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Brilliant stuff from Andy - well worth a read! Saturday brought the emotions to fore; bubbling and frothing underneath the surface which was struggling to contain the result of a decade of trials and tribulations. The phenomenal welcome, Gerrard’s journey through the sea of passion, the victory that brought us to the brink of history and the dressing room celebrations that ensued. It had everything. It was everything. The fact that our march to the title had been a lengthy procession that we could only have dreamed of at the start of the campaign did not prepare our supporters for the moment where we stood on the precipice of history. Hearts started to pound, stomachs started to churn and from somewhere deep within a valve was opened on the sounding of the final whistle at Tannadice that released the kind of joy and jubilation that I’m not sure we’ll ever experience again. Rangers is not just a football club; for many it is a way of life. We live it, we breathe it. We stood fifty-thousand strong in the fourth-tier of Scottish football while our club was on its knees in the hope that we could one day witness the crowning moment when ‘the journey’ was finally over and Rangers were back, standing tall as Scotland’s premier football club once more. The celebrations that ensued therefore were as inevitable as the opportunistic, blinkered and dishonest political outcry that followed them. Let me be clear, the breaking of lockdown regulations was wrong. Some of the scenes in George Square were wrong. What is also wrong however is holding one portion of society to a different standard than the rest. In Scotland however this seems to be par for the course. Politicians responsible for the safety and health of the country are quite correct to criticise public celebrations in the midst of a pandemic. Anything less would be a dereliction of duty. What politicians cannot do however is apply their criticism inconsistently, abdicate responsibility, shift the blame and attempt to use the weekend as a deflection from the many ongoing inquiries and scandals in which the current SNP Government finds itself embroiled. Nicola Sturgeon was quick to urge fans to go home on Sunday following the celebratory gatherings which were forming in Glasgow. Fair enough. But clearly her followers were not satisfied with her response which she was later forced to follow up with an angrier, more forceful tweet which turned her ire onto Rangers Football Club itself. This change of tack is an important one which would continue and is the focus of the dismay felt by our fans. The next day Deputy First Minister John Swinney, who is due to face a vote of no confidence in Holyrood this week, used his coronavirus daily briefing to continue this attack on the “lack of leadership” from Rangers and said that the club’s “silence was deafening”. At this point it is probably important to note that Mr Swinney is the MSP for Perthshire North and a supporter of St Johnstone Football Club. The Deputy FM was quick to congratulate his team on their recent cup success however seemed to lose his voice when it came to criticising his fellow fans for breaking the same lockdown regulations to celebrate their victory, celebrations which resulted in injury to a steward and police officer in his own constituency. What was he saying about silence being deafening? This type of selective outcry of course was not limited to the Education Secretary as during Nicola’s Sturgeon’s weekly address to parliament Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, decided to go one step further. Not only did Harvie join in the condemnation of the scenes but he went above and beyond and asked whether Rangers Football Club should be shut down as a result. Yes, shut down. Really. It seems therefore that as well as trying to win titles and trophies Rangers are now apparently responsible for maintaining public order in and around Glasgow. To even suggest that a football club be accountable for fans gathering in other areas of the city is as ludicrous as it is moronic. In line with Mr Swinney this of course only seems to apply to one club in the country, unless of course Patrick can point me in the direction of his question in parliament asking the same of Celtic or others following fans’ blatant breach of restrictions earlier in the season. These were not of small scale given the violence and injury to police officers and, while fan actions were condemned, the political focus was never directed at the club(s). Until now. We’re not finished yet. Harvie – who shamefully lied in parliament about Rangers doing nothing to prevent these gatherings – had his dishonesty matched by the embattled First Minister who proceeded to say that Rangers did not urge fans to disperse and go home, despite STV’s Twitter feed posting a video of the announcements which she claims did not exist. There is of course a good chance that she was simply unable to recollect or recall this. It seems to be a common problem these days for the FM. The unique accountability levels expected of only one club in the country did not only emanate from our devolved parliament. The politically motivated high heid-yins at Police Scotland saddled up and leapt enthusiastically onto the bandwagon and “condemned” Rangers over an alleged lack of support, particularly on messaging. This of course despite the fact that our high-profile manager publicly repeated the need for fans to stay safe and be responsible in his pre-match press conference on Friday. The police have also acknowledged that they are powerless to prevent such gatherings from occurring and that the focus is on maintaining peace and safety rather than wading in to disperse crowds. What then makes them think that if the police force – yes, the police force – cannot prevent gatherings from taking place that a comment from a football club will suddenly make them disappear. Could Rangers have done more? In a word – yes. Would it have made the slightest bit of difference? Certainly not. If the seriousness of a pandemic does not dissuade people from breaching lockdown restrictions then a tweet isn’t going to tilt those scales. We are therefore stuck arguing in the superficial, condemning things for appearances sake and in full knowledge that the events that occurred would have happened regardless. It is why we saw mass gatherings as Leeds United won promotion and when Liverpool won the Premier League. Both clubs of course were spared from the type of political treatment we have received. But the furore we have witnessed this week is the type of arse-covering, deflection tactic that has become all too familiar and perhaps it is time that those throwing stones looked inwardly first. Douglas Park was not found wanting. In an open letter to the First Minister he outlined the steps taken by the institution of which he is chairman including initiating contact with the Scottish Government, the local MP, the Justice Secretary, the SPFL and Police Scotland in addition to a timeline for these discussions. He goes on to highlight that the club did not want to be arrogant or disrespectful to our opponents in our pre-match communications and says this was acknowledged by both Police Scotland and the government. Park also claims that on the 6th March the club agreed a ‘form of words’ with the authorities but that our Celtic-supporting Justice Minister, Humza Yousaf, did not follow up as indicated. Perhaps Park’s most serious criticism however was reserved for the forgetful First Minister. Nicola Sturgeon is the MSP for Glasgow Southside and therefore Ibrox and Rangers Football Club are within her own constituency. The fact that she did not directly engage with the club, one of the largest employers in her area, on an issue which she clearly deems as being incredibly serious, Park states, shows her own “lack of leadership” and is a “dereliction of duty”. And he’s not wrong. The hypocrisy of the accusations hurled at Rangers are nothing short of staggering given the above, not that we should be surprised by any of this. In December we had one group of fans congregating, protesting, throwing missiles at their team and injuring police officers in the process. Their club was not condemned. Their club was not pilloried in parliament. Their club was not told to do more by the police. And now that same group of fans are proactively planning a gathering at their stadium to “defend” it on the day of the Old Firm clash later this month. Quelle surprise. If we are to apply the same logic to other scenarios then it stands to reason that surely Celtic Football Club were responsible for their ultra supporters group – the Green Brigade – attending a political protest in George Square last year and having to be “kettled” and marched home by police. Surely the club should have done more to prevent this attendance and behaviour from occurring? Of course, that’s nonsense. And so too is the ludicrous and inconsistent pillorying of Rangers FC. Douglas Park may well want to follow up on the lies told in parliament by Patrick Harvie and Nicola Sturgeon for accountability works both ways. Such dishonesty from elected politicians and in such a setting, particularly given the blinkered nature of its occurrence, should not remain unchallenged. Maybe we will receive a reply to our complaint before Stewart Robertson’s letter of 8th December is answered by our constituency MSP, or perhaps she will continue to treat one of the largest businesses in her area with the same disdain she has consistently shown us over the years. Maybe once these charlatans stop telling lies about us, we can stop telling the truth about them. Moreover, if and when the next Scottish Parliament election, scheduled for this May, takes place - remember this moment when you make your vote.

We still remember!

After the weekend I'd be amazed if our players are as prepared as we'd like them to be. I don't think the drinking will make any difference, that will be long out of their system by Thursday, but I suspect mentally their focus this season has been achieving the title, with that now accomplished we'll see if they can maintain the focus and energy or if things might start to drift.

I believe the plane's call sign is, 'Bear Force One'?

Time for the club to laundry list Celtic breaches. They have plenty. The club should take aim at the SFA on this one for sure. The time to call out unfair, unbalanced treatment is from a position of strength, which is what we currently have in that we are already Champions and challenging these injustices don't impact on-field results. To be honest, I think our 5 SHOULD be banned. They deserve it for breaking covid rules. However, the injustice is that not one Celtic player is seeing a ban - At the very least Duffy broke their covid bubble on his way back to Scotland by flying commercial. And that is before any of the clear breaches from Dubai are considered.

We still pass our brown envelopes to Frankie on a regular basis.

We will remember your laughter We will remember your cheers We will remember your hatred We will remember your sneers We will remember you shouted about administration ... We will remember you then wanted liquidation We will remember how you spouted all your lies We will remember how you spoke of our demise We will remember how you filled your papers with hate We will remember how you all laughed at our fate We will remember the bbc and Radio Clyde We will remember how their gloating they couldn't hide We will remember Guidi, Young and Speirs We will remember how you laughed and wiped away tears We will remember you said the players would get no pay We will remember how you wanted our trophies taken away We will remember how you said it was the Rangers no more We will remember how into our history you tore But one day soon and it won't be long We will remember those who have done us wrong For we will be back and you can bet Those who laughed we will never forget. Picked it up from the Assembly's facebook page.

What's the least he accepts?

They shouldn't be able to, I would agree. However, I'm afraid I have to disagee with you here as they both can and almost certainly will. The immorality and injustice of it all doesn't enter into their thoughts, while "get Rangers and put them down" never leaves them.

how can they possibly justify this after doing nothing abut Dubai. We better get a good lawyer and take this all this to CAS or court of session if needed.

What a terrific few days it has been. Title wrapped up and we then shine a spotlight on Scottish Nationalism Party incompetence, with aplomb. What a time to be a Rangers fan.

Let's not forget Aberdeen players got suspended sentences.

As long as any bans are only for games this season and are only for league matches. The problem we have is Rangers and the players have publicly admitted to the breaches and the players have been punished by the club. No Celtic player was punished and their club said nothing officially. I think a player or one of the management team spoke about 'minor breaches' but nothing official came from the club. I suspect that's the loophole being used here. You wonder if our honesty will come back and bite us or mitigate against further punishment.

if the players in dubai at the pool/sauna and at the pub had all been banned there would be no issue banning our players. none at all. Indeed it would be in line with previous and quite deserved. However to let celtc players of with worse offenses that brought covid into Scottish football and charge our young lads is plainly unacceptable.

I think this will be a tough tie. They did not get this far by being crap and their result against Leicester was one that none of the English press saw coming. All I wanted this season was to win the league, that was always the main objective. Now that has been done anything else is a bonus. I'm really hoping for a bonus though.

Me too

This is an enjoyable article from Slavia. Particularly love the story of their first manager! https://en.slavia.cz/clanek.asp?id=From-352-micer-to-AC-DC-Unexpected-links-between-Slavia-and-Rangers-792 "Dressing Madden in a Rangers´ jersey and international cap belonging to Speedie and Robertson, he was provided with credentials that made him acceptable to Slavia."

Telegram seems to be growing in popularity as a competitor to WhatsApp and to a lesser extent Facebook messenger. ...for those that use the Telegram messenger app there is a channel (broadcast only, no chat) at the following URL: https://t.me/GlasgowRangersUpdates

Continued..... Hardly a cliff hanger, mind, when the only thing in peril is the Public Purse. I suppose that there are some professional reputations, such as they are, on the line, too, but its hard to defend highly paid incompetence, or worse, even -perhaps especially- when you are a highly paid incompetent, or worse. Rangers charges not fit to be in court, lawyer argues James Mulholland Wednesday March 10 2021, 12.01am, The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rangers-charges-not-fit-to-be-in-court-lawyer-argues-mrgmmprfd Prosecutors in charge of a botched Rangers fraud investigation did not prepare a case “fit” to be brought to court, a senior judge was told yesterday. The Crown Office’s belief that David Grier, a financial administrator, was involved in wrongdoing failed all legal tests, Andrew Smith QC told Lord Tyre at a Court of Session hearing. Grier, of Duff & Phelps, was one of several men arrested during an inquiry into the sale of the Ibrox club to Craig Whyte. He and his co-accused were brought to court but acquitted after Lord Bannatyne ruled that the prosecutors’ claims lacked evidence. Grier is suing the lord advocate, James Wolffe QC, for £5 million. He is also suing Iain Livingston, the chief constable of Police Scotland, and seeking £2 million from the force. Smith, who is acting for Grier, said that Scotland’s prosecution service acted unlawfully at all stages. In a judgment last month Tyre said Grier’s lawyers were correct to believe there was no “reasonable cause” to prosecute their client. Yesterday’s hearing was to try to establish whether Tyre’s judgment applied from Grier’s first appearance on petition or from when the case arrived at the high court. Gerry Moynihan QC, for the lord advocate, said that prosecutors were entitled to bring accused people to court and asked Tyre to reject Smith’s request and to consider the matter at a full hearing next month. Tyre told the lawyers that he would issue his decision shortly.

Wee Nippy cant get any worse. A total deflection from her own antics. Hasnt she been pictured being maskless a few times recently? There were gatherings up and down the UK for 55, has there been any mention about this? How can the club possibly control the gathering in Belfast for example? Talksport mentioned there was Gers and Union Flags at the Dartford Tunnel area.

I agree with OP that this one will be toughest challenge so far. Over two legs Im confident. I could see a 0-0 away from home but a 1-1 would be great to get the away goal. Hopefully the players have been in the sauna sweating all the beers out of them from the weekend.

But Ibrox Stadium is mentioned in address details,why?

Tee hee (check out the trademark owner)... https://www.trademarkelite.com/uk/trademark/trademark-detail/UK00002264673/OLD-FIRM

Considering we were away for 4 of his 8 years in charge, his record for the so called second best team in Scotland is appalling. One League Cup win ( won on a penalty shoot out after a 0 - 0 draw against mighty ICT) and 7 attempts to reach the Europa League knock out stages, failing at each attempt. He did seem to raise his team's performance in many occasions when playing Rangers but strangely that never happened when playing Celtic.

The reference got the desired reaction.

This deserves a thread in its own right.

When are we going to get the signed shirt we all want: Josh Windass?

Just watch them. I reckon they might be waiting till the league is wrapped up and then hit us both. I.e. the coward's way out of this situation, even though it further undermines their own flawed system.

They can't ever ban anyone again after doing nothing about Dubai.

Banned for what though. Only Rangers, the police and the players know what happened, so how do the SFA get their information to ban them? Contact the pizza delivery guy?

Good!!! The more we win, the more it annoys them!!!