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News and comment on Rangers FC.

1. Rusty S 08.15.03 / 9pm

   Hi Eck,

   I’ve just read your piece about Ferguson possibly wanting to leave. And while I’m not absolutely sure that you’re not being slightly sarcastic, I have to say I agree with much of what you’ve said.

   If Fergie does want to leave, I have no doubts that it is the boredom of Scottish football and no prospect of any improvement that has his feet itching. Perhaps the gravity of the decline in our game is only dawning on him now that he sees Rangers having to sell needed first team players while replacing them with ageing free transfers. As you said yourself Eck, his loyalty cannot be questioned after last season’s efforts.

   Too many Scottish and British players in the past have been have been happy to sit and play out their careers at home, declining the opportunity to move abroad, learn another language and culture, maybe even improve their footballing skills - what a thought! There aren’t many other professions where you are paid shedloads of money to do something you love, and be able to choose where you do your work. If I had been blessed with more talent, I’d have played my heart out for Rangers, but I think I’d also like to have earned my fortune and seen the world before I retired at the age of 35. I hope Barry sees Blackburn as an opportunity to be tested before moving onto something better.

   Fergie has won every trophy he’s ever going to win with Rangers, twice. He’s done it as our captain while playing in an elegant, composed manner not usually seen in Scottish leaders. He signed a lengthy contract with the club, ensuring that when he does go it will be in exchange for a sizeable sum of much needed money. And while it would be very depressing to see him leave, he can make it up to me by going on to become recognised as the player we think he should be.

   Be proud that one of ours has shown that it’s possible. And hope that everyone at Murray Park is imparting the same skills and ambition in our future players.
2. Derek 08.22.03 / 10am

   I’m sorry that I can’t be as magnanimous as Rusty.

   Sure, I hope Barry goes on to become the greatest player in the premiership, and would thank him for all of his great performances, particularly last year, and don’t blame him for wanting to further his career down south.

   However where I do have a major problem with him is with the timing of all this transfer talk. It stinks. If he wanted to go then he could have said at the end of last season. This would have given McLeish the whole summer to plan ahead. He should not be discussing moves days befor our biggest and most important game of the season. He was obviously speaking to Amo before the first Copenhagen game about a move. I can’t believe that nobody else in the team did not know about it. The team certainly played as if they all knew that their captain and best player wanted away. I know who I’m going to blame if (when) we don’t qualify.

   He is at it again. I read this morning (Friday before 2nd Copenhagen game) that he told Rangers yesterday that he wants away. How not to encourage good team spirit before such an important game! I know that the deadline is approaching but he should have thought about that 2 months ago.

   What would have happened if we had sold Arteta? We would have lost our 2 central midfielders and he would only be giving McLeish a week to get a replacement.

   He has not behaved like a captain of Rangers over the last 2 weeks and he should be stripped of the captaincy immediately. No captain of Rangers should not want to play for the club.

   Barry, I would go as far as saying that you have behaved like Di Canio!
3. Stuart Macgregor 08.22.03 / 2pm

   I, think that we have a squad very capable of atleast qualifying for the C/league but if ferguson is not as kean and as determined 2 stay and do what he can with rangers as he said he would, we do not have a chance of making any mark on europe , i mean we’ve already lost AMO a devistating loss,how can u agree with what ever went on there, replacing AMO with berg.i suppose im just saying that im worried very worried about the way things are going at the moment for the gers, and ofcurse the fans will be behind fergie where ever he may go.
4. Stuart 08.22.03 / 5pm

   I’m not so sure Fergie will carry as much goodwill with him as he may think.

   Yes, he’s (quite rightly) a hero after last season’s superhuman efforts, but he has handled this situation very badly indeed.

   As captain of the club, it it up to him to set the example that others must follow. Therefore, for him to sign a 5 year deal then try to wriggle out of it 6 months later (just before the transfer deadline & just before one of the most vital Eurpoean matches for years)defies belief. Is he so desperate to leave that he doesn’t really care about his reputation, the damage he may cause or the wreckage he may leave behind him? Can you imagine Rangers captains of the past acting in this way (Amo, Gough, Butcher, Greig, etc) - I don’t think so.

   Actually, I AGREE with Bazza’s decision - I think he needs to leave Scotland to develop his potential to the limit & become the player we all know he is capable of being. I don’t blame him for becoming bored & frustrated at Ibrox - Rangers (currently) are too big for Scotland, but too small for England. The financial problems just add to this.

   But why then, did he sign the 5 year deal so recently? He would have been aware of all of these problems (we’ve all been aware of them) when he put pen to paper, so why try to renage on the deal before the ink is dry? The double talk emanating from the Ferguson camp is reminiscent of Arteta’s “will he, won’t he” saga of a few weeks ago.

   I only disagree with the TIMING of all of this. It could have been handled so much more professionally, with Fergie lifting the Treble and bidding us all farewell at the same time before moving on to bigger & better things. He would have been assured of legendary status - but now, I fear he may be remembered as much for leaving the club in the lurch as for his many majestic performances on the pitch. Such a shame, and such a sad end to his Rangers career. I wish him well wherever he goes, but it will be with just a trace of bitterness over the manner of his departure.
5. Rusty 08.22.03 / 6pm

   I agree absolutely with Derek and the Stuarts regarding the timing.

   I’m still of the opinion that more Scottish players should strive to better themselves away from the relentless drudgery of the SPL. Did anyone fall for the the more optimistic reviews of Scotland’s performance against Norway on Wednesday? It was embarassing to see professionals who couldn’t keep the ball. OK, Scotland is of secondary importance to me, but for a player looking for something better than the SPL, the national team isn’t going to do anything during Ferguson’s career.

   Ironically, composure and keeping posession under pressure are Ferguson’s best qualities. But you can’t imagine anyone with any ambition being excited by the thought of Hibs on Saturday. And regarding Stuart Ms point questioning how Rangers would make a mark on Europe without him - what have we done with him or any of the other players who have had the privilege of wearing the shirt?

   All that said, as happened to Souness when he wanted to leave at a crucial time in the season, Ferguson should not be allowed to play again. He will probably play against Hibs, before resorting to the ‘emotional’ farewell, kissing the badge, etc. And as usual, most of us will lap it all up.
6. Derek 08.24.03 / 9am

   In answer to Stuart’s question “But why then, did he sign the 5 year deal so recently?” is straightforward if you think about it. At that point Barry was suffering from an injury with no guarantee that he would ever be 100% again. He wanted to ensure that he was covered in case he had to stop playing because of it.

   The summer arrived, he had his op and waited until he could prove to the premiership that he was fully healed before asking for his transfer, and in the process disrupting our preparations for the Champions League and giving Alex very little time to get a replacement as most players are now fixed up.

   Because of his selfish timing we have missed out on Bosvelt as a replacement and lost Phillips.

   He has shown no regard to the team that he allegedly loves and has turned out to be a mercenary. I can’t believe that he is still being allowed to wear the armband.
7. Shawlands Bear 08.26.03 / 2pm

   I wish Barry all the best in the EPL but still feel hurt and baffled by the timing, and only Barry can explain why this arose now. After SC Final yes, next summer yes, but the day after a poor result in CL? With vital league games to come and damn little time to buy any replacements? Eck might have his contacts but a week to invest funds in players who will improve squad is a lot to ask. I feel this is a kick in the teeth for the fans regardless of Barry’s talent and his obvious frustration with life in SPL.

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