CammyF

R.I.P Pele - Simply The Best

How would you define "atmosphere" in a football stadium?

This saying is usually used by the underdog as a rallying call and by the favourites to ward of complacency. As you say, there will be examples when the underdogs have triumphed but football is normally predictable and the favourites normally win. Unless form does go out the window or Celtic squad gets ravaged by Covid / illness / injury or Beale suddenly manages to emulate SG and find a method of beating them consistently, Celtic are more than likely to win. I always feel nervous before OF games no matter who's in form or how the league looks. Regarding Monday, I'm a currently "non-plussed" as can't see us winning (other than the scenarios above) and even if we do win, it won't mean much other than the usual OF "bragging rights". Like it or not, currently, Celtic don't look like losing domestically. They have scraped a few results, but win nonetheless. I'll go to Ibrox on Monday as nervous as usual and will go in hope rather than expectation. If we win I'll enjoy the spoils of victory, but like you, I'm not expecting much from Mondays game

But that doesn't explain why the atmosphere was terrible during 9-in-a-row (for the most part), or when we were winning leagues, cups and in some cases trebles under DA, Eck and Sir Walters 2nd period in charge. We played some fantastic football under DA and Eck yet the atmosphere was flat (with the exception of The Blue Order).

Plumped for Borna for his 2 assists. Thought a few players played well in patches (Goldson, Lundstram, Tillman, Kent etc) with exception of Tav, Jack and Lowry who all IMO never really got into the game.

I agree with most of that - been going for 40+ years and it is now "habit" more than enjoyment (unless I have one or both my twins with me). The disconnect from the club in my case goes way back to SDM time and I have never gotten it back and dare say I never will. Thanks to the events during and after SMD reign, I now have an unhealthy mistrust of our board(s). As for players, I really don't and never have "slated" them during games as I (maybe naively) think they try their best. They don't pick themselves. Personally, I've been threatening to "Jack it" for over two decades but habit kicks in and I renew year after year. However given one of my twins is getting seriously into Rangers I may give up my season and take him as and when tickets are available.

That's fair and fine, but for a crowd of circa 49,000 every week, at times you can hear a pin drop. The atmosphere at times can be toxic towards our own players (around me anyway), with all players, sh1t, sh1tbags, not interested, needing dropped etc I do wonder the motivation of some of our fans. It seems to me that they need us to play bad (or lose) for some reason.

It may be a rhetorical question, but why do some Rangers fans go to games? The atmosphere tonight was abysmal (it alway is apart from European games) and around me (BF4), fans on players backs from very early into game. Then to top it all, 2 guys behind me lasted an entire 6mins before declaring how sh1t the game was and promptly buggered off to The Louden.

Some Rangers fans have short memories (or define "last good while"). Guys confidence is rock bottom and its gonna stay there as long as we continue to ridicule him. Played in Germany and Belgium so he obviously has something to offer. We had a discussion on way through to game on our RSC regarding how we continuely talk our players down whilst the talk theirs up (no matter how bad they are).

Beale not happy in his post-match interview. Like the way he speaks. Happy with 3 points and clean sheet but not much else! Says Alfie has a tight hamstring.

Quality dropped in 2nd half when we made a raft of changes. Hope Alfies injury isn't serious. 3 good goals, great finish from Tillman who came onto a game in 2nd half. Want Lowrys night tonight but hope he gets more opportunities.

He hasn't - done more than Tillman and Lowry combined.

Decent enough 1st half - two great crosses from Borna and two great headers. Tillman and Lowry struggling to get into the game, Kent fleeting in and out, Alfie looks a bit sharper. Just shows what happens when you have someone who can deliver a bit of quality into the box.

Rangers 3 v 1 Motherwell Kent FGS

No Roofe or Colak surprised at that.

Newcastle look seriously contenders - another victory today. Cracking game thus far at Villa Park - Liverpool just shading it currently.

Anyone else get St Mirren at 6/4 to defeat The Sheep today? I know, I know - few minutes to go so not counting ma chickens (our pound coins) just yet.

Lundstram for his goal and overall performance.

But some of the criticism is unfair and last night he was singled out when others missed as easy opportunities as he did. He created a good chance not long after he was introduced when he fired a ball across goal and Alfie was not far from connecting with it. He then hit a great shot that the keeper saved and IMO a fully fit / switched on Alfie would have diverted the rebound into the net. He should have scored when one on one with keeper (or passed to Kent) but he didn't take the right choice. Same happened a few times in final third when players chose the wrong option but they weren't slaughtered. Strange that we aren't discussing his good parts (highlighted above) but are focusing on the one thing he did wrong whilst glossing over other players "errors". The manager answered a question about Matondo post-match which mentioned earlier - maybe worth reflecting on his words and giving the lad some support.

Didn't say there is room for sentiment just some players who are genuinely injured (or ill) getting criticised for "not playing" or when they do play "under performing". Beale said he is sticking with players he knows and trusts until he can get the majority of the squad back and has also said he has identified a couple of positions that need strengthened. Fans expecting a huge turnaround in players in January are going to be as disappointed as I was the year I asked for but didn't receive a Chopper for my Christmas (and there were genuine reasons why my folks didn't/couldn't get me a Chopper).

Maybe it's my memory playing tricks on me but I remember my trips to Ibrox back then as fondly as I remember my trips to away games. Maybe the naivety of youth over now being a grumpy auld git. These days I'd take an away ST over a home ST every day of the week (not that I go to many due to lack of tickets).

Nah, maybe it's because I started going during the John Greig / Jock Wallace 2nd stint wilderness years, it was mostly same fans home and away (as there weren't many of us if truth be told). Ibox is a like a library and without UBs it would completely silent other than moans, shouting abuse at our own players and booing if we are not 3 up after 20 minutes. Watching Rangers at Ibrox isn't a pleasurable experience most games and not just down to the performances on the pitch.

But most of these "sick notes" have played twice a week for the last 2 seasons. Maybe worth listening to the manager. He has inherited a squad lacking in confidence with dropping fitness levels and a horrendous injury list. Slowly but surely players are returning from injury and we should have Borna, Colak and Roofe available for Motherwell. 3 great options including our top goal-scorer and Roofe who is best finisher at the club. We are also witnessing players willing to play through injury for this manager when previously they may have decided not to play (Tav, Alfie, JL as examples). Regarding players playing with injuries its a "no win" situation. Some fans want players "dropped" or rested of they are injured (or ill) others want players to play through the pain. The sickness bug that has gone through the squad is unavoidable but has knocked a few players for six but hopefully run its course. It appears from what I'm hearing one of the main reasons the board wanted Beale was due to how fit we were when he was here previously. Getting the squad back to full fitness and brimming with confidence will take more than 3 weeks and 3 games (excluding the friendly). There is nothing we can do other than support Beale and support the players - as an example, booing at 1-2 at halftime against Hibs wasn't supporting Beale and the players. However, song book aside, it appears we have a different breed of fan away from Ibrox who support the team from 1st minute to the 97th minute (if that's what's required).

Away with you, there is no place for common sense and a dose of reality on this (or any Rangers) message boards. In all seriousness - great post.