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THE most important result of the season so far for Ally McCoist has not actually involved his Rangers side. It has not been any of the 12 consecutive victories the Ibrox club has recorded in SPFL League One. Nor was it the Ramsdens Cup or Scottish Cup triumphs which kept alive the Gers' hopes of a unique Treble. No, it was the historic win that Greenock Morton recorded over Celtic in the League Cup at Parkhead in September. Not because McCoist in any way revelled in the misfortune of his club's fiercest and oldest rivals. He simply felt the specific result highlighted just how difficult it is for his charges in the lower reaches of the senior leagues. For over a year now, anything less than outright victory by Rangers has been labelled a disaster - by fans and critics. There have been a fair few dark days. McCoist, though, knows just how demanding getting a result, never mind a victory, can be in the third tier. Yes, the Glasgow club still has, by some distance, the second highest players' wage bill in the country. And, yes, they should, on paper, be able to beat all of their part-time opponents comfortably both home and away. But games are not played on paper. More often than not in this country, they are played on poor surfaces in appalling weather conditions in front of thousands of hostile fans. Invariably, too, they are played against 11 individuals hell bent on pulling off an upset against their famous rivals on what is very often the biggest occasion of their playing careers. The meeting with an Arbroath team that took Celtic to a replay in the Scottish Cup last season at Gayfield a week today will, for example, be highly treacherous. It will, then, be a tall order for Rangers to maintain their winning run in League One and record a fabled "Perfect Season". Even with the strengthening of his squad that McCoist carried out in the summer, going undefeated will be far from straightforward. Rangers have been lucky to take maximum points from their league games so far. There have been several instances when they could have drawn or even lost. The game against Brechin City at Glebe Park last month was a close thing. They were trailing 3-1 at half-time and needed to produce an amazing second-half fightback to triumph 4-3. And that was not an isolated incident. There have been other near things. How much longer, you wonder, can the Govan club continue to ride their luck? McCoist does not, despite his close season recruitment drive, have great strength in depth in his squad to cover adequately for inevitable injuries and suspensions. Indeed, the loss of Andy Little has left him with just two recognised strikers - Jon Daly and Nicky Clark - given that Lee McCulloch is now firmly established at centre-half. Clark is taking time to find his feet at Ibrox. He is performing with heart and no little skill when he is handed a start. But he is not yet scoring as regularly as he did with Queen of the South last season. So the Third Division champions could run into difficulties during the long winter months. If they have to rely heavily on their youngsters, as they did last season, there is no guarantee they will keep winning. Yet, there is certainly a huge desire within the Rangers squad, among the coaching staff and the players, to create a bit of history by becoming one of the few sporting teams in history to win all their games. They may not say so publicly, but the Light Blues would love to go through the 2013/14 league campaign without dropping a single point. Rangers are no strangers to making history. They have, after all, got a world record 54 national titles to their name. No other football club has won as many domestic Trebles - seven to be precise - as they have. A "Perfect Season" would sit very well alongside the many other accomplishments they have achieved since they were founded back in 1872. Rangers will win SPFL League One at a canter. They are already 11 points clear of their nearest contenders Dunfermline. Given their full-time status and the quality of their squad that is to be expected. The only way they will gain any respect for the league success is to record an achievement that will resound around the world. So do not be surprised if they defy expectation and do exactly that. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/the-lure-of-history-can-be-spur-for-mccoist-men-142824n.22719849

Kris Boyd will end a three-year international hiatus by joining the Scotland squad on the flight to Norway tomorrow ahead of Tuesday’s International Challenge Match in Molde. Boyd was drafted in to the squad by Gordon Strachan to replace Steven Fletcher, with the Sunderland striker permitted by the national coach to return to his club after playing in Friday night’s 0-0 draw against the USA at Hampden Park. The 30-year-old Kilmarnock striker last appeared for his country in a 2-1 victory against Liechtenstein in the UEFA European Championship qualifier at Hampden Park in September 2010. Boyd, who played under the Scotland national coach at Middlesbrough, has stated his desire to add to his 18 caps and seven goals for his country since returning to the SPFL Premiership and rejoining his home-town team, Kilmarnock, after a spell in Major League Soccer with the Portland Timbers. “I never gave up hope of playing for my country again and I am grateful to Gordon for giving me that chance,” he said en route to the team hotel. “I have always felt I can make a contribution at international level and knew that if I kept working hard my chance would come again. Hopefully I can get involved against Norway and show people what I am still capable of at the highest level.” Gordon explained he had no hesitation in turning to Boyd to supplement his attacking options after losing Fletcher, Matt Phillips and Jordan Rhodes from his original squad. “Kris has always said he was determined to return to the international squad. Now he has that opportunity again and I am delighted for him,” said Gordon. “He is a terrific professional who works hard on his game. Having spoken to a lot of people about him, they are of the same opinion as me – that Kris is an asset to any squad with his goalscoring capabilities. “He is playing regularly again at Kilmarnock and that sharpness made him a natural choice when looking for a striker to replace Steven.” Scotland have allowed Grant Hanley to return to his club after experiencing muscle tightness after his part in Scotland’s draw on Friday night, with Charlie Mulgrew also given leave for the trip to Norway.

I think the best thing about this long piece is the trailer, but anyway, here's your Sunday morning... When we got kicked out the SPL, one thing I thought would be good was that when international breaks came around, we at least would have a game to look forward to. The idea that we could have internationalists playing for us down amongst the dead men never occurred to me, and while these dreary weeks without even a competitive international game to watch are dull, they do at least give you a chance to look a the bigger picture. As usual, it's a dispiriting one, with the main news of note being the appointment of a raft of directors at Rangers - temporary or otherwise, time will tell - and celtc's continuing attempts to remove Rangers entirely from the game in Scotland. Booooring!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsSbhdo0kQI So instead of waxing gloomical about the same old stuff I've groused above before, I shall this week offer a menu of possibilities for the future, things the game could engage with and maybe create a freshness about that stalest of products, the SPFL. These are all nicked from other sports, but that's no reason to dismiss them. Other sports are booming, thriving even, in these difficult financial times by innovating: we could learn from them. First up, a boring marketing/community bonding opportunity. BT show French Ligue 1 games, and you see every side has the regional tourist board advertised on their strips. Watching the Aussie football this weekend, I see they are the same. 'Do the CG experience!' exhorts the brightly coloured either Adelaide or Perth shirt (my Australian geography is not great). Given that there's plenty of space available on SPFL shirts, they ought to employ this device to get as much exposure (limited, I admit) for each club's region or city. Given how fast Scots clubs are declining, anything which re-engages them with their communities ought to be embraced. The current rugby world cup is attracting huge audiences in England, Wales & France; at the end of the game, both teams take a lap of honour, during which players pose for photos and sign autographs for fans. Perhaps this ought to be home fans only, and only then after a win, but it's an idea which would take an extra 10 or 15 minutes for the players and which would reinforce the bond between fan and player. And to any player who couldn't be bothered, they would have to shoulder the consequences should they dip in form! Cricket's 20/20 competition has brought in many innovations since it appeared about 10 years ago, nowhere more so than in the magnificent Indian Premier League. Features include an audio link between a fielder (usually the skipper) and the commentators while bowlers are walking back to their mark, or during a drinks break; while the heat doesn't require such a break in Glasgow very often, there's no reason why keepers could not be linked up by an audio tech behind the goal while their team are up the other end of the pitch - in cricket the interviewed player just breaks off should he have to, and goalies could do the same. Likewise, since there have been trackside reporters for decades, let's get them broadcasting the actual sounds of the sideline, rather than some mediated, filtered, cleaned up version. If this causes issues for managers or coaches who can't go 45 minutes at a stretch without effing or blinding, that is their problem - if they want TV money, they can behave to minimum live TV standards. This kind of technical innovation would allow the SFA or SPFL or whoever to approach broadcasters with a fresh product, offering superior access to players or staff, rather than a pale imitation of England's success. The IPL also require their grounds to build a little VIP booth, which is for competition winners rather than high heid yins, and include big comfy armchairs and fridges filled with Pepsi products. Practicalities might make this hard, but we are too much in the habit of saying 'we can't' when we need to be saying 'we have to'. Such competitions and prizes must be a money spinner as well as ideal product placement, an area we need to maximise in order to tempt what appears to be a highly reluctant commercial sector back to our moribund product. Joint managerial press conferences could be introduced, which ought to go some way to enforcing managers to act like adults. I think we can think of the one exception who would still stick out his petulant lower lip, and no doubt the media would be annoyed at losing their precious controversial moments, but the aim is to make the product better and financially healthier. Childish and whiny complaints will not bring in investment, a relatively mature product might. No doubt every reader will have ideas of their own. We all know that the game needs radical change at a purely functional level, especially the 4 games a season nonsense, but there's lots of room for tinkering around the edges and freshening up what is a sorely tired product. Just sometimes we need to turn our thoughts toward what we can do to make the game better, rather than the understandable constant harping on about what's wrong with it. Let's hear it for positive thinking, even just for a week!

48. Lewis Macleod, Rangers, 19. Living the dream after joining Rangers as a 10-year-old, he might be playing in the Scottish League One, but there are plenty predicting big things for the midfielder. Impressive displays at all levels for Scotland’s youth sides suggest he will continue to be an important player as Rangers climb the divisions. http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/the-top-101-youngsters-in-world-football-don-balon-list-2013/

I suppose this is blogger’s equivalent of the Samurai tradition of Seppuku – their unique suicide rite. At journalism college one of my course tutor’s used to invariably preach about the successful narrator knowing, and writing to the very heart and soul of their audience. This article will do quite the opposite and some may find the content uncomfortable, however I feel it asks a question which needs to be asked. The boardroom battle for control of our club has seen a thorough examination of the character and integrity (or alleged lack thereof) of the various candidates vying for control. It would be fair to say the Rangers support is well versed in the personal character strengths and weaknesses of the Murrays, the Easdales etc. The apparent weaknesses of the “other sides” candidates have been given maximum exposure during the ensuing debate, with the morality factor at times appearing as important as the size of the wallet they, or their backers, bring to our club. All is fair in love and war. Waiting in the wings is a man many Rangers fans would view as our club’s “Messiah” – Dave King. Almost as important as his money appears to be his ability to unite the fragmented factions within our support for he appears to have the unanimous backing of all. Perhaps the eventual winner in our boardroom battle will determined by which side, if any, Dave King decides to ally with. Such unanimous support for King has spared him the moral examination so many others have been subjected to in our boardroom struggle. With the exception of course of the Scottish Press. Let me make one thing clear – the Scottish Press have long surrendered the right to exercise moral judgement with regard to our club. They surrendered such a right long ago with their silence over 5 way agreements, their silence over unlawful transfer embargo’s imposed on our club and their desire to join with the haters in labelling us “cheats”and thus trampling over our right to a presumption of innocence until proven otherwise. This discussion is by invitation only, and those out with the Rangers support are not invited, cordially or otherwise. But it is nonetheless, a discussion which has to be had. Judge Southwoods assessment of Dave King in his tax battle with the South African authorities was damning. I’m sure most of you have read it, but to spare you the false morality of the Scottish press it can be found here : http://www.moneywebtax.co.za/moneywebtax/view/moneywebtax/en/page259?oid=56208&sn=Detail Are we satisfied as a support that the coat bearing glib and shameless will be discarded should Dave King return to Ibrox in any capacity ? Will an alleged disrespect for the truth be at odds with a support demanding transparency and clarity with regard to the governance of our club ? Or are the characteristics described by Judge Southwood exactly what are needed at our club in a battle where our enemies are not playing by the rules ? These are difficult questions but we will need to wrestle with them at some point. Failure to do so is just not an option.

Slightly confused here. The Scotland match is currently in the 85th minute but on Sky it's in the 81st?

Another day, another club statement: http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/5577-todays-daily-record

ALLY McCOIST has welcomed Kenny Miller back to Murray Park to use facilities as he recovers from recent knee surgery. But even though the manager hopes to sign another striker in January, he insists the 33-year-old’s presence at the training ground isn’t necessarily a precursor to a move back to the club. Miller has been getting treatment at Auchenhowie over the last few days and he’s a player McCoist is a huge admirer of. Indeed, he has spoken in the past about being keen to recruit the forward again and would likely be interested if he became available. For the moment, however, Miller remains a Vancouver Whitecaps player – and McCoist has stressed the arrangement in place is simply to help the ex-Scotland star get back to fitness. “It’s great to see Kenny back,” McCoist said. “We’ve got an open-door policy for our former players see a lot of the guys coming back to pay us a visit. “We’ve offered Kenny the rehabilitation services we’ve got so Stevie Walker and the physios are looking after him in the afternoons. “I had a good chat with Kenny this week and he has had a knee operation. He looks well considering it wasn’t that long ago. “He’s as enthusiastic as ever and he’s in good form so he’s talking about getting back playing as soon as possible. “Kenny is still contracted to Vancouver and do you know something? I haven’t even spoken to him about his situation there. “The most important thing for him is that he gets himself fit again and back playing, wherever that may be. “I won’t lie to you. I wouldn’t mind strengthening our forward area and especially now that Andy Little looks like being out for months rather than weeks. “We haven’t touched on any conversations like that at all with Kenny though and he is with another club at this point in any case.” McCoist feels his forward line needs strengthening after a broken cheekbone and jaw sidelined Little until next year. Only Jon Daly and Nicky Clark are operating as recognised strikers at present in the senior squad, with Lee McCulloch playing much more often in defence these days. The club’s second-top scorer with 10 goals, McCulloch is clearly capable of moving forward if he needs to. McCoist doesn’t want to unsettle his side more than he has to though and added: “The skipper has been terrific for us at the back so we’ve only really got Nicky and Jon up front. “If we can, that’s an area where we’d like to strengthen and I’d be reluctant to move Lee back up front for a couple of reasons. Firstly, he’s playing very well where he is. “We’ve also got somebody up front in Jon who is battering in all sorts of goals at the minute so it’s an option to us but I wouldn’t be too keen on doing it.” http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/5574-kennys-here-to-recover

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/h...ibrox.22647991 FORMER Rangers chairman Malcolm Murray has called on new Ibrox chief David Somers to ensure democracy at next month's crunch annual general meeting. The chartered accountant and investment manager was appointed acting chairman of Rangers International Football Club plc last week and will oversee what is likely to be a stormy shareholder summit on December 19. Mr Murray, former Blue Knights leader Paul Murray and businessmen Alex Wilson and Scott Murdoch are bidding to win seats on the Ibrox board. They have the backing of fans after high-profile protests by supporters in recent weeks. Malcolm Murray said: "The worries [the fans have] are very valid but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The penny has dropped. "As a leading fan said to me this morning, it is as though a plague of locusts have descended on Ibrox in the last five years and they won't leave until they have picked all the flesh off us. "We won't allow that to happen, we can't. "The only ones that leave are the ones that go through the revolving doors with a very large cheque. That has got to stop. "That is why the AGM exists. We have got to hope that the new chairman is totally independent and will make sure that we have democracy to get that done. "The fans need the money put back in the club, that is not where it is going. We will make sure that happens in the future, when we win at the AGM." Rangers fans kept up the pressure on the current Ibrox hierarchy with a demonstration ahead of the team's Scottish League One victory over Airdrieonians on Saturday.

Scotland's claim to be fighting the cancer of sectarianism and hatred took a severe dent at the weekend. Perhaps sadly, the decision not to hold a one minute silence prior to the Ross County vs Celtic match, came as no surprise to many of us. Its embarrassing, unedifying and sickening to hear a one minute silence being disrupted and dishonoured. But there is something worse, far worse in fact - not holding such a ceremony at all. Because in failing to do so we have acquiesced to the morons, the bigots - we have handed them victory on a plate. Let the moronic and shameful actions of bigots within the Celtic support shame all the devils in hell - rather that than our country is forced to fail to remember the fallen whose sacrifice ensured our freedom from evil and tyranny. This morning I wrote to Ross County asking for an explanation into such an omission on Saturday and in particular who made the decision to dispense with the one minute silence - was it from someone in the club or from outside the club? The Ross County support have previously made their club aware of the importance of Remembrance Day and its significance within their support. http://www.north-sta...oldiers-667.htm Furthermore this is an issue which must ascend Old Firm rivalry and the often tit for tat churlish and pedantic tribalism. It is time for the Scottish press and media to stop avoiding the issue and to speak out - ignoring it will not make it go away. It is untenable and unacceptable that men who laid down their lives in order to defeat that which is unacceptable cannot themselves be remembered and honoured due to the actions and behaviour of some in our society which is in itself – wholly unacceptable.

Your Sunday morning thoughts on the man who needs a grievance like normal people need air. The SPFL are coming under fire from the permanently disaffected manager of celtc, Neil Lennon this weekend. The monotonous drone of the Ulsterman complaining is as much part of the landscape in Scots football as long balls, a lying media and lunatic supporters, but this time some may feel he has a point: sending his team north to Dingwall immediately after a Champions League match, in which he and his footballing troubadours carry the hopes and good wishes of all Scottish fitba fans, seems scant reward. Leaving Holland immediately after their game - unsurprisingly, given the state his club's supporters left it in - Lennon's team will have gone to bed late on Thursday morning, possibly coming in for light physio or a rubdown that afternoon, leaving only Friday for the tactical plans for the Ross County game to be discussed and players assessed. One session is not enough for any coach to form a coherent plan, but is Neilly right to have a good at the SPFL? I don't think so, since it's the TV companies who are calling the shots. And since the SPFL, which is in effect run by his boss at celtc, Mr Lawwell, signed up to the deal it's a bit rich complaining about it now. The bad luck for celtc is that this weekend is a Super Sunday in England, with first Spurs v Newcastle at lunchtime; then Sunderland v Man City; topped off with the mouth watering Man U v Arsenal clash in the evening. They don't even have space to fit in the always pleasing Swansea game, so what chance of them fitting in what is, frankly, a game which won't interest anyone outside of Celtic or Ross County fans? With FA Cup kicking off this weekend as well, there was no space on the Monday night schedule for the celtc game; and it obviously couldn't be played on Friday night. The bottom line is that the game panicked and sold a rubbish deal to Sky & BT; the only teams they are interested in are Rangers and celtc; therefore they will do as they are told and lump it. The sight of SPFL bigwigs in China this weekend crowing about another deal - £20m this time, which unless it is broken up in a hugely unfair manner means an average of £50,000 per club; one might even raise the spectre of sporting integrity here - drives home the mistake they made when signing up to Sky. The need to get the game on TV and bring in some money is seen as paramount, not just for financial reasons but also because they were terrified lest the absence of Rangers drive away coverage, revealing the rest of the game outwith four Old Firm clashes to be what it is - of no interest to TV companies. All right, if they feel that way, sod them! I might not care about Dundee United games but no doubt Dundee Utd fans do, shouldn't the SPFL be looking after them first? I might not ever look at a St Mirren game but I imagine Saints fans do; why aren't the SPFL watching out for their interests? It's all been said before, but poor old Lenny's latest whinge brings us back to where we started: small leagues and 4 games a season is killing the game, and instead of finding some medicine we are doing the equivalent of buying smack from Sky and ignoring the real issues. Lennon is right that the SPFL is out to lunch: but given who runs it and given which club it appears to be run for the exclusive benefit of, whose fault is that? The chance was there to revamp the game and instead the head burying, the claims of a bright new dawn, the willful refusal to notice the ever emptying stands and the ever diminishing quality goes on. I watched AFC Wimbledon v Coventry last night and the London club had better players than I saw watching Ross County v Inverness the week before. This is not something that fills me with joy but there's no point lying about it. Anyway, no need to run crying to the press, Neil. Just walk along the corridor to Mr Lawwell's office and get him to explain why his Professional Game Board signed up to a shit TV deal. I warn you in advance though, you won't like the answer: because when it comes to football on Sky or BT, celtc (or Scotland) doesn't count for a fart. The shoehorning in of this celtc game at Ross County is proof if ever it were needed that we are nothing more than an afterthought once the real games, the proper football, has been scheduled in. Perhaps in the future we will reject a deal which doesn't allow a certain percentage of each club's games to be played at 3 on a Saturday. Since in effect this only applies to two clubs it ought not be that difficult to manage. Perhaps the resultant coverage of other teams will spread TV money a bit more fairly, creating a more level playing field. Perhaps more fans may turn out to watch if teams play with less fear, although it may be too late already. But perhaps the people who dropped the game in the shit will have the decency to stop moaning about it when they get some on their shoes.

There's been a lot of water under the Forth bridge since Rangers last played Dunfermline. Not only were the Pars the last team we played before we entered administration in February 2012; the Fife outfit have also suffered an insolvency event of their own, although - unlike us - they had the opportunity on the pitch to avoid dropping down two leagues since that game at East End Park 21 months ago. It's amazing that less than two years later our paths are crossing again under markedly different circumstances. It certainly seems that although our fiscal troubles were eerily similar (though on different scales) the football authorities and fellow clubs were happy to accommodate Dunfermline a bit more charitably than they did us. C'est la vie and there's no doubt their support have gone the extra mile in their efforts to avoid similar future issues. While Rangers fans argue daily with their own shadow, Dunfermline supporters' group Pars United agreed a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) with creditors in July and the final details were completed last month. Pars United has also acquired East End Park, which was in administration under a separate company, as part of a community ownership structure. In effect the fans now own their club. Sure, that doesn't necessarily mean a safe (or successful) future for Dunfermline but I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't at least a little bit envious of what they've achieved so far - in little over six months as well! Of course, as touched on above, scale is as much a reason for our differing paths as anything else. East End Park may be small and dated in comparison to Ibrox Stadium but its overheads will be rather less. The same can be said for the leasing of the Pars' Pitreavie training ground compared to the costs of running Auchenhowie. Meanwhile a cursory examination of both club's squads and wage bills shows why Rangers are already 11 points (and 33 goals) ahead of their considered closest rivals for the SPFL League One title. The two clubs may have suffered from similar fates in recent times but, as much as Dunfermline have an equally proud heritage, the differences off the park should ensure a difference on it - tomorrow night at least. The main reason for this will be the players Ally McCoist has at his disposal. Not only has the Rangers manager been able to retain internationalists such as Lee Wallace and Lee McCulloch (who both played in the last Pars match); he's been able to supplement his huge squad with Scottish Premiership quality players like Cammy Bell, Nicky Law and Jon Daly with the latter two in particular being the main reason for Rangers' unbeaten league campaign so far. Unfortunately for Dunfermline, despite more international matches on the horizon, it appears McCoist will be able to rely on pretty much the same starting XI again which has changed only minimally over the last couple of months. Any late injuries aside, only the one change is expected tomorrow evening with Ian Black returning from a Scottish Cup suspension to replace Kyle Hutton in midfield. The Rangers manager may wish to rotate one or two others into the team but that's unlikely on the whole. This should mean a very familiar team along the lines of below: Possible team (4-4-2): :rf: :jig: :ap: :ib: :lm: :jd: All in all, Rangers should win tomorrow night and, no matter the result, there's little doubt that we are overwhelming favourites to win the League One title as well. However, as the Pars fans look forward to a new future of their own making, can the same alleged certainty be applied to the challenges we face off the park? In that sense, Dunfermline may have already sneaked a win over their supposed Rangers supporting peers.

Tuesday brings the Scottish Cup draw and the "big boys" entering the draw. Star centre back Bilel Mohsni is (perhaps wrongly?) giving it the bravado and asking for our age old enemy: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-star-bilel-mohsni-were-2671400 There is definitely a feeling among some of our support that we should be hoping to avoid being paired with them or any SPL side to avoid an humiliating defeat and other teams taking advantage of us whilst we rebuild. They point to comprehensive defeats from top division sides last year as their reasoning. Though this ignores the fact that we had an equally emphatic victory against then second placed side Motherwell last year. It also fails to take into consideration the vast improvement in our playing squad and the superior displays and results we have achieved this season. We are much improved throughout the spine of the team. Mohsni appears to be comfortably the best centre back we have fielded since we have been paying in the lower divisions. Nicky Law is not quite at the levels he displayed at the start of this season but is still a fine upgrade on last season. Ian Black this year has been one our best performers when last season he appeared a waste of a wage. Jon Daly has added a serious goal threat to the all round game he displayed for Dundee United in the SPL. In addition to a pretty strong spine we ave Cammy Bell in goal who was one of the best keepers in the old top division. We have the best left back playing in Scotland and we have some decent supporting players in midfield and attack. We may not boast a paying squad vastly superior to all outwith the Glasgow duopoly, as we once did. But we certainly have a team capable of turning over any of those top league sides. They are equally capable o beating us, but to e that is no reason to run scared. Lower league sides who can't call on even half the quality we can have dumped out SPL sides. And that includes Celtic. Worst case scenario is drawing Celtic whist we are currently half the team we once were. Yet the fear of a heavy defeat must be balanced against the opportunity to dump them out of the country's premier competition whilst plying our trade in the depths of Scottish football. That is one result they would ever be able to live down!

Just reading Bortmund and Barca's games from last night (Friday) this after playing midweek games....their FA's actually look after their teams and have a goal for anyone of them to be successful plus looking after the national teams. With both in action in the CL on Tuesday they bring the game forward to the Friday so they can recover.....add that to the long term plan both put in 10 years ago and they are reaping the rewards now as Dortmund, Bayern, Barca and Real are as good as anything in Europe.....Spain have been the best national team for the last 6 years but Germany aren't far behind them. Will be interesting to see how Italy come in the next few years. Juventus are getting stronger as are Napoli and AS Roma....Roma are flying in Serie A with mass backing. AC Milan and Inter need to do a bit of catch up. The national team is always there or there abouts. They won the World Cup in 2006 from nothing! And with Belgium now unearthing quality and copying their 2 neighbours France and Holland they are getting stronger. England need to take note! Always been a fan of the Bundesliga since it was on TV in Asia when I first came here, glad to see it surpassing everyone and being the top league at the moment.

http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/5443-club-statement

http://www.gersnet.co.uk/index.php/latest-news/184-that-friday-feeling-the-rangers-circus-continues I was looking forward to today. Last day of my working week, a home match at Ibrox and, of course, the chance for a few beers over the weekend while watching the Formula One. What wasn’t to like? Unfortunately, my good mood has been somewhat slighted by the news that Dave King’s much anticipated efforts at organising some sort of boardroom compromise have been rejected by key (unnamed) shareholders. His further comments about administration being ‘a distinct possibility’ was a further blow to confidence; even if this was tempered to a degree by his re-confirmation of his eagerness to invest in the short-to-medium term. Of course, there’s no doubt King’s comments are speculative and his own position remains uncertain which, all things considered, isn’t actually all that helpful despite many bears falling over themselves to prematurely crown him as our new owner. However, he’s just another side-show in what now seems to be a permanent circus situated on Edmiston Drive. All that seems to be missing is the bearded woman because we definitely have our fair share of clowns amidst a long line of short-stay chancers looking for our money. The situation really has gone beyond parody. What’s clear though is that the status quo where the club only has two directors is completely unacceptable and these people’s clear reluctance to confirm the date of a (properly-constituted) AGM merely makes them look unfit for purpose. Add in their retention of a clearly toxic PR group then is it any wonder some investors (led and represented by McColl and Murray) remain active in lobbying for change? The problem is exactly what change are they offering? Better corporate governance – check; shareholder investment – check; Rangers minded directors – check; higher calibre of staff/director – check; reduced costs – check; all the buzzwords and phrases are there but the detail remains thin. After all, couldn’t anyone make similar claims to obtain our backing? Not sure – well ask Craig Whyte and Charles Green what’s possible with the correct PR. What the fans want (or this fan anyway) is genuine clarity. For example, for every fan that has attended a meeting with McCollco (or the club); there are hundreds of thousands more that haven’t. This means, the huge majority are unaware of the juicy stuff that couldn’t be mentioned in the diluted minutes. Sure, Jim McColl has an impressive reputation but that alone should never be enough to guarantee wholesale supporter/shareholder backing. And, if he had that, we’d have had an EGM weeks ago anyway. The fact they weren’t confident enough to press ahead with their previous requisition says a lot. Meanwhile, the Rangers support remains frustrated and disenfranchised with much of those who are involved, never mind the complicated processes ahead of us. AGM votes, new share issues and effectively starting from scratch in the boardroom (again) aren’t issues that should be discussed lightly. These are serious challenges which demand serious strategies. Sky Sports News sound-bites, nudges, winks and coffee-shop confabs don’t convince. Surely, with everything that has happened in recent years, our fans want more than the chance to tug our forelocks? Tonight will see many of our supporters return to Ibrox for the first time in several weeks. It’s unlikely there will be a huge crowd but I’d expect that within the 25,000 or so that can make the game most will be interested in how the team plays rather than how many anti-boardroom banners are in the Bill Struth Stand. That ‘political’ apathy is nothing new and not every fan wants to spend hours online arguing over minutiae about who is good or bad for the club. That’s their right but at what point do the many thousands of bears who do want a voice actually stand up and say enough is enough? Indeed, it doesn’t matter if you’re a critic of the boardroom incumbents (and their continually poor decision-making) or their supposedly new, improved replacements (and their continual failure to convince) there has to come a point where we all say stop the bus. Not to get off but to actually have a shot at driving it. Because if we don’t get our act together, then the only certainty in the weeks, months and years ahead will be more uncertainty. Is that what we really want? To conclude, I think it’s fair to say most of us just want to see an end to all the division and party politics. That’s all well and good but to avoid the same problems happening again we need to take – no, demand ¬– a much more active role in the decision-making going forward. Only then can we really be in charge of our own destiny and stop allowing people to besmirch the heritage of our great club.

Anyone on here believe this guy should be retained by the club? His riposte to McColl was rather nervous sounding for sure...

I have just read that our former player has motor neurone disease

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24737531 Not to mention this is actually completely wrong (it was 2011), this article is yet another example of BBC Scotland blowing a raspberry to their Trust and editorial guidelines.

It's pretty safe to say we have won our second title on the way back up, and yes the road has been smoother this year compared to last. Yet I personally feel uninspired by how it is being accomplished, and I'm interested in what the consensus is. When we agreed as a support that we would rather start at the bottom than be handed some 'charity' i.e. a halfway house (did you notice the clamour of the press to praise the Rangers support for that? No I didn't either) I think we all saw an opportunity to create a football philosophy, a new ethos, away from the pressures of playing in the same league as them. OK, after a while last season, it was clear that it wasn't going to be that easy. So get the first season over and then start to see something new. No? Am I just in the wrong mood but are there any signs that we are going to accomplish any of this by the time we get back to the top? Already Ally is talking about "needing millions to do better than top six"!!! I watched our route one football to beat East Fife. I watched Nicky Law excited at the start of the season talk about how we were going to play a very high line due to our superior fitness and always be on the front foot. Nicky started on fire, scoring great goals, and then what? Ally tells him to lie a bit deeper and the rest is there to see.... If it is better than my mood is telling me then I'm open to criticism - no problem. Can anyone say hand on heart though that these won't be wasted years?

In the thread of world class players I found myself thinking about the standout players we have had in recent history and he stood out to me and always will. Nobody will ever say he was world class or even close to it. However, in the 02/03 season he was pretty much as great a player I've seen us have and he also showed his ability at a young age in Europe. The Bayer Leverkusen manager famously said he was worth £15m. After us he went to Blackburn and struggled in a poor side that was going nowhere, particularly after selling their star asset Duff to Chelsea who helped fund the move. A collision with Gary Speed resulted in a dislocated knee cap that held his career back massively but Ferguson still had what I believe is still a record streak of man of the matches on the trot (5, 6 or 7 was it?). He came back to us and just wasn't the same player but had a performance at home to Porto (3-2 win, was it in 04/05??) that was unbelievable. He was strangely anonymous in many games though most likely down to poor man management but he went to Birmingham and soon became a standout again. He was in a very struggling side but stood out in many matches, particularly at home to Liverpool where he bossed the game and was man of the match. I recall Martin Tyler waxing lyrical about him in that match. He had hugely impressive pass completion stats at a terrible team as detailed here http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1323450/Barry-Ferguson-pass-master.html I just feel that it's a shame what became of his career. I wish he stayed at us for 03/04 and I felt he should have held out for a better move. At that point he was better than 95% of Premiership players. He's the only real standout Scottish player of the past 10 or so years and I just wonder if he had the benefit of Spanish, Dutch or Argentine coaching, he might just have realised his potential.

Q&A Summary of Meeting With Jim McColl Official Statement - POSTED ON OCTOBER 25, 2013 Meeting – Attendees – Jim McColl, Malcolm Murray & Paul Murray plus representatives from Rangers Supporters Trust, Rangers Supporters Association, Rangers Supporters Assembly and NARSA – Clyde Blowers – East Kilbride 4.00 24/10/2013 Paul Murray gave a brief introduction on why the group represented had come together and Jim McColl listed a number of serious concerns they all shared about a lack of corporate governance and financial transparency. The purpose of the meeting however was to afford the representatives of the fans groups the opportunity to get answers to specific questions. Questions had been collated under 3 Core Themes Immediate Issues Future Plans, Investment and Operations Fan Ownership Immediate Issues The perception that amongst the fans groups represented is that there is perhaps 50% general support for the group and 50% who at this time are not : The hosts were asked to tell us a bit about their team and why fans should support each? Paul Murray and Malcolm Murray briefly explained their backgrounds much of which was seen as commonly known. The other 2 people nominated for Board positions were spoken about: Alex Wilson Has a wide ranging skill set in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations A history of working with very senior people at a number of Blue Chip organisations Extensive experience in managing operational changes at large organisations Alex has multiple season tickets for Ibrox and has been a long term fan Would be invaluable in building a new organisation and structure at Rangers Scott Murdoch Has a major interest in property management One of the largest portfolios in UK Major involvement in the London market Also operates in New York & Hong Kong Has been London based for 25/30 years Scott has been a lifelong Rangers fan He has extensive commercial contacts in a number of global brand companies At this time the hosts were asked to comment on the question of securing Ibrox Stadium and Auchenhowie and if they would consider an asset lock on them? They confirmed they would take steps to do that – this would entail consultation with the shareholder base. They spoke about Rangers Directors being bound by a constitution established to do just that and to also constrain future Boards from for example borrowing beyond agreed levels. The Financial Position – there were lots of questions on this: Have you a current view or a plan to do a detailed health check? How serious a threat do you consider there is of Admin 2? Do you envisage a short-term need for refinancing and how will you deal with it? Are you for or against resolutions 9 & 10 and why? Would you deal again with Ticketus? The hosts have detailed views on financial issues but their main concern is to create a structure at The Club led by a quality CEO. They have identified and had discussions with a suitable candidate who they believe would work with them. They have also targeted a highly credible Head of Finance. Making such high profile appointments will they believe gain further support from the major financial institutions invested in Rangers. They are satisfied that this will help in securing further investment if and when required. The business will have a very credible executive management who will not only look over the recent past forensically but implement robust business and financial plans. The football operation will be able to focus on developing the team and on the field performance. It was the group’s view that there is no real likelihood of a further administration nor did they see any issue over short term financing. Resolutions 9 & 10 are not hugely unusual but at this time they agreed with the questioners that this was not appropriate for Rangers. Ticketus are not part of any future plans. AGM – It was stated that Rangers fans generally feel they have a lack of information from all sides and again a number of specifics were posed: Have you had recent dialogue with any of the other main parties and do you envisage any of them being involved in the future? Daniel Stewart – yes in trying to speed up the AGM process and they are still trying to progress this. Paul Murray stated that AGM could be held somewhere other than Ibrox and has someone willing to pay for an alternate venue. The current Executive Directors of Rangers – not recently Dave King – yes and meetings are planned over the next few days. Nothing specific has yet been agreed with him. Martin Bain – Paul Murray has a business relationship with Martin but the group have no intention of inviting his involvement with Rangers Mike Ashley – not recently What do you think about the possibility of shares being suspended? Jim McColl suggested that such an action if taken by AIM would only be to protect shareholders What are your views on the date of the AGM? Disappointed that since the Court of Session ruling it seems that the current Directors are trying to delay it – they would like it to be held as soon as proper governance would allow. Future Plans, Investment & Operations Plans Members of the Rangers support many of whom are shareholders are rightly concerned to be comfortable with plans going forward and a series of questions were raised in this respect: Have you considered how to deal with and can you share your thinking on matters like Scouting Maintenance Operational budgets Media & PR Will you examine contracts entered into on such as Security, retail and catering – will you share your findings? Yes on both counts but that will be part of the detailed implementation of agreed business plans. The Club has suffered of late from the lack of proper plans and not having a scouting network for example. It may not be appropriate to report every change implemented by the executive management of The Club. One of the key responsibilities of a CEO will be to examine and renegotiate any contracts that are not to his satisfaction in serving the best interests of The Club. Have you identified and can you share info on potential future investors? There are a number of prospective investors. The Institutions have indicated future support if a suitable structure is put in place. A number of individuals are considered prospective investors under the same pre-requisite. How do you propose to get The Club back to the pinnacle of Scottish Football and playing competitively in Europe – do you have a timescale? What differentiates you and your 5-year vision from the current Directors? Establishing a strong management structure that gains respect and support from the market will be the first critical step. Fan Ownership There were a lot of questions on this topic a lot of questions on this: Have you already considered this issue in detail? Will you publically back a fan ownership scheme – a 50+1 deal? What timescale would that be likely to take? Will you work with supporters to develop this concept? Will you also show a care of duty to supporters like Borrusia D? How quickly if/after you are elected will you devote serious reported efforts to this end? The intention is firmly to work towards proper fan involvement. All three of the hosts confirmed their support for this. The nitty gritty detail needs to be addressed but a future shareholder structure where Financial Institutions, High Net Worth Individuals and Individual Fans and Fans Organisations all had significant holdings would be welcomed. The group would canvass the support for input before anything was implemented. There is a very positive view of Rangers in the City and the relative value gap between for example Manchester United and Rangers was perceived to be considerably less than the current relative values of the businesses. Likely changes to football in Europe and North America over the next few years are likely to benefit a big club such as Rangers. The way German football was completely restructured over 10 years demonstrates that massive change takes time. Nobody wants or supports extensive borrowing by The Club – that model has clearly and consistently been proved to be a seriously flawed one. The group stated that they want to build trust between the Board and all of the stakeholders in The Club and they believe the best way to do that is by appointing quality people. They stated that doing that (and reiterated that they believe they have identified such individuals) ensures financial support will follow. Close Jim McColl, Paul Murray & Malcolm Murray stated that they have dealt with all sorts of blockages but that they have and will stick with their plans to introduce changes. They welcome future dialogue and involvement with Fans. They want to re-establish Rangers as the most successful Club in Scotland but to do it on a sustainable basis. They want the AGM to proceed as soon as possible. It was agreed that minutes of the meeting would be produced as quickly as possible – approved by the attendees and circulated amongst the Rangers support.

http://www.therst.co.uk/meeting-with-paul-murray-and-jim-mccoll/