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IT didn't feel good to talk, or write, about Scottish football last season because the game turned ugly. That's why my biggest wish for the championship that's about to begin this weekend is that sanity is restored to the game. And Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist have a heavy responsibility in that department because the Old Firm managers must set impeccable standards of behaviour. They're relatively new to management and the demands on them are incredibly high but they're experienced enough in the ways of the game to understand what I'm about to say. The pair of them have a duty to their clubs and their fans to make sure there's no repeat of the tangle that brought them together at Celtic Park and helped prompt a Scottish Parliamentary inquiry into a rivalry gone wrong. We've got to get back to talking about football and not fall-outs. The two of them were out of order when they let the tension of a Scottish Cup replay get the better of them and provided TV footage that was repeated over and over again because of its shocking content. They can't go there again. We want battles on the park and a realisation that managers can't get involved with each other. Concentrate on your own team and never mind looking at the other dug-out. Set an example for everyone's sake. I don't want to hear any more about referees, either, but I would like to be able to comment on improved standards from teams such as Hibs and Aberdeen who fell beneath the standards they expect of themselves last season. I was at Firhill on Saturday to see Celtic play Partick Thistle and was impressed by the size of the support that went to see what was basically the Hoops' Under-19 squad. These people have now got to be rewarded by the first team who threw away a league title last May. And that means starting with a win of any description at Easter Road next Sunday and following that up with home performances that are more convincing than they were last time out. Draws at home drained vital points from Celtic's championship challenge and their own ground has got to be made into a fortress. Three draws in a row against Inverness Caley Thistle, Dundee United and Kilmarnock were costly and so was the loss of the first Old Firm derby at Celtic Park. The need is to be more consistent because there's no doubt Celtic have a squad that's better than the one Rangers possess and one that's capable of winning the title. What they don't have, however, is Rangers' ability to dig in and grind out results. Ally has a side that had a better fighting mentality than Celtic last season, which is strange since Neil's as combative a character as you'll find in any dug-out. He was a battler as a player and so were his assistants, Johan Mjallby and Alan Thompson. Strength But on the night that Celtic lost to Caley Thistle, Rangers saw a lifeline and grabbed it with both hands to make it three in a row. My impression now is that Celtic have enough players to pick two first teams. Adam Matthews, Kelvin Wilson and Victor Wanyama won't be automatic choices but they help provide a greater strength in depth than Rangers have. Neil will be a better manager for everything he went through last season - and I'm not talking about bombs and bullets. He'll know he can run a football team and will be more comfortable in every aspect of the job now that the initial nerves have passed. But he won't want to lose another title. The eyes of the Celtic fans are now upon their team, and the eyes of the world are now staring at Scottish football. There can be no failure to respond. There must be better than has gone before. http://blogs.dailyrecord.co.uk/murdomacleod/2011/07/put-end-to-ugly-side-of-spl.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheDailyRecord%2FMurdoMacleod+%28The+Daily+Record+-+Murdo+Macleod%29

In the Franz Kafka novel The Trial, a man is prosecuted by an obscure authority that fails to state his crime. I havenââ?¬â?¢t read it since my Existentialist teenage years, but memory is of a bizarre, claustrophobic fiction showing the evils of faceless bureaucracy. Of-course I would be hysterical if I said this was in any way modern Scotland. We are still part of a wonderfully free society that should make us proud. But we are still not past condemning others with labels ââ?¬â?? with no thought given to what that label actually means. We now habitually call others ââ?¬Å?Sectarianââ?¬Â without telling them what they have done wrong and then refusing any defence. Labelling someone ââ?¬Å?sectarianââ?¬Â is the new fashion, yet most assume their personal definition of sectarianism is the actual definition. The truth is that there is no agreed definition, and that is a major part of the problem. And donââ?¬â?¢t assume that those in authority are even aware of this. When people like Margo MacDonald MSP say the difference between Hearts/Hibs fans and Rangers/Celtic fans is that you will never see a family who supports both Old Firm teams, is to become aware that those making the decisions are sometimes scarily ignorant. This ignorance and reliance on ââ?¬Å?Groupthinkââ?¬Â can lead to a state where myth and lies becomes accepted as truth. The majority take the path of least resistance and rely on shallow statements and surface details, and never thinking of scratching below the surface. Over the past six months this has led to Politicians, Police and anti-Sectarian organisations so determined to stamp out sectarianism that they will flatly refuse to tell us what it is, or participate in any project to ease discrimination in society. Itââ?¬â?¢s all slogans. In fact there is so little action to ease sectarian discrimination in Politics, Law, the Media, Housing and Employment that you could say no-one believes it exists in these fields. Instead, the sole focus is on singing songs. Yes, the great fight of sectarianism that has so many people outraged is of a few football fans. When First Minister Alex Salmond wants to publicise an anti-sectarian initiative he goes to a football stadium. I am sure many readers will know of FARE (Football against Racism in Europe) who in their determination to stop Sectarian chanting from Rangers fans refuse to tell Rangers fans what is sectarian. (A cynic might think they are uninterested in preventing sectarianism so Rangers can be punished again.) What would happen if Scotland fans were accused of racism by FARE and UEFA punished the SFA without telling anyone what was said? There would be uproar among the SFA, Media and Parliament. The reason why this hasnââ?¬â?¢t happened in Rangersââ?¬â?¢ case is that most in the aforementioned chattering classes are enjoying it. Itââ?¬â?¢s human nature that we accept accusations against those we dislike without much care. The Rangers FC must take some of the blame for not stamping out certain songs among some Rangers fans quicker, and for being weak in not defending the vast majority of the overwhelmingly decent supporters from attacks by obsessed pro-IRA supporting ââ?¬Å?journalistsââ?¬Â, who spend their existence on blogs and twitter making all the worlds ills the fault of a Glasgow football team. Deranged bloggers and murky UEFA bodies aside, we should expect different standards from our political class and Police. How is it possible that Central Police publicly state in a recent match between a Rangers XI and Stirling Albion, that Rangers fans sang sectarian songs, yet cannot tell us what the songs are or why there were no arrests? Why the secrecy and lack of action? Yet, for all the recent fuss, Central Police, like Strathclyde Police, are aware of and defend the right of openly pro-IRA bands to sell concert tickets to sing songs about Surface to Air Missiles downing British Helicopters in Northern Ireland; IRA snipers executing young British soldiers as they plead for their life and blatantly racist lyrics like, ââ?¬Å?The Brits will never leave us until theyââ?¬â?¢re blown away.ââ?¬Â The truth is that Scottish Police, like other British police forces, are highly political. There is no political capital in senior officers stopping songs about murdering British people for no reason other than they are British. Why go after pro-IRA bands that are supported at concerts by high-profile people like Billy McNeill, Bertie Auld and John Hartson and others who have been authorised in the past to make pro-IRA song videos at Celtic Park? They know the fallout would be immense. However, there is plenty of career-advancing opportunity in being strong in condemning sectarianism among a few hundred young Rangers fans. Sectarianism that was so bad there were no arrests and the Police canââ?¬â?¢t even tell the public what happened. Take a moment to let that sink in. The Police are so confident that an offence has taken place that they publicise it, but refuse to arrest anyone and wish to keep the offence a secret. The new ââ?¬Å?Secret Sectarianismââ?¬Â at work. http://johndcgow.com/2011/07/14/secret-sectarianism/

ALCOHOL could be barred from sale in shops throughout Glasgow before Old Firm games as part of a plan to reduce the amount of football-related violence at or around matches, under plans being considered by police and government officials. Talks between police and supermarkets will take place over the coming weeks to consider the moves that would bring off-sales into line with pubs, which are also shut until the games begin. However, licence holders say that the moves would only lead to drinkers stocking up in advance of a game, while also inconveniencing hundreds of supermarket customers who want to buy alcohol as part of their shop. The ban would form part of a joint action plan due to be unveiled at the end of this month by the Scottish Government. Last week, First Minister Alex Salmond announced he would allow more time to debate controversial measures to criminalise offensive behaviour at or around football matches, and to crack down on published religious-based threats. Supporters of free speech, however, say they are deeply concerned by the proposals and have launched a Holyrood petition opposing the plans. Last night, one leading expert on football-related violence compared the new laws to the German and Austrian ban on holocaust denial. However, Salmond and Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland say they will press ahead with the measures. Ministers have emphasised that the new laws are only a part of a wider crackdown brought about as a result of the scenes that marred the end of the last football season. Police sources say one option under consideration is to return to the old licensing laws that barred alcohol sales before noon on a Sunday. On moves to prevent alcohol from being sold in off-sales before a game, Paul Waterson of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association warned: "There is no doubt that is one of the ways they want to tackle this but if you stop people buying it then, they will just buy alcohol at another time." A spokesman for the Wine and Spirits Trade Association said: "We are working with the police and happy for them to have discussions with us and suggest a way forward." Last night one legal expert, Dr David McArdle, said the plans to crack down on offensive behaviour amounted to the "criminalising of hate speech". Under the legislation, offensive behaviour deemed likely to incite public disorder or which is offensive to a reasonable person will be deemed an offence. McArdle said: "It begins to get close to the laws on holocaust denial in Germany and Austria, or the laws on banning the 'n' word in certain parts of the US." He also criticised the fact that the offence only applies when at or near a football match. He said: "You would be able to sing these songs during the marching season when there is no football on, but then wouldn't be able to do it a week after when the football season begins." Yesterday, it emerged that freedom of speech campaigners had launched a petition campaigning against the crackdown, which they describe as "extreme and illiberal". One supporter of the petition wrote: "This Bill might become the thin end of a fascist wedge in which government attempts to select/censor speech." http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/news/Offsales--booze-ban-for.6791283.jp?articlepage=1

JAMIE NESS will walk tall into Rangers' pre-season after a trip to Germany cured a posture-crippling groin problem. The 20-year-old rocketed into first-team contention last term after a stunning first start in the New Year Old Firm derby. But he hobbled back out of the season after just 13 appearances, plagued by an undiagnosed injury that laid him out for February and March and the last six games of their charge to the title. After a string of injections from legendary Bayern Munich doc Hans Muller-Wohlfahrt, Ness has straightened himself out and is ready to stake a claim for the midfield place he believes he can hold down from the off. Muller-Wohlfahrt has treated everyone from Ronaldo, Steven Gerrard, and Jose Maria Olazabal to Usain Bolt and Bono! And Ness said: "This has been the main thing troubling me for the past three or four months and the rest of the injuries all stemmed from it. "But hopefully that's me got to the bottom of it. "I'd been really frustrated but the doc examined me in Germany and said he'd seen a lot of people like me before so that was quite a positive for me. "It turned out it was nerve damage in the groin and the treatment I got was a spell of injections in my groin and my back. "And I do feel better. I actually feel taller. "I've stopped growing so I don't know whether that's me straightened out and my posture's better. "I now have exercises to do to prevent it happening again and I've also got new boots with specially-made insoles, so that should hopefully be me sorted." Ness has been so determined to get off to a flier this season he's shunned the time off the squad were given in June to get himself at the peak of his powers. He said; "I've been in for a lot of the summer doing rehab to make sure I'm ready for pre-season. It's been a short summer but it had to be done to make sure I'm fit." Ness turned in a couple of man-of-the-match showings in big games before missing out on the medal march in May. But he said: "My aim is to play as many games as I can this season. "The midfield is a strong area of the team for us - we've got Mo Edu, Steve Davis, Lee McCulloch, Kyle Hutton and me - five of us playing for two places. But I'm hoping if I have a good pre-season I'll be one of the picks. "I've always had enough confidence in my own ability that I'd be able to come into the team and make an impact. "From the 10 or so games I played in a row I think I showed I could do that and that has given me confidence I can do it to a greater extent next season." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/rangers/2011/06/26/jamie-ness-i-ll-walk-tall-now-my-rangers-injury-hell-has-been-cleared-up-86908-23228212/

ALI RUSSELL took the fast track to success under F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone at QPR. Now Russell wants to put the REAL Rangers in pole position for global expansion. New Gers owner Craig Whyte has made the ex-Hearts whizzkid his Chief Operating Officer at Ibrox. He'll chase off-field success while Ally McCoist goes for glory on the park. Russell, 39, says the lessons learned under billionaire Bernie will be crucial in moving the SPL champions into top gear. The man who will replace outgoing chief executive Martin Bain said: "I very much learned the Formula 1 model on football, working with people like Bernie Ecclestone, Flavio Briatore and the Mittals. "That's been very useful for me to see a parallel commercial environment being used in football and I think they had a huge amount of success in those sort of areas. "I've had a fair degree of involvement with football. "I've been part of two new management teams that have come into football and been very, very successful. "This is a fantastic club and it has got a fantastic fan base. "What we want to do is to take this club forward and today is the start of that. I'm looking forward to helping develop the brand of this club, not just in Scotland but internationally. "I think we've got some huge opportunities. "The club has been under some challenging financial circumstances over the last couple of years. I think, moving forward, we've got to challenge ourselves. "How do we generate more interest in Scottish football? "How do we become central to that? "It's very early days but we're looking at how we move Rangers forward considerably and I'm thrilled to be part of this new management team." Russell has a wide-ranging remit in the new regime. He plans to take Gers to every corner of the globe on a massive marketing drive. Celtic have already targeted the Asian and American markets and Russell sees no reason why Gers can't do the same. For too long, he argues, Rangers have been a selling club. Now he hopes to sell Rangers to the world. Russell stressed: "It's about looking at all avenues. "It's about looking at the real estate here. "How do we maximise that? Is it just a football ground used for football or does it have more uses? "Obviously, football is the core focus, but can we use the rooms on non-match days more effectively? "What do we do to grow the brand, where do we play as a football team? "How do we integrate international players so that we're building the brand? "Where do we go with our own broadcast rights? "There are numerous areas we are looking to investigate. "What are the core markets that we're going to be focusing on - and really focus and be strategic about that, so that we reinforce it every time we do a tour? "So we don't just go where the biggest cheque is - we look at growing a fan base in different areas of the world which strategically fit back very well into the club itself." Russell knows Rangers and Scottish football must rebuild its image after the shame of last season. He said: "There's a sense that Scottish football's reputation bottomed out last season. "I think if you look at the Championship, that hit rock bottom some time ago. "I think the league reconstruction that they had there had a lot of innovation at the time. "There's a huge amount of interest in that play-off game at the end of the season. "We've met with Neil Doncaster and I think the SPL are looking at a lot of innovative aspects to move Scottish football forward and we want to be part of that." Russell will now look to maximise income at every opportunity. He's determined to prove the Champions League gravy train is not the only one Rangers can hop aboard and he's hinted at a cross-border cup competition which Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are thought to be keen on. Russell revealed: "There's been a lot of talk about cross-border cup competitions. "Also the Old Firm game is a fantastic game. It's about making it the biggest rivalry in world football. "How do we ensure that without some of the negativity that maybe came to the surface last season? "Looking at a cross-border cup I think the League Cup over the last couple of years is one that's had some issues in terms of teams like Arsenal and Manchester United playing their first teams in the early stages of that competition. "A cross-border aspect to that tournament would most certainly generate a lot more interest. "It's not something that's necessarily been discussed at this point in time but should we be involved in those sort of discussions? Absolutely." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3653319/The-Ali-shuffle.html#ixzz1Q40HqBds

Reason 1. We got rid of SDM. Reason 2. We won the league. Reason 3. Europe after x-mas. Reason 4. We got rid of Smith. Reason 5 We won an old firm cup final. I put them in order of importance to me. I was a fan of SDM for about 2 years then my point of view started to change on him. If we won nothing but got rid of him, the season would have been a good one. The league, Europe and cup speak for themselves. I was never a big fan of Smith particularly in his first spell. I was not happy that he was back. I think that he has done remarkably well in his second go, however I am glad that he is gone. What do you guys think?

http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/2010/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=416:gersnet-investigation-into-sectarianism-bill-sham&catid=1:articles&Itemid=67 As we’ve covered on our @GersnetOnline Twitter account over the last few weeks the SNP’s new ‘Sectarianism’ Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament yesterday (Friday). I’ve not used its full name (you can find that below) as I wanted to use the one word you won’t actually find anywhere in the draft legislation as no-one (5 years and millions of pounds of public money down the line) can define what this is or what terms are actually covered by it – the real secret shame indeed. Onto the Bill1 itself and while any reasonable person would agree further debate and discussion is certainly required to rid our national game (and society) of this scourge; any reasonable person would also agree the rushed and flawed way this Bill has been progressed is not the way to go about doing so. Indeed, everyone from the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, to the Catholic Church, to the Law Society and even the Justice committee charged with ensuring the draft Bill is suitable to be passed (in the next two weeks incredibly) have said as much. Let’s look at the initial comments from the Justice Committee:

SCENE ONE. Enter stage right the Whyte knight of Rangers. His takeover deal is sealed and he strides purposefully towards Ibrox alongside his father Tom as adoring fans holler their thanks and rush to hug him. SCENE TWO: Far from the madding crowd in a quiet room in the bowels of Murray Park, Gers' �£14million training complex. The new chairman plots the transfer swoops he prays will secure a fourth championship in a row with boss Ally McCoist - the striker he once hailed as a hero from the Copland Road. FREEZE FRAME: We sit round a table in a Glasgow restaurant and Craig Whyte admits his Rangers story so far has felt like a script from a Hollywood movie. In the weeks since he swept into power at Rangers, to end Sir David Murray's trophy-filled 23 years in charge of the SPL champs, Whyte has faced the fiercest of scrutiny. The old regime went down kicking and screaming. Former chairman Alastair Johnston told Gers fans to be vigilant, that the new owner was worth watching. Whyte will have his say on those wounding words in SunSport on Monday, but yesterday he was relishing the challenge of being the new Mr Rangers too much for that. A wry smile played on his lips as he admitted: "I knew there was a circus that exists around Rangers, but I thought it would die down after two days. I know better now. "There are still times when I am sitting there planning our next move with Coisty at Murray Park where it feels like we are in a movie. "It's not what I expected to be doing at this stage of my life, but I am relishing it. "It is something to savour and enjoy for all the pressures it brings with it. "I have had to sign the first autographs of my life - normally I just sign cheques - and I still find that a bit surreal. "That walk down Edmiston Drive before the Hearts game will live with me forever. "To get applauded that way was amazing and I have to admit it was like living outside yourself and looking at someone else starring in a movie. "I think that is a very good way to describe it. "Mind you, I know if things go wrong then I could be getting the opposite reaction one day!" That is the nature of life in the Old Firm jungle. Whyte knows he will be judged brutally should his regime falter even in its early days. For now all the 40-year-old financial expert asks for is a chance to get his feet under the desk in a job he feels will challenge him to the limit. He added: "There are times in life when you either grab opportunities like this or you don't have the balls to do it. "Buying Rangers was like that for me. "I think there is great potential and I can add value to this fantastic club. I feel we can develop the commercial side and enhance the brand of Rangers and keep achieving where it matters most - ON the pitch. "It is is not the biggest business deal I will do in my career, but it is the most life-changing one. "I could have gone on living my life under the radar, but this felt right." This is Plan B. When Whyte first became involved in the bid to buy Rangers he planned to be the money man in the background. Former Northampton chairman Andrew Ellis was at first poised to be the front man with Whyte the financial muscle. But Ellis, the son of former QPR chairman Peter Ellis, carried too much baggage from the failed adventure into the Rangers quest though. He faded into the background and it was boyhood Gers fan Whyte, educated at Knowetop Primary School in Motherwell, who was thrust into centre stage. From the hedge fund to the transfer kitty, London's Square Mile to Govan's square go. Whyte has had to adjust to his new job rapidly in a climate of suspicion in some circles - and outright animosity from departing chairman Alastair Johnston. Whyte said: "The fans have been supportive to me and I will be judged on how the team perform. "Rangers fans know there have been issues with the previous board. "There were those on that board who would have wished this deal didn't go through. That was obvious. The negative stories came from those sources." Whyte must now also wrestle with the spectre of sectarianism as Gers face up to a travelling ban of one away game in Europe after a UEFA crackdown. It's clear that while he will fight to banish bigtory from Ibrox the new Gers supremo will stand behind his law-abiding supporters. He added: "I will be 100 per cent behind our fans and I will defend them. We're going to make things happen and I feel we have done a lot regarding sectarianism already. "I don't think changing the law will change the culture of the west of Scotland, but I have had talks with Alex Salmond. "I just want even-handed treatment for Rangers fans and that's what we will be monitoring." For now, though, Whyte will plot the way ahead with McCoist after the drama of a title finale he will always cherish. He pointed out: "During the games in the run-in this time I was just a fan willing Rangers to win. "At Kilmarnock I was sitting there desperate to see us lift that trophy. "I woke up that morning certain we were going to go to the last ten minutes. "Then six minutes in we were three up and we were champions, and those were six of the best minutes of my life. "It was brilliant and it was something I will remember for the rest of my time on this earth. "Then we had 35,000 people back at Ibrox for the party and that's when it comes home to you how important this club is in the lives of people. Once you've had memories like that you want more of them." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3645693/I-walked-down-Edmiston-Drive.html#ixzz1PbYGnxvp

The Scottish Premier League may be forced to scrap the New Year Old Firm game next season. The fixtures will be released on Friday and the traditional meeting between Rangers and Celtic, which takes place on the public holidays of 1 or 2 January, looks likely to played on a midweek evening in December instead. The move follows police advice in a bid to reduce the possibility of trouble. The SPL secretary Iain Blair told the Scottish Mail on Sunday: "We've been working with the police and government and their view is a midweek Old Firm game is easier for them to deal with compared to the challenges presented by bank holidays, such as January 2. "Wednesday 28 is a working day, as is Thursday 29, so let's see what happens. While the crowd situation at the actual games has been very good in recent years, their view is that what happens at the stadium has an effect on various parts around Scotland, excessive drinking etc, and the problems created. "If there are things we can do that would minimise those opportunities, then we will look at them." http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jun/12/celtic-rangers-new-year-switch

THE case is compelling. The evidence impossible to ignore. Kyle Lafferty desperately wants new Rangers boss Ally McCoist to stick with him and Nikica Jelavic as the main hitmen for next season's four-in-a-row push - and with very good reason. Their partnership in last term's league run-in was sensational. Lafferty struck seven goals in the final six games of the season, Jelavic five in the same blistering period as the Gers powered to title glory. The big Northern Irishman loves playing alongside the �£4million Croat who missed three months of the season through injury - but still plundered 19 goals in 27 games. Jelavic has brought the best out of Lafferty who, for the third successive campaign, delivered when it really mattered, finishing on a career best 15 for the season. The 23-year-old's well aware that McCoist is trawling the transfer market for a new frontman - with Maccabi Haifa frontman Tomer Hemed, available on a Bosman, high on the list. He insists he welcomes the prospect of stronger competition. Lafferty is also convinced he and Jelavic can carry on from where they left off. More often than not, when Walter Smith selected both they scored, including a hat-trick for Lafferty and a double for Jelavic the first time in a 7-2 romp over Dunfermline last September. Laff told SunSport: "Nikica is the IDEAL partner for me. He's the dream striker to play alongside. "He's got everything that Boydy and Kenny Miller have rolled into one player. "He can be a second striker, he can be a target man. He's the striker that Rangers needed. "With the starts he had and the goals he got, well, it's just unbelievable really. "I think Nikica is brilliant and Rangers will have a fight on their hands to keep him, if not this summer then definitely in January. I love being his strike partner. "I don't know what it is that particularly makes us a good partnership. Every time we see each other we're high-fiving and I think we have a good bond off the field, although we don't speak that much away from games. "Nikica's English is good. He always talks to me before games, during and after. I take whatever he says on board. "If I'm on the bench I watch what he does but after just his first game for Rangers I knew right away he was a quality striker. "I knew I could learn a lot from him. "In fact, I've probably learned more this year playing alongside him than I have in my whole career. I really hope we can stay together. "I appreciate the fact that the manager will be looking at other strikers and a big club like Rangers will always be linked with signing quality performers. "Nikica and I linked up really well in the final months of the season. "Realistically, if our partnership is broken up then it will be because I've been dropped. Nikica will NEVER be dropped. I'll be the one who gets the chop. "I think the manager should give us a go at the start of the season. "I do still think we need another striker, whether that will be good for me or not, because I know I thrive on competition." Lafferty's at a loss to provide a reason why he truly hits top form at the end of a season. He said: "I train the same way from start to finish, I do all the same things. "Yet for some reason I really come on to my game in the closing stages. "It's in the last six weeks that I get most of my goals and my performances pick up. "I just wish I could score as regularly in the months BEFORE. "I don't want to be a player who is seen to be only turning up for the last couple of games to win the title. "Walter said to me at Kilmarnock after my hat-trick on the final day: 'We wouldn't have needed this if you had started scoring in the middle of the season!' We had a little bit of a joke about it. "Now I hope I can continue my form into Ally McCoist's first season as manager." Lafferty's never slow to confess when he's been foolish. The dive to get Charlie Mulgrew sent off two years ago, the red card against Hibs at the start of last season, the prank that led to a broken finger and cost him Champions League action against Manchester United and the Tweet which riled Celtic gaffer Neil Lennon after the Old Firm game in January are all right up there. His life with new partner and former Miss Scotland Nicola Mimnagh and impending fatherhood is helping to mature Lafferty. He also can't thank Gers No 2 Kenny McDowall and coach Ian Durrant enough. The �£3.25m former Burnley ace said: "I've met the right people on and off the field. They are looking after me. "I have no worries whatsoever. I've never felt happier with my life and my football. "I feel stress-free at the minute and I have been for a long time. "I'm playing my football with a smile on my face. "In football terms the people who have kept me going the most are Kenny McDowall and Durranty. "They can see when I'm down. They'll pull me over for a chat. "They will ask about myself and my game. "Kenny and Durranty stopped me from leaving Rangers. "I have always had a strong connection with Kenny. He's been like a second dad for me. He's been brilliant with me. "Every time I've scored I've gestured to him and he's responded. What I've achieved at Rangers is mainly down to Kenny. "I'm really delighted for him that he's become assistant manager. He deserves that. "So, too, does Coisty in being given the manager's job. "It's going to be a big ask in following Walter Smith. "There's no better man, however, because of his personality, his football brain, his attitude and heart." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3619903/All-I-want-is-a-chance-from-Coisty-to-show-IM-the-best-partner-hes-got-for-Jela.html#ixzz1OTpa9mI0

KRIS COMMONS last night stood by his claim that Celtic are younger and fitter than Rangers - despite his words driving on the Ibrox men to the SPL title. The Scotland star's comments were used as motivation in the Gers dressing room in the vital final weeks of the campaign. But after yesterday's Scottish Cup triumph, Commons claimed again the Hoops are younger and fitter - and insisted they are now older and wiser too. Commons reckons the bitter experience of a last-day defeat in the title race by their city rivals has been a valuable lesson for Celts and will drive them on when the league kicks off again. The former Derby County man played a key role in Celtic's 3-0 Hampden win against Motherwell to secure the club's first silverware since March 2009. The scenes of jubilation by the Hoops players and fans were a stark contrast with their emotions last week when Rangers clinched the SPL crown on the final day. Kris' first taunt came on the eve of a crucial Old Firm clash at Parkhead - and canny Gers boss Walter Smith pinned his words on the Ibrox dressing-room wall. The rest is history. And the claims were thrown back in the midfielder's face by some Gers stars last week as they celebrated their three-in-a-row titles. Commons stuck to his guns and said yesterday: "It's my opinion and I stand by my words. Celtic are the younger, fitter, better side. "Rangers beat us by one point - and credit to them, they have quality throughout their team. "But they didn't beat us because they were fitter. "We can improve. Next year we won't be concentrating on matters outside of football, we'll be concentrating on Celtic and our own performances. "We are a good side that can score good goals. "Guys like Beram Kayal, Ki Sung-Yueng, Gary Hooper and Emilio Izaguirre are all in their early 20s and are still to peak. "They are outstanding prospects. I think we're going to be a force. "In the space of a week we have experienced losing and have now enjoyed winning. "The heartache and loss we felt last weekend will make us more determined next time. "You can't buy experience - look at Rangers skipper Davie Weir. "He's an outstanding leader and it was a pleasure to play with him when I was with Scotland. "Yes, Rangers winning the league was a great achievement. "But from the disappointment we'll get experience. "And you get experience from winning as well. Walking around the pitch with the trophy at the end, with the fans saluting you and throwing scarves and stuff, was magic and I want to sample that on a regular basis. "It's our driving force next year - we don't want to lose anything. We want to win big. "We're on a high after winning the cup and it has given us a hunger to kick on now." Commons admits he never had any self-doubt after Celtic stumbled in the closing stages of the league race to let their Old Firm rivals squeeze past. He said: "I wouldn't say there were question marks about our ability to get over the finish line. "Going into the last four or five games we felt like favourites - but in football nothing is certain. "So it felt great to win yesterday at Hampden to repay the fans for their constant support. "We've believed all season we've a good enough squad to win some silverware - and now we've shown that we can. "Hopefully next year we'll win a few more. If the team stick together we can achieve a lot. "We have a really good squad and when everyone's fit and fighting for places it's a healthy position to be in. Beram will be back after his injury and I hope we get off to a good start and carry on from where we left off." Commons - who had a hand in Celtic's first two goals - celebrated success on a big scale for the first time since winning promotion with Nottingham Forest He said: "I was promoted with Forest but we finished second - so there was no trophy. "This is a similar feeling - the champagne's out, the boys are buzzing." Commons praised gaffer Neil Lennon and said the players would be delighted if his future could be sorted out as soon as possible. The midfielder said: "If we can tie down Neil for another couple of years the lads would be delighted. "This has been a good way to end a long, hard season. "There's not much of a break in the summer before we're back in the swing of things. "I hope everyone comes back from their break for pre-season feeling fit and healthy." Commons is now due to team up with Scotland for the Carling Nations Cup double header in Dublin but said: "I'll be speaking to Craig Levein and seeing what the situation is." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2011/05/22/celtic-have-the-edge-over-rangers-despite-spl-title-loss-says-kris-commons-86908-23148440/

Home Affairs Correspondent POLICE are building up cases against 50 people accused of spreading sectarian hatred on the internet in a crackdown on religious bigotry and violence. They include people who have written abusive comments on Facebook, Twitter and football forums, inciting violence against key figures in the game. Lawyers are warning internet users who considered themselves immune to prosecution are now coming under huge scrutiny and court cases are "inevitable". It comes as new Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland prepares to announce plans to make inciting violence online an indictable offence which would carry a maximum penalty of five years. Police have become adept at tackling internet crime following child pornography investigations and can easily trace comments and internet profiles to their source. Meanwhile, Strathclyde Police have also cracked down on incidents at football games, with more people arrested at two Old Firm fixtures in February and March, than in matches between the two from the previous three years combined. And Chief Constable Stephen House has warned people who send threatening letters, explosives and weapons through the post that the crime is "very detectable" and they run a high risk of being caught. This season has been blighted by sectarianism, fuelled partly by incendiary messages on football forums. Parcel bombs were sent to Paul McBride QC, former MSP Trish Godman, and Neil Lennon, who has also received bullets through the post on two occasions. Lennon was also attacked by a fan who jumped out of the crowd at Tynecastle Stadium, and earlier this week a knife was sent to Donald Findlay QC. Mr House said: "Sectarianism on the internet is certainly a new area for us and we are putting more focus and more resources into it. There's a lot of good things on the internet, but there's also a lot of bad things too, and we need to police that. We're happy to work with the government on that." � Big rise in numbers held for sectarian offences � Pete Wishart calls for Royal Commission He added: "It's the chatroom effect. It's the legitimate fans' website, whether it's the official one for the club or not, and someone comes on and posts comments that are sectarian - that's what we need to deal with, and we need to publicise people being dealt with as a deterrent." He also had a warning for people over mail bombs. "It's very detectable," he said. "We are taking it very, very seriously. There are ways of catching people - I'm not going to get into tactics - but there's a high risk they're going to court." Mr Mulholland's plans are supported by the Scottish Government, which welcomed Strathclyde Police's investigations. A spokesman said: "We back the police in their efforts to crack down on these people. "They should be left in no doubt that they face the full force of the law." Peter Kearney, spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland, who says he has received 3,000 offensive sectarian e-mails, voicemails and mail in the last six months, also welcomed the crackdown. "Tackling sectarianism online is a crucial part of any effort to end bigotry since the anonymity which the internet affords can cause many to become viciously intemperate," he said. A spokesman for Celtic added: "The treatment of Neil Lennon through a variety of internet sources is well known and, re- assuringly, this is something which First Minister Alex Salmond has raised as a very important issue which must be tackled." David Craig, 23, from Paisley, and Stephen Birrell, 27, from Glasgow, have appeared in court both charged with breach of the peace in relation to comments posted online. Clyde under-19 player Max McKee was sacked after posting on Twitter last month: "Somebody needs to hurry up and shoot Neil Lennon." It came the day after Berwick Rangers youth player Kieran Bowell was sacked for posting on Twitter that he wished the Celtic manager had been killed. Stirling University student, Lee Dunlop, 22, has been charged with a sectarian breach of the peace for posting a picture of him dressed up as Postman Pat, holding a cardboard box labelled with Lennon's name and his club's Parkhead address. Lawyers are predicting a rush of cyber crime cases to come through the courts. Peter Lockhart, a criminal defence solicitor and member of the criminal law committee of the Law Society of Scotland, said: "There will be more prosecutions, that's inevitable. "The problem has been in the past that people have felt they were immune or unlikely to be detected. Now I suspect they will find the long arm of the law will be coming at them through the internet sooner rather than later." The Criminal Justice and Licensing Act, passed last year, included powers to tackle web hate. Under the act, people can be prosecuted if their behaviour is "threatening or abusive" or "likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm". Crucially, it does not require intent and says people who are "reckless as to whether the behaviour would cause fear or alarm" can be prosecuted. That means ignorance of the possible effects of internet hate cannot be used as an excuse. Mr Lockhart said the challenge for police and prosecutors will be drawing the line between football banter and something more serious. http://www.scotsman.com/rangersfc/Dozens-facing-arrest-over-online.6771237.jp?articlepage=1

POLICE have been accused of wasting time after they turned up in force to monitor a friendly football match between Old Firm fans. The bounce game had been set up between friends in Strathaven, Lanarkshire, to mark the end of the football season. Celtic and Rangers fans had been lined up to take part in the 11-a-side challenge which was a repeat of a game played successfully weeks earlier. The previous match was at a different sports centre but after police intervened the venue was switched to playing fields in the town due to the "nature of the game". But stunned players and about 50 spectators watched as a heavy police presence arrived at the start of the game. Witnesses have told how the match was monitored by two officers in a patrol car, two on the beat and a police transit van full of uniformed police. A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said: "Police were initially informed that there would be over 100 people involved in the match. "On the day police went to see what was happening. They realised that the game was what is known as a 'bounce' game. They found no cause for concern and left.":grin: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Police-under-fire-after-officers.6771234.jp

SPL clubs could be playing in a glamour sunshine cup during a winter break next season. League supremo Neil Doncaster and fellow beaks are looking to revolutionise the top flight. And SunSport can reveal the idea is on the agenda as part of bold plans for reconstruction. The SPL knockout tourney would be held in a Gulf State like Dubai - or the USA. The ambitious plans would see a sponsor brought on board and games played between SPL sides during the period of inactivity in Scotland. Matches would also be scheduled at a time when they could be beamed back to the UK on live TV in a bid to maximise audiences. The SPL last had a winter break in 2003 but it was scrapped as clubs complained they missed out on vital cash through a lack of home gates during January. Now at a time when money is tighter than ever it is hoped funds generated by the proposed tournament would prevent those kind of cashflow problems during a period when so many games have got called off in recent years. It would also mean teams would return match-sharp. St Johnstone chairman Geoff Brown reckons it would be a step in the right direction - but wonders if Rangers and Celtic would see it the same way. Brown said: "I'm pleased to hear something like that could be on the cards. "With the money the Old Firm can make going halfway around the world it might be a job making it attractive to them." Several obstacles must be removed for the plans to have any chance. With the SPL season due for an earlier start on July 23, the time constraints involved could be too tight to make it viable for next term. A winter break itself has still to be officially rubber-stamped. Other proposals for change will also be discussed in the coming weeks. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/3588739/Lets-play-in-Dubai.html#ixzz1MkmFc0Ay

Mark Wilson has hit back at Walter Smith's comments suggesting Celtic were the catalysts for a controversy-filled season in Scotland. Smith's final game in charge as Rangers boss was Sunday's 5-1 win over Kilmarnock which secured the Scottish Premier League title by one point from Old Firm rivals Celtic. The 63-year-old then said he was pleased to be leaving Scottish football, believing Celtic's contentious relationships with both match officials and the Scottish Football Association overshadowed the whole season. Wilson disputed Smith's claims, defending Celtic's stance, and was sad the Rangers boss felt it necessary to make the comments after taking his 10th SPL title. Wilson said: "If I won the league I'd just be delighted my team had won the league instead of having a parting shot. "It's disappointing now looking back at the end of the season that the Rangers manager, who has been hugely successful at Ibrox, ending on the final day winning the championship, still feels he has to point the finger at something instead of just enjoying the success he's had. "It was the referees' problem. It's just unfortunate that it was our club at the centre of it. "We were right to defend ourselves in the way we did." Wilson referred back to the October 17 clash at Dundee United, when Celtic had a penalty controversially rescinded in their 2-1 win and the subsequent fallout led to referee Dougie McDonald admitting to lying to Bhoys boss Neil Lennon. After forensic analysis of the events at Tannadice, claim and counter-claim, McDonald accepted responsibility and resigned. Scottish officials were subject to heightened scrutiny and in November they opted to strike, upset at questions over their honesty and integrity. Wilson felt it was unfair for Celtic, who later successfully challenged a touchline ban on Lennon, to be deemed culpable for the events. Wilson added: "When you look back to it - I think Walter Smith will agree, everybody will agree - a referee lost his job for lying to the manager at Tannadice. "That's what kicked it off and it went on from there with the referees' strike. "It was a poor part of the season, no doubt. "We didn't like it, as much as any other team in the league didn't like it. "Every club and manager is critical of referees when they feel they've got a point. "I just feel the evidence has come out now that we were in the right at that time. "I don't think we set the tone for it, no." Wilson agreed with Smith's assertion that the focus went away from football, but he denied Celtic were at fault. "I don't see how that can be blamed on our club," he added. "He has got a point - the focus did go away from football - but I don't think he should be pointing the finger at any club. "It's kind of disappointing that he's left saying things like that." http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8670_6937340,00.html?

What makes football, or any professional sport, so utterly compelling is the knowledge that for every great victory, wherever there is a triumphant winner but also a disconsolate loser. Whenever Rangers win a title, we are always told that it is the worst league winning side in history. Has a Rangers side ever been worthy of the success their efforts have brought? Throughout today's emphatic victory there was always the lingering suggestion, from commentators, from pundits and experts, that Rangers were gifted the title due to Celtic's lack of bottle in the title run in and their improbable, unpredicatable defeat in the highlands. With the draw at Ibrox, where McGregor saved a penalty (awarded for a Celtic dive) that ultimately contributed so vitally to our victory, Celtic merely had to turn up in their four remaining fixtures to collect that 12 points that would seal the title. Unfortunately, Inverness Caley had not read the script and duly dumped the Champions elect (elected by themselves) from the driving seat. As Calscot pointed out in another thread the three points Celtic dropped in their run in is entirely consistent with their record throughout the season in terms of average points gained. It could almost be expected that they would come unstuck in at least one fixture. On paper, Celtic not trampelling all in their wake in their remaining few fixtures would be unthinkable. And as a fan who prepares himself for the worst in such a scenario, I had not expected such an event for fear of my hopes being cruelly squashed. However, it is disrespectful to dismiss the other ten league opponents in such a manner and as Madjid Bougherra said in his celebratory interviews, perhaps our cross city opponents had become cocky. Their arrogance was their undoing. Rangers management team are always at pains to pay the utmost respect to all our opponents and that is no more evident than in the way we approached the opening 7 minutes of our title clinching victory today. We went at our opponents from the off and delivered the victory that counted most. Whilst Rangers dropped just two points (only in an Old Firm draw) in our final ten fixtures since our last defeat to Dundee United, the Old Firm cannot routinely expect to go on such a run of results. A winning run is built upon hard work, confidence and even good fortune. Time and again Celtic have shown disrespect to the rest of the league; in expecting to turn up and be awarded the points without having to contest them (such as at Caley) and also through questioning the integrity of our opponents when we have achieved hard fought victories. Lennon and Celtic questioned the likes of Hearts and Dundee United when we dispatched them with ruthless efficiency, yet had no such concerns about achieving similar results themselves against the same opposition. The other question that must be answered is how late in a season must you drop points for it to be argued that you handed the title to your opponents? Celtic argue they threw away the title, we did not win it, because they lost their 4th last fixture at Caley. Can it be argued, hypothetically, that had they won the title we could point to that loss against Dundee United at Ibrox (a fixture we could reasonably expect to win and which we dominated for large spells) and say we lost it, they did not win it? Clearly it is a ludicrous concept. A league title is awarded to the team that garners the most points over the competitive 38 game season. Whether points are lost early in the season, with four games to go, or indeed with minutes of the season remaining is immaterial. The team which sits top of the pile after the final minute of the final fixture are deserving champions. For the third time in a row, for the 54th time in total, that team is Rangers. Here's to four in a row! :spl:

BAD boy Anthony Stokes was booted out of the Celtic squad for their vital SPL clash with Motherwell - after a hotel bust-up with Neil Lennon. Boss Lennon was furious at the striker for breaking club rules on the eve of his side's must-win Parkhead clash. Stokes is now sweating on his place in the squad for the Scottish Cup Final and also his future at the club and he is facing severe disciplinary action with boss Lennon set to throw the book at him. An insider told SunSport: "Neil is not a manager to be messed with in situations like these. He acted swiftly and decisively to deal with the matter with the player in a severe breach of club rules." Celtic were staying in one of Glasgow's plush five-star hotels on Saturday night as they prepared for their clash with Well. Hoops insiders last night refused to divulge details of the disciplinary breach. After the behind-the-scenes bust-up Stokes, who has been struggling with a hamstring injury, was told he would not feature in the 18-man squad for Sunday's game. This is the latest blow to hit Stokes in a roller- coaster season. He was an unsued sub for the Co-op Cup Final against Rangers in March and he has been dropped for most of the Old Firm games. Stokes' Dad John slammed the cup final snub with the hitman forced to distance himself from father's comments and he insisted that he wanted to stay at Celtic. Although the 19-goal Irishman has scored some vital goals throughout the Hoops' ill-fated league campaign, he has not started a game since the crucial defeat to Caley Thistle two weeks ago. That 3-2 loss left Rangers in pole position in the title race. Now it looks as though former Hibs, Sunderland and Falkirk hitman Stokes could be on the move again in the summer. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3584457/Stokes-binned-after-hotel-bust-up.html#ixzz1MaWXnGzY

By Glenn Gibbons Were WH Auden still around to take a poet's view of present-day Scotland, he might well be inclined to make an amendment to Funeral Blues, the elegiac verse now probably his most famous work through John Hannah's moving recital in Four Weddings And A Funeral. To the lines, "Stop all the clocks/Cut off the telephone," the old romantic might have been sufficiently soured to add, "Close down the websites/The game is dead". When, as manager of Celtic, he cursed the proliferation of newspaper hotlines and radio phone-ins, Gordon Strachan was ridiculed in some quarters for painting a picture of those filling the airwaves and columns as low-browed, semi-literate knuckle-draggers with a can of Kestrel lager in their hands and a "devil dug" at their feet. By comparison, many of the numbskulls currently bombarding internet forums with extremely virulent strains of malice make Strachan's depictions look like leading figures of The Enlightenment. While it would be patently absurd to argue that every poster in cyberspace is a half-witted monster, no amount of relatively innocent wind-up sarcasm between more civilised fans can possibly counter-balance the kind of viciousness that has led to the delinquency witnessed at Tynecastle on Wednesday. On the morning after the attack on Neil Lennon, the first post on The Scotsman's thread expressed an untypically articulate, blessedly balanced plea for an end to the outrageous behaviour and highlighted contributory factors to the insanity among several parties, including, naturally, both halves of the Old Firm. Within no time, the same person was back on, noting that the "debate" had descended into the mire even quicker than he or she had anticipated, ending his short condemnation with, "I'm outta here". Curiously, the lifetime of these electronic outlets for every cretin in the country has coincided with the years of deterioration in the standard of Scottish football, possibly even towards demise in its traditional form. But, as the level of performance has declined, media coverage has expanded and supporters' hostility intensified. It is infinitely depressing that so much rage can be generated over a game that isn't worth the breath. At least some of the inflammatory language and dangerous prejudices can be stifled through the simple expedient of disabling the vehicles on which they are conveyed. Newspapers could start by closing forums that don't even bring any revenue. And before anyone starts howling about the denial of freedom of speech, he or she should bone up on the difference between blunt speaking and criminal incitement. As has been said often enough before, nobody, for example, has the right to shout "Fire!" in a crowded theatre. http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/football/Glenn-Gibbons-Fan-forums-are.6768062.jp Aye,right ye are Gibbons,you mHdeia chunts would love that eh?,CLOWN.

By BARRY ANDERSON A NIGHT when Scottish football plumbed to unprecedented depths of despair. Neil Lennon attacked by a so-called fan while inside his technical area, Celtic supporters battling police and stewards while pretending to be Irish republicans, and two sending offs that verged on the farcical. One of the most controversial seasons ever is drawing to a close, however one last round of chaos at Tynecastle just about topped it all. After refereeing cover-ups, conspiracy theories and parliamentary summits to discuss Old Firm matches, season 2010/11 added another chapter to its book of infamy last night. In the 49th minute of play, Celtic's celebrations following Gary Hooper's second goal were cut short. A man leapt from Tynecastle's main stand to sprint down the track and assault Lennon. The surprised Celtic manager barely had time to react before stewards pounced on his assailant, but that did not stop Lennon swinging his boot at the flattened thug several times. In fact, twice he mistakenly connected with one of the grounded stewards as his rage took over. Few could blame him given the letter bombs, death threats, 24-hour security and everything else he has tolerated of late. No-one should be subjected to physical abuse for simply doing their job, especially when that job is managing a football team. Where was his protection? Lennon hurled a few expletives at his attacker as he was marched down the tunnel by police and the Irishman was later described as "shaken but fine" by his assistant, Johann Mjallby. Hearts may now be punished. It might only have been one brainless buffoon but that he emerged from a section of home supporters to attack Lennon leaves the Edinburgh club open to possible sanctions from the Scottish Football Association. Perhaps there should also be action taken against Celtic for the equally unacceptable conduct of their supporters in the Roseburn Stand. Groups of them fought with police and stewards in the aftermath of the attack on their manager, accompanied by deafening chants of "we are the IRA". Feet and punches were swung at the local constabulary as things threatened to get completely out of control in the away end. On the field it was actually quite the opposite. Celtic were in total command of a match they had to win to keep their SPL title hopes alive. David Obua, Hearts' Ugandan midfielder, was red carded on 32 minutes for an innocuous slap at Charlie Mulgrew. Full article here: http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/heartofmidlothianfc/Hearts-03-Celtic-Jambos-crumble.6767032.jp?articlepage=1

A Celtic fan who made monkey gestures towards Rangers player El Hadji Diouf during an Old Firm game has been jailed for three months. Sean Smith, 19, from Spittal, South Lanarkshire, taunted the West African striker as he took a corner kick at Celtic Park on 20 February. He admitted committing a racially aggravated breach of the peace after being reported by fellow Celtic fans. Smith was also banned from attending football matches for five years. Sentencing him at Glasgow Sheriff Court, Sheriff Lindsay Wood told Smith he had pleaded guilty to "despicable racist behaviour". "You thought you were making a fool of the player but you were actually making a fool of yourself. Continue reading the main story ââ?¬Å?Start Quote I can see no alternative to a custodial sentence to mark the court's disapproval of such behaviourââ?¬Â End Quote Sheriff Lindsay Wood "You have brought shame on the club you support and on Scottish football generally." Sheriff Wood noted that Smith had been drinking before the game, but said this was "no way to go to a football match and appreciate it". He added: "I have to look at these matters in the context of an Old Firm match where tensions are running high and I can see no alternative to a custodial sentence to mark the court's disapproval of such behaviour." Defence lawyer Raymond McIlwham told the court that his client has received death threats as a result of what he did. He also added that Diouf has a bad relationship with Celtic fans. Mr McIlwham said: "The relationship between the player involved and the Celtic fans has been a difficult one. "That in no way excuses Mr Smith's actions but it's conceivable that another player may not have roused that level of passion in a supporter." The lawyer added that his client is ashamed and now "deeply regrets" what he did. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-13361478

WALTER SMITH has been asked the same old question time and time again. How far can he take this Rangers team? Only one answer matters now. He has to take them only 21 miles down the M77 to Kilmarnock on Sunday, where an invading army of supporters will follow having readied themselves for an almighty celebration. The Old Firm rivalry is too intense to allow for much in the way of grace or magnanimity. Since they lost to Inverness Caledonian Thistle last week Celtic supporters have confessed to finding it especially hard to accept that defeat surrendered the initiative to such a ââ?¬Å?poorââ?¬Â Rangers team. Thatââ?¬â?¢s been the label attached to Walter Smithââ?¬â?¢s side from the start. This is no vintage Rangers side, that much is obvious. Itââ?¬â?¢s not a team that strikes fear into opponents like many of its predecessors could. Itââ?¬â?¢s short on players who can really entertain, as opposed to being admirable and effective. But Rangers arenââ?¬â?¢t gearing up for a coronation by accident. Hereââ?¬â?¢s where it sounds as though theyââ?¬â?¢re being damned with faint praise: Rangers are resolute. Theyââ?¬â?¢re disciplined and committed. They grind out results. Detractors go as far as to accuse them of anti-football when they go 4-5-1 in the more difficult games. Smith has lived with that since returning to the club in 2007. But what does ââ?¬Ë?grinding out resultsââ?¬â?¢ mean, if not that they tend to prove week after week that they are better than whatever is put in front of them? They have been consistent. If they win at Kilmarnock they will finish the season on 93 points. The last team to do better than that was a Celtic one under Martin Oââ?¬â?¢Neill which included Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton, John Hartson and a high-calibre supporting cast. Only one Rangers side ââ?¬â?? the Alex McLeish side which won the title on goal difference in 2003 ââ?¬â?? has ever finished on more than 93 since the Scottish Premier League was formed. They won their first nine league games including an Old Firm derby, not tasting defeat until the end of October. In the first half of the season they dropped points in only four games and the same statistic applies to the second half of their campaign, so far. Celtic might privately turn their noses up at this Rangers side and reproach themselves for not having put them away, but the fact remains that Rangers have made few mistakes. They were often behind Celtic, but they had games in hand and always showed the nerve to win them. Before a ball was kicked Smith lost his top goalscorer. Midway through the campaign it happened to him again. Coping without Kris Boyd was manageable because of Smithââ?¬â?¢s last big transfer, the purchase of Nikica Jelavic, but when Kenny Miller fled to Bursaspor in January it seemed that the writing was on the wall. By then Jelavic had been lost to an injury which robbed him of 17 games in his first season in Scotland. Where would the goals come from? Smith has recently felt free to admit that in January he suspected that Rangersââ?¬â?¢ number was up, that they didnââ?¬â?¢t have the resources necessary to sustain a league challenge all the way to the end. Celtic, remember, were maintaining a decent pace themselves and took all six points from the first two Old Firm league games in 2011. His players responded. Rangersââ?¬â?¢ season has been a tale of a dependable back four, a midfield of enormous industry, and one striker whose goals propelled them through the first half of the season and another who got them through the second. ââ?¬Å?Weââ?¬â?¢re a team that defends from the front,ââ?¬Â said goalkeeper Allan McGregor yesterday. ââ?¬Å?Our strikers always work hard to close the ball down, our midfielders work back just as much as they get forward and the lads at the back have been great.ââ?¬Â The defence has kept 18 clean sheets in the league. They havenââ?¬â?¢t conceded an away goal in the championship since a 3-0 defeat at Parkhead almost three months ago. They havenââ?¬â?¢t let one in at all in their last five matches. Itââ?¬â?¢s a unit built on familiarity and trust. Inevitably there have been moments when David Weir has looked his age ââ?¬â?? he turned 41 on Tuesday ââ?¬â?? but his intelligence, awareness and experience has seen him through another fine season. The degree of understanding and unity through the back four is also evident in the team as a whole. No wonder, considering how few changes have been made. Weir, Steven Whittaker and Steven Davis have all appeared in over 50 matches and McGregor, Madjid Bougherra and Sasa Papac are not far behind. The midfield has usually included four from Davis, Steven Naismith, Maurice Edu, Kyle Lafferty and Lee McCulloch. The loss of the latter was one of two grievous injuries which caused Rangers real grief. The other was to Jelavic. The first half of the season belonged to Miller, who had scored 22 times ââ?¬â?? including two at Parkhead as they won the seasonââ?¬â?¢s first derby 3-1 in October ââ?¬â?? before a startling move to Bursaspor. Jelavicââ?¬â?¢s return came just in time for Smith. He was hurt at Tynecastle on October 22 and didnââ?¬â?¢t make it back until being named as an unused substitute on January 15 against Hamilton Academical, the very game in which Miller made what turned out to be his final appearance. Smith needed him to deliver. Rangers had wobbled without their Ã?£4m man. Since returning the Croat grew into the player they hoped they would get for that fee. He has scored 14 times in 20 appearances since returning from an ankle operation, including goals which proved to be the winner in three games. McGregor, Whittaker, Weir, Naismith, Miller and Jelavic have been the cornerstones of a campaign in which they have won more league games than Celtic and scored more goals than them. They have had their setbacks: they lost 3-0 to Hibs at Ibrox, they failed in two out of three attempts to beat Inverness, and they managed only one league win in four Old Firm games. But theyââ?¬â?¢ve been there or thereabouts since day one. How far can Smith take this Rangers team? To within touching distance of one last trophy presentation. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/how-far-can-rangers-go-it-looks-like-all-the-way-1.1100979

What would be your ultimate OF 11 from this season be? ------------------McGregor Whittaker---Weir---Majstorovic---Izaguerre Naismith-----Davis---Kayal----Commons -------------Jelavic---Miller I was torn between Majstorovic and Bougherra, but Bougherra's had such an feeble season by his previous standards and I am led to believe Maj is quite a good defender even if he was horrible in both the recent matches I saw.

Maybe if your own players had tried a bit harder against Caley you may not be in the position you are in Lenny

SPL - Rangers baffled by royal tribute Sat, 30 Apr 16:13:00 2011 Rangers could face FIFA action over a Royal Wedding tribute printed on the shirt of captain David Weir. The defender wore a shirt paying tribute to Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge during Saturday's 5-0 win away to Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League. The embroidered slogan said: 'Congratulations William & Catherine 29th April 2011.' The act is technically in breach of FIFA regulations, which prevent players from making religious, political or personal statements, and it is understood Weir was also unaware of the tribute until kick-off. Rangers manager Walter Smith also claimed he had no knowledge of the message, saying: "I didn't know it was there. Sorry, I can't enlighten you at all. It must have been the kit man." The traditionally Protestant club this week received a UEFA punishment for the singing of sectarian songs during a Europa League fixture against PSV Eindhoven earlier this season. They also came in for criticism for allowing the distribution of thousands of Union Flags at last weekend's match against Celtic. Matches between the Old Firm rivals this season have been marred by crowd trouble and confrontation between players and coaches from both sides.

RANGERS star Vladimir Weiss has enraged Celtic fans by posting a hate-filled rant on Twitter. The 22-year-old Slovakian winger sparked a barrage of foul-mouthed comments after tweeting: "All Celtic fans I hateeeeee youuuuuuu!" Weiss - confronted by cops at last week's Old Firm clash for holding a scarf at Hoops fans emblazoned with 'We Are The People' - posted the incredible online jibe after the Gers beat Motherwell 5-0 on Saturday. The on-loan Manchester City ace added: "Glasgow Rangers Champiooooons. Easyyyyy well done the champions!!! WATP". But just minutes later furious Celtic fans made their feelings known as they started bombarding his Twitter page with ferocious insults. One supporter Kevin Devine wrote: "Yeah and we love you ya little p***, hope you break your neck and die, away back to City and sit on the bench you f****** rodent." Another fan, Jamie Lynagh, added: "You dirty rotten piece of s***! You're playing for an inferior team, you will finish second you wee baldy s*** head." The controversial comments by Weiss - who has 20,000 followers on Twitter - were removed from the website just hours later. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/3559025/Hate-rant-Vladimir-Weiss-sends-Celts-mad.html#ixzz1LBK4jSDB