Sale of Ferguson and Boyd would rip....

[disgruntled_bear 157]

RANGERS would be committing championship suicide by flogging the family silver in a bid to balance the books.

Former Ibrox favourite and SunSport columnist Billy Dodds believes the sale of Barry Ferguson and Kris Boyd would rip the heart out of Gers.

Skipper Fergie has been linked with a £2.5million move to Newcastle while we revealed this morning that Boyd is a £3m target for Alex McLeish’s Birmingham.

Dodds knows his cash-strapped old club could be tempted to cash in — but he has warned them they’d be kissing their SPL title hopes goodbye if they did.

He said: “The way things are going for Rangers right now you just can’t imagine Walter Smith would entertain selling either of them.

“I could name a few others I’m sure he’d like to get shot of first before he’d even consider parting with Boyd or Ferguson.

“The title race is far from over and to win titles you need to have your best players available — Boyd for his goals and Ferguson for his leadership qualities.

“Business is business I suppose, but I don’t think Rangers can afford to sell them.

“The only way they would be tempted is if silly money was offered. But the figures being quoted aren’t in that bracket, nowhere near it.

“Rangers themselves are operating in the market we’re talking about here. I don’t think it’s feasible.

“I don’t think it’s the right time, the right players or the right money. If they were to sell both players Rangers are 100 per cent certain to lose the title.

“It’s a massive gamble and one I’m sure Smith won’t entertain. They would lose even more money by losing out on the title.”

Rangers fans will be reeling from the news that Big Eck has his sights set on Boyd to lead Brum’s push for promotion back into the Premier League.

But Dodds says Gers should throw out his cheeky £3m bid for a player he rates around £5m — and worth his weight in goals.

Doddsy explained: “If you take Kris Boyd out of the team there’s not another striker at Rangers who comes close to matching his return. That’s why I’d laugh off Birmingham’s bid of £3m.

“When you think of the money that’s swilling around the Championship and some of the fees already shelled out then you would have to say Boyd falls into the £5m category. I think he’s worth that easily.

“Boyd is invaluable to Rangers. His goals can help catch Celtic, I’m sure. Sell him in January and the Gers fans can forget that.

“The other problem would be replacing him. Smith would have to buy someone else if he offloaded Boyd and where do you find a striker like Boyd for £3m? Players like that are hard to come by.

“I’m not having these people who judged him on one game against Celtic. Play him three or four times and if he doesn’t score then fair enough.

“But he’s scored for his country and is scoring for fun in the SPL. He’s the best finisher in the country by a mile. That’s why he’s worth more than £3m. Rangers would be mad to sell him for that.

“Alex McLeish knows what he would be getting, he’s the man who signed him for Rangers.

“Birmingham are struggling to score goals and there’s no doubt Boyd is the answer. But Rangers can’t afford to let him go — and that’s the bottom line.”

Ferguson is another player Dodds reckons Gers can’t afford to lose. The captain is edging back to his best after ankle surgery kept him sidelined for the first five months of the campaign.

Dodds said: “Ferguson is hugely influential at Rangers. I know. I played alongside him.

“He’s had his critics this season but give the guy a break, he’d been out injured for five months.

“I think you saw the real Barry against Dundee United a few weeks ago. He’s getting back to his best slowly but surely. It was always going to take time.

“Listen, Barry is a moaning faced so-and-so but that’s only because he loves to control games.

“He loves to dictate and that’s why he doesn’t like to push forward high up the park too early.

“He doesn’t dictate when he pushes up the field and it’s no coincidence that in the last few weeks he’s been dropping off.

“Barry is still a £4-5m player. He went for £7m a few years ago, remember.

“Newcastle are talking about a £2.5m bid but that should be laughed off too. He’s worth at least double.”

Gers boss Smith is bracing himself as Newcastle and Birmingham prepare concrete bids.

Dodds said: “Rangers would only let them go if it was top dollar we were talking about but it’s not.

“The destination of this season’s title depends on it, I’m sure.”

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/ho...icle2097860.ece

[TMWWBK 0]

In fairness, Ferguson and Boyd could spit roast Dodds' wife and he still wouldn't have a bad word to say about them.

His two favourite players in the whole wide world.

[Danny 9]

I stopped taking Dodds seriously a long time ago. He used to seem to speak some sense but it faded away with the demise of his tv career and now he's just a fan with a mike.

[*Manticore* 1,893]

It would rip the Monster Munch out of the Dressing Room.

[Jimenez 1]

I rate Dodds' journalistic skills as highly as I do his footballing ability.

[TMWWBK 0]

I stopped taking Dodds seriously a long time ago. He used to seem to speak some sense but it faded away with the demise of his tv career and now he's just a fan with a mike.

It's his blatant favouritism that irks me.

Selling both Boyd and Ferguson would be 'suicide'? Less of the hyperbole, Billy.

[Danny 9]

I stopped taking Dodds seriously a long time ago. He used to seem to speak some sense but it faded away with the demise of his tv career and now he's just a fan with a mike.

It's his blatant favouritism that irks me.

Selling both Boyd and Ferguson would be 'suicide'? Less of the hyperbole, Billy.

Same nonsense Boyd himself came out with soon as the rumours about Barry started. Comments which were conspicuous by their absence when the speculation about Bougherra started to hit fever pitch.

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

In fairness, Ferguson and Boyd could spit roast Dodds' wife and he still wouldn't have a bad word to say about them.

His two favourite players in the whole wide world.

Belter.

[Muff 245]

The Billy Dodds who said Ferguson was MOTM at both the Caledonian and at Fir Park, the Billy Dodds who say's Ferguson is almost back to his very best. I find it unbelievable that anyone would employ this trumpet.

The sooner Ferguson and Boyd are away from Rangers, the better.

[simplythebest 11,453]

Don't see why the two are grouped together, Boyd should have much more of a potentional future than Ferguson due to age and fitness, Ferguson has probably been virtually finished by injuries and isn't getting any younger.

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

Don't see why the two are grouped together, Boyd should have much more of a potentional future than Ferguson due to age and fitness, Ferguson has probably been virtually finished by injuries and isn't getting any younger.

[nvager 498]

Boyd scores goals, but lacks a little in speed and finesse. We need his goals badly. Ferguson - it depends if he is fully fit or not. If he IS fully fit now then hell we are in trouble, but he may need another month. A good offer though - SELL!