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HE'S the little Spaniard with the big heart. But Nacho Novo's heart will shatter into a thousand tiny pieces the day he's forced to walk out of Ibrox for the final time. Novo knows the clock's ticking on his Rangers career. Out of favour and out of contract in the summer, the fans' hero may have to look elsewhere for first-team football. It's a chilling thought which sends a shiver down his spine - a fear he hoped he'd never have to face. Speaking at the launch of his DVD yesterday, Novo admitted: "You always have it in the back of your mind to go back to Spain at some point. "I was born there and there will always be a connection as I have a lot of family there. "People talk very well about me in Spain and they know me because of the platform Rangers have given me. "The day will eventually come when I need to leave Rangers and that will be really hard. "It's hard to say if I will play in Spain before I finish my career although I'm 30 now and only have a few years left." Novo could yet be offered a new deal by Gers. The Spaniard is one of three players chief executive Martin Bain is keen to talk to in the coming weeks. But the 'supersub' tag hangs heavy around his neck. He knows he only has a few more years left at the top before the sun sets on a career that's taken him from his homeland to Kirkcaldy, Dundee and Glasgow. Novo insisted: "I don't know what will happen in the future. "I'm just happy to be here and doing something for the fans who have been behind me 100 per cent. "The club will deal with my agent, but I just want to focus on playing now. If it happens, it happens. "Everybody knows I love this club - it has been like a family to me. "I've enjoyed every training session and every game I've played since coming to Rangers. "It would be better if everything was sorted out, but there is still a long way to go." It's almost ten years since Novo landed on these shores. Signed by Raith Rovers in the summer of 2000 he has gone on to carve a great career at Ibrox. Advertisement He revealed: "I have a lot friends in this country and I've been here so long I now start to think in English rather than in Spanish. "I love Scotland and I have loved my time with Raith, Dundee and now Rangers. "There are some unpleasant aspects, but that can happen in football. You expect that. "I think the Scots are nice people. "The climate does not bother me either because I'm from Galicia in northern Spain and the weather is similar. "They say the toughest Spaniards always come from the north." If this is to be Novo's last season at Gers, he's determined to sign off with another SPL title. Europe has gone and Novo insists it's time for Walter Smith's men to regroup starting with the visit of St Johnstone today. He insisted: "We need to think about winning the SPL now. "This is an important month with a lot of hard games. "At the moment Kris Boyd is on fire and we are playing well. "We need to do the same things as last year if we want to win the title again. "We've so many tough games in December, but I honestly think we can win them all. "Everybody should be hungry to win the league again and I'm positive about our chances. "You need to have players who are all desperate to win in your team. "If you don't have that kind of mentality you won't succeed, but I'm confident we have that here. "We have a lot of good players and we have come back well after disappointing results in Europe." Meanwhile, Gers boss Smith has confirmed he will make no new signings in January. He said: "The only way we will be able to sign a player is if we sell one, otherwise we won't. "There is no leeway for that in the transfer window, that's quite categorical. "We don't need to sell a player in this transfer window - but neither will we be bringing anyone in. "The challenge now of winning the league is more straightforward when you lose out on European football. "Of course, it would be normal for a team to stagnate if they go through three transfer windows without bringing a new player in. "But this year is better than last in the sense we haven't been told we need to lose a player." http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2768916/I-fear-the-end.html

Could Rangers make it work, or is it all just window dressing. END OF MY FOOTBALL CLUB DREAM ââ?¬â?? 2/12/09 Just 18 months after buying Ebbsfleet for Ã?£635,000, the MyFootballClub dream is dead. Members have voted overwhelmingly to scrap the team selector which was never used. They voted to buy the operating system from founder Will Brooks for Ã?£15,000. He previously took 21 per cent of membership fees to cover the cost of running the site. Ebbsfleet is now effectively a fans' club. At renewals day in February, 21,000 members disappeared. Cashflow went through the floor and the manager was forced to release all but three of his squad. With a playing budget of just over Ã?£6,000 a week, the Conference side now look likely candidates for relegation. The club are facing annual losses of Ã?£250,000, and they need at least 2,500 of their 9,000 current members to stump up a membership fee increased by 65 per cent to Ã?£100.

Part 1 CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS "I want to thank you for participating in the formal agenda of the AGM, and we now move onto the segment of our meeting which does not deal with the specific governance of the club as dictated by the regulatory authorities. I am going to ask you for your forbearance as I break with recent precedent in that prior to the traditional question and answer session, I would like to take this opportunity to present my inaugural chairman's address to the shareholders of Rangers Football Club. As I have now held this position for just over three months, I feel it is appropriate for me to give you some direct insight into some of the strategic issues in which your Board has been engaged during this time. In so doing, I will focus on matters that I believe will be of particular relevance to you, many of which have been the subject of media interest and speculation. After my presentation, Martin Bain will follow me to the podium to address several pertinent issues of topical importance to the Rangers constituency and outline our activities and views on these subjects. I have no intention of reciting information that you already have available to you included in the annual report that you would have received several weeks ago. If, of course, you have any questions arising from the information contained therein, you can address your questions to the Board during the traditional question and answer session that will follow. At the outset, I believe it is beholden on me to relate to you activities with which the Board has been engaged that deal specifically with the relationship between Rangers Football Club and the Murray Group and, by extension, Lloyds Bank. As you all know, Sir David Murray stepped down as Chairman of the Club in August. One of the primary reasons that precipitated his decision was to focus more of his executive skills on the Murray Group of companies which he has built up so successfully over the last 30 years. The depression that the world economy has experienced over the last 18 months or so was particularly onerous on several of the mainstays of the Murray Group's business, i.e. steel and property. While this would not ordinarily have had a direct impact on Rangers Football Club, because of the business model that had been pursued since David assumed ownership he had taken it upon himself on behalf of his holding company to underpin the working capital of the Club's operations and ambitions. As most of you know, the Club's debt several years ago exceeded �£70 million and this was only reduced to a more manageable level by the Murray Group essentially underwriting and taking up a rights issue to fund a significant repayment, i.e. David Murray, to his everlasting credit, took the responsibility of salvaging any potential financial exposure that his oversight of the trading activity may have precipitated. Given the aforementioned economic circumstances about a year ago, David's well-intentioned, personal ambitions for the Club came into conflict with the business exigencies of his company. Given these extenuating circumstances and following on from the takeover of HBOS by Lloyds Bank, there was a particular focus on the credit facilities historically provided by HBOS. However, the specific debt to Rangers Football Club had been structured as a non-recourse credit facility which meant that the bank had to rely solely on the Club both as security for its debt and to pay the interest costs as well as fulfil the repayment terms. I was aware of these circumstances having had intensive discussions with the Bank prior to me accepting the invitation to become Chairman, but I made it clear that I would act entirely with the best interests of Rangers Football Club in mind and obviously not have the same empathy towards the Club's patron, i.e. the Murray Group. My agenda was to lead a Rangers Board that became increasingly independent of the Murray Group, which of course still owns the vast majority of the equity in the Club. However, I felt that maintaining both the tangible and intrinsic value of Rangers by performance and image would serve the best interests of all parties with a vested financial interest in the Club's business. This was not an easy thing to do given the fact that Rangers Football Club, as I have said on several occasions, is not a business that is run by the Bank, but to the extent we rely on it for external financing, Lloyds is naturally a party to approval of the business plan which its credit facility fuels. This did not stop us addressing some very thorny issues. For example, we agreed to discontinue all reimbursements to Murray Group for management services. Also, the Rangers Board denied Murray's request to increase its slate of Directors on this Board to four nominees as opposed to the two that heretofore had been in place. Therefore pursuant to David himself and Donald Wilson resigning from the Board, we voted the two replacement Murray nominees, Mike McGill and Donald Muir, on as new Directors. While the selection of Donald Muir may have been somewhat controversial, given the fact that he had been an active liaison between Murray Group and Lloyds Bank with respect to other elements of the conglomerates business, it was not out of context that he became a designated non-executive Director of Rangers. As we moved forward, I was of the opinion that the Rangers Board should be active participants in any process that involves the sale of the controlling interest in the Club by the majority shareholder. An independent view of how any transaction would impact the Club's operation and performance was vital, given the Chairman and Directors' obligations to act in the best ongoing interests of this institution. When I undertook my own due diligence with respect to the challenges that we would have in managing our relationship with the bank, the most immediate issue that we had to confront was renewing our committed credit facilities to give the Club the financial wherewithal to continue to operate its business. In turn this allowed our auditors to confirm the company as a going concern in their report. Any form of qualification in this regard would have caused us to be in breach of UEFA regulations which would have extinguished any European ambitions that we all have for the Club. The process of reaching a resolution with respect to the extension of the bank's credit facility involved the merging of two distinctly different business plans, one promoted by Murray and acceptable to Lloyds Bank and the other prepared by the Rangers Board and senior management team. As every businessman would know in dealing with banks, one has to present a "sustainable business plan" but the devil in this regard is the view one takes on the ambitions of the Club as compared to the objectives of the bank in protecting its credit exposure. As you would suspect, there was rigorous debate that ensued as to the ingredients that would be incorporated into the financial plan on which, given the circumstances, we all eventually agreed. For example, the Board requested tolerance for payments that we still owed on players that we acquired one or two years ago, which amounted to about �£9 million at the end of June 2009. There was no flexibility on that issue although we have indeed paid off �£7 million against that debt in the last five months. On the other hand, the bank agreed to make no demand, despite media speculation to the contrary, for Rangers to manage its business plan to allow for any expedited repayment of the Club's debt. In fact, as set out in our financial statements at June 30 the bank has agreed that the Club's only obligation is to operate within a credit facility that reduces by �£1 million per year. Any business plan no matter what the motivation for the integral provisions must make assumptions about the performance of the Club. We eventually reached a consensus on the fact that any quick requirement to pay off debt could cause the Club's value to collapse, and we needed a much more programmed outlook. There was no way we could continue to expect the continued commitment of our supporters if there was any sense that they were expending their hard earned money by following Rangers merely to pay back the bank. As far as the bulk of the Rangers support is concerned, the relevant news is that the plan does not oblige us to sell any players in the January window and that if any players do depart, it will be at the volition of the Rangers executive and management team. If the Rangers management team believes that we can beneficially trade players in January, we will have the freedom to do so provided we meet the constraints of the plan that we have agreed to adopt. On the other hand, our trading flexibility in the summer of 2010 will depend on SPL performance, European qualification, etc., through the end of this season. In summary, we reached an agreement with the bank that extends through the end of 2010 with facilities at the same margin and at no additional cost and which allowed the auditors to provide a clean opinion on our financial statements.

HE lifted his shirt and showed off his torso. But what was hidden deep inside was that Kris Boyd's stomach was churning. The Rangers No 9 had just netted against Falkirk to notch yet another remarkable career landmark - 150 goals in the SPL. But the magnificent feeling of personal achievement was quickly swept aside... by FEAR. Boyd is at the club of his dreams, but with January looming large the living nightmare for him is now fast approaching. Rangers did their best to sell their prized asset 12 months ago and the hitman is wary that the same thing could happen again. Which is why the country's most prolific striker can't help celebrate every Gers goal without thinking it could be his LAST. Boyd, who went on to make it 151 against Bairns, said: "I don't think I can look too far ahead at this precise moment. "Right now I'm proud to pull on that jersey and run out for Rangers. It means everything to me. "But looking ahead long-term is something I simply can't do. "I do wonder whenever I score if that'll be my last Rangers goal. "I hope it's not the case and I believe I have plenty more Rangers goals in me. But that's the reality. "The January transfer window is fast approaching. I aim to add to my tally but I take every game one at a time these days. The club tried to sell me once, so who is to say it won't happen again? "You never know what's around the corner. It's the same for everyone at the club. From the manager down, nobody knows what's happening behind the scenes. "It's actually something which makes me really appreciate getting to 150 league goals in the SPL. It's a good achievement for me." Boyd shrugs off defenders easily, but his critics are harder to get rid of. Despite those 151 SPL goals, he still divides opinion like few other players in the country. The accusation is that he can't hack it against bigger and better teams at home and in Europe. The missed chance against Stuttgart in the last Champions League defeat gave them ammunition. But Boyd added: "To be brutally honest I feel I was written off even before I was given a chance. "Everyone seemed to have an opinion about me. It's like when people say I can't perform in the big games. Why can't I? Advertisement "Sure, I've missed chances when we've played in Europe and against Celtic, but for me that proves nothing. "If I was walking off these games without getting those chances, I'd be worried. "But it's basically been bad finishing that's stopped the goals coming in the bigger games. I know I can score goals at any level, it's not a problem for me. "Stuttgart, Seville, Celtic - I've had chances against them all. Going right back to the beginning, I missed one against Villarreal. "I might have missed when it's mattered, but I can handle that. Getting the opportunities proves to me I can handle it at that level. "On another night I could have scored twice against Stuttgart. I just don't think of the missed chances, I think of the chances I get on the end of." There is no doubt Boyd has improved his all-round game in recent months. His hold-up play is ten times better, with the striker now not just satisfied when he's scoring goals. He added: "Since I've come here my scoring record has been good. I've had my ups and downs like everyone else, but I feel that I've started to find some decent form. "I'm enjoying my football and really feel as though I'm helping the team out a lot more. "I believe I've grown up a lot in the last few months. "Maybe there was a time when I felt goals were enough, but that's not the way it is. The most important thing is the team winning and being a team player. "Maybe completing my coaching badges helped me in that regard. "Maybe I've got away with it in the past because I've scored the amount of goals I have - but I really don't think some of the criticism has been fair. "The way football is in this country there are so many people out there with an opinion looking to make a name for themselves. "When it comes from ex-players it's disappointing. "One person says I can't play up front on my own, for instance, and then another person jumps on that. All of a sudden it's public opinion. "That's the way Scotland is these days. People write you off before you're given a proper chance. "The fact is I've never doubted I could handle playing at the highest level - it was just about working harder to show that." Boyd's 17th minute strike against Falkirk, his 150th in the SPL, seems a long time since he netted his first for Kilmarnock back in November 2001 against Motherwell. He added: "Getting that first goal was a big thing for me. "I'm sure Alan Mahood played a ball down the line and someone cut it back for me to score. "There is nothing better than walking off the park having helped the team win by scoring a goal or two. "It's no different from the way the fans feel. Whenever I score at Ibrox I look up and know I've made 50,000 feel happy. That's a great thing to be able to do." Now Boyd's next target is Henrik Larsson's record 158 SPL goals. He added: "I want to be the top goalscorer in the SPL. I want to beat Larsson's record. "He was a tremendous player, a talent everyone admired. There's no doubt he was one of the greatest ever to play in Scotland. "If I could beat his tally, it'd be something special for me." http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2760431/I-fear-every-goal-I-score-will-be-my-last.html

Madjid Bougherra has insisted that he is not looking to leave Rangers during the January transfer window. More...

By Graeme Bryce, 15/11/2009 SPURS boss Harry Redknapp is set to make a cheeky bid to land Rangers No 1 Allan McGregor ON LOAN. Redknapp needs a goalie urgently after back-up keeper Carlo Cudicini suffered career-threatening injuries in a motorbikre crash. Now he will bid to take Greggsy until the end of the season - then make the deal permanent in June if the Scot impresses at White Hart Lane. The Spurs boss is a long-time admirer of McGregor and tried to sign him two seasons ago. Now he believes he may be able to tempt Rangers to part with the 27-year-old until the end of the season, at least, to help ease their financial burden. Rangers could save around �£400,000 in wages by agreeing to let McGregor head south and Spurs would take that beyond �£1million by agreeing a �£600,000 'rental' fee to land the keeper. That would show Gers' bankers the club are serious about bringing down their current level of spending. It would also be a chance for them to put McGregor in the shop window in the Premiership. If the former Scotland goalie gets a chance to step in for Spurs and impresses it is likely to lead to a permanent deal. It may also tempt other Premiership clubs to come up with the �£4m Rangers would jump at in the summer, given their current �£31m debt. Gers boss Walter Smith would be reluctant to lose McGregor, who is in superb form at the moment, but knows he has a more than capable deputy in Neil Alexander. http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/scottish/scottish_sport/599176/Harry-Redknapp-is-after-a-loan-deal-for-Ibrox-No1-Allan-McGregor.html

SPURS are ready to launch a �£2million bid to land Rangers wonderkid Danny Wilson. White Hart Lane boss Harry Redknapp is a massive fan of the 17-year-old def-ender and has been closely monitoring his progress. SunSport revealed in January how the Ibrox club booted out a last-minute bid for the rookie before the transfer window slammed shut. Wilson hadn't even made his debut for Walter Smith's side when Redknapp made the approach. Now the Spurs boss is set to return and will test the resolve of cash-strapped Gers with a fresh offer when the window reopens. Wilson has already made Scottish football sit up and take notice, despite featuring in just THREE games this season. He has been outstanding in them all, especially the 1-1 Champions League draw in Unirea. Gers boss Smith has compared the starlet to ex-Dundee United and Scotland hero David Narey. Despite a �£32m debt hanging round their necks, Rangers kicked Spurs' January offer into touch claiming they didn't have to sell to balance the books. But after posting losses of �£12.7m the SPL champs could be pressured into flogging Wilson. Redknapp also knows he can do business with Gers, after landing Alan Hutton in a �£9m deal two years ago. http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2729926/Spurs-eye-up-Danny.html

Dear Walter, Can you please sanction the sale of Kenny Miller, Lee McCulloch & Kyle Lafferty if any reasonable offers come in for them in the January transfer window? I understand that it's yourself who has brought these players to Ibrox, but to put it bluntly, they're not good enough. We obviously all have differing opinions on these players, but all 3 of them are rubbish & should be sold to the highest bidder in the transfer window to bring down our debt & wage bill. There is a level of player which is expected here within the means of the transfer budget & the wage bill. None of these players are good enough to fit into that structure. They are not 'bad' players as such, but they are not good players either. We all want the best for the club & I believe it would be best if you sanctioned the sale of these players & used some of the money to bring in one really good player. There are good players out there. Yours Sincerely, Zappa :fish:

Rangers in safe hands - Johnston There's a 16 minute audio interview with him as well - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8356754.stm

JOINT PRESS RELEASE RANGERS FANS UNITE FOR CHANGE AND PROGRESS The Rangers Supporters Assembly, Rangers Worldwide Alliance, Rangers Supporters' Trust and Rangers Supporters Association united today to urge Rangers fans around the world to consider playing their part in changing the ownership of the club. The organisations are considering the options open to fans to invest in the club on a massive scale and on an accountable basis. We are considering various options for this - whether on our own or in partnership with others. We intend that the future of the club will never again be reliant on the goodwill of a bank or any individual. One option we are currently discussing with advisors is the changes necessary to turn the Trust�s Gersave scheme into a suitable vehicle for the gathering in of funds. However, any form of investment will only take place on the basis of the suitability of the terms gained in negotiations. Rangers as a club cannot continue in the current state of limbo with the threat of being run by the Lloyds Banking Group. To move things on before the January transfer window we are formally inviting any potential credible investors to discuss their plans for the club with us. Rangers fans are by far the biggest financial investors in the club. We are determined that the club will continue to flourish and never again will it run the risk of falling into the hands of a bank. We call on fans to be patient but to unite behind sensible proposals we hope to recommend to them over the coming months. John McMillan - General Secretary, Rangers Supporters Association Andy Kerr - President, Rangers Supporters Assembly & Rangers Worldwide Alliance Stephen Smith - Chairman, Rangers Supporters Trust http://www.thebluenose.co.uk/rangers-fans-unite-for-change-and-progress/ --------- copied from FF.........

http://www.thebluenose.co.uk/rangers-fans-unite-for-change-and-progress/ JOINT PRESS RELEASE RANGERS FANS UNITE FOR CHANGE AND PROGRESS The Rangers Supporters Assembly, Rangers Worldwide Alliance, Rangers Supporters' Trust and Rangers Supporters Association united today to urge Rangers fans around the world to consider playing their part in changing the ownership of the club. The organisations are considering the options open to fans to invest in the club on a massive scale and on an accountable basis. We are considering various options for this - whether on our own or in partnership with others. We intend that the future of the club will never again be reliant on the goodwill of a bank or any individual. One option we are currently discussing with advisors is the changes necessary to turn the Trust�s Gersave scheme into a suitable vehicle for the gathering in of funds. However, any form of investment will only take place on the basis of the suitability of the terms gained in negotiations. Rangers as a club cannot continue in the current state of limbo with the threat of being run by the Lloyds Banking Group. To move things on before the January transfer window we are formally inviting any potential credible investors to discuss their plans for the club with us. Rangers fans are by far the biggest financial investors in the club. We are determined that the club will continue to flourish and never again will it run the risk of falling into the hands of a bank. We call on fans to be patient but to unite behind sensible proposals we hope to recommend to them over the coming months. John McMillan - General Secretary, Rangers Supporters Association Andy Kerr - President, Rangers Supporters Assembly & Rangers Worldwide Alliance Stephen Smith - Chairman, Rangers Supporters Trust

Please be true!

Star asset Madjid Bougherra has told Rangers that he is determined to stay at Ibrox for the rest of the season. The French-born Algerianââ?¬â?¢s declaration will delight fans - but worry the bankers lurking in the background at Ibrox as Sir David Murray seeks a buyer for the cash-strapped club. Sportsmail revealed last week that Wigan want to test the water with a Ã?£3million bid for the defender when the transfer window opens in January. But Bougherra insists his stance has not altered since last summer, when he revealed his plans to win a move to a ââ?¬Ë?top-sixââ?¬â?¢ English club by starring in the Champions League for Rangers and the African Nations Cup and World Cup Finals for Algeria. Under contract until 2012, the 27-year-old has the right to reject any potential transfer, just as Kris Boyd blocked his move to Birmingham last January - no matter how much Rangers might need the money. ââ?¬Ë?I have not changed my intentions from last season,ââ?¬â?¢ said Bougherra, who will miss Wednesday's vital Champions League return with Unirea in Bucharest because of a knee injury. ââ?¬Ë?I will definitely stay in Glasgow and I will finish the season at the club. I love life at Rangers and I am sure they will find an investor and things will work out. ââ?¬Ë?I feel great in Glasgow and, plus, I need stability, because it is one of the keys to success and progress, especially on the eve of the African Nations Cup and a World Cup, hopefully.ââ?¬â?¢ Enlarge Walter Smith and assistant Ally McCoist All smiles: But rangers boss Walter Smith and assistant Ally McCoist know their team need a positive Champions League result on Wednesday Bougherra, who has missed the last four games and Sundayââ?¬â?¢s abandoned fixture at Tannadice, is confident Walter Smithââ?¬â?¢s players can still have a successful season despite indifferent form and off-field concerns. ââ?¬Ë?It has not fallen for us in recent weeks because we have had so many players injured in key positions,ââ?¬â?¢ he said. ââ?¬Ë?We havenââ?¬â?¢t had a full team and that explains some disappointing results. ââ?¬Ë?We play in Romania on Wednesday and we know that we absolutely must win to have a chance of getting to the next round of the Champions League. ââ?¬Ë?I wonââ?¬â?¢t play in this game because a knee sprain requires at least four weeks of rest, and I am in my second week. But my heart is with my team-mates and I really hope they come back with a good result.ââ?¬â?¢ Rangers fans and management will be intrigued to see if Bougherra is fit to face Egypt with Algeria in a fortnight in a crucial World Cup tie. Lee McCulloch will fly out with Smithââ?¬â?¢s squad and, if he is required in midfield, there could be a European bow for 17-year-old defender Danny Wilson. Injured pair Maurice Edu and Kirk Broadfoot will continue training this week, with a bounce game scheduled for next Tuesday to help the Scot step-up his return to fitness after being out since March. Meanwhile, Ibrox chief executive Martin Bain has thanked fans for their support amid takeover speculation. ââ?¬Ë?It has been a difficult period for fans both in regard to results and speculation about the future of the club,ââ?¬â?¢ said Bain. ââ?¬Ë?However, they have stepped up to the plate in their thousands to voice their support. ââ?¬Ë?The overarching message from the fans is that the interests of Rangers must come first and foremost.ââ?¬â?¢ Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1224839/Rangers-star-Madjid-Bougherra-insists-happy-stay-rest-season.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0VkmmKUTC

Just wondered if the caused more trouble than they were worth. Given the fact that the team were playing crap and we had just suffered another humilating defeat at the hands of a bunch of also rans that will be etched in the History of the club , you have to ask your self if the wily old fox was being as coy as ever. And for what its worth i dont think he would have made such a remark without the blessing of certain board members. He successfully managed to deflect all the heat and critisism that was going his way but at a heavy cost to the club. We have been racked over the coals since his outburst and he has slipped away scot free.... again. Now the farore has died down not alot if anything has happened or changed as a result of his comments. The media have printed thousand of articles on the subject without any tangable evidence and we have been met with a wall of silence from the club. so we are none the wiser. We will have to wait till the transfer window for the full impact of the banks involvement in the board room. Dare say that there will be a few out the door come january but i think we knew this would allways be the case. in the end it was much ado about nothing.

Published on 1 Nov 2009 Talks have been held about inviting thousands of Rangers supporters to help fund a rescue package for the financially-stricken club. South Africa-based millionaire Dave King remains the leading contender to buy out current owner Sir David Murray, with his intentions expected to be revealed this month. Scotland-based businessmen Douglas Park and Paul Murray have also been linked to a joint bid with Mr King to rescue Rangers, who are Ã?£30million in debt, but no moves have yet been made. But the Sunday Herald can reveal that tentative talks have taken place involving parties interested in taking over Rangers about creating a revolutionised club answerable to "members", who would pay an annual fee on top of their season ticket costs. This is the successful and popular model of "social ownership" found at leading clubs such as Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain. Essentially, this could be ââ?¬Ë?Plan Bââ?¬â?¢ if Mr King, or others, donââ?¬â?¢t emerge and firm up their interest in the club. The proposal would mean thousands of rank-and-file Rangers fans investing to lend financial muscle to some of the parties interested in taking Turn to page 2 Rangers out of the grip of Lloyds Banking Group, which has stepped in after the club fell into heavy debt under Sir David Murray. In return, the fans could have perhaps 33% or more of the shareholding as well as a couple of representatives on an entirely new board of directors. With money being poured in by thousands of fans, as per the Barcelona model, Rangers could become the first major members-owned club in British football, albeit that a handful of significant investors would have large individual stakes and would occupy some of the office-bearing positions. The extent of Rangersââ?¬â?¢ financial crisis was revealed last weekend when manager Walter Smith claimed the bank was running the club. Lloyds subsequently denied that but the bankââ?¬â?¢s interests are now represented on the board by new director Donald Muir. Rangers will not sign any new players in the January transfer window and may have to sell a senior one such as Steven Davis if Lloyds is determined to claw back Ã?£3m of the Ã?£30m owed to it. Sir David still owns 92% of the shareholding, but essentially Lloyds is dictating the terms of any eventual takeover. Mr King is uncomfortable about the current asking price and is now involved in a game of poker with the bank, which is believed to have been left reeling by the reaction from the Rangers support at large after our sister paper, The Herald, revealed the extent of their influence, the threat of administration and plans for swingeing cuts. Mr King is worth up to Ã?£300m but he is reluctant to meet the asking price of Ã?£1 for every Ã?£1 of debt ââ?¬â?? Lloyds is holding out for Ã?£30m ââ?¬â?? in the hope that it will eventually drop. Nothing will happen until Lloyds or Mr King change their stance. But if Mr King eventually walks away from a potential deal, others could step in and then ask fans to become fee-paying "members" in order to build a serious reserve of cash. The success of the venture would rely on the businessmen demonstrating that they were answerable to the fans who pay to become members. Fans spokesman David Edgar last night told the Sunday Herald that opening the club to ownership by members was an exciting, innovative idea. He claimed supporters would answer the call. "We have been exploring various avenues towards this with some of the potential investors," said Mr Edgar, of the Rangers Supporters Trust. "I think there is an interest and a desire in a sort of joint initiative, where you would have a major shareholder and also the fans playing a significant role in the club. I know this is something people are investigating. "Any new regime coming in has to understand that the fans do want to work with them. "But I would say that from the people we have been speaking to there are positive noises about that. "They understand that having the fans onside ââ?¬â?? via a membership scheme where people can invest and contribute to the football club, and have a say in the football club ââ?¬â?? works well abroad." Rangers fans could, for example, be asked to pay Ã?£1,000 each to become members, with payments spread over five years. At that level 30,000 fans buying membership would raise Ã?£30m. Sir David tried a share flotation in 2004, when Rangersââ?¬â?¢ debt soared to almost Ã?£74m, but it was snubbed by supporters. Of the Ã?£51m raised at the time, Sir David himself contributed Ã?£50m. "That was effectively a referendum on David Murrayââ?¬â?¢s performance," said Mr Edgar. "That was the fans saying ââ?¬Ë?you got us into this, you have to do something about itââ?¬â?¢. "If there was a new, dynamic, go-ahead regime coming into Rangers the fans would want to get involved and theyââ?¬â?¢d want to back it." Meanwhile, supporters upset by how Lloyds has introduced an unforgiving budgetary plan at Ibrox will protest with banners during todayââ?¬â?¢s SPL match against Dundee United at Tannadice. The banners will refer to new director Donald Muir as "the enemy within". http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/rangers-rescue-plan-b-ask-fans-to-help-buy-the-club-1.929642

Here we go again!!! by Matthew Lindsay FORMER Rangers boss Alex McLeish is lining up a �£3million bid to lure Ibrox midfielder Steven Davis to Birmingham City in the January transfer window. And if no new buyer is found for the crisis-hit Gers soon then McLeish, who has also been linked with moves for Celtic duo Scott Brown and Aiden McGeady, will definitely get his man. McLeish has been handed a bumper �£40m war chest by new Birmingham owner Carson Yeung in order to safeguard the St Andrews club's place in the lucrative Barclays Premier League. And Big Eck has identified Northern Ireland captain Davis as the perfect man to help boost his promoted team's bid for top-flight survival down in England. advertisement The Scot would like to reunite Davis with Barry Ferguson - the pair teamed up last season as Rangers landed the Scottish title - in the Birmingham boiler room. He would like them to replace his ageing duo Lee Bowyer and Lee Carsley. Despite claims that Lloyds Bank is not, as manager Walter Smith has suggested, running Rangers, no denial has been made of reports the entire first-team squad at Ibrox will be put up for sale if no new owner is found. And unless South Africa-based Scottish multi-millionaire Dave King, or another interested party, can seize control then Davis will go as part of a bid to drive down debts that are estimated at �£30 million. Former Aston Villa man Davis signed for Rangers from Fulham for �£3m at the start of last season after a successful loan spell in Glasgow. But Rangers could be forced to sell one of their prized assets to make a payment on their crippling debt unless a new investor rides to their rescue. Despite a spate of injuries at the moment, Gers manager Smith is well covered in Davis's position with Maurice Edu, Pedro Mendes and Kevin Thomson all at his disposal. McLeish is also reported to be eyeing a double raid on Celtic for Scotland central midfielder Brown and Republic of Ireland winger Aiden McGeady in the January transfer window for a joint fee of around �£12 million. Elsewhere, Smith has had his spirits lifted as he prepares for a difficult away game at Dundee United on Sunday with the return of Kirk Broadfoot to first-team training at Murray Park. The full-back cum centre-half has been sidelined with a foot injury since the League Cup Final against Celtic last March. His fellow long-term-crock Edu is set to join him in training next week. Rangers Player of the Year Madjid Bougherra will not be involved on Sunday, but could come back in the Champions League rematch with Unirea Urziceni in Romania on Wednesday. Lee McCulloch, who sustained a thigh injury in the 1-1 draw against Hibs last Saturday, is also making good progress. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2533621.0.0.php

An article by Contacts on RM, which hopefully he doesn't mind me reproducing. ================== If anyone ever doubted how much a Rangers man Walter Smith is then Saturday and the last couple of days again proved beyond doubt his love for the club. For 9 days now our club has been torn to shreds by Donald Muir and Lloyds yet Walter has put the club before himself and brought the subject out in the open when everyone else has been denying it. I have it on very good authority that our club has had a torrid time of since Mr Muir joined the club as director and hatchet man for the bank. His sole remit is to get as much of the bank�s money back as possible. There is a business plan to get the money back but no plan for the short, medium or long term future of the club. Donald Muir�s business plan has shocked everyone connected with the club and although those within have tried to reject his plan he is having none of it. His plan consists of selling at least 5 players in the January transfer window with no replacements other than the young reserve players. He is not offering the management team a new contract and expects them to work on a monthly deal. He is making decisions daily that result in the bank getting as much money out of Rangers Football Club with no care of any knock on effect. He will, of course, tell anyone that listens to him that he is only doing his job but none of that matters to any of us bears. The story in the Herald and the Evening Times are 100% accurate! Please do not doubt what has been written! Please do not doubt that our club was within days of administration! Please do not doubt Lloyds Group do not give a damn about Rangers Football Club! We all have to ask ourselves why Walter would want to make statements on the crisis at our club if he was not deeply concerned. Walter could sit back (like some of the players appear to be doing) and take the money but he is not and his love of the club has got him out fighting. Some may not want to believe this but Martin Bain has been constantly fighting the bank on every decision and defending the club to the hilt but these guys are ruthless. The bank has every intention of getting every penny they can from Rangers and they are happy for Rangers to be operated like a small scale SPL club with no ambition or desire. As well as selling players they want to increase ticket prices and implement huge cost cutting measures across every department. After reading this you would have thought they would happily sell the club at a reduced asking price as they have done with thousands of other businesses during the credit crunch but word has it that they are proving hard to deal with the people who want to invest in the club - or could there be preferred bidders? Now as fans what do we do? Obviously at first hand our options are limited but say we could get enough fans together who bank with the Lloyds Banking Group and start closing our personal / business accounts and move them elsewhere then surely they would have to sit up and take note that our fans are not going to sit back and let our club be asset stripped. Now I am not yet starting an appeal but I want all Rangers fans who hold an account with the Lloyds group to start looking around to see what other banks are offering. Make the phone call or look online at how easy it is to move banks and change your accounts over. Let�s take it a stage further and suggest that we start to boycott media organisations that take money from the Lloyds group and let us see how they feel when other people get too involved. Let us see the reaction from their top brass when their pathetic bullying of our club backfires on them. Walter has put the club before any personal gain and now it is time for the fans to take stock of the last few days and decide how we as a body of hundreds of thousands decide how we should take this matter further.

Scottish secretary Jim Murphy held talks with Rangers' bankers Lloyds on Monday as the financial giant insisted they were not running the club. Murphy stepped in following reports the banking group, 43 per cent of which owned by the taxpayer, had threatened the club with administration over its debts. Ranger boss Walter Smith claimed on Saturday the bank was now effectively overseeing the club's spending and that all the players had been up for sale since January. Current majority shareholder Sir David Murray has declared his intention to sell his interest in the Light Blues, who are carrying debts of about �£30million. A Scotland Office spokesman confirmed that Murphy today spoke to Lloyds. He said: "The Secretary of State for Scotland spoke to Lloyds Bank today about the importance of the bank's support for Rangers Football Club. "There are clearly financial difficulties facing Scottish football clubs - both large and small. Our national game is important to Scotland and will come through this recession and the wider pressures in football." In a statement on Monday, the bank said: "We do not run or manage the companies that we bank - that is, quite properly, the responsibility of the management. "Given the recent press coverage, we would therefore like to be clear that Rangers FC is neither operated or run by Lloyds Banking Group. "We would also like to be clear that Sir David Murray's decision to step down as chairman was a personal decision and not at the behest of Lloyds Banking Group." It is understood the bank has not raised the prospect of Rangers being placed in administration if club bosses failed to introduce a series of cost-cutting measures at Ibrox. The statement added: "The board of Rangers FC is developing and implementing a sustainable business plan and we have agreed to support this plan. "The group is aware of the unique position that football occupies across many Scottish communities and has been working with Scottish football clubs, including Rangers." Lloyds is 43.5 per cent owned by taxpayers after the government bailed it out to the tune of billions of pounds at the height of the credit crunch. Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott said earlier on Monday: "Football fans, even those on the other side of the Old Firm, won't understand why taxpayers' money that's keeping this bank afloat could now be used to push Rangers into receivership. "If the Lloyds group can take down Rangers, there won't be many professional clubs left in Scotland." Smith's contract and that of assistant boss Ally McCoist expires in January. But Rangers chief executive Martin Bain has insisted the club will not be forced to sell players in the January transfer window. Echoing the club's statement from yesterday, he said: "The club can confirm that while there have been tentative enquiries regarding the sale of the club, there are none that have realised an offer. "As stated by Sir David Murray, it is not necessarily about price, but the new owner having the capability to take the club forward that remains essential." Bain said Lloyds is "supportive" of the club during a period of "difficult economic conditions." Smith has refused to answer questions about the club's claim that no players need to be sold in January. After Saturday's 1-1 Clydesdale Bank Premier League draw with Hibernian at Ibrox, Smith claimed "the players at the club have been up for sale since January". At today's press conference ahead of Tuesday night's Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final at Dundee, Smith replied to the first question about the topic by saying: "They (the club) issued a statement and that's it." The next enquiry was met by a similar response, Smith saying: "I said the club issued a statement last night and that's it as far as I'm concerned, that's it finished with." Quizzed again, the Rangers boss repeated broadly the same answer. Smith, who later threatened to walk out if the subject was broached one more, did admit the current negativity around the club is having an impact. He said: "If there is a level of negativity around the place, it affects everyone, not just the players. "The thing that we have to concentrate on is the results of the games. "We had an extremely poor result in the Champions League last week and we had a decent game with Hibs, and both teams deserve a bit of credit for the way they played. "Now we have a difficult cup tie coming up and, while there may be levels of negativity around the place, we don't and can't allow it to affect us. "You've got to overcome that aspect of it."

From the Evening Times. It mirrors TannochsideBears thread. Dire Straits!

Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo will consider his future at Tynecastle after he finds out what support he has during the January transfer window. More...

RANGERS manager Walter Smith last night admitted bankers are now running the club as the full extent of its financial predicament began to career into view. Donald Muir's appointment to the club's board as a non-executive director at the behest of HBOS, now owned by Lloyds Banking Group, nine days ago appears to have been the point when control of Rangers' affairs was removed from the club's hands. Muir is a specialist in assisting ailing companies and officially joined the Rangers board to help them in their "strategic business interests". Both chairman Alastair Johnston and chief executive Martin Bain had previously denied the banks were closing in since owner David Murray stepped down as chairman on 26 August, but Smith spoke freely last night of the new reality he described as "obvious to everyone". It comes at the end of a week in which Murray's company, Murray International Holdings, announced it would be delaying publishing of its accounts for six months. This has been interpreted by some in the business community as a step taken to prevent scrutiny of just how incapable it is of propping up Rangers with the club's debts rising above the Ã?£30 million mark. And it comes at the end of a week in which Rangers suffered their most humiliating defeat in 53 years competing in Europe with their 4-1 thumping by Romanians Unirea Urziceni in the Champions League "As far as I am aware that is the situation," said Smith when asked about reports the bank was in control of the club at his post-match conference following his side's 1-1 draw with Hibernian. "David Murray stepped down and they've placed a representative of the bank on the board. "It is obviously not a good situation. It is not a situation anybody wants the club to be in. It's been up for sale for a while. It's not the bank's fault. If the bank had to take over in the circumstances they have, they are not going to invest in a football club. I think Rangers have been fairly honest about their situation. The players at the club have been on sale since January. We haven't bought a player for... in this transfer window, that will be 18 months. I'm very surprised anyone can't work out the situation. These circumstances have been here for quite a while now. And, despite some headlines, I've never complained about it and I'm not complaining about it now. I'm just saying it is a fact, and a fact of life that a lot of companies throughout the world are having a struggle at the present minute. When David Murray stepped away from the club I felt that was a bad thing for Rangers in the sense that he's tried as hard as he could over 20 years to invest in the club. Now we don't have that situation. So the quicker that gets cleared up, the better it will be." It is Murray who is responsible for running up liabilities he patently now cannot meet ââ?¬â?? a fact some have blamed on the economic downturn. Yet there were plenty of alarm bells when he allowed Smith to become the country's biggest spending manager on his return in 2007, before reacting to the 2008 Champions League qualifying exit by sanctioning an Ã?£8m spend on players that produced a Ã?£3m "hole" in the club's budget that effectively led to the entire squad being put up for sale only six months later. The club has, in effect, been for sale for four years but despite a number of reports of potential buyers, none has been found. Yesterday there were suggestions that board member Dave King, who invested Ã?£25m in the club in 2000, and another unnamed group were considering lodging an offer within the week but these were dismissed by sources at the club. Smith said he was unaware of any possible sale. "I'm not involved in that aspect, you'd need to ask others if there was anything like that," he said. The implications for Smith's bid to retain the title will only emerge over time, but the fact the bankers have decided to exert control can only increase the likelihood there will be a demand for Rangers to cash in on Madjid Bougherra, their most valuable playing asset, in January. Already, with injuries to the Algerian and to Pedro Mendes, Kevin Thomson and Lee McCulloch, who came off yesterday, Rangers are running low on senior players. Smith conceded this was a process that was likely to accelerate and could only be offset by promoting from within. "It is maybe not the proper time to be blooding these boys (such as Andrew Little and Danny Wilson] but I don't think we are going to have much option shortly," said Smith. Rangers' financial meltdown must also place question marks against Smith's own future. His present contract expires in only eight weeks, as does that of assistant Ally McCoist and first-team coach Kenny McDowall. As yet the three have not been offered extensions. However, it is believed that if a new buyer was found that wanted to retain his services he would be keen on staying. Failure to see eye-to-eye with new regime has Smith talking himself towards exit door LONG-suffering Rangers fans are seeing their beloved club up for sale and seemingly rudderless, with Sir David Murray gone from the scene and a chairman who resides in the USA. Now they may be about to lose their talismanic manager. Walter Smith may even be gone in the next week or two, after his comments last night which confirmed that he has no money to spend and no control over the purse strings at Ibrox. Instead, the bankers have taken over. In the world of football finance, banks do not expose themselves to customer dissatisfaction by placing directors on a board ââ?¬â?? new director Donald Muir has no formal links to Lloyds Banking Group, for instance. They do not need to do that. Lloyds ââ?¬â?? a group which has no great track record in football sponsorship ââ?¬â?? simply dictates how Rangers spend the bank's money. Or in this case, not spend it. And it is Lloyds' money that Rangers spend. When it took over the crippled HBOS, it inherited Rangers' debts, probably north of Ã?£30 million, and any potential buyer will be saddled with that debt right away. With the benefit of hindsight, everyone who thought the Murray era would end sweetly and that there would be a swift transfer to a rich new owner was looking at the situation through rose-tinted glasses. When a businessman as powerful as Murray moves out of any company, the reverberations are long and loud and highly transformational. Lots of players have gone as a side-effect of Murray's withdrawal. Now it may be Smith's turn. There is more than one coat on a shoogly nail at Ibrox. Persistent rumours have surrounded chief executive Martin Bain, with Gordon McKie, chief executive of the Scottish Rugby Union, touted as a possible replacement should Bain, too, decide that the end of the Murray era is time to pursue new opportunities. But Smith's departure would be colossal for the club. Alex McLeish admitted he left Ibrox in 2006 because Sir David Murray would not fund new signings. So could Smith do a McLeish? The trouble for Smith is that he eats, breathes and sleeps Rangers. Cut him and he would bleed royal blue. But how long can he go on in the humiliating position for a Rangers manager of not being able to decide who he can buy and sell? How long will a proud man take being told what to do by a bank manager? Smith may even now be planning his exit strategy ââ?¬â?? a term financiers understand ââ?¬â?? and indeed, it may even be under way. Or else why speak out as he did last night? The fans, who are always kept in the dark, may like to ask other questions. Exactly who is in the frame to buy Rangers? If there are no buyers, what happens next? What support will Lloyds continue to give? Will there be money to buy the new players the club desperately needs? It should make for an interesting AGM, and this time no one can call for Murray to go, because he already has. http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/sport/Uncertainty-grips-Ibrox.5764251.jp

We’ve all done it. In fact we see it on football forums across the World Wide Web at least once every season, often once the dirty business of the transfer window is concluded (or not in Rangers case this season). On every Rangers forum, a bear will start a thread comparing the relative merits of our starting XI and squad with our rivals. In the two-horse race that is the SPL, this really means only our enemy from the East End. It occurs to a lesser degree every time we discuss the next upcoming fixture. Whilst football is not played out on paper we are all guilty, to a certain extent, of pretending it is. We assess the merits of our squad. We compare our players with those of our rivals and mostly come to the opinion that we are the far superior team. Based on our team’s performances since Smith’s return, that is a difficult position to argue against. That is, until this season. Craig wrote an excellent piece discussing the various merits of the two squads. Unsurprisingly, Craig drew the conclusion that we were blessed with greater quality. Reigning Champions, who although we had not strengthened had not been greatly weakened it terms of quality. Celtic was a team in transition if not turmoil. Second best and losing the key players that had kept them just about hanging on to our coat tails. They have replaced those first picks with arguably inferior quality players. Just under a quarter of the way into the season, Craig's analysis stacks up fairly well. After an impressive Old Firm victory saw us close an early gap on Celtic, we regained top spot in the SPL with another victory in Perth. But it is only really down to a stumbling start to the season from Celtic. A start that has seen them pick up just 2 wins in their opening 8 home games in all competitions. This is no better highlighted than by the fact that Celtic had what was a relatively straightforward home game against Motherwell this weekend to maintain their position at the top. As we’ve seen, though, football is played on a large rectangle of grass and not on paper or on a webpage. Motherwell would abhor the thought that they were merely lambs to the slaughter and so it proved as they gained a creditable point away from home. Much like comparing Celtic’s starting XI to Motherwell’s, on paper Rangers are more than a match for anyone in the SPL, including our less illustrious rivals. Yet we have yet to demonstrate this dominance in any game of note this season. Sandwiching a creditable draw in Stuttgart, we went on a run of goalless draws against the dross of the SPL and threw in a narrow victory over Queen of the South. At Fir Park, Rugby Park and at home to Aberdeen, as well as in travelling to Palmerston we continually failed to show our superiority in class and footballing ability. Weekend after weekend, game after game, 45 minutes in Germany aside, we failed to demonstrate the quality of a football team that could spend millions on Steve Davis (Ã?£3mil), Pedro Mendes (Ã?£3mil) and Madjid Bougherra (Ã?£2.5mil). Whilst we are blessed with household names and international and former English Premiership stars, the likes of Aberdeen or Kilmarnock field players who would be anonymous in their own neighbourhood and earn a fraction of our players wage packet. Previous Rangers teams have gained from winning championships and trophies. It has developed a sense of invulnerability. A belief they can win against the odds and had many an opponent defeated before they entered the field of play. Look at the NIAR teams for a real strength of character and a winning mentality fostered on past successes. So why are our current squad so brittle? Why do they lack that strength of belief in their own ability? They are champions and should play with the confidence and swagger that brings. Of gravest concern is the midfield. Steve Davis is an international footballer and former premiership star of immense experience, even for his relatively modest years. He has demonstrated his superiority to the best of the rest in this country before as he ran the show in an Old Firm match in which he scored the vital winner. So why is he part of a midfield dominated by the part-timers of Queen of the South or the less celebrated SPL sides? Pedro Mendes, like Davis is an international star; recently helping Portugal get their World Cup campaign back on track in guiding them to the play offs. He has also played in a Champions League winning side. Yet the occasional deft flick and long range strike is barely acceptable from the most talented and experienced midfielder at Murray Park and in Scotland. What too of Kevin Thomson? Admittedly he is still regaining match sharpness. Perhaps that can account for his rash sending off in his first game back. In all truth he was probably rushed back due to suspensions and a dwindling squad. Can it still excuse an inability to execute the basics several matches later? Like Davis he has performed a starring role, complete with obligatory winning goal in an Old Firm game. In fact, we have won every derby encounter the former Hibs star has contested. If he is more than a match for the most difficult opposition we can face domestically, where does this ability go when facing the lesser lights of Scottish football? The term "Paper Champion" has a few connotations or meanings. It identifies a Champion who is merely a place holder. Someone who is the title holder in name, but really the sporting fraternity know they are not deserving and are waiting for a competitor of true champion quality to emerge and assume the mantle. Last season, few would argue, Walter Smith’s Rangers confirmed their place as the dominant force in Scottish football. On paper, we are in our own league. The Hibs, Hearts and Celtic cannot compete. Last season, this was certainly true. When the fixture calendar rolled round to Old Firm day or a contest with the capital clubs, more often than not our players demonstrated their greater quality that was evident on paper. But this season I am left asking myself if that gap in ability between ourselves and our challengers is really there? Was it an illusion? Are we merely paper champions? If my analysis of the relative strengths of SPL sides is worth anything and we really are the most talented group of players it is time we started proving it on match days. No more turning up and relying on a few star performers to save the skins of lazy players who believe they have made it and no longer think they have to work for victory against your Falkirks, St Johnstones and Hibernians. Starting this week I want to see a Rangers side filled with the quality of true champions and not the recent paper champions.

Youââ?¬â?¢ll hear it repeated ad nauseam between now and Christmas if the latest news on Maurice Edu is accurate, so you might as well read it here first: when he regains match fitness after more than four months sidelined through injury, Maurice Edu will be like a new signing for Rangers. Thereââ?¬â?¢s very little arguing with that statement: Edu showed in a short spell towards the end of last season that he has enough raw talent to make the Ã?£2.6m paid for him in the summer of 2008 look like a very shrewd investment indeed. And if Sundayââ?¬â?¢s Old Firm match was anything to go by, such talent will surely find itself in considerable demand as this season progresses. It was in the aftermath of the ââ?¬Å?boozegateââ?¬Â affair that Edu found himself called on by Walter Smith last term. Barry Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s enforced exile from first-team affairs left a breach in the middle of the park during the SPL title run-in into which the 23-year-old stepped with precisely the degree of confidence and assurance you would hope for in an American. Prior to that, his first-team appearances had been rationed. Since Rangersââ?¬â?¢ championship-winning display at Tannadice on May 24 they have been non-existent: a Darren Dods challenge just before half-time in that game put paid to his ability to train for the next three months. His return, therefore, brings a much-needed injection of quality to the Rangers engine-room, but equally valuable might be his versatility. That, at least, is the view of Steve Nicol, the former Liverpool and Scotland stalwart, who was hugely impressed by Edu when he was a Major League Soccer player with Maurice Johnsonââ?¬â?¢s Toronto FC. ââ?¬Å?Heââ?¬â?¢s a player who can perform in a number of different roles,ââ?¬Â said the 47-year-old coach of New England Revolution of a young Californian who has played for his country in midfield, at centre-back and at right-back. ââ?¬Å?Heââ?¬â?¢s not just a central midfielder. Thatââ?¬â?¢s probably where he prefers to play but heââ?¬â?¢s got that ability to step in to other positions. If you can play at centre-back itââ?¬â?¢s obvious that you have the ability to read the game, so he is a real asset.ââ?¬Â Edu, who was drafted by Toronto as the first overall pick of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, is visiting a specialist in London this week and expects to be given the green light to return to full training after several weeks of gym sessions and running. Having signed a five-year contract at Rangers last August, he was forced to bide his time in the reserves before circumstances propelled him centre-stage in April. At the time Rangers were barely hanging onto Celticââ?¬â?¢s coat-tails in the title race, but suddenly they became a far more competitive unit, in part due to Eduââ?¬â?¢s hunger and energy. Where Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s performances had been inconsistent and not infrequently flaky, Edu was physically adept, robust in the tackle and resourceful in terms of supporting the front men. Arguably his most impressive performance came in Rangersââ?¬â?¢ 1-0 win over Celtic at Ibrox in May ââ?¬â?? a shift that spoke well of his maturity and composure in the most fraught of environments. ââ?¬Å?Itââ?¬â?¢s not easy to step into Barry Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s shoes, as he was asked to do towards the end of last season,ââ?¬Â says Nicol. ââ?¬Å?When Rangers signed him heââ?¬â?¢d had less than a full season as a professional, heââ?¬â?¢d come out of college and been picked early in the draft by Maurice Johnson. Compared to most other Old Firm players, heââ?¬â?¢s inexperienced. But I think now youââ?¬â?¢ll probably see the best of him. As far as I know heââ?¬â?¢s impressed when heââ?¬â?¢s had the chance, but itââ?¬â?¢s not easy to make the switch from a completely different environment after one season as a pro, and it usually takes a while for a player to settle. ââ?¬Å?In the MLS, for such a young player he was someone Toronto relied on. You knew he was a player of real quality when you came up against him, even though he was inexperienced. He picks good positions, he defends well, but he also distributes the ball well, so youââ?¬â?¢ve a guy who has a lot of ability.ââ?¬Â Rangers may not have made any permanent signings in the most recent transfer window, but thereââ?¬â?¢s a fair chance one of their 2008 investments could be about to start paying dividends. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/maurice-edu-can-be-like-a-new-signing-for-rangers-1.924522

Yes, again! This time it's from a more respectable source - The Sun.

Did we sell him in the transfer window or is he still injured?