PRW. 5,631 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Airdrie star Paul Di Giacomo: Newco Rangers will get out of Division Three if they keep Lee McCullochJul 20 2012 By Scott McDermottLee McCulloch Image 2PAUL DI GIACOMO got up close and personal with the newco Rangers and reckons the rest of the Third Division won’t be able to touch the Ibrox side.The Airdrie hitman played against Ally McCoist’s decimated team on Tuesday night at Murray Park – their first game since the oldco’s liquidation.It ended in a 2-1 victory for the Ibrox side, thanks to goals from Lee Wallace and youngster Lewis McLeod, in a warm-up for their SFL campaign.McCoist’s men kick-off their season with a Ramsdens Cup clash next weekend against Brechin before life in the Third Division starts with a trip to Peterhead on August 11.The manager is fearful of an SFA transfer ban scuppering his newco side’s hopes of a quick-fire promotion.But Di Giacomo believes they have enough in their locker now and should romp away with the title.And his gaffer even reckons Gers possess enough quality to run away with the First Division.Di Giacomo said: “Rangers still looked like a solid team, with international players. They have Neil Alexander in goal, Kirk Broadfoot at centre-back and Wallace at left-back.“In midfield, Kyle Hutton has decent experience now and other youngsters such as McLeod were of a really good standard – you can tell they’ve come through the Murray Park system.“But the main man is big Lee McCulloch up front. If Rangers hold on to him, they won’t have a problem.“He’s a leader on the pitch and made the game look easy at times. He’s a real handful and he’ll be key for Rangers.“If they keep him and the other international boys, I can see them getting out of the Third Division comfortably.“A transfer embargo would certainly make it more difficult. But even if they didn’t sign anyone I don’t see why they couldn’t win it.“If they do get a ban, they can’t afford any of the big four to go. If the ban is lifted, I’m sure they’ll sign experienced Scottish boys to see them through.”Jimmy Boyle agrees the Ibrox squad are not short on ability. The Airdrie boss said: “Even some of the youngsters they brought in looked good.“I suspect they would be too strong for anyone in the First Division, so I can’t see them struggling in the Third.”http://www.<No links to this website>/football/spl/rangers/2012/07/20/airdrie-star-paul-di-giacomo-newco-rangers-will-get-out-of-division-three-if-they-keep-lee-mcculloch-86908-23910448/Nice to hear both quotes from Di Giacomo and the manager saying that the youngsters look good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Can't wait for the novelty to wear off and we stop being referred to as the 'newco Rangers' Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bede 19 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Can't wait for the novelty to wear off and we stop being referred to as the 'newco Rangers'No ne hated Leeds like they hate us. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bothwellbear 1,392 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Good to hear. Big Lee legend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather 72,282 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Jig will do us proud as always.I left for |Turkey last Friday, not been up to scratch with who's left now? anyone left since last Friday? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
offminorthreat 1,465 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Just wait for the rabid fucking taigs to see this article and start claiming that our "strong squad" means we should now get a 326452254825 year transfer ban. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben10 2,293 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 A taig wrote that article. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz92 966 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Jig will do us proud as always.I left for |Turkey last Friday, not been up to scratch with who's left now? anyone left since last Friday?Edu's apparently off to Valencia, Kerkar's on a trial at Charlton, Goian's supposed to be off to a German team. Bocanegra expected to go.If Lee can show the commitment, passion and versatility he showed at the end of last season, he'll do us just fine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
southcoastbear 1,639 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Nice comments but is this smacks of the record trying to put forward a case that there is no reason that a transfer embargo should be handed down as we are strong enough already. Don't trust this lot an inch, could they also possibly be trying to raise a stink that we have played a friendly without a licence rather than the training match it was? Each to their own but like I say trust is hardly a word that I would use regarding what the record has degenrated into in recent times. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather 72,282 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Edu's apparently off to Valencia, Kerkar's on a trial at Charlton, Goian's supposed to be off to a German team. Bocanegra expected to go.If Lee can show the commitment, passion and versatility he showed at the end of last season, he'll do us just fine.Valencia eh, thats a good move for him. Did he transfer over to the newco?I thought Kerkar would maybe have stayed.Cheers for the updatde, still reading up on all the other shit since last Friday. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef 436 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Jig will be top goalscorer provided he is in his forward position, he will always be in our history for what he is doing, I know it may be easier with his age to decide as he does but Lee would still manage a decent wage somewhere. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elephants stoned 2,994 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Valencia eh, thats a good move for him. Did he transfer over to the newco?I thought Kerkar would maybe have stayed.Cheers for the updatde, still reading up on all the other shit since last Friday.He did and we should be getting 300k for him, not nearly as much as we should under normal circumstances but its vital right now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz92 966 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Valencia eh, thats a good move for him. Did he transfer over to the newco?I thought Kerkar would maybe have stayed.Cheers for the updatde, still reading up on all the other shit since last Friday.300k fee expected for him. Kerkar was a slight disappointment, Bedoya has been involved in some closed door games, so could possibly be one to stay. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdasyn 431 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Big Lee, Mr Rangers Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather 72,282 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Thanks for that.yeah any fee we get for the players is a bonus especially since we will need to bulk up the squad.I take it Black and Beattie didnt happen since we got Div 3? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz92 966 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Apparently Black's deal has been cancelled since it was Division One only, but he was in the papers the other day saying he wouldn't completely rule out Third Division. I think he's perhaps had a look round and seen no one is particularly interested... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather 72,282 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Apparently Black's deal has been cancelled since it was Division One only, but he was in the papers the other day saying he wouldn't completely rule out Third Division. I think he's perhaps had a look round and seen no one is particularly interested...Yeah, I mean is he ever going to have the chance to play for a club like ours infrony of 50,000 fans? I very much doubt it.We certainly need to bulk up on our numbers, hopefully it get's sorted out soon. Murder trying to catch up and it's only been 7 days ffs.Couldn't get a Scottish paper in Marmaris and the english ones had fuck all in them about us. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEE 4,880 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Paul Di Giacomo is only 30!? Fuck sake. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueSuedeSambas 54,123 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Paul Di Giacomo is only 30!? Fuck sake.My thoughts too. I'm sure he was playing for Kilmarnock in the top flight in about 1997-1998 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueSuedeSambas 54,123 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I still think McCulloch needs support in the form of a somewhat experienced striker to share the load.He will cruise SD3 but he is close to his mid 30's now and he has had lots of injury problems too.It doesn't need to be a superstar, somebody like Rory McAllister would do.I think we need an experienced centre midfielder and an experiences forward. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBluenose1972 1,405 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 No Lee McCulloch = No League Titles Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Carpintero 546 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Wee Di Giacomo came to our boys club as a kid and left a month or two later as couldn't get in the team. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bs1982 22 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I have to be honest and say that over the last few years I was not a big fan of Lee at all. I would often cringe when I saw his name on the teamsheet. He isn't the most skillful or mobile player but his attitude since we went into admin has really won me over.If he stays with us until we get back into the top division then he will be 37 and unlikely to be able to continue playing at a good enough standard but he would have given us 8 years service. I would like to see him granted a testimonial then, even though he would be a few years short of the normal ten years. Would anyone begrudge him that?Edit: I would also give the same to Kirk (another player I have criticised heavly over the years) and Alexander if they stay too until we return to top division. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoatbridgeBear 7,113 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 My thoughts too. I'm sure he was playing for Kilmarnock in the top flight in about 1997-1998 01-02 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.