Archie Macpherson article in the Herald

[forlanssister 3,050]

Excellent read.

 

Spaces now appearing alongside the cracks as entertainment value takes a pasting at Ibrox

 

Tuesday 12 March 2013

 

 

As we learned from the last Republican convention, Clint Eastwood is fond of speaking to empty chairs.

 

His imaginary Obama interview, however, was more Mickey Mouse than Dirty Harry. But it would certainly make his day if he were to drop into any Scottish football stadium of a Saturday, where he could indulge in an orgy of speaking to nobody beside him.

 

He would be spoiled for choice as empty seats are measured now in terms of the kind of acreage that only an expert farmer could calculate with the naked eye. For example, at the recent Kilmarnock-Hibernian Scottish Cup tie, banners and flags were draped over the emptiness of one end of the stadium as if they were reliving the Victorian ethic that nakedness had never to be exposed under any circumstances.

 

This created a curious imbalance as, at the other end, the Hibernian supporters were to be congratulated for massing in such a way that they wouldn't have given Clint elbow room. On average, though, and with the exception of the derby game at Easter Road and Celtic's visit, the visitors' end there is normally a cheerless desert.

 

There have been, up until now, loud reminders coming from one source that they are bucking the lamentable trend. Ibrox. From the almost bombastic loudspeaker announcement on opening day that it was not "Sell-Out Saturday" there but "Sold Out Saturday", the crowds assembling there have been admirable in numbers and defiantly resilient in face of the increasing sensation that their entertainment value is up there with hewing stone from a quarry as part of a chain-gang. Spaces are now appearing as a consequence. And Clint would recognise the gaunt looks of those who feel unjustly incarcerated, as they try to work out why Rangers are where they are, and how they can be quite so bad. There is certainly one fundamental law of nature which ought to be ascribed to their club. You do not lose to Annan Athletic. Ever.

 

With history and heritage on your side these things should not happen, especially in front of still more people than watched the Clydesdale Bank Premier League card put together. For sure, we should be thankful that football still offers us the unexpected and ought to be greeted with acclamation around the land. But compare the defeats for the Old Firm clubs at the weekend. Celtic losing after being 2-0 in front at Ross County, was not on the cards, but was demonstrably an under-performance from too many players who sometimes give the impression they are slumming in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

 

Rangers' defeat, on the other hand, was far from surprising. They have been rehearsing such a one for weeks now. Even though it is often overlooked that they are, after all, simply a third-division side now, it does comes with the territory in Govan, that the wearing of blue jerseys and the size of their support ought to turn part-timers' blood to ice, just by seeing them emerge from the tunnel. Instead visiting teams have looked as if they have been about as stressed as when visiting their auntie's for their tea. Some of the results there have borne little reality to the many occasions they have silenced Ibrox into sullen incredulity.

 

That is why Charles Green spoke up last week. On the one hand you could criticise him on the same lines as usual for lack of diplomatic nicety and for a statement as counter-productive in the dressing-room as an intimation of a wage-cut. Yet he wasn't speaking to the players or the training staff. They would know already how he felt. He was speaking to the customers. If he wants them to invest in next season, he could hardly indulge in fantasies. The performances have been so poor, as reflected by the majority of Rangers fans in the streets and on their web pages, that silence from Green was no longer an option.

 

He will have to come to even more public assessments about Ally McCoist. Since his team blew a huge points lead on Celtic and went out of four cup competitions with barely a whimper with the oldco, his track record as a player and his natural ebullience as a personality in a time of dire need can no longer be a guarantee that these negative feelings about him can be held at bay. Players brought to Ibrox by him, with one or two exceptions, have forced us to re-interpret the meaning of the word mediocrity. Their youngsters are promising, but no more than that. So, at the nub of their present malaise has been recruitment. I cannot begin to understand why, in the effort simply to progress through the leagues, one by one, they could not have recruited even some of the players who are shining against them in the third division, and at less expense.

 

It has been put to me that the worst aspect of all is the lack of spirit and the sense of urgency that is so clearly absent, even in a crowded Ibrox. But this is an old complaint of many clubs through the years. You can't provide that unless you have ability on hand. Rangers are so threadbare in imagination, with their midfield out-passed so often, how could anybody expect passion when you don't have the ball often enough?

 

Green's statement last week is simply an acknowledgement that his overall mission could be badly derailed by lack of entertainment on the field of play. He cannot avoid the possibility, though, that he faces the astonishing prospect of gaining a league title at the same time as his manager loses the trust of the supporters.

 

We might discover then whether Green is more Dirty Harry than Mickey Mouse.

 

http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/spaces-now-appearing-alongside-the-cracks-as-entertainment-value-takes-a-pasting-at-ibrox.20478236

[der Berliner 3,247]

Another one draws attention by stating the obvious ... and at a time when hardly anything can be done about it by McCoist. Apart from whipping this players at HT or the like.

[craig 5,199]

Another one draws attention by stating the obvious ... and at a time when hardly anything can be done about it by McCoist. Apart from whipping this players at HT or the like.

 

So you subscribe to the "only way to deal with poor performances is to buy new players" ?

 

Sorry but I just cannot agree. Any manager worth his salt would be getting more out of these players. Or are you suggesting that this is as good as these players can play ? If so then a clear out is needed from top to bottom, including McCoist.

[tango 0]

Another one draws attention by stating the obvious ... and at a time when hardly anything can be done about it by McCoist. Apart from whipping this players at HT or the like.

 

Of course something can be done about it , how about tactics and motivation , Ally and his back room staff have managed to turn Shiels , Black , Sandaza and Tempelton from reasonable SPL players into poor 3rd division players

[GovanAllan 0]

Another one draws attention by stating the obvious ... and at a time when hardly anything can be done about it by McCoist. Apart from whipping this players at HT or the like.

 

WTF, nothing can be done about it, why not?

 

Is it because the manager is clueless and as lost his way.

[forlanssister 3,050]

Another one draws attention by stating the obvious ... and at a time when hardly anything can be done about it by McCoist. Apart from whipping this players at HT or the like.

 

Yes heaven forbid that the manager actually starts managing and the coaches start coaching eh?

[the gunslinger 3,366]

Another one draws attention by stating the obvious ... and at a time when hardly anything can be done about it by McCoist. Apart from whipping this players at HT or the like.

 

we have 60 players on our books. things could hardly get worse if we replace under performers.

[CammyF 6,784]

Simple mistakes not being corrected, 3rd division part-time players being able to out think our full time players and at times look fitter, hungrier and more professional.

 

There was little excuse for the above last season when we were part of the Scottish Premier League and there is absolutely no excuse in the third division.

 

Same goes for the inability to defend set-pieces especially when the manager insists in bringing everyone back behind the ball. If we get lucky.and clear the ball, it comes right back on top of us and usually results in confusion in the defence and or a loss of a goal.

 

The manager should be getting more from players, team / squad but the players have a responsibility to ensure that they are delivering a consistent level.of performance that should result in them overwhelming the standard of opposition they are playing each and every week.

 

Instead we see tepid performance with little or no urgency which is simply not good enough.

 

Ally bought himself some time thanks to his outstanding contribution during administration, liquidation and the subsequent shambles of trying to build a team with no guarantee that the club would receive a license to play in any Scottish league. However this does not make him untouchable.

 

Clammy F

Edited March 12, 2013 by CammyF

[Gribz 743]

Spot on Archie, the only thing missing from your article is "OOOOOmmmmph what a ball"