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East Fife v Rangers 1986/87 For the Rangers fans of my generation, our League Cup tie against East Fife in 1986 was the first opportunity to visit Old Bayview. The game attracted over 10,000 fans who were shoehorned into the little ground in Methil. What I can remember from this game was that it was early in the Souness era and we went into the game on the back of an inconsistent start to the season, but we were odds-on to defeat the Methil Men. At the time, I was working beside an East Fife player - Stuart Burgess ââ?¬â?? who went on to play in the SPL for Falkirk ââ?¬â?? If I remember correctly, Burgess inflicted a serious injury on Colin West during the game after a horrific challenge and was on the receiving end of ââ?¬Ë?retributionââ?¬â?¢ from Terry Butcher. The game finished 0-0 after extra time and Rangers escaped with a victory after a tense penalty shoot-out (which was won 5-4). I am sure that we also missed a penalty in normal time, but that could be my mind playing tricks on me! The game wasnââ?¬â?¢t memorable for any reason, other than it was my first visit to Bayview. So what can the Rangers of 2007 take from the above game? Well, not to underestimate the opposition and not to take victory for granted. Also, it is worth noting that the League Cup campaign gave Souness his first trophy after we defeated Craptic 2-1 in the final. That victory gave is a springboard in the league as well. East Fifeââ?¬â?¢s greatest times were in the late 40ââ?¬â?¢s when they were managed by the great Scott Symon who guided the Fife club to ââ?¬Ë?Bââ?¬â?¢ championship and league cup glory. Further success was gained in the next decade including one season where East Fife led the first division championship race for almost the entire season, only to be pipped for the title by Rangers. For further information (itââ?¬â?¢s a decent read) can be gained from East Fifeââ?¬â?¢s official website - http://www.eastfife.org/details.asp?type=history6 Wunderbar What can I say about the marvellous start to our latest Champions League adventure? After a very nervous start, we came onto a game and in the 2nd half played some wonderful football. On a night like that, it is hard to pick out players for ââ?¬Ë?special praiseââ?¬â?¢ as the entire team were fantastic. However, the Stuttgart game demonstrated just how much we need Barry Ferguson and once again, BF shows us that he is one of the best midfield players this country has produced in the last 2 decades. His drive, desire, leadership qualities were there for all to see. In my opinion that was Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s best game in a Rangers jersey since he ran the entire Bayern Leverkusen a merry jig in the BayArena. Some people have questioned (rightly or wrongly) why Barry Ferguson hasnââ?¬â?¢t performed to this level since his return from Blackburn. In my opinion, this is the first time since his return that he has actually had players alongside him who complement his game. When Walter Smith returned he knew that his first priority was to fix the defence that had more leaks than a very leaky thing. His second was to ensure that he could surround our best footballer with players who complemented his style. In players like Thompson, Hendami, Thomson, SW and Lee McCulloch, Ferguson has players who, like him, have desire, drive, determination as well as undoubted ability. Hopefully this will see Barry Ferguson return to his best. After going a goal behind, the response from the players was phenomenal. Instead of letting the heads drop, we just rolled up our sleeves, pushed forward and eventually got our just reward. Charlie Adamââ?¬â?¢s goal brilliant but we can not go any further without a special mention to Alan Hutton for his storming runs for both goals. JCB was coolness personified as he blasted home the penalty. Dolly Demolished So Saturday was the latest instalment of the most one-sided rivalry in World Football. With the visitors firmly stuck in the 80ââ?¬â?¢s when they were a ââ?¬Ë?forceââ?¬â?¢ for about 25 minutes, they still believe that they are a ââ?¬Ë?rivalââ?¬â?¢ to the most successful club in the world. Meanwhile, we the Rangers fans treat them for what they are, a minor irritation from the frozen North. To illustrate to any reading Dollies how ridiculous there claims of a ââ?¬Ë?rivalryââ?¬â?¢ are lets sing a wee song ââ?¬â?? to the tune of One Man Went To Mow : 1 Year Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 2 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 3 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 4 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 5 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 6 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 7 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 8 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 9 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 10 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 11 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 12 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 13 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 14 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 15 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 16 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox The latest thumping of Abergreen was never in doubt after Lee McCullochââ?¬â?¢s stunning opener which seemed to spur us on to yet another fantastic 2nd half performance. SN then killed the game with his first goal for us which was brilliantly taken. His full debut was rudely cut short by a dreadful tackle by the ââ?¬Ë?hate-filledââ?¬â?¢ Zander Diamond. SNââ?¬â?¢s replacement Kris Boyd scored a good 3rd goal which was just the icing on the cake. One last question for any Dollies that have made it this far ââ?¬â?? when you sing ââ?¬Ë?Weââ?¬â?¢re Only Sheep Shagging Barstewardsââ?¬â?¢ ââ?¬â?? what part of that statement makes it acceptable and something to shout about? Artur Boric Surely I wasnââ?¬â?¢t the only one who had a wee chuckle at the best keeper in Europe (cough, splutter) gifting the Hibees two goals and 3 points on Sunday? Anyway, this isnââ?¬â?¢t a critique of his abilities, but to look at his indiscretions towards the Hibs fans. As well as giving them the finger, he celebrated both Craptic goals in an ââ?¬Ë?unsavouryââ?¬â?¢ manner. Add this to the FACT that he has already been warned by the Police after gesticulating at us (any MOPES reading it wasnââ?¬â?¢t for blessing himself) surely something has to be done? Never mind Artur, I am sure that youââ?¬â?¢ll once again find yourself in a park miles from youââ?¬â?¢re home where a pregnant woman will be getting racially abused by a mysterous gang of racist thugs and youââ?¬â?¢ll be the hero once again. Cammy F ââ?¬â?? We Are The Peopleââ?¬Â¦.

Saturday, 29 September 2007 _________________________________Time ____TV Motherwell v Rangers_______________ 12:30___ ** Aberdeen v Gretna _________________15:00 Celtic v Dundee United ______________15:00 Hibernian v Kilmarnock ______________15:00 Inverness CT v Falkirk ______________15:00 Sunday, 30 September 2007 St Mirren v Hearts _________________14:00 Looking at all the fixtures this week it is a predictors nightmare, as all the games look like they could go any way. Rangers travel to Motherwell for the early kick-off Setanta match on Saturday. Motherwell at Fir park are always a difficult proposition but one where we have almost always managed to come away with a tight win. Although the Steelmen lost last weekend they got a super boost of confidence by knocking Hibs out of the CIS cup on Wednesday night 4-2. Playing Rangers always makes teams fight that bit harder so I think we will have a real battle on our hands and possibly our first real big test. I am judging that on the fact we did play with a weakened team against Hearts. I don�t see Saturday being any different as other years I think we will have a really hard game but we should scrape through with a win, albeit a skin of the teeth 1-0. Rangers Win Aberdeen welcome Gretna to Pittodrie and it would seem that Gretna are the form team of the two at this moment. Defeat for the Dons could actually see them hit bottom place depending on the Inverness result. Although a win in the CIS may have eased some pressure, the pressure could really start to mount on the two Jimmy�s if they are bottom of the league after the weekend. Gretna have really tightened up of late and were rewarded with their first win against Dundee Utd last weekend. Gretna did lose to Caley in the CIS cup however I think Aberdeen will win, just because they really have to. Although I won�t back my money on it. Aberdeen win. Celtic get a visit from Dundee United at the piggery, where United get a chance to play catch-up on them for the second week running. Up until Boruc literally dropped the points against Hibs, the Celts were hitting most teams for five. The Arabs have always managed to make it difficult for Celtic, and I see this game as no different. Craig Leveign will have taken note, how his City rivals Dundee had Celtic under pressure for large parts of the game on Wednesday, and try to emulate that. Both teams will be trying to bounce back from defeat in the league, and be trying to get back on the rails as quickly as possible. With the loss of Nakamura, Celtic lose a lot of their creative edge and danger from set peices. I will be surprised if United win but I do think Craig Leveign can organize his men for a good draw. Draw. Part of Hibernian�s recent history is that they beat the top teams, and then play crap against the likes of Kilmarnock, who visit Easter road on Saturday. Hibs will be on a high after beating Celtic but Killie just seem to role along all season grinding out results. The loss of Naismith to Rangers remains to be a creative loss to Kilmarnock who failed to break down a tough St Mirren�s 5 man midfield block last Saturday. Both had a shock elimination from the CIS cup during the week, but with home advantage, and in my opinion, the team more determined to make amends, Hibs will bounce back to win this one. Hibs win. Inverness against Falkirk looks on paper as one of the most difficult games to predict. Since Craig Brewster has come back in as manager they have taken an upward curve, resulting in a win against Hearts on Saturday and 3-0 win against Gretna in the CIS cup. Falkirk were knocked out by Dundee United in the same tournament. Falkirk can on their day give the best in the league a good game but this may be more based on credits from last season as results from this season. They have, to be honest, played most of the in-form teams this season, with a good win against Motherwell and a draw against Hibs standing out. This looks like a draw to me. Draw, Sunday�s game see�s a visit of Hearts to Love street to meet a gritty St Mirren team. Even Nostradamus would find it difficult to predict what Hearts team is going to turn up. Hearts beat Dunfermline 4-1 midweek, although it did take extra time to do it. Their last league game was a defeat to Inverness which was Caley�s first points in the league. St Mirren just seem to turn out gritty performances which see them just one point behind Hearts. They will be hoping to surprise Hearts and move up at least one place in the league. I am going for St Mirren to frustrate and conquer. St Mirren Win

Back Down To Earth With A Bump Maybe itââ?¬â?¢s just the eternal pessimist in me, but wasnââ?¬â?¢t there something rather predictable and inventible about the 4-2 defeat to Hearts? Not just the result, but in the manner of the performance, team selection and a return to form from this seasons laughing stock / whipping boys that are Heart of Midlothian? Not too many of our players covered themselves in glory at Tynecastle with our normally reliable defence looking at sixes and sevens. McGregor and Hutton were awful and CC and Weir werenââ?¬â?¢t much better. Weir in particular has looked a tired and jaded defender of the last few weeks and maybe its time to rest his aging limbs. Without BF in midfield, we appear a rudderless ship. I know many Rangers fans believe that we are a better team without Ferguson, but in my humble opinion that theory was blown out of the water today. With no BF we have no fight, no guile and donââ?¬â?¢t appear as solid. Hard to blame the forwards today as they received very little service but I have to say that WS MUST pick his preferred front two and stick with them. This chopping and changing isnââ?¬â?¢t doing anyone any good so pick 2 and stick with them for 10 (or so games). Personally, I would plump for Cousin and Darchville. However, overall, we have had a decent start to the season and it will be interesting to see how the players bounce back from this set-back (lets hope thatââ?¬â?¢s all it is) against Stuttgart in our opening Champions League fixture. It will also be interesting to see how WS and his staff play this game. Will we go all out for a victory or will they play it cagey? For me, the next 2 games (Stuttgart, Abergreen) are MUST wins so Iââ?¬â?¢d like to see WS picking our strongest 11 and going for back to back impressive victories in the coming days. Rollercoaster One thing that is for sure, the result against Hearts wonââ?¬â?¢t be our only ââ?¬Ë?downââ?¬â?¢ of the season and as fans, all we can hope for is that we have more ââ?¬Ë?upsââ?¬â?¢ than we have ââ?¬Ë?downsââ?¬â?¢. Itââ?¬â?¢s safe to say that most of us would have been pleased with only one defeat and progression into the Champions League group stages if offered it at the start of the season. Lets not forget that we are bedding in a whole new team and unfortunately, weââ?¬â?¢ll have days like today at Tynecastle ââ?¬â?? itââ?¬â?¢s the nature of the beast and comes with the territory. As long as the players and management learn from these mistakes and as long as these knock-backs make us stronger and wiser we should ensure more highs than lows. We have a huge month coming up and at the end of that period we will have a much better idea of our best team / formation and a clearer picture of how our season is going to pan out. The reaction to the Hearts defeat has been predictable and as we know, life at Rangers is black or white ââ?¬â?? there is no middle ground. Last week we were flying, unstoppable, certain SPL winners and had a chance in our CL group. One defeat later, we are also-rans, garbage, and likely to get zero points in the CL. As usual, the reality will lie somewhere in the ââ?¬Ë?middle-groundââ?¬â?¢. Some of our new signings have shown enough to suggest that they will be decent purchases for us. Others still have some work to do to convince the majority that they have something to offer. However, as we are as a fanbase very hard to please, some of them will be written off no matter what they achieve at Rangers (just look at Peter Lovenkrands as an example). So folks, get yourself belted in and get ready to ride the rollercoaster that is Rangers FC. Estadio Santiago Bernabeu Just returned from Madrid were we visited the magnificent Estadio Santiago Bernabeu and have to say that the tour of the stadium is a must for all football fans. It was a privilege to have visited the home of Real Madrid and would highly recommend the tour. It cost E15 and unlike most stadium tours I have made, this is self paced and doesnââ?¬â?¢t include a tour guide. The only negative is that their isnââ?¬â?¢t anyone to ask question as most of the ââ?¬Ë?officialsââ?¬â?¢ situated around the tour area donââ?¬â?¢t speak English. However, you are given a brilliant tour ââ?¬Ë?bookletââ?¬â?¢ that is yours to keep. Tours run from 10:30AM to 7:00PM Monday to Saturday (until 6:30PM Sundays and bank holidays) ââ?¬â?? only closed Xmas and New Years Day. The tour starts with a lift up to the top tier for a panoramic view of the stadium (and surrounding area if you are interested) and you really appreciated the scale of the stadium when you are ââ?¬Ë?up in the Godsââ?¬â?¢. Then it is off to the ââ?¬Ë?Trophy Exhibitionââ?¬â?¢ which houses European Cups, UEFA Cups, League Trophies etc along with photos of famous matches, players etc. Next itââ?¬â?¢s a tour of the ââ?¬Ë?standsââ?¬â?¢ that includes the Presidential Box, Dug-Outs and a walk pitch-side and then to the dressing rooms via the tunnel. You only get to visit the away dressing room as the ââ?¬Ë?galactiosââ?¬â?¢ require their ââ?¬Ë?privacyââ?¬â?¢. From there you are directed into the press-room then the tour finishes in the club shop. One major factor in this tour is the Club Museum which hosts the ââ?¬Ë?Trophy Exhibitionââ?¬â?¢ and highlights why we really require something similar at Ibrox. The museum tracks the history of the club from its conception in 1902 up until the present day and houses all their trophies as well as shirts from players from every era of the club (not just at football but athletics, boxing, basketball etc). Another very interesting piece in the museum is a board that shows all players who have played for Real as well as their nationalities. There is one Scotsman by the name of Watson to have pulled on the famous white jersey. So all in all, the tour is well worth the E15 and it took us well over 2 hours to complete. There is no restrictions on camera or video equipment so you are free to capture all this history on film for future reference. Cammy F ââ?¬â?? We Are The Peopleââ?¬Â¦.

Itââ?¬â?¢s with great interest this morning that I view the following video of Saturdayââ?¬â?¢s match at Celtic Park. Despite Celtic FC and their fans constantly telling us the problem of sectarianism has been eradicated from their support ââ?¬â?? especially at home ââ?¬â?? here a large cross-section of their fans are clearly heard singing ââ?¬Ë?Go Home Ya Hunsââ?¬â?¢ to the Hearts away support. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft_NLT_kUCM After another weekend of certain journalists telling us how allegedly a small number of Rangers fans were booed by their fans as they tried to imbibe ââ?¬Ë?Follow Followââ?¬â?¢ with an offensive add-on, itââ?¬â?¢s equally interesting that the biggest and most obvious circumstance of such discriminatory singing occurs at Celtic Park and is largely ignored by the very same people. Once again the Scottish media show they will not report Celtic in a negative light despite the most overwhelming of evidence. Graham Spiers, Gerry McNee and Jim Traynor have all been keen to stick the boot into Rangers and their support in recent years but theyââ?¬â?¢ve been strangely quiet over the last few days ââ?¬â?? one even suggesting Rangers fans should ââ?¬Ë?get a lifeââ?¬â?¢ for complaining. I canââ?¬â?¢t remember him telling his peers in the Fourth Estate that or taking that advice personally in the past. Why now? Or is Traynor right? Are supporters of clubs being all too easily offended? Perhaps they are but its bizarre how these intense bigotry crusaders are now backtracking on the nomenclature after the rules are put in place to aid their concerns and stop the kind of thing being sung on Saturday. So, is the term ââ?¬Ë?hunââ?¬â?¢ sectarian? Well, despite doubts about that when one considers its literal meanings(1), when one looks at the background of its usage, there can only be one conclusion. Firstly, several media platforms [including the Observer(2), CBS News(3) and the Irish Political Review(4)] have all showed that the term is used in Northern Ireland with sectarian connotations. Secondly, most (if not all media platforms in this country) have banned its use ââ?¬â?? the BBC, Real Radio(5), Talksport(6), and the Scotland on Sunday(7) are just four examples of this. Finally, and arguably, most importantly, the anti-sectarianism campaign ââ?¬Ë?Nil by Mouthââ?¬â?¢ also describe this abusive term as sectarian(8). Of course, if the story did make the news, weââ?¬â?¢ll get dozens of replies from concerned Celtic fans suggesting the opposite is true. Much in the same way a small number of Rangers fans try to defend the word ââ?¬Ë?fen!anââ?¬â?¢ (which has very similar literal meanings but has been banned by the footballing authorities and deemed criminal by the police) they may actually have a strong argument. After all, how can anyone know what someone means when they use an insult? And thereââ?¬â?¢s the rub. Hun is insulting. Fen!an is insulting. Neither term has a place in footballing stadia nor should football fans want to include them in their songs. Surely, we can have a bit of banter without this kind of crude nonsense? If we canââ?¬â?¢t, then going by previous action against Rangers supporters by UEFA and the SPL/SFA, further problems will arise. All along, itââ?¬â?¢s been obvious that Rangers are not the only club with offensive songs. It will be interesting to note if other clubs will now face the same censure by both the authorities and the media. No excuses. References 1 - http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hun 2 - http://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2078535,00.html 3 - http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/vp_byrne/20060529.html 4 - http://www.atholbooks.org/archives/pastipr/feb05.php 5 - http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rstsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=80&Itemid=48'>http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rstsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=80&Itemid=48 6 - http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rstsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=80&Itemid=48 7 - http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1855222005 8 - http://www.nilbymouth.org/history.htm

I dont care what anyone says, Ferge is our best player in our team by far and has shown this in the last few games running the show in midfield.

Press release Woo hoo.

If they knock that back ill be surprised.

RST chairman Malcolm McNiven is pleased to announce three new appointments to the RST Board, namely, Jim Templeton, President of the Rangers Supporters Assembly and Chairman of the Rangers World-Wide Alliance, who will bring a wealth of experience to the RST, along with John MacMillan and John Donald both leading representatives of the Rangers Supporters Association. These steps further signal everyone�s willingness to work together for the betterment of Rangers Football Club. This is yet another landmark in the short history of the Trust. The RST has grown as a significant force in Scottish Football, and today's developments mean that by the start of the new season, 1 in 5 supporters at Ibrox will be represented by the RST. The RST will continue to strive towards having elected Supporter Representation on the Board of Directors at Rangers Football Club http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rstsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=123&Itemid=1

Every weekend in the Scottish press you can read advertisements for the self styled ââ?¬Ë?Worlds (sic) Number 1 Glasgow Celtic Bandââ?¬â?¢, Charlie & The Bhoys. This is a busy band who have an extensive gig history and wide repertoire of songs. Lets look at a couple of them starting with the song currently so popular at Celtic Park ââ?¬Ë?Willie Maleyââ?¬â?¢ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbmUQMPJ65g 1 min 2 secs in you get to the crowd courted cry ââ?¬Ë?IRAââ?¬â?¢. This happens every time this song is sung and has done since its inception. Another popular song which appears on 2 of their CDs is ââ?¬Ë?Go on Home British Soldiersââ?¬â?¢. This can be listened to at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtJOD80S4EI&mode=related&search= youââ?¬â?¢ll note that 35 seconds this time the lead singer doesnââ?¬â?¢t need to rely on the audience singing IRA, its part of the lyrics. And this is not the IRA of the twenties. Further highlights of their recorded repertoire with the number of CDs they appear on are: Sean South ââ?¬â?? celebrating the life of a would be IRA assassin from the 1950s. (4) Broad Black Brimmer ââ?¬â?? celebrating the attire of the IRA (1) Tom Williams ââ?¬â?? celebrating another active service IRA volunteer (1) Boys of the Old Brigade ââ?¬â?? an IRA ââ?¬Ë?classicââ?¬â?¢ (3) Bring Them Home ââ?¬â?? yet another invitation to IRA away (2) This is by no means exhaustive but gives a flavour of what this band are about, believe and the audience they attract. Their official site http://www.charlieandthebhoys.co.uk has a link to a web page called ââ?¬Ë?The ****** Pageââ?¬â?¢ at http://uk.geocities.com/samrod_lee/ Oddly enough there is nothing about religion on this site, but a lot about Celtic and republicanism. So what has this to do with Celtic FC? This summer Celtic FC are preparing a lavish celebration of their finest ever footballing achievement, celebrating the Lisbon Lions. It would be fair to say that this collection of players have done more than any other to represent Celtic consistently throughout time; often in their employment. These very same players are more than happy to share a stage with Charlie & The Bhoys. Indeed, CATB boast on their site that ââ?¬Ë?if you would like the Lisbon Lions or Frank McAvennie to attend your supporters night then email us below. We can help you plan a superb question and answers night along with a CATB gigââ?¬â?¢. They confidently back this up with a photo of Tommy Gemmell and Bertie Auld doing their Q&A bit at a CATB gig in Jersey at: http://www.geocities.com/charlienthebhoys/lionscatbgigjersey.JPG Further, evidence that Celtic FC officially endorse CATB is given when they appear to feature on Celtic TV at Seamill at: http://uk.geocities.com/theworldsnumberonecelticband/seamill2.JPG CATB showcase a fundraiser for the Brother Walfrid statue that sits outside Celtic Park with former favourite Bobby Lennox http://hometown.aol.co.uk/CATBhoys/lennoxetc2.jpg Any prizes for thinking that the man two to his left could be none other than Brian Quinn? Celtic FC have a number of supporters clubs throughout North America who have an annual convention each summer. Celtic provide a direct web link to this organisation from their official site at http://www.nafcsc.com/ and send over official representatives each year. This yearââ?¬â?¢s extensive official representatives list includes Neil Lennon, Tommy Burns and Billy McNeil. At this moment in time the author doesnââ?¬â?¢t know if CATB will again share the stage but if the last three years are anything to go by we can only assume, yes. After all, in 2006 the hosting CSC http://www.windsorcsc.com/2006.htm were sure to thank all official attendees who included Billy McNeil, Willie McStay, John Fallon and George McCluskey ââ?¬Â¦and Charlie and the Bhoys. Also included on the 2006 bill of thanks for providing entertainment was Derek Warfield of Wolfe Tones fame. Derek is not short to hide his admiration for the modern day IRA at his official http://www.derekwarfield.com in which he urges visitors to ââ?¬Ë?never fail to salute the menââ?¬â?¢ of the IRA. Derek, you may recall was part of the Wolfe Tones group who were given access to Celtic Park in the late 80s/early 90s to shoot their video ââ?¬Ë?Celtic Symphonyââ?¬â?¢ which includes the words ââ?¬Ë?Ooh Ah Up the Raââ?¬â?¢, a popular chant in favour of the IRA at the height of the Troubles. This infamous video can be viewed at: Derek Warfield and his band are confirmed to appear at the North American Federation of Celtic Supporters Clubs 2007 convention. Entertainment that will no doubt have Messrs McNeil, Lennon and Burns toe tapping along with the remaining members of the Lisbon Lions. Derek says on his site ââ?¬Ë?The Celtic Football Club will always be bigger than the community it serves in Glasgow and it remains a beacon of Irish identity throughout the world. These anthems and songs will never be performed with greater passion than when they are sung by the Bhoysââ?¬â?¢. The quickest of cursory looks at Derekââ?¬â?¢s recorded repertoire will give you a flavour of these IRA songs. Peter Lawwell would need to draw on his unique brand of ââ?¬Ë?factionââ?¬â?¢ to explain how this does not contradict or compromise his boasts about Celtic and sectarianism. Mr Lawwell is never shy in letting us know that 80,000 Celtic fans (55,000 according to the Spanish authorities and UEFA) went to Seville and were a great credit to their team. Five of those fans were members of CATB and they played to several thousand fans in the build up to this match. CATB official site proudly displays pictures of these huge crowds. One can reasonably assume that their favourite IRA songs were sung with gusto. What does this do for their UEFA award? And why can they continue to play at most of Celticââ?¬â?¢s European locations, most recently Milan, without any investigation or questioning. In light of the above, the question must be asked ââ?¬â?? does this matter? Not to Celtic, not to NBM, not to the police, not to the Scottish Executive or not to the media apparently.

http://www.rangers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NOTREGNews/NewsDetail/0,,5~1029046,00.html he makes some good comments, but dont you get the feeling you've heard this all before?

Not a surprise. He started off well but it turned pair shape and Man City went from a good attacking team to dull and boring. I dont like him anyway so :uzi: Do City want to hijack Newcastles talks with Allardyce!!! If he chose Man City he wouldnt have to move house etc....and City are potentially as big as Newcastle and may have the cash to spend.

Lads, the following is a new column I'm thinking of starting - the idea is basically just to keep an eye on the media and summarise the different approaches to their reporting of the news to try and get a more balanced picture. I'm undecided how worthwhile it is, so I'd welcome your thoughts for improvement or indeed if its just a waste of time: Mediawatch ââ?¬â?? the signing of Darcheville Introduction to the column for first time readers In this regular column Iââ?¬â?¢m going to cast a skeptical eye over our friends in the media. Itââ?¬â?¢s a poor manââ?¬â?¢s attempt to de-sensationalise newspaper jargon to get at the news underneath. Iââ?¬â?¢m certainly not free from bias ââ?¬â?? to paraphrase Wordsworth Iââ?¬â?¢m a ââ?¬Å?[Rangers] man writing for [Rangers] menââ?¬Â ââ?¬â?? but Iââ?¬â?¢m going to do my best to be free from the tendency towards sensationalism and spin we so often encounter when we have the misfortune of reading the papers, and try my best to be a suitable antidote for those tired of reading the same old nonsense in them. Where theyââ?¬â?¢re good, I shall even praise them! Daily Record Thereââ?¬â?¢s nothing quite like the signing of a new player to whip the tabloids into a frenzy. None moreso than the Daily Record. Every single hint of a fact that points to the playerââ?¬â?¢s tendency towards Ronaldo-esque greatness is not only highlighted, but made the central point of the article. Iââ?¬â?¢ll save you the hyperbole, the main points of the article are as follows: ââ?¬Â¢ Rangers handled the affair well, according to the Bordeaux president ââ?¬Â¢ Darcheville is a 2-3 million rated player, according to the Bordeaux president ââ?¬Â¢ The Bordeaux president only offered him a one year deal ââ?¬Â¢ Weââ?¬â?¢ve signed him on a two year contract ââ?¬â?? this fact, and the lure of playing in a foreign league in front of large audiences, he says persuaded him These facts are joined together with the usual references to who he turned down, both in the past (Liverpool) and in the present (Monaco/Bordeaux) to increase our sense of having captured someone important. The fact that he has only netted 37 goals in 5 seasons is played down by explaining Walter Smith is after his for his rocket-like pace and subtle touch ala Prso, which Walter rather more understatedly explained by saying: ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢ve been to France a few times to see him and there is no doubt in my mind we are getting a quality player capable of doing a great job for us.ââ?¬Â But these are small points. Despite there being evidence of the usual signs of hyperbole the largest part of the article is made up of quotes, and the Daily Record is generally at its best when sticking to things people having actually said. You can read the article here: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=gers-have-got-a--pound-3m-hitman-for-free%26method=full%26objectid=19076077%26siteid=66633-name_page.html The Herald Darryl Broadfoot paints a slightly different picture of the signing, as you would expect from a broadsheet. He sets the focus on the fact that this is the third time weââ?¬â?¢ve attempted to sign Darcheville. Perhaps in an attempt to palliate the sense of sensation in the tabloids, his main points are largely concentrate on his, according to Darryl, negative history. The main points being: ââ?¬Â¢ Previous attempts to sign him broke down at the negotiation stage (note Darryl is unwilling, like the Record, to claim that it was because we didnââ?¬â?¢t have enough money, even if it is the case) ââ?¬Â¢ He used to be fat ââ?¬â?? earning unfavourable comparisons to Ronaldo in France ââ?¬Â¢ He didnââ?¬â?¢t do too well at Rennes ââ?¬Â¢ Or at Forrest ââ?¬â?? the manager branding him a waster ââ?¬Â¢ His next manager, at Lorient, also considered him selfish and wasteful ââ?¬Â¢ The manager after that liked him. He scored 25 goals in two seasons. ââ?¬Â¢ He then moved to Bordeaux from whom we signed him: the support apparently never liked him because he stated his intention to make tons of money So, we see a perhaps intentionally bleaker side of Darcheville in the Herald ââ?¬â?? and though I tend not to like the trend in broadsheets to see pessimism as essentially the same thing as ââ?¬Ë?high browââ?¬â?¢ journalism, it provides good foil for the happy clappy image presented in the Record. You can read the article here: http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.1387462.0.0.php Conclusion All in all thereââ?¬â?¢s not too much to complain about today, and I hope this summary, and the contrast between the two approaches, has been in some way beneficial towards an understanding of our new signing. The following video is some of Darchevilleââ?¬â?¢s finer moments:

I know that technically, you canââ?¬â?¢t win ââ?¬Ë?1 in a rowââ?¬â?¢, but please bare with me as hopefully youââ?¬â?¢ll see where this is going. As the 10th anniversary of our fantastic achievement approaches, I thought that it would be a good idea to relive my personal memories of this time, and recount those to the fellow forumees. I will apologies up front for any historical errors, or any dates, scores or scorers that I get wrong my memory isnââ?¬â?¢t what it used to be. The first game in the 9-in-a-row run was played at Douglas Park against Hamilton Accies and we were eager to dispose Celtic as Scottish Champions. Celtic had won the double the previous season in their ââ?¬Ë?anniversaryââ?¬â?¢ season, a feat that could be traced back to the unfortunate and untimely leg-break suffered by then Rangers captain Terry Butcher. Although confident of winning back our title, I donââ?¬â?¢t think any of the 1000ââ?¬â?¢s of Rangers fans present that day (Aug 13 1988) could have dreamed that they were witnessing the beginning of Rangers writing themselves into the annals of world football and on our way to dominating Scottish football for close to two decades. Going into the game and season, we were boosted by the arrival of further two big money signings from South of the border in the shape of Kevin Drinkell and Gary Stevens. Drinkell was a bit of an unknown quantity, but quickly proved himself to be a great striker and a fantastic addition to our squad. Gary Stevens was an established player with a wonderful pedigree and showed his class from his debut onwards. I think it is safe to say that we havenââ?¬â?¢t had a full back of his class since, and it could be argued that he was one of the best full backs ever to grace the light blue jersey. It was Gary Stevens who was unlikely first scorer of the season (ergo first scorer in the 9-in-a-row season) and Ally McCoist (who else) secured our opening day victory by a comfortable 2 goals to nil. We draw our opening home game of the season 0-0 with Hibs and defeated Clyde and Clydebank easily in the opening rounds of the League Cup. Next up was the first Old Firm game of the season and a chance to put one over the auld enemy and defending champions. The game didnââ?¬â?¢t start well, we were 1-0 down inside 3 minutes, then up-stepped Ally McCoist to bring us level. As the game approached the half-time interval, Rangers won a throw. Gary Stevens throw the ball in, it was headed on by Butcher and Ray Wilkins thundered an unstoppable shot into the Celtic net. After half-time, we destroyed Celtic and ran out 5-1 winners. Greame Souness decided that this was a time for showboating and rather than putting them to the sword he dictated play so we ripped the piss for the last 20 minutes. The game will be remembered for the goalkeeping antics of Ian Andrews, but in all honesty, he was at fault for only one of the five goals. What Iââ?¬â?¢ll remember the game for is singing ââ?¬Ë?Happy Birthday Dear Celticââ?¬â?¢ as the goals rained inââ?¬Â¦. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-bWchIBBbI Straight after that game, I went on holiday to Florida for 3 weeks and missed a lot of games including the European tie against Katowice and the League Cup Semi Final victory over Hearts. I also missed the next few games as on my return, I lost my Grandmother. The next game I can remember being at was the loss at Pittodrie on the day Neil Simpson ruined Ian Durrantââ?¬â?¢s career. The game and result paled into insignificance once the seriousness of the injury was revealed. Next up as a 1-0 victory at Easter Road followed by one of the best League Cup Finals I can remember, We defeated Aberdeen 3-2 thanks to 2 Ally McCoist goals and a great strike from Ian Ferguson. So, we had secured the first trophy of the season in a dramatic final and were well placed in the league. It was also the first time in our history that we had won the League Cup in 3 consecutive seasons http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaTfJqASNSQ We were then knocked out of Europe by Cologne and were well beaten by the Germans over the two leagues. This was a major disappointment as Souness had assembled a very decent team and squad and many Rangers fans, buoyed by a couple of encouraging runs under Souness, believed that we were about to make our mark in Europe, but it wasnââ?¬â?¢t to be. Our good form continued in the league until we were beaten 3-1 at Parkhead in November and then lost our way a little dropping points to Dundee, Dundee United and Hearts (who outclassed us at Tynecastle). Back to back narrow victories over Hibs and Hamilton didnââ?¬â?¢t appear to be the ideal preparation for the 3rd OF game of the season. However, once again after falling behind to an early goal, Rangers bounced back to record another emphatic OF victory by 4 goals to 1 with Walters (2), Butcher and I Ferguson getting the goals. If I remember correctly, this was Ian Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s first OF goal and his celebrations were as wild and enthusiastic as any fans! Due to the hangovers (!!) we then lost the next game away to Motherwell. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Rj5-8M6yRA&mode=related&search= We then played Gretna in a game for the Lockerbie Disaster Fund and Gary McSwegan scored in a 2-1 defeat. The next game of note was a 8-0 Scottish Cup victory against Stranraer then a 2-2 draw away to St Johnstone which is notable for the fact that it was Rangersââ?¬â?¢ final game ever at Muirton Park. This was a testimonial game. The league run in was in full swing now and we powered our way to the finishing line, winning the league from Aberdeen by six points (our 39th League title). The title was wrapped up in a 4-0 thrashing of Hearts at Ibrox and the unlikely hero of the day was Mel Sterland who scored 2 goals (as did Kevin Drinkell). We rested most of our players for the remainder of the season and won only 1 further game, and that was the game after securing the league, beating DUFC 2-0. We then faced Celtic at Hampden for the chance to secure a historic treble. The game will be remembered for two terrible refereeing decisions. Firstly, Celtic scored from a Rangers throw-in taken by Roy Aitken and then a perfectly good Davie Cooper goal was chopped off when Paddy Bonnar was fouled by his own player. A sad end to the season, but one that Iââ?¬â?¢ll remember for the Tims singing ââ?¬Ë?Mo Mo Super Moââ?¬â?¢ at the final in reference to Mo Johnston returning from French football. However, as the next article will reiterate and history will tell us, it wasnââ?¬â?¢t the green and grey that he would return to Scotland to wear, by the famous light blue. Cammy F

There's a surprise. They must be the biggest underachievers in the history of football if you add up what they've spent against silverware won. Sam Allardyce for the job anyone?

“Does Scotland have a problem with sectarian abuse?” seems like a very easy question to answer in today’s social climate. I’m sceptical when issues about the whole of a society can be answered simply. It tends to make me think that something quite fundamental’s been missed somewhere. This article follows the tendency in philosophy since the 1920’s to try and unravel the language used to describe big issues. Language can trip us up, and if what we’re saying cant be said ordinarily and clearly, then nothings really being said at all. I suggest that we’ve been fed a language – fed by the government, the media, and, indeed ourselves – to discuss sectarianism. It is language that is reactionary, and sensational, and in being both distorts the truer picture of the issue. We don’t need to look back too far in history to see this kind of manipulation in action, its not some grand conspiracy theory, it just seems to be the way history works. When old Adolf was planning on jaunting across the world generally being a bastard he realised that he first had to convince or appease the German people. He created a language to discuss the war – it was very simple, it just involved setting up Germany’s surrounding countries as enemies based on his dodgy, but highly motivational, philosophy. Then he forced people in to one of two positions – you are either a German, or a subversive. Convincing the German people their very identity was under threat, not to go to war with those around them was unpatriotic – and so everyone discussed the issue of invading Poland in these terms they’d been given. A nice positive term like ‘democrat’ nowadays was, back in the time of the French Revolution, the opposite of a ‘patriot’ – those who believed in democracy then were unable to be patriots, according to the language. So, given we’ve got historical precedent for this kind of things we should at least think its safe to discard all the meanings we’ve been given for terms like ‘abuse’, ‘sectarianism’, ‘pride over prejudice’ etc and assume we can come to a common sense, plain understanding of the issue without them. So, without immediately falling down at the sound of the question, lets ask ourselves clearly “What is sectarian abuse?”. Sectarian’s easy – it just means being driven by a sect, and a belief in the superiority of your doctrine over others. I won’t enter, for the moment, whether the ‘abuse’ at an OF game is best described as sectarian at all. ‘Abuse’ is a bit more subtle – it can mean physical, or mental, or emotional, and what is considered abuse by some, may not be considered by others. It’s not a fixed concept; to understand it you need to look at the situation in which it is used. To show what I mean, here’s some examples: “Get the fuck out of my country you black bastard” is an example of verbal racist abuse. “Your maw gets shagged off of everyone” is an example of emotional, or psychological, abuse. Which one is the worse abuse? Without looking at the context we can’t know – racism has been historically a worse problem, arguably, because it has very often been accompanied with social oppression and violence – two very important terms when discussing how big a problem is in a country. But what if we gave the examples above a little more context? The black kid turns round and says “Get tae fuck ya backwards cunt”, and his friends laugh, disgusted that there were still racist people like that. Whereas the kid who’s maw had been slagged (sic) got this piled onto him every day for years, built resentment for his mother, left when he was 16 and never spoke to her again. Even in these contrived examples it’s not hard to see that unless we take a look at the bigger picture we can’t work out how bad abuse is. So how bad is sectarian abuse? Well, in its current form, as discussed in the newspapers, it involves groups of people chanting provocatively at other groups of people who are chanting back. No genuine protestant or catholic leaves feeling their religion has been violated so badly as to question it, they are not denied a job or are killed. That is, there is no social repression, and there is no violence. When we look back to the examples above we must be inclined to think its more like the racism example – those who are against bigotry COULD take the approach of the mature black kid who says “Fuck off ya backward cunt”, or the friends that mutter “I cant believe people can still be arsed with that stuff”. To people with a modern sensibility it’s absolutely shocking that people can still be bigotted, but the truth of the matter is that it’s unpleasant, uncouth and dated, but hardly devastating. Ideas naturally die off through time – when the old, crappy, ideas are dying its unpleasant to us who are more enlightened, but it’s just the natural order. Our grand ideas will die this way also. If a passerby reported the racism incident to the police we would tend to think the more mature approach was the boy’s – understanding ignorance for what it is. When someone is abused at school for, I dunno, having glasses, their parents explain to them that its just stupid prejudice, and to be confident enough in themselves not to be worried by what morons think. You tend to think that if everyone adopted a position of piteous condescension towards bigotry it would die a lot sooner than by exposing it sensationally, and forcing everyone into a horribly contrived – “You are either for bigotry, or against it (in the way we – the media, the government - are)”. What about sectarian killings? Are they not symptoms of a sectarian problem in Scotland? The answer, as ever, is yes and no. They are evidence of sectarian violence as much as they are teenage thuggery. The fact that they can be explained in both ways shows that any simple, Nil By Mouth, approach to the problem is just that - simple. When we start to stand back at look at the prevalence of knife crime in Scotland, it may seem, on reflection, that these incidents are often better explained as incidents of that problem, rather than a sectarian one. Sectarian divide being the catalyst in the way that area, or looking at someone the wrong way, is in other instances of knife crime. I myself have been the victim of sectarian abuse. One hot summers day a few mates and I were heading over to the game - we never had tickets and the subways was too full so we decided to go to the pub. Heading back up the stairs I got seperated from them and promptly called a 'wee hun bastard' by a group of guys coming down the stair. By the time I looked up I had been fly kicked in the head, leaving a nice foot print thereupon - I'll stop for a moment, you should laugh, the image is funny - and was promptly given a good kicking on the way past. I was left considerably cut and bruised and had a horrible black eye for work on the Monday. While its certainly true that in some sense I was the victim of sectarian violence, I think a more wholistic description of those people were just morons. They were in a group, they attacked an individual, they were much bigger and a good deal older. This kind of thing has been happening since the dawn of time - is it pleasant? No, its a disgrace, but thinking that ridding the world of sectarianism would stop this kind of violence is just hopelessly naive. Its simply a bigger problem to do with human nature, and I'm quite sure as their night progressed and drunkenness ensued someone else, rangers or celtic supporter, may have been their victim, or would have given them a kicking. In the last few weeks in London there were a running battle between 50 rival supporters. Violence the likes of which we haven't seen between Rangers and Celtic fans in decades. Somehow hooligan violence is better than sectarian. Like sectarianism, Sexism is just backwards, sexism in the workplace is justifiably illegal, and domestic violence is likewise. I’m willing to think that people who call me a “Hun orange bastards” are illiterate morons beneath my contempt, but if they start denying me a job over it, or giving me a kicking because of it, then it’s a problem. If this happens all the time, to lots of people like me, then it’s a social problem. However, if, in fact, the abuse comes from a gross minority who 99% of people don’t take seriously enough to let them be in a position to deny anyone a job, then its not a social problem, its just an unpleasant fact of life in changing times. I’m secure enough in my religion not to be devastated by someone sitting a few hundred yards away singing at me. I’m quite sure the Pope is too, sitting hundreds of miles away. I’m sure every sensible person in Scotland finds bigotry moronic, but not so moronic as to have it affect their lives – other than hearing it be constantly mulled over in the papers, and the pointless time dedicated to it in parliament. Your average Scot does not experience verbal sectarian abuse, much less social repression or violence, much less are those who experience it regularly, and they are too few for it to be anything like an epidemic of social decay. Just let it die naturally, I say – don’t portray it sensationally, and unfairly, and give it a cause, and a bunch of reactionary martyrs. We’ve just went through an article discussing very highly charged issues sensibly and reasonably, and we’re just ordinary people – it’s the least we should expect of our esteemed politicians and columnists. I’m not at all right – there is plenty of scope for further debate (Is the abuse shouted at football games even best described as sectarian? Should children be exposed to it? Should they be exposed to any shouting at a football match?) but lets just hope its in a sensible manner, seeking common and easy terms and definitions to discuss it in.

Rangers manager Walter Smith hopes to set up a player exchange programme with David Beckham's future employers, Major League Soccer outfit LA Galaxy. The Glasgow side will face Galaxy in a friendly in the USA on 23 May. And Smith told the Scottish Daily Express: "We will be holding talks with a view to setting up an exchange scheme that can help develop players. "With Beckham already signed, they will attract the cream of American kids who want to play alongside a superstar." Former England midfielder Beckham will join the Californian outfit in a five-year deal worth a reported �£128m once he leaves Real Madrid in the summer. "When I was Scotland manager, I spoke to then USA coach Bruce Arena at Hampden and he felt the best-ever crop of American players was just about to break through," said Smith. "A club like Rangers can't afford to ignore such a vast pool of talent and I can't think of a better club over there to have close ties with than LA Galaxy. "We would be prepared to have their players and coaches at Murray Park for a few months at a time and vice versa. "I don't foresee any problems and it's something I'm very keen on. "There are no regulatory issues with younger players coming over and, while you need a work permit for those you want to sign at professional level, you oten find American lads have European links and even have passports for EC countries." LA Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas feels exchange schemes can help his club grow. "If there was a chance for players to move between Glasgow and the US, for example, it could be beneficial for both clubs," said the former USA defender "Establishing connections is important for us and Rangers come into that. "For us, it is a chance to tap into their history and expertise."

Played 10 Won 8 Drawn 2 Lost 0 For 19 Against 3 Clean sheets 7 Points 26 Now extrapolate that over 38 and the 33 games: Played 38, 33 Won 30, 26 Drawn 8, 7 Lost 0, 0 For 72, 63 Against 11, 10 Clean sheets 27, 23 Points 98, 85 Now I know it's not that simple but it's obviously championship winning form and if we'd got Walter in at the beginning of the season and had these kind of stats we'd be at least 7 points ahead of Celtic and talking about "grinding out results". The remarkable thing is that Walter is doing this with a squad of players that have failed to win a trophy in two years, have gained some of the worst records in Rangers history and has only had a few players of his own choosing. So while the football might be bad at times, take heart from the results at the moment. Now is probably not the time to grumble about poor football especially when the results are rolling in and racking up the points - we'd have taken this kind of football for the last one and a half seasons. Phase one is stopping the rot and the leaking of goals and points using mostly the inherited squad with a few extra players brought in on a modest budget - I think that is being achieved with great aplomb. Phase two will start this summer and will be about improving the quality of the team and providing a sustained challenge for the title as well as CL qualification. Once we have achieved a level where we are consistently challenging for the league - wining it at least every second season, and doing well in the CL, then maybe we can think about producing a much more watchable football. That will be phase three and four. Have patience.

Whilst we were dominating Scottish Football in the early 90ââ?¬â?¢s, Rangers were ââ?¬Ë?richerââ?¬â?¢ than clubs like Manchester United and after our fantastic European adventure in 93, we were better placed to win the European Cup than teams like Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea etc. It can be argued that those ââ?¬Ë?bigââ?¬â?¢ English clubs were still adjusting to life in the ââ?¬Ë?newââ?¬â?¢ English Premiership and life back on the European stage after years of exile. However, we defeated the English Champions home and away on the way to the inaugural Champions League group stages and were only denied a place in the final by the corrupt French Champions. So what happened to this fantastic opportunity? Well SKY TV arrived and financed the EPL, UEFA changed the goal-post regarding the CL and the 3 foreigner rule, and IMO David Murray allowed Walter Smith to stay on as Rangers manager for too long and the team that drank together, stagnated together. After securing 9-in-a-row Walter Smith decided that he would leave Rangers the following season and if we are honest, it was torture watching that aging team limp towards what would have been a historic 10-in-a-row, Now the nostalgic and romantics amongst us would argue that that team/squad deserved the chance to etch themselves into history. However, after a season that started fantastically (who can forget the moody Italian Marco Negri scoring with almost every touch he had ââ?¬â?? well, it seemed that way, then weââ?¬â?¢d watch him sulk back to the half-way line!). I know that hindsight is a wonderful thing, but you have to ask why SDM allowed Walter Smith to continue even after he had handed in his notice. Looking back to Graeme Souness, as soon as Souness indicated that he would be leaving for Liverpool, SDM showed him the door and booked him a taxi to the airport. So, why did Walter Smith not get the same treatment? Would a change of manager after securing 9-in-a-row ensured that we would have continued our domestic dominance and recharge our European challenge as this had faded since the halcyon days on 92/93? Weââ?¬â?¢ll never know, but Iââ?¬â?¢m sure a change of manager would have seen a change in fortunes as the season draw to a close. Walter Smith, rightly or wrongly chose to stick with the mainstay of the 9-in-a-row team who were clearly running on empty. We actually had 2 chances to win the league that year and blew them both (losing at home to Motherwell and away to Aberdeen) after defeating Craptic twice in a week in the Scottish Cup and League. We were famously to lose the league and both domestic cups that season but perversely, that season was to give me the possibly the proudest moment in my Rangers supporting life. As we stood at Tannidice, the deposed Champions and the 10-in-a-row dream in tatters, knowing that the manager and majority of players would be leaving, we reacted ââ?¬Ë?the Rangers wayââ?¬â?¢. The fans stood to a man (woman and child) and sang of their love for Rangers and applauded the players/manager from the pitch. Rangers, dignified in victory and defeat. Now it is worth reminding ourselves that at this stage in our history, we were still financially sound ââ?¬â?? and that our bitterest (sic) of rivals were still recovering from being on the brink or extinction. We were, in all honesty, going into the 10-in-a-row season, 10-15 years ahead of them off and on the pitch - all that was about to change. IMO, this is SDMââ?¬â?¢s greatest crime, allowing such a change in such a short space of time. SDM must have known that our debt was about to spiral out of control and should have put measures in place to ensure that we stayed ahead of the game. To his eternal shame, he didnââ?¬â?¢t and all our current ills can be traced back to this point in our history. SDM appeared to have pulled of a mater-stroke by appointing Dick Advocaat as our new manager. DA signed a whole host of exciting players like Amato, Gio, Numan and erm, Bert Konterman! After a shacky start and a thumping at the hands of Craptic, DAââ?¬â?¢s team gelled and played some wonderful football that saw his reclaim OUR title and win a glorious treble. Plenty other domestic success came or way along with some very credible performances and results on the European stage. Everything in the garden appeared rosy, oh how we were mistaken. DA started to lose the plot and Craptic under a new regime (on and off the pitch) stole our thunder and DA had to fall on his sword. He was replaced by Alex McLeish, an appointment that had a lot or Rangers fans shaking their heads in disappointment. To AMââ?¬â?¢s credit, he managed to match Crapticââ?¬â?¢s 2nd most successful manager on the trophy count (including a treble) whilst having to sell our better players, reduce the wage bill and replace them with inferior quality. Any money we made was put to servicing the debt whilst our financially sound neighbours had money to invest in their team. However, we were offered a ââ?¬Ë?chink of lightââ?¬â?¢. Martin Oââ?¬â?¢Neill was leaving Craptic and leaving them in a min-crisis. We had snatched the league title from under their noses for a 2nd time and their aging squad was to be dissembled. This was an opportunity for us to strengthen from a position of being the champions, but again SDM refused to back his manager with the funds required to forge ahead to domestic dominance. Once again, we were left in our rivals shadows and AM was sacked and replaced by PLG. Again, we have hope but alas, it was to be false hope and SDM didnââ?¬â?¢t back his new charge with money either. So after 2 disastrous domestic campaigns, can our leader take a possible opportunity to put us back where we belong? Or will he once again, miss a golden opportunity? If the (strong) rumours are to be believed, Gordon Strachan will leave Craptic in the summer and return to a role in the EPL ââ?¬â?? most likely at Manchester City. Crapticââ?¬â?¢s form over the closing half of the season hasnââ?¬â?¢t been particularly good and only our woeful results under PLG have stopped us from mounting a serious challenge in the league and cups. So what will our esteemed leader do this summer? I think heââ?¬â?¢ll do what he has done in the last 5 summers, give his charge a minimum transfer budget to sign players who are expected to replace the ââ?¬Ë?betterââ?¬â?¢ players in our squad. The early indications donââ?¬â?¢t look promising, but surely a brilliant business man like SDM can smell an opportunity and would do what ever it took to put his ââ?¬Ë?businessââ?¬â?¢ back on top? I wouldnââ?¬â?¢t bet on it, this summer will be another missed opportunity for SDM and for Rangers. Cammy F

This has been so regular recently, we have had so much days off. Saturdays are all about football and the summer is approaching fast when we will have about a 10 week break which is bad enough, but we have lots of off days in Feb, Mar and Apr. One reason is being out of the Scottish Cup. We are almost on out longest stretch of not winning this trophy since that big gap between 1981 and 1992!!. Since then we won it in 92, 93, 96, 99, 2000, 2002, 2003 but we are now we have at least a 5 year gap since winning the oldest trophy in history!! That HAS to be rectified for next season!! Even the league cup has illuded us for a few season, so next season is MUST for some sort of silverware. To be fair to Walter Smith he hasnt had anything to play for this season as we were out of both cups when he arrived and the title was out of reach, so Im sure he will be successful in his search next season. But its frustrating times right now as we cant even get a game on a saturday afternoon in April but its all about being patient just now. WATP

http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rs...00&Itemid=1 Following an unprecedented meeting, arranged by Billy Montgomery of Nithsdale Loyal, involving 68 Rangers Supporters' Clubs and 7 fans' organisations on Saturday 5 April, the Rangers Supporters' Trust, Rangers Supporters' Assembly and Rangers Supporters' Association have made a joint statement asking all parts of the Rangers family to unite in doing three things: improve the atmosphere at games; support the team; and demonstrate the best of our traditions. Whilst many of us no doubt feel we are being victimised, there can be no doubt that we must get our own house in order and the time to act is now. Rangers FC and their supporters have everything to be proud of. We are Scotland's most successful club and the tradition, history and heritage of our fans is the history of the nation. Our values and community are rooted in pride, loyalty and commitment. The good name of the club and the support are too important to risk and all of us must accept it is time to move on. The '*** Brigade' has had its day. All members of the Rangers family must unite and celebrate the club's traditions in a positive fashion. We must be judged on what we are for, not what we are against. We can and will defend our traditional anthems and songs, but without the idiotic add-ons. Rangers Football Club is more important than any of us - it is an institution, one of the greatest football clubs in the world. As a uniquely Scottish and British Club it is incumbent on us to act in the best traditions possible. 'We Are The People' - let's show the world what that really means.

After another appalling and heartless performance at Ibrox on Saturday I read with interest that many fans felt booing wasnââ?¬â?¢t suitable and that we should be supporting the players as opposed to criticising them so publicly. In addition to that, there were further complaints of the general atmosphere being poor as well as the usual complaints about the ââ?¬Ë?Subway Loyalââ?¬â?¢ leaving early. Generally, one can understand these points of view but I think the prevailing reason for such differences of opinion is merely another symptom of the Rangers family breakdown. After another season of disappointment and under-achievement, player/club/fan relationships have never been so strained. Perhaps itââ?¬â?¢s one symptom of such declining communications but it really is becoming incredibly hard for the fans to find anything to relate to and indeed support per se. In decades past, players were fans and lived similar lives to the support. Football wasnââ?¬â?¢t so glamorous and the money was nothing special. Hero worship was evident but not to the extent it is today. As European competitions begun and the TV and mass media started to take a real interest, profiles began to rise and higher reputations increased egos dangerously. From the Jim Baxterââ?¬â?¢s to the Willie Johnstoneââ?¬â?¢s star quality was now part and parcel of a Rangers footballerââ?¬â?¢s life. As we approached the 21st Century the TV finance boom and the subsequent worldwide exposure of that and the internet meant footballers were front page icons and loved by people all over the world. The Ally McCoist and Paul Gascoigne age started to take the players out of the reach of the fellow fan. Annual wages were now millions of pounds not thousands and fans werenââ?¬â?¢t as important as the agent or journalistic friend. The Bosman rule was next and money really started to take hold of our game. Not only that, it wasnââ?¬â?¢t just Scotsmen playing for Rangers but players from all over the world ââ?¬â?? many whom couldnââ?¬â?¢t even speak English never mind understand our traditions and history. As such, with every passing year attitudes and relationships are changing. Who are our Rangers heroes nowadays? Barry Ferguson ââ?¬â?? a captain who doesnââ?¬â?¢t appear to be a leader? Dado Prso ââ?¬â?? a likeable chap whose career is all but finished? Nacho Novo ââ?¬â?? well he did say no to Celtic 3 years ago? Will we even have any great players next year? The kind of ability, charisma and pride that makes a player a Rangers legend certainly seems in short supply nowadays. At the same time, these players are further from our reach. Increased technology and the problems that can bring means they are not allowed to attend RSC functions. VIP lounges means we canââ?¬â?¢t even buy them a pint and have a chat in our local pubs and clubs. Even when we do, we canââ?¬â?¢t understand what their life is like just as they canââ?¬â?¢t understand ours. Even the most average of players can earn more in a month that even the most skilled of us do in a year. Never have we been so far apart at the most basic of levels. Ergo, do the players really care when we boo them? Do they even care when we cheer them? Similarly, can kissing the badge or the odd fleeting gesture appease us? What about other figures at the club? An owner and chairman now semi-retired in France leaving an ill-equipped non-Rangers man to do a job he obviously struggles with. Even the so-called Rangers men still around prefer to lie and cover their bossââ?¬â?¢s tracks instead of standing up for the very people that loved them so much in years and eras long gone. Has the game changed so much that our greatest ever players are silent while our fans are kicked from pillar to post by sensationalist figures in the media? Or, like their fellow modern players, does the pound come before loyalty to the people who pay their wages? All this is rather depressing but itââ?¬â?¢s also realistic and relevant. Last week our chairman appeared from nowhere to again plead with a small section of our fans to stop letting the club down. Of course he is right ââ?¬â?? the club should take priority over everything else. ââ?¬Ë?Rangers Firstââ?¬â?¢ is the admirable message. Perhaps the chairman and some of the highly paid strangers now at our club could use that ethos themselves. Then we might just be more of the family they often talk about enabling us to face the many challenges ahead of us as a bonded unit instead of a divided and despondent one.

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php That time is here again. The letters will soon be through the door and RFC are asking for your hard-earned cash – often more than £400 in many cases. Are you automatically reaching for your bank account details? Is it money well spent or could it be considered emotional blackmail? Whatever you think wait a few minutes before getting your wallet out – read on! The end of this season will now see 2 years of no success – not one trophy! The product on offer has been depressing and if it wasn’t for a decent CL run last season and an interesting UEFA Cup run this term, we’d have no positives to talk about. I think it’s fair to say that at the beginning of the season we were all pretty happy. Attracting and installing Paul Le Guen as our new manager must have been no easy task. He was one of the youngest and brightest managers in world football and we all thought David Murray had secured a gem. We were back and nothing would stop us was the cry! How wrong could we have been? Investment into the playing side was minimal because of more pay offs and no CL football. However, even with the money PLG did get it appears to have been wasted on players that have offered little or no improvement on previous personnel. It all soon went downhill and I don’t think we need reminding about how bad it was. As such, in a marked difference from last season, SDM acted quickly and removed PLG immediately. ‘Back to the Future’ was the theme as Walter Smith returned along with Ally McCoist who would surely help dressing room differences. As a short-term solution it seems to have worked to a degree. Decent SPL form and a much-needed away win against Celtic means the feel-good factor is returning slightly. It remains to be seen if it’s the right medium-long term appointment and our quick Euro exit showed Smith et al have a lot of hard work ahead of them. In addition, we still don’t have our problems to seek off the pitch. The UEFA charge of early 2006 has hung over us and we have all been criticised in the media every other day since. At that time, Murray’s statement condemning sectarianism and bigotry was appropriate and the responsibility certainly lies with us all in eradicating the offensive content from our support. It is a challenge but one that we must overcome. The continued witch-hunt by various parties (independent, anonymous or not) shows that the matter won’t be laid to rest so we have to act soonest. I do wonder though at the club’s reluctance to combat the media on these issues. Too often now we seem impotent when it comes to their ever more frequent diatribes. Journalists such as the odious Graham Spiers, Gerry McNee and Hugh Keevins seem able to say what they want without fear of reprisal from the chairman or the club. Others have jumped on this bandwagon while other clubs seem to do what they want with minimal coverage. Why is the press coverage so seemingly one-sided? Criticism of our club and its fans goes with the territory. It’s is often valid and we should neither deflect nor deny the problems we face. However, at the same time we cannot allow our enemies to blacken our name by sensationalising a terrible issue. We cannot afford to give people like the above carte blanche to say what they like about the fans and our club. With new SPL rules on the horizon the danger has never been clearer and we have to be ready for further attacks. David Murray, as our club’s custodian and our ultimate ‘leader’, should answer on our behalf. Yet the only people I see standing up for our fellow fans are voluntary fans’ groups. Surely if someone like Murray or even Martin Bain did what Peter Lawwell of Celtic seems to be doing very successfully, these attacks wouldn’t be so frequent or so over the top? The last 2 years have been awful but there are signs that we can rally. However, unless the club start defending the fans, the Rangers family might not be as happy or together as it should be. David Murray and the board are the head of the family and they must start leading from the front. Once again, I implore the club to act in the good name of Rangers FC. There is a battle going on out there and we desperately need a General. Is David Murray that man? Where has he been lately? As such, I would ask every Rangers fan reading this to not blindly fill out that renewal form. Have a think what you want from your club. Do the arrival of Walter Smith and some more new players satisfy your ambitions? As well as the primary media issue, what about the other problems we have? Dangerous European away trips; hindrance of invaluable singing sections; over-the-top policing and stewarding; a confusing and forever changing Youth system; poor match-day facilities; questionable scouting policies and minimal appreciation of the club’s history. These are all negative issues which should concern every one of us. Are you still ready to sign that form? I know you will. I know I will. After all we are amongst the most loyal fans in the game and supporting a club such as Rangers isn’t always done logically. But, fellow Rangers fan, why not do what I’m going to do: accompany your renewal with a letter or with a simple piece of paper if you prefer. On it use the following words to show that you’re a customer who doesn’t appreciate being victimised in the media and who will not blindly accept second best year after year. This simple message will suffice: David Murray – Show some leadership and defend our club.

It's as if every Rangers fan is a baddie who spews out poisonous shite!!

Now added to archive: - Current squad info (First team and Reserves/Youth) - Ibrox Stadium background and pics - COMPLETED - Murray Park background and pics - COMPLETED - Full Managerial Stats (work ongoing) - Full Rangers player history (work ongoing) - Past results and stats (season by season) - COMPLETED - Key Event Timeline - (work ongoing) - Final League Tables (season by season) - COMPLETED - Other Competition Winners (season by season) - COMPLETED - Full Rangers Honours List - COMPLETED - Media Downloads (season by season) - Recommended Reading and Bibliography (work ongoing) http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=31 Then over the next week I'll be creating a year by year timeline with all the crucial info in one easy to read section. Started work on this now. The longer project is the actual 'Rangers Story' of which the first part is currently available. That will take a bit longer to write and finish. Hoping to have the site back on Newsnow in the next 14 days. They are very busy with new site submissions so we just have to wait in the queue. When we are accepted more Gersnet Analysis will be appearing again and I'll also be buying a new domain name for the archive. Thanks to gribz for continuing the excellent match previews and if anyone else wants to upload any articles please give me a shout by pm. Coupled with forthcoming advertisements in the 2 main fanzines (as well as The Rangers Historian) hopefully we'll be back on our way to building the forum as it was last year and previously. Thanks again for your continued support and I'm sure all this hard work will be worth it!

Firstly, I'm defining success as being still in Europe after Christmas and I'm talking about the media and general public taking it for granted. I'm fed up hearing about how poor Tel Aviv were from the media. Yes, they played poorly, but every time Scotland play or we come up against an unknown side in Europe, we hear that there's no such thing as an easy game in Europe. So after losing 2-1 in the first leg and destroying them at home in a superb display, I see lots of negative comments in the media and from people on forums, at work etc saying that we were playing a crappy team. Very little was said about just how well Rangers played. Besides, if I remember rightly, it wasn't too long ago that pundits were moaning consistently about the OF in Europe. How we were a disgrace for signing lots of foreigners and never managing to make it past Christmas in Europe. Every season the whinging from the usual characters was the same. They even complained that it was our fault the national team was going downhill and because we were always winning the league, no-one else was getting a chance to experience European football. And now? Suddenly they've forgotten all of the above. Rangers in Europe after Christmas? Nothing special apparently. 9 Scots starting? Hardly mentioned. A powerful victory to get through to the last 16? Weak opposition. I don't think there's a particular agenda in the Scottish media against us as every club's fans think the press has it in for their own club, but I do believe the industry is full of lazy journalists, some of whom do have their own unique views about us. These guys will never give us due credit for results on the pitch and even any attempts to improve the issues we have off the pitch. The just seem intent on spewing forth any nonsense in the name of a headline. Has anyone seen McNee's comments about the bouncy, which he's chosen to print again today for example? The Billy Boys is banned and after a few shaky matches, its gone. That should have been a monumental step forward for the club and been heralded from all corners of the press, public and even Holyrood. But there's been barely a murmur about it. Instead, we get even more negative stories about the remaining songs we're singing. The remaining songs, which don't contain even a trace of an *** and have been given the all-clear by UEFA. They're considered folk songs and shouldn't be offending anyone, so why are they constantly mentioned in newspaper reports and by other fans? More to the point, why isn't the club doing more to promote to the press about the good things we've achieved? Bain finally said some positive things about the support this week, but that's well overdue. When the infamous red hand salute raised its head again, why didn't the club come out with a very strong line? Firstly, name & shame the guys in Israel and ban them. How about pointing out that in this case, it really is a minority of fans involved? How about saying that the club will take a zero tolerance approach to this and ensuring that anyone doing it from now on is ejected from the ground? (I understand that this would involve the polis and stewards actually growing a spine and doing their job for a change). Bain could even have come out and quoted articles which we've all seen, which seem to prove that there is no such thing as a red hand salute. Lets educate the fans who still think they're just upholding the history and tradition of our club before taking the heavy handed approach outlined above. Why don't the men at the top of our club stand up for us in the public eye? With the press. With parliament. With other clubs and their fans ffs. Its not difficult. Most fans of other clubs don't like us as a club or a support. So there's nothing to lose. Week in week out we take a slagging and no-one stands to fight our corner. Part of the problem is that we live in such a paranoid and parochial-minded country that success does breed a hell of a lot of jealousy. The recent comments from Romanov about corruption within the game have shown exactly that. What should be dismissed as the mad ramblings of someone who is too used to getting their own way, are actually greeted by lots of fans as relief that someone is actually standing up to the OF and telling it as it is. What do we do in response? Not very much as it happens. Given the down-sizing that's been happening at Ibrox over the past 5 years or so, I think the loyalty shown by the fans has been tremendous. I think its now time for the men at the top of the club to repay some of that loyalty, show they have a set of balls and start standing up for the club we all love. Man, where did all that come from? Time for a lie down I think.