Frankie

- Walter Smith - February 3rd 2010 - Walter Smith - April 6th 2010 Two months of a difference, two markedly different appraisals of the situation, but both offered by the same man. Just which one do we believe and is the manager helping the cloud of uncertainty still hovering over a club which is just three wins away from the SPL title? On the face of it, Smith's words yesterday should brighten the sky for many bears. The SPL title is within our grasp and to let such a lead go now would be unfathomable. Our debt is decreasing while our closest rivals' is increasing. Our youth system is bearing fruit and our two best youngsters have either signed or are very close to signing extended deals. Meanwhile, we have various player assets that are worth a lot of money in income if we do decide to sell. Add in the likelihood of Rangers being Scotland's sole representatives in the Champions' League Group Stage, then surely our money worries are dissipating by the day? But niggling doubts remain. Smith tempered his comments yesterday by confirming that if the club isn't sold Lloyds Bank remain influential in terms of our strategy for next season and beyond. A strategy that precipitated Smith's doomsday predications of last year and suggestions our activity in the summer this year will be minimal given we need to work with the squad numbers again. That is worrying given we have several players out of contract in the summer - Steven Smith has rejected an offer while players such as Kris Boyd, Nacho Novo and Kirk Broadfoot have all yet to sign new deals; the SPL's highest ever goalscorer increasingly likely to move to the EPL for free. Similarly, key players such as Bougherra, Wilson, McGregor and Davis are continually linked with big money transfers out of the club. Potentially (and not unreasonably) that could mean as many as eight players leaving over the next 6-12 months and that doesn't account for natural degradation of young players moving on while the likes of Davie Weir stepping back. How do we replace these players - all of whom have played their part in our success - if we don't spend money? Therefore, it is extremely valid to ask how any owner of the club - be it SDM/Lloyds Bank or Andrews Ellis/Dave King - intends to address this situation. Our recent success since Walter Smith returned has seen money spent initially but that has dried up since then, even although it could be argued our subsequent settled squad has benefited us in terms of on-field continuity. With an estimated �£12-15 million about to be guaranteed from our CL participation and sales of any key players likely to add substantially to that, why is our manager so glum about the prospects of us using such monies to 'trade' our way through player turnover? If the debt is readily decreasing and success maintained with the SPL title, any owner would be foolhardy to risk a Scottish institution by grabbing as much of this profit as they can instead of sticking by already agreed payment terms. After all, allowing the squad numbers to decrease - both in terms of quantity and quality - means any future financial return is minimised and a sale difficult. Lloyds are surely not suggesting they want all of their �£25million back by January 2011 while a new owner would surely not expect to absorb said profits and keep the support of an ever-cynical fanbase? As always, there are more questions than answers. The only certainty about Rangers nowadays is uncertainty. Consequently, it is extremely difficult to look forward with any degree of positiveness when those that are in positions of influence seem as unsure and doubting as the rest of us. Given our current position in the SPL, this should be a time of aloof smiles and excitement about the future. Yes, the banter may be there but behind the smiles the stress remains for many of us. Is the SPL title the start of a new period of dominance for our club or simply the beginning of the end? The price may have been frozen but before I pay my �£400+ to renew my season ticket, I expect to know what I'm paying for. I'm not deluding myself as to the challenging future of our club so I certainly don't expect to be deluded to by those responsible for it. Too many doubts remain. Too much uncertainty prevails. It is beyond time for the key people in this situation to stop playing games and secure the future of our club.

Another quote from yesterday which suggests the picture isn't a rosy as at first glance: his opinion hasn't changed too much: Smith yesterday: “I’ve already said, quite categorically, that there was a plan in place which I don’t agree with,” Smith said. “But if Rangers don’t get a buyer, that’s where they’re heading as far as I’m concerned. “Obviously the bank are the people with a plan in place — but it’s not a plan I would like to see carried out. But it’s there, so we know exactly what we would be doing in the summer: nothing.”

Very fair point actually. Perhaps they feel the lad is definitely going to leave so they're starting the auction for his services early.

I'd love to go mate but I have a mate's stag do in Newcastle a few weeks after it which, along with season ticket money, Center Parcs at the end of May and the wife's birthday at the same time, means my finances are in urgent need of a millionaire's investment as well...

What would N_L have to gain from making this up? I also know for a fact such 'principals' monitor forums such as these and would quickly and strongly request any erroneous information be removed. Why do you think Ellis is a non-starter?

You have to work at work? :fish: PS: Still waiting on your match preview from the other week.

So you're happy to pass on daft rumours from elsewhere but not take N_L's albeit less exciting information in the good faith it is offered? Now, N_L has showed us his hand, why don't you tell us why Ellis is a non-starter? I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'm genuinely interested in why you're so confident.

The Wee Rangers Club Saturday, 15th May, 2010 (Scottish Cup Final Day) 19:00 - Till Late Prices as ever are �£5 + Plus P&P per ticket. Anyone who has been knows this one is the party night of the year and NOT to be missed. Tickets are strictly limited in numbers and you CANNOT pay on the door on the night. This night will sellout fast as usual so don't wait or you WILL be disappointed. There will be the usual Fun and Games on the night as well as some Legends in attendance. Great raffle prizes Rangers Minded Music and Disco and Top Flute Band as well as a few other surprises on the night. You can order your tickets via the secure paypal link below and pay using your credit or debit card (No Paypal Account Is Required) What better way to finish the season than in the presence of 300 Party Bears !!! Get your tickets now to avoid disappointment by clicking the link http://tinyurl.com/Blue-Order-Party-Ticket-2010 Please leave your forum of choice and your user-name in the space provided when ordering tickets. We Look Forward To Seeing You There !!! WATP !

Good news!

I did find this very interesting yesterday actually as it does represent a bit of an about turn for the manager. But even he realises how important season ticket sales are...

Aye, so it was... :D

Nothing really new then but while some may find it strange that he's conversing so candidly with someone he's never met, I think it is quite positive that he seems eager enough to talk in general terms about the bid. Unfortunately, without something more concrete, talk is cheap so we all need to wait and see before we can really make up our minds on what he has to offer. However, the fact he's spent a decent amount of money already on this project suggests he's serious and the club are interested in what he has to say. I look forward to hearing more and I think N_L for having the front to contact the guy and ask the questions the rest of us have. It's slow, frustrating progress but we're getting there...

Thanks for the info again mate - good job as always! Will reply properly tomorrow but strange how some people like to take media info at face value but not info from good bears with no agenda...

Thanks for keeping us updated mate - your site is a great source of info for everyone interested in the youths!

I think the fella Neil is just as good. As is Mensing actually. In general I wouldn't take any of them.

Minimum fee release clauses are in fact common-place. Unfortunately, not every player will agree to one and/or if they do they may want an increased basic wage to do so.

The journalists are just deliberately obtuse though to sell copy/attract listeners etc. No idea why someone like Kenny Clark wouldn't back up the linesman though. Bizarre!

Yeah, the game was a bizarre one. We got what we deserved but three of their goals were freak ones in the grand scheme of things. Unirea was exactly the same although our goal was lucky that night too!

Sheridan will never score another goal like that in his career...

Ball doesn't even need to be in play for a foul to be given IIRC. For example, if a Rangers player was punched in the box while a corner was waiting to be taken, I think a penalty can be given. Sure this happened against Viktoria Zizkov in 2002/03 but the referee changed his mind and continued with the corner instead. EDIT: The Bold Gibbons reports on the match at the time.... http://sport.scotsman.com/european-club/Rangers-throw-it-all-away.2366409.jp

There is no doubt the linesman put up his flag for Thomas - no matter if he touched the ball or not. He tried to touch the ball and was active in the phase of play so was offside. Ironically, the same linesman was poor throughout the match for both teams; this was probably the only decision he got right. The incident at the very end when he and the referee decided Weir wasn't fouled and gave a corner was quite incredible.

His positioning could have been better but I don't think he'd have saved either of them; even if he had been standing at a better angle and/or a couple of yards more off his line. Both were superb strikes and while I share your point about his overall contribution being questionable, I think it's unfair to blame him for the goals per se.

McGregor's positioning could have been better but, like the rest of us, he was probably surprised at the shot given the angle the lad was hitting it from. Even if he was say, a yard to our right, I doubt he'd have saved it as it was simply an incredible strike; in off the post (and helped by the wind a little). In saying that I think McGregor's concentration recently has been a bit poor and his command of his box has always been questionable. He's a fine shot-stopper but other aspects of his game are not as good as I'd like. Not sure how he could be blamed for some of the goals Dr Burke highlights though. Alexander is probably the opposite ironically - in that he's possibly not as good at shot-stopping but is stronger with crosses and commands his area better.

I can understand journalists wanting to increase the coverage to sell copy but when pressed there is no credible way any viewer can say it should have been allowed.

So Mr McLeod is a contemporary of Richard 'I was brought up to hate Rangers' Gordon?