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Rangers boss Walter Smith is hoping to sign Salim Kerkar after the winger impressed on trial. More...

Walter Smith is set to field Nikica Jelavic against Dundee United after he missed Rangers' Man United clash. More...

Rangers boss Walter Smith has rejected accusations of hypocrisy by Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston. More...

Walter Smith and Kenny Miller have won the August's Manager and Player of the Month awards respectively. More...

Walter Smith has played down any suggestion that he could do a Sir Alex Ferguson and shelve retirement plans. More...

MILLER out to repeat 2004 winner against Red Devils at Old Trafford More...

From todays Scottish Sun, Could we please have this pinned up in the ibrox dressing room, We are not even four games into the start of the season and these monkey heids, well lets just say hooper has the title in the bag for the manky mob, are they ever going to learn to keep there gobby players away from the media or was hooper listening to big shagmaarse samaras... GARY HOOPER has opened his heart on his injury hell and begged Celtic fans: Don't dare forget about me. The �£2.4million signing from Scunthorpe made a blistering start to his Hoops career with a goal against SC Braga on his Champions League debut. He was crocked days later in a pre-season friendly against Blackburn and Hooper hasn't kicked a ball since. What he thought was a routine dead leg was a costly calf injury which has taken four agonising weeks to heal. Celts boss Neil Lennon has spent almost �£10m on 11 new players as his Parkhead revolution gets ready to roll. Hooper - well on the road to recovery - insists he has no intention of being left behind. He insists Celtic will silence their early season critics WHEN they win the league. Hooper said: "A lot of players have come in while I've been out injured but that doesn't bother me. "It just means it's more competition for me. I have to pick my game up but that's fine. I scored a few goals before I got injured and I've no doubts I can do a job for Celtic. I just need to get myself back fit and into the team." Rangers have signed just four new players to Celts' 11 but it's been claimed Gers gaffer Walter Smith has opted for quality, not quantity. Hooper scoffed at that as he said: "No one can say anything until we lift the cup at the end of the season. "You can't judge whether a certain player is a good signing or not. People can say things now but what are they going to say when we win the league? "There are good players at this club and it's about getting it together as a team. "We're scoring goals and we're looking good, long may it continue." Anthony Stokes became the last player to check into Parkhead this summer when he sealed his �£1.2m move from Hibs on transfer deadline day. Hooper - among the first of the arrivals - reckons Stokes will prove to be the final piece in Lenny's jigsaw. The 22-year-old is desperate to stake his claim for a starting place alongside Stokes in a new-look Hoops attack. Hooper said: "I've never seen Anthony play but he's clearly a goalscorer. I'd love to play alongside him. Hopefully that's something the gaffer is thinking about. I was brought here to score goals and I'm confident I can do that." Hooper gave Celtic fans a brief glimpse of what he's all about with strikes against Lyon and Braga. Advertisement The striker went on: "I'm back fit and I'm looking to rejoin the squad next week. "I'm targeting the game with Hearts after the international break for my return. "I can't wait as it's been a difficult few weeks for me. "I started the season in good form with a couple of goals but then I picked up the injury against Blackburn and here we are four weeks later. "I don't like sitting in the stands. It's been frustrating because it was a nothing challenge but I felt it straight away. It set me back, there's no doubt about that. "At first I thought it was a dead leg and I tried to run it off but, of course, it was more serious than that. "When you come to a new club you're desperate to do well and hit the ground running. I had to accept what had happened and not rush things to get back. "For the first two weeks I did nothing, then I started running again and hopefully next week I'll be back training with the boys. It's been difficult training on my own. I'd been stuck in a hotel as well but I'm set up at home and hopefully my injury problem is now behind me. "Really, my Celtic career is starting now." Hooper arrived at Celtic Park with dreams of Euro glory but they were snatched away by losses to Braga and Utrecht. Hooper admitted: "It's been hard to watch and not be able to help the team. "The European games were a massive disappointment but overall our form has been good. We have played three games in the league, not lost a goal and won them all. "The main focus is the league this season and we've started well. Some of the criticism has been over the top. "We're out of Europe and that's a sore one to take but the focus is the league and we're doing well there. "The manager has brought in a lot of new players so it's unfair to criticise him. "I don't think he's lost a game in the league stretching back to last season. "He's a strong character and a massive influence but he needs to be because of all the new faces at the club. "Straight away he lets us know what it's all about. Winning, it's as simple as that." Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3123236/We-will-prove-Neils-spent-well-when-we-lift-title.html#ixzz0yQLkbThl

Everyone remembers their school days. From boring lessons to nasty teachers to the dubious courtship ritual of chucking stones at a girl to let her know you fancy her (ââ?¬Å?Her headââ?¬â?¢s bleeding! Iââ?¬â?¢m so in there!ââ?¬Â) it is accurate to say your school days ââ?¬â?? and school status ââ?¬â?? shape the person you eventually become. Everybody wanted to be the cool kid but the majority will have settled into ââ?¬Ë?inbetweenerââ?¬â?¢ mode, neither cool nor geeky, it was a simple existence with the advantage of slipping under the radar of bullies, but none of the ââ?¬Ë?coolââ?¬â?¢ perks like lackeys, sh*t-hot trainers and the ability to compare fanny-wire to the real thing. Nobody wanted to be the geek. For these poor souls intervals were a barbaric gauntlet-run of assault, robbery, slander, assault, sitting in puddles and more assault. Crowds would gather as the school psycho heroically picked on the smallest guy with no pals; his victim cowering in the corner of the schoolyard screaming ââ?¬Å?Please not the face!ââ?¬Â. But then the day would come. The geek would finally snap. The bully would push him too close to the edge and with all the limp-wristed might he could muster, he would throw the first, last and only punch of his life. CRACK. He would catch the bully square on the jaw and send the tracksuited Goliath sprawling to the ground. The crowd would fall silent, too terrified to release the whooping cheer that seemed so natural. With his nemesis slain the geek would enjoy a new lease of life and maybe even promotion to ââ?¬Ë?inbetweenerââ?¬â?¢ level as he no-doubt questions why he didnââ?¬â?¢t take retaliatory action sooner. Thatââ?¬â?¢s the thing with bullies; stand up to them and youââ?¬â?¢d be surprised what can be achieved. As we look forward to another Champions League campaign I ask myself; what kind of geek are we going to be? It might just shape what we become in the years ahead. We can (and do) accept that European football is dominated by an exclusive cartel of clubs whose livelihood depends on the revenue generated by Europeââ?¬â?¢s premier competition. We can (and do) accept that by introducing seedings, UEFA pander to these clubs as they seek to plan as smooth a path as possible to the money-spinning knockout rounds. We can (and do) accept that nobody expects us to make an impact on the competition. But just as the geek will eventually grow a pair and finally decide to stand up for himself, we must now stop apologising for earning our place at the top table and concentrate on how we are going to scale the mountain and win this thing. I donââ?¬â?¢t care if we are 1000/1 to win it; we are in it, so we can win it! Thereââ?¬â?¢s only thirty-two teams in Europe in this position so that, for me, gives us a one in thirty-two chance of winning it. What were Greece to win Euro 2004? Second-longest odds behind only Latvia? Of course I realise the superhuman effort (and logic-defying luck) it would take for us to even get to the semis, but no matter how it is spun, no matter how much our detractors tell us weââ?¬â?¢re cannon-fodder, there will always remain that remote chance we could win it. We moan enough about ambition-free SPL clubs who aim for a third-place finish with a view to European participation/humiliation, yet we meekly accept such humiliation on the European stage in exchange for success on the domestic front where only one other team has designs on our trophy. I canââ?¬â?¢t accept that a club of our size that, despite recent financial strife, still pays players exorbitant amounts lacks any ambition beyond our own well-trodden doorstep. Infuriatingly, this fearful mindset has infected our management and players as our fragilities were well and truly exposed during last yearââ?¬â?¢s attempt at avoiding humiliation. ââ?¬Å?Weââ?¬â?¢re happy just to be involvedââ?¬Â was the line from Walter Smith before last yearââ?¬â?¢s draw. Oddly, nobody seemed to tell the players we were ââ?¬Ë?involvedââ?¬â?¢ as they assumed the classic ââ?¬Ë?geekââ?¬â?¢ position only to fail to deflect any of the bullyââ?¬â?¢s face-shredding blows. Once the bully got tired, his unknown chancer of a pal from Romania threw a few punches and, again, we apologised for getting in the way of his fists and shined his shoes by way of payment. We were relieved once the pummelling stopped and tried our best to put it behind us. Frankly, it is time to stop accepting the beatings and finally throw a punch of our own. Their players may get paid more and have bigger boot deals and all the rest of it, but the glory of sport is that it boils down to who performs on the night. Matches arenââ?¬â?¢t won or lost before kick-off. There are a million variables that can swing the game one way or the other and itââ?¬â?¢s that notion we have to believe in and use it to fuel our ambition (for once). We bemoan being unable to compete but that, my friends, is the worst excuse of the lot. Last season we were being pummelled in Stuttgart but eventually calmed our nerves, rallied and forced an equaliser. And it wasnââ?¬â?¢t a fluke either, it was a good, flowing move finished off superbly. We then dominated the rest of the game and nearly nicked all three points at the end when another passing move saw Davis strike the foot of the post. Onto our home tie against Sevilla and a solid, controlled performance aided by a superb one-man show from Naismith up-front saw us contain a pretty decent Spanish side. However, our undoing was all of our own making. Whilst we should have been awarded a penalty, the goal we lost was staggeringly awful. Eleven players back defending in our own box; Sevilla casually rolled it to a player on the edge of the area, who had all the time in the world to waft a cross towards his teammate who secured a free header at goal. It wasnââ?¬â?¢t a lack of money that cost us that goal, or the SPL, or the seedings, it was rank-awful play from ourselves. No excuses, that goal should never have been lost. It was the catalyst for Sevilla to go on and dominate as we had to step and force the issue and more horrendous defending saw them rip us apart with ease. Fast-forward to Unirea at home and the same mistakes apply; appalling marking at set-pieces being the obvious error, something we couldnââ?¬â?¢t even rectify after going a goal up inside one minute. Unirea away was decent until we sloppily lost possession in our own half, allowing an equaliser of wonder-strike proportions. It happens, but why not examine how we can avoid a reoccurrence, rather than shrugging and ââ?¬Ë?taking it on the chinââ?¬â?¢? Stuttgart at home was a total disaster as our formation and line-up were easily countered by an average German side. We barely mustered a chance and it was the first game Iââ?¬â?¢ve ever been at where not one Ranger earned pass-marks. The bullies won and we accepted it. Nobody questions how monumental our task is, but lets stop shooting ourselves in the foot. Defending set-pieces can be worked on and prepared for, thereââ?¬â?¢s no excuse for losing goals whilst your entire team is less than eighteen yards from goal! Our attacking set pieces are also annoyingly impotent and again, this is just laziness on our part. I expect to see obvious preparation and skill in execution, no matter who the opponents are. Indeed, against Manchester United set-pieces may be our best chance of scoring so I expect these opportunities to be exploited to the full. Watch our opponents and plan our formation accordingly. Everyone remembers Advocaat pitching Derek McInnes in against PSV. It worked beautifully and we tried it again a week later against Valencia. It didnââ?¬â?¢t work second time around, so we changed it after forty minutes. Respond to what is happening on the pitch. I want to see that our management can analyse the game and see what is going wrong. All of this is within our capability at any level of football. Of course our players will get away with more mistakes domestically than they will in Europe, but thatââ?¬â?¢s not exactly unexpected is it? Players must be aware of what is required and deployed in a role which allows them to execute that function. Tactics, approach, coaching; these are the fundamentals of football, ââ?¬Å?putting it in the mixââ?¬Â doesnââ?¬â?¢t feature and is really just code for ââ?¬Å?get rid of it asap and get back to your own halfââ?¬Â. Keeping possession is arguably the most important tactic available to us. If weââ?¬â?¢ve got the ball, they canââ?¬â?¢t score. Bottom line. I expect each and every one of our players to be able to control and pass the ball, and indeed, move to space once the ball has been released. Standing in formation because you expect to lose it any second is insane. Apart from pissing all over any creativity we might otherwise display, it gives the opposition a chance to chase us down and force us into oh so many passbacks to the keeper, where it is inevitably hoofed up the park to the opposition defence, who have forty yards of space as our lone-striker is invariably camped in the centre-circle. Pass and move. It is easy really. Thereââ?¬â?¢s no need for us to feel so inferior. Really: there isnââ?¬â?¢t. We have to believe we can perform to our best and let the opposition know they are in for a game. If our application is correct, our tactics spot on and our mentality right, then we can pick up results against anyone. I firmly believe that. Walter has a natural fear of European sides after a fair few humblings but in his last season, I expect heââ?¬â?¢ll want to finally make a mark on the arena that has largely evaded him thus far. I expect he will realise how crucial this campaign will be in establishing who we are in respect of our coefficient. I expect heââ?¬â?¢ll want us to finally throw a punch and show we ainââ?¬â?¢t taking this sh*t no more. I expect weââ?¬â?¢ll enjoy our promotion to the fanny-wire fondlers. From FF.

As the transfer window 'slams' shut (why does it never close softly given the usual anti-climax?) at last Scottish football fans across the country can judge the comings and goings at their clubs and decide just how competitive they'll be this season. Thus, at Rangers, after a summer of scaremongering and torment, do we have a stream-lined squad capable of retaining the SPL title or is Celtic's bloated brigade a better strategy for success? An immediate comparison of the two squads in quantity terms shows Celtic have at least 25 players available to Neil Lennon who have all played first team football and could be considered genuine contenders for their first XI. Meanwhile a look at Gersnet's own squad page shows we're less well endowed with only 19 players maximum who can be considered demonstrable candidates for our team. That is a fair difference in personnel numbers before each manager has to look to the McGinn's/McGowan's or Shinnie's/Little's in their reserves when injuries and suspensions inevitably take their toll. So, quantity-wise Celtic undoubtedly have the edge. But what about quality and how do other factors affect both teams' chances of success? Rangers, while losing several players over the summer, still have a strong core to their first XI. Indeed, McGregor, Bougherra, Davis and Miller can justifiably be considered the best players in the SPL in their respective roles. These four players will be key to our chances of success and the loss of any would be a huge blow at any given time. Nonetheless, they are backed up with other reliable and proven colleagues. Certainly, as it has been over the last two seasons, consistency of selection will be one of Rangers continued strength this term. Several players have experienced what it takes to win league titles and Rangers first XI is still very strong in every department. Add in a few signings with the potential to improve this, the loss of players like Wilson, Thomson and Boyd may not be the demoralising blows they seemed at first. In fact it could be argued that while Rangers do have a smaller squad, we do have a better one. Of course squads cannot be discussed without examining the people responsible for instructing them each week. In that respect Rangers have a big advantage on their rivals with Walter Smith and Ally McCoist now having worked together successfully for several years. They know what it is like to win (and lose) while dealing with the unavoidable stresses associated with such difficult jobs. Unfortunately, they'll have to be more flexible than ever with Rangers likely to play at least 6 more games than anyone else via their involvement in the Champions League. This is where our smaller squad will certainly be a handicap. Moving onto Celtic, while they definitely have the kind of numbers to make a strong challenge this year; they do lack other qualities when compared to Rangers. They lack the same core of proven players and the luxuries of a larger squad brings with it the difficulty of consistency of selection - a conundrum Tony Mowbray struggled badly with last season. Therefore, while players like Juarez, Ledley, Stokes and Hooper are solid buys, just how quickly will they gel and how happy will other players be when they are left out? Obviously this is where Lennon's managerial inexperience may count against him. He has made wholesale changes to the squad after not being slow to blame the players for their lack of success last year. Ergo, it will be interesting to see how he deals with any bad times that come his way as he'll be unable to blame them solely this time. Not to mention when players ask why they're not playing this week because of having to accommodate a rotation process due to squad size. All in all it is difficult to make a clear-cut case for Rangers or Celtic winning the title this season. Both have their strengths and weaknesses which will be key as the season progresses. Proof of just how tight this will be can be found by looking at the top of the SPL table after just 3 games. Quality versus quantity it is then - to the victor the spoils! :robbo:

Walter Smith is hoping to negotiate the final few days of the transfer window with his squad intact. More...

Shorerdbear discusses the alleged financial improvements we've seen at the club over the last year and asks just who is responsible for them. BEGINS In the last ten days a new wave of optimism has entered the psyche of Rangers fans - brought about with three new players being signed up. Signing players during pre-season is the done thing for football clubs; however, for Rangers fans last summer was the first season ever where new arrivals never materialised. According to the media it wouldnââ?¬â?¢t be the last either! We all knew the reasons why this was the case and for the most part, did not want to accept them. Pride can get in the way of logical decision making and when it comes down to football fans' expectations, business decisions can conflict with football ones. Walter and his players entered the 2009/10 season as champions. However, with no new arrivals to freshen the squad up, Walter faced the enormous task of challenging and retaining the title. Like the great managers of the past, Walter stepped up and delivered title 53 and secured the all important Champions League place and all the riches that comes with automatic Group Stage qualification! Moreover, we won the league against a backdrop of uncertainty via financial results and a rival who would do anything to discredit the success of Scotlandââ?¬â?¢s greatest football club. Across the globe success has always bred contempt; however, in some parts of Scotland - it only breeds paranoia and delusional thinking. To mould a winning team and hold your integrity intact takes a special type of person and thankfully - in Walter Smith - we have exactly that. Whether or not we win this years league championship, Walter can bow out with his head held high in the knowledge he played an integral part in turning the fortunes of Rangers around. The next name I mention may flabbergast fellow bears, it might even have them reach for the ââ?¬Ë?log offââ?¬â?¢ button. But, when a business model is failing and no investment is on the horizon, drastic measures have to be taken and it is usually in the way of ââ?¬Ë?cutsââ?¬â?¢! Donald Muir, ââ?¬Ë?the enemy withinââ?¬â?¢, was and in some parts still is seen as the devil. The shareholders voted against his appointment but when they roughly make up about 10% of the clubââ?¬â?¢s shareholding, it really didnââ?¬â?¢t mean much apart from a show of suspicion towards a man who was seen as the final nail in the coffin of our great club. However, Muir has remained steadfast in his approach to turning Rangers financial fortunes around. If he hadnââ?¬â?¢t, then we might not have signed three new players and perhaps Walter might not have had the chance to spend over Ã?£4 million on one player, the largest fee the club has spent on one transfer since Mikel Arteta was brought over from Spain. Weââ?¬â?¢ve heard all the ââ?¬Ë?rumoursââ?¬â?¢ of infighting on the board, threatened administration from the bank and that Walter might walk if he is not supplied with all the tools to challenge for honours. All blame has been directed towards Donald Muir and his alleged employers. Indeed, these perceived rumours might hold some water and perhaps somewhere down the line we might find out whether they were true or not! Now weââ?¬â?¢re reading published articles from the BBC that the debt has been ââ?¬Ë?substantiallyââ?¬â?¢ cut down and that there could be more arrivals to the playing staff. This would not be possible without drastic cuts in other expenditure; moreover, the current board seemed at a loss as to where they should make those cuts. Enter ââ?¬Ë?the enemy withinââ?¬â?¢ who, through his job role, and past experiences took a look at the club accounts and went about making tough and unpopular decisions that seem to be starting to reap dividends. Financially, weââ?¬â?¢re not out of the woods yet. Although, there is a clearing and this season is just as important as the last two. We have a squad more than capable of winning the league and with a ruthlessly business minded man on the board we may be on the cusp of a brighter future than we had been anticipating due to past mistakes. We have all thanked Walter up to now. Perhaps weââ?¬â?¢ll thank Donald Muir, ââ?¬Ë?the enemy withinââ?¬â?¢, sometime in the future?

Walter Smith has revealed he is not looking to sign another striker, despite losing Nikica Jelavic in Europe. More...

Nothing about this on the official site yet.

Nothing comes easy with this guy.

Over the last few weeks it won't have passed many that I have been having discussions on the Bill Struth morals and the Rangers way. If we have the Rangers way or if we are to follow morals the way Bill Struth is perceived to have run the club, then today threw up a situation where these morals should be upheld. When Walter Smith names his team for the game against St Johnstone next weekend then the first name on the team sheet should be Neil Alexander. The circus act that Alan McGregor acted out today should see him relegated to the stand for the next few games. If there is a Bill Struth model or the Rangers way, then Walter Smith can give the players a message that the Rangers way does not tolerate such actions. The SFA won't be taking action i read in another thread. Walter Smith should. That should be the Rangers way that makes us proud to be a Rangers supporter.

Rangers manager Walter Smith is adamant that his club did not hijack Vladimir Weiss from Celtic. More...

Rangers have ended their pursuit of Rapid Vienna striker Nikica Jelavic and are now anxious to fix-up James Beattie and Tommy Smith. After two weeks of negotiations with the Austrians and the Croatian striker, the SPL champions have walked away. The 24-year-old has been quoted as saying a switch to Scotland may still happen in the next few days, but any movement will now have to come from his camp. Rangers offered around Ã?£4m and Ã?£15,000-per-week wages. Rapid accepted the deal, but Jelavic wants a pay-off from his club, so the move has stalled. Chief executive Martin Bain said: ââ?¬Å?We have withdrawn from negotiations with Nikica Jelavic.ââ?¬Â Stoke striker Beattie held talks with Walter Smith and Bain last night having arrived in Glasgow for a look around, but returned south with no deal done. A fee of around Ã?£1.3m has been agreed, but Beattie is on Ã?£35,000-per-week and Stoke may have to offer him a sweetener to leave. Blackburn are believed to be trying to hijack Gersââ?¬â?¢ move. Beattieââ?¬â?¢s agent Mike Morris said: ââ?¬Å?Negotiations will continue today.ââ?¬Â Meantime, despite matching the Ã?£1.5m fee quoted by Portsmouth for Smith, Rangers have still to hear back from the club. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/martin-bain-no-nikica-jelavic-deal-1.1048143

Rangers boss Walter Smith expects the club to complete the signing of Nikica Jelavic on Friday afternoon. More...

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/rangers-loan-bid-for-manchester-city-star-1.1049012

Haven't seen this on the Board IAN Maxwell watched his Partick Thistle side taken apart by Rangers yesterday, with trialists Nacer Barazite and Georgie Welcome starring as Beauty and the Beast. The Jags player-coach took charge of the First Division side in a 5-0 closed-door defeat at Murray Park. And he gave the pair rave reviews and insists both could earn deals with the Ibrox club. Rangers also had Dutch winger Etienne Esajas on show but the former Sheffield Wednesday man didn't catch the eye. And Maxwell believes ex-Calais midfielder Salim Kerkar - another trialist who had been recommended by his friend and countryman Ibrox star Madjid Bougherra - could land a deal from Walter Smith. Maxwell was underwhelmed by Honduran striker Welcome's general play but says it's impossible not to be impressed by his scoring instinct - as he bagged a hat-trick. He said: "All his goals were different. For his first he lashed in a shot after brilliant play by Barazite. His second came from a back-post header after a corner and for his third he ran through and finished after outmuscling our young defender before sticking it away. "He certainly doesn't possess a particularly good touch but he's a real handful as he's a big lump of a boy. "He's strong, always tries to back into defenders and get in their faces. He does the ugly part of a striker's play well but there is no finesse about him. "Welcome has all the requirements to be an effective target man as the one thing he showed was an instinct for a goal. "It says it all that he fell well short of standing out - yet here we are still talking about the fact he scored a hat-trick. "It's the kind of situation Kris Boyd found himself in. He'd be given a critical review yet he'd be carrying the match ball away with him at the end." And Maxwell was full of praise for Arsenal's Barazite. He said: "Barazite is a class act. He has a wonderful touch and grace about his play and picks his passes brilliantly. Sensation "But it's his ability to play in the hole and the difficulty we had in picking him up that caught my eye. "He was given a free role and was on the left, the right and the centre and operated in areas where nobody really wants to pick you up. "Defensively he isn't going to work back the park but he has such great feet and he's big and strong. He has a wee bit of everything and was head and shoulders above anyone else on the pitch. "He had the trademark poise and elegant touch on the ball and was exactly what I would expect from an Arsenal player. He's a star turn and could be a sensation in Scottish football. "I'm sure Rangers will be pulling out all the stops to get him. He could be a key man for them and a huge influence in a creative role from midfield. "Esajas was quiet and never really managed to get too involved. "But we knew all about Kerkar. He played for Motherwell last week and terrorised us. "At Murray Park he scored but wasn't as effective. He's direct, strong and talented and could be an option for Rangers."

Noooooo! Never been a success wherever he played.

http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/rangers/192239-rangers-give-trial-to-second-dutchman/ [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT8DRjZQvC0]YouTube- Etienne Esajas Stunning Freekick Against Sheffield United[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X06WnqhRWH4]YouTube- Etienne Esajas Freekick VS Birmingham[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3lUOg8sdCM&p=BBA70FAC2437666C&playnext=1&index=33]YouTube- esajas goals vs rotherham[/ame]

THE Russian tycoon putting up almost �£75million to buy Rangers is from a dynasty dogged by allegations of links to the MAFIA and MONEY-LAUNDERING. But Gers fans will happily become Russian Bears and hail Vladimir Antonov a saviour if he funds a takeover that wipes out the Ibrox outfit's �£30million debt mountain and provides cash to buy players. Antonov, 35, has had to angrily deny stories that his family's business empire is associated with the underworld and money-laundering. The banking magnate recently had a third �£6million bid to buy AFC Bournemouth rejected by the lowly English team. And last year his father Alexander, 60, survived being shot 18 times outside his luxury Moscow apartment in a failed assassination attempt. Antonov and his business associate Roman Dubov are providing most of the cash for English property developer Andrew Ellis to launch a new bid for the SPL champs. The sensational move comes just two months after owner Sir David Murray took Rangers off the market after Ellis had spent months trying for a takeover. But it has now emerged that Ellis, 41, could be WEEKS away from taking control thanks to Antonov. Last night a source close to the controversial Russian businessman said: "The takeover is 99 per cent certain. "The only real issues left are ones of timing for the announcement and the practical administration of the takeover deal. Sir David has not yet met Vladimir or Roman but he's been assured that the money is there, it's real and the deal can be done." Antonov, who is thought to be worth more than �£200million, made most of his fortune from corporate banking. His father controls the Russian bank Convers Group. And Rangers fans will be hoping he can pour millions into their club - just like his fellow Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich has done at Chelsea. But the Antonovs have been dogged by claims of links to organised crime. Last March, Vladimir's dad Alexander was left with a severe chest injury after he and his bodyguard were blasted in the street by a gunman. They were both rushed to hospital for life-saving surgery. And last year it emerged the FBI, US government and the Swedish security agency Sapo had all expressed fears over the Antonovs' operations. They had been investigated by Sapo's financial experts over their involvement with car maker Spyker. The little-known Dutch firm had announced plans to buy Swedish giants Saab from American parent company General Motors. But Sapo claimed it had found connections between the Antonovs and organised crime as well as involvement in money-laundering. To stop the Russians gaining control of Saab, the Swedes handed their files to the FBI and US government - who then put pressure on General Motors to ensure that the Antonovs had no involvement in any takeover. Vladimir was forced to sell his stake in Spyker and sever his ties with the company before the deal was agreed. But he was FURIOUS at how he had been singled out by the Swedish and American authorities. In February he wrote to the New York Times newspaper to condemn the "surreal allegations of alleged "economic crimes", "money-laundering" and other "false horror stories". Antonov, who has a home in Kent, insisted: "The main aim of those who should have been worried about Saab's survival now moved to ensure the exclusion of this 'evil' Russian investor." He added that: "On December 18, 2009, the deal between GM and Spyker was suspended. I was forced to give up my investment in Spyker because the Swedish government had threatened to veto the deal, insinuating that I had ties with criminal organisations. "There was no proof, but rumours were spread in the media. It is obvious European business has strong prejudices against investors from Russia." The Financial Services Authority has also refused Antonov a UK operating licence for Bankas Snoras, a subsidiary of his family's financial empire. Snoras, the largest listed bank in Lithuania, was first knocked back by the FSA in 2008. According to the regulators, the bank had given "misleading and incomplete" answers to them. The FSA also criticised Antonov, the chairman of Snoras Bankas's supervisory board, personally, saying: "These failures are not an isolated instance but are examples of an ongoing pattern of behaviour by institutions controlled by Mr Antonov." However, Snoras officials insist the authority's reservations about their controls on money-laundering and financial crime were unjustified. Antonov's involvement in the new Rangers takeover bid is not the first time he and Dubov, 36, have tried to get involved in British football. Only last month the pair failed with THREE offers to buy English League One side AFC Bournemouth. After rejecting their bids, club chairman Eddie Mitchell said: "I was approached by an agent on behalf of the Russians. "He asked if I'd be interested in selling my shares. I didn't have to think about it. I just said no." The bids for Bournemouth had been submitted through a third party on behalf of Convers Group Holdings. Now Rangers fans will be hoping that Bournemouth's loss is their gain. Ellis and his consortium first tabled a bid for the Ibrox club in March but the �£33million offer failed to impress Sir David Murray and the takeover seemed dead in the water. In June, the Gers owner announced: "Murray International Holdings has received interest in its controlling stake from a number of parties. At this time, however, the board of MIH has not been able to secure an offer which it considers to be in the best interests of the club, its shareholders and its fans. The interests of stakeholders are presently best served by providing the football management team and board with an opportunity to implement its business plan. MIH hereby announces it is no longer marketing its controlling stake in the club for sale." But the News of the World understands Sir David is now ready to do business with Ellis, business partner Chris Akers, 46, and their mega-rich Russian backers. An influx of cash would be welcomed by Light Blues boss Walter Smith, who has overseen an exodus of players from last season's SPL-winning squad. Middlesbrough snapped up striker Kris Boyd, 26, and midfielder Kevin Thompson, 25, while left back Steven Smith, 24, moved to Norwich. Defender Danny Wilson, 18, signed for Liverpool, Nacho Novo, 31, returned to his native Spain and American forward DaMarcus Beasley, 28, has also left. Last week Rangers fans were dealt a further blow when we revealed their manager would not get a penny of the �£12million Champions League windfall to spend on strengthening his squad. But on Friday, Smith finally made his first signing in two years when Stoke City striker James Beattie, 32, joined the club in a �£1m deal. Now the Gers faithful will be hoping Antonov can match the success of his countryman Abramovich at Chelsea. The 43-year-old tycoon - worth an an estimated �£7.2billion - bought the London club in 2003 for �£140million. The gas and steel magnate hired manager Jose Mourinho, 47, then splashed out millions on the team, including �£30.8m for Andriy Shevchenko. In 2005 his spending brought Chelsea their first title in 50 years and they've gone on to win eight major trophies. The Teddy Bears will hope Antonov can bring them the same kind of result. http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/scottish/scottish_news/909736/Banking-tycoon-is-behind-sensational-new-Ellis-bid.html

JAMES BEATTIE was relieved Walter Smith had to resort to Plan B against Kilmarnock - because it handed him his Ibrox debut. The Rangers gaffer's Plan A was to start the match with the 32-year-old hitman on the bench. When Steve Davis failed to shake off a virus, picked up when he was on international duty with Northern Ireland in Montenegro in midweek, Smith sent for new boy Beattie. The striker, who received a warm ovation from Gers fans when he was substituted 10 minutes before the end of the champs' 2-1 victory, said: "I was only told I was playing two hours before kick-off. "I didn't even know Davo was ill, but I sort of gathered something was happening when the gaffer pulled me into his office. I knew I hadn't been here long enough to do something wrong! "Even before he started talking I knew I was gonna say: 'Yeah, I'd love to help out'. As far as I'm concerned there's no time like now to get started." Beattie failed to make a scoring start on his home debut, but he put himself about and linked well with his new partner Kenny Miller. He confessed he was still kicking himself after missing out on a couple of chances he might well have buried on another day. He added: "You always want to score on your debut and I had two decent chances. "The first was a crossfield ball and Kenny did really great to get the header back into the danger area. "I connected with the ball really well, but the keeper made a good save. "I think if I'd have mis-hit it then it would have gone in. For the second one the centre-half slipped and I went through. Then I cut inside and I slipped too, so maybe that was karma! "I don't know how long it will take for me to hit match fitness. The sooner the better really. "I've done a whole pre-season and haven't missed any days. "I haven't played - or been allowed to play - games against decent opposition. "Whenever the games come I'll give it everything I've got whether it's 60, 70 or 80 minutes, whatever the gaffer decides to play me. I'll give him everything I can. "I'll work hard this week and I'm sure the fitness coaches will have some stuff lined up for me which I'll be happy to do. "Obviously you get your match sharpness from games and hopefully I'll be able to retain my place and play against Hibs next Sunday." Beattie had to take a back seat as goals from Miller and Stevie Naismith earned all three points for Gers. The champions were made to sweat for the last half hour after Jamie Hamill converted a penalty when Sasa Papac pushed over James Dayton. Beattie, below, struck up an instant rapport with Miller. He said: "I've known Kenny for quite a while. "He's good friends with Joleon Lescott who I played with at Everton. Kenny was Joleon's team-mate at Wolves so I've seen him around. "I was looking forward to playing up front with him, even though it was a bit earlier than I was expecting. "If you put two good players together then it's going to be a strong partnership. "We did OK today and it was nice to start with a win. "The lads came out for the start of each half very well and we dominated the first 20 to 25 minutes of each. "Obviously we got the goal in the first half, but then we took the foot off the pedal which is something the gaffer wants to address and stamp out of our performances. "Likewise we came out strong in the second half, got the goal, then let Kilmarnock in straight away with their penalty." Gers boss Smith said: "There's no doubt James has a bit of sharpness to find. Under normal circumstances he wouldn't have been asked to play today. "He's only had a couple of games for Stoke reserves, while the majority of the boys have had five or six full matches. "He's well down in terms of pre-season preparation and that will take him a few weeks to catch up on. "We were pleased with his initial showing, considering his training routine has been upset this week." Killie gaffer Mixu Paatelainen added: "We passed the ball well at times and we caused them some problems. "There were quite long periods when I felt we were on top, which was fantastic. "The players deserve so much credit because they have only been together for six weeks. The boys are starting to know their roles, but we were a little blunt in the final third."

Can safely say I've not heard of him but this is the second LB we've been linked to in recent weeks.