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NEIL Lennon has revealed how sectarian “chaos and madness” left him exhausted and influenced his decision to quit Celtic. The former Parkhead boss said he was worn down by a *series of high-profile off-field incidents during his 11 years as player and manager at the *Glasgow club. During his time in Scotland, he was attacked by a Hearts fan at a game at Tynecastle and assaulted while out in the West End of Glasgow. Lennon, 43, was also sent bullets in the post and suffered a number of death threats. He stood down in the summer and has taken up a new role as manager of English Championship side Bolton Wanderers. In an interview, he said: “I don’t want to paint a bad picture because it’s fantastic up there from a football point of view. But it does wear you down in the end. “Maybe it was the chaos and the madness catching up with me, but I just felt desperately tired. When I was younger, I was able to have the energy and courage to get through it. “When I was getting bullets through the post and all that, I had good people of intelligence in the background who were looking after me. But in the end I was exhausted emotionally. “It all caught up with me. I needed a change of scenery. Did it change me as a person? Not really, no. “Did it have an effect on me? I think at times it did. Now I’m out of it, do I miss the intensity? Sometimes, yes. We live off that. “But I am loving what I am doing now. I can concentrate on the management and the football rather than the other stuff.” Lennon replaced Tony Mowbray at Parkhead in 2010 and as well as leading the club to three successive Scottish Premiership successes, he has also helped Celtic claim two Scottish Cup wins and masterminded their run to the last 16 of last season’s Champions League. In his new role at Bolton, he has won four of his first six games and admits it’s a “whole new challenge” for him. The former midfielder accepts he was “no angel” at Celtic but insisted he didn’t deserve the vitriol and has told of his anger that people in Scotland refuse to accept the abuse he was getting was sectarian in nature. He said: “At times I didn’t do myself any favours. But did I get a fair crack of the whip? No. “Some of what was said about the difficulties I had was irresponsible. I found it personal. People wouldn’t come out and say my treatment was sectarian. “They said I brought it on myself. They hid behind that *because they didn’t want to admit it. But it was sectarian in the stadiums. “People say, ‘He brings it on himself… he is an aggressive manager’. But so are some other managers. So are some players. I was high-profile, I came for a lot of money as a player. For me, my job was being part of Martin O’Neill’s team and to break the Rangers monopoly. We did that. “Nobody else had to go through situations and circumstances like I have been through. I wouldn’t want anyone else to go through it. You would hope that all the nonsense that *happened to me would serve as a watershed. “The anticipation and the *rivalry in Glasgow will probably never tire. There is part of me that misses it but a bigger part of me that doesn’t.” http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/neil-lennon-sectarian-abuse-triggered-celtic-exit-1-3611120

A minute's applause will precede Scotland's friendly against England on Tuesday in tribute to the Scotland fan who died following their victory over the Republic of Ireland on Friday. Nathan McSeveney, 20, died when he fell in a Celtic Park stairwell. Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan said: "We have all been extremely saddened. "It is fitting that Scotland supporters have an opportunity to pay tribute to one of their own at Celtic Park." The tribute was announced after consultation with McSeveney's family, from Cumnock in Ayrshire.

A super legend as a player but why is he allowed to still be manager....1 or 2 results could be swept under the carpet but the following shows he isn't the man. Peterhead 2-2 Rangers Berwick 1-1 Rangers Annan 0-0 Rangers Stirling 1-0 Rangers Rangers 1-1 Elgin Rangers 1-1 Montrose Stirling 1-1 Rangers Rangers 1-2 Annan Rangers 0-0 Stirling Montrose 0-0 Rangers Rangers 1-2 Peterhead Rangers 1-1 Stranraer Rangers 3-3 Stenhousemuir Raith 1-0 Rangers (cup final) Forfar 2-1 Rangers Rangers 1-1 Albion Rangers 1-3 Dundee Utd Brora Rangers 1-1 Rangers Ventura Fusion County (no laughing at the back please) 3-1 Rangers Rangers 1-2 Hearts Alloa 1-1 Rangers Rangers 1-3 Hibs Rangers 1-1 Alloa

From last week: http://t.co/aNmKNADMKG (PDF file) Collyer Bristow settlement confirmed within this. Also, BDO suggest there are £168.7m of unsecured creditors (including £94m noted for the HMRC monies (including the BTC).

...from Scotland fans. THE former Scotland legend hopes that the Tartan Army give the two Glasgow-born players a rough ride when they turn out for the Republic of Ireland. GORDON McQUEEN has told the Tartan Army to give James McCarthy and Aiden McGeady pelters at Parkhead on Friday night. The Scotland legend is furious the pair will turn out in the green of the Republic of Ireland in their home city of Glasgow. Everton ace McGeady played for Scotland Schools as a teenager but switched allegiance at Under-15 level, qualifying for Ireland through his grandparents. Goodison Park team-mate and former Hamilton kid McCarthy was snatched from under the noses of Scotland as a youngster and refused to think again once he’d burst onto the scene. Scotland boss Gordon Strachan said he’s happy for the home crowd to jeer the pair and McQueen said: “I hope they get a horrible reception because they deserve it. I’ve got no time for these players. “You’re born in Glasgow but then you go and play for somebody else? What’s that all about? I’m not having that at all. I hope it’s hard for them coming back here with Ireland. “I’m sure somebody must have asked them to play for Scotland at some stage. You’re either Scottish or you’re not Scottish and you should know that by the time you’re 12 years of age. “I played alongside Bob Wilson and Bruce Rioch, who were born in England but they always considered themselves Scottish. That’s all I want. “If you feel Scottish you’re Scottish but I hate these guys who think, ‘I can’t get a game for England so I’ll play for Scotland’.” McQueen worked as chief scout at Middlesbrough under Strachan and is delighted to see the national team gaffer bounce back from the miserable year he endured on Teeside where he won just 13 of 46 games in charge. The 62-year-old, capped 30 times, said: “Why did it go so badly for him there? I think he underestimated the challenge. He’ll say that to this day. “He brought in all these guys he’d worked with at Celtic – Scott McDonald, Stephen McManus, Barry Robson, Willo Flood and Chris Killen – plus other guys from Scotland such as Kris Boyd, Kevin Thomson and Lee Miller. Gordon thought they would cruise the Championship but it just didn’t happen. “People within the club can understand why he’s doing so well now because they rated him and believed in him. “But I didn’t see him get down, even when things weren’t working out. It would take quite a bit to dent Gordon’s confidence. He’s the ideal man for the Scotland job. “Right now it looks as though everyone is on his side, regardless of results. They’ve been alright but what if we end up finishing fourth in this group? “I think we will qualify but I would be ashamed if we didn’t because just about everybody gets to these finals – 24 countries. Surely we can do that. “I think we’ll beat Ireland. Celtic had some very average sides at times but European teams coming to Parkhead were intimidated by the atmosphere there. “There are certain grounds where the crowd just gets to the opposition. As long as I live I’ll never forget playing for Scotland against Wales at Anfield in 1977 in the game that took us to the World Cup finals. That was intimidating. “It was bouncing with Scotland fans everywhere you looked, even though it was their home game. We didn’t play well that night but we still won 2-0.” Strachan’s side face a friendly with the Auld Enemy after the qualifier and McQueen, who scored in the famous 2-1 win at Wembley in 1977, added: “We’ll take the game more seriously. “England will have a lot of call-offs but we won’t.” http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gordon-mcqueen-hope-james-mccarthy-4601708

RANGERS defender Darren McGregor admits he has been impressed with how Hearts have performed in the SPFL Championship. Robbie Neilson's team has gone undefeated in the second tier this season and currently sits four points clear at the top of the table after 12 games. But McGregor has questioned how the Tynecastle club's young players will cope when the pressure on them grows in the weeks ahead. And the stopper has vowed to turn up the heat on the capital club by helping the Gers overcome Alloa in today's league match at Ibrox. "Hearts have had a great season so far," he admitted. "I can't say they've not done well - they've done amazingly well. "The nucleus of players who were involved for them last season have now bedded in. "I played against them with St Mirren and I think they are a better team this season than last with the experience they have brought in. "In the summer they signed the big defender Alim Ozturk, who has a decent shot on him, while former Dundee United player Morgaro Gomis has settled it down for them in the middle of the park. I really do think they've done superbly. "But my question would be about when the pressure starts increasing and their points advantage gets smaller - can they handle it?" McGregor added: "The lead Hearts had at the top of the league was up to nine points at one stage and now it's four. "And if we beat Alloa it will be down to one point before they kick-off their match away to Falkirk at 5.30pm. "All we can do is win games and apply the pressure. We know that we want to be at the top of the table and we will do everything to get there. "People will tell you that they don't look at papers or their closest contenders but the first thing you do after a game is look to see how your opposition have done. Hearts will be no different. "This will be the first time since the start of the season that they will really feel the pressure if we get their lead down to a single point. "It's a totally different ball game when the pressure is on. "It will be interesting to see how they deal with it." McGregor came on as a late substitute for Rangers in their 2-1 loss to Hearts at Ibrox on the first weekend of the league season back in August. However, he insists that Ally McCoist's team has improved massively since that game and has a good chance of avenging that disappointing result when they take on Neilson's side at Tynescastle next Saturday. THE 29-year-old Light Blues ace said: "The momentum we have gathered over the last eight games means that confidence is high. Any player will tell you that's massive. "We're training well, scoring and keeping clean sheets. That just builds confidence. It will be a great occasion next week. "I think some people have just found their feet here. We have built up this momentum of scoring goals and also not conceding them and now it's about keeping that going." McGregor, though, is focusing fully on today's match with part-time Alloa that Rangers need to win to stay in touch with the league leaders. He said: "For me, this game against Alloa is just as big as the Hearts one. We need to take the three points and apply the pressure. With Hearts kicking off after we've finished, it gives us a chance to do that. "But Alloa proved in the last game we played against them at their place that they are a good team. Whether that's also the case away from home we will have to wait and see. "We're looking forward to it. We have applied ourselves in training this week and we're on a good run just now." McGregor has established himself as first-choice centre- half during Gers' eight-game winning run and has helped them keep out the opposition's forwards for the last six games. He said: "Half a dozen clean sheets in a row is good. I have built up a good partnership with Lee McCulloch. "The manager has told us that we set the tone and lead from the front. "We know that if we keep a clean sheet in games we'll win them because we have guys up front who will put the ball in the back of the net." ALTHOUGH he is delighted to be playing now in his preferred position in the heart of the defence, McGregor does not resent having to begin his Rangers career at full-back. He said: "Centre-half is my position but I played right-back at the start of the season when Richard Foster was injured. "I enjoyed it even though I felt that I wouldn't fulfil my potential there. Playing right back gave me the grounding I probably needed in a Rangers shirt as it was a position where there maybe wasn't as much expected of me. "It settled me down so it was a blessing in disguise." Meanwhile, McGregor has praised the role Kenny Miller has had in Rangers' winning run since returning to the side. He said: "Kenny is a great leader in the dressing room and on the field. You can see a lot of younger guys looking up to him. He inspires them. He's a great asset. "I've seen him doing a bit of analysis on TV and he's great at that too. He demands the boys do everything the right way and I've no problem with that. "It's not as if he moans for no reason, he does it because he wants the best. That includes giving me a hard time for not dropping back and taking the ball off the keeper. "I have to put my hand up and say, 'Okay, Kenny, I'll do it next time.' "He has the experience of playing at the highest level. "You need to absorb all the information he has. You'd be stupid not to. I love all of that." http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/darren-wonders-how-hearts-will-cope-when-rangers-turn-up-title-188735n.25877703

The 22-year-old man was fatally injured during the 2016 European Championship qualifier at Celtic Park in Glasgow, police say. A man has died after suffering a fall at Celtic Park in Glasgow during a Euro 2016 qualifier between Scotland and Ireland. The 22-year-old fan appeared to fall in a stairwell at exit 33 within the stadium at the end of the match around 9.30pm on Friday, police said. He was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary where he died of his injuries. A police spokesman said: "Relatives have been informed and the Health and Safety Executive have been made aware. "There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be prepared for the procurator fiscal." Scotland made their first home victory over Ireland in 53 years as they beat their neighbours 1-0 in their Group D qualifier. They go level on seven points with Ireland and Germany, with Poland Group D leaders with 10. The stadium was almost at its 60,000 capacity during the match. http://news.sky.com/story/1373720/fan-dies-after-stairwell-fall-at-celtic-park Tragic, R.I.P.

More soon apparently...

I was “invited” to attend a meeting at Ibrox today with Rangers’ Director of Communications, Irene Munro and Jim Hannah, Supporters’ Liaison Officer. I had to ask three times by email about the nature of the meeting and eventually was told only that it was “to discuss complaints raised against you by other fans board members”. I asked to be supplied with the details of the complaints before the meeting but this was denied. At the meeting I was told that as a result of two complaints by colleagues on the Fans Board and one complaint from a member of the public, I was being removed from the Fans Board. The complaint from the member of the public was in connection with or as a result of information that I posted about the Rangers Fans Fighting Fund. I was not told the nature of the complaints by members of the Fans Board. These are the relevant sections of the Constitution: 17.Conduct of members of the RFB 17.1 The Elected Representatives shall, in exercising his/her functions as a member of RFB, act in the interests of the Club and RFB; and, in particular, must (a) seek, in good faith, to ensure that RFB acts in a manner which is in accordance with its objects (as set out in clause 3 this constitution); (b) act with the care and diligence which it is reasonable to expect of a person who is managing the affairs of another person; and © in circumstances giving rise to the possibility of a conflict of interest between RFB or the Club and any other party (i) put the interests of the RFB and the Club before that of the other party, in taking decisions as a member of the RFB; or (ii) where any other duty prevents him/her from doing so, disclose the conflicting interest to the RFB and the Club and refrain from participating in any discussions or decisions involving the other Elected Representatives with regard to the matter in question. (d) If, in the opinion of the Club, any Elected Representative is in breach of paragraphs (a), (b) and © above, or in the opinion of the Club, brings the Club into disrepute, the Club shall have the power to terminate that individuals Membership and remove them as an Elected Representative with immediate effect and without notice. There is no right of Appeal. The Fans Board had agreed an interim Code of Conduct which includes up to three warnings but this was not applied because it provides for complaints to be referred to the Office Bearers and there are no Office Bearers in place at this time. I was told that in the opinion of the Club I have not been acting in the interests of the Fans Board and that my position was not tenable, so I was being removed. I was given the opportunity to resign, which I declined. I was then told that Rangers would issue a statement saying that I had “left the Fans Board” but I asked that if they were removing me they issue a statement accordingly.

Found this on twitter this morning - apparently this can be purchased from Burtons. https://twitter.com/theZhangx/status/533173253448417280/photo/1

http://www.rangerstv.tv/searchresults.php?searchkey=GOAL:+Hardie&SEARCH=GO

Dear Sir, I refer to your mail concerning the granting of alleged State aid to the Celtic Glasgow Football Club. You allege that the Celtic Glasgow Football Club has benefitted from unlawful State aid, mainly in the form of advantageous land transfers. The Commission has raised the issue with the UK authorities. Based on the observations received from them, the services of the Commission have not been able to identify any issue regarding unlawful State aid. In light of that assessment the Commission services do not envisage to pursue the matter further. Best Regards,

Sky Sports Victory Shield England vs Scotland Thursday 20th November, 8pm kick-off Huish Park Stadium, Yeovil LIVE on Sky Sports Scot Gemmill today announced his squad for Scotland Under-16's Sky Sports Victory Shield match against England in Yeovil. Scotland can no longer retain the trophy after set-backs against Northern Ireland and Wales but the side will be looking to bounce back against the Auld Enemy, two days after their senior counterparts take on each other at Celtic Park. Scotland Under-16 squad to face England: Goalkeepers Aidan McAdams (Celtic) Kieran Wright (Rangers) Defenders Daniel Baur (Heart of Midlothian) Tony Gallacher (Falkirk) Dan Meredith (West Bromwich Albion) Kieran Freeman (Dundee United) Lewis Bell (Celtic) Jason Krones (Rangers) Midfielders Liam Burt (Rangers) Lee Connelly (Queen’s Park) Connor McLennan (Aberdeen) Kristi Marku (Celtic) Jamie Barjonas (Rangers) David Turnbull (Motherwell) Forwards Jack Adamson (Hibernian) Jack Aitchison (Celtic) Zak Rudden (Rangers) Glenn Middleton (Norwich City)

...as he reveals his part in Brian Kennedy's failed 11th hour Ibrox bid. THE former Ibrox boss vented his anger at chief executive Charles Green in a scathing attack on the Rangers boardroom chaos. GRAEME SOUNESS last night revealed he was part of Brian Kennedy’s failed 11th hour bid to stop Mike Ashley seizing control of Rangers. And the former Light Blues manager branded former chief executive Charles Green a “pr**k” during a scathing assessment of the never-ending boardroom chaos at Ibrox. Souness has told for the first time how he teamed up with old pal Kennedy last month when the Sales Shark owner launched a £3million rescue package after being approached by former chief executive Graham Wallace – only for the rest of the current regime to rubber-stamp take a £2m funding deal from Ashley instead. That setback came two-and-a-half years after Souness and Kennedy’s Blue Knights thought they had managed to get through the Ibrox front-door, only for disgraced Yorkshireman Green to grab control. Souness is angry about what has happened at his former club and concerned over Rangers’ future. But he reckons that would not have been the case had he and Kennedy got their way. When asked if he was also involved in the latest move, Souness said: “Yes. I had a week with Brian in Majorca three weeks ago. But if it’s not to be it’s not to be. ”It never got beyond a bid. And they never wanted Brian’s money this time either. “When we met a couple of weeks ago, we never went into detail because, the last time, we believed we had it. Brian believed he had it only to be let down and deeply disappointed. We even came up to watch a Rangers and Celtic game because we believed we had it. “I think this time around he was always thinking the worst. “Given the structure the way it is now I would think that’s it finished now. ”I’m angry about it and saddened by it in equal amounts because a lot has been allowed to happen. “I don’t want to get into being involved in a libel case. “All I would say is that if we had got it the people there would have had the club for the right reasons.” Souness believes the club has missed out by turning Kennedy down and added: “They certainly did the first time around. “It would have the right people running it for the right reasons. “That would have been Walter [smith] and I and the right person as the owner. All of us there for the right reasons. ”I don’t know how Brian feels right now but I think his attitude to it has changed now the other folk are involved.” Souness launched a scathing attack on Green as he revealed the Yorkshireman’s attempts to get him on board days before he completed his £5.5m buyout of the club’s assets back in the summer of 2012. He explained: “What is it? Two years since that prick had it? “The guy who knocked on my door one night asking me if I would get involved in it, with him. Charles Green. “Late one night about 11 o’clock, my answer was no. “I got a phonecall about an hour before that saying he was coming to see me. I had been asked to see him and I had refused. “I got a call an hour before to say he was on his way to see me. We went for a cup of tea at a hotel around the corner. “You’ve got me angry now… “Who knows what would have happened if we had got in? But I’ll tell you, the stadium would still be full.” Souness has no idea what the future holds now for Rangers under Ashley but said he had done a tremendous job with Newcastle. He said: “I don’t want to end up in court. “I wouldn’t be critical of Mike Ashley. He is a fantastic businessman who saw an opportunity at Newcastle and it’s very hard to be critical, having worked there myself. “I think he has done the right thing there. “What I worked there the largest shareholder was under enormous pressure to make changes too quickly. “He lived in the city. Mike Ashley doesn’t live in the city and has not listened to any fans forums or phone-ins. “He has stuck with his manager and it looks like he is getting the rewards of that. “That’s what it needed. It needs a strong owner and that’s what he is. Someone who has been supremely successful in anything he has touched. “I think in terms of Newcastle supporters they should be counting their blessings rather than being critical.” Souness also aimed a blast at those who celebrated Rangers’ demise when he said: “ All I would say is that all the people who enjoyed their demise, if they had their time again, would they have voted the same way? “Celtic getting gates of less than 20,000? I think it has damaged football, hopefully not beyond repair. “Football goes in cycles. Over a 10-year period, they say if you lose a support, it’s very hard to get that back. “I don’t know if it will get back. “Rangers will get back to the SPL, the Old Firm games will be enormous affairs again and the passion will remain the same. “But will it ever get back to where it was six or seven years ago? I very much doubt it.” Meanwhile, Rangers fans have written to stock market bosses urging them to investigate Ashley’s Ibrox power grab. The Rangers Supporters Trust has also raised a number of concerns about the current board’s handling of the League One champions, accusing them of a operating with a “reckless and irresponsible attitude to going concern status”. Newcastle United owner Ashley holds just under nine per cent of the cash-strapped Glasgow giants but has been effectively pulling the strings since the club was forced to accept his offer of a £2million loan. The terms of that crisis credit line allows the Sports Direct billionaire to name two directors to the Ibrox board. Former Magpies managing director Derek Llambias was Ashley’s first pick with the second yet to be revealed. Ashley also runs Rangers’ retail division – a deal which hands him 49 per cent of the club’s shirt sale profits – and owns the naming rights to the stadium following an agreement he struck with former chief executive Charles Green for just £1. Hampden bosses have already written to both Rangers and Ashley seeking “clarification” on the 50-year-old Londoner’s involvement. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/graeme-souness-vents-anger-gers-4611416

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/rangers-investors-sandy-james-easdale-4597710

woooooooooooooo

CELTIC manager Ronny Deila has expressed his disappointment after some fans disrupted a Remembrance Sunday silence ahead of their 2-1 victory over Aberdeen. The minute of reflection, which remembers British servicemen and women who have died in conflicts since the First World War began 100 years ago, was quickly interrupted by some fans shouting and singing from the visiting section at Aberdeen’s Pittodrie Stadium. Some Celtic supporters tried to shout the protesters down and noise was evident throughout the 60 seconds, just before the Scottish Premiership game kicked off. Norwegian manager Deila said: “That was disappointing. “But again 99 per cent was good. Sometimes some people are not respectful. “It’s very, very important for Celtic to be respectful.” Celtic FC Foundation, the club’s charity organisation, this week donated £10,000 to Poppyscotland and carried a story on their website detailing the Celtic players who died during the First World War. The issue has proved controversial in the past, with a group of Celtic fans staging a banner protest against the “blood-stained poppy on our hoops” when the club strip carried the symbol for a game four years ago. http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/ronny-deila-hits-out-at-fans-who-disrupted-silence-1-3599363

ALLY McCoist has been heavily criticised and, at times, even derided for having Rangers games postponed during the last year or so. Fans of all football clubs like to go and see their side in action at three o'clock on a Saturday afternoon - at home especially. So when a match is switched to a midweek slot, for whatever reason, it tends to annoy supporters. The logic behind McCoist asking for fixtures to be called off - that three or more of his players are away on international duty - has not been widely accepted. When the Gers manager last invoked SPFL rule G7 and had last month's scheduled Petrofac Training Cup quarter-final against East Fife put back it upset many. Centre-backs Bilel Mohsni and Marius Zaliukas were called up by Tunisia and Lithuania respectively. Northern Ireland, meanwhile, placed Dean Shiels on stand-by. All three men had featured in the first team in the 2014/15 campaign. But not all of them were likely to kick off the last eight tie at New Bayview. In fact, it was not inconceivable that none of them would play. Surely, a lot of disgruntled fans asked, the Ibrox club has a strong enough squad to be able to cope with a meeting with part-time opposition from the bottom division without Mohsni, Shiels and Zaliukas? For followers of other clubs, meanwhile, it was nothing short of laughable that the once-mighty Glasgow giants appeared to be running scared of minnows from Methil. McCoist will argue that it is his responsibility as manager to put out his strongest possible side on the park irrespective of how lowly the opposition team are. He will also point to the fact his side has won all four of the games he has had postponed - against Dunfermline, Forfar, Cowdenbeath and East Fife - this season and last. Yet, whether you approve of his stance in these situations or not is neither here nor there in the case of the Championship match with Alloa at Ibrox this Saturday. For the club board to decree the match goes ahead without consulting with their manager on the matter is alarming and suggests all is not well in the relationship between the two parties. Yes, the future of the troubled League One champions remains, despite Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley agreeing to loan them £2million last month, shrouded in uncertainty. And, yes, playing the game against Alloa this weekend as scheduled will certainly ensure that much-needed revenue comes in to the stricken club as normal. It should also prevent Championship leaders Hearts pulling further ahead of Rangers at the top of the second tier table ahead of a massive meeting between the two sides at Tynecastle seven days later. But the decision on the Alloa match going ahead was a football one and should have been taken by Ally McCoist and Ally McCoist alone. That it was not was a disturbing development and has set a worrying precedent. What's next? Derek Llambias ruling that Jon Daly deserves a start up front ahead of Kris Boyd? David Somers insisting the side should set up in a 4-5-1 formation instead of a 4-4-2? The absence of Mohsni and Arnold Peralta will not impact on Rangers as neither man has featured for the first team in weeks. The loss of Lewis Macleod, however, most certainly will. It is no surprise McCoist is considering asking Scotland boss Gordon Strachan to release the midfielder for the game if he is not set to be involved in the Euro 2016 qualifier with the Republic of Ireland on Friday night. Macleod scored one goal - his eighth of the campaign -and set up Kenny Miller for another in an emphatic 4-0 triumph over Falkirk in a league game at Ibrox at the weekend. He was also the deserved recipient of the man of the match award. The 20-year-old, then, will be conspicuous by his absence if he is not in the Rangers team against Alloa. He certainly has been whenever he has been sidelined previously this term. It was no coincidence the Light Blues drew 1-1 with Alloa away and lost 3-1 to Hibs at home when the talented youngster was injured. Five of the eight points they have dropped in the league this season have been leaked without him. Stevie Smith will probably get the nod to stand in for Macleod and will no doubt acquit himself with all of his usual professionalism. But he is a specialist left- back and is not a like-for-like replacement. Having said all that, if McCoist's men, who have now kept six consecutive clean sheets in all competitions, continue to play as well as they have done in recent weeks against Barry Smith's charges they should collect all three points. Their performance against a decent Falkirk side was assured. A Nicky Law strike early on gave them the lead and subsequent efforts from Macleod, Miller and Nicky Clark secured another victory. The backline of Richard Foster, Darren McGregor, Lee McCulloch and Lee Wallace was once again rock solid. Steve Simonsen in goals was rarely troubled by the visitors. Hearts edged out Raith Rovers - a side that Rangers had thrashed 6-1 a few weeks ago - by 1-0 through in the capital on Saturday and maintained their four-point advantage at the top of the table. But the fact that Rangers have won eight games on the spin, letting in just one goal in the process, is rightly giving them confidence they can catch and overtake their main rivals for promotion back to the top flight. You would think Ally McCoist, the man responsible for orchestrating that run of form and for overseeing Rangers rise through the bottom two divisions, would be deferred to on football matters. You would be wrong. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/ally-must-action-cap-call-offs-at-rangers-187907n.25814885

I see the SFA have charge Tonev with racist abuse, using the Duncan Ferguson affair as a precedent should the Police now step in and charge this guy after all he has alledgedly broken the law and the confines of a football pitch doesn't exempt you from prosecution if you break the law.

Very random topic but what are your memories of him? I was very young when he played for us but recall him being a decent player despite his size and was ruined through injury. Am I recalling correctly?

...after bust-up with Rangers boss. GORDON claimed he wasn’t offered a contract by Gers in the summer – only for McCoist to insist he was given the option of signing. CELTIC keeper Craig Gordon has told Ally McCoist there will be no clear-the-air talks after his bust-up with the Rangers boss. Gordon claimed he wasn’t offered a contract by Gers in the summer – only for McCoist to insist he was given the option of signing. He also claimed Gordon hadn’t bothered calling him back but the Hoops No.1 said: “There’s plenty of things that could come out but won’t. “If he wants to say anything more it’s up to him. But I’m done with it.” Spending two years on the sidelines fearing for his career has given Gordon a great sense of perspective. So it’s not too surprising that a spat with McCoist has left the Celtic keeper unruffled. The 31-year-old spent a long time in the wilderness following his release by Sunderland in 2012, fighting for fitness as a knee injury continued to plague him. Celtic eventually handed Gordon a route back into the game this summer and he has rediscovered the kind of form that made him Scotland’s undisputed No.1. But he trained with Old Firm rivals Rangers before pitching up at Parkhead, although Gordon claims he wasn’t offered a contract by the Ibrox club. That was disputed last week by Gers gaffer McCoist. The fact Celtic then landed Rangers in the draw for the League Cup semi-final added even more spice to the row. But Gordon has already drawn a line under the matter and won’t give McCoist a call to clear the air before that cup clash early next year. He said: “I don’t want to get into a war of words. It’s his prerogative to say what he wants. “Those things should have stayed between us. If he wants to make those make comments that’s entirely up to him. “I know exactly what happened and I’m comfortable with everything that has gone on. “It’s up to him, it makes no difference to me. “I haven’t spoken to him. I don’t know if he wants a phone call or not but now we’ve been paired together in the League Cup, it’s probably unlikely. If he wants to say anything more, it’s up to him. “But it won’t be coming from me. I’m done with it.” Gordon has more important things to worry about and hopes his injury problems are now over after becoming a Hoops regular. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-keeper-craig-gordon-says-4596752?

Wee Gordy and Mark McGhee no brainer !

...then renew battle with English rival. RANGERS star Lewis Macleod is delighted to be in Scotland squad for Friday's clash with Ireland but he already has eyes renewing a rivalry with the Auld Enemy. LEWIS MACLEOD admits he has an old score to settle with the Auld Enemy. The Rangers striker was part of Scotland’s Under-16 side that lost 2-1 to an English team that included Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling. The Victory Shield defeat in 2009 at Tynecastle provided a glimpse into the future – and fast forward five years, the two graduates will be reunited at Parkhead next Tuesday. Macleod’s promotion into Gordon Strachan’s senior squad for the double-header against Ireland and Roy Hodgson’s men is more about gaining experience than game time. But the midfielder insists he’s desperate to get up close and personal once more with Sterling – and hopes for a happier ending. Macleod was awarded the Young Player of the Month trophy for October and he said: “You could tell Sterling was going to be brilliant. “His career has really blossomed and he’s gone from QPR to become an influential player at Liverpool. “Raheem is different class. There will be teams looking at him in January. He’s the type you want to play against. “I would be delighted to get any sort of game time with Scotland but I know it’s not going to be a quiet match against England. But it would be a great experience. “There were thousands of fans at the Tynecastle game in 2009. “We lost because of a dodgy decision by the ref. “It was 2-1 but we scored first and played well. I was taken off after about 60 minutes but it probably was my fault for the first half. “Hopefully things go better in the next couple of weeks. “Back then I was nervous and it will pretty much be the same come the next two games. The atmosphere will be electric.” The meteoric rise from Murray Park hopeful to the brink of his first international cap has been stunning but Lewis admits there’s time for some of the class of 2009 to follow his trail. And the 20-year-old is adamant Strachan’s policy of promoting the kids is starting to pay dividends. He said: “There were a lot of good players in our Victory Shield side. Islam Feruz played up front for us that day and big Jack Grimmer was the captain. “There were a lot of players you expected to go on and do good things. There is no reason why they still can’t. “It just shows you how far I have come that I have been called up. “Wee Ryan Gauld wasn’t in the same team as me as he was a year younger. It is good to see the likes of Andy Robertson, Stevie May and myself getting called in. “It just shows you the gaffer is not scared to call up the young players. “I can’t see too many from that England U-16 team who have come through. There is a guy at Reading called Daniel Redmond who came on as a sub. And Nick Powell is at Man United and a good player. “But it just shows how long ago it seems as all of their team were sought-after players. “It takes an awful lot to reach the full England squad so all credit to Raheem as he’s been brilliant.” Macleod admits playing for his country at senior level was beyond his wildest dreams but that reality will come a step closer when he meets up with the rest of the Scotland squad today. He said: “You always have aspirations to do better. You don’t really think about that at the time as it looks such a long way away. “Back then I was only about 14 or 15 years old but it’s good that I’ve come through the ranks for both club and country. “This is the best week of my career. I don’t expect too much when I go away with the squad but just to be there and experience it for myself will be great. “It is a huge difference to go from playing Cowdenbeath the other night to getting a chance to play Ireland and England at Parkhead. “I haven’t spoken to Strachan. It’s my first time with the squad so I can’t expect to get a lot of game time. “Hopefully the experience can be beneficial for years to come. I will try my hardest so hopefully I can impress him and possibly be involved in future squads. There has been a change in the Scotland squad and it looks quite promising. The manager has them playing good football.” Macleod will also get the chance to meet a childhood hero when he trains alongside Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher. He said: “I wanted to be like Darren growing up. He was at the heart of things and it doesn’t get much better than playing for Man United. “He’s the type of guy I looked up to and you want your career to go the same way. So it will be weird to train with these guys next week.” If Macleod is given his debut he’s vowed to hang on to his first Scotland top. He said: “I might be greedy and keep that for myself.” http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/pound-sterling-rangers-youngster-lewis-4596946

Algeria and Fujairah captain would love to finish his career at Ibrox. Fujairah: Algeria and Fujairah captain Madjid Bougherra says he dreams of playing one more game for former club Glasgow Rangers before he retires. The 32-year-old defender is currently languishing in the lower half of the UAE’s Arabian Gulf League with Fujairah, having joined from Qatar’s Al Lekhwiya in the summer. But he says he dreams of returning to Scotland’s Rangers, with whom he won five titles in four years before they sold him in 2011, when the club went into liquidation. Rangers were forced to re-enter Scottish football in the fourth division, but they have since secured back-to-back promotions and are currently first in the second tier with a return to the top flight seemingly imminent. “I was really upset when they went down because they didn’t deserve it,” the former fans’ favourite told Gulf News. “But I’m really not afraid for them now. “They have beautiful fans who will follow them everywhere. I’m confident they will get back in the Scottish Premier League (SPL) and be back in the Uefa Champions League very soon.” Of his dream of signing off his career at Ibrox, Bougherra, who played for Rangers between 2008 and 2011, winning three league titles and the Scottish Cup and League Cup, added: “To finish my career there would be unbelievable. “Rangers is a huge part of my career, this club gave me the opportunity to play at the highest level and enabled me to show my talent to the world. “My target is to finish my career there, just one more game would be enough for me, but if I can help them with my experience for a season, or even half a season, and finish my career at Ibrox, it would be a dream. We will see if it’s possible, from today I am still in good touch with them.” http://gulfnews.com/sport/football/madjid-bougherra-eyes-last-hurrah-with-glasgow-rangers-1.1409573?