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Romanian defender Razvan Dinca Rat, who plays for Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk, says he has been approached by the Ibrox side. I wonder if he is related to Roland Rat. There will be plenty of jokes going round about him:D

No links, but have heard that Lazio *may* make an offer for Alan Hutton. I have been one of Huttons critics, but IMO this would be a great move for the lad - a chance to play in one of Europe's top leagues and experience a different culture (drink and food wise) - this could be the making of the lad. It's hardly like there is anything 'exciting' and 'promising' happening down Ibrox way that would / could convince him to stay at Rangers. Hutton has improved vastly over the last 6-8 months and it appears clubs are starting to express an interest in him Cammy F

Its now almost mid-June and there hasnt been much to report about except rumours which havent surfaced. But another thing that Ive been thinking about is the "Outs" leaving Ibrox. Only Gavin Rae has been confirmed as gone. Prso and Klos were going anyway but that leaves a number of players with doubts. Maybe someone can shed some light on the situations with Buffel, Sionko, Sebo, Novo, Burke, Svensson, Papac. Thats a fair number of players to have doubts over. Only Gow, Broadfoot and Darcheville have came in. Even Webster hasnt signed yet (as far as I know). So the club have to get there finger out as Pre-season starts in a few weeks and its best to gather a full squad rather then people come in at the last minute. Is SDM waiting on all the season ticket revenue to clear the bank before allowing Walter some funds? So who does everyone realistically want to come in?? Personally I'd be disappointed if only Beasley and Naismith follow into Ibrox, IMO we wouldnt be any better off than last season. We need 2 semi-big names to replace Prso alone and even Big Dado was only half fit last season but still the name we all wanted to see first on the team sheet. Lets hope the Koevermans rumour isnt dead and buried. He is the main target IMO. After that then we need a wide player. McCulloch is still linked and id take him but I wonder if James McFadden would be a better target or asking Man U for Kieran Richardson on loan. I think we are ok in defence but a keeper is still badly needed IMO.

Posted 09/06/07 11:24 EmailPrintSave Celtic manager Gordon Strachan believes the club need to be playing regularly outside Scottish borders to eliminate sectarianism. Both Celtic and Rangers have shown a strong interest in joining the English leagues, and Strachan believes it would be a beneficial move on many levels. The 50-year-old suggests a European league is more likely to materialise, given the vehement objection of Barclays Premiership clubs to the Old Firm being allowed to join their ranks. But Strachan told The Times: "If we could get into a British league, I don't just think it would help us financially, it would also help this West of Scotland thing we have to live with. "I often think how exciting it would be to have Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea coming to Parkhead. "Sometimes you hear our people singing the IRA stuff, but I think all that would go if we were in a bigger league. "It would enlarge the scene, provide more breathing space and people would get on with their lives. "People from the outside looking in would no longer say to some Old Firm fans, 'Are you guys going to grow up ... are youse all mad?"' Strachan suggests as many as 50 leading clubs could be involved if the long-mooted European league does become a reality. He added: "It will happen and the sponsors would flock to it. I really think it's going to happen." This subject is easy pickings to increase popularity but i hope the ginger smurf gets people to listen to him. Rangers and Celtic are both fighting below their weight. We need to have better opposition coming to Ibrox.

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?

Will be good if he starts, watched him on Saturday and he was taking the piss out of Dunfermline. You will probably see Webster play as well, along with Lennon

Looks like we wont be buying out any contracts to free players then.

Like he said he would of liked to get Brown but he cost far too much and we can get a few players for that type of money

MediaWatch ââ?¬â?? Murdo MacLoud awakens the People? Well, itââ?¬â?¢s been tempting to focus this weekââ?¬â?¢s instalment of MediaWatch on the intense coverage of Scott Brownââ?¬â?¢s signing for Celtic. It would be nice, perhaps, to spend a bit of time watching just how many times the tabloids, and even the BBC, were willing to contradict themselves in the name of a good headline [1]. But I think there was one article with a typically sensational and somewhat inflammatory title that may have furthered the Rangers cause despite itself ââ?¬â?? an article chiefly quoting Murdo MacLoud, no less [2]. Now, articles on Gersnet are largely un-edited and we do our utmost not to preclude people from giving their opinion, even if it doesnââ?¬â?¢t agree with that of the majority. Despite this, the consensus among our participants seems to be that the appropriate stance towards our Chairman is one of healthy criticism. As our previous articles have outlined (see Sir David Murray Report Card etc) Murray has done much good, but in current times serious questions have to be asked about his management of our club. And these questions are being asked with increased frequency in all areas of our support: from websites to the RST. However, I am not alone in holding a suspicion that the slumbering masses of Rangers supporters still hold the view that Murray detractors are mere troublemakers, and hold the view that Murray has invested significant portions of his own money in Rangers and will ultimately buy us out of our current predicament. Iââ?¬â?¢ll expand my suspicion by saying that I believe the majority of such supporters get their Rangers news chiefly from places like the Daily Record. I think weââ?¬â?¢ve started to entertain the illusion that Rangers supporters online (in places like Follow Follow & Gersnet) are representative of the entire support, and that thus, by and large, Rangers supporters avoid the Record and are sceptical of Murray. What may be true online, even in the Fanzines, going by newspaper sales alone, doesnââ?¬â?¢t seem to be true in general. The media, and especially the Record, have been almost unaccountably uncritical of Murray during his tenure. Rangers fans, by and large, lapped up Celticââ?¬â?¢s bad old days of struggle and toil ââ?¬â?? we enjoyed, truth be told, the one-upmanship it afforded us in the larger cycle of winning and losing. Iââ?¬â?¢m quite sure no Rangers supporter actually wanted to see them go under. But their famous ââ?¬Ë?biscuit-tinââ?¬â?¢ mentality was a source of constant fun ââ?¬â?? the term, remember, was one created by the media for no other reason than it could either effect smirks from Rangers fans, or incredulity from Celtic fans ââ?¬â?? both of which sell papers. We enjoyed, then, Murrayââ?¬â?¢s famous quips about spending a tenner for every fiver. But the fact that this arcadian dream had soured has long been true for those online, but the general Record-reading population still buy the propaganda (literally, from the Record) that the moonbeamed solution is just around the corner, despite all the evidence of past seasons to the contrary. Thatââ?¬â?¢s not to say your average fan is to blame ââ?¬â?? most people simply have more, or other, things to do than critically examine the papers and the situation. They have bills to pay and kids to feed and whatnot. Itââ?¬â?¢s easy to let your opinion by approximately guided by the general impression gained from whatever newspaper you read. But the problem with this is that if there is no critical analysis of the situation ââ?¬â?? if itââ?¬â?¢s not forced down your throat along with your coffee in the morning its far too easy not to think about it. The Internet can provide some of this, but itââ?¬â?¢s not until the tabloid media turn, in their typically horribly sensational way, against Murray that your actual average Rangers fan may become unsettled. It happened with Celtic, and it will happen with us. And so, it is with a very much afflicted sense of happiness that I turn to the article in question: ââ?¬Å?Biscuit-Tinââ?¬â?¢s Changing Directionââ?¬Â by Colin Duncan [2]. Both title and subtitle (ââ?¬Å?Exclusive Celtic signing sensation ... Now itââ?¬â?¢s Celtic who can splash the cash while Gers buy on the cheapââ?¬Â) are of the sort that I typically use this column to berate ââ?¬â?? sensational and purposefully inflammatory. But to the somewhat cynical Internet supporter the main response is not one of indignation, but of relief tinged with sarcasm: ââ?¬Å?What, its ââ?¬Å?Changingââ?¬Â? It changed years ago ffsââ?¬Â or something along those lines. But the truth is that if this rather simple message, so obvious to a lot of us, is now entering the public domain of tabloid sensationalism ââ?¬â?? if David Murrayââ?¬â?¢s spending policy is now a legitimate target of tabloid hype then the truth is that it makes the gravity of our situation apparent to your average Rangers fan. Phrases like ââ?¬Å?Three times in the past few months the Ibrox men have been close to securing deals for signing targets only to be gazumped at the 11th hour by their Old Firm rivals.ââ?¬Â while being deliberate half-truths, will do as they are designed and, irk Rangers supporters. And from the ashes of this sensation there will arise a desire for change. I hope. And I also hope that they will turn to those genuinly interested in Rangers ââ?¬â?? organisations like the RST. So, it may turn out that while articles like this, quoting people whose opinions generally do not matter to Rangers supporters (like Murdo, though I think heââ?¬â?¢s a nice guy), are annoying for all the reasons they typically are, they are the very thing that may spark the slumbering People into action. [1] See the Recordââ?¬â?¢s ââ?¬Å?Celts Land 4.4m Brownââ?¬Â where the article both claims ââ?¬Å?CELTIC last night won the race to sign Hibs midfield dynamo Scott Brownââ?¬Â and ââ?¬Å?Reading have emerged as a serious possibility with an offer that is believed to be marginally higher than Celtic's.ââ?¬Â It took both James Traynor and Keith Jackson to write this particular piece of journalistic genius. [2] http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=biscuit-tin-s-changing-direction%26method=full%26objectid=19110261%26siteid=66633-name_page.html

as much as id like to sign scott brown i have to say he seems a bit over priced. I said in an earlier thread that we would have to pay him 25k a week to get at ibrox but i certainly dont think we should pay the sort of of money being banded about for him. Think 3.5 to 4 mill max would be a fair price. just wondered what everyone else thought.

just what the hell was he up to today when celtic were signing brown? what has come to light is the fact that it wasnt the tranfer fee that cost us the player it was his wages. sources tell me that brown was offered 15 k a week and septic topped that by 10k. yet again the mhanks have left us standing twiddling our fingers and nipped in and stole another player from under our noses (see riordan & Mcdonald). If we really need an insight to this mans negotiating skills then you only need to take a look at the offer made to the sheep for Jamie langfield. 70k. time and time again this guy takes the piss with pathetic offers for players and time and time again he loses out. Hes reputed to be on 500k a year at Ibrox but in my opinion the only thing he should be on is unemployment benefit. time this deadbeat was shown the door.

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=412&Itemid=1 After another soulless performance at Ibrox yesterday, it was disappointing to note that once again the three essential virtues in the title above were missing from much of our team. Right from the very first minute it was obvious that yesterdayââ?¬â?¢s game would be a pedestrian affair. Killie may have had a fairly offensive set-up but they played mainly on the counter from a defensive outlook. Rangers, meanwhile, again opted for the 4-2-3-1 formation that has been such a hit and miss this season. Certainly no-one can argue that against the bigger sides that formation seems to work pretty well. Even with Le Guen in charge we had some good results against European opposition as well as against the bigger domestic teams. However, itââ?¬â?¢s also pretty obvious that when we come up against more defensive outfits, we struggle with only the one striker. We just arenââ?¬â?¢t flexible enough when it comes to reacting to opposition formations. In saying that, we could employ any tactic we like but if we continue to go into games without the necessary mental qualities, we will always struggle to match teams who do possess them. That explains why we have lost many games this season to supposed sub-standard opposition. Of course, the Falkirkââ?¬â?¢s, Caley Thistleââ?¬â?¢s and Kilmarnockââ?¬â?¢s of this world are not better than Rangers. Nevertheless, when we fail to match the spirit of the underdog, we will not secure the points. After an excellent result and impressive display against Celtic last week once again our appalling lack of consistency was evident. We simply appear to lack the motivation and discipline to achieve this imperative goal. Given the fact that Walter Smith is renowned for having fine man-management skills that is extremely worrying 5 months into his new tenure. The negative signs are all there and have been now for a number of months ââ?¬â?? going on years. From some players being obviously unfit to others simply not applying themselves on the park; one must question the club discipline. Yesterday saw one of our greatest sons being remembered with what we all thought was a flawless minuteââ?¬â?¢s silence (none of that applause nonsense thankfully!). It is with extreme upset and disappointment though that after the match I quickly found out that two of our players couldnââ?¬â?¢t even take a few seconds out of their comedy routines to respect Kai Johansenââ?¬â?¢s memory. Both Allan McGregor and Kris Boyd ââ?¬â?? supposed big Rangers fans ââ?¬â?? preferred to share a private joke as the rest of the stadium (including the excellent Killie fans) stood in silence. Inexplicable behaviour from senior players which this fan cannot understand. Now, some fans calling for them to be sold is perhaps going a few steps too far but this disgraceful episode is another own goal from a set of players who, with each passing week, appear to isolate themselves further from the very people who pay their wages. At a time where the club are asking (and mainly receiving) the highest possible standards from the support, it seems the players canââ?¬â?¢t (or wonââ?¬â?¢t) match these minimal requirements. Ergo, I hope to hear about suitable punishments and apologies from the players involved. Allan McGregor and Kris Boyd have had decent seasons. McGregor has grown into the goalkeeping number one position very well and Boydââ?¬â?¢s goals are one of the main reasons we managed to secure second place. Both are now international quality players. However, simply having the practical qualities should never be enough to assume the job is done. Unfortunately, too many people at Rangers Football Club (and particularly the players) are simply just turning up and not applying themselves fully. Every Rangers employee should conduct themselves with the utmost standards of pride and professionalism whilst showing the kind of passion that should never be taken for granted. If anyone at the club canââ?¬â?¢t provide those minimal values then quite simply they are not good enough to be part of the Rangers. I sincerely hope as the end of this unacceptable season ends; every person at Rangers appreciates that second best will never be good enough. Whilst expectations have to remain realistic itââ?¬â?¢s not unreasonable to expect much, much more from our football club. Pride, professionalism and passion should be the foundations Rangers careers are built on. An occasional glimpse is not enough.

About time these two players got called up Hutton is playing out of his skin this now and whenever Charlie gets a free kick you are confident it is landing in the back of the net.

The Trust will have a table just inside the Ibrox Complex on Sunday prior to the Killie game. Just bring along your tenner to join or renew if you haven't already done so. Our influence is steadily growing and the more people who join can only increase this. Come along and speak to Board members who will answer any questions you may have.

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

Just noticed this in a piece in the Sunday Liam... http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=walter-plans-german-camp--%26method=full%26objectid=19053725%26siteid=64736-name_page.html

Now that the dust has settled on our latest OF victory, I though that Iââ?¬â?¢d take a retrospective look back at the events on Saturday. Firstly, I firmly believe that Saturday was one of the best atmospheres I have witnessed at Ibrox for a few seasons (at the very least). Our fans were absolutely fantastic and were back to their witty and impromptu best. Some of the chants were hilarious and all in all, delivered in a non-sectarian fashion, pity the same canââ?¬â?¢t be said of our visitors, who when they did bother to sing, indulged in their usual sectarian and IRA worshiping bile ââ?¬â?? but enough of our unwanted and unwelcome guests. On the pitch the players were up-for-it from the first whistle and showed a desire that has been missing for large parts of this season (and last if we are being honest). We were first to ever ball, never allowed Craptic to settle and bossed them all over the pitch. It was a sight to gladden this old cynical so-and-so ââ?¬â?? what the players showed on Saturday is a prerequisite of pulling on the famous light blue jersey and every player should have that desire, determination and application every time he is lucky enough to play for The Rangers. Watching Thomas Graveson running around like a headless chicken trying to keep up with, or take possession away from Thompson, Hendami and Ferguson was a joy to watch. Here is a player who has ââ?¬Ë?gracedââ?¬â?¢ the EPL and La Liga, yet is getting led a merry dance in the SPL. He was lucky not to receive a red card for his continual fouling, something that only went unnoticed by yet another inept Scottish referee. As per usual, he wasnââ?¬â?¢t the only Craptic player to be let of lightly, Naylor should have walked for his assault on Novo, and I assume that the SFA will use video evidence on both (yeah, I knowââ?¬Â¦.!)ââ?¬Â¦.. Both our goals were well taken, but in all honesty, should have been defended a lot better. Boyd simply strayed from his marker and whilst his shot was well taken, it wasnââ?¬â?¢t the hardest shot and was saveable. Adamââ?¬â?¢s free-kick was very cleverly taken and Charlie did brilliantly to see that Borac was urging his wall to ââ?¬Ë?jumpââ?¬â?¢ when the ball was struck. Maybe Iââ?¬â?¢m doing Adam and Boyd a disservice as they say that all goals are preventable. We should and could have taken the Tims to the cleaners as we had plenty of chances. I bet I wasnââ?¬â?¢t the only one praying for Sebo to ripple the net with one of his chances. The big guy is so likeable and gives you 100% every time he plays. He deserved a goal on Saturday. The OF game wouldnââ?¬â?¢t be the OF game (with Rangers winning that is) if it didnââ?¬â?¢t boil over ââ?¬â?? step forward Naylor (yeah him again) and Hutton. In saying that, why does Neil Lennon have to get involved in ever ââ?¬Ë?meleeââ?¬â?¢ that happens within a 100 mile radius? The events after the final whistle summed Craptic and their players up to a ââ?¬Ë?Tââ?¬â?¢ and with Borac been reported to the Police (for the 4th time in as many months) weââ?¬â?¢ll just have to hope that the authorities come down hard on the Pole. It is worth noting here (as youââ?¬â?¢ll not read it anywhere else) that Borac wasnââ?¬â?¢t reported and sanctioned for blessing himself at Iborx, his offence was to make gestures to the fans. But when has the truth stopped the Mhedia having a dig at Rangers and us the fans? There wasnââ?¬â?¢t a player in light blue who didnââ?¬â?¢t contribute to the performance and result and hence, all would get pass marks and more. Special praise though for Alan Hutton who has this fan (gladly) eating his words. His performances of late have been outstanding and he is an example to the other ââ?¬Ë?underperformersââ?¬â?¢ of what can be achieved with the correct attitude and application. There is no denying that we still have a long way to go, but at least we have put a marker down for next season. We are more consistent, less likely to lose stupid goals (ergo, lose games that we shouldnââ?¬â?¢t), with the correct players arriving in the summer (if the budget is available) and with the luck that you inevitably require, we could win OUR trophy back. In saying that, itââ?¬â?¢ll all depend on the new signings. WS and his team need to get every signing 100% correct, there is no room and no money for errors. Cammy F

These are the first two comments in the records hotline today. The first one contradicts herself by letting EVERYONE know about their past exploits.... and didnt tic have the bright idea of putting the star to celebrate their 'european exploits' AFTER Rangers put the 5 stars on their shirt. Correct me if im wrong but i think so. Second comment is just stupid, we've all acknowledged we're embarrsed by the past few seasons... but (a) we have qualified for the CL yet and (b) why should we be embarrased about qualifing through finishing 2nd? Its Uefa who have given the SPL these options.

Alan Hutton, Stevie Smith, Alan McGregor and Charlie Adam have all ( in my opinion) come through this season with flying colours but all bar smith have had their fair bit of critisism too. Hutton from the outset was a target for the boo boys at Ibrox and was the main whipping boy from the stands while Adam and Mcgregor to an extent got a few on their backs when things werent going our way. So now that we have signed Gow and broadfoot i have to wonder what lies in store for them. I have already read in a few posts that some dont reckon they are good enough for Rangers and fear they will suffer the same fate as Hutton. And thats before they have kicked a ball for the club. so what chance do they have? Do you think they will get a fair crack at the whip? And just how long do they get before we reject them as duds like some did with Adam and Hutton? I would just like to say that i hope everyone give thes boys a chance to prove themselves and not judge them on a couple of bad games that they might have. Its a big step up and its a big learning curve to make it at Ibrox so i hope that we can all get behind them and give them the support that will see them through. just give these boys a break.

Hemdani has been our most consistent performer this season. He does the job he is asked to do and is tactically disciplined. When he has ventured forward, it�´s been in games when we were getting beaten and were looking for a goal Celtic, december 2006 and Osasuna (H)...last minute goals. To say he is limited as a player and then watch the execution of his goal against Osasuna from the camera angle directly behind the play doesn�´t make sense, rarely do you see such a goal at Ibrox....why? Because the players that tend to play there haven�´t got the technical ability/poise to do it in a match situation. When asked he played in central defence and did well moping up the play and getting the ball forwards to a blue shirt. Had he played with Weir I�´m sure they would have been a good partnership but Svensson wasn�´t dominate in the air which meant an obvious weakness. Saying that they had a lot of clean sheets. His tackling isn�´t a strong point but staying on your feet, reading the game and being in the right place is often a preferred option to "getting inta them", the scottish way which has come back from european games so many times with it�´s tail between it�´s legs. Hemdani is no Zidane, he lacks speed aswell but again that is shown up when the rest of the midfield is pedestrian, we should have some speed in their to compliment Hemdani. IMHO Hemdani is the best example of a footballer we currently have at Rangers. It is true though that this shows a club our size up, why ? Well for one thing we need a dynamic forward who has talent/speed to change the big games and secondly it shows up the scottish footballing culture. Ferguson could and should be POTY given his ability but he�´s not making the most out of his career due to his professionalism being intermittent. He�´s done better than his brother and Charlie Miller but you can�´t help feeling he could have been better.

http://www.rangers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,5~1022095,00.html

I guess it wasnââ?¬â?¢t any surprise when we all read Spiersââ?¬â?¢ first ââ?¬Ë?Timesââ?¬â?¢ article today. This column warned Scottish football fans that Spiers wouldnââ?¬â?¢t have the discipline to refrain from his usual inaccurate and biased ramblings. He didnââ?¬â?¢t disappoint. The usual signs of an unhinged mentality were all there. The usual lies were there. The usual flawed, self-opinionated rhetoric was as frustrating as it always is. The usual lack of impartiality was evident. Was there anything different from his Herald days? Not in the slightest and, my goodness, it was tedious. A paint-by-numbers course in broadsheet journalism. Why ââ?¬Ë?The Timesââ?¬â?¢ thought this appointment was a good idea Iââ?¬â?¢ll never know? Their editors are probably asking the same question tonight. As such, what happened at Ibrox today made this particular bearââ?¬â?¢s smile even larger than normal after an Old Firm win. Once again, Spiersââ?¬â?¢ favourite ââ?¬Ë?remarkable human beingââ?¬â?¢ lost the plot. Gesture after gesture to the fans, physical assaults on Rangers players, cautions from referees eventually frustrated with his awful attitude and most importantly another average performance in terms of football. Remarkable indeed! Importantly, we must make something clear here right away. Lennon was not, WAS NOT, subject to any sectarian chanting today. Despite certain failed sports-writers lies about why Lennon is hated ââ?¬â?? apparently itââ?¬â?¢s because he represents Northern Irish Catholicism (not very well considering his affairs, bastard child and bigotry!) - Lennon showed exactly why he is hated. Because heââ?¬â?¢s a childish and provocative clown who canââ?¬â?¢t take defeat and is unsporting in the way he carries out his work. End of. Thatââ?¬â?¢s why every Scottish football fan hates him and thatââ?¬â?¢s why Irish catholic players of the past have never had the same treatment. Of course that doesnââ?¬â?¢t fit the agenda of the Rangers haters in the media and elsewhere but itââ?¬â?¢s the simple truth. Spiers will of course be happy that the fond send-off he requested for Lennon was evident. Chants of ââ?¬Ë?Lennon must stayââ?¬â?¢ must have made Spiers smile. I wonder if Spiers was as embarrassed as the rest of us at his typical antics. That takes us nicely to Artur Boruc ââ?¬â?? the big Polish goalie also fond of the odd wind up and gesture. After the game he approached the Celtic end, cuddled Lennon and grabbed a ââ?¬Ë?Championsââ?¬â?¢ flag from the away support. Asking Lennon to take said banner, even Lennon appreciated this foolhardy attempt at provocation of the home fans and ignored his team-mate. Boruc ââ?¬â?? never one to use his brain ââ?¬â?? then proceeded to make his way up to the tunnel area waving the flag like he usually flaps his hand at Kris Boyd shots. Fortunately, like Lennonââ?¬â?¢s various gestures today, the Rangers support cringed at the desperate and passÃ?© effort to be controversial and largely ignored this fool Apparently, Strathclyde Police are investigating the incident and will speak to the player. Iââ?¬â?¢m sure Celtic and their fans will have their excuses ready but once again at an Old Firm match a Celtic player acts like the very idiots that the likes of Lennon, Spiers and McNee regulary ask to be removed from our stadia. As such, it will be extremely interesting to read the papers over the next few days. Considering the complete absence of ANY discriminatory songs from the home support (I donââ?¬â?¢t think I heard the Celtic fans sing before you ask) and considering the fantastic banter emanating round the stadium, where will the critics aim their usual bile? Will it be at Neil Lennon? Maybe Artur Boruc will be roundly berated? Considering their previous, surely, they canââ?¬â?¢t ignore these yobs again? I think we all know the answer to that one.

I was just thinking back to the mid to late 80s which was a scary 20 years ago now, and I look at the calibre of player we got back then. We took England Internationals: 2nd keeper Chris Woods (only coz there 1st keeper, Shilton, was awesome) Captain Terry Butcher Full Back Gary Stevens Classy Midfielder Trevor Steven Classy Midfielder Ray Wilkins Fringe Striker Mark Hateley Fringe Striker Trevor Francis (albeit nearer end if his career) Fringe winger Mark Walters We took English top flight players: Terry Hurlock, Nigel Spackman, Kevin Drinkell etc etc etc Now can you honestly imagine this current Rangers era signing Paul Robinson, John Terry, Gary Neville, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Andy Johnson, Shaun Wright Phillips (Ive tried to give the england equivelants to the 80s players)!!! Not in a million years could we get this type of calibre now and overall id probably put the English players from the 80s in a better league of players than the current ones ive listed. The 80s guys were on the verge of a World Cup semi in 86 but couldnt handle the greatest player EVER in Maradona. Then they went onto the 1990 semi final to lose on pens, whereas the current players have failed miserably in recent tournaments. So why?? The arguement those players saw Rangers as a platform to play in the european stage due to the english ban cant be used as those players could have played in the continent no problem. The Scottish game has continued to go backwards while the English game has taken strides forward thanks to the Premiership and Sky Tv. But we are not helped when our nations football authorites couldnt run a bath never mind a football organisation. Why oh why do they still persist on having 4 leagues in a country with a small population is beyond me. And they invent rules that the rest of europe laugh at i.e. the split. Our media dont help as they just want to slaughter the countries big 2 teams and not back them. Down south the media back there clubs when they go abroad as in the recent examples of Spurs and Man Utds trips to Spain and Italy. Grass roots / Scouting: This is a huge problem which can be drawn back to the local councils who dont provide enough facilities for youngsters to kick a ball in school or after school. They would rather stick a "NO BALL GAMES" sign up and allow the kids to head home for hours upon hours playing the Playstation and eat sweets. The scouting network of 95% of the clubs in Scotland would be aswell not exsisting. Only Hibs have really shown any desire to bring youth through and its work very successfully to an extent, but due to them not having the resources and fan base of Rangers or Celtic they cant build on this and take themselves to the next level. There players get bought of them as they need tha cash. So Scotland on a whole needs to do something. It starts with discipline, interest, facilities, and on and on and on. All these reasons has meant the Scottish game has went backwards and we wont go forward again unless drastic measures are taken. Rangers really need an Atlantic or British league to take us forward again and once that happens we may see the likes of Butcher or Wilkins at Ibrox again.

One would be forgiven for thinking this Saturday was considered an exciting day because of the last Old Firm game of the season at Ibrox. After all, thousands of us will descend on our spiritual home to once again support our team in one of the worldââ?¬â?¢s greatest derbies. Unfortunately, word reaches me that, among us after an enforced period of ââ?¬Ë?gardening leaveââ?¬â?¢, shall be the one and only Graham Spiers ââ?¬â?? ex-ââ?¬Ë?Heraldââ?¬â?¢ Chief Sportswriter and new ââ?¬Ë?Timesââ?¬â?¢ columnist - well the Scottish version (with itââ?¬â?¢s, erm, ââ?¬Ë?compactââ?¬â?¢ readership anyway). Ergo, considering the SPL title has already been won and lost, perhaps all the excitement will occur when reading Spiersââ?¬â?¢ pre and post match musings? Itââ?¬â?¢s been a while since weââ?¬â?¢ve read this charlatanââ?¬â?¢s brand of half-truths and ill-informed rhetoric so can Scotlandââ?¬â?¢s self-appointed sectarian sheriff make a valiant return at the place where he made his name (and essentially lost his job) singling out Rangers as the sole perpetrators of sectarian offence in Scotland? The stench of hypocrisy will of course be evident as Spiers cheers on his favourite ââ?¬Ë?remarkable human beingââ?¬â?¢ Neil Lennon who will play in his last Old Firm match. Spiers has always had a lot to say about the bigotry problem but does strangely prevaricate when it comes to the double standards of the Scottish mediaââ?¬â?¢s best-loved victim. One rule for some and one rule for another certainly applies when one considers Spiersââ?¬â?¢ partiality (or lack of). Itââ?¬â?¢s also very interesting to note the Scotsport (yes, that high-quality football analysis show!) pundit has also spent the last few months writing a book about the Paul Le Guen saga. As if we werenââ?¬â?¢t all tired enough of what happened in the first half of this season, it appears in ââ?¬Ë?PLG ââ?¬â?? Lââ?¬â?¢Enigmaââ?¬â?¢ (Mainstream Publishing) our favourite failing hack will discuss why the Frenchman couldnââ?¬â?¢t succeed at Ibrox. Despite no official status and little or no relations with anyone at the club or Monsieur Le Guen, Spiers feels the need to bore us with his usual variety of self-appointed opinion based on little knowledge of how the game works. A ââ?¬Ë?Samuel Johnsonââ?¬â?¢ prize winner or car boot sale door stop? You decide! So what can we expect from Spiers in his new book and more importantly his new job at ââ?¬Ë?The Timesââ?¬â?¢? Well, ever since his ââ?¬Ë?Scotland on Sundayââ?¬â?¢ days in the mid 90s Spiers has enjoyed putting the boot into our club. From scurrilous attacks on club legends like Jock Wallace, Davie Cooper and Bill Struth to unfair and inaccurate ramblings about the support at large, Spiers wrote article after article on sectarianism and specifically Rangers. Some argued these articles were necessary to remove the problems we faced. However, the intensity and frequency of the pieces when compared to clubs with similar problems just wasnââ?¬â?¢t conductive to such a valued campaign. If one looks at some of the language in the Spiersââ?¬â?¢ archive, the conclusion can be reached that this wasnââ?¬â?¢t a man attempting to fix a problem, but more a coward throwing insults in favour of sensationalism. I donââ?¬â?¢t think many Rangers fans have ever denied the challenges we face as a support but surely itââ?¬â?¢s the responsibility of the critic to offer solutions to help us successfully face these challenges? Itââ?¬â?¢s also imperative that we are not singled out in order that the whole problem of bigotry is attacked ââ?¬â?? not just one part of it. Unfortunately, Spiers has never done either to any great extent. Yes, heââ?¬â?¢s taken part in one conference about the subject (no solutions offered though) and yes, he has written the odd article about other clubs; but never once to the same extent as his regular attacks on Rangers. As such, can we expect any different this Saturday? The problem of bigotry and discriminatory singing is still part of Scottish football. Rangersââ?¬â?¢ fans though have made huge strides in the last year and have successfully removed much of the problem chants from the away support. They have done this not because of the likes of Spiers and his ilk but in spite of them. Meanwhile, the clubs with similar dilemmas that Spiers has chosen to minimise or even deliberately ignore, still have their problems. From sectarian and terrorist sympathising songs from Celtic fans, to songs about the Ibrox Disaster from Aberdeen fans, to racism from Motherwell fans, to homophobic chants from Hearts/Hibs fans; bigotry is still rife in the SPL from many clubs out with Rangers. This summer will see a new SPL rule introduced to punish clubs for such singing. This may go some way to helping remove these problems but only if the rule is applied across the board and from a neutral perspective. The questionable Scottish media will have their part to play regarding this and Graham Spiers (love him or loathe him) will be at the forefront as usual. Will we be reading an informative, impartial and accurate Graham Spiers this weekend? I genuinely hope so but I also doubt it. After all, these valuable virtues donââ?¬â?¢t always help make journalistic careers. But, as we saw when Spiers was sidelined at the Herald, not having them can also end and/or limit said careers. Whatââ?¬â?¢s it to be, Graham? http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=402&Itemid=1

Taken from the official site: Views? I have to say I don't know much about him other than recognising his name from playing too much Championship Manager.