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Why was this referred for review? We all know why the Naismith one was, but if you get caught diving it is only a yellow card offence. Why review a yellow card offence? Why then would it be potentially a 2 match ban? Also why did they refer an incident that the ref saw and made a judgement on? All very strange.

But had this been a Rangers fan, he'd have been jailed. With all the hullaballoo about sectarianism, you'd have expect a harsher sentence. Well, it would have been if it had been us.

Scottish Review: I usually make it my business not to intervene in discussions about football and sectarianism because I have become increasingly tired of the discussion, fed up of the ignorance surrounding what sectarianism is and exhausted by the outpourings of the press, the police and the government who all wish to use football as a means to some other end such as selling papers devoid of real news, defending budgets and promoting the idea of a national police force and covering up failings in other policy areas. There seems to be one thing that huge swathes of the Scottish population ââ?¬â?? and all those organisations which make a living out of getting Glaswegian children of different religions to do what they already do (ie play together) ââ?¬â?? seem to agree on and that is that there is this thing called sectarianism which we don't want to actually define (because it is a bit tricky); it is perpetrated only by football fans; and only those football fans who support teams based in Glasgow. This allows the same group of people to get all smug and self-righteous about the subject while proclaiming their own clean hands in the matter. The thing is, I like the Scottish Review. I find it interesting and informative on a whole range of topics and I enjoy reading the different takes of people on issues of concern to all citizens of Scotland. I don't even mind the fact that Jill Stephenson from time to time peddles the usual anti-Catholic school agenda disguised as secularism which is the modus operandi of the anti-Catholic middle classes. However, I cannot let Peter MacAulay's piece (20 July) pass without comment. No Peter, if there is sectarianism (which I define as treating someone ââ?¬â?? by word or deed ââ?¬â?? in a negative fashion based on their religion or perceived religion) in Scotland then, in my experience, not only does it extend far beyond football but it extends throughout all football grounds in Scotland. The evidence is there for any journalist, which I see that you are, to find if they care to look for it. Catholics (and Muslims) are more likely to be in jail than the rest of the population (according to the evidence given to the petitions committee of the Scottish Parliament who are considering this matter at present); they are disproportionately present in poor areas; they are more likely to be the victims of sectarian violence; and they suffer poorer health even once you account for socio-economic factors. The largely-Catholic wave of Irish immigration into Scotland in the mid-19th century took till 2001 to reach economic parity (in occupational terms) with the indigenous population. The same wave of immigrants who chose the US as their destination achieved the same status in the early years of the 20th century. At the other end of the scale, we have never had a Catholic prime minister; Tony Blair, to his shame, thought it expedient to wait till he demitted office to convert to Catholicism, and had Catherine Middleton been a Catholic, we would have been spared the endless discussion of her and her sister we have had to endure since her engagement was announced (because it wouldn't have been!). How is all of that confined to the West of Scotland or to football fans? Unlike Peter, I attend football matches (involving Celtic) in every ground in the country and I can assure you that I have been subject to sectarian abuse in grounds well outside of the West of Scotland ââ?¬â?? for what it is worth, I found Tynecastle to be the most viciously poisonous ground in the country even before our manager was attacked by one of their fans. If you are not used to hearing a discussion of the issue of Catholic schools or other contentious issues in rural areas, you might want to ask yourself how many Catholics are actually in your community. Scotland used to wrongly pride itself in being free of racism until large numbers of black faces started to appear in our streets and it turned out we weren't so tolerant after all. Catholics are not inherently visible but when they make themselves so, as young, educated and confident young Catholics (a set which intersects with the Celtic support in a number of aspects) now do, we find that the famed Scottish tolerance starts to fray at the edges a bit. But never mind the evidence, Peter; just tell us what you think. You end your piece by citing one piece of anecdotal evidence from 2010. Your snide comment about 'Special Brew' also puts your piece in context ââ?¬â?? are Celtic fans the only people in Scotland with a problematic relationship with alcohol? Do they not drink in your part of the country? Are there no fans of Ross County who ever get drunk in public? I don't even think young people drink Special Brew any more. Finally, Peter, you may not like young Celtic fans singing about the IRA but, whatever it is and regardless of one's view on its appropriateness, it is not sectarianism. Mixing up vocal support for the concept of a 32-county Irish Republic with not liking people because of their religion is not the standard of discussion I expect from the Scottish Review. http://www.scottishreview.net/JeanetteFindlay151.shtml

http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=1335&newsCategoryID=3&newsID=7920

Just thought I'd give all our significant squad members a brief review and score out of 10 for the season, feel free to add your own. Allan McGregor: 10 The fact he wasn't nominated for ANY POTY awards beggars belief. Pulled out some immaculate stops, time and time again, and with that wondrous save from Samaras' penalty at Ibrox, may just have won us the league. Neil Alexander: 6 Barely featured this year but when called upon was acceptable enough. Whittaker: 8 Good season from him, improved as it went on. Was solid in defence (some of his tackling last night was very good) and got forward every chance. Foster: 8 Apart from a dismal debut, he's done extremely well when called upon, particularly in the big matches. For a squad member, has maybe punched above his weight with some of his displays. Papac: 7 The usual season from him - steady, decent, reliable, but still fails to close down crosses. Guess this is his natural CB instincts in play. Bougherra: 6 patchy. His mind's been elsewhere and it's shown at times. Concentration has lacked and careless on occasion. Weir: 7 Apart from the occasionally awful display (his capitulation at Parkhead was embarrassing) he's actually been pretty good. Led by example in most cases. Still would like to see new blood next season though. Bartley: 8 Did very well for the few months he was here - strong, sensible, classy defender with versatility to play in midfield. One to maybe try and get permanently. Edu: 4 A very, very disappointing season from someone capable of better. Admits he's had a bad year, and while his displays in the last few games have seen improvement, it's been overall extremely poor from the American international. Davis: 6 By his own standards not a great season - was too anonymous for large spells this season and didn't control midfield like he can. His displays have been radically improved in the last month but it doesn't make up for a largely average season. Weiss: 7 His debut against Hibs made him look like the ghost of Laudrup, and while he suffered inconsistency after that, when he was good he was really good. Naismith: 9 Blistering start earned him a POTY nomination and looked every inch what his reputation suggested. Admittedly fell away between January and March but the last 2 months have seen a return to form. Been one of our best performers. Wylde: 6 After a stunning debut against PSV he seems to have struggled to maintain form. Crosses when he's running are often off target, and he doesn't beat men very easily. His defensive duties are a struggle too. But he's still young and can learn. El Hadji Diouf: 6 After a flying start to life at Ibrox he's gone backwards in recent months and is little more than a bit part player these days. Might be worth holding onto as a squad member but isn't playing like his reputation suggests he can. Lafferty: 7 Been actually a good season from him - isn't the most popular player at the club but works hard and has scored some crucial goals in big games. Struggles on the left wing but as a striker is at his best. Never found wanting. Ness: 7 Amazing goal V Celtic but hasn't featured too much otherwise - looks very promising though and is one for the future. Healy: 7 I like him. Has barely played but scored a good goal V Motherwell and seems just delighted to be at Ibrox. Beattie: 1 An absolute dud and most were thrilled when he was farmed out to Blackpool, where he has been equally awful. Miller: 10 Can't deny the guy was terrific for us. Still the top scorer in the SPL despite being gone for 5 months, his contribution was absolutely massive. His one failing was he was poor in the CL except when it no longer mattered. Jelavic: 10 What a signing. Has fully replaced Miller and then some. Is scoring for fun and looks technically excellent with strength, decent pace, and skill on the ball. His hold up play and one touch thinking is a class apart and has been a complete bargain. This league would have been sowed up ages ago had Ian Black not had his way.

Apr 20 2011 Exclusive by Keith Jackson DIRECTOR Paul Murray last night emerged as the mastermind behind a new bid to take over Rangers ââ?¬â?? but he faces a battle to persuade Lloyds Bank to accept his proposal. The shock new bid is the reason Craig Whyteââ?¬â?¢s planned buy-out has been delayed but it does not yet have the backing of Lloyds. Murrayââ?¬â?¢s camp claim their takeover would provide new boss Ally McCoist with an instant Ã?£25million war chest. But Whyteââ?¬â?¢s people hit back last night, claiming their bid is worth Ã?£52.5m. And a source close to Whyte also suggested if he is forced to further delay his attempt while Rangers directors scrutinise Murrayââ?¬â?¢s plan it might be too late. The source said last night: ââ?¬Å?He will not wait much longer.ââ?¬Â Record Sport understands Murray has assembled a consortium of wealthy Rangers fans who are willing to pledge a small fortune to get the club back on its feet. Financial expert Murray wants new shares to be released and has told the Rangers board his group have the cash in place to underwrite the scheme to the tune of Ã?£25m ââ?¬â?? all of which would then be pumped into McCoistââ?¬â?¢s first-team coffers. But the plan hinges on Lloyds keeping the current credit facility in place and allowing the Ibrox debt to be repaid in instalments. The bank still favour Whyteââ?¬â?¢s bid because it guarantees them their money and Murray still has to persuade them to back his offer. Murray made his move after holding crisis talks with current owner Sir David Murray last week. It is understood Murray, who was at Tannadice last night to watch his team take on Dundee United, now plans talks with Sir David and Lloyds in a bid to thrash out a deal. But the word last night was that Murray ââ?¬â?? who teamed up with exiled Rangers director Dave King in a failed Ã?£18m bid for Murray Internationalââ?¬â?¢s shareholding in 2009 ââ?¬â?? wants to do business quickly. Murray, 46, has almost two decades of experience in the private equity industry, working for companies including 3i plc and Deutsche Bank in executive positions. We understands his shock ââ?¬Å?plan Bââ?¬Â proposals have already gained support at boardroom level and also with the current management. A source close to Murrayââ?¬â?¢s group told us: ââ?¬Å?Paul felt it was time to act with a matter of urgency. ââ?¬Å?He has now acted and is looking to get everything finalised as quickly as possible. There is no reason why this canââ?¬â?¢t be concluded in a four to six-week timescale. ââ?¬Å?This is a credible and real solution to the situation which is crippling Rangers. ââ?¬Å?Paul expressed an interest a while ago, as was reported at the time. It came to nothing but things have deteriorated a lot since then. When Craig Whyte arrived on the scene Paul was open-minded. He was prepared to try to help the guy. ââ?¬Å?But itââ?¬â?¢s been dragging on for six months, meanwhile the situation at the club has been getting worse. ââ?¬Å?That is why Paul acted last week. He felt things had reached the point of no return. ââ?¬Å?He loves the club and he could not stand back and allow this crisis to continue. The situation inside the club is critical. ââ?¬Å?He would not put his name to this if he wasnââ?¬â?¢t confident of getting it done.ââ?¬Â Murrayââ?¬â?¢s move came to the fore yesterday in a statement from club chairman Alastair Johnston which was also made to explain to supporters why his board have moved to block Whyteââ?¬â?¢s takeover until the end of the season. Whyte had hoped to conclude the deal on Monday afternoon but the independent five-man board set up to run the rule over any bids refused to pass his offer. They donââ?¬â?¢t have power of veto but business etiquette and boardroom politics means they can delay the process further ââ?¬â?? to allow Murray time to make his move. The independent board will have to examine and question Murrayââ?¬â?¢s plan just as they have tried to do with Whyteââ?¬â?¢s package. And Johnston, in a statement last night, hinted the documents detailing Whyteââ?¬â?¢s offer did not add up. Whyteââ?¬â?¢s team then claimed that any suggestions he didnââ?¬â?¢t have the money or funding he said he could provide were not only untrue but defamatory. Whyte was said to be furious about the further delay but the independent board ââ?¬â?? Johnston, chief executive Martin Bain, finance director Donald McIntyre and non-executive directors John McClelland and John Greig ââ?¬â?? insist they have only recently been able to look at the detailed agreements which David Murray, Lloyds and Whyte have been working on. And it is fair to say they are far from happy or convinced. Johnston said: ââ?¬Å?Based on the documents we have only been able to review within the last week, we are disappointed they did not reflect the investment in the club that we were led to believe for the last few months would be a commitment in the purchase agreement. ââ?¬Å?Given the requirement to repay the bank in full under the proposed transaction, there appears to be only a relatively modest amount of money available that would positively impact the clubââ?¬â?¢s operations, especially as it relates to an urgent requirement to replenish and upgrade the playing squad.ââ?¬Â http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2011/04/20/rangers-director-paul-murray-reveals-rival-bid-to-buy-club-as-craig-whyte-bid-falters-86908-23073941/

RANGERS chairman Alastair Johnston has sparked a high-stakes game of poker - with the club's future in the pot. Late on Monday night, with would-be Gers buyer Craig Whyte desperate to finally seal his �£25million takeover, Johnston REFUSED to be railroaded into rubber-stamping the deal. Instead he listened to another Gers director - understood to be chartered accountant Paul Murray - who promised he could broker a rival �£25m bid to underwrite a new shares issue in the club. SunSport believes that proposal is backed by the financial muscle of South African multi-millionaire Dave King and Lanarkshire motoring tycoon Douglas Park. As manager-in-waiting Ally McCoist sweats over what funds he will have, though, the nightmare news for Gers fans is that process could take 10 WEEKS. Forget all the financial posturing and alleged stalling tactics, the reality is that new boss McCoist could be marooned on July 1 with NO IDEA what his transfer budget is, with the SPL season due to start on July 23. Johnston, though, insisted he had grave doubts whether the transfer budget Whyte promised would materialise. And he said: "Based on the documents we have only been able to review within the last week, we are disappointed that they ultimately did not reflect the investment in the club that we were led to believe for the last few months would be a commitment in the purchase agreement. "Given the requirement to repay the bank in full under the proposed transaction, there appears to be only a relatively modest amount of money available that would positively impact the club's operations, especially as it relates to an urgent requirement to replenish and upgrade the playing squad. "Whilst the proposed transaction has addressed the interests of Lloyds Bank, the Murray Group and Craig Whyte, our perspective is solely directed towards the future of Rangers Football Club." Whyte had pledged McCoist would get at least �£5m per season towards improving the champions' threadbare squad. Johnston, though, is prepared to gamble on examining the shares issue option. He said: "The board has had an approach from one of its directors who wishes us to consider an alternative funding option. This would involve a fresh issue of new capital to raise �£25m to be invested directly into the club. The board believes it has a responsibility to examine this proposal whilst continuing its review of the Craig Whyte transaction. "After six months of limited engagement in the process, the board believes it is not in the best interests of its stake-holders for it to be pressed into an unrealistic timescale." The Independent Sub-Committee of the Rangers board has taken a huge risk. Johnston's soundbites claim he is desperate to make sure the best interests of the 26,400 minority shareholders are served. When the fan in the street picks through the legal language and peers through the smokescreens, though, this looks like one thing. A stalling tactic. Majority shareholder Sir David Murray, Lloyds Bank and Whyte himself are desperate to get the deal over the line. The bankers are CONVINCED the funding is there. Johnston, chief executive Martin Bain, finance director Donald McIntyre, non-executive directors John McClelland and John Greig CAN'T veto the Whyte deal but can shunt it into the sidings at a critical time. Meanwhile, the fans suffer once more. Johnston, though, said: "We have only very recently had the opportunity to meet Craig Whyte and his team. "Moreover, it is only in the last few days we have started to receive the draft agreements outlining the transaction. "We are still awaiting a detailed working capital statement demonstrating there is sufficient funding in place to meet the club's pressing needs. "On Monday, I had a lengthy conversation with Craig Whyte explaining the dilemma the board faces. It was a constructive dialogue, and whilst he expressed his frustration, he understood our position." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3536471/We-wont-be-railroaded-into-selling-Gers-Craig.html#ixzz1K0whqlEN

Alastair Johnston clarifies Board's position More...

Sectarian 'keyboard warriors' facing five years in jail Mar 21 2011 by Paul O'Hare OLD FIRM bigots who spread sectarian poison on the internet could soon face five years in jail. Crown lawyers have briefed ministers on plans to go after the "keyboard warriors" who spout hatred in online fans' forums. And the law chiefs are considering a dramatic rise in the maximum jail term for such crimes, which currently stands at just six months. Under the proposals, offenders who make death threats online or incite religious hatred would face jury trials and maximum five-year sentences. Plans for a web crackdown were first revealed by Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini in the Daily Record last week. And the five-year jail sentences unveiled yesterday are just one of the anti-bigotry measures proposed in the wake of recent Old Firm violence. The Lord Advocate has also revealed plans for a specialist Crown Office unit to tackle sectarianism. Prosecutors are set to create a new charge of football-related breach of the peace, which will help courts get tough on hooligans. Crown lawyers will carry out a detailed review of sectarian offences committed in the past year. And in a move designed to stop thugs flouting football banning orders, season tickets issued in future will include holders' photos. The crackdown follows the recent Scottish Cup "shame game" where Celtic boss Neil Lennon and Rangers's Ally McCoist clashed angrily on the touchline. Lennon is under roundthe-clock guard after death threats from bigots. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2011/03/21/sectarian-keyboard-warriors-facing-five-years-in-jail-86908-23004927/

JJB Sports has said it could close up to 95 stores over the next two years. JJB announced plans to enter a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), which would release it from certain liabilities to its landlords. If the deal goes ahead, JJB would close up to 45 of its 246 stores over the next 12 months, with another 50 under review over the next 24 months. "The group's future viability is dependent upon the successful implementation of a CVA," JJB said. It would be Wigan-based JJB's second such deal in two years, after it narrowly avoided going into administration in 2009 by striking a CVA with its landlords and creditors, which allowed it to walk away from leases on 140 stores. Sales at JJB slumped during the recession as it struggled to manage its debts http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12428003

Mines would be Gary Stevens. Loved watching him in the old VHS end of season review videos bombing up and down the wing.

I dont know how accurate this report/story actually is , however read on. Freddie Ljungbergââ?¬â?¢s Celtic wage shows decline of Scottish football financesBy Nick Harris 2 January 2010 Celtic got off to a flyer in 2011 today by beating Rangers 2-0 in the Neââ?¬â?¢erday derby, but one sign of how dramatically Scottish football finances have continued to deteriorate in the past year is found in Celticââ?¬â?¢s deal to sign Freddie Ljungberg until the end of the season. Ljungberg, who did not play today because he has a virus, earned Ã?£16,000 per week in Major League Soccer in the USA, most recently with Chicago Fire, and Celtic put together a deal that effectively matches it to sign the Swede, 33, until the end of the season. That pay packet is understood to give Ljungberg the highest guaranteed basic wage per week in Scotland currently. While Ã?£16,000 a week is no small change in most walks of life, itââ?¬â?¢s not huge in elite football, and itââ?¬â?¢s just a quarter of the highest weekly salary being paid in the SPL a year ago, to Robbie Keane, also at Celtic. Keaneââ?¬â?¢s temporary contract at Parkhead was worth Ã?£65,000 per week. According to sportingintelligenceââ?¬â?¢s calculations for our inaugural review of global sports salaries, published earlier this year, the average first-team pay at Rangers in summer 2008 (the most recent data available when that report was compiled) was Ã?£17,121 per week, or Ã?£890,270 per year. The average first-team pay at Celtic was Ã?£16,309 a week, or Ã?£848,082 a year. Those two clubsââ?¬â?¢ wage bills totally overshadowed those at every other SPL club to the extent that the SPL has the least equality in wage distribution of any major sports league in the world considered in our report. (The NFL was the fairest league). Yet since summer 2008, wages in the SPL have gone down, including at the Old Firm, not just in relative terms but actual terms. This will be evident when our next report is published, showing 2009 numbers, and there are good grounds for believing the current seasonââ?¬â?¢s wages in the SPL are the lowest for several years in Scotlandââ?¬â?¢s top division. Ljungbergââ?¬â?¢s Ã?£16,000 per week can therefore be seen as Celtic pushing the boat out ââ?¬â?? and as an example of how far down the pecking order the SPL has fallen in global football terms. Official MLS Union wage data shows Ljungbergââ?¬â?¢s MLS contract was worth $1.3m in 2010, making him only the seventh best-paid player after David Beckham ($6.5m with LA Galaxy), Thierry Henry ($5.6m, NY Red Bulls), Rafael Marquez ($5.5m, NYRB), Landon Donovan ($2.1m, Galaxy), Juan Pablo Angel ($1.9m, NYRB), Nery Castillo ($1.79m, Chicago) and Julian de Guzman ($1.7m, Toronto). So Celtic have hired a man only seventh in the MLS wage stakes to become Scotlandââ?¬â?¢s best rewarded player, and at the same time have waved goodbye to plenty of others in the past year to clubs who can pay better money. In fact since last yearââ?¬â?¢s New Year Old Firm match, 11 players involved in that game ââ?¬â?? eight from Celtic and three from Rangers ââ?¬â?? have left Scotland. They are: Artur Boruc ââ?¬â?? left Celtic for Fiorentina (Serie A) in July 2010. Gary Caldwell - left Celtic for Wigan (EPL) later in January 2010. Danny Fox ââ?¬â?? left Celtic for Burnley (then EPL, now Championship) later in January 2010. Barry Robson ââ?¬â?? left Celtic for Middlesbrough (Championship) later in January 2010. Landry Nââ?¬â?¢Guemo ââ?¬â?? returned to Nancy (France, Ligue 1) in summer 2010 after one-year loan because Celtic could not agree (afford) a transfer fee. Aiden McGeady ââ?¬â?? left Celtic in August 2010 to sign for Spartak Moscow (Russian Premier League), for a fee of c.Ã?£12m, a no-brainer for a selling club as Celtic now are. Marc-Antoine Fortune ââ?¬â?? left Celtic in August 2010 to sign for West Brom (EPL). Scott McDonald ââ?¬â?? left Celtic later in January 2010 to join Middlesbrough (Championship). Danny Wilson ââ?¬â?? left Rangers for Liverpool (EPL) in July 2010. Nacho Novo ââ?¬â?? left Rangers in May 2010 for Sporting Gijon (La Liga). Kris Boyd - left Rangers in July 2010 for Middlesbrough (Championship). .

In conjunction with our friends at RBooks and Mainstream Publishing, we have a copy of the following fantastic book available to win. Follow, Follow: Classic Rangers Old Firm Clashes by Iain Duff For more than 120 years, Rangers and Celtic have vied for supremacy in one of the world’s sporting hotbeds. The rivalry between the two teams is among the fiercest anywhere in sport, making an Old Firm derby much more than a football game. Controversy is rarely far away when the Glasgow giants meet, but amid the fallout that invariably follows their contests, the actual game is often forgotten. In Follow, Follow, Iain Duff recounts the greatest footballing moments of Rangers’ illustrious history in Old Firm clashes, from their very first competitive win over Celtic, in the 1893 Glasgow Cup final, through to the 1–0 victory at Ibrox that was a vital factor in Rangers’ 2009–10 SPL title win. The intervening years saw famous Old Firm contributions from legendary Ibrox names such as Gillick, Meiklejohn, McPhail, Baxter, Johnston, McCoist, Cooper, Laudrup, Ferguson and Novo, all of which are revisited here, along with the goals, the flare-ups and the controversies that make these derby days simply unforgettable for every Rangers fan. Iain Duff is an award-winning journalist, having won the prestigious UK Press Gazette Scoop of the Year award in 1997. He is the author of Follow On: Fifty Years of Rangers in Europe and Temple of Dreams: The Changing Face of Ibrox. He lives with his wife and two sons in Glasgow. Featuring a fantastic foreward by 'Super' Lee McCulloch, this is the ideal Christmas hardback gift for all Rangers fans. As well as a plethora of interesting stats and trivia, there is well over 200 pages of memorable moments which every bear will read with a smile on their face. We will also have a full review of the book online over the next couple of weeks! To be in with a chance of winning the book, just tell us what the result was in the last Old Firm game? Email or pm me now with your answer! Competition closes at midnight on December 18th. Admin decision is final! You can also buy the book online from the usual retailers such as Amazon and from Rbooks themselves by clicking here. Merry Christmas!

Dallas and four other employees were dismissed for forwarding an email which linked the visit of the Pope to the UK with the child abuse scandal within the Roman Catholic Church. Under the SFA’s disciplinary procedures the five staff members involved in the incident had until close of business yesterday to lodge their appeals against the sanction. The SFA chief executive, Stewart Regan, refused to comment on the grounds that the matter is now an internal disciplinary affair to be handled by the Association’s human resources department. However, I understand that at least four of the five have appealed and that Dallas is one of those who will now have their cases re-examined by the SFA’s president, George Peat. Meanwhile, the reverberations of Dallas’s sacking and the resignation of Dougie McDonald, the referee who lied about why he had rescinded a penalty awarded to Celtic in their game against Dundee United at Tannadice on Oct 17, continue to be felt within the corridors of power at Hampden Park. On Tuesday, Regan responded forcefully to comments by Jim Sheridan, the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North and a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee in Westminster, who became the latest public figure to attempt to put pressure on the governing body of Scottish football when he called for “their views on transparency, the structure of the SFA, the conspiracy culture and the way we deal with referees.” Sheridan added: “People I speak to within the game are fed up with every week bringing a new conspiracy theory and another referee being at fault. It has to be brought to an end. “I want a fresh pair of eyes to have a close look at the whole structure and see how it operates and advise how it should be operating. If there is bias or bigotry within the organisation then let’s get rid of it for the good of the game. “Things really have to be clarified as it just cannot continue the way we are at the moment by accusing a referee of bias every time a team loses.” Sport is, of course, one of the areas devolved to the Scottish Executive and as the Westminster committee’s own website states: “Are football governance rules in England and Wales, and the governing bodies which set and apply them, fit for purpose?” In any case, the SFA is already in the process of being scrutinised in a detailed review by another Scottish Labour politician, as Regan sharply reminded Sheridan when he issued a statement which said: “I am surprised by the comments attributed in the media yesterday to Jim Sheridan MP. Mr Sheridan spoke publicly before making any effort to contact me or ascertain details of the work currently ongoing to improve our game. “Mr Sheridan’s comments on alleged bias within the Scottish FA are divisive, grossly misguided and deeply unhelpful. “He has called for an independent review, when it is widely known that the former First Minister, Henry McLeish, presented the first part of his completely independent review of Scottish football earlier this year, and that part two is due to be published imminently. “My intention to conduct a review of internal processes at the Scottish FA has also been widely reported. “Finally, with regard to Mr Sheridan’s comments on referees, we have, again, already stated our intention to work with all relevant parties to create a Referees’ Charter. In short, we are in the process of addressing every point Mr Sheridan makes, and I would be happy to meet with him to clarify these details. “I am also interested to hear more on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s renewed interest in Scottish football, and am especially keen to find out what level of support they are able to offer the game going forward.” As far as more immediate matters on the field of play are concerned, the Scottish Premier League remains cautious about the likelihood of any games going ahead on Saturday. The entire SPL card was wiped out last weekend on police advice and the situation worsened on Monday when Scotland’s road network was paralysed after a blizzard struck during the morning rush hour. Although a reduced train service was in operation, hundreds of motorists were forced to remain in their cars overnight and many more workers chose to sleep in their offices, including 14 SFA staff and the SPL chief executive, Neil Doncaster. Doncaster believes that the thaw which is predicted to reach Scotland on Thursday will allow the weekend fixtures to proceed, although he acknowledged that the issue is not simply a matter of conditions at grounds. “At the top of our priorities we have to have supporters’ welfare,” Doncaster said. “Although the forecast is for very cold weather overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday, it is thought there will be a considerable thaw towards the end of the week so we will be reviewing that over the next 48 hours before we make any final decisions. “We have to bear in mind that clubs want to get fixtures away.” If the SPL games do go ahead, Willie Collum will return to Celtic Park for the first time since he took charge of the Old Firm derby there on Oct 24. The match ended in a 3-1 victory for Rangers, who were awarded a debatable penalty kick, about which Celtic complained. Later on the day of the match, the 31-year-old Collum – a teacher of religious education at the Roman Catholic Cardinal Newman High School in Bellshill – received death threats at his home. On Saturday he will referee Celtic’s home fixture against Kilmarnock. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/scottish-premier/8187340/Sacked-referees-chief-Hugh-Dallas-is-to-appeal-against-his-dismissal-by-the-Scottish-Football-Association.html

Roddy Forsyth: soap opera surrounding Hugh Dallas episode reeks of nasty opportunism So the conspiracy theorists were correct all along. The truth, at last, is out there and Scottish football is in turmoil, although it took disruption to the fixture card to bring the whole sorry mess into the open. This goes back to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, of course. The oil has gummed up the ocean bed and switched off the North Atlantic Current, which keeps Europe from freezing. We are at the start of a new Ice Age. You donââ?¬â?¢t believe it? OK, what game are you going to watch this weekend? In lieu of a match programme, you might want to read the findings of Dr Gianluigi Zangari, theoretical physicist at the National Institute of Nuclear Physics in Italy who says that the Earthââ?¬â?¢s central heating system has broken down because of the oil spill. When the archaeologists of the future dig down through the tundra around Hampden Park they are bound to ask how the planet could have been plunged into deep cold just after a Krakatoa of hot air erupted over the subject of Scottish referees ââ?¬â?? and why there were so many unresolved issues even when the volcanic row became dormant. A couple of facts could be established, mind you. Hugh Dallas was not sacked as the Scottish Football Associationââ?¬â?¢s head of referee development for being satirical or sectarian in forwarding a widely circulated email about the Pope. His forced departure was because he had breached the SFAââ?¬â?¢s rules about IT, which prohibit the dissemination of potentially sensitive or offensive emails. Dallas was dismissed, plus four more employees, because of that infraction. Other SFA staff members were warned about their conduct in the same regard. It appears that the five who were sacked had forwarded the email beyond the confines of the SFA offices, while those who were warned did not. At which point the unanswered questions begin. Why did the SFA begin its disciplinary process all of six weeks after the circulation of the emails had been discovered? Were the sackings disproportionate? Was the nature and outcome of the disciplinary procedure in any way influenced by the much publicised intervention of Peter Kearney, director of the Scottish Catholic Media Office? It would be a surprise if mââ?¬â?¢learned friends were not examining this very point on behalf of the sacked quintet. Indeed, I believe that is exactly what they are doing. Kearneyââ?¬â?¢s role also warrants scrutiny. He was rejected as a SNP candidate for both Westminster and Holyrood by the voters of Coatbridge and Chryston but he retains sufficient political nous to be certain that his pronouncements about the email in question would generate enormous publicity. So, on whose authority did Kearney act? Did he have the prior approval of Cardinal Oââ?¬â?¢Brien or did the Scottish Catholic Church press officer go freelance on this issue? Of the email depicting the Pope, Kearney said: ââ?¬Å?We will not tolerate it. We will not laugh it off or see the funny side ââ?¬â?? because there is no funny side.ââ?¬Â Does that, then, apply to the edition of Have I Got News For You? which employed the same image as the Hampden email when the BBCââ?¬â?¢s irreverent news review programme was transmitted in the week of the Papal visit to the UK in September? And, if so, where was the implacable protest, the declaration that such a display indicated that ââ?¬â?? to use Kearneyââ?¬â?¢s words ââ?¬â?? hostility to Roman Catholics that is ââ?¬Å?deep, wide and viciousââ?¬Â. If Kearney did have the approval of Cardinal Oââ?¬â?¢Brien for his insistence that Dallas be sacked if found to have forwarded the email, is His Eminence satisfied that justice was done by extending the same sanction to a practicing adherent of his own faith and a man of 60 who, having recently lost his wife, has now been deprived of his livelihood at the SFA ââ?¬â?? and if so, what does that say for the application of Christian charity? In Kearneyââ?¬â?¢s denunciation of the Hampden email and others like it he declared that priests in West Lothian and Renfrewshire had been attacked by ââ?¬Ë?thugsââ?¬â?¢. Given that a childcare specialist in Wales was forced to leave her home by a self-styled vigilante mob who could not distinguish between a paediatrician and a paedophile, one could certainly believe that innocent Roman Catholic clergy might be at risk from similarly ignorant or bigoted buffoons. Yet where were the reports or police investigations into these incidents? I ask because, within five minutes of three complaints being received by Strathclyde Police about Dallas, a tabloid newspaper reported in its online edition that the Hate Crimes Unit was investigating him. Strathclyde Police do not have a Hate Crimes Unit and they are not ââ?¬â?? and never were ââ?¬â?? investigating Dallas. And we may ask why Kearney did not denounce the knuckle draggers who phoned death threats to a religious education teacher at a Roman Catholic High School in Lanarkshire ââ?¬â?? who just happened to have awarded Rangers a debatable penalty kick when Celtic lost 3-1 in the Old Firm derby on Oct 24. Whatever may be the rights and wrongs of the Dallas episode ââ?¬â?? and I think that he was stupid to have forwarded the email even if he thought it was a harmless joke ââ?¬â?? the outcome reeks of nasty opportunism. Speaking of which, the forced departure of Dougie McDonald was a declared aim of the Celtic directors ââ?¬â?? stated with considerable force by the Parkhead chairman at the clubââ?¬â?¢s chairman at the annual general meeting three weeks ago. Why, then, was it left to Paul McBride QC ââ?¬â?? in a rare distraction from his duties at the Tommy Sheridan perjury trial at the High Court in Glasgow ââ?¬â?? to speak as someone ââ?¬Å?close to the clubââ?¬â?¢s boardââ?¬Â and say that they had experienced ââ?¬Å?a sense of quiet vindicationââ?¬Â at the refereeââ?¬â?¢s decision to resign, McDonald having lied to their manager about a penalty kick decision at Tannadice in October. There was nothing quiet when John Reid was whipping up the gallery at the AGM, but the former so-called ââ?¬Ë?big beast of the Labour Partyââ?¬â?¢ has gone all coy now. Nor is there a squeak from anyone else at the club whose commitment to transparency is flexible enough to include threats of non-cooperation to broadcast outlets who transmitted Gary Hooperââ?¬â?¢s dopey remarks about Scottish referees. Anyway, as I say, itââ?¬â?¢ll all be academic once the permafrost kicks in. And itââ?¬â?¢s precisely because Russia knows how to cope with the coming freeze that Fifa awarded them the 2018 World Cup. Think Iââ?¬â?¢m kidding? Is the Pope a Catholic? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/scottish-premier/8177228/Roddy-Forsyth-soap-opera-surrounding-Hugh-Dallas-episode-reeks-of-nasty-opportunism.html

Iââ?¬â?¢m certain that most of us over a certain age will fondly remember this annual publication. In fact, I can remember keenly awaiting its release every season (along with the wee red book). Thanks to a work colleague, I have been given (a loan) of several Wee Blue Books dating back to 1936-1937 season and some of their content is amazing (some of which Iââ?¬â?¢ll detail below). Whilst times have changed since the 30ââ?¬â?¢s and 40ââ?¬â?¢s the content of these books show just why Rangers Football Club were a cut above any ordinary football club and the great traditions were continually being built upon. The Managers Reports make fantastic reading and the spirit of Mr Struth should never be forgotten, nor underestimated. The layout of The Wee Blue Books hardly changed over the years and were all (I believe) printed by Hay Nisbet & Co (printers ââ?¬â?? Glasgow) and all (until the late 60ââ?¬â?¢s) had advertisements for Bovril printed on the rear cover. They always started with a list of club directors, manager, etc then came ââ?¬Ë?The Managers Reportââ?¬â?¢. This was followed by a list of the previous seasonââ?¬â?¢s fixtures / results (which my colleagues relative has painstakingly entered all our results, by his own had) and our achievements (trophy wise). Then you would get a review on the ââ?¬Ë?Second XIââ?¬â?¢ followed by (my favourite part of these older books), Items Of Interestââ?¬â?¢ (including a list of the previous seasons ââ?¬Ë?cappedââ?¬â?¢ players). A list of goal-scorers followed by international dates proceeded a list of ââ?¬Ë?Rangers Scottish Cup Medallistsââ?¬â?¢ through our history. A list of registered players and the seasonââ?¬â?¢s fixtures were followed by a breakdown of all our trophy triumphs ââ?¬â?? year by year. A table of the previous seasons league placings, a comprehensive list of all league games in Scotland, a comprehensive list of all capped Rangers player and our historical league record gave way to a final ââ?¬Ë?item of interestââ?¬â?¢ which in season 1936-1937 was an article on Ibrox Park which gives some very interesting insights to the clubs plans to redevelop Ibrox - . ââ?¬Ë?From the year 1902 a steady transformation has taken place. Firstly came the removal of the timber terracing and the replacement by solid earth properly stepped. This was followed by converting The North Stand into a covered enclosure. The Old pavilion in the south-east corner ââ?¬â?? once the finest in existence ââ?¬â?? was demolished after having served its day and generation, to be replaced by the executive block, which was afterwards embodied in the New Grand Stand which was erected on the south side of the ground in 1929. During the past season, on the invitation of the Scottish FA, the club explored that possibilities of being able to provide adequate accommodation to house the Scotland v England International match, and as a result of long and careful deliberations they were able to lay plans before the association showing accommodation for almost 200,000 spectators. Of that number 17,000 could have been seated and a further 30,000 under cover. Alterations on the ground to put those plans into operation would have been made by erecting a new stand on the site of the present covered enclosure ââ?¬â?? a ââ?¬Ë?double deckerââ?¬â?¢ stand with standing accommodation under the seats ââ?¬â?? and an extended terracing on the east and west ends of the grounds. The Rangers club were prepared to proceed with these alterations and considered that nothing less would be satisfactory if one kept in view the increasing popularity of the game and had implicit faith ââ?¬â?? as we have ââ?¬â?? in its future. All that was asked from the association was a measure of financial guarantee. The Scottish FA decided that our plans were too ambitious and went beyond their ideas, and in the end, said to be due to opinions expressed by outside authorities, they decided to proceed with a minor scheme at Hampden Park. But our labours during the season ââ?¬â?? and they were long and arduous ââ?¬â?? will not be altogether in vain. Before very many years have passed, Greater Ibrox may come into being and our own supporters may gain benefit of what was planned for an International crowd. What our capacity is today no one can tell. We await a test and are prepared to abide by the resultsââ?¬â?¢. Some interesting facts gained from this edition : J Dawson & D Gray played in every League & Scottish Cup game of the previous season ââ?¬â?? GOOD GOING! In the previous 10 seasons, Rangers had never failed to win one or more of the major honours and in season 1929-30 had won everything possible. The closing page of the 1936-37 Wee Blue Book focuses on Athletic records made at Ibrox and states that several of A Shrubbs times were not only records for Ibrox, but indeed, World Records. Mr Struthââ?¬â?¢s report mentions the our ââ?¬Ë?Home & Awayââ?¬â?¢ friendlies against the English Cup Holders (Sheffield Wednesday) and League Champions (Arsenal) both of which Rangers emerged triumphant and that ââ?¬Ë?it is pleasing to record that in these encounters the reputation of the Rangers Club and of Scottish football were maintainedââ?¬â?¢. Mr Struth was also full of praise for the champions of Scotland ââ?¬â?? ââ?¬Ë?We heartily join in the congratulations which have been extended to the Celtic club in again becoming league champions after a lapse of ten years. Their record during the season proved their right to the title. During the past few years, honours have not been so plentiful at Parkhead as in former years and no club welcomes the reincarnation of the Celtic more than we doââ?¬â?¢. Mr Struth finishes his report with these wise words ââ?¬Ë?Even in the knowledge that we have a high tradition to maintain, we shall welcome the challenges of the new season with every confidenceââ?¬â?¢. The managers report of the following season gives further insight into the expectation, traditions, standards and expectations expected by Rangers Football Club and Mr Struth ââ?¬â?? While we may look back on season 1936-37 with a measure of satisfaction in that the team was successful in winning two of the major competitions, viz, the Scottish League Championship and the Glasgow Cup, it would idle to suggest that Rangers followers were satisfied with the play of the team over the season. Indeed, despite those successes, one might search the memory for a good few years back and yet fail to find a season wherein so many matches were played by a Rangers team in such ââ?¬Ë?un-Rangerââ?¬â?¢ like fashion. Somehow or other there were many occasions upon which that machine known as ââ?¬Ë?Rangers Footballââ?¬â?¢ simply could not get going and our followers could have been pardoned if at times they felt over anxious at these displaysââ?¬Â¦Ã¢â?¬Â¦Ã¢â?¬â?¢ ââ?¬Ë?ââ?¬Â¦Ã¢â?¬Â¦ In our success we sympathise with the Aberdeen club in their unavailing fight for first class honours. For the major part of the season they led the league race, and at one period had what might have been considered an unassailable lead, but the strain of the league fight and their efforts in the Scottish Cup proved too great and the end of the season found them with neither flag nor cupââ?¬Â¦..ââ?¬â?¢ Further evidence from the managers report from season 1937-38 ââ?¬â?? ââ?¬Ë?It is always an easy task to review a past season which has been full of glory and honour; it is not so simple when one feels that, notwithstanding a certain measure of success, the attainments of the team have hardly been in keeping with what we have become accustomed to. There can be no doubt that such a felling does exist. The Rangers club have set themselves a very high standard by the achievements in post war years, and their position is naturally judged from that standpoint. Thus it is that many clubs would have been perfectly happy to have won The Glasgow Cup, finished 3rd in the league championship, reached the semi-final of the Scottish Cup and contested the final of the Glasgow Charity Cup, but from The Rangers, something more is expected, and it is the lack of that something that is causing some disquiet amongst the Rangers followers.ââ?¬â?¢ The tone of Mr Struthââ?¬â?¢s Managerââ?¬â?¢s reports changed from season 1939-40 onwards with the outbreak of World War II ââ?¬â?? Mr Struth starts ââ?¬Ë?Season 1939-40 will go down in history as one of the craziest ever experienced in the sport. When war broke out all entertainments and outdoor gatherings were prohibited in anticipation of aerial activity of the enemy, and when that did not materialise sport was permitted under conditions which made it next door to impossible to carry on without incurring substantial losses. ââ?¬Ë?Playââ?¬â?¢ was our slogan and we carried it through the best we could. We felt that in taking that course we were making some contribution to the national effort. What the future holds no one can foretell. Military service will make great inroads on our playing staff. The majority of our players were lads between 18 and 25, and, like others, they will answer their countries call. We can only hope that their absence will be short, and meanwhile let us carry on with the policy adopted at the outbreak of warââ?¬â?¢.

http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/rangers/205281-rangers-kerkar-move-on-hold-due-to-compensation-claim/ Rangers continued attempts to complete the signing of Salim Kerkar have been delayed by a planned compensation claim by the playerâ��s former club. FC Gueugnon, who play in Franceâ��s third tier, believe they are entitled to a figure of up to 360,000 Euro (�£314,285) from the SPL side for training the player over a period of six years. Kerkar, who has been training with Rangers since August, is a free agent, having left the Championnat National side in the summer when his contract expired. However, under FIFA rules, the French club could be entitled to payments for having trained the player since 2004 until shortly before his 23rd birthday on August 4 this year. Under the world football governing bodyâ��s regulations on the status and transfer of players, Gueugnon believe they are entitled to money for their role in Kerkarâ��s development, despite allowing his contract to lapse at the end of last season. Rule 20 of the regulations state a club who has developed a player are entitled to compensation every time his registration transferred until the end of the season which his 23rd birthday falls within, regardless of whether the player is under contract to the claimant club. The Algerian midfielder turned 23 on August 4 this year, two days before the new season officially started for Gueugnon. However, FIFAâ��s definition of when a new season begins is the day on which the first match is played, unless a club can state a case otherwise. As far as Kerkarâ��s former side are concerned, their former playerâ��s birthday fell within the confines of the 2010/11 campaign. For that reason, they are preparing to present an argument to FIFA for compensation to be paid to them upon Kerkar completing his transfer to the SPL. There remain several contestable issues within FIFAâ��s regulations as to how much Rangers would have to pay to sign Kerkar, if Gueugnonâ��s argument is accepted. The minimum they would be asked to pay is 180,000 Euro (�£157,148) but that figure could be as high as 360,000 Euro (�£314,285) depending on the calculation of the playerâ��s training period and the categorisation of the two clubs. However, FIFA's dispute resolution chamber have the power to adjust any amount claimed, if they deem the level of compensation is "clearly disproportionate to the case under review". Rangers have continually cited issues with the playerâ��s paperwork as the reason for the transfer not going through, having first attempted to push the deal through early in September. The SPL club are still able to register and play Kerkar if they so wish but, if FIFA rule that Gueugnon are entitled to compensation, Rangers would be liable to pay out within 30 days of the date the registration was processed by the SFA. Rangers have been trying to force through the transfer of Kerkar for several weeks, with the player himself even travelling back to France in order to try and resolve the situation

NEW SFA chief executive Stewart Regan has pledged to bring greater haste and clarity to the organisation's disciplinary system after admitting his unease at the timing of Allan McGregor's one-match suspension. Allan McGregor, who was outstanding for Scotland against Spain, trains with Rangers yesterday, but the goalkeeper will miss Rangers' SPL clash with Motherwell today due to a controversial ban Picture: SNS The Rangers goalkeeper will miss his club's SPL match against Motherwell at Ibrox today because of the ban imposed for aiming a kick at Aberdeen striker Chris Maguire during a match at Pittodrie three weeks ago. The incident was not spotted by the match officials at the time but was subsequently referred by the SFA to its independent video review panel. To Regan's discomfort, the judgment on McGregor was passed on Monday, both the chief executive's first day in the job and the eve of the player lining up for Scotland in Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Spain at Hampden. Rangers manager Walter Smith yesterday described the situation as "embarrassing" and accused the SFA of ignoring "glaring discrepancies" in what he claims is a "flawed" disciplinary process. Within four hours of Smith making his comments at Rangers' weekly media conference, however, there was a response from Regan in the form of a lengthy statement in which he directly addressed the former Scotland manager's complaints. "In light of recent publicity surrounding Allan McGregor's retrospective punishment for violent conduct," said Regan, "I would like to clarify a few points which, hopefully, will better explain the process. "I can understand the media and supporter interest in the situation that arose at the start of the international double-header. The timing was unfortunate - and not how I intended to spend my first day in office - but the investigation process is designed to ensure violent conduct is eradicated from the game, while also providing a support network for match officials who may have missed such instances. "There are elements of the process that I, as a newcomer to the Scottish FA, am not entirely content with. I have already requested a tightening-up of certain elements which I believe will help improve the transparency and functionality of the procedure. It is my intention that formal notification of investigations will be made sooner and that a fixed timescale for any subseqeunt appeal is established. It should be noted that, compared to previous procedures, the current investigation system is now completed within a two-week timeframe and is therefore more efficient." Smith believes Rangers and Celtic suffer a disproportionate number of suspensions such as the one handed out to McGregor as a result of fixtures involving the Old Firm clubs being televised live more than any others in Scotland. Regan, however, dismissed that view. "While some of our more prominent clubs argue that their media exposure leaves them unfairly at risk of such investigations, I would point out that, adopting the same principle, they are also in a position to have a higher percentage of claims for wrongful dismissal acted upon," he said. "Furthermore, we have dealt with many cases from lower divisions using club television or analysis footage. "The process, when initiated by the chief executive, is referred to an independent review panel before being ratified by the chairman of the disciplinary committee. This is a far more streamlined process than previously was the case. It is the responsibility of the referee development department and disciplinary department to be aware of instances that may be worthy of investigation. This will be highlighted primarily by using television footage or feedback from the referee observers." While Regan seeks greater transparency in the SFA system, there will be no change to the anonymity of the pool of former players, managers and referees who make up the independent review panel. "It ensures a cross-section of opinion across the football family," added Regan, "but to reveal their identities on a case-by-case basis would be detrimental to the integrity of the process." Rangers' sense of disquiet over McGregor's punishment has been heightened by the serious ankle injury suffered by Nikica Jelavic during their match against Hearts at Tynecastle two weeks ago. The Croatian striker faces three months on the sidelines as a result of the damage caused by a foul from Ian Black. The Hearts midfielder was booked at the time by referee Craig Thomson, meaning no further action can be taken. "Allan has been suspended for not kicking someone while the lad who kicked Nikica doesn't get suspended," said Rangers captain David Weir. "There doesn't seem to be much logic to it. It wasn't even a tackle (from Black], he just kicked Nikica." Regan, however, will not seek to make any change to the procedure surrounding incidents like the one involving Jelavic and Black, insisting that to do so would undermine the match officials. "It has been mentioned that while the process deals with misconduct missed by a referee, it does not include instances where it is believed a referee 'maybe didn't judge properly'," added Regan. "This falls under the category of claims for wrongful dismissal, a procedure with which clubs are familiar. "It should be emphasised, though, that the investigation process is designed to assist match officials. To intervene in instances that fall between investigations into incidents missed by a match official and claims of wrongful dismissal would compromise the authority of referees in relation to the laws of the game." http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Allan-McGregor-ban-prompts-SFA.6584285.jp?articlepage=3

http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/2010/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=288:rangers-2-1-kilmarnock-player-ratings-and-mom-poll&catid=35:analysis&Itemid=67 :sn: for me but I think Lafferty, Edu, Bougherra and Miller also played pretty well.

Absolutely mental. Davie Cameron should do the same to England!

Just �£9.99 on Amazon Anyone buy it yet? Opinions? Don't think i'm going to bother. Not really a DVD horder (the only Rangers DVD i actually own is a VHS to DVD conversion of the 9 Seasons To Be Cheerful video) plus it wasn't really a season that i'd want to watch again and again, despite our success

Henry McLeish has presented the first part of his Review of Scottish Football. The review was commissioned in May last year and since then the former First Minister has explored the game�s grassroots - the foundation on which football is built in this country. He asks a series of searching questions and draws significant conclusions that will have a dramatic impact on the game in this country http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=1335&newsCategoryID=3&newsID=5777 http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/resources/documents/HenryMcLeishReview/Scottish%20Football%20Review.pdf

CELTIC striker Morten Rasmussen and Kilmarnock defender Tim Clancy could be forced to appear before the SFA Review Panel. Record Sport understands both players will have to answer the case for two separate incidents that occurred during Saturday's Active Nation Scottish Cup quarter-final which Celtic won 3-0 courtesy of a Robbie Keane hat-trick. In a bad-tempered first half Clancy appeared to stamp on Hoops hitman Rasmussen with the Dane later elbowing Kilmarnock defender Frazer Wright off the ball, amazingly escaping punishment. Wright needed to have stitches inserted into his wound. Ref Iain Brines and his assistants missed both flashpoints which were clearly caught on camera. However the duo's luck seems to have run out as they look certain to be dragged before the beaks at Hampden. The SFA Refereeing Development department will almost certainly flag up both offences to Brines which will spell bother for Rasmussen and Clancy. Brines will then be asked to give his verdict as to what decisions he would have reached had he seen the incidents and it looks likely that Rasmussen and Clancy will have their cases sent to the SFA Review Panel. If Brines deems that both men are guilty of a sending-off offence they could each be hit with a retrospective red card. Killie defender Wright insists the SFA should throw the book at Rasmussen. The clash came in the first half of the Rugby Park encounter and the two players then spent five minutes arguing. Wright did not believe the Dane's explanation that he was just trying to get some space for himself inside Killie's penalty box and the centre-half would like to see justice being done. Obvious When asked about the incident, the Killie star said: "He swung an elbow at me. "I asked Sky's David Tanner about it when we came off at half-time after someone else said the telly showed it was quite obvious he had done it. "I wasn't happy about it but he just said he was trying to get free from me. "He said, 'You shouldn't be close to me', so I said, 'Sure, I'll let you stand and score.' He definitely caught me. "If he meant to do it, it's not very nice. Hopefully it's something which will be looked at. "I think if it was one of us who had done the same thing it would be picked up on. "Someone has to have a look at it. If TV pictures prove he's done it then I'm all for him being done, he did catch me." The result hurt Wright in more ways than one and he said: "I got caught in the head trying to clear the ball and went off for stitches. When we got to the medical room the door was locked. Eventually someone found the key and I got stitched."

MANAGEMENT may ask SFA for review of Thomson dismissal More...

TONY Mowbray has heaped scorn on the SFA appeals system following Celtic's failure to have Scott Brown's red card in last Sunday's Old Firm match rescinded. n a withering appraisal of the procedure which saw referee Dougie McDonald uphold his decision to send Brown off at Ibrox, the Celtic manager also claimed the real villain of the piece has gone unpunished in the shape of Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty. Mowbray suggested Lafferty was guilty of embellishing his reaction during the off-the-ball clash with Brown which saw the Celtic captain shown a straight red card midway through the second half of the match Rangers won 1-0 to stretch their lead at the top of the SPL to ten points. He also claimed Lafferty, who received no sanction from the referee, had placed Brown "in a headlock" and thrown him to the floor. Mowbray believes the SFA appeals process, which requires the match referee concerned to agree to his decision being re-assessed by an independent review panel, is flawed. He would like to see the appeal system being taken out of the referee's hands, as it is in England where claims of wrongful dismissal go directly to an independent FA regulatory commission which does not allow submissions from either the match officials or clubs involved in an incident. "People talk about an appeal, but did we have an appeal?" asked a bewildered Mowbray. "Who was the appeal to? My frustration is that the same referee who made the decision on the day has had another look at it and the matter is finished. "It doesn't seem much of an appeal. If you appeal something, then you want to do so to an independent body. But that is not the case. "I have watched the incident again and I can't see a sending off. Even if you think I have a level of bias because I work for Celtic, I still can't see a sending off. As a guy who looks at things honestly, I can't see what Scott has done. "People have said to me that it might be a headbutt, but is there a headbutt? The crime of feigning a potential headbutt might be more of a crime than what Scott Brown did. If you honestly believe Scott threw his head towards him (Lafferty) and that his headbutt was a violent act, then fine. I have watched it and I just can't see it. Scott has been flung around (by Lafferty). He was put in a headlock and thrown to the floor. "My disappointment is that the referee has had a look at it again and he thinks he was right. I'm sure you can look at the statistics and see how many appeals have been successful. How many times have the refs decided they got it wrong? "I didn't know the appeals process in Scotland before we went into this. I thought we would appeal, someone would have a look at it and think 'yeah, maybe the referee got that one wrong', without going over the top of the individual and wagging a finger at him. "A club has to pay �£1000 to make an appeal. If you think there are grounds to spend �£1000, you do. You don't want to throw money away. You appeal because there is something to look at. If it gets thrown out by an independent panel then you say 'fine' and move on. It just seems harsh to me that the guy who makes the original decision is then asked to make another decision. My own personal view is that the procedure is not correct at the moment. "I only want a procedure that works and gets us to the right decision. We all know Scott is a hot-headed boy who has done things in the past. But I can't sit here and say he was irresponsible last Sunday." As Celtic's currently fractious relationship with the SFA shows no signs of easing, Mowbray also labelled the outcome of their appeal as "political" in the wake of the controversy over decisions going against the Parkhead club in the previous two Old Firm fixtures this season. "Maybe another decision in a massive Old Firm game not to go Celtic's way would be just a little bit too much," he said. "If it had been upheld, it would have been proven to be a wrong decision, I think. So maybe the political decision was taken that maybe the right decision had been made. "Was there extra pressure on the referee last Sunday? All he has to do is watch the game, see the decisions, make the decisions and nobody is going to question him. But when you watch it back, it is wrong. "In a massive game the whole world is watching, and given what happened in the previous two Old Firm matches, why make such a big decision if you weren't sure of it? If you look back at it, he (McDonald) has got to look through two or maybe three bodies to actually see the incident. "I would have thought when he watched it again that he almost had an out, to say 'listen I saw the boy go down but there were two or three people in my way and having seen it again, I don't think it was a red card'. In my mind, you can't see something that didn't happen. So why come rushing over with your red card out? If you have a doubt, stand there with the players for two minutes, lecture them and show the world you are in charge of the situation." Mowbray will be without the suspended Brown tomorrow when Celtic travel to face a Falkirk side against whom they have already dropped four points in two previous meetings this season. Despite last week's massive setback at Ibrox, however, Mowbray remains defiantly positive about his prospects of ultimate success as Celtic manager. "I think I signed a four-year deal," he said, "and I am here to build a team that can be successful for a long, long period. I want to play expansive football at this club and the people who brought me here bought into that. At times, it can be like a rollercoaster. "This club has to win something every season, it has always been that way. But there are some seasons when it wins everything, some when it wins something and some when it wins nothing. If you don't win anything, do you throw everything out and start again? "The train keeps rolling until you get better opportunities or you are told it is time for a change. I don't make those decisions. But, for me, if you believe in what you are doing, you keep going." http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Tony-Mowbray-says-Lafferty-reaction.6129515.jp