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http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/hea...ent_damage.php As Kris Boyd travelled south to complete his �£3.75m transfer to Birmingham City, Lafferty - who was due to replace the outgoing striker in attack - left Murray Park with his knee in a brace after he was victim of a late challenge in a bounce match against Morton. He will undergo a scan to assess the extent of the damage but will definitely miss the Homecoming Scottish Cup third-round tie against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park next week. Depending on the severity of the injury, the 21-year-old could be absent from a minimum of two weeks to a maximum of six, depending on whether the ligament has been strained, torn or simply bruised. Cammy F

Wolves agree a six-figure transfer fee for Rangers forward Alan Gow. More...

ALEX McLEISH is preparing a �£3million bid to lure Kris Boyd away from Rangers. Former Gers gaffer Eck wants the 20-goal hitman to fire Birmingham City into the Premiership. SunSport can reveal McLeish will launch an official move for the 25-year-old within days. He brought Boyd to Ibrox three years ago in a �£400,000 deal from Kilmarnock. McLeish also handed the free-scoring star the majority of his 15 Scotland caps. Now he wants to work with him for the THIRD time as he seeks to lift City back among the big boys. It is understood McLeish stepped up his interest after Boydâ��s double in the 3-0 win over Caley Thistle on Sunday. The brace in Inverness lifted his Gers goal haul to 91 in just three years. Big Eck has already taken Scotland strike stars James McFadden and Garry Oâ��Connor to St Andrewâ��s. But Birmingham have scored fewer goals than any of the other top eight sides in the Championship. They are outside the lucrative automatic promotion positions on goal difference alone. On-loan striker Quincy Owusu Abeyie was sent back to Russiaâ��s Spartak Moscow yesterday after failing to sparkle. And McLeishâ��s priority for this monthâ��s transfer window is to add much-needed firepower. He has never hidden his admiration for Boydâ��s predatory talents and is now ready to test Gersâ�� resolve. Light Blues boss Walter Smith has repeated his desire to hang on to his key first-team regulars as Gers chase the SPL title. Newcastle United are keen on captain Barry Ferguson while Marseille have been linked with stopper Madjid Bougherra. Smith only wants to get rid of fringe players like Christian Dailly, Brahim Hemdani and Andy Webster. Frozen-out frontman Alan Gow headed south for talks with Birminghamâ��s league rivals Wolves yesterday after they agreed a �£450,000 fee with Gers. But Big Eck â�� the last Ibrox manager to capture the SPL title â�� will still make a move for Boyd. However, the hierarchy at Rangers know it would be a hugely unpopular decision to sell the fansâ�� favourite. http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/article2097653.ece

Same old story for us, very good business wise but for the team and the fans it's getting beyond a joke RANGERS boss Walter Smith admits he might not be able to keep Madjid Bougherra beyond the transfer window. Newcastle United are preparing a �£5million bid for the Algerian defender, as revealed by Record Sport, and Marseille are also keen. Smith is anxious to retain his top-team regulars and hopes only fringe performers leave the club in the next four weeks. But he admitted the chance for Rangers to double their money on a player they brought from Charlton in the summer might prove too tempting. The manager said: "I've never said as a club we will transfer any player we'd like to keep. There are obviously players in our squad we wouldn't like to lose. "We were in a situation last year when Alan Hutton was sold to Tottenham. We didn't want to lose him but the bid was such that we had to take it from a purely financial sense. "You can never say that won't happen again. We'd want to try to keep the group who have been involved in playing on a regular basis together and add to that if we can. "First and foremost, we have to adjust the numbers we have and that's the group who haven't been taking part in a lot of the games." Alan Gow is set to follow Jean-Claude Darcheville out the door as Smith continues his cull of Ibrox misfits. Rangers owner Sir David Murray and chief executive Martin Bain were at Murray Park yesterday to rubberstamp Gow's move to Wolves. A �£500,000 fee has been a greed with the Championship pacesetters and personal terms should be hammered out over the weekend. Wolves' chief executive Jez Moxey said: "We're having discussions with Rangers." Other fringe players such as Chris Burke, Andy Webster, DaMarcus Beasley, Brahim Hemdani and Christian Dailly could go before Smith looks to bolster his squad with one or two additions. However, Andrius Velicka is not among the players Smith wants to move on, which will dash the hopes of Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo. Rangers have been boosted by the return to fitness after eight months of Steven Naismith who is in the squad for tomorrow's game at Inverness although he may not feature. Smith has set his side a New Year's resolution to go on a winning run that will take them closer to rivals Celtic after last week's Old Firm defeat left them trailing by seven points. He said: "We went on a run at this stage last season that eventually took us to the top of the league so we hope this campaign mirrors that one, although there are no certainties. "We have to make sure we're more steady and consistent - starting at Inverness." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/2009/01/03/walter-smith-i-may-not-be-able-to-stop-madjid-bougherra-leaving-86908-21011887/

Rangers will ask �£7.5million for goalkeeper Allan McGregor if English Premier League clubs seek to lure him away from Scotland. The Ibrox No 1 is the most valuable remaining asset in Walter Smith's squad and is expected to attract offers during the January transfer window. Rangers will not want to part with McGregor cheaply but, with no European income following the Champions League calamity in Kaunas, a significant bid could prove tempting http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1104014/Golden-gloves--Rangers-7-5million-price-tag-keeper-McGregor.html?ITO=1490

Newcastle are trying to sign Rangers duo Barry Ferguson and Madjid Bougherra in a double deal, skysports.com understands. Magpies chief Joe Kinnear is looking to bring a number of new faces into the club during the winter transfer window. The Rangers duo are very high on Kinnear's wanted list and talks began earlier this week. Both midfielder Ferguson and defender Bougherra have Premier League experience with Blackburn and Charlton, respectively, and Kinnear sees the duo as ideal signings. Newcastle are looking to take advantage of Rangers' current financial situation and swoop for the duo. "I have enquired about Ferguson, but we will wait and see what the outcome of that is," said Kinnear. "We are finding it difficult to bring certain players from clubs. Our bids haven't been accepted so far. "The problem is two or three clubs are in for the same players. At the moment, there could be teams bidding more than us. "It would help if I could move some of the players here and get the finances in that way. But we have had no bids for them." Gow offer Rangers boss Walter Smith insists the only bid they have received is from Wolves for Alan Gow, who impressed during a six-month loan stint at Blackpool. "We are not looking for anything else at the moment. With it being the transfer window, there will be speculation," said Smith. "There is nothing we can do about that but we have had no other enquiries for anyone else other than Gow. "We have had one enquiry from Wolves for Alan Gow. Negotiations are ongoing and that is the only enquiry we have had for any player. "There are 28 players on the staff and we have to adjust that number a little bit and we have to wait and see what happens with that over the next few days but, so far, that is the only enquiry we have had for anyone." Smith, though, did concede the club would sell if a deal was too good to turn down. Numbers "There are obviously players in our squad that we wouldn't like to lose," he added. "We were in a situation last year when Alan Hutton was sold to Tottenham. "We didn't want to lose him but the bid was such that we had to take it from a purely financial sense. You can never say that won't happen again. "We would want to try to keep the group who have been involved in playing on a regular basis together and add to that if we can. "First and foremost, we have to adjust the numbers that we have and that's the group who haven't been taking part in a lot of the games." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_4738893,00.html The whole Ferguson thing is a bit of a bolt from the blue which hadn't really been spoken about that much but the Bougherra thing we obviously all know about.

ALAN GOW is hoping to clinch a move to Championship pace-setters Wolves in the next couple of days. Alan GowThe former Falkirk frontman, who has had a difficult time since joining Rangers in the summer of 2007, is wanted by Mick McCarthy whose side are looking good for Premiership football next season. Ibrox boss Walter Smith revealed today that Wolves have made contact about Gow and that negotiations are now underway over a fee. Gow, who has only appeared twice for Rangers, spent the first half of this season on loan at Blackpool where he caught the eye of the Molineux side. He was back at Murray Park this morning and took part in the first team training session. Now if a fee can be agreed it looks like he will move to the Black Country to join the side who are seven points clear at the top of the Championship. Tomorrow Wolves travel to face Alex McLeish's Birmingham, who sit second along with Reading, and if they can win that one they will take another huge step towards their Premiership dream. Clearly it would be a terrific move for Gow but it will all depend on Wolves and Rangers reaching an agreement. Smith said today: "We have had an inquiry from Wolves for Alan Gow and negotiatoions are on-going." Gow could be one of a number of fringe players to move on in the January transfer window.

Newcastle United are poised to test Rangers' resolve by making a �£4.5m bid for Madjid Bougherra. Sources in England claim that Joe Kinnear, the Newcastle manager, is considering an additional move to take Barry Ferguson too, but any attempt to sign their captain will be rejected by Rangers. Rangers are resigned to losing Bougherra but, while Ferguson has only 18 months left on his contract, Ibrox officials they will not countenance the sale of the 30-year-old midfielder, especially after the 1-0 Old Firm derby defeat at Ibrox which has left Walter Smith's side seven points adrift of Celtic in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. The Herald understands that Martin Bain, the chief executive, was informed yesterday afternoon of Newcastle's intentions by Bougherra's agent, Charles Collymore. It is also believed that Marseille will follow up their initial enquiry and may be the more appealing option, despite Bougherra's reiteration only last week that he had no intention of playing in Ligue 1. Sir David Murray, the Rangers chairman, is aware of the potential backlash if Bougherra leaves six months after his �£2.5m transfer from Charlton Athletic. Sanctioning the sale, even if Rangers double their investment, will be regarded by the beleaguered support as surrendering the championship. It is believed, though, that Rangers have already earmarked Christophe Berra, the Hearts captain, as a prompt replacement if Newcastle or Marseille make an irresistible offer. Rangers are preparing themselves for official contact and the inevitability of another deeply unpopular exit at the worst possible time. The club were heavily criticised for encouraging the �£9m transfer of Alan Hutton to Tottenham Hotspur last January, a move some supporters believe cost them the league. Bougherra was originally signed to partner Carlos Cuellar and facilitate the gradual phasing out of the 38-year-old David Weir but instead the 25-year-old replaced Cuellar, who joined Aston Villa in a �£7.8m transfer. The similarities with Cuellar's departure are now compelling. The Spaniard injured a calf muscle in pre-season and only returned to full fitness after completing his move to Villa Park. Bougherra has missed Rangers' last four games with a thigh strain. He is expected to make an overdue comeback against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Sunday but, with a move beckoning, his chances of reappearing have diminished. Kinnear is determined to plug a leaky defence and has been promised financial support by Mike Ashley, the chairman who has renewed his commitment at St James' Park after an unsuccessful attempt to sell the club. Newcastle's supporters will be wary of another central defender arriving from Scotland. Graeme Souness signed Jean-Alain Boumsong for �£8m in January 2005 but the Frenchman endured a disastrous stay in England before joining Juventus on loan. Bougherra has at least sampled the rigours of the Coca-Cola Championship. Pedro Mendes has also been linked with a reunion with Harry Redknapp at Tottenham Hotspur but selling another first-team asset would cause mutiny among the supporters. Wolverhampton Wanderers were on the verge of completing a �£250,000 transfer of Alan Gow. The striker was scheduled to return to Ibrox yesterday when his six-month loan deal with Blackpool ended but Mick McCarthy moved quickly to strengthen the Championship leaders' promotion push. Gow has been told he has no future at Rangers after only two first-team appearances and, despite his desire for a reprieve, he is now expected to join forces with the Scotland internationalist, Chris Iwelumo, at Molineux. Rangers have declined the chance to sign Hermann Hreidarsson. The 34-year-old Portsmouth defender is available for a nominal fee but, while Smith is an admirer of the player, he is in the market for a younger defender. Bain is also under pressure to move on the squad surplus that is draining around �£80,000 per week from the club. Jean-Claude Darcheville's move to Valenciennes has freed-up �£20,000 per week while Hearts are expected to re-sign striker Andrius Velicka. Rangers are keen to offload Brahim Hemdani, one of the club's highest earners, and will also listen to offers for Graeme Smith, Chris Burke, Charlie Adam and DaMarcus Beasley. http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.2478755.0.Newcastle_prepare_4_5m_offer_for_Rangers_defender_Bougherra.php

By Andrew Dickson WALTER SMITH will wait until his loan Rangers return to the club before deciding whether they have a role to play in his Light Blues squad. A number of Ibrox players have been sent out to other clubs in the first half of the season and many of them are due to come back at various points this month. Andy WebsterThe most high-profile of those who have been away is Andy Webster, but he has not played as much as Smith would have liked him to at Bristol City. Defender Webster has made just six appearances for Gary Johnson's side, although the main reason for that has been a string of minor injuries. Alan Gow has arguably been the most successful player during this term's sabbaticals and he has scored five goals in 17 appearances for Championship side Blackpool. But given he had just two first-team outings last season at Rangers, he has been tipped to make a hasty exit when he moves back to Glasgow. The rest of those who have gone elsewhere are young reserve players and the likelihood is they'll go back to Gers' reserve and youth sides or go out on loan again. But Smith insists he'll only make decisions of each individual's future once they check back in at Murray Park in the next few weeks. He said: "In Andy's case, we put him out on loan to try to get him games so that he could get to a level of fitness that would lead to him returning to our squad.Alan Gow "It hasn't worked out like that and he has had a couple of injuries again and hasn't been playing on a regular basis. "Andy's problem is that we have to get him up to speed because he's had something like two years without regular first-team football. "He has been lucky to play half a dozen games in that time and it has not been an easy spell for him. "We will see what happens when he comes back and we'll review the situation then. Alan Gow is the same, as are the rest of the players we've had out. "With these players who are coming to us, as is part and parcel of the transfer window, we'll have to look at a larger group of players and cut it down."

Jan 1 2009 By Neil Cameron STEVEN FLETCHER could play his last game for Hibs in the Edinburgh derby as Middlesbrough were last night preparing a �£2.5million bid for him. Record Sport can reveal Boro boss Gareth Southgate will send a representative to Tynecastle for one final look at the striker before they make their move. We also understand the Premiership club held a board meeting on Tuesday night to discuss January transfer targets, with Fletcher top of their agenda. Southgate had planned to watch the 21-year-old prior to a bid being tabled and may still wait one more week to do that before Hibs receive an offer. That would be in the Scottish Cup tie at Easter Road a week on Sunday when he will be free as his side face Sunderland the day before. However, that is all a formality as the former England international is keen to land Fletcher. Hibs chief executive Rod Petrie was originally looking for around �£4m for his most valuable player but in the financial climate he will have to accept a lower price of �£2.5m with add-ons. Fletcher has been linked with a string of English clubs with Manchester City and Blackburn, before Paul Ince was sacked, most interested. However, he was most famously tipped for a move to Real Madrid after the Spanish giants had him watched. Meanwhile, Polish keeper Grzegorz Szamotulski has claimed he has agreed a deal to join Hibs. The former Dundee United No.1 says he will move to the SPL club until at least the end of the season. Szamotulski, 32, will provide competition for Yves Ma-Kalambay and Andy McNeil after a recent spell in Israeli football with FC Ashdod. He was hugely popular with fans during his time at Tannadice last season and earned a nickname he is happy to let stick. Szamotulski said: "The Mad Monk is back. It has been agreed I'll join Hibs. Everything was settled by fax over Christmas and I'll spend at least the next six months in Scotland. "I'm pleased and it was never true to say I failed to reach agreement with Hibs because of financial reasons." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/2009/01/01/middlesbrough-set-to-swoop-for-2-5m-hibs-star-steven-fletcher-86908-21008153/

I am afraid he won't have much option but to go. We need the money. As simple as that. Another player treated unfairly. I suppose we are better off with Charlie Adam in the team:brick:

RANGERS boss Walter Smith has added Lee Miller and Robbie Neilson to his January wish-list. SunSport understands Smith has been keen on the Aberdeen striker and the Hearts right-back for the last year. And the Ibrox gaffer could move for both this month ââ?¬â? IF he can raise funds from a major clear-out. On-form Miller signed a two-year deal at Pittodrie in the summer to dash Smithââ?¬â?¢s hopes then. But now he is back on the trail of the target man, who has hit seven goals so far this season. Miller offers strength and finishing power and is also forcing himself into Scotland manager George Burleyââ?¬â?¢s thinking for the World Cup qualifiers. The 25-year-old was snapped up by boss Jimmy Calderwood for a nominal fee in August 2006 from Dundee United and has proved to be one of the Donsââ?¬â?¢ best signings in recent years. Neilson, meanwhile, was handed his one and only Scots cap by Smith in the Ukraine in October 2006. His contract is up at the end of the season and he is weighing up his options after 12 years at Tynecastle. Neilson joined Jambos from Rangers Boys Club. He could now agree a pre-contract for the 2009-10 season or be captured during the transfer window for a nominal amount. Alternatively, Gers could also use flop striker Andrius Velicka as a makeweight for a possible loan return to Tynecastle. Neilson, 28, is close to his best form again after injury worries, although he was at the centre of an explosive weekend post-match bust-up at Pittodrie. SunSport revealed how he hooked both Chris Maguire and Lee Mair in the tunnel after Aberdeenââ?¬â?¢s 1-0 win. Rangers gaffer Smith is desperate to overhaul a squad now languishing seven points behind bitter rivals Celtic who, after the 1-0 win at Ibrox, are hot favourites for four-in-a-row. He is also keen on bringing in a commanding stopper and has trailed the likes of Sporting Lisbonââ?¬â?¢s Tonel and Hearts captain Christophe Berra. Advertisement Click here But first he has to hope that the likes of Brahim Hemdani, Charlie Adam, Andy Webster, Alan Gow, Christian Dailly, Stevie Smith and Chris Burke can attract clubs. Meanwhile, Smith has had a loan bid for Swedish international Mattias Bjarsmyr thrown out by IFK Gothenburg. Smith asked if he could bring the twice-capped centre-half, 21, to Glasgow for the rest of the season.But Gothenburg are thought to want an up-front payment in the region of Ã?£2.5million for their prize asset, whose contract expires at the end of 2009. And they have vowed not to budge over their demands for the Sweden Under-21s skipper. Sporting director Hakan Mild said: ââ?¬Å?We are not interested in a loan deal. Such a move has never been in the equation for us.ââ?¬Â It seems certain Bjarsmyr will be sold this month. The player and Gothenburg are at loggerheads after he rejected a new deal. He was left fuming when Gothenburg placed such a massive fee on his head. Earlier this week Bjarsmyr had admitted he would be keen on a move to Rangers. But Gothenburg donââ?¬â?¢t want to lose him for nothing so will look to flog him elsewhere. Reports in Sweden claim he will move to either AZ Alkmaar or FC Groningen in Holland. http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/article2084353.ece

Velicka another million down the toilet pan. Well done Walter your bargain buy's are worse than my wife's.

This again from the eveningtimes. DJs quote at the very end sums him up for me, what a tosser!!! CELTIC and Rangers fans tend to blow things out of all proportion when their team loses an Old Firm game. And it is no surprise that many Gers supporters are predicting the title race is over after such a poor performance by their team at Ibrox on Saturday. But, believe me, it is not done and dusted yet. Seven points is not too great a gap to bridge by any means. There are a lot of games still to be played by both clubs and points to be dropped. Yet, Rangers must start to show some fight, a quality which I felt was totally lacking in their dire display against the Hoops, if they want to win the SPL this season. My old boss Jock Wallace used to tell me that you need a bit of fire in your belly. Well, what player in a light blue jersey had that hunger, that burning desire to win, at the weekend? What I found particularly alarming was the lack of fight Rangers displayed once they had fallen behind to the Scott McDonald goal. They just couldn't raise their game. That, for me, was the greatest disappointment. Walter Smith kept the players in the dressing room for a long, long time after the final whistle. I am sure a few of them left the stadium with a flea in their ear from Walter and his assistants Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall. What they need to do now is react to this defeat in the same way that Celtic did when they were beaten 4-2 at Parkhead back in August and go on a decent winning run. That means picking up points both home and away. I don't think there is any need to change the favoured 4-4-2 formation or drop anybody from the side. But a few players really need to get their fingers out and show that they know what it means to play for the club. If they do, the situation Rangers find themselves in can definitely change. A few weeks ago when they fell seven points behind with a defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle everybody wrote them off. On Saturday, they could have reduced Celtic's lead to just one point with a win. As Walter has pointed out, though, there is now next to no margin for error. They maybe need to be more direct in the coming weeks and months and start to win ugly a bit more to keep up the pressure on their city rivals. Walter raised a few eyebrows by selecting Charlie Adam ahead of Aaron, DaMarcus Beasley, Kyle Lafferty, Lee McCulloch and Nacho Novo wide on the left. He has not been regularly involved in the first team squad in recent weeks and there has been speculation that he has been told he can leave Ibrox during the January transfer window. But he has a proven track record in the fixture and poses a real threat from dead ball situations. Plus, the manager sees all of his players in training and must have felt that Charlie was his best option. He is just one of several players who must have a long hard look at themselves and try to improve. No way is it adios for Novo NACHO Novo is the latest player to be linked with a move away from Rangers during the January transfer window after again being overlooked against Celtic on Saturday. But I am sure the little Spaniard, who came on as a late substitute at Ibrox, will be one of the last players Walter Smith will want to see leave. Despite Nacho's frustration at his lack of first- team starts this season, he is best utilised as an impact player. He can change the course of a game all by himself. There is a lot of dead wood in the Gers squad which Walter will be far more interested in getting rid of in the next month. I think getting a centre half in has to be Walter's priority. He has been linked with big Lee Wilkie up at Dundee United. That is a signing I, and I am sure a lot of Rangers fans, would welcome. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2478464.0.0.php

By Andrew Dickson WALTER SMITH insists Rangers have not been made aware of interest in any of their players ahead of the transfer window opening on Thursday. A number of Ibrox stars have been linked with moves away from the club in the last few days, with Andrius Velicka and Nacho Novo two of the latest. Nacho NovoOne report has claimed Hearts are keen on resigning Velicka while another has said Deportivo La Coruna want to take Spanish striker Novo back to his homeland. Smith is getting used to the speculation that comes with the transfer window system, having only become caught up in it for the first time when he returned to Gers. All he would confirm is that as he looks ahead to what's expected to be a busy month in the market, he will have to trim his squad before he can bolster it again. Smith said: "We would hope to be active in the transfer market in terms of bringing players in but that is dependent on who we get out. "We have too many lads in the group who are not playing and they don't like that, which means it's not conducive to having a good squad. "Nacho is going to Spain in one newspaper then going to Hull in another and there's quite a gap between the two. "We get to the open season when people are free to speculate but the fact is we've had no contact at this stage regarding any of our players.Charlie Adam "We will just have to wait and see what happens. You go for a few months when the transfer window is closed and you don't have any speculation but now it has started. "When I returned to Rangers, it was the first time I had really experienced that sort of situation with the window and there are a great deal of rumours at the moment. "Of course, we have scouts in place as people do at every club but, first and foremost, we must adjust our current squad before we look at bringing bodies in." Smith has hinted Charlie Adam might have a future at Ibrox after all, just days after it seemed his time with Rangers was poised to come to an end. The midfielder was a surprise starter against Celtic on Saturday and the manager was relatively satisfied with how the 23-year-old performed. He added: "Charlie has been in and out of the team and whether he's happy with that or not is another matter. "But he can do a job for us. He has done so in the past and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead."

Steven Pressley tips Christophe Berra for the top - as long as he chooses the right club to join from Hearts. More...

Rangers manager Walter Smith is still waiting . More...

Nacho Novo has emerged as a �£2 million transfer target for Hull City, the surprise package in the Barclays Premier League this season. The Rangers forward is on Phil Brownâ��s wish-list when the scramble for signings starts again in six daysâ�� time. Brown splashed out �£3 million on Daniel Cousin in August â�� only 48 hours after the bustling front man had scored in Rangersâ�� 4-2 triumph away to Celtic. Hull have been alerted to the fact Novo has failed to find a permanent place in Walter Smithâ��s starting line-up and Brown is lining up a second swoop on Ibrox. Novo, the Spaniard signed from Dundee in July 2004 after refusing a move to Celtic, still has 18 months of his contract to run and is in no rush to leave. However, Brown could offer him a better chance of regular football and the thought of teaming up again with Cousin could persuade Novo to make the move. Smith has been told that he will have to sell next month to generate cash to bring in new players and Jean-Claude Darcheville is already on his way back to France with Valenciennes. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article5397900.ece

Bougherra says Old Firm tame compared to north Africa

Celtic have completed the signing of Czech Republic Under-20 defender Milan Misun from FK Pribram The 18-year-old left-back has signed a four-year contract with the reigning Scottish Premier League champions. "It's a tremendous honour to sign for a club of Celtic's stature," Misun told Celtic's official website. "I know that there are some quality players at Celtic and I will need to work extremely had to break into the first team." The defender opted for a move to Glasgow despite interest from Italian Serie A club AC Milan. He is a young man with certainly a lot of potential Celtic manager Gordon Strachan Celtic have deployed Lee Naylor and Mark Wilson in the left-back position this season, but Wilson is a naturally right-footed defender. "We are delighted to complete the signing of Milan Misun," added manager Gordon Strachan. "He is a young man with certainly a lot of potential and we will be doing all we can to maximise his potential and try and ensure that he is a success at Celtic." Last week, Celtic captured Derry City winger Niall McGinn and Dundee United goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska has signed a pre-contract agreement to join in the summer. MY SPORT: DEBATE One for the future I think, but already playing for Czech U-21 team so can't be all bad?? Powered_Up_Pac-Man Whilst on trial at Celtic's Lennoxtown training centre, Misun was joined by FK Pribram team-mate Anton Fantis, but the SPL leaders have put a possible move for the 16-year-old on hold. Strachan said he had yet to make a decision on whether to sign Brann Bergen defender Erlend Hanstveit, although it appears unlikely he will be offered a deal. Hanstveit cut short his Celtic trial to return to Norway for his wedding and will learn Strachan's thoughts through the club scout. "We need to make contact there through John Park," Strachan said on Friday. "Once we make contact then we will make clear our decision." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/7783307.stm

The Boyd Done Good As many long-term readers of my rants and posts on GersNet will testify, I have never been Boydââ?¬â?¢s number one fan. However, I have always stated that if Boyd could improve on his all-round game, add this to his undoubted goal-scoring talent, then heââ?¬â?¢s be an asset to our team. Saturdayââ?¬â?¢s game against Hibernian was in my opinion one of the best ââ?¬Ë?all-roundââ?¬â?¢ games Boyd has had in a Rangers jersey. He tracked back, he linked up play, his movement was decent and after missing a guilt-edged chance in the opening five minutes, scored a goal that only Boyd could score. It wasnââ?¬â?¢t a typical overhead kick, it was just the art of somehow getting the ball to nestle in the back of the net. Saturday was also saw us witness one of the most one-sided 1-0 victories in a long time. Hibernian came with a plan to frustrate us, get everyone behind the ball and not allow our midfield the time or space to utilise Millers clever runs. Credit to the players, they stuck to the task well, even when those in the stands were displaying signs of impatience and were reduced to cat-calling. Ferguson and Mendes showed further signs of a growing understanding and Mendes had his best game since the 4-2 mauling of the MOPES at Parkhead. His intelligent passing and audacious shooting was a joy to behold and certainly livened up the proceedings. I also thought that Papac and SW had very decent games in the full-back areas. With Hibs sitting deep, both took the opportunity to break forward and help to try to unlock the defence. I was disappointed in Hibsââ?¬â?¢ approach, as on their day, they are one of the better SPL teams and tend to play a very decent level of football. I know they had a few key players out injured, but expected them to put more into the game. It seemed that they had resigned themselves to a defeat even before a ball was kicked. You're Just Our Feeder Club This wee ditty is often sung when we play Hibs as we have over the years, signed various players from the Edinburgh club. In recent history players like Kenny Miller, Ian Murray, Steven Whittaker and Kevin Thomson have made the short journey along the M8 and joined Rangers from Hibernian. Others like Craig Patterson who went on to captain The Rangers and in my opinion, the best two players weââ?¬â?¢ve signed from Hibs are Andy Goram and Colin Stein. Both these players went on to make outstanding contributions to The Rangers and both are rightly remembered with great fondness within our support. However, whilst Colin Stein took no time to settle into the groove at Ibrox netting a total of eight goals in his first three games, whilst Andy Goram leaked uncharacteristic goals in his opening spell between the sticks. Stein with the subject of the first Ã?£100,000 pounds transfer between Scottish Clubs and went on to become a firm favourite and a permanent fixture in the Rangers line-up. His bustling style and fantastic heading ability saw Stein score hugely important goals for Rangers including a strike in the Cup Winners Cup Final in Barcalona and the goal that won the 1975 championship. If I remember correctly, he is also the last player to have scored a hat-trick for Scotland. Colin lives local to me and some may find it surprising that he is now a joiner with a local firm and was a very decent at bowls! Andy Goram recovered after a shaky start and established himself into Rangers folk-lore as one of the finest keepers we have had. The list of astonish saves is endless, but the one to deny Hugedonkey at Ibrox was one of the best saves I have ever seen. Both players have actually attended various dances at our RSC and both were a credit to themselves and Rangers Football Club. Worrying Rumours Following on from Super Allyââ?¬â?¢s thread regarding worrying and shocking rumours - http://www.gersnetonline.net/vb/showthread.php?t=9290 here are a few that I heard (from various sources over the weekend) that are as worrying : We have contacted and opened negotiations with Bobo Baldesââ?¬â?¢s representatives with a view to taking the Celtc stopper once his contract expires at Parkhead. This deal is said to be at an advanced stage and could be completed soon. Balde will see out the remainder of his contract at Celtc and move to Rangers in the summer under freedom of contract. West Brom had a Ã?£5M bid for Kevin Thomson accepted by Rangers and the deal was to be concluded in January. However, after Thomsonââ?¬â?¢s injury and West Brom losing sponsorship (with T-Mobile) this deal has been scrapped. West Brom are actually in some financial difficulty as they have lost and failed to replace T-Mobile as shirt sponsors and have gone public locally asking for local investors to invest in the club. However, I am led to believe that Birmingham City are also keen on Thomson and will test Rangersââ?¬â?¢ resolve with a Ã?£5M bid in the summer. If we get a bid from Birmingham, Thomson will be sold. Our finances appear to be a lot worse than any of us thought. Martin Bain has been tasked to make further reductions to the spiralling wage bill, hence the reason as many as 10 players will leave Ibrox in January. Kirk Broadfootââ?¬â?¢s agent was sent packing from Murray Park with a flee in his ear after inquiring about a pay rise for Broadfoot now he is an international player. It is believed that Kirk is on Ã?£2K per week and his agent asked for ~Ã?£4K and was politely told to ââ?¬Ë?beat itââ?¬â?¢. Wonder if this is why young Kirk was demoted to the bench recently. All of the above is unsubstantiated but heard this from a few people, not just one source. Get Into Them Once the turkey and the roast potatoes (am I still allowed to refer to potatoes in this sensitive Old Firm week ââ?¬â?? donââ?¬â?¢t want to offended anyone especially at this time of year) has been digested, weââ?¬â?¢ll welcome our bitter neighbours to our home for the 2nd Old Firm game of the season. The damning statistics regarding our inconsistent form says that even a Rangers win (our 2nd of the season) will still see us trailing the MOPES by a point. That is as hard to swallow as the turkey ââ?¬â?? potentially 2 Old Firm victories and still behind them in the race for the SPL. These encounters are never ââ?¬Ë?tameââ?¬â?¢, but itââ?¬â?¢s time that we crank this game up a notch or two. They have been allowed to swagger around in this fixture recently and itââ?¬â?¢s time that we reverted back to the days of Jock Wallace and got the battle fever on. Lets barrack them from start to finish, lets get on the backs of the officials, lets drown out their bile with Rangers songs (and the odd verse of the hockey cokey), lets get right fookin into them (in a non-sectarian manner you understand). The Rolly-Polly Goalie should be our prime target. This ââ?¬Ë?manââ?¬â?¢ is unstable ââ?¬â?? lets hound him. The players should also be getting into his ear at every opportunity. We should be shooting on site (praying for squigglers), barging him at cross-balls and generally making his life uncomfortable. He isnââ?¬â?¢t in the best frame of minds, so lets try and capitalize on that. Whilst doing all of the above, lets not get on the backs of our players, they need and deserve our full support. Itââ?¬â?¢s worth remembering that anything other than a victory isnââ?¬â?¢t really good enough for us. I would expect Walter Smith to now stick with the 4-4-2 formation and he could stick with Saturdays starting 11. Donââ?¬â?¢t be fooled by the MOPES claims of injury, suspensions etc, theyââ?¬â?¢ll have their strongest 11 on the pitch on Saturday, make no mistake about that. Please Santa, 3 points for The Rangers. Merry Xmas & A Happy New Year Just like to take this opportunity in wishing all fellow GersNet contributors and all Rangers fans a very merry xmas and a happy new year. Cammy F

Dec 21 2008 By Mark Guidi BOBO BALDE has reported Celtic to FIFA after being fined a total of �£100,000. Mailsport can reveal the Guinea defender has been docked four weeks' wages for a variety of breaches of discipline since August. Balde doesn't agree with the punishments and asked the PFA and his lawyers to try to reach an agreement with Celtic chief Peter Lawwell. That move failed and on the recommendation of the PFA a dossier was sent by Balde to FIFA. The PFA are confident FIFA will side with the player but Celtic believe their case is rock solid. FIFA have received Balde's paperwork but it could take months to reach a decision and it's likely the player will have left Glasgow before they announce their verdict. Balde is no longer a recognised member of Gordon Strachan's squad and has been banished to train with Chris McCart's youth team at Barrowfield. The stopper's first-team ticket allowance has been wiped and he is banned from the stadium when Strachan's side are playing. Balde, signed by Martin O'Neill in the summer of 2001, was fined for not reporting for the opening SPL game against St Mirren. He was in France having been handed written permission by the club to talk to interested parties to organise a move out of Parkhead. Celtic had given Balde the Friday off but wanted him to report back to the team hotel on the eve of the game. The player thought he had more time to work on a deal. Balde was also fined for refusing to train with the youth team when Strachan first made it clear he wouldn't be considered for action. He reported to Lennoxtown and trained on his own but has been working out with the youths for the past four months. A move to Birmingham on transfer deadline day in August was on offer but Balde said no. City boss Alex McLeish is back in for the player and plans to land him in the January window. Balde is now ready to leave and hopes he can sort out an amicable departure next month. But he won't sign a confidentiality agreement and that means he could be at Parkhead until his contract ends in May unless Celtic can smooth a parting of the ways. http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/sport-news/scottish-football/spl/celtic-fc/2008/12/21/bobo-balde-wants-fifa-to-help-after-feud-with-celtic-78057-20986495/

I have it on good authority that McGeady has been told to find himself a new club in the January transfer window and apparently Strachan has told the club that if McGeady is still there in the summer then he is leaving. Strachan has apparently grown sick of his neddishness and arrogance. Nay luck, Aiden.

http://www.rangers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,5~1493594,00.html

Poor old Graeme Smith, he's another Alan Gow! WS buys him on a free, never plays him and is then booted out the door. What a waste of 18 months.