The Champions League is beginning to get exciting after last night’s 2-0 first leg win for the Rossoneri over the mighty Barcelona in Milan.
AC Milan were unfancied in the tie but will take a decent lead to the Camp Nou and, with Barcelona’s indifferent form in the Champions League this season, you would have to expect the Italian giants to complete the job in Spain.
Barcelona were undone after an uneventful first half by two goals from former Portsmouth players Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari.
The Catalans looked shell-shocked after conceding the second and frantically tried to grab an away goal but to no avail. Messi was frustrated in his attempts to spark Barcelona as the Italians gave their guests a classic lesson in defending.
The defending of AC Milan was praised by the pundits, though I do remember that Rangers were labelled as being anti football for deploying the same tactics.
The other tie played last night between Galatasaray and Schalke ended 1-1 but was memorable for a fantastic goal by Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz.
It’s good to think that there are several teams in this year’s competition who can win it – although the one team expected to might be out at this stage after the second legs are played.
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David Leggat has an interesting piece today on the boardroom struggle at Ibrox.
Keith Jackson gets both barrels from Leggo for his part in the Daily Record’s ongoing anti-Rangers agenda.
My own view on the matter is that the Malcolm Murray/Charles Green saga is starting to be a PR nightmare for Rangers.
While I have no doubt that the media are agitating the situation, there is a real danger of this type of story affecting the share price and both investor and sponsor confidence. It is something that the club needs to sort out – and fast.
On the matter of investors and sponsors, I see that certain Rangers fans decided to send a message out to Mike Ashley the other night – not one I am sure the sports gear mogul will want to hear although I am sure it won’t be the first time he has heard it.
It is this type of activity that is in real danger of undermining the progress that Rangers are making after last year’s torments.
Like any big club, Rangers have a section of their support that fiercely opposes change and would drag Rangers back into the 19th century, let alone the 20th.
If the club is to develop into a formidable fighting force once more, it will need to adopt 21st century marketing policies as well as PR that combines robustly defending the club while winning friends and influencing people.
And the Rangers board must engage with the fans to have everyone singing from the same hymn sheet.
It is safe to say that Charles Green and his consortium are coming to the end of their honeymoon with the Rangers support. Many fans want more than soundbites when the club is assailed from all sides in the media.
The news that the board is divided is not comforting, even if it is a molehill made into a mountain by a hostile press.
Perception is reality in Scotland these days and, as has been proved too often, the perception does not have to have any substance in fact to do damage.
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I enjoyed the Twitter feed from St Johnstone confirming the club will not be sending any DVDs to any football authority after having refereeing decisions go against them in the 1-1 draw with Celtic.
This kind of banter is good for the game.
Maybe Neil Lennon should read the Tweets from the Perth side and see how silly it makes his own antics appear.
Although it may prompt him to fire off another DVD to the SPL asking for clarification on the St Johnstone Twitter account…
Bill just listened to your interview with that clown Thompson on CRO,it got to the Ibrox Disaster bit and i stopped it,this guy tells fckin lies for a living,”when i was ten i remember listening to”fckin liar if he had said he seen it on the news might have sounded believable,it’s now time for Rangers fans to bombard this idiot and get him to fck out of our lives
If the leak did not come from within Ibrox then where could it have come from? Somebody heard from somebody that heard from somebody etc etc leading ultimately to somebody that knows, ie somebody at Ibrox!
As to negative stories about Rangers do you want the good old days of ‘Billionaire’ Craig Whyte with ‘wealth off the radar’ and Murray not being capable of doing wrong? It was the fact that our press were scared of printing anything negative about Rangers that fed a false sense of security that everything was okay!
And, Bill, why no mention of Schalke’s complaint to UEFA about Drogba? Or would that take away from your contention that Celtic are the only team that ever complains?
Schalke are not known as Go Complain FC
Schalke 04 are questioning the validity of Drogba to play in the CL for Galatasary this season, (not moaning about the referee’s – from the usual source)
Have Spartak Moscow complained about Celtic’s dodgy penaly?
Have (in SPL) St.Johnstone complained to the SFA/SPL that the referee disallowed a perfectly good goal….No mention from them about DVD’s,or calling for the ref’s head.
No they get on with it.
Strangely how Celtic are quiet on dodgy decisions when they go your way. Decisions even themselves out over a season, some you win some you lose.
Maybe all the Euro refs are ‘Masonic/Orange Bastards’ as i’ve heard your fans call Scottish Refs. Lemon plays the victim card again against Juventus, can’t take being beaten by the better team.
Deluded FC – Never defeated, always cheated. pfffft.
penaly? – penalty.
Champions League football is overrated.
Everyone knows that cross border leagues are coming.
League restructuring is just a waste of time.
Too many teams and not enough money to go round.
International leagues is what is required to improve finances and competition.
Charles Green knows what he is talking about.
Financially we are in a strong position.
Champions again we will be
Bill can you give me the address for leggos blog thanks
http://davidleggat-leggoland.blogspot.co.uk/
Come on how bad are Barcelona this season when a team from the SPL can beat them. I see Mr Lemon of the East End Chatalans and his Plastico’s, will be just a proud of winning the another tainted title this year as they were last season. Every year we are out the top league then it must be considered a tainted title, a one horse race is nothing to boast about
Keach Jackson talking Keach again, Quelle surprise. He reminds me of the laugh you get when you see a young child walking about in it’s Dad’s shoes, about ten sizes to big and they clatter around nearly falling over, haha that’s him trying Traynor’s old job on.
Bad manners telling someone who invested in the club to F@ck off imo. Some things a better left unsaid.
Well done to St Johstone for ripping the pish right out of the “always cheated never defeated” Clarification-are-us Brigade.
I been saying to the guys at my work and others of green tints any titles they win shall be known as the asterisk years, because there shall be a small asterisk and the words won when no competition was present
Speaking of (sa) “VILE “journalists why has no one mentioned this little gem from britney..But I ask you:”What is the terrible crime in fans of celtic or anyone else protesting against the poppy?” shades of deVelara spring to mind where’s the crime on leaving lights on so you can sink/kill BRITISH sailors. Proud to wear a poppy, Australia very proud to wear a poppy,Canada proud to wear a poppy. If you don’t like wearing a poppy f@%k off to the country that your gypsy team swears allegiance to. I hope the campaign that is being brought to the attention of the BBC Trust about speirs sympathy for a Hearts player sexual assaults of little girls is succesful and he is removed from bbc radio.
Does anyone know of the the two complaints agajnst Malcolm Murray I have not seen anything.Time for James Traynor to get the mhedia sorted out like yesterday!!!
54 and more to FOLLOW FOLLOW…
jamie, i complained about britney to the cbbc and not surprisingly my comment was blocked, this is what a tyrannical organisation does, no comments or complaints we must be doing ok. i am due to pay my licence fee and for the fact my travels to the usa could be blocked i must pay this, i don’t watch programmes on the cbbc nor the vatican radio do i listen to, this is a ridiculous situation that i must fund a paedophile organisation or risk imprisonment, i am an upstanding citizen and my civil liberties visa v my clean record for being a substantial citizen would be compromised.
Many people in the Republic of Ireland think DeValera made a bad mistake in not entering the war on the side of the allies. But it was a fledgling nation with a very small army and they we’re fearful of Nazi invasion to use it’s territory as a base to attack Britain.
However Ireland actively supported Britain just short of breaching its neutrality. Harboring Germany submarines – bullshit. Aiding Nazi agents – bullshit. Britain had listening/observer stations all over Ireland and the Atlantic corridor was set up to allow allied aircraft to secretly overfly Ireland at any time.
On the poppy issue – my grandad was in the HLI and served at Galipoli. He died in 1987. I never heard him talk about his experiences nor did I ever see him wear a poppy. People choose not to wear a poppy? So what. As long as a citizen pays his taxes and obeys the law, what more do you want.
Share prices go up and down all the time, and they only affect those selling shares. It’s really just mischief-making by people at the Record. We have all known for a while now, that they are in bed with Celtic, so they only have credibility with a few thousand tims.
I do think that this is dragging on a bit now though, and Rangers will have to deal with it eventually, but my guess is that it will be allowed to fade, and that Murray will eventually realise his time has come and gone. We’ll probably see a new face on the board, with Ian Hart moving to the position as Chairman, for stability.
Some people are in a position where they don’t realise they have to be pure white, and that is probably why Celtic had to make Reid move on. He was toxic, from his time in Tony Blairs government. So if Keith Jackson wants to write about bad behavior in boardrooms, he should look in the other direction fro stories.
Very nice, I see “The Men Who Sold The Jerseys” has won an RTS award the the best Nations and Regions Current Affairs and News Event as reported on the BBC website. They didn’t mention that Balamory was a close run second. Fucking joke. After everything that’s happened this shite is still seen as factual??!
The BBC have hit a new low, joke award for a fantasy story.
Maybe better to do some investigation on factual happenings…..mmmm let me think – i know child abuse, savile, paedo priests etc etc maybe those institutions in Scotland who are suspect could be investigated and a dedicated blog (bit like the RTC) or REAL FACTUAL documentary could be made?
Maybe the BBC could do something about it – YEH RIGHT!
Agree with everything you have said today, Mr Green has to be congratulated for going out and,meeting the fans. But now is the time where these sound bites have to be progressed which may help to stop the constant media attacks leveled at us. I like to think of myself as a traditionalist,but i do realise that in todays world of market forces new revenues of income has to be constantly sought. I am not saying that everything is up for sale or hire but every avenue should be explored.
With regards to the dis-harmony within the boardroom and i agree with you if it does not get dealt with soon then it will. 1. Affect the confidence of the present investors 2. Undermine negotiations with any future investors. 3. Cause divisions within the support. I do not know if there is a mole within the club at the very least i would say that there must have been,some careless talk which has allowed the press to speculate or i would say fabricate a story. Defend ourselves and be united in public and sort our differences in private and always remember that it is not about individuals it is about our great club.
These people with the banners protesting about Mike Ashley should have a look at his business empire and his work at Newcastle. The fans at Newcastle have quickly forgotten about all his so-called bad moves because of the performances of the team on the pitch, sure they have had a bit of a ropey time this season but that is mainly due to a really bad run of injuries but with the new arrivals and first team players getting fit they are starting to look a teasm again. This is all due to Ashley and his coaching staff getting rid of the bad elements in the dressing room. Also a lot shrewd work in the transfer market. So if Ashley wants to put his hard earned cash into the Rangers coffers we should welcome him with open and grateful arms. We need investment at our club and within reason we cannot refuse any help on that front.
Ashley also had a change of heart after the Newcastle supporters rallied against him changing the name of St.James’s Park. Not saying we go down the same path but as everyone agrees IBROX must remain in the name. The banner was a bad choice but I understand the feelings behind it, but,yes ,we do need investment.
The banner was needless! We cannot be stupid in these times of great need. These people have put what could be a major investment in our club at risk. We have got to stay together and support and trust Charles Green in these matters.
Yes, I agree. The banner was unfortunate, but I don’t think Mr Ashley will mind too much as he must have quite a thick skin to be in the business he’s in.
Water off a duck’s back, I think.
Hi Bill,
Are you not going to congratulate TOXIC on his award as Journo of the year after all Phil 3 names has forgiven, well he seems to have forgotten about Thomoblog!
Strange TOXIC didn’t mention he was about to throw phil 3 names under the bus when they had a cozy little chat about his withdrawal from that world hotspot know to all as Glasgow?
No lies or agenda there then simply the risk of losing an awrad for sticking the boot into Rangers for a year!
Quite poetic that his first and last blog on the subject should be about his own failing “succulent lamb” journalism! (aparently they get awards for that now)!
By George – Scotland is split mate. There’s Bears (those that fit in with our club & culture). There’s those that are attempting to gain personally from our dilemma, and there’s those that want to destroy us.
We must keep our eye on the ball – surely there’s far bigger danger to us than an English scattergun, in this whole Rangers annihilation scheme. We’re feeding that fool with publicity – all the while, while the hmrc, bbc & the sfa are strategising to cause us serious, serious trouble – with their vindictive, jealous, fenian strategy.
Hi last night put to bed the supposed grate result Celtic got..Barcelona are no that good after al,l and AC made them look pretty ordinary
i am a wee bit distressed by Leggo’s blog he seams to be casting aspertions regarding the public behavior of Malcolm Murray
This is not the Rangers way besmirching the character a fellow Bear.Especially when Murray appears to be keeping a dignified silence,Traynor need to do his job and get a grip of the PR situation]
once again we are being made look bad in the media Traynors job was supposed to stop this
We should not be suprised by wacko jacko’s attempt to usurp RANGERS at every opportunity. I am surprised that no one picked up on his laughable recommendation that Sir Alex should run Scottish football. Its laughable because according to the whacked out one the Scottish football season ended right after the ugly green n grey rugby hoops got humped by Juve. So after that sound thrashing for the pacific shelfers the season is done according to the whacked one? maybe down saVILEdhome way but things are going splendidly down IBROX way with Coisty’s Cubs wrapping up the reserve league and the first team just about to clinch another championship.
Another ‘journalist’ having a laff ….Wales have turned down Charles Green’s offer to train at the GERS training ground before the clash against Scotland….well they would if they were offered but the thing is Mr Green has’nt been in touch ACCORDING TO THE WELSH F.A.. you just could’nt make this up !!!so much negativity against Scotland’s greatest club. 54 and like it or not more to FOLLOW FOLLOW…..
How is it that it seems to be only one paper,one journalist who get this info and if you go by there previous exclusives say’s it all lot of pish,bad journalism or as Leggo say’s some one is pulling strings attached to the Celtic supporting Jackson
Celtic F.C.
Seeking clarification since 1888
How come that agitator from d.dee utd managed to exist the spl with no more than a paragraph’s report. Btw Bill, what is our Mr Traynor doing, he’s certainly capable to challenge these guys, but it is taking so long it is losing all momentum.
I’ve often thought that a newspaper, reporting the stories of non events would be more popular than those newspapers they initially came from. Perhaps one for the future.
Liked the dvd comment, you’ve just touched a sensitive spot, which is drawing attention to them that only accept criticisism of others.
I asume everyone has seen the highlights of the two goals that were chopped off for st johnstone the other night,there might have been a slight doubt about the first one and i mean SLIGHT but the second one is nothing more than BLATANT CHEATING,plain and simple
The leak if there ever was one didn’t come from within Ibrox read Leggo’s blog and get the real picture there could be something coming down the tracks that could seriously damage the brand and Murray has to go before that happens. Now listen I will say this only ONCE get back to ONE Rangers Supporters Association and for gods sake be united as divided they can pick us off and everyone who supports the Gers should sign up to the Association.
I wholeheartedly agree with having one Rangers supporters body, to show a united front, unfortunately the Assembly, Association and Trust each have their own agenda on what should be happening within Rangers. 3 bodies who have an overall minority of members that they speak for, maybe CG should insist on one group, or would that be breaching freedom of speech rules.
I agree this is a concern that the leaks are from within the club but it doesnt help the like of Jacko and co writing a load crap for everyone to jump the band wagon.
I said in the past the only way to beat Barc is to learn to defend against them as as Barc cant defend.
I didnt agree with the banner on display in my opinion this was well out of order and would be more harmful then good. I understand their concern but to be honest everytime they dont agree with something a banners comes out. I think I will make a banner up for next match and say I didnt agree with their banner. In my opinion these guys should stick to doing what they do well is create a great atmosphere and drop the protests, as its becoming embarssing.
I loved the tweek on the DVD I thought this was a master stroke and showed up Lemon for what he is.
The banner may have been above the UB sign, but it was nothing to do with the UB. This was not the normal section UB would be in and was mixed.
Thanks for letting me know I think others like myself thought it was UB banner
please do not listen to that paper they only tell the truth when a lie wont do.tell me a boardroom in the world that does not have disagreements
Rangers business does not benefit from this news of boardroom strife being public knowledge. Am I being naive that this appears to be a leak from inside Ibrox andyet again the danger comes from within Rangers more than out with?
I would imagine that maybe a few words had been exchanged between them.There was someone nearby who started a rumour doing it’s rounds
which then gets bits added along the way to the Press Scum
If you read Leggo’s blog he categorically states the leak did not come from within Ibrox. Sadly we don’t have to look too far these days to find others with a desire to damage Scotland’s biggest club.