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Not to excuse it but it's worth remembering we're not the only football club struggling financially. Dundee Utd posted a loss of nearly £3 million earlier this year, Hibs nearly £4 million, Hearts lost £1.2 million and Aberdeen, despite some remarkable spin in the media, lost nearly £900k. St Johnstone lost well over £1 million, Dundee lost nearly £3 million, Motherwell are late to publish this year but lost over £1.5 million last year and Ross County lost half a million. Only St Mirren, more or less, broke even. In Belgium the Champions, Antwerp, lost around £40 million, indeed only 6 clubs in total out of their top two divisions didn't make a loss. Ajax lost 13 million Euros last year, PSV and Feyenoord also posted multi million Euro losses. In the Republic Of Ireland, where their domestic league is enjoying a renaissance with record attendances and clubs reaching European group stages, every single club in their top league made a financial loss last year. You don't have to look far in England to find clubs haemorrhaging money, despite access to TV and sponsorship revenues we can only dream about. Spanish football is a basket case with some of its biggest clubs carrying debt that would frighten a small country. Professional football in Europe, despite never being better funded, is in a perilous state financially. Clubs (and many of their supporters) take pride in finding loop holes in regulations designed to protect them rather than accept financial downsizing far less simply living within their means. As difficult as this is to type, Celtic are not only consistently well run, they are also very much the exception. We could be profitable. Everyone knows that means we need to find, develop and sell players every season and that is easier said than done. For every Nathan Paterson there's an Adam Devine, for every Joe Aribo there's a Todd Cantwell. Why some players succeed and some don't is one of life's mysteries. There is no excusing our form currently. We're not playing well, we don't score goals, we don't even entertain. We should be better than we are with the money we do have. I remain in the camp that's not convinced changing our manager, again, is the answer. We keep trying that and it doesn't seem to work. Perhaps some stability will pay better dividends long term. A new CEO and Chairman should provide that, although who knows, clearly firing Clement will make a lot of supporters happy and take the heat off the board and buy everyone a few months grace. We're addicted to short term returns, so nothing would surprise me.

Whatever happens now, let's have no more calling for Clement's head; his team have done him proud.

I was at the top of the terracing near stairway 13 looking across at the well-to-do in the enclosure. The result was close but in truth Rangers were well beaten by an outstanding side. One of the best goalies I’ve ever seen, two competent tradesmen at fullback, bruisers at centre half and centre forward, at wing-half one architect and one enforcer, at inside forward one goal-maker and one goal-taker and a Welsh wizard on either wing. Perfectly balanced for skill, speed and robustness. The match had been postponed from the previous Wednesday because of fog. On the Saturday Rangers annihilated a good Kilmarnock side 6-0. On a gloomy ‘bus after the ‘Spurs game an old communist from Greenock (wearing his Balliol College tie) reckoned Killie got what ‘Spurs would have got if the original game had gone ahead. That’s the Left for you. Dreamers.

There's a story, perhaps true, who knows. The season Goram joined us (replacing the very popular Chris Woods for nationality reasons) we were put out of the League Cup by Hibs, the club we'd signed Goram from. At training Goram joked that he 'joined Rangers to play win trophies but if he was still at Hibs he'd be in the cup final', to which Ian Durrant quipped 'if you were still at Hibs we'd all be in the cup final'. Goram definitely took a few months to settle and come to terms with the demands of being the Rangers keeper, but he more than made up for his slow start.

If McInnes ends up Rangers manager would the last person please remember to put the lights out

He played in 3 separate World Cups, and, interestingly, in Argentina he missed the debacles with Peru and Iran, but played when we beat the second best side in the World, Holland. Just coincidence I'm sure. He captained the best club side in Europe, arguably the world, won 3 European Cups, 5 English League titles and 2 Scottish League titles and played helped Sampdoria win the first trophy in their entire history. For four years running he was named in the PFA Team Of The Year and also named in the PFA Team Of the Century 20 years after he retired. For 4 or 5 seasons Souness would have been a first choice for any club, and any country, in the world. I don't know what your definition of 'World class' is but if Souness doesn't qualify for it then I don't know who does.

I give up. We lost a final to Celtic on penalties. That is progress. I'm done with this.

It's 1pm on Friday and I'm still buzzing from last night. We'd no one who didn't contribute last night but a special mention for Tav. He's been criticised a lot recently, he was even booed by some, and a significant number wanted him sold. His form was poor, along with almost everyone else in the squad, but last night he was immense. His cross for the goal was inch perfect, he defended well all night and showed energy, drive and leadership all game. I mean obviously I want him dropped for Sunday now...

Here's the exact moment we lost the cup final in my opinion.

The penalty we should have got aside, I think overall we did ok. Didn’t defend well at all for any of the 3 goals, very soft ones to give away rather then make opponent work for it. The Spurs game also didn’t help. Said it weeks again id play a far weakened team. Thought the likes of Diomande and Raskin were dead on their feet, and we lost Soutter but it is what it is. I suppose the bigger question is why did the FA want the game to be played at a weekend after European fixtures but they are so incompetent it didn’t surprise me. Was also shouting at the TV like a mad man to get Jefte off before the 2nd goal. Could see they were working things down his flank and were getting some change. Again injuries seem to be hampering us with a real lack of any centre halves. We will no doubt see Leon King get game time soon if Soutter and Balogun are out for a few weeks or longer. Propper did ok yesterday I felt but it’s not games like that he struggles with, it’s the physical up an atem of the diddy sides. The manager overall has done well to turn things around after Dundee United, I fancy us to have another good go at them in the new year. Hopefully with some fit centre backs. i always felt it was different when Clement was struggling compared to Gio and Beale and posted on here a few weeks back still think he can turn it around. There is no way a team who have given up on the manager find a way back into that game twice yesterday so got to hope we can build on this. Certainly see signs of life there anyway. Special words for Hagi as I feel he adds a something to this side. Hes no world beater but I think he is adding value to us and had a good game yesterday. We should have had him available sooner. Club mismanagement again from those at the top. A couple of good moves in & out in January and we can be a competitive outfit again. It might be too late for the league for this season but after the summer cull it was always going to be difficult.

I saw last season's cup final, and some highlights from the league games against Celtic. The way luck and some refereeing work in Celtic's way is ridiculous. Today's German highlights showed this again. A deflection for their first goal, a bad mistake from Raskin for their second. Then a penalty not given (was there VAR?). All in one game again. From the look, these games are somewhat like European games. Celtic has far more money to spend, they play more open. Your team can handle this, as we have seen. If the opposition plays out all its strength, Rangers will struggle. It is what it is. But the last games have shown changes to the better. Der Berliner said that you need to play with two strikers. Most teams you play against in Scotland are not tested enough in their penalty area. You see that from the scorelines. And Celtic's defence too. Why Clement changed this today? Only he will know. But everyone expected a clear win for Celtic and it did not happen. They only won by a shootout, just. And some freak goals, you were denied a penalty too. I think their bubble will burst like it always does. Your side showed good steps in the right direction in the last three weeks. Much of 2024 might not have been like you would have wanted (just ask Union fans), but I hope that you have turned this corner now.

Despite the recent upturn, I'm still very nervous and apprehensive about tomorrow. Going along more in hope than expectation. However, come kick-off I'm sure I'll have the battle fever on.

PC is rightly protective of Sterling, and has openly said Igamane is building up to the physical standard required at this level. Game was won anyway, and tbh we should have scored more once those changes were made.

We only needed to look in the yellow pages for a reliable contractor.

Rousseau is a Morningside chap. His Butler insists he breakfasts in, 'the Canny Man'. I suspect the insistence is based upon the Canny Man's surf and turf Bloody Mary? The celery stalk is adorned with a Carabinero prawn and an air dried slice of crisped Bayonne ham. As our Morningside Super-Mod' we should chip-in to provide Rousseau with a Vespa/Lambretta; whatever his Butler prefers.

It's not sour grapes at losing the cup. There is and has been an apparent pattern to this. Dessers shirt pull pen not given. Raskin thrown to the ground in front of Joe Hart, and now this Cerny incident. For me we are being robbed of legitimate penalties. I am not saying this is because of bias though, I think it is more likely to be fear of your windows being blootered in that sways the refs. Either way it is a large factor in these games.

I don’t think he’ll do that. He wouldn’t want to miss the good stuff. The thing about Clement is that you’ve made your point and made it well but you haven’t yet managed to convince the majority. Just leave it for a while. Come back to it if it’s 0-4 in the New Year game.

Hopefully this is not too negative on the eve of the cup final but what if we lose tomorrow? Are people wanting Clement to go? For a lot of people, I think it will come down to the performance (win, lose or draw). I want him to stay either way as we are starting to see signs of progress with all the young players.

Good job we signed Igamane for a measly £1m now, because if we had waited he would be out of our league...

I attended the pre-season friendly at Ibrox against Spurs at the start of August'69. A large crowd watched an impressive Tottenham side including Pat Jennings, Cyril Knowles, Martin Chivers, Jimmy Greaves, Mike England, Alan Gilzean, Joe Kinnear, Alan Mullery and, Terry Venables. Rangers dominated the game and won 2-0, I believe Bud Johnson scored both? A week later, Everton were the visitors and the Toffees had a wonderful side. Joe Royle, Brian Labone, Howard Kendall, Alan Ball and, Colin Harvey. We won 2-1. David White put out entertaining Rangers teams. Reference the Great Revolution and all that goes with it. My Butler informs me we are all for it as long as I am appointed the GOC(General Officer Commanding) of the Vanguard of the Proletariat.

We beat them by taking our chances. We simply haven't done that in the last couple of matches against them. We've created chances but failed to convert them. Celtic will create chances, they are strong going forward and have goals throughout their side, but they also let their opponents create chances. In Scotland that's not been such a problem as the opponents are generally fairly average. Hibs could have scored 3 against them during the week for example. If, and it's a big if, but if we can start taking our chances against them then you never know. Goals change games, it's a cliche but it's true. Scoring goals has been a problem for us this season, then suddenly we score 14 goals in our last 4 games. If we can take our chances when they come, and I believe they will come, then Sunday will be a closer match than most are predicting.

Think this is a good idea but since its been about 3 decades since we scored from a corner, not going to be much help for us 😀

It's an interesting and difficult question but the starting XI condition is somewhat of a fallacy since most teams rotate fairly significantly nowadays. I'd suggest Lyall Cameron would be an obvious target and there are a few more worthy of consideration such as Clarkson, Penrice, Shankland and Mitov who could definitely become a factor over the next three windows. There are various others that we could argue we should have picked up earlier in the last 3-5 years. Generally though, right now, there aren't many who would immediately come in and improve the first XI per se. Improving the squad is a fairer consideration and Luke McCowan at Celtic has shown a player need not be young to be a decent addition either. We are struggling financially as a club so are going to have to be a lot cleverer in the market going forward. I'm quite pleased at the signing of Jefte and Igamane and there's no doubt as much as we need to explore other continents, we need to have our finger on the pulse domestically too.

Really pleased with that performance and result last night. That's the kind of attacking intent and commitment we want to regularly see from the players and it's no coincidence we're improving as we have more fitter/sharper options available. Great to see the fan reaction at FT too. Having more options available allows the manager to find more flexibility in his setup and that, in turn, makes us much less predictable. Going to a 4-1-4-1 meant we could push Killie back and had much more options in an attacking sense. Full backs higher after HT helped too. All in all, that's a statement performance. The win in France followed up by a hard fought victory in Perth then last night's rout shows this team are capable of dominating sides and making the most of that. We simply must maintain and build on that momentum. No excuses.

Good to see the manager now realises Hagi is a better option than most if not all the others available in his role(s)

Ferguson would win, Sterling would be out for the season

I'm very disappointed no one has noticed my promotion, even if it wasn't announced with great fanfare as it ought to have been. I now have access to the Caird of Purest Yellae.

(3) John Walker on X: "Penalty Narrative Dismissed - Beaton Whistles after play stops - It was for the pull (that was inside the box) - Freekick taken from Edge of Box (Not the corner where some are claiming) https://t.co/zXz73ueXJL" / X Not sure why the above link doesn't embed, but it shows clearly that the whistle goes AFTER play stops so there's no reason for VAR not to intervene.

That's for the best, it's like talking about sunset with a flat earther.

RANGERS Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Fraser Thornton as Chair. He will join the club on 16 December 2024. Fraser has held many senior leadership and board positions throughout his career, in both private and public companies. Having worked in the international drinks industry for the last 30 years, he offers a vast range of experience in stakeholder engagement; spanning political, commercial and public interest groups. He has extensive management experience across sales, brand marketing, strategy development and finance. Raised in Glasgow, Fraser graduated from the University of Stirling before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse in Glasgow in 1993. Between 1996 and 2021, Fraser held multiple executive leadership positions in international businesses working across several regions of the world. He was a council member of the Scotch Whisky Association for 15 years until 2021. Since 2021 Fraser has held several non-executive positions and he is currently Interim Chair of Scottish Golf. Rangers’ Interim Chairman, John Gilligan, commented: “On behalf of the board, I’m delighted to welcome Fraser to the club as Chair. “As a lifelong supporter and season ticket holder, he has a deep knowledge of the club which together with a highly successful executive track record and an impressive range of non-executive experience makes him an excellent fit for this role. “We look forward to welcoming him, and our CEO Patrick Stewart to their new roles, on Monday. “My time as Interim Chair of our club has been a wonderful and emotional experience. My sincere thanks goes to the board for their trust in me, and for their support during this time.” Rangers Appoint Fraser Thornton As Chairman | Rangers Football Club

I disagree. We are seeing signs of progress. What are the alternatives? Sacking the manager and going back to square one (again). And spare me the most successful club nonsense. That has always been an embarrassing and utterly empty title.

Massive well done to the gaffer last night as well, got tactics and team selection absolutely spot on.

Dreamers we may be but better that than an old cynic. Come the revolution, there are a few on here prime candidates for re-education

Ach, he's nowhere near as bad a defender as some folk like to make out. Yes, he's had a few high profile errors over the years and his form earlier this season was woeful but as long as we cover him effectively with Barron or Raskin, then we should normally be able to cope. Spurs are a different proposition to Scottish teams and will be the best EL team we've faced this season as well by quite some distance (despite their recent patchy form). If I had to pick one game for Tav and one for Sterling it would probably be Spurs for the skipper and Celtic for Sterling.

I was away hillwalking yesterday morning, so had to listen to game on radio driving back home from the hills. John Robertson was actually very good in his match analysis, was raving about our front 4/midfield movement, was refreshing to hear tbh, and took me by surprise. It's not often I've heard that recently, particularly from that outlet. Great to see Igamane's continued growth.

Beat Spurs and Ange becomes available. Just saying...

That team looks equipped to do the business. Bench is getting stronger. Glad to see the pitchforks against Clement returning to their cupboards. Aberdeen well within range. Spurs and Celtic are on a different level but whatever happens, patience should prevail.

Thats like saying you'd rather be knocked down and killed by a bus than a train.

Lyall Cameron on a free end of this season, Lennon Miller, Slobodan Rubezic is better than Robin Propper, wouldn't mind Ross Graham from Dundee United who is on a bosman end of '25. Also I'd take Shankland on a free (we all know you hate him you don't need to mention it ) Its not always about improving the starting XI. We play lots of games, get lots of injuries. Have the ability now to make 5 subs per game. We need to build a squad.

Personally I’d only waste two fingers on those Scouse git’s

He’s our top scorer this season but most would be happy for him to leave. He misses many chances but scores some good goals. He keeps going but occasionally shows his frustration. Whatever you think of Dessers, I don’t hold with the derision that is meted out to him. This happens with other players too but Dessers is the main recipient. I find this derision, particularly by supporters at the match, somewhat unbecoming. It is said in some quarters that his confidence is low and this adds to his poor decision making in front of goal. If this is true then when he misses an easy chance, after our initial cry of anquish it does not help to constantly barrack him. When someone is low and out of sorts they need supported, not hounded. I’m sure the management and his team mates are doing their bit to support him. I just wish our supporters had a tad more understanding.

Today, I am intent upon supporting the Rangers. Well, until the first glaring miss, failure to play the obvious ball, failure to make appropriate substitutions, not having a dig when it is obviously on, a missed tackle, going long when the wide ball is begging to be played, losing the toss, winning the toss and choosing the wrong end, announcing the wrong starting line up, ......................... We'll support you evermore Loyal RSC.

The Diamonde goal was superb ,almost as good as the Carter-Vickers one from last night.

Lampard has been appointed Coventry manager so we're free of that scenario for the time being.

Yeah, he could have a stroke, die, and leave the Club in the hands of a psychopathic Georgian.

I often think about when PLG left and Walter came back. Now, I know there was only one Walter. But the first thing he did was put a spine back in the team for little or no cost. I can’t help but think a 6” plus 80kg defender, midfielder and forward can transform this side. If done correctly. They don’t need to be world beaters just compliment what we have. We don’t need a war chest to get better. We just need to make better decisions.

Souttar, Jefte, Raskin, Hagi, Cerny I’d be happy to keep. Butland, Sterling, Barron, Diomande, I don’t mind if they stay but meh if they go. Tav, Propper, Ridvan, mcCausland, Lawrence, Dessers, Danilo, Igamane, Bajrami, Dowell I’d be happy to see leave. Anybody I’ve missed is because I can’t even think of them as I’m typing this so I guess I’m not that bothered about keeping. But to those saying this is worst team in X years that’s just frustration as the football under Beale just last year was much much worse than this lot, and then you’re also forgetting the Pedro monstrosity when we lost in Luxembourg and of course the side that couldn’t win the Championship under Super Ally. That’s all within the last 10 years. It might be 1 top flight title in 14 years but we weren’t in the top flight for 4 years and we won the title in the only division we were allowed to play in during 3 of 4 years so a bit of balance would be nice. The board gave upon this title last summer to get the books back in order. Clement got 3 instructions in the summer - take £10M off the wage bill, reduce the age of the squad, bring in players we can sell for profit. First 2 are ticked off and 3rd possible but not nailed on. Having done what was asked I don’t see him getting sacked. I’m fairly numb about league results as the title was gone in July so perhaps that’s why I’m not as angry as others with the current situation.

Patrick Stewart? At least it's not William Shatner.