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After another not so glorious defeat in Europe under Walter what does the near future hold for the club? Some fantastic early performances have meant we exceeded most of our expectations in the toughest CL group but unfortunately we couldnââ?¬â?¢t go that extra two feet to snatch a draw and qualify ââ?¬â?? the whole campaign falling apart with JCDââ?¬â?¢s horror miss near the end last night. Down and out then ââ?¬â?? but still all to play for! Firstly, can I first say I obviously share everyoneââ?¬â?¢s disappointment at last nightââ?¬â?¢s result. First half we just werenââ?¬â?¢t good enough and while we managed to have plenty possession in the second, as has been the case for a few years now, we lacked the genuine creativity and width to cause Lyon problems. The two late goals made the result look worse than it actually was but one may accurately contend cancelling the game against Gretna resulted in a team who took 30mins to get into their stride while our inconsistency in selection must be addressed to avoid our constant ââ?¬Ë?Jekyll and Hydeââ?¬â?¢ displays during the actual game. On the other hand, itââ?¬â?¢s been just over a year since we were being turned over at home to St Johnstone so progress has been decent and we shouldnââ?¬â?¢t be overly critical in our analysis of the team. There is a lot to be proud of and the potential is certainly there for further improvement with a renewed challenge for the SPL. As such, we must all immediately lift the heads and move onto the next game which as we know is a tough home game against Hearts. How vital this game is cannot be stressed enough ââ?¬â?? Celtic being 5 points head but with us having two games in hand means in real terms weââ?¬â?¢re top of the table. Therefore, we must ensure we get the chance to develop that potential one-point advantage instead of stumbling right away as we have done too often this season. Unfortunately this will have to result in more changes in personnel. This means the invisible man himself Sir David Murray must again back the club with Her Majestyââ?¬â?¢s currency. Lurking at the back of the Directorââ?¬â?¢s Box last night and lurking in the shadows out with Ibrox on a day-to-day basis, itââ?¬â?¢s time Murray delivered on the grand promises of old. Around Ã?£12million was spent in the summer and thatââ?¬â?¢s a fair amount in todayââ?¬â?¢s climate but we need more. To help facilitate that Walter Smith needs to make a few tough squad decisions. Although all the following players have their positives and we could all make a case for them staying, they donââ?¬â?¢t play enough and unless the manager intends playing them, they have to be moved on to create funds for at least another two first choice players. Ehiogu, Webster, Hemdani, Burke, Buffel, Boyd and Cousin are just 7 players who appear surplus to to requirements, either via injury proneness, general attitude problems or simply not fitting into Smithââ?¬â?¢s way of thinking. We cannot afford passengers to if theyââ?¬â?¢re not going to be played ââ?¬â?? they must go in order to bring in the missing links that will affect our future. These are: 1. A creative attacking midfielder. Last showed that Barry Ferguson cannot play this role effectively enough. The skipper is a fine player but he plays better dictating things from deeper positions and thatââ?¬â?¢s where he must play alongside the ever improving Kevin Thomson. Having an attacking, creative player to feed off the recycling skills of Ferguson and the combative nature of Thomson is something the team has been missing for a long time. Is Thomas Buffel the answer? I doubt it and because of that we must find someone who can play that role consistently with the quality required to unlock defences home and away. 2. Another centre-half. As I wrote last week, we have a dilemma regarding Davie Weir. His effect on the team has been admirable but last night his limitations were exposed. As such, if Webster cannot prove his fitness (or legal position) we must find another experienced ââ?¬â?? quick, physical and aerially competent ââ?¬â?? to compliment Carlos Cuellar. Short-term pain for Weir; long-term gain for the team. 3. A left back. Not as crucial as the first two priorities but if Steven Smith cannot resume playing quickly; another left back would give more balance to the side. Sasa Papac has done well for periods this season but his limitations affect the team and too much important is placed on our right flank. Alan Hutton cannot be expected to deliver our only wide threat indefinitely. 4. A winger. With DaMarcus Beasley out for the rest of the season and Chris Burke almost as anonymous as our chairman, we have an obvious requirement for width. For all his physical positives, Lee McCulloch does not provide that and that results in all too predictable long ball tactics. Letââ?¬â?¢s utilise McCullochââ?¬â?¢s threat properly by having him win headers in the 6 yeard box, not 30 yards from goal out wide. A new winger (right or left sided) would help facilitate that. Unfortunately, buying 2-4 players of the quality required would cost a fair amount of money. Having already spent Ã?£12million, the chairman may not share our eagerness to build the team further. His medium-long term future is questionable and we have direct experience of his lack of genuine vision and ambition. However, we also know of Murrayââ?¬â?¢s ego and the great business skills he does retain. I have personal experience of the chairman scoffing at suggestions heââ?¬â?¢s not a real Rangers fan and how he supports the team as much (if not more) that any other bear. Is that emotional support compatible with more financial support? Well, we need both. At the same time, while these requested changes to the squad may well be imperative, we must also keep changes to a minimum. Weââ?¬â?¢ve already brought in several new players and our general inconsistency is testament to how the manager is taking time to find his best players. His initial target was to make us hard to beat and that target has been achieved. Now itââ?¬â?¢s time to move to the next stage ââ?¬â?? weââ?¬â?¢re hard to beat defensively but we need to make teams worry about our attacking threat again. Bringing in a new creative player (all suggestions to E. Chester, Murray Park please) is imperative to this development. The potential of players like Whittaker, Thomson and Naismith is exciting and all three will play an important part in every game between now and next summer. But they need help. For all their positives every one of them lack the experience to affect games in a creative sense so we must take that pressure off them and bring in an experienced player who can. Despite all the above I cannot stress enough itââ?¬â?¢s not all negativity at the club. Improvement has been obvious and just need to build on that. Our fans have been incredibly loyal in recent years without any success. Season ticket sales are still at record levels and no-one can question the financial backing or emotional support we give. Itââ?¬â?¢s time to repay that faith. Starting from the chairman right down to the dressing room we need to build on the relative advancement weââ?¬â?¢ve seen since January. Letââ?¬â?¢s move in the dead wood quickly and effectively. Letââ?¬â?¢s take the game to all our opponents. Letââ?¬â?¢s bring the title home. Time to get the battle fever on!

As the hours countdown to one of our biggest European games in recent years, it also heralds a hectic festive domestic schedule that will be critical on how well we do this season. If we fail (yeah, ever the pessimist) to gain the point we require, I still believe that having come so far in the CL this year, not getting to the last 16 will feel like a failure. This isnââ?¬â?¢t to say that we havenââ?¬â?¢t acquitted ourselves well in the CL, just that we had a fantastic start to the group and failing to cash in on this will somehow equate to failure. After the Lyon game, domestically, we face an action-packed festive period where we face the top SPL teams and the outcome of those games will give us an indication if we have what it takes to regain OUR title. The festive fixtures sees us entertain Hearts and travel to Sheepville, Easter Road and the festive fixtures concludes with a trip to The San Giro for the traditional New Year derby. This hectic schedule will test the squad to the limits and I predict a few nail-biting moments along the way. It is crucial that we emerge for this testing time (especially given our erratic away form) with CL qualification and with an edge of our rivals on the SPL. First up is (hopefully) another magical European night at Ibrox where the atmosphere will be electric. It is fantastic to read that Didier Drogba is the latest player to ââ?¬Ë?big upââ?¬â?¢ the Rangers support and the atmosphere generated at Ibrox. Drogbas kind words come hard on the heals of Henrys after the home leg against Barcelona. Lets not let Lyon down, lets make Ibrox a cauldron and get behind the players from the first minute to the last. I would appeal for Rangers to cease with the tannoyed music for this game, let the crowd generate the atmosphere and lets get Ibrox rocking. Walter Smiths team selection will be interesting given injuries to JCD and Run DMB. I had the feeling that Beasley was starting to settle into our style of play and like JCD offered us a fantastic option especially in Europe. Both these players had genuine pace and without them, I fear that we have no genuine pace in our team. I canââ?¬â?¢t see Walter Smith changing his formation for this crucial game, so itââ?¬â?¢ll be the tried and tested 4-5-1 but the choice of personnel will be interesting. The keeper and back four pick themselves. The midfield is where Walter Smith has options and heââ?¬â?¢ll be loathed to deviate from the tight 3 in the centre (Hendami, Fergie and Thomson) but with no Beasley, he has a decision as to who plays wide right. The candidates are SW, SN or moving LMcC to the right and playing Charlie Adam on the left. The last option is probably the one that WS will adopt and I can see why he might do this. Charlie Adam can deliver a set-piece and these could be our best chance of getting goals. The lone striker is a ââ?¬Ë?no-brainerââ?¬â?¢ ââ?¬â?? Cousin to play the lone role. It would appear that the Lyon game has come to soon for Buffel, and that is a shame as he is the type of player that you require on these huge European occasions. He has the experience, the skill, the guile to unlock defences and we could have benefited from a fit Buffel. In saying that, I believe that he will have a significant role to play for Rangers over the next few weeks. With the games coming thick and fast, Walter Smith will have to make changes for certain games so we have to hope that the fringe players can step up to the plate and drive us forward and ensure that our season kicks off rather than fizzles out before Santa retired to for another year. Cammy F ââ?¬â?? We Are The Peopleââ?¬Â¦.

So it all comes down to this. Wednesday 12th December 2007, 7:45pm Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. Eleven against eleven, 90 minutes of blood, sweat and tears (hopefully theirs!) Wednesday sees the culmination of the group stages of the Champions League campaign. Lyon visit Ibrox knowing a win will see them book a place in the last 16. Rangers are safe in the knowledge that avoiding defeat at Ibrox will see them join Europe's elite (and them) in the latter stages. Walter Smith's men have given themselves a fantastic chance of making the last 16 for only the second time. This is largely down to the start made to the group. A battling 2-1 against Stuttgart was followed up by a wonderful 3-0 against Wednesday's oppenents in their own back yard. Barcelona arrived at Ibrox on Matchday 3 and met a Rangers side who defended doggidly. They restricted Barca to very few clear cut chances and could have almost snatched victory, had Daniel Cousin taken his last minute chance. A 2-0 defeat in the Nou Camp coupled with a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat in Stuttgart has left Rangers requiring a point to secure their passage to the last 16. Another injury to Jean Claude Darchville is a blow. The big Frenchman's strength and running power would have been key if, as expected, Smith goes for his favoured 4-5-1 approach. I'd expect Cousin to be the lone striker, a role he played very well in the corresponding away fixture. Cousin will be looking to recapture that form. He's looked off the boil and dissinterested in recent weeks amid rumours of a move to the Premiership. I expect the rest of the team to be as you were, with Papac returning for Whittaker. _________McGregor________ Hutton___Weir___Cuellar__Papac __________Hemdani___________ Naismith__Ferguson__Thomson_McCulloch ___________Cousin____________ Prediction Rangers 1-1 Lyon Barry Ferguson

KIRK Broadfoot believes it will be impossible for Scotland boss Alex McLeish to ignore Kevin Thomson if he keeps producing the goods for Rangers. Thomson has been an ever-present in Walter Smith's side since clinching his �£2m transfer from Hibs midway through last season. The 23-year-old midfielder has shown he is not out of his depth at the top level in Europe this season as the Gers have moved to the brink of Champions League glory. And Kirk reckons that Big Eck will be forced to draft Kevin into the national team for their World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign. Just incase ye havent noticed Kirk he is 23 yrs old and in a B team plus he has done hee haw since he arrived at Ibrox

Dont think he is in a position to influence decisions over Thomson but he now says he will wait till Weir is 40 and retires just to get his chance at Rangers, bloody frightning thought so it is !!! İf he thinks just playing in the Rangers reseves for the next 3 yrs is all thats required of him then what sort of pool of players do we have The bottom line is Broadfoot will never get in the 1st team because he is rank rotten.....its better you find a new club Kirky if thats the attitude you have

...Surely has to played from now on. I thought we gave a much better account from ourselves when we switched to this last night. It may have been due to Thomson not playing instead of Adam but who knows. The line up we finished with should be our starting line up bar Cousin coming off for Naismith. Id really like to see Cousin and Darcheville together, even though i want to see Naismith get more minutes. Novo deserves to start on the right and we will have McCulloch on the left. Ferguson will play every game and Hemdani has to be a starter next to him. Why oh why he doesnt play in the SPL is beyond me. If he can play like that against Barca, Lyon and Stuttgart (who are better than the SPL teams) then why doesnt Smith play him every game. I dont buy the rough and tumble SPL game reason - he was POTY last season and can easy stroll the league games. All in all, I think we need to switch to 4-4-2. Our strongest line up IMO is: _________________McGregor________________ Hutton_____Weir___________Cuellar______Papac Novo_______Ferguson_____Hemdani_____McCulloch ___________Darcheville____Cousin______________

Head-to-head The 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture on 23 October was the first time these two teams had ever met. European history Last season, FC Barcelona reached the last 16 and were beaten by Liverpool (1-2, 1-0). In 1992, they won the Champions Cup and in 2006 they lifted the Champions League trophy. In 2005-06, Rangers were the first Scottish club to survive the Champions League group phase, reaching the last 16. Current European form Barcelona are unbeaten in their four Champions League matches, keeping clean sheets in all four. They are yet to concede a goal in this season's Champions League. Arsenal are the only other team to have kept three clean sheets in this season's competition. Rangers are on the longest running unbeaten streak in the Champions League of nine matches. It's a run which started with six consecutive draws. They are also undefeated in four Champions League away matches. VfB Stuttgart are the only team to score against Rangers in seven matches of European competition this season. Player and disciplinary info Kevin Thomson (Rangers) is suspended. Team mate David Weir will be suspended if booked. Thierry Henry is Barcelona's most prolific CL striker with 43 goals. The Frenchman is fourth on the all-time top scorers list of the Champions League. If Barcelona's Bojan Krkic scores, he will become the youngest goal scorer in Champions League history (17 years and 71 days) Other miscellaneous facts Barcelona beat Real Betis 3-0 on Sunday, and are now second in the Primera Division, a point behind leaders Real Madrid. Rangers beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2-0 on Saturday, and are second in the SPL, three points behind leaders Celtic. Definitions of terms used:- Champions League (CL) - only group phase matches and beyond of this competition which began in 1992-93. Champions Cup/Champions League - all matches played since it began in 1955-56 including qualification matches. European matches - all matches played in the major European tournaments (Fairs Cup, Uefa Cup, Cup Winners' Cup, Champions Cup, Champions League). Uefa Super Cups, Intertoto Cups and the old Intercontinental Cup competition are excluded. Big Match Stats source: Infostrada Sports

There has been a fair amount of debate recently regarding the formation and tactics deployed by Walter Smith as he attempts to be competitive both domestically and in the Championsââ?¬â?¢ League. Thus, is 4-5-1, described as ââ?¬Ë?anti-footballââ?¬â?¢ by Lionel Messi the spawn of the devil or is that far too simplistic a way to look at it? Firstly, I think itââ?¬â?¢s important to look at the context of when and why this formation is deployed. Obviously a game (home or away) against the cream of European opposition is different from a game against stuffy, well organised Scottish outfits. Thus, while 4-5-1 against Barcelona is exactly that ââ?¬â?? a defensive strategy to try and contain the oppositionââ?¬â?¢s attacking players - a 4-5-1 against Dundee Utd could and should be more attacking in its set up. So far this season Rangers have employed three different variations of this system: 4-5-1 per se with 3 central holding players and only one real attacking midfielder which allows for our strong defensive nature (eg v Barcelona); 4-1-4-1 which is still very defensive but with a strong central spine capable of attacking quickly on the counter (eg v Lyon); and 4-2-3-1 which is a solid unit much more offensive in its outlook (eg v Stuttgart). Moreover, in the majority of our games we have actually seen every one of these sub-formations depending on the in-game situation. Therefore, itââ?¬â?¢s easy to see that while the 4-5-1 formation may be the parent system, it is extremely flexible in situ and hence far too empirical to label it is as defensive outwith the most difficult of games. The formation also fits our current squad very well and we have players capable of playing many roles within it. Even the likes of Kris Boyd can fit into this style as long as the selected players support him properly (see Livorno last season as well as other games). ââ?¬Ë?Whatââ?¬â?¢s the problem then?ââ?¬â?¢ I hear you ask! Well, where this breaks down is the actual choice of players on the day and, indeed, this is where Walter Smith had made the odd error this season resulting in needless dropped points. For example, while it may be agreeable to play 3 holding players against the likes of Barca (Thomson, Hemdani and Ferguson usually); itââ?¬â?¢s not necessarily required against Dundee Utd or Hibs. Recently Smith opted for Thomson, Faye and Ferguson against Utd and because Ferguson isnââ?¬â?¢t consistent in the striker-supporting role we struggled to retain possession in the first half. He then dropped deeper and deeper; the midfield became too congested and chances were few and far between. Add to that the many SPL teams who will also use the same system against us, that then places a lot of onus on our wider players. We know the attacking qualities of Hutton and Beasley but Papac and McCulloch are not so creative and we lose a fair amount of balance in games. The result? Weââ?¬â?¢re easy to read, lop-sided, one-dimensional and unimaginative in our play. As such, this is where the ââ?¬Ë?anti-footballââ?¬â?¢ accusations come in. When we do struggle in games we quickly resort to bypassing the congested midfield and look for the strength and aerial threat of McCulloch and Cousin. Ergo, while the direct route may not be the most attractive of strategies sometimes it has to be used to grind out results. Indeed, this typical British style has helped our teams not just at home but in every European competition. Liverpool, Man Utd, Rangers and most recently Celtic have utilised the traditional route one style to bully opponents not always used to physical threats ââ?¬â?? playing some good stuff along the way. Is this 'anti-football'? Of course not! Football is a sport which changes in style throughout the years but some things never change. Is there a more defensively natured team that the current Italian World Champions? Do German teams achieve success through exciting attacking football or strong, solid team-play? Is English football based on skill and pace only? I think we all know the answers to those questions. Of course teams need to score goals to win matches but without a strong defence, exciting attacking play wonââ?¬â?¢t assure success ââ?¬â?? ask Spain and Holland! We all want to watch such football but I think every football fan would temper their expectations with realism generally. The simple fact is that almost every team at all levels will set their stall out to frustrate on occasion. Rangers are no different. Similarly, while such strategies may at first sight appear negative, itââ?¬â?¢s not always the case. Neither do they necessarily promote a less attractive style of football. The variation of 4-5-1 we played against Lyon showed stout defensive properties but the 3 goals we scored and some of our general footballing play was first class. Such tactics should not be the antipathy of good football but just one more positive example of the game. Walter Smith came back to a Rangers team struggling on many fronts. With a few shrewd transfers, by shoring up a leaky back-line and by giving a physical competitive edge to our midfield heââ?¬â?¢s managed to turn things around to a decent degree. Some results and performances have been excellent ââ?¬â?? some not so good. Generally the team is doing well and with a bit more flexibility, a bit more consistency of attacking personnel and some more time for the younger new players to settle, weââ?¬â?¢re not far off where we want to be. If that means continuing with 4-5-1 for another wee while until we do gel enough to have the kind of attacking understanding that confidence and consistency brings then so be it. That isnââ?¬â?¢t negative or ââ?¬Ë?anti-footballââ?¬â?¢ ââ?¬â?? just common sense and playing the percentages to maximise our chances of winning games. Isnââ?¬â?¢t that what the game is about?

I just want to go through our squad and pick out a few players (mostly Smiths buys) who have made a impression on me this season - good or bad. Firstly Im going to start with our keeper Allan McGregor. I was screaming for a new experienced keeper to come in during the summer as I didnt see McGregor as good enough for our No.1. However slowly but surely he is 1 player who is beginning to win over me a bit. He is improving as a keeper. He is no way a Goram or Klos and he still has a few things in his game to sort out but he is pulling of fine saves week in week out. Id still take a experienced keeper but its not such a issue now with AM improving. Steven Whittaker - He is one player who Im baffled about. I can easily think where his fee could have went to other than on him. Hopefully we dont see him on the right of midfield too often again. Kevin Thomson - Again he is another who still has to win over me. He has had a handful of good games here and there but I find him ineffective in games. He only plays well when Ferguson is tucked in beside him. Hemdani is in a different league to him. Amdy Faye - When he signed I thought he would be good back up and his premiership experience will see him in good stead. Holy shit! He has made 2 x 45 mins appearances and looks about as much as a footballer as Terry Wogan. If there is a defence for him, he has been thrown into 2 tough away games where he isnt used to the pace. An appearance at Ibrox in an easier game may have been a better way to start him of. Lee McCulloch - I wanted him a while ago and said his fee would be worth it. His physical pressence is priceless at times. He has had a few quiet games in the league but is a trier and is going well. Steven Naismith - Ive only seen a glimpse of him and I liked what I saw. Needs more first team action - even if its coming off the bench. DaMarcus Beasely - He has actually won over me a bit aswell. I had a bad impression of him coming to us after reading Pete's comments about him in the close season. But he does a decent job down the left. Daniel Cousin - He is playing with his hands tied IMO. If we could give him the right service and partner then he will be a nightmare for opposition defences. Id give him Buffel, Darcheville or Naismith upfront and he will cause huge problems. I like him! Alan Gow - I feel sorry for him. He hasnt kicked a ball. I cant work out why he hasnt even came off the bench and been tried. Hemdani - I know he isnt Smith's signing but he has to get back into the starting XI in place of Thomson and sit infront of the defence with Ferguson next to him in the midfield. Buffel - Again not a Smith signing - but must be given a try to play behind the front men/man. I think a team with Buffel, Ferguson and Hemdani in it and a Novo flying down one wing will hugely improve us.

What the f**k is Walter Smith up to? Why are we going to a place like tannadice and playing two holding midfielders and dropping the tempo to walking pace? He got it spot on against septic. Two attacking midfielders(fergie and adam)and one holding(thomson). Nice high tempo, got in their faces and gave them a right doin'. Does WS honestly think we only have to make that sort of effort against septic and not anybody else. We allowed another team to put US on the back foot from the word go. We went out on that park and played as if we just needed to turn up and we would win. Just a couple of another things. NAISMITH, why isn't he getting a game? He's got way too much talent to be constently sitting on the bench. Faye. Is it just me, or is he the worst player currently registered to play football in Scotland? He is F*****G woeful. What WS sees in him i'll never know. Sorry Wattie, but you're gonna have to do better mate.

LYON captain Juninho will escape punishment by UEFA for his blatant dive in last Tuesday's remarkable Champions League match - because it did not have a serious effect on the match. Davie Weir wrongly cautioned in LyonThe Brazilian midfielder conned Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo at a crucial stage in the game when he dived as Davie Weir went to challenge him just outside the box in first half injury time. Ovrebo not only awarded a free kick, he issued a yellow card to Weir. Juninho then took the free kick and came within inches of levelling the match as his shot hit the underside of the bar. UEFA have insisted that they are trying to eradicate "simulation" from the game but they have told rangers.co.uk today that they will only take action in a more serious situation - ie when a penalty is awarded as a result of deception. This happened recently, of course, with the two-match suspension handed out to Hearts player Saulius Mikoliunas for his blatant dive to earn Lithuania a penalty - which they scored - in the 3-1 Euro 2008 defeat by Scotland.Weir and Thomson celebrate the 3-0 win over Lyon Weir has no avenue of appeal against his caution - even although it has been proved to have been issued as a result of deception - but he had the last laugh as Rangers humbled the French side with their historic 3-0 victory. A UEFA spokesman told rangers.co.uk today: "There will be no case according to a preliminary analysis by a Disciplinary Inspector. "The player's action did not detoriate the regularity of the match as it resulted in a yellow card, which cannot be protested against, as well as a free-kick. Only serious acts of deceiving the referee are prosecuted such as diving resulting in a penalty." The fact that Weir now cannot appeal is absolutely scandalous. Again an innocent player is punished for something he never done and the perpetrator gets away with it. UEFA make decisions to suit themselves.

East Fife v Rangers 1986/87 For the Rangers fans of my generation, our League Cup tie against East Fife in 1986 was the first opportunity to visit Old Bayview. The game attracted over 10,000 fans who were shoehorned into the little ground in Methil. What I can remember from this game was that it was early in the Souness era and we went into the game on the back of an inconsistent start to the season, but we were odds-on to defeat the Methil Men. At the time, I was working beside an East Fife player - Stuart Burgess ââ?¬â?? who went on to play in the SPL for Falkirk ââ?¬â?? If I remember correctly, Burgess inflicted a serious injury on Colin West during the game after a horrific challenge and was on the receiving end of ââ?¬Ë?retributionââ?¬â?¢ from Terry Butcher. The game finished 0-0 after extra time and Rangers escaped with a victory after a tense penalty shoot-out (which was won 5-4). I am sure that we also missed a penalty in normal time, but that could be my mind playing tricks on me! The game wasnââ?¬â?¢t memorable for any reason, other than it was my first visit to Bayview. So what can the Rangers of 2007 take from the above game? Well, not to underestimate the opposition and not to take victory for granted. Also, it is worth noting that the League Cup campaign gave Souness his first trophy after we defeated Craptic 2-1 in the final. That victory gave is a springboard in the league as well. East Fifeââ?¬â?¢s greatest times were in the late 40ââ?¬â?¢s when they were managed by the great Scott Symon who guided the Fife club to ââ?¬Ë?Bââ?¬â?¢ championship and league cup glory. Further success was gained in the next decade including one season where East Fife led the first division championship race for almost the entire season, only to be pipped for the title by Rangers. For further information (itââ?¬â?¢s a decent read) can be gained from East Fifeââ?¬â?¢s official website - http://www.eastfife.org/details.asp?type=history6 Wunderbar What can I say about the marvellous start to our latest Champions League adventure? After a very nervous start, we came onto a game and in the 2nd half played some wonderful football. On a night like that, it is hard to pick out players for ââ?¬Ë?special praiseââ?¬â?¢ as the entire team were fantastic. However, the Stuttgart game demonstrated just how much we need Barry Ferguson and once again, BF shows us that he is one of the best midfield players this country has produced in the last 2 decades. His drive, desire, leadership qualities were there for all to see. In my opinion that was Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s best game in a Rangers jersey since he ran the entire Bayern Leverkusen a merry jig in the BayArena. Some people have questioned (rightly or wrongly) why Barry Ferguson hasnââ?¬â?¢t performed to this level since his return from Blackburn. In my opinion, this is the first time since his return that he has actually had players alongside him who complement his game. When Walter Smith returned he knew that his first priority was to fix the defence that had more leaks than a very leaky thing. His second was to ensure that he could surround our best footballer with players who complemented his style. In players like Thompson, Hendami, Thomson, SW and Lee McCulloch, Ferguson has players who, like him, have desire, drive, determination as well as undoubted ability. Hopefully this will see Barry Ferguson return to his best. After going a goal behind, the response from the players was phenomenal. Instead of letting the heads drop, we just rolled up our sleeves, pushed forward and eventually got our just reward. Charlie Adamââ?¬â?¢s goal brilliant but we can not go any further without a special mention to Alan Hutton for his storming runs for both goals. JCB was coolness personified as he blasted home the penalty. Dolly Demolished So Saturday was the latest instalment of the most one-sided rivalry in World Football. With the visitors firmly stuck in the 80ââ?¬â?¢s when they were a ââ?¬Ë?forceââ?¬â?¢ for about 25 minutes, they still believe that they are a ââ?¬Ë?rivalââ?¬â?¢ to the most successful club in the world. Meanwhile, we the Rangers fans treat them for what they are, a minor irritation from the frozen North. To illustrate to any reading Dollies how ridiculous there claims of a ââ?¬Ë?rivalryââ?¬â?¢ are lets sing a wee song ââ?¬â?? to the tune of One Man Went To Mow : 1 Year Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 2 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 3 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 4 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 5 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 6 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 7 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 8 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 9 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 10 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 11 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 12 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 13 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 14 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 15 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox 16 Years Since You Won, Since You Won At Ibrox The latest thumping of Abergreen was never in doubt after Lee McCullochââ?¬â?¢s stunning opener which seemed to spur us on to yet another fantastic 2nd half performance. SN then killed the game with his first goal for us which was brilliantly taken. His full debut was rudely cut short by a dreadful tackle by the ââ?¬Ë?hate-filledââ?¬â?¢ Zander Diamond. SNââ?¬â?¢s replacement Kris Boyd scored a good 3rd goal which was just the icing on the cake. One last question for any Dollies that have made it this far ââ?¬â?? when you sing ââ?¬Ë?Weââ?¬â?¢re Only Sheep Shagging Barstewardsââ?¬â?¢ ââ?¬â?? what part of that statement makes it acceptable and something to shout about? Artur Boric Surely I wasnââ?¬â?¢t the only one who had a wee chuckle at the best keeper in Europe (cough, splutter) gifting the Hibees two goals and 3 points on Sunday? Anyway, this isnââ?¬â?¢t a critique of his abilities, but to look at his indiscretions towards the Hibs fans. As well as giving them the finger, he celebrated both Craptic goals in an ââ?¬Ë?unsavouryââ?¬â?¢ manner. Add this to the FACT that he has already been warned by the Police after gesticulating at us (any MOPES reading it wasnââ?¬â?¢t for blessing himself) surely something has to be done? Never mind Artur, I am sure that youââ?¬â?¢ll once again find yourself in a park miles from youââ?¬â?¢re home where a pregnant woman will be getting racially abused by a mysterous gang of racist thugs and youââ?¬â?¢ll be the hero once again. Cammy F ââ?¬â?? We Are The Peopleââ?¬Â¦.

Since the start of the calendar year Walter Smith has came in and installed stability into the Rangers team again and we finished last season strong in the league. There was huge question marks in the summer as to whether David Murray would stump up some cash so we could add to our thin squad. We werent asking for Henry and Rooney but just enough to improve and start climbing the mountain again. Murray supplied the cash and we now have players in abundance. Not every player will be a good buy but when money is tight at Rangers its important the manager buys well and id rather go for more experienced players than potential talent. There isnt wrong with having 1 or 2 potential talented players in the squad and let them gain experience and gradually build up the younger ones. But I have to question a couple of Smiths buys. Thomson just hasnt done it for me. He has had a handful of good games but I now think he is struggling. Whittaker reminds me in a Smith buy from the 90s when we were able to throw a few million at players who dont work out but the RM isnt near settled and he looks a terrible buy. It is early days for him and we hope he transforms this soon. Naimsith is a player whom we chased and chased - He hasnt featured much so cant be really judged but he hasnt started too badly at all. The other SPL talent that was bought havent kicked a ball - Gow and Broadfoot. The latter was always going to be a squad player but many thought Gow could play apart and his game is a attack minded with creativity - something we havent had this year. Now Im not for one minute slamming Walter as we are sitting nicely in all competitions but we got a few reminders last season with poor draws towards the end of the season that complacieny (sp) must be eradicated from our play. We have had 2 away games in a row in the SPL and turned up poorly twice not looking like a team who has played together. Our next 3 games are Hibs, Celtic and Dundee Utd - 3 of the 4 sides making up the top 4 in the league along with ourselves. I think Walter needs to work out his best team sooner rather than later and he MUST start bringing others in who deserve a chance. We dont need major re-shuffling, just a wee tweak here and there. The CL games will differ from SPL matches but only in the shape of the side which would mean a couple of changes at most. Our chopping and changing should be left until forced upon us with injuries and suspensions and for the League cup games. I think everyman and his dog would have Novo in the team right now. he offers 110%, wants to play for the shirt and scores goals. And there is a huge shout for Hemdani to play again. Gow and Buffel need to get mileage onto them again so id be bringing them on for the last 30 mins of games until they are ready for a start.

Now that we have seen the team including new signings for almost 10 games I wonder what everyone thinks our best team is bar WS success so far. Ive been impressed by Cuellar, McCulloch (i wanted him for ages) and Darcheville out of the summer signings and Cousin and Naismith will come good. I havent been impressed with Whittaker or Thomson. Im not saying they have been poor but they havent stood out as 2 million pound signings when Sebo didnt get a chance like they have. I personally would still like to see Buffel in the team but playing him is tricky due to numbers in the midfield. Id say our strongers XI would be these players but getting themin the same team is difficult due to Buffels free role and the team would lack width. ______________McGregor______________ Hutton_____Weir_______Cuellar____Smith __________Hemdani___Ferguson________ ___Buffel____________________McCulloch __________Cousin____Darcheville_______

Anyone got updates on those not involved in playing at the moment? Surely Tam Buffel cant be far away from an apprearance. Im sure he was back in training?? The major one - Hemdani. WTF is going on here. Is he only going to play in CL games? Why did Faye get on the bench before him yesterday and more importantly why did Thomson get in the team ahead of Hemdani. This one is growing more confusing by the week and if things continue then BH will be looking for a move in January and that would be a blow. Young Stevie Lennon - He was on the verge of breaking into the team last season and looked perfect in an attacking role but he hasnt featured as of yet. Surely he can get a run out against East Fife in the cup? Alan Gow - Hasnt kicked a ball for us since the trip to America. He hasnt even been on the bench. With our play so flat at times he would have been an interesting option on the bench. Another who surely must play in midweek. Ugo Ehiogu - Cant complain about not giving any other defender a game at the moment due to the fine form of Weir and Cuellar, plus Webster waiting in the wings - looks like Big Ugo will be on his way in Jan? Nacho Novo - I feel he has been treated a bit harsh in the same way as Hemdani but not to as great a scale. Nacho started the season on fire with great performances off the bench and surely merited a starting role on the right in place of Whittaker. Once again he didnt even feature in the 16 yesterday. Chris Burke - Another who we havent seen this season. Charlie Adam - Comes in and does well in europe then out again. Not that I rate him as a starter but he must feel a little hard done by after getting double figures last season. He is a good option on the bench in certain games. Im not complaining about the above its good to have so many options. But the way a few have been left out is slightly baffling at times especially Hemdani.

I can't believe our squad now. I genuinely cannot believe how many options we have for the first time in what seems like 5 years or so? Its going to be very interesting to see what our first XI is like in a few weeks time, so what would your lineup be? How about this for starters? ___________________Mcgregor____________________ Hutton__________Cuellar_____Weir___________Papac Whittaker_____Thomson_____Ferguson______McCulloch _____________Naismith________Cousin_____________ But then I've left out JCD, Boyd & Hemdani. Not to mention Novo our supersub. Who don't make a bad bench to choose from, do they?

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=492&Itemid=2 Since its international week (good luck Scotland!) and Rangers news seems thin on the ground, I think now is as good a time as any to discuss the ongoing relationship between our club and the Scotland team. Itââ?¬â?¢s fair to say in recent years the Rangers contribution to the national team has not been as valuable as in the past. The Dick Advocaat era, as well as the cheap, foreign Bosman import meant not as many Scottish lads were coming through of a quality to make the Rangers first team. As such, the numbers in the international squad also dwindled. From the days of having Richard Goughs, Ian Fergusons, Ally McCoists and Andy Gorams, we went to fewer and fewer players being involved. Indeed, only Barry Ferguson could be considered a genuine regular in the first XI this century. Is it no coincidence that our qualification for the big international tournaments has also become pretty much non-existent? Obviously, in more recent years our club have struggled from financial problems. While this has resulted in 6 years of sporadic domestic success and a few years of downright underachievement; one good thing that may come out of this bad spell is the re-emergence of Scottish players at our club. It certainly appears obvious that Walter Smith is building his team around a home-grown spine and not only is this helping Rangers currently, Alex McLeish will also be delighted. If we start in defence, well no-one can doubt the quality in the current Rangers team. Craig Gordon is certainly a fine goalkeeper and it was not much of a surprise when Sunderland paid Ã?£9million for him. However, in the last year, Allan McGregor has certainly come of age. Consistency is his best quality and while he may not be the best at dealing with crosses, his overall game is very good and he is now a very capable goalkeeper. Certainly, the most obvious deputy to Gordon available. At full back Rangers also have 2 fine young players. Alan Hutton was excellent for the majority of last season and has taken this form into the new campaign. Athletic, strong and excellent going forward, he has all the hall-marks of being the Scotland right back for years to come. On the other side, Steven Smith has also done well in the Rangers first team. Unfortunately, his progress has been held back with a bad pelvic problem but when he retains fitness, heââ?¬â?¢ll be another player capable of staking a claim for the national left-back position. In the centre, one of the main features of Rangersââ?¬â?¢ return to form has been the experienced figure of David Weir. Now 37 years young, the big centre-half has shown age is no handicap to quality. While he has never been the fastest of players and his distribution not his strongest point, his sheer presence and composure has already helped Carlos Cuellar no end. Andy Webster should also benefit from this experience and go onto to regain his place in the Scotland central defence if, as expected, his loan deal at Rangers becomes permanent. Midfield is more hotly contested in the Scotland squad right now. Darren Fletcher and Shaun Maloney are both fine players and while not out and out regulars in their respective EPL teams, their quality cannot be denied. Similarly, Scott Brown has made a decent start at Celtic and although there may well be an element of hyperbole about his early contribution, thereââ?¬â?¢s no doubt he should be part of any Scottish international team. His Celtic team-mate Paul Hartley hasnââ?¬â?¢t had as good a time at club level in recent times but has done reasonably well for Scotland so will also always be looking to feature. As such, the Rangers contingent in the Scottish squad frame has a lot to live up to. Thankfully, Steven Whittaker, Barry Ferguson, Kevin Thomson and Lee McCulloch have all done well so far this season. A more solid midfield is difficult to name and all four will become important parts of future national squads. The forward line is another area that will provoke further debate. James McFadden, Kenny Miller and Garry Oââ?¬â?¢Connor have all scored important goals of late and all 3 can lay claim to a first team berth. Again though, we have two Rangers players more than capable of challenging them. A better goal-scorer than Kris Boyd we do not have and while his overall contribution may detract from his international chances, already heââ?¬â?¢s shown if we need goals, heââ?¬â?¢ll get them - at any level. Steven Naismith is a more rounded player and his SPL form of recent years suggests when he does make the step up to the ââ?¬Ë?Aââ?¬â?¢ Squad, heââ?¬â?¢ll be difficult to ignore. If we put this altogether, then the following international side is not out of the question if injuries and suspension affect the national team: ________________________McGregor_________________________ Hutton___________Weir__________________Webster________Smith Whittaker_______Ferguson_______________Thomson____McCulloch __________Naismith___________________Boyd_________________ Obviously, as much as this team looks attractive and extremely solid, itââ?¬â?¢s also unlikely to happen. David Weir is too near his international retirement and a few of these guys too far from consistent national selection to see a complete Rangers/Scotland merge in the near future. However, what is clear is that the Rangers contribution to our national game is increasing. Add that to Walter Smith turning around our fortunes in such a short period and Alex McLeish following on rather nicely, the Rangers/Scotland connection is rapidly coming back to the days of old. Letââ?¬â?¢s hope this starts with qualification for Euro 2008. This should then give these players exactly the kind of experience required to substantially increase our chances of a Scotland appearance in South Africa in 3 years time. Thatââ?¬â?¢s good for Scotland, good for Rangers and good for our game as a whole.

Goram...................MacGregor MacPherson..............Hutton Gough...................Cueller Brown...................Weir Robertson...............Papac/Smith Ferguson................Whittaker Durant..................Ferguson McCall..................Thomson/Hemdani Gordon/Michaelichenko...McCulloch Hateley.................Darcheville/Cousin McCoist.................Boyd

Heres a couple of OF based Scotland squads for comparison: Celtic ------ Brown Wilson McMannus Pressley Kennedy Brown Caldwell Hartley Riordan Miller Sheridan Subs: McGovern, Cuthbert, Lawson, Quinn, McGlinchey, Riley, Ferry Reserves: none Rangers -------- MacGregor Hutton Weir Webster Smith Whittaker Ferguson Thomson Adam Boyd McCulloch Subs: Smith, Broadfoot, Burke, Gow, Lennon, Lowing, Shinnie, Emslie Reserves: Gallacher, Campbell, McMillan, Perry, Kinniburgh We'd stuff them in my opinion! Here's a non OF squad for comparison: Gordon Alexander Anderson Dailly Naysmith Fletcher Teale Severin McFadden O'Conner Beattie Subs: Turner, Maloney, Murty, MacNamara, McEveley, Robson, Pearson

A lot has been said about Walter Smith now having a much bigger squad compared to Paul Le Guen's last season; however, I disagree. It seems to me that 14 players have left since the start of last season, and 14 have arrived, keeping the numbers constant. The massive difference is in the quality and experience of the players. Out --- Letizi Klos Bardsley Ricksen Rodriguez Svensson Ponroy Sionko Rae Clement N'Diaye Martin Prso Stanger In -- Carroll Smith Braodfoot Wier Webster Cueller Ehiogu Whitaker Thomson Gow McCulloch Beasley Darcheville Cousin Stayed ------ MacGregor Hutton Papac Murray Smith NOvo Burke Ferguson Hemdani Adam Sebo Boyd Buffel Looking at those that stayed, there are 13 players who play reasonably often enough to consider them first team players; therefore, Walter has had just over a 50% turnover in first team playing staff. That amount can reasonably be expected to significantly change the fortunes of the team and when you think what Walter did with 3 changes in January (not counting Webster who didn't play), you have to wonder what he can do now with what he could call his own team. The amazing 100% start to this season looks to be an excellent appetizer for the main course to come, with the players able to shut up shop and force a win while still not gelling with each other and then score 7 in a game when the jelly is starting to set. To further dwell in our improvement it's interesting to look at the teams you could make up with the players which Smith, Le Guen and McLiesh have latterly brought in, as well as a team made up from the Rangers youth ranks (including a few older ones for experience). Smith ----- Carroll Braodfoot Wier Cueller Webster Whitaker Thomson McCulloch Beasley Darcheville Cousin Le Guen ------- Letizi Bardsley Svensson Ponroy Papac Sionko Clement N'Diaye Martin Sebo Stanger McLeish ------- Wattereus Rodriguez Andrews Kyrgiakos Murray Novo Hemdani Buffel Rae Prso Boyd Murray Park ----------- MacGregor Hutton Pressley McLean Smith Burke Ferguson Hughes Adam MacCormack MacLean To me Smith's team look by far the best, with Le Guen's looking by far the worst. That in itself suggests we should have a much better season this year; especially since Smith's squad includes some of the best players that he didn't sign - MacGregor, Hutton, Papac, Smith, Burke, Hemdani, Ferguson, Adam, Novo, and Boyd. What is also apparent, is that Smith is also a huge managerial improvement over both Le Guen and McLeish.

Thomson at �£2million and Whittaker at about �£2million as well or Brown for �£4.4million. Who at the momment do we reckon got the better deal. Us or them. Also anyone know the wages comparison? Brown is on circa �£25k.

The only problem with Barry Ferguson is he's better than his team-mates

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=472&Itemid=2 Already, much has been written about the start of the season. Some of it is based on our reasonable start; some of it on the challenges we continue to face; and some of it understandably on past issues. What disappointments me most of all is the continued theme of negativity throughout all these topics. While one can empathise with these feelings, I think itââ?¬â?¢s time we tried to move on from the last 2 years of non-success and the last 7 years of inconsistency. Obviously, although that in no way means we should be ignoring the continuing problems we face in some areas, Iââ?¬â?¢m firmly of the opinion positivity breeds success and such an attitude can only help our club. Letââ?¬â?¢s look at matters on the park first. Ten new signings, 5 decent results and 5 clean sheets resulting in our early position at the top of the SPL and an increased chance of our progression to the financial pot of the Championsââ?¬â?¢ League rainbow. Considering the number of new players, the short summer of rest and the fact we lost out on a few targets, all in all itââ?¬â?¢s a satisfying start. Obviously, itââ?¬â?¢s not without its concerns. Walterââ?¬â?¢s tactics continue to be best described as overly cautious, the team are playing too deep (especially at Ibrox) and the lack of a genuine creative player is all too evident. However, in this bearââ?¬â?¢s opinion, the good far outweighs the bad. Our central defence looks as solid as itââ?¬â?¢s been since the days of Richard Gough. Carlos Cuellar appears to be a better version of Jean-Alain Boumsong and David Weir gives the aura of an experienced teacher lending his skills and discipline to the younger players. Alan Hutton and Allan McGregor continue their development and both being called up by Scotland highlights their consistency. Sasa Papac has also contributed very well to our decent start and while Kirk Broadfoot has been less assured, heââ?¬â?¢s coped well with being thrust into the pressure cauldron of the CL qualifiers at both right and left full back. In midfield, weââ?¬â?¢ve seen much flexibility. Our wide players seem agreeably interchangeable and while creativity is certainly short; we do seem able to enforce our play more effectively in the latter periods of games. Organisation and hard work seems the key here and although frustration can result for the fans, discipline and patience is as much a part of football as gung-ho attack. Kevin Thomson goes from strength to strength; Barry Ferguson and Brahim Hemdani bring their usual composure while DaMarcus Beasley and Nacho Novo have made chances and scored goals from deeper areas. Last and certainly not least, the much maligned signing of Lee McCulloch has shown that the big manââ?¬â?¢s industry and commitment all over the pitch will serve us well for the next 2 years. Up front is less clear at this stage. It appears that all our strikers appear to be struggling with the lone striker role as well as finding an understanding when 2 forwards are actually deployed. Kris Boyd is short of confidence and Jean-Claude Darcheville works hard with few rewards though fortunately, Daniel Cousin has shown that he seems to have the right mix of target-man, pace and finishing qualities to get the nod. Certainly, our conservative outlook to our tactics and formations hasnââ?¬â?¢t helped the development of our forward line. With time Iââ?¬â?¢m confident that will come. All in all, our signings have started well enough and while their reputations are mainstream rather than spectacular, we should be encouraged at how theyââ?¬â?¢ve gelled quickly and helped attain this decent start. Not to mention the likes of Webster, Whittaker and Gow who have not yet had their chance to impress. Off the pitch, well, weââ?¬â?¢ll start with investment first. The playing squad needed Ã?£10million spent on it and we seem to be approaching that figure. Indeed, Iââ?¬â?¢d imagine qualification for the CL Group Stage will see another 2 signings. A much needed creative influence (despite the returning Buffel) and another left-back (if the rumours about Stevie Smithââ?¬â?¢s lack of progress are to be believed) should be the main targets. While none of us have reason to trust David Murray, he does deserve praise for belatedly matching the supportââ?¬â?¢s ambitions. One just wonders why this didnââ?¬â?¢t happen last summer. Perhaps, given PLGââ?¬â?¢s poor transfer market performance, itââ?¬â?¢s just as well for our finances he didnââ?¬â?¢t receive the same kind of kitty. Unfortunately, the spectre of sectarianism reared its ugly head again 2 weeks past. While the matter was again sensationalised and exaggerated by parts the media, it was good to see the Rangers fans (via the Trust, Assembly and Association) unequivocally condemn the minority of yobs with the offensive add-ons. Given the progress our wonderful support has already made in the battle against bigotry, Iââ?¬â?¢ve no doubt weââ?¬â?¢ll continue to show our detractors that we can win this war and give those of other clubs who have similar problems food for thought in their own fights. Thus, with the club AGM being held next Thursday, the board will be feeling a bit more confident of facing the shareholders. Let them not rest on their laurels though. Much improvement is still required at the club and 5 good results and even CL qualification should not hide that. Whilst this article urges a positive outlook, the chairman and the board of directors must invoke further decisive change at our club. Firstly, changes at board level must be sought. The debt has risen again and some directors appear bereft of ideas to change this. John McLelland, Dave King and Alistair Johnston should be doing much more to innovate, invest and improve all aspects of the club. If they canââ?¬â?¢t, itââ?¬â?¢s time they were replaced. We have several talented high net worth fans here in Scotland who have shown through their own business operations that they can provide this outlook. Are they ready to step up to the plate? Similarly, itââ?¬â?¢s imperative that the club appoints a fan to the board at last. While reasonable dialogue has been ongoing in recent times, rhetoric and open-ended commitments must be turned into real supportersââ?¬â?¢ representation. A democratically elected executive board member is an important stage to the fans being more involved in the decision-making of the future. Given our tremendous loyalty and unwavering financial commitment of the last 135 years, our rightful place at the table must be offered. Other challenges remain as well. Our PR continues to be well below average and our marketing and branding unacceptably poor despite the financial considerations of the JJB deal. We must also consolidate on our under 19s successes of last year and look to improve our training facilities and youth system to match the very best in the world. If Hibs can bring through and make millions on young Scottish talent, then so can we. Rangers are the world most successful club ââ?¬â?? do we want to keep that proud record? Thus itââ?¬â?¢s from the top of the league and off the back of a good home result against a dangerous Red Star team that I issue this rallying call. Yes, letââ?¬â?¢s ensure the relevant questions about the running of the club are still asked vociferously. Yes, letââ?¬â?¢s ensure the players (new and old) are aware of what we expect from them. Yes, letââ?¬â?¢s ensure the manager is constructively criticised to aid improvement. But, letââ?¬â?¢s start to look forward ââ?¬â?? not back. If we donââ?¬â?¢t do that, we start to put the positives in shadow, the light will fail and the vultures will circle again. Rangers are the proudest, most successful team in Scotland. Our fans are second to none ââ?¬â?? to none ââ?¬â?? and we seem to be emerging from a dark, dark time slowly but surely. None of us want to repeat the last couple of years. We want a brighter future and we want to be the best. Letââ?¬â?¢s show it by being positive and concentrating not on the negatives but by doing what we do best ââ?¬â?? being loyal; being proud; being steadfast and being supportive. We are the people!

Link Saw this and initially thought that the truth was coming out about the �£10mil we will spend, i.e inclding Thommo that would be it. However he goes on to say more is available, yet many fans quote WS as saying we are over budget. Which is it?

Not to piss on Gribz parade, i'm sure he'll produce his usual pre-match analysis (good reads), but what team and formation does everyone fancy for St Mirren. 4-4-2 for me. 4-5-1 worked well for an away game in Europe but back to Ibrox and an SPL game we should be winning comfortably, no need for two holding midfielders against a team who will sit in and defend. GK - No reason to drop Alan McGregor, comfortably retaining his No. 1 status atm. LB - Papac was some fans' motm midweek, second best player on the park for me. Unfortunately no challenge for his place from Smith atm. CB's - Weir and Cuellar, no justification needed. RB - Broadfoot was an able deputy midweek. A solid performance. However not a natural RB and did not provide the attacking threat Hutton does, so Hutton for me. LM - Beasley should be given a chance again I think. Scored midweek despite an indifferent performance. With his pace and a few games under his belt he should have the confidence to beat his man which will prove useful in unlocking a packed defence. CM - Fergie is performing quite well atm. Motm versus Caley and a decent outing midweek if less spectacular. Needs to dictate paly more in this one and I think St Mirren will allow him to do so. CM - Thomson will sit deeper and do the dirty work to allow Fergie to get forward and hurt the opposition. Will also provide some creativity and attacking threat of his own that Hemdani will not. The only other option would be Brahim but with him off form Thomson gets the nod. RM - Novo earned the right to start last week after coming off the bench to great effect against Caley. Unfortunately he had to come off the bench midweek again, but it was whilst he was on we killed the tie off with the goal. I don't beleive Whittaker is match fit and don't see any other competition for the position with McCulloch taking one of the forward roles. Forward - McCulloch has been one of our best summer signings. His work rate and physical presence will prove a useful foil for his partner and also a decent outlet for the defence and midfield. Forward - Boyd if he is fit. Exactly the kind of game where he can bag a goal or two and get his season off and running. The Gers biggest goal threat should start every league game. The above would be my team for this weekend. However with Thomson fit, WS likes his middle 3 and may go with the 4-5-1/4-3-3. I hope not. I am also unsure as to Boyd's fitness, however with JCD almost certainly out we wont have many other options. Cousin signed today but I don't think he can go straight into the starting line up with only a few potential training sessions with his new team mates. Edit: Cousin signed as I typed this up.