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http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2010/07/22/we-will-sign-the-players-to-help-walter-smith-win-three-in-a-row-for-rangers-pledges-chief-martin-bain-86908-22431209/

Rangers striker Kenny Miller has admitted that Kevin Thomson's departure from the club is a 'blow'. . . More...

The deluded ones now believe that wee McFadden will be joining them this transfer window , and also Stokes from Hivs

On the last day of the EPL season this year , from all the games with a starting total of 220 players only 32 were English and their clubs are about to embark on yet another transfer window plunder into the foreign market with Spurs leading the way with a �£28 million double swoop for Palermo's Simon Kjaer and Edinson Cavani , Spurs have denied this bid but admitted talks had taken place . Will they never learn

Rangers have dismissed reports that defender Madjid Bougherra has agreed a deal to join Hamburg. More...

OK, so I was bored at work this afternoon. Here's a wee game for the summer, see how long it takes to get a full house this time round. Cheers, Mike.

With the season well and truly wrapped up, is now not the time for us to examine the role of Alistair Johnston, Martin Bain and Donald Muir (the enemy within) on the Rangers board? Clearly, there have been many who have been adament that he could not be trusted and as every single transfer window has approached, warnings of Muir-backed firesales have been stated as virtual fact only to fail to come into fruition time and time again, seemingly due to the heroics of Bain and AJ Looking back retrospectively, and baring in mind I held up a banner in protest at Muir 5 rows behind him, I think it would be a worthwhile idea discussing Muir in particular, but obviously appraising the board as a whole is something we should be doing too. More importantly, discussing what their objectives were, how succesful they were and also, how they've managed to marry his fiscal responsibilities as a business fixer with continued success on the park. The positives: Back to back SPL titles all be it he was only on board for the most recent one, wagebill cut to 10-15 year low, virtually no 'wastes of a wage' left in the squad. The negatives: The squad is wafer thin, the amenities within the stadium have been shambolic (big screens, catering, condiments etc, paintwork of the kiosks) potential loss of several out of contract players due to the length of time taken to amend bank business plan, takeover yet to be complete. Interested in input from all-comers here. Is it possible to praise Bain and AJ yet slam Muir at the same time? Obvious King and McGill are in there as well so all is up for discussion.

Gers plan swoop for former Don EXCLUSIVE By Ron Scott LEE MILLER is poised for a surprise transfer to Rangers. Although the 27-year-old striker has struggled to make an impact since joining Middlesbrough from Aberdeen in January, Walter Smithâ��s admiration for the player has not waned. With the Light Blues manager admitting heâ��s no chance of keeping record-scorer Kris Boyd, Miller is already on the radar to become his first signing for almost two years. The three-times-capped Miller has previously played for Falkirk, Bristol City, Hearts, Dundee United and Aberdeen, with over �£1 million changing hands. Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan landed him for just �£500,000 at the end of the winter transfer window, due to the fact his contract only had a few months remaining. Miller has never been a prolific scorer, and is a completely different type of player to Boyd. But Smith views his aerial power and link-up play as attributes to form a strong partnership with existing striker Kenny Miller. Smith first tried to sign his target from Aberdeen two years ago, not long after Rangers lost the UEFA Cup Final to Zenit St Petersburg. But he was 24 hours too late. By the time Smith made his move, Miller had signed a new contract and Rangers didnâ��t have the money for a transfer fee. With Miller unlikely to cost any more than Middlesbrough paid for him, Rangers are now in a position to stump up after striking a new deal with Lloydsâ�� Bank a few days ago. Craig Conway is also on Rangersâ�� radar. But the Dundee United winger is still under contract and United will require more than �£500,000 before they are tempted to sell. The Ibrox boss has long bemoaned the fact he doesnâ��t have a natural winger. Instead heâ��s had to use Steve Davis, Stevie Naismith and Kyle Lafferty out wide when this is clearly not their natural position.

From the MLS Daily...

http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/rangers/169034-bougherra-said-no-to-january-rangers-exit/ To me he still seems sour and its just a bit of shit stirring but you never know.

Robbie Keane has bagged 11 goals from 11 games since joining Celtic at the end of the January transfer window and Ronnie Esplin argues that his short time in the SPL should not hinder his chances of picking up the top award. Voting for the Scottish Football Writers' Association's player of the year will commence next month ahead of the May 9 awards dinner in Glasgow and if Robbie Keane continues with his scoring form over the next few weeks then he will mostly likely get my nomination. So what if he only arrived at the end of January? I offered that thought to some colleagues on Saturday after the Irishman scored a well-taken double against Kilmarnock at Celtic Park to take his tally to 11 in 11 since he signed on loan from Tottenham and received some puzzled looks. How can a player who has only played for six weeks so far be the best player in Scotland this season, was the general feeling. Quite easy. Keane is streets ahead of anyone we are watching at the moment. Most games have appeared little more than a training ground exercise for the Republic of Ireland skipper while he awaits his return to England and indeed, if there is any criticism that can be levelled at him is that he has not yet reached 20 goals. Having seen most of his games since he arrived north of the border, I believe that to be a conservative figure given the chances he has passed up or had saved. He may still reach that figure, certainly if a Celtic side free from the pretence of chasing Rangers and with Neil Lennon in charge, dominate games in the way they did against Killie. Would it be an indictment of the SPL? Probably. But, again, so what? Have we forgotten our club's European results earlier in the season? Our champions are strolling to their second successive title having shrugged off their worst-ever result in Europe against a hitherto unknown Romanian outfit whose name most people could still not spell. I am aware of the arguments against Keane's nomination other than the brevity of his stay. He didn't play well against Rangers at Ibrox. Agreed, but he was given no service. He is Robbie Keane, not Diego Maradona. He played in the Celtic team which cost Mowbray his job when they lost 4-0 at St Mirren. Yes he did and indeed played poorly that night. But you can't blame Keane for Mowbray's desperate tactics which left the Parkhead side with six strikers on the pitch fighting for space found only in abundance in the Hoops' defence. He was brought to help Celtic win the league and that won't happen. Agreed again but if it weren't for his goals against Dundee United and Falkirk in particular, the Parkhead side might be contemplating the disastrous possibility of finishing third. They might not be looking forward to an Active Nation Scottish Cup semi-final against Ross County either. The football writers, by common consent, are not spoiled for choice this season. Motherwell keeper John Ruddy has impressed and once again Rangers striker Kris Boyd has come up with the goods although he is going through a barren spell at the moment by his high standards. Although we tend to go overboard in this country when we see a midfielder who can control the ball with ease and pass it to a team mate, Steve Davis has risen above the rest in prompting the Ibrox side towards the SPL title. However, Keane is simply a class above. There is no one better in Scottish football than the Irishman. He is mobile, intelligent, mentally sharp and can make and score goals. Is he to be penalised because he has not played as many matches as others? Do we overlook his contribution in order to mask the inadequacies of our game? In microcosm, if an interval substitute scored a second-half hat-trick to win a game would we refrain from naming him man-of-the-match because he had only played 45 minutes? Keane hasn't got my support just yet. I'm siding with Davis at the moment and Boyd is also in the frame. However, if I don't vote for the Celtic striker it won't be due to length of service. http://sport.stv.tv/football/166447-playing-half-a-season-shouldnt-stop-keane-picking-up-player-of-the-year/

Portsmouth will go into administration by Friday unless a buyer is found for the Premier League's bottom club. If Pompey enter administration they will be docked nine points, but the winding up order against them due to be heard on 1 March will be suspended. A spokesman for Pompey owner Balram Chainrai said: "There is now only a short window of opportunity for buyers to come in with a credible offer. "Having the club wound up is not an option as far as we are concerned." Portsmouth have debts of �£70m and the winding up order was over �£7.5m owed to HM Revenue and Customs. The spokesman said: "The serving of this notice [that Portsmouth intend to appoint an administrator] means the winding up order is automatically suspended. "It means the club is safe, it can fulfil its fixtures and as far as is possible it is business as usual. "Administration would mean the club re-emerging as a healthy financial entity. 606: DEBATE Give your views on Pompey's future "It would then become an attractive proposition for a potential buyer who could invest new funds in rebuilding the club's future. "Mr Chainrai hopes the supporters will get behind the team for their Premier League match at Burnley on Saturday and the following weekend's FA Cup quarter-final at home to Birmingham. "We would like to ask the fans, staff and management of Portsmouth for their support and patience should this step be taken as we believe it is the only route left open." One of the parties interested in buying the troubled club has revealed he will not be able to take over the club ahead of Monday's winding up petition. New Zealand-based businessman Victor Cattermole is considering buying Pompey through his investment group but told The Guardian newspaper: "In an ideal world, we would like to purchase the club before Monday, but we will not be rushed." Portsmouth owner Balram Chainrai Chainrai relucantly took control of Pompey to protect his investment Cattermole's group is one of three potential buyers for the south coast strugglers. Chainrai recently became Portsmouth's fourth owner of the season, taking 90% of the club shares after the previous owner Ali Al Faraj defaulted on loan payments due to him. Eight points from top-flight safety, Pompey's financial woes have meant their players have been paid late on four occasions this season. Entering administration would leave them 17 points from safety, with only 12 matches remaining to preserve their Premier League status. The club are also involved in a separate dispute with former owner Sacha Gaydamak over whether they have missed a deadline in paying a �£9m chunk of the �£28m they owe him. The Premier League recently withheld �£2m of transfer payments and a �£7m slice of TV revenue to divert to Chelsea and Watford for the signings of Glen Johnson and Tommy Smith respectively. The Fratton Park club are also being sued by former Pompey defender Sol Campbell for �£1.7m for unpaid image rights. Earlier on Monday, another former owner Sulaiman Al Fahim quit as non-executive chairman and offered his 10% stake to the Pompey Supporters' Trust. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/8527495.stm

Cash-strapped Portsmouth have asked the Premier League for permission to sell players outside the transfer window. However, BBC sports news correspondent Gordon Farquhar said he believes the transfer window, which ended on 1 February, is a Fifa regulation. "I don't think it's in the gift of the Premier League to allow Portsmouth to sell players outside of it," he added. The club confirmed: "We have put in a request to the Premier League to sell players outside the transfer window." There are two transfer windows a year in England, running from 1 January to 31 January and from 1 June to 31 August. However, if the window is set to close on a weekend it can be extended because of administration reasons, hence the most recent transfer window closing on 1 February. 606: DEBATE They simply cannot grant this as it will open the floodgates... famouszukeeper Pompey, who are believed to be about �£60m in debt, have not identified any specific players for sale but reports suggest Algeria international Nadir Belhadj, midfielder Kevin Prince-Boateng and young defender Marc Wilson could be made available. Portsmouth have already had four owners this season and are understood to be in negotiations with two buyers who are interested in taking them over. The south-coast club, who are bottom of the Premier League, survived a winding up order last week but were forced to deliver a detailed statement of their finances to both the High Court and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on Wednesday. And they face another winding up petition from HMRC over an unpaid �£11.7m tax bill on 1 March. Hong Kong-based businessman Balram Chainrai became the club's fourth owner of the season in early February when he secured 90% of the club's shares after previous owner Ali Al Faraj defaulted on loan payments due to Chainrai. Portsmouth are eight points from safety in the top flight and their players have been paid late on four occasions this season. The club are also involved in a separate dispute with former owner Sacha Gaydamak over whether they have missed a deadline in paying a �£9m chunk of the �£28m they owe to him. The Premier League recently withheld �£2m of transfer payments and a �£7m slice of television revenue to divert to Chelsea and Watford for the signings of Glen Johnson and Tommy Smith respectively. The Fratton Park outfit are also being sued by former defender Sol Campbell for �£1.7m for unpaid image rights. Meanwhile, a financial expert says Portsmouth face a very real threat of extinction because of their financial problems and he believes administration is an unlikely option. "Arguably, the level of debt associated with this case will mean that it is unlikely that a suitable or willing benefactor will be found," said Simon Wilson, a partner with restructuring experts Zolfo Cooper. To continue to underwrite the club would most likely result in greater losses at a later date Financial expert Simon Wilson "Portsmouth therefore face the very real threat of liquidation because it is increasingly unlikely that an administration order will be sought or granted. "In this eventuality, the players' contracts are no longer assets of the club and it would lose its membership of the Premier League. "The role of the liquidator would be to realise whatever free and available assets still remain. "The value of these assets would be nominal. While the unsecured creditors, including HMRC, would likely see no return from such a process, it is not in their interests to continue to support a business that is simply not viable and has no financial substance. "To continue to underwrite the club would most likely result in greater losses at a later date. This would be an unprecedented case in the realms of the Premier League and would throw light on the fact that clubs can no longer rely on 'white knights' to rescue them from financial ruin. "Many football clubs have allowed their levels of debt to grow to immense proportions. These debts cannot be serviced and investors simply don't have the appetite or ability to take on such poor business propositions." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/8522283.stm

Tony Mowbrayââ?¬â?¢s time at Celtic is almost at an end. In my mind, he is a dead man walking as Celtic manager and the next 10 days look like determining his fate. It wonââ?¬â?¢t be the fansââ?¬â?¢ calls for him to go that eventually ends his eight-month association with the club, should he lose or draw against Dundee United or Rangers. No, the parting by mutual consent will come from a board panicking at the thud of season tickets being returned to the Parkhead door in disgust at Celtic losing the title for the second season in succession to one of the most mediocre Rangers sides I can remember. The buck stops with the manager for failure, but there are other culprits in this farcical situation the club is currently mired in. They find themselves trying to claw back 10 points on a team that contains a 39-year-old veteran in defence, a workmanlike midfield, a Celtic reject and a Ã?£3.5million waste of money. The catalogue of mistakes is damning on and off the field, and the performances and results are evidence enough that it is not working under Mr Mowbray. During his stewardship, Celtic have played 39 games, won 19, lost 11 and drawn nine. When Mowbray arrived at Celtic, as second choice, in June 2009, the proclamation from chairman John Reid was: ââ?¬Å?The fightback starts here, today. ââ?¬Å?And thereââ?¬â?¢s nobody better to lead that fightback than Celticââ?¬â?¢s own, and Celticââ?¬â?¢s manager, Tony Mowbrayââ?¬Â. In Mowbrayââ?¬â?¢s words, he wanted to make Celtic ââ?¬Å?feared and respected in Europeââ?¬Â. ââ?¬Å?Weââ?¬â?¢ll be trying to emulate good football,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?Try to give the supporters a brand of football that they can be proud of; score goals, win trophies, play with a panache and style.ââ?¬Â Feared? No. Respected? No. Scared? Yes! The defending has Celtic fans looking through their fingers in the stands or, for many ââ?¬Ë?stay-awayââ?¬â?¢ supporters, popping up from behind the couch with a quilt over their heads. Iââ?¬â?¢ve said all along that, with this defence, Celtic have to score three goals to win. I am sorry, I was wrong, after last Saturday at Aberdeen; itââ?¬â?¢s five to win a game. Fifty goals scored, 28 conceded and a team now heading into the United game on Saturday without Darren Oââ?¬â?¢Dea, Jos Hooiveld (injured again) and Glenn Loovens, not to mention the suspended Aiden McGeady. Whoââ?¬â?¢s to blame? Mowbray takes the brunt with a team that contains four loan signings, only one of whom has a realistic chance of staying on. Does that strike you as a long-term plan or short-term panic? Hooiveld was signed while unfit and Iââ?¬â?¢ve already gone over the complete lack of urgency to get more cover in central defence at the start of January rather than the end. Defensive mistakes since the transfer window opened have cost Celtic 12 points in their last eight SPL games. There are no excuses. Remember the bravado of some Celtic fans about the players brought in and what was going to happen in the title race? Rasmussen has started one match and made three substitute appearances, Ki has had three starts and three sub appearances and Zheng Zhi hasnââ?¬â?¢t reached double figures in matches started since he arrived last September. As if to add fuel to the fire ââ?¬â?? or in this case to try and put out the fire ââ?¬â?? Tony then appoints Scott Brown captain of Celtic. Everyone thought the new captain was on his way out; we must have been misled? Could we have been wrong? Tactical decisions have been bewildering, but since Iââ?¬â?¢m not paid to make those decisions, I have elected not to dwell too much on Brown at left-back at Rugby Park or Robbie Keaneââ?¬â?¢s substitution at Pittodrie. The financial results released by Celtic this week show a drop in turnover from the last managerââ?¬â?¢s failings and the increase in debt shows the new boss has not spent it wisely or in the right areas. You cannot fool all of the people all of the time. Clueless, rudderless and by the time the final whistle goes at Ibrox on February 28, they will be SPL trophy-less. Chief executive Peter Lawwell has stated: ââ?¬Å?We have strategies in place for the further development of the club.ââ?¬Â It wonââ?¬â?¢t be with Tony Mowbray at the helm.

RANGERS chairman Alastair Johnston believes the remaining 13 games of the SPL campaign hold the key to the Ibrox club securing a healthier, long-term financial future. Speaking as Rangers published half-yearly accounts which reveal an operating profit of �£13.1 million for the six months to 31 December 2009, Johnston admitted the value of Champions League qualification cannot be overstated in addressing the prospects of reducing his club's �£31million debt and attracting new ownership and investment. The Scottish champions' interim figures also showed a turnover of �£37.8million, directly attributable to their participation in the group stage of European football's elite club competition this season. Twelve months earlier, on the back of elimination from the Champions League in the second qualifying round by Lithuanian side Kaunas, Rangers posted a loss of almost �£9million and turnover of just �£20.1million. The contrast is startling and illuminates Rangers' need to retain their domestic title this season. With Scotland's Uefa co-efficient ranking in freefall, it is likely to be the last year for some time the SPL champions will qualify directly for the lucrative group phase of the Champions League. Rangers, who squeezed into the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup last night with a 1-0 win over St Mirren, are ten points ahead of Celtic at the top of the SPL with 13 games to play, leaving them on course for a championship success which would underpin Johnston's quest to steer his club out of their current fiscal storm. "The main thing for us at the moment is the short term and focusing on matters on the field," Johnston told The Scotsman last night. "The next ten weeks will impact significantly on how we aspire to make progress for the club. "The figures we are announcing today are pleasing and they show just how crucial it is to be in the Champions League. We have to sound a note of caution, because we still face many challenges, but clearly getting into the Champions League again would be of significant benefit." Johnston succeeded Sir David Murray as Rangers chairman last August during a period of turmoil for the club as their finances came under intense scrutiny from Lloyds TSB. While he concedes the bank's ongoing involvement in the club's affairs is "not desirable", Johnston sought to ease concern among supporters as he insisted it is currently to Rangers' benefit. "Looking back to August, when Lloyds TSB were taking a more than unusual interest in Rangers, we have to be satisfied with where we are now," he added. "We were successful in persuading them that their immediate reaction, which was to look to downsize the club, was impractical and particularly unwise in terms of maintaining the club's value. "We reached an agreement with them which is not ideal for either party but is practical in the circumstances. In no way would I criticise the fans who are entitled to voice their opinions. But as far as our relationship with Lloyds goes, it is working. We need them at this point in time. Murray (International Holdings) are not going to put any more money into the club, so we need the bank. They have been left holding the baby after the economic crisis hit Murray. The bank are our stop-gap measure." Donald Muir, the corporate troubleshooter appointed to the board to oversee the club's financial restructuring, has become the focal point of protests from Rangers supporters, but Johnston called for understanding of his fellow director's position. "To say Donald Muir is conflicted may be overstating it, but he is wearing two hats," said Johnston. "He is a non-executive director of Rangers and is expected to work within that role. He also represents the Murray group of companies, so in that role he is seeking to liquidate to Murray's advantage. "In terms of a possible new owner, there is activity, but it is like shadow boxing at the moment. I would hope something will happen sooner rather than later, but there has to be understanding and probably compromise. It will be challenging going forward and hopefully we can adjust the current business plan which was the subject of Walter Smith's ire recently, rightly so in my opinion." Smith had expressed his frustration at the restrictions placed on him in the transfer market where Rangers have now not paid money for a new player since August 2008. Johnston praised the veteran manager for his part in achieving ongoing success for Rangers despite those handicaps and is hopeful Smith and his assistants Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall will be in a position to agree new contracts this summer. "The guys know our position," he said. "Walter is at the stage of his career that whenever his time at Rangers does end, he will probably go and play golf. With Ally and Kenny, who are a bit younger, we are dealing with different scenarios. Walter is keeping an open mind at the moment. Whatever happens, history will show that Rangers were very fortunate to have him as manager during this period." Emerging from the January transfer window with the loss of only Pedro Mendes and Jerome Rothen was regarded as something of a bonus by Rangers but the club face further uncertainty at the end of the season when several players, including top scorer Kris Boyd, are out of contract. Boyd has decided to wait until the summer before making a decision on his future. "The offer to Kris Boyd remains on the table," said Johnston. "We hope he will stay but circumstances outwith our control, such as offers from English football, could persuade him to leave. We can't control the environment we are in when it comes to contract negotiations." KEY FIGURES TURNOVER �£37.8m Up by �£17.7m OPERATING PROFIT �£13.1m Up by �£17.0m OPERATING EXPENSES �£21.0m Down by �£3.6m http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Rangers-progress-in-cup-.6082665.jp

CHAIRMAN reveals profit of 13.1million pounds to December 31, 2009 More... RANGERS have announced unaudited interim results for the six months to 31 December 2009 and chairman Alastair Johnston has released the following statement: I HAVE pleasure in presenting the Interim Results for the six months to 31 December 2009, a period that saw the Chairmanship of the Club pass to myself in August 2009. The ensuing six months of my tenure saw us perform in Europe's elite club competition and reap the financial benefit of so doing in achieving turnover of �£37.8m and an operating profit of �£13.1m, an increase of �£22.0m on the prior year. These however have been challenging times within the Club, and credit must go to Martin Bain and Walter Smith and their respective teams in maintaining performance, standards and above all the intrinsic value of the Club over this period. Whilst our results in the UEFA Champions League were disappointing, we currently sit proudly at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, and have progressed to the final of The Co-operative Insurance Cup and the fifth round of the Active Nation Scottish Cup. This has been achieved with a first team squad that has been stretched through injury and suspension, which has in itself created opportunities for the younger members of the squad. Whilst the recent transfer window saw the departure of Pedro Mendes and Jerome Rothen, it was pleasing to retain our more valued assets in the run in for the league title. Discussions continue on various contract extensions, although a balance has to be struck between value and player expectations. Earlier this month we were delighted to confirm the appointment of Tennent's Lager as the official Club and shirt sponsor from 2010/11. We will continue to work towards a positive climax to a highly successful and productive seven year relationship with Carling. Work also continues in developing our ground-breaking media offering through http://www.rangersTV.tv, enabling live broadcasts and archive material to be viewed on demand. Although the effect of the current economic climate had an impact on ticketing and hospitality sales as well as the income from SPL media rights, the turnover for the six months to 31 December 2009 rose by �£17.7m to �£37.8m on the back of Champions League participation. Due to the timing of our involvement in the Champions League, revenue is weighted in favour of the first six months of the financial year. Net operating expenses decreased by �£3.6m to �£21.0m reflecting the reduced salary levels and efficiencies introduced throughout the Club, and resulted in an increase in operating profit of �£22.0m. Accounting for a �£5.5m decrease in gains from the sale of player registrations to last year, profit before interest and tax rose by �£16.5m to �£13.8m. Lower interest rates and historical tax losses contributed to a retained profit of �£13.1m, compared to a retained loss of �£3.9m for the same period last year, an increase of �£17.0m. Whilst the Interim Results are pleasing, a degree of caution is required as the future outlook is fraught with challenges. When I assumed the Chairmanship in August 2009, I realised that we had to take a short-term perspective on the business model that we needed to adopt for the financial year through to June 2010. The Board appreciated the understanding of Lloyds TSB Bank plc in supporting our initiatives to stabilise the Club without totally compromising the ability of the management team to field a competitive squad of players for the current season. We continue our efforts to source a capital injection into the Club to fuel the ambitions of the staff, supporters and shareholders, all of whom have been remarkably supportive as we navigate through the turbulence. Until such time as this is achieved, we are compelled to maintain our working relationship with Lloyds TSB Bank plc. The Board understands that reliance on such a facility going forward is not desirable if we are to retain control over the Club's destiny and avoid negatively impacting the potential for future success. However, a balanced view is required at this stage amongst operating sustainability, ambition, and the commensurate underlying value of the Club. Rangers will need continued commitment from all of those with the best interests of the Club in mind in the months ahead, and I remain totally confident that we will prevail together.

CHAIRMAN pays tribute to Smith and Bain More...

Peter Lawwell today predicted Celtic would emerge from their current troubled times to a bright future. The Parkhead clubââ?¬â?¢s chief executive is acutely aware of the discontent of a support which has watched Tony Mowbrayââ?¬â?¢s rebuilt squad fall 10 points behind debt-ridden Rangers in the title race, which almost certainly brings with it a Ã?£10million ticket to next seasonââ?¬â?¢s Champions League. Celticââ?¬â?¢s turnover for the first half of this campaign is down by almost 23 per cent as a result of failing to qualify for the competition this season. And chairman Dr John Reid had warned that, if income is not there, then that inevit-ably has an impact on the ability to invest as much as they would like in players. However, Lawwell is confident the clubââ?¬â?¢s financial strategy and plan to find raw talent which they can develop into Champions League-quality players will pay off. So, while the going may be tough at the moment, he believes better times are on the horizon. Lawwell said: ââ?¬Å?I believe we have a bright future. Weââ?¬â?¢ve managed our resources well. We are stable. ââ?¬Å?We have strategies in place for further development of the club. ââ?¬Å?This is a club that will keep growing and we will see the fruits of some of our strategies two or three years down the line. ââ?¬Å?The financial figures gives us elbow room to support the manager. Every manager needs resources and the financial statement shows we have leeway to support him. ââ?¬Å?There aspects of this that are part of a long-term strategy. We will see the returns from that in the next few years.ââ?¬Â However, Lawwell knows the fans want immediate results, especially on the field. He continues to reject any suggestion the directors are more interested in balancing books than winning trophies. Crucially, the club did not succeed in bringing in at least one more experienced central defender after Gary Caldwell and Stephen McManus left, but Lawwell said: ââ?¬Å?We traded well in January. ââ?¬Å?Weââ?¬â?¢re in a period of transition and we have to rebuild. We invested heavily in the summer, too. We have a financial strategy that is working and allows us to support the manager in his rebuilding plans. ââ?¬Å?Weââ?¬â?¢ve brought in real quality, and still we get criticised.ââ?¬Â Robbie Keane was the big-name arrival in the last window, and Lawwell shot down reports this loan signing is being financed by major shareholder, Dermot Desmond. ââ?¬Å?Yes, Dermot Desmond, and the rest of the board supported that acquisition, but the wages are being financed from the club,ââ?¬Â he said. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks-ignore/peter-lawwell-future-is-bright-at-parkhead-1.1006915

Jeffren has confirmed he turned down the chance to join Celtic on loan in the January transfer window. More...

It has been announced that a group of Rangers fans - backed by all official fan groups and all unofficial fansites in the online community (including Gersnet) - are to hold a peaceful protest within Ibrox Stadium this Sunday. You can read the statement released by the group below.

Interesting article from FIFA.com - "Contrasting values clash in Scotland Ever since their legendary rivalry was born 122 years ago, Celtic and Rangers have always had very distinct, opposing identities. Rarely, however, have there been as many clearly marked differences between these Glaswegian Goliaths as there are in their current battle for the Scottish Premier League title. In the green corner, Celtic are undergoing a revolution. No other description would do justice to a transformation that, having started with Tony Mowbrayââ?¬â?¢s appointment during the summer, has included the addition of 12 new players, eight of whom arrived during a frenetic January window. Mowbray has earned renown, and occasionally ridicule, for his romantic football philosophy, and a commitment to reviving Celtic's tradition for expansive, attractive football resulted last month in the biggest personnel changes anywhere in world football. The dramatic deadline day capture of Robbie Keane, whom 5,000 fans waited until midnight to greet, capped an unprecedented period of activity in which the Celtic manager also moved on 10 players, including the clubââ?¬â?¢s captain, vice-captain and top scorer. ââ?¬Å?It's a gamble," Mowbray admitted. "But you either sit on your hands and do nothing, or you try to make improvements.ââ?¬Â While Mowbrayââ?¬â?¢s challenge is to knit a dressing room of strangers into a cohesive unit - and quickly - the task facing his Rangers counterpart could hardly contrast more starkly. Walter Smith is nothing if not stoic, but with Rangersââ?¬â?¢ financial plight having prevented him from making any permament signings since August 2008, he must have been envious of the spending spree taking place across the city. Smith, though, has taken a 'glass half-full' view - and with good reason. After all, while Celtic have dominated the headlines, it is Rangers who lead the Premier League table by the not inconsiderable margin of eight points. Stalwarts such as David Weir, Kenny Miller, Steven Davis and the prolific Kris Boyd have excelled and, ironically, Rangersââ?¬â?¢ greatest weakness ââ?¬â?? an inability to change their squad ââ?¬â?? looks to have become their most significant strength. As Smith acknowledged: "In many ways, a lack of new faces has helped us. Because there's not been much movement in or out of the club, there has been a stability that's benefited us.ââ?¬Â Even before the financial shackles were applied, Smith differed from Mowbray in purposely building his team around a core of admittedly ââ?¬Å?unflashyââ?¬Â Scottish players such as Weir, Miller and Lee McCulloch. The result has been a team that rarely dazzles, but is never lacking in determination, togetherness and team spirit. As Weir said today: "I know we're not the most pleasing on the eye at times, but it's all about winning - that's why we're here. We're not looking for credit or pats on the back. All we're interested in is winning." While Smith sent out a line-up containing eight Scottish internationals on Wednesday, Mowbray has opted for a more cosmopolitan approach, recently fielding a team that included ten different nationalities and not a single Scot. The former West Bromwich Albion manager is from the Arsene Wenger school of thought in this respect and, unlike Weir, shares Wenger's belief that football should be about more than the pursuit of points. As he said at his first-ever press conference as Celtic manager: ââ?¬Å?I need to be inspired and the supporters need inspiring. When I watch Spain, Barcelona and great technical teams and players, I try to recreate that where possible.ââ?¬Â These were ambitious words, and translating them into reality has proved easier said than done. Mowbrayââ?¬â?¢s Celtic have been plagued by defensive fragility from the outset, with injuries, inconsistency and changes in personnel ensuring that the Josh Thompson-Thomas Rogne partnership which finished Wednesdayââ?¬â?¢s win over Hearts was their eighth centre-half pairing of the season. Furthermore, Thompson and Rogne are 18 and 19 respectively. Compare that to Rangers, whose defensive solidity is based on the unmatched experience and unflappable composure of 39-year-old Weir. To the teenagersââ?¬â?¢ credit, both performed assuredly as Celtic succeeded in narrowing the gap with a morale-boosting win in which the team's outstanding player, Aiden McGeady, was back to his bewitching best. Inventive, skilful players such as McGeady, Keane, Kamara, Shaun Maloney and cult hero Paddy McCourt are at the heart of Mowbrayââ?¬â?¢s vision, while Smith will be pinning his hopes on solidity, unity and pragmatism providing the foundation for a successful title defence. Whichever philosophy prevails, this matching of contrasting styles, volatility against stability, and youth against experience promise to make this Old Firm title duel one of the most intriguing in years." http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1169203.html?cid=rssfeed&att=

The transfer window has come and gone and was a big disappointment for the Rangers fans and Management. The bhoys from the dark side used to taunt us as the Loan Rangers. It would seem we can�t even hit that standard anymore we have become the Who�s go�n Rangers It was over at the Torbet towers where they had a clear out though. Their whole defence was sent packing. No change there then most of the SPL has been sending them packing all season. They brought in the Dutch wonder, Jos Hooiveld. Hooiveld translated into English means Hay field. The Parkhead turf will suit him to a tee then. It is a great name for a Celtic player as the only cups he will have a chance of gathering will be buttercups. With all the Chinese Celtic have been signing, a Paddy field may have been a better option, that would really have been a winner with the fans. Rumours are going round that if Tony Mowbray doesn�t win any silverware at the end of the season, Ann Robinson will take over. She will be looking to find the weakest chink. The signing of the pitbull, Keano and the Great Dane, Rassa has got the tims in a frenzy. The only person not so happy with their signings, is big bammy Sammy the Greek geek as he will probably now become a .Deputy Dawg. Doctors at the Western Infirmary tried to cross Artur Boruc with Neil Lennon They produced a rolly polly holy goalie with a ginger minger. Demarcus Beasley�s car was blown up after he was reported to have had an affair with a gangster�s chick. A case of starting with a hotrod and ending with a firebird it would seem. Taxi!!!

Stolen from an irish football forum.... A (TRANSFER DEADLINE) DAY IN THE LIFE OF ROBERT DAVID KEANE (AGED 29) 12pm: Get up and eat hearty Irish breakfast. It's going to be another long transfer deadline day chez Keane. I've been a massive fan of transfer deadline day all my life, going back to when I was a kid growing up in Dublin. 12.45pm: Mmm, that was tasty. I've been a massive fan of rashers, eggs, sausages, baked beans, black pudding, soda bread and black tea all my life, going back to when I was a kid growing up in Dublin. 1.30pm: Knock on lid of sunbed and ask Claudine where designer washbag is. She says she'll pack it for me when she's finished topping up her tan. She's been a massive fan of UV rays, going back to when she was a kid growing up in Dublin. 1.35pm: Check tabloid websites to see which teams I'm being linked with. Ooh! Sunderland and the Queen's Celtic. I haven't played for either before, but like Wolves, Coventry, Inter, Dirty Leeds, Spurs and Liverpool, I've been a massive fan of both clubs all my life, going back to when I was kid growing up in Dublin. 1.50pm: Print off template of stock unveiling speech that's served me so well down the years: "It's absolutely fantastic, a real dream come true for me. I've been a [insert team name in here] fan all my life, going back to when I was a kid growing up in Dublin, and I always had a [insert team name in here] shirt on my back. So, to be here now as a [insert team name in here] player is incredible and I couldn't be happier ..." 2pm: Mr 10% hasn't called, so knock on lid of sunbed to ask Claudine what I should do next. She says to check to see if there's any reporters from Sky Sports News standing shivering outside the house. I've been a massive fan of Sky Sports News all my life, going back to when I was a kid growing up in Dublin. 2.05pm: Dash to window and look, but can't see any reporters from Sky Sports News. 4pm: Remember to open curtains and see inquisitive face of shivering, microphone-wielding eejit in Sky Sports puffa jacket staring back at me. I've been a massive fan of Andy Burton all my life, going back to when I was a kid growing up in Dublin. 4.30pm: Get call from Mr 10% - the Queen's Celtic have come in for me!!! That's great news. I've been a massive fan of the Queen's Celtic all my life, going back to when I was a kid growing up in Dublin. 4.35pm: Get on AA route-finder. 401.4 miles!?!?!? I can't get there by the deadline at 5pm. 5.40pm: Ring Mr 10% to explain predicament. Apparently the transfer window in Scotland doesn't close until midnight, so I've time to get a flight. A flight? I've been a massive fan of flying all my life, going back to when I was a kid growing up in Dublin. 5.45pm: Knock on lid of sunbed and tell Claudine we're moving to Glasgow. 5.50pm: Orange arm emerges from sunbed holding Armani washbag containing cheese sandwiches and a Lucozade bottle full of cold tea. I've been a massive fan of packed lunch all my life going back to when I was a kid growing up in Dublin. 5.55pm: Leave house, step over frozen corpse of microphone-wielding man in Sky Sports puffa jacket. Drive to airport, get on plane. 9pm: Appear before press at Queen's Celtic Park wearing green and white hoops, the colours of Queen's Celtic who I've been a massive fan of all my life, going back to when I was a kid growing up in Dublin. "It's absolutely unbelievable. I always wanted to play for the [Queen's] Celtic and it works out well for both parties." 9.05pm: Check fixture list. Next up it's Kilmarnock away. I've been a massive fan of Kilma � actually no, I've never heard of them.

Sean St Ledger has hit out at Preston's chairman for denying him a dream move to Celtic during the transfer window. More...

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2010/02/03/rangers-face-new-fears-over-future-as-walter-smith-is-ordered-to-slash-ibrox-wage-bill-further-86908-22015075/ WALTER Smith last night expressed fears for the future of Rangers as it emerged the club will be forced to offload more players this summer. Less than 24 hours after Robbie Keane became Celtic's eighth new arrival and the highest player in SPL history Record Sport can reveal Smith has been instructed to drastically slash the wage bill. Rangers raked in �£1million and reduced their operating costs by �£40,000 a week after the January departures of Pedro Mendes and Jerome Rothen. But, Smith will not be allowed to use the savings to make an enhanced contract offer to Kris Boyd, who has an �£18,000-a-week deal sitting on the table. Instead the Gers boss must attempt to plot the downfall of Celtic while trimming his threadbare squad even further. Smith, who saw a third transfer window pass without any purchases, is deeply concerned about the situation and feels it will only get worse until a new buyer is found for the club. He said: "It's a bold move by Celtic and in many way they should be congratulated for doing that. Robbie Keane is an imaginative signing and one that will be a good one for them. "From our own point of view we have known the situation for a long time. It's obviously in stark contrast to what happened at Celtic. The only thing that bothers me is this is a look into the future for Rangers Football Club and that's the way it seems to be. "Unless something is done that is something that will continue to happen on a regular basis." Smith admits Celtic have raised the bar with their January recruits, however, he is backing both himself and his players to meet the challenge. He said: "With what's happened at Celtic means the lads will get a full test between now and the end of the season. "It's a challenge they will look forward to. It's a challenge I look forward to as well. "Since I came here nobody could ask any more from the group of players I have here. "They have been brilliant in their whole attitude towards playing for the club. "Guys who are out of contract are still giving 100 per cent and I was interested to read Steven Smith's article the other day about not playing. "He typifies the attitude of a lot of players in that he gets fed up not playing but he comes into training every day and there is nobody more committed. "If I ask him to play he comes in and gives 100 per cent. "That is typical of the group we have and I can't speak highly enough of them."