JFK-1

In any 11 for me Aribo has to be one of the guaranteed starters. Opposition aside I watched his goal against progres countless times repeatedly tonight just drinking in the magnificent quick touch and control he displayed in taking it. It's not on the level of this goal but he reminds me of the player scoring that goal and how great a player he was.

Striker is indeed a difficult conundrum. Defoe has the knack of being in the right spot and can put them away with one touch while Morelos is very hard to stop when on a rampage. Obviously up to the manager to figure it out. But on the bright side these are welcome difficulties.

We were largely dominant against a top Championship side playing their last pre season game so have to be deemed pretty much up to speed. The heroics of the Derby goalkeeper was all that stood between them and a high scoring loss and as has already been mentioned we will face very little anywhere near their quality in the SPL. It’s all very encouraging but I will be vastly more encouraged if we turn in a dominant and winning opening performance at Killie next week. I truly feel if we can cut out the habit of needlessly dropping points to also rans that it’s on this season.

I get the feeling that Kent, judging from his latest social media activity and previous comments over weeks may be in dispute with Liverpool about his next move. Klopp has been giving him high praise recently but is he likely to feature in a Liverpool first team? Probably unlikely. So his remaining options are loan or transfer and could the public praise of Klopp for Kent be made with one eye on a selling price? What if for whatever reason Kent has it in his mind that all he wants this season is back to Rangers and Liverpool currently aren't agreeable to such a move? Well presumably they can't force him to go anywhere he may point blank refuse to go either sold or loaned and speculating that it has or will reach that point what next? If they don't need him for the first team would they go to the extent of potentially ruining this young prospect by keeping him in a limbo of not playing at all? Or playing at some lower level totally unconducive to his development such as say development squad level? He has another 3 years on his Liverpool contract wouldn't it best for all parties to agree to another year on loan at Rangers and take another year to deal with the issue permanently? Now obviously that's all sheer speculation but I feel there has been at least tentative evidence from multiple resources that it's not too impossible a prospect.

It’s an acceptable result against a top Championship side who are also completing their pre season.

And what's that going to become if we take the title from them this season? Maybe I just don't look for them but I haven't seen any stories like this going in the opposite direction while that's at least twice Novo has been in a similar situation and Jack has been in more than one too.

I think he definitely wants to come back. He's not going to get a game in that Liverpool first team plus he enjoyed his time at Rangers last season and knows we're on the verge of something big this season. Stands to reason he would want to come back and be part of it.

https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/17799415.rangers-fans-sent-meltdown-ryan-kent-posts-cryptic-slave-post-instagram-deletes-liverpool-snaps-social-media/

Judging from the video of this attempt these bastards made a big mistake when deciding to try this stunt on an athlete. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-49126678

Derby will perhaps be the most interesting test to date. Top Championship side who narrowly missed out on promotion and who will presumably be somewhat further ahead in their preparation than Blackburn were.

Been at work and didn’t see the game but just saw the Aribo goal. What composure. He’s going to rampage through the SPL and may even prove to be as valuable an asset as Morelos.

A third goal could have killed it but some perspective may be drawn from the fact that Wolves got the same result at home to Crusaders.

I would be happy if we declined to take any tickets from specific clubs. The sheep high up on that list.

A little factor which may come into play is that though the manager will be professional about it in the sense that he's just looking to get to the next round the crowd will likely be looking for a bit more than that. They may very well be looking for revenge in a manner over and above just knocking them out of the tournament and how better to achieve that than a resounding humiliating thrashing. The crowd may be fervently driving them on for much more even if we were for example to go in at halftime already 4-0 up and the tie sealed.

And a funny little addition to that. I decided to take a look at Killie kickback for the first time and noticed they have a topic there titled 'Rangers tickets' referring to our opening league game of the season there. This was the first post on it from July 17th before they got their arses handed to them by the Welsh part timers. They were seemingly taking that tie for granted and already planning for the second qualifying round. ?

What's it going to be like if we give them a real thrashing on day one? And I suspect that to be eminently possible. Even if it were say 3-1 to us which is what we beat them by in last seasons league cup on their plastic hell I don't see their fans being realistic. Because they gave us a hard time on multiple occasions last season they will be thinking they should be doing that all over again to a side with multi million pound improvements in place.

Yes I have seen it which I mentioned in the post above yours and just like you i'm astounded by the price tag. Minutes to goals ratio of 305 minutes per goal. An 11 league goals a season man if he maintains that while playing every minute of every game in a 38 match league season. I expect that from a good midfielder and considerably more than that for a £40 million striker.

It would be sticking in my craw too if I were a Newcastle fan and I do have a soft spot for Newcastle. On transfermarkt his reported minutes to goals ratio is 305 minutes per goal. If that stayed the same in the EPL it works out at 11 goals in a 38 game league season providing he played every minute of every game. Considering he's listed as a centre forward I would be looking for considerably better stats for 40 million quid.

Newcastle have payed a reported club record £40 million for Brazilian striker Joe Linton which it's being speculated may well kill off any Newcastle move for Morelos.

Sports Direct v Rangers - the truth behind the media lies One could write a book on this subject between the fat man's company and our proud and mighty Rangers. Search and Sports direct are probably in court every week in Litigation with one company or another. I would like to start by saying that anyone can do this. I just searched till I found what I was looking for, which was the court documents giving the facts and not the sensationalism that the press are whipping up on the conclusion of the case between SDIR v Rangers. I fully support Dave King and what he has done for the club and is continuing to do yes, mistakes have been made, none of us are perfect but apart from this nasty thorn in our side the club is moving forward and will continue to do so, so please take heart fellow Bears. BACKGROUND TO THE AGREEMENT The Retail Agreement arose out of the settlement of a previous dispute between the parties concerning a joint venture company, Rangers Retail Limited ("RRL") which they formed in January 2015. Pursuant to an IP Licence and Rights Agreement dated 27 January 2015, Rangers granted RRL the exclusive right to sell Rangers branded merchandise and replica football kits. It was intended at that time that the joint venture would last many years; the 2015 Agreement was only terminable on 7 years' notice. Such co-operation was not to be. In May 2016, the parties fell out, and Rangers purported to terminate the 2015 Agreement for an alleged repudiatory breach. Sports Direct then brought a derivative action on behalf of RRL against Rangers and certain of its nominated directors of RRL. That claim, along with other related litigation, was settled in June 2017. As part of that settlement, it was agreed that RRL's trading activities would cease, and a new agreement was reached between the parties concerning the manufacture, sale and distribution of Rangers branded merchandise. The Sticky bit 5.2 and 5.8 5.1 From the date falling 6 months prior to the expiry of the Initial Term, Rangers may approach, solicit, tender for or enter into negotiations with a third party in relation to that third party providing any of the Offered Rights or all or any combination of the Offered Rights. 5.2 In the event that Rangers receives an offer from such a third party (Third Party Offer) to enter into an agreement with Rangers for any of the Offered Rights or all or any combination of the Offered Rights, Rangers shall provide SDIR with written notice (Notice of Offer) of the terms of the Third Party Offer […] 5.3 The Notice of Offer shall include whether the Third Party Offer is made for any of the Offered Rights or all or any combination of the Offered Rights (identifying which Offered Rights as applicable), in each case together with any connected commercial arrangements, and full details of: 5.3.1 any payments to be made by the third party to Rangers; 5.3.2 any revenue share or royalties to be paid between Rangers and the third party; 5.3.3 the duration of the agreement between Rangers and the third party, (together, the Material Terms). […] 5.6 Within 10 Business Days of SDIR's receipt of the Notice of Offer (or further information / clarification from Rangers, if requested), SDIR shall provide written notice to Rangers as to whether it is willing to match the Material Terms of the Third Party Offer in all material respects in relation to any of the Offered Rights or in relation to all or any combination of the Offered Rights (and, in each case, any connected commercial arrangements if applicable). 5.7 If SDIR is so willing, Rangers and SDIR shall enter into a further agreement on the same terms as this Agreement, save only as to any variation required to effect the Material Terms and whether such agreement shall relate to any of the Offered Rights or all or any combination of the Offered Rights (and, in each case, any connected commercial arrangements if applicable.5.8 Should SDIR exercise its matching right in accordance with this paragraph, Rangers shall not approach, solicit, tender for, negotiate with or enter into any agreement with that third party or any other third party in respect of the Third Party Offer and/or the [sic.] any of the Offered Rights (and, in each case, any connected commercial arrangements if applicable) in respect of which the matching right is exercised. Should SDIR exercise its matching right in respect of some but not all of the Offered Rights, Rangers may enter into an agreement with that third party on the Material Terms set out in the Notice of Offer only in respect of the Offered Rights over which SDIR has not exercised its matching right only [sic.]. Should SDIR not exercise its matching right over any of the Offered Rights, Rangers may enter into an agreement with that third party on the Material Terms set out in the Notice of Offer. 5.8 Should SDIR exercise its matching right in accordance with this paragraph, Rangers shall not approach, solicit, tender for, negotiate with or enter into any agreement with that third party or any other third party in respect of the Third Party Offer and/or the [sic.] any of the Offered Rights (and, in each case, any connected commercial arrangements if applicable) in respect of which the matching right is exercised. Should SDIR exercise its matching right in respect of some but not all of the Offered Rights, Rangers may enter into an agreement with that third party on the Material Terms set out in the Notice of Offer only in respect of the Offered Rights over which SDIR has not exercised its matching right only [sic.]. Should SDIR not exercise its matching right over any of the Offered Rights, Rangers may enter into an agreement with that third party on the Material Terms set out in the Notice of Offer 5.9 Subject to paragraph 5.8, any new or amended offer or indication of interest from a third party in respect of any of the Offered Rights shall be a separate Third Party Offer and the terms of this paragraph 5 shall apply. 5.10 In the event that Rangers does not receive a Third Party Offer to enter into an agreement with Rangers for any or all of the Offered Rights within 30 days prior to expiry of the Initial Term, Rangers shall immediately notify SDIR in writing, and SDIR shall have the right to renew this Agreement on the same terms for the element(s) on which no offer has been received, save only that the Agreement will be renewed for 2 years from the expiry of the Term and: 5.10.1 the same terms would apply in respect of the operation and maintenance of the Retail Operations and the performance of the Permitted Activities; and 5.10.2 to the extent relevant, terms which are at least as favourable to SDIR as the terms that currently apply under the Puma Agreement would apply in relation to the supply by Rangers (or on its behalf) to SDIR of the Official Kit and/or Replica Kit[;] and SDIR shall notify Rangers in writing if it chooses to exercise its right to renew this Agreement within 21 days of receiving Rangers' notification that a Third Party Offer was not received for any or all of the Offered Rights. 5.11 Save as expressly permitted in this paragraph, Rangers shall not approach, solicit, tender for or enter into negotiations or any agreement with any third party in relation to any of the Offered Rights. […] 5.14 Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary this paragraph 5 shall continue in full force and effect for a period of 2 years from the expiry of the Term but that shall not prevent Rangers from the date falling 6 months prior to the expiry of that period approaching, soliciting, tendering for or entering into negotiations with any third party in relation to that third party providing any of the Offered Rights or all or any combination of the Offered Rights. 5.15 Nothing in this paragraph 5 shall prevent SDIR from approaching, tendering for, entering into negotiations with and/or making any offers to Rangers in respect of the Offered Rights, separately to the process set out in this paragraph 5 or independently of any Third Party Offer. THIS IS REALLY WHAT THE LITIGATION IS ABOUT: THE ELITE AGREEMENT On 4 June 2018, Rangers informed Sports Direct that it had received an offer from a third party, now known to be the Elite Group ("Elite"), and offered Sports Direct the opportunity to match that right. There was then a dispute between the parties concerning the information required to serve a 'Notice of Offer' within paragraph 5.2 of Schedule 3 to the Retail Agreement. Litigation ensued; injunctive relief was granted to Sports Direct by this court, preventing Rangers from accepting the Third Party Offer whilst this dispute was on foot. On 12 July 2018, Rangers served a new Notice of Offer. Sports Direct exercised its matching right in respect of this offer on 25 July 2018. Following Sports Direct's exercise of its matching right, Rangers' then-solicitors sent a letter to Sports Direct, dated 26 July 2018, stating that "our client accepts that it may not enter into any contract in respect of any of the Offered Rights with any other party." The letter continued: "For the avoidance of doubt this means that Rangers shall not now enter into an agreement with the third party that made the Third Party Offer in respect of the arrangements set out in the Third Party Offer notified to you on 12 July 2018." On 30 July 2018, before Phillips J, Sports Direct decided not to pursue the continuation of its injunction and certain issues of construction of the Retail Agreement were resolved by consent. The parties have, since that time, sought to reach an agreement in respect of the matched offer, in accordance with paragraph 5.7. Such agreement has not been forthcoming, and is the subject of further dispute; before me, each party sought to characterise the other's behaviour during these negotiations as unreasonable. On 11 September 2018, Rangers entered into a new agreement with Elite (the "Elite Agreement"). Rangers did not, before entering into that agreement, first notify Sports Direct of Elite's offer in accordance with the matching right provisions. Sports Direct only learned of the Elite Agreement on 25 September, after having seen a statement on Rangers' website, describing Elite as "our new non-exclusive partners", and providing a link to buy the new kit from a website run by Elite. That announcement on Rangers' website in fact went live at 17:30 on 21 September, just 15 minutes after a letter was sent by Rangers' solicitors to Sports Direct, which set out Rangers' view that it "retains the right to grant non-exclusive rights on same or similar terms to those which will be granted pursuant to the Further Agreement with SDIR" (in respect of the matched July 2018 offer), but made no mention of the Elite Agreement which had been signed ten days earlier. The full terms of the Elite Agreement were not before me, but I am told that it grants Elite a set of non-exclusive rights which duplicate, and do not exceed, the non-exclusive rights matched by Sports Direct in July 2018. I was told that there were 9 principal differences between it and the offer of Elite which Sports Direct had matched in July. The Elite Agreement made no mention of the exclusive rights which were included in the matched offer. The payment mechanism was different, the governing law was different, the reporting obligations were different and the payment dates were different. Significantly, the Elite Agreement contained a warranty by Rangers that it has "all necessary rights to grant [Elite] the rights in this Agreement", and granted Elite an indemnity against suit by SDIR (which is specifically named) in relation to the agreement. The next section is really again lawyer speak but basically boils down to SDIR nit picking over the contract awarded to Elite/Hummel: CONCLUSION In summary: i) The two questions posed by paragraph 2 of the Order for Directions dated 3 October should be answered in the affirmative. The prohibition imposed on Rangers by paragraph 5.8 and the obligation imposed on Rangers by paragraph 5.2 apply where Sports Direct has already exercised its matching right. ii) Accordingly, Rangers was in breach of the Retail Agreement by entering into the Elite Agreement and by failing to offer Sports Direct the opportunity to exercise its matching right in respect of Elite's offer. iii) Sports Direct is entitled to the first and second Injunctions sought in the terms set out in the Particulars of Claim. Sports Direct is entitled to a third injunction in the terms set out above. So what now you might ask? Well I guess it is all down to the lawyers and without a doubt a cash settlement to rid this tyrant from our midst. I can see and understand what Rangers have done and why they have done it. In a nutshell no revenue coming in and no merchandise for supporters. https://www.ibroxnoise.co.uk/2019/07/sports-direct-v-rangers-truth-behind.html

Progres Niederkorn preview | The battle for a central defensive spot | Fall out from Mike Ashley court ruling

Still a lot of speculation around Kent with some pundits even beginning to suggest that Liverpool might come in for Morelos in a player plus cash deal. The player (Kent) and cash coming our way. Generally I would have dismissed that as nonsense considering I would deem Liverpool don't really need more striking options. But apparently according to recent reports that's not necessarily true. The likes of Mané have been playing all Summer with no rest and for that reason will be several weeks behind the rest of the team when the season begins. Given that we all know how close run it was last year and that a single loss or even a draw early in the season can be the difference at the end when your main contender is the consistent Man City maybe it's not so far out there. I don't want Morelos to go but if we have to lose him which we obviously do at some point then this might be as good a deal as we could hope for. If it were to be true of course.

I think last seasons Summer window was somewhat of a rush for Gerrard and mistakes were made. This time he's had a lot more time to think about it and get it right.

I just can't see Progres being able to withstand the pressure of the high press that's going to be coming at them. They're going to come with the same intent so many in the SPL do and that means digging in and hoping for something on the break or set piece. An early goal or even two will kill off their entire strategy.