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Glad to hear WS saying Steven Smith is well on the way to recovery from his injury and is raring to go.Also Thomas Buffel is travelling to Germany for pre-season with the rest of the squad :cheers:

CHARLIE ADAM has given Rangers a huge pre-season boost by signing a new contract tying him to the club until 2012. The midfielder has committed his future to Rangers and is delighted to cap a fantastic debut campaign by penning a five-year deal. Since returning from St Mirren last summer Adam's reputation has risen considerably due to a string of excellent performances in the top team. After being given his chance by Paul Le Guen, the 22-year-old then held down his place in the side following Walter Smith's appointment and made over 40 appearances last term. His 14 goals also played a big part in helping the Light Blues cement a Champions League spot and Adam's efforts were subsequently rewarded with a call up to the Scotland squad. His involvement with the Dark Blues at the end of the season topped a great year and although he only had 20 days' rest in the summer, Charlie admits is feeling fit and raring to go. He told Rangers.co.uk: "It's great to be back and I am enjoying training so far. "We didn't get too long off but I really don't mind because we are here at Murray Park now preparing, hopefully, for a really successful season. "I am also delighted to get my contract sorted and commit my future to Rangers. "I have been here for a while, with two loan spells in between and I was happy with how I did last season. "To come back and play over 40 games was more than I could have expected and now to be rewarded with a new deal is fantastic. "I spoke to the manager and his advice influenced my decision to sign such a long-term deal. "What he said just confirmed my own thoughts and I'm pleased it's all finalised before the games start. "I will keep working hard and hopefully do well. We have strengthened the squad and I believe we can have a good season." Gload to see he has been sgined up, one of the best bits of talent to come out of Murray Park

So following our 3 early signings (Darcheville, Broadfoot, Gow) we had a long spell of silence and silly rumours. Now in the space of a day or 2 we have 2 left (YES THATS LEFT) sided players arriving at Ibrox in Beasley and McCulloch - 2 good additions IMO. Beasley has pace and McCulloch is a solid midfielder who can score goals. Not only that Alan Gow can play left and of course Charlie Adam got double figures from that position last season. Behind them we have Steven Smith, Sasa Papac and Ian Murray for LB - so finally at last our left side, but more importantly our left midfield is sorted. - Now for the right hand side. Svensson has moved on which paves way for the possible signing of Cuellar and of course Andy Webster will be staying on either on. But after a lot of patience things are finally happening behind the scenes. What is notible is the amount of Scottish lads we can field: ______________McGregor_______________ Hutton_____Weir______Webster_____Smith Burke____Ferguson___Thomson____McCulloch ______________Gow____________________ __________________Boyd_______________ G Smith Murray Lowing Broadfoot Adam Lennon

Still in for Faubert, Cuellar, McCulloch with Beasley supposedly signed and looking at a loan for Webster.

Good, good... http://www.rangers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Ne...1062547,00.html http://www.snspix.com/cgi-bin/FFIG?urn=256...AC=WM0000021437

Agree with the other posters on another thread, at 28 he would be a good asset for 4-5 years. He can play left mid or upfront and Smith knows him well. Ive rated him whevever he has played for Scotland so Im happy we will be getting him. To score goals for a small team like Wigan in the Premiership along with some assists means he is doing something right.

Libor Sionko remains keen to quit Rangers after expressing his frustration at the silent treatment he has received from Walter Smith. Following Smith's return to Ibrox as manager, Sionko appeared just three times for Rangers and claims he has only spoken to the former Scotland coach once. Though he has 12 months remaining on his contract, the Czech winger feels he will have to leave the club due to his relationship with Smith. "This is true," Sionko told the Daily Record when asked if he had hardly spoken to Smith. "I've only spoken to him once in all of this time, when I returned from national team duty after a friendly in Belgium. "He told me he had watched the game on television and that has been my only communication with the coach in six months. "These last six months have been really difficult for me and if this continues I'd prefer to change clubs. "If Mr Smith tells me he will give me a chance and he is counting on me, then I will stay. However, he has not given me this assurance, so it is better to switch clubs. "I don't believe my situation at Rangers will become better." Regarding his next club, Sionko admits there has been interest from several clubs in France. He added: "I know there has been interest from Paris Saint Germain, but that was in the winter. "St Etienne? I don't know if that is still valid and there have only been hints so far from Toulouse. I don't think there is much chance of him getting a game next season so it will be in everybody"s interest if he goes. To be honest i think Sionko could be the one that got away. I think that he may hit form and do a job for us. I guess we will never know.

Just running through each position for the team and IF (big if) the Beasley and Faubert transfers went through we would only be maybe a right back and keeper away from having good all round numbers. GK - McGregor / Robinson and possibly Graeme Smith to come in as back up? The fans are split on whether this is good enough or not, but whatever happens we have the numbers there again. Its just my opinion but id prefer a keeper with higher quality to come in. RB - Hutton is a hands down starter but Lowing hasnt nearly had enough games. He may make the step up next season but someone with a bit more experience may be the better option and allow Lowing out on loan for a season. This the the one position we need another body. LB - Smith / Papac / Murray - plenty cover, we could even release Murray. CH - Weir / Ehiogu / Broadfoot / Svensson - Plus Papac and Hemdani can fit in and Webster may sign on along with either Cuellar or Todd - enough cover there but a long term partnership needs to be resolved. Centre midfield - Ferguson / Hemdani / Thomson / Buffel? - 1 or 2 injuries would see us in a bit of bother here and Buffel is still not confirmed to be staying nor is a centre midfielder unless he is infront of diamond which is unlikely to be played. Would Quashie be a good signing here? Wingers - Burke / Sionko / Adam / Gow - They are the 4 currently on the books but Beasley and Faubert would be great additions and allow Sionko to leave making Burke and Adam good back ups. Novo can also play there. Strikers - Darcheville / Boyd / Sebo / Novo / Lennon - Every team needs 4 and we have that at the moment although Sebo and Novos futures still not confirmed. It may be we add here but time will tell. Young Lennon could make the step up this season. Gow can also play there Conclusion - So I would like a keeper as a priority. Weare linked with Danny Mills at RB, this could be a good loan signing if it could work that way to allow the development of Lowing. We are ok for numbers at centre half but age is against a few of them and there isnt a long term partnership, although I dont think its a top priority this season as Weir easy has this season in him.

Good news IMO, I think we could still see the best of him yet

Would love him to come back, that was another mistake by Le Tit, by not keeping him

he played good the last few months of the season. Well done big man

Soccerbase Squad List Soccerbase - Smith's page

Beasley was a good player a few seasons back but has been poor the last few Thoughts ???

I wonder if he casn't be promised it and we could get him on loan for a season. Walter and Sir Alex know each ither very well and everyone knows that Smith has a soft spot for the Gers

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=422&Itemid=2 At last, after much rhetoric over the last few years, the SPL (in conjunction with the SFA*) is to officially introduce wide-ranging rules to combat anti-social behaviour at matches from next season. The new legislation, to be included in its constitution from August 1st, will include tough new penalties for offenders. These will include fines, annulling and replaying of fixtures, deduction of points, closing all or part of a stadium and playing matches behind closed doors, withholding the title and, ultimately, expulsion from the league. Tough talking then from the authorities - however the question remains in that what exactly is anti-social behaviour? Obviously it rightly includes sectarianism. Over the last few years Rangers fans especially have been vilified for such behaviour. Chants of *** and the use of the word ââ?¬Ë?******ââ?¬â?¢ have been challenged and, for the most part, wiped out in an admirable years work by the Rangers support. Being fined by UEFA in 2006 finally made the majority of the Rangers support appreciate that a small cross section were letting us (and our club) down by using outdated chants to bore other fans with non-football related nonsense. One unfortunate incident in Spain earlier this year brought the issue again to the fore and since then the Rangers support have worked together to ââ?¬Ë?self-policeââ?¬â?¢. The results have been magnificent and although weââ?¬â?¢ll have to continue to work not to allow any small minority to let us down, our support deserves a lot of praise for reacting to the criticism (from the media and the authorities) so quickly and so well. Just a pity you wonââ?¬â?¢t read about it any time soon from the people who wanted the improvement. However, no faux praise is required as we should be happy enough with our progress to feel comfortable that the new SPL legislation may not actually worry us more than some of the other teams in the league. What also seems to be included (if you take the Scotsman article below at face value**) is offensive singing generally. Unfortunately, this is where the new legislation will really be tested. Ewing Grahame suggests that songs about ââ?¬Ë?sheep-sh#ggersââ?¬â?¢ will be punished as well as any other ââ?¬Ë?racist, sexist or violent behaviourââ?¬â?¢. This is strange as the Aberdeen fans sing about their selves in that (albeit bizarre) manner and there was little complaint in May when Neil Lennon light-heartedly used the term to describe them as they ruined his farewell speech. A contested term already and we have hardly started analysing the issue! Thus, what else can be considered offensive? ââ?¬Ë?Politicalââ?¬â?¢ songs supporting terrorist organisations will obviously be high on the agenda but will the SFA be expected to ââ?¬Ë?self-policeââ?¬â?¢ the Scotland fans as they sing about Jimmy Hill being a p##f? Will the Hibs fans be in the dock for suggesting some Hearts players may be overly-friendly with their owner? Indeed, will the Edinburgh clubs no longer be able to sing about Glasgow slums when they travel west? Killie fans may also no longer wish to be ââ?¬Ë?up to their knees in Ayr bloodââ?¬â?¢. Just how far will the new rules go? There is obviously a fine line between banter and ill-advised mockery of rival clubsââ?¬â?¢ backgrounds compared to genuine discrimination and prejudice. Ergo, who will decide where the line is drawn? After his embarrassing quotes of last week, can we safely assume it wonââ?¬â?¢t be new ââ?¬Ë?Honorary (sic) Vice-Chairmanââ?¬â?¢ of the SFA John McBeth? Perhaps new Chief Executive Gordon Smith will contribute? Just donââ?¬â?¢t tell the Celtic fans who have started a petition against that particular appointment (what they are doing about Eric Rileyââ?¬â?¢s loyalties isnââ?¬â?¢t known). Thus, itââ?¬â?¢s vital for the credibility of any new rules that they are set out clearly beforehand. If the authorities are serious about the problem, the education of the problem fans should initially be paramount before condemnation and punishment. What songs are offensive? What chants are not acceptable? What is the punishment? Who decides? Will the fans be consulted and represented? Where do the stewards and police fit in? For this to work we have to be made aware of the banned terms and the penalties awaiting any breach. What is also clear is for the legislation to be a success is that all Scottish clubs must take the directive on board and act accordingly. The Rangers support are still imperfect but their actions so far in terms of admitting they have a problem while combating it strongly via the fans working with the club are actions worthy of imitation by any other club that may face similar future problems. What hasnââ?¬â?¢t been so encouraging is that while the Rangers fans have been acting positively; other supports have continued to plead their innocence from the moral high ground. Will the fans be able to rise above judgements based on one-upmanship? Or can we expect some supports to continue to be more eager to have others punished instead of facing their own problems? Can we rely on the media to be neutral in their approach or will we continue to see the irresponsible reporting that continues to increase tension instead of alleviating it? Judgement Day is almost upon us. Scottish football can either lead the way in dealing with offensive behaviour or the whole issue could prove to make us a laughing stock. Can football really show society and the politicians how to remove anti-social behaviour from our country? Or will this be another case of all talk and no substance while flawed legislation ruins our game? At this stage there are still far too many questions and not enough answers. The clock is ticking.... * - http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news.cfm?newsid=2999 ** - http://sport.scotsman.com/football.cfm?id=866752007

Will we ever be successful in the transfer market with Martin Bain as our 'negotiator'? I for one believe that as this man cares not one iota about Rangers, he isn't the man to be discussing transfer fees and wages to potential players and their representatives. He should be removed forth-with and replaced by a 'footballing person' who has Rangers long-term interests at heart and who is helped identify targets by a scouting network. It is too late to empoly Gordon Smith in this role and I don't know if Campbell Ogilvie would come back as he was shafted by Murray / Bain. So, here is my suggestion - I would employ Graeme Souness in this role and would employ ex-players like Laudrup, Albertz, Numan, Mols, Wilkins, Klos, Prso etc as 'scouts' - these players are well respected in their homelands and would be ideal people to represent us across Europe and beyond. Thewy would also be well placed to spot a player and would have insiders who could also tip them of players who are coming to end of contracts and looking for moves etc. This would take time and money to establish, so under Murray would be a non-starter, but we can but dream.... Cammy F

Highly rumoured to be joining on a bosman as McGregor's back up. Don't see the point. Think we'd be better going for someone who is going to push McGregor for his place, not happily sit on the sidelines

http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.1446738.0.0.php Going nowhere fast ââ?¬â?? why political slow play has to stopMARTIN GREIG June 05 2007 Jimmy Sinclair, the Rangers head of youth development, has launched a scathing critique of the Scottish Football Association's Youth Action Plan and blamed political short-termism for its lack of progress. His comments, which focus on the role of the Executive and consultancy firm PMP, have particular resonance in the wake of new SFA chief executive Gordon Smith's assertion that he will hold a meeting with First Minister Alex Salmond to seek assurances on the government's commitment to new facilities for Scottish football. Three years ago, the SFA, in conjunction with the Executive, launched a Ã?£31.1m investment in youth football throughout Scotland. advertisementThe basis for the 10-year action plan came from a damning report by the independent consultancy, PMP, which recommended 55 changes to improve the structure and development of youth football. However, Sinclair, head of youth development at the SFA until last summer, dismissed PMP's findings as "a lot of rubbish" and claimed that former Scotland manager Walter Smith was on the cusp of "going to the highest possible level" to try to shake things up politically. The much-vaunted 10-year programme of investment was branded the "inaction plan" in this newspaper recently, prompting a stout defence from Jim Fleeting, the SFA's head of youth development. However, Sinclair claims that Fleeting's hands are tied by the paltry political funding and misguided recommendations of PMP. "In some cases PMP's findings are not even debatable, but fanciful. And yet, we were bound by the figures," said Sinclair. "PMP would say things like: increase participation by 15%'. So you would say: are there enough children out there who are able and willing to do that?' "Or they would say: improve results by 10% - qualify for more major tournaments'. There was no strategy which says: we need to do X, Y and Z to achieve that.' It was the most frustrating period of my time at the SFA, it was dreadful. "Along the way they were always, to our absolute disgust, trying to pin us down to actions and targets and achievements. We were saying: Well give us the money to do it.' In my view, it was a cop-out." The initial figure of Ã?£31.1m does not look as impressive when broken down. The SFA are dedicated to Ã?£1m a year and the Executive's commitment is to Ã?£12m over 10 years, with the rest made up from grants. The Herald also understands that government cash was not forthcoming for the first couple of years. "A lot of that money isn't new money, continued Sinclair. "The money at the top is going to be spread over 10 years. "In the greater scheme of things, it's a nonsense and nothing which is going to impact to any sufficient degree to make a change. The irony is, by putting that money on the table, they shut down the route to all the grants you were able to access previously. There was a wee bit of smoke and mirrors there." So does Sinclair think that a root-and-branch review of youth football in Scotland is still required? "There's absolutely no doubt about that. I just don't know, over time, how much the Executive will be able to stand by the targets. I think they're a lot of rubbish. "The SFA will now need to manage the expectation of the Executive to say: We've tried all this, but this is what we have ended up with.' Walter Smith was right on the cusp of going to the highest possible level and really shaking things up when he was international team manager but things didn't get that far because he left. He was ready to point out to politicians first hand just how paltry the funding was." Twelve years at the SFA, including spells as children's programme director, head of youth and head of football development, prior to joining Rangers last summer, has left Sinclair well qualified to comment on the most efficient way of developing young footballers. Club academies, such as the one Sinclair is now in charge of at Murray Park, have the greatest responsibility for hot-housing promising talents. With development contribution payments now due for youngsters aged 11 upwards who move between elite clubs, the recruitment age for bringing children into academies is becoming ever younger. Sinclair believes that, in an ideal world, it would be the governing body, rather than the clubs, who take responsibility for the development of youngsters. "The perfect scenario, and we're 100 miles away from it in this country because of lack of investment, is that the governing body have the resources to put a programme in place which allows all young kids to participate," said Sinclair. "And programmes then exist to fast-track the better ones. Sadly, that doesn't exist. As a consequence, through necessity, clubs have to select, but selection at that age is roulette. Clubs are forced into choosing young kids. The consequence of that is, if these kids don't perform, then the club has to let them go. That, in itself, is a sad state of affairs." John Collins, the Hibernian manager and former Monaco player, recently expressed strong views on the deficiencies in the Scottish and English academy systems, compared with the set-up in France. There, elite youngsters are brought into academies at 13, where their football development is intrinsically linked with academic achievement courtesy of on-site education facilities. "They need to get their marks in the classroom to be allowed to train, so if they don't make it in football, they still have their education," said Collins. "Scottish players only come in here to club academies at 16, so already the French have three years head start. That's two or three years of touching a ball every day - that's millions and millions of touches. So by the time they hit 16 they are better technically and physically because they are stretching and eating a proper diet." Sinclair believes that the first step towards the continental model would be a re-configuration of the school day in Scotland to allow for the development of elite young sportsmen and women. "The school curriculum should allow for elite performers to practise and develop within their sport," he said. "A lot of it is to do with access to the kids. In Holland, France and Germany, the school day accommodates the kids working physically. They do something in the morning, something in the afternoon and again in the evening. That alone is a massive bonus. "We in this country are nowhere near that. We are trying to cram in four nights a week here at Murray Park, one-and-a half to two-hour sessions. All of that energy and time and effort is getting taken into kids' bones as much as anything. "We have kids bused here from Dundee after having been in school all day. So they leave school, sit for an hour or more on the minibus, do their training, an hour or more back up the road. The system is actually fighting against them. They are prevailing despite it. "When we see the content of what is delivered on the continent, it is not rocket science. it is not as if we would go to France, Germany or Spain and see coaching methods that were completely and utterly out of this world. "There are very few factors, other than the school one, which you could readily point to. Access to the sport is such a key thing." -- the emboldened bit above is a sentiment expressed quite regularly on here. good to know we've got someone who knows the score.

It's often commented on Rangers sites that we used to be regularly chastised in the press for a lack of a contribution to national squads, yet now we have improved the number of Scots starting the press often fail to mention it. Last night 6 bears contributed to a Scottish victory. Ok it was a friendly and poor opposition, but a win away is a good result for us. Lets not get carried away with our current ranking which is really a bit high. Starters McGregor - Debut. Hardly troubled but a confident display, coming for balls which will in turn breed confidence in the defence. Admitted himself he is unlikely to displace Gordon, even if CG has a slump in form. Regardless competition for the number one spot is good for Scotland. Weir - Best CB Scotland has. Enough said. Shame he doesn't have much time left. Fergie - Captain. First pick. Time and again the only man who can live at international level with almost any team, with the possible exception of Fletcher. Boyd - Linked well with O'Connor, setting up his goal. Pleasantly suprised by the partnership as I though O'Connor was a poor man's Boyd, but GO played off Boyd well. Missed two good chances (the overhead was unlucky imo, poor contact but hard to get on the end of) and a third which should've been a goal, no excuses. Subs Hutton - Going on last nights performance by Alexander, Alan should've started. Best RB we have available. Well deserved debut, although Eck erred by not giving him the full game imo. Adam - Good debut season with Rangers, rewarded with a debut at international level. Short time to impress. Again, why not use a friendly to learn more about the guys who have yet to play at this level and will be available to the national set up for the next decade at least? The Celtic contribution Caldwell started and was one of the worst players on the field. Constantly giving away needless free kicks. Too naive for an international performance. Nearly cost us a goal, losing his man late on to bullet a header off the bar. Hartley came on RM, lacked discipline playing with no width and moving into the middle all the time. Would make it hard for the RB with a lack of cover and his captain's effectiveness was limited as he had to move to the right to cover for Hartley. Very poor, on form he should not be in the squad. Poor for over a year. McManus is probably better than Caldwell, should maybe have started. Came on late on to shore up the middle of the park. No time to have a real impact. Now bearing in mind if Smith can regularly recapture his pre-injury form consistently he should be a starter, and the Webster at Hearts was a national pick and the future for the national team and Rangers is looking very bright. My Scotland team when all are fit and on form would be: Gordon Hutton Weir Webster Smith Brown Fergie Fletcher McCulloch Boyd McFadden Subs McGregor Anderson Naysmith Quashie O'Connor

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/6705941.stm Excellent appointment IMO. :cheers: Gordon Smith is an articulate gentleman who unlike many of the pundits in Scottish football actually knows the game and although it is inevitable any suggestions of bias towards Rangers are completely and utterly laughable. He's also a man who speaks his mind and is just the person to wake up some of the old suits at the SFA. His agency work may be some sort of conflict of interests but considering half the SFA board sit on the boards of the various football clubs, I don't see why anyone would complain. Not only that but he's a good friend of ours at Gersnet. Isn't that right Gordon...?

Strong Side For Galaxy From Lindsay Herron in Los Angeles KARL SVENSSON makes a rare starting appearnace for Rangers in the glamour clash with LA Galaxy parnering Davie Weir at the back. The young Swedish defender has not played since the 2-1 win over Falkirk back in February and has only started two matches since Walter Smith returned as boss. However, with Ugo Ehiogu and Sasa Papac not here with the squad due to injuries Svensson has been drafted into what is a strong Rangers side. It is likely that he will make way for Andy Webster at some stage of the game giving the Scotland man his Rangers debut. Smith is going with a 4-4-2 formation with Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo playing as a striking partnership. The team is: McGregor; Hutton, Weir, Svensson, Murray; Burke, Ferguson, Thomson, Adam; Novo, Boyd. wonder what the subs will be

Will be good if he starts, watched him on Saturday and he was taking the piss out of Dunfermline. You will probably see Webster play as well, along with Lennon

As we revealed last week, Smith has targeted Osasuna defender Carlos Cuellar, and today his Iranian midfield team-mate Javid Nekounam stated Rangers wanted him as well. Espanyol striker Walter Pandiani has also been linked in a �£1m move, but Smith would not be drawn. And, as we told you last Wednesday, Smith has been offered West Ham left back Paul Konchesky. He was in Glasgow for the Uefa Cup Final and stayed on for talks with Rangers and Smith will use this week to decide on any �£600,000 bid. -------------------------------------------- Cammy F

The last two dismal performances have highlighted the character in our current squad - or complete lack of it. People have complained that Walter Smith's return has not exactly resulted in total football, but it has to be said that it would have taken a magician to turn the sow's ear into a silk purse. What Walter has done is turn the offending ear into a reasonably servicable, if scappy looking, leather wallet. There is definitely some skill in the squad and the odd bit of fight, which has been brought out in them by a man who has instilled a great purpose about "achieving" second place. It seems the players will play for Walter given enough of a goal, but not when that goal is gone, and they won't play for another man whose goals they don't share. This to me suggests a lack of intrisic character in these players, and that their motivation does not come from wanting to excel themselves but has too many other complexities. The trounble is that, we don't have the finances, or even the attraction to bring in another whole new squad but have to make do with these spinless players, and instead augment the team on a limited budget. So it seems to me that Walter, not only has to look for fit, skillful players, who can fit in the team and adapt to the SPL, he also has to find players who are driven by an inate desire to win. Who also find losing, totally unacceptable and who are willing to expend every last calorie of energy on the pitch to avoid defeat. With a few changes to the team with these kind of players, this character may rub off on some of the others. On the positive side, I think Walter recognises this and you can't get more character and professionalism than a player like Weir. What we need are more players with that attitude. I think players who are not too bad are: MacGregor Hutton Weir Hemdani Novo while the worst are: Svensson Ehiogu Burke Sionko Adam Buffel Boyd Although some of them might just be lacking in ability. The jury is out on Papac and Thomson but I would find it hard to defend them on their depth of character shown so far. Ferguson has been an enigma and at various times been committed or AWOL. I think he'd pull up his socks a bit if he had a few more highly talented and experienced players around him, whom he can't bully and who show him up when he's poor. I think it's fair to say, he's been a failure of a captain in the last two years and I would really like to see a new captain brought in, but can't see it happening. I can't see how Brown would have helped with this aspect so it might be best if his 4.4M fee was spent elsewhere. Here's hoping that Smith brings in some character and the new goal of winning the league inspires our present insipid lot.

...On a second consecutive season without a trophy. This season hasn't exactly panned out to be the way that many a Bear would have expected back in August once the first ball was kicked at Fir Park. Soap writers wouldnt have managed to write what was coming. After coming off the back off the previous season where we had our worst run in 20 years and finished out of the top 2 for the first time in 2 decades we all expected things to take a turn for the better. Instead we hit rock bottom by continuing a dreadful SPL run, early exits in both clubs including a home defeat to a lower division side and mass behind the scenes problems that led to the return of Walter Smith. We have talked about the problems that took place on many occassion so now its time to look forward. The first thing to be positive about is we improved our league position this season and since the turn of the year we topped the form table. These things arent quite what we want to shout about but its the first steady step in the right direction. This summer is going to be huge! Although that statement has a familiar ring to it. The man at the top - Sir David Murray - will be feeling a little bit of pressure to dip his hand into his pocket and provide Smith with some funds. Lets not pretend here, the average realist knows the squad needs major surgery but we are in no position to buy a new team, so Smith has to be shrewd and fill the key positions with the right players at the right price. If we can off load a few at the same time then that always helps free up some needed wages. But another job Smith and McCoist have is to get the players fit and in better shape. They also need to install harmoney in the dressing room again. They need to get complacency out the door as a few recent results have shown us. Off the park, we will be looking for Murray to improve the running of the club - but is that too much to ask and where do you start!! I'll leave that one to someone else! The team is now off for an all expenses paid trip to the USA for an end of season advertising match, while the fans are left to ponder whether to fork out the best part of 500 GBP to re-new their season tickets. Some might say Smith should leave a few of the first team squad in Glasgow and give them an early holiday as they seemed to finish early anyway - just after the last Old Firm Derby - and in place of them take the sucessful U19 squad to the States but that wont happen. So when the SPL kicks off in about 9 long summer weeks time, I will be extremely interested to see the look of our line up and whether it will be up for a challenge for domestic success again. We HAVE to be challenging for the title and we really HAVE to get the Scottish Cup back as 5 years without an appreance at Hampden for that cup is not good enough for Rangers.