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Telegraph Article - CIS Cup Final


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We can be stopped?

Rangers start as favourites for CIS Cup

By Ian McCall, Partick Thistle manager

Last Updated: 11:51pm GMT 14/03/2008

Have your say Read comments

First of all, I should declare myself here. I would prefer Rangers to beat Dundee United in tomorrow's CIS Insurance Cup final because we have a Scottish Cup quarter-final tie against Rangers on Wednesday and I'd like to think that victory at Hampden might see them take their eye off the ball.

# Roddy Forsyth: Dundee united for chairman Eddie Thompson

# Scottish fans' forum

However, although I have connections with both clubs, having played for Rangers and managed United, I don't favour either of them in any way so my views on the final are purely objective.

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I believe that United can cause Rangers problems. Back in October, I saw them beat Walter Smith's side 2-1 at Tannadice, which was the last domestic match that Rangers lost. That should give them the confidence you need for the big occasions.

I like the movement they have in midfield with Willo Flood, Morgaro Gomis and Prince Buaben all capable of inflicting damage.

For me, midfield is the key to the outcome: whoever controls that area will win the game. Barry Ferguson, the Rangers captain, is the most accomplished midfielder in Scotland and he must be stopped.

Whether Craig Levein puts someone on him or whether he goes for zonal marking remains to be seen but if Ferguson is allowed to dictate the tempo of the game then Rangers will take the trophy.

Levein reminds me of a younger Walter Smith and I believe he could be a future manager of Rangers. He's the real deal and, like all the best managers, he has an aura about him.

He had an unfortunate experience at Leicester City but that was due to circumstances beyond his control. The same thing happened to me at Tannadice.

I spoke about that with Craig at Rangers' win over Hibs last weekend and we both agreed that there is no point dwelling on these things. In any case, it didn't dent his confidence because Craig has always known he has what it takes.

The current United team is similar to the one he built at Hearts. They might not always be attractive but they're strong defensively and there is a real steeliness about them.

Of course, Rangers could also be described in the same terms. Carlos Cuellar and David Weir have been the best defensive partnership in the country and both of them must be in the running for the Player of the Year award.

I remember playing alongside David when he made his debut for Falkirk. We played Dundee United that day and he had big Duncan Ferguson in his pocket. He's a very good footballer but, more importantly, he's an outstanding person.

Losing Alan Hutton to Tottenham was a blow for Walter but Kirk Broadfoot has come in and done an excellent job at right-back.

Taking Steven Davis on loan from Fulham has also proved to be something of a master stroke. He's stronger than he looks, rarely concedes possession and he complements Ferguson perfectly.

It will be interesting to see who gets the nod for Rangers up front. Daniel Cousin is already out and Jean-Claude Darcheville is a doubt.

Personally, I'd be inclined to go with Kris Boyd - possibly in tandem with Nacho Novo -for this one because his scoring record in domestic matches is phenomenal.

Rangers are the favourites to prevail and that is totally understandable: they have won this competition more often than any other club, after all.

My gut feeling, though, is that United will win it for Eddie Thompson. It's only a hunch but I believe the players will want to provide their battling chairman with a trophy.

I'll be working for BBC Scotland at Hampden, alongside Pat Nevin and John Collins, and I'm already looking forward to the occasion immensely.

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I have more respect for Eddie Thomson than any other football club chairman in Britain.

Mornin' D'A, he does a lot for the club, much more so than other chairmen do for their clubs. Because he hurts when they fail, he is a real fan of the club.

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I have more respect for Eddie Thomson than any other football club chairman in Britain.

Mornin' D'A, he does a lot for the club, much more so than other chairmen do for their clubs. Because he hurts when they fail, he is a real fan of the club.

Spot on DO - he is the real fan made good - I could tell you some stories about his personal committment to them - but a public forum is not the best place - suffice to say the man does everything in his failing power to see the club he loves come good.

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bead rattling thompson tit can eat my shit and die .

Totally uncalled for the man is seriously ill. Keep that kind of patter up and you'll not last long in this forum.

\

To be honest with you I really couldnt care less what the hell happens to Eddie thompson or what he has done for Dundee Utd why the hell should I ,tell me that .and you really need to keep yer dummy in we all die in the end its a fact so get over it .

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bead rattling thompson tit can eat my shit and die .

Totally uncalled for the man is seriously ill. Keep that kind of patter up and you'll not last long in this forum.

\

To be honest with you I really couldnt care less what the hell happens to Eddie thompson or what he has done for Dundee Utd why the hell should I ,tell me that .and you really need to keep yer dummy in we all die in the end its a fact so get over it .

I've seen some pish posted on football forums but you take it to a whole new level.

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bead rattling thompson tit can eat my shit and die .

Totally uncalled for the man is seriously ill. Keep that kind of patter up and you'll not last long in this forum.

\

To be honest with you I really couldnt care less what the hell happens to Eddie thompson or what he has done for Dundee Utd why the hell should I ,tell me that .and you really need to keep yer dummy in we all die in the end its a fact so get over it .

I've seen some pish posted on football forums but you take it to a whole new level.

Thanks

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On a serious note, Eddie Thompson is a genuine Dundee Utd fan and has put a lot of money into the club, knowing full well he will not make any profit or gain. I admire that very much. There arent many men who would do that. I wish him well at this time.

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Ian Mcall can kiss my ass and that bead rattling thompson tit can eat my shit and die .

had to get that of ma chest .

:lol: its important to release these feelings bama, otherwise you can become stressed !! :lol:

FFS. You a moderator as well.

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Ian Mcall can kiss my ass and that bead rattling thompson tit can eat my shit and die .

had to get that of ma chest .

:lol: its important to release these feelings bama, otherwise you can become stressed !! :lol:

FFS. You a moderator as well.

it was said tongue in cheek Briton, apologies that it came over wrongly.

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I have more respect for Eddie Thomson than any other football club chairman in Britain.

Aye, he's one of a kind.

He's not doing it for any sort of ego trip, has and is putting his money where his mouth is - and not just for the short term.

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Guest Andypendek

lets hope ian mccalls analysis tomorrow stretches to knowing who is suspended and who isn't. boyd and novo...wakey wakey, fatty!

i agree united could cause us trouble, but so can any team. that guy obrien last week had plenty of pace but didn't do anything with it. in the end these teams have to play 110% to their abilities, all 11 of them, while we have to be total crap. that could happen, but given the desire to win at ibrox, the gap in the trophy cabinet and the sheer power of this rangers team i don't see it happening tomorrow.

did you know, british spies in the 19thC used to enter forbidden areas of central asia, tibet for example, disguised as buddhist holy men? worrying their beads as is the habit of such types, they were secretly recording the distance they have covered. slipping one bead along the string would equal, say, 10,000 steps. it was thanks to these pundits (mostly indians but including some britons) that our armies were able to annexe vast areas of territory. i won't hear a word against bead rattling!

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:repost:

On a serious note, Eddie Thompson is a genuine Dundee Utd fan and has put a lot of money into the club, knowing full well he will not make any profit or gain. I admire that very much. There arent many men who would do that. I wish him well at this time.

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dundee utd are going to be very very hard to beat. We all know they are a bit of a "bogey team" for us and they will really be up for this one. Missing half our front line is a big big blow. Novo cousin naismith, possibly burke and well JCD who knows whether he will ever be fit. If JCD doesnt make it, it will probably be boyd or mculloch or both.

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Ian Mcall can kiss my ass and that bead rattling thompson tit can eat my shit and die .

had to get that of ma chest .

:lol: its important to release these feelings bama, otherwise you can become stressed !! :lol:

FFS. You a moderator as well.

it was said tongue in cheek Briton, apologies that it came over wrongly.

Fair enough...just don't find that scuminess at all funny.

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