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Ahead of the third Old Firm game in six weeks, it's fair to say you won't find many Rangers fans feeling confident during the build-up. A period of poor form since we allowed a ten-man Celtic team to come back to win at Ibrox, including an utter capitulation at Hampden a fortnight ago means morale is low amongst most bears. Not to mention a lack of faith in a board that don't seem to share our frustration with recent results. With that in mind, stories this week released to the media about new signings, a new manager and a new kit deal may well have managed to divert attention from silent fan protests but PR spin aside, fans remain cynical and I certainly won't envy Rangers supporter attending what could be a title party at Parkhead on Sunday. Without a win in ten games over Celtic, the chances of that awful record changing this weekend have to be minuscule. Don't they? Well, yes, of course but the good news is that, unlike the last two games between the sides, there's no pressure on us this week. We're ten points behind in the Ladbrokes Premiership and haven't beaten Celtic away since October 2010. Surely we've no chance? Certainly the Celtic captain and his players seem to think so and it's difficult to disagree with them. Strangely enough though, in recent years we seem to do a lot better when we're written off. Indeed, twice in the last year we've drawn on the other side of the Clyde and any fair-minded football fan would concede in the last league game there, we should have won. Not to mention we threw away a great chance to do so at Ibrox six weeks ago. Hell, even at Hampden in as bad a performance you'd struggle to remember for any Rangers team, we could and should have scored at least twice - despite being down to ten men. That's not to say Celtic aren't huge favourites. They are and whilst their league form has shown them to be fallible this season, they have more experience than our team and are clearly mentally stronger both on the pitch and in the dugout. However, one would hope that our team and manager are concentrating on the positives this week and several teams (our own included) have shown how to compete. First and foremost we need to be well organised so we can expect a retention of Murty's preferred 4-2-3-1 for Sunday's game. That system isn't perfect but it's one our players are most familiar with so it makes sense to use it again. Yes, we need to be flexible within that but this formation will allow us to press Celtic and it's that tactic that works best against them. Kilmarnock, Hearts and Hibs have shown that to be the case - as have we. Obviously the players within that will be key - especially the midfield. Murty has a variety of options in that area so it's vital he chooses the right ones and has the right blend of energy, strength, mobility and - crucially - a threat as well. To that end, I think it's a given Murphy and Candeias will retain their place in the wider roles and with Celtic perhaps likely to use a back three, their efforts to find space in behind Forrest and Tierney will be just as important as any defensive work they have to do. Centrally, Josh Windass still splits opinion amongst Rangers fans as to his contribution but I suspect he'll start again on Sunday as he's one of few players that has the ability to unlock Celtic's defence. However, he'll need to add a more defensive element of his game - even pressing high up the pitch - to protect the holding players. It would be a surprise if the deeper two weren't Dorrans and Holt - who both did very well against (an albeit poor) Hearts outfit last week. It may well be though that Murty pushes Ross McCrorie back into midfield if Bruno Alves is fit enough to make the team. A partnership of the Portuguese international and Russell Martin won't enthuse our fans but, it may be to our benefit if they sit a bit deeper, as Celtic got a lot of joy playing balls in behind at Hampden. If Murty prefers that outlook then Dorrans may replace Windass in the more offensive role. It's unlikely Docherty, Goss or Halliday will start and this game will come too soon for Ryan Jack who, despite returning to full training, may not feature again this season. James Tavernier and Declan John will also need to do a lot better at full-back whilst it will be interesting to see how Jak Alwnick does in his Old Firm début given the imminent return of Allan McGregor. That leaves the position of striker. Jason Cummings impressed last weekend and made the most of his opportunity with a vital opening goal against Hearts. However, all his faults and foibles aside, Morelos remains our best bet in attack - yes, he's missed at least three glorious opportunities to open his account against Celtic and yes, his temperament can be suspect but his work-rate and ability to link the play under pressure arguably makes him a better option than Cummings. All in all, the likely team below probably won't surprise many Rangers fans (or Brendan Rodgers). However, it's exactly that familiarity that should be our strength. We may still be a few players short of an XI that can genuinely challenge Celtic but we do have enough quality to cause them problems on Sunday. The players just need to believe it and the fans are due a battling performance that we can be proud of. Celtic may well win the league on Sunday but we can still right a few wrongs and lay down a marker for next season. Possible team (4-2-3-1):

Never mind all the fancy formations tell them to get their sleeves rolled up and get stuck into this lot because if they don't they will get thumped they are playing to try and restore some pride , give the fans something to cheer for a change .

http://club1872.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Member-Report-260418.pdf SHARE ISSUE CAMPAIGN Our share issue campaign continues and presents a huge opportunity for the organisation and the Rangers support in general. After excellent early progress and increases in both membership and funds available for shares, we have seen a slow down in recent weeks as issues affecting Rangers have come to the fore. At the time of writing our membership sits at 7430 - a net increase of 380 members since the campaign began. We also have £520,000 available for shares. This is slight decrease on our last publicised estimate, due to a manual reconciliation done for the submission of the annual accounts. Our target for shares remains at £1m and remains achievable depending on the reaction of the Rangers support in the coming weeks. Club 1872 will represent the only way for supporters to take part in the upcoming share issue. We will continue with our online marketing, RSC engagement and podcast and media work in an effort to encourage as many Rangers fans as possible to participate. BOARD Iain Mullholland has stepped down from the Club 1872 Board. We thank Iain for his work and the contribution he has made to the organisation, particularly his progress on bringing two projects to the point of being put to members. These projects are detailed later in this document. Joanne Percival will take over the Projects Working Group and Euan MacFarlane will take on the Events Working Group. All current board member biographies are on the Club 1872 website. WORKING GROUPS Six working groups are in place to support the organisation (Membership & Engagement, RSCs, Comms, Campaigns, Events and Projects). The members who volunteer to take part in these groups meet regularly and have been involved in the following areas of Club 1872’s functioning over the last few months: Our Comms and Campaigns groups are working together to focus on our share issue campaign. Regular, concise updates on this campaign have gone out via email and social media. We have also been providing video content and have taken part in Q&As and podcasts on various platforms within the Rangers community. Board meeting summaries, as well as other news items, are on our website for members to view. In the presentation we delivered in January, we indicated that the organisation would be moving away from reactionary statements to more inclusive and wide-reaching forms of communication. While we have endeavoured to maintain this commitment, we value feedback from members on how we are communicating and are always seeking to improve, so we would encourage members to contact us with ideas or comments on this aspect of the organisation. Our campaigns group has also written directly to a number of politicians seeking an explanation for false comments made by them on social media about the Rangers support. We also wrote to two Scottish political party leaders seeking explanations for the behaviour of their elected representatives. We can confirm that we wrote to Peter Grant MP, Cllr Julie McKenzie, Patrick Harvie MSP and Nicola Sturgeon FM. To date, we have received replies from Patrick Harvie MSP and Peter Grant MP and will remain in correspondence with them. We have not heard back from Cllr McKenzie or Nicola Sturgeon FM. In addition to this, we informed members that the Scottish Government, in the aftermath of the repeal of the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, has set up a working party to examine the subject of sectarianism and make recommendations on how it should be defined in Scots law. We are extremely concerned that this process should not be a repeat of the ill-fated consultation on the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, during which a number of discredited politicians and journalists were successful in pushing for unworkable and illiberal laws targeting football supporters. With that in mind we wrote to the chair of this group to ask about the makeup of the working party, the scope of their work and how organisations like Club 1872 can feed into the process. If positive progress is to be made then it is essential that a common sense approach is taken on this topic and as part of our ongoing efforts to defend Rangers fans and support constructive approaches to dealing with sectarianism, we look forward to engaging with the working group in the coming months. Around the same time that we updated members on our contact with politicians, we also wrote to the Editor of the Scottish Sun, Alan Muir, seeking an explanation and retraction for a false story written by Blair Meikle which appeared online on 9th April 2018. In his haste to paint Rangers supporters in a bad light, Mr Meikle failed to carry out even the most basic of fact checks before claiming a Rangers supporter had made abusive online comments about our charity partner Autism Scotland. The Twitter account in question was not that of a Rangers supporter and it had in fact made offensive comments about the Ibrox disaster. Club 1872 called for the Editor to retract the story. We received a prompt response from The Sun and the story was removed. Following the Scottish Cup semi-final, we had contact from members asking us to convey their concerns to Rangers about the manner in which we were defeated and the decisions at board level that led to our current situation. We communicated to the club in clear terms the serious concerns which members hold, and which we believe are reflected within the majority of the support, about what we have seen this season and the requirement for things to improve. Club 1872 met with Stewart Robertson in the past few days to discuss the current situation at the club. We once again made clear how unacceptable it is to our support that there has been very little progress on the park this year and that we once again find ourselves in a position of major uncertainty regarding the managerial situation. We also stressed the need for Rangers to communicate with supporters. The only senior member of the club to address the situation since the Scottish Cup Semi Final has been Alastair Johnston and we expressed serious concern that his comments were not only at odds with what we had heard from Rangers in previous discussions but also that they seemed to contradict the comments made by the Chairman in his season ticket letter. This caused alarm within the support and further concern that the board is out of touch with Rangers fans. Stewart indicated that plans are in place for next season but we stressed the point that this had to be communicated to supporters as a matter of urgency. This also led to a discussion of how Rangers need to find better ways to communicate with the support. Despite the legal and commercial restrictions that often prevent the club from communicating fully on matters that are of concern to the support, it is our belief that they could and indeed should be doing better in this regard. We expect the club to take our points on board and that they will reassure supporters of their plans to improve Rangers’ fortunes on the pitch at the earliest possible opportunity. We also took the opportunity to reiterate to Stewart Robertson that it remains a main aim of Club 1872 to secure a place on the RIFC board and that we are making progress internally on how to address that situation. Further discussion will be required with the RIFC board and we will also be putting some proposals to members in the coming weeks. Last week we also took the opportunity to remind people once again that Club 1872 can play a major role in taking Rangers back to the top of Scottish football. That is not to say that the current board should not take responsibility for where we are now; it is absolutely right that the people who are making decisions about our club should be held responsible for those decisions and held to account when supporters have concerns. Again, we have made this point directly to the club as it is our responsibility to do on members’ behalf. In January, Club 1872 members voted overwhelmingly that Club 1872 should have a place on the RIFC board. This is now a stated aim of this organisation, and we believe that a strong Club 1872 with the support of the Rangers fan base, can and should be part of the decision-making process at Rangers. We previously told members that we would be moving away from reactionary statements and Q&A type interactions with the club, which have proved to be ineffective. As the second largest shareholder in the club, we believe that we should be in a position to influence decision-making rather than just seek explanations for decisions that have already been taken. With our current shareholding Club 1872 is in a position that no previous fans groups have achieved, which means that we shouldn’t need to operate as a pressure group operating from the outside looking in. While we have a responsibility to update members on how we are communicating with the club, we also have a duty to push for what we believe is a more constructive and effective dialogue than the Rangers support has been used to in the past. Club 1872 directors are Rangers fans first and foremost, and offer our personal assurances to members that as a matter of priority, we have communicated their and our own concerns directly to the club. Our Membership & Engagement group has been working with our RSCs group to engage potential members and develop stronger links with Rangers Supporters Clubs. Over the last few weeks we have delivered presentations to various RSCs across the UK, including Greenock Britannia Loyal, London Branch and Surrey True Blues, Grapes Bar Loyal and Granite City. A number of the RSCs we’ve been in contact with have donated generously to our share issue campaign and are now taking part in spreading the word about Club 1872 by sharing sign-up forms with their members and contacts. We have other events planned for the coming weeks, and are always looking for more contacts within the RSC community. If your RSC would like to speak to us about getting involved or to organise a presentation, please email us at engagement@club1872.co.uk. EVENTS In December we hosted a Christmas Fayre that was attended by Rangers Supporters Erskine Association (RSEA) and RYDC representatives. A Club 1872 sign-up stall was also in place. Since then Club 1872 has maintained a match-day presence. Our volunteers have been getting out around the stadium on match days to hand our sign-up forms and speak to supporter about Club 1872. PROJECTS Our projects group has been investigating a number of potential projects. Iain Mulholland, the director who has been co-ordinating our projects group has stepped down from the Club 1872 board but not before completing a walking football proposal on which members will shortly be asked to vote. Walking Football provides the opportunity for fans aged 50 + to take part in the sport that they love. It targets socially isolated individuals using the hook of the club to bring people together for some physical exercise and the chance to build their network of people in the local community. The session lasts 2 hours, the first hour is activity helping with participant’s well-being both physical and mental through enjoyable structured walking football, whilst the second hour is for socialising and building positive relationships which can be carried forward out with the sessions. Walking Football would take place at the Ibrox Complex with the social time taking place in the Ibrox Community Hub. Our projects group has also been working on a proposal to fund a vehicle to transport disabled supporters to the stadium on match days. Details of this proposal will be sent to members in the next few weeks, with a view to this project potentially being delivered for the beginning of next season. ACCOUNTS Accounts for the Club 1872 Shares CIC were submitted to Companies House by The Houston Partnership in March. At the time of writing this update, those accounts have not been updated on the Companies House website, but they should be available to view in due course. Accounts for the Projects CIC are due at the end of May. ADMIN/SOCIAL MEDIA Our admin team has replied to 820 emails (114 per week) since the beginning of this year. Our social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram) are managed by Club 1872 volunteers and collectively are reaching over 100,000 people. You can follow us here Twitter - @club1872rfc Facebook - www.facebook.com/club1872rfc/ YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKx9wlrUO3QWyg_y95HOrKA Instagram - instagram.com/club1872rfc/ FANSBET In March, we polled members on the following questions: Do you: 1) agree that the Board of Club 1872 Limited should pursue the negotiations with FansBet outlined to members and seek to conclude a deal between Club 1872 Limited and the companies trading under the FansBet name 2) authorise the Board of Club 1872 Limited to finalise and conclude the terms of an agreement or agreements with the companies trading as FansBet? 75.2% of members voted in favour and 24.8% against. The Club 1872 board will now progress discussions and seek to conclude a deal between Club 1872 Limited and the companies trading under the FansBet name, and will update members of any progress on this. POLICE SCOTLAND Club 1872 remains in discussions with Police Scotland regarding the treatment of Rangers supporters and are seeking changes in the way we have been policed in certain circumstances. This has so far been a healthy dialogue and we hope that it will lead to some substantive changes in approach. We will meet Police Scotland again following the Celtic v Rangers game on Sunday 29th April. SLO We have met a number of times with Greg Marshall, the club’s Supporters Laision Officer to discuss various topics including match day experience and communication between supporters and the club. RANGERS CHARITY FOUNDATION Club 1872’s relationship with the Rangers Charity Foundation remains very positive. We have met with them a number of times to discuss potential projects, and are pleased to be at the point of asking members to vote on the walking football project mentioned above. Further details on how to vote will be sent to members following this update.

So we can sell more ST than we have seats? Excellent news.

I always thought Gersnet was like the village with relatively little traffic compared to the metropolis of FF and it's busy clutter,....but with so many things going-on, Gersnet is very busy. We have share offers, new players, fevered managerial speculation, statements galore and the small matter of an Old Firm match is shunted into the background.

Last night was a very decent meeting IMHO , this current club1872 spoke as one and were different to previous boards in that there is a decent amount of joined up thinking and adult thought going into the way forward . However one serious issue remains , the funding of the next share issue is going to be a problem unless there is a serious take up in either membership or donations , its currently sitting at £520 000 with a target of £1 million ( there is a possibility of £1.7 million being needed ) , we must avoid dilution of club1872s shareholding , and it may be that the money in the projects accounts is possibly used towards the share issue . I must stress that this would need to go to a members vote for this to be able to happen , however I would hope this would get passed if asked by the board .

Oops!

I know this may sound perverse but the proposed parking restrictions would assist not hinder disabled parking issues around Ibrox as Blue Badges are valid in those event areas that require residents permits.

Although I'm becoming a broken record on the subject, that should have been thought about before the decision to buy shares on the open market was taken. There was always the strong possibility that it would result in a future dilution.

MOH, a man that has barely played 5 minutes in a year and a half, is worse than Windass, our joint-top scorer and one of our best performers? Yes, I think you're right.

Yeh looks like an informal question was asked in private and Clarke has done the right thing and given his answer privately whilst publicly asserting the fact that there has been no approach from the club.

Our 3rd strip is Black....

I still think they needed to buy those shares , at the end of the day this is yet another example of Rangers fans apathy , if this fails and club1872 s shareholding is diluted then it's down to us the fans and no one else , we are world champions in wanting someone else to do things for us , we talk a good game but don't follow it up with actions . Look at the foundation of hearts supporters , over 8000 and putting over £115,000 a month working capital into their club , but our supporters prefer to snipe from the shadows , it's truly pathetic . one last point on this , IMHO there should never have been an option for projects , club1872 should only ever have been a vehicle for share purchases.

You'll get little traction from Club 1872 on that score as unlike safe standing it simply isn't sexy enough for them.

I’m oddly optimistic about this one. We know we only have one choice of tactics which was proved in the surrender at Hampden and that is to take the game to them and that is where we are strongest and they are weakest.

Unfortunately I don't think you see any way to look at Rangers in a positive light.

Anybody else feel this will fail to happen and we will all be left feeling embarrassed again?

With five words, delivered deliberately but emphatically, Steven Gerrard captured the way he played football and the way he now coaches football. “My teams will be physical,” he says with an emphasis that underlines a determination to ensure that one of the game’s most basic and enduring qualities is not lost having already been watered down. Asked how he will deliver on that ambition in a culture of showboating, Liverpool’s newly appointed under-18s manager does not take a backward step. “Fifty fifties,” he responds with a laugh that confirmed that he was joking about the strategy if not about the principle. If the thought of Gerrard thundering into the kind of challenges that provided a physical edge to one of English football’s great careers is enough to bring the youngsters at Liverpool’s Academy out in a cold sweat, his tongue in cheek remark should not be taken literally. But the throwaway line is in keeping with a long-held belief that to thrive at the highest level even the most talented players must combine physical intensity with individual skill. Gerrard might not say that he agrees with critics of the academy system who claim giving children the best of everything guarantees only that they will be softened up, but the way he outlines his coaching vision indicates that the players who come under his tutelage will be expected to be as committed, both physically and mentally, as they are gifted. It isn’t that Gerrard is anti-talent, the opposite is actually true, but he does harbour a fear that some of the football influences that youngsters now come under are not always positive for their development and that is something that he intends to combat. What Gerrard is outlining is the footballer’s graft bible, the philosophies of which he subscribed to as a player and which he now espouses on a daily basis at Liverpool’s Academy in Kirkby. Prior to confirmation of his elevation to taking charge of the club’s under-18s team, the former midfielder was given access to all age groups at training sessions and games in order to allow him to build up his experience and influence before a permanent role was decided upon. During that period, those who worked under Gerrard and who watched him in action all came to the conclusion that he wanted them to – that he would settle for nothing but 100% effort and a desire to perform at the highest standard at all times. Prior to confirmation of his elevation to taking charge of the club’s under-18s team, the former midfielder was given access to all age groups at training sessions and games in order to allow him to build up his experience and influence before a permanent role was decided upon. During that period, those who worked under Gerrard and who watched him in action all came to the conclusion that he wanted them to – that he would settle for nothing but 100% effort and a desire to perform at the highest standard at all times. That became apparent early on during his “shadowing” phase when Gerrard would work alongside Liverpool’s various age group managers in order to learn on the job at the same time as giving players the benefit of his considerable experience. Two games, in particular, stand out from that period – a 2-0 win for the under-18s against Manchester City before which he gave his first ever team talk and a 2-2 draw for the same side away to Manchester United in a match in which they had been reduced to ten men – with many of those present taken aback by Liverpool’s physical approach on both occasions. Leaving that answer trailing is as deliberate as the sentiments behind it but while those who Gerrard is coaching are on a learning curve in terms of his expectations and style, so too is he as he works towards the completion of his A licence which the former England captain hopes to obtain before the end of this season. As well as concluding those formalities, Gerrard has also been involved in a more informal process in which he has sought and taken the advice from Liverpool’s established coaches, ranging from first team manager Jurgen Klopp to Academy director Alex Inglethorpe and Steve Heighway who also managed him as a young player. Inglethorpe’s constructive criticism has been taken on board and Gerrard does not shy away from revealing the kind of advice he has been given. “Body language on the side in coaching sessions,” he specifies. “Alex also talked to me about my coaching voice and he wants it to be the same as it was when I was a player, when I was captain. He is very good.” Gerrard describes his relationship with Klopp as “good” and “very strong” and the Liverpool manager helped his high profile protégé come to the conclusion that taking an under-18s team would be the ideal starting point for his coaching career. “It was a bit from me, a bit from Jurgen and a bit from Alex if you like,” Gerrard says. “I don’t know why I just got a connection with that age group. It is a place where I can go and make many, many mistakes because that is what I have been told I am going to do and I probably will do that. Every manager and coach I have spoken to While his ambitions for himself and his players are characteristically high, there is an acceptance that the jump from youth football to first team, which he made at the age of 18, can be too big for some but the fact that the opportunity to take that step exists under Klopp gives Gerrard hope that others will follow Trent Alexander Arnold to Melwood. “I think a lot of them are shocked with step up to Melwood from Gerrard doesn’t say it but the development of Alexander-Arnold, an athletic, marauding midfielder who came into the first team at right back, is reminiscent of his own emergence. It also indicates that the 36-year-old has a keen eye for a player having identified his potential while still a Liverpool player. “He has all the attributes” Gerrard said of the teenager two years ago and his prediction looks increasingly well founded. Now, though, Gerrard must show that he can harness talent as well as spotting it but while he admits he will “have to wait and see” what his strengths are as a coach, he is not intimidated by having to prove himself. “These nerves are excitement,” he says. “I feel confident I can do a good job and I am really looking forward to it. I am not scared nervous – I am excited nervous.” https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/steven-gerrard-liverpool-manager-interview-tony-barrett-123415

He seems to be flexible, tactically: Befitting his style as a player, Gerrard arrived in the role with a stripped-back, no-nonsense approach, looking to run the rule over his squad before making any big calls. He gave a telling insight into his demands as a coach speaking with BT Sport in April, saying in order to make it as a senior professional “you have to be obsessed.” “I love talent and I love seeing it, but at Liverpool’s academy, the important thing is they need to understand the other side of the game,” he explained. “Fighting, winning, tackling. Going where it hurts, letting your lungs burns, really digging deep.” He elaborated on this outlook later that month, vowing: “My teams will be physical.” When he took the reins at Kirkby, he began with the basics, in a back-four system, alternating between a 4-4-2 diamond and a 4-2-3-1. But in the absence of right-back options Neco Williams, Jordan Hunter and captain Liam Coyle of late, Gerrard has switched to a 3-4-3, which has prompted an excellent run of performances. This has typically seen a three-man defence of Anthony Driscoll-Glennon, Tom Clayton and the impressive Rhys Williams, with Adam Lewis and Rafa Camacho his most accomplished wing-backs. Switching formations has allowed Gerrard to retain a solid base, with the energy of Edvard Tagseth and the composure of Elijah Dixon-Bonner providing a welcome platform in midfield. And the use of wing-backs has seen the young Reds improve in fluidity in the final third, with Curtis Jones shining in a free attacking role and Liam Millar in particular thriving up front. It’s not about just getting his best players on the pitch, however: Gerrard has showcased a refined tactical nous in his first half-season, too. This has been most notable with the U19s in the UEFA Youth League, of which he acknowledged in September, saying: “You play against different tactics, different formations—a different style.” One clear example of this came in October’s 4-1 win away to Maribor, fielding high defensive line to counter the Slovenians’ long-ball approach. And this was again shown in November’s 4-0 triumph at Sevilla, when Liverpool began with a high-intensity pressing game before sitting back and playing on the counter in order to frustrate an emotional opponent. Appointing a youth coach of Gerrard’s reputation was a bold move by the Reds, risking an overawed dressing room, while his lack of experience could have proved an issue. But with Critchley attesting in August that the 37-year-old had “thrown himself right into it,” these concerns were swiftly allayed. And Gerrard’s impact on Liverpool’s U18s ranks is clear in his excellent man-management. https://www.thisisanfield.com/2017/12/analysing-steven-gerrards-start-life-liverpool-u18s/

Whether that is true or not, it sure has put much needed exicitement into the club. Jim Bowen Loyal That's the Gamble

SBS, what would it take to make you happy again buddy? The only answer I can think is is a time machine or a fairy Godmother.....just saying pal. Our current reality is a b***h.

I knew you posted it I just couldn't remember where. Cheers.

I posted it in the youths thread last week, it is on Monday live on STV 2

This is pleasing.

What's the definition of madness again?

I don't think the game was deliberately lost. For me, Hibs went out and won it, playing in such a way that exposed perhaps, a lack of urgency or degree of complacency. It was very similar to the Hearts 4-0 defeat in that respect. The order of the fixtures seemed to be a contrived fudge after whatever negotiations went on between various authorities. It didn't have the OF game first up but provided the best possibility for it to be delayed until the second round and the OF game.

Aye, but if everyone turns up at the airport and they have over-sold... have you seen just how much it costs the airline to have people voluntarily be bumped ? RFC would end up paying more than they make on the original ST sale I would sign up to that too - I would buy a 5 year ST if there was a discount. The only concern would be the club blowing the longer-term money in the shoter-term rather than using the "matching" concept (accountant term )

There is always twitching curtains in Suburbia and a lot going on behind the scenes.

I think you must be looking for the 'Anderston Quay' thread At least that is where the DR/SM building used to be. As a young lad on the way to Ibrox, I'd see the DR/SM building from the supporters bus window. Believe it or not, I thought it a semi-interesting place given that at the time, I read so many 'exclusives' on Rangers that came from this building. Back to Clarke 'refusal' and apparent contradiction Nothing to see, perhaps there was a 3rd party approach and SC is playing a straight bat, perhaps there wasn't.

Think the whole coach manager debate would probably be used to explain the drop. Personally do think we used to massively over pay, but if we keep looking for managers in the richest league set up in the world then at our budget we will not often find unearthed diamonds. Same wage further afield brings more and in my opinion better options. But too many are stuck on this nonsense about needing to know our ways and British etc it's why I say we are xenophobic. We should look at other nations and learn instead we want them to change to ways and styles that no longer bring success

I've also heard him say he loves Scotland seemed to be linked with Hearts at one time.

No need for the polarised angle, sounds much more like frustration.

If we could get Steven Gerrard it would be the best thing since Souness and with a good assistant like Souness had we ould attract good players as well as much needed investment as no doubt King will know 20 million times over ,go on get him in today .

I think sticking with Cummings might be a good idea - give Ceptic something different to think about. The key thing this weekend is to constantly close down their players when they have the ball - don't give them ANY time to think or plan a pass....that is when they fall apart. We did it well against Hearts and allowed us to nick the ball from their toes on several occasions. That will also get them rattled & open up space for Cummings, Murphy & Candeias to exploit.

Can't disagree with most of that. I would still go with Cummings over Morelos, as I think Fredo has had more than enough chances to prove himself against Celtic this season. Bring him on as a sub at some point - giving him plenty of time to get up to speed - but start Jason, as I think he will be out to try and win himself a permanent contract next season and may well hold the key to winning this game for us.

The excitement obviously comes from his qualities & reputation as a player....he is a BIG name in world football. The hope is that those same qualities that make him a world class player & winner, convert over to coaching. As it stands there is no evidence to suggest that it won't transfer, so no "negative facts" to use against him. On the flip side, there are very limited stats to show success as a coach - sitting 3rd in the U18 league, against more experienced coached ain't overly bad. Ultimately, any excitement is 100% based on potential. While it all may be paper talk, one thing that it will do is get the club name into the media is a positive light. Having the amount of column inches & airtime dedicated to discussing SG & Rangers should be no bad thing....might even persuade a "bigger" name to enter the ring.

I really hope the board have their man. Would be unthinkable if Gerrard pulled out like McInnes at the 11th hour.

That doesn't really make sense. With justification or not, football supporters do tend to get 'excited' by big or well known names. It's almost a perception of brand value. Gerrard isn't "a guy", he is Steven Gerrard. A little further down the line, excitement then morphs into something else, either positive or negative.

The crucial aspect to this prospective appointment is what backing he would receive, ie. bottomline, what kind of player would be recruited. If it were to be of a notably better quality than we currently have, then a degree of excitement (extra sales/coverage, etc) would follow, ie. new manager + better players = reasonable expectations for positive change. SG as the new manager alone would invite reasonable doubt, opposed to positive expectation.

Let's not forget Dr Joe [emoji23]

I still can't see it (the guy's Liverpool through and through) , but he has played to a standard none of our current crop could even dream of. I'm excited about the possibility , doubts ? yes (from both perspectives), but yeah , let's do it. [emoji4]

If Gerrard rumour is true. It only goes to show the pull our great club still has. Despite everything its been through. Cliché but we are the people.

Interesting,...very different results !

I'd take Alex Neil or Warnock before Gerrard. Proven managers

Please forget about the 5M figure, it's pie-in-the-sky fantasy Colin Nish peddled by an interested party. The reality is that he has a year left on his contract and a fee won't get anywhere near 5M.

Can we move it along to the Wim Jansen era soon then?

I wouldn't pay £1M for him never mind £5M, he's not any better than what we've been linked to elsewhere, surely the poster is at it here