Shedender - Comments

Massive congratulations on your promotion, albeit via the playoffs, you still got promoted.

You're sure to find it hard next season, survival has got to be your aim and nothing else. KIU, amazing season.

I can guarantee it won't be four titles in a row as the league will/should be BATE's for the foreseeable future.


Cheers, opening game win was remarkable but it's important that is built upon.


You say briefly but I hope it's not a brief stay at the top, I hope we're there for quite a while.

I'm going to fire the game up and I hope to have one or two updates posted today, it's Christmas Eve, there is nothing interesting to do apart from FMing.

You don't seem to mention the game against Hibernian that I actually won, wait, no I think I did beat them at least once.

It was a poor ending but I do kind of blame the injuries to the defence as I had to throw two players in who weren't fully fit for the final against Celtic and I am just pleased they didn't end up more injured, it also didn't help that I also had a centre back on international duty so I am glad they were available, kind of. I am going to need to buy more defenders so I can cope with injuries.

Season has now been concluded, last two games were shocking bad and the cup final defeat was heart breaking.

May saw just the two league games played as the season came to an end and it was a depressing end to the league season as we only picked a single point from six available but we also lost the Scottish Cup final against our bitter rivals.


We hosted Ayr in front of a over forty eight thousand strong crowd but we couldn't entertain them despite Shiels giving us a thirteenth minute lead but the visitors levelled the scores and had the better of the game and perhaps should have won.

And the season ended with a horrible two nil defeat against Hibernian at Easter Road, it was a game that entertained the almost twenty thousand crowd but the home side took their chances, we didn't.

Our final game of the season was against Celtic and another thrilling game was won by the Scottish Premier League side, despite Templeton giving us a fifty fourth minute lead The Hoops scored three times without reply to win the cup.


We won the league comfortably despite a shocking final two games.


Despite being runners-up in the Scottish Cup final, we have qualified for next seasons Europa League.

A one hundred per cent record happened in April as we secured three league wins out of three and we also progressed to the Scottish Cup final.


An eight goal thriller away to Morton started the four match month and we came out on top thanks to a five three victory as Bennett opened the scoring on four minutes, Templeton and Shiels added further goals in the first half while McKay and Bennett added goals in the second half to complete the scoring.

We then cruised to victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle, a three nil win saw us score twice in the space of five minutes through Bennett and Templeton before Nimely added a third on fifty seven minutes.

Another three nil victory was secured as we won at East End Park as two goals in the space of a minute from Templeton and Bennett had us two up at the break and then Faure headed home a third early in the second half.

The month ended with a home success over Queen of the South with both the goals coming in the opening twenty three minutes through Templeton and Hendrie.


We are twenty one points clear of second place Hibs at the top of the table and just two wins away from making the one hundred points tally and six goals from making one hundred goals.

You're looking good for promotion mate, don't balls it up. KIU.

Thanks pal. Three promotions on the bounce is an excellent achievement no matter how big the club is. I'm also surprised we managed to win the Scottish and League Cups especially when we were in the Second Division.

You left out the Challenge Cup too, I know it's not as big but ffs don't forget it.

I will win the SPL.. eventually. It probably won't be my first season back but I am sure it'll be eventually.

This was a month that saw us complete an incredible treble as we finally returned to the Scottish Premier League following a disappointing draw with Raith Rovers, we also had League Cup success after a monumental victory over bitter rivals Celtic - second best throughout but I'm delighted to win it.


Motherwell in the Scottish Cup quarter final started the month of March but despite playing well we were unable to pick up a victory and had to endure a replay at Fir Park.

We headed to Fir Park for the replay just a couple of days later and once again we played well but struggled, a single goal from the penalty spot on fifty one minutes from substitute Sandaza sealed victory and a passage to the semi finals were we'll face Inverness, I think.

Back to league action as we hosted Raith Rovers in what was a mixed encounter, a disappointing score line saw us stutter to a one all draw. Rovers took the lead on fifty four minutes when Ngoo side footed the ball into the back of the net after he was picked out but Templeton levelled on sixty seven minutes. The point was enough to secure the league title and a return to the Scottish Premier League.

Next up was a tricky game away to Livingston as we celebrated a two goals to nil away victory thanks to a first half double from Nimely.

And the month concluded with the Scottish League Cup final against Celtic and a packed Hamden were treated to an excellent game between the two fierce rivals, it was goalless at half time in a half that Celtic dominated but I still fancied by chances for success and we were rewarded in the sixty fourth minute when Nimely found the back of the net, Celtic continued to press but failed to score and we won the League Cup.


Champions. We will be playing SPL football next season and I am absolutely delighted.


Conformation that we were confirmed Champions after just thirty games following a score draw against Raith Rovers at Ibrox in front of thirty eight thousand, seven hundred and seventy six ecstatic spectators as club captain Faure lifted the title and Rangers' third title on the spin.


Fifty two thousand and sixty three fans jammed into Hamden Park for the League Cup final and we won the trophy thanks to a single second half goal. Largely second best, I am absolutely chuffed that we have won the trophy for what I believe is the second season running.

I'm just waiting to secure conformation that we have been promoted so nothing has been secured yet.

Can guarantee that I won't win the SPL first season as that will probably go to the other side of Glasgow, I would love to win it but can't see it.

Sure once I gain promotion, Hibernian can stay in the SFL First Division. They get promoted next season, I get revenge if I survive.

It's getting closer is SPL football at Ibrox...

You beat Zhlobin, my former club.

Three wins from three games and top of the table - if only the season could end now, correct?

February was a short month as we had just played the three fixtures in the league as we suffered defeat to Hibernian for the second time this season, we won the last two fixtures but not with "excitement".


Hibernian visited Ibrox to start the month as they looked to beat us for the second time in Glasgow this season and they achieved just that as Stevenson scored what turned out to be the only goal on seven minutes - it was a deserved win for the Edinburgh side, we were brutal.

We did return to winning ways though as we beat Falkirk two goals to one at home. Winger Templeton opened the scoring on twenty one minutes before he doubled the lead just before half time, the away side pulled a goal back on seventy nine minutes from the penalty spot but we managed to hold out.

The month ended with a trip to Dingwall and we secured a second two one victory, it took until the twenty third minute for the opening goal as Nimely made sure the visitors took the lead with a close range finish before former Doncaster Rovers right winger Bennett made it two nil but Ross County pulled a goal back on sixty seven minutes through Dingwall but they were unable to find an equaliser.


Twenty one points clear at the top ahead of Hibernian as we're closing in on the league title and Scottish Premier League football returning to Ibrox.

Squad looks solid on paper. A poor pre season but It's going to take time for the players to gel together. KIU. You'll do well this season.

I can't balls it up now, can I?

The January transfer window didn't see much action at Ibrox as we only signed the one player while letting one depart the club too as we took our spending this season to over the three million pound mark, but the players are young thankfully and can only improve.


The only player to arrive at the club was Greek Neumann who has arrived at the club from Panathinaikos for £800k. Seventeen-year-old Neumann has already made six appearances in all competitions for Rangers in January but hasn't scored yet and made two appearances for the Greek side before moving.

I've agreed to sign young Serbian under 21 international Veljkovic on a free transfer after he signed a pre-contract. He will arrive at the club in July from League Two side Gillingham.

Departing the club was Cribari as he wouldn't agree to a new contract at the club so I've let the thirty-four-year-old central defender leave the club as he joined Novara. Cribari only made eight appearances for the club this season without scoring.

The New Year started with five league games and a Scottish and League Cup clash with Premier League side St. Mirren. January started with three home league games on the bounce and we rewarded the home fans with eleven goals in those games.


January saw us start with the first of three home encounters on the bounce, this one was against Livingston as we stuttered to a two one victory as Black opened the scoring on eight minutes before the away supporters had something to cheer when Coult equalised on twenty minutes but the points were Rangers' in the seventy first minute when Black scored his second of the game.

Our next game saw us put in a five star performance against Morton, the deadlock was broken in the fifth minute when Shiels found the target before Templeton made it two nil on the quarter hour before Shiels' second goal of the game gave us a three goal half time lead. Nimely scored a wonderful goal early in the second half to make it four and then the rout was completed with eleven minutes left when Templeton bagged his second.

We then hosted Dunfermline in our third and final home game on the bounce and we picked up a four one success and we managed to open the scoring on the stroke of half time when substitute Aird smashed the ball home but the away side put the scores level ten minutes into the second half but that lasted two minutes as Templeton restored Rangers' lead. Right winger Bennett made it three one with twenty minutes remaining and then Templeton finished the scoring.

Next up was a trip to Queen of the South and we headed back home with maximum points after victory at Palmerston Park despite the home side taking a shock lead on six minutes when Cochrane broke the deadlock much to the delight of the home support but the visitors, with a big following, levelled on seventeen minutes through Nimely. The striker then scored his second goal of the game on the half hour before Templeton continued his fine scoring form and the scoring was completed in the forty second minute as Nimely completed his hat trick.

We then scored four goals for the third game running as we made the trip to Somerset Park and Bennett gave us the lead on eighteen minutes before Black lashed home a second goal and then a second half double from star striker Nimely completed the four nil win.

The Scottish Cup fifth round tie against St. Mirren at Ibrox was next and we progressed thanks to a two goals to nil victory and despite dominating the entire half we could only open the scoring on the stroke of half time as Nimely scored his sixth goal in three games and then former Altach midfielder Cuntz ensured we were in the next round with a goal on seventy nine minutes.

And the month ended as we entertained St. Mirren for the second game running, this time in the semi final of the League Cup and once again we made sure of progression but this time we did it the hard way, an exciting game for both sets of fans saw no goals in the opening ninety minutes but Bennett won Rangers the match in the first minute of extra time.


The title and promotion to the Scottish Premier League is getting extremely closer as we're now 22 points clear of second place Hibernian and even the Hibees still may not finish second.

Slight? Severe misread Daniel.

It's a shame they sacked you as I also thought it was a bit of an "injustice" since you haven't even had a season. You were probably just a "stop gap" until they got someone with more experience, wouldn't be surprised. KIU though and best of luck wherever you end up.

OI, nothing has been secured yet and somehow I don't think we'll have the title wrapped up at the end of January.. maybe February.

Five league games came our way in the final month of the year as we started and finished December with tricky away games. We have opened a large gap at the top of the First Division and if we fail to get promotion to the Scottish Premier League then it's our own fault and no one else's.


It was a trip to East End Park that kick started the month and we headed back home with an excellent four goals to one away victory over the Pars as Shiels reacted the quickest to fire us into a sixth minute lead after an original shot came off the crossbar and then the on-loan Queens Park Rangers winger Balanta doubled the lead on thirty five minutes and a few minutes later Hutton made it three. The hosts pulled a goal back just before half time but Herd wrapped up an excellent away success.

We then played one of our biggest games of the season as we made the trip to Easter Road to entertain a Hibernian side who made us suffer our only league defeat since I arrived at the club two years ago and Nimely put us into the lead on forty minutes but Doran levelled shortly after before the former Manchester City striker won us the game with three minutes left, a sour point though was Herd being sent off for two yellow cards in stoppage time.

And a third straight away match saw us arrive at Falkirk looking to make it three wins on the bounce in December and we did that the hard way despite Black giving us a twelfth minute lead the home fans were in sheer delight after White and Russell turned the game around with two goals in thirteen minutes and they looked good before Bennett bundled the ball home early in the second half and then Nimely turned the game completely around a few minutes later. The home sides chances were all but up after Vignal received his second yellow card and he was sent off before Bennett added a fourth on seventy seven minutes.

Our first and only home game of the month saw us play Ross County and we could have eviscerate them if it wasn't for some dodgy finishing, we did pick up the three points as Nimely found the back of the net just before the hour mark to send the home fans into delight.

The year ended with a three one away success at Raith Rovers as we took the lead on four minutes through Nimely and the same man doubled his tally for the game and score on seventeen and that's how it stayed until five minutes into the second half when the home side pulled a goal back. Central midfielder Black got on the end of a corner to restore our two goal lead before McColl was shown a straight red card, much to the fury of the home support with seven minutes left.


We are a staggering eighteen points clear at the top of the First Division table and clear of Hibernian as the year has come to an end and we're looking certain for promotion to the Premier League but there is still a long, long way to go and nothing is secure just yet.

Cheers mate, the squad looks good and can definitely be improved although it doesn't need to be.. yet.

The Challenge Cup success was a piece of cake, all three times and I seriously hope it's the last time I need to participate in it. I've played through December and I'm going to fire it up as soon as possible, within the next half hour.

I'm confident we can make it to the SPL and in the process make it three promotions on the bounce, however it won't be as easy as a third and second division turned out to be as there is some good teams in this division. The SPL, if we make it, will be tricky as anything as they're some quality sides there and we'd be the "new boys".

November was an extremely busy month as we had to participate in eight matches - five of those in the league with three cup ties, including a Challenge Cup final encounter with Ross County. Can we win the trophy for the third time running? Only time will tell.


The month started with a tricky Scottish Cup tie away to Dumbarton in the third round and we progressed thanks to a two one success with all the goals coming in the second half as central defender Gasparotto headed us into the lead, five minutes into the second half before that lead was doubled on seventy six thanks to substitute Sandaza finding the net. The hosts pulled a goal back through Bell in stoppage time but it was too little, too late.

We then cruised to victory at Ibrox over Raith Rovers, a four goal victory was started in the twelfth minute when attacking midfielder Shiels struck and the same man doubled the lead just before the half hour. Central midfielder Black fired up an unstoppable shot a minute before the break before former Altach star Cuntz completed the emphatic victory on sixty seven minutes.

Our next game was a tricky game away to Livingston as we had to come from behind to pick up the maximum points because Lopez sent the home fans into raptures as he gave Livi a shock thirty seventh minute lead and that remained until just after the hour when substitute Sandaza side footed the ball past the keeper and then Faure won us the game whenever he headed home on eighty two minutes.

A trip to Morton then happened and we picked up a third straight away win in all competitions thanks to a three one success as Nimely gave us the lead on eighteen minutes before former Doncaster winger Bennett added a second goal on thirty six minutes before the hosts pulled a goal back but the points were heading back to Glasgow when Black added a third on seventy eight minutes.

Next up was the Challenge Cup final against Ross County as we looked to win the trophy for the third season running and we succeeded with a four goals to one victory over County that started on twenty six minutes when Faure found hit the back of the net before Cuntz added a second five minutes later but the Dingwall side pulled a goal back through Collins. Second half goals from Bennett and Black sealed the trophy.

We returned to league action with an excellent home win over Queen of the South as we beat the struggles four nil as Nimely and on-loan Balanta both hit doubles.

The Ibrox faithful were then treated to a seven goal thriller as we beat Ayr five goals to two, Balanta opened the scoring on seven minutes before former Hearts man Black added a second on twelve minutes and then striker Nimely added a third before Black's second goal made it four nil before half time. Ayr pulled a goal back through Robertson on sixty nine minutes but the on-loan Aston Villa midfielder Herd restored Rangers' four goal lead but Moffat added a second consolation goal for the visitors.

And the month came to an end with a Scottish Cup fourth round tie away to Albion Rovers and the home side took a shock second minute lead through Kleczkowski and despite dominating Rangers had to wait until the twenty sixth minute to equalise whenever Shiels found the back of the net and the game was turned around early in the second half thanks to Balanta before Nimely sealed the passage through, deservedly too.


As December looms upon us we find ourselves eleven points clear of Hibernian at the summit of the Scottish First Division table.


This is proof that we secured our third Challenge Cup on the bounce after an emphatically excellent victory over Ross County.

Six league games happened in October as we suffered our first league defeat since I arrived at the club when they were in the Third Division. The annoying defeat to Hibernian thankfully hasn't started a downward spiral as we bounced back with four straight wins in all competitions.


The month started with a five star performance at home to Morton as new signing Nimely bagged a second half hat trick in between a twenty fourth minute own goal from Seabourne and a Little goal with three minutes remaining.

As we faced Hibernian next we suffered our first league defeat of the season as the Hibees had to come from two goals behind after Shiels and Nimely had given us a 2-0 lead inside the opening eleven minutes but two goals in as many minutes from Doran had levelled the scores and then Cairney gave the visitors the lead on the hour and they sealed the points with fifteen minutes left through Black.

We did bounce back with a Challenge Cup success away to Alloa Athletic in the semi final. Right winger Bennett gave us the lead on fourteen minutes before a Hughes own goal two minutes later doubled the lead, Makombo-Eboma pulled a goal back for Athletic inside the first minute of the second half before loanee Balanta sealed the passage with six minutes left.

We returned to league action with a home game against Falkirk and a single goal from Little on sixty seven minutes separated the sides.

Our penultimate game of the month was away to Ross County and we departed Dingwall with maximum points as Shiels had given us a dream start with a goal on four minutes at Victoria Park and the lead was doubled late in the first half thanks to Nimely who scored his eighth league goal in seven games.

And October concluded with a League Cup quarter final clash as Falkirk visited Ibrox looking for revenge for the league defeat but it didn't happen as a deserved home win was started in the ninth minute when Templeton found the back of the net and former Manchester City striker Nimely doubled the score on twenty five minutes.


Despite my first league defeat (that includes Division 3 and Division 2) we remain six points clear at the top of the table after eleven games as we look for promotion to the Scottish Premier League and our third on the bounce, Hibernian who I would say are second favourites for promotion are in second place, seven points ahead of Ross County and Falkirk.

Morton have had a dreadful start to the league season as they're rock bottom after the opening eleven games with just the single victory and they are also six points adrift of second bottom Raith Rovers who are on ten points. Queen of the South are third bottom on twelve.

Five pre season friendly fixtures were arranged as we looked forward to life in the Highest League of Belarusian Football. We hosted three clubs from Czech Republic at our temporary BATE home while playing the final two away. Our league season also started with a "home" game against Dnepr Mogilev.


The friendly round-up started with a "home" game against Domazlice and goals from Ryzhko, Tikhonovskiy and Gorbatch ensured a three nil success before we beat Viktoria Plzen three goals to one as Korolyuk, Ivanov and Yadlovskiy struck.

We then thumped Sparta Prague in our last pre season encounter at BATE Stadium as all of our goals came in the opening twenty seven minutes. Last seasons top goal scorer Korolyuk struck a hat trick while Ivanov and Ryzhko also struck. A single goal from signing Santiago on sixty nine minutes beat feeder club Kommunalnik Slonim.

My last friendly was against my former club Zhlobin and we came out on top of a five goal thriller, Korolyuk and a double from Ryzhko ensured the pre season friendly programme ended with an one hundred per cent record heading into the league season.

March also saw the start of the new Highest League season as we played our first competitive fixture at our new temporary BATE Stadium home as we entertained Dnepr Mogilev.


A remarkable start to life in the Highest League saw us demolish Dnepr Mogilev five goals to nil at BATE as Korolyuk, who scored twenty two league goals as we won the First League title last season opened the scoring on six minutes and added a second on fourteen. We added a third goal a minute into the second half whenever Kostyvekvic smashed home an unstoppable free kick before the away side were reduced to ten men. The same man fired home another wonderful free kick on fifty two minutes before new signing Santiago completed the rout four minutes from time.


Yeah, I don't see the point of why I posted this league table. We're top after one game as we won five nil.

We are predicted to come ninth but I'm sure I can better that.

The new season is embarking on us yet again as I am about to part in my first full season with Torpedo in the Highest League of Belarusian Football. This post will have the season expectations and the latest fixture list as we look to play against some of Belarus' elite clubs.


The board gave me the option to choose one of three expectations ahead of the new season - Mid-table finish, Top half finish or Europa League qualification through the league.

I've decided that I'm going to play it save and not go gung-ho, I've stuck with the mid-table finish and in return our ambitious board has given me a transfer budget of four hundred thousand pounds and I'm unsure how much of that I'm planning to spend as I'm going to attempt to be a "wheeler dealer" in this career. I will make a few big signings but won't go overboard.

Also, the 2017 fixture list has been announced:


Torpedo's first game in the Highest League will be at our temporary BATE home against Dnepr Mogilev before visiting Shakhter Soligorsk and then hosting Minsk. Our last three league games are tricky too as we are away to Gomel before playing Belshina at BATE and then ending the season in Minsk to play Dinamo Minsk.

You're absolutely correct, twice with Altach in Austria and now with Torpedo in Belarus and I can assure people that it's not going to be my last trophy on this adventure.

Cheers, next season is going to be tough I can assure, I am just waiting to see the expectations ahead of the new season.

OP has been updated with the trophy added.

You seen it coming? Funny that I didn't mate, especially when we were 2-0 down at home on the final day, I thought I was stuck in this league even though we probably would have won it next season anyway. I'm looking forward to being in the Belarusian Cup and surprised it didn't come into play this season.

They probably are but I knew I had to beat them and hoped SKVICh had slipped up on the final day, thankfully both things happened and now I can look forward to next season and hope we don't come straight back down.