A bit of pride back

[Danny 0]

When Rangers proudly strolled out onto the turf at the City of Manchester Stadium in May 2008, many fans allowed themselves to believe this might be a rebirth of the Ibrox club on the European pedestal.

 

A rather humbling 2-0 defeat in that final, however, preceded a dark decline on the continental front as Rangers proceeded to not only get knocked out the following season's CL at the hands of Lithuanian minnows FC Kaunas in the quaifying stages, but it also saw a horrible run in the season after in the CL where severe humblings at home crucified any chance of progress.

 

In short, Rangers, from the highs of Manchester, had deteriorated rapidly and dramatically into a European nightmare where being beaten 4-0 at Ibrox by Romanian outfit Urziceni symbolised rather accurately the depth to which Rangers had plummeted.

 

Obviously this was in part caused by the catastrophic off field troubles besetting the club, with mammoth debts being banded about in the press with gay abandon and the oft-repeated notion that until this summer, the club had not paid for a single formal signing since that of Maurice Edu in 2008.

 

Rangers' European stock was low, and while Croat striker Nikica Jelavic had been secured for a significant fee of �£4M, his participation in the CL was anything but guaranteed, due to cup tying by his former club Rapid Wien. Indeed, when results went against the big forward, he became formally ineligible to participate for Rangers in the CL and the Govan side was left to do battle with Man Utd, Valencia, and Turkish cracks Bursaspor without him.

 

Most fans believed another dreadful run in the CL would follow, given the threadbare squad and previous dire displays coupled with a stronger group this time around.

 

But when Rangers travelled to Manchester for their group C opener, a surprise was in store when the Utd lineup revealed a slightly below strength Old Trafford team. Rangers themselves adopted a familiar European 4-5-1 formation with Whittaker deployed in midfield as happens so often at this level. Still, this was Man Utd and most fans expected a hiding.

 

That didn't happen. A resolute defensive display and a smattering of chances at the other end led to a most satisfying 0-0 draw and the first points on the board at a location where none ad been expected.

 

However, if Rangers were to have any serious European ambitions, the following home match against the group minnows Bursaspor had to yield the full 3 points, especially as Valencia had already smashed 4 past them on their own patch.

 

The same Rangers lineup, again with Whittaker in midfield fielded itself and a surprisingly bright start was experienced by the men in blue who managed to tackle, intercept, and pass the ball far better than had been recently previously witnessed at this level.

 

On 18 minutes their superiority told and an excellent cross field pass from Whittaker to the head of Broadfoot who guided it into the path of Naismith found its way into the back of the net when the on form striker bravely touched it past the on-rushing keeper.

 

The rest of the half saw more similar football with Rangers sigificantly on top. No more goals followed, and this made for a nervy second half in which the visitors were allowed back into the match and pressed up far more than they had done previously.

 

Despite their opponents renewed emergence in the game, Rangers were able to hold onto the lead and the 3 points, which led to their first CL victory since that stunning 3-0 at the Stade Gerland against Lyon in 2007.

 

Thanks to Man Utd's slightly fortunate victory in Valencia with a late goal, Rangers now find themselves top of the group along with the Red Devils having amassed an excellent 4 points from 6.

 

There can be no overestimating the impact last night's victory had for Rangers. In a seeming group of death they find themselves joint top - add to that 2 clean sheets already and it's clear that a massive amount of the damage recent poor form at this level has had has been undone. To have had such a huge amount of European credibility restored is priceless, and the financial rewards for achievement here are lavish which can only help the club through its recent troubles.

 

The real test comes in the last 4 games - can Rangers keep up this extremely solid approach and gain yet more points? The Valencia double header will be tough but not impossible - their display against Utd was uninspiring and was the first real football test they've had this season, so points are possible.

 

But at least for now Rangers have clawed back some integrity and dignity in an arena where they were in danger of falling into an abyss, and now they can look forward with a small amount of hope to what they might be able to achieve in this competition.

[Guest Pokeherface]

Good read, very enjoyable so thanks. You might like to take a second look at the scoreline attributed to the Ibrox game against the Romanian champions though......

[Danny 0]

Good read, very enjoyable so thanks. You might like to take a second look at the scoreline attributed to the Ibrox game against the Romanian champions though......

 

I am almost certainly confusing the Sevilla score with the Urziceni one. Sevilla was the 4-0 wasn't it? So that means it was Urzi Novo scored against?

 

No wait, he scored V Sevilla.

 

I can't for the life of me remember.

[wabashcannonball 0]

Always proud and second to none.

 

 

See them march on, marching on through the years of History

Heads held on high, for the jersey they would do or die

Fight fight for right, play the game wear the badge of glory

Win lose or draw, well thats the Rangers story

 

See them march on, banners high as they fly before you

Loyal and true, on their way to cheer the boys in blue

Follow they will, marching on through the songs of glory

Win lose or draw, well thats the Rangers story.

[Totti 0]

Despite not playing well last night I think Valencia will be the hardest team in our group. Top of La Liga the best league in the world. Man Utd are not what they were. Valencia have also lost key players but don't look any worse for it. Spanish clubs are notorious for selling their best players then bringing through other players who are just as good.

[metlika 0]

2 4-1's at home last CL campaign, Mendes deflected goal against Unirea.

[wabashcannonball 0]

Despite not playing well last night I think Valencia will be the hardest team in our group. Top of La Liga the best league in the world. Man Utd are not what they were. Valencia have also lost key players but don't look any worse for it. Spanish clubs are notorious for selling their best players then bringing through other players who are just as good.

 

 

Something to be said for a 20 team league.

[Danny 0]

2 4-1's at home last CL campaign, Mendes deflected goal against Unirea.

 

Completely forgot about that.

[pete 2,499]

I read somewhere in a Dutch website we have already accumulated 1.2 million pound for 4 points and a goal.:spl:

[johnnyk 158]

Despite not playing well last night I think Valencia will be the hardest team in our group. Top of La Liga the best league in the world. Man Utd are not what they were. Valencia have also lost key players but don't look any worse for it. Spanish clubs are notorious for selling their best players then bringing through other players who are just as good.

 

IMO La liga is not the best in the world for starters. Good patient football etc etc but give me the EPL or bundesliga anyday. The only decent team they have played is Atletico Madrid and they drew at home with them, the rest are bottom half sides.

 

I also feel if Man Utd play their strongest team it would be a harder game than Valencia. I feel we will pick up something against the Spaniards.