Rangers

[bluebear]

Have you seen any sign of the cup game being shown out here?

Its on Sky at home with a midday Sunday kickoff. Had a look at some of the channels here and no sign of it - yet.

[Jockstar]

Have you seen any sign of the cup game being shown out here?

Its on Sky at home with a midday Sunday kickoff.  Had a look at some of the channels here and no sign of it - yet.

No mate i havent. if you find somewhere then let me know. What about channel 29 Zoccer?

[Bluffer]

For all the jocks here who watch channel 29.

23-01-05 15:00 Aberdeen v Rangers

30-01-05 15:00 Kilmarnock v Celtic

13-02-05 15:00 Inverness v Celtic

20-02-05 13:30 Celtic v Rangers

presume these are Uk times

[Jockstar]

Another great result for the Gers.

EUROPE

Saturday, January 29, 2005

Rangers 3-0 Livingston: FT Report

PA

Rangers moved back to the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League but for a long while their 3-0 win over Livingston was a joyless occasion.

The subdued tone had been set over the previous 48 hours when the Ibrox faithful had been hit with a double dose of unwanted news.

The failure to persuade Blackburn to allow former captain Barry Ferguson to return was a disappointment, but the loss of keeper Stefan Klos was a far bigger setback.

A training-ground accident ended Klos' season prematurely and the doom and gloom merchants were predicting that Rangers' title aspirations had come to a full stop as well.

But a sombre and silent home crowd was at least treated to a flurry of late attacking play and a debut to remember from new signing Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

The Greece international had been recruited to fill the gap left by Jean-Alain Boumsong's departure to Newcastle and the defender, who speaks English, had little difficulty coping with Livi's occasional attacking threats.

But it was as an unexpected creative force that he also made his mark, first by setting Dado Prso up for a 14th-minute opener.

His ball over the last defender had been perfectly weighted and Prso had little difficulty bringing it under control and slotting past the exposed Roddy McKenzie.

McKenzie was the reason why Richard Gough's pallid outfit were not out of the game by the break.

First he palmed away a Prso header at full stretch in the eighth minute and then, after being given no chance with the goal, tipped an effort from Nacho Novo round a post after the Spaniard had got the better of fellow-countryman Rubio in the box.

Novo then saw a volley from 20 yards parried and the only time McKenzie was not in control was from the resulting corner, when he had difficulty coping with a Krygiakos header at the foot of a post.

Happily for Livi there was a man on the line to hack clear and McKenzie was not required when Thomas Buffel fired into the side-netting following a cute lay-off from Novo.

Allan McGregor, fresh from a loan spell at St Johnstone, was the man who had inherited Klos' gloves, with manager Alex McLeish contemplating whether to bring in a more experienced keeper.

He had little to do in the first 45 minutes with an easy pouching of a Jamie Hand header his most taxing task.

McLeish had opted to give Michael Ball a rare start at left-back and there was no sign of usual choice Gregory Vignal even on the bench.

Livi looked every inch the struggling side the league table indicates and Gough, the nine-in-a-row hero of Ibrox as a player, could not have been encouraged much by the contributions of his new signings from Hungary, Attila Kriston and Gabor Vincze.

Mark Wilson, the on-loan midfielder from Middlesbrough, at least put himself about a bit, as did another ex-Manchester United man, Bojan Djordjic, who is patrolling the left of midfield at the moment.

Djordjic, not for the first time since leaving Old Trafford less than a month ago, was too zealous in his challenges and, having escaped a booking for body-checking Gustave Bahoken, limped off on the half-hour after another mis-timed challenge.

Hamed Namouchi replaced him and should have made it 2-0 seconds after the restart when Rubio inexplicably gave him the ball in the Livi box. Namouchi, who is looking to begin his international career with the African champions soon, blazed wastefully over however.

McGregor's first test came when he had to dive at the feet of Derek Lilley, who had motored in at full speed, having spotted that Marvin Andrews' back-header had been under-powered. The newcomer was hurt but able to continue.

Burton O'Brien was booked for a late challenge on Alex Rae, who had inherited the captain's armband from the stricken Klos.

Emmanuel Dorado escaped a red card for bringing Novo down as the Spaniard threatened to sprint clear, but the foul was a costly one nonetheless as Fernando Ricksen blasted the free-kick past the wall and into the top corner to make it 2-0 in the 64th minute.

Within four minutes Novo had made it 3-0, diverting a Buffel volley past McKenzie with an outstretched boot, having first headed on a Prso cross from the left to the Belgian.

Rangers could relax even more now and Prso was replaced by Steven Thompson with 18 minutes remaining.

Rae saw a 30-yard effort bounce just wide of a goal vacated by McKenzie under pressure from Thompson and Buffel stabbed a late chance wide from point-blank range.

McGregor had the last word, however, denying Lilley a consolation with a fine tip-over to suggest a new recruit might not be needed after all.

The three points took Rangers level with Celtic on 59 and ahead in the table on goal difference, at least until the Hoops finish Sunday's bout with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Livi remain rooted to the bottom, two points adrift of Dundee United.

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[bluebear]

Rangers 2 Celtic 0

Rangers extended their lead at the top of the league to three points as the visitors recorded their first victory at Celtic Park for nearly five years.

The Rangers victory owed much to a terrible blunder by Celtic keeper Rab Douglas as he allowed a speculative 25-yard effort from Gregory Vignal to bounce over his shoulder into the roof of the net with 19 minutes remaining.

This break inspired Rangers to add a second when Nacho Novo latched on to Fernando Ricksen's through ball before lobbing Douglas from the edge of the area.

Celtic still have a game in hand, but it certainly sets up the SPL title race for a thrilling run-in.

Parkhead officials however, will be concerned after Fernando Ricksen appeared to be struck by a coin when he took a corner late in the game in front of the Celtic crowd.

Rangers applied some early pressure, forcing three corners without threatening the Celtic goal. Gradually the home side came more into the game and Craig Bellamy on his home debut spurned a wonderful chance to open his account.

John Hartson dispossessed Sotirios Kyrgiakos before releasing Bellamy, but the striker's shot was blocked by Ronald Waterreus diving to his right.

This was the first in a series of fine saves by the Dutch keeper which kept his side in the game.

Waterrrerus again kept out a powerful Hartson volley with a close-range parry after Stilian Petrov had teed up the chance.

Rangers came more into the match before half-time with Alan Hutton shooting over, but it was Celtic who would be disappointed that they did not take one of their chances.

Rangers posed far more threat at the start of the second half and Dado Prso's shot was deflected for a corner.

Bobo Balde was booked for a bad tackle on Ricksen before Barry Ferguson's pass released Novo whose cut-back resulted in Vignal shooting wide.

A skillful run by Thomas Buffel ended with Prso stepping inside Neil Lennon before unleashing a powerful shot which Douglas did well to parry.

Marvin Andrews did well to beat Hartson to an Alan Thompson free-kick, heading clear under pressure from the Welshman.

Celtic had pushed Chris Sutton upfront and Waterreus again did well to parry a powerful shot from Hartson before Rangers took the lead.

Ferguson's header was nodded down by Ricksen to Vignal whose shot bounced in front of Douglas and off the keeper's shoulder into the roof of the net. Certainly the Celtic keeper appeared guilty of not getting his body behind the ball.

Rangers wrapped up the game with a second goal eight minutes from time. A long ball from Ricksen led to a race between Ulrik Laursen and Novo and as the Danish defender stumbled, Novo lobbed the ball over Douglas into the net.

[Jockstar]

What a great result. Didnt see the game. But followed it on the net. Was it a good game? Pissed off i didn't see it.

Sunday, February 20, 2005

Celtic 0-2 Rangers: FT Report

PA

Calamitous goalkeeper Robert Douglas helped Rangers deservedly end their five-year Celtic Park hoodoo with a terrible second-half blunder as Rangers moved three points clear of their arch rivals at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League with a 2-0 win.

Neil Lennon battles with Gregory Vignal (NealSimpson/Empics)

McLeish enjoys the moment

Alex McLeish's men had not won here since March 2000 - 11 matches ago - but they gained the upper hand in the championship race in an error-strewn battle in the east of Glasgow.

The Scotland number one let Gregory Vignal's shot slip through his grasp and into the net before Nacho Novo wrapped up the points by chipping Douglas late on.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill took a gamble in handing new bhoy Craig Bellamy his debut after joining on loan from Newcastle, with Chris Sutton moving into midfield.

Bellamy showed his frightening pace as early as the fourth minute when he cut inside Marvin Andrews before driving in a low right-foot shot from a wide angle which another debutant Ronald Waterreus looked unconvincing as he gathered at the second attempt.

The livewire, however, could have stamped his name in Celtic folklore in the 15th minute when he was sent clean through on goal by Hartson.

The Welshman emerged with the ball from a tackle with Kyrgiakos and fed his countryman but Waterreus stood up well to save his left-foot curler with his foot.

Bellamy returned the favour for Hartson after his earlier chance in the 25th minute but the former Manchester City goalkeeper was again equal to it.

Sutton found the diminutive striker and he played a great ball through for Stilian Petrov to put the ball into Hartson's path.

The frontman got a good contact on the ball but Waterreus again performed heroics as he thrust his hand up to keep the ball out.

Rangers looked menacing on the break and Kyrgiakos should have done better when he got on the end of Michael Ball's corner but headed over the top from eight yards out.

Douglas had to race off his line to clear the danger when Novo threatened to pounce but the scores remained level at half-time.

However, Rangers started the second period strongly and Prso's low drive was deflected just wide before Bobo Balde was booked for a crunching challenge on Fernando Ricksen.

Douglas kept the scores level in the 55th minute when Rangers ripped the dozing Celtic defence wide open.

Thomas Buffel fed Prso and Balde went sleep walking towards the ball to give the Croatian a route to goal but the goalkeeper kept his stinging right-foot effort out.

Alan Hutton was the next man booked for tripping Hartson before Celtic almost made the most of the resulting free-kick.

Hartson looked set to latch on to Alan Thompson's cross with a diving header but Andrews got a vital deflection to divert the ball behind for a corner.

That woke Celtic up and the Welshman would again have put them in front but for the heroics of Waterreus.

The Rangers defence left him in acres of space from Thompson's cross but the goalkeeper blocked his powerful effort.

The game became pulsating again with Prso firing into the side-netting and Hutton blazing wide at the other end.

But, while Waterreus had stepped into the sizeable shoes of Stefan Klos with great credit, Douglas was to make a terrible mistake to gift Rangers the lead in the 71st minute.

Vignal let fly with a 25-yard shot which the experienced Scotland number one should have stopped but he let it slip through his grasp and into the back of the net to the surprise of everyone including the Frenchman, who ran away to celebrate.

The Rangers supporters cruelly chanted the name of the embarrassed Celtic goalkeeper as their heroes continued to threaten with the keeper saving Prso's shot.

But Novo was also celebrating in the 82nd minute when he brushed Laursen off the ball from Ricksen's long ball and then lobbed the red-faced Douglas.

He must have wanted the ground to swallow him up and he made a meal of turning Prso's overhead kick over.

And there was late controversy when Ricksen, who had applauded the Rangers fans in front of the Celtic fans with five minutes remaining, appeared to be hit by a missile thrown from the home supporters.

Novo could have made it three late on but he pulled his right-foot shot wide before the referee put Celtic out of their misery while sparking wild Rangers celebrations.

McLeish enjoys the moment

Rangers manager Alex McLeish could not resist making a playful jibe at Gregory Vignal after the Frenchman sent his side on the way to a 2-0 win at Celtic.

The Frenchman supplied the first goal and it was also the first time that the on-loan Liverpool man had found the net for Rangers.

McLeish insisted that the goal, which should have been saved by Celtic goalkeeper Robert Douglas, had been a long time coming.

McLeish said: 'Gregory has hit a speculative shot and we have been waiting all season for him to hit the target. He has done that and if you don't buy a ticket you don't win the raffle.

'He got it on target, there was a wee bit of a swerve and it bounced in front of Rab. Who would be a goalkeeper?'

The result, which was wrapped up by Nacho Novo's 21st goal of the season, enabled Rangers to establish a three-point lead at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League, although Celtic do have a game in hand.

McLeish said: 'It means we are league leaders in our own right. We are no longer playing catch-up. If Celtic win their game in hand we are level but we have better goal difference.'

Only Barry Ferguson had tasted success at Celtic Park before and the players celebrated noisily after the final whistle.

McLeish said: 'It has been a long time and I think they deserve their wee moment of celebration.'

Celtic manager Martin O`Neill conceded that Rangers had been the better side when it mattered.

He said: 'Rangers were better than us in the second half. At half time we had spurned a couple of good chances and they come back to haunt you. In the second half, for the first 15 minutes we couldn't get out as Rangers played very well.

'The possible turning point of the game might have been the great save that the Rangers goalkeeper made from John Hartson because within a couple of minutes we had conceded a poor goal ourselves.'

Where that will leave Douglas is anyone's guess and O'Neill made it clear he believed there was no hiding place on Old Firm derby day.

He said: 'On those little moments, hang big games like this. It was a poor view from our viewpoint - and there's nothing we can do about it now.'

[Jockstar]

Saturday, February 26, 2005

Rangers 2-1 Kilmarnock: FT Report

PA

Rangers extended their lead at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League to six points thanks to a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock at Ibrox.

Dado Prso and Nacho Novo both found the net before half-time to take advantage of a weekend when champions Celtic were preoccupied with cup duty.

The points were achieved at something of a cost however as Scotland Under-21 defender Alan Hutton was stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious leg injury.

Killie, who were given a late lifeline by Kris Boyd's strike, had not wanted to play the fixture in the first place as they had been suffering from a mini-injury crisis in recent weeks.

That seemed to have cleared up in time for the game as there were plenty of experienced campaigners available to the Ayrshiremen, but it was obvious their initial gameplan was to frustrate their hosts as much as possible.

At times Kilmarnock had every man behind the ball as attack after attack foundered for the home side, who had seen Prso's first-minute effort ruled out by a flag that had been waved despite goalkeeper Alan Combe having spilled the ball under pressure from his own defenders.

Something special was needed to break the deadlock and the Croat duly provided it in the 29th minute with his 17th goal of the season.

Having side-stepped Simon Ford to set up the shot, Prso was able to send a curling effort from more than 20 yards into the top corner despite Combe's desperate dive.

Combe was left stranded four minutes before the break when Ford gifted a woefully under-hit backpass to Novo, who, having taken the ball round the stranded goalkeeper, had no difficulty finding the empty net to rack up his 22nd goal in a Rangers shirt.

Combe had previously denied the Spaniard with two parries and the second needed Garry Hay to throw himself in the way of Gregor Vignal's follow-up effort.

Hay was hurt when Hutton launched into a reckless challenge near the touchline, but it was the Rangers man who came off worse and had to be stretchered off.

The young defender was booked as well and Alex Rae replaced him in the 39th minute, with Fernando Ricksen reverting to right back.

Killie had forced plenty of corners and the odd free-kick to put the home side under pressure before the break, but they failed to fashion a single opportunity to test stand-in goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who replaced knee injury victim Ronald Waterreus for a rare outing.

Gary McDonald had managed to head past him into the net early on, but referee Steve Conroy ruled that one out.

Rangers had also given a rare run out to teenager Steven Smith at left back after Michael Ball was ruled out by the knock he had taken helping his side to the 2-0 win at Celtic last week.

Combe was needed again four minutes after the restart to deny Prso after Vignal's pass had set up a shooting opportunity on the right of the box.

Killie sent ex-Ger Peter Leven on for Hay in the 54th minute while Barry Ferguson was receiving treatment following a blow to the nose.

It was already time for Rangers to conserve energy ahead of the tricky trip to Hearts on Wednesday so Steven Thompson replaced Prso two minutes later.

Thomas Buffel passed up a great chance to make it 3-0 in the 66th minute with an effort that hit a post when a goal had looked inevitable.

Thompson had started the move with a fine pass to Vignal down the inside left channel and the Frenchman's low ball across the goalmouth had looked odds on to be converted.

David Lilley was booked in the 70th minute for a late challenge on Smith, who was making only his second start for Rangers.

Killie gave themselves hope with 14 minutes remaining when Boyd, who had hardly had a sniff of a chance all afternoon, deftly converted Leven's corner.

There were plenty of bodies present, but the Ayrshiremen's top scorer was able to divert it into the roof of the net on the turn.

Rangers made a final change with eight minutes remaining when Chris Burke replaced Buffel and there was still time for Combe to deny Sotirios Kyrgiakos his first Rangers goal with a reflex parry from a Vignal corner move.

[Jockstar]

Wednesday, March 2, 2005

Hearts 1-2 Rangers: FT Report

PA

Rangers captain Fernando Ricksen converted a controversial last-minute penalty at Hearts to give his side a 2-1 win and tighten their grip on the Bank of Scotland Premier League leadership.

A chaotic final minute at Tynecastle saw a man from each side sent off as tempers exploded over the spot-kick decision.

First Rangers were enraged that Lee Miller's impeding of Sotirios Kyrgiakos had gone unpunished and Dado Prso was shown a second yellow card for manhandling goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

When linesman Andy Davis informed referee Hugh Dallas that a penalty should be awarded, it was Hearts who lost all discipline and Saulius Mikoliunas was shown a red card for barging into the linesman.

Ricksen enhanced his reputation for new-found calmness by slotting home the penalty which kept intact his side's six-point advantage over Celtic.

And, with the Hoops beating Dundee at home back in Glasgow and having two games in hand, Ricksen's goal was one Rangers could not afford to be without.

The Light Blues had taken the lead four minutes into the re-start through top scorer Nacho Novo - his 23rd strike since leaving Dundee in the summer.

There was an element of controversy at that point too as Hearts had claimed in vain that defender Marvin Andrews had used an arm to block, but play continued to allow Prso to send the Spaniard away on a race with Lee Wallace that he was always going to win.

It had appeared that fortune had finally swung Hearts' way - and, therefore, Celtic's too - three minutes from time when substitute Mark Burchill, the former Hoops striker, netted an equaliser.

Midfielder Paul Hartley, the man Hearts had refused to sell to Celtic in January, had sent a free-kick dancing off a post that Rangers goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus could not grasp.

The Dutchman had been more fortunate in the first half when Deividas Cesnauskis had blazed over when faced with an open goal in the 19th minute after the goalkeeper had fumbled Mikoliunas' cross from the right.

The Dutchman made amends four minutes later by diverting Mikoliunas' goal-bound drive onto a post.

The first half had also included Prso's first yellow card, for the use of an elbow on Andy Webster in an aerial duel.

Prso's performance had otherwise been admirable as his work-rate, strength and sheer bloody-mindedness had been greater than anyone else's on the pitch.

Novo had come close on two occasions before his opener, but fired a low long-ranger wide and made a mess of a tricky volley having anticipated Hartley's attempt to locate goalkeeper Gordon with a header.

However, the extraordinary ending of the match will also have implications for Hearts as linesman Davis needed police protection as angry fans confronted him on the Tynecastle touchline.

end

[Bluffer]

Sunday 13 March SPL SPL Live: Dundee v Rangers 20:30 Zoccer Channel

[Neeranam]

Thanks for that - 10 minutes to get to the pub!

[Jockstar]

Sunday, March 13, 2005

Dundee 0-2 Rangers: FT Report

PA

Marvin Andrews and Fernando Ricksen struck late on to give title-chasing Rangers a 2-0 win against Dundee at Dens Park.

Jim Duffy's side, fighting for survival at the bottom of the table, held out for 82 minutes until Andrews provided an unstoppable header from Ricksen's corner.

Ricksen then made sure with a simple finish two minutes later.

The result means Rangers are four points and six goals ahead of champions Celtic, who have two games in hand - starting at Inverness on Wednesday - and a grandstand finish to the campaign remains highly likely.

After Celtic's 6-0 hammering of Dunfermline which yesterday ate into Rangers' goal-difference advantage, the pressure was on to produce a commanding reply.

But that was certainly not the case in the first 45 minutes, with bookings out-numbering chances created.

It took the visitors 15 minutes to muster a shot, which Ricksen fired wide, and home goalkeeper Derek Soutar's most active first-half moment was to gather ahead of former Dens favourite Nacho Novo and end a dangerous-looking run.

The return of Dado Prso from suspension to replace Steven Thompson up front was expected for Rangers - but more intriguing was the decision to drop Thomas Buffel to the bench and reinstate Bob Malcolm.

The latter's task was to patrol the area ahead of the defence, Gregory Vignal taking Bojan Djordjic's place on the left of midfield and Michael Ball slotting in at left back.

Dundee, who made three changes following last week's home defeat by fellow strugglers Livingston, also failed to create much before the break but certainly succeeded in frustrating Rangers.

Prso picked up his third yellow card in two games for attempting to fool referee Ian Brines into a 31st-minute penalty, the Croat going to ground as Lee Wilkie closed in.

Sotirios Kyrgiakos joined him in the book five minutes later for hacking Steve Lovell down after losing possession.

For Dundee, Neil Barrett just failed to connect with a Calum MacDonald cross - but Rangers goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus was a spectator until Bobby Mann fired a 45th-minute free-kick straight at him after Andrews had somehow escaped a booking for a foul on Barrett.

The second half began more promisingly when Barry Ferguson almost found Prso in the box - and Dundee retaliated with a move which saw the previously dormant Fabian Caballero head wide at the back post.

Novo had come off the bench earlier in the season to score two late goals against his old side to set up a 2-0 win - but in the 51st minute, he fluffed his chance.

Maurice Ross fired in a cross from the right to find Novo six yards from goal, but the resulting first-time effort was a scuff rather than goal number 24 for the season.

Ferguson and then Prso saw shots blocked by defenders as Rangers attempted to up the tempo, and Buffel replaced Malcolm on the hour.

Ball found Kyrgiakos at the back post with a free-kick. But Soutar made the save, and from Rangers' next attack Novo fired wide.

Dundee were finding it difficult to get out of their own half. But a strong run from the recalled Garry Brady almost set up Barrett in front of goal, and it needed Andrews to scramble clear.

Tom McManus was replaced by youngster Scott Robertson with 16 minutes remaining, and Soutar made a fine catch to keep out a Prso header after Buffel had crossed from the left.

Soutar had to tip a Buffel cross over for a corner. Another quickly followed and turned out to be the one that mattered as Andrews came charging in to head Ricksen's delivery into the net.

It was a huge relief for the travelling fans who were able to relax when Ricksen made sure of the points two minutes later with a cool finish, after Prso had laid the ball back into his path.

Andrews had to be taken off late on following a collision with Lovell, and Thompson came on.

Defeat left Dundee still two points ahead of bottom club Dundee United.

[Jockstar]

Sunday, March 20, 2005

Rangers 5-1 Motherwell: FT Report

PA

Rangers crushed Motherwell 5-1 at Hampden Park to lift the first silverware of the season - the CIS Insurance Cup.

Ricksen: Goalscorer (JamieMcDonald/GettyImages)

Giant Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos had the most eventful afternoon by heading two of the goals in a game that also featured a rare opener from Maurice Ross and goals from more regular net-finders Fernando Ricksen and Nacho Novo.

Well had looked losers from the off after falling two goals behind within 10 minutes but although David Partridge headed them back into the game three minutes later it was not to be a lifeline.

There was simply no hiding place for Well's less-experienced players on the expansive Hampden pitch but at least they had fared better than Dundee United, who had been thrashed 7-1 there in the semi-final.

The first strike, in the fourth minute, came from a most unexpected source however as Ross, who was only in the side because Alan Hutton had broken his leg the previous month, rarely finds the net.

He did so with aplomb however, first by timing a run into the box to meet Thomas Buffel's pass and then by lofting the ball over the advancing Gordon Marshall.

With his 41st birthday fast approaching, Marshall became the oldest man ever to play in a League Cup final but his luck was again missing in the ninth minute when team-mate Phil O'Donnell managed to head Barry Ferguson's free-kick over him when he had looked set to catch.

And that was just perfect for Kyrgiakos who headed into an unguarded net.

The Greek was doubly at fault three minutes later however as Well provided an instant response. First he pulled Kevin McBride back by the shirt and then failed to prevent Partridge from heading Steven Hammell's free-kick past Rangers goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus.

The next goal was always going to be significant and Ricksen was the man who provided it in the 33rd minute when his free-kick from some 30 yards out beat Marshall at his near post, with Stephen Craigan having been booked for fouling Buffel in the first place.

Well had a lucky escape before the break when Kyrgiakos was once again located at the back post, this time by Gregory Vignal's free-kick, and Marshall was again helpless as the ball flashed across his box. There was nothing between Novo and an empty net but fortunately for Well the ball eluded his outstretched leg.

Neither side decided to make changes after the break but Well boss Terry Butcher might have wished he had as Novo made it 4-1 within three minutes.

Vignal poked the ball forward for him to chase and Partridge will have realised straight away he was never going to catch the Spaniard, who lofted the ball over Marshall with ease.

Not long after, the veteran showed his age when he allowed Ricksen to poke the ball on to the crossbar as he dithered gathering a cut-back from Dado Prso, but Well were able to draw breath as Ross' initial delivery had gone out of play.

O'Donnell was booked for a foul on Vignal before Well made a double change in the 65th minute, with Richie Foran and Jim Paterson replaced by teenage duo David Clarkson and Marc Fitzpatrick.

Novo had a goal ruled out for offside after he had rounded Marshall, with the decision to flag him on receipt of Prso's pass firmly in the marginal category.

Referee Mike McCurry had enjoyed a fairly straightforward afternoon but was required to pass judgement on an incident in the Rangers box that saw Craigan go down clutching his face as Kyrgiakos raised a hand.

He decided to take no action and O'Donnell headed over from the free-kick that had already been awarded.

Ross blasted over a good chance to notch another improbable strike before Fitzpatrick was booked in the 75th minute for felling Ricksen.

With the game won Rangers sent on Alex Rae for Vignal with 11 minutes remaining and two minutes later Ferguson and Martyn Corrigan were both shown yellow cards following a flare-up.

Rangers sent on Steven Thompson for Novo before Kyrgiakos made it 5-1 with four minutes remaining, charging in unchallenged to head a Ricksen corner in off a post.

The game had also doubled as a tribute to Davie Cooper, the winger who had played for both clubs before suffering a fatal brain haemorrhage 10 years ago at the age of 39.

And it was the club where he had spent the majority of his career who were able to rack up a 24th success in this competition, with Well unable to add to the single victory they had enjoyed back in the 1950-51 season.

[bluebear]

Here are the live games for the first few fixtures of the new season.

KO are UK times.

Sat July 30 - Motherwell v Celtic (12.30).

Sun July 31 - Rangers v Livingston (2.0).

Sun Aug 7 Hearts v Hibs (2.0).

Sun Aug14 - Aberdeen v Rangers (2.0).

Sat Aug20-Rangers v Celtic (12.30).

Sun Aug 28 - Dunfermline v Celtic (2.0

[Jockstar]

First game game of the season. 2-0 up. Celtic? Who the ###### are they? Goodbye Gordon. I'm sticking my neck out here. But i predict it will be Rangers title again. I know its the first game of the season. But??

[bluebear]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/s...rem/4748391.stm

Inverness CT 0-1 Rangers

A 69th minute goal from skipper Barry Ferguson ensured the SPL Champions remained top of the table.

The Scotland midfielder stabbed the ball home after good work in the box from Dado Prso.

Jose-Karl Pierre-Fanfan was denied his second goal of the season, when Craig Brewster headed off the line.

Darren Dods came the closest for the home side when his header from close-range was tipped over the bar by Ronald Waterreus.

Rangers manager Alex McLeish opted to stick with the side which beat Livingston 3-0 last week, which meant there was only a place on the bench for new signing Julien Rodriguez.

The visitors enjoyed much of the early possession but pot-shots from Peter Lovenkrands and Ferguson failed to trouble home goalkeeper Mark Brown.

That was also the case at the other end when Craig Dargo motored past his man on the right wing to find Craig Brewster in the box.

Lovenkrands was only just wide of Brown's right-hand post with a low effort and the former Rangers reserve had his manager to thank in the 26th minute following an unconvincing punch away of a corner from the Dane.

Jose-Karl Pierre-Fanfan hooked the ball back towards the goal and it would have gone in had Brewster not been perfectly positioned to nod it off the line.

There was a double let-off for Rangers just after the half-hour mark.

Firstly, a mis-hit effort from Stuart Golabek fell kindly for Brewster but Ian Murray was able to throw himself in the way to block the resulting shot.

Within seconds however Barry Wilson had whipped in a cross that Darren Dods met with power no more than a handful of yards in front of the Rangers goal.

A goal seemed inevitable but somehow Waterreus managed to divert it over the bar.

Rangers survived a penalty appeal when Tokely went down under a Pierre-Fanfan challenge and there was still time for the Caley number two to be booked for a foul on Dado Prso.

The second half began with Caley surviving a penalty shout after Nacho Novo had gone down right on the edge of the box under a Dods challenge.

Brown then palmed away a Novo effort after Rangers again counter-attacked swiftly through Ferguson.

The breakthrough came in the 68th minute when Ferguson poked past Brown right in front of his near post, having met a Prso cutback ahead of Tokely.

The Croat had done well to set it up in the first place, having used his strength to hold off a challenger and get the ball to his skipper.

Caley's defence was nowhere when a long ball from Thomas Buffel put Novo in on goal but the Spaniard panicked and almost missed the ball entirely at the crucial moment.

The Champions survived another penalty appeal, for handball in a crowded box this time, and Waterreus pulled off a fine stoppage-time save to deny substitute Richie Hart.

But the final whistle was not long behind, allowing Rangers to head off to the airport with three vital points ahead of another important assignment in Cyprus in the Champions League.

Inverness CT: Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson (Fox 86), Black, McBain (Hart 83), Golabek, Brewster, Dargo (Hislop 76). Subs Not Used: Fraser, Duncan, Proctor, Parratt.

Booked: Tokely, Dods.

Rangers: Waterreus, Ricksen, Andrews, Jose Pierre-Fanfan, Jose Pierre-Fanfan, Murray, Buffel, Ferguson, Alex Rae (Malcolm 85), Lovenkrands, Prso (Thompson 73), Novo. Subs Not Used: Klos, Smith, Adam, McCormack, Rodriguez.

Booked: Novo, Ferguson, Jose Pierre-Fanfan, Malcolm.

Goals: Ferguson 69.

Att: 7,512

Ref: C Murray

[Jockstar]

Gordon Strachan's first Old Firm derby ended in a deflating defeat as Alan Thompson and Neil Lennon were sent off in a 3-1 reverse at Ibrox.

The Hoops have already suffered the trauma of an early European exit, which followed last season's final-day title capitulation.

Now this season's Bank of Scotland Premier League campaign is off to a memorable false start following another bad-tempered derby.

Thompson's dismissal was a controversial one, with a strong whiff of injustice, and the final whistle had been blown before Lennon was dismissed, with both men shown straight reds.

Celtic simply could not cope with being a man down with three-quarters of the match still remaining and were sunk by goals from Dado Prso, Thomas Buffel and Nacho Novo, the clincher coming from the penalty spot after substitute Shaun Maloney offered a brief glimmer of an unlikely comeback with a late spot-kick of his own.

Referee Stuart Dougal was a central character in the derby and Lennon left the official in no doubt as to his verdict on his performance with a red-faced rant in his face.

Old Firm derbies are rarely quiet affairs. Strachan's predecessor Martin O'Neill began with a 6-2 win and then a 5-1 defeat five years ago.

Fernando Ricksen's sending-off at Aberdeen last week meant there was one less hothead on the pitch for the first derby clash, but of course there was still Thompson.

The Geordie often feuded with Ricksen and last season the midfielder had been the first to go on a crazy day when Chris Sutton was also dismissed and O'Neill staged a two-man pitch protest with a surprised Lennon as Rangers celebrated a 2-0 victory.

It was debatable that day whether Thompson had actually head-butted Peter Lovenkrands, who was dropped for this game despite a wonder goal at Pittodrie, and certainly he appeared to have been harshly treated when referee Dougal flourished a red card for his 23rd-minute scything of Novo when a yellow would surely have sufficed.

Dougal had already booked John Hartson, for dissent, and Rangers new boy Julien Rodriguez for a foul on Craig Beattie and added Ian Murray, another Old Firm debutant, to his list before the break for hacking Stilian Petrov down.

Celtic might have gone ahead straight after Thompson's exit when Bobo Balde was on the end of Shunsuke Nakamura's corner.

Balde's header bounced over the bar, but Rangers had themselves created only one worthwhile opportunity themselves by that point.

A ball over the top from Michael Ball was latched on to by Novo, whose drive was beaten away by Hoops goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

The Pole was given no chance in the 34th minute, however, when Prso produced a majestic finish.

Marvin Andrews had only returned from a World Cup qualifier in the United States the day before kick-off and knows not everyone at Ibrox rates him as a defender of quality with Champions League clashes fast approaching.

But there was nothing wrong with the big man's delivery as he produced a long ball from the right that Prso had anticipated perfectly and, with no defender able to stop him, volleyed home on the turn.

Ibrox erupted, but it was Nakamura, firing a free-kick just wide from 25 yards just before the break, who signalled the Hoops were still in this one.

It was Rangers who decided on a change as Lovenkrands replaced Alex Rae for the second half.

The Dane was involved immediately, seeing two shots blocked in a matter of seconds as Celtic struggled to clear a Barry Ferguson free-kick.

His next effort was a reminder of why Alex McLeish wants to get rid of him - a skier following a defence-opening cut-back from Prso, but the home fans were soon celebrating anyway.

Buffel was the man to receive the plaudits for a fine strike in the 51st minute, with the Belgian - who passed a fitness test on a thigh injury to play - slipping past two men simultaneously to give himself all the time and space in the box he needed to slot past Boruc.

Strachan reacted by making a change three minutes later, withdrawing Nakamura in favour of Maloney.

Lovenkrands' stock dropped even lower on the hour mark when he scuffed a sitter wide after Novo had spotted his run into the box on the left.

Celtic needed some magic and turned to Maciej Zurawski, the Poland international who had been dropped in favour of Beattie, with Hartson the man coming off in the 67th minute.

Lovenkrands failed to find the net from an identical position to his earlier miss. This time he fired across goal and wide after Prso had set him up.

Lennon was booked for dissent, before McLeish decided it was safe enough to allow Bob Malcolm a run out, with Jose-Karl Pierre-Fanfan coming on with 18 minutes remaining.

There was a setback for the champions, however, when skipper Ferguson was hurt by a Balde challenge and limped off in obvious discomfort.

Both sides swapped penalties in the closing minutes, with Maloney briefly giving Celtic hope.

Murray had tripped him in the box and the Scotland B international picked himself up to beat Ronald Waterreus from the spot.

Hoops' hopes quickly disappeared when Petrov fouled Prso at the other end and Novo wrapped up proceedings with an equally assured spot-kick.

The final whistle was greeted with rapture from the home fans when Lennon was dismissed for foul and abusive language.

[bluebear]

oh the bluebelles are blue, oh the bluebelles are blue.........

Once again Celtic show they cannot take defeat gracefully

I cannot believe some of the so called "experts" who claim the red card for THomson wasnt warranted

"Mark Guidi At Ibrox

CARD-HAPPY ref Stuart Dougal wrecked any chance of gauging which of the Old Firm sides were likely to emerge as the dominant force in the new season.

Dougal spoiled the game after only 22 minutes with a poor decision to send off Celtic's Alan Thompson for a challenge on Nacho Novo.

It was a clumsy tackle from the Hoops midfielder but the Englishman didn't deserve to be red-carded for the third time for controversial incidents in clashes against Rangers at Ibrox."

IS this really only a yellow? Not according to FIFAs new directive this year. Straight red. Similar to Ambrose last week in the EPL.

Edited August 21, 2005 by bluebear

[Jockstar]

oh the bluebelles are blue, oh the bluebelles are blue.........

Once again Celtic show they cannot take defeat gracefully

I cannot believe some of the so called "experts" who claim the red card for THomson wasnt warranted

"Mark Guidi At Ibrox

CARD-HAPPY ref Stuart Dougal wrecked any chance of gauging which of the Old Firm sides were likely to emerge as the dominant force in the new season.

Dougal spoiled the game after only 22 minutes with a poor decision to send off Celtic's Alan Thompson for a challenge on Nacho Novo.

It was a clumsy tackle from the Hoops midfielder but the Englishman didn't deserve to be red-carded for the third time for controversial incidents in clashes against Rangers at Ibrox."

IS this really only a yellow?  Not according to FIFAs new directive this year.  Straight red.  Similar to Ambrose last week in the EPL.

Gotta agree mate. Under the old rules it would have been a yellow. But this time it was Red. I see that Lennon got red carded after the game. Come on the Gers.!

[lovejoy]

Is it still Protestants v. Catholics with those teams?

my best friends grandfather (prodestant)played for celtic in the fiftys(bertie peacock)

[Jockstar]

Is it still Protestants v. Catholics with those teams?

my best friends grandfather (prodestant)played for celtic in the fiftys(bertie peacock)

Many protestants played for Celtic over the years. Danny McGrain springs to mind. It was Rangers that took years to break the mould. It wasnt until they signed the biggest Tim around. Mo Johston. That wouldn't have been bad if he was just catholic. But the fact that he had already played for Celtic. People were burniing their season tickets outside Ibrox. It was only a few days before that he was paraded at Celtic Park saying that he was gonna sign for Celtic. Then days later signed for Rangers. It was great business from Souness. The best thing that happened to Scottish football. Broke down a few barriers. There is till bigotry in Scottish football but not quite as bad.

[bluebear]

Rangers 2-0 Anorthosis Famagusta

Thomas Buffel (left) opened the scoring for Rangers

Match reaction

Rangers win 4-1 on aggregate

Goals from Thomas Buffel and Dado Prso eased Rangers into the group stages of the Champions League after a 4-1 aggregate win over Anorthosis.

But Famagusta player-coach Temuri Ketsbaia gave the Glasgow side an early fright by striking the post and forcing two good saves from Ronald Waterreus.

Buffel chipped over goalkeeper Antonis Georgallides for Rangers' opener.

And Prso curled in the second after the break, after which Nacho Novo came close to extending the lead.

Peter Lovenkrands and Fernando Ricksen had replaced Alex Rae and Marvin Andrews in Rangers' starting line-up following Saturday's defeat of Celtic.

Anorthosis midfielder Marco Haber returned from suspension, while captain Nicos Nicolaou recovered from injury.

But their preparations had been hit by former Manchester City playmaker Georgi Kinkladze's decision not to take part as he intends moving to Russia.

Yet the visitors from Cyprus were by far the more dangerous outfit in the opening stages.

Ketsbaia, booed constantly by Rangers fans for pre-match comments, was the inspiration and struck the inside of the post with a superb 30-yard effort.

The former Newcastle and Dundee midfielder next burst into the box and forced goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus to block clear.

Ketsbaia gathered the loose ball and Julien Rodriguez cleared in front of his own goal after the head of Nikos Frousos connected with the cross.

It was 28 minutes before Rangers seriously threatened, Prso bursting along the edge of the box before firing a drive a few yards wide.

The Croatian then somehow managed to head wide from four yards following a Barry Ferguson free-kick before Rangers made the breakthrough after 39 minutes.

Buffel gathered a flick-on from Novo before powering into the box and clipping the ball over the advancing Georgallides.

Ketsbaia's early threat had been somewhat nullified by fatigue and now being man-marked by Ian Murray.

But the veteran forced another fine parry from Waterreus, with Rodriguez just managing to clear from in front of goal despite pressure from Frousos.

Novo came close to extending the lead when he rounded the goalkeeper and rolled the ball across the face of goal.

The Spaniard was first to threaten after the break but side-footed the ball over the bar from six yards following a Ricksen cross.

Rangers sealed the tie when Prso turned his marker inside out before curling the ball into the corner of the net from the edge of the box after 57 minutes.

Haber forced Waterreus into a save at full stretch with a long-range effort, but Rangers were now dominant and Novo and Steven Thompson squandered chances to extend the lead.

Rangers: Waterreus, Ricksen, Pierre-Fanfan, Rodriguez, Ball, Ferguson, Murray (Alex Rae 85), Lovenkrands, Buffel (McCormack 74), Novo, Prso (Thompson 66).

Subs Not Used: Klos, Andrews, Malcolm, Khizanishvili.

Booked: Pierre-Fanfan, McCormack.

Goals: Buffel 39, Prso 58.

Anorthosis Famagusta: Georgallides, Poursaitides, Katsabakis, Louka, Xenidis, Haber, Maragos (Konstantinou 52), Nikolaou, Ketsbaia (Samaras 64), Tsitaishvili (Tsolakides 72), Frousos.

Subs Not Used: Nagy, Kampantais, Markou, Parmakis.

Booked: Poursaitides.

Att: 48,500

Ref: Valentin Ivanov (Russia)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4171230.stm

Eagerly-awaited draw

In Monaco, the 32 clubs will go into the draw, which will take place in the Salle des Princes at the Grimaldi Forum at 16.00CET. For the purposes of the draw the clubs will be placed into four pots according to their coefficients (see below). No team can draw a team from their own nation, other than holders Liverpool FC, who are without country protection after UEFA granted them special dispensation to defend the trophy, meaning they could be drawn in the same section as English champions Chelsea FC, who they beat in the 2004/05 semi-finals.

Pos. Club: Coeff:

1 Real Madrid CF (ESP) 131.326

2 AC Milan (ITA) 121.191

3 FC Barcelona (ESP) 117.326

4 Liverpool FC (ENG, holders) 115.864

5 Manchester United FC (ENG) 110.864

6 FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) 101.191

7 FC Bayern München (GER) 97.166

8 Arsenal FC (ENG) 93.864

Pos: Club: Coeff:

9 FC Porto (POR) 93.739

10 Juventus FC (ITA) 93.191

11 PSV Eindhoven (NED) 84.145

12 Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) 81.324

13 Panathinaikos FC (GRE) 70.715

14 Chelsea FC (ENG) 68.864

15 Villarreal CF (ESP) 58.326

16 AFC Ajax (NED) 52.145

Pos: Club: Coeff:

17 Club Brugge KV (BEL) 50.476

18 RSC Anderlecht (BEL) 47.476

19 Olympiacos CFP (GRE) 46.715

20 FC Schalke 04 (GER) 44.166

21 AC Sparta Praha (CZE) 43.223

22 LOSC Lille Métropole (FRA) 41.324

23 Rangers FC (SCO) 40.476

24 Werder Bremen (GER) 40.166

Pos: Club: Coeff:

25 SL Benfica (POR) 36.739

26 Rosenborg BK (NOR) 36.665

27 Real Betis Balompié (ESP) 34.326

28 Udinese Calcio (ITA) 30.191

29 Fenerbahçe SK (TUR) 23.872

30 SK Rapid Wien (AUT) 15.208

31 FC Thun (SUI) 6.887

32 FC Artmedia Bratislava (SVK) 4.850

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/UCL/news/...sId=329449.html

[Jockstar]

I dont care who we get. I'm just glad we are in it. Bring it on!

[bluebear]

Here are the live games for the next 3 weeks. ko uk times.

11 September

Livingston v Hearts, 15:00 (LIVE on Setanta Sports, 2pm)

18 September

Hibernian v Celtic, 15:00 (LIVE on Setanta Sports, 2pm)

24 September

Hearts v Rangers, (LIVE on Setanta Sports, 12.30 pm)

[Thai Bairn]

Falkirk 1-1 Rangers

Substitute Daniel McBreen's superb header gave Falkirk a share of the spoils to further dent Rangers' hopes of retaining the Scottish title.

Craig Ireland's tug on the shirt of Thomas Buffel had given Nacho Novo the chance for the opener and the Spaniard slotted home the penalty kick.

Falkirk goalkeeper Matt Glennon denied a lethargic Rangers several times.

And McBreen rose to head home an Alan Gow cross before Glennon saved superbly late on from Barry Ferguson.

Fit-again Hamed Namouchi had been a surprise name in the Rangers starting line-up along with the returning Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

New signing Francis Jeffers was on the bench along with Marvin Andrews after the defender's late return from international duty.

Falkirk were without Andrews' Trinidad and Tobago team-mate Russell Latapy, while former Rangers youth Darryl Duffy was only deemed fit enough for the bench.

But fellow forward Alan Gow put Rangers under early pressure, being denied by goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus from a free-kick.

Thomas Buffel should have put Rangers ahead but fired across the face of goal and wide of the target.

Gow surged into the Rangers box only for Waterreus to save at the former Airdrie forward's feet.

Rangers went ahead when the referee ruled that Buffel had been held back by Ireland and Novo slotting low past goalkeeper Matt Glennon.

Jeffers was given his first taste of Scottish football, replacing Buffel after the break and Glennon was quickly forced into a fine save and parry from the striker's shot.

Falkirk boss John Hughes sent on McBreen and Duffy and his brave attempt to salvage the game paid off with 12 minutes remaining.

Steven Thomson's quick free-quick was met by Gow, who delivered an inch-perfect cross to the head of McBreen and the young striker left Waterreus with no chance from close range.

Rangers skipper Ferguson could have snatched the winner with a point-bank strike but was denied by a wonderful save from Glennon.

Falkirk: Glennon, Lawrie, Ireland, Rodrigues, Lima, Ross (McPherson 33), Scally, Milne (Duffy 71), Steven Thomson, O'Donnell (McBreen 71), Gow.

Subs Not Used: Hill, Andy Thomson, McStay, Moutinho.

Booked: McPherson, Scally.

Goal: McBreen 78.

Rangers: Waterreus, Pierre-Fanfan, Rodriguez, Kyrgiakos, Ricksen, Namouchi (Lovenkrands 82), Ferguson, Murray, Novo, Buffel (Jeffers 56), Prso.

Subs Not Used: Klos, Andrews, Alex Rae, Smith, McCormack.

Booked: Ricksen, Ferguson.

Goal: Novo 39 pen.

Att: 6,500

Ref: C MacKay

Can't even beat Falkirk - you won't have much chance against Porto !! And only 15 different sectarian songs - who says bigotry is dead.

[bluebear]

and somehow out of the train wreck of a season we have managed to go further than ANY scottish club has before in the CL.

Talk about jeckle and hyde!

[johnh101]

First game game of the season. 2-0 up. Celtic? Who the ###### are they? Goodbye Gordon. I'm sticking my neck out here. But i predict it will be Rangers title again. I know its the first game of the season. But??

Oh Dear Jocky, where did it all go wrong ! !

and somehow out of the train wreck of a season we have managed to go further than ANY scottish club has before in the CL.

Talk about jeckle and hyde!

Imagine Jose Mourinho coming up to Ibrox to spy and seeing your lot getting beat by Inverness CT.

Seiously though I wish you all the best in the Champions League, success for Rangers is success for Scotland. And given the chance McLeish will turn your season round, you won't win the league but you'll finish in the top four.

[bluebear]

that will still be above you lot though

[johnh101]

that will still be above you lot though 

You may well be but the way you've been playing I wouldn't put a bet on it.

[Spit the Dog]

Congratulations to Rangers for being the first Scottish club to get through the qualifying stages of the Champions league.

Rangers could draw either Arsenal, Liverpool, AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Villarreal or Lyon. Ouch!!! It's gonna be tough!!

Due to Rangers shocking league form this season, it looks like Rangers will have to do a Liverpool and win the Champions league, if they are to have any chance of playing in the Champs league next season.

[johnh101]

Rangers could draw either Arsenal, Liverpool, AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Villarreal or Lyon. Ouch!!! It's gonna be tough!!

I would actually say they had a chance against Arsenal, Liverpool, Villarreal or Lyon but I reckon they would just crumble against the others.