26th of foot

Rangers 3 Limassol 1

FGS : Danilo.

On 29/11/2023 at 12:40, forlanssister said:

Was in the main hall in Edmiston House the other day thought it smaller than I expected it , think it may struggle to accommodate all those who attend AGM's.

I have attended the last two AGMs, both were hosted in the Clyde Auditorium(the Armadillo). The Clyde Auditorium's seated capacity is in excess of 2,000. Both AGMs were well attended, each had attendances of several hundred. I believe Edmiston House has a standing capacity of several hundred, seated will be considerably lower. Parking will also be a problem.

I understand the club wanting to utilise the facility; however, both elderly and infirm Rangers supporters must be recognised and standing for in excess of an hour is unacceptable. 

I advocate scoring first, ..................... second and, third.

Il Duce's xi triumph.

Ra Sellik took to the pitch tonight in Rome replete in their preferred Camicie Nere and paid homage to their spiritual leader by chanting, "we are finito Benito".

Tomorrow, it is an audience with il Papa and a Fray Bentos purvey.

1 hour ago, compo said:

I was a strapping six feet now with heart trouble and hip trouble I'm more like the hunchback of Notre dame 

I thought your face rang a bell.

Stuart was a lovely man.

He succeeded James Currie and successfully steered the chaplaincy into a wider ranging, all encompassing mission.

1 hour ago, Scott7 said:

The only good thing to come out of Norwich was Kevin Drinkell.

Jeremiah Colman?

Of course, Norwich lost it's relevance when Colman's moved manufacturing of their mustard to Germany.

29 minutes ago, MacK1950 said:

The sheep saved by the crossbar twice and of course by LAMMERS nuff said.

It is a close call but, on balance I would have to say the crossbar makes more of a telling contribution than Lammers.

Aberdeen 1 Rangers 2

FGS : Sima.

I want both individual and collective discipline.

We don't talk anymore.

It's so funny, RAB and Tam finished today's show with an old Cliff Richard song and dedicated it to Michael Stewart and the Rangers team. It is the third/fourth week in a row they have raised the ongoing situation between the former Sellik TV Ginja Ninja and Rangers. Even the regular stand in, Ray Bradshaw was keen to amplify the situation last week. The PQ Gang Hut appear determined to turn up and maintain the amplification at eleven on this particular matter. I suspect they hope the white noise generated will drown out their deafening silence on another, 'we don't talk anymore' situation?

Four years past, Michael chose to utilise the Kenny Macintyre show to flash his credentials and ensure continuous PQ employment, "I don't like Rangers, I don't like the way they do things as a club". Why would Rangers and Rangers supporters want to engage further? Michael is a freelance, he retained his trial by Sportscene gig because every week, Rangers were the Accused and Mad Mick was unerringly consistent in finding Rangers guilty. 

Tom English is a staffer his designation : BBC Scotland's Chief Sports Writer and Broadcaster. Since summer and Brendan Rodgers return to Glasgow's east end, Peter Lawwell has demanded an apology for a penned English piece stating the truth reference Brendan's departure to Leicester four years ago. The Limerick man has refused, he stands by his stated opinion. Lawwell has banned him, he is officially not welcome at Sellik Lennoxtown Pressers and Sellik home games. We know PQ are big on principles, Rangers and Rangers supporters endured withdrawal of service because the club withdrew Chris McLaughlin's(another staffer) press credentials. However, in the Tom English case, PQ send whoever Peter wants and service is not interrupted.

Time to paraphrase another Irishman; as Oscar Wilde said, this we don't talk anymore situation has become the lovers tiff that dare not speak it's name. While we are on the hoary old quotes thing, let's do another fave rave, George Orwell, "journalism is printing someone else does not want printed : everything else is public relations".

Pq's desire to continually shout out Michael Stewart's self induced situation whilst completely ignoring the Sellik - Tom English spat is preferred PR. It's so funny? 

Back in the day, a trip to Furryboots City was the seasonal highlight for the majority of west, central based RSCs. The club Secretary would book the bus into a Hotel in Stonehaven/city Masonic club for a purvey fish lunch, enjoy the game and, refreshment stop in Perth/Aucterarder/Blackford, pour off the bus back home around Midnight. A 14-15 hour day was endured for the Rangers.

Then, Aberdeen FC and their supporters decided we were their rivals. 

I blame Lewis Grassic Gibbon and the Scots Quair; all that incest and repressed homosexuality, fair puts you off your cullen skink.

17 minutes ago, BEARGER said:

Ryan Jack injured, Shockerooni.

Oh well, saves all those charming Dandies screaming constant abuse and threatening his family in Torry.

Big day in the PQ Gang Hut, digging out all those Sellik - Aberdeen half and half scarves. 

Clement has started well and I get the need to look forward. Tannochsidebear's extrapolation is correct, the prediction is warm and comfortable. Let's hope it pans out?

However, all that really matters at this moment is that we travel to Pittodrie on Sunday and do the Dandies in a most satisfying manner. 

3 minutes ago, Bill said:

I can hardly believe I'm about to put McCoist back on the bench but for anyone who saw him Jim Forrest was peerless, an amazing goal scorer, like McCoist on steroids and on balance he gets my vote as the main striker. My remaining choice of forward is Brian Laudrup.

 

Brian Laudrup and Jim Forrest.

 

So, notwithstanding my original selections, the more I've thought about this team, the more I realise that it can only be done be leaving out some great players. On reflection, my all-time Rangers team is ........

 

Laudrup - Forrest - Henderson

Baxter - I. Ferguson - A. MacDonald

Caldow - McKinnon - Gough - Greig

Goram

 

An impassable defence, a phenomenally creative midfield and a devastating forward line.

 

 

On the bench ...... Billy Ritchie, Ronnie McKinnon, Sandy Jardine, Derek Johnstone, Ralph Brand, Ally McCoist, Tommy McLean

 

I agree Ronnie McKinnon was a player and since he was born during the height of the Govan blitz he was a hardy bugger to boot. However, I suspect even Ronnie would find starting in central defence and sitting on the bench a demand too far?

My Grandfather was ten years of age when Rangers secured the 1899 league championship and, he never let us forget it. Uniquely, Rangers won every league game that season and the club skipper, Robert Hamilton played every game as centre forward. His record over ten seasons is remarkable, reaping 184 goals in 209 appearances and notching another 15 goals in 11 Scottish internationals. According to the auld lad, Robert just wanted to shoot from anywhere on the pitch. 

Robert was a genuine lad o'pairts, finished football and entered tertiary education, became a teacher the a Headteacher, became a Councillor in his native Elgin for a couple of decades, spending the last several as the town's Lord Provost. He concluded as Chair of Moray Education Board. The club should honour Robert C Hamilton's legacy.

Jimmy Fleming holds a few club records to this day; highest scorer in a single match(9), the most goals in the Scottish Cup(44) and, in a Queen of the South game at Ibrox he ran from the Rangers bye-line to the Queens six yard line, evading between six and a dozen tackles(dependent upon the number of wee goldies my Grandfather had consumed) before finishing high into the net. He scored 220 goals in 267 appearances over ten seasons.

Another of this era with fantastic stats is Willie Reid, 195 goals in 240 appearances then, there is Jimmy Smith with 249 goals in 258 appearances and again, Bob McPhail with 261 in 408 appearances. 

My old man did not care for Jimmy Smith, referred to him as a bully. He loved Willie Thornton, Millar and Brand but, particularly lionised Jim Forrest. We know Jim was the John Lawrence decreed scapegoat for Berwick'67 and Dad was strong in his opinion that Jim's absence in Nuremberg cost the club the ECWC later that year. Jim was prolific scoring 145 goals in 163 games. I remember as an eight year old being in awe of his figures in 1965, 57 goals in a season. Jim only spent five and a half years at the club.

My first real Rangers hero was Colin Stein, signed for £100,000 from Hibs in 1968. He notched two hat-tricks and a double in his three games against Hibs, Clyde and, Arbroath. We felt we were on to something amid the dark days of Jock Stein domination. Colin was a forerunner for Morelos, sure he had a temper and never backed down to challenges presented by opposition defenders. Colin missed the League Cup final 1-0 victory over Sellik because the Chair of the Disciplinary Committee, Sir Bob Kelly(also Celtic Chair) suspended Stein for six weeks which finished the Monday after the Saturday final.

Waddell turned him into the Lone Ranger, support when it arrived came from Bud Johnson. This combination grabbed the necessary goals to secure the ECWC in '72. Colin chased down everything and this was never better epitomised on Christmas day 1970 at Easter Road. Shivering on that old high terrace, the snow fell in injury time with game locked at nil-nil. Stein went on a long run to get on the end of a ball into the box, knocking it into the net. He returned to the same pitch and superbly headed Rangers towards our first title in 11 years.

Derek Parlane was the King of Ibrox Park for a time, notching a five goal haul and a four goal spread against the Pars and Killie respectively. He vied continually with DJ for the number nine spot. Derek Johnstone was a remarkable player whether it be in defence, midfield or, attack. DJ's 210 goals must contain the reminder that at least half of his 549 appearances were not as centre forward.

We come to Hateley and McCoist. They are correctly remembered fondly as the partnership and I believe if Ally had not broke his leg on international duty in Lisbon, they would have secured Rangers the big one in season '92-'93.  They were special. Mark could do it all, run in behind and beyond defences and score with either foot or head. Ally missed as many as he notched but importantly was always in position to miss in the first place. Ally's exceptional record is unrivalled at the club, 355 goals in 581 appearances. He had at least a dozen partnerships up front in his 15 seasons at Rangers.

My front pairing is McCoist and Stein.

5 minutes ago, Scott7 said:

I see the piano guy’s back.

You are hearing the echoes within the hall of the mountain king.

1 hour ago, Bill said:

New Poll - should Rousseau be sacked?

The challenge is a most worthwhile exercise and it concentrates our minds during another international break.

The team structure is the problem ie any formation will create a problem for any demographic utilising the forum. Continually, I reference my memories of thoughts often expressed by Grandfather and old man. My paternal Grandfather was born in 1889 and regularly attended Ibrox from the age of eight years. He left a collection of Wee Blue Books. He insisted the best Ranger ever was Neilly Gibson, better than Baxter. He played in bars not studs, he played on tattie fields and, he played with a heavy rain sodden laced bladder. He was known as, 'the Pavlova in football boots'. I suspect even Compo and Scott7 did not witness Neilly play?

However all said and done, sometimes a firing squad must be assembled .............. 

A determined winger prepared to stand up the full back and hit the bye-line is a fine site. Scintillating wing play is guaranteed to get supporters out of their seats. In my sixty years of watching Rangers I have witnessed several players more than capable of stimulating such excitement.

However, I will start with my Grandfather's view that Alan Lauder Morton was the greatest left winger in the land. The wee blue devil had a twenty year career, thirteen of those with Rangers and, throughout he remained part time. Morton was a qualified Mining Engineer and when Bill Struth made him him his first signing he insisted on retaining his profession. My Grandfather would eulogise the diminutive Morton's ability to take the ball and run the full back then, check inside before deciding to go again or cross. Climb the marble staircase and the life size portrait continues to gaze upon you.

My old man worshipped Jim Baxter, his vision and passing ability were unrivalled. Jim had no pace, could not tackle a fish supper and, his right foot was chocolate. Dad lamented Jim's inability to curb over confidence but, when his arrogance was on show, he intimidated his opponents absolutely. I saw him as a eight year old at Firhill on a wet and windy evening under the floodlights. Rangers won 0-6 and slim jim tormented the Thistle players by wrong footing and immediately playing perfectly weighted passes. When he returned four years later I saw a lot more of him and his lack of professionalism had caught up, he retired aged 31 years.

I loved Davie Cooper, his skill levels were latin. Again no pace but he had more time than any other player on the pitch. Every supporter agreed on Davie's skills and ability; however, he was Marmite to the support in terms of work rate and effectiveness. He had a number of spats with then gaffer, John Greig and Davie acquired the nickname, 'Moody Blue'. Anyone in any doubt, you can view his Glasgow Cup final goal against ra Sellik on YouTube.

I would like to relate a personal story from 37 years past. I experienced a bad parachute jump in borderline windy conditions and broke my leg. I was returned home from Holland to undertake ten weeks of physio'. When the stookie was removed I was told to accelerate my recovery by daily walking around Strathclyde Loch. It was summer and during the second week I met the middle distance runner, Tom McKean jogging with his two dogs. I told him of my intent to start jogging the next week and he insisted I trap at nine am on the Monday morning. I turned up with the family hound, 'Sandy' and another dog named, 'Blue' brought his owner, Davie Cooper wrapped in a black bin liner ready to start his preparation for pre-season training. Four weeks ensued, from hirple to steady running and, several lunches in the Cave Bar(because it was next door to the Bookies) in Hamilton.  Davie was a true Ranger.

Other mentions should include Davie Wilson, Bud Johnson, Albertz and, Neil McCann. I retain a soft spot for Neil, he was a superb winger and Ranger. He made truly big contributions to the team when we won the league at ra Piggery in '99, against Parma in the home leg 2-0 victory, the last day league winning victory against the Pars and, delivered the cross that won us the cup in the last minute at Hampden'02.

Conforming to the team structure means I have to vote for Jim Baxter despite my love for Davie Cooper.

Harold Davis was tougher than bullets, literally. He served with the Black Watch in Korea and took three rounds, two to the foot and leg, the other was abdominal. Two years of operations and recovery before being signed by Scot Symon at East Fife. Symon moved to Rangers and Harold follow followed for eight seasons. No nonsense on and off the field, including hanging his fellow Black Watch comrade, Jim Baxter from a dressing room hook. Davis was the, 'Iron Man'.

Ian Ferguson and Stuart McCall were a central midfield pairing, they were both box to box bringing good energy by the truckload. Both had other excellent attributes but, an old Arthus Montford phrase best summed up the pairing, "tenacious tenacity".

Hemdani glided across the surface in European games and was a must in Walter's UEFA Cup final appearing side. I thought the Scottish game exasperated him although he never gave up, best illustrated by his last kick of the ball equaliser against ra Sellik at Ibrox. He read the game extremely well.

A player who read it better is current Bar'72 season ticket holder, the octogenarian Dave Smith. I included him as a possible centre back because he appeared as Sweeper in the ECWC winning side of 1972. Dave was a stroller, always had time. He was the definitive front sweeper when Matthias Sammer was being wheeled into kindergarten. At the end of season'72/73 he was deservedly awarded Scot's Player of the Year. A heads up, sweet left footed elegant baller, what's not to like?

755 appearances, 120 goals and, won three domestic Trebles are the statistics. Eighteen seasons as a Rangers player where Jock Stein's Celtic won nine in a row and both Hearts and Killie won the league too. John Greig achieved what he did because of force of personality. He imposed himself on both fellow and opposition players, the epitome of determination. He skippered the club and held it together through dark days on and off the pitch.

Often in bigger games against top range Euro' opposition or ra Sellik, he was tasked with a man marking role, always carried out selflessly. He was as tough in the tackle as he was on himself. He played through injuries particularly in Barca'72 and securing the league at Easter Road'75. His presence on the park was a necessity for Rangers.

Defensive midfielder, I vote for ham and egg.

9 minutes ago, Rousseau said:

He was only here for 5 minutes, but Boumsong?

Five minutes was enough for Martin Bain to secure the necessary monies for his villa and bijou vineyard adjacent to Sir Duped's.

Bitter Vintage Loyal RSC.