ian1964

HE'S Craig Levein's bit of bling... the 24 carat jewel in Scotland's crown. Allan McGregor has certainly come a long way since Bevvygate. On Sunday night he was named the Scottish Football Writers' International Player of the Year. And Scotland boss Levein hailed the Rangers keeper as his DIAMOND geezer. Levein insists Gregs, 29, is now a model pro who sets an example to the rest of the Scotland squad. He said: "You form an impression of people when you don't know them. Everybody does that. "I'd never worked with Alan before and you form an impression of what you see and from what people's perceptions are. "From the moment I met Allan - I went down to Murray Park to speak to him about this Bevvygate stuff and all the rest of it - he was desperate to get back involved with the squad. "We were toiling when I'd left a lot of the Rangers lads out of the Faroes game and Craig Gordon had a little problem with his thigh and we were struggling for keepers. "Allan was desperate to come up. He drove up that night when I phoned him. He has been a delight to deal with. His training has been fantastic, his attitude has been great around the rest of the players. "You have to remember as well that he's maturing. "He's now at an age where I think he understands that football is everything for him, because he's at this stage in his development where he should be concentrating on making his career. "He has reached a certain level and he should now be concentrating on maintaining or improving on that for as long as he can. "I think he has got a new-found maturity. "I'm trying to explain that, when I looked at Allan from outside, I didn't understand him because I didn't know him. "But since I've been involved he's been an absolute diamond. "Allan deserves all of the recognition for his performances this year and him getting back into the international squad has been good for him and Rangers. "Allan is improving and is at a level where people will talk about him. "When you are playing at the same level every week, and Allan is an eight out of ten every game, that is the level I look for. "He is achieving that and somebody at some point will make an offer for him. "I'm sure Craig Gordon will be determined to oust Allan and it's brilliant for me. "I just wish I had two players in every position who are of that quality. Everything Allan does, he does with such enthusiasm. "In training and anything we want to do within the group, he is always at the forefront, setting an example to younger players." Levein has named his 24-man squad for next week's Carling Nations Cup clashes with both Wales and the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. Celtic's James Forrest has been picked for the first time along with Norwich City right-back Russell Martin. Levein added: "If you look back at the squads recently I've tried to bring in players who will be international players in time. "What I don't want to do on the eve of an important competitive match is get a couple of injuries and have to call on a younger player to come in who hasn't experienced the whole situation. "So that's one of the reasons I've got Grant Hanley and Danny Wilson in this squad, because I feel they will both play international football. It might even be in this tournament. "It's about getting young players used to international gatherings and training with the senior players. "For me, we don't have an awful lot of players like Forrest. He's direct, he has real pace and is a goal threat. "In games you need people to be able to create things and to be able to do things in one-on-one situations. "Forrest is one of those who can do that and he's one I'm thinking about for the future. "Russell Martin is one we've been keeping tabs on. He's technically very good and he's a good age, 25. "And he's now getting a move into the Premiership with Norwich so that is another major plus." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/3586278/Gregg-isnt-a-bad-boy-now-hes-a-model-pro.html#ixzz1MesVxXDL

You can understand how difficult it is for me to pull the quotes from there,I always look like I've pissed myself with the tears running down me with laughter

Done mate,3 pms' though,quite a long article:boogie:

http://www.jeffwinterentertainmentandmedia.co.uk/world/0910123.php

I'm sure Ally has his new scouts on the case:boogie:

Anybody else enjoying their pain as much as me?:grin::spl:

http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2011/01/19/2312686/2010-11-end-of-season-bosman-list-all-the-players-available

Mark Wilson has hit back at Walter Smith's comments suggesting Celtic were the catalysts for a controversy-filled season in Scotland. Smith's final game in charge as Rangers boss was Sunday's 5-1 win over Kilmarnock which secured the Scottish Premier League title by one point from Old Firm rivals Celtic. The 63-year-old then said he was pleased to be leaving Scottish football, believing Celtic's contentious relationships with both match officials and the Scottish Football Association overshadowed the whole season. Wilson disputed Smith's claims, defending Celtic's stance, and was sad the Rangers boss felt it necessary to make the comments after taking his 10th SPL title. Wilson said: "If I won the league I'd just be delighted my team had won the league instead of having a parting shot. "It's disappointing now looking back at the end of the season that the Rangers manager, who has been hugely successful at Ibrox, ending on the final day winning the championship, still feels he has to point the finger at something instead of just enjoying the success he's had. "It was the referees' problem. It's just unfortunate that it was our club at the centre of it. "We were right to defend ourselves in the way we did." Wilson referred back to the October 17 clash at Dundee United, when Celtic had a penalty controversially rescinded in their 2-1 win and the subsequent fallout led to referee Dougie McDonald admitting to lying to Bhoys boss Neil Lennon. After forensic analysis of the events at Tannadice, claim and counter-claim, McDonald accepted responsibility and resigned. Scottish officials were subject to heightened scrutiny and in November they opted to strike, upset at questions over their honesty and integrity. Wilson felt it was unfair for Celtic, who later successfully challenged a touchline ban on Lennon, to be deemed culpable for the events. Wilson added: "When you look back to it - I think Walter Smith will agree, everybody will agree - a referee lost his job for lying to the manager at Tannadice. "That's what kicked it off and it went on from there with the referees' strike. "It was a poor part of the season, no doubt. "We didn't like it, as much as any other team in the league didn't like it. "Every club and manager is critical of referees when they feel they've got a point. "I just feel the evidence has come out now that we were in the right at that time. "I don't think we set the tone for it, no." Wilson agreed with Smith's assertion that the focus went away from football, but he denied Celtic were at fault. "I don't see how that can be blamed on our club," he added. "He has got a point - the focus did go away from football - but I don't think he should be pointing the finger at any club. "It's kind of disappointing that he's left saying things like that." http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8670_6937340,00.html?

Ally McCoist today secured the first signing of his new era – when Sasa Papac agreed a one-year deal to stay at Rangers. The 31-year-old Bosnian left-back, who arrived in 2006 from Austria Vienna for Ã?£650,000, had been tipped to move on after failing to agree new terms despite months of talks. But Papac – who made his 200th appearance for Gers in the title clincher at Killie last weekend – finalised a new contract this morning for another season which is a huge boost for McCoist as he looks to get his numbers boosted for his first season in charge. His plan includes bringing in up to eight new signings to bolster the champions’ threadbare squad – and retaining as many of his three-in-a-row heroes as possible. McCoist was delighted the Gers managed to give Walter Smith the perfect send-off by winning the SPL title for the third season running on Sunday. But the Light Blues legend will not allow himself to bask in the glory of that momentous triumph for long, and is already working hard to ensure his first season in charge is a successful one. Speaking from Idaho, where he is taking part in a White Water Rafting Charity Challenge, he revealed that tying up existing players on new contracts is high on his list of priorities. As it stands right now, he only has 17 players under contract for next season – four of them Murray Park graduates Jamie Ness, Gregg Wylde, John Fleck and Kyle Hutton. David Weir and David Healy’s current deals expire this month. Key first-team players like Madjid Bougherra, Steven Davis and Steven Whittaker have just one year left on their contracts, while goalkeeper Allan McGregor has two years to go, but wants to agree a bumper new extension to 2016. McCoist said: “I am sure there will be a few comings and goings at the club in the summer. “But, hopefully, the scenes we enjoyed on Sunday will convince a few players to commit their futures to Rangers. “We don’t want to lose anybody, we want them all to re-sign. Whether it is Allan McGregor, Madjid Bougherra, Steven Whittaker or whoever, we want them all to stay. “We need to keep the lot of them, we can’t afford to lose them because the squad is so small. “We want to add to our squad rather than lose players – in fact, it’s no secret we MUST add to our squad.” McCoist has already made moves to get Kyle Bartley back on loan from Arsenal next term, with the 19-year-old stopper admitting he’d love to return if an agreement can be reached with the Gunners. McCoist would like to also retain Vladimir Weiss on loan. But the Slovakian said today that his boss at Manchester City, Roberto Mancini, may want him to be farmed out to a stronger league than the SPL for another season before he returns to fight for a slot at Eastlands. Ricky Foster will return to Aberdeen and, while El-Hadji Diouf has also intimated a desire to stay on a permanent basis, McCoist is unlikely to make a quick call on that one as he looks at other targets. His new scouting team, headed up by former team-mates Neil Murray and John Brown, have been scouring England, Europe and beyond for new faces. And McCoist revealed that he has already sat down with Craig Whyte to establish what his spending power will be, with a Ã?£10million kitty believed to be pledged by the new owner. “What I can say is that I’ve had two meetings with Mr Whyte and he is as committed to what we have to do as I am, which is great,” McCoist explained. “If we can all work as a team – which is our aim – then we hope to build on where we are right now. “The planning is underway, and we have been working on things in terms of looking at players. “We are away white water rafting to Idaho to raise money for charity, but when we come back we will be straight into it. “The lads have got one or two holidays booked, but I don’t have anything booked myself although I may head over to Portugal. “But I won’t be far away – I know what we have to do, and we will do it.” http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/sasa-papac-pens-contract-extension-to-become-ally-mccoist-s-first-recruit-1.1101919

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/13418078.stm

I think everybody only concerns themselves with his age,despite the fact he has been our most consistent player, with the exception of AM,since he signed. If we can bring in better players then I'm all for him moving on,but not just because of his age.

It doesn't suit the agenda

Brooner is this your mates:grin:

Celtic youngster James Forrest has been called up to the Scotland squad for Nations Cup and there is another new face in Russell Martin of Norwich City. The Celtic forward and Norwich defender are the two news faces in Craig Levein�s Scotland squad for the double-header against Wales and Republic of Ireland at the end of the month. Forrest has been invited to join the squad on the back of an impressive breakthrough season in Neil Lennon�s Celtic team and could now earn a first cap in one of the matches in Dublin next week. Levein has announced a 24-man squad for the games against Wales on May 26 and what could be a title decider against Republic of Ireland on May 30. Forrest has made 23 appearances for Celtic this season, scoring three times. The 19-year old has already been capped for Scotland at Under-19 and Under-21 level. Right-back Martin was born in Brighton and played at Wycombe and Peterborough before moving to Norwich City in 2009. He has been an integral part of Paul Lambert�s side that clinched promotion to the Premier League this season and made 49 appearances for the Canaries this term, scoring five times. Blackpool�s Matt Gilks and Leeds striker Ross McCormack have been recalled but Wolves forward Steven Fletcher�s international exile continues. Goalkeepers: Allan McGregor (Rangers), Matt Gilks (Blackpool), Iain Turner (Everton) Defenders: Phil Bardsley (Sunderland), Christophe Berra (Wolves), Gary Caldwell (Wigan), Stephen Crainey (Blackpool), Grant Hanley (Blackburn), Russell Martin (Norwich City), Steven Whittaker (Rangers), Danny Wilson (Liverpool). Midfielders: Charlie Adam (Blackpool), Barry Bannan (Aston Villa), Scott Brown (Celtic), Kris Commons (Celtic), James McArthur (Wigan), James Morrison (West Brom), Barry Robson (Middlesbrough) Attackers: James Forrest (Celtic), Craig Mackail-Smith (Peterborough), Chris Maguire (Aberdeen), Ross McCormack (Leeds), Kenny Miller (Bursaspor), Steven Naismith (Rangers)

http://leggoland2.blogspot.com/

VLADIMIR WEISS fears his dream of a return to Rangers next season will be blocked by Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini - because the Italian doesn't rate the SPL. Weiss spoke exclusively to RecordSport yesterday as he recovered from Sunday's title celebrations and revealed he has already spoken to new boss Ally McCoist about the possibility of signing up on another season-long loan deal. The news comes as Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley confirmed he may be back at Ibrox next season on another short-term deal, after being farmed out to the SPL champions back in January. But while Bartley is hopeful an agreement will be reached, Slovakia winger Weiss admits he faces a battle to convince Mancini that he should stick it out in Scotland for another year. The 21-year-old said: "I spoke to Coisty about it on Sunday but I really don't know if it's going to happen. I want to stay but it might not be possible. "Mancini has told me I need another year out on loan but he also said he wants me to go to a better league than the SPL. "They would want me to go to Spain, Italy, Germany or even another club in England. But they definitely want me to go to a decent league." Bartley, meanwhile, is awaiting a final decision from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. He said: "Talks are still going on so we'll have to wait and see but if I'm told I can return that would be fantastic." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/rangers/2011/05/17/vladimir-weiss-man-city-boss-roberto-mancini-wants-me-to-play-in-a-league-better-than-spl-86908-23135945/

SCOTLAND striker Garry O'Connor did a runner from cops after they swooped on him in a drugs bust. O'Connor, 28, is believed to have been in a car with another person when officers approached, but fled on foot. Officers quickly caught up with the ex-Hibs ace in a lane in Edinburgh and found him in possession of a white powder, suspected to be cocaine. He was detained and quizzed, then released, after being lifted in Hope Street on Saturday night - and the powder was sent to a lab for analysis. Just 24 hours later, Hearts players Ian Black and Robert Ogleby were allegedly nabbed with an illegal substance in a nightclub toilet in the city in an unrelated swoop. Staff at the Lava & Ignite nightspot are believed to have tipped off police. Midfielder Black, 26, and Ogleby, 19, are accused of having a Class A drug in their possession. A police spokesperson last night confirmed: "Two men, aged 26 and 19, have been cautioned and charged with possession." Of the O'Connor incident, a force spokesperson said: "A 28-year-old man was detained and released pending further inquiries." Scotland ace O'Connor - who has caught the eye of Celtic boss Neil Lennon since being released by English side Barnsley - was quizzed by cops last month after his �£100,000 Ferrari was found crashed and dumped. The red Spyder F1 430 smashed into a bridge in Tranent, East Lothian, three miles from his home in Port Seton. O'Connor has won 16 international caps for Scotland, scoring four times. In 2006, after six years, 138 games and 46 goals for Hibs, he completed a �£1.6million transfer to Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow. But after just a season in Eastern Europe, O'Connor's former Hibs boss Alex McLeish took the player to English Premiership side Birmingham City in a deal worth �£2.7million. The big striker struggled to make an impact in England and was loaned then sold to Barnsley last season. After struggling to regain full fitness following a niggling hip injury, O'Connor was freed last month. He has been training with SPL runners-up Celtic with the hope of landing a permanent deal. Former Blackburn Rovers youth player Black signed for Caley Thistle in 2004. His tough-tackling style landed him a three-year contract with Hearts in 2009. Youth-team striker Ogleby is a Wales under-21 player who was signed from Coventry City last summer. Although listed as a first-team squad member, Ogleby has spent the season playing for the club's under-19s. Last night O'Connor was unavailable for comment. A Hearts spokesman declined to comment. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/3584877/Garry-OConnor-does-runner-after-drugs-swoop.html#ixzz1MaY1s4mM

BAD boy Anthony Stokes was booted out of the Celtic squad for their vital SPL clash with Motherwell - after a hotel bust-up with Neil Lennon. Boss Lennon was furious at the striker for breaking club rules on the eve of his side's must-win Parkhead clash. Stokes is now sweating on his place in the squad for the Scottish Cup Final and also his future at the club and he is facing severe disciplinary action with boss Lennon set to throw the book at him. An insider told SunSport: "Neil is not a manager to be messed with in situations like these. He acted swiftly and decisively to deal with the matter with the player in a severe breach of club rules." Celtic were staying in one of Glasgow's plush five-star hotels on Saturday night as they prepared for their clash with Well. Hoops insiders last night refused to divulge details of the disciplinary breach. After the behind-the-scenes bust-up Stokes, who has been struggling with a hamstring injury, was told he would not feature in the 18-man squad for Sunday's game. This is the latest blow to hit Stokes in a roller- coaster season. He was an unsued sub for the Co-op Cup Final against Rangers in March and he has been dropped for most of the Old Firm games. Stokes' Dad John slammed the cup final snub with the hitman forced to distance himself from father's comments and he insisted that he wanted to stay at Celtic. Although the 19-goal Irishman has scored some vital goals throughout the Hoops' ill-fated league campaign, he has not started a game since the crucial defeat to Caley Thistle two weeks ago. That 3-2 loss left Rangers in pole position in the title race. Now it looks as though former Hibs, Sunderland and Falkirk hitman Stokes could be on the move again in the summer. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3584457/Stokes-binned-after-hotel-bust-up.html#ixzz1MaWXnGzY

HA!HA!,just a tad mate

HaddyBhoy Yesterday, 9:14 PM Post #161 Member Avatar Only just the beginning. Group: Members Favourite all-time player Henrik Larsson Choose Kyle Laugherty, choose El Hadji Diouf, choose a shampooe bag of an assistant manager, choose fat ugly fans, choose hating others more than loving your own team, choose sending bullets and nail bombs to a man of stands up to bigots, choose 5 stars that mean eff all, Choose a sex offender in goal, choose XXXXL shirts (only club in Britain), choose assaulting referee’s. choose hunnery. chrissybhoy1888 Yesterday, 9:30 PM Post #189 Member Avatar Occasional Substitute Group: Members Favourite all-time player Henrik Larsson "This is not the end, it's just the beginning." This made everyone of my hairs stand on end today and I'm still smiling just thinking about it :thumbsup: Neil Lennon you are immortal shugmc Yesterday, 10:38 PM Post #267 Member Avatar Return of the Thin White Duke Group: Snr. Member They cheated, we didn't. No class, no style, no money. And now no Smith. One Neil Lennon

Antoninho Yesterday, 7:19 PM Post #47 Member Avatar Occasional Substitute Group: Members Favourite all-time player Henrik Larsson You won the league hun effers, but you have not beaten us or Neil Lennon. We're coming for you Flabby Sally. polbhoy Yesterday, 7:20 PM Post #49 Member Avatar Occasional Substitute Group: Members That rumble in the sky you hear is just the begining of the thunder thats coming...... superstardj Yesterday, 7:20 PM Post #50 Member Avatar Getting noticed in the reserves Group: Members Favourite all-time player John Collins I hope you animals enjoy watching us lift the trophy next weekend, you better get used to us, this is the beginning of something special. Buzz Killington Yesterday, 7:21 PM Post #53 Member Avatar Orchestrated the coughing symphony at Castle Grayskull Group: Members Favourite all-time player Stiliyan Petrov I'd like to think a lot of huns will be visiting here to hopefully see us upset, mad, gutted but they'll be unhappy and surprised to see that were all in high spirits after today, I today was probably the proudest I've ever been a Celtic fan and the unity within the support is just amazing. I'd like to thank everyone, the fans, the players, the club and especially the one and only Neil Lennon, it's not over Rangers, we will be back next season, don't you worry about that. Neil Lennon = Thunder generator. martino Yesterday, 7:23 PM Post #55 Member Avatar Le Conseguenze Dell'Amore Group: Members Favourite all-time player Henrik Larsson A wee trophy to remind you of the season that You tried to murder our manager Your cosy wee club at the SFA started to crumble You got done by UEFA for being bigots (again!) You got bought for �£1 And HMRC started the proceedings to shut your club down Enjoy tonight cos a storm's a coming. whatyoucouldhavewon Yesterday, 7:40 PM Post #73 Member Avatar First-team starter Group: Members Expect a summer of moonbeams,the reality is the gorilla is still in the room,they are paying more interest on their debt.They are now owned by a venture capatilist.The huns will look back on Lloyds as a time of financial stability Buzz Killington Yesterday, 7:49 PM Post #81 Member Avatar Orchestrated the coughing symphony at Castle Grayskull Group: Members Favourite all-time player Stiliyan Petrov I'd like help to compile a list of everything we've achieved this season to shut all these huns up on Facebook. So far I've got: Brought the Thunder back to Paradise Exposed a corrupt SFA Stood behind our team for better and for worse Neil Lennon, undefeated at Ibrox... I could go on but I'd like everyone to help out as I'm sure a joint list would be vastly larger than mine alone. We love you Celtic. sevillian Yesterday, 8:12 PM Post #103 Member Avatar First team training Group: Members I just had a little masochistic trip through Rangers Media and it cheered me up considerably. Of course there was relentless and illiterate gloating about their title success but there was also, thankfully, a clear indication of their shortcomings as human beings. Reading some of the vile posts on there reminds me how glad I am that I'm one of us and not one of them. They have their championship but we have our pride and, yes, dignity. Even in the hour of their victory they take the time to shame this country with their hate-filled rants about one man and one club. They are, quite simply, scum. Rodan Yesterday, 8:12 PM Post #104 Member Avatar First team training Group: Members It frustrates me a little knowing that so many Rangers fans can't even begin to understand why we are remaining upbeat and celebrating when we haven't won the league. It's amazing how detached a lot of them are from what the entire Celtic family have had to endure this season, most of all our NEW manager, whose job of bringing back the thunder and rebuilding a side was monumentously rock-solid even BEFORE all the bullets and bombs started pouring in. Clueless to the very end. suttonscores Yesterday, 8:39 PM Post #118 Member Avatar Hun Hater Group: Snr. Member Favourite all-time player Tommy Burns Let them gloat over yet another trophy gained by any means necessary. Hollow victory of a tainted trophy. Those at Celtic Park today and the troops worldwide know who the real victors are. Hail! Hail! micanio Yesterday, 8:43 PM Post #123 Member Avatar First team training Group: Members Favourite all-time player Henrik Larsson They might have their tainted league trophy, but I know I'm a Celtic fan and I know what that means so therefore I win. ForzaCeltic89 Yesterday, 9:10 PM Post #154 Member Avatar I'm new. Be gentle. Group: Members Favourite all-time player Neil Lennon, Lubo, Paul McStay, King Henrik! I wake up every day and thank God that I am part of the Celtic family and not one of 'them'. They are scum, utter utter scum.

gentlemanthug1967 Yesterday, 6:56 PM Post #6 Getting noticed in the reserves Group: Members Let them enjoy today. Will be the last for a while. After today just proud to be part of the Celtic family that is open to all and not closed like to certain walks of life like our neighbours The Shogun Yesterday, 6:58 PM Post #8 Member Avatar First team training Group: Members Favourite all-time player Paul McStay Congratulations to the most dignified support in football! They should feel very, very proud of themselves... Thommy Yesterday, 6:59 PM Post #10 Member Avatar 'I will motivate you Pyle even if it shortdicks every cannibal on the congo...' Group: Snr. Member Favourite all-time player Johan Mjallby Scotland's Shame. Furious_Styles Yesterday, 7:00 PM Post #12 Member Avatar There's only one Neil Lennon Group: Snr. Member Favourite all-time player Paul McStay Neil Lennon's here to stay GIRUY ya hun bastards, FEAR THE THUNDER Ceilteach Yesterday, 7:01 PM Post #17 First-team starter Group: Members Favourite all-time player Jinky/Henke Dirty fascist bastards!! Just when i thought i was out, Yesterday, 7:03 PM Post #18 Getting noticed in the reserves Group: Members I hope they enjoy their celebrations knowing that their fans attempted to murder our manager this season. Tainted title. Cleon Yesterday, 7:06 PM Post #24 Member Avatar First-team starter Group: Members The weirdest day, from Something Inside So Strong to some of the most incredible scenes witnessed inside CP to Lennys address! I have not been this proud to be a Celtic supporter in a long long time, there are great times ahead with Lenny at the helm. Eff the shame, love Celtic FC and Neil Lennon!!! Rob67 Yesterday, 7:09 PM Post #28 Member Avatar First-team starter Group: Members Favourite all-time player Paul McStay Morally bankrupt shower of scum. YNWA Neil bt195771 Yesterday, 7:09 PM Post #32 Member Avatar Getting on a bit Group: Snr. Member It is quite remarkable that they proved once again they hate us more than they love their own team. :cuckoo: On a day when they should have been saluting all things blue, they chose to lambast Neil Lennon. No matter what, I could never bring myself to support such a body of inadequacies. How pathetic to see their little Union Jacks in holders passing us by on the way home. GIRUY. Every last one of you. SeasonTicket1888 Yesterday, 7:15 PM Post #39 Member Avatar First-team starter Group: Members Favourite all-time player Henrik Larsson Enjoy it huns. It will be your last.

Should be good tonight,as well as RC:grin:

It would be good to get him back,for sure,he showed enough to make him a good signing.

Aye,I think that was the point I was trying to make