Search the Community

Over the coming weeks Iââ?¬â?¢ll be delving back into the happenings of the season gone past and reviewing all the major talking points from the debacle in Kanuas to the unforgettable and fantastic scenes at Tannidice when the league flag finally came back home (why do I feel the urge to burst into Glasgow Rangers Champions Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh?). I know there was a game AFTER that Sunday in the sun, but Iââ?¬â?¢ll get to that, I promise. I will try to dismantle the season into three month chunks looking back to the games that had the greatest effect on the SPL title race, how the players faired in those monthly segments and try to decipher how Walter Smith wasnââ?¬â?¢t named Manager of the Year and how Boogie wasnââ?¬â?¢t name player of the year. Boogie isnââ?¬â?¢t only the best player at Ibrox, he is the best player in the land by a country mile. As well as documenting the incidents, performances and results that ensured that theyââ?¬â?¢re would be no 4-in-a-row, I will endeavour to paint an honest opinion of our footballing style (or lack off) over the course of the season. There is no doubting that we displayed some very decent football in patches. Victories at Easter Road, Parkhead and off course, the final SPL game of the season instantly spring to mind. In those games we were simply awesome. It is my opinion that if he had maintained those games as our ââ?¬Ë?standardââ?¬â?¢ and hit that form on a consistent basis, we would have won the league at a canter. However, for every brilliant performance, there was a dross performance (ying and yang if you like). Away to Falkirk twice, away to St Mirren, losing to ICT at Ibrox spring to mind ââ?¬â?? and I havenââ?¬â?¢t mentioned the Scottish Cup Final yet. It is also important to investigate and discuss the state that we approached in the season in given the heartbreaking end to the previous season and off course, the sale of King Carlos. There are many trains of thought as to how successful we were in season 2007/08 where we secured the domestic cup double but that only begins to tell the story. We were tantalisingly close to an unprecedented quadruple and at least, should have been good enough to secure the domestic treble. To let the SPL title slip was unforgivable, no matter the mitigating circumstances. We were so far ahead, Celtc required snookers. Given the disappointment of last season, winning the SPL title was a MUST this season. Allow Celtc to lift their fourth title in a row, given our calamitous financial position would have been akin to committing footballing suicide. With that in mind, it is also our duty not to allow our title victory, our 52nd domestic league title (still a world record), to paper of the enormous cracks in our club. There will be at least 10 players sold in the summer (two have already been released) so it is fair to say that some fans favourites could still leave. If Walter Smith intends to add to the first team, heââ?¬â?¢ll likely have to lose even more than the ten that is currently being banded about. Our club is teetering on the edge and guaranteed champions league money has only delayed more stinging cuts. There is also the question of how our club is being marketed. In laymanââ?¬â?¢s terms, it isnââ?¬â?¢t. Here we are basking in the afterglow of winning the domestic double and there isnââ?¬â?¢t a commemorative DVD (or any item celebrating this apart from ONE t-shirt ââ?¬â?? which I am proudly wearing!). Kris Boyd has just celebrated scoring 100 goals for this club, the first player to do so since Mark Hateley. Again, this wonderful achievement hasnââ?¬â?¢t warranted a DVD. Due to the complications of the Umbro deal, we still arenââ?¬â?¢t any closer to knowing the design of our new home top. All of this may not appear to be important in the context of the wild celebrations that rightly greeted the SPL triumph, but this is the time to cash in on the success and by God do we need the cash. There is also a predicted shortfall in season ticket sales, but the only place you see season ticketââ?¬â?¢s for sale in on the official website. Meanwhile our neighbours are advertising on radio, TV and national press. Anyway, back to the post-mortem of the season gone by and it is great to witness that we have a new ââ?¬Ë?cheer-leaderââ?¬â?¢. After the departure of Shota, we didnââ?¬â?¢t have anyone to marvel at as the celebrations took place ââ?¬â?? well step forward and take a bow Mr Nacho Novo. Watching Novo lately has been a joy in itself, especially his ââ?¬Ë?Ha Ha Samarasââ?¬â?¢ antics at Tannidice. Another aspect of the season that is worth discussing, and Iââ?¬â?¢ll mention this in my reviews is how the team spirit grow over the season and was cemented during and after the ââ?¬Ë?boozegateââ?¬â?¢ affair. It would have been easy for the players to have chucked it at certain stages of the season (being 7 points behind, the boozegate affair, the draw at Easter Road) but they all pulled together and this was most evident at Tannidice when we won the title, but it had been growing over the course of the season. So much so we have players like Boyd, Novo and Mendes claiming that they want to finish their careers at Ibrox and players like Boogie stating that knocking back big money moves to the EPL as being the ââ?¬Ë?correct decisionsââ?¬â?¢. It appears that the feel-ggod factor is back at Ibrox and I believe that this is down to the influences of Ally McCoist and Ian Durrant. In finishing, the hard work starts here as we have to build on this success and ensure that we dominate the domestic game for the next few years. This will not be easy and the full extent of how difficult this will be will only be know once the transfer window is closed and we can assess who is still here. We require a long term replacement for David Weir, a left midfielder (Chris Brunt seems the favourite at the moment and he is a very decent player), a right midfield player (as Stevie Davis isnââ?¬â?¢t the answer wide right). Again, these needs may change depending on who is or isnââ?¬â?¢t sold. Either way, itââ?¬â?¢ll be a nail-biting summer with Rangers fans hoping and praying that our ââ?¬Ë?blue chipââ?¬â?¢ players remain at the club for another season (at least). Next week Iââ?¬â?¢ll open the review concentrating on July through to the end of October. This will include (close your eyes) the Kanuas games, the first OF game of the season and asking if whether our eventual forays into the transfer market would have made a difference if they were signed PRIOR to the CL qualifier. Cammy F :spl:

Central defender Lee Mair signs for St Mirren after leaving Aberdeen under freedom of contract. More...

Thanks to all who put their name forward... Please remember Match Preview Writers need to: - Write around 500 words on their allocated match. - Provide probable team and formation within this. - Ensure it is posted the day before the match (e.g. Friday am for Saturday games). - Please check all articles for spelling/grammatical errors before posting (e.g. use Word to type the article). - If you want to accompany the preview with a review (or ratings/poll etc) please feel free to do so. May Sat 30 - 15.00 Rangers v St Mirren (Scottish Cup Final) Gazza_8 Please check this thread regularly and pm me if you're unable to make the deadline.

Was gonna post this in the gambling thread. Anyway, credit to Screebs of FF: A goal a game. Must be a shout to keep that going tomorrow? (Ps. gonna post the big man's full record according to the king of the stattos there).

Falkirk have a GREAT chance of staying up now. Tokely been sent off for ICT just prior to half-time. Have to say that I wouldn't mind if Falkirk stayed up, never really liked ICT. Not too fussed who goes down though..... but a 4-0 win for Accies against St Mirren and a 1-0 Falkirk win wouldn't be disappointing either.....

St Mirren secure top-flight football next season despite suffering a narrow defeat to Hamilton. More...

Inverness host Falkirk, St Mirren take on Hamilton and Kilmarnock travel to Fir Park as three sides look to avoid relegation. More...

Two from Hamilton, St Mirren and Inverness will join St Johnstone in the first round of the Co-operative Insurance Cup. More...

Falkirk are to appeal against the red card shown to Steven Pressley late in the 2-0 defeat to St Mirren. More...

Kevin Kyle fires a brace as Kilmarnock ease their relegation fears with victory over St Mirren at Rugby Park. More...

By Andrew Dickson MAURICE EDU has been passed fit for tomorrow's crucial SPL trip to Edinburgh, where Rangers will face Hibernian. There had been concerns about the American's fitness after he was injured in a clash with Celtic's Glenn Loovens during the first half of Saturday's 1-0 derby win. Mo Edu was injured in a tackle with Celtic's Glenn Loovens on SaturdayThe 23-year-old sat out training today as he was given more time to recuperate ahead of the game at Easter Road. But manager Walter Smith insists he will be ready for the latest chapter in Gers' bid for the title and that's a massive boost for the manager. Edu gave an excellent Old Firm performance at the weekend and scored the winner the last time the Light Blues played in Leith on April 19. Smith said: "Maurice seems okay. He missed training this morning but he'll be fine to play in the game tomorrow. "He has done well since he came in but he hasn't surprised me. I thought it would take him the whole season to settle, as it has done with a number of players. "Kyle Lafferty is another who is in a very similar situation and Maurice especially has handled this last part of the campaign really well." While Edu is fit and available, it seems Bosnian defender Sasa Papac won't make the trip through to the capital. Although he was initially sidelined after he sustained a gash in his foot at St Mirren last month, it's a knee injury he picked up on his return at Hibs that keeps him out. Smith added: "It doesn't look like Sasa will make it. Again, he has been a little bit slow to recover from his knee injury. "Aside from that, everybody else who has been available and playing for us in the last few weeks is fit. Mo was the only one who missed training but I'm certain he'll be fit."

Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith has welcomed official confirmation from UEFA that Scotland have earned a sixth European place via the Fair Play League. UEFA today published their full table, which puts Scotland in third place behind Norway and Denmark, with all three countries earning an extra spot in Europe. Motherwell lead St Mirren and Hibernian in the SFA's own fair play table and the top team at the end of the season will take part in the first qualifying round of the new Europa League on July 2, with the second leg a week later. The SFA take into account a range of criteria, including yellow and red cards, crowd behaviour, the actions of club officials and match reports by SPL delegates. In a statement, Smith said: 'It is great news, a tremendous reflection on the game in Scotland. 'Winning the extra place in Europe shows what fair play can achieve and sends out a strong message to thousands of boys and girls who play football in Scotland. 'We now have six teams representing Scotland in Europe next season, more than ever before. 'While the recognition is good, it is vitally important that the teams taking part get the right results so we can continue to improve our national co-efficient. We won't be able to announce who is getting the place until the end of the season. 'However, we will keep in touch with all the clubs who are in the running so they can at least put provisional plans in place. 'One thing is for sure, for one Scottish club it is going to be a very short close season.' Falkirk have already qualified for the Europa League after reaching the Homecoming Scottish Cup final, while Hearts, Dundee United and Aberdeen are battling for the two spots available through the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. Celtic and Rangers will take part in the Champions League, with the SPL champions going straight into the group stages. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1180538/Scotland-handed-Fair-Play-boost-SPL-teams-head-Europe.html

Have to ask, how did Celtic manage to get a player from Spain, from Barcelona no less, with less technical ability than your average Scot? Couldn't control the ball, couldn't pass, couldn't play football. Normally a foreign signing is better techincally but struggles to get up to speed with the physicality of the Scottish game. Crosas has neither the physicality for the Scottish game, nor the techincal excellence of a La Liga player or any other top foreign league. For me he would struggle to get a game for St Mirren. Just where did Celtic find this muppet? Worst player on the field. Made no single positive contirbution and basically lost possession every time he had it.

By Andrew Dickson THE leading scorer of Rangers goals in Old Firm games, it was in the derbies against Celtic that Ally McCoist made his name as a Light Blues legend. Now he feels Kris Boyd is ready to follow in his footsteps as the prolific striker looks to fire the Ibrox outfit to a win against their biggest rivals this weekend. Ally McCoist and Kris Boyd in trainingThis season has been the former Kilmarnock man's best since he made the short move from Rugby Park in January 2006. Having taken his tally for the club into three figures when he notched his 100th Gers goal against St Mirren last month, he now stands on 30 for the campaign. It's a good return from the prolific striker and while many have come to expect that sort of thing from him, there's still a lot of satisfaction to be taken from what he has done. Boyd has undoubtedly become a more rounded player in recent months, progressing from the lazy, immobile forward many looked upon him as previously. Now showing more intelligence and a greater work ethic, he is one of the most valuable members of Walter Smith's squad. One of the criticisms that still hang over Boyd's head is his lack of goals against Celtic. In 18 career appearances against them, he has just one to his credit. The second anniversary of that sole counter was yesterday and it goes without saying that he's keen to end the drought on Saturday. Ally McCoist talks to Kris Boyd in trainingThere's nobody better for Boyd to learn from than McCoist, someone who struck competitively on 27 occasions against the Parkhead side for Rangers over 15 years. Smith's deputy has heard all of the theories on the Ibrox number nine and knows he's one of those players people either love or hate. But the one thing he insists nobody can dispute is his ability to score - and McCoist is convinced Boyd's got what it takes to see off Celtic. "Kris is a man with a lot of confidence at the moment and his total against Celtic is just a statistic," he said. "We all know Boydy can score against anybody. "He has scored at international level and in European competitions as well as in domestic games so there's no doubting what he can do. "I really hope this is a game that is set up for him. When you look at strikers and some of the things that are written in stars for them, I hope this is one of them. "Kris has a terrific season and it was a wonderful achievement for him to reach 100 goals for the club recently. Ally McCoist shouts orders to Kris Boyd during a game"So early in his Rangers career, I hope it's the first hundred of many and you never know what could happen. I certainly wish him luck with that. "People earn their luck and if Boydy were to get the winner this weekend against Celtic, nobody would be more pleased about it than me. I include Kris in that. " Boyd has been in a situation similar to this one before and back in December, he was given his chance to shine in the derby at Ibrox. Going into the game, he had 18 goals in as many matches under his belt including hat-tricks against Inverness and Hamilton. But when his opportunity to strike against Celtic came, Artur Boruc saved his shot just after half-time and Scott McDonald's effort later ensured the visitors won 1-0. This time Boyd has six goals from his last six appearances and he's one of the most in-form players in the country. While he didn't make the most of his opportunity just over four months ago, McCoist thinks he can this time and added: "This could be a second chance for him in that respect. Kris Boyd"Back in December, Barry Ferguson played a good ball through to Kris and, after he took a touch, the keeper saved his shot. That happens. "He would have been disappointed to miss that chance but that's got nothing to do with the situation we're in now. "Kris needed to get his head up and move on at the end of last year and he did that. He has scored some great goals between then and now. "He's obviously forgotten about that miss, just as we have. There's no use in looking back at it because it doesn't make any difference now. "If Kris has a chance to score on Sunday, I'd definitely have my money on him to do it because one thing he won't be worrying about is chances he's missed in games gone by."

By Ronnie Cully and Thomas Jordan OLD FIRM sharpshooters Scott McDonald and Kris Boyd will walk a title suspension tightrope in this weekend's derby collision at Ibrox. Both hitmen are sitting on 15 disciplinary points and a yellow card would rule them out of the last day of the season fixtures on Sunday, May 24. Boyd has been under threat of a one-game ban since he was cautioned at St Mirren on April 8, but the 30-goal striker has so far managed to stay out of trouble. advertisement If, however, he is booked against Celtic then he would sit out Rangers trip to Dundee United on the last day. McDonald has accumulated points at a rapid rate in the past few weeks after referee Dougie McDonald cautioned him in the back-to-back games against Aberdeen at Parkhead on April 18 and again at Pittodrie last Saturday. Another booking on Saturday and the in-form Aussie would be missing when Hearts come to Parkhead on what could yet be a title-deciding day. Celtic skipper Stephen McManus - who is stuggling to recover in time to play at Ibrox after limping off with a knee injury at Pittodrie - is also on the 15-point mark and one booking away from a ban, but he is now unlikely to feature. Both managers were today beginning to piece together their teams ahead of what is a titanic encounter in terms of the destination of this season's title. Celtic are already without the suspended Scott Brown, but boss Gordon Strachan hopes to have Georgios Samaras and Barry Robson available to him. Rangers gaffer Walter Smith has been boosted by the news Sasa Papac is set to be fit after a knee problem. The Bosnian defender is likely to return at left-back, leaving Stevie Smith to add some bite and dig in a midfield roles in front of him. There is also a chance of Kirk Broadfoot making a surprise recovery from the foot problem that has side-lined for almost two months. Smith, who also welcomes centre-half Madjid Bougherra back from suspension after he sat out Sunday's 2-0 win over Hearts, said: "Sasa has a chance of being fit. "We thought he would be fit for the Hearts game, but just failed to make it so I imagine he'll be okay for the Old Firm game. "Kirk is also back in training this week, but whether he will be ready for the game or not we will have to wait and see. "It was also good to get Kyle Lafferty a run-out last weekend after five weeks out, so we have players coming back and that increases the options." http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2506183.0.0.php

by Lindsay Herron PEDRO MENDES has proved his fitness to be ready for Sunday's vital Hearts clash but it looks like Sasa Papac will miss out. The other good news is that, as reported yesterday, Kyle Lafferty is back in the squad while Lee McCulloch is also available again. Mendes trained with the squad this morning at Murray Park and Smith said: "Pedro, Kyle and Lee are all back with us and they are in the squad for Sunday. "Mendes took a nasty knock last week on the top of the knee but it was just bruising and there was no ligament damage. We will check that there is no reaction but we don't expect there will be and we expect him to be OK. "Papac is a doubt, however, and of course we have Madjid Bougherra suspended so with Kirk Broadfoot still injured we are a bit stretched at the back. "We will miss Bougherra because has been playing very well but the lads who have come in before have done very well. The last time we played Hearts, for example, we had Lee McCulloch and Christian Dailly made up our central defensive partnership so hopefully we won't miss him that much." He has options for the centre back role with Dailly, McCulloch or perhaps Andy Webster coming in for what would be his first top team game of the season. Smith confirmed today that Webster is in the squad and could feature. He said: "Andy will be involved in Sunday's squad. "Obviously his career here has not gone the way he would have wanted it to go and that's down mainly to injury. He has missed most of my time here. He has been fit for the past few months but it takes time to get back into the squad." Papac suffered an ankle gash against St Mirrren on April 5 and it could be that Stevie Smith, who has been playing in midfield, moves back to play in his normal left back slot. DaMarcus Beasley was back in training today but Smith will wait before making a decision on his inclusion. The American was hurt in the same St Mirren game as Papac, suffering rib damage.

I said a few weeks back, after the Falkirk game, that I was never going to another Rangers away game due to the dross being served up on the pitch, the current financial climate and the harrassement we receive away from Ibrox. Given that, I reluctantly refused an offer of tickets from the St Mirren game as I wanted to visit their new stadium. I resigned myself to not going and watched the game on Sentanta (a free trial via Virgin - refuse to pay for it!). Anyway, going to the Motherwell game on Saturday and names were being taken for Easter Road on Sunday. Guess what, I stuck my name down of a ticket, so I'm heading into Leithshire on Sunday and look forward to another visit to Easter Road. Now, I have also loved going to Easter Road, there is always a wonderful atmosphere and who can forget Helicopter Sunday? Yip, Easter Road will always have a place in my heart after witnessing the events of Helicpoter Sunday. See, I am trying to justify my decision to break my promise after only missing ONE away game. I also said that I was 99% certain that I wouldn't renew my season ticket. Guess what? It has been filled out, signed, envaloped, but as yet is unstamped. I know that as soon as we have stamps, I'll post my renewal. Why do I allow my heart to rule my head when it comes to Rangers? Outwith Rangers, I am a levelheaded person who doesn't allow his heart to rule is head, but when it comes to Rangers, all sense goes out the window. I hope I have the courage of my convictions and after Easter Road, refuse to go to any post-split away games (yeah, who am I kidding) and refrain from posting my renewal. Cammy F

By Andrew Dickson ALLY McCOIST is confident Kyle Lafferty can add weight to Rangers' title challenge in the last five league games of the season. The Northern Ireland striker is fit again after he damaged ankle ligaments and he should be in the squad for Sunday's home clash with Hearts. Kyle Lafferty celebrates scoring against HeartsThat's a massive boost for the Light Blues after it seemed the 21-year-old was facing a race against time to be ready for next week's derby with Celtic. Lafferty was showing his best form for Gers before he got injured and had scored three games in as many games as he finally got his chance up front. He'll be bidding to recapture his ruthless streak on his return and Ibrox assistant manager McCoist has backed him to do it. "It's great news for us that Kyle's able to play again," McCoist said. "He has been moving really well and that has been the case for the last seven or eight days now. "He will come back into the reckoning again at the weekend and going into the post-split games, that's a huge positive for us. "The big man was in great form before he got injured and we've been fortunate that Andrius Velicka and Kris Boyd have been scoring goals while he has been out. "Now Kyle can come back in too and I'm hopeful he'll get a few himself. He's a very important player for us and it's fantastic we have him back." Along with Lafferty, Rangers are confident Sasa Papac and Lee McCulloch will be fit for the Jambos' visit. Kenny MillerThe same applies with Pedro Mendes, who is getting better after he was hurt just above the knee during last Saturday's Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren. It is hoped he'll be able to resume training tomorrow after the pain and swelling he was experiencing went down. Another player who might make the starting line-up - possibly even at Lafferty's expense - is his fellow forward Kenny Miller. The ex-Hibs man has been impressive over the last couple of weeks when coming on as a substitute. And having scored his 12th goal of the season against the Buddies five days ago, Miller has certainly given the management food for thought. McCoist added: "Kenny has looked a bit more like his old self again since he came back from his injury. "He has been a lot livelier, quicker and sharper and he came on and scored a good goal at Hampden last week. Stevie Naismith in action against St Mirren"I'd have no qualms about starting him and he's in contention. Andrius has done well but Kenny has given us a nice problem to have." McCoist, meanwhile, has spoken of his happiness for Steven Naismith after he was named in Scotland's B squad for next week's friendly with Northern Ireland at Clyde. The former Kilmarnock striker has struggled to find form but Walter Smith's deputy feels he has been rewarded for the determination he has shown over the last few months. McCoist said: "I'm thrilled for Naisy. He has had a little bit of disappointment lately because he has not been playing every week. "The most important thing from his point of view is that this will give him a boost as it is recognition of all his hard work. "Make no mistake about it, nobody has put in more effort to come back from a serious injury than him and he deserves the call.

By Lindsay Herron RANGERS can boast some fantastic teams in their long history and the class of 1948/49 can certainly lay claim to being one of the best. They became the first Scottish team to complete the clean sweep of domestic honours and today, April 30, is the 60th anniversary of their Treble triumph. Managed by the legendary Bill Struth, Rangers were a formidable force in the immediate post-war era. They boasted the famous Iron Curtain defence - Bobby Brown, George Young, Jock Shaw, Ian McColl, Willie Woodburn and Sammy Cox - and an attacking line that featured Willie Waddell and Willie Thornton. In a fantastic campaign, they claimed the newly introduced League Cup, the Scottish Cup and took the title on an incredible last-day shootout. 1949 Treble captain Jock Shaw and Bobby BrownGoalkeeper Brown is one of only two survivors from this famous team - the other being Sammy Cox - and he recalls their achievements with relish. He said: "The fact that we conceded 16 goals less than any other team was an indication of how strong we were at the back and we were also fortunate not to have any injuries. "We were able to field our strongest team in most of the matches and that was significant. "Of course, we had the Iron Curtain defence at that time. Woodburn was peerless. In the all the time I have been watching football I have never seen a better centre half "Jock was a good captain, an out and out Ranger. He was forever shouting in the field. He was a first class left back and an excellent defender. "I had every confidence in him and if I went out for a cross ball I knew that he and George Young would be behind me." Brown played in every match that season and there was an unlikely twist which set Rangers up for the first leg of the "Triple Crown" as it was referred to in these days. Back in 1948/49 and up until the 1970s the early stage of the League Cup was played in sections and it looked odds on that Celtic, in the same group as Rangers, would come out on top. They had won their opening three matches, including a 3-1 win over Rangers, but then lost 4-2 to Hibs and then, incredibly, lost 6-3 at home to Clyde!Torry Gillick scored in the 1948-49 League Cup final It meant that the final section game between Rangers and Celtic would decide who would go through. A crowd of 105,000 packed into Ibrox to watch the cliff-hanger. Goals from Billy Williamson and Willie Waddell gave Rangers a 2-1 win and pitted them against St Mirren in the quarter-final. A 1-0 victory followed by a 4-1 romp over Dundee in the semi-final set Rangers up for a League Cup Final appearance against Raith Rovers in the spring. Given that the Fifers were in the Second Division at that time, Rangers were expected to win comfortably but Brown remembers that was far from the case, He said: "We were lucky to be drawing 0-0 at half-time because we didn't play particularly well and Raith Rovers had had a goal disallowed. "Torry Gillick scored early in the second half and that settled us down and then Willie Paton scored soon after and we were on our way to the Cup." Rangers' path in the Scottish Cup was much more comfortable. They reached the Final with easy victories over Elgin, Motherwell, Partick and then East Fife in the semi, scoring 17 goals and conceding just one. The Final itself proved no difficulty, Rangers seeing off Clyde 4-1. One curiosity emerged from the match. Billy Williamson, who had scored the winning goal in the previous season's replayed Final against Morton, again found the net, giving him the remarkable record of having played in only two Scottish Cup games, both of them Finals, and scoring on both occasions. The second leg of the treble was now safely at Ibrox, but the odds on winning the Championship seemed stacked against Rangers. Willie Waddell in action against Partick ThistleThe race for the title had been a titanic struggle between Rangers and Dundee. Indeed, Rangers lost 3-1 at Dens Park in the January. Rangers produced a fantastic run of 10 straight victories towards the end of the campaign but Dundee still had the advantage going into the final day. The Dark Blues needed a draw at Falkirk in their final match to clinch it while Rangers travelled to Coatbridge needing a win over Albion Rovers and some help from Falkirk. Incredibly they got both. Rangers did all that they could with Willie Thornton scoring a hat-trick as they won 4-1 Albion Rovers. But the news from Brockville Park was astonishing. Dundee had crashed 4-1. The title and the Treble belonged to Rangers. History had been made. Rangers had been given some help from an old friend. Jerry Dawson, who had starred for them before and during the war, saved a Dundee penalty. Brown said: "It was an incredible last day. We knew what was happening at Brockville and it definitely spurred us on. "Willie Thornton scored three great goals for us and we won our game well." There was a bit of decorum in these days and there were no wild celebrations. The players went for dinner to the now defunct St Enoch's Hotel in Glasgow and manager Struth made a speech. Changed days indeed

KRIS BOYD is hoping the Rangers Charity Foundation will benefit from his goal-scoring exploits after signing a specially-commissioned strip to commemorate 100 Rangers goals. Kris Boyd celebrates hitting 100 goals for RangersThe framed top will be auctioned with the proceeds going to the Foundation and assistant boss Ally McCoist - Rangers' greatest goal-scorer of all time with 355 strikes - helped Kris with the launch today. Boyd hit the ton in Saturday's Homecoming Scottish Cup win over St Mirren, achieveing the feat in 146 matches. He has become the 30th Ranger to hit treble figures. McCoist said: "Kris deserves great credit for reaching 100 goals for Rangers. It is a fantastic achievement in such a short space of time and hopefully there will be more to come from him between now and the end of the season. I am delighted for Kris as he has worked really hard at his game and he deserves this recognition. Boyd said: "I am delighted to score 100 goals for Rangers. It is a pleasure to join an exclusive club who have hit the century and I would like to thank my team-mates for setting up so many of my chances. Hopefully I can keep adding to my tally and help Rangers win the SPL title and Scottish Cup this season."

BIRMINGHAM and Newcastle will fight it out over Ã?£4million Madjid Bougherra ââ?¬â? but only if Rangers LOSE the SPL title. Cash-starved Gers will have to sell some stars if they donââ?¬â?¢t pip Celtic to the crown. The Ibrox club are desperate for the Ã?£15million passport direct into the Champions League that comes with the title. And if they donââ?¬â?¢t get it, Algerian ace Bougherra will be high on the list of potential summer departures. Newcastle were keen on the stopper, 26, during the January transfer window and they still want him. They would only move if they keep their Premiership status ââ?¬â? while Birmingham will only bid if they go up. Former Gers gaffer Alex McLeish needs a win at Reading on Sunday to guarantee an instant return to the top flight. But itââ?¬â?¢s understood Bougherra is high on his wish list should he lead City into the cash-rich Premiership. French championship pacesetters Marseille have also had the ex-Charlton star watched this season. But Bougherra would prefer to stay in Britain as he believes his style of play is better suited to the game here. Fresh doubts over the playerââ?¬â?¢s long-term future were raised after the Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren on Saturday. Speaking in a radio interview, he appeared to hint that heââ?¬â?¢d leave if Gers didnââ?¬â?¢t win the title. Those remarks were subsequently retracted in a statement on the clubââ?¬â?¢s website. Bougherra said: ââ?¬Å?I have to say to the fans that I have no intention of leaving.ââ?¬Â SunSport understands he is committed to Walter Smithââ?¬â?¢s side and is happy to stay for the long haul. He wants to sample the Champions League with Gers and is keen to plant roots in Glasgow after several moves over the past five years. But itââ?¬â?¢s believed heââ?¬â?¢s also aware that he is likely to be sold if Gers miss out on the financial bonus of direct entry to the Champions League. http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/article2398932.ece

St Mirren's Andy Dorman is named the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League Player of the month for April. More...

How the hell can they justify wanting a 50/50 split when there home gate is only about 3000 and 5000 supporters and thats the away support included ie old firm, where have their suppoters been and when they reach a cup final they all come out of the wood work, i say forget giving them the tickets as we had the majority of the seats on saturday against st mirren, im ready for the :box:

by Lindsay Herron RANGERS are hoping that Portuguese playmaker Pedro Mendes will not be missing from the climax to the season. Mendes suffered a heavy thigh injury just before half-time in the semi-final with St Mirren in a challenge with Will Haining and had to be carried off. The former Tottenham and Porto star looked in serious discomfort as he was taken up the tunnel on a stretcher and the initial fears were that he had suffered a serious knee problem. However, while he is in discomfort Rangers are hoping the injury will not prevent him from playing a key role in the final five SPL matches and, of course, the Cup Final on May 30. Assistant boss Ally McCoist said: "I spoke with Pedro and he is very sore at the moment. From our point of view we hope it's nothing more than a kick on the botom of the thigh. "He is iced up and he he has been strapped up and we will have a better idea in the next couple of days." Mendes left Hampden on crutches but the Murray Park medical team will get to work on him from Monday once the swelling has gone down.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW7eq8RQQ-M]YouTube - No goals yet- Soccer Saturday 25/4/09[/ame]