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Manchester United have refused to be drawn on growing speculation they are about to sign striker Michael Owen. The 29-year-old, who is out of contract, did not return for pre-season training with Newcastle after his deal with the Magpies ran out in June. One bookmaker slashed their odds on Owen, who has also been linked with Everton, Aston Villa, Stoke and Hull, joining United from 20-1 to 5-2. "We don't comment on transfer rumours," a United spokesman told BBC Sport. Any deal for Owen would be subject to the striker passing a stringent medical, which could take place as early as Friday, given his frequent injury problems over the last few years. I just question the injury scenario Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce The former Liverpool forward scored 10 goals in all competitions last season, although an ankle injury and groin operation severely disrupted his season. His last league goal was on 10 January against West Ham. Since losing the Champions League final to Barcelona at the end of May, the Premier League holders have sold forward Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for �£80m and failed to persuade striker Carlos Tevez to stay at Old Trafford. The departure of those two players has left United manager Sir Alex Ferguson with a shortage of strikers, with Frazier Campbell also likely to be sold. However, Ferguson did bring in winger Antonio Valencia from Wigan on Tuesday. United were also reportedly keen on Lyon striker Karim Benzema, who is set to join Real, while Bayern Munich forward Franck Ribery has been linked with a move to the Madrid club rather than the English champions. If Ferguson does capture Owen it would be reminiscent of his willingness to take a chance on players with either difficult reputations, such as Eric Cantona, or players that have suffered serious injury problems like Henrik Larsson. Even so, the move for Owen represents something of a gamble for Ferguson, given Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce ruled out a move for the striker given his injury history. "I just question the injury scenario," said Allardyce earlier this week. "I need a striker that's going to be available for 30 games next season. That's not happened for Michael over the last four years." After Newcastle were relegated to the Championship, Owen expressed his desire to remain in the Premier League. The Wasserman Media Group (WMG), the management company that represents him, sent out a brochure to a number of clubs reminding them of the talent that resulted in the striker scoring 158 goals in about 300 games for Liverpool and 40 goals in 89 appearances for England. 606: DEBATE If Fergie can get him firing again, (and if anybody can, the best man manager in the Premier League can) then we have got a real gem ogni strada No-one was available for comment at the WMG. Owen was widely reported to be earning more than �£100,000-a-week at Newcastle after signing a four-year deal when he moved from Real Madrid in August 2005 for a club record fee of �£16m, though his wages are unlikely to be a problem for the Old Trafford club. However, his time on Tyneside was plagued by injury problems, as he suffered a broken metatarsal bone, knee ligament damage sustained at the 2006 World Cup, as well as a double hernia operation and a thigh problem. The forward has made 79 appearances for the Magpies and scored 30 goals in four seasons. If Owen does move to Old Trafford it would revive the former Liverpool striker's hopes of resurrecting his international hopes and taking part in the 2010 World Cup. Owen has been marginalised by England manager Fabio Capello and has won just one cap under the Italian, as a substitute in the 1-0 friendly defeat by France in Paris on 26 March, 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8131801.stm

THE hairs on the back of his neck will stand to attention. Blue blood will rush through his veins. When he stares up at Ibrox's main stand and that famous Champions League tune booms out, Kris Boyd will know he has finally arrived. At that moment he will be exactly where he wants to be. There isn't a lot the Rangers striker hasn't achieved in his time at the club. Top scorer every season, a clean sweep of domestic medals and 102 goals to his name at the age of 25. But the one thing he hasn't done? Start a match for the club he loves on the biggest stage of all. That's why Boyd will return to Murray Park on July 9 as hungry as ever - for a shot at Champions League glory. The hitman rattled in 31 goals as Gers became SPL champions last term but is now desperate to make his mark on Europe's top club competition. Rangers have been involved in eight Champions League games since Boyd's move from Kilmarnock in 2006 but he has only featured in two. And both those appearances came off the bench. But the striker believes he is ready for the step up in class after adding a new dimension to his game last term. He told MailSport: "I took massive strides in terms of becoming a regular starter last season. I've managed to change opinions and the Champions League is the next step. "I've done just about everything I wanted to do in my Rangers career. I have won the title, cups, scored 100 goals and played for Scotland. "But I haven't started a game in the Champions League and next season I want to be part of it. I want to stamp my authority on that tournament. "I feel I'm ready and believe I can play at that level. If I'm lining up at Ibrox with that Champions League music on it will confirm I've matured in to the player I need to be. "It will show I have grown in to the kind of man who can be successful at a club like Rangers. I want to build on that and show I deserve to be there. "Not only have I matured as a player but I've also matured as a person in the last couple of years. I'm the first to admit I had a lot of daftness about me early on in my career. "I was young and naive. I tended to follow other people and was influenced by them. But you have to grow up and realise what is right and wrong. "You need to do it quickly at a club like Rangers if you want to succeed." Boyd rarely passes up a chance in front of goal - as his 102 strikes in just 152 games for the club will testify. But one that did get away came in Gers' vital Champions League last-16 clash against Spanish cracks Villarreal in 2006. With the game tied at 1-1 he came off the bench and missed a gilt-edged chance that might have taken Alex McLeish's men in to the last eight for the first time in Rangers' history. But Boyd isn't haunted by it. Instead the memory of that wasted chance only drives him on to succeed at that level. He said: "I remember the Villarreal game well. We felt we had a real chance of going through and came so close. "I came off the bench in Spain and missed a chance late on - but I don't look back and worry about it. "Of course I think 'what if?' It would have been great to score the goal that took us in to the last eight. But it didn't happen and I've moved on. "If I worried about every chance I missed in my career it would drive me mad. These things happen and it's about how you come back from them. "I'm just hoping this can be my year in the Champions League." Last season was a pivotal campaign in Boyd's career at Ibrox. He came close to leaving in January as David Murray looked to recoup some of the cash lost by Gers' dismal Champions League exit to FBK Kaunas. So it says a lot about Boyd's character that he came back from that stronger than ever - finishing the season as Walter Smith's first-choice striker and breaking the 100-goal barrier. Now Kris wants to start this term the way he finished the last. He said: "I want to be the SPL's top scorer again. I'm known for my goals but it isn't easy doing it every year. "However, I would be disappointed if I didn't hit at least 20 every season. "You get a lot of chances at a club like Rangers so that's the least the fans would expect. "Most importantly it's about the team winning and we're determined to retain our title and win the cups. "A lot of people had their doubts about me as a player but I have improved. It's difficult when you're not everyone's cup of tea. "Everyone said I was reliant on my goals but I have gone a long way to proving them wrong by showing there's more to my game. "When you keep hearing the same criticism it gets you down but it's about how you react. Last season I realised I had to do more and it ended with a championship medal. "I like to think I'm more of a team player now. The most pleasing aspect is I haven't lost anything goal-wise. "Everyone thought that would suffer but thankfully it hasn't." http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/sport-news/scottish-football/spl/2009/06/28/kris-boyd-i-ll-know-i-ve-made-it-at-rangers-when-i-start-a-champions-league-match-78057-21478070/

Very quiet on the Rangers news front right now, so thankfully we have Super_Ally showing us how the grandiose media coverage of the arrival of footballing God Tony Mowbray is somewhat flawed to say the least.... http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=801&Itemid=2 With the arrival of Tony Mowbray at Celtic confirmed last week, we have been flooded with glowing tributes for the scintillating attacking football Moggaââ?¬â?¢s sideââ?¬â?¢s treat the viewing public to. Any right minded individual is fully aware that it was for reasons other than football that led to the Celtic fans revolt against Strachanââ?¬â?¢s tenure. The outgoing manager was more successful than the darling of the demonic hordes; Martin Oââ?¬â?¢Neill, whose Celtic team employed a long-ball brand of football reminiscent of Wimbledonââ?¬â?¢s Crazy Gang. So the talk of the ââ?¬Å?Celtic wayââ?¬Â of playing football does not wash with this bear. Not since the ultimately unsuccessful, eulogised and over-hyped days of Tommy Burns have Celtic played any kind of exciting passing football game. One must remember it was Frank Rijkaard who first popularised the term ââ?¬Å?anti-footballââ?¬Â when referring to the tactics and game plan employed by Oââ?¬â?¢Neilââ?¬â?¢s charges campaigning in European footballââ?¬â?¢s second tournament. Fast forward a few years and another Barcelona employee (Lionel Messi) was levelling the same claim against Rangers. What the two games have in common is a positive result for the teams with the more meagre resources. Sour-grapes from the big spenders of Europeââ?¬â?¢s elite leagues? It is the appointment of Celticââ?¬â?¢s new manager, someone used to not winning in Celtic colours under Tommy Burns, which has again brought this issue into the media spotlight and onto the back pages of the newspapers. I watched a report on the BBC website with great interest yesterday. Whilst it was sadly lacking in substance and real in-depth reporting, it was none-the-less eye opening. Of the three Celtic fans they questioned (I guess the rest are in hiding after Rangers won the double) they were twice given the answer of entertainment as their main priority for the incoming manager. With a distinctly British bias to the list, the names that spring to mind, when considering managerââ?¬â?¢s who have provided entertainment in recent seasonââ?¬â?¢s include Arsene Wenger, John Hughes, Pep Guardiola and of course Mowbray. Wengerââ?¬â?¢s Arsenal has not won anything for 4 years. Hughesââ?¬â?¢ Falkirk narrowly avoided relegation and suffered the ignominy of conceding 7 goals in one league game playing a slick passing game. Mowbray of course refused to change his sideââ?¬â?¢s style during last yearââ?¬â?¢s Premiership campaign and whilst the other promoted teamââ?¬â?¢s managers led their team through a creditable first season culminating in retaining their top flight status, Mowbrayââ?¬â?¢s West Brom were sent back at the first attempt with barely a whimper. Now I am not going to argue it is impossible to play an attractive game and win things. Barcelona played some of the best football in Europe in winning a La Liga and Championââ?¬â?¢s League double this year. In some of their European fixtures the football was scintillating. Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Henry, Etoââ?¬â?¢o. The passing and movement was mesmerising. When it came to the crunch, in the semi-final against Chelsea they were fortunate to see off the opposition thanks to questionable officiating and a late goal as the beautiful football deserted them. And again, with Europeââ?¬â?¢s two form teams meeting at Romeââ?¬â?¢s Stadio Olimpico, the much anticipated quality football deserted both teams. So, yes, it is possible to play entertaining football and win. Itââ?¬â?¢s just very rare. Sticking to a strict mantra of playing attractive football does seem to be certain of one thing though. Ultimately, disappointment when the prizes are handed out at the end the season. Just ask Messrs Wenger, Hughes and Mowbray. Conversely, Ferguson, Mourinho and even Guardiola have shown flexibility. An aptitude to know when to sacrifice their footballing ideals to win the game. At a different level of competition, Walter Smith has shown the same pragmatism. Rangers battled valiant on four fronts 2 seasons ago. Competing for an unprecedented quadruple, we emerged with a creditable double. But not the two we wanted. Rangers could not tolerate another season without the big one last season. Again Smith emerged victorious with a double. This time he got his hands on the one we all wanted: the SPL Championship. Four trophies in 2 seasons, reaching the final match of every other competition competed for. That is the only measure of a manager and his abilities: silverware. History will look back far more favourably on Walter Smith than it will Tommy Burns. Mowbray would be better served aiming to emulate Burnââ?¬â?¢s nemesis than Burns himself. Hopefully, however, he will be fooled into believing the bewildering claims of the Celtic masses of preferring style over substance.

Phil Vickery's column from the BBC. Makes a change to read an opinion from a sports writer who actually seems to know something about the game and can discuss the tactics and pattern of games rather than innuendo, comments about what the fans are singing and other such tedious nonsense. How come more supposed football experts in the press can not do this and merely rehash what happened and when or discuss anything but what actually happened on the field?

Whilst every man and his dog is turning down the Celtic job, and bearing in mind that none of these names are even A-List are we still to believe that Celtic are some mythical, magical club, held in high esteem the world over? Martinez, Moyes, Coyle. None of these names seem enamoured with the prospect of the vacant hot-seat. Their current predicament got me to thinking; we often have the draw of their club over-hyped and the pull of the Rangers undersold. However, what does reality tell us? In the past decade or so, at management level we have attracted Dick Advocaat to Ibrox. He was assistant manager of Holland before succeeding Rinus Michels as manager, leading them to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. He also guided PSV to a domestic cup triumph and a league title prior to becoming manager at Rangers in 1998. A big name in football, out with the parochial Scottish game that struggles to look anywhere but within as the European game flourishes and continues without us. The manager who preceded the current incumbent, whilst not the roaring success that was hoped and expected was never the less, at the time, an extraordinary coup. Many of our ever impartial press laughed off suggestions of luring the precocious talent of Paul Le Guen to Govan. A man who had won 3 Ligue 1 titles on the bounce would be headed off to the likes of Real Madrid and was pie in the sky for Rangers fans. And yet, at the beginning of the 2006-07 season PLG was over-seeing the beginning of his Rangers tenure. Such is the extraordinary success throughout Rangers history, built upon managerial stability, that there have only been two other managers in our recent history. Alex McLeish and Walter Smith. Two successful Scottish managers. Smith is a big name in football, but as a Rangers man at heart, as with McLeish (who at the time had only the Hibs and Motherwell jobs to bolster his c.v.) it would be churlish to describe attracting either as a testament to our global pulling power for the biggest names in the game. A man who already has Rangers in his heart takes little persuasion. Moving on to the playing staff. Walter Smith brought the delights of Brian Laudrup and Paul Gascoigne to Ibrox. Laudrup was a member of Denmark's European Championship winning team. He played for some of Europe's greatest club's; Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Fiorentina and then Rangers. He is a great player in every sense of the word. The greatest foreign player to ply his trade in the Scottish game. Paul Gascoigne was a prodigious talent. The most naturally gifted British player of his generation? His exceptional skill and exciting ability to leave defenders in his trail, showcased for Newcastle, Spurs, Lazio helped build his profile. It was, however, his tears at a booking received in the World Cup Semi Final at Italia 90, an iconic football image, that the game's fans will remember him for. An undoubted star player of his generation. The impressive list goes on and on. Andrei Kanchelskis. A Russian international who won the double at Manchester United. Arthur Numan starred for a successful PSV side winning domestic honours and representing the Dutch in an impressive showing at France 98 (Numan started every group game), before losing to eventual finalists Brazil. One of the games top left backs at the time he came to Rangers. Stefan Klos was a two team player. With his first club, Borussia Dortmund, he won league titles and the Champions League before continuing his success with Rangers. The fact he was never capped is down to the legendary Oliver Khan and yet is still one of the most perplexing statistics of the last couple of decades. Ronald De Boer, a legend of Dutch football, who starred most notably for two of European football's great sides in Ajax and Barcelona, made it 3 when he became a Rangers player. He was subsequently followed to the South side of Glasgow by his twin brother Frank during Alex McLeish's reign. The quality of cult hero Dado Prso was late to be recognised, until the Croatian was plucked from obscurity to star for French club AS Monaco. Prso has the distinction of being one of only 4 players to score 4 goals in a single Champions League game along with the likes of Dutch legend Marco Van Basten. Even the current team, built more on defensive solidity and a good team ethic rather than multi-million pound signings and individual brilliance, can boast former Premiership stars in Steve Davis and another Champions League winner in Pedro Mendes (His Porto side defeated Prso's Monaco in the final). The above examples show what an enormous draw Rangers have for the game's elite. From the passion of the fans, the history of the club to the majesty of the Archibald Leitch designed Main stand. Advocaat's legacy of ensuring the completion of the multi-million pound training facility at Auchenowie only serves to enhance this reputation and sell a wonderful club to potential employees. And I haven't even spoken of the heyday of English football in the 80's when Graeme Souness brought their brightest talents, such as England captain Terry Butcher, over the border. Now cast an eye across the city to the poorer relation. The "new" stadium. Made of mechano and falls apart under a light breeze. The budget built version of our impressive Murray Park. Look at the uninspiring names distancing themselves from the Celtic manager's job. Look back through the same recent history at Parkhead and try and identify a Brian Laudrup, a Paul Gascoigne. Even a Dado Prso. The only name in their recent history that may jump out is Larsson. However, he was a man who forged his name at that club. Celtic just does not seem to hold the same appeal to the global stars of the World's greatest game. No bias, no blue tinted specs. Unlike our parochial media my assertion is based in a look at the facts and not my own misguided prejudice. It was with great mirth I read the recent comments of a Burnley fan responding to one of the bitter persuasion's assertion that Owen Coyle would certainly give up a chance at Premiership football to oversee the talents of Paddy McCourt or Darren O'Dea at such a big team. "You're not even the biggest club in your own city!"

After a break for a couple of months, the 'Setting the Standard' project reaches its final stages with a couple of closing articles. The first one from 'Lord Nelson' below is a fascinating look at how Rangers could benefit from changes in the boardroom and is especially relevant with various rumours surrounding the ownership. The final STS article (which offers independent academic credibility for supporter opinions) will be published later this week before the overall expanded report is released next week for download. This expanded report has been printed and will be provided to Rangers FC for official comment. Anyway - onto the penultimate article Setting the Standard: Improvements in the Boardroom (Written by Lord Nelson) This article is going to look at one of the most important areas of the club - the place where the decisions that affect the running of the club - the boardroom. It proposes that two independent directors are appointed in a non-executive position to assist in the decision-making process. It was only 4 and a half years ago that the club was Ã?£74 million in debt and in a great deal of financial difficulty. We got out of that debt following the rights issue that was supported by Sir David Murray (SDM) and the cash from the JJB deal, but yet again the club finds itself in financial difficulty after such a short period of time. Our debt could be in excess of Ã?£30m in January, which is a lot when we consider that we only have facilities of Ã?£36m from the bank, and our outgoings will exceeded our incomings in the months prior to the receipt of the season ticket money. We were in the position that we were unable to even bring one player in on loan during the recent winter transfer window. Both situations arose due to overspending which the club canââ?¬â?¢t afford, but was authorised by the directors nevertheless. It is because of this situation arising twice that it is believed that the Board of Directors of Rangers would benefit from having independent non-executive directors appointed, who may force SDM to at least question and re-examine the level of spending and other decisions and bring a freshness and alternative outlook that can only benefit the club as a whole. Background For the purposes of good corporate governance, listed companies on the major UK exchanges are required to have independent non-executive directors. They do not work on a day-to-day basis but attend board meetings. They have no connection to the company but are involved in strategy and have an oversight of management (see Appendix A for a more in-depth description of their responsibilities). There is currently no requirement for Rangers to have such directors as the Plus Markets exchange where Rangers shares are listed do not have the same level of requirements as other, more primary exchanges. Our rivals across the city are listed on a more senior exchange and as such do have independent non-executive directors - Ian Livingstone, Chief Executive of BT and Thomas Allison, Chairman of Peel Ports as well the well known John Reid, and it believed that the former two would benefit their clubââ?¬â?¢s decision making with their vast business experience. The need for a strong set of non-executive directors was highlighted recently with the biggest loss in UK history following the Royal Bank of Scotlandââ?¬â?¢s near collapse, requiring support from the UK government. One of the causes of this is alleged to have been the inability of the non-executive directors to stand up to Sir Fred Goodwin, which highlights the need for a strong board, who are able to make their feelings known. If RBS can be close to collapse then what is to say that Rangers could not run into serious trouble? That is why as strong board of Directors as possible is required. The new directors should be independent of SDM so that they can stand up against him if they believe that he is incorrect and should not feel threatened or intimidated to give their opinions. They must be able to have his respect and should perhaps be regarded as ââ?¬Å?Captains of Industryââ?¬Â. The current position The blame for the current financial problems has to stay with the directors of the club. Matching the supportersââ?¬â?¢ expectations and keeping the club on a financial even-keel is admittedly an extremely difficult thing to do but with strong leadership, it can be done. We appeared to be in the position where we had to sell our top scorer in the winter transfer window and it is worrying to the support that the club finds itself in this position, and means the outlook remains extremely bleak even with Champions' League qualification for next season. Misleading statements It is believed that it was during the 2001 AGM that someone questioned the increasing debt level which was sitting at Ã?£28 million at that point. The shareholders were reassured by the Chairman at that meeting that it would be irresponsible for the board of directors to allow the debt to increase above Ã?£40 million, but in less than 12 months it had increased to Ã?£52 million, and eventually ended up at the well-publicised Ã?£74 million. It is therefore a myth that many have said that nobody complained when the debt was increasing. The issue was raised but it appears that the shareholders, and therefore the support, were misled. Following the cash that was received from the aforementioned rights issue and the up-front payment of Ã?£18 million received from JJB, the net debt was reduced to under Ã?£6 million in June 2006 and again the support were reassured by SDM in August 2006 that they would be ââ?¬Å?maintaining financial prudenceââ?¬Â. It is not believed that anyone can argue that taking the club to within a few million of its borrowing limit in such a short period of time is maintaining financial prudence, and yet again what the shareholders of the club were told does not reflect the way the reality of the situation. Having independent directors may result in more openness in the running of the club, which the support deserves, given the financial commitment they make each season. Options It would be in the clubââ?¬â?¢s best interests to try and ensure that this level of overspending is made more difficult in the future. (It is impossible to prevent when there is a majority shareholder in place). SDM has made it clear that he wishes to sell the club, but it is equally obvious that there are no potential buyers out there. Any solutions therefore have to be within the current set-up of SDM being the majority shareholder. The support need reassurances that the club will be run on a sound financial footing and there appears to be an inability for this to happen and therefore something has to change. What is required is for SDM to make a major leap and admit that mistakes continue to be made and accept that it would be helpful to have assistance in formulating the plans for the club. Conclusion The decision making of the directors of Rangers can only be enhanced with new, enthusiastic non-executive directors. It is acknowledged that SDM will always have the final say due to his shareholding, but additional, experienced businessmen could bring fresh and innovative ideas and perhaps help him prevent the club getting into a more perilous financial situation. APPENDIX 1 - The role of an Independent non-executive director An independent non-executive director should play the following roles: 1. Participating in formulating strategy of the company The board of directors is responsibility for the management of a company. It does not directly take part in the routine management, but it has to participate in the drafting of strategy of the company. They must use the professional knowledge or common sense, experience and specialty, vision and the advice they get from outside or the people and business relations they have developed to help directors solve related problems. 2. Oversight of management Oversight of management covers two aspects: one is to oversee the management and the company in implementing the rules, procedures and plans established, that is, to see whether the company operates along the established orbit; the other is to check the company to see whether or not it has established a proper and effective internal monitoring system, procedure and guide. The former to see whether the company follows its rules and system in force and the other is to see whether the current system is rational enough. 3. Independent stand It is very important for independent non-executive directors to air their affirmative and objective views, take independent decisions. As an independent non-executive director, the law demands impartiality in taking decisions by taking into account all available information, instead of casting votes according to the views of shareholders who have appointed you. First of all, an independent non-executive director must study and get to know all the information provided by the company; secondly, the voting and decision taking are not influenced, directly or indirectly, by individual interests; thirdly, he must honestly ask himself whether any private interests have influenced his judgement. 4. Protecting the interests of all shareholders As an independent non-executive director, an important task is to protect the interests of all shareholders. APPENDIX 2 - Disclaimers 1. It should be made clear that this proposal does not supersede or replace the requirement for supporter representation on the board, which is a separate subject and is not covered by this proposal. References: 1. http://www.cipe.org/ Further reading: The Higgs report - http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file23012.pdf

BOB MALCOLM has revealed sickening sectarian abuse has forced him to start a new life on the other side of the WORLD. The former Rangers star is no angel. He's made mistakes in the past and let himself down. He's the first to admit that. But Malcolm has matured in recent years - he's learned his lessons. Yet there are some who simply refuse to forgive and forget. And it's those twisted bigots who are driving Malcolm away to Australia and a new career with Brisbane Roar. The former Motherwell midfielder - who jets off to Oz in two weeks - last night revealed: "I will miss my family, but there is nothing else worth staying here for. "Since I got my driver's license back I've been pulled by the police seven times in three months, all because of the make of my car. "When I was last stopped the policeman asked me what I was doing. I told him I was moving to Australia because I'd had enough of life here. "I've had enough of walking along a street in Glasgow and someone screaming 'ya dirty Orange b*****d' in my face. "I've just had enough of all the hassle. It's the main reason for me wanting to give Australia a go. "I won't miss any of that, it's not worth it anymore. "I will come back one day because I like having my family around me. "For the moment though, I'm just looking forward to getting away." Malcolm, 28, believes it's the right time to try something new. A title winner with Rangers, last season he helped Mark McGhee's Motherwell secure an incredible return to Europe. Now he wants a new challenge and he said: "It's a new life I'm about to embark on and I'm really looking forward to it. "It's something new and it's an exciting time for me. I was asked to go to Australia last year, but I didn't want to miss out on Motherwell going into Europe. "But I now feel it's the right time to move on and try something new. "I've spoke to the manager here and my new manager in Australia. "It's a new challenge and I'm ready to go. I feel as though I've done everything there is to do in Scotland. Even if another Scottish club had come in for me this summer I'd have turned them down because it's time to try something different. "And I don't think you get much different than flying to the other side of the world to play your football." Malcolm will hook up with former Ibrox team-mate Craig Moore at Brisbane Roar. Indeed, he will move into Oz's house until he gets set up on his own. And with the A-League really taking off Down Under, Malcolm can't wait to get started. Ironically, his first game looks set to be against CELTIC on July 12! He added: "The Australian League is developing all the time and big Oz has told me it's a really good standard - I don't think it's too far off the SPL. "Of course, Oz is over there and Ian Ferguson is manager at North Queensland Fury. "On top of that Charlie Miller is there and big Scotty Wilson is also flying out this summer. "So I will have plenty of people around me and that should help me settle in at first. "I think I'll shack up with Oz until I find my feet so it should be interesting times ahead. "I will go over for my medical and if everything is okay I will sign straight away. It's one of those ones, don't knock it until you've tried it. "Danny Tiato is there and so is Robbie Fowler and Kevin Muscat. "The manager has said to me that the league in Australia has really taken off in the last few years and I can't wait to get started. "My first game will be against Celtic on July 12. "That should be interesting. It should all be a good experience." Malcolm insists helping Well into Europe and Gers into the last 16 of the Champions League remain his proudest moments from his time in Scottish football. He reflected: "I've achieved a lot and I will take with me many happy memories. "Obviously growing up as a boy I dreamed of playing for Rangers and I was lucky enough to get that chance. "To win titles and cups with Rangers was incredible and each honour is special in its own right. "Also, helping Motherwell into Europe last season was a major achievement and one I'm very proud of. "At Rangers you are expected to win titles and cups, but it's not every year a provincial team like Motherwell makes it into Europe. "The manager here built a really exciting team and I was proud to be a part of it. "But if I had to pick out one outstanding memory it would be playing my part in helping Rangers into the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time. "It was a major occasion in the club's history and I was lucky enough to be part of it. http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/article2451771.ece Good luck Bob.............

We're often told in football never to go back, it is never as good second time around. Advice Smith, a man whose place in Rangers history was already ensured, should have heeded? Season 2006/07 Smith returned 17 points behind in the league at and with his side already dumped out of both cups. The old campaigner acted immediately to plug the gaps with Weir and Ehiogu brought in to shore up the backline. By the end of the season he had reduced the arrears in the league to ensure 2nd spot. If the league had begun when Smith came in we would have finished first. Finishing up the season with 2 league defeats was disappointing, though the games were meaningless. He also won the two remaining Old Firm games, a sure indicator to the other half of the city that a real challenge would be extended from now on. Smith also succesfully negotiated his opening UEFA cup tie with a thumping four nil home victory. The European run ended prematurely with defeat to Osasuna of Spain, whom whilst not a Barcelona or a Real Madrid were a superior outfit to ourselves at that time. Walter's opening half season must go down as a relative success in as much as it could be having taken over a team and a club in complete disarray. League Runners up Season2007/08 Quite possibly Rangers most remarkable season since Smith's 92/93 team came within touching distance of a Champions League final. Having succesfully navigated tricky qualifying ties against Zeta and Red Star, we were drawn in the group of death with German Champions Stuttgart, French Champions Lyon and the superstars of Barcelona. In a group were many predicted we woudl struggle to get a point, the highlight must undoubtedly be destoying Lyon 3-0 in their own backyard. At the time one of only two teams to emerge from Stade Gerland with the 3 points (might need confirming). We were desperately close to progressing from the group of death but had to make do with a place in the UEFA cup. European progression was to ultimately prove our downfall on the domestic front. Magnificent victories against Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen and Fiorentina culminated in that final in Manchester where we were undone by a terrific Zenit st Petersburg side who went on to defeat Man Utd in the super cup. The exertions of Europe allied to an unwillingness from our own football association to accomodate such fixture chaos (as granted to Zenit) in addition to unscrupulous behaviour from our historic rivals earlier in the season, led to us having to complete 4 fixtures in just 8 days. An unprecedented fixture calendar ultimately contributed to losing the title on the final day of the season by just 3 points as the fatigue of fixture congestion told on our squad. The heartbreak of the impressive UEFA cup run and the league campaign was somewhat attenuated by a Scottish Cup and leagu Cup double. Only the fatigue enducing assault on all four trophies, allied to the fixture problems caused by the Scottish weather, Celtic's underhand behaviour and an uncooperative SFA prevented a more succesful campaign. The hurt felt at losing out on the league title in such difficult circumstances should not over rule the rest of the campaign. It woudl be churlish to describe a season in which we reached our first European final in decades, won both domestic cups and only lost out on the league due to exceptional circumstances as an unsuccesful season. League Runners up Scottish Cup Winners League Cup Winners Uefa Cup Runners up Season 2008/9 Walter Smith would have a lot to do to win over his detractors after the debacle that was Kaunus. Despite making the CIS cup final, defeat to Celtic will not have made that task any easier. However, last day title success as we romped to victory against our bogey side in Dundee United was the perfect response. In his first half season the league was already lost. Last year we through it away, although the hitherto unseen obstacles to being crowned top dogs in Scotland made it a nigh on impossible task, making the title success of Sunday all the sweeter. A potential league and cup double that could be completed against Falkirk this Saturday must also see this year considered an overall success despite the implications of the early European exit. League Winners League Cup Runners Up Scottish Cup Finalists (Potential Winners) Summary So, is the old adage true. Does going back never work out? Should Smith not have risked tarnishing his legendary status with the light blue legions? 1 league trophy, 1 league cup, potentially 2 Scottish cups, a European final and being in with a shout until the final 90 minutes of every other competition we have entered says no. You can talk about dodgy tactics, a playing not to lose mentality and odd formations and line ups. You cannot however argue with the statistics. Ask Smith himself, a Rangers fan, and i'll bet I can guess his answer. :spl:

Thought I'd pick out five games that set us up for number 52. Others might disagree but hopefully get some debate. It's the nature of the season that I could also list five games where we almost blew it... Falkirk 0 - 1 Rangers (09.08.08) http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7548329.stm Bit of a forgotten victory this one but vital nonetheless. Just days after the Kaunas debacle, there was a horrible atmosphere surrounding the club, the fans reaching breaking point with an under-fire Murray. I recall a stream of posts on messageboards by Rangers fans stating they'd rather we lost the first game of the league season as it would put unbearable pressure on the custodian. Unsurprisingly Rangers played like arses, and had to rely on a McGregor penalty save and a second half Velicka strike to take three big points to get some semblance of normality back at the club. We won five of our next six games, only drawing at Pittodrie thanks to Corrupt Officiating Decision No. 1 of the season ruling out Beasley's late strike. Rangers 2 - 0 Dundee United (31.01.09) http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7858967.stm This match had dropped points written all over it at a time when Celtic were still 4 points clear. Rangers huffed and puffed without creating much in terms of chances until Fleck netted a high-pressure penalty with 10 minutes left. A last-minute Lafferty goal put gloss on the scoreline but I feel we'd have struggled to come back if we'd dropped further behind Celtic at this stage. Admittedly that sounds strange in a season when we clawed back a 7-point deficit not once but twice, but at the time the fans were all in agreement what a vital 3 points this was. Unsurprisingly speccy had something to say about the penalty decision. Roon ye. Hibs 2 - 3 Rangers (19.04.09) http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8003509.stm This is the game the bheasts had earmarked as the day we would fall out of the title race. It was also the game that put the shiters up me more than any other towards the end of the season. The monkeys had won the day before so the pressure was well and truly on. Drop points, and I didn't fancy our chances of taking the flag, but win and it would lay down a marker that we had the bottle to close out the title. Just as we had to yesterday, we came out the traps from the first whistle and scored three good goals and the final scoreline flattered Hibs IMO. I reckon the chimps' morale took a bit of a blow after we left Easter Road with all three points. Celtic managed two streaky wins from their next (last) five games while we romped home to take the title by four points. Rangers 1 - 0 Celtic (09.05.09) http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8032832.stm One of the biggest games in the history of Rangers IMO. We're all aware of the stakes tied in with this season's title. If we hadn't won this one I firmly believe we'd have lost the league as I reckon Celtic would have won their last three games, certainly the two home ones anyway. A draw would have kept Celtic a point ahead with three games left, while a defeat would have been game, set and match to the bheasts. While Celtic enjoyed the bulk of the possession, we scored and they didn't. This defeat killed them psychologically for me. Dundee Utd 0 - 3 Champions (24.05.09) http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8062744.stm Hey, hey, hey, it's a beautiful Sunday...

MON THE HIBBEES !!! Back in our own hands, COME ON THE RANGERS. 90 minutes from history. Lets take this title by the scruff of the neck and WIN IT !!!! COME ON !!!!!!!!!!!!!

CELTIC Football Club today announced that it is to mark National Famine Memorial Day on May 17, 2009. The day has been earmarked by the Irish Government to commemorate and honour the 1.5million people who either perished or emigrated from Ireland during the Great Famine from 1845 to 1851. As a mark of respect, the Celtic team will wear the clubââ?¬â?¢s Celtic Cross on their shirts when they plays Hibernian on Sunday. The Cross, representing a bridge between Scottish and Irish cultures, is the symbol of the clubââ?¬â?¢s charitable arm, established to continue the work initiated by the clubââ?¬â?¢s founder Brother Walfrid, an Irish Marist Brother. Celtic Chairman John Reid said: ââ?¬Å?Given Celticââ?¬â?¢s proud Irish heritage, this club is inextricably linked to the Great Famine and the subsequent immigration from Ireland. ââ?¬Å?Celtic Football Club, therefore, is proud to be marking National Famine Memorial Day in this manner as we pay our respects to all those affected by the Great Hunger, one of the most tragic chapters in modern world history. ââ?¬Å?The Irish Famine resulted in death, disease and displacement of people on an unimaginable scale, with the West of Scotland becoming a principal point of refuge. ââ?¬Å?The Famine is a lesson from history which should never be forgotten, but from the despair and death of famine arose new hope, new life and a new future. Part of that came in the shape of Celtic Football Club. ââ?¬Å?The desperate people who fled Ireland and their offspring born in Scotland, became the collective parents of Celtic Football Club. ââ?¬Å?The clubââ?¬â?¢s main inspiration, Brother Walfrid and Michael Davitt, the clubââ?¬â?¢s first patron, were both young children during the Famine in Ireland. ââ?¬Å?Celtic is a Scottish club with proud Irish roots, an organisation which represents a fusion of cultures between both countries. We are a club open to all and while we celebrate our traditions, it is important that we also celebrate our diversity. ââ?¬Å?During the past 120 years, Celtic has developed into a world-class football organisation which strives for excellence and success on and off the field. ââ?¬Å?However, while we always aim to build and grow, there will be one constant - we will always remain much more than a football club and we will always remember our proud heritage.ââ?¬Â

This is probably the biggest game in our history...and i'm not going.(feckin work) We should have had the first leg done and dusted, but for a rediculous corner decision which led to a goal, Scunthorpe may have been playing in the League 1 final play off at Wembley. However, anyone who knows anything about the Iron, knows they love to do it dramatically and the hard way too. If your bored on Friday and looking for some entertainment, i advice you to watch this play off 2nd leg being played at the Stadium MK, which is being shown on Sky Sports 1 K.O 19.45hrs. Scunthorpe is my english team and i have supported them for the best part of 30 years toe to toe with Rangers. They are looking for some kind of pay off for a fantastic season where loveley attacking, flowing football has been played. A unbelievable Cup final game was already played at Wembley where we lost 3-2 to relegated Luton with an extra time winner and really should have won in the Johnsons paint trophy final. So, look out for Scunthorpe looking to put the score right and gain promotion to the Champioship, a league where we could more than hold our own. If you don't know much about League 1 football and want to give it a go, watch out for 'Hooper man' (young Gary Hooper, Scunthorpes answer to Gary Linekar). And Paul Hurst and Kevan Hayes, the trio light up Scunnys attacking play and it's a delight to watch. My prediction, Scunthorpe to do it on penalties. Come on!!!

Tom Boyd led Wim Jansen's side to the championship in 1998 to prevent Rangers completing a decade of dominance, but he is convinced that if Gordon Strachan's leaders claim the flag for the fourth successive season then they can consign their arch rivals to the wilderness for years to come. Richard Gough, who inspired Rangers to those nine successive titles between 1989-97, has argued that debt-free Celtic will go on to at least match that achievement if they retain the trophy. Rangers are around �£30 million in the red and desperately need the �£15 million which comes with the automatic qualification for next season's Champions League money. However, failure to win the championship and claim that revenue could leave them disappearing in Celtic's rear-view mirror. "Who am I to argue with Richard Gough?" said Boyd. "I certainly hope he's right. "If you believe the financial problems that Rangers have at this moment in time then this title is crucial to them. "Celtic are on this three-in-a-row run and if Rangers financial position is as bad as people say then they won't be able to afford the better quality players if they don't win the league this season. "The money that the Champions League brings in is colossal and it would be one of the most vital championship wins in Rangers' history for those reasons. "There was a lot of pressure on us in 1998 to win the title and stop 10-in-a-row and that was evident in some of our results. The financial position that Rangers are in now makes this title every bit as intense for them as it was for us then. "Rangers need the money to compete and automatic entry into the Champions League. We didn't have that back then as we had to negotiate the qualifiers and that money wasn't guaranteed. "There is an added pressure for Rangers because a lot could hinge on their success or failure in this title race." Murdo MacLeod won four championship medals with Celtic, including last-day successes in 1979 and 1986. Now an analyst for BBC Scotland, MacLeod believes that the current side surrendering their advantage would constitute capitulation. His main concern is that Hibernian's top scorer, Derek Riordan, signed and discarded by Strachan in seemingly arbitrary fashion, will have yet another say in this season's denoument. Riordan scored in the 1-1 draw against Rangers which handed Celtic an unlikely lifeline on Wednesday, and he will be out for revenge at Easter Road on Sunday. "If you're ahead with two games to play then I think you can only throw it away," said MacLeod. "You're at the stage with two games to go when you say: 'Let's win at Easter Road and then at Celtic Park'. That's a situation you would take all the time. "Derek won't hold back on Sunday, though. He'll look back on his time at Celtic and not be happy with the amount of games he played. "He felt he didn't get a chance. He's certainly capable of scoring and I'm sure that possibility is in the thoughts of a lot of Celtic fans just now. "I think he'll have a point to prove. Derek knows how tight it is in the title race but he has more affection for Hibs than anyone else. "He won't look at Celtic as one of his old teams that he has a soft spot for. He is a big Hibs man and, 100 per cent, he will be wanting them to win." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/scottishpremier/celtic/5325733/Title-outcome-could-affect-Rangers-Celtic-battle-for-years-to-come-says-Tom-Boyd.html

PREMIERSHIP heavyweights Arsenal have invited Rangers to take part in the prestigious Emirates Cup at the Gunners' breathtaking stadium in August, with French Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid from Spain completing the four-team line up. Walter Smith's men will open the tournament with a mouth-watering clash against PSG at 2pm on Saturday, August 1 then close the competition with a glamour tie against Arsenal's all-stars at 4.15pm on Sunday, August 2. Former Rangers midfielder Jeremy ClementRangers will receive 9,000 tickets for both matches but there will be no reunion with former manager Paul Le Guen as the French club have announced he will leave at the end of the current season. However, ex-midfielder Jeremy Clement could feature while top-drawer talent like Robin Van Persie, Andrey Arshavin, Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy and Theo Walcott should be on show for Arsenal at the Emirates. Rangers Chief Executive Martin Bain commented: "We are delighted to be playing Arsenal and PSG in the Emirates Cup this summer. It was an honour to be invited by Arsenal, who like us have a rich history and proud traditions, and we look forward to renewing our friendship in London this August. Our fans will give the team great support in these two high-profile matches and there is little doubt it will be an entertaining tournament." Rangers Manager Walter Smith commented: "The Emirates Cup will capture the imagination of our supporters and everyone at the Club is looking forward to competing against Arsenal and PSG. Arsene Wenger's side are one of the best in Europe and their young team will provide a stiff test for our players. However, it is a challenge they will all relish and our fans will enjoy both matches at the state-of-the-art Emirates Stadium." Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis commented: "We are delighted to be once again hosting the Emirates Cup in August 2009. Rangers, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain all have great pedigree and will contribute to an exciting weekend of pre-season football.Arsena star Robin van Persie "The tournament will provide a very competitive level of preparation for all the teams ahead of the 2009/2010 season." TICKET INFORMATION Tickets will go on sale to season ticket holders on Monday, May 25 from the sales channels below. Season ticket holders can buy one ticket per season ticket for each day, and up to a maximum of four tickets for each day in one purchase - all with a valid Rangers number. Subject to demand, season ticket holders will then have an option to purchase a second ticket for each day - details will be communicated following initial season ticket holder uptake. Every ticket purchased will require an individual name and unique Rangers number along with a contact telephone number and address. At this stage, supporters clubs are invited to apply for tickets before June 12 but the allocation will be subject to season ticket holder uptake. Please note that club applications will only be accepted where each ticket applied for is attributed to a named member with a unique Rangers Number. SALES CHANNELS HERE�· 0871 702 1972 Rangers ticket centre Prices: Adults from �£25 - �£40 per day / ticket Concessions from �£15 - �£25 per day / ticket (under 16 or over 65) Emirates Cup 2009 Match Schedule Saturday August 1, 2009 Rangers v Paris Saint-Germain (2pm Kick-off) Arsenal v Atletico Madrid (4.15pm Kick-off) Sunday August 2, 2009 Atletico Madrid v Paris Saint-Germain (2pm kick-off) Arsenal v Rangers (4.15pm kick-off)

WALTER SMITH insists that Rangers wonââ?¬â?¢t crumble and gift Celtic nine-in-a-row glory. The Ibrox boss hit out after Gers legend Richard Gough confessed to his fear that the Hoops stand on the brink of history. Former Light Blues skipper Gough reckons losing the SPL crown to Celts could spark a catastrophic collapse at Ibrox. But, on the eve of tomorrowââ?¬â?¢s vital Old Firm clash at Ibrox, Smith claimed Gough is WRONG. He said: ââ?¬Å?I can never remember thinking winning four-in-a-row would mean going on to win nine-in-a-row. ââ?¬Å?Itââ?¬â?¢s difficult enough to win one. Youââ?¬â?¢d have to win four, then win four again and then start on the ninth. ââ?¬Å?It is always difficult to find that level of consistency. ââ?¬Å?You donââ?¬â?¢t go from four to nine in five minutes. ââ?¬Å?I donââ?¬â?¢t think anybody here ever thought of doing nine in the midst of two, three or four-in-a-row. ââ?¬Å?Itââ?¬â?¢s a good theory but there is a lot of assumption in there.ââ?¬Â Smith is focused on four games rather than four titles as the championship race enters the final furlong. Victory would thrust Gers two points clear of the Hoops but even if that happens, Smith reckons the tussle will go to the wire. He said: ââ?¬Å?The Old Firm game tends to dominate everyoneââ?¬â?¢s thoughts, but it would show a disregard to the other teams we still have to play if we said this was a ââ?¬Ë?must winââ?¬â?¢ match. ââ?¬Å?We canââ?¬â?¢t run away from the fact that itââ?¬â?¢s going to be a vitally important match for both teams in the quest to win a championship. ââ?¬Å?But I donââ?¬â?¢t think we can disregard the others teams. The three remaining matches we have will be extremely tough. ââ?¬Å?But, if you have thoughts of winning the championship, then youââ?¬â?¢d want to win this game. ââ?¬Å?I find it difficult to separate one Old Firm game from another. You always have that bit of tension and nervousness before all the derby games. ââ?¬Å?It is the same every season and the intensity increases as the season goes on. ââ?¬Å?If you are asking me if this one is any more important than any other, Iââ?¬â?¢d have to say no. ââ?¬Å?But it IS a vitally important game for both clubs.ââ?¬Â Smith insisted heââ?¬â?¢s NOT worried by Tom Murphyââ?¬â?¢s appointment as a linesman tomorrow. He clashed with Murphy after a draw at Motherwell earlier this season, but Smith said: ââ?¬Å?Yes, it is an interesting decision, but I have no problem with him officiating the game. None at all. ââ?¬Å?I said what I said after the Motherwell game. He has since officiated other games for us so I donââ?¬â?¢t have any problem with him officiating this one.ââ?¬Â But the Gers gaffer IS annoyed that Gers must play two games in less than 70 hours next week. They face Hibs on Wednesday night and Aberdeen on Saturday lunchtime while Celts have FIVE DAYS between their games. Advertisement SunSport first revealed Gers were unhappy with the timings back on April 21 and Smith confirmed: ââ?¬Å?I felt it was unfair of them to ask us to play two games within two days when it was not necessary, especially after what happened to us last season. ââ?¬Å?That aspect of the split is an unfair one from our point of view and we have expressed our concern.ââ?¬Â Smith threw open the gates of Murray Park to allow Gough, now 47, to train with the first-team yesterday. He said: ââ?¬Å?Richard is the same as before ââ?¬â? fit but hopeless. But, seriously, he is in good nick and it was good to see him.ââ?¬Â Gough was joined by another ex-Gers captain, Barry Ferguson, for a full session. Fergie was returning from his calf injury but wonââ?¬â?¢t be considered for the crucial lunchtime clash with SPL leaders Celts. And Gers are also sweating over crocked left-back Sasa Papac as he battles knee ligament problems. Smith said: ââ?¬Å?We have a doubt over Sasa for Saturday. ââ?¬Å?He has strained ligaments on the outside of a knee. ââ?¬Å?It is causing him a problem, especially when he turns. ââ?¬Å?We are keen to have him and there is still a possibility we will have him. ââ?¬Å?But if he misses Saturday, he will be fit for the next week. ââ?¬Å?Barry is progressing but needs a few more daysââ?¬â?¢ training before he is up to match fitness. ââ?¬Å?I would hope that would be in the next few days. ââ?¬Å?Hopefully once Barry comes back that will be him fit and he would be fit for us in the remaining games of the season.ââ?¬Â Meanwhile, Kirk Broadfoot hopes to find a cure for his foot problem after visiting a specialist yesterday. Smith said: ââ?¬Å?Kirk is seeing a specialist in London. Heââ?¬â?¢s had a bit of trouble with his foot and hopefully he can find a solution to the problem. ââ?¬Å?He is now pain-free, except when he kicks a ball, which is a problem for a footballer!ââ?¬Â http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/article2417724.ece

RANGERS' stars of the future will be looking to enjoy Old Firm success when they take on rivals Celtic in the Glasgow Cup final at Broadwood Stadium on May 11. The Light Blues beat Queens Park 5-0 to reach this year's final and will be hoping to get their name back on the famous trophy after losing out to the young Celts in 2008. Glasgow CupJim Sinclair will be in charge of the under-17 side on the night along with coach Alan Kernaghan and the club's youth supremo is looking for his teenage stars to put on a good show. Sinclair said: "The final will give our fans a chance to come along and see our talented young players in action. "Old Firm fixtures at any level always create a bit of excitement and our boys will be desperate to get their hands on the trophy after losing to Celtic last year. "It should be a terrific game and hopefully supporters will come along to Broadwood to support the team as they don't always get the opportunity to play in front of reasonable crowds. "It's a big occasion not only because it is game between Rangers and Celtic but because it's the final of a competition that has been in Scottish football for a long time. "Like Celtic we will be looking to get our hands on the trophy and I am sure our players will be up for the challenge." Glasgow's senior clubs Clyde, Partick Thistle, Queens Park, Rangers and Celtic have competed for the Cup on an annual basis since 1887 although there have been periods in history when the competition was put on hold. Up until 1986 it was effectively deemed a first-team tournament with clubs putting out full strength starting elevens and massive crowds attending the games. In the 20s and 30s it was not unusual for 90,000 fans to turn out for Old Firm clashes. broadwood stadium home of clyde And as recently as 1986 a crowd of 40,000 saw Rangers take the trophy with a 3-2 final win over Celtic courtesy of an Ally McCoist hat-trick. This gave Graeme Souness his first trophy only days after he was announced as the new Rangers manager. glasgow cup 2_160The Ibrox club retained the trophy the following season but the Cup was abandoned in 1988 and relaunched as a youth competition in 2008. Rangers have lifted the tournament on 44 occasions, more than any other Scottish club, but Sinclair hopes his young under-17 team can once again bring the trophy back to Ibrox. He added: "At this moment we have young boys at under-17 level who play in games that are titled non-competitive so the Glasgow Cup is a great vehicle for their education. "A few of our under-17 players including Darren Cole, Kal Naismith and Gordon Dick, to name just a few, have pushed up in to our under-19 team regularly this season and they will have benefited from that. "In last year's final we also saw boys such as Danny Wilson and Jamie Ness involved and this they have now been on the bench for the first-team. "So the Glasgow Cup is a good chance for fans to see the players coming through the ranks in action and the final against Celtic is one we are all looking forward to." The final will kick-off at 7.30pm at Broadwood on May 11. Tickets are priced at �£5 for adults, children under 16/OAPs admitted free of charge.

By Andrew Dickson POLL Rangers fans for their favourite moment supporting the club and some obvious choices will crop up. The Cup Winners' Cup victory against Dynamo Moscow in 1972 is one, the night Nine in a Row was clinched at Tannadice a quarter of a century later another. Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Sergio Porrini celebrate at the final whistleSo too is the day the Light Blues went to Parkhead and won their 48th league title with an emphatic 3-0 win over Celtic in Dick Advocaat's first season as manager at Ibrox. It's hard to believe that this today it is exactly 10 years since Neil McCann's double and a Jorg Albertz penalty led to that dramatic victory. For most Gers supporters, memories of the day remain as vivid now as they were in the weeks that followed their team's remarkable triumph. Scheduled to start at 6.05pm so that it could be broadcast live by Sky Sports, a lot of people reflect on what unfolded over the next 90 minutes for the wrong reasons. Generally regarded - maybe even accepted - as Scotland's shame game, it was a match in which referee Hugh Dallas was struck by a coin and several home fans invaded the pitch. Three players were also sent off and a man fell from the second tier of the Jock Stein Stand as many of those in attendance let the occasion get the better of them. Yet as it was, the visiting Light Blues support's behaviour wasn't in question and the club's only blemish back then was Rod Wallace's red card four minutes from full time. Rangers fans celebrate winning the league at ParkheadIt consequently goes down as one of Rangers' greatest Old Firm victories and on the day they claimed their 100th derby success, taking the title too made it so much sweeter. A decade on, the SPL's decision not to have such a match deciding the outcome of the championship again - a ruling made in the aftermath - stands firm. That's why Rangers and Celtic will meet for the final time this term on May 9 - a date when it's impossible for either team to win the league on the day - rather than later on. There's something sad about that when you consider the side that came out on top in 1999 played little part in the shameful scenes witnessed at Parkhead. For everyone with Ibrox connections, the way Gers took their Glasgow rivals on in Advocaat's debut season and won on their own patch is to be celebrated. The Little General's men were the better team on the day and better over the course of the season as they went on to take the silverware by six points. Jorg Albertz celebratesNeil McCann gave Rangers an early lead on 13 minutes when he poked in Wallace's low, fast cross after he had been released by Giovanni van Bronckhorst. And Albertz made it 2-0 from the spot on the stroke of half-time to spark bedlam at both ends, given Dallas had been treated after being hit on the head by a coin seconds earlier. It says much about the former official that he called every major decision in the game correctly, including Vidar Riseth's foul on Tony Vidmar that led to the penalty. It may say more about Albertz that of the 76 goals he scored for the club, his finish in the city's east end was one of his coolest as he sent keeper Stewart Kerr the wrong way. "It wasn't hard for me to concentrate on the penalty because I liked making decisions like that on the park," the German said. Jorg Albertz and Giovanni van Bronckhorst celebrate the German's penalty making it 2-0"I knew that if I missed we would probably have allowed Celtic back into the game but I was strong enough mentally to cope. "In fact, I was looking forward to taking the kick. It was probably the most important one of my career because of what was at stake. "It was the best atmosphere I've ever played in that day at Parkhead but it was also the most dangerous. "It was only one or two idiots who ran on to the pitch to take a swipe at Dallas and in hindsight it could have been a lot worse had others decided to charge on. "You get nervous when you see people running on to the park but the majority of fans would never think of doing that. "You always get abuse from fans when you go away but that's part of the game - it's more serious when people start trying to attack the referee. "Dallas deserved a lot of respect for how he handled the situation as it was all going off around him when he awarded us the penalty. "When you watched the game back on television later, you saw that every call he made proved to be right." Neil McCann scores his second goal and Rangers' thirdMcCann - now at Falkirk - ensured Gers would be crowned champions when he slotted in the clincher 15 minutes from full-time. Moved inside to support Gabriel Amato up front, Advocaat's decision to give the little winger a slightly different role was a masterstroke as it paid off handsomely. Substitute Jonatan Johansson threaded him in on goal with a cute touch and McCann rounded Kerr to slot into the empty net. But his run took him straight in the direction of seething Celtic fans as he celebrated and it goes without saying that he was quick to veer away from them again. McCann said: "I knew as soon as I had scored the third we were champions but I was also conscious of what was going on around me. "I didn't want to cause a riot with my celebrations and my momentum was carrying me towards the Celtic fans so I had to slam the brakes on pretty quickly. "As I changed direction and I started to run towards the Rangers fans, I definitely let myself go a little bit more but that's not surprising. Neil McCann celebrates his second goal and Rangers' third"Scoring the goal that clinched the championship was a great honour and it is something I will never forget. It was a great feeling. "I was delighted with both goals because I was just looking for us to win the game and to score twice was out of this world. "The first was very special for me because it put us in a very good position and set the ball rolling. "But my second was my favourite because I knew that as soon as I had rounded the keeper we had won the championship." Of course, the shameful incidents at Parkhead 10 years ago weren't on the same scale as some of the troubles at previous Old Firm games. Exactly 100 years back, for example, fans of both sides rioted for four hours when it was decided extra-time would not be played in a Scottish Cup final replay between the clubs. As the trophy was withheld, troublemakers tore down barricades, lit fires and fought with police and it was a similar story in running battles after the 1980 final at Hampden. Rod Wallace and Jonatan Johansson congratulate Neil McCann on his second goalWhat happened in 1999 has still left a lasting impression though and from Gers' point of view, it was for keeping their heads when others were losing theirs. "It was an incredible match and the whole experience is something I'll never forget," McCann added. "It was the most amazing atmosphere I've ever played in. "I thought it was all going to boil over when Dallas was hit by a coin and a couple of fans started to stream on to the pitch. "I think we were all a bit scared as we thought about the consequences but we had to retain our concentration and just get on with the game. "The majority of the players involved managed to keep their cool but there were a few who lost it. "I didn't understand some of the Celtic players who lost the place because they must have known what was at stake for their club. "Probably the pressure and atmosphere on the night got to them but I was pleased we held it together and I think we deserved our win. "To go there and win the championship was obviously very special for everyone involved with Rangers." For Advocaat, claiming his first title in Scotland gave him the second part of what was to become a magnificent Treble. Lorenzo Amoruso celebrates at the final whistleThe sixth in the club's history, it was completed when Wallace's strike gave Rangers a single-goal Old Firm victory in the Scottish Cup final four weeks later. Advocaat went on to win the league and Scottish Cup again before stepping aside and making way for Alex McLeish to take his place in the hot seat in December 2001. His first campaign was undoubtedly his best at the Ibrox helm and even he couldn't have imagined it going so well. Advocaat said: "It was a big occasion for the Rangers fans to win that game against Celtic and we were very proud to have done that for them. "I was absolutely delighted with the way we both played and controlled ourselves. I think we deserved the championship over the course of that season. "We lost the first game then went top after the third match and from then on we stayed there. We deserved a lot of credit for that. "When you look at what we did in Europe and our triumphs in the championship, Scottish Cup and the League Cup, I don't think it could have gone any better. "I'm a person who likes to win and that year was a good one for me. What we achieved in that season exceeded my expectations."

By Lindsay Herron RANGERS can boast some fantastic teams in their long history and the class of 1948/49 can certainly lay claim to being one of the best. They became the first Scottish team to complete the clean sweep of domestic honours and today, April 30, is the 60th anniversary of their Treble triumph. Managed by the legendary Bill Struth, Rangers were a formidable force in the immediate post-war era. They boasted the famous Iron Curtain defence - Bobby Brown, George Young, Jock Shaw, Ian McColl, Willie Woodburn and Sammy Cox - and an attacking line that featured Willie Waddell and Willie Thornton. In a fantastic campaign, they claimed the newly introduced League Cup, the Scottish Cup and took the title on an incredible last-day shootout. 1949 Treble captain Jock Shaw and Bobby BrownGoalkeeper Brown is one of only two survivors from this famous team - the other being Sammy Cox - and he recalls their achievements with relish. He said: "The fact that we conceded 16 goals less than any other team was an indication of how strong we were at the back and we were also fortunate not to have any injuries. "We were able to field our strongest team in most of the matches and that was significant. "Of course, we had the Iron Curtain defence at that time. Woodburn was peerless. In the all the time I have been watching football I have never seen a better centre half "Jock was a good captain, an out and out Ranger. He was forever shouting in the field. He was a first class left back and an excellent defender. "I had every confidence in him and if I went out for a cross ball I knew that he and George Young would be behind me." Brown played in every match that season and there was an unlikely twist which set Rangers up for the first leg of the "Triple Crown" as it was referred to in these days. Back in 1948/49 and up until the 1970s the early stage of the League Cup was played in sections and it looked odds on that Celtic, in the same group as Rangers, would come out on top. They had won their opening three matches, including a 3-1 win over Rangers, but then lost 4-2 to Hibs and then, incredibly, lost 6-3 at home to Clyde!Torry Gillick scored in the 1948-49 League Cup final It meant that the final section game between Rangers and Celtic would decide who would go through. A crowd of 105,000 packed into Ibrox to watch the cliff-hanger. Goals from Billy Williamson and Willie Waddell gave Rangers a 2-1 win and pitted them against St Mirren in the quarter-final. A 1-0 victory followed by a 4-1 romp over Dundee in the semi-final set Rangers up for a League Cup Final appearance against Raith Rovers in the spring. Given that the Fifers were in the Second Division at that time, Rangers were expected to win comfortably but Brown remembers that was far from the case, He said: "We were lucky to be drawing 0-0 at half-time because we didn't play particularly well and Raith Rovers had had a goal disallowed. "Torry Gillick scored early in the second half and that settled us down and then Willie Paton scored soon after and we were on our way to the Cup." Rangers' path in the Scottish Cup was much more comfortable. They reached the Final with easy victories over Elgin, Motherwell, Partick and then East Fife in the semi, scoring 17 goals and conceding just one. The Final itself proved no difficulty, Rangers seeing off Clyde 4-1. One curiosity emerged from the match. Billy Williamson, who had scored the winning goal in the previous season's replayed Final against Morton, again found the net, giving him the remarkable record of having played in only two Scottish Cup games, both of them Finals, and scoring on both occasions. The second leg of the treble was now safely at Ibrox, but the odds on winning the Championship seemed stacked against Rangers. Willie Waddell in action against Partick ThistleThe race for the title had been a titanic struggle between Rangers and Dundee. Indeed, Rangers lost 3-1 at Dens Park in the January. Rangers produced a fantastic run of 10 straight victories towards the end of the campaign but Dundee still had the advantage going into the final day. The Dark Blues needed a draw at Falkirk in their final match to clinch it while Rangers travelled to Coatbridge needing a win over Albion Rovers and some help from Falkirk. Incredibly they got both. Rangers did all that they could with Willie Thornton scoring a hat-trick as they won 4-1 Albion Rovers. But the news from Brockville Park was astonishing. Dundee had crashed 4-1. The title and the Treble belonged to Rangers. History had been made. Rangers had been given some help from an old friend. Jerry Dawson, who had starred for them before and during the war, saved a Dundee penalty. Brown said: "It was an incredible last day. We knew what was happening at Brockville and it definitely spurred us on. "Willie Thornton scored three great goals for us and we won our game well." There was a bit of decorum in these days and there were no wild celebrations. The players went for dinner to the now defunct St Enoch's Hotel in Glasgow and manager Struth made a speech. Changed days indeed

by Matthew Lindsay RANGERS officials are often asked by dignitaries from visiting clubs and their own supporters why there is no club museum. After all, the Glasgow giants, founded way back in 1873, have a rich and colourful history which would fascinate anybody with a love of football. Yet, the answer to these queries is always the same - Ibrox Stadium itself displays all of the items which are of histor-ical significance to the Gers. The many articles of clothing, caps, photographs, paintings, medals, miscellaneous pieces of memorabilia and trophies inside the world-famous Govan ground tell Rangers' remarkable story eloquently. That is especially true now that the exhibits which will be on show to visitors on tours of the Category B-listed building have been extensively updated and expanded. For instance, mementoes from the club's epic run to the Uefa Cup Final in Manchester last year - including the medal which manager Walter Smith collected after the game with Zenit St Petersburg - can now be seen in the breathtaking trophy room. Sandy Jardine, the legendary former player who now works at Rangers as player recruitment and welfare manager, has been heavily involved in the extensive overhaul. He said: "There are a lot of great stadiums in the world. There are some wonderful brand new stadiums. "But not many of them have a trophy room like we do. As soon as you walk in it has a wow affect. "Over the last four or five months we have taken it and changed it a bit. Because we had new memorabilia we have taken all the pennants and put them up high where everybody can still see them. We have put new memorabilia around the wall. But we also still have extremely old pieces of memorabilia as well. "We have the original of the constitution of the club in 1874. It tells you the rules, tells you what the club will be called, what the strip will be like, and the people who will be involved, Moses McNeil, people like that. Jardine added: "But we have many other things. We have Willie Waddell's handwritten team for the European Cup- Winners' Cup Final in 1972. "It is written on the morning of the match. He still hadn't decided what the team was. One position was between Penman, Conn and Parlane. "We have the handwritten team lines drawn up by manager Scot Symon at the Grand Hotel and handed to the referee before the very first European final we played in 1960. "In those days European competitions weren't as regulated and didn't have the same back-up and admin. "Whenever we win a cham-pionship we put a miniature of the league flag up on the wall in the trophy room. We have a world record of 51. Hopefully, we will get another one to add to our collection at the end of the season." While Rangers fans could spend hours poring over the many exhibits in the well-stocked trophy room, the same is true of other stops on the tour - the old manager's office as well as the impressive Blue Room. Jardine continued: "We have manager memorabilia in the office. We have the typewriter that Mrs Dallas, Bill Struth's secretary, used to type letters. "It has Rangers headed notepaper from 1925 in it. We have the ink stand which used to sit on the table. Any player who signed for the club would have used that ink to put pen to paper. We have Bill Struth's walking stick for his bad leg. "We have the decanter set which was given to Willie Waddell on the occasion of the completion of the redevelopment of Ibrox Stadium. We have the actual phone, complete with its original phone number Ibrox 1858, which Scot Symon used to use." The Blue Room, with its murals of Rangers managers, chairmen and captains on the mosaic walls, is one of the most eye-catching in the stadium and it has also been changed this year to celebrate the club's most memorable matches. Jardine explained: "We have photographs and medals of the most significant games in the club's history through the years. We have the first medal which was ever won by the club in 1879 in the Glasgow Charity Cup and medals from all the European finals we have been involved in. "The club have acquired the medals through auctions. Either that or they were loaned to us or we have just found them in the safe." Former Rangers players have also been happy to donate the Scotland caps they have won for their country so they can take their place alongside the greatest players ever to turn out for the club. Jardine said: "We have the greatest collection of caps in the world. They date from 1892 right to the present day." And if Rangers have their way, there will be many more additions in the years to come. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2504524.0.rangers_trophy_room_is_in_a_different_league.php

Roy Keane revealed his aim to take Ipswich back into the Barclays Premier League in one season as he declared: "It's good to be back." The former Manchester United captain, who has been out of work since leaving Sunderland in December, was confirmed as the new manager of the Tractor Boys after signing a two-year deal. Ipswich were last in the top flight in 2002 and previous manager Jim Magilton paid the price for not reaching the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs when he was sacked on Wednesday. Keane, who revealed he had received other offers, said: "It's a massive challenge trying to get the club back in the Premier League. "I'm excited and looking forward to it. I've had a good break. It's good to be back. "Three or four weeks ago I thought, if the opportunity came up, I was ready for it. I've signed a two-year contract but I'd like to try and do it (get promotion) in one year. "If I wasn't up for challenges I'd be out walking my dogs today. I think my dogs need a break." Keane insisted he would need time to take stock before beginning the process of shaping the team. "Nothing will be happening over the next week or two, we've got to take stock and take it from there," he said. He hinted at the possibility of major changes by adding: "There are a lot of players on long-term injuries and players whose contracts are up, so that might suit me. "But it would be unfair to say to players whose contracts are up 'You've got two games to prove yourself'." Keane was asked how his first meeting with the players at training had gone, and was his usual no-nonsense self in his response. "I had a chat with the players, I put demands on the players and they look up for it," he said. "All I've asked of any player as a manager is that they turn up for training on time and give 100%, and that's all I'm asking of the Ipswich players. If they're okay with that they will enjoy working with me, if not it will be a very brief relationship." Keane admitted the two-year contract could increase the pressure to turn things around quickly at Portman Road but added: "I'm very comfortable with the two years, if that means I'm putting myself under pressure - so what? "It's all about the challenge, when I took over at Sunderland I knew that was a big club and I could turn it around and it's the same here." Keane hopes some of the qualities he galvanised in his players while at Sunderland will again be in evidence at Portman Road. "We had a very good spirit and never-say-die attitude," he said of his time at the Stadium of Light. "We scored a lot of late goals and had great desire. "I always felt we would go to the end and I want that from Ipswich players. That's up to me to get into the players. "I'm convinced the players will enjoy working with me." He added the vision for the future laid out by the Ipswich board had played a major part in his decision to join the club. He said: "I enjoy working with ambitious people. There's enough people out there with no ambitions who are happy to go through the motions in life. "It's going to be very difficult, looking at the teams that will come down [from the Premier League]. "It's a massive challenge, but hopefully we will be in the mix. At the moment we are 26 points behind Wolves, so that's a big, big gap to make up." Asked why he had decided to take the job, Keane added: "My gut feeling, the ambition of the club, the history of the club. "It's a proper football club. I think I've been very lucky with the clubs I've been involved with and I'm very lucky to get this job." Chief executive Simon Clegg, who himself was only appointed this week, is confident Town have the right man to achieve their ambitions. He said: "It's an exciting and dynamic new era. It further demonstrates the aspirations and ambitions of this club and its owner, Marcus Evans. "I'm convinced, with Roy Keane as manager, we can build on the club's rich heritage and he will lead us back to Premier League football." Roy Keane Factfile 1971: Born Cork, August 10. 1987: Joins semi-professional League of Ireland club Cobh Ramblers after building reputation with Cork junior club Rockmount. 1990: Signed by Brian Clough for Nottingham Forest for �£10,000. 1991: Makes Republic of Ireland debut in 1-1 draw with Chile in Dublin. 1992: Arrested after rowdy scenes outside a Nottingham nightclub, but released without charge. 1993: January - Thrown out of another nightclub after being caught up in a brawl. July - Joins Manchester United for then British transfer record �£3.75million after 154 matches and 33 goals for Forest. 1994: Marks first season with United by helping club complete their first League and FA Cup double. 1995: Sent off for first time in career for stamping on Crystal Palace's Gareth Southgate during FA Cup semi-final replay. Later fined �£5,000. Two more red cards follow in first three months of 1995-96 campaign, at Blackburn in August and at home to Middlesbrough in October. 1996: March - Sent off on his 30th appearance for the Republic of Ireland against Russia in Mick McCarthy's first match as manager. May - Helps United clinch historic second double with 1-0 FA Cup final win over Liverpool. Fails to report for McCarthy's testimonial and Republic training after going on holiday to Italy, is denied Republic captaincy and left out for six matches by the national boss. 1997: April - Misses penalty for Republic against Romania and escapes without punishment after being involved in alleged scuffle. August - Named United captain following Eric Cantona's departure. September - Injures his knee trying to foul Leeds' Alf Inge Haaland at Elland Road. Misses rest of the season with cruciate ligament damage. 1999: April - Sent off against Arsenal in FA Cup semi-final replay for two bookable offences. Also booked in Champions League semi-final second leg against Juventus ruling him out of final against Bayern Munich. November - Scores the goal which earns a 1-0 Toyota Cup victory over Palmeiras of Brazil. United are the first British club to lift the Inter-Continental Cup. December - Signs a new four-year deal to stay at Old Trafford. 2000: May - Named PFA and Football Writers' Association player of the year before lifting another Premier League title. August - Sent off in Charity Shield at Wembley for two bookings, the second for a cynical challenge from behind on Chelsea's Gustavo Poyet. November - Criticises lack of atmosphere at Old Trafford accusing corporate spectators of being unable "to spell football never mind understand it" and only being interested in prawn sandwiches. 2001: April - Criticises United team-mates suggesting it may be time to break up the squad following their Champions League quarter-final defeat by Bayern Munich. Sent off after pre-meditated lunge at Haaland in United's derby encounter with Manchester City. September - Sent off for the ninth time in his United career after raising his hands at Newcastle's Alan Shearer. 2002: May - Keane is sent home from the World Cup after a row with Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy. August - Admits in his autobiography that his red-card tackle on Haaland was deliberate. September - Sent off for elbowing Jason McAteer during Manchester United's 1-1 draw at Sunderland. October - Banned for five matches and fined �£150,000 over Haaland incident. 2003: February - Despite the efforts of new Ireland manager Brian Kerr to tempt him back into the Republic's set-up, Keane announces his intention to retire from international football. 2004: February - Sent off as United lose in Porto in a Champions League last-16 clash. April - Announces he will play for Republic of Ireland. May - Makes first appearance for Ireland since McCarthy bust-up infriendly with Romania. 2005: February - Involved in tunnel row with Patrick Vieira before United's 4-2 win against Arsenal. August - Sir Alex Ferguson admits he had a row with Keane at United's pre-season training camp in Portugal in July. October - Announces his international retirement for a second time. November - Leaves Manchester United by mutual consent. December - Signs for Celtic in an 18-month deal. 2006: January - Makes Celtic debut in embarrassing Scottish Cup defeat to First Division Clyde. May - Finishes the season at Celtic, who win the Bank of Scotland Premier League. June - Announces his retirement from football. August - Confirmed as new manager of Sunderland. 2007: April - Earns automatic promotion to the Premier League for Sunderland. Team clinches Championship title the following week. 2008: May - Sunderland finish three points clear of relegation zone. September - Says he will not "tolerate people abusing me" after fans react angrily to an unconvincing Carling Cup win over Northampton. December 4 - Leaves Sunderland after crisis talks on Wearside. 2009: April 23 - Takes over at Championship side Ipswich on two-year contract.

Sorry if this was brought up over the weekend but I need to get this off my chest.... Yesterday this flag that was in the Kop End with a Celtic badge claiming Justice For The 96. Now in no way am I trying to tarnish the the names of the poor souls that perrished to "point score" but this has to be highlighted. Steak Pie FC are well known on here for their antics and their "Please love us attitude" but this one surely is up there.... Celtic FC being involved in Stadium Diasaters...... Now to any neutral with half an ounce of knowledge about Scottish Football would be aware of the worst day in our Club's History, The Disaster of Stairway 13 in 1971 in which 66 of our fans lost their lifes. The opponents that day? That's right, none other than Celtic FC. Now I, like 99% of us on here, wouldn't want anything to do with that mob but why would they want to attach themselves emotionally to the Hillsborough Disaster (only link - there was a friendly played to raise funds after the disaster) when there was a Stadium Disaster in Glasgow (where they are based) in a game that they were playing in? Instead the self-proclaimed Greatest Fans In The World refer to it as the "Orange Crush" and ruined a minutes silence for the Bears that lost their lifes so sadly. Now strangely enough, it's not the only minutes silence that they have ruined for the victims of a Stadium Disaster. Ask Ged Brannan, formally of Motherwell fame. Ged lost his mate Graham Wright on that fateful day at Hillsborough on the 15th of April 1989. 10 years later, Motherwell play Celtic at the piggery and before the match to mark the tenth year anniversary there is to be a minutes silence held at all grounds across Britain. All pass naturally without incident but not at the Celtic game. A few seconds into it, a rabid **** shouts some abuse at Andy Goram about "eating all the pies ya fat Orange Bastard" for all to hear followed by more joining in. There were then shouts about the IRA and freeing Irish Prisioners. This of course was to be the run of the mill for the *******s who now have had to adopt the "minutes applause" It's a shame that about 90% of the Liverpool support will be unaware of this. Instead, they get the impression that the Bheats are their mates from Jockland. If only they knew the fucking half of it........

I bought my 4 yr old this thing called a "Kickmedic" which apparently helps them hone their footballing skills (you put a ball in a net bag and it is attached to elasticated cord and you kick it - obviously thanks to the elastic the ball returns to you). Anyway..... I just got an email from them and they have partnered with Celtic for US kids to go over and train with Celtic - why is it we haven't done this, especially given the fact we have a history of US internationals at the club and given that US football appears to be on the rise again. Here is the email I received from them plus my response. ===================================================== Hello Craig, I hope this email finds you well. Premier FÃ?ºtbol Concepts is proud to say that we are now exclusively working with CELTIC F.C. ( Scotland ) to bring young players from the USA over to Scotland for the unique opportunity to experience training with a World-Class Academy. CELTIC F.C. have created this exclusive opportunity for players to experience elite coaching from some of the worlds top youth coaches. CELTIC F.C. is one of the biggest and most prestigious clubs in the world and their academy is testament to this success. Over the last few years some of the brightest talents in soccer have come from this very breeding ground, 8 of Celticââ?¬â?¢s current first team actually developed through the Academy. The Residential Course is the first rung on the development ladder for Celtic F.C. players and can act as a key part for talent identification for the club and its coaching staff. Players will take part in some of the most up to date coaching methodologies of its kind using the ââ?¬Ë? Celtic Way ââ?¬â?¢ curriculum. Some of the best training facilities in Scotland will be at their disposal not to mention some of the brightest minds in soccer training. The Course still has reservations open to Boys ages 11 and up and also for Girls 14 and up. Not only is this camp a fantastic development tool for your player but socially he/she will develop by interacting with other players and teams from in and around the UK . Premier Futbol Concepts is committed to the players and teams of the USA and the sport of soccer itself, our goal is to work with some of the best soccer teams and products within the industry to bring clubs and soccer individuals alike the highest quality possible. With this commitment in mind we also have developed some fund raising opportunities available for players and parents to ensure this trip is possible. If you are interested in receiving more information on how to take advantage of this great opportunity, or if you have any questions, or to receive your full-colour brochure, please feel free to contact us at PFC anytime. Cheers! ===================================================== Thank you for the email. However, as I am a Rangers fan (Celtic's fierce rival) I am sure you will appreciate that I have little interest in the product that Celtic offer. I am somewhat surprised that you have not considered brokering a similar deal with Rangers FC, especially considering that they have two current US internationals on the payroll, those being DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu. Further, I find it somewhat strange that you would associate yourselves with a club whose fans infamously mocked the 9/11 tragedy by making "aeroplane" motions at then Rangers and USA player, Claudio Reyna. To be quite frank I am stunned that a US company would promote and asociate with Celtic given the above - unless, of course, Celtic approached you. There is far more to Celtic than meets the eye. However, that is obviously a choice which you as a company have made and are comfortable with. Good luck in your quest. Regards Craig

I was thinking about it, and I'm not sure it's possible to take the moral posturings of the media seriously at all anymore; they've just given up on even pretending to protect public interests any more and just descended into pure theatrics. They're light entertainment at best; you eat your morning roll and get worked up over the papers. They're like Jeremy Kyle. Wherever I agree with their analysis I can't shake the feeling that they're just saying it for show anyway; they didn't give a fuck, they just wanted to provide entertainment. All their little dilemmas and heroes and villains are just part of an ongoing show for our amusement, and nothing more. You think back to old London town and public hangings. The guy getting his head chopped off looking one last time at the crowd and seeing people on a day out; eating food from vendors, laughing and joking, boo-ing and cheering, before justice parts him from his head. While he might be rightly punished, it would be hard for him to see genuine moral outrage in all people he was looking out at. So, while I might think it might be right for someone to goto the gallows, or be arrested for sectarian chanting, or chastised for being an idiot when representing their country, it's not suprising that things like that happen. It's when you turn around and see all the 'good' people working up self-indulgent rage, paying so that they can read about it, getting all worked up and phoning phone ins, at the bidding of journalists who're more circus ringmasters directing easily-pleased punters than protectors of the public interest, that you're puzzled. - Oscar Wilde If a community is infinitely more brutalised by the habitual employment of punishment than it is by the occasional occurrence of crime, then it's infinitely more triviliased by the habitual employment of a panto press, not by the occasional idiocy of politically incorrect fans or childish footballers. If you pay them money, you give them hits, reference their articles, it's your fault.

Apr 5 2009 Andy Mcdonald BOOZE shame keeper Allan McGregor was handed a sensational Ibrox lifeline yesterday. And the Sunday Mail can exclusively reveal that Kevin Thomson is to take over from axed Barry Ferguson as Ibrox skipper next season. Keeper McGregor was not expected to play for Rangers again after furious boss Walter Smith dropped him and Ferguson for their Scotland disgrace. Now Smith may be prepared to give McGregor, 27, one final chance to salvage his career - butonly if he grows up. Senior sources at Ibrox yesterday insisted Ferguson will never play for the club again. But the same sources confirmed McGregor could make a sensational return to the first team. One said: "They both deserved everything that came their way after that performance midweek. "Walter's equally furious with them both but he sees McGregor's position differently to Ferguson's. "Barry's burned his bridges but there could still be a way back for McGregor. "Whether he's got the good sense to take it is another matter. Buckle "He's definitely out for the moment. But if he buckles down the door is not locked on him coming back. "He basically has to grow up and get a grip. It's down to him." The cash-strapped club also realise benching one of their prize assets can only reduce his value on the transfer market. The source insisted the only thing that will see him return is a massive change in attitude. McGregor has a history of attracting as many headlines for his colourful private life as his onfield performances. The source added: "It's down to him. Put it this way, Barry's out in the dark but there's a chink of light for McGregor." Ferguson and McGregor saw their careers implode last week after they were benched for a booze bender at the Scotland squad's hotel. Flick They compounded that by flicking the Vs at photographersduring the Iceland game. Ferguson, 31, was stripped of the Rangers captaincy on Friday. We can reveal Smith is ready to hand the captain's armband to midfielder Kevin Thomson when he returns from injury next season. Veteran David Weir will lead Rangers against Falkirk today but Smith believes Thomson is the player to take charge next season when he returns. He has been out since suffering ligament damage in November but is expected back early next season after successful surgery. An Ibrox source said: "There's no doubt Kevin will be captain next season all being well with his knee. "To be frank, there's not a wealth of candidates but he's got the attitude and respect of his team-mates." http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/sport-news/2009/04/05/walter-smith-prepared-to-give-shamed-keeper-allan-mcgregor-ibrox-lifeline-78057-21254880/

Anyone who watches Rangers TV will be familliar with the headline. But i thought i'd be very interested to hear you guys list your Greatest ever 11 plus one manager. The show on RTV is very interesting and when i tried it myself i found myself toiling with a few positions and getting some great memories of the players i came up with. So, pick your top EVER 11 from ANYTIME in history plus your manager to manage the team and we can maybe cast a vote or something to see who has the best(or worst)side. For starters, heres mine... 1. GK Andy Goram(followed closely by Chris Woods) 2. RB Sandy Jardine (followed byGary Stevens) 3. LB John Greig(followed by Stuart Munro) 4. CD Richard Gough(followed by John Brown) 5. CD Terry Butcher(followed by Graham Roberts) 6. RM Brian Laudrup (followed by Willie Johnston) 7. CM Paul Gascoigne (followed By Stuart McCall) 8. CM Jim Baxter (followed by Ray Wilkins) 9. LM Davie Cooper (followed by Davie Wilson) 10. CF Ally McCoist(followed by Dado Prso) 11. CF Mark Hateley(followed by Colin Stein) Manager: Jock Wallace.:rfc: