Frankie

Aye, I'm the same. Just can't see Ally is a manager - although he is doing a decent job. Durrant seems to sit next to Walter in the Director's Box a lot so perhaps he's the one seen as the long term answer. McDowall also has a great record at Celtic so perhaps he could make the step up given he left Celtic to come to us? Can't say either of them fill me with great excitement but PLG did and see where that got us...

mate, As always such a gesture would be a superb one. If anyone wants to take craig up on it, please pm him....

ITV4 for me... The coverage last week as superb. An excellent pre-match tour of MP with Ally. Then positive analysis of the game from a panel happy to support the British team whilst retaining a balanced perspective of the match. It's not rocket science yet our agenda-led media simply won't do it.

I think Walter will definitely stay for at least more season. He's done the first part of his job which was to steady the ship and get us winning again. Next part will be to improve further, make us more attractive to watch and to get us back as the dominant force in the SPL. A decent transfer budget in the summer will help - 3 quality players for around �£3million each could really start to better our team.

I wonder if one of the people on the bus has a range of tinned fresh fruit...

Carlos will be fit...

That's the Players' Player of the year list so the players select it.... It was done a while back which explains the rather bizarre list.

http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rstsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=192&Itemid=1 A total of one place will be up for Election during Quarter 2 of 2008, with the successful candidate being elected to serve a 3-year term, in accordance with the Trust Rules. Four members of the Trust Board who are due to stand for re-election have chosen to do so and the Board will be recommending their re-election. Assuming the members approve this, that still leaves places for 1 new member, and as the Trust Board always welcomes the input of fresh talent, here is the chance for ordinary members to get elected to the Board, which, once complete, will be 20 strong. Members interested in applying are asked to note the following: - Essentials Each candidate must be an adult member, and be proposed and seconded by two other adult members. The candidate, proposer and seconder, must all be current members for the 2008/09 membership year. Also, the candidate must not have any criminal convictions (other than spent convictions or minor motoring offences). After consulting with Supporters Direct, it has become apparent that if there are six or less nominations, then no election will take place. If that is the case, then we shall at least publish the A4 applications, which detail the reasons why each new applicant wishes to join the Board, sent in by each nominee in the next edition of the Blue Spirit, which will precede our AGM later this year. We do hope that the number of nominations does exceed six, but that is in the hands of RST members. - Desirables Candidates must be prepared to invest their time for the benefit of the Trust membership as a whole. Candidates should have particular skills which they can bring to the table, or alternatively a lot of disposable time available to help with the more routine functions of the Rangers Supporters Trust. - Hints Candidates are allowed to submit up to one A4 page outlining why members should vote for them. This will be circulated by our independent scrutineers with the ballot papers. It is not sufficient to state that you are a committed Rangers supporter ââ?¬â?? by definition, every Trust member is a committed fan, so we should take that as read. Instead and thereââ?¬â?¢s no need for modesty here; list what particular qualities, or assets, which could benefit the Trust as a whole. A good idea on your A4 page is to state your name, age, town of residence, and what section of Ibrox your season ticket is for, if you have one. NB: The closing date for receipt of applications, and processing of 2008/09 renewals for all nominees, proposers, seconders, and those wishing to vote, is Saturday 26th April 2008.

http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rstsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=191&Itemid=2 It’s that time of year again! All members should have received the latest edition of the Blue Spirit (available for download here) which contains a wealth of information regarding the Trust. Within it, we once again invite you to renew your Trust membership for the year beginning April 2008/09. To facilitate this we have a variety of simple options for you to consider. These are as follows: - By Standing Order (form available by contacting us); - Online via our own secure payment facility (click here); - Online via PayPal (click here but please note we incur charges for this facility); - By paper membership form (available here or by contacting us). (Please note if you joined the Trust in the last 3 months you will not be asked to renew until April 2009) This year we are also delighted to offer various rewards for those who renew. These include the following which when put together actually means you get your money back: - Voucher for the RST Shop - Ã?£5 off when you spend Ã?£25 or more on RST merchandise; - Voucher for a free Rangers DVD worth Ã?£10 (while stocks last); - Win a limited edition Ibrox desk set worth Ã?£100 (new life members only); - Entered into draw for 2 tickets at RST annual dinner (new life members only); - Entered into draw for match-day hospitality for 2 at Wee Rangers Club (new life members only). To ensure every Trust member is receiving the very best service from the board, it’s vital your personal details are accurate and up to date. As such, if you change your email or home address, please contact the RST so we can update our records accordingly. If you do not receive our weekly emails, please contact us asap so we can add your address to the mass emailing list. The Trust board would like to take this opportunity to thank all members for their continued support. Remember, the Trust is THE engine that is driving change amongst the support and fighting the good fight on behalf of all Rangers fans throughout different areas in society. We continue to rely on the practical and financial support of our members to ensure our representation is of the standard you expect. As always, if you have any questions about the renewal procedure, please contact us in the usual way.

Just back online after a few days extended R&R... Really was a fantastic night and once again the Rangers social event of the year IMO. Fantastic venue, great food, unparalleled company, excellent speakers and even the beer wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be! Thanks to contacts for organising it (legend), thanks to the Gersnet contingent for coming along (legends) and thanks to BlueDell for helping the rest of the hotel guests look sober at 4am in the morning (leg end). Can't wait until next year!

Unfortunately money talks. �£12million minimum.

Excellent article, SA...

Exactly. Was a breath of fresh air watching a professional programme without the usual agenda-ridden studio analysis and/or match commentary.

Bhoys against Bigotry. Aye right!

Let's leave aside petty and OTT criticism of the players last night. They didn't play well but we're still in the tie, so let's move on. However, I do have one worry and that is we appear to be over reliant on the same players too often at the moment. Guys like McCulloch, Ferguson, Broadfoot and Novo have all done well in patches this season but seem to have lost a wee bit of form over the piece recently. As such, what worries me is that the management team seem very reluctant to take them off or rest them. Sure, when injuries and extra-time force the issue (see Celtic and CIS Final), we make subs but for the most part we seem to limit them to two maximum. Fair enough, consistency of selection is wanted and I'm a strong advocate of that but sometimes I think we need to be more flexible, no matter the game/opposition. At this stage of the season, I really think we need to play the fringe guys more. Naismith, Boyd, Whittaker, Burke, Buffel and Gow all have their weaknesses and none have really achieved a high quality of consistency so far in their time here. Certainly any of these players can't really lay claim to a first XI slot. No matter, all would bring a freshness to the team in terms of creativity, pace and goals which is definitely lacking from a core first XI that appears to be tiring by the game. As such, I'm really worried that Smith et al are going to push the core XI we seen last night too far. The return of Cousin will definitely help in that regard but I'd like to see the manager utilise his squad more often. Not in terms of unnecessary changes/rotation but just don't be afraid to change things and give others a chance to show what they can do. Finally, I'd like to urge everyone not to lose faith. In the coming weeks and months the players will need our fans more than ever to help them over the finishing line. We've had a good season so far (if unspectacular) but it's far from finished yet. Let's make sure we get behind all the players so maximise their contribution and help them face the challenges ahead.

I tend to only pick the main players who played well. If you really want someone added, let me know and I'll do so but generally I think my judgement has been reasonable enough so far.

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=625&Itemid=1 Sasa Papac for me...

Does the Plaza cellar stock Pomagne?

Not a chance. He's in the cheap seats along with the rest of the accountants worrying about how much they've already spent on house wine and half-pints. :uzi:

BD is a dodgy character. He made his fortune as a travel rep for Marbella Club 18-30 twenty years ago. If you're lucky you'll see him lounging round the hotel pool in his speedos before the event. That's why he always takes 6 pairs of extra socks in his overnight bag. Who can blame the Ms McConnell at the Plaza for giving into his moustache and Michael Bolton mp3s...

BD is going as well. We should get the RST Annual dinner included on the season book as well...

When once considers the number of extra games we've had lately (ie not on the season book), and the cost of this game, it wouldn't surprise me if the capacity wasn't quite reached tonight.

Aye, unfortunately I'll be watching the game on the telly... Come on the bears!

Craig - Didn't see you around so have done the Sporting one... Feel free to take the Celtic one as replacement...

johnny's wife is an expensive date, BD...