D'Artagnan

RDB, you're spot on. He says he wants away because being here is hurting his international career, and yet the 2 faced wee sh*t is the one who signed a 3 year contract to stay here. Obviously didnt think it was hurting his career when PLG was manager.....so is he saying he has not the ability to make the French international side without having a French club manager... Doesn't say much about the faith in his own ability.

I think KDI you have made a lot of visionary statements...and I would wholeheartedly agree with much of what you have said. However I do disagree with the following and I will explain why.. "The sports writers have set themselves up as the judges, but the only way to stop their unfairness (as you see it) is to outdo the requests made of us. " It irks me greatly that those who are not impartial are seen as the judges....I think many of them have made comments in the past which would make their position as "judges" of our club untenable. I have posted a no. of posts on this subject....in many ways we have outone the requests which have been made of us....that has simply not stopped that unfairness. Instead they have turned their attention to acceptable practices and chosen to criticise them....the card dislay at the Milan game and the subsequent "Nuremberg Rally" comments is merely a symptom of this. Even Rule Britannia and the dambusters music has not escaped either their attention or criticism. It was summed up for me when McNee criticised Follow Follow as sectarian because it contained the word "Dublin" in it....and Spiers joined in because the version played at Ibrox had flutes accompanying it. Believe me KDI when they get this desperate....you can rest assured they will not stop.

"The hatred has not been resolved yet, but merely castrated. There are many Rangers fans who still boil with the same sectarian anger. Just because it is not expressed in song does not mean it isn't palpably felt when you are sitting at Ibrox. It is still in the air." And not just within Ibrox......and not just within football grounds. Perhaps dealing with the issues in wider society we will be able to move forward.....but so long as the symbols of that divide continue to exist....I would imagine so will the murmurings of malcontent. "As for the sports writers... well, the changes requested by UEFA and the SFA gave them license to become watchdogs over RFC's efforts. I don't agree with everything they say, but they do sometimes make some good points, and you can often learn truth from your worst critics." If they are watchdogs they should be adjudicating in a manner which is both fair impartial and balanced. That is not happening.....and the consequences are plain to see.

I think though KDI that our club has initiated change.....and big changes at that.. The problem is that despite the huge advances we have made...they are rarely highlighted...instead they continue to chip away at that which has been left following change....hence the attacks in recent months not being about sectarianism...but our Britishness and other more conservative traditions associated with the club. Yes we need to rise above vicious circles...particularly those which encourage hatred...but its extremely difficult to rise when you are being continually pulled down by individuals who are little more than Rangers haters with typewriters. You are absolutely correct when you say our club leads the way....no other club in the world is taking the steps we are taking to tackle the problem...a fact which although acknowledged by UEFA and many other bodies.....seems to have escaped many elements of the Scottish press. However its too simplistic to suggest we just ignore the elements of the press who continue to seek to undermine everything about our club.

Some very interesting and valid points KDI.....however one of your phrases emphasises the nature of the problem. "Is lauding of terrorist activity something to be tolerated?" Well of course its not. However I had opportunity to speak to a senior Police Officer this year at a conference on sectarianism. When I quizzed him on "IRA" chants and the Police lack of action, he commented that such singing was not sectarian but "political" in nature. I appreciate events have changed somewhat in Northern Ireland...but many Bears on here will still remember the carnage this organisation brought to the streets of the United Kingdom...and worldwide. Banning a song like the Billy Boys which is about a Glasgow gang from the 1920's...while turning a blind eye...or ear as the case may be...to singing about an organsiation who murdered people according to their religion seems wholly unjust....and to be honest makes me extremely sceptical about the true nature of this drive to rid sectarianism from our midst. I dont think we will resolve many of the issues until there is an element of parity displayed by those who wish to drive sectarianism from Scotland.

This is a hard one.....as I said earlier on another thread I think we need to build for the future... However Im sure that even when Webster is fit I have a feeling from Wattie's preference he wil go for experience. Id like to see both Webster and Svensson benefit from the experience of these 2 older players...the problem with that is that it means chopping and changing the CH pairing.

"Agreed, it was an important facet in the formation of the club" Can I say that is contrary to all I have read on the subject. 4 young lads from the Gareloch came down the Clyde and started a football club....and athoughl they were all Protestants there were no religious aspects to the initial formation of the club....other than what they practised in their everyday lives. Rangers Protestant idenity was moulded as a result of Celtic but not just because of their Catholic identity....but because of their open support for Irish nationalism....one of their directors used to give lectures supporting this cause. Furthermore around the turn of the century Celtic were known as "The Irishmen"....the promoting of both the Catholic faith and Irish Nationalism caused a Presbyterian Scotland to look for an alternative...and Rangers being the emerging successful club with the demise of Queens Park as a force were the club many turned to This is the briefest of summaries...Bill Murray's book The Old Firm and Sectarianism explains it in much greater detail.

So do I CG... But if two years ago I had said to TBB would be banned...would you have believed me ?

To be honest I would rather he went at the end of the season. We need to get a reliable centre half partnership going...one that will last us for several years...instead of chopping and changing every season or so due to retirement. We need to need to get the nucleus of a team in place.

"I did read some talk about the Union Jack being under threat though, which is pish in my opinion. Paronia because a second rate journo like Keevins comes out with distasteful, to say the least, comments against the club. I also read some story about fans trying to take down a union jack at an away game. I don't know about that, if true it's an isolated incident, I think it's quite obvious that the majority of the support either take pride in the Union Jack, or at least accept it. The same with the Sash, that will never be banned, it's OTT paranoia to even suggest it. Just because a couple of bitter journos don't like it, really couunts for nothing." 2 things Ayebrox...I think we should bookmark these comments and see where we are in a couple of years time. Secondly you really should try reading some of the other posts before you pass comment....its not about a couple of journos....and furthermore the Union Flag already HAS been banned from a couple of grounds.

"Who wants to ignore the club's heritage?" Well Danny Ive seen quite a few statements/posts expressing they would like to move away from such heritage. Perhaps you missed them starting another Buffel thread.

Some of us? I'd have thought we all felt that way? You're not trying to be in some way elitist are you? I think the point he was making is that there appear to be some contributors happy to abandon some of the traditions....in the belief we will then have a whiter than white image which the media will not attack.

Spot on Manticore.

I agree defining Buffel's best position is not easy....I would play him up front with Boyd. Nacho gives everything....but its time to be harsh....he's not good enough...some of his first touch and passing is poor....if it was all about heart Nacho would win hands down...but its not...skill and ability have to be the consideration.

I have to admit Danny I was confused initially when I read the initial post on this thread...mainly because as BIC stated earlier there seems little to suggest that our current failings are anything to do with the traditions of the club. I think there is something we need to distinguish here..... Certainly when I talk of ancient traditions that does include any expression of anti-catholic sentiment....its vital that we draw that demarcation line.

I thought Burke in particular was poor today and offered very little....especially for a guy reportedly demanding ?12 000 a week. Hemdani does everything simply and well but I dont think he offers enough.....

Probably one of the few players we have who can recieve the ball with a defender to his back and turn him rather than the normal lay off backwards

But do you think thats enough ? I would like to see a whole lot more from him...he's a midfielder...and yes his best role is defensive....but I would expect to see a whole lot more from him creating and supporting.

Agreed MOTM by a mile.

Yep would be happy with ?2million....so long as it is used to strengthen the squad. In fairness to the boy....you have to have some sympathy...young lad in a strange country and the manager who brought him here has gone and is now offering to take him back to his own country

I have never heard so much ill informed nonsense in my life. The RST had consistently stood up for Rangers and their supporters....and I think they have discharged their responsibilities in an impeccable manner. To think as well they are all volunteers who give up their own time for the good of the club and the supporters.

I think the new UEFA cup set up with the leagues Nvager is an attempt to usurp the Atlantic League idea.

Falkirk have just returned from the Algarve.....so maybe something will happen...I read we had upped our offer to ?250,000...take it or leave it...and if they leave it we will wait till the summer. McCulloch is meant to be handing in a transfer request today...so there may be some development there as well. Brown/Thomson....silly prices for players who were bossed into anonymity by BF and Clement on their last visit to Ibrox.

You joking...have you seen how bad their keeper is :o

Clement - I would be happy to get ?3 million for him....good ball winner but when he gets it he looks like he's holding a hot tattie