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Last August, ArsÃ?¨ne Wenger cautioned against the typically British opinion that “In England, people think all problems can be sorted out by buying players”. Certainly, as Tony Mowbray and Celtic have discovered thus far, that is not always the case. As the third transfer window in succession closed without a new signing arriving at Ibrox the blue half of Glasgow cast envious glances across the city as the hordes of hooped horrors bared their behinds in our direction. The temporary signing of Robbie Keane, a man who has amassed Ã?£70million worth of transfer fees over his career, is undoubtedly a real coup for Celtic. A player of EPL pedigree should run amok in Scotland. But I’m not ready for jumping off the Kingston Bridge just yet. During the summer I wrote an article calling for calm amongst the support as stage one of the Mowbray revolution was underway. The point was made then, and is perhaps more appropriate now, that the reason for so much turnover at Celtic Park was due to their greater need. Walter Smith presided over a team of double winners whilst the new manager at Parkhead was tasked with rebuilding a team that could challenge for the title. The vast number of transfers in and out, in addition to a change of management, did not just demonstrate a financial strength currently unavailable to Smith. It was a clear indication of turmoil in the East End. First team stalwarts of previous seasons; Nakamura, Hesselink and Hartley were moved on as a number of fringe and youth players also exited Parkhead. 12 players left Celtic either permanently or on loan, with Darren O’Dea (now back at the club) among their number. At the same time 7 players were brought in, all to questionable success so far. Zaluska has rarely featured with Boruc number 1. Zheng Zhi had an Old Firm cameo that ended in defeat, whilst left-back Danny Fox has already returned to England. Young defender Josh Thompson has only featured due to a recent lack of viable alternatives whilst N’Guemo and more strikingly Fortune have yet to justify their fees. As I quoted in the summer article ArsÃ?¨ne Wenger is a firm believer that purchasing players is not the only way to develop and improve your team. Consistency of selection with a group of players who know and are willing to work for each other can be far more valuable than a high-profile transfer earning mega-bucks who could disrupt dressing room harmony. How will Keane’s team mates react to Celtic reportedly paying half of his Ã?£130,000 wages? The flurry of activity in this transfer window, like in the summer has further highlighted our lack of incoming business. During the summer, only Jerome Rothen arrived on loan whilst Barry Ferguson, Brahim Hemdani and Christian Dailly amongst the high profile departures. A large number of players left the squad, but the majority of the double winning squad were retained with the impact of those leaving questionable at best. I appealed for calm in the summer as just because Celtic were making a lot of moves, there was no guarantee of success. No one could judge how the signings would settle and it was not as if they were merely adding to an already strong unit. Only selling key players from the first team allowed to finance their summer spending spree, as has been the case this January. The effect of continuity is there for all to see. Despite a first team squad reduced to around 20-23 first team players, Walter Smith has led Rangers to a ten-point lead at the top of the SPL table. All this achieved despite a desperately unlucky run of injuries and suspensions. With Bougherra, Boyd, Miller, Edu, Beasley, Naismith, Mendes, Novo and Broadfoot all unavailable at various points in the season (and most of our star performers missing in January) many predicted our title challenge to falter as we started the new year. Instead, we extended our advantage at the top. There was no doubt an element of luck in coping without so many key players, but it is also testament to the character and collective will of the players who performed in their absence. We are undoubtedly a better unit with the likes of Bougherra, Boyd and Miller in particular are available. But we have the players to keep picking up the points when the first team is down to the bare bones. It is highly unlikely that we will contest the rest of the season with the number of players unavailable that we suffered through January. Bougherra, should he not lose himself or his passport, will be back for this weekend’s match and if he has aspirations to return to the EPL should relish the challenge of Robbie Keane when that arrives. Kenny Miller seems to have aggravated a long standing injury and may miss a few more games but should hopefully be available for the tougher upcoming fixtures. Kris Boyd should be playing bounce games next week ahead of a first team return and will look to renew his partnership with his international team mate. So we may not have strengthened the squad with new bodies, but we will have a host of the key players from earlier this year to bolster the squad that battled valiantly in January. The loss of Mendes weakens the squad but due to injury his contribution to developing a ten-point lead was minor. There is every reason for positivity in the ability of those who remain in spite of his absence. If the squad turnover at Celtic in the summer was a sign of turmoil, their January spend has done nothing to dispel that view. Summer signing Fox had already returned to England whilst Darren O’Dea, packed off down South on loan, has returned and already taken the captain’s armband (if temporarily) with McManus going out on loan... Hardly the sign of a manager with a clear vision for the future of his club. A further 12 players left the club last month, most notably the captain McManus, his centre back partner Caldwell, Barry Robson and top scorer Scott McDonald. These players have been replaced by South Korean Ki, Jos Hooiveld, Rasmussen and 3 loan signings in Keane, Diomansy Kamara and defender Braafheid from Bayern. With Celtic’s preference for masking their transfer business with undisclosed fees and using the press to augment their signings values by increasing their wages across the duration of the transfer it would take a more financially astute poster (visit our forum for our two accounting experts' views) to assess the impact of their transfer dealings and hence gain insight to their real financial standing. However, with the fact that the big name players have come in on loan and the departures of their top scorer, captain and first XI players it appears their incoming transfers have only been possible by flogging half their squad. Suggestions of financial strength appear wide of the mark. Having lost the title last year and missed out on the financial bounty of the Champions League, Celtic cannot afford to miss out again. Having fallen ten points behind after their match with Kilmarnock last night they have taken an enormous gamble by throwing money at expensive imports in an attempt to wrestle the title from our grasp. Should they fail their financial problems should become more apparent. The rumour that Dermot Desmond has put up the money to cover the cost of Robbie Keane’s expensive loan stay further supports this theory. As does Redknapp’s insistence on Sky Sports News that it is only a temporary move. Essentially, Celtic have not spent much money this transfer window to flex their financial muscle over Rangers. Mowbray has wheeled and dealed better than Del Boy Trotter, or even dodgy ‘Arry to manoeuvre his club into a position to attract big name players from down south. The suggestions out with Parkhead suggest falling attendances were a further motivating factor. Whilst bringing in EPL class strikers is most surely going to strengthen your squad, selling your top scorer, your captain, your first choice centre backs and your most effective combative midfielder does not. Celtic are not going from strength to strength. They are trying to resurrect the phoenix from the ashes of the last 18 months. By contrast, whilst we do not have the funds to bring in EPL squad players, we do not have to sell Boyd, Bougherra and Davis to try and turn round a misfiring squad. It is distinctly unlikely we will suffer the injuries and unavailability of player that we have over the first half (or so) of the season. A full strength Rangers in December was a ravenous beast - chewing up and spitting out the best the SPL had to offer out with the Old Firm. When our player of the year candidates return there is every reason to expect we will be strong enough to maintain our title advantage and secure a second consecutive title. The lack of continuity at Celtic is an unknown quantity that could backfire for Mowbray as he tries to rebuild a squad in January and the sensible money will be on Rangers retaining the SPL championship.

Anyone got any info on their finances after the wheeling and dealing, despite the media slant I have a suspicion they were net sellers and have used that to fund Keane's wages.

If ra Bhoy in Corduroy is of a mind to replicate his tome on PLG' short tenure, then may I suggest he turns his attention to Tony Mopery. When Tony ra Tiger arrived last summer, the newspapers rushed to underline his Sellik-Minded credentials be trumpeting Tony's bringing the pre-kick-off ritual, the Huddle to ra Stydome. Much has been written and broadcast by the on-message usual suspects about what is actually said in the green'n'grey hooped ring. I can exclusively reveal that each game, the skipper reads two names from the on going rota. One is nominated as a recipient of Spiers cheese blowing services, the other has to administer a simultaneous fisting to the corduroy clad clown. Tony has served to lead, stridently taking the huddled masses towards the vision provided(by GCC) at the bottom of ra Gallowgate. The Yahoos want to travel this road towards the salvation on offer at the PlasTIC Paddy Theme Park, a dozen licenced premises flying republican tricolours, a Sinn Fein shoap, and a bespoke retailer called, 'Timland'. Among the gaudy coloured accoutrement which hail hails the very epitome of, 'pure Sellik by ra way an'at kno', they find their greatest comfort. A muddle of local council provision to satisfy ra Sellik sensitivity. Last night's problem at Rugby Park was that there were only three Irishmen in the team, and a further two on the bench. Have no fear, Tony is determined to ensure his team will be a bold F-e-n-ian centre piece for the Timland window. Spiers' book, 'from Huddle to Muddle' would be a comfortable support in the same window. I can see the dust cover picture, the F-e-nian Baptist's reflection in said expanse of glass. Go for it Graham, you know you want to.

Well that was the end of the transfer window. It is funny how they call it the transfer window when so many Celtic players were shown the door. All of a sudden the Celtic supporters are having a whale of a time. Big Mowby Dick has caught them hook line and sinker. Just two day�s ago they were all at sea, Floundering in second place 10 points behind the Rangers. Big Sinbad was Sobad they wanted him to walk the plank. All of a sudden big Mowby Dick has become a fisher of Men. All the pieces have fallen into Plaice in one quick cast. The great white Shark in Robbie Keane, has been reeled in. This deadly predator that has failed on the Mersey and on the Thames is going to find easy prey, in the SPL gold fish bowl. The big fish who has not been that great at finding the net in other waters. The Celtic shoals are already singing we�ve won the league. Well I suppose with 20.000 leagues under the sea they may win one. The problem is, these mighty fish sometimes turn out to be a red herring and you get a haddock that starts to smell after a few weeks. I am sure even the fish sized brains of the Green and grey Guppy�s will remember Thomas Graveson and Bobo Balde. The old C-dogs certainly took the bait there. They got more like Cod�s Roe than nine in a row with them. So what if King Nep-tuna does not find Atlantis but sinks like the Poseidon? What if this great white shark, turns out to be a damp squid? Well I suppose Sharky will be thrown back to terrorise in the murky waters of the EPL reserve league. The Parkhead piranhas will be going on a feeding frenzy on big Mowby, as he is mussled out the door. Come May, Walter Smith and his mighty minnows will be Perched at the top of the SPL, and go on to feed on the not so rich Parkhead plankton for years to come. Oh to see the green and grey guppy�s Clam up as they will be totally gutted as their team are skinned. Whale. Whale.

The morning after the night before then and am I the only one who feels somewhat hungover despite not even having the benefit of a few beers? As always, like most football fans, the excitement of the last day of the transfer window means alcohol isn't even needed to feel inebriated as the rumours, counter rumours and subsequent arguments rage. Who needs a pub when you have hundreds of people on a forum arguing the toss about who is coming and who isn't while Sky Sports News conducts this bizarre symphony? Then finally, when the window creaks shut and the realisation your greatest rivals have strengthened while we've signed no-one the online equivalent of a hangover kicks in. So, do we reach for the tonic of a positive spin on the situation or, as is often easier, do we take our minds of the bad feeling by feeling sorry for ourselves? Is your glass half-full or half-empty? Allow me to help you decide! First off, let's look at the downside of the last few days. Celtic now have a better team than before January. There, I've said it and anyone who suggests otherwise is simply being churlish while hiding from the truth of the matter. Any team who buys seven new first team players to replace seven players who were hardly setting the heather alight in Scotland, is likely to improve. Add in the fact these players are internationalists and a few of them respected professionals from leagues betters than the SPL, then I wouldn't blame any Rangers supporter for being somewhat worried. The addition of Robbie Keane is also fascinating and while his recent form in England has hardly been worthy of his inflated fee/wage; his overall playing and goalscoring threat means Celtic will be confident of scoring the goals to win any match. To sum up, these signings will reinvigorate the fans and players at Parkhead so the likelihood of Celtic dropping as many points in the closing stages of the season as they did in the first half, is low. As such, their chances of winning the league have increased - to deny this would be foolhardy. Conversely, we've lost a key player, have allowed several fringe players to leave on loan and our squad has not improved as a result. Therefore, it would be easy for our fans and players to lose confidence and question their own chances of success. Undoubtedly, we're now going to enter a crucial period of the season and the mental games of the last few days way well influence the physical battles ahead. All the more reason then to look at the positives. Firstly, we still have the same core of players who have given us a seven point cushion (in real terms). The loss of Pedro Mendes and Jerome Rothen is disappointing from a creative point of view but neither player contributed all that much to this season so far. Their injury and poor form meant other players stepped up and developed the lead we have at the top of the SPL. Indeed, despite injuries and constant changes of personnel in January, that lead was extended so our current squad has shown it is good enough and deep enough to cope with the very worst that luck and circumstance can throw at us. It is extremely unlikely we'll lose as many key players over the rest of the season as we did over the last 4-6 weeks. In that regard, it is important to outline that the advantage of having such a settled team of players who know each others styles should not be under-estimated. Not losing our key players such as McGregor, Bougherra, Davis, Miller and Boyd shouldn't be something to celebrate per se but it is a positive worth highlighting. These players will be as crucial as any at Celtic and all five are just as good (or better) then their immediate opponent in green. The same goes for the rest of our squad - all of whom have now been over the course of a championship battle before. Can we say the same about Celtic? Another reason to be constructive is that our financial situation is improving while Celtic are certainly taking a gamble on their own future. We've managed to remove the burden of the wages of two of our highest paid players and bring in a decent fee which should decrease our debt further and allow some flexibility for those nearing the end of their contracts. The situation of Kris Boyd is somewhat different to that of Nacho Novo, Kirk Broadfoot, John Fleck and Danny Wilson but all five players can now surely be dealt with suitably to ensure we continue the settled theme into next season and beyond. Meanwhile, Celtic - who did have a healthy balance sheet - have now spent millions of pounds to risk their financial future on winning the SPL. Sure, they've improved their chances, but those of their fans suggesting the title is now theirs because of a few signings mid-way through a season are being premature. Certainly if they don't catch Rangers and win the title the loan players that arrived yesterday will find their stay in Glasgow a short one. And they won't be replaced next season. Add in two seasons without the Champions' League Group Tage pot of gold, then they only rainbow they'll see is a red, white and blue one as the rain falls on their parade. Of course, we're now looking into a future none of us know the content of. To that end, some say fate can't be avoided and that may be true. I say different though as we can all influence our own future. Yesterday, saw Celtic attempt to instigate a positive change on theirs and I doubt anyone will argue that their chances of success have improved. Unfortunately, our club didn't do the same so it is difficult to disagree when some suggest our chances have weakened. However, I do disagree. We are still in front and we still have a fine group of players capable of delivering the championship to Ibrox for the 53rd time. For that reason, don't let the negatives dictate your thoughts over the coming days, weeks and months. Yes, be frustrated but channel that frustration in a positive manner by supporting the players and management team as we always do - loyally, in good voice and welcoming the chase. I'd like to raise a glass then - a half-full one - to the 53rd! Aye! :spl:

It's a funny old world, there you are hoping and praying at the start of the transfer window that by midnight tonight we would still have a squad to finish the season , would MacGregor be gone , Boughie whisked away , Boyd given away , Davies sold to Birmingham , but all that happened was Mendes was sold much to his own agreement if we believe what Wattie says and that we could cope but that if possible we would try and get some players in . Meanwhile across the city big Mowbary is hoovering up player after player like there is no tomorrow but where will they all play , what formation will the big heid set them out in , and will they all knit together , given that we only have 15 games left , remember we had Bellamy going to celtic and they didn't win the league , I could be wrong but I forsee a major fall coming , as this is one huge gamble given the signing on fee's and loan fees they will have had to pay out , though I accept they brought decent money in for macDonald etc , an interesting few weeks ahead .

All though the transfer window has been and gone and we never brought anyone in? i believe the management team will sit down with the squad and throw down gauntlet to the players and tell them that they are good enough to retain the title! I believe the transfer activety over at the piggery has just turned in our favour as it will make us even more determined now and stronger to hold on to the title and with the rest of our injured players yet to return, december form may just be around the corner! yes im disappointed we didn't strengthen but who isnt, with just over 3 months and 15 games remaining of the season this is the time for players to stand up and be counted this could yet go tits up for mowbray and im hoping it does, we will not roll over as some of the mopes think we will nor will we be intimidated by some guy called KEANE, its 11 vs 11 and its our title to throw away! :box: Come after us! We Welcome The Chase!!! :spl:

Skysports.com understands Celtic are lining up a loan swoop for Fulham's Diomansy Kamara before the transfer window closes. More...

RANGERS have made a move to take Danish international Simon Poulsen on loan from AZ Alkmaar. SunSport can reveal Walter Smith has contacted AZ boss Dick Advocaat in a bid to sign the left winger, 25, until the end of the season. Poulsen is highly rated in the Dutch league, but he has been in and out of Advocaat's side this year. Smith hopes to get the go-ahead today from the ex-Ibrox boss. Gers also made a bold bid to take midfielder Martin Petrov on loan from Manchester City. But City boss Roberto Mancini has told the Ibrox club the Bulgarian is NOT available. West Brom ace Chris Brunt was also on Gers' radar, but the Championship outfit wanted a loan fee which scuppered any potential agreement. Gers look set to survive the transfer window without selling any of their key players, despite Sunderland's �£3.5million bid for Madjid Bougherra. Meanwhile, reports in Portugal claim Rangers will pay HALF of Pedro Mendes' salary for the next 18 months. Sources claim Sporting Lisbon only agreed to shell out the �£1million fee if Gers stumped up on the wages. Mendes said: "I'm glad we reached an agreement because we had a lot of conversations

Posting this in here since we're getting all this transfer gossip. Just wondering when exactly the transfer window closes for us because I'm not clear on whether it's midnight tonight or midnight tomorrow night. In England it closes at 5pm tomorrow evening, but for us it's different for some obscure reason unknown to mankind. The main BBC transfers page states the following - So does it close for Scottish clubs in 7.5 hrs time or 31.5 hrs time??

http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/2010/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=205:rangers-to-sign-emir-kujovi&catid=1:articles&Itemid=67 After selling Pedro Mendes to Sporting Lisbon and allowing fringe players Rory Loy and Andrew Shinnie to move on loan, manager Walter Smith has moved quickly to supplement his squad. Gersnet believes there will be at least one new player arriving over the weekend but don't be surprised if you see two new names! First in is 22 year old Swedish forward Emir Kujović who plays for Halmstads BK and the Swedish under 21 side. Emir's older brother Ajsel also plays for Halmstads but his contract won't be renewed. As soon as we hear about the second player, we'll update the site if and when a second transfer happens. UPDATE: This story was reposted on Newsnow for reasons beyond our control today (01/02/10) and none of the information we posted on Friday has changed. Since then Sky Sports, stv and BBC Scotland have reported on the story but it appears our earlier confidence about the young Swede arriving may have been misplaced. All eyes on SSN tonight then until the window closes at midnight!

Skysports.com understands Rangers are hoping to sign Bolton defender Danny Shittu. Shittu has been linked with a number of clubs during this month's transfer window with the big defender well down the pecking order at the Reebok Stadium. Turkish side Trabzonspor are thought to be trying to lure Shittu away from England, while some German clubs are also monitoring the Nigerian's situation. Rangers could now make a late bid to land the former Watford stopper as Walter Smith looks to bolster his squad before the transfer window slams shut on Monday. Smith has money to spend after offloading Pedro Mendes and Jerome Rothen and he is thought to be lining up a bid for Shittu to bolster his defence. Hope hes not bougies replacement

Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes has reiterated his desire to join Sporting in the January transfer window. More...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8488667.stm Rangers manager Walter Smith has criticised the club's decision to say that they did not need to sell during the January transfer window. Confirming that Sporting Lisbon's bid for Pedro Mendes had been accepted, he spoke frankly about the wisdom, or lack of it, of such an announcement. "I didn't think it was a good statement to make at the time," said Smith. "I don't think that statement should have been made when it was made because it gives the wrong impression." Earlier this season, Smith told BBC Scotland in a post-match radio interview that the bank (Lloyds) was running the club. Rangers and Lloyds Bank quickly issued statements denying that was the case, though there can be little doubt Smith knew the effect his comments would have. While Friday's utterances were not as powerful, they were nonetheless further evidence of a gulf between what might be termed the "football people" and the "financial people" within the club. Smith went on: "Football is more complicated than that. It's not a matter of needing to sell, at times it's the player's wishes as well. "If a player wants to go, that can happen. There are always going to be transfers and they are not all going to be financially-based decisions that are going to cause a player to leave the club." Though his mood was light-hearted, his frustration at how complex the financial situation is was apparent as he was asked if money would be available to spend in light of Mendes' proposed move. "I'll need to find that out as well. It used to be we could find out a lot quicker than we can now," he added. "I would hope a little bit of money would be freed up but we will wait and see. "I won't take anyone unless it's someone I really feel can come in and make a difference for us." Asked whether he had identified any targets, Smith replied: "It's not quite as simple as that because we had to get rid of a few before we could look so it's not really been possible to do that. "It's just one of those situations that we are in. We can now at least have a look and, if it doesn't come to anything, we just carry on in the situation that we're in."

It was another agreeable Carlsberg evening in the SPL; with Rangers winning away and Celtic losing at home to widen the gap at the top of the table to ten points. With Rangers topping the SPL form table (the last six games are taken into account) and Celtic languishing behind Hearts, Hibs, Dundee Utd and Aberdeen in sixth position; it is no wonder many bears are getting excited about our SPL chances. While we've not had our player availibility worries to seek of late, key defender Bougherra will be back soon enough and with Mendes, Edu, Naismith, Beasley and Kris Boyd also all back from injury over the next fortnight, that is six important players to have back in the squad as we approach the business end of the season. While injuries shouldn't be used as an excuse for poor performance is has to be acknowledged as a contributory factor to our inconsistent form when we lose our two main strikers and several creative players. Hopefully that should change now and we can get back to our splendid form of late 2009. Looking back for a moment then and the December and January months are always an important period in terms of a successful campaign. Fourteen games over both months including European/domestic cup matches and an Old Firm game all contribute to a time where it is vital to gain as many points as possible. Despite three away matches against the other teams alongside us in the top four, we were the dominant team in December and, despite a less impressive January, we've improved upon our lead. A win on Saturday should see us keep that 7 point gap (even Celtic will surely beat Killie) in place ahead of a cup week break. Of course there is the small matter of the closing transfer window over the next four or five days. It seemed we'd maybe lose Mendes in particular but with the manager saying movement is unlikely in any direction (out with the unused Rothen); I think most of us will be comfortable enough with that. Certainly keeping guys like Bougherra, Davis and Boyd here until the summer at least is vital if we're to retain the title. Beyond that, no-one knows what will happen but a 53rd title will help our financial position hugely and hinder those from the East End who have spent in the region of �£10million this season on various unproven players and a manager who looks as if he'd rather be anywhere than the ever emptier Parkhead. Another CL experience for our club may also induce key players to stay and it will definitely help attract new players. Obviously the takeover situation will be an important factor in all of this as well. However, that is all a long, long way off. Season 2007/2008 saw us throw away a similar cushion to that we have now (under very testing circumstances to be fair) and Celtic also did the same last season. Therefore, the Rangers players and fans should be well aware of how slender our lead actually is. With more difficult matches ahead including another Old Firm match in a month's time, we cannot underestimate the challenge ahead. The art of counting chickens in football is a common one but we cannot relax enough to partake this early in the season. Nonetheless we're in a good position, deserve to be there and have the best squad in the SPL as it stands. It is up to the players to continue to prove that and the fans to support them ahead of what is going to be another roller-coaster ride!

SMITH not anticipating any transfer activity at Gers this month More...

RANGERS fans are planning their most high-profile campaign yet against the Lloyds Group at Ibrox today. Influential supporters have contributed to the cost of 12 banners, each 20-feet high, as they demand clarification on the future of their troubled club. The banners will be distributed to key fan groups with a view to draping them from the Broomloan, Govan and Copland Road stands before the game with Hearts and again at half-time. Supporters are confident they will not fall foul of police as they turn up the heat on the banking group, tax-payer funded, who now have a significant say in the running of the cash-strapped club. It's believed at least one of the banners reads Lloyds - Heartless Bankers while another focuses on the role of director Donald Muir at the club, labelling him the enemy within. Muir has won a reputation as a turnaround expert but he is viewed with suspicion by many of the club fans who believe his role is primarily to slash debts without concern for the club's well being. Rangers' financial woes were given a lift yesterday when the club finally got shot of French flop Jerome Rothen - and avoided a �£300,000 bill for the wantaway winger. Rothen, 31, flew out to Turkey yesterday to pen a six-month loan deal with Ankaragucu after snubbing the advances of Greek sides Larissa and Kavala. Gers had been servicing half Rothen's �£36,000-a-week wages at French side PSG and would have been locked into the deal had he not been moved on during this transfer window. With PSG refusing to rip up their loan arrangement on Rothen, Rangers feared they'd have to keep him until June. At least we are getting rid of Rothen http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2010/01/23/rangers-fans-plan-bank-protest-at-hearts-clash-86908-21989054/

Rangers donââ?¬â?¢t want to lose one of their best finds in recent years and so far have refused to even put a valuation on the central defender. Wilson has only just turned 18. Earlier this season, when he was 17, he became the youngest Rangers player to appear in a competitive European match. Ibrox boss Walter Smith ââ?¬â?? Fergieââ?¬â?¢s former assistant at United ââ?¬â?? is confi dent Wilson is already capable of handling the pressure of big matches. And Rangers are now bracing themselves for a Premier League raid led by United. Sir Alex has also been alerted to Real Madridââ?¬â?¢s decision to make midfi elder Mahamadou Diarra available in the January transfer window. Diarra, 28, was linked with United when he was at Lyon. But any chance of a move to United or another top European club all hinges on Realââ?¬â?¢s valuation of the combative ball-winner. Diarraââ?¬â?¢s agent Frederic Guerra said his client was available. But he added: ââ?¬Å?For now, in January, it is possible but it will be very difficult. It depends how much money a club is willing to pay the player and how much Real want for the player." ââ?¬Å?His contract finishes in 2011, so he still has time to run.ââ?¬Â

CELTIC are flogging their 2010 calendar on the cheap - after a string of pin-up players quit the club. The glossy �£5 merchandise has been knocked down to just �£3 in the shops in the wake of a Parkhead player exodus. This month's sales of Gary Caldwell, Barry Robson, Willo Flood and Chris Killen mean it's ALREADY out of date - barely a fortnight into January. Even cover-guy Shaun Maloney isn't playing - because he's battling a long-term injury. CELTIC CALENDAR Injured ... Shaun Maloney is out Last night, Hoops season ticket holder Evelyn Hewitson, 57, told how she was left fuming after her son bought her the calendar for Christmas - at full price. The gran, from Ayr, joked: "I will just have to get my scissors out and remove the offending players. "But if I do, there might not be much of the calendar left." Defender Caldwell was sold to Premiership side Wigan during the week but Celtic fans will find it hard to forget him - because he's 'Mr April'. It will be near the end of the year before supporters can turn the page on midfielder Robson, a new signing for Middlesbrough. He's 'Mr October'. Team-mates Flood and Killen are also featured in the cut-price calendar despite their moves to Boro. And other members of boss Tony Mowbray's squad will hope that appearing on the calendar doesn't turn out to be a bad omen. Lee Naylor is 'Mr November' but he's already been linked with a return to England in the January transfer window. Swindon Town are also keen to take Celtic Under-21 star Paul Caddis on loan until the end of the season. And prized midfielder Aiden McGeady - 'Mr May' - was said to be the subject of an �£8million bid from Birmingham City. On top of that, 'Mr June' Scott Brown and front-cover team-mate Maloney have not played for weeks - and it could be February before they even return to training. One Celtic store employee was asked if the club was likely to lose any more faces from its calendar. And he said: "You never know... " But Celtic's calendar partners Grange Communications have covered their backs. A clause on the product states: "The publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions." Last night a spokesman for Celtic said: "We do not have any comment." # RANGERS have also produced their own 2010 calendar but all of the featured players are still at Ibrox.

WALTER Smith has warned of dire consequences for Rangers if they do not resist selling any players during the current transfer window and also retain the bulk of their squad whose contracts are due to expire in the summer. The frustration Smith has experienced for the last 18 months as the Ibrox club grapple with their financial problems resurfaced yesterday as he responded to speculation linking Pedro Mendes with a move to Sporting Lisbon. Rangers, who have not been able to buy a new player since August 2008, remain under pressure from the Lloyds Banking Group to restructure their finances and reduce their �£31 million debt. But manager Smith is adamant Rangers cannot afford any further cuts to the first-team squad for the second half of a season which currently sees them seven points clear of Celtic at the top of the SPL and still involved in both domestic cup competitions. While top scorer Kris Boyd has now been offered a new contract, Smith is keen to see the future of other players tied up. Among those whose existing deals also run out at the end of the season are Kirk Broadfoot, Nacho Novo, DaMarcus Beasley and Stevie Smith. "If we don't start to offer some of them the opportunity to stay with the club, then we will cease to operate, never mind anything else," said Smith. "We have been in negotiations with a few others as well as Kris. We have started talking to Kirk Broadfoot and Nacho Novo. It is something that has to happen." With his resources further limited by injuries and unavailability, Smith was forced to fill out his substitutes' bench with four youngsters in Andrew Little, John Fleck, Gregg Wylde and Jamie Ness. He regards it as a clear indication of why Rangers should not be looking to offload senior players such as Mendes. "Who says we are going to get rid of Pedro?" added Smith. "I've not heard anything about getting rid of Pedro, apart from what I read in newspapers. Last week, we only had two senior professionals in Maurice Edu and Stevie Smith on the bench at Celtic Park. We will only have a couple available to us again this weekend. With suspensions set to kick in for the second half of the season, we will need all of our players between now and the end of the season." Smith is still waiting to learn if Boyd will accept the club's offer of a new three-year contract reported to be worth around �£18,000 a week. "His agent spoke with (chief executive) Martin Bain yesterday and he has gone off to think over the offer being made," said Smith. "We've still not heard anything back." One player Smith would be prepared to lose is French winger Jerome Rothen, 31, who has failed to make the desired impact during his season-long loan from Paris St Germain. He is no longer in the manager's first team plans and hopes to return home this month. Rangers begin their defence of the Active Nation Scottish Cup tomorrow and Smith is able to welcome Kenny Miller and Kevin Thomson back from suspension and injury respectively for the lunchtime kick-off against Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park. http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Walter-Smith--warns-.5968866.jp

http://www.imscouting.com/global-news-article/Sporting-Lisbon-agree-15m-deal-for-Rangers-midfielder-Pedro-Mendes/4733/ Usual media rumour from an unusual source: http://www.imscouting.com/about-us/ I'd guess we'll be tempted at such a fee for an aging player perhaps unlikely to play all that often when everyone is fully fit.

One minute they want to buy the club or consider multiple x 17 options, now they are talking of boycotts.... "A wise man speaks because he has something to say; a fool because he has to say something". Edgar has obviously learnt nothing from past mistakes. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2010/01/06/exclusive-rangers-fans-threaten-season-ticket-boycott-if-kris-boyd-is-sold-in-transfer-window-86908-21945798/

Bosnia international Semir Stilic claims Celtic are keen on signing him in this month's transfer window. More...

Any big name moves yet? I've hardly had the TV on since New Years Eve.

MADJID BOUGHERRA collected the Algerian player of the year award last night ... then repeated his intention to see out the rest of the season at the Ibrox club, writes Thomas Jordan. The Rangers defender has been linked with a return to the Premiership during the January transfer window, but said he is ââ?¬Å?200 per centââ?¬Â committed to trying to help Rangers defend their SPL title this season. He said: ââ?¬Å?The Premier League is my objective. In terms of motivation and desire, I think I have the qualities to play there. ââ?¬Å?With which club, I donââ?¬â?¢t know. However, I feel I have the potential because I have already played there. ââ?¬Å?Now, if I leave Rangers, it would have to be to a club with ambitions. I have learned how to win trophies and titles and I want more. ââ?¬Å?I donââ?¬â?¢t think I could play for a club that has nothing to play for. It is clear that Iââ?¬â?¢ll finish the season. We will see what the future holds. But Iââ?¬â?¢m 200 per cent staying with Rangers for now.ââ?¬Â