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Rangers vs Berwick Rangers SFLD3 January 13

Notes for Rangers vs Berwick Rangers SFL Division 3 January 13 (Real Time)

Drew with Berwick earlier in the season 1 – 1 at Sheffield Park

Not good

Still better than 1967 when we lost 1 – 0 in Scottish Cup

The recriminations from that fateful and infamous day?

Manager Scott Symon not the same (read Leggo’s book on the man for more detail)

Players never playing for the Rangers again – Jim Forrest and George McLean

Team today 12th January Ibrox Stadium 3pm

Alexander; Hegarty, Perry, Cribari, Wallace; Little, Macleod, Hutton, Templeton Shiels, Sandaza

Subs: Currie, Crawford, Faure, Aird, Naismith

Sticking with Andy Little on the right and Cooper Templeton on the left

Shiels False no 9

Fran Sandaza playing centre forward as his partner

Midfield?

Black suspended

MacLeod steps back into his usual position

Supported with Hutton

And defence as last week’s draw with Elgin City

Well done Ross Perry making it back despite the nose injury

Today’s Officials

Previously posted on the noise coming from Scottish Football websites

Rangers getting favors from SFL /SFA about officials to Rangers Division 3 matches

Today it is Steven McLean yep another one of the country’s best ?

Atleast it is not that dud Stephen O’Reilly

(remember QOS Ibrox in Ramsden Cup for that reference?)

One of Mr McLean’s two assistants – 26 year old Lorraine Clark

The female making history

The first woman to officiate at a Rangers league game.

We did have one though at the ECL game vs Villarreal

Must be a Rangers thing

To the game

Rangers started slowly

5 minutes or so into the game though and they had started to get a grip of it

On 8 minutes a Gabriel Amato type run by Sandaza

Ball breaks to Andy Little on right side of the Berwick box

Little turns

And a scrappy pass come shot evades the “wee rangers” keeper

His 14th goal of the season

1 – 0 Rangers

Minutes later and only a good save from the Berwick keeper stops it from being 2 – 0

Great pass from Cooper Templeton sets Sandaza down the left

Step over and left foot shot on target

Positive play by the Spaniard

Through the rest of the first half he works his socks off

And is unlucky with another couple of chances

As well as good link up play

Surely his fortune must change for the better soon?

A great run by Cooper Templeton deserves a goal

This time it is Brian Laudrup comparisons I draw

Again though the opposition keeper is up to the effort

The chance goes a begging

Little then takes advantage of good work from Shiels

His shot is dragged agonisingly wide of the keeper’s far end post

Half time it is 1 – nil deja vu from last week? Hope not!

Ironic goal has came from the right side

Cause almost all the danger is coming from Rangers left:

Copper Templeton and Wallace are a real handful

Why no Barrie McKay on the right I ask myself again?

Not on the bench – rested

Some controversial conversation on this wee gem during the week

Why he left  Kilmarnock – medical advice according to manager Kenny Shiels

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kenny-shiels-says-barrie-mckay-1530358

Never mind Fraser Aird is on the bench for some extra width if we need it

Other points of note in this first 45 minutes

– Cribari again showing positives especially going forward

– Hutton far to slow on the ball

– Team still seem to push for this cross field high ball

(why such a pass is tolerated by coaches to receiving players like Templeton bemuses me)

– MacLeod booking?

Second half

Just settled into the second half

Hutton plays short pass to Sandaza

A pass to Cooper Templeton and ball is crossed in from the left

Andy Little scores his second goal with a beautiful crafted header

This is the type of chance/ goal Rangers should be doing more of

Andy Little despite my reservations does well on the right hand side

good pass to Sandaza and ball is crossed in

Templeton with a Jelavic like (goodness me) finish

9th goal of the season for the entertaining wide man

3 – 0

Played only 8 minutes of this second 45

Berwick look on the ropes as Hegarty is replaced by Faure

Hope no long term injury there to the young Rangers defender?

Just a wee aside

The atmosphere inside a very busy Ibrox is amazing again

Sandaza comes close again on the hr mark

Turn and shot that just goes wide of target

Poor defending and Ross Gray scores on 65 minutes

score now 3 – 1

The way the youngster celebrates his goal you would think the score was closer

Hey Ho

Not laughing now though 3 – 2

Poor play from Faure and then Cribari

Sloppy play

Berwick get a corner

Near post header and it is 4 – 2

Before worry beads take affect Little has scored his third and it is 4 – 2

A low shot from just outside the box nestling past the keeper

Templeton then has a great run and drives a shot just past the post

Then after good and unselfish work from Sandaza

Templeton hits the post

Sandaza then has a great run and deserves a goal

His shot is scuffed and drifts past the post

Aird does well coming on as a substitute

Robbie Crawford also enters the fray but really no time to do much

Wee worry at the end with Perry leaving the field returns minutes later

Let us hope he is okay cause he plays well again today despite goals conceded

Montrose losing to Annan and QP drawing with Peterhead today

Means Gers are now 19 points clear at the top of the table sfl d3

Some superb forward play today

Sandaza played superb and fact he did not score

Calimero – it is an injustice

Cooper Templeton ever dangerous

Shiels settling back into the side with a quiet but effective display

And Little

Well what do I know – 3 goals and an excellent showing

Next game a week tomorrow up at Peterhead

Players out with the uk to have signed /played for the Rangers

In this post I have tried to document every player who has signed a professional contract with the Rangers

One listed criteria – they have to be from a nationality out with the UK

Initially below the source table there is a focus on the Dutch players

I have also blown the myth peddled by haters of the club that no Irishman has ever played for the Rangers

Then there is the goalkeeping fraternity to think about

Over time I will look to comment on the many other European, African, Asian and American players to experience the joy of signing for the Rangers

What my top team would be?

And who were the successes, surprises and disappointments?

All good fun

For now this post though is a work in progress

1. Source table (idiotically i forgot to alphabetise it – sorry)

Name Country Position Seasons Games / Goals
Johnny Hubbard South Africa Midfielder 49 / 59 238 / 106
Kai Johansen Denmark Full Back 65 / 70 238 / 9
Orjan Persson Sweden Midfielder 67 / 70 113 / 31
Robert Prytz Sweden Midfielder 82 / 85 118 / 20
Alexei Mikhailichenko Ukraine Midfielder 91 / 96 134 / 24
Craig Moore Australia Centre half 93 / 98 and 99 / 05 253 / 17
Brian Laudrup Denmark Striker 94 / 98 150 / 45
Jorg Albertz Germany Midfielder 96 / 01 182 / 82
Sergio Porrini Italy Full Back 97 / 01 133 / 7
Tony Vidmar Australia Full Back 97 / 02 159 / 11
Lorenzo Amoruso Italy Centre Half 97 / 03 224 / 24
Giovanni Van Bronckhorst Holland Midfielder 98 / 01 118 / 22
Andrei Kanchelskis Russia Midfielder 98 / 02 113 / 19
Arthur Numan Holland Full Back 98/ 03 176 / 6
Stefan Klos Germany Goalkeeper 98 / 07 298 / 0
Michael Mols Holland Striker 99 / 04 147 / 48
Bert Konterman Holland Centre Half 00/ 03 117 / 9
Ronald De Boer Holland Midfielder 00 / 04 149 / 41
Peter Lovenkrands Denmark Striker 00/ 06 182 / 54
Fernando Ricksen Holland Full Back 00 / 06 254/ 20
Shota Arveladze Georgia Striker 01 / 05  132/ 57
Dado Prso Croatia Striker 04 / 07 124 / 37
Nacho Novo Spain Striker 04 / 10 255 / 71
Brahim Hemdani Algeria Midfielder 05 / 09 108 / 2
Sasa Papic Bosnia Full Back 06 / 12 227 / 7
Madjid Bougherra Algeria Centre Half 08 / 11 113 / 5
Maurice Edu USA Midfielder 08 / 12 125 / 12
El Hadj Diouf Senegal Midfieder 11 / 11 15 / 1
Adda Djeziri Algeria striker 0 7/ 07 0 / 0
Bojan Djordjic Serbia Midfielder 05 / 05 5 / 0
Georgis Efrem Cyprus Midfielder 07 / 09 0 / 0
Dan Eggen Norway Centre half 03 / 03 0 / 0
Emerson Costa Brazil Midfielder 03 / 04 14 / 0
Jose Karl Pierre Fanfan France Centre half 05 / 06 7 / 1
Sebastian Faure France Defender
Andy Faye Senegal Midfielder 07 / 08 4 / 0
Fabrice Fernandes France Midfielder 01 / 01 4 / 1
Bajram Fetai Macedonia Striker 04 / 06 1 / 0
Tore Andre Flo Norway Striker 00 / 02 53 / 29
Darius Adamczuk Polish Midfielder 99 / 02 14 / 0
Sone Aluko Nigeria Striker 11 / 12 21 / 12
Gabriel Amato Argentina Striker 98 / 00 28 / 9
Erik Bo Anderson Denmark Striker 96 / 97 23 / 15
Marvin Andrews Trinidad Defender 04 / 06 53 / 7
Anestis Argyriou Romania Defender
Arnar Gretarsson Iceland Midfielder 96 / 97 0 / 0
Billy Arnison South Africa Striker 46 / 48 7 / 1
Mikel Arteta Spain Midfielder 02 / 04 50 / 12
Moses Ashikodi Nigeria Striker 06 / 07 1 / 0
Jan Bartram Denmark Fullback 88 / 88 0 / 0
Da Marcus Beasley USA Midfielder 07 / 10 29 / 4
Por Beck Iceland Striker 64 / 66 11 / 2
Alejandro Bedoya USA Midfielder 11 / 12 12 / 1
Thomas Kind Bendiksen Norway Midfielder 07 / 11 3 / 0
Henning Berg Norway Centre Half 03 / 04 20 / 0
Olivier Bernard France Full Back 05 / 06 9 / 0
Joachim Bjorklund Sweden Centre half 96 / 98 59 / 0
Carlos Bocanegra USA Centre half
Frank De Boer Holland Centre half 04 / 04 15 / 2
Basile Boli France Centre half 94 / 95 28 / 2
Jerome Bonnissel France Defender 03 / 03 3 / 0
Jean Alain Boumsong France Centre half 04 / 05 28 / 2
Thomas Buffel Belgium Midfielder 05 / 08 62 / 11
Caca Brazil Striker 00 / 01 0 / 0
Claudia Caniggia Argentina Striker 01 / 03 50 / 12
Capucho Portugal Midfielder 03 / 04 22 / 5
Mervan Celik Sweden Midfielder 12 / 12 5 / 0
Lionel Charbonnier France Goalkeeper 98 / 01 18 / 0
Jesper Christiansen Denmark Goalkeeper 00 / 03 3 / 0
Jeremy Clement France Midfielder 06 / 07 19 / 0
Avi Cohen Israel Fullback 87 / 88 7 / 0
Daniel Cousin Gabon Striker 07 / 08 28 / 11
Emilson Cribari Brazil Centre half
Carlos Cuellar Spain Centre half 07 / 08 36 / 4
Jean Claude Darcheville France Striker 07 / 09 38 / 13
Gennaro Gattuso Italy Midfielder 97 / 98 34 / 3
Roberto Giacomi Canada Goalkeeper 04 / 06 0 / 0
Marcus Gayle Jamaica Striker 01 / 01 4 / 0
Bonni Ginzburg Israel Midfielder 89 / 91 4 / 0
Dorin Goian Romania Centre half
Nbert Guomundsson Iceland Unknown 44 / 46 Unknown
Stephane Guivarch France Striker 98 / 99 14 / 5
Peter Huistra Holland Midfielder 90 / 95 125 / 22
Warren Jacmot France Defender 03 / 05 0 / 0
Nikica Jelavic Croatia Striker 10 / 12 45 / 30
Jonatan Johansson Finland Striker 97 / 00 48 / 14
Jani Kauppila Finland Midfielder 00 / 02 4 / 0
Tugay Kerimoglu Turkey Midfielder 99 / 01 42 / 4
Salim Kerkar Algeria Midfielder 10 / 12 16 / 4
Zurab Khizanishvili Georgia Centre half 03 / 06 42 / 0
Oleg kusnetsov Ukraine Centre half 90 / 94 35 / 1
Sotirios kyrgiakos Greece Centre Half 05 / 06 43 / 1
Russel Latapy Jamiaca Midfielder 01 / 03 23 / 5
Mohamed Latif Egypt Striker 35 / 36 1 / 0
Lionel Letizi France Goalkeeper 06 / 07 7 / 0
Pedro Miguel da silva Mendes Portugal Midfielder 08 / 10 39 / 3
Dragan Mladenovic Serbia Midfielder 04 / 05 7 / 0
Kevin Muscat Australia Fullback 02 / 03 22 / 0
Thomas Myhre Norway Goalkeeper 99 / 99 3 / 0
Hamed Namouchi Tunisia Midfielder 03 / 06 34 / 5
Makhtar N’diaye Senegal Midfielder 06 / 07 1 / 0
Gerhardt Neef Germany Goalkeeper 68 / 73 33 / 0
Marco Negri Italy Striker 97 / 01 30 / 32
Christian Nerlinger Germany Midfielder 01 / 04 25 / 2
Dany N’guessan France Striker 05 / 07 0 / 0
Jero Pentilla Finland Midfielder 99 / 02 4 / 0
Gordan Petric Serbia Centre Half 95 / 98 65 / 3
Antoine Ponroy France Defender 06 / 07 0 / 0
Daniel Prodan Romania Centre Half 98 / 01 0 / 0
Claudio Reyna USA Midfielder 99 / 01 64 / 10
Luigi Riccio Italy Midfielder 97 / 99 1 / 0
Julien Rodriquez France Centre Half 05 / 07 34 / 1
Jerome Rothen France Midfielder 09 / 09 4 / 0
Seb Rozental Chile Striker 97 / 98 17 / 3
Antti Niemi Finland Goalkeeper 97 / 99 13 / 0
Federico Nieto Argentina Striker 05 / 05 3 / 1
Aaron Niquez Spain Midfielder 08 / 09 3 / 0
Ludwig Norbert France Midfielder 02 / 02 0 / 0
Juan Manual Ortiz Spain Midfielder 10 / 11 10 / 0
Egil Ostenstad Norway Striker 03 / 04 11 / 0
Oleg Salenko Russia Striker 95 / 96 16 / 7
Francisco Sandaza Spain Striker
Filip Sebo Slovakia Striker 06 / 07 24 / 2
Theo Snelders Holland Goalkeeper 96 / 99 13 / 0
Erik Sorensen Denmark Goalkeeper 67 / 68 30 / 0
Torn Sorensen Denmark Striker 65 / 66 12 / 3
Stale Stensaas Sweden Full Back 97 / 00 20 / 1
Karl Svensson Sweden Centre Half 06 / 07 27 / 0
Jonus Thern Sweden Midfielder 97 / 99 23 / 5
Arturs Velicka Lithuania Striker 08  / 11 8 / 4
Peter Van Vossen Holland Striker 96 / 98 22 / 5
Paulo Vanoli Italy Fullback 03 / 04 28 / 1
Gregory Vignal France Fullback 04 / 05 30 / 3
Ronald Waterreus Holland Goalkeeper 05 / 06 49 / 0
Vladimir Weiss Slovakia Midfield 10 / 11 23 / 5
Arturs Vaiculis Latvia Youth 07 /09 0 / 0
Jukka Santala Finland Youth 04 / 06 0 / 0
Lee Baxter Sweden Goalkeeper 97 / 97 0 / 0
Steven Campbell Australia Centre Half 04 / 07 0 / 0
Dean Furman South Africa Midfielder 06 / 08 0 / 0
Carl Hansson Denmark Striker 21 / 25 22 / 14
Jimmy Jackson Australia Midfielder 1894 / 1897 1906 / 1911 Unknown
George Jenkins Canada Striker 33 / 45 23 / 0
John Little Canada Defender 51 / 62 275 / 1
James Lowry MacAuley Ireland Midfielder Unknown Unknown
Filippo Maniero Italy Striker 2005 / 05 0 / 0
Robert Logan McDonald Ireland 28 / 39 185 / 0
Matt Mckay Australia Midfielder 11 / 12 3 / 0
David Mitchell Australia Striker 83 / 85 26 / 6
Alex Craig Ireland Full back 1904 / 1114 / 16 102 / 042 / 0
Robert Hamilton Ireland defender 27 / 33 121 / 0
Hugh O’Neill USA Midfielder 76 / 77 0 / 0
William Stanger France Midfielder 06 / 07 0 / 0
Alex Stevenson Ireland Midfielder 32 / 34 12 / 7

2. The Dutch Contingent

Giovanni Van Bronckhorst Feynoord – £5.5m Midfielder Dick Advocaat Arsenal – £8.5m
Arthur Numan PSV Eindhoven – £5m Full Back Dick Advocaat Retired
Michael Mols Utrecht – £5.6m Striker Dick Advocaat Utrecht – free
Bert Konterman Feynoord – £4.5m Centre Half Dick Advocaat Vitesse Arnhem
Ronald De Boer Barcelona – £4.8m Midfielder Dick Advocaat Al Rayyan – free
Fernando Ricksen AZ – £4.75m Full Back Dick Advocaat Zenit St Petes – £1.1m
Frank De Boer Galatasaray – free Centre half Alex McLeish Al Rayyan – free
Peiter Huistra FC Twente Midfielder Walter Smith Hiroshima
Theo Snelders Aberdeen Goalkeeper Walter Smith MVV Maastricht
Peter Van Vossen Istanbulspor Striker Walter smith Feynoord
Ronald Waterreus Man City Goalkeeper Alex McCleish AZ

Moments of magic from our Dutch friends

Gio Van B scoring many rocket shots with his marvellous left foot.

Included in this list goals against Celtic and Champions League opponents.

After joining Arsenal he went on to play for Barca before returning home to Holland

Arthur Numan signed after the  World Cup 98.

In that tournament he was superb.

Already known to new Rangers manager advocaat from days at PSV

He just seamlessly fitted in to the left back role at Ibrox

Advocaat looked to bolster his squad for season 00 / 01

Big Bert and Fernando did not really reach the heights the manager had hoped for

On their first season Rangers lost the league to Martin O’Neill’s Celtic

Including a 6 – 2 old firm hammering at Parkhead where Ricksen was subbed

Unfortunately it was mid way through the first half because he was having a mare

Both redeemed themselves

– Bert scoring an absolute smacker of a goal against Celtic

Scottish League Cup semifinal Feb 2002 2 – 1 victory after extra time

– Fernando under Alex McLeish including 2 league titles

Although he did fall foul of next manager Paul Le Guen and was soon on his way

Shipped off to Advocaat’s Zenit St Petes

Mickey Molls – could do a couple of posts on this guy on his own

Could have been as big a legend as Laudrup, Gazza and Cooper

scored 9 goals in his first 9 spl league starts

No one could twist and turn like Mickey Molls

In the end it was very much what might have been?

Slaughtered PSV in the ECL only to get a cruel injury later in the competition

This time in a match in Munich Nov 99 after colliding innocently

With the German colossus that was Oliver Khan

The De Boer twins

Ronald signed by Advocaat from Barcelona and a hefty fee

Frank came via Turkey on instance of Alex McLeish but for nought

Both were by their sell by date when arriving at Ibrox

Although Ronald especially still gave some magic moments for the Gers

Including some classic European and old firm goals to cheer

Their best times though were at Ajax and Barca

Still a joy to watch both pull on the blue shirt of Rangers

Before they headed of to the middle east for pre retirement footie of a sort

Peter Van Vossen 

Oh dear – the miss (and not even a bobble on the pitch before he shot)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILt3vg7oCzY&hl=en-GB&gl=GB

At least we won the game 1 – 0

With much thanks to the goalie Andy Goram who saved a PVH penalty

Peter eventually left and Shota arrived (more on the Georgian though later)

The other  Peter – Huistra

Came from FC Twente

Had to cope with big name stars but still amassed a wean of matches under his belt

A skilful chap who often bagged you a goal or two

Moved to Japan and then eventually back to Holland

Has dipped his toe into football management

The two goalies: Ronald and Theo

Theo came as understudy to Andy Goram and while a great keeper in Aberdeen

He never really recovered from his dutch shame when he bottled out of international match

Ronald on the other hand

This guy had bags of confidence

Needed it to oust legend goalie Stefan Klos

3. Colleagues from Ireland to wear the Rangers blue

There has been much comment lately on Rangers never signing a player from Ireland

By that we mean Eire (and not Northern Ireland)

Well by my meagre investigations into the matter i think such claims are false

Step forward

– James Lawry Macauley

– Robert Logan Mcdonald

– Alex Craig

– Alex Stevenson

– Robert Hamilton

It should also be noted that many of the Northern Irish players to wear the blue of Rangers

Played for the united Ireland football team

This opportunity stopped in 1973

The last time an Ireland XI played was at Lansdowne Road in 1973. Billed as Shamrock Rovers XI, they lost 4-3 to the then-world champions Brazil.

4. The goalkeepers

How many of these names ring a bell (Ronald and big Theo aside)?

Roberto Giacomi Canada Goalkeeper
Jesper Christiansen Denmark Goalkeeper
Erik Sorensen Denmark Goalkeeper
Antti Niemi Finland Goalkeeper
Lionel Charbonnier France Goalkeeper
Lionel Letizi France Goalkeeper
Stefan Klos Germany Goalkeeper
Gerhardt Neef Germany Goalkeeper
Theo Snelders Holland Goalkeeper
Ronald Waterreus Holland Goalkeeper
Thomas Myhre Norway Goalkeeper
Lee Baxter Sweden Goalkeeper

Commentary to follow

More on Rangers at Hampden Dec 12 – the positives

Some positive and negative reflections from todays experiences on the visit to Hampden Park watching the Rangers take on Queens Park

Let us start with the positives

28,000 plus Rangers fans attending an away match in SFL3 (fourth tier of Scottish Football)

a cup final atmosphere cheering on a young Rangers team who have clearly great potential

Sure we would all wish to be playing Juventus in the last 16 of the champions league

However, for now Rangers and their supporters are on a different but equally enjoyable journey to that experienced by Celtic

Celtic fans have countered the Rangers experience in Division 3 with claims of cheap/ free tickets and mis counting attendances

How ironic is that when looking at the empty stadia that is Parkhead on SPL days

They have now challenged the validity of BARB TV viewing figures which clearly highlight who “the only show in town is” 

No matter how I try to explain to my Celtic mates – they just do not get it!

Watching the re-emergence of Rangers from the dark days of David Murray and Craig White is what I said earlier “a journey”

Initially of defiance perhaps but now of hope and opportunity

The international recognition the club are getting with all this just confirms the exceptionality of it all

No where else in the world has such a phenomena occurred to my knowledge

And as the domestic detractors try to belittle this Rangers story

the stronger the journey  will prevail

Today was a case in point

I had to laugh at one detractor focus on the closed part of the Hampden stadium

The Rangers away support today in size has legitimate claim to be of the same size of the average “true” Parkhead crowd in SPL these days

For we should not be fooled by the figures attending Parkhead on SPL match day – 46K do me a favour!

Unless of course inflatable John has been doing a roaring trade –

http://www.eastfootball.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=983857

This though is not about Celtic

It is about Rangers

It is about watching the opportunity and hope

Chris Hegarty, Ross Perry, Robbie Crawford, Fraser Aird, Barrie Mckay, Kyle Hutton, Kai Naismith  and Lewis MacLEod

Sure not all these young guns will make it to the top but watching them (and then the next group and the next group after that) try is what it is all about

The proof of the pudding will be with the TV attendances and attitudes after the game vs Dundee United in Scottish Cup duty February 13

Record broken? Me thinks so

And too the result – does it really matter? Probably not

For once Rangers is not about winning ScottishLeague or FA Cup … it is about progression, development and experience

If we do win then great if not then we get promotion and move forward

Celtic just do not have this culture shift of epic proportion going on at Ibrox and nor can they create it

They do not have the loyalty of the Rangers support and never will have

The cause and what for all … it is just a great time to follow the Rangers and long may it continue

Onward to Annan and where ever next

PS: I thought Willie C had a shocker as ref against Rangers … must have been my blue seat?

Fair play to QP manager Gardiner Speirs though on his assessment

And more importantly what is gonna happen with the money generated (and of the make up of QP team today)

Another victory for youth football in Scotland

Coach Gardner Speirs refused to be drawn into a row, saying: “I’m not going to say anything that would detract from our performance.

“There were inconsistencies in the referee’s performance, but that’s not why we lost the game.

It was a sickener to lose it so late on, because we were fantastic from first till last. We asked them to be brave and take the ball. When you watch Rangers, they have so much of the ball the opposition are out on their feet by an hour. We didn’t want it to go that way and it didn’t.

I couldn’t be prouder of our guys. We didn’t try to do anything we don’t try normally, the only test was doing it against a top side.

We defended with the skin of our teeth at times. Neil made some great saves and we broke when we could.

When we had a counter-attack and young Lawrence Shankland was through, I had every confidence in him, but he just couldn’t finish it off.

There are so many positives from a day like this and of course one of the biggest ones is the money it brings in.

We’re building a new Lesser Hampden with a youth and community clubhouse that’ll set us up for generations. So we’ll invest the money from today in young footballers.

We had eight from the youth system out there and the coaches behind these boys deserve so much credit. The future of the club should be secure for years to come.”


Queens Park 0 Rangers 1 SFL3 Dec 12

Nobody said it was easy,

No one ever said it would be this hard,

I’m going back to start.

I have been listening to Cold Play recently

The above words from “the scientist”

Spring to mind when reviewing Rangers trip to Hampden

By the end of the day

Sure

Rangers were victorious 1 nil

And well clear at the top of the league

7 league wins in December 12

With a travelling support of 28,000

For the the true and original Glasgow derby

All looks rosy in the Rangers camp?

Why the negative link to Coldplay?

Rangers may well have come into this match

League leaders and in fine form

Well it all went out the window today

Why?

Simple

They were as poor as I have seen them this season

Reasons for such a poor showing?

Impact of reading your own press and how the league has already been won blah blah?

The vagaries of playing a team littered with raw youths?

Dodgy referee with some rough-house tactics throwing them off their stride?

Probably a combination of all these factors

Bottom line for players and support alike

It was not easy

indeed it was very hard (in more ways than one)

Highlights from a goal less first half 

– Black getting booked (no surprise there – is this guy getting hounded out of Scottish Football?)

– Templeton and Mckay booted all over the park

– Crawford coming close with a header which went narrowly wide following good chasing by Jig / wing work from Mckay

– Templeton should also have scored but blazed over after good work again from Barrie boy

Highlights from the second half

– Templeton and Mckay booted all over the park

(Queens Park’s Brough sent off for persistent fouling on the Rangers men; it could easily have been two or three others for the early bath)

– Mckay looking dangerous and bringing a good save out of the Queen’s Park goalie on one of his many forays into the Queen’s box

– Sandaza coming on and looking dangerous but still missing chances you think he should score

– Young Fraser Aird getting a run out and taking his chance with a lovely curling finish with seconds remaining to score and win the game

– Black being subbed before he got injured and/ or sent off

– Queens Park being 3 on 1 following a disastrous Rangers corner only to blow their only real chance of glory

(if they had scored with this chance I doubt Rangers would have come back given the way the play was going)

– Big jig failing to score and looking all his age as he gave his all for the team first at centre forward and then later in the middle of the park

(he did hit the cross bar with a header but should probably have scored and will be kicking himself)

Final score Queen Park 0 Rangers 1

Rangers now top of the league 15 points clear of Elgin City

42 points after 17 matches played

Despite the poor performance there were positives to take out of the match

– They achieved a hard fought victory against a reasonably good Queens Park team … Rangers spirit of playing till the end built into the young guns

– The constant encouragement the team received from the massive support was remarkable

– Barry Mckay and David Templeton remain constant dangers and with young Aird coming in provides more competition for places in the wide areas

The drawbacks

– team lacks pace through the middle; we really need a fast centre forward (possibly Sandaza deserves a wee run and Jig a rest)

– Hutton, Black and Crawford all disappointed – can we do without MacLeod in the middle of the park

(although I would like to see more of Crawford in the centre of the park; to me he is not a right midfielder/ winger)

The transfer window looms

Charles Green states all Rangers players are for sale

If the price is correct of course

Plus his wee nugget that Ally has a war chest of 10m quid to buy players

Not much use though unless under 18 years of age and /or pre contract signings until September 13

A few points on this

I do not think we should be overly worried about the for sale sign

I doubt we will see any players leave Ibrox this January 13 who we would not want to see moved on

Will there be offers for Wallace, Templeton et al ? Possibly

For sums of money we would find irresistible – I think not

I do caution again on who we might think to bring in and for what reasons

I repeat any purchases should not be at the expense of developing our young guns

(mindful more are coming through and expected to hit first team squad over next 2 years)

That aside we do need cover, quality and pace as we gear up for season 13/ 14

(no matter where and who we are playing)

I make no judgement on some of the names being quoted for next September start

In the weeks ahead this will all take care of itself

For now it is surely back to the start with the squad just now

Focus on the next match

Back to playing good attacking football with the ball on the deck

Next game away to Annan Athletic 2nd January 2013 at Galabank Stadium (lunch time k/o)

Rangers team vs Queens Park:

Alexander, Hegarty, Perry, Emilson Cribari, Wallace, Crawford, Black, Hutton, McKay, McCulloch, Templeton.

Subs: Currie, Sandaza, Aird, Cole, Faure

PS: the last time we were at the national stadium was March 11 when Jelavic scored winner against Celtic in Scottish Communities League Cup

Despite the poor performance I still enjoyed watching the Rangers as much today as I did that Sunday in March 11

That is what being a Rangers supporter these days is all about

And what those who do not follow “the only show in town” just do not get

Stronger And Stronger: Elgin City 2 Rangers 6 SFL3 Dec 12

As the Elgin City Chairman Graham Tatters stated

“Well done to Rangers

They did not make a big deal of it

A 21 year old malt and we all move on

Well done Charles Green”

Or words to that effect

This was of course the Elgin City chairman responding to Rangers reaction

To his club’s  ticket fiasco up North

When the clubs met last Saturday at Borough Briggs

Remember?

The clubs had been due to meet in November 12 at this remote venue

Match postponed

Due to police fears on over crowding due to excess tickets sold

With all that is going on with Rangers these days

It would have been easy to forget

What I’m sure about though

Rangers will not be forgetting the treatment they received from Dundee United and other SPL charlatans

Over the weekend United announced they would be selling tickets to Rangers fans direct

Custom and practice this seems to be

Well if this is the case

Why was there ever a threat from United for them to receive all gate monies?

If Rangers were through direct sale from United to bring a travelling support

Surely a split would still have been fair?

They put a figure of 2,000 fans in this category of routine direct sale

Mmmn ?????

Such a support would be way bigger than anything they ever bring to Ibrox

That is for sure

Charles Green retorts by correctly querying fan safety

United indirectly bring Tayside police into the equation

And indicate they along with everyone else are sick of it all

It is time to move on

Well sorry no

Correctly Charles Green will be attending as a Director of Rangers

No matter what the James Traynor less Daily Record spin

The boycott stands

And most certainly no Rangers supporter should breach this arrangement

We want nothing to do with Dundee United

Not now

Not never

If I never see a Dundee United fan at Ibrox following all this

So be it

Good riddance to bad rubbish and all that

Back though to Elgin City and away from this distasteful distraction

A match report is to be concluded

It is fair to say

Rangers turned up in fine fettle to Elgin on Saturday

No matter what Neil Lennon thinks

We are a team strong on and off the pitch

Since Ally has started with both Templeton and McKay in the same side

The team has sparkled

Saturday was to be no different

Even without Dean Shiels in the line up

The forward play – all over the park – was excellent

both these young players fantastic

Andy Little was another who had a great game on the day

And what can you say about big Jig?

By the end of play he had completed another 90 minutes

This time playing in his preferred striker role

2 goals – 22 for the season (watch out Lionel Messi)

Man of the match though needs to be a flick of the coin

Correctly between the two centre midfielders for Rangers

Lewis Macleod is a revelation just now in this area of the park

He just seems to be everywhere

His compadre for the day Kyle Hutton is also fast securing a berth in the team

the likes of what, Ian Black when fully fit will do hard to push aside

The fact both scored excellent goals

Hutton’s in particular; a fine strike from outside the box

Was the proverbial icing on the cake for the two

And of course a jubilant manager in Ally McCoist

A final score of 6 – 2 did not flatter Rangers

and I doubt anyone in the crowd of 3,445 would disagree

800 short this figure was of the confirmed sell out capacity – interesting?

This Rangers result

Primarily achieved on the back of a super second half performance

The first half a much more tight and tit for tat affair

Rangers were 1 nil up after five minutes

Andy Little rounded the Elgin keeper after a fine pass from Templeton

Calmly rolling the ball into empty net from tightest angle

However, on 17 minutes it was 1 – 1

On what was to turn out to be a day for fine shooting none were more impressive than Daniel Moore

His shot from outside the box leaving Alexander helpless

7 minutes later and Rangers were back in front

And again it was the same combo as the first Rangers goal

Andy Little scorer and David Templeton provider

A dubious foul to the home side just after 3o minutes

Also resulting in a booking for Rangers youngster Chris Hegarty

Gave Nicolson a chance to show what he could do from set plays

Not to disappoint he curled an unstoppable effort into top corner to make scores 2 – 2

As half time approached Jig got his first of the day

Little and Hutton combining well to set up the big man who lashed a shot into the top corner off the cross bar

At half time Ross Perry replaced Argyriou

With Cribari back in the starting line up McCoist’s preferred centre halfs were now in position

Hegarty and Wallace ( whose red card from mid week is now under Appeal) at right and left full back respectively

60 minutes gone and Rangers extended their lead again another fine finish by big Jig

This time his shot fizzing low into the corner of the net after a good turn

Macleod’s goal followed 4 minutes later and with 7 minutes left on the clock Hutton got his

Before the match could end Alexander produced a second penalty save in a week

This time stopping an effort from Moore after Hutton had been adjudged to have fouled Elgin’s Leslie

The lead at the top of the table now grows to 9 points

And with a game in hand

On today’s opponents

Elgin are clerly not that bad a side

Second in the league does not lie

and the plucky performance in the cup a few weeks back

also evidence of their abilities

It is a real pity there club received the 25 k and 5k fines plus loss of TV money for their ticket indiscretion

The original game to be shown live by ESPN

Instead we all had to make do with Rangers TV

Nevertheless Rangers go from strength to strength

3 away wins on the trot and 16 goals scored

Alexander post match correctly moans about lack of clean sheets in this young side

The improvements game on game though are stark

If Rangers can keep all their players fit then as this season progresses into next

They will be well on the way to recovery

“we are in a good place just now and we have earned the right to be where we are and that is just as important. We have still got a lot of big games coming up over the festive period – on Boxing Day and then another big day at Hampden. So there is miles and miles to go, and over the next few months will decide how it goes but, that said, we have got to be delighted with the position that the boys have put us in . The job though is far from done yet”

Ally McCoist

The enthusiasm seeped out of him.

A club weak on and off the park

Away and chase yerself Neil Lennon

With the feel good factor just now inside Rangers

who knows where this young squad might end up

One things is for sure

It is an adventure all Rangers fans are signed up for

Another world record

Largest away support for a fourth tier match – Hampden Park

Without doubt

The biggest travelling support likely to go to a match this season in Scotland

Even allowing for cup finals and all that

LOL

And best wishes for the festive period

the shame of the anti rangers brigade

So the Rangerns share issue was a success

22 million quid raised

Charles Green has a plan how to spend it

More on that though later in further posts

The pathetic attempts lately by anti Ranger s brigade to belittle this achievement

Well it says more about them <and all that jazz you know?>

One of them; Paul McConville actually posts this week suggesting

Green had not offered Rangers supporters the chance to purchase shares in the club per se

Instead he offered them the chance to purchase shares in the company that owns the club

Was in itself accurate what he states but at the same time lamentable

He even admitted himself <almost> in the same post such lament

Then again though I would ask when reflecting on such matters Paul

Why post it?

An interesting angle his logic presented though and for this thankfully he did post it

Relates to the 140 Year history

Which seems to be the new battle ground all things Rangers

For in making his statement

Did the rangers hater not actually

Reiterate the  cyclical argument put forward by those who defend Rangers have a protected history

I simplify but am sure the legal logic is something like

Old co owned the club

Old co died

The club itself did not die

De facto

The club remains alive

Bought over by new co

Just passing ownership

140 years of history  protected

A club owned by a company part owned by the fans

As argued by a Mr Paul McConville

Leggoland has been good thE last few days I must say

He is certainly rubbing it in with the reporter chap Brian McNally

A guy  he doesnae like who currently hails from Newcastle

To be fair

The chap a Mirror journo has in the past put the boot into Rangers

Usually via Twitter

Well seems these day according to Leggoland are well and truly over

Leggo also seems to have be on the case about some shop manager at Sports Direct

Middle manager of some sort i assume in the Mike Ashley empire

Who may or may not be a friend of the belittled Mirror journo

Fact they both work and query live in geordie land is a wee bit tenuous i’d have thought

Point Leggoland makes

This shop keeper is being less than Efficious

in the delivery of saleable items to the Rangers Megastore

via Sports Direct Newcastle

What seems to be getting dear Leggoland in a lather

is this Inefficiency is impacting on the sale of his new book about Scott Scotland Symon

a big selling item in the Rangers store (well until they ran out of stock)

I am of course being a wee bit naughty here

Suffice to say I love reading Leggoland

And his incesant works seem in this case re McNally to have delivered

He has – whether the shop manager from Newcastle is one – many more targets in mind

watch out Leggo is about

Moving on

we have one of Phil 3 name fellow rangers hating bloggers Angela Haggerty

Seek some publicity with an anti Rangers tirade

Angela is of course editor in chief of Phil’s book “downfall”

So what she posts should be of no surprise to us Rangers fans

In response to her criticisms of all things Rangers

Liquidation, history, remorse and punishments

Let us – just like earlier in this post – keep it simple

So if we can for now park EBTs to one side

When Craig Whyte took over old co

They were a profitable business

That is old co owners of Glasgow Rangers FC

Highlighted by significant monies  raised through successful trading Periods

and reduced debt (in particular to the Lloyds TSB)

Of course

At this time the club itself had also been successful on the field

For due diligence on the sale of old co and GRFC

Step forward the The Independent Scrutiny Committee chaired by old co Chairman Alistair Johnston

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/8534294/Alastair-Johnston-calls-on-Rangers-fans-to-police-Craig-Whyte-after-day-of-high-boardroom-drama.html

On review of old co sale to Craig Whyte this committee fulfilled its remit

It Advised against the sale of old co to Craig Whyte

A counter bid by Paul Murray and the Blue Knights was put forward

and supported by AJ to avert the perceived danger to old co which would befall if the sale went through

This was ignored by Sir David Murray and Lloyds TSB

It was also ignored by the SPL and SFA

The two main beneficiaries of a quick sale of the old co to Craig Whyte were of course Murray and Lloyds TSB

The sale was made

The warnings of what would happen to old co ignored

The scrutiny committee and its terms of reference in itself a complete sham

Murray and old co Rangers CEO Martin Bain publicly falling out over this

1. Sir David Murray got rid of the EBT issue and potential liability linked to his parent company through Old co

2. Lloyds TSB not only reduced their risk via Murray’s company as Above

They also got their £18m debt owed to them by old co repaid in full

How it was repaid by CRaig Whyte mattered not to either selling party

So Craig White took charge of old co Rangers

Sir David and Lloyds TSB departed

From there on in

the financial and corporate governance arrangements at Ibrox seemed to implode

No one bothered

Directors were sacked and or resigned

The voice of concern by Alistair Johnston was long forgotten

I note Rangers fans were equally culpable in this acceptance of Craig Whyte

There were no formal meetings at the club

Accounts were not published

HMRC payments were delayed

Strange financial transactions occurred

– sale of Arsenal shares

– investment in lowly tiered english amateur football club

A big tax case was joined with a little tax case

And then a PAYE tax case emerged

The transfer shambles of the summer worsened in January 12

With the team struggling Jelo was sold

Where the money went who knows?

Certainly nobody was brought in as a replacement

although attempts to get Daniel Cousin at the last minute were pursued

By February 12 melt down

No one could do the sums

For ticketus = champions league money

even paying tax/ debts all things being equal

based on past years performances the club should have been breaking even

Where had all the money gone?

Then entered Duff and Phelps

Brought in with due haste by Craig Whyte as HMRC were partially neutered

What followed seemed to the uninitiated in such complex financial matters

in a word: shambolic

From Rangers struggling to meet financial accounting deadlines so they could play in Europe next season

Soon there very existence was in jeopardy

Would be buyers came and went including the Blue Knights again

Fans looked on bewildered

Players took pay cuts to keep old co alive

Despite the points penalty for administration

The team played on and manfully achieved a credible second place in the spl table

even getting a much deserved victory over Celtic at Ibrox

By the time Charles Green came to town the club was heading for liquidation

HMRC said no to a CVA

Then entered the shenanigans of the SFA / SPL

Old co and new co

We had already had Fifa involved with old co

when duff and phelps successfully challenged through the court of law

Legality of the SFA commission

who sanctioned Rangers with fine and transfer embargo for not paying paye taxes

To get a football licence in the country for season 2012 / 13

New co had to accept the sentences handed down by sfa commission to old co

And oh of course pay all previous legal fees for said SFA

Despite old co winning the bloody case

it truly was Cap in hand stuff

Or so they thought

No one had bargained for the Yorkshireman Charles Green

The die hard Ally McCoist

And of course the fabulous Rangers support

There was still fight in new co after all

At this time the SPL commission had now been set up to investigate Rangers on dual payments

Found to have  a case to answer for by SPL investigators

Celtic lawyers Harper McLeod

Rangers were in the doc again

Judges appointed and a legal framework set

A combined SFA / SPL hush hush out of court offer was made to newco before the season started

Except various punishments on dual payments

including stripping of titles and cups won over a ten year period

Plus goodness knows what other financial penalties

and future competitive penalties including deducted points applied over future seasons

The sop

We will let you in Division 1

Rangers rejected and so by the way did the rest of Scottish Football

This was dangerous times though for Rangers

It was the times of BBc exposé and Bafta awards

It was the time of George Orwell and blogger awards

All with a seemingly coordinated anti Rangers agenda

Eventually after much disagreement Rangers were readmitted to Scottish Football for start of the season

SFL Division 3

Minus of course

Those players backed by their union

who had jumped ship and not transferred their player registration old co to new co

Off they went in their merry way to England and Europe

New co had now lost spl prize money from last season

plus other monies owed but withheld by Scottish Football Authorities on a reregistration of club agreement

The SPL zealots were happy

Or happier

A TV deal was struck with Sky and ESPn for the new season

It needed though to include Rangers

Yep division 3 games

They will bring the viewers we need argued the power brokers

New co are weak though so pay them buttons was the second cry

The final sorry parts in this pathetic chain of events are

– old co and Sir David Murray were found not guilty of illegal Tax avoidance and won the EBT big tax case

– the new administrators of Old co through formal liquidation are now reviewing matters with many commentators suggesting potential criminal proceedings to follow against a number of the key protagonists linked to the events listed

(in particular the sale, running and administration of the club)

– the SPL still investigate Rangers over EBT dual payments despite the HMRC verdict

– HMRC have appealed to the highest authority to be given a mandate to appeal the old co EBT verdict. Currently a decision on this is pending

I have set this post out in a way that I hope is fair and accurate

No doubt if Rangers had lost the EBT case then they would have had to face the punishments for the crime

Primarily to a severely besmirched character given the consequence of liquidation and illegal tax avoidance

I refuse to believe there was direct cheating involved during the many titles and cups now under the microscope

Of course

The EBT case though as noted was won by Rangers so the points are redundant

Despite the subsequent posturing by the anti rangers brigade that such victory was nothing to be proud of etc

Unfunded hospitals, libraries et al

Well let us have an amnesty in all tax avoidance schemes used by clubs and employees of all other employees in Scottish Football

Before we go running down that road

Scottish Football again is under the spot light now

The dreaded word

Reorganisation

Much posturing again on all sides

I for one want Rangers to be promoted through the leagues purely on merit and their position in the table

Use the time this brings us wisely to develop a club built on a philosophy of home grown youth

Such a great opportunity exists for this culture within the club to be nurtured

Of course with new co successfully raising millions through share issue

There is the other side of the coin

The unpaid creditors

The unpaid PAYE tax bill

The lost credibility

How right is that?

The discredited club with all that doe

All shame on the financial fiasco of 12/ 13 should be fronted to one person

Craig Whyte (he was the driver of the train and he was director of service)

It is he who ran Rangers in to the ground

It is he who caused the hardship and embarrassment

In his name and the running of old co

newco and rangers then Rangers now have nothing to be ashamed off

They did no wrong

They were indeed in most cases the wronged

The evidence to support this position tabled throughout this post

If the anti rangers brigade can not reach that conclusion then the further shame is on them

Trequarista in Scotland? Rangers 3 Annan Athletic 0 SFL3 Dec 12

The term Trequarista is one used in various countries to reference an attacking midfield player

This player will normally

  • Wear the no 10 shirt
  • Sit in a free role between the midfield and attack
  • Be positioned in the centre (but can operate effectively from either flank)
  • Possess good vision, shooting, passing, crossing and dribbling ability
  • Have an eye for scoring goals as well as providing assists and initiating attacking plays.

Not too much pressure then?

So who in the past can be classed as a top Trequarista?

Well for a start there is Diego Armando Maradona

Who has not heard of this guy?

The first truly recognized no 10 well before the Argentinian was –and I might be excused from any accusation of bias – Arsenal Alex James

In terms of adulation we can also think of Roma’s Francesco Totti as a famous no 10

Others who fit the criteria?

Well staying on an Italian theme is Roberto Baggio

Then there is the great frenchman Zinedine Zidane (Zizou)

Brazil’s Ronaldinho

And England’s David Beckham

Top of the list though must fall within this list of great players of the past

Edison Arantes do Nascimento – Pele

Players today who now (or with previous clubs) wear the famous shirt number and play(ed) this offensive role ?

Kaka, Robinho, Messi, Fabregas, Rooney and Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero (Atletico)

An illustrious group of players indeed

Rangers 3 Annan Athletic 0 SFL Dec 12

Tonight with Rangers in their SFL match vs Annan Athletic at Ibrox Stadium

David Cooper Templeton Rangers wore the no 10 for Rangers

Normally played out wide (left or right)

In the absence of Dean Shiels he played the trequarista role

And to great effect

Almost 43k supporters watching at Ibrox I am sure will agree to this

2 goals (both from shots outside the box) in what ended up a 3 – 0 victory

Andy Little scoring the other goal

Throughout the game DCT offered

* Great link up play

* Good running on and off the ball

* A Fine array of passing

* Excellent vision

* And all the technique in the world

Plus of course goals

What is encouraging for Rangers supporters though tonight is DCT was not in my mind the best player on the park

That accolade again must go to young Lewis MacLeod

Going back to the Italian theme

This young boy – 18 years of age – is turning into a real “Regista”

Deep lying midfielder to the uninitiated

The new Pirlo of Scotland – ahhh only joking

He needs to develop his long distance passing and take a crazy penalty or two before that match can be made

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmQ2mugd2VQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGyYRhoDAVg

The youngster’s positioning, decision making, coverage, industry, tackling, creativity and what ever else was fantastic

Hence why he has along with Jig and the goalie been our only ever presents in team this season

Where this lad ends up – with a wind of fortune behind him – is anyone’s guess

A better prospect in Scotland for the role he plays?

No way!

A few other pointers from tonight’s SFL3 match

1. Playing DCT and Mckay in the same team worked well.

Although I would look to accommodate a fit Shiels in the team it should not be at the expense of Barry boy

2. A crowd of just under 43K on a Tuesday night just before xmas was exceptional

The supporter loyalty of the Rangers has no equal

3. I think Andy Little deserves a chance at centre forward

There are a number of reasons for this

He is probably the most mobile and natural forward we have

Playing in this role frees up the right berth allowing for DCT/ Mckay to be played together with Shiels

Avoids a lazy tendancy for lumping high balls as we have a want to do say when Fran or KK are in the team

4. The ref tonight – Mr. Paul Robertson – completely out of his depth

The penalty and red card against Wallace was shocking

The impending suspension thaat will form from this decision for Lee needs to surely be appealed by the club via Mr Lunny and the SFA

5. How does Ally fit Black back into this side ?

An interesting question

Hutton and MacLeod look more suited to the 4-(2)-3-1 formation Ally pursues

Whether it is commitment, ability, form or suitability to the new surroundings

I see no reason for Black to be fast tracked back into the side at the expense of either youngster

Most notably Hutton

6. 61% of the ball, 14 corners, 20 goal attempts (11 on target) all positive

How we managed to comit more fouls than the visitors is beyond me

Never mind

Maybe Mr Robertson can explain

7. On a final positive

Well done Charles Green on the successful share issue

I have no idea what Rangers fans contributed and what institutions ended up putting in the kitty

Bottom line is you did what you said you would

No doubt Sellick bloggers are already looking to belittle the good works

who cares?

We are ever vigilant to the pathetic rubbish spouted from Thomson, Mc three names, Haggerty, Speirs, and McConville plus others

PS: In no way in the completion of this post am I suggesting that DCT is as good as Pele et al

The illustrious names were only used to show the greatness of the position and some of the players who have played it

Rangers do through the circumstances of the last year or so have an opportunity to develop individual and collective youth

They seem to be grasping this nettle

Long may it continue

In 3 / 4 years

A Rangers team predominantly made up of youth academy players

With a good wee bit of first team experience strutting their stuff in European football would be a dream

Oh and yes I do know DCT did not come through Auchenhowie for the smart arses out there

Being an Arsenal Fan Is Not Easy

Being an Arsenal fan aint much fun these days

 

When yer chief exec issues an apology to fans for getting knocked out of a cup tie by a lower league team

 

The writing is kinda on the wall

http://sports.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201212/98623.php

 

I still though believe there is light at the end of the tunnel for Arsenal

 

A victory tomorrow night vs Reading  n EPL a step in correct direction

 

Hopefully easier than the capital cup victory a few weeks back

 

Back to the turmoil though

 

Three fronts on this

 

1.         Usmanov has started to agitate again

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9747256/Arsenal-shareholder-Alisher-Usmanov-blames-the-board-for-failing-to-give-Arsene-Wenger-support-he-needs.html

Not helped by Lady BS and her tweeting

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20721492

 

2. Fall out between Arsene and Stevie Bould seems to be getting more air-play

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20727473

 

3.         Transfer season beckons and Arsene gives mixed messages

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9743165/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-pledges-to-stick-to-his-transfer-philosophy-despite-his-worst-start-to-a-season.html

 

Caught between a rock and a hard place re point no 3

 

No one more than me wants to bring through youth football

 

(As a Rangers supporter I look forward to the famous Scottish club getting the opportunity to go down the divisions and build a model similar to Ajax, something not possible if they sat in the top division)

 

For the life of me

 

In this transfer window I do not see arsene getting the benefit of the doubt here for another season

 

The team needs big players

 

They need to be bought

 

And they need to be bought now

 

As for points 1 & 2

 

Unhelpful and need to be managed by the club

 

Back to the game tomorrow

 

A victory will push us into 5th place

 

2 points behind Spurs

 

Level on points with WBA and Everton but ahead on goal difference

 

On a positive note Jack lad is making good noises

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9747770/Arsenal-midfielder-Jack-Wilshire-poised-to-sign-new-deal.html

 

 

Although wish he would stay away from reference of wanting the arm band one day

 

Know the jinx that has on us

 

Bottom line in all this

 

I am still looking forward to the game

 

And that is the main thing eh?

 

 

Rangers and Scottish Football

Football in Scotland

Why oh why should Rangers want to be part of it all?

First we have Hibs leader Rod Petrie

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/plans-to-restructure-scottish-football-wont-1485441

Reinforce at his club’s AGM the message that Rangers will not be fast tracked to the SPL

Did we ask to be fast tracked Rod?

No

Do we want to be fast tracked ?

No

Funny how the response from guys like this

When talking on this subject never specifically mention these facts

So can we please neck this once and for all

And move away from the underlying feeling

That every time this subject is discussed

Rangers are proactively trying to work a fast one

Next up we have Frazer Wishart and his union torags (PFA)

“Protective award”

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/opinion/sport/hotline/sports-hotline-wednesday-december-12-1485867

http://pfascotland.co.uk/2012/news/statement-on-protective-award-claim/

Seems they have instigated a court action against the Rangers

On behalf of 67 current and ex Rangers players

As it turns out

It is not on behalf of the 67

Enough has already been written on the where with all of what is driving all this

Suffice to say it stinks to high heaven

The fact none of the current Rangers players were aware of the action

Obvious irony aside on “effective communication”

It Is absolutely outrageous what has happened here

What impact might this have had on their relationship with club, and supporters alike

Luckily it seems no damage has been done regards matters on the pitch

What happens now off the pitch

Is anyone’s guess

I’d suggest though this has caused a deep rift between union, and Scotland’s biggest club

Including Rangers players

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11788/8332194/Ally-McCoist-says-Rangers-players-in-a-compromising-position-by-PFA-Scotland

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-captain-lee-mcculloch-id-1485865

not good and I am sure some in the union senior exec are feeling Pretty exposed just now

Moving on we then need to look at Rangers 140 years of history

Celebrated superbly at Ibrox stadium last week

in front of almost 50,000 supporters

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/rangers-2-stirling-albion-0-1482800

Some Celtic twat (s)

http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/183813-Their-Rangers-obsession

thinks in doing this celebration shindig

we worked outwith set trading standards

We are a new co

As a result of this

We have misled our paying customers

We do not have a history

Therefore celebrating something we have no right to do so

Cause we don’t have a history

Government agency needs therefore to take action against new co

In a word

Pathetic

We do have a history

And it is recognised by SFA and Eufa

Coupled with this

We now get evidence

Celtic supporters are also challenging the London Stock Market

http://leggoland2.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/celtic-fans-attack-stock-exchange-in.html

This time

With the desired outcome to derail the Rangers share issue

Again, like the trading standards fiasco

It all seems to be getting laughed out of town by those in relevant authorities

Fact remains though

The level of hatred towards a rejuvenated Rangers is there for all to see

Sporting integrity?

Do me a favour

So now to our old friends at HMRC

Seems they are going to appeal the big tax case result

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-20597808

Yep

That is the 2 – 1 majority verdict in favour of Rangers and SDM

If this appeal thingy is the appropriate course to take – fair enough

Difficult though for Rangers supporters to accept this as being reality

Given all the shenanigans going on within this organisation In leading up to the verdict

The Rangers tax case blog might have dissappeared

The need for a public enquiry into what went on around all this has not

The e -petition for such an enquiry, again despite Celtic supporters trying to derail, continues to show momentum

Hopefully the correct numbers are achieved

And we get a completely neutral view of what happened involving all matters Rangers and liquidation

I am sure SFA, SPL, BBC, BAFtA, HMRC and Lloyds TSB are bricking themselves about this possibility?

On a related note

It was good to hear from Charles Green on Tuesday night on STV news show

On the program he confirmed the number of apologies he has has received from all connected with Scottish Football

On previous accusations and actions they took on the premise of Rangers guilty on use of EBTs – cheats

Of course the aforementioned 2 – 1 verdict in favour of the club rubbished this

The subsequent appeal by HMRC probably defend all from sending said apologies

Specific to this

Celtic and the guy at their recent AgM

who to rapturous applause by all present at the meeting

Accused Rangers and the use of EBTs as the greatest ever affront to Sporting Integrity

Again apology on the error of this statement from the outspoken gent or indeed club

With the well known skeletons in their cupboards

including notable examples of tax avoidance schemes for their employees

This combination of cowardice, hypocricy and bitterness  really takes the biscuit

In the words of an old enemy of the Rangers – Gerry McNee

“We know enough about you sirs”

It is good to see Charles Green raise the bar again

Now formally stating we should not have been demoted from the SPL

I sense the guns are now being lined up here

Take our titles off us?

I’d just think about protecting yourself from losing yer job and avoiding lawsuit after lawsuit from the rejuvenated Gers

The Craig Whyte element and the work of the liquidators has kinda gone a wee bit quiet

When this litigation fully unravels

is when the bullets and cannon will really start to fire on all this

Just now our Charles is just setting the battlefield up

It pains me to have to post on such politico football matters

I much more enjoy covering the magic and or eccentricity of football

The greatest sport in the world

However, what is happening here in Scotland to the Rangers is just outrageous

It needs to be in the public domain

All written is not paranoia it is fact

Oh and lest I forget

The recent BARB figures on Scottish Football TV (SPL) viewing makes very interesting reading

Average viewing figs 21 games

– 2011/12                 150,000

-2012/13                   70,000

How a rejuvenated top league  minus Rangers is gonna work with SKY/ ESPN next year I have no idea

Especially given Rangers are now in a much stronger corporate position than when this year’s deal was signed off

Bottom line is

Without Rangers box office

TV coverage of Scottish Football with the big Media moguls is dead in the water

The evidence is there

Despite others trying now laughably trying to rubbish how BARB calculate their figures

http://www.eastfootball.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=36875

You just could not make it up

For a wee bit of humour

I post the lamentable article published in the Herald predicting a healthy out turn for TV viewing of Scottish Football

Minus the Rangers

http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/knowing-our-rights.18109410

Finally

And to the Rangers boycott of Tannadice in February

Posted on this before

so no need to go over old ground on the hypocrisy of it all by United and others associated with Scottish Football

Although the charity angle by Mr. Green was a feckn master stroke

My only point of additional note really  regards this matter

Was a question

Is their an official / unofficial boycott of Celtic games these days?

One hears rumour and then counter rumour on the topic

It would be good to know the answer

Curiosity and all that

Cause the home and away attendances (Europe aside) at their games look sickly

lol

Sao Paulo Win Copa Sudamericana After Match Abandoned

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2247392/Sao-Paulo-win-Copa-Sudamericana-security-guards-attack-Tigre-players.html

Bloomin heck

Imagine this happened in a Rangers Celtic match?

Scottish Govt and the media would go into absolute meltdown

Not looking good for the Confederation/ World Cup in Brazil though 2013 and 2014 respectively

I must say the pictures on Sao Paulo morumbi stadium and atmosphere look electric

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