starchief

Time to go to Ebbe Skovdahl's quote about stats and miniskirts. If Rangers get relegated to SFL3 then that manager would be the most successful ever, based on stats. It's winning games that count that really matters. Thought Capello was truly hopeless in the World Cup. If he hadn't had such a large salary to buy out, I doubt he would have been kept on.

No chance of him being offered the post but absolutely he'd say yes. It's naive in the extreme to believe anything different.

This is an outfield team we have been unable to play for large parts of the season through sustained or multiple injury. Not too bad is it for a team we have to do without? Piermayr - Meekings - Golobart - Gillet Proctor - Jones - Cox - Doran Hayes - A.Shinnie

Bit of a shock this one. After two successive promotions and being resonably secure in SFL1, Livi have sacked Gary Bollan for not having enough kids in the team. I see this as sheer folly from the team I still view as our real rivals. If Bollan had played a team of youngsters (and there's a few in there), there's no guarantee they would be in SFL1. It's just simple mindedness of the directors. They probably see Falkirk selling a player and think that it's easy. But it's not. When did Falkirk sell a player for any money before that? Expect a nose dive if they get a 'yes sir' manager in.

I presume the tactics were, that Celtic would normally try to hem us in on our goal line. So hoofing a ball up, with Celtic's defenders pressed so far forward, would give a quick runner like Hayes an opportunity to steal a march. Unfortunately, Celtic were fairly average. They played quite cautiously, with only really Brown and Hooper being something spectacular. Hence, their back four, played fairly deep, so nothing to get beyond. As I said before, Tansey had a real off-day but tried so hard. Another time, he would be pinging passes out left, right and centre. I do like him as a player but it just didn't happen on Saturday for him. I've no problem with Foran's play. Did probably best out of all the midfield and attacking players. Gnasher also looked as though he could be good when he came on. Give him a few more games and we can see if he's a player, or if he flatters to deceive.

Network of contacts isn't much use if your in administration. They're not in administration. They made one signing in Celik. Possibly a more experienced manager could have done more with that wage. Who knows? Must be tempting to think that way for some supporters and the board.

I wonder about McCoist's role now. He's on a hiding to nothing with the current situation but you can't help wonder what an experienced manager might be able to pull out of the hat. Would a Craig Brown or a Jimmy Calderwood have stronger network of contacts at a lower level? Would a Bobby Williamson or a Paul Sturrock have a better command of tactics than an untried manager? Would a Jim Jeffries be able to entice the likes of Rudi Skacel and David Templeton? Tempting to think so for their supporters.

Tokely's had some terrific games this season. He's less of a bomb scare than Golobart, Williams has barely played to have an opinion and Gillet is a great marker but needs some presence alongside him. Tokely has to be the first choice centre-back until Golobart grows up (which he's beginning to do) or Williams plays more than two games in a row. And, of course, we'll soon be at the 'no-one's got a contract' stage. There's no certainty Hogg will be back, or back as the player he was. It's probable that neither Golobart or Williams will sign a contract. It's getting a bit hysterical. When ICT were pushing forward, I noticed Proctor stepping up, tidying up and beginning moves with some intelligent passing. He's such a defensive midfielder, it's ridiculous he's never been played there. Oh, and I thought Foran did quite well yesterday - not world-shattering, but a decent shift. It's not a glamorous role he's in, so isn't going to be eye-catching either. I can see why Ross was taken off. It wasn't about how well or bad he was playing but Tansey and Foran are always more likely to score (I felt sorry for Tansey - it just didn't click, even though he probably put in more work than anyone else in an blue shirt). So, in desperate times, it's a case of trying to nick a goal, rather than Nick's more subtle game.

Looking at your second link, there's a lot I don't like about the blog's logic. It reads like it's written by someone that doesn't really follow football but who's mild preference is for Celtic. I do. I remember a lot of opposition and calls for the OF to stop whining and make the SPL better. Yes there was. Initially, it boosted the other clubs, with the likes of Aberdeen signing a player for £1M, Hearts bidding £1M for Lee McCulloch etc but after a few years, I distinctly remember people saying how boring it was. Ah, the old defence. If someone disagrees with you, suggest something sinister, rather than a difference of opinion. Isn't that the whole problem???

In many cases you're right but I don't think looking back to the Eighties is the right model. There are plenty of young Scots coming through. However, back then, no-one would have swapped Hibs for Rochdale. Now, look at McGuire, Allan, Goodwillie etc. All content to sit on the bench at some club, earning a few pennies, rather than staying and competing for Europe and titles. Dundee United would never have held on to Sturrock, Narey, Hegarty, Bannon, McInally, Bowman, McAlpine etc etc these days. If Rangers collapsing (in reality, docked ten points and called Glasgow Rangers FC or some such) meant Celtic couldn't outspend everyone else, I'd be all in favour. However, without major surgery, Celtic would still have a budget that dwarves every other team. Looking to the 90s with Rangers winning everything, might be a more realistic comparison.

Have to say, I think it's pathetic that the old directors are coming out against Craig Whyte in respect of debt. What is the one biggest threat that could make Rangers fold? It's the tax bill. Run up by the very same directors who criticise Whyte for not spending money. It's the old board that is to blame. Yeah, Whyte seems a dodgy character but the only reason a dodgy character is in charge is because the previous regime was so monumentally bad that their decisions almost (and perhaps still might) close the club. Much as I'm surprised that Rangers sold but didn't buy in the transfer window, it's probably the right decision. Sacrifice the title to stay alive. Save their powder for after the tax bill and judge what they can afford next season (if they have any sense, free transfers for Riordan, O'Connor, Skacel and Hayes with McGregor being sold for extra cash). Wouldn't it great to get back to a situation where the Old Firm weren't quite so out of touch that a good manager could make his club challenge for the title? These days, Sir Alex and Big Jum McLean wouldn't be able to achieve anything with DU and the Dons. How woeful a state of affairs is that?

Aberdeen seems to have come out the strongest from that little line-up.

If Rangers collapse, who will win the SPL next year? And the year after? Who has the support to get close to the money that Celtic will be spending, even with a reduced income from TV, Old Firm games etc. The SPL is dull enough due to the dominance of the big two. And that lack of competition is to blame for the decline of Scottish football. But to have just one team with no competitors, winning title after title by tens of points??? Nothing will save Scottish football other than a complete redistribution of monies. Not 16 team leagues, where the Old Firm beat Queen of the South 7-0 and still win the SPL year upon year. Not investment in youth who up-sticks at the first sniff of the reserves at Derby. Only a league where a number of teams have a chance of winning could work If only Old Firm fans cared about Scottish football above their own club (or Rangers finances in the case of Celtic fans - amazing how many tax experts the Green Brigade have).

Probably Gil makes it above Berjam Fetai for the worst. Best, hmmm. I guess it's between Niculae, Mihaidjuks (even though he was rubbish for Dundee Utd), Gillet, Hastings and Xausa. For me, it's between the last two. Mihadjuks was great but coming in for the last few games of a relegated season isn't worth legend status. Xausa scored a lot of important goals but I'd give it to Hastings. He was a rock in the team for a number of years and should have been here longer, if it were not for some blind spot with Djebi-Zadi (and Proctor, who I think made Hastings game suffer by him having to constantly cover for him). Gillet needs to play a bit more to solidify his place.

Esson Meekings - Tokely - Williams - Gillet Foran - Tansey Hayes - Ross - Tade Sutherland Gnasher on the bench to see what a game with Celtic is actually like. Mackay is unlucky not to be playing after doing so well against Celtic last time. But then, it might seem an ideal game for Sutherland and Tade to run them ragged. Wish we had A.Shinnie through the middle (or Tansey pushed forward if Cox or Jones were available - obviously for very different reasons). That team will give them a battle without the naivety of all-out attack.

Only if they lose players in the transfer window. But it's a pretty strong team they have, especially in defence and centre mid. They will be no whipping boys if they get up.

Probably his final contract as a player. Next.... ...player/coach of ICT.

Hayes has already been offered a deal I believe.

Frees up a wage for Walsall for a player that isn't going to stay for a new player that will. The age of significant transfer fees seems dead outside the EPL and the top of the Championship.

So you do pronounce the g? I wondered... Incidentally, can anyone tell me definitively whether the g in 'Gnasher' was/is pronounced? When I was a kid, the Beano readers at school could never reach a consensus. silent G.My dad worked for DC Thompson for some time, in commando comics, so he knows. D'oh! Never mind a silent 'g' in Gnasher, more of a non-existent 'p' in DC Thomson. What did your dad do?

24? I'm shocked. Thought he was much younger.

Would you sell for an opening bid when you're pretty sure bigger teams and bigger bids will come in?

Rooney, Cowie, Robson and Rankin would certainly all be welcomed back, along with Ian Black. Without Hogg, Munro too. With Esson and Tuffey, there's no need for Brown but he's a good keeper nevertheless. I'd also say Rory. Worth a punt these days, I reckon. Not too sure how Liam Fox is getting on these days. Isn't he captain at Livi?

Tokely's had some great games this season. Surprised so many people want him out. Especially with the uncertainty over Hogg. Even if he gets back, will he last?

I'd keep everyone, including Mackay, who seems to be just becoming something. It would be a waste of resources not to develop that more. I'd also keep Proctor - wages dependant. He's not the player I thought he would be but he's so useful. If he can accept that he's a squad player (though I'd love to have seen him in def mid with Cox and Jones out), then he's worth keeping. Just not at any price.