Glasgow Rangers: More Than A Club - An FM14 Story
A Football Manager Career by Charlie M
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Charlie M
5 October 2013
Last Updated at 16:50
By Jonathan Sutherland
BBC Scotland at Bayview
Lee McCulloch and Barrie McKay scored two goals each as Rangers extended their sequence of Scottish League One wins to 7 with victory against East Fife at Bayview.
The visitors almost had an early lead had it not been for a Jack Hamilton save from a Lee McCulloch chance.
However, David Templeton's 3rd league goal of the season put Rangers ahead early in the first half.
And two strikes from McKay followed by a strike and a header from McCulloch secured a comfortable win for the league leaders.
Ally McCoist's side are 6 points clear of Brechin City.
Ian Black threatened for Rangers and the Fifers' striker Christian Nade also came close before Lee McCulloch had a good chance saved by Hamilton.
Nicky Law's pass found David Templeton who's speculative effort found the net early in the first half and from there Rangers took control.
McKay met Lewis MacLeod's long pass to fire Rangers' second and then set up McCulloch's first goal.
And McKay crossed for McCulloch to net again midway through the second half with a header.
Ian Black's short corner to the young winger allowed McKay to make space to shoot from a tight angle to take his tally this season to two and wrap up his sides scoring.
Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell denied Craig Johnstone a late consolation with an impressive save.
Rangers boss Ally McCoist:
"I'm pleased with the efforts today and the professional manner that we displayed.
"The comment's from Aitcheson in mid-week didn't even cross my mind if I'm honest, we just set up and went about today's game like we do with any other.
"We are on a real good run of form in the league and the whole team deserve credit for that and there's a real feel-good factor around the dressing room.
"I'm not going to talk about our chances of keeping this run up but we will take each game as it comes as always and see how we do"
Charlie M
Thanks amigo. I took a wee week off the story to play a personal save so good to get back to updating this one.
Shedender
Charlie M
Cheers mate. Enjoyed it, especially after the East Fife manager making media comments. Enjoyed rubbing it right in his stupid face.
My laptop fan blew up on Friday though. So it's going for repair and probably wont get it back until the beginning of next week So I'll update soon after that as the game is saved on cloud
Charlie M
Thought I'd saved this game and a personal one to my Steam Cloud before my laptop shat itself but they aren't there
Gutted.
Shedender
Charlie M
It's all good amigo! Turns out I actually made a separate copy and put it on a USB stick with other personal stuff I didn't want to lose. So I can continue my progress
Shedender
Dan
Charlie M
Pretty busy over the next few nights so I'll try and get an update out as soon as I can.
Charlie M
Jari Litmanen trains with Rangers as he looks to extended his playing career
VETERAN midfielder is a free agent after being released by HJK Helinski in October 2011 but former Finland star insists he would be keen to explore any option that would see him extend his glittering career as a footballer.
FORMER Ajax star Jari Litmanen has left the door open for a return to football – although he admits he still has no concrete offers to play for any club this season.
Gers boss Ally McCoist invited the former Finland captain to train with his squad, who is working to keep his fitness up at the club's Murray Park training ground whilst on holiday in Scotland.
But the 42-year-old, who hasn't played competitive football in two years, said: "There is no other agenda other than getting back fit.
"I'm grateful they are letting me use the facilities and take up some of the physio's time."
When asked whether he might be offered the chance to play for Rangers, Litmanen said: "Who knows? It's one where if there is an opportunity to do something, you then think about that opportunity.
"Rangers are a massive club and it was extremely generous of the manager to offer me this chance to train at these wonderful facilities.
"At the moment my main aim is to get my fitness up and then who knows what happens after that.
"But as it stands I don't think there will be anything I will be doing other than waiting to see if I receive any offers."
twinxster
Keep up the excellent work
Charlie M
Thanks mate. I appreciate you reading and taking the time to comment.
I use a tweaked version of the Arrigo Sacchi tactic from FM Base. It's working well so far but proving difficult to find the right players to compliment the formation as we are in a competition with such a poor reputation.
Good luck with your own Rangers game
twinxster
Charlie M
12 October 2013
Last Updated at 17:05
By Clive Lindsay
BBC Scotland at East End Park
Rangers have reached their first Ramsdens Cup final when they came from two goals behind to floor battling Dunfermline.
Dunfermline took the lead when Rangers winger Barrie McKay failed to deal with a harmless-looking cross and headed the ball into the back of his own net.
The Pars second came in the 32nd-minute after Ryan Ferguson's delightful free-kick beat Steve Simonsen to give the home side a surprise lead against the League One leaders.
The visitors answered back minutes before half-time when Barrie McKay made amends for his earlier error when he fired a low shot into Ryan Scully's net.
Rangers manager Ally McCoist has spoken of his determination to return the club to trophy-winning days of the past - and his half-time team talk must have drilled that into his side as they looked a different team in the second 45-minutes.
A Lee McCulloch shot is denied by Ryan Scully
It seemed like the goals would soon flow again as Rangers got an early equaliser through Nicky Law's mazy run and tidy finish in the 52nd-minute.
An Ian Black free-kick just evaded the unmarked forehead of defender Jon Daly - the summer arrival looking to add to his three goals in the last six games - and Scully spilled the ball on the goal-line before it was scrambled clear.
Rangers were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when Daly was tackled from behind by Ewan McNeil, which the big utility man picked himself up to score and put the Gers in-front.
Hampered by the loss of injured defender Callum Morris, the home side looked unable to cope with the Rangers attack as Scully had to be at his best to save a Barrie McKay volley.
Nicky Law's powerful 35-yard effort struck the underside of the bar and, when Daly returned the ball into the six-yard box, the Englishman had another chance but headed wide.
Dunfermline could not respond and were lucky not to fall further behind when Luke Johnston cleared off the line from Ian Black's free kick and a Arnold Peralta shot flew just over the crossbar.
Charlie M
19 October 2013
Last Updated at 17:02
By Kenny Crawford
BBC Scotland at Ibrox
Rangers eased to victory over Brechin at Ibrox to maintain their unbeaten SPFL League One record this season.
Twenty-three minutes in, Arnold Peralta put Rangers in front with a fine long-range drive.
Andy Little's shot just a minute later cannoned in off Brechin defender Paul McLean to double the hosts lead and Jon Daly added a third in the 63rd-minute from the penalty spot.
Nicky Law and Lee McCulloch were both denied by the woodwork after the break in a game in which Rangers took their league "goals-for" tally to 34.
Ally McCoist's side now have 8 wins out of 9 in the league, sitting 9 points clear of Brechin.
They will now look to take that form into their next League One clash with Dunfermline on Saturday 26th.
Brechin, managed by Ray McKinnon, remain second after rarely troubling their hosts on a freezing night in the west.
Scotland international Lee Wallace's performance for Rangers was dynamic and strong, dancing round opposition defenders on several occasions to carry his team forward.
The former Hearts player's skill drew a foul from The Hedgemen full-back Craig Murray and Ian Black's ensuing free-kick was laid off to Arnold Peralta, whose ferocious strike left former Rangers goalkeeper Graeme Smith rooted to the spot.
It gives the Honduran his first goal of the campaign following his move from Honduran Liga Nacional side Vida.
Lee Erwin, the away side's most menacing player on the night, had one tame half-chance before Rangers scored a second.
This time, David Templeton helped Little cut in from the left and his arrowed shot ricocheted off Paul McLean's foot on it's way into the net.
Lee McCulloch's missed header and Templeton's weak chip preceded Daly's penalty, given to Rangers when Harry Hooman pushed David Templeton inside the box.
There were no takers for Bobby Barr's cut-back as Brechin pushed for a way back into a game that was nearly killed off when Nicky Law controlled brilliantly, only to see Smith tip his effort on to the post.
The hosts also struck the upright when Lee Erwin released Andy Jackson, but the 25-year-old's low drive rebounded off the face of the upright.
Wallace nearly got the goal he deserved with a quarter of an hour remaining, stabbing a left-foot effort just past the post from a tight angle.
Charlie M
Rangers reject second bid for Sebastien Faure
25 October 2013 17:04 BST
Sebastien Faure
Rangers have rejected a second bid from FC Istres for defender Sebastien Faure.
The French Ligue 2 club followed up an initial offer with a firm offer of £100,000. Rangers have told FC Istres that the offer was below their valuation of the player and that they will not welcome another offer.
Faure's future has been the subject of speculation since the initial bid, which Rangers turned down earlier in the summer. Several clubs have been linked with a move for the player but FC Istres' offers are the only concrete bids so far.
Rangers manager Ally McCoist has repeatedly spoken of his wish to keep Faure, who has made 4 appearances for the club this season. When news of Istres' interest broke last minth, McCoist said that he was aware of informal talks between Rangers Chief Executive Craig Mather and his Istres counterpart Bertrand Benoit.
The manager then told Rangers’ STV.com that he had spoken with Istres manager José Pasqualetti but that no bid had been made.
McCoist has been keen to add to his squad and would be keen to make a signing during the transfer window in January regardless of whether Faure is sold or not.
Rangers have recently had Finnish legend Jari Litmanen training with the club but have reportedly withdrawn their interest.
Shedender
Charlie M
Cheers buddy! I'm really enjoying playing this one again, most likely cause I thought I'd lost it! Should have some more updates done on Monday.
Thanks for reading
Charlie M
FRIDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2013 12:15
Ally Expects Positive Dunfermline Side
WRITTEN BY DAVID MELVIN
ALLY MCCOIST is optimistic that the squad can continue their excellent league form this weekend when they face East Fife in League One.
ALLY McCOIST is expecting to face a positive Dunfermline side as they look to derail Rangers’ unbeateb per cent start to the league season on Saturday afternoon.
The Ibrox boss knows what to expect when his team welcomes the north-east side for Saturday’s SPFL1 clash and believes the away side will be in buoyant mood.
He said: “Dunfermline will be well up for the occasion and I’m sure we’ll have to master the conditions as well.
“They are coming here on the back of four clean sheets in their last four games so they will fancy themselves a wee bit.
“I would imagine that this particular game would be one that Dunfermline will be looking to get their own back on us a bit so they will be well up for it.
“The conditions will be the same for both sides and while it’s something we’ll have to cope with I think Dunfermline as a team are the bigger threat.
"Our boys will be feeling slightly more confident I think as we came out on top in our last meeting that was quite recently.
"But at the same time we need to be wary of the fact that Jim Jefferies will have them well fired up and looking for some revenge.”
McCoist will again be without Sebastien Faure who is recovering from an ankle injury sustained earlier this month, but he expects to have close to a full squad to choose from.
He added: “We are missing Sebastien and Luca Gasparotto tomorrow but otherwise we have a full squad to choose from.”
Charlie M
26 October 2013
Last Updated at 17:10
By Liam McLeod
BBC Scotland at Ibrox
League One leaders Rangers secured their 9th successive league victory with a comfortable win over Dunfermline.
After a goalless first twenty-five minutes, Barrie McKay scored his 5th goal of the season and Matthew Bates opened his Rangers account with a header.
McKay's strike came only 25 minutes into the match and Bates hit the net after McKay's centre in the second half.
The win keeps Rangers' lead at the top of League One at 9 points and also maintains their winning streak.
McCoist's side knocked on the door as early as four minutes when David Templeton fired a long-range shot to no avail.
Andrew Little was presented with a superb chance after 18 minutes, controlling a wasteful kick-out from Craig Ramsay but lashing past the far post.
The closest Jim Jefferies' men came to troubling Cammy Bell was from an over-ambitious shot from Alex Wynter, but Rangers continued to dominate.
Wallace unleashed a 30-yard drive that trundled through to Little, who had his close-range finish saved by Ramsay at his bottom left-hand corner.
Barrie McKay's incisive and tireless energy in right-midfield was Rangers' biggest source of creativity in the first half and the youngster would have been presented with three open goals if the Light Blues had been sharp enough.
The Murray Park graduate did add a goal to his fine performance on 25 minutes, picking the ball up from Arnold Peralta before dispatching a half-volley into the net.
Rangers came out from the interval and, within 10 minutes, Ian Black had a chance to score from a free-kick but his effort went over the bar.
Central defender Matthew Bates was handed a golden opportunity to score his first goal for Rangers by Barie McKay's fine cross and the Englishman made no mistake with his header into the top corner.
The Ibrox side were awarded a free-kick on 77 minutes after Ian Black was fouled by right-back Andrew Greggan and the midfielder fired another effort at the target but could only hit the side netting.
McCoist was able to stretch his squad depth with Lewis MacLeod returning to first-team action from the bench as Rangers cruised to another convincing win.
Charlie M
Black is Player of the Month
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Friday 1st November 2013
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rangers defensive-midfielder Ian Black has been voted SPFL League One Player of the Month for October.
The 28-year-old, joined from Hearts during the summer in 2012 and has since signed a new deal until May 2015.
Black has started 9 out of 10 of the Blues League One games so far this season and was named man of the match as his side beat Dunfermline 3-2 in the Ramsdens Challenge Cup Semi Final last month.
The former Scotland internationalist also played a key role in Rangers' four other wins last month and will be hoping to help Ally McCoist's men continue their good run when they face Berwick at Shielfield Park on Saturday in the Scottish Cup Third Round.
view all articles >>
Charlie M
McCoist lands League One award
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Friday 1st November 2013
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rangers boss Ally McCoist has been voted Scottish League One Manager of the Month for October.
The 51-year-old, who took over from Walter Smith in June 2011, guided the Gers to emphatic wins over Ayr (3-0), East Fife (5-0), Brechin (3-0) and Dunfermline (2-0), last month, as well as booking his side a place in the Ramsdens Cup Final with a win over Dunfermline (3-2) in the Semi-Final.
Rangers are first in the table going into Saturday's game against Berwick at Shielfield Park.
view all articles >>
Charlie M
McKay completes Rangers treble
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Friday 1st November 2013
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rangers playmaker Barrie McKay has been named SPFL League One Young Player of the Month for October, completing a hat-trick of awards for the Ibrox club.
Ally McCoist was named Manager of the Month and midfielder Ian Black was voted Player of the Month.
McKay, who celebrates his 19th birthday in December, made his Scotland U21 debut against Portugal in 2012 and is in contract with the Light Blues until 2017.
He has been in outstanding form this season - he scored twice in the recent 5-0 win over East Fife and managed 3 goals in 2 games against Dunfermline last month.
view all articles >>
Charlie M
2 November 2013
Last Updated at 17:00
By Clive Lindsay
BBC Scotland at Shielfield Park
Incisive Rangers swept aside Berwick Rangers and ensured their place in the Scottish Cup Fourth Round with an impressive performance at Shielfield Park, with in-form Barrie McKay scoring a hat-trick.
The Wee Gers were unable to prevent the Glasgow side taking the lead in the first minute through McKay's' simple tap-in from a low David Templeton cross.
McKay also scored the second in the 33rd-minute from an acute angle.
Nicky Law fired Rangers' third, David Templeton chipped Paul Grant for the forth and McKay pounced again to add the fifth.
It not only kept the Third Division champions' Scottish League One lead to nine points but took their tally to 36 goals in their first ten league games as they appear determined to clinch the title at the earliest opportunity.
Yet League Two side Berwick had gone into the game hoping to cause an upset at Shielfield Park.
The Wee Gers needed all the experience they could muster as Rangers hit them with wave after wave of attack in a determination to emulate their recent goal-happy form that dumped Dunfermline out of the Challenge Cup Semi Finals and led them to 9 straight wins in the league.
Matthew Bates joined Jon Daly in a two-man central defence pairing, allowing full-backs Ricky Foster and Le Wallace to rampage down the flanks.
In reality, the home side were facing an uphill battle almost from the off, with promising winger Barrie McKay converting an easy chance in the opening exchanges in the match.
Barrie McKay opens the scoring
Rangers' attacking was relentless and Lee McCulloch climbed above his marker to send a header a couple of feet over a few minutes later.
The home side briefly threatened with a Darren Lavery header that looped on to the top of the Rangers net, but that simply stung the ruthless visitors to strike at the other end as McKay met a Foster pass in their next attack and his angled shot found the net.
Grant ungainly scrambled clear a Law drive as McCoist's charges threatened to increase the deficit.
The pressure eventually led to a third goal when Grant could only parry a Black drive and Law blasted the ball high into the net from the rebound.
A fine Peralta pass put Templeton clear on goal and he caught Paul Grant wandering off his line with a deft chip.
There was still time for McKay to bag himself his first career hat-trick and seal the win for Rangers as last season's Third Division Play-Off runners-up, who have now conceded seven goals in their last two home games, were humbled for a second time in a week.
Charlie M
SUNDAY, 3 November 2013 16:45
Rangers Face Morton In Cup
WRITTEN BY DAVID MELVIN
RANGERS will face Morton at home in the Scottish Cup fourth round after today's draw in Aberdeen.
The two sides last met in the competition in the same stage in 2000 when Craig Moore's goal was enough to earn a 1-0 win for Rangers.
They have met in the Scottish Cup a total of 10 times with Rangers not losing a match so far.
Ally McCoist's side earned their place in the draw thanks to a 5-0 win over Berwick on Saturday afternoon.
Both sides have played each other twice in previous finals of the competition, with Rangers winning the last encounter in 1948.
The tie with Morton is scheduled to be played on Saturday, November 30th and kick off time will be 3pm.
Charlie M
Football / News / Laudrup Sings Wallace's Praises
Laudrup sings Wallace's praises
Last Updated: November 4 2013, 14:24 GMT
Rangers Legend Brian Laudrup says that the full-back is in the best form of his career so far this season.
Laudrup: Wallace in fine form
The Dane, who helped Rangers to three league titles in the 1990s, was in Glasgow on Monday to visit friends.
Laudrup told SportingLife: "I've never stopped following Rangers and watching the matches whenever I could.
"I spent a tremendous four-years at the club and they will always hold a special place in my heart.
"I've been here today to visit some friends and I'll visit Ally and maybe stick around for the Forfar match tomorrow night.
"It's a real shame that the club are in the situation that they find themselves in but Ally is putting together a decent squad and they look in good form for promotion this season.
"Lee Wallace in particular has been outstanding this season for me.
"He's been a real force on the left-hand side for the team and he's been selected for the Scotland squad recently so his efforts aren't going unnoticed.
"Hopefully he will be able to keep that up and get better and better and stick with the side until they are back in the Premiership and competing in Europe again.
"A few of the other young Scottish players have also been playing particularly well this season and the young lad Barrie McKay looks a real prospect so I hope they will be able to keep him at the club for as long as possible".