Rangers Transfer Rumours

04 Mar 2026 16:07:10
Following on from a discussion I had with John yesterday I can add a little more.

Due to the UEFA stance on multi-club ownership the 49rs investment arm is considering a reduction of position. This is defined as the partial divestment of shares to ensure there is absolutely no doubt about our compliance.

As such many allies and partners of our leader Andrew Cavanagh are now considering involvement.

I would like to stress that any move would not be detrimental to the financial strength of the football club.

It would only serve to strengthen it.

As with all new members of the "Family" all future investors are likely to be of a far higher financial standing than those on the previous administration.

I have always said the family model created by our leader and chairman is open.
New investors would bring a fresh approach and continue on the path of dynamic ambitious executive vision.

I believe in that vision.

04 Mar 2026 17:13:28
So the 49ers are "sleeping with the fishes", sorry, it's the family thing again. 😉👍

04 Mar 2026 17:21:12
Never apologise for humour, my friend. 🤣

04 Mar 2026 17:42:33
It's not really that good for us. The Scottish League is really weak compared to others in Europe, which lowers our standard points and future European involvement. Greek, Turkish, Austrian, Belgian, and Swiss leagues are far superior to ours. If Leeds qualify for either the Conference or Europa League, we wouldn't be allowed to participate, I think. The team which plays in the highest ranked league is allowed to qualify, whereas the other club, which is owned by the same investment company, would be prohibited from playing due to potential conflicts. That means if we qualify for the Champions League and Leeds qualify for the Europa League, we might not be allowed to play in either.

If we finished last in the group, we couldn't parachute down into the Europa League due to Leeds, which is owned by the same company, but they play in a higher ranked league, so if Leeds qualify for any European competition, we might not be allowed to play in any of them. It's all a bit of a mess. The 49ers certainly have more priorities with Leeds than us. They are more heavily invested in the EPL, but Andrew seems to like us better. Maybe he will buy out the 49ers percentage. I wouldn't be against that, and would prefer RFC to be owned by a few investors instead of a massive foreign corporation. Interesting times ahead.

04 Mar 2026 17:48:03
Whine, it may have escaped your notice, but Andrew Cavanagh has no connection whatsoever to Leeds United.

Andrew Cavanagh is completely separate from 49rs Enterprises.

49rs Enterprises are just a large single entity within the family of investors.

04 Mar 2026 17:55:38
Whine, the teams parachute-down rule was done away with two years ago.

04 Mar 2026 18:03:45
Since this Jedi guy did an interview a week or so ago admitting to owning Leeds and having a significant investment in us, UEFA have thought, 'Hang on a minute and explain,' and since that interview we've lost 2 board members who are also on the Leeds board, and now there is talk of the 49ers pulling out.

Or am I just putting 2 & 2 together and coming up with 5?

04 Mar 2026 18:09:06
Where's the humour, Aphelion. 🤔😂

04 Mar 2026 18:09:18
G4, the interview has played no part.
UEFA rules have been coming long before it.
49ers would not be pulling out, it would be seen as a strategic partial divestment, therefore they would still maintain some shareholding.

04 Mar 2026 18:14:00
Flb forks referencing the Godfather movies.

04 Mar 2026 18:32:39
You are correct, Aphelion. Andrew Cavanaugh is an independent investor who was put in charge of the consortium of various investors. Paraag Marathe was the 49ers' involvement with us, and he's gone now, which should mean no problem. I stand corrected, and I didn't actually look at anything closely before commenting previously. I'm off now to watch Aberdeen Celtic. Let's go, Cameron.

04 Mar 2026 18:39:37
Thanks for your response, Aph. I don't doubt your info on the matter, as you've been solid throughout the process. As I mentioned, I was putting 2+2 together and coming up with 5.

04 Mar 2026 18:41:29
Flb, mmm on the list with Kaiser. 👀😉👍😄

04 Mar 2026 18:51:41
Not at all, G4, I wouldn't say you were putting 2+2 together and reaching 5.
Unless you have been involved in this specific kind of situation, then all reports do sound like the eventuality that you were thinking.

A reduction of position is not a common thing to do, especially for a multi-billion-dollar corporation.

04 Mar 2026 18:52:47
I think Fork would prefer a username such as "the Don".

04 Mar 2026 19:08:43
"Don Curlywurly" could work. 😄 A Curlywurly is a caramel lattice covered in chocolate, Aphelion, rather nice. 😉👍

04 Mar 2026 19:10:41
Don't worry, Fork. I think Aphelion just destroyed me. 😟

04 Mar 2026 19:12:29
That does sound rather appealing, Fork, although I do love homemade Scottish Tablet when I am in Scotland.

I admire Scottish confectionery, my friend.

04 Mar 2026 19:14:20
Opposite of which was Red Bull declining an offer to increase their 10% holding at Leeds, and did u mention a possibility of them taking a minority holding in Rangers along with AC's "friends". 👍

04 Mar 2026 19:20:14
Don't think it's Scottish, bud. Next time you're over, try some fudge. The Fudge House in Edinburgh or Fudge Express in Glasgow both have various types n pricing for all palates. Lots of shops should have it, though.

04 Mar 2026 19:21:32
Aphs, my hitman Flb. 😉 😎 🤣

04 Mar 2026 19:30:05
Yes, Fork, it has been apparent that Red Bull appears to have an interest. Andrew is close with people within the executive structure and has been advised by that network.
One big telling sign was the appointment of Danny Rohl.



I will certainly try some fudge the next time I am in Glasgow, my friend.
I have a very sweet tooth, which infuriates my dentist. 😂

Although, with age, it takes a lot more effort to work off the extra calorie intake.

04 Mar 2026 19:37:27
Tell me about it. 🤣👍

04 Mar 2026 19:55:12
The most important point on this thread that I need to make is that tablet is very much a Scottish thing, dating back to the 18th century. Delicious. 🙂

04 Mar 2026 19:55:52
Oi Fork, don't go bringing me into this debate. Has nothing to do with me. I know nothing about the finances. Raging. 😡

04 Mar 2026 20:00:17
Friends? Fork, you're more Chandler Bing than Don Corleone. 😜

04 Mar 2026 12:20:50
Zan Vipotnik, a forward, of Swansea City is a name I've seen a us linked to in a couple of articles recently recently-
16 goals and 2 assists in English Championship

23 years old
Slovenian
22 caps
Value, according to Tranfermarkt - €15million

04 Mar 2026 12:35:14
He was available for free when Bordeaux went into administration in summer of 2024. I recall a good few posters saying he would have been a great addition at the time. His first season at Swansea was nothing special, but he has hit his stride now and will no doubt be moved on for a massive profit, come the summer.

04 Mar 2026 12:44:52
I posted his name on the site about 4 years ago. He would be a good replacement for Miovski.

04 Mar 2026 12:51:29
West Ham sniffing about too, apparently.

04 Mar 2026 12:53:55
Cheeky swap deal + some money heading their way, 2 birds, 1 stone, etc.

04 Mar 2026 14:47:17
Surely any striker valued at 15m would be a good swap for any of our players, lol.

04 Mar 2026 16:49:59
Wouldn't be a good swap for Chermiti, AllyMc. He's now worth a lot more than that, mate. 🤔

04 Mar 2026 18:02:13
Sir Walter, as someone said the other day, if we don't finish in top 2, I would find it hard for us to sell players for big money.

04 Mar 2026 20:40:49
We won't be buying anybody for £15million. Another click bait story that falls on its bum as soon as they quote a price.

03 Mar 2026 17:05:14
Read a report that Roberto Martinez is contemplating calling our Rangers striker youssef Chermiti up to the Portugal world cup squad from his current position in the Portugal under 21 squad 👌

03 Mar 2026 18:16:02
Sws, That would be great for him and us, mate.

03 Mar 2026 18:37:26
Adds to his value.

03 Mar 2026 18:59:16
What a turnaround for the boy, amazing. 👏 I was in the he's piss camp, get rid of him. But I am so happy I was wrong. 🙃

03 Mar 2026 18:59:41
Good news. Hopefully, it gives him extra incentive to push towards the squad.

03 Mar 2026 20:56:22
There is definitely a player there, and I've thought that from the start. You see goals like he's scored in the Old Firm and against Hearts, which shows he can finish, and he is good off the ball most of the time in terms of hold up play. I agree with most of the previous conversations on here that he does need to score more.

I think he can and will. Still young, adapting to a new country, a new league, and so on, but he has improved and long may it continue. Ready to play for Portugal? I'm not sure, but it would surely give him a confidence boost, and it's good his name is in the conversation.

03 Mar 2026 21:18:19
SWS, I would think it would be a call up for friendlies prior to the World Cup, to see about a possible call up for the actual WC squad. I could be wrong though.

03 Mar 2026 21:44:56
Can someone confirm we're not going to Fir Park in the split? Martin in the Rabble keeps spouting this pish that we are.

03 Mar 2026 22:11:42
Rangers have 2 home games and 3 away after the split. We are due to play away to Hearts and the East End. Home to Hibs and Motherwell. The final fixture will probably be Falkirk away for a 3rd time.
The issue that will arise is, post-split, Rangers, Hearts, Motherwell and Falkirk are all due to have 2 home and 3 away fixtures, with Hibs and the Timotheys having 3 home and 2 away games.


This means someone (Falkirk probably) will get an extra home fixture. For things to "even out", I'm guessing Falkirk will get a 3rd game away to Hearts and Celtic, have Motherwell and Hibs at home (which is what they should have), and a 3rd home game v Rangers.

03 Mar 2026 22:17:55
Thanks.

03 Mar 2026 22:21:18
I backed him from his first game.

I could clearly see he had great technique, good touch, and vision when passing diagonal balls.

I was slaughtered for backing him.

03 Mar 2026 23:05:57
You did that, Stevie, but this 'he can't play up top on his own' is nonsense as well. Supply him and he'll score. That is the problem with us using one cf; we never give him good enough service.

04 Mar 2026 00:11:13
It was said last week or the week before that Moore couldn't play cf. Moore has played 8 games as a centre forward; he scored 11 goals and 4 assists.
England U20.

04 Mar 2026 05:20:59
Gers 70, Rangers will be at home to Motherwell and Hibs after the split and away to Celtic, Hearts and Falkirk, mate. 👍

04 Mar 2026 08:28:41
He clearly can't play up top on his own. Never scores when he does. Been saying it since we signed him that he's the type of striker that needs someone up front with him. That's way forward and only chance we have of winning league in my opinion.

04 Mar 2026 09:21:10
You need to supply him on his own, Halfprice. He played four times in a front three for Portugal U21, 2 goals. Supply the ammunition and he'll score, as seen on Sunday with balls from Olsen. Our problem is supporting him in the box. Chermiti can't do it himself in the box alongside 4/5 defenders. This "he can't play alone" is just more nonsense.

04 Mar 2026 09:31:57
Perhaps with a fully fit Olsen and a better left winger, we can see the best of him on his own. Rommens will help improve that too, and then a new right back.

04 Mar 2026 09:49:15
Supply and support Chermiti and he'll bring goals, Stevie.

04 Mar 2026 11:33:06
Halfprice, according to your profile you can't have said it from the start as you have 0 posts and 1 reply.

04 Mar 2026 11:41:25
Another Enigma.

Scores against Celtic and Hearts, no show against everyone else.

The polar opposite to the like of the other Enigma, Dessers.

04 Mar 2026 12:25:10
Sorry, Geesa, guess I can't have been saying he needs a strike partner to get the best out of him. There's a player in there, but to me the proof is there that he doesn't do it on his own.

04 Mar 2026 12:59:54
That boomerang returned, Halfprice? Scores in 50% playing in a front three for Portugal u21. Supply him, he'll get goals. Loved big Dessers, Ally, but Chermiti is a step up in ability.

04 Mar 2026 13:10:44
If I'm being honest, I would rather have had Dessers this season. Dessers would have won us many of the games we dropped off. I like Chermiti, but he has only scored in 4 or 5 games this season. Brilliant when he's on it, but we need our number 9 to turn up against smaller teams as well.

04 Mar 2026 13:26:00
You need to supply him with teams sitting in. It could be Haaland, not any supply, no goals. And how do I have a tantrum if anyone disagrees with me? That's kinda childish chat. That is my opinion on things.

04 Mar 2026 13:26:09
Half price boomerang for sale. Only on the shelves (forum) for 24 hours. Buy quick before it's gone. :)

04 Mar 2026 13:29:10
Chermiti's first proper season in football, and even being considered for the Portugal squad should say something.

04 Mar 2026 14:16:00
Thanks Walter.

04 Mar 2026 14:51:07
Half Price. Dessers only scored two or 3 goals that actually won us games last season. Haha, the stats are there for everyone to see.

Dessers never scored the winning goal.

Chermiti and Dessers playing together might have been good, to be fair.

04 Mar 2026 15:55:41
Who said Moore couldn't play upfront on his own?

Also, you keep calling the Motherwell goalscorer a right winger, and he has played on the right 8 times, played on the left, and as a striker a lot more than that - a hell of a lot more. 👍

03 Mar 2026 16:23:29
Alphe, are you picking up anything on Cavanagh buying out 49s stake in Rangers

Any one else hearing anything,

03 Mar 2026 17:11:50
John, not Andrew directly, but I believe more of what you could say are his allies and partners moving in.

I do believe that Red Bull will purchase an official minority stake in the future.

03 Mar 2026 17:30:42
I like that idea. Cavenagh has got the battle fever for the Gers and we won't play second fiddle to second rate Premiership Leeds United.

03 Mar 2026 17:46:37
But we can play second rate to Hearts, Motherwell, Celtic. Glad Falkirk are out of the equation.

03 Mar 2026 17:54:30
Livi, this is about protecting the business and looking at the bigger picture.

03 Mar 2026 18:41:09
100% John, but Andrew is keen to keep the family model that he created.

03 Mar 2026 19:26:08
Get a grip, Teddy boy. 😂

03 Mar 2026 19:38:03
What would the financial implications be compared to staying with the 49ers?
Would it mean less of an investment forecast compared to remaining with the 49ers, or is it possible AC and friends are perhaps looking to invest more than what the 49ers were planning?

Aphelion, do you have any idea the reason AC wants to go it alone, so to speak?

03 Mar 2026 19:42:11
Bathgate, I can't say too much, my friend, but it is more about executive vision.

03 Mar 2026 20:48:58
Bathgate, I would say it certainly would cause no concern to me in a financial sense.
Almost every member of the "family" is wealthier than the previous administration. Almost in totality.

03 Mar 2026 21:20:35
Aphelion, what do you mean by family model?

03 Mar 2026 21:24:57
Orange, I mean a collective ownership group of like-minded investors. The two heads have what could be said as allies. Now with only one figurehead.

03 Mar 2026 21:51:22
No worries, get you now.

03 Mar 2026 22:07:38
Movies, horses heads n casinos n Mo Green of all people. 😉 😇. I knew it was u, Paraag. u broke my heart. 💔 Family talk got me all Godfathery, sorry. 🙄 😳

03 Mar 2026 22:21:38
Fork, that made me laugh. Only you could turn football into the Cosa Nostra. 🤣

03 Mar 2026 22:26:18
Got to offer a laugh u can't refuse. 😉 🤣 👍

04 Mar 2026 00:56:51
Wit about my heed, Fork? I will never be chewing gum. I will wriggle out of it. I used to attend games with Macaroon (for the auld yins!).

04 Mar 2026 01:21:09
When Red Bull never bought Leeds, I thought we would eventually get bought by them, tbf. Aphelion, only time will tell.

04 Mar 2026 06:39:23
Lol, horsey, your heeds safe. Get your tablet n Macaroon, chuddy, n the big bag of "ready" salted crisps. I mind that too, bud, bloke used to wander about the auld enclosures. 👍👍

04 Mar 2026 06:45:17
They didn't buy Leeds; they have a stake in Leeds of 10%, and when offered the chance to increase that by 49ers Enterprise, they declined.

04 Mar 2026 08:32:07
Sorry, RFC, misread your post, bud. 😳 After preaching about looking n not seeing. 🤯🤐

04 Mar 2026 15:35:57
Red Bull likely wouldn't buy us, as there would be uproar like never seen before if they tried to rebrand us as RB Glasgow Rangers, and that's always part of the deal with them, no?

04 Mar 2026 15:59:26
It would be Red Bull Rangers, would it not, Stevie?

04 Mar 2026 16:23:43
Fork, you can still get the crisps, mate. I only discovered that not long ago, love them. I can always remember ma wee pal selling tablet and macaroon rounds the doors over 40 years ago. We always had a ball, so we never minded.

It's crazy you never see young lads out with a ball now, shame. We even used a tennis ball if that's all you had. That came in very handy. If you're controlling a tennis ball, a size five was a doddle. Happy memories.

04 Mar 2026 16:23:51
Stevie, it would be a minority investment only.
Possible naming rights to training facilities and stadium alongside.

04 Mar 2026 16:43:04
Sorry, I'm thinking the salt bag in the plain crisps.

04 Mar 2026 17:17:13
U not mind the "ready" salted red, white n blue bags at the game with the guys selling from a box tray, bud.
Street football, 15 a side 😄 and kerbie, a bygone age, bud. 👍

04 Mar 2026 17:27:32
Yes, I know now what you're talking about, Fork. Sad you never see boys or girls doing those things now, mate.

04 Mar 2026 17:30:29
Fork, we weren't allowed a football in our secondary school, tennis ball on nothing, playing on an ash hockey pitch, very good memories, mate.

04 Mar 2026 18:48:58
Different world now, bud. 👍

02 Mar 2026 13:08:34
Chris Condy away to Brighton.

02 Mar 2026 13:53:47
Good luck to him, John.

02 Mar 2026 13:59:40
Makes me wonder what the point of the academy is.

02 Mar 2026 14:38:11
Can't blame these kids for chasing the money and the glory that the EPL can bring.

02 Mar 2026 15:23:49
Can you elaborate on this boy John: age, position, nationality, and did we have high hopes for him?

02 Mar 2026 15:28:01
Best move. Would have likely joined an ever growing list of academy graduates who play a handful and disappear.

02 Mar 2026 15:29:40
He moved to us from Hamilton at the start of the season on a 1 year deal. Brighton, I understand, are offering a fee, so we will make more than normal compensation, I read.

That is part of the reason, i.e. we make cash from them even if they don't make it with us.

02 Mar 2026 17:13:34
Hate to begin to agree with Rfc22. Very few are making us any kind of money, and we are paying out compensation too to bring them in, so, barring one or two, it's not proving much point at all, and is probably hindering some players' development.

02 Mar 2026 17:14:31
So we're pimps then. 😉 😇 👍

02 Mar 2026 17:38:12
Rfc, because we won't pay 16 year olds 7 k.

02 Mar 2026 17:42:27
Davie signed him in July after Hamilton closed their academy, Scottish No. 9. Looked very, very good, 20 goals in six months, just turned 16

For those who say don't have an academy, how do you get homegrown players for Europe? Till SFA create men's league we r doomed.

02 Mar 2026 18:46:22
Doomed, ah tell ye, sorry 😉 but you're right, John. SFA just doesn't seem interested, mate. 👍

02 Mar 2026 18:51:05
I do still agree, John, but it's a mess caused by the SFA, not Rangers' fault. I can understand kids chasing the money down south, and there's also a pathway for them there, too, to play and develop.

02 Mar 2026 20:22:29
Kaiser, 100% SFA. Affects all clubs up here.

02 Mar 2026 21:59:51
Kids won't get a chance unless they're freakishly good. Fans are on players' backs constantly, and it's not a good place for a youngster to play with freedom and learn. It's a shame.

02 Mar 2026 22:16:11
The financial argument I used still stands. But why run an academy if the path to the first team is essentially blocked? It's easy to blame the SFA, but that's a cop-out to an extent. If the club's goal is truly player development, they need a clear internal strategy to bridge the gap between youth and senior levels, rather than just pointing fingers.

They may be thinking about it now, but that is a bit late imo.

02 Mar 2026 23:21:43
The path isn't being blocked by the clubs though, Angus, it's entirely the SFA. If you're not yet good enough to be a regular starter at 18, you have no structure of football to play anymore to learn and develop, other than hoping for loans or friendlies, so how can u have a clear strategy? It's a national disgrace.

02 Mar 2026 23:30:47
John, we pay for their training facilities and pay other teams money for them. I honestly don't see the point, in my opinion. It's a waste of f****** time. Any decent player just f***s off down south.

02 Mar 2026 23:31:57
John, none of our home-grown players play, and the ones we have are not good enough. Honestly, there is no point in its current state.

03 Mar 2026 07:06:15
Rfc22, you are acting as if the academy costs us tens of millions a year.

The Rangers Youth Development Company, which helps generate funds, has donated 12 million in 25 years. Alongside products like the Lotto, the sale of one academy player for 500k essentially covers any need for the RYDC to donate.

It's not like we're Chelsea investing 300million into it a year.

03 Mar 2026 07:40:49
Kaiser, that is my point, though. If the pathway is blocked, then what is really the point of having it? We have had reserve leagues, we have had a B team for a couple of years, but there has been no sign of any improvement in players coming through.
We buy/compensate for good young talent, and they never get further.

They do go down south because of that lack of pathway and the cash on offer.
But, until the club finds a way to bypass the SFA's ineffectiveness in this, then it won't improve. We need to take control of what we can, and push this on.

03 Mar 2026 09:42:26
Perhaps the question that needs to be asked is why we no longer play a B team in the Lowland League. That was the pathway to the first team, yet the club has decided not to continue with it.

Blaming the SFA for it is, quite frankly, embarrassing. The SFA does not run any leagues in this country. Perhaps the SPFL could introduce a reserve league, but it is in no way the fault of the SFA.

03 Mar 2026 10:00:53
DTB, I'm sure it was put to a vote in the leagues, and they voted for it to be stopped, or else a vote was canned. I can't quite remember the details, but to say the SFA aren't standing in the way of progressing young Scottish talent is a joke. All the reserve leagues and the like that used to be were scrapped, and that's not clubs deciding this?

The fact that able teams aren't allowed to submit B teams into the leagues (like Germany, Spain etc.) is a joke, and I think the results of the countries mentioned there may start to indicate the effectiveness of getting kids playing men's football in systems similar to what the top team will be doing.

We're miles behind.

03 Mar 2026 10:07:24
Forza, it was the clubs who decided to scrap the reserve leagues, though. Clubs like Aberdeen decided that the cost of running these wasn't value for money, and that they didn't offer the level of competitiveness required.

Also, Celtic and Hearts still run B teams in the Lowland League, so again that was our decision to pull out.

The other 42 clubs in Scotland (I think it was them all) voted against promotion for B teams, but that was it. So we took away a pathway for our young lads there.

03 Mar 2026 10:39:08
I don't agree regarding the pathway at all, Angus. There needs to be an additional step in that pathway. Clement outlined the blueprint. We should have B teams in lower leagues, able to progress to the Championship.

That's how it's done much more successfully across Europe. It's tried and tested, but our backwards ways in Scotland won't allow it to be done.

03 Mar 2026 11:12:10
Sorry, Angus. I posted before seeing your last one. We do agree. It's definitely the way forward.

03 Mar 2026 11:30:21
No problem, Tommy. Anyway, different opinions are what make the site.

03 Mar 2026 11:39:59
Do the bouncy, perhaps I'm confused between SFA and SPFL. Maybe I should be better saying the authorities running the game. Whichever, it's still an embarrassment. It shouldn't be down to individual clubs to try and come up with a national development of our kids.

As John said in an earlier post, we need an academy because of homegrown rules, but other than that our young people are totally being let down.

03 Mar 2026 12:37:55
I don't think we paid compensation to bring in Condy. Did he not come to us because Hamiltons Academy closed down and he didn't have a club?
I don't think guys turning 16 leave because they won't be given a chance with us, it's mostly financial, and who can really blame them. All I would say is that they don't all go and do a Billy Gilmour down south, so they will make good money, but it doesn't always benefit their career.

Good luck to the boy though.
It does certainly seem that the authorities don't help in developing kids and keeping them up here. The can't-play-until-you-are-16 rule seems daft when you look at other countries.

03 Mar 2026 13:15:51
Wsl, I don't think there was any cost. Money, I agree, will be one of the main causes. However, that lack of any pathway, or so it seems, would be persuasive as well. In the EPL they seem to have a series of age banded leagues which would show the lad what he will go through.

We don't seem to have that above a certain age. We downplay players of that age in our top team, and, with the number of goals he has been scoring, he may want to at least have that promise.

03 Mar 2026 13:20:23
Having watched matches in the Lowland League over the past few seasons, which are very competitive, and noting that Hearts and Celtic still have their B teams involved, which is good for developing young players.

We, as a club, just seem to have occasional friendlies and tournaments, but we need a structure to aid the development and pathway to our first team, to at least stop our brightest prospects who head to the EPL, which admittedly is cash orientated.

What is the answer to this problem?

03 Mar 2026 16:55:25
Cal B, all the staff, facilities and other costs cost money to run. Putting on games, I reckon it must cost over 4 million a year to run. To me, that's been a massive waste of 4 million a year.

03 Mar 2026 19:41:28
It was Michael Beale who pulled us out the Lowland League because he thought that the level was so poor that it was of no benefit to youngsters and not an indication of who could step up.

It also gave some of the hammer throwers at this level a chance to have a kick at our youngsters. Look at the tackle on Alex Lowry that put him out for months.

03 Mar 2026 21:47:09
Rfc, the Rangers Development Fund put a lot of cash towards it. Over the last 5 years, the academy has made around £20M straight profit, so that might be what they spend £4m per year.

There have been the odd player, such as Paterson, who has made it, and it is worth the effort even for 1 gem if it isn't actually costing cash, as it is self-sufficient, surely.

04 Mar 2026 07:27:27
Rfc, unfortunately u don't understand how it operates. I was involved in the academy for 40 years.

The foul on Lowry was a Challenge Cup tie against Dumbarton.

04 Mar 2026 12:09:41
The majority of the teams in the Lowland League try to play football, and hammer throwers are a bit OTT.

04 Mar 2026 16:02:31
Angus, it's not the club's fault, mate. There is nothing after Under 18s, though they are trying to change that now that EHL alluded to. The B team wasn't going for long enough either. It's the reserve league, or lack of it, and it's plain as day.

28 Feb 2026 09:17:39
Football Insider (i know, i know) have us interested in Cameron Ashia, midfielder from Huddersfield.

Never heard of him, has anyone seen much of him?

28 Feb 2026 11:10:56
I went out to my drive, grabbed some chuckies, threw them in the air, and when they landed, I'm almost 99% sure they looked like an image of Harry Kane and an RFC symbol. Football Insider are en route to take a pic.

28 Feb 2026 12:04:29
Someone suggested his name on here just over a week ago. It was a relatively new poster who said it.

28 Feb 2026 12:34:51
20 yo with 6 goals and 3 assists in 8 starts; 27 appearances for League 1 Huddersfield. Free transfer. Is he a development prospect who can move up to play given a bit of time? We don't have enough goal-scoring MF, so despite the source, could there be something.

28 Feb 2026 14:53:14
Does he have a brother "Brimful of Asha"? As I remember him from 1997.

28 Feb 2026 15:26:29
What number did he wear, Bluefloyd?

28 Feb 2026 17:29:57
It was forty five.

28 Feb 2026 18:00:19
Nice one Angus. 😁😁😁

28 Feb 2026 18:49:36
Lol. 👏👏👏 His name was mentioned on here previously.

28 Feb 2026 21:04:54
Would take the boy in a heartbeat. He's the correct age, he's hit the numbers in just over 1000mins of football.

26 Feb 2026 00:42:08
I see Hearts may be in for Leon king at the end of the season.

Wee tip from Si ferry something he was told

26 Feb 2026 07:21:19
King will be leaving. Aberdeen, Hibs and Motherwell have all shown interest.

26 Feb 2026 08:57:19
Apparently having rave reviews for Ayr Utd.

Will never be Rangers class, but Hearts and the above teams u mention would be good moves for the boy.

Only 22, so he could potentially
Fulfil his potential in a few years with 100 games under his belt in the SPL.

26 Feb 2026 09:05:19
Hope it works out well for him in the future. He was thrown in far too early at a difficult time, and is a prime example of the rubbish development structure in Scotland.

26 Feb 2026 09:18:45
One of your mob, Stevie boy, born n bred. 👍

26 Feb 2026 09:49:56
I hope he does well. He will, hopefully, be like McCrorie, who moved and is now playing at a decent level and seems to be doing well at Bristol.

26 Feb 2026 09:54:43
Rice should also do the same: go out on loan next season, or just move on.

26 Feb 2026 10:05:49
Would that mean we would get the same fee Aberdeen got for Barron.

26 Feb 2026 10:40:27
Rfc, similar.

26 Feb 2026 10:44:08
Maybe wipe the fee, but add a good sell on.

26 Feb 2026 11:09:22
Rice is a free agent at the end of May. He can join any club that wants him. At only 19, he has plenty of potential to develop at a club where he will get regular game time.

He never really got a decent run with us.
Shame, as he was looking good before joining us. He still has time on his side. Good luck to the lad, wherever he chooses to restart his career.

26 Feb 2026 11:21:16
King never recovered from playing with James Sands at CB during our CL disaster.

26 Feb 2026 12:13:05
Can't see him playing for us, but has there been any news on Rice's injury, and if he's back training? Just curious now he's been mentioned.

26 Feb 2026 12:44:43
Laudrup Hagi, he's 22 now, mate.

Fork, what do u mean one of my mob?
Sorry, I think u maybe meant "our", mate, I wasn't sure?

26 Feb 2026 12:48:46
If (and it's a big if), Motherwell keep their manager next season, I think they could be a tremendous move for him. Not sure he'd be suited to Hearts as much.

26 Feb 2026 13:14:41
King will make a good defensive mid for someone.

26 Feb 2026 13:42:46
Stevie, I think he means your area, mate.

26 Feb 2026 13:45:21
I read he's mostly been used right of a back 3 for Ayr, John. Has he been used much as a mid before now?

26 Feb 2026 15:30:51
Don't necessarily think Askou could replicate that at Celtic or anywhere else. Maybe that's just his team; he would need a team who can handle non-stop energy.

26 Feb 2026 15:44:53
Barrhead boy Stevie. 👍 👍

26 Feb 2026 15:45:43
That was his original position, John, and I agree with that, bud. 👍

26 Feb 2026 15:48:58
Played there a gd few times in youth and B team setup, and covered Lundstram a few times in the league, Kaiser. Boy has an eye for a pass too. 👍

26 Feb 2026 15:52:18
Fork, are u sure he is?

I'm not so sure, bro. I know he's attended a few of the Arthurlie Juniors games with his gf in the past due to being pals with one of the players.
That player left last season and he's not been back, mate.

I could be wrong, though. I'll need to find that out, mate.

26 Feb 2026 16:03:45
100% Bud, do a search if you're unsure.

26 Feb 2026 16:18:07
I'll take your word on it, mate. I never knew that, mate. There you go, every day is a school day. lol. 👍🏻

26 Feb 2026 16:30:25
Kaiser, that was his original position at our academy. Always too wee for a ch, as not a good jumper.

26 Feb 2026 16:33:51
In relation to Rice, we have offered a deal. Not sure he will sign it.

26 Feb 2026 16:48:16
Cheers John and Fork. Good info as always. Knew he'd tried as a rb, but thought cm was just due to injuries. Any news on Rice's injury, John? Hope they both go on to success wherever they end up.

26 Feb 2026 17:19:52
If Rice stays, he needs at least 1 year out on loan. He's been harshly done by the club. He should've been out on loan this season.

26 Feb 2026 17:35:39
Perhaps longer term loans eg 2 years, like in other countries, would be a better idea to help development, StevieG. Just a thought.

26 Feb 2026 17:43:21
Leon King played for a very good Barrhead boys' club team, through all the age groups, winning the league and Scottish Cup. The wife's uncle was one of his coaches. Not sure if he's from Barrhead, though.

26 Feb 2026 18:20:40
Leon Thomson King. Date of birth: (2004-01-14) 14 January 2004 (age 22). Place of birth: Barrhead. 👍

26 Feb 2026 18:51:02
Great to learn, lads, thanks.

26 Feb 2026 21:31:25
Agree with John, his attributes are more suited to a holding midfielder. He simply cannot jump.

26 Feb 2026 23:02:17
Is King not out of contract at the end of the season?

27 Feb 2026 01:26:21
Shagger, yes, but due to being under 23, we're entitled to a compensation fee; it's a % of future fees. Whatever can be agreed. I'd take the %, mate.

27 Feb 2026 04:50:04
Stevie, I only mentioned 19yr old Rice in my post, bud. Nothing was said about King by me, mate.

27 Feb 2026 09:50:25
Not seen as Rangers class, but could go to Hearts, the team that could win the league this season, and even if not, they have been at the top for most of the season.

King has good potential, but he wasn't developed properly.

27 Feb 2026 13:00:53
Funny, if players are foreign we are willing to give them time and play them young at Rangers, but if Scottish, they get no chance. You only need to look at Curtis this season. He started the season well, scoring goals, and was dropped at the first chance for guys like Dowell, who was meant to be class and able to walk it up here, or even Cortes, who we paid a crapload of money for.

For me, Curtis is better than both, or has the potential to be.

27 Feb 2026 13:05:55
Forever, your point stands, but you have used two terrible examples, lol. Cortes got 0 chance and Dowell got 0 chance too; we both had them down as pish after ten minutes, let's be honest. Cortes more so after all the injuries.

27 Feb 2026 15:31:34
Laudrup, sorry I picked u up wrong, bro. My bad, pal.

Forever, I agree with u re Curtis, he's better than any wide player we have all season at present. So far, Olsen hasn't shown it.

Ally Mc62, there's a difference between Rangers class and Hearts class, mate, sorry but that's facts.

27 Feb 2026 17:33:32
King has found his level at Ayr imo. He's done alright there, but nothing to write home about. It's hard to tell if that's due to how Scott Brown sets up at Ayr, but they are just extremely underwhelming this season, and he's not exactly a standout.



I wouldn't be sad to see him go, and I don't see him lasting at any other club in the top flight.

27 Feb 2026 18:26:12
Stevie, if there is that difference in class between the two teams, how do fans want Shankland all the time and Braga, etc.? If that gulf exists, and I am not saying it doesn't, then surely they would struggle to bridge it as well.
So, if King can hold down a place in that team and replace Devlin, say, could he not do a job for us, even as a squad player, as a holding MF.


We keep on talking about other SPL teams' players who could be squad players for us, without giving our young lads the chance to fill that role.
Not a go at you, btw, just an addition to the discussion.

27 Feb 2026 19:18:04
Angus, I'd say we've given him his chance, though? He has plenty of apps under his belt for us, and has also played under a good few gaffers now who decided they don't want him, so I'd say he's had his chance.

Shankland, as a striker, has proven himself over many, many seasons now. His numbers speak for themselves, while his football brain has gotten better over the years. He's actually a very good player, which most people don't realise. It's not all about goals for him. His hold-up play is very good, as is his link-up play.

Braga seems to be one of those players that other teams get every now and again, that is a freak signing, if u will.

He just seems to be good enough to play for us or even go to another better league and perform.

I get your point in general, maybe, and it's a fair one to make.

As a defender, King is not Rangers class. He's getting nowhere near our midfield, that's for sure.

The thing with these other mf's is they've gone and played 200 games in their careers before we have said, "oh, wait a minute, he could do a job for us."

King may well do that in the future, but not now.

27 Feb 2026 22:15:23
Stevie, I wasn't having a go, sorry mate; perhaps having a bit of 'fun' on the term Rangers class, if anything. Would King have done well if given the right support and development and played in his natural position? Unfortunately we will never know. Sorry again.

27 Feb 2026 22:21:32
Angus, not at all, mate. I didn't take it in that way at all.
I thought you were just asking an intelligent question. It was a good starting point for a good debate, mate.

If he was properly developed, I think he'd be a better player, yes.

This would've included numerous loans, though, and that's something we don't seem very gf at doing, loaning players out and them coming back and making something of themselves.

28 Feb 2026 08:32:34
Have you ever seen the boy play CDM over an extended period, Stevie? He was developing well there until he was asked to step in to defence, due to our treatment table being full of players being out. It's why he stepped up to the first team. The boy knew his job at CDM, but was needed elsewhere to his detriment, imo.

28 Feb 2026 09:37:01
Fork, I agree. I think he played in ECL, and that set him back. However, good man-management of him after that, and playing him in his proper position, would have got him through that. Hopefully, we are doing something about this, as there are far too few coming through, and it can't all be down to ability.

28 Feb 2026 12:07:08
Fork, I don't think any of us have seen him play there for an extended time.

I'm sure he played there a couple of times as a sub for us. Never done anything great or wrong to my memory.

I'm not heavy against the boy, Fork.

In fact, I wish he could come back and offer us something as that's what we need is homegrown talent.

I wouldn't be against giving him a contract and Miami g him out if it wasn't for the fact he's on 10k a week. Crazy money.

28 Feb 2026 13:15:25
No danger we get the same kind of compensation for King as Aberdeen got for Barron, and rightly so. Barron was coming off a year where he was winning awards in the top league, and they didn't want to lose him. King has never really done anything, besides be half decent on Football Manager a few years back, and we're well aware he's not going to cut it at our club, so he won't be offered a deal.

Their credentials are decidedly different.

28 Feb 2026 13:17:37
Stevie, we don't need home grown talent who is below aberrant Ayr and could not get decent game time at Queen's Park.

We paid this guy 500k a year. Get rid of him.

28 Feb 2026 20:15:12
I used the most recent examples I could think of, and for me both are valid, as Dowell started many times ahead of Curtis, even though Curtis did more in the first few games than Dowell has in his whole time at Rangers, and Cortes was shoehorned in a cup game vs Alloa instead of giving Curtis game time against lower standard opposition.

I really don't see how that is a poor example, as you say.

28 Feb 2026 21:23:33
John, that's what my whole point is, mate.

I wish he was up to standard, but he's not.

Seems others think he is, I'm agreeing with you.

01 Mar 2026 08:27:25
My sister, the compensation isn't calculated mainly on how well he has been playing. It is to cover us for salary, training, medical costs, etc., between certain ages. King was on a higher salary.

However, not sure if we will get anything, as it requires us to make a valid contract offer at least similar to his current one. I just don't see us doing that.

01 Mar 2026 08:35:42
Developed correctly in his natural position would've made a difference, imo. Not the boy's fault we paid him that, but get rid because we paid him it. 🤯 Fault lies with us in paying him that amount, and not developing the boy correctly, or looking after him after the chastening experience of being flung into the ECL.

Oh, and yes, Stevie, I have watched him at various levels, but hey ho, whatever floats your boat.

03 Mar 2026 20:02:14
Fair do's, Angus. I would have thought a tribunal would be looking at their market value as well. I don't think Rangers will be asking for the same kind of fee that we had to shell out for those lads. Aberdeen and Dundee were essentially contesting the loss of an asset when it went to tribunal, whereas King is surplus to requirement, and we're going to be happy to have him off the books.

I don't think we'd be so unreasonable as to be looking for that kind of money for King when we don't want him ourselves. Let the lad go and find his level, and wish him well.

He's not a proven performer. No Scottish club is going to pay half a million for a guy who hasn't kicked on just because we overpaid the lad 4-5 years ago. That's huge money to anyone else but Celtic.

25 Feb 2026 20:11:56
Being told tonight we want to extend Butland by two years with a years option.

25 Feb 2026 21:15:04
Seems quite a long extension.
I thought we might sign someone next season, with a view to them replacing him.

25 Feb 2026 21:23:20
Not a long extension for someone his age.

25 Feb 2026 21:32:14
He's a top keeper. We could do worse than Jack. I thought maybe we'd sell in summer due to his wages.

25 Feb 2026 21:51:18
Not for me. Too many mistakes in him, and he has clear limitations. Hopefully all this is a rumour.

25 Feb 2026 22:05:53
I think it would be good business. Yes, he costs us on occasion, but he has saved us so many times we can forgive the odd off days!

25 Feb 2026 22:07:50
Would love someone better, like everywhere, but we have bigger priorities to improve on, so he's fine for now.

25 Feb 2026 22:22:01
Good news, John. Cheers.

25 Feb 2026 22:31:22
I don't believe this is a good decision my friend

25 Feb 2026 23:20:25
Thought they might have gone for someone on a lower wage bracket, but like all goalies, he has a mistake in him. He has saved us this year, and is probably a lot of fans' Player of the Year.

26 Feb 2026 00:24:58
So, troops out of Klos, Woods, Da goalie and McGregor, where do you put Butland?

26 Feb 2026 00:33:13
I think we'll go down the sweeper keep route.

26 Feb 2026 00:33:28
5th on that list, White Horse.

26 Feb 2026 02:38:46
Would you rather have Butland or someone like Schmeichel? Lol. I know who I would have every time.

26 Feb 2026 05:00:04
Jack Butland is a good goalkeeper, but I agree with My Star. He'd be in 5th place for me with the list of class goalkeepers White Horse put out. 🤔

26 Feb 2026 06:44:19
He's not near the other 4, to be honest. I thought we were after the young Sheffield Wed GK? If Butland and Kelly are staying, I take it that's not happening.

26 Feb 2026 07:20:09
Extension - just another way to secure a better deal for the club should he move on, imo (akin to a potential extension for Raskin) - doesn't mean he will be here for the duration, but it seems a sensible move for someone who would still be wanted down south. It's just insuring an asset.

26 Feb 2026 07:22:39
Defo, no 5 from your list.

26 Feb 2026 08:17:23
Well behind in 5th place.

26 Feb 2026 08:21:09
I decided to have a look and compare the 5, as I thought that the other 4 would be miles better but wanted to check my memory wasn't just of rosier times when we were winning trophies. I used goals per game and clean sheets as a way of showing it, so here is the result of the check:
Player clean sheets goals per game
Goram 43.8% 0.87
McGregor 41.9% 0.90
Butland 39.3% 0.98
Woods 38.7% 0.71
Klos 34.6% 0.81


So, not as far behind as I remembered, even at a time when we are thought to be poor defensively.

Is the main difference that we remember him fondly because the others were part of teams who won trophies? Just thought it interesting.

26 Feb 2026 09:11:20
A lot can affect the stats, though, Angus. Could be a great gk in a rubbish team, or a rubbish gk in a great team. I prefer to judge by what I watch, and while he's a good shot stopper, he's nowhere near them in my opinion. I'd throw Charbonnier ahead of him too in my list. He was class before his injury.

26 Feb 2026 09:20:28
Snelders. 🎣 😉 👍

26 Feb 2026 09:53:54
Kaiser, I agree that stats are only one element, but I thought it interesting and they show that he isn't as bad as he is made out to be on goals lost, at least. Given your input, I could argue that he is a good keeper in worse teams than the others. That is the difficulty with comparisons across generations.

How would Butland have looked with our defences of those eras in front of him? How would the others be with Souttar, Djiga, Aarons and Tavernier. 🙈
However, I do know the other four didn't make mistakes, were excellent at cross balls, and all played like the sweeper keeper we seem to feel we need as well. 😉

26 Feb 2026 09:57:34
If anyone doesn't think this is a good idea, then they are genuinely clueless.

If you cut his 3 or 4 mistakes a season to 1, he'd be an upper-mid-table Prem keeper.

The disrespect he gets, purely because he followed one of our best ever and one of our own, is pathetic.



As said, we'd be 5th or 6th without him.

We should sign Pierce Charles or Callan McKenna and loan them out until Butland is ready to go.

26 Feb 2026 10:16:21
I would put JB behind Charbonier Niemi Ginsburg.

26 Feb 2026 10:53:43
Well, that sabbatical never lasted long. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

26 Feb 2026 11:20:05
Lately, there is the issue: a good football discussion is taking place and someone posts on another poster. 🤷

26 Feb 2026 11:23:07
Klos played in an era when Scottish football was at a high standard. Butland is playing in an era at its lowest ever standard. Stats can lie at times. Klos was a million times better than Butland ever will be.

26 Feb 2026 11:27:58
Great news about Butland, hope it happens.

26 Feb 2026 11:49:38
Goram was my absolute hero, so I won't accept he made any mistakes, Angus. 😜 And, personally, I hate the sweeper keeper stuff too, but if we're going to persist with it, then Butland wouldn't be my choice.
Fork, I nearly put in Snelders and Waterhorse, but that was maybe going too far. Charbonnier was brilliant before Klos took over though.

26 Feb 2026 11:49:47
What I see people saying about Butland not being as good as McGregor, Goram, Klos or Woods, etc., is that we could go through the whole squad and not one of them could match what we have had before.

For me, Butland is as good as we can get for now without spending millions upon millions to replace him, and any out of contract gk better than Butland won't be coming to play in Scotland.

26 Feb 2026 12:13:42
Just a wee bit, bud. 😉🤣

26 Feb 2026 12:28:47
Glad I seem to have dodged your ignore list for now. 😜
Watp, he wasn't an upper-level Prem GK tho, he was at Stoke, then a backup GK before joining us. I do agree, though, we should keep him, as I doubt we'll get better just now and we have bigger priorities.

It does make for a good debate, though, where he compares with other keepers, because we've had some great ones.

26 Feb 2026 12:33:17
Waterreus was a superb gk. If he could run, he would have been a midfielder; his touch and passing were that good.

26 Feb 2026 12:33:31
Strange that Butland has been offered 2 years and a year's option, yet captain-elect Souttar only signed a one-year deal with a one-year option.

26 Feb 2026 13:00:42
Kaiser-Pierce Charles (Sheffield Wednesday) gk is currently out with a shoulder injury.
Probably linked to us due to Danny Rohl previously being the manager at SW.

26 Feb 2026 13:05:17
APH, who, in your opinion, would be a good signing for the No1 position (gk)?

26 Feb 2026 13:11:22
He was Borna, but I think Butland maybe just edges it. Good debate tho, we've had some superb stoppers.

26 Feb 2026 14:17:22
No doubt, Aph, has a few Scandis or Germans in mind, but considering how much his previous tips have struggled at Ibrox, it would be worth triple checking them on YouTube.

26 Feb 2026 14:58:45
Butland's limitations are there for all to see. He has had a great season, but how many would have agreed with a deal ext at the end of last season?
We need to progress and improve the squad, and not keep players just because we have done so consistently.

26 Feb 2026 15:51:52
Not even close, Kaiser, you're one of the good guys who actually debates and listens to others' viewpoints.

26 Feb 2026 16:18:37
Aye, he's behind a few more than those four mentioned in the list of our keepers. I like him, but I would have Niemi etc in goal before him.

26 Feb 2026 16:57:09
Was surprised how few games Niemi actually played for us, Coully, so never included him, but yes he was another top class keeper. How he never played for Scotland I'll never understand. 😜

26 Feb 2026 17:10:59
Kaiser, I agree with Fork and enjoy our debates. I, of course, never listen to others' views, but still like to read them. 😂😂

My childhood keeper was Peter McCloy, the Girvan Lighthouse. An excellent keeper, and the only one of them who has a European winners' medal in his cabinet for us.

26 Feb 2026 17:34:28
Look at the defenders Goram, McGregor, Kloss, etc. had in front of them. Now look at Butland's!

26 Feb 2026 17:40:31
Angus, before my time, unfortunately.

26 Feb 2026 18:27:23
Alternatively, Lisbon, look at who they were up against too. The whole standard of Scottish football is lower. He isn't up against Larsson, Hartson, Van Hooidonk, Di Canio, etc.

26 Feb 2026 19:04:10
Forgetting Stewart Kennedy and Donald Hunter, Angus. Big McCloy was huge btw. 👍

26 Feb 2026 19:31:32
Butland doesn't command his box, but is a good shotstopper. I wouldn't be against him staying, but would like a younger keeper to push him.

26 Feb 2026 20:28:41
He is a good keeper, plain and simple.

26 Feb 2026 22:19:28
He's obvs behind those 4, but then so are all but about 8 keepers in the history of the world. They're not available for selection anymore. Butland is, and he's the best we have available at the moment. For the poster who asked if we'd extend his contract at the end of last season, the year b4, people would have given him a 6 year contract.

27 Feb 2026 09:55:09
Butland has literally saved us on so many occasions, and sure he has a mistake in him, but all keepers do. And, it is not really fair to compare Butland to club legends, really, is it?

Not to mention the shambles of a squad that Butland has had to put up with, compared to the others. Bit embarrassing, if you ask me.

What other keeper could Rangers afford that's better than Butland? He's the best keeper in the country by a mile, and seems to get the standards of the club.

27 Feb 2026 12:08:44
I'm a fan of Jack, but he is a distant 5th on the list. Every goalie has a mistake in them. My biggest concern with Jack is his lack of command of the 6 yard box - at times it is heart-in-the-mouth defending. Maybe that's why DR likes defenders with height and presence.

27 Feb 2026 13:16:31
Personally, having been a keeper, I find stats on keepers can be pretty pointless, especially when they're judged on team metrics like clean sheets.

I also agree with Mystar, he would be behind all those players. Jack is a good, solid keeper, but doesn't really have that save that makes you think wow, like McGregor's low-post one-hand save or Goram's close-range Van Hooijdonk save.

Also, guys like Woods were incredibly solid, with great handling. For me, Butland is more a level just below; he's solid but capable of the odd brain fart moment. McGregor had that too, but his saves were undeniably worldies every season.

27 Feb 2026 22:19:20
Forever, you make a good point, but only because every defender is judged on goals against, no matter how much blame they are given.
I agree, Butland is solid, but he never makes me gasp at any save he has made. All of the other 4 did that.

28 Feb 2026 20:20:25
Angus, having been a keeper, I would not consider it a defender position. You're kinda isolated and your own thing, but I get that in the modern era you're expected to play more with the sweeper-keeper stuff, which I also understand. But too much emphasis is put on playing out from the back with keepers.

Even Arsenal were poor at it. You should never have your least skillful players trying to outplay the opposition's most skillful, and I think most coaches are realising this, and why the game is desperately trying to go back on the pass-pass-pass football and back to the physical and skillful game.

03 Mar 2026 07:51:08
I see JB as possibly as good as all of them, in respect to the level of the team at the time.
If you want me to rate where that current level sits, imo, sadly, I'd liken him to Nicky Walker, who I also liked, as he was the best at the club at that time. Unfortunately, the standard we watched on a weekly basis was not.


The standard may be slightly better than that, just because football in general has moved on, but the overall feel around our team (outwith the new owner excitement) reminds me more of that time.
I feel Peter's coming. 😂

03 Mar 2026 08:33:03
*Pelters.

24 Feb 2026 20:48:44
There we're rumours on here of possibly signed a couple of OOC players in the transfer window. Was their any truth in that and if so do we know who they are.

24 Feb 2026 22:01:17
It's gone pretty quiet on the subject from the posters who first stated these claims. Hopefully they can update if there's anything worth updating.

24 Feb 2026 22:24:22
I think if it was going to happen, it would have happened already.

25 Feb 2026 07:39:42
They meant OOC who would be lined up to come in the summer window, I think. We won't know those until both clubs decide to announce.

25 Feb 2026 07:56:04
Some deals could be kept quiet out of respect, and not to unsettle players or teams. Imagine if one of our players had signed up somewhere. They would be getting stick from fans, or dropped as if they lacked commitment.

25 Feb 2026 08:38:04
Carson, we await players or their clubs' announcement.

25 Feb 2026 08:38:41
Exactly, Kaiser.

25 Feb 2026 09:57:57
Ryan Kent?

25 Feb 2026 10:15:11
No, no, no, no, never.

25 Feb 2026 12:47:33
All OOC deals done by us will not be announced until the official summer window opening, same for all professional clubs, even if a deal is finalised 4 months prior.

25 Feb 2026 12:49:56
A goalkeeper?

25 Feb 2026 12:50:39
Could possibly be Cameron Ashia from Huddersfield Town. 20yrs old, OOC in the summer. Highly rated AM. A few teams, along with ourselves, have been mentioned as showing interest.

25 Feb 2026 13:38:43
Lh is just totally untrue.

This time last year we'd already announced Cameron.

We announced Jones in the January too.

And we announced Souttar during the season.

25 Feb 2026 13:40:19
I think I remember John and a few others saying it was summer, but the club was going to try and get a few in early. Could be wrong though.

25 Feb 2026 13:44:28
Bunster, I believe Manuel Neuer is OOC in the summer. 😅 Seriously though, Butland only has a year left on his contract come summer, not saying he's a bad GK, but I do think we could get better. A decision will have to be made sooner or later whether to offer an extension or get someone else in.

25 Feb 2026 14:32:22
I generally don't think we will get better than Butland. We'd be out of the title race if it wasn't for Butland this season. The defence has been comical at times, and he's saved us.

25 Feb 2026 15:57:35
Rfc, once the January window ended, we couldn't get them in. The players who were being discussed are OOC at the end of the season, so will still be playing for their teams just now under contract.

26 Feb 2026 02:40:46
I don't believe these rumours. If we had signed anyone precontract, it would have leaked.