Search the Community

Rangers striker Kris Boyd insists his frustration at being reduced to a fringe role in Walter Smith's team does not mean he will ever want to leave Ibrox. The 24-year-old former Kilmarnock frontman has started just 19 matches this season, coming off the bench a further 12 times, but has scored a remarkable 20 goals. That record makes him comfortably the club's leading scorer, even though Boyd has started fewer than half of Rangers' matches in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. He was left on the bench throughout last week's Old Firm clash with Celtic, and has played in just one of the four matches Rangers have contested since his two goals as substitute saved the day in the CIS Insurance Cup final. There is no guarantee he will be involved against Dundee United at Tannadice in the SPL on Sunday. But Boyd told the Daily Record: "Look, the team has been winning so nobody can say the gaffer has got it wrong. I certainly am not saying that. "But I don't think he or anybody else at the club would be happy if I wasn't frustrated. Of course I'm frustrated. I want to play. "But although I'm not happy about not getting game that doesn't mean I want away." He added: "I'm committed to Rangers and I want to be at Rangers for the rest of my life. I'm happy here."

RANGERS misfit Filip Sebo could return to Ibrox next season, as Valenciennes are hoping to land a new striker. The Ibrox striker, signed for �£1.8 million by Paul Le Guen from Austria Vienna, was loaned out to the French side for the year after failing to impress manager Walter Smith. Sebo scored only twice in 33 appearances before being offloaded and reports in France claim Valenciennes have already lined up Mons striker Mohamed Dahmane as their new forward for next season, meaning Sebo could be out in the cold again and on his way back to Ibrox. http://sport.scotsman.com/football/Rangers-return-for-Sebo.3953096.jp Gribz will be happy if true

Nice wee booster for him

WALTER SMITH last night warned the Rangers boo boys they could drive him out of the door at Ibrox. The boss has been left bewildered by the reaction of certain sections of the home support when the team have won the CIS Cup and are fighting for three other trophies. Derisive shouts could be heard during Thursday's 0-0 UEFA Cup draw with Sporting Lisbon and some fans booed the team at full-time Smith admits he struggles to understand why modern-day supporters are so quick to get on the backs of their players and managers. The gaffer said: "It's been happening since the first game of the season when we were booed off at half-time against Zeta. "That seems to be the way people want to support the club. It is a wee bit of a disappointing factor in the sense that when we go away from home we get terrific backing. "When we come to home games right from the very start there seems to be a dissatisfaction. If supporters are dissatisfied with the way we are playing they have to express it. "At the end of the day if they continue to be dissatisfied there is only one thing that happens, isn't there? "The manager normally leaves when you have a lot of dissatisfied supporters. "We seem to have a lot of dissatisfied supporters at the moment and that is maybe something we will have to put up with. "It seems a clear sign of the times and is just something we have to handle. It's been a regular thing for us since the start of the season, a recurring factor throughout it. "It's difficult. At a period of time when everything has gone well in a game and you are doing really well, that is not really the time when you need the support. You need the support when you are not doing well. "From a managerial point of view that is is a situation that happens. Whether you find it understandable or not is another thing. "Invariably, if a manager brings the subject up you get an outcry of, 'You should be doing better'. We have not to criticise anything at all. "Supporters pay their money and are entitled to react in the manner they do. At times, it can be difficult to understand and I don't think it helps the club overall. "That dissatisfaction is never stated among the away support but at home it seems to be more evident." Smith, of course, has seen it all before and can handle such situations but he admits they could affect some of his players. He added: "I appreciate the demands. I keep saying to the players if you can't meet the demands you are not going to be here. "That is from the chairman all the way down. But somewhere along the line there has to be a level of understanding and there does not seem to be at the present moment. "A lot of the boys who are new and just coming into the place must find it hard to understand. "For a club that has not had recent success, all of a sudden they have an opportunity to turn that around and they are still hearing that. "With the Zeta game our league season hadn't even started and they were booing us off at half-time. The boys found it hard to understand although maybe they are getting used to it." Smith won't have any worries tomorrow as the visiting fans will pack Tannadice to back the side in their quest to cement their position as SPL champions-elect with a win over Dundee United. The manager expects a tough game and said: "One of the things we have faced this season towards the latter stages is there is a battle on for the championship and for third place. "Third has normally been settled fairly early on but this season we have a tight one between Motherwell, Hibs and Dundee United and there will be a fight to the finish for the UEFA Cup place. "We lost at Tannadice previously and had a terrific CIS Cup Final with United. "That is an indicator for any side going to Tannadice and is credit to Craig Levein and his team." Click Here

(Before I start, cheers for the title idea Cammy) With all the fixture chaos of this incredible season; caused by the Scotland - Italy game, Europeam runs, the weather and one very mournful passing, Scottish football enetered the business end of the season with Rangers holding a slim lead in the SPL and chasing silverware on four fronts. A succession of games called off meant that there were not as many games over the usually hectic New Year period and it became increasingly difficult for Scotland's governing bodies to fit in all the postponed fixtures. Rangers were to enter an incredibly congested period the press dubbed mad March, with a narrow lead over our city rivals. We contested a massive 9 fixtures in one month, the most in any single month this season. As the manager has pointed out though, this fixture headache is a good one. It's the sign of a succesful team. The self appointed authorities on football in Scotland declared that we would stuggle with a fixture backlog and saw it as ideal opportunity for Celtic to put the pressure on us in the title race. Celtic's defeat to Hearts in the CIS cup meant they were already competing on one less front than us. And us they crashed out of competitions left right and centre during Mad March it meant they had more time to concentrate on the main prize, the SPL. The only fixture any Rangers players got off was the international midweek when some stars carrying knocks took the opportunity to rest up and recover. So how did Mad March shape the run-in for this season. Rangers began the month with a tricky home league tie with Aberdeen. Goals from Adam, Boyd and Dailly's maiden Rangers strike continued our impressive run of league victories since we last dropped points, ironically at Pittodrie. Next up was the home tie against Bundesliga cracks Werder Bremen. Heavy bookies favourites for the tie and the pick for many to lift the trophy. Another first goalscorer from the Bears in Ulsterman Davis, added to Cousin's long range opener, gave us a commanding lead to take to Germany. Domestic duties resumed with the cup replay against Hibs. In what has recently been a troublesome fixture for the Old Firm, Rangers went to Easter Road to claim a hard fought draw, when arguably we had our minds on bigger things. In the replay we made no such mistakes though, progressing to a quarter final with Partick Thistle. The following mid-week saw our only defeat of Mad March and our first since the heart-wrenching loss to Lyon. However Bremen's single strike was not enough as we shocked Europe to progress past the strongly fancied Germans to tonight's quarter final with Sporting Lisbon. A further fixture was postponed as we had our first Hampden appearance to contend with since the Coop final. Neutrals and Arabs alike will be bemused as to how they left with only credit for an impressive performance. However an awesome substitute display by Scotland's deadliest maksman meant that trophy number 108 was decekd in red white and blue. Kris Boyd scored another perfect "hattrick", with a late equaliser, a late extra time equaliser and a thumping winning penalty in the shootout as we sealed our first trophy in 3 years. Bouyed by that success we entertained Partick Thistle in the aforementioned Scottish Cup quarter final. Arguably our only slip up in Mad March, Boyd again came to the rescue as we came from behind to seal a replay. This author was concerned that replays against the "wee" teams, whilst keeping us in the competition, might harm our chances in our hunt for other silverware. So far I have been proved wrong. In the penultimate fixture of the month we entertained Hibs in the 5th meeting of the teams this season. A 2-1 victory, much more comfortable than the scoreline suggests, maintained momentum going into the biggest Old Firm since Celtic "won the league at Ibrox" in the infamous Helicopter Sunday season. At last a midweek off for our "toiling" stars. Whilst Boyd and Davis gained international caps, the likes of Ferguson, McGregor and Weir, who have played almost 50 times this season, rested injuries and aching muscles. Amazingly at the end of Mad March, just the second Old Firm of the season was contested. Rangers fans, players and management went into the tie full of confidence on the back of 3 victories under Smith, with McGregor's goal yet to be breached under the guidance of Smith and McCoist. Celtic had the better of the first half, but Thomson capped an excellent personal display with a suckerpunch of a winner right on the stroke of half-time. Despite Celtic's relative inactivity and our grueling schedule as we mounted an attack on four fronts we showed great physical strength and mental toughness to further extend out lead in the SPL and put one hand on the trophy. So despite warnings of Smith's fledgling team being unable to contend with such a punishing shedule. And protestations that we had no winning pedigree, nor the winning mentality of our East End rivals, we survived Mad March. In fact we positively flourished. Mad it may have been. But not for the fixture chaos. Rangers fans had many a "mad" party in March as we celebrated a CIS cup victory, progression in the UEFA cup and Scottish cup, with continued interest in both, and finally a strengthening of our league position atop of the SPL pile. If that was the worst that Mad March could throw at us, bring on Madder April, with cup quarter finals like tonight's tie with Sporting to be savoured. A further Old Firm on the 16th and the opportunity to put the final nail in the coffin of the Cetlic title challenge.

EURO specialist Brahim Hemdani is set to return to the starting line-up as Rangers take on Sporting Club in the first leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final on Thursday night. The French-Algerian has been a key man on he European stage and having recovered from a groin strain, he is set to be given a major role against the Lisbon side. Hemdani, who has only missed one of Rangers' 14 games in the Champions League and UEFA Cup this season, was injured in the CIS Cup Final against Dundee United but he is fit again now. Similarly, Kevin Thomson has been passed fit for the vital first leg against the Portuguese men after hurting his shin in Saturday's Old Firm triumph in whicb he was the goal-scoring hero. Boss Walter Smith said: "Brahim Hemdani will be fit again. He has had a groin injury for the past couple of weeks which has ruled him out of the games. "Kevin should make it. It was a knock on the shin which was a rather painful one but he will be fit for Thursday."

Old Firm Reaction Well another Rangers OF victory and another case of Masonic Conspiracy. Read any of the unbiased Scottish media today and youââ?¬â?¢d believe that Rangers cheated their way to victory with the help of another Brother In Black. I havenââ?¬â?¢t had time (nor the inclination really) to refer to my various oracles and on-line search engines, but I can take a guess at this, I do wonder if any Rangers OF victory has been met with a simple, ââ?¬Ë?Yip, the best team wonââ?¬â?¢? I would say it was highly unlikely. The latest OF game wasnââ?¬â?¢t particularly a great game of football but it encapsulated so much of what makes the OF game an OF game. Celtc got beaten and try to lay the blame at everyone elseââ?¬â?¢s door assisted by their lap-dogs in the media. I hear that Robert Mugabe is lining up Peter Liewell as his PR machineââ?¬Â¦. Anyway, the officials have a hard job and canââ?¬â?¢t get everything correct Ã?© Tommy Burns in a recent interview after Celtc benefited from a dubious refereeing decision that saw them steal 3 points from Love Street. But, I suppose, Timââ?¬â?¢s being Timââ?¬â?¢s this is only true when they benefit. IF anyone else does, its obviously a conspiracy. Saturdays officials werenââ?¬â?¢t the best, but I canââ?¬â?¢t see how anyone can claim that they were ââ?¬Ë?anti-Celtcââ?¬â?¢. It was heartening to hear Rangers finally praising the supporters groups who turned Ibrox into a sea of red, white and blue on Saturday. A lot of people put a hell of a work into designing banners, placing flags and cards in designated areas and this is sometimes a thankless task. So, hats of to TBO, CDL, EE and UB. Some people have talked about amalgamating all the different supporters groups, but I think Ibrox benefits from having supporters groups in different areas. One thing that I would like to see is the club helping these groups with displays, banners, finance etc ââ?¬â?? maybe something for the RST to champion? Some of the banners were outstanding and none more so that the ââ?¬Ë?voodoo no workyââ?¬â?¢ banner. This has gotten Timmy in a right tizz and some online forums are pleading with the SPL to deduct points from us due to the ââ?¬Ë?sectarian contentââ?¬â?¢ of said banner. This is even below their usual ââ?¬Ë?bottom of the barrelââ?¬â?¢ petitions ââ?¬â?? they mustnââ?¬â?¢t have any ambulances to chase this week - http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/200...ident-at.shtml - maybe they should stick to weeding out the sectarian, ââ?¬Ë?politicalââ?¬â?¢ and offensive songs sung by the vast majority of the patrons of the Broomie on Saturday. Back to the game, and whilst it was fantastic to claim our 4th successive OF victory without conceding a goal, we still have some major work ahead of us if we are to claim our 52 title. We have the distinct prospect of having 7 of our remaining 9 games played away from home and have the distraction of the UEFA and Scottish Cup as well. There is no doubting we have come a long way in a relatively short space of time but having come this far, me must ensure that we wrap up the title. It is ours for the taking, you can sense the expectancy and one very comforting thought is that WS and his backroom staff have reinstalled the famous ââ?¬Ë?Rangers ethicââ?¬â?¢. Our players give us all and there is an obvious togetherness about the squad at the moment (which had been missing for sometime it has to be said). So there is no time to bathe in the plaudits or rest on their laurels, they have a job to finish. Question: Heard someone say that in his managerial career with Rangers, Walter Smith has faced Celtc 37 times and lost only 7 ââ?¬â?? anyone know if that is true? Mad March Gives Way To Madder April So its good-bye to mad march and hello to madder April as we welcome Sporting to Ibrox on Thursday for the UEFA Cup Ã?¼ final first leg. This game will bring the usual and unique European atmosphere that only Ibrox offers. It is thought that Sporting donââ?¬â?¢t travel well and that the home leg offers the best opportunity for us to progress. However, I would be surprised if Walter Smith alters his tactics or formation for this encounter. I donââ?¬â?¢t think there will be many, if any, changes from Saturdays starting 11. Maybe Papac for SW ââ?¬â?? that is all the change that I can foresee ââ?¬â?? I fully expect ST and SD to shake of their injuries and start on Thursday. After Sporting, we have a wee jaunt to Tannidice to play DUFC. I fully expect this game to be a sell-out considering the amount of DUFC fans at Hampden recently declaring their undying love, devotion and support of the tangerine terrors. OK, that was tongue in cheek, but at least we know after Hampden that this will be a very tough game and weââ?¬â?¢ll have to be at our best to collect another priceless three points in our title quest. Scott Brown Whilst I donââ?¬â?¢t usually write about opposition players, especially Celtc ones, I thought that Iââ?¬â?¢d give you some insight into the current mental state of Scott Brown (no jokes please). Super Ally his written a fantastic article comparing Scott Brow and Kevin Thomson (http://www.gersnetonline.net/vb/showthread.php?t=6578) and hopefully this can add some further information to SAââ?¬â?¢s opinion and thoughts. I have a friend who I like to call ââ?¬Ë?The Hibee In The Knowââ?¬â?¢ ââ?¬â?? he is a life long Hibee and has a friend who is on the Hibs board and he lets me know if / when any Hibs players are linked with Rangers and vice-versa. Anyway, he told me that it was 99% certain that SB would follow KT to Ibrox in the summer and a price and been agreed. Come the summer, the Hibs board decided that the agreed price wasnââ?¬â?¢t enough and spoke to SBââ?¬â?¢s agent and informed him to ââ?¬Ë?auctionââ?¬â?¢ the player. SB was raging as he had his heart and mind settled on a move to Rangers. Rangers rightly played hardball and refused to budge on price and wages and lost out to Celtc. Now, SB is convinced that he has made the wrong move going to Celtc and is currently looking for an escape to the EPL in the summer. If Birmingham stay up and West Brom as promoted then SB will have two EPL managers looking to purchase him. SB hasnââ?¬â?¢t shown his true potential this season (for varying reasons) and If my ââ?¬Ë?Hibee In The Knowââ?¬â?¢ is correct, Celtc and SB are ready to cut their ties in the summer. Would SB still fancy a move to Rangers and more importantly would Rangers consider a move for SB? Well, never say never as I am led to believe that Rangers and WS in particular donââ?¬â?¢t have an issue with SB. However, the price and wages would need to be attractive to Rangers. Cammy F - Support The Dublin Loyal

Daily Record

Establishment Club Grab The Advantage Written by Harry Brady a typical mhanks view to why they wont win the league Those of us who are a bit longer in the tooth than the Green Brigade will know that the establishment always comes out to protect their own in a tight title race. Regardless of our performance Saturday, and opinions on the manager's ability, it cannot be doubted that despite the "fixture chaos" matters have contrived to give Rangers a competitive advantage this season and the old maxim that cheating doesn't pay is nonsense. We should have known what was coming earlier in the season when the first game between us resulted in 9 bookings at Ibrox. As I pointed out in Punters Corner, the number of bookings for us in that game were completely at odds with our record in all other games this season. But one of the most essential aspects of football is momentum, everyone says that winning is a habit and breeds a winning attitude. It is also well accepted that playing at home also gives you a competitive advantage and what situation are we looking at tonight? As we know both Old Firm games played in the league have occurred at Ibrox - a competitive advantage. Also out of 30 games played, we have had 16 away (inc 2 at Ibrox) and 14 at home. Rangers have had 17 at home and just 12 away. Not their fault you might say as the weather played a big part - well no. They paid Gretna off to postpone the away game at Fir Park and their away tie before the Scotland v Italy game was postponed. Moreover what made this tie so significant was that it was an away leg immediately following a Champions League tie. Their record under McLeish and Smith away following a European tie is very poor so having this game rearranged was a massive plus for them. Then there is the Scotland fiasco. They withdrew 4 players from the Scotland squad who ALL played and started on Saturday, despite Fifa rules allowing the SFA to prevent all 4 from playing is they suspected that they were not really injured. The only conclusion to this is that cheating pays.

When Kevin Thomson acrimoniously departed Hibs last January many expected his close pal to follow him along the M8 from Easter Road to Ibrox. During the following summer Scot Brown did indeed follow Thomson along the M8, but instead ended up at Celtic Park. The media took great delight in ridiculing Rangers as being the new owners of the biscuit tin as we were seen as being unable to compete with Cetlic's package to take the young Scottish international to Parkhead. Were Rangers unwilling or unable to match the �£4.5 million pound fee plus �£25k per week in wages? The two midifelders complimented each other well in an exciting Hibs team which regularly chalked up victories against both half of the Old Firm, stimulating the bidding war to take the two youngs stars to Glasgow. Brown took many of the plaudits from those who are not quite as appreciative of the nuances of effective midfield play as his all action combative style and marauding runs were more easily noticed. Keener students of the game tried to educate that Thomson was the better of the pair, with a more cultured game. Rangers won round one as Walter convinced Thomson to become one of his first signings as he rang the changes in Govan following the disastrous Le Guen experiment. Round two was given as a resounding victory to Celtic. Many in the media felt it was a knockout blow in the summer transfer duels. Brown was hailed as a "blue chip" signing along with other players such as Donati the former AC Milan player. So Thomson has had an extra half season to settle on the West coast. The Scottish press, and indeed some fans, were underwhelmed by his early contributions. A waste of �£2 million was the consensus. However towards the end of the season and most notably in the 2-0 Old Firm victory Thomson showed promise as Rangers dominated the mdifield contest. His ex partner in the youthful Hibs midfield then made to many the suprising choice of joining the green half of the city. Celtic fans and many journalists revelled in the bloody nose Celtic had dealt Rangers in securing his services. As Thomson said "It's Scot's decision, he'll have to live with it". Prophetic words as Thomson turned in a man-of-the-match performance scoring the only goal of the game after an incisive run and one-two with Darcheville put Rangers on course for victory at Ibrox on Saturday. Whilst in the early part of the season Brown's uninspiring performances had him bizarrely singled out as the best midfielder plying his trade in the SPL, murmurings of discontent about Thomson continued from the stands and on the back pages. It was only really once Thomson was kept out of the side through injury that those with an active interest in Scottish football and particularly Rangers fans appreciated what he brought to the team. Tenacity, aggression, tough tackling and a great engine. Our midfield looks a lot stronger with the young Scot in it. Conversely as the season drags on, the tide of opinion has turned on Scot Brown. A waste of �£4.5 million according to the disgruntled Celtic fans who watched in agony as he wasted several good chances as they succumbed to another crushing defeat to Smith's Rangers. Again failing to find the net. Yesterdays game could prove pivotal in the two player's Old Firm careers. As Thomson goes from strength to strength, Brown increasingly comes udner fire from those of the green and grey persuasion. As Thomson continues to grow into a true Rangers midfielder the fans demand more and more. And Thomson delivers. He has begun to step out of his captain's shadow. Fans now suggest he should be getting forward and providing some kind of goal threat. And what better time for a Rangers player to bag his first goal for the club than against Celtic. How he has yet to join his more illustrious team mate and club and national captain in the Scotland set up is beyond this fan. Before those from the east end cry bias at this peice let me be frank. Brown undoubtedly has the talent to be a top class midfielder. Not many Rangers fans can honestly say they did not want him at Ibrox. However the focus of this peice is to honestly assess the contributions of the two players many thought joined at the hip. Thomson did not move solely for the cash. He came to Ibrox to play beside and learn from the best Scottish player of the last decade, and maybe more, and under the guidance of possiblhy the most dominate coach in Glasgow. In an era in which Celtic have prided themsleves on the fine business conducted both on and off the field, you have to ask yourself how they allowed themselves to pay an inflated fee for Scot Brown when his more effective former team mate was signed for less than half the price and most likely wages. Ask yourself, would you be happier with Kevin Thomson at �£2million pounds or Scott Brown at �£4.5 million and �£25k a week. Yet again the wily Walter Smith appears to have gotten the upper hand on Celtic. And whilst it has taken most of the media the best part of 7 or 8 months to realise this, it is unlikely Smith was ever in any doubt about who was the more prodigious talent. Hopefully Thomson's first goal for the club in this powderkeg fixture will see his somewhat meteoric rise continue and identify himself as potential successor to the current Rangers captain. A role that many fans worried would be impossible to replace when Rangers number 6 hangs up his boots. Edit: Touched up the typos and a few errors to save Frankie a job before he posts it. Hope there's none left.

Funny the stand from Peter Lawwell,when the cancellation of the New year OF fixture was his doing. They are shaking in their boots. We are the people!!!

Its been over a month since we dumped Hearts out of the CIS Cup in the semi-final, but at long last we're on our way back to Hampden for a cup final. OK, so its only the league cup which is often called a "diddy" competition, but every club outwith us and Dundee United would still rather be there and not. As well as being a great day out for the fans, its the chance to win the first silverware of the season and in our case, hopefully, the first of many. It will also be the first chance for many of these players to win a trophy with Rangers. Many won't have played in a final at Hampden before, so I don't think that factor should be underestimated either in the team's desire to win. Since that semi, the team has gone from strength to strength. While the fans have often made it clear that they don't always like Walter Smith's sometimes negative approach to games, you can't argue with results and we've now gone 20 games undefeated in the SPL. Meanwhile, Craig Levein has undoubtedly improved United this season and they're looking a much more resilient side, a fact which is underlined by their recent draw at Parkhead, not to mention the fact they're sitting in third place. While we got in to the game as favourites, we all know that you can't take anything for granted, especially in one-off matches like this. Coming off the back of the UEFA Cup success in Bremen, Smith doesn't have his troubles to seek in terms of team selection up front. Daniel Cousin is out with a broken jaw, Nacho Novo is suspended following his stupid dismissal against Hibs in the Scottish Cup, while Steven Naismith is cup-tied. On top of those, Jean Claude Darcheville will do well to make the bench given his continued hamstring problems. Thankfully the rest of the team gives Smith much better problems to deal with, the main one being who to leave out of his starting XI. The back four will probably remain unchanged from Bremen and its remained fairly constant for the last while now. Davie Weir and Carlos Cuellar will continue their partnership in the centre of defence, with Sasa Papac at LB and Kirk Broadfoot at RB. While neither Papac or Broadfoot are natural full backs, both have filled in admirably this season, with Papac in particular looking very impressive at times. Broadfoot meanwhile seems to be improving in every game and is making the most of the opportunity to show what he can do, although there's no doubt he looks like he could do even better in his preferred centre back position. Special mention must go to Alan McGregor who is another homegrown player who has had to work hard to win over sections of the support. This season he's gone from strength to strength and put in arguably his best performance for us against Bremen. Goalkeepers tend to improve with experience, so the only way is up for McGregor now and its also great for the team that we have a settled goalkeeper who has age on his side, so we can hopefully build our defence for the next 5 years around him. Smith will probably stick with his much maligned 4-5-1 formation. While it can be seen as negative on paper, he's quick to point out that it can be quite an attacking line-up when it needs to be, particularly if you play guys like Novo and Naismith out wide. However, with these two missing, it will be interesting to see who makes up the midfield 5. Given we were on the ropes for much of the 90 minutes in Germany, Smith might choose to freshen things up in the midfield 5 and he certainly has options. But he also doesn't like to change the team un-necessarily, so don't be surprised to see the same line-up on Sunday. Barry Ferguson is a natural pick and Steve Davis has shown that he might be the perfect player to complement our captain in the middle, although he has been playing a bit further out on the right to balance the look of the team. Behind those two, Christian Dailly could retain the holding role that he's done so well since joining. Another one of Smith's signings who were maligned before playing, he's looked like exactly what you'd get when you sign a player with over 60 caps and a couple of hundred EPL games under his belt. While he looks like one of our fittest players, he might need a rest after Bremen, so maybe Kevin Thomson or Brahim Hemdani could replace him? If Dailly does play, then Hemdani will probably slot in alongside Ferguson. While he's been preferred by Smith for European games, the fact that we've so few choices up front might mean that he starts this one. Meanwhile with Charlie Adam suspended, that leaves another space in the midfield which could be filled by any one from McCulloch, Thomson, Whittaker, Burke.... The list goes on and on, which is a far cry from our threadbare squads of the last few seasons. Walter could shuffle his pack in any number of ways to fill the midfield slots. Which brings us to the forward line. I say line, but really its just one man. I think all Gers fans now realise that Kris Boyd just doesn't have the attributes to play up front on his own. Despite putting in some good shifts recently in that position, he's much more effective when playing with a strike partner alongside him. So that points to Smith playing Lee McCulloch up front. While he's not done much to impress in that position, he's showed that if we resist the urge to just play long balls up to him, he can bring more to the team. So below is the team I expect to see start the game, going on recent selections. However, don't be surprised to see Walter shake things up a bit, particularly after the grueling trip to Bremen. Given that we're missing Novo and Naismith, the 4-5-1 on this occasion might be overly defensive, with less mobility from the wide players, so maybe Smith will play a more traditional 4-4-2 lineup with Boyd and McCulloch up front. Whatever the lineup, its just great to see us back in a cup final at Hampden and gives us an early opportunity to celebrate the turnaround in our playing fortunes since Walter Smith returned to Ibrox, not to mention add another trophy to the collection. ____________________McGregor__________________ Broadfoot______Weir____________Cuellar______Papac ______________________Dailly____________________ Burke__________Ferguson_______Hemdani______Davis ____________________McCulloch___________________ 5 Subs from: Alexander Boyd Thomson Hemdani Whittaker Buffel

Anybody else heard the rumour Walter will sign him in summer? Can't for the life of me see why. Does that mean there is a serious long-term doubt over Steven Smith? If he's just for back-up, then we've already got Papac and Whittaker for LB

Hutton will just have to keep him out of the team again! Dont like Bardsleys attitude but he is a better option than McNaughton and Alexander. However Hutton has this position his own for the next 10 years and Whittaker is fine back up.

in todays Herald - http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.2103687.0.No_rest_for_Rangers_but_Smith_relishes_pursuit_of_success.php Cammy F

Both are in the provisional squad for tommorrow Hope wee Smiths still the same player.

Taken from 4-4-2 magazine. I nicked this from FF... Good read.

No harm IMO and should be brought back within reason. Probably best not allowed it to be taken to the seats but allow people to have a pint (in plastic cups) down while eating a pie.

Kevin Thomson, Andy Webster and Steven Smith will all be in action this afternoon when Rangers reserves play in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Dunfermline at East End Park. The trio are all on the verge of making a welcome return to the first-team squad and today's game will give the club's coaching staff another chance to gauge if they are back to full fitness after their recent injury problems. Walter Smith is expected to travel to Fife and will be hoping all three some through the 90 minutes unscathed as Rangers prepare for 8 games in 29 days in the month of March. Alan Gow and Thomas Buffel will also feature against the Pars along with some of the club's best young talent including Jordan McMillan, Dean Furman, Steven Lennon and Rory Loy. The game will kick-off at 1.30pm.

JOHNNY HUBBARD, Billy Ritchie and Stuart McCall have become the latest players to be inducted into the Rangers Hall of Fame this evening. Billy RitchieThe trio were unveiled at Glasgow's Hilton Hotel and their names will be added to the board which hangs over the Marble Staircase in the Bill Struth Main Stand at Ibrox. South African Hubbard, a tricky winger, signed for the Light Blues in 1949 and went on to spend a decade with the club, scoring 106 goals in 238 games. An immensely popular figure among Gers followers, he was particularly prolific from the penalty spot and scored 54 times out of 57 attempts from 12 yards. Hubbard won three league championships in his time at Ibrox as well the 1953 Scottish Cup against Aberdeen. Goalkeeper Ritchie played a key role for one of the greatest ever Rangers teams, that of the early 1960s. Known as the quiet man of the side, he did his talking on the park as he kept a hugely impressive 120 clean sheets in 340 games for the club. Ritchie's contribution helped Gers to two league titles while he was in Govan, along with four Scottish Cups and three League Cups.Stuart McCall Tenacious tackler McCall was an integral part of the Rangers team which won nine titles in a row between 1989 and 1997 after joining the club from Everton. Costing �£1.2million, the midfielder won five league medals and played a part in that historic ninth championship win before missing the rest of the season through injury. He also claimed two League Cups and three Scottish Cups and won 29 of his 40 Scotland caps as an Ibrox player. McCall is now the manager of Bradford City. The three players who were inducted last year were also recognised tonight at the first Hall of Fame dinner since they joined the elite band. Willie Mathieson, Alfie Conn and Dave Smith, three final players from the Cup Winners' Cup-winning team of 1972, received their trophies at the ceremony.

Happy birthday, gaffer! Exclusive by Lindsay Herron WALTER SMITH should probably be cautious when he goes into the dressing room on Sunday ahead of the Gretna game - if he has learned anything in nearly 30 years of dealing with Ally McCoist. Walter is 60 on Sunday and there is bound to some form of high jinks with people like McCoist and partner in crime Ian Durrant about! Ally McCoist, Walter Smith and Kenny McDowallThe two of them were the kings of the Rangers dressing room in Smith's first period in charge and when he was assistant to Graeme Souness. Now they are his valued lieutenants in his second term as boss and deadly serious about their business. However, few people can lighten up a room like McCoist or Durrant and there are bound to be a few laughs before the day is through. McCoist said: "We have to wish him a happy birthday although I think there is many a time he didn't think he would make it! "It's a great birthday and behalf of the staff and all of the players we hope it's a happy one. "Knowing the Gaffer as I do, the best thing to make him happy would be a win against Gretna!" The relationship between Smith and McCoist stretches back further than the trophy-laden years they spent together at Ibrox in the 1980s and 1990s and their more recent jobs with Scotland and Ally McCoist and Walter SmithRangers. McCoist revealed that Smith had the misfortune to have a youthful Ally under his charge when the Scotland under-17 team when to the French Riviera. Smith, then a blossoming coach with Jim McLean's Dundee United, had been appointed assistant to Andy Roxburgh in the youth set-up and was well thought of in football circles. Unfortunately, he fell for a trademark McCoist gag - although Ally soon learned the angry side of Smith! McCoist told me: "I first came across Walter when he was assistant to Andy Roxburgh with the Scottish youth team. "We took a side to Monaco. I was still at school at the time and was playing with St Johnstone. "I was rooming with big Davie Moyes and I made the mistake of locking Walter on the balcony of our hotel room! "He made the mistake of falling for the old 'what a good view we have here' routine and walked out onto the balcony and the door was promptly locked! "Twenty minutes later I was terrified to unlock the door and big Davie had to let him in and, funnily enough, I never locked him out on the balcony again after that!" It was to be 1986 before McCoist and Smith were fully connected when the latter joined Rangers as assistant to Graeme Souness in the ground-breaking move which rocked the football world. Nacho Novo and Ally McCoist arrive in SpainSmith had been part of the most successful period in Dundee United's history, helping them win the Scottish Premier League title in 1983 and reaching the European Cup semi-finals the following year. United and Aberdeen had attacked the Old Firm's dominance of the game and won with the Dons also winning the title in 1980, 1984 and 1985. Tannadice was a place to be feared and that was not lost on Souness who had got to know Smith through the international set-up. Following the death of Jock Stein in 1985, Alex Ferguson had taken over as Scotland manager on a temporary basis and he made Walter his assistant. McCoist revealed: "I remember being at a Scotland get-together at the Grosvenor Hotel prior to the Mexico World Cup and Graeme was there as a player and Walter was there as assistant manager. "That was the first time we heard that they were coming to Rangers and what a transformation that proved to be, not only for Rangers Football Club but for Scottish football in general." It is well documented the impact the appointment had and Rangers fans could not have imagined the riches that lay in store. A first title in nine years along with the League Cup came in year one and the new Rangers were off and running.Walter Smith and Ally McCoist Celtic won the crown back in 1988, but it was fleeting success. The nine in a row era was about to start and the League Cups kept coming. McCoist, though, never had the best of relationships with Souness who, having signed Mark Hateley in the summer of 1990, chose to partner the big Englishman with Mo Johnston rather than Ally. McCoist was on the bench more often than not, earning him the nickname of The Judge. Being a man who thrives on humour, Ally accepted the tag but, again, there was a serious element to it all which almost resulted in him leaving Rangers. It was Smith who, by his actions, convinced Ally to stay and the rest, as they say is history. When Souness left for Liverpool, Smith made McCoist and Hateley the most terrorising strike partnership of the period McCoist explained: "Walter put faith in me in his first season in charge and that was important for me. "I have to be honest and say that I was at a bit of a crossroads at that time. We had competition for places the previous season and it's well documented that Graeme wasn't that too sure of me, which is a polite way of putting it. "Thankfully, when Walter took over he played me. I managed to go on a good run with big Mark and it worked out wonderfully well. "One of the first games that season was against Hearts at Tynecastle and he gave me my chance and I scored that night. Kenny McDowall, Walter Smith and Ally mcCoist"So I was very thankful that he gave me the opportunity to play and it snowballed from there for me." Those who were around Ally during his playing days at Rangers would be the first to admit that they did not foresee a day when he would lead training sessions and organise tactics on a grand scale. However, he has proved in the last three years that he has this ability in spades and, of course, Walter Smith was the catalyst by recruiting him for the national team. He said: "I was thrilled to bits when he gave me the opportunity with Scotland. It was a massive move and a massive chance for me. "In many ways it was better than going somewhere else full time. It was a perfect experience and learning curve to come into a part-time environment. "And it proved to me that I wanted to do it full time." McCoist got that chance last January when Smith returned to Rangers to replace Paul Le Guen, steadied the ship and now has his eyes on all of the major prizes this season. So, what's it like now all these years after locking Walter out on a balcony in Monte Carlo? He said: "My relationship with him now is not that much different from when I was playing for him. "He is still the boss, and that's the way it should be, but we are obviously closer in the sense that we talk about things and talk about the team a lot more on the coaching side. "I am very respectful of the relationship we have and thankful of the relationship we have and it's one that I value very highly. "It is different in the sense that as a player there are things your manager would not discuss with you but now we are open with each other on so many things." There is a family celebration of Walter's special birthday coming up which will undoubtedly be a great affair but it is unclear what the coaching staff and players have planned. McCoist, with that impish smile he has never lost, said: "There will be something in the dressing room for him, but I'm not sure it will be a birthday cake!" Many happy returns, Walter.

MAD MARCH: Eight games in 28 days could hit Gers title bid RANGERS IN MARCH 1 Aberdeen (h) SPL 6 W Bremen (h) Uefa 9 Hibs (h) Scottish Cup 12 W Bremen (a) Uefa 16 CIS Cup Final 19 Partick (h; tbc or SPL) 22 Hibs (h) SPL 26 Scotland v Croatia 29 Celtic (h) SPL by Darrell King Rangers' dramatic win in Athens last night could seriously impact their dreams of winning back the SPL title this season. Nacho Novo's equaliser against Panathinaikos took Rangers through on away goals to a last 16 meeting with Werder Bremen. It also added to a hectic mad March of games for Walter Smith's side. Rangers face a punishing schedule of eight games in 28 days next month. advertisement And the Scotland players in the squad - such as Barry Ferguson, Lee McCulloch, Kris Boyd and Allan McGregor - could play NINE games, with the national side also having a game against Croatia. The 1-1 Athens draw last night also means that, with every midweek now filled, it is almost certain the Old Firm derby - originally scheduled for January 2 - won't take place before Celtic visit Ibrox on March 29. That would result in three Old Firm derbies being played in the last six weeks of the campaign - with the last two of them at Parkhead. The chances of a delay to the 33-game split in the SPL is also likely as Rangers also have rearranged fixtures with Motherwell and St Mirren. Rangers survived a few anxious moments in Athens last night. And Christian Dailly today relived the debut moment he feared would send Rangers crashing out of the Uefa Cup. The Scotland man was thrown on as a right back sub in last night's 1-1 draw with Panathinaikos in Athens, a result that sent Smith's side through to a last 16 showdown with Werder Bremen on the away goals rule. Bremen went through 4-0 after a 1-0 win at Braga, and will be at Ibrox on Thursday, March 6 with the return game six days later. But Dailly revealed how he feared German ref Felix Brych would point to the spot after his superb goal saving tackle on Dimitris Salpingidis as the Greeks pursued a killer second goal. The hitman had raced clear of Davie Weir before the 34-year-old made a last-gasp tackle, clearly taking the ball. But Dailly said: "What was going through my mind? You are always worried that the referee maybe doesn't see it properly and gives a penalty. "I did fear that might happen and that would have been a nightmare debut. "I saw their lad bursting away and my first reaction was just to get over and try to close him down. I kept my eye on the ball and when I slid in I thought to myself: That's a good contact'. "But you see the boy going down and the reaction of the crowd and sometimes refs give a penalty. That would have given them a chance for 2-0 and it would have been very tough for us then with 20 minutes to go. "So I was relieved, although the bottom line is that it was never a penalty. But things don't always go for you. "I was just happy to make that tackle, and it was maybe similar to the one big Carlos Cuellar made in the first half in terms of stopping a clear shot on goal." Porkhead twice in the last six weeks could be a nightmare. I would hate them to win the league against us at home. I hope we have a cushion to stop that. if we still have a lead they will hit us with everything. Including the kitchen sink. Nightmare scenario!!

Happy Birthday Walter, hopefully you can win us a few league's to make it special You have done a great job for us in the last 13 months, greatly improved our squad and results. Also thanks for all the other memories you gave us , 9 in a row etc Walter Smith's Blue And White Army So where's the Gersnet party for this, a fancy some sausage rolls

RANGERS manager Walter Smith has expressed his delight at guiding the club through to the last 16 stage of the UEFA Cup and praised Nacho Novo after the Spaniard's goal in Athens proved decisive. Nacho NovoNacho admitted himself that he should have found the net on a couple of occasions at Ibrox in the first-leg but made up for that with a clinical finish on 80 minutes to give his side an aggregate win. His workrate throughout the game was tremendous and Smith always felt that he would take his chance when it came along. He said: "It was good to see Nacho score as he deserved it for the effort he puts in. "I know he was disappointed after the first-leg but he showed great composure with his finish tonight. "He is always there to get a goal and that showed that again tonight. He has now scored some very important ones for us this season." The gaffer was frustrated at the goal his side conceded in what was a disappointing first-half performance but Rangers fighting spirit was again evident as they battled back in the second-half. He said: "I thought we made it difficult for ourselves tonight. "Panathinaikos were perhaps the better side early on and we were disappointed with the goal we conceded. "They opened up a bit the second-half and we managed to get level at a good time in the match. "We didn't create that many clear cut chances but we put them under a bit of pressure and eventually that paid off. Nacho Novo scores"It was a good move that led to our goal and we had a few of them in the second-half. "But we knew the game was going to be tight tonight as it was in Glasgow. "That proved to be the case but we had players sitting on the bench that could go on and make a difference. "We have now scored a few goals on our travels in Europe this season so we were always confident that chances would come our way." Rangers now face Werder Bremen in the last 16 stage on March 6 and 12 and Smith is looking forward to facing the impressive Germans. "We face a bit of a fixture pile-up in the months ahead but it is great that we have progressed further in the UEFA Cup. "The players are delighted and we have to remember that we had eight unavailable from our squad tonight. "So from that point of view I am very happy for the boys tonight and everyone can now look forward to the next round."

KENNY McDOWALL expects a more positive approach from Panathinaikos when Rangers face them on Thursday - and says that can help the Light Blues win. The sides will meet in the second leg of their UEFA Cup tie at the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium in Athens eight days after they shared a 0-0 draw at Ibrox. Ally McCoist, Walter Smith and Kenny McDowallOn that occasion, it was Walter Smith's Gers who created the best chances and the Greeks' shoot-on-sight policy meant they barely threatened. First-team coach McDowall believes the Greens will be more upbeat as they try to clinch a likely last-16 meeting with German cracks Werder Bremen. But he also thinks they could leave themselves exposed at the back and that could provide Rangers with the opportunities they need to progress themselves. McDowall said: "There is no great need for us to go out and score an early goal. We know we are going to have to play away and be patient. "This is a big match but we know we can score a goal and the squad is feeling confident of getting one. "The onus will be on Panathinaikos to attack us and I fully expect them to do that. In turn, we are hoping that will give us a chance to get behind them and pick them off."Kenny McDowall and Walter Smith Rangers flew into Greece today on the back of Sunday's 2-0 SPL win at Kilmarnock, their eighth league win in succession. That result allowed them to extend the number of matches they have played without conceding to eight as well. The run of 764 minutes without losing a goal is Gers' best for more than 12 years and they last had so many clean sheets in a row in December 1995 and January 1996. Despite being in such good form at the back, McDowall has stressed how difficult it will be against Pana. Although the Light Blues are no longer in the Champions League, he insists the standard of competition in the UEFA Cup is just as high. McDowall added: "There are still a lot of good teams in this tournament and we are here to play one of them so we will need to be at our best to win the tie. Daniel Cousin"The UEFA Cup perhaps isn't held in the same regard as the Champions League but anyone involved in it will tell you differently. "There are a lot of decent players and good teams in the tournament and there is no doubting this will be a difficult fixture for us." Lee McCulloch is the only player in the travelling party carrying a knock but the minor injury he suffered in training won't stop him from playing. Also in contention to play is Daniel Cousin, whose protracted move to Fulham is now unlikely to happen before next week. FIFA has delayed a decision on whether he will be allowed to join his third club of the season until then and McDowall is adamant the striker will give his all for Gers in the meantime. He said: "Daniel has been back training with us, is part of the squad and he is available for selection. "The way we have to look at it is that he is a Rangers player and carry on regardless until we are told differently."