Super_Ally

Don't see the need to prostitute his "faith" in the work place. Bit tacky.

To suggest an inexperienced kid who has done nothing and proven nothing could walk into our team is disrespectful to our current players imo. As JB pointed out himself he's always bottled it against us, so he's not proven he can play against better teams and players yet. As I said, he could compete for a place but not just turn up and stroll into our team. If he could he wouldn't still be at Hamilton.

Ha ha. Aye, evidently.

In December we were devastating. Our January performances were jaded. What then for our fortunes in February? Our results over the past two months have allowed us to open up a healthy 10 point gap at the top of the SPL table as we seek to retain the title. The December demolition of some of the league’s leading clubs is well documented. A maximum 18 points accrued, scoring 26 and conceding just 4. Equally well documented were our New Year struggles. Madjid Bougherra has been missing since the final game of December representing Algeria in an impressive African Nations run to the semi-final. Scotland’s deadliest strike duo; Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller have missed most of our January fixtures through injury and suspension. We also had to cope without (the now departed) Pedro Mendes, DaMarcus Beasley, Steven Naismith, Maurice Edu and Nacho Novo at various points throughout the month. In fact, in the league fixture against Hamilton we could not list a full complement of substitutes. Last weekend after we dropped points to Hearts, whilst Celtic eventually overcame ten-man St. Johnstone, the media were effusive in their praise of a resurgent Celtic. Mowbray was ridding himself of the deadwood and moulding the team in his own image. A resounding victory, ignoring the fact they only overcame the Perth outfit once Derek McInnes’ team were at a numerical disadvantage, was evidence of this. It may surprise some to note that during a month in which we have often competed with only one fit senior striker and could not always name a full 18-man match day squad, a month in which our form and results were questioned, we extended our Championship advantage. Rangers: Celtic (A) 1-1 Hamilton (A) 0-1 Hearts (H) 1-1 St Mirren (A) 0-2 Falkirk (H) 3-0 Celtic: Rangers (H) 1-1 Falkirk (H) 1-1 St Johnstone (A) 1-4 Hibs (H) 1-2 Hamilton (A) 0-1 Team P W D L F A Pts Rangers 5 3 2 0 8 2 11 Celtic 5 2 2 1 8 4 8 We have extended our lead by an additional 3 points and 2 goals in the goal difference column. I warned earlier on this month that we would only realise the benefit of our scintillating December performances if we maintained our form throughout January. Despite struggling in the triple header with Hamilton and at home to a stodgy Hearts side we have progressed in the Scottish Cup and forged further ahead in pursuit of the league crown. Unlike for our great rivals, Hibernian (and United) did not prove the stumbling block that was hoped for as we produced our best form in December and a decimated squad did not derail our title defence in January. With such a healthy advantage it is only natural we will look ahead to our remaining fixtures to examine the obstacles to securing title number 53. After a League Cup semi-final against St Johnstone and fifth round cup tie with St. Mirren we face a potentially tricky trip to Fir Park. Motherwell head up the chasing pack behind Dundee United and Hibernian who are competing with Celtic for second spot. Their confidence will be soaring having secured a 3-0 victory at Pittodrie and will look to cement their position in the top-six. We failed to take maximum points from this fixture back in September, but a 6-1 victory in December at Ibrox, coupled with the return of Boyd, Bougherra and Miller should give us the confidence to maintain our unbeaten run. A home game against John Hughes Hibernian should not be taken lightly as Tony Mowbray and Celtic will attest. It was Hibs midweek Parkhead victory that allowed us to return the gap from ourselves to Celtic to 10-points. Hibernian took an early lead when we travelled along the M8 to Leith, but Kenny Miller inspired a Rangers comeback as we ran out 4-1 winners. So, whilst Hibernian cannot be treated lightly, if we play to our capabilities we can put another nail in Celtic’s coffin this season. Anything less than three points at McDiarmid Park is unacceptable and victory would set us up nicely for a colossal Old Firm encounter at the end of February. If we can match or exceed Celtic points haul across the February fixtures we could effectively end their title hopes with a home victory on February 28th and who would argue against that with Walter Smith at the helm? Of course we have seen over the past two seasons especially that a small advantage this early in the season is not decisive and often doesn’t lead ultimately to success. Many fans more sensible than I would guard against such flagrant optimism. However, we are not competing on four fronts with midweek trips across the continent and an unprecedented backlog of fixtures. The destination of the league title is far from a foregone conclusion and there will be plenty of points dropped by ourselves and Celtic over the remaining fixtures, but our ten-point cushion affords us the luxury of playing without pressure and we can look forward to four February SPL fixtures with optimism and expectation. Celtic’s game against Killie should allow them to cut the gap to seven-points, but we know we must merely concentrate on what we do and keep the Championship outcome out of their hands. Three victories or at least matching Celtic’s result ahead of the penultimate Old Firm encounter will pile the pressure on a side that Mowbray has shorn of its SPL and title winning experience. Rangers’ February SPL fixtures: Motherwell (A) Wed 10th Hibernian (H) Sun 14th St Johnstone (A) Sat 20th Celtic (H) Sun 28th Celtic: Killie (A) Tue 2nd Hearts (H) Wed 10th Aberdeen (A) Sat 13th Dundee Utd (H) Sat 20th Rangers (A) Sun 28th It is maybe uncertain that we can maintain a winning record heading into the Celtic game, but it is equally likely Celtic will not make it through four testing fixtures unscathed. We have shown Championship character in negotiating our recent fixtures and maintaining our advantage in the league without the services of many of our key performers from this season. As the squad returns to full strength there is every reason for confidence in the remainder of the season as we seek another glorious treble!

Yeh, you are right I suppose. Just more concerned with getting a return on our investments with our current financial plight. However "return on investment" is probably a term more relevant to younger players as you point out.

I guess. �£1.5mil loss on him though.

I found that a strange assertion too. Could well compete for a place, but it is disrespectful to our team of champions and table toppers to come out with that imo.

Who's hiding the fee this time though?

Fortune, Samaras, Maloney, Rasmussen, Kujovic, McCormack, Kamara, Hutchinson and maybe McDonald. Add in a few youth/ reserve players. Will they even have enough spaces in their first XI for Boruc in goals?

He's not gonna be hanging around for the squad, he'll be off visiting family.

Boruc Hinkel Caldwell McManus Fox Nakamura Robson Hartely McGeady McDonald Hesselink Arguably their strongest line up from their summer pool of players? Well maybe in fairness Naylor shoudl be there instead of Fox? But look at that. They've sold a vast chunk of their strongest line up or their best replacements, plus some.

In the summer Hessleink, Nakamura, Hartley and O'Dea (loan) left the club along with a range of squad players left the club. As demonstrated by results they were replaced by players of inferior quality or who haven't settled yet in Fortune, N'Guemo, Fox and Thompson. Roll on January and Fox has already been punted, O'Dea has been recalled and installed as captain. Caldwell, Robson, Flood, Killen and McManus are also away to be replaced by Hooiveld, Rogne, Rasmussen and Ki. The new signings are not ready to hit the ground running being either injured or untried at this level. McDonald mya also yet be away. All the papers are rife with talk of the downsizing and pennypinching at Rangers, but the turmoil at Celtic is arguably worse. Sure we've not brought anyone in, but we've not been forced to sell the majority of our first team to take a series of punts on unkown players. Is Mowbray completely mad in trying to overhaul his entire playing staff in a year or are Celtic every bit (or nearly) as fucked as we are. If we flogged off Weir, Boyd, Bougherra and Mendes this summer and replaced them with unknowns the media stories would not be too kind. Something's not right at Fawlty Towers.

Who in the current squad has the biggest collection of medals from their time at Rangers? Between Novo and McGregor possibly?

Agree rbr, always felt he spoke well for the RST (and sometimes by association the Rangers fans at large).

Timskelping?

A fat bastard, but their best forward. I'd be pleased if they flogged him.

Aye a "young" Kris Boyd. One of the best comments watching a game of football I heard was in the Hall on Sauchiehall street. Think it was a game against Sturm Graz, when Bob Malcolm came on screen and the commentator mentioned his age. Cue one patron of the establishment replying "he's the oldest 23 year old in the world". Bald in his early 20's. Poor Bob and Boyd is going the same way.

I'm sure elsewhere he's quoted as saying it would allow us to bring someone in now. wabash will be shitting bricks at his latest comment anyway.

Welcome, your avatar has reminded me just how much his hair has receeded btw! The pressure's of playing for Rangers. :devil:

Graham Dott doesn't even like putting his hand on the baize because of the colour. The "Wizard of Wishaw" on the other hand. ...

Is this how Liewell is attempting to get Celtic into the EPL?

Jim White on the pulse.

Blackpool knocking back �£2mil. Chancers! �£500k is a good bid for Adam!

Squeaky bum time for Frankie.

Miller out again but back for Saints game next midweek. When Madjid will be too if he doesn't take the piss. DMB is on his way back, but taking longer than expected. Obviously Novo and Naismith are back in the mix now. And Boyd should be back in two weeks. :spl: http://www.rangers.co.uk/articles/20100129/miller-set-to-miss-out_2254024_1949037