by Shaun Milne

GEORGE Burley has fallen victim of a campaign to have someone with Old Firm credentials succeed him as Scotland manager, it was claimed today.

But the SFA would be far better served by contracting him for at least another four years so he can build a team to be proud of, former Hearts chairman Lord Foulkes insists.

UNDER PRESSURE: George Burley

Foulkes, who was part of a management team at Hearts when Burley set them on a 10-game unbeaten run to top the SPL, said he had no doubt his former comrade could still work wonders.

Policy

He said: “I think there are certain people within the football establishment who would rather continuing this failed policy of chopping and changing managers and who would rather replace George with someone with Old Firm credentials.”

“But he’s not had long to do the job, he’s had hardly any games at all, yet it’s clear the players having started clicking and improving under him.”

“The players respect him – look at how the captain Darren Fletcher and veteran Davie Weir have supported him today – surely that is something that cannot be ignored by anybody.”

Respect

He added: “We hired him at Hearts because of his record as a player and manager, because of his enthusiasm for the job and for the respect that he commanded from the team.

“Watching them at training one day, I asked John McGlynn who was still a coach at the time what he thought, and he said: ‘George, he makes all the difference on the world, he really does.’”

BACKING: Lord Foulkes

Lord Foulkes revealed he had travelled with Burley on a flight in the lead up to the double-header, and said he was bowled over by his passion and determination for the huge task in hand.

Contest

And he added: “He was clearly frustrated and hurt by some of the criticism, it was a feeding frenzy in some quarters.

“But he was determined to concentrate on what he had to do.

“He is proud of having the Scotland job, he enjoys it. He deserves to be given a chance to build it, but as it stands, that looks like being only 50-50.”

Burley leapt at the chance to manage his country after two Rangers veterans, Walter Smith then Alex McLeish, both walked out on the post to return to money-spinning positions at club football.

That left him with only a short window to start afresh with a handful of warm-up matches before the real contest began.

But that too was blighted by the Boozegate affair that saw players Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor cast aside.

Foulkes said: “He had a lot to contend with, and lots of people pulling out or hit by injury such as Craig Gordon.

“But he needs time to do the job.

“Gordon is perhaps our best player and one of the best keepers in the world, but he too was booed by some fans right at the start.

“Now he is a national hero.

“George should be allowed to continue in the Scotland job.

Proud

“The team got more successful, got better and better with each game under him, first beating Macedonia and then holding the third best side in the world to a late 1-0 defeat.

“He enjoys winning, but you could see in his face how badly he took defeat. He is so passionate for the job, so proud doing it.

“Changing so many managers these past 10 years has seen Scotland fail to qualify for any major tournament.

“There is something flawed with that system. That is why they should give him a chance now.”

There was no sign of Burley at his Edinburgh home earlier today.

The promoters of Atlanta Carifest want everyone to know that their goal is to promote unity in the Atlanta Caribbean community. Performers in the line up include Etana, Machel Montano, Freddie McGregor, Alison Hinds, Chino, Laden, Tessanne Chin, and Kiprich.

At Adams Stadium, 2415 N. Druid Hills Rd, Atlanta, GA on Sunday, August 23rd, 2009…A D’va Promotion. To Purchase TICKETS www.atlantacarifest.com or www.eventlinks-atlanta.com

Related articles by Zemanta

• Finest Delivery Volume 2 in Stores Now (highlanda.wordpress.com)
• Killer Mike Readies All-Atlanta Album Preceding Grand Hustle Debut (idiomag.com)
• Yung Joc Releases Third Album Digitally and Free (idiomag.com)

by Andrew Moir

A Lack of respect in football

As Rangers FC stars Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor are suspended from their clubs and banned by their countriy there are fears that this may influence young players.

Iain Edmonstone has been a coach of school football teams for more than 20 years. He does not think that this behaviour filters down to aspiring players. “I’m sure none of the young players are impressed by these antics. They certainly don’t see these guys at role models. I certainly don’t see the diving and the cheating at that level.”

While he doesn’t see this replicated in his own players he thinks that the unacceptable behaviour is picked up inside the clubs. “It’s an institutional problem. There’s a lack of respect for management and for the SFA. If you want to look at an example from another sport then, what about Lewis Hamilton? He’s probably been with McLaren since he was 13. There’s an arrogance amongst certain individuals who think they can get away with anything.”

Former Celtic, Ross County and Partick Thistle player Henry Creaney thinks this lack of respect occurs because young footballers are isolated from the rest of society. “It all comes down to money. These kids will go into an academy at a young age and have no idea how other people live. Guys between 18 and 20 have crazy money thrown at them. People don’t love the game in the same way any more. They are looking for money and that includes the parents.”

However Creaney believes that that respect works both ways. “When I played the referees would talk to you. They knew your name and they would interpret the rules using common sense. Now they all go by the letter of the law”

These incidents are not isolated. In August 2008 The English Football Association launched the Respect Campaign. This programme is to be in affect across all levels of football from the glamour of the Premier League right down to local leagues. The campaign launched many new ideas including a code of conduct for players and a new etiquette for talking to referees. According to the FA an average of 7,000 referees quit football every year. Respect aims to change this.

As both players and referees look for different kinds of recognition, mutual respect could be a distant prospect.

Score one -- or ten -- for the keeper.

Missed this gem in the fall, but just found it doing some digging in light of recent events involving current Rangers and former Scotland keeper Allan “The Playa” McGregor. This article spotlight’s one of McGregor’s love interests — one of at least 10 women with whom young Allan was romantically entangled during the previous year –  promoting a tell-all sexploitation interview. Wonder if that’s aired yet, and how it went over…

Nice to see opinions softening about the Loch Lomond Liquor Lockdown in general. What a mess.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s been paying attention to the debacle concerning the banning of Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor. What a nonsense! To my mind its another example of the SFA hindering the team’s chances of World Cup qualification. Banning is too extreme a punishment and serves only to disadvantage other players’ efforts.

OK, to be fair, I was away on holiday when the incidents happened. So, I had a little bit of catching up to do. But, from what I gather Ferguson and McGregor were a couple of diddies and DID desereve to be punished. However, how does anyone gain, now or in the future, by the SFA banning them from internationals for life? By excluding these two players the team has been significantly weakened, playing into the hands of our opposition.

And it seems this is a common view. Hamish Husband, speaking for the Tartan Army, said that Scotland fans would welcome Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor back to the Scotland team if they apologised. And more interestingly, George Burley is has distanced himself from the ban. He stated “The Scotland manager doesn’t decide who’s banned,” and went on to say “I stress, I didn’t ban them. The Scottish FA board as a whole decide these matters. I’m not on the board”.So, it seems, to me at least, that the SFA hierarchy are intent on a decision widely unsupported outside their offices.

What now? Unfortunately my faith inthe SFA isn’t great, so I don’t forsee any resolution. It may require someone’s resination, or even worse Scotland failing to qualify, to  show the decision to be ill-considered. Hopefully it won’t come to either.

by Andrew Moir

A Lack of respect in football

As Rangers FC stars Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor are suspended from their clubs and banned by their countriy there are fears that this may influence young players.

Iain Edmonstone has been a coach of school football teams for more than 20 years.  He does not think that this behaviour filters down to aspiring players. “I’m sure none of the young players are impressed by these antics.  They certainly don’t see these guys at role models.  I certainly don’t see the diving and the cheating at that level.” 

While he doesn’t see this replicated in his own players he thinks that the unacceptable behaviour is picked up inside the clubs.  “It’s an institutional problem.  There’s a lack of respect for management and for the SFA.  If you want to look at an example from another sport then, what about Lewis Hamilton?  He’s probably been with McLaren since he was 13.  There’s an arrogance amongst certain individuals who think they can get away with anything.”

Former Celtic, Ross County and Partick Thistle player Henry Creaney thinks this lack of respect occurs because young footballers are isolated from the rest of society.  “It all comes down to money.   These kids will go into an academy at a young age and have no idea how other people live.  Guys between 18 and 20 have crazy money thrown at them.  People don’t love the game in the same way any more.  They are looking for money and that includes the parents.”

However Creaney believes that that respect works both ways.  “When I played the referees would talk to you.  They knew your name and they would interpret the rules using common sense.  Now they all go by the letter of the law” 

These incidents are not isolated.  In August 2008 The English Football Association launched the Respect Campaign.  This programme is to be in affect across all levels of football from the glamour of the Premier League right down to local leagues.  The campaign launched many new ideas including a code of conduct for players and a new etiquette for talking to referees.  According to the FA an average of 7,000 referees quit football every year.  Respect aims to change this. 

As both players and referees look for different kinds of recognition, mutual respect could be a distant prospect.

Walter Smith dará una nueva oportunidad a Allan McGregor, pero el futuro del capitán está lejos de Ibrox Park

El último acto de indisciplina le ha costado caro a Barry Ferguson. El ya ex capitán del Glasgow Rangers y la selección escocesa tampoco volverá a jugar con el conjunto protestante, según anunció el técnico Walter Smith. El centrocampista fue apartado del equipo nacional para el partido del pasado miércoles ante Inslandia tras quedarse junto a su compañero Allan McGregor hasta altas horas de la madrugada en el bar del hotel de concentración de la selección en Holanda, la misma noche de la derrota por 3-0 en el Ámsterdam Arena.

Tras conocerse la juerga del capitán y del portero, el seleccionador escocés George Burley decidió prescindir de ambos internacionales para el partido de Hampden Park ante el combinado islandés en el que Escocia venció por 2-1. Durante el partido, ambos jugadores se dedicaron a realizar gestos insultantes con los dedos que no pasaron desapercibidos por los medios, algo que ha acabado con la paciencia de la Scottish FA y del Rangers.

La Federación decidió prescindir de forma indefinida de ambos jugadores y ahora ha sido el conjunto de Glasgow el que les ha cerrado la puerta. Ni Ferguson ni McGregor jugaron hoy ante en la victoria de su equipo en el campo del Falkirk (0-1) pese a que los ‘Teddy Bears’ siguen en plena lucha con el Celtic por el título liguero.

Walter Smith ha decidido seguir los pasos del discutido George Burley que, a pesar de su delicada situación, asumió personalmente la decisión de no volver a llamar a ambos futbolistas. El técnico del Rangers, sin embargo, si que ha decidido dar una segunda oportunidad al guardameta, que será readmitido en un plazo de 15 días, pero la situación del centrocampista es mucho más delicada. Smith ha sentenciado a su ex capitán, al que muchos medios ya colocan en el Zenit de San Petersburgo…

Fancy a dram, Georgie?

In what passes as news only in a Eugene Ionesco book, it’s been uncovered that Scotland skipper Barry Ferguson and keeper Allan McGregor — both Rangers regulars — posted up in the hotel bar into the wee hours after returning to the team’s Loch Lomand hotel following Scotland’s three-nil loss to Holland on the weekend.

What would actually be shocking is if the Scottish side wasn’t drowning its sorrows after that devastating blow. It’s shocking the entire team wasn’t in there. Apparently, George “Short Timer” Burley caught Ferguson and McGregor in the bar area well after curfew and blew a fuse. A heated argument ensued. The fallout resulted in the pair riding the pine during Scotland’s 2-1 win over Iceland.

It’s water under the bridge at this point, allegedly, and what appeared to be official perturbance over Burley’s handling of it was quickly smoothed but one can’t help wonder how much longer Burley will have the helm. It’s been a tumultuous tenure for Burley, with unfortunate injuries woes, defecting players and more, which makes it hard to make sense of whether he’s getting a fair shake or not. In the end, it’s all about the result, and on that note it has been an underwhelming picture.

Time will tell but I think they’ll can his ass as soon as this World Cup campaign is over if not much, much sooner.

It was remiss of me yesterday not to mention Dumbarton’s fine 2-0 away victory at Elgin on Tuesday night. Having seen Elgin a couple of weeks ago they are a decent side despite their lowly position in the league so this was undoubtedly a good, and very important, result. I understand manager Jim Chapman adopted a 4-4-2 formation on the night which is the system most fans prefer.

And so to Scotland. Of course the connection with Sons is not just confined to this blog. For home games the Scotland team stay at Cameron House Hotel a mere 10 minutes from where I sit, and train at Dumbarton’s Strathclyde Homes Stadium. I actually didn’t see the game last night but am delighted that the Scots won 2-1.

The antics of Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor of course took up 95% of the pre-match discussion. George Burley should of course have hunted the pair of them from the training camp rather than just drop them from the starting line up last night. The fact that he didn’t leads me to think that there may well have been more to this than meets the eye. I understand from my informants at the scene that Ferguson and McGregor are not the only Scotland players partial to a prolonged late night bevvy session.

Someone I know who once worked at the hotel remarked yesterday, “Scotland football team? – the tales I could tell!”

Hmmm.

Let it be said once again — give George Burley credit for sheer guts, writes The Times. The embattled Scotland manager, embarrassed and humiliated by his boozing players, his alleged captain among them — rang the changes in his Scotland team last night and, against a backdrop of intense personal pressure, claimed this vital group nine win at Hampden Park to keep Scotland’s 2010 World Cup hopes alive.

The knives would have been out for Burley had he tripped up here but he is a bigger man than some take him for. In the circumstances, this was an heroic Scottish victory.

Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor, a pair of wayward fools who drank all night in the team’s hotel at the weekend, were both dropped for a match that had cried out for every willing and available piece of Scottish talent. It was a calculated gamble by Burley that paid off. Goals from Ross McCormack and Steven Fletcher secured the deed, despite some late, worrying probes by Iceland.

But the main story was still about who failed to play in this match. Ferguson and McGregor, following their stupidity in the early hours of Sunday morning, made their shame-faced walk to the Scotland bench after being dropped. And the real, emotive moment came right at the death.

Craig Gordon, Scotland’s recalled goalkeeper, made an astonishing double save in the dying moments to keep Iceland out and keep Burley in his job. Hampden wildly cheered Gordon’s name as he lay injured on the ground, and those chants alone told you everything about what the fans thought of these past two days.

There was widespread sympathy for Burley, given the boozy antics of Ferguson and McGregor, though the Scotland manager caused genuine bafflement by listing both players among his substitutes. On the one hand, it had seemed a strong, clear signal to discipline the two players by axing them. But to have them on the bench? What kind of halfway house punishment was this? In the end it looked like a fudge.

The Tartan Army certainly made their feelings known on the subject, roundly booing the names of McGregor and Ferguson when they were read out by the stadium announcer. It confirmed the impression that there was quite a bit of sympathy for Burley, and he did what he always does — he went with boldness, making five changes to the side that lost to Holland at the weekend, and staked his reputation on it.

Out went McGregor, Ferguson, Christophe Berra, Graham Alexander and Gary Teale. In came Gordon, Alan Hutton, Stephen McManus, James Morrison and Steven Fletcher. If the Scots felt wary or uncertain, the long arms of Gordon calmed their nerves, uncoiling like tentacles to grasp some of Aron Gunnarsson’s extraordinary throw-ins. But it was a fraught match for Scotland, notwithstanding McCormack’s lovely goal after 39 minutes.

It proved a hard graft for the Scots, with McCormack probing down one side and the recalled Morrison down the other. With Fletcher playing off Kenny Miller in attack, Burley’s men had plenty bustling energy about them, not least in the extraordinary figure of Hutton, a man who has been out of football for four months, but who took this game to his opponents just as he had against Italy on that famous night in November 2007.

Yet Scotland endured some moments of anxiety before they claimed the lead. Whenever Eidur Gudjohnsen took the ball, mainly down the Scottish left, Hampden became gripped with apprehension.

McCormack celebrates with Miller

But it was the Scots who claimed the lead six minutes before half-time, and it was a fine, sweeping attack by Hutton and finish by McCormack. Hutton took on Hermann Hreidarsson for pace and beat the Icelandic defender before crossing low into the penalty area. The ball arrived nicely for McCormack, who still had to be deft and sure with his finish, hoisting his shot high to Gunni Gunnleifsson’s left with the goalkeeper stranded. It really was a sweet finish.

Scotland began the second half at a fevered pace and should have gone two ahead after 50 minutes. The Scots worked the ball neatly into the Iceland box, and Darren Fletcher’s flick to Hutton found the full-back in space and with time to shoot. From 12 yards, though, the full-back allowed Gunnleifsson to make the diving block.

It was a bad miss and it only invited swift disaster at the other end. Scotland were shell-shocked by Iceland’s sudden, crushing equaliser. From nowhere, Palmi Palmason’s stinging shot crashed off Gordon’s right post, and Indridi Sigurdsson met the rebound to sweep home from 12 yards.

Scotland puffed away in search of a second goal, and McCormack’s free kick from 20 yards plunged into the chest of Gunnleifsson. There was a momentary flatness about the Scots, as if totally taken aback by the fact that their visitors had pulled level.

Fletcher scored the winner

And it took another aerial assault after 64 minutes for Burley’s men to reclaim their lead. From McCormack’s corner, McManus rose to head on for Steven Fletcher. The Hibernian striker threw himself at the ball to force it past Gunnleifsson from four yards.In the dying minutes, Scotland were subjected to various agonies, but Gordon kept Iceland out.

I wonder if those responsible for today’s back page of the Daily Record noticed the marvelous symmetry of their work?

Firstly this article, redolent of Copenhagen, Billy Bremner, Willie Young, Troon, Jimmy Johnstone and rowing boats;

And then this advert:

Any win is a good win, but we all knew it was especially important to  get a victory today. There is no point winning at Celtic Park then  dropping points against Kilmarnock. The Rangers have to prove that they are a consistent force, and today was another tick in the list of what you need to be SPL champions. It might only have been a narrow victory, but this Kilmarnock side is a good one, and they will surprise you if you haven’t already watched them in the flesh.

Rangers started where they left off at Celtic Park by playing the same passing and moving football and it was only a moment of madness at the back that allowed Kilmarnock to go one up. In the ninth minute, the ball was lobbed over the heads of the Rangers defence and the Rangers Keeper was slow to react. He allowed the ball to come at him rather than go towards it, and after the bounce – even though he could use both hands – astonishingly lost out on a fifty-fifty high ball with Frazer Wright. The Kilmarnock player knocked it over McGregor then turned and scrambled it home.

The Killie fans went understandably wild and after a few moments of silence, the roar coming from the Rangers fans showed they knew this one was a game we just had to win. Rangers continued to push forward in the first half and had their chances. Most notably, a wonderful save from Alan Combe at point-blank range from Boyd and another when Beasley was through after a lovely slide-rule from Edu. Unfortunately, the Rangers winger failed to do anything with it, even though he had enough time to stop, make a cup of tea and then slot it home.

So Rangers were one-down at half-time, and although there was no panic at Ibrox, there was a sense of frustration that Rangers totally controlled a match they were losing. Beasley had a very poor first half, and it was no surprise that he was replaced on the forty-five minute mark by Nacho Novo. He very rarely, if ever, made it to the byeline to knock over a cross, preferring to fall down every time he was touched. This is not so much a criticism of diving than an acknowledgement that he is incredibly lightweight for the SPL and he can be pushed over rather easily. I don’t rate him at all and Novo is twice the player Beasley is. It is no coincidence Rangers were much more incisive in the second half.

And it was that man Novo who gained the penalty in the fifty-seventh minute to put the teddy-bears level. The little Spaniard was effectively wrestled down by the Kilmarnock defence and even the referee could do nothing other than give a penalty. The Kilmarnock players did everything they could to put Boyd off. Alan Combe was particularly guilty, by first standing on the edge of the penalty box refusing to go into his goalmouth, then walked towards the already placed ball, picked it up and then threw it down again right in front of the ref Calum Murray. I don’t blame the Kilmarnock players for trying to put Boyd off his game, but how is it possible for a player to do all this inches from the referee without being booked? It summed up the atrocious refereeing throughout the match, where he was never really in control.

Of-course Boyd slotted the ball home, and only four minutes later got the winner after hitting a ball on the turn past the raging Kilmarnock Keeper. From then on, Rangers went into their shell attempting to defend the lead instead of just blowing Kilmarnock away with their stylish attacking football and were nearly punished when the impressive Papac was forced to clear the ball off the line. Rangers too went close a few times, especially in a four versus two situation when Charlie Adam should have scored, although to be fair he brought out an excellent save from Combe again.

Overall, a continuation of our win over Celtic. Some nice football was played and it’s always good to see your team win after going one-down. As Jock Wallace might have said it shows character.

Make no mistake – this Rangers team is the real deal.

Talking Points -

Referee Calum Murray – I am not one of those people who believe any Scottish Referees are in any way biased. They are not, they are just hopeless. I thought Calum Murray was one of our fitter refs but he seemed way off the pace throughout the match, turning down a Rangers penalty claim while half-way down the field. He never gave Rangers any fifty-fifty decisions and he seemed not to understand the advantage rule, preferring to blow the whistle immediately, instead of waiting a split-second to see if any advantage was gained.

Maurice Edu – The Rangers fans I spoke to seemed split on how good or bad he played today. However, most agreed he was nervous. I thought he played quite well, and I liked that he seemed eager for the ball. He made some nice passes, but also some poor ones too, so the jury is still out. One thing that does seem clear – he is not a bruiser. He likes to play football and that can’t be bad.

Kris Boyd – Another player who splits the support. I’m afraid I am not a fan of his. His workrate and touch is very poor and I don’t think in big games that he is good enough. Take away his penalty goals from his scoring to games ratio, and it may surprise you. However, I can totally understand those who think they can’t do without him as a goalscorer. He certainly did the business today and lets hope for more of it.

Sasa Papac – My Man of the Match. Apart from a poor couple of passes very early in the second half, he was simply outstanding both in defence and attack. I can’t say enough about this guy. He very rarely lets Rangers down because he sticks to doing the simple things effectively. He is no Arthur Numan, but he doesn’t attempt to be and that is his strength. He has made the left-back slot his own.

Nacho Novo – I don’t know why Walter Smith likes to pick Beasley in front of Novo. Even when Novo has one of his off-days he still looks for the ball and creates chances and opportunities with his excellent runs on and off the ball. Beasley isn’t half the player wee Novo is and he should get a game more regularly.

Rangers fans – At times you could feel the excitement and passion pulsing through Ibrox. The crowd got behind the team and helped push for the much-needed goals. We know this team can be Champions and it was great to see and hear the fans doing their bit. Simply the Best.

(Photo by Superleague Formula: thebeautifulrace)

Who should Walter Smith be signing for the coming season.

Kenny Miller?  In my opinion, definately not.  He was not good enough for Celtic. He did very little at Derby.  I would not sign him even if Derby paid us to take him off their hands.

It was obvious from last season that we need players who are significantly better than some of our current crop.

David Weir was definitely struggling towards the end of the season.

Our midfield, apart from Ferguson, lacked energy, creativity and threat.  Too many of our players appear to be one dimensional.  By that I mean can pass, but can’t tackle and can’t shoot. Or can tackle but can’t pass and can’t shoot. Or can shoot, but can’t pass and can’t tackle.

We need players that can do all three, but just now I would settle for two out of three as an improvement.

Our forwards are in the same boat.  Kris Body can score goals, but little else.  Nacho Novo runs his heart out but is not an out and out goal scorer.  Jean Claude does a lot of huffing and puffing and can hold the line but again is not so effective in front of goal.  Daniel Cousin has ability but his attitude sucks.

If you watch Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, Carlos teves, and Ronaldo, they do everything, they run arounhd as much as Novo, Score more goals that KB, and pass better than BF.  So we still need to work on how hard our players work for each other.

Apart from BF, very few players appear to have any real vision about what is going on around them.

So let us hope that we find some quality players who can do more than just tie their bootlaces.

Curent players who I would keep:

Alan McGregor, Carlos Cueller, Sasa Papac, Kevin Thompson, Barry Ferguson, Kris Boyd, Nacho Novo, Jean Claude.

So what is your opinion?

With his side decimated by injury and suspensions, Walter Smith’s Rangers bent but didn’t break Thursday, battling to a 0-0 draw on the home leg of the UEFA Cup Semis against a comparatively healthy Fiorentina side, occupiers of the fourth position in the Serie A table. Here’s the report.

Rangers now face with the proposition of advancing to a European final on away goals — never easy, but it seems to be the currency with which Rangers have traded during their 2008 European campaign. Just ask Sporting Lisbon.

Now it’s home to Glasgow for two days’ rest before an Old Firm clash for the ages on Sunday — with the SPL crown potentially hanging in the balance.

End world hunger, play “Free Rice”.

Abu Dhabi buys 8.1% of AMD

Euro 2008 Qualifiers: Scotland Vs. Italy (Preview)

Wanna know why gas prices are up? check Fox News!!

Arsenal: Adriano IN, Gilberto OUT ?!

World Cup 2010 South American Qualifiers (Schedule & Channels)

Watch Euro 2008 Qualifiers ONLINE

UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifiers (Schedule & Channels)

Ibrahimovic wishes to play for Real Madrid

So let’s give them something to think about.  Like a wee look in the gaffer’s little black book?

Roy Carroll – Experienced goalkeeper, reliable in an emergency.
Graeme Smith – Looking for him to prove himself longer term and keep Allan on his toes.
Allan McGregor – Has done well, confident and reliable, needs to work harder if he wants to be thought of as highly as Andy Goram.

Kirk Broadfoot – Has done well since arriving from St. Mirren.  He needs to work on being a Rangers player.  That means having more confidence in himself, the players around him, and raising expectations.
Ugo Ehiogu – His goal against Celtic has endeared him to the Rangers fans. He is a little bit more mobile than marvellous Marvin and almost as fearsome.
Andy Webster – This guy is a right slacker. He has been with us for over a year now and played only once in the first team.  What is it about these guys that could’nae climb a set o stairs without going over on their ankle.  Needs a few games to sharpen up, but should be up for the job when the auld yin needs a rest.
Steven Whittaker – Showed us plenty of talent when on holiday in Edinburgh.  Needs to realise that as a Rangers player passing to guys in green shirts in a definite no no.  Show him the various strips for the coming season.  Seriously, needs to be a bit more alert and keep possession for the team.  He fancies himself as a striker.  KB is going to put him right, I hear.
Carlos Cueller – Someone who actually understands what Nacho is saying when he goes off in one of his rants.  Better looking than Nacho too, so he says.  We gave him the nickname of elastic legs here a few weeks back for his unnatural ability to stretch out a leg and pull the ball back from 20ft away.  Seriously, he as been a great asset to the side, and is definitely faster than the Auld Yin.
Allan Hutton – Opposition wingers claim to have been mugged as they try to run down the flanks here at Ibrox these days.  Has put in a power of work and fully deserves his international call-up.  When he starts on a run, he is difficult to stop.  Changing direction during these runs is still proving a problem.  Will get steering checked.
Sasa Papac – Is improving every game.  I am not too sure about him getting ‘English’ lessons from Coisty.
Steven Smith – Still struggling to get over groin and hernia problems.  Wee Stevie has promised to give up career in Adult films.  He performed really well last season, and his football wisnae bad either.  He will certainly help the team when he is back to full fitness.
David Weir – Who said that he has the wisest auld heid on the park? Or, wis it the auldest wise heid on the park?  David is proving that pace isnae everything, and when someone gets past him then, well that why we have ‘Elastic Legs’ go after him.

Charlie Adam – Another wise Guy. He likes to put the ball in the net from free kicks when the goalkeeper is not looking.  Good idea son.  Still needs to think about his game and keep his composure.

Chris Burke – On the brink (of buying a round I hear).  Will he make the grade?  Chris has loads of talent.  He needs to take a few tips from Ronaldinho when he comes to Ibrox.  Coisty would like to see him give DaMarcus a run for his money.

Brahim Hemdani – Does a great job in midfield protecting our defence.  Often wonders why the other lazy b’s in midfield don’t help out more.  BF has promised to put in a defensive shift if Brahim scores more goals.

Kevin Thompson – Looks better than he plays.  Well, can you guess who said that?  Kevin is another guy who holiday’d in Edinburgh for a while.  Step it up lad, and pass to the boys in BLUE.  SW has offered to give you shooting lessons.  Hope you like grouse (no not the famous kind).  Do your own thing; don’t let BF get in your way.

Amdy Faye – Newcastle, Portsmouth, Charlton.  You need to brush up on your geography. Not seeing too many goals from you so far in your career.  How about a shooting party with SW and KT?

Thomas Buffel – Another guy who took a nasty turn leaving the bar when BF asked who’s round it was.  Should be back soon. Has promised to show SW, KT and AF where the 18-yard box is, and that there are no passwords needed to get in.

Barry Ferguson – Well what can we say about Barry that will not upset him?  OK, don’t mention those extra pounds, his wife beats him up if he dis’nae eat all of his dinner.   OK, he is not lacking pace from those extra pounds.  A couple of the strikers have said his eyesight is going too, he never see’s their runs into the box…ooops don’t say that either (sorry KB!).  Barry has had his shooting boots on this season and found his way into the box.  He wants to thank TB for showing him the way.

Lee McCulloch  -  Another guy needing a geography lesson.  Wigan?  Lee walked into JJB to buy some new golf clubs and ended up in WIGAN.   However, Lee is a battler and just like he battles for Rangers and Scotland, Lee found his way to Murray Park.

DaMarcus Beasley – Has found the back of the net at crucial times this season.  Sasa said that he fell over  DaMarcus’s bed on the left wing on several occasions this season.  DaMarcus, you need to stay awake and contribute the whole time you are on the pitch.  Yes we know that you have complained about BF’s eyesight too.  CB is still planning your downfall, so beware, he is a sneaky little blighter.

Kris Boyd – No he does NOT have a chip on his shoulder…more like a whole potato field.  Still scoring goals, and making more of a contribution during the game.  The gaffer is only allowing one bed on the park these days and currently DaMarcus has first dibbs.  Needs to cool it sometimes, and not throw in tackles for retribution’s sake.  Wee Stevie says he will take care of business when he gets back.  We were thinking to give him a run in the reserves as a Centre Half, just to see the striking role from a different perspective.  Well if the Auld Yin can play that position then KB should have no problem.

Daniel  Cousin – Knows the way to goal, fast and works hard.   That’s what your Dad told us when we signed you.  Three goals so far.  Yes you are faster than what Coisty was when he played, but don’t tell him that.  Let our super talented know it all have some dignity.

Nacho Novo – Got the goal that saw us into the Champions League.  Fast, tricky, loads of effort, just wish he would not insist on wearing these square toe’d football boots.   Wanted to go on shooting party, but has been ruled out on grounds of national security, even Dick Cheaney (US vice president) has declined.
Steven Naismith – Another sleeper, almost missed the transfer deadline, still in bed and it was almost midnight.  No he hadn’t just gone to bed.  He just had not got up yet.  Has promised to show KB a thing or two.

Jean-Claude Darcheville  -  Puts himself about and works hard.  BBC commentators were discussing his attributes as Ox-like.  I would say that he can certainly do the job that Dado did, and a few defenders will be asked by their sweathearts if they walked into a brick wall. Definitely like what he has done so far.

Alan Gow – The competition at Ibrox is a bit tougher than what it was at Falkirk.  However, Alan and JC could make a good partnership in European games when defenders have to be kept occupied.
If you have anything to add, or if one of the other players wants to contribute,  anonymously of course, send us a comment (will not be published) and we will see what we can do.
Thanks due to those who would rather not be mentioned, just make sure that the cheque is in the post.