disgruntled_bear 157 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Transfer window activity – or lack of it – will define Craig Whyte's Ibrox stewardship''And Kane Hemmings is injured,'' said Ally McCoist, pondering his striking options on Monday hours after Kyle Lafferty joined Nikica Jelavic and Steven Naismith on the injured list.The 20-year-old Hemmings is, no doubt, an estimable young man with some potential but to invoke his name as a saviour, albeit a wounded one, was the clearest signal yet of the depths of the problem confronting McCoist and Craig Whyte, the club owner.Hemmings, an alumni of Tamworth of the Bluesquare Premier League, will not be able to provide an immediate solution to McCoist who seeks to send out a team with more than one fit striker in the shape of David Healy, the 32-year-old Northern Ireland internationalist.McCoist, the manager, faces the hardly unusual problem of a depleted squad but it is exacerbated by growing fears that cavalry may not be coming.The problem for Whyte, though, extends beyond a meditation on niggles or groin strains. In the wonderfully emotive language of the game, it is time for Mr Whyte to put up or face the consequences.The press conference by McCoist on Monday after the defeat of Motherwell was a blunt SOS to the owner. Managers routinely demand increased budgets and bigger playing squads but the ''Kane Hemmings'' moment was a cry for help. Its validity can not be questioned. In terms of a playing squad, Rangers are in a place named stook.So how will the manager's appeal for recruits be answered?McCoist and Whyte met after the match to discuss playing matters. Understandably, neither the manager nor the owner would comment yesterday but there was no flurry of transfer movement at Murray Park and agents, who are normally keen to talk up their clients' chances of moving to Rangers, reported no significant inquiries.McCoist and Whyte will meet again this week and immediate progress must be made on the two pressing matters on the agenda: the disposal of the asset that is Nikica Jelavic and the acquisition of new talent.Whyte, routinely described as ''not a football man'', is about to be introduced to the most frantic month in the sport. He will be confronted with the brutal reality that any inaction cannot be disguised by the making of further promises.First, he must accept that Jelavic, whose personal ambitions include forcing his way into Croatia's Euro 2012 squad and whose belief is that a lucrative position in an English side is the best way of achieving that, should be sold.Increasingly, he has become disaffected and his worth for Rangers lies in a transfer fee. There have been reports that Rangers are holding out for £10m for the 26-year-old. They surely will have to settle for lower. The groin injury to Jelavic is genuine but Rangers may have to contend with a striker with a debilitating case of petted lip if they do not move him on.If the Croat seems to be moving inexorably into the category of former Ranger, the more vexed questions are who will replace him at the club and who will occupy other areas of the side that need attention.The recruitment policy, or lack of it, will be placed under a demanding scrutiny. There is no hiding place from the cold reality of January. Rangers will either buy players during the transfer window or they will not. Whyte will, therefore, be defined by his approach in the next four weeks.There is no doubt where McCoist stands on the question of recruitment. He has publicly stated: ''We need bodies in.'' He has identified targets in a range of prices. The manager at one time was interested in bringing such as Nicky Maynard, the Bristol City forward, and Lewis McGugan, the Nottingham Forest midfielder, to Ibrox. It can be said with some certainty that these players are now outside his price range.It is more difficult to divine precisely who falls into the category of affordable player who can step immediately into the first team.Understandably, McCoist and Whyte will not give details of their meeting but the fact that another discussion is scheduled strongly suggests that no definitive plan has been reached. This hesitation occurs as the transfer clock ticks down and doubts increase over the capacity of Rangers to attract players of substance. As proven performers in the English Championship glide out of the club's reach, McCoist has to set his sights lower. But how much lower?There were suggestions last night that any move for Nacho Novo, a player once considered surplus to requirements at the club, would founder on financial grounds. The Sporting Gijon player may, too, be an unattainable target.McCoist will, therefore, be linked incessantly with players in a bracket that carries considerable risks. The club that could attract Ronald de Boer, Paul Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup now must shop in more humble stores.There is no disgrace in that reality as financial imperatives have to be met but there are fears among the Rangers support that McCoist may even be denied the chance to employ such as Francesco Sandaza of St Johnstone.The Spanish forward, for example, has to be paid and St Johnstone will demand a transfer fee that reflects the belief that Sandaza guarantees the club points and that tally is proportionately rewarded with a cash payout in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.Bluntly, the further up the league they finish, the more St Johnstone will be paid out. There is unlimited capacity for talking about transfer targets but the support demands new players and the manager certainly needs them.This issue is now firmly in the court of the owner. Whyte can grasp the severity of the situation and commit funds to its solution. He may do neither, but this lack of action will be obvious to even the most casual observer and there will not be many of them in blue-and-white scarves this month.http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/transfer-window-activity-or-lack-of-it-will-define-craig-whytes-ibrox-stewardship.16350255According to the Herald today, Ally McCoist has no money this transfer window. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,630 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 It's less than 4 days into the window.Don't panic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
disgruntled_bear 157 Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 It's less than 4 days into the window.Don't panic.I'm not panicking, far from it. I don't think we'll sign anybody this window. Been saying that for a while. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 11,453 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Even if it's loan deals again we really need to bolster the squad. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregor Stevens Fan Club 42 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I'm not panicking, far from it. I don't think we'll sign anybody this window. Been saying that for a while.Do you think we'll see many go out though - i.e. not just the kids. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delamonty 992 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 No.. This will NOT define Mr. Whyte's stewardship.That will take years. We need to get rid of the tax case.. then see where we are after 2-3 years with Mr. Whyte. What a stupid 'article'. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaltersGotStyle 172 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Two stories - With no differencehttp://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/transfer-window-activity-or-lack-of-it-will-define-craig-whytes-ibrox-stewardship.16350255http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/time-to-be-called-on-hearts-today.16350358Lazy Journalism Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Prince of Denmark 10 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 If i remember correctly our appeal on the tax case is being heard mid january. i doubt any players will be brought in until then. its healy, fleck and aluko until then id imagine Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainAmerica18 846 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 According to other papers he does have funds.http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/293407/Whyte-to-sanction-McCoist-S-O-S-for-re-enforcements Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack The Flipper 5,936 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 You know something, i'd rather we dealt with players in a more private way, which means keeping things quiet to the very last moment.The less said about transfers the better, it's what is done that counts, the media can get to fuck. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack The Flipper 5,936 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 According to other papers he does have funds.http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/293407/Whyte-to-sanction-McCoist-S-O-S-for-re-enforcementsUrgh, do they have to continously bump in the part about Bendikson leaving? I'm totally gutted about it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
disgruntled_bear 157 Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 Do you think we'll see many go out though - i.e. not just the kids.All Depends if we get concrete offers or not. Think we all know Jelavic is as good as gone. But, with our situation all our players are just one serious bid away from leaving. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
disgruntled_bear 157 Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 If i remember correctly our appeal on the tax case is being heard mid january. i doubt any players will be brought in until then. its healy, fleck and aluko until then id imagine First stage of the tax hearing, is on the 16th of this month. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulRFC1 115 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 No.. This will NOT define Mr. Whyte's stewardship.That will take years. We need to get rid of the tax case.. then see where we are after 2-3 years with Mr. Whyte. What a stupid 'article'.Correct.We showed against Well we easily have enough to cope in this League, they are the third best team and we brushed them aside. There is no need to go splashing cash especially when we have this tax case hanging over us. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirWalterSmithLegend 206 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 We know he doesnt have money, he spunked it all in the summer. He has been told if wants money he must sell, thats fair enough. No doubt had we done better in Europe he would have had a few bob. No problems with that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluegecko 306 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 If i remember correctly our appeal on the tax case is being heard mid january. i doubt any players will be brought in until then. its healy, fleck and aluko until then id imagine 16th Jan dude, but It's not an appeal! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef 436 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I read today whyte said to ally we don't need to sell in order to get new players. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef 436 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 We know he doesnt have money, he spunked it all int he summer. He has been tiold if wants money he must sell, thats fair enough. No doubt had we done better in Europe he would have had a few bob. No problems with that.Who said he must sell Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirWalterSmithLegend 206 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Who said he must sellAlly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef 436 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Ally.When, where. Ally said and you heard him say he will need to sell first, correct ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirWalterSmithLegend 206 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 When, where. Ally said and you heard him say he will need to sell first, correct ?Eh, yes. Last week, press conference, in fact i done a thread on it. Quotes and everything Chef. Go look it up if you are so interested. Its hardly a secret. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxiblue 18 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 We have to sell b4 we buy,we MUST come to terms with that.We are now shopping in primark,when we used to shop in John Lewis.This is a tough time for our once great CLUB Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef 436 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Eh, yes. Last week, press conference, in fact i done a thread on it. Quotes and everything Chef. Go look it up if you are so interested. Its hardly a secret. Secret? Just making sure I know what you are chatting, you change opinion all too often it's actually hard to keep up with what's real and whats bullshit these days.Where would you be without those wee emotions eh Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirWalterSmithLegend 206 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Secret? Just making sure I know what you are chatting, you change opinion all too often it's actually hard to keep up with what's real and whats bullshit these days.Where would you be without those wee emotions ehChange my opinion on what? Stop making stuff up because you made a cunt of it. Emotions are there to be used. They are fun and 99% of folk on here use them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef 436 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Change my opinion on what? Stop making stuff up because you made a cunt of it. Emotions are there to be used. They are fun and 99% of folk on here use them. Made a cunt of it? I asked you a question as I missed the said press conference you obviously watched, but don't let me stop you lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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