Bill

Gloom-monger 😆

With the best will in the world I'm not able to reflect on things that haven't yet happened.

Reflecting on what's happen since that debacle at Parkhead, do you think the Celtic game might yet be seen as exactly what we needed?

Looking forward, I hope the coaching staff are preparing the new boys for what's coming next Thursday.

Any other day I'd have voted for Ryan Kent but I can't ignore the midfield masterclass from Ryan Jack, the best I've seen in years. How the hell did we win 55 without him? It's doubtful if Jack and Lundstram would be playing together if GvB hadn't arrived so credit to the manager for seeing it. Does anyone think John Lundstram fits into the way we play yet? I also echo Frankie's point about James Sands and as he settles in at Ibrox I'm beginning to think we might have unearthed a treasure there.

Like Davy Cooper, the reason we put up with Kent's occasional sub par performances is we know he will now and then deliver a level of sublime brilliance that makes watching football worthwhile. The more you watch his contribution against Dortmund the better it gets. I understand these guys are professionals and earning money is a paramount consideration but how do you replace what they've been through in Europe at a PL or Championship club in England. Most players never have the privilege of experiencing what they do and when all the boots have been hung up, that's what they'll carry with them forever.

How much to buy Ryan Kent now. That was Davy Cooper stuff last night, with added backtracking and tackling.

Games like that make the world shine brighter. I think Jack and Lundstram transform our midfield and are clearly our best pairing. Jack's return in particular has been a revelation. I expected him to take a while to find his form but it's as if he's never been away. I thought he was the best player on the field tonight. I was worried about Bassey in central defence but he was a lion and Ryan Kent answered every question asked of him. And brilliant to see young Sands continuing to justify the manager's confidence in him. Ibrox is going to be a very special place next week.

I was stuck on a Zoom meeting this evening when I got a text saying Celtic we’re being beaten by a fishing collective. Had to laugh 😂

It really is of no interest to me what Celtic decide for their own hovel. For our part I would expect Rangers to continue to treat all clubs the same with respect to supporter allocation.

No fear. If we get beat, we get beat but this is actually a rare and wonderful opportunity to do something really special.

That might be a good idea.

I suspect Bassey will get badly exposed in central defence

It's unlikely when so many of those who should be be digging for it are probably the same people who did so much to bury it.

Interesting that Follow Follow hasn't changed in the 15 years since I last looked at it. Madhouse.

For me, one of the most depressing aspects of the whole administration episode was hearing Rangers fans saying we had done wrong and just needed to "take our medicine", when I knew the club had done nothing to warrant the ridiculous ordeal we were being put through. Perhaps it was just their way of dealing with it but I found that hard to take - the entire football world was determined to destroy us and suddenly our own fans were agreeing with them. On a similar theme, someone said to me when we won 55 that the dark days were over. Bullshit. It will never be over until the truth comes out.

Dortmund 1 Rangers 1 FGS Morelos

The last ten years have brought both clarity and confusion. With respect to other clubs and the football authorities, there has been a universal and consistent expression of hatred towards Rangers. Whether this has its roots on jealousy or nationalism, there was no help or encouragement offered by anyone. While some actively sought the death of Rangers, everyone was content to stand back and enjoy the spectacle, like morbid onlookers at a public hanging. Now that we've made huge strides in our recovery the resentment is still tangible across Scottish football and I've yet to hear one word of remorse about the disgraceful feeding frenzy that took place in those early days. Anyone who once thought Rangers has friends in Scottish football has surely now had that notion removed once and for all. The confusion lies in the lack of clear information about how our destruction was orchestrated. Even now, after ten whole years and numerous arrests and court cases, we are no closer to knowing who pulled which strings. Everyone has a theory but it seems no one has the facts. Personally, while banks and HMRC provided the mechanisms, I look to far more prosaic motivations and have little doubt the whole affair has its roots firmly embedded in the bigotry of religion and nationalism - a poison that we know runs throughout all corners of Scottish society and beyond. What I can't tell is who planned and set it in motion but it has to have been people in a very elevated strata of power and influence. In any case, it's very disappointing that so little has ever emerged to allow a finger to be pointed with confidence.

James Sands for me. Excellent in defence - positioning, passing, composure, presence

if they're still in the competition

Given the conditions and the number of changes, it would be very churlish to do anything but congratulate the entire team for a thoroughly professional job, despite the terrible conditions and plastic pitch. No dramas, no injuries (I think), no goals conceded, no major f*ckups. The slight surprise for me was that James Sands looked to be the most composed man on the field. He didn't put a foot wrong and I think we might have a real player there. In conditions likely to throw up mistakes, I thought Sands and Helander looked solid. I also came away thinking that in Zukowski we've found our cover for Tav. Hopefully we'll get a home draw for the next round.

Liking this Zukowski fellow so far

It was dark as hell on my laptop … maxed the brightness and it’s much better

I always enjoy the look on these youngsters faces when they get this reward for their efforts. Well done Robbie Fraser.

I'm not as sophisticated as you. In my limited world I simply praise good performances when they happen and try to be tolerant when people fall short, as everyone does now and then. Sometimes I lapse and issue a harsh word or two but that's human weakness for you. I never thought of requiring a set number of good performances before reluctantly setting criticism aside - it's definitely a workable notion but for me I think hardly worth the effort. I'm sure I would only lose count and make an arse of myself by offering praise before it was due.