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there's no doubt someone or something was sufficiently under fire in andy's article. i think it was quite easy to take from it that anyone with reservations about the hutton affair was laughably, ridicously nuts. as someone with reservations about the hutton affair, though i make no pretense at general mental wellness, i think i dont really fall into that group. i do think its fair to say when we have less than all the facts, there is room for healthy speculation - otherwise quantum mechanics would've destroyed science, and the economy would fall. but this speculation was, andy said, just gossip. he seemed to be saying more than that those who believed all the speculation as fact were Not Quite Right; he seemed to be saying that any wandering beyond the received facts at all was unhealthy. this all struck me as quite familiar - the fans reaction to the hutton affair, the different sorts of reaction, were quite like the worldwide reaction to 9/11. if it seems like quite far fetched, give me a second. there seemed to be people who believe all the 9/11 conspiracies, no matter how far fetched or contradictory, and they tend to believe them loudly. i think there are rangers fans who are willing to see all the evil conspiracies about the transfer saga, no matter how far fecthed and contradictory, and they tend to believe them all very loudly, on radio programmes and the like. i think though the wording of the article went further, these are the sorts of people andy had in mind. it tends to be these sort of people who disregard people who think there is no conspiracy as puppets of the evil mastermind (be it bush, the cia, or murray) which also accounts for andy's quite defiant stance. but this defiant stance seemed quite like the response to 9/11 that says if you dont believe exactly the given story then you are a conspiracist nutjob. any speculation beyond exactly the given facts is troublemaking/gossip etc. that is, they take the super conservative view defiantly. now if we've learned anything from the many studies into the psychology of conspiracy theorists and their imaginings, and the thing i think is important to this discussion of the hutton saga, is that conspiracy theories and theorists arise when the human imagination is forced to wander because there is a) a precedent for lies in the official story, and b) there isn't full disclosure of the facts. the kind of stuff that would show the far fetched ridiculousness of some of the stories also happens to be classified, or not available (usually for decent reason). andy's probably right that its to play into the media's hands to turn into a mumbling club-hater without the relevant facts, positing the wildest of speculations as if they had actually be shown to be true, phoning in radio programmes and making an arse of yourself. that said, its likewise to play into the media's hands to never ever speculate from the facts as given, especially when there is a precedent of lies ("I will buy a striker from my own pocket") and there isn't full disclosure of the facts ("Excuse me, Mr Murray, when you inevitably talked to Hutton about this, what was your position, and how did you put it?"). you have to use your intution, and make conclusions that are willing to go further than exactly what we know, but without rabidly holding these conclusions as if they were obvious to all and sundry. i think the biggest problems the rangers fans face at this time are a) apathy, and b) disorganisation/disunity. we are calling out for people who will have strong opinions - andy has his, the punters on the phonelines have theirs, but i think that each keeping the other at laughable distance only, as St. Mark would have it, divides the Kingdom of Gersfans against itself, and makes it succeptable to fall. no matter what the differences are its only through some sort of organised unity, the best version we have being the rst, that some greater good, whatever it may be, can be achieved. -- as a finishing aside i'd just like to say the tone's so hard on the internet. i like the general principle that people should be able to say pretty much what they like, have good strong debates, but still be able to have a pint afterwards. in calling your style condescending, i didnt want to censor you, i just thought it was condescending. here you'll be perfectly entitled to say "Well, c'est la vie, if you don't like it that much, dont respond". the reason i did reply because it was a good post, with a decent argument, even if i didnt agree with it all. may ye have many more strong opinions i can disagree with, because there's nothing so ugly as apathy. :cheers:

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=590&Itemid=1 The morning after the night before, eh? Iââ?¬â?¢m sure Iââ?¬â?¢m not the only football fan nursing the equivalent of a hangover this morning as the hype of January transfer window closes for another season. Internet forum server issues, ridiculous radio-phone rumours and around-the-clock satellite sports news excitement ââ?¬â?? coupled together they make for quite a cocktail of commotion and emotion. Hence the hangover this morning; especially when our team havenââ?¬â?¢t been as pro-active as weââ?¬â?¢d all like. Despite my article of Tuesday morning warning all Rangers fans of the unlikelihood of substantial investment in the wake of the Alan Hutton transfer, movement occurred nonetheless and it seems we werenââ?¬â?¢t far off securing the services of Italian striker Andrea Caracciolo from Sampdoria while we did manage to sign the Fulham and Northern Ireland midfielder Steven Davis on loan from the Premiership. Davis is actually a decent signing and although Iââ?¬â?¢m not personally a huge fan of loan deals, he will provide the kind of genuine back-up and depth required for Barry Ferguson and Brahim Hemdani as Kevin Thomson sits out for another two months. Obviously the Ã?£4million deal for Caracciolo was the most exciting rumour of the day and every Rangers fan waited with baited breath as we heard Walter Smith and Martin Bain were in Italy. Unfortunately (or as it may have turned out ââ?¬â?? fortunately) the huge striker chose to stay in his homeland and drop a division to Serie B to play with his former club Brescia. Itââ?¬â?¢s ironic that in the week one Rangers player leaves to realise his ambitions what seems to be our main transfer target lacks the same aspirations in his career to move to the UK ââ?¬â?? instead blaming a lack of self-confidence and the weather for his decision. Hardly the mental and professional discipline you want to hear from a player you want to spend the total of around Ã?£7million on! A lucky escape then perhaps? Unfortunately what this debacle does highlight is the further incompetence of our Chief Executive. Martin Bain quite simply is not up to the job. I bear the man no ill-will and in his Rangers career (over 10 years now) heââ?¬â?¢s done some good work in the face of constant criticism and financial downsizing while being the stereotypical lamb to the slaughter while his boss relaxes in France. A well paid ââ?¬Ë?yes-manââ?¬â?¢ nonetheless though and the way weââ?¬â?¢ve conducted our business this January (and in the past) shows just how out of his depth he is. To avoid any confusion Iââ?¬â?¢m not criticising the club about not spending the ~Ã?£10million from the Hutton/Cousin deals per se. As I wrote the other day, not spending it is understandable to a degree and Iââ?¬â?¢d much rather we were prudent and efficient in our dealings. However, if there was around Ã?£5million to spend, surely the old adage of not keeping all your eggs in one basket applies here? Weââ?¬â?¢re told that the club have scouted Caracciolo for months, yet we leave it to the absolute last minute to try and negotiate our way through the confusing world of the Italian transfer system ââ?¬â?? three clubs involved directly, other clubs interested, translators required and agents hovering with their claws as sharp as ever. Yet, ex-catalogue model Bain is deemed to have the tactical nous to navigate his way through such a tough deal ââ?¬â?? all in a few hours!? I certainly donââ?¬â?¢t pretend to be some sort of finance guru or transfer expert but time was never going to be on our side so instead of wasting time taking last minute flights to Genoa, we should have moved onto our next target. We do have one Ewan Chester, donââ?¬â?¢t we? Or was Willie McLies too busy hawking wee Broon again to furnish us with his usual brand of short-term client information? Certainly Martin Smithers and his merry band of under-achieving assistants are not justifying their inflated wages while the rest of us pay for the privilege of watching them let us down time after time. But, and this is the crux of the article, all the above does not mean we have a convenient get-out clause for not winning the league (or the other competitions weââ?¬â?¢re in). Yes, we should have strengthened while Celtic have done so (to a degree) but we still have more than enough talent at Ibrox to compete on all fronts. Losing Alan Hutton is a big blow and Daniel Cousin (if he does actually leave ââ?¬â?? more crazy dealings by our staff given the obvious FIFA rulings) is a similar loss. However, we have deputies more than capable of taking their place. Steven Whittaker has shown he has the game to develop into a fine player while a fit Darcheville and a determined Boyd would keep out most strikers out of many teams anyway. Christian Dailly and Neil Alexander may not be the most glamorous of signings either but both will provide competition for places and much-needed experience as we proceed towards our goals. As such, despite all the valid criticism aimed at the likes of Bain and despite all the obvious disappointment of not capturing another player or two, itââ?¬â?¢s vital we keep our eyes on the prize. A four point lead is a good one and should be able to defend this over the coming months with the existing squad. Three Old Firm games in two months will be the ultimate decider but we have nothing to fear in that regard either. So, confidence should remain, support for the players and manager should remain and no excuses will be accepted. The SPL is attainable and nothing less will suffice.

Leading on from Gribzââ?¬â?¢s post regarding Manchester Unitedââ?¬â?¢s decision to enforce a minutes silence at the Manchester derby in respect and memory of those tragically lost in the Munich disaster - http://www.gersnetonline.net/vb/showthread.php?t=5718 I thought that I would take this opportunity to question why so many Scottish based Rangers fans despise Manchester United so much. Especially when you look closely at both clubs, youââ?¬â?¢ll see that we have so much in common. Unfortunately, the most obvious thing that we have in common is that we have had to cope with disasters that have shaped our futures. We have also had to endure endless taunts regarding these tragic events. In fact, after Hillsbourgh, the Manchester United fans sang to Liverpool fans, ââ?¬Ë?Whereââ?¬â?¢s Your Famous Munich Songââ?¬â?¢ ââ?¬â?? a reference to the years of taunts they were subjected to from the scousers. A dignified way to show the scousers up for their cruel jibes and taunts. Another tag that even we are guilty of associating with Manchester United fans is the fact that a large number of their fans are not from Manchester. So, what is the crime there? Is it any worse Man U fans coming from London than Rangers fans hailing from Edinburgh, Aberdeen or even London? Of course it isnââ?¬â?¢t. Here is something else that we have in common. The city that we hail from is important, but it isnââ?¬â?¢t restrictive. We are know as ââ?¬Ë?The Rangersââ?¬â?¢, they are know simply as ââ?¬Ë?Unitedââ?¬â?¢. The team name is more important than the city. I hear arguments from Rangers fans that they hate Man U due to their ââ?¬Ë?love-inââ?¬â?¢ with Celtc. Well, if you read any Manchester United fanzine, youââ?¬â?¢ll find that the ââ?¬Ë?love-inââ?¬â?¢ is mostly a one way street (like most of the Celtc love ins). It is also worth noting the activities of the Manchester casuals ââ?¬â?? read their book and see what they think of The Vatican City and the Bloody Sunday marches in their home citiesââ?¬Â¦! One of the strongest similarities is that both Rangers and Manchester United as despised in their own countries. The simple reason for this? We are seen (and in our case are) as the most successful clubs and are the clubs that fans of other clubs love to hate. It is actually an underhanded compliment. If you question Ulster based Bears, a large percentage will name Manchester United as their English team ââ?¬â?? usually down to George Bests career, but it is a tradition that is carried on today. Manchester United fans are also very imaginative when it comes to bringing new songs to their games. This is something that we were famed for but have sadly neglected in recent years. However, with the invention of fans groups like TBO, CDL etc, this has made a welcome return to Ibrox. I was also very impressed with the actions of Manchester United fans when their club was sold to the 'Yanks'. They organised themselves brilliantly and I believe that our very own RST are mirroring the Man U ST in some of thewir actions - not a bad example to follow. In conclusion, and I say this is no friend of Manchester United, I donââ?¬â?¢t understand why so many of us hate Manchester United. However, no matter what you think of them, you have to respect (even although it may be grudging) their decision to stand by their morals and enforce a minutes silence rather than applause. Cammy F

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=578&Itemid=1 With the January transfer window already half-way closed, itââ?¬â?¢s time for Gersnetââ?¬â?¢s ââ?¬Ë?The-Insiderââ?¬â?¢ to divulge what heââ?¬â?¢s been hearing deep in the fitness rooms of Auchenhowie. First off, to the disappointment of most Rangers fans, it seems the Alan Hutton saga is NOT finished. After turning down a deal of Ã?£20K p/week and considering the immediate thoughts of his heavily pregnant partner, it was felt Hutton would be staying at Rangers until the summer at least. However, Spurs were keen to get their man and our mole has told us they are confident Hutton will move south next week for Ã?£8million plus add-ons which take the deal up to around Ã?£10million. The London club increased their wage offer to Ã?£33K p/week and the lad understandably felt this money was too good to turn down for the long term future of his family. He is genuinely disappointed to be leaving Rangers but it appears the club administration were keen to move him on considering the money involved and the fact Steven Whittaker can slot in immediately at right back. This leaves the question of how much of this money will be invested back into the team. Information is tight in this regard but thereââ?¬â?¢s no doubt SDM would be under pressure to use the money if suitable players are available. One such player is SÃ?¸ren Larsen of FC Schalke in Germany. As Gersnet revealed last year, the club are scouring the German leagues for players and the huge Danish international is one player that has come to light. He would be available for around Ã?£1.5million and with the future of Daniel Cousin still doubtful, Walter Smith sees the player as an ideal replacement for the lone striker role. It is expected that two other players will follow Larsen through the door before the end of January. One is Portsmouthââ?¬â?¢s Matthew Taylor who would at last fill the gap Rangers have at left-midfield while providing further cover for the left-back position. Taylor would cost a fair bit more and would also command the kind of wage that does not fit the current club structure. However, Rangers are still very hopeful that a deal can be done in keeping with the finance available. Depending on other players linked with moves out of the club (including Thomas Buffel, Ugo Ehiogu and Alan Gow), Rangers will make one more signing before the end of the month. German defender Frank Fahrenhorst is still one central defender that may fill the bill as the manager looks to positively influence the reliable Cuellar/Weir pairing. If Andy Webster can prove his fitness and sort out his contractual issues that may not prove necessary but rumours are abound Walter Smith has lost patience with the Scotland internationalââ?¬â?¢s situation. What is for sure the next two weeks will be extremely interesting. Circumstances can change quickly and while most Rangers fans would prefer Alan Hutton to stay at the club, if he does leave its vital the money received is invested back into the team to ensure the strongest possible challenge on all competitions ââ?¬â?? especially when one considers the congested fixture list. Being four points clear at the top of the table should not mean we are resting on our laurels. Two or three suitable signings could mean the difference between a title-winning side and not winning any trophies whatsoever. The-Insider will keep you informed over the next fortnight. :box:

Hello Rangers Fans! I require the assistance of football fans around the country. I have just launched a new website which I thought might be handy to all you travelling fans. http://www.footballstadiumguide.co.uk . The site offers fans the chance to read up on teams and grounds before they make the trip, get directions to the stadium, find out the best places to park where to eat and drink etc etc The thing that is different about this site to the ones already on the net is that this one is similar to Wikipedia and allows fans like yourself to sign up and contribute. I hope you can find 5 minutes to sign up and post a few bits, add it too your favorites and use it in the future, hopefully in the next few weeks it will become the hub of all away day travel. Cheers

Four points clear again then. After a couple of unconvincing but completely imperative away victories, is the league in the bag or are some bears counting their chickens a little bit too early? Certainly I can understand why some will be feeling confident. The wins achieved last week were the kind of games we just havenââ?¬â?¢t secured three points in recent years. All too often we drop points in games against so-called lesser opposition in matches where more brawn than skill is required. As such, while weââ?¬â?¢d all like to see silky soccer and three goal wins, sometimes one just has to settle for keeping possession and relying on our strikers taking their chances when they come. Thus, although we could easily have dropped four points against Gretna and Caley, the team should be praised for working hard and securing wins in these difficult matches. Especially when one considers our enforced fortnight break which was always going to affect our sharpness and fluency. The next month will be huge in terms of determining our success this season. We have matches in all four competitions and the outcome of these games will show just how capable we are of competing on all fronts. For most Rangers fans the SPL title will take obvious precedence over the UEFA and domestic cups. At the same time though, weââ?¬â?¢ve not won a thing for nearly three years so we should rightly be looking to win everything. That may not be realistic (especially in European terms) but our ambitions should be high and when we have played well this season we have competed with the very best Europe has to offer. To be able to do this weââ?¬â?¢ll need a strong squad with reserve players capable of coming in. Losing the outstanding Kevin Thomson for the next 6 weeks is a big blow and we can ill-afford further injuries in central midfield. Barry Ferguson has not had his best season but has shown signs of a return to form lately. Similarly, Brahim Hemdani offers a composed holding player and his class shines through on most stages. Losing either of these players in conjunction with Thomson could be a fatal blow even if Dean Furman is impressing at reserve level. As such, with ten days to the closure of the transfer window, Iââ?¬â?¢d be looking for Walter Smith to strengthen this area. Rumours are rife about who is leaving and who may be joining. Hutton, Cousin and Buffel all said to be on their way out while Larsen and Moore apparently close to coming in. All things considered, continuity must take precedence over money but if Hutton especially is to leave, this bear would like to see a significant portion of any transfer income invested into a new creative midfield player. For most of the season weââ?¬â?¢ve lacked such a player so if we could secure one (even better if theyââ?¬â?¢re left-sided) that could not only provide the spark the team needs but the depth talked about above. Similarly, Ugo Ehiogu has moved back south, so another centre-half is still appealing. Carlos Cuellar has proven a snip at Ã?£2.3million so if we could spend this kind of cash on another similar player, this would bode well for our title challenge. Davie Weir has done very well but has also shown glimpses of poor form, while his lack of pace and deep positioning does affect the team tactically. If Andy Webster can prove his fitness then he could save us money but relying on him is rather risky given his record and contract problems. The reason Iââ?¬â?¢m perhaps being overly analytical here is that I genuinely feel we are only two or three players away from having a real decent side. Considering the average age of the squad, the relative inexperience of some, the Scottish backbone and the potential to improve, a reasonable financial investment into the team could yield real dividends. Ã?£12million was spent in the summer ââ?¬â?? a fair amount in todayââ?¬â?¢s SPL financial climate ââ?¬â?? but if we could spend some more now (but only on the right players) such a gamble could bring the SPL title home to Ibrox and provide the foundations for more success to come. To conclude, we are more than capable of winning the SPL (and more). However, we should not rest on the laurels of a four-point gap and if SDM is serious about the clubââ?¬â?¢s long term future, further investment is required to maximise our chances of bringing the successful times back. Public sound-bites and moonbeams about regeneration and stadium redevelopment may be exciting and ambitious but first and foremost I want to see Barry Ferguson lift the SPL league trophy in May. Then we can decide on how to build further on this and finally take Rangers FC into the new millennium. http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=581&Itemid=1

http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rstsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=170&Itemid=1 As part of our ongoing consultations with various police forces across Scotland, the Trust would like to inform our members that we will be meeting with Northern Constabulary (NC) in early 2008. NC have been most helpful with regards to many subjects and we look forward to working with them in the near future. The Trust hopes other police forces and relevant organisations are also eager to open channels of communication to ensure Rangers fans are fully consulted on matters of mutual interest.

My website is looking for Rangers fans to help contribute to it through articles, posts and news stories etc in relation to Rangers FC. Whether you think of yourself as a budding journo or maybe you just like giving your opinions then contact me if you are interested. We have a lack of gers fans on the site at the moment and its a big top hevy with Celtic, Caley, St Johnstone and Aberdeen fans. We also produce a fanzine and this is an area where you can contribute to also. visit my site at http://www.scotzine.com or contact me through here to say your interested. Cheers (Again frankie gave permission)

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=549&Itemid=1 After a couple of weeks of supporting Scotland it's back to club business for us all this weekend and for the forseeable future. Not only do we have some important league games on the horizon, our fate in this year's Champions' League shall also be decided. Moreover, in January the excitement, hyperbole and disappointment of the transfer window means the rumour mill will soon be going into over-drive once more. Why not let Gersnet keep you abreast of the latest transfer gossip surrounding Rangers? Even better - why not get involved? * OUT First up we have the ever impressive Alan Hutton. Obviously his progress has alerted many clubs in recent months - not least in the last few days with his excellent display for Scotland at Hampden. Man Utd, Lazio, Newcastle and Spurs have all been linked with the right back but Gersnet have learned Bayern Munich have leapt to the front of the queue. With Willy Sagnol constantly being linked with a move out of the German league leaders, it seems Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Ottmar Hitzfeld have ear-marked Hutton as their first choice replacement if the Frenchman does leave. Other players on their way out of Rangers may be Thomas Buffel, Andy Webster, Alan Gow and even the popular Nacho Novo who may all be moved on to free up space and finance for new players as Rangers hope to maintain their domestic and European challenges. * IN Next we have the ongoing saga of Kenny Miller. Although not many Rangers fans would welcome the return of the Scottish striker from Derby the former Celtic man has once again told Billy Davies he favours a return to Scotland to be with his family. Continual trips north have left Davies concerned about Miller's attitude and as such he wouldn't be difficult to deal with. Rangers have been contacted regarding the situation and rumours are rife that Kris Boyd could be the make-weight in any proposed deal. As well as a likely negative fans reaction to such a transfer, Miller's �£30K per week wages may also be rather large stumbling block. One to keep a close eye on over the next few weeks. Bizarre and disagreeable as it sounds there is an element of truth in this story. Another player being linked to Rangers is Laryea Kingston of Hearts. Although the Ghanian midfielder only joined the Edinburgh club last January, his fine creative form (and an alleged miniumum fee release clause in his contract) means several clubs are interested in his services. Any Rangers' new incoming players may be dependent on existing players leaving and the chatter is that a cash plus player deal involving Chris Burke may tempt Hearts into losing one of their prize assets. Ugo Ehiogu is another surprise (though less likely) link to the Tynecastle men in a seperate deal. Keep an eye on this column for the latest news! Even better - why not get involved? Submit your comments/rumours to us and we'll include them in our next transfer bulletin!

Calling All Fans WITH the help of you the fans Rangers FC is again planning a colourful card display for the forthcoming UEFA Champions League game against Lyon. This time the display will incorporate the words from famous Rangers song Follow Follow and will be a colourful display with a red and blue background with white wording. As with all the other fantastic displays created by the Rangers fans we will be looking for volunteers, it could not happen without the help of our great support. If you haven't been along before, why not come along and help out with what should prove to be another great display of colour from the best in the business the Rangers support. If you wish to help set out the cards report to the Argyle House Reception on Sunday between the hours of 1pm till 5pm, on Monday between the hours 9.30am 5pm and if needed again on Tuesday between 9.30am 5pm. Please keep an eye on http://www.rangers.co.uk to find out if the display has been completed to save any disappointment after travelling.

Under Pressure As if we weren’t under enough pressure to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, Celtc getting through by default last night (look, I’m not knocking it, I’d take qualification under any circumstances) has heaped further pressure on our players and staff to ensure that we get the required result next week. We have been handed a break from the beaks and have been given extra time to prepare for this game and have no game to look forward to this weekend. Even given the fact that we have already secured 3rd place in the group, I know that a defeat at home to Lyon will taste like failure as we have come so far in this group, not qualifying is simply unthinkable. However, me being the eternal pessimist, I can see heartache ahead. At times like these my thoughts take me back to watching Rangers in the early / mid 80’s and standing in the East Enclosure at the first home game of the season, or on the few occasions we got to a final at Hampden, standing on the red-ash of the Rangers end, chanting the ‘Rangers Chorus’ of the time – ‘Don’t Let Us Down Again’. I don’t need to remind you that they did on more occasions than not….. People are saying that Ibrox will be rocking next week and I agree in some respects. However, as the game goes on and the score stays 0-0, more and more fans will get nervous and this will transmit onto the pitch. We really must score the first goal – the earlier the better to settle everyone down. The longer the game goes, the more nervous we will become. I hope that my pessimism is unfounded and that we turn in one of our best ever European displays and take our place in the last 16 with the minimum of fuss. Not wanting to get to far ahead of myself, but if we do qualify, then I would happily take AC Milan in the next round. I have watched them a lot on TV this season and they aren’t the team that they once were. Looking at the likely group winners, they would be my first choice as I think that we would have a very decent chance of defeating them over the 2 legs. But like I say, that discussion is for another day, lets just concentrate on getting the desired result against Lyon. I Was Wrong – So Very Wrong I admit that I was one of the Rangers fans who as well as backing the moves to rid our support of the unsavoury chants and add-ons, claimed that once we had eradicated these, we could expect a shift of focus and other fans to come under the microscope. I have to hold up my hand here and admit that I was wrong, oh so very wrong. We have undoubtedly cleaned up our act and have as a support, rid our wonderful songs of any reference to the wee man from Rome with the funny hat. For this, we should be applauded and used as an example to fanbases in this country who still have a very evident problem with sectarian, political and offensive songs. Instead of seeing a change of direction from the 3rd estate, we have continued to be the sole fanbase who’s songs and actions continue to come under scrutiny from the authorities and especially the media. Some Rangers fans have had enough and have taken it upon themselves to challenge the blatant one-sided reporting of this perceived sectarian problem. We also have the excellent RST who continue to release statements defending us whilst highlighting the imbalance of this whole topic. However, and worryingly, our club continues to believe that a wall of ‘dignified’ silence is the way to deal with this issue. It makes you wonder where this supposed money that our PR (no sniggering at the back) has spent on defending the club and fans has gone as their presence in this debate has been entirely missed by this Bear. Since the start of this season, one set of supporters has continually sang sectarian, political and offensive songs with impunity. These fans haven’t been brought to task by the media, politicians, NBM or the SPL / SFA. This set of fans are behaving like they know and realise that no matter what they do, they are ‘untouchable’. For some reason, nobody has the bottle or inclination to bring them to task. Previously, we were told that they had a small problem with a minority of their away fans, then we were told that they didn’t have a problem at all. Funny that, as their outgoing Chairman chaired meetings earlier this season with fan groups asking them to drown out these sectarian, political and offensive songs. We have had to listen to the Chairperson of their Supporters Trust justify the singing or IRA songs within their support. When vilified for this, we witness the usual suspects jump to her defence. The sectarian debate has also reached the front door of the ex-worst minister, Mr Joke McConnell. Joke was fond of informing us that sectarianism was Scotland’s Secret Shame and his sound-bites and actions portrayed a man who thought that this was a ‘one-way street’. Lets not forget that Joke shares a constituency office with the despicable Frank Roy. Last week Jokes Brother in law was guilty of a sectarian outburst at a televised and high-profile award ceremony. Now, as far as I am aware only one media outlet (News Of The World) ran with this story and I am assuming that that Police will be serving Mr McLuckie with a sectarian breach of the peace charge? The irony is that the girls that Mr McLuckie assumed were Proddy Bastards were in fact Catholic. So ladies and gentlemen, it appears that the media, NBM, politicians etc are only interested in sectarianism if we are the perpetrators. It appears that what we believed all along is true, they can do no wrong and they know it and are acting accordingly. Don’t hold your breath for them to be brought to task, it’ll never happen. English Premier League For some reason, I had lost interest in the EPL over the last couple of seasons and count on the one hand how many live games I had sat down and watched. I still watched MOTD on a Sunday morning, but only really with a passing interest. This season has been different, I have refound my passion for the EPL and have to admit that I am really enjoying watching the likes of Manchester United (and City) and Arsenal. I don’t really have an EPL team as such, but have a soft spot for Chelsea (have had for years) and have always loved watching Arsenal play. I don’t have the hatred for Manchester United (in fact, I can’t believe that so many Bears hate them – we have so much in common – but that’s for another day) that some Bears do and they are playing really well at the moment. Two players (apart from the obvious ones) who have really stood out for me so far this season are two ex-Rangers players: Arteta and Tugay. Both these players are exceptional talents and left Rangers for differing reasons (depending on who you believe). Tugay just sits in the midfield and makes everything look so easy and always appears to have oddles of time on the ball. Arteta is an exciting player going forward and his trickery and delivery would be an asset to any team in the country. Bottom line is, we are a poorer team / squad without them and could be doing with their talent at the moment (or players with similar ability). For what it is worth, I hope that Arsenal win the EPL but think that Man U will be too strong for them over the course of the season - but don't rule Chelsea out. Cammy F

There is a tim in my work who live's in the east end of Glasgow and claims there is plans to increase Parkhead to 70,000 + for the Commonwealth games at the expence of the taxpayer , hope this isnt true as there will be civil war outside the City Chambers if Rangers fans are paying to increase and do up that shithole of a stadium. I know not to believe everything a tim says but this is Glasgow.

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=551&Itemid=1 I hear yet another anti-sectarian drive was officially launched yesterday at Hampden. ââ?¬Ë?Kick out Bigotryââ?¬â?¢ has funds of over Ã?£300,000 and is being co-ordinated by Scottish charitable organisation ââ?¬Ë?Football for Allââ?¬â?¢. Backed by all 12 SPL clubs, is this finally an objective look at this problem in our sport or yet another sham which will spend lots of our money but not a lot of time asking the really difficult questions of society? There is no doubt in recent seasons progress against this social blight has been positive ââ?¬â?? especially from a Rangers point of view. Removing offensive words like ââ?¬Ë?******ââ?¬â?¢ from our songs and finally eradicating the likes of the ââ?¬Ë?***ââ?¬â?¢ add-on is a huge forward step and itââ?¬â?¢s been most heartening to see the magnificent reaction from our support in that regard. Self-policing and education is certainly the way to go and itââ?¬â?¢s vital that, if the problem within the Scottish game is to be extinguished, further hard work and self-examination should be done. Not just by Rangers and their fans of course but by every club in Scotland with similar problems. How disappointing then that we hear Jeanette Findlay (Chairperson of the Celtic Supportersââ?¬â?¢ Trust) on national radio (BBC Radio 5) yesterday proclaiming her membersââ?¬â?¢ right to sing songs about the IRA. Even worse to hear another so called objective anti-bigotry organisation (ââ?¬Ë?Nil by Mouthââ?¬â?¢) defend her comments. Richard Benjamin ââ?¬â?? speaking for this publicly funded organisation said: "While I defend Dr Findlay's right to express her personal beliefs, context is important. Expressing religious and political views in football can be damaging, not just to the sport, but to the wider community, too. I think most football supporters would not be exposed to chants about the IRA at matches." Is this what itââ?¬â?¢s really come to? Rangers and their fans are derided by all and sundry over the years because certain words in certain songs discriminate. Yet now a Celtic supporting representative says itââ?¬â?¢s OK to sing about an illegal terrorist organisation that maimed and killed hundreds of innocent people, suddenly context is important? Pull the other one, Dick! So what do the other main protagonists have to say in this matter? Alex Salmond ââ?¬â?? First Minister ââ?¬â?? was at the ââ?¬Ë?KoBââ?¬â?¢ launch yesterday so surely he would have strongly condemned the Celtic Trustââ?¬â?¢s comments? Remember how quick he was to personally wade into the Artur Boruc debacle? Given an early chance to get this campaign off to a good start he said this about supporting terrorist organisations: absolutely nothing. He left it to a spokeswoman to do his dirty work. Thankfully she did say the CSTââ?¬â?¢s views were ââ?¬Ë?repugnantââ?¬â?¢ but this would have better effect coming from the First Minister himself. What about Billy McNeil ââ?¬â?? Celtic legend? Surely as someone brought up to abhor bigotry he would be keen to give this group of Celtic shareholders a ââ?¬Ë?kick up the backsideââ?¬â?¢? Nope ââ?¬â?? nothing either. Finally what about Celtic FC? Peter Lawwell is never slow to appear in the media regarding a plethora of issues. Apparently he finds all forms of bigotry ââ?¬Ë?poisonous and despicableââ?¬â?¢ so would surely send out a clear message against support of the IRA amongst his clubââ?¬â?¢s fans (and shareholders) on a day where the whole country was to get behind the anti-bigotry message. Again though he left it to an unnamed spokeswoman to say the comments were ââ?¬Ë?unrepresentative of the Celtic supportââ?¬â?¢. Now that may well be true nowadays but surely Celtic should have unequivocally condemned the comments and distanced themselves from any illegal support of terrorist organisations? There is no room for prevarication on this issue. Will Dr Findlay (and her Trust peers who obviously share her views) be banned from Celtic Park? Is the Celtic plc comfortable with having such people as shareholders? Have the CST now breached their own rules regarding suitable people to be involved with club? Furthermore while the unnamed Celtic spokeswomen may insist IRA support is not reflective of the larger Celtic support, why then are the official Celtic singing section allowed to fly a banner of Jock Stein home and away by the ââ?¬Ë?Junglebhoysââ?¬â?¢? This banner was painted by a convicted IRA terrorist ââ?¬â?? a strange choice of beneficiary for such a project. I doubt Stein would have been enamoured with such a controversial choice. Moreover, will the club continue to use venues such as the Clanree Hotel (in Letterkenny) ââ?¬â?? alleged by the Irish Sunday Mirror to be owned by a well-known IRA sympathiser - for official events? Or have they learned their lesson from the unacceptable behaviour of their staff and fans that particular evening? Last month Graham Spiers (no laughing at the back) suggested Rangers had a ââ?¬Ë?significantly worseââ?¬â?¢ problem with bigotry than Celtic (or other clubs generally). Yesterdayââ?¬â?¢s comments by Findlay and the CST, as well as the failure by Celtic FC to emphatically condemn support for the IRA, once again shows Rangers fans are not the only support with modernisation issues in Scotland. At the very least we can say we are facing this challenge, accepting our wrongs and moving to address them. ââ?¬Ë?Kick out Bigotryââ?¬â?¢ is an admirable initiative and one we should all get behind. Unfortunately, it appears some continue to prefer to push the envelope on just what is offensive instead of joining Rangers and their fans in removing any discriminatory and/or bigoted associations from their support. Until these people manage to get past their petty prejudices, and until the Scottish Executive address the real reasons for bigotry (and stop blaming football fans), such campaigns are doomed to failure. Can we win the battle against bigotry? Yes we can, but itââ?¬â?¢s time chants for the IRA, the UVF, huns, DOBs and FTQ joined the already banned terms to ensure an objective and honest debate. In addition itââ?¬â?¢s imperative the likes of Strathclyde Police, the Scottish Executive, Kick out Bigotry and Nil by Mouth worked with the fans to provide real and genuine guidelines with regard to the above instead of talking about context and making excuses. Education is the key. Now that would be progress.

I haven't seen this posted but i read on a Dutch site that up to 700 Rangers fans had been causing trouble yesterday. I can't see anything in the Scottish newspapers. Anyone know more?

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=519&Itemid=1 Co-written with D'Artagnan One cannot go one week in Scotland without some faux moral objector highlighting problems within the Rangers support with regard to their traditions and background. Letââ?¬â?¢s be straight ââ?¬â?? Rangers are a club with a Protestant identity. Whilst such associations may well be decreasing and whilst their overall affect on the club is indeed debatable, this is something we neither need to be ashamed of or deny in the fact of constant attack on our club. Those pioneering young rowers who came down from the Gare Loch did not start a football club with a religious focus ââ?¬â?? letââ?¬â?¢s be in no doubt about that. But from the 1890ââ?¬â?¢s onwards, events in Glasgow caused the Protestant population to search for a football club which reflected their religion, their culture and perhaps even their political persuasion. Even so the choosing of Rangers as the vehicle of that expression had more to do with geography and existing transport links than anything else from our humble origins. Of course it was not just the supporters who shaped that identity - men like John Ure Primrose who, as well as being Rangers chairman, was Lord Provost of Glasgow (and who incidentally shared a platform with Lord Edward Carson who organised the opposition to the Home Rule Bill in Ireland) certainly helped mould Rangersââ?¬â?¢ Protestant identity. Through the years other admirable men such as Bill Struth and Willie Waddell carried on those traditions and Protestantism (and Unionism) have always played a part in the way our club has been run. Some may say that wasnââ?¬â?¢t always a good thing and they may well have been right. Alleged unofficial signing policies and less tolerant attitudes of the last century may not have been restricted to our club but to deny there may well have been such negative aspects of our past would be churlish and certainly unrepresentative of true debate. Of course, itââ?¬â?¢s certainly easy to criticise our past but itââ?¬â?¢s much more positive and constructive to look to the future. Rangers are an inclusive club these days ââ?¬â?? from the support, to the team, to all aspects of the club. However a significant number of people still see Rangers as the expression of that Protestant identity in Scotland. That does not mean that Protestant Rangers fans are part of a ââ?¬Ë?higher orderââ?¬â?¢ of fan or see others as lesser than themselves. Nor is it necessary to be a practising Protestant to celebrate Rangers Protestant identity; in fact itââ?¬â?¢s not necessary to have any prior Protestant connections whatsoever. All creeds and colours are welcome - as it should be! Nonetheless we need not shy away from our Protestant identity or its expressions. It can be argued that it was our Protestant identity which, along with other factors, shaped our club into one of the most successful in the world. It could also be said that our conduct as a club, often at times reflecting that identity, has helped us maintain our dignity in the face of ridicule and criticism. Perhaps even to our detriment considering our reluctance to get involved in the debate. Itââ?¬â?¢s with this in mind that Iââ?¬â?¢m delighted to read about the Rangers Supportersââ?¬â?¢ Trust finally managing to organise their inaugural ââ?¬Ë?GersPrideââ?¬â?¢ conference at Ibrox Stadium this Saturday (more info below - 1). Itââ?¬â?¢s not before time that our fans (helped by a varied choice of neutrals) have the platform to debate our history and background while finding some common ground for the future. Itââ?¬â?¢s vital that as many fans take part as possible because, if we donââ?¬â?¢t, we can't then argue about being marginalised or not having the chance to debate serious issues and change certain attitudes for the better. What can be said there is that there is no doubt in recent years our club and support have modernised and improved their outlook. Removing unacceptable add-ons and discriminatory terms from our songs so quickly is something to be proud of and gives us the kind of sound foundation to move forward into our next 135 years (and more!). However, while this is agreeable, there is no reason why we have to abandon other parts of our heritage just because others may not completely agree with it. For example, Celtic are a proud Catholic club with their history based on religion right from the start. They rightly celebrate such associations and no-one challenges them - why should they? Similarly, our national team and ââ?¬Ë?Tartan Armyââ?¬â?¢ often base their attitudes and spirit on battles of old and should never be told otherwise. The same should go for us. Songs like ââ?¬Ë?The Sashââ?¬â?¢. ââ?¬Ë?Derryââ?¬â?¢s Wallsââ?¬â?¢, 'Rule Britannia' and 'God Save the Queen' may not mean the same to everyone. Their words and other slogans our support utilise may take different meanings for different people but we should never need to question their suitability when they are a huge part of our history. That shouldnââ?¬â?¢t offend anyone and if it does, well theyââ?¬â?¢re only showing the kind of intolerance and bigotry that we get pilloried for. 1 - http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/rstsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=1

Saturday, 3 November 2007 Time Res Att Tab TV Kilmarnock v Celtic------------ 12:30-----------------------*** Aberdeen v Dundee United------15:00 Falkirk v Gretna-----------------15:00 Motherwell v St Mirren----------15:00 Rangers v Inverness CT---------15:00 Sorry for the late entry but i can only say i was busy doing nothing. Apart from that i fought to make a Taxi that i didn't find good enough so ended up dumping it. Kilmarnock took points off Celtic in the first game of the season but have struggled really until they had a good result last week against Hearts. I have went the whole season picking Celtic for a win but i see a draw on the horizon here so my choice is. Draw Aberdeen against Dundee utd looks like a draw on paper but i think Aberdeen will win this one so i am going for an Aberdeen win. Aberdeen win. Falkirk against Gretna can only have one result for me and that is a Falkirk win. I still question if a rich man bringing a club like Gretna with a small fan base to the highest level is good for any parties. Firstly they need a stadium that can never be filled and secondly as Rangers fans know a chairman can turn the money tap closed to leave the club in financial problems. Falkirk win Motherwell - StMirren This is the best chance of a draw for me as SMirren as St Mirren have been difficult to break downin recent weeks and have a knack of even snatching the odd win. Motherwell will trying to get back on track but i fancy this for a draw. Draw. Even although we lost to Inverness at Ibrox last season i don't see it happening today. Inverness will try to get players behind the ball and close down the midfield quickly. A lot will depend on getting the first goal i feel if we get that goal early, then we will go on to get three or four. If we struggle to get that opening goal then it will get harder and harder to break Caley down as they grow in confidence. If we have any asperations of winning the league then we have to win these games. Rangers win. Sunday, 4 November 2007-------Time--------TV Hibernian v Hearts---------------14:00 ------*** Sorry forgot the Sunday Game. Hibs win.

It has been amusing to find some Barcelona players and fans are criticising Rangers’ tactics, in the game on between the two clubs on Tuesday. Some say Rangers played, “anti-football,” seemingly due to how well they defended. Now it seems very strange to me, to criticise a team for performing an important aspect of the game to the highest of standards; however, after analysing the tactics of both teams, apart from sour grapes, I can’t see what the complaints are about. Put it this way, if Barca fans can complain about Rangers’ resolute defending, then can't Rangers fans conversely complain about the accomplished Barcelona defence? After all, Barca players were closing down Rangers players rapidly as soon as they got the ball, and didn't allow Rangers to play the open, expansive, attacking game that they would prefer. So, would it have been a more entertaining game if Barca had stood off the attacking Rangers players, giving them loads of space and allowing them a wave of attacks on their goal? I say this with an obvious hint of sarcasm. There is also the point, that Barca very skilfully passed the ball sideways and backwards for long periods in their own half and midfield, denying Rangers players much of the possession, without creating more than a few chances for themselves. Isn’t attractive football about going forward and attacking? Keeping the ball in the middle of the pitch denies both teams attacking opportunities. Basically, the way Barca played meant there were very few chances for either side. So the question is, "Is it Barcelona who are playing the anti-football?" Or is it just some of their players and fans are strangely upset, when a team doesn't just lie down for them and instead, actually make it difficult for them? I can’t see how you can complain about a lack of goals when your own team defends very aggressively, and also play keep ball for two thirds of the game - over 30 yards from the opponent’s goal. I'd like to expand on this and put it to you, that Rangers were the team who played tactics more conducive to attacking football. Let’s compare and contrast the both teams tactics on attack and defence. Rangers sat well off the Barcelona attacking players in midfield, giving them time and room to control and play the ball easily – very good for flowing and attacking football. In contrast Barca defenders closed down Rangers players quickly and allowed them no time or space to get the ball under control and either run with it or pass it well, basically strangling Rangers in possession. So who would you say allowed more attractive, flowing, passing and attacking football? I would conclude that Rangers did. Further, in attack Rangers moved the ball forward quickly at every opportunity going straight for goal as much as possible. In contrast Barca spent most of the time passing slightly forwards, sideways and backwards, and although they had twice as much possession they had less than half the scoring chances. I would therefore conclude from this, that Rangers played a much more attacking game going forward while Barca were cagey and defensive on the ball. The ultimate conclusion must be, that Rangers play the far more positive football while Barcelona play the much more negative football. QED. That might not make sense to some, but the real point is that there are many aspects in football which contribute to the result, and each aspect requires skill, energy, dedication, motivation, determination and sometimes a bit of luck. There are two teams trying to win, and both have do so by simultaneously having their attack overcome the opposition defence, and their defence gaining the better of the opposition attack. For both teams on Tuesday, the defences were better than the attacks, resulting in a 0-0 draw; both teams were responsible for the scoreline. Whatever tactics were used to this end is ultimately irrelevant, and the fact they were totally different adds to the diversity of the sport. However, maliciously disparaging your opposition for defending just as well as your own team, and for not letting your team score or win, is to me, senseless, and possibly the real, “anti-football”.

You're Fan-tastic RANGERS Chief Executive Martin Bain today praised the Club's supporters for creating an 'outstanding Champions League atmosphere ' against Barcelona at Ibrox. He said the Rangers fans ensured that Ibrox was seen 'at its very best' and the supporters provided a massive boost to the team. The chief executive said: "Our fans deserve real credit for the effort they put in to create another outstanding Champions League atmosphere at Ibrox. "The players have asked me to convey their thanks to the fans for their tremendous support. It really makes a difference to the team to have the whole stadium in full voice. "Our supporters put an enormous amount of work into creating a card display which reflected the visitors are 'more than a club' and that they feel the same way about Rangers. "They also made sure the atmosphere was kept up throughout the game which was a great boost to the team and showed Ibrox as an excellent arena for these big games. It was a very good night all round for Rangers." Mr Bain also paid tribute to Rangers fans groups for launching their 'Champions League - We're Having a Ball" campaign to celebrate the Club's two glamour games against Barcelona. He said: "The fans are determined to create a party atmosphere around these games and Barcelona is a special place for our Club. To see the Barcelona supporters applauding the Rangers fans at full time was fantastic. "The 'Having a Ball' campaign deserves the full support of every Rangers fan and everyone associated with the Club." :cheers:

Celtc And The Art Of Losing Us Rangers fans are no strangers to the petulant and sometimes, bam right frightening way a Celtc player, manager (and most scarily) fans mind works after a defeat and especially an Old Firm defeat. No one can forget Chris Muttons scandalous comments after we defeated DAFC 6-1 to secure our glorious 50th League Title. For a fellow professional to come out on live TV and claim that his fellow professionals had cheated not only Celtc, but the rest of the league, DAFC fans etc left most people with a bitter taste in their mouths. To us Rangers fans who have witnessed such gracious comments in defeat, we just laughed and commented that it was the ‘Celtc Way’. In my lifetime of watching Rangers, I don’t think I have ever, in the aftermath of a title celebration, or an OF victory, picked up a post-match paper and read that Rangers won fair and square and that the game was ‘controversy free’. Today, after such a drubbing, the TWATS are keen to portray a well deserved victory, but you have the undercurrent and undertones that the referee was somehow ‘corrupt’. McCurry booked 9 Celtc players (didn’t send any off) and from my perspective, he got MOST (not all) of those bookings correct. In fact, you could criticise McCurry for not red-carding McDonald for his petulant kick at Alan McGregor and Scott Brown dished out some meaty challenges whilst on a yellow card. I came away from the game thinking that the worst decisions from the officials actually benefited Celtc – we had a very decent shout for 2 penalties that weren’t given and Lee McCulloch’s goal in the final minute WASN’T offside. Yet, listen to post match analysis and all the talk is of Celtc amassing 9 bookings. Now, we can not move on without a word regarding the Holy Goalie. Borat has previous, and not only in OF games. He has gestured to fans at Easter Road, Tynecastle and The Pits (to name a few), and yesterday seemed more interested in stirring up some passion from the gather MOPES than shaking hands with fellow professionals. Even his manager mentioned this in post-match interviews, but GS should take a look in the mirror before slating Borat. During his interview, GS refused to refer to Rangers, by name, once. It was ‘them’ and ‘they’. Compare and contrast this to Barry Ferguson and Walter Smiths post-match interviews. But hey, we are used to this, it’s the ‘Celtc Way’. The game itself developed into a very one-way encounter. We didn’t start the game that well but managed to impose ourselves and won ALL the personal battles. This allowed us to build momentum and establish our game plan. Barry Ferguson once again showed that on his game, he is one of the best midfield players in Britain. He has shown in 4 huge games this season (Stuttgart, Ukraine, Lyon and now the OF game) that he is everything that Scott Brown isn’t (as yet). His maturity shines through and he is a great leader on the pitch – he simply lifts those around him onto his level. We could had should have won by a more emphatic margin but we can be delighted in the 3-0 victory, or third OF victory on the bounce. This should be a platform for us and up next is the small matter of a visit from some team called Barcelona…. Big Jock Knew No matter your feelings on this chant, expression, topic, there is no doubt that Jock Stein was aware of child abuse at Celtc Park and did little / nothing to stop the abuse of children under the care of Celtc Football Club. There has been a subsequent court case concerning the perpetrators and during this case, evidence was given that Jock Stein and the Celtc board ignored warnings and refused to hand over these paedophiles to the Police. They were more interested in the clubs image. Now, at the game yesterday Police were confiscating scarves with the legend ‘Big Jock Knew’ on them. They weren’t giving any reason for this, they were just telling fans to bin the scarves or run the risk of not getting into the game, having their season tickets removed or facing a night in the cells. Surely you cannot be refused access to a football ground for carrying a scarf that is states a factually correct statement that has been proven in a court of law? Well, in Scotland you can. A Rangers fan in the Govan Stand was told to remove his top that had BJK on it. When he refused, he was arrested and was told that his details were being sent to Rangers and to expect a ban from Ibrox. The Police were asking Rangers fans entering the stadium to show them their scarves and Police were examining them. One fan with a ‘We Are The People’ scarf was told that this was offensive and sectarian and the Police confiscated the scarf. I wonder if the travelling supports scarves were under the same scrutiny? I doubt it as I saw a few with ‘FCUK Rangers’, God Bless The Pope (so much for keeping religion and football apart) and Bobby Sands scarves (there is a joke there, but we’ll not go there just now). MOPES Next Campaign I hear that the MOPES are going to lobby UEFA in an attempt to remove the five stars from our badge. According to Timmy (the oracle of world football) you can only display stars on your badge once you have won a European trophy, so we, like them should have only one star. Unknown to Timmy, issuing a star for 10 league titles started in the early 50's when Juventus won their 10th league title and added a star to their badge. This honour was then used in other countries like Germany and Turkey and once we won our 50th title, in started in Scotland. Little do Timmy know is that Rangers actually received permission and 'blessing' (sic) from UEFA to use the five stars as recognition of our world record of 51 titles. Nice try MOPES. Talking of MOPES, anyone hear the idiot on the phone-in last night? Complained that Rangers fans sang sectarian songs yesterday and that he was offended. The panel asked him what sectarian songs were sung. He then stated that he didn't know the titles of said songs. So then panel then asked him what the offending lyrics / lines were. He then said this, and I quote 'Look, I don't know what the songs are called and I don't know the lyrics to them but I do know that they offend me'....... Cammy F – We Are The People….

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=510&Itemid=1 It was with great astonishment ââ?¬â?? not to mention hilarity ââ?¬â?? that I read Graham Spiers in the journalistic wilderness of the 29,000 daily circulation of the Scottish arm of ââ?¬Ë?The Timesââ?¬â?¢ last week. Once again we have this well-known liar giving us the usual sound-bites (for he said the same thing in a down market tabloid radio phone-in ââ?¬â?? what must the blessed Martin be thinking of that particular blasphemy?) about how Rangers are the big, bad bigoted boys (sic) of Scottish football. His usual unfounded rhetoric of Rangers having a ââ?¬Ë?significantly greaterââ?¬â?¢ problem with sectarianism than Celtic was again in evidence. This time, these wholly unsubstantiated allegations were in reply to SFA Chief Executive Gordon Smithââ?¬â?¢s interesting comments in a new book which ââ?¬â?? ironically and unsurprisingly ââ?¬â?? contains Spiers making the same tedious accusations (which he calls truths) towards certain parts of the Rangers support. Letââ?¬â?¢s get one thing straight right now. Gordon Smith is a respected ex-player; a well-read and educated man; and an ex-broadcaster with the kind of objective, insightful and honest views that a cowardly charlatan like Spiers can only dream about. Spiersââ?¬â?¢ questioning of this manââ?¬â?¢s integrity is about as credible as Jim Traynor telling us how to pull women in night-clubs! When Gordon Smith (interviewed earlier this year by Gersnet) spoke about agendas I have no doubt it was Graham Spiers that led his way of thinking. While Spiers (and his supporters) may claim partiality and balance, itââ?¬â?¢s easy to prove them wrong (and Smith right) by just a quick use of the internet facilities at News International. Perform a quick search of Spiersââ?¬â?¢ recent articles about the sectarianism subject and one will find several columns rightly criticising a small element of the Rangers away support adding on F-T-P at Inverness in the first game of the season. Of course he wasnââ?¬â?¢t the only journalist discussing the subject and in many ways Iââ?¬â?¢m glad they did. Gersnet, like the huge majority of Rangers fans, deplores our fine traditional songs being spoiled by the kind of lyric that has no place in football. As such, the early warnings for our support and the excellent pro-active measures then put into place by the vigilant Rangers fan groups means, since that first game, our home and away support have had no problems with bigotry. None. Itââ?¬â?¢s this kind of positive self-examination and policing of our own minority of fans that deserves much praise from all quarters. Spiers himself has suggested as much, while all the authorities (UEFA, SPL, SFA and Strathclyde Police) have also expressed delight at the eradication of the offensive add-ons from our support. Great strides ââ?¬â?? although further hard work and caution must be applied to ensure our support remains one of the best and proudest in world football. Of course weââ?¬â?¢re not without our faults but we proved over the last 2 years we are up to the challenge of admitting them, facing them and removing them. Conversely, this season has seen other clubs come to the fore with regard to ââ?¬Ë?discriminatory chantingââ?¬â?¢. Motherwell faced investigation for racist chanting while Celtic remains the only club to have had arrest(s) for sectarian breach of the peace. Add to that their songs about ââ?¬Ë?hunsââ?¬â?¢ (deemed a sectarian term by Nil by Mouth) aimed at Hearts and Dundee fans as well as the usual hymns of support for sectarian terrorist organisations, means the bigotry issue is not obviously restricted to Rangers and their support. As such, one would expect Graham Spiers (for he claims he does not have an agenda) to have fully discussed and condemned these high-profile examples of a sectarian industry which has made him a pretty pound over the years. Performing another quick search of his articles this season finds no such pieces. Nothing about the arrest of Celtic fans. Nothing about the vast majority of the Parkhead support singing ââ?¬Ë?Go Home Ya Hunsââ?¬â?¢ to Hearts fans. Nothing of the IRA glorification by the Celtic away support at Dundee in the CIS Cup last month. Nothing about Motherwell fans allegedly aiming racist taunts at black players for the second time this year. How can that possibly be? Surely Spiers ââ?¬â?? who revels in his sectarian crusader image ââ?¬â?? would be at the forefront of calls for censure towards these clubs? Why donââ?¬â?¢t we have exclusive insider comments from UEFA committee members (why did Spiers get them before other journalists one wonders?) informing us of discipline to the clubs? As someone who takes offence at Gordon Smithââ?¬â?¢s allegations of agendas why exactly has Graham Spiers not written about these other issues? At the very least; allegations of Rangers having a ââ?¬Ë?significantly greaterââ?¬â?¢ problem appear completely at odds with the current evidence. As such, one must join Gordon Smith in questioning why Spiers (and others to be fair) has largely ignored some of the above issues. Iââ?¬â?¢m sure we could go on exposing Spiers for his complete lack of credibility in these matters. Unfortunately, it pains me enough already to highlight this imposter once again. Iââ?¬â?¢d much rather ignore his rantings but as long as Spiersââ?¬â?¢ lies and imbalance reaches the same number of online viewers as Gersnet does, weââ?¬â?¢ll continue to objectively, honestly and openly debate his claims. Furthermore and most importantly, weââ?¬â?¢ll provide facts and evidence for our opinion - unlike Spiers who resorts to penning the same lies; the same childish insults and; the same biased, inaccurate and agenda Gordon Smith so correctly told us about. The best thing about this whole recent issue is Spiers being shown up for his own imbalance by his own startling lack of input to non-Rangers negative stories. It makes his pitiful defence last week all the more embarrassing. As such, Gersnet joins the ever-growing list of Scottish people laughing at this particular discredited corduroy crusaderââ?¬â?¢s demise. Graham Spiers ââ?¬â?? a liar and a coward.

.. now it is dangerious.... "RANGERS fans have been warned the Subway will be shutdown on Ibrox match days - unless they stop bouncing up and down in the carriages. Transport bosses fear dozens of supporters doing the bouncy' inside trains could spark a derailment. Now Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has appealed to the club to help them prevent a serious accident on the underground." http://eveningtimes.co.uk/news/displ...759365.0.0.php Cammy F

Time For Stability We all knew that when Walter Smith was appointed as PLGââ?¬â?¢s successor, this was to herald a period of stabilization in the wonderful history of our club. Now that this stabilization is well under way, lets hope that Walter will reflect on the positive effects this has shown and take this stabilization into team selection. We have had a huge turnover of players in the last 3 seasons and it is now time for our current charges to decide on their preferred tactics / squad / starting 11 and to put this into practice. Whilst we the fans have to understand that change takes time and takes its toll, and that there will be bad days as well as good, the management require an understanding that all the fans want is a winning team on pitch and one that has a fluidity and consistency about it. This cannot be achieved by constantly chopping and changing the starting 11 and having our ââ?¬Ë?betterââ?¬â?¢ players situated on the bench, or worse in the stand. Then recent defeat at the hands of Hibs illustrated this and the Gaffer has to hold his hands up and admit that he got it badly wrong against Hibs. Walter Smith bowed to fan pressure by selecting Hendami in a 5 man midfield and made the ultimate mistake of playing Kris Boyd as a lone striker. This is a role that everyone, including WS, have known for sometime is beyond Boyd. Boyd has other attributes, but he cuts an abject figure whilst furrowing away as a lone striker. The international break gives WS and his backroom staff an ideal opportunity to sit down together and decide on what is their preferred tactics and what is their strongest team. We cannot afford this continual rotation system as it is killing us domestically. 4-5-1 (or 4-1-4-1) isnââ?¬â?¢t suited to home SPL games. Opposition teams come and flood the midfield and defend deep. If we play 5 in midfield, we cannot get forward as much especially when our lone striker is not capable of holding the ball. For ever home SPL game (except the Tims ââ?¬â?? more soon) we should be playing 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 ââ?¬â?? if this means there is no place for fans favourites (no matter who that is), then so be it. OF and European games are better suited to 4-5-1 (or 4-1-4-1) and I would deploy this formation in the upcoming OF and European ties. We have the players capable of playing this formation and using it to our advantage ââ?¬â?? McGregor, Hutton, Weir, CC, Papac ââ?¬â?? Beasley, Fergie, Hendami, Thommo, McCulloch ââ?¬â?? Cousin / JCD and IMO that is our strongest 11 at the moment. When going 4-4-2, Thommo or Hendami would drop out and Iââ?¬â?¢d play JCD and Cousin up front (but this is where we have options ââ?¬â?? Boyd, Novo and Naismith all come into contention). Given a settled run of games, I am confident that our strongest 11 would be a match for all SPL teams (obviously they will have off days and drop points) and they have already shown that they are a match for the cream of Europe. Its Rangers, Its Rangers, Its Rangers For me I have no qualms in saying this, but I dread international weekend. It means that I have no Rangers game to go to and I sit back and watch the internationals dreading that one (or more) of our players will get injured whilst on international duty. I know that this is selfish, but for countless years, and for varying reasons (that most on here already know!), I have no interest in international football. Now, I know and understand that a vast majority of Rangers fans are unlike me and they will be looking forward to supporting their country (who ever that happens to be) on Saturday and that 10ââ?¬â?¢s of thousands of Rangers fans will pack into Hampden to back Scotland ââ?¬â?? fair play and good luck to them. However, I just hope that those that do pay me the respect I deserve for not having any interest in the national team and understand that it doesnââ?¬â?¢t diminish on my ââ?¬Ë?Scottishnessââ?¬â?¢ one iota. Too many people in this country feel that if you donââ?¬â?¢t get rigged up in full Highland dress, paint a saltire on your face and sing dirge folk songs then you are somehow ââ?¬Ë?anti-scottishââ?¬â?¢. Ironic Or What So it appears that the whirlwind of media defence of Celtc in the wake of their latest pitch invader is what might actually see them receive the punishment that they deserve. Ac Milan (who have behaved impeccably in this issue) and stated that if the press and Celtc continue to focus on Dida then they will make a formal complaint to UEFA. I canââ?¬â?¢t be the only one who found this ironic. This is the same media who helped UEFA in their investigation into Rangers fans singing (and lets not forget that the BBC supplied UEFA with video evidence that was used to try and ban Alex Rae) who have now gone out of their way to defend Celtc and deflect the blame onto the Milan keeper. It is funny that everyone and their dog is still rabbiting on about Celtc fans ââ?¬Ë?great behaviourââ?¬â?¢ and that this was a ââ?¬Ë?one offââ?¬â?¢. Sorry, but that doesnââ?¬â?¢t wash ââ?¬â?? how come no one is mentioning their ââ?¬Ë?previousââ?¬â?¢? Surely no one has forgotten about the annual pitch invasions, diverted planes, shootings in Amsterdam, stabbings in the pie queue at FirHill, riots in Blackburn and Vigo airport, replayed European ties ââ?¬â?? I could be churlish and list more, but hey, according to the media and the MOPES these incidents didnââ?¬â?¢t happen. I might be the only person in Scotland hoping this (OK, Iââ?¬â?¢m not), but I hope UEFA through the book at them ââ?¬â?? if they do, then their day is rightly come. And Finally Congratulations to Frankie on the birth of his daughter ââ?¬â?? all the best to Frankie, his missus and wee one. Cammy F ââ?¬â?? We Are The Peopleââ?¬Â¦.

Now, before going on, I doff my cap to the Celtc (Ã?© Green Brigade) PR Machine as it once again roars into action trying to defend the indefensible. If only we had a similar set-up at Ibrox, we wouldnââ?¬â?¢t be subject to weekly complaints from MOPES, TWATS and unbiased media outlets. However, I find the latest spin-doctoring from the east end very hard to swallow. The latest example of Celtc fans encroaching the field during a game is arguably the most ââ?¬Ë?high-profileââ?¬â?¢ but it is hardly the first time they have been guilty of such an offence. In recent years, this has been almost an annual occurrence at Celtc games, especially at Parkhead. Hell, Celtc fans even go to games of their greatest rivals and invade the pitch ââ?¬â?? could it be said that they are not normal pitch invaders? Now, I am not arguing that Dida made a ââ?¬Ë?shop-frontââ?¬â?¢ of the whole episode. In fact, he would have been better served taking the John Brown approach. When a Celtc fan decided that heââ?¬â?¢s seen enough of Rangers papping his team and decided to attack Ally Maxwell, Bomber simply bundled the guilty party into the net and proceeded to ââ?¬Ë?restrainââ?¬â?¢ him until the Police arrived on the scene. However, Didas antics shouldnââ?¬â?¢t be under scrutiny here. The simple fact of the matter is that once again, an opposing player has been attacked by a fan at Parkhead. I found it ironic that Gordon Strachan declined to comment on the issue last night ââ?¬â?? surely someone who has been on the receiving end of a right hook from a Celtc fan would be well placed to comment on how it feels to be attacked whilst plying your trade. I am sure that WGS hasnââ?¬â?¢t forgotten being attacked from the Jungle in his Aberdeen days? Quinn has been quick to tell anyone whole listen that they will be swift to act (although the culprit handed himself over, made his job a bit easier) and the fan has been banned for life. Quinn has also stated that there will be a review of security. Talk about closing the door after the horse has bolted. The whole herd have not only bolted, but escaped down the Gallowgate, onto the Renfrew ferry and were last seen grazing of the West Coast of Scotland. Let me digress here as Quinn is a clever fellow. He has continually stated that Celtc donââ?¬â?¢t have a problem with sectarian (or political or offensive) singing, yet he has felt the need to chair ââ?¬Ë?secret meetingsââ?¬â?¢ (are they turning into Masons?) with fans groups pleading with them to drown out sectarian, political and offensive sung at Parkhead ââ?¬â?? why call meetings Mr Quinn if you havenââ?¬â?¢t gotten a problem? I believe Frankie highlighted the true extent of their problem by posting You Tube clips recently. I wonder why the media and Uefa havenââ?¬â?¢t picked up on these as yet ââ?¬â?? they were quick to find and use You Tube footage of Rangers fans recently? See, this is more spin from the spin-masters at Parkhead. If Liewell and Quinn are to be believed, let them answer this question. How long is it since Fernando Ricksen was struck with a lighter at Parkhead and has the culprit been identified and banned? While we await a response on that incident, I wonder if their PR machine could remind us of how many fans were identified and banned after the Celtc Shame Game where at least 3 fans invaded the pitch and attacked the linesman, referee and Jorg Albertz? Not forgetting the barrage of coins that were thrown at Rangers players and Hugh Dallas, resulting in a head injury to the referee. Again, whilst we are awaiting an update, could they also confirm if the person responsible for rearranging Hugh Dallasââ?¬â?¢ windows ever received a ban? I think youââ?¬â?¢ll find him dining out bi-weekly in the corporate boxes at Parkhead. So in summary, Celtc have ââ?¬Ë?historyââ?¬â?¢ for pitch invasions (I have barely scratched the surface) and are clearly still flaunting UEFA, SFA and SPL guidelines on sectarian, political and offensive songs with impunity. However, given the high profile nature of the opposition and game last night, I can not see them escaping so easily this time. If only the UEFA and SPL representatives would open their ears to the repugnant chanting as well. Cammy F

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=507&Itemid=1 In the last year Rangers fans have reacted magnificently to eradicate problematic chants and add-ons within sections of our support. Not satisfied; good old, neutral BBC Scotland ensure the sectarianism debate continues unabated by now claiming other songs are now also unacceptable. If you feel like a laugh, the debate is ten minutes into the following clip: http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/player/?item=4449133 The excuse for this incredibly poor analytical piece is the release of a forthcoming new book. For some reason, the BBC seem to happy to advertise this new book in order to discuss the usual tedious stuff about whether or not 'The Sash' and 'Derry's Walls' are sectarian. Laughably, in the interests of balance, the only offensive Celtic song the BBC can find to equate to the supposedly sectarian Rangers songs is 'You are my Larsson'...!!! Yes, in a week where the Celtic supporters were again caught singing about the IRA and huns, this is the only song the BBC care to mention. Graham Walker is supposed to a respected author and academic while Newsnight is supposed to be a respected analytical current affairs programme. That piece last night was embarrassing for all concerned. If the book contains a similar standard of 'debate', then its chances of success are even worse than first thought. Can we now assume the 'offensive by context' argument means national anthems such as 'Flower of Scotland' are now also to face challenge? Why is is that only one side of the sectarian/bigotry/tribalism (call it what you will) debate is held to account for their actions? Every set of fans in Scotland display such traits yet it only ever appears that Rangers (and their fans) are held accountable. Any decent Rangers fan welcomes debate and discussion about the challenges we face. Indeed, by doing so we have responded extremely positively to such debate and are moving into the future while others still remain free from question. Can anyone answer why we remain the only club under scrutiny?

East Fife v Rangers 1986/87 For the Rangers fans of my generation, our League Cup tie against East Fife in 1986 was the first opportunity to visit Old Bayview. The game attracted over 10,000 fans who were shoehorned into the little ground in Methil. What I can remember from this game was that it was early in the Souness era and we went into the game on the back of an inconsistent start to the season, but we were odds-on to defeat the Methil Men. At the time, I was working beside an East Fife player - Stuart Burgess ââ?¬â?? who went on to play in the SPL for Falkirk ââ?¬â?? If I remember correctly, Burgess inflicted a serious injury on Colin West during the game after a horrific challenge and was on the receiving end of ââ?¬Ë?retributionââ?¬â?¢ from Terry Butcher. The game finished 0-0 after extra time and Rangers escaped with a victory after a tense penalty shoot-out (which was won 5-4). I am sure that we also missed a penalty in normal time, but that could be my mind playing tricks on me! The game wasnââ?¬â?¢t memorable for any reason, other than it was my first visit to Bayview. So what can the Rangers of 2007 take from the above game? Well, not to underestimate the opposition and not to take victory for granted. Also, it is worth noting that the League Cup campaign gave Souness his first trophy after we defeated Craptic 2-1 in the final. That victory gave is a springboard in the league as well. East Fifeââ?¬â?¢s greatest times were in the late 40ââ?¬â?¢s when they were managed by the great Scott Symon who guided the Fife club to ââ?¬Ë?Bââ?¬â?¢ championship and league cup glory. Further success was gained in the next decade including one season where East Fife led the first division championship race for almost the entire season, only to be pipped for the title by Rangers. For further information (itââ?¬â?¢s a decent read) can be gained from East Fifeââ?¬â?¢s official website - http://www.eastfife.org/details.asp?type=history6 Wunderbar What can I say about the marvellous start to our latest Champions League adventure? After a very nervous start, we came onto a game and in the 2nd half played some wonderful football. On a night like that, it is hard to pick out players for ââ?¬Ë?special praiseââ?¬â?¢ as the entire team were fantastic. However, the Stuttgart game demonstrated just how much we need Barry Ferguson and once again, BF shows us that he is one of the best midfield players this country has produced in the last 2 decades. His drive, desire, leadership qualities were there for all to see. In my opinion that was Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s best game in a Rangers jersey since he ran the entire Bayern Leverkusen a merry jig in the BayArena. Some people have questioned (rightly or wrongly) why Barry Ferguson hasnââ?¬â?¢t performed to this level since his return from Blackburn. In my opinion, this is the first time since his return that he has actually had players alongside him who complement his game. When Walter Smith returned he knew that his first priority was to fix the defence that had more leaks than a very leaky thing. His second was to ensure that he could surround our best footballer with players who complemented his style. In players like Thompson, Hendami, Thomson, SW and Lee McCulloch, Ferguson has players who, like him, have desire, drive, determination as well as undoubted ability. Hopefully this will see Barry Ferguson return to his best. After going a goal behind, the response from the players was phenomenal. Instead of letting the heads drop, we just rolled up our sleeves, pushed forward and eventually got our just reward. Charlie Adamââ?¬â?¢s goal brilliant but we can not go any further without a special mention to Alan Hutton for his storming runs for both goals. JCB was coolness personified as he blasted home the penalty. Dolly Demolished So Saturday was the latest instalment of the most one-sided rivalry in World Football. With the visitors firmly stuck in the 80ââ?¬â?¢s when they were a ââ?¬Ë?forceââ?¬â?¢ for about 25 minutes, they still believe that they are a ââ?¬Ë?rivalââ?¬â?¢ to the most successful club in the world. Meanwhile, we the Rangers fans treat them for what they are, a minor irritation from the frozen North. To illustrate to any reading Dollies how ridiculous there claims of a ââ?¬Ë?rivalryââ?¬â?¢ are lets sing a wee song ââ?¬â?? to the tune of One Man Went To Mow : 1 Year Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 2 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 3 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 4 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 5 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 6 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 7 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 8 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 9 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 10 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 11 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 12 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 13 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 14 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 15 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 16 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox The latest thumping of Abergreen was never in doubt after Lee McCullochââ?¬â?¢s stunning opener which seemed to spur us on to yet another fantastic 2nd half performance. SN then killed the game with his first goal for us which was brilliantly taken. His full debut was rudely cut short by a dreadful tackle by the ââ?¬Ë?hate-filledââ?¬â?¢ Zander Diamond. SNââ?¬â?¢s replacement Kris Boyd scored a good 3rd goal which was just the icing on the cake. One last question for any Dollies that have made it this far ââ?¬â?? when you sing ââ?¬Ë?Weââ?¬â?¢re Only Sheep Shagging Barstewardsââ?¬â?¢ ââ?¬â?? what part of that statement makes it acceptable and something to shout about? Artur Boric Surely I wasnââ?¬â?¢t the only one who had a wee chuckle at the best keeper in Europe (cough, splutter) gifting the Hibees two goals and 3 points on Sunday? Anyway, this isnââ?¬â?¢t a critique of his abilities, but to look at his indiscretions towards the Hibs fans. As well as giving them the finger, he celebrated both Craptic goals in an ââ?¬Ë?unsavouryââ?¬â?¢ manner. Add this to the FACT that he has already been warned by the Police after gesticulating at us (any MOPES reading it wasnââ?¬â?¢t for blessing himself) surely something has to be done? Never mind Artur, I am sure that youââ?¬â?¢ll once again find yourself in a park miles from youââ?¬â?¢re home where a pregnant woman will be getting racially abused by a mysterous gang of racist thugs and youââ?¬â?¢ll be the hero once again. Cammy F ââ?¬â?? We Are The Peopleââ?¬Â¦.