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ALLY McCOIST insists it is business as usual at Rangers after the latest round of off-field comings and goings at Ibrox. The Gers manager saw chief executive Graham Wallace leave the club last month as Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley made his grab for power of the Light Blues. Earlier finance director Philip Nash had also headed out of Ibrox as the billionaire English businessman started to pull the strings after agreeing to give the under-fire board a £2million loan. And this week former Newcastle MD Derek Llambias, one of Ashley's closest allies, joined the Rangers set-up as a non-executive director. Club chairman David Somers is leading the search for a new chief executive and he is now also McCoist's main point of contact. The Gers gaffer said: "I've been dealing with the chairman for the last couple of weeks now. "He has been up to see me on a far more regular basis. I saw him at the Cowdenbeath game on Tuesday then I spoke to him on Wednesday. "He is actively pursuing a chief executive and that hasn't changed." Asked if the situtaion at the club was any more stable, McCoist replied: "It's not less stabilised. "It is what it is and it's fine. It's very much business as usual for the playing and coaching staff, as it has been all season. We're concentrating on our games and trying to get results." With Wallace and Nash gone and Llambias now in place at Ibrox, Ashley has grabbed effective control of Rangers. Supporters remain wary of his motives for increasing his shareholding and influence. The SFA are awaiting a response from the club and Ashley as they also seek answers. When McCoist was asked if he had spoken to Ashley yet, he replied: "I haven't, no. I have no real need to. "I am available at all times to shareholders and board members. If anyone wants to speak to me that's no problem at all." http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/allys-not-bothered-by-ashley-changes-at-rangers-187764n.25803241

Algeria and Fujairah captain would love to finish his career at Ibrox. Fujairah: Algeria and Fujairah captain Madjid Bougherra says he dreams of playing one more game for former club Glasgow Rangers before he retires. The 32-year-old defender is currently languishing in the lower half of the UAE’s Arabian Gulf League with Fujairah, having joined from Qatar’s Al Lekhwiya in the summer. But he says he dreams of returning to Scotland’s Rangers, with whom he won five titles in four years before they sold him in 2011, when the club went into liquidation. Rangers were forced to re-enter Scottish football in the fourth division, but they have since secured back-to-back promotions and are currently first in the second tier with a return to the top flight seemingly imminent. “I was really upset when they went down because they didn’t deserve it,” the former fans’ favourite told Gulf News. “But I’m really not afraid for them now. “They have beautiful fans who will follow them everywhere. I’m confident they will get back in the Scottish Premier League (SPL) and be back in the Uefa Champions League very soon.” Of his dream of signing off his career at Ibrox, Bougherra, who played for Rangers between 2008 and 2011, winning three league titles and the Scottish Cup and League Cup, added: “To finish my career there would be unbelievable. “Rangers is a huge part of my career, this club gave me the opportunity to play at the highest level and enabled me to show my talent to the world. “My target is to finish my career there, just one more game would be enough for me, but if I can help them with my experience for a season, or even half a season, and finish my career at Ibrox, it would be a dream. We will see if it’s possible, from today I am still in good touch with them.” http://gulfnews.com/sport/football/madjid-bougherra-eyes-last-hurrah-with-glasgow-rangers-1.1409573?

Rangers Football Club have agreed a partnership with Mariposa Football Club, the Mariposa, California based soccer organisation. Mariposa FC coaches and players will have the opportunity to work with the Academy coaches of Rangers in both North America and Scotland. That will offer an insight into the player development program of one of the top Scottish Football Academies. The coaches are also invited to come to Scotland to study the Rangers Player Development Program. Part of the agreement will see Rangers North American Academy hosting a series of Elite Player ID Events with Mariposa FC during 2015/2016 season. Rangers will send members of their Academy staff to work with the players at these events. The best male and female players at these events will be invited to go to the Rangers National Camp. From this camp the very best will be invited to travel to Scotland and train with the Rangers main Academy. Mr. Adam Finney, the Director of Mariposa Football Club, said: “Partnering with Rangers is a dream come true. “We are always striving to re-evaluate our own process, to refine it for the modern needs of the players with whom we work -however we are also simultaneously striving to build culture, tradition and a passion for the game. “To partner with a club such as Rangers, who have all of these things and remain increasingly relevant in the global club scene, is a great opportunity for our young club." Mariposa FC were started in 2000 as a way for players in the remote area of Mariposa County to compete in club soccer. The original teams were chartered as off season training programs with various regional leagues. Mariposa were originally going to compete in US Club Soccer - this began with the local players being taken under the wing of Danny Cruz's Sacramento F.C. In 2012, it looked like there were enough players to form and charter the club with US Club Soccer and the application process began. Mariposa’s first year of competition in NorCal premier was 2013. Their mission statement is to provide high level player development opportunities for players in the remote regions of Yosemite Valley, El Portal and Mariposa. The club’s main focus is on development and players reaching their peak around the age of 16 or 17. http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/club-news/item/8036-new-north-america-partner

...but that doesn't mean we're ready to win the Premiership title. THE Light Blues boss has already led his team to wins over St Johnstone and Inverness this season but says further investment is needed if they are to compete in the top flight. IT'S been the great pub debate of the last couple of years. Just where are Rangers in the grand scheme of Scottish football? They play in the Championship of course but voices have been raised in boozers all across the country about just where Gers actually are when you rip up the divisions. Folk will point to the £6million annual budget. Is the second most expensive squad the second best in the land? They will point to internationals and players who have cut it at the top level for several seasons. But it’s been a kiddy-on debate for the pub – until now. Rangers have already beaten St Johnstone and Inverness this season – two of last term’s star turns. Now they have Kilmarnock coming up in the Scottish Cup. Oh, there’s also a quiet wee matter of the League Cup semi-final against Celtic in the pipeline. Soon it might become clearer just where Gers are in the unnatural pecking order. Ally McCoist doesn’t see it that way though. The boss reckons his side could beat Killie and Celtic and it still wouldn’t mean they are ready to mount a title tilt next season. They have to get there first and McCoist is wary of thinking even an Old Firm win will suggest his troops are ready for a bigger battle. The Ibrox gaffer has enough on his plate in the short term and insisted beating their old foes doesn’t mean his club won’t need to strengthen further. He said: “No matter if we beat Kilmarnock and Celtic there’s no way we are ready to win the top flight. “Do we need new players? Absolutely. To compete right at the top. The boys we have brought in are free transfers. “Look at the lads who left us, we paid £2.5m for Naismith, £2.5m for Whittaker, we paid millions for Davis and we brought in free transfers. So it’s not rocket science to work it out. “We have a long way to go before we are anywhere near competing for the top-flight title.” Even if they get the better of the champions? McCoist said: “I understand that thinking. But Inverness beat Celtic this season and how many people now think they’ll win the league? “Same with Hamilton. They’re going great but I don’t think they will win the league. In a one-off game a lot of teams are capable of giving Celtic a game and occasionally beating them. “But over a Grand National course I don’t think there’s any that would give them a run for their money.” Whether McCoist will get the new signings he needs is still not clear. The new Mike Ashley regime is plotting in the background but the Gers boss has yet to learn whether he will have money to spend in January or next summer. He said: “I don’t know, I’ll have to wait and see. That’s not been spoken about. I’m the same as every other manager – we’d all love to strengthen our squads. “I’ve been in dialogue with the chairman but football matters like that haven’t been discussed yet. “That’s not yet happened with the new regime. But it hadn’t yet happened to any real degree with Graham Wallace or Philip Nash either. I’ve been dealing with the chairman for the last couple of weeks. He’s been up on a far more regular basis and is actively pursuing a new chief executive.” McCoist hasn’t notice too much change since Ashley’s power play at the end of last month. At least the situation at Ibrox hasn’t got worse, no mean feat these last few years, but he has continued to keep his head down and focus on matters on the pitch. McCoist said: “I don’t know if it’s more stable. It’s certainly not less stabilised. It is what it is and it’s fine. It’s business as usual for the playing and coaching staff, as it has been all season. We’re concentrating on trying to get results.” That includes today’s visit of Falkirk where Rangers are looking to make it eight wins on the spin. The Light Blues are motoring after a stalling start and determined to keep the pressure on leaders Hearts. Gers have not been used to playing catch-up after strolling to the League One and Two titles but striker Jon Daly vows they’re relishing the chase. He said: “We have turned the corner. We have been playing some good stuff lately and the results have come. “We need to keep winning and putting pressure on Hearts. Hopefully they will start dropping points and we can close the gap. “Last season we won the league comfortably so this is the first time I have been in a campaign where we have been chasing the title. “It’s a good pressure to be under. It’s a challenge I am enjoying. It keeps you on the edge and on your toes.” http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ally-mccoist-rangers-could-beat-4590163

http://www.heraldscotland.com/mobile/sport/football/from-central-defender-to-central-figure-rangers-look-stronger-with-mcgregor.25792124

Taken from FF, some details of the Ricksen game for anyone interested. Please forgive the spelling errors as the guy who posted it had his predictive text on! Fernando ricksen tribute match Sunday 25th of January. The game will be between Fernando ricksen rangers all stars v a rest of the world legends side. I can give you a update on some of the players I have confirmed so far For the rangers all stars we a goram.m ball. A human.l amoruso.m Andrew. B Malcolm. B konterman. B Ferguson.r latapy.t tugay.j albertz . p lovenkrands.t buffell.m Negri.r de Boer. N novo. G durie. R Wallace. M Mol's . For the rest of the world we have d bessant.r Lee.d anderton.s sedgley. A sinton.j beattie. Mat le tissue. T sheringham .d walker.they are all England internationals.and we have van bommel.and more Dutch German Italian internationals . This will be a great day . Also from other posts in the thread, tickets are £12 and £5 and should go on sale soon.

Folks, I'm posting this in a new thread here so that nobody taking part in the GPL misses it. I've just completed a significant update to the format of the GPL results & standings tables in Excel and now we have a more advanced template which provides more information and in a clearer presentation. It's something I've been meaning to do for a while and simply had to do it before the season progressed any further because the system of players on the same number of points being separated by their average score or names in alphabetical order made absolutely no sense. So, check out the new league standings table format below, tell me what you think and if anyone has any questions please ask.

ALLY McCOIST has challenged David Templeton to prove he is worthy of a regular Rangers starting berth. The winger came off the bench to net the final goal in the Light Blues' 3-0 win over Cowdenbeath on Tuesday night. McCoist elected to go with Lewis Macleod and Steven Smith on the flanks as Templeton had to settle for a spot on the sidelines. But the Gers boss knows the 25-year-old has what it takes to be regular feature. McCoist said: "Temps has absolutely made a claim for a place. How he played against Cowdenbeath is what we're looking for from David. "He gets up the park and takes people on and he's always got a goal in him - he's got two very good feet, two very quick feet and he's always very well placed. "It was really pleasing to see him coming on and scoring. He was great and we know he's capable of that. "All that we can ask of him is to put pressure on myself and the staff to give him a starting position." Templeton was not the only midfielder to find the net at Central Park, with playmaker Nicky Law scoring just three minutes in. And the Ibrox gaffer is pleased with the options he has available middle to front after another Championship success. "I just felt the boys [Macleod and Smith] deserved another crack at it after putting in a solid performance against Dumbarton on Saturday," McCoist told rangers.co.uk. "We have Temps who can come in on the left-hand side and now that young Airdy is out for a couple of weeks we need options - so at this moment in time we're very pleased that we've got one or two. "Big Jon Daly came off the bench and was a real handful and had a couple of good headers and probably should have scored, so we've got one or two options up front too." http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/mccoist-challenge-to-rangers-wing-ace-templeton-187450n.25786073

CAMPBELL Ogilvie has reiterated the determination of the Scottish Football Association to seek clear answers from Mike Ashley, as the Sports Direct owner continues to increase his influence in the running of Rangers. Ogilvie, president of the SFA, said yesterday the association had written to Ashley – also owner of Newcastle United –looking for ‘clarification’ of his position, but said a reply had not yet been forthcoming. The tycoon owns 8.92 per cent of Rangers, runs the retail division and holds naming rights for Ibrox after buying them for £1 from former chief executive Charles Green. He also gave Rangers a £2 million loan last week. Hours before Ogilvie’s comments, it was announced to the Stock Exchange that former Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias was appointed to the Rangers board as a non-executive director, further strengthening Ashley’s position. Ashley has signed an agreement with the SFA that limits him to having no more than a 10 per cent stake in Rangers while he is in command at St James’ Park. The agreement is designed to limit his control over Rangers but it remains unclear if by appointing Llambias or Barry Leach – another of his close associates hired on a consultancy basis – would fall foul of that deal. Ogilvie said the SFA would continue to press Ashley for answers, and a possible meeting to discuss his intentions. “We’ve written to the club itself and to Mike Ashley looking for clarification,” said Ogilvie, a former general secretary anddirector at Rangers. “We’re waiting for replies to that and we’ll take it from there. We need more information at this stage. There could be a meeting. We wrote to them at the end of last week, we’re waiting for a reply. “That could lead to a meeting between the SFA and the club – and, indeed, Mike Ashley and his advisors. That would be the next step. Then we’ll take it from there. But we really need more information. “Fundamentally, the undertaking was not to go above the 10 per cent shareholding – and not to have influence in the running of the club. Fundamentally, that was it. “On the back of the movement last week, we’ve written asking for more information. Until we get that information, we can’t comment further.” Rangers chairman David Somers announced last week that Llambias had been brought in as a consultant but now the club has confirmed he has taken on official duties. The club’s statement said: “The board of Rangers announces that it has appointed Derek Llambias as a non-executive director. In accordance with Rangers’ Articles of Association, Mr Llambias will be subject to re-election by ordinary resolution of the shareholders of the company at the upcoming Annual General Meeting which is expected to be held in December.” Somers previously held non-executive responsibilities as chairman but took over day-to-day running of the club last week as he set about finding replacements for chief executive Graham Wallace and Philip Nash, the former finance director, who were both forced out after failing to stop the club accepting the £2m loan from Ashley. http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl-lower-divisions/sfa-seek-answers-as-llambias-joins-rangers-board-1-3591968

ALLY McCOIST admits he is bracing himself for a period without Bilel Mohsni early next year which could see him miss the League Cup semi-final with Celtic. The defender has made himself a regular in the Tunisia squad which is close to qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations. At present, the event is scheduled to be played from January 17 to February 8, although Morocco has until Saturday to decide if it still wishes to host it. The Moroccans have pushed for a postponement because of the recent Ebola outbreak and a final decision will be taken next Tuesday on what will happen if they maintain their stance. Should the tournament go ahead as currently planned, Tunisia will most likely be competing having moved to the top of their group in the final round of preliminary fixtures. Sitting with 10 points from four games, Georges Leekens’ side will advance to the finals if it matches Egypt’s result against Senegal when it faces Botswana next Friday. That would put the Eagles of Carthage through with a tie to spare and even if they suffer a dramatic collapse in their last two outings they will probably still progress. The best third-placed team will go through too and Egypt are currently the highest ranked in that respect with six points, four less than Mohsni and his team-mates. The latter stages of the finals event clash with the tie against Celtic on January 31 or February 1. While Mohsni would certainly miss at least the meetings with Hearts and Cowdenbeath in the SPFL Championship, he may be at risk of sitting out the derby too. McCoist said: “People keep talking about squads and the numbers we have in ours and this is why we need as many players to fill our group as possible. “You do get injuries, suspensions and international call-ups. Regardless of the fact he hasn’t played recently, Bilel is still a very important member of our squad. “Of that there is no doubt. Darren McGregor and Lee McCulloch have been doing well and were put together due to Bilel’s suspension. “We have to show loyalty to boys who do well and we’ll continue to do that but we would still rather not be without anyone else. “It would be nothing short of a real shock for Tunisia not to qualify now because of the position they’re in. “If and when he goes, we’ll wish Bilel well but we’ll certainly miss him. It’s a catch 22 situation.” http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/8031-bilel-set-for-finals-trip

http://www.gersnet.co.uk/index.php/latest-news/289-is-donald-findlay-right-discussing-our-rangers-addiction Waking up to another Rangers controversy is nothing new. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Monday, a Thursday or a match-day, there’s always another Rangers related story to keep this ongoing farce alive. From the boardroom to the dressing room; from the small grounds in Scotland to the businessmen of Singapore; the bizarre nature of what has happened to one of Scotland’s proudest institutions continues to make waves wherever and whenever you care to cast a sideways glance. It’s impossible to hide from. Now, I’ve not read all of what Donald Findlay has said to journalist Stephen McGowan in today’s Daily Mail. The ‘debate’ surrounding about whether or not Rangers are a new club isn’t something which particularly attracts me. For me, the opinion of the law lords and football authorities is enough – Rangers is the same club with their history and successes intact from one company vehicle to the next. In many ways though, does it really matter what they or Donald Findlay think? I still follow follow Rangers with the same excitement and love I’ve always done. I always will. Many hundreds of thousands agree. However, and here’s the rub, some do feel differently and I can empathise with that. Why? Well, there can be various reasons. For one, the club’s reputation has taken a huge hit – doesn’t matter how fraudulent Craig Whyte and his associates' actions are proven to be, our club almost died. It doesn’t matter with how much disdain the Scottish football authorities, fellow clubs and fans and the Scottish media approached this fall from grace; we had to start again in Division Three. In that sense, of course the club’s reputation has changed forever. No Rangers fan alive has had to experience such a dramatic change in fortunes so it’s inevitable our mind-set has as well. Moreover, since administration, the situation has hardly improved. The Rangers brand (and tradition as well perhaps) is no longer associated with success and pride and honesty and hard work. Instead, embarrassment, dishonesty, manipulation, excess and fraud are now bywords for our club. Yes the team on the park may still be the team we love but unlike our fathers and their fathers before them, we’ll now forever have to associate on-field displays with the performance of the boardroom. Some may find it easy to refrain from such, but many others cannot. Not as long as the money we pay into the club can be withheld by companies with a somewhat different relationship. That particular landscape has changed forever; it’s undeniable. Moving on, and even within our fan-base things have altered for the worse. Small minorities they may be but the division amongst some fans is bordering on the obscene at times. Bear antagonising bear is not only counter-productive but downright bizarre. Disagreement can and should be healthy but some supporters have taken that to all new levels. In the modern era of online debate that may well be inevitable but it’s a change from previous times and it’s not a good one. These aren’t arguments in private RSC cubby-holes but very public fall outs which can be seen by all. They help no-one. Considering all the above, it’s perhaps more surprising to suggest anyone doesn’t approach supporting the club differently. To be clear, it’s not that our love has decreased or that our history and success has somehow been removed (such arguments are ludicrous) but that what has happened in recent years has changed us all forever. Indeed, it has to – we have to learn from our mistakes and ensure it doesn’t happen again. That’s not to say we can do so easily – we can’t – but if we try to hide from it then we’re no worse than an addict glossing over their dependence. To sum up, while I fundamentally and strongly disagree with Findlay in terms of Rangers still being the same Rangers, he is right to an extent. Of course the club is the same one we've all supported but there are elements of recent events which will have affected us all in different ways. Perhaps it's the divided fans taking each other for granted, perhaps it's the club's total disdain for our opinion, perhaps it's the media apportioning blame to the wrong people, perhaps it's the manager refusing to learn from his mistakes, perhaps it's the constant stress amidst the whole farce but no matter the issue, it has become very difficult to support Rangers nowadays. It should be fun, it should be a release from the everyday hum-drum but it's not - in fact I'd say supporting Rangers is just another daily stress and only our fans will understand just how bad it's been. For some, even someone like Donald Findlay, the challenge may be too much but shirking from his opinion won't help. To that end, if anyone has found the last few years hard then we should be working together to talk through our worries - not hide from or belittle them. Supporting Rangers isn't something you can turn on or off. It's an addiction which infects the soul. Thus, I'd say anyone who hasn't had their heart broken and their faith challenged is in the minority. However, broken hearts can be repaired and reputations restored. My name is Frankie and I'm an addict.

Wednesday, 05 November 2014 10:30 Watch Under 20's At Ibrox Tonight Written by Rangers Football Club RANGERS U20 side take on Spartans in the third round of the SFA Youth Cup on Wednesday evening at Ibrox. The Gers youngsters want all the support they can get as they seek to retain the cup, which they won last season by beating Hearts on penalties. Fans can pay on the gate with adult tickets priced £4 and children’s £1. The West Enclosure (Gate 28) will be open for away fans and the East Enclosure (Gate 45) is open for home fans. Rangers U20 v Spartans U20 – Ibrox – Wednesday 5th November – Kick-off: 7.30pm http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/academy-news/item/7999-pay-on-the-door-for-u20s

ALLY McCoist today vowed to try and keep Lewis Macleod's feet on the ground after the young Rangers midfielder was called up by Scotland. McCoist was delighted Macleod was yesterday named in the 27-man national squad for the games against the Republic of Ireland and England. But he stressed the talented 20-year-old had "a long way to go in his career" and has to keep working hard in order to realise his potential. McCoist said: "It's brilliant for Lewis, great for him. I'd a chat with him and I'd spoken to Gordon on Monday. We are delighted and we all have high hopes for him without getting carried away. "We are genuinely pleased to see him get his first international call-up. "Can he make an impact in the squad straight away? I don't know. The Scottish boys have been doing well so that will be up to Gordon." Macleod, who helped Rangers beat Cowdenbeath 3-0 in a rearranged SPFL Championship match at Central Park, has been called up by Scotland despite playing out of position. But his manager believes the Murray Park youth graduate has benefited from playing wide on the left of midfield for the Ibrox club in the last two-and-a-half seasons. He said: "We don't have any doubt that his position will be central, but it's not doing him any harm learning his trade. "Longer term, he will be a central midfielder. But Lewis is realising it's about the team, not the individual. "Lewis was quieter against Cowdenbeath and that didn't surprise us as he has a long way to go in what will be a long and successful career." McCoist believes the win over Cowdenbeath, which cut Hearts' lead at the top of the second-tier table to four points, shows they are very much in the hunt for the title. And he has urged his players not to allow their attention to wander to the massive League Cup semi-final with Old Firm rivals Celtic in February. He said: "We didn't start very well, which is a contradiction as we scored a great goal. Our general play could have been better. "The second goal helped. Later on, we were fairly good. We grew into the game. "Cowdenbeath were very good, especially in the early part of the game. This is a difficult venue at any time, let alone a Tuesday night. "But getting the goals and the clean sheet was pleasing. We have to focus on the massive games of football before the Old Firm game. "We had to win to let the other teams in the Championship know and we certainly sent out a message that we are in the hunt." http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/coisty-ill-keep-rangers-star-lewis-grounded-after-scots-cap-call-187313n.25781990

I wont document the fiasco involved in picking up public sale tickets etc at Ibrox, port-a-cabin queues a mile long etc (which I have to do when I want to take my son) as we are all fully aware. But just a few weeks ago before I went to Madrid I decided to see if I could get tickets for Athletico at home. I went online and was astounded when it gave me the option to buy online and print the 'ticket' off on my home printer. All I had to do was go to the turnstyle and get the barcode read. As easy as you like. What the hell is stopping Rangers from adopting a similar setup and saving quite a few quid in admin at the same time I would imagine?

http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/12135507.html In the name of George Alexander Taylor who seems to be a Morgan Stanley employee. I would assume this purchase is being made on behalf of a Morgan Stanley customer what do our financial experts think? Is this likely to be something significant?

FRUSTRATED Rangers supporters and shareholders will have to wait another month before the make-or-break Ibrox AGM. Club bosses have revealed the shareholder summit is expected to be held next month, but remained tight-lipped about an exact date. Supporters have voiced their disgust over the board's rejection of a £16million investment offer in favour of a £2m emergency loan from Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley. Rangers directors are expected to face a grilling from shareholders and fans at the stormy AGM. Sons of Struth chief Craig Houston said: "We've come to expect it - history tells us the AGM will be continue to be put off. I actually wouldn't be surprised if it was left until the last possible moment. "A lot of people say they would like to see a Rangers fan on the board, but I wouldn't. I want to see a board full of Rangers fans." The comments come after Rangers announced the appointment of Derek Llambias as a non-executive director, as reported in later editions of yesterday's Evening Times. The 57-year-old former Newcastle United managing director arrived in Glasgow last week after the Ibrox board accepted Ashley's £2m loan. Llambias, who was Ashley's right hand man at Newcastle United, has since been acting as a consultant to the Rangers board. It is the latest move by Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley to increase his influence in the running of the Ibrox club. An announcement about his new appointment was made to the London Stock Exchange yesterday morning. It read: "The board of Rangers announces that it has appointed Derek Llambias as a non-executive director. "Mr Llambias will be subject to re-election by ordinary resolution of the shareholders of the company at the upcoming Annual General Meeting which is expected to be held in December." Sports Direct tycoon Ashley owns 8.92% of Rangers, but he has signed an agreement with the SFA that limits him to having no more than a 10% stake, while he is in command at St James' Park. Sandy Easdale recently increased his stake in RIFC plc 5.21% and has control over another 20.94% of secret proxy shares. Fangs groups recently urged Easdale to come clean over fears about the delayed AGM. Union of Fans spokesman Chris Graham said: "We are concerned at newspaper reports that the annual accounts and therefore the AGM may be delayed. "We would ask the PLC board to clarify if this is the case and to explain why, after what they described as a successful fundraising, there would be any reason to delay accounts publication." Calls for the AGM come after a months of turmoil at Ibrox. Phillip Nash - a former Arsenal and Liverpool executive - quit, and chief executive Graham Wallace followed in leaving the club. Rangers have a regulatory requirement to hold the AGM by December 31. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/fans-facing-wait-before-make-or-break-meeting-187092n.25758971

...Hibs and Hearts back to the top. GORDON STRACHAN claims Scottish football might need to engineer change to get Rangers, Hearts and Hibs back into the top flight. Speaking on Sky’s ‘Goals on Sunday’ programme, the Scotland boss said getting all three promoted is for the good of the game. This season only one team is certain of climbing up from the Championship. One other team could gain promotion via the play-offs but one club is guaranteed to spend another term in the second tier. Strachan reckons the hype at the impending Old Firm League Cup semi-final shows how much the game has missed the Glasgow derby. And he reckons finding a way to “manipulate” the leagues to get all the big guns back in double-quick time would be a good move. He said: “Somehow we have to get these three teams back. People say you can’t manipulate it, but I think you must to get them back in the Premiership. “Then the game will grow again, with the crowds and money and excitement.” On the Old Firm cup-tie, he said: “The top league has missed Hearts, Hibs and Rangers, so to get that fixture back is fantastic, as all the talk is administration and all the rest of it. “The phone-ins are filled with all these kind of things. We need Rangers back. They were punished and something had to happen but it’s left Scottish football short.” Rangers started again in the bottom tier while Hearts dropped out of the top flight after administration and a 15-point penalty. Hibs’ abject failure last season saw them relegated via the play-offs. SFA and SPFL chiefs may secretly agree with Strachan, but finding a fair way to do it would be hard to do. http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/530715/Gordon-Strachan-league-engineering-Rangers-Hibs-Hearts

Jane Lewis ‏@BBCJaneLewis 36s36 seconds ago #Ranger appoint Derek Llambias as non-executive director. The stock exchange made announcement morning.

Looks like 3.6 million shares were traded today or rather transferred , could this be in part payement for either outstanding loan

Seven members of the Green Brigade group of Celtic fans are to stand trial next month charged with singing a pro-IRA song. They are alleged to have behaved in a way that "is likely or would be likely to incite public disorder" by singing the Roll of Honour at Celtic Park. Paul Duke (38), Ross Gallagher (30), Christopher Bateman (29) David Gallacher (23), Sean Cowden (22), Kieran Duffy (19) and Greg Robertson (29) are charged with the offence. Duke and Gallagher, both of East Kilbride, Bateman, of Irvine, Gallacher, of Glasgow, Cowden, of Rutherglen and Duffy, of Coatbridge, are accused of singing the song at the Champions League qualifier match at a Celtic against Elfsborg match on July 31, 2013. Gallagher, Bateman and Robertson, also of Glasgow, are accused of singing the song at a league match against Ross County on August 3 last year. Robertson faces the same allegation along with Gallacher in connection with match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on August 24 last year. The case against all seven - who plead not guilty - today called for a hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court. They were ordered to return for trial, which is set to start next month. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/u/seven-green-brigade-members-face-trial-over-pro-ira-song.1414595076

Did Mr Johnson jet into Glasgow at 6.20am today onboard United 161 with only carry on luggage because he was one of the lucky few to get a ticket for the cup tie at Dumbarton or did he have other things on his mind?

I see he has resigned.

I thought this was quite well written from Chris Jack regarding last night's crowd. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/rangerscomment/empty-seats-tell-story-of-rangers-fatal-rift-186382n.25722001