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Following Richard McBrearty's kind submission to the STS project, I thought I'd return the favour by visiting the Hampden Museum yesterday. Firstly, parking is obviously not a problem as there is loads of space outside the main stand of Hampden, where the museum is housed, although I'd recommend driving in via Aikenhead Road rather than Cathcart Road, as I did. The cost is �£6 for either the museum entrance or the stadium tour, or �£9 for both. Half price for U16s. I didn't feel ripped off at these prices. First thing that you notice when you enter the museum is a tribute to Walter Tull, which was a nice touch, and one I enjoyed given the Rangers connection. The museum takes up a lot of space, and there is plenty of room to wonder aroud. I'll not detail all the exhibits, but there are plenty of interest, including one of the UEFA Cup final with a Rangers and Zenit tops from the game, and even the unique ticket stub, which brought back the joy of actually having it in my hand for the first time. There are a number of videos including one which gave some highlights of big games, including the old firm game where Grant, Hurlock, Walters and Hateley got sent off. that would certainly give overseas visitors a taste of the old firm passion. There is an inter-active section for the Hall of fame which is useful as it gives the background for the entrants on a video which is more user-friendly for younger people who may not know who the likes of Mr Struth are. There is also a section where kids can play on Playstations if they start to get a bit bored. The stadium tours are at set times. the museum wasn't busy, for a Sunday afternoon, and there were 9 people on our tour, including 2 Spaniards, who are studying in Scotland, and a couple from Aberdeen who were down for the weekend. Again the tour is very enjoyable. You get to see the tunnel under the stadium where the team coaches arrive, the dressing rooms, the 2 roooms each for referees and "ball persons" (one for each sex in these enlightened times), the warm-up area, which includes a "how hard can you kick a ball" section, and then go out into the stadium itself and see the various parts of the main stand. One interesting fact is that there is a TV in the referees room but it is apparently not turned on at haf time so they can't see whether they got certain decisions correct. You can also see the champagne marks on the ceiling following Real Madrid's win in the CL. I'd actually like to go back without my son, so that i can take some more time looking at some of the exhibits in more detail. It was a great way to spend a few hours on a sunday afternoon, and I'd recommend it.

Scotland were taught a lesson inside the Amsterdam ArenA. The 3-0 defeat inflicted on George Burley's beaten-up side in World Cup qualification Group 9 was only part of the education. George Peat, in his traditional sit-down with Sunday newspapermen on these jaunts, bemoaned the state of Scottish football from the senior game to grass roots. The subtext was: in times of financial hardship, for how much longer will supporters continue to pay over the odds for the dross served up on the pitch and in the pie stalls? It is hard to disagree. His challenge as president of the Scottish FA is providing a viable solution via his newly formed working group. Emulating the Dutch philosophy is a good start. These guys know how to put on a show. The home of Ajax is a thrilling venue for international football, a space-age dome that resembles a prop from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The pre-match entertainment ensured the majority of the 70,000 support were in place at least an hour before kick-off. advertisement A sound system blaring out an agreeable shuffle of 80s electro pop and stadium rock anthems helped the revelry along and an airing of 500 Miles not only involved the Tartan Army in the shindig but evoked a communal karaoke that put a smile on the face of even the most cynical and weary international traveller. As well as providing one of the most talented teams on the planet, the KNVB did not take the football for granted. As a result, they ought to be commended for contributing to a kaleidoscope of colour. Their fans were the highlight of Euro 2008, kitted out head to toe in fluorescent orange, drinking merrily, but not to excess, and generally enhancing the reputation of their country's sublime team. If only the Tartan Army had such self-control. Dam Square resembled a battleground before and after the game, strewn with kilted casualties to the local nectar. There is a fine line between banter and breach of the peace and while the majority enjoyed themselves responsibly, there remains a core of Scotland fans who heap embarrassment on their country. Starved of success for so long, they are now complicit in this barren era for their acceptance of the team's failings. In short, for many the opportunity to sample a new mixture of hops and barley takes priority over the football. The beer blocks out the expectation. A similar resignation has become apparent domestically. Supporters have wearily accepted the grubby nature of the country's primary sporting pursuit and have perpetuated the downturn by not voting with their feet. This summer is expected to be a watershed for Scottish football. It can only be hoped Peat and the other hierarchical figures heed the warning. Football fans from the Old Firm down are given no real value for money, with the odd laudable exception. Clubs are now reaping a bitter harvest after decades of reckless spending on mediocre players to the detriment of their stadium, catering and customers. It is a bugbear that clubs continue to take their supporters' cash for granted. They moan that they cannot get enough through the gates yet provide little to entice them from a young age. The Old Firm have been oversubscribed with season ticket requests but that trend will change if the standards continue to plummet. The relationship between player and punter has never been so distant. Public relations departments put up a needless partition by treating average talents as precious, untouchable ornaments to admire but not touch. If football wants to be loved again, it has to open up. They have to actively end the trend of fans arriving at 3.05pm and rushing for the exits with 10 minutes to go. They can start - Old Firm included - by making their players available in fan zones an hour before kick-off. Scott Brown and Barry Ferguson are injured? Their turn to take part in a mini coaching clinic outside the ground, a meet-and-greet for competition winners, an autograph here, a photograph there. Real PR, week after week. Provincial clubs are losing their local fans? Get into primary schools, help out the school teacher/school team manager once a week and promote the brand around the ground with mini crossbar challenges, face-painting in club colours - anything to get the kids to come back and feel the club is part of their community, not just a drain on daddy's dwindling disposable income. If the clubs claim they don't have money to throw at marketing, then the SPL should have the spine to contract out to an event management team capable of enhancing the product and mending the broken relationship between clubs and their audience. While we are at it, why not get the government's backing by doing away with the artery-clogging menus and looking after the customer's health while ripping them off at the kiosks? The standard of football may not have evolved but eating habits have moved on from war-time favourites such as mutton pie and Bovril. Scottish football needs a radical overhaul but improving the stunted development is only part of it. If the clubs continue to drag their heels, maybe an opportunist entrepreneur will step forward and seize the moment. In the meantime, the fans can play their part by demanding improvement, even if it means staying away in droves until the message finally hits home. n And another thing Your intrepid reporter confounded sleep deprivation and the Amsterdam red-eye flight to score (admittedly from two yards out) in Jackton Allstars' narrow 3-2 defeat to a Tommy Sheridan-inspired East Kilbride News Select. The teams, including John Hartson, John Brown and a still silky Frank McGarvey, helped raise �£1600 for Kilbryde Hospice and the EK News Toy Appeal. http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.2498597.0.Scottish_football_needs_a_radical_overhaul.php

JOHN FLECK has enjoyed a meteoric rise to stardom with Rangers this season but the talented youngster is more than happy to take his international career one step at a time. After scoring his first top team goal from the penalty spot against Dundee United on January 31 there were suggestions that John, 17, could be included in George Burley's 'A' squad for the country's forthcoming European Championship qualifiers against Holland and Iceland. John FleckAlthough he would have been as proud as punch to be selected for fixtures of this importance the talented teen always knew his chances would be slim despite many people tipping him to blast on to the international stage like a Wayne Rooney or Michael Owen. This, of course, is a rarity and last week Fleck was over the moon to be picked by Billy Stark for the Scotland under-21 squad that will take on Albania home and away over the next seven days. Having only made six starts at senior level in a Light Blue jersey John has no doubt that being part of this set-up will be hugely beneficial to his development and he couldn't wait to meet up with his new under-21 colleagues earlier this week. He said: "It's great for me as a young boy to be picked at this level. "We have two big games coming up against Albania and I have to thank Billy Stark for giving me this chance. "There was a lot of talk about me possibly being selected for the top team but I think being with the 21s is the right step for me. "People were saying I could play against Holland this weekend but to be honest I never listen to things like that. "I am still only 17 and have just broken in to the first team at Rangers. "Right now I am just very pleased to be picked the 21s for the first time and if I can make my debut even better." Fleck is one of four Murray Park kids to travel to Albania this week for the first of two European Championship qualifiers and he was joined by goalkeeper Scott Gallacher midfielder Andrew Shinnie and striker Rory Loy. The 2009 European Championship finals will be played this summer in Sweden but with Scotland failing to progress they will now get their qualifying campaign for 2011 underway on Saturday in Elbasani's Ruzhdi Bizhutu John FleckStadium with a return clash at the Falkirk Stadium being played on April 1. John is confident his side can start their qualifying group, which also includes Austria, Belarus and Azerbaijan, off to a flyer by taking full points. He said: "When you look at the squad we have there are a lot of lads playing first-team football every week so I won't be going there expecting to start or anything like that. "When we meet up I will try to impress the coach like everybody else and if I play I will do my best to help the team. "Over the years I have played for Scotland at different levels and when you pull on the jersey it makes you very proud. "If I get that chance again in the next week or so it will be a big thing for me so I will give 100 per cent and hopefully we can get a couple of victories. "I would be lying if I said that I knew anything about Albania but if we play well I am sure we can do well and get a couple of good results. fleck old firm_160"At international level you can never underestimate any team, I am 17 and already I know that, but I always try to be confident going in to every game no matter who it is against." John will use his time with Scotland to catch up with two of his Gers teammates Shinnie and Loy, both of whom are enjoying successful loan spells at Dundee and Dunfermline. He said: "It's great that there are a few of us from Rangers in the squad. "Scott is obviously a talented keeper while Andrew and Rory have been doing very well on loan and have been involved in big games. "So being with the under-21s will be a great experience and we will all be desperate to make the most of it." In what is a complex European Championship U21 qualifying system for 2011, ten group winners and the four best runners-up advance to a Final Tournament Play Off stage which will take place between the 9th and 13th of October 2010. The final tournament will then be played between the 12th and 25th June 2011.

TOLD he is finished, cast as the scapegoat, the cause of all Rangersââ?¬â?¢ ills. Barry Ferguson knows the role only too well. In the wake of the nightmarish Ibrox loss to Caley Thistle and the Co-operative Insurance Final defeat from Celtic the clamour has grown. Itââ?¬â?¢s been claimed Gers would be better off without him ââ?¬â? and heââ?¬â?¢s been tagged a bully whose very presence is stifling other players. The flak flies and the glare of the spotlight never dims. When Ferguson walks into the Amsterdam ArenA on Saturday night ââ?¬â? where he led the nation in a 6-0 humbling six years ago ââ?¬â? he knows many of his baying critics will be desperate for him to FAIL. The 31-year-old midfielder knows that if he flops he will face more vilification. But last night, after a purely precautionary scan on bashed ribs, Ferguson shrugged off any injury fears and joined up with the Scotland squad ready for that World Cup mission against the Dutch. He reflected on the battering he has taken and said simply: ââ?¬Å?Look, I have been picking the knives out of my back for years now. ââ?¬Å?I am used to it, I will live with it and in a strange way I use the sort of abuse I have taken to HELP me. ââ?¬Å?I draw on it, I think at times that it makes me stronger as a footballer. ââ?¬Å?It wonââ?¬â?¢t make me run off and hide in the corner. ââ?¬Å?There has been some deeply personal stuff written, hurtful and needless attacks that upset my mum. ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢m not lying. When it gets to that level it affects you. No one wants to see their family upset do they? ââ?¬Å?But me? Iââ?¬â?¢m used to it by now and itââ?¬â?¢s not going to make me pack up and leave. Not a chance.ââ?¬Â Ferguson knows that this has been far from a vintage year in an honour-laden yet controversial career that will always split opinion. An operation to rebuild his ankle left him playing catch-up and he has not hit the heights he craves. Before Rangers had the presence of a Ronald de Boer or Giovanni van Bronckhorst to compensate when their captain failed to sparkle. Now for all the hype over Pedro Mendes, he was missing in action in the Old Firm Final as Ferguson desperately tried to growl some life into a side disintegrating around him. Heââ?¬â?¢s lived the guts of his life in this hostile footballing environment, is old enough not to con himself. He stressed: ââ?¬Å?I have people around me who will be honest with me, People I can trust who tell me when Iââ?¬â?¢m not playing well. ââ?¬Å?I donââ?¬â?¢t have yes men and I donââ?¬â?¢t need them. Iââ?¬â?¢m not a kid. ââ?¬Å?With those people around me and those inside the game I respect I analyse games and I KNOW afterwards when I have not played as well as I can. Iââ?¬â?¢m the first to hold my hands up and this season has had its struggles. ââ?¬Å?But I was out for five months after a major ankle operation. ââ?¬Å?I realise at Rangers you have to hit the ground running but any player will tell you then that it takes time to recover from that and get back to your best. ââ?¬Å?Thatââ?¬â?¢s not an excuse, itââ?¬â?¢s just a fact and for all the stick that is flying about I feel I AM getting back to my peak. ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢m 31 now, Iââ?¬â?¢ve had the busted kneecap and the rebuilt ankle and I canââ?¬â?¢t escape from that. Advertisement Click here ââ?¬Å?There are mornings when you feel glued together when you get out of bed! But I donââ?¬â?¢t skip training because I still love it. ââ?¬Å?It takes a little longer to recover but then I look at Davie Weir, whoââ?¬â?¢ll be 39 in the summer, and think it could be worse. ââ?¬Å?Still, heââ?¬â?¢s a defender and they get life a lot easier back there.ââ?¬Â Scotland head for Holland with no Weir, Kirk Broadfoot or Kris Commons, and with Celtic skipper Stephen McManus looking like another casualty. Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s positive medical news yesterday came as a welcome boost for boss George Burley ahead of what must be a career-defining match for the national coach. The Tartan Army would accept defeat, just not a humiliating loss of the sort we capitulated to the last time in Amsterdam. Scotlandââ?¬â?¢s bristling skipper is grimly determined to ensure we donââ?¬â?¢t crumble again. He said: ââ?¬Å?These are two totally different teams in this game and the 6-0 match is gone now. Forgotten. ââ?¬Å?That doesnââ?¬â?¢t stop me respecting what we are facing here. ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢m not big on football on TV but I do watch the Spanish stuff every week and look at how many Dutch players are at Real Madrid. ââ?¬Å?If there is one that sticks out for me itââ?¬â?¢s Wesley Sneijder. I just think he has got a real intelligence in the way he plays. He is a major talent.ââ?¬Â Ferguson took time out recently at Murray Park to meet youngsters chasing Coca-Cola Sevens glory. Alongside McManus he is backing a tournament that gives thousands of kids the chance to dream of a future in the game. He said: ââ?¬Å?Look, Iââ?¬â?¢m not going to moan about my lot in life because a few folk decide to have a pop. ââ?¬Å?Thatââ?¬â?¢s their right but I grew up dreaming of being the captain of Rangers and Scotland, just like the Coke Sevens players and thousands of other kids. ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢m lucky, I got there, I did it and itââ?¬â?¢s going to take more than a pile of criticism to make me give it up. ââ?¬Å?Whatever those who feel I am finished at 31 think of me I feel that I earned this honour. ââ?¬Å?Thatââ?¬â?¢s what this remains to me. An honour. I will cherish it in Amsterdam, the same as always.ââ?¬Â http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/article2338721.ece

by Darrell King IT is one of the most significant championships in history for a variety of reasons and comes with the quite critical guarantee of a �£10million Champions League bounty for the victors. But, after yet more mishaps over the weekend, this appears to be the title that neither half of Glasgow wants to win. Events at Ibrox and Tannadice more or less encapsulated the entire SPL season, in terms of the major prize anyway, inside one 24-hour period. While Hearts deserved credit for their fightback to earn a 2-2 with Rangers, Dundee United emerged with plaudits for securing a similar scoreline against Celtic, and the 10 other clubs - overall - have done well to nudge away at the big-two, just what is going on with the Old Firm? advertisement It is as if neither wants to reach out and grasp the prize, and this really is making for a torrid time for those of us who are trying to comment on, and predict, which way this thing will cut next. Inside a few minutes of the boos descending as Rangers capitulated at Ibrox, there were two calls to the Radio Clyde phone-in from disgruntled punters. The first offered congratulations to Celtic on four-in-a-row, the second demanded the head of Walter Smith immediately; and so it went on, with the last calling for a boycott of season ticket renewals to force the issue. Torried times indeed for Smith who had a tone of despondency in his voice as he tried to explain how his side had managed to throw away a two-goal lead and victory from a game they were absolutely coasting. It was incredible. Seldom has the face of a game changed so dramatically - Hearts had been appalling in the first period, Rangers had played some nice stuff and the fans were enjoying the fare. By the end, there was rancour in the air, the cacophony of boos just managing to drown out the gnashing of teeth, slamming of seats and general fury. It did, on the face of it, appear to be one blunder too many for Smith and his players. By his own admission, the manager felt his team had been soft and lacked resilience or, if we step out of manager speak, they had bottled it. A recurring theme for those in blue this term. But we all jumped in too quickly. Again. Celtic failed to win on Tayside and, indeed, needed a superb late leveller from Lee Naylor to prevent a defeat which would have seen Rangers gain a point on them. The gap remains at three points with nine games to go and we now head into a two- week break to reflect. I tipped Celtic at the start and feel it's right to stick with my choice. Gordon Strachan's side, even though they aren't much better than their rivals, for me, have the edge. But look at the stats. In their last 10 SPL matches, Celtic have won just four times, taking 17 points from 30. Rangers? They are just marginally better, winning five and taking 18 points. Who can say with any authority what will happen? What you can say, guaranteed, is this title will be won by one of the poorest Old Firm teams ever, no matter which way it cuts. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2497294.0.0.php

Sunday's NOTW proudly announced that the putrid cockroach Anna Smith is to join their team. This should ring alarm bells for all friends of The Rangers. During her time with the Daily Record, Smith was twice present on dawn raids. Both provided her with anti-Rangers front pages. 1. After the Sunderland friendly, she campaigned non-stop for the pub slasher to be caught and punished. The police were anxious for a result due to the pressure being exerted by the her at the Record. On information provided by Smith (her claim), she was present when the police raided and arrested four Rangers supporters in the Cambuslang area. The front page carried pictures of the raid and anecdotal stories about the Bears detained. A tremendous piece of demonisation. A few days later, the arrested Bears were released. The police revealed that they weren't even in Sunderland. Smith did not re-address this, no mention was ever made. 2. The night before a Scottish Cup Final, Smith was to be found with Glasgow City Council workmen (protected by the police) who are repainting lampposts and kerb stones in Bridgeton. She heralds this as an anti-sectarian drive and praises the Councils quick involvement. Pictures and anecdotal stories are on the front page of the Daily Record the next morning. Her take on the Royston Street Party consisted of four paragraphs. She did not mention the murder, the numerous stabbings, the heart attack victim that died in the ambulance that couldn't get through cut-off roads, the gang battles, the dozens of arrests, the Councils grant of Ã?£25,000, etc etc. Smith is both a season ticket holder and share holder at Celtic Park. Her involvement with Cardinal Winning's media committee, and overt work and support of militant Irish republicanism are well documented. She used to regularly lecture young seminarists on the pitfalls of the big bad Proddy world. Her family still live in Chapelhall. A big ââ?¬Å?Sellick-mindedââ?¬Â family one might say. Her mother's old house in Arranview Street was regularly draped with republican flags every old firm game. She started reporting in the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser at the same time as Graham Isdale. She sold Mr. Isdale down the river big time to get the job with the Record. Formerly a regular at Airdrie and Coatbridge Labour Council functions, she could also regularly be found drinking in Airdrie. She is unmistakable. Bucked-toothed with wiry unkempt ginger hair, it is claimed she has slept with everybody and anybody to get where she is. Anna Smith hates Rangers. Anna Smith hates Protestants. Anna Smith is a twisted bigot. Please boycott this newspaper from now on - better still, write to the editor and tell him why you are boycotting and urging everyone else to do so as well. If we don't fight back, these bastards will run all over us. Thanks

EXCLUSIVE By DARRYL BROADFOOT ALEX McLEISH will make a fresh bid to sign Kris Boyd in the summer regardless of whether Birmingham City are playing in the Coca-Cola Championship or the Premiership. McLeish last night reiterated his admiration for the Rangers striker despite Boyd failing to agree personal terms when Birmingham's �£3million bid was accepted in January. Birmingham occupy the second automatic promotion spot in the Championship with seven league games remaining and Boyd is a priority target, irrespective of what division the Midlands club will be playing in next season. Boyd's future is almost certainly away from Ibrox at the end of the season. He was sent home from training by Walter Smith for showing a poor attitude in the build-up to the Old Firm Co-operative Insurance Cup defeat at Hampden and despite scoring 95 goals since McLeish signed him from Kilmarnock for �£400,000 in 2006, he has been left out of big games by Smith. advertisement "I wouldn't rule out working with Kris Boyd again," McLeish said. "I couldn't rule it out, him being a part of my squad in future. "It is hypothetical now but we tried to go for him in January and I am really surprised he couldn't finish the deal. I got the feeling he didn't want to leave Rangers. I don't know if that has changed but I thought it was a good opportunity for him to come to England with a view to playing in the Premier League." McLeish is a huge fan of Boyd's predatory talents. He understands the tactical dilemma that has prompted Smith to omit him from Rangers' most demanding games in the SPL and in Europe and cited even more illustrious examples of natural-born strikers, Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba at Cheslea, who are unable or unwilling to take their share of defensive responsibilities. McLeish also confounded the popular conception that Boyd, with his dour demeanour, was a troublemaker after spats with Paul Le Guen, George Burley and now Smith. "I don't think he is problematic," McLeish added, "It is just a decision not to pick him. Sometimes I didn't play him away from home. "I can understand Walter Smith because a lot of teams, especially in Europe, play three in the middle of the field and if you don't match up then very often, you can get your backside felt. "Fabio Capello, as England manager, has been prone to doing that. I found it difficult getting strikers to work back to deep-lying midfielders. "They don't like to do it. It was a problem for Luiz Felipe Scolari and even Guus Hiddink said they Anelka and Drogba are two great strikers but that he must get them to think about their defensive job. "That maybe explains why Boyd has been in and out at Rangers. He understands it but also knows his worth and if he is playing in the right circumstances, he will get goals. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2496874.0.0.php

By Andrew Dickson WALTER SMITH admits he's feeling the pain of defeat more than ever - and that it's making him even more determined to bring the league title back to Ibrox. Rangers resume their SPL campaign again this weekend when they host Hearts and it's a game everyone at the club is desperate to win. Walter SmithLast week's League Cup final defeat to Celtic and the recent loss at home to Inverness have left the manager hurting as much as anyone. But he's eager to bounce back from those two disappointments when the Jambos come calling and is looking for his team to respond positively. Smith said: "Defeats get harder to take as you get older and I can't really put my finger on why that's so. "Whether you have a greater deal of resilience to them when you're younger or whatever, I'm not sure. "But it certainly takes a bit more to get over them now. It was similar last season with the way the campaign finished. "Now it takes a bit longer for them to go through your system but even then, they don't go until you get going on a good run. "You always want to win. That's why we're here and we don't take jobs on thinking we're going to lose out at a certain stage. "We know what we have to do - we're trailing behind Celtic a little at the moment but we've got a home game to come and we'll have to try to catch up with them. Ally McCoist and Walter Smith"We've shown a determination to get back on top after falling a few points behind last season and now we're keen to do that again." The destination of last season's championship was determined by Celtic's seven-game winning run in the closing stages of the campaign. Smith reckons it'll take something similar to settle this season's competition - and he knows the onus is on his men to produce. He added: "It would seem as though one of the teams in contention is going to have to come up with something like that if they want to come out on top. "The most important thing for us is that we catch up first with Celtic and the biggest thing after the disappointment of the final is to get back on track. "After any defeat, such as an Old Firm loss, that's the main thing and that's what makes tomorrow's game as vital as it is for us." Smith, meanwhile, insists there's no problem with his defence after it was criticised for the goals it has lost recently. Walter SmithStrikes conceded against Hamilton, Inverness and Celtic all came from high balls but the manager is adamant it's nothing to worry about in the long term. Smith said: "We have just had a situation where, for a long number of games, we've handled that sort of thing quite well. "We have still conceded the fewest goals in the league and it's just that I keep complaining about the ones we do lose. "It's always a poor way to concede when you do so from set pieces and we have been a wee bit dozy in those cases over the season. "We just need to put up with the criticism we've had. Everybody gets it these days whether you're a banker, a politician or something else. It's something we have to accept. "Statistically speaking, we have still been better at the back than anyone in the SPL and we haven't been that bad."

By Andrew Dickson WALTER SMITH has backed his Rangers players to respond positively to their League Cup final defeat to Celtic at the weekend. Many of the squad that travelled to Hampden two days ago returned to Murray Park for training today, with the rest due to report back tomorrow. Walter SmithThey'll work together for the rest of the week in preparation for Saturday's crucial SPL match with Hearts at Ibrox. It's a match which will take Gers to the top of the league standings if they win, albeit perhaps only for a day. Claiming three points is essential and manager Smith expects a good reaction to the Old Firm loss in that fixture. He said: "The only guarantee with football is that you'll face disappointment from time to time and that was the case on Sunday. "If one team is far better than the other in a final then you can have no complaints about losing but the game at the weekend was a tight one. "Hopefully our defeat will lead to a determination to ensure our remaining games this season are successful for us. "It hasn't been through choice that we've had disappointments to come back from already this season but it has been the case that we've responded to them strongly. Walter Smith"We'll have to make sure we do that again and the players have shown previously that they have character. "They want to win and have a competitive streak in them. That gets tested throughout the season and this is one of those times. "There's a managerial responsibility in terms of treading the right path when you're looking to go in the right direction again. "But the players have a responsibility too and they'll pick themselves up. They have their pride and don't like losing so they'll want to ensure this doesn't affect them too greatly." There are worries that Smith could find himself with a defensive crisis on his hands ahead of the clash with the Jambos. While David Weir is suspended for the meeting with his old club, Madjid Bougherra, Kirk Broadfoot and Lee McCulloch are all carrying knocks too. Bougherra missed the final with a calf injury and McCulloch limped off on Sunday with the same problem. Madjid BougherraBut both should be fine for the weekend along with Broadfoot, who was able to take part at the national stadium after showing signs of progress. Smith added: "We're hopeful Madjid will be fit. He just missed out at the weekend and unless something untoward happens, we think we can get him back fit again on time. "Lee had a calf injury and there was always going to be a chance on Sunday that he could be affected by tightness there. "That's what happened and that's why he had to come off. He isn't injured as such and he'll be okay after a couple of days rest. "As for Kirk, his injury is quite a simple one. It's on the base of his foot and he needs a little bit of rest to let it heal. "He has had a couple of weeks where he wasn't training but he is doing a bit better now and he'll have no problem being fit for the Hearts match."

MADJID BOUGHERRA is expected to hand Rangers a major boost by declaring himself fit for Saturday's SPL clash against Hearts at Ibrox. The Algerian defender missed the Co-operative Insurance Cup Final defeat by Celtic with a calf injury and, with David Weir suspended for the game against the Tynecastle side, there were fears that Rangers would have a huge defensive headache. However, Bougherra is expected to declare himself fit and Kirk Broadfoot, who was red-carded against Celtic on Sunday, is fit and available for selection despite struggling with a foot ligament problem. Broadfoot's dismissal will result in a one-match suspension in next season's League Cup competition. The game against Hearts comes hard on the heels of the Old Firm defeat and gives Rangers the chance to return to the top of the table. Celtic do not play until Sunday when they face a testing journey to Tannadice and Rangers will want to put them under as much pressure as possible. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2496028.0.0.php

There are many angry bears out there and rationality seems to be in short supply. Not many are really analysing the situation and when frustrated attempts are made, they seemed to be blocked time and again by rhetorical myths that, with even a quick level headed scrutiny, do not stand up. Examples are: 1. Celtic are much better than us. 2. Celtic are shitest they've ever been and so are we. 3. Celtic are there for the taking. 1. The first that Celtic are much better than us does not stand up to the evidence. If you look at last season and this, there has been not much more than a baw hair between the teams. There is no team double figures ahead of the other or winning all the OF games. Rangers were certainly better than Celtic for most of last season winning both cups and being well ahead in the title race, but could not cope with with end of season fixture pileup including a dogily postponed Celtic game which many would would agree would have likely have been won by Rangers on its original date. The OF games were in fact pretty evenly contested. That doesn't sound like they are miles ahead to me. Both teams did well in Europe and so no obvious winner there. This season they've had plenty of lucky decisions and with one more slip up by us, we're 3 points behind but have them to play at Ibrox. Both teams got to the final of the league cup which Celtic narrowly one in extra time, and only Rangers are still in the Scottish Cup. The OF games have been pretty evenly contested again with only Rangers scoring a convincing win. Both teams were exceptionally poor in Europe. The obvious cold conclusion there is that Celtic are ever so slightly ahead of Rangers, but not much. So in the last two seasons where the trophy count is 2 each, there is no evidence that Celtic are much better than Rangers. Both teams seem pretty even with who wins coming down to the same likelihood as the toss of a coin. Unfortunately last year, the coin came down on their side for the SPL, and for us in the cups. This year it's gone for them in the League Cup, probably us in the Scottish Cup and the SPL coin is still spinning in the air and could land either side. 2. The shitest Rangers and Celtic teams have regularly finished 4th and 5th in the league, us pre-Souness and them during the NIAR years. There's plenty of sites that will show those embarrassing tables for both teams. Even poor OF teams have been miles behind their rivals and had to battle for 2nd place in the league, sometimes losing - Eck and PLG are recent examples there. This season, neither team have had any danger of being caught by the rest of the league so objectively how can they be poor teams in the closed context of our league? They may not be going for the record levels of points that may have been achieved in the past, but there are plenty of seasons throughout the history of the Scottish league where the OF have not been so far ahead. 3. One of the biggest self answering questions is asking why we can't take Celtic when they look so bad - and we just seem to be just as bad. The fact is, they are only there for the taking by a superior team and at the moment, as has been mentioned, we are pretty much at the same level. Is it so surprising that should be so? That the OF, in the same league, with similar avenues of income and raw talent, are pretty even? Celtic have always been there for the taking by a better team, but if you are the other half of a duopoly then without exceptional circumstances they won't be easy to beat. Saying St Mirren beat them so they are crap is schoolboy thinking. The best teams lose to the smaller one's often - especially in the cups, and if it wasn't so, then football would not have the following it does. I point again to the fact that both the Old firm are streets ahead of the other SPL teams, so having the odd defeat does not change their status. I think when you analyse it all the conclusions are pretty simple. Neither of the OLD firm are as weak compared to other Scottish team as they have been, nor are they as far ahead as they have been. Both teams are about as even as they have been in their history with the metaphorical pendulum, swinging not far from the centre. They still dominate the league but the difference is less than in their recent hay-days. They are getting B+'s instead of A+'s but are still easily passing muster with no danger of another team splitting them or indeed winning the league. The answer to why the teams are not gaining high 90's for final points is simple in that the teams are closer. Are the other SPL teams getting better? Probably not although young talent is a tad better than it has been. Are the OF employing lesser players - definitely, it couldn't be any other way. When Souness came along we were signing the best players in Britain, way ahead of Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. If we did so again we'd be in aiming for 100 points and above, but it's impossible for us now. During NIAR we were signing the likes of Boli, Laudrup, Gascoigne, Hateley, McCall, Gough, Goram, Amorusso, Porini, Albertz etc. Our players were streets ahead of the opposition and we were a match for any English team. During Advocaat's spell we were way overspending to compete in Europe and competed for players with the top end of the Premiership. Even in Ecks downsizing we inherited the likes of De Boer and Mols and signed Arteta for 6M and Barry for 5M, so were competing for players with middling English Prem teams while Celtic were competing with the top half of the table. Now with Premiership teams getting a minimum of 50M from TV and charging twice as much for us for seats and advertising we have no chance of competing for the best players in Britain and Europe. We're now competing for players with Championship teams who are starting to outspend us. Walter may have spent some money but it's peanuts in todays terms. 3M is like 750k during Advocaat. We're reduced to buying from Championship teams and a lot more cherry picking from the SPL than we used to. Yes the standard is lower but that's because both OF clubs have had to move down two or three tiers of players. So of course the football is not so good, of course the SPL teams are closer. We might be spending much more than them but the money is for players who are less of a standard above your bog standard professional. Until the financial climate changes, we have no option but to accept this, it's now as ever, doing better than our rivals who are in the same environment. Comparing us to the Premiership - which Scots seem to watch far too much of, just gives false expectations. Like many are saying, we have to wake up and smell the cheap coffee.

f fortune favours the brave then it surely follows that the converse also rings true. Rangers' misfortune in Sunday's Co-operative Insurance Cup final stemmed largely from their own faintheartedness. Walter Smith has never been one to gamble recklessly with team selection but it is one thing to be cautious and respectful of the opposition, and quite another to be ultra conservative to the point of strangling all creativity. For Smith, the fear of losing has now overtaken the desire to win. Simply put, Rangers should not be lining up in a 4-5-1 formation at a neutral venue. It is a system just about acceptable away from home against one of Europe's leading lights, or in a league match at Celtic Park. A national cup final at Hampden against Celtic is like heads up at poker. Smith assessed his hand, calculated what Gordon Strachan had on the other side of the table, and effectively folded. It spoke volumes about the Rangers manager's evaluation of his squad that he did not entrust them with the task of taking the game to their opponents, preferring instead to try to nullify Celtic and hope to sneak something on the counter-attack or from set-pieces. The irony, of course, is that both Celtic goals arrived from dead balls and that they similarly lined up 4-5-1. Gordon Strachan, though, turned the problem of a misfiring strikeforce into an opportunity by playing an extra midfielder, and allowing Aiden McGeady to roam free in a supporting role beside Scott McDonald. He has also shown a willingness to indulge his flair players like McGeady, Shunsuke Nakamura and Scott Brown in the knowledge that it is better to try to win a game, rather than simply attempting not to lose it. McGeady, Nakamura, and Brown may lack defensive discipline on occasion but they at least offer a regular spark in attack. Rangers, in contrast, were lifeless. advertisement They, too, had players at Hampden capable of offering an injection of ingenuity. Unlike Celtic's, however, they were all dressed in suits and seated in the stand. It would be unfair to lambast Christian Dailly, who has been a fine servant to many clubs as well as the national team throughout a distinguished career, but his inclusion on the bench aged 35 and without an appearance to his name for six months, was baffling. With just five substitutes permitted in this competition, Dailly's inclusion, presumably in case Kirk Broadfoot succumbed to the foot injury that had been troubling him in the build-up, used a berth that could have been taken by Steven Naismith, John Fleck, DaMarcus Beasley, or Aaron Niguez. Granted, none of that quartet has posed a consistent threat this season, but up against a Celtic defence shorn of its best operator - Gary Caldwell was redeployed in midfield - any one of them would surely have created at least a handful of chances. Denied any real service from the wings and with Kenny Miller utilised as a lone(ly) striker, it was little surprise that Rangers failed to score for the third Old Firm game in succession. Kyle Lafferty was his team's best player on the day but was given only half an hour in his preferred position through the middle before he was taken off. Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo made next to no impact from the bench, Pedro Mendes did little to suggest he should be a contender for Player of the Year, while Barry Ferguson's days of dominating the midfield battles seem increasingly to be behind him. Smith, reportedly, had prepared all week to play 4-4-2 with Lee McCulloch stationed wide on the left behind a front two of Lafferty and Miller. On receiving Celtic's teamsheet, however, Smith had a change of heart. Sensing the need to go like for like in midfield, McCulloch was moved inside, Lafferty shunted to the wing, and Miller left to go it alone up front. The reshuffled unit contained Celtic for 90 minutes before Darren O'Dea made the breakthrough early in extra time. Rangers had precious few resources with which to respond and paid the ultimate price. Smith now has 10 league matches left in which to make amends and shape his legacy. Should Rangers fail to win the title, it seems unlikely he will be given another season to try to end the championship drought. Another season without success and Celtic would be halfway towards 10-in-a-row. Should Smith win the title this season he may decide, aged 61, there will not be a better time to walk away. Ever the pragmatist, he will realise that one cup final defeat does not signal a need for panic. Until the shock loss to Inverness Caledonian Thistle recently, Rangers had gone through their opening 10 games of 2009 undefeated, conceding only two goals in that time. Madjid Bougherra, injured on Sunday, will return this weekend to further fortify the defence. A case could also be made for Steven Davis to be given an overdue opportunity to play in the central midfield role he so craves at the expense of either Ferguson or Mendes. Lafferty has done enough to earn an extended run at centre forward, while Fleck will return hungrier after dropping out of the side following a stellar start. Navigating the closing weeks of the season will be a real test of nerves for all involved. It will take strong hearts and minds. Sometimes it will also require a sense of adventure and a willingness to take a gamble. Fortune does favour the brave, after all. http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.2495904.0.Time_for_Smith_to_abandon_his_conservative_instincts.php

By Andrew Dickson KENNY McDOWALL is relishing the chance to get one over his former employers Celtic this afternoon when Rangers meet them in the League Cup final. Although he was raised as a staunch Light Blues supporter when he was a child, the Ibrox first-team coach spent a decade working with the youths and reserves at Parkhead. Barry Ferguson and Kenny McDowallMcDowall moved directly across Glasgow to Gers in January 2007 when he was appointed as part of Walter Smith's backroom staff. Doing so allowed him to fulfil a boyhood dream and now he can't wait for today's Old Firm decider at Hampden after some uncomfortable moments across the divide. McDowall joked: "It was fairly difficult for me when I was at Celtic. My family wanted Rangers to beat them but I was looking for bonus money! "I've said before on record that I had a good time at Parkhead doing the job I was in. I enjoyed it and it set me up to do the job I'm in here. "But I'm at Rangers now and I'm loving it - it goes without saying I'm really looking to get a result against Celtic this weekend. "This is the first trophy of the season and when you're playing your enemy, it's obviously a game you want to win. "The supporters will be right up for this one and there can be no excuses when the match gets underway - we've got to get on with it and do a job." Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowallMcDowall hopes the relaxed atmosphere in Smith's squad plays a part in a good performance by Rangers today. While a lot of work has been done on the training field over the last few days, there has been plenty of bonding done off it too. McDowall added: "The fact we've had a whole week to get ready has been good - we've had knocks we've wanted to clear up and I suppose Celtic will have been the same. "We've tried to keep things quite relaxed. It has been a big week and there's always a lot of tension ahead of a cup final. "There's no escaping the hype but it has been our job to keep the players as calm as possible and hopefully we've done that."

By Andrew Dickson DaMARCUS BEASLEY says a win in tomorrow's League Cup final against Celtic would rank as highly as anything he has achieved in his club career. The American winger helped PSV Eindhoven to the last four of the Champions League in 2005 and started the first leg of their semi-final against AC Milan in the San Siro. Ally McCoist and DaMarcus BeasleyHe also played his part in two league title wins with the Dutch side and scored last season when he claimed his first trophy at Ibrox, the Scottish Cup, against Queen of the South. Even though he already has a decent medal collection in his grasp, the 26-year-old knows coming out on top in an Old Firm final would take some beating. Beasley said: "It would definitely be a big moment for me. Winning in finals is great but it would mean a lot more to beat Celtic at that stage. "I really enjoyed the Scottish Cup final last season because it was my birthday that day and it was great to score. It was a great achievement. "After I had been out injured for five or six months, it was good to help the team win and come out of the game with a medal. "But to see off Celtic this weekend would be right up there amongst the things I've done in the game. "Every time Rangers play them, it is a big game but this one is a bit more special because there's a trophy at the end of it."

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KAL NAISMITH'S last-minute penalty miss let Hibs replace Rangers at the head of the Clydesdale Bank under-19 league after their 3-2 win at Murray Park. The Edinburgh outfit had stormed into a three-goal lead early in the second half of their table-topping clash today. Kal NaismithAlthough the Light Blues mounted a comeback in the closing stages, they couldn't quite draw level with their nine-man opponents. Snatching a share of the spoils would have kept Billy Kirkwood's youngsters a point ahead of their closest challengers. But Naismith's failure to convert from 12 yards means the visitors are the team now setting the pace with just five games remaining. Gers find themselves two points behind Hibs with the finishing line coming into sight but it could have been very different. There was little to choose between the sides in a tame first half hour at Auchenhowie but when the game came to life, it gathered pace quickly. Within 60 seconds of David Wotherspoon putting the away side ahead from close range, Oliver Russell had added a second after a neat one-two. Rangers tried to claw their way back into contention after the interval and started brightly but soon found themselves even further adrift when the Hibees claimed a third. Wotherspoon was the scorer again, forcing the ball past Arturs Vaiculis when he got on the end of Patrick Deane's cross. Kirkwood's kids finally mustered a response and quick feet by Naismith in the box won them a penalty which he took responsibility for and dutifully converted. Billy KirkwoodArchie Campbell then threw the hosts a lifeline when he met Gregg Wylde's low, whipped cross to make it 3-2 with 17 minutes remaining. Gers' hopes of levelling increased when Hibs were reduced to 10 men in the aftermath of Campbell's strike. Scott Smith - booked for bringing down Naismith in the area just moments earlier - found himself cautioned once more for dissent as the pressure mounted. Ex-Murray Park starlet Ally Park joined him for an early bath in the dying seconds when he handled a goalbound shot on the line after a frantic scramble in front of the posts. But with Naismith given another opportunity to strike from 12 yards, he couldn't take it and fired his kick over the bar to hand Hibs victory. It was a sore moment for the promising striker, who had done so much to get his team back into the running. Now Naismith and his colleagues have to pick themselves up for their next league outing, an Old Firm derby with Celtic. Although the kick-off date and times are yet to be confirmed, the game is expected to take place next Saturday.

A day that will life long in my memory not only due to this being my first ever Old Firm Cup Final but due to the dramatic nature of our eventual victory. I had been lucky enough to have seen Rangers win this trophy previously (against DUFC in 1982) and was due to go to the final in 1983 which would have been my first OF final. Thankfully (sic) I was taken unwell and was in hospital with a bout of appendicitis and missed our 2-1 defeat at the hands of our bitter rivals. The League Cup has been a very successful competition for Rangers over the years and last season penalty shoot-out success against Dundee United marked our 25th victory in the League Cup. Another amazing statistic is that over the years, we have only ever lost 6 League Cup Finals (out of 31) a truly staggering statistic. We also suffered an embarrassing final defeat but weââ?¬â?¢ll gloss over that at this juncture and itââ?¬â?¢s worth remembering that this result wasnââ?¬â?¢t the greatest OF victory, we defeated Celtc 8-1 ââ?¬â?? before anyone tells you that this game doesnââ?¬â?¢t ââ?¬Ë?countââ?¬â?¢, Celtc count their solitary goal from that game in their official club history. I believe weââ?¬â?¢ll all remember the titanic finals against Aberdeen in 1988 and 1989 (3-3 and 3-2 respectively) of the fantastic 4-3 victory over Hearts at Tynecastle. The victory over Ayr United in 2002 will also be well remembered for an outlandish piece of showboating from Andre Kanchelskis : [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQJtZF_6Fyc]YouTube - Kanchelskis stands on the ball[/ame] And if like me, you attended that 1995 final at Hampden then you are entitled to claim this as a victory, well it was a moral victory in my eyes! Anyway, I digress, back to the League Cup Final in 1984 a season that ranks as one of the most traumatic in our history. John Greig eventually bowed in increasing pressure and resigned as Rangers manager and was replaced by Jock Wallace. Due to our disastrous start in the league, the cup competitions were (once again) our only true hope for any silverware. The road to Hampden started with a convincing 8-1 aggregate win over Queen of The South and this was followed by impressive victories over Hearts (3-0 at Tynecastle) and St Mirren (5-0 at Ibrox). These results, coupled with return fixtures ensure that Rangers qualified for a two legged Semi-Final against Dundee United. A credible 1-1 draw at Tannidice saw Rangers entertain the tangerines at Ibrox with a place in the final in the balance. From what I remember of the home leg, Rangers played extremely well and won the game 2-0 with Ian Redford scoring the decisive goal with a beautiful chip over the onrushing Hamish McAlpine. Davie Mitchell scored in both legs of the semi-final but wouldnââ?¬â?¢t feature in the cup final itself. In the run up to the final, Jock Wallace had made an immediate impact and Rangers would embark on a 16 game unbeaten run that would eventually come to an end when Dundee won a Scottish Cup replay 3-2 at Ibrox and ended our chances of a domestic cup double. As this was my first OF Cup Final, I didnââ?¬â?¢t really know what to expect. Would it be just like the league encounters? I was soon to find out. I wouldnââ?¬â?¢t sleep the Saturday evening (evening forgoing the Boys Club Disco to ensure that I was match fit for the Sunday). The supporters bus was a buzz of excitement and the journey to Hampden seemed to fly past and before I knew it, I was climbing the stairs on the way to section J. It is impossible to describe the build of noise that this climb generate, or on how louder this gets, reaching a crescendo as you took your place on the terracing. What would stick in my mind that day was the huge gaps in the Celtc end (see you tube links below) and just how louder and mope passionate the Rangers fans were. I know itââ?¬â?¢s romantic to think this way, but in some perverse memory, it felt that we did contribute to our eventual victory as the Rangers fans were ferocious in their backing of the team that day as I had ever seen them. Just like the journey to the game, the game itself flew by and if Iââ?¬â?¢m honest, all I can really remember of the game is the goals, well our goals anyway. Referee for the day was our old friend Bob Valentine and he award three penalties in the game, two to Rangers and one to Celtc and all three were converted. Our first goal was scored from a penalty just before half-time nicely tucked away by Ally McCoist. Rangers scored their 2nd goal on the hour mark after Sandy Clark won a long ball from Peter McCloy and headed the ball into the path of McCoist who slipped home past the despairing Bonner. Celtc equalised and sent then game into extra time, but not before a show of petulance from the Celtc team as they protested a booking to Roy Aitken in an overtly provocative fashion. In fact, a senior Policeman had to intervene. Unsurprisingly, this incident wasnââ?¬â?¢t included in the referees report and the players went unpunished (some things never change). Anyway, into extra-time we went and Rangers were awarded another penalty when Roy Aitken fouled Ally McCoist in the penalty area and the referee correctly pointed to the spot. Another booking for Aitken leading to a red card? You would have thought so, but no, Aitken escaped further punishment and after the dust had settled, Ally McCoist stepped up to face Pat Bonner. The keeper guessed correctly and parried McCoistââ?¬â?¢s kick back out onto the six yard line where Super Ally was awaiting to, at the 2nd attempt, deposit the ball into the net. This is where your mind starts playing tricks with you especially over the ravages of time. From my vantage point, it appeared that the Celtc fans had been celebrating for numerous seconds before Ally put their ââ?¬Ë?gas at a peepââ?¬â?¢. In reality, they had barely the time to jump for joy before Ally reduced them to tears. Well, that was it, bedlam, delirium, ecstasy et al ensued in the Rangers end and I remember being shunted about 10 stairs down and about 20 foot to my right in the celebrations. In fact, one of my friends that I was at the game with lost a trainer in the celebrations but decided that it was a price worth paying! The final whistle sparked further celebrations on and off the pitch and John McClelland led his troops up the famous Hampden stairs to receive the trophy. A huge cheer greeted him as he showed the glittering prize to the rank and file supporters. We had won the cup and my first OF final couldnââ?¬â?¢t have gone better. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih0JoTykCqY&feature=related]YouTube - Rangers vrs Celtic Hampden 83/84 part 1[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG1KwL7P1U0&feature=related]YouTube - Rangers vrs Celtic Hampden 83/84 part2[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGXIeCC0O0k&feature=related]YouTube - Rangers vrs Celtic Hampden 83/84 part3[/ame] http://www.napit.co.uk/viewus/infobank/football/scottishleaguecup.php http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/old-firm/classicmatchreports/2009/02/10/league-cup-final-rangers-3-celtic-2-march-25-1984-86908-21112643/ Cammy F -

By Andrew Dickson ALLY McCOIST reckons Sunday's Old Firm final will prove the League Cup is still as big as ever. Ally McCoist and Walter SmithSince the European place that went to the winners of the event was taken away in the pre-SPL era, a string of critics have questioned the competition's worth. But McCoist certainly hasn't joined in and after enjoying so many memorable victories in the tournament over the years, it holds a very special place in his heart. He has won it no less than nine times, with his goals making a difference in four different finals. And with Rangers and Celtic set to clash for this year's prize, McCoist reckons a hugely important game is in prospect. He said: "The League Cup was a wonderful competition for me and I always felt I was really lucky to do so well in it. "All these years on, even though there's no European place attached to it any more, I still believe it's a massive tournament. "There are plenty of people out there who will be negative about it but I don't understand how they can do that. I'd never rubbish it. Ally McCoist"It's an event that effectively sets you off on your season and it's the first domestic trophy up for grabs in Scotland. "I would never, ever underestimate it. Look at clubs who have won it recently such as Hibernian and Livingston. "The League Cup gives fans of those clubs a real opportunity to get to Hampden and see their club pick up silverware. "Looking at this particular final, it would be a massive match if Rangers played Celtic at tiddlywinks. That goes without saying and the game coming up will be huge for us all. "I think this is a fantastic tournament - it has been ever since it started and long may it continue."

By Andrew Dickson RANGERS' players will receive a pre-match boost before Sunday's League Cup final when Kevin Thomson visits them in their dressing room. The Light Blues midfielder has been out of action ever since he suffered a serious knee injury in the 4-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on November 9. Thomson has been sorely missed in the four months since he was crocked but is making excellent progress in his rehabilitation programme. After a string of gruelling double sessions at Murray Park, he is currently taking a well-earned 10-day break. Thomson will return to the gym next week and remains on course to make his comeback in pre-season as planned. He will attend his first match since he was carried off in Ayrshire when the Old Firm sides clash at Hampden this weekend. Thomson so far hasn't been allowed to go to games because sitting still for so long would hinder his progress. However he has now got to the point where he can watch Gers in the flesh once more and he can't wait to roar them on against Celtic. The 24-year-old said: "I've not been to a game yet since I hurt my knee because sitting in a stand for an hour and 45 minutes isn't the best thing for it. "But I'm starting to get to the stage where I'll be going to each home game and I'll be in the stand watching the boys in this one too. "I've been lucky that most of our games have been on television and from that point of view, I've not missed too much of what the lads have been up to. "But it'll be nice to see them live again. I'm looking forward to the game and I'll be in the changing room to wish everyone all the best beforehand."

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By Andrew Dickson BARRY FERGUSON couldn't care less if it was Celtic or Berwick he was facing for the League Cup on Sunday as long as he helps Rangers win it. The Ibrox captain is currently preparing for a first Old Firm final in six years ahead of the Light Blues' meeting with their Parkhead opponents this weekend. It's a match supporters are looking forward to immensely and while Ferguson's no different in that respect, he has played down the importance of who Gers' opponents are. He doesn't mean to be disrespectful when he says that - he simply feels that coming home with the silverware is more significant than who stands in his way of the trophy. Ferguson said: "People often ask me how good it would feel to lift another cup and the answer is that nothing ever changes. "The hunger to win is always there and whenever you get your hands on silverware again, it feels every bit as special as the first time you did it. "Once your desire to keep doing that goes, there is no point in playing football any more and you might as well give up. "To lift a trophy as captain of Rangers is a huge thing for me and it's special to all of my family and friends too. It means so much to us all. "It doesn't matter who it is against. People also question me about whether finals against Celtic are better to be part of than matches against other teams. "It really doesn't make a difference to me. We could be playing Berwick Rangers or whoever else this weekend and it would be just as big a game. "To win the trophy is the biggest thing and we must make sure we're the ones standing there with it once the final whistle goes." Ferguson has an outstanding record in domestic cup finals with Rangers and has won each one of the nine he has played in. Included in that run are three victories against Celtic and the Light Blues have won their last four Old Firm finals in a sequence stretching back almost 20 years. nIt goes without saying Ferguson is determined to make it five in a row at Hampden four days from now - but he knows what has happened in the past counts for nothing. He added: "We've got a good recent record in cup finals against Celtic and we're very proud of it but it goes out the window ahead of this game. "It's all behind us now and I'm not the type to look back at things. I tend to look forward instead and we need to consider how we go about winning this game. "We've still got a relatively new team and for a lot of the boys, this will be their first final with Rangers. "We know the match will difficult. It will take a lot of hard graft but hopefully we can come out on top."

As we head into the first Old Firm cup final since 2003, I got thinking about that glorious sunny day at Hampden six years ago. I remember going into the game with some nervousness having been beaten the week before at Torbett Towers, and being completely taken aback as we tore them apart in the first-half to go in 2-0 at half-time. Mols ran Balde absolutely ragged and they couldn't cope with the pace of Caniggia and Lovenkrands. One of my most abiding memories from the game was Caniggia beating Lennon in a chase to the ball despite the Lurgan Bigot having a 20 yard head start. Oh, and Lennon getting sent off near the end was a treat as well. Having looked in no danger at all during the first half, the last half-hour of the second half was excruciating after Larsson pulled one back. When Balde fell over like a sack of tatties under the 'force' of the intimidating hulk that is Neil McCann in the 93rd minute and the referee pointed to the spot I thought I was going to cry. Hartson duly steps up and sends the light blue legions into rapture to cap off a marvellous day in the Hampden sunshine. I'm not sure we gave ourselves enough credit for playing a formidable Celtic outfit off the park that day. A few days later they went to Anfield and comfortably beat Liverpool in the UEFA Cup. What's everyone else's memories of this day? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/2853133.stm

RANGERS legend Davie Provan feared Kyle Lafferty was a giant striker who didnââ?¬â?¢t punch his weight ââ?¬â? or jump his height. He reckoned you couldnââ?¬â?¢t slip a newspaper under the 6ft 3in hitmanââ?¬â?¢s feet when he leapt for a ball. But Provan admits Laffertyââ?¬â?¢s double against Hamilton on Sunday has started to change his mind. And he believes the Ã?£3.25million man can really take off in Sundayââ?¬â?¢s Co-operative Insurance Cup Final against Celtic. Provan said: ââ?¬Å?I saw Kyle play before and, without being disrespectful, he couldnââ?¬â?¢t get his feet off the ground. ââ?¬Å?You couldnââ?¬â?¢t get a newspaper under his feet when he jumped for the ball and it wasnââ?¬â?¢t great. ââ?¬Å?Itââ?¬â?¢s pointless having a big frontman who canââ?¬â?¢t jump and canââ?¬â?¢t score. ââ?¬Å?But I was at the game on Sunday and the fact he got two goals will be just what he needed. ââ?¬Å?A striker of Kyleââ?¬â?¢s size should be able to win the ball in the air and hit the back of the net. ââ?¬Å?The goals against Hamilton will be a boost as scoring always helps the confidence. ââ?¬Å?And the goals will probably be enough for him to get a start at Hampden.ââ?¬Â Lafferty won a rare start alongside Kenny Miller against Accies in the Scottish Cup quarter-final. Now his double has put him ahead of 24-goal Kris Boyd in the pecking order for Hampden. Boyd was the hero of TWO finals last year as Gers landed both domestic cups. But Provan ââ?¬â? who made almost 200 appearances for the Ibrox men ââ?¬â? believes the clubââ?¬â?¢s top scorer will be back on the bench on Sunday. He admitted: ââ?¬Å?I wouldnââ?¬â?¢t be surprised if Boyd was on the bench for the final. ââ?¬Å?He did not start against Hamilton and Rangers won the game 5-1. ââ?¬Å?Walter Smith will start with Miller and the big fellow. ââ?¬Å?It looked to be quite a good combination, but he MUST play two forwards. ââ?¬Å?I understood using the 4-5-1 formation in Europe last term and it served them well all the way to the UEFA Cup Final. ââ?¬Å?But in Scotland I think itââ?¬â?¢s a bad day if Rangers donââ?¬â?¢t have two up in every game.ââ?¬Â Provan was in the Gers side which defeated Celts in the 1964-65 League Cup Final. But the former left-back also lost Old Firm League Cup Finals in the next two seasons. Provan still works for the Light Blues as a matchday host and is desperate for them to lift the trophy again. And he feels the cup winners will gain a psychological edge for the SPL title run-in. He said: ââ?¬Å?I donââ?¬â?¢t think there is a clear favourite on Sunday because the two teams are too similar. ââ?¬Å?But whoever wins will have a big plus over the loser in terms of winning the league. ââ?¬Å?Rangers can win the Treble, but Celtic canââ?¬â?¢t after losing to St Mirren on Saturday. ââ?¬Å?Rangers will give it their all and they certainly have the players to do it. ââ?¬Å?I have been very impressed by Steven Davis and Pedro Mendes in midfield this season. Advertisement ââ?¬Å?And David Weir has been fantastic, apart from his one mistake last midweek against Inverness Caley Thistle.ââ?¬Â Provan believes the 14th meeting of the Old Firm in a League Cup Final is too close to call. He has seen Gers and Celts turn on the style this term. But he has also witnessed surprise stumbles against Caley and Saints in the past week. He added: ââ?¬Å?We had a bad day against Inverness ââ?¬â? it was a JOKE. ââ?¬Å?And you wouldnââ?¬â?¢t have believed Celtic would lose to St Mirren. ââ?¬Å?This is a season when you never know whatââ?¬â?¢s round the next corner. ââ?¬Å?Rangers hit five on Sunday but, with no disrespect to Hamilton, it will count for nothing come Sunday. ââ?¬Å?Celtic have their problems as well and you just never know what can happen in an Old Firm final.ââ?¬Â Lafferty, of course, could be the man to win it for Gers if he keeps fansââ?¬â?¢ favourite Boyd on the bench. He hasnââ?¬â?¢t had the greatest start to his Ibrox adventure after Smith forked out a bumper fee for him. But Provan reckons itââ?¬â?¢s finally time the big manââ?¬â?¢s career lifted off. http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/article2309553.ece

By Andrew Dickson NACHO NOVO insists he's ready to face Celtic and that adrenalin will pull him through Sunday's League Cup final if he is judged to be fit enough to play in it. The Spanish striker has fully recovered from the ankle knock which has kept him out of action for more than five weeks and is back in full training. But he is lacking match practice and even before he was crocked, he had only played 90 minutes for the first team twice in the previous three months. Novo has a good record against Celtic, scoring six times in total, and Walter Smith has started him more than any of his other strikers in the derby since he returned to the club. The manager will know pitching the little hitman straight into the fray would be a risk given how little he has featured over the last few months. But the former Dundee star is eager to show he can make an impact and is ready to dig deep into his reserves if he is given the nod. Novo said: "I feel good and I am working really hard as I try to get fit for this game. I've been doing a lot with the physios and I'm hopeful of playing a part. "You always worry about things if you are injured ahead of a big game and I am no different. Every time I train, I am feeling better and that is the most important thing. "I certainly feel I can make a contribution and in Old Firm games, you always find it within you to do a job. "Whether you are fully fit or not, it is about your mentality and how much you want to play rather than anything else. "It won't be a problem for me to play on Sunday. Adrenalin will help me if the manager chooses me."

By Andrew Dickson ALLY McCOIST is sure Madjid Bougherra will be fit for next weekend's League Cup final with Celtic despite having to take the Algerian off against Hamilton. The 26-year-old took a kick to the calf in the second half of the 5-1 victory over Accies in the last eight of the Scottish Cup at Ibrox this afternoon. bougherra_160He was taken off as a precaution and after club doctor Paul Jackson looked at the injury, he is expected to train normally later in the week. That's great news for Rangers fans who had been worried when they saw the former Charlton man make way for Maurice Edu. They will be pleased further by news that Pedro Mendes is in line to play in the Old Firm derby after suffering no reaction to the thigh strain that sidelined him last week. The Portuguese midfielder played 61 minutes before he was replaced by Lee McCulloch, himself making a comeback after a recent calf knock. McCoist, standing in as manager in the cup, said: "Madjid is fine and we didn't actually take him off because of the injury. "He was away back home for a few days seeing his mum so we took him off for that reason. "I'd be lying to you if I said I had been into the physio's room for myself to see how Madjid is doing but it would be a major surprise to me if he wasn't fine."