ian1964

What I am questioning is,does WS actually know his best team ?,not just for this match!! He probably does know what team he is going to put out @ the piggery,but then why not just say it,without naming the team ?.

Horrified..................BUT NOT SURPRISED ????

By Andrew Dickson WALTER SMITH admits it's still too early to think about putting together his team to face Celtic on Sunday because of the international break. Rangers' preparations for this weekend's crucial league derby have been hampered somewhat by the fact so many players have been called up by their countries. Barry FergusonBarry Ferguson, David Weir, Allan McGregor and Kirk Broadfoot all attended Scotland's training camp at St Andrews earlier this week. Kyle Lafferty and Steven Davis are also scheduled to play for Northern Ireland tonight against San Marino in a World Cup qualifier. The same applies to DaMarcus Beasley, who is in the United States squad to face Mexico in the same tournament this evening. Madjid Bougherra is away with Algeria for their home friendly against Benin while Andrius Velicka completes the set as he is representing Lithuania against Andorra. In all, Gers have been without nine senior players over the last couple of days and it would have been more had Kenny Miller been fit enough for the Scots' gathering. With three of his stars involved in competitive games and many more away from Murray Park, Smith is unsure of what state they'll return in. Until he has them back together as one group, he concedes he can't settle on what side he'll field at Parkhead and it could be Friday before he has an idea of who he'll use. All he knows at this stage is that he will be without the injured Nacho Novo and Kevin Thomson, although Miller will be available. Smith said: "It is too early in the week at the moment to say what we'll do at Parkhead on Sunday as we still have people away. "There are a few people who are yet to get their international games out of the way such as Lafferty, Davis and Bougherra. Madjid Bougherra"They're all guys who have been in our team recently but we must wait and see if they return to us injury-free before we know what we're doing. "We won't be sitting down to pick a side until tomorrow or Friday. It's different with the Scottish boys as they're attending a training camp. "We wouldn't expect them to get injured but there are other lads taking part in World Cup qualifiers and they can be a wee bit teethy. "The situation is not perfect in the sense that you like to have your squad together as one in the lead-up to a big game. "The fact the players who were away with Scotland didn't train in the early part of the week because of the weather was a problem, especially as our game at Forfar was off. "I know these things happen but it's not ideal. At least the fact we're playing on Sunday gives us a bit more breathing space. "When international games are on in midweek, we sometimes only get players back on a Friday morning and that's not great if we're then playing on Saturday. "Because the match in 24 hours later, we still have a couple of days together to prepare so it isn't too bad."

AMERICAN star DaMarcus Beasley is relishing the prospect of two massive derby matches in the space of five days. Beasley is in line to face Mexico tonight for the United States in Columbus, Ohio in a vital, sold-out World Cup qualifier. DaMarcus Beasley scores against AC MilanAnd he is desperately hoping to clinch a place in the Rangers squad for Sunday's Old Firm showdown at Parkhead. There is massive rivalry between the US and Mexico and the game at Columbus Crew Stadium was sold out in 90 minutes. Beasley was a hero the last time the sides met there in 2005 when he scored the second goal in a 2-0 win which sent the Americans on their way to the 2006 Finals. It's the first match in the final phase of qualifying for the USA and they want to get off to a flyer Beasley said: "It's a really big game. We'll be at home to our closest rivals and the tie will play a big part in who goes to the World Cup. "I have good memories of playing in Columbus against Mexico because of what happened four years ago. "We haven't lost to them in a while now and have only been beaten by them once in the last eight or nine years.DaMarcus Beasley "People don't realise how big the USA v Mexico games are. When you go to the Azteca and there are 100,000 people there cheering the other team it is pretty intense." Beasley, who has put himself back in the Rangers picture by scoring against AC Milan last week, added: "it could be a really big week for me with the Celtic game coming too. "Celtic games are the same and I'll take all of that as it comes. It would be great to think I could be part of both of them" Beasley is one of a handful of Rangers players away on international duty. Kyle Lafferty and Steven Davis are with Northern Ireland in San Marino for a World Cup qualifier they must win while Madjid Bougherra is in Algeria for a friendly with Benin. It will be Friday before all of them are back at Murray Park

WILLIE HENDERSON still remembers it as one of the greatest days of his career. Becoming the youngest-ever Rangers player selected by Scotland was a special honour. To cap it off with a wonderful winner simply added to the 18-year-old’s sense of thrill. Almost 50 years on Henderson can still recall every moment of his historic international debut in the 3-2 win over Wales. But the Ibrox icon insists he’d love John Fleck to smash BOTH records next month. George Burley is ready to fast-track Fleck into the Scotland senior side for the World Cup crunch in Holland. At 17, he’d be the second-youngest Scotland debutant of all-time if he stars in Amsterdam on March 28. Gers legend Henderson said: “I remember everything about my debut, even though it was 1962. “It was a great honour for me and for my family. “The huge thing was that I scored and we won 3-2. “It is still up there with the best days of my career. “But if John goes on to play for Scotland next month, it would be a fantastic honour for him. “I would be thrilled for him if he beats my record. Nobody would be more pleased than me if that scenario happens.” Henderson was just 18 years 270 days when he played against the Welsh at Ninian Park in 1962. Fleck would beat that record by more than a year if he’s capped in the Group Nine crunch. Only John Lambie of Queen’s Park, who made his debut at 17 years and 92 days in 1886, would be younger. But Henderson reckons Fleck could handle the pressure of being thrown in against the Dutch. He said: “It would be a massive honour for John to play for his country. “To go down that road at such a young age would be fantastic for him. “It is building up to a huge time in the boy’s life and he has to be looked after. “It’s a lot to take on board for a boy of 17. Luckily, he has Walter Smith and Ally McCoist to help him. Advertisement “In my day, I had my parents for help and advice and Bobby Shearer was a huge influence in the dressing room. “But you can only be advised so much to look after yourself and watch what you are doing. “A lot of it is down to yourself, but John seems a level-headed boy.” Fleck has burst on to the first-team scene since the New Year. Henderson watched his full debut in the 3-1 win over Falkirk and saw his first goal in the 2-0 triumph over Dundee United. And he insists the superkid will have no fear if he’s thrown into a Scotland shirt by boss Burley. He added: “I saw John for the first time in the Falkirk game. He played well in that match and also against Dundee United. “Bringing him into the Rangers team has been a great experience for the lad. Taking him into the Scotland squad would be just as good for him. Speaking from personal experience, I didn’t have any fear about playing for Scotland at such a young age. “You don’t see any fear, you only think about what is in front of you. “He looks a confident young boy and that will be a huge help to him. “He will have to go through a lot if he’s capped for Scotland at 17. But it’s obvious the football side isn’t going to be a problem for him.” Fleck would be the third teenage wing king to emerge from Ibrox and be capped by Scotland. Willie Johnston followed in Henderson footsteps and won his first cap in 1965 at the age of 18. Henderson said: “The Rangers fans take to anyone who can play, and it certainly looks like John can play. You should never under-estimate the opinions of supporters. “I think and hope that they can see some rewards from Murray Park. “There has been a bit of money spent on it over the years. “But Alan Hutton was sold for a lot of money — and now another great boy has come through. It’s great to see home-grown talent in the team and John is the type of player who excites the fans. “They have to pay a lot of money to watch football these days. It’s nice for them to see quality like John. “There has been a lot of talk about money problems at Ibrox recently. “But the scenario could work out well with no players leaving Rangers last month and now John coming through.”

Published Date: 11 February 2009 By MARTYN McLAUGHLIN A REFEREE who officiated in football's top flight has been charged over alleged racist remarks about a former Rangers player. Mike Ritchie, 49, who has taken charge of games in the Scottish Premier League, is claimed to have described a former Rangers striker as a "black b******" after a function in Aberdeen. Ritchie is alleged to have made the remarks about the French ADVERTISEMENT player Jean-Claude Darcheville on 10 November last year while leaving the Mannofield Cricket Club following a meeting of the Aberdeen and District Referees Association. Police said yesterday that a report has been sent to the procurator-fiscal concerning the alleged incident. Mr Ritchie, from Macduff, has officiated several prominent fixtures in his career, including games featuring Rangers. Appointed a grade 1 referee ââ?¬â?? the most senior rank ââ?¬â?? in 1999, he has scaled down his workload after breaking his ankle. He works with the SFA to train young referees and is employed by the NHS as a risk trainer. A Grampian Police spokeswoman said: "A male has been charged in relation to an incident at Mannofield Cricket Club on November 10, 2008. A report has been sent to the procurator-fiscal." No-one from the SFA was available for comment. http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Top-referee-is--charged.4966810.jp

By Andrew Dickson LEE McCULLOCH knows there's every chance Rangers will revert to a 4-5-1 formation at Celtic on Sunday - and says Kris Boyd CAN play as the lone striker. Kris Boyd celebrates a goal with Lee McCullochThe club's leading scorer has been used more often by manager Walter Smith this term and has already started more games than he did in the whole of last season. But if the Light Blues revert from their usual 4-4-2 system to something more cautious, Boyd is the man many will expect to drop out of the starting XI. The 25-year-old has spoken in the past of his preference to play alongside another forward as he feels he struggles performing on his own up front. Yet McCulloch insists he's the ideal option for Smith if he chooses to put an extra man in midfield and field just one attacker. With 23 goals so far, nobody in Scotland comes close to matching Boyd's strike rate of one goal for almost every Gers start he has made. For that reason, utility man McCulloch is confident giving the former Kilmarnock attacker the support he needs from the middle of the park can pay off. He said: "There are a lot of candidates for the role if we only play with one up front at Celtic and we saw Kyle Lafferty get his chance in the friendly with AC Milan last week. "But he's not the only one and you've got guys such as Andrius Velicka, Kenny Miller and Boydy vying for places too. "In my opinion, Kris can play up front on his own but it's down to whoever the manager chooses and that's what counts most. "He'll go with the player he feels is our most in-form striker at the time and we'll have to wait and see who that is. Kris Boyd, Rangers"I certainly feel Boydy can do a job as a single striker and maybe it's up to us, his team-mates, to convince him of that. "He's a guy who has a lot of confidence - that's for sure - but he has said in the past that he doesn't feel he can play up front on his own and that he needs someone beside him. "He prefers having a strike partner but if we have five men in midfield behind him, there'll be plenty of support there. "Kris is such a natural finisher that he'll still get chances with that number of people around him. "I don't pick the team and it's not for me to say who should play. That's the manager's decision but Boydy is certainly capable."

I wonder how much he won on the last OF game @ the piggery ???

And your predicted scoreline is ?

What a game to win................imagine the feeling after we give them another skelping in the piggery,c'mon Walter redeem yourself.............well a little bit anyway!!!!

ALEX RAE is backing Rangers to complete a Parkhead double on Celtic this weekend and go top of the SPL. The former Ibrox star reckons the pendulum has swung in the title race in recent weeks although he is still anticipating a battle royal for the crown. It promises to be a huge occasion on Sunday when the two sides meet for the third time this season. Speaking to RangerKenny Miller celebratess World, he said: "Of course Rangers won at Parkhead earlier this season. I was there that day and Rangers played ever so well. "So that indicates that they have what it takes to go there again and win. "The huge incentive is there because if they win they go top and that would be a huge boost at this stage of the season. "Rangers have a lot of good players in their side and if they play as they did last August then they can win the game alright." Having been involved in a title campaign that went to the last day, Rae is also anticipating a tight contest in the remaining matches. He added: There is no doubt it is going to be neck and neck. "I think it has been a very good SPL this year because there are four or five teams who are capable of turning over the Old Firm. "When you look back three out of the last six championships have gone to the last day of the season so there is every chance the same will happen again. "There is very little between the two teams and you could see that in the last game at Ibrox. Celtic got a very good victory that day but the game could easily have gone the other way. "So there is a lot of football to be played and I know from experience how things can suddenly change. "Because of the nature of the SPL with Dundee United, Aberdeen, Hibs, Hearts and Motherwell all feeling they can beat the Old Firm on any given day, it's all up in the air."

Does he ?, see above post

MOPES 0 Rangers 2 Mendes, Lafferty

Edwin van der Sar can thank a complete team effort from Manchester United for helping him to a British record run without conceding a goal, according to the Scottish goalkeeper whose milestone the Dutchman beat. Bobby Clark, a former Scotland international, went 1,155 minutes without conceding between the Aberdeen posts in the 1970-71 Scottish first division season and was part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side who broke the Old Firm stranglehold by winning the league in 1980. Clark, now head coach at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, watched his record fall on television as Van der Sar and Ferguson’s United shut out West Ham United on Sunday, stretching their run without conceding to 1,212 minutes. And while the Scotsman, 63, is a big fan of Van der Sar, he was quick to recognise the players in front of the goalkeeper. “Full marks to Van der Sar, he’s a great goalkeeper, no question about that,” Clark said. “I love watching him. He does so many things very well but he’s got a very good team, the whole team, and two very good centre backs in front of him as well, and I think the whole team share in the credit. Related Links * Van der Sar's record down to united effort * Van der Sar seeks more records * Van der Sar on brink of history “It was the same back in 1971. We lost the league that year to a good Celtic team in the last game of the season but we had a very good team. We were very well organised. Martin Buchan was in the middle of the defence alongside a big lad, Tommy McMillan, and we were very well coached by Eddie Turnbull. It was as good a team as the one when we did win the league with Fergie in 1980.” Clark highlighted the fact that, while he played behind a back four that played together virtually every game, United have been forced to field many different permutations in front of Van der Sar. “We had a big Danish right back called Henning Boel and Martin Buchan and Tommy McMillan in the middle and then Jim Hermiston, all very good players. We didn’t have a lot of injuries and the same team would start every week. “Fergie has a depth in his squad that I don’t think any team had back then and we weren’t playing as many games. The European games were two-leg knockouts and now they have the Champions League format and you need a much bigger group. “At Manchester United, you look at the guys that are sitting on the bench. He’s got the little Brazilian full backs, and they’re just so good, and he’s still got old stalwarts like Gary Neville and John O’Shea. They just have so much experience.” Still, Clark also heaped praise on Van der Sar, giving him credit for finally solving what had long been Ferguson’s problem position after the departure of Peter Schmeichel in 1999. “Everybody plays their part in it,” Clark said. “Obviously he has to make some good saves and he made a couple of very good ones on Sunday. It’s hard to say who’s the best goalie in the world but he’s certainly one of the ones you’re going to think of. “And it’s not just his saves. Goalkeepers now have to use their feet an awful lot more with the pass-back rule and I think he’s got terrific feet. “I think the thing that made him a great signing for United is that he was a goalkeeper with great experience. The hard thing was always living up to almost the spectre of Peter Schmeichel. Everything was compared to Schmeichel and it was a lot of pressure on the younger goalkeepers that followed him. “Tim Howard is showing now at Everton that he is a good keeper, but Van der Sar brought his own experience to Old Trafford and he was able to handle it very well.” Clark also believes that Van der Sar will be able to handle the moment when the run of clean sheets finally comes to an end, as long as United keep winning. Clark finally conceded on January 16, 1971, when Pat Stanton fired home for Hibernian at Easter Road with Aberdeen finishing the game 2-1 losers. “It was disappointing to the lose the goal but far more disappointing to lose and I think Van der Sar will feel the same,” Clark said. “I don’t think he’ll mind losing a goal if United win the game, but it was a double disappointment that day.” http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article5697875.ece

Done, e-mail has been sent to Mr Russell

by Thomas Jordan FORFAR will have to invest in additional floodlights if they want to cash in on their rearranged Homecoming Scottish Cup clash with Rangers on February 18. The Third Division minnows are still desperate to land an �£82,500 windfall from Sky TV for their fifth round showdown with Walter Smith's men that was postponed yesterday. Rangers are furious with the SFA for leaving it as late as the morning of the game to carry out a final pitch inspection - despite making concerns known last Thursday that forecasts of minus seven would put the match in jeopardy. Smith and his players travelled to Dundee on Saturday to prepare, and many supporters were already well on their way when the match was finally postponed at around 9am. advertisement Forfar now have just over a week to make arrangements to improve their floodlights to enhance the quality of pictures should Sky - who have agreed to show the St Mirren v Motherwell replay live the night before - agree to screen the fixture. Forfar secretary David MacGregor said: "We're hoping Sky will stick with us. There will be an issue with floodlights. I think we'd need to get extra ones in to enhance the quality of the pictures. But that's something we'll talk to them about if they are still showing the game." Rangers chief executive Martin Bain accused the SFA of incompetence following the last-minute postponement. He blasted: "We wrote to the SFA on Thursday afternoon highlighting the long-range weather forecast and we sent them a copy of it, which indicated temperatures on Saturday would drop to minus seven. "All the SFA said was the earliest a pitch inspection could take place was 24 hours before kick-off and they'd take cognisance of our comments. Clearly they have not." Station Park did pass an inspection by a local referee on Saturday morning and, while the club had three separate plastic covers on the pitch overnight, arctic temperatures meant there was never any realistic chance of the game going ahead. The SFA, however, have hit-back. A spokesman said: "We have every sympathy for fans who had begun their journey when the game was called off. "We were working on information that the temperatures were going to be consistently low over the weekend - that's why we called for a pitch inspection yesterday morning and why we kept the referee up there overnight. "The pitch was perfectly playable yesterday. It wasn't even touch and go. But there was a dramatic drop in temperature on Saturday night that wasn't forecast. "The Forfar groundsman said it was minus nine at one point. I don't know what more we could have done." Refree Eddie Smith made the decision to call the game off and said: "A lot of areas on the park were solid and covered in ice and for the safety of everyone involved I had no hesitation in calling it off." http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2488025.0.0.php

By Andrew Dickson WALTER SMITH has confirmed Nacho Novo will miss Sunday's Old Firm meeting with Celtic - although fellow forward Kenny Miller will be fit to play. Nacho Novo gets treatmentSpanish striker Novo was injured in the first half of last week's 2-0 win over Dundee United when he sustained knocks to his ankle in two separate incidents. Fans hoped the popular hitman might have a small chance of being available for the Parkhead clash when they saw him walk off the pitch. But it quickly became clear he was struggling to make it and Gers manager Smith has now confirmed he will be out for the next few weeks. Miller will at least be available, despite having to pull out of Scotland's training gathering at St Andrews with a hamstring problem. He was withdrawn as a precaution and is undergoing intensive treatment at Murray Park to ensure he is in the squad for the derby six days from now. Smith said: "Nacho will miss the Celtic game and unfortunately his ankle will keep him out of that one.Kenny Miller "We are disappointed to lose him because he is one of those players who has been starting in the team and playing well recently. "Even as a substitute, Nacho is the type to come on and make a great impact so we'll miss him in this game and the next few we have coming up. "It is a different situation altogether with Kenny and he will be okay for the match at the weekend. "He's getting a bit of discomfort at the top of his hamstring but the problem isn't actually in the muscle itself. He will be fine."

Scottish Cup Draw RANGERS will face Hamilton Accies at Ibrox in the quarter-finals of the Homecoming Scottish Cup if they can get past Forfar Athletic in round five. The Light Blues have already faced Accies on cup business this season when they defeated them 2-0 in the Co-operative Insurance Cup. Fans and club management were left angry and disappointed by the circumstances around the postponement of yesterday's scheduled match at Station Park. Rangers had warned the SFA that temperatures would plunge to -7 in the Forfar area on Saturday night and, predictably, the pitch was unplayable on Sunday morning barely three hours before kick-off. The match has now been re-arranged for Wednesday, February 18. If successful, Rangers will face Hamilton on the weekend of March 7 and 8.

Good draw for us, tough one for the MOPES

The winner of this year's Champions League football tournament will pocket �£98.69m, the competition's sponsors said. Sir Alex Ferguson Will Sir Alex get his hands on this year's �£98m pot? Teams reaching the knockout stages will take home between �£34.39m and �£41.27m, new figures show. Details of the huge windfalls came as the draw was being made for the final 16 of the 2008/9 competition. Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea are in the running for the Rome final in May. The study on behalf of MasterCard was conducted by one of the world's leading sport business experts, Professor Simon Chadwick. Jermaine Pennant Liverpool's Jermaine Pennant He said: "In uncertain economic times, sport's universal appeal remains strong, making it one of the most lucrative industries to be involved in. "The competition continues to be an important source of revenue and commercial activity for clubs, especially for those that qualify for the knockout phase of the competition." The winnings are broken down into a UEFA participation payment, prize money, a share of UEFA commercial revenues, ticket sales, sponsorship and sales of merchandise and increased squad value. UEFA awards �£2.68million to each team that qualifies for the tournament plus �£2.15million for participating in the Group stage. A Group stage win is worth over �£530,000 per game, or �£268,000 for a draw. Reaching the first knockout phase nets an instant �£1.9million prize payment. A side qualifying for the knockout phase will have secured on average �£8.4million in UEFA prize money alone. UEFA will make additional payments to Group stage teams which the MasterCard report suggests could amount to approximately �£8.4million per club. In uncertain economic times, sport's universal appeal remains strong, making it one of the most lucrative industries to be involved in. Professor Simon Chadwick The study also suggests ticket revenues have generated an average of �£7.64million in income from the Group stage. Commercial and marketing revenues account for a further �£5.36million on average. Meanwhile, squad values increase by an average of �£4.47million on the back of qualification for the knockout phase. UEFA prize money adds �£2.2 million for each quarter-finalist, �£2.68 million for each semi-finalist, �£3.57 million for the runners-up and �£6.26 million for the winners. According to the study, the side that lifts the UEFA Champions League trophy could earn up to a total of �£19.5million in prize money, �£8.4million market pool payment, �£17.84million in ticket revenues, �£12.5million in commercial and marketing revenues, �£13.4 million in increased squad value, and up to �£26.8million in other premiums including bonus payments linked to sponsorship. http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Champions-League-Winners-To-Pocket-98m-Windfall-Sponsors-Mastercard-Reveal/Article/200812315186381?lpos=Business_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15186381_Champions_League_Winners_To_Pocket_%3F98m_Windfall%2C_Sponsors_Mastercard_Reveal

CALUM MURRAY will referee this Sunday's Celtic v Rangers showdown at Parkhead. This will be the first time the Edinburgh whistler has handled an Old Firm derby. However, Murray has impressed SFA chiefs since returning from injury, and was outstanding in a recent Hearts v Hibs clash. The Fifa-listed official will have Alan Cunningham and Gordon Middleston as his assistants, with Iain Brines the fourth official. advertisement The game is live on Setanta and kicks off at 12.30pm. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2488060.0.0.php

I think you can almost guarantee the KM will spearhead the 4-5-1 against the MOPES

Fraser Wishart, chief executive of the PFA in Scotland, has issued a grim warning over the possibility that at least one in three professional footballers could be released by clubs this summer. The former Rangers defender believes up to 400 players could be looking for new clubs because The SPL is scrapping the reserve league amid the effects of the recession. "We expect 300 to 400 players will be released this summer," Wishart told the Sunday Mail. "That's about a third of the work-force and many of them will be lost to the game for good. "I'm expecting a huge number of frees because of the way clubs are restructuring their finances. "Clubs are now allowing players' contracts to run down and once they've expired it's a case of offering them less money to re-sign or letting them go. "With the reserve league about to be disbanded at the end of the season as well that means there will be even more players looking for fewer jobs and it doesn't take a genius to work out there will be a large number of casualties." http://www.setanta.com//uk/Articles/Football/2009/02/08/SPL-Wishart-on-players/gnid-39227/

Ah well...........we can now look forward to this [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llttT4chpII]YouTube - Celtic 2 - 4 Rangers 31/08/08[/ame]

Agree, I feel for the fans that travelled for this EARLY KICK-OFF,they should be refunded their travel costs.