Ibrox Aces.

Okay game on now in the group with Moscow on your tail now! Up into third in the league too well done

Nice to see you competing in the competitions buddy, really doing well!

We have two chances to qualify for the next round, vs. Dnipro at home or vs. Getafe away. I'd rather get it done in front of our own fans.

I've to admit that it's been a good season to date back in the Scottish Premier League and I'm sure the form can only pick up. We definitely won't win the league as I'm almost certain that Celtic can't be caught as they've not lost a game this season in the league. We're still got a chance to retain the Scottish League Cup that I believe we won last season and still in the Scottish Cup too.


I'm surprised we've got a chance of progression from Europe as I'm sure Getafe, Spartak Moscow and Dnipro are "seasonal European veterans" while this is the first time we've been in Europe since I took over. I'm not saying we'll win the Europa League but I'm just here for the ride to see how far we can go.

With a decent November behind us minus the defeats away to Spartak Moscow and Partick Thistle we entered what turned out to be an extremely busy final month of the year with no less than seven matches, five being in the league and two in Europe as we progressed from Group D in the Europa League.


A crowd just shy of forty nine and a half thousand welcomed Ukrainian side Dnipro as December started with Europa League action at Ibrox and we ensured advancement with one game remaining thanks to a two one success as we opened the scoring on thirteen minutes through Cuntz before Cabral doubled the lead five minutes later. The side from the Ukraine pulled a goal back just before the hour mark but we held on.

We returned to SPL action with a tough game against Hearts at Tynecastle and an even contest saw the points shared in a scoreless draw.

Our next game saw Hamilton Academical come to Glasgow and despite being second best against the high flyers we managed to pick up a valuable two one win with former Manchester City striker Nimely putting us into a two nil lead with two goals in a twelve minute period - Hamilton pulled a goal back after sixty seven minutes through Ward.

We travelled to the suburbs of Madrid to face Getafe who steamrolled to a three goal win, Dani scoring twice in the first half before an unfortunate own goal from our goalkeeper Stech and it could have been much more, we were brutal throughout but we had already progressed so it didn't matter.

Back to league action and we had to make the trip to Aberdeen and headed home with an excellent four one victory as right winger Ramsay put in a Man of the Match performance with two goals and two assists. The youngster broke the deadlock on thirty seven minutes before he doubled his tally early in the second half before he assisted for Cabral to tap home at the far post just four minutes later. The MOTM performance was sealed when he assisted for Cabral to score his second and our fourth two minutes after Massson had scored a consolation for the Dons.

Second placed St. Mirren was up next and a crowd of just over forty thousand saw a six goal thriller as we ran out four two winners on this occasion, Nimely got us to a dream start with a goal inside two minutes but he then had to wait until the forty second minute to get his and our second, The Buddies pulled a goal back on fifty eight minutes from the penalty spot before Bustos restored our two goal lead on seventy two minutes. St. Mirren made it a nervy final ten minutes as Reilly found the net but we scored a fourth as Nimely completed his hat trick in stoppage time.

And the month ended with a trip to bottom of the table Dundee and we bulldozed to a five two victory but we had to do it the hard way because despite Ramsay and Nimely putting us two nil up inside seventeen minutes, two goals inside three minutes from Bamford and Forster had saw Dundee equalise but the in-form striker's second of the game saw us take a three one half time lead. Central midfielder Black smashed home a fourth early in the second half before Neumann headed home goal five and that was the scoring complete. We had to play the final ten minutes with ten men as Faure was sent off for a dangerous challenge, he was subsequently fined after the game.


With the New Year approaching us we have ended twenty fifteen in second place and a staggering fourteen points behind the league leaders and bitter rivals Celtic who sadly have been outstanding this season to date and we face them next at home, ouch. We are three points ahead of St. Mirren who we managed to leapfrog while Hamilton are in fourth and Dundee look set like they're ready for the drop with just one win and five draws from eighteen games.


Getafe couldn't be caught so it was between ourselves, Dnipro and Spartak Moscow for the final qualification place and thankfully our two one win over the Ukrainian side was enough to see us progress. Spanish side Getafe couldn't have been caught regardless as they smashed their way through with six wins from six and eighteen goals scored in the progress.


Our board have also given me the chance of change our expectations for the remainder of the season. They are Europa League qualification through a league position, Champions League qualification through a league position or a Title challenge.

I'm not sure what I'm going to go with but it's definitely NOT going to be a Title challenge as Celtic's already wrapped up the title and it would take a monumental balls up not for them to win it come the end of the season. Do think I'll play it safe and stick with the Europa League qualification through a league position, which will give me a transfer kitty of seventeen and a quarter million to play with.

At this moment in time I am currently unsure on whether I'm actually going to spend the cash or not. I suppose it depends if any players, who will definitely make the squad better, is available or I will only replace players who I decide to ship out and at this present time I don't think anyone will be leaving - stay tuned though because that could change.

The final month of twenty fifteen was a quality month minus the league draw at Hearts and the Europa League defeat in Madrid. With the New Year upon us we played another seven games with six of those being in the league while the month ended with a League Cup semi final at Hampden Park against St. Johnstone.


Our opening game of the month was an Old Firm derby clash with run away leaders Celtic in front of a fifty thousand strong crowd at Ibrox, the game wasn't one to remember for the home fans as the Celts powered to victory with Russell, Ledley and Wanyama on target. We're not in Celtic's "league" at the moment and the performance proved that.

We managed to bounce back in our next fixture as we made the trip to Inverness Caledonian Thistle and headed home with a deserved three one win. As both sides looked set to head to the interval level Bustos broke the Caley Thistle resolve to give us the lead in the second minute of stoppage time before two goals in eight second half minutes from Bustos that saw him get his second and Cabral sealed the points despite Charge grabbing a late consolation for the hosts.

We stayed on the road with a trip to struggling Motherwell and we could only manage to pick up a point as Nimely's seventy first minute goal cancelled out the Well's opener, which was an own goal from Stech who could only divert the ball into his own net, it's a game we should've won though easily.

St. Johnstone visited Ibrox next for a league game and we struggled to a single goal victory, after a scoreless first forty five minutes the deadlock was broken in the sixty fifth minute when youngster Ramsay found the target and that turned out to be the goal that separated the sides.

Our next game saw us travel to Firhill to face Partick Thistle looking for revenge following that unacceptable four nil defeat a few months ago and we did get revenge but only after the home side had missed a penalty before Nimely opened the scoring for the visitors but then we missed a spot kick ourselves through Black before Bustos' seventy seventh minute goal sealed the points.

The final league game of the month was at home to Hearts and we had to fight from two down to salvage a point but we definitely should have picked up all three as we were outstanding at Ibrox. The away fans were sent into raptures inside the opening five minutes as Sutton scored and it stayed like that until the hour mark as Driver doubled the lead. Hearts' lead was cut in half six minutes later as Nimely found the target and the comeback was complete whenever Ramsay managed to find space to smash the ball home.

January ended with a Scottish League Cup semi final clash against second bottom St. Johnstone and we eased to the final in front of a small crowd at the National stadium, left winger Cabral gave us the lead after twenty three minutes with Nimely doubling the lead however Murray halved the deficit just before half time. The underdog's hopes of causing an upset ended when Moffat was shown a straight red on fifty seven minutes and then Bustos and Nimely sealed the win. We will face runaway leaders Celtic in the final.


Following a successful January that only saw us drop points three times (two draws and one defeat) we are in second place and seven points clear of St. Mirren who are still a threat for that runners-up spot but we're also nineteen points behind Celtic who it's just a matter of time before they wrap up the title but I hope they don't go through an unbeaten season.

I've only made the one signing in the January transfer window:


So without further ado I am pleased to announce that nineteen-year-old Czech Republic player Stourac has arrived at the club, penning a four-and-a-half-year deal. The left winger arrived at the club for a fee of forty five thousand pounds from Slavia Prague and he's going to back-up for the time being.

I had to make the signing due to me cutting Balanta's loan deal short. He was whinging about not getting game time so I've decided to send him back to Queens Park Rangers were he's currently in the reserve team so I bet he won't get game time there, oh well, Balanta wasn't that good anyway.

Bar the defeat against Celtic a good couple of months buddy! Well done qualifying through the groups, huge financial reward for that!

Cheers mate, appreciate every comment you leave me.

I've to be honest pal, I didn't expect to beat Celtic as they're a cut above me and everyone else in the league but apart from them it's still been an absolutely quality season to date. We're currently beating expectations as per usual although we were predicted to come third in the league anyway due to the size of the club/talent I have in the squad.

We face Spanish side Athletic in the first knockout stage, get through that and we'll face the winners between Hannover and Manchester City.. ouch. I'm not expecting to get through anyway.

We ended the previous month with a five match unbeaten run and we entered February looking to stretch our unbeaten form in the league as we played four league matches, as well as a Scottish Cup fifth round tie away from home and we also faced Spanish side Athletic in the Europa League first knockout stages.


We started the second month of twenty sixteen with a home clash against Dundee United and we disposed of them three nil with Bustos firing us into the lead with three first half minutes remaining and the lead was doubled early in the second period through Nimely before the same man added his second and our third after sixty seven minutes.

Our next game was a Scottish Cup fifth round tie away at East End Park against Dunfermline and we progressed to the next stage thanks to a two goal victory as Ramsay and Nimely scored a goal apiece in either half.

We then travelled to Hamilton Academical in what was expected to be a tough game and it proved that way despite us securing a two nil win we were made to work and broke the deadlock in first half stoppage time through Nimely and the points were sealed with fifteen minutes left to play as Faure headed home.

It was time for the Europa League first knockout stage first leg against Athletic Bilbao and we headed into the second leg at San Mames with a two nil lead with Black getting us off to a dream start as he converted a penalty after just seven minutes before substitute McKay put gloss on the score with a second in the final fifteen minutes.

Back to league action and we faced Aberdeen at Ibrox and had to come from behind to pick up maximum points. The Dons took the lead on twenty eight minutes through Hayes and it remained that way until five minutes into the second half because we were awarded a spot kick that Black converted, eleven minutes later we were awarded another spot kick and yet again Black converted. Our points were sealed whenever we were awarded a third penalty as the game was entering stoppage time and Black converted his third spot kick to complete his treble - Milsom was sent off for two yellow cards for Aberdeen in stoppage time.

The second leg of the Europa League first knockout stage was one to forget, despite taking a two nil lead to Bilbao we crashed out of the Europa League, losing three nil on the night in Spain to exit the competition three two on aggregate. Truth be told, we were absolutely brutal in the second leg and deserved to crash out.

Our final game of the month saw us host Dundee and it was a routine day as we picked up maximum points in a three one win as Bustos and Nimely both scored to give us a two goal half time lead before the ex Man City striker added a third after forty eight minutes, McIntosh grabbed a consolation for Dundee.


Celtic have secured a spot in Europe already for next season as they STILL remain unbeaten and look set to break the one hundred goals and points barriers.

We are still in second place after a successful month and we've opened up a twelve point gap on third place St. Mirren and a thirteen point gap on Partick Thistle so if I can keep the current form up then I'm certain we'll finish in the runners-up spot, which will be a tremendous league finish for a newly promoted side. I don't think we'll be able to catch Celtic for a few seasons yet, unfortunately unless they have a terrible season.

Brilliant league form mate! Shame about the second leg of the Europa League tie! Must of felt well confident going into that! Oh well focus on securing a CL spot for next year! Celtic continue to run away with it!

We have been outstanding mate minus the five league games that we've lost. They're forgettable.

I'm absolutely gutted about what happened in Europe but unfortunately these things happen so I will not let it get me down and I will concentrate on the league in our quest to qualify for Europe next season as we haven't done that yet.

Fantastic month barring the Athletic result.

Celtic are looking ridiculous this season.

Couldn't believe the second leg against Athletic although perhaps I should as our poor away form cost us.

They've ran away with the league and a matter of when and not if they win the league, I can only hope they have a poor season next and the gap can be closed. So far the point gap is ridiculous.

With a successful February behind us that only saw us slip up once that cost us progression in the Europa League we entered the business end of the season and March saw us play five games, three in the league along with a Scottish Cup quarter final tie and a League Cup final.


Our first game in March was a Scottish Cup quarter final tie against rivals Aberdeen at Ibrox and a crowd just short of forty nine and a half thousand saw us progress to the semi finals with a single goal victory as striker Nimely scored the only goal of the game on sixty four minutes.

We then made the trip to St. Mirren and were on the wrong end of a three goal hiding that saw Folly put the Buddies into the lead after only seven minutes before goals in the second half from Harding and Miller sealed the shock victory for the home side.

Celtic were up next in the League Cup final and the side, running way with the SPL title won the League Cup courtesy of a three two win at Hampden Park. Celtic took the lead with Russell scoring on sixteen minutes but Stourac equalised eight minutes later before Zanev restored the Celtic lead just before the half hour. In the second half Bustos levelled for the second time with sixty nine minutes gone but Russell's second, with ten minutes remaining ensure the cup went to Celtic Park.

We returned to league action with a trip to Celtic Park and were beat two nil as Neumann opened the scoring with an unfortunate own goal on twenty three minutes before Ledley sealed the points early in the second half.

Our final game of the month was a home encounter with Inverness and we deservedly beat them four one for our first and only league win of a disappointing month. We took the lead on twenty one minutes as Bustos smashed the ball home before winger Ramsay doubled the lead before half time, Nimely made it three before McCullough pulled a goal back but Faure headed home a fourth to seal the points. We finished the game with ten men as Pajvot was sent off for two yellow cards.


You can see Celtic ran away with the league title, which is disappointing but at least we're currently exceeding expectations by being in second place. Celtic have unfortunately (for us, and everyone else in the league) secured the league BEFORE the split.

Celtic are loving playing you this season, unlucky in the cup final, a sour month really but making it to the other semi final means its still to ply for. Breaking away from third now to open a gap for yourself! Can't believe an AI Celtic team are about to break the 100 league goals mark and possibly 100 points! Unbeaten season for them? It could be a couple years before you come close, but thats what makes this threads one of the best

I bloody hate Celtic for obvious reasons but they're really annoying me this season. I've only beaten them twice since I began this save and that was in the Scottish Cup semi final (5-2 back in 2014) and in the League Cup final (1-0 in 2015), they've won the last five against me with an aggregate score of 14-4 and I have still got to play them this season in the split. It could be an unbeaten season but I am really hoping it's not, I would love them to slip up, even once.

I've thirteen under twenty-one players (all not in the first team by the way) so I think in the summer, if I receive a good transfer budget I will need to sign experience, especially in defence.

We approached the penultimate month of the season unable to win the SPL title due to Celtic running way with it but we still had a chance to finish as runners-up, which I suppose will have to do should it happen, in April we had four league games as well as a Scottish Cup semi final versus Inverness Caledonian Thistle. It turned out to be a poor month as we picked up just the one league success.


A trip to bottom of the table St. Johnstone started the penultimate month and we could only pick up an unacceptable away point against the bottom side and they home side took the lead just before half time through Craig but we equalised through Nimely early in the second half, the home side retook the lead with Wright scoring with only twelve minutes left but Nimely's second goal rescued a point in a game we should've won.

We then hosted strugglers Motherwell and slipped to a disgraceful home defeat. Two goals in two second half minutes just after the hour mark through Murphy and a Goodwin header sealed the shock win.

Our next game was the Scottish Cup semi final encounter against Inverness and we demolished them and eased to a sensational seven one victory to take our minds of the stuttering league form. Young winger Davidson opened the scoring after only seven minutes with a second goal coming on eighteen minutes through Gasparotto, Nimely then struck twice within five minutes to put us four goals up but Caley Thistle pulled a goal back through Stewart. Second half goals from Nimely who struck twice to complete his hat trick and beyond and Black completed the rout.

Back to league action and we hosted St. Mirren, a good game saw both sides cancel each other out. Game finished 0-0.

And the month concluded with a trip to Hamilton and we had to fight back to pick up a much needed three points with our only league win this month as goals in each half from Nimely and defender Gasparotto who side footed home on sixty four minutes turned the game around after Marrow struck for the Accies on nine minutes.


Heading into the final month we are a staggering twenty seven odd points behind Celtic who have bulldozed to the league title despite actually slipping up in April following a defeat away to St. Mirren. You can tell the difference between the two sides - Celtic have unfortunately scored one hundred and eight goals and conceded twenty six while we've only scored sixty six and conceded forty six to date.

Celtic lost! Wow! However they must break the 100 points barrier now! Great win in the semi final...must put you in great shape for the final, man I hope you don't get destroyed in it

The final month of the season came as we had three league games to play to complete our first season back in the SPL while we also had a Scottish Cup final to play too - the problem is we had to play Celtic, could we actually beat them for the first time this season or would it be another defeat to the runaway league champions?


The final Old Firm derby clash with Celtic started the month and yet again we suffered defeat against our bitter rivals, following a scoreless first half the second half burst into life as Ledley struck seconds into the restart before Kadlec was then sent off for two yellows on forty nine minutes. Champions Celtic sealed the points on fifty eight minutes as Joseph-Monrose scored.

We then faced Hearts at Ibrox with second place still not guaranteed and we picked up a much needed three one win as our inconsistency continued as Bustos put us into the lead after seven minutes and that's how it remained until early into the second half as Stourac doubled the lead before Stephens headed a goal back for the Jamobs but Bennett, in for the injured Ramsay added a third late on.

Our league season ended with a short trip to Partick Thistle and we could pick up a draw to conclude the season with Gros and Andrews just after the half hour and early in the second half had Thistle two up but we fought back to earn a share of the spoils as Bennett and Nimely scored.

It was then time for the Scottish Cup final as we entertained bitter rivals Celtic but it was a game to forget as Celtic won the Scottish Cup with a comprehensive six nil win over us, which angered me no end and seen me almost fine the entire starting eleven as a result. Joseph-Monrose (2), Kadlec and Forrest had the Hoops four goals up at half time while a Russell double completed the one sided final.


As the season came to an end we finished an awful THIRTY points behind champions Celtic.

Couldn't believe how dominative they've been this season it's been awful for me to witness it. Sadly ( as you already know since you did the "ninja smiley" ), I did get tanked in the final but it was so undeserved... oh who am I kidding, it was deserved as they twice as many shots on goal and on target compared to us - I'm starting to hate playing Celtic, really not looking forward to next seasons game against them.

I need to get some damn experience in for next season to try and close the gap.

It's got to that stage of the summer again, the beginning of pre season when the expectations are announced for the forthcoming season along with the new fixture list and our pre season friendly programme. This season I can guarantee that the pressure will be indeed on and I'm sure I can cope, or at least I hope I can cope.


The pressure is on!

The minimum expectation for the forthcoming season is that they expect me to win the Premier League and they've backed me with a transfer budget of fourteen and a half million pound but I may adjust that down slightly. I can't believe the board has put such pressure on us knowing that Celtic are much more better than us currently.

Why would the board expect a team, that finished THIRTY! YES THIRTY! points behind their rivals and champions Celtic to win the league? Bizarre and as I've said the pressure is indeed on so I need to go straight to the transfer market to try and bring in some real quality - and quick.

Should I fail to win the league, I really hope I don't receive the boot as I do believe I can win the league...eventually with them.


Our opening league fixture of the season will see us make the trip to Dundee before hosting newly promoted Kilmarnock at Ibrox and then our third league game will be at Tynecastle against Hearts. The first Old Firm derby game of the season will be the fifth league game of the season as the champions come to Ibrox.

Before the split happens we have three tough games, two away from home and one at home but definitely should be games that we should be targeting nine points from. They're away to last season's overachievers Hamilton Academical, away to Motherwell before the final game before the traditional split will be at home to Butcher's Inverness Caledonian Thistle side.

Eight pre season games were also arranged:


The pre season programme starts with a home game against French side Olympic Marseille before we face Teplice also at home. Our third game will be away at Glanford Park against Scunthorpe before we head to the Republic of Ireland for a two game tour against Bohemians and Derry City before going back to England with a trip to Rochdale.

Our pre season preparations end with two away games against Cambuslang Rangers and Blantyre Vics.

Can only see us really struggling against Marseille and Teplice, every other game should be winnable.

One player has already agreed to depart the club and he'll be heading to Italy for a million pounds while two players have been released, one relucentely as I like him but he would never play for me due to having better players in his position.

Who is it I hear people ask? Well, you need to wait until I post the transfers in and out.

Just caught up this. Quality thread mate, and thats from a Celtic fan lol! Surprised to see Celtic do so well, usually in my games when I'm not celtic they are terrible.

They have just dominated this season and I don't like it. Can't believe we finished like thirty points behind them and I need to try and rectify that this coming season as the gap needs to be closed. I've received a good transfer budget and I need to use it wisely.

We have had a busy pre season programme as I brought in eight new players as I looked to close the gap on champions Celtic who had finished thirty points ahead of us last season and that was unacceptable. Six friendly games were also played and it wasn't the greatest pre season around.


Our first signings of the summer was Gardner and Dijks for seven hundred and twenty five and eight hundred and fifty thousand respectively as they had agreed to join in the close season.

We then completed the signing of Skjelbred on a free and he'll be back-up for Bustos and Aird but may see game time. Another midfielder joined as Holscher arrived from Sturm Graz and could be a replacement for the ageing Black while Bartley has joined from Cardiff for almost two and a half million and will be first choice, especially while Faure is out injured.

Two players then arrived both on free transfers - Oliveira is a twenty-one-year-old goalkeeper who was previously on the books of Porto while nineteen-year-old central defender Coelho was also on the books of Porto before his release. Both players will be back-up this coming season but I'm a little confident they'll see game time.

Our final signing was eighteen-year-old Cioffi who has came to the club for two and a half million from Argentine club Boca Juniors. It's a risky move as he's yet to make his professional debut but I may give him it vs. Kilmarnock as he didn't join on time for the Dundee game.


Our pre season programme wasn't the greatest around.

Six games were played, two at home vs. Marseille and Teplice and then four away from home against Scunthorpe, a two game tour in Republic of Ireland against Bohemians and Derry City before the programme ended with a trip to Cambuslang Rangers.

It didn't start great as we suffered a defeat against the French side despite Gasparotto scoring on fifty two minutes but then we suffered a humiliating five goal defeat at the hands of Teplice before Scunthorpe won two nil. Our two game tour in Republic of Ireland was OK but nothing spectacular as we beat Bohemians three nil as Nimely and a double from Aird sealed the win before we edged Derry in a five goal thriller - Black pen, Bennett and Aird scored.

Our friendly programme ended with a three goal win over Cambuslang Rangers and Bustos scored our only goal in the first half before a second half double from Nimely saw our pre season programme end with three wins.