smoops

STV understands LA Galaxy and US international forward Edson Buddle has been identified, should Miller switch to Birmingham City. STV understands Edson Buddle is attracting strong interest from Rangers, as Walter Smith faces up to potentially losing leading goalscorer Kenny Miller to Birmingham City. The American striker is out of contract at LA Galaxy and would be available on a free transfer if the SPL champions make a move. Buddle, who spent time training with Birmingham in December, has already visited Rangers' Murray Park complex and is known to be keen on a move to Europe. At 29, the six-times capped player has the option to sign a new deal at Home Depot Center but is eager to prove himself away from his home country. With Rangers' leading marksman Miller understood to be considering a £700,000 return to England, this time to join former international boss Alex McLeish at Birmingham City, the American has been pinpointed as a potential replacement. The New York native finished as the second top scorer in MLS last season with 17, despite missing a number of games because of his participation at the 2010 World Cup. At the tournament, Buddle came off the bench in games against England and Algeria but failed to get on the scoresheet. At 6ft 1, Buddle is an imposing figure and is frequently employed as a target player, owing to his psychical and aerial ability. The striker is also equally adept at feet however, proving himself as a pacy player with decent finishing ability. As well as Birmingham City, Stoke City and Sheffield Wednesday are also believed to be keen on his services, with Owls boss Alan Irvine admitting his interest but conceding he may lose out to a bigger club with any bid. Securing a work permit for Buddle may prove to be a stumbling block for the Ibrox club. Buddle has played just six times for his national team since he earned his first cap back in 2003 and is likely to see his future international prospects dry up, as manager Bob Bradley looks to young talent such as Teal Bunbery and Juan Agudero for the 2014 World Cup, by which time Buddle will be 33. Buddle's last cap came in an international friendly against Brazil in August 2010 but he has featured in just two of his country's 25 competitive games in the last two years, falling well short of the 75 per cent requirement to gain permission to play in the UK. If Rangers press ahead with the signing, they will have to argue Buddle's case to an SFA work permit appeal board, as they did when Croatian forward Nikica Jelavic signed in the summer. Buddle started his professional career in 2000 with PDL side Long Island Rough Riders, before earning a ticket into the MLS with Columbus Crew a year later. Short spells at New York Red Bulls and Toronto followed before his move to LA Galaxy in 2007, where he has scored 42 of his total 90 league goals in 231 regular season appearances. LA Galaxy have already moved to strengthen their striking options in the MLS off-season, having recruited former New York Red Bulls and Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel through the league's re-entry draft before Christmas. BUDDLE INTERESTING RANGERS

This is bad news. Anyone who thinks it's good is either stupid or has a warped view of the whole situation.

He was not the only bad player, but he was the worst. How often do you see Walter whip off one of his defenders? (unless they are injured)

I fucking hope so.

Our best player today. Fact.

"His first TOUCH in Europe" Gary McSwegan 2-2 Marseille game

GrahamSpiers Graham Spiers Pretty decent 1-1 performance by Rangers tonight. Though I think the phrase "seriously pish" still may apply to Bursaspor. hahaha.

Tis a bit off, aye.

Have to agree with everything. Second half was dreadful stuff.

Please, lets leave the conspiracies to the others.

Right will Jelavic be eligible for the Europa?

Absolutely no problem with Burley at the weekend. He was fair and I agreed with almost everything he said.

Broadfoot continues to embarass.

"The 39-year-old businessman's asset worth has been quoted at £700m, with a variety of venture capitalist projects at the root of his wealth" From the Guardian.. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/nov/18/rangers-craig-whyte-david-murray

plz stop referring to broadfoot as papac. ffs honestly..

Haha..christ i actually forgot about him.

Just think it wouldn't go amiss to hear how our only signing, and perhaps most exciting player in the last 2 years is recovering.

Is he back home in Croatia recovering? Was he at the old firm game? Almost a month and no news on the big man.

What were the comments from the players?

ah sorry fer re-post.

Player grabs refs tits. Quality. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc-K4p8D940&feature=player_embedded#!

Don't even react to it. It's pointless.

Nikica Jelavic has spoken of his fury at Hearts midfielder Ian Black and the challenge that has left him facing three months on the sidelines. The Rangers striker has undergone surgery in a Zagreb hospital to repair damaged ankle ligaments after limping off in the 2-1 victory at Tynecastle on Saturday. The recovery period could rule £4million signing Jelavic out of action for the rest of 2010, with a best-case scenario now thought to be a return within eight weeks The 25-year-old was crocked by a scything tackle from Black and said he was astonished that the former Inverness player was not sent off by referee Craig Thomson. Speaking before he went under the knife, Jelavic said: ‘I’m mad at him, of course I am angry. It was an obvious intent to hit me - he had no chance of getting the ball. 'He could have tried to stop me by pulling my shirt, but he was going to stop me any way he could. ‘It should have been a red card. Can you imagine? A yellow card for a tackle that costs me three months? But I won’t take revenge when we next play - that’s not what I am like.’ Despite his deep disappointment at a lengthy spell out of action, the former Rapid Vienna frontman pledged to return a better player for Rangers. ‘This won’t break me, I will come back even stronger,’ he insisted. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1318076/Nikica-Jelavic-rages-Hearts-star-Ian-Black-injury-rule-months.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz11X23Jgry

Na I am in some serious need of cheering up, I canne shake this. 2 years we wait for a signing, and we eventually get a real good one. Then whack, oot for possibly as long as 4 months? WHIT Say it ain't so.

Same here it's been on my mind and getting me down all day I've been so impressed and excited at going to see him every week. Some of the touches, the efforts (bicycle against hearts) and the goals(overhead kick) The man is pure class. Fucking scunnered hes out.