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  1. ...has just been called up to the Scotland Under 21 squad. Obviously being on loan at Oxford has benefited him, in a way that reserve football wouldn't have (supposing that there had been any in any case). With Danny Wilson also doing well, we could have a backbone of Ross and Wilson to serve us well for years. On a negative note, no place for Fleck, which I find annoying and baffling.
  2. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/interview-weir-insists-wilson-has-temperament-and-self-confidence-to-cope-in-the-champions-league-1.930339?localLinksEnabled=false
  3. i think 7 or 8 youngstes should get a lot moe game time this season the likes of lowing mcmillan wilson wylde shinnie ness fleck loy and little could all come in and do a job i think especially when we are at home to a bottom 6 team in the spl the likes of hamilton st mirren falkirk st johnstone and in cup games
  4. Tuesday night - KO 7.45pm; Live on BBC Radio Scotland 810MW Having dropped another two points against Hibernian in the SPL at the weekend, Rangers travel to Dundee twice in the space of a week to try and get their season back on track. First off is a trip to Dens Park to face current Division 1 leaders Dundee with a backdrop of financial uncertainty surrounding our club. The manager, board of directors and bank have all had their say on the issue with clear as mud perhaps the only conclusion the support can reach at this stage. However, business must continue on the park asunder! As such Walter Smith will be looking to take the issue off the minds of his players and the fans with a solid performance and victory in the League Cup. Early news from the Rangers camp suggests changes will be afoot in the first XI which should add even more interest to a game where the fans will be expecting progression to the semi-finals. First off in defence, it has been confirmed that Danny Wilson will make his debut at centre-half. The left-footed youngster should partner Sasa Papac in central defence with Davie Weir perhaps being rested. Depending on this, Steven Smith and Steven Whittaker are likely to be the full backs in front of an ever impressive Allan McGregor who seems to be at the top of his game once more. In midfield the manager's hand will be forced with a plethora of injuries affecting his choice of personnel. Thomson, McCulloch, Mendes and Edu all remain injured so central midfield may see an unfamiliar face deputise - be it John Fleck, Jamie Ness or Andrew Shinnie. On the flanks Kyle Lafferty and Steven Naismith will most probably retain their places with both looking to achieve more consistency of performance during matches. Up front, Kenny Miller's continuing injury problems may see him rested which should allow Nacho Novo to return to the starting XI alongside Kris Boyd who was impressive leading the line against Hibs. Other options for the manager may be Lafferty up front with Beasley or Rothen played in the deeper, left-sided role. Certainly goals are hard to come by for Rangers right now, so these positional decisions are hugely important as we try to improve our form and results. One thing is for sure, with few defensive options in terms of the midfield, we can expect another exciting match with chances for both teams. It is up to our players to show further increased commitment whole taking the chances required to win what will be a difficult match and a tough venue. Possible team (4-4-2): :sw: :wilson: :sp: :ss: :sn: :sd: :jf: :kl: :kb: :nn: Prediction: Dundee 1 - 2 Rangers
  5. It's incredibly difficult not to criticise individuals after so many bad performances. However, we are losing games as a team so it's important that when we look back, we examine the team itself - as well as ask why AN Other refuses to build a sweat.... As such, for me, most of the team's problems are coming from the midfield. No matter who we have played in there this season, the problems are evident - both in terms of allowing runners from opposition teams to cause our defence problems (and this make them sit even deeper) and in terms of not supporting the attack (often only one player) to help maintain possession up front. Of course the other parts of the team need to take the blame as well. Our defence was woeful last night and our attack have been that inconsistent, I don't think we've played the same partnership in two successive games yet. The manager also needs to have a long look in the mirror when he appears unable to motivate or mould his players into providing better performances. However, it is the midfield - the most crucial part of any team IMO - that is letting us down. Even worse for us, this part of the team contains our most expensive players - both in initial outlay and wage. Jerome Rothen - Unable to get a game for an average PSG team because of lack of pace, fitness and attitude problems. Yet seems to appear right across our midfield in a variety of games without any dangerous contribution whatsoever. Steven Davis - �£3million player who absolutely refuses to get involved in the physical nature of the Scottish game. Fair enough if he was actually getting forward but passes backwards more often than Barry Ferguson while absolving himself of responsibility by hiding at right back to allow Whittaker to get forward. Pedro Mendes - Another �£3million player who flatters to deceive. However, with absolutely no outlet to pass to (other than defenders) I'm starting to understand why he's so ineffectual. Our forwards can't control a ball and are easily marked out of games - when we actually play two of them that is. Is it any wonder that his centre-halves seem to be a better option? Kevin Thomson - Just back from (another) long term knee injury so his lack of form can be accounted for - to a degree. Constantly giving the ball away, failing to read the game and poor decision-making isn't affected by injury though. Must do better! Lee McCulloch - Probably our best midfielder this season which says it all about the above. However, his lack of mobility and pace would only cause us more problems in the long run. Not the answer. Steven Naismith - Started the season brightly enough but is wasted on the left of a 5-man midfield. Must play off the striker in a free role to benefit the team. In saying that, he's another player only too willing to hide on the flank when the tough gets going. So there we have it. Six players - all costing �£2million+ and/or with large wages failing the team, the manager, the fans and themselves with under-performance. Worst thing is we have little or no-one to replace them with. Beasley, Fleck, Novo, Ness, Shinnie and Edu all have their pros and cons but I don't think any of us can say with authority they'd bring an improvement. However, that is not a reason NOT to make the change. Edu may not yet be fit but the other names mentioned must be called upon when the current incumbents refuse to or appear incapable of raising their game against even the most average of oppositions. If our midfield doesn't start functioning then our chances of success are minimal.
  6. There's plenty of talk on here about whether the management should stay or go, so I thought I'd give my opinion on our main players who regularly get starts when they're fit for action. It's a brutally honest assessment that would need investment in new players if/when we have the money, as well as some youth being given a chance. I'll simplify this down to 2 lists - STAY & GO STAY Bougherra - Our best defender & a definite keeper, but we won't keep him. Papac - Our 2nd best defender & worth keeping. Davis - Our best midfielder & worth keeping despite his current form. Mendes - Our 2nd best midfielder & worth keeping despite his current form.. Edu - Haven't seen enough of him yet, but worth keeping based on what we've seen. Boyd - Our best goal scorer & worth keeping for his goals alone. Naismith - Still young, but probably our best all-round striking talent at the moment. Needs to start scoring goals. Novo - Great impact striker that almost always causes problems for defenses when brought on. Worth keeping imo. Fleck - Needs to be given a chance in attack/up front because he is not a winger. GO Weir - Once very good, but has no pace, no agility, poor distribution. Time to go. Broadfoot - Could be kept as back up cover, but we need better quality. Whittaker - Good player, but not a good right back. Prone to lapses of concentration/fuck ups & gives the ball away in dangerous areas constantly. McCulloch - Good enough for a poor Rangers side, but not good enough for a good one. Get rid of him. Thomson - Proving to be injury prone & appears very slow coming back to form on return from injury. If he's not back to top form by January, I wouldn't be disappointed to see an offer accepted. Rothen - Has a mountain to climb if he wants to earn a contract here. As it stands he'll be going back to PSG at the end of his loan. Beasley - Showed signs of real talent, but now totally out of the picture & is as good as gone now anyway. At least we only payed around �£750k for him. Lafferty - I'd bite anyone's hand off that was offering anything over 65% of what we paid for him. Miller - Poor ball control, shot shy, has proven to be an asset on the odd occasion that he turns up. How such a brutal footballer can show the occasional sign of genius is beyond me. Not worth keeping though. It's a sad indication of the state of football in our country that this guy has been & continues to be the national team's 1st choice striker. I think that about sums up what I think about our current team. It needs rebuilt. So what does everyone else think?
  7. Walter Smith was asked to send out 3 players for the post-match interview last night. His reply........ "Weir, Fleck n Rothen!"
  8. I was thinking of our team at the start of this season, thinking we looked strong, fast, creative and with some potential for the future. Three weeks later, I'm looking at the same team and thinking this is a team that achieved all it could last season, and that this year is going to mean more rebuilding (yes, again). And what that makes me think is, does Smith want to rebuild another team? It also makes me think, once again, that I know nothing about football! But regarding the more important points, where do we go from here? Does Smith stick with the players who have shown little fight or energy so far; does he bring in players like Fleck or Wilson; does he have the stomach to do it all over again; do we look to McCoist for the future, or start the search for a new manager now? Hard to believe that so many negative questions can be rolling around, when I was so sure we were on our way!!
  9. When I turned on ESPN this Saturday, the first Rangers game broadcast by the American Network that puts Sky�s coverage to shame, I was shocked and pleased in equal measure by the starting line up Smith had chosen to tackle Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. Since Smith and his management team have returned to the club I have at times been frustrated by his unwillingness to utilise his full squad. It can be argued that at the end of the 2007/8 season as we battled on four fronts to win silverware that had Smith been willing to utilise the full benefit of his large squad we may not have come up just short in our assault on the title. I may be being a little unfair Walter and his deputies as hitherto before unseen backlog of fixtures is what ultimately cost us the league crown. However, it still stands that at times he has been reticent to rotate his squad and gain the benefits of fringe players who are fresh, fully fit and eager to contribute. So as posters in the main forum will have noted, prior to kick off, I was pleased to note the changes made from what was an excellent point earned in Germany. Kris Boyd, who prior to this weekend�s game had a scoring record of more than a goal a game against his former employers, returned to the starting line up as a toiling Kenny Miller made way. Davie Weir returned to the first XI and with Bougherra suspended it was vital our captain was fit with few other options for the centre-back position. I had assumed the veteran defenders experience would coach McCulloch through another game in his new defensive role. In came Fleck and Novo as Thomson and Rothen dropped to the bench. There could be little complaints about the formation and line up the manager had selected for this latest fixture. A willingness to freshen up the first team and attacking intent in abundance. We had pace and trickery in wide areas from Fleck, Novo and Naismith. Mendes was partnered in the centre by the diminutive Ulsterman Steve Davis, moved in from the right flank where he is able to have more influence on proceedings. With Scotland�s deadliest marksman feeding off this supply on-loan Celtic keeper Mark Brown must have been expecting a far more difficult afternoon than he endured. However, as the draw in Stuttgart highlighted, defying popular opinion of so called experts and bookmakers, football is played out on the field not on paper. Despite the supposed gulf in class, despite the abundance of attacking quality available to Rangers, we rarely troubled the Kilmarnock goal. Yesterday was not a game for the neutrals. Had I not such a deep emotional attachment to my football team, I might not have been watching until fulltime. It was the kind of contest where you would not open your curtains had it been played out in your back garden. Time and again I have argued from the position of football fanatic, not customer. I am not terribly interested in the so-called product so long as positive results are being obtained. Where that argument falls short and where those who wish to be entertained as well victorious are hard to argue against is after a fixture like Saturday�s. A poor performance married with a poor result that saw Celtic usurp our position atop the league table. Fortunately with fixtures against Aberdeen and Celtic next up on league duty we have ample opportunity to make amends and return to our rightful position at the summit. Before that of course we have a Co-op cup fixture with Queen of the South and our first Home Champions League game against La Liga cracks Sevilla. A worrying trend in an inability to motivate ourselves from the first whistle has continued into the new season. Away in Germany we can be forgiven for having to survive a first half onslaught. Stuttgart, as the home team, were under pressure to take maximum points as results achieved at home so often determine the outcome of the Champions League group stage. The German outfit are also blessed with greater financial clout and therefore individual star quality. At half time Smith was able to galvanise his team and they produced a second half performance worthy of the Rangers to take an excellent point on the road. There are no excuses for not being able to take the game to a vastly inferior Kilmarnock team. Much like we have managed to do on our European travels under Smith and McCoist, Killie managed to produce a team performance to outfox a team with greater resources and quality. Like we have shown in our march to Manchester, a good team ethic can defeat superior opposition. We, therefore, no better than anyone that approaching any fixture with the right mental attitude is vital if we are to avoid dropping silly points as we mount our title challenge. I put last week�s drab draw with Motherwell down as a one off. It is rare any team can complete a perfect season. Rangers have managed it just once in our history. But if we have serious ambitions of retaining our league title and extending our world record to 53 titles we cannot afford to put together a string of dropped points. I had hoped the 0-0 draw at Fir Park would serve as sufficient motivation to approach our league fixtures with the correct mindset. It was disappointing therefore that we would again drop points in the very next fixture. Last weekend we were fortunate that our errors were not punished by Celtic as they could not take advantage of our slip up. We were not likely to get away with it two weeks running. Perhaps this weekend�s disappointment was a result of a Champions League hangover. If that is the case it is a worrying scenario for the season ahead with a minimum of 5 more Champions League fixtures to be negotiated. We are all aware of the importance of competing at Europe�s top table. This summer�s transfer window was a bit of non-event as far as Rangers were concerned. Imagine the disaster that may have unfolded had we not guaranteed Champions League participation. Star players such as Bougherra and Davis may no longer be plying their trade at Ibrox. We therefore understand the importance of ensuring we retain our league title and are entered into the draw in Monaco next summer. It is essential then that Walter Smith gets this first half malaise drilled out of our players. Queen of the South are up next at Palmerston this midweek and I expect them to be on the end of a Rangers backlash. There are many players with a lot to prove ahead of vital fixtures with Aberdeen and Sevilla. Kris Boyd, Pedro Mendes and Kenny Miller have flattered to deceive so far this season. They are all seasoned and experience pro�s and their performances should be helping guys like John Fleck and a now injury free Steven Naismith to settle into the team. I am unsure as to whether we should stick with Miller and Boyd and hope that what should be a formality of a fixture will allow them to play their way into form, or drop them to the bench and hope that that serves as the motivation to find their form from the first whistle.
  10. At last! After years of signing pensioners, crocks and has-beens who never-were, Rangers seem to have captured a talented, big match player, one with a point to prove and actual fire burning in his boots: Jerome Rothen. I doubt many were bowled over by his debut at Fir Park. But for a player used to the Parc De Prince, the Stade Gerland, and the cauldron of OM's Stade Velodrome, Motherwell's <cough> trim and tidy PauperDome could hardly have set his juices a-flowing, while the sight of his teammates huffing and puffing their way to a 0-0 draw would hardly have inspired. What a difference tonight! The workrate of Sebo crossed with Nacho, but fortunately with the ability of neither, you could see that this is the stage he will excel at. That brings with it the other side of the coin - that he won't be much cop when we travel to Rugby Park on a Tuesday night in January - but if he can keep us in Europe beyond Christmas, or even (whisper it) help us sneak into the last 16, won't that be a price worth paying? I hope Walter Smith is brave enough, and flexible enough, to accomodate this cultured midfielder. Playing him through the wind and rain will bring little reward; those days are for Novo, or Fleck. If Rothen is let off the leash when the occassion demands it, I think we'll see the best of him - and that can only be a good thing for Rangers. There is the downside. That is that Rothen is hardly trying his best on a Champions League night to impress us, or to show that he can cut in in Scotland. I'm quite sure he believes he should be playing at a 'bigger' club than Rangers, and sees us as a means to an end. Well, that's fine, too, I suppose. It's just how it is, and if he can push Rangers forward while he's here, so be it. So while you're here, Jerome, more power to your left boot!
  11. WALTER SMITH is set to hand Kevin Thomson and Steven Naismith starting slots as Rangers kick-off their Champions League campaign here tomorrow night. The Gers manager is preparing to make some changes to the starting line-up and formation for the Group G encounter against Stuttgart in the Mercedes-Benz Arena. And it means both Thomson and Naismith - who were on the bench at the weekend as the Ibrox side drew 0-0 with Motherwell at Fir Park - will come straight into the starting line-up. Rangers arranged a closed door match with Morton at Murray Park yesterday to give Thomson some game time ahead of tomorrow's showdown with the Germans, after three weeks without a top team appearance. The midfielder was sent-off in his one and only league start this term away to Hearts, and was suspended for the home game with Hamilton Accies. He then had a free weekend when Scotland faced Macedonia and was unused at Motherwell on Saturday. But he played against Morton in a 3-1 victory and was joined by Nacho Novo - who netted a hat-trick - and John Fleck. Now Thommo is now in line to slot straight into the middle of the park. A Rangers insider revealed: "He didn't play the full 90 minutes but he managed to come through it without any problems." Smith will revert to his tried and tested 4-5-1 formation which he prefers to go with in European fixtures away from home. It means new signing Jerome Rothen is likely to drop back to the bench to allow Naismith to operate wide on the left with a view to getting as close to Kenny Miller as possible when Rangers are attacking. Kris Boyd is the second player that should find himself out of the starting line-up as Thomson is thrown into a three-man central midfield alongside Lee McCulloch and Pedro Mendes. And McCulloch could be handed a key role as the player designated to man-mark Stuttgart playmaker Alexander Hleb, providing the Belarussian midfielder recovers from a knock that threatens to keep him out of the showdown. Gers boss Smith said: "When you are operating in the Champions League you expect every game to be a difficult one. Stuttgart are a top side who have performed consistently well in the Bundesliga for quite some time. "But you want to be playing in the Champions League and everyone connected with Rangers is looking forward to this campaign immensely."
  12. Here's an up-to-date list of the first team squad. The injured players are not in bold. 1 - Allan McGregor 2 - Maurice Edu - Injured 3 - David Weir 4 - Pedro Mendes - Injured 5 - Sasa Papac 6 - Lee McCulloch 7 - Steven Davis 8 - Kevin Thomson (still not 100% after previous injury) 9 - Kris Boyd 10 - Nacho Novo - Injured 14 - Steven Naismith 16 - Steven Whittaker 18 - Kenny Miller 19 - Aaron Niguez (on loan from Valncia) 20 - DaMarcus Beasley 21 - Kirk Broadfoot - Injured 24 - Madjid Bougherra 25 - Neil Alexander 26 - Steven Smith 27 - Kyle Lafferty 29 - John Fleck - Striker Age 17 (turns 18 on 24th Aug) 43 - Steven Lennon - Striker - Age 21 47 - Jordan McMillan - Versatile Defender or Midfielder - Age 20 (turns 21 on 16th Oct) 48 - Andrew Little - Striker or Center Back - Age 20 49 - Steven Kinniburgh - Attacking Left Back - Age 20 52 - Andrew Shinnie - Striker - Age 20 66 - Danny Wilson - Left sided Center Back - Age 17 So in summary, if you don't count the injured players & youngsters, our squad looks like this - Goalkeepers 1 - Allan McGregor 25 - Neil Alexander Defenders 3 - David Weir 5 - Sasa Papac (suspended for 1st SPL fixture) 16 - Steven Whittaker 24 - Madjid Bougherra 26 - Steven Smith Midfielders 6 - Lee McCulloch (not really a midfielder but will be needed as one) 7 - Steven Davis 8 - Kevin Thomson (still not 100% after previous injury) 20 - DaMarcus Beasley Strikers 9 - Kris Boyd 14 - Steven Naismith 18 - Kenny Miller 27 - Kyle Lafferty (suspended for 1st 2 SPL fixtures)
  13. Once the euphoria of a 2-1 victory at Tynecastle had died down, yet again I was left pondering this very question. Sure, some may argue that a narrow hard fought victory at the home of our capital rivals is no great feat. However, the circumstances of the victory should be considered. Hearts are the perennial third force in Scottish football and a visit to Tynecastle is arguably the second most difficult match on the Rangers fixture calendar. We also have to bear in mind that a harsh red card for Kevin Thomson saw the rest of the team having to battle against a full strength Hearts team for over 80 minutes (including injury time). Even more impressive than the result was the manner in which it was achieved. Viewers tuning in for the second half could be forgiven for thinking that it was Hearts that were competing with a man less as we dominated the second period and the last minute penalty, won by Naismith and converted by Boyd, was just rewards for our play. Boyd�s late arrival onto the field of play was perplexing to myself as well as a number of other fans I have spoken with. With Celtic disposing of St Johnstone by a 3 goal margin the previous afternoon, 3 points at Tynecastle was imperative if we did not want to be playing catch up at this early stage. So, with a Hearts side struggling for results and confidence this season, it was a little disappointing that Smith did not make a positive or aggressive change at half time. With his team down to 10 men, Smith decided to sacrifice the youthful energy and direct running of Fleck for the defensive grit of Stevie Smith in the midfield. His decision to leave Boyd on the bench, who had admittedly been struggling with illness through the week, appeared to lack ambition. To Walter�s credit however, the substitution and tactical switch changed the complexion of the game. Stevie Smith, a natural left back, helped shore up a midfield reduced in numbers, but the diminutive left back also got forward well from his midfield berth and his deliveries were a constant thorn in Hearts rearguard. It was from a Smith delivery, albeit a set piece, that led to McCulloch�s opener. The much maligned former Wigan man is joint top scorer at Murray Park. And Steven Naismith was unfortunate not to add to his account for the season from another wicked Smith delivery. The performance of Stevie Smith and indeed the dominance of Rangers in the second half more than justified Smith�s tactical changes and half time substitution. And, of course, it allowed Smith to retain the ace up his sleeve until he really needed him. The influential substitution of Smith for Fleck may in part have been forced by Boyd�s lack of match sharpness due to illness. Whatever the truth, the manager deserves the benefit of the doubt. And when he did finally introduce Boyd to the fray, the big Ayrshire man did what he does best. With his first touch of the match, Boyd did what the forwards had struggled to do for large portions of the game. He got the better of the impressive Goncalves, winning an aerial joust and directing the ball on for the onrushing Naismith. Boyd�s former Kilmarnock strike partner drove into the box and although there was initial contact outside the box, the offending challenge occurred inside the box and for once referee Craig Thomson called it right as he pointed to the spot. Boyd has an enviable record from 12 yards and his winning goal was no more than his team mates deserved in outplaying a Hearts side with a numerical advantage. Whilst Walter�s second tenure at the club has seen some remarkable results, some football purists have questioned the tactics that have secured the results and the trophies. On that impressive run to Manchester, even some Rangers diehards groaned at the brand of football. So after groaning at half time when Walter made what could be considered a negative change, in bringing off an exciting young forward player for a gritty left-back to bolster his midfield, I am left asking yet again: do the ends justify the means? Damn right it does!
  14. Thatââ?¬â?¢s What Iââ?¬â?¢m Talking About On exiting Tynecastle on Sunday I found myself reinvigorated, brimming with pride and buzzing with excitement, and I bet I wasnââ?¬â?¢t the only one. Grabbing a last minute winner after being down to 10 men for almost 80 minutes at a venue where victories are notoriously difficult gives you as much, if not more enjoyment than an easily achieved 4-0 win. It isnââ?¬â?¢t only the circumstances of the victory that buoyed this old cynic it was the manner of the victory and performance. What I witnessed yesterday, especially in the 2nd half, epitomises Rangers. There was a determination to triumph in the face of adversity. There was character seeping out the pours of every one of the 10 heroes in that 2nd period as well as a good old (dare I say Protestant) work ethic that would put most of us to shame. We can discuss the performance of the officials and scrutinise every contentious decision and come to the conclusion that they got far more incorrect than correct. We can bemoan the lack of consistency and we can bemoan the objectivity of the media in the face of this ââ?¬Ë?controversyââ?¬â?¢. Some fans, rightly or wrongly are claiming that Scottish referees arenââ?¬â?¢t just inconsistent but are corrupt (thatââ?¬â?¢s another discussion for another day). What we canââ?¬â?¢t deny is that Rangers deserved the victory. The 2nd half performance was immense. At times it appeared that we were the team with the extra-man and we were the team playing the football and pushing to initially equalise, then to win the game. In a perverse way, the decision to red-card Thommo actually worked in our favour. It galvanised the players and may have been the inspiration required to spur the players into the brilliant performance. Walter Smith must also take some credit for replacing the worryingly ineffectual Fleck with Smith at half-time. A changed that was decried by the majority of Bears in attendance but not just a justified change, but one that gave us the platform we required. Going 3-4-2 ensured that we bossed the midfield and allowed the tireless Miller some company in the forward line. Stevie Smith, for all his faults, does offer an energy required to get from box to box and his appearance did give us a natural balance. He also sent in a great ball for the equaliser which was dispatched brilliantly by our new goal machine Lee McCulloch. Big Lee has his detractors, but he has started this season well and I can see him getting a lot of game time this season, especially in Europe where he be deployed as the ââ?¬Ë?holdingââ?¬â?¢ midfield player. The old saying that is a funny old game is certainly true and weââ?¬â?¢ll all have evidence to prove this saying. The latest one for me came on Sunday. There is no secret that I am not Kris Boydââ?¬â?¢s greatest fan. I appreciate that Boyd will score goals, that canââ?¬â?¢t be argued with. I just believe that he should offer more. Anyway, when he entered the fray in the dying embers of the raging battle I shouted, ââ?¬Ë?come on Kris, do what you do bestââ?¬â?¢. See, no matter what I write in fanzines, or message-boards, I do offer 110% support to the team / players during the game! Anyway, low and behold with his first touch of the ball he flicks on a long clearance which SN latches onto and is fouled. PENALTY. With his 2nd and possibly last kick of the game, Boyd does what he does best! One last word on the game at Tynecastle, a huge round of applause to the Rangers fans who were in attendance. The support these people give canââ?¬â?¢t be overstated. In these financially uncertain times, where every penny is critical and in the face of aggressive Policing and Stewarding, the travelling fans are an absolute credit to the club. The song sung at the final whistle on Sunday really summed up events on the pitch and the fantastic support shown off it, yes that is why we are champions. Jam Tarts Donââ?¬â?¢t Do Irony Donââ?¬â?¢t know if any one else has noticed the newest ditty sung by Hearts (and Hibs) fans when we face them? ââ?¬Ë?Weââ?¬â?¢re from the capital, youââ?¬â?¢re from a shit-holeââ?¬â?¢. Now, sitting at Tynie on Sunday with the raining pouring down, the dilapidated stand offering no shelter, I had to wonder what the Hearts fans definition of a ââ?¬Ë?shit-holeââ?¬â?¢ is? I know this is just football banter, but come on folks, I think everyone of us has seen Trainspotting! Celtc And Their Obsession With Rangers I think that we all know that the vast majority of Tims are obsessed with the mighty Rangers. This is a mixture of envy, hatred and loathing but I didnââ?¬â?¢t really appreciate the extent of this extended to the ââ?¬Ë?clubââ?¬â?¢ itself. Due to driving through the A80 road-works ever day I have taken to listening to Real Radio for the travel reports and have caught the advertisement for the new Celtc 3rd strip (the bumble-bee strip). Anyway this advert states something along the lines of the following ââ?¬Ë?the first time around it stopped 10-in-a-row, imagine what it could do nowââ?¬â?¢. There it is folks, they are so desperate that they have to use US in their advertising. Imagine having to pray on their fans bigotry, loathing, hatred and envy of us to shift some strips? Cammy F - :spl:
  15. Exclusive by Matthew Lindsay RANGERS youth supremo Jimmy Sinclair today backed Walter Smith's refusal to rush Murray Park's kids into first-team action. Smith has already confirmed he will resist the temptation to play talented 17-year-old centre-half Danny Wilson too much this season. That is even though the Gers boss has revealed he will not field veteran defender Davie Weir three times a week in the new campaign. Kirk Broadfoot, Lee McCulloch and Sasa Papac, as well as Little, will all be asked to stand in for the 39-year-old captain in the months ahead. advertisement And Sinclair, who oversees the development of the stars of tomorrow at the Ibrox club's multi-million pound training complex in Milngavie, reckons the gaffer's approach is spot on. "Danny certainly has lots of potential," he said. "He is training with the first team just now on a daily basis along with a few of his contemporaries, Jamie Ness and Andy Little. "But, as the manager has already stated publicly, he believes that a centre-back in particular needs to have a certain amount of maturity." He added: "I know he rates Danny very, very highly, but there is an element of patience required with him. Experience is paramount in his position. "A youngster who is player playing further up the pitch can make an error and it is not a catastrophe. In defence, though, an error can cost a goal. That is a lot to take for a young boy." Sinclair also feels Smith, and his backroom team of Ally McCoist, Kenny McDowall and Ian Durrant, have taken the correct approach with John Fleck. Fleck, still just 17, burst into the Rangers first team in a blaze of publicity last season and was tipped for great things after some fine individual performances. However, since then, he has struggled to hold down a regular first team place and he was dropped from the squad altogether after swearing at McCoist in a bust-up during pre-season. But Fleck came back into the first team in the Scottish champions' opening league game against Falkirk last weekend and did well in a 4-1 triumph. Sinclair reckons the prodigiously skilful youngster's return to form has a lot to do with the strict stance Smith has taken with him. He explained: "John is on a steep learning curve just now. He has been, and continues to be, a talented footballer at his age group level. "But to get into the Rangers first team, and then to try and stay there, is the biggest challenge that he has had to face so far in his career. Again, patience is required to ensure the introduction is done properly. There is nobody better than Walter to oversee that. John is in good hands. "I think John is comfortable playing anywhere. He is the type of boy who is happy to do that. But I think if you asked him specifically where he would prefer to play, he would like a central role. "For a 17-year-old, that is a big ask. As often happens with younger players, they are introduced into a wider area to get used to first team football. It seems to be working well. "For a young boy getting into the Rangers first team it is important to deal with not getting picked when you think you should be. "The setbacks are as important to his development as the good things which happen to him. Apart from the wee blip he had this summer, John seems to be settling in well." Meanwhile, Sinclair has endorsed the Glasgow club's decision to withdraw from the Reserve League - and predicted locking horns with English sides will improve the quality of games the Ibrox kids take part in. He stated: "We will replace formal fixtures with a type of game that we would require and prefer. "We will be travelling down south to play first-choice teams, as well as hosting them at Murray Park, and will get a better level of competition. "The Reserve League games had to be played regardless of the injury situation of a club. "There are a number of things which did not suit this club and I am sure we will overcome them in the coming season with the flexibility to arrange our own matches. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2526534.0.0.php
  16. I wrote this last weekend and posted in the writer's forum, but with Frankie busy the rest were too lazy to do anything with it. Perhaps the timing of this is not so great now, but I wrote it so it's getting posted.
  17. EVERTON are ready to gamble on Rangers hothead John Fleck. The midfielder, 17, has fallen out with boss Walter Smith and was dropped into the reserves. Fleck will cost �£3million and is also a target for Wigan http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2571655/Everton-eye-Gers-ace.html?OTC-RSS&ATTR=Football
  18. JOHN FLECK is ready to knuckle down in training in a bid to get his Rangers career back on track. The 18-year-old was axed from the Ibrox club's squad for the Emirates Cup to spend the weekend in Northern Ireland with the reserves. It is understood a training ground altercation took place at the end of their German training camp between the player and assistant manager Ally McCoist, although manager Walter Smith denied that was the reason for Fleck's exclusion from London. Instead of facing French side PSG on Saturday and hosts Arsenal yesterday, the youngster was sent with the youth team. It is still unknown whether or not he will be included in the first-team squad for Wednesday's friendly with Man City as Smith assesses his attitude on his return. But it is understood the highly rated attacker is determined to show how much he wants to make the grade at Rangers and force his way back into the top-team set-up. Although Fleck's talents have always been known to a string of Premier League sides in England, he wants to become a key player for his boyhood heroes. Fleck netted a double and set up two goals as the second string defeated Portadown on Friday. He also played against Glentoran yesterday and will return to Murray Park tomorrow. A source close to the player said: "John is desperate to make the grade this season with Rangers. He worked hard on his own during the summer to make sure he gave himself as good a chance as he possibly could to break into the first team. "Although he is still very young, he is ambitious. He wants to play regular top-team football and maybe it has been a little frustrating for him he hasn't quite managed to play as often as he would have liked. "But John responded well in Northern Ireland by going out and doing a job. Now he just wants to get the head down and get on with things and try to play his way into the starting line-up." Smith spoke well of Fleck just last week after he returned to pre-season training, but will now expect the youngster to focus on improving as a player and appreciating what is required to play for Rangers every week. Smith said: "We left him out for another reason and he's been off playing with the reserves. When I made the decision to leave him out I didn't even know about the other thing." Charlie Adam was today still in talks with Blackpool, while Steven Lennon could be on his way on loan to Stuart McCall's Bradford. Publication date 03/08/09
  19. This summer may prove to be unique in the long and glorious history of the Rangers. It would require a bear older than myself to remember the last time we began a new season without strengthening the first team squad during the off-season with incoming transfers. In fact, the only business being completed at Ibrox was the removal of a few high earners from the wage bill. The likes of Ferguson, Hemdani and Dailly have left and have yet to be replaced. This should come as no surprise to us all. Even as last season was drawing to its exciting conclusion, Walter Smith was ominous in his warnings to the fans. The first team squad would be reduced to around 20 and supplemented by players from the youth squad like Fleck, Wilson and Shinnie. With the inability to agree deals for the likes of Adam and Gow, the squad has not been reduced sufficiently to allow any incoming transfers. The dearth of incoming transfer news within the media in addition to the moves being made across the city led to much agitation amongst our support. In a previous article published nearly 3 weeks ago, I urged fans to be patient and not to over react to the situation. Many fans were furious that Celtic had spent circa Ã?£7mil (including on their new management team) whilst we had yet to make any moves and to date have only earned a fee from the sale of Barry Ferguson. It is natural that, with the league being a relatively tight affair last year, fans would compare our attempts to strengthen with that of the side who are traditionally our closest challengers. However, whilst we have competed almost head to head for the SPL title for the last decade or two, that aside the situations at the two clubs could not be more different. Celtic began this season is a state of disarray, sacking a more successful manager than Martin O’Neill because their fans required someone “Celtic Minded”. Key first team players Hesselink, Nakamura and Hartley have been moved on and the replacements have yet to settle. This was most notable in the performance of Fortune in Celtic’s opening competitive game of the season where they fell to defeat in the home leg of their European qualifier. Fortune missed a couple of sitters that had he scored would have given Celtic a fighting chance of qualification. Now, of course, it is too early to be drawing any conclusions on the player’s they have added to their pool this close season but it does bring me neatly on to the main reason for penning this article. Whilst fans bemoaned the spending power of our city neighbours including the Ã?£4million buy of Fortune, in the article previously linked I cautioned against the time needed for new signings to settle. Although we all recognise that we are one or two signings away from a strong squad, the benefits of a relatively settled and stable squad should not be underestimated. Continuity in the squad and in team selection means the players get to learn each other's games inside out and the rewards are reaped on the football field. Since first having the initial thoughts for this article it proved excellent timing that World Class manager Arsene Wenger has spoken out in the media with comments that support my viewpoint: It is perhaps fitting that the Frenchman was speaking out about this just after I decided to pen this piece. The excellent spectacle that was this year's Emirates tournament was the ideal setting to prove Wenger's assertion. In Walter's first season he made us difficult to beat through defensive strength. Last year Smith turned us into title contenders. And the signs from the ties against PSG and Arsenal this weekend point to the experienced manager taking the next step in the squad's evolution without the addition of fresh faces. We again adopted the 4-5-1 formation favoured by Smith when competing against a higher calibre opponent, but the major difference this weekend was that we had the attacking wide players to break into a 4-3-3 in possession and play attractive, passing football. Last season (as for the last couple of seasons) we have had the highest quality squad in Scotland as evidenced by our League and Cup double. We have lost a few players who made little to no contribution last year and were most likely to have a similar contribution in the forthcoming campaign. We have hardly weakened our squad at all, whilst the likes of Kyle Lafferty, Pedro Mendes and John Fleck have all had a further full season in Scotland to help settle them into the game up here. I, like many fans, will be expecting a more consistent contribution from Mendes and Lafferty in particular. In addition to the greater experience of a number of the players within the squad, we have the returns of Thomson, Naismith and Stevie Smith to bolster the squad. We finally have some realistic competition at left back for the consistent Bosnian, Sasa Papac. We are very strong in central midfield especially when Maurice Edu, who had an impressive end to the season last year, returns from injury. The wealth of options up front, at least for the domestic game, is incredible. We have speed, height, power, work rate and goals from different forwards. You may struggle to find another club with the goalkeeping option of McGregor or Alexander. Sure, left midfield continues to prove problematic. We have half a dozen players who can fill that position, but not one who has made it their own. We can counter this with a change in formation to a midfield diamond. Or perhaps one of the players within the squad will step forward and command a starting berth on the left. And again, we start a season concerned over our centre backs. Can Davie Weir play another full season at the heart of the defence? After playing 60 games 2 seasons ago as we marched to the final day of every competition we entered it was the consensus opinion that he could not stand up to another full season of football. Weir powered his way to another 47 games (more than any other player in the squad) including all but 2 league games and shows no signs of letting up. That said, we would all prefer competition for the first choice pair of Weir and Bougherra. Arsene Wenger is obviously a strong believer that buying new players is not the only way to improve your squad year on year. And looking at Celtic’s disastrous opening to the season it is clear that having to begin a new era at a club by ripping up the previous squad to create a new team, even when backed by the money men at the club, is a gamble. Spending money is no guarantee of success. If we have to begin the upcoming season with essentially the same pool of players that won the double last year I will not be concerned. Walter Smith has previously demonstrated the veracity of Wenger’s assertion that you can improve your team with work on the training field and not just at the negotiating table. When Smith took over the national team from Berti Vogts the country was a laughing stock ranked in the 70s or 80s. Whilst Vogts handed out caps to over 40 different players Smith again demonstrated the effectiveness of consistency, finding his best squad and dragging the national team back up the rankings and heart-breakingly close to qualification for the World Cup. He followed that up by leading us to the top of our qualifying group for the European Championships including a victory over the World Cup runners-up France. I am not trying to suggest that a lack of transfer funds makes Smith’s job easier. Of course any manager can benefit from a transfer kitty if he spends it right. However consistency of selection also strengthens a squad’s assault on the silverware and the team that Smith has been building since he returned to the club has been growing as a unit season upon season and team unity will have never been higher. Regardless of what does or doesn’t happen in the transfer market this year I am eagerly anticipating another successful season under the guidance of the legendary Walter Smith.
  20. RANGERS wonderkid John Fleck has been sensationally axed from the first team squad - after a furious bust-up with Ally McCoist. http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/scottish/scottish_news/431838/Rangers-John-Fleck-was-sent-home-from-German-tour-in-disgrace.html
  21. Pre-Season Friendly Glentoran 2-1 Rangers XI Sunday 2nd August Supporters at The Oval today were treated to a fantastic exhibition match as the IFA Premiership champions Glentoran defeated SPL Champions Rangers. A far from full strength Glentoran team looked good from the outset as young stars such as Jimmy Callacher and Craig Harris rounded off pre-season impressively. The Glens started brightly as Grant Gardiner's free kick caused trouble in the Rangers penalty box. On 11 minutes it was Michael Halliday who broke the deadlock. Meeting a cross from a corner kick Halliday finished with his head to make it 1-0 to the Glens. Just four minutes later Jimmy Callacher doubled the Glentoran lead. A defensive mix up from Rangers gave Callacher the chance to pounce on a loose ball. Callacher stepped up to fire home from a tight angle through a crowd of players extending the IFA Premiership Champions' lead. After 29 minutes Gil Blumanstein exploited a defensive error from Johnny Taylor to pull one back. Rangers having got a goal back should have pressed on to go for the win but failed to trouble the stubborn Glentoran defence. Just a minute after Rangers scored Johnny Taylor was at the centre of play again as his rash challenge warranted his removal from the game. Referee Brian Turkington opting not to use his cards requested the substitution of Taylor who was replaced by Glens record appearance holder Colin Nixon. The second half beckoned as Mr and Mrs John Spence were amount the luckiest of supporters today claiming �£190 in the half time halfers draw with winning ticket number 2430. Daryl Fordyce moved off the bench into a new position in attack replacing Halliday as striker. Loy and Wilson had opportunities to score for Rangers but neither managed to trouble James Taylor between the Glentoran sticks while Jimmy Callacher struck the Rangers cross bar with a spectacular shot from 25 yards. In the later part of the half Callacher again troubled Weir in the Rangers goals this time from a direct free kick. Controversial Rangers star John Fleck was removed from play as Referee Turkington again forced his substitution rather than brandishing a red or yellow card. The Glens dug in and prevented much of anything from Rangers who could not have disagreed with today's scoreline. Supporters at The Oval were treated to a great spectacle as these two teams put on an entertaining round up to Glentoran's pre-season with less than a week until the kick off of the Carling Premiership. http://www.glentoran.com/news.html I think fleck needs to buck up soon. We won't be seeing him in a Gers top anytime soon then..........
  22. McCOIST explains why teen star misses Emirates More...
  23. No signings....just what we currently have...how would you like WS to set us up for this season: Mine: __________________Alexander_________________ Whittaker_____Bougherra____Weir__________Papac ______Davis________Thomson______Mendes______ ____________________Novo____________________ ___________Miller____________Lafferty__________ I hope to see Edu, Aaron and Fleck involved as much as possible.
  24. With the first game of the new season already upon us (even if it is a friendly), let's see who everyone thinks will be our Player of the Year for this season... Leading contenders may be McGregor/Alexander, Thomson, Bougherra, Davis and Boyd. Or will you go for a Mr Reliable like Papac, Novo, Whittaker or Weir? Perhaps one of the younger players like Fleck, Edu, Lafferty or Naismith will grab their opportunity? Who are you going with? Somewhat controversially, I'm going to go with Pedro Mendes for next season. I was a bit disappointed with his overall contribution last term but I think he'll benefit from playing alongside a settled midfield this term and with the extra games in Europe, he'll find a higher level of consistency than he did last season.
  25. WALTER SMITH has bluntly warned Rangers fans not to expect any new signings to replace Barry Ferguson. The 31-year-old completed his �£1m move to Premiership new boys Birmingham City on Friday, freeing up some �£25,000 a week in wages, but Smith confirmed last night that the Ibrox club are still in no position to bring in a replacement. "We'll not be bringing anybody in as it stands at the present moment," Smith said. "The transfer doesn't allow us anything like that. The chairman has spoken about the financial aspect. It's just something we have to adjust to. We've said we'd have to sell players before we can buy so we have to wait until a situation arises before we can make any judgment on bringing anyone in." One such eventuality which could free up funds for the Rangers manager would be a sizeable bid from either Bordeaux or Wigan Athletic for Madjid Bougherra, but despite fevered speculation in certain newspapers, Smith has heard nothing. "No-one has been in touch with us about Bougherra," Smith said. "I've seen a denial from their president, and I've seen another paper quoting him as being interested, so even he doesn't seem to know. But no-one has talked to us, which would normally be the first port of call." Ferguson's return to the Premiership four years after he left Blackburn for Govan is as neat a resolution as possible to the conundrum caused by the "boozegate" row and the final 12 months of the player's contract. Smith admitted last night his departure was the "best thing" for everybody, and tipped the player to be a success south of the border. "I think it is the best thing for both parties, taking into consideration everything that happened last season plus the fact he's coming into the last season of his contract anyway," Smith said. "He's a good player though, of course he'll do well. He's had the experience already although the last time he went to Blackburn he was hampered by a serious injury. But that shouldn't hide the fact he did well down there, anyone who saw him play at that time will tell you that. It's not another world of football. He's a good player and he can go and play in it." Who knows, maybe new signings are overrated in any case. With Celtic having already spent �£3.8m on Marc-Antoine Fortune, Smith would no doubt prefer to have a massive transfer kitty at his disposal this summer, but the Rangers manager still managed to speak convincingly of his hopes that the sense of continuity and new-found confidence around the younger members of his squad after last season's SPL title win can help them hit the ground running. Wheeling and dealing did Rangers few favours last season as they crashed out of Europe to Kaunas. "We have a younger group - Steven Whittaker and Kevin Thomson are typical of them - who are starting to meet the demands of playing," Smith said. "They are starting now to gain the necessary experience to impose themselves in games and I am hoping that can happen with a number of the younger ones like Kyle Lafferty and Steven Naismith. They have won a championship there and we have not lost a lot of players who played in that group last year. I would hope with the better level of experience that will help them greatly." The same sense of evolution rather than revolution applies to the even younger elements of the team, namely John Fleck, who Smith feels has made further progress since last season. "I would hope that John Fleck would step a little bit further forward," he said. "We are still talking about a young lad, but he got a bit of experience last season and like the rest of them I am hoping he can gain a bit of confidence from that. So although we might not have new players at the start of the season I think we have certainly got a group who will look forward to starting the season and hope that quite a number of them are coming into what I would look upon as the best spells of their careers." Having said all this, whoever picked Rangers' first home opponents of the pre-season clearly does a wicked line in black humour. Manchester City will arrive at Ibrox in early August having lavished �£85m of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan's money on a combination of Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz, Gareth Barry and Emmanuel Adebayor, with millions more on the table for Joleon Lescott or even John Terry. "They may have two or three other signings by the time we play," Smith says, only half-joking. While the collapse of the Setanta deal, and stillbirth of the Old Firm TV plan didn't do Rangers' finances much good, Manchester City's wealth is above and beyond such mundane matters. "This goes beyond TV money in England," Smith said. "This is about wealthy individuals putting money in and the Premiership giving them the profile they want. They're obviously buying an awful lot of players and having a push at breaking into England's top four clubs. It'll be interesting to see how that goes. If you look at the clubs at that level just now, they're all solid enough clubs, there's a steadiness about them. "Mark Hughes did exceptionally well at Blackburn but people need to have the patience to allow a team to settle in," he added. "It's okay to buy a number of players, as he will do between now and the end of August, but they have to have time to gel and become a team. I think we will see them pushing to get into the top four - whether they get there or not is another thing. I think we might end up with five teams at the top. It's not quite as easy as saying We'll spend a lot of money and get there' but football has shown that if teams are well run and spend a lot of money, then they'll get a level of success." While Manchester City are collecting players, Rangers can't get rid of them quickly enough. Ferguson's departure, coupled with those of Brahim Hemdani and Christian Dailly may have freed up a total of �£50,000 a week, but with Charlie Adam prevaricating over a proposed move to Blackpool, the club are still three or four players heavy to reach the chairman's stated target of a slimline 20-strong first team pool plus youngsters. Having benefited from their depth of squad at the tail end of the previous campaign, Smith hopes that he won't be left too light when the injuries and suspensions kick in. So will the squad be big enough? "It depends how many leave," Smith says. For the moment at least, the player movement at Rangers will remain one-way traffic. http://www.sundayherald.com/sport/shfootball/display.var.2520783.0.0.php
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