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Nacho Novo today admitted heââ?¬â?¢s preparing for the worst day of his life ââ?¬â?? and an emotional farewell to the Rangers fans. The Spanish striker will play against Motherwell on Sunday after fears he suffered a broken wrist in this weekââ?¬â?¢s Old Firm game proved to be unfounded. Fansââ?¬â?¢ favourite Novo, who has spent six seasons at Ibrox, winning three league titles, three League Cups and two Scottish Cups, is out of contract in a few weeks time. And, while negotiations over a new deal have resumed in the past 24 hours between the club and his agent, Jorge Leira, unless there is a dramatic improvement in the wages being offered and the length of term, then Novo will leave. Gordon Strachanââ?¬â?¢s Middlesbrough are leading the chase after the Championship side tabled a lucrative deal that is significantly above what cash-strapped Rangers have offered. Three Spanish sides are also pursuing his signature. Leaving is a decision that will break Novoââ?¬â?¢s heart, but he knows the SPL trophy presentation party this weekend could come at the end of his last appearance in a blue jersey. ââ?¬Å?I think everyone knows how much Rangers and the fans mean to me,ââ?¬Â Novo said, ââ?¬Å?It will break my heart if I have to say goodbye. ââ?¬Å?It will be an emotional day for everyone on Sunday as it might well be the last game for a few of us. At the moment, nothing has been agreed with Rangers. ââ?¬Å?I am 30 years old now. I have my family and my own future to think about ââ?¬â?? Iââ?¬â?¢ll need to wait and see what happens in the next few days, but I have to say that the thought of having to say goodbye to the Rangers fans kills me. It would be the worst day of my life leaving this club after six years.ââ?¬Â Novo, who has remained in the lowest paid bracket of players at the club since arriving from Dundee in 2004 for Ã?£450,000, is not looking for a kingââ?¬â?¢s ransom to sign on again. If Rangers were to come up with a decent increase, he would almost certainly agree to stay for less than he would get at Boro, and back in his homeland. Kirk Broadfoot is in a similar position to Novo, in that he wants to stay but the money being offered to him means he is likely to quit. Kris Boyd was told back in January that the new contract offered to him ââ?¬â?? believed to be around Ã?£18,000 a week ââ?¬â??was as high as the club could go. He is expected to move to England on a lucrative Bosman transfer. Stevie Smith and DaMarcus Beasley will definitely move on, while Davie Weirââ?¬â?¢s future will be determined shortly. Meantime, German side Hannover have been linked with a Ã?£1million move for Lee McCulloch. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks-ignore/nacho-novo-waving-goodbye-to-rangers-will-be-my-worst-day-ever-1.1026078

There should be a moratorium on the amount of bullshit papers can make up and print, all of it rehashed crap.

I have seen a couple of Old Firm games at Hampden and several at Ibrox, but until Tuesday evening I had never been to one at Parkhead. The day did not start well, computer problems wasted an hour, and then my travelling companion Geoff thought I had said a 1.30pm meet and not 1.00pm as agreed. Anyway the tosser turned up at 1.40pm. The day could only get better. We shot up and were checked into the hotel by 4.15. Thinking that we were probably not going to eat until after the game, Geoff had eaten for most of the journey. It was then decided we were going for a meal pre match and obviously a couple of beers to wash it down. On the way to meet Scott and Stan for a very good Italian, we popped into Buchannan Galleries. There is an excellent stand in there that does 'Legends' tee shirts. He got the 'Davie Cooper' one and I plumped for the 'Simply the Best' Baxter, Laudrop and Cooper one. As is usual when with the boys everything seems to be last minute. Having travelled a couple of hundred miles, the game is the be all and end all for me, but at 6.45 we are still polishing off sweet in central Glasgow. A very swift walk to the car park at St.Enochâ��s followed and then some 'Lewis Hamilton' type driving got us near to the ground. Well when I say near, we parked in some estate about a mile or so away from the stadium. I have never been to any league game and seen so many coaches for the away side, made all the more incredible by the fact that the game was in the same city as the home team. It was obvious that for security reasons the fans approach the ground from their own sides. But even on a night game it was amazing to see where the coaches had come from. One was from Devon, a journey that I have been complaining that I have to make this Sunday. These guys probably make it every game. For once we got to the ground before the Leven boys. Good to keep them waiting, mind you they would not have been stuck with out tickets, as Rangers fans were walking round without the priceless piece of paper. Bucket gave me stick for having a go at him in the article 'Champions Again'. Once again Scott had done the business and for �£38 I had the ticket for the 'party'. During my many years I have seen hundreds, indeed probably thousands, of games and I have refereed virtually every big derby game in England. As I said earlier I have experienced the OF atmosphere, but never have I witnessed anything like this night as 7,000 Bears had the party to end all parties. The result in Celticâ��s Cup Final could have been better, but nothing was going to spoil the occasion. The fans conducted non-stop singing from before the game until long after the final whistle. Song after song was sang with gusto and the terracing literally did bounce. The early in jury to 'Shagger' I am sure affected the outcome of the game. Alexander appeared nervous and both goals could have been avoided. Mind you after the Alamo, had Rangers got off at half-time level it would have been a result. The second half was much better and Rangers were very unfortunate not to get a point. In fairness the ref did not do too badly, keeping the lid on a game that teetered on the edge throughout. Tackles were flying in and the inevitable sending off came much later than I had earlier anticipated. Lee McCulloch was unwise to launch himself into a challenge having already been booked, but McGeady did not help matters by deliberately going to ground without any contact having been made. I hope that he is proud of himself! Boruc, having incurred the usual stick from the travelling fans, bit big time. He appeared to spit on the ground at the Rangers fans as he was substituted and then perhaps lived up to his description as he fondled himself after the match. Pity he went off actually as he would probably not have got to the deflected shot that the sub keeper made an excellent save from. So Lennon got his victory and I, like most Rangers fans, would be happy to see him get the job. He provides an excellent 'hate' figure and also it would mean that he does not join 'Chesney' as a coach at Boro. I donâ��t think I have ever left a ground having watched my side get beaten in such a relaxed manner. Okay the result was important from a pride point of view, but I had witnessed a party, celebrating number 53 and two in a row. Next season I am sure that there will be more at stake on the outcome of the games and I am sure that Rangers fans will help create a similar atmosphere. Well thatâ��s it for this season. I am up in Glasgow on Sunday night for the Scottish Football Writers Dinner as a guest of my horse racing buddie Fraser, but canâ��t drive the 476 miles from Bideford Football club in time for the lunchtime kick off at Ibrox. Perth races in a few weeks time promises to be a good weekend especially as a night out with the Leven boys is included in the trip. No doubt this article will provoke the usual responses from cowardly, fictitious emails from 'IRA', 'Gerry Adams' and 'Billy King', but FUCK them all. Freedom of speech, thatâ��s what our brave soldiers gave their lives for. Sincere thanks to Scott and the boys from Buckhaven and Methil Rangers Supporters Club, not only for getting me tickets but for their friendship and loyalty. I have enjoyed speaking at numerous dinners and events and look forward to many more in the future. http://www.jeffwinterentertainmentandmedia.co.uk/rangers/0910006.php

Artur Boruc looks to have played his last game for Celtic as Spanish giants Sevilla line up a �£2million bid for the keeper. Sevilla are looking to buy a top-class replacement for veteran No.1 Andres Palop this summer and Boruc is high on their shopping list. He last week agreed to be represented by top agent Struan Marshall - who also looks after Robbie Keane - and Record Sport can reveal there has been contact with Sevilla about the Pole. Boruc has a year of his �£30,000-a-week contract to run at Parkhead and it will not be renewed at that level in the current financial climate. That is likely to lead to his departure next month as it means the Hoops will get a transfer rather than lose him on a Bosman next year. Sevilla will have a huge transfer kitty this summer as they are expected to sell Luis Fabiano for around �£17m. Palop, 36, who was No. 3 keeper for Spain when they won Euro 2008, is now regarded as a liability and apologised for cost ing Sevilla their Champions League place after a howler against CSKA Moscow in the last 16. Boruc - who has been at Celtic for five years - would welcome a move to La Liga but Hamburg and Olympiakos have also declared their interest. It now looks increasingly likely Tuesday night's Old Firm victory was the 30-year-old's last game for Celtic as Boruc suffered two broken fingers that rule him out of Sunday's final league match of the season against Hearts. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2010/05/06/celtic-goalkeeper-artur-boruc-in-frame-for-2m-summer-transfer-to-sevilla-86908-22237538/

I hope TBO have some cracking displays for the final visit of the season to the TATTIE DOME, a big wind up is required,anybody have ideas what would be order of the day too piss the BHEASTS off ?

Walter Smith is playing down Nacho Novo's critical comments of arch-rivals Celtic ahead of Wednesday's Old Firm clash. More...

Andreas Hinkel lit the blue touchpaper ahead of the final Old Firm derby of the season by insisting Celtic will prove to a global audience they are better than champions Rangers. The German defender cannot envisage the prospect of completing the SPL campaign without a win over Walter Smith's side. Instead, he claimed Celtic will be inspired by their feeling of frustration about the three previous Old Firm matches, which have all featured controversial decisions in two home wins for Rangers and a 1-1 draw at Parkhead. 'It is always an important game against Rangers and we want to prove we are better than them,' said Hinkel ahead of tomorrow night's game. The league is finished but we can show all of Scotland, and all of the world, that we are the better team. 'When you see the three games we have had against them this season, then think about it. Even the game we lost in the last minute, we deserved a draw. We were very unlucky.' Rangers striker Nacho Novo revealed last week that the Ibrox players had laughed in the face of Celtic's weak challenge this season. Celtic have lost 14 games in all competitions, while Rangers have lost seven. 'I did not read anything from Nacho Novo,' said Hinkel. 'To be honest, I don't think about things like that and don't care what Novo says or thinks. He is not that important to me. It is always important to beat Rangers. It is the biggest game in the city and there is so much history attached to the fixture. 'It does not matter if the league is finished or not. It's one game but we want to beat them. 'We cannot turn around the season and the league is now finished but we would still love to beat the champions. 'I can't say in a few words why we are the better team, but just watch the previous Old Firm games. 'The last time we played them here, we scored only one goal but we made so many chances. We just let in one late goal for a 1-1 draw. 'Not taking our chances and conceding too many cheap goals has been our main problem for the main part of this season. 'We dropped too many points because of that. 'I don't want to talk about the (refereeing) decisions in the Old Firm matches but you can see them. We are frustrated about all three games against Rangers. 'I don't know if beating them would do anything psychologically for us for next season. 'But, if you think about the three Old Firm games so far, we deserved to win at least one of them. 'Actually, we dominated the first one at Ibrox and also the one here at New Year. 'We will give everything we can on Tuesday to get at least one win over them in the season.' Hinkel has 12 months left on his Parkhead contract, with Schalke 04 believed to be keen on taking him back to his native Germany. 'Everybody knows the situation - I have one year left on my Celtic contract,' he said. 'People are saying: "Is Hinkel staying or going?" I can only say that if a club like Schalke is being mentioned, then it shows my performances here have been noticed. 'They are a big club in Germany. But I have not spoken to them. 'Celtic have not spoken to me, either, about my contract still having a year to run. 'It's a good sign to be linked with a big club. You have to ask Celtic what they want to do.' :fish: :spl: :robbo: Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1270864/Celtic-defender-Andreas-Hinkel-Were-better-Rangers-prove-derby.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0moj4gTuW

CELTIC ace Dio-mansy Kamara has launched a stinging attack on Nacho Novo, accusing him of gloating over Rangers' title win. Novo, who scored Gers' second at Tannadice yesterday, branded Celtic "moaners" after the SPL flag was wrapped up at Easter Road last week. The striker, out of contract in the summer, also rounded on Tony Mowbray for attacking Rangers' style of play. But Celts striker Kamara, far left, feels that Novo's blast ahead of Tuesday's Old Firm derby at Parkhead was a bid to extend his stay at Ibrox. He fumed: "We want to show a reaction to Novo and maybe then he can be quiet. We will play him on Tuesday and see what happens. "It's not good to talk like that. Rangers deserve to be champions this year, but it is always nice to be gracious. "Novo is not playing, he is always on the bench, so maybe he is speaking like this because he wants a new contract. "But this happens in football, it doesn't matter what people say. "This Old Firm game will be about honour and beating Rangers in front of our fans because we have lost two and drawn one, so we want to atone. "I don't think we need extra motivation when it is the Old Firm derby and if we can win it for Neil Lennon it will be great for the team and for him. "The Old Firm games are always big. Rangers are already champions and they deserve it because they're a strong team who have lost just two or three games this season. "We haven't beaten them yet, but Tuesday's game is a big chance for us to prove ourselves and show that we can win. "An 11-point gap between Rangers and Celtic is too much and we want to close the gap on them." :spl:

. http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/169635/Ibrox-takeover-will-sway-Boyd

RANGERS and Celtic fans are heading for a midsummer clash in London with both clubs invited to take part in glamour tournaments on the same weekend. Celtic have already confirmed they will participate in the Emirates Cup on Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1 alongside hosts Arsenal and continental big guns AC Milan and Lyon. Record Sport can reveal that over the same two days Rangers have been asked to play in the Wembley Cup which will feature Chelsea and a top La Liga club. The SPL champions have yet to accept the offer from event organisers IMG although if they do, about 30,000 Old Firm fans could descend on the capital for the two events. Security concerns have been raised but it's understood the Metropolitan Police have given the green light for Rangers and Celtic to be in London at the same time. They feel they can cope with a massive influx of supporters from north of the border - an attitude in stark contrast with Manchester police who blocked plans to lure Rangers south for Gary Neville's August testimonial. Meanwhile, Rangers are set to lock horns with former boss Alex McLeish after lining up a friendly with Birmingham on August 7.

BOSTON has sparked fury with a campaign to halt a unique Old Firm derby in the city after claims that Rangers fans could run riot. Celtic and Rangers could land a �£1million-plus close-season bonanza with a friendly in the US. But the Boston Globe - one of America's most-respected journals - is leading the bid to have the game at Fenway Park called off. It has accused Gers supporters of causing mayhem and violence at home and abroad. In a stinging editorial, it falsely claims "tensions between Celtic and Rangers fans" caused the Ibrox Disaster in 1971. The astonishing attack has been slammed by the SPL champions and has sparked a fierce backlash from angry Gers fans. The Boston Globe wrote: "While it is recognised that not all Rangers fans involve themselves in such activity, one can't help wonder how the city of Boston will fare after a Fenway game, should the Rangers faithful feel the need to express themselves, as they did in Manchester in 2008. "Following their team's defeat in the UEFA Cup Final, the blue-clad fans left parts of Manchester in a shambles and forced the local constabulary to don riot gear to restore order. "But Rangers have a long history of violence on their travels, dating back decades. "Who can forget their pitch invasion in Barcelona in 1972, which earned the club a one-year ban from European competition? The same fans brought their particular brand of fanaticism to Romania last year, clashing with police who were forced to use tear gas. "With Spanish police reporting Rangers violence in 2006 (Villarreal) and 2007 (Barcelona), the list goes on and on. "Most notably, disaster struck at Rangers' Ibrox Stadium in 1971 following a crush-barrier failure. It is widely accepted that the tensions between Celtic and Rangers fans played a major part in the 66 deaths. "Celtic, by comparison, can be charged with, well, not much at all. If their arch-rivals have dragged the name of Glasgow through the mud, it must be said that Celtic fans have done their best to restore the good name." Angry Rangers insist they will demand a retraction from the newspaper. Advertisement Quantcast A spokesman said: "Rangers fans can be assured the reference in this article to the Ibrox Disaster, in particular, which is both inaccurate and offensive, will be taken up with the newspaper." Stephen Smith, of the Rangers Supporters' Trust, said: "The remarks about 1971 are disgusting and entirely inaccurate." Celtic, meanwhile, have added another date to their American tour. They will face Seattle Sounders on July 18. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2952064/We-dont-want-your-yobs-Gers.html#ixzz0mSt3rvUX

Rangers in crisis ââ?¬â?? Douglas Park has spoken to director Dave King, but admits takeover is ââ?¬Ë?impossibleââ?¬â?¢ because of tax investigation For sale ââ?¬â?? but whoââ?¬â?¢s buying? Darrell King Share 0 comments 28 Apr 2010 Douglas Park, the businessman who has interests in several car *franchises and a coach company, last night confirmed he has spoken with Dave King, the South Africa-based *millionaire Rangers director who remains interested in taking over the club. Park told The Herald there was a ââ?¬Å?real willingnessââ?¬Â from several individuals who want to help the Ibrox club out of their financial plight. However, with the revelation that an HM Revenue and Customs investi*gation is ongoing into payments Rangers made into playersââ?¬â?¢ offshore trusts over the past decade, Park conceded there would have to be certain conditions agreed with Rangersââ?¬â?¢ owners, Murray Inter*national, and the clubââ?¬â?¢s bankers, Lloyds, before any deal could be done. The SPL championsââ?¬â?¢ debts are still hovering around the Ã?£30m mark, and the HMRC investigation could lead to a tax bill ââ?¬â?? the exact amount yet unknown ââ?¬â?? having to be met if the club is found to have a case to answer. When asked if he had held discussions with King over a potential buy-out, Park would only say: ââ?¬Å?I have had meetings with Dave King since January, but the contents of our discussions are private. There are people out there with a real willingness to put millions of pounds of their own money into the club to try to address the current situation and return the club to stability. However, unless certain conditions are met, it would be impossible for anything to proceed. ââ?¬Å?At the moment, the bank are in total control of the situation as the season-ticket money, and any Champions League money, comes in.ââ?¬Â Rangers are anxious to discover as soon as possible the bankââ?¬â?¢s plans for the biggest revenue stream into the club, season-ticket monies that annually amount to between Ã?£18m and Ã?£20m, with sources telling The Herald there are fears this money will be used to attack the overall debt as the wait for a new owner goes on. Last night, Rangers were guaranteed automatic entry to the Cham*pions League group stages next season after Bayern Munich overcame Lyon 0-4 on aggregate in France. The German side, along with Barcelona and Inter Milan, who contest the second semi-final tonight, are all guaranteed to play in the 2010/11 group phase courtesy of their domestic league positions and, therefore, an automatic position has been freed up for the champions of Scotland. There are people out there with a real willingness to put millions of pounds of their own money into the club to try to address the current situation and return the club to stability. However, unless certain conditions are met, it would be impossible for anything to proceed. Douglas Park This will generate revenue of around Ã?£15m for Rangers and, again, answers are being sought from the bank as to what will happen to that money, and how much will be put into the business plan for the season ahead. Rangers issued a statement last night denying that Champions League income ââ?¬Å?had already been ring-fenced by the bank to reduce the clubââ?¬â?¢s debtââ?¬Â. However, when our sister paper the Evening Times broke the story yesterday, their suggestion was that senior sources at the club feared the Champions League and season ticket money would be used to address debts, not that it had already been agreed. The statement added: ââ?¬Å?Discussions with the bank in relation to the business plan will take place in the coming weeks. The club would also like to reiterate once again that at no time has director Dave King made an offer for the purchase of Rangers.ââ?¬Â Manager Walter Smith has expressed fears since last October over the future of the club, but he will say nothing else on the financial situation, or his own contractual situation, until being informed by the board of what the business plan is. Smith is almost certainly unwilling to commit to another season at the helm if the club is going to continue downsizing. At the moment, with six players out of contract, *Rangers are scheduled to return for pre-*season training in July with a squad of 14 first-team players plus two goalkeepers. Of that number, three are young players in Danny Wilson, John Fleck and Andrew Little, while another is Andrius Velicka who is unlikely to be match-fit for the start of the season after nine months on the sidelines with a knee injury. They could be open to predators in the transfer market for players such as Madjid Bougherra, Steven Davis and Allan McGregor, with no guarantees that any money from sales will be allowed to fund replacements. There has been no scouting network in place because of the financial cutbacks over the past six months; while the pre-season tour planned for America, including a money-spinning Old Firm match against Celtic scheduled for Boston on July 21, *cannot be confirmed until a management team is in place for next season.

Here's more; http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/rangers/2010/04/28/rangers-hero-nacho-novo-tells-celtic-to-shut-those-mouths-after-accusing-rivals-of-season-of-moaning-86908-22217510/

The roars of the championship celebration may still echo in the ears of Walter Smith and his team, but the Rangers manager knows that something substantial has to be put into action at the club. And that must happen now, if not sooner. Smith is aware the planning for next season must start immediately. The football world continues to spin, but Rangers remain directionless. In the global world of football plc, if a side is not going forward, then it is going backwards. Standing still is not an option. The Rangers manager has serious concerns in the short-term. This morning, in a normal world without a Ã?£30m-plus debt, he would be sipping an Anadin-laced refreshment while planning to secure the future of players whose contracts are running down and assessing the possibilities of signing recruits. Instead, Smith has to stare at indecision. He craves movement. ââ?¬Å?For us, the financial situation is well-documented. If anybody wants to look at the business columns, youââ?¬â?¢ll see exactly what it is,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?But we have to handle the problems that weââ?¬â?¢re left with because of that situation. We can only handle that for so long. I would feel, right at the present moment, that the ââ?¬Ë?so longââ?¬â?¢ period is up. Unless something happens, then you canââ?¬â?¢t keep asking this same group to come back and play week-in, week-out.ââ?¬Â Smith then mounted an appeal for clarity and a speedy resolution to the present situation where a clear budget has not been drawn up for the manager. ââ?¬Å?If itââ?¬â?¢s going to be the bankââ?¬â?¢s plan, if itââ?¬â?¢s going to be a new owner, if there is something else that comes along ââ?¬â?? a supportersââ?¬â?¢ buy-out or whatever ââ?¬â?? we donââ?¬â?¢t need it in a monthââ?¬â?¢s time,ââ?¬Â he said, stressing the immediacy of the crisis confronting him. ââ?¬Å?I can only have an opinion on how long it can be allowed to drift. And Iââ?¬â?¢m saying to you that, if something doesnââ?¬â?¢t happen shortly to let us know exactly where everybody stands at the club, then weââ?¬â?¢ve got a major problem.ââ?¬Â That problem may be exacerbated by the departure of the manager. ââ?¬Å?That leaves me with a decision. Iââ?¬â?¢ll need to say them: ââ?¬Ë?If nothing is going to change in the short-term, what is happening?ââ?¬â?¢ ââ?¬Â He was acerbic, too, about Rangersââ?¬â?¢ almost certain qualification for the group stages of the Champions League. If Bayern Munich knock out Olympique Lyonnais tonight in the semi-final of the competition, then the Ibrox side can start counting Ã?£10m of income. Smith said of the bankers: ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢m the manager. I can only point it out from the playing side of things. From the other side of things, theyââ?¬â?¢re elated arenââ?¬â?¢t they? Because thatââ?¬â?¢s them, theyââ?¬â?¢ve got an opportunity of the Champions League money again, theyââ?¬â?¢re rubbing their hands.ââ?¬Â Indeed, he had an unusual take on where Rangers could be if successive championships had not been won. ââ?¬Å?The club would maybe have been sold. There you are,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?Why? Because theyââ?¬â?¢re sitting back looking at two lots of Champions League money, arenââ?¬â?¢t they? Thatââ?¬â?¢s Ã?£24m, dead easy from their point of view. We have been disadvantaging anybody buying the club by winning. Thatââ?¬â?¢s what weââ?¬â?¢re doing.ââ?¬Â His contact with the people making the financial decisions is minimal. ââ?¬Å?You keep asking me the questions and I donââ?¬â?¢t know anything about it. They just tell me what they want to tell me, which is very little,ââ?¬Â he said. The impact on the playing side of the club, though, is substantial. ââ?¬Å?There has to be a situation, for the sake of the football side ââ?¬â?? never me or my position ââ?¬â?? that clarifies exactly where the club is going. If we donââ?¬â?¢t get that, then the club will suffer. Never mind me, never mind anybody else, the club will suffer,ââ?¬Â he said. What chance would there be of a third successive title? ââ?¬Å?I said quite clearly that the team will suffer,ââ?¬Â said Smith briskly. And the Champions League? ââ?¬Å?The thing about the Champions League is, if we donââ?¬â?¢t strengthen and donââ?¬â?¢t get any extra players in, weââ?¬â?¢re basically going in for the money. Thatââ?¬â?¢s how it is. Weââ?¬â?¢re not going to win it anyway. It would be a folly to consider that. ââ?¬Å?But the year that we had the big European games, challenged for the championship, won a couple of cups and got to the final of the UEFA Cup, we had 26 players on the staff. Weââ?¬â?¢re now down to roughly 16, taking away the younger ones. Iââ?¬â?¢m talking about boys with reasonable experience. Weââ?¬â?¢re down to 16, six of whom are out of contract. You start to see the problems that can occur.ââ?¬Â The only way out of that situation is for a budget to be drawn up now so Smith can make his dispositions. However, that is contingent on stability at the club. There are already growing whispers that Rangers could be the subject of a sustained, serious bidding process this week, possibly after their Champions League fate is ascertained. Smith would then almost certainly remain with the club with the proviso that his coaching staff remained untouched and his budget for players was realistic. But he is tiring of the situation. He said: ââ?¬Å?It was 18 months ago now that everybody was put up for sale. And for six months before that, we had the situation boiling away in the background. So weââ?¬â?¢ve had to deal with it for a couple of years now. But weââ?¬â?¢ve had a really good group of players, thatââ?¬â?¢s the one thing. They are great lads, terrific boys to work with.ââ?¬Â He said ââ?¬Å?the brightness and edgeââ?¬Â had been rubbed off the players by the rigours of the season. ââ?¬Å?I donââ?¬â?¢t think people appreciate just how much it takes out of a player in an Old Firm team, to go and win every week,ââ?¬Â he said. The campaign has taken its toll on Smith, too. It is not just time that is running out but his patience, too. He is standing on the front line with no sign of reinforcements and with at least two leading players ââ?¬â?? in Kris Boyd and Madjid Bougherra ââ?¬â?? likely to leave the ranks. The joy and justifiable satisfaction accrued by consecutive title victories will endure for some time. It has to be bolstered by substantial team-building. Rangers badly need a battle plan. The club is still fighting for its future. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/walter-smith-warns-that-planning-for-next-season-must-be-taken-immediately-at-rangers-1.1023298

As we all know, if Celtic fail to beat Utd tomorrow the league is ours. And I have read that some would prefer Celtic to win in order that we can win the league on our own. However, in looking at how things stand they are rather interesting : We will win the league on our own merits regardless - a league is won over 38 games, not just 1 (or should that be 34 or 35 games.....) But rather more interesting is if Utd defeat Celtic tomorrow. If they manage that then there will be just 4 points difference with 9 still to play for (3 games). Utd then play us the following weekend whilst Celtic are at home to Motherwell. Whilst you wouldn't expect Well to take anything from Parkhead it is still feasible with how poor Celtic have been this season. Couple that with the fact that Utd play us at Tannadice that weekend and, with the league won if Utd take points off Celtic tomorrow, there is no reason why we shouldnt give our champions some much needed rest and bring in some youngsters.... which could yield a further 3 points for Utd.... Then onto the penultimate week where Utd will be away to Hearts (who look like they will have little to play for) and they will have known the outcome of the Old Firm game. We are more than capable of going to Parkhead and winning. If we do, and Utd take full points at Tynecastle, then the gap between 2nd and 3rd would be reduced by 3 points again. The final weekend of league action sees Utd at home to Hibs. Tough game but certainly plausible that Utd could pick up full points. Meanwhile Celtic will be at Tynecastle and, whilst Hearts will have nothing to play for, Celtic could be in the position of looking over their shoulder at Utd and the pressure could result in an upset. There are still many variables, and different outcomes could prevail, but it is not outwith the realm of possibility that a Utd win tomorrow sees Celtic in a very precarious, and real, position of not even taking 2nd place....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267614/Old-Firm-Tea-Party-Rangers-Celtic-make-history-Boston-friendly-clash.html No thanks... The Old Firm game has already lost some of its prestige with being played so often in Scotland live on TV, never mind making it a friendly in a country that couldn't care less about football.

Wilson savours extraordinary breakthrough at Rangers More...

GERS lose Old Firm 'friendly' but players gain valuable game time More...

(But how many for the treble? ) Celtic can finish with a maximum of 84 points I believe (currently on 51 with 11 games and a potential 33 points to go). Prior to today we were 8 wins from guaranteeing the title. 3 points today means we need only a further 7 wins assuming Celtic win all their games (winning or avoiding defeat in the final Old Firm will of course change that ). We're on 64 points now, 7 more wins (21 points) would put us on a insurmountable 85 points. So I intend to use this thread to keep track of how many points we are from the title. :spl: 21 is the current target, though I would be highly suprised if it wasn't a few less.

Inspired by an article in the Celtic View http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=488405

PAPAC booking at Tannadice incurs two-match suspension More... Losing Papac is a blow but his form has been patchy of late. Will be interesting to see if Smith is brought immediately into the team to bed him in for those fixtures.

OLD Firm game on May 4 as fixtures are announced More...

Seems to be a swell of sources suggesting that the final Old Firm game of the season will be a mid-week fixture. Mainly because the police/SPL don't want us winning the title there, don't want the game on a bank holiday weekend and, this, in conjunction with all police leave allegedly being cancelled for the afore-mentioned date, leaves only that day for the fixture. Apparently, Sunday is when the post-split fixtures will be released officially. We're expected to have 2 home games out of the 5 - probably one against Dundee Utd and the other versus Motherwell.

Prior to ending his ill fated reign with Celtic this week Tony Mowbray had taken so much on the chin that only Jimmy Hill or Buzz Lightyear could have withstood so many blows to the jaw. From the moment he entered Celtic Park as the new manager Mowbray was struggling to make himself understood and often left listeners and observers questioning his intentions and meaning. It is undeniable that the media hold a large amount of sway over the general public and if you are not able to keep the devious and conniving journalists happy or provide them with good copy then you are facing an uphill battle undertaking such a high profile role in managing one half of the Old Firm. Admittedly the press cannot argue that black is white or up is down. However, if you end up on the wrong side of the tabloid press perhaps they can influence mass opinion and shorten your stay in Glasgow? By manipulating popular opinion a manager may find his time is up sooner (or later) than it should be. Walter Smithââ?¬â?¢s predecessor Paul Le Guen struggled with the language barrier and a fairly diffident approach to speaking to the press as part of official club duties. As with Tony the Fourth, Le Guenââ?¬â?¢s results were atrocious and ultimately led to his downfall; however, had Le Guen enjoyed a more genial relationship with Scotlandââ?¬â?¢s hacks perhaps they might have been able to engender greater good will to the Frenchmanââ?¬â?¢s vision for the future of Rangers. Alas, PLG delivered neither the results not cultivated the media relationships to extend his stay into a second season. Now, those two examples; PLG and Mowbray, it could be argued had to leave as results ensured their position had become untenable. That would not explain the departure of Gordon Strachan. After 3 successful seasons in the East End Walter Smith returned to Ibrox to wrest back control over Scottish football to Govan. Three consecutive successful seasons followed by one poor year would normally give the manager enough credit to have a shot at a re-exerting their dominance. Strachan, though, has always been a prickly character when dealing with the press. Whilst his quips and barbed replies provide amusement to fans across the country, the journalists are less amused at his cutting remarks. Strachan was never accepted by the Celtic ââ?¬Å?faithfulââ?¬Â as he wasnââ?¬â?¢t Celtic minded (an Irish RC bigot) but again a national press normally ever willing to talk up their Celtic friends did nothing to assuage fan opinion even in spite of his success. The previous incumbents of the managerial hot-seats; Alex McLeish and Martin Oââ?¬â?¢Neill were afforded plenty of good will by the journalistic brotherhood. McLeish epitomised everything a Rangers manager should in much the same way as Walter Smith does now. Gracious in victory, dignified in defeat. A Scotland legend and a well spoken and amenable man in dealing with the press. Oââ?¬â?¢Neill, by contrast is much the opposite, the typical Celtic man. He led the club through some undignified stunts (using his opposite manââ?¬â?¢s name in celebratory t-shirt slogans) and is the poster boy for sore losers. He helped fan the flames of bigotry, making a mountain out of a molehill and then some. A softly spoken man who talks intelligently to the assembled media, yet a distinctly dislikeable person. We have seen with Gordon Strachan how Celtic fans will claim not to be able to put aside their footballing philosophy in the pursuit of success. Yet they only turned on Strachan once he failed to deliver the SPL trophy and never complained about the ugly, agricultural brand of football that Oââ?¬â?¢Neill delivered as he tried and ultimately failed to compete with Alex McLeish. Thanks to a fawning media Oââ?¬â?¢Neillââ?¬â?¢s inability to produce a brand of football that was anything close to resembling the total football they profess is their trademark was completely ignored. He had the support of our press, delivered some success (though not as successful as Strachan) and so his faults were ignored. Walter Smith will most likely choose his own time to depart from Rangers for the second time. An ability to pick his own retirement date will primarily be earned through continued years of domestic dominance. It will also owe a lot to his control of the West Coast Sports Writers. A man of immense respect within the game and unparalleled dignity, the journalists know better than to pick a fight with the Don of Scottish Football. Some have tried before and as Chic Young among them will testify have come off a very poor second best.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d76QwS6u0yw]YouTube- CELTIC ARE RIGHT . DODGY DECISIONS IN OLD FIRM GAMES HAIL HAIL[/ame] Thought Ian's post in another thread was worth of some attention in here.