Frankie

It is a fair point mate. Season tickets are no longer the necessity they used to be. Sure if we want to be at Ibrox when Celtic visit, you'll need one but other than that game you'll get a ticket for any match nowadays and you won't pay all that much more to pay on a match-by-match basis. The lack of interaction with the rank and file fans is shameful.

I don't mind any player leaving (for the right sum) but we must replace them and show the supporters who invest into the club we still have the ambition required to improve.

Meanwhile Traynor in the Record suggests Thomson will leave but that there will be no new signings before we leave for Oz... http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2010/07/13/middlesbrough-close-in-on-2m-deal-for-rangers-midfield-star-kevin-thomson-86908-22409127/

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3051683/Thomson-heading-south.html I'm astounded if all we can get for Thomson is a return on our money from when he signed. There must be something else to this transfer.

And this is why we asked people to sign up with their GN username...

Bloody hell - Pete1984 is the king of the predictor games! Who is Duckfoot? If they contact me directly, we'll decide whether or not they get a prize - if not, Gisabeer will get the final t-shirt. Well done to Pete and alan. Please pm me with your choice of t-shirt from the Planet site as well as your postal address.

Mate, You have done an incredible job with this and, as always, the reaction from our support has been superb. Well done!

An excellent appraisal of the situation. There is no doubt Celtic, IF they make the expensive signings they've been linked to, will embark on the same high risk strategy we've experienced over the last number of years. It's up to us to ensure they're not successful while also learning from the mistakes their board made by not strengthening to maintain their success.

Aye but I thought Barca had had similar help in the past? Not sure...

I'm more than confident we'll sign at least two players...

Mate, We're obviously operating on a short-term planning regime. That's why, outwith Fleck, we appear unable to offer contracts unless it comes from the money from that year's budget: i.e. Boyd, Weir, Novo et all all offered contracts this summer but not before so the same goes for the group next year. That is far from ideal and should be challenged by the support.

Ah, hadn't seen that. No Barca won't be worried as, as per usual, they'll be bailed out by the government when struggling.

You've lost me chief?

We all know Lawwell is as adept as SDM when it comes to the usage of the media hordes. Lennon is merely a pawn in the same way our manager is. It's easy to look the other way when you're paid �£25K per week though...

The suggestion that Lennon is quietly going about his business is completely wrong. In fact, media coverage about Celtic activities is beyond saturation point. In saying that, slow season book sales or not, at least they have taken the time to consult with fans across their spectrum this summer. We have no such luxury.

Agree with all of that mate. Like I say, I'm not suggesting for a minute we don't be concerned - just that we temper it. I must admit, I had published the article before I read the stuff about us being unable to offer players contracts. That is an unacceptable situation to be in and I'm hugely annoyed that this news has only made its way into the pubic domain now. I find it astounding that we can't offer someone like Thomson a new contract. The others listed are arguably less important to our long term future but even Webster, Papac and Miller being able to move on for free next summer is bad business strategy. I'm not being naive but I do feel we need to try and find some positivity as a support ahead of what is going to be another tough year. Like you though, I'm fed up of being treated like a mug and once again, I look to our representative fan groups to ask the valid questions we all have and be much stronger in terms of leading from the front and uniting us so that we are not ignored. I'm not saying we need to shut our eyes and plant a smile on our face but if we are to be concerned (and we should be) let's do so constructively and find a positive way of channelling our frustration.

Pre-season training has started then and season 2010/2011 is now upon us. Are we really ten years on from the luxuries of the Advocaat era? A new decade it is then and comparisons with the money spent at the start of the last one certainly can't be made. No de Boer, Konterman, Ricksen, Lovenkrands, Christiansen, Miller or Flo arriving this summer as they did in 2000. Nope, no �£30million war-chests for Walter! Our financial cloth is cut differently now and the SPL is no longer a place for �£4million+ signings of rising continental stars or established Premiership talent. Instead, Ibrox in particular, seems to be concentrating on home-grown potential with a wage ceiling of an amount that doesn't appear to let us compete with our closest rivals across the city. Indeed, with Celtic being linked with a decent calibre of player (only the most optimistic of bears would argue Campbell, Ledley and Bullard wouldn't improve their squad) and Rangers being linked with, well, no-one of any real note; some negativity and panic is starting to set in across the community. When one adds the almost daily quotes coming direct from the club (not even from guessing journalists) that we are prepared to listen to offers for what seems any player, it is easy to get sucked into this whirlpool of trepidation. But let's look at the facts before we slit our wrists and write off our chances of a 54th title. I think it is pretty obvious our activity in term of players coming in is going to be minimal but as long as we don't lose any more players then we should still be competitive enough as new players will arrive eventually. Of course, if any key players do go such as Bougherra, McGregor or Thomson then that would be worrying but I'd still like to think we'd use part/most of any such income to bring in further replacements. Obviously Lloyds the wolf will want his share but reducing debt should be just as important an aim as anything else this decade. It would also be good to 'bank' some money for the rainy days ahead. Does this mean a Jos�© Gon�§alves is an able replacement for a Madjid Bougherra? Of course not but just how many Boumsong's, Cuellar's and Bougherra's can we expect to find year on year? In saying that, if our manager has one virtue it is that, as a former defender himself, he can spot a good centre-half and the former Portuguese under-21 international does have some untapped potential in the same way Bougherra had. On a Bosman he also fits our financial limitations while leaving any real money for much-needed creative players. Fortunately, sound-bites coming from Murray Park suggest the manager is more than aware where we need depth and improvement. Midfield and wide areas appear to be his priority and, despite the claims of fiscal paucity, I'm pretty certain we'll have our targets - affordable and interesting ones at that. After all, whose to say, we're not letting Celtic blink first so we know our opposition before we make our own purchases? I'd like to see new players brought in early to allow them to settle but if we save money by having to wait, then we may just have to be patient. I think it is pretty obvious I'm trying to be positive here but I'm also not daft. Recent times tell us our transfer activity inwards will be minimal while players will leave to accommodate the bank's interest. Nowadays that is a given. However, it is important to remember our financial situation is improving and we do still have a (albeit refined) squad capable of being competitive in the SPL. Furthermore, Walter Smith would not have signed a new contract just to be handcuffed again. It is easy to panic with the positive press speculation Celtic are getting (what's new there?) but as it stands they have only brought in a couple of average full-backs while they have lost five of their first choice players who played in the last Old Firm game and are looking to sell more. Have they really improved their squad? What are we afraid of in their team? Is Neil Lennon's undoubted love of their club and competitive nature enough to compensate for his undoubted managerial inexperience and mental fragility? Above all, the last ten years should have taught us Rangers fans to be resilient when it comes to off-the-field speculation. We're the champions here and we still have the best team. So, let's have a bit of balance and avoid getting caught up in a melancholy that has no merit as it stands. After all, even the financial excesses of ten years ago didn't guarantee league titles. Keep calm and carry on. :robbo:

I don't blame anyone for being upset or disappointed with the rumours coming out of Ibrox but we shouldn't be too negative yet. I think it is pretty obvious our activity in term of players coming in is going to be minimal but as long as we don't lose any players then we should still be competitive enough. If any key players go such as Bougherra, McGregor or Thomson then that would be worrying but I'd still like to think we'd use part/most of any such income to bring in replacements. It is easy to panic with the positive press Celtic are getting (what's new there?) but as it stands they've only brought in a couple of average players while they have lost 4 first team players and are looking to sell more. Let's have a bit of balance.

Aye, that is definitely the most difficult question to answer. Shambles.

There's no doubt we have plenty central midfield players but I'd say Thomson is definitely the best of the three holding players we use. As such, I wouldn't want to lose him and I certainly don't want Lee Miller. If they offer �£4million then we lift the phone, anything less is a nonsense. Unless of course the player has indicated a new contract will be left unsigned.

What is he trying to say here? Is he being forced to listen to offers for all players? If so, why doesn't he just say no if he wants them to stay. In addition, he can test the player's resolve by offering them a new contract. If they are not interested, that's when we listen to offers.

I like Thomson and would be disappointed to lose him - especially for that kind of 'deal'. If we could get more money though then it may be worth exploring given Thomson's continue injury proneness and inconsistent displays.

I like McMillan actually - think he's a decent squad player to have.

From the guys at the Assembly Not a bad wee scheme this one...

We can only hope Smith is playing the pauper to hide our real dealings... I am getting concerned about the amount of time to make signings though.