Frankie

Good stuff gribz... We're having a wee problem with our NewsNow subscription the now so I'm trying to fix that. Any contributions and suggestions for articles are always welcomed.

If we sign Naismith/Whittaker we'll have paid money for the following players: Cuellar - £2.6million McCulloch - £2.2million Naismith - £1.8million Whittaker - £1.5million (possibly more) Beasley - £700K Webster - maybe another £500K in January (it's only a loan because of the FIFA thing) Add them together, along with the signing on fees of the Bosmans, we'll not be too far away from £10million. Personally, if we sign those players I'll be reasonably happy. We missed out on Brown and Faubert which was disappointing as they are real quality players IMO. We need to ensure we get someone of that ilk as the right side of midfield is still a problem. Whittaker may fit the bill but he's certainly not as exciting or as expensive as the afore-mentioned guys. Both are rumoured to be signing asap. I'd like to think one more will follow after that and then we can make a better judgement whether or not the money spent has been enough.

I wouldn't have thought so.... I still expect Naismith and at least one more - probably Whittaker.

We did OK generally. Nevertheless, I fee; friendlies are a chance to experiment and I still feel that we're often too defensive in our outlook. While I'm reasonably happy with Thomson and Hemdani in the holding roles, it's imperative their defensive nature is complimented by players who can cause problems offensively and support Boyd. Beasley did OK but Burke was awful. Ferguson couldn't really get into the game and drifted further back with every passing minute. Essentially, that stifled Thomson who up until half-time was our best midfielder. This meant we were one man down in an attacking sense. As such, Smith has to decide quickly whether or not to continue with Ferguson in the offensive central role or go with Gow (until Buffel is fit at least). Similarly, we need a right-sided player who can work with the attacking nature of Hutton and cause genuine problems. This also may mean we need to drop one of Hemdani/Thomson which isn't an easy decision either. To conclude, the fact we have a CL qualifier coming up against one of 2 average (but reasonably dangerous teams) tells us why we played the usual 4-2-3-1. Hannover are probably better than Zeta or Kaunas but we coped easily enough with their attack. I think that was the aim - to test our defence as opposed to our attack away from home. I'd like to think that after a few more games (Ajax and Chelsea especially) our level of performance will increase enough to be sound defensively but also have enough firepower and creativity to score the goals we will require in 2 weeks time.

Indeed he did...

Usual 4-2-3-1 again then.... Looks likely we'll be using that again this season.

Here's the first 2 goals from Sunday's match... http://video.tinypic.com/player.php?v=61v56j6 Sebo did well for the first one...

Aye, via 2 years in Germany mate. Oliver Bernard did move from Rangers to Newcastle directly though. The names involved in this issue are obvious but I doubt we'll hear anything concrete for a while yet.

Good stuff mate. A decent suggestion!

Following meetings between the Trust, the club and the stadium singing sections it is generally felt by all that the match-day experience at Ibrox Stadium could be improved. As such, the Trust would like our members to contact us with any feedback or suggestions of improvement they may have. From the catering to displays to song suggestions ââ?¬â?? what would you like to see ââ?¬Ë?every other Saturdayââ?¬â?¢ at Ibrox? Please contact us through the RST website where upon we will liaise with the various singing sections and the club for further debate on how best to facilitate your recommended improvements. http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rstsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=126&Itemid=1

As pre-season starts, it's always interesting to see what new players and squad numbers are allocated to not just the first team but the reserve and youth sides. As such, as well as keeping you up to date with all the new first team info, we have expanded the Reserve/Youth section of the site to include all the younger player's stats. If you have any information on any of the players above, please feel free to contact us with amendments. Please note all squad numbers are subject to change over the next fortnight. Click here to visit. http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=28

The Hannover game is next week... Also on Eurosport.

Must admit £2million is a lot for the likes of McCulloch. I'd have thought there were better players for that money out there but as Sebo showed last season, that's not always the case. McCulloch will bring a bit of physical presence to the team and considering the number of times teams battered through us last season (until Weir arrived to help), bringing in him to play up front or in a wider, deeper role isn't that bad an idea. Let's wait until the end of the season before we judge his contribution.

http://www.rangers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,5~1071403,00.html

I'd say we need another 3 players - at least 2 of them should be first XI picks.

All good news guys...

I like it a lot actually... Gaun the aubergine!

No, because if he doesn't invest this summer, I'd like to think strategy will change markedly.

del: 1. We're not taking any bullsh!t. You know me personally - would I? We're meeting with him to try and fix the problems we all see with the club. Yes, a few fans are concerned and interested in exactly what this all means but generally the feeling I get is pretty positive. 2. As for organising the support, this is exactly what the RST are trying to do. Some supporters have complained that JT and JM have made mistakes in the past and don't want them speaking on their behalf. That's why we've been working with them a lot recently to get them on board, agree to Trust policy and work together as a united front. 3. By doing this, then we can put a greater pressure on the administration because we're all pulling in one direction (under Trust ideology) instead of 3 and have at least one supporter on the board able to raise motions and affect genuine change. I appreciate that may not directly challenge the current issues of recent transfer woes but in the medium-long term, by doing the above we will be able to affect the changes we need to see more effectively. I also appreciate that for some that progress may be too slow and too frustrating for them. As such, if they want to pursue a different strategy either through the Trust or by a different vehicle, then the process is there for them to do so. The next 2 months are going to be vital for all of us. The best way to face that challenge is by working together as much as possible.

ascender: Yes, alternative strategies have been discussed. However, I maintain the best way for us to affect change is to get at least one fans rep on the executive board. That will happen soonest. I personally feel the media issue hasn't been as bad as say 18months - 2 years ago. However, we'll continue to ensure work is done for further improvement.

And the fans may not be so eager to do their business privately...

I agree with you guys. The proof will be in the pudding. Murray has 2 months to deliver the investment we all want to see. If he doesn't, well....

RST chairman Malcolm McNiven is pleased to announce three new appointments to the RST Board, namely, Jim Templeton, President of the Rangers Supporters Assembly and Chairman of the Rangers World-Wide Alliance, who will bring a wealth of experience to the RST, along with John MacMillan and John Donald both leading representatives of the Rangers Supporters Association. These steps further signal everyone�s willingness to work together for the betterment of Rangers Football Club. This is yet another landmark in the short history of the Trust. The RST has grown as a significant force in Scottish Football, and today's developments mean that by the start of the new season, 1 in 5 supporters at Ibrox will be represented by the RST. The RST will continue to strive towards having elected Supporter Representation on the Board of Directors at Rangers Football Club http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rstsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=123&Itemid=1

Just to say I'll be offline for the next few hours. I'll try and get back on this evening to answer any other questions. However, the best things to take from the meeting are as such: 1. Genuine supporters representation at last. 2. A lowering of the GerSave price. 3. A commitment from the chairman (ie finance and leadership). 4. A commitment to better PR and media interaction. 5. Debate about developing the stadium and club. 6. Further Improvements at Youth level. 7. The Trust to meet with Head of Security to debate policing and match-day experience. 8. Club to put pressure on JJB to improve their service. Not bad going from one meeting. And we'll continue to offer more over the coming weeks. Let's be positive!

A Trust delegation met with Chairman Sir David Murray and Martin Bain on Monday at Charlotte Square, Edinburgh. The Trust challenged the chairman on many issues and members can download the full minutes of the meeting via the following link. RFC Meeting Minutes - Monday 02 July, 2007 (PDF File - 80k) http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rstsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=122&Itemid=1