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Rangers star Thomas Buffel would relish the opportunity to join forces with former team-mate Johan Elmander again. The Swedish World Cup striker, who played with Buffel at Feyenoord, has been linked with a move to Ibrox. And Buffel told the Mail on Sunday: "Johan is very fast, quite powerful and a big lad who can be dangerous. "Of course, everyone has to prove themselves in another team and another competition, but I think he has the ability to play for Rangers." Elmander, 26, has scored seven goals for Sweden in 19 appearances and made his World Cup debut as a substitute against Paraguay on Thursday. He is currently with Danish side Brondby but Buffel has good memories of the forward from his time in Dutch football. "I remember that, when I trained with him at Feyenoord, we were quite a good couple," he added. "I played a little behind him mostly and we actually had a good partnership. "You can always use a player with pace and an eye for goal."

A letter published in The Herald - well done to the Bear who submitted this ; I'Nuremberg rally' has no place in football I write this after having read Graham Spiers' diary piece regarding his experiences in Nuremberg - especially in the Zeppelinfield which, as we all know, has notoriety in the annals of history. I am actually quite pleased Mr Spiers wrote an eloquent article describing his personal emotions when gazing out over the awesome arena and the images which must surely have flashed in to his head at that precise time. He wrote: "Zeppelinfield looks exactly the same as it did in the infamous photographs from the period, with the large concrete podium at the top of the arena from where Hitler shrieked, looking out over a 400-metre parade ground where the stormtroopers marched. "It is the most moving,and disturbing, spot in which I have found myself writing about sport." Until this last paragraph, I didn't feel the need to comment. Hopefully now after having visited the Zeppelinfield Mr Spiers will finally appreciate why so many Rangers fans, including those from the Jewish faith, found his light-hearted comments about Ibrox resembling a "Nuremberg rally," not only distasteful but downright insensitive and deeply hurtful. Mr Smith, via email ----------------------------- Cammy F

Could we maybe have a little calm on the boards for a wee while. A few threads are going round in circles at the moment....... Just a thought. I preferred it when we came on and spoke about Rangers, football and generally had a laugh. Just my opinion so may be ignored if not appropriate.

Welcome to Ibrox. http://www.rangers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,5~840254,00.html http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/5051364.stm Trying to think who he reminds me of.... is it Uri Geller?

Rangers have announced the appointment of Jim Sinclair as Youth Academy director. The former director of football development at the Scottish Football Association was responsible for developing all aspects of football in Scotland including UEFA licence qualifications. Sinclair will be in charge of all youth coaching, recruitment, scouting and management outside the first team at Rangers when he takes over in August. Sinclair told Rangers World: "I am delighted to be joining Rangers and look forward to working with the young up and coming talent within the Rangers Youth Programme at the state-of-the-art training complex at Murray Park." Chairman David Murray said: "Some months ago we carried out a full audit of Murray Park and our current structure. "At that time we identified selection criteria for the new first team manager and a head of our Youth Academy, who would both share the same strategy and compliment one another in their vision for the development of young players to progress into the first team. "In both Paul Le Guen (new manager) and now Jim Sinclair, I believe we have found a strong football management team at Murray Park. "Jim came to us highly recommended and indeed, his experience of coaching and development at all levels is vast. "We are extremely pleased to have secured his services and look forward to his arrival in August."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/5089146.stm

Rangers boss Paul Le Guen turned down the opportunity the sign France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, it has been revealed. The 34-year-old is currently looking for a new club following his departure from Marseille at the end of last season. With Ronald Waterreus tipped to be heading out of Ibrox this summer Le Guen is known to be chasing a new keeper, but he has identified other targets ahead of Barthez. The former Manchester United man's agent explained that Barthez was offered to Rangers, but that Le Guen was not interested. "I know Paul Le Guen very well from his time in France and had a friendly discussion about the possibility of Fabien going to Rangers," said Jean-Marie Cantona, brother of Eric. "I knew Paul wanted to change his goalkeeping position at Rangers but he didn't want to take on Fabien. "He has other options and I respect him for that." Paris Saint Germain shot-stopper Lionel Letizi is in line to become the new Rangers number one, while Barthez looks likely to join Toulouse.

MrsC has just called and informed me that JJB Falkirk have never heard of a Rangers top without 'Carling' on it. Despite the fact that they are advertising this on their website and it is available at the new Superstore Oh dear, I suppose we sholuld have expected 'teething problems' Cammy F

Paris St Germain goalkeeper Lionel Letizi has arrived in Glasgow for a medical ahead of his proposed transfer to Rangers. The 33-year-old has refused to hold talks with other interested clubs before discussions are held at Ibrox. Letizi's agent, Eric Castagnino, said: "There is interest from other clubs, but we are only speaking to Rangers. "Paul Le Guen is at Rangers, which is good, but they are a big club and a good challenge for Lionel." Letizi, who has a year of his contract still to run with PSG, is being allowed to leave Paris following the club's signing of Mickael Landreau from Nantes. And he is reported to be attracting strong interest from Nantes and new Ligue 1 outfit Valenciennes. But he is now likely to be paraded when Le Guen arrives at Ibrox to begin pre-season training on Monday. Le Guen stepped up his search for a goalkeeper after Ronald Waterreus failed to agree terms on a new one-year deal, ending his 18-month spell in Glasgow. Former first choice Stefan Klos has been ruled out for up to four months after damaging his shoulder in a cycling accident. That left Allan McGregor, loaned to Dunfermline Athletic last season, as Rangers' only fit, experienced goalkeeper for the coming season. "We are still speaking at the moment and there should be news at the beginning of next week," said Castagnino. "Hopefully there will be an agreement by Monday or Tuesday. "He likes the club and he thinks the club likes him so it is looking good for everybody at the moment." Le Guen turned down the opportunity to sign France number one Fabien Barthez. The 34-year-old former Manchester United player - a free agent after quitting Marseille at the end of last season - was offered to the new Ibrox boss. Barthez's agent, Jean-Marie Cantona, brother of Eric, said: "I know Paul Le Guen very well from his time in France and had a friendly discussion about the possibility of Fabien going to Rangers. "I knew Paul wanted to change his goalkeeping position at Rangers, but he didn't want to take on Fabien. He has other options and I respect him for that." Letizi, capped four times by France, faced Rangers in December 2001, when the Ibrox club eliminated PSG from the Uefa Cup after a penalty shoot-out. He is expected to be joined at Ibrox next week by midfielder Jeremy Clement, who is poised to be transferred from Olympique Lyonnais. source- http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/5051364.stm

http://www.rangers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/WTPS/0,,5~838440,00.html?

Thought Iââ?¬â?¢d leave it a couple of days before I commented on the joint club and supporters statement of yesterday concerning the UEFA indictment of two weeks ago. Like most Rangers fans I was disappointed but not surprised when the UEFA charge was ââ?¬Ë?partially upheldââ?¬â?¢. I also believe our club should have backed our fans more and appealed the decision. I donââ?¬â?¢t want to waste anyoneââ?¬â?¢s time debating what songs are ââ?¬Ë?sectarianââ?¬â?¢ and what songs merely offend. We would be here all night. In the event of the UEFA judgement thatââ?¬â?¢s a pointless exercise and although some may be correct in their defence of the contested words and songs, essentially what UEFA says goes. For that reason we all have to realise the club and the criticised supportersââ?¬â?¢ groups had to choice but to make Fridayââ?¬â?¢s statement. No one, least of all the likes of the RST or TBO want to see our historic anthems and heritage destroyed. But sometimes we have to accept the inevitable, regroup, and then move on. ââ?¬Ë?Hullo Hulloââ?¬â?¢ or the ââ?¬Ë?Billy Boys as UEFA has described it is a rousing song. Itââ?¬â?¢s a great tune and its simplistic words never fail to arouse passion amongst the support particularly at bigger games. Unfortunately though, the lyrics (like many of our proud chants) have become bastardised. The official club version has been corrupted to, depending on your opinion, a song glorifying the victories of a notorious Glasgow gang leader or a historic regal figure, both whom fought their own very different battles against the ââ?¬Ë?feniansââ?¬â?¢ of their day. Now, no one is denying Protestant heritage and legend shouldnââ?¬â?¢t have their place in connection with Rangers. Like Celtic are fiercely proud of their Catholic background we too should appreciate our roots. No one, least of all UEFA, should be able to stop people expressing themselves freely. However, football matches at todayââ?¬â?¢s modern stadiums are not necessarily the place for such political viewpoints. Working class sports have always been connected to public opinion but in the days of all-seated stadia and family sections do we really need to listen to chants of FTP and fenian blood? I donââ?¬â?¢t think we do. No matter our opinions we have to move on. The song has been banned and ignorance or stubbornness is no longer an option. The line has been drawn and it can no longer be crossed. Itââ?¬â?¢s not being melodramatic to say that if we do cross it our club will no longer be the famous and proud institution it is. Can we afford to lose it? Because, make no mistake, thatââ?¬â?¢s what will happen if we choose to ignore the directive. Some will argue weââ?¬â?¢re surrendering to our enemies and to an extent I sympathise with that opinion. But, sometimes it takes the bigger person to admit their ills and move forward. Unlike others, Rangers FC and our fans have never hid from our problems. Now, we have a chance to really fix them and rid ourselves of them forever. Yes, it may require a loss of initial pride but we can recover from this. Indeed Iââ?¬â?¢d suggest our position will be stronger if we can accept this ban, educate and help each other to move into what is a new era in Scottish (and if the same rules are applied evenly ââ?¬â?? World) football. Our position will be stronger because we have made the first sacrifice. We will have shown our many detractors that we are capable of change. On an almost daily basis hypocritical people, with their own biased agendas attack us. That wonââ?¬â?¢t end completely ââ?¬â?? we canââ?¬â?¢t be so naive to think so. However, we will have paid our penance and they will never be allowed to forget that. Moreover, at the same time, if we can accept this judgement, the very least we should expect is a change in policy from the other clubs who are as equally guilty of sectarian, bigoted and offensive songs. Going by the UEFA charge, no club or national team is safe from similar sanction. Weââ?¬â?¢ll be watching to make sure this is not an unfair one-off. Weââ?¬â?¢ve already been tried twice and now the sanctions have been placed. We can move forward with a clear conscience. Can the others who sing about terrorists, stadium disasters and horrific injuries do the same? Of course not despite what their very public mouthpieces may suggest. If we do accept this ban, then other will have to come into the firing line. Weââ?¬â?¢ll no longer have the problem. We also have another positive. By standing by our club we will have shown just what Rangers FC really means to us. Of course our club should rightly be considered as a symbol of our past. Ibrox stadium is also a memory to our absent friends and as such we should never treat it lightly by allowing stands to be empty because of our mistakes. Are we really that selfish to lose these magnificent and unrivalled symbols of our faith and history? For one song that we can still sing anywhere else we like? I donââ?¬â?¢t blame anyone for being upset and disappointed by what appears to be a capitulation on our clubââ?¬â?¢s part. But look a bit deeper. Examine the bigger picture. Itââ?¬â?¢s not a big thing in the grand scheme of things. We may have to give a bit of ground here. In fact, we have no real choice. But, if we stand together, we can come out of this stronger. Or we can squabble, fall out, ignore and deny. But thatââ?¬â?¢s never been a winning strategy. It wasnââ?¬â?¢t for the Billy Boys of centuries past. It shouldnââ?¬â?¢t be now either. Season 2006/07 is almost upon us. Weââ?¬â?¢re pretty much debt free; we have an incredible new manager and new players have and will continue to arrive. An exciting new dawn has started. We can reclaim any lost ground on and off the pitch by sticking together. Letââ?¬â?¢s not spoil it by fighting and arguing over little things. We are the people. Letââ?¬â?¢s show it.

Rangers are poised to resurrect their interest in Shabani Nonda as Paul Le Guen moves to strengthen his attacking options for next season. As talks progress on a double move for the French duo Lionel Letizi and Lyon's Jeremy Clement, the name of former Le Guen prot�©g�© Nonda has also surfaced on the Rangers radar again. Interest in French World Cup star Sydney Govou and Jean-Claude Darcheville has so far failed to solidify, while reports have also linked the club with Swede Johan Elmander. Overseas sources claim, however, that a tentative approach to loan burly Congolese international Nonda has been rejected. Despite signing Dado Prso's former Monaco strike partner just 12 months ago on a three-year contract, the Serie A side are prepared to sell Nonda to Rangers for a fee of around �£2million. Daily Mail To me, this report dosen't sound too credible, but I wouldn't complain if it was true. I'm still a bit gutted at the apparent signing of Letizi, saw him play just the few times and was never blown away, which is a thought seemingly echoed by the majority of people who have seen him play here. But, if in 3 weeks time we've signed Sionko, Svensson, Cl�©ment, Elmander and Nonda, I'll be fairly satisfied so far.

RANGERS will travel to South Africa for a ten-day pre-season training trip next month. Paul Le Guen's squad will fly to Johannesburg on Saturday, July 8 and play three friendly games before returning to Glasgow on Monday, July 17. Sundowns FCThe Light Blues will play two matches against South African Premier Soccer League opposition. The first will be against Jomo Cosmos on Friday, July 14 at Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein, kick off 7pm followed by a match against Sundowns FC on Sunday, July 16 at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, kick off 2pm Prior to both of these games, Rangers will play another friendly match behind closed doors on Tuesday, July 11 which will be confirmed in due course. Jomo CosmosAlthough some distance away, there is no time difference between the UK and South Africa eliminating the debilitating problem of jetlag. Weather conditions are also ideal for pre-season training with average daytime temperatures ranging from 65 to 70F. The trip is sandwiched by two competitive friendly matches on British soil. Rangers will travel to Belfast to take on Linfield on Thursday, July 6 and then host UEFA Cup finalists Middlesbrough at Ibrox on Saturday, July 22. The club have also been approached by a number of major English clubs to take part in friendly fixtures in the week prior to and after the start of the season on July 29 however for footballing reasons these offers have been declined.

says Ronald Wattar..no..Watteros.....no..Water...ah forget it.

I remember him playing alongside Boumsong once but other than that Eck didn't play him. Here's hoping he can do well at Dens Park for Alex Rae.

Rangers have been ordered to make a public announcement at all of their home games prohibiting the chanting of the song "Billy Boys". The instruction comes from Uefa as one of a number of directives aimed at stamping out sectarianism. Rangers were fined £13,000 for the sectarian behaviour of their fans at a recent Champions League match. And Rangers chairman David Murray has already met with supporters groups to make sure their fans comply. The Rangers Assembly, fanzine and website Follow Follow and the Supporters Trust were all represented at the Murray Park meeting on Thursday evening. Murray said: "These supporters' groups represented should be applauded for coming forward in recognition of the importance of this issue. All parties are united in a bid to silence the minority that continue to tarnish the reputation of Rangers Football Club Rangers statement "I am delighted at the progress we made. "Over the last two years, the club has strove fervently under the banner of 'Pride over Prejudice' working with the authorities to impose indefinite and lifetime bans. "I look forward in the coming weeks to implementing some of the actions that were discussed. "It is absolutely clear to all concerned that all supporters need to commit to silencing the minority." The meeting followed receipt of Uefa's written grounds for fining Rangers following the tie against Villarreal. Uefa also ordered Rangers to "anounce measurable targets in order to reduce sectarian behaviour amongst its supporters". And it instructed the Glasgow club to prove the success of its measures through statistics communicated to the public. Rangers have warned that their fans must comply to "avoid sanctions being imposed or expulsion from European competition altogether". "A positive debate was held at Murray Park and all parties are united in a bid to silence the minority that continue to tarnish the reputation of Rangers Football Club," it was stated on the club website. A joint committe has been formed between the club and supporters groups. And a statement from the fans' bodies read: "The message now could not be clearer that the spotlight is upon the supporters and the club and it is their duty to work together to stamp out the minority who are damaging the reputations of all those connected with Rangers Football Club. "Not only does this small minority tarnish the reputation of Rangers but of Scottish football and our society in general and hopefully anyone who is interested in Scottish football will work with us in assisting to eradicate this behaviour." -------------------------------------------------- There you have it folks, backed by TBO, RST, Follow Follow, RSA - Murray is going to act on fans who continue to sing The Billy Boys. Also, what else can't be clearer is if we continue to sing The Billy Boys UEFA will act and we will be BANNED from European touriments. Cammy F

Following on from the debate started by frankie entitled `gersnet analysis/ a surrender or a victory?`, i really just wanted to see what the general feeling was within gersnet regarding rangers banning `the billy boys` from ibrox. so, easiest way is to put it to a vote and see what the scores tell us....

I was indifferent to if he stayed or not anyway, good servant to the club while he was here but 25% wage increase demands at his age is kind of pushing it.

Rangers have made an offer to sign 16-year-old Copenhagen striker Morten Nielson, according to his father. It is also being claimed that Chelsea and Manchester United have been tracking the teenager, who is a Danish Under-17 international. Benny Nielson told the Daily Express: "Rangers have made us an offer and want us to across to visit Glasgow. "Morten still has a contract with FC Copenhagen and I have told Rangers they must agree a transfer fee with them." New Rangers manager Paul Le Guen has already signed three promising teenagers, one from Chelsea and two from Rennes as he builds for the future. However, Nielson, who is a former Denmark international, added: "Morten would definitely love to go to a big club like Rangers, but there are a lot of other clubs who are also interested." From BBC Sport. Always good to build for the future.

remember this? well mynes has become abit grubby, the carling badge is fading and the umbro has come off. thought i'd get it ammended for the world cup put abit of red felt over the carling badges, and sew on the patch where the umbro's come off. gonna look cracking.

.... and proud to say I was one of them http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehH4fAfn2VE&search=glasgow%20rangers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajACMK3PqHY&search=glasgow%20rangers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfedYPqCuyA&search=glasgow%20rangers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOAehiqchb0&search=glasgow%20rangers Cammy F

Looks like we're going to get him either way i think.

Some great Rangers memories - http://www.youtube.com/results?search=rangersloyal&search_type=search_videos&search=Search Cammy F

It's probably been posted before but I'll post it again because the guy is my hero and a Rangers legend. His 2nd goal against Aberdeen that won us 8 in a row still send a wee tingle down my back. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqiwAA5nKDk&search=gazza Swing low sweet chariot Gazza's here for 9 in a row! I hope PLG brings in someone a personality half as good as Gazzas! "I'd do them 2 years for the rest of me life"

Paris Saint Germain goalkeeper Lionel Letizi would welcome a move to Rangers, according to his agent. The 33-year-old's representative, Eric Castagnino, told the Herald: "There are a few clubs interested in Lionel and Rangers are certainly one of them. "We're now waiting to hear back from Rangers and we will hopefully take the situation forward from there. "There are two clubs in France who want Lionel but he is very interested in the possibility of going to Rangers." I think we should def go for him. Established GK with european experience.