http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2010/12/06/if-rangers-had-any-money-i-would-still-be-at-aberdeen-fighting-relegation-admits-ricky-foster-86908-22765388/

 

RICKY FOSTER is bright enough to know that if Walter Smith had serious money to spend he would be fighting relegation instead of living a Champions League dream.

 

The 25-year-old was plucked from Pittodrie on loan hours before the transfer deadline because of his ability to play in just about every defensive and midfield position - a versatility Smith needed to bolster a squad seriously lacking in numbers.

 

And while Foster has started matches against Valencia and Manchester United in the world's most glamorous club competition, the mates he left behind have slumped to joint bottom of the SPL and ditched Mark McGhee.

 

The Dons' plight saddens Foster, particularly as he'll have to go back to the Granite City at the end of the season if Rangers don't try to make his loan permanent.

 

But he is convinced he won't be swapping the Champions League for the First Division if he does return to see out the remaining two years of his contract.

 

Also Foster believes he will be able to handle any stick he gets from the Aberdeen supporters who haven't taken kindly to him moving to Rangers.

 

Yesterday, as he landed in Turkey ahead of tomorrow's final Group C match against Bursaspor, Foster said: "I think I would get a little bit of stick but it would only be from a small section.

 

"I'm sure a lot of them would realise that I never instigated this move. It just came about.

 

"If you look at it, in my first two weeks here I went to Old Trafford and since then I've played against Valencia and Manchester United at Ibrox.

 

"I don't think any of the Aberdeen fans could say it was a bad move for me. It has obviously enhanced my CV, it has enhanced my career.

 

"I think if they look at it without bias, they would realise it was a good move for me and something I couldn't turn down.

 

"It has all been a little strange. The manager gave me a new contract in January, but just a few months later he was willing to let me go to Rangers.

 

"I was very surprised. I was probably the second or third up there in terms of games played and experience.

 

"I can also play a few positions. It was a hard one for me to get my head round but I was never going to look at it in that sense. I was just happy that he allowed me to leave and try something new."

 

That something new includes the Champions League and wherever Foster ends up, he will go armed with the confidence that comes with holding his own against some of the world's best.

 

Foster said: "It is a massive confidence boost for me to play in the Champions League.

 

"Against Manchester United and Valencia I was playing against some of the best players in the world.

 

"It's the biggest club competition you can play in. You watch it on the TV and think, 'How good am I compared to them?'

 

"You realise that although the players are better than me, especially at the top clubs, they are maybe not as far ahead of me as I first thought. I was playing against Nani and we've all seen what he can do on his game.

 

"The Valencia game was nerve-wracking at first and I thought I coped better against Manchester United. Right from the start I was confident, I knew I could play at that level."

 

Foster believes Rangers have done well to finish such a strong group in third but reckons investment must be made in January if Smith's men are to enjoy a Europa League run.

 

He said: "It's difficult to say how we'll do in that tournament but ideally we'd want to get in a few more players. There's been a few games where the manager's only been able to put six boys on the bench.

 

"To compete in competitions like the Europa League, and even to maintain our form in the SPL, you need to have depth.

 

"I think with the money being spent by other clubs, it would be difficult for us to progress in the tournament with the current squad."

 

Before that, though, the curtain comes down on the Champions League and with Kirk Broadfoot and Sasa Papac out, Foster is set to play in only his second European tie on foreign soil.

 

He hopes it is a better experience than the one he had for Aberdeen against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup a couple of seasons ago when the Dons were skelped 5-1.

 

He said: "I played in the Allianz Arena in Munich. But I ran about the pitch for 90 minutes while Bayern Munich played. This will be a different experience if I'm involved.

 

"Turkey is a hostile environment anyway when it comes to football. It will be a different experience but it will also be one I'll hopefully enjoy if I'm selected.

 

"It's not a meaningless game for me. I played the last two games against Manchester United and Kilmarnock but since then the matches have been cancelled.

 

"So it would be nice to get this game and if I am in the team I will try to show the manager what I can do and hopefully get selected for more games."

 

Foster would love to stay at Rangers but is wary about admitting it, given that he may have to return north at the end of the campaign.

 

He added: "If my loan spell ends here and I go back to Aberdeen I will welcome that as much as anything else. I do think they've got the squad to stay up. In fact, I do think they are a top-six team.

 

"Individually they've got a lot of good players, just collectively they are not gelling. They are having a tough time right now but I think the players and the management have to take a bit of responsibility, although it is always the manager who loses his job, as Mark did.

 

"But hopefully the new manager will give them a new lease of life and everyone will be fighting to get in the team.

 

"That usually spurs the players on to play better and hopefully they will get back up the league.

 

"I don't know what will happen with myself. I'm sure if I do well enough it might be on the cards for me to stay. But it's not something I'm thinking about. I'm just here to play.

 

"If I'm playing in the Rangers team every week then it kind of puts me in the market.

 

"But if I was to dwell on that kind of thing then I would struggle to play any football at all."

Confident or delusional? 

 

You forgot pished!

I saw an interview with Ricky on the BBC website the other day. I took from it that he really didn't want to come back.

‘Rangers will have to dig deep for Aberdeen FC ace Foster’

Brown’s warning over on-loan defender

 

Published: 22/12/2010

 

ABERDEEN FC boss Craig Brown today warned Rangers they will have to splash the cash if they want to keep Richard Foster.

 

Aberdeen FC defender Foster has impressed at Ibrox and has also expressed an interest in staying with Rangers beyond the end of this season, despite still having two and a half years left on his Aberdeen FC contract.

 

Aberdeen FC boss Craig Brown confirmed that will only happen if Rangers are willing to fork out a “substantial” transfer fee for Foster.

Correct noise coming from Mr. Brown.

Foster is a hun supporter. He'll definitely want to stay there. Aside from being a hun he's generally known to be quite smart. He's not going to burn his bridges.

 

The only issue I have with him playing for us if the fact he's shit. True we could have done with him this season but I'd rather have McNamee (and if possible to sign him) Davidson every single day of the week.

 

I like what Brown said also.

 

Foster is a hun supporter. He'll definitely want to stay there. Aside from being a hun he's generally known to be quite smart. He's not going to burn his bridges.

 

The only issue I have with him playing for us if the fact he's shit. True we could have done with him this season but I'd rather have McNamee (and if possible to sign him) Davidson every single day of the week.

 

I like what Brown said also.

 

'Shit' he may be, but I am convinced that having him at right-back instead of Ifil et al would have saved us a considerable amount of goals this season. He's a player worth having.

He can't really say anything else.  Unfortunately now we find ourselves in an absolutely bizarre position where we are going to struggle to properly dictate a potential fee for someone we still have contracted for 2 years.  As professional as I think Foster is, I can't really see him being over the moon at returning to a club where he was pushed out the door, not to mention a considerable element of the support who will struggle to accept him back.  The only way round this would be Craig Brown convincing him of a place here. 

 

To me this sounds like we are trying to put him well and truely in the transfer market.  I guess we have to focus on Rangers just now due to them having a loan agreed till the end of the season but come the end of the season I can only see him or the club pushing through a move as it will probably be in the best interests of everyone.  I just hope it ain't for tuppence hapenny.

'Shit' he may be, but I am convinced that having him at right-back instead of Ifil et al would have saved us a considerable amount of goals this season. He's a player worth having.

You obviously skimmed past the part where I said we could have done with him this season.

 

Next season no.

You obviously skimmed past the part where I said we could have done with him this season.

 

Next season no.

 

I had indeed, apologies.

 

I disagree however, in that next season I would still be happy to have him around - there are numerous inferior players who need replaced first. That isn't to say that I wouldn't take a fee for him though. He at least is a sellable asset, unlike the majority of the players on our books.

I had indeed, apologies.

 

I disagree however, in that next season I would still be happy to have him around - there are numerous inferior players who need replaced first. That isn't to say that I wouldn't take a fee for him though. He at least is a sellable asset, unlike the majority of the players on our books.

I posted in another thread that the only players I'd personally want to keep are Fyvie, Pawlett, Hartley, Folly, Vernon, Jack and Robertson.

 

The rest can fuck off as far as I'm concerned.

 

I know this won't be the case though.

I posted in another thread that the only players I'd personally want to keep are Fyvie, Pawlett, Hartley, Folly, Vernon, Jack and Robertson.

 

The rest can fuck off as far as I'm concerned.

 

I know this won't be the case though.

 

What have Vernon and Folly done that McArdle, Magennis and so on haven't.  I think Folly has seriously regressed as the team has, I seriously can't think of a game he has taken by the scruff of the neck in a long time.  Vernon has been left massively isolated of late and has shown he can score, but is far from proving consistency in his performances.

 

Thing that confuses me is if you are basing this on talent, performance or attitude.  I can't see any great pattern to your selection...

What have Vernon and Folly done that McArdle, Magennis and so on haven't.  I think Folly has seriously regressed as the team has, I seriously can't think of a game he has taken by the scruff of the neck in a long time.  Vernon has been left massively isolated of late and has shown he can score, but is far from proving consistency in his performances.

 

Thing that confuses me is if you are basing this on talent, performance or attitude.  I can't see any great pattern to your selection...

I admittedly haven't seen much of the team this season but I haven't shyed from that.

 

I've never seen McArdle at full back but all I heard (LS aside) was that he struggled. It also pulls the team out of shape. I've seen him in the middle and didn't find him particularly better than what we have.

 

Vernon looks like he can take his chances as long as he's being provided with them.

 

Hartley has the right attitude and drive to help the younger players, although the legs are going.

 

Folly is the player I've seen most fans raving about although recently everyone has come in for stick. I haven't seen much of him admittedly. By your admission though it seems when we were doing well he was doing well too. A hard working water carrier isn't going to look great when we're struggling.

 

Magennis just looks awkward and doesn't have a football brain. Will run and run and run and put himself about but that seems about it.

 

The young players can all play football and still have plenty potential to fill. Robertson has looked the worst but I'm told he's naturally a left midfielder. It also can't help playing in such a poor defence with no left wingers tracking back.

Judging on performance alone nobody, except the real young guys, should be safe.

I don't think we can have both Hartley and Folly in midfield together, teams are ripping us to pieces in there because we have utterly no urgency.  Both in their own right are good players but Hartley's legs have gone. Get a guy in there beside him (or Folly) who will go box to box and get to the opposition quickly.

Folly at different times this season has looked a class act and then totally out his depth.

 

I really do think it's one of two, not both.

I don't think we can have both Hartley and Folly in midfield together, teams are ripping us to pieces in there because we have utterly no urgency.  Both in their own right are good players but Hartley's legs have gone. Get a guy in there beside him (or Folly) who will go box to box and get to the opposition quickly.

Folly at different times this season has looked a class act and then totally out his depth.

 

I really do think it's one of two, not both.

I think there is definitely space for both if we play with a 3 man midfield, whetehr that's in a 3-5-2 or a 4-5-1 formation.

 

I agree in regards to a 4-4-2 formation but I can't remember the last time we tried two front men I'm afraid.

I think there is definitely space for both if we play with a 3 man midfield, whetehr that's in a 3-5-2 or a 4-5-1 formation.

 

I agree in regards to a 4-4-2 formation but I can't remember the last time we tried two front men I'm afraid.

 

I agree, a midfield of Folly, Hartley and Fyvie for example could potentially work. 

 

Folly looked a very composed player earlier in the season, but the last couple of games I've attended have completely passed him by.

I think there is definitely space for both if we play with a 3 man midfield, whetehr that's in a 3-5-2 or a 4-5-1 formation.

 

I agree in regards to a 4-4-2 formation but I can't remember the last time we tried two front men I'm afraid.

 

I still think it's far too pedestrian.  You'd then have one guy doing the forward midfield work of at least two men. We frankly don't have anyone good enough to do that justice.

I still think it's far too pedestrian.  You'd then have one guy doing the forward midfield work of at least two men. We frankly don't have anyone good enough to do that justice.

I agree to an extent, the doubts being that we aren't strong enough defensively to have more of a cavalier midfield.

 

If we had the defence sorted I'd be a lot more open to one of the two playing.

I agree to an extent, the doubts being that we aren't strong enough defensively to have more of a cavalier midfield.

 

If we had the defence sorted I'd be a lot more open to one of the two playing.

 

It's nothing to do with being cavalier, it's to do with doing a midfielder's job properly in my opinion. Neither of them have the legs to move out of their comfort zone on the park and the rest of the side will suffer as a result. 

 

I actually think in certain games our defence would perhaps be better off without the two of them sitting on top of them.  The gap between midfield and defence is non existent at times. That has to change.

It's nothing to do with being cavalier, it's to do with doing a midfielder's job properly in my opinion. Neither of them have the legs to move out of their comfort zone on the park and the rest of the side will suffer as a result. 

 

I actually think in certain games our defence would perhaps be better off without the two of them sitting on top of them.  The gap between midfield and defence is non existent at times. That has to change.

You will have seen more of the team this season Bobby so I can't argue with how it's been going in your eyes as I don't really have an opinion. I've mostly seen highlights of defensive errors etc and just felt they could do with a bit more cover.

 

The best midfield performance I've seen this season was from Ryan Jack. I wish he hadn't had a couple of leg breaks as he'd have broken through before. He's a good lad and a good player.

Having only seen the Dons twice this season, both times we won, I haven't really any idea what formations we are playing at present. Does Hartley occupy a kind of sweeper role like he did at Celtic in his latter period there (I think) or does he just play a deep midfield role ? If we are going to play a 5 man back line would Hartley be better in there as the composed head ? Just a thought, Severin seemed to take to that role quite well and I'm sure Roy Keane played there in his later years.

 

 

Having only seen the Dons twice this season, both times we won, I haven't really any idea what formations we are playing at present. Does Hartley occupy a kind of sweeper role like he did at Celtic in his latter period there (I think) or does he just play a deep midfield role ? If we are going to play a 5 man back line would Hartley be better in there as the composed head ? Just a thought, Severin seemed to take to that role quite well and I'm sure Roy Keane played there in his later years.

 

He's still in midfield, sitting in front of the defence.

 

Both Severin and Keane played as out and out centre backs more than sweeper.  I would worry that Hartley as last man just wouldn't have the legs to dig us out the hole sweeper's should be digging their team out of.

He's still in midfield, sitting in front of the defence.

 

Both Severin and Keane played as out and out centre backs more than sweeper.  I would worry that Hartley as last man just wouldn't have the legs to dig us out the hole sweeper's should be digging their team out of.

 

Agree with that. Foster would be ideal for that role imo.

He's still in midfield, sitting in front of the defence.

 

Both Severin and Keane played as out and out centre backs more than sweeper.  I would worry that Hartley as last man just wouldn't have the legs to dig us out the hole sweeper's should be digging their team out of.

 

Sorry, my thinking had moved on a notch during that post. I had meant Hartley taking on a role as an out and out CB in a back 5, not a sweeper....just to clarify.

Rangers keen to keep Aberdeen FC defender

But loan star Foster plays down switch

 

Published: 24/03/2011

 

RANGERS boss in waiting Ally McCoist is keen on signing Aberdeen FC defender Richard Foster on a permanent deal.

 

Foster is on a season-long loan at Ibrox and featured heavily in the Champions League and Europa League.

 

However Foster said: “My situation as it stands is that I am going back to Aberdeen FC for next season.”