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Anyone else get the feeling that we'll see Walter field a 4-5-1 at Parkhead on the 15th? Would it be a bad idea? I think it's fair to say that there's a pretty good chance that's exactly what we'll see. Nacho Novo is reportedly out for 2 or 3 weeks with an ankle injury and after the impact that Kyle Lafferty made when he came on against Dundee Utd today, there's the chance that we might see him getting a start up front as the lone striker. There's also a good chance that we'll see John Fleck deservedly retain his place on the left of midfield, since he's got the pace, skill & game awareness to give most defenses a troublesome time. In the absence of Kevin Thomson, the midfield 3 of Barry Ferguson, Pedro Mendes & Steven Davis practically picks itself, so the big question might be whether Walter goes with Naismith or Miller on the right wing. Despite the fact that neither of them are natural right wingers, they're both capable of doing a good job out there, so it's difficult to predict who Walter would start in that position. I'm undecided myself as to who I'd like to see starting there, but I'd probably go with Naismith & bring on Miller to replace him if need be. So, my prediction is that we'll be playing a 4-5-1 with the starting line-up looking something like:- .........Broadfoot - Bougerra - Weir - Papac........... Naismith/Miller - Davis - Mendes - Ferguson - Fleck ..............................Lafferty........................... If we happen to take the gamble & play a 4-4-2 the starting line-up would be looking something like:- .........Broadfoot - Bougerra - Weir - Papac........... ...........Davis - Mendes - Ferguson - Fleck........... ...................Boyd - Lafferty/Miller..................... It'll be a tough game, but I think we can definitely beat them. Score prediction:- Celtic 1 - Rangers 2

The Wee Rangers Club have come up with some terrific deals to beat the credit crunch over the next couple of months. There is something there for everyone and all the deals are fantastic value. I am sure anyone who has been in the club this season will recommend it to others. Craig & Steve took ownership of the WRC in the summer and they have worked hard at making it a tremendous venue for all Rangers fans. Craig has double figures years of experience in the bar game and Steve is a superb chef who has worked in several top establishments. The quality of the food in the club is outstanding. AC Milan - Wednesday 4th February - 3 course meal for only �£10 with kids at �£5 within the John Brown Suite. Ideal for any bear who is struggling for time getting home from work etc. Valentines Day Dinner, Cabaret & Dance - This will be in the John Brown Suite with a fabulous night of entertainment and the best food in Glasgow available for only �£50 per couple. Don't pay the crazy prices people are asking when you can have a full night of entertainment for only �£25pp. Old Firm Game Live on the 15th February - For those that do not have a ticket for the Brendenbeau why don't you come to down to the WRC and watch the game live with hundreds of fellow bears. Earlier in the season this game was a huge success and the WRC was doing the bouncy into the wee hours. Chef's Special Afternoon - Sunday Roast - 1st March - This is going to be the chef's special afternoon where he is going to offer fantastic selection of food at prices that makes it cheaper to eat in the club than at home. �£12.95 for 3 courses with kids under 12 at half price and kids under 5 eat FREE. For anyone who thinks 3 courses is too much you can have a 2 course meal for �£9.95. Psychic Night - 1st March - This is the much awaited return for the Psychic night that has proved so popular in the past. Tickets are priced at �£10 per ticket. Lets hope we get the news we want regarding this years title. League Cup Final Hospitality - 15th March - The WRC have a hospitality package that will include a 5-course meal, coach to the game and back to the WRC for more food and drinks. A price for this package will be finalised in the next few days. Mothers day Lunch - 22nd March - Rights lads & lassies why don't you take your mum down to the WRC for a fantastic Mothers Day Lunch within the John Brown Suite. At only �£14.95pp this gives you the opportunity to have a great meal with your wee mammy and at the same time show her where all the bears hang out. Match day Hospitality - This has proved to be incredibly popular this season and a number of match days are now sold out. At only �£35pp for a glass of champagne & canap�©s, 5 course meal and then return to the WRC after the game for more food. Cash bar available throughout the day. For more information or to book any of these fantastic offers please call the club directly on 0845 601 1873. http://www.theweerangersclub.com/

By David Melvin STEVEN DAVIS has praised John Fleck for having the confidence to make a vital breakthrough for Rangers after the teenage star opened the scoring against Dundee United from the penalty spot. John FleckThe Northern Ireland international admits he expected the 17-year-old to pass on the penalty taking responsibility after he was fouled by Mihael Kovacevic. But the talented midfielder refused to surrender the ball and confidently slotted it past Lukas Zaluska to rapturous applause from the Ibrox crowd. Davis said: "He showed again today what he's all about. It took a lot of bottle to take the penalty in a match that was so important for us to win. "But he was obviously brought down for the penalty and he was more than confident of taking it and he stroked it away well. John Fleck, Rangers scores a penalty for Rangers"It was a key moment in the game and he won it for us, but you maybe expect him to get the ball and hand it on to one of the more senior players. "But he grabbed it with both hands and obviously wanted it and he took it well so we're delighted that he's got his first goal for the club and hopefully he can build on that again." It was a crucial moment for the home side after they had been frustrated by a dogged United team for 76 minutes. Davis was relieved to get another important three points against difficult opponents with the small matter of an Old Firm game to come in a little over two weeks time. Steven DavisHe added: "We've seen that in most home games teams come and are compact and make it difficult for us and that's why that first goal is so important. "It took a penalty to get there today but once we scored that the lads relaxed a little bit and started to play some good stuff after that. "I've said it before, but all we can do is concentrate on ourselves and keep picking up wins. "We've done that today and it puts a little bit of pressure on Celtic but they'll be looking to go and win too ahead of the Old Firm game in a couple of weeks." Davis was also delighted to see his compatriot Kyle Lafferty return to action and grab a late goal to put a more comfortable look on the scoreline. Kyle Lafferty, Rangers celebrates scoringLafferty finished comfortably in to an open goal in injury time having replaced Kris Boyd shortly before Fleck's opening goal. And Davis was impressed with the way his international team mate's introduction changed the game. He said: "I think he made an impact when he came on today and to get a goal was an added bonus. "He's been out for a little while with some niggling injuries so it's good to have him back after Nacho picked up a knock."

WALTER SMITH does not expect Dundee United to still be suffering a League Cup hangover when they visit Ibrox on Saturday. Walter SmithRangers' SPL opponents suffered a heart-breaking semi final defeat to Celtic at Hampden on Wednesday night after a remarkable penalty shootout. That set up an Old Firm final for the first time in six years and left United deflated after another spirited performance against one half of the Old Firm. But Smith fully expects Craig Levein's men to be back to their best when they take to the field tomorrow afternoon. He said: "I think there will be a good reaction from Dundee United tomorrow. "They will obviously have felt the disappointment of not reaching the final of the League Cup but they can be pleased about their performance on the night. It was excellent. Barry Ferguson and Morgaro Gomis"They have had good results against the Old Firm in recent games but not only that they have been terrific matches. "If you are a supporter coming along you would have enjoyed almost every one between the sides recently. "They have always been very tight and there are usually goals so it is a game to really look forward to." Smith again spoke of his respect for Levein and the job his opposite number has done since taking over at Tannadice. Walter Smith and Craig LeveinHe added: "He has done an excellent job at Tannadice. He went to United a couple of weeks before I returned to Rangers and he has lifted them up and they have played very well over the past 18 months or so. "This season they have shown that they are stepping up again and they have been terrific in terms of the manner in which they have played." The Ibrox boss can welcome Kyle Lafferty back to his squad ahead of the visit of Levein's side and he admits he is hopeful the Northern Ireland man can now get a run of games under his belt. He said: "It's important for him to get a run. He has not had that yet so we are hopeful he can get a level of consistency in to his play."

KYLE Lafferty is desperate to put his injury problems behind him and return to the Rangers team as they bid to reclaim the SPL title. Kyle LaffertyLafferty has been sidelined since early January after taking a heavy knock to his knee and ankle in a closed door game at Murray Park. But now the Northern Ireland international is battling to make his way back in to Walter Smith's side as they aim to close the gap on rivals Celtic at the top of the table. He said: "It's good to be back. The injury wasn't as bad as we first thought and I'm back now and raring to go. "To be fair the whole of the first six or seven months have been about injuries for me and I haven't really got going. But hopefully this is the end of it and I can kick on now. "I supported this club when I was younger and I know how great a club it is so I want to prove to the fans and anyone who is doubting me that I can do a job for Rangers. "All I can do when I get my chance is to try to do my best and that's what I do every time I put on a blue shirt." Kyle Lafferty celebrates with Pedro MendesLafferty will aim to do that against Dundee United this weekend, but he knows that whatever team Smith fields, they will face a difficult challenge from Craig Levein's men. The Gers No.27 hit the net at Tannadice in December to earn his side a 2-2 draw and he is expecting another tough meeting with a side that have run Rangers close this season. He said: "They are a good side and we haven't managed to beat them yet this season so everyone in the dressing room knows what a good team they are. "I haven't been surprised by the challenge the teams outside the Old Firm are making because this is a good league, there are a lot of good teams in it." If he does get a chance, Lafferty knows it may not come in his favoured position - as a striker - but he insists he is ready for the fight he faces to earn a regular starting spot. He added: "The Gaffer has said that he bought me as a striker and that's my position. If I can't get a chance there in the first team hopefully I can show in the reserves what I am capable of. "Everybody knows what Kris Boyd is about and as long as he is scoring and the team are winning I'll be happy. So it's going to be hard to budge him but I'm up for the challenge."

Too lightweight for me. A few good moments and a few good goals but has never really looked up for the Scottish game. I cant even remember him taking players on too often, I thought a winger was supposed to go for it. To easily pushed off the ball for me and a bad signing

Two men are found guilty of attacking Neil Lennon in Glasgow hours after an Old Firm game last year. More...

After all the rotten things thats happened to Rangers lately, i.e forced to sell a top player and losing money as fast as Chick Young lost his hair, wouldn't it be so ironic if we won this weekend and Celtic lost to Aberdeen? Down to 2 points after Celtic fans saying they would be 10 points clear of Rangers the week after the old firm game. Whats the chances? Although i'm quite pessimistic about our title chances, football has a strange way of coming up with these twists. Celtic thought they were walking the league and the quote "the league was won before the new year" from Celtic fans has never left my mind. So, lets hope this twist will be one that does come true.

Hamilton Accies sign Paul McGowan from Celtic and Rangers' Jordan McMillan until the end of the season. More...

It has been a few weeks since my last article. Christmas, New Year, birthdays, holidays and, of course, a tame Old Firm home defeat resulted in an enforced absence from the online forums for yours truly. There is only so much OTT criticism, anguish and upset that one can take when Rangers lose and I was depressed enough without the usual online debates spoiling my winter break. The rise in popularity of online forums and the strong debates contained within them is a fascinating topic though. The subject has provoked comment from a wide range of people: from journalists who mock them (yet take part in and host polemic radio phone-ins); to authority figures who have to deal with their email campaigns; all the way to Sir David Murray who has complained vocally several times now about their content – describing the content as offensive ‘bile’ as well as recently referring to the authors as ‘mice’. Funnily enough one understands his point of view to a degree. Some people are rather extreme in their opinions with their musings often flawed and unfair. Indeed, it could be argued the overall mood can be one of isolation, suspicion and paranoia. I myself find it easy to write something that afterwards I may find different to my true feelings. Forum posting (or article writing) can often be the ‘literal’ equivalent of jumping in with both feet so it is important to take a step back on occasion, have an extra breath and consider the whole issue before offering a view. Nonetheless, it is also unwarranted of journalists, authority figures and especially Murray to dismiss these places and/or generalise them and their users unfairly. After all we’re still fans of the club and the vast majority are honest and well-meaning in their opinions – even if frustration and negativity can cloud judgement from time to time. And this is where John Steinbeck and my questionable Standard Grade English Literature metaphors are relevant. It was in late November that Sir David Murray referred to some fans he’d met as mice. He felt that despite their criticisms on websites, they were quite different when in person. And to some extent he is right. I speak from personal experience of just how difficult it can be to work with someone like Murray. We’ve met now on several occasions and it certainly isn’t easy to justify one’s contrary position on certain issues to an intelligent, charismatic, successful businessman like the Rangers chairman. Far stronger-willed people than me have been left floundering by this man so of course caution is taken when formal debate takes place. Nevertheless, I’d also like to think Murray would concede these debates have been constructive in the past even if we may never agree on some of the issues. And that’s why his comments of last year were so disappointing. Sure, he may not get on personally with some fans but he must surely realise it is for the good of the club that supporter relations must be maintained at all times. More so in the face of current adversities. In the same interview Murray stated that he’d ‘been here for 15 per cent of the club's history and won 30 per cent of our trophies. Maybe they've overstayed their welcome.’ This comment really is quite incredible and does nothing to improve the problems which are obvious at our club. Of course he is entitled to point to his successes but to suggest the critics of the status quo (namely increasing debt, three years without a league win and constant attacks on our fans/club) are disloyal or should remove their support of the club is indefensible. Further, when one considers how he often refuses to defend our good name (and by association his) when we are slighted in the media; it makes these internal fights all the more galling. In the late 1930s shortly after the publication of ‘Of Mice and Men’, Steinbeck wrote that: “In every bit of honest writing in the world there is a base theme. Try to understand men, if you understand each other you will be kind to each other. Knowing a man well never leads to hate and nearly always leads to love. There are shorter means, many of them. There is writing promoting social change, writing punishing injustice, writing in celebration of heroism, but always that base theme. Try to understand each other.” These themes are all applicable to what is happening at Rangers. Despite his protestations, the ‘best laid schemes’ of Sir David Murray’s Rangers have ‘gang aft agley’. That’s not unreasonable criticism nor bile nor someone saying something they wouldn’t in person. It’s just a reasonable observation from looking at Murray’s overall 20 years in charge of the club. Yes, he deserves praise for the stats he quotes above but, of course, he also deserves criticism for the current situation. To conclude, I want to take this opportunity to wish Sir David Murray a Happy New Year. I also want to say that if he wants to talk ‘of mice and men’ then he doesn’t take umbrage at his critics’ views but accept the challenge, try to understand us better and know us well. Thus, let’s work together to address the club’s problems. That would be the action of a man. Using the media to join with them in dismissing our valid concerns without supplying credible means to debate our feedback isn’t. Indeed, such ill-conceived actions are that of one who enjoys cheese with their French wine.

Same old story for us, very good business wise but for the team and the fans it's getting beyond a joke RANGERS boss Walter Smith admits he might not be able to keep Madjid Bougherra beyond the transfer window. Newcastle United are preparing a �£5million bid for the Algerian defender, as revealed by Record Sport, and Marseille are also keen. Smith is anxious to retain his top-team regulars and hopes only fringe performers leave the club in the next four weeks. But he admitted the chance for Rangers to double their money on a player they brought from Charlton in the summer might prove too tempting. The manager said: "I've never said as a club we will transfer any player we'd like to keep. There are obviously players in our squad we wouldn't like to lose. "We were in a situation last year when Alan Hutton was sold to Tottenham. We didn't want to lose him but the bid was such that we had to take it from a purely financial sense. "You can never say that won't happen again. We'd want to try to keep the group who have been involved in playing on a regular basis together and add to that if we can. "First and foremost, we have to adjust the numbers we have and that's the group who haven't been taking part in a lot of the games." Alan Gow is set to follow Jean-Claude Darcheville out the door as Smith continues his cull of Ibrox misfits. Rangers owner Sir David Murray and chief executive Martin Bain were at Murray Park yesterday to rubberstamp Gow's move to Wolves. A �£500,000 fee has been a greed with the Championship pacesetters and personal terms should be hammered out over the weekend. Wolves' chief executive Jez Moxey said: "We're having discussions with Rangers." Other fringe players such as Chris Burke, Andy Webster, DaMarcus Beasley, Brahim Hemdani and Christian Dailly could go before Smith looks to bolster his squad with one or two additions. However, Andrius Velicka is not among the players Smith wants to move on, which will dash the hopes of Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo. Rangers have been boosted by the return to fitness after eight months of Steven Naismith who is in the squad for tomorrow's game at Inverness although he may not feature. Smith has set his side a New Year's resolution to go on a winning run that will take them closer to rivals Celtic after last week's Old Firm defeat left them trailing by seven points. He said: "We went on a run at this stage last season that eventually took us to the top of the league so we hope this campaign mirrors that one, although there are no certainties. "We have to make sure we're more steady and consistent - starting at Inverness." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/2009/01/03/walter-smith-i-may-not-be-able-to-stop-madjid-bougherra-leaving-86908-21011887/

Andrew Dickson reports from Caledonian Stadium WALTER SMITH insists the most important thing Rangers can do is keep winning after they closed the gap between them and Celtic in the SPL to five points. Pedro Mendes celebratesThe Light Blues' 3-0 victory over Inverness at Caledonian Stadium today was crucial after their Old Firm rivals could only draw with Dundee United yesterday. It was the perfect response after last Saturday's derby defeat and showed, if proof was ever needed, that the championship race is still far from over. Pedro Mendes opened the scoring in the frozen north before Kris Boyd's double clinched a vital success. Smith said: "We started well enough in the first 10 or 15 minutes but then I thought we were poor in the last half hour of the first half. "The game itself dropped down a bit so it was up to us to lift things and we got off to a terrific start after the break. "Pedro scored a great goal once the game got underway again and I think that set us up for a good win. "We were a lot better in the second half than we had been in the first and were far more incisive. "The important thing for us just now is to win. Everybody makes the comparison between us and Celtic but the biggest thing is that we go on a run of victories.Kris Boyd scores the third goal against ICT "We need to look at our own performances rather than anybody else's. It's our fault we are trailing in the championship and we have to adjust to that. "We must make sure, in the games we have coming up, that we get into a situation where we can eradicate a few of the errors we've made in the first part of the season." Smith paid tribute to Mendes, whose goal just 24 seconds into the second period broke the deadlock for a Gers team badly needing to come out on top. The Portuguese midfielder's effort was sublime as he curled beyond Ryan Esson from 25 yards after good work by Nacho Novo. Smith added: "Pedro's goal was good and it was a welcome one as we needed something to lift us a little bit. "As I said to the players at half-time, we needed to get ourselves up as the game suited Caley Thistle with the way it was panning out. Pedro Mendes celebrates"We had to go on and win the game and we went on to do so after a good start. I felt we deserved to win." Mendes and Kenny Miller both came off in the latter stages with minor injuries but Smith does not expect either to be sidelined for long. With nine days now until the team's next game against St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup, it is hoped both will be fit enough to take part in that fixture. Smith said: "Kenny had a knock just above his knee and Pedro had to come off because he had a thigh strain. "Hopefully neither injury keeps them out for any great length of time. We'd like to think they'll recover before our next match."

First Adam and now McCulloch. I wish they would show it on the park at not in the papers.

PORTSMOUTH are lining up a stunning �£9million bid for Celtic midfield ace Scott Brown. SunSport can reveal Pompey boss Tony Adams has had the dynamic playmaker watched in THREE recent Hoops games. And Brownâ��s all-action performance in the 1-0 Old Firm triumph at Ibrox has convinced the Fratton Park club to tee up a move. Parkhead boss Gordon Strachan will be reluctant to offload a player he sees as crucial to his sideâ��s hopes of clinching a fourth successive SPL title. But former England and Arsenal hero Adams could test Celticâ��s resolve with a bumper offer for the Scotland star. Pompey have just sold Lassana Diarra to Real Madrid for a breathtaking �£20m. And Jermaine Defoe is set to follow him out the door â�� handing the south coast side another potential �£16m windfall. That leaves them well placed to come in with a megabucks bid should Celtic give any hint they are willing to deal. Losing the all-action Diarra was a huge blow for the FA Cup holders. But itâ��s understood Adams has discussed Brownâ��s abilities with his staff and been sufficiently impressed to include him on a short-list of targets, which also includes Middlesbroughâ��s Gary Oâ��Neil. Brown cost Celtic a record �£4.4million in May 2007, but he failed to convince fans in his debut campaign. This season, though, the 23-year-old has been outstanding in Celticâ��s engine room and Strachan wonâ��t want to lose him. The Fifer signed a five-year, �£25,000-a-week deal as Celtic beat off competition from rivals Rangers to his signature. Pompey would comfortably be able to improve Brownâ��s wages. Newcastle United are among other clubs who have tracked his progress. http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/article2086783.ece

Newcastle United are poised to test Rangers' resolve by making a �£4.5m bid for Madjid Bougherra. Sources in England claim that Joe Kinnear, the Newcastle manager, is considering an additional move to take Barry Ferguson too, but any attempt to sign their captain will be rejected by Rangers. Rangers are resigned to losing Bougherra but, while Ferguson has only 18 months left on his contract, Ibrox officials they will not countenance the sale of the 30-year-old midfielder, especially after the 1-0 Old Firm derby defeat at Ibrox which has left Walter Smith's side seven points adrift of Celtic in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. The Herald understands that Martin Bain, the chief executive, was informed yesterday afternoon of Newcastle's intentions by Bougherra's agent, Charles Collymore. It is also believed that Marseille will follow up their initial enquiry and may be the more appealing option, despite Bougherra's reiteration only last week that he had no intention of playing in Ligue 1. Sir David Murray, the Rangers chairman, is aware of the potential backlash if Bougherra leaves six months after his �£2.5m transfer from Charlton Athletic. Sanctioning the sale, even if Rangers double their investment, will be regarded by the beleaguered support as surrendering the championship. It is believed, though, that Rangers have already earmarked Christophe Berra, the Hearts captain, as a prompt replacement if Newcastle or Marseille make an irresistible offer. Rangers are preparing themselves for official contact and the inevitability of another deeply unpopular exit at the worst possible time. The club were heavily criticised for encouraging the �£9m transfer of Alan Hutton to Tottenham Hotspur last January, a move some supporters believe cost them the league. Bougherra was originally signed to partner Carlos Cuellar and facilitate the gradual phasing out of the 38-year-old David Weir but instead the 25-year-old replaced Cuellar, who joined Aston Villa in a �£7.8m transfer. The similarities with Cuellar's departure are now compelling. The Spaniard injured a calf muscle in pre-season and only returned to full fitness after completing his move to Villa Park. Bougherra has missed Rangers' last four games with a thigh strain. He is expected to make an overdue comeback against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Sunday but, with a move beckoning, his chances of reappearing have diminished. Kinnear is determined to plug a leaky defence and has been promised financial support by Mike Ashley, the chairman who has renewed his commitment at St James' Park after an unsuccessful attempt to sell the club. Newcastle's supporters will be wary of another central defender arriving from Scotland. Graeme Souness signed Jean-Alain Boumsong for �£8m in January 2005 but the Frenchman endured a disastrous stay in England before joining Juventus on loan. Bougherra has at least sampled the rigours of the Coca-Cola Championship. Pedro Mendes has also been linked with a reunion with Harry Redknapp at Tottenham Hotspur but selling another first-team asset would cause mutiny among the supporters. Wolverhampton Wanderers were on the verge of completing a �£250,000 transfer of Alan Gow. The striker was scheduled to return to Ibrox yesterday when his six-month loan deal with Blackpool ended but Mick McCarthy moved quickly to strengthen the Championship leaders' promotion push. Gow has been told he has no future at Rangers after only two first-team appearances and, despite his desire for a reprieve, he is now expected to join forces with the Scotland internationalist, Chris Iwelumo, at Molineux. Rangers have declined the chance to sign Hermann Hreidarsson. The 34-year-old Portsmouth defender is available for a nominal fee but, while Smith is an admirer of the player, he is in the market for a younger defender. Bain is also under pressure to move on the squad surplus that is draining around �£80,000 per week from the club. Jean-Claude Darcheville's move to Valenciennes has freed-up �£20,000 per week while Hearts are expected to re-sign striker Andrius Velicka. Rangers are keen to offload Brahim Hemdani, one of the club's highest earners, and will also listen to offers for Graeme Smith, Chris Burke, Charlie Adam and DaMarcus Beasley. http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.2478755.0.Newcastle_prepare_4_5m_offer_for_Rangers_defender_Bougherra.php

CRAIG Thomson is to make history by taking a huge step towards becoming Scotland's first-ever professional referee. Thomson, who took charge of the Old Firm game at Ibrox on Saturday, has quit his job as a lawyer with city firm Maclay, Murray & Spens. The 36-year-old is keen to devote more time and energy to his role as a senior SFA, Uefa and Fifa official. The bulk of his working week will be dedicated to training and preparing for the Scottish, European and international games he is involved in. advertisement Craig said: "I was finding it increasingly difficult to juggle my work as a construction lawyer with my refereeing commitments. I had a number of clients whose needs I had to balance with my football. "This year I have had 25 days off over and above my holiday entitlement. I was off for around 60 days and half of that was unpaid leave. I needed the extra time to fulfil my duties with Uefa." The Paisley man, who will maintain other business interests, explained his new work plan: "I was on secondment with Forth Electrical Services in Stirling earlier this year and they have asked me to come and work for them two days a week. "It suits me as I will be able to concentrate more on football. It will be interesting to chart my progress. "I am sure it will benefit me. I will be fitter, fresher and more prepared for each game I take charge of." Thomson's decision to go part-time takes him into line with the leading referees in the Barclays Premier League. Thomson explained: "I speak to the top referees down in England fairly regularly. They are classified as full-time professional referees, but that is not really the case. For example, Mike Riley is an accountant to trade and he still works two days a week. "The only one, in fact, who is strictly speaking full-time is Howard Webb. He is a policeman who has taken a five-year career break to concentrate on refereeing. The other guys all still have jobs." http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2478456.0.0.php I thought he had a terrible game on Saturday and is an averge ref IMO, maybe this will help him maybe it won't!!

WALTER SMITH says Rangers only have one way of getting back into the title race ââ?¬â? by showing the same PRIDE as Celtic. Gers are seven points behind their rivals after Saturdayââ?¬â?¢s Old Firm loss. Smith reckons that thereââ?¬â?¢s little between the pair but insists they have to show more grit to claw the Hoops back. Champions He said: ââ?¬Å?There is not much between the teams but Celtic have shown pride and determination in terms of being champions. ââ?¬Å?It has seen them through a period when they have maybe not been playing their best football but have been winning games. Credit to them for that. We have not shown that edge. We have lost this month to Celtic and Hearts which has been disappointing for us ââ?¬â? it is something we have to develop.ââ?¬Â Smith knows there is little room for any more slip-ups. He wants his side to show the form they showed this time last season when they went on a 13-game winning streak in the SPL. Smith said: ââ?¬Å?We have a situation where we know we have to go on that type of run if we hope to get ourselves back in the championship race. Trailing ââ?¬Å?It was a big disappointment to lose the game and losing our home record at the same time. League wise, it gives us a lot to do now in the second half of the season. ââ?¬Å?We have reached the halfway stage and we find ourselves trailing Celtic by seven points which is not what anyone wants.ââ?¬Â Smith added: ââ?¬Å?We won the game at Celtic Park ââ?¬â? when the chances came we took them. There wasnââ?¬â?¢t much between the two teams in the first half there. ââ?¬Å?We took our chances and capitalised on an error. The games have been like that. We maybe edged the number of opportunities on Saturday but Celtic got the goal and we were struggling after that.ââ?¬Â Charlie Adam was a surprise starter against Celtic and Smith insists he still has a part to play at Ibrox even though the club will listen to offers. He said: ââ?¬Å?He gives us good balance and a bit of strength.ââ?¬Â Smith hopes Madjid Bougherra will be back for Sundayââ?¬â?¢s clash with Caley Thistle after missing the Celtic game due to a thigh strain. Meanwhile, Hamilton have made a bold bid to sign highly rated Gers reserve star Jordan McMillan in a six month loan deal. Advertisement Click here Accies boss Billy Reid is desperate to bolster his squad for their relegation scrap. And McMillan has been targeted as the man to help keep the club in the top flight. The 20-year-old is one of the most promising youngsters on the books at Ibrox. McMillan has yet to make his first-team debut but is a regular on the bench as one of the under-21 players. http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/article2081746.ece

Has Spiers just written a decent article?? Novo a chancer!!! Graham Spiers In the stampede to laud Celtic's heroic win at Ibrox last weekend, it appears that many have fallen over themselves in their rush to dismiss Rangers' title chances in Scotland come May. It may be a dangerous assumption, for no other reason than the evidence of last season, where Celtic were deemed to lag too far behind Walter Smith's men in early April before clinching the championship on the final, dramatic night. With five months and 18 games of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League still to go, is seven points really such a frightening gap between the Old Firm? Rangers next face Celtic at Parkhead on February 15, with one remaining Old Firm clash to follow, and anything can happen in these matches. Moreover, there appear to be wider pitfalls this season in the SPL for Rangers and Celtic which will determine their success or failure. Rangers have been to Motherwell and dropped points. Celtic recently lost to Hibernian at Easter Road. Rangers lost to St Mirren at Love Street in October. For both teams, visits to Tynecastle and Tannadice, in particular, are going to be fraught. In this haphazard excitement Celtic can certainly be caught. Walter Smith has repeatedly argued that his team is capable of going on one of their unbeaten runs, and the time appears to be ripe for such a venture. Moreover, if Kris Boyd, who looks on target to deliver 35 goals this season, can continue in his recent scoring vein, then Rangers have a weapon which cannot be dismissed. Boyd's form, in fact, will largely determine his team's fate. One thing Smith should certainly consider doing is playing Kyle Lafferty, a tall, strong, skilful player, as a partner for Boyd through the middle. Lafferty may not yet be worth the �£3.5m that Rangers paid for him, but he is a good footballer, and a far better player than many give him credit for. From Lafferty's earliest days at Ibrox, Smith has repeatedly said that his best position is "through the middle", yet too often the striker has been turned into a refugee on the left wing. It would be fascinating to see the effect it had on Rangers if a Boyd-Lafferty central partnership was struck up. The Northern Ireland striker's height would give added menace to Rangers in attack, quite apart from his poise in front of goal, which has been seen, for instance, at Tannadice on December 13 when Lafferty deftly scored against Dundee United in a 2-2 draw. It is time, surely, that Smith gave Lafferty a chance in his true position. The obvious deficiency for Rangers is in central defence, where Kirk Broadfoot can look lumbering and David Weir is in his final Ibrox season, though Smith is actively looking to address this in the coming January window. If Smith can pluck a good defender from somewhere, and finally put an end to Lafferty's on-field obscurity, Rangers will certainly still have a healthy chance of winning the 2008-09 title. Changing sides Nacho Novo pulled off a remarkable feat last Saturday. Having played for 15 minutes as a sub for Rangers in the Old Firm derby at lunchtime, he then played for his home region of Galicia on Saturday night back in Spain in a friendly againts Iran, scoring twice in Galicia's 3-2 win. That's not bad going for Novo, who is about to leave Rangers. While we're on the subject, does this wee chancer still want to play for Scotland? Or is he still hoping for a Spain call-up? in Columnists, Featured, Graham Spiers | Permalink TrackBack TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/297284/37620274 Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Don't write off Rangers just yet:

Dec 29 2008 By Keith Jackson NACHO NOVO may have fired his way to a shock January return to Spain after starring for an all-star select in La Coruna hours after his Old Firm snub. The Rangers striker bagged a stunning double for his home region of Galicia on Saturday as the Spaniards beat Iran 3-2. Novo was flown by private jet to the North of Spain right after playing for only the final 16 minutes of his side's 1-0 defeat against Celtic at Ibrox. And he shook off his disappointment to steal the show with two terrific goals in front of a host of onlooking Primera Liga bosses who were among the 25,000 crowd at the Raizor. Novo, who only made it to the ground 30 minutes before kick-off, was subbed after an hour but left to a standing ovation from the home fans. And his performance is understood to have caught the eye of Deportivo La Coruna's president Augusto Cesar Lendoiro. Novo has become an increasingly frustrated figure at Ibrox because of a chronic lack of first-team chances and was linked with a s2million move to Hull City ahead of the derby defeat. The 29-year-old has never hidden his desperation to win over boss Walter Smith but hasn't started a game since November 9. The lure of returning home to play in La Liga could tempt him into ending his love affair with the Glasgow club. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/2008/12/29/exclusive-nacho-novo-set-for-la-liga-switch-86908-21002362/

By Andrew Dickson CHARLIE ADAM insists Rangers can still catch up with Celtic and win the league the way the Parkhead club did last season. The Light Blues find themselves seven points behind in the title race after they lost today's Old Firm derby 1-0 at Ibrox. Kenny Miller, RangersBut having seen the title go to Glasgow's east end after Gordon Strachan's men made up a similar gap before the summer, Adam sees no reason why Gers can't do the same thing. He said: "It was a tough day for us. Goals win you games and on this occasion it was Celtic who managed to score. "The first goal has a big say in what happens in these games. It has been that way over a number of years. "We had opportunities to score and might have won if we'd gone ahead but we never did that and they made the breakthrough. "Now we'll get on with it. We'll bounce back and we know there is still a long way to go in the championship. "We're perfectly capable of winning anywhere and we know we've got to roll our sleeves up, work really hard and try to claw the gap back.Davie Weir "Celtic did that last year so I don't see why we can't do the same thing again ourselves this season. "The title is not lost and there are plenty of games left to play with lots of points up for grabs. "There will still be twists and turns from now until May and it's just up to us to capitalise on it if Celtic make any mistakes" Adam was a surprise starter as he came into the team for the first time in four weeks at Kyle Lafferty's expense. Although he has been linked with a January move away from Ibrox, he's determined to stay and fight for his place. Charlie Adam, RangersAnd having lost in the derby after he was a winner last time out, he's just as eager to ensure he tastes victory in the big game again in the future as a Gers star. Adam added: "It has been the case a few times now that I've only played in certain matches but I train as though I'll play in every game so I was prepared to play. "When I'm not in the first team, I'm taking part in bounce games or in the reserves so it's not a difficult situation for me. "To come back into the team was fantastic and it showed the manager still has faith in me. "It was great to be back in the side but you obviously you to come in and get victories so it was disappointing the way the game ended."

This again from the eveningtimes. DJs quote at the very end sums him up for me, what a tosser!!! CELTIC and Rangers fans tend to blow things out of all proportion when their team loses an Old Firm game. And it is no surprise that many Gers supporters are predicting the title race is over after such a poor performance by their team at Ibrox on Saturday. But, believe me, it is not done and dusted yet. Seven points is not too great a gap to bridge by any means. There are a lot of games still to be played by both clubs and points to be dropped. Yet, Rangers must start to show some fight, a quality which I felt was totally lacking in their dire display against the Hoops, if they want to win the SPL this season. My old boss Jock Wallace used to tell me that you need a bit of fire in your belly. Well, what player in a light blue jersey had that hunger, that burning desire to win, at the weekend? What I found particularly alarming was the lack of fight Rangers displayed once they had fallen behind to the Scott McDonald goal. They just couldn't raise their game. That, for me, was the greatest disappointment. Walter Smith kept the players in the dressing room for a long, long time after the final whistle. I am sure a few of them left the stadium with a flea in their ear from Walter and his assistants Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall. What they need to do now is react to this defeat in the same way that Celtic did when they were beaten 4-2 at Parkhead back in August and go on a decent winning run. That means picking up points both home and away. I don't think there is any need to change the favoured 4-4-2 formation or drop anybody from the side. But a few players really need to get their fingers out and show that they know what it means to play for the club. If they do, the situation Rangers find themselves in can definitely change. A few weeks ago when they fell seven points behind with a defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle everybody wrote them off. On Saturday, they could have reduced Celtic's lead to just one point with a win. As Walter has pointed out, though, there is now next to no margin for error. They maybe need to be more direct in the coming weeks and months and start to win ugly a bit more to keep up the pressure on their city rivals. Walter raised a few eyebrows by selecting Charlie Adam ahead of Aaron, DaMarcus Beasley, Kyle Lafferty, Lee McCulloch and Nacho Novo wide on the left. He has not been regularly involved in the first team squad in recent weeks and there has been speculation that he has been told he can leave Ibrox during the January transfer window. But he has a proven track record in the fixture and poses a real threat from dead ball situations. Plus, the manager sees all of his players in training and must have felt that Charlie was his best option. He is just one of several players who must have a long hard look at themselves and try to improve. No way is it adios for Novo NACHO Novo is the latest player to be linked with a move away from Rangers during the January transfer window after again being overlooked against Celtic on Saturday. But I am sure the little Spaniard, who came on as a late substitute at Ibrox, will be one of the last players Walter Smith will want to see leave. Despite Nacho's frustration at his lack of first- team starts this season, he is best utilised as an impact player. He can change the course of a game all by himself. There is a lot of dead wood in the Gers squad which Walter will be far more interested in getting rid of in the next month. I think getting a centre half in has to be Walter's priority. He has been linked with big Lee Wilkie up at Dundee United. That is a signing I, and I am sure a lot of Rangers fans, would welcome. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2478464.0.0.php

By Andrew Dickson WALTER SMITH bemoaned Rangers' lack of a cutting edge after they failed to take their chances and lost 1-0 to Celtic. The Light Blues had several opportunities to go in front in the second Old Firm clash of the season but were off target too often. Ally McCoist and Walter SmithThey then paid for that when Scott McDonald put the Parkhead outfit in front and his strike ultimately proved to be the winner. Smith feels his men did play well enough to get a positive result from the derby but admits his men weren't sharp enough in front of goal. He said: "We are obviously disappointed to lose the game. I felt we started well enough and until the goal, I felt you could argue we were the better side. "But after we went behind, we lost a bit of composure as we started pouring forward in search of an equaliser. "Celtic defended very well from then on and we never created many opportunities - if any at all - in the latter stages of the game. "After having a lot of the territorial pressure, it was extremely disappointing not to get a good result with it." Smith accepts his men must improve in the SPL when 2009 begins, with a need for results against so-called lesser sides to get better essential. With one win each against the other, Glasgow's big two are seven points apart because of Celtic's better record against the teams further down the table.Walter Smith Smith added: "The Old Firm results cancel each other out and we're behind because of what we've done elsewhere. That has been our season. "We must face up to that fact and there is no margin for error now. Celtic have that but we don't. We have to make sure we can go on and keep winning in the months ahead. "Another disappointing thing is that we've lost our unbeaten home record. We have played extremely well at home and I felt we did that for the first hour here today. "Now we will keep going, we'll push on and make sure this defeat does not affect us too greatly. "There wasn't a great deal between the teams and we felt we could win this one but that didn't happen and we must look to bounce back."

Over And Out Seconds after Scott McDonald rifled home the only goal of a frustrating Old Firm game on Saturday, the only sound that drowned out the celebrating Tims was the strains of an overweight lady warbling the last rights on our SPL title challenge. It is gut-wrenching that even before the strains of Auld Lang Syne have faded away, the destination of the SPL title is out of our own hands. I will attempt to keep this part of the article to the dire performance on Saturday but there is so much wrong with our club at the moment that this may not be possible. We actually started the game well, and didnââ?¬â?¢t we all just know that weââ?¬â?¢d live to regret missing so many guilt-edged chances to take the lead? However, we still didnââ?¬â?¢t test Borat enough, he had an easy game and we failed to capitalise on his eccentricity and his ability to self-destruct and lose stupid goals. There was little surprise that Walter Smith had decided to reintroduce Charlie Adam into the fray after Adam being frozen out for 3-4 weeks. We all knew either Adam or McCulloch would be reintroduced. Throughout the entire 90 minutes, all our failings became even more glaringly obvious. We donââ?¬â?¢t have a striker who can take a guilt-edge chance when it matters. We play far too narrow. We canââ?¬â?¢t capitalise on set-pieces. We canââ?¬â?¢t retain possession from a throw-in. Celtc had a corner in the 84th minute, we were trailing 1-0 in a game we couldnââ?¬â?¢t afford to lose and we had every player back defending. Walter Smithââ?¬â?¢s tactics and substitutions reek of a manager who has lost the plot. He pays Ã?£3.5M for a STRIKER and continually plays him left wing when its obvious that the lad CANââ?¬â?¢T play there ââ?¬â?? yet Walter persists and is close to ruining this lad. He then withdraws our right back (who is really a midfielder) and goes 3-3-4. All fine and well until you notice that we have 4 centre forwards on but still no wide players (you know, someone to get in behind the deep lying Celtc defence). So with 4 forwards on and men short down the channels, we decide to throw high balls into the Celtc defence. Their two centre halves could be heard laughing from my seat in the Govan West Corner. They just headed the ball clear, their midfield picked up the lose balls and fed their stickers down the channels. So easy when youââ?¬â?¢re playing a team with no width and no clue on how to get in behind a static back four. The most glaring deficiencies are the fact that we are attempting to win the SPL with players from St Mirren, Hibs, Kilmarnock etc. These players are run of the mill SPL players, nothing better, nothing worse. We have no creativity, we have no fast paced players who can beat an opponent. We have no drive from midfield and we have a creaking 40 year old defender who is now well past his best. I have been hearing and reading some very scary stories recently. Rangers Football Club are in a worse financial position than any of us knows, or cares to imagine. If these stories are true, and I have no basis to doubt them, all of our players are currently up for sale. As well as reducing the wage bill, we MUST recoup money and weââ?¬â?¢ll do this by selling players. This means players like Novo, Boogie, McGregor, Boyd, Mendes et al will be sold if we receive a ââ?¬Ë?decent offerââ?¬â?¢ for them. Inability to sell players like Burke, Adam, McCulloch et al will determine that they will be the ââ?¬Ë?qualityââ?¬â?¢ left to win us this league. We are being downsized dramatically by SDM and we are all happy to sit back with an air of inevitability whilst we witness the demise of this once great club. The ââ?¬Ë?qualityââ?¬â?¢ of player being looked at to ââ?¬Ë?strengthenââ?¬â?¢ our team sends jubbers down the spine of this Rangers supporter. Lee Wilkie, Dean Shiells, Bobo Balde all names that have been mentioned and deals are already being struck. So the fat lady has sung and our challenge for the title appears to be over. Is this overly pessimistic? I donââ?¬â?¢t think so. I can see Celtc dropping points, but unfortunately, I can see us dropping as many, if not more than them. We are unable to win away from home, and have two tricky away games in the SPL (Inverness and Aberdeen) and one in the Scottish Cup. It is fair to say that if we donââ?¬â?¢t win all three of those games, the manager MUST be removed. Personally, I would remove him (and his staff) just now as they have proven that they donââ?¬â?¢t have what it takes to win the SPL title against what is one of the worst Celtc teams in over a decade (and yet they stand on the verge of 4 consecutive SPL titles). Without Fear Or Favour We as Rangers fans have heard the above quote from Doctor Reid regarding sectarianism, and this quote has now been adopted by politicians and Police respectively. However, just like Doctor Death, the politicians and police are very lax in enforcing this quote, and in the Policeââ?¬â?¢s case, enforcing the law. In the lead up to the Old Firm game we had a politician who represents constituents in Bethnal Green and Bow informing all of Scotland that any Rangers fan who claims that Big Jock Knew is a bigot. Thatââ?¬â?¢s right folks, George Galloway believes that if you dare tell the truth regarding Jock Steinââ?¬â?¢s refusal to report a child molester to the Police makes you a bigot. George tells us that Jock Steinââ?¬â?¢s name wonââ?¬â?¢t be tarnished by us bigots. Youââ?¬â?¢re right George, he tarnished his own name he didnââ?¬â?¢t need any help from us. Next up we have an SNP MSP and a Cardinal informing us that the hokey cokey is a sinister song mocking the Catholic Mass. Apparently, we have all known this for over 300 years and participating in the hokey cokey makes you a sinister, anti-catholic bigot. If this sectarian issue wasnââ?¬â?¢t so serious, last weeks revelations would be laughable. Not happy with informing the country that the hokey cokey was sectarian, the Cardinal and MSP informed Strathclyde Police that any Rangers fan caught doing the hokey cokey should be arrested. Strathclyde Policeââ?¬â?¢s response was predictable ââ?¬â?? they informed us that anyone indulging in sectarianism at the OF game would be arrested, without fear or favour. Now, this is where it gets interesting. As well all know, during the OF game on Saturday, the entire Celtic end indulged in sectarian and offensive songs, openly breaking long established laws on sectarianism and singing songs in support of outlawed terrorist groups. So, given that we had heard a spokesman for Strathclyde Police saying that anyone indulging in such behaviour would be arrested without fear or favour. Well I can contest that this isnââ?¬â?¢t the case. From a very personally experience on Saturday, I can inform you that instead of arresting people clearly breaking the law, Strathclyde Police (officer xyz ââ?¬â?? I do have his number and have written a letter of complaint to the Police and Rangers but didnââ?¬â?¢t think it wise to print it here) are now more interested in arresting law-abiding citizens rather than those openly breaking the law. When challenged to tackle the sinister, hate-filled and sectarian songs emanating from the Broomie on Saturday, the Police decided to turn a blind eye (or deaf ear if you wish) to the complaints from Rangers support, as well as the songs being sung. Given that, and the frustration of the Police clearly neglecting their duty to uphold the law, I stated that the Celtic fans participating in songs glorifying terrorist (and therefore the murder of thousands of innocent people) were nothing more than terrorist loving scumbags. Now, I have spent the last two days determining if my outburst was anyway sectarian, racist, offensive or criminal. As yet, there is no evidence to say that my outburst was sectarian, racist, offensive or criminal. However, an officer promptly grabbed me in a violent manner (I still have bruises) and shouted at me in a threatening and aggressive manner. He informed me that if I said terrorist loving scumbags once more that Iââ?¬â?¢d be arrested. He refused to specify why Iââ?¬â?¢d be arrested and refused to confirm why he was happy to ignore the Celtic fans songs. He then informed me that he clearly heard my outburst (he was standing 20 feet behind me) but couldnââ?¬â?¢t hear the Celtic fans and couldnââ?¬â?¢t identify who was singing. Yip, thatââ?¬â?¢s right, he heard me over a 50,000 crowd but couldnââ?¬â?¢t pick our any one of the 7,500 singing IRA songs. I wonder if the same officer was to respond to a burglary and witness the thieves stealing from a house and being chased by the house owner. Would he ignore the burglars and threaten to arrest the home owner who stated that the people stealing from him / here were ââ?¬Ë?thieving scumbagsââ?¬â?¢? So there you have it, a prime example of Strathclyde Police without fear or favour campaign. Iââ?¬â?¢ll let you know if I get any reply from Strathclyde Police or Rangers FC, although I donââ?¬â?¢t hold out much hope.

Charlie Adam insists he has no intention of quitting Rangers in January after his surprise inclusion in the Old Firm derby defeat to Celtic. More...

RANGERS fans everywhere will spare a thought at today's Old Firm game for the victims of the Ibrox Disaster on January 2. 1971. John Greig and Sandy Jardine lay a wreath at the Ibrox Disaster memorial in 2007Back then, an awful accident on Stairway 13 at the end of the Rangers-Celtic derby resulted in the death of 66 supporters while 145 were injured. It remains the worst tragedy in Scottish football and the events of that day and those which followed are indelibly etched in the minds of the players involved at that time. John Greig and Sandy Jardine both played that fateful day when Rangers came from behind to level Jimmy Johnstone's opener through Colin Stein. At the final whistle, a horrific crush developed on Stairway 13 - the quickest exit to the Copland Road tube station - and fans began to fall and suddenly became trapped as others fell on top of them. It turned into the blackest day in Rangers' history and the victims of that day shall never be forgotten. As has become tradition, a wreath will be laid at the memorial to the Ibrox Disaster victims and other supporters who have lost their lives at the stadium on the nearest home game to January 2. This year that falls today and the ceremony will take place ahead of the match. RIP