Search the Community

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

Seemingly using the word hun for years makes it acceptable. Strange now then that the Hokey Cokey is not acceptable. You really have to laugh at all this bullshit though.

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

I EXPECT Celtic to lose tomorrow's Old Firm derby at Ibrox - but it won't affect their grip on the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title and the march towards four-in-a-row. The outcome of this Glasgow derby and the two to follow will not, in my mind, determine the destination of this season's championship flag. Both teams have proved they can slip up elsewhere in the fixture list, and weaknesses in either defence tell me there are more points to be dropped at other grounds. I asked Gordon Strachan, in a special one-to-one interview this week, if he had enough leaders in his pack. The manager put forward a brave case for a number of his team, but a flawed one in my view. advertisement This is a Celtic side lacking the mental toughness, grit and deter- mination to win the physical battle facing them in the cauldron of Ibrox at 12.30pm tomorrow. Captain Stephen McManus is struggling with his fitness, but he has still to prove to me his credentials are worthy of the armband in the first place. Paul Hartley, Scott Brown and Barry Robson are an absolute must in the middle of the park to have any chance of at least a point. Pedro Mendes and Barry Ferguson could have a field day if Robson isn't fit, because Brown is the great enigma. At times, I've thought he was the real deal this season, someone to boss games, but there's no consistency. There's no Shaun Maloney or Aiden McGeady, but if the Celtic fans are honest, neither has had a major impact on Old Firm games for quite a while now and their absence is not the over-riding factor in the bookmakers' decision to make Walter Smith's side the favourites. If McManus is fit, Gary Caldwell could find himself in the holding role in midfield to allow Strachan to use Glenn Loovens' height to defend and switch to attack from set-pieces. Playing a half-fit Marc Crosas in the middle of the park would be a gamble. Rangers can get at both Celtic full-backs and, where before, Martin O'Neill's defenders tried to make sure crosses were blocked off at the source, these two give you enough chances to supply the strikers. Artur Boruc, as ever, is the ticking bomb in this fixture. If his head is not right, anything can happen. Strachan needs Artur focused and ready to perform. There are no excuses left for any more blunders. He's used up all his get-out-of-jail cards, saves rather than signs are what real Celtic fans want to see from the Holy Goalie. Shunsuke Nakamura is capable of a moment of genius, but he has been known to disappear in this fixture. Georgios Samaras and Scott McDonald are the last two parts of the jigsaw in this battle for Celtic, I'm not impressed by either. Can they go to Ibrox and boss an ageing David Weir and a player of limited ability' in Kirk Broadfoot? Let's wait and see. If you look at both defences, this should be a high- scoring 4-3 cracker. Both teams have inferior players playing out of position in the backline and that should spell goals. Rangers' winning ingredient for this fixture is home advantage and a greater hunger, especially from their front two. I expect Kris Boyd to get the nod to finally start an Old Firm game with his preferred partner Kenny Miller. Both men are desperate to do well in this game for different reasons. The game will be bossed from the middle of the park and the class of Ferguson will take its toll on the less exper-ienced campaigners wearing the Hoops. How Rangers fans still moan about their captain escapes me, but this match is tailor-made for the number six. The last line of defence for Smith is Allan McGregor. If he has his mind on the job on the park, then it could be a clean sheet but, like Boruc, he's part of the goalkeeper's union and calamity is sometimes never too far away. Big games need big players and they, in turn, win games. I don't think Celtic have enough to match Rangers over the 90 minutes of this encounter. If Strachan's team get a draw, they'll be lucky, very lucky. Thomson well up to derby day task THERE'S an old saying among the refereeing fraternity that will ring true by about 2.15pm tomorrow afternoon. You can't guarantee who scores, you can't guarantee who wins the game, but you can guarantee who gets the blame!' Step forward the 23rd man in the second Old Firm game of the season, referee Craig Thomson. At 36, there has to be better ways of spending your weekends than listening to 50,000 fans united in giving you stick. The lawyer from Paisley, however, is more than up to the job and, for me, is slowly but surely cementing his place as Scotland's top official. Regardless of how highly I rate Craig, there is one element in tomorrow's match that he will need that is not in the referee's manual ... luck! Every aspect of the man in the middle's decision-making will be scrutinised, analysed and then replayed again from 25 different camera angles on Setanta. What chance does he have with only one set of eyes? This will be Mr Thomson's fourth Old Firm match in charge, each as important as the last, but for the man in black each with different problems that require an instantaneous decision that hopefully, is the correct one at the end of the 90 minutes. Craig will sit down today with Hugh Dallas and have a coffee and a chat about the madness that will undoubtedly unfold. The requirements don't change - keep a cool head, get the players onside early, communicate without a sense of superiority, try to let the game flow and trust in the judgement of yourself and your assistants. It all sounds so easy, but when the noise engulfs you from the tunnel to the pitch and the shrill of your whistle signals the start of the battle, lesser men can lose sight of their role in one of the great derbies in football. Not so Craig. He's a streetwise official mentally, tactically and is physically prepared for the big one. Let's hope he has a good one, because if he doesn't there's only one direction the flak will be flying tomorrow night. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2477854.0.0.php

A SLUR campaign against Celtic legend Jock Stein has hit a mobile phone text service, it was revealed last night. The vile bigots behind the ââ?¬Ë?Big Jock Knewââ?¬â?¢ claims say the former manager kept quiet about a sex abuse scandal at the club. Now punters who text 118 118 to ask the question ââ?¬Å?What did big Jock know?ââ?¬Â get an answer hinting that Stein failed to report Celtic Boys Club molester Jim Torbett to cops. Abuse ... Jim Torbett Abuse ... Jim Torbett The response reads: ââ?¬Å?Big Jock Knew refers to the ex-manager of Celtic football club Jock Stein. ââ?¬Å?It pertains to a matter that Stein knew but didnââ?¬â?¢t report to the authorities.ââ?¬Â A section of Rangers fans have been blasted for singing ââ?¬Ë?Big Jock Knewââ?¬â?¢ at Old Firm games. The chant alleges former Scotland boss Stein tried to cover up Torbettââ?¬â?¢s sordid activities in the 1970s. But last night the 118 118 link was slammed by Celtic fan and MP George Galloway. Mr Galloway said: ââ?¬Å?There are no depths these disgusting bigots wonââ?¬â?¢t sink to. They could slither under the belly of a snake with ease. ââ?¬Å?Steinââ?¬â?¢s name and reputation will live on when these anonymous bigots are dust.ââ?¬Â Galloway added: ââ?¬Å?Thanks to The Scottish Sun for pointing this out. Iââ?¬â?¢ll be raising this in Parliament immediately.ââ?¬Â Torbett was convicted of abusing several lads who played for Celtic Boys Club in the 70s. Advertisement His crimes became public in 1996 when former player Alan Brazil revealed that he had been molested at the age of 13 at Torbettââ?¬â?¢s home in Sighthill, Glasgow. Torbett was jailed for two-and-a-half years in 1998. Last night a spokesman for 118 118 said: ââ?¬Å?We have looked into this. ââ?¬Å?The answer to the question just refers to a historical subject matter without offering any opinion or implication.ââ?¬Â http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/article2064748.ece

From contacts: This will result in crowd trouble if they try to arrest people en masse while ignoring songs about the IRA.

The Boyd Done Good As many long-term readers of my rants and posts on GersNet will testify, I have never been Boydââ?¬â?¢s number one fan. However, I have always stated that if Boyd could improve on his all-round game, add this to his undoubted goal-scoring talent, then heââ?¬â?¢s be an asset to our team. Saturdayââ?¬â?¢s game against Hibernian was in my opinion one of the best ââ?¬Ë?all-roundââ?¬â?¢ games Boyd has had in a Rangers jersey. He tracked back, he linked up play, his movement was decent and after missing a guilt-edged chance in the opening five minutes, scored a goal that only Boyd could score. It wasnââ?¬â?¢t a typical overhead kick, it was just the art of somehow getting the ball to nestle in the back of the net. Saturday was also saw us witness one of the most one-sided 1-0 victories in a long time. Hibernian came with a plan to frustrate us, get everyone behind the ball and not allow our midfield the time or space to utilise Millers clever runs. Credit to the players, they stuck to the task well, even when those in the stands were displaying signs of impatience and were reduced to cat-calling. Ferguson and Mendes showed further signs of a growing understanding and Mendes had his best game since the 4-2 mauling of the MOPES at Parkhead. His intelligent passing and audacious shooting was a joy to behold and certainly livened up the proceedings. I also thought that Papac and SW had very decent games in the full-back areas. With Hibs sitting deep, both took the opportunity to break forward and help to try to unlock the defence. I was disappointed in Hibsââ?¬â?¢ approach, as on their day, they are one of the better SPL teams and tend to play a very decent level of football. I know they had a few key players out injured, but expected them to put more into the game. It seemed that they had resigned themselves to a defeat even before a ball was kicked. You're Just Our Feeder Club This wee ditty is often sung when we play Hibs as we have over the years, signed various players from the Edinburgh club. In recent history players like Kenny Miller, Ian Murray, Steven Whittaker and Kevin Thomson have made the short journey along the M8 and joined Rangers from Hibernian. Others like Craig Patterson who went on to captain The Rangers and in my opinion, the best two players weââ?¬â?¢ve signed from Hibs are Andy Goram and Colin Stein. Both these players went on to make outstanding contributions to The Rangers and both are rightly remembered with great fondness within our support. However, whilst Colin Stein took no time to settle into the groove at Ibrox netting a total of eight goals in his first three games, whilst Andy Goram leaked uncharacteristic goals in his opening spell between the sticks. Stein with the subject of the first Ã?£100,000 pounds transfer between Scottish Clubs and went on to become a firm favourite and a permanent fixture in the Rangers line-up. His bustling style and fantastic heading ability saw Stein score hugely important goals for Rangers including a strike in the Cup Winners Cup Final in Barcalona and the goal that won the 1975 championship. If I remember correctly, he is also the last player to have scored a hat-trick for Scotland. Colin lives local to me and some may find it surprising that he is now a joiner with a local firm and was a very decent at bowls! Andy Goram recovered after a shaky start and established himself into Rangers folk-lore as one of the finest keepers we have had. The list of astonish saves is endless, but the one to deny Hugedonkey at Ibrox was one of the best saves I have ever seen. Both players have actually attended various dances at our RSC and both were a credit to themselves and Rangers Football Club. Worrying Rumours Following on from Super Allyââ?¬â?¢s thread regarding worrying and shocking rumours - http://www.gersnetonline.net/vb/showthread.php?t=9290 here are a few that I heard (from various sources over the weekend) that are as worrying : We have contacted and opened negotiations with Bobo Baldesââ?¬â?¢s representatives with a view to taking the Celtc stopper once his contract expires at Parkhead. This deal is said to be at an advanced stage and could be completed soon. Balde will see out the remainder of his contract at Celtc and move to Rangers in the summer under freedom of contract. West Brom had a Ã?£5M bid for Kevin Thomson accepted by Rangers and the deal was to be concluded in January. However, after Thomsonââ?¬â?¢s injury and West Brom losing sponsorship (with T-Mobile) this deal has been scrapped. West Brom are actually in some financial difficulty as they have lost and failed to replace T-Mobile as shirt sponsors and have gone public locally asking for local investors to invest in the club. However, I am led to believe that Birmingham City are also keen on Thomson and will test Rangersââ?¬â?¢ resolve with a Ã?£5M bid in the summer. If we get a bid from Birmingham, Thomson will be sold. Our finances appear to be a lot worse than any of us thought. Martin Bain has been tasked to make further reductions to the spiralling wage bill, hence the reason as many as 10 players will leave Ibrox in January. Kirk Broadfootââ?¬â?¢s agent was sent packing from Murray Park with a flee in his ear after inquiring about a pay rise for Broadfoot now he is an international player. It is believed that Kirk is on Ã?£2K per week and his agent asked for ~Ã?£4K and was politely told to ââ?¬Ë?beat itââ?¬â?¢. Wonder if this is why young Kirk was demoted to the bench recently. All of the above is unsubstantiated but heard this from a few people, not just one source. Get Into Them Once the turkey and the roast potatoes (am I still allowed to refer to potatoes in this sensitive Old Firm week ââ?¬â?? donââ?¬â?¢t want to offended anyone especially at this time of year) has been digested, weââ?¬â?¢ll welcome our bitter neighbours to our home for the 2nd Old Firm game of the season. The damning statistics regarding our inconsistent form says that even a Rangers win (our 2nd of the season) will still see us trailing the MOPES by a point. That is as hard to swallow as the turkey ââ?¬â?? potentially 2 Old Firm victories and still behind them in the race for the SPL. These encounters are never ââ?¬Ë?tameââ?¬â?¢, but itââ?¬â?¢s time that we crank this game up a notch or two. They have been allowed to swagger around in this fixture recently and itââ?¬â?¢s time that we reverted back to the days of Jock Wallace and got the battle fever on. Lets barrack them from start to finish, lets get on the backs of the officials, lets drown out their bile with Rangers songs (and the odd verse of the hockey cokey), lets get right fookin into them (in a non-sectarian manner you understand). The Rolly-Polly Goalie should be our prime target. This ââ?¬Ë?manââ?¬â?¢ is unstable ââ?¬â?? lets hound him. The players should also be getting into his ear at every opportunity. We should be shooting on site (praying for squigglers), barging him at cross-balls and generally making his life uncomfortable. He isnââ?¬â?¢t in the best frame of minds, so lets try and capitalize on that. Whilst doing all of the above, lets not get on the backs of our players, they need and deserve our full support. Itââ?¬â?¢s worth remembering that anything other than a victory isnââ?¬â?¢t really good enough for us. I would expect Walter Smith to now stick with the 4-4-2 formation and he could stick with Saturdays starting 11. Donââ?¬â?¢t be fooled by the MOPES claims of injury, suspensions etc, theyââ?¬â?¢ll have their strongest 11 on the pitch on Saturday, make no mistake about that. Please Santa, 3 points for The Rangers. Merry Xmas & A Happy New Year Just like to take this opportunity in wishing all fellow GersNet contributors and all Rangers fans a very merry xmas and a happy new year. Cammy F

ââ?¬Ë?Greigy is a one-off. He epitomises the Rangers spirit and is the genuine article ââ?¬â?? a true Rangers legendââ?¬â?¢ ââ?¬â?? Ally McCoist There are few players who get to experience the high of winning one treble during their playing careers, John Greig managed to bag three trebles and captained the team to two of those tremendous achievements. Rangers entered the 1963-1964 season as defending champions after a runaway league campaign where they won the league by nine points from Kilmarnock. Rangers came tantalizingly close to winning the treble the previous season, only a narrow 3-2 defeat to Kilmarnock (our closest challengers for a few seasons around this time) in the League Cup semi-final stopping Rangers from claiming a ââ?¬Ë?triple-crownââ?¬â?¢ (Rangers easily defeated 3-0 in the Scottish Cup Final), but the triple crown was only postponed as Rangers would claim this crown during the 63-64 season. However, after a season of domestic success, no one would have believed that Rangers would then go an astonishing 11 seasons without another league title to their name (more of that later). Rangers started season 1963-64 by destroying Celtic 3-0 in a League Cup section game at Parkhead. Jim Forrest started the season with a bang, netting two goals in the season opener and went on to claim a remarkable 39 goals for the season, including 4 in the league cup final against Morton. Two further group games witnessed wins (5-2 v Queen of The South and 4-1 v Kilmarnock). A further 3-0 victory of Celtic (at Ibrox), along with another 5-2 victory over QoS and a 2-2 draw with Killie ensured that we safely progressed to the knock out stages of the league cup. The defence of our league title started in the middle of the League Cup section games and we were held to a 1-1 draw away to Dundee with Ralph Brand netting from the spot. Our 2nd league game saw Celtic visit Ibrox and they were dispatched with goals from McLean and Brand in a 2-1 Rangers victory. East Fife were defeated 3-1 on aggregate in the league cup and Motherwell and Hibs were soundly defeated in the league. Our first defeat of the season came at the hands of Real Madrid in the European Cup ââ?¬â?? a 1-0 reverse at Ibrox. This didnââ?¬â?¢t appear to affect or domestic form, however, we were to suffer an embarrassing 6-0 defeat in the return game in Madrid. Again, this didnââ?¬â?¢t affect our domestic form where we continued to race away in the league and were freely scoring goals in most games, both home and away. Only two draws, at home to Aberdeen and away to title challengers Kilmarnock blotted a near perfect domestic copy-book. The league cup was secured with a 5-0 demolition of Morton at Hampden and as stated above, young Forrest getting 4 of the goals in the final ââ?¬â?? a fantastic feat. The final will also be remembered for the record attendance of 105,907. December saw a change of fortunes were let points slip against Motherwell, and lost at home to St Johnstone. We also lost a two-legged British Championship to Everton. The traditional New Year Day game saw us once again victorious against Celtic with Miller scoring the only goal at Parkhead. We lost to Clyde in the Glasgow Cup semi-final, then opened the defence of the Scottish Cup with a 9-0 win over Duns! St Mirren inflicted a rare defeat in a 3-2 win at Ibrox which would be our last defeat of the season until the last game of the season. The league was secured by a comfortable and Rangers were crowned Scottish Champions for the 34th occasion. Passage to the Scottish Cup Final was guaranteed after Duns, Partick Thistle, Celtic and Dunfermline were put to the sword and Rangers would face Dundee in the final. This final would long be remembered as a classic and is still believed to be one of the finest finals in modern history. Rangers finally run out 3-1 winners with the magically M&B partnership scoring the goals (Millar with 2, Brand with 1). One further point to note in this wonderful season ââ?¬â?? we defeated Celtic in every game we played them in that season. Two league victories, 2 League Cup wins and a Scottish Cup triumph. For the record of League / Scottish Cup Winning Teamââ?¬â?¢s were as follows : League Cup ââ?¬â?? Ritchie, Shearer, Provan, Greig, McKinnon, Baxter, Henderson, Willoughby, Forrest, Brand & Watson Scottish Cup - ââ?¬â?? Ritchie, Shearer, Provan, Greig, McKinnon, Baxter, Henderson, McLean, Millar, Brand & Wilson The next time Rangers were to win the league title in 1974-75 season, it would be after 11 long years of hurt in which Celtic dominated the Scottish game and won their 9-in-a-row. The only bright light in this era was the winning for the Cup Winners Cup in Barcelona and our centenary Scottish Cup victory (3-2 against Celtic ââ?¬â?? famous for Tom Forsythââ?¬â?¢s 6 inch thunderbolt that will always be remembered in Rangers folk-lore). The league was clinched with a pulsating 1-1 draw at Easter Road. Colin Stein headed the winning goal, but anyone who witnessed this game, couldnââ?¬â?¢t forget captain for the day Sandy Jardine being replaced by Mr Rangers in the closing minutes. Greig missed the game due to injury but was sent on to sample the last few minutes. The victory scenes on and off the pitch will live on in the memories of Rangers fans. A huge travelling support finally witnessing Rangers winning their 35th title. The following season was witness Rangers dominate the Scottish game claiming another treble and with John Greig rejuvenated and he would be voted Player of The Year. As was the norm, Rangers started the season in their League Cup Section with Clyde, Motherwell and Airdrie. Passage was secured without too many problems and we started the defence of our title at the home of our arch rivals and secured a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Derek Johnstone and ââ?¬Ë?Cuttyââ?¬â?¢ Young. The following game at Tynecastle saw Rangers win in bizarre fashion, both goals in our 2-0 victory were own goals. After a decent start, Rangers had a very shaky spell of form around the October and November time. This would include a few draws and defeats to Ayr United, Motherwell, Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen. We would also be knocked out of the European Cup by a classy St Etienne side. However, it wasnââ?¬â?¢t all doom and gloom, we secured the League Cup by defeating Celtic 1-0 at Hampden thanks to a brilliant diving header from Alex McDonald. It should be noted here that by all reports, this victory was dominated by fantastic performances from both John Greig and Tom Forsyth. We recovered brilliantly from this glitch in form and went on an unbeaten run from Dec 6th (1-0 defeat to Aberdeen) until the end of the season. A run that totalled 32 games, including 21 league fixtures with the league title clinched at Tannidice with Derek Johnstone scoring after 22 seconds. Derek Johnstone would net 31 goals that season and was one of the main reasons for Rangersââ?¬â?¢ success. However, we can also thank a fantastic strength of squad which is emphasised by the fact that Scottish Internationals Sandy Jardine and Derek Parlane were constantly used as substitutes in the 2nd half of the season. The Scottish Cup, and final part of the treble was secured with an easy 3-1 victory over Hearts in the Scottish Cup Final with Derek Johnstone finally breaking the deadlock after a nervy 45 seconds! DJ would score again and Alex McDonald score our other goal in the final. For the record of League / Scottish Cup Winning Teamââ?¬â?¢s were as follows : League Cup ââ?¬â?? Kennedy, Jardine, Greig, Forsyth, Jackson, McDonald, McLean, Stein, Parlane, Johnstone & Young Scottish Cup ââ?¬â?? McCloy, Miller, Greig, Forsyth, Jackson, McDonald, McKean, Hamilton, Henderson, McLean, Johnstone After this clean sweep, Rangers entered the 1976-77 season as firm favourites for the league and were considered good bets to repeat the treble. As it turned out, Rangers finished this disappointing season trophyless after losing to Celtic and Aberdeen in the domestic cups and finishing 9 points behind Celtic in the league. Cammy F

Away Day Blues Whilst the result at Tannidice wasn’t really a surprise, the manner in which we conceded two goals in three minutes, was the most predictable aspect of the game. Once again we entered a tricky away fixture with absolutely no width in the team and allowed the opposition unchallenged runs from the halfway line to our 18 yard line then confound this error by allowing crosses to be thrown along our six yard line. In know it’s an old, lame joke, but McGregor must be a vampire as he is scared of crosses. He is rooted to his line and every team in Scotland now knows how to trouble us defensively – get men out wide, deliver into the box and cause mayhem. We actually started well on Saturday and took control of the game and should have been two or three up before halftime. Boyd took his goal well but unfortunately for us, Miller chose Saturday to display his worst performance since his return. Hard to overly criticise Miller as he has bone well since his return, and in fairness, he looked like he was carrying an injury on Saturday. Finally, Mendes and Ferguson gave us a glimpse of the partnership that can develop between them, but when DUFC changed their tactics after the break, they were overrun (again) in the midfield area and worryingly, Walter Smith appears not to notice when we are being overrun in that area and is slow to react to opposition changes in tactics, formation etc. Having a look back on our away record for the last calendar year, it makes terrible and tragic reading. Since Last Christmas we have thrown away numerous critical points away from Ibrox and this ‘form’ resulted in us throwing away last seasons SPL title and it appears that we haven’t learned for this harsh lesson. It is getting harder and harder to imagine where a Rangers away victory is going to come. Is it fair to say that we are incapable of playing away from home in the SPL? Sure we can point to outstanding victories away from Ibrox in the last year – 4 v 2 at Torbett Towers, 4-0 at Tynecastle, 3-0 at Easter Road – but these are the exceptions rather than the rule. We can all point to gross incompetence from officials, especially this season, but lets be honest, our level of consistency and performance has been sadly lacking. We are easily beaten – we are easy to play against – we are easy opposition. We are lacking in the basics – we can’t retain possession from a throw-in – we can’t defend crosses into our area – we can’t capitalise on our attacking set-plays – and we can’t kill teams off when we get into the lead. These failures aren’t new, they have been around since the PLG era (not blaming PLG here by the way). They just haven’t been addressed properly. We now have two massive games at Ibrox and nothing less than six points will suffice form these games. Hibernian and Glasgow Hibernian are the next two visitors and will have had us watched and will have witnessed our weaknesses and know that we are venerable. We must counter this by playing to our strengths. However, I fear that our manager will see these games, well the OF game in particular as ‘must not lose’ rather than ‘must win’. Given this, I fully expect us to approach these games with an air of caution. This will mean our ‘flair players’ will be reigned in and / or replaced by McCulloch, Adam et al. If we defeat Hibs on Saturday (no mere certainty) then I will be shocked if WS doesn’t revert to 4-5-1 against the MOPES. This actually wouldn’t be the worst move against them, however, it will depend on the personnel deployed by WS. He’ll go with a midfield five of Davis, Mendes, Ferguson, Adam and McCulloch with Boyd as the ‘target man’ and we’ll spend the entire 90 minutes throwing aimless (and hopeless) balls up to Boyd that will be food and drink to the Ork-like MOPES defence. If we played with Ferguson, Mendes and Davis as a tight three man midfield and then played Novo and Lafferty (or Beasley or Aaron) wide supporting Miller then in my opinion, we would destroy them. Their defence is immobile and struggles against pace and skill. I know many won’t be happy with Boyd being dropped, but if we revert to 4-5-1, then he has to be the one that misses out. 4-4-2 would also work against both Hibs and the Mopes, but within that 4-4-2 there MUST be a wide player with genuine pace that can deliver quality into the box. Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life During my time as a Rangers supporter I have seen a change in myself and others when it comes to being optimistic about the Rangers. In the early to mid 80’s when I first started going regularly, you knew Rangers were going to struggle, but you always held the belief that one day, all this would change and the Rangers would once again become the driving and dominant force of Scottish Football. Call this naivety of youth, but when going to watch Rangers in those days, there was a genuine feeling and belief that it would turn around (or maybe it’s just the romanticism of the mists of time playing tricks with me). And it did turn around – David Holmes had a vision and managed to persuade Graeme Souness to become manager of the Rangers. After a sticky start, we eventually won the league (and the league cup for good measure) and all those long hard days going to witness Rangers struggling at Love Street, Boghead, Fir Park et al (sounding familiar), not only seemed worth it, but appeared to be a million years away. Suddenly, the Rangers were once again the team to beat. We were the Champions and we are ready for all comers. Nothing appeared to be going to go wrong and we started to edge closer and closer to 9-in-a-row. Added to the excitement of reaching, and hopefully surpassing this achievement was the news that our greatest foes and bitter of bitterest rivals were in financial turmoil and couldn’t match us on or off the pitch. It was around this time that I think we all took our eye off the ball – we all dwelt on the MOPES misfortune and none of us could see the trouble that was just over the horizon. In fact, it would be fair to say that any pessimism from Bears was met with derision. By Christ, I wish I had listened to those fellows sooner than I did, and I wish that ALL of us had taken heed of them ‘doom and gloom’ message. When I finally realised that our Custodian wasn’t all he was cracked up to be and that not everything in the Rangers garden was rosy, those ‘doom merchants’ were a vast minority. Just like today, the custodian had cast his spell and the majority of us were taken in by his rhetoric, half-truths and promises of moon-beans and the like. More recently, I believe that the majority of Rangers fans have woken up to the harsh reality that we are broke, we are rotten from the top to the bottom, but the vast majority still believe that the man who has gotten us into this mire, is the man who will actually save us. This is an unbelievable situation to be in. We all finally admit to SDM being capable for our demise yet the vast majority still harbour images of SDM riding over the horizon on his white charger galloping to our rescue. When in the cold light of day, nothing can be further from the truth. The January sales are looming large on the horizon and WS has publicly stated that we must move on 10 players. Adam, Burke, Beasley, McCulloch, Daily, JCD et al have all been mentioned, but realistically, who is going to buy those players from us? Who is going to match their current wages? The stark realism here is that we will have to create money at some point this season to compensate for the European failure. Christ, we got to the CL group stages and then to the UEFA Cup Final last season and still made a loss (even adding in the sale of Hutton to Spurs). So in conclusion, for this Bear, it has become almost impossible to have an optimistic view on Rangers at the moment. There is no feeling that better times are ahead, and the recent good times -2 last minute SPL title victories and a UEFA Cup Final -whilst being welcome have been smokescreens and have just severed to paper over the cracks and offer false hope. The only positive being a Ranger at the moment? At least we're not one of them...... Go on SDM, prove this old pessimistic so-and-so wrong. Cammy F -

I have never really been a Alan McGregor fan, but his heroics against Celtic in the 1-2 game at Parkhead and the Uefa cup performances won me over. I was dreadfully disapointed that he was injured saving the Scott Mcdonald penalty when he turned his ankle. Now, before those heroics McGregor was a mediocre goalie for the most part. He done the correct things to be a good Gers player, i.e go through the youth ranks, go on loan for a season for first team experince at a lesser club. And to be honest there are times he makes saves that make him look world class. But, i now think the time has come for him to move on. This may upset a few Gers fans as he is a popular player with Rangers fans. but he is now no longer a young player. He is a mid 20-odds goalie who's confidence has been sunk for a while. The mistake he made versus Dundee Utd at Ibrox cost us 2 vital league points. Today he apparantly made a howler(which i've yet to see). And against Kilmarnock at Ibrox he gifted them an opening goal. Don't get me wrong, three mistakes should't cost anyone a career. But i am positive now that there's a few other reasons to go against him. McGregor now believes the hype from last year still applies and as a consequence he stil thinks he is a better player than he really is. This over confidence clashing with his other belief that he thinks he's able to crack the English premiership is costing us dearly. The constant transfer speculation about him joining Spurs amongst other top teams is messing with this mans head. If he hadn't have gotten the ankle injury he may well have got the move i think he wanted and Rangers would have been payed around 5 to 6 million pounds. It didn't work out but McGregor to my mind is still thinking that all the speculation is directed towards where he is going. Well Alan, i'm not so sure that any top side would want you anymore, especially going by the clangers you've made and the current form you've displayed. Another thing that gets on my goat is his idiotic playboy image. The hype from last season appeared to inflate Alan's ego to extraordinary proportions and we saw him buying rediculous flash cars, get stupid tattoos and attempting to be the Scottish Beckham with that girlfriend of his. I realise that this view won't be everyones view and that many will disagree. But were it not for Walter Smiths loyalty to this player, we may well have had an even better goalie between the sticks in Neil Alexander(who is more than equal in technical and physical abilty to McGregor and supercedes McGregors mental ability by miles). Also the �£5/6m we may have got from McGregors transfer could have bought us a replacement for the aging Davie Weir and the sometime dodgy defence of Rangers could have squeezed the life out of sides resulting in us not being 7 points behind a Celtic side that are unbelieveably fluky. Anyway, i'd very much like to hear you guys opinion on Mr mcGregor as i'm sure we could move on without him.

Walter Smithââ?¬â?¢s second era at the club began with a match against Dundee United so it is perhaps fitting and not entirely unexpected, football often throws up strange and repeated coincidences such as this, that yet again the Arabs will provide the opposition in a monumental encounter that will go a long way to establishing our title credentials. The prospect of 4-in-a-row cannot be contemplated and if we are to prevent that eventuality then we have to stop the trend of our performances against Dundee United. Whilst our overall recent record does not make for terrible reading against Dundee United, indeed since the 5-0 victory in Walterââ?¬â?¢s debut game in charge of his second tenure, we have won 3, lost 1 and drawn 2 of our encounters with the Dundee club. However those two draws have been highly damaging to our league aspirations. Two league points dropped back in April during our hectic run in ultimately contributed to our downfall in attempting to reclaim the league flag. The second draw, our only meeting with United this season back in November allowed Celtic to take a 2 point lead in the SPL over us for the first time this season. It is the worrying trend of our inability to consistently take 3 points on the road against the more capable opponents in the SPL that is giving particular cause for concern prior to heading to Tannadice this weekend. After having returned the points difference to 4 between ourselves and Celtic this weekend past, we cannot afford anything less than a victory on Saturday. However we have not returned from Dundee with the 3 points since a 4-1 victory in April 06 when Prso and a Boyd hat-trick secured the result. In the last 4 seasons, stretching back to 04/05 under Eck, we have travelled to Dundee 6 times, but only once have we made the return trip with and addition to the win column. 1 win, 3 draws and 2 defeats highlights just how difficult a game we have in store. This kind of record is not good enough for a side with title aspirations and it is this sort of form that demonstrated why we have found league titles difficult to come by in recent seasons. Why one team becomes another sideââ?¬â?¢s ââ?¬Å?bogey teamââ?¬Â is difficult to pinpoint. When a team is regularly thwarting your side season after season, despite numerous changes in playing and coaching personnel for both sides, how do you identify the key factors? Is it luck? Is it a psychological problem? When you have struggled against another team in the past perhaps it is distracting you even before you take the field? It is impossible to quantify or qualify what causes this over a sustained period. What we can do though, is look at the reasons for our recent trouble. Why have so many of these competitive fixtures followed a similar pattern? In Smithââ?¬â?¢s first and highly successful spell at the helm we regularly dominated all opposition in Scotland. We had the players and the managerial set-up to mastermind victories against all opposition and in any scenario. Since his return to the club, many believe the old campaigner has been out-thought by his counter-part at Tannadice whenever the two lock-horns. Whilst Smithââ?¬â?¢s record against Leveinââ?¬â?¢s United makes reasonable reading, 4 wins, 2 draws with just the solitary defeat, it doesnââ?¬â?¢t even begin to tell the whole story In the League Cup Final, a match that was decided on penalties, only the introduction of Boyd saved Smithââ?¬â?¢s blushes as we were out thought and out played for large portions of the game. In the league encounter a month later, 3 times we had to come from behind to secure what at the time looked a decent point in the title run-in, to continue a fairly miserable run of form up Tannadice. We will of course all remember the 3-3 draw earlier this season when the influential Thomson stole a point in a game we should have won handsomely. What has become the stingiest back line in the league this year simply did not turn up that cold autumn night and despite an impressive attacking display, defensive lapses cost us the points. So Smith has an acceptable record against Dundee United overall, however it is one we would all like to see improve. To begin that with a vital victory this weekend would no doubt boost the confidence of our squad during a critical period in the Championship race. If we are to gain the required result, Smith, his coaching staff and the squad must look back at previous fixtures to understand why we struggled and to ensure we are better prepared. The major issue surrounding what is often a fraught fixture for us Rangers fans is in controlling the game. Win the midfield battle and that can set the platform to win the match. We cannot surrender quality possession and territory to Dundee United time and again, and hope to sneak a result thanks to individual quality on our part and individual error on Unitedââ?¬â?¢s. As many other SPL managers appear to be becoming aware of, if they flood their midfield with players and restrict our quality midfielders the time and space they need to operate they can effectively stop us playing. The team then resorts to long ball tactics, up to players whose strengths are not playing as target men. When this starts happening we continually give possession back to the opposition and put ourselves under pressure. This tactic is more rewarding for Dundee United than many other sides because of the quality of player they can deploy in midfield. Willo Flood, on loan from Cardiff City, always appears a step above anything else we might expect from opposition in the SPL out with Celtic. Flood is ably supported by a previously unavailable wealth of midfield talent in Morgaro Gomis, Prince Buaben (excellent finds for Craig Levein who combine good technical ability with natural athleticism) and formerly Mark Kerr (now Aberdeen). Scott Robertson brought in to replace the departing Kerr, from city rivals Dundee, has become a key player making a significant impact at Ibrox as he scored their third of 3 goals. Flood, Gomis and Robertson appear to be the players in favour for a strong United midfield, with Conway and Swanson enjoying regular games too. Levein has often deployed a 4-4-2 formation this season, but it will be interesting to see if he reverts to a five-man midfield again this weekend to give his side the numerical advantage in the centre of the park. Even prior to losing Thomson to long term injury this season, Dundee United have already proven they have enough in their ranks to give us a hard game. Although in a change from recent encounters, our troubles were not caused by Dundee Unitedââ?¬â?¢s strength in the middle of the park but by our own defensive frailties and an impressive game by Sandaza. With Unitedââ?¬â?¢s ability to nullify and dominate our midfield identified, the loss of Thomson is even more concerning for this game than any other. Our current first choice midfield of Ferguson, Mendes, Davis and possibly Beasley is lacking the fighting qualities and the screening of the defence that Thomson brings. With Levein likely to pack his midfield and the hardworking and technically gifted talents of Flood, Gomis, Robertson and co. we are going to have to battle hard for the points this weekend. It may require Walter to consider bringing in a more defensively minded player, in the Thomson mould, to combat the effective United midfield unit and allow the flair players to hurt the opposition. That would mean bringing in Edu either for Ferguson or Mendes, or sacrificing a forward player to field a 5 man midfield and match United in the central areas. However the prospect of breaking up what is a burgeoning and exciting forward pair of Boyd and Miller would be counter-productive and will not be considered by Smith. Neither will sacrificing the attacking qualities of Ferguson and Mendes. Instead I think he may ask for a disciplined display by one of the midfield pair, most likely Ferguson, to sit in and fill the defensive role performed by Thomson. Whether this will be effective is yet to be seen, but I am not convinced. If, as we have seen before, United manage to dominate this midfield battle, we begin to see why United have enjoyed such impressive displays against the more celebrated opposition from Glasgow. With a lack of control of the midfield, the defenders and deep lying midfield continually look to hit the long ball to Boyd and his partner, in this case likely to be Miller. Neither player can play as a dominant target man and with the towering figures of Wilkie and Dods at the back, will prove even more ineffectual in the role. Dundee United have enjoyed a stranglehold on possession and territory thanks to these tactics and more of the same will be uncomfortable viewing for the light blues this weekend. If Dundee United control the centre of the field and Wilkie and Dods continue their success at the back, then Craig Levein has unearthed the man to hurt us. In a devastating 2 goal display at Ibrox, Sandaza along with a solo strike by Robertson almost secured an impressive victory for the Arabs. Plucked from Valenciaââ?¬â?¢s reserve team, Sandaza made a decent start to life in Scotland in Unitedââ?¬â?¢s pre-season games. However he struggled once the competitive matches got underway until the boost of an accomplished display in Glasgow. In a game where unlike recent showing, United struggled to contain Rangers, Sandaza took full advantage of a night off at the back. Having regained third place in the league and with the best home defensive record in the league, if Flood and the Dundee United midfield continue to outshine their Rangers counterparts, they will be confident of the backline defending the inevitable long ball football and also of taking advantage of the lionââ?¬â?¢s share of possession with Sandaza and most probably Jon Daly to seize upon any opportunities created.

After dragging my sorry ass out of my sick bed on Saturday, I trudged along to Tynecastle with a sense of trepidation as we haven’t exactly hit the heights away from home this season with victories at Parkhead, Easter Road and Rugby Park being the exception rather than the rule. The good thing about following Rangers recently is that it only takes a few minutes to get a feeling on how the game is going to pan out. Once again on Saturday, on hearing the starting 11 and witnessing the slow, predictable and lazy start to the game, the following 90 minutes was as painful as it was predictable. There is so much wrong with Rangers at the moment that an article on a website or in a fanzine couldn’t begin to cover all that is wrong at Ibrox. From the charlatan that is running the circus, to the monkeys that be employs to a manager who is tactically inept and a backroom staff whom appear to offer little input to change this ineptness. The obvious failings on the pitch mirror the obvious (well to some sections of the support) off the pitch, with one having a direct implication on the other. However, the woes off the pitch are no excuse for a keeper who is more interested in shagging his way through the female population of Glasgow than he is at coming off his line when a ball is floated into his 6 yard box. The off field problems don’t excuse 2 experienced centre-halves being bitch-slapped by a forward who failed to make an impression on the lower zeniths of the English Championship. It also doesn’t explain why we have a manager who would rather play 4 or 5 players out of position than playing players in their correct positions (even though he has signed those players to bolster those glaring deficiencies). However, let’s not lay all the blame at the managers door, our squad has been dismantled regularly and all our best players sold on and replaced by a lower standard of player. I actually believe that I could manage an SPL team to a victory against Rangers. It is so easy to exploit our glaring weaknesses. Flood the midfield, get the ball into the wide areas and force Rangers into a long-ball game, and 90% of the time, you’ll get a result. Our midfield is all over the place and so narrow. By playing centre-halves at fullback, our back four is also narrow, leaving huge spaces down both flanks. Our strikers have their strengths, but bullying defenders in a physical battle isn’t one of them. We did have a gifted striker who could dominate an entire backline, who could bully them and who could also play a bit, but he was sold in the last transfer window. Never mind, we did make a wee profit on him (note to SDM – ensure Mr Bain receives another pay increase for that piece of business). Also, this trait of pulling everyone back to defend set-pieces is ridiculous. It allows opposition to flood the box and create mayhem - it also results in us gifting the ball back to them if we manage to clear the ball and it comes straight back on top of us, resulting in us having to defend prolonged periods of pressure. We have to get back to basics – get 11 players on the pitch who are playing their correct positions and get back to what Rangers do best, playing free-flowing and attractive football. Firstly, I’d drop McGregor and bring back Alexander. I would also drop David Weir who’s distribution is amateurish and try Broadfoot as his long-term replacement. Deploy young McMillan at right back and Papac at left back. In midfield, I’d play Aaron, Davis, Mendes with Edu as the holding player and have Miller and Boyd/Lafferty as the front pairing. Having spent Ã?£3.5M on the lad, the least WS can do is deploy him through the middle rather than watch the lad rot on the left-wing. As the title says, supporting Rangers at the moment is like groundhog day. The above failings aren’t new; they have been evident and unresolved for nearly a decade now. We are staring down the barrel of losing 4 consecutive SPL titles and barring two dramatic, welcome and enjoyable last day triumphs, we’d be staring down the barrel of going almost 8 seasons without winning the title. Those two dramatic, welcome and enjoyable last day triumphs, like the UEFA Cup Final (and run to said final) last season have been nothing more than false dawns. It has been debated before, but it is worth reiterating, if we continue to buy run of the mill SPL players, we’ll continue to witness run of the mill SPL performances which will ensure that we gain run of the mill SPL results. We have nothing special within our ranks at the moment (not that we are witnessing anyway) and we have lost that aura that a great team appears to have. No SPL club are frightened of playing Rangers anymore, why should they be, we aren’t a great team and haven’t laden with great players. For those within our support who believe SDM’s lies and false promises and believe that football is cyclical, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it isn’t. Celtc broke our dominance due to hard work on the pitch and by finally getting a board that matched the ambitions of their fans. Say what you like about the MOPES and their board, but they have worked as a team, have deflected all the media attention on to us and have overtaken us both on and off the pitch. They are so far ahead, they are in danger of disappearing over the horizon. We’ll continue to be 2nd best until we change those who are in charge, or change the mindset of those currently in control. However, and again, this is groundhog day territory, we won’t ever invoke change as the vast majority still believe (unbelievably) that the current regime are the best way forward for Rangers. SDM and his lapdogs have cleverly pulled the wool over sections of our supporters eyes. They have managed to make the majority of us believe that protesting isn’t the ‘Rangers way’. They have convinced us that protesting is some how ‘The Celtc Way’. Well Bears, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Just ask Davie White and John Greig if protesting isn’t the ‘Rangers Way’. We invoked the biggest revolution in Scottish Football for Gods Sake. It was Rangers fans voicing concern of the direction of the club under the Marlborough’s and by demonstrating against the legendary John Greig and Jock Wallaces (2nd stint) managerial disasters. Lastly on this subject and the most ironic part, the vast majority of our support like to impart their Presbyterian believes to all comers, yet believe that protesting isn’t the ‘protestant way’…… In conclusion, if we don’t invoke the necessary changes in the leadership (sic) of our club, we’ll be sitting here writing (and reading) about the same deficiencies for the foreseeable future whilst our club continues its fall from grace and struggles to keep abreast with its bitter rivals. We’ll continue to witness players who are average at best and we’ll continue to struggle to win the SPL title. How long are you willing to wait until you force change? Will 4-in-a-row be your nadir? Or are you willing to wait a few years, give the current custodian more time to ruin this club? For this Bear, I’ll continue to fight for change at the top level in the club. I’ll continue to try and convince other fans that the time is right for change (a decade on their shadow should be enough for all of us). However, I fear more and more groundhog days ahead. Cammy F

SINGING just two lines of the notorious "Famine Song" amounts to racism, a court has ruled in a landmark case. At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Wednesday, a 20-year-old Rangers fan was found guilty of committing a breach of the peace during Rangers 4-0 victory over Killie on November 9. And procurator fiscal Les Brown successfully argued that by singing the lines "The famineââ?¬â?¢s over, why donââ?¬â?¢t you go home?" William Walls, of Glasgow, had associated himself with other, more offensive elements of the song. Walls, who had denied the offence, was remanded in custody until December 16 for social enquiry and community service reports. During the trial, Sheriff Iona McDonald heard that Walls was seen singing the chorus of the song and other offensive remarks during the game by stewards employed by Rangers FC. Nicola Tait, 24, said that one of her tasks was to monitor the Rangers support for sectarian behaviour, including the singing of the "Famine Song". "The ââ?¬Ë?Famine Songââ?¬â?¢ is one song that is not tolerated by Rangers," she told the court. Miss Tait ââ?¬â?? a club steward for the last three years ââ?¬â?? said that her instructions were to take the seat numbers of those guilty of sectarian behaviour and report them to Rangers for further action. Walls, she said, was seen on a number of occasions in the first and second halves standing up and singing. He did this particularly when other fans had stopped singing the song, in an effort to get them to continue. "He was up and down out his seat every two minutes," said Miss Tait. "He had been asked to sit down a few times by another steward." She had reported his seat number at half-time and later saw him being escorted up the stairs by another steward and two police officers. Fellow Rangers stead Michael Rennie, 38, also identified Walls as singing the two best-known lines of the "Famine Song". He was also "constantly in the aisle", singing the song. Two friends of Walls, who were at the game denied that their pal had sung the "Famine Song" or made any other sectarian comments. Both claimed that the "Famine Song" had been sung by only a "small minority" of Rangers fans ââ?¬â?? in contrast to the evidence of stewards that as many as 90 per cent of the Rangers support in Rugby Parkââ?¬â?¢s Moffat stand had taken part. Under cross-examination by Mr Brown, one defence witness ââ?¬â?? David Hopkins, 25, of Glasgow ââ?¬â?? admitted that he had previously been banned from Ibrox, Hampden and Celtic Park. Addressing Sheriff McDonald, Mr Brown argued that while it was accepted that, at most, Walls had sung only two lines of the "Famine Song", it would be clear to the majority of those there that it was "telling people from Ireland to go home". "That, in itself, is a racist sentiment," he said. BY contrast, Bob McDowall, defending, argued that that would require a "quantum leap" by the court. "Evidence is led that one or two lines are used and it is implied that the rest of the song is meant," he said. "Says who?" Mr McDowall described the case as "novel" and "a very serious matter". "Ireland and the Irish are not mentioned in that stanza," he pointed out. Earlier Sheriff McDonald rejected a defence submission that there was no case on answer on the ground that the description of Wallsââ?¬â?¢s conduct given in evidence could not amount to a breach of the peace. Finding Walls guilty, Sheriff McDonald told him that "given the whole context" his conduct was "likely to be generally alarming and very disturbing to others". After the verdict, Mr Brown revealed that the accusedââ?¬â?¢s record included previous convictions for a breach of the peace with a football aggravation and for an offence with racial aggravations. http://www.kilmarnockstandard.co.uk/ayrshire-news/news-east-ayrshire/kilmarnock-news/2008/11/26/rangers-fan-fined-over-singing-famine-song-at-rugby-park-81430-22348515/

try not to get too animated, its what he wants -- http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article5219609.ece?token=null&offset=12&page=1 Graeme Souness was right about one thing ââ?¬â? not a conclusion I reach often ââ?¬â? when he spoke about Sir David Murray. The chairman of Rangers, whatever else he has got wrong, ââ?¬Å?has gutsââ?¬Â, to quote Sounessââ?¬â?¢s famous testimony. In recent times, coinciding with his 20 years of owning Rangers, Murray has shown in various contexts that he will not go away quietly from Ibrox. Last week there was a weird accord found between Murray and John Reid, the Celtic chairman, even though Murray was supposed to be attacking his Old Firm opposite number. Reid had recently attacked a section of Rangers fans for being ââ?¬Å?racistââ?¬Â and ââ?¬Å?bigotedââ?¬Â ââ?¬â? hardly fresh charges ââ?¬â? and Murray, while defending his clubââ?¬â?¢s honour, in part agreed with Reid. To attack your own supporters ââ?¬â? now that does take courage. Yet when Murray told reporters that ââ?¬Å?so much is hard to defendââ?¬Â about this core of Ibrox diehards ââ?¬â? and this on top of his recent comment about the ââ?¬Å?bileââ?¬Â that comes from those same Rangers supporters ââ?¬â? it was clear that he is long past mincing his words. A part of Murray is being brutally honest here. Yes, so many problems in Scottish football are being laid at the door of Rangers FC, and perhaps it has looked unfair. The club have provided so much that is good in Scottish life ââ?¬â? you almost forget that aspect. But when Murray scoffed at the so-called ââ?¬Å?bad PRââ?¬Â of Rangers, as if the rioting in Manchester or the undying embers of bigotry are easy to talk up, you knew that he was tired of having to explain away the intellectual and economic underclass that has attached itself to his club. Murray then caused reporters to smile when he spoke about the sudden timidity of his severest critics at Rangers ââ?¬â? in part, because we have all been there and met them. A small group of Rangers fans are going demented in their passion to have Murray flung out of the Ibrox door and are as brave as lions when posting their angry, sub-literate ramblings in glorious anonymity on the web. ââ?¬Å?And you know what?ââ?¬Â Murray said. ââ?¬Å?I identified some of these guys and I went to meet them. And they were like mice.ââ?¬Â Well, you donââ?¬â?¢t say! In this whole debate, it is unfair to tar any group of football fans with the same brush. Rangers, like any club, have a healthy cross-section of supporters who just love their club and want to see them do well. These men and women are not really into the vague, unrefined, theologically ignorant passion for a sort of dumbed-down Protestantism that some of the Rangers supportersââ?¬â?¢ groups crave. And, more than anything, just like Murray, when you meet these latter groups of fans, you find they cannot really make their arguments stand up. A few years ago I went down to Ibrox to meet, among others, some representatives of the Rangers Supporters Assembly and the Rangers Supporters Trust. In an alarming number of them it was obvious that, lurking beneath was a quest to preserve ââ?¬Å?the tradition of Rangersââ?¬Â, a phrase that always seems to elude more specific definition. By this, of course, the real hardcore actually mean ââ?¬Å?a Protestant Rangersââ?¬Â, though they cannot quite articulate it as such. The more adept among them try to find more emollient phrases for this passion for ââ?¬Å?a Protestant Rangersââ?¬Â but, in this quest, vagueness and vacuity become their speciality. The truth is, it is hard trying to make the old ways sound acceptable in modern Britain. These are the people that Murray tires of, the people that he feels embarrass Rangers and hold the club back. Mercifully, they are confined to the internet bunkers, and are not taken seriously by a wider constituency of Rangers fans, but they are still down there festering away. In this context Rangers FC is ensnared between those (the majority, surely) who wish for a modern, progressive, liberal representation of their club, and those others who hanker hopelessly after the old days. The irony is that, when Murray does eventually sell Rangers, the new owner or owners, if the club has any luck, will belong to the new, modern breed. Can you imagine a Roman Abramovich or an American investor, born of the modern age with modern values, coming in to Rangers and banging on about 1690, King Billy and the rest of it? The very idea is laughable. Rangers FC is a great institution that does not deserve to be embarrassed or held back. And it wonââ?¬â?¢t be. Thank goodness, even in sport, the tide of modern thinking is too strong. And another thing... The party should be over for Old Firm goalkeepers Donââ?¬â?¢t you wonder what is going on with the Old Firmââ?¬â?¢s goalkeepers? From where I sit ââ?¬â? and the view is sometimes obscured ââ?¬â? Artur Boruc and Allan McGregor enjoy a party, preferably with beers to hand and a pretty girl on their lap. Boruc was pictured last week in the tabs happily chomping away on some female friend back in Poland, a cigar close to hand. Subsequently, the Pole shows up at Love Street to play St Mirren on Saturday and, not content with clattering Craig Dargo, goes around doing quite a bit of flapping at crosses and generally looking unconvincing. We saw a similar fuzziness earlier this season in McGregor, a man whom Walter Smith euphemistically said had ââ?¬Å?lost his focusââ?¬Â. Funnily enough, that focus also seemed to disappear while McGregor was living the high life. On that occasion, Smith, beginning to look like the general-secretary of the Temperance Society, decided to drop McGregor and ordered him to shape up. Both Smith and Strachan, I belive, are uneasy about taking lectures in morality from anyone in the media ââ?¬â? to be blunt, they know that we all like a bit of action ourselves Strachan, indeed, was all the more determined to select Boruc on Saturday, having sat through such earnest inquiries as ââ?¬Å?dââ?¬â?¢you think Arturââ?¬â?¢s mind is fully focused on the job, Gordon?ââ?¬Â the previous day. On such occasions I just think football managers have to play the Jim Baxter card. Slim Jim, it is widely attested, knew how to enjoy himself, but so long as he performed on the park, could anyone \ care? Not easily embarrassed I dare say that his critics would be hoping that ââ?¬Å?the poor crowdââ?¬Â at Hampden last Wednesday for the Scotland-Argentina game might be another stick with which to beat Gordon Smith, the SFA chief executive. But, like many of the so-called Smith failings, such criticism wouldnââ?¬â?¢t really stack up. A Hampden crowd of 33,000 for the Argentina game maybe wasnââ?¬â?¢t quite what the SFA had hoped for, but can it really be called a failure? Actually, it seemed not a bad figure for wet, mid-November at the beginning of a recession. Perhaps the SFA suffered a slight loss on the deal, but it wonââ?¬â?¢t have been enough to embarrass Smith, below. George Burley, too, was quite right to enjoy the occasion. With Holland looming in March, Scotland are much better facing Argentina than the usual Baltic dross.

Admittedly I’ve stolen the title for this article for Phil Thornton’s book (subline – The Tale Of A Terrace Cult) which highlights, details and explains the undeniable link between the three topics. You can also add politics to the title, but this gives the subject an even more controversial edge. This being Gersnet and with our readers being of a more mature and understanding nature and given the club we love, politics can’t be omitted from any article that links Rangers to fashion and fighting. It is understandable that many football fans chose to ignore the violence that once surrounded the beautiful game. However, if you are of a certain age, you’ll remember The Gorgie Skins, The Derry End (Ibrox Agro) the Aberdeen, Hibs, Rangers casuals and if your unlucky enough, you’ll never forget the football specials that were used to transport you to any given away ground. As well as the violence, the political leanings that tainted and tarnished some of this violence, the cutting edge of fashion wasn’t far away from the violence. The trend setters of football violence were also the trend setters for terrace culture and fashion as well. The first real group of hardened football hooligans that I can remember were the Gorgie Skins who followed Hearts all over the country. They were housed in the Gorgie End Shed at Tynecastle and were a battled hardened group who embraced Hearts as well as the Skinhead movement. These guys would look the part in their Harrington Jackets, Doc Martin boots, Fred Perry and Ben Sherman shirts and the skinheads signature braces. Some would be even more fearsome looking in their Crombie Ã?¾ length coats. There was no doubting their loyalty to Hearts, to SKA music and to showing that they were frightened or intimidated by following Hearts around Scotland. They were a notorious gang and not to be messed with. I remember going to Tynecastle to watch a Aberdeen v Dundee Scottish Cup semi-final and the Gorgie Skins made a special reappearance that day and gave the Aberdeen Casuals a warm welcome and a day that they’ll never forget. At this time, yours truly was a young punk who could be seen at Ibrox in his Doc Martins, Biker Jacket and [insert any punk groups name here] t-shirt. This was a look that was never fully appreciated at Ibrox, as Punks had a reputation of being ‘left-wing’, anti-establishment and anti-monarchy. I’ll never forget an older Bear witnessing my attire and telling me that my sort weren’t welcome at Ibrox. I don’t know what he could have meant by this comment! No doubt, the vast majority of Rangers fans hadn’t heard of ‘Oi’ at this time, an offshoot of punk that tended to be more right wing leaning and was a conglomerate of skinheads and punks. This movement throw out some wonderful bands like Blitz, Angelic Upstarts and The Cockney Rejects who went on to become a group that was attached to the West Ham ICF. NB - For footage of the above bands, see end of this article. The explosion of casuals hit Scotland a few years after England where football fans, especially those who followed Liverpool in Europe and found a new terrace culture and fashion. Gone were the long hair, sideburns, denim jackets, flares etc and in came ‘sportswear’. Lacoste, Sergio Techinni, Pringle, at el, the ‘new romantic’ type hair styles, trainers etc. This looked rubbed of on the ‘firms’ and they started to dress accordingly and to stand out from the crowd. The aim of the football casual wasn’t just to fight, but it was to look the part as well. They also dressed smartly to evade the Police and travelled to games in the luxury of British Rail Inter City Services (hence the famous ICF tag) rather than the cramped, urine stained, violent and at some points, life threatening! Football specials. My first encounter with casuals came at Hampden when Scotland entertained England. The Scotland fans gave the English the usual reception, but the game was notable for the racial abuse handed out by the Scottish fans to the coloured England players, and John Barnes in particular. Then there were the running battles between Scotland fans and the England casuals that spilled from the terraces to the city centre and even onto the trains out of Glasgow that evening. This is detailed in Cass Pennents brilliant ‘Congratulations : You’ve Met The ICF Book’. The worst examples of casual related violence I have witnessed was at Easter Road and Parkhead. Hibs are notorious for their firm and they have had many a battle was Rangers and Aberdeen (in particular) over the years. I can’t remember the exact year of this clash, but I’m sure it was an evening game, as as the Rangers buses inched towards Princess Street, it was dark and raining outside. Anyway, enough of the weather forecast – as the buses approached Princess Street, they were met by the Hibs Casuals who charged. The Rangers casuals were waiting between the buses and ambushed their Hibs counterparts. I remember that the Rangers ICF fired flares into the onrushing crowd and one long street battled ensued. Hibs must have underestimated the ‘normal’ Rangers fans reaction to the casuals. The ‘normal’ fans piled of the buses and joined in the melee. I have never seen this recounted in any of the casual based books that I have read. When Parkhead was being redeveloped, Rangers visited and were given the tiny end corner of a stand. On being led to the ground, the Rangers support were being attacked by Celtc fans who were being aided and abetted by their ‘casuals’. The Celtc casual has always been an oxymoron within the casual movement. They have been ridiculed in print (not just by Scottish firms, the Cardiff City Soul Crew also ridicule them) and they have been referred to as the I run Away and ‘catalogue casuals’. They have by all reports gotten a crew together recently and have had a few high-profile run-ins with the new Rangers ICF. Anyway, back to the matter in-hand. Just as this was about to get out of hand, the Rangers casuals came charging down Duke Street and helped the Rangers fans gain the upper hand. The Rangers casuals, or ICF as they preferred to be known as (although they are conceived as Rangers HMS – Her Majesties Service) are not spoken about on Rangers forums to any degree. Whilst this is somewhat understandable, to refuse to acknowledge their existence, or to somehow convince ourselves that they don’t or never have existed, is doing them a disservice. Anyone who has read the Rangers ICF book will get an understanding for the loyalty of these fans (same can be said of any casual of any club). They have had some major successes in their time, all highlighted and corroborated in their book. Lets not forget that proceeding the Rangers ICF, we did have a reputation of violence that was feared all over Scotland and in England. Just ask the residents of Chesterfield, Aston Villa (well Birmingham really) and I believe we are still the only support to have taken the Stretford End at Old Trafford.

Business As Usual The Rangers v Aberdeen game at the weekend was business as usual on so many levels. Rangers continued their dominance against The Sheep at Ibrox, now over 17 years since Dolly has won at Ibrox, the Red Scum yet again were allowed to sing their vile and repugnant songs with impunity and the officials continued their corrupt like refusal to enforce the laws of the game. Firstly, weââ?¬â?¢ll address the Rangers performance for the weekend. Whilst the 2-0 win was convincing and welcome, the performance, especially the first 45 minutes was shocking. We were devoid of ideas and looked very sluggish. In saying that, Ferguson was unlucky with a header from distance, Boyd had a couple of opportunities and it was refreshing given Aberdeenââ?¬â?¢s record at Ibrox, witnessing the officials turning a blind eye to handballs in the Aberdeen penalty area (more of this later). We did improve in the 2nd half and once we got the opening goal, we appeared to settle and apart from Mendes clearing from his own goal-line we were relatively untroubled. Boydââ?¬â?¢s well taken 2nd goal killed the game off as a contest and we eventually ran out easy winners. Once again we left a Rangers game discussing the officials refusal to enforce the laws of the game and all the major decisions going against Rangers. Firstly, anyone who watched the Celtc game in the early kick-off would have witnessed Boracââ?¬â?¢s assault that (unsurprisingly) lead to a yellow card. Only a Celtc player would have escaped a red card for this offence, and yet again, more evidence that the officials in this country are bordering on the corrupt. Then we role up to Ibrox to witness more baffling decisions where we should have had 2 penalties (at least) and Diamond was allowed to elbow Lafferty with no action taken. It canââ?¬â?¢t be coincidence that the only people inside Ibrox on Saturday that didnââ?¬â?¢t see all three offences were the officials? Surely they canââ?¬â?¢t be that ineffectual that all three of them missed all three controversial incidents? Are they really ineffectual or are they corrupt? This serious question has to be addressed as at the moment, the evidence points to them being something other than ineffectual. Aberdeen Ultras and Irony Off the pitch, Kenny McCaskill was present to witness the vile and repugnant chants emanating from the visiting fans but he appeared to be nonplussed and in no mood to take any action against these fans. It appears that the authorities are only interested in what WE sing ââ?¬â?? all other fans are free to sing what they want. A quick question that Iââ?¬â?¢d like to ask the Aberdeen Ultras (and general fans) is what their adopted hero Che Guevara would have to say regarding there disgusting chants mocking the dead (Ibrox Disaster song), the socially unfortunate and poverty stricken (In Your Glasgow Slums), the disabled (their new David Murray song and booing of the disabled Olympians)? Personally, I think the great Socialist thinker Che Guevara would be spinning in his grave and would cringe in the fact that these reptiles were celebrating others misfortunes in his name. FCUK You Celtc Youââ?¬â?¢ll Never Win Away I canââ?¬â?¢t be the only Rangers fans who thinks that the above chant will be redundant after tonightââ?¬â?¢s Champions League games. Celtc travel to Aalborg knowing that a defeat will see them eliminated from Europe completely and need a victory to ensure that their European participation isnââ?¬â?¢t ended before the final group game. We all know that they have one of the, if not the worst away record in the CL, but tonight offers them their best chance of gaining 3 away points. Itââ?¬â?¢s heartening to read that our unbiased media have put this awful away record down to nothing more than a ââ?¬Ë?jinxââ?¬â?¢. Funny that, I thought it was all down to terrible performances, terrible team and tactic selections etc. Hopefully their ââ?¬Ë?jinxââ?¬â?¢ will strike again tonight, but as I said above, I believe that they will have too much for the Danes. In saying that, at least they canââ?¬â?¢t count on the assistance of the officials to get them out of sticky situations. Cammy F

If there is one subject matter that should concern all Rangers fans, it’s that of representation for our opinions and how we can affect the running of the club. Unfortunately, like many aspects of Rangers nowadays, the organisations involved appear disjointed and poorly organised while suffering from a lack of true unity and strong leadership. Over the next fortnight, Gersnet looks to examine the status quo; give you the chance to offer your opinion (via a short survey) and use your comments as well as those from experienced representatives to analyse the issue in full. http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/312515805?-11344 Link to survey is within main site article. Only 15 questions so please take a few minutes to take part.

Given that we entertain our friends from the North East at Ibrox this weekend, I thought that it may be a good time to examine the intense rivalry that this fixture generates, both in the present day and in the bygone days of yore. Generally, I believe that since the nineties, we have (and the OF in general) have left Aberdeen in our shadow and for this Bear, the intensity of this game has dropped several notches. Don’t get me wrong, I still lookout for this fixture and still enjoy the passion that it generates and it still gives me an extra pleasure defeating the Dons (almost as pleasant as defeating the MOPES). I believe that most Rangers fans will share this opinion and would believe that the rivalry is fast becoming a ‘one-way street’. Sections of the Aberdeen fans still look at us as the ‘hated enemy’, the one team that they want to be victorious over every time they play us. In fact, they still sing to the MOPES : ‘We Hate Rangers More than You’. Was this rivalry always as one sided? You bet it wasn’t. When I first started attending Rangers games regularly, the New Firm of Aberdeen and Dundee UTD were the ‘teams to beat’ and were ahead (footballing wise) of the Old Firm. Given this, they would regularly defeat Rangers both home and away. Trips to Tannidice were never fraught with danger, they never generated a poisonous atmosphere, they were just normal run of the mill games. In fact, in the early 80’s the same could be said of trips to Pittodrie. This fixture would see Rangers supporters clubs travelling up to Aberdeen and staying over in or around the city and enjoying a Saturday night out on the town. Everything in the Aberdeen garden was rosy around this time, they were the top dogs and whilst they were rubbing our noses in it on the pitch, they appeared to at least tolerate us, if not welcome us, into their city prior and post match. Now, like any city centre on a Saturday night, there were a few scuffles as drunk fans clashed with locals, a few full blown fights would also be witnessed, but like I said, this was true of all town centres at the weekends. It has to be pointed out here, and in no way am I condoning the violence, but there were ‘fist fights’ that were generally over before they begun. So what happened to change this situation? Some people point to the Durrant / Simpson incident (it certainly didn’t help matters). Some (especially Aberdeen fans) point to an incident where Willie (Bud) Johnston appeared to stand on the neck of an Aberdeen player (John McMaster if my memory serves me correctly). Some will point to the birth of the much maligned (and blamed for almost all football related violence) the football casuals. Some will also remember and point to the violent scenes during and after the Rangers v Aberdeen game at Ibrox in 1985-1986 were Aberdeen won 3-0 and two Rangers players were sent off. During the game, Rangers fans from the East Enclosure invaded the pitch and after the game, I witnessed the 2nd worst example of violence I have ever encountered at a game. The Rangers fans streamed out Ibrox before fulltime and a large number gathered behind the Broomie where the Aberdeen fans were housed and as soon as they were released, the gathered Rangers fans steamed in and gave them what can only be described as a ‘good seeing to’. Again, I am not condoning this violence, but it is an example of how intense this rivalry was. The pitch invasion can be viewed here [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUkUSDLH45k&feature=related]YouTube - Ibrox pitch invasion 1985[/ame] In truth, the rivalry had been building over the years and all of the above played their part in perpetrating this rivalry, but it was to at its most intense after a certain Mr David Holmes brought in a certain Mr Graeme Souness as Rangers manager. This bold decision changed the face of Scottish Football and the sleeping giant that was Rangers FC was finally awakened. We were no longer 3rd or 4th best, we were back where we belonged. Normal service had been restored. We all know that we finally won our first league title in a decade when we secured a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie – this coupled with Celtc’s shock 2-1 home defeat by Falkirk – meant Rangers were CHAMPIONS. The game is famous for so many things – Butchers goal, Souness’ red card and the jubilant scenes after the game. Personally, I’ll never forget this day as long as I live. Not just for the above, but for the generosity of a few Aberdeen fans (yip, you’ve read that correctly). Four of us had gone up to the game and only I had a ticket. The other three couldn’t get a ticket prior to the game, so I sold mine (face value) to another Bear and me and my 3 mates trudged to a ‘carry-out’ shop to get some beer and trudge to the hill that overlooks Pittodrie. There were hundreds of Rangers fans up there and a wee party ensued. If you watch the footage below of the game, wee Durranty wheels away after the goal and ‘celebrates’ the goal with those up on the hill (or so we’d like to think). Anyway, at halftime, all those of the hill walked down to Pittodrie and joined forces with hundreds of other fans at the Aberdeen end trying to negotiate entry! The Police were actually OK as they told us that they would allow us access to the ground if and when Rangers won the league. They would hold us there and allow us access when the Aberdeen fans had left. As they were conveying this, a door was being opened to allow more Police to leave the ground and ‘watch’ those gathered around the Aberdeen end. The Rangers fans saw their opportunity, and charged the gate. The sheer numbers forced the gate open and we ran into the stadium with the Police giving chase. I was helped up into the stand and was sat amongst the Aberdeen fans by two elderly ‘Dons’. Thanks to them, I and my 3 friends witnessed the majority of the 2nd half and the celebrations in their entirety : [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPkaTZ_qT24]YouTube - Aberdeen v Rangers (2 May 1987) - 1/3[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LD7giiV-aM&feature=related]YouTube - Aberdeen v Rangers (2 May 1987) - 2/3[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LD7giiV-aM&feature=related]YouTube - Aberdeen v Rangers (2 May 1987) - 3/3[/ame] During the early 90’s Rangers were in the infancy stages of what would turn out to be out 9-in-a-row era and whilst Celtc were self-destructing on and off the field, Aberdeen became our main on and off the field rivals. This saw some titanic battles not only in the league, but in both domestic cup competitions - none more so that the two fantastic league cup games that ended 3-2 to Rangers and a Rangers penalty shoot-out victory after a brilliant 3-3 draw. Rangers fans of my generation and older will also remember the game that won us the league in 1990-1991 – Aberdeen came into the final game of the season ahead of Rangers on points (we had just lost 3-0 to Motherwell the previous week) and had to endure the loss of our captain Terry Butcher and our manager Graeme Souness earlier in the season. Walter Smith was the man appointed by David Murray to ensure that we secured our 3rd consecutive title. Given the slip up at Motherwell the week before, this wasn’t a formality. Aberdeen went into the game needing just a point. Rangers went into the game with injury worries and these increased during the game and Tom Cowan actually played part of the game with a broken leg. Nigal Spackman captained the team to a wonderful 2-0 victory with the much maligned Mark Hateley scoring both goals. His opener was a joy to behold. Mark Walters swung in a beautiful cross and Hateley rose magesitcally to rise above Alex McLeish and slam an unstoppable header into the roof of the net – cue bedlum around Ibrox.

Nearly More Crucial Points Dropped I canââ?¬â?¢t quiet believe what I witnessed at Ibrox on Saturday afternoon and I believe that I am entitled to expect more from my football team than we were served up, especially after the promising start to the game. Having surged into a 2-0 lead after 10 minutes whilst playing some very attractive football, instead of ramming home the advantage, we took our foot off the accelerator and thankfully, St Mirren didnââ?¬â?¢t respond to our lacklustre display until the final 10 minutes. Even given St Mirrenââ?¬â?¢s reluctance to capitalise on our growing deficiencies, they almost claimed a point from the game. Some of the ââ?¬Ë?footballââ?¬â?¢ I witnessed from Rangers in the 2nd half was amateurish in the extreme. We are unable to retain possession from throw-ins, we insist on bringing every player back for corners (which encourages teams to thro more men forward which in turn results in more pressure and when we clear the ball, it comes straight back at us ââ?¬â?? no out ball), we contrived to miss chance after chance (Miller and Novo being most capable), then for long periods of the game, we were unable to string 2 passes together. All this resulted in our opponents growing in confidence and realising that we were there for the taking. The game should have been over as a contest in the first half. If we had continued in the same vein as we started the game, we could have destroyed St Mirren and avoided those nervy scenes as the end. We must improve significantly for our upcoming fixtures. We must learn to put games beyond our opponents when we are on top. We have Aberdeen at Ibrox, Hearts at Tynecastle and DUFC at Tannidice looming on the horizon and if we offer them the chance to take points from us, they will gladly oblige. As our next game as against our foes from the frozen north, I hope all Rangers fans that make their way to Ibrox on Saturday take their singing voices with them. This is one of the few remaining games that guarantees and generates a decent atmosphere and undoubtedly, Sheepy will regale us with their vile Neil Simpson and Ibrox disaster songs. Lets ensure that we drown them out and sing our heroes onto victory. Beyond Inept, Bordering on Corrupt So once again Celtc are the beneficiaries of a dubious decision on Sunday that enabled them to defeat a plucky Hamilton side who looked ââ?¬Ë?untroubledââ?¬â?¢ until the refereeââ?¬â?¢s assistant intervened and convinced the referee that it would be a good idea to award Celtc a penalty for a foul committed clearly outside the penalty area. If this wasnââ?¬â?¢t a serious issue, it would be laughable. Celtc are now getting these types of decisions on a weekly basis, and whilst this is obvious to one and all, the SFA, SPL or referee supervisors are doing NOTHING about it. In fact, they appear to be happy with this level of incompetence, or given the level of ââ?¬Ë?incompetenceââ?¬â?¢, then they appear to be happy with this level of corruptness. Now, we understand that officials get things wrong ââ?¬â?? they are only human after all. However, to continually get these decisions so wrong, then there is something else afoot. As I said above, I believe that Celtc have benefited from a dubious decision in almost every SPL game this season (whether its them getting a penalty, a dubious goal or the opposition being reduced to 10 men, having a perfectly good goal chopped off), and we have been on the wrong side of these type of decisions in almost every SPL game weââ?¬â?¢ve played in. This hasnââ?¬â?¢t been happening just this season, there was evidence of this at the business end of last season as well. As well as the footballing authorities reluctance to highlight / investigate these ââ?¬Ë?one wayââ?¬â?¢ dubious decisions, our unbiased press have also decided to stay shtoom (for a change). In the run up to Helicopter Sunday, Rangers were awarded a penalty at Tynecastle that TV replays proved was a correct decision. After this game, the media asked for everyoneââ?¬â?¢s comments on the decision, including Celtc manager Martin Oââ?¬â?¢Neill. One commentator even went as far as to state that the SPL title was ââ?¬Ë?tainted by the stench of cheatingââ?¬â?¢. Thatââ?¬â?¢s right folks, after one correct decision, the SPL titled was tainted by cheating. The assistant referee involved was hounded for days and weeks. His family were attacked in the street, his personal details were posted on internet sites, there were double page spreads on the ââ?¬Ë?red topsââ?¬â?¢ and Celtc demanded that said official wasnââ?¬â?¢t to officiate any of their games. Isnââ?¬â?¢t it amazing that after the furore that surrounded this ONE decision that nothing has been said or printed about the weekly decisions that are now going Celtcââ?¬â?¢s way? Sir David Murray / Martin Bain Given the evidence of the above, you, like me, may be surprised that SDM or his lap-dog Martin Bain havenââ?¬â?¢t entered into this debate and asked the relevant bodies, the relevant questions. OK, that was slightly tongue in cheek, as we all know that unless either of their names has been tarnished, or if they are asked to blacken our reputation any further, theyââ?¬â?¢ll not say anything to anyone. I still canââ?¬â?¢t fathom how both still have the support of the majority of Rangers supporters after asset stripping of our beloved club. However, if the rumours reaching me are correct, January might just be the month that reverses that support. Given our dire financial state, coupled with our failure to reach a European competition on this season, we desperately require to raise some money in January. We are likely to receive bids for Mendes (Redknapp wants him at Spurs and Mendes has a release clause in his contract ââ?¬â?? yip, well done again Mr Bain), Marseilles will bid for Bougherra and I believe that Mr Redknapp may also bid for McGregor is his bid to land Shay Given from Newcastle fails. If you are as sceptical of our custodian as I am, nothing will come as a surprise in January. If you arenââ?¬â?¢t as sceptical as myself, well, youââ?¬â?¢ve been warned. Cammy F ââ?¬â?? Support The Dublin Loyal - WATP

Carrying on from Frankie’s brilliantly written and though provoking article, Rangers FC, A House Of Cards - http://www.gersnetonline.net/vb/showthread.php?t=8803 I thought that I would add to the dreachness of the morning by trying to establish why or club appear to be determined to hand the SPL title to Celtc. As I said in my rants early in the week, we are consistently inconsistent and I can’t remember a time where I have been as frustrated at our form as I am at this moment. Sure there have been times when we have been worse than this, there is no doubting this, but the frustration comes about having witnessed this squad dismantle Celtc at Parkhead, Hibs at Easter Road whilst playing a brand of football synonymous with Rangers Football Club. Then we have had to endure the dross served up at Love Street, Falkirk Stadium and last night at Fir Park. Once again last night we started with little urgency thus allowing our opponents to settle into the game and dictate the pace and flow of the game. Motherwell are a physical team and were quite happy with the ball being leathered from one corner of Fir Park to another. That is their strength, and it is also our weakness. We are outnumbered, out-muscled and more worryingly, out-played on the midfield area for the entire 90 minutes last night. We played to Motherwell’s strengths and had no-one either in the dug-out or on the pitch who had the capacity to change our tactics and play to our strengths. There has been a trend recently where when we are struggling to impose ourselves in games that we revert to the high ball / long ball game. This plays right into the hands of the opposition. 2 towering centre halves (the prerequisite for SPL teams these days), backed up with physical full-backs and tough tackling midfield players, lap this up. What they don’t like is football being played round about them. So instead of dominating games, establishing our pace, footballing ability, we get dragging into a war of attrition and inevitably drop points. So how is to blame for this trend? The players have to take their share of the responsibilities, but the management team appear to lack the leadership required to ensure that we can start a game with the necessary urgency to stamp our authority on proceedings. I understand that we have no divine right to win any game, we have to earn the right to win games and titles. However, I believe as we have been weakened on the pitch, teams in the SPL are no longer intimidated whilst playing Rangers. In our prime, we carried an aura with us – we weren’t invincible, but teams knew when they played Rangers, we are capable of destroying them playing football, but had the players who could and would stand up to a physical battle. Ian Ferguson, Stuart McCall, Nigel Spackman, Graham Roberts, Richard Gough, Terry Butcher, John Brown, Mark Hateley – all fantastic football players, but also players who wouldn’t be frightened to go toe-to-toe with anyone of the nature of the game demanded it. Those type of players won their battles and allowed players like Gazza, Laudrup, Walters, Wilkins, McCoist, et al to then play the football that would win us the games. Quite simply, we don’t have that mix at the moment, and clearly, we don’t have that quality at our disposal either. Currently, we are deploying 4 centre-halves in our back four. Our midfield consists of 3 centre midfield players and a front man pitched in for good measure. Our front two try hard and have differing qualities, but to be honest, neither of them score the crucial goals that win you games like last night on a consistent enough basis. We have played the majority of this season with absolutely no width in the team. Opposition managers know this and use it to there advantage, There were times last night where you could have thrown a blanked over our 11 players, they were so narrow and so close together. Walter Smith has another frustrating trait – his use of substitutions. Firstly, some are mind-boggling in the extreme and almost all of them are never a simple ‘straight swap’. Take last night as an example – Novo for Lafferty – looked like the correct move at the time (maybe 5 or 10 minutes later than expected, but the correct move none-the-less). Anyway, on comes Novo to play wide left? No, Novo moves into the centre, Miller moved out left? In saying that, the above deficiencies, whilst being glaring, are not unfixable. Compare them to the gross incompetence of the officials and they pail into insignificance (however, they are the only deficiencies that we have complete control over). The standards of refereeing and assistant refereeing in the SPL this season have been disgraceful bordering on the corrupt. It is safe to say that we have fallen foul to at least one controversial / crucial decision in almost everyone of our SPL games this season (another perfectly good goal wrongly chopped of last night) and at the same time, Celtc have been the beneficiaries of at least one controversial and crucial in almost everyone of their SPL games. I don’t think that the above statement sounds paranoid, as there are facts, pictures, video footage et al to back these claims up. So what can be done about these? Well, our club could be doing a better job in highlighting these decisions. We hear / see every other SPL manager (and in Celtc’s case, Chairman et al) banging on about all the decisions that go against them, so why not us? Well, I’ll tell you why not us, our Chairman doesn’t care. Ask him for a quote about the big, bad Rangers fans singing songs, or posting on websites and its ‘pens and Dictaphones at the ready’, I’ll give you enough to fill a 100 papers. Ask him to defend us, or challenge officials who are bordering on the corrupt? Silence is golden in Murray Towers. So, in conclusion, have we thrown away the league title this early in the season? Well, on current form, it’s impossible to believe that we can go to places like Tannidice, Tynecastle (both loaming large on the horizon), Pittodrie et al and gaining 3 points. It’s hard to see where Celtc are going to drop points. We are looking at an OF game at Xmas that could see us a trailing them by 4 points (at least) and stacks enormous pressure on us to deliver a performance and a result. Lose that game and it could be all over bar the shouting. Where does that leave Walter and his staff? Well, losing a 4th consecutive league title would be catastrophic, and I’d like to believe that it would mean (yet another) change in manager. Tough times ahead folks and we must no witness leadership from the top – are we going to get it? As is the case with Mr Murray’s last decade in charge at Ibrox, we are left with more questions than answers. Cammy F

Just had a look at the thread starting "Davie Cooper tattoos" and saw a guy with a really big tattoo of Bochum(from Germany) and Rangers f.c. It got me wondering just how many football teams around the world Rangers are closeley associated with. The Bochum one i never knew about as in Germany i always thought Rangers fans had an affinity with SV Hamburg fans. So, anyone care to give us a few teams Rangers fans tend to lean towards?

Not a Rangers topic per se but relevant to current affairs: Only two weeks past Peter Lawwell and John Reid prevaricated to their shareholders (and anyone else made aware of their comments) that they only had a ‘tiny, tiny minority’ of fans who sung ‘political’ songs that are only offensive to ‘some’ people. Chairman John Reid also preferred to strangely concentrate on supporters of other clubs instead of addressing the very real issue of sectarianism within large sections of his own fan-base. His prevarication and ignorance has now been highlighted in the strongest terms by Strathclyde Police, the Procurator Fiscal and Scottish judicial system as a Celtic fan is convicted of religiously aggravated crimes. What now for the sectarian song-book of Celtic fans? For those unaware of the latest happenings, Celtic supporter Michael Devlin was convicted after wearing a t-shirt with ‘dirty horrible huns’ scrawled over the back of the clothing while being present near Ibrox on the night of the UEFA Cup Final (more info via ‘The Herald’ report here). Considering that at last count Celtic sing at least four different songs about ‘huns’ – both home and away – it will be fascinating to see how , not only the Celtic administration handle this situation, but the SPL Disciplinary Committee, UEFA and Scottish police forces as the country’s courts system finally join Northern Ireland in declaring the term to be unlawful. Scarves featuring the ‘No Huns in Europe’ slogan have already been banned from stadiums this season so it is clear that behind the scenes work is being done to ensure parity is finally being bestowed upon the Celtic supporters who hypocritically complained about the use of the literally identical word ‘fen!an’. These complaints eventually resulted in similar censures for Rangers FC and their fans. While it is obvious to any sane person that such terms may only be a result of local tribal rivalry as opposed to genuine sectarian hatred, Celtic supporters – led by Graham Spiers and other public figures – have set the temperature in this political climate so it will be interesting to view their reaction to one of their own being subject to the rules they asked for. Going by comments in other articles, it seems as usual, deflect and deny is their usual tactic. Excuses are made about the origins of the term while they forget that it’s not just Rangers fans they sing it to but teams (and people) with perceived religious affiliations. A direct breach of the SPL Rules – not to mention the Criminal Justice Act – hence the earlier conviction. One only needs attend any run of the mill SPL football match and you’ll hear the term being used again and again (“Artur Boruc Hates the Huns”, “Go Home Ya Huns”, ‘No Huns in Europe”, “Mike McCurry is a Hun” are just some songs with this vile word in them) . A cursory visit to any of their internet forums or fanzines also sees the term used frequently. Add in the continuing disgusting and unacceptable ‘political’ songs glorifying the past sectarian activities of the IRA, then at last the offensive songbook of the Celtic bigots may at last be removed from football stadia. Is there really being progress made on this front? Will Celtic fans and Celtic FC be as progressive and as forward thinking as Rangers in their attack on the people who sing these songs of hate? Unfortunately, the denial from Lawwell and the deflection from Reid – as well as the faux defence of this discriminatory word from the less forward thinking of their fans - means there are still obviously more questions than answers at this stage. But, I won’t apologise for saying, we told you so.

Well what can I say? Words can't describe how we all felt on Saturday. We all want to thank everyone at Rangers for arranging the great day for us all and the fans for the best reception. What a way to end our home coming week of parades in Ayr, Glasgow & Penicuik! Saturday was the best day of our lives. Amazing! But it's not just about us who were there on Saturday, it's about those who are less fortunate than ourselves who have came back from active service with injuries or maybe not came back at all, our thoughts go out to them all - and their loved ones. I'd urge all Rangers fans to wear their poppies with pride and to buy the number one single 'Hero', as all money raised will go towards new facilities for those who need them. Once again I just want to say thanks to all at Rangers, including the fans and to wish Walter, Ally & Barry all the best in bringing the treble back home, where it belongs. Jamie Porter, 1RHF (2 Scots) My thanks go to Rangers FC and Mr Murray in particular for taking the lead and inviting the members of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 5th battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland to the match on Saturday. This was a wonderful gesture and I hope other clubs in the UK follow our example. Will McArthur I am a soldier from the Argyll's and I held the Scottish Cup in the centre circle at Ibrox at half time in Rangers' 5-0 win over Inverness. Thanks for letting us be a part of an amazing day and a big thank you to all the Gers supporters that welcomed the troops home. Chris Taggart I'm currently serving with the Royal Highland Fusiliers which is a Glasgow and Ayrshire regiment. I'm over the moon that Rangers made it a special day for the soldiers that have just returned from Afghanistan and I hope that the club will continue to support our troops. William Wilson I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to the players and officials of Rangers FC for their magnanimous gesture to our servicemen and women. The decision to host a tribute to our servicemen and women at Saturday's game was a magnificent gesture and one that the Club and its supporters can be justly proud of. As a lifelong Gers fan with a son serving in the Royal Marines Commando, I'm personally delighted that Rangers FC organised this tribute, especially so close to Armistice Day. I trust everyone will 'dig deep' and buy a poppy. Well done Rangers! Calvin Spence

Walter Smith’s recent outburst decrying Rangers fans for spouting bile on websites has come as a huge slap in the face for decent majority of Rangers fans who use modern technology to discuss the club they support and allow them the freedom to express opinions and facts to fellow supporters. His words seem clichÃ?©d from other sources, such as those that have a perpetual agenda against Rangers fans, and the press who fuel this as it is easy to sensationalise twisted, negative interpretations of Rangers fans actions to sell newspapers with highly provocative headlines. It seems obvious to some he has been press-ganged into making this statement to give an impression that Rangers are actively fighting what to some self interested quarters is perceived as a great social issue. However, it is also obvious that he is very ignorant of the facts and has not personally experienced any of the forums that he is quick to demonise. He is jumping on a bandwagon he knows nothing about and allowing himself to be influenced by what is clearly a propaganda exercise. The anti-web slant could also be influenced by the fact that the freedom of exchange of knowledge and opinions, had allowed many supporters to be far more informed about the running of the club as well as clearing up many misconceptions. This has subsequently led to a melt-down of his employer’s popularity among the general support, making life for Sir David Murray much more difficult and less enjoyable. The recent pressure on the chairman to answer difficult questions at the AGM is an example, showing a complete contrast to the stage managed, party convention-esque affairs of the past, that used to massage his ego. It’s no wonder the once greatly admired figurehead would like to eradicate his dissidents, and demonising them and their communications medium is a first step. I'm sure there are plenty of bigots on around the forums for all clubs but I'm even more sure from experience, that by far the majority are very decent. To hit out at fans and slander the majority for simply communicating with other is ludicrous and only serves to alienate a huge number of good fans who feel totally insulted. Not only that Walter’s comments also seem to be lacking in any understanding of the medium and what the fans are actually saying, chanting or singing. He should learn this before making ill informed comments and when he does comment, he should word it carefully to be targeted instead of tarring so many with the same brush. He needs to be clear who and what he is talking about and give proper and valid examples. There are countless Celtic fans who seem to take offence at pretty much EVERYTHING Rangers fans do or say, and actively look for ways to interpret everything in an offensive light, and then report them to whatever authorities they can get to listen to them. This is then taken up by the media and blown out of all proportion. What no-one does is stop to think what the words of chants and songs, actually mean - what is the intention and what they are aimed at? No-one even thinks to actually ask Rangers fans these kind of questions: as demonstrated on a BBC news article about what is being labelled the “Famine Song,” where a highly offended leader a Celtic supporters group was interviewed, but no Rangers supporter who actually sang the song was questioned. The reporters were happy to tell the public what the song was about without any inside knowledge of the semantics which, when looked at objectively, are too sparse and ambiguous to interpret without proper understanding of the context. But as they say, “Why let the truth get in the way of a good story.” Unfortunately, it seems that it is this style of reporting that Rangers officials are acquiring all their knowledge of the subject from. The powers at be at Ibrox subsequently seem to have no finger on the pulse and come across as not only a bit dim at times, but totally out of touch as well as lacking any interest or sensitivity to where the fans are coming from. Comments like Walter’s really need to be fully informed and highly qualified, instead of woolly demonising using clichÃ?©d buzz words, presented to him with prejudiced views either designed to harm the reputation of Rangers fans, or to sell sensationalised news stories. I always believe that you cannot criticise anyone unless you have some understanding of what they are actually doing and what their motivations really are. For those who are interested, the Famine song is a satirical reference to the strange way that Scottish Celtic supporters with British passports rebrand themselves as Irish, and falsely claim to be descendents of immigrants that came from Ireland due to the famine. This is despite the fact that immigration from Ireland was very low during that terrible and very sad disaster. Their songs contain irrelevant references to the famine and many other songs attack the United Kingdom as a country. The Famine song reminds them that although they hate the UK, they no-longer need to live here if they don’t want to, as their reason for leaving their beloved homeland no longer applies. Basically the song takes the Mick out of “Plastic Paddies” who claim to hate their own country. How that can be interpreted as sectarian or racist is beyond me - even if “Plastic Paddy” was a bona fide religion or race, effectively saying, “It’s ok now, you can go home,” is about the most gentle of rebukes you will encounter in a football stadium. For those that pick up on the word "famine", and tell us that Rangers fans are sick for mentioning it, are only displaying the same kind of over-sensitivity that had people decrying "Baa Baa Black Sheep" as racist. I used to think WS was a wise and intelligent man, but now he appears like an old sheep or out of touch senior citizen, who believes whatever propaganda is put in front of him. The club should definitely be fighting against real sectarianism, but patronising lip service is never going to work and only going to wind up the decent fans and even have a negative effect on the less enlightened minority who verge on casual 90 minute bigotry. You will never get anyone to change for the better by chastising them when they know they have done nothing wrong. You will only succeed in insulting their intelligence. Proper dialogue is necessary between the club and fans on these issues, as well as an extensive, open-minded, national debate that clarifies the real demarcation between sectarianism and what is just club rivalry.

KRIS Boyd today revealed how embracing the futuristic fitness regime at Rangers has helped him get in the shape - and form - of his life. Boyd has often been criticised for his lack of mobility and his dubious workrate during his two-and-a-half often fantastic, but frequently frustrating, seasons at Ibrox. Yet, his critics - and there are still a fair few despite his hugely impressive strike rate - have been unable to level that accusation at him in recent weeks. For the 25-year-old has contributed far, far more to the Glasgow club's cause than just goals during the 2008/09 campaign. Indeed, after his double in the 3-1 win over Hamilton at New Douglas Park in the SPL last weekend, Rangers manager Walter Smith declared Kris was in the best physical condition he has ever been in. And the enigmatic player has told how working with Adam Owen, the Head of Sports Science at Murray Park, has been responsible for turning him into a far more complete all-round footballer. Former Welsh professional Owen has introduced a wide range of modern training methods since arriving at Rangers from Sheffield Wednesday shortly after Smith returned last year. Boyd said: "With Adam here at Rangers, every aspect of our fitness and diet is closely monitored and I, along with all of the boys at the club, have definitely benefited from that. "They can put whatever training programmes and fitness regimes in front of you they like, but, at the end of the day, it isn't going to be any use to you if you if you don't want to do it. "In the last three or four months I have really got my head down and probably worked as hard as I have ever done in training. Now I am starting to reap the rewards of that in the matches I am playing. "You get out of the game what you put into it and that has definitely been the case with me in recent weeks. Hopefully, I will continue to do well and score goals in the weeks and months ahead. "With the players we have in the team here we are always going to create chances. It is my responsibility to put them away and so far I have been doing that. "It was a good to get back into the team against Hamilton after a pretty long lay-off and it has been great to score in my last two games. With any luck, that is me up and running now. "There are so many good strikers here at the club that I know that if I stop producing the goods then there will be somebody there on the sidelines waiting to take my place in the team." That fate will not happen any time soon if the former Kilmarnock hit man manages to maintain the purple patch of form he is currently enjoying. He scored the opening goal in his side's straightforward Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final win over Hamilton at Ibrox on Tuesday night to take his tally for the season to seven. And he is almost certain to start against Inverness Caley Thistle tomorrow in what will be his team's first league match at home since they played Motherwell over five weeks ago on September 21. Who plays up front alongside Kris, though, is more of a dilemma for Gers manager Smith now with a clutch of top players all vying for a place in the starting line-up. Boyd played in tandem with Jean-Claude Darcheville in midweek and partnered both Kenny Miller and substitute Nacho Novo to good effect last weekend. In addition, Kyle Lafferty who scored a great header against Accies, has once again stated his desire to move from the left of midfield and play up front in the future. However, Kris, who grew up in Ayrshire supporting Rangers, is totally unconcerned who he is in the team with - just as long as he gets a game. He stressed: "I am happy to play with whoever the manager wants to play me with. The most important thing as far as I am concerned is just playing." Many Rangers fans would like to see Boyd given a prolonged run in the team alongside Miller as they feel the pair have different strengths and would complement each other. He said: "Every time I have played up front with Kenny I have felt we have done well together. I certainly enjoy playing with him. I think that, as a partnership, we have done well. "Hopefully, we can stay injury free and get the chance to play together soon to build on our understanding. I think we can definitely play well together." http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2464739.0.0.php