MelvinBragg

I reckon Shiels is more likely than Burke...

Speaking to a few Rangers fans, Shiels seems to play well but McCoist doesn't pick him as often as some of the fans would like. "Didn't get a fair crack" is a common phrase used...

I hear talk that Dean Shiels is one of the players we're looking at to replace Anier...

He's done nothing really for two seasons. His next move will have to be the right one or he could end up like Derek Riordan...

Given our record home and away against Aberdeen last season, maybe going to Pitoddrie twice isn't a bad thing...

Nope..

I don't think anyone had Anier down as an absolutely key player next season so to secure a six figure fee for him is a great piece of business. I have every faith in McCall to find a replacement. Only downside is that any replacement, no matter how good, will not bring the continuity that Anier would have brought. Thinking of how long it took for us to find the right way to get the best out of Vigurs last season. For that reason I hope we get someone in quickly. Season starts in early August, be nice to have any new signings bedded in before then...

Both likely to take up similar positions. Reckon they'd get in each other's way a lot. Both players who work the width of the penalty area. Really need someone to run the channels either side, dragging the centre backs out of position making it easier for your "number 9" to find space... EDIT Malky beat me to the punch...

Humphrey was a couple of years older when he came and was similar to Angol in that he was all pace and power and his decision making and end product left a lot to be desired. Sometimes I think what doesn't help Angol is the players he's compared to. When he plays at left back, he's compared to Hammell one of the most experienced and consistent left backs in the league. When he plays left wing, he gets compared to more experienced players like Ainsworth, Murphy or Humphrey. My opinion is that he has a lot of the tools required to succeed at our level but too often he doesn't put them all together. With coaching and a run of games in a set position, he could make the same kind of progress that Humphrey made...

Good move for him...

The fact that we seem to have done the rest of our business so early this summer would suggest that we were looking for early clarification in order to help preparation. We may have other targets lined up, I don't know. But it just strikes me as strange given how quickly we moved for Twarzik and Law...

OK, I'll be the one to ask the question. How long do we wait on Ainsworth before moving on to other targets?

Lennon wasn't really identifying targets at Celtic. Their scouts do a lot of the work. I'm told they see him, like Wanyama and Hooper, as someone they can buy cheap and if he has a couple of good seasons, sell on to the EPL...

Ciftci to Celtic is what I've heard...

He did play for our U20s. Technically from our academy...

I suspect he's including Hammell and Lasley in that as I can't think of nine. Or he means these nine... Carswell Leitch Moore Erwin Angol Kerr Cummins Murray McHugh Some of these guys are very much on the fringes, some came to us at U20 level, some left and can!e back. Not as impressive as it sounds though if it helps us attract young talent in the area that the likes of Dundee Utd and Hibs are picking up, then I can overlook the white lie.. One thing I would say is that the signings of Anier, Twarzik, Josh Law and previously Vigurs along with the retaining of Leitch, Carswell and Moore means McCall is bringing the average age of the squad down. Not bad for a guy who many thought had a weakness in the area of working with young players...

If Ramsden had been fit, second half of last season then I'd have considered it. Hutchinson is a good player but his form was very ropey since January. Would I be happy for him to stay? Yes, but do I think he was immense week in, week out? No. I actually suspect our defence may be better without him, not down to his flaws necessarily, but more down to the fact that he and McManus are too similar in style...

No, I'm aware Hutchinson has left. We have Ramsden coming back and as Reid was brought in to cover for his absence, we're not really any weaker there in my opinion...

With the exception of McFadden (who apparently contributed nothing, if you listen to some), it's basically the same squad that finished second. If Ainsworth signs...

If Ainsworth signs then the squad looks pretty decent. Plenty of options in defence and in centre midfield, a few different types of striker. Only issue would be even with Ainsworth, could argue we're short of a replacement for McFadden. Irrespective of his form and fitness last season, he at least provided an option if Ainsworth was out or if we were chasing a game (last day of the season?). He and Ainsworth were the only players we had last season that would try and take a player on. I guess it depends how much faith McCall has in Thomas...

His missus is Scottish and he met her while with us, I believe...

Not in the slightest. I suspect he'll sign (and hope he does) but even if he doesn't, centre midfield is an area we have a bit of cover in...

Only annoying thing there is the Rangers fan in the comments section suggesting that McCall has also learned enough at Fir Park and should move on. I wonder where this Gers fan had in mind...

Sadly most of them will be thinking the same about a trip to North Lanarkshire...

No chance whatsoever...