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@Rick Robertson top form on our main site today; please read and share widely... https://www.gersnet.co.uk/index.php/news/ca-category-blog/513-old-foes-and-old-ghosts The media, government and the governing bodies don’t really have a problem with offensive or sectarian chanting at football. We know this through their actions over a suitably long period of time and a sizable sample set of evidence from many supports. They don’t even appear to have a particular problem with questionable political messages, metallic missiles and fans encroaching onto the pitch with menace. However, they do have a problem when it's Rangers fans doing the chanting. Selectarianism was a phrase coined to capture the appalling double-standards applied to the chanting debate. Long story short, an industry appeared (comprising mainly of those of a certain demographic but fortified with other flavours of detractors) who were able to cause Rangers much discomfort and bad press over a good number of years with this. The mud-flinging and intense lobbying paid dividend and Rangers were ultimately sanctioned by UEFA over an airing of the Billy Boys in Europe in 2019. Over time on social media, many of those actively involved in the industry since the early 2000s, have shown their hand and exposed the real reasons behind their meddling, be it journos, MSPs, NBM or FARE. In preceding weeks merry hell has been ramped up over fairly benign refereeing decisions, with the collective outrage centred largely around unspectacular decisions impacting Celtic players. The collective foaming at the mouth continued into Rangers’ cup game at Hibs. Hibs lost control and the game rightfully went in our favour. You wouldn’t know it but the most contentious and serious incident of the past few weeks was a red-card challenge on Ross McCausland by a Motherwell player that went on to score the winning goal. This is where the premediated Selectarianism with chanting merges with the disinformation agenda around referees. The best way to fight a war is to have someone else fight it for you – and so Michael Stewart steps up as Celtic's useful idiot in this regard. He went into the cup game with a pre-written script and was going to be argue against anything going for Rangers, no matter how stonewall the incident and no matter how stupid he would look. His plausible neutral Hibs/Hearts playing history belies who pays his bills and writes his thoughts. Significant noise was created but even the press changed tact when they realised pretending Hibs were hard done by officials was a dead horse. And this is where sectarian chanting re-enters the picture. Hibs issued a statement on supporter conduct. The timing of the release and clickbait mention of sectarianism seemed to be more to appease their support than genuinely address supporter behaviour in Scottish football. This is the same support that threw dangerous objects at Shankland not two weeks ago and laughed off fans physically assaulting Rangers players following a cup win at Hampden years before. Of course, there’s no show without punch and up pops BBC Scotland's brass neck-in-chief Chris McLaughlin. A man who walks past rampant anti-Semitism, overt pro-terror cheerleading and industrial scale child abuse to get a negative headline about Rangers. Hibs' mention of sectarianism was all he needed to start up the Pacific Quay CSC propaganda machine. As predictable as a disallowed Rangers goal in an Old Firm match, it didn't take long before he had worked strict liability into his narrative. There are two things that aren’t a coincidence here. The first being that their beloved Celtic have a fight on their hands and so we have the lashing out, pressurising/threatening officials and looking for anyway to derail or penalise Rangers. The other being that McLaughlin pipes up as the SNP's hate crime laws are coming into effect. Cast your minds back to May 2021 and a certain Humza Yousaf (ironically then Justice Minister) knowingly posted an obviously fake video to smear Rangers players celebrating their league victory. And guess who done the donkey work in the press to create damaging headlines on the back of this? Using the vehicle of the impartial national broadcaster to peddle his obvious bias. That’s right, McLaughlin again. Worryingly, neither Yousaf nor McLaughlin were held to task or apologised for their involvement in this - indeed the latter's tweet is still there. After decades of mischief making, McLaughlin is still in place at the BBC and able to target Rangers. Even worse, Yousaf somehow failed upwards, unelected and, as incompetent as ever, into the First Minister role. What a damning indictment of the nation. The Rangers board need to be very wary and very canny here. These are loose cannons aimed at the club, probably with a plan and with enough clout to make things difficult. The fake video appeared to pass without formal complaint from Rangers. McLaughlin’s part in continuing the narrative of Rangers and others, and not Celtic, being the centre of SFA's historical CSA report passed without complaint from the club. At some stage Bisgrove and Bennett need to be stronger and ready to protect the club. This doesn’t mean the house of lies isn't built on a foundation of truth. The sporadic re-emergence of the Billy Boys domestically is undeniable; even if it usually fizzes out without any offensive words being used. I’m more than happy for certain chants to fade into history and be replaced by some of the fantastic anthems of recent years. However, against a backdrop of sectarianism and offensive chanting from other clubs in Scotland it was always expected. What is more dangerous is that the Billy Boys has been heard again in Europe. This is stupidity beyond belief when a stadium closure is not just possible but probable. The damage it could do to the fantastic Europa reputation and energy we’ve grown in recent years would be unforgivable. The board and fans groups need to nip this is the bud before it’s a problem.

I don't think we need to give Benfica any credit. They are a good side but they are currently going through a bad spell. If we have our full complement of players we could have beaten them. Alas! We didn't have a full team. We played well for the most part. I felt we just lacked quality in the final third. I think Sima, Cortes and Danilo make a difference. I do think it has been another good European campaign, though: to get out of the group is a superb achievement.

I thought we played well tonight. Might just be a blessing that we are out, we have been struggling with injuries for weeks now!.

I usually detest international breaks but this one could be instrumental in winning the league title.

This subject was always going to rear it's ugly head again. The undeniably facts are that most big clubs (and some smaller ones) in Scotland have an issue with a certain element of their fanbase. We are no exception and until we can get our own house in order (which we had for a while) we can't say or do anything about other clubs. I remember writing a piece many moons ago using Northern Ireland fans as an example of how a loud, passionate and proud support could reinvent itself without losing the pride a d passion. The Blue Order and Union Bears have reintroduced some old classic Rangers songs and the UBs have invented some new classics as well. But as the article says, if we continue to sing TBB, 50p Flute, Bobby Sands and berate a player who was obviously in distress on the field of play, we continue to give our detractors open goals. But hey, the "We Are Rangers and We'll Sing What We Want" fans will ensure we will continually be under the spotlight.

No more injuries please.

He's even got Scott Wright looking a half decent player...... OK I have maybe taken that too far

Listen, when you're gutted that Benfica have scraped past you with injuries up to your eyeballs then it probably tells you the clubs in rude health in European competition. Beat Dundee and give the lads a few days with their families because they've put in a good shift since the winter break. In Clement we trust!

Just my opinion but I thought Benfica got it spot on tonight. They pressed us last week and we picked them of and arguably could / should have won the game. Tonight they sat in and gave us the ball in areas they knew we couldn't hurt them, then hit us on the break. I'm sure our XG was 0.5 and there's was 1.57. The lack off creativity killed us tonight, but their number 87 was brilliant, controlled the game and snuffed out our forward players. The positives are that we've had another really good European campaign, generated much need cash but ultimately ran out of steam. We were never going to win the EL so now we can put all out energy into securing the league title. If we were offered the league Cup in the trophy cabinet, the last 16 of the EL, 2 points ahead in the league and semi-final of Scottish Cup at this stage of the season before a ball was kicked, we'd have all taken it. Also, if anyone had said we'd be in this position when PC took over, they would have been sectioned.

Even more context. They are currently above Porto in the league who looked decent V Arsenal the other night.

Proud of rhe team / players for the effort put in tonight. We didn't look out of place against what is a quality team full of quality players. Lack of fit and in form forward / creative players was really evident tonight. We never troubled them and never looked like creating anything never mind scoring. Onwards and upwards and Sunday was always the more important game.

Cortes and Sima being long term injuries has really fucked us. Being out of Europe can only aid us domestically as some of these players look like they are in dire need of some time off.

I really don't think Dessers is good enough, regardless of his recent record.

I know we've got injuries but we've been absolute mince in attack.

Diomondes performance has been concerning. Lundstrum looks fucked again, he looks like he needs a rest. Most concerning is that Wright has looked like our brightest performer.

Souttar has been immense so far imo.

We've got every right to moan about other pitches in Scotland when ours is as good as this btw. The Ibrox park is premier league standard these days. Best in Scotland by a distance.

Sadly, our Broomloan Drum Collective appear to think themselves above the interests of the club and other supporters. And far too many others seem willing to follow their lead.

Whenever Rangers are doing well the usual suspects appear to do whatever they can to cause maximum disruption.

It's basically a cup final, no away goals rule, first tie is now irrelevant. Just play the game to win it.

A player a legend and a director Alan Morton

Possibly because Beale had made it clear he thought Sterling didn't deserve a place on the pitch. Clement has players feeling ten feet tall. That's the difference that translates to how players perform.

Chris McLaughlin and Hibs - Rangers games. It was August'15, Rangers had been drawn away to Hibs in the opening round of the Petrofac Cup. BBC Scotland sent Chris along to cover the match at Easter Road. Pre-match, Chris was confident newly appointed Hibs Gaffer, Alan Stubs would triumph against Rangers new manager, Marc Warburton. After twenty-odd minutes, Chris reported, "as expected, Stanton has put Hibs one up". At half time, Chris reported injustice, two quick time Rangers strikes saw a 1-2 scoreline, "Hibs have been mugged". The full time result was Hibs 2 Rangers 6 and McLaughlin's match report began, "Four Rangers supporters have been arrested and charged with offensive, sectarian chanting". Chris was still on Twitter nine years past and few Rangers supporters engaged with him, myself included. Chris assured us the information was supplied by the Match Commander and that he always conversed with the MC after a game. Four weeks later, Chris's favourites were away at Pittodrie and those of us watching on TV were regaled with the full IRA karaoke from the travelling support. Chris was pitch side for BBC Scotland and his match report was all about the football. Again, he was engaged on Twitter and he told us he had conversed with the Match Commander and no arrests for offensive chanting had been made. Imagine our surprise when Tuesday's Aberdeen Press and Journal reported six Yahoos in court, four for offensive chanting. Chris left Twitter. The next two seasons saw Chris double down on his perception of accuracy and objectivity. Rangers withdrew his press credentials and for the next five years, BBC License Fee paying Rangers supporters received next to no service from the national broadcaster. Chris was promoted twice during this period, his current designation is, 'Sports News Correspondent'. Sectarianism remains a problem in Scottish football and an element of our travelling support contribute to it. However, sectarianism is NOT a one way street and Chris MUST acknowledge this.

It’s just a sickener to lose due to a baffling tactic at corners. We had several warning shots and still didn’t act. McCoist was incandescent on comms. Lack of quality in the forward positions hurt us too of course but that is to be expected when none of our front 4 would start if not for injuries. I was crying out for subs from about 55 minutes and it felt like we waited till the game was gone before we made the changes. Roofe and Cantwell added quality. Raskin turned out to be a big upgrade over Dio. A sore one because we did a lot right but it feels like we brought the defeat on ourselves over the two legs. Having said that, an incorrect penalty decision hurt us too. At least our full focus is on domestic matters now.

Clement isn't far from deity status with what he's achieved with this squad. It's a near miracle.

Seeing that the Scumhut came second, I would assume that this was a poll, and you know who would reply most ... Four Four Two

The players and fans gave everything so there's no shame in losing to a decent side. Not one player got above a 6 tonight IMO and to beat a team like Benfica you need at least two or three 9 out of 10's. It just wasn't our night.

Brilliant, and by the way, not just the supporters, the players look like it too. 🤣

On the whole it has been another creditable run in Europe, which is about all we can hope for. It's over now but the good news is we have several other fish to fry between now and the end of the season.

Quite astonishing that Silva is a 40 million player. Don't get me wrong, he's not been awful, but I don't see anything special about him.

Cantwell gives away possession as much as the good things he does.

No complaints lad was onside. Amateur defending.

The locker room? Me too.

A Portuguese legend

I seem to remember injuries as far back as the Souness days when I can first recall supporting Rangers. And during Smiths 9IAR we were plagued with injuries. Seems its just part of our club. You just need to get on with it.

I think Benfica could be a step too far tomorrow but I've been pleasantly confounded so many times by Ibrox results that I wouldn't bet against us.

Pity that away goals rule was scrapped it’s going to be a hard game we have to push up to get goals and I think the Portuguese will be very quick on the break we’ve done well made a few bob but it’s the league we should be concerned with . mon the gers

On the occasions when Beale did pick Sterling, I don’t remember much praise for him here.

A very impressive press conformance from Gaffer and Captain. Shows how focused and determined both are. As for the game, I doubt we'll have what it takes to defeat Benfica given the injuries we have, but Thursday nights at Ibrox tend to throw a curve ball or two, so who knows! Either way, I'm nervous already and can't wait for kick-off tomorrow and the possibility (no matter how slim) of another magical night at Ibrox.