SIR DAVID - THE INTERVIEW
December 30, 2007 - Daily Hun Newsdesk
Even from the outside Ibrox looks a foreboding edifice with its imposing red brick façade, a testimony to the ship building industry which once flourished on the south side of the Clyde. Built when Britain was at its imperial zenith, Rangers still represents something for a sizeable section of Scottish society in a rapidly changing world.
Passing through the main doors, one is struck by the sheer vastness of the main vestibule, central to which is the fabled white, marble staircase. As it spirals upwards, seemingly endlessly, one is overcome with vertigo and pleasure at the sheer scale of this splendid piece of architecture. As I make my way up the stairs, I see myself flanked on both sides by portraits of those who have contributed to the majesty that constitutes Glasgow Rangers football club. Read more
THE DAY DIGNITY ALMOST DIED AT IBROX
December 30, 2007 - Daily Hun Newsdesk
As a wee laddie growing up in one of the rougher estates of Peebles,there was nothing more shameful than seeing the huge figure of local bobbie, the legendary Sandie McCulloch coming up my pathway to be the bringer of some sad tidings. With the crunch of gravel under heavy brogue preceding the inevitable chap on the door, my young heart would palpitate wildly. Then and only then would I ask myself the question, ‘was it really worth stealing that one gobstopper for all of this?’
In terms of the dramatic events unfolding at Ibrox, we are not talking about one gobstopper but millions, possibly even trillions of gobstoppers. But let’s get back to the facts, whether we are dealing with sweeties being pocketed Read more
NO HIDING PLACE FOR STRACHAN
December 30, 2007 - Daily Hun Newsdesk
Seltic’s manager has less margin for error than ever……
Painful viewing: Gordon Strachan’s record against Walter makes for grim reading for Seltic fans, with the them failing to win or even score in all three games.
Seltic 0 - Gers 1
“We have played worse and won games. It’s not about luck, though, it’s about taking chances.”
- Strachan, March 11, 2007
Gers 2 - Seltic 0
“I know what’s wrong and I’ll make it better. We were overpowered today. Pound for pound they were stronger so it was a good lesson.”
- Strachan, May 5, 2007
Gers 3 - Celtic 0
“If they are angry, they should tackle harder, run faster, jump higher and score a goal to make themselves feel better. That is the right way to channel aggression. One or two may have been surprised at the nature of the game. Maybe we didn’t emphasise that enough or mention that it might get a bit tasty.”
- Strachan, October 20, 2007 Read more
WALTER DELIGHTED WITH WIN AT EASTER RD
December 29, 2007 - Daily Hun Newsdesk
Walter delighted with the 2-1 win over Hibs. “We are delighted. I felt we had a lot of possession in the second half which eventually led us to have a little bit of slackness in our play,” he said.
“You’re always concerned when that happens and Hibs scored to leave us with a nervy last few minutes.
“Apart from that I felt we played well overall and deserved the win. It’s a very difficult place to come and win.”
Steven Naismith opened the scoring and a superb strike from Daniel Cousin all but put the game beyond the home side before a late strike from Merouane Zemmama.
Daniel was also on the scoresheet against Motherwell on Boxing Day and Smith said: “I thought he played well. Read more
NAKAMURA: WAX ON WAX OFF?
December 29, 2007 - Daily Hun Newsdesk
Celtic will find it hard to reject any bid for Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura from former Japanese club Yokohama Marinos.
The J-League club are interested in signing the 29-year-old, who has flattered to deceive at Celtic.
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has stated that there has been no approach for the Japan international. However Daily Hun understands that negioations have taken place and Nakamura, who is becoming increasingly homesick, will move at the end of the season.
The Marinos general manager, Katsunori Nakamura, no relation, said: “When he comes back to Japan, we, the Marinos, will be his next destination.
Nakamura arrived in Glasgow from Italy in 2005 following a £2.5m transfer from Serie A outfit Reggina. Read more
SIR DAVID STRESSES GROWTH
December 29, 2007 - Daily Hun Newsdesk
Sir David Murray sharply reduced the amount of money he took out of his metals-to-property empire in the latest year when the group’s net debt increased by 45% to £678m.
However, writing in Murray International Holdings’ latest annual report, the Rangers football club chairman said it was well placed to take advantage of the changing economic environment following a year of transition in the 12 months to January. Read more
THE RISE OF BARRY FERGUSON
December 29, 2007 - Daily Hun Newsdesk
This time last year, Barry Ferguson was at war with his manager, dropped from the team, stripped of the captaincy and surely wondering whether he had a future at Rangers.
What a difference 12 months make.
Once more the golden boy of Ibrox following the spectacular fallout from the Paul Le Guen era, Ferguson insists he has plenty more in his locker to offer current boss Walter Smith this season.
“I was trying not to think about that!” smiled the midfielder, 29, when asked about events from a year ago.
“Things have changed quite a lot. It was a difficult time in my career but I’ve overcome it and I couldn’t be any happier just now. Read more
THE QUIET VISIONARY - WALTER SMITH
December 29, 2007 - Daily Hun Newsdesk
It’s strange to contemplate the fact that Walter Smith has just turned sixty years of age. Yes, the hair is greyer and there are few wrinkles where until quite recently there were none.
However, the impression that one gets, is of a man at the height of his powers. Smith cuts very much the figure of the elder statesman of Scottish football, though it would be a title that he would be quick to deny. Modesty, dignity, integrity, these are just but three adjectives that come to mind when describing the avuncular figure who single handedly transformed the fortunes of the Scotland national team, Read more
GERS ARE TITLE FAVORITES - STRACHAN
December 29, 2007 - Daily Hun Newsdesk
STRACHAN believes the Gers are favourites to win the league title.
The Celtic manager’s assessment now makes his team’s games against Gretna and Walter’s side over the next four days even more crucial.
And Strachan will turn to Artur Boruc to help ensure no damage is done at a time when the exciting and excellent Ibrox side Read more
WALTER: “OH NO WE AREN’T, YET”
December 29, 2007 - Daily Hun Newsdesk
WALTER has thrown cold water on Strachan’s claim that Rangers are SPL title favourites.
The Gaffer believes his players have still to prove they can handle the pressure of a championship run-in, while Strachan’s men have done it twice in a row.
That, Walter says, makes a nonsense of the Celtic manager’s insistence that Rangers are in pole position - even if they trail the Parkhead side by only two points with two games in hand.
With the panto season in full swing, Walter all but shouted: “Oh no we aren’t,” when told Strachan believes Rangers are firm favourites to win the league.
He said: “If Gordon says that I’m sure he means it but for me the fact we are not 16 points away from them as we were last season is a big enough thing at the moment. Read more
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