Rangers panic to media lock-down apart from one newspaper

Great timing

First time i've logged on for 3 days and first?

By tinytim on May 5, 2008 9:25 PM
PJBHOYNYC.
From the last thread.

What is the reason you have lumped me in with Edward?( No offence mean't Teddybear)

VertWolf ya beggar, twice I've hit the bar on the new site!

As mentioned on last thread, apparently it is an exclusive for Keith Jackson in the Daily Record. Sad!

what paper ANDREX

Paul

do we no yet which media outlet is getting the buttons off the cardigan
?

VertWolf

This is a farce - from the sublime to the ridiculous. Selling their soul to the Daily Record? Whatever next?

Andrex - the official toilet tissue of FC Undignified. Bricking it like never before.

Paul67,

Let me guess???

WS: That F***n' Lawwell, who does he think he is""
WS: David what's happened, it never used to be like this?

DM: I got rid of Campbell Ogilvie!!

WS: Why the F*** did you do that?

DM: I didn't think you would be back plus Martin is good at taking all the flak for me and does everything i tell him. Campbell fell out witrh me as well.

WS: He's a F****n' imposter. How did that mob across the water manage to get a good guy in Lawwell? I was used to Michael Kelly's, Terry Cassidy's, Jock Brown's of this world. Muppets that we could bully. They had no backbone until Fergus came in. Even then we had Farry at the SFA with Campbell to take care of him. Well kind of until Farry got rumbled with the Jorge Cadete affair. Even so it never used to be like this. We might have 80% of the media but they are idiots. Listen to that King yesterday
he gives it away too much. They journalists these days can't disguise it as they used to back the 90's.

DM: Lawwell, Lawwell, bloddy Lawwell!! He detestes us with a passion. Celtic have finally got their house in order and got one of their own in that actually is very astute. Might replace Bain with sad sad of the raggy dolls again.

WS: Who??

DM: John McLellan

WS: No. Just stick with Martin!! Look at the mess he created the last time.

DM: Maybe your right. Martin it is then:)

It's rather embarrassing for rangers.

Porridgeandbananas

after over a year without scoring that is twice in a week!

VertWolf

Given that Sir Wattie in Waiting's only other call for a postponement was when they were trying for a last 16 in the big cup - can we take it as a compliment that he sees our achievement of actually reaching the last 16 as equal to the Anti Matter getting to the UEFA Cup Final?

That ship called DIGNITY,is sinking.

Lol ...... Paul67 ...... we were thinking (and writing) the same thing at the same time it seems !

Reposted from the previous page ...... with some added !

This gets more remarkable (and hilarious) by the minute !

That Smith has now backtracked on his own words about not wishing for an extension is bad enough ...... but that they've offered their reaction as an exclusive, I am astounded at that news. Absolutely astounded.

They have now entered unprecedented territory. How do you think the rest of the media feels about this snub ? It is probably the most interesting part of this latest fiasco ......

And could have repercussions beyond this season.

I have never heard of anything like this in my life. Their behaviour has moved past the point of merely undignified and now looks merely desperate. Are these orders coming from Chairman Dave, Martin Bain, or is Smith himself banging the drum (or playing the flute?) in this case ?

Surely they have some conception of how all this looks to the outside world, to their players, to their fans ?

The comparisons with Keegan are more than a little apt. Smith is going rabid right in front of our eyes.

I think he has just PUT this thing in our hands.

Tinytim,

Put this on the last thread Re: the training day.

I don’t know where it was advertised ; I heard from my sister-in-law, so popped into the EK Celtic Store and got a couple of tickets for the wife and daughter. Me and the wee man used the season tickets.

It must have been advertised somewhere though ‘cause there must have been around 12-15k there.

Don’t know about saving coin though; I had to stump up for a kit for my daughter and another one for the wee man.

Hail Hail

Aside from all the immature stuff, is anyone else wondering at why the Rangers beamback is being heralded as some innovative idea never seen before here? I could have sworn I froze my rear end off watching us pump Aberdeen 6-0 in the dark days of John Barnes in the middle of winter (that game is still the only game in Britain to have six different scorers, all of different nationalities).

What it really is is a panic measure by Rangers to try and stop the hordes going down to Manchester as they fear trouble down there. Graham Spiers alluded to the fact by saying that he has heard that Manchester Police are already aware of problem fans who are planning on going to Manchester for the game. It's not just the League that their bums are getting squeaky about!

Does anyone know what's happening about tickets for the Dundee Utd game. I would imagine there will be a right scramble for tickets should we beat Hibs on Sunday and I don't imagine there is enough time to post out letters offering tickets. Could be a big free for all.

Is this the SPL sorting out the Old Firm? :-)

Tinytim,

Put this on the last thread Re: the training day.

I don’t know where it was advertised ; I heard from my sister-in-law, so popped into the EK Celtic Store and got a couple of tickets for the wife and daughter. Me and the wee man used the season tickets.

It must have been advertised somewhere though ‘cause there must have been around 12-15k there.

Don’t know about saving coin though; I had to stump up for a kit for my daughter and another one for the wee man.

Hail Hail

By going to one newspaper.David Murray is giving out a clear message to all others.

Support us,or when the big stories come around.We will cut you out.
He is manipulating the press,yet again.

VertWolf

You could have been describing my love-life there, although only the once for me! haha

sorry if its been covered alreayd but I'm useless at working these kind of things out..

What are the results other than 2 losses by the fod that can lead to us winning on sunday?

The thought of been in paradise for a league championship day is quite an exciting prospect for me!!!!

JUst a note for your bear friends tomorrow:-

Why was / is the Ibrox park such a mess and games get called off?

Well a few years ago, Mr Murray wanted more money, more seats etc.. so they put in a couple of extra rows of seating, not sure but lets say 5 rows extra.
How did they do this, well they dug down and lowered the level of the pitch.
I think that put the pitch nearer the water table (is that the right word, school was a few years ago!) Therefore harder to get rid of large amounts of water in a short period of time.

In another words its not the scottish weather thats at fault for the death star's pitch, they done it to themselves.

Mymumscousin

Following your earlier post at 10.16 this morning.
To confirm that have just seen your man Jim live there, quite ling this wee programme...

In anycase we have made a couple of votes for him...

His number 09011 21 31 02

By mymum'scousin on May 5, 2008 10:16 AM
Thanks for the all-clear Paul - much apprec. Fair point on the language violation - when you put it that way, it's hard to argue against!!

'Yo kind words'? Dude, don't go all hoochy on us....

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN - A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE HAS BEEN SHORT-LISTED BY GRAND DESIGNS (CHANNEL 4) FOR BEST NEW-BUILD ON TONIGHT'S (MONDAY 5TH) LIVE PROGRAMME. JIM AND BECKY (DYER) ARE GENUINELY AMONG THE NICEST PEOPLE YOU CAN MEET, AND GOES WITHOUT SAYING JIM'S A HUGE CELTIC MAN. AM A BIG BELIEVER THAT GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE, SO PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO MAKE THE CALL AND VOTE FOR JIM AND BECKY. I'LL OWE YOU ONE BIG TIME - THANKS GUYS AND APOLOGIES FOR POSSIBLE MIS-USE OF THE SITE. I'LL RE-POST THIS LATER TODAY TO ENSURE MORE READERSHIP, UNLESS PAUL TELLS ME TO SLING MY HOOK!

Jim, if ur reading, nothing ventured and all that....!

MMC

I HAVE A FEELING THAT MOST OF THE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL WATCHING PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MANKY MOB HUMPEDROTTEN AT MANCHESTER FOR THEIR ANTICS NEW POSTER HAIL HAIL

TBFTL

Yep, even when there isn't a match on ,it can be an expensive day out.

I's sure you will derive a great deal of pleasure ,when you see them running about in the hoops.

Somehow , a sparkly dress from Monsoon ,doesn't conjure up the same emotion's for me.

If it's not too personal, what does TBFTL stand for?

previous post should have said, quite like this wee programme

Hail Hail

TEST

To think some of the darkside actually called that rag 'The Daily Rebel'
Desperate men take desperate measures.

jinkybhoy- a draw and a defeat will mean that Celtic's points tally of 86 (if we beat Hibs) can only be equalled by FOD. They will then have to make up a goal difference of around 9 goals in their last 3 games and Celtic of course, to lose at Tannadice.

So technically only 2 defeats guarantee a party date on Sunday but I would happily take the other scenario!

Tinytim,

If I spell it out Paul might ban me.

However, think Gregory's Girl.

Has the ibrox groundsman accidently turned the sprinklers on like a few seasons ago?I think it was against Dundee utd when they had a few injuries.
Cheat fc who have not asked for an extension even when they have.

Martin42 :- You should have mail

goldstar10

If Celtic lose at Tannadice ,would that not reduce the goal difference even further?

TBFTL- LOL my favourite line from Gregory's Girl, Andy describing what he saw up at the nurses home!!
Class!

Edward,

Any thoughts on your teams machinations tonight?

Sorry if I'm putting you on the spot. Just want to have an honest bear's opinion.

Or would you rather maintain a 'dignified' silence?

Ed - I thought you had chuked it mate. Good to see you back on the blog. I haven't been on for a couple of days so was unaware of your welcome change of heart.

A win on Sunday and let nature take its course

tinytim- exactly, it would- that's why I said "around 9 goals"

Rangers FC are in the running. Not for four trophies, because they seem determined that the league flag will be staying at Parkhead, but running on empty and running scared.

Their latest efforts to have the season extended, launched today and rebuffed by the SPL tonight, are the actions of a deeply insecure team, and one where the attempts to build a seige mentality have failed and left the club, instead, looking as if Fear stalks the halls with an AK-47.

In my time as a football fan, I have seen a reaction like Smith's only once, and that was from Kevin Keegan during his ill-fated campaign to take the title with Newcastle. In his head-to-head against Ferguson, he lost every major psychological battle, but the most telling came when he cracked, live on TV, and in an infamous rant accused Ferguson and Man Utd of lacking class, and ended on the now notorious words "I will just love it if we beat them ........ I will love it."

In the end, he must have hated it, because his behaviour didn't inspire the team, merely confirmed that he's a man who doesn't respond well to pressure, and in the days and weeks that followed that impression was borne out in the results on the field. For the last two weeks, since our first victory over them, I have been telling people Smith's reaction has been coming to resemble Keegan's, and on Sunday, following their game against Hibs, he had his Keegan melt-down, with an astonishing rant on how no-one in Scottish football wants to help them.

In itself, this would be bizzare, but the following day, he goes and asks the Scottish football authorities to do just that, which means it's gone from the bizzare to the downright ludicrous.

Now you tell me, is that or is that NOT, a man under pressure, feeling it, and just about to crack under it ? People tend to forget, Smith has never been under real pressure in his managerial career, save for a few times in Europe when his multi-million pound Rangers team was struggling to put a run together. Few who have seen his notorious interview with Chick Young, off the record, but not quite so hush-hush, can forget the anger, the fury, the frustration, which was, until Sunday, our only real glimpse of him under strain.

His seven titles in Scotland were won with no opposition. His time at Everton was categorised as one of under-achievement, but then there was no real pressure ON Everton, or Smith, to go beyond a certain point. In the end, he was fired anyway, and was out of work until Scotland took him on. Again, with no pressure on him to do much more than plug holes in a dam, he managed some good results (amidst some bad ones too, but they are mostly forgotten) and before long was back at Rangers ........ again, with the task of doing little more than making them contenders, and grooming McCoist to take over.

Then, of course, we imploded and the Wattenacio started to bear fruit in Europe, and suddenly a quadruple was being mooted. And almost as soon as the road seemed to be clearing, the bad performances started. Near defeat in the League Cup Final, which would have brought the house down. Draws with Thistle and St Johnstone, as they seemed determined to throw away the Scottish Cup. Success, yes, of a sort, in Europe ............ and a clear field in the league.

A clear field. Let's be clear. Only weeks ago Celtic were potentially dead and buried, and the gap, on paper, was twelve points, not even counting the beasting we were sure to be getting in the Double Header. Fast forward to the present day, and TEN of those points are gone.

Smith has NEVER had pressure like it. And he's cracking.

Believe me. Rangers are running on empty. Smith is running scared.

We ARE going to be Champions.

Does Paul have exclusive rights to Ed's comments on this fiasco?

jinkybhoy

a loss and a draw for the sinking ship would mean Celtic could only lose the title on goal difference

VertWolf

From a previous article

All Celtic minded plumbers should be hanging around Ibrox this Saturday morning! I think they may be needed to repair an unexplained burst pipe.

"the cry was we surrender!"

Falkirkbhoy :- Long time out of school or not you have that spot on, I'm not sure of the number of extra rows it gave but it did take the pitch far to close to the water table.

Dennybhoy :- I've said from the start that I was against an extension, I think the efforts to get one are just wrong, if the league was already wrapped up and over (by any team) and the game had no serious effect on positions then I would think it a different matter. If we win the league (and I still think we will) I don't want it diminished by fol being able to say it wasn't a level playing field or that we only got it due to unfair treatment of others. As for only giving news to the one paper I think it's petty and a disgrace.

i'd settle for a draw and loss...I have a feeling the Buddies are going to get someting against the Huns..they were fairly determined against us....I don't like MacPherson but I reckon he'll give it a good shot against them..and Utd owe rangers...I'm really looking forward to Sunday..apart from the 4am wakeup...I live bout 2 hours from airport!!!!

THE MANKY MOB KNOW ITS SLIPING AWAY NO ONE THOUGHT TO ASK WEE DICK TO RESCHEDULE THE UEFA CUP FINAL JUST FOR OLD TIMES SAKE

Jim's hoose wins despite nae curtains.

Becky's quite delightful though.

Did David Murray not once boast that he was building two squads at Rangers.
One for Europe, and one for the SPL.

Oh! the irony.

Am i really seeing flying pig's over Scotlands largest football stadium?

tinytim...

The title for ed......
The chorus for you...
:0)

Can anyone confirm that in 2003, Henrick scored more goals in the UEFA cup, than Rangers have managed this season.

Mymumscousin,

Just to confirm that your man Jim had won tonight !

He is tonights Champion, as a celtic fan he must be feeling great

You might want to drum up more support for up during Friday as he will have the chance to become champion of champions !!

Friday 9 pm chanell 4.

Hail Hail

Paul67

Hoping you can help,

Each time I try to login, I am required to resend the password to myself, cannot understand what Ia ma doing wrong.

Can you point me in the right direction, Thanks Mouldy67

tinytim:

He did indeed. He scored more for Helsingborgs in this seasons UEFA Cup than Rangers have too.

However, Rangers have only conceded 2 goals in 8 UEFA Cup games so far.

This just in from the BBC

"Rangers Football Club have not asked for a further extension of the season by postponiong their Saturday fixture, the game will be played as originally scheduled. The extension they had inquired about was merely extending the goalposts towards the corner flags in order for their strikers to be able to find the net."

gsu

TBFTL :- Only if he pays me :-)

It really is getting to the ridiculous.

Wattie's 'naebody likes us' interview yesterday, was a scream.
Are they so used to manipulating the powers that be, that it has come, as a shock to realise, that other teams are no longer going to sit back quietly and surrender.

There's a long way to go, in the title race, but Walter's demenour yesterday, was telling, the pressure is on, and it's showing.

One thing that puzzled me regarding their game the other night was, Wattie stated at the weekend, that David Moyes had told him, if it went to penalties, the Italian's were firm favourites, yet he made no attempt to win the game in regulation time. Their mentality is don't lose, they have forgoten how to win games over 90 mins.

However, it was a beautiful day here in Kingspark, and I took a walk over to Hampden this morning, as Ant & Dec, Simon Cowell, and friends were in town. There was some amusement when the entire Rangers team arrived. No audition for them, Simon stated that, he had caught the Hibs game yesterday, and Rangers certainly have that XFactor. So no doubt, that's them in another final.

Martin, from last night, glad you made a new friend, at this rate we'll need a new venue for the pre match gathering.

SUFTC

Reports coming out of Ibrox tonight saying that all squads have been asked to report to the ground and have been seeing doing some sort of dance on the pitch.

Reporters have confirmed that it is indeed a rain dance in the hope that Voodoo might worky and they'll get torrential rain for the weekend.

'Walter, it's very warm in here - is the air conditioning broken or something? 'Eh, no no Davy. It's the fan that's no' workin' -'cos it's all caked in brown!'

anyone in ireland order tickets from celtic?

I ordered 1 ticket for sunday last monday and beginning to get worried that i won't get them in time..

what happens if they don't arive? can i pick up duplicates from parkhead?

PJBhoynyc

I am still in a state of panic.

The smivs,were way ahead of the rest of us ,with there wish to

"hang DJ".

Just spoken to a friend who admits to being a "meeja hor" and I am reliably informed that this story is not dead and that while it may not make it in time for the Monday Night Amateur Hour on STV, that the SPL may well make another announcement by 11am tomorrow - apparently there is much succulent lamb and fine reds being sloshed around, favours being called in, outstanding bills being paid, as you say P67, how very dignified

Everyone, can I ask you all to guard against overconfidence. True Rangers SEEM to be having difficulty and the tide MAY be turning against them. BUT they're still favourites. Still needs a colossal effort from the Good Guys. We must ALL play our part starting now.

The present media hooha (Celtic getting favours from referees, poor Rangers having to play all those games etc) could well result in iffy decisions in our next two games. So Aiden - keep it shut, Barry / Paul controlled agression, Artur - no stunts!!

Everyone together. Eyes firmly on the prize.

Then watch the brown matter hit the air conditioning!!!

jinkybhoy usually i pick up tickets on morning of the game if i can't get season tickets to suppliment my own when taking my kids.
THIS of course doesn't take in account 12:30 sunday kick off but i presume it will still be open. MAKE sure you have reference etc.

Today is the anniversary of Bobby Sands death, 27-years ago today.
RIP.

This talk of extending the SPL season has nothing to do with the UEFA cup - that and the Championship have already been written off - what the Grim Buttoned Cardigan is really worred about is being made to look a complete laughing stock when QotS also make off with the SFA Cup

VertWolf

By porridgeandbananas on May 5, 2008 9:27 PM
VertWolf ya beggar, twice I've hit the bar on the new site!

porridge,
They had a competition for that at Parkhead today, naebody won, although it was from the halfway line.
You might want to try your luck! :-)

gsu

Lurgan,

I am thinking the same. Celtic will have to win and win comfortably. We will not get a single deciion in the next two gams and any roar from Ibrox in the next few games will be given.

I think this might be in their cunning plan as well. Bring it out in the media and put the refs under pressure.

Very, very sad!! As i have said all along Walter Smith is very two faced guy. He stands to lose everyhtonh he ever done previous if they lose this league this year.

jc2..thanks for that

Hopefully they'll arrive tomorrow but otherwise I'll get a mate to pick them up for me...

Lurgan and WGS,

We're all just havin' a laugh, I think we all know what is required from the Bhoys, we all still have to do our part and that includes cool heads.

Hail Hail

gsu

Srely, surely, surely the SPL cannot renegue on a decision they have made twice already?
If so, it goes beyond the realms of farce and we are indeed into that territory called corruption.

benjybhoy.

I read "Nor meekly serve my time" a couple of years ago.

The hunger strikers gave the ultimate sacrifice.

"the bully taunts the brave"

How apt is that today?

As someone who lives on the outskirts of Manchester, I am dreading next week.

Missus has taken holidays for Tuesday & Wednesday (can't get Thursday off), due to my insistance that there could be serious trouble.

Interesting to see that Zenit are taking their full allocation - wonder if they will have 9-10k fans here or if the club are just making sure that the tickets can't be bought by der Hun and make the crowd an even bigger advantage.

Since just before 6 tonight, it has been 'hinted' that there was a big story about to break over the extension to the league. It got the phonelines going and the interwebthingy buzzing.

Paul, you obviously got a hint too, Murray may have given 'exclusive' reactions to one paper but surely the open secret is out and another paper will run a spoiler with the real story - that there is a deal/it is about to be announced/or even that Wattie has already given an interview stating he didn't want an extension!!

I hope they get the game moved, they lose to Zenit and we win the league before the last game ....lets see how much that costs them in gate money.

By the way, the GMP do not mess around with protecting this city, they are very strict on the Manchester derby days and a lot of work has been done to take the city away from the Gunchester image. I expect them to strictly enforce any prematch warnings.

Evenin all.
Edward...You have returned. CQN is addictive, is it not?

Now to that other matter....Just when you thought that things could not get any more undignified at Ibrox...a national newspaper exclusive. Have you ever heard the like?
What can there "exclusive" reaction be....legal action? High court injunctions? Surely not!
I hope it is though, 'cos I have this thought running around in my head of UEFA not taking too kindly to such a thing and handing the cup to Zenit, reimbursing all fans for their tickets "at face value" and handng Rangers a years European ban for bringing the game into disrepute.
It's just a thought mind....or more of a dream, fantasy kind of thing.

Wattie...the men in white coats are preparing your wraparound jacket. Be afraid.

Any Celtic fan's that work at the BBC might want chin Traynor about his column today. Obviously him and Jackson have had meetings with Walter and Murray over the last week.

What a tosser!!

Any Celtic fan's that work at the BBC might want chin Traynor about his column today. Obviously him and Jackson have had meetings with Walter and Murray over the last week.

What a tosser!!

Paul

Crank it up my friend. We call the shots, not the half wits employed by Murray.

We WILL win this league.

Falkirk beat Hearts 2-1 tonight, if any one really cares ...

What about 3 points being deducted for us singing sectarian song's?

Would they really dare?

tinytim:

Since Rangers only received an official warning for their guilt, we would have to get the same. Has to be something drastic in both games before we could get points docked!

I am always getting e-mails offering an extension - should I forward one to Wattie?
Or is he making himself look like a big enough dick already?

craxahobeu

Would Rangers losing the league, count as drastic?

I left just before 8pm to play in a 6-a-side league match. Some poor guy got the brunt of my frustration about the extension shennanigans and I was sin binned.

I played terrible, we got humped and I came home as sick as a parrot.

Now, after reading the last two articles and comments, I'm as happy as a fly in excrement.

What kind of message does this send out to their players?

An overriding result of no confidence.

TimMaloneWillTell

I too get those e-mail's.
Has someone been spillng the bean's?

'Hand in hand with, my little daughter'

VertWolf, apparently the Record did a quid pro quo today.

Jinkybhoy, only two losses will do.

naka's bendy ba, deleted, language.

Mouldy67, email me.

Edward, I’ll make you an offer.

Lurgan53, well said.

Rammybhoy, they have no deal. Tomorrow’s business is a sob story.

EDB, hear, hear.

Gordon J, I always care that Hearts lose. Apart from that time, obviously.

tinytim

I am sure PL will have a mighty large dossier to counter that sort of move - also which teams' fans are going to be most in the public eye over the next couple of weeks?

VertWolf

I can't imagine why Rangers would worry about the Scottish Cup, it's surely the least of their priorities. Also, given they are set to play a lower league side they could probably enter a reserve team and still win it (unless I'm missing something about the registering of players for the competition).

I reckon that WS has been trying his hardest to build a siege mentality at Ibrox in order to pull the last remaining ounces of effort from his flagging side. I don't yet buy it that we will win the league although unlike many I never thought that we were out of it at any point (ok, granted the last minutes of the first Old Firm match at Celtic Park had me going!).

We need to ignore their current shenanigans and stay focused on our own game. As long as we are 'chasing' them for the prize the pressure is mainly on them. It will benefit them to lose the tag of favourites but that is what they remain until they drop more points. If we were in their position we would expect to win those remaining games and we don't get half the help they get from referees.

James Forrest, you have mail

TinyTim

Well I suppose you are pretty much putting yourself in the 'target market' given your monicker?

Ed,

fair play to you mate. I tip my hat for you coming on , being honest and taking the stick.

I think some of the bhoys are getting a bit ahead of themselves.

I don't see too many goals in your team right now - not from the attack but from the formation.

I am just glad to see that you are still contributing.

OK - enough of the niceties.

Let's just hope that Broadfoot doesn't get injured or suspended - I think that he could just be our ace in the pack.

Seville.67

Ian_in_Budapest

you are right losing the SFA cup would only diminish the reputation of the manager not the club

VertWolf

Mouldy, Billy Stark, JC2 et al and ur missuses (is that a word? Missi?) - if you voted, a massive THANKS. Don't want to go on about it, but they really deserved it.

Paul - major thanks for borderline improper use of site - gimme a shout if you or yours need a charity sponsorship donation or similar - owe you one.

Now they've made the final on Friday, may have to ask for similar later in the week.

Can't remember the togetherness of the hoops being so high for a long time. Today's installment was Caldwell requesting we keep hold of Georgios. Like to see that. Together, stronger.

Hail hail and good night one and all.

MMC

Am I crazy, or is something major going to break in The Record tomorrow ?

The more I think about this, the more I wonder what sort of story is so big they've actually handed it out as an exclusive? Surely they are not simply going to hold up their hands and admit defeat on the issue ? Would Murray risk alienating every editor in the country for what is, essentially, a non story ? Or are they going to declare a course of action ?

What in the Hell are they up to ?

Does anyone have a theory on what their course of action might be ? Try this for size .... sheer speculation, but one never knows, and at this point anything could happen.

Has a discussion been had at Murray Towers, where, in the final analysis, they've twigged the league is slipping away ? Have they made a decision that, in order to forestall the immense criticism that will come their way when this happens, that the league should be "given up" rather than fought over, and ultimately lost ?

Have they decided, in effect, either to no contest one or more games, or will they announce they are fielding the reserves for a match and are willing to write off the title to concentrate on the UEFA Cup ? Would this appease their fans in a way which will be impossible should the title slip away ?

Am I hopelessly optimistic ? Or just mad ?

It's at times like this I wish we had a few decent sports journalists in Scotland. Ones who were actually prepared to stand up to this nonsense from Rangers. In no other country would a club be able to get away with such a catalogue of lies, hypocrisy, and double-dealing.

James Traynor. Hang. Your. Head. In. Shame. What happened Jim? You used to be a decent journo at the Herald. Now you waddle around Pacific Quay, as tall as you are wide, cheap pin-stripe suits struggling to hide the bulges of your decade-long feed of succulent lamb and the finest reds.

What happened Jim? When did you get put up for sale? When did you become the incoherent mouth-piece of an odious amoral chronically-indebted egomaniac?

What happened Jim? To the enquiring mind? The independent spirit? The sceptical approach, the pointed questions? Where have you gone Carl Bernstein, our nation turns its lonely eyes to you...

This is a farce, and hopefully a watershed. Rangers are trying everything to steal the league. They cannot be allowed to succeed.

Ian in Budapest, I promise you, if Rangers are not at 100% on Scottish Cup final day, Queen of the South will win. They are a ballsy team.

mymum'scousin, no problem at all. come back and remind us for the final.

James Forrest, possibly a bit of both, but the sentiment you suggest may well be used.

The Polar Bear

It was very nice to hear from you. I thought those who where here at the very begining and dissapeared are not even lurking. Very nice surprise, that your spirit is always here. Ha, are you still the frozen bear? I mean, in the same place?

I have asked a question to myself if Boruc will be playing against Dundee on May 22nd? Thought, it will be nothing wrong if he arrives to the pre camp in Germany not on 19th but on 23rd.
I have heard that May 23rd is official date to name the players and give the list to UEFA. Nobody from here will let risk our goalkeeper's health after May 15th. First selection starts on May 15th.

By porridgeandbananas on May 5, 2008 9:27 PM
VertWolf ya beggar, twice I've hit the bar on the new site!

porridge,
They had a competition for that at Parkhead today, naebody won, although it was from the halfway line.
You might want to try your luck! :-)

gsu

There's more chance of me being successful with the crossbar challenge than there is with the missus!

We used to do it with my old amateur team, but only from the 18 yard line for a quid each. Won my fair share, though my plan was to aim for the goal, with my shooting accuracy it would inevitably hit the bar.

How was the training day? I was going to take my bhoys up but mrs bananas was working and the idea of taking my one year old ghirl as well was too much! At least the weather was great which would have put a few extra bodies on the attendance.

This in The Herald -

A further plea for help last night by Rangers was knocked back although it is understood that Lex Gold, the executive chairman of the SPL, and the Ibrox club are still trying to find some solution.

Perhaps there's more to come...?

Paul67,

Do you think this has more legs in it?

Am i going to wake up tomorrow and hear radio that after burning the midnight oil the SPL have relented and a extension has been granted?

Not hing suprises with Smith and Murray!!

It's a new date here in Poland. I think I have right to say:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL.

Celtic looking at Micael Bradly of Heerenveen

http://talkingsoccer.blogspot.com/2008/05/everton-man-utd-villa-sunderland.html

James Forrest,

You certainly not mad.

Martin.

James Forrest-
No chance of that,Minty's up to something but he will 'no surrender' the league ever.
Imagine he fielded a reserve team against Utd and the Rug defeats them in Manchester,
he wouldnt be too popular down Govan way.
Like everyone else im desperate to see this exclusive now.
Jangle Jackson did sound quite smug re the extension tonight on Real radio.

I see my Happy Birthday post was No. 100. Good omen I think.

I'm sure there will be a Daily Record bus in Manchester next week & a special edition of the Record elsewhere so the Rangers/Record thing is probably just a propaganda/circulation thing.

Now if all Celtic fans could just stop buying the rag ....

James Forrest

I have been thinking the same thing about their 'exclusive' ...
The headline in the Herald "Time for Strike Action" caught my attention for the wrong reasons...

Perhaps its a resignation announcement..

I suspect it will channel the permanently raging's rage in a particular direction... Anywhere away from themselves.

The Blot thickens....

Zbyszek, :-) Thank you.

James Forrest,

Interesting idea - but here's an ever crazier one!

What would they really get for winning the UEFA Cup? 2 ranking points, a wee bit of prize money and a cup.

What would they get for winning the SPL? Entry direct to the Champions' League Group stage, worth about £15M. And a big GIRUY to us.

Now if they were to threaten to play a reserve team somehwere might it not be in Manchester? Which would be very bad for Scottish football of course, so surely some last minute comprimise could be sorted out....

Just a thought.

Zbyszek,

Sorry I did not post about Harry Belafonte earlier as promised.

Harry is a wonderful singer with a string of great hits in the 50s and early60s.

One hit in particular, "Scarlet Ribbons" is of great significance to our family.

Perhaps Paul67 will mail you with the story, (if you ask him nicely).

Thanks for thinking of me with your daughter's choice of music, it could not have been more apt.

STAND UP FOR THE CHAMPIONS,

Martin.

See below taken from the BBC Website @ 23.11.

The Scottish Premier League have rejected a request by Rangers to have Saturday's clash with Dundee United at Ibrox postponed.

Rangers want more time to prepare for their Uefa Cup final appearance against Zenit St Petersburg next Wednesday.

A spokesman for the SPL said: "We have not been able to agree to that request.

"Postponing would have a knock-on effect. We would have to move all the top-six fixtures to end the season with the teams playing at the same time."

Rangers are already facing a fixture pile-up between now and the end of the season with Walter Smith's side still to play five SPL fixtures and a Scottish Cup final against Queen of the South in addition to their clash with Zenit in Manchester.

The Russian side have managed to get some of their domestic matches postponed and will not play another game before they face Rangers.

My Sport
Message board: Have your say

After Rangers' goalless draw against Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday, which began a run of eight games in 21 days for the Govan club, Smith was critical of the SPL for not offering them any help to prepare for their first European final in 36 years.

But despite the league's refusal to move Saturday's match, it is understood that SPL executive chairman Lex Gold and the Ibrox club are still trying to find a solution.

Rangers confirmed to BBC Scotland that their request had been rejected but have so far refused to comment, stating that a Scottish national newspaper has exclusive rights to their reaction.

Gordon J

Yours is also an interesting thought..but I'm quite sure UEFA wouldn't take too kindly to such a stance.

The latest disgraceful moves from Murray merely underline the perilous state of affairs at his club.

I have been saying all season that in over 55
years of following Celtic, I have never known a season where they have so blatantly used every dirty trick to gain every and any advantage going.

That they have been aided, in most cases, by all the offices of the game, plus media, further highlights the black hole they are staring into.

The desperation with which they have tried to postpone games at this ridiculous late stage has even proved a plea too far for the SPL.

However, as has been widely recognised, they remain even more dangerous. Having been kicked into touch by the SPL, there still remains their friends in the SFA Referees Association and they ,at this stage, are the most powerful allies of all.

Beware the MIBs.

James Forrest - my info is that all options have been considered since the holding of the peeled onion to the eyes statement at Easter Road - today was just the start of the campaign, tomorrow there will be more publicity and pressure day as well as maybe a wee leak of the possibility that tfod will play the reserves on saturday - appearing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of scottish football but hoping that the backlash would be so strong that A)they might win the game anyway B)it would get the peepell on their side even more C) the spl might just cave in

Bizarrely, watching a Bruce Willis movie right now called Hostage right now on C4; there is a character called Walter Smith, who is pretty sick - coincidence ?

Just back from getting petrol. Saw the back page of the DR (It was lying there, I didn't touch it. Honest) and it carried the headline "SPL boot out gers request for day off" , an exclusive by Keith Jackson.

On the crossbar challenge, one of the funniest I have seen was at Moonbeam Park. It was on You Tube as Rankers crossbar challenge. It is worth a look. Dont know how to do links, sorry.

ggh

Most of the buns ive spoken with, would if push came to shove give us the league if they
could triumph in Manchester.

Gordon_J,

That is just the sort of underhanded move they wouldn't think twice about doing to force their way to another extension.

Thank you for dampening my spirits. :(

Gordon J

Lol ..... very interesting suggestion ! Right now, I am really racking my brain trying to think of something which will, as PJBhoynyc has suggested, steer the criticism onto someone or something else.

I just can't shake the idea they could have announced their disappointment, or anger, through the media as a whole, and alienated nobody. To give an exclusive to one paper risks offending every other one ....... and so you only do that if you've got something controversial in mind and need at LEAST one media outlet which will give unqualified support.

I don't know what sort of announcement would call for that.

It would be interesting to see the Ibrox plan.

There is a full list of fixture this weekend but rangers would rather Wednesday was their last game before UCF.

This would leave them 4 league matches and and Scottish Cup final to play.

Is their plan?
Motherwell away on Sat 17th or Sun 18th
then Dundee United at home on presumeably Wed 21st - although this clashes with Moscow CLF so best to leave this until Tuesday 27th May in order to give plenty of time to prepare and recover from the Scottish Cup Final.
Which would take us to 29th May for the St Mirren match possibly setting up a final SPL day of June 1st if they are not too tired!

Meaning that after playing our penultimate match on Sunday Celtic and conveniently Aberdeen, would need to wait 3 weeks to complete their SPL programme.

Too ridiculous for words.

Now if the two cup final dates are set in stone why is the FINAL league match (as in England) not the same????

"Ridicule" indeed.

Gordon J

That's more devious than Machiavelli. I'm hoping David Murray does not read this site.

While this is too important a story to ignore, I hope we are able to focus on The Hibs game from, at least, Wednesday onwards. We cannot afford to get distracted by this circus. Leave it to Peter Lawell and John Reid to do the dirty fighting behind the scenes.

There will be a serious loss of credibility by Gold and Blair if they change their initial judgement at this late stage. We have already disadvantaged a lot of our Irish fans and traditional away support by having our final fixture moved from a Sunday to a Thursday night.

Could you imgine they fielded a reserve team, lost to Dundee Utd, then lose to Zenit just like Lyon we they had a week to prepare. They would be lynched.

James

how about something along the lines of - we regret that the integrity of the league will be undermined but because of the unprecedented fixture schedule imposed upon us by the SPL
we may be forced to field a weakened team for certain games

Thus, the fact that their squad is not strong enough to compete on three fronts will be twisted to cast doubts on the integrity of the SPL competition

If said weakened team then loses they will then be able to state - as we predicted the competition has lost integrity!

VertWolf

12 million gurantee CL entry lads and they are going to field a weaken team??? Come on even Murray's no that stupid.

My attempt at a guess was just that - but glad you enjoyed it anyway! I'm sure something else will be tried by Murray though. And I'm sure the focus will be on Scotland's reputation/ the good of Scottish football, etc.

Gordon J

Surely any team containing Broadfoot, Dailly, Papac, Hendami etc in a UEFA Cup Final is going to be the suject of an official UEFA investigation.