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Everything posted by ian1964
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Web fury erupts as falkirk fans demand silence
ian1964 replied to ian1964's topic in General Football Chat
Glad to see someone with balls telling it how it is -
Web fury erupts as falkirk fans demand silence
ian1964 replied to ian1964's topic in General Football Chat
SPL decision is pure claptrap Oct 18 2009 Gorden Waddell NEW faces, same old wimps. Shame on the SPL for their Remembrance Sunday cop-out. After Celtic asked Falkirk for a minute's applause instead of silence on November 8 the Bairns turned to league chiefs for guidance. And their answer was "your home game, your problem". It's not. It's Celtic's problem and shame on them too for not having the balls to take responsibility. I'm not a big fan of the minute's applause anyway but you can almost understand it as a tribute to a club legend. But for the millions of fallen from world wars? It's an outrage. Falkirk managing director George Craig will make the right decision and tell his pea-hearted opposite number to take a hike I'm sure. Let the IRA-loving "elements" of Celtic's support shame themselves. Don't ask our club to shame those of us with morals. http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/opinion/columnists/gordon-waddell/2009/10/18/spl-decision-is-pure-claptrap-78057-21756406/ -
Mystery as Madjid Bougherra fails to return from qualifier
ian1964 replied to ian1964's topic in Rangers Chat
This guy is actually getting on my tits with his whole attitude, maybe I am being over critical but something tells me he wants out.........regardless of what he says in the press, if you don't want to be here..........then GTF -
We are not in a position to under estimate any team, I hope that message gets put across to our players on Tuesday !!!
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SIMPLICITY is genius. The sooner Aiden McGeady realises that the sooner my old Celtic team-mate will fulfil his potential - and get his critics off his back. Not only that he'll take himself to the English Premier League. A lot has been said about McGeady in the last few weeks. From Jim McLean attacking him for his Old Firm performance to Mark Lawrenson saying he's a two-bob show pony, the word seems to be he's not all he's cracked up to be. But let me state here and now that in terms of what's required to be a top-class player McGeady is everything and more. He just needs to prove it. He's not a kid anymore at 23 but McGeady has the talent and ability in his locker to mix it with the very best. I mean it, I look at him and see a boy who could sign for any of England's top six clubs in the next two or three years. He could walk into the Arsenal side tomorrow and take Andrey Arshavin's place. That may sound OTT but the reason I can say that - and others won't - is that I've worked with him in the training ground and know what he's about. He can be frustrating, I'll give you that. I'm not going to lie, I see him try and take on two and three defenders at the one time and I scream at him to pass the ball inside. Arsenal v Olympiacos OUT ON HIS ARSH ... John says Aiden would take Arshavin's place And that's just when I'm watching him on TV. His ability on the ball is unquestionable when he's on his game because he is more than capable of beating men and causing havoc. But the odds are stacked against him every time. For every one time he'll get to the bye-line there will be eight other occasions when he will be stopped. He'd realise that if he stopped to think a little bit more than he does. It may sound the easiest thing in the world, popping the ball five yards to the side when there's nothing on ahead. But the best players do it. They keep possession until they're faced with a one-on-one situation then hit the defender hard. It doesn't matter if you're Robinho, if you are giving the ball away every time you get hold of it you're a complete waste of time to the team. Your gaffer doesn't want you going past your man once every six or seven times. McGeady must get that into his head because if he does Celtic will have a real player on their hands. The one he's always threatened to be. He's up there at the moment in my book but he'd step up to another level by playing the game with his head as much as he does with his feet. In terms of having a natural gift, though, he's out on his own in this country. Remember when he burst on to the scene? I played the night he turned in that electric display against AC Milan in the Champions League when he tore them to shreds. Paolo Maldini said afterwards McGeady was going to be a world beater. I can also think back to games when he's been different class. Look at the turn he did at Pittodrie last season when he turned 360 degrees and knocked the ball across goal for Scott McDonald to score - that was genuine class. McGeady does that sort of thing half a dozen times a season while most players don't do it half a dozen times in their entire career. Advertisement When you set standards like that for yourself then it's always going to be difficult. At times in recent years I reckon it's been too easy for him if I'm being honest. The problems with Gordon Strachan haven't helped. I don't care what anyone says, you want your manager to put his arm around you and say how good you are. You don't want him giving you a hard time. Gordon was maybe on McGeady's case too often and as a result a problem materialised. That's where I see a bit of myself in McGeady. I was in the Arsenal side at 18 and started well before settling down a little but I was always better when someone was patting me on the back, not kicking me up the backside. It's not easy when you force your way into a massive team like Celtic and everyone is raving about you. Trust me, I've been there. It's tough when expectations are raised because if those standards slip, even just slightly, people tend to jump on that. For me that's being hyper-critical and unfair on the lad. With all due respect, McLean and Lawrenson should know better but I can guarantee McGeady will go onto bigger and better things. The Premiership is where Celtic long to be in the years ahead - but for me McGeady will get there a lot sooner than the club will. :fish: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/columnists/johnhartson/2687098/McGeadys-the-next-Arshavin.html
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RANGERS may have to face St Johnstone today without Madjid Bougherra after he failed to return from a World Cup qualifier in Algeria. Mystery surrounded the defender's whereabouts late last night as Walter Smith and the rest of his squad checked into a luxury retreat in Perthshire ahead of today's live TV lunchtime clash. Record Sport can reveal Bougherra was expected to fly back to Glasgow on Wednesday after helping his country take a step towards South Africa 2010 with a 3-1 win over Rwanda on Sunday. The defender was due to report to Murray Park on Thursday but was nowhere to be seen and failed to respond to attempts by Ibrox coaching staff to contact him. Smith was forced to call young Jordan McMillan into his squad yesterday after Bougherra failed to turn up for a second successive training session. And the SPL champs headed north yesterday afternoon without Bougherra on the team bus. Record Sport understands the player's agent did finally make contact with Rangers yesterday to insist his client had been held up due to a passport problem and that he hoped to land back in Scotland at around 10pm last night. Even so, the Rangers boss was not expecting to have Bougherra in his starting 11 today. What's more, we can reveal this is in fact the second time this season the player has reported back late from international duty. The last time he turned up the night before the 0-0 draw at Motherwell - where he was sent off - claiming his connection from Paris had been cancelled. Smith accepted that story but is unlikely to be as easily satisfied with this latest incident. In fact, so angered was the Rangers boss last night it would not be a surprise if Bougherra is dropped and fined even if he does make it to Perth ahead of today's 12.30pm kick-off. This latest example of erratic behaviour will also spark speculation over his long-term future. The former Charlton man had been tipped to return south on a big-money move in the summer and had also told the Ibrox club of interest in him from France. But he then said he did not want to leave after only one season at Gers and it's believed his representatives have even asked for talks on a new deal. However, Bougherra now faces a fight just to convince Smith that he is committed to the cause. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2009/10/17/exclusive-mystery-as-madjid-bougherra-fails-to-return-from-qualifier-86908-21753448/
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http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/2687139/Celtic-fume-as-Kyle-Lafferty-escapes-ban.html
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Celtic defender Glenn Loovens has lost his appeal against a one-match ban for his challenge on Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu last season. The 25-year-old Dutchman will now miss Saturday's Scottish Premier League match at home to Motherwell. Loovens had appeared before the Scottish Football Association appeals panel on Thursday to state his case. He had caught Edu with his studs after making a clearance during Celtic's 1-0 defeat by Rangers on 9 May. Referee Craig Thomson, in the headlines for not awarding Celtic an Old Firm penalty at the weekend, missed the incident but referred it to the SFA's review panel after watching television footage. The one-game ban was announced in August, but the Dutch international's challenge allowed him to play in the opening league game of the season at Aberdeen and he has since been waiting for an appeal date to be set. Celtic assistant manager Mark Venus last month accused the SFA of lacking professionalism over the delay in organising the hearing. Loovens said at the time of the review panel's involvement: "I really don't know what all the fuss is about. "I'm a hard player but also fair. "I just went in for the ball and at some point my leg had to come down to land on the ground. "Edu went off for treatment and I spoke to him as soon as he came back on. I said sorry, asked if he was okay and he told me he was fine." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/8291288.stm
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By Andy McInnes A FURIOUS row is brewing over how Falkirk and Celtic fans will be asked to show their respects at the Remembrance Day fixture on Sunday November 8. Angry Bairns fans last night aired their fears on sports websites that a two minute applause rather than silence will be ordered by either the club or SPL officials before the game which will be shown live by ESPN kicks off. One supporter posted a message saying he was " totally disgusted " at the thought of applauding and warned that such a move would make a farce of the day and would bring " bad publicity" for Scottish football as the match was being screened throughout the country. While another called himself Bairn4life said " we should not give in to them ( Celtic) as it is supposed to be a time of reflection not joy " Another opposition fan declared : " It would be ridiculous if my club was to change things to suit a minority" But last night Falkirk's Operations manager Keith Hogg insisted no decison had yet been taken on the issue and that they would be seeking guidance from the SPL . " We haven't started our planning for the Celtic match yet." he added " In the past we have had applause to commemorate an individual as after the death of former player Paul McGrillen and we've also held a period of silence on other occasions when we felt that was the most appropriate action. " We will be speaking to the SPL and seeking their guidance over the next couple of days before any decision is taken " Last night SPL spokesman Greg Mailer revealed the issue would be raised today at a Board Meeting. " As last year was the 90th anniversary of Armistace Day we teamed up with Poppy Scotland and asked clubs to do something special. But before that we did not dictate what anyone should do allowing individual clubs the choice between silence and applause. " We have received emails on the matter over the past couple of days however and while it is not on the official agenda for the Board Meeting I'm sure it will be discussed further." http://www.express.co.uk/football/view/134120/Web-fury-erupts-as-Falkirk-fans-demand-silence
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Borrowed from another forum : DANIEL Prodan spent two and a half years at Ibrox and never got to wear a Rangers jersey in the first team. But his boy is more than making up for that disappointment. In fact, the former Romanian international's son Razvan is so Rangers daft Prodan has a tough time getting a Light Blue shirt off his back at bedtime. Razvan may be just 10 but already knows who he will support all his life. It isn't Steaua Bucharest, where his dad started a career that saw him win 54 caps. It certainly isn't Unirea Urziceni, the Romanian top dogs who visit Scotland on Tuesday in the Champions League. Not when they are coming to take on Rangers. Young Prodan might not remember much of his time in Glasgow but knows he was born there and that his dad, despite a serious knee injury killing his Rangers career, loved the club. That is enough for Razvan - and why there is no question of where his loyalty will lie next week. Daniel, now 37 and working as sporting director with the Romanian FA, laughs at the thought of just how Rangers-mad his boy has become. Prodan said: "Yes, it's true. Razvan was born in Scotland during my time at Rangers and has always followed the team because of that. When we were in Glasgow last year he bought a Rangers strip with Barry Ferguson's name on the back. He's never got it off. "Last week a crew from Romanian TV came to our house and Razvan told them he was born in Glasgow and wanted Rangers to win the games against Unirea. The reporter asked him why and he said, 'because I was born in Scotland, I'm Scottish'!" Prodan senior believes his son will be kept happy on Tuesday because he reckons Rangers will rack up a home win against Unirea. But the former Steaua and Atletico Madrid stopper, who was signed from the La Liga club by Dick Advocaat for �£2.2million in 1998 but arrived with knee ligament damage that never healed properly, reckons Walter Smith's men will have a tough time in Bucharest on November 4. The Romanians, coached by Prodan's former international teammate Dan Petrescu, switched the Euro ties to Bucharest because their own stadium isn't up to standard but the lack of home comforts didn't stop them drawing with Stuttgart on the night Rangers lost to Sevilla. Prodan said: "It will be hard for Unirea coming to Glasgow because it's not often the top teams in Europe lose two games in a row at home. "I know from my time in Glasgow how passionate the crowd can be and that will be a test for Petrescu's side. As they showed against Stuttgart, Unirea are capable of giving most teams a good game here in Romania, although anything can happen and I wouldn't rule out a Rangers win over here either. But it won't be easy." The defender, who was eventually freed by Advocaat in February 2001 without playing a first-team game, returned to Romania but managed just 27 games in three seasons before hanging up his boots. And while Prodan's memories of Scotland are tinged with regret over his failure to overcome his knee problems, he told how the friendliness he encountered at Ibrox helped make him feel at home. He said:"It was a difficult period for me because I had four operations on my knee and couldn't play for the team. That was a big disappointment but I'll never forget the kindness of the Rangers fans and Scottish people who were so friendly towards me. "I met some great people at the club, people like John Greig and the kitman Jimmy Bell were so good to me. There will always be a piece of Rangers in my heart." Unirea's spectacular rise from rural also-rans to Romanian champions after years of domination by wealthy Bucharest clubs Dinamo and Steaua has been one of Europe's success stories this season. Prodan is full of admiration for the manner in which Petrescu has built his team and admits loyalties will be divided over the next two Champions League nights, even if his son's aren't. He said: "There are no star names in the Unirea team but they have a very strong group mentality. Actually, their most important player is Dan Petrescu himself. He is an excellent coach, his teams are always very well organised and they play with a real passion. That is why they are always dangerous opponents. "Romanian football is a bit like Scottish football because we need good results in Europe to improve the country's co-efficient. "That leaves me in a difficult position. I want Romanian football to be a strong as possible but at the same time still have a lot of respect for everyone connected with Rangers. "I'll be going to the game in Bucharest with my son and it will be a good chance to catch up with some old friends like John and Jimmy. "However, Rangers must be favourites to win in Glasgow." __________________
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I for one can see Fleck has '' potential '', I don't think many would disagree with his potential tbh, however it's all about taking the next step and realising his potential which is the hard bit and the only way he has a chance to make that step is game time, until he has a sustained run in the team in his correct position I guess we will never know how good he is. He has had some game time but not in his preferred position and he hasn't really showed enough to retain his place in the team, getting him in the team in his preferred position is the hard bit IMO.
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Not 100% certain, but I thought he has missed 3 ??
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http://www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=467815
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Mmmmm, I'll wait and see if he plays in the next one
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Why does this guy always pull out of the MOPE games ??,is it just coincidence ??, wonder if he will play in the next one ???
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International Week ââ?¬â?? A Welcome Distraction?
ian1964 replied to Super_Ally's topic in Rangers Chat
HA!HA!.......Quality- 24 replies
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International Week ââ?¬â?? A Welcome Distraction?
ian1964 replied to Super_Ally's topic in Rangers Chat
SA, just started a new thread in the bluenose lounge, ''favourite tipple'', after your question, I am right into Glenrothes 10 year old malt, it's relatively new on the market- 24 replies
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International Week ââ?¬â?? A Welcome Distraction?
ian1964 replied to Super_Ally's topic in Rangers Chat
Is that a serious question ?,or trying to pick up on my typo error ?- 24 replies
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International Week ââ?¬â?? A Welcome Distraction?
ian1964 replied to Super_Ally's topic in Rangers Chat
Finished my red wine Craig...............now then !!!, a tin of export or a wee whiskey ????................- 24 replies
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International Week ââ?¬â?? A Welcome Distraction?
ian1964 replied to Super_Ally's topic in Rangers Chat
Oh dear.........I'm babbling again,apologies..........too much red wine maybe ,ah well I still think Davis is an underachiever- 24 replies
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International Week ââ?¬â?? A Welcome Distraction?
ian1964 replied to Super_Ally's topic in Rangers Chat
Absolutely,and Thomson still has that potential,but Davis has just as much,if not more, in his locker to win games.................I just hope he goes on to show his undoubted talent and shut me up- 24 replies
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International Week ââ?¬â?? A Welcome Distraction?
ian1964 replied to Super_Ally's topic in Rangers Chat
Aye, and then I think how/why did he end up @ Rangers ??,if he was that good maybe he would have still been in the EPL earning good money ??, maybe he is not as good as I think he could be- 24 replies
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International Week ââ?¬â?? A Welcome Distraction?
ian1964 replied to Super_Ally's topic in Rangers Chat
This is why I find Davis sooooooooooooo frustrating, I reckon this guy is the best midfield player in the SPL by a mile, IMO, but feck me he frustrates the shit out of me, I'm not having a go at him as such, I just feel this guy has all the attributes to be a superstar but always seems to play well within his true capability !!!!, I don't know what it is but I always get the impression he could do a lot more, not just for Rangers but for himself, he can get right into teams with his pace and skill but all to often he gives me the impression he looks for the easy way out, I don't know if he actually believes in himself, or maybe I think he is, could be, better than he is- 24 replies
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Yip...........I would give him a try @ centre midfield, just to see what he would bring to the team
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Been impressed with this guy since he broke into the Hertz team