Leaderboard

As gutted as I am at tonight’s result , this season will go down in history as one of the greatest ever , we have not only seen off Terry Munro , but his general Lawell , captain lennon and private brown , as well as various other non descripts, we have performed above and beyond in Europe and the future is red , white and blue . We are only 3 years into this and have a squad worth millions , and a potential route into the Champions league , we need to stay sane and true , if we win the league next year we are guaranteed a direct spot . The opposition have no manager , are going to lose easily 10- 15 players, and we know from experience how difficult a job it is to bring in a few players into a disjointed club never mind an entire team . Enjoy your summer guys , 55 was delivered , end off .

Last night was just one of those games that we’ve all seen before. We’re not on top form, playing against a physical team who seem to get away with constant fouls and you can guess the rest. As for their goal, Roofe lost the ball down near their corner - could/should have been a free kick, but I thought he would just hold on to the ball and see it out - we were brilliant at doing that earlier in the season. Then, htf did we concede from that corner? The marking was amateur hour and while McGregor is one of our greatest ever keepers, he’s not great at commanding his area (or distribution) so that’s just one weakness that I guess we’re not going to change now. You’d still hope for something though, even if its a fist or a flap... anything tbh. I wonder how many opposition goalkeepers can say they’ve scored at Ibrox from open play? I’ll be honest, since we won the title, the combination of dead rubbers and international breaks have kind of made it feel like the season has been over for a while. Might just be me though. I know we’re going for the double and an undefeated league season, but once 55 was done, everything else seems like an anticlimax.

It's a difficult question actually. In order of priority: Centre midfield - I would love big money (if we have it) to be spent here. A strong player who can tackle but can build attacks too. Davis and Arfield will be a year older, Ryan Jack isn't available enough and when we play tough opposition Aribo seems to lack the aggression and defensive discipline we need. Striker - I think Morelos will leave so we will need to spend good money on a replacement. Roofe is like Jack, we can't rely on him being fit often enough. Itten is unproven still, particularly in terms of how much of a goalscorer he can be. I think he has shown quality in other areas of his game but we don't really know whether he can be a 20+ goal striker yet. Attacking midfield - With Kent, Hagi, Roofe, Aribo and Wright do we need a senior player here or just reinforcements? Stewart, Jones, Barker, Middleton leaving makes space for....yougsters McPake and Kennedy? Centre back? We are well-stocked but an injury to Helander (19-20 style) would leave me a bit concerned history would repeat itself. He ended that season with 22/24 league points and only 4 league goals conceded (despite only 2/8 of those being home games). This season Balogun has improved our record without Helander, though we've still conceded 10 goals in the 15 games when he hasn't played (3 conceded after he's been subbed), and only 6 in 24 when he has played and that includes 3/4 Celtic games and 3/4 Hibs games who have posed by far the biggest goal threat to us. Having said that, I don't think we can attract better back-ups than we already have. So in short, a big signing in centre mid and a big signing up front (if Morelos leaves) would leave me happy (I would prefer 1 big signing in centre mid than 2 signings). Sales to any of our current starters would obviously need replaced.

In the previous game against St.Johnstone, Gerrard rested about half his team with a view to the important fixture being the cup quarter-final. In all his interviews he stressed that the focus was on winning the quarter-final against St.Johnstone. So, for him the game was not a dead rubber but a real opportunity to progress and perhaps win the Scottish Cup. A number of players let Gerrard down and it should be apparent to him that a few changes need to be made. It has been evident from the past few games that Davies is our playmaker and anchor in midfield and without him I am not sure who is capable of doing a similar role. In hindsight, playing the game against St.Johnstone a few days before was actually more beneficial for them than to us because achieving a draw gave them confidence and they gained practice sitting in, pressing our back line and going for the quick break.

Let's hope we don't get drawn against St. Joseph's!

To lose a last second goal and then lose the game on penalties really does worry me, whilst we have had a fantastic season winning the 55 with weeks to spare is all well and good but we should have been on a double or even a treble with Celtic out of the running completely this season. The Manager and team must have a long hard look at the blockers on the cup games and start getting into the mindset that every trophy matters, as I say a great season but with some niggling doubts about the road ahead and the way we seem to capitulate to teams we should be beating in all positions on the park, St Johnstone and St Midden a case in point.

For me, a move to another league isn't so much about ambition and chasing "success", but more to do with a desire to escape the confines of a badly organised, tinpot, and often toxic SPFL. Ideally, I'd like us to take part in a league where the other clubs are operating at a similar level, have similar sized stadia and budgets, decent pitches etc. and who actually try to play football against us. I've no desire to see Rangers ascend to Europe's higher echelons alongside the soulless, corporate superclubs, but I have absolutely loved our involvement in the Europa League since Stevie arrived. Playing games against proper, well-known European names like Rapid Vienna, Feyenoord, Galatasary, Benfica feels like where we belong. 30 years ago I'd have jumped at the chance to join a British League, but things have changed since then in England, and (like the other "big" leagues) the EPL has become skewed and dominated by a few clubs that have rigged a clear run at UEFA's prize money every year. I can't see how we (or any of the also-ran Premier League teams) could permanently catch up with Man U, Chelsea, Man City etc. without entrusting the club's future to foreign money men. Having said that, I'd probably rather be in Everton or Aston Villa's shoes than in the SPFL forevermore. My preferred day-dream solution would be to see us join an Atlantic League or equivalent where we can escape to play against other teams currently "trapped" in smaller national leagues. I could get excited about games against Porto, Anderlecht, Ajax and the like, without feeling the need to sell our soul in order to compete.

No brainer for me. We are being left behind. 20 years ago we could make the Champions League groups and put up a good fight against big teams. Those days are long gone, year by year the gap has grown between us and Europe's top clubs. We do have a rare opportunity to qualify directly for the UCL next season but that will be near impossible to maintain without loads of Europa League qualifiers to top-up the coefficient, with a 5th Scottish side in Europe diluting our coefficient and, at some point, without Gerrard. And without direct entry, qualification is going to get harder and harder. Going back only 5 years, the Champions route qualification play-off losers were Viktoria Plzen, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, APOEL, Dundalk and Red Bull Salzburg. Next season, the champions route losers will be one of Salzburg, Dinamo Zagreb, Slavia Prague, Olympiacos, Young Boys, Crvena Zvezda, Rangers, Midtjylland. All those teams are on a high, most are thrashing their leagues. And as things stand, even tiny clubs who are relegation candidates in the EPL have at least twice the revenue we do and far more than twice the draw we have to attract players from across the world. If we played in a British League, you would back us to rise to the top and become a European force once again. Things are ok just now but we won't be beating the odds in Europe with Gerrard forever and without that we have no access to decent funds.

That's a decent shout. It's been notable in recent weeks how he's taken over as the main man in our defence.

Southampton made a loss of £76 million last year and a loss of £41 million in 2019, apparently they have a wages to turnover ratio of 90%. They finished 11th last season. Even Ajax make an operating loss most seasons (nothing like Southampton's to be fair), they rely on selling players to make up the shortfall. I can't think of any side in the UK that has had tangible on-field success while while being run like a normal business. Much as it pains me to say it the closest in recent years was Celtic, but they had the league and access to Europe all to themselves. As soon as we put a challenge in their model fell apart. I'm not accusing you of being unimpressed by this season, I don't think that. I do think your desire to join another league because there's more money available in it is mis-guided. As I said in my original post I'm not closed to against another league, but it has to be for the right reasons. For me access to more money isn't one of those reasons. For what it's worth I think your view is probably the majority one among our support.

If you're a refugee from FF you are well out of it. Welcome to gersnet, the thinking fan's forum.

Remember it,was my first cup final as an awestruck 14year old.

That’s why we’re all here, old bean.

Defoe was faultless.

Every season the League is the priority, followed by a decent run in Europe. Since he his arrival, SG has improved us year on year, we have regained credibility in Europe (and made the club much needed millions in the process). Last season we pushed Celtic for 1/2 the season then let a lead in the league slip. This season we have won the league at an absolute canter. Said previously cup compitions have been a dissapoitmemt but of we only win 1 trophy a season it must be the league. As for "fans" questioning Gerrard, they really need to take a long hard look at themselves. Too many of us thought once we got the SPFL we'd go back to dominating them and the league, even wirh them being 10 years (a full decade) ahead of us on and off the pitch. Before a ball was kicked 100% of us would have taken the SPL title and the last 16 of Europe and rightly so. Said last week that not winning the Scottish and or not going the entire season meant this season was a failure, quite the opposite, season has been a 100% success

The most important thing was the league but to tell the truth I wasn't that surprised by tonight's result. Certainly once it went to penalties then there could only be one winner - it was in the script. It may not be a bad thing either. There was a certain amount of arrogance on FF about who we would play in the semi and who we would beat tin the final. It's best for that attitude to be shown the door well before the next meaningful match.

I’m sure at the start of the season if we got offered the title and another good run in Europe then we’d have grabbed it with both hands. However we must build on this for next season. We must not stagnate. We will need 3 or 4 new arrivals for next season all capable of going into the starting XI and that many mean a couple of high profile departures. The domestic cup competitions are not top priority but still remain a disappointment. Hopefully that will change next season

Goal was credited to Kane , the goalkeeper is only credited as 'assist'.

Although delighted to have won the league & another decent showing in Europe there’s no doubt this team will need three or four new faces next season, all capable of going into the starting XI. Unfortunately I think this team peaked this season. And was too often reliant on 36 year old Steven Davis & 39 year old Alan McGregor. That needs looked at

Have you considered that this is still a half-built team and we're at the end of a long season at home and abroad. Maybe the team, or at least parts of it, have just run their course and need a break to recharge their batteries.

As I said before, since we were sitting far too deep, I thought he was going for touch rugby-style near their corner flag, but got the angles wrong.

At that stage it was Roofe,the man who cost us a point on Wednesday with his ego trip attempt from half way. Suppose the only excuse for losing goal yesterday was they for once had a man advantage with all their players up.?

We rightly highlight the deficiencies in the Scottish league system - the plastic pitches, barely concealed bias of official, the low level of funds outside the OF, the poor record in Europe, etc. However, that all being said and to an extent because of it, we also need to acknowledge how much of an achievement it is to go through a season with our win-record. It's one thing to expect to win every game, it's another to be inconsolable when we don't. What we've done this season is worth far more than disappointment.

Just has to get in his way, not out-jump him.

You have to ask who should have been marking him; can't be our back four as they had already earmarked their men. Just who exactly is meant to mark a keeper?

I've never actually joined there but I sometimes read their pages. Gersnet is much better, much more intelligent comments and none of the vitriol and unpleasantness which permeates other sites.

I was a bit older and it wasn’t my first but I was awestruck too.

Couldn't have put it better the Kenny Cameron goal would have been fit to win any trophy

A damn good striker when Morelos is good he's unplayable but to inconsistent in my opinion, Defoe is to injury prone Roofe I have still to be impressed and Itten leaves a lot to be desired and a good half back a fetch and carry type of player to much Chuckle brothers football by our half backs all this from me to you from you to me do something creative with the ball

Fifty seven years ago yesterday sixty thousand blue scarved fanatics, the Daily Telegraph subsequently reported, attended the Scottish Cup Final, myself and @compo among them. There was also a big number of Dundonians and a fair few non-aligned. All witnessed an entertaining spectacle with both teams studded with household names attacking to win the game. Yesterday I tholed ninety minutes of turgidity and gave up. In a cup tie at home against what the league table tells you is less competent opposition, a fast tempo must be set from the start. No point in daundering about with the ball and then studiously passing it backwards in relays to the goalkeeper to carefully resume the sorry process all over again. The other team gets the chance to settle in, line up the defence boxes and let time go by. I thought St Johnstone played the modern containing, frustrating game very well laced with some thuggery but not the extremes we’ve seen from dome other teams. They deserved their victory but it wasn’t worth watching and Rangers players have the talent to overcome blanket defence. They just didn’t deploy it. The 1964 final was in my mind unbidden on several occasions last week. The euphoria had continued on the train back to Edinburgh and it was only well past Linlithgow that a wee thought occurred to me. Supposing this is the culmination of success and not the beginning of a surge to greater heights. The malign thought was quelled by hubris but we all know what happened over the next ten years. Is Gerrard the man to prevent something similar with his ream? Of course he is. But the players have got to play.

Some things from last night:- 1) Hagi has had many chances in team and obviously talented but not for Scottish game. 2) Second time in five days we have lost a goal in last minute---WHY?----does coaching team not coach on how to see a game out with "keep ball". 3) Why was Clark not covered at corner allowing a free header amateurish. 4) Managerial tactical substitution lacking again in order to break up play at end. Anyway look forward to next season now and hopefully getting back to games.

I missed that, thanks. Calm again.

It's the last minute goal that still gets me. Penalties are a lottery, but that last minute goal was very poor. To just let him stand there, unmarked... I mean, you can't miss him: he's wearing a fluorescent green top! I would have taken the League only at the start of the season; that was the main objective. Job done.

Hugely disappointing to go out the SC tonight but I cannot miss making comments about referee Alan Muir’s abysmal performance. He should have red carded Wotherspoon for his tackle on Hagi before HT and could easily have shown second yellows to McCann and Kane. And at the two penalty saves by the St Johnstone keeper he was well off his line. Rant over

Spoiled? Spoiled? Holy Mary Mother Of Jesus. I'll be partying all through the summer Glasgow Rangers Champions.....

The undefeated thing can be put to bed as well , really don’t care about the last few games , Celtic or not , seasons done and will have no bearing on next year .

Is there a "none of the above" option ? Davis or McGregor so went for Davis

These are all serious questions; Is there any league in any country where the team who have won, or will win the league haven't "toilled" in some games? Is there any team in any other league in Europe (or beyond) have 3 games left and if they avoid defeat, will go the entire league season undefeated? Is there any team in Europe (or beyond) who won their league (tolling or not), 7 weeks ago? Yes we can and must improve, but the positives completely outweigh any "negatives" this season. I'm sure SG and his coaching team know we need to improve and will have identified positions and players who they believe will improve us. I for one trust them to do this over the remainder of this season and into the summer.

we have been playing like our season was over since 17th march and now it is.

I didn't want the Scottish Cup anyway...

This is Gersnet, not FF.

Yes the league was priority and I’ll be smiling all summer about that, but this hurts, as did that last minute capitulation in Paisley which I’m still not over. Only saving grace was no fans inside tonight to boo them off, as they might have deserved it for tonight’s performance but not in the bigger picture of course, but we all know it would have happened.

Such a pity but good luck to St Johnstone - once could have been a fluke but twice in a week says they're a decent team with a lot of heart. Gerrard's task now is to get heads up for next weekend.

True to form some idiot on FF is moaning that one trophy from nine is not good enough. After the last 10 years you would think that he might have learned some perspective and realise that that one trophy, which he seems to disparage, is worth more than any of the others put together.

I can't believe we conceded a last second goal twice against this side.

lets not kid ourselves this so called super leagues hasn't gone away its only on hold at the moment they will be back

Thanks for this. You're saying that to be successful, a team needs to be 'badly run', or at least push the boat out, and that's not something you want to see for Rangers. You want to be entertained, which is what we're getting now. It seems like I'm being accused of being unimpressed by our success this season? That is not the case. If we have this level of success every few years or so, I'll be more than happy. I've been delighted by our performance this season. Fair enough, we've been burned quite badly for speculating, pushing the boat out, in the past. That's certainly not something I want to see repeated. However, there are many examples of teams being well-run, living within their means, and achieving success. German sides are the archetype, but even sides like Southampton in the recent past (they've struggled recently because their recruitment has been poor and injuries), or Ajax. Good sides, living within their means. That's all I want. But, Southampton, arguably, have a better quality of squad than us--and Ajax and German sides certainly do. That frustrates me. Entertainment can be separated from the level at which we play--one can be entertained in League 2 and CL finals (in theory...). So, surely it doesn't matter if we play in Scotland or in the PL or in an Atlantic League? To see a better level of quality, in the playing squad and its performance, you'd need to be in a bigger pond. I too want to be entertained by Rangers, but I also want to see better quality players, see more success in the bigger competitions. At the moment we hit a wall. We could appoint the next big managerial genius tomorrow, but we'd still hit a wall with the level of player we can afford. So, if there is a chance of us moving to a bigger pond, to then attract and afford that better calibre of player, then I'm in favour of it. I don't think I'll ever change in that regard. Like I said elsewhere, if there is a sudden change, whereby Scottish football improves and becomes that bigger pond, then that's the same for me; I'd be delighted.

I've always been in favour of us moving. Last season Norwich City, finishing bottom of the league--by some distance--had revenues of £119.3 million. Rangers, £59 million (?).