Sotirios Kyrgiakos (retired)

[Irlandos]

Tavlaridis was a young talent at Iraklis Salonica when Arsenal spotted him.

The Gunners only let him play a couple of League Cup matches so Lille spotted him and took him, I believe on loan.

It would be nice if Rangers' central defence duo was 100% Greek!

[Batigol]

Tavralidis has been a wall on the Lille defence and has helped them in their run domestically. Which hasn't been the greatest but he hasn't abandoned the team like many other players have.

[Korisos]

Soto has won a championship with Rangers after Celtic slipped up. i wasn't expecting it to happen but congrats to Soto :tup:

[loup]

Amazing comeback - I would say Soti had a big part in it - Dellas to join him?

[Nelly]

AMAZING DAY ON SUNDAY!!!

With 3 minutes to spare,Rangers won the title thanks to Celtic losing.Soti has made a big contribution since arriving and has impressed everyone with his strength and commitment.No longer are we bullied by Sutton and John Fatson in defence.

But.......there is some talk of him leaving in the summer.It seems his transfer from Pana was complicated and he was only on a 6 month loan deal at Rangers because of his bad injury previously.We have the 1st option to make the deal permenant but it is not signed and sealed yet.It could be a good move for Soti(He has proved he can play in the physical league in Britain) to now want to go to the Premiership.If that happens,a lot of fans wont be happy with him and our Chairman.So soon after losing Boumsong,it would be a hard knock to take.I doubt he would be made welcome should he come here again IF he leaves like this.

Hopefully he'll sign.......if these reports are true,as he has been a giant in defence.Not sure about Dellas joining him though.He seems to have a lot of fitness troubles.

Anyway.........well played Sotirios and Rangers.CHAMPIONS AGAIN AT LAST!!

[Nelly]

Damn...........I must be psychic or something.I knew that something wasn't right with this transfer from the very begining.If this is true I'll be very unhappy.Does anyone know anything from the Greek side of the story?

Read more.

[Wallofsoccer88]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?...=335438&cc=5901

As a PAO fan, I was hoping PAO could get him a better deal and bring him back. It dosen't seem like he'd be willing to go back unless he gets a (much deserved) pay increase.

Oh well, the saga continues... :unsure: :(

[JOHNNY]

A sad tale indeed, which could see a very popular player reluctantly leave as a result of penny pinching. I heard 2 months ago that it was almost certain he'd not be retained after the season ended, and it appears to be down to Rangers unwillingness to pay all of the outstanding balace of around

[Korisos]

in case it doesn't work out, Bolton are also interested in him according to big Sam but thats it, no transfer fee has been discussed or anything

[Nelly]

A sad tale indeed, which could see a very popular player reluctantly leave as a result of penny pinching. I heard 2 months ago that it was almost certain he'd not be retained after the season ended, and it appears to be down to Rangers unwillingness to pay all of the outstanding balace of around

[Nelly]

Remove Kyrgiakos from this section.

He is no longer a Greek player abroad.According to my information he has resigned for Panathanaikos on a 1 year contract.This was done last night.

The chances are that he will be sold before the start of next season to some other club.

I'm so pissed off at this.........you wouldn't believe it.He was a good player and even handled Adriano okay,last night.

Rangers' chief executive is an arsehole.He should be fired for allowing Pana to take the piss like this.He signed a deal that was obviously bullshit last January,just to get the fans off his back for selling Boumsong.Arsehole.Some heads must roll for this crap.

Since I no longer have a reason to come here...........all the best to you Greek fans.I hope all your clubs are successfull.

[JOHNNY]

Nelly, I'm sure you'll be back IF Rangers are still interested in signing Greeks Tavlaridids and Dellas. Not sure what's happening on that front on the moment. Not sure how they would feel about coming to Rangers now though after this fiasco.

[JOHNNY]

Rangers say they are still in negotiations to make the deal permanent, despite comments from Kyriakos' agent.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ers/4085700.stm

There have been reports that the Scottish champions were trying to drive down the price following concerns over an old knee injury.

I still reckon this is the source of the problem. Disgraceful in my opinion, as he was a regular in the Rangers side since his arrival.

[Nelly]

This guy who is quoted doesn't seem to be Soti's agent at all.Rangers say that talks are still going on between Kyrgiakos's real representatives and Panathanaikos.Rangers have an agreement to pay in 2 installments over the coming year.Pana now want the balance of the transfer in 1 installment payed now.That's what I can gather.

The quote about Rangers trying to get the price lowered won't hold up unless that is what Panathanaikos are saying but it appears to have come from this other guy.I hope that is not the case as at 1.5M it is a good buy for us.

I think this will run for a while.Maybe I'm not psychic afterall! :rolleyes:

[Evergreen]

If there was an agreement between Rangers and PAO (written ofcourse) which said that if Rangers wanted to keep Kirgiakos and the installments being 500,000 now and another 500,000 next then there would have been nothing PAO could have done to change those. Rangers would ultimately be holding the reigns on this deal not PAO.

Rangers had a fixed date (i think 31-05-05) to make Kirgiakos' signing permant and they haven't. There wouldnt be a single thing PAO could do to stop this if it was agreed and written up when the original loan and potential buy out signed and sealed.

I think Rangers have just gone stingy and PAO doesn't care because it knows Kirgiakos did well for Rangers and if they don't sign him, Bolton or some other club will pay what he's worth.

The fault lies with Rangers.

[Nelly]

It must be noted that Rangers hold Soti's registration.Our manager has said repeatedly that he wants Sotirios to stay as has the player himself said he wants to stay.It is in our interests to get this sorted quickly.

Football contracts are fairly useless at the best of times.From what I hear at this end PAO are trying to move the goalposts and are insisting on a one off payment of the balance of the transfer in order to help finance their own summer transfer movements.

This Klonpoulos geezer has said PAO have an option to keep Kyrgiakos for a year now that the initial loan period is through.Rangers claim that this guy is not Soti's agent or has been involved in any recent talks between the 2 clubs.It is from him that the reports that Rangers are trying to bring the price down most likely come from.I have a feeling he has some connection with Soti and is trying to demolish the present agreement because he is waiting with a better offer,but he cannot do anything now because he is out of the loop with Rangers/PAO,which is why he is stirring trouble in the media.

[Evergreen]

Latest reports from the PAO camp are saying that Kirgiakos is trying to pull a fast one over PAO and become a free agent. To tell you the truth I don't blame him. PAO's management has always tried to shaft him one way or another and I'd laugh if he was to become free. He definately wants to stay at Rangers.

Our management are true bastards and treat everyone with contempt.

[Super-Soto]

Hi Guy's,

I am a Glasgow Ranger's Fan & love big Soto.Mc Leish Loves him too & has signed him to play at Ranger's for another 3 years I have heard & will be delighted if this is true.

My Greek team is Ophi & I have seen them defeat the gypsies of AEK.

I sung "Open the kitchen doors & let them run out like frightened chickens"when the snakes beat the Gava 2-0 & sent them back to Pyraes after a doing.

I like Greek football & catch some good goals on Greek cable.

As Soto has not had a pre-season training for some time due to injury I am looking forward to seeing the best of him next season,or until some English Club comes in & makes him a millionaire overnight.

We are the People

:)

[Evergreen]

Hi Guy's,

I am a Glasgow Ranger's Fan & love big Soto.Mc Leish Loves him too & has signed him to play at Ranger's for another 3 years I have heard & will be delighted if this is true.

My Greek team is Ophi & I have seen them defeat the gypsies of AEK.

I sung "Open the kitchen doors & let them run out like frightened chickens"when the snakes beat the Gava 2-0 & sent them back to Pyraes after a doing.

I like Greek football & catch some good goals on Greek cable.

As Soto has not had a pre-season training for some time due to injury I am looking forward to seeing the best of him next season,or until some English Club comes in & makes him a millionaire overnight.

We are the People

:)

  My Greek team is Ophi

It's OFI, not Ophi B)

I have seen them defeat the gypsies of AEK.

:D

I sung "Open the kitchen doors & let them run out like frightened chickens"when the snakes beat the Gava 2-0 & sent them back to Pyraes after a doing.

when was this? I have no recollection of OFI beating Olympiakos 2-0.

As Soto has not had a pre-season training for some time due to injury

He did a full pre- season training last summer with PAO.

[Spears]

Wasnt he injured evergreen??

Also I hope he joins Bolton because if he is to play in the scotish league he might as well stay in Greece!!!

[Super-Soto]

Wasnt he injured evergreen??

Also I hope he joins Bolton because if he is to play in the scotish league he might as well stay in Greece!!!

I thought that ph was the same as the Greek F-WILL CHECK IT OUT

The game against Olympiakos was about 18 years ago,the ball was bouncing like a superball & one or both goals was a header.Their was fighting all the way from the port at Heraklion(& back down again)all the mad wee greek scooters,I got pulled by the police & nearly got in trouble because I could not speak the language.The usual flares & stuff-funniest bit was a guy with a huge cucumber who brandished it in front of the Olympiakos Fans shouting where he was going to stuff it.

Were you still in yer nappies evergreen?

A certain Glasgow Ranger's Club Captain put Soto out of the game in a CL Match that Pana managed to scrape a draw in & Soto was out & missed pre-season last year.

Soto will be mad to go to Bolton-Glasgow Ranger's are a far bigger club-no contest.Soto will want to play in CL too with whatever club he moves to-Bolton are smaller than Portsmouth as far as I know.

You Greeks don't respect him enough-Its only a few seasons since he was playing in the Greek 3rd Div for Ag Nic FFS

I love Creta & Scottish History is closely intertwined with Greek Mythology through Prince Gaylos,who married the Egyptian Princess Scota

We are the People

[Evergreen]

Wasnt he injured evergreen??

Also I hope he joins Bolton because if he is to play in the scotish league he might as well stay in Greece!!!

I thought that ph was the same as the Greek F-WILL CHECK IT OUT

The game against Olympiakos was about 18 years ago,the ball was bouncing like a superball & one or both goals was a header.Their was fighting all the way from the port at Heraklion(& back down again)all the mad wee greek scooters,I got pulled by the police & nearly got in trouble because I could not speak the language.The usual flares & stuff-funniest bit was a guy with a huge cucumber who brandished it in front of the Olympiakos Fans shouting where he was going to stuff it.

Were you still in yer nappies evergreen?

A certain Glasgow Ranger's Club Captain put Soto out of the game in a CL Match that Pana managed to scrape a draw in & Soto was out & missed pre-season last year.

Soto will be mad to go to Bolton-Glasgow Ranger's are a far bigger club-no contest.Soto will want to play in CL too with whatever club he moves to-Bolton are smaller than Portsmouth as far as I know.

You Greeks don't respect him enough-Its only a few seasons since he was playing in the Greek 3rd Div for Ag Nic FFS

I love Creta & Scottish History is closely intertwined with Greek Mythology through Prince Gaylos,who married the Egyptian Princess Scota

We are the People

18 years ago I was 13 years old, so I was far from being in my nappies. I was actually in just starting to get into football and was a trainee Panathinaikos hooligan :hypocrite:

Kirgiakos did not miss the pre -season training. He had recovered from the his injury and even played in the PAO 2 Olympiakos 2 derby, 3 days before the end of the season. He even attempted to rearrange Giovanni's facial features with a punch and then a good elbow.

In the pre-season last summer I attended the Amsterdam tournament which he played in both games and also the Portsmouth- PAO friendly where he played again.

When you speak about "you Greeks" don't include Panathinaikos fans because we adore Soto and are very upset with his departure.

[Super-Soto]

Glasgow has quite a strong Pana fan base & I know one Ultra from Dumbarton.I went to the Arsenal game at Wembley(Pana beaten 2-1),was at Old Trafford for the 5-1(?) disaster(sat beside the Kid(Saravagos) & yer most capped player,the big Goallie Guy)

Couldn't get a ticket for Arsenal at Highbury(1-1).

I drove Soto's cousin to a game in Dundee &,as far as I am aware,he missed pre-season last year due to the injury.Soto is great for the big derbies & had Hartson in his back pocket.He played a few games for us when carrying Injuries & was taken off only once in case he knocked someone out(one of those games-crap ref).

Rangers are on a steep upward curve just now with many good player's coming in during the course of the season(more than half the team).If we get a good pre-season together we can maybe do something in the CL this year.

Did Soto not fall out with the management at Pana

Cheers

[Evergreen]

Glasgow has quite a strong Pana fan base & I know one Ultra from Dumbarton.I went to the Arsenal game at Wembley(Pana beaten 2-1),was at Old Trafford for the 5-1(?) disaster(sat beside the Kid(Saravagos) & yer most capped player,the big Goallie Guy)

Couldn't get a ticket for Arsenal at Highbury(1-1).

I drove Soto's cousin to a game in Dundee &,as far as I am aware,he missed pre-season last year due to the injury.Soto is great for the big derbies & had Hartson in his back pocket.He played a few games for us when carrying Injuries & was taken off only once in case he knocked someone out(one of those games-crap ref).

Rangers are on a steep upward curve just now with many good player's coming in during the course of the season(more than half the team).If we get a good pre-season together we can maybe do something in the CL this year.

Did Soto not fall out with the management at Pana

Cheers

Sorry mate, Soto didn't miss the pre-season, his cousin or who ever doesnt know what he's talking about.

The PAO management? As I said before they have tried to destroy Soto a couple times because he's outspoken and speaks what he thinks. No hypocrisy or hiding behind his finger.

I personally really wish him the best and hope he stays at Rangers because he's very happy there and the club has treated him well.

I'd personally laugh if Rangers and Soto pullled a fast one with PAO losing him for nothing.

[Super-Soto]

From the outset of the deal I have been aware of many intracacies & it would appear that the Pana Management have changed their minds if they want Soto transfer money for a new player(SWORN TO SECRECY MATE).

Soto's best team-mate friend is Dado PRSO who is an all round excellent guy & player.Our manager was a Central Defender & thinks a lot of him.My young sister married a Pana fan & Soto always eats at his restaurant-they are good pals.

I hope he stays for another couple of years,we will see!

Cheers