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PRE SEASON ROUND UP

PLAYERS RELEASED :- IAN BROWN , VICTOR LEONENKO , KOFI MENSAH , ROBERT WIJNANDS , PATRICE ZERE , RUSSELL LATAPY , GORAN STANIC , DARREN BRADY , JOHN SUTTON , MARK PEERS AND CRAIG STANLEY


PLAYER ARRIVALS

IVAN BOSNJAK :- £50K signing from AL ITTIHAD TRIPOLI . With a severe lack of Striker's at the club and with ADAILTON still out for another 2 months , it could be sink or swim for Croat early on .


GARY NAYSMITH :- Free Transfer . Surprisingly released by EVERTON , he will definetely be our gain as can play anywhere on the left .


KASPER SCHMEICHEL :- Free Transfer . Released by MANCHESTER CITY , one for the future and if he is half as good as his dad he should be a great addition .

LEE SIMS :- Free Transfer . Released by MANCHESTER UNITED , has potential but remains to be seen if the 19 year old right back can make the grade .

CATALIN MUNTEANU :- Bosman Free From ATLETICO MADRID . Experienced ROMANIAN international with 22 goals who hopefully can help with our forth coming European challenge

MARC SMYTH :- £750K signing from AYR UNITED . Still only 21 , a player with a great future ahead of him . Can play in defence or midfield , part of the Ayr side who made last seasons Cup Semi Final and finished runners up in the First Division .

SERGEI REBROV :- Bosman Free From FENERBAHCE . Arrives with a big reputation , still to shine after leaving Dinamo Kiev , hopeing to kick start his faltering career here .

STUART DOWNING :- Free Transfer . Released by MIDDLESBROUGH , another youngster with great potential . Will spend time in the reserve's but one to keep an eye on .

COLIN CAMERON :- £575K signing from WOLVES . A former Rovers legend and part of the previous Raith team to play in Europe . Hopefully his return can attract the fans back to the club , still only 31 and hopefully still has a lot to offer the club .

TRISTAN PEERSMAN :- Free transfer . Released by ANDERLECHT , this 24 year old keeper will start the season as back up to Mark Bosnich .

SEBASTIAN ARIEL ROMERO :- Free Transfer . Released by REAL BETIS , this Argentinian left winger is brought in as cover but will be mainly be a squad player at best .

PHILLIPE MEXES :- Season long loan from AUXERRE . Brought back for another year as cover for the defence . Did well last season without really shining but at 22 has a great future in the game .

RAITH ROVERS 1 METZ 0
Rather uneventful warm up game before the Champions League qualifiers . The only goal of the game coming midway through the second half from new signing IVAN BOSNJAK after typical good play by RICHIE PARTRIDGE .


The draw is made for the second qualifying stage of the Champions League and we are paired with YUGOSLAVIAN side PARTIZAN BELGRADE . Sadly mouthwatering Pre Season ties with CHELSEA and NEWCASTLE have to be cancelled to accomodate these games .

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28.7.2004
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SECOND QUALIFIERS FIRST LEG
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
RAITH ROVERS 1 PARTIZAN BELGRADE 0
There are 3 player's handed their debut as we officially start our new season . In what turned out to be a very tight game , we just managed to edge it to take a slender lead to YUGOSLAVIA . In a rather dull opening 45 mins , the best chances fell to the visitor's SASA ILLIC , but thankfully he forgot to bring his striking boot's to Kirkcaldy . The only goal of the game came in the first min of the second half . RICHIE PARTRIDGE'S cross from the left was only partially cleared , and from the edge of the box COLIN CAMERON celebrated his homecoming by smacking home from the edge of the box . REBROV and MELLOR both testeed the keeper shotly after , but the keeper was not to be beaten again . 9 mins from time BOSNICH acrobatically saved from DULJAJ and we managed to hold on for the final whistle .
ATTENDANCE :- 5019 SCORER'S :- CAMERON 46


2.8.2004
RANGERS are made 4/5 favourites to regain their trophy , closely followed by ourselves and CELTIC at 5/4 .


3.8.2004
RICHIE PARTRIDGE'S good form is rewarded as he receives an international call up for EIRE'S forthcoming World Cup Qualifier against POLAND .

PAUL LOVERING also receive's his first call up for SCOTLAND'S Qualifier away to ROMANIA .

4.8.2004
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SECOND QUALIFIERS SECOND LEG
STADION FK PARTIZAN , BELGRADE
PARTIZAN BELGRADE 1 RAITH ROVERS 1 (AGG 1-2)
Once again we more than matched our YUGOSLAV counterpart's to book our place in the next round . Indeed if it wasn't for slack defending 4 mins from time , we would have gone through more comfortably . As was to be expected , they came flying out the traps and had 4 good effort's on goal , thankfully BOSNICH was in fine form to deny them . 11 mins into the second half and a blow as we lose COLIN CAMERON to a shoulder injury , ALEXANDR CHAIKA brought on to replace him . We began to celebrate in the 63th min as NEIL MELLOR'S header from a PARTRIDGE corner looked to have sealed our passage in to the next round . MELLOR was then twice denied by the keeper , before the home side dominated in the last 10 mins , culminating with the equaliser in the 86th min from DULJAJ . Thankfully they couldn't muster anything after that and we await the draw for the next round .
ATTENDANCE :- 9824 SCORER'S :- DULJAJ 86 , MELLOR 63


5.8.2004
The draw for the Third Qualifying Stage of the Champions League see's us paired with GEORGIAN side TORPEDO KUTAISI

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7.8.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
RAITH ROVERS 2 DUNDEE 0
The season's opener and a good start . After the thrill's and spill's of Europe , it was back to the bread and butter and on the day we were too good for our Tayside visitor's . ALEXANDR CHAIKA came in to replace the injured CAMERON . Two early chance's went a begging , before REBROV'S lack of confidence in front of goal was re-affirmed as he shot straight at SPERONI when it looked easier to score . It was left to strike partner MELLOR to save his blushes as he picked up where he left of last season . The first 7 mins from half time he rose the highest from a corner to head the ball home , then in first half stoppage time heading home from REBROV'S cross . PARTRIDGE caused all sorts of problem's in the second half , but his teasing crosses and stinging shot's amounted to nothing . BOSNJAK replaced REBROV midway through the second half and he also had a few effort's that went close to adding to the tally .
ATTENDANCE :- 7156 SCORER'S :- MELLOR 38 45

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS
CELTIC 3 HEARTS 0
DUNDEE UNITED 3 KILMARNOCK 1
HIBERNIAN 0 ABERDEEN 3
MOTHERWELL 1 BRECHIN CITY 2
PARTICK THISTLE 0 RANGERS 0


10.8.2004
The new arrivals continue as we announce that REAL MADRID have agreed to sell us CLAUDE MAKELELE for £1.1mill . The FRENCHMAN brings a bit of steel to the midfield , which should hopefully cut out the sloppy goals we lost in the second part of the season last year .

11.8.2004
ROMANIA 4 SCOTLAND 0
SCOTLAND'S World Cup bid gets off to a shocking start as they are ripped apart by a rampant ROMANIA . Unfortunately our own CATALIN MUNTEANU is the main architect behind the win .

12.8.2004
Assistant manager PAQUITO is released and is replaced by JOE KINNEAR .

14.8.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
GLEBE PARK , BRECHIN
BRECHIN CITY 0 RAITH ROVERS 2
After their stunning opening day success at MOTHERWELL , we bring them back down to earth with another comfortable victory . New signing MAKELELE had to make do with a place on the bench as we started with the same team as last week . A nice flowing move from CHAIKA and AFFELAY in the 8th min gave MELLOR the easiest of chance's , his fourth goal of the season already . The home side were rather dissapointing and squandered the only chance they had , JACKSON shooting straight at BOSNICH when he should have placed it . All the chances seemed to be falling to MELLOR and it was no surprise when he scored the second at the start of the second half . MUNTEANU the creater this time , although the keeper really should have done better , allowing the big striker's shot to squirm through his hands and roll into the empty net .
ATTENDANCE :- 3544 SCORER'S :- MELLOR 8 48

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS
ABERDEEN 1 CELTIC 2
DUNDEE 4 PARTICK THISTLE 1
HEARTS 4 DUNDEE UNITED 1
KILMARNOCK 4 MOTHERWELL 0
RANGERS 4 HIBERNIAN 0

We agree to sell SALIOU LASSISSI to PIACENZA for a fee of £500,000 plus 10% of any future fee . Signed on a Bosman free a year ago , he has failed to settle and never really claimed a first team slot and leaves with our good wishes .

15.8.2004
With a favourable draw in the Champions League and with it a place in the Group stages , another new player arrives . 20 year old ALEXANDER FARNERUD finally joins for a combined fee of £2.2 million . After about a year of trying , we finally manage to persuade his club LANDSKRONA to part with the youngster .

16.8.2004
GERMAN striker DAVID ODONKOR signs for a fee of £100k from MUNSTER . Freed in the summer from BORUSSIA DORTMUND , the super quick striker at only 20 years of age looks to have a promising career ahead of him .

17.8.2004
In the UEFA Cup Qualifier's , last season's surprise winners of the Scottish Cup EAST FIFE , were beaten 4-2 away from home at SPARTAK MOSCOW .

18.8.2004
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THIRD QUALIFYING STAGE FIRST LEG
GIVI KILADZE , KUTAISI
KUTAISI 0 RAITH ROVERS 2
A place in the group stage's came a step closer after an easy victory in GEORGIA . The even more pleasing part was the way we shut them out completely , not even allowing them a shot of any sort . Despite only being with the club for 2 days , ODONKOR was giving a starting slot up front with MELLOR , as i continued to look for an able partner with the continued absence of ADAILTON . It was MELLOR though again who stole the show with both goals . Despite only being at the club for just over a year , his 2 goals take's his tally to 48 goals in just 50 appearance's . His first goal was rather fortunete , taking a deflection of the hapless defender on the way in . The second , a close range shot after a good cross from ODONKOR . In truth it should have been a lot more , with MUNTEANU particularly outstanding in the wide right slot and PARTRIDGE flying down the left hand side .
ATTENDANCE :- 5577 SCORER'S :- MELLOR 21 63

In the other Qualifier , RANGERS were too strong for CLUB BRUGGE and take a 4-1 lead to BELGIUM for the second leg .

21.8.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
RAITH ROVERS 1 KILMARNOCK 0
A lot was learned about my team after this narrow victory against Killie . We had to play with 10 men for 75 mins after captain BONOMI was sent off for a shocking two foot tackle on STEPHEN MURRAY . Instead of sacrificing a striker i decided to play 3 at the back and the team responded superbly . MUNTEANU hit one straight at the keeper , then WHITLEY shot wide for KILLIE . 7 mins from half time and the only goal of the game came . BOYD handled in the box and from the resulting spot kick MELLOR sent the keeper the wrong way . Both keepers had a busy afternoon , but surprisingly it was the visitor's who had to make the most save's . Overall a good day and culminating in the other result's we go top of the league .
ATTENDANCE :- 6824 SCORER :- MELLOR 38(pen)

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULT'S
DUNDEE UNITED 2 CELTIC 2
HIBERNIAN 3 DUNDEE 1
PARTICK THISTLE 2 BRECHIN CITY 0
RANGERS 4 ABERDEEN 1

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22.8.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULT
MOTHERWELL 4 HEARTS 0
The first live game of the season see's a thumping home win for League Cup Holders MOTHERWELL . JAMES MCFADDEN the hero , scoring all four goals .

26.8.2004
RANGERS bid £2.1 million for NEIL MELLOR . They are told in no uncertain term's to forget it , as he is not for sale .

Contracts are offered to BENITO CARBONE and VALERIEN ISMAEL after fee's are agreed with their respective clubs .

27.8.2004
BENITO CARBONE signs from LECCE for £100k . VALERIEN ISMAEL reject's the contract and decide's to stay put at STRASBOURG . PORTUGUESE striker JOAO PAIVA joins on loan till the end of the season .

28.8.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
TYNECASTLE STADIUM , EDINBURGH
HEARTS 1 RAITH ROVERS 0
Hardly an ideal performance , especially with a European Qualifier round the corner . BENITO CARBONE made his debut up front , but failed to shine as did the rest of the team . Despite having almost twice as many chances as the home side , we failed to hit the target . The only goal arrived 8 mins into the second half , SCOTT SEVERIN outjumping MARC SMYTH to head home ALAN MAYBURY'S inswinging free kick . Substitute ODONKOR had two good effort's saved , then set up MELLOR who for once couldn't find the target .
ATTENDANCE :- 15532 SCORER'S :- SEVERIN 53

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULT'S
BRECHIN CITY 4 HIBERNIAN 1
CELTIC 2 MOTHERWELL 1
DUNDEE 2 RANGERS 0
KILMARNOCK 3 PARTICK THISTLE 0

29.8.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULT
ABERDEEN 4 DUNDEE UNITED 1
A SCOTT BOOTH hat-trick give's ABERDEEN the victory in the New Firm derby , setting them back on the winning trail after back to back defeat's by the Old Firm .

With the transfer window near to closing , our attempt's to strengthen the defence seem's like failing . The latest player to reject a deal is BENFICA'S ARGEL .

30.8.2004
After their cheeky bid for NEIL MELLOR , RANGERS are back in but this time for RICHIE PARTRIDGE . The bid of £1.9 million is however dismissed as laughable and they are sent packing .


1.9.2004
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THIRD QUALIFIER 2ND LEG
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
RAITH ROVERS 5 KUTAISI 0 (agg 7-0)
Qualification for the Group Stage is completed in style . RICHIE PARTRIDGE is the star man with 2 goals and 2 assist's . The first strike came in the 4rth min , PARTRIDGE picking the ball up on the centre circle , before running right through the defence and firing home from the edge of the box . MUNTEANU rifled home the second on the 29th min , a MELLOR header on 38 mins made it three . Then two mins from half-time PARTRIDGE made it four with another thunderbolt from the edge of the box . PARTRIDGE did blot his copybook with a silly booking that rules him out of the first group game , before setting up ODONKOR a minute from time for his first goal for the club .
ATTENDANCE :- 5028 SCORER'S :- PARTRIDGE 4 43 MUNTEANU 29 MELLOR 38 ODONKOR 89

RANGERS won 3-1 away to CLUB BRUGGE to complete a 7-1 agg win to book their place in the group stages .

MANAGER OF THE MONTH :- DAVID MOYES (CELTIC)
PLAYER OF THE MONTH :- JOOS VALGAEREN (CELTIC)
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE MONTH :- JAMES MCFADDEN

2.9.2004
EAST FIFE'S brief involvement in the UEFA Cup comes to an end after they are walloped 5-0 at home by SPARTAK MOSCOW , losing 9-2 on agg .

3.9.2004
The draws are made for the two European Trophy's . We are drawn in a tough Group C with MANCHESTER UNITED , PSV , VALENCIA . In Group E , RANGERS are drawn with BARCELONA , BOAVISTA , PARMA .
In the UEFA Cup draw , CELTIC are drawn against SPARTA PRAGUE .


4.9.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
RAITH ROVERS 4 CELTIC 0
League leader's CELTIC are brushed aside as we get set to pit our wit's away to MANCHESTER UNITED in the Champions League . After the dissapointing defeat last time out away to HEARTS , the players were hell bent on going to Old Trafford with a good performance under their belt . The result was never in question when we took the lead in 15 mins . Fresh from his first goal for the club in the last game , DAVID ODONKOR staked his claim for a permanent first team slot by heading home AFFELAY'S fine cross , although it did take a deflection on the way in . The scorer then turned provider in the 33th min , setting up MELLOR with the header this time . The young GERMAN was having a field day by this time and set up MELLOR again in the 68th min , the big striker scoring with a cute lob this time . Within 3 mins MELLOR had completed yet another hat-trick for us with a looping header that left the keeper in sixes and seven's . MAKELELE set up MELLOR near the end , but he rushed his shot and hit it wide .
ATTENDANCE :- 7499 SCORER'S :- ODONKOR 15 MELLOR 33 68 71

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULT'S
DUNDEE 4 ABERDEEN 4
HIBERNIAN 1 KILMARNOCK 3
MOTHERWELL 4 DUNDEE UNITED 1
PARTICK THISTLE 2 HEARTS 0
RANGERS 1 BRECHIN CITY 0

After narrowly avoiding the drop last season , HIBS woe's continue as they languish at the bottom of the table after 5 games . The gamble taken on appointing BULGARIAN coach DIMITAR PENEV doesn't seem to have worked and his job looks in danger already .

6.9.2004
A work permit is applied for after EYGPTIAN international defender IBRAHIM SAID agree's to join in the january transfer window . Should it be granted he will join from AL-AHLY SPORTING CLUB , for a fee of £500k .

shannon2007

This weeks Story of the Week

retired_loubou

Great choice :thup:

retired_ceb_33

Wow . just about to go to bed and thought i would check out what was happening here in storyland . totally shocked to see it as story of the week . Thanks guys . Wasn't sure if people would like it but seems to be going down ok . Should be updating in the next couple of days as ive just started my Champions League bid.
Thanks again and happy reading . (Sorry just been watching a bit of the oscars and got a bit carried away) .

retired_ceb_33

7.9.2004
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP C MATCHDAY 1
OLD TRAFFORD , MANCHESTER
MANCHESTER UNITED 2 RAITH ROVERS 1
Our very first Champions League match ends in defeat , but we can hold our heads high after a gritty performance . The home side made a typical flying start and were in front after just 2 mins . DECO bending in a free kick from 25 yards out , however keeper BOSNICH really should have done better than the flap he made trying to keep it out . DECO then popped up on his on goal line to clear a net bound effort from MELLOR . SCHOLES then went close with an effort , while VAN NISTELROOY came even closer , his effort rebounding back of the crossbar . SCHOLES made up for his miss 8 mins into the second half , firing home after great play by GIGGS . Straight from the restart however we managed to get back into the game . AFFELAY picked the ball up just inside their half and went on a mazy run before rifling home just inside the box . DECO was a constant menace and should have scored atleast another twice , while our best effort came in stoppage time but both the strikers seemed to get in each other's way with MELLOR'S final effort more of a passback than a shot .
ATTENDANCE :- 57895 SCORER'S :- DECO 2 SCHOLES 53 , AFFELAY 54

In the other group game VALENCIA beat PSV by one goal to nil .

8.9.2004
RANGERS got off to the perfect start in their first game with a 3-0 win away to PARMA . RICHARD CRESSWELL the hero with 2 goals .

10.9.2004
IBRAHIM SAID has his work permit granted and will join up on the first of January .

18.9.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULT'S
ABERDEEN 3 MOTHERWELL 0
BRECHIN CITY 0 DUNDEE 3
CELTIC 3 PARTICK THISTLE 0
KILMARNOCK 0 RANGERS 2


19.9.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULT
HEARTS 1 HIBERNIAN 2
Sundays live game see's HIBS take the spoils in a close Edinburgh Derby . ANDY KIRK gave the JAMBO'S an early advantage , but back came HIBS through JEANNE and a late goal from GARY O'CONNOR gave them the victory .


21.9.2004
RANGERS were brought back down to earth in their second Champions League game , going down 2-1 at home to BARCELONA .

22.9.2004
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP C MATCHDAY 2
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
RAITH ROVERS 0 VALENCIA 2
Dissapointment all round after this poor showing , however the gulf between the 2 sides was clear for all to see . VALENCIA were superb on the day but were largely helped by another inept performance in goal by BOSNICH . ANDERSON POLGA'S 30 yard shot on 22 mins looked harmless enough , but the keeper let it go straight through him and that seemed to set the tone for the remainder of the game . 4 mins from half time and it was 2-0 . MANCINI intercepted a slack pass before drilling home past a badly placed BOSNICH . ODONKOR had a tame effort easily saved by CANIZARES as did substitute ADAILTON . AIMAR had a great chance to rub more salt into the wound but blazed over , while MELLOR missed in stoppage time as we looked for a consolation goal which we never really deserved .
ATTENDANCE :- 7482 SCORER'S :- ANDERSON POLGA 22 MANCINI 41

In the other Group tie , MANCHESTER UNITED won 2-0 away to PSV with two goals from former CELTIC player HENRIK LARSSON .


23.9.2004
CELTIC look safely through to the next round in the UEFA Cup after a 4-1 away to SPARTA PRAGUE . CHRIS SUTTON leading the way with a first half hat-trick .


25.9.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
RAITH ROVERS 1 MOTHERWELL 0
After 2 shaky performances in Europe , MARK BOSNICH is dropped and a debut is handed to BELGIAN TRISTAN PEERSMAN . ADAILTON is also recalled to the starting line up after nearly 5 months out through injury . After the poor midweek performance it was good to get back to winning ways in the League . MOTHERWELL always seems to run us close and this one was no different . Twice in the opening 20 mins , MCFADDEN came close to giving them the lead which was probably the wake up call we needed . PARTRIDGE set up MELLOR with an easy header , but he headed straight at the keeper . The winning goal came 6 mins from half time and it was the recalled ADAILTON who found space in the box after good work by MELLOR and he fired home . The second half was a one man show by MUNTEANU but it failed to bring the clinching second goal , thankfully we had done enough in the first half to merit the victory . The win was marred in stoppage time however with a bad injury to new keeper PEERSMAN , an injury that will see him sidelined for a minimum of 4 weeks .
ATTENDANCE :- 7133 SCORER :- ADAILTON 39

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULT'S
BRECHIN CITY 1 ABERDEEN 2
DUNDEE 1 KILMARNOCK 1
PARTICK THISTLE 2 DUNDEE UNITED 0
RANGERS 4 HEARTS 0


26.9.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULT
HIBERNIAN 0 CELTIC 0
HIBS victory last week in the Derby must have lifted the Easter Road side after a really poor start as they held a poor CELTIC to gain a share of the points . CELTIC created double the chances of the home side , but failed to test the keeper once in the entire 90 mins .


28.9.2004
RANGERS gain another point in their Champions League bid with a 0-0 draw away to BOAVISTA .


29.9.2004
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP C MATCHDAY 3
PHILIPS STADION , EINDHOVEN
PSV 1 RAITH ROVERS 0
The consolation of a place in the UEFA Cup for finishing third looks a tall order after a third straight loss . NEIL MELLOR'S scoring touch seem's to have deserted him in Europe as he missed 2 golden chances early on . JOHANN VOGEL making us pay as he latched on to KEZMAN'S pass in the 19th min to score the games only goal . VAN BOMMEL , BOUMA and VOGEL again , all came close in a largely one sided first half after those early chances for us . The second half saw much of the same as KEZMAN and BOUMA both came close to adding to the scoreline . We failed to create anything at all the second half and now we must pick ourselves up for the return match at home next week .
ATTENDANCE :- 28157 SCORER :- VOGEL 19

VALENCIA beat MAN UNITED 2-1 at home to move 3 points clear at the top of Group C .


SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP ROUND 2 RESULT'S
BERWICK RANGERS 0 HAMILTON 0 (Berwick win 4-3 on pens)
DUNDEE 3 AYR UNITED 0
DUNDEE UNITED 3 GRETNA 2
EAST STIRLING 4 ALLOA ATHLETIC 0
HEARTS 1 ELGIN CITY 0
KILMARNOCK 3 DUMBARTON 0
MORTON 0 BRECHIN CITY 2
PETERHEAD 1 ABERDEEN 0
ST JOHNSTONE 1 MOTHERWELL 0
STENHOUSEMUIR 3 HIBERNIAN 0
STIRLING ALBION 1 ROSS COUNTY 2
STRANRAER 1 FORFAR ATHLETIC 0

Holders MOTHERWELL are dumped out of the Cup at the first hurdle to First Division ST JOHNSTONE , while both HIBS and ABERDEEN also crash out to Second and Third Division sides respectivly .


1.10.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGER OF THE MONTH :- ALEX MCLEISH (RANGERS)
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE MONTH :- STEVEN THOMSON (RANGERS)
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE YOUNG PLAYER OF THE MONTH :- STEPHEN HUGHES (RANGERS)

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2.10.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
PITTODRIE STADIUM , ABERDEEN
ABERDEEN 0 RAITH ROVERS 0
A rather dissapointing game for the fans as both sides failed to create anything in front of goal . On the plus side for ourselves was another clean sheet , thats 5 in our opening 6 games . MAKELELE was the first to try his luck , blazing his half volley well wide . Next up was the recalled CAMERON , but his long effort sailed over the bar . The DONS started to get more into the game with STEVIE TOSH wasting two good efforts and LEIGH HINDS heading just over as the half time whistle blew . ADAILTON shot well wide from a narrow angle after the break , then made the keeper work on the hour before the game fizzled out for a dire draw and a share of the spoils . MARC SMYTH was taken of injured early in the first half and replaced by youngster RICHARD ROBB , but should be fit for the next game at PARTICK .
ATTENDANCE :- 18162

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULT'S
CELTIC 3 RANGERS 1
DUNDEE UNITED 0 HIBERNIAN 1
HEARTS 3 DUNDEE 1
KILMARNOCK 4 BRECHIN CITY 2
MOTHERWELL 2 PARTICK THISTLE 0


6.10.2004
WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS GROUP 7
SCOTLAND 2 BELARUS 0
After the drubbing in ROMANIA , SCOTLAND got back on track with a comfortable home win . Goals in either half from KEVIN KYLE and GARETH WILLIAMS gave them their first points , however with ROMANIA winning away to MOLDOVA and the CZECH REPUBLIC also in the group , qualification is going to be a struggle .


7.10.2004
CELTIC confirmed their place in the Second Round of the UEFA Cup with a 2-0 home win over SPARTA PRAGUE , coasting through 6-1 on aggregate .


8.10.2004
The draw for the Second Round of the UEFA Cup see's CELTIC paired with STURM GRAZ whith the first leg in AUSTRIA .

9.10.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
FIRHILL , GLASGOW
PARTICK THISTLE 0 RAITH ROVERS 0
Another point on our travels but the home side were left gutted after failing to take their chances . Despite remaining goalless , it was end to end stuff but without the killer touch in front of goal . JAMIE MITCHELL tested BOSNICH , then MELLOR shot wide after good play from PARTRIDGE . PANTHER blazed over from a long way out , then back up the other end ADAILTON brought out a good save from ARTHUR . GIBSON and MITCHELL should have done better as should have MUNTEANU for ourselves . Overall a good point away from home and should we beat DUNDEE UNITED in the re-arranged midweek game , we would move to the top of the table by one point .
ATTENDANCE :- 6979

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULT'S
BRECHIN CITY 4 HEARTS 0
HIBERNIAN 3 MOTHERWELL 1
KILMARNOCK 4 ABERDEEN 2
RANGERS 4 DUNDEE UNITED 0


10.10.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULT
DUNDEE 2 CELTIC 1
CELTIC missed the chance to go top with this defeat at Dens Park . Two goals from FABIAN CABALLERO doing the damage , with CHRIS SUTTON grabbing the goal for CELTIC .

13.10.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
TANNADICE STADIUM , DUNDEE
DUNDEE UNITED 0 RAITH ROVERS 2
Finally after three games without scoring we managed to hit the net to take us top of the table . DUNDEE UNITED have made a bad start to the season and are currently languishing at bottom of the table and it showed as the victory proved quite easy in the end . FREDDY ADU was recalled to the starting eleven in place of MAKALELE who is finding it tough to settle in to Scottish Football . PAUL LOVERING'S long pass found ADAILTON unmarked at the edge of the box and he smashed the ball high past GALLACHER for the opening goal in the 19th min . Moments later MCINNES sent a free kick flying just over the bar as the home side pressed for an equaliser , however it was a brief spell as MELLOR and ADAILTON should have buried the game before half time . The frustration of the home side was beginning to tell early in the second half with bookings for both CHIARINI and DUFF . GALLACHER kept his side in it with a wonder save to deny MELLOR but was helpless in the 71st min as ADAILTON scored again to seal the victory . A long clearance out of defence was headed on by MELLOR and ADAILTON easily outpaced CHIARINI to fire past the unlucky keeper . It was all to much for the United manager who immediately substituted the extremely poor CHIARINI to the ITALIAN'S despair .
ATTENDANCE :- 11563 SCORER'S :- ADAILTON 19 71

CURRENT LEAGUE STANDINGS

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23.10.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
RAITH ROVERS 1 HIBERNIAN 0
A goal in injury time from ADAILTON was enough to give us victory in this dour encounter . Neither side covered themselves in glory , with the match mainly played in the centre of the pitch , there was very little in the way of goalmouth action . It took 29 mins for the first effort on goal , CHAIKA'S header well saved by COLGAN in the visitor's goal . Moments later saw HIBS first chance , but O'NEILL'S long range effort was never likely to threaten the keeper . The midfielder did have a better chance just before half time but his half volley was just wide of the post . The late strike came after a poor throw in by SMITH was intercepted by LOVERING who in turn sent ADAILTON clear and he calmy finished to seal the points .
ATTENDANCE :- 7039 SCORER'S :- ADAILTON 90

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULT'S
ABERDEEN 3 PARTICK THISTLE 0
CELTIC 3 BRECHIN CITY 0
DUNDEE UNITED 2 DUNDEE 1
HEARTS 3 KILMARNOCK 0
MOTHERWELL 0 RANGERS 2

26.10.2004
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP C MATCHDAY 4
STARKS PARK , KIRKCALDY
RAITH ROVERS 0 PSV EINDHOVEN 0
Our first point in the tournament but boy were we absolutely hammered . How we managed to keep a clean sheet i will never know , but all credit to the players . If we do manage to qualify for this competition next season a few quality and creative players will be needed if we are to advance . Back to the game and the DUTCH side were in sublime form with ROBBEN , BOUMA and VOGEL all wasting excellent opportunity's . BOUMA was the most unfortunate with his injury time effort rattling the crossbar before spinning over the bar .
ATTENDANCE :- 7606

In the other group game MANCHESTER UNITED beat VALENCIA 3-1 to regain top spot .

27.10.2004
RANGERS progress in the Champions League is still in the balance as they are held 1-1 at home by BOAVISTA .

SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP THIRD ROUND RESULT'S
BERWICK RANGERS 1 PETERHEAD 0
DUNDEE 2 STENHOUSEMUIR 0
DUNDEE UNITED 3 CELTIC 2
EAST FIFE 3 EAST STIRLING 1
HEARTS 3 ROSS COUNTY 0
STRANRAER 3 BRECHIN CITY 2

CELTIC'S defeat to bottom of the table DUNDEE UNITED is the shock of the round , however Third Division's STRANRAER'S victory over BRECHIN CITY runs it very close . Scottish Cup holders EAST FIFE also advance with a comfortable home win over lowly EAST STIRLING .

29.10.2004
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP QUARTER FINAL DRAW
STRANRAER V DUNDEE
BERWICK RANGERS V EAST FIFE
ST JOHNSTONE OR RANGERS V DUNDEE UNITED
HEARTS V RAITH ROVERS OR KILMARNOCK

30.10.2004
IBROX STADIUM , GLASGOW
RANGERS 1 RAITH ROVERS 1
A good if somewhat fortunate point as we hold the Champions on their on patch . After deciding to rest MELLOR , i wrongly decided to try a 4-5-1 formation with ADAILTON up front on his own , RANGERS used this to their advantage . They really should have been more than one ahead at half time and probably would have been had it not of been for BOSNICH . The goal they did get however came from the penalty spot after SMYTH was adjudged to have fouled THOMPSON , with BALL tucking home the spot kick . MAKELELE was withdrawn at half time and replaced with ODONKOR and with it a return to a 4-4-2 . The change almost paid instant dividends with AFFELAY shooting straight at KLOS . More chances kept coming our way and it was no surprise in the 64th min when substitute ODONKOR levelled the scores . ADAILTON picked the ball up just inside the RANGERS half and although brilliantly challenged by KHIZANISHVILI the ball fell to ODONKOR who ran straight at the goal and fired wide past KLOS to seal an excellent point . HUGHES had a late chance to win it for the home side , but his long range effort was easily held by BOSNICH .
ATTENDANCE :- 43062 SCORER'S :- BALL 38(PEN) , ODONKOR 64

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULT'S
ABERDEEN 0 HEARTS 3
DUNDEE 3 MOTHERWELL 0
HIBERNIAN 0 PARTICK THISTLE 1
KILMARNOCK 0 CELTIC 2

31.10.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULT
BRECHIN CITY 2 DUNDEE UNITED 1
BRECHIN edge out their tayside rivals to move 5 points clear of them at the bottom of the table . Despite creating most of the chances , the visitors only had an injury time consolation strike from DODDS . MCLAUGHLIN and CROZIER grabbing the vital goals for BRECHIN .

1.11.2004
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGER OF THE MONTH :- ALEX MCLEISH (RANGERS)
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE MONTH :- JOHN HARTSON (CELTIC)
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE YOUNG PLAYER OF THE MONTH :- IBRAHIM AFFELAY (RAITH ROVERS)