Hugh Keevins: The knives are out for Ally

[ian1964 10,409]

HUGH saw Jamie Longworth's late goal silence large parts of the Ibrox crowd, but couldn't ignore the voices of those who have lost faith in the Ibrox manager.

 

 

 

By the time the final whistle blew at Ibrox on Boxing Day they were hanging over the front row of the stand directly behind the press area and giving full vent to their feelings.

 

Never mind the board of directors that nobody appears to like. Never mind institutional investors, the ins and outs of corporate governance or anything else that has to do with Rangers’ business activities.

 

This was all about the fitba’ and it was personal.

 

The ground was full when the game started and half empty when it finished. And those who had stayed to the end had hung on to let the manager know what they thought about his team’s performance.

 

A draw with Stranraer was, even after 15 successive league wins, the tipping point for the excitable who took their frustration out almost exclusively on Ally McCoist.

 

It ought to be laughable but I couldn’t see anybody smiling.

 

The exact words used were abusive and dripping with resentment, leaving the listener to ?conclude 2014 will be the year when the manager finds out who his friends really are.

 

The Celtic fans who believe McCoist is a protected species should’ve been there to see their theory being dismantled.

 

That group of supporters commonly referred to as the Fat Cats were huddled, if the Rangers fans will allow that word, in small groups and speaking in hushed tones while the Stranraer players were still partying on the pitch.

 

The way the conspirators do in the movies before something distressing takes place.

 

The overall picture presented was of a man at the crossroads. Those who don’t think he’s a legend believe McCoist is a liability.

 

And it’s distressing to watch on when a good man is subjected to such personal vilification.

 

But seeing a school teacher score the goal for Stranraer that taught Rangers a lesson about negligent defending had driven McCoist’s detractors in the crowd over the edge.

 

If Vincent Tan had been his club’s owner Ally would already be on gardening leave while somebody worked out the terms of his severance pay.

 

As it is though, he’s dealing with a chief executive who might insist ?on players ?leaving, rather than joining the Ibrox side so the club’s accounts can be whipped into much better shape going forward.

 

Which intensifies the pressure on McCoist to take the team in an upward direction by relying on his capabilities in the coaching department.

 

And while dealing with a board who have their private thoughts on the manager’s decision to transfer his proxy to members of a Rangers supporters club before the shareholders’ vote at the club’s recent AGM.

 

When McCoist was asked on Monday if there had been any feedback from his employers regarding that manoeuvre he asked, uncharacteristically, if he could be allowed to keep that information to himself.

 

Work that one out for yourself.

 

Some supporters resent the money the manager earns for handling full-time players in a part-time environment, and bring the subject up every time there’s a reason for disquiet.

 

Like failing to beat Stranraer with a goal of a start on their home ground.

 

And there’s another group who will express their enduring affection for McCoist as the player who could do no wrong for Rangers while leaving you in no doubt they don’t think he knows what he’s doing as manager.

 

This is how the Rangers manager will bring in the New Year.

 

He’ll need eyes in the back of his ?head, the skin of a rhinoceros and the patience of a saint.

 

Because the wisened old cynic in me says they’re out to get him.

[aweebluesoandso 290]

Wee Spewy does his fare amount of back stabbing, also hypocrisy by the sounds of it.

[bluebear54 0]

Keevins has always followed his lesser god of chasing his sensationalist meal ticket as opposed to groundbreaking quality journalism.

That's why he's never raised himself above the station of mediocre football hack.

Forever going round and collecting his £200 at Go. Poor old Monopoly Keevins.

[UCF2008 0]

It can't be denied that there is an anti-McCoist element amongst our support who'll howl for his head whenever a result doesn't go our way. It's nothing new.

 

However, what I would say is that over the past ten days or so the usual suspects and various other shit stirrers in the press HAVE clearly had 'the knives out' for Ally. Keevins obviously couldn't find a way to have a dig at Rangers while somehow shoe-horning Celtic into that story though, so we get this instead.

[Anchorman 0]

This is little Hugh who "despises the fact that neither of the Old Firm club's fans can "rid themselves of the need to look over constantly to the other side of the city". Bear in mind this is an article about a Rangers performance that made a number of Rangers fans angry at the manager. Was there an element in the article written to appease (and give a little giggle to the ones over 'the other side')? Judge for yourself.

 

The Celtic fans who believe McCoist is a protected species should’ve been there to see their theory being dismantled. - [What is the relevance Hugh?]

 

That group of supporters commonly referred to as the Fat Cats were huddled, if the Rangers fans will allow that word, in small groups and speaking in hushed tones while the Stranraer players were still partying on the pitch.

 

You are a silly little unprofessional man Hugh who pretends to detest the hatred but who makes a damn good living out of stoking it.