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What's the purpose of Rangers? It's a serious question. Why do Rangers exist, why do we continue nearly 150 years after a handful of teenagers fancied a game of football instead of mucking about in boats? Arsenal, Manchester Utd and Liverpool now exist to provide a handsome income for their main shareholders, sports clubs are their livelihood and they'll follow the path of greatest profit. Chelsea and Man City are more complicated, they can be seen as vanity projects, as 'sports-washing' to put a respectable shine on some people who otherwise might not have the best PR in the west. But it's important for their owners that their clubs are always at the top, whether that's for ego or profile reasons. Barcelona and Real Madrid are intertwined with politics and identity in Spain, both seen as representatives of competing ideologies, and important vehicles for the political and business interests of the people at the top of them. It's similar in Italy too for their big 3 clubs. What are Rangers for then? Our current owners don't seem to be interested in politics and if they're looking for a livelihood they've made a terrible error. In reality I suspect it largely boils down to them wanting the team they support to do as well as possible. Maybe ego and profile play a small part too, but largely it's about the football I think. I've really enjoyed the last 3 years football wise, and I realise that a huge part of that has been down to getting entertained again. Watching Rangers play decent passing football, properly competing in European competition again, developing players into fan heroes and, of course, winning the league. But even last season and the season before, despite the collapse in the league, I enjoyed watching Rangers. We had players that were capable of exciting you and a style that was very pleasing to watch, even if it didn't always prove successful. I realise that's pretty much all I want from Rangers; entertainment, excitement and hope. I want to believe we can win the league or the cup, I want to see us play football that's not kick and rush or punt it up the channels, I want more than that. And I want moments that lift me off my seat, that make me shout out loud, that make me want to post on message-boards and jibber on podcasts. I don't think I'm alone in that either. Football changes. In 1888 Rangers had a rivalry with Vale Of Leven, who were a top side at that time. Within a few years Vale had dropped out of the newly introduced league system. They've been a Junior team for nearly a century now. For much of our history the Glasgow Cup was a competition we took very seriously, both as a club and as a support. It's been a youth competition for nearly 20 years now. Arguably the greatest achievement in our history is winning the European Cup Winners Cup, yet it's not existed as a tournament for over 2 decades now. Football changes, no matter how much I don't want it too. In the future the competitions we enter will change and the rivalries we'll have with clubs will change too. I think, as a club and a support, we have to be open to change. Much as I lament the ending of the old European club competitions, much as I blame the Champion's League and the EPL for most of the problems football now faces, I have to deal with the reality of where we are today. I can be entertained playing in the Scottish leagues, but something needs to be done to improve the standard of player and of football being played. That might involve some pain for us. We might need to share revenue more evenly with our fellow clubs, we might need to increase the number of sides in the league, play each other fewer times, introduce incentives for home grown players. What's not practical is continuing as we are in Scottish football. The standards have been dropping gradually for 30 years, that needs to be arrested soon or we'll need to start seriously looking elsewhere. I'm not against leaving Scotland either. Whether that's a UK wide league, a European League, a hybrid all-the-medium-sized-countries league, whatever, I'm open to it. New rivalries can be created, new trophies can be won. But, and I think this is important, whatever we do we should do it so we can keep entertaining our support. So we can create new heroes, play scintillating football and, hopefully, win things along the way. It should never be about chasing money and money alone. I never want to see us in a league where finishing fourth is a celebrated achievement. I never want to see us in a league where failure isn't punished by relegation. Rangers need finance, I understand that, and I understand that better players command higher salaries and so on. But Rangers don't currently have the best players in the world, indeed you could argue we never have, but they can still thrill and entertain us, that's what Rangers should be about.

Havent seen it covered anywhere, apologises if it has. Feel its important to catalogue the Turnbull kick against Aberdeen. A quick scan showed the BBC report and match text hadn't mentioned it. Twitter suggests Clyde FM, unsurprisingly, are pretending it never happened. For me, this has to be the kind of incident that Rangers somehow have to force the issue over. Make it the news, make the CO system work. It's grubby work, but just ignoring means we can just expect more inconsistency again next season.

I'd agree with your first sentence. People have expressed their valid reasons for being against the move but we should be not against it because we may not be successful. It's all about the challenge and surely Rangers as an institution shouldn't be scared of a move which results in success being more difficult. "inevitably we shall have our years of failure, and when they arrive, we must reveal tolerance and sanity. No matter the days of anxiety that come our way, we shall emerge stronger because of the trials to be overcome. That has been the philosophy of the Rangers since the days of the gallant pioneers."

A game against any of the EPL is more appealing than watching Rangers play Livingston on a plastic pitch. I can understand that you want us to remain in Scotland because it means travelling shorter distances and that you can attend all the away games, whereas that wouldn't be possible, or a lot more difficult, if we were playing against English teams each week. However as someone who no longer attends away games every week it's just not an issue for me, and I'd prefer that we challenge ourselves at the highest level possible. In addition, the games would be a lot more attractive generally and there would be a greater level of satisfaction about getting a result each week.

Have to admit, I've never fancied Rangers leaving Scottish football for any other league (be it a British, Atlantic or European one). Yes, we should always look for ways to improve our profile but I'd much prefer that was via merited qualification for external competitions. I see Rangers as primarily a Scottish club and, as the most successful club in our country, I feel we have an responsibility to lead the way for other clubs right through the SPFL. Perhaps the events of 2012 changed that outlook for many but I personally retain it.

Maybe the £100m+ increase in TV revenue would help?

Our cheapest standard season ticket seems to be £482. There were 9 EPL clubs in 19/20 who had cheaper season tickets, so I don't see why there should be a significant increase in season ticket prices.

It's not about the away game distances for me, and although I agree that away games at the likes of Livingston or Hamilton aren't the most enthralling, when you look that the bigger picture it's not worth it. There is nothing better than a big European night at Ibrox, especially if it's an English team, it's magical. One of the things that makes it is the fact it rarely happens, if it was every week, then in my opinion it would be shite. Ask Man City or United fans what makes them excited now? it's just become too familiar, the only thing that is exciting for lots of English fans now is the transfer window. I love christmas, but F having it every week.

People think that because our income would increase dramatically that's no sign of guaranteed success just look at the amounts spent by the top ten English clubs and you will see that money isn't always the answer. And how long would the fans put up with following the team if they were as we say in the bookmaking ring also_rans

Would be interesting to see how we would do against Norwich in a competitive match

Not for me either. We are a Scottish club that belongs in the Scottish league. While I would love it to be more competitive, less corrupt, less samey, it is where we belong. A freezing cold winters night at Livingston is far more appealing than a freezing cold winters night at Southampton, purely from a travelling fans perspective.

PS: How good is that promo?! Wow!

Apparently using Belgium or Holland works well.

Gotta be something else mate as works well for me logging and using Canada as my base.

As important as healthy finances are to our security and development and as important as entertaining football is to our match day enjoyment, there is another factor that has always been more important and it's what has always sustained us through periods when no trophies were won and even financial ruin. I'm not sure what the best name is for it but it's essentially what you feel walking to the stadium and when sitting at Ibrox waiting for the teams to appear. I know it has something to do with belonging and sharing and a sense of pride at who we are and all who went before to make that 150 years of continuity. Someone once summed it up as "we are the people". I know it has almost nothing to do with the size of the club's income or how much we spend on players or what league we play in. Winning is better than losing of course but, win or lose, rich or poor, it seems to me there's always something more. Do Norwich or Southampton fans feel better than we do about our club because they play in the EPL and bank squillions every year? I doubt it. As a portly commentator keeps saying, it's all about The Rangers.

Great post John. I'll publish that early next week.

I've renewed my two. (And had a cheeky dig at there yet again advertising of Sunday Takeover). But only if your outside UK. I know I know, not related to my book,but mehh

BBC Scotland news just reporting David Turnbull is free to play against Rangers at Ibrox next week. He will not be cited. Apparently, kicking Dylan McGeoch after the ball has gone, is legitimate? I cannot help but think if the PQ CSC had put a bit more effort into highlighting the offence ............... Anyways, talking of PQ; Michael Stewart was outraged at Turnbull's actions and is demanding Alfredo Morelos is the recipient of a six match ban. Talking of Michael, he has not been doing much talking on BBC Scotland recently. Rangers supporters complained about his lack of support for Kamara's claims of racism emanating from Slavia Prague player, Kudela. Michael preferred to utilise Rangers complaint reference Gardyne of Ross County, we should not complain, players might have misheard, "just like the alleged homophobic comment made by Michael Gardyne". Michael Stewart has been deliberately kept away from matters Rangers on both TV and Radio. It's similar to last years rant from the former Manchester United star, Michael stuck it on James Traynor knowing he would have no comeback. Michael was ignored by PQ for several weeks, it allowed Michael to settle in at his new gig, Celtic TV. BBC Scotland has announced that there will be no disciplinary action taken against Michael this time, because those 1,000 Rangers supporters complaining had done so, "in a targeted manner". There you have it, Rangers supporters are sinister and David Turnbull kicked out at nobody.

Money shouldn't be the motivating factor for moving, we're a football club not a merchant bank. Real Madrid's revenue this season is estimated at over 600 million Euros yet the club's a financial basket case, football should never be measured by money. Norwich might well have revenues double ours, but it didn't stop them being relegated.

And I can understand that. When you go to the away games, you want to go to them all and it's like an addiction. I agree that's not going to happen. If it was, it would have been in the 90s when Sky had the power, but they don't have that any more and the English clubs themselves aren't going to agree to it.

Yep, it's a lot less subtle than the Alfie or Roofes incidents.

i know he got a yellow but would be amazed if the CO doesn't deal with this. It was wild.

SFA bias once again

So did I. Should be a good match which means it will turn out to be dire. If Foden plays from the start and City don’t get into crab-dance mode they should win 3-1. If they play the way they did last week ‘Spurs have a chance. Even if both teams play to their best it wouldn’t be as good a game as 1960 ‘Spurs against 1968 City. @compo will tell you the same.

I will of course be renewing, but still disgusted at being sold a st this time last year that I got absolutely no value from. I know the club need the money, and it looks more promising that we will get to sit in our overpriced seats next season (probably not at full capacity for many months yet) but it still really annoys me that our club sold us something they couldn’t deliver, with as much emotional blackmail as we could handle. I am fully aware fans across the country got the same treatment, and if we hadn’t paid we couldn’t have survived this season with the squad that won us the title, but I can’t help feeling robbed at the way it was done.

Renewing x 2...absolutley no quibbles from me.

That's slick, really slick. The transformation from the way Rangers used to interact with the support tells me a lot about the kind of people we have running the club now. The truth is we're only now starting to do things the way many others have been doing it for years. It used to be so amateur and we got used to it being like that. On the park and off it, we seem to be going places.

Time to get under the bed and get the petty cash tin out

I see even the Prime Minister seems to be endorsing the German model of 51% fan ownership. It's maybe the only hope.

The match in Perth has finished ten minutes, a penalty awarded by the Referee in the 4th minute of injury time has secured the Saints a 1-1 draw. On BBC Scotland's football webpage, Jamie Lyall has a typical report, "the result leaves Rangers unable to amass 100 points". So, Rangers are on 93 points with three left to play; obviously PQ arithmetic differs from normal numeracy? Three wins achieves nine points and that added to 93 would leave 102. I note Jamie has changed it, "Rangers remain on track to amass 100 for the first time". Poor Jamie, having to work Chris McLaughlin's Suvul Calculator.

Scotland’s police have a habit of losing reports. We know that from past experience ourselves not so long ago. Deliberately i’d Suggest

Bookends. The Adjutant drew deeply on his fag, flicked it off and says, "there it is". I replied, "I'd rather not". A smile crept upon the Adj's phizog, "you're a Subbie, he's the Commanding Officer". Above was the end of a conversation in Shrewsbury, forty years ago. A new CO had arrived, looked at the qualifications of his junior Officers to instruct soldiers in Adventure training and, found us wanting. Half-a-dozen were dispatched around the country to gain the necessary certificates in Kayaking, Ridge Walking, Top Knotting, Abseiling and my particular good fortune took me to Rosyth for the month of March to become proficient in Sailing. Early Spring on the Firth of Forth, with nightly refuge in a naval dockyard. Being most windswept and interesting was not enough, I had to room with a Royal Horse Artillery Subbie who approached the course with all the enthusiasm of a new born giraffe. Quite right too, he had the incentive of Cypriot sunshine awaiting at the end of the month. I suspect it made the endless capsize drills more bearable? Eight hours every day allowed us to progress through the various classes of dingy, none awarded any protection from the elements. Still, preferable to an evening of cold fatigue with a Gunner possessing a cassette player and two cassettes. The choice was an uplifting hour of Joy Division or Simon and Garfunkel warbling Bookends. Eventually, I read the sleeve notes on the latter. Apparently, Paul Simon had written the songs on his two year sojourn in England and for his commission to provide accompanying music for the Graduate. Koo-koo-ka-choo Mrs Robinson. Paul sat in Rochdale railway station, ticket for his destination and was dreaming of making out with St Cecelia. A journey ending, another beginning, who knew Paul Simon indulged in ambiguity? Preparing to jibe, jibing now. After months, years of Stuart Cosgrove continually telling us he was a loner, did not interact, preferred to read, .................... etc. This season he has provided a couple of Bookends. During last Summer, with the SPFL's organised vote on declaring both Champions and relegations, he became exceedingly exaggerated that Doncaster, McKenzie and, Maclennan would not deliver their promise to Peter. He ranted, became excited and, spoke of a lunch in Gamba with Neil Doncaster. He opined, "Neil Doncaster should remember what I said to him"? On Sunday last, the guest on Off the Ball is Tony Watt and he tells of his daily twelve minute commute from Mount Vernon to Fir Park. Of course, Stuart has a far more interesting commute. Back in the day when he was a Staff Writer at the NME, his office was in the same building as the Daily Telegraph. This would be 15 years past and the CEO of the Telegraph at the time was Murdoch Maclennan. Regularly over a period of 2-3 years, Shifty McGifty gave the Blessed Stu' a lift home to Sarf London in the his Chauffeur driven car. What a commute, oh the conversations? I guarantee you, the word Rangers was NEVER used. Shifty and Cosgrove in the same car, driven by HATE. Garrulous Stu' was in a state of high excitement on Sunday, he told of Saint's journey from worst team in Scotland, back to the Premiership and wondered why BBC Scotland had not commissioned the Documentary? Stuart, along with big Sellik man, Don Coutts had their own Production Company, 'A Big Star in a Wee Picture'; they produced numerous programmes, 'Halfway to Paradise', 'Possil Girls', 'Talk on the Wild Side', .. etc. Why doesn't Stu' produce the Journey? Oh, that's right, the production company went burst, hope they paid the face painters? Cosgrove ended the show with two predictions, Hibs to win 0-2 and ra Sellik to win the Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox. I think he was trying to cover his tracks after revealing he is BIG pals with the Scottish football Establishment? Seriously, the Club should call out the Bampot. Look around, the leaves are brown and, when Cosgrove's around, it's always a hazy shade of winter for Rangers supporters.