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from 26 mins in http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03b2vty

I know this is probably the 6 million dollar question, but I confess to be constantly left behind when it comes to knowledge of the more low level corporate wheeling and dealing of shares (and I'm sure I'm not alone). Can anyone give an overview at a high level of roughly how the split in shares stands at the moment, and what the likelihood is of it falling on the side of McColl at final count e.g. Current - Approx - 29% McColl, 36% Green, 35% unknown, but xxx looks like getting most of the unknowns? (purely fictional figures as an example). I'm finding that I'm pretty much in the dark who is buying shares, and for whom, and what the current 'known' split is. Am I being optimistic asking this? Are we all as much in the dark as each other as to the state of play?

AMSTERDAM â�� The 2010-11 European club season isn't technically done just yet. But the champions have been crowned and the standouts have emerged. With teams counting the days until summer break, itâ��s time again to see which American Exports are at the top of the class. Using a bit of our side's versatility, we have fashioned MLSsoccer.com's Europe-based Team of the Season into a 4-5-1 formation. By grading on a curve that marks a bit more heavily on importance to team than on league quality, we have allowed second-flight standouts a more equal footing to graduate here with honors. GOALKEEPER Brad Friedel (Aston Villa) The toughest pick of the bunch was for the spot between the pipes. The choice could have just as easily been Tim Howard. Though neither was top-shelf in the EPL this term, each was just below that level. Friedel, however, edges the nod for notching 10 more saves on the season, under greater pressure, in front of an ever-rotating backline of mediocrity. Honorable mentions: Tim Howard (Everton), David Yelldell (Duisburg), Brad Guzan (Hull City) DEFENSE RB - Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96) This one, meanwhile, was one of our easiest picks. The US mainstay may have suffered his first offensive shutout in seven seasons, but it was a willing sacrifice. After spurning free agent interest to re-sign, Cherundolo played nearly every minute of 33 games, captaining the Reds and anchoring their defense through arguably the greatest season in club history. CB - Zak Whitbread (Norwich City) Despite missing most of the pre-holiday action with injuries, the Canaries defender still managed 21 league outings, the team's second-highest total among defenders. While we could quibble over quantity, Whitbread's quality was beyond dispute. Promoted Norwich lost just once in his 20 league starts, leaking 1.15 goals per game. Without him marshaling the back, they conceded 1.35 while dropping seven of the other 26. The fans love him already for a reason. CB - Leo Krupnick (Maccabi Netanya) Had Clarence Goodson been able to work more than seven Br�¸ndby matches, extrapolated form indicates he'd be a shoo-in here. He wasn't, however, and this place goes instead to the former Red Bulls defender for his police work in one of Israel's bests defenses. Despite the Diamonds barely scoring a goal a game, Krupnick has helped them up to fifth with a game to play. LB - Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-��tienne) Though the US skipper has worked the last handful of matches at right center back, he spent most of this Ligue 1 season providing consistently solid play at left back. Both of Bocanegra's goals gave his side a lead and his measured approach to playing wide helped Les Verts flirt with a title run for a good while. Thanks to cup outcomes, 'Los & Co. still have a shot at capping the term with a Europa League invite. Honorable mentions: Clarence Goodson (Br�¸ndby), Eric Lichaj (Leeds United), Babajide Ogunbiyi (Viborg) MIDFIELD DM - Jermaine Jones (Schalke/Blackburn) Let's be clear up front: Jones' 2010 Bundesliga showings were nothing to write home about. That being said, the Miners' semifinal run was partially facilitated by the German-American's group-phase heroics. Since joining Rovers on loan, the US midfielder has provided hearty effort to fight relegation, essentially freeing top creator Morten Gamst Pedersen to run wild down the back stretch. RM - Timothy Chandler (FC N�¼rnberg, pictured above) Sure, he played nine of his mere 14 games at right back â�� but the impact of his inclusion was unmistakable. After a few sub appearances, Chandler barged into the lineup with a goal and assist blinder in a win at Stuttgart and stayed there. Along with a few other youngsters, he helped spark Der Club to the brink of a Europa League place with daring runs and nasty crosses practically falling out of his ears. CM - Stuart Holden (Bolton) Even though his EPL season was cut short at 26 games, the Wanderers busybody made a huge impact in his first full Prem season. Holden turned traffic director this term, ranking among the most active and cleanest tacklers in the league while also faithfully supplying the attack. With him, Bolton posted 10 of their 12 EPL wins, threatened a top-five finish and ran deep in the FA Cup. Had he been fit, they may well have reached their first final since 1958. CM - Maurice Edu (Rangers) Though asked to shift around the formation a lot, Edu adapted well to supply a steady stream of safe play as Rangers claimed the three-peat and a League Cup double. He also was terrific in UEFA play against the likes of Manchester United, Valencia and Sporting Lisbon in both the Champions League and Europa League. Some supporters moaned down the stretch that the American was ill-suited to the more advanced role, but he did bag a career-high five goals across all competitions. He also silenced those jeers with a strong finish as the Light Blues rallied past archrivals Celtic for the crown. LM - Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus) Though now breaking down defenses for the New England Revolution, let's not forget that Feilhaber started this season as a driving force on an AGF that looks poised to regain SAS Liga status with a second flight title. Finally given the chance to make plays, the US midfielder notched four goals and seven assists in 18 league matches, leaving with the club eight points clear at the top. Honorable mentions: Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Michael Bradley (Borussia M�¶nchengladbach/Aston Villa), Charles Kazlauskas (Helmond Sport) FORWARD Clint Dempsey (Fulham) Citing a lack of competition up top, we'll use manager's choice to install the versatile, hard-nosed Cottager at forward. Dempsey played a lion's share of his 34 league games on the front line, burying 12 goals with four helpers. Including an August Carling Cup tally, Deuce has struck at least once in every full month but December. He's also been consistently scoring records, having already bagged a new career high, the American standard for EPL goals in a season and the title of Fulham's all-time top Prem hit man. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/05/18/postcard-europe-team-season

As ever, we're very comfortable with the intimate nature of our wee website but we're also always eager to attract new forum posters and writers for the main site. While we would never profess to be the busiest forum in the Rangers community, we do feel quality-wise we run any other site close. Not that we'd promote anything other than healthy competition with our friends across our online union of course but I'd encourage any bear to consult a wide range of such sites to gauge opinion on the subjects close to our heart. In an online era where multinational companies such as NewsQuest and News International charge to visit their websites while others use advertising to offset their costs, we're pleased to again make it clear that, despite rising costs, we won't be inflicting any paywall or painful ads on our membership - either on the forum or on our increasingly busy main site. Thanks as always to bmck and craig for providing the finance to keep our voice heard! Where we will ask for your help though is in improving the site as a whole! Despite being online now for over 10 years, we're still keen to hear your feedback and suggestions for enhancing the everyday Gersnet experience for the future. While quality over quantity will always be our mantra, we're eager to have more contributors - either just occasional posters, project leaders or article writers who like to see their name in lights! To give you an idea of our ongoing and consistent article publishing success, our last five articles have topped @NewsNowUK with an average of 1390 hits each. Meanwhile our Twitter account now has well over 300 followers despite only being active for a few months! We also have almost 600 friends on Facebook after the same period...! But as ever, we'd like to welcome more people into our Gersnet family so please spread the word whenever you can. At the top of the forum, you can find links to our main site, our history archive, our Twitter and our Facebook (as well as our back-up forum for when our server takes the huff). Please have a visit, bookmark them and pass them into your friends, family and work colleagues. We hope, like you, they'll find our site an enjoyable place to visit for a few minutes each day. Thanks again for your continued support! :spl:

doyle07 Today, 3:13 PM Post #519 Member Avatar First team training [ * * * ] Posts: 217 Group: Members Member #23,540 Joined: 24 May 2009 Favourite all-time player Danny McGrain suttonscores 13 Nov 2010, 12:20 PM Brendan67 13 Nov 2010, 11:29 AM Just heard on Sky Sports News the huns are to have a 2 minute silence today after Smith met with troops. Wtf is he doing meeting troops? did he do an overnighter to Afghanistan? Gave an emotional speech, parade etc? What a guy! :worthy: ETA. bet his speech would be along the lines of "look guys, I know we are withdrawing troops and soon you'll be outnumbered, but remember Quality over Quantity!" Its Fecking disgusting what that old bastard, and RFC are doing and have been doing, they are using these troops as a means to achieve some form of respectability, yes we might be a bunch of bigoted, ugly, smelly bastards, but look we support our troops, not like those nasty Celtic people who must now be considered worse than us celbhoy Today, 3:36 PM Post #521 Member Avatar First team training [ * * * ] Posts: 263 Group: Members Member #145 Joined: 3 September 2004 Topbhoy08 13 Nov 2010, 03:35 PM Huns cant fill the bench for the game today! Why - is there no room with all the poppies on it? Big Drew Today, 3:38 PM Post #522 Rio Fergus McCann CSC [ * * * * * * * * * * * * ] Posts: 11,521 Group: Snr. Member Member #151 Joined: 3 September 2004 doyle07 13 Nov 2010, 03:13 PM suttonscores 13 Nov 2010, 12:20 PM Brendan67 13 Nov 2010, 11:29 AM Just heard on Sky Sports News the huns are to have a 2 minute silence today after Smith met with troops. Wtf is he doing meeting troops? did he do an overnighter to Afghanistan? Gave an emotional speech, parade etc? What a guy! :worthy: ETA. bet his speech would be along the lines of "look guys, I know we are withdrawing troops and soon you'll be outnumbered, but remember Quality over Quantity!" Its Fecking disgusting what that old bastard, and RFC are doing and have been doing, they are using these troops as a means to achieve some form of respectability, yes we might be a bunch of bigoted, ugly, smelly bastards, but look we support our troops, not like those nasty Celtic people who must now be considered worse than us Deflection is easier than changing their own fans behaviour. beer_goggler1888 Today, 3:53 PM Post #528 Member Avatar Harp Lager ICE cold [ * * * * * * * * * ] Posts: 3,484 Group: Snr. Member Member #3,012 Joined: 6 February 2006 Topbhoy08 13 Nov 2010, 03:35 PM Huns cant fill the bench for the game today! Their just officially making room for the 4th official :thumbsup: Henrik The King Today, 3:56 PM Post #529 Member Avatar Goodbye Eric [ * * * * * * * * * * * * ] Posts: 23,734 Group: Snr. Member Member #1,715 Joined: 28 July 2005 celbhoy 13 Nov 2010, 03:36 PM Topbhoy08 13 Nov 2010, 03:35 PM Huns cant fill the bench for the game today! Why - is there no room with all the poppies on it? Really hope Aberdeen get something today but have to say they were abject against us and didn't look much better against ICT. Can still hope though. :pray: ADogCalledLubo Today, 4:13 PM Post #533 Member Avatar REALLY gotta watch what you say... [ * * * * * * * * * ] Posts: 3,499 Group: Snr. Member Member #25,479 Joined: 5 February 2010 Favourite all-time player Lubo-o Pish from the waistcoat and Spiers (although maybe not really.) Spiers has been a hack long enough to know what off the record means. Usually it's when someone want to give some information that can't come from them. Not some hackeneyed opinion. If "Walter" just wanted to sound off then it should have been on record or not at all. Honest journalists would have told him, "No. We're not here for you to get it off your chest. We're here to listen on behalf of the readers and report back." Not greatly surprising they put up with his shampooe, though they shouldn't have. Spiers just got a rollicking for not playing the twisted game, is all. suttonscores Today, 4:17 PM Post #534 Member Avatar First-team captain [ * * * * * * * * ] Posts: 2,802 Group: Snr. Member Member #10,409 Joined: 31 August 2007 Favourite all-time player Tommy Burns HUNS with Lest we Forget under their badge, this a new thing or did they do it last year? Fuds!

One of my all time favourite players together with Colin Stein. That tackle on Mick Channon and that wonderful full blooded trickle over the line still stand out in my mind as if it was yesterday. The tackle on Channon would have been punished today as it was from behind but it really was the most fantastically timed tackle you will ever see. As i remember it Forsyth slid his foot between Channons legs and knocked the ball back towards his own goal. One second earlier or later and he would have probably caught Channon and pulled him down for a penalty. Am i right in thinking he was a decent bowls player in later life?

From todays Scottish Sun, Could we please have this pinned up in the ibrox dressing room, We are not even four games into the start of the season and these monkey heids, well lets just say hooper has the title in the bag for the manky mob, are they ever going to learn to keep there gobby players away from the media or was hooper listening to big shagmaarse samaras... GARY HOOPER has opened his heart on his injury hell and begged Celtic fans: Don't dare forget about me. The �£2.4million signing from Scunthorpe made a blistering start to his Hoops career with a goal against SC Braga on his Champions League debut. He was crocked days later in a pre-season friendly against Blackburn and Hooper hasn't kicked a ball since. What he thought was a routine dead leg was a costly calf injury which has taken four agonising weeks to heal. Celts boss Neil Lennon has spent almost �£10m on 11 new players as his Parkhead revolution gets ready to roll. Hooper - well on the road to recovery - insists he has no intention of being left behind. He insists Celtic will silence their early season critics WHEN they win the league. Hooper said: "A lot of players have come in while I've been out injured but that doesn't bother me. "It just means it's more competition for me. I have to pick my game up but that's fine. I scored a few goals before I got injured and I've no doubts I can do a job for Celtic. I just need to get myself back fit and into the team." Rangers have signed just four new players to Celts' 11 but it's been claimed Gers gaffer Walter Smith has opted for quality, not quantity. Hooper scoffed at that as he said: "No one can say anything until we lift the cup at the end of the season. "You can't judge whether a certain player is a good signing or not. People can say things now but what are they going to say when we win the league? "There are good players at this club and it's about getting it together as a team. "We're scoring goals and we're looking good, long may it continue." Anthony Stokes became the last player to check into Parkhead this summer when he sealed his �£1.2m move from Hibs on transfer deadline day. Hooper - among the first of the arrivals - reckons Stokes will prove to be the final piece in Lenny's jigsaw. The 22-year-old is desperate to stake his claim for a starting place alongside Stokes in a new-look Hoops attack. Hooper said: "I've never seen Anthony play but he's clearly a goalscorer. I'd love to play alongside him. Hopefully that's something the gaffer is thinking about. I was brought here to score goals and I'm confident I can do that." Hooper gave Celtic fans a brief glimpse of what he's all about with strikes against Lyon and Braga. Advertisement The striker went on: "I'm back fit and I'm looking to rejoin the squad next week. "I'm targeting the game with Hearts after the international break for my return. "I can't wait as it's been a difficult few weeks for me. "I started the season in good form with a couple of goals but then I picked up the injury against Blackburn and here we are four weeks later. "I don't like sitting in the stands. It's been frustrating because it was a nothing challenge but I felt it straight away. It set me back, there's no doubt about that. "At first I thought it was a dead leg and I tried to run it off but, of course, it was more serious than that. "When you come to a new club you're desperate to do well and hit the ground running. I had to accept what had happened and not rush things to get back. "For the first two weeks I did nothing, then I started running again and hopefully next week I'll be back training with the boys. It's been difficult training on my own. I'd been stuck in a hotel as well but I'm set up at home and hopefully my injury problem is now behind me. "Really, my Celtic career is starting now." Hooper arrived at Celtic Park with dreams of Euro glory but they were snatched away by losses to Braga and Utrecht. Hooper admitted: "It's been hard to watch and not be able to help the team. "The European games were a massive disappointment but overall our form has been good. We have played three games in the league, not lost a goal and won them all. "The main focus is the league this season and we've started well. Some of the criticism has been over the top. "We're out of Europe and that's a sore one to take but the focus is the league and we're doing well there. "The manager has brought in a lot of new players so it's unfair to criticise him. "I don't think he's lost a game in the league stretching back to last season. "He's a strong character and a massive influence but he needs to be because of all the new faces at the club. "Straight away he lets us know what it's all about. Winning, it's as simple as that." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3123236/We-will-prove-Neils-spent-well-when-we-lift-title.html#ixzz0yQLkbThl

As the transfer window 'slams' shut (why does it never close softly given the usual anti-climax?) at last Scottish football fans across the country can judge the comings and goings at their clubs and decide just how competitive they'll be this season. Thus, at Rangers, after a summer of scaremongering and torment, do we have a stream-lined squad capable of retaining the SPL title or is Celtic's bloated brigade a better strategy for success? An immediate comparison of the two squads in quantity terms shows Celtic have at least 25 players available to Neil Lennon who have all played first team football and could be considered genuine contenders for their first XI. Meanwhile a look at Gersnet's own squad page shows we're less well endowed with only 19 players maximum who can be considered demonstrable candidates for our team. That is a fair difference in personnel numbers before each manager has to look to the McGinn's/McGowan's or Shinnie's/Little's in their reserves when injuries and suspensions inevitably take their toll. So, quantity-wise Celtic undoubtedly have the edge. But what about quality and how do other factors affect both teams' chances of success? Rangers, while losing several players over the summer, still have a strong core to their first XI. Indeed, McGregor, Bougherra, Davis and Miller can justifiably be considered the best players in the SPL in their respective roles. These four players will be key to our chances of success and the loss of any would be a huge blow at any given time. Nonetheless, they are backed up with other reliable and proven colleagues. Certainly, as it has been over the last two seasons, consistency of selection will be one of Rangers continued strength this term. Several players have experienced what it takes to win league titles and Rangers first XI is still very strong in every department. Add in a few signings with the potential to improve this, the loss of players like Wilson, Thomson and Boyd may not be the demoralising blows they seemed at first. In fact it could be argued that while Rangers do have a smaller squad, we do have a better one. Of course squads cannot be discussed without examining the people responsible for instructing them each week. In that respect Rangers have a big advantage on their rivals with Walter Smith and Ally McCoist now having worked together successfully for several years. They know what it is like to win (and lose) while dealing with the unavoidable stresses associated with such difficult jobs. Unfortunately, they'll have to be more flexible than ever with Rangers likely to play at least 6 more games than anyone else via their involvement in the Champions League. This is where our smaller squad will certainly be a handicap. Moving onto Celtic, while they definitely have the kind of numbers to make a strong challenge this year; they do lack other qualities when compared to Rangers. They lack the same core of proven players and the luxuries of a larger squad brings with it the difficulty of consistency of selection - a conundrum Tony Mowbray struggled badly with last season. Therefore, while players like Juarez, Ledley, Stokes and Hooper are solid buys, just how quickly will they gel and how happy will other players be when they are left out? Obviously this is where Lennon's managerial inexperience may count against him. He has made wholesale changes to the squad after not being slow to blame the players for their lack of success last year. Ergo, it will be interesting to see how he deals with any bad times that come his way as he'll be unable to blame them solely this time. Not to mention when players ask why they're not playing this week because of having to accommodate a rotation process due to squad size. All in all it is difficult to make a clear-cut case for Rangers or Celtic winning the title this season. Both have their strengths and weaknesses which will be key as the season progresses. Proof of just how tight this will be can be found by looking at the top of the SPL table after just 3 games. Quality versus quantity it is then - to the victor the spoils! :robbo:

Excellent participation in this and the Football Awards (which were posted a few weeks back) so thanks to everyone who took part. Anyway, some interesting results and it is always fun to gauge reactions at the end of the season! So without further ado: Gersnet User Award Results Most Knowledgeable User Winner: Bluedell Runner Up: Frankie User Most Likely to Change Your Mind in a Debate Joint Winners: Zappa/Frankie Runners Up: rbr, Bluedell, bmck, Craig User Least Likely to Change Your Mind in a Debate Winner: Wabashcannonball Runner Up: Calscot Most Helpful User Winner: Frankie Runners Up: Zappa, Bluedell Funniest User Winner: Ian1964 Runners Up: Zappa, Pete Most Frustrating User Winner: Wabashcannonball Runners Up: bmck, Calscot Best New Poster Joint Winners: Dr Preston Burke, Metlika, Flying Hippo, Danny, Runners Up: OnlyAnAmoruso, Wabashcannonball, Northampton_Loyalist, Andy Steel Admin Note: We think the above award just shows the strength of new poster we've had over the last year. That fact the award was so close with so many different nominations says a lot for new members' efforts to get involved and improve debate! Many thanks! User Most Likely to Start a Fight in an Empty Thread Winner: Wabashcannonball Runner Up: Danny Most Missed User Winner: JonC Runner Up: Norris Cole Best Article Contributor to the main site Winner: Frankie Runner Up: Super_Ally Best Mod/Admin Winner: Frankie Runner Up: Craig Overall Best User for 2009/2010 Winner: Super_Ally Runner Up: Frankie Super_Ally will be presented with our beautiful Gersnet crystal later in the summer. I spoke to him by phone last night and he was absolutely delighted with our prize and thanks all Gersnet users for their continued support of the forum. Gersnet Hall of Fame Winner: Super_Ally Runners Up: Bluedell, Craig Gersnet Hall of Shame Winner: Aiden McGeady Runners Up: Darrell King Admin Comments We'd like to take this opportunity to thank every Gersnet member for their contribution over the last year. These awards are just a bit of fun of course and we should hold every member in the same regard as different styles of posts and different opinions is what makes the place interesting. We're especially lucky here to have so many talented, intelligent, balanced and mature posters on here so the quality of debate is certainly well worthy of a daily visit; even if the quantity may not always satisfy newcomers enough to stick around. Those that do are rewarded with a cracking wee forum which is proud of its place in the online Rangers community. Conversely, we appreciate the forum/site isn't perfect so invite any feedback or suggestions for improvement. We're a bit disappointed that our off-topic Lounge seems under-used, so are especially interested in any ideas for the less serious side of Gersnet. Anyway, before I send you all to sleep, well done to those that did manage to win an award and here's hoping for another successful year for our team (and forum) in season 2010/11! We are the people! :robbo:

- Walter Smith - February 3rd 2010 - Walter Smith - April 6th 2010 Two months of a difference, two markedly different appraisals of the situation, but both offered by the same man. Just which one do we believe and is the manager helping the cloud of uncertainty still hovering over a club which is just three wins away from the SPL title? On the face of it, Smith's words yesterday should brighten the sky for many bears. The SPL title is within our grasp and to let such a lead go now would be unfathomable. Our debt is decreasing while our closest rivals' is increasing. Our youth system is bearing fruit and our two best youngsters have either signed or are very close to signing extended deals. Meanwhile, we have various player assets that are worth a lot of money in income if we do decide to sell. Add in the likelihood of Rangers being Scotland's sole representatives in the Champions' League Group Stage, then surely our money worries are dissipating by the day? But niggling doubts remain. Smith tempered his comments yesterday by confirming that if the club isn't sold Lloyds Bank remain influential in terms of our strategy for next season and beyond. A strategy that precipitated Smith's doomsday predications of last year and suggestions our activity in the summer this year will be minimal given we need to work with the squad numbers again. That is worrying given we have several players out of contract in the summer - Steven Smith has rejected an offer while players such as Kris Boyd, Nacho Novo and Kirk Broadfoot have all yet to sign new deals; the SPL's highest ever goalscorer increasingly likely to move to the EPL for free. Similarly, key players such as Bougherra, Wilson, McGregor and Davis are continually linked with big money transfers out of the club. Potentially (and not unreasonably) that could mean as many as eight players leaving over the next 6-12 months and that doesn't account for natural degradation of young players moving on while the likes of Davie Weir stepping back. How do we replace these players - all of whom have played their part in our success - if we don't spend money? Therefore, it is extremely valid to ask how any owner of the club - be it SDM/Lloyds Bank or Andrews Ellis/Dave King - intends to address this situation. Our recent success since Walter Smith returned has seen money spent initially but that has dried up since then, even although it could be argued our subsequent settled squad has benefited us in terms of on-field continuity. With an estimated �£12-15 million about to be guaranteed from our CL participation and sales of any key players likely to add substantially to that, why is our manager so glum about the prospects of us using such monies to 'trade' our way through player turnover? If the debt is readily decreasing and success maintained with the SPL title, any owner would be foolhardy to risk a Scottish institution by grabbing as much of this profit as they can instead of sticking by already agreed payment terms. After all, allowing the squad numbers to decrease - both in terms of quantity and quality - means any future financial return is minimised and a sale difficult. Lloyds are surely not suggesting they want all of their �£25million back by January 2011 while a new owner would surely not expect to absorb said profits and keep the support of an ever-cynical fanbase? As always, there are more questions than answers. The only certainty about Rangers nowadays is uncertainty. Consequently, it is extremely difficult to look forward with any degree of positiveness when those that are in positions of influence seem as unsure and doubting as the rest of us. Given our current position in the SPL, this should be a time of aloof smiles and excitement about the future. Yes, the banter may be there but behind the smiles the stress remains for many of us. Is the SPL title the start of a new period of dominance for our club or simply the beginning of the end? The price may have been frozen but before I pay my �£400+ to renew my season ticket, I expect to know what I'm paying for. I'm not deluding myself as to the challenging future of our club so I certainly don't expect to be deluded to by those responsible for it. Too many doubts remain. Too much uncertainty prevails. It is beyond time for the key people in this situation to stop playing games and secure the future of our club.

Last August, ArsÃ?¨ne Wenger cautioned against the typically British opinion that “In England, people think all problems can be sorted out by buying players”. Certainly, as Tony Mowbray and Celtic have discovered thus far, that is not always the case. As the third transfer window in succession closed without a new signing arriving at Ibrox the blue half of Glasgow cast envious glances across the city as the hordes of hooped horrors bared their behinds in our direction. The temporary signing of Robbie Keane, a man who has amassed Ã?£70million worth of transfer fees over his career, is undoubtedly a real coup for Celtic. A player of EPL pedigree should run amok in Scotland. But I’m not ready for jumping off the Kingston Bridge just yet. During the summer I wrote an article calling for calm amongst the support as stage one of the Mowbray revolution was underway. The point was made then, and is perhaps more appropriate now, that the reason for so much turnover at Celtic Park was due to their greater need. Walter Smith presided over a team of double winners whilst the new manager at Parkhead was tasked with rebuilding a team that could challenge for the title. The vast number of transfers in and out, in addition to a change of management, did not just demonstrate a financial strength currently unavailable to Smith. It was a clear indication of turmoil in the East End. First team stalwarts of previous seasons; Nakamura, Hesselink and Hartley were moved on as a number of fringe and youth players also exited Parkhead. 12 players left Celtic either permanently or on loan, with Darren O’Dea (now back at the club) among their number. At the same time 7 players were brought in, all to questionable success so far. Zaluska has rarely featured with Boruc number 1. Zheng Zhi had an Old Firm cameo that ended in defeat, whilst left-back Danny Fox has already returned to England. Young defender Josh Thompson has only featured due to a recent lack of viable alternatives whilst N’Guemo and more strikingly Fortune have yet to justify their fees. As I quoted in the summer article ArsÃ?¨ne Wenger is a firm believer that purchasing players is not the only way to develop and improve your team. Consistency of selection with a group of players who know and are willing to work for each other can be far more valuable than a high-profile transfer earning mega-bucks who could disrupt dressing room harmony. How will Keane’s team mates react to Celtic reportedly paying half of his Ã?£130,000 wages? The flurry of activity in this transfer window, like in the summer has further highlighted our lack of incoming business. During the summer, only Jerome Rothen arrived on loan whilst Barry Ferguson, Brahim Hemdani and Christian Dailly amongst the high profile departures. A large number of players left the squad, but the majority of the double winning squad were retained with the impact of those leaving questionable at best. I appealed for calm in the summer as just because Celtic were making a lot of moves, there was no guarantee of success. No one could judge how the signings would settle and it was not as if they were merely adding to an already strong unit. Only selling key players from the first team allowed to finance their summer spending spree, as has been the case this January. The effect of continuity is there for all to see. Despite a first team squad reduced to around 20-23 first team players, Walter Smith has led Rangers to a ten-point lead at the top of the SPL table. All this achieved despite a desperately unlucky run of injuries and suspensions. With Bougherra, Boyd, Miller, Edu, Beasley, Naismith, Mendes, Novo and Broadfoot all unavailable at various points in the season (and most of our star performers missing in January) many predicted our title challenge to falter as we started the new year. Instead, we extended our advantage at the top. There was no doubt an element of luck in coping without so many key players, but it is also testament to the character and collective will of the players who performed in their absence. We are undoubtedly a better unit with the likes of Bougherra, Boyd and Miller in particular are available. But we have the players to keep picking up the points when the first team is down to the bare bones. It is highly unlikely that we will contest the rest of the season with the number of players unavailable that we suffered through January. Bougherra, should he not lose himself or his passport, will be back for this weekend’s match and if he has aspirations to return to the EPL should relish the challenge of Robbie Keane when that arrives. Kenny Miller seems to have aggravated a long standing injury and may miss a few more games but should hopefully be available for the tougher upcoming fixtures. Kris Boyd should be playing bounce games next week ahead of a first team return and will look to renew his partnership with his international team mate. So we may not have strengthened the squad with new bodies, but we will have a host of the key players from earlier this year to bolster the squad that battled valiantly in January. The loss of Mendes weakens the squad but due to injury his contribution to developing a ten-point lead was minor. There is every reason for positivity in the ability of those who remain in spite of his absence. If the squad turnover at Celtic in the summer was a sign of turmoil, their January spend has done nothing to dispel that view. Summer signing Fox had already returned to England whilst Darren O’Dea, packed off down South on loan, has returned and already taken the captain’s armband (if temporarily) with McManus going out on loan... Hardly the sign of a manager with a clear vision for the future of his club. A further 12 players left the club last month, most notably the captain McManus, his centre back partner Caldwell, Barry Robson and top scorer Scott McDonald. These players have been replaced by South Korean Ki, Jos Hooiveld, Rasmussen and 3 loan signings in Keane, Diomansy Kamara and defender Braafheid from Bayern. With Celtic’s preference for masking their transfer business with undisclosed fees and using the press to augment their signings values by increasing their wages across the duration of the transfer it would take a more financially astute poster (visit our forum for our two accounting experts' views) to assess the impact of their transfer dealings and hence gain insight to their real financial standing. However, with the fact that the big name players have come in on loan and the departures of their top scorer, captain and first XI players it appears their incoming transfers have only been possible by flogging half their squad. Suggestions of financial strength appear wide of the mark. Having lost the title last year and missed out on the financial bounty of the Champions League, Celtic cannot afford to miss out again. Having fallen ten points behind after their match with Kilmarnock last night they have taken an enormous gamble by throwing money at expensive imports in an attempt to wrestle the title from our grasp. Should they fail their financial problems should become more apparent. The rumour that Dermot Desmond has put up the money to cover the cost of Robbie Keane’s expensive loan stay further supports this theory. As does Redknapp’s insistence on Sky Sports News that it is only a temporary move. Essentially, Celtic have not spent much money this transfer window to flex their financial muscle over Rangers. Mowbray has wheeled and dealed better than Del Boy Trotter, or even dodgy ‘Arry to manoeuvre his club into a position to attract big name players from down south. The suggestions out with Parkhead suggest falling attendances were a further motivating factor. Whilst bringing in EPL class strikers is most surely going to strengthen your squad, selling your top scorer, your captain, your first choice centre backs and your most effective combative midfielder does not. Celtic are not going from strength to strength. They are trying to resurrect the phoenix from the ashes of the last 18 months. By contrast, whilst we do not have the funds to bring in EPL squad players, we do not have to sell Boyd, Bougherra and Davis to try and turn round a misfiring squad. It is distinctly unlikely we will suffer the injuries and unavailability of player that we have over the first half (or so) of the season. A full strength Rangers in December was a ravenous beast - chewing up and spitting out the best the SPL had to offer out with the Old Firm. When our player of the year candidates return there is every reason to expect we will be strong enough to maintain our title advantage and secure a second consecutive title. The lack of continuity at Celtic is an unknown quantity that could backfire for Mowbray as he tries to rebuild a squad in January and the sensible money will be on Rangers retaining the SPL championship.

Dundee United manager Craig Levein says a busy summer in the transfer market means Monday's SPL opponents Hearts are an unknown quantity. More...

http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rstsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=201&Itemid=1 Whether it is a wedding, a sportsman's dinner or simply just for work, the RST are delighted to announce the release of our new official tie. Designed by a local Glasgow firm we're sure our members will be eager to get their hands on this quality piece of merchandise - design below: You can order yours NOW by clicking the following link. Each tie costs �£12.50 with �£1 P&P no matter your location in the world! Buy yours securely via PayPal now! Please note you can also buy without postage costs in the RST Shop which is open on match-days within the Wee Rangers Club. Keep an eye on the website and your regular Trust emails for news of more exclusive merchandise. Our new online shop will be open in the next month!

http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rs...98&Itemid=2 This year is the centenary of the birth of Sam English who remains with 44 league goals in a season a club record holder despite achieving this over 70 years ago. Samââ?¬â?¢s Rangers career was prematurely cut short when he had to move to England following the John Thomson tragedy and the hate campaign he and his family suffered from ghouls who blamed him for the young Celtic keeperââ?¬â?¢s death. Itââ?¬â?¢s the intention of the Sam English Commemoration Committee to mark Samââ?¬â?¢s life and achievements with a variety of events and the creation and presentation of a cup in his memory. Samââ?¬â?¢s own story has been somewhat overshadowed by the Thomson tragedy - but his life did not stop then - his marriage was blessed with three daughters and numerous grand-children; he played with distinction for a number of other clubs - Liverpool, Hartlepool,Queen of the South; and he returned to Clydebank to coach his local team Duntocher Hibs. We hope to be able to tell the whole Sam English story in the coming months. The central focus of the commemoration will be on a dinner at Ibrox on Saturday August 16th where a specially commissioned cup will be unveiled. We have engaged the services of a Northern Irish silversmith - Cara Murphy - to produce the cup. - You can view Caraââ?¬â?¢s work on her website by clicking here. The cup will not simply be a trophy but also a work of art befitting the stature of this remarkable Ranger. To produce the cup in silver will require a reasonable expenditure of funds - around Ã?£8,000 - and hence we are asking fans to support the Commemoration by participating in events and making a donation. DONATE AND PARTICIPATE! - DONATE - all donations over Ã?£25 will receive a special certificate of thanks. This can be done securely via the Trust website facility ââ?¬â?? click here. Please ensure you mark your donation with 'Sam English Fund'. - BADGES - Ã?£3 UK, Ã?£4 overseas. Design is being finalised and will be available in 4-6 weeks. Buy via PayPal by clicking here. - RACE NIGHT - Friday 9th May - venue tbc - entry Ã?£3. Buy tickets via PayPal by clicking here. - 5-A-SIDE FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT - Ã?£50 per team - Sat 17th May @ Five on 5 (Paisley). Contact the Trust directly for more information on entering a team. - DINNER AT IBROX - Ã?£50 per seat. Ã?£500 per table. Buy tickets securely via PayPal by clicking here. We shall also shortly announce the details of a golf day and dinner in Samââ?¬â?¢s native Northern Ireland. All our plans have been fully discussed with Samââ?¬â?¢s surviving daughter. The committee will also produce a commemorative menu - brochure and are very keen to make contact with fans who have information on Samââ?¬â?¢s early life and memorabilia/photographs.

Saturday, 9 February 2008 -------------------------------Time------TV Dundee United v Hibernian------12:30-----*** Hearts v Gretna----------------15:00 Motherwell v Kilmarnock--------15:00 Rangers v Falkirk---------------15:00 St Mirren v Inverness CT------- 15:00 Sunday, 10 February 2008 Aberdeen v Celtic--------------14:00 Dundee Utd have been showing good form of late with an excellent win 4-1 against Aberdeen in the CIS cup. They have have lost probably their best player with Robson going to the dark side and also have a good few injury doubts including Lee wilkie. Hibs may put new signing colin Nish in from the start but their biggest problem is the late fitness test of rob Jones. The Hibs defence will be much weakened if Jones is ruled out. I still fancy UTD for this one even without Robson. Dundee utd win. Hearts and Gretna have been much improved of late with both clubs picking up points. Hearts seem to be getting back on track now that mad Vlad has given Steve Frail the reigns in his hands. Gretna made many signings in the transfer window and will be hoping they gel in quickly.A bit of an unknown quantity this one through the form and new players of Gretna and the unpredictable Hearts season. Under normal circumstances Hearts should win. Hearts win. The big surprise at Fir park will be if the pitch is playable. If the game goes ahead then i would expect Motherwell to beat a Killie team who sold their best player without adding to their team. If Gretna keep up their good form Killie could be staring degradation in the eye in a few weeks. Motherwell win. Rangers get a visit from Falkirk who have lost their last two league games against Gretna and Celtic. Falkirk have given all teams a problem over the last few years and we will have to hit form to beat them. Whittaker is fit after an ankle knock and cousin can still play for us but the chances of that happening are slim as Rangers won't risk him getting injured.Fifa should have made a ruling on this day's ago. A ridiculous situation for a world organisation. If we want to win the league then these games must be cattle fodder for us. they never are! Rangers win. Inverness go to Love street to meet st Mirren. St Mirren lost to Rangers last time round but they were the better team until Rangers scored and they had a man sent off. The two games before saw them beating Motherwell and Hibs. Inverness had the Craig Brewster effect but that has been slowly diminishing. I will go for the Saints to keep up there good form and to win at home. St Mirren win. Sunday.... Aberdeen v celtic at Pittodrie is always a game we look to to see the tims dropping points. The fact is they rarely do. I don't see aberdeen posing a threat to them, but we live in hope. Celtic win.

By Calscot http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=458&Itemid=2 A very positive, yet realistic, take on our current new signings. Great stuff! :cheers:

I know that technically, you canââ?¬â?¢t win ââ?¬Ë?1 in a rowââ?¬â?¢, but please bare with me as hopefully youââ?¬â?¢ll see where this is going. As the 10th anniversary of our fantastic achievement approaches, I thought that it would be a good idea to relive my personal memories of this time, and recount those to the fellow forumees. I will apologies up front for any historical errors, or any dates, scores or scorers that I get wrong my memory isnââ?¬â?¢t what it used to be. The first game in the 9-in-a-row run was played at Douglas Park against Hamilton Accies and we were eager to dispose Celtic as Scottish Champions. Celtic had won the double the previous season in their ââ?¬Ë?anniversaryââ?¬â?¢ season, a feat that could be traced back to the unfortunate and untimely leg-break suffered by then Rangers captain Terry Butcher. Although confident of winning back our title, I donââ?¬â?¢t think any of the 1000ââ?¬â?¢s of Rangers fans present that day (Aug 13 1988) could have dreamed that they were witnessing the beginning of Rangers writing themselves into the annals of world football and on our way to dominating Scottish football for close to two decades. Going into the game and season, we were boosted by the arrival of further two big money signings from South of the border in the shape of Kevin Drinkell and Gary Stevens. Drinkell was a bit of an unknown quantity, but quickly proved himself to be a great striker and a fantastic addition to our squad. Gary Stevens was an established player with a wonderful pedigree and showed his class from his debut onwards. I think it is safe to say that we havenââ?¬â?¢t had a full back of his class since, and it could be argued that he was one of the best full backs ever to grace the light blue jersey. It was Gary Stevens who was unlikely first scorer of the season (ergo first scorer in the 9-in-a-row season) and Ally McCoist (who else) secured our opening day victory by a comfortable 2 goals to nil. We draw our opening home game of the season 0-0 with Hibs and defeated Clyde and Clydebank easily in the opening rounds of the League Cup. Next up was the first Old Firm game of the season and a chance to put one over the auld enemy and defending champions. The game didnââ?¬â?¢t start well, we were 1-0 down inside 3 minutes, then up-stepped Ally McCoist to bring us level. As the game approached the half-time interval, Rangers won a throw. Gary Stevens throw the ball in, it was headed on by Butcher and Ray Wilkins thundered an unstoppable shot into the Celtic net. After half-time, we destroyed Celtic and ran out 5-1 winners. Greame Souness decided that this was a time for showboating and rather than putting them to the sword he dictated play so we ripped the piss for the last 20 minutes. The game will be remembered for the goalkeeping antics of Ian Andrews, but in all honesty, he was at fault for only one of the five goals. What Iââ?¬â?¢ll remember the game for is singing ââ?¬Ë?Happy Birthday Dear Celticââ?¬â?¢ as the goals rained inââ?¬Â¦. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-bWchIBBbI Straight after that game, I went on holiday to Florida for 3 weeks and missed a lot of games including the European tie against Katowice and the League Cup Semi Final victory over Hearts. I also missed the next few games as on my return, I lost my Grandmother. The next game I can remember being at was the loss at Pittodrie on the day Neil Simpson ruined Ian Durrantââ?¬â?¢s career. The game and result paled into insignificance once the seriousness of the injury was revealed. Next up as a 1-0 victory at Easter Road followed by one of the best League Cup Finals I can remember, We defeated Aberdeen 3-2 thanks to 2 Ally McCoist goals and a great strike from Ian Ferguson. So, we had secured the first trophy of the season in a dramatic final and were well placed in the league. It was also the first time in our history that we had won the League Cup in 3 consecutive seasons http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaTfJqASNSQ We were then knocked out of Europe by Cologne and were well beaten by the Germans over the two leagues. This was a major disappointment as Souness had assembled a very decent team and squad and many Rangers fans, buoyed by a couple of encouraging runs under Souness, believed that we were about to make our mark in Europe, but it wasnââ?¬â?¢t to be. Our good form continued in the league until we were beaten 3-1 at Parkhead in November and then lost our way a little dropping points to Dundee, Dundee United and Hearts (who outclassed us at Tynecastle). Back to back narrow victories over Hibs and Hamilton didnââ?¬â?¢t appear to be the ideal preparation for the 3rd OF game of the season. However, once again after falling behind to an early goal, Rangers bounced back to record another emphatic OF victory by 4 goals to 1 with Walters (2), Butcher and I Ferguson getting the goals. If I remember correctly, this was Ian Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s first OF goal and his celebrations were as wild and enthusiastic as any fans! Due to the hangovers (!!) we then lost the next game away to Motherwell. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Rj5-8M6yRA&mode=related&search= We then played Gretna in a game for the Lockerbie Disaster Fund and Gary McSwegan scored in a 2-1 defeat. The next game of note was a 8-0 Scottish Cup victory against Stranraer then a 2-2 draw away to St Johnstone which is notable for the fact that it was Rangersââ?¬â?¢ final game ever at Muirton Park. This was a testimonial game. The league run in was in full swing now and we powered our way to the finishing line, winning the league from Aberdeen by six points (our 39th League title). The title was wrapped up in a 4-0 thrashing of Hearts at Ibrox and the unlikely hero of the day was Mel Sterland who scored 2 goals (as did Kevin Drinkell). We rested most of our players for the remainder of the season and won only 1 further game, and that was the game after securing the league, beating DUFC 2-0. We then faced Celtic at Hampden for the chance to secure a historic treble. The game will be remembered for two terrible refereeing decisions. Firstly, Celtic scored from a Rangers throw-in taken by Roy Aitken and then a perfectly good Davie Cooper goal was chopped off when Paddy Bonnar was fouled by his own player. A sad end to the season, but one that Iââ?¬â?¢ll remember for the Tims singing ââ?¬Ë?Mo Mo Super Moââ?¬â?¢ at the final in reference to Mo Johnston returning from French football. However, as the next article will reiterate and history will tell us, it wasnââ?¬â?¢t the green and grey that he would return to Scotland to wear, by the famous light blue. Cammy F

After Walter Smith left the club in 1998 nobody it can be said with hindsight that we went off track. We were the domestic force by a country mile for a long period of time but not able to compete with the big boys of Europe so an alternative route was taken. Domestic success wasnt enough. It started with a bang with Dick Advocaat in charge. We missed out on our 10th title in a row the previous season which sent us in to the UEFA cup in 1998/99. We matched the mighty Parma that season and retained our league title - we were champs again. This continued into the next season and we competed in Europe with 3 teams from the top shelf - once again Parma, PSV and Bayern - the latter being extremely lucky to get anything off us. Only Valencia out classed us this year and we missed out on the next stage which really was a downfall moment. But the title was retained. The next season we all expected more of the same however it couldnt have went worse. Our midfield which was a match for anyone up and down the country and contributed to around 35+ goals a season was totally sold off. Some of them wanted to leave to join bigger clubs (which has back fired) but some wanted to stay. In replacement we were told better players were coming in, however we got an aging midfielder from Hibs (Latapy), a midfielder that didnt kick a ball for us (Nerlinger) and an aging striker from Dundee (Canniggia) - nothing near to what we had just sold off. We were battered in the league by Celtic. We were soaked with debt and had to downsize dramatically. A young scottish manager came in (McLeish) and didnt have an open cheque book like his previous managers. However he still signed a high quantity of players but never seemed to know what to do with them. In the next 5 seasons we won 2 titles which could easy have went the other way. But he still gave us a number of trophies but a mighty glamours side we were not. Teams would come to our fortress and no longer be intimidated, instead they were capable of matching us. We were no longer winning old firm games left right and centre like we were used to - infact we were struggling to win them home or away while being left trailing in the league. We decided to go for a top Euro coach which delighted every Blue Nose and many expected a fix over night. Many were sensible and expected a fix over a period of at least 4-6 months and some expected a fix in a year. But nobody expected us to go backwards. We didnt think the previous season could have been worsened however it. In europe however, we were doing ok and broke into the last 16 of the CL and this season we are no means out of the last 16 of the UEFA. - This was 1 bright spark from our depression run. Something happened back stage in the dressing room that we wont end up finding out but it forced us into another change in manager. We brought back the man who has lead us to so much domestic glory and the master of getting the better of Celtic - CAN HE DO IT AGAIN?? And can he return us to the Summit of Scotland where we should be?? But Walter will certainly patch up a few wrongs that we have like defensive weaknesses and any dressing room splits. But importantly he will have the players playing for the jersey again. Along side him this time is a cult hero in Govan and our record goalscorer - Mr McCoist who knows more than anyone what its like to pull on the blue jersey. I believe he has came in at a good time as the league was gone and domestic cups were gone and he has this few months to find out what he needs in the team. Not much pressure on him except to get us 2nd spot in the league which we are favourites for. So roll on August where we can begin afresh again and this time next year we hope to be back on top.