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NACHO NO GO Contrary to a number of various media reports Coventry City can confirm that they will not be signing Rangers forward Nacho Novo. It had been reported that the Spanish player had put pen-to-paper on a deal here at the Ricoh, but this is not the case. Stay tuned to ccfc.co.uk - the only place to get the official City news ahead of the transfer deadline. http://www.ccfc.premiumtv.co.uk

Vaguely remember being linked with him last year, dont know too much about him though

Villa seal �£6.5m deal for Petrov Petrov is O'Neill's first signing Aston Villa have completed a �£6.5m deal for Celtic midfield man Stilian Petrov. The 27-year-old Bulgaria captain has signed a four-year contract and is boss Martin O'Neill's first signing since taking over at Villa Park. Petrov worked with O'Neill at Celtic and it is understood the transfer could eventually be worth about �£8m. He is away on international duty, but loose ends have been tied up and Petrov is likely to make his Villa debut at West Ham on 10 September. Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp had trailed Petrov throughout the summer, but admitted defeat once O'Neill made his move. The talented Petrov joined Celtic in July 1999 from CSKA Sofia and has made more than 250 appearances for the club. Petrov was contracted to the Scottish champions until 2010 but submitted a transfer request at the end of last season. 606 VIEW Bit overpriced is my immediate reaction, but he is a good player who will do well for us TL 606: Have your say He won his first cap for his country in March 1999 against Belgium and was eventually appointed skipper of his country. Petrov was voted the Scottish Premier League's player of the year in 2001 after helping Celtic to the domestic treble. O'Neill is also believed to be interested in Barcelona striker Javier Saviola who is out of favour at the Nou Camp. The 24-year-old is out of contract next summer and Barcelona are keen to off-load the Argentinian international who impressed at the World Cup. But O'Neill faces competition from the likes of Celta Vigo, Real Zaragoza and Villarreal for Saviola.

Administering the result. Thatââ?¬â?¢s what the Italians call it. Maybe if we hadnââ?¬â?¢t been wearing Monaco strips - maybe if weââ?¬â?¢d stuck to the Azzurri home tops weââ?¬â?¢d somehow have been able to see out the second of the leads we took in Ayrshire today. But then again, Big Dado once knocked in four goals in twenty three minutes of a Champions League match wearing that very strip he wore today, against a Deportivo La Coruna side who traditionally play in a bit of a Killie strip. He couldnââ?¬â?¢t put away two gilt-edged chances today. But then again, we have two deep-lying midfielders in our new formation, supposedly to give us a way of bolting tight shut our defence in the event of, say, trying to hang onto a 1-goal lead with four minutes to go. But then again, again, Dado did set up both Kris Boydââ?¬â?¢s goals, is an all-round legend without whom weââ?¬â?¢d be nothing and - geeze a break! - weââ?¬â?¢re only five games intae the season, the first season of a new regime, and the transfer window isnae even shut yet. Paul Le Guenââ?¬â?¢s still sketching the outline of his master plan and thereââ?¬â?¢s plenty of evidence that itââ?¬â?¢ll be a seriously impressive work when complete. To be only one point off the top and still unbeaten in such circumstances - without Barry Ferguson - is pretty much as good as you can hope for. Give Killie their due - they fought and fought and, apparently, had a pair oââ?¬â?¢ fair shouts for penalties before the one they eventually got. I say ââ?¬Å?apparentlyââ?¬Â because my Ã?£23.00 today bought me a dollââ?¬â?¢s house furniture-sized seat in the second-front row of the Chadwick Stand. Thatââ?¬â?¢s the subterranean area of the ground. Iââ?¬â?¢d been approached by a policeman before the game as I slinked up a side street to shove in my contacts - the constable thought I was popping some sort of drug. If only I was that interesting and if only Iââ?¬â?¢d taken a periscope instead of some disposable soft lenses. The first half seemed to be going okay because Allan McGregor, stood almost above me, touched the ball about twice, most of the Rangers team and Kilmarnock players spent most of the opening 45 down at the other end, almost out of eye-shot and all the Gers fans in the Moffat stand stood up and cheered at one point. I think we were winning 1-0 at half-time. To be honest, it was great to be so close to the action - well, to the pitch. This is why going to games beats the TV every time - even if your viewââ?¬â?¢s shit, you still feel more involved. Even, ironically, if you donââ?¬â?¢t know whatââ?¬â?¢s happening because all you can see up the other end of the pitch is a mass of legs from the knees up, you have a goalie right in front of you who could hear every bit of abuse or encouragement you decided to throw his way. Hey - youââ?¬â?¢re making a difference, man. The Killie keeper decided he wasnââ?¬â?¢t taking any chances today - heââ?¬â?¢d read all about Artur Boruc - so he wore an orange top. Low and behold, my aunt, uncle and wee cuz were in the row behind me, along a wee bit. They had a spare seat for the second half and I completed the first misfortune of their day by joining them. Too bad I slipped back a row - being second from the front, I was determined to do one of those things ye always see front-row punters doing - like clambering over the wall to bear-hug a Rangers scorer or push my fat, bealinââ?¬â?¢ face into a stewardââ?¬â?¢s as I ranted and raved about some trivial tenuous ââ?¬Å?public orderââ?¬Â issue which Iââ?¬â?¢d got confused with the fact my team chucked away a late equaliser. Once I eventually found my seat in the massive game of Sudoko which is Rugby Park - only every fith or sixth seat has a number on it so if youââ?¬â?¢re in number 67 you have to look all round for a 70 or a 63, say, and then start counting - my main concern was getting plenty of reasons to jump up and down, because Kilmarnock FC donââ?¬â?¢t provide seats suitable for the more generously proportioned gentleman. On the big screen opposite, McSherry and someone, solicitors were flashing up nicely conceited adverts for ââ?¬Å?getting you out of a tight cornerââ?¬Â but I could have done with their help just to get my knees from under my front teeth after following the edict from another advert to try the Killie pie. I work alongside Frazer Wrightââ?¬â?¢s cousin - a Motherwell fan and a top bloke. Allan would go down to Stair Park to see Mr Wright at the outset of his career and Iââ?¬â?¢d be one of the anoraks most interested in his second-hand, first-hand tales of life in the senior ranks come Monday morning. Frazer was only 40-odd games away from becoming Stranraerââ?¬â?¢s all-time record holder for appearances when he went to Killie, still at the age of 12ish. Iââ?¬â?¢d told his cuz that, had it been me, Iââ?¬â?¢d probably have stayed in the lower divisions to get the record rather than leave for the SPL big time. Thatââ?¬â?¢s because Iââ?¬â?¢m anal - but I wish heââ?¬â?¢d fucking done it, then the bugger wouldnââ?¬â?¢t have equalised against us today. But, despite the misses from Dado, our Croat god plugged away to help create another chance which was again sublimely finished by Kris Goal-Machine Boyd. Ah, the thrill of seeing the ball slipped under the keeper, just a few yards in front of where yer sat. Ahh, the agony of realising the last time ye were this close to the action was at Dunfermline on Boxing Day when - BINGO! - we conceded an injury tme penalty to deny us a victory. Bugger. What IS happening to this Masonic conspiracy???!! I pay good money to keep things ââ?¬Å?on the levelââ?¬Â in Scottish Football! Will someone PLEASE remind the refs Rangers are supposed to be AWARDED last-minute pens. Anyway, Buffel came on and so did Sebo. Sebo looked ineffective and made a very poor choice with our last chance of the game but it was hardly his fault we dropped yet more points in this rebuilding period. Thomas B looks just like Dado these days - able to open up defences at will but unable to be the second natural finisher we need. Just as well Boyd is a preternatural finisher. Bazza, Burkey and even Bardsley will all return and the outline will be completed, the shading applied and the detail detailed. Weââ?¬â?¢ll soon all be able to clearly see a fully realised winning Rangers portrait - even if weââ?¬â?¢re stuck in the first few rows of the Chadwick or Moffatt stands. PS - if yer driving from Glasgow to North Ayrshire on February 11th next year, you could do worse than find yerself parked outside the Bonnyton cafe. Superb bag of chips and a can of coke for Ã?£1.70. Feed yer face as ye listen to the radio reports and the line of traffic which is jamming ye in begins to dwindle. Iââ?¬â?¢ll be needing a giant shoe horn to get me out my Killie seat in the New Year ââ?¬Â¦

11:40 - 25 August 2006 Plymouth Argyle, who travel to Stoke tomorrow, have put winger Bojan Djordjic on the transfer list. The 24-year-old, who joined Argyle from Rangers in 2005, has not impressed new Pilgrims boss Ian Holloway. "It is based on my observations since I have been here," Holloway said. "I know what I want, he should be practising corners and free-kicks every day. The boy knows what I've said and it is down to him. If he makes me change my mind, great - but at the moment he is on it." Torquay United are home to Chester City in League 2. In League 1 Yeovil Town entertain early season leaders Port Vale. This guy seems to be more talented with his mouth rather than his feet.

Taken from SportingLife.com

Rangers have been told they will have to pay �£1.2m if they want to beat Feyenoord and Borussia Dortmund to the signature of Austria Vienna defender Sasa Papac. (Daily Express) Rangers have approached Manchester United about taking 21-year-old right-back Phil Bardsley on loan. (The Sun) Rangers defender Joe-Karl Pierre-Fanfan will travel to Spain tomorrow to negotiate personal terms with Gimnastic De Tarragona. (The Herald) Derby County are favourites to sign Rangers defender Bob Malcolm, who will move to an English Championship club by the weekend . (The Herald) Dundee United are to open negotiations with Rangers over the signing of goalkeeper Allan McGregor. (The Herald)

http://www.wiganlatics.premiumtv.co....9%2C00.html%3F Andy Webster signs agreement to join Wigan Athletic as long-running transfer negotiations set to be completed. Scotland centre half Andy Webster has signed an agreement to join Wigan Athletic from Heart of Midlothian. The move has been registered with the Football Association but Webster cannot officially be unveiled until a FIFA hearing decides how much compensation the club will have to pay Hearts in what is turning out to be a highly complicated, ground-breaking transfer. Latics hope the decision will be made 'very soon.' Chief Executive Brenda Spencer met with the player and his representative yesterday, and revealed that the club has worked tirelessly over the past month to try and conclude the deal. Cammy F

Apparently we're still interested in Webster and word is we may put in a wee cheeky last minute �£400k bid for him.

Olivier Bernard remains a target for Sheffield United, where boss Neil Warnock is keen to sign a left-back before the transfer deadline. Centre-half Marvin Andrews, linked with Hibs earlier in the week is now attracting interest from Championship side Preston North End. Jose-Karl Pierre Fanfan meanwhile is wanted by both Fenerbahce of Turkey and Spanish side Gimnastic.

I have to say one aspect of this summer has left me feeling very disappointed. We have brought in one of the most respected young coaches in the game, a coach players almost universally look up to and admire. A coach with great clout in the game and a great reputation. Even without a budget, we expected some truly inspiring names to join us. Hell, we were linked with players like Kallstrom, Dhorasoo, and Givet to name just 3. But since our glut of acquisitions like Sionko, Svensson and Clement, we have been linked with absolutely no one, despite PLG stating we still need more players. We haven't made any one signing of the gravity we expected given the coaches name and pedigree. No big names have been signed by us. Sure, we had fantastical speculation like Zidane for a while, but nothing to really get the juices flowing has materialised. And then today we hear Celtic are in for 2 genuine world talents in Timoschuk and Venegoor. I have to say if PLG's revolution has let me down in one area, it's been the lack of exciting transfer speculation and actual acquisitions. We have signed good players, and we seem to be building a team around individuals who will make a good solid unit. It's just a wee bit of a let down that we've not brought in any exciting stars. Remember the excitement when we signed de Boer, for example? I thought PLG's name would alone be enough to get us some major players. It just hasn't happened.

Guess that'll be the end of the good relationship Brewster had. Utd chairman has made it perfectly clear there lol

Joey Barton has ended speculation about his future by signing a new four-year contract at Manchester City. Barton has had a stormy relationship with City over the past few months after he handed in a transfer request in January. City were keen to tie Barton down to a new deal, with just one year remaining on his previous contract. Barton has now signed a four-year deal at Eastlands, shunning interest from Middlesbrough - who were the only club to really make a move for the midfielder. "It is great that everything has been sorted out," admitted Barton. "I am grateful for the support and faith the manager and the chairman have shown me by offering me this contract. The support I have received from City fans has also been a great boost. "I am ambitious and so is the club. I said if the club would sign quality players I would commit my future to City. The club has done that and I am a man of my word. "Since we came back from the pre-season break there is a real mood of optimism at the club. I have always given my absolute maximum for this football club and I am looking forward to the new season and helping City challenge at the highest level." City boss Stuart Pearce added: "This is excellent news. "I have always maintained that Joey's future lay with this football club and the player is very happy here. "Joey is improving as a player and I am sure with continued hard work on his and our part, he can achieve his ambitions at Manchester City."

or sometimes referred to as Have You Seen The Glasgow Rangers - a fantastic song that should be reintroduced at Ibrox ; http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=DE1EC21D4E94AB35 Cammy F

It appears we're not getting Filip Sebo. "Rangers appear to have missed out on striking target Filip Sebo. Austria Vienna have told BBC Sport that, following a meeting of directors on Tuesday, they have decided to end negotiations with Rangers. "We have told Filip we will not let him go and there will be no transfer to Glasgow Rangers," said a spokesman. The Austrians, who begin their domestic campaign on Tuesday night against Graz AK, say that Rangers failed to meet their valuation of the 22-year-old. Rangers had been warned that Vienna were seeking double the original offer of about �£1.2m. It appears that the Ibrox outfit did increase their bid, but Vienna wanted Rangers to meet their valuation before the start of their own league campaign. The coaches know I want to leave and understand my situation Austria Vienna striker Filip Sebo The Vienna spokesman could not say whether the situation would change if Rangers now met their valuation - or did not reach the group stages of the Champions League. "Filip was honoured to be wanted by a club like Rangers, but he is happy to stay," he insisted. It has been reported that Sebo would make a direct plea to the Austrians' general manager to allow him to join Rangers. "I have asked for a meeting with Mr Kraetschmer to tell him I want this sorted out," said Sebo. "The coaches know I want to leave and understand my situation, but it isn't up to them - it's up to the owners." Markus Kraetschmer had told the Sunday Express: "The offer has been improved slightly. But, for me, it is not a very interesting proposal. "Sebo is an important player for us and our main sponsors have already said they want to build a team around him." Ibrox boss Paul Le Guen had turned his attention to Sebo after losing out on Sweden international Johan Elmander, who opted to join Toulouse. Sebo joined Vienna from Artmedia Bratislava last summer and scored 22 goals in his first season as they completed a league and cup double." Didn't realise he was a former Artmedia player...

Never heard of him, we definately need a striker, but there are more important gaps in the team to fill at the moment IMO.

PLG has confirmed Fergie will remain as club captain - has also told Sionko and Svensson to be on the plane for South Africa on Saturday despite them being at the WC (I LIKE this, PLG has said that he wants them "integrated" with the squad - good move !!). http://home.skysports.com/transfernews.asp?type=article&id=400855

Here is a list of things that David E Murray needs to turn his attention to as soon as PLG confirms that he has the tools in place to get us back to the top of the pile domestically and build on the very going showing in last seasons CL. Youth Development; Back on my high horse here ââ?¬â?? we urgently need to get this back under our own control. We urgently need to turn ââ?¬Ë?Murray Parkââ?¬â?¢ ââ?¬â?? which is essentially a training facility into a Youth Development Centre. We must hire the best coaches and the best scouts to ensure that we are getting the best crop of youngsters from all over the world. They must be houses and schooled at Murray Park. PR Department ; Again, another pet hate for many Rangers supporters. We urgently need to get an effective PR department that will challenge the lies, half-truths and innuendoes printed in the press. A PR Department that will represent Rangers and us the fans at anti-sectarian events and not allow our enemies to dictate the sectarian agenda. This PR Department would ideally be staffed by Rangers fans, and possibly run in conjunction with The RST and this Bear would nominate David Edgar as the new head of PR. Fans Groups ; The RST, TBO, FF, No1 Fanzine as well as the supporters association would all share the responsibility of liaising between the club and the fans. This would include inputs into stewarding (home, away and Europe), fans displays, travel, away ticketing prices / allocation etc. Also, this would include drawing up a schedule for first and second team players to represent the club at Supporters Clubs functions. Failure to attend would lead to fines. They would also work with the club to ensure that the Rangers Museum becomes a reality. Ticket Office ; Firstly, this would be moved from a port-a-cabin at the Craptic end to a permanent building within Ibrox. It would be managed and staffed by highly skilled and effective customer care professionals. After all, they are dealing with people who are spending hard earned cash to follow Rangers ââ?¬â?? they would be courteous, helpful and bend over to help the Rangers fans. Financial Growth This includes long-term business goals that will ensure the financial stability of the club for generations. It means the board of directors searching high and low for potential backers and when they have identified them, get them to put money into the club to help finance transfer, wages, youth development etc. Official Publications ; As said previously, these need a major overhaul and I would like to see the fans becoming involved in the authoring and publishing of articles from the Rangers News, Rangers TV, the match programme and the official web-site. Match Day Experience ; Supporters groups like TBO, CDL, CRL etc would be given access to Ibrox on a match day to place flags, banners, TIFO, etc all over stadium. The club would help pay and store ALL banners and these would be allowed to be draped over the stands for a certain time prior to kick-off and at half-time. The pre-match entertainment would be used to build up an atmosphere with the playing of Rangers songs like The Blue Sea Of Ibrox, Follow Follow, Every Other Saturday, Wolverhampton Town etc (the original version, not some raved up versions), with fans URGED to join in and wave flags, scarves, banners etc. So in summary, whilst congratulating David E Murray for capturing one of the best young managers in Europe, he still has a lot of work to do to make Rangers FC the club that we all want and deserve. Cammy F

Bernard, Malcolm and McCormack (obviously) never went to SA as they've all been told to sort out moves to other clubs. Gers are keen to land Niklas Bendtner on a season loan as PLG and Colleu know the player and what he can do, but Arsenal don't want him to go and there's talk about a fee being involved. Colleu says he knows nothing about Di Vaio, but does say that they are working on one or two more players, whose identity will be kept a secret. As for Ricksen, apparently the players were well warned what would happen if they stepped out of line and Colleu said that "PLG does what he says".

As someone who used to religiously purchase both the match-day programme and the Rangers News (I have programmes dating back to the 50�s and 60�s as well as most home programmes from the 80�s and 90�s) and Rangers News (I have most editions from 77 until the early-mid 90�s), I would like to see both publications give space, if not all control to the fans. This would mean the Programme and News would raise and address the issues that currently face our club. Currently, neither tackles any issues that we face and with no disrespect meant, I for one do not want to read about someone�s dog who barks the theme tune to MOTD whilst wearing a Rangers top. Our club publications should be written by the fans, for the fans. It should address topics like the recent UEFA investigation / fine and allow the fans a real insight as to what went on there and what the club are planning to do about this in the short, medium and long term. They should also carry in-depth interviews with the new manager and his staff along with the captain and players. The Chairman should also be questioned regularly on things like debt, transfer budget and process, the youth development fiasco etc, etc, etc. I am sure most fans are more interested in the above than they are of what Burke and Boyd prefer for breakfast and what was the last tune that they downloaded. The Rangers Historian is a sporadic publication that gives great insight to the history of our club and IMO, would be ideal for the programme and News. Robert McElroy knows more about our club than most and would be ideal for writing his thoughts etc in the official publications. Same goes with fanzine contributors, these guys are fans and talk about issues that are fans minds. The official web-site also needs an overhaul and The Rangers Historian MUST have a place on any official on-line site. Where better to give visitors an in-sight to our great club? In saying that, they must also remove the registration to the site as it is a hindrance and no doubt stops casual browsers (who arte potential fans) from easily accessing information. Cammy F

Exclusive! New Deal For Boyd by Lindsay Herron SCOTLAND'S top striker Kris Boyd has signed a new contract extension which will tie him with Rangers into the next decade. Kris BoydBoyd blasted a remarkable 20 goals for Rangers from 20 appearances in the second half of last season after signing a three-and-a-half year contract following his transfer from Kilmarnock. That followed 17 goals for Killie in the first half of the campaign and then he notched twice for the national team on his international debut for Scotland against Bulgaria in the Kirin Cup in Japan. Now he has added a further 12 months to his deal which will keep him with the Light Blues until the summer of 2010. Manager Paul Le Guen explained: "I'm very happy that Kris has signed for another year. He is a good player and it was important to keep him. I'm convinced he can get better and better." The 22-year striker is thrilled to get the seal of approval from the new boss and revealed that he worked hard to impress him. Boyd told rangers.co.uk: "I'm delighted to have added another year to my contract. "I came back to pre-season with the attitude that I needed to impress the new management team. I think it was the same for a lot of us. "I guess I must have done something right and it's very pleasing to commit for another year! "I knew when I came to Rangers last season that I had to perform to the best of my ability. There was pressure on me but I had had a good start with Killie and I think that helped me.Kris Boyd celebrating after scoring in his first cap for Scotland "I had to perform at the same standard - or even better - and I managed to do that with the 20 goals. "We all knew towards the end of last season that changes were happening so I think we all made sure that we kept our fitness levels up so that we were ready to go work. "We knew there would be changes with new players coming in and what have you so it's great that I'm part of the plans. "It's pleasing that the new manager has shown faith in me."

Scottish giants Rangers have reportedly had their approach for Sweden international Johan Elmander rebuffed. Elmander's club Brondby are thought to be looking for a fee in the region of ââ??¬6 million (Ã?£4.2 million) for the striker, a price new Gers boss Paul Le Guen is not willing to pay. Le Guen may now miss out on one of his number one transfer targets, with clubs across Europe interested in the 25-year-old. Premiership side Wigan and Spanish duo Real Sociedad and Real Betis have all been credited with an interest. "We have not received a serious offer, but there has been contact," confirmed Brondby director Per Bjerregaard to BT. Credit: skysports.com Well, this seems to completely go against what Cammy said earlier about Elmander, obviously I hope this report is false, but still. Just when it seemed it was looking up. I know I can't change it, but it pains me seeing Rangers a million miles away from considering paying the likes of Ã?£4m for a player who, in my opinion, will be worth it to someone.

from French sports paper l'equipe... "Vikash Dhorasoo a vraisemblablement autre chose � penser en ce moment qu'� un �©ventuel transfert. Mais Paul Le Guen y r�©fl�©chit pour lui. Selon L'Equipe de mercredi, le nouvel entra�®neur des Glasgow Rangers souhaiterait que le milieu de terrain international du Paris-SG le rejoigne dans le club �©cossais. Les deux hommes ont �©t�© champions de France ensemble avec Lyon en 2003 et 2004." Basically, speculation that Dhorasoo will team up with PLG again (worked together at Lyon). Apparently he's a bit duff at PSG, but was pretty spectacular at Lyon .... only likes of Viera and Zidane have kept him out of the french national team...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikash_Dhorasoo

http://www.gersnet.info/fmrangers/newmain/280606.html Recently, there has been a lot of talk on the online community about club finances and where it stands in this regard. Firstly, Iââ?¬â?¢d like to make clear that I am in no way a financial expert but the claim in the title is simply from reading between the lines regarding various stories and issues over the last year or so. My main evidence submission, curiously missed by many, is a Sunday Times business article from 2 months ago by John Penman (link available below). Seems to me Mr Murray is trying to tell us something which makes this subject so interesting worth while discussing. Last year we made, conservatively, around Ã?£12million from our exciting Championsââ?¬â?¢ league campaign. A few months back the chairman also announced the ââ?¬Ë?selling of the jerseysââ?¬â?¢ (literally) by outsourcing our successful retail operations to JJB Sports for Ã?£18million. Thatââ?¬â?¢s around Ã?£30million of investment which should bring our ongoing debt to around the -Ã?£10million mark ââ?¬â?? probably less. In other words, the club is on its most secure financial footing for a good number of years. Looking at the ever-decreasing share price you might find that contradicts this somewhat. However, that could be explained by a falling market (which is partly true) and/or someone selling shares at a fair rate. Who owns 91.8% of the shares again so has a few spare to sell? Indeed, further evidence, from Murray himself, indicates the club is available. Interviewed recently in the ââ?¬Ë?Sunday Timesââ?¬â?¢, regarding his biography; Murray says he has his ââ?¬Ë?sights on leaving the club in someone elseââ?¬â?¢s handsââ?¬â?¢. That may not be imminent but that shows his ââ?¬Ë?ambitionsââ?¬â?¢. Several other aspects of Murrayââ?¬â?¢s current business strategy and his personal life point towards a man changing his goals and his way of life. He recently sold his Murray International Metals group for Ã?£120million and has moved aggressively into the property scene. His Premier Property Group owns shopping centres and office buildings all over the UK. It has just embarked on a Ã?£50m speculative office development in the heart of Glasgow and its MIH parent group has borrowed nearly Ã?£500million to fund more ventures. Murray also announced his engagement this year and his intention to buy at least one more vineyard to the one he owns in France. A man making many changes then and important ones at that. Some may argue that the exciting appointment of Paul Le Guen, one of the finest young managers in World football, is a signal that he intends to take Rangers back to the forefront of the UK game. Iââ?¬â?¢d counter that this appointment and the other staff changes made within the club recently are only to attract a potential buyer. Certainly the minimal (but fiscally prudent) alleged transfer budget afforded to Le Guen doesnââ?¬â?¢t indicate a chairman prepared to go out on a limb to achieve his footballing ambitions. It shows a chairman keeping finances tight while having the club on a sound footing at every level (financial and staff), and importantly for this article, ready for sale. So who would take over the club? That is the main question here, since it appears to be a case of not if Murray will move on but when, who will take over? It wonââ?¬â?¢t be any of his sons as Murray doesnââ?¬â?¢t want them to have the same emotional and time rollercoaster he has had during his tenure. Although a Russian billionaire (Vladimir Lisin) has moved into an estate next door to Murrayââ?¬â?¢s in Perthsire such a buyer also seems unlikely. Murray rightly questions the hunger and attachment such a buyer would feel so perhaps the eternal links to Tom Hunter may be more likely. However, Hunter himself recently sold his stake in JJB Sports for Ã?£72million and his West Coast Capital investment company is also currently working with other such vehicles to move into other corporate areas. As such, an investment in Rangers by Hunter also looks off the mark. Perhaps we could look towards the background of Donald McIntyre, the new Rangers finance director for clues. McIntyre, a Chartered Accountant, has held senior financial positions within Stakis plc, Hilton Group plc, Hewden Stuart plc and latterly as Group Financial Controller at Macdonald Hotels Limited. Maybe one of these companies might be interested in a football investment particularly when you consider the ongoing RFC casino project. Vegas Sands who are in partnership with RFC for this leisure expansion may provide the biggest clue yet but are they a red herring? Also in the frame is the Rangers Supportersââ?¬â?¢ Trust. Their recent ShareSave initiative enables all fans to buy a stake in the club while proxying their holding to the Trust. Itââ?¬â?¢s only the initial stages of the project but already it seems successful and interest is high. Itââ?¬â?¢s also backed by the club and high net worth investors are taking part. Thus, while the RST may not be a buying contender per se, their increasing holding and undoubted increasing say of late means the may form a large part of any future boardroom changes. No matter the names suggested its all speculation at this stage but interesting nonetheless. Certainly, from the fansââ?¬â?¢ point of view, any new owner would still have over 90% of the shares. This has to be addressed in order for us to be able to influence the clubââ?¬â?¢s eventual new owner and avoid some of the problems weââ?¬â?¢ve had with the current one. Many fans are fed up with David Murray and have advocated an ownership change for several years. It seems that change is coming then ââ?¬â?? maybe not today, maybe not next year but it will happen sooner rather than later. Only then, will we know just how good a chairman and owner David Murray really is. Sources: ââ?¬Å?Reaping rewards from life's touchlineââ?¬Â http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,9070-2157688.html Rangers Supportersââ?¬â?¢ Trust ShareSave scheme http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/ss.html

Well I have to say I'm a lot more excited about the season coming than I've been for quite some time. It was a crushing blow to lose out on Champions League, but fair play to Hearts, they were better than us and deserve their place, and I hope they do well in the name of Scotland. Here's hoping our starting off in the Uefa Cup, with what will conceivably be a rebuilt team, will blood the side in and give PLG the chance to find his feet without the immediate pressure of the CL. Don't get me wrong, I'd choose the CL every time but end of the day we're not in it so we have to make the best of what we do have. In PLG we have one of Europe's brightest and most coveted managers, whose stock has never been higher. Getting him was one of the biggest signings in our history and he is the man to take us forward, no doubt about that. Our obvious priority has to be taking the Championship out of Celtic's hands, but they're doing rebuilding too, getting in some decent if not outstanding (IMO) players like the Scotland boys and this Sno chap and Jarosik. On the other hand we've brought in a promising Swedish defender to replace Soti, a Czech winger whose performance in Germany in the little time he got was certainly positive, and Letizi who has 4 caps for France apparently. Both the OF are failing to explode in the transfer market so far, settling instead for subtle enhancements and replacements so far rather than major acquisitions. Maybe it's presumptious to say this season could be a battle between the managers rather than the squads, because while both sets of fans could be reasonably pleased with what their managers have brought in, we're not talk about earth shattering signings here. And in that light I think PLG is probably more rated than Strachan. However, Strachan now knows the Scottish game and PLG is a novice even though he's studiously prepared. I would like to think it's a given that we'll take the SPL back in light of the changes. Let's face it, no Rangers fan expects anything less; I know I don't, but that's not to say Celtic will roll over and die. They won't. As for the Uefa Cup, well it looks rather strong this year for once, with some genuinely big sides in there rather than Zenit and Middlesbrough from last year. How well we do is dependent on how much PLG hits the ground running, but he is capable of taking us very far indeed. I have never had more faith in a manager than I do in him, and trust him with the team implictly. I'm still amazed we got him. As for the actual team, well some of the dead wood has been shafted and that remains an ongoing process; PL has gone, Soti's gone - both players I rated quite highly, very highly in Soti's case, but I'm content with Svensson as his replacement. We have bought in fairly shrewdly so far imo, and it's good that the spine of the team seems to be so solid; Svensson (Hopefully he settles quickly, former captain of Gothenburg and part of the Swedish WC squad, can't be bad - then again - look at Du Wei for Celtic...) and Rod (Showed just how good he is when he returned from injury during the second half of the season) at the back, Ferguson (Recovered from all the injuries which plagued him last season and imo the best player in Scotland when on his game), and Prso up front. It's hard to analyse the lot without sounding totally biased and vaguely incoherent, but I will say there are now 3 sides in the SPL capable of winning it and that's not been the case for a very long time. It should be a good season, and I fully expect us to win the SPL back and make another real mark in Europe like last season.