Manno

Difficult to choose between games I've been to and games I've watched on telly. Fiorentina was a rollercoaster but watching us win the league on Helicopter Sunday in my grans front room, where I'd had to suffer us getting pumped 6-2 off the mhanks a few years before, was sweet. Barrie McKays goal against them at Hampden is probably the best I've ever felt as a Rangers fan, from a game I've been at.

If fit, Wallace, as captain, needs to take one for the team, and fans, and take Whittaker out at the first opportunity. Let it known that the way he left won't be forgotten. i would expect Hibs to play 4-5-1, seeing as Gray and McGregor are back from suspension, push Whittaker into midfield. I'd take 1-0 right now, but I want to hammer the bastards.

To be honest, I wouldn't want to play the 'trialists' until September 1st. I think the boys that got us promoted, especially the younger ones, deserve the chance to show what they can do before Bell, Law and Daly walk into the team. I'm not begrudging the 'trialists' a start as they will undoubtedly improve our side, but it will allow some of the younger lads (Mitchell, Hegarty, Crawford) the chance to prove that they are worthy members of the squad. Without being disrespectful to Albion Rovers or the teams we face in the first four league games, we really should have enough to beat them, especially if Templeton, McKay and Shiels are back before the transfer embargo is lifted. Also think it's quite pathetic that we are still on the look out for a keeper when we have Gallacher and two U21s in the squad. Gallacher should have been sent out on loan regularly over the past few years, plus he and Currie (who left for Hamilton) should have been given chances last year when we were 20+ points clear. There's no use sending a 24 year old out on loan now.

Surely Larsson scored more than five against us, or am I missing the point in this post? Edit: Scrap what I've just said - in the goals to game ratio section it includes Jupp Heyneckes, hence my confusion.I'm assuming it's players who are still active, or that's who should be included.

If we are going to bring in another couple of centre halves as rumoured (Berra, Webster, Wilson or Zaliukas) then I think we need to let some of the youngsters go out on loan. It's pretty clear that unless a few more of the over 21s leave then the kids don't stand a chance of developing this season. Personally I'd be playing the guys that were already here until September 1st. We were 30 points clear at one point and that's when Gallagher or Smith should have been used to give them a chance in goal, rather than McCoist seeking them to go out on loan now. I think Cole, Perry and Naismith need to leave on loan; the latter two will never be good enough but McCoist is too soft to get rid of them just now. I think Hutton's time on the park will be limited due to Law and Peralta's arrival, so he might get punted as well. Hegarty is another that would find himself out of the squad a lot if we do bring in another couple of centre halves. McAusland, Gasparrotto, Crawford and maybe even Aird could do with first team football and should also be considered for being sent out on loan. After them, there are the younger lot like Stoney, Murdoch and Walsh who were introduced at various points of the season. I don't know if it's too early to send them out on loan, or if they are just recently taking the step up to the U19s/reserves. I'd much rather they were getting first team football rather than playing against boys their age from semi-professional outfits, even if that meant sending them to some of the Lowland League clubs. I could see some of the foreign guys leaving because they don't look like they will be getting games due to the arrival of Foster, Smith and potentially two centre halves. I think Macleod, McKay and Mitchell will get kept at the club; the first two could start every week and I wouldn't complain, while Mitchell provides good cover at full back and I'd imagine he wouldn't look out of place at right mid. Basically we need to develop the young players at the club, and while I'm happy with some of the signings we've made, it's no use having these kids sitting on the bench, or, if our squad stays at it's current size, sitting in the stands. They need games and that might even mean sending them to First Division clubs that are fairly local (I've always had an issue with sending boys up North and to the East rather than staying in the West/Central belt).

I hope you're joking. They don't call him 'Clangers' for nothing. Was looking through STV's list of SPL players that are out of contract. It's a sign of the times that I'm genuinely interested in signing some of them. Basically looks like the whole Dundee side are out of contract, but the only player I'd be interested in is Jim McAlister, who has experience of the lower leagues from his time at Morton (where they won promotion from the Third and Second divisions). I'm not a massive fan of Daly, think Higdon is a much better bet. Motherwell are a bit like Dundee in that a lot of guys are out of contract. My worry is that if we are going for Law and Humphreys, then the likes of Macleod and Crawford won't develop as they won't get much game time. I'd take Darren Barr from Hearts - utility player, and again has experience of the lower leagues from his time at Falkirk. I'd be looking at Barry Douglas from Dundee United, as a backup for Wallace or also to play left wing. Came through at Queens Park, so has experience of the lower leagues, and is only 22/23. If we fail in a move for Daly (or Higdon), then I'd be looking to bring Boyd back. I'm not really convinced that we need to overload the striker's department like we did in the summer with Kyle and Sandaza. One of the three (Boyd, Daly and Higdon) would be enough for this season, especially if we're signing Nicky Clark and Novo, and both McCulloch and Little can play up front. Hemmings and Naismith should be given this season to develop, and if it doesn't work, get rid at the end of the season. Iain Vigurs at Ross County and Murray Davidson at St Johnstone have always impressed me, and both know what it's like to play in the lower divisions, so if there's a chance of bringing them to the club, I'd look into it. I don't see the point going for foreigners (I'd allow Argyriou and Cribari to walk away, along with Goian and Bocanegra if need be). We should be looking at guys that have experience of the lower leagues, but are still young enough to develop into a good SPL player when we return. I'm not into this 'steady the ship' patter. In footballing terms, we're a year behind. I don't expect us to play like Barcelona (the Green dossier is laughable) but there is very little structure to the club. McCoist picks players to fit his formation, rather than a formation to suit his players. Andy Little is not a lone forward, nor is 'Jig'. We punted the ball to Sandaza but try to play through balls for McCulloch, easily our slowest player. Things need to change in the summer. It's clear there are players that won't ever be good enough for Rangers, but I'd stick with them for a final season (Perry, Hemmings, Naismith for example). We need to hit the ground running. I don't see the point going to the US or Germany, as that isn't going to prepare the lads for Arbroath, Stranraer etc. I expect that we will be better prepared for next season, but I don't see the need to treat the players to a luxury training camp when we're going to be playing in shiteholes all season. After all, we didn't have a proper pre-season last year, so they should be in from the first or second week in June, running themselves into the ground. We should be organising friendlies against teams in the lower leagues of England, or even the First Division (QOTS, Dumbarton, Cowdenbeath seeing as they are all still part-time).

I hope none of them set foot near Ibrox again. I think I'd try and break that wee albino bastard's face if I ever saw him in the street.

Think it changes for the quarter finals, last years quarter finals included 5 teams who could have qualified for the south/west section

As they haven't yet gone on sale, I haven't selected the 2nd and 3rd kit options. Never really buy into the lotto or rising stars, my dad used to but I go to the games alone now

Thistle, either at Ibrox or Firhill. Knock out the competition early as possible. Game is scheduled for the 9th of September, day after Scotland v Serbia at Hampden, so not too sure if it will get moved. Likely that Shiels and Little will be called up for NI aswell (they play Russia away on the 7th and Luxembourg at home on the 11th).

I've been arguing on another forum that a 3-4-3/3-5-2 can be adapted just as easily as a 4-1-4-1/4-2-3-1. When defending we can take the form of a 4-1-4-1, but whilst on the attack (as we should be this season) we can advance into a 3-4-3 Example: Alexander Broadfoot Goian Bocanegra Wallace Black Little Hutton Shiels McKay Sandaza Turns to Alexander Broadfoot Goian Bocanegra Little Black Hutton Wallace Shiels Sandaza McKay (Okay, admittedly I underestimated the players at our disposal, but you get the idea) I'd love us to play a passing game where players can rotate throughout the game, but we really need more bodies, some full backs for example.

North-East Section Cowdenbeath 3-0 East Fife Raith Rovers 5-2 Montrose Arbroath 3-2 Forfar Athletic Falkirk P-P Rangers South-West Section Annan Athletic 0-3 Stenhousemuir Queens Park 4-5 Partick Thistle Greenock Morton 1-2 Queen of the South East Stirlingshire 3-0 Airdrie United I think we all went into this tournament expecting to win it, but if we don't win it now (with only one 'full-time' team left in the tournament) then it will be slightly embarassing. Hopefully we can give Falkirk a doing next week.

I thought it was 6-0. I remember McCormack never really celebrated his goal, took about 3 deflections

With the additions of Sandaza and Kyle, plus Little and Shiels can play up front, Lee could easily play in a holding midfield role or even in a back three. Looked shattered after half an hour on Tuesday (albeit we've not had a proper pre-season). Think we certainly need a couple of wingers and backup for Wallace. Darren Cole should be enough cover in a back three or for Broadfoot. If Broadfoot leaves (please God, please) then maybe we'd need a replacement. Admittedly I don't know much about the youngsters, but we do seem to have a good number of players - Gallacher in goal, Cole, Hegarty, Perry, Clarke in defence, Macleod, Crawford, Mitchell in midfield, Naismith, McKay, Hemmings up front

Was just about to edit: Home 28th or 29th. A week after we play them in the Ramsdens Cup at their place