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Alastair Johnston has flown in I know we're all sick of rumour and speculation but noted a couple of low key reports this week saying our Chairman has unexpectedly flown back to Scotland from his Florida base. He seems to make a personal appearance (at least as far as I can see) whenever something is going on regarding the Club's financial status. Assuming Bain is handling transfer business - is it possible he is indeed here to oversee something much larger?

BBC transfer gossip suggests the Argie winger is on his way to Anfield for a paltry 1.5m! What a deal. Must be out of contract in the summer. Remember that wonderful 30 odd pass goal he finished at the WC in germany? Mon the reds!

One minute they want to buy the club or consider multiple x 17 options, now they are talking of boycotts.... "A wise man speaks because he has something to say; a fool because he has to say something". Edgar has obviously learnt nothing from past mistakes. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2010/01/06/exclusive-rangers-fans-threaten-season-ticket-boycott-if-kris-boyd-is-sold-in-transfer-window-86908-21945798/

Bosnia international Semir Stilic claims Celtic are keen on signing him in this month's transfer window. More...

Happy New Year to everyone! Sorry I've not been around recently but illness and holidays meant I enjoyed a good couple of weeks away from you moaning minnies! Well, great result at the weekend if another rather poor performance at Parkhead. Obviously the loss of several important players this season for this match (before and during the game) affected our display but we still struggled badly at times and if it wasn't for some dreadful finishing from Samaras and McGeady, we wouldn't have taken such a vital point. Onto the refereeing decisions from the Mason (well Celtic supporter Steve Conroy) in the black and obviously they had an important factor on the outcome of the match. Firstly the disallowed goal - well at first I thought it was a legitimate goal as McGregor was rather flat footed while Fortune rose well to head home. However, replays clearly showed the striker's arm/elbow impede McGregor's arm which is a foul - even if perhaps a soft one. Strange how those desperate to cry out about the use of Miller's arm RE: Darren Dods are so eager to miss this incident though. Secondly, the challenge from Lafferty on Hinkel which I thought was very late and dangerous considering it was high and had studs showing. I wouldn't have complained if a straight red was shown but considering players like Loovens and McDonald have got off with similar in recent times, I'm surprised Celtic fans are now going on about incompetent officials given they were defended by the same people last season. Add in the challenges which went unpunished from the crucial back to back OF games in 2008, then perhaps (as usual) officials should be questioned as a whole as opposed to inferences about conspiracies - not to mention player character? More importantly, I was concerned about our inability to do the basics right again on Sunday. After an incredible display of form in December (lucky according to some), with several players doing very well (not just those missing from the Celtic match) it was disappointing to see us revert back to our early season form in this game. Poor passing; reactive instead of anticipative; weak in the tackle; sitting too deep; and awful control throughout the team. However, in a positive sense our set-pieces were dangerous throughout the match and it was no surprise to me that we did finally score from one ala Lyon. Guys like Weir and Wilson also did quite well throughout the game while I felt Lafferty and Edu improved after the break for reasonable periods in the match. Overall, it was no surprise that we struggled given the enforced pre-match changes to a winning team. The loss of Novo's pace early in the game also affected our ability to support the attack and having to move Davis out wide removed some of his creative threat while Edu's obvious lack of match sharpness and McCulloch's lack of pace meant we sat too deep to compensate. Fortunately, in this case the result is definitely more important than the performance. To be 4 (sic) points clear after such a difficult month (away matches to Hibs, Utd and Celtic) and two home matches (again versus Utd and a tough 'Well outfit) is a great way to start the New Year and decade. Only the churlish would ignore such impressive form given the goals scored and defensive strength also. One poor game away to Celtic (who did play very well actually) can be shrugged off if we address the issues from it suitably. Like everyone else I've no idea if we can keep our squad intact over January but I think the recent involvement of squad players such as Beasley, Broadfoot, Wilson and Novo means we can cope with the loss of most players. Of course if a Boyd or Davis were to be moved on, they'd be a little more difficult to replace - even if the latter's form has been patchy during his stay at the club. Thankfully I doubt either will leave (for now at least). Meanwhile, the imminent return of Beasley, Thomson and Mendes shows those mischief-makers questioning our inability to bring in players we have enough strength in depth to remain competitive in the SPL. It's not as if Celtic's work in the transfer market is anything to be afraid of! As always, it is what we do that matters. December has shown we have a decent team capable of winning any game - even if we get people sent off and suffer from poor officials. If we can continue that kind of form, then we can be confident of a 53rd SPL title. Anything less and we'll allow Celtic to come back into it which means the final two Old Firm league games will be as important and as hotly contested as usual in February and May! I can't wait!

Any big name moves yet? I've hardly had the TV on since New Years Eve.

Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra insists he has no plans to leave the club during this month's transfer window More...

Belarus defender Dmitry Verkhovtsov is eager to sign for Celtic after flying into Glasgow for transfer talks. More...

MADJID BOUGHERRA collected the Algerian player of the year award last night ... then repeated his intention to see out the rest of the season at the Ibrox club, writes Thomas Jordan. The Rangers defender has been linked with a return to the Premiership during the January transfer window, but said he is ââ?¬Å?200 per centââ?¬Â committed to trying to help Rangers defend their SPL title this season. He said: ââ?¬Å?The Premier League is my objective. In terms of motivation and desire, I think I have the qualities to play there. ââ?¬Å?With which club, I donââ?¬â?¢t know. However, I feel I have the potential because I have already played there. ââ?¬Å?Now, if I leave Rangers, it would have to be to a club with ambitions. I have learned how to win trophies and titles and I want more. ââ?¬Å?I donââ?¬â?¢t think I could play for a club that has nothing to play for. It is clear that Iââ?¬â?¢ll finish the season. We will see what the future holds. But Iââ?¬â?¢m 200 per cent staying with Rangers for now.ââ?¬Â

Kevin Kuranyi Mark van Bommel Thomas Hitzlsperger Hamit Altintop Paolo Guerrero Christain Gentner Daniel van Buyten Aaron Hunt Cacau Timo Hildebrand Manuel Freidrich Marcelo Moreno Petit Roberto Hilbert Halil Altintop Ricardo Costa Tinga Pierre Wome Ludovic Magnin Bastian Reinhardt Levan Kobiashvili Yildiray Basturk Michael Rensing Daniel Gygax Jan Simak Shinji Ono Nemanja Pejcinovic Georg Niedermeier Steve Gohouri Christoph Preu�Ÿ Alexander Laas Mehdi Mahdavikia David Vrzogic Steffen Hofman Daniel Beichler Branko Boskovic Christoph Leitgeb Rubin Okotie Szabolic Safar Tomas Jun Rene Aufhauser Giles Yapi-Yapo Johan Vonlathen Hannu Tihinen Carlitos Michael Ballack Tomas Rosicky Joe Cole Deco Martin Petrov Morten Gamst Pedersen Fabio Aurelio Louis Saha Benjani Juliano Belletti Johnny Evans Wilfred Bouma Simon Davies Philippe Senderos Brett Emerton David Dunn Ricardo Fuller Luis Boa Morte Mario Melchiot David James Michael Silvestre Hermann Hreidarsson Chris Iwelumo Liam Ridgewell Kevin Phillips Paul Robinson Mamady Sidibe Erik Edman Gary McSheffrey Bolo Zenden Joey Gudjonsson Stephen Caldwell Graham Alexander Robert Blake Frank Quedrue Salif Diao Stuart Parnaby Damien Johnson Calum Davenport Martin Taylor Tamir Cohen Russell Anderson Ben Alwick Jamie Ashdown Zavon Hines Maxi Rodriguez Ruud van Nistelrooy Diego Godin Henrique Juan Angel Albin Renan Borja Valero Mariano Pernia Abel Aguiar Kalu Uche Pablo Ibanez Raul Tamudo Victor Obinna Diego Costa Christoph Metzelder Gonzalo Castro Ewerton Modeste Mâ��Bami Robert Pires Yeste Miguel Corona David Cortes Ruben Baraja Pele Xisco Walter Pandiani Nasief Morris Momo Julio Alvarez Borja Roberto Ayala Milan Stepanov Peter Luccin Ariel Ibagaza Alberto Rivera Juan Carlos Valeron Jose Ortiz Sidi Yaya Kieta Jeffren Saurez Valdo Cristian Fernandez Goran Pandev Taddei Robert Acquafresca Fabio Simplicio Emiliano Moretti Patrick Viera Mario Santana Fabio Cannavaro Niclos Burdisso Per Kroldrup Pipo Inzaghi Andrea Coda Marco Cassetti Mark Bresciano Nicola Pozzi Manuel Blasi Nelson Rivas Stephen Appiah Cristiano Lucarelli Jorge Martinez Luciano Zauri Marcelo Zalayeta Cristiano Zenoni Dida Mauro Esposito Cristiano Lupatelli Marouane Chamakh Sidney Govou Kim Kallstrom Jimmy Briand Francois Clerc Mouhamadou Dabo Loic Perrin Claude Makelele Laurent Bonnart Sebastien Puygrenier Fernando Morientes Ilan Guirane Nâ��Daw Francois Modesto Nenad Kovacevic Efstathios Tavlaridis Petter Hansson Augusto Fernandez Sofiane Feghouli Daniel Nicalue Antonio Geder Jerko Leko Dario Simic Darryl Goulon Ulrich Rame Diego Placente Jean Calve Patrick Muller Aleksandr Kerzhakov Guilherme Martin Jiranek Vasili Berezutski Faith Tekke Aleksey Berezutski Anton Boder Tomas Hubocan Florin Costea Gabriel Tamas Marko Pantelic Jonathan Alexander de Guzman Roy Makaay Gio van Bronkhorst Blaise Nkufo Denny Landzaat Kristian Bak Nielsen Kenneth Perez Andre Ooijer Mika Vayrynen Eyong Enoh Paolo Henrique Gibril Sankoh Romano Denneboom Serginho Greene Stefan Babovic Said Boutahar Bonaventure Kalou Simon Vukcevic Meyong Ze Moriera Helder Barbosa Hugo Viana Manu Kris Boyd Gary Caldwell David Weir Nacho Novo Laryea Kingston Mark Kerr Kirk Broadfoot DaMarcus Beasley Andy Dorman Morgaro Gomis Charlie Mulgrew Steven Smith Chris Killen Kevin Kyle Jose Goncalves Ian Murray Darren Barr Craig Conway Steven Hammell Jack Ross Bobo Harry Kewell Semih Senturk Filip Holosko Ibrahim Toraman Roberto Carlos Rigobert Song Mehmet Yildiz Umut Bulut Ariza Makukula Ibrahim Akin Beto Shabani Nonda Serdar Ozkan Murat Ceylan Ali Turan Tobias Linderoth Vederson Stefan Senecky Andres Mendoza Milan Jovanovic Wesley Sonck Alcaraz Milos Maric Thomas Buffel Walter Baseggio Mario Carevic Pablo Garcia Juanfran Didier Domi Neto Nicolae Dica Giannis Maniatis Leandro Gracian Erik Huseklepp Umara Bangura Freddie Ljunberg Stuart Holden Sascha Kljestan Luis Landin Zak Whitbread Emanuel Pogatez Adam Johnson Joe Ledley Robert Koren Geremi Radoslaw Majewski Roman Bednar Darren Carter Nicky Butt Chris Riggott Matthew Kilgannon Fabrice Pancrate Marcel Seip Gary Naysmith Any take your fancy as we attempt to 'trade' our way in the transfer market over the next couple of windows!

HE'S the little Spaniard with the big heart. But Nacho Novo's heart will shatter into a thousand tiny pieces the day he's forced to walk out of Ibrox for the final time. Novo knows the clock's ticking on his Rangers career. Out of favour and out of contract in the summer, the fans' hero may have to look elsewhere for first-team football. It's a chilling thought which sends a shiver down his spine - a fear he hoped he'd never have to face. Speaking at the launch of his DVD yesterday, Novo admitted: "You always have it in the back of your mind to go back to Spain at some point. "I was born there and there will always be a connection as I have a lot of family there. "People talk very well about me in Spain and they know me because of the platform Rangers have given me. "The day will eventually come when I need to leave Rangers and that will be really hard. "It's hard to say if I will play in Spain before I finish my career although I'm 30 now and only have a few years left." Novo could yet be offered a new deal by Gers. The Spaniard is one of three players chief executive Martin Bain is keen to talk to in the coming weeks. But the 'supersub' tag hangs heavy around his neck. He knows he only has a few more years left at the top before the sun sets on a career that's taken him from his homeland to Kirkcaldy, Dundee and Glasgow. Novo insisted: "I don't know what will happen in the future. "I'm just happy to be here and doing something for the fans who have been behind me 100 per cent. "The club will deal with my agent, but I just want to focus on playing now. If it happens, it happens. "Everybody knows I love this club - it has been like a family to me. "I've enjoyed every training session and every game I've played since coming to Rangers. "It would be better if everything was sorted out, but there is still a long way to go." It's almost ten years since Novo landed on these shores. Signed by Raith Rovers in the summer of 2000 he has gone on to carve a great career at Ibrox. Advertisement He revealed: "I have a lot friends in this country and I've been here so long I now start to think in English rather than in Spanish. "I love Scotland and I have loved my time with Raith, Dundee and now Rangers. "There are some unpleasant aspects, but that can happen in football. You expect that. "I think the Scots are nice people. "The climate does not bother me either because I'm from Galicia in northern Spain and the weather is similar. "They say the toughest Spaniards always come from the north." If this is to be Novo's last season at Gers, he's determined to sign off with another SPL title. Europe has gone and Novo insists it's time for Walter Smith's men to regroup starting with the visit of St Johnstone today. He insisted: "We need to think about winning the SPL now. "This is an important month with a lot of hard games. "At the moment Kris Boyd is on fire and we are playing well. "We need to do the same things as last year if we want to win the title again. "We've so many tough games in December, but I honestly think we can win them all. "Everybody should be hungry to win the league again and I'm positive about our chances. "You need to have players who are all desperate to win in your team. "If you don't have that kind of mentality you won't succeed, but I'm confident we have that here. "We have a lot of good players and we have come back well after disappointing results in Europe." Meanwhile, Gers boss Smith has confirmed he will make no new signings in January. He said: "The only way we will be able to sign a player is if we sell one, otherwise we won't. "There is no leeway for that in the transfer window, that's quite categorical. "We don't need to sell a player in this transfer window - but neither will we be bringing anyone in. "The challenge now of winning the league is more straightforward when you lose out on European football. "Of course, it would be normal for a team to stagnate if they go through three transfer windows without bringing a new player in. "But this year is better than last in the sense we haven't been told we need to lose a player." http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2768916/I-fear-the-end.html

Rangers striker Kris Boyd has emerged as a January transfer target for Turkish side Galatasaray. The club are reported to be ready to offer Boyd wages of up to �£36,000 a week. Boyd is out of contract at the end of the season but Galaâ��s Dutch manager Frank Rijkaard is set to offer Rangers �£500,000 to take the player in January, according to the Scottish News of the World. Walter Smith revealed this week that Rangers no longer have to sell players in the new year but, with Boyd yet to agree a new deal, the Turkish side are ready to make their move. The striker closed in on Henrik Larssonâ��s SPL scoring record on Saturday with two goals that took his tally to 151. Galatasaray hope that the prolific marksman can help them land the Turkish title and are prepared to treble the playerâ��s current deal. Turkish sides Kayserispor and Trabzonspor were interested in the forward last season but received no encouragement from Boyd, who has said he would like to remain at Rangers. However, the Ibrox clubâ��s financial situation means that there has been no improved contract offered and the lure of a lucrative contract abroad may prove tempting if Boyd doesnâ��t get the deal he wants. Walter Smith will not wish to lose a player he sees as key to Rangerâ��s SPL hopes. The Rangers manager paid tribute to his top scorer after Saturdayâ��s match at Falkirk and pondered how successful he could be if he stayed at Ibrox for life. "It's difficult to put his goals into perspective,â� Smith said. â�When you look at the age he is and the opportunity he has to keep adding to that tally, it's a fantastic achievement for a player to have scored that number of goals." Galatasaray are not the only club to be linked with the striker, who could return to the international fold under the next Scotland manager. Alex McLeish is said to be pondering a bid to take Boyd to Birmingham City, while Serie A side Livorno have also been linked with a move. http://sport.stv.tv/football/142322-kris-boyd-a-target-for-frank-rijkaard/

HE lifted his shirt and showed off his torso. But what was hidden deep inside was that Kris Boyd's stomach was churning. The Rangers No 9 had just netted against Falkirk to notch yet another remarkable career landmark - 150 goals in the SPL. But the magnificent feeling of personal achievement was quickly swept aside... by FEAR. Boyd is at the club of his dreams, but with January looming large the living nightmare for him is now fast approaching. Rangers did their best to sell their prized asset 12 months ago and the hitman is wary that the same thing could happen again. Which is why the country's most prolific striker can't help celebrate every Gers goal without thinking it could be his LAST. Boyd, who went on to make it 151 against Bairns, said: "I don't think I can look too far ahead at this precise moment. "Right now I'm proud to pull on that jersey and run out for Rangers. It means everything to me. "But looking ahead long-term is something I simply can't do. "I do wonder whenever I score if that'll be my last Rangers goal. "I hope it's not the case and I believe I have plenty more Rangers goals in me. But that's the reality. "The January transfer window is fast approaching. I aim to add to my tally but I take every game one at a time these days. The club tried to sell me once, so who is to say it won't happen again? "You never know what's around the corner. It's the same for everyone at the club. From the manager down, nobody knows what's happening behind the scenes. "It's actually something which makes me really appreciate getting to 150 league goals in the SPL. It's a good achievement for me." Boyd shrugs off defenders easily, but his critics are harder to get rid of. Despite those 151 SPL goals, he still divides opinion like few other players in the country. The accusation is that he can't hack it against bigger and better teams at home and in Europe. The missed chance against Stuttgart in the last Champions League defeat gave them ammunition. But Boyd added: "To be brutally honest I feel I was written off even before I was given a chance. "Everyone seemed to have an opinion about me. It's like when people say I can't perform in the big games. Why can't I? Advertisement "Sure, I've missed chances when we've played in Europe and against Celtic, but for me that proves nothing. "If I was walking off these games without getting those chances, I'd be worried. "But it's basically been bad finishing that's stopped the goals coming in the bigger games. I know I can score goals at any level, it's not a problem for me. "Stuttgart, Seville, Celtic - I've had chances against them all. Going right back to the beginning, I missed one against Villarreal. "I might have missed when it's mattered, but I can handle that. Getting the opportunities proves to me I can handle it at that level. "On another night I could have scored twice against Stuttgart. I just don't think of the missed chances, I think of the chances I get on the end of." There is no doubt Boyd has improved his all-round game in recent months. His hold-up play is ten times better, with the striker now not just satisfied when he's scoring goals. He added: "Since I've come here my scoring record has been good. I've had my ups and downs like everyone else, but I feel that I've started to find some decent form. "I'm enjoying my football and really feel as though I'm helping the team out a lot more. "I believe I've grown up a lot in the last few months. "Maybe there was a time when I felt goals were enough, but that's not the way it is. The most important thing is the team winning and being a team player. "Maybe completing my coaching badges helped me in that regard. "Maybe I've got away with it in the past because I've scored the amount of goals I have - but I really don't think some of the criticism has been fair. "The way football is in this country there are so many people out there with an opinion looking to make a name for themselves. "When it comes from ex-players it's disappointing. "One person says I can't play up front on my own, for instance, and then another person jumps on that. All of a sudden it's public opinion. "That's the way Scotland is these days. People write you off before you're given a proper chance. "The fact is I've never doubted I could handle playing at the highest level - it was just about working harder to show that." Boyd's 17th minute strike against Falkirk, his 150th in the SPL, seems a long time since he netted his first for Kilmarnock back in November 2001 against Motherwell. He added: "Getting that first goal was a big thing for me. "I'm sure Alan Mahood played a ball down the line and someone cut it back for me to score. "There is nothing better than walking off the park having helped the team win by scoring a goal or two. "It's no different from the way the fans feel. Whenever I score at Ibrox I look up and know I've made 50,000 feel happy. That's a great thing to be able to do." Now Boyd's next target is Henrik Larsson's record 158 SPL goals. He added: "I want to be the top goalscorer in the SPL. I want to beat Larsson's record. "He was a tremendous player, a talent everyone admired. There's no doubt he was one of the greatest ever to play in Scotland. "If I could beat his tally, it'd be something special for me." http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2760431/I-fear-every-goal-I-score-will-be-my-last.html

Monday at Ibrox guarantees to be the most intense Rangers AGM in many years. The club is in crisis, seemingly unwanted on the open market, and is facing a highly uncertain future. For Rangers shareholders, the following are the 10 most pressing questions to be put to the club's board during the (sometimes farcical) open Q & A session . . . 1 Who is to blame for Rangersââ?¬â?¢ financial mess? On this one, it seems that everyone is running for cover. The banking crisis has left Rangers looking like a house built on sand, although discovering, via the media or anywhere else, who exactly is to blame has proved taxing. Is it Sir David Murray? Is it the banking system itself (though few other British clubs are floundering quite like Rangers)? The banks ââ?¬â? and Lloyds in particular ââ?¬â? appear to be held up for particular venom, while Murray, whom many supporters hold accountable, still warrants scarcely a negative mention in the popular press. It is not for vengeance that some Rangers fans want to know who brought their club to its knees, so much as having the knowledge for it never to happen again. 2 Who is running Rangers ââ?¬â? the clubââ?¬â?¢s board or the bank? The clubââ?¬â?¢s board say they are running Rangers. Walter Smith says it is the bank. Alastair Johnston, the chairman, says the board are very much in day-to-day control of the club, with the ââ?¬Å?supportââ?¬Â of Lloyds. This is a murky area for concerned Rangers shareholders and a straightforward ââ?¬â? and accurate ââ?¬â? response from the clubââ?¬â?¢s directors tomorrow would help. The feeling persists that, while Rangers are indeed in daily control of their own business, the clubââ?¬â?¢s ultimate fate will be determined by their bankers. 3 What remaining influence does Sir David Murray have over Rangers? Murray, who stepped down as Rangers chairman in September, wants a clean divorce from the club as soon as possible (there has been fat chance of that) but until it happens he is still a near-90% owner. Is Murray still involved in key club decisions? Would he still have a say ââ?¬â? as he always did in his heyday ââ?¬â? in any January comings and goings? The former Rangers chairman, who is left clutching a stricken bairn he doesnââ?¬â?¢t want, currently occupies a strange twilight world at Ibrox. 4 Will Murray ââ?¬â? or the Lloyds Group ââ?¬â? be the final arbiter on who buys Rangers? Murray, with his vast shareholding, has indicated in the past seven days that he will still decide to whom he sells his stake ââ?¬â? but will he? There is still a perception that Lloyds are ââ?¬Å?actively trying to find a buyerââ?¬Â for Rangers, as if Murray is now almost an irrelevant bystander. The question is, when Rangers are sold, who will determine the suitability of the buyer? Murray has persistently stated that he will only sell to someone who will ââ?¬Å?be good for Rangersââ?¬Â ââ?¬â? can this still be the case? 5 For how long does Walter Smith plan to be the Rangers manager? Smith has told one or two in the media in private of his plans, but this is still a grey area among many Rangers supporters. Does he want to stay or go? Johnston has previously said that he would want the current Rangers manager to sign a new, extended contract, though that very issue has gone quiet for almost two months now. Someone should stand up and ask Smith tomorrow, what itââ?¬â?¢s to be: does he plan to stay or go? 6 Can Rangers afford to keep their best playing assets in January? Barring a Roman Abramovich figure suddenly appearing on the scene, Rangers almost certainly face a period of financial downsizing over the next two years. During the past two transfer windows not a single player has been bought, and more sales might even be considered in January. Many supporters also want to know when a new signing will next be made. 7 Does the board think that a supportersââ?¬â?¢ buy-out of Rangers is feasible? There has been quite a lot on message-boards and in the newspapers ââ?¬â? much of it unconvincing hot air ââ?¬â? about fansââ?¬â?¢ buy-outs, membership schemes, etc. A relatively small but impassioned group of Rangers fans dream of owning the club, and, given their current state of limbo, the Rangers board should come clean on what they think of such a proposal. 8 Does Alastair Johnston know of any imminent, credible buyer of Rangers? David Murray was undoubtedly right ââ?¬â? Johnston has moved to Rangers with considerable knowledge of the north American scene, both in business and sport and, given his life-long support of Rangers, should be as well placed as anyone to know of potential buyers who have the wealth and knowledge to back up their interest. Now is the time for the Ibrox chairman to tell the assembled throng what he really knows. 9 Is Dave King really a potential owner of Rangers? Standing among the enduring murkiness of the current Rangers situation is the elusive Mr King. He is reputed to have already invested some Ã?£12m in Rangers, and is said by many to still be interested in buying Murray out. Well, whatââ?¬â?¢s it to be? Moreover, would Kingââ?¬â?¢s chaotic and controversial battles with the South African authorities over various financial allegations deter Rangers from wanting him as their new owner? 10 What is the future of Ally McCoist at the club? McCoist, a Rangers legend, is also at the centre of much uncertainty. Both Walter Smith and David Murray have previously stated that, in an ideal world, the former striker would be the next occupant of the managerââ?¬â?¢s chair, but much has changed since those statements were made six months ago. If Smith leaves the club at the end of the current season, is McCoist still seen as the man to pick up the baton? The first-team coach himself has admitted little about his own personal preferences, but some Rangers fans wish to know where McCoist stands in any imminent post-Smith era at Ibrox. Duffyââ?¬â?¢s pipe dream for the people Is there anyone out there who has generated more hot air over his proposed plan to ââ?¬Å?saveââ?¬Â Rangers than the Florida-based Graham Duffy? The more this guy wafts through the pages of a gullible press, the less likely I find his plan to succeed. So far Duffy has revealed the following. First, he has not carried out any due diligence. Two, he wonââ?¬â?¢t be investing himself. Three, despite wanting 45,000 Rangers fans to invest Ã?£1,000 each in a buy-out, he admits himself this is ââ?¬Å?unlikelyââ?¬Â. Four, he has no idea if a majority of supporters favour a fansââ?¬â?¢ co-operative. But apart from all that, claims Duffy, heââ?¬â?¢s at the get-go to save Rangers. Those who succeed in business do their talking in private, then strike when the deal is ready. Mr Duffy happily babbles in public, even while his plans look, at best, half-baked. Folks, donââ?¬â?¢t hold your breath for salvation for Rangers coming out of Florida.

Madjid Bougherra has insisted that he is not looking to leave Rangers during the January transfer window. More...

On the morning of Monday December 7th, thousands of Rangers shareholders will again converge on Ibrox Stadium to find out the latest information about the club. Most directors will be there - including new chairman Alastair Johnston and alleged Lloyds Bank stooge Donald Muir - so this will be the supporters' chance to question them on recent events. Obviously there has been a lot of debate in the media about the current situation at the club. Why did Sir David Murray step down? Is Alastair Johnston really in control? What influence do the bank have on the business? What part does the bleak future of Murray International Holdings play? How will the next two transfer windows affect our team on the park? What happens if we don't qualify for the Champions' League next season? Can the fans own the club? Would Alastair Johnston consider an interim measure to give the support increased representative powers? We could go on all day here but we want to hear your suggestions... Get involved and post now. Or if preferred email to settingthestandard@gersnetonline.co.uk

http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/2010/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=160:win-one-of-five-copies-of-the-colin-stein-story&catid=1:articles&Itemid=67 In conjunction with our friends at Birlinn Books, we have five copies of the following fantastic book available to win. Colin Stein is a man of firsts. The first player ever to persuade the Rangers board to sign off a six-figure transfer fee, he scored a hat-trick on his first appearance for the club and became the first Scotland international to score in five consecutive appearances for the national side. Now, for the first time, Stein tells the remarkable story of his career for both club and country to journalist Paul Smith, charting the highs and lows of a tumultuous life in football. The Ibrox idol reveals the lengths Rangers went to lure him away from Hibs, recalls the way he coped with his new role as the sportââ?¬â?¢s big money man and has his say on the Old Firm rivalry that robbed him of a coveted Scotland record. Steinââ?¬â?¢s story looks back on the conspiracy theory surrounding his absence from the clubââ?¬â?¢s push for league and cup glory during his early days at Ibrox and includes cherished memories of his match winning goal in the European Cup Winnersââ?¬â?¢ Cup final victory in Barcelona in 1972. Stein also sets the record straight about his shock departure from Ibrox in the aftermath of that European triumph and his heroic return as, in his second stint with Rangers, he scored the goal which shattered Celticââ?¬â?¢s ten in a row dream ââ?¬â?? not to mention the conflict within Ibrox that his dramatic impact on that vital title race provoked. Then thereââ?¬â?¢s the violent threats which led him to hang up his boots early as well as exactly what he made of the illustrious managers he served under in a remarkable and fascinating career. Paul Smith has been working as a journalist in Scotland since 1996. He began his career with the Dundee Courier, Sunday Post and Inverurie Herald prior to an eight year spell on the Press and Journal sports desk team in Aberdeen, where he is now head of the photographic department. He has written five football titles, including Rangers Cult Heroes and To Barcelona And Beyond. To be in with a chance of winning one of the five copies available, just tell us from which club did Rangers sign Colin Stein? Pm me now with your answer! Competition closes at midnight on November 30th. Admin decision is final! Members of Gersnet can also receive Ã?£2 off the hardback book (rrp Ã?£16.99) by calling 0845 370 0067 and quoting GSN1109 - postage and packing is free within the UK! An ideal gift for Christmas!

I ask the question because it is now clear that the Unirea result was not some kind of freak result, but rather what we should have expected. I've been thinking about who is expendable and who we need to keep hold of for the time being. By 'good enough' I mean at the Euro level, not the woeful SPL standard. Being ruthless I can only say the following are indispensable: McGregor, Wilson, Papac, Davis, Mendes, Boyd and Fleck. So - we need a right back, a centre half to replace Weir and two wide midfielders. Everybody else in the squad is just not up to standard. IMO only those 7 are good enough to from the core of our team. It gives me no pleasure to write off Thomson and Lafferty for instance, but what is needed now is a cool, hard look. I have not even mentioned who would fetch a good transfer fee, because for me that is another matter entirely. I am just talking about what we should do with a clean slate.

Yet again walter smiths tactical ineptness has been brought to the fore on the European scene and again he seems to escape with little or no critisism. His teams performances have Ranged from cringeworthy to totally humiliating but no one ever questions the lack of direction or ability of his teams on the big stage. Hes had somewhere in the region of 8 attempts in the European cup/ CL and has fallen flat on his face bar one season in 1993. Even the fortunate Uefa cup run was a direct result of failure in the CL. This season we have seen probably the worst performances ever on the European stage. And Smith looked like a complete amatuer with his team selections tactics and decision making. So why does he escape the critisism that should come with his failings. its very plain to see that he just doesnt have what it takes to compete at CL level. Stevie wonder can see that. But not a word in the media. Alex McCeish won a treble and a double and qualified for the Cl knockout stages with no money to spend yet was hounded out of Ibrox because the football wasnt good enough. Yet we are all led to believe that Walter Smith is some sort of legend for winning a one horse race 6 times with a sackful of cash first time round and blowing 30 mill the second time round for 3 domestic cups and a league title with a brand of football that wouldnt look out of place in a sunday league. Smith is no Rangers legend in my eyes. his second tenure has brought the club to its knees with the Kunaus dibacle being a very pivotal point in the clubs demise. If you need to study bad management of football club its a very good place to look, its god everthing from poor tactics, bad decision making, the squandering of transfer funds....etc. Our manager is guilty as hell for our current financial predicament. If your honest you will see smith for what he is. A second rate manager who was very fortunate to have a chairman who was very loose with his cheque book. That is how smith beat everyone in the spl. He battered them with with murrays wallet. it certainly wasnt throught the skill and guile the Bill Struth spoke off. And now that the wallet is no more he has had to depend on his own managerial skills only to find that he doesnt really have very many. And hes been severely found out. Its the beginning of the end indeed for smith. No murray for the smokescreen and mirrors to cover up his shortcommings or buy him out of trouble. Just a mirror to reflect in the could have beens the should havebeens and the might havebeens. There really is no where for walter to hide this time round. and it really is time for him to go.

Another season, another new manager. It's starting to seem as though the Glorious 12th, the traditional start of the grouse hunting season, has been replaced in Scotland by the hunt for a new manager of the national football team. As George Burley's inglourious basterd of a reign comes to an end, the name put forward so far have reacted with all the delight of Dracula being awoken by a door to door garlic salesman. Graeme Souness, Mark McGhee and Owen Coyle have formally declined to be considered, while David Moyes doesn't even have to say anything for the nation to know he's staying put at Everton. There's always the chance Sir Alex Ferguson will fancy a bit of part time managing in between tilts at the Champions League, but it's a slim hope. And Rangers boss Walter Smith as been there and done that: is he likely to go back again? The fans have been reduced, only a few days after Burley's sacking, to rootling about in the bargain basement bin of managers. The first rule seems to be that they need to be unemployed, given the parlous state of the SFA's finances. The second, as always, is that they are a new broom, with which they will sweep in a new era of success. And the third is probably that foreigners are still verboten, after the dreck-shreck of the Berti Vogts period. We can safely rule out Terry Butcher, then. Two coaches have at least thrown their hats into the ring. Jimmy Calderwood, late of Aberdeen, and John Collins, late of Beveren, have declared they would be willing to talk. While neither set the pulses racing, they at least have the cachet of being educated, football-wise and other wise, abroad: Calderwood in Holland, and Collins in France. They would certainly bring a different approach to the job, but it's debateable at least that it would be any more successful. While both have their merits, I suggest a more radical solution. The SFA should approach BBC Scotland and ask it's football chunterer Murdo MacLeod if he fancies a crack at it. Anyone who listens, despite themselves, to the radio coverage the station provides can't fail to have been impressed by his tactical nous, his ability to spot a player, his passion for the cause. It would remain to be seen if he can transfer his passion for Celtic into the international arena, but it would be interesting to see - after all, the man played at the World Cup for Scotland. MacLeod also has the benefit of a continental education - this time in Germany - to broaden his horizon. Fans often sarcastically call upon commentators or writers to put their money where their mouth is, but no-one in their right mind would want to see James Traynor or Chick Young in charge of a football team, unless it were some "The Producers" style destroy-from-within mission. I'm serious here: MacLeod spots where teams (alright, Celtic) are underperforming and can suggest convincingly where teams (oh alright, Celtic) can change for the better. The man understand football and footballers. The only fly in the ointment I can see is that before every game he'll probably still tip Celtic to win, but we can use that to our advantage: think how confused foreign coaches and media will be. Murdo: your country needs you. What do you say?

SPURS are ready to launch a �£2million bid to land Rangers wonderkid Danny Wilson. White Hart Lane boss Harry Redknapp is a massive fan of the 17-year-old def-ender and has been closely monitoring his progress. SunSport revealed in January how the Ibrox club booted out a last-minute bid for the rookie before the transfer window slammed shut. Wilson hadn't even made his debut for Walter Smith's side when Redknapp made the approach. Now the Spurs boss is set to return and will test the resolve of cash-strapped Gers with a fresh offer when the window reopens. Wilson has already made Scottish football sit up and take notice, despite featuring in just THREE games this season. He has been outstanding in them all, especially the 1-1 Champions League draw in Unirea. Gers boss Smith has compared the starlet to ex-Dundee United and Scotland hero David Narey. Despite a �£32m debt hanging round their necks, Rangers kicked Spurs' January offer into touch claiming they didn't have to sell to balance the books. But after posting losses of �£12.7m the SPL champs could be pressured into flogging Wilson. Redknapp also knows he can do business with Gers, after landing Alan Hutton in a �£9m deal two years ago. http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2729926/Spurs-eye-up-Danny.html

Dear Walter, Can you please sanction the sale of Kenny Miller, Lee McCulloch & Kyle Lafferty if any reasonable offers come in for them in the January transfer window? I understand that it's yourself who has brought these players to Ibrox, but to put it bluntly, they're not good enough. We obviously all have differing opinions on these players, but all 3 of them are rubbish & should be sold to the highest bidder in the transfer window to bring down our debt & wage bill. There is a level of player which is expected here within the means of the transfer budget & the wage bill. None of these players are good enough to fit into that structure. They are not 'bad' players as such, but they are not good players either. We all want the best for the club & I believe it would be best if you sanctioned the sale of these players & used some of the money to bring in one really good player. There are good players out there. Yours Sincerely, Zappa :fish:

Rangers in safe hands - Johnston There's a 16 minute audio interview with him as well - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8356754.stm

JOINT PRESS RELEASE RANGERS FANS UNITE FOR CHANGE AND PROGRESS The Rangers Supporters Assembly, Rangers Worldwide Alliance, Rangers Supporters' Trust and Rangers Supporters Association united today to urge Rangers fans around the world to consider playing their part in changing the ownership of the club. The organisations are considering the options open to fans to invest in the club on a massive scale and on an accountable basis. We are considering various options for this - whether on our own or in partnership with others. We intend that the future of the club will never again be reliant on the goodwill of a bank or any individual. One option we are currently discussing with advisors is the changes necessary to turn the Trust�s Gersave scheme into a suitable vehicle for the gathering in of funds. However, any form of investment will only take place on the basis of the suitability of the terms gained in negotiations. Rangers as a club cannot continue in the current state of limbo with the threat of being run by the Lloyds Banking Group. To move things on before the January transfer window we are formally inviting any potential credible investors to discuss their plans for the club with us. Rangers fans are by far the biggest financial investors in the club. We are determined that the club will continue to flourish and never again will it run the risk of falling into the hands of a bank. We call on fans to be patient but to unite behind sensible proposals we hope to recommend to them over the coming months. John McMillan - General Secretary, Rangers Supporters Association Andy Kerr - President, Rangers Supporters Assembly & Rangers Worldwide Alliance Stephen Smith - Chairman, Rangers Supporters Trust http://www.thebluenose.co.uk/rangers-fans-unite-for-change-and-progress/ --------- copied from FF.........

http://www.thebluenose.co.uk/rangers-fans-unite-for-change-and-progress/ JOINT PRESS RELEASE RANGERS FANS UNITE FOR CHANGE AND PROGRESS The Rangers Supporters Assembly, Rangers Worldwide Alliance, Rangers Supporters' Trust and Rangers Supporters Association united today to urge Rangers fans around the world to consider playing their part in changing the ownership of the club. The organisations are considering the options open to fans to invest in the club on a massive scale and on an accountable basis. We are considering various options for this - whether on our own or in partnership with others. We intend that the future of the club will never again be reliant on the goodwill of a bank or any individual. One option we are currently discussing with advisors is the changes necessary to turn the Trust�s Gersave scheme into a suitable vehicle for the gathering in of funds. However, any form of investment will only take place on the basis of the suitability of the terms gained in negotiations. Rangers as a club cannot continue in the current state of limbo with the threat of being run by the Lloyds Banking Group. To move things on before the January transfer window we are formally inviting any potential credible investors to discuss their plans for the club with us. Rangers fans are by far the biggest financial investors in the club. We are determined that the club will continue to flourish and never again will it run the risk of falling into the hands of a bank. We call on fans to be patient but to unite behind sensible proposals we hope to recommend to them over the coming months. John McMillan - General Secretary, Rangers Supporters Association Andy Kerr - President, Rangers Supporters Assembly & Rangers Worldwide Alliance Stephen Smith - Chairman, Rangers Supporters Trust