Only the Scottish Cup and Eurovision evades the Gers

It can be no surprise to see that Rangers were completely dominant at the PFA Scotland Awards last night. Mirroring the on-field dominance of the Ibrox side this season, Steven Davis, Danny Wilson and Walter Smith picked up the individual awards for Player, Young Player and Manager of the Season.

And if all that wasn’t enough, Madjid Bougherra picked up the award for goal of the season. This came for his slalom like solo effort against Dundee United at Ibrox in December 2009.

There can be very few arguments about the selection of Davis being the top player. It is an opinion this site has stated on many occasions and the readers comments appear to be in disagreement.

No offence to Davie Weir but his recent triumph in an end of season poll appeared to be more in deference to his age and ability to play every week as opposed to actual performances. Not to say he has had a bad season, far from it but Davis has pulled the strings effectively and consistently for Rangers.

Similarly, there is very little to argue about with the decision to give Walter Smith the top managerial award. Billy Reid and Derek McIness deserve praise and acknowledgment, as does Peter Houston for his work since the turn of the year but there has only been manager standing above the rest of the SPL bosses.

As for Danny Wilson, this one may be up for more debate but again, this is no slight on him. When Wilson has been thrust into the team he has performed well, sparking up rumours about a big move to the English Premier League but Scotland has a bunch of youngsters doing an okay job at their respective clubs, who could have been considered.

However, Rangers deserve their moment in the sun at the end of what has been a traumatic, trying and of course, triumphant season.

Will all three men be around for next season to try and pick up the awards again?

Related posts:

1. Steven Davis was clearly the top man at Rangers Hard to argue with midfielders awards Whilst there was some...
2. Ness to join the Rangers first team family Its not all doom and gloom at Ibrox Yes, results...
3. Rangers League Cup 2010 Winners Merchandise More silverware for the Teddy Bears The first silverware of...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Algerian stopper to miss League Cup final

BBC Sport is reporting that Madjid Bougherra will be absent in next weekend’s League Cup final. With this weekend’s fixtures over and done with, the build up to the final can begin and this news kicks it off with a bang.

Bougherra missed out on last seasons League Cup final and the player is set for further heartache next weekend.

Ally McCoist said;
“He went for a scan and it’s revealed a small tear in the hamstring, which would probably be about three weeks, hopefully less than four.”

It should allow Danny Wilson the opportunity to start the match and could see the youngster pick up a winners medal if the Light Blues triumph over St Mirren. However, St Mirren may take some hope from this and could grab the opportunity to worry the Rangers defence.

Dundee United proved at Ibrox that Rangers can be got at without Bougherra and the Buddies may think they have a chance of springing a surprise.

Will this news affect Rangers chances?

Related posts:

1. Will Rangers’ Bougherra boogie off to Barcelona? Camp Nou next for Algerian stopper? The future of Madjid...
2. Beasley blow for Rangers at Hibs American star injured in training var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp?type(img)g(17877888)a(1741564)' +...
3. St Mirren fans have no reason not be at Hampden Interesting plan for sale of tickets St Mirren have been...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Camp Nou next for Algerian stopper?

The future of Madjid Bougherra has been under constant speculation at Ibrox for a considerable period of time and just because the window has closed, do not expect this to change.

The player has had injury problems, passport problems and instances where you thought that he couldn’t be bothered but he has returned to Rangers from the African Cup of Nations. It could be argued that his timely interventions against St Mirren ensured Rangers remain in the Scottish Cup.

With a World Cup looming in South Africa, it is expected that this will be the players final few months for the Gers and, according to some Scottish media sources, the latest club to be linked with him are Barcelona.

Yes, current Champions League holders, La Liga champions and leaders Barcelona!

They don’t shop in the SPL too often but the last player they picked up from Scotland didn’t do too badly for them.You could probably hear fans all over the country chortling over their cornflakes at the latest rumour mill story but let’s just stop and think about it for a second or two.

Don’t forget, Bougherra also picked up the 2009 Player of the year Awards for Algeria and Arabia, so he has picked up plaudits from outside of the SPL.

One area where the style of play of Bougherra grabs attention is his foraging runs into midfield and attack. The defender can add an extra dimension to Rangers attacking play and his breaks down the right flank have been rewarded with a few assists.

This style of play is heavily reliant on a midfield player being able to sit deep and cover for the centre half but this fits well with Ranger’s style of play. Lee McCulloch, on occasions, has been used as an auxiliary centre half and the midfielder knows if he sees the Algerian bombing in, he has to drop back.

The driving forward from the back is reminiscent of the attacking spirit encapsulated by Carlos Puyol. Don’t think for a second that we are trying to compare both players, Puyol is far above the level of Bougherra but to fit into a system, it could be argued that Barcelona would have a place for Madjid.

It could…loosely……look, Bougherra is a very good defender, you’d be hard pushed to find anyone say he has an equal in the SPL on current form but Barca?

In all likelihood, this is a newspaper flyer story in a slow news week but:
a) we can see a small amount of sense in it
b) it is more realistic than the Rangers to loan Martin Petrov / Queresma rumours the hacks tried to feed us at the end of the window
c) we all love rumours (apart from the Fleetwood Mac album, that was rubbish)

And Rangers fans just like the mention of Barcelona don’t they?

It was in the Camp Nou that they won the European Cup Winners Cup, a story that was the centre of attention of last week’s STV: The Football Years. Regardless of whatever else is thought of with Rangers in Barcelona, it remains the scene of the club’s greatest European moment.

Barcelona 72 also forms part of the WeKnowSFA Victory in Europe range, where all of the Scottish club’s trophy lifting successes are remembered and revered.

However, the clubs focus is on the now as opposed to Camp Nou and Bougherra’s exit could provide some much needed funding.

Should Boogie head to La Liga or the EPL?

Related posts:

1. Bougherra wants Rangers exit but not in January Player’s comments hint at summer transfer The player’s future at...
2. Worth all the trouble for Bougherra Madjid won’t lose his passport in the Summer. It has...
3. Bougherra now expected to miss Celtic Park game Then again, it will probably change again tomorrow var uri...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

An action packed night in the Cup of Nations

With the club still riding high at the top of the SPL, it is not as if Rangers have been missing Madjid Bougherra too much but everyone at Ibrox will still want the player back.

Algeria’s hopes of making the final to take on Ghana met an untimely end in an eventful clash against old foes Egypt.

If you remember the battle to reach the World Cup, Algeria and Egypt had to be separated by means of a play-off with Algeria eventually getting the upper hand. Egypt got their revenge in Angola.

These were games that were at the heart of some of the problems that Rangers and Bougherra had. When the player stayed on to celebrate his nation booking their place in the 2010 World Cup, it seemed as though a parting of the ways was to follow.

Bougherra has recovered from that and it appears that the player will see out the season at Rangers before heading to South Africa.

He wont be heading to the final of the African Cup of Nations though as Egypt managed a 4-0 victory.

The first goal was the turning point of the match and sparked a great deal of controversy.

The decision to award the penalty seemed to be the correct one but the second yellow which meant the sending off of Halliche but his first booking was extremely weak.

The penalty didn’t help matters Hosni Abd Rabou didn’t exactly stutter in his run-up, he stopped dead and with the goalkeeper moving, he slotted the ball into the opposite side of the net.

As the Egyptian players celebrated, Algeria were outraged and Chaouchi raced after the ref. He then looked as though he went to headbutt the referee but amazingly received only a booking.

A second goal would surely have been enough and Zidan grabbed it in the 65th minute. Minutes later, a second red card for Algeria, with Belhadj walking, ended their hopes and ensured they would be in the 3rd and 4th play-off.

A third and fourth goal for Egypt came through Abdelshafy and Gedo, then a third red card, for keeper Chaouchi, made it a nightmare evening for the Rangers stopper and one which gives Algeria some bouncing back to do at the weekend.

Related posts:

1. Bougherra is another Rangers injury time hero Madjid grabs another goal for Algeria var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp?type(img)g(17623822)a(1741564)'...
2. Worth all the trouble for Bougherra Madjid won’t lose his passport in the Summer. It has...
3. Bougherra now expected to miss Celtic Park game Then again, it will probably change again tomorrow var uri...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Madjid grabs another goal for Algeria

On Saturday, Andrew Little was the 90th minute hero for Rangers, ensuring the Ibrox club avoided defeat against a spirited Hearts team.

On Sunday, Rangers stopper Madjid Bougherra scored in the 90th minute to ensure Algeria never lost out in the 90 minutes against the Ivory Coast.

The tournament favourites took a 2-1 lead in the 89th minute when Kader Keita stuck the ball into the top corner. Some Rangers fans, whilst feeling sympathy for their star man, would have been a bit relieved as the sooner Algeria head out of the tournament, the sooner they should get their defender back.

However, they thoughts would have been banished in the 91st minute when Algeria scored to make it 2-2 and it was Bougherra who did the business.

A cross from the left hand side found Bougherra at the back post and the defender made no mistake with his header.

There is an old adage in football that a team is at their most vulnerable when they have just scored and perhaps the Ivory Coast felt their job was done.

Extra-time is currently being played so Rangers may have their player back soon if the favourites can bounce back but it has been a great weekend for Rangers fans for last minute goals.

When Bougherra does return to Glasgow, if he can bring that never say die spirit, Rangers will be optimistic about taking their second title in a row.

Of course, as extra-time is being played now, we are setting ourselves up to look foolish. And almost on cue, Algeria have taken a 3-2 lead through Bouazza of the mighty Blackpool!

Bougherra may be away for a while yet!

Related posts:

1. Worth all the trouble for Bougherra Madjid won’t lose his passport in the Summer. It has...
2. Bougherra now expected to miss Celtic Park game Then again, it will probably change again tomorrow var uri...
3. The Mysterious Case of Madjid Bougherra Imagine it was you. Say you were away from work,...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Then again, it will probably change again tomorrow

Any Rangers fan waking up on Boxing Day would have been forgiven for thinking that Santa Claus had left another present for them. The Scottish red tops were falling over themselves to announce that Bougherra was going to be given special dispensation by the Algerian football association to play at Celtic Park.

This gave the club a boost and no doubt this gave the fans and players another lift before trouncing Hibs 4-1 at Easter Road.

Bougherra set up Boyd for the second goal which put Rangers into the lead.

However, the Rangers website has announced that Madjid Bougherra will be available for one more match before he heads to the African Cup of Nations.

This means that on Wednesday night against Dundee United, Bougherra can be selected but is then expected to head off.

The site states that Bougherra will be leaving Glasgow for France on Friday morning to begin preparations for the tournament.

On current form, the loss of Bougherra could be something which Rangers could survive but in a match of this magnitude, a manager would always want his best players to be available.

With the player away for potentially the entire month, it looks as though Bougherra will be seeing the season out at Rangers as speculation over his future has went very quiet.

With Rangers back on form, the lure of a second SPL title may be enough to keep the Algerian stopper at Ibrox for a little longer.

Rangers fans, who do you want to step into the team?

Related posts:

1. Worth all the trouble for Bougherra Madjid won’t lose his passport in the Summer. It has...
2. Enjoyment the word at Celtic Park Tony Mowbray’s bhoy’s hit the heights. It was the last...
3. Bougherra wants Rangers exit but not in January Player’s comments hint at summer transfer The player’s future at...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Player’s comments hint at summer transfer

The player’s future at Rangers has been the attention of intense scrutiny and latest comments from the player are sure to signify a parting of the ways will come at some point.

I have plenty of options from among the English, Spanish and French leagues, but my wish is to return to England and play for a good Premier League club.

I have already had a taste of the Premier League with Charlton, and my dream is to make a return now I am at the top of my game. I am happy at Rangers, and I don’t want to leave them during the January transfer window.

Besides, it would be tricky to change clubs just while the African Nations Cup is under way.

I have no doubt that the best time for me to leave will be next summer, just after the World Cup finals.

Of course, this could bring benefit to Rangers. If the player goes to the African Cup of Nations and then the World Cup and plays well, his price could rise even further as demand grows. Two major tournaments give players the opportunity to stand out and Bougherra is more than capable of catching the eye.

Add in the fact that staying at Ibrox means he will have a settled time between February and May to prepare himself for the World Cup could see his best performances in the blue jersey.

Then again, that is all hypothetical, the player could get injured, suffer a loss of form or anything but at the moment, you would believe the player has more to gain by staying at Ibrox until summer. The club can also benefit, it just depends on any bid coming in and how the club and bank views its debt.

It was reiterated once again that Rangers do not need to sell in January.

This is not a promise that they will not sell in January but there is definitely hope that the main core of the Ibrox squad will stay around.

The bank have to consider that keeping the squad together until summer will give the club the best chance of winning the league and gaining Champions League qualification. Rangers struggled in this seasons Champions League but the money earned from participation has been of great use to the club.

Would you be happy to see Bougherra stay until summer?

Related posts:

1. Worth all the trouble for Bougherra Madjid won’t lose his passport in the Summer. It has...
2. The Mysterious Case of Madjid Bougherra Imagine it was you. Say you were away from work,...
3. Rangers – Beasley first to break ranks to reach World Cup US star admits he is looking to move from Rangers...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Madjid won’t lose his passport in the Summer.

It has been hard to keep the Rangers stopper Madjid Bougherra out of the news of late.

He may have been missing in action for Rangers but he has been in at the deep end for his nation Algeria.

Bougherra played a key role in Algeria winning their play-off tie against Egypt and the centre half has earned the right to look forward to the World Cup.

Of course, Bougherra may not be a Rangers player by the time the tournament kicks off but there is some good news for the Ibrox club. If Bougherra is selected, Rangers will be due a payment from Fifa for one of their players being involved at the World Cup.

The full World Cup draw can be found at WorldCup2010

Bougherra and his Algerian team-mates will be lining up against England, Slovenia and United States of America, with team mates Edu and Beasley involved!

Playing at a World Cup is the pinnacle for all footballers and you can bet that Bougherra will be fully focused on making the final squad.

Whether this brings benefit to Rangers or a new club after January, no one knows yet but the player will be bursting at the seams to play week in, week out for his club.

Bougherra is not the only SPL player in the running to be in the Algerian squad, Hearts join Rangers in possibly filling the African nation’s squad.

Ismael Bouzid is another player dreaming of World Cup glory and for him, the dream is simple, to avenge the 1982 Algerian World Cup squad.

A shock win over West Germany left Algeria on the brink of qualification from the Group stages only for West Germany and Austria to carve out a 1-0 German triumph which put both teams through.

Bouzid said:

“If I could choose who we could play I would like France and Germany.
“France because I was born there and Germany so we could get revenge for 1982.
“I don’t know what happened at the time because I was born in 1983!

Will Bougherra and Bouzid do the SPL proud?

Related posts:

1. The Mysterious Case of Madjid Bougherra Imagine it was you. Say you were away from work,...
2. Rangers Yankee Doodle Dandies look forward to South Africa Rangers Yankee Dandies look forward to South Africa The draw...
3. Celtic strikers learn their World Cup fate The Bhoys know the groups for next Summer // Chris...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Eddie May is not a man short of confidence

Having self-belief is important for any manager; they need to make their players follow their instructions and to be confident in what they do.

Falkirk may be bottom of the league but Eddie May speaks like a man who is pushing for silverware.

Next up for Falkirk are Rangers and May doesn’t see why Falkirk cant take something from the game.

A 3-3 draw with Celtic shows that Falkirk players can raise their game against the big teams but to be fair, the Celtic backline is a lot shakier than their Rangers equivalent. The goals conceded in the second half by Caldwell and McManus may not be given up so easily by Weir and Wilson (or maybe even Bougherra!)

After the Celtic draw, Falkirk have defeated Hamilton and then lost a Easter Road to high flying Hibs but May is unperturbed by that defeat.

“We will go into the Rangers game with confidence because we have faced two of the top teams in Scotland and played them off the park.”

Playing a team off the park and losing 2-0 is not something to be too happy with but if Falkirk can take that ability and confidence into the Rangers clash, they may be able to spring a surprise.

Would it be a surprise?

Rangers have played five away games this season in the SPL and have won two of them. Both of these victories came late on and Rangers have yet to look impressive away from Ibrox.

A trip to the team at the bottom of the league should provide some comfort for the Teddy Bears but the way this season is going, who knows?

Will May be proved right on Saturday?

Related posts:

1. Eddie May tempts fate Falkirk boss has every confidence in himself Football management is...
2. Yogi takes on his former Bairns It would take a few strange results to take place...
3. SPL: Tough at the bottom It is almost December and children everywhere are making their...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Well, it may be the opposite of what Derek Johnston has been telling the people, maybe Sir David Murray is just being coy but he isn’t bigging up a quick sale of Rangers is he?

So whilst Murray be saying there is no interest, that is not what Lloyds are saying. Every day, another £8,000 is due to the bank from Rangers debt. That is the sort of interest the bank are interested in and is this why some Celtic fans are quoting “another day, another 8k” on a daily basis.

With the January window ready to creak open, is there any hope for Rangers apart from shipping out every sellable asset (leaving them with Kirk Broadfoot)?

The latest wave of public support is falling behind the Florida billionaire millionaire Graeme Duffy, who is looking to imitate the members model used by Barcelona and other European clubs.

For starters, there are many differences between how they clubs are run. Yes, there is a fan membership scheme but it is not these members who bankroll Barcelona’s high spending or wage bill.

No, the members vote in the people with power and money, they don’t really run the club themselves. Technically, the power to vote in or out these people means there is an element of control but it is not the same as a true fan-led ownership.

Duffy’s plans (if successful) would bring £45m to Ibrox but when debts are in excess of £30m and operating costs are so high, is this going to be enough? All the talk of a buyer coming in is focused on clearing out the debt and clearing the decks, there doesn’t appear to be much talk of buying players or progressing.

The reason to apply the (if successful) remark is because the last Rangers share option was an unmitigated disaster with Rangers fans not really caring about the plight of their club. Some will say it was because they didn’t want to line Murray’s pockets but they failed their club that time around.

There is an old saying that without hope we are nothing and Rangers fans are obviously looking for hope in any way that they can. Given that the media reports in Scotland between the Murray party line and a completely opposite stance, it is hard to say what is true or not.

Probably somewhere in between.

Related posts:

1. SPL: Horse manure not horse placenta Football loves short-term fixes and fads. Every so often, a...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.