Leaderboard

Good to see another contributor writing their first piece for the site. Cam is a young journalism student and put this together the other day as part of a talk he did at uni. FWIW, I'm not convinced about Tav's leadership qualities but he's one of few players we have who: 1. Is almost always available. 2. Never hides during games. 3. Has played to a decent standard now for the club and has tried to improve his faults. 4. His discipline is good and he doesn't get involved with opposition players or officials. Does that make him our best captain? Maybe, maybe not but I think Steven Gerrard and others will know better than us as to how respected he must be by the rest of the squad and staff.

I think the balance of the midfield has been an issue for us all season. Coulibaly started off well but since the death of his parent he's gone well off the boil. Understandably perhaps but I wouldn't be playing him until his head is sorted. Jack is a good player but perhaps isn't necessary in most SPFL situations. He's not a player that will create chances or score goals so shouldn't feature in situations where we need that. Ejaria is clearly skilful and had lots of potential but he also hides or falls out of games far too easily. He also doesn't do enough in the final third. Arfield is a player that can do the business in forward areas and without him we struggle. Not having an alternative whilst we still have McCrorie, Rossiter, Dorrans and others to play the deeper roles is a mistake from Mark Allen. Perhaps Grezda can fulfil that role but it's not an ideal solution. Can Stephen Kelly step in? This conundrum, along with our obvious problems in attack without Morelos, is pressing ahead of tomorrow's game.

I don't believe that we have had what us older Rangers Fans would refer to as Captain material for a number of years. Certainly Tavernier is as good as any that have preceded him since the departure of Walter Smith and what followed. It could be argued that McGregor would do a better job but then we have the arguments of whether goalkeepers make the best captains, and yes Klos didn't do too bad in his day. For me, until we have a born leader in the team and so long as we hold on to Tav, he should stay as captain. Of the players currently at the club, some of our young players could have the potential to lead the team. Rossiter showed with England Under 21's that he has the qualities but right now there is no guarantee that he can stay fit or indeed secure his place in the team. McCrorie again is a youngster that might have potential as a future captain but again he is young and finding it difficult to secure his position in the team. Leaders are born that way. It is the same in any industry and football is no different. You only need to look at Souness, Gough, and Gerrard himself to see that.

That’s football mate. It’s a funny old game, and to be honest it wouldn’t exist if it was predictable. Gotta love it for that.

My own choice for captain would be Goldson

McGregor has been magnificent since he's returned but he's always far too eager to get involved in situations that could cause issues for the team. For that reason I find it hard to see him as a captain but I also think Tav is perhaps too passive. All things considered though I want to see a big reaction from all our players tomorrow.

I like him too. He does a good job most of the time. All of our midfielders look like they could do with either a consistent game changer or a real leader in there with them. I don't think we have any rubbish midfielders but unfortunately, none of them are in the class that will win us our league back.

Anyone who is expecting Celtc FC to face any repercussions for the cover up of child abuse had better be prepared for disappointment. It won't happen. As far as the 'Celtc minded' are concerned, the reputation of their club comes before justice for people who were sexually abused. As unbelievable and disgusting as that is, that's the way their pea brains work. And the Scottish authorities will be happy to go along with their wishes.

My thoughts exactly. Of course he’s not a Gough or a Ferguson, but he’s been very consistent and has been chosen by Gerrard. Re McGregor, a keeper shouldn’t be captain in my opinion, you need someone who is in a position to communicate with the whole team during the game, ideally a centre mid.

EVENTUALLY they began referring to it in blanket terms as the banter years. Exhausted by years of emotional distress and turmoil the Rangers supporters realised if they couldn’t laugh about the absurdities going on in the name of their own club then there could be only one other option. They were, after all, living through a farce of unprecedented proportions – a series of chaotic scenarios all unleashed upon them by a cast of characters, each one seemingly more ludicrous and impossible to believe than the next. Gallows humour had become a comforting last resort. But behind this thick haze of confusion things were being done to their club which were not in the slightest bit amusing. Millions upon millions of pounds were coming and going out the front doors of Ibrox in what looked for all the world like an organised – if barely legal – heist. Constant tales too of mobile phones being hacked or tampered with and of movements being closely monitored, all amid a lingering stench of intimidation and corruption. Synonymous with all of this became certain names, companies and individuals, all of them operating in the shadows, keeping careful distance from the spotlight of this pantomime’s headline acts and the public soap opera of betrayals and back-stabbings in the boardroom. But omnipresent nonetheless. Mysterious entities such as Margarita Trust and Blue Pitch Holdings for example – two of the original financial backers who helped to fund Charles Green’s initial £5.5million purchase of the club’s assets after Craig Whyte had driven it into the hands of the liquidators – became part of the lexicon. So just last week, when chairman Dave King told a court his regime has uncovered possible underworld links to a number of the club’s existing shareholders, it was nearly enough to wipe the smile off the face of a Rangers fanbase which has been finally enjoying football again thanks to the impressive work of Steven Gerrard. They may be equally surprised to learn today the Middle Eastern money man behind Blue Pitch is now talking about visiting Ibrox for the first time, six years after first becoming such a central part of the narrative. But Beirut-based lawyer Mazen Houssami is adamant he has nothing to hide. In fact in an exclusive interview with Record Sport he claims to have been one of this story’s many victims. “I mean, I didn’t buy the team because I wanted to make a business deal out of it,” he insists, if sounding a little bit unconvincing from all 3500 miles away. “I just love football and I love Rangers. That’s why I’m happy today that we are playing very well as this is the most important thing.” You’d be excused for thinking that sounds all a little too much like Lebanese for Rangersitis, the hoary old condition which first brought Green to town back in that hectic summer of 2012. A healthy dose of cynicism helps to stop the spread. But Houssami is not so detached from the realities of the legacy of suspicion left behind by Whyte, Green, Imran Ahmad et al. Blue Pitch still own four million shares but are one of four different stakeholders to have had a freeze placed on voting rights for failing to comply with the club’s requests for transparency. The others are Putney Holdings Limited, Norne Anstalt and ATP Investments Limited (thought to be a rebranded, less toxic version of Margarita). Houssami remains adamant he is the sole owner of Blue Pitch. That he is not a front man for others who might not be so keen to let their identities be known. “There are no guys from Blue Pitch, Blue Pitch is one person. Only me,” he says quite sternly. He also angrily refutes any suggestion of links to organised crime while painting the impression of a man who has been caught up in someone else’s sting. Houssami goes on: “I understand there will be suspicion in Scotland because of the storm that was caused by Charles Green. But to be frank, many of our rights were simply not respected by Charles Green and Imran Ahmad. “We decided back then not to file a law suit because we didn’t want to add to that storm. We just waited for the whole investigation into Green, Ahmad and everybody else and said nothing.” Which would all be very good was the name of Blue Pitch not still marked down on King’s list of the not-to-be-trusted. And Houssami accepts that, when King blew the whistle last week, he was almost certainly pointing a finger in the direction of the 10 per cent of shareholders who are still denied voting rights. He says: “Yes, he is probably speaking about investors from within this group and I don’t personally know which shareholders specifically had their voting rights frozen. “There was Blue Pitch and Margarita but we were not the only two shareholders in that group. “I don’t know who they all are and I can’t talk on their behalf. Maybe some of them are very good people and maybe some of them are linked to some criminal activity. I don’t know. “But I do remember when we bought our shares we had to be screened and scanned by the banking institutions before we could place our subscription.” Houssami may be given the chance to cash in on his holding now King has grudgingly agreed to comply with the Takeover Panel’s demands he makes an offer for all remaining shares. But he’s giving little away. He goes on: “I didn’t get any offers so there’s been no decision to make. I doubt anybody will get an offer so this is why I say it’s too early to talk about it. “There was a specific time when I was ready to buy a bigger shareholding in the team. But many of the shareholders were reluctant to sell and I understand that because we all love the team.” There goes that rampant Rangersitis again. But Houssami – this lawyer in some office block in Beirut – can’t be relieved of it by Scottish cynicism alone. On the contrary he goes on: “I do watch the matches. I’m telling you, I’m emotionally connected to this team, not professionally. It’s not a business deal for me. “Football is the most important part and I am really pleased with the work Stevie Gerrard has been doing. I don’t know if the success the team is now having will be reflected in the value of the shares. I just hope one day, very soon, I will be watching the team live in Glasgow.” The thought occurs that Blue Pitch might not be afforded the warmest of welcomes. That perhaps Beirut may be a better option. But an indignant Houssami says: “Well, I know I share with the fans of the club the same emotions. So I don’t see why I would not be made welcome.” https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/owner-rangers-investors-blue-pitch-13701139

Four of the five stalwarts who stood in front of Bobby Brown in the Iron Curtain, Young, Shaw, Woodburn and Cox, were captains of the Scottish international side. Strange that Ian McColl, possibly best qualified for the job, didn’t although he was occasionally team captain of Rangers. Excellent fellow though Tavernier may be I don’t think he has the bloody-minded qualities of any of them. Shearer, Greig, Gough - they all had it in spades.

We can talk about yesteryear, the titles and the players but we shouldn't confuse that with todays cold reality. When SG talked about 'Big Players' steping-up in the 'big moments' in 'big games'........it was true and sounded good but the problem is that we don't currently have 'Big Players'. He later (rightly) retracted somewhat on the criticisms he had made towards the players because it was a dangerous road to go down. Likewise, the 'Captain Debate' hasn't got much room for current manoeuvre. We need to trust SG&Co and let them carry out their plans over a reasonable length of time, instead of everything coming up for question after every negative result. IMO, Tav has been the best Rangers player over the last several years, is likely to start most games and has often been the creative drive for the team.

Got monstered by Hughes early in his Rangers career but came on to to be a superb player who added physical strength to his assurance with the ball. Provider of one of life’s indelible memories.

To be a captain at such a prestigious footballing institution, you not only need passion, but determination and leadership. You need to be aggressive yet positive and be truthful when players are below par. With Steven Gerrard at the helm, we could not ask for a better person to spot a skipper. A Champions League winning captain and England captain at two World Cups, Gerrard is full of leadership experience. Despite the love Tav has at Ibrox along with his improvements as a defensive player, does he fit the mould? With other possible great captains, our number two needs to grab his position by the scruff of the neck as captain and prove he has what takes to lead the side. The idea of stripping Tavernier has been doing the rounds on social media and I have seen this split opinion. Whether fans want a new captain or keep our current one, both sides have created viable views to support their opinion. Of course, our stand-out man this season Allan McGregor has been one of the names suggested to take over the arm band. With 217 appearances for the club, you can see why he has been suggested. Ryan Jack can often be seen bellowing out orders to team mates and for me is a key player in our midfield, who gives players like Arfield and Ejaria the freedom to go forward. So, Ryan Jack is always going to be there or thereabouts when discussing either a new captain or future one if Tavernier went elsewhere. Furthermore, new boy and Rangers man Gareth McAuley, when given his time on the pitch, always acts as a leader of men, using his vast experience. First impressions of this was when Gerrard selected him against Villarreal. Gareth came on and from the get-go was busy organising and sorting out the back-line. Despite all the possible candidates, what has brought this debate to the surface? On the back of a great result away at Tynecastle, things were looking up. Go and beat Aberdeen midweek and continue the momentum at Dens Park. As we all know this has not gone to plan. The defeat on Wednesday to the Dons has cast a shadow over the Hearts result. After the loss to Aberdeen, the surfacing of the captain’s debate began. It seems that whenever we lose, the questions are asked. But if Steven Gerrard has put the responsibility on James Tavernier, surely this is what matters. For me, McGregor could be a better option. Jack could be a better option. However, they are only ‘could be’s’. Giving post-match interviews Tav always gives an honest reaction, positive or negative. He does not hide behind anything. If the performance was not good enough, he will admit it. The right back is an influence on the pitch, he takes the penalties, very well and looks to provide assists down the flanks at any given opportunities – and this season has done some essential work on his defensive game. The debate seems a little harsh because it has overshadowed the lack of quality shown at Ibrox in midweek. Despite the idea of a new captain, this is not the answer. In January a new striker to provide further competition from Lafferty towards Alfredo Morelos is a must. Settling on a strong midfield three also needs to be in focus. Giving our captain added pressure could affect his further performances. As a club we need to channel the focus on Gerrard putting his stamp on things more at Ibrox. In closing, although other players could be capable to take the arm band, and some fans are calling for a change, this is not the priority. Yes, James Tavernier is imperfect, but with Steven Gerrard’s backing we must trust in the process happening at our club. Teams are a better place with more than one leader. It is not all about the right back. Not having the arm band is not a restriction. All players should have their say. Some are more vocal than others but James Tavernier can lead our club with our backing. Let’s hope he will lead the team out at Dens Park and we can put the Aberdeen game behind us with a few goals. Onwards and upwards.

Was the journalist who interviewed him a 10 year old? The first questions I'd have asked would've been: Why do you love Rangers? What first brought the club to your attention? Did anyone approach you and ask you to make the investment?

I work beside a few Hearts fans and their talk (this week) has all been about Morelos and poor officiating, not their poor form. Levein is conning them as much as anyone else. I don't like VAR and would hate to see it introduced in Scotland. Why should Brechin City and Montrose have to rely on our useless officials but Motherwell and Hibs enjoy the wonders of modern technology? It'd just be another widening of the gap between televised football and all the rest.

Welcome Matt.

Ready!!!!

I wasn’t recommending Stewart I said he wasn’t good enough either despite being far more effective than Jones