John_Eric_Bartholomew

Uploading images straight to your post... Currently in the insert other media section there is an 'insert existing attachment'. I don't think this is available on mobile? Will it be possible to upload images straight to the post?

Ally bang on point, as ever.

By Geordie Perks Rangers encouraging recruitment drive raises more answers than questions with back-to-their-roots feel - Perks Graeme Murty and Mark Allen's encouraging mix of of signings has convinced Geordie. IT may not be the best of British – but Rangers’ recruitment drive does have a back-to-their-roots feel about it. There are no exotic experiments for Graeme Murty and his director of football Mark Allen’s with their identification of January transfer targets. And the bigger picture is looking very encouraging. Say what you like about their quite frugal approach to signing a host of players on permanent and loan deals with the promise of something more in the summer, it’s energising both the fans and the club. Forget Kris Boyd’s claims of bullying by Gers and trying to upset other clubs’ players. Killie’s Mr Big Noise knows better than anyone that all’s fair in love and war in the chancing-your-arm world of professional football. Rangers have bigger issues at play. This bid to freshen up the squad isn't a back-of-a-fag-packet approach, it's potentially a well thought-out master class in management. The January juggling act aims to try and marry short-term impact with a long-game strategy with signings who should be about both present and future. Murty’s trying to make his mark on the squad by restoring a “play for the jersey” culture, lost in recent managerial disasters. That DNA stamp began with Jamie Murphy, a dyed-in-the-wool Bear who gave the impression he’d walk over broken glass to get to Ibrox. Greg Docherty is another example of going for players who will bust a gut for the cause, although whether Gers are prepared to fork out £600,000 to get the Hamilton ace is another matter. The capture of Russell Martin is a master stroke by Murty as he’s getting a player who’s a leader and, at 32, ideal to lead this rebuilding project. There’s a false perception of the big defender that he’s an occasional Scotland jersey filler or a stop-gap option for Norwich. The reality is he has been the Canaries’ captain and has been rubbing shoulders with English football’s elite for three out of the last five seasons. A solid signing, who could sign for Rangers for free this summer if Norwich don't take up their option to extend his contract. Sean Goss is different. QPR have made it clear his move is one of learning and gaining experience before going back to Loftus Road in five months’ time. But, it will be exciting to see how this slender English lad fairs in the Scottish game. There is no long-term benefit to Rangers in getting the midfielder in, but it does provide cover when Rangers have a number of first-choice players injured in this area. Then there's Jordan Jones who's had a price tag of around £1million placed on his head by Killie chiefs but plays in straight lines and too often heads up blind alleys - but does have pace to burn. Killie boss Steve Clarke wrongly believes the £350,000 bid from Gers is an insult for a man who now carries the tag of a full Northern Ireland international. It’s a stretch though. If that’s the criteria to join the million-pound club then St Johnstone will be rubbing their hands at the prospect of offers for Paul Paton. The Perth midfielder was sitting next to Jones when he climbed off the bench to make his debut against Switzerland. Day after day another possible target is identified by Rangers and clearly it's a well thought-out policy of January window plotting.

As a former regular on the now extinct WATP Podcast, I would be happy to make the odd appearance as a panellist/guest. Todd Van Allen would be a great person to consult on this, if you have him on FB or Twitter. He records his own comedy podcast in Canada and he was WATP Podcast as far as running the show is concerned.

Let's just nip this in the bud right now, Chris; Rangers are fighting for 1st place in the Premiership.

Cummings is an absolute bell-end. But, when he hits a hattrick vs Hibs, we won't worry about that.

He is saying the same things we heard. I really bought in to that stuff at the start

Reads like he is going there to do exactly the same thing as he did here. He has learnt nothing and seems more defiant than the magic hat, that his system works. But, I'll be grateful if we get 2mil back for Peña!

Winter break, but barely 2 weeks off for Europa quals earlier this season... It is a real waste of time. Luckily, 3rd round of the FA Cup was here to save us.

I attempted to view the WATP Mag thread and was told I didn't have permission to do so.

The first thing I felt when I saw his signing picture, was that he is built like a rake. Purely based on his lack of strength, as I perceive it, I don't think he will be able to handle the physicality in this league, especially if the majority of his playing time has come at U23 level.

Really pleased with this. We should be in a position to have 5/6 players out on loan to the Championship.

Like many, I don't know what position he plays in. However, I'm really happy for him that he's back. He might not be the most talented, but he certainly is one of the most committed. Especially at Ibrox, we are seriously lacking in commitment, Ross McCrorie aside. I'm looking forward to seeing him back in action.

Do you mean keeping young players longer than we should if they aren't going to make it? Ryan Hardie, for example?

Would you class Jack Hendry as player who has yet to make the headlines and has potential to improve?

Thanks for your feedback, chaps. I realised afterwards that I had missed out the Murphy rumour, but being honest I don't know anything worthwhile about him to write an opinion. I get you, but, the majority of our successful players have been signed from the likes of Kilmarnock and Dundee; Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo to name just two. I am a firm believer that signing the best players in Scotland will help us become the best team in Scotland (once again). Plus, it should be a cheaper market compared to what we get from England or further afield. Part of that though, is enhancing our reputation as a buying club and improving relationships with the clubs we buy from.

This will be on the home page when Frankie has a chance.

I had genuinely forgotten about Dalcio, hence his lack of inclusion - you can't even class him as a first team player. I would imagine there's a contractual reason we can't send him back.

I'm really not keen with this opinion that celebrating a draw against the-greatest-team-that-ever-played should not be celebrated. It is a positive result that keeps out faint title hopes alive. It's almost like mocking our contentment with a draw is a good way to deflect their intrinsic fear that this Celtic team are fast on their way back Earth.

It doesn't sound good, but I am very encouraged by Murty's focus on the psychological well-being of an injured player.

Positive* thinking.

I did say "if", a few times! But it's a fair enough comment. I can see the contradiction in what I'm trying to say. Looking deeper as to why I'm quite content that we take the high road when it comes to referees is probably due to my 12 years (and counting) as an amateur in football and rugby. At every club I've played a coach or captain has told the team to "keep the ref on our side". I now repeat it without thinking when I'm captain on the rugby pitch, or coaching youngsters. Referees can and do show bias to players/clubs that they like, whatever the reason. I've experienced it countless times as a player; albeit with lesser able refs you'd probably argue. Even at school age we could get pally with a ref and have decisions go our way. It works both ways too. Get on the wrong side of the ref and you will definitely suffer. If we're on the wrong side of certain refs, criticising them in public will not help. I'd like to think that over time, by taking the high line, we'll get them back on our side.

Until reading that, I didn't really know what to think of this, as I know f-all about Jimmy Nicholl other than what we covered in his Seventy2 interview a few years ago. All players are capable of developing their psychological skills in order to handle any amount of pressure, or responsibility. Some may need more work than others (Tavernier and Windass, I'm looking at you). The more people we can bring in with correct mental attributes and experience, the better, at least until we can properly invest in Sport Psychology. If Jimmy Nicholl does as you suggest, he will be worth his wages for sure.

I don't know how anyone could pick Krancjar over Barjonas from what we've seen in the past few weeks, especially against the 4th best player in the world. The kid has real energy and intensity in his play. I was hoping Murty would be quite biased towards the youngsters, but not quite yet.

I won't see the game back until tomorrow but very pleased we didn't lose ground in the title race. Krancjar starting again reinforces my thoughts on Murty in the hot seat...