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Lowrie is good enough to have played far more often this season. He has the flair and creativity we often lacked to turn draws into wins.

Plus Ca Change. Thursday evening saw Rangers defeat RB Leipzig 3-1 at Ibrox, securing a Europa League final place 3-2 on aggregate. BBC Scotland maintained it's low profile, humdrum approach. Big Dick sat in a PQ studio with Richard Foster and Mark Hateley, all watching a monitor streaming the BT Sport live action from the Stadium. Seriously, a Euro semi-final involving a Scots club occurring less than half a mile from the studios and PQ's output is murmurings? Friday morning and lunch time, BBC Scotland know they need a bigger reaction. They do not return to the Dandy Duo of Tyrone Smith and Derek Rae who warned on drawing Leipzig, "Rangers supporters need to think again". You would think the Editor of the Bundesliga Newsletter, Stefan Bionkowski would be the obvious choice. Remember, when Stefan was a PQ staffer - he demanded the date of the last UK General Election be moved because his beloved Sellik were due to face Cluj in Romania that evening; he argued traveling 15,000 Sellik support not voting SNP would corrupt the result. In the real world, just over 600 green'n'grey happy hoopsters traveled to the Carpathians. Stefan dismissed Rangers chances of defeating Leipzig, surely this was PQ's most comfortable option? No, no and, thrice no. PQ went with Pat Nevin. The former Sellik Bhoys Club star threw out a few adjectives congratulating Rangers and concluded, "I hope the Rangers supporters behave better in Seville than they did in Manchester". The Chief Sports Correspondent, Chris McLaughlin said and penned nothing. The Chief Football writer, Tom English had a piece on BBC Scotland's website and it was most praise worthy, he aspired to the levels of excitement felt by all Rangers supporters. Well done Tom. Saturday was more comfortable, Sellik were kicking off at Noon and they could secure the title. Concurrently, 'Off the Ball' was broadcasting on the alternate frequency and, RAB Cosgrove stuck it on us, "Rangers qualifying for the Europa League final was not good for Scottish football". Apparently, the monies accrued will only take us and the separated brethren further away from the other Scots clubs and ensure the continued duopoly of Scottish football. As usual, despite wanting to hear from Rangers supporters, RAB's bias went unchallenged, as usual. Fair play, they had Barca Bear, Dave Smith on the show to promote his book, 'the Road to Barcelona'. Dave told a couple of good stories, Tam Cowan revealed an ignorance of matters 1972 when asking, "why was the attendance only 25,000 for the final"? I was waiting on RAB readdressing his Daily Record column of 20 years past, when he dismissed the victory because UEFA had discontinued the Cup and claimed Rangers supporters ransacked Barca Cathedral. Yep, RAB defies the official history of the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia - he wants, needs the Cathedral to have been RANSACKED. It was not, I know I visited the church on the day of the final with many other Rangers supporters, it was part of the tour. Sunday saw another three from the PQ rota crowd into that studio to view that monitor and, offer murmurings during Dundee United's visit to Ibrox. Given BBC Scotland's Herculean efforts in Seville 2003, the double decker bus parked outside the ground, Jackie Bird hosting, the band playing, ............... etc. What representation can we expect Seville 2022? You pays your money, you receive a much lesser service.

I have no ticket and little prospect of getting one. Maybe it's an age thing but I really couldn't face the prospect of more rip-off hotels, cattle transport, etc only to watch on TV in some pub. I've done that too many times before. If I did feel compelled to "be there", I'd definitely want to base myself well away from Seville and probably hire a car for independence and comfort. Good luck to everyone who decides to go without a ticket, make sure you plan your trip well and come back safe.

i would swap the league any season for a shot at winning a european final. happened twice in my lifetime but we have won dozens of leagues.

We clearly have some excellent young players coming through but their chances will only be inhibited by every new player we sign. So where is the balance that allows young players to get the game time they need, while also strengthening the team with new signings? There are still only eleven players allowed on the park at any one time?

we collapsed when he got injured and lost the league.

That’s just no solution at all. There is no way young players can achieve their potential without first team games, so how will you ever know if they’re good enough? Nor can we ever develop a player trading income stream if there isn’t a conscious policy and established channel of introducing young players (signed OR youth system) to the first team. The problem in the past was twofold- we had no such policy and youth development was an inconvenient sideshow. That’s changing and we have to also expect a different outcome.

Gersnet meet up boys ? Pardon the language.... but no fucking way am I missing this !!! I fly in on Friday from Bermuda, arriving Saturday - and back out on Friday 20th. Costing a small fortune as I bought flights, accommodation and tickets for the wee man and the ex (I couldnt have him go to Seville by himself as a 17 year old) - and he then pestered his mother because he was desperate for me to be there too - so had to - this is a TWICE in a lifetime opportunity - and, in fairness, even getting this far once in our lifetime is punching above our weight. I still havent come down off the natural high as I am sure you all are the same ! Gersnet meetup then ??

I would rather they were playing in the B-team, albeit at a higher level than the Lowland League (I want B-teams in the Championship). I think it benefits them going up against men, but it doesn't benefit them playing the type of football you get outside the Old Firm. We saw 4 youngsters on the pitch yesterday all in sync with each other.

The ref didn't send him off because Dundee United play Celtc very soon. Wasn't that obvious, brothers? 🤣

Great news and a favourite of mine. Hasn't had a great season and the games left will be a bit too soon for him but hope to see him back to his best next season.

I don't see how moving the Scottish cup final helps us in the Europa League final. Also we have the option of resting our full team in the league game before it as it's not going to impact the league positions of either club involved.

Aiming for 25th be like,

Been having a wee look at the wonderful Bert Kassies site and can see we are up to 34th in the club co-efficients list. No matter the result in Seville we climb to at least 29th for next season once our Progres disaster drops away. As one who was in attendance in Luxembourg on that embarrassing low point in our history, the transformation from there to here is of Hollywood proportions. For anyone wanting a look the link is here https://kassiesa.net/uefa/data/method5/trank2022.html

Can't see it posted anywhere else on forum

No Rest for the Wicked - Four Games in Ten Days. I loved the band, Free - Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke, Andy Fraser and, Paul Kossoff rang my bell. The album, Fire and Water was on the turntable daily. They were greater than the sum of their parts and those parts were special. Kossoff's tone, Fraser's bass lines, Kirke's simple metronomic drumming and, all topped with Rodgers giveitsumasoul delivery. By April'72, they had split and I had not seen them live. Rodgers formed a power trio named, 'Peace' and they were providing support for Mott the Hoople at Greens Playhouse. I bought a ticket. It was a busy Saturday; schools football, Broomfield for the Rangers game then, an anxious bus journey to see the support act. Broomfield was an atmospheric ground, a two storey shoebox stand, a terrace called Section B and, Airdrie Sheriff Court appropriately sat adjacent. The Diamonds had a good side, they had reached the final of the Texaco Cup knocking out Ballymena, Manchester City and, Huddersfield Town. Brian Clough's Derby County waited as the final hurdle. An attendance of 12,000 was a real crush. We had defeated Bayern but facing Airdrionians, that was a real fight. Airdrie lined up : McKenzie, Caldwell, Clarke, Menzies, McKinlay, Whiteford, Wilson, Walker, Busby, Jarvie and, Cowan. Rangers ran out - McCloy, Denny, Miller, Conn, Jackson, Smith, Henderson, Penman, Fyfe, D Johnstone and A MacDonald. Obviously, the Diamonds had their minds on their visit to the Baseball ground because the fight and the game was over in under thirty minutes. There was a lot of football in that Rangers side, Andy Penman notched a double on the 16th and 29th minutes. Graham Fyfe got the second goal on the 27th minute. A 0-3 scoreline at both half-time and full time was a welcome surprise. The Mott gig had been cancelled, Ian Hunter had lost his voice, it was rescheduled for Saturday 29th April. Two days later, Hampden and the Hibees awaited. The Scottish Cup semi-final replay did not appear to be an arduous task, we had knocked Hibs out of the National trophy on each of the three previous seasons. However, as stated before Eddie Turnbull's Hibernian was different, a tactical astute team. Fifty-eight thousand trapped under the lights and watched Rangers come out of the tunnel - McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Parlane, Jackson, Smith, McLean, D Johnstone, Stein, MacDonald and, Johnston. Hibs - Herriot, Brownlie, Schaedler, Stanton, Black, Blackley, Edwards, Hazel, Gordon, O'Rourke and, Duncan. This was our third game in six days. I stood in the Schoolboy Enclosure and knew when Pat Stanton scored with the aid of a wicked deflection off Bomber Jackson's thigh in the 12th minute, we were not coming back. The men from Leith had an excellent midfield trio, Skipper Stanton was box to box, O'Rourke had an eye for a pass and regularly executed with perfect weight and, Edwards was superb in hitting long diagonals. It was the latter who continually turned us, finding the pacy Duncan. We looked leggy heading off at the end of the first period. Hibs were relentless in the second and received their reward with a headed Hazel goal midway through the half. It finished 0-2 but it could have, probably should have been more? We had no time to lick Scottish Cup wounds, the Pars were visiting Ibrox three nights later, on a Thursday evening. A week before 85,000 squeezed into the Stadium for the ECWC semi-final, Dunfermline were confronted with 5,000. Rangers - McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Conn, Jackson, Smith, Henderson, D Johnstone, Stein, Johnston and, A MacDonald. Dunfermline Athletic - Arrol, Callaghan, Lunn, Fraser, McNichol, Leishman, K Thomson, Mitchell, Mackie, Scott and, Gillespie. Interestingly, the Pars Ken Mackie was the subject of a £50,000 bid from Rangers and this was accepted; however, the player decided to remain at East End Park. I was not in attendance, I had to rely upon a mate's younger brother who was an Ibrox Ballboy for a team sheet and a thirty second report of the game. The Fifers opened the scoring on the 9th minute, we equalised and went ahead with a Doddie double on both the 12th and 13th minutes. Thomson drew the Pars level five minutes later then, Sandy Jardine scored an own goal on the stroke of half-time. Colin Stein achieved parity on the hour mark and, Jim Leishman scored a screamer with several minutes left to play. We had been gubbed 3-4 by the Pars and had to face Hibs again at the Stadium in two days time. The Tannochside RSC bus left the Miners' welfare with barely two dozen souls. Only a dozen tickets of the Sweep had been sold and it was withdrawn. The attendance was given as 12,000, a shade optimistic? Rangers - McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Penman, Jackson, Smith, McLean, D Johnstone, Stein, MacDonald and, Johnston. Hibernian - Herriot, Brownlie, Schaedler, Stanton, Black, Blackley, Auld, Hazel, Gordon, O'Rourke and, McGhee. The first forty-five reeked of end of season, the latter half sparked into life when Jackson bundled over Gordon in the box, the Ref' awarded a spot kick and, Jimmy O'Rourke stroked it home. Fifteen minutes later, DJ headed an equaliser which lasted a couple of minutes before Bertie Auld struck the winner on the 72nd minute. A 1-2 loss brought a few Boos and a few howls of disgust, the driver of an Invalid car was beside himself, stopped at the gate leaning on his horn. The rescheduled gig was a further disaster, Peace were off the Mott tour because Free were reforming. The support act replacements were the Dream Police. Hamish Stewart of the future Average White Band was the vocalist but it was not music, sweet music, not the Queen of my soul. We had one League game left against Ayr United and, then three weeks hence it was Moscow Dynamo in the ECWC final in Barcelona. Dave Smith had been named as Player of the Year but Skipper, John Greig remained in light plaster. All right now?

They’re allowed to be bigots.We’re not. welcome to Scotland 2022

I once heard twitter described as online public toilet graffiti, which is spot on. Great news, he's earned another year.

I want Rangers to win trophies and compete in the Champions League. Nothing worse than losing a final.

I'll wait until about midnight (Spanish time) next Wednesday before deciding if I agree with you or not.

To think that at the start of this season there were people on here who wanted us to forget about Europe and focus on the league. That's what Keltic did and I wouldn't swap with them for any price.

It doesn’t have to be “a high number”. It just needs to be a minimum number to sustain the first team and generate trading income. What it can’t be is zero.

To get a high number of 'academy' or youth team players into your first XI, you need to accept a huge churn rate of hopefuls, at almost every age group associated with the club, and this irrespective of any 'clear pathway' into that starting side.

he is saying we can do it without a striker and they cant with one. He says celtc would be a shambles with no striker.

The important thing is for Hagi to be able to undergo full pre-season preparation.

Fine to slaughter him but when a CF has to head the ball forward and have to chase it himself speaks volumes of our deficiency then.

If not I am looking for ticket for someone.

@Rousseau, that was my reaction when I saw it as well!😂 Such a proud moment. I'm truly honoured to be leading the table in only my second season on here. So tight at the top though, lot still to play for. I have only missed one entry all season. No prediction for the home game against Braga due to emergency surgery for detached retina! Might cost me dearly!🥴

Dundee United are dugmeat. I notice that Messrs Eden Mill, gin distillers, have sponsorship with the fhilth, the midi-fhilth of Leith, and the mini-fhilth of Tayside. I like the occasional gin, but I think I might stick to Plymouth.

he said he would be back for the europa final months back.

we have already overshadowed their league win.

He's right but I'm looking forward to him questioning where all the prize money comes from.