chilledbear

I'm not sure there are more of them in the media, certainly more than there used to be, but if you did a headcount, I'm not so sure. What you would have to do though, if there was a headcount, make sure it was a secret ballot. That is where the bias lies, they are quite open about who they support, whereas our lot either hide it, or try to be 'fair' to both sides. I remember a report that came out in the nineties, about the support and membership of the paramilitaries in Northern Ireland, since the beginning in 1969. It was amazing how the Loyalist side only attracted support from the Working Class, while the Republicans received support from over the whole strata of classes. This seems to be happening in Scotland, as far as supporting Rangers is concerned.

Think this needs some publicity. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/rangers/2009/07/28/rangers-take-break-from-pre-season-tour-to-meet-british-troops-in-germany-86908-21553151/

See Charlie is still with us.

http://www.scotprem.com/content/default.asp?page=s2&newsid=8040

Nice one Ian.:spl:

I think the bird in question was whistling 'The Sash'. Therefore the actual tune is sectarian, or so they say. Altogether now......

No I think celtc got a result.

0-0 An assesment from timmy Summary; Donati - Still pish. McCourt - Still dont think he'll ever be a regular. Killer up front - Still shampoooe Samaras - Still Clueless. :spl::spl::spl:

Someone who is impressed with the youngsters yesterday. Manager Chris Wilder declared Oxford United's pre-season tour of Scotland a huge success. The U's headed home last night after going down 2-0 to Rangers in their behind-closed-doors friendly. But they acquitted themselves extremely well against the Gers' under 21 side ââ?¬â?? all of whom are internationals. Andy Little hammered the opening goal on 13 minutes, with Steve Lennon doubling the lead with 15 minutes to go. But with strikers James Constable and Matt Green each going close on two occasions, United were certainly not outclassed. Wilder was delighted with the application of the players, both in the match, and over the five days. "It was great for the players to play against 11 internationals," he said. "We've come across something today that we probably won't come up against all season unless we have a good cup run ââ?¬â?? and that was a side who just kept the ball and never lost it. "We have played at a top, top club against top, top young players and it will stand us in good stead."

My worry would be, if the next step is Reserve League, or on loan to First or Second Division Clubs, their progress will stop. Hopefully the suggestions of playing EPL teams, will be a better way forward.

Billy Stark, the Scotland youth team manager, has worked with many of the young players at international level and assessed their readiness to make the step up. Andrew Shinnie Position Midfield Age 20 We used Andrew on the right side of midfield for the Scotland under-21s. He's not a traditional winger in the sense of looking to beat players and penetrate defences, but was more than capable of getting in behind players and looking to score from wide areas. His preferred area, though, is in the middle and you could tell that from his play as he wanted to hold on to the ball and pass it. It's an easier position to play but he never shirked his responsibilities when asked to play on the flanks. Rory Loy Position Attack Age 21 Rory is another who has been used in a number of positions. On loan at Dunfermline last year they played him in wide in a front three but I would say he was more suited to a central role. He works along the line well and is a hard worker. Front players these days have to possess a work ethic as they are the first line of pressure to get the ball back. That is something Rory does well but will be looking to master going forward. Danny Wilson Position Defence Age 17 Danny trained with the first team in the second half of last season and was on the bench for the Scottish Cup final so he would seem to have a real chance. He's certainly comfortable on the ball but he can defend too - there's no point passing it like Beckenbauer if you can't do the basics. He's very competitive and is left-sided which is a bonus. It's quite common for teams to play a right-footed player on the left so the fact Danny's naturally left-sided would seem to further aid his cause. Ross Perry Position Defence Age 19 Ross has a terrific built and presence for a centre half, with good upper body strength. He's reasonably quick over the ground, athletic, and can go and challenge in the air. His reading of the game could always improve but that is something that comes with age and experience. He should get that playing with better players if he makes the step up at Rangers. Jamie Ness Position Midfield Age 18 We had Jamie at under-19s last year and he will be with us again next season. He's 6ft, left-footed and very comfortable in the middle of the park. He's the kind of player who always wants to be on the ball and make things happen, although he likes to get his foot in, too. He's got decent body strength but that needs to be developed, which is only natural in a young lad. He is also working hard on his passing to try to improve that aspect. Archie Campbell Position Attack Age 18 Archie has proven to be a prolific goalscorer. He's very quick and uses that to his full advantage. It will be interesting to see when he steps up to men's football if his pace is still as explosive and whether he can still exploit it fully. He also is very industrious and runs himself into the ground which is a real asset. His finishing has been deadly in youth football but it is something he needs to keep working on. Billy Stark, the Scotland youth team manager, has worked with many of the young players at international level and assessed their readiness to make the step up. Andrew Shinnie Position Midfield Age 20 We used Andrew on the right side of midfield for the Scotland under-21s. He's not a traditional winger in the sense of looking to beat players and penetrate defences, but was more than capable of getting in behind players and looking to score from wide areas. His preferred area, though, is in the middle and you could tell that from his play as he wanted to hold on to the ball and pass it. It's an easier position to play but he never shirked his responsibilities when asked to play on the flanks. Rory Loy Position Attack Age 21 Rory is another who has been used in a number of positions. On loan at Dunfermline last year they played him in wide in a front three but I would say he was more suited to a central role. He works along the line well and is a hard worker. Front players these days have to possess a work ethic as they are the first line of pressure to get the ball back. That is something Rory does well but will be looking to master going forward. Danny Wilson Position Defence Age 17 Danny trained with the first team in the second half of last season and was on the bench for the Scottish Cup final so he would seem to have a real chance. He's certainly comfortable on the ball but he can defend too - there's no point passing it like Beckenbauer if you can't do the basics. He's very competitive and is left-sided which is a bonus. It's quite common for teams to play a right-footed player on the left so the fact Danny's naturally left-sided would seem to further aid his cause. Ross Perry Position Defence Age 19 Ross has a terrific built and presence for a centre half, with good upper body strength. He's reasonably quick over the ground, athletic, and can go and challenge in the air. His reading of the game could always improve but that is something that comes with age and experience. He should get that playing with better players if he makes the step up at Rangers. Jamie Ness Position Midfield Age 18 We had Jamie at under-19s last year and he will be with us again next season. He's 6ft, left-footed and very comfortable in the middle of the park. He's the kind of player who always wants to be on the ball and make things happen, although he likes to get his foot in, too. He's got decent body strength but that needs to be developed, which is only natural in a young lad. He is also working hard on his passing to try to improve that aspect. Archie Campbell Position Attack Age 18 Archie has proven to be a prolific goalscorer. He's very quick and uses that to his full advantage. It will be interesting to see when he steps up to men's football if his pace is still as explosive and whether he can still exploit it fully. He also is very industrious and runs himself into the ground which is a real asset. His finishing has been deadly in youth football but it is something he needs to keep working on. http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/359398765?-11344

I think they are excited. Oxford excited by Rangers fixture Oxford United chairman Kelvin Thomas says the club's staff are excited by a pre-season friendly against a Rangers XI on Tuesday. The game is set to take place behind closed doors at the Gers' training ground on 21 July. "I think everybody is looking forward to it," Thomas told BBC Oxford. "I know the coaches are looking forward to going to their training ground and seeing what they've got and how they do things," he added. Rangers have not made public the strength of the side that will face the U's, but United could give another start to defender Rhys Day who has impressed on trial. Oxford manager Chris Wilder says the experience will benefit his players. "It's something else, isn't it? The game will be a really good one, great facilities and afterwards we will go around to Ibrox. "I don't think it does us any harm to see what a big, big football club is like," he said.

26th July...Spurs away 28th July...Dinamo Moscow home 1st August...Sunderland home 4th August...Dinamo Moscow away I'm sure they could fit another one in.

1st Leg in Glasgow:flipa:

Championship Clubs do have money though, and I certainly wouldn't buy Blackpools right back for �£1m. Tell you a wee story, my son wrote to Rangers about 8 years ago [?]recommending this player[barker], when he was at Rotherham.

He is a lot better than Blackpools full back, who Derby and Blackpool value at twice the money Rangers put on Adam.

Can someone tell me why Rangers accepted a fee of �£500,000 for Charlie Adam. ''BLACKPOOL club captain Shaun Barker signed for Derby County today for a fee in excess of �£1 million''.

On SSN JUST NOW.

Chick changed his name???

''Meanwhile, Hoops starlet Milan Misun is set to miss most of the season after suffering knee ligament damage in Australia. The 19-year-old left-back hobbled off during the 3-0 win over Brisbane Roar on Sunday and needed crutches for the squad's journey back to Glasgow yesterday. Gutted Mowbray confirmed: "It's not looking good for the boy. We could be talking months rather than weeks." Mogga had already travelled Down Under without the injured Darren O'Dea and Mark Wilson. This injury to Misun leaves him thin on the ground for cover for Lee Naylor''. That's the answer a cover for Lee Naylor!!!!!!!!!!

It is no big deal, but try dragging the wife away from her family. Been down here 26 years, and believe me, women are funny creatures [joke]

It will depend on Barry,does he want to play in England again, family etc. Barry Ferguson set to seal �£1.25m switch to Birmingham City Jul 16 2009 Keith Jackson BARRY Ferguson's agent was jetting to England from his Dubai home last night as the deposed Rangers skipper prepared to finally end his Ibrox career. Record Sport understands Ferguson's advisor John Viola was instructed to get back to Britain as quickly as possible yesterday as Birmingham City and Rangers haggled on a final fee for his departure. At tea-time last night both clubs shook hands on a deal which will see Rangers net an initial sum of �£1million for the 31-year-old with a further �£250,000 to come in add-ons. Now all that remains is for Ferguson and Viola to agree personal terms when they sit down with City boss Alex McLeish at St Andrews today. Ferguson is expected to be offered a three-year contract which will at least match his current bumper pay packet - a deal which would have been halved even before his infamous part in the booze-gate scandal which shook Scottish football last season. Ferguson's days as a Rangers player have been numbered ever since the bevvy session, which cost him his armband for both club and country. But, so long as he passes a medical and thrashes out a new wage deal, the player should secure a second crack at the English top flight following his brief stop-off at Blackburn.

Horrible disease.....feel for him and his family.

Baz on the brink of Brum switch Jul 15 2009 Keith Jackson EXCLUSIVE Barry Ferguson was last night on the verge of securing a �£1.5million return to the Premiership. Record Sports understands the deposed Rangers captain was told not to join his team-mates at pre-season trainingyesterday after transfer talks opened up with Birmingham City. The move came after Brum boss Alex McLeish advised his board that Ferguson is now his priority target. The ex-Gers gaffer believes the 31-year-old former Blackburn star is still good enough for the Premier League and instructed managing director Karen Brady to shake hands on a fee with his old club yesterday morning. Ferguson was later sent away from Murray Park and told to stand by his phone. Although no agreement had been struck between the clubs at close of business last night Fergie is preparing to travel south today to undergo a medical and thrash out personal terms. The player's days at Ibrox have been numbered since Gers boss Walter Smith stripped him of the captaincy in April in the wake of the Scotland boozegate scandal.

God!!!! Broadfoot and McCulloch it's getting nearer.