BarryLFC

October

A trip to Rugby Park isn't the ideal choice when you're looking to build on a victory, but Scarlett had no choice in the matter, so he set to work preparing his team for the fixture. A goalless first 80 minutes saw former Killie star Kris Boyd introduced, but he couldn't find the net and the game ended 0-0.

Three games in six days offered a chance to end the month on a high. First up was the Old Firm match, the first ever to be staged on the Isle of Bute. Celtic sat 12 points ahead of Rangers at kick off, having played a game more, so victory for Scarlett's boys would see the gap potentially reduced to six.

A missed Sutton penalty after 13 minutes was a huge break for Rangers, but early int he second half some poor defending allowed Didier Agathe to score, before an horrendous back pass handed Henri Camara the easiest goal of his career two minutes later. Even the most optimistic Rangers fan could not honestly predict title glory this season. On the positive side it had been a close game, but close wasn't good enough for anyone involved with this club.

Hearts away is never an easy fixture, and now less than ever. Neil Janczyk rejected a contract offer from Rangers in the week before the game and opened the scoring once the players took to the field. Two second half penalties from Pressley sealed the points and some deep thinking awaited Scarlett now. A 1-1 draw at Aberdeen provided no relief.

2 October 2004 Kilmarnock 0-0 Rothesay
24 October 2004 Rothesay 0-2 Celtic
27 October 2004 Hearts 3-0 Rothesay
30 October 2004 Aberdeen 1-1 Rothesay

shannon2007

Way to copy me :p

Very interesting, is your purpose to win or lose?

BarryLFC

Not copying! For starters I didn't relegate the club, change their reputation or anything like that!

I'm trying to win, honest!

BarryLFC

November

Another trip to Kilmarnock, this time on League Cup duty, and another early defecit, a Gary Wales penalty separating the sides at the interval. David Clarkson tied things up after the break though and it looked like Rangers were the stronger side as the match wore on. Mostovoi in midfield was pulling all the strings, but extra time beckoned. Killie scored with the last kick of the match and the League Cup run was over.

Alexander Mostovoi was raging in the week and hit back the following match day at Dundee. The Russian hit six in a sensational display as a switch of tactics seemed to work wonders for Scarlett, deploying two strikers for the first time this season. Derek Riordan helped himself to a double and David Clarkson also scored in a nine goal rout.

The visit of Inverness saw Riordan and Mostovoi continue their fine form, opening a three goal lead which a Greacen header made four by the interval. With Boyd and McGeady replacing Riordan and Mostovoi the second half was somewhat tamer, with no further scoring. The brief rally had lifted Rangers into the top 6 though and Scarlett was again his gregarious self in the post-match press conferences.

The month ended with a trip to Motherwell and Scarlett was keen to build on the impressive recent run. Alexander Mostovoi again opened the scoring, spotting Gordon Marshall off his line and lofting the ball home from closer to halfway than the box, before Riordan remarkably repeated the trick. The Russian completed his hat-trick before the break as Scarlett reflected on money well invested. Motherwell pulled one back after the break but the result was never in doubt.

3 November 2004 Kilmarnock 2-1 Rothesay aet
7 November 2004 Dundee 0-9 Rothesay
20 November 2004 Rothesay 4-0 Inverness
27 November 2004 Motherwell 1-4 Rothesay

retired_embartl

17 goals in 3 games. Nice turn around in fortunes :thup:

BarryLFC

Yep, but Mostovoi's hurt now

retired_embartl

well tbf if smashing in 6 in one game doesn't inspire the other guys to score a few of their own, you really are screwed :p

BarryLFC

December

Initial scans suggested a back strain picked up by Alexander Mostovoi getting out of his car would keep him out for three months, but he has responded well to some intensive physio treatment and he's expected back within the month.

First game of Advent comes at home to Livingston and it was marked by Hamed Namouchi's first league goal of the season. The second half almost brought his second but for a wonderful Colin Meldrum save. He lost his hero status minutes later though as he spilled a through ball at the feet of Derek Riordan who scored with ease. An injury to David Clarkson was a concern as was a knock picked up by McGeady, but the match was won.

Dundee United caught the 11.45 from Wemyss Bay and were in town in plenty of time for kick off as we got back to action. Twenty three seconds into the game they must've wished they hadn't as David Clarkson scored from inside the box. Derek Riordan added a second midway through the first period and the loss of Mostovoi and McGeady wasn't being felt quite so keenly. The game ended 2-0 with the only sour note a concussion picked up by Chris Templeman as time expired.

Sitting in third place was no mean feat given the start to the season, but it was still two places lower than was acceptable. Visits to Hibs and Dunfermline remained and both were winnable.

Edinburgh was fairly welcoming as December days go, no precipitation, not too cold and Derek Riordan took advantage to hand Rothesay a one goal lead over his former side. David Clarkson nodded a second at the near post midway through the opening stanza and the game seemed won. Each striker helped himself to a second before the break as Hibs were left reeling. Boyd, O'Connor and McGeady replaced Clarkson, Riordan and Namouchi early in the second half, but it was Hibs who struck next, Scott Brown on target before Fletcher cut the defecit to two. Garry O'Connor though sealed the win over his old team with a late strike and only a late injury to Boyd soured the afternoon.

Dunfermline were the first side to lose to Rothesay and with Mostovoi back Rangers were out to double their misery. Riordan and the Russian got their double act back on track with first half goals, though Scarlett withdrew Mostovoi at the break to rest his injured back. Riordan wasn't done though, completing his hattrick with two second half strikes, four nothing the final.

4 December 2004 Rothesay 2-0 Livingston
11 December 2004 Rothesay 2-0 Dundee United
18 December 2004 Hibs 2-5 Rothesay
26 December 2004 Dunfermline 0-4 Rothesay

BarryLFC

SPL Table 31 December 2004

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> P W D L F A Gd Pts1 Celtic 18 12 4 2 37 17 +20 402 Hearts 18 11 3 4 32 16 +16 363 Rothesay 18 8 6 4 36 14 +22 304 Aberdeen 18 6 8 4 26 22 +4 265 Hibs 18 7 4 7 28 27 +1 256 Dundee U 18 6 6 6 20 20 0 247 Dunfermline 18 7 2 9 21 27 -6 238 Motherwell 18 4 10 4 23 27 -4 229 Kilmarnock 18 6 4 8 21 26 -5 2210 Dundee 18 5 5 8 20 34 -14 2011 Inverness 18 3 5 10 13 24 -11 1412 Livingston 18 4 1 13 7 30 -23 13</pre>

BarryLFC

Administrators called in as Rangers' debt spirals out of control

Administrators KPMG were this week called in to Rothesay Rangers as debt and loan repayments threatened to take hold of the resurgent club.

The level of debt is estimated at over £20,000,000 and with almost £2,000,000 going to loan repayments per month it is clear that something had to be done.

The administrators moved quickly, sacking midfielder Alexander Mostovoi, releasing a statement which read:

"Rothesay's administrators have terminated the contract of Alexander Mostovoi with immediate effect.

The club's board have indicated their regret at this action but added that cutting the weekly wage bill is vital if the club is to stay afloat."

Manager Rob Scarlett is reported to be furious, but it is unclear whether he is considering leaving the club at this time or if he is prepared to stick out the bumpy road through administration.

There is talk of a points penalty coming into effect if the club cannot resolve the situation and few would doubt that the SPL will enforce that particular rule.