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BILLY KIRKWOOD'S under-19 side secured an important three points with a 3-0 victory over St Mirren this afternoon. Isa Bagci Goals from Gregg Wylde, Archie Campbell and Isa Bagci sealed a comfortable win to get the 19s back on track after their first defeat of the season against Hibs on Saturday. It took them just 14 minutes to break the deadlock when Wylde deceived everyone with his free kick from wide on the right after Kyle Hutton was fouled. His curled effort caught Saints keeper Ally Semple off guard and beat him at the near post to give Wylde his first goal of the season in an otherwise quiet first half. Archie Campbell then effectively sealed the points just 6 minutes in to the second half when he made the most of a short pass back to slide a left footed effort beyond Semple from 12 yards. Stephen Forbes came close to increasing the advantage when Semple spilled a cut back from Gordon Dick. Campbell's resulting effort was cleared off the line, but Forbes couldn't find the net when the clearance landed at his feet. Kirkwood's side then had to wait until just 3 minutes from time before adding further gloss to the scoreline. Bagci, on as a substitute for the injured Jamie Ness, latched on to Campbell's pass and twisted his way clear of the Saints defence to roll the ball beyond Semple. RANGERS: Adam; Durie, Perry, Wilson, Wylde; Dick, Stirling, Ness (Bagci), Forbes; Hutton, Campbell.

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/303696369?-11344 If, like me, you received your copy of the accounts a few weeks back then you’ll know that this Thursday sees the yearly charade that is the annual general shareholders’ meeting. In a year that has seen Rangers reach the UEFA Cup Final, lose the SPL on the final day, go out of Europe to a Lithuanian banker’s hobby and just be beaten by St Mirren for the first time since Paisley Town centre was still seen as modern; then late morning at Ibrox Stadium this week should be interesting. Certainly the chairman could be forgiven for thinking that had he held it a week ago the pressure may not have been quite so much as it will be now. The loss on Sunday just goes to show how the Old Firm are always one bad result away from a crisis. Nonetheless, even if we had won at the weekend, there are still many relevant and important questions for the board of directors to answer. To begin, while all the latest online debate seems again to be concentrating on the merits and intentions behind the current attempt at terracing banter, I think there are much more concerning issues. As we read two weeks ago from Bluedell’s excellent accounts breakdown, the club debt has risen once more. Essentially, despite the superb run to the UEFA Cup Final – coupled with a reasonable showing in the CL Group Stage – if it wasn’t for the sale of Alan Hutton (and latterly Carlos Cuellar), there’s no way we’d have been able to see the spending we have over the last year or so. Indeed, such was the fall-out from the Cuellar sale, one wonders just how upset some fans will become when they realise that unless we make the same kind of sale(s) every year, we simply cannot afford to sustain Ã?£10million+ in transfer spending every summer. It’s actually surprising just how many hands go over eyes and ears when the undeniable facts about the financial limitations of playing in Scotland can be found in our accounts. Don’t believe me? Then simply look across the Clyde to Celtic who haven’t spent much money either despite certain CL qualification this season and an active part in the last two. As such, the single most important question for Thursday morning isn’t asking about the latest complaint about whatever journalist/TV star/radio presenter has said but what is the financial direction of our club? Ten years ago our club had just embarked on a rebuilding programme after losing the chance of a record 10 titles in a row. From being around Ã?£30million in the black and a hugely successful domestic period; we quickly went from this era of dominance to being Ã?£80million in the red and struggling to stop Celtic from matching our modern 9IAR. Sure, we’ve managed to win a few titles since and the necessary financial downsizing has worked to a reasonable degree. However, with debt increasing for the second year on the trot, no European football this year and far from being guaranteed for next; what is the outlook for the club? I appreciate I am being rather depressingly negative here – especially when we’re joint top of the SPL after a difficult start. However, sometimes one needs to be cruel to be kind. Rangers Football Club needs leadership. It needs organisation. It needs cohesion. It needs motivation. It needs debate. It needs structure. It needs ambition. It needs planning. It needs passion. From all levels of the club such virtues seem to be lacking. Indeed, because of this, I see the current Rangers FC as a house of cards. On the pitch, morale seems continually low leading to inconsistency and a dearth of commitment. Off the pitch, fans are divided and the board of directors seem isolated and even absent from dealing with the valid of concerns we have. Worryingly, I see no-one taking the lead to address this. Our chairman and owner wants to sell the club; our manager sits in the stand while our players go unmotivated; our perennially injured club captain doesn’t attend games to help off the park and fan organisations are rife with problems. Surely even a great 4-2 win away to Celtic shouldn’t gloss over these obvious and long-standing issues? The club AGM is where such topics must be debated. Let’s not be side-tracked by media red herrings about songs. Don’t allow non-stories caused by trouble-makers to detract from the main business. Rangers are second best and have been now for over 3 years. There isn’t much to suggest that is changing. That’s should be the main worry. The challenge is how to we get out of this negative vicious circle? Let’s ask the questions to ensure our responsible parties meet this challenge head on. Don’t let these people have an easy ride. It’s time for us all to stand up and be counted.

WITH the success of Pedro Mendes this season, many Rangers fans have asked whether Barry Ferguson will feature when he fin-ally regains full fitness. Mendes and Ferguson are, after all, almost identical central midfielders; they like to get on the ball, dictate play and weigh in with a few goals. Portuguese star Pedro has been outstanding for the Gers since clinching a �£4million move from Barclays Premier League club Portsmouth in the summer. The 29-year-old netted a sensational long-range goal in the 4-2 demolition of Celtic on his Old Firm debut at Parkhead back in August. advertisement And the ex-Porto ace also sent the Glasgow giants into the quarter-finals of the Co-operative Insurance Cup with a well-taken extra-time winner against Partick Thistle last month. After such a blistering start, Ibrox boss Walter Smith will find it impossible to leave him out when his talismanic captain is available again. So where, then, does that leave Ferguson, who is on the brink of returning to action after undergoing major ankle surgery back in July? Well, after the 1-0 defeat by St Mirren at Love Street on Sunday, Fergie will be welcomed back with open arms by his manager, team-mates and supporters alike. The Buddies' 3-5-2 formation stifled the creativity of former Champions League winner Mendes. But the ability and experience of Scotland skipper Barry alongside Pedro could have freed him to focus on the playmaker role. Former Rangers centre-half and captain and current BBC pundit Craig Paterson feels Smith will strive to accommodate both men in his starting line-up - and succeed. "Good players love to play with good players," Craig argued. "For me, the prospect of Ferguson and Mendes playing in the same starting line-up is a mouth-watering one. "Yes, both players are good at keeping the ball, are great passers and like to get up the pitch and into the final third. But Walter will find a way to incorporate the two of them in his team. "Rangers, and Celtic as well, are going to have games like the one against St Mirren on Sunday this season. Teams will set out to defend and frustrate them and sometimes they will succeed. "In those situations, Rangers will need all the good players the can get. Barry and Pedro have the ability to win the ball and grab a game by the scruff of the neck. The manager will want them both involved. "Rangers have done tremendously well to produce the run of results they have done without Barry in their team. But he will go into the side alongside Mendes as soon as he is ready." The defeat by St Mirren - the first they have suffered in Paisley in 22 years - meant Rangers failed to reclaim top spot in the SPL from Celtic. The unexpected loss has also led to an inevitable post mortem among their thousands of brassed-off fans - with many believing their team lacked any width. Off-form DaMarcus Beasley was benched as substitutes Kris Boyd and Kyle Lafferty tried and failed to make the breakthrough up front. Paterson, though, feels Smith was correct to go with the same group of outfield players who had dismantled Hibs in the league at Easter Road the previous weekend. He feels Buddies boss Gus MacPherson deserves tremendous credit for leading his bottom-placed side to a deserved triumph over Smith's team. Craig stressed: "Defensively, St Mirren were different class. They set out with a definite game plan and it worked. "Some fans are saying Rangers didn't have width, but it wasn't a problem at Easter Road. The full-backs, Kirk Broadfoot and Sasa Papac, did a lot of the damage against Hibs. "Gus has to be praised for identifying that as a danger area and ensuring his team snuffed out the threat." http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2458139.0.0.php

by Lindsay Herron KENNY MILLER is out of Scotland's crucial World Cup tie with Norway on Saturday. Miller has been suffering from pain in the hamstring area for a few weeks now and Rangers have had to act in their best interests. He is receiving an injection that Rangers believe will cure the problem but he can't train or play for five to six days and that means he has had to pull out of the Scoland squad for the Hampden clash with the Norwegians. The hamstring problem forced Miller onto the bench for the Iceland game last month and also ruled him out of the Co-operative Insurance Cup tie at Firhill against Partick Thistle. Rangers boss Walter Smith told the official web site: "He has a problem at the top of his hamstring and he has had that for a few weeks now.Kevin Thomson injury "It needed an injection and it means he has to rest for five or six days before he starts training again and hopefully that will settle the problem. "From our own point of view it is something that had to be done but unfortunately it means he misses the Scotland game. "Although he played last Sunday against St Mirren, it is something that has been aggravating him and causing him pain. "Hopefully the injection will clear that and he will be ready for our game next week against Dundee United." As expected Kevin Thomson has also been forced to withdraw after suffering an injury in a challenge with St Mirren's Gary Brady on Sunday.

FANS attending Sunday's match between St Mirren and Rangers should note trains between Glasgow Central Station and Paisley Gilmour Street won't be running. Instead, rail replacement buses will be in operation between the two stations and as a result, people should allow extra time for their journey. Heavy traffic is expected on the M8 and the roads network around Greenock due to the visit of the QE2. Congestion in the vicinity of the stadium is also anticipated due to ongoing roadworks in St James Street. Any issue that arises relating to unacceptable behaviour, sectarianism or racism will be proactively addressed by the police and stewards. Please note the stadium is a no smoking zone. For up to date information on roadworks and delays on the trunk road network fans should access http://www.trafficscotland.com.

St Mirren office is selling away tickets for Sunday's game, don't know if Rangers sent them back or whatever, the ticket office shut at 2pm though I got through at 2.09pm Nice wee woman answered, said she doesn't deal with the tickets, just doing paperwork and Karen is away home, she told me to phone back in the morning but i managed to persuade her too sell me two which are getting sent out 1st class mail today. Phone up at 10am tomorrow guys, still plenty of seats althought you need your season ticket details

By Lindsay Herron SANDY JARDINE has called on the Rangers players to follow the example of Kirk Broadfoot as the Light Blues look to consolidate their SPL pole position at Love Street on Sunday. Kirk BroadfootJardine, voted Rangers' best right back, says Broadfoot deserves enormous credit for the way he has applied himself after his move from St Mirren last year. Rangers legend Jardine said: "I think Kirk has done really well. His best position is probably centre half but because of various injuries and other things like the Alan Hutton transfer, he has moved to right back. "I think he has grown as a player. If you look at the difference in him in the space of a year it is quite considerable. He has applied himself really well and he deserves all the credit for the simple reason that no-one works harder. "If some other players with so-called better ability worked as hard as Kirk Broadfoot they would be far better for it." Broadfoot is ostensibly a defender but he set up both goals for Kenny Miller at Easter Road on Sunday and, of course, scored on his Scotland debut in Iceland last month. Broadfoot is a certainty to be picked by George Burley when he names his squad for the World Cup qualifier with Norway today.Sandy Jardine And Jardine feels the Ayrshireman is not appreciated as much as he should be. He added: "Outwith the Rangers support Kirk doesn't get the credit he is due. "Of course there was that comment - limited ability - but that was completely wrong. He does not have limited ability. He is a really good defender. "He is also a very adaptable player because he can play right across the back four. "When he made his Scotland debut it was one of the best Scotland debuts I have seen - and not just because he scored a great goal. "His performance on the night made him one of our best players. Kirk Broadfoot"He deserves huge credit for the way he has gone about his job, considering that his best position is centre half." Broadfoot has admitted it would be another massive high for him if he could play for Scotland at Hampden on October 11 when the Norwegians come to town. He said: "First and foremost I hope to make the squad for the Norway game and if I can be involved in the game I will be delighted. "There are a lot of experienced players that George Burley might go with. Graham Alexander is there, for example, so it's up to the manager. "Guys like him have been over the course before so he might choose to go down that route. "But if he does pick me to play at Hampden in front of the home crowd it will be something special. "To make my debut in Iceland and score there was a fantastic feeling but to play in front of the home fans would be brilliant."

by Thomas Jordan RANGERS Spanish hitkid Aaron has told Walter Smith he's ready to stake his claim for a first team place. And the teenage midfielder admits he can't wait to run out and play in front of 50,000 fans at Ibrox after warming the bench in recent weeks. He said: "It will be an unforgettable moment when I finally run on to the pitch at Ibrox in front of the club's great supporters. I have seen the team win at home and the atmosphere is incredible. I am really looking forward to it. "It is a dream of mine to play in the first-team at Rangers and even although I am only 19 it would be a fantastic opportunity. advertisement "Hopefully this will come along soon but it is up to the manager of course. "When I first arrived at the club I needed to get a couple of weeks' training and a bit of time to settle into my new surroundings. "I am now ready to play whenever the manager needs me." While Smith will have plenty of options as he prepares to face St Mirren on Sunday, he heads to Love Street in the knowledge his side face a difficult match. He added: "Gus MacPherson has organised his teams in such a way that they're never easy to beat. "In fact, they've always proved themselves to be awkward opponents." Meanwhile, Smith has admitted the rest of his team may have to fit into Kris Boyd's style of play for the maverick striker to be a first pick. The Ibrox manager left the striker out of his starting line-up at the weekend for the 3-0 win over Hibs, but he is expected to return to the team on Sunday. He said: "Kris has probably played around 75 per cent of the games since I came back here. "The fact the ones he missed were the bigger matches can be a criticism of us as well, but Kris has played long enough for us to know what his assets are. "I'd hope the team would get more comfortable playing him in a lot of these games and we can handle all the other aspects you need to win a match." http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2455457.0.0.php

The Glasgow Rangers player Kirk Broadfoot has today revealed that he has been part of the Channel 4 TV show faking it for the last 3 years. The player broke the news today at a hastily arranged press conference as it emerged new Scotland manager George Burley had drafted the " player " into his squad for the up coming world cup qualifiers. Broadfoot who told the waiting press that he was in fact a carpet fitter from Fife said " This experience has been great but I now feel that I would totally be out of my depth and there was no way I could let the country I love so much down by pulling on the dark blue jersey" Channel 4 have defended there decision to allow Broadfoot to move to Rangers from St Mirren. Saints have issued a statement saying " The program makers approached us with there plan we where only to willing to be a part of there experiment we started that season with 4 or 5 new players and knew one was from the program".The only real surprise said saints boss Gus McPherson is that the player is not Will Henning considering how he has had a terrible start to the S.P.L season. Rangers would not be drawn on the future of the player at Ibrox only saying in a short statement " Kirk has been one of our most consistent performers over the last 18 months". Gers boss Walter Smith was unavailable for comment. The S.F.A chief Gordon Smith was quick to back Burley after some sections of the tartan army turned on the manager and pointed out what they have always know that any carpet fitter from Fife could get a game for Scotland if he worn an OLD FIRM strip. Aberdeen where quick to reassure fans that Jamie Langfield had not also been part of the experiment.

Still 0-0,mon the saints

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=657&Itemid=1 After Kenny Millerââ?¬â?¢s debut for his much debated second spell at Rangers, I think itââ?¬â?¢s time for an objective look at what this controversial signing really brings to the table. First off, I donââ?¬â?¢t blame any Rangers fan for not welcoming this player with open arms to our club. In todayââ?¬â?¢s financial climate, Ã?£2million is a lot of money for any player ââ?¬â?? not least one who failed in his first spell and has hardly shown throughout his career to be the kind of genuine quality player the club talked about bringing in over the summer. Add in his ridiculous chest-beating antics after scoring against us at Celtic then his signing was never going to be popular. After impressing at Hibs and winning the ââ?¬Ë?Young Player of the Yearââ?¬â?¢ award in 1999/2000, like many a player before and after him, Miller made the journey along the M8 to sign for Rangers. As he will again later this month, he made his competitive debut at Ibrox against Kaunas and went on to spend 18 months at the club. During that time he actually had some decent games which reflected his potential ââ?¬â?? goals against Monaco in the CL and the 5 goal spree against St Mirren the highlights of his one full season in his first spell at the club. He also played an important part in wins against other teams (including the 5-1 against Celtic) but in a season where the Dick Advocaat era imploded with various senior players (Konterman, Ricksen and Moore) all losing their discipline while the crazy signing of Tore Andre Flo relegated Miller to little less than a bit-part player after Xmas, Miller proved to be an easy scapegoat for the manager and the fans as the Oranje-era fell apart. Since then Millerââ?¬â?¢s career and goal-scoring record has been inconsistent due to a combination of injuries and manager fall-outs with regard to his best position and overall worth to the team. Millerââ?¬â?¢s previous with regard to being quick to run to the media certainly havenââ?¬â?¢t helped his reputation either. As such, itââ?¬â?¢s arguably at international level where heââ?¬â?¢s been most accepted by any fans. No-one can deny that Millerââ?¬â?¢s contribution in a reasonably resurgent Scotland side has been valuable. His industry, working of the channels and the odd goal has shown he can play a bit against decent opposition. His natural game is probably well suited to teams where the pressure of actually scoring goals and winning games isnââ?¬â?¢t of the level of the very best teams (domestic or international). The question remains: is he good enough for Rangers? As with any new signing that question isnââ?¬â?¢t easy to answer. At first glance his striker statistics ââ?¬â?? specifically goals scored ââ?¬â?? are hardly impressive. However, most fans will agree, itââ?¬â?¢s not really goals where Miller excels. His first touch is also poor, his finishing average and itââ?¬â?¢s only his work-rate that allows these flaws to be minimised. In saying that, Miller reads the game pretty well and shows decent awareness in possession also. All in all, heââ?¬â?¢s a difficult player to make an honest and accurate judgement on. Therefore, I think itââ?¬â?¢s fair to say the signing represents a more than moderate gamble by Walter Smith. Itââ?¬â?¢s this gamble that puzzles me though. Why take the risk on a player the fans were never going to accept initially? Smith did enough last season to allow the majority of fans to say his second spell in charge could help take Rangers back to the successes of his previous reign. Latter disappointments in the UEFA Cup Final (yes, thatââ?¬â?¢s final) and losing the league late on did temper that optimism somewhat though. As such the signing of Miller allowed the more sceptical of our fans more room to voice their negativity. And, to be fair, they have a point. So, when the season finally gets going: when the competitive games start; when the CL qualifier lottery begins; and when the SPL battle gets under-way; it wonââ?¬â?¢t just be Kenny Miller needing to persuade many fans that his second spell will be a success - Walter Smith will also have the jury out as well. Thus, was the signing of Kenny Miller a gamble worth taking? Or does it place needless extra pressure on a manager who may find that his legendary status amongst the Rangers support is brought into disrepute because of signing an average ex-Celtic player? The dice have been thrown.

I know we have to go and take care of St Mirren first but whats everyones views on Celtic going to Tannadice and us going to Pittodrie. I just have the feeling Dundee Utd wont get out of 1st gear as they are pissed off with there game against us last week. We all know Aberdeen are going to give 200% against us. We do only have ourselves to blame for the last 2 league game results but its still not impossible. We need to thump St Mirren on Monday and they give ourselves a chance. But who knows, we might get a favour off Dundee Utd yet!!

The heartache will soon soothe and we can look back on a terrific european run in a few weeks time. But first and foremost we can stand proud and turn our attentions to our bread and butter - the SPL. 3 wins against Motherwell, St Mirren and Aberdeen will bring the league flag home and still put it right up the SPL, Celtic and the others who are jealous of what we have done this season. A domestic treble and a UEFA runners up place is still a wonderful season and puts us in the Champions league proper next season. Lets get right into Motherwell on Saturday and give them a backlashing and wipe the smug smiles of timmy's faces. 3 games in 5 days (4 in 7 if included the SFA cup) is another massive ask but this time 9 days the lads will be able to put there feet up on a beach somewhere. We have to be more positive in approach though. After that Queen of the South can get a dooing at Hampden aswell

Sunday 4 May - Hibernian v Rangers Monday 5 May - Falkirk v Hearts Wednesday 7 May - Rangers v Motherwell. Saturday 10 May - Rangers v Dundee United, Falkirk v Inveress, Hearts v Kilmarnock, Motherwell v Aberdeen, St Mirren v Gretna Sunday 11 May - Celtic v Hibernian Tuesday 13 May - Gretna v Hearts (moved from 17 May then 8 May) Saturday 17 May - Motherwell v Rangers (rearranged game, postponed earlier in the season), Inverness v St Mirren, Kilmarnock v Falkirk Monday 19 May - St Mirren v Rangers (rearranged game, postponed earlier in the season). Thursday 22 May - Aberdeen v Rangers, Dundee United v Celtic, Hibernian v Motherwell (all fixtures moved from May 18)

....do something historic this season?? Firstly, credit has to go to Walter Smith, Ally McCoist and the baldy one (KM) for what they have done to Rangers in the last 14 months. They have turned arguably the worst Rangers team in 20 years round into the frontmen in Scotland again and pushed us into the last 8 of europe. Yes it has not been pretty in certain games but recently the moaning has stopped about performances due to the progression the team in making in the competitons we are in. Thats what it is all about from March onwards - winning football matches. We are coming into the business end of the season with finishing lines in sight and still in a wonderful position. Our Green friends from the other side of Glasgow along with a few of the so called "balanced 4th estate" must really be beginning to panic with what we could achieve this season. However there is still a lot of football to be played and as good as getting to the last 8 of the UEFA cup feels we have to come back down to earth as we have not won anything yet. We still have 3 old firm derbies to play which will no doubt decide if the league flag comes back to home to Ibrox. We are in pole position for these games with the next meeting to be played at Ibrox. We also currently have advantage of 3 point lead with 1 game in hand, thus depending on the farcical situation of Gretna. All attentions can be turned to the league cup final on Sunday where we need the lads to produce yet another solid defensive display and do enough in Dundee Utd's half to take the first trophy home. The Scottish cup will come around again and with all due respect to Partick Thistle we should be looking forward to facing either St Johnstone or St Mirren for another date at Hampden. That leaves the UEFA cup. We fear no team in the here. Bayern are the favourties but we'll see what the draw brings us. One game at a time is what is required at the moment and who knows what we will be celebrating in 2 months time. :cheers:

Traynors' view.I can't stand the cretin,but this is a good read. THEY are still so far away from reach but at least now the glint of the three trophies Rangers seek can be seen by the naked eye. All they have to do is keep following the light. Walter Smith is constantly told his players are running on empty but all he can see is a group of believers still striving to reach beyond human limits. If what fuels some of these players could be siphoned off, the Grangemouth refinery's workers and management could close the place, argue the toss from now until the end of time and our motors would still be running. But this Rangers squad don't even need to keep their legs pumping like pistons for ever. They have only to make sure their limbs function through just a handful of matches, starting tomorrow with the final Old Firm encounter of the season. Celtic won the last one - Gordon Strachan's first Old Firm victory over Walter Smith - which ensured the championship remained a live issue, but the Parkhead side must come out on top in this final meeting also if the pressure is to be piled on their rivals. Anything less than three points would make it virtually impossible for Celtic to hold on to the SPL title even though Rangers have a punishing run-in. If Rangers win, or draw, they would be boosted by a powerful mix of adrenalin and confidence and the effects of a spineless SPL's refusal to sanction a meaningful extension to the league campaign wouldn't be too destructive. Rangers would be almost certain to collect the remaining points necessary without operating at full tilt, but to ensure that luxury they have to be prepared to summon up one more massive effort at Parkhead. Strachan's side are in better shape and the manager has probably been struggling to hold them back in training but just after midday tomorrow he'll let them off the leash. They are likely to attack Rangers at pace and try to dominate the midfield areas just as they did 10 days ago and Smith's side will be willing to soak up pressure, believing they'll also pierce Celtic's defence at times. However, this time Rangers will have to match up, especially in the middle, if they're to take what would be the most important step towards winning the title. The bulk of the evidence, though, suggests Celtic are fairly firm favourites to even the score, at least in terms of matches won against their traditional rivals. Strachan and his players know that if they can win again they will force Rangers to doubt themselves, perhaps for the first time this season. Barry Ferguson and the others won't be able to prevent their minds from wandering up ahead and looking at their packed schedule which is enough to frighten even the most seasoned pros like DavidWeir and Christian Dailly. Celtic, Fiorentina in Florence, Hibs, Motherwell twice, Dundee United, St Mirren and Aberdeen all between now and May 18. That's eight matches in 22 days and don't forget Rangers, who also have a Scottish Cup Final on May 24, could yet have a UEFA Cup Final to play. That's not a match schedule, it's hard labour as a result of criminal negligence on the part of the SPL. Let's make it absolutely clear just one more time that this group of preening lame brains have done nothing to help a Scottish side reach a European final and have failed also to protect the integrity of their own competition. Should Rangers overcome Fiorentina and reach the final in the City of Manchester Stadium, it will be in spite of the people who are supposed to be working for the benefit of the Scottish game. If Rangers claim European glory, Lex Gold and the rest shouldn't dare try to bask in the success. No doubt he'd be tempted but it would be disgraceful if he were to hold up his league structure as the reason for this success. In fact, in finding it impossible to assist Rangers properly in their quest to reach the heights, the SPL might inadvertently have boosted their determination to get the jobs done. Rangers now feel victimised. They believe it's them against an establishment they suspect were afraid to upset Celtic and if this anger is channelled properly it could give the Ibrox club added momentum at the most critical time of the season. Rangers are equipped to go to Parkhead and do just enough to end Celtic's interest in the title pursuit and then do the same to Fiorentina next Thursday. If they are in the final and cruising towards the championship, they would go to Easter Road next Sunday on an incredible high. Fatigue wouldn't come into it and Smith would then find himself trying to subdue his players just as Strachan has been doing in the build-up to tomorrow's match. Although they allowed Celtic to win the psychological and physical battles last time, Rangers know they can kill off their rivals tomorrow but it will take a tremendous effort, remarkable calmness and buckets of belief. They have to put everything out of their minds except this one challenge, simply because the outcome will have such a significant bearing on how many trophies they win. Three points tomorrow would give them vital breathing space in a hectic few weeks and you can be absolutely sure Smith has been using the SPL, as well as Aiden McGeady's comments, to fire up his men. He'll have been telling them to prove they don't need the SPL's help and to show McGeady, who said Rangers shouldn't be allowed an extension to the season, that the balance of power really has switched from one end of Glasgow to the other. McGeady, of course, will be one of the key players along with Shunsuke Nakamura and Barry Robson, but Rangers believe they have been pushed into a corner. They are wounded and there is only one thing they can do now. They'll come out fighting and despite their aches and pains they'll keep going until they drop. They'll be battling for Smith, themselves, and the fans. There are a lot of angry men in Smith's squad and if they really do believe this is their season, all their effort and sacrifices now come down to this one match, they could clamp both hands around the championship. Win tomorrow and they'll be on such a high they wouldn't need an aircraft to get to Florence but lose and they could crash and burn. There is just too much to lose in this one match and the very fear of seeing everything slip away in the wake of defeat could galvanise Rangers just enough to do what is necessary.

From Sporting Life The Clydesdale Bank Premier League season will be extended by four days to May 22 if Rangers reach the UEFA Cup final. The Scottish Premier League have revealed two provisional fixture lists, one which will be implemented if Rangers beat Fiorentina in their European semi-final, and the other for if they are beaten by the Italians. Both fixture lists include a run of two SPL games in three days for Rangers, who would have to play the Scottish Cup final two days after their final league game if their European run continues. If they miss out on the UEFA Cup final, which takes place on May 14 in Manchester, Rangers must play St Mirren on May 13 and May 15. That would allow the season to end on schedule, on May 18. However should Rangers overcome Fiorentina those dates would become unsuitable. Walter Smith's side would instead face Motherwell on May 17, rather than travel to Aberdeen the following day, which was due to be their final game of the campaign according to the original fixture list. They would then play St Mirren on Tuesday, May 20, and face Aberdeen on Thursday, May 22 - two days before their Scottish Cup final date with Queen of the South. The other matches involving top-six sides - Dundee United v Celtic and Hibernian v Motherwell - would also be played on May 22 to ensure the season finishes for each club at the same time. Because Fir Park would be required on May 17 if Rangers reach the Manchester final, Gretna's final match would have to be moved and a date of May 8 has been pencilled in by SPL chiefs. Rangers' outstanding games against St Mirren and Motherwell presented the SPL with their problem. SPL secretary Iain Blair said: "It is well documented that this has been an exceptionally challenging season in terms of fixturing. "The combination of a number of diverse circumstances has produced unparalleled scheduling problems. "The publication of these two models now gives our clubs, their fans and our broadcasting and other partners early notice of when these games might be played. "Our aim throughout has been to protect the integrity of our competition, balance the interests of our member clubs and have regard to player welfare and fixturing precedent. The models we have prepared seek to discharge this aim. "Both models reflect the fixturing complications the SPL has faced this season. "The first model will be adopted if Rangers FC fail to beat Fiorentina in the UEFA Cup semi-finals. "The second model exceptionally provides a modest extension to the season to enable Rangers to represent the SPL and all of Scottish football in the UEFA Cup final. "It reflects the fact that the outstanding fixtures cannot reasonably be played in the available time and will involve some disruption for a number of our clubs. "This model will involve moving the last round of top-six games to Thursday May 22. "It is clear that future requests for changes to our scheduled fixture list will have to be compelling before approval is given." Games have been postponed for varying reasons this season, with four put back to later dates following the death of Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell in December. Eight have been postponed due to waterlogged pitches; the two games involving Rangers and Celtic ahead of Scotland's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Italy were called off after a Scottish FA request; and Rangers succeeded in a request to have their SPL game against Gretna postponed in December to afford them extra preparation time for their Champions League game against Lyon. ===================================== SO if we make the UEFA final we have to play that Final on May 14, followed by a game on May 17 and May 20, May 22 in the league and then the SC Final on May 24 - Gee, thanks SPL. That is a ridiculous run of games and the sole reason it seems they are doing it is such that the SC Final is the last game in the calendar - move it back a week or two. Even if we don't make the UEFA final we are being asked to play May 13, 15 and 18 to close out the season - again, 3 games in 5 days and the Tims think everyone is trying to help US win the league - aye, right !! Why not stretch the games at least a bit - May 13, May 17, May 20 - then the SC final on May 24 ? If this was the Tims being faced with the same fixture back-log and being asked to play 5 games in 10 days there would be outrage.

Saturday, 19 April 2008 ---------------------------- Time----------TV Celtic v Aberdeen------------15:00 Falkirk v Gretna--------------15:00 Hearts v St Mirren-----------15:00 Inverness CT v Kilmarnock----15:00 Sunday, 20 April 2008 ------------------------------Time----------TV Dundee United v Hibernian-----14:00---------*** Celtic v Aberdeen I don't think anybody outside Pittodrie think that Aberdeen will take anything from this game. The only ray of hope we have is that in the same fixture last year Aberdeen won but by that time the league was well sewn up. Celtic will have gotten a burst of confidence from their win on Wednesday and know they are still in a must win situation,so they will throw everything at the Dons. Aberdeen are at a low after their defeat to Queen of the South in last weeks Scottish Cup game and only the slender hope of an UEFA Cup place will give them something to fight for. I, like most don't expect any favours from Aberdeen but who knows after a peak comes a trough so maybe Celtic will hit a trough and Aberdeen a peak. Celtic win. Dundee United v Hibernian. Only one goal separates these two teams with United having let in one goal less than Hibs. They both will be hoping to leap-frog Motherwell, who do not play this weekend due to Rangers playing in the Scottish cup. The fight for the UEFA cup place makes this a game worth winning for both teams. A draw will have Motherwell a laughing third party. Dundee Utd have been playing some excellent football of late Whereas Hibs seem to have taken a more long ball style since the arrival of Mixu Paatelainen. United should win this one having the home advantage. Dundee UTD win. As Gretna are already relegated and only really pride to fight for in the bottom six i am not going to waste many words on it as i don't really think anyone cares to be honest. Possibly not even the teams themselves. I will go for a: Falkirk,Hearts and Inverness win.

RANGERS could face 14 fixtures in the final six weeks of the season if they stay on course for glory in the Scottish Cup and UEFA Cup. The Ibrox's side's outstanding trips to St Mirren and Motherwell have still to be scheduled and if Rangers do progress in both competitions it will be a challenge for the SPL to find suitable dates. Here is how the fixture line-up looks for Rangers: April 13 - Partick, Scottish Cup quarter-final replay (away); April 16 - Celtic, SPL (away); April 20 - Possible Scottish Cup semi-final v St Johnstone (Hampden); April 24 - Fiorentina, UEFA Cup semifinal 1st leg (home); April 27 - Celtic, SPL (away); May 1 - Fiorentina, UEFA Cup semi-final 2nd leg (away); May 4 - Hibs, SPL (away); May 7 - Motherwell, SPL (home); May 10 - Dundee Utd, SPL (home); May 14 - Possible UEFA Cup final v Bayern Munich or Zenit St Petersburg (Manchester); May 18 - Aberdeen, SPL (away); May 24 - Possible Scottish Cup final v Aberdeen or Queen of the South (Hampden). TBC: St Mirren (away), Motherwell (away). Fook me,it's quite frightening when you look at this list

Thu 10 April Sporting v Rangers -UEFA cup Qtr Final 2nd leg Sun 13 April Partick Thistle v Rangers - Scottish Cup Qtr Final replay Wed 16 April Celtic v Rangers - SPL Sun 20 April If we beat Thistle - Scottish cup semi final v St Johnstone Potentially away to Motherwell in SPL if we lose to Thistle. Thu 24 April If we beat Sporting - UEFA cup semi final 1st leg If we lose to Sporting, free midweek so potential SPL midweek match away to either St Mirren or Motherwell. Sun 27 April Celtic v Rangers - SPL Thu 1 May If we beat Sporting - UEFA cup semi final 2nd leg If we lose to Sporting, free midweek so potential SPL midweek match away to either St Mirren or Motherwell. Sun 4 May Hibs v Rangers - SPL Wed 7 May Rangers v Motherwell - SPL Sat 10 May Rangers v Dundee United - SPL Wed 14 May Potential UEFA cup final Or free midweek so potential SPL midweek match away to either St Mirren or Motherwell. Sun 18 May Aberdeen v Rangers - SPL Sat 24 May Scottish Cup Final

Saturday, 5 April 2008---------Time-----TV Celtic v Motherwell------------15:00 Gretna v Inverness CT---------15:00 Hibernian v St Mirren----------15:00 Kilmarnock v Hearts-----------15:00 Sunday, 6 April 2008----------Time------TV Dundee United v Rangers------14:00-----*** Monday, 7 April 2008----------Time------TV Aberdeen v Falkirk-------------19:45----*** Celtic v Motherwell. Hopefully the return to form of Motherwell will carry on to Saturday and they can at least squeeze a draw out of the Eastend mob. Motherwell had a massive say when we won the league on Helicopter Sunday. Lets hope they can do the same again. I will hope up a draw. Draw Gretna v Inverness CT. Gretna are treading water until the end of the season and are just there to make up the numbers. Caley win. Hibernian v St Mirren Mixu got Hibs off to a winning start but that got abrubtly halted against Motherwell last week. To be honest i think he is the worst manager Hibs have had in recent years and looks to be taking Hibs from a slick passing team to a long ball team. Not impressed by his managerial skills so far and i can see St Mirren grinding out a draw today. Draw. Kilmarnock v Hearts Hearts are fighting for a top six place while Killie are going through the motions until the end of the season. Hearts need to win and then hope that Aberdeen do them a favour by beating Falkirk on Monday. A Hearts draw or defeat opens up the road for an Aberdeen top six place but dew to the stupid Monday fixture, if Hearts win then Aberdeen have realistically no chance of getting in to the top six and will send a deflated team out on Monday. These two games should have been played at the same time to have all three clubs fighting for a place on even ground. Hearts win. Dundee Utd v Rangers. Funny enough i think United gave it their best shot against us in the cup and we will have it easier in this game. All the tims will be looking for us to slip up in this one. Personally I think we will surprise everyone and the players will be up for a revenge match. We will dictate the play and win relatively easy. Hopefully! Rangers win. Monday, 7 April 2008--------Time---------TV Aberdeen v Falkirk-----------19:45-------*** As i said above if Hearts win then Aberdeen have realistically nothing to fight for. If Hearts drop points then this will be a cup tie of who gets the last top six place. Personally i think Falkirk can hold out for a draw but to win at Pittodrie is a different kettle of fish. A Hearts win the day before will influence this game so much that it makes it a mockery. These games should have been played at the same time. Aberdeen win.

Saturday, 22 March 2008 -------------------------------Time------TV Dundee United v Motherwell-----12:30----*** Aberdeen v St Mirren------------15:00 Hearts v Falkirk-----------------15:00 Kilmarnock v Inverness CT-------15:00 Rangers v Hibernian-------------15:00 Sunday, 23 March 2008 --------------------------------Time-----TV Gretna v Celtic-----------------14.00-----*** The great thing for Motherwell this week is they don't have to play at fir park, which gives them a bit more certainty that the game will go ahead. This game can probably be classed as the best of the rest as Dundee utd, Motherwell and Hibs fight it out for the third position. Motherwell haven't really hit the same heights as they did before the turn of the year and the tragic loss of Phil o"Donnel. Dundee Utd played brilliantly in the CIS cup final against Rangers last week and were only minutes away from winning before a lethal mistake from Mark Kerr threw Rangers a lifeline with United losing out on a penalty shoot-out. If United play anything like last week they should make the best of their home advantage. United win. Aberdeen have been on a free-fall the last few weeks and will be struggling to get in on a top six place.From what seemed to a good season for them suddenly went pear shaped. Knocking Celtic out of the Scottish cup could offer them a platform to bounce back. St Mirren have given some gutsy performances this season but with the reduction of points from Gretna their season is as good as finished. nothing to lose and nothing to gain. Aberdeen still have things to play for and should be more hungry. Aberdeen win. Hearts v Falkirk is the topper in the fight for the last place in the top six. Falkirk are holding all the aces at the moment but there are only three points between them ,Hearts and Aberdeen and who would not expect Hearts to make a final sprint. I expect Hearts to win this one but Falkirk will stay top on goal difference, although that will also be minimal. Hearts win. Kilmarnock v Inverness CT has again lost any real interest with the demise of Gretna and Killie have only really pride to play for. Caley could still fight to top the bottom six but in reallity these two teams can start to look to putting things in place for next season. I can see this ending in a draw. Draw. Rangers v Hibernian is surely the top game this weekend and why setanta have chosen to show Gretna v Celtic beats me. Surely a case of pure inflexibility in programming. This is one of the most important games we will get in the run in to the title. As i believe that the old firm will roughly share the points in the head to heads the games against the sub-top teams will become more important.Barry Ferguson will return from injury putting off an operation on his ankle to the summer months. Whether you like him or not he certainly has a great Rangers heart. I will surprise everybody and say i am glad he is back as i don't think this is the game to experiment. Hibs beat us last time round at Ibrox but we have stepped up a notch since then and we will hopefully return to form for this one. I can't go against Rangers as it is a must win game for us. Rangers win. Gretna v Celtic. can't really say much about this game as i think it is a non-event and only good for celtic to take advantage and build up their goal difference but we live in hope. Celtic win.

If we beat Hibs tomorrow and Partick a week on Wednesday we'll play either St Mirren or St Johnstone in the SF of the cup. QOS v Aberdeen/Celtic is the other tie.

Silly stuff having it straight away after the saturday games. Its St Mirren or St Johnstone v Rangers or Hibs or Patrick Let some games get concluded before the draw

-----------------------------Time--------TV Hibernian v Celtic------------12:30------*** Falkirk v Motherwell----------15:00 Gretna v Dundee United------15:00 Inverness CT v Hearts--------15:00 Kilmarnock v St Mirren--------15:00 Rangers v Aberdeen----------15:00 To a certain extent the roles have been turned around as from Wednesday, with Rangers supporters looking for an Edinburgh club to do us a favour. Celtic make the journey to Easter road hoping to avenge their defeat there earlier in the season, thanks to two blunders by Boruc. Hibs have returned to form since Mixu Paatelainen took over the reigns. Easter road is always a difficult game and has been a nightmare for goalkeepers of late. Celtic will put the pressure on Rangers by moving to within one point if they win but will give us an extra reason to fight for the win if they drop some points. I am hoping for at least a draw here but a Hibs win would be fantastic. Draw. Motherwell have had a dip of late only picking up one point in their last two games against Hearts and Aberdeen. Falkirk lost to a rejuvenated Hibs on Wednesday so both teams will be looking to get back on track. I will take Motherwell to shade this one as i feel they can play as good in away games as at home and they have simply better players. Motherwell win. Gretna v Dundee UTD. Remember all those games ago Dundee United could have topped the league by beating Gretna. They failed then against a Gretna team that had hardly won a point. Gretna have been showing a bit of form recently losing to Rangers with a good performance and beating Kilmarnock 4-2 on Wednesday. Personally i think Gretna are the hungrier team at the moment and i think they will pull off another shock. Gretna win. Inverness get a visit from Hearts and this looks like the best draw on paper for me. I feel Inverness at home will be good enough to hold a Hearts team who have just sold their top goal scorer.I don't see Inverness strong enough to beat Hearts so that leaves the draw. Draw. Killie against StMirren is another of those games that could go either way depending on the teams that turn up. In the last two games Killie destroyed Aberdeen but got drubbed by Gretna. St Mirren were robbed of a point against Celtic and luckily took a point against Dundee Utd. I am going for the Mirren on this one St Mirren win. Hopefully with Rangers and Aberdeen both teams will run to form. Rangers have won their last ten games and Aberdeen have taken one point in eighteen. If Rangers hit the form we did against hearts they can put our name on the SPL trophy but unfortunately until now this was together with the Celtic game at Ibrox, more of an incident than a regular happening. Aberdeen always step up a gear against us but hopefully we are starting to show the stuff champions are made of. Rangers win.