Frankie

If we got �£3million for Ferguson I'd be astonished.

I'll stick to emotional support since my renewal has just come in...

A 5% discount is better than a punch in the mouth but I'd be worried about the current board managing such pre-payments given their record of short-termism in recent years.

Price 'frozen' apparently - more like a 2.5% increase given the recent VAT reductions. Bit of thinking to be done over the next few weeks.

The cynical part of me agrees with you but how can we seriously expect to get much money (if any) for these players now. Meanwhile both are earning around �£50K p/week between them while they don't play. Before this nonsense, Ferguson was perhaps worth around �£1-2million and McGregor perhaps �£3-5million as both were experienced international players. Now, neither are internationals, have behaviour issues and Rangers want rid of them (apparently). Who'd pay those values now?

Regarding the whole Ferguson/McGregor thing, I'm a bit undecided on how I feel about the issue. I've already said that the guys were an embarrassment - particularly in their schoolboy gestures at Hampden. However, I do feel being banned from the Scotland team and pretty much the same from the Rangers team is somewhat of an overreaction. A suspension/fine was adequate enough IMO. IMO this now sets a dangerous precedent for future decisions. There have been many examples in the past (recent or otherwise) of players letting down their club or country with regard to drinking a few too many beers or gesturing during games. Do we ban every player for every incident now? Sure, I'm happy that our club has put their foot down. For too long players have had the upper hand with it comes to misbehaving while making fortunes from the club/fans they're supposed to represent. However, we must be careful not to cut our nose off to spite our face on such issues. That goes for Rangers and Scotland.

I'm sure the red-tops will be foaming as we speak...!

Maybe so mate - it's all about opinions!

He should take them to court... Disgraceful treatment...

http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=781&Itemid=1 David Weir for me.

Sorry pete, not been on for long this weekend so haven't had a chance to respond. First off, I understand your thinking on this. Slagging off Salmond was a cheap shot and I agree his relevance to the subject was debatable. However, he does have a recent record of wading clumsily (and erroneously) into football areas (Boruc, sectarianism, GB Football team etc) so that's why I felt the need to pre-empt any attempt by politicians to get involved in this issue. For clarity, in the last 14 days, Salmond was interviewed by Graham Spiers (thread elsewhere on here) and was either taken to the cleaners by Spiers or was a willing participant on a hatchet job on Rangers and protestants in general. Despite his previous mistakes in this subject (see Boruc caution) I decided to give him the chance to comment on the interview and see if he was misquoted or if he was angry about the perception Spiers had given the piece. Guess what? No reply. I also contacted his office on his laughable Boruc contribution a while back. Guess what? No reply. I also contacted his office for comments on Gersnet's report into the SIF Working Group and its replacement body. His government urging active citizenship on the subject. You won't need to guess this time if he replied or not. That's why he was brought into this issue. Yes it was a cheap shot but, no, I won't apologise for highlighting his embarrassing record for failing us all when it comes to wading into football from a political perspective.

We can only speculate Ian. Certainly I wonder what Boyd and McCulloch are thinking.

Certainly seems like it. Meanwhile we have two players earning around �£50K p/week between them sitting doing nothing for the next few months at least.

It is on Setanta News mate and now on the ET website... http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2499667.0.0.php

Ferguson and McGregor suspended without pay from Rangers...

It is with increasing comedic value that I read the weeksââ?¬â?¢ papers and websites. Media sensationalism bordering on satire indeed! Unfortunately one finds it difficult to laugh when the stuff that has hit the fan is affecting my club as much as any ââ?¬â?? if not more. Firstly, I think it is important to point out that the behaviour of several Scotland players (senior and junior) this week is nowhere near as bad as has been painted. A group ââ?¬Ë?bonding sessionââ?¬â?¢ ââ?¬â?? sanctioned by the manager ââ?¬â?? which runs over-time and concludes in a few songs and harsh words is nothing new in football ââ?¬â?? never mind the Scotland international scene. Nonetheless, such public (or rather publicised) displays of excess and indiscipline isnââ?¬â?¢t really appreciated as both my international team and club side struggle to find success or quality in recent times. Of course, it would be rather hypocritical of me to complain as Iââ?¬â?¢ve certainly found solace in a beer or two after being part of such disappointments. None of us are perfect and occasionally we all make bad decisions. Unfortunately, the events of the last week do point to a more serious and ongoing problem in our wee country: that being the inexplicable addiction to and need for negativity. The continual negativity in our national sport is affecting our performance. Despite the various positives that can be examined, the preference for mischief-making and controversy is too strong for some. And at every level ââ?¬â?? not just from the omnipresent media hacks! Irrespective of what players were involved in the Cameron House Sunday soirÃ?©e, who was most drunk, who sang what songs and who told which American businessman to mind oneââ?¬â?¢s own business; the ensuing coverage will only result in further grief for our game. And we should all be embarrassed here. From senior football players who prefer alcohol and playground behaviour to self-respect and discipline; to managers with no idea how to handle such egos; to Chief Executives continually on the run from bad publicity; to Presidents more interested in their own profile than the game declining at all levels; to media figures sensationalising and saturating any issue to safe-guard their own finances amid the perpetual negativity; to supporters delighting in pointing the finger to avoid their own clubââ?¬â?¢s problems. Where and when the line be drawn? Indeed, is there even a line anymore as it seems anything goes? I just await Alex Salmond and his political hypocrites in their Edinburgh thinking pods boarding the offended bus so they can take another opportunity to deflect from their obvious failings as our countryââ?¬â?¢s banks go bust and crime rises all the while. Iââ?¬â?¢m sure Iââ?¬â?¢m not the only person who has noted the irony in a country that proclaims independence but doesnââ?¬â?¢t even have the maturity to look after itself at any level ââ?¬â?? highlighted by the Scotland captain drinking like a fish and our First Ministerââ?¬â?¢s bloated figure bumbling into any and every debate. What great examples for the next generation. And Iââ?¬â?¢m offended too. Iââ?¬â?¢m offended that out of all those people none appear to see beyond their own self-interest to repair our countryââ?¬â?¢s real problems. How about they do their jobs instead of deflecting the blame onto others? From football to politics the country isnââ?¬â?¢t something to be proud of right now. Thatââ?¬â?¢s the truth of all this coverage. Thatââ?¬â?¢s the ultimate conclusion. Where have the true leaders of men gone? I see only cowards.

There is no smoke without fire mate. Ferguson and his clique within the club are continually showing they lack discipline. From this episode to the minute's silence thing a while back to the PLG debacle it seems to be the same players at the centre of the same stories of indiscipline and disrespect. Our national sport is a laughing stock. It is no coincidence that the most successful club team is central to the decline. This whole story is obvious sensationalised to the point of satire but problems do exist and we lack any sort of leader capable of addressing them.

Darren Fletcher's media criticism was rather enlightening. Fact is, several players were involved in this 'bonding session'. Irrespective of who was most drunk, who sang what and who told what American businessman to bugger off; the squad have applied pressure to the manager here and George Peat's investigation (man does he like the publicity) will only highlight the managerial problems. Media will be then be happy as they can then go after Gordon Smith. This whole fiasco has only shown our country up for the embarrassment it is. Senior football players who prefer alcohol to fitness. Managers with no clue how to handle such players. Chief Executives continually on the run from bad publicity. Presidents more interested in his own profile than the declining national sport. Media figures sensationalising and saturating the issue to increase their coin amid the perpetual negativity. I just await Salmond and his political hypocrites in Edinburgh boarding the offended bus. Beep Beep!

http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=779&Itemid=2 First off, Iââ?¬â?¢d like to say I think it is too early for anyone to make their choice of the names Rangers have short-listed. However, I think their list is accurate enough (if too long) so before you make your vote, lets have a look through and see if the names mentioned are justified. * Kris Boyd There has been some surprise with regard to the strikerââ?¬â?¢s inclusion on the list. His recent form and general demeanour means Boyd will always be an enigmatic figure amongst the support. Arguments will always be evident between those that accept his poacher status and those that think his attitude detracts from his penalty box prowess. Thereââ?¬â?¢s no doubt though that his goals remain an important part of the Rangers team. As such, his 24 goals this season mean his PotY nomination is understandable ââ?¬â?? even if the goals have dried of late meaning heââ?¬â?¢s unlikely to win the award unless his form picks up dramatically as the season reaches its climax. Nominee rating: 6 * Steven Davis An ever-present on the right side of midfield, the Ulsterman is another player who has contributed well to Rangersââ?¬â?¢ challenge for the title. Intelligence, vision and the ability to score goals from midfield are his main virtues and these have been evident several times this season. However, as with the team generally, he lacks consistency and is often posted missing when the going gets tough ââ?¬â?? particularly in a physical sense. Davis will be another player whoââ?¬â?¢ll be looking to improve his form to have any chance of winning. Nominee rating: 7 * Pedro Mendes If you ask any Rangers fan who their favourite player is, the Portuguese midfielder will be one of the more popular answers. Creative, exciting and capable of scoring wonder goals, Mendes is crucial to any Rangers game heââ?¬â?¢s played. In saying that, since Kevin Thomson picked up his injury last November, Mendes has struggled to show the quality he did in the early part of the season. Sporadic rather than sensational arguably best describes his contribution but when he did pick up an injury last month he was missed. Will he be the one that can play Rangers to the title and attain an SPL medal and PotY award in his debut season? Nominee rating: 6 * Allan McGregor I think it is fair to say that McGregorââ?¬â?¢s inclusion on the short-list is puzzling to many. His form has improved since the start of the season but despite having 12 SPL clean sheets so far, Iââ?¬â?¢d contend that is down to the players in front of him as opposed to the keeper himself. Nonetheless, McGregor remains a vital part of the defence and one of the teamââ?¬â?¢s best assets. Unfortunately, recent international problems have shown that he is another player where his attitude may undermine his career. Nominee rating: 5 * David Weir It is testament to the 38 year oldââ?¬â?¢s longevity that Rangers retain the best defensive record in the SPL. Forming an excellent partnership with Madjid Bougherra, the Scotland international player deserves a lot of credit for his attitude towards the game. His lack of pace and poor distribution are well documented but it is his positioning, timing and organisational skills which seems to bring out the best in his defensive colleagues. Weir is 39 in the middle of May and his consistency of performance certainly makes him a valid candidate for Rangersââ?¬â?¢ PotY. Nominee rating: 7 * Madjid Bougherra Iââ?¬â?¢ve deliberately left whom I feel is the best candidate to last. The big Algerian arrived in the summer as a straight replacement for Carlos Cuellar and, given our European exit to Kaunas, was immediately under pressure to play well. And play well he has done! Indeed, his form has been that good that many Rangers supporters have already forgotten about ââ?¬Ë?King Carlosââ?¬â?¢ and some even rate ââ?¬Ë?Magicââ?¬â?¢ a better player. Certainly whenever he has been missing from the team (see our two losses against Celtic) we have struggled with him. Pacy, strong, aerially competent and not to mention his exciting forward runs, Bougherra has truly been a revelation at the back. As such, unless the above players really go on a run of excellent form, I can see no better contender for Rangersââ?¬â?¢ Player of the Year. Nominee rating: 9

Still don't know where the extra tenner in my PayPal account came from actually... :box:

Keep trying Jon... I'm sure you'll get lucky eventually!

Winner is CammyF April Competition will be up next week...

What a clown... GIRUY!

That's what this is all about. That and sections of the media wanting rid of Dod Burley so they can then have a go at Gordon Smith. This goes deeper than a few pints.

Yep, there were other players involved and the whole situation is ludicrous.