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There have been a number of occasions in my time supporting Rangers when everything changed. I remember sitting in a Naafi outside Belfast watching Rangers play Shelbourne in a Euro Qualifier in one of Advocaats first matches, Smith's 9 in a row team had broken up in the summer and I think I recognised about 2 Rangers players that night, it really felt like the end of one era and the beginning of another. Likewise when we played our first matches in Division 3, McCoist, McDowell and Durrant remained familiar faces but a lot of the team were new and the feeling of complete uncertainty that had enveloped the club for months remained. A few years later I was watching Warburton's first competitive match against Hibs, we were following it on an iPad while travelling to a wedding. Once again most of the players were unfamiliar, so was the manager, it was another changing of the guard so to speak, a break with the past and a new era beginning. Throughout all that one man remained constant, a familiar face in the background, a reassuring presence for supporters who are far from the boardroom or the dressing room. Despite his low profile it was clear Jimmy Bell was someone players, coaches and managers gravitated too. You'd see him in the background of Rangers News photoshoots from some sun-drenched preseason training camp. You'd see him coming off the coach on Sky Sports as the camera searched for a big name player, these days you'd see him in the background as the club posted pictures from the training ground or travelling to a match. Despite what so many people think football clubs aren't businesses in the normal sense. The hint is in the word club. Rangers epitomise this as much as any. We've had turbulence in recent years, some amazing highs and terrible lows, yet we remain. A club greater than the sum of its parts. As supporters we celebrate the ephemeral, the transient player who thrills for a few season, the great performance that brightens us for a few months, the trophies we celebrate until the next one starts. But I think that as supporters it's really the long term recognition we cling too. The things that don't change like the marble staircase, the blue jerseys, the St Etienne bike; things we value way above their actual value. Jimmy Bell was one of those. His presence reassured us that everything would be okay, whilst everything on the surface had changed below the surface everything was the same. We've really needed that reassurance at times. I never met Jimmy Bell, I never spoke to him. Yet he was as familiar to me as any player or manager. He played an important role, far more important than managing the kit or driving the coach, he represented us in the club. Today is a sad day in the history of our club.

I met Jimmy once. It was December 2004, we were in the Netherlands to play AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Cup. My wife and I traveled to Amsterdam, booked in for 4 days with intent to do our Christmas shopping and, take in the game. Alkmaar is an old cheese town and most pretty. I journeyed through to Alkmaar the day before the game, hoping to pick up a pair of tickets, no joy at either Club shop or ticket office. The wife suggested I concentrate on securing a brief for myself. The game day, I took the train from Amsterdam central and began asking everyone for a spare? Two and a half hours before kick-off, I was outside the ground continuing to plead? A large mini-bus pitched up and Jimmy Bell jumped out. He went to the back and began to unload half-a-dozen hampers. There was a barbed wire adorned gate between jimmy/kit and the allocated changing room. He was handed a set of keys by a police officer who then joined three colleagues at the gate. I do not wear colours to the game, in fact I was wearing a Barbour jacket. I moved forward and grabbed an end of a hamper. Jimmy locked the bus and seamlessly returned to pick up the other hamper end. We went through the gate, repeating the process another several times. Whilst putting the hampers into the changing room he asked, "do you have a ticket"? He took fifteen minutes to empty the cases then took me to a small adjoined Port-a-Kabin, we put the empties inside and instructed me to sit on the floor and, he would return to let me out in a couple of hours. I offered a thanks. I saw us lose 1-0. I suspect Jimmy helped out a fair number of Bears over the decades?

Gio has easily earned a shot at next season with his own players and a full season to work with them.

Jimmy Bell wasn't a Rangers player. He didn't score important goals or save penalties. Neither did he invest millions or lead the club in the business world. But, through a fantastic personality and in his daily dealings with hundreds of players of all creeds and colours he dies a legend. RIP.

Whatever you think, compo, getting to a European semi-final is a magnificent achievement for a club from Scotland, in the current set-up. Hopefully those attending Ibrox on Thursday are in a positive frame of mind.

I heard somewhere, might have been on Heart and Hand, and I haven't verified this so take it as you please, but worldwide its only something like 3% of corners that result in a goal. Which makes the numbers from Huddersfield all the more remarkable

I hope you don't mind mate but I've just published that lovely tribute on our main site as I'm sure everyone will share the sentiments expressed. https://www.gersnet.co.uk/index.php/news-category/current-affairs/1520-jimmy-bell-a-club-legend

Just watched the game back and we could easily have won it. No shame in that team performance.

2nd best? We're the first Scottish club to reach a European semi-final since we last reached a European semi-final in 2008. We've managed this whilst spending a fraction of the best majority of our opponents. As others have said, reaching this stage is a phenomenal achievement (if it wasn't, we'd be here ever other year). To reach the final would be unbelievable and we'd be 1 game away from adding to our soletry European trophy. Thursday night crap? Take it your giving your ticket away?

“Dutch Dud”?

Just a wee observation following on from yesterday's game. I think we had 7 corners in total yesterday and I think all were taken by our captain James Tavernier. Overall, considering what he can do with crosses on the run and other dead ball situations, I thought our corners were very poor. For some reason, we insisted on the high floaty cross to the back post which in turn had so much elevation, making it impossible for our players to get much power into their headers. This confuses and frustrates me (as a youth coach and fan). If we have Tav on one side and Borna on the other, why not pistol whip inswinging crosses into the 6 yard area? We know both players have a great delivery so why not utilise it at corners? I know we have used it sometimes to good effect with Aribo generally getting a flick on which causes panic in the opposition box. A corner at pace swinging into the goal has defenders and keepers not knowing what to do. The pace of the ball itself is a weapon as the slightest touch can result in a goal, own goal or just mass panic and I genuinely feel we are missing a trick here. Thoughts?

Sad news about our fellow fan, bus driver turned kit man Jimmy Bell's death. Always quietly going about his business in the background, a trusted confidant to many over the decades, and a terrible shock and loss to his family at the far too young age of just 57. I dont go as far as to say legend, that's ridiculous, but he will be sorely missed by the players and staff at the club. Hopefully we can use the grief as an inspiration to get a win on Thursday and make a Euro final. As a bluenose just like all of us, it is absolutely what Jimmy would have wanted.

That's the spirit.

Sky's production of old firm games is similar to BT Sport. At the Cup semi-final at Hampden, we saw Rod Stewart in the crowd, Martin Compston in the South Stand, Leigh Griffiths taking his seat in the Sellik end, ............ etc; all before kick-off. I think we would all have enjoyed seeing the aforementioned after Rangers notched their second goal? Yesterday, it's John Terry adorned in a green'n'grey scarf before kick-off. I checked, John Terry's old man is a convicted drugs dealer and, his maw is a convicted shoplifter. Of course John Terry supports ra Sellik, he is very much one of their own.

Scottish Journalism I am afraid. He was indeed 69.

Absolute gentleman , Huge loss to the club .

turns out he was 69 i think.

Oh for a player who can cross a ball like wee Tommy McLean

Absolutely buzzing for it. Wish it was Thursday now

For me, Jimmy Bell was the constant face through all the changes and upheavals the club has been through, a link to previous better times. He’s one of very few people who will leave a hole that’s hard to fill.

57 This is wrong. Jimmy was in his 70th year, see club tribute.

The set-piece taker should be mixed up more. Tav takes too many corners and free-kicks.

The couple in the first half were poor but there were also a few in the second half that were good and both Sakala and Goldson should have done better with two headers. I'd like to see us show a lot more imagination with all our set pieces (throw ins are my own particular bug bear) but it's unreasonable to expect perfection every single time.

It's more complex than in-swingers versus out-swingers. I've said it before: we should have a dedicated set-piece coach.

Hopefully it was a ploy to fool Red Bull.

Those high long floaty backpost corners were dreadful and i dont want to see them again

Days of Wonder. Tonight the 2nd May'22, BBC Scotland are reporting on their website - 'Michael Stewart issues apology to former Rangers communications director Jim Traynor'. Michael Stewart has apologised to former Rangers communications director Jim Traynor for comments made on BBC Radio Scotland two years ago. A statement published on Twitter read, "I would like to apologise to Jim Traynor for comments made about him on BBC Sportsound programme on Monday 3 February 2020 and any distress caused to him and his family". "On the programme I referred to Jim as a dangerous character, a bully and someone who tries to create divisions for personal gain" Stewart added, "I have no justification for those remarks and withdraw them unreservedly". "I realise my remarks and the subsequent social media storm caused Jim and his family a lot of upset which I sincerely regret". "I am also conscious that my remarks have caused embarrassment to Rangers football club and I would like to apologise to them too". BBC Scotland apologised to Mr Traynor at the time. Since this thread began some four years ago, I suspect BBC Scotland and it's broadcasters have issued a dozen apologies to Rangers, Rangers employees and, Rangers supporters? As I have stated on a few occasions throughout, it is a rite of passage for those apologising, something to be done to ensure promotion.

Non-Gaelic speakers who say "slainte" are fuds.

Biggest game at Ibrox perhaps ever. Football has changed so much that getting to the final is something beyond what anyone else has achieved except previous Eurpean trophy winners and thats only 4 teams. Winning it would be the greatest achievement ever in sottish football.

we were way way fitter in the second half. When it goes back to 3 subs celtc are screwed. 1 game a week and only their keeper looks fit to last 90 mins.

Another piece of tripe from the BBC Scotland web page... With the visitors looking out on their feet, Fashion Sakala fired them level to prolong the title race. Maybe I'm biased but at no stage did I think Rangers were out on their feet. There's only one team that should be levelled at.

That was a hard night to be a spectator - so close yet so far. However, my abiding recollection of that night will always be after the final whistle when they received one of the best ovations any Rangers team in my lifetime and certainly the best at a moment of failure. It was incredibly uplifting, seared into the memory forever.

Thursday is a night to write history and put yourself up there with the Bayern game in 1972. Our right back scored in 1 minute of that game. What's the chances of our current right back doing the same against German opposition? Pretty high IMO

An equally nice summary of the Scottish National Party, for which he aspired to be a candidate.

"poison and toxicity, cancerous people and mendacious, pervasive forces that you simply don’t need in your life" That's a nice summary of his own media career. 😄

Now I Understand. The above posting on Michael Stewart taking two bites out of Rangers in three days was almost a query? Given the incoming flak that he has experienced for past similar preferred prejudice, you had to wonder why he was prepared to return to the fray? Michael Stewart's Twitter feed is best described as a tumbleweed and clanging bell zone. Since the turn of the year, barely a dozen posts; Michael knows he is broadcasting. This morning, Monday 2nd May'22 - Michael has posted(broadcast) his apology to both Jim Traynor and Rangers for comments he made on BBC Radio Scotland 3rd February'20. I hope Ian or Frankie can post a screen grab of the apology? Deliberately, the apology is posted in an unusual hard to read format. Further, he has posted another three or four items ie congratulations to Bury Town, recommendations for Whisky and, Bank Holiday good wishes; all to push down quickly his apology. Now, many will want to know why it has taken in excess of two years for Michael to do the right thing? I am told the Lawyers have been involved and, Michael ran out of road. It was publish the necessary apology to Jim Traynor and Rangers or face court proceedings. I am told Michael has also coughed up the accrued fees of all Legal firms involved. Michael's two bites in three days was an attempt at obscuration and, of course his application to succeed Richard Gordon as Saturday Host of Sportsound. Remember, Michael also had his 13-14 week stint as Sellik TV Host.

The Bully Wee, Dens and, the Hi-Bees in the Cup. Rangers had just blown the froth from their Bavarian beers and, found themselves waiting in the traps at Shawfield. Under starter's orders, the Hare rail sang whilst, Rangers grasped for the blinkers. Clyde piled in and piled on, the only saving grace was a wayward swan from the river interrupting the Clyde flow. Her Majesty's bird was flapping, Her Majesty's eleven were flapping more. The Rangers supporters in the 10,000 attendance were preying for half time when, Clyde's Miller found the net. The Girvan Lighthouse could not get down quickly enough to parry the low drive. Leading 1-0 at the break, Clyde remained unchanged - McCulloch, Anderson, McHugh, Houston, McVie, Burns, McGrain, Miller, Flanagan, Hulston and, Sullivan. Rangers fielded - McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Greig, Jackson, Smith, McLean, Parlane, D Johnstone, Conn and, Johnstone. Rangers subbed Fyfe for Conn at the beginning of the second period. It worked, Johan slipped Bud in on the 50th minute mark for the equaliser. Despite the constant probing balls from Dominic Sullivan(would go on to both Aberdeen and ra Sellik), a stuffy Rangers held out, knowing a far sterner test awaited at Dens Park in just two days time. As discussed before on this thread, the Dundee side of the early 70s was a real footballing team. On the Monday evening all the ball players took the field. Dundee - Hewitt, R Wilson, Johnston, Stewart, Phillip, Houston, Duncan, Ford, I Scott, J Scott and, Lambie. Rangers - McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Greig, Jackson, Smith, Henderson, McLean, Stein, Parlane and, A MacDonald. A crowd barely in excess of 12,000 trapped and, speculation hovered between it being a Monday evening and Rangers supporters preferring to hold their cash for the Scottish Cup semi-final on Saturday coming, against Hibs. I did not attend and reports of the match all agree, Rangers did not tun up either. Half time was nil-nil and, the Dees Gaffer, former Rangers Manager, Davie White instructed his side to move and pass quicker, knowing the toll Rangers had paid in Munich. Within fifteen minutes, Dundee strolled through the Rangers lines twice to notch through I Scott and Stewart. The game finished two nil to the dark blues and, Rangers supporters were convinced the Captain was playing with an injury and Wullie Henderson was finished. Still, it was five days until Hibs at Hampden and, the real Rangers would be revealed? It was a most busy weekend. It began on the Friday as the IRA detonated twenty bombs in under two hours in Belfast, murdering nine folks. Apollo 16 launched from Cape Kennedy, intending to land a further two Astronauts on the moon and allow them three days to patrol in the moon buggy. It is a little known fact that NASA unveiled a plaque thanking both Anthony Stokes and Johnny Hayes for their contributions to the Space programme. Apollo 16 trial landed on Stokes face and the moon buggy was extensively trialed upon Hayes visog. The detonations at the National Stadium paled in comparison. I joined 76,000 souls at Hampden. I was intent upon supporting my team but, knew Eddie Turnbull's Hibs were easy on the eye. Hibernian - Herriot, Brownlie, Schaedler, Stanton, Black, Blackley, Edwards, O'Rourke, Baker, Gordon and, Duncan. Rangers - McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Greig, Jackson, Smith, McLean, D Johnstone, Stein, MacDonald and, Johnston. The Hibs midfield three were the perfect blend, Edwards could ping the diagonals, O'Rourke slid inch perfect weighted balls and, Pat Stanton's hard box to box running provided and created all the angles. John Greig felt the effects, hobbling off after 25 minutes. Would he be fit for Bayern's visit to Ibrox? Jim Denny came on for the Skipper and, DJ's late runs into the box knowing Dave Smith would find him; saw Rangers gather first half momentum. The reward came late, Doddy ghosting in at the back post to prod into the net on the 41st minute. The half time terrace gossip centred on the relentless fixtures and a growing injury list. European progress came at a price but failure to put away Scottish Cup opponents had already ensured three replays. Turnbull sent the Hi-Bees out in the second period to play further up the pitch with increased energy. Jimmy O'Rourke slotted the equaliser after just three minutes. We hung on for a further 42 minutes, ensuring another replay. Walking down the Polmadie Road after the semi-final, we found our ra Sellik had won at Methil to secure their seventh successive League Championship Bayern Munich were up next at Ibrox and they had just skelped Werder Bremen 6-2, Muller scoring a hat-trick. The Stadium was all ticket for the visitation of the Bavarians, 80,000 had been sold. The game was also live on the TV, kicking-off at 19.30hrs. Sellik claimed to have moved 70,000 tickets for the visit of Inter Milan, beginning at 20.00hrs. TV coverage of the Sellik game would only occur if the Rangers game did not proceed to extra-time. Two massive matches in the same city on the same night; 150,000 fans guaranteed and the Glasgow Polis did not blink. How times have changed?