Well, it’s been a little dull, but the sun’s out now, and things are brightening up…

Lustig intent on hitting the ground running  

Well, speaking from a personal point of view, I’d rather he didn’t hit the ground -or anything else for that matter-at all. At any speed.

The Swedish defender, who on form is arguably one of our best players, is back, and he’s raring to go.

Ronny deila has said that he’s much happier with the way the treatment room is handled these days, expressing delight that James Forrest has now gone weeks without an injury, and we can only hope those same magic hands have worked on Lustig.

The big fellow thinks so….

 “I twisted my ankle on the inside in February against Dundee in the cup and the first feeling I had straight after the game was that it would be two or three weeks maximum but it was more complicated than that.

“My ligament was stretched out and I had a bone bruise on the outside so it has been a really hard time. It feels like I’m standing in the same position all the time so that’s been tough.

“I was out for a while before that so the whole season has been quite bad for me. Every time I get injured I always promise myself to not do it again but this could happen to anyone.

“Now the last couple of weeks I feel like I’m finally progressing. I’ve been outside running and been involved in some passing exercises so hopefully I can be ready for the pre-season.

“It’s really refreshing to get back outside and train. It’s really hard to just be in the gym just doing the bike for three months – that’s not much fun and it takes a certain mental strength.” 

 That’s from an interview in this weeks Celtic View, and you’ll be pleased to know that Lustig made it back from the office with no further complications.

Although someone could have pointed out to him that “doing the bike ” can mean an entirely different thing in some parts of the country.

Another Swede, reputedly a target of Celtic, Erik Johansson, spoke to the papers yesterday , when he was asked about a move to Glasgow this summer;

“I don’t have much to say,”  

“It’s not something I need to put energy into here and now. I have two matches with Malmö and then it’s the international break. That’s where my thoughts are.”  

 Wonder if Swedish TV have their own version of Sports Personality Of The Year.

Having said that, a big miserable sod at centre half is not a bad idea. Just don’t book him for your end of season do.

Twitter last night picked up on a story from Chile that Celtic have lodged a bid for Juan Delgado, a winger /number ten type player who doesn’t sound much better than what we already have. Ten goals in around fifty career games though, so it does sound like our Scouting Network : Forward Division has been in action.

 Chuck a couple of million to his club, Colo Colo, and at least we’ll have something to moan about next season.

 The club have expressed surprise at this story, so there probably isn’t much in it. But it does make me wonder about a club -any club-who decides to go all the way to bloody Chile to sign a player who probably wouldn’t get a work permit anyway.

No, far easier to wait until the Ireland game is done, and then give Ikechi Anya the move he wants….

In the “We don’t want to pay what you want ” stand off between Celtic and Brondby over Teemu Pukki, it looks like the Finn’s agent is the first to blink;

 “I cannot say much, because right now it is not in our hands. He has enjoyed his time in Brondby and he really likes the club but the situation is that we do not know what Celtic will do. He has a contract with Celtic, so they determine what should be done.

“We really want to find a solution for Teemu but the truth is that the two clubs must agree on a price before we can do anything.

 He can’t say much, but Pukki wants to stay there and it’s up to the clubs to agree a fee. Wonder what it’s like when he’s got plenty to say.

Brondby want Pukki, but not the other Celt out there, Holmbert Fridjonsson. The big Icelander said;

“My future is uncertain, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I love Denmark and I would love to stay here longer. 

“I just need to find the right club where I can play all the minutes and grow as a player.”  

 Clearly, that won’t be Celtic.

Equally clearly, whoever found these two should be given a less tasking job, like digging holes in the road and filling them in again.

Youth player-well, he’s 21 now, but you know what I mean, Joe Chalmers has moved on. He’s taken the short trip to motherwell, where manager Ian Baraclough is rebuilding his team, having got rid of fifteen players after beating Second rangers 6-1 on aggregate.

“He’s a young player with fantastic potential who we’ve tracked for some time. He’s versatile, mobile with a good range of passing and will add competition in numerous positions in defence.” said the Motherwell Manager

 ” He’s got a good pedigree having came through the Academy and played for Celtic’s first team and had significant youth International experience. I am really looking forward to working with him over the next few years.”  

If they are not going to break into the Celtic team, it’s better for everyone of they move on. It’s not the end of the world, and it means that the player can kickstart his career at a higher level.

 Meanwhile, over at Ibrox , there’s been a statement,

which usually means they’re up to their neck in it again.

 In amongst the waffle is this;

“The directors do not consider that, at this time, the repayment of £5m to Sports Direct is the best use of the company’s resources,” 

This is in response to the demand from Mike Ashley that they pay back the £5m he lent them, after they chucked his representatives off the board.

In the real world, this is the corporate equivalent of sending the kids to the door when the Provvy man comes round to tell him your giro hasn’t come and you’ll give him double next week.

A report from the BBC , hinting which side they are on, continues;

Ashley loaned the previous Ibrox board £5m in January, but used the opportunity to take security over club assets like Murray Park and famous trademarks, and seized a 75% share of the club’s retail income.

In addition to the loan, Ashley and Sport Direct’s parent company, Mash Ltd, want answers on the club’s de-listing from the AIM stock Exchange and the terms of a £1.5m loan from Douglas Park, George Letham and George Taylor.

“The company has taken advice from Senior Queen’s Counsel on the terms of this resolution and been advised that it would not, in any way, oblige the directors legally,” said a statement from the Rangers International Football Club PLC board. 

Previous board ? Same club ? I don’t know who is who anymore.

And that last paragraph doesn’t actually mean anything. but should impress a few people.

 As the debt is secured, there is little room for movement by the Ibrox board, so it’s all rather pointless.

 They could sure use some cash right now.

 It’s season book renewal time, and another season in the first division may not appeal to the hordes, who by now must have noticed they are being fleeced. Rangers men or not, the more sensible among them will think twice before investing again with anyone.

 That would explain why Mccoist is being mentioned again, but he won’t be the manager. But he might be wheeled out to say a few words to the masses. ( they hate being called that )

Although there are a few names in the frame  for the top job….

Rangers are interested in bringing former Scotland performance director Mark Wotte as part of a management restructuring at the club.

The 54-year old was previously linked with a similar move under the old regime back in November, and it is understood Dave King is also keen on the Dutchman. (The Sun)  

The Record, chief cheerleader for so many years, are on the case. Staunchly ignoring the facts, they list the men in the frame….

Or as they call them, runners and riders.

Rangers boss hunt:

We profile the runners and riders

in race to take Ibrox hotseat

Thats an interesting use of words in the headline.

A “hunt ” implies a search, a chase or a quest.

Except the hunted  appear to be racing towards the hunter. On fucking horseback.

IT’S a crucial decision facing Dave King and Co as they weigh up who to name as Rangers’ next manager.

Following the club’s failure to win promotion to the Premiership, a strong group of candidates has emerged to try to revive their stalled fortunes, with some names inevitably expected to come out of left field.  

Again, a little confusion in the wording. what he meant to say is a few names have already left the field. Probably on horseback, come to think of it.

MARK WARBURTON (Age 52).

Credentials: Warburton didn’t exactly follow the traditional route into football management. After a minor career as a player he became a highly-successful trader in the City of London, earning millions before chucking it all to become a youth coach at Watford. Subsequently funded his coaching education at some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Barcelona. Last season he took lowly Brentford into the Championship, and was released after their semi-final defeat to Middlesbrough in last month’s Premier League play-offs. He would almost certainly appoint former Rangers captain David Weir as his assistant.

Likelihood of being appointed: High. He has already expressed his desire for further talks with Rangers and is the current odds-on favourite with the bookmakers. Worked wonders on a small budget at Brentford and is exactly the kind of ‘outside the box’ Ronny Deila-style appointment the club needs. He’s also very enthusiastic about youth football, having founded the NextGen series, and his financial expertise could help guide the Glasgow team through a very sticky period.

The Diary Says:. If his wage demands aren’t too unreasonable, for example expecting to be paid every month, he’s the man. He’s out of work, and already helped the club out when he paid a tidy sum for Lewis McLoed, who hasn’t actually set the heather on fire at Brentford, and may even be one of the reasons that he has been released.

David Weir is advising him, showing him which direction to take;

STUART McCALL (50).

Credentials: A former star midfielder for the club (1991-98) during their fabled nine-in-a-row heyday, he managed Bradford City before going on to work wonders as the manager of Motherwell, who he incredibly led to back-to-back second-place finishes in the top flight and the qualifying stages of the Champions League. McCall is currently part of the coaching team for Scotland, for whom he won 40 caps.

Likelihood of being appointed: Slim. He stabilised the club’s ropey Championship form after being appointed to the hotseat in March and delivered on his remit of taking them into the play-offs. However, their performances were sluggish in the end-of-season knockout games and the team were humiliated 6-1 over two legs by his old club Motherwell in the Final. Can point to his exceptional record on low budgets but may already be perceived as being ‘damaged goods’. 

The Diary Says: He’s seen the accounts, knows the situation behind closed doors. Already on the horse heading for the gates.

 BILLY DAVIES (51)

Credentials: Played with Rangers as a young midfielder, before going on to carve out a career at St Mirren, Dunfermline and Motherwell. Went on to manage Well for three years before heading south to take charge at Preston, Derby and Nottingham, Forrest (twice). Has been out of work since his controversial second spell at the City Ground came to an end in March 2014.

Likelihood of being appointed: Has been linked with the Rangers job on numerous occasions and is desperate for the appointment. But his star has fallen in recent years and his passion probably won’t be enough to land his dream post

The Diary Says: More chance than you think. He looks like one of them;

DEREK McINNES (43)

Credentials: Joined Rangers as a midfielder from Morton in 1995 but went on to make only 35 appearances in five years before joining West Brom, who he captained in the English Premiership. Had spells with Dundee United and Millwall, before going on to manage St Johnstone and Bristol City. Was appointed Aberdeen boss in 2013 and has been the driving force behind the club’s long-awaited.

Likelihood of being appointed: McInnes is reportedly on the shortlist and would be a popular choice among some fans. But having already led Aberdeen to League Cup success in 2014 and the Dons’ first runners-up spot in 21 years, he may feel he has unfinished business in the Granite City.  

The Diary Says:  Beginning to move into moonbeam mode now. Won’t happen. MacInnes won’t step down a division to a club with no players, no money and soon, no assets.

IAN CATHRO (28)

Credentials: Cathro never made it as a professional player but his knowledge of the game and determination to learn led to his appointment as the head of the Dundee United youth academy at the age of only 22. He went on to be the assistant manager of Portuguese side Rio Ave before following his boss Nuno to Valencia for the 2014/15 season, where they finished fourth behind Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

Likelihood of being appointed: He would be a progressive choice and it’s understood the board have spoken to him. Although he would be going from one of the best leagues in the world to the second flight in Scotland, the chance to become a boss in his own right would appeal.

 The Diary Says: Just read the last paragraph again. Someones found the Boy’s Book Of Promising Coaches and added this one.

DICK ADVOCAAT (67)

Credentials: The big-spending, spikey Dutchman brought a measure of success to the club in his former spell at Ibrox between 1998 and 2002. He is highly regarded and has managed all over the world, notably with the Dutch and Russian national teams. Led Zenit St Petersburg to victory over Rangers in the 2008 UEFA Cup Final. His most recent achievement was keeping Sunderland in the English Premier League.

Likelihood of being appointed: Slim. He turns 68 in a few months and has already announced he is going retirement. Would be tempted and is still very popular among the supporters but the club have hinted that relying on old heroes isn’t the way forward for them any more.

 The Diary Says: ” a measure of success” ? He helped to bankrupt them. Unlikely to want to go anywhere near Ibrox while they are helping authorities with investigations.

ALEX McLEISH (56)

Credentials: Played in defence for Aberdeen during the most successful phase in their history, culminating in the 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the 1983 European Cup-Winner’s Cup Final in Gothenburg. Also a Scotland Hall of Famer, McLeish went on to manage Motherwell and Hibs, before being appointed Rangers boss in 2001. Broke Celtic’s stranglehold on Scottish football, winning two league titles and five cups in five years before moving on to manage Birmingham City, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forrest and Genk, who he has just left.

Likelihood of being appointed: Has a chance and would be a popular choice for many fans. His previous success at Ibrox and subsequent experience in the English Premier League and Belgian top flight make him a strong candidate. Perhaps a key plus point is he previously took Hibs up to the top flight in 1999 following their relegation 

The Diary Says: Short of names by now, someone just chucked this one in for a laugh.

Still on the quality of journalism in Scotland, have a look at this….

Even I put more effort into it than that.

Nearly.

And then there’s this, which gives you an idea how these people work.

Yesterday showed Celtic and Bermuda in action, back in 1970.

Today we have a different type of teaser.

Who can explain the connection between these names ?

Mullan, McPherson, Vance , Dobbin ,  Kennedy . 

Clue. Not players.