alexscottislegend

Oh, not suggesting we sit on our laurels by any means but there are certain players I don't want to lose because I don't think we can get better than them (at least not at the moment): Davis, Kamara, Alfie and superman Clark Kent of course. We can improve by replacing Stewart, Itten and Zungu for example.

I just wish we could keep this squad together. How on earth do we replace Davis?

In the past when we had won the league at a canter we would give opportunities to promising youngsters. Remember a young Fleck, Jamie Ness, Lewis McLeod to name but three? I'd like to see Leon King get on the field but SG seems reluctant to change with the exception of the exceptional Patterson. Wright should start though and I would throw in Itten against their soft central defence.

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

Defoe v 6.3" Clark?

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?

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

No you're not, but we've been brought up to expect progress and success - and ambition. Problem is some supporters are still emotionally scarred by the events of the last few years. Me, I was at my lowest after we were given a two-year ban just after winning the Cup Winners Cup. We should be at least aiming for that kind of international achievement at least. Beating a poor Keltic side year after year is to me small satisfaction.

That's what has surprised and disappointed me. Maybe you have to live outside of Scotland to realise how the Scottish League is viewed. I always want us to win in Europe because that way we can be measured against the super clubs and gain respect. I remember when Butcher and Woods and the other 'anglos' were signed, the consternation, bile and envy which poured out down here about how the best players were leaving England; I could walk round with a smile on my face telling folk I was a supporter of the biggest club in Britain (forget, Man. U - that was us, at least for a short while.) I always thought there was a parochial attitude in Glasgow where beating - or finishing above Celtic - was regarded as more important than anything done outside our own back yard. You got no respect down here because only 'two teams ever win the Scottish League.' Thankfully Souness and Gerrard have gone some way towards readjusting that perspective. It's also odd that so many on here are so proud of being a British club, yet are reluctant to see us become part of a British League.

The levels of population in Scotland means that the big two will always dominate. If Hearts or Hibs,say, could mount a more consistent challenge then our league would be more competitive and in turn raise our standard of performance. I get the point about travelling to away games and the loss of Euro games but the novelty of seeing even Norwich or Watford as opponents would for me counteract the negatives.

I know it's the Sun but I'd love to see this. What seemed to be a dead duck just a short while back may now be a realistic possibility. I'm sure all Rangers fans would want the chance to play at a higher level, even if it means missing out European football for a while.

I see even the Prime Minister seems to be endorsing the German model of 51% fan ownership. It's maybe the only hope.

Bloody hell - is that really what's going on?

You're not cynical just accurate I think.

Would it be more correct then to describe them as 'mainly rapacious capitalists'? ?

How about if there was funding from a new Sky/BT deal? Because I don't think they would fund the ESL streaming if their moral outrage is to be believed. Though Amazon would bite their hands off. A restructuring,maybe with German style fan half-ownership could also be way forward.

I think we all want to see us competing at a more suitable level and the UK league makes much more sense for a number of reasons. Disagree about Sellik though; like or not, they have a huge fan base in England and the OF would be an even bigger attraction. Your reference to Welsh clubs emphasises that a British league could be feasible whether or not Scotland remains in or out of the UK. Fenerbache v Anderlecht may not seem attractive but my point is that there are huge clubs all over Europe just like us in terms of fanbase.

Let's hope we're not 3rd class smoking.?

Might not be a bad thing. At least it would be truly competitive and with a live audience, instead of millions of armchair Asians streaming their lives away.

Well actually, although Eufa have always been against cross-border leagues, I believe they have just given the go-ahead to the Benelux countries to merge. Add to that the fact that they allowed Derry City to join the L. of Ireland, then they have precedents already set. So - chink of light for Rangers; this time I'm sure we'd be welcomed with open arms by supporters in England. And - looking to Europe - there's Benfica, Ajax, Feyenoord, Fenerbache, Anderlecht, all massive clubs excluded from the exhibition league.

Art Deco right enough!

Fear not. The announcement of Eddie Howe was only delayed because they were waiting for the Special One to become available.

And here's another thought: if a super league team is relegated (assuming they even allow that) where do they play? They will be a pariah. That should make them think.

I thought your question was would we have a better chance of making the CL group stages - my answer was quite possibly, yes. But that doesn't make the concept of the ESL right. I think Eufa's idea of a revamped CL is basically worth a try.

Maybe yes, but what chance would we have of progressing to the ESL?