Frankie

I think there must be a few players with the virus Lafferty has...

Rangers have pulled out of the deal (for the moment anyway)...

They were very lucky in the end with their 'keeper making a couple of fine saves to snatch the win... Meanwhile we stride on and on and on...

Pretty easy again tonight. We weren't exactly convincing at times but you could see we were playing well within ourselves. Wylde and Edu did pretty well and all in all, another good result...

Rangers: Alexander; Whittaker, Bougherra, Weir, Broadfoot; Little, Edu, McCulloch, Wylde; Weiss, Lafferty.

Killie 0 - 1 Rangers Lafferty

Recent weeks have seen two Celtic letters wing their way to Hampden Park as Scotland's vice-champions continue to deflect from their team's failings in order to misrepresent any given match as one where they were wronged out of a victory. In a media age where SFA decisions and reports are leaked for various reasons, Gersnet was astounded to find the following attachment in our email inbox this morning which appears to be the template letter Celtic are using to send their complaints to the SFA. Far be it from us to not be transparent, so we attach it below for your perusal. Please click on the following image to ensure you can read it in full.

My parents have the cheek to go on holiday and my wife has the cheek to work Mon/Tues so I had to take a couple of days off to look after my two daughters who have the cheek not to be able to fend for themselves... Same next week I'm afraid.

Never an easy game for us down there - especially with all the energy consumed in games against Valencia and Celtic. In some ways, I'm glad we have this game before a league game as all too often we drop points immediately after getting a result against Celtic. To combat this, I'd certainly rest a few players but try to maintain the confidence and morale of remaining unbeaten. :na: :al: :mb: :aw: :kb: :vw: :me: :kh: :jf: :kl:

Rangers take the spoils and remain unbeaten after easy victory away to Celtic. http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/2010/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=325:celtic-1-3-rangers-player-ratings-and-mom-poll&catid=35:analysis&Itemid=67 :me: Thought the lad was simply immense and provided the platform for us to remain strong in defence while also supporting the attack at every opportunity.

It's already been a few days since Rangers' splendid away win against Celtic at Parkhead. Most commentators have admitted we were the better team and most Rangers fans could have predicted our superior strength against a Celtic squad which lacks leadership in the way our team has from Walter Smith and David Weir. Unfortunately, once again much of the talk has been about the performance of the referee. And in many ways, this is a fair debate but, once again, this debate lacks balance and Celtic FC and their manager are attempting to use it to deflect from their own failings. Only a week after their last letter to the SFA for an explanation regarding an over-turned penalty ruling, Neil Lennon has admitted they have once again contacted Hampden over Willie Collum's decision to award Rangers a penalty on Sunday. For those that haven't seen this incident, it was certainly a debatable one but the following double-picture from Willie Vass captures it perfectly. Note, first and foremost, how Collum had the ideal view despite the myth that his back was turned. Furthermore, note that not only did the knee of the Celtic defender hinder Broadfoot's attempt to move past the player but he had both hands on the chest of the Rangers full back to also impede his progress. To conclude, two points of contact and arguably enough of an obstruction to make a foul the obvious choice for the referee. Was it soft? Yes, I'll be honest and say it was and I also agree Broadfoot made the most of the contact discussed. If Celtic had benefited from such a decision I'd be similarly frustrated. However, if we're being balanced, then we must remember that last week Celtic expected a penalty for a similar incident where Gary Kenneth barely touched their forward. In addition, the incident immediately after this where Dougie McDonald initially gave a penalty, Celtic wanted the decision upheld despite the goalkeeper actually getting a touch on the ball. Indeed, their manager was so incensed at this, he verbally and physically abused the officials as they rightly rescinded their decision. Yet, the same person wants an explanation for an incident where his defender didn't touch the ball and did make contact with an opposition forward. Now, Celtic are entitled to their opinion and why shouldn't they raise it with the SFA. After all, Collum did have a poor game but one doubts whether or not Celtic's enquiry will have the balance within it for the beaks to take it seriously. For example does it mention Anthony Stokes' assault on Sasa Papac within the first 2 mins which was only punished by a yellow card? Does it mention a Rangers player being booked immediately afterwards for a tackle which won the ball strongly but fairly? Does it mention a Celtic player not being booked for a horror challenge on the ankle of Bougherra? Does it mention the same player being absolved of blame for 'kneeing' the Rangers goalkeeper on the head while he was prone on the ground? Does it mention several of their players' inclination to push the opposition when upset with refereeing decisions? Does it mention a player who has already managed to avoid a red card only being cautioned for a late assault from behind on Scotland's best player this season? These examples of Celtic benefiting from officiating errors are only in Sunday's match - need we examine historic similar contests? After all, Celtic want transparency within the Scottish game, so perhaps they'll be keen to make their contents of their various letters public to we can all accurately judge their intent over their cynicism? And this is the crux of the debate; what exactly are their motives here? Last season (and historically) their fans, players, manager and club administration have made it completely clear they feel elements of Scottish football (be it officials, the SFA, the SPL and even other teams) are conspiring against them. Indeed, during many supporter 'road-shows' of which Lennon and other club figures attended, they were keen to drum up support for these conspiracy theories. Apparently, they are worried over the number of 'honest mistakes' made against Celtic. Of course, honesty (or the implied lack of same) doesn't even come into it. Let's be clear here: Celtic FC are attempting to suggest officials (and others apparently) cheat in favour of Rangers in Scotland. That is patently untrue and I feel sorry for any Celtic fan buying this red herring from a club management which will do anything to deflect blame from themselves as they lurch from one failure to the next. Indeed, one should find these unsubstantiated theories funny but their claims are now going beyond mirth given the complications facing those being charged by the Celtic kangaroo court. Unfortunately, when the safety of officials is again a concern then Celtic should be reconsidering their approach. Every club in football has their fair share of decisions go for and against them. This is part and parcel of the game and in an era where super slo-mo replays from countless angles can often throw up more questions than answers then the referee has it even more difficult than before. In this case patience is a virtue and I'm glad Walter Smith is one of the few managers who agrees that referees deserve our backing; not our accusations. Therefore, for anyone to embark on a very public crusade of questioning officials' integrity to the scale of threatening their well-being is not only disingenuous but dangerous. Instead of making a point privately they could be arguably entitled to make, instead they only detract from it and cause more problems that actually existed in the first place. Considering Neil Lennon has suffered from violence and depression himself for doing no more than his job, perhaps he should reconsider his approach to ensure Scottish referees do not suffer from the same miseries for doing their best in an tense atmosphere Celtic have historically contributed more than anyone to creating. Football is an imperfect sport and we all feel hard done by from time to time. For anyone - least of all one of Scotland's biggest clubs - to suggest this goes beyond bad luck to deliberate and concious judgements against them isn't just unacceptable but provides a clear and present danger to the credibility of the game in this country. Celtic FC should be ashamed of themselves and anyone who panders to this ongoing 'always cheated, never defeated' mantra are equally guilty of bringing our proud national sport into disrepute.

Great wee story mate. I'm babysitting today so you'll have to publish it yourself!

Nice to see Gary Hooper get MoM...

Ewen and Roughie get excited.... http://www.realradio-scotland.co.uk/player/listen-again/kdfklf39/listen-8010/

In HD for your comfort this evening gents... http://www.youtube.com/user/RangersNewsInVideo#p/u/2/EoHBYfTZh_s

Stop the insults please. Thread closed

Email sent mate...

I'm going to opt for a 2-2 draw as, while I think we're more than capable of winning, sometimes we just lack that little bit of belief (and luck) at Parkhead. I reckon there are plenty goals in this fixture and Sunday could really be a classic. I fancy Miller and Weiss to grab a goal each.

I think having two holding players plus the 5 man defence is going too defensive. I reckon it will be either Edu or McCulloch unless we have a 5 man midfield (or a 4-4-2) where both will then play. I think Weiss deserves his place in the team with a couple of good displays over the last week or so but perhaps he'd be a good option from the bench to have in reserve if a change is required. Foster did very well during the week but if Broadfoot is genuinely fit then his experience may be a better option in a fixture that always has the power to bewilder d�©butantes. Like you, I'm extremely excited as this game has goals and action written all over it!

I have some sympathy for the guy but until he helps himself he's only going to embarrass himself and his family further.

That's my thinking mate. I like the 5-4-1 and the 4-4-2 so fancy something in between.

With just over 48 hours to go until the big game, it's clear there are a variety of options for the manager in terms of his formation and personnel... So should he go with a 4-4-2, a 4-5-1 or the successful Euro strategy of 5 at the back....? Or are you a Craig Levein fan and think a 4-6-0 is the way to go? Below you can find some example teams; let us know what you think and we'll see what name Walter Smith posts under on Gersnet! Possible 4-4-2 formation: :sw: :mb: :sp: :sd: :me: :lm: :sn: :kl: Possible 4-5-1 formation: :sw: :mb: :sp: :sn: :me: :sd: :lm: :vw: Possible 5-4-1 formation: :sw: :mb: :sp: :kb: :sn: :sd: :me: :vw: The Levein Eureka Evolution :sw: :mb: :sp: :me: :lm: :sd: :sn: :vw: :kl: Have fun!

As the cold of winter arrives in earnest, a familiar battle will take place in the East End of Glasgow this weekend as Rangers and Celtic meet in the first Old Firm fixture of this season. While different congregations at hundreds of churches throughout Scotland give their religious thanks, supporters of the Old Firm will be making very different prayers as their own idols take to the field on Sunday lunch-time. With both teams neck and neck at the top of the SPL, who will blink first in the world's greatest derby match? Confidence will be especially high in the away dressing room as Rangers remain the only unbeaten team in Scotland. Yes, Celtic (and Berwick) also remain undefeated in their league campaigns but the Light Blues have suffered no losses in other competitions which means an impressive start to the season. Of course the unmatched tribalism and bragging rights of an Old Firm victory means this would mean nothing if we did lose on Sunday so the pressure remains high on Walter Smith and his group of players. So far they've responded to this incredibly well; coming back from being behind several times and matching Europe's elite in one-off matches - home and away. Can they do the same against their greatest rivals? Perhaps the most bizarre aspect of our success this season will be the difficulty in selecting a team for this hugely important game. Using a 4-4-2 domestically we've looked less strong defensively but have scored 22 goals (6 more than Celtic) so far. Meanwhile, in Europe, an old-fashioned 5-4-1 has proven a surprise success enabling us to defend stoutly and counter-attack effectively in games where we know there will be periods we'll have to be patient. As such, our manager will have to decide which of these two markedly different strategies to select for a game against a Celtic team who are playing well and who are stronger at the back than in recent seasons domestically. However, they have conceded goals against tougher opposition so will Walter be tempted to be more adventurous? Another boost is that, other than the unfortunate Nikica Jelavic, apparently the manager will have a full squad to pick from. Not only has John Fleck recovered from injury but Lee McCulloch and Kirk Broadfoot will both supposedly be available after their respective strains. Conversely, this provides another dilemma in that if he does bring them back, who does he drop from a team who've played well in their absence? Starting with defence then and 5 of the players should pick themselves if fit. Allan McGregor, Steven Whittaker, Davie Weir, Madjid Bougherra and Sasa Papac will all play irrespective of a 4 or 5 man back-line. The only question will be does Smith supplement this well-kent unit with Ricky Foster or Kirk Broadfoot and dispense with an extra striker? This will be one of the key decisions of Smith's season so far and it is impossible to answer the question with any real confidence. Moving into midfield and one would expect the same group which has played against Motherwell and Valencia to good effect. Naismith, Davis, Edu and Weiss are all talented players but perhaps lack the steel required for the inevitable Old Firm physical battle. Therefore, if McCulloch is indeed fit, a recall for him is possible meaning Weiss or Edu may make way. Of course if Smith opts for a more orthodox 4-5-1, all these players may well feature which may arguably give us a better balance of attack and defence. However, the manager has been at pains to say he's not enjoying the necessary tactical changes between the SPL and Europe so another system (albeit one we've used well under Smith) may not be agreeable. This conundrum brings us nicely to our forward options. Obviously Kenny Miller will be favourite to assume the lone-striker role but will his disappointing misses of Wednesday night affect his confidence? With the Jelavic injury, we are limited in our choices for attack. Kyle Lafferty seems to be playing well so he will feature at some point; either as a partner for Miller or in a deeper role which he's not so convincing in. There is the chance that Smith will throw in a wild card such as John Fleck but given his lack of games that is improbable. All in all, with Celtic favouring an attacking outlook of late, I feel Smith will choose to maintain the European formation which has served him well so far. While this may appear overly defensive, in actual fact, it enables us to get bodies into midfield and attack extremely efficiently at any given time. Midfielders such as Davis, Weiss and Naismith are all natural attacking players so they should be able to support Miller easily enough while also doing the spade-work to help their defence. The only decision for Smith to make will be whether or not to stick with the inexperience of Edu or opt for the strength of Lee McCulloch. I certainly don't envy the manager his job this weekend! Possible team (5-4-1): :sw: :mb: :sp: :kb: :sn: :sd: :me: :vw: Prediction: Celtic 2 - 2 Rangers :spl: :robbo:

Last season, each club were given �£653,812 for winning a group game and �£326,906 for drawing.