gandhisflip

Good point PapaGuy. I know it isn't comparable in terms of quality but if you look at Man Utd under Ferguson - he's sold his top scorers twice and the other guys have stepped up massively. Van Nistlerooy then Ronaldo. Whilst Kenny Miller is more a white Eto than Rooney the principle is the same. Muff - i disagree about valuations. If Lafferty has one good season scoring c 20 goals+ he could attract a bid of that nature. Wolves have just paid £7m + add ons for Steven Fletcher from a championship side who hasn't impressed at internationl level like Lafferty has.

We've got 3 young guys who really need a season of many games played in their natural positions through the middle to see if they have got "it" in Lafferty, Fleck and Naismith. If we can get a couple of wide guys in (don't need to be world beaters just a bit of pace and a half decent delivery) then any 2 strikers we play should score goals for fun. As a club we are at the stage of growing our own if we want to remain semi-comptetive in a European sense (that migth be Europa Cup level but so be it for now). Lafferty was bought for big bucks but kept out the team by Boyd and Miller. Naimsmith looked to be twice the player of say a Ross McCormack who has gone on to do well so again i feel he needs 20games this season up front. Fleck - is up there with Durrant and Charlie Miller for raw talent but again he has to play 20-25games in his proper position. Up front with a runner or just off front 2. If even 2 of the 3 kick on we would have a couple of £6m+ players on our hands (EPL prices). As we can't afford to buy at that level we need to grow our own.

Must admit there were many occasions last season, usually during cold and boring games, when i thought about him quitting as well. Needs 10games in a trot up front as well as a good pre-season. Then we can judge him. Unless we bring in some good wide midfield men i'd love to see us playing a new formation that got better use out of Fleck and Davis - 4-2-3-1 anybody? Usual back 5 ----Edu---Thomson--- Miller---Davis----Fleck --------Lafferty------

What have you been hearing about Papac? Has he been on the Bosnian hooch all summer or something?

Yes - whats Sasa been up to? Concerned.

He's an ideal Walter signing in that despite being a winger (although i think he prefers to play on the right that allows him to cut in?) he is over 6ft tall and tracks back well. Excellent delivery and good left foot but we said that of Rothen didn't we? He's got 2yrs + 1yr option to run on his contract and is now an EPL player. Plus WBA paid Sheff Wed £3m + add-ons for him. There is FUCKING NO CHANCE OF THAT happening unless Brunt has shagged Di Matteo's missus and has pictures of the chairman with a selection of farmyard animals.

I've emailed supporters direct and will also contact Rangers. Does anyone have a good contact email address at Ibrox for this kind of thing?

What a ridiculous decision by Boyd. There is absolutely no way he will be getting £40k per week - perhaps £30k tops. I've always been a supporter of his but this is baffling to me. Unless there is more to this (ie Smith wanting him out) then he's absolutely pished all over a potential legacy as one of the club's all time scorers. Rangers might not be what it was 10yrs ago but we still have 50,000 fans every other week (and hundreds of thousands worldwide), have a world class training complex, are competitive every year for the title and are guaranteed in the CL. Added to the fact that Boyd can drive to his "work" everyday in under 45mins. He's moved to the back-end of the arsehole of nowhere to play for a mid table CCC outfit with 5 ex Tims and the ex Tim manager. What a fucking fanny. In my profession i could make almost 3 times as much by moving to London - however i haven't and likely will not ever take this option up. (i've got kids before know it all pipes up). Factors like family, quality of life, being "home" mean you just wouldn't do it. And that's just any run of the mill professional type job. Factor in the love of the fans, the playing for the team you supposedly love and winning trophies it's a no fucking brainer. Piss off and dont come back Boyd.

I say we just burn him anyway before or after we shoot him I'm going to steal your car. You big Tim you.

Given we don't have millions to spend - I'm happy with a 24yr old 6ft+, quick left footed player on the fringes of the Portugal squad who has done a job in the SPL. Our financial situation has no doubt meant we didn't have the most active scouting system this past 18-24months.

I'm no fan of the dirty little Lurgan bigot however i think he'll be a massive improvement on Mowbray for them. He's already got rid of a few of the imposters that were there and is looking to copy Smith (to a degree) in his pursuit of Campbell to bring experience to the backline. They have serious problems up front having sold McDonald and with Keane back off to drink tea at Spurs. However it remains to be seen if we can replace Boyd's goals. Obviously i believe Walter's experience, intelligene and character will see us through to 3 in a row but i think he could do a half decent job this season. Granted if we do 3 in a row they will be hunting him as well - which i'll very much enjoy watching.

No way was Mendes overrated in my opinion. Yes he did almost all of his good work at Ibrox but he created so many chances for us. I was sorry to see him go. He was also picked by Carlos Queiroz for Portugal ahead of £15m rated guys like Moutinho and Veloso.

Nice post Covenanter :praise:

How many of us have actually watched Goncalves week in week out? From what i've seen of him (ie Hearts v Rangers live or vs Tims/Hibs on the telly) he looks quick, strong and is left footed, can play LB or CH. If we're getting him for nowt and decent wages then i'm happy with that. Walter and Davie can polish most defenders - i'd rather spend what little money we have on wide mids and a striker.

The 'positions' at Killie were completely different to the 'positions' he has been asked to play with us, he was the focal point of Killies attacking play. We have had him playing totally unnatural positions and roles since the day he came to the club. Why is that lost on so many fans? Talent and skill are not lost overnight, as I said originally the lad has been trying too hard in my opinion. No one is asking you to hold back, constructive criticism is one thing.............. Harry - i agree with you. I think Naismith played with the right partner up front would do very well for us. Whilst he hasn't shone up to now i think he could do with 6 or 7 games in a trot up front. We do have a problem however in my opinion in that i dont see a good combo amongst our current strikers.

Decent pro who has very rarely let us down. He was impressive during our run to the Uefa final and im glad he's staying. He aint Maicon granted but has a good engine and positional sense. Can fill in at left, right and centre back and has 2 league medals and a Uefa final behind him.

Good analysis sir.

Ellis may be the best thing to happen to Rangers since Bill Struth or he could be the boardroom equivalent of PLG. As said previously we need to wait and hear what his plans are, is it a leveraged buy-out? Please god no. With no one else raising their head above the parapet i'd be happy with the bulk of the debt cleared and some fresh ideas. Or alternatively fans ownership but it seems we're too chicken to explore that.

George Wilson - good presbyterian name. Will have to drop the Collins bit though ;)

So how did the trial go yesterday - good turnout? I'm up for the next one - free from the family shackles next time.

I would definitely take McCarthur. Talk of c. £800k and wages shouldn't be more than £7/8k so leaves money for wingers as well.

Agree with the earlier poster we need pace. A quick centre half if Boogie goes and 2 quick wingers. A big strong striker who can hold it up and win headers. Ledley is attractive due to his contract situ but not certain he's the quickest in the world. I think Conway would do a good job for us if there isn't a better option in Europe. Think Klasnic is on a Bosman again. What about the Italian market - Smith has worked well there in the past?

Steaming at 10.20am. Either it was a good Sunday night out or your one of them ;)

Id definitely take Conway and we do need a target man type. Would i settle for Miller for cheap wages and a small fee - possibly. I think he'd do a good job up front for us. I do think there could be better out there in Europe ie a Cousin with a slightly better attitude.

Have to agree with you mate. - Rangers tried to sell Boyd in 2 of the last 3 transfer windows. - Rangers signed the likes of Lafferty and Miller on HIGHER wages than the SPL's top goalscorer - Rangers failed to get him signed up to a new contract despite having 2yrs at least in which to do this. I'll be gutted to see the big man go but I really hope he is a success wherever he goes. :praise: