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Wednesday, 16 April 2014 13:00 Boss Hopeful On Injuries Written by Andrew Dickson ALLY McCOIST is hopeful of being able to call on some different faces at Stenhousemuir on Saturday as recently-injured players and under-20 squad members become available again. The manager went into last night’s game against Forfar without Lewis Macleod, Andy Little, Cammy Bell, David Templeton and Lee Wallace. Of those, there’s a chance Bell and Little could return to the fold at Ochilview but the other three will definitely miss out. McCoist also omitted his youngsters yesterday because of the fixtures they have to fulfil at their own level. Gordon Durie’s team played 120 minutes on Sunday in energy-sapping conditions against St Mirren in the SFA Youth Cup and hosts Partick tonight in the SPFL Under-20 League. But with a free weekend ahead for them, there will be the opportunity to bring selected emerging talents into the first-team pool once more. That means the likes of Calum Gallagher, now with five senior outings under his belt, and Charlie Telfer – a regular substitute in 2014 – could feature against the Warriors. McCoist said: “I would hope we’ll bring some people back again. We don’t seem to get an injury where someone returns after one game out. “I’d be really hopeful a couple of the boys can get themselves fit and turn up for their work against Stenny, who will make it really tough for us. “The ideal situation is we’ve a healthy squad to pick from and nothing annoys me more than a busy treatment room. We want to avoid that at all costs.” One other concern for McCoist is the fitness of Arnold Peralta, who had to go off against Forfar yesterday with a hamstring strain. The Honduran international is being assessed today at Murray Park and the manager is hoping the issue isn’t too serious. McCoist added: “The last thing we need is more injury problems. I read somewhere we have 57 players but I’ll need to have a good look to see where they are. “Arnold, Andy and Lee are all good, good players for us but we’ve got injuries all over the place. It’s like a hole in the head.” http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/6782-boss-hopeful-on-injuries

Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 1m FT' - There's no doubt the Light Blues merited a hard-fought win and now they'll play Hearts for the trophy. It's finished 1-0 in Paisley! Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 1m FT' - It's all over! Rangers' game of patience pays off and they're into the SFA Youth Cup final, with Ramsay's goal winning it for them Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 18m 105' - It's Ramsay's last contribution too as he is then subbed for Scott Roberts. Rangers are 15 minutes from the final, come on! Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 18m 105' - In the last action before the half-time whistle, he collects from Sinnamon and lifts over the keeper from the edge of the area. 1-0! Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 19m 105' - At last, right on the stroke of half-time in extra time, Rangers make a breakthrough and it's richly deserved as Darren Ramsay nets! Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 20m 105' - GOOOOOOOOOOOAL RANGERS! Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 27m 98' - Rangers make their second change, with Ryan Hardie replacing Jamie Burrows in attack. Still 0-0 against St Mirren in Paisley Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 34m 91' - And extra-time is underway. With the game still goalless, Hearts await the winners in the final after they beat Kilmarnock yesterday Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 39m FT' - It's still 0-0 here at St Mirren Park which means we're heading for extra-time in today's SFA Youth Cup semi-final. Come on Rangers! Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 1h 72' - Rangers make their first change as they push for a winner, with striker Danny Stoney coming on in place of defender Greg Pascazio Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 1h 57' - Midfielder Charlie Telfer drills the resulting free kick into the wall as the hosts hang on to parity. It's still 0-0 here in Paisley Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 1h 57' - RED CARD! Saints' Barry Caddihy takes down Darren Ramsay just outside the area and is dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 1h 46' - The Light Blues had the better chances in a first half played in windy conditions but so far haven't been able to make a breakthrough Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 1h 46' - The second half is underway as #Rangers look to make a breakthrough here in Paisley against the Buddies in the SFA Youth Cup semis Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 1h HT' - The opening 45 minutes have come and gone without any goals here at windy St Mirren Park and it's 0-0 at the halfway point of the game Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 2h We'll have live updates from St Mirren Park right here as the goals and major incidents comes. Kick-off is a little over 15 minutes away! Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 2h St Mirren sit second bottom of the league but have won three of their last six games. Gers are third but are without a win in three outings Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 2h #Rangers have met St Mirren twice in the SPFL U20 League this season, winning 2-1 in Paisley in September then 4-0 at Murray Park in January Expand Reply Retweet Favorite Rangers Youth ‏@RFC_Youth 2h Here's today's team sheet. Gers make two changes from Tuesday, with Pascazio and Burrows replacing Gibson and Walsh pic.twitter.com/bP6p4m1ZHQ https://twitter.com/RFC_Youth

Today Dundee United fielded a side with an average age of 23. It's fair to say they will develop and improve. Conversely, our average age was 28. I think the most depressing thing about that is our current squad isn't going to be improving at all. It needs gutted, no long term vision or intelligence has applied. All we can really hope for now is a change of ownership to gut the club from top to bottom. The football is shite, we aren't playing youngsters and the future does not look bright. Also, someone on here suggested that the reason we are not just playing the kids now with nothing to play for was to keep them fit for the cup games. Well we will soon see that this is nonsense. Our average aged squad approaching 30 will saunter on until the end of the season with the club achieving no progression. Dundee United 01 Cierzniak - 30 16 Wilson Booked (Watson - 61' ) - 29 26 Robertson (Gomis - 85' ) - 20 08 Rankin - 30 20 Souttar - 17 05 Gunning Booked - 23 19 Gauld (Dow - 67' ) - 18 06 Paton - 26 21 Ciftci - 22 10 Armstrong Booked - 22 11 Mackay-Steven - 23 Average age: 23 Rangers 1 Simonsen - 35 02 Foster - 28 05 Smith - 28 08 Black Booked - 29 06 McCulloch - 35 03 Mohsni - 26 04 Aird (Clark - 63' ) - 19 07 Peralta Sosa - 25 09 Daly - 31 10 Shiels - 29 11 Law - 26 Average age: 28

The Rangers board and I issued separate public statements following our meeting last month. I made one correction to the RangersÂ’ statement but the Rangers board saw no cause to correct my statement. The board recommitted to issue the business review within the original 120 day deadline and, importantly, committed that the fans will have access to this review prior to advancing funds by way of season ticket renewals. Despite strong reservations from fan groups I asked the fans to give the board time to honour this commitment. Part of my motivation was that any public company board is bound to act in good faith and that breach of such a share price sensitive commitment would be an ethical, moral, and probably criminal breach. I followed up on this commitment with the board after the recent announcement on season ticket renewals. The Chairman has advised me that the board will now only issue the review at the end of the season ticket renewal period and it will consequently not be timeously made available to fans. Disturbingly, the Chairman has advised me that the true intention of the board had always been to delay issuing the review until funds had been largely collected. I apologise to all fans for wasting time by lending credibility to the board’s false representations. I was wrong to give them the benefit of the doubt. At least we now can no longer have any uncertainty about governance at the club. It is common cause that the club is not a going concern without access to the season ticket loan from the fans. It is also common cause that the season ticket money will only provide partial relief in advance of a more permanent recapitalisation. I have hitherto urged restraint in dealing with the board, however due to this extreme act of bad faith I believe that it is vital that fans now withhold season ticket money from this board and similarly refuse to support the club by way of the purchase of replica kit or any other retail product. An announcement will shortly be made providing details of a bank account that season ticket money can be paid into as an interim measure. The specific terms and conditions of this account will be made available to fans, including the basis on which funds will be advanced to the club and the basis on which funds will be returned to fans. As a minimum, the board must provide the club property as security against the season ticket money. I recognise that fans will have anxiety about “betraying” the club and the risk of loss of a cherished seat at Ibrox. However, the time has come when the trade-off is a potential loss of a seat against the loss of the club. That would be the real betrayal. This board has lost its right to be dealt with on a good faith basis. Richard Gough has agreed to join me as a custodian of the bank account that will be established and fan groups can nominate additional members.

I'm not wanting to start an 'Ally bashing' thread as such as right now I don't think there is any point. We could argue all day about decisions, tactics etc. After speaking to/texting all of my mates/family during/after the game yesterday it was clear than NONE of us wanted Ally to remain in charge. And a few of us were complete Ally defenders of late. Some may have been just a knee jerk reaction to the result I'm not sure. Which led me to this, is there anyone that actually wants Ally to stay? And if so why?

It has been coming but could be official today if they lose against Hibs. What a game for them to lose. It will get the SPFL and SFA licking their lips at money maker with the only show in town v Hearts 4 times next season.

Rangers one up 2 min (gasparotto) ‏@RFC_Youth 16' - Rangers make their first change as Tom Walsh has to withdraw early through injury. Danny Stoney's on in his place. Still 1-0 to Gers @RFC_Youth 34' - Gallagher is brought down in the box as he collides with home keeper Hurst after Stoney's through ball and the ref points to the spot 35' - GOAL! Dylan Dykes strokes home beautifully as he makes it 2-0 with a composed effort which rolls in low to the keeper's left hand side HT' - And there's the whistle as the first half ends with Rangers leading St Johnstone 2-0 through goals from Gasparotto and Dykes in Perth Reply With Quote

I was going through some old stuff at the weekend and came across a folder with the team photos from 1960-61 to 1967-68 (one missing 1963-64) which adorned the walls of my bedroom as a child. I’m going to start with this one of the 1961-62 line up because it is the only glossy photo, the rest are newspaper cuttings. It is stamped on the back “RECORD COPYRIGHT RESERVED” but hopefully it will long since have passed into the public domain. [/img] In those days, the big pre-season friendly, was the First Team v the Reserves and you can see the large crowd it drew. Another reason to start with this one is that the players are not named so you can have some fun trying to put names to faces. (I've played about with it endlessly on Imgur and this is the best size I can come up with that isn't just a small thumbnail or so big only half the picture appears. If Zappa or anyone else in admin can make it a bit bigger that would be appreciated.) The trophies won the previous season are displayed: League Championship (32nd time) League Cup and the Reserve League Cup. The 1961-62 Rangers finished second in the League on 51 points (2 for a win back then) from 34 games in the old 18 team First Division, behind champions Dundee on 54 points. However, we won the League Cup, the Scottish Cup and the Reserves won everything there was to win: Reserve League Championship, League Cup and Second XI Cup. Rangers defeated Hearts 3-1 in a League Cup Final Replay after drawing the first match 1-1 (Jimmy Millar). The regular forward line of the day: Scott, McMillan, Millar, Brand and Wilson broke the Hearts with goals from Jimmy Millar, Ralph Brand and Ian McMillan in the first 21 minutes. At that time the European Cup was a straight knock-out competition for champions only with all matches played over two legs. In the First Round Rangers defeated Monaco 3-2 home and away. The French described our performance beneath the ramparts of Prince Rainier’s palace as “Magnifique”. The second round posed a strange “cold war” problem. The draw sent Rangers to East Berlin to play Vorwarts (pronounce Vorverts) and Rangers returned with a 2-1 victory. However, the Allied Authorities refused Vorwarts visas to travel and it was decided that the game would be played in “neutral” Malmo; actually it was played twice! The first match on November 22nd, 1961 was abandoned at half time due to fog with Rangers leading through a goal from 17-year-old Willie Henderson. The replay kicked off at 9.00 am the following morning and Rangers won 4-1 for a 6-1 aggregate, to bring forward a Quarter Final against Standard Liege. Eric Caldow pulled out of the away leg with an injured toe, 30 minutes before the kick off and was replaced by 19-year-old Bobby King. Teenagers Willie Henderson and John Greig were the right wing pairing (outside right and inside right). Rangers went down 4-1 in a mud bath before a “tempestuous, partisan crowd” (well, what would you expect?). Willie Henderson had been chosen to play again in the second leg ahead of Alex Scott whose fitness was in doubt; but Henderson got caught up in traffic on his way to the ground from Airdrie and did not arrive at the Stadium in time to strip for the match. Rangers won 2-0 but went out 4-3 on aggregate. As a 15-year-old, 28 clubs wanted to sign Henderson, “Manchester United and Aston Villa being the most persistent”; but he signed for Rangers on his father’s advice at age 16 and spent the next 12 years at Ibrox playing 478 times and scoring 36 goals. He won his first Scottish Cup medal in Rangers 16th Scottish Cup triumph when we defeated St Mirren 2-0 in front of 127,940 spectators who paid £17,980 (excluding stands!) at Hampden on 21 April 1962, the first of a three in row cup victories and my own first Scottish Cup Final. This was the legendary Rangers line up of the day: Ritchie, Shearer, Caldow; Davis, McKinnon, Baxter; Henderson, McMillan, Millar, Brand and Wilson. Four of our lads: Eric Caldow, Jim Baxter, Alex Scott (who was still selected for Scotland although he had lost his place in Rangers team to Henderson) and Davy Wilson, played for Scotland in the famous 2-0 win over England at Wembley. Wilson and Caldow (penalty) scored the goals for Scotland, to give us our first British International Championship since 1951. Ian McMillan scored Rangers 5,000th league goal v Raith Rovers at Ibrox on the 14th of October 1961 and I was there! The season ended with an incredible and highly successful three-match tour of Russia: defeating Moscow Locomotive 3-1; Tbilisi Dynamo 1-0; and drawing the last game 1-1 with Kiev Dynamo. Thousands of fans swarmed over the tarmac at then Renfrew Airport to welcome the team home. According to Professor Graham Walker Between 10 and 15, 000 flooded into the precincts of Renfrew Airport to salute the team on their return that June evening, with thousands more stuck in traffic jams on the roads from Glasgow. The fans indeed swarmed on to the runway. One journalist proclaimed that the ‘No conquering army ever received a more vociferous homecoming’, while the late James Sanderson, then a journalist for the ‘Scottish Daily Express’, called it ‘the greatest homecoming of any sportsmen to Scotland – bar none!’ (Rangers Standard) [/img] If this has been of interest I'll publish one season every couple of weeks or so for the next few weeks. Credit: The above account is drawn from Rangers - The New Era (sic) by William Allison, published in 1966.

If they manage to stave off the liquidators that is! Hearts beat Partick Thistle 2-4 today, but St Mirren beat Motherwell 3-2 and Hearts are now relegated....

The Compliance Officer has issued the following Notice of Complaint: Alleged Party in Breach: Leigh Griffiths (Celtic FC) Date: 30th March 2014 Disciplinary Rule(s) allegedly breached: Disciplinary Rule 86: Not acting in the best interests of Association Football by singing in public about Heart of Midlothian FC in administration. Principal hearing date: Thursday, 24th April 2014

Chris Jack ‏@Chris_Jack89 8h 'Easdales want to be the two main #Rangers powerbrokers - but may not be at Ibrox for the long term' Exclusive in Wed @TheEveningTimes

Robert Marshall and his son, Greg, have been heavily involved in the formation of Rangers First. Rangers First is a fan-led membership vehicle that aims to buy shares and achieve greater supporter involvement in the running of the Ibrox club. Matthew Lindsay of SportTimes met the lifelong Rangers fans and season ticket holders to speak about the ambitious project and their hopes for the future. How did you get involved in Rangers First? RM: I was invited up to the Supporters' Direct Scotland offices in Stirling. So I went and listened to two lads speak and I liked what they had to say. I thought: "If it can help Rangers I will give it a go." It was just about helping the club. As a fan, I was in. Then we had a meeting here (The Louden Tavern, Ibrox Stadium) to see if the body of the kirk, if you like, wanted to take the idea further. Richard Atkinson, a volunteer with Supporters' Direct who has been involved at quite a few clubs over the years, spoke to us. We had around 50 people here. And not one voice was dissenting. I think it is important to state that this is not anti-board or pro-board. It is pro-Rangers and pro- Rangers fans. At the first meeting we said: "Leave your egos at the door. Leave the politics at the door. Let's just see if we can do this." GM: We have people who attend our meetings who are at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to their attitude to the club board. If it is about individuals then it will fail. It is a vehicle that should be analysed on its own merits. What are the objectives of Rangers First? RM: The first target that Rangers First has is to obtain 5% of shares in the club. GM: That gives you powers in terms of calling a general meeting and getting answers to questions. It is all about getting what is called ACT - authoritative consultative transparency. That basically means the fans having a voice and the club having to listen to and engage with us. This is about the board engaging with the fans so that we know what the situation at the club is and we can all move forward together. It is not about getting a fan on the board. Our members would have to vote on having a representative on the board down the line. It has still to be decided. But, personally speaking, I think we would want a professional representing us. GM: The money the Community Interest Company spends must be to the benefit of the Rangers community. We can't just spend money willy-nilly. Initially, we just want to get shares until we can get the ACT. Once we get that then it will be up to the members to decide what we do with the money after that. We can fund specific projects that are and are to the benefit of the club. BuyRangers already exists. Why is Rangers First necessary? RM: By law we (BuyRangers and Rangers First) have to work together publicly because the schemes have the same principles and the same goals. We want to work together. But I think this vehicle could unite fans. GM: The key point about Rangers First is that it is not partisan. It is trying to unite the small groups into a bigger group. We are saying to them: "You are still allowed to have your differences. This is beyond that." There have been lads at the meetings we have had so far whose personal opinions I do not agree with. But their ethos is right. They genuinely want to put Rangers first. We need to engage with a wider fan base - and especially with fans abroad in countries like Australia and the United States. That is one of the advantages of Rangers First - we can accept payments from abroad. A CIC is to the benefit of the Rangers community and the Rangers community isn't defined by geography. It is what we decide the Rangers community is. And the Rangers community is global. It is basically anybody who considers themselves to be a supporter. They can contribute to it from abroad. The main strength of the CIC is its flexibility. For example, my father and I are going to donate our shares to it. We bought £1,000-worth of shares at the IPO. As well as money you can put shares in. A few of us are going to do that. RM: One of our representatives is going to Hong Kong this week to do a presentation to the Rangers Supporters' Club out there. Richard (Atkinson) also did a presentation with Orsa (Oceania Rangers Supporters Association) recently. We are really trying to engage with the ex-pat fans because it must be really hard for them looking in and not being able to do anything. What has the response to the scheme from Rangers fans been? GM: It is still in the process of being put together. But we have 1,000 members already. That is not bad after two weeks. We are due an update on that any day now. We were at a pub in Lanarkshire a couple of weeks ago at which 10 Rangers Supporters' Clubs were represented. Three of them joined up on the spot and seven took it back to their members. Nobody was against it. When people engage with it they say: "This is a good idea." It genuinely is a good idea. But we do need the support of the fans to make it work. At a small level, we could build up a small shareholding. But if we get larger numbers we will get the transparency the fans want. Has the ongoing financial uncertainty at Ibrox increased the interest in Rangers First? RM: I think it does increase enthusiasm for what we are doing. But I am keen for this not to be seen as a criticism of the board. I am not against them. I know they should not have spent the £22million that was raised at the IPO. But, as far as Rangers First is concerned, we are simply for the club. We are there to help the Rangers support. How many members do you hope to attract? RM: We would like to get to 20,000 to start with. Personally speaking, I think we can get 50,000. Now, I know people may laugh at that. But you had 200,000 at the Uefa Cup final in Manchester in 2008. You also have however many thousand abroad who are all desperate to help the club. I think we can have a worldwide membership of 50,000 within two years. How much does it cost fans to join Rangers First? RM: There are three boxes on the website - http://www.rangersfirst.org - you can join for £5 a month, £10 a month or £18.72 a month. There is also a life membership, Club 1872. That entails a £500 one-off payment. You get nothing out of it other than the satisfaction you have helped Rangers. Plus, as a member you get a vote. GM: If we can get 1,872 signing up for a life membership it will give us enough money to buy circa 5% of the club. Dave King has stated he is prepared to put money into Rangers "along with the fans". Could that funding come from Rangers First? GM: It could. Buying shares as individuals has not given us any dividend so far. Individual fans have roughly 12% of the shares. But we don't have anything to show for that. Buying as a collective, through Rangers First, would. RM: There is also a vehicle you can use. Say, for example, Laxey Partners were prepared to sell their 12% stake in the club, but Rangers First did not, at that time, have the money to buy it. We could say to them: "We will pay you for 4% a year." GM: We could provide them with a dividend and take the proxy for their shares and subsequently buy them a few years down the line. That is not something that necessarily is going to happen. But the CIC is flexible and you can do that. The other thing is we can approach the Rangers fans who currently own 12% of the club and ask them to proxy their votes to us. We would need to collect the signatures of the 4,500 fans who have shares before a general meeting. One of our committees is looking at shareholder engagement. Community ownership failed at St Mirren. How can it work at Rangers? GM: Amongst the clubs where this has been tried it has never been exactly the same. There are technical elements which are similar. St Mirren was a wholly-owned club. They had, for some reason, to buy 52% to make it work. They put in a legitimate bid and Stewart Gilmour, as was his perogative, decided not to accept it. There are successes. Dunfermline got over 1,000 members after they had already been saved. Hearts got over 8,000 fans paying in £15.50 a month. We want to achieve ACT at Rangers. The members will decide where we go from there. How optimistic are you about the future? GM: If this kind of vehicle had been about prior to administration I think it could have had a significant influence on the club. Maybe we wouldn't be in the position we are in now. Having said that, I think it will take off now. It may be a slow burner, but I think it will take off. Whoever puts money in can be assured that it will go towards the betterment of Rangers. I think we are getting there as a result of the meetings. We are starting to unite. Very few people want actual fan ownership. They want fan participation. What we are saying to the club is: "Be accountable to us." That is all we want, accountability. RM: We get nothing other than the satisfaction of helping Rangers and the Rangers community. I am not negative at all. I think Rangers are a sleeping giant. A good analogy would be they are a bear in hibernation. It is time the bear woke up. Get Rangers News Alerts by Email http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/it-is-time-to-unite-the-small-groups-and-waken-the-sleeping-giant-157872n.23841953

.........with Celtic showdown one win away and a cup final they hope never to contest again. It's time for Rangers to take a break from slogging through the epilogue of League One and face two matches that could change the whole story of their season. On Sunday, Ally McCoist’s side travel to Easter Road to meet Raith Rovers in the final of the Ramsdens Cup, hoping to win a first knockout tournament under their manager. Six days later, they welcome Dundee United to Ibrox in the Scottish Cup last-four. The merits of overcoming United to reach the season showpiece at Celtic Park are undisputed. Should Rangers be able to raise their game against Jackie McNamara’s Premiership high-fliers – and they would have to do so substantially after grimly toiling to victory at Gayfield – it would be their greatest on-field victory since the financial carnage of 2012. What, though, of the Ramsdens Cup? Where does that rank in the overall scheme of things? After all, it’s a competition Rangers would hope never to be involved in again come their planned top-flight return. Any attempt to belittle the importance of the occasion is, however, met with strong resistance from within the squad. Take Cammy Bell, who performed heroics for Kilmarnock when they blanked out Celtic to attain League Cup glory in March 2012. The goalkeeper is adamant that success in Leith this weekend would mean every bit as much to him as that remarkable Hampden day. ‘Definitely,’ he insisted. ‘This is a cup final and it’s for the club I love, Rangers. It’s a massive day for me and all the boys. We’re really excited about it. ‘The manager spoke to us at the semi-final and told us we would never forget being part of a Rangers cup final. We want to go and win it. ‘Raith Rovers are a very good side, so it will be a tough match, but we’ll train hard all week and make sure we’re prepared.’ Whoever watched events in Arbroath on behalf of Raith would have returned an optimistic report to boss Grant Murray. It required an 87th-minute goal from Fraser Aird to maintain Rangers’ 100 per cent away record in the league after Jon Daly’s first-half header was cancelled out by Paul McManus – following a dire back-header from Seb Faure. ‘We do have to raise our game for the matches coming up,’ admitted Bell. ‘We’ll need to be on top of our game. Dundee United will be tough for us but it’s a challenge the boys need to stand up to.’ However, Arbroath goalscorer McManus questioned whether Rangers have what it takes to get the better of his former club Raith - never mind United. Had Alex Keddie not turn a golden injury-time opportunity over the bar from point-blank range, League One’s bottom side would have taken a point. ‘It’ll be close on Sunday,’ said McManus. ‘Raith are taking 3,000 fans and it will be a good experience for their players. But they won’t just be going to cherish the occasion – they’ll want to win the cup. The last couple of weeks, Rangers have been poor. That isn’t just down to them, other teams are putting up a fight. I think Rangers will struggle next week to be honest.’ McManus still harbours a grievance about Arbroath’s 3-2 defeat at Ibrox in January and was similarly miffed at a second narrow loss, sealed when Daly’s shot was diverted in by Aird. ‘The goal they got? Same old Rangers,’ he said. ‘When things aren’t going for them, they get a bit of luck. Not just off the linesmen and referees – it was a ricochet off one of their players and the ball goes in the back of the net. At the end, Rangers were hanging by a thread. ‘I was arguing with Lee McCulloch on the park because I felt he went down too easy. Tough times: Paul McManus expects Raith to test Rangers +5 Tough times: Paul McManus expects Raith to test Rangers ‘We played them off the park at Ibrox and got nothing. They got a late penalty through Jon Daly, who I felt went down easy then. ‘They won that game and decisions like that… we even saw it on Saturday with certain decisions down the side, when the flag never went up. We worked hard and never got anything out the game. It’s typical Rangers.’ Those jibes will not worry McCoist as much as the diagnosis on a hamstring strain that forced Daly’s late removal. Losing him for the forthcoming cup encounters would a huge blow. Ian Black and Nicky Law also missed out with ankle and back problems respectively, while David Templeton and Andy Little are also fighting for fitness. Greater long-term concern surrounds Lewis MacLeod. The Scotland under-21s midfielder will travel to England this week to discuss treatment options after a virus affected the muscles around his heart. While no timescale has been placed on his return, McCoist is optimistic the 19-year-old will make a full recovery. ‘Lewis’ spirits are high and he has the best people looking after him,’ said goalkeeper Bell. ‘He’ll come back, I’m sure he will. He’s a strong lad. He will be round about the lads on Sunday and hopefully he is back involved soon. We support each other no matter what is happening.’ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2593016/Rangers-face-season-defining-week-Celtic-showdown-one-win-away-cup-final-hope-never-contest-again.html#ixzz2xUsyODRf

One club/stadium noticeably missing when you search Greater Glasgow for Sport>Football on http://www.visitscotland.com/en-us/info/see-do/searchresults?prodtypes=ACTI%2CATTR%2CENTE%2CRETA%2CTOUR&refined=1&refine-place=on&src_area=4651&refine-location=&loc_address=&loc_place=&loc_polygon=&src_location=&loc_placeprox=&src_pcproximity_bands=50%7C20%7C10%7C5%7C2%7C1&src_pcproximity_dist=50&refine-category=on&src_category=cg038&refine-name=on&src_name=football …#RFC@ofvoid

By Richard Wilson BBC Scotland There are still challenges to overcome, not least the continuing lack of a title sponsor for the Scottish Professional Football League, but individual clubs can still thrive. The level of debt being carried by top-flight teams is falling, and that presents an opportunity. Dundee United and Kilmarnock recently secured debt-reduction deals with Lloyds Bank. Two clubs whose financial priority had to be servicing seven-figure debts can now maximise the worth of their incomes. Celtic's interim results for the financial year to 31 December showed a surplus in the bank, while Motherwell, St Mirren, St Johnstone and Inverness Caledonian Thistle are all free of long-term debt. Hearts are due to emerge from administration with the Foundation of Hearts having taken over a debt-free club that will eventually be turned over to full supporter ownership when the purchase price is paid back through fan subscriptions. Ross County's rise up the leagues has been enabled by the largesse of Roy MacGregor. Hibernian and Aberdeen are still carrying debt, around £5m and around £9m respectively, but there is an appetite within Lloyds Bank to seek an outcome that protects the community aspect of football clubs, as seen in the deals struck with Dundee United and Kilmarnock. The effect is to present Scottish football with a chance to redraw its priorities and establish a time of financial stability. "Banks are taking more of a pragmatic view, which says that what we really want is out of this situation, so we will do a deal, if that makes sense, and if the club can sustain itself," says Charles Barnett, the professional sports group partner at BDO, whose annual review of football finances will be published at the beginning of next season. "There's been one or two clubs recently, like Motherwell, who since they got out of their [financial] troubles have regularly reported a break-even type model. That doesn't mean breaking even every year, but over a period of time, so a small profit one year and a small loss the next. John Souttar (left) and Ryan Gauld are two of Dundee United's brightest talents. John Souttar (left) and Ryan Gauld are two of Dundee United's brightest talents. "We have less sponsorship income in general around the country, TV revenues aren't going anywhere at the moment and attendances at some clubs are doing well and falling away a bit at others. It's an incredibly challenging environment. But this is an opportunity." The removal of debt burdens allows clubs to focus on reinvesting in sporting performance. Dundee United offer a prime example, since the club's youth development programme has delivered a regular supply of promising young talent into the first-team squad. Transfer fees were inevitably required for the likes of David Goodwillie - £2m to Blackburn Rovers - and Johnny Russell - £750,000 to Derby County - since United had debt payments to service. The Tannadice club can drive a harder bargain now that a group of fan investors have contributed to the wiping of £4m in debt . Clubs will covet the likes of Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Gauld, John Souttar and Andrew Robertson, but United are under no pressure to sell. This allows Scottish clubs more leeway in attempting to keep young talent in the country for longer before the financial pull of the English game eventually draws them south. Aberdeen are among those who have suffered from losing players before they establish themselves in the first team, with Jack Grimmer leaving for Fulham when he was 17 and Ryan Fraser leaving for Bournemouth at 18. Hibernian and Hearts have established a strong reputation for developing young talent, and Scottish clubs can exploit the worth of that reputation. English teams will always be able to offer higher wages, but many young Scots, like Goodwillie and Grimmer, have travelled south and seen their careers stall. To keep young talent in the country for longer, and to the benefit of Scottish football, players need to be certain that their game will develop further through regular first-team experience. That will enable them to become better and so still attract a future transfer, but clubs needs to be financially stable enough to make decisions based on sporting rather than income merits. "The stronger the club's financial position, the stronger they can be in the transfer market," says Ross Wilson, formerly head of football development at Falkirk and now head of football operations at Huddersfield Town. Continue reading the main story “I'm struggling to think of a club that has made significant investment in its youth academy and not managed to produce players” Ross Wilson Falkirk's former head of football development "But also, the stronger the club's brand becomes in terms of being regularly capable of producing young players, so they can eventually leave at a premium. "For example, Crewe Alexandria are a League One club, but when they sell players it's at a premium compared to clubs around them, because historically they have a reputation for being a strong developer and seller of players. "That could be replicated in Scotland, with clubs consistently producing players for the first team." Most clubs will have no option but to live within their means, so the ideal is to improve those circumstances. The benefactor model has been undermined following the financial collapses of Hearts, Rangers and Motherwell, while supporters are less inclined to welcome investment for the purpose of making a return because sporting performance needs to be the priority. There is also little wealth to be made in the Scottish game when external revenue streams are so modest. "No bank is prepared to lend new money into the sector in Scotland," says Barnett. "Therefore clubs have to learn to live within their means. And what's the purpose of a football club? "In my view, the objective should be to operate a balanced budget over a period of time, not making big or regular small profits." Youth development, smart player trading, all from a stable financial basis, offers Scottish football clubs an opportunity to build a sense of optimism. Supporters also tend to bond with home-grown talent, while the national team will benefit from a growing emphasis not only on academy graduates, but finding a way to keep them in Scottish football for longer so that if they eventually leave for England, they are better able to thrive at a higher level. "I'm struggling to think of a club that has made significant investment in its youth academy and not managed to produce players," says Wilson. "If you're making proper investment in it, in terms of the structure and the people you bring in, then it reaps the rewards of players being produced and being sold."

Yep Ally, full pre-season this year, good winning momentum at the moment, settled team by the looks of it. Now just 'go for it' in this game. There would be nothing worse going out of this tie at a wimper. If we give all and play fast attacking football but go out I would accept it as it gives a measure as to where we are but going out in poor fashion just turns attention onto Ally's ability to put a good team out again.

RANGERS are set to swoop for St Mirren midfielder Kenny McLean — but fear they could lose him to English football. Ibrox boss Ally McCoist has drawn up a list of targets for next season’s Championship campaign and the Scotland Under-21 star, is on it. McLean, 22, has also been targeted by several English clubs who know his Buddies contract expires this summer. Ipswich gaffer Mick McCarthy watched McLean in action against Hungary earlier this month. Leeds, Blackburn Rovers and Huddersfield have also been north to run the rule over McLean. Paisley gaffer Danny Lennon has admitted the highly-rated kid is unlikely to sign a new deal, but Saints will hope he decides to head south. If he does they would pick up around £350,000 in compensation as McLean has been with them since he was 14. If he moved to Gers or another Scottish club, a tribunal would decide Saints’ fee for developing the player. McLean grew up a Gers fan and was discarded by their youth system as a kid. But the prospect of joining his boyhood heroes might sway his decision. Ibrox boss Ally McCoist, has yet to find out what funds — if any — he’ll have to strengthen his squad this summer. But the deals of fringe men Kyle Hutton, Emilson Cribari and Steve Simonsen are all up and that could free up some cash. from the sun

.......because foul-mouthed fans were swearing too much:lol: BARMY Beeb decide bad language might breach Ofcom guidelines and move televised clash between St Mirren and Ross County back beyond the watershed A BAD-TEMPERED Scottish premiership clash was taken off air yesterday – because foul-mouthed fans were swearing too much. The relegation battle between Ross County and St Mirren was meant to go out “as live” on BBC Alba at 5.30pm yesterday. But officials decided the match might breach Ofcom guidelines and moved it back beyond the watershed to 10.55pm. Swearing from fans could be heard clearly on microphones around County’s Global Energy stadium. More than 3000 fans had packed into the Highland club’s ground for the game, which could prove crucial as both sides look to avoid the relegation play-off place. Tempers also flared in the stands and expletives were heard around the ground, breaching strict broadcast rules set by television’s industry watchdog. A spokeswoman for BBC Alba said: “In compliance with the rules set by Ofcom, where no programme that carries offensive language can be broadcast pre-watershed, BBC Alba had no choice but to defer broadcast of today’s Ross County v St Mirren match until post-watershed due to bad language picked up from the crowds.” Ross County have a low tolerance approach to swearing and announcements before each home game warn supporters of both sides to mind their language. As well as bad language from the pitch, St Mirren manager Danny Lennon and Staggies boss Derek Adams were sent to the stands after they were pulled following after a confrontation on the touchline. Supporters later claimed missiles were also thrown on the pitch during the home side’s 2-1 win. BBC radio sports pundit Jim Spence said on Twitter: “Bad language delays transmission of BBC Alba Ross Co v St Mirren game tonight. That’s ###@@@€€€€#### ridiculous.” A Ross County source said: “It was a bad-tempered match and there was a lot of foul language coming from the pitch and the stands. “Ross County are a community club who pride themselves on being family-friendly so it’s disappointing to hear BBC Alba have made this decision.” A club spokesman said: “I think it would be inappropriate to comment at this stage.” http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/bbc-alba-take-heated-premiership-3175312

bearing in mind that my football credentials come from sitting on my arse in the Govan stand and standing on what is now the Broomloan stand for 40 years, could I have fucked up Celtic's season any more successfuly than the whinging bigot? Given that the league has been awarded to Celtic before a ball is kicked; Could I have manged to lose the League Cup to a team from a division lower than mine on 100/th of the resources? mmm, yep, I'm inept enough to have done that. Could I have got my team twatted out of the Scottish Cup at home to a side with 1/10 of my resources? To be honest, I probably could have. Could I have gone through a Champions League campaign, winning 1 and losing 5? Probably not, to be honest. I'd have lost all 6. So there we have it, a bluenose of 40+ years standing could have been only marginally more inept and done only margianlly more damage to Celtic than Yellow Tooth. Of a possible 9 trophies he could have won, in the absence of the only real competition, he has had 3 handed to him before the season started and won only 1 of the remaining 6 possibles. And this whilst managing a club whose resources are greater han the rest of the league combined. Yeah, they're queuing up to take Neily south of the border, that's for sure.

Monday, 10 February 2014 12:45 Durie Seeks Another Positive Written by Andrew Dickson GORDON DURIE hopes Rangers’ improved form at under-20 level can lead to a better result against Aberdeen tomorrow than his team got when the sides last met. The Light Blues were beaten 2-0 when they played the Pittodrie outfit in the SPFL Under-20 League back in September. But that outcome came at a point when the side was struggling for form and it has picked up a lot since then, winning its last eight games in a row. Durie’s youngsters have also gone 13 games unbeaten in all competitions and that sequence has helped take them back to their early-campaign position at the top of the table. Gers travel to Peterhead’s Balmoor Stadium for a rematch with the Dons tomorrow afternoon in the title race, with kick-off at 2pm. Ahead of the long trip north, Durie is looking for better morale and a more consistent return from his men to bring the group a crucial away win. He said: “We’ll obviously be looking to keep our good run going but it’ll be a tough game because they beat us the last time we met. “We were disappointed about that so this is a match in which we’re looking to get a much better result. “Back then, we were having a bit of a dip but we’ve improved since then so hopefully we can keep our standards up. “Winning breeds confidence and that’s what’s happening with us just now. The boys are looking forward to every game at the moment. “They are pushing themselves a lot and the fact they lost to Aberdeen earlier in the year should be enough to motivate them.” Durie’s squad has shown itself to be extremely driven in recent weeks as a number of players have stepped up and made notable contributions. In that sense, he’s not having to do much to push them himself and is happy they’re taking care of that without needing extra encouragement. As much as anything, the coach believes the chance to get games for the first team is inspiring the group and he thinks a good number of his players merit a chance at that level. Durie added: “The gaffer has said that hopefully if the league’s won quickly, the young boys will get their opportunity and I’m hoping that happens for a few of them. “With the way they’ve been going in the last few months and especially recently, they deserve that.” http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/academy-news/item/6292-durie-seeks-another-positive

As the draw is to be made after the Dundee Hibs v St Midden game, I just thought I'd start a thread on it. What will be the best draw for us?, I want Albion Rovers @ Ibrox:rfcbouncy:

The Scottish Premiership is one of the best attended leagues in Europe 9 Feb 2014 08:47 NEIL DONCASTER claims attendance figures disprove much of the doom-mongering about the Scottish game. SPFL chief Neil Doncaster insists new attendance figures prove that Scottish football isn’t in crisis. The number of punters coming through the gates increased slightly last year to 3,786,598. And over the past three years the total tally across all four senior leagues is down just 1.4 per cent. So Doncaster claims the figures disprove much of the doom-mongering about the Scottish game. He said: “Our crowds are holding up pretty well when that is not the case for many other countries. “Per head of population our Premiership still has one of the best attendance records in Europe.” Aberdeen’s revival has played a key role with home crowds up 25 per cent to an average of 12,400. Hearts and Hibs also reported a rise last year while attendances have remained high at Ibrox despite Rangers playing in the lower leagues. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fan-figures-give-spfl-chief-3127359

.....they're not even in my top five THE former Wigan boss reckons Rangers lack of strength in comparison with other teams makes them an unlikely candidate to win the Scottish Cup in May. OWEN COYLE reckons Rangers shouldn’t even be among the top FIVE teams fancied to lift the Scottish Cup in May. Ally McCoist’s side are joint second with Dundee United in the betting to win the cup with tournament sponsors William Hill. Rangers have the second biggest budget in the country but Coyle insists that doesn’t automatically mean the League One side are likely to win major silverware. Gers face Dunfermline at home on Friday night with a quarter-final place at stake and Coyle said: “I don’t think they’d be one of the first five favourites for the Scottish Cup. Of course they can win it with a bit of luck but in terms of the strength of their team against the others I would have to say it is unlikely. “Coisty is a pal of mine, as is Durranty, we did our pro licences together. But I don’t see their team as one of the cup favourites. “I did the Airdrie v Rangers game for TV a few weeks ago. “Rangers started well but never got the second goal and then made heavy weather of winning it. “If I was judging it on that then I’d say they have some very good young players coming through but I don’t think they’d be one of the first four or five favourites for the Scottish Cup.” The former Wigan, Bolton and St Johnstone boss reckons the Scottish Cup has taken on extra importance this season for the Old Firm as they romp their respective leagues. But Coyle believes that if both Glasgow sides get through this weekend then McCoist will want to avoid drawing Neil Lennon’s team in the last eight. He said: “I can’t put myself in the position of being Rangers manager just now and facing Celtic although on any given day anybody could win it. “But the odds, with Celtic being so strong, are that they would win the game. “There’s no getting away from how dominant Celtic are at the moment. They are on their own just now. “Both Celtic and Rangers have the league effectively tied up and the Cup is now a focus. “I’m sure the Celtic players will be desperate to finish the season with the double again. “But it’s also there for everyone else to go and have that big day out at the Final and win the Scottish Cup. Celtic have already lost to Morton in the League Cup so it’s certainly not a foregone conclusion.” http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/owen-coyle-rangers-shouldnt-second-3112770

As with last game (that put us top of the league ) the game today has been switched to Murray park. It was to be at St Mirren with a 7pm kick off, but now - "Dear all, Please see updated details ahead of this evening’s fixture between Rangers and St. Mirren: SPFL U20 League Rangers v St. Mirren Murray Park, 6pm "

...........when the Scottish Premiership is so moribund should be wiped from history Edwin van der Sar holds a world record – when he was at Manchester United he went 1,311 minutes without conceding a goal in the Premier League. That record is under threat. Celtic’s Fraser Forster is currently on 1,035 minutes in the Scottish Premiership. But don’t you think it would be an absolute scandal if Forster took that record off the Dutchman? Celtic are a heavyweight champ bossing the ring, seeing off a succession of flyweights week in, week out. Every game is a mis-match for Celtic, it will be an embarrassment if Forster doesn’t break the record. It’s no criticism of the England man – he’s just doing his job. But it would be so wrong for a keeper at such a dominant club in such an uncompetitive league to take such glory. On Sunday, Forster broke Celtic’s clean sheet record when he shut out St Mirren, making it 11 in a row. Charlie Shaw – a 5ft 6in keeper, Celtic captain and legend - set the original record in 1922. Neil Lennon described Forster’s achievement as 'a testament to him and the players in front of him.' Really? As Lennon also said, Forster wasn’t 'overly worked' during the 1-0 win over St Mirren. He’s not been overly worked all season in the Scottish Premiership. Celtic’s wage bill is more than six times bigger than the next highest in the top flight north of the border. Rangers are out of the picture, and there is no serious challenge. So any records broken by Celtic at this time when the Scottish Premiership is so moribund should be wiped from history. Not only are they totally meaningless, they’re an insult to those who worked so much harder to break the record previously. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2551378/ADRIAN-DURHAM-My-four-questions-Manchester-United-fans.html#ixzz2sLmPGYf4 Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook