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."

Probably the same people who want us to sign Steven Smith.

 

Anyway, I don't really think Foster would have had much choice in the matter when it came to the loan deal. Apart from the last interview I read from him I don't think there's been much he's said to get people angry.

 

I agree he has been very carefull in is interviews. When asked if he will be staying at Rangers or if he wants to he says, At the moment all he knows is he will be an Aberdeen player next season.

And while admitting he has enjoyed his time at Rangers playing in big European games he has never said he the famous it is the only team I wanted to play for line or that he is desperate to stay.

I'd be happy to see him return, only strengthens our squad and god knows we need that!

If he does come back, he'll get my support.

Nail on head

 

Anyone who gives him grief because he played for Der Hun needs their head examined!!

Why is it a player who for years was arguably one of our worst players and very inconsistent suddenly become a world beater because he has played for the huns.

We used to argue about players suddenly getting picked for Scotland just because they signed for the huns.

Aint this just the same.

 

Why is it a player who for years was arguably one of our worst players and very inconsistent suddenly become a world beater because he has played for the huns.

We used to argue about players suddenly getting picked for Scotland just because they signed for the huns.

Aint this just the same.

 

He has had some bad seasons but In fairness, in the seasons that he played well, he was arguably one of our best players.  He clearly has the ability, perhaps he needs a coach or manager of a certain type to help his consistency or maybe playing in the champions league will have boosted his confidence and will make him a better player for us.

Why is it a player who for years was arguably one of our worst players and very inconsistent suddenly become a world beater because he has played for the huns.

We used to argue about players suddenly getting picked for Scotland just because they signed for the huns.

Aint this just the same.

 

Who's suggesting that?

Why is it a player who for years was arguably one of our worst players and very inconsistent suddenly become a world beater because he has played for the huns.

We used to argue about players suddenly getting picked for Scotland just because they signed for the huns.

Aint this just the same.

 

I get your point, but I dint think anyone has suggested that he's a world beater. He's had a good couple of seasons now and to say he wouldn't have improved playing in the champs league is probably a bit of diservice to the guy. I didn't want him to go in the first place, but would be happy to see him back.

Why is it a player who for years was arguably one of our worst players and very inconsistent suddenly become a world beater because he has played for the huns.

We used to argue about players suddenly getting picked for Scotland just because they signed for the huns.

Aint this just the same.

 

I get where you're coming from, and a lot of it at the time was just another stick to beat Mark McGhee with for some... you'd have thought Foster was the bastard child of Paul Breitner and Paolo Maldini, when the reality is that we just needed anyone at all who could play full back to a barely acceptable level; which is exactly what Foster provided, sometimes it was a bit more than that and sometimes a bit less but over the course of a season he was certainly a better option than sticking Considine or McArdle at left back and right back.

 

If we are going to improve though, we require a better standard of player than Ricky Foster.

I get where you're coming from, and a lot of it at the time was just another stick to beat Mark McGhee with for some... you'd have thought Foster was the bastard child of Paul Breitner and Paolo Maldini, when the reality is that we just needed anyone at all who could play full back to a barely acceptable level; which is exactly what Foster provided, sometimes it was a bit more than that and sometimes a bit less but over the course of a season he was certainly a better option than sticking Considine or McArdle at left back and right back.

 

If we are going to improve though, we require a better standard of player than Ricky Foster.

 

Was it not more the hideous imbalance left in the squad as the result of that loan move?

I get where you're coming from, and a lot of it at the time was just another stick to beat Mark McGhee with for some... you'd have thought Foster was the bastard child of Paul Breitner and Paolo Maldini, when the reality is that we just needed anyone at all who could play full back to a barely acceptable level; which is exactly what Foster provided, sometimes it was a bit more than that and sometimes a bit less but over the course of a season he was certainly a better option than sticking Considine or McArdle at left back and right back.

 

If we are going to improve though, we require a better standard of player than Ricky Foster.

 

I hear what you're saying but how come Walter Smith thinks hes of an acceptable level for Rangers, and in playing terms they are miles ahead of us, yet WE (the bottom 6 team) need a better standard of player. Now either he is better than we give him credit for or the fact that he generally holds his own in the Rangers team is some sort of blip.

I hear what you're saying but how come Walter Smith thinks hes of an acceptable level for Rangers, and in playing terms they are miles ahead of us, yet WE (the bottom 6 team) need a better standard of player. Now either he is better than we give him credit for or the fact that he generally holds his own in the Rangers team is some sort of blip.

 

He's just the modern day Alec Cleland/Gary Bollan.

Was it not more the hideous imbalance left in the squad as the result of that loan move?

 

I'm talking about how Foster appeared to be elevated to greatness by some.  The squad was horribly imbalanced by his departure and poor decisions by McGhee, but his absence seemed to greatly exaggerate his effectiveness. 

 

I hear what you're saying but how come Walter Smith thinks hes of an acceptable level for Rangers, and in playing terms they are miles ahead of us, yet WE (the bottom 6 team) need a better standard of player. Now either he is better than we give him credit for or the fact that he generally holds his own in the Rangers team is some sort of blip.

 

You'd have to ask Walter Smith that.  While you're at it, you could maybe ask him why he also thinks Kirk Broadfoot is a player too.

 

Liam McLeod, from twitter:

 

liammcleod79: New #Rangers manager Ally McCoist wants to retain defenders Kyle Bartley on loan and #Aberdeen's Ricky Foster permanently next season

 

 

liammcleod79: Stumbling block for McCoist's move for Foster is the transfer fee but both McCoist and player would like it to happen. #Rangers #Aberdeen

Transfer fee a stumbling block when he's just been handed 10 million? GTF McCoist and Whyte. Would rather keep an unhappy player than let him go on the cheap to those cunts.

Transfer fee a stumbling block when he's just been handed 10 million? GTF McCoist and Whyte. Would rather keep an unhappy player than let him go on the cheap to those cunts.

 

Agree with this. Was always going to happen though, I just hope that the board show a wee bit of backbone when an offer does come in.

How long does he have left on his deal? Hopefully the board stay strong.

£2Million and he's their's

Im pretty sure he has two years left on his deal, i want a mill at least for him

I hope the board are strong too. but those of you wanting 7 figure sums need to lay off the glue. It's Ricky foster ffs.

I hope the board are strong too. but those of you wanting 7 figure sums need to lay off the glue. It's Ricky foster ffs.

 

Exactly. And they know we're skint and they know how tight Milne is. If it's a great deal more than £250k i'll be shocked... remember, the huns will know full well what his salary is, and that is the driver in these deals.

I'll be astounded if the cunts offer more than £100k for Foster.

I'll be even more astounded if our board have got the balls to turn it down.

We should however turn down any initial offer we receive from the filth and if Foster really wants to go (and have yet to see the quote in writing where he allegedly says he does) then let him slap in a transfer request, at which point we notify every single club in Britain and Europe about the availability of a versatile twenty six year old with Champions League experience, and let the bidding begin.

 

 

I swear I will NEVER forgive Wiggy if he lets Foster go to Der Hun for a pittance

I think most transfer fees are worked out on how much the contracts are worth. So...

 

Let's say Foster is on approx. £3k p/w with us he has two years left so let's says £312k plus a percentage of this season say 90% so about £450k maybe £500k if we're lucky. Would seem likely to me. The question you'd have to ask is; would you sell him to the Huns for that? I wouldn't

 

We should however turn down any initial offer we receive from the filth and if Foster really wants to go (and have yet to see the quote in writing where he allegedly says he does) then let him slap in a transfer request, at which point we notify every single club in Britain and Europe about the availability of a versatile twenty six year old with Champions League experience, and let the bidding begin.

 

 

This.  Really does depend on foster though.  If he does want to leave - we need to ring every penny from him.

I think most transfer fees are worked out on how much the contracts are worth. So...

 

Let's say Foster is on approx. £3k p/w with us he has two years left so let's says £312k plus a percentage of this season say 90% so about £450k maybe £500k if we're lucky. Would seem likely to me. The question you'd have to ask is; would you sell him to the Huns for that? I wouldn't

 

Why wouldn't you?

 

Weakens them financially, doesn't particularly strengthen them on the field, doesn't particularly weaken us on the pitch as he's not been here for a year and when he was he was .... well, occasionally competent. 

 

He's not David Robertson.

 

Which is a shame.

"Stumbling block" over the fee is actually vaguely encouraging for once.