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TITLE winners but drained by the effort needed to become champs. Ally McCoist looked at battle-weary Rangers and feared the worst - then came Kaunas. The Ibrox men stumbled into their Champions League qualifier in Lithuania and then crashed OUT, not enough fresh faces signed to help a squad which could give no more. Three years on from that bitter 2008 experience McCoist fears history could repeat itself. It's the draw for Europe's elite competition today with Rangers set to find out where they'll go for their massive knock-out tie. If they're lucky it's part-timers in Ireland. If they're not so lucky it's a Euro outpost like Moldova, Slovenia or Georgia. McCoist is working around the clock to sign new stars in time for the double header knowing all too well the risk he runs if he fails to deliver. He said: "Because of when it is in the season, the Champions League qualifier will be tricky especially if we have to go to Eastern Europe, to Georgia or a place like that. "We've done it before in Kaunas a few years ago. We were burnt in Kaunas and that was horrendous as we were coming off a great season. We looked jaded and tired. To say that right at the start of the season was strange but that was how we looked. "That's why this time, we need players in to help the ones already here and to freshen the place up a bit. "It has an affect on the players already here. After Kaunas we signed the likes of Pedro Mendes and a few others. But by then it was too late. "That's how we know what's required this year. The new players will be in, we will be ready." McCoist prays for luck of the draw. Partisan Belgrade are amongst the worst possible opponents but McCoist has his fingers crossed Rangers don't get a hellish first game. He added: "It would be ideal to get someone close to home like Shamrock Rovers from Ireland or one of the Scandinavians like Malmo or Helsinki. "If I had a choice, it would be one of those teams because of the travelling involved. "We know there are teams from Georgia, Moldova and Slovenia as well. It wouldn't be a total disaster but avoiding them would suit us. "We want to do as well as we can in Europe - the priority has to be to retain the championship and qualify for the Champions League. That's what we want to do, they are the two targets at the start of the season." Rangers star Kyle Hutton can't wait to see who Rangers get. The Champions League has special memories for the youngster. He made his first start for the club against Manchester United in the company of greatness. Hutton said: "Like the rest of the boys, I'm buzzing to see who we get. "Obviously, making my debut last season against United is something that will stay with me forever. "To line up against the likes of Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs was like a dream come true. Hopefully we can get another good draw and I can get another chance. "That experience definitely makes me more determined to try and get back there. "I have had a taste of it and I want more. "Playing in that United game was a massive help to my confidence. "It helped for the rest of the season in terms of dealing with any nerves when it comes to playing in front of thousands of fans. It was a boost. "The whole atmosphere, the whole Champions League experience, is massive and coming through it was definitely of benefit to me." Hutton is desperate to get going again in the new season. He was in and out of the side last season after breaking through and is desperate to become a regular. He added: "I think this is a big season for me. Last year was about trying to break into the team and I played a few games. "This year is about taking my chance and showing what I can do in the SPL. "Obviously, we have big Lee McCulloch there and he has been playing well. I just need to keep myself ready and show what I can do if I get on in games. "Could I be the long-term replacement for Jig? I don't know. I hope so. "He has a few years left on his contract and I'm looking to learn from him. Hopefully, I can take over in the years to come." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3696038/Coisty-We-cant-risk-Kaunas-two.html#ixzz1S7k2z2bP

Rangers Pre Season Results 1999/2000 Livingston 1 - 4 Rangers Follese 1 - 10 Rangers Rosenborg 0 - 1 Rangers Rangers 3 - 1 Sunderland 2000/2001 Gent 2 - 3 Rangers HZVV Hogeveen 1 - 5 Rangers Rangers 3 - 2 Gent Livingston 3 - 1 Rangers (not full strength due to Kaunas game couple days later) 2001/2002 Dovo 0 - 7 Rangers FC Copenhagen 1 - 1 Rangers Rangers 1 - 2 Anderlecht 2002/2003 Rangers 2 - 2 AC Milan Linfield 0 - 2 Rangers All I could find for that year must be more 2003/2004 Greuther Furth 0 Rangers 2 Rangers 5 VFB Auerbach 1 FC Erzgebirge 0 Rangers 1 Rangers 0 Arsenal 3 Linfield 0 Rangers 3 Rangers 2 Everton 3 2004/2005 Rangers 0 Feyenoord 0 (8-7 on pens) Newcastle 4 Rangers 2 Fulham 0 Rangers 1 Rangers 4 Roma 1 FC Furstenfeld 0 Rangers 4 2005/2006 St Mirren 0 Rangers 1 Rangers 0 Borussia Moenchengladbach 0 Ipswich 0 Rangers 2 Linfield 0 Rangers 2 Rangers 0 Dinamo Zagreb 1 2006/2007 Rangers 1 Bolton 1 Rangers 1 Middlesbrough 0 Dundee 0 Rangers 1 FC Sundowns 2 Rangers 0 Jomo Cosmos 0 Rangers 2 Linfield 0 Rangers 2 Note Paul Le Guen as Manager Sundowns he played 2nd string all in all a good pre season apart from that result. 2007/2008 Rangers 2 Chelsea 0 Rangers 1 Ajax 1 Falkirk 1 Rangers 1 Hannover 1 Rangers 0 SV Lippstadt 2 Rangers 4 Hanover finished 8th in the bundesliga during this season so like Leverkusen decent opposition. 2008/2009 Raith Rovers 1 Rangers 2 Clyde 0 Rangers 1 Schalke 1 Rangers 0 Lotte 1 Rangers 3 Preussen Munster 0 Rangers 1 Could almost compare this year to this 1 except we beat Lotte and other teams we were meant to. 2009/2010 Rangers 2 Newcastle 1 Clyde 1 Rangers 2 AEK Athens 1 Rangers 0 Rangers 2 Blackburn 1 Queen of the South 0 Rangers 1 This was done to show that although people say pre season doesnt matter it all about fitness, we have often had good preseasons with signs of promise for the upcoming season if in hindsight we came up short. This season though none we should be beating teams like Lotte even in our first friendly (clearly shown from results that we have been capable before). This added to lack of signings has me worried for this season. Broadfoot and Weir are just not good enough to be playing center defence for Rangers.

When Rangers proudly strolled out onto the turf at the City of Manchester Stadium in May 2008, many fans allowed themselves to believe this might be a rebirth of the Ibrox club on the European pedestal. A rather humbling 2-0 defeat in that final, however, preceded a dark decline on the continental front as Rangers proceeded to not only get knocked out the following season's CL at the hands of Lithuanian minnows FC Kaunas in the quaifying stages, but it also saw a horrible run in the season after in the CL where severe humblings at home crucified any chance of progress. In short, Rangers, from the highs of Manchester, had deteriorated rapidly and dramatically into a European nightmare where being beaten 4-0 at Ibrox by Romanian outfit Urziceni symbolised rather accurately the depth to which Rangers had plummeted. Obviously this was in part caused by the catastrophic off field troubles besetting the club, with mammoth debts being banded about in the press with gay abandon and the oft-repeated notion that until this summer, the club had not paid for a single formal signing since that of Maurice Edu in 2008. Rangers' European stock was low, and while Croat striker Nikica Jelavic had been secured for a significant fee of �£4M, his participation in the CL was anything but guaranteed, due to cup tying by his former club Rapid Wien. Indeed, when results went against the big forward, he became formally ineligible to participate for Rangers in the CL and the Govan side was left to do battle with Man Utd, Valencia, and Turkish cracks Bursaspor without him. Most fans believed another dreadful run in the CL would follow, given the threadbare squad and previous dire displays coupled with a stronger group this time around. But when Rangers travelled to Manchester for their group C opener, a surprise was in store when the Utd lineup revealed a slightly below strength Old Trafford team. Rangers themselves adopted a familiar European 4-5-1 formation with Whittaker deployed in midfield as happens so often at this level. Still, this was Man Utd and most fans expected a hiding. That didn't happen. A resolute defensive display and a smattering of chances at the other end led to a most satisfying 0-0 draw and the first points on the board at a location where none ad been expected. However, if Rangers were to have any serious European ambitions, the following home match against the group minnows Bursaspor had to yield the full 3 points, especially as Valencia had already smashed 4 past them on their own patch. The same Rangers lineup, again with Whittaker in midfield fielded itself and a surprisingly bright start was experienced by the men in blue who managed to tackle, intercept, and pass the ball far better than had been recently previously witnessed at this level. On 18 minutes their superiority told and an excellent cross field pass from Whittaker to the head of Broadfoot who guided it into the path of Naismith found its way into the back of the net when the on form striker bravely touched it past the on-rushing keeper. The rest of the half saw more similar football with Rangers sigificantly on top. No more goals followed, and this made for a nervy second half in which the visitors were allowed back into the match and pressed up far more than they had done previously. Despite their opponents renewed emergence in the game, Rangers were able to hold onto the lead and the 3 points, which led to their first CL victory since that stunning 3-0 at the Stade Gerland against Lyon in 2007. Thanks to Man Utd's slightly fortunate victory in Valencia with a late goal, Rangers now find themselves top of the group along with the Red Devils having amassed an excellent 4 points from 6. There can be no overestimating the impact last night's victory had for Rangers. In a seeming group of death they find themselves joint top - add to that 2 clean sheets already and it's clear that a massive amount of the damage recent poor form at this level has had has been undone. To have had such a huge amount of European credibility restored is priceless, and the financial rewards for achievement here are lavish which can only help the club through its recent troubles. The real test comes in the last 4 games - can Rangers keep up this extremely solid approach and gain yet more points? The Valencia double header will be tough but not impossible - their display against Utd was uninspiring and was the first real football test they've had this season, so points are possible. But at least for now Rangers have clawed back some integrity and dignity in an arena where they were in danger of falling into an abyss, and now they can look forward with a small amount of hope to what they might be able to achieve in this competition.

A few days ago the Record ran a story regarding the Lithuania v Scotland game. They (Colin Duncan) claimed the following: They are talking about Kaunas v Rangers. After contacting one of the directors above, Mr. Vygantas Gudenas, a couple of FF posters got the following reply: Interesting stuff. Always good to catch these clowns with their pants down... :robbo:

I'm not a fan of Kenny Miller, although I was supportive of his first time purchase from Hibs and disappointed to see him sold on McLeish's first day in charge. His subsequent career down south, with our rivals, and down south again has been disappointing given the talent he looked at Hibs and in fleeting glimpses with us first time around. His overall lack of goals for a striker has always hanuted him, and while he has always managed to go on hot-streaks, the cold-spells have normally been for longer. He usually misses decent chunks of the season with niggly injuries, and plays on with minor injuries that make his form and general play suffer. He seems to be touted as a natural lone striker for big games, but I would challenge that as well. A lone striker cannot be merely a runner, chasing down defenders and running onto out-balls from our defence. In the big games in Europe during his time with us, he has been our worst player on many occassions, like Kaunas and Unirea, and the fact is we have completely under-performed in Europe since his return to the club, and he has been used in this lone striker role that both Cousin and to a lesser extent Darcheville mastered in our UEFA cup final season the year before he arrived, without any success at all. The one positive I have taken from his return is his partnership with Boyd. They seemed made for each other, and created chances for each other and tormented many domestic defences with the different styles that combined so well. As with any partnership, you cannot give credit to one without the other, so both players were made to look better individually as a result of their excellant partnership. With Boyd gone, what sort of form will we get from Miller this season? If you look at Miller's career, he has never had 2 good seasons in a row, generally resulting in a move. After an initial mixed season (more bad than good IMO, but I appreciate others would reverse that) he had a good season (certainly his goals tally was good) last season, we can only hope he can finally nail a second successive good season this coming term. Certainly he has the managers full support, and he seems to have won over the majority of the fans who didnt want him signed in the first place. My fear is that Miller will revert to type, struggle with niggling injuries, miss far more chances than take, and with the absence of a predator beside him to take the goal-scoring pressure off him, he will quickly go off form and have a poor season. My hope is he will grow into the number 9 jersey, continue on from last season, hopefully form a new and equally successful partnership with another striker (who at this stage is difficult to work out), and carry the Rangers onto 3 in a row. Starting tomorrow, we are about to find out.

Sir David Murray today said Rangers will ride out their financial troubles ââ?¬â?? and could yet still attract a buyer. Murray announced on Tuesday he was taking the club off the market after three- and-a-half months of discussions with London-based property developer Andrew Ellis ended without a deal being done. The Ibrox owner said today that an improved relationship with the bank, Lloyds, and a continuing revival of his metals business helped explain his decision. He said there had been ââ?¬Å?some major improvementsââ?¬Â in the health of his business empire since the low point. ââ?¬Å?At that time our bank went out of business, the price of commercial property collapsed, the football club had just lost to Kaunas, and the price of metal collapsed,ââ?¬Â Murray said. ââ?¬Å?We have a working relationship with Lloyds, who didnââ?¬â?¢t know us a year ago and are backing many of our ventures, some in the pipeline. There is stability in our business.ââ?¬Â Murray said Rangers had produced six months of good financial results and there would be a small profit at year-end. He added: ââ?¬Å?The budget is approved, supported by the bank, the facility is supporting a little bit of money to spend.ââ?¬Â Murray declined to comment on his ongoing commitment to Rangers, but repeated that he would only accept an offer that was ââ?¬Å?in the best interests of the club, its shareholders and its fansââ?¬Â. When asked if Rangers is no longer a sellable proposition, Murray said: ââ?¬Å?The answer to that is it will be if it is run efficiently in a cost-effective manner ââ?¬â?? that is the way it will survive and be attractive to someone.ââ?¬Â http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/david-murray-rangers-will-survive-1.1035472

By Terry Murden RANGERS owner Sir David Murray says he is hopeful that a new owner will take over at Ibrox by the start of next season. The former Ibrox chairman, who has been in talks with London-based property tycoon Andrew Ellis, told The Scotsman: "The sooner a deal is concluded the best it will be for all." Murray, whose group of companies own 92 per cent of Rangers, said the proceeds from a sale would be used to pay off the club's debt which is understood to have fallen from �£31.1 million to about �£25m. "A buyer would pay a figure to buy a debt-free club," he said, adding that "Rangers are in a much-improved position". Rangers made an operating loss of �£11.74m last year after the team crashed out of the Champions League in 2008 by losing a qualifying match to Lithuanian side Kaunas, denying the club a minimum �£10m windfall from the group stages of the competition. But management have turned round their operations so that debt will be reduced and the club will be able to make a profit this year and probably next. Murray unveiled a financial restructuring of his Murray International Holdings empire yesterday but said it would not involve Rangers, which will remain separate from the group. In accounts for the 18-month period to last June he said he remained "completely committed to finding an appropriate investor to secure the future development and stewardship of the club". Ellis is the only interested party who has been confirmed as in talks with Rangers, through a Stock Exchange announcement. There have been other hints of interest, mainly through the media, from businessman Douglas Park, South Africa-based Rangers director Dave King, and an underwritten Supporters Trust buy-out, but Ellis remains the main player. Earlier this week it was revealed that Rangers are subject of an on-going HM Revenue and Customs inquiry into the club's tax affairs. Commenting on the investigation, Murray said he had received legal advice that the club would put up a defence against claims that it used offshore accounts to pay its players. "We have a strong case according to our lawyers and will robustly defend it," said the 58-year-old. He said the tax arrangements had been in the club's accounts for many years. http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/David-Murray-eyes-Rangers-sale.6264080.jp

Since he came back, some of Walter's signings, match tactics and team selections have been nothing short of awful. Who will forget Kaunas? At times he's thoroughly deserved the criticism he's been given. And yet the old bugger seems to have confounded his critics, myself included, by welding together something we haven't seen at Ibrox for many a long day - a team, a genuine Rangers team. He's turned dorks like Lee McCulloch and Steven Whittaker into players who regularly contribute to winning game after game. Fukk me, he's nearly turned Kenny Miller into a footballer. But more than anything else, he's done what every good Rangers manager has to do, he has totally dominated celtic. He's got them in total disarray, destroyed their self-belief, reduced them to howling in the wind like the dogs they are. I don't know how he does it but he's done it twice now and that requires recognition and credit. I think it's something to do with him being truly committed to the cause, just like the rest of us. In times to come, I think I'll look back on this time and remember that Walter Smith gave us back our pride. If this is to be his last season then his is starting to look like an important chapter in the story of Rangers.

RANGERS chairman Alastair Johnston believes the remaining 13 games of the SPL campaign hold the key to the Ibrox club securing a healthier, long-term financial future. Speaking as Rangers published half-yearly accounts which reveal an operating profit of �£13.1 million for the six months to 31 December 2009, Johnston admitted the value of Champions League qualification cannot be overstated in addressing the prospects of reducing his club's �£31million debt and attracting new ownership and investment. The Scottish champions' interim figures also showed a turnover of �£37.8million, directly attributable to their participation in the group stage of European football's elite club competition this season. Twelve months earlier, on the back of elimination from the Champions League in the second qualifying round by Lithuanian side Kaunas, Rangers posted a loss of almost �£9million and turnover of just �£20.1million. The contrast is startling and illuminates Rangers' need to retain their domestic title this season. With Scotland's Uefa co-efficient ranking in freefall, it is likely to be the last year for some time the SPL champions will qualify directly for the lucrative group phase of the Champions League. Rangers, who squeezed into the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup last night with a 1-0 win over St Mirren, are ten points ahead of Celtic at the top of the SPL with 13 games to play, leaving them on course for a championship success which would underpin Johnston's quest to steer his club out of their current fiscal storm. "The main thing for us at the moment is the short term and focusing on matters on the field," Johnston told The Scotsman last night. "The next ten weeks will impact significantly on how we aspire to make progress for the club. "The figures we are announcing today are pleasing and they show just how crucial it is to be in the Champions League. We have to sound a note of caution, because we still face many challenges, but clearly getting into the Champions League again would be of significant benefit." Johnston succeeded Sir David Murray as Rangers chairman last August during a period of turmoil for the club as their finances came under intense scrutiny from Lloyds TSB. While he concedes the bank's ongoing involvement in the club's affairs is "not desirable", Johnston sought to ease concern among supporters as he insisted it is currently to Rangers' benefit. "Looking back to August, when Lloyds TSB were taking a more than unusual interest in Rangers, we have to be satisfied with where we are now," he added. "We were successful in persuading them that their immediate reaction, which was to look to downsize the club, was impractical and particularly unwise in terms of maintaining the club's value. "We reached an agreement with them which is not ideal for either party but is practical in the circumstances. In no way would I criticise the fans who are entitled to voice their opinions. But as far as our relationship with Lloyds goes, it is working. We need them at this point in time. Murray (International Holdings) are not going to put any more money into the club, so we need the bank. They have been left holding the baby after the economic crisis hit Murray. The bank are our stop-gap measure." Donald Muir, the corporate troubleshooter appointed to the board to oversee the club's financial restructuring, has become the focal point of protests from Rangers supporters, but Johnston called for understanding of his fellow director's position. "To say Donald Muir is conflicted may be overstating it, but he is wearing two hats," said Johnston. "He is a non-executive director of Rangers and is expected to work within that role. He also represents the Murray group of companies, so in that role he is seeking to liquidate to Murray's advantage. "In terms of a possible new owner, there is activity, but it is like shadow boxing at the moment. I would hope something will happen sooner rather than later, but there has to be understanding and probably compromise. It will be challenging going forward and hopefully we can adjust the current business plan which was the subject of Walter Smith's ire recently, rightly so in my opinion." Smith had expressed his frustration at the restrictions placed on him in the transfer market where Rangers have now not paid money for a new player since August 2008. Johnston praised the veteran manager for his part in achieving ongoing success for Rangers despite those handicaps and is hopeful Smith and his assistants Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall will be in a position to agree new contracts this summer. "The guys know our position," he said. "Walter is at the stage of his career that whenever his time at Rangers does end, he will probably go and play golf. With Ally and Kenny, who are a bit younger, we are dealing with different scenarios. Walter is keeping an open mind at the moment. Whatever happens, history will show that Rangers were very fortunate to have him as manager during this period." Emerging from the January transfer window with the loss of only Pedro Mendes and Jerome Rothen was regarded as something of a bonus by Rangers but the club face further uncertainty at the end of the season when several players, including top scorer Kris Boyd, are out of contract. Boyd has decided to wait until the summer before making a decision on his future. "The offer to Kris Boyd remains on the table," said Johnston. "We hope he will stay but circumstances outwith our control, such as offers from English football, could persuade him to leave. We can't control the environment we are in when it comes to contract negotiations." KEY FIGURES TURNOVER �£37.8m Up by �£17.7m OPERATING PROFIT �£13.1m Up by �£17.0m OPERATING EXPENSES �£21.0m Down by �£3.6m http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Rangers-progress-in-cup-.6082665.jp

Smith offered a new three-year contract? Ever decreasing circles: Radical change of philosophy required at Ibrox Darryl Broadfoot Published on 30 Sep 2009 Rangers find themselves in a cycle of helplessness similar to that which has rendered Gordon Brown a phantom figurehead of a soon-to-be shadow government. After the Prime Minister failed to rally a fractious Labour Party at their annual conference in Brighton, the Scottish champions hardly delivered a confidence motion before their new leader, Alastair Johnston. It was not defeat to Sevilla but the manner in which it was inflicted that has highlighted Rangers’ inadequacies at Champions League level and, frankly, exposed the collective tedium that now threatens their more modest domestic ambitions. Rangers performed prettily but without any hint of penetration until Sevilla began perforating Allan McGregor’s resistance. In the clamour to accuse the novice Swedish referee, Jonas Eriksson, of costing Rangers a penalty and a chance of victory, the most pertinent observation was glossed over. Walter Smith, a manager in the midst of a battle of wills between the board and the bank, could not have been more damning on the limitations of his team. “Once we have to open up and play, that becomes a problem for us,” he said. It was a comment that provoked nary a splutter amid the debris of a 4-1 lashing but, in the final analysis, such brutal honesty has been lacking from the hierarchy throughout this period of financial and qualitative downsizing. Rangers, and Celtic for that matter, are now so far removed from Europe’s elite they might as well take their curious little rivalry to Kazakhstan. During Johnston’s inaugural speech, he spoke optimistically on the challenge of removing the club’s dependency on external financing – ie the overdraft facility agreed with HBOS/Lloyds – while ensuring the club’s readiness for football’s next big revolution. Such talk is wildly presumptuous for a team who have won just two of their last 17 European ties inside 90 minutes, against Werder Bremen and Sporting Lisbon. It is a record of achievement that, superficially at any rate, is akin to cannon fodder, yet this sequence somehow took Rangers to a UEFA Cup final. There remains a strong whiff of denial regarding Rangers’ health, both in finance and on the football field. Smith, for one, has had enough of the propaganda. It is understood that he has been offered a three-year extension that would keep him at Ibrox until retirement age by the board members who wish to be part of a new order at Ibrox. At the same time, the bank have steadfastly refused to entertain the idea of any significant contracts being awarded to strengthen the team. It is this anomaly that leaves Smith less than enthusiastic at the prospect of staying on long term. The 61-year-old had not intended hanging around this long but the misery of last season’s exit to FBK Kaunas and a sense of duty towards his assistants prompted him to stay for another season. Had Rangers not been in such a brittle state, he would have left having restored the championship to Ibrox. In good conscience, he refused to let Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall to take the strain of losing 11 players in the summer while being thrust in the middle of a political struggle between the board and the banks. It is, though, unwise to assume that Smith will accept a gentleman’s agreement to stay beyond January. He may be a man of honour and integrity, but he does not button up the back. On Tuesday night, Smith stopped just short of saying his team no longer have the capability to compete, in the purest sense, with any opposition at Champions League level, never mind the established heavyweights. It is a watershed moment for a club whose best hope of finding a buyer rests with Dave King sorting out his tax issues with the South African authorities. Rangers’ squad has stagnated through lack of competition. The malaise was apparent even before kick-off against Sevilla. While the Spaniards snapped the ball around purposely during a rigorous, high-intensity warm-up, Rangers players converged around a temporary goal to take shots at the goalkeepers. It was the closest they got to scoring. Unless a new buyer can be found within a year, the club must give serious consideration to a radical change of philosophy. Smith will not continue to work in ever-decreasing circles but that is precisely what will happen if the club cannot retain their title and return to the Champions League. The sale of Madjid Bougherra, who now stands head and shoulders above anyone else in the squad, seems inevitable next summer. There are familiar groans about Smith’s lack of faith in youth, not least for playing a full-strength team against Queen of the South, yet he has historically railed against such populist action, not least with Barry Ferguson and, at Everton, Wayne Rooney. If Rangers do not place a heavier emphasis on youth development, though, there will come a time when the viability of Murray Park must be seriously questioned. If the board cannot sanction investment for the manager, then they will need to look elsewhere for a manager who is prepared to promote youth at the expense of instant success. That in turn will require a lowering of expectation from the support and a dilution of Rangers’ kudos. The air of resentment around Ibrox at the mixed signals from their club is now conducive to such sobering reality. There is a feeling within Ibrox that winning the league was the worst thing to happen, since many of the problems off the field have simply been patched-up. The outcome of Sunday’s Old Firm derby will either remove some of the gloom in the short term or compound it if the club slip seven points behind their rivals less than two months into the season. Johnston’s flying visit having passed without a victory being achieved, it will be left to Martin Bain to deal with the day-to-day running of the club. The chief executive deserves his opportunity to emerge from the shadow of Sir David Murray. He knows he must act decisively and clinically to address Rangers’ deep-rooted problems or suffer the same fate as the puppet prime minister whose strings are about to be cut. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/ever-decreasing-circles-radical-change-of-philosophy-required-at-ibrox-1.923211

Earlier this week we had Lou Macari sounding off about the widening gap between the top clubs in England and Scotland. Personally, I am more concerned with our ability to compete in Europe and not just with our neighbours south of the border. However, with their recent dominance of the Champions League it is an ambitious aim to target a competitive challenge with the cream of the EPL. It was Celtic's 2-0 defeat at home to Arsenal that effectively knocked them out of the Champions League, with the second leg still to be played, that prompted Macari's concerns. Celtic's disappointing if not entirely unexpected result (they also lost at home to a mediocre Dynamo Moscow side) followed closely on the back of elimination for Motherwell and Falkirk from European competition and Aberdeen's 8 goal aggregate humiliation. With Scottish team's faltering badly in European competition this season, I was hopeful that Hearts could achieve a positive result to take back to Tynecastle and maybe progress against Dinamo Zagreb. A 4-0 reverse in Croatia has effectively ended Hearts European ambitions and in a not unfamiliar situation in recent years, it is again the collective shoulders of the Rangers squad upon whom Scottish hopes in Europe rest. Despite recent misinformation in the press from supposed experts such as Pat Nevin, whilst poor results will not almost certainly preclude SPL involvement in the CL group stages (Nevin overlooked the fact that the SPL winners would have to qualify through the Champions route and not the more difficult non-Champions route Celtic are currently failing to navigate this year), the Country’s co-efficient is obviously hugely important for future success for Scottish sides in Europe. With that in mind we must acknowledge the negative impact of Rangers dismal showing last year in falling at the first hurdle. Celtic, this year, are fortunate that restructuring of European competition means falling in the Champions League qualifiers will not lead to the end of their European adventures as they will likely drop down to Europe's second tier competition. Of course Kaunas was a disaster for Rangers. Financially, for our prestige and for morale within the club. But it was also a deflating result for Scottish football. However due to our other results across the five year period over which coefficients are calculated, we are effectively carrying the rest of Scottish football and can be afforded one poor season in five from the rest of the footballing fraternity in Scotland. In scouring Bert Kassie’s impressive website, his excellent collation of coefficient points gained over the years shows that Rangers have amassed over half (52%) the coefficient points currently counting towards Scotland’s 13th placed ranking. The 4 bonus points added to our coefficient for automatic Champions League entry already take us past the dismal number accrued last year but we will all be looking forward to picking up a few more as we challenge in Europe’s premier competition, hopefully extending our European adventure into the second half of the season. The importance of Rangers own ranking is already coming to the fore this season. With Atletico Madrid and Fiorentina taking the advantage in their opening legs of the final qualifying round, we could well find ourselves promoted to pot 2 for the main draw avoiding European giants such as Real Madrid and Inter Milan. This would in theory make qualification to the next round somewhat less perilous. When the draw for the Champions League group stages is made in Monaco next Thursday, we will all be tuned into the websites or Sky Sports News hoping for a plum draw. At the top of many fans wish lists will be the high profile clashes with an English Premier League side or Real Madrid or the away trip to one of Europe’s top tourist cities like Prague or Amsterdam. Whichever teams it throws up, it will be an unenviable challenge, German and Russian Champions comprise pot 4. It will, though, guarantee 6 tasty fixtures to whet the appetites of fans and players alike. Unlike the previous 5 seasons, Scottish football cannot continue to expect Rangers to carry the rest of the clubs and build the national ranking. Last year demonstrated how detrimental it can be if we suffer a poor season and so Scotland’s other sides must start to make more of a contribution. Out with the Old Firm; only Aberdeen in 07/08 and Hearts in 04/05 have made any kind of real contribution to the ranking of our league. We have managed to compete reasonably well without the support of our other member clubs and unfortunately, based on the thumping defeats handed out by mediocre sides I do not hold out much hope for that changing. Come the 27th I will be looking for a draw that combines prestige ties with a competitive group from which we can have aspirations of further European football. 1. http://www.xs4all.nl/~kassiesa/bert/uefa/data/method4/crank2009.html 2. http://www.xs4all.nl/~kassiesa/bert/uefa/data/method4/ccoef2009.html

Kaunas midfielder Marius Cinikas joins Hearts on loan as the Edinburgh club loan two young players to Livingston. More...

From the Telegraph.

PEDRO MENDES rejected a return to the Premier League in the last transfer window to focus on winning a title medal with Rangers. Now the dream of ending a five-year wait to return to the Champions League will keep the Portuguese playmaker at Ibrox. Mendes is getting a reminder of life in England's top-flight as Rangers take on Arsenal, Manchester City and former club Portsmouth in glamour pre-season games. But it's the chance to get back among Europe's elite which is driving the midfield star this summer. Mendes sparkled at The Emirates Cup in London at the weekend, but he insists he's in no rush for a permanent return south. He said: "The transfer window is still open, but I'm really pleased to be here at Rangers. "I'm happy with the way I have been treated by the club and really happy to still be here. "Yes, we have to get through August until the deadline is over and, in that time, anything can happen. "People can come in, people can move out - but these are decisions for the chairman and the manager to make. "I remember in January there was a lot of speculation because of the financial situation at the club. "People said we would have to lose players - but I said then I wanted to stay. "That was because I believed that I could be a champion with Rangers and that is what happened. "Now we have a big season ahead of us. We have a title to defend and we have the Champions League to look forward to. "I don't think my attitude has changed too much since January. It also helps when the fans are on your side. "It's always good as a player when you feel the fans are behind you. It reflects the effort you put into the team for them. "When things are going well it's great but, when things go wrong, there is another side to it and you need to be prepared for that. "The most important thing for me is I feel good at the club and my family is settled in Glasgow." Mendes has yet to play a European match for Gers after arriving in the aftermath of last season's disaster against FBK Kaunas. Advertisement His last experience of Euro action was winning the 2004 Champions League with Porto. He got a reminder of that contest when he faced a Paris St Germain side including Jerome Rothen and Ludovic Giuly - who were in the Monaco side which lost to Jose Mourinho's aces. But Gers were given a stark warning about the scale of the task they face in this season's Champions League when they were hammered 3-0 by classy Arsenal on Sunday. Mendes knows it will be tough and isn't expecting to repeat the heroics of Porto. But he remains eager to test himself against the best - and sample his first-ever Euro night at Ibrox. He added: "When I joined it was just after the team had lost in the Champions League qualifiers, so I have not had the chance to play in Europe with Rangers yet. ''It's something I'm looking forward to. In fact, the last time I played in Europe was in the Champions League Final for Porto against Monaco in 2004. "They had Rothen and Giuly as well as Dado Prso and Fernando Morientes. But we managed to win. "It's been a long time to wait for me personally and I'm looking forward to experiencing it again. "People keep telling me how special the atmosphere is at Ibrox on a big European night and I want to taste it for myself. The Champions League is something a little bit special for the fans and the players. "It's a break from the pressure of the SPL and it will be good for everyone at Ibrox." Rangers manager Walter Smith has made several changes since the last Champions League group campaign two seasons ago. He has added the likes of Madjid Bougherra, Steve Davis, Kyle Lafferty and Mendes to the squad. And the Portuguese cap believes the return to fitness of midfield sidekick Kevin Thomson will be like a new signing. Mendes added: "When Thommo got injured last season he was having his best spell. He was playing some terrific stuff at that time. "Hopefully his confidence will now come back. It can take some time to build that up again after such a long time out. "It will be great for Rangers to get him back as the player he was before the injury, or maybe even better." Smith pitched Mendes, Thomson and Davis into a new-look three-man midfield for part of The Emirates Cup. And Mendes reckons it was a worthwhile experiment as the SPL champions plot the title defence and prepare for a tilt at Europe. He said: "The 4-3-3 system gives us a little more space to play and it's great for me and Davo to have a more defensive midfield player behind us. "That gives us more freedom to get forward." http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2569471/I-cherish-those-big-nights-in-Europe.html

WALTER SMITH has bluntly warned Rangers fans not to expect any new signings to replace Barry Ferguson. The 31-year-old completed his �£1m move to Premiership new boys Birmingham City on Friday, freeing up some �£25,000 a week in wages, but Smith confirmed last night that the Ibrox club are still in no position to bring in a replacement. "We'll not be bringing anybody in as it stands at the present moment," Smith said. "The transfer doesn't allow us anything like that. The chairman has spoken about the financial aspect. It's just something we have to adjust to. We've said we'd have to sell players before we can buy so we have to wait until a situation arises before we can make any judgment on bringing anyone in." One such eventuality which could free up funds for the Rangers manager would be a sizeable bid from either Bordeaux or Wigan Athletic for Madjid Bougherra, but despite fevered speculation in certain newspapers, Smith has heard nothing. "No-one has been in touch with us about Bougherra," Smith said. "I've seen a denial from their president, and I've seen another paper quoting him as being interested, so even he doesn't seem to know. But no-one has talked to us, which would normally be the first port of call." Ferguson's return to the Premiership four years after he left Blackburn for Govan is as neat a resolution as possible to the conundrum caused by the "boozegate" row and the final 12 months of the player's contract. Smith admitted last night his departure was the "best thing" for everybody, and tipped the player to be a success south of the border. "I think it is the best thing for both parties, taking into consideration everything that happened last season plus the fact he's coming into the last season of his contract anyway," Smith said. "He's a good player though, of course he'll do well. He's had the experience already although the last time he went to Blackburn he was hampered by a serious injury. But that shouldn't hide the fact he did well down there, anyone who saw him play at that time will tell you that. It's not another world of football. He's a good player and he can go and play in it." Who knows, maybe new signings are overrated in any case. With Celtic having already spent �£3.8m on Marc-Antoine Fortune, Smith would no doubt prefer to have a massive transfer kitty at his disposal this summer, but the Rangers manager still managed to speak convincingly of his hopes that the sense of continuity and new-found confidence around the younger members of his squad after last season's SPL title win can help them hit the ground running. Wheeling and dealing did Rangers few favours last season as they crashed out of Europe to Kaunas. "We have a younger group - Steven Whittaker and Kevin Thomson are typical of them - who are starting to meet the demands of playing," Smith said. "They are starting now to gain the necessary experience to impose themselves in games and I am hoping that can happen with a number of the younger ones like Kyle Lafferty and Steven Naismith. They have won a championship there and we have not lost a lot of players who played in that group last year. I would hope with the better level of experience that will help them greatly." The same sense of evolution rather than revolution applies to the even younger elements of the team, namely John Fleck, who Smith feels has made further progress since last season. "I would hope that John Fleck would step a little bit further forward," he said. "We are still talking about a young lad, but he got a bit of experience last season and like the rest of them I am hoping he can gain a bit of confidence from that. So although we might not have new players at the start of the season I think we have certainly got a group who will look forward to starting the season and hope that quite a number of them are coming into what I would look upon as the best spells of their careers." Having said all this, whoever picked Rangers' first home opponents of the pre-season clearly does a wicked line in black humour. Manchester City will arrive at Ibrox in early August having lavished �£85m of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan's money on a combination of Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz, Gareth Barry and Emmanuel Adebayor, with millions more on the table for Joleon Lescott or even John Terry. "They may have two or three other signings by the time we play," Smith says, only half-joking. While the collapse of the Setanta deal, and stillbirth of the Old Firm TV plan didn't do Rangers' finances much good, Manchester City's wealth is above and beyond such mundane matters. "This goes beyond TV money in England," Smith said. "This is about wealthy individuals putting money in and the Premiership giving them the profile they want. They're obviously buying an awful lot of players and having a push at breaking into England's top four clubs. It'll be interesting to see how that goes. If you look at the clubs at that level just now, they're all solid enough clubs, there's a steadiness about them. "Mark Hughes did exceptionally well at Blackburn but people need to have the patience to allow a team to settle in," he added. "It's okay to buy a number of players, as he will do between now and the end of August, but they have to have time to gel and become a team. I think we will see them pushing to get into the top four - whether they get there or not is another thing. I think we might end up with five teams at the top. It's not quite as easy as saying We'll spend a lot of money and get there' but football has shown that if teams are well run and spend a lot of money, then they'll get a level of success." While Manchester City are collecting players, Rangers can't get rid of them quickly enough. Ferguson's departure, coupled with those of Brahim Hemdani and Christian Dailly may have freed up a total of �£50,000 a week, but with Charlie Adam prevaricating over a proposed move to Blackpool, the club are still three or four players heavy to reach the chairman's stated target of a slimline 20-strong first team pool plus youngsters. Having benefited from their depth of squad at the tail end of the previous campaign, Smith hopes that he won't be left too light when the injuries and suspensions kick in. So will the squad be big enough? "It depends how many leave," Smith says. For the moment at least, the player movement at Rangers will remain one-way traffic. http://www.sundayherald.com/sport/shfootball/display.var.2520783.0.0.php

A summer of discontent: As I whiled away the close season this weekend watching a rather uneventful stage 9 of the Tour de France, my brother exclaimed “I bloody hate the BBC, they never have any news about Rangers” whilst perusing their website. It is a complaint familiar to any Rangers fan reading through the numerous popular bluenose forums available to choose from in cyberspace. Almost as soon as Nacho’s stunning Cup Final goal secured the double, the achievements have been forgotten and Rangers have hardly graced the back pages since. The Scottish sports pages have been dominated firstly by Celtic’s embarrassing manager chase as we were told they secured their first choice man, after openly courting several other targets, and secondly by Mowbray’s attempts to rebuild a failing side. The lack of activity at Murray Park, at least as reported in the press, has many bears worried that we will not press home any advantage gained by last season’s double winning exploits and automatic Champions League qualification. One bear at least is not worried, at least not yet. The greater professionalism in not conducting all our business in public that Smith appears to have returned to the club, whilst perhaps frustrating to fans suffering through a quiet close season and eager for rumours, is reminiscent of the experienced manager’s first dominant stint in Govan. It is also worth noting that the need to strengthen the squad is not as pressing as it was last season, nor indeed as pressing as it is for Celtic. The Kaunas debacle and the refusal to splash the cash until it was too late have no doubt led to the current state of concern pervading through the support. For reasons never fully elucidated, we did not stump up the money for Davis nor other summer signings in time for the Champions' League qualifiers and the repercussions of that miscalculation will be felt for seasonss to come, on the bank balance, on the field and in European rankings. Thus, it is understandable that some fans are anxious over an apparent lack of activity in the transfer market. This concern is only heightened by the fact that Celtic have already brought in former Dundee United goalkeeper Zaluska and striker Fortune from Nancy. However, as previously alluded to, Celtic’s need is greater. They have the Champions League qualifiers to navigate - more perilous than ever under the current format - where they could get past the likes of Arsenal or Lyon to join us at Europe’s top table. Their qualifying campaign begins on the 28th of July and they will be eager to avoid the same fate we succumbed to last season. By contrast, our season does not begin until the 15th of August. We can afford to take our time in the transfer market. We do not need to rush into transfers. The transfer door only opened at the start of this month and there is still a long way to go before the competitive action begins for Smith's squad. Of course our reluctance to dive into the transfer market as of yet will also have been dictated by a meagre transfer budget and a need to get rid of the dead wood. Players we would like to see leave or who are out of favour with the manager will need to be moved on before we can bring anyone in. Ferguson, McCulloch and Adam are on decent wages and could bring in vital transfer funds. However Smith needs to trim the squad and the wage bill to keep our finances at a manageable level and so no one will likely come in before transfers out are secured. We are in need of a left midfielder who can cement a first team spot and a centre back to challenge Weir and Bougherra. We should not, however, be panicking and agonising over our lack of transfer dealing merely because our nearest challengers have already made moves to strengthen their team. Do not misunderstand that statement. I am not advocating any kind of downsizing by the hierarchy, or imagining we can afford to stand still. I am merely attempting to remind those frustrated by a lack of Rangers news in the gutter press that League success and automatic Champions League entry has given us a bit of breathing room this summer. We do not have to dive into transfers that may or may not prove shrewd business at the start of the transfer window. We have bought ourselves time and can afford to be patient in our business dealings. The excessive press coverage from the East End demonstrates the state of affairs over at Parkhead. The fawning on the BBC website of a routine victory over a poor Australian side was particularly embarrassing. The vanquished foes, Brisbane Roar, also fell to defeat against a Japanese Youth team earlier in their pre-season. Don’t let the summer heat aggravate you, nor the media’s reluctance to report on the Scottish Champions. Sit back with a nice cold drink and enjoy the upheaval over at Parkhead whilst Rangers again go about their business quietly. Look through the official site and the photos of the players returning for pre-season training and the fantastic shape in which the likes of Novo, Whittaker and Adam have returned to the club. Trust in Walter in spite of the silence emanating from the club. Remember the quiet, self-assured way the club conducted business prior to securing the SPL title at Tannadice and in his previous tenure at the club, whilst Celtic continue their public grandstanding much as they did prior to bottling the title fight this season. Thank the Lord Martin Bain isn't making crazy claims that Allan McGregor is the 'best goalkeeper in Europe'. Peter Lawwell certainly has had his share of XXXX this week! To conclude, there is still a lot to be decided this summer in the transfer market and the time to worry over the state of the squad for next season has not yet arrived. http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=807&Itemid=1

Sunday mail: The thought of leaving Rangers after our double win did cross my mind, says Walter Smith IBROX lies silent. It's the calm after - and before - the storm. Not an echo of the euphoria that filled it six weeks ago, not a hint of the elation to come in another six weeks when the flag runs up the pole. The Blue Room at the top of the marble staircase lies dormant, set up for a wedding. Through the door, though? In a oak-panelled office reeking of history and basking in sunshine, Walter Smith is looking like a man who is still enjoying his second honeymoon. And nothing like a man many thought would have walked off into the sunset on May 31 as either a Double-winner or two-time title loser. Relaxed, tanned, rested ... and ready. In his first interview since winning the SPL and Scottish Cup in his second full season back, Smith reveals the idea of walking away at the top DID cross his mind. But deep down the 61-year-old knew his time wasn't up - and he didn't want to leave the staff he brought with him in the lurch. Despite the heart-attack high of Gers' last-day victory - and seven titles from his first spell as boss - he will walk back through the doors of Murray Park on Thursday hungry to do it all over again. Walter admitted: "When you get over the 60 mark it's a relevant question, whether or not you walk. Yes, it crosses your mind. "But I would have been more likely to leave after losing. What kind of person walks because of an image? That you want to be SEEN to be going out at the top? I don't have that kind of ego. "If I turn round and say I'm off? They will say: 'Great, you've reached a European final and won four trophies in two-and-a-half years. Thanks.' And that's it. "What does that mean to me in the end? I'm here for a challenge. "I know what it feels like when your time is up. It happened when I was here for seven years and it was time for a change. A team completely died. "I won't manage for seven years now but when is the time to go? It will be when I feel I don't have as much to offer - or when my team's not good enough and I take responsibility. That's not now." Smith's moral compass was also pointing him back towards work. He has absolute faith that the legacy he has put in place in the Rangers dugout, Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall, would cope in his absence. But with Rangers still struggling financially Walter doesn't want to throw his sidekicks straight into a firefight without big enough guns. He said: "If I walked out I would feel as though I was leaving other people with a problem. And I have to be fair to my staff. "Ally, Kenny, Jim Stewart, Adam Owen and Pip Yeats make up a great staff. "If I leave - and I stress this isn't my decision - I would like to think the chairman would consider Ally taking over. But in the circumstances it would feel like I was leaving them with issues. "It's not just that though. When I returned people were saying: 'You won nine-in-a-row so why would you come back?' "The simple answer is people in football want to achieve. It was a challenge - and one I feel we have met." It's also one that he will instantly have to meet again - or face exactly the same Groundhog Day grilling about his future. Smith shrugged: "That's the Old Firm. You can win every year but then you have to do it again the following year. "All the managers I know have a competitive spirit - that keeps us going. If it's golf, or whatever, you want to win. "You need to have goals. If you lose that as you get older, fine, but I still have it. "Davie Weir once made a great point. If he makes a mistake now people say it is because he's 38 or 39. But Davie made the same mistakes at 28 or 29. What was it then? "It's the same for me - it doesn't just switch off one day. You will get a feeling but that's not now." The change in Smith and Rangers from this time last year is tangible. After a 68-game season and a break of less than a month he saw the black cloud sitting above his squad before the heavens opened on their darkest day in Kaunas. This time there isn't a cloud in sight. Nineteen games fewer played, a six-week sabbatical and the walk-on-water lightness of step that graces a winner. Smith admitted: "It feels different. Last summer we knew how difficult it was going to be. Liverpool thrashed us in a friendly and we were lucky to beat Raith Rovers. "We weren't good enough. This year it's so different. The season ended on a high and we've had a break that feels like the kind you used to get 30 years ago." And Smith is desperate to harvest what he has sown - especially when the shoots were so visible at the end of the season. He said: "People say I never play kids but I've tried to get a solid base of young Scots to benefit the club. "That takes time. If you buy a seasoned professional they will settle at Rangers or Celtic. "But it's different for younger guys. Look at Steven Whittaker. In my mind he was our most consistent player from January. "But previously he struggled dealing with the demands of the crowd and everything else. "That's what you're up against. I read one pundit telling me Kyle Lafferty was a bad buy and six months later saying if I don't play him we won't win the league! "Kevin Thomson was starting to dictate games before his injury while Steven Naismith has been unlucky. "But he will still be a very good Rangers player. Maurice Edu came in and did so well. "We have a good base of young players. We won't have a big-name buy but this team can be successful. "This side is as capable, if not more so, than the Rangers team that played in the Champions League and UEFA Cup two years ago."

Fine article from Pete discussing the mistakes of last pre-season and how they should be rectified to minimise risk this year. http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=803&Itemid=1 As June slides into its final stages and the summer solstice has come and gone, most people look forward to their summer holidays. Meanwhile, as Britainâ��s airports reach fever pitch, football players are looking to return to training and the cogs of a new football season start to grind into action. As in the last few seasons Rangers will be heading to Germany for a training camp and three pre season friendlies. During last seasons visit to Germany two amateur teams managed to dominate Rangers for large spells of the game. In addition, the glamour game against Schalke saw us defending on our own 18 yard line for most of the game. The signs of football poverty were there for everyone to see. It would seem everyone that is, except the Rangers coaching staff. It was obvious to all we were crying out for midfield reinforcements but still Rangers stalled on buying Stevie Davis to save �£500,000. A decision that probably cost us �£10million in the long run, by missing out on the Champions' League and European football in general. Surely the reason for these pre-season games is not only to get match practice, but also to evaluate the development of the team. Newspapers, football forums and everyone who had the slightest piece of football knowledge, could see that Rangers were struggling to beat teams at amateur level. Then came the first leg of the Kaunas debacle. Still the signs that we were not equipped to even beat a so called pub team at home never got the alarm bells ringing. Only when we lost to Kaunus in Lithuania did the penny drop that we needed reinforcements. Closing the barn door after the horse had bolted springs to mind. It is of course easy to blame Walter Smith but we also have to ask ourselves in how much Walters hands were tied in spending any cash for players. Looking at it from a distance it looks like the club board had decided the risk of losing to Kaunas was minimal and saving money on transfer deals was worth risking the �£10million Champions' League cash. A decision that came back to haunt us. A decision that meant that Carlos Cuellor - arguably the best defender to play for Rangers in years - had to be sold to finance any new signings. This season, with the tour of Germany leading the way to a tournament at the Emirates where we meet Paris St Germain and Arsenal, followed by two friendlies against Manchester City and Portsmouth, there will be plenty of chances to assess our development. While knee-jerk reactions to bad games are no use to anyone, these games will offer up an insight to where our weak points are. Indeed, most Rangers fans will aleady agree we need to strengthen our defence (especially if Bougherra is lost to international duty during much of January) while left-midfield remains a priority. Of course, as it stands, finance is an issue so that is as good a reason as any to ensure the younger players (such as Wilson and Fleck) are given the chance to impress and develop in the close season. Our technical staff have to monitor this and act upon it if necessary. While advancing in the Champions' League would be financially fantastic, a more realistic run in the UEFA Cup should be achievable where we'd have to end at least third in the CL group. With the SPL television money uncertain we have to look to Europe to make our money. As such, if we do not strengthen then I feel we will be missing out on valuable income. The technical and management staff must use the close season to spot the weak spots and patch them up immediately. We cannot afford another such weak start to the season as last year. Our management have to read the signs and make certain of a Euro run and Euro money whilst consolidating our place as the SPL's best side. Gambling with money is a mug's game. Let's minimise the risk by making sure the team is ready immediately. :spl:

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

Co-efficient points from 2007/8 (Manchester) = 22.05 08/09 (Kaunas ) = 0.375 09/10 = 4.1332 Kaunas is by far and away our worst year (obviously) currently counting to our overall co-efficient and hence ranking for Euro competition. We've not even played in Europe this season and earned more points from automatic CL group entry. Need to have a reasonable run this year to try and offset Kaunas. This page shows the rankings for 2010, though subject to change dependant on results in this years competitions.

Christian Dailly will not "rule out completely" another season at Rangers but admits he may have to continue his career in England. Walter Smith brought the former Scotland player from West Ham on a free in January 2008 and used him intermittently as a utility player. The 35-year-old looked to have played his last game for Rangers as an 88th-minute substitute for Kyle Lafferty in the Homecoming Scottish Cup final win over Falkirk at Hampden, after which the Ibrox club confirmed they would not be offering him another contract. However, after completing the Men's Health Forum Scotland 10K race in Glasgow, Dailly revealed that is set to meet Smith next week. The former Dundee United, Derby and Blackburn player, who commuted from England during his time at Ibrox, admits that if he is not re-signed by Rangers, he would only consider clubs south of the border. "I spoke to Rangers at the end of the season and I have to go back and speak with the manager again," he said. "We said that after three or four weeks we would have a chat again so that's what we will do. "In an ideal world, I think the manager would like me to go back. "But I don't think a lot of those decisions will be in his hands because obviously it looks like there will be a lot of financial restrictions at the club. "I've not bothered with anything else because I wanted to turn the phone off for three weeks to relax and I'm still within that period. "But next week I will be able to get something sorted out for next season. "So I wouldn't rule it out completely but I think it is probably unlikely." He added: "I am still keen to play, I love my job and I am fit enough to do it. "I live down south so I'm restricted. "Rangers were great, they are an unbelievable club. "I was able to fly up and down, they gave me a flat and it worked really well. "It was easier than being at Southampton on loan, when I was driving four or five hours each day to get there and back, which is a bit daft at times. "The manager trusted me to train at Rangers and I had an understanding with him that I wouldn't chap on his door expecting to play all the time. "I was there in case I was needed. "But there is no reason why, if you have the knowledge and train clever, that you can't do keep on playing." If Dailly has played his last game for Rangers, he admits that his cameo appearance at Hampden as striker, the position in which he started out his career at Dundee United, would be a good way in which to end his association with the Light Blues. He said: "I went up front when I came on and it was great. "I just went straight back in to striker's mode and I understood it completely. "There were a few games where the manager was going to do that then decided not to bother but he did it in the cup final. "I probably should have scored, I nearly set one up and I got booked, so it was quite an eventful last few minutes. "I'm so lucky to have been part of a club that size and I really enjoyed my time there. "I was there about 16 months in total and we were in five cup finals, one of them the UEFA Cup final, and two SPL championships went to the last day. "So, other than the disappointment of going out of Europe against Kaunas, the whole thing has been a great rollercoaster ride." :box: Feck right aff Dailly!

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

WHEN Martin O'Neill's Celtic team flogged the title on the last day at Fir Park four years ago, his players should have been put in front of a firing squad before they made it to the showers. Think about it. A team that could count on the quality of Chris Sutton, John Hartson and Craig Bellamy was asked to beat Motherwell to win the Championship and they folded. Unforgiveable. The same will apply to Walter Smith's Rangers players if they blow it on Tayside this afternoon. As the hysteria of Helicopter Sunday mounts, there has been some junk written of the task facing the league leaders. Rangers haven't won at Tannadice in three years, we are told. Dundee United will die for the single point they need to clinch a European place, we are warned. Gordon Strachan You would think that Smith's side were facing Manchester United. The league table tells a different story. United lie a massive 30 points behind Rangers! Of 18 home games this season, the Tangerines have won just seven. The reason for that? Craig Levein's players aren't as good as those who will run out for Smith today. End of story. Nor are they used to the pressure that comes with the Old Firm territory. Of the four title medals I picked up, three were won on the last day. Nothing concentrates the mind more than the fear of losing. It's a way of life in Glasgow, a psyche that breeds the mental strength required to survive at our two biggest clubs. One that should see Rangers over the finishing line after an astonishing comeback. Every time the Celtic boss checked his rear view mirror the Rangers boss was there Whatever the outcome, Smith has outmanaged Gordon Strachan this season. While Strachan drove his side to glory with a seven-win sprint finish last year, Smith has guided Gers into the box seat against all the odds this season. When the embarrassment of Rangers' Champions League exit to Kaunas was followed by the departure of Carlos Cuellar to Aston Villa, you'd have got long odds on them being in the mix this morning. Remember, they were already without long-term injury victim Barry Ferguson at that time. And there was more pain for Rangers punters to swallow. While Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell was sanctioning a January deal for Steven Fletcher that would have run to �£4million, Sir David Murray was trying to flog Kris Boyd on eBay. Murray's humiliating admission that the bank was now calling the shots must have had the Celtic board purring. Throw in the seven-point lead the champions had at the time and Dermot Desmond's gang had Rangers in their pocket. Or so they thought. What a misjudgement. While Hoops punters started to dream of another nine-in-a-row, Smith set about the unlikely task of closing the gap. On and off the pitch he has had his work cut out. The lack of brains in his dressing room saw to that. Boyd was first to feel Smith's toe up his backside when the striker was booted out of Murray Park. Since then the player has been terrific. More firefighting was required when Ferguson and Allan McGregor hit the headlines at Loch Lomond while on Scotland duty. Smith could have ducked it but put the title and his job on the line by suspending them. Throughout the crisis management Smith continued to stalk Strachan. Every time the Celtic boss checked his rear view mirror the Rangers boss was there hoping for a slip - and boy, have Celtic obliged. Just two away wins this side of the New Year has seen Celtic lose their earlier authority. Last weekend's tame surrender of two points at Easter Road was symptomatic of a team that has lost its way. Celtic may well beat Hearts today, but they should never have been in the position of needing a favour from Dundee United in the first place. Meanwhile, Smith and his players head for Tannadice and the most difficult step of them all. There can be no excuse for failure. Time surely for critics of the SPL split to dry their eyes. Sure, it's not perfect and yes, ideally teams should play the same number of times home and away. But for a league of dubious quality, Hitchcock couldn't have scripted a more dramatic end to the season this weekend. Agree? Disagree? Scroll down to leave your comments As Kilmarnock's Billy Brown backs Gordon Strachan and Ally McCoist's endorsement of the format, who has come up with a better idea? To be fair, wee Jim McLean's favoured 16-team set-up still has supporters. Most of them already sectioned under the Mental Health Act! http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/scottish/scottish_sport/322276/DAVIE-PROVAN-Celtic-should-never-have-needed-a-title-favour.html

Midfielder Saulius Mikoliunas could be set to return to Kaunas after failing to agree contract terms with Hearts. More...

http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=779&Itemid=2 First off, Iââ?¬â?¢d like to say I think it is too early for anyone to make their choice of the names Rangers have short-listed. However, I think their list is accurate enough (if too long) so before you make your vote, lets have a look through and see if the names mentioned are justified. * Kris Boyd There has been some surprise with regard to the strikerââ?¬â?¢s inclusion on the list. His recent form and general demeanour means Boyd will always be an enigmatic figure amongst the support. Arguments will always be evident between those that accept his poacher status and those that think his attitude detracts from his penalty box prowess. Thereââ?¬â?¢s no doubt though that his goals remain an important part of the Rangers team. As such, his 24 goals this season mean his PotY nomination is understandable ââ?¬â?? even if the goals have dried of late meaning heââ?¬â?¢s unlikely to win the award unless his form picks up dramatically as the season reaches its climax. Nominee rating: 6 * Steven Davis An ever-present on the right side of midfield, the Ulsterman is another player who has contributed well to Rangersââ?¬â?¢ challenge for the title. Intelligence, vision and the ability to score goals from midfield are his main virtues and these have been evident several times this season. However, as with the team generally, he lacks consistency and is often posted missing when the going gets tough ââ?¬â?? particularly in a physical sense. Davis will be another player whoââ?¬â?¢ll be looking to improve his form to have any chance of winning. Nominee rating: 7 * Pedro Mendes If you ask any Rangers fan who their favourite player is, the Portuguese midfielder will be one of the more popular answers. Creative, exciting and capable of scoring wonder goals, Mendes is crucial to any Rangers game heââ?¬â?¢s played. In saying that, since Kevin Thomson picked up his injury last November, Mendes has struggled to show the quality he did in the early part of the season. Sporadic rather than sensational arguably best describes his contribution but when he did pick up an injury last month he was missed. Will he be the one that can play Rangers to the title and attain an SPL medal and PotY award in his debut season? Nominee rating: 6 * Allan McGregor I think it is fair to say that McGregorââ?¬â?¢s inclusion on the short-list is puzzling to many. His form has improved since the start of the season but despite having 12 SPL clean sheets so far, Iââ?¬â?¢d contend that is down to the players in front of him as opposed to the keeper himself. Nonetheless, McGregor remains a vital part of the defence and one of the teamââ?¬â?¢s best assets. Unfortunately, recent international problems have shown that he is another player where his attitude may undermine his career. Nominee rating: 5 * David Weir It is testament to the 38 year oldââ?¬â?¢s longevity that Rangers retain the best defensive record in the SPL. Forming an excellent partnership with Madjid Bougherra, the Scotland international player deserves a lot of credit for his attitude towards the game. His lack of pace and poor distribution are well documented but it is his positioning, timing and organisational skills which seems to bring out the best in his defensive colleagues. Weir is 39 in the middle of May and his consistency of performance certainly makes him a valid candidate for Rangersââ?¬â?¢ PotY. Nominee rating: 7 * Madjid Bougherra Iââ?¬â?¢ve deliberately left whom I feel is the best candidate to last. The big Algerian arrived in the summer as a straight replacement for Carlos Cuellar and, given our European exit to Kaunas, was immediately under pressure to play well. And play well he has done! Indeed, his form has been that good that many Rangers supporters have already forgotten about ââ?¬Ë?King Carlosââ?¬â?¢ and some even rate ââ?¬Ë?Magicââ?¬â?¢ a better player. Certainly whenever he has been missing from the team (see our two losses against Celtic) we have struggled with him. Pacy, strong, aerially competent and not to mention his exciting forward runs, Bougherra has truly been a revelation at the back. As such, unless the above players really go on a run of excellent form, I can see no better contender for Rangersââ?¬â?¢ Player of the Year. Nominee rating: 9