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FORMER Ibrox chief executive Charles Green has been thwarted in a bid to dissolve the company at the centre of major dispute over the ownership of Rangers. The Yorkshire businessman who fronted the takeover of Rangers through the purchase of liquidated assets, has twice tried and failed to have the firm used for the purchase, Sevco 5088 Limited, struck from the companies register, it has emerged. Experts say the move, if it was successful, would have undermined future court action by former Rangers owner Craig Whyte and business partner Aiden Earley over Rangers ownership. The three men are currently locked in a legal battle over ownership of the Rangers. Club auditors Deloitte previously raised concerns over an "uncertain outcome" of the potential litigation which they said remains a key uncertainty hanging over the business. Donald McNaught, business recovery and insolvency director at Johnston Carmichael said: "The dissolution of that company would significantly undermine any right of action. "If that legal entity is the vehicle that is entitled to an action, then it is fundamental to any later legal action, because it is the party with the rights." Mr Whyte had always insisted he was the main driver behind Sevco 5088 - the company identified by administrators in May 29, 2012 as being the newco that was "contractually obliged" to purchase the assets and business of operating company RFC 2012 plc which was in administration. Mr Green denied in April, last year that Mr Whyte or Mr Earley were involved in Sevco 5088 and said director documents lodged at Companies House were not valid and it is understood were referred to police by legal firm Pinsent Masons. Mr Whyte produced recordings of a conversation between the pair, with Mr Green appearing to tell him: "You are Sevco, that's what we are saying." Mr Green said at the time: "This is correct but at that point I had signed a resignation letter and a stock transfer form because it was decided that a Scottish company should buy a Scottish institution. Sevco 5088 wasn't required." In April, last year, Rangers International Football Club plc, the holding company which owns the assets, said that Sevco 5088 was not an active subsidiary describing it as a "defunct non trading company". Termination proceedings began in 2012 and documents show RIFC claim it would have been struck off by the Registrar of Companies had "false claims of directorships" not been filed. A statement on the Rangers website on April 12 said Mr Green was the sole director of Sevco 5088 and he had resigned to be the founder director of Sevco Scotland Ltd, the company he transferred Rangers' assets to once the CVA had failed. By October, last year, RIFC had spent £600,000 contesting the claim by Mr Whyte and Mr Earley. This month it emerged Mr Earley was banned from being a director in Britain for five years. But the Insolvency Service has given sanction for him to remain as a director of Sevco 5088. It was understood this is connected to the court battle over Rangers' ownership. In the last attempt, Mr Green was the only signatory to application to dissolve the company. Applications have to be signed by all or the majority of directors. Following an objection, the proceedings were suspended. No further details were available. According to Companies House rules, a request for dissolving a firm can be made if it is not subject to any legal proceedings, current or proposed and has not traded within the previous three months. http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/green-fails-in-legal-bid-to-dissolve-rangers-company.24368891

keith jackson ‏@tedermeatballs 43s More sources close to RFC board saying 20k season tickets now sold. If true then they should thank Dave King for his prolonged silence. IF true.

Rangers Return 29 May, 2014 Brora Rangers FC are delighted to announce the return of Glasgow Rangers to the North of Scotland. Following their hugely successful visit last season the Ibrox based team have chosen to return to Brora with the clubs having established a strong relationship over the past 12 months. Ally McCoist and his side will travel North on July 1st and use Dudgeon Park as their training base again. The friendly meeting of the two sides will take place on Sunday July 6th at 3pm. Rangers Manager Ally McCoist had this to say “I am delighted our pre-season plans are now in place and we can prepare for next season’s important campaign in the Championship. “We enjoyed a successful trip to Northern Scotland last year and we look forward to taking the squad there once again to play Buckie Thistle and Brora Rangers. Last season game at Dudgeon Park attracted a 2,000+ attendance and Brora aim again to share the experience with that number of supporters. Ticket sales info will be supplied shortly tickets will remain at £15 for the game, the club will also be hosting a unique corporate hospitality programme for the day at a cost of £85. Official club statement "we are unbelievably overjoyed that the 54 time Scottish Premier League champions and current League 1 champions have chosen to join us again this summer. Last summer the whole village went Rangers Crazy and it gave everyone such a boost. "As a club we pride ourselves on building good relationships for the long term and we have done that with Rangers and that is why they are back. We hope everyone will share in another great week in the village when it comes" http://www.brorarangersfc.co.uk/club/267420/News/view/844021

Approx 230 pages containing over 7,000 signatories and about 80 pages of comments Thanks to all who added to the numbers Craig SoS

Thursday, 29 May 2014 14:00 Gers Confirm Pre Season Tours Written by Rangers Football Club http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/6988-gers-confirm-pre-season-tours RANGERS have today confirmed they will prepare for the 2014/15 Championship campaign with a visit to Northern Scotland and a 12-day trip to America and Canada. Following a successful training camp last year, the League One Champions will again head to Brora on 1 July for a six-day trip which includes a friendly against Buckie Thistle at Victoria Park on Thursday 3 July (7.30pm kick off) and a game against Brora Rangers at Dudgeon Park on Sunday 6 July (3pm kick off). Ally McCoist's squad will then travel to America and Canada from 12 July, playing two games in each country. Rangers play Ventura County Fusion at Ventura College Sportsplex in California at 7pm on 15 July then Sacramento Republic FC at Bonney Field, Sacramento at 7.30pm on 19 July. The Light Blues then play two games in Canada – against Victoria Highlanders at the Centennial Stadium, British Columbia at 6pm on 21 July with another fixture on 23 July to be confirmed in due course. Kick off times for all fixtures are local times. Rangers visited the United States ahead of the 2002/03 campaign and the trip to New York prepared the team for a treble-winning season, while Walter Smith’s class of 2006/07 won an end of season friendly against LA Galaxy in California in May 2007. Ally McCoist commented: “I am delighted our pre-season plans are now in place and we can prepare for next season’s important campaign in the Championship. “We enjoyed a successful trip to Northern Scotland last year and we look forward to taking the squad there once again to play Buckie Thistle and Brora Rangers. “We then head across the Atlantic to play four games in America and Canada and I have no doubt our overseas supporters will enjoy seeing the team in action once again. “We have a wonderful global fanbase and I am sure the members of NARSA (North American Rangers Supporters Association) will turn out in huge numbers at all of our games. “The trip to America and Canada is also a fantastic opportunity to re-introduce Rangers to the North American fans and I am confident the tour will be a success on a number of levels.” http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/6988-gers-confirm-pre-season-tours

Being said on FF and Twitter that VB met with the board the day after the UOF meeting. Somers and James Easdale also attended. Why would the board meet with such a small unrepresentative group? As is being said on Twitter most supporters clubs have more members.

A Celtic fan who posted racist comments online about two former Rangers players has been jailed for 12 months. Declan McCuish, 23, admitted posting "abusive and threatening comments" to Sone Aluko and in relation to El Hadji Diouf on 2 and 3 February last year. Following complaints, police raided his home in Glasgow. McCuish also admitted possessing cannabis and phenazepam. Glasgow Sheriff Court heard McCuish was disgusted by his behaviour and accepted responsibility for what he had done. Passing a total sentence of 12 months, sheriff Andrew Cubie branded the tweets "vile and racist" and noted that his Twitter name 1888-dec-1888, was linked to Celtic. He told McCuish, originally from Ibrox, now from Paisley, that he was part of a "small and dwindling group" that want to "cherish this kind of hatred". The sheriff added that these comments had "no place in 21st Century Scotland". http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-27638800

Not exactly Rangers chat but I think most people will enjoy this Chris Graham article which comprehensively destroys Kevin McKenna's Lennon article of last week... http://www.therangersstandard.co.uk/index.php/articles/current-affairs/324-neil-lennon-the-bravest-man-in-scotland

IMO this question should come before the one about on-field exploits. There are many things to take into consideration and perhaps the Financial Bears could map out what they see as a probable/conditional route through the next 12 months. Some of the obvious questions that scream out are:- - Where is the money coming from to keep the lights-on? - Will there be an insolvency event? - What will be the final ST number? - Will game by game maintain it's attraction? - How long will it take to get a share issue up and running and will it be successful? - Is there money to carry out plans mapped out in business review? - How deep could austerity hit us? - How exactly will austerity hit ut? - How will severe austerity be paid for? (pay-offs) - When do the assets go? - Do you trust who is in control of the board (including the Easdale proxy block)? etc.

Would like to hear what fellow Bears expect next season. Obviously the journey back up the leagues was supposed to be a gimmie and we didn't foresee hearts and Hibs standing in the way. Hearts are on the rebuilding and Hibs are about to make changes.....An article on here a few weeks ago had Ally saying he fears Hibs, sorry but we should never be fearing them. We had a good Scottish cup run this year but id not worry about that this year and put all efforts into the league. Still cant believe we didt pick up the Ramsden's and I cant see there being big interest in that this year. I don't think Ally is the right manager, he should be at the club in some capacity but not on the training field and If im honest I don't think it will be easy next season.

EDIT: thread was already in motion here: http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/vb/sh...084#post491084 Hamilton win on penalties (scored all 4 of theirs, Hibs missed 2) Hamilton were by far the better team from start to finish. Playing some lovely football, unlike Hibs. I know this is not Rangers - but it is relevant to next season

.......never mind challenge for promotion. KEITH reflects on Hibs' extraordinary collapse and looks forward to a Championship season that will see three of Scotland's biggest clubs vying for a top flight return. SCOTTISH football awakes this morning to quite the Bank Holiday hangover. Let’s call it a bad case of the Hibeegeebees. Because what happened yesterday at Easter Road completed the routing of a top flight that has been wobbling and shaking since Rangers collapsed in a heap in February 2012. Back then, prior to Craig Whyte’s arrival on the scene, today’s landscape would have been unthinkable. But the reality is next season Rangers, Hearts and Hibs will all be playing in the second tier. That’s not to say we should all be overcome by grief at the thought of it. These three clubs have managed to make an almighty mess of their own business, be that off the pitch or on it, where Hibs have failed so spectacularly over the last weeks of the season. Yesterday they too got what they deserved and even though relegation had been in the post for weeks, there was something insufferable about the way they managed to botch it on their home turf against a Hamilton side that wanted a top-flight place more. All over the park. Terry Butcher and his players ought to be ashamed of themselves for the way they have let their supporters down and for the agonies they dumped on them yesterday. This will not be easily forgiven and nor should it because this woeful run has been nothing short of disgraceful for a club of such standing and status. Hibs should be up there leading from the front but instead they dropped off the face of the map and into a Championship all set up to boggle the mind. How can it be that these three giants can have fallen so hard? And what happens when at least one of them fails to clamber to the top of next season’s promotion ladder because three into two does not go. One of them is staying in that league for at least two years and the consequences of an extended stopover could be even more eye-watering than the penalty shoot-out which eventually saw Hibs go down yesterday afternoon. It had to be penalties, didn’t it? The ultimate form of torture for a support out of which the living daylights has been well and truly thrashed. There was one last kick in the nuts for them and it came in the shape of a defiant Butcher insisting he will not throw in the towel. To be blunt, he has been a calamitous appointment – an unmitigated disaster – and there have been absolutely no signs that he is capable of turning this team around. On current form, unless he can find a way to wheel and deal and clear his squad out, Hibs will do well to survive in the Championship next season never mind compete for promotion. At least they have a derby to look forward to (how much will the SPFL pay the broadcasters for that?) but this may simply open the door to a whole new world of suffering and humiliation. The Hibeegeebees? You better believe it.

SATURDAY 24TH MAY. CELEBRATION AND PROTEST We have been asked by many fans to arrange some protests during the close season and as 24th May is the anniversary of the clubs greatest victory in Barcelona 1972, we have made arrangements for the Louden Tavern at the stadium to show a re run of the game from 1.00pm At 3.00pm we will be marching to the stadium for a 30 min protest and a petition to hand in and explain why the fans wont renew season tickets or indeed buy new ones. We require as many fans as possible to turn up as a show of numbers would be vital for the success of the protest Fans are asked to meet up at the Louden between 1.00 and 2.30 to give us adequate time to make final arrangements with fans Can I ask all to share at usual places and feeback to me with expected number which will allow me to notify Louden and make necessary arrangements. We are planning on some other things for Saturday and will announce them once we have confirmed Thanks Craig.

Hamilton beat Falkirk, pretty sure Falkirk wont be worried as they get 4 games v Rangers and Hearts which is better than the SPL. Would be great to see Hamilton beat Hibs in the play off though for a number of reasons. It makes the SPL worse and should mean either Hibs and / or Hearts are out of the top flight for at least 2 seasons (that's if we win the league). Also don't want to play Hamilton, weren't they a big voice in the anti-Rangers bandwagon?

Seems that the bros or one of them are suing for £200K. In tomorrow's Record.

http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/275976-spfl-pay-broadcaster-up-to-250000-per-season-to-show-rangers-games/ The Scottish Professional Football League is contractually bound to pay BT Sport up to £250,000 per season in return for the broadcaster airing Rangers matches. STV understands that under the terms of a renegotiated TV deal following the removal of Rangers from the top flight in 2012, a clause was inserted making the league liable to additional production costs incurred setting up at lower league grounds. It is understood the league agreed to the insertion of the clause in order to guarantee broadcast contracts which were essentially null and void after Rangers were expelled from the then-Scottish Premier League and were subsequently admitted to the bottom tier of the Scottish Football League. The SPL paid the Scottish Football League £800,000 for one season's worth of rights to show Rangers games but that deal was absorbed when the league bodies merged in 2013. It is not known how much has been paid out to BT Sport and ESPN, who were the holders of the contract for the 2012/13 season, to date. The overall payment is capped at £250,000 per season. In a statement to STV, SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: "The support given to Scottish football by our broadcast partners, in 2012 and since, has been fundamental to the ongoing health of the game in this country." It is understood the league thought it necessary to agree to the deal in order to protect revenue from broadcast contracts. Nevertheless, the revelations in short mean the SPFL pays a broadcaster in order for Rangers games to be shown on television. BT Sport said in a statement: “[We] were delighted to inherit the SPFL rights from ESPN at the beginning of this season, however we cannot comment on contractual details.”

Neil Lennon is to part company with Celtic after four years as manager following talks about his future. It is understood that the former club captain had been considering his position for some time despite securing a third straight Scottish title. He has been concerned about this playing budget for next season. The 42-year-old Northern Irishman took charge of the Glasgow club in 2010, leading them to three league titles and two Scottish Cups. Lennon, who also previously led Celtic to Champions League last 16, is believed to have been concerned that his present side would be able to negotiate three rounds of qualifying next season.

We are looking to put together a meeting of all the different groups of the Rangers Support. All the fans groups, representatives, forums, magazines, podcasts, radio shows, fanzines and anyone who wants to come along We would like to make an attempt to bring civility back to the Rangers Support and thrash out a ‘code of conduct’ for how fans interact with each other online and in real life. It has been a hard time for the support as different views about what is best for the club are prevalent but this isn’t about protests, boycotts, supporting the board or anything else. It is purely about Rangers Supporters meeting and finding a way to give each other the respect a Rangers Supporter should have with one another. This is not about who is right and who is wrong – it is about the support moving forward and people with differing views being able to speak to each other. List of Groups we’d like to see there include: Sons of Struth Vanguard Bears Union Bears The Blue Order RST Rangers Media Follow Follow Gersnet Do The Bouncy No.1 Fanzine 72 Magazine WATP Magazine Rangers Supporters Assembly Rangers Supporters Association Copland Road Organisation Rangers Fans Fighting Fund Rangers Chat Heart & Hand Podcast We Welcome The Chase Podcast Aye Ready Podcast Any RSCs that are interested And apologies for anyone I have missed but everyone who has Rangers at heart is welcome. We would like to have this meeting at 1pm Saturday 31st May in The Louden Tavern: Ibrox Stadium, 111 Copland Road, G51 2SL. If you are willing to come along could you contact us here or email info@theloudentavern.co.uk There is no hidden agenda here, we are just trying to help the support. We have enough enemies out there. Check out http://www.rangersfirst.org – Do something positive to help the club and the support We Are The People God Bless The Rangers The Louden Tavern: Ibrox Stadium - More than a Pub Official Partner of The Rangers Football Club *We are responsible for The Louden Tavern: Ibrox Stadium, 111 Copland Road, Ibrox, G51 2SL solely and are not involved in the operation of any other premises

Lifted from FF: On the 18th of December 2012 there was an incident within Ibrox stadium involving Police Scotland and members of the Union Bears; an incident which made headlines throughout Scotland and branded our members as mindless and violent thugs. At the time, we released a brief statement maintaining our innocence, criticising the Police and asking fellow Rangers fans for help with gathering evidence. From that night, a total of 11 group members were arrested and banned from attending all Rangers matches. After countless court appearances over an 18 month period, involving 14 Police witnesses and hours of CCTV footage; a verdict of not guilty was delivered to 10 of our members, which surely must cast another shadow of doubt over the functionality of the Offensive Behaviour at Football bill, something which our group strongly opposes. The one remaining member; sadly, was today found guilty of culpable and reckless conduct after "banging a drum beside a Police horse" ; without speculating, we believe this was an attempt to save some form of credibility for Police Scotland and the Scottish Justice System in what has been an embarrassing case for them. Throughout all 11 trials which were attended by large fractions of our group, we were saddened to see actions which does not fit the character of a reputable Police force. Continuous lying under oath, manufacturing statements to suit their agenda and targeting individual members. We hope this highlights the extreme lengths that Police Scotland will go to victimise our group. At this time, we would like to thank the Rangers support who stood beside us and helped where they could; your continued assistance and support throughout this matter has been greatly appreciated. This has made us stronger as a group and we refuse to be the victims of unjust treatment from a cowardly and deplorable Police force. Police lies, ruin lives. Union Bears No Surrender

Play for Scotland? Forget it: Fully fit Chelsea kid Islam Feruz snubs another international call-up. THE striker was wanted by Under-19 boss Ricky Sbragia to take part in the European Championship Elite Round next week, but has made it clear he has no intention of turning up for international duty. CHELSEA hitkid Islam Feruz has turned his back on 
Scotland – after pulling out of yet another youth squad while fully fit. The talented striker, who was born in Somalia but grew up in Glasgow, was wanted by Under-19 boss Ricky Sbragia to take part in the European Championship Elite Round in England next week. But Feruz made it clear he had no intention of turning up for international duty – and will instead play for Chelsea in Hong Kong as part of the KFC Citibank Soccer Sevens 
tournament. Last week he was a key member of the Blues’ squad who beat Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup Final at Old Trafford. When Sbragia selected Feruz a year ago for the U-19’s Elite Round in Belgium he made himself unavailable despite pleas from performance director Mark Wotte. The 18-year-old former Celtic youngster hasn’t kicked a ball for Scotland since last August when he was hooked by U-21 boss Billy Stark in a 6-0 defeat to England at Bramall Lane. Record Sport understands the SFA have become increasingly frustrated at his lack of desire to play for Scotland. The highly-rated teenager was born in Somalia but after his family sought asylum in Glasgow he signed for Celtic. He made his Parkhead debut as a 14-year-old in Tommy Burns’s Memorial Match and featured 
for Scotland’s Under-17 side at 
the same age – after former SFA chief executive Gordon Smith fought for a change in FIFA’s guidelines to accommodate players like Feruz who had five years education in this country. Dutchman Wotte has previously likened Feruz to ex-Brazil superstar Romario and believes he is one of Scotland’s top prospects. But after withdrawing his 
services from Sbragia’s squad and being left out of Stark’s U-21 pool for their Euro qualifier against Holland next week it’s not certain when Feruz will pull on a Dark Blue shirt again. Sbragia has refused to rule out a return for Feruz or Southampton duo Sam Gallagher and Matty Targett who will both play for England’s Under-19 side against Scotland in Burton next week. The duo qualify for Scotland and have been included by Sbragia in previous Scots squads and will still be eligible until they have played a full international for the Auld Enemy. Sbragia said: “The door is never closed, it’s always open, that’s the same for everyone. “I can understand Sam and Matty because they’re English-born players. And I know for a fact that, as much as we picked them earlier, they want to play for their home country. “I’ll speak to them both next week in England and we wouldn’t shut the door on them.” http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/play-scotland-forget-it-fully-3592418

@Chris_Jack89: Sandy Easdale has threatened legal action against Craig Houston over an online petition. Story in Wednesdays @TheEveningTimes #Rangers

SATURDAY, 17 MAY 2014 19:30[h=2]Club Statement[/h]WRITTEN BY RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB RANGERS have issued the following statement today: “Representatives of Rangers have met with a number of supporter groups over the past few days and discussed a wide range of topics. We again made it clear during these meetings that the club will not grant security over Ibrox to any organisation and therefore the 'Ibrox 1972' scheme can never achieve its objectives. In addition the club will not accept season ticket applications from third parties such as 'Ibrox 1972' on behalf of supporters. “In some of our discussions with fans, it was indicated that there was a wish for the Board to confirm that our statement of intention not to grant security over Ibrox could become a commitment that would last for 12 months. This has subsequently been discussed by the Board and the Board confirms that it will not be seeking to effect a sale and leaseback or grant security over Ibrox during that period of time. “The Board is rebuilding the Club by ensuring its financial stability and the integrity of its assets. “Whilst the Board is reported to have offered legally binding undertakings during a fan group discussion in relation to Ibrox and Murray Park, this is not the case. The Board is committed to high standards of corporate governance and is comfortable that it has at all times been very clear in providing consistent and unequivocal public comments on this subject. "Season ticket sales have continued at a good pace over the last few days and we appreciate the continued support shown by our loyal fans. "We trust that any supporters who may have been in any doubt about the Board's previous statements regarding Ibrox now have an additional level of comfort and any who may have made, or were considering making, a pledge of their season ticket money to 'Ibrox 1972' are clear that there is no prospect of that group achieving its aims."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/scotland/10831983/Scotland-Under-17-coach-Scot-Gemmill-targets-success-as-he-looks-to-escape-from-shadow-of-father-Archie.html By Henry Winter, Football Correspondent 7:36PM BST 14 May 2014 Scot Gemmill is making a name for himself as one of the most promising young coaches around. He is currently the talk of the Uefa Under-17 Championships in Malta after his Scotland team overcame Germany on Monday. Gemmill’s team play Switzerland at Hibernians in Paola on Thursday and could face England in the semi-finals. The 43-year-old is thoughtful, self-deprecating yet ambitious, willingly admitting “I want to win the Champions League”, and is partly driven to make a name for himself as a coach and manager after finding it difficult to live up to the playing pedigree of his father. Most famously, Archie Gemmill dribbled through Holland’s defence to score an iconic Scotland goal in the 1978 World Cup. He also won two titles with Derby County and the league and European Cup at Nottingham Forest. His son enjoyed a decent career, playing mainly for Forest and Everton and for Scotland on 26 occasions. There was particular frustration at sitting on the bench at France 98. This was the World Cup, the stage his father graced. “I grew up idolising my dad, captain of Scotland," said Gemmill. “I wanted to play in the World Cup so badly. Naively, I thought I could play a part and something special could happen. “I never got that opportunity. To be so close to such an occasion and not quite make it was a massive disappointment, even more now looking back. The frustration hasn’t eased. It wasn’t only the Brazil game. I didn’t kick a ball in the whole tournament. I also went to Euro 96 and didn’t kick a ball. “I didn’t quite to get to play the level I wanted. I only scored five goals for Everton. In my first season for Forest, I scored 14 goals from central midfield. Roy Keane scored 15. It was all downhill for me after that! I don’t reflect on my career as successful. That really drives me on to be successful as a coach. “My father was so successful that I judge myself against him but I was never the star player, never the fans’ favourite. I lived a completely normal life even though I was a Premiership footballer. I could walk down the street completely unrecognised. “People ask me what’s it’s like to have a famous father? I don’t know what it’s like not to have a famous father. It’s completely normal to me to have a famous father. But I know it’s affected me. It’s influenced the way I behave as a coach and how I am as a person. It’s all connected to him.’’ So he relishes this chance with Scotland Under-17s. “This particular group at the Euro finals have a defiance and resilience. It’s something that my father tried week after week to ingrain in me, playing as if your life depends on it, playing with that edge. That’s something I try to convey to the players. The players who do end up successful are those for whom discipline and commitment are non-negotiable.’’ Along with the wise counsel of his father, Gemmill has had major influences that have shaped his nascent success as a manager. “Mr Clough had this X factor. Martin O’Neill nailed it when he said you wanted to please him. The top coaches today, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, have a similar influence on their players. Their players are convinced those guys can improve them. Those players go out completely inspired and motivated just as Clough’s players did. “At Forest, there was no real coaching but the message was clear in regards of keeping the ball. Most of Clough’s team-talks involved a towel in the middle of the dressing-room floor with the ball on it, the referee banging on the door, demanding the teams go into the tunnel but nobody was allowed to move or speak until Clough said ‘get the ball and when we get it, we keep it and pass it to ‘our Nige’. “At the end of the game, Clough would normally be on his knees, offering to untie Keane’s boots for him, because he idolised Keane. I stole a line that Clough use to say to Keane. I said to one of the young Scotland strikers: ‘run hard on the pitch and if you can’t run any more I’ll come on and carry you off myself’.’’ Basically: give everything. The memory of playing alongside Keane reminds Gemmill of the hunger required for the younger players. “I played in the game when Roy came over from Ireland: Scarborough away in a trial game. Roy and I played in midfield. Roy asked to play on the right and I wouldn’t let him. Whenever I bump into him, that’s the first thing he reminds me of! He struggled to get over that one! Even as a young player he was very demanding, very quick to let you know if standards weren’t being reached.’’ After Forest, Gemmill moved to Everton, eventually playing under David Moyes. “He was very intense. He would have ordered your dinner for you back then if he took the team to a restaurant. That’s how intense he was. I felt he was a really good coach but I didn’t think that he had the balance quite right between coaching and management. He had the potential. He showed how good a coach he was but I didn’t feel that he was maximising himself as a manager. “My best friend in football is David Weir, who worked under him (at Everton). David says he (Moyes) has learned, adapted his managerial style because he’d been made aware that he was a little bit too intense, that he needed to give the players a bit more freedom. That intensity helped get him to get where he got to. It was a big part of what he did. It would be interesting to know if he has adapted.’’ Moyes’ failure at Manchester United “would not damage the reputation of Scottish coaches”, Gemmill added. Gemmill did not stroll into management. “If you spoke to me the year I stopped playing in 2007, I would have said 100 per cent that I’ll not miss football. I was wrong. It’s as big a part of my life as my family are. I needed it way more than I thought. I am here because I want to win the Champions League. “If you spoke to anyone about Scot Gemmill they’ll say ‘he’s too nice a guy to be a top manager, not nasty enough.’ I don’t agree with them but I understand how I’m perceived. My old team-mates would question whether I had the potential to be a top manager or top coach.’’ He gained inspiration by reading “The Chimp Paradox” by Dr Steve Peters, the sports psychiatrist. “The book helped me understand that it’s OK to be uncommon, that I’m not a weirdo. I just needed authority. I need authority to be able influence players. It helped me understand how my brain works. It helps you get to the next level.” His journey to the next level began in Barcelona where he’d moved with his wife Ruth. “Her patience and understanding of my ambition and career are incredible. She will go anywhere with me. It helps that Barcelona is a beautiful place to live. We rented an apartment and every day I’d catch the tram to the Barcelona training ground and watch the youth team and the B team. I looked over the fence and watched Oscar Garcia (recently of Brighton & Hove Albion) taking the sessions, standing at the side of training. “Ramon Planes was sporting director of Espanol. I guessed his email address, emailed him and the next day he invited me in. I went to do my Pro-licence at Espanol with Mauricio Pochettino. I was living in Barcelona when Pochettino became Southampton manager. The first thing he did was take Southampton to Barcelona, and they trained at the Olympic stadium two times a day for five days. I was in that stadium every day watching those sessions. “I knew they would be crucial sessions where the new manager was trying to get his ideas across, and show his team how he wanted them to play, playing out from the back. I sneaked into that twice a day to see. It reassured me for my own development that he wasn’t doing anything I wouldn’t do. That gave me the confidence to kick on.’’ Scotland’s Under-17s have responded strongly to Gemmill. “I’ve tried consciously not to refer to my playing career in team-talks or individual meetings with the players. I don’t want them to see me as an ex-player. I want them to see me as a coach who can help them improve. “A playing career has less than five per cent relevance to management. It gives you an initial foot in the door with the players but you can lose that respect. Players are street-wise. Players today are willing to question you. If I think back to my era, I’d never have questioned a coach’s ideas and philosophy. The players nowadays have questions and you need to know the answers. They will challenge your authority.’’ A fascinating mixture of the diffident and confident, Scotland’s Under-17s coach wants to climb high. “In 10 years’ time I see myself winning the Champions League. It’s embarrassing possibly to say that publicly. It’s time for me to go public with that. That’s what I’m trying to achieve. I understand the chances of it are very, very slim but that’s the plan. At some point I am going to have to try and convince a club chairman to give me an opportunity.’’ He’s also coaching an even younger age-group, his three-year-old son Magnus. “I encourage him every day, every chance we get we are playing football. One of the few people he recognises on TV is Messi. He is completely immersed in it already. Even though I am conscious of how slim the chances of him being a top footballer are, it comes down to pure love of the game.” Like grandfather, like father, like son.

Alasdair Lamont ‏@BBCAlLamont 33m Rangers chief exec Graham Wallace on £320k pa + 100% bonus. Plus £25k salary increase as Rangers move up leagues. More to follow.