That is something I’m sure both parties look forward to.” Rangers boss Ally McCoist will also be sure to kick-start talks with midfielder Davis’s agent Rob Segal as he bids to ring-fence the final member of the highly regarded trio’s long- term Ibrox future. Meanwhile, it is believed Israeli international Tomer Hemed’s representatives have finally reached an agreement on the terms of the player’s proposed move to Scotland. The 24-year-old Maccabi Haifa striker’s agent Max Meltzer has been locked in talks with McCoist, Whyte and head of football administration Andrew Dickson all week. It is understood that an agreement in principle has now been reached on Hemed’s Bosman move to the SPL champions. He will now look to secure a Polish passport, available to him due to his mother being born in the former Iron Curtain country, as he is not eligible for a UK work permit. That would provide him with eligibility through EEC qualification and pave the way for the striker to be unveiled at Ibrox next week as McCoist’s first major signing of a new era at the club. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/coisty-in-new-deal-talks-with-star-trio-1.1107327

HEARTS star Craig Thomson was put on the sex offenders' register yesterday for preying on two girls aged 12 and 14 over the internet. The 20-year-old right-back, who also plays for Scotland under-21s, will remain on the register for five years. He was also fined �£4000. Prosecutors told how Thomson swapped email addresses with the girls after asking them to be his friends on Facebook. The first girl was only 13 when Thomson approached her online. She had her age and birth date on her Facebook profile but Thomson still engaged her in sexual chat and asked about her body parts. Thomson He was in contact with the girl between May and August 2010. After she turned 14, he made her uncomfortable by telling her he wanted to have sex with her. Thomson then sent the girl a picture of naked male private parts. The second girl was only 12 at the time of the offence and had known Thomson since she was small. She accepted his Facebook friend request in January 2010. Claire Bottomley, prosecuting, told Edinburgh Sheriff Court: "Initially, their conversations were of a general nature." But she said Thomson then repeatedly discussed showing his private parts to the girl. She added: "He discussed sexual acts, made inappropriate comments about her body and asked her to expose herself online." The prosecutor said that on June 18 last year, during a chat on a webcam, Thomson asked the girl to expose her breasts and mentioned a sexual act. The girl told her mother and police were called. Thomson, of Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, was arrested in September last year. He admitted lewd, libidinous and indecent behaviour and has agreed to pay his fine at the rate of �£300 a month. His not guilty plea to a similar sex charge involving a third girl was accepted. Thomson said in January that he was concentrating on his football as he prepared to face court. He said: "Football is my life and I will focus on that before anything. This has been a learning curve. "The management and all the staff at Tynecastle have been different class with me. That has helped enormously." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2011/06/17/hearts-star-craig-thomson-put-on-sex-offenders-register-after-pestering-girls-aged-12-and-14-for-sex-on-facebook-86908-23207046/

RANGERS' hopes of landing Carlos Cuellar could be over as Aston Villa get set to parade Alex McLeish as their new boss. Ally McCoist wants to re-sign Cuellar but his bid is set to be dealt a crushing blow today when Big Eck's controversial appointment as manager at Villa Park is confirmed. SunSport understands Cuellar is one player the former Rangers boss does NOT want to sell. McLeish rates the 29-year-old former Osasuna stopper as the best centre-half at his new club. It's believed Eck IS willing to part with defenders Richard Dunne and James Collins - last season's preferred pairing at the back for Villa. But it seems certain he will tell his old pal McCoist that Cuellar, sold to Villa by Gers for �£8million is not for sale. McLeish has a massive fight on his hands as he battles to win over the Villa fans so opposed to his cross-city move. And the former Birmingham boss will not weaken his stance by selling the players he believes can help him convince furious Villa supporters he's the man for the job. McLeish's unveiling at Villa is a huge blow for McCoist who had hoped to lure Cuellar back to Ibrox. But Eck knows all about Cuellar's qualities and he has no intention of selling. Meanwhile, the deal to bring Tomer Hemed to Ibrox is back on. SunSport can reveal the 24-year-old is once again considering a switch to Glasgow after Gers improved on their first offer. The out-of-contract Maccabi Haifa hitman seemed destined for a move to Spain after Real Mallorca and Espanyol both tabled last-minute bids. Both La Liga outfits were offering double the money that was on the table at Ibrox. But Gers are determined to land Hemed and they have increased their offer to the hitman. The player has hinted he would prefer a move to Scotland and McCoist is now once again hopeful a deal can be done as he aims to strengthen the squad. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3643214/Coisty-hit-by-Carlos-Cuellar-blow.html#ixzz1PW92GidC

http://leggoland2.blogspot.com/2011/06/irish-to-ditch-soldiers-song-exclusive.html

I'm far from certain but I thought it was Sturm gratz for some reason,I'm sure someone will put us right

Maybe he did it twice:grin:

I think it was against Sturm Gratz???{sp}.

I'm not overly excited if we sign Conway,however I believe average players do improve playing in a better team and he will be joining the best team in Scotland,so as all signings,if he signs?,I will wait and see how he performs.

Bump Bump!!,any more info on Bain??,very strange situation!!

BURSASPOR have slapped in a third bid of Ã?£750,000 for Rangers defender Steven Whittaker. The cash-rich Turks have already had bids of Ã?£450,000 and Ã?£600,000 knocked back by Gers boss Ally McCoist. But this renewed interest has underlined Bursa’s determination to take the versatile defender to the Bursa Ataturk Stadium to team up with Kenny Miller. Whittaker is now in the final year of his current deal with the SPL champions, but with contract extension talks yet to kick-off Bursa boss Ertugrul Saglam has reiterated his desire to test the Ibrox club’s resolve to hold onto the highly rated 27 year-old. And the player’s agent Ken Anderson revealed he is expecting to hold talks with Rangers within 24 hours. He said: “I have been informed of a third bid of Ã?£750,000 having been tabled for Steven by Bursaspor. In that regard I would expect to be speaking with Rangers within 24 hours. Obviously this renewed interest from Bursa shows how highly they value the player and how keen they are to acquire Steven. Hopefully we can resolve things as soon as possible.” Although his wages have been widely quoted as Ã?£8,000 per week basic at Gers it is understood they are significantly less. The Turkish offer is believed to double the Scotland star’s current Ibrox pay. The Turkish Super Lig side are also keen to keep Miller whom they signed in a Ã?£400,000 deal from Gers in January. The securing of his close friend Whittaker would significantly strengthen Bursa’s hopes in that regard. However Whittaker has previously stressed to Sporttimes that his priority is to sign an extension with Gers with whom he is settled and looking forward to working under new boss McCoist when Rangers return for pre-season on June 27. Those preparations for the new campaign will include an eight day trip to Germany were Rangers will play three games, the club announced today. McCoist and his squad leave on July 6, and play their first game against lower league side Sportfreunde Lotte the following day. They then face VFL Bochum on Saturday, July 9 and finish off with a clash against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, July 13 although the match will take place in small town of Telgte near Munster and not Leverkusen’s home BayArena. Rangers fly back to face Linfield in Belfast on Saturday, July 16, then travel to Blackpool on Tuesday the 19th for the final friendly before the SPL starts four days later. Meanwhile, the club will not be held to ransom over wage demands as they try to close out three Bosman deals for Tomer Hemed, Neil Danns and Craig Conway. The three players have all been targeted by boss Ally McCoist as part of his summer rebuild, and he is keen to get them on board before pre-season training starts in just 11 days time. But whilst there is money to spend on transfer fees and wages after the Craig Whyte takeover, McCoist knows he may need up to eight new faces – and he will refuse to pay over the odds to land players with big money needed to pursue main targets Carlos Cuellar, Kyle Bartley and David Goodwillie. Hemed looked set to be the first summer arrival from Maccabi Haifa after his agents arrived in Glasgow for talks on Tuesday. The deal for the 24-year-old then stalled when a clutch of Spanish clubs expressed an interest and offered more in terms of wages. However, SportTimes understands that Hemed was today edging closer to choosing Rangers with an Israeli source suggesting the Maccabi Haifa ace may be ready to jet to Glasgow in the next 48 hours. The striker has admitted that the chance to work under Ally McCoist is an attraction. Hemed said: “I am excited about the prospect of signing for such a big club as Rangers and playing under a manager like Ally McCoist. “I believe that if I get the chance to work with him I can develop my game further. But at the moment it is up to my agent. I hope they can come to an agreement soon.” Danns is also believed to be looking for a huge increase from what he was on at Crystal Palace to move to the SPL. He has big offers from Hull and Leicester on the table but his agent has been told the pay-scale Rangers are looking at and, although there is some room for manoeuvring, sources at Ibrox say Whyte wants value for money on the deals he sanctions. No offer was tabled to Conway yesterday after the Dundee United man and his agent held talks with McCoist over a switch. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/bursaspor-in-new-750k-bid-for-whittaker-1.1107122

Done........................................!!!!!

Aye,I'm glad to hear he will make a full recovery

Cheers BD,that's it sorted mate

http://leggoland2.blogspot.com/2011/06/celtic-fans-to-fight-salmonds-new.html

STRICKEN Aberdeen keeper Jamie Langfield last night got the news he desperately wanted - that he CAN resume his career. But it will be October at the earliest before he'll pull on a first-team jersey again. And that means boss Craig Brown faces a pre-season search for TWO keepers. Langfield suffered a brain seizure a fortnight ago and was rushed to a Glasgow hospital. The 31-year-old - who signed a one-year contract extension at the end of last season - was released after a few days. But amid fears his career could be over Langfield travelled south for the crucial check-up to determine his fate. To his great relief he heard the words he wanted, that he WILL play again. And the popular keeper can report with the rest of the Dons squad for pre-season training next Thursday. But boss Craig Brown - like the rest of the club 100-per cent supportive - stressed to SunSport it will be a gradual road back. He said: "I've spoken to Jamie and he's been given the all-clear to do light training. But he'll be closely supervised by our physios. Jamie's been told he's to report back to the specialist in a month and that it'll be September before he can expect to return to full training. It'll also be October before he can look to play again. "Jamie will come back in with the rest of the squad next week, but clearly it's out of the question just now for him to do the same level of work. "Everyone's right behind Jamie.I've no doubts he'll be back playing for us. As far as I'm concerned he's still our No1 for next season." Brown was already looking for a back-up keeper with Mark Howard released. Now, with the SPL campaign kicking off on July 23 and kid Scott Bain sent to Alloa on loan, he'll have to find a temporary stand-in for Langfield too. Meanwhile, Brown and Archie Knox have dropped their legal battle with Motherwell. They quit Fir Park for the Dons back in December but argued they were due �£25,000 after Well booked a place in last season's League Cup semi-finals. Well Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said: "Having strongly defended our club's interests over two separate tribunal hearings, we welcome the news that the claims have been withdrawn and a line can now be drawn under that short chapter." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3640465/Jamies-got-the-all-clear.html#ixzz1PQZWekYD

RANGERS target Tomer Hemed last night revealed for the first time his desire to work under Ally McCoist. But the new Ibrox boss is facing a fight to land Craig Conway despite meeting the Dundee United winger at Murray Park yesterday. Israeli striker Hemed and his agent have been locked in talks with the SPL champions over a possible Bosman switch from Maccabi Haifa. And the 24-year-old striker admits he's keen for a deal to be struck in the next 48 hours, which will make him a Rangers player. Hemed also has offers from clubs in Spain, who are willing to pay him more money than McCoist can offer at Ibrox. But the Israeli international told Record Sport: "I am excited at the prospect of signing for such a big club as Rangers and playing under a manager like Ally McCoist. "He is someone I very much admired in the past as one of the great strikers in football. I believe if I get the chance to work with him he can develop my game further. "But at the moment it's up to Rangers and my agent - I hope they can come to an agreement soon." Rangers face a stiff test in the battle to land Hemed as the wage demands his representatives made were far greater than Rangers had anticipated. McCoist had been hoping to land the player on �£8000 a week but has now asked new owner Craig Whyte to come up with something more lucrative to nail Hemed down. Conway met McCoist for signing talks yesterday but the Rangers boss must beat a host of Championship clubs to land his man. Conway has been locked in discussions with Leicester, Leeds and Watford since becoming a free agent at the end of the season but was invited to Murray Park yesterday for a breakfast time meeting with McCoist. Conway was impressed with what the Ibrox boss had to say and McCoist now hopes to put together a financial package in the next two days to tempt the twice-capped 26-year-old. Conway could also be given another option if, as expected, Cardiff win the battle to secure Watford boss Malky Mackay as their new manager. Mackay has been pursuing Conway's signature for some time. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2011/06/16/rangers-target-tomer-hemed-willing-to-turn-down-more-money-in-spain-to-play-for-ally-mccoist-86908-23204531/

I should have said it's just the second page I can't access!!!!!,ah well it must just be at my end

Fair do's mate,and I'm certainly not trying to pick an argument as it's not my style. However I'll take the easy way out and just say until he,or any other player signs,it's all speculation. But if there are other teams after him and they are offering double what we are,I know I know speculation,then I can't see him coming to Rangers,of course I could be wrong!!. Also I have never seen him play,and I can't watch youtube videos out here at work,so I guess it's up to our new manager to decide if he is a proper striker and push the boat out to capture his signature.

I haven't read the stv article you link posted,but is it not a media article the same as any other media article?

A contradiction all the same though, right?. I think it may be due to the fact that we are so used to having no cash to spend and losing out on signings which generates doubts amongst our fans. P.S. I did say '' if it's true ''