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This summer may prove to be unique in the long and glorious history of the Rangers. It would require a bear older than myself to remember the last time we began a new season without strengthening the first team squad during the off-season with incoming transfers. In fact, the only business being completed at Ibrox was the removal of a few high earners from the wage bill. The likes of Ferguson, Hemdani and Dailly have left and have yet to be replaced. This should come as no surprise to us all. Even as last season was drawing to its exciting conclusion, Walter Smith was ominous in his warnings to the fans. The first team squad would be reduced to around 20 and supplemented by players from the youth squad like Fleck, Wilson and Shinnie. With the inability to agree deals for the likes of Adam and Gow, the squad has not been reduced sufficiently to allow any incoming transfers. The dearth of incoming transfer news within the media in addition to the moves being made across the city led to much agitation amongst our support. In a previous article published nearly 3 weeks ago, I urged fans to be patient and not to over react to the situation. Many fans were furious that Celtic had spent circa Ã?£7mil (including on their new management team) whilst we had yet to make any moves and to date have only earned a fee from the sale of Barry Ferguson. It is natural that, with the league being a relatively tight affair last year, fans would compare our attempts to strengthen with that of the side who are traditionally our closest challengers. However, whilst we have competed almost head to head for the SPL title for the last decade or two, that aside the situations at the two clubs could not be more different. Celtic began this season is a state of disarray, sacking a more successful manager than Martin O’Neill because their fans required someone “Celtic Minded”. Key first team players Hesselink, Nakamura and Hartley have been moved on and the replacements have yet to settle. This was most notable in the performance of Fortune in Celtic’s opening competitive game of the season where they fell to defeat in the home leg of their European qualifier. Fortune missed a couple of sitters that had he scored would have given Celtic a fighting chance of qualification. Now, of course, it is too early to be drawing any conclusions on the player’s they have added to their pool this close season but it does bring me neatly on to the main reason for penning this article. Whilst fans bemoaned the spending power of our city neighbours including the Ã?£4million buy of Fortune, in the article previously linked I cautioned against the time needed for new signings to settle. Although we all recognise that we are one or two signings away from a strong squad, the benefits of a relatively settled and stable squad should not be underestimated. Continuity in the squad and in team selection means the players get to learn each other's games inside out and the rewards are reaped on the football field. Since first having the initial thoughts for this article it proved excellent timing that World Class manager Arsene Wenger has spoken out in the media with comments that support my viewpoint: It is perhaps fitting that the Frenchman was speaking out about this just after I decided to pen this piece. The excellent spectacle that was this year's Emirates tournament was the ideal setting to prove Wenger's assertion. In Walter's first season he made us difficult to beat through defensive strength. Last year Smith turned us into title contenders. And the signs from the ties against PSG and Arsenal this weekend point to the experienced manager taking the next step in the squad's evolution without the addition of fresh faces. We again adopted the 4-5-1 formation favoured by Smith when competing against a higher calibre opponent, but the major difference this weekend was that we had the attacking wide players to break into a 4-3-3 in possession and play attractive, passing football. Last season (as for the last couple of seasons) we have had the highest quality squad in Scotland as evidenced by our League and Cup double. We have lost a few players who made little to no contribution last year and were most likely to have a similar contribution in the forthcoming campaign. We have hardly weakened our squad at all, whilst the likes of Kyle Lafferty, Pedro Mendes and John Fleck have all had a further full season in Scotland to help settle them into the game up here. I, like many fans, will be expecting a more consistent contribution from Mendes and Lafferty in particular. In addition to the greater experience of a number of the players within the squad, we have the returns of Thomson, Naismith and Stevie Smith to bolster the squad. We finally have some realistic competition at left back for the consistent Bosnian, Sasa Papac. We are very strong in central midfield especially when Maurice Edu, who had an impressive end to the season last year, returns from injury. The wealth of options up front, at least for the domestic game, is incredible. We have speed, height, power, work rate and goals from different forwards. You may struggle to find another club with the goalkeeping option of McGregor or Alexander. Sure, left midfield continues to prove problematic. We have half a dozen players who can fill that position, but not one who has made it their own. We can counter this with a change in formation to a midfield diamond. Or perhaps one of the players within the squad will step forward and command a starting berth on the left. And again, we start a season concerned over our centre backs. Can Davie Weir play another full season at the heart of the defence? After playing 60 games 2 seasons ago as we marched to the final day of every competition we entered it was the consensus opinion that he could not stand up to another full season of football. Weir powered his way to another 47 games (more than any other player in the squad) including all but 2 league games and shows no signs of letting up. That said, we would all prefer competition for the first choice pair of Weir and Bougherra. Arsene Wenger is obviously a strong believer that buying new players is not the only way to improve your squad year on year. And looking at Celtic’s disastrous opening to the season it is clear that having to begin a new era at a club by ripping up the previous squad to create a new team, even when backed by the money men at the club, is a gamble. Spending money is no guarantee of success. If we have to begin the upcoming season with essentially the same pool of players that won the double last year I will not be concerned. Walter Smith has previously demonstrated the veracity of Wenger’s assertion that you can improve your team with work on the training field and not just at the negotiating table. When Smith took over the national team from Berti Vogts the country was a laughing stock ranked in the 70s or 80s. Whilst Vogts handed out caps to over 40 different players Smith again demonstrated the effectiveness of consistency, finding his best squad and dragging the national team back up the rankings and heart-breakingly close to qualification for the World Cup. He followed that up by leading us to the top of our qualifying group for the European Championships including a victory over the World Cup runners-up France. I am not trying to suggest that a lack of transfer funds makes Smith’s job easier. Of course any manager can benefit from a transfer kitty if he spends it right. However consistency of selection also strengthens a squad’s assault on the silverware and the team that Smith has been building since he returned to the club has been growing as a unit season upon season and team unity will have never been higher. Regardless of what does or doesn’t happen in the transfer market this year I am eagerly anticipating another successful season under the guidance of the legendary Walter Smith.

Craig, you will like this, a review of the match more reflective of the action on the field. From the Sunday Post.

No signings....just what we currently have...how would you like WS to set us up for this season: Mine: __________________Alexander_________________ Whittaker_____Bougherra____Weir__________Papac ______Davis________Thomson______Mendes______ ____________________Novo____________________ ___________Miller____________Lafferty__________ I hope to see Edu, Aaron and Fleck involved as much as possible.

Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson returns from a serious knee injury to feature for his team on tour in Germany. More...

Fifty-five days after skipping out of Hampden with the Scottish Cup under their arm, Rangers return to match action this evening in the rather less salubrious setting of the PGW Arena in western Germany. In truth, not an awful lot has happened in the intervening period. There will be no new signings available to make their debuts in the friendly match against Sportfreunde Lotte, of the German fourth flight, and none expected to arrive during the squad's six-day stay on the continent. There has also been little activity in the other direction, and certainly less than the club would have hoped and liked by this juncture. Brahim Hemdani and Christian Dailly have not had their contracts renewed, Graeme Smith has escaped to St Johnstone before people forget who he is, and Barry Ferguson has been handed a once-in-a-lifetime shot at making it in the Barclays Premier League for the second time in his career. Most significantly, the man in charge has not changed. Speculation that Walter Smith would elect to bow out after leading Rangers to a domestic double, and it was hard not to think of Danny Glover's exasperated character in the Lethal Weapon franchise as Smith wearily dealt with the fall-out from Bevvygate, proved to be unfounded. Instead, Smith has returned for the sequel and another crack at the Champions League. Asked if he was "buzzing" ahead of the new season, the 61-year-old paused, stroked his stubbly chin, and searched for the right words. He is not one prone to public displays of emotion, and certainly not Tigger-like enthusiasm, but there is little doubt that Smith is relishing the fresh challenges ahead. "We're looking forward to our involvement in the Champions League again and being challengers for the other honours," he said. "This is the first time we go in as champions. For most of the staff here, it will be the first time they've had to defend the championship and that's always harder. "While the Old Firm always have difficult matches, the champions have to show up well and Celtic have always done that over the last few seasons. "It's our turn to show we can handle that situation and that's a challenge for everyone here. It's my first time in that position since I came back so I'm looking forward to that aspect of it." Financial necessity means Smith still needs to shed at least four more senior players from his squad but the windfall that comes with direct entry to the Champions League at least gives him control over who leaves the club. It means that, in his third full season since returning to the club in January 2007, Smith feels he is finally getting close to creating a side that meets with his approval. "It's starting to get there, domestically at least. The Champions League is a hard environment to play in and we'll need to make sure that we're right defensively. But domestically I feel we're getting a suitable level of player. "If you look at our midfield, Kevin Thomson, Steven Davis, and Pedro Mendes, are all good footballers. I would hope that would show in the level of football we're starting to play this season. "I felt last season we were getting there and playing some decent football at times and I would hope we would see more of that this season." The left side of midfield, however, remains a problem. Smith used more bodies than the cast of Ben-Hur in that position last season without finding a solution and admitted he is no nearer to resolving the matter ahead of the start of the new campaign. "We're no closer to solving that." he said. "We've still got pretty much the same problem, players who can offer us a lot in one sense and not a lot in another. "It's getting the balance from somebody who can play out there. If we were looking at the squad, that's maybe an area where we were short of somebody to come in and give us a reasonable balance. So we're just going to have to keep going as we have been, where a number of boys will be used depending on the situation." While Smith can not call upon any new signings for the time being, he is looking forward to the return of Thomson from injury, and seeing more from Steven Naismith too. "Thommo is back and he will be playing but it will still be September before he is fully match fit. He won't play a full 90 minutes until then. "He's with us in Germany and will train and play half an hour here and there. But he's not ready for a full 90 minutes. "That said, he's looking good, as is Stevie Naismith. He had a similar injury and has missed a lot of football. "It's always more difficult to come back during a season but he is looking terrific at the moment. His fitness is first class and he's a player I'm looking forward to getting back. "The one thing I'm really looking forward to this season is the progression, not just in the team but in the individuals as well." Across the city at Celtic, the summer has brought about a raft of changes, most notably in the manager's office where Tony Mowbray has replaced Gordon Strachan. Smith, though, does not expect the size of the challenge to increase or diminish as a result. "I don't think it will be that much different. Tony will have his own stamp of how he wants to play but Celtic were extremely successful under Gordon Strachan so the challenge is always going to be there. "When you look before I came, Rangers hadn't been challenging for a couple of seasons beforehand, so there had to be a change. Celtic didn't win the championship, so a change of personnel was made. "So the challenge will be every bit as great as has been in recent years. Celtic haven't lost a lot of players and have brought in a few. We look forward to accepting that challenge as champions." That challenge can wait for a few weeks yet. For now, the immediate focus is on the week's work in Germany and subsequent matches against FC Nuremburg and SC Wiedenbruck after tonight's season opener. "We want to keep everyone at the group at a specific level as much as we can and want to give them a specific amount of playing time in the three games. So we'll see quite a few changes in each of the games. "It's proved to be a good exercise for us when we're away. It wasn't so clever last year because the group wasn't ready for it but the previous year we enjoyed it and we're looking forward to it this year. We should see a far fresher squad now than we saw at this time last year." And a fresher manager too, it seems.

With the first game of the new season already upon us (even if it is a friendly), let's see who everyone thinks will be our Player of the Year for this season... Leading contenders may be McGregor/Alexander, Thomson, Bougherra, Davis and Boyd. Or will you go for a Mr Reliable like Papac, Novo, Whittaker or Weir? Perhaps one of the younger players like Fleck, Edu, Lafferty or Naismith will grab their opportunity? Who are you going with? Somewhat controversially, I'm going to go with Pedro Mendes for next season. I was a bit disappointed with his overall contribution last term but I think he'll benefit from playing alongside a settled midfield this term and with the extra games in Europe, he'll find a higher level of consistency than he did last season.

WALTER SMITH has bluntly warned Rangers fans not to expect any new signings to replace Barry Ferguson. The 31-year-old completed his �£1m move to Premiership new boys Birmingham City on Friday, freeing up some �£25,000 a week in wages, but Smith confirmed last night that the Ibrox club are still in no position to bring in a replacement. "We'll not be bringing anybody in as it stands at the present moment," Smith said. "The transfer doesn't allow us anything like that. The chairman has spoken about the financial aspect. It's just something we have to adjust to. We've said we'd have to sell players before we can buy so we have to wait until a situation arises before we can make any judgment on bringing anyone in." One such eventuality which could free up funds for the Rangers manager would be a sizeable bid from either Bordeaux or Wigan Athletic for Madjid Bougherra, but despite fevered speculation in certain newspapers, Smith has heard nothing. "No-one has been in touch with us about Bougherra," Smith said. "I've seen a denial from their president, and I've seen another paper quoting him as being interested, so even he doesn't seem to know. But no-one has talked to us, which would normally be the first port of call." Ferguson's return to the Premiership four years after he left Blackburn for Govan is as neat a resolution as possible to the conundrum caused by the "boozegate" row and the final 12 months of the player's contract. Smith admitted last night his departure was the "best thing" for everybody, and tipped the player to be a success south of the border. "I think it is the best thing for both parties, taking into consideration everything that happened last season plus the fact he's coming into the last season of his contract anyway," Smith said. "He's a good player though, of course he'll do well. He's had the experience already although the last time he went to Blackburn he was hampered by a serious injury. But that shouldn't hide the fact he did well down there, anyone who saw him play at that time will tell you that. It's not another world of football. He's a good player and he can go and play in it." Who knows, maybe new signings are overrated in any case. With Celtic having already spent �£3.8m on Marc-Antoine Fortune, Smith would no doubt prefer to have a massive transfer kitty at his disposal this summer, but the Rangers manager still managed to speak convincingly of his hopes that the sense of continuity and new-found confidence around the younger members of his squad after last season's SPL title win can help them hit the ground running. Wheeling and dealing did Rangers few favours last season as they crashed out of Europe to Kaunas. "We have a younger group - Steven Whittaker and Kevin Thomson are typical of them - who are starting to meet the demands of playing," Smith said. "They are starting now to gain the necessary experience to impose themselves in games and I am hoping that can happen with a number of the younger ones like Kyle Lafferty and Steven Naismith. They have won a championship there and we have not lost a lot of players who played in that group last year. I would hope with the better level of experience that will help them greatly." The same sense of evolution rather than revolution applies to the even younger elements of the team, namely John Fleck, who Smith feels has made further progress since last season. "I would hope that John Fleck would step a little bit further forward," he said. "We are still talking about a young lad, but he got a bit of experience last season and like the rest of them I am hoping he can gain a bit of confidence from that. So although we might not have new players at the start of the season I think we have certainly got a group who will look forward to starting the season and hope that quite a number of them are coming into what I would look upon as the best spells of their careers." Having said all this, whoever picked Rangers' first home opponents of the pre-season clearly does a wicked line in black humour. Manchester City will arrive at Ibrox in early August having lavished �£85m of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan's money on a combination of Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz, Gareth Barry and Emmanuel Adebayor, with millions more on the table for Joleon Lescott or even John Terry. "They may have two or three other signings by the time we play," Smith says, only half-joking. While the collapse of the Setanta deal, and stillbirth of the Old Firm TV plan didn't do Rangers' finances much good, Manchester City's wealth is above and beyond such mundane matters. "This goes beyond TV money in England," Smith said. "This is about wealthy individuals putting money in and the Premiership giving them the profile they want. They're obviously buying an awful lot of players and having a push at breaking into England's top four clubs. It'll be interesting to see how that goes. If you look at the clubs at that level just now, they're all solid enough clubs, there's a steadiness about them. "Mark Hughes did exceptionally well at Blackburn but people need to have the patience to allow a team to settle in," he added. "It's okay to buy a number of players, as he will do between now and the end of August, but they have to have time to gel and become a team. I think we will see them pushing to get into the top four - whether they get there or not is another thing. I think we might end up with five teams at the top. It's not quite as easy as saying We'll spend a lot of money and get there' but football has shown that if teams are well run and spend a lot of money, then they'll get a level of success." While Manchester City are collecting players, Rangers can't get rid of them quickly enough. Ferguson's departure, coupled with those of Brahim Hemdani and Christian Dailly may have freed up a total of �£50,000 a week, but with Charlie Adam prevaricating over a proposed move to Blackpool, the club are still three or four players heavy to reach the chairman's stated target of a slimline 20-strong first team pool plus youngsters. Having benefited from their depth of squad at the tail end of the previous campaign, Smith hopes that he won't be left too light when the injuries and suspensions kick in. So will the squad be big enough? "It depends how many leave," Smith says. For the moment at least, the player movement at Rangers will remain one-way traffic. http://www.sundayherald.com/sport/shfootball/display.var.2520783.0.0.php

RANGERS have been given a huge boost ahead of the new campaign with the news that Kevin Thomson could start the season. The key midfielder was badly injured last November when he suffered cruciate ligament damage in his knee for the second time in his career. However, he has completely recovered and has been given the all-clear by a specialist to now work flat-out with the rest of the squad and will play in the pre-season matches. Boss Walter Smith said: "The specialist is very happy the way the injury has progressed and it means that he will now do all the work with the rest of the group. "It will obviously take him a little bit of time to get his match fitness up but if we can get him a number of games over the pre-season then he will be ready - if not for the start of the season then shortly afterwards. "I have said on many occasions that I felt he was starting to show great form just before suffered the injury. "It always takes a bit of time for young players to settle at a new club and that was the case with Steven Whittaker, Maurice Edu and Kyle Lafferty. "But they are all past that stage now and I just felt that Kevin was getting to the situation where he was beginning to influence games and hopefully when he gets back he will be able to start where he left off." Bit of good news to cover the dire lack of transfer activity.

THIS is the new kit Rangers will wear for the defence of the league and cup double. Ibrox ace Kevin Thomson posed in the strip, available for pre-order from Monday. Thommo said: "I really like the design of the new strip and I'm sure it will be a hit with our supporters. "Hopefully we can be as successful in the new strip as we were last season." Gers have accepted Blackpool's �£500,000 bid for Charlie Adam. The midfielder, 23, was on loan at the Seasiders last term and could make a permanent move to the Championship, with Preston and Barnsley also keen. Boss Walter Smith admits Adam won't be the last star to leave Ibrox this summer. He said: "Every player is susceptible to a bid. I know there's a feel good factor here after winning the double, but this doesn't go away." http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2518189/Kev-stripped-to-double-up.html

Sunday mail: The thought of leaving Rangers after our double win did cross my mind, says Walter Smith IBROX lies silent. It's the calm after - and before - the storm. Not an echo of the euphoria that filled it six weeks ago, not a hint of the elation to come in another six weeks when the flag runs up the pole. The Blue Room at the top of the marble staircase lies dormant, set up for a wedding. Through the door, though? In a oak-panelled office reeking of history and basking in sunshine, Walter Smith is looking like a man who is still enjoying his second honeymoon. And nothing like a man many thought would have walked off into the sunset on May 31 as either a Double-winner or two-time title loser. Relaxed, tanned, rested ... and ready. In his first interview since winning the SPL and Scottish Cup in his second full season back, Smith reveals the idea of walking away at the top DID cross his mind. But deep down the 61-year-old knew his time wasn't up - and he didn't want to leave the staff he brought with him in the lurch. Despite the heart-attack high of Gers' last-day victory - and seven titles from his first spell as boss - he will walk back through the doors of Murray Park on Thursday hungry to do it all over again. Walter admitted: "When you get over the 60 mark it's a relevant question, whether or not you walk. Yes, it crosses your mind. "But I would have been more likely to leave after losing. What kind of person walks because of an image? That you want to be SEEN to be going out at the top? I don't have that kind of ego. "If I turn round and say I'm off? They will say: 'Great, you've reached a European final and won four trophies in two-and-a-half years. Thanks.' And that's it. "What does that mean to me in the end? I'm here for a challenge. "I know what it feels like when your time is up. It happened when I was here for seven years and it was time for a change. A team completely died. "I won't manage for seven years now but when is the time to go? It will be when I feel I don't have as much to offer - or when my team's not good enough and I take responsibility. That's not now." Smith's moral compass was also pointing him back towards work. He has absolute faith that the legacy he has put in place in the Rangers dugout, Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall, would cope in his absence. But with Rangers still struggling financially Walter doesn't want to throw his sidekicks straight into a firefight without big enough guns. He said: "If I walked out I would feel as though I was leaving other people with a problem. And I have to be fair to my staff. "Ally, Kenny, Jim Stewart, Adam Owen and Pip Yeats make up a great staff. "If I leave - and I stress this isn't my decision - I would like to think the chairman would consider Ally taking over. But in the circumstances it would feel like I was leaving them with issues. "It's not just that though. When I returned people were saying: 'You won nine-in-a-row so why would you come back?' "The simple answer is people in football want to achieve. It was a challenge - and one I feel we have met." It's also one that he will instantly have to meet again - or face exactly the same Groundhog Day grilling about his future. Smith shrugged: "That's the Old Firm. You can win every year but then you have to do it again the following year. "All the managers I know have a competitive spirit - that keeps us going. If it's golf, or whatever, you want to win. "You need to have goals. If you lose that as you get older, fine, but I still have it. "Davie Weir once made a great point. If he makes a mistake now people say it is because he's 38 or 39. But Davie made the same mistakes at 28 or 29. What was it then? "It's the same for me - it doesn't just switch off one day. You will get a feeling but that's not now." The change in Smith and Rangers from this time last year is tangible. After a 68-game season and a break of less than a month he saw the black cloud sitting above his squad before the heavens opened on their darkest day in Kaunas. This time there isn't a cloud in sight. Nineteen games fewer played, a six-week sabbatical and the walk-on-water lightness of step that graces a winner. Smith admitted: "It feels different. Last summer we knew how difficult it was going to be. Liverpool thrashed us in a friendly and we were lucky to beat Raith Rovers. "We weren't good enough. This year it's so different. The season ended on a high and we've had a break that feels like the kind you used to get 30 years ago." And Smith is desperate to harvest what he has sown - especially when the shoots were so visible at the end of the season. He said: "People say I never play kids but I've tried to get a solid base of young Scots to benefit the club. "That takes time. If you buy a seasoned professional they will settle at Rangers or Celtic. "But it's different for younger guys. Look at Steven Whittaker. In my mind he was our most consistent player from January. "But previously he struggled dealing with the demands of the crowd and everything else. "That's what you're up against. I read one pundit telling me Kyle Lafferty was a bad buy and six months later saying if I don't play him we won't win the league! "Kevin Thomson was starting to dictate games before his injury while Steven Naismith has been unlucky. "But he will still be a very good Rangers player. Maurice Edu came in and did so well. "We have a good base of young players. We won't have a big-name buy but this team can be successful. "This side is as capable, if not more so, than the Rangers team that played in the Champions League and UEFA Cup two years ago."

Into July then and the new season is now upon us. The transfer window is open, pre-season training will begin next Thursday and preparations will be under way to ensure we retain our SPL crown. With key club figures at pains to say our squad size must be reduced and with the year-end finances expected to be somewhere around �£30million in the red, once again Walter Smith will have to be imaginative with his squad. Versatility has been his buzz-word since he returned in 2007. Players like Whittaker, Broadfoot, Dailly, McCulloch, Miller, Naismith, Novo and Lafferty have all been utilised in a wide range of positions as Rangers compete on all fronts over the last 2 seasons. For the most part, they've done OK but there's no doubt our lack of consistency on the park can be explained by a lack of consistency in selection compounded with players out of position. To add to that, we've already we've had several players move on - young and old - and we'll need more to go if we're to create finance for incoming players. Barry Ferguson remains our highest earner and if we can attain a decent fee for him and Charlie Adam, to name but two fringe players, we may have some flexibility in the transfer market. Players like Beasley, Gow, Graeme Smith and Webster should also be on the move. Even so, any new players will be minimal despite the expected ~�£5-10million bounty of the CL group stage. Key areas for strengthening remain a centre-back to complement 'Madjestic' Bougherra and perhaps allow Davie Weir an easier path to retirement. Meanwhile the wide areas of our midfield remain a problem - especially the left side - as the use of up to 10 different players there last season showed us. Therefore, a left-sided midfielder in the vein of Chris Brunt may indeed be our priority if we do manage to move on the surplus high-earners. Of course the �£3million fee over his head places doubt on our ability to not only sign him but entice him to Glasgow ahead of richer EPL clubs in terms of wages. Thus, with the doubt over who leaves and our budget, how can the manager be flexible with a necessary reduction in squad size and minimal funds to find new players? To add to that dilemma, the fans will expect a better standard of football, more consistency and less defensive play when we do play in Europe. As usual, the pressure on the manager will be high. As such, the answer may ironically lie in another head-ache that will come his way once two of our main midfielders are fit. Both Kevin Thomson and Maurice Edu are injured after being important components of our side last season. While neither player can be considered as tough as a Souness or an Ian Ferguson; their controlled aggression, strength in the tackle and mobility were imperative to allow the creative players such as Mendes and Davis to do their stuff. Therefore, the quicker they both return the better - though Thomson looks the more likely to make the season opener at Ibrox against Falkirk. However, what happens when Edu also retains fitness? Can we really afford to keep such an exciting young talent on the bench for another season? After all, it's doubtful that a central-midfield pairing of he and Thomson would be creative enough in the absence of genuine wingers in the squad? This is where the 4-3-3 formation comes in and I'll contend that makes sense for several reasons: - Playing Edu and Thomson in deeper 'holding' roles means we have a more solid unit for the tougher games without compromising on our need to retain attacking players. - Davis could move inside from the right to play in a free role behind the attack. His creative play is his strongest suit and he is all too often isolated on the right. With Mendes sitting behind him alongside Edu/Thomson we also have a player capable of picking him out when he does find space. - Our current lack of wide players means we don't have to play a Naismith, Miller, Novo or Lafferty in unfamiliar roles they're not as effective in. Instead they get to concentrate on their preferred attacking positions and compete for the two slots up front (or one if Boyd continues to score goals). - We also get the best out of John Fleck. The lad is a prodigious talent so we shouldn't be minimising that by shunting him out to left midfield. Let him compete with the senior players for the free role and we'll see the best of him. - The midfield positions are easily interchanged or rotated to ensure freshness and strategic flexibility when required depending on opposition. 4-5-1 can still be utilised if the situation really demands it. - We free up space for our full-backs to get forward. Steven Whittaker is a player that is at his best roaming forward with space in front of him. No winger allows both him (and to a lesser extent Papac) to support in space with players around them to help them keep possession (not their strongest suits) more effectively. - The strategy above means we may not need to sign a left-midfielder or even another defender given the added protection for the defence. Any money could be kept back for January when new players are often needed more desperately. 4-3-3: The answer to our problems - or a way for the board to hide decreasing squad quality and the manager to go overly defensive again in Europe? You decide!

Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson targets a first-team return after seven months on the sidelines with a knee injury. More...

KEVIN THOMSON always knew he was joining a big club when he signed for Rangers from Hibs. Last May's trip to Manchester, when something like 200,000 fans followed Walter Smith's players to a UEFA Cup Final, merely underlined his point. But it was not until Thomson experienced the mass euphoria of a title-day triumph at Tannadice that the 24-year-old realised the full enormity of what he has got himself involved in. And the heady experience has strengthened his resolve to return to full fitness and take centre stage when the prizes are being handed out at the end of the next campaign. Thomson was left hobbling on the sidelines for most of last season after suffering a horrific knee injury at Kilmarnock in November. From that moment on his season was spent between the surgeon's bench and the physio's room with the occasional light relief of having to watch on through the gaps in his fingers as, without him, his teammates clawed their way to the most dramatic of league and Scottish Cup Doubles. While they disappeared off into a long hot summer, Thomson returned to Murray Park to continue his lonely slog back to fitness. But he's been spurred on more than ever by just one thought: The next time Rangers lift silverware he plans on being slap bang in the thick of the celebrations. "In a way the last day up at Tannadice rammed it home to me just what a huge club I am at," said Thomson yesterday as he broke off from his duties with the Rangers charity foundation. "You know from the minute you sign on the dotted line that you're joining something very special. But seeing what it means to so many thousands of people to bring the big one back to Rangers is something that maybe we all needed to see for ourselves as players. "The celebrations at Tannadice and then all the way back down the road to Glasgow were like nothing I'd ever witnessed before. "The biggest eye-opener was when we got back to Ibrox and saw 36,000 fans waiting for us. It was just wild. With the atmosphere in the place you'd have thought it was a European night - it was only the game that was missing! "It's the thought of being involved in the celebrations next year that will make the last eight months I've spent in the gym all worth while. I want to be a part of it and this time I really want to feel as if I've earned it." Thomson did earn his place at the title party by virtue of his earlyseason contribution which was so impressive it has led to calls for him to be installed as Barry Ferguson's successor as captain. And yet it just won't feel the same for this fierce competitor until he's finally thrust back into the thick of the battle. He nodded: "I must admit there was an element of feeling as if I was on the outside looking in. It's not really the same unless you're out there with the rest of the boys. "Yes, I celebrated with the best of them but doing the bouncy doesn't quite feel the same when you're wearing your club suit and tie! "Don't get me wrong, I was delighted for everyone but there's still that feeling that you're not really a part of it. "It was different at Tannadice because, although I wasn't playing, I did feel as if I had contributed to the title success as I played 11 games before I picked up my injury. "But the Cup Final was different because I didn't feel as if I deserved a pat on the back for that. The rest of the lads won that for the club and I felt like a bit of a fraud being out there with them. "But it just makes me more determined to be a part of it all again at the end of next season." Even from his seat in the stand at Tannadice Thomson says he learned a lot about the special bond which has underpinned Rangers' march back to the top of the Scottish game. He said: "We sat in one of the boxes at Tannadice behind the glass. In the first couple of minutes Steve Davis got in behind the full-back and cut the ball across goal. Every single one of us was on our feet. We had lost all realisation that the place was full of United fans and families. "I think they thought we were a wee bit rowdy but they appreciated our emotions were running high and we were very excited. "But that showed me something too. There must have been about 15 of us in that box and every one of us was so caught up in it all we might as well have been out on the pitch. "That shows the togetherness we have a squad. That's what Walter Smith has brought to the club." So much so, in fact, that Thomson will be only too happy to put his own dreams of the captaincy on hold for just as long as DavieWeiris atIbrox. He has been tipped by many to take over Weir's duties as soon as he is back to fitness but believes the team leadership could not be in better hands. He said: "I'll happily put all that on the back burner just so long as Davie is still here at the club. "The way Davie has been playing he could still be our captain in three years. "I'm sure all the boys will be delighted if he hangs around for a year or two yet." :spl:

KEVIN THOMSON last night insisted Tony Mowbray is taking over at Celtic just in time for a new period of sustained Rangers dominance in Scottish football. Thomson's former Easter Road mentor Mowbray will be unveiled as Gordon Strachan's successor at Parkhead this morning after the s2.5million deal to bring him north from West Brom along with Peter Grant and Mark Venus was completed at tea-time yesterday. But the Ibrox midfielder believes Mowbray will face the fight of his life in attempting to stop a resurgent Rangers from going on to nail down a place at the top of the pile on the back of last season's SPL and Scottish Cup Double Thomson, speaking exclusively to Record Sport,said: "Celtic have got themselves the right man for the job. Tony is a fantastic manager . "But let's not forget we have a fantastic manager of our own in Walter Smith and we are the team in the ascendancy now. "I'm not going to say we are miles ahead of Celtic but I will say this, we are the champions and that means it's their turn to chase us. "I think that's the hardest part of being at the Old Firm. Second best will not be tolerated but that's the situation Celtic find themselves in. "We are in the driving seat right now and know the financial climate is a difficult one. That makes Celtic's task even tougher." And Thomson believes Smith's youthful Rangers side could be ideally placed to go on a run of back-to-back title triumphs. He said: "I look around our squad and I see a lot of good young players. It feels like we might be on the start of something special. We are all confident in our ability to move on to the next step. "It's up to Celtic to beat us. I'm sure Tony will want to make some changes to his team but we've been through the rebuilding work. When the gaffer took over he said he had to make a few signings which were purely short term. "But it was also part of his plan to make some signings for the longer term. We are now reaping the benefits from that philosophy. "The likes of myself, Steve Davis, Steven Whittaker and Maurice Edu are still relatively young - but we have great experience. "That should give us the grounding we need to push on from here and I see no reason why we can't go on to win two, three, four or five titles in a row." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2009/06/17/kevin-thomson-tony-mowbray-his-work-cut-out-stopping-dominant-rangers-86908-21447405/

Taking on from the thread cut from the paper about players leaving, I started thinking about I personally would like to stay and go for next season. With Dailly and Hemdani already gone, and Ferguson (the top earner) on his way it seems, I would hold fire on trying too hard to get rid of McGregor and Boyd. I think that together with Edu Thomson Davis Lafferty Whittaker we have the makings of a good young side that are not only all worth big money should they have an impact on the CL games, but ultimately are good enough to win consecutive SPL titles and are not on huge money (Davis aside probably). The ones we should be more concerned with leaving are McCulloch, Velicka, and Smith(G), and we couldn't cry over more of the fringe players being replaced with our young promising players. We could get a decent fee, this year only, for Mendes and I would reluctantly sell him before I would sell McGregor or Boyd as I think the loss of Mendes would have a lesser effect on the team than the other two would. That is seven players I have noted that I dont think would affect us too badly, and if you add Adam, Gow, Smith(S), Naismith, that would be 11 leaving and would allow one or two more experienced players to come in to fill the real problem areas of the team, like the wide areas. My 24 man squad for next season is starting to look like this; GK: McGregor (1st team), Alexander (2nd choice), Robinson. DF: Weir, Bougherra, Papac, Whittaker (all 1st team), Webster, Wilson, Broadfoot, Wylde, MF: Davis, Thomson (1st team) Edu, Aaron, Beasley, new LM, new RM, plus one of Furman/Shinnie/Efrem. ST: Boyd, Lafferty (1st team) Miller, Fleck, Novo. We also have a lot of good proscpects in our reserves/U19's who should be looking to make a breakthrough, even from the bench this coming season. Players like Ness, Emslie, Loy, Campbell, Lennon, Lowing, Little, McMillan, Hutton. We have heard a lot of good things about these lads, and I would love to see us giving them a taste at the right times. Clearly I would love to see better players throughout the team, but given the financial mess the chairman has made of us again, coupled with uncertain times ahead, this squad should be good enough to see us through the season, unless we have major injury problems. The new midfield signings would have to be first team picks, but as we are getting rid of 11 and bringing in only 2, surely we could afford the wages for a couple of decent players that would bring the flair and creativity so badly lacking in recent years. Any thoughts bears?

RANGERS' midfielders Mo Edu and Kevin Thomson will miss the start of the 2009/10 SPL season due to injury. Edu was ruled out of Saturday's Scottish Cup final victory over Falkirk having suffered ligament damage to his left knee after a crunching challenge from Dundee United's Darren Dods at Tannadice on May 24. Top London surgeon Andy Williams carried out a successful operation on the American yesterday but he is expected to be out of action for a minimum three months. The 23-year-old has also been forced to withdraw from the US national team for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers with Costa Rica and Honduras and the Confederations Cup tournament later this month. Thomson, meanwhile, missed the majority of the 2008/09 double-winning campaign due to a cruciate injury picked up at against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on November 9. The Gers' No. 8 has been making excellent progress with the physios at Murray Park and is ahead of schedule but, like Edu, might not return to Walter Smith's plans until September. With Barry Ferguson's future at Ibrox uncertain today's news will come as a big blow for the gaffer who would have wanted his squad to be at full strength for the start of the new campaign and the prospect of Champions League football. http://www.rangers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,5~1686356,00.html Not very good news............

WALTER Smith last night revealed a domestic double and �£15million Champions League bounty won't save Rangers from a summer of first-team cutbacks. Smith could be forced into selling some of the key men behind his side's SPL and Scottish Cup successes. As he paraded both trophies at Ibrox yesterday, the Rangers boss warned fans that not even automatic entry into UEFA's most lucrative tournament will allow him to keep his squad together. Already Brahim Hemdani and Christian Dailly have left the club under freedom of contract and Smith expects to lose another four or five senior players from his pool before the next campaign begins. Record Sport revealed last week Smith hopes to partly finance a �£3m move for West Brom winger Chris Brunt by sending ex-skipper Barry Ferguson the other way as a �£1m makeweight. And yesterday he conceded more big names could follow Ferguson out of the door. Smith, who first flagged up the urgent nature of Rangers' finances back in January when he accepted a s4m offer from Birmingham for striker Kris Boyd, said: "We have that whole financial situation to face again this summer. "It never affected Rangers in the latter stages of this season because we didn't lose any players in January as Kris did not move on. But we still have that situation to address. The Champions League money makes a difference in that we have more power in deciding who stays and goes but the situation is still there. "We will have to adjust in a number of ways and cut the squad back. Christian and Brahim have left and we will lose a few others. There are three or four positions that could be doing with enhancing but if we can't do it, that's the way it is." Smith wants captain Davie Weir to return to Ibrox for one more season - despite the fact he will turn 40 in May. The manager will hand Weir the armband once more but will also identify a new vice-captain who will be groomed to take over, with Kevin Thomson the top candidate. Smith said: "Davie is keen to continue and at his age that is the first question. From what I've seen he can carry on. He was brilliant for us all season and never missed a day's training. We give him more rest than others but he has never missed a day through a knock, tiredness or anything. "At times you look at players and as long as their assets outweigh their faults they are good to go on and Davie's assets still outweigh any faults. I hope he will stay as captain but we will have more games next season and that is something we will consider as we go." But while Weir will be handed a new one-year deal Smith is unsure if the likes of Boyd and Nacho Novo, who have one more season left to run on their contracts, will be offered extensions. He said: "The global recession is a problem we are not immune to so it is hard to make decisions on anyone. "The problem kicks in now. It means the decision process is not as straightforward as when I arrived and I could say, 'I want him, him and him'. It will not be an easy close season for anybody." Smith is himself entering into the final few months of his contract but insists he will stay in charge for at least next season's title defence. And he has ruled out the prospect of moving upstairs to a new position in order to free up the job for right-hand man and protege Ally McCoist. Smith said: "I want to make one thing clear: I am not going to do that. I don't want to be a director of football and sit here in judgment of another manager. If I leave Rangers I will leave and that is it. If they welcome me back I will come to watch a game or two but not as director of football." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2009/06/02/walter-smith-admits-he-fears-losing-top-stars-despite-rangers-champions-league-cash-boost-86908-21408298/

Did any of you guys hear this tonight, I only heard a wee bit, a MOPE was on saying Bougherras challenge on Langfield was the same when the C****c goalie Thomson was...........................'' MURDERED at Ibrox by Sam English '', these scum will stoop to any limits, they are just sick,sad,twisted F***S

by Ronnie Cully THE SFA today confirmed they are studying video footage of Glenn Loovens' challenge on Maurice Edu during Saturday's Old Firm game. If the initial investigation into the incident - which occurred just before half time - throws up evidence that the Celtic defender has a case to answer, the matter will be forwarded to the Video Review Panel. But this step would only be taken if referee, Craig Thomson, confirmed it was not an incident which he believed he saw and dealt with at the time. advertisement Edu fell to the ground when Loovens' appeared to make contact with his left knee after the Dutchman had cleared the ball. The Rangers midfielder was forced to leave the field for lengthy treatment before returning to complete the match. Loovens was not one of the six players booked during Saturday's game, and has not been suspended since arriving at Celtic from Cardiff in the summer. But he now faces an anxious wait to discover if he is about to face retrospective action buy the authorities. With Stephen McManus already out for the remaining three league games following surgery last week on his damaged knee, and Darren O'Dea limping out of the game at the weekend, Celtic would be stretched to the limit in the central defensive area if they were now to lose Loovens to suspension. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/display.var.2507441.0.0.php

May 6 2009 By Keith Jackson RANGERS are set to go to war with SPL bosses over a fixture row for the second season on the trot as the race for the title goes down to the wire. Record Sport understands the Ibrox club's hierarchy are seething over what they regard as the "grossly unfair" rescheduling of the third and fourth rounds of post-split matches - switches which will give Celtic's players an extra TWO DAYS resting time between games. And their anger was intensified yesterday when it was announced that manager Walter Smith's 'favourite' linesman Tom Murphy will be running the line for referee Craig Thomson at this Saturday's Judgment Day Old Firm derby. Smith launched an astonishing attack on Murphy in November after the official's offside decision denied Kris Boyd a late winner in a 0-0 draw at Fir Park. The Rangers boss was asked to explain his comments to the SFA after saying on the night: "It was a poor decision by the linesman. I think the TV replays show quite clearly that Kris was onside. "Mr Murphy was quick to allow a Scott McDonald goal at Celtic Park last season. And he was quick to disallow that one tonight. "And people always say we are the club who never get any decisions against us! "But that's two goals we have scored this season at Aberdeen and Motherwell that the linesmen have got wrong." Now Murphy will be under the spotlight again for the match which might decide the destiny of this year's title fight. But while Rangers are in no position to complain about Murphy's appointment, they HAVE contacted the league's top brass to demand an explanation as to why they have been forced into playing two crucial matches in the space of two and a half days next week. The simmering resentment comes 12 months after Smith blamed the SPL for wrecking his chances of a historic UEFA Cup triumph AND domestic title glory by forcing his men to play four games in eight days in an exhausting season finale. Now Rangers are furious again as they slug it out with Celtic once more. An SPL source confirmed to Record Sport last night that the Ibrox club's chief executive Martin Bain has expressed his outrage over the decision to make Rangers travel to face Hibs next Wednesday night - then have them back in action against Aberdeen little more than 60 hours later on Saturday lunchtime. Celtic, meanwhile, take on Dundee United at Parkhead on Tuesday night - but the champions will then have over 100 hours rest before they are next in action at Easter Road. Our source said: "Rangers are clearly unhappy about the way the games have been rescheduled for TV. "They feel aggrieved because Celtic have an extra couple of days off between these matches but it's been explained that this is simply down to an oversight."

KEVIN THOMSON has pleaded with Walter Smith: Make me Rangers captain. Midfielder Thommo, 24, has been crocked since November with a serious knee injury. But he revealed heââ?¬â?¢s set to be back playing in time for the start of next season. And he would love to take shamed Barry Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s place as Ibrox skipper. Thomson said: ââ?¬Å?Tony Mowbray made me his captain at Hibs, Iââ?¬â?¢ve captained the Scotland B side and now been lucky enough to be linked with the armband here. That is a big honour for me. ââ?¬Å?I donââ?¬â?¢t know why I am seen as a leader or potential captain, but itââ?¬â?¢s something I would thrive on. ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢m sure guys like Tony Mowbray have seen attributes in me to be a leader.ââ?¬Â Davie Weir took over when Ferguson was stripped of the captaincy. But Thomson, who was crocked against Kilmarnock, would love to take the role in the long-term. He added: ââ?¬Å?Itââ?¬â?¢s flattering. ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢m pretty sure Iââ?¬â?¢m speaking on behalf of the 25 first-team boys at Rangers when I say that to be linked with the captainââ?¬â?¢s armband is a massive honour. ââ?¬Å?Any pro at any club would feel that, but especially when itââ?¬â?¢s a club the size of Rangers. ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢m sure any individual at Murray Park would die to be captain of a great club like this. ââ?¬Å?But getting fit and back playing is the only thing that really bothers me at the moment.ââ?¬Â Thommo admitted his five-month rehab has been hard. He added: ââ?¬Å?Itââ?¬â?¢s been tough. From a point where you played one or two games a week to a situation where you struggle to put your socks on, is a bit of a shock. ââ?¬Å?From day one I have had to show real mental strength and character and thatââ?¬â?¢s stood me in good stead to get back playing. ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢ve worked ever so hard as well and hopefully if I do get through this the rewards will come.ââ?¬Â http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/article2411490.ece

Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson targets pre-season training after recovering from a career-threatening injury. More...

Hearts full-back Jason Thomson signs a new three-year contract extension at Tynecastle. More...

According to the Mail, he's been told they'll listen to any reasonable offers for him, but its the usual story while being a non-story with no direct quotes. I know he's had his critics, but he can't be faulted for his work-rate, enthusiasm, fitness etc and has been one of those who does put in extra work on the training pitch. I also think he has improved a lot since he's been here, but I can't see him becoming a permanent fixture in the first team, so would he want to hang around if he's only going to be used as a backup player? I'm sure its not all about finances and we could work a deal out if we really wanted him to stay. Maybe he'll move elsewhere and find his level while getting a regular game at centre half. Whatever happens, I'd wish him all the best as quite a few of our players could learn a bit form his attitude if nothing else.

By Andrew Dickson IF there's one man determined to shine in tomorrow's Scottish Cup semi-final with St Mirren, it is Rangers defender Stevie Smith. Brought in from the cold two weeks ago against Motherwell, the 23-year-old has made the most of his unexpected chance in the side with two good performances. Steven Smith trains with Steven Davis and Steven WhittakerSmith has endured a torrid time, spending the best part of two years on the sidelines with pelvic problems then finding himself well out of the first-team picture at Ibrox. But now that he's back in contention again, he doesn't plan to hold back and is eager to claim a long-term place in the side. Although he's a natural full-back, Smith has featured on the left side of midfield and is likely to be deployed there once more against the Buddies at Hampden. He said: "I'm really looking forward to this match. It's a cup semi-final and it's always a massive challenge to get to a final. "From a personal point of view, I never thought I would get a chance to play for Rangers again but I have and I'm thankful for that. "I'm enjoying being back in the team again and if I want to stay here, I have to look upon each chance to play as an opportunity to stake my claim for a long-term place. "I need to play out of my skin, try to stay involved as much as possible and use the situation as it stands to my advantage." Stevie SmithSmith knows St Mirren will be difficult opponents, especially after they beat Celtic 1-0 at Greenhill Road in the last round of the competition. Rangers will go into the game without several players, including Kyle Lafferty, Kirk Broadfoot, Lee McCulloch, Barry Ferguson, Kevin Thomson and DaMarcus Beasley. Those six are all injured while Sasa Papac is suspended and Smith appreciates Saints will be keen to exploit the men from Govan. He added: "I was at our game with them a few weeks ago and while we did well in the first half, they showed a lot of determination in the second. "They came back into the game and impressed me. I saw some of their game last week against Motherwell too and they'll be confident. "Playing at Hampden might be a new thing to their players but that might give them a boost at the same time."