Leaderboard

I don't see why Gio hasn't sold the entire team yet. I mean that's what Barry Ferguson would have done. Gio has had 10 days in post and not a single player sold yet!

And a few posts later, we see gisabeers latest contribution. 🙂

Alternatively we have lost once in about 2 years in the league and are 7 clear at the top. But yeah utterly shite.

Did anyone else wake up and grin? 🙂

Yeah a pub team who are currently 7 points clear, scored most goals in league, defending champions and qualified from their EL group with a game to spare. There must be some very decent pub teams down your way (or you're overreacting).

Was going to vote for Beaton but can't see him listed so went for Kamara.

The hobos have adopted an 'avoid him' approach. Somewhat unsuccessfully, I might add.

I'm still grinning. 🙂

Too small to play in Scotland 😀

I went for Kent. Biggest two faced vote ever! I did nothing but moan at him all night but he won the pen that effectively won us the game

Just wait, my boy. Just wait.

Presentation Over Content? I have attended a few dozen Club AGMs over the decades. Mostly, I have departed the venue thinking the event was a triumph of presentation over content; particularly during David Murray's tenure. Yesterday, I sat in the Auditorium accompanied by a calmness. The ambient blue light occasionally reflecting the lustre of the SPFL trophy. Pre-event, the lobby whispers were low and the sipped tea served to sharpen appetites for a Presentation confirming our return. The Hall was two thirds full, the empty seats were filled with contentment. The Blazers at the top table are largely the same as us, born and bred Rangers supporters. That's the end of the cheese, Rangers supporters have demands. The AGM began with a 10 minute video presentation of last season's Premiership goals. Next up was the the Company Secretary, James Blair. He introduced the Board and attending Advisors. He then ran through proposals, re-elections and, voting procedure. He handed over to Club Chair, Douglas Park who welcomed all and noted the attendance of the Premiership trophy. Managing Director, Stewart Robertson gave a short summation of the last year and current situation. He introduced Gio van Bronkhurst to loud acclaim. The next twenty-five minutes were taken up by Nick Thomson inviting Stewart Robertson, Ross Wilson and, James Bisgrove to sit beside the Premiership trophy stage left. The settee and lounge chair were filled and a relaxed discussion ensued reference Club finance, marketing and commercial activity, European Coefficient, Pitch, training ground and, contracts. Each were quietly, matter of fact impressive. Robertson emphasised the Club's Euro progress from 216th position to 41st. Further, the Club had contributed considerably in taking the National Euro position to ninth. Bisgrove extrapolated on the kit deal being worth £7-£9 million next year and Commercial activity growing up to £27 million as a new normal. Further, he claimed Rangers TV's revenue had grown 100%. Wilson talked about Gerrard's departure and claimed to be ready for it, van Bronkhurst's appointment within the week would suggest he was on the front foot. Robertson addressed the £7.5 million needed to finish the season, already raised and expects a small end of season profit. Nitty gritty issues ensued, all lifts at the Stadium were being renewed at the cost of £1 million. The kitchens catering for in excess of 2,000 hospitality customers were over 25 years old and along with all Stadium toilets would be replaced next. Academy has been improved, new Coaches appointed. Medical and Sports Science improved too, brought up to English Premiership standard. The women and girls side of operations has been made full time professional, it's important not an exercise in box ticking. Robertson finished with an update on New Edmiston House. The metal framework is currently being raised, and a new Manager, David Pyatt has been appointed to ensure it opens Autumn'22. The space will be big enough to host AGMs, Concerts, Dinners, functions, ..... etc. There will be a Museum and a two tier retail outlet. On match days, it will be the basis for a family match day zone. The current club shop will be converted into a Sports Bar and again be part of the FanZone plan. Bisgrove ended with notes on Club Partnerships, £3 million this year, will be a comfortable £7 million next year and, still room for growth. Wilson expanded upon Contracts, relaxed about reviewing older player contracts at the end of the season, non contributors will be allowed to leave and, there is a set wage structure that will NOT be broken. James Blair then moved the AGM to questions from the floor, there were more than a dozen but I will concentrate on the four most important. George Hoggin on a Club'72 proxy asked about loans secured against the Edmiston Club and rate of interest? John Bennet answered - £13 million in new loans secured at 6%, we were paying Dave King 8% and, others have offered between 9% and 13%(these have not been taken up) because the 6% coupon is now the benchmark. The Board have driven down the cost of funding. Eddie Simpson representing the Blind Party made two points, firstly because of Covid the Party has been moved from behind the dug-outs and has been subsequently separated. Secondly, the Blind Party no longer received Away tickets. Robertson promised a solution would be found for the first but the second was dependent upon away clubs. The Rangers Blind Party emanates from Bill Struth's time as an Officer in the RAMC, his decade of rehabilitation work with veterans after WW1 included introduction of Blind Party Commentators. The Blind Party are a much valued part of the Rangers Family, every accommodation should be made. David Ferguson asked about the Ticket Office, pointed out it was often closed and most queries go unanswered. Robertson accepted it was verging on shambolic and a new Customer Service Manager with improved accompanying software was necessary immediately. Stated it was now a priority. Charlie Murray from Linwood made the most heartfelt plea. He related the experience of being a disabled Rangers fan, the facilities are disgraceful, sight lines appalling, positions open to the elements, if rain is predicted some do not trap due to flooding, ..................... finished by stating, "I made the very same complaint three years ago". Robertson accepted all points, Park intervened stating the issue had been widely discussed ay yesterday's Board meeting. An assurance was given, necessary improvements will be made soonest. The facilities for disabled Rangers supporters should be the best in the world, they are fellow Rangers supporters and most deserving. Time for the fans in the Stands to grasp this nettle, starting Saturday. There was a final question from an anonymous chap grabbing the mike. He made the point Rangers are held to a different standard by the general media and had a pop at Humza, James Dornan and, Susan Aitken. All perpetrators in, 'tell a lie often enough' -this brought a reply from David Graham, "all we want is balance and fairness, we take a long term approach, more scalpel than chainsaw". The AGM concluded.

Do the right thing Everton sack Rafa he is a dud it's nearing the send for Sam time at Goodison

In two league fixtures this season between Rangers and Hibs, Ryan Porteous has been the difference. I wonder if Irvine Welsh is reaching for his machete? We should be told.

hearts out and out cheated tonight and kyogo shaming scottish football yet again

Yeah but this came from Spanish press.

Any link to any player signing for Rangers through the Scottish gutter press is almost 100% untrue! they know nothing about who we will sign, made up garbage.

1 nil is a home victory, is it not? Either way, for Rousseau, that is recklessly optimistic.

Yeah, i suppose you'd have had Roofe as fgs too 😆 .

It's been a disaster these past five years money to spend and all wasted on dud managers and mediocre players the fans deserve more no better atmosphere in any stadium than a full Goodison cheering on the toffees.

What a decision to have to make. Goldson and Bassey were like headless chickens with the ball and could hardly make a pass. Nor could the usually reliable Davis. Bassey went on a long run with the ball in the second half and the guy next to me said "he has no idea what he's going to do" ... sure enough he was right. Glen Kamara is like a black hole on legs who seems to suck the energy out of the game every time he has the ball, he's becoming one of the main reasons we can't maintain any decent tempo. The rest ran around to little effect, variously giving the ball away at every opportunity. It might be the worst footballing performance of the season. The only saving grace was their commendable willingness to keep going despite the carnage they created. That said, it was a wonderful result and games like this do have their own tense fascination, it's just that skillful football isn't part of it. I can safely predict that every game between now and lifting the league trophy will be better than last night at Easter Road, so that's one positive. The only MOTM candidates for me are Kent, Arfield and Roofe. Kent because he at least showed positive intent, Roofe and Arfield because they actually made a difference when they came on, however briefly. How Arfield isn't the first name on the team sheet is beyond me.

Went for Goldson but tbh, I read the comments first to try and get some inspiration. In the end, his toe to flick the cross away towards the end of the first half and generally I thought he was much more solid last night, compared to recent weeks. We mostly limited their chances, which he was key to ensuring.

Mate Guardiola and Klopp rate him as one of the best talents in the world. He is touted as the new Mbappe Messi etc etc. Realistically we have literally no chance he could go anywhere and no doubt will. Maybe as he is Dutch and wants to be playing every week at 18 and only on 17k a week just now we have some kind of tiny chance but one thing is for sure it would rock football if we got him and not just Scottish football. Of course he could be shite like many rated 18 year olds turn out to be but he is sure as hell highly rated as a prospect.

I went for bassey. Hes turning g into a player in my eyes. I wont fault kent for his effort but hes labouring when it comes to the final pass.

Really tough one this time. I have a couple who I think had absolute stinkers (Davis & Goldson) but otherwise most were about par. In cases like this the winning goal is what separates the two, so I will go for Kent as he got the winner. I know Roofe dispatched the actual pen, but it was some lovely footwork by Kent to earn it and that is what won the match.

Cheers Ian. Enjoyed that. Ally doing his bit for the PR - great stuff.

I wen't bassey given his previous problems at CH he has been a really good stand in here recently.

What’s wrong with the Toffee Men? The School of Soccer Science is long gone. Since then, only a glittering half decade in the eighties. They could do what City have done if they got an avalanche of cash and a top manager. Ancelotti might have done it. It seems Benitez can’t.

Kamara he seems to be warming to his role.

He was laughing on the TV last night as he contorted himself he was at it and knew it. Was some of his better work. Give it time gets wild on here from time to time.

Yeah I'm not sure I can follow JR's logic, if there was contact then the player was fouled and its a penalty. Jack Ross is turning into a bit of a parody with some of his post match comments defending the indefensible actions. Like the recent sending off at Ibrox. Good to be here, very sensible posts and no real hyperbole or wild stuff

Ive picked Aribo but really couldn't justify it if pressed. The Goldson clearance in the second half was great but he didnt have a great night. Kent won the penalty, got a few decent shots off well but had a poor night other than that.

Porteus says there was contact but minimal. Ross says it was a pen and he would want it but they are only given 50/50 so he wanted it not given. So it was a pen no mater what anyone says. Great to see you posting here BTW SBG.

I joined the match on 73 minutes to see Barisic take a lifetime to place and and complete a free kick. After that I barely saw McGregor, Rangers played quite nicely and it was indeed a penalty. Tripping an opponent is a foul. The book says nothing about a severed leg as evidence. Roofe sent the ‘keeper the wrong way and dispatched the ball with power and accuracy. But, please, no jiggling run-ups with a hesitation embellishment. Too big a risk of mesmerising yourself instead of the ‘keeper.

Terrific result and a very good ground out win. Penalty was a stonewaller have no idea how anyone can contest that decision. Didn't think we were great by any means and I'd struggle to pick a MOTM if pushed. But I don't think Hibs troubled us at all.

Celtc scrapped through that end of season and adopted it because they were shite.

We dominated them for most of the match but could have definitely played much better. We won, that's always the main thing at tricky away grounds.

How were we lucky? We dominated all aspects of the game, had more attacking play, stopped Hibs from making clear cut chances and controlled the game for large periods. Off course we can do better and sure we will. However if we win the league, nobody will look back and say "by feck we are lucky to win the league, mind the midweek game at Easter Road". Conversely, we might look back at it as one of the results that won the league.

Reckon I will be soon. All the more reason to wind them up, face to face, tomorrow. Royal blue clothing will be worn. 😉

I don't think it was a penalty.

He's a debauched looking bastard, that Hibs' manager.

My report on last night's Challenge Cup game at Cove. https://rfcyouths.wordpress.com/2021/12/01/a-step-to-far-for-colts/

Balance? The Rangers media vortex was perfectly portrayed over the last few days, it was Scottish League Cup semi-final weekend and the Pacific Quay Gang Hut brought it's usual balance to events. The four semi-finalists were Rangers, Sellik, Hibs and, St Johnstone Off the Ball set the benchmark. One of the co-Hosts, RAB Cosgrove is a Saintee thus every fart and burp is covered including why 2,000 Saints supporters at Hampden on Saturday was, "a good turn out". Since the first semi on Saturday was Sellik v Saints, the Off the Ball show had balance, the guest was Craig McLean. A former Keeper at 'Well and Clyde gave up football for an Equity card. In his soliloquy he blurted, "ahm a big Sellik man". It was pantomime time on the Sunday show, another Actor and full time Hibee, Dougray Scott dropped the 'F' bomb and told of only ever being threatened once, by a Rangers supporter obviously after the 2016 Scottish Cup final. The balance was provided by RAB Cosgrove, even his mucker', Tam Cowan called it, "you're just a big Hater". RAB stated, "Gerrard was off before the next Administration" and, "Neil McCann will not be talking to BBC Scotland by the end of the weekend". RAB has recently entered his 70th year and his trolling of Rangers supporters extends to pronunciation. Giovanni van Bronkhurst is having his Christian name mispronounced. It's not Gee-o-vanni, the proper pronunciation is Joh-vanni. RAB quotes the authority of the Editor of Flourish - the RC Archdiocese of Glasgow Journal. Ronnie Convery has joined Kevin McKenna, Angela Haggerty, Jum Spence, Gerry Braiden, ............. and, Phil McFournames in telling RAB what to tell Rangers supporters. Ronnie was a Spokesperson for Cardinal O'Brien for several years, maybe he'll tell RAB why the Scots Cardinal spent his final four years living in Northumbria? Anyways, RAB will be the recipient of multiple pats on his napper from those named. He can be relied upon to supply that special PQ balance when required. Last week, he did the Big Dick thing, resorting to his newspaper column to present a preferred prejudice. He had several bites on radio about the way Actor, Brian Cox was treated on Question Time. I watched the show and the Dundee born and bred Thespian made a roaring cnut of himself. The final question epitomised, it was with reference to Glasgow hosting COP 26 and a bin man strike taking place because of a plague of rats? Brian answered, "that's life". Brian Cox is just another big Sellik man and he has lived outside Scotland these last fifty years, the last couple of decades in Manhattan. He was the ScotsNat rep' on the panel. He got off the plane, pinned on the necessary lapel badges and the damp of the SECC reminded him why he left the country. RAB was outraged such a special Actor was disrespected. So much so, he utilised his National column to inform the five thousand folks that continue to purchase the comic that those administrating the bin workers strike(the GMB) were funders of the Better Together campaign. Further, they were not interested in promoting Scotland's good image. Nicola and Brian copped it unfairly, the bin men were only motivated by greed. RAB brought balance to the rats and chaos present in the FM's constituency of Govanhill. It's hardly surprising, RAB of the sandstone villa in Dennistoun, the Sri Lankan villa with infinity pool, the East London flats, ............ supports Nicola and Brian against working men toiling in appalling conditions. His Socialism is framed in precise National terms, pronunciation - RAB Balance.