ian1964

TWO more wins could seal the SPFL Reserve League for Rangers after they defeated Celtic at Firhill this afternoon thanks to a Glenn Middleton double. https://rangers.co.uk/news/academy-news/res-celtic-0-2-rangers/

The Ibrox chief released a statement after season tickets went on sale for the 2019/20 campaign. DAVE KING says Rangers are within 'tangible reach' of becoming the 'dominant force in Scottish football again. The Gers chief released a statement to supporters after season tickets went on sale for the 2019/20 season. And he said it has been 'extremely gratifying' to have 'witnessed the progress that has been made over the last year'. King insists Gers playing squad is 'significantly stronger than in recent seasons' as he promised to back Gerrard in the transfer market. Fans will have to fork out extra after season tickets were increased by five per cent with a waiting list for supporters who don't yet own a season book. Full Statement I begin by again offering my most sincere thanks to each and every Rangers supporter for the continued commitment and understanding that you have shown throughout the recent rebuilding of our club. It was never going to be easy and it is extremely gratifying to have witnessed the progress that has been made over the last year. We are now within tangible reach of Rangers becoming the dominant force in Scottish football again. Much of the progress on the pitch can be attributed to Mark Allen, Steven Gerrard and their respective management teams. Turning to a young manager was a risk but it was one that Mark and the Board felt we should take because of Steven Gerrard’s football pedigree. Steven’s passion, professionalism and winning mentality has been inculcated throughout the football activities at all levels and we have seen strong benefits from this. Of significance was our first, strong European campaign for many years. The team was heroic at times in battling through four very tough qualifiers and went on to narrowly miss making the knock-out stages. However, the inconsistency that inevitably comes with another new management team and a new group of players was also evident. We saw periods where we were rightly regarded as title contenders, followed by periods of varying quality. However, despite these periods of inconsistency it is clear that the playing squad is significantly stronger than in recent seasons and, importantly for future transfer activity, the overall value of the squad has greatly increased. This is a tribute to the work that Mark, Steven and their management teams have done to improve the process behind player recruitment and their overhaul of the training methods and the general wellbeing of the football squad at all levels and age groups. The team requires a further upgrade and the Board will continue to back Mark and Steven, who fully understand that Rangers must win titles and cups and plans are already in place for recruitment in the summer window. Rangers has always been a leader on and off the pitch. Apart from the aim of amassing titles and trophies, being part of Rangers as a fan, player, manager or director means we conduct ourselves in a specific manner. Our club often comes under unfair attack and we are relentless in working hard behind the scenes, and up front when necessary, to make sure we are given the respect our club and our massive support deserves. But we will not engage in unseemly debates through the media. Conducting ourselves with dignity is a part of who we are and it is up to us to set standards. However, in doing this, we will not allow ourselves to be treated differently or held to a different set of rules. The institution that is Rangers Football club is special and has a unique place in football history as having won – by quite some distance – more trophies than any other club in the world. We must now start adding to this record but can only achieve this by remaining together and being stronger in our unity than other clubs. This season, a record number of season tickets were sold and it would be remarkable if we could again hit that number as we lay the foundations for what we hope will be the season which sees Rangers triumphant again. Your Board is committed to providing further funding and we are also asking for supporters’ help through renewing season tickets, which will increase in cost by only 5%. We feel this is not an excessive increase and every fan should know that the season-ticket revenue will solely go towards the first-team squad. We have also witnessed a significant advancement at the Academy under the guidance of Craig Mulholland and his team. This was evidenced by our under-17s who went to Qatar and won the prestigious Alkass Cup. This triumph – and the fact that more than 20 of our players across all age groups were called up for international duty recently – are clear signs that the Academy is doing a terrific job. Rangers is a massive club and our importance demands that we contribute to the broader community as a whole. No club in the country does more to help those less fortunate than we do. The Rangers Charity Foundation’s work goes mostly unheralded but through its various education, health and well-being, employability, diversity and inclusion programmes (as well as many others) it continues to be a force for good and has eased the lives of hundreds of thousands of people who need help in so many ways. In order to further boost our charitable activities we are proud, for the first time, to have included a £2 donation for the Rangers Charity Foundation as part of the Season Ticket payment. I know that all fans will support this initiative to help others. I sincerely hope that you will renew your season ticket for 2019/20 and thank you in advance for your continued support. https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4124732/dave-king-rangers-tangible-reach-dominant-force-scottish-football/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1555320989

Jambos chief Ann Budge issued a statement on the club's official website this afternoon to explain the reasons behind the decisions. She also apologised to 'innocents' caught up in the controversy. HEARTS have confirmed they will close a section of the Tynecastle stands with immediate effect. It follows a series of incidents at the recent Edinburgh derby clash with Hibs. The club announced the decision on their website this afternoon. And it specifically relates to lower section G of Tynecastle's Wheatfield Stand. In a statement in which several of the incidents are mentioned, Jambos chief Ann Budge says: "I have said before that we will continue to take action to drive this behaviour out of Tynecastle Park. "And I know that I have the support of all fair-minded Hearts supporters in our efforts to eradicate this behaviour. "Since a number of the incidents mentioned above emanated from lower section G of the Wheatfield Stand, I have given instructions to close this section with immediate effect. "Season ticket holders within this section will be offered seats elsewhere in the stadium for the remaining two games of the season. "I apologise to any “innocents” who are caught up in this." Three people were charged by police earlier this week following incidents during the game against Hibs. A 38-year-old man was arrested in connection with the use of racist language, while a 19-year-old was arrested in connection with a flare being thrown. A 16-year-old boy was also arrested in connection with a coin being thrown. Today, police confirmed that a 19-year-old man had been arrested and charged in connection with a hate crime at the stadium on the day of the game. He will appear at court at a later date. Inspector Kieran Dougal of Wester Hailes Police Station said: "These crimes are committed by a small minority intent on ruining a great atmosphere. "Thankfully these types of incidents are very rare and are not a reflection of the vast majority of fans who attend football matches. "However in order to protect everyone, we need all hate crimes to be reported to us. "If you have been a victim of a hate crime, you can report this to Police Scotland via 101." Ann Budge's statement in full As we all know, barely a week goes by at the moment without the headlines on the sports pages screaming out about the latest incidents at football matches…and, of course, they are rarely talking about the football performance! The media has no shortage of material with which to paint a pretty bleak picture of what to expect if you attend a football stadium to “enjoy” a hotly contested fixture. By saying this, I am not criticising the media. They are simply doing their jobs. I am, of course, criticising the supporters who carry out the actions, which provide the headlines…actions such as singing sectarian songs…thereby inciting trouble; abusing players…whether verbally or physically; setting off pyrotechnics, endangering lives in the process; or causing stadium damage, etc, etc. Stadium rules have for years listed many forms of unacceptable behaviour which are stated to be “prohibited”…and yet this behaviour goes on and is seemingly on the increase. So simply listing what is unacceptable is not enough. We have to work together to stamp out these unacceptable behaviours. The government, the police, the football authorities, the clubs, the supporters…we all have a part to play. Since getting involved in football, I have been hugely impressed by the effort made by clubs to try to ensure unacceptable behaviour is, ideally, prevented from happening, or at worst, dealt with…albeit often retrospectively. However, we have to do more! At Tynecastle, we have worked hard over the last few seasons to strengthen our security processes and practices, and we continue to do so. Nonetheless, during the course of last Saturday’s Derby against Hibernian, no less than seven pyrotechnics were discharged/thrown onto the pitch…four from the Hearts area and three from the Hibs stand. In addition, there were instances of coins being thrown, cups, some containing hot drinks, being thrown and even… a coconut being thrown onto the pitch. Every single instance could have resulted in injury to an individual and in the case of the pyrotechnics, this did result in damage to the pitch…a pitch which, with the financial support of our fans, we have recently put down at a cost of £1million! Why would our own fans want to damage this? It beggars belief! To add to this, we have seen an appalling example of racist abuse, by a Hearts “supporter” to a Hibs player, circulated on social media. I am pleased to report that an individual has now been charged by Police Scotland in relation to this incident. Yes, I have also received reports of Hearts players being racially abused by Hibs “supporters!”; just because it happens both ways, in no way, condones it. I have also received reports of sectarian comments being made by Hearts supporters. On the day, thanks to CCTV footage, and indeed thanks to supporters reporting incidents of unacceptable behaviour, four Hearts supporters were ejected and three were arrested. Other matters are still being followed up with Police Scotland. I have said before that we will continue to take action to drive this behaviour out of Tynecastle Park…and I know that I have the support of all fair-minded Hearts supporters in our efforts to eradicate this behaviour. Since a number of the incidents mentioned above emanated from lower section G of the Wheatfield Stand, I have given instructions to close this section with immediate effect. Season ticket holders within this section will be offered seats elsewhere in the stadium for the remaining two games of the season. I apologise to any “innocents” who are caught up in this. I want to stress that this is not something we do lightly. This will impact close to 200 season ticket holders and as such, will cost the club financially. We have already lost income by closing corner sections of the Roseburn Stand in recent games. That we are having to reduce available capacity at games…when we have worked so hard to increase our capacity through building our new stand…is nothing short of ludicrous. As ludicrous as having spent £1m on a state-of-the-art pitch, which some of our own fans are willing to risk destroying. To counter this appalling behaviour, I have already committed to spending another £100,000 in upgrading our CCTV system. This will be implemented during the close season. There are so many other things we could be doing with that money! Our supporters have been magnificent in their financial backing of the club…so we cannot sit back and allow a small group of mindless individuals undermine our achievements. Thanks to this kind of behaviour, the costs associated with providing a safe, secure and family friendly environment for supporters to enjoy the game they love, are escalating. Please work with us to stamp this out! I would encourage all supporters to text us confidentially to report incidents of unacceptable behaviour on the Fan Reporting Service number, which can be found on the club website. Help us to protect the reputation we have fought so hard to re-build. https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4111833/hearts-close-section-tynecastle-stand-immediate-effect/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1554994501

The Glasgow clubs consistently pull in huge crowds and are better-supported than several of world football's heavyweights. St Pats FC and Rangers have been ranked among the world's top clubs in a study of average attendances. The Glasgow giants are both inside the top 20 for pulling crowds alongside the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United and Barcelona. A report by the CIES Football Observatory has collated masses of data from stadium attendances between 2013 and 2018 and produced the top 50 best supported teams. Figures show St Pats FC attracted an average 49,697 fans to the Piggery, placing them 16th in the world. The study only considers top-flight domestic attendances and thus only considers two seasons from Rangers but they still come in at 18th with an average of 49,054. Between 2012 and 2016, the Ibrox side were working their way up the lower divisions. Dortmund, United and Barcelona were the top three sides on the list, with the Germans averaging an incredible 80,230. The Glasgow clubs have a higher average attendances than European heavyweights Liverpool, Paris-Saint Germain and Juventus. This season, they both competed in the Europa League group stage and ranked 2nd and 3rd for the number of supporters who turned out over three home games. St Pats FC racked up 160,892 fans while Rangers saw 149,340 come through the gates at Ibrox. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-rangers-attendances-ranked-among-14277078

Good, I would rather keep him for next season than sell him in the summer, he is still young and if he continues his goal scoring next season then someone will want him badly enough to pay what the club value at him

I don't think you are wrong on both points mate, however I actually think Davis has had good games in the last 2, SG is probably expecting a big bid for Morelos & why Defoe was given an 18 month contract?

The chances of this being true are next to zero! more bullshit from the Scottish gutter press!

Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield emerges as Southampton transfer target Reports in England claim Saints have been impressed with the former Burnley and Falkirk star's performances under Steven Gerrard this season. RANGERS midfielder Scott Arfield is a transfer target for Southampton, according to reports. The Daily Mail says the Gers star’s performances under Steven Gerrard this season have caught the eye of the English Premier League outfit. The 30-year-old has EPL experience on his CV after starring for Sean Dyche’s Burnley. Southampton have raided the Scottish Premiership several times in recent years, making big-money moves for ex-Celtic trio Virgil van Dijk, Fraser Forster and Victor Wanyama. The Mail claims the Light Blues are likely to value the ex-Falkirk ace around the £3million mark. Arfield joined Gers on a free from Dyche’s side last summer. He’s netted 11 times in 42 appearances so far this season, bagging a hat-trick in Sunday’s win over Motherwell. The Canadian international was also a key player for Gerrard’s men in December’s 1-0 Old Firm derby win over Celtic. Rangers fans praised the player after he taunted Scott Brown with the Hoops captain’s trademark ‘Broony’ celebration during the game. https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4106438/scott-arfield-southampton-rangers-transfer-news/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1554901300

The best of the action from Lisbon. https://rangers.co.uk/tv/view?it=14011&c=&act=view&r=829458102&www=fast&chk=params

Highlights from the Rangers Reserves against Hibernian at the Hummel Training Centre. https://rangers.co.uk/tv/view?it=17289&c=&act=view&r=733986044&www=fast&chk=params

Wallace, 31, has made just two appearances under Steven Gerrard this season and is out of contract this summer. LEE WALLACE’S wife has hailed the ex-Rangers skipper as an “inspiration” and “true professional” as he nears the end of his Ibrox career. The Gers hero’s missus Steph praised her husband as she responded to an article that insisted the Light Blues should give him “the send-off he deserves instead of treating him as a pariah”. Wallace, 31, has made just two appearances under Steven Gerrard this season and is out of contract this summer. Steph wrote: “My inspiration and a true professional - I will forever be proud of you.” Fans responded to the tweet, praising the full-back who joined Rangers in 2011 and played a pivotal role in their rise through the divisions. They also slammed their own club over Wallace’s treatment - with Steph liking several of the tweets. The ex-Hearts star Wallace was stripped of the Gers captaincy - and replaced by James Tavernier - last summer. @mjh1977 wrote: “Deserves so much better from the club. Disappointed they have treated one of their own like this. “A club captain in every way abandoned after he gave up so much for us! Shameful! #fanswillremember #legend.” @jamied28 said: “Disappointed at how he’s been treated. Deserves a good send-off at least.” @runfa01 added: “Legend, that is one word to describe him. Stayed all through the hard times, that will never ever be forgotten!” @davidcowan wrote: “It shouldn’t even be open for debate, he deserves it [a send-off] 100 per cent. “The only thing he doesn’t deserve is the way he’s been treated. A true professional #RangersFamily.” We told in January that Bristol City were tracking the defender, who has ten Scotland caps. He’s hardly featured for Rangers since he and Kenny Miller were suspended following an alleged altercation with stand-in boss Graeme Murty after last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final loss to Celtic. An internal investigation followed, with Wallace suspended and fined four weeks wages. The duo later won SPFL appeals against the sanctions. At November’s Rangers AGM, Gerrard denied accusations that the club’s treatment of Wallace had been “disgusting”. He was quizzed on the issue by an angry shareholder. The Liverpool icon said: "As the manager of this club, and I have been since June, I came into [a situation with] Lee Wallace. “He was out injured and had missed 12 months of football. "I have to pay my respects to Lee in terms of his professionalism while he's been injured and the hard work he's put in trying to get match fit. "At the moment, to be really candid, he's still part of the plans while he's here but I have better options in that position. "My relationship with Lee is fine. He trains with us every day and he is working very hard to regain his place in the team. That's where that situation is." https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4100165/lee-wallace-rangers-steph-contract-send-off-games-gerrard/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1554799167

I'm not certain our interest in him has gone? no info just guessing. TBF he is a young player with potential & I also thought Flannagan played well today