TannochsideBear 355 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/ranger...1202n.21666657ALLY McCOIST and Rangers fans didn't do walking away during the darkest days in Rangers' history – but many men who wore the famous Light Blue jersey did.While McCoist has lead his side to the Third Division title, those who left the club have enjoyed mixed fortunes since they declined to transfer their contracts over to Charles Green's new company last summer.Here, SportTimes looks at how the former Gers stars have fared since their controversial exits.WALKED AWAYALLAN McGREGORJoined: BesiktasMcGregor ended his 11-year affiliation with Rangers when he refused to transfer his contract in July 2012.The keeper didn't follow many of his team-mates in heading for the English Premier League, however, instead penning a two-year deal with Turkish side Besiktas.After just one season in the Superleague, where he helped the Black Eagles to a third-place finish, he was on the move again, clinching a £1.5million move to Hull City earlier this summer.STEVEN WHITTAKERJoined: Norwich CityWhittaker joined Steven Naismith for their famed press conference at which they announced they were to leave Rangers, opening the floodgates for several more to follow.He was the subject of fierce criticism from the Light Blue legions, leaving the club just a year after signing a new bumper, long-term deal.After an injury-disrupted start to life at Norwich, the Scotland defender went on to make 13 appearances as the Canaries maintained their top- flight status for another campaign.STEVEN NAISMITHJoined: EvertonOnce adored by the Ibrox crowd, Naismith went from hero to zero in the eyes of many fans when he walked away from the club.The striker made 15 starts and 19 substitute appearances for Everton last season and scored four goals in his first campaign at Goodison Park. He must now impress new Toffees boss Roberto Martinez and faces a tough fight for a regular starting berth.STEVEN DAVISJoined: SouthamptonDavis was the Gers captain during their financial turmoil but didn't hang around to lead Ally McCoist's side in the Third Division.Southampton agreed a fee with Rangers after the Northern Irishman refused to transfer his contract over to Green's new company, with Davis penning a deal until 2016. He enjoyed a decent first campaign back in the English Premier League as the Saints avoided the drop.KYLE LAFFERTYJoined: SionThe striker split opinion amongst the Light Blue legions and his controversial Ibrox stint came to an end on June 30, 2012.Like McGregor, he headed for the continent after turning his back on his boyhood heroes, but his time in Switzerland was to prove short-lived. After just one season and nine goals, he was on the move again, joining Italian Serie B side Palermo this summer.JAMIE NESSJoined: Stoke CityNess could have been a first-team regular last season but instead opted to join Stoke as he made his Ibrox exit. The midfielder made just one appearance, however, failing to finish a League Cup tie against Swindon. It remains to be seen if he will be in new Potters boss Mark Hughes' plans this term.ALEJANDRO BEDOYAJoined: HelsingborgsBedoya only made a handful of appearances during his brief Rangers career before he joined the mass exodus last summer. He moved to Swedish side Helsingborgs and featured in their Champions League qualifying round defeat to Celtic.RHYS McCABEJoined: Sheffield WednesdayAnother who would undoubtedly have featured on a regular basis this season, McCabe instead headed south to join Sheffield Wednesday. He made 22 appearances for the Owls in his debut campaign and will come up against his former club tomorrow night when McCoist's side head to Hillsborough for a friendly.SONE ALUKOJoined: Hull CityThe winger's contract at Rangers was up last summer but the Light Blues had the option of extending it for another year. Aluko decided against that, however, and penned a two-year deal at Hull. He was part of the side that won promotion to the Premier League and scored eight goals for Steve Bruce's side.JOHN FLECKJoined: Coventry CityTipped for a bright future at Rangers, Fleck's Ibrox career came to a low-key end when he opted to leave 12 months ago. The forward made more than 40 appearances for the Sky Blues last term, but finds himself at the centre of more financial problems as Steven Pressley's side face an uncertain future.JUAN ORTIZJoined: GranadaOrtiz penned a three-year deal at Ibrox when he joined from Almeria, but was Spain-bound just months later as he returned to his old club on loan. He eventually went home on a permanent basis last summer.STAYEDKIRK BROADFOOTThe defender made two appearances for Gers – against Brechin and East Fife – before leaving by mutual consent to join Blackpool.CARLOS BOCANEGRAStarted the season as captain and featured seven times before clinching a deadline-day loan deal with Racing Santander. Moved to Chivas USA this summer after coming to an arrangement with Rangers for the remaining 12 months of his deal.DORIN GOIANPlayed two cup and two league games before heading to Italian side Spezia on loan. Like Bocanegra, he left the club earlier this summer.MAURICE EDUJoined Ness in moving to Stoke for an undisclosed fee, but didn't fare any better in the Premier League. Just one appearance before joining Bursaspor on loan.ALSO DEPARTEDGregg Wylde and Mervan Celik were the first two players to leave, taking voluntary redundancy days after Duff and Phelps were appointed as administrators. Sasa Papac retired at the end of the season, while Salim Kerkar and David Healy left on Bosman deals, joining Charlton and Bury respectively.20 players left last summer. That will never be repeated in our history I wouldn't think. Some good players in there too. Not many have made an impact, reinforcing the old saying that once you have left Rangers, it is usually downhill all the way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 11,453 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Some inaccuracy, Bedoya and Ortiz didn't walk away. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TannochsideBear 355 Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 I would expect nothing less from that paper. Even when the article is valid as a decent idea, are facts so hard to check, or is it just a laziness and apathy that runs through Scottish sports journalism? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cushynumber 25,178 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 is it to much to ask that when you open a newspaper - you actually get news? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillete 1,338 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Guys like edu, broadfoot, Boca etc shouldn't be on there, always welcome back in my eyesMcgregorNaismithLaughertyWhittakerMcCabeNessThey will never be welcome back in my eyes , never I'll be standing at the doors of ibrox if they ever do come back as an opponent and ill tell them exactly what I think of them Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giovan 50 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Aluko's contract had expired also had it not.Sorry re read it and it said it had just flicked through it 1st time haha. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 11,453 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Aluko's contract had expired also had it not.Sorry re read it and it said it had just flicked through it 1st time haha.Yes but we had an option on him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 11,453 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Guys like edu, broadfoot, Boca etc shouldn't be on there, always welcome back in my eyesMcgregorNaismithLaughertyWhittakerMcCabeNessThey will never be welcome back in my eyes , neverI'll be standing at the doors of ibrox if they ever do come back as an opponent and ill tell them exactly what I think of themFleck? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmunsen 64 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 If McCabe gets a on against us i wonder how the travelling support will greet him, im of the oppinion it wont be very kind. At least he will know how we feel about the traitors the pissed off. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al 55 9,501 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 What a completely pointless article. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillete 1,338 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Fleck?We got money from Coventry I'm sure like we did with Davis Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 11,453 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 We got money from Coventry I'm sure like we did with DavisNo thanks to the players though, the clubs simply agreed something with us to avoid the legal wrangles. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwhiteandblue 3,330 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 We got money from Coventry I'm sure like we did with DavisSo fuck if we got money for them, it was goodwill gestures from the club, they players would still have left if their clubs didn't give us a penny. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillete 1,338 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 No thanks to the players though, the clubs simply agreed something with us to avoid the legal wrangles.Possibly mate , we will never know if the players were adamant about it or whether it was from the clubWhat we do know is that the words from the 2 players who thought it would be great to hold a press conference and declare our club dead will never be forgotten Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchellenman 20 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Bedoya didn't walk away, he returned just like Edu. Wish the lad all the best, he returned when others didn't. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamFyfe 1,438 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Jamie Ness Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammy McConville 3 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Nobody should be taking any flack for making their own career choices.As for declaring Rangers 'dead', they just have no conception of the reality of the situation. Rangers are a football club, and as long as there are fans who keep the club alive, there will always be a Rangers. That is the simple fact of the matter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig79 51 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 As someone mentioned earlier the wee scabe might have kept Lewis out the squad. We ended up with the better player IMO Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlBear. 8,499 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 I don't really care what they are up to or how they are doing, how their careers have changed for the better or worse etc. Spent much of the last year hating most of them with a passion.Now I just pity them, because no matter where they go, who pays their wages they will never come close to the legends they could have been. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inigo 33,260 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Guys like edu, broadfoot, Boca etc shouldn't be on there, always welcome back in my eyesMcgregorNaismithLaughertyWhittakerMcCabeNessThey will never be welcome back in my eyes , neverI'll be standing at the doors of ibrox if they ever do come back as an opponent and ill tell them exactly what I think of themThat's my hate list exactly. Davis and Fleck would depend on how much they had to do with us getting cash for them. Aluko's clean too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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