Search the Community

With the current global financial crisis even multi-million pound industries such as professional football are not invulnerable to a degree of cost cutting. Over in Govan we have struggled to come to terms with the facts that the likes of the Sky TV deal south of the border ensure that we struggle to compete with much less vaunted neighbours who previously could only dream of attracting the superstars that graced the Ibrox turf. With our own revenue streams greatly constricted by the fact that we play in the relatively poorer SPL it is essential that we maximise any and every revenue opportunity open to us. In the two horse race that is the SPL, Celtic�s attempts to steal a march on us in foreign markets by signing Asian footballers irrespective of their ability to augment their side has further highlighted our inability to maximise these potentially fruitful markets. Rangers were trailblazers in attempting to cultivate potentially lucrative relationships with foreign sides such as Shenzhen Jianlibao and Northern Spirit, the latter probably a more realistic option but more of that later. The demise of these relationships begs the question of whether or not these opportunities are a potential gravy train for most teams. Celtic often talk of spreading their brand in Asia, with limited success due to former and current players signed from the continent. But in actuality it is more likely merely the fact that Nike are there kit manufacturer that sees Celtic strips available in Sports shops abroad. It is the Nike brand and nothing else that enables this. All the likes of Nakamura did was perhaps boost sales of SPL broadcasting rights in Asia, profits of which were split amongst all member clubs. Out with a few of the World�s biggest clubs; the likes of Man Utd, Real Madrid and Barcelona, there is barely any kind of market in which teams from smaller nations can enrich themselves. Poor uptake of tickets in Celtic�s tours have demonstrated this in recent travels to the US and Australia. It is, however, our English speaking cousins who perhaps offer the most likely source of spreading a global brand. I would not suggest that your average American cares much for football, sorry soccer, over their own national sports. Much less Scottish football. But, in these anglicised countries there is a reasonable ex-pat community with NARSA in the Americas and supporters clubs in Australasia which Rangers could attempt to target with reasonable success. The British citizens in these countries and those within their social circles could perhaps provide a significant fan base with which we could maximise foreign revenue streams boosting broadcasting deals abroad and sales of replica gear. Their families and friends are also more likely to be converted to the cause than football fans from foreign climes who are already heavily invested in the English Premier League supporting Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and the rest, with no connection with Scotland, the SPL and either of the Old Firm. There is often bleating about Celtic�s ability to utilise and exploit their commercial appeal in Asia, but there doesn�t appear to be any evidence in the teams� financial results to suggest they are developing any amount significant income. With the realisation that countries with large ex-pat communities are the only potential revenue stream for clubs who do not compete within the marketing machine of the EPL or its rival leagues, more awareness and perhaps more praise should be forthcoming for Rangers attempts to target these realistic markets. Following on from the signing of Da Marcus Beasley and Maurice Edu (of course still at the club), both American internationals, we have this summer added Alejandro Bedoya and stars and stripes captain Carlos Bocanegra. In addition we have taken on our first Australian player since Craig Moore, in midfielder Matt McKay. Ali Russel highlighted a specific strategy of targeting such players, which makes far more commercial, business and footballing sense than trying to break into what appears to be a closed market to SPL teams. The fruits of this transfer policy are as yet unproven, but logically the strategy looks far more sound than poaching Asian players who realistically should not be granted permits in the hopes of contesting an already saturated market.

SOCCEROO in line for Gers debut against United at Tannadice More...

The title might lead you to thinking that you're about to read something satirical, but I can assure you that you aren't. With just over a week of the summer transfer window remaining, some Rangers fans are rightly beginning to wonder whether Ally McCoist still has the transfer kitty which our new owner Craig Whyte promised a few months ago. It's actually been quite an interesting summer for us in the transfer market and not too many fans will be saying they're seriously underwhelmed by the business the club have done so far, but there's one thing that people are all too aware of and that's that the club haven't actually spent very much money. Some people are saying that it's prudent in the current financial climate for the club to be thrifty and not to spend much money, especially if it's money that the club doesn't actually have or in other words, borrowed. Others though, are brushing off their calculators and adding up what the club has actually spent in comparison to what it's received or due to receive. Without going into specific details and listing all of the transfer fees, it would appear that so far the club has only spent approximately �£1.5 million of the promised �£5 million transfer fund when you take the incoming money from the sales of Madjid Bougherra and Charlie Adam into account. Craig Whyte also said that more than �£5 million could be made available to the manager if necessary, but lets just concentrate on the basic five big ones. So..... the big question is: Does Ally McCoist still have �£3.5 million to spend before the end of this transfer window? I'm not trying to give anyone a dose of the runs here. It's a serious question and one which I'm sure a lot of people are keen to hear an answer to. Over to you Mr. Whyte... It was only a few weeks ago that we were in a situation where the club had a �£2 million accepted bid for Carlos Cuellar on the table and were also simultaneously bidding over �£5 million combined for David Goodwillie and Roland Juh�¡sz. That's over �£7 million that we were led to believe was being made available. After our chaotic Champions League exit at the hands of Swedish club Malm�¶ FF, I'm sure nobody in their right mind thinks Ally McCoist might still have anywhere near �£7 million at his disposal, but where's the remaining �£3.5 million of the promised budget? Did someone leave it in Malmo?

There were mitigating circumstances last night - a whirlwind transfer at the last minute, flung into the deep end without a minute's preparation with his team mates, and beginning his career by flying out to Slovenia for an away game. How did he do? Well he had a car crash start, but seemed to get a little more solid as time went on. I wouldn't say he looks as impressive as Goian, but Dorin hardly excelled beyond words against St Johnstone in his debut either. I've seen nary a word discussing him, may have missed it. So how did you chaps feel his debut went?

They're saying 3 weeks left of the transfer window, which has now been opened since early June iirc. We all knew our squad was paper thin, and that numerous reinforcements were most definitely desired. Our business so far is Spanish 29 year old winger Ortiz for �£500k, Scottish left back (24) Lee Wallace for �£1.5M, Romanian 28 year old central defender Dorin Goian for �£800k, and 24 year old American midfielder Alejandro Bedoya on a pre contract who will join us in 5 months. Forgetting what we arguably still need, what are our verdicts, given what we've seen of them, of the signings we've made up till this point?

Can't get a picture uploaded here at work,but it reads SAVE BRENDAN LILLIS. ALEX KANE: Should Lillis be shown compassion? Published on Monday 8 August 2011 08:38 IN 1977 Provisional IRA member Brendan Lillis was sentenced to life imprisonment. Passing sentence, the judge said: ââ?¬Å?No doubt if you had not been caught you would have continued your bombing campaign for an indefinite period.ââ?¬Â As a member of the Provisional IRA, Lillis would have read and signed up to the terms and conditions of the IRA Green Book; conditions which embraced paragraphs about the moral and political superiority of their terror campaign, loyalty to the IRA and particularly the paragraph which said: ââ?¬Ë?It is these strong convictions which bond the army (the IRA) into one force and before any volunteer decides to join the army he must have these strong convictions. Convictions which are strong enough to give him confidence to kill someone without hesitation and without regret.ââ?¬â?¢ How much compassion should society show to an ill prisoner who was a member of an organisation whose members had the confidence to kill without hesitation and regret? How much compassion should it show to an emaciated cripple who is probably physically incapable of posing a threat to anyone? In the case of Brendan Lillis, the answers are not as clear cut as you might think, for in 1993 he was shown some compassion and clemency when he was released from prison on licence after serving only 16 years of his life sentence. Yet in October 2009 his licence was revoked after he was arrested in a field behind a house where police had just foiled a tiger kidnapping. He was charged with conspiring to kidnap, falsely imprison and rob three people in the house, two of whom were employees of the Northern Bank. Ill health since then has left him unfit to stand trial. But itââ?¬â?¢s worth bearing in mind that no-one campaigning for his release is doing so on the grounds that he is an innocent man, unlawfully and unfairly detained. I am not a vindictive man. If I were an MP I would not be voting for the return of capital punishment, even in the cases of terrorism or child killers. I accepted the early release of republican and loyalist prisoners at the time of the Good Friday Agreement because I believed that it would probably help to create a more stable and peaceful Northern Ireland. It was, of course, a calculated risk and I said so at the time. I also accepted the possibility that some of those released from prison would end up in the assembly and executive. To my mind Lillis was given the opportunity to begin a new life back in 1993. He knew the terms and conditions of his release, just as he knew the terms and conditions of the IRA Green Book when he joined it back in the early 1970s. I have no idea if he was involved in any criminal activity between his early release and his re-arrest in 2009, although it seems reasonable enough to conjecture (if he actually is guilty, of course) that he didnââ?¬â?¢t just get a phone call out of the blue asking him if he fancied going back to a life of crime and risking having his licence revoked. So, letââ?¬â?¢s go back to the earlier questions. How much compassion should be shown to someone who seems to have turned his back on the chance to reform and rehabilitate himself? How much compassion should be shown to a man who has been confined to a bed in the hospital ward at Maghaberry prison since January and who has been, so we are told, increasingly frail since he was returned to prison in October 2009? Others have posed another question: isnââ?¬â?¢t there the risk of creating another republican martyr if Lillis is allowed to die in prison? Compassion has a role to play in every area of life: it is one of the civilising aspects of our existence. But compassion has to be earned. It isnââ?¬â?¢t a right (although the ninnies of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission would probably love to make it so!). Compassion cannot be guaranteed just because someone is too physically ill to remain an active or potential threat to individuals in particular or society in general. Early release should never be an expectation for those who become ill while serving a sentence. Just look at the remarkable recovery made by the Lockerbie bomber after his release! And there are other examples, too. What about the prospect of making a martyr for republicanism? The 10 dead hunger strikers achieved absolutely nothing. They may be venerated in some republican circles, but the sight of a hobbled Sinn Fein shackled to the DUP makes a mockery of their so-called sacrifice. Anyway, for Sinn Fein and dissident republicans, martyrs tend to be two-a-penny: capable of being invented, elevated or simply hijacked as and when the occasion demands it. To be brutally honest about it, I have absolutely no doubt that some of those campaigning for early release are doing so for their own ends rather than for his. And there are probably others who hope he does die inside, hoping to exploit his death and funeral for political and propaganda purposes. David Ford has a very difficult decision to make. If the decision were mine, I would have huge reservations about a ââ?¬Ë?compassionateââ?¬â?¢ approach, not least because Lillis himself and some of the people supporting his release have displayed no compassion in their own previous activities. Similarly, releasing him because of the possibility of martyrdom sends a very dangerous message. It may well be the case that Lillis needs specialist treatment. So be it, transfer him to a hospital where he can get 24-hour supervision and attention. But that doesnââ?¬â?¢t require his ââ?¬Ë?releaseââ?¬â?¢, pardon, freedom or a get-out-of-jail-free card: if he can be made well enough for trial then let him be tried. Surely clearing his name and proving his innocence is just as important to him and his family as getting him back on his feet again? Illness and death are inescapable facts of life and in this case it seems to me that Brendan Lillisââ?¬â?¢s circumstances and present location are mostly of his own making. His illness is not linked to his offences (proved or alleged) nor his imprisonment. Personally, I cannot make a credible argument for either compassion or freedom in his case. Neither the cause of justice or mercy would be served by releasing him. http://www.newsletter.co.uk/community/columnists/alex_kane_should_lillis_be_shown_compassion_1_2942637

According to the BBC, this transfer is complete - pending work permit: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14436925.stm

LIVERPOOL are set to make a shock bid for Celtic star Paddy McCourt. McCourt's stunning individual goal for Northern Ireland against the Faroes last week was seen by scouts all over Europe. Kop boss Kenny Dalglish has already spent over �£100million this year as he tries to turn the Anfield club in to English title contenders. Now he is ready to open the chequebook once more to try and net the Celtic winger before the transfer window closes at the end of the month. Liverpool are understood to have made a tentative enquiry about the player's availability last Thursday morning - just hours after his wonder strike. They were given little encouragement by Hoops bosses but a formal bid is expected to be lodged within the next few days. It now remains to be seen whether they will offer enough to persuade boss Neil Lennon to part with the player. Wolves and Blackpool are also interested in the 27-year-old but the chance to become part of King Kenny's revolution is likely to tempt McCourt Liverpool's way. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3752188/Kenny-eyes-up-Paddy-McCourt-bid.html#ixzz1V3PRCVFX :sowsuser:

I guess this will open the way for a Wilson deal to get put in place. No complaints here if it does he will be an excellent addition. If we loan him to xmas we could bring in Carlos in January. We could even be cheeky and offer Liverpool 1.5 million for him.

AIDEN McGEADY is at the centre of a staggering �£27million transfer tussle between Spartak Moscow and Zenit St Petersburg. It could see former club Celtic celebrate a whopping �£1.7m windfall. Reports in Russia state that Zenit are closing in on a breathtaking swoop for the Spartak wing ace who's taken their league by storm since leaving Parkhead in August, 2010. Hoops chief executive Peter Lawwell negotiated a record �£10m fee with Spartak for Republic of Ireland star McGeady but SunSport understands he also insisted on a sell-on clause guaranteeing 10 per cent of any amount above the original figure. It means if Zenit land McGeady then Celts boss Neil Lennon will likely have his transfer budget significantly boosted. Spartak are expected to accept Zenit's incredible offer. They lie in sixth place, ten points behind leaders CSKA Moscow, and McGeady has become frustrated at their form. He said: "We're so inconsistent at the moment. It doesn't make me optimistic this season." However, McGeady would be under pressure if he did decide to move. The two sides have the fiercest rivalry in Russian football and an incredible 659 fans were arrested in the stadium following a game two years ago. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3750159/Lennon-to-cash-in-on-27m-Aid.html#ixzz1UrOhYCgN

Tottenham striker Robbie Keane is closing on a move to MLS side LA Galaxy, according to reports. Keane is unwanted by Spurs boss Harry Redknapp and said last week that he expected to tie up a move before the end of the transfer window. The Irish international played in a friendly on Wednesday night against Croatia in Dublin, but is believed to be flying to LA to sign a contract worth a reported $9 million over next two years. Keane was linked with a transfer to the MLS 18 months ago, with wife Claudine quoted as saying: "Would I like to see him play for a team like LA Galaxy? Yes, I would love that, but it changes all the time." The striker's departure would open up room for a loan move for former Arsenal frontman Emmanuel Adebayor, who has also been told that he has no future at Manchester City. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/942960/tottenham-striker-keane-heading-to-galaxy---report?cc=5739

As the incessant rain and rioting continue to ruin the summer for most British people, Rangers supporters have more dark clouds on the horizon with the news that HMRC (in conjunction with Sheriff Officers) appear extremely eager to ensure payment for an outstanding Ã?£2.8million (plus penalties) tax liability. With a previous ââ?¬Ë?queryââ?¬â?¢ regarding player EBT payments under the previous owner Sir David Murrayââ?¬â?¢s custodianship, and a distinct inability to push through essential new signings, the Rangers support are rightly concerned about the fiscal situation at their club. Now, clearly both of these tax issues have arisen from deficiencies well before Craig Whyte bought the club just over three months ago. As such, to blame him for challenging the content of the two separate HMRC cases would be rather churlish. Moreover, it seems obvious that the Rangers chairman (along with tax expert Andrew Thornhill QC who is representing the club) is more than confident that both cases can be solved to the satisfaction of our support. In saying that, given sums of up to Ã?£50million have been speculated in the media as possible fees if these cases go against us, we may need more than bullish optimism as these queries play out in the courts. Indeed, if one juxtaposes the tax problems with our difficulties in the transfer market then thatââ?¬â?¢s where many Rangers fans will start to sweat. Obviously, our support have requested prudence in the face of dangerous over-spending in the early part of this millennium but there is a fine line between conservative cash outlay and endangering our chances of success this season (and beyond). This subtle difference was illustrated perfectly as we were knocked out the Champions League well before the group stage due, in part at least, to a distinct lack of depth in our squad. Of course, the club administration will point to the re-signing of key players and the capture of a few new faces as evidence that the days of alleged bank interference are gone. Wallace, Goian and Ortiz may not be the big-name players our fans crave but they will bring freshness and renewed ambition to a squad that has already proven it can compete domestically at least. Unfortunately, the sale of Madjid Bougherra along with high profile failures to capture our primary transfer targets means that once again the Rangers squad is a fragile one as the SPL really starts to get going. An apparent knee problem and MRI scan for Nikica Jelavic along with ill-health for Sasa Papac merely emphasises the lack of options for new manager Ally McCoist. With one negative story after another seemingly encapsulating the club in the kind of gloom that can derail championship bids, perhaps this will be the perfect time for the new owner to prove his intentions are honourable? From now until the end of August is a time where the transfer market finally becomes more focussed ââ?¬â?? none more so than in the EPL where the club 25 man squads will be drawn up by the Manciniââ?¬â?¢s, Dalglishââ?¬â?¢s and Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s of this world. Last season Rangers had some joy from this market but even they may not be able to wait until the cast-offs of our richer peers are available. After all, can we really afford to drop more early points after a poor home draw against Hearts as we unfurled the SPL flag last month? Even from just a few games this season, it is clear that Rangers are short both in central defence and in a creative sense. The loss of Bougherra and injuries to other defenders means strong interest in Carlos Cuellar and Roland JuhÃ?¡sz has to be converted into actual signings. Meanwhile, further forward in the team, Steven Davis canââ?¬â?¢t be expected to carry the creative burden on his own so a wide outlet with pace and the ability to score goals would be most welcome. Anything less than two further new signings and Rangers will really struggle to compete throughout another demanding season at home and abroad. While it is easy to be critical and perhaps over-analyse the very early stages of the Whyte era at Rangers, football fans are generally not the most patient (or indeed logical) of people. Our support needs and demands success at every turn and even though Rangers fans may have to learn to be more understanding of a changing economic climate in Scottish football; the welcome carpet for their new owner has already been rolled away. Exciting sound-bites now have to be turned into tangible progress. To that end, Craig Whyte may not be able to stop the looting in England but the Rangers support will expect him to chase the rain-clouds away from our club and provide the bright future he promised in May.

BOBBY WILLIAMSON claims Ally McCoist should have walked away from Rangers with Walter Smith. Coisty's old strike partner says Gers' record goalscorer is risking his Ibrox reputation as boss of his boyhood heroes. Williamson fears Coisty, who he also bossed at Kilmarnock, will get NO help in the transfer market from the new Rangers regime. He said: "Maybe he should have walked away when Walter did because I don't think this new chairman is going to give him any cash. "I'd hate to see his reputation go down the swannee. Fans are fickle and have short memories. "The man is a legend in my eyes and I wish him all the success, I really do. "I wish him every success, I really do, but I don't know why he's doing it. "He is a legend for Rangers and he's putting his neck right on the block at a difficult time. "There is no money to strengthen the team and has got a very difficult job on his hands. "I needed to carry on in football because I can't do anything else, but Ally has other strings to his bow. He can do TV or radio." Williamson is on the brink of a historic achievement as boss of Uganda, needing just a point against Angola next month to qualify for the African Cup of Nations for the first time in 34 years. Williamson added: "We've GOT to qualify. "The fans are so passionate about football, they love the national team and I need to work hard for these people because they have been so supportive towards me. "The Angola match is going to be massive for the entire country. "It's huge and we're all looking forward to it." Nicklas Bendtner believes Arsenal pal Kyle Bartley can help ease McCoist's problems this season. Bartley is back at Ibrox on a season-long loan and Danish striker Bendtner reckons that can pave the way for him to be a Gunners first-team star. He said: "Kyle really enjoyed his time at Rangers last season and I think that is why he has gone back there. "He must feel this is the best thing for him. "It is good for him to get experience because it is difficult to get into the Arsenal first team. It is always good to get experience and he is getting that at a top club like Rangers because they challenge for the league every year. "I am sure if Kyle does well then he could come back to Arsenal and get into the first team. It depends on the season ahead, but he is a very strong lad. "When he tackles players, he goes through them. "He also has good feet and good technique." Bendtner also revealed he almost became a Rangers player four years ago. He said: "There was talk about me signing for Rangers four years ago when Paul le Guen was manager. "I was close to going there but in the end I decided to sign for Birmingham." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3745338/Ally-should-have-said-no-to-Gers-job.html#ixzz1Ufl2fGcL

The Thoughts and Ramblings of DarcheVinny There is a hefty rumour circulating the forums and social networks I visit - as you all know - regarding Gregg Wylde's alleged contract rejection and even a 'bust up' with our manager. Looking at the squad selection from the Chelsea game with Wylde's absence and it appears these rumours may well be more than rumours. Are we about to lose another very promising talent before we've seen him become a first eleven regular? He had a good run as a regular last season, I was hoping he would play a full term for us on the left this season. Sadly, I don't think we're going to see it. In a pre-season transfer window where again we see players we're linked to go elsewhere for better pay packets, to now potentially lose an exciting talent for the same reason, is a sore one. I could sit here and write about our financial situation in Scotland, Rangers' policies on contract offers and so on. However, I want to talk about the modern day players themselves. Is there anyone left that plays purely for the love of the game in the top leagues? Anyone? Do players like Boyd, Miller, Bougherra, Whittaker and now seemingly young Wylde realise what you or I would give to play for The Rangers? Anything, is the answer. There are many things ruining scottish football, the thirst for money - and lots of it - is the biggest factor for me. I do genuinely fear for the future of the game as more and more players opt for higher salaries than the privilege and honour of being a Ranger, not to mention the success, medals and memories to go with it! The world is still struggling economically as just last week we saw America up its debt limit by however many trillions. In no way are we fully safe from a world economic crash, collecting your wages for the day in a wheelbarrow and so on. Hypothetically, the worlds' economy crashes, money no longer exists. Who do you honestly think from our current squad would still step up and play the next saturday?

By Tom English YOU don't have to be in Ally McCoist's company for very long to understand what his favourite word might be. When he gets earnest, which is pretty much most of the time in these early and troubled days of his reign, he has a way of speaking, a McCoistian sincerity, that is hard to miss. "To be honest with you..." "To be perfectly honest..." "I'm going to be honest here..." "The honest truth is..." Such a lot of honesty, so let's continue the theme. Rangers had every right to hope for the best in Malmo last Wednesday evening, but the sensible ones among their support, the ones, if you like, who knew their history, would have been totally prepared for the worst. In the analysis of their demise in Sweden there has been talk of McCoist's inexperience as a manager and, of course, the frenzied knee-jerk that paints the job as just being too big for him. There is a time to make that assessment but it sure as hell isn't after four games. In any event, what happened to Rangers on Wednesday has been the kind of thing that has been happening for some years now. Even the old maestro, Walter Smith, suffered the same fate repeatedly in recent times. Before Sweden, Rangers had won just one of their previous 20 games in European competition. The last time they secured the kind of away result that would have been deemed good enough in Sweden - a victory - was over three years ago. To illustrate how long ago it was, Christian Dailly played in the match, a 2-0 victory at Sporting Lisbon. So did Carlos Cuellar. And Jean-Claude Darcheville. There is a strange dynamic that takes hold in Scottish football sometimes. We decry the quality of the product here and bemoan the falling standards of the elite teams at the top. And yet a form of arrogance - in the media and among the support - takes hold at times when they enter Europe, an assumption that bad and all as the Scottish teams are, they're surely not that bad that they can't beat an "average lot" like Malmo, or "pub teams" like Kaunas and Artmedia Bratislava. McCoist wasn't the only one who fell at such hurdles. Far, far more experienced managers - Smith and Gordon Strachan - have been undone before him. Malmo was a missed opportunity, though. Rangers actually played reasonably well, better than they have done away from home in Europe for a little while. They lost because of indiscipline, not because they were outplayed or outclassed. They looked comfortable. There is a modicum of consolation in that for McCoist. Something to hold on to as he watched the Champions League millions floating away on the breeze. They were hampered, too, by a terrible false economy at work in the Rangers transfer strategy. Craig Whyte has money to spend, and he will spend it. Wesley Verhoek, the Den Haag winger, and Roland Juhasz , the Anderlecht defender, have been the subject of bids and may soon join Rangers. But Whyte should have had more players in the door by now, should have had more new talent in the starting line-up already. It's a failure of philosophy and this cringe-making 'low-bidding' process that they have been engaged in. Low-bidding has cost them dear. "I wouldn't say deep frustration," said McCoist when asked about the transfer strategy. "The problem with transfers is that in an ideal world you go in and get the job done and get out and everybody's happy. In the current climate that's very seldom the case. What's been a little unfortunate for us is that every deal has been scrutinised to the maximum. "I can understand totally the frustration and some of the criticism that's coming our way because players are not coming in as quickly as we all hope. You want to get the deal done and get out. It's the job of you guys (reporters] to find out (what's happening] and the next minute it's leaked and when it's leaked, prices go up, values go up, wages go up. I'm not complaining about it, but that's the way it is. If you're asking me if I'd rather go in, grab somebody, sit them down and say, 'Right let's do it right now, get the papers signed' then yeah, great." So why doesn't he? Who's been talking to these players? Whyte? Ali Russell? Gordon Smith? "I've been in constant dialogue with Kyle Bartley, for example," said McCoist. "Constant dialogue with Lee Wallace's agent. Maybe I need to use my phone more. Believe me if I get an opportunity to speak to any player I speak to them and that's the case." Is there a coded message in there? McCoist is a deal-closer whereas some of the others at the club are not? On Verhoek and Juhasz he comes across as a man who is expecting them to walk through the door at any minute. "The bids went in on Wednesday. I just want them done. We are very, very hopeful." If nothing else, the Malmo game offered up a test of McCoist's attitude when dealing with players who had clearly let him down. Namely, Steven Whittaker and Madjid Bougherra. The Algerian doesn't matter so much now that he has left the club, but Whittaker remains and he has had a rough week. Did McCoist give him a verbal blast or was his treatment more subtle? What exactly is the McCoist way of doing things in these situations? "I'll be really honest with you, I haven't spoken to them. A couple of reasons and the most important reason is, well, they know. They know. I'd be really disappointed if Steven did that again. Really disappointed, because he's an intelligent boy and looking at Steven at the end of the game I don't think I needed to say anything to him. Sometimes you judge a situation and the decision is made for you. "You know, the indiscipline has definitely cost us but the indiscipline, dare I say it, was more stupidity than malicious. It doesn't help because we're out of the tournament, but sometimes you can forgive a little stupidity as long as you don't make the same mistake twice. Everybody makes a mistake but the crime is making the same mistake twice. Steven is the only one who can help himself. Effectively, there's nothing that anybody can say or do. I'm disappointed. I don't want to sound flippant here but I'm not overly worried." Keeping your head when others are looking for it is a big part of managing the Old Firm. Keeping your head and freshening your team. He can do the first part. The second he would want to get on with pretty damn quickly. http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/sport/Tom-English-The-woes-of.6814359.jp

I've not looked in the match thread so there may be a few comments on him already, but I felt the subject was worth its own thread. Whittaker has not had the best of seasons so far. He gifted Malmo their opener in the first leg, has been caught out several times in the SPL already, and generally looks a shadow of the reasonably decent player he was last year. Last night was genuinely astonishing. On top of his dire form, he acted like a child and did something so unbelievably stupid that very few players could be forgiven it. But in his case his manager went out on a total limb to retain him. Whittaker rejected so many contract extensions and pay rises, his agent publicly saying that if no transfer offer was accepted, he'd happily run down his final year. This left a sour taste in the mouth. So for this fairly average player to become one of the club's top earners remains something quite bizarre. I was completely against it at the time, and said he'd have to seriously improve his form to justify his selection and Ally's faith. Well, his form has gone to hell, and his petulance had a major hand in us losing millions from the CL. I'm no big fan of Broadfoot, but I'd much rather have him at RB for now and let Whittaker earn his place back in time. He does not deserve to be playing right now.

Published on Thursday 4 August 2011 11:51 POOL are being linked with a Rangers wonderkid labelled one of the game�s rising stars. The Seasiders are understood to have made an enquiry about attacking midfielder John Fleck, who made his first-team debut for the Glasgow giants at the age of 15, four years ago. Fleck has made 37 appearances since. He is a big part of Rangers� long-term plans and signed a new three-year contract last year. But Pool are hoping to land the teenager on a loan deal and have made contact with Ibrox. Ian Holloway wants to add players with an eye for goal before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, especially with DJ Campbell on the verge of finally leaving. The striker is close to completing a move to QPR, though there has been a hold-up as he waits to see if Aston Villa come in with a late bid. Campbell has not been training with Pool. http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/blackpool_linked_with_rangers_midfielder_1_3646378

IN APPORTIONING blame for Rangers' damaging exit from the Champions League, it is perhaps too easy to adopt a scattergun approach. From the pitch, to the technical area and all the way up to the directors' box, there would have been no shortage of targets for the ire of Rangers fans had they been at the Swedbank Stadium on Wednesday night. Uefa's one-match ban on their travelling support meant Rangers were spared an initial close-quarters inquisition for their implosive performance in drawing 1-1 against Malmo and slumping out of the elite club tournament 2-1 on aggregate in the third qualifying round. The debate will rage on as to whether Rangers would have avoided such a costly fate had new owner Craig Whyte achieved greater success in the transfer market or whether new manager Ally McCoist could have prepared his team more effectively for the tie against the unseeded and unremarkable Swedish title holders. But while Whyte and McCoist unquestionably still have it all to prove in their fledgling roles, it is harsh in the extreme to hold them accountable for the folly perpetrated by two others on Wednesday. No-one could begin to legislate for the inane actions of Steven Whittaker and Madjid Bougherra in getting themselves sent off and leaving their team-mates with just too much to do to turn the tie around. Irrespective of how many new players the Whyte regime has so far managed to recruit, it is clear that the existing group available to McCoist should have been more than capable of comfortably defeating Malmo. It was equally apparent on Wednesday that the damage done in the 1-0 first leg defeat at Ibrox was far from irreparable, leaving the ludicrous indiscipline of Whittaker and Bougherra all the more galling for McCoist. Remarkably, Bougherra left the stadium protesting his innocence, despite a forearm smash on Malmo substitute Dardan Rexhepi which saw the home player carried off on a stretcher and left Rangers reduced to nine men for the final 24 minutes. While Bougherra was in denial, however, Whittaker at least earned some credit yesterday by accepting responsibility for his petulant show of dissent in the 18th minute when he threw the ball at Malmo winger Jimmy Durmaz. "I'm gutted with what happened," said Whittaker. "I don't usually react to things like that, but for some reason I did this time. I just got caught up in the game, caught up in the moment. "We were all determined to get the right result. But I let everyone down. Their guy kicked me off the ball and I threw it at him, which I shouldn't have done. The referee obviously saw what happened and took the decision to send me off which was disappointing. "I felt he could have booked me and got on with it, but he clearly saw it differently and thought I deserved to go. To be fair, straight after I'd done it I knew I shouldn't have done it. "Right from that exact moment I was filled with regret, wishing I could turn the clock back ten seconds. But you can't do that, can you, so I just had to deal with it. The guy played it inside and went to challenge for the ball. When the boy came close to me I managed to brush him aside and we ended up in the ground. "As he fell, he kicked out at me, but I reacted in the wrong way - that's the bottom line. As I walked off I was pretty devastated and gutted for the boys. I was leaving them on the pitch with so much to do. "They did brilliantly to get the lead with ten men after that and I thought for a while they were going to win it. I watched the rest of the first half from the dressing room, got myself changed and saw the second half from the stand. But it just wasn't to be. It wasn't nice sitting there. "The other boys just told me to keep my head up after the game. There are plenty of other games this season and we'll try to put things right. "I'll bounce back from this, we all will, even though going out of the Champions League is far from ideal. We responded and won the league after we went out to Kaunas three years ago so hopefully we can do the same again." Rangers will pay a heavy price for the red mist which engulfed them on Wednesday. Whittaker and Bougherra incur automatic one-match suspensions and possibly further bans if Uefa deem their offences as serious misconduct. In Bougherra's case, that may prove irrelevant if he completes his proposed �£1.7?million transfer to Qatari side Lekhwiya. Sasa Papac will also miss the first leg of Rangers' Europa League play-off tie later this month as a result of being booked in both legs against Malmo. With captain David Weir and recent signing Dorin Goian both recovering from hamstring injuries, it leaves McCoist with major defensive problems for the tie. The Uefa signing deadline for the play-off tie is next Monday, although clubs can again add one 'wild card' by 11pm on the eve of the first leg which is scheduled for 18 August. Rangers could also be in line for a fine from Uefa for having more than five players booked in one match. They incurred six yellow cards from Russian referee Vladislav Bezborodov on Wednesday, in addition to the straight reds shown to Whittaker and Bougherra. For the moment, those two players are the men who must carry the can for the calamity visited upon Rangers in Malmo. But if the club's fortunes in the transfer market and on the pitch do not show a rapid upturn, then there will be scant mitigation available for Whyte and McCoist. http://sport.scotsman.com/theoldfirm/Steven-Whittaker-39filled-with-regret39.6813227.jp?articlepage=1

RANGERS chairman Craig Whyte has defended his transfer market dealings since taking charge of the club, insisting the criticism levelled at him in the wake of their Champions League elimination is "completely unjustified". Whyte has come under fire for the failure to sign more players ahead of the third qualifying round tie against unseeded Swedish side Malmo which Rangers lost 2-1 on aggregate to drop into the Europa League play-offs. Since buying Rangers three months ago, Whyte has overseen the recruitment of just three new players with Juan Manuel Ortiz, Lee Wallace and Dorin Goian arriving at Ibrox for a combined outlay of around �£2.5 million. With Madjid Bougherra poised to make a �£1.7 million move to Qatari champions Lekhiwaya and Rangers in line to receive an �£850,000 sell-on windfall from Charlie Adam's �£8.5 million move from Blackpool to Liverpool, Rangers will effectively recoup what they have spent on transfers so far. Rangers have failed with bids for a series of other players, most notably David Goodwillie who completed his �£2.8 million move from Dundee United to Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday. Whyte says Rangers offered more up front for the Scotland striker but claims United simply did not want to sell him to another Scottish club. The Rangers owner has promised to add more players to manager Ally McCoist's squad before the transfer window closes on 31 August and believes his dealings compare favourably with those at the club during the same period last year. "Look, we are speaking here on 4 August," said Whyte. "What had Rangers signed this time last season? Nothing. They signed James Beattie on something like 13 August and they signed Nikica Jelavic on around 20 August. We've had an earlier start to the season this year, but Rangers have done much, much more this time than in any season before. So I think the criticism is completely unjustified. "We are all working really hard to make this work. That is the bottom line. "We've got offers in for players. Sometimes you get them and sometimes you don't. With David Goodwillie, for example, we offered more than Blackburn offered, but Dundee United didn't want to sell to us. That is their prerogative. "I think the Dundee United people will tell you the same thing, that we offered more up front money than Blackburn. They said they might get more in extras from Blackburn, but basically, Dundee United didn't want to sell to another Scottish club. That is the bottom line. There is nothing sinister in it. I don't know why people make a thing out of it. There is nothing sinister in it at all. "We've got offers in for quite a few players at the moment. We have also still got the spine of the side that won the championship last season. I've done what I said I would do. I've extended players' contracts. We have so far signed three new players. We have got five or six other players who we have re-signed, which is just as important. I've delivered everything that I said I would deliver. That is the message I want to get across, and I will continue to do that. We will absolutely have a strong squad in place by the end of August, of course we will. "Ally and I sat together on the plane home and had a positive discussion about our signing plans. I fully understand the fans' frustration at the transfer speculation we have seen in recent weeks but the reason we lost in the Champions League is not due to a lack of signings. Ally himself has said publicly that we are a good side that only recently won the league championship." Rangers now miss out on income of around �£15 million which participation in the group stage of the Champions League would have delivered. Whyte, speaking on the team's return from Malmo where they finished with nine men on the pitch following the dismissals of Steven Whittaker and Bougherra in the 1-1 second leg draw, appeared determined to remain upbeat. "It was unfortunate but we are looking forward," he added. "Of course it is frustrating to go out of the Champions League. It's frustrating for all Rangers fans. I'm a Rangers fan myself and I know how it feels. "I thought the team played well in Malmo, I thought they played their guts out. There were a couple of unfortunate decisions, and it was unfortunate that we got a couple of players sent off, but we played well. "I think Rangers were the better team, I think everyone saw that." http://sport.scotsman.com/football/Craig-Whyte-comes-out-fighting.6813237.jp?articlepage=1

Explained: eligibility of 'cup-tied' players in UEFA competitions. Players can play for more than one club in Europe in any given season, but only if their old side fail to make it into a competition proper. With Champions League and Europa League qualifying games starting at a time that most managers are still putting together their squads, many clubs will be poring over UEFAââ?¬â?¢s rule books to see if their transfer targets will be free to play in European competition. Worried supporters have watched on as names linked with a move to their side have played in European competition, potentially ruling the target out of playing in Europe for them or, worse, a deal collapsing as a result. However, UEFA regulations however can clear a player to play for two clubs in Europe in any given season, based upon an exception which applies to participation in the qualifying rounds. Rule 18.07 states that if a player features in the first, second or third qualifying rounds of either the Champions League or Europa League, he can play for another club in either competition from the group stages onwards, provided his former employers do not reach the group stages themselves. If a player is involved in any of the aforementioned qualifying rounds for a side which then goes on to play in the group stages of either UEFA competition, he is not eligible to play for another club in Europe in that season. There is a common misconception regarding rule 18.19, which states that from the knockout stages, a player cannot be registered to play for another club if he has already played in the same competition that season, or if his previous side remain in that competition. However, this rule does not mean that a player would be able to play in the group stages for his new club, and then find suddenly himself ineligible to play in the knockout stages. Provided a playerââ?¬â?¢s former side were eliminated prior to the group stages, and the player was then registered to play in the groups of either competition for his new club, he is free to continue playing in the knockout rounds of either the Champions League or Europa League. Current example Player A features for Club A in a Europa League second qualifying round tie. Player A has been linked with a possible move to Club B, who are participating in the qualifying stages of the Champions League. If Player A is subequently sold to Club B, he would not be able to play in the qualifying rounds of either the Champions League or Europa League. However, provided Club A do not reach the group stages of the Europa League, Player A could be registered to play for Club B in the group stage of the Champions League or Europa League, as per rule 18.07 of the regulations of the two competitions for 2011/12. Under the same set of circumstances, Player A would also be free to play in the knockout stages of either the Champions League or Europa League, provided he had previously been registered for the group stages with Club B. If Club A were to reach the group stages of the Europa League, Player A would not be able to play for Club B in European competition in the 2011/12 season. Past example Rangers faced similar circumstances when they signed Nikica Jelavic from Rapid Vienna at the start of the 2010/11 season, with the striker having turned out for the Austrians in the Europa League qualifying rounds. However, as Rapid went on to qualify for the group stages of the Europa League, Jelavic became ineligible for the group stages of the Champions League. Jelavic would have been clear to play in the knockout rounds of the Champions League but, as Rangers dropped into the Europa League, he was unable to play for the same reason. http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/rangers/263283-explained-eligibility-of-cup-tied-players-in-uefa-competitions/ Explained: UK work permit rules for footballers. Any player from outside the EEA needs a work permit to come to the UK but the rules on how to get one are often misinterpreted. The regulations in place for a footballer applying for a work permit to move to a UK club remain frequently misunderstood and misinterpreted. Various outlets, officials and supporters have quoted varied rules from the past, many of which remain relevant but have moved on from the assumed requirements for a footballer to be given the necessary immigration status. Previously, a club would apply direct to the Home Office for a work permit, with the well-known requirement being that a player had to have played 75 per cent of his nationââ?¬â?¢s competitive games within the last two years to qualify. Now, the relevant governing body must endorse any work permit application by a club before it is submitted to the Home Office, cutting down on the number of requests made directly to Government which are unlikely to succeed first time. Who needs a work permit? Any player who is over 16 years old and is not from the European Economic Area, which covers 32 countries aside from the UK requires a work permit to play for a British club. A Commonwealth citizen with at least one grandparent who was born in the UK does not need to apply through the points based system. Such players will still require a work permit but go through a different process. How to get a work permit When a club signs a player who requires a work permit, they agree to sponsor the player to be in the UK, meaning they will provide the funds for his time in the country. A certificate of sponsorship is then produced by the club, which is then submitted to the relevant FA for them to consider an endorsement. The Scottish FAââ?¬â?¢s rules on work permit endorsements follow the same guidelines as previously outlined by the Home Office. For the SFA to give their approval, the player in question must have played 75 per cent of his nationââ?¬â?¢s competitive games ââ?¬â?? excluding friendlies ââ?¬â?? in the two years prior to the date of application. Furthermore, the country the player is coming from must be in the top 70 of Fifaââ?¬â?¢s rankings. Failure to meet these requirements results in an automatic rejection of any application for an SFA endorsement for a work permit certificate of sponsorship. As of June 28, 2011, it costs an applicant Ã?£550 to apply by post for a work permit in the UK, or Ã?£850 in person to process the application on the same day. There is a reduction in cost for nationals from Croatia, Turkey or FYR Macedonia, with the same applications costing Ã?£495 and Ã?£765 respectively. The appeals process If an application is rejected, a club can then appeal to the governing body. An appeals panel will ultimately weigh up whether or not the player is, in their view, an internationally established player and whether another professional within the UK could not perform a similar role. The panel must also be satisfied the applicant is a player who is going to make a contribution to the development of the game at the highest level of Scottish football. It must also be proven that the player is of a sufficient standard to improve the game. That appeals panel typically sits within three to five working days of an appeal submission and is made up of football experts, made up typically of former professionals. Officials from the league, the FA and the playerââ?¬â?¢s union also sit on the panel to argue the case for the player being granted an endorsement. In Scotland, experts who have sat on the decision panel previously include former player-turned-pundit Pat Nevin, one-time Motherwell boss Willie McLean ââ?¬â?? brother of Tommy and Jim ââ?¬â?? and former Hibernian and Liverpool midfielder Peter Cormack. Status of immigration The length of time a player can remain in the UK as a player depends on his grasp of the English language. There are two immigration statuses available to a player applying for a work permit: tier two and tier five. Under tier two, a player can remain in the UK for an initial three years, with the possibility for an extension for a further two years. To qualify, the player must accrue 70 immigration points under the Home Officeââ?¬â?¢s system. 50 are given for getting an FA endorsement, with 10 more given for being able to prove sufficient funding to remain in the country. The final 10 are awarded on the basis of the playerââ?¬â?¢s English. If the applicant comes from a predominantly English-speaking country, or has a degree from a course which was taught in English, the 10 points are subsequently awarded. Additionally, a player can sit an approved English language test upon their arrival in the UK to obtain tier two status. Failing that, a player can apply for tier five status. Again, a certificate of sponsorship and proof of sponsorship is required but a visa is only valid for one year. However, the player can then sit an English language test within that year and apply to switch to tier two status. The current Home Office financial criteria for a player to come to the UK outlines he must be continuously funded during his time in the country and has had at least Ã?£800 in his bank account for 90 consecutive days prior to the point of moving. The process simplified A football association will typically endorse a certificate of sponsorship for a player if he has played 75 per cent of competitive games for a FIFA ranked top 70 nation over the past two years. Under no circumstances will an FA endorse a certificate of sponsorship on the first attempt if the criteria is not met. A club may then appeal if the first application is rejected. An appeals panel will then convene to establish whether, in their view, the player's transfer would be of benefit to the game in the relevant country. If they are in favour, the football association will then endorse the certificate, which then contributes the biggest part to the Home Office's criteria. http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/rangers/193378-explained-uk-work-permit-rules-for-footballers/ Maybe Admin can make this a sticky for future reference?

DAVID GOODWILLIE will sign for Blackburn Rovers today in a �£2.8million deal. But Rangers manager Ally McCoist is raging that Dundee United snubbed his offer for Goodie. Coisty believes he tabled a bid which amounted to MORE money up front for hitman Goodie. But United owner Stephen Thompson rejected the deal from their SPL rivals - deciding it was NOT better than what the Premiership outfit were prepared to pay over the long term. Goodwillie headed to Lancashire yesterday for signing talks and part of his medical, with the paperwork set to be completed after a final routine scan. And Rangers last night finally conceded defeat in their pursuit of last season's Young Player of the Year. But boss McCoist is fuming with the way that negotiations developed throughout the day. And he was left convinced United had no intention of EVER selling the 22-year-old Scotland striker to them, regardless of what was offered. A high-ranking Rangers source told SunSport: "The deal on offer was a good one - in many ways better than what was tabled by Blackburn Rovers. But Dundee United were only willing to do business with Rovers and the talks broke down." United chairman Thompson, however, insists Rangers did NOT table a better deal than the one on offer down south. He told SunSport: "Rangers' bid was not acceptable. The overall deal was not as much as was on offer from Blackburn. "If the offer was right from Rangers then of course we could have sold to them. But the offer was NOT right as far as we're concerned - and that's it." SunSport understands the crucial difference in the deals tabled by both clubs surrounded the sell-on clauses offered. It's believed Gers initially didn't offer anything - with Rovers more than happy to sign a deal which would see United earn a percentage of a future transfer fee. With add-on bonuses also written into the contract - dependant on how many appearances Goodwillie makes in the Premiership - United firmly believe Rangers' offer is NOT worth more in the long run. McCoist's biggest frustration is that he didn't get the opportunity to talk to the player - convinced that if he did he'd have been able to sell him on a move to Rangers. Discussions took place throughout yesterday as Gers were also given the news that new defender Dorin Goian is NOT eligible to play in the Champions League qualifier with Malmo. The Romanian flew to Sweden as part of McCoist's squad yesterday. But Gers were informed by UEFA that their bid to have him in their side for the second-leg clash had failed. Goian signed for the Ibrox side before last week's transfer deadline and they believe he should be able to play. But UEFA insist his work permit was not rubber-stamped as Rangers didn't have the proper documentation in place. Gers were still fighting the decision last night, convinced they had filed the necessary paperwork - but it's highly unlikely Goian will be able to play in the Swedbank Stadium. Coisty, meanwhile, has still not given up hope of signing Roland Juhasz from Anderlecht - with further talks expected to take place over the next 48 hours. Den Haag winger Wesley Verhoek is also still on the radar despite fresh interest from Fulham. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3730238/Rangers-anger-as-Rovers-land-David.html#ixzz1Tv594rmK

Has been fined two weeks ages, placed on the transfer list and made available for free after having a go at the clubs transfer policy. Interested clubs are Arsenal, Man Utd, Spurs and........Celtic.

By MARK WALKER KENNY MILLER can leave Bursaspor for �£600,000 after his official transfer request was accepted. Rangers, who are keen to bring the Scotland striker back to Ibrox for a third spell at the club, will face stiff competition from other suitors, though, headed by Championship side Cardiff City, who have money to spend as they try again to win promotion to the Premier League. Miller has been pulled out of the Bursa pre-season training camp in Austria after a meeting with manager Ertugrul Saglam. The former Old Firm striker has failed to settle with his family in Turkey and wants a return to Britain. Bursaspor have reluctantly accepted his transfer request, but director Ilhan Uslu has warned that Miller will only leave on their terms. "He is under contract to us and no business will be done until is suits Bursaspor," Uslu said. Miller could get his wish to leave as early as this week. Bursa are in negotiations with AIK Stockholm for their Sierra Leone striker Ibrahim Teteh as Miller's direct replacement. If they can tie up a swift deal with the Swedes, the Scotland forward would return to Britain, as long as he can find a club prepared to stump up the transfer fee. Ally McCoist has expressed an interest in Miller but has also stressed that the Ibrox club would only do a deal, and offer wages, at a level they were comfortable with. http://www.scotsman.com/rangersfc/Turks-name-Kenny-Miller-price.6803777.jp

The Rangers and the club champion of Qatar 2011, Lekhwiya Sports Club, have agreed to the transfer of Algerian defender Madjid Bougherra. He should join his new team after the preliminary round of the Champions League the past. The Algerian daily, Competition , reveals that the Algerian international Madjid Bougherra , will sign the club of Qatar Sports Club Lekhwiya led by Djamel Belmadi and champion of Qatar title. The transfer was made ​​for 3 million euros and Algerian international touch an annual salary of 1.7 million euros. The arrival of Bougherra will be formalized in a few weeks. The leaders of the Rangers, despite the fact that they have completed the transfer, asked the player to stay and participate in the double confrontation against the Swedes in MalmÃ?¶ on behalf of the third and final preliminary round of the Champions League, (one July 26, return August 2). For now, the newspaper said, the player refuses the situation for fear of injury. Anyway, Qatar continues to play the Eldorado for Algerian international. Madjid Bougherra is the third member of Fennecs to join Mercato since the opening of the country that will host the World Cup in 2022, after Mourad Meghni (Umm Sallal) and Karim Ziani (Al Jaish). Nadir Belhadj is already playing at Al Saad as Boualem Khoukha to Al Arabi. Another Algerian player is also in contact with Qatar, Hassan Yebda. http://www.parolesdefoot.com/afrique-et-can-2012/19388/bougherra-rejoint-belmadi-a-lekhwiya-sports-club/

After what seems the shortest summer break in history, competitive football in Scotland begins again this Saturday lunch-time as Champions Rangers welcome Hearts to Ibrox Stadium. After 54 League titles including the last three in a row, can Rangers continue on the success trail under new rookie manager Ally McCoist? Despite the loss of a few players from last season's title winning squad, confidence amongst the support should be high that we can retain the title. While our progress in the transfer market has been steady rather spectacular, we do have the same core of players that have been so successful while at the club. Of course it is somewhat disappointing that (so far anyway) links with exciting players in the media haven't actually resulted in the likes of Carlos Cuellar wearing the shiny new strip. However, the re-signing of existing players on extended contracts should not be under-estimated in value to our chances of success. After all, the likes of McGregor, Whittaker, Davis and Weir have all been hugely important in our march to 3IAR. Add in Naismith and Jelavic, then you have the kind of spine that won't accept second best. Such squad continuity is invaluable. On the other hand, our squad is too thin. The loss of guys like Weiss, Bartley and even Foster reduces our flexibility and it won't be difficult for opposition managers to guess, then limit, our style of play. In saying that, the capture of Juanma Ortiz and the introduction of youngsters like Bendiksen and Hemmings should help to keep things fresh. I'd also hope fringe players like Fleck, Broadfoot and Healy will be reliable deputies when called upon. And there is still time for more new signings - at the right price of course! Moving onto Saturday's SPL curtain-raiser, I think the first thing to do is acknowledge that Hearts have done what we haven't and brought in new signings quickly and efficiently. Sure, they may not be genuine top quality but the likes of Sutton, Hamill and Taouil offer a consistency and experience Hearts did miss from their foreign contingent. As ever, this won't be an easy match after the league flag is unfurled but I'm actually glad of such a tough opener though as, with Malmo in the CL 3rd Qualifying Round on Tuesday night, we need to be up and running quickly. Indeed, because of that European banana skin, we may see a slightly less adventurous XI as to what finished the SPL campaign last term. In the last few games of season 10/11; we were superb to watch and brushed all aside in a flurry of great goals and exciting performances. I'd expect a more conservative outlook this weekend though. Let's have a look at the manager's options. While our defence should have a familiar look for most of the start of the season, captain David Weir is suspended for our opening match. This means McCoist will need to decide between Broadfoot, Papac or Whittaker at centre-half. All of this shuffling about highlights we do need to sign another central defender but if we could persuade Bougherra to re-sign then such defensive stability would be ideal. In the mean-time we still have a strong, experienced defence so we need not overly worry about the tasks ahead. Moving into midfield, again despite the dearth of signings we do have a variety of options given everyone appears to be fully fit. On Tuesday night in Blackpool, the new manager opted for an orthodox four though and I think we'll see the same unit start against Hearts. Some fans are worried at the inclusion of both Edu and McCulloch but these guys provide the solid platform for the likes of Davis and Ortiz to get forward effectively and it was no coincidence these guys provided both goals. Sure, against other opposition we may only need one of those holding players but it may be more prudent to avoid unnecessary gambles early in the campaign. Not to mention the fact that Edu can get forward well when required. Also eager to be considered will be Fleck, Hutton, Bendiksen and Wylde but they may have to be content with a place on the bench. Into attack and the injury to Kyle Lafferty is a blow - both in terms of the player's own development after an impressive end to last season and to our general options up front. However, again we do have suitable cover via Naismith, Healy and Beattie - not to mention young Kane Hemmings who has shown up well in pre-season. Obviously Nikica Jelavic is the first name on the team-sheet so it will be up to the others to show they're capable of scoring the goals to partner him. All in all, we still have a core of players more than capable of competing strongly again for the league title. Yes, a few new players would be agreeable but I'm hoping everyone will focus on the task at hand and that's getting off to a good start in the league while progressing in Europe. With a stadium wide card display on Saturday and the newly combined 500 strong Broomloan Front singing section; the fans will be ready to back the players and Super Ally as they bid to 'Step up and Play' once more. Possible team (4-4-2): :sw: :mb: :kb: :sp: :sd: :me: :lm: :jmo: :nj: :sn: Here's to 55! :spl: