Super_Ally

Echo the sentiments above. I bet just about everyone has a personal experience of this horrible illness and hope he makes a full recovery.

Jus watched this one again. It's awesome. Quality music for a highlights video for once instead of people sticking on their favourite crappy rock band.

A summer of discontent: As I whiled away the close season this weekend watching a rather uneventful stage 9 of the Tour de France, my brother exclaimed “I bloody hate the BBC, they never have any news about Rangers” whilst perusing their website. It is a complaint familiar to any Rangers fan reading through the numerous popular bluenose forums available to choose from in cyberspace. Almost as soon as Nacho’s stunning Cup Final goal secured the double, the achievements have been forgotten and Rangers have hardly graced the back pages since. The Scottish sports pages have been dominated firstly by Celtic’s embarrassing manager chase as we were told they secured their first choice man, after openly courting several other targets, and secondly by Mowbray’s attempts to rebuild a failing side. The lack of activity at Murray Park, at least as reported in the press, has many bears worried that we will not press home any advantage gained by last season’s double winning exploits and automatic Champions League qualification. One bear at least is not worried, at least not yet. The greater professionalism in not conducting all our business in public that Smith appears to have returned to the club, whilst perhaps frustrating to fans suffering through a quiet close season and eager for rumours, is reminiscent of the experienced manager’s first dominant stint in Govan. It is also worth noting that the need to strengthen the squad is not as pressing as it was last season, nor indeed as pressing as it is for Celtic. The Kaunas debacle and the refusal to splash the cash until it was too late have no doubt led to the current state of concern pervading through the support. For reasons never fully elucidated, we did not stump up the money for Davis nor other summer signings in time for the Champions' League qualifiers and the repercussions of that miscalculation will be felt for seasonss to come, on the bank balance, on the field and in European rankings. Thus, it is understandable that some fans are anxious over an apparent lack of activity in the transfer market. This concern is only heightened by the fact that Celtic have already brought in former Dundee United goalkeeper Zaluska and striker Fortune from Nancy. However, as previously alluded to, Celtic’s need is greater. They have the Champions League qualifiers to navigate - more perilous than ever under the current format - where they could get past the likes of Arsenal or Lyon to join us at Europe’s top table. Their qualifying campaign begins on the 28th of July and they will be eager to avoid the same fate we succumbed to last season. By contrast, our season does not begin until the 15th of August. We can afford to take our time in the transfer market. We do not need to rush into transfers. The transfer door only opened at the start of this month and there is still a long way to go before the competitive action begins for Smith's squad. Of course our reluctance to dive into the transfer market as of yet will also have been dictated by a meagre transfer budget and a need to get rid of the dead wood. Players we would like to see leave or who are out of favour with the manager will need to be moved on before we can bring anyone in. Ferguson, McCulloch and Adam are on decent wages and could bring in vital transfer funds. However Smith needs to trim the squad and the wage bill to keep our finances at a manageable level and so no one will likely come in before transfers out are secured. We are in need of a left midfielder who can cement a first team spot and a centre back to challenge Weir and Bougherra. We should not, however, be panicking and agonising over our lack of transfer dealing merely because our nearest challengers have already made moves to strengthen their team. Do not misunderstand that statement. I am not advocating any kind of downsizing by the hierarchy, or imagining we can afford to stand still. I am merely attempting to remind those frustrated by a lack of Rangers news in the gutter press that League success and automatic Champions League entry has given us a bit of breathing room this summer. We do not have to dive into transfers that may or may not prove shrewd business at the start of the transfer window. We have bought ourselves time and can afford to be patient in our business dealings. The excessive press coverage from the East End demonstrates the state of affairs over at Parkhead. The fawning on the BBC website of a routine victory over a poor Australian side was particularly embarrassing. The vanquished foes, Brisbane Roar, also fell to defeat against a Japanese Youth team earlier in their pre-season. Don’t let the summer heat aggravate you, nor the media’s reluctance to report on the Scottish Champions. Sit back with a nice cold drink and enjoy the upheaval over at Parkhead whilst Rangers again go about their business quietly. Look through the official site and the photos of the players returning for pre-season training and the fantastic shape in which the likes of Novo, Whittaker and Adam have returned to the club. Trust in Walter in spite of the silence emanating from the club. Remember the quiet, self-assured way the club conducted business prior to securing the SPL title at Tannadice and in his previous tenure at the club, whilst Celtic continue their public grandstanding much as they did prior to bottling the title fight this season. Thank the Lord Martin Bain isn't making crazy claims that Allan McGregor is the 'best goalkeeper in Europe'. Peter Lawwell certainly has had his share of XXXX this week! To conclude, there is still a lot to be decided this summer in the transfer market and the time to worry over the state of the squad for next season has not yet arrived. http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=807&Itemid=1

Seemed as valid as anywhere else for a faceless rumour. :box:

True Cal, didn't consider the fact that amound of bets palced on Celtic will affect it, but would be a little suprised if that was the reason here. No it doesn't matter Gav, I just like a moan.

He should make himself knoown to take the congratualtions. :spl:

Is that what we are calling Gav now. :devil:

http://www.oddschecker.com/football/scottish/scottish-premier/scottish-premier-league/win-market Most places have us basically the same with Celtic slightly shorter with 6 bookies and us with 2. They are always slight favourites when they are reigning Champions. I am disappointed the bookies don't have the same confidence in us.

It's just not as attractive to Murray's inner circle.

http://www.brisbanersc.com/ welcome Celtic Down Under.

Strong rumour in Aylesbury that Tonel will sign on the 16th.

Ha ha, just read the first few paragraphs of this but I just wrote up an alternative view sort of peice to this in the writers forum. Edit: I meant my peice is an alternative view in that we should not be worrying that as of yet we have not made great splashes in the transfer market this summer. Nothing to do with Murray.

Ha ha. Aye I suppose, it's not rocket science, need to sell before we can buy.

Celebrating a cup victory there I saw. My god they're pathetic. Missing these?

No reason why you can't. But I would have thought "Big rumours" from Glasgow or Charlotte Square Edinburgh would be more reliable. Who is in Belfast that has such a keen understanding of the inner workings of the club? As I said at the outset I wasn't being facetious. I wanted to know where this rumour might be coming from and therefore gauge the likelihood of it being true. Saying a rumour is originating from Belfast seems about as relevant as saying there's big rumours from Skegness, so I was just wondering what I was missing.

Attempting to relocate the Nancy squad in Scotland? :devil:

I didn't notice anyone trying to censor his post, just trying to ascertain the credibility. :box:

Why would Belfast be the best source for info on Rangers? Genuine question btw.

Typical of us.

Hope he does well aside from against us.

Sad news. Always liked him before he came to Rangers.

Any fee involved? Bit of a waste of a signing tbh. If we're looking to trim the squad and wage bill the third choice keeper shoudl come from the youths. I know it may be a risk, but the chances of having to use the 3rd choice keeper is extremely rare.

Any cyclists on here? Goalies jersey would make a good top for that. Motorists couldn't claim they didn't see you.

Just noticed this at the top of the forum after posting in the Well thread. Did we keep it going throughout the year and did anyone tot up the points difference throughout the year?

Glad they did win. Hope they can make the real thing and hopefully pick up a few co-efficient points.