Rangers FC Thread

[dande101]

Glasgow Rangers FC
The Thread Of Champions

[NY17]

3/4 of the way through the season....nice job!!...

Hutton to return to the gers in the summer.........his wife doesn`t like london! blah..blah..blah...!

[tom f]

Novo says he is fit for sunday.More options for Walter.

[dande101]

Novo says he is fit for sunday.More options for Walter.

Yeah good news , hope the wee man plays some part as he's a real thorn in celtics side !!!

[dande101]

STEVEN NAISMITH gave Walter Smith something to think about this afternoon by scoring a first-half double as Rangers' Reserves beat Hibs 2-1 at Murray Park.

With a League Cup final against Celtic only days away Naisy showed the gaffer his desire to be involved with an impressive 90-minute display.

The 22-year-old, playing in his preferred role through the middle, was lively from the kick-off and bagged the opening goal on 24 minutes.

A John Fleck corner was nodded down by Christian Dailly and his teammate was there to hammer the ball home past Andrew McNeil.

The second goal arrived just seconds before the half-time interval.

Fleck again delivered a teasing cross from a corner and Naismith stepped away from his marker before heading the ball in to the net.

Tommy Wilson admitted after the final whistle that slackness crept in to his side's play after the restart and DaMarcus Beasley was guily of missing a snip when he was one-on-one with McNeil.

The American got the ball tangled between his legs before it was cleared to safety.

A third goal at this stage would have killed off Hibs' chances but and they were to pull one back on 70 minutes.

Substitute Damon Gray played in Jack Wilson who angled a tidy finish beyond Neil Alexander.

In the dying stages the impressive Mo Edu skipped past three men before rifling a low shot across McNeil.

Unfortunately it went inches wide of target but it highlighted the midfielder's undoubted athletiscism and his potential at pushing forward in to the last third.

In the end Rangers deserved to secure three points and the fixture proved an excellent run-out for first-team players such as Beasley, Fleck, Brahim Hemdani and Steven Smith.

It was Naismith, however, that really threw his name in the hat for Sunday's final and he clearly relished moving back to his natural position in attack.

RANGERS: Alexander; Lowing, Webster (Harvey), Dailly, S. Smith; Lennon, Hemdani (Wylde), Edu, Beasley (Little); Fleck, Naismith

Subs Not Used: Gallacher, Kinniburgh

[dande101]

Boyd Bust Up Latest !!!


Gers ace reports to training after rap from boss
KRIS BOYD reported back to Murray Park today hoping to play his way into Rangers' Co-operative Cup Final plans.

The Ibrox striker was sent home from the club's training ground yesterday by manager Walter Smith.

It is understood the Rangers management were unhappy with the player's attitude at the weekend when he was omitted from the starting line-up for their 5-1 victory over Hamilton Accies in the Scottish Cup.

But Boyd drove to Murray Park this morning as normal after missing training yesterday and was expecting to join his team-mates as they are put through their paces to prepare them for Sunday's League Cup final showdown against Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Even before being sent away from training it was widely expected that the Rangers hitman wouldn't start in the Hampden showdown.

The player, however, still hopes to be included in Sunday's squad.

Whether or not that happens, of course, will be down to Smith. It's thought further talks were expected later today or tomorrow.

Boyd is still deeply unhappy at being left out the team but he denies allegations he lashed out at a pile of boots inside the dressing room or that he was the only substitute not to warm-up out on the pitch at half-time.

A source close to the player explained: "Walter called Kris to his office and spoke to him about his attitude on Sunday. It was a discussion rather than a shouting match. It resulted in Kris being told to head home for the rest of the day and let things calm down.

"Kris was unhappy at not playing on Sunday. He doesn't want to pick up wages by sitting on the bench or in the stand.

"It will now be down to the manager whether or not he plays any part on Sunday, but all Kris can do is report to training and get the head down."

It is, however, another sign that Boyd is expected to leave the club in the summer as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract.

Rangers accepted a £3.8million bid from Birmingham City during the January transfer window, but the player knocked back the move after failing to agree personal terms.

[dande101]

Bougherra would snub Toon , seems to be a familiar pattern these days with Rangers centre backs stating that they dont want a big money move and then what happens?...they move (ie, Boumsong & Cuellar) so is this going to happen again???

Full story here , Sky Sports | Football | Scottish Premier | Rangers | Bougherra would snub Toon

[dande101]

KIRK BROADFOOT'S chances of facing Celtic in Sunday's League Cup final have improved after he was able to train at Murray Park today.

One daily newspaper report suggested it is unlikely he'll feature against Gordon Strachan's men at Hampden because of a foot injury.

But he took part in this morning's session and the management are hopeful he'll be cleared to play two days from now.

Nacho Novo has been passed fit, having returned to training earlier this week following more than a month out with an ankle problem.

He has suffered no reaction since coming back into Walter Smith's squad and could make a dramatic comeback in the derby.

One player who did not train today was Madjid Bougherra, who limped off after sustaining a kick to the calf in Sunday's win over Hamilton.

He was not risked as a precaution but is making good progress after receiving treatment and the club's medics expect him to make the starting line-up.

Pedro Mendes and Lee McCulloch, who both returned against Accies after spells out, are also fine and Kevin Thomson is the only absentee.

[tom f]

Its going to be a big game on sunday.Ive been waiting for ages for this one.
Mon the Gers.WATP.

[dande101]

Yeah Tom feeling confident about this one just hope there is none of this crowding the midfield as it will ruin the game , i would like to see Walter going for it with attacking football after all it's a cup final and one off game !!!

[tom f]

True.A 4-4-2 formation would/could be good,but Walter does like his 4-5-1.
In saying that,I still think we will win.

[dande101]

Up next is Hearts at Ibrox on Saturday , lets just hope we can get back to winning ways and heap the pressure on celtic who travel to Dundee United on Sunday !!!

[tom f]

Its time that Barry and the rest of the team stand up and be counted.No excuses.Celtic are there for the taking and its up to our friend Walter and co to get it right.
WATP.Mon the gers.

[dande101]

Davie Weir is out of the Hearts game tommorow after being sent of in the defeat to Inverness and with Madjid Bougherrs and Kirk Broadfoot both facing late fitness test i just hope we dont see another appearance from Christian (****-off) Dailly !!!

[dande101]

Rangers' Northern Ireland international midfielder Steven Davis insists he is fully committed to the SPL giants.

The former Fulham man has been linked with a Premier League return this summer with the likes of Wigan and Sunderland both credited with an interest.

However, the 24-year-old, who still has over three years remaining on his Ibrox deal, insists he is not looking to quit Walter Smith's side.

"I am 100 per cent committed to Rangers," he said. "I am more than happy to stay at Ibrox, I'm loving my football again.

"There were a few difficult years for me at Fulham but I don't think about the Premier League because Rangers has been everything I though it would be and a lot more

[dande101]

Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson has confirmed he will not play again for the club this season.

The 24-year-old former Hibs ace finally went surgery on New Year's Eve to repair ligaments damaged during November's SPL win over Kilmarnock.

It had been suggested Thomson could return before the SPL season concludes, but he has now confirmed he will not play again before next summer.

"It's a case of so far, so good with the injury but this is a marathon and not a sprint," he told the Sunday Mail.

"I will visit a specialist next week and hope to get the thumbs up to start some jogging and some work outdoors.

"But I won't play again this season. I'm desperate to return but want to be 100 per cent. I won't rush things."

[dande101]

Kyle's Injury Blow
KYLE LAFFERTY will see a specialist tomorrow as he bids to save his season after he was stretchered off against Hearts on Saturday.

The Rangers striker is expected to be out for a minimum of six weeks because of ankle ligament damage sustained in the first half of the 2-2 draw with the Jambos.

Eight-goal hitman Lafferty - who withdrew from Northern Ireland's squad this morning - will have a scan as the club tries to find out the extent of the injury he has suffered.

But even if it reveals no further complications, it looks as though it will be early May at least before he is back in a Light Blues shirt.

That's a huge blow to manager Walter Smith as the towering forward had really started to make an impression in his side.

Kirk Broadfoot, meanwhile, will report for Scotland duty tonight but it is unclear if he will be able to turn out against Holland in Amsterdam five days from now.

As well as the foot injury which had him struggling to be fit for the League Cup final last Sunday, he has a calf knock which is causing him discomfort.

Madjid Bougherra is also sidelined at present with the same problem but he remains hopeful of lining up for Algeria in Rwanda this coming weekend.

He has gone back to his homeland for a scan and the results will determine whether he plays in the World Cup/African Cup of Nations qualifier.

[captaincampbell]

Until Walter GTF's then i'm nothing but pessimistic. I think both us and Celtic are gash at the moment, that we should be able to beat Celtic but we have a regime that are totally ****ing clueless.

See Van Persie knows where his heart is:

Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie has revealed the pain of seeing his dreams of a teenage move to Rangers fall apart.

The flying Dutchman, who has Gunners fans worried as he continues to stall over signing a new contract, was approached by former Ibrox boss Dick Advocaat when he was 18.

But despite Van Persie being “desperate” to join the Glasgow giants, the move collapsed.

“There was some interest from Rangers when I was at Feyenoord,” Van Persie said.

“The problem for me was they didn't come in and make an offer. I was quite interested because I really wanted to leave my club.

“Rangers are massive, like Celtic. I speak to Glenn Loovens and he tells me lots of stories about the stadium and Scotland itself.

“My European debut was against Rangers at Ibrox and that was a fantastic moment. When I heard about their interest, I sat by the phone hoping it would ring.

“I was in a difficult situation at my club and desperate to leave. Advocaat told me he needed to sell some players before he could buy. That's why it dragged on and did not happen.”

Van Persie will show Rangers fans what they missed when Holland take on Scotland this weekend.

The Gunners’ top-scorer will be a major threat to George Burley’s injury-hit side in the Amsterdam Arena tomorrow night.

Though confident of victory, he stressed that Scotland would be no push-over for the Group Nine runaway leaders.

“We can make a massive step towards reaching the World Cup, but so could Scotland. We are both good sides so, even if they lose, they should not worry. I rate them higher than the other teams.”

[dande101]

The Time Of Our Lives
SKY SPORTS' 'Time of our Lives' series continues tonight (Monday 30th March) with a special programme about the Rangers team that won the 1972 European Cup Winners' Cup.

'Kings of Ibrox' will celebrate the remarkable achievements of the side managed by Willie Waddell some 37 years ago at 10pm this evening on Sky Sports 1.

In the programme, club legends John Greig, Sandy Jardine and Derek Johnstone all join Jeff Stelling for a considered stroll down memory lane.

They'll look back to the tumultuous events of 24 May 1972, when the Light Blues beat Moscow Dynamo 3-2 in Barcelona to claim their first European trophy.

As well as the final itself, the three Hall of Famers will reminisce about the managerial techniques of former boss Waddell.

Greig and Jardine will also discuss the heartache of losing to Bayern Munich in the final of the same competition five years earlier in Nuremburg.

And all three will recall an incredible European night in Glasgow when they got their revenge against the Germans in front of 80,000 fans at Ibrox.

'Kings of Ibrox' is something you won't want to miss so make sure you tune in to relive the club's biggest achievement on the continental stage.

[dande101]

Scotland Ban Rangers Pair For Life

Rangers' Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor have been told they will never play for Scotland again.

The Scottish FA made the announcement because of a weekend drinking session after defeat by Netherlands and V-signs made on the bench against Iceland.

Rangers had earlier on Friday stripped Ferguson of the team captaincy and suspended the midfielder and goalkeeper McGregor for two weeks without pay.

Veteran defender David Weir has been named the new Rangers captain.

Ferguson and McGregor have apologised for their actions, but their futures at Rangers could also now be in doubt.

The pair had initially been dropped to the bench by Scotland manager George Burley following the early-hours drinking session at the team hotel following the 3-0 World Cup qualifying reverse in Amsterdam.

SFA chief executive Gordon Smith on Thursday backed his manager's action and suggested that the matter was now closed.

I apologise wholeheartedly for the embarrassment caused to Scotland, Rangers, both sets of supporters and my friends and family

Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson
But the governing body's president, George Peat, demanded a further investigation in light of the gestures made by the two players while they were substitutes for Wednesday's 2-1 win over Iceland.

And, following a hectic Friday of meetings, phone calls and an apparent flood of complaints from Scotland supporters, further action has been taken by the SFA and Rangers.

"In light of the events of the past 48 hours, and following further discussions between the national team manager and the chief executive, it has been decided that Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor will no longer be considered for international selection by Scotland," said an SFA spokesman.

"This action has been taken in the best interest of the squad, the fans and the country. We are determined to qualify for the World Cup and we must ensure that nothing is allowed to distract us from achieving this goal."

McGregor and Ferguson had earlier on Friday been sent home from Rangers training and later had a meeting with Ibrox chief executive Martin Bain.

Ferguson, who was Scotland captain and has been capped 45 times, told Rangers' website: "I deeply regret what happened last weekend and the events during the last week and apologise wholeheartedly for the embarrassment caused to Scotland, Rangers, both sets of supporters and my friends and family.

"I have always considered playing for Rangers and Scotland an honour and a privilege and nothing will change that and I am bitterly disappointed by the announcement that I will not be selected for Scotland again."

McGregor, who had made his fourth international appearance in Amsterdam after deposing Sunderland's Craig Gordon, was also contrite.

"We all make mistakes in life and I am very disappointed to have let Rangers, Scotland, my family and all the fans down," he said.

"I am also desperately disappointed that I will not be selected again for Scotland at this stage in my career."

Rangers chief executive Bain said that the two players had brought the club into disrepute.

"The management of the club has taken the view that this has damaged both Rangers and Scotland and is unacceptable," he said.

Rangers lose two of their top players at a time when they are chasing Celtic in the race for the Scottish title, but manager Walter Smith said that action was needed, although the drinking session was not his main concern.

"We were unhappy about that situation, but that was something for George to act on," said Smith.

"The more disappointing aspect for us was the subsequent action on the bench on Wednesday night.

"From the club's point of view, that was not a good image to project."