Ottmar Hitzfeld....

[alexmac]

...will be named as the next Rangers boss, possibly as early as Thursday.

This comes from a decent source with links inside Ibrox. Expect an imminent announcement, win, lose or draw on Wednesday.

Personally, I don't know if I believe this, I want to believe it though. :loon

[all_funkt_up]

well, its a shock to me like if it comes off alex.

didnt think rangers had the clout to attract someone like Ottmar, hats off if its true like... Wonder what will become of Mr Burley then...?

[crowie]

Had heard that a week or so ago Alex and from a few different people now. Initial contract to end of the season and they will see how it goes from there.

Other name mentioned a few times has been Alan Curbishley.

[ONEDUNME]

Can't see Curbishley going for it to be honest. I reckon he'll be holding out for a big club.

[all_funkt_up]

I think the problem with taking the Celtic/Rangers job is that within a year you will have a achived pretty much everything you can. Once you have won the league and the cups, the only thing left to do it to win it again another 5 times I suppose.

Because they dont have anywhere to go really, they are both at the top of their league - the only way is down. So you might win the league one season and find you out on your arse the following November....

[alexmac]

Both the Celtic and Rangers managers positions are seen as being up there with the best managerial jobs in Britain IMO. I doubt there will be any shortage of applicants for either.

Yeah, I have heard about Alan Curbishley... but I severely doubt it.

Other names which have been banded about are Didier Deschamps and Michael Laudrup.

I kep hearing that the Hitzfeld deal is done however, lets see what tomorrow brings...

[johnnybgood]

I heard today at DSF that Hitzfeld want to activate again and soon ,but they didnt say where is he heading

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

What difference would a new manager make?

He might motivate them a bit better. The problem for me here is that the quality of players isnt good enough so you can motivate all you want, it isnt going to improve theplayers imo.

Be interesting to see if he is installed tomorow or if McCleish will be giving one last opportunity.

[MickeyPaul]

Some managers can get more from players than others though, Kiko. There are things that can be done tactically too to make Rangers alot tighter. On paper, they have decent players there.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Oh yeah i know what your saying but even if you had these players so motivated i still dont believe the quality is there to get this side up there competiting.

I only seen the first half as i had football but i was very surprised by just how poor they were attacking wise in that game.

[MickeyPaul]

Aye, no doubt they have probs in attack just now. Prso & Thompson for me are far too slow and cumbersome. They're like attacking versions of David Weir. Maybe ok for balls launched into the box but that style is a bit outdated these days. Did Prso really score a few Champions League goals for Monaco? All penalties I assume? Bit harsh as I think he's a good finisher but he really does need service as he's never going to create many openings for himself.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Not seen many games but Prso has been one of the few shining lights in many of the games i have seen of Rangers so far this season, bar tonight where he was a big dissapointment.

He has gave his all and has made a menace of himself to the opposition defence. He is a good finisher but you can't score goals if your not getting the creativity and chances made from the other side.

I said earlier in the season i fancied Rangers to not get into europe next season. I was joking obvioulsy but a defeat against Celtic again next match outand it could all be down to the Scottish cup for them and that European place.

Thats is Hibs continue like they are.

[crowie]

Have to agree with Kiko on Dado Prso Mickey. If you had seen him in the away game v Artmedia, it was like Prso v their entire team. He really, normally, gives 100% every game. Last night however I thought it was very noticeable how not "up for it" Prso was. If he loses a ball he is normally one of these strikers who will harass and chase defenders trying to win it back, was like the fight had gone out of him last night.

New manager with same players can make a difference, look at Scotland and Walter Smith. However there does seem to be a few players who are either short of ability or more likely confidence at Ibrox right now. Ferguson, Prso and Ricksen seem to be about the only players who are decent enough there. Players like Lovenkrands and Jeffers really need to have a long look at their whole attitude to football. Jeffers especially was completely absent for the entire time he was on the park bar one booking.

[MickeyPaul]

I can't fault Prso for effort. I simply don't rate him too highly as a player. Good finisher when it's laid on a plate for him but overall, I don't think he causes defenders much grief. A bit of pace would bloody help him. He looks like he's going in slo-mo at times.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Well i have been pleasantly surprised by him.

I thought he was just another Hartson with his style of play but there is more to him than that and he is actually not bad at taking the ball on little runs and getting past players.

As for Jeffers - that guy really must have a shitty attitude as it seemed like he was going to be a big thing at a young age, but every club he has been at he has just flopped badly ie Charlton, Rangers now it seems.

Maybe he thinks because he is getting paid so much he doesnt have to worry. Well he will be in for a big shock eventually when he is down in the lower divisions as its his reputation from an early age that is keeping him upat thislevel.