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...... should be used as convincing evidence of the job our management is capable of doing for Rangers. January has been scheduled for quite a while and has duly arrived on time. The weaknesses throughout the squad have been there for all to see and should be even clearer to Smith since he created most of them. He knows his budget and he has the means of raising funds at hand. So now, having had no shortage of time to prepare, we will see clearly if our manager has the intent and the ability to improve our situation. Despite the poverty of his player selection and squad building to date, Walter Smith now has his place in the spotlight to show everyone whether he is a manager or a muppet. I've written my prediction and sealed it in an envelope to be opened 1st February. It begins with an 'm'. No more excuses Walter.

First Adam and now McCulloch. I wish they would show it on the park at not in the papers.

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

WALTER SMITH has urged his players to hit top form in 2009 and go on a winning run that can keep the club's title hopes alive. Walter SmithInconsistency, especially away from home, has cost Rangers dear this season and the gaffer knows improvements have to be made on the road starting this weekend at Inverness. The Gers are under pressure to win their next four league fixtures before travelling to Parkhead on February 15 and Smith realises this must be his side's immediate goal. The return of Madjid Bougherra will be a big boost ahead of Sunday's crucial SPL clash at the Caledonian Stadium while Steven Naismith will also travel north and could feature in the game. Walter said: "I think the seven point gap puts us under pressure to go on a winning run, that is something we have placed upon ourselves. "We have to make sure we start picking up three points every weekend and we haven't yet managed to do that this season. "There has always been a few wins then a draw or a defeat so we need to go on a run and that starts on Sunday. "Caley are not going through their best period and they will be fighting for points. "It was never an easy place to go to although this season they have lost as many games at home as they maybe have in previous years. Steven Naismith "Regardless, it will be a tough match for us. "Injury wise Mo Edu is a doubt with an ankle injury. "He has been out for three weeks now but I would hope he will be back for our Cup game against St. Johnstone. "Madjid Bougherra is now back and he will be fit to play on Sunday against Caley. "Steven Naismith is also in our group of players going up. He has had three games now since he has come back from injury. I will wait to see how he feels. "We played a bounce match against St. Johnstone earlier in the week so he is now getting back to a level of match fitness." Craig BrewsterWith Caley now in a relegation dogfight after losing their last five SPL game there have been calls for manager Craig Brewster to call it a day. Smith, however, hopes he gets time to turn things around. He said: "Obviously when a bit of pressure comes to any club things can happen this way. "But Craig took over at Caley when they were not going through the best of times and he lifted their fortunes a bit. "Again they are going through a tough period but he will want to see them through that. "I think Inverness are a very well run club and I don't think they will make any hasty decisions in that respect. "I believe Craig is the man who can pick them up. "He has done this before and I hope he can do that again after Sunday of course!"

Jan 2 2009 By Keith Jackson RANGERS were given the perfect New Year's Day pick-me-up last night when Kevin Thomson revealed his career-saving operation has been a complete success. Thomson went under the knife in London on Hogmanay to finally have his shattered left knee rebuilt - two months after it was mangled during an SPL clash at Rugby Park. Record Sport can reveal the surgery had to be delayed after doctors spotted a life-threatening blood clot which had formed on Thomson's left calf. The stricken 24-year-old was finally given the all clear to go under the knife last week and jetted down south on Tuesday to put his career in the hands of Dr Andrew Williams, Britain's top knee injury specialist. And yesterday, in an exclusive interview with Record Sport from his hospital bed, Thomson revealed the surgery went so well he was back walking within a couple of hours of leaving the theatre. He said: "I know it might not sound like the ideal way to spend Hogmanay - lying in a hospital bed on my own in London pumped to the eyeballs with morphine - but I could not have wished for better news. "After everything I've been through in the last couple of months I'm just delighted to be here. "It's gone better than any of us had expected. The surgeon thought when he opened me up he would have to repair both my medial ligaments and maybe my cartilage. "But because of complications we had to delay the operation and that gave me time to do a lot of physiotherapy. "I worked hard and it seems the medial ligaments have repaired themselves as a result. "That meant all the doc had to do was concentrate on building a new interior ligament, which was obviously always going to be the most important part. "It seems to have gone well because I already have movement back in the joint and I've been up walking already. I can't tell you how good that felt." Thomson now hopes to be back in full training at Murray Park before the rest of his Ibrox team-mates report back for a not her punishing pre-season. He said: "That's the plan. The surgeon is extremely happy with the way it's gone and says there is no reason why I can't be back in six months. "I've been through this once before and I'm not naive enough to think there won't be a hiccup or two along the way but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to be back as soon as possible. "July is seven months away so with a bit of luck I should have a good four or five weeks of training under my belt by the time the rest of the lads come back in from their holidays. "I've not been the luckiest of boys so far with injuries but I'm due a bit of luck and touch wood I'll get it in the New Year. "There's a long way to go but all I can think about is pulling on that shirt again and getting on with my Rangers career." Meanwhile, Ibrox boss Walter Smith will assess whether Andy Webster and Alan Gow have a place in his plans when they return this month after loan spells at English Championship sides. Webster has spent the first half of the season at Bristol City, where it was hoped he would be able to build on his fitness after suffering a series of injuries. But he picked up several minor knocks and made just six appearances during his spell at Ashton Gate. Gow had a reasonably successful stint at Blackpool, scoring five goals in 17 games. Smith said: "We'll see what happens when they come back and review the situation." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/2009/01/02/exclusive-new-year-all-clear-for-kevin-thomson-after-career-saving-operation-86908-21009845/

by Lindsay Herron MADJID BOUGHERRA will be back for Rangers at Inverness on Sunday and Davie Weir hopes the Algerian defender is here for the long haul. Bougherra has missed the last three matches with a thigh strain but is fit to return to partner Weir at the Caledonian Stadium. Madjid Bougherra, RangersToday it has been reported that Newcastle United are ready to make a bid for the centre back, who joined Rangers from Charlton last summer, but Walter Smith has said that no inquiries have been made. Weir and Bougherra have formed a good partnership in the centre of defence and Weir hopes it can continue for the rest of this campaign. He said:"Of course, I would love Madjid to stay. He has done very well for us and we have missed him in the last few weeks." Manager Smith made it clear that he does not want to lose any of his regular starters and is only interested in selling players who are on the periphery of his squad. However, he tempered that by pointing out that the sale of Alan Hutton to Tottenham was sanctioned this time last year because the fee of around �£9million was something Rangers could not turn down. He said: "As I have said before we have 28 players in the squad and there are a number who have been not been involved regularly and clearly that is going to be a source of frustration. "We would want to keep the group who are involved week in, week out. "However, we were in a situation last year with Alan Hutton in that we wanted to keep him but the bid was such that we had to take it so you can never say that this won't happen again."

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

Rangers boss Walter Smith says Charlie Adam still has a future at Ibrox - if he wants to stay. More...

WALTER SMITH says Rangers only have one way of getting back into the title race ââ?¬â? by showing the same PRIDE as Celtic. Gers are seven points behind their rivals after Saturdayââ?¬â?¢s Old Firm loss. Smith reckons that thereââ?¬â?¢s little between the pair but insists they have to show more grit to claw the Hoops back. Champions He said: ââ?¬Å?There is not much between the teams but Celtic have shown pride and determination in terms of being champions. ââ?¬Å?It has seen them through a period when they have maybe not been playing their best football but have been winning games. Credit to them for that. We have not shown that edge. We have lost this month to Celtic and Hearts which has been disappointing for us ââ?¬â? it is something we have to develop.ââ?¬Â Smith knows there is little room for any more slip-ups. He wants his side to show the form they showed this time last season when they went on a 13-game winning streak in the SPL. Smith said: ââ?¬Å?We have a situation where we know we have to go on that type of run if we hope to get ourselves back in the championship race. Trailing ââ?¬Å?It was a big disappointment to lose the game and losing our home record at the same time. League wise, it gives us a lot to do now in the second half of the season. ââ?¬Å?We have reached the halfway stage and we find ourselves trailing Celtic by seven points which is not what anyone wants.ââ?¬Â Smith added: ââ?¬Å?We won the game at Celtic Park ââ?¬â? when the chances came we took them. There wasnââ?¬â?¢t much between the two teams in the first half there. ââ?¬Å?We took our chances and capitalised on an error. The games have been like that. We maybe edged the number of opportunities on Saturday but Celtic got the goal and we were struggling after that.ââ?¬Â Charlie Adam was a surprise starter against Celtic and Smith insists he still has a part to play at Ibrox even though the club will listen to offers. He said: ââ?¬Å?He gives us good balance and a bit of strength.ââ?¬Â Smith hopes Madjid Bougherra will be back for Sundayââ?¬â?¢s clash with Caley Thistle after missing the Celtic game due to a thigh strain. Meanwhile, Hamilton have made a bold bid to sign highly rated Gers reserve star Jordan McMillan in a six month loan deal. Advertisement Click here Accies boss Billy Reid is desperate to bolster his squad for their relegation scrap. And McMillan has been targeted as the man to help keep the club in the top flight. The 20-year-old is one of the most promising youngsters on the books at Ibrox. McMillan has yet to make his first-team debut but is a regular on the bench as one of the under-21 players. http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/article2081746.ece

Has Spiers just written a decent article?? Novo a chancer!!! Graham Spiers In the stampede to laud Celtic's heroic win at Ibrox last weekend, it appears that many have fallen over themselves in their rush to dismiss Rangers' title chances in Scotland come May. It may be a dangerous assumption, for no other reason than the evidence of last season, where Celtic were deemed to lag too far behind Walter Smith's men in early April before clinching the championship on the final, dramatic night. With five months and 18 games of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League still to go, is seven points really such a frightening gap between the Old Firm? Rangers next face Celtic at Parkhead on February 15, with one remaining Old Firm clash to follow, and anything can happen in these matches. Moreover, there appear to be wider pitfalls this season in the SPL for Rangers and Celtic which will determine their success or failure. Rangers have been to Motherwell and dropped points. Celtic recently lost to Hibernian at Easter Road. Rangers lost to St Mirren at Love Street in October. For both teams, visits to Tynecastle and Tannadice, in particular, are going to be fraught. In this haphazard excitement Celtic can certainly be caught. Walter Smith has repeatedly argued that his team is capable of going on one of their unbeaten runs, and the time appears to be ripe for such a venture. Moreover, if Kris Boyd, who looks on target to deliver 35 goals this season, can continue in his recent scoring vein, then Rangers have a weapon which cannot be dismissed. Boyd's form, in fact, will largely determine his team's fate. One thing Smith should certainly consider doing is playing Kyle Lafferty, a tall, strong, skilful player, as a partner for Boyd through the middle. Lafferty may not yet be worth the �£3.5m that Rangers paid for him, but he is a good footballer, and a far better player than many give him credit for. From Lafferty's earliest days at Ibrox, Smith has repeatedly said that his best position is "through the middle", yet too often the striker has been turned into a refugee on the left wing. It would be fascinating to see the effect it had on Rangers if a Boyd-Lafferty central partnership was struck up. The Northern Ireland striker's height would give added menace to Rangers in attack, quite apart from his poise in front of goal, which has been seen, for instance, at Tannadice on December 13 when Lafferty deftly scored against Dundee United in a 2-2 draw. It is time, surely, that Smith gave Lafferty a chance in his true position. The obvious deficiency for Rangers is in central defence, where Kirk Broadfoot can look lumbering and David Weir is in his final Ibrox season, though Smith is actively looking to address this in the coming January window. If Smith can pluck a good defender from somewhere, and finally put an end to Lafferty's on-field obscurity, Rangers will certainly still have a healthy chance of winning the 2008-09 title. Changing sides Nacho Novo pulled off a remarkable feat last Saturday. Having played for 15 minutes as a sub for Rangers in the Old Firm derby at lunchtime, he then played for his home region of Galicia on Saturday night back in Spain in a friendly againts Iran, scoring twice in Galicia's 3-2 win. That's not bad going for Novo, who is about to leave Rangers. While we're on the subject, does this wee chancer still want to play for Scotland? Or is he still hoping for a Spain call-up? in Columnists, Featured, Graham Spiers | Permalink TrackBack TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/297284/37620274 Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Don't write off Rangers just yet:

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

Dec 29 2008 By Keith Jackson NACHO NOVO may have fired his way to a shock January return to Spain after starring for an all-star select in La Coruna hours after his Old Firm snub. The Rangers striker bagged a stunning double for his home region of Galicia on Saturday as the Spaniards beat Iran 3-2. Novo was flown by private jet to the North of Spain right after playing for only the final 16 minutes of his side's 1-0 defeat against Celtic at Ibrox. And he shook off his disappointment to steal the show with two terrific goals in front of a host of onlooking Primera Liga bosses who were among the 25,000 crowd at the Raizor. Novo, who only made it to the ground 30 minutes before kick-off, was subbed after an hour but left to a standing ovation from the home fans. And his performance is understood to have caught the eye of Deportivo La Coruna's president Augusto Cesar Lendoiro. Novo has become an increasingly frustrated figure at Ibrox because of a chronic lack of first-team chances and was linked with a s2million move to Hull City ahead of the derby defeat. The 29-year-old has never hidden his desperation to win over boss Walter Smith but hasn't started a game since November 9. The lure of returning home to play in La Liga could tempt him into ending his love affair with the Glasgow club. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/2008/12/29/exclusive-nacho-novo-set-for-la-liga-switch-86908-21002362/

As Rangers search for solutions to their title predicament, they have been urged to put their faith in the $5million man yet to be granted a proper opportunity to prove his value. Maurice Edu cost that round sum, about �£2.6m in August from FC Toronto, before sterling began its exchange-rate plunge, but the American international has started only two games this term - the last back in October. Even when Kevin Thomson's cruciate-ligament injury robbed Rangers of a natural holding midfielder in November, Edu did not receive the call to step up and fill his place. Now, however, it's understood the player is winning his battle to convince the Ibrox management team that he is worthy of more exposure as the club seek to claw back a seven-point deficit against Celtic. Former U.S. national coach Bruce Arena, now David Beckham's boss at LA Galaxy, is in no doubt that Edu would thrive under the pressure of the 'must-win' situation currently confronting Rangers as they prepare to face Inverness Caley Thistle on Sunday. Arena has watched the 22-year-old develop from his formative days at the University of Maryland and believes the time is right for Walter Smith to trust Edu's ability to add more steel to his side. 'Maurice is a player who can step up to that kind of pressure and do well,' said Arena, who led the U.S.A to the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup. 'It's always a difficult time when you are a scrambling in a title race. Rangers are chasing Celtic and it can feel like an awkward time to introduce young players to the starting line-up. 'But there is no better way to really see the kind of potential a player has. If Walter feels comfortable that he can place Maurice on the field, then, within no more than a couple of games, Maurice will show the qualities that he has. I'm sure he is a player who can help Rangers in their current situation. 'Rangers have paid good money for him and that is another reason why he probably needs to play more. The club has made an investment, so the quicker they can bring him on, the better it is for everyone. 'But Walter is a very experienced manager and my view is that he will make a good decision in this situation. He has seen a lot of young, promising players come and go and I'm sure he will understand when it is the right time to introduce Maurice to the Rangers first team on a permanent basis. 'Right now, Maurice lacks experience, but he has the tools to become a very good player indeed. There is a great deal of promise there. 'It was always going to take him time to adapt to the different demands of professional football in Scotland but he has the right kind of self-confidence and I'm sure he has faith in himself making the breakthrough.' Edu has established himself as part of the U.S.A national squad under Arena's successor, Bob Bradley, and needs more first-team outings to maintain that position in the push for a place in the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. The fact he has not made an immediate impact at Ibrox comes as no surprise to Arena, who is well versed in the difficulties of American players leaving their homeland to seek their fortunes in Europe. 'I know coach Bradley thinks a lot of Maurice and will be keeping an eye on him,' said Arena. 'In America, though, we have been through this situation with a lot of players - DaMarcus Beasley is one example who has had similar experiences in the past. 'The unfortunate thing for American players is that, because of their lack of exposure to high-level games on a consistent basis in the States, they tend to be a little bit up and down when they move overseas. 'They take a little bit longer to establish themselves but, once they cross that bridge, they tend to have a very strong quality to them and are players who can really help teams. 'With the right period of adjustment, Maurice will be a strong contributor to Rangers. 'America needs more players playing in a better environment. Seeing a player like Edu move to Rangers motivates other young players in America to improve their standard, so that they might get a European opportunity of their own. 'Everyone here is hoping he will establish himself in Scotland and I'm sure he will.' http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1103320/Rangers-Edu-tipped-thrive-heat-title-run-in.html

I see all the top clubs are interested in him. It would seem the club is intent in buying all the Northern Ireland team.

Over And Out Seconds after Scott McDonald rifled home the only goal of a frustrating Old Firm game on Saturday, the only sound that drowned out the celebrating Tims was the strains of an overweight lady warbling the last rights on our SPL title challenge. It is gut-wrenching that even before the strains of Auld Lang Syne have faded away, the destination of the SPL title is out of our own hands. I will attempt to keep this part of the article to the dire performance on Saturday but there is so much wrong with our club at the moment that this may not be possible. We actually started the game well, and didnââ?¬â?¢t we all just know that weââ?¬â?¢d live to regret missing so many guilt-edged chances to take the lead? However, we still didnââ?¬â?¢t test Borat enough, he had an easy game and we failed to capitalise on his eccentricity and his ability to self-destruct and lose stupid goals. There was little surprise that Walter Smith had decided to reintroduce Charlie Adam into the fray after Adam being frozen out for 3-4 weeks. We all knew either Adam or McCulloch would be reintroduced. Throughout the entire 90 minutes, all our failings became even more glaringly obvious. We donââ?¬â?¢t have a striker who can take a guilt-edge chance when it matters. We play far too narrow. We canââ?¬â?¢t capitalise on set-pieces. We canââ?¬â?¢t retain possession from a throw-in. Celtc had a corner in the 84th minute, we were trailing 1-0 in a game we couldnââ?¬â?¢t afford to lose and we had every player back defending. Walter Smithââ?¬â?¢s tactics and substitutions reek of a manager who has lost the plot. He pays Ã?£3.5M for a STRIKER and continually plays him left wing when its obvious that the lad CANââ?¬â?¢T play there ââ?¬â?? yet Walter persists and is close to ruining this lad. He then withdraws our right back (who is really a midfielder) and goes 3-3-4. All fine and well until you notice that we have 4 centre forwards on but still no wide players (you know, someone to get in behind the deep lying Celtc defence). So with 4 forwards on and men short down the channels, we decide to throw high balls into the Celtc defence. Their two centre halves could be heard laughing from my seat in the Govan West Corner. They just headed the ball clear, their midfield picked up the lose balls and fed their stickers down the channels. So easy when youââ?¬â?¢re playing a team with no width and no clue on how to get in behind a static back four. The most glaring deficiencies are the fact that we are attempting to win the SPL with players from St Mirren, Hibs, Kilmarnock etc. These players are run of the mill SPL players, nothing better, nothing worse. We have no creativity, we have no fast paced players who can beat an opponent. We have no drive from midfield and we have a creaking 40 year old defender who is now well past his best. I have been hearing and reading some very scary stories recently. Rangers Football Club are in a worse financial position than any of us knows, or cares to imagine. If these stories are true, and I have no basis to doubt them, all of our players are currently up for sale. As well as reducing the wage bill, we MUST recoup money and weââ?¬â?¢ll do this by selling players. This means players like Novo, Boogie, McGregor, Boyd, Mendes et al will be sold if we receive a ââ?¬Ë?decent offerââ?¬â?¢ for them. Inability to sell players like Burke, Adam, McCulloch et al will determine that they will be the ââ?¬Ë?qualityââ?¬â?¢ left to win us this league. We are being downsized dramatically by SDM and we are all happy to sit back with an air of inevitability whilst we witness the demise of this once great club. The ââ?¬Ë?qualityââ?¬â?¢ of player being looked at to ââ?¬Ë?strengthenââ?¬â?¢ our team sends jubbers down the spine of this Rangers supporter. Lee Wilkie, Dean Shiells, Bobo Balde all names that have been mentioned and deals are already being struck. So the fat lady has sung and our challenge for the title appears to be over. Is this overly pessimistic? I donââ?¬â?¢t think so. I can see Celtc dropping points, but unfortunately, I can see us dropping as many, if not more than them. We are unable to win away from home, and have two tricky away games in the SPL (Inverness and Aberdeen) and one in the Scottish Cup. It is fair to say that if we donââ?¬â?¢t win all three of those games, the manager MUST be removed. Personally, I would remove him (and his staff) just now as they have proven that they donââ?¬â?¢t have what it takes to win the SPL title against what is one of the worst Celtc teams in over a decade (and yet they stand on the verge of 4 consecutive SPL titles). Without Fear Or Favour We as Rangers fans have heard the above quote from Doctor Reid regarding sectarianism, and this quote has now been adopted by politicians and Police respectively. However, just like Doctor Death, the politicians and police are very lax in enforcing this quote, and in the Policeââ?¬â?¢s case, enforcing the law. In the lead up to the Old Firm game we had a politician who represents constituents in Bethnal Green and Bow informing all of Scotland that any Rangers fan who claims that Big Jock Knew is a bigot. Thatââ?¬â?¢s right folks, George Galloway believes that if you dare tell the truth regarding Jock Steinââ?¬â?¢s refusal to report a child molester to the Police makes you a bigot. George tells us that Jock Steinââ?¬â?¢s name wonââ?¬â?¢t be tarnished by us bigots. Youââ?¬â?¢re right George, he tarnished his own name he didnââ?¬â?¢t need any help from us. Next up we have an SNP MSP and a Cardinal informing us that the hokey cokey is a sinister song mocking the Catholic Mass. Apparently, we have all known this for over 300 years and participating in the hokey cokey makes you a sinister, anti-catholic bigot. If this sectarian issue wasnââ?¬â?¢t so serious, last weeks revelations would be laughable. Not happy with informing the country that the hokey cokey was sectarian, the Cardinal and MSP informed Strathclyde Police that any Rangers fan caught doing the hokey cokey should be arrested. Strathclyde Policeââ?¬â?¢s response was predictable ââ?¬â?? they informed us that anyone indulging in sectarianism at the OF game would be arrested, without fear or favour. Now, this is where it gets interesting. As well all know, during the OF game on Saturday, the entire Celtic end indulged in sectarian and offensive songs, openly breaking long established laws on sectarianism and singing songs in support of outlawed terrorist groups. So, given that we had heard a spokesman for Strathclyde Police saying that anyone indulging in such behaviour would be arrested without fear or favour. Well I can contest that this isnââ?¬â?¢t the case. From a very personally experience on Saturday, I can inform you that instead of arresting people clearly breaking the law, Strathclyde Police (officer xyz ââ?¬â?? I do have his number and have written a letter of complaint to the Police and Rangers but didnââ?¬â?¢t think it wise to print it here) are now more interested in arresting law-abiding citizens rather than those openly breaking the law. When challenged to tackle the sinister, hate-filled and sectarian songs emanating from the Broomie on Saturday, the Police decided to turn a blind eye (or deaf ear if you wish) to the complaints from Rangers support, as well as the songs being sung. Given that, and the frustration of the Police clearly neglecting their duty to uphold the law, I stated that the Celtic fans participating in songs glorifying terrorist (and therefore the murder of thousands of innocent people) were nothing more than terrorist loving scumbags. Now, I have spent the last two days determining if my outburst was anyway sectarian, racist, offensive or criminal. As yet, there is no evidence to say that my outburst was sectarian, racist, offensive or criminal. However, an officer promptly grabbed me in a violent manner (I still have bruises) and shouted at me in a threatening and aggressive manner. He informed me that if I said terrorist loving scumbags once more that Iââ?¬â?¢d be arrested. He refused to specify why Iââ?¬â?¢d be arrested and refused to confirm why he was happy to ignore the Celtic fans songs. He then informed me that he clearly heard my outburst (he was standing 20 feet behind me) but couldnââ?¬â?¢t hear the Celtic fans and couldnââ?¬â?¢t identify who was singing. Yip, thatââ?¬â?¢s right, he heard me over a 50,000 crowd but couldnââ?¬â?¢t pick our any one of the 7,500 singing IRA songs. I wonder if the same officer was to respond to a burglary and witness the thieves stealing from a house and being chased by the house owner. Would he ignore the burglars and threaten to arrest the home owner who stated that the people stealing from him / here were ââ?¬Ë?thieving scumbagsââ?¬â?¢? So there you have it, a prime example of Strathclyde Police without fear or favour campaign. Iââ?¬â?¢ll let you know if I get any reply from Strathclyde Police or Rangers FC, although I donââ?¬â?¢t hold out much hope.

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

I was never behind the decision to bring him back but gave him the chance to come good. he hasnt though and after spending almost 30 million we have a team with very little imagination or substance. Our squad is filled with run of the mill players that smith has backed his shirt on and they are failing us big time. Charlie adams selection today alone speaks volumes about smiths ability as Rangers manager. A serial underacheiver who brings nothing to the first eleven yet seen by our manager as a... well only smith knows the answer to that one. Whittaker and broadfoot, nothing more than squad players to us all but to smith...god only knows that one too. But the Icing on the cake has to be lafferty. At 3 million you would expect the guy to have at least the basic ball skills required to play football, but with every passing game you can see that the poor lad is well out of his depth. I almost cried when one of my worst nightmares cam to fruition today, Adam getting subbed for lafferty! But there lies the problem. Walter smith cannot see what everyman and his dog can see from the stands at Ibrox. There are far too many players at Ibrox that are simply not good enough to play for Rangers. Too make matters worse walter cannot see past these imposters who have us tearing out our hair. He constantly picks them though they have little impact on any game, more often than not dragging us down with them. The alarm bells for me started ringing for smith when we mugged Dundee utd for the league cup when boyd came on and saved his arse. from then on in the team slowly imploded in instalments failing to impress as the weeks went by. Unfortunately for those of us who could see what was happening there was an incredibly lucky run in the Uefa cup which papered over the cacks at home. All eyes where on Europe as far as the men upstairs where concerned. But Walter stuck by individuals who were constanly underacheiving in the side. Whittaker, Broadfoot, Cousin, Darcheville, Adam, McCulloch and Dailly never worried about their places but anyone with half a brain could see that they just werent good enough and that the writing was on the wall. But then we reached the Uefa cup final. You really thought smith would have a real go at winning it but no. He tries to win it on penalties instead. we all know what happened next. Yet again he left out guys Like Boyd and Novo for some of the above, which was smiths main problem. He tried every option other than these two and he failed miserably. So With the league and The Uefa cup up the swanny it was time to rebuild for next year, or so you would have thought. But no, Smith thought he could pull the same stunt in Europe again with his anti football tactics but was caught out at the first hurdle by a pub team manager from the back of beyond (again!). Enter the chairman and his cheque book and cue a panic buying spending spree. Yeah we bought decent players (whist yet again selling our biggest asset) but to be honest we have yet to see half of them. Where the hell are Aaron, Vilichka, edu and our very own wonder boy Fleck? bugger..im going on the piss now ill finish this later.

I EXPECT Celtic to lose tomorrow's Old Firm derby at Ibrox - but it won't affect their grip on the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title and the march towards four-in-a-row. The outcome of this Glasgow derby and the two to follow will not, in my mind, determine the destination of this season's championship flag. Both teams have proved they can slip up elsewhere in the fixture list, and weaknesses in either defence tell me there are more points to be dropped at other grounds. I asked Gordon Strachan, in a special one-to-one interview this week, if he had enough leaders in his pack. The manager put forward a brave case for a number of his team, but a flawed one in my view. advertisement This is a Celtic side lacking the mental toughness, grit and deter- mination to win the physical battle facing them in the cauldron of Ibrox at 12.30pm tomorrow. Captain Stephen McManus is struggling with his fitness, but he has still to prove to me his credentials are worthy of the armband in the first place. Paul Hartley, Scott Brown and Barry Robson are an absolute must in the middle of the park to have any chance of at least a point. Pedro Mendes and Barry Ferguson could have a field day if Robson isn't fit, because Brown is the great enigma. At times, I've thought he was the real deal this season, someone to boss games, but there's no consistency. There's no Shaun Maloney or Aiden McGeady, but if the Celtic fans are honest, neither has had a major impact on Old Firm games for quite a while now and their absence is not the over-riding factor in the bookmakers' decision to make Walter Smith's side the favourites. If McManus is fit, Gary Caldwell could find himself in the holding role in midfield to allow Strachan to use Glenn Loovens' height to defend and switch to attack from set-pieces. Playing a half-fit Marc Crosas in the middle of the park would be a gamble. Rangers can get at both Celtic full-backs and, where before, Martin O'Neill's defenders tried to make sure crosses were blocked off at the source, these two give you enough chances to supply the strikers. Artur Boruc, as ever, is the ticking bomb in this fixture. If his head is not right, anything can happen. Strachan needs Artur focused and ready to perform. There are no excuses left for any more blunders. He's used up all his get-out-of-jail cards, saves rather than signs are what real Celtic fans want to see from the Holy Goalie. Shunsuke Nakamura is capable of a moment of genius, but he has been known to disappear in this fixture. Georgios Samaras and Scott McDonald are the last two parts of the jigsaw in this battle for Celtic, I'm not impressed by either. Can they go to Ibrox and boss an ageing David Weir and a player of limited ability' in Kirk Broadfoot? Let's wait and see. If you look at both defences, this should be a high- scoring 4-3 cracker. Both teams have inferior players playing out of position in the backline and that should spell goals. Rangers' winning ingredient for this fixture is home advantage and a greater hunger, especially from their front two. I expect Kris Boyd to get the nod to finally start an Old Firm game with his preferred partner Kenny Miller. Both men are desperate to do well in this game for different reasons. The game will be bossed from the middle of the park and the class of Ferguson will take its toll on the less exper-ienced campaigners wearing the Hoops. How Rangers fans still moan about their captain escapes me, but this match is tailor-made for the number six. The last line of defence for Smith is Allan McGregor. If he has his mind on the job on the park, then it could be a clean sheet but, like Boruc, he's part of the goalkeeper's union and calamity is sometimes never too far away. Big games need big players and they, in turn, win games. I don't think Celtic have enough to match Rangers over the 90 minutes of this encounter. If Strachan's team get a draw, they'll be lucky, very lucky. Thomson well up to derby day task THERE'S an old saying among the refereeing fraternity that will ring true by about 2.15pm tomorrow afternoon. You can't guarantee who scores, you can't guarantee who wins the game, but you can guarantee who gets the blame!' Step forward the 23rd man in the second Old Firm game of the season, referee Craig Thomson. At 36, there has to be better ways of spending your weekends than listening to 50,000 fans united in giving you stick. The lawyer from Paisley, however, is more than up to the job and, for me, is slowly but surely cementing his place as Scotland's top official. Regardless of how highly I rate Craig, there is one element in tomorrow's match that he will need that is not in the referee's manual ... luck! Every aspect of the man in the middle's decision-making will be scrutinised, analysed and then replayed again from 25 different camera angles on Setanta. What chance does he have with only one set of eyes? This will be Mr Thomson's fourth Old Firm match in charge, each as important as the last, but for the man in black each with different problems that require an instantaneous decision that hopefully, is the correct one at the end of the 90 minutes. Craig will sit down today with Hugh Dallas and have a coffee and a chat about the madness that will undoubtedly unfold. The requirements don't change - keep a cool head, get the players onside early, communicate without a sense of superiority, try to let the game flow and trust in the judgement of yourself and your assistants. It all sounds so easy, but when the noise engulfs you from the tunnel to the pitch and the shrill of your whistle signals the start of the battle, lesser men can lose sight of their role in one of the great derbies in football. Not so Craig. He's a streetwise official mentally, tactically and is physically prepared for the big one. Let's hope he has a good one, because if he doesn't there's only one direction the flak will be flying tomorrow night. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2477854.0.0.php

KRIS BOYD today told Rangers boss Walter Smith he can improve on his disappointing strike rate against Celtic - if he is handed a start. Despite banging in 89 goals in just three years at Ibrox - including 18 in 19 games this season - Boyd has a poor track record in the Old Firm game. Indeed, the prolific hitman has only scored once against his side's age-old city rivals - in a 2-0 triumph at Ibrox at the end of the 2006/07 season. Even that effort came in a match which had next to no meaning for his team as Gordon Strachan's side had already sewn up the SPL title. advertisement However, that statistic is a bit deceptive. Amazingly, the 25-year-old has only been involved in the world-famous fixture on just four occasions, once as a late substitute, since joining from Kilmarnock. And the only time Kris started for Rangers against the Hoops on home soil was the game he managed to hit the target in. Having been in possibly the best goalscoring form of his life in recent months, he is itching to get involved from the kick-off in the latest showdown with the Parkhead club. Boyd confessed: "Obviously, I want to play in all of the team's big games and to show I can score against the best teams in Scotland. "I have been disappointed only to score once against Celtic in the past. That is something that I definitely want to improve upon. "I think it helps players in general, and myself in particular, to start games. Sometimes it can be difficult coming on and making an impression midway through a game, especially in the Old Firm game. "I would like to think I have done enough with my goals and my performances this season to merit my inclusion from the start this weekend. "I've been scoring goals and have struck up a good understanding with Kenny Miller." He went on: "We complement each other well. Kenny does a lot of work for the team outside the box and will run all day, whereas I pride myself on my finishing. But I am happy to drop deep and help the team out whatever way I can. "The way the team is playing just now we are going to create a few opportunities to score. I know that if I can get myself into good positions then I can take them. "We are four points behind Celtic and we are not happy to be in that position. We did well against Celtic earlier this season and a victory this weekend would go a long way towards helping us win the title again." In the past, Boyd's distinct lack of mobility and highly questionable work rate up front have perhaps resulted in him being left out of the equation in the Old Firm game and European matches. Since returning to the Govan club for a second stint as manager, Walter Smith has preferred to play Daniel Cousin, Jean-Claude Darcheville, Lee McCulloch, Kenny Miller, Nacho Novo and even Filip Sebo in attack. In the first meeting with Celtic this season at Parkhead back in August, he gave Cousin the nod even though the Gabonese internationalist had played just once all season - as a last-minute substitute against Falkirk. Kris was left out of the squad altogether for a game his side won 4-2 so prompting speculation that he would move on to pastures new in the weeks and months ahead. The chances are high that Boyd, who watched all Old Firm four games from the sidelines last season, will be involved from the off in the live Setanta match. Certainly, there would be an outcry among the Light Blue faithful if the Ayrshire-born player was omitted from the starting XI altogether this time around. For, with the help of Murray Park sports science guru Adam Owen, he has got himself in fantastic shape and his contribution to the Rangers cause is now far more than just goals. Kris admitted: "I have taken on board what I have been told by the coaches and have worked hard on my fitness in the summer and pre-season. "I think I am reaping the rewards of that in matches at the moment. I certainly think I would be able to handle anything the Old Firm game throws at me and am hoping I am involved." Smith has suggested the new lean and mean Boyd now has all the attributes he needs to emulate, and then outstrip, the goalscoring achievements of Ibrox legend Ally McCoist. However, current Gers assistant boss Super Ally had a happy knack of doing the business when it mattered most to supporters - in Old Firm games. He has 27 goals against Celtic to his name. Kris, then, has some considerable distance to go to catch up. Nevertheless, he is still determined bridge the gap -starting at Ibrox tomorrow. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2477858.0.0.php

WALTER SMITH wants the Old Firm to play in a European League and leave their reserve teams to battle it out for the SPL. The Rangers boss insists a new set-up can help bridge the financial chasm that exists between the continent's elite clubs and Scotland's big two. Smith admitted his team have no chance of competing at the business end of the Champions League while they earn a fraction of the money the big guns in England, Spain, Germany and Italy make. And he wants UEFA to sanction a new European League involving big clubs in small countries - teams like Rangers, Celtic, Ajax, Anderlecht, Marseille, Porto and Benfica. He is advocating a league that would run at weekends - but insists Rangers would still put out a B team to play in the SPL should it ever come about. And Smith believes that would make the Scottish league more competitive - giving the non-Old Firm clubs a much better chance of winning the title. Smith said:"Rangers and Celtic are two huge clubs who deserve to be in a better circumstance than they are in in Scotland. There are a number of big clubs all over Europe who find themselves in the same position. "We are nearly all hamstrung in terms of finance in comparison to the bigger leagues and few people are doing a great deal to try and equalise that. "UEFA have got to help bigger clubs in small countries and there are a whole load of them out there, desperate to get closer to the likes of England, Germany, Spain and Italy in financial terms. "It's the biggest problem in European football at the moment and it impacts on us at Rangers and Celtic. "The problem is wider than just letting a few more teams into the Champions League. "There should still be a Champions League but there should be a European League to rival ordinary domestic leagues. "We should have a Saturday fixture in a European League. If Rangers and Celtic were offered the chance to play in a new European format I would agree to that. "But that doesn't mean we couldn't have teams here. I would hope we could still have a team making a decent challenge in the Scottish league but it would give the other teams in Scotland an opportunity to win, which they are not getting for the same reasons we are not getting them European-wise." Smith's frustration at being unable to compete with the game's giants was voiced as he looked back on a year that saw his team reach the UEFA Cup Final then fail to make the Champions League only three months later. But even if Rangers had reached the Champions League, Smith is adamant it would have taken a miracle to come close to winning it. He added:"UEFA have to come up with a way of helping teams challenge the big teams in the Champions League at the present moment. "Benfica, Porto, teams like that, have a similar problem to Rangers and Celtic in terms of making a challenge in the Champions League. None of us are making a challenge. "Who is going to win it - a Real Madrid or Manchester United. You won't get Ajax or Porto doing it again. "It needs a closing of the gap in financial terms and there's no way of doing it at the moment. "UEFA has a responsibility to look at that and to give the opportunity to big clubs in a small-country environment to get a level of finance that would help them compete." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/2008/12/24/rangers-and-celtic-must-quit-scotland-to-have-chance-of-success-warns-walter-smith-86908-20993073/

The Australian had a testicle removed in November after being diagnosed with cancer. And now he has been told by doctors that the operation was successful and he could resume his playing career. Moore, 32, had the operation at a hospital in Brisbane, where he is now captain of Queensland Roar. The veteran defender, who joined Rangers as a teenager in 1993, was diagnosed after discovering a lump six weeks ago. In a statement on their website, Queensland Roar said: "The Socceroos defender met with his oncologist this morning and was informed he would not require further immediate ongoing treatment and was given the all-clear to continue training and playing. "Doctors will continue to monitor Moore's recovery over the coming months to ensure his ongoing health. "The results are a boost for the player, his family, Roar fans and also the club." Moore played at Ibrox during current manager Walter Smith's first spell in charge but moved to Crystal Palace in 1998. He returned to Rangers after a short spell in England and became a key player under Dick Advocaat. Moore was appointed club captain by the Dutchman's successor Alex McLeish but was stripped of the captaincy after a row over his decision to go to the Olympics with the Australian national team. He later played for German team Borussia Monchengladbach and Newcastle United before returning to Australia. He was forced to pull out of the Australian international team for a match against Bahrain after receiving the cancer diagnosis http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/scottishpremier/rangers/3902019/Former-Rangers-captain-Craig-Moore-given-all-clear-after-cancer.html

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

STEVEN DAVIS believes there is more to come from both him and his team mates as they prepare to finish 2008 with two home games against Hibs and Celtic. Steven DavisDavis has arguably been Walter Smith's most consistent performer since signing a permanent deal with the club back in August. But he feels there is still another level for him to reach as he comes to the end of a rollercoaster first year with Rangers. He said: "Overall I'm happy with how things are going although I know there is still a lot of room for improvement both personally and for us as a team. "We've made a decent start to the season albeit with a couple of slip ups where we would have liked to collect points that we dropped. "If we can iron that out I think we can look forward to another very successful season. "I like to think there's more to come from me too. I think no matter what age you are you can still improve as a player. Steven Davis celebrates scoring"There are always new things to pick up from different managers and different players in the squad so it's been good to come here and learn from some top midfielders. "In Barry, Pedro and Kevin Thomson we have some top class players and if you can take different aspects from their games it can only help you develop as a player." The Northern Ireland international has added goals to his game this season and trails only Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller in the club's scoring charts after strikes against Motherwell, Dundee Utd, St Mirren and Hamilton. "This year we've all got a bit more licence to get forward with the way the team is playing this season," added Davis. "The change in the mentality of the whole team and the way the manager wants us to play has helped me get goals. "It's a side of the game I enjoy and hopefully I can continue to add a few goals between now and the end of the season."

DAVID BECKHAM is heading for Ibrox to play against Rangers for AC Milan in a star-studded friendly. Record Sport can reveal negotiations between the two clubs are at an advanced stage and an announcement on an exact date will be made in the next couple of days. It's expected the showdown - which will also guarantee appearances from Brazilian superstars Ronaldinho and Kaka - will be staged in February and that tickets will go on sale before Christmas. Beckham will begin a loan spell with the Serie A big guns next month after agreeing a short-term switch from MLS side LA Galaxy as he bids to stay in Fabio Capello's England plans. Rangers chiefs hope the glamour friendly will be a massive earner after seeing their side miss out on a European run this season. A senior Ibrox source said:"We are very close to finalising the deal and we are all very excited about the prospect of bringing Beckham, Ronaldinho and Kaka to Glasgow. "It's a bit of a bonus for our supporters who have been starved of big European nights this season. It will certainly provide Walter Smith and his players with a stern test as we make the big push towards the title." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/2008/12/18/exclusive-rangers-line-up-glamour-friendly-with-david-beckham-s-ac-milan-86908-20979368/ Cammy F

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.