Biographien » Scottish Cup, and the most optimistic of R

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. Nathan Shepherd Jersey . -- Martin Kaymer and Jordan Spieth are having a blast at The Players Championship -- one because hes playing good golf again, the other because thats all hes been doing. Kaymer followed his record-tying 63 on the Stadium Course on the TPC Sawgrass with a 3-under 69, capping off his round by hitting a pitching wedge to 3 feet on an island green with a back pin on the 17th hole. He had a one-shot lead going into the weekend as he tries to end more than two years without a victory. "Everything is coming together nicely," said Kaymer, a former PGA champion and world No. 1. Spieth, in his first big tournament since his runner-up finish at the Masters, hasnt shown any signs of a letdown. He pieced together another bogey-free round and converted pure swings into tap-in birdies on consecutive holes on the back nine that carried him to a 6-under 66. "I dont think its going to be possible to stay bogey-free for two more rounds with the greens firming up," Spieth said, not sounding at all like someone making his Players Championship debut. "Thats a nice goal to have, I think. When bogeys come, its going to be how I rebound." Kaymer was at 12-under 132. That matched the best 36-hole score on the Stadium Course at the TPC Sawgrass in 20 years, dating to Greg Normans record-setting performance. Norman made only one bogey that week. Spieth hasnt made a bogey all week -- he has gone 51 holes without a bogey going back to the third round at Hilton Head -- though he had to make a couple of tough chips look easy to keep a clean card. The 20-year-old Texan was still on the practice range when he saw Kaymer finish at 12 under, a score that felt impossible to catch in warm, blustery weather. The grass remained soft on the golf course, however, allowing players to take aim at the flags. Some players had no choice. Adam Scott, in his first tournament as a married man, kept alive his hopes of going to No. 1 in the world this week with three birdies in his last four holes for a 67. That was a 10-shot improvement from Thursday and enabled him to make the cut on the number at even-par 144. Brantford, Ont., native David Hearn finished the second round in a tie for 25th place. Rory McIlroy shot 42 on the front nine and appeared headed home early until making birdie on the 18th hole to salvage a 74 to make the cut. Not so fortunate was Phil Mickelson. He missed his birdie attempt on No. 18 and had a 70 to miss by one. Mickelson now has missed the cut in the two biggest events of the year -- the Masters and The Players. "I dont feel bad about the game," Mickelson said. "But mentally, Im just really soft right now." Kaymer is winless dating to the HSBC Champions in Shanghai at the end of 2011. The more good scores he sees, the more often his name is on a leaderboard, the more confidence he gains. Darren Clarke watched it for two days, referring to him as a "finely tuned engineer." Even so, the 29-year-old German is hesitant to look beyond the next day. He knows its tough to follow a record-tying round with anything remotely close. So he lowered his expectations, figuring anything around par would be suitable, and then kept his distance from the field. "Yesterday was just a very special day for me," he said. "Even though I shot 9-under par yesterday ... if people want to talk negative about it, I then shot six shots worse. But you can always go in the negative. I see very positive things that I backed up that 9-under par with another decent round." Spieth was even better. He had to scramble for par from short of the ninth green and from behind the 10th green. He hit his stride in the middle of the back nine with two shots that were nearly identical -- a 6-iron on the par-3 13th that rode the ridge down to about 4 feet, and a 6-iron from 184 yards on the 14th to 3 feet. "It was a nice break to land and roll to pin-high, because it was a very tricky pin with quite a bit of slope around the hole," he said. Spieth has said he was proud of how he played the final round of the Masters, even with a two-shot lead with 11 holes to play. His game looks every bit as solid at Sawgrass, a course he had only seen while playing a junior event. He finished second in that one, too. And thats what keep him going. Asked he if was getting bored being in contention so much, he smiled and said, "No, because I havent won one." "You should probably have to win every time in order for it to get boring," he said. "But not even Tiger gets bored." Russell Henley didnt make a par over his last six holes -- three bogeys, three birdies -- for a 71 and was in third place at 8-under 136. Sergio Garcia (71), U.S. Open champion Justin Rose (71), Gary Woodland (71), Lee Westwood (71) and Jim Furyk (68) were six shots behind. The course appeared to be getting slightly firmer by the end of the day. The excitement figures to start on the weekend. Spencer Long Jersey . Listen to the Raptors vs. Jazz live tonight on TSN Radio 1050 at 9pm et/6pm pt. The Raptors are 1-1 so far on the five-game junket after defeating Denver and losing to Portland. Sam Darnold Jersey . "Weve given ourselves now a tougher task," said Carlyle after the Friday practice, the Toronto head coach notably chipper and upbeat throughout. "But the bottom line is we just have to win our share of games [and] not worry about what anybody else is doing. http://www.authenticjetsfootballonline.com/authentic-terrelle-pryor-sr-jets-jersey/ . "He started putting me on the ice to strengthen them at the suggestion from a doctor," he said. Weight said it wasnt a pretty sight at the rink in St. Clair Shores, Mich. "I looked like Forrest Gump," he joked.Rangers will play in Scotland’s top flight next year after they clinched the Championship league title, putting an end to four seasons in the lower leagues. Mark Warburtons side got over the line at a sold-out Ibrox after a 1-0 win over Dumbarton earlier this month.Here we take a look at the footballing journey the club has been on since they were last in the top tier. Four years after Rangers demotion to Scotlands lowest league, heres a brief look at the Glasgow giants return to the top tier of Scottish football. 2012/13 - The SFL Third Division Captain Lee McCulloch lifts the old Scottish Third Division trophy Rangers were refused entry to the then SPL by its member clubs in July 2012, but they were accepted by the SFL into its lowest league.As they entered unknown territory, Rangers fans were anticipating trips to football grounds they had never been before.The Division 3 campaign started with a trip to Peterhead.Barrie McKay scored Rangers first goal in Scotlands bottom tier but it took until injury time before Andy Little earned a point as they drew 2-2.That day the potential pitfalls of strolling through the leagues were made plain to the 4,500 supporters that crammed in to Balmoor Stadium.The first league match of the season at Ibrox saw an official attendance of 49,118; a world record for a fourth tier football match. The fans expectations were met as an Andy Little hat-trick led to a 5-1 win against East Stirling. Rangers fans continued to turn out at Ibrox despite playing in the bottom tier of Scottish football. Uninspiring draws at Berwick Rangers and Annan Athletic followed in the weeks to come but the season was probably epitomised best by the 1-0 victory away to Queens Park on 29th December 2012.Around 30,000 Rangers fans shuffled into Hampden on a freezing winters day and were greeted with a banal performance from an experienced side. It took a last-minute Fraser Aird strike to secure the three points despite playing against 10 men for the final third of the game.A full-back by the name of Andrew Robertson started for part-time Queens Park that day, an indication of how much has happened in the game since Rangers were playing at that level.Fan frustrations at this point in the season were less about results (Rangers were 15 points clear at the top of the table) but more to do with the unconvincing performances from a squad that, on paper at least, possessed plenty of quality within its ranks. Andrew Little (left) and Chris Hegarty hang their heads as Inverness CT go 3-0 in front in League Cup Ally McCoists men had already been put out of the League Cup after a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to an in-form Inverness CT, they then lost in the Scottish Cup fifth round to Dundee United at Tannadice.However, these types of defeat wouldnt be the most disappointing for the Rangers fans that season.They were beaten at home twice, to Annan Athletic and Peterhead, in the space of six weeks towards the end of the campaign; not the kind of results a near full Ibrox would expect at any time against such opposition.Rangers were always in control of the league though and went on to claim the Third Division title by 24 points, gaining promotion to what would be called League One after the merger between the SPL and SFL in the summer of 2013.2013/14 - SPFL League One Rangers were unbeaten in the league in 2013/14, winning 102 points Some unconvincing displays in 2012/13 perhaps meant Rangers didnt get as much credit for their forthcoming years performances.Captain Lee McCulloch helped lead Rangers to a record league campaign where they amassed 102 points and scored 106 goals in 36 matches.Rangers superior starting point played a huge part in this. Their budget eclipsed all other teams, bar Celtic, in Scotland. Adding to this significant advantage, the clubs transfer embargo ended over the summer.Ally McCoist splashed out on a number of seasoned professionals; Jon Daly, Nicky Clark, Nicky Law, Bilel Mohsni, Cammy Bell and the late Arnold Peralta were among those to arrive at Murray Park. Some of Rangers signings summer of 2013: (Left-right) Nicky Clark, Richard Foster, Nicky Law, Stevie Smith, Arnold Peralta, Cammy Bell, Jon Daly and Bilel The additions to the squad certainly helped as Rangers were far more dominant and comfortable in the league that year despite stepping up a division.An early exit in the League Cup to Forfar Athletic was far from the ideal start to the year but it wasnt until April that Rangers next lost a match in 90 minutes. That defeat came in the Scottish Cup semi-final, again to Dundee United.The week before this semi-final defeat Rangers suffered an extra-time loss to Raith Rovers in the Scottish Challenge Cup final. Off-field problems were by now dominating Rangers fans worries, but this defeat was among the lowest points for supporters during the clubs lower league escapades.Nevertheless Ally McCoists main priority that season was achieved as he guided Rangers to a record breaking season unbeaten in the league. Stage two of the plan to take Rangers back to the Premiership had been achieved.2014/15 - SPFL Championship (left-right) Craig Levein, Ann Budge and Robbie Neilson of Hearts with the Championship trophy The final part of Rangers journey back to the top of Scottish football was made harder when two of the countrys bigger clubs were relegated to the Championship.Hearts demotion was confirmed long in advance of the close of the 2013/14 season, as administration and a points deduction took hold.But Hibernians shock relegation through the play-offs meant three of Scotland biggest clubs were now competing for two promotion places.Off-field controversies made this season difficult for everyone at Rangers. While no excuses were made for failing to gain promotion given their far loftier budget, these problems certainly played their part as they took their toll on the staff at the club. Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson (left) celebrates with match winner Osman Sow after their 2-1 win at Ibrox. The opening day of the Championship provided an almost perfect summary of the year ahead. On 10th of August 2014 Hearts came to Ibrox with youth, enthusiasm and desire, and consequently travelled back to Edinburgh with a deserved three points.Within the Rangers side that played against Hearts, Lewis MacLeod was the only one not to have multiple Premiership campaigns under his belt. Many Rangers supporters were lamentting the lack of youth blooded throughout their exile from the top-flight. Nathan Shepherd Jets Jersey. This feeling was amplified having seen what Hearts had done during their financial troubles. Another home defeat to Hibs the following month piled the pressure on McCoist and further weakened his status with the fans. Elimination from the Challenge Cup at the semi-final stage in December meant Rangers failed to win the lower league competition in their first three attempts.Later that month McCoist tendered his resignation and triggered a 12-month notice period, but he was placed on gardening leave, with Hearts nine points clear having played a game more.Despite a turbulent time at the helm of Rangers, McCoist will always be held in high regard by the majority of the blue half of Glasgow, largely for his feats as a player. Rangers Manager Ally McCoist arrives at Palmerston Park on the day he tendered for his resignation from the club Many Rangers supporters understood the awkward position the clubs all-time leading goal-scorer found himself in.With chairmen and board members constantly absent from answering the difficult questions on Rangers off-field problems, McCoist was left to cope with the pressure of being the spokesperson on everything and anything at Rangers.He coped with it all admirably throughout his tenure, most of the time keeping his famous good humour and wit regardless of the stress he was under.Yet as a coach he was sometimes found wanting, and in the end his departure came as a relief to all parties.McCoists number two Kenny McDowall stepped into the fray, and promptly lost 4-0 to Hibs in his first game in charge on 27th December. It was clear he did not envisage staying in the position in the long term. Kenny McDowall lost his first match as Rangers caretaker manager A much anticipated return of the Old Firm came in early 2015 as they were drawn together in the League Cup semi-final.Its not often you can call a derby match between Rangers and Celtic forgettable, but this tie certainly isnt one that will live long in the memory.Celtic raced in to a 2-0 lead early on through goals from Leigh Griffiths and Kris Commons in the first half. Rangers didnt manage a shot on target all afternoon as Celtic eased to victory. Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths scores against Rangers in last seasons League Cup semi-final In January McDowall tendered his resignation and left the club, with Stuart McCall coming in to take charge until the end of the season. Hearts won the league at a canter, securing the title in late March. Rangers finished the season in a disappointing third behind both Edinburgh clubs, 24 points off champions Hearts.But McCall managed to help orchestrate wins in the play-offs against Queen of the South and Hibs. His former team Motherwell awaited in the final for a place in the Scottish Premiership.In a game that was a lot closer than the scoreline suggested, Rangers were 3-0 down at home after 47 minutes. Darren McGregor netted late on to give McCall hope going in to the second leg five days later but a far more comfortable 3-0 Motherwell win confined Rangers to at least one more season in the Championship.The ignominy of this defeat was compounded by the ugly post-match scenes in which defender Bilel Mohsni ended up with a seven-match ban for an altercation with Motherwells Lee Erwin.2015/16 - SPFL Championship Rangers appointed Mark Warburton and David Weir at the start of 2015/16 season In March 2015 former director Dave King and his allies had won control of the club at an Emergency General Meeting, removing the previous board from power.Although he appointed Stuart McCall to his post until the end of the season it wasnt until the summer that King made any real changes.The club released 11 of the first team players that had failed to win promotion the year before, with King openly criticising their performances and professionalism.Former Brentford manager Mark Warburton and Rangers hero David Weir were appointed as the new managerial team at Ibrox, and they brought in a host of names many fans initially struggled to recognise.Warburtons signings were to prove themselves at Championship level, showing consistency in both results and performance.Such was the impact of Warburtons arrival that a song quickly emerged about the new manager being in the possession magic hat. He won his first 11 matches in charge, scoring 40 goals with an attractive brand of football that has been delighting the Rangers supporters all season. Former St Johnstone midfielder Michael OHalloran (left) is chased down by Rangers Rob Kiernan A resounding 3-1 defeat to St Johnstone in the League Cup back in September gave Warburtons side a dose of reality and showed how far they still have to go. Future signing Michael OHalloran ran Danny Wilson and Rob Kiernan ragged in a game Rangers didnt look like winning.Even though Rangers were in imperious form in the league Hibs (and Falkirk) managed to keep tabs with the Ibrox club for a time. Hibs even drew level with Rangers in December but soon after the lead was stretched to insurmountable proportions.A late equaliser for Raith Rovers may have delayed Rangers title party for a couple of days but Mark Warburton and his squad completed the clubs journey to the top with a win against Dumbarton. In the meantime, Rangers 4-0 demolition of Dundee in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals set up a mouth-watering match against Celtic. This fixture promises to be more competitive than last years League Cup equivalent. Rangers players celebrate their third goal against Dundee in their Scottish Cup quarter-final win. The victory over Premiership side Dundee in the fifth round just days after Paul Hartleys side held Celtic to a stalemate at Celtic Park is an indication of how much closer the sides will be matched.European football awaits the winners of the Scottish Cup, and the most optimistic of Rangers fans will already be looking out their passports at least a year earlier than they expected.Rangers going forward (Left-right) Stewart Robertson, Rangers manager Mark Warburton, chairman Dave King, vice-chairman Paul Murray and John Gilligan at the clubs AGM A couple of major questions remain for the Rangers faithful going forward.One of their biggest fears is the ability of Dave King to hold on to Mark Warburton and David Weir as their managerial set-up.Warburton attracted many suitors even before his arrival at Rangers given the job he did at Brentford. No matter how consistent his rhetoric that he will be at Ibrox for at least the length of his contract, his name continues to be linked with vacancies in England.The other subject that is high on supporters minds is whether chairman King delivers on his promises of investing significant cash in the playing squad.While Rangers have strolled to the league title, the amount of money spent of players since Kings arrival in March has been minimal by traditional Rangers standards.King will argue he has always said he would spend whatever was necessary to get Rangers promoted.Yet the transfer fees paid thus far are not in the region of investment King has implied he would make at media conferences since his takeover. The coming months will determine if the outlay on players and wages will increase towards the level required to challenge for the Scottish Premiership title.WATCH: The Old Firm Scottish Cup semi-final between Rangers and Celtic on Sunday April 17th live on Sky Sports. Cheap Warriors Jerseys Authentic Cavaliers Jerseys Cheap Spurs Store Celtics Jerseys Online Cheap Bulls Jerseys Cheap Nets Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Wholesale Raptors Jerseys Cyber Monday Pistons Jerseys Wholesale Team USA Basketball Jerseys Cheap Celtics Jerseys Cheap Nets Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Raptors Jerseys From China Cheap Bulls Jerseys Cavaliers Jerseys From China Wholesale Pistons Jerseys Bucks Jerseys From China Pacers Jerseys Outlet Authentic Hawks Jerseys Cheap Hornets Jerseys Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Authentic Wizards Jerseys Cheap Nuggets Jerseys Timberwolves Jerseys Outlet Wholesale Thunder Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Discount Warriors Jerseys Wholesale Clippers Jerseys Wholesale Lakers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Kings Jerseys Discount Mavericks Jerseys Authentic Rockets Jerseys Discount Grizzlies Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Spurs Jerseys From China ' ' '