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Saturday, 16 February 2008 ----------------------------------Time--------TV Celtic v Hearts--------------------15:00 Falkirk v St Mirren-----------------15:00 Gretna v Motherwell---------------15:00 Inverness CT v Dundee United------15:00 Sunday, 17 February 2008 ----------------------------------Time--------TV Kilmarnock v Rangers--------------14:00-------*** Hibernian v Aberdeen--------------15:00 Celtic get a visit from hearts and all hearts and Rangers supporters will be hoping for a repeat of Hearts 2-0 Scottish cup win. Both teams have been in excellent form of late with Celtic scoring 5 goals at Pittodrie last week. I am going to hope for a wee draw here but don't see it happening to be honest. Celtic win. St Mirren surprised everyone with their cup win against against Dundee united at Tannadice during the week and drew with Caley at home last Saturday. Falkirk have been playing reasonable but losing of late with a defeat at Gretna standing out. If any game is a draw then this will be the one. Draw. Gretna against Motherwell means the Well have an away game at home. Although Gretna have improved of late I can only see a Motherwell win for this one. Motherwell win. Dundee Utd head north to to meet Inverness after their Scottish cup dismissal.Confidence at that defeat and the loss of Robson to Celtic could make all the difference in this one. Craig Brewster has done well in guiding caley to the middle of the league and home advantage aded could tip the scales in a Caley win. Caley win Kilmarnock always make it difficult for rangers at Rugby park but as they sold probably their best player in the transfer window they really shouldn't pose a threat to the league leaders. Killie look now more than likely to finish second bottom and need to keep looking in the rear mirror for an improving gretna team. anything less than a win for Rangers is unthinkable for this one.(Famous last words) Rangers win. Hibs and Aberdeen looks like the best match on paper and to be honest, if i take off my blue glasses, this should have been the televised game. Aberdeen will have gotten a much needed confidence booster after their display against Bayern Munich which will ease the pain of their 5-1 drubbing at home to Celtic last week. Hibs may have the new manager effect with Mixu Paatelainen taking over the reigns but this looks like another draw for me. Draw

The top news of the last few weeks was the naming of George Burley as the Scotland manager. Well the SFA did what they said they would do, and give us Burley, a big name manager. If they promised a small name manager we would have got Steven Frail I suppose. Thank god Little and large didn�t apply. The next big thing was the transfer window with Rangers selling Alan Hutton possibly against his will for eight million pounds. There was a young player for Tottenham, For the cash the Rangers got shot of em , One day he�ll return, Like the prodigal son, For the Gers fans won�t have forgotten em. Fulham had a Fairy tale Window. They went for a King and ended with a Cousin, who is a frog. Now they are waiting for a kiss from F(airy) ifa to bring the deal to life. After all the promises of bringing in new players only Steve Davis was brought in to Ibrox. Oh well, we will be all right if we need snookers at the end of the season. Over at the piggery they went to Japan to bring in Koki Mizuno. Celtic think they have found a Jap in the market. Word has it they thought they were getting another Japanese player but wee Gordies dyslexia got in the way. They thought they were getting a Samurai but ended with a Samaras. Hopefully their Japanese warrier will turn into a Greek tragedy They also brought in a German to strengthen their Leaky defence. Strachen was reported to say nothing can stop a leak like a Jerry can. Up at Pittodrie the Dons brought in Dave Bus. Seemingly Jimmy Calderwood crapped himself he thought they had signed a coach. Bus couldn�t get into the Graafschap team because of Cerezo Fung a Wing. I wonder if it was Bus that lossed a wing? Taxi!!!

general updates in this thread please folks... Friday - window closed OUT: Cousin - Transfer back on - FIFA to decide on Monday IN: Steve Davies - loan deal

Saturday, 9 February 2008 -------------------------------Time------TV Dundee United v Hibernian------12:30-----*** Hearts v Gretna----------------15:00 Motherwell v Kilmarnock--------15:00 Rangers v Falkirk---------------15:00 St Mirren v Inverness CT------- 15:00 Sunday, 10 February 2008 Aberdeen v Celtic--------------14:00 Dundee Utd have been showing good form of late with an excellent win 4-1 against Aberdeen in the CIS cup. They have have lost probably their best player with Robson going to the dark side and also have a good few injury doubts including Lee wilkie. Hibs may put new signing colin Nish in from the start but their biggest problem is the late fitness test of rob Jones. The Hibs defence will be much weakened if Jones is ruled out. I still fancy UTD for this one even without Robson. Dundee utd win. Hearts and Gretna have been much improved of late with both clubs picking up points. Hearts seem to be getting back on track now that mad Vlad has given Steve Frail the reigns in his hands. Gretna made many signings in the transfer window and will be hoping they gel in quickly.A bit of an unknown quantity this one through the form and new players of Gretna and the unpredictable Hearts season. Under normal circumstances Hearts should win. Hearts win. The big surprise at Fir park will be if the pitch is playable. If the game goes ahead then i would expect Motherwell to beat a Killie team who sold their best player without adding to their team. If Gretna keep up their good form Killie could be staring degradation in the eye in a few weeks. Motherwell win. Rangers get a visit from Falkirk who have lost their last two league games against Gretna and Celtic. Falkirk have given all teams a problem over the last few years and we will have to hit form to beat them. Whittaker is fit after an ankle knock and cousin can still play for us but the chances of that happening are slim as Rangers won't risk him getting injured.Fifa should have made a ruling on this day's ago. A ridiculous situation for a world organisation. If we want to win the league then these games must be cattle fodder for us. they never are! Rangers win. Inverness go to Love street to meet st Mirren. St Mirren lost to Rangers last time round but they were the better team until Rangers scored and they had a man sent off. The two games before saw them beating Motherwell and Hibs. Inverness had the Craig Brewster effect but that has been slowly diminishing. I will go for the Saints to keep up there good form and to win at home. St Mirren win. Sunday.... Aberdeen v celtic at Pittodrie is always a game we look to to see the tims dropping points. The fact is they rarely do. I don't see aberdeen posing a threat to them, but we live in hope. Celtic win.

Playing devils advocate here, who got the better of the recent transfer window? Based purely on numbers, it has to be Celtic who have brought in Robson, Mizuno, Hutchison, Hinkel and Samaras. Robson's form this season suggests he will beef up their midfield and Hinkel is an international standard right back and if he can avoid further injury he should help beef up their defence. Mizuno is, if you believe the hype, the next Nakamura with amazing potential. Big deal. He scores amazing free kicks but does bugger all else so why get excited just because the Tims bring in a younger, more naive and untested version of said dead ball expert? Hutchison is 20 years old and has had a few first team opportunities but is surely not a first pick and has yet to show he can cut it at the top level consistently. So, again I ask, what is there to get excited about? Samaras is perhaps slightly different. He scored some good goals when he first arrived at Man City but quickly faded and showed that he is pretty inconsistent. Putting my cards on the table, I would have quite liked him to have signed for Rangers so the fact he has only a short term deal is prudent on Strachan's part as he strikes me as the type of player, like Lovenkrands, who disappears until it's contract renewal time. This makes him a dangerous commodity for the rest of the season. So, in summary, Celtic have bought some untested potential in Mizuno and Hutchison but have added solid squad players in Hinkel and Robson. Samaras could be dangerous in the SPL but he doesn't have this bear too worried. Turning my attention to Rangers, I have heard all the doom and gloom merchants and I have to agree that, on the face of things, we lost one of our best players in Hutton and didn't replace him. We also lost back up players in Carroll and Ehiogu but neither have played any more than a game or two and wont be missed. We have replaced both with Alexander, a Scotland squad regular, and Dailly. The latter is not a popular signing but he has been given a short term deal to provide squad cover. He wont be first pick for any of the back four or central midfield positions but he has the pedigree and experience which should be more than adequate to do a decent job in the SPL so lets not get our knickers in too much of a twist over this one because what else is the January transfer window for if it's not to add squad cover, in whatever positions are needed? Rangers undoubtedly needed cover for the midfield given that Thompson is out for around another four weeks so to see Steven Davis arrive from Fulham is a shrewd move. A bluenose all his days it shouldn't take him long to settle. He hasn't found himself in Roy Hodgson's plans at Fulham but he is a tidy wee player who has played regularly in the EPL so I would put him in the same bracket as Barry Robson in that he's a good solid squad player who is likely to play pretty regularly in the remaining games of the season. Daniel Cousin's switch in the opposite direction should be reviewed by FIFA next week and I will be surprised if he isn't allowed to go and good riddance I say. Whilst he was on the pitch and scoring goals I supported him as I do every Gers player but he annoyed the f*** out of me with his lazy play. It was all the more annoying when you saw flashes of the player he can be and you wonder why he couldn't do it more regularly. His comments in the press slagging of his team mates show him up to be a poor team player who is only interested in himself. His blatant mercenary attitude to getting a move to the EPL merely serves to highlight this further so au revoir Danny boy, thanks for the goals and good luck to you but you wont be remembered too fondly by this bear. Returning to an earlier point about the transfer window. You dont often see clubs splashing out and bringing in lots of players unless they have just brought in a new manager, or they are struggling to compete. This is exactly where I think Celtic are. They are competing with us, just, but they've been poor and are four points behind so advantage Rangers in the title race. Celtic's ropey defence has been their biggest downfall and Hinkel should help but it's the centre half position that they should have focussed on in my opinion. It's not like they've gone and splashed six or seven million on a top quality player that is likely to make a significant difference. Rangers are weakened in the right back position but if Smith and Webster can return to full fitness it will be like signing two new players. Darcheville, Boyd, Naismith & Novo should be more than capable of scoring the goals to win the title so bring it on - we welcome the chase. Stewarty

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=590&Itemid=1 The morning after the night before, eh? Iââ?¬â?¢m sure Iââ?¬â?¢m not the only football fan nursing the equivalent of a hangover this morning as the hype of January transfer window closes for another season. Internet forum server issues, ridiculous radio-phone rumours and around-the-clock satellite sports news excitement ââ?¬â?? coupled together they make for quite a cocktail of commotion and emotion. Hence the hangover this morning; especially when our team havenââ?¬â?¢t been as pro-active as weââ?¬â?¢d all like. Despite my article of Tuesday morning warning all Rangers fans of the unlikelihood of substantial investment in the wake of the Alan Hutton transfer, movement occurred nonetheless and it seems we werenââ?¬â?¢t far off securing the services of Italian striker Andrea Caracciolo from Sampdoria while we did manage to sign the Fulham and Northern Ireland midfielder Steven Davis on loan from the Premiership. Davis is actually a decent signing and although Iââ?¬â?¢m not personally a huge fan of loan deals, he will provide the kind of genuine back-up and depth required for Barry Ferguson and Brahim Hemdani as Kevin Thomson sits out for another two months. Obviously the Ã?£4million deal for Caracciolo was the most exciting rumour of the day and every Rangers fan waited with baited breath as we heard Walter Smith and Martin Bain were in Italy. Unfortunately (or as it may have turned out ââ?¬â?? fortunately) the huge striker chose to stay in his homeland and drop a division to Serie B to play with his former club Brescia. Itââ?¬â?¢s ironic that in the week one Rangers player leaves to realise his ambitions what seems to be our main transfer target lacks the same aspirations in his career to move to the UK ââ?¬â?? instead blaming a lack of self-confidence and the weather for his decision. Hardly the mental and professional discipline you want to hear from a player you want to spend the total of around Ã?£7million on! A lucky escape then perhaps? Unfortunately what this debacle does highlight is the further incompetence of our Chief Executive. Martin Bain quite simply is not up to the job. I bear the man no ill-will and in his Rangers career (over 10 years now) heââ?¬â?¢s done some good work in the face of constant criticism and financial downsizing while being the stereotypical lamb to the slaughter while his boss relaxes in France. A well paid ââ?¬Ë?yes-manââ?¬â?¢ nonetheless though and the way weââ?¬â?¢ve conducted our business this January (and in the past) shows just how out of his depth he is. To avoid any confusion Iââ?¬â?¢m not criticising the club about not spending the ~Ã?£10million from the Hutton/Cousin deals per se. As I wrote the other day, not spending it is understandable to a degree and Iââ?¬â?¢d much rather we were prudent and efficient in our dealings. However, if there was around Ã?£5million to spend, surely the old adage of not keeping all your eggs in one basket applies here? Weââ?¬â?¢re told that the club have scouted Caracciolo for months, yet we leave it to the absolute last minute to try and negotiate our way through the confusing world of the Italian transfer system ââ?¬â?? three clubs involved directly, other clubs interested, translators required and agents hovering with their claws as sharp as ever. Yet, ex-catalogue model Bain is deemed to have the tactical nous to navigate his way through such a tough deal ââ?¬â?? all in a few hours!? I certainly donââ?¬â?¢t pretend to be some sort of finance guru or transfer expert but time was never going to be on our side so instead of wasting time taking last minute flights to Genoa, we should have moved onto our next target. We do have one Ewan Chester, donââ?¬â?¢t we? Or was Willie McLies too busy hawking wee Broon again to furnish us with his usual brand of short-term client information? Certainly Martin Smithers and his merry band of under-achieving assistants are not justifying their inflated wages while the rest of us pay for the privilege of watching them let us down time after time. But, and this is the crux of the article, all the above does not mean we have a convenient get-out clause for not winning the league (or the other competitions weââ?¬â?¢re in). Yes, we should have strengthened while Celtic have done so (to a degree) but we still have more than enough talent at Ibrox to compete on all fronts. Losing Alan Hutton is a big blow and Daniel Cousin (if he does actually leave ââ?¬â?? more crazy dealings by our staff given the obvious FIFA rulings) is a similar loss. However, we have deputies more than capable of taking their place. Steven Whittaker has shown he has the game to develop into a fine player while a fit Darcheville and a determined Boyd would keep out most strikers out of many teams anyway. Christian Dailly and Neil Alexander may not be the most glamorous of signings either but both will provide competition for places and much-needed experience as we proceed towards our goals. As such, despite all the valid criticism aimed at the likes of Bain and despite all the obvious disappointment of not capturing another player or two, itââ?¬â?¢s vital we keep our eyes on the prize. A four point lead is a good one and should be able to defend this over the coming months with the existing squad. Three Old Firm games in two months will be the ultimate decider but we have nothing to fear in that regard either. So, confidence should remain, support for the players and manager should remain and no excuses will be accepted. The SPL is attainable and nothing less will suffice.

Main commentator: "He jumped like a girl there". In reference to, I think, Palazuelos (sp) just prior to the goal. Can he say that? (Had me in stitches all night btw.) Same man calling Whittaker, Hutton on at least one occassion. Interviewer asks Barry, will WS get to spend any of the Hutton fee, reply: "You'll have to ask the chairman". I.e No! Confirmed when interviewer asked if there'll be any more transfer activity before the window closes, Walter replies; "No not any more players in". On FF they're discussing the Fergie post match interview. How from his comments he's obviously disgusted with Murray for forcing one of our best players out the door and how we wont be spending any of the fee. About his body language and how he was constantly looking down while discusiing Alan's transfer. Anyone read anything into that.

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=582&Itemid=1 As we approach the last 7 days of the January transfer window and lose our most prolific league scorer, The-Insider once again lets us know of the rumours (yes, rumours not fact!) that he has been hearing over the last few days. First off, with Daniel Cousin signing for Fulham all the debate is who will replace him and how much of the �£3million will Walter Smith get to spend. The answer is not very much as once all the parties get their hefty cut of the transfer fee; and Rangers still looking to address their debt, that will only leave around half of the initial �£3million figure. It must disappoint and concern all Ranges fans that in seasons where they continue to support the team so strongly financially (despite no success and little defence from the club when criticised) that certain people continue to make so much money out of transfers. The three most common names linked with a move are S�¸ren Larsen, Luke Moore and, now, Kyle Lafferty of Burnley. Of those Larsen is the most affordable but Rangers retain an interest in all three. Larsen and Lafferty offer the most direct replacement in terms of style of play while Moore has already visted Murray Park and has viewed property in the West End of Glasgow. Unfortunately, Villa want �£3.5million for his services and, at this stage, Rangers cannot afford that fee. To counter the finance issue, as revealed last week by Gersnet, Alan Hutton's Rangers future is still very much in the balance. As we told you last week, Spurs increased their weekly wage offer by over 50% after dealing directly with Rangers and not Hutton's agent. Since then Hutton has sacked his agent John Lonergan and any move to London is still on the table with Rangers being keen to sell. Certainly with Ehiogu and Cousin now having left the club and no replacements brought back in, further pressure will be on Sir David Murray to buy - more so if Hutton and/or Buffel also leave. As we said last week, two or three suitable signings could mean the difference between a title-winning side and not winning any trophies whatsoever. The-Insider will keep you informed over the next week.

By STEPHEN HALLIDAY Rangers have recalled Filip Sebo from French side Valenciennes. DANIEL Cousin completed his expected signing to Fulham today after Rangers accepted an improved bid of �£3 million for the Gabonese international striker from the London club yesterday. While Rangers find themselves well in credit on the sale of Cousin, manager Walter Smith stated he will not use the funds to sign a replacement striker during the current transfer window. We have chosen to bring Filip back into the fold. We have never lost faith in him. Sebo was signed by the then Rangers manager Paul le Guen who made him his ninth signing, from Austria Vienna with Rangers agreeing a fee of �£1.85 million Walter Smith will consider approaching the rest of the season with the strikers already in his squad, with Sebo poised to make an Ibrox return. Kris Boyd, still the club's top scorer despite spending much of the time on the substitutes' bench recently, will be hopeful his manager does decide not to replace Cousin from outwith the existing squad and will go head to head with Sebo for the second strikers role, with Darchville claiming the number one spot. Cousin revealed his delight at finalising his move to West London. "I am pleased that the two clubs have been able to reach an agreement to enable me to sign for Fulham," he told the club's website. "I enjoyed my time at Rangers and I am now excited by a new challenge that awaits me. I look forward to playing well for Fulham and competing in the Premier League."

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=578&Itemid=1 With the January transfer window already half-way closed, itââ?¬â?¢s time for Gersnetââ?¬â?¢s ââ?¬Ë?The-Insiderââ?¬â?¢ to divulge what heââ?¬â?¢s been hearing deep in the fitness rooms of Auchenhowie. First off, to the disappointment of most Rangers fans, it seems the Alan Hutton saga is NOT finished. After turning down a deal of Ã?£20K p/week and considering the immediate thoughts of his heavily pregnant partner, it was felt Hutton would be staying at Rangers until the summer at least. However, Spurs were keen to get their man and our mole has told us they are confident Hutton will move south next week for Ã?£8million plus add-ons which take the deal up to around Ã?£10million. The London club increased their wage offer to Ã?£33K p/week and the lad understandably felt this money was too good to turn down for the long term future of his family. He is genuinely disappointed to be leaving Rangers but it appears the club administration were keen to move him on considering the money involved and the fact Steven Whittaker can slot in immediately at right back. This leaves the question of how much of this money will be invested back into the team. Information is tight in this regard but thereââ?¬â?¢s no doubt SDM would be under pressure to use the money if suitable players are available. One such player is SÃ?¸ren Larsen of FC Schalke in Germany. As Gersnet revealed last year, the club are scouring the German leagues for players and the huge Danish international is one player that has come to light. He would be available for around Ã?£1.5million and with the future of Daniel Cousin still doubtful, Walter Smith sees the player as an ideal replacement for the lone striker role. It is expected that two other players will follow Larsen through the door before the end of January. One is Portsmouthââ?¬â?¢s Matthew Taylor who would at last fill the gap Rangers have at left-midfield while providing further cover for the left-back position. Taylor would cost a fair bit more and would also command the kind of wage that does not fit the current club structure. However, Rangers are still very hopeful that a deal can be done in keeping with the finance available. Depending on other players linked with moves out of the club (including Thomas Buffel, Ugo Ehiogu and Alan Gow), Rangers will make one more signing before the end of the month. German defender Frank Fahrenhorst is still one central defender that may fill the bill as the manager looks to positively influence the reliable Cuellar/Weir pairing. If Andy Webster can prove his fitness and sort out his contractual issues that may not prove necessary but rumours are abound Walter Smith has lost patience with the Scotland internationalââ?¬â?¢s situation. What is for sure the next two weeks will be extremely interesting. Circumstances can change quickly and while most Rangers fans would prefer Alan Hutton to stay at the club, if he does leave its vital the money received is invested back into the team to ensure the strongest possible challenge on all competitions ââ?¬â?? especially when one considers the congested fixture list. Being four points clear at the top of the table should not mean we are resting on our laurels. Two or three suitable signings could mean the difference between a title-winning side and not winning any trophies whatsoever. The-Insider will keep you informed over the next fortnight. :box:

Four points clear again then. After a couple of unconvincing but completely imperative away victories, is the league in the bag or are some bears counting their chickens a little bit too early? Certainly I can understand why some will be feeling confident. The wins achieved last week were the kind of games we just havenââ?¬â?¢t secured three points in recent years. All too often we drop points in games against so-called lesser opposition in matches where more brawn than skill is required. As such, while weââ?¬â?¢d all like to see silky soccer and three goal wins, sometimes one just has to settle for keeping possession and relying on our strikers taking their chances when they come. Thus, although we could easily have dropped four points against Gretna and Caley, the team should be praised for working hard and securing wins in these difficult matches. Especially when one considers our enforced fortnight break which was always going to affect our sharpness and fluency. The next month will be huge in terms of determining our success this season. We have matches in all four competitions and the outcome of these games will show just how capable we are of competing on all fronts. For most Rangers fans the SPL title will take obvious precedence over the UEFA and domestic cups. At the same time though, weââ?¬â?¢ve not won a thing for nearly three years so we should rightly be looking to win everything. That may not be realistic (especially in European terms) but our ambitions should be high and when we have played well this season we have competed with the very best Europe has to offer. To be able to do this weââ?¬â?¢ll need a strong squad with reserve players capable of coming in. Losing the outstanding Kevin Thomson for the next 6 weeks is a big blow and we can ill-afford further injuries in central midfield. Barry Ferguson has not had his best season but has shown signs of a return to form lately. Similarly, Brahim Hemdani offers a composed holding player and his class shines through on most stages. Losing either of these players in conjunction with Thomson could be a fatal blow even if Dean Furman is impressing at reserve level. As such, with ten days to the closure of the transfer window, Iââ?¬â?¢d be looking for Walter Smith to strengthen this area. Rumours are rife about who is leaving and who may be joining. Hutton, Cousin and Buffel all said to be on their way out while Larsen and Moore apparently close to coming in. All things considered, continuity must take precedence over money but if Hutton especially is to leave, this bear would like to see a significant portion of any transfer income invested into a new creative midfield player. For most of the season weââ?¬â?¢ve lacked such a player so if we could secure one (even better if theyââ?¬â?¢re left-sided) that could not only provide the spark the team needs but the depth talked about above. Similarly, Ugo Ehiogu has moved back south, so another centre-half is still appealing. Carlos Cuellar has proven a snip at Ã?£2.3million so if we could spend this kind of cash on another similar player, this would bode well for our title challenge. Davie Weir has done very well but has also shown glimpses of poor form, while his lack of pace and deep positioning does affect the team tactically. If Andy Webster can prove his fitness then he could save us money but relying on him is rather risky given his record and contract problems. The reason Iââ?¬â?¢m perhaps being overly analytical here is that I genuinely feel we are only two or three players away from having a real decent side. Considering the average age of the squad, the relative inexperience of some, the Scottish backbone and the potential to improve, a reasonable financial investment into the team could yield real dividends. Ã?£12million was spent in the summer ââ?¬â?? a fair amount in todayââ?¬â?¢s SPL financial climate ââ?¬â?? but if we could spend some more now (but only on the right players) such a gamble could bring the SPL title home to Ibrox and provide the foundations for more success to come. To conclude, we are more than capable of winning the SPL (and more). However, we should not rest on the laurels of a four-point gap and if SDM is serious about the clubââ?¬â?¢s long term future, further investment is required to maximise our chances of bringing the successful times back. Public sound-bites and moonbeams about regeneration and stadium redevelopment may be exciting and ambitious but first and foremost I want to see Barry Ferguson lift the SPL league trophy in May. Then we can decide on how to build further on this and finally take Rangers FC into the new millennium. http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=581&Itemid=1

McFadden is a good player but going above 4 mill to get him is pushing his worth to the limit imo.

Im not a big liker of Liverpool but dont mind Rafa and think the way the Yanks have treated him with talking to Klinsmann is shocking. I hope he doesnt walk away and they have to sack him so he gets a pay off. Rafa was spot on when he said the yanks dont have a clue about the transfer window and its not a draft system. Cant see him being Liverpool boss at start of next season, they are way off the pace and its now a top 3. Should Newcastle maybe make a move here!!!!

January ââ?¬â?? A Hugely Important Month Firstly, as this is my first rant of the new year, Iââ?¬â?¢d like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers and everyone connected with the extended Rangers family and wonderful and prosperous New Year. January is turning into a hugely important month for Rangers and I am not just talking about performances and results. As we all know, the weather has taken its toll and we face a fixture pile up that may ease up next November. January is also the time when the transfer widow opens and the rumours go into overdrive. I for one believe that our activity (or lack off) in this transfer window could go a long way in determining how successful we will be this season. With Roy Carroll be sold, we need a new goalkeeper, a left back, a couple of midfield players and a striker. Gone are the days of Rangers plundering the top echelons of the transfer marketing and paying substantial fees for players like Amato, Negri, Mols, Albertz, Gazza, Laudrup (who was actually very inexpensive), Gio etc. Lets be honest with ourselves, we would all love the anticipation and excitement of looking forward to Rangers unearthing a ââ?¬Ë?blue chipââ?¬â?¢ Ã?© Alan Davidson Evening Tims and witnessing them terrorizing defences all over the land. Jeez, we would even settle for a ââ?¬Ë?surprisingly successfulââ?¬â?¢ signing ala Wee Rod Wallace. A player who slid into Ibrox almost unnoticed but became a wonderful player and ambassador for the club. Given this, who are the likely targets for Rangers this transfer window? We wonââ?¬â?¢t ââ?¬Ë?break the bankââ?¬â?¢ but will have to replace players like Buffel, Ugo, Roy Carroll etc if they are sold. Walter Smith will pick up a ââ?¬Ë?run of the millââ?¬â?¢ SPL keeper as back up for McGregor and that is hard to argue with. McGregor is a decent keeper and has cemented himself as our No1. Left back is more of a challenge. We have supposedly looked at George McCartney the West Ham left back and Paul Robinson from West Brom. Both decent enough players and I would wouldnââ?¬â?¢t be adverse to signing one of those players. However, Iââ?¬â?¢d like to see Walter Smith use a piece of initiative and enquire if we could take Traore from Arsenal on a 6-12 month loan. He is 3rd choice left back at Arsenal but looks a prospect and Wenger isnââ?¬â?¢t adverse to allowing players to go out on loan. One midfield player Iââ?¬â?¢d like to see us pursue is Zoltan Gera at West Brom. He is out of contract in the summer and could be secured this month for a fee of Ã?£500,000. Striker is a difficult one but why not try for Benni McCarthy or Matt Derbyshire at Blackburn? Derbyshire is fast and knows where the goal is ââ?¬â?? he would be a fantastic signing. We are also believed to monitoring the situation with Rob Jones at Hibs. IMO, this would be a great signing, he is straight out of the Marvin Andrews school of defending! No matter what, we MUST strengthen in January as me MUST maintain our advantage over Celtc. They have and will continue to add players to their squad and so must we. We are currently in a decent position and must do everything in our power to remain there. Not adding to the squad isnââ?¬â?¢t an option. Silence Or Applause The minutes applause as a mark of respect to the tragic passing of Phil Oââ?¬â?¢Donnell raised the question and debate as to whether these respects should be marked by a minutes silence or a minutes applause. Lets not forget that minutes applause were introduced due to the fact that one set of supporters couldnââ?¬â?¢t stay silent for 1 minute during silences for football players, disasters, terrorist atrocities and members of the Royal Family. I for one do not feel comfortable remembering the dead by ââ?¬Ë?clappingââ?¬â?¢ for a minute and, this is just my opinion, think that a minutes silence is more poignant and is the perfect way to respect the dead. During the minutes applauding for Phil Oââ?¬â?¢Donnell, I stood in silent reflection. This was in now way meant as a slight to the man or his family (in fact, my thoughts and prayers are with them at this tragic time) it is that I feel that silence is more respectful. RIP Phil Oââ?¬â?¢Donnell. Regeneration Of Ibrox Well, what can we take from the press release that Rangers are considering regenerating Ibrox and the surrounding area to the tune of Ã?£700M odd? Call me old fashioned but as my old granddad would always say ââ?¬Ë?no smoke without fire sonââ?¬â?¢. In my humble opinion, this was SDM ââ?¬Ë?testing the waterââ?¬â?¢, throwing out a line to see if anyone would bite. SDM is a lot of things and this includes him being an undoubted successful business man. If there is some Ã?£ââ?¬â?¢s to be made by buying up and regenerating Ibrox and the surrounding area, you can bet your last Ã?£ that SDM will be slap bang in the middle of it. The only worrying this is, who will be the other investors. Given the magnitude of the announcement, he must have some one waiting in the wings (Tom Hunter? Mystery Russian investor?) to plough money into this project. It is also interesting to note that no mention if any of this Ã?£700M odd will be used to improve the squad (and for most fans, thatââ?¬â?¢s the bottom line). For what itââ?¬â?¢s worth and with most things that involve SDM and his moonbeams of success et al, I am quietly pessimistic and wary of the whole shebang!!!! G14 So the G14 is to be disbanded (is there any truth in the rumour that the G14 would rather disband than allow Celtc at their table ââ?¬â?? heehee) and is to be replaced by a new ââ?¬Ë?European Club Associationââ?¬â?¢, with Rangers where they should be, right at the forefront of this organisation. Letââ?¬â?¢s remember that Rangers have been the driving force (mostly via the forward thinking of Campbell Ogilvie) of many European schemes (the CL format as an example) and as always, we tend to lead whilst others tend to follow. It will be interesting to see how this is portrayed in the media, given how they went into overdrive when Celtc were ââ?¬Ë?acceptedââ?¬â?¢ into the G14 organisation minutes before it was dissolved (and replaced!!!). You Can Only Be Envious Saw a fantastic banner at a recent Linfield game that was transmitted live on SKY. It was a Union Flag which bore the legend ââ?¬Ë?You Can Only Be Enviousââ?¬â?¢. I think that this is a legend that we could borrow from our ââ?¬Ë?Blues Cousinsââ?¬â?¢ from Belfast and display with pomp at the next OF game. Imagine the faces (yeah I know, itââ?¬â?¢ll give the kids nightmares) of the ensemble Tims foaming at the mouth whilst reading a legend that they know sums up their whole existence? Letââ?¬â?¢s face it, from our conceptions, we have been the forerunners of Scottish Football. We optimise football, especially Scottish Football. We were founded purely out of the love of sport and football in particular. We only ever played the game for sporting purposes. Added to that, we are the quintessential British team (or even establishment) with the history of Struth as the driving force of everything that we stand for. We are the most successful footballing team in the world ââ?¬â?? as the legend states ââ?¬â?? you can only be envious Cammy F ââ?¬â?? We Are The Peopleââ?¬Â¦.

Yesterdays win puts us 1 point clear with 2 games in hand on most and 1 on Celtic (who's game will be a tricky emotional trip to Motherwell). We have a hectic January with re-scheduled games against St Mirren and Gretna. They have to be banker wins but will be awkward games. If we win them then it sets us up nicely to drive onwards. But the best thing at the moment is we have given ourselves this chance following 2 years of being out of it at this stage. We'll also have the OF game to be played again and that game that could say a lot should we win the Gretna and St Mirren games. With the transfer window open and Alan Hutton set to stay on for the mean time it will be interesting to see if anyone leaves or any additions come in. Lets kick on and stay on top and bring the title back home.

Let me start by apologising. If admin are not fussy for this 'rumour' being discussed and lock it down, i'll understand. I heard it from two seperate guys at work, where they got it from i'm not sure. Seemingly, In the summer Walter was interested in bringing KM back to Ibrox, but thought the immediate old firm switch would maybe hit a few raw nerves on both sides. So there's been a deal done with Derby and Billy Davies for him to play down there until the january window and then bring him back up. Part of the deal was for a certain Gers player(not sure who) to go the opposite way. I just wondered if any of the guys had heard anything regarding this? There is every chance of this being a lot of absolute bollocks. So once again my apologies.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/...905079.0.0.php WALTER SMITH'S January transfer budget won't be hit by Rangers' failure to make the Champions League last 16. Wednesday's 3-0 defeat to Lyon cost the Ibrox club a place in the knock-out stages, plus around an additional �£4m on top of the �£13m they have already made from Uefa payments and five home European ties. Rangers will need to reach the last 16 of the Uefa Cup to make up that lost money. A decent TV pull in the round of 32 draw a week today - with the likes of Spurs, Bolton, Bayern Munich and Fiorentina all possible opponents - would help offset some of the financial hit from the Champions League. Smith's funding for January was already in place, and any additional Euro revenue would not have been filtering through to him. He had cash left in the kitty after splashing out more than �£10m in the summer. That money will be used in January, along with whatever Smith generates from transfers. I understand Brahim Hemdani has an agreement to leave next month after failing to secure an exit in August. The French/Algerian midfielder wanted out before the last window closed but stayed on after Smith told him of his need for experience in the Champions League campaign. But Hemdani is unhappy at not featuring in SPL games and wants to play in the Premiership. He was watched by Middlesbrough and Reading against Lyon, while the man who signed him - Alex McLeish - could yet try to take him to Birmingham City. Hemdani has 18 months left on a �£20,000-a-week deal and is almost certain to get his wish for a move next month. He is likely to be joined by Daniel Cousin. Rangers have been far from impressed with the Gabonese striker's attitude in the past few weeks. The �£1m summer signing from Lens was hooked at half-time in the Lyon match and has already expressed a wish to play in England. He has a �£3m exit clause in the summer, but Rangers are likely to move him on in January for somewhere around �£2m. Thomas Buffel is being tracked by Anderlecht in his homeland. He is another player Smith would happily let go for around the �£1m mark, with the Belgian another high earner on �£17,000-a-week. Fringe players such as Ugo Ehiogu, Chris Burke and one or two others may also be shipped out. Smith would like to bring in three players - a striker, a left-back and another midfielder - and already has his eye on who he wants. But he is loathe to make too many changes after such upheaval in the summer, and it's unlikely any more than three new faces will arrive next month. With Stevie Smith and Andy Webster both set to return to the squad in the next month or so, Smith feels he would be well covered for the second half of the season SPL title battle and the Uefa Cup campaign.

http://www.gersnetonline.net/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=549&Itemid=1 After a couple of weeks of supporting Scotland it's back to club business for us all this weekend and for the forseeable future. Not only do we have some important league games on the horizon, our fate in this year's Champions' League shall also be decided. Moreover, in January the excitement, hyperbole and disappointment of the transfer window means the rumour mill will soon be going into over-drive once more. Why not let Gersnet keep you abreast of the latest transfer gossip surrounding Rangers? Even better - why not get involved? * OUT First up we have the ever impressive Alan Hutton. Obviously his progress has alerted many clubs in recent months - not least in the last few days with his excellent display for Scotland at Hampden. Man Utd, Lazio, Newcastle and Spurs have all been linked with the right back but Gersnet have learned Bayern Munich have leapt to the front of the queue. With Willy Sagnol constantly being linked with a move out of the German league leaders, it seems Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Ottmar Hitzfeld have ear-marked Hutton as their first choice replacement if the Frenchman does leave. Other players on their way out of Rangers may be Thomas Buffel, Andy Webster, Alan Gow and even the popular Nacho Novo who may all be moved on to free up space and finance for new players as Rangers hope to maintain their domestic and European challenges. * IN Next we have the ongoing saga of Kenny Miller. Although not many Rangers fans would welcome the return of the Scottish striker from Derby the former Celtic man has once again told Billy Davies he favours a return to Scotland to be with his family. Continual trips north have left Davies concerned about Miller's attitude and as such he wouldn't be difficult to deal with. Rangers have been contacted regarding the situation and rumours are rife that Kris Boyd could be the make-weight in any proposed deal. As well as a likely negative fans reaction to such a transfer, Miller's �£30K per week wages may also be rather large stumbling block. One to keep a close eye on over the next few weeks. Bizarre and disagreeable as it sounds there is an element of truth in this story. Another player being linked to Rangers is Laryea Kingston of Hearts. Although the Ghanian midfielder only joined the Edinburgh club last January, his fine creative form (and an alleged miniumum fee release clause in his contract) means several clubs are interested in his services. Any Rangers' new incoming players may be dependent on existing players leaving and the chatter is that a cash plus player deal involving Chris Burke may tempt Hearts into losing one of their prize assets. Ugo Ehiogu is another surprise (though less likely) link to the Tynecastle men in a seperate deal. Keep an eye on this column for the latest news! Even better - why not get involved? Submit your comments/rumours to us and we'll include them in our next transfer bulletin!

Oct 30 2007 By Keith Jackson Exclusive BRAHIM HEMDANI has moved to quash claims he is determined to quit Rangers. The ex-Marseille captain spoke exclusively to Record Sport to counter claims he is on the verge of agreeing a January switch to English Premier League outfit Reading. Reports have surfaced in France suggesting Hemdani may have already been granted permission to begin signing talks with Stevie Coppell ahead of the opening of the transfer window. But the player himself is adamant no such agreement is in place - and insists he has no plans to push for a move when the market opens up. When asked about the latest reports linking him with a move to the Madjeski Stadium Hemdani said: "Who? Reading? No. There is no change with my situation. "I have no problems at all and I'm not looking to go back to France or anywhere else. I am happy with the club and I am happy to play here. "That's why it's strange there are noises about Reading. I don't know where this has come from. It has not come from me or my agents." An unhappy Hemdani met manager Walter Smith in August demanding to be released from his contract after being frozen out of Smith's SPL plans. But the 29-year-old Euro specialist recently battled his way back into Smith's domestic starting 11 before being sidelined with a groin injury. But Hemdani expects to be back in action in time for Rangers' SPL clash with Inverness at Ibrox - and is hoping to reclaim his midfield anchor role for next week's Champions League blockbuster in Barcelona. Hemdani, who has 18 months left on his contract, said: "I just have to be patient and work hard to get my place in the team. I hope to be ready to play again this weekend and should be fit for the game in Barcelona." I would hate us to lose this guy as he is one of the few class players we have. I do think that unless smith starts to play him he will leave in January though.

Interesting true story from a guy who goes on our RSC bus and owns his own window cleaning firm. He landed a contract to clean a football players windows in Airth but didn't know / ask / care who this footballer was - it was business after all. Anyway, his firm was cleaning the windows for a while and no one ever saw who this mystery footballer was - they assumed that he was at training etc when they were cleaning his windows. So this goes on for a while until one day, the footballer appears at his door and asks the guy cleaning his windows to get his boss over now. The 'boss' was actually on the job that day and wandered over to see what the problem was. The footballer in question asked the 'boss' - 'Are all your guys Rangers fans' - the 'boss' replied - 'Not them all, but most of them'. The footballer then told the 'boss' to get his lads of his property and to 'fook off' and don't come back. It transpires that the footballer had heard one of the guys mobiles going off with Follow Follow as the ringtone and wan't a happy chappy. The footballer must have then decided that he didn't want Rangers fans cleaning his windows - the footballer in question - jeez should I spill the beans.... Craptic sub Derek Riorden Cammy F

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/6966391.stm Jarosik reveals Celtic exit hope Jiri Jarosik has revealed he hopes to leave Celtic before the transfer window closes on Friday. The Czech midfielder, 29, has failed to force his way into Gordon Strachan's side since he moved from Chelsea last June for an undisclosed fee. He told the Herald: "There are still four days to go in the transfer window and I am just waiting for the call from my agent. "Gordon Strachan knows I want to move. I would prefer England or Russia." Jarosik moved to Chelsea in January 2005 from CSKA Moscow, but made just 20 appearances, only six of them starts. He spent a period on loan at Birmingham before signing a three-year deal with Celtic. Jarosik said he was resigned to leaving the SPL champions, with England or Russia his preferred destination. "It would be easier to do that because I know the language," he said. "I also have the chance to go to Germany but I don't want to have to learn the language." Yet another one of them could be on the way out. Would that leave their squad looking rather lightweight?

BOSS Walter Smith has revealed that he is checking out a number of players and may make some more moves before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month. The Rangers manager, who has made 10 signings since last season ended, feels that he needs a bit more balance to his squad and may try to bolster some areas. Ally McCoist and Walter SmithHe has confirmed that Portsmouth defender Dejan Stefanovic is one of a number of players he has been looking at. Smith said: "Stefanovic is one of a few players we are looking at and will continue to look at until the transfer window is closed. "We have to continue to look for players for one or two positions where we feel we might be a little bit short. "We have been looking at some players but it doesn't necessarily mean that we will act. "Although we have a big squad of players I still think we are a bit thin on the ground in certain areas, but if we don't make any further signings I will be more than happy to go with what I have. "Some people are suggesting that subsequent transfers may be dependent on qualification to the Champions League group phase but that's not the case. "It's just that we are covered more than adequately in some positions and not as much in others. "We just want a slightly better balance to the squad." Similarly, Smith has revealed that some players could go if clubs come in for them. He added: "Having a slightly bigger group than last year means we have to watch that we don't get frustration from the boys that are not playing. "So if some clubs come along for one or two of the boys then we will consider what they have to say." I remember Stefanovic from his Dutch day's and thought he was a good player. I think we were also linked with him before he went to Portsmouth. A good replacement for Weir imo.

Week 4 Saturday, 25 August 2007----------------Time Kilmarnock v Rangers---------------------12:30 Celtic v Hearts--------------------------15:00 Falkirk v St Mirren------------------------15:00 Gretna v Motherwell----------------------15:00 Hibernian v Aberdeen--------------------15:00 Inverness CT v Dundee United------------15:00 The first thing to note about this weeks fixtures is that Rangers visit to Rugby park, has a Saturday 12.30 kick-off. Beware all you guy�s who are dragged round the shops on Saturday morning. Rangers must be oozing with confidence after their 7-2 hammering of Falkirk, but Kilmarnock could prove to be a snake in the grass, as they too have remained unbeaten in their first three games. Steven Naismith will be looking to promote himself for a move to Ibrox but the current form of the Rangers strikers make this look improbable in this transfer window. Rangers should do the business and hold top spot. Parkhead will host their version of the Mad hatters ball when Wee Cheney meets Mad Vlad as Celtic get a visit from Hearts. Hearts have had a poor start to the season, with only a draw against lowly Gretna getting them off the mark. Celtic have recovered from an early hiccup against Kilmarnock to score seven goals in their last two games and should prove too powerful for hearts. Still we live in hope of a surprise result. Falkirk manager John Hughs will have dried his eyes after greet�n like a Bairn, after their 7-2 thumping against Rangers, and will welcome St Mirren to Westfield park. The Buddies had an excellent win against Inverness at the weekend, but Falkirk have been playing some of the best football in the SPL of late and should send Gus McPherson�s team home licking their wounds. Falkirk win. Gretna welcome the visit of Motherwell to Fir park or is it the other way about? Seemingly Motherwell keep claim to the home dressing room with Gretna staking claim to the home dugout. Motherwell have been playing well recently and were robbed in extra time against Killie. Davie Irons asked his team to show more steel but I don�t expect the steel men to buckle to the Weddingmakers. A Motherwell win,home or away. Hibenian v Aberdeen looks like the best bet for a draw on paper and probably will be one. I have a sneaky feeling that Hibs will win easily as Aberdeen are like a pint of Guinness. They don�t travel well. Considering Hibs lost so many key players since the turn of the year they have actually had an excellent start to the season getting two wins and a draw under their belt. Aberdeen�s have had a stuttering start and up until now only seem to be able to produce any form for forty-five minutes. A Hibs win for me. Inverness have had a disaster of a start to the season and have already lost their manager. Neil Warnock, Craig Brewster and Owen Coyle are top of the list to fill the role. Caley hope to have a new man in place possibly before Saturday, so he can asses the situation before the transfer window shuts. Dundee Utd lost their only away game this season to Kilmarnock,so they still have to prove they can pick up points away from home. Inverness will be hoping for the new manager effect, but to get anything from the game they will need to tighten their defense who went AWOL at the second St Mirren goal on Saturday. A draw for me.

Hearts are closing on a deal for Leicester's Stephen Hughes, assistant coach Stephen Frail has confirmed. The former Rangers midfielder was a target for Motherwell earlier this summer but it appears The Jambos will be bringing him back to Scotland. Hearts are awaiting news on a medical and Hughes could put pen-to-paper in time for him to feature against Gretna on Saturday. "We are hopeful a deal will be done, but no deal has been done yet," Frail told the club's official website. "There are a few days to go in the window. "Maybe it will be done before the close of play today (Friday). It is an ongoing one, and it would be a boost to the squad if we managed to bring him in." This is one player i thought would have made it at Ibrox

Official site pics A good sight I guess. Back in contention and a boost to the sqaud, or a player we need to sell. If it's the latter how do we find a buyer unless we put him in the shop window?