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Tomorrow evening's League Cup quarter-final against the Honest Men is an opportunity for Steven Gerrard to lay down part of a big marker. There is a similarity to Souness's first season, league draws and defeats had seen Rangers off the pace. Progress in Europe and in the then Skol Cup had fueled optimism. We were paired with Dundee at Ibrox in the last eight, the previous dozen years had seen the dark blues end our cups' involvement on three occasions. There was considerable relief to see Rangers run out 4-1 winners in front of a packed Stadium. We knew we were two games and a calendar month away from securing the first silverware of the season, and so it transpired, defeating ra Sellik 2-1 in the Hampden final on the 26th of October. It was the beginning of a quarter of a century of success. Momentum is everything in football, and Ayr United are on a roll. They were crowned League one champions at the conclusion of last season's final game, and they climbed to the top of the Championship on Saturday last, after recovering from a 2-nil deficit to run-out 3-2 winners. Their top scorer is Lawrence Shankland, currently boasting 21 goals, including three hat-tricks. The centre forward began at Rangers, leaving as a teenager to join Aberdeen. He scored regularly at youth/reserve level, was loaned to a number of clubs, arriving at St Mirren where the perceived wisdom was he carried a dozen extra pounds and lacked the necessary determination to make the top grade. His arrival at Somerset Park changed everything, he became a personal trainer, lost the timber, and honed a real sharpness. There are a number of well kent faces supporting Shankland, Andy Murdoch is no stranger to the Bears, Alan Forrest notched against us in February, and Michael Moffat's intention to fund more Bookies' children through private schooling, are all deserving of a mention. Their manager, Ian McCall is another former Ranger. His playing career saw him start at Fir Park, move to Queens Park, pin balled to East End Park, before arriving at Rangers for £200,000. His debur was at Sellik Park, his first touch a defensive header at an opposition corner, he hit the bar. In the next three seasons, he made 24 appearances, scored 2 goals, including a spectacular winner against Hibs. The Doonhamer resided in the city's west end and tales of his bohemian lifestyle quickly circulated. He missed a couple of training sessions and was transferred to Bradford City for the same amount involved in his arrival. A few years later, he was celebrated in song, "he's white, he's blue, he shat in Simon's shoe". Stainrod had big shoes to fill. McCall's managerial career has been long and varied. Began at Clydebank when the then owners were attempting to transfer the club to a Dublin base. He moved to Airdrie, Morton, Falkirk, Dundee United, Queen of the South, Partick Thistle, before washing up at Ayr. His tenure at Tannadice saw him face Rangers in a League Cup semi-final. Barry Ferguson returned from down south that very day, he was put on as a sub', Rangers running out 7-1 victors. McCall's honesty was refreshing, "it's all my fault, at 2-1 down I decided to go kamikaze"! Bohemians from Dumfries, what are they like? The decades do not change Ian, according to today's press; he is determined to attack Rangers and stick by his preferred two up front. I suspect the game will be entertaining and hopefully McCall will be walking back to Ayr in Simon's shoes. I think Gerrard will ring the changes : Foderingham, Flanagan, Goldson, Worrall, Wallace, Halliday, McCrorie, Grezda, Arfield, Middleton, and Morelos. I take the Bears to go through on the back of a 4-1 victory. In 1986, a month after securing the League Cup, we sat fourth in the Premiership. We exited Europe on December 10th, and went on a 19 league match unbeaten run that brought our first title in nine years. Win this trophy and the momentum will be ours.

There should be no meeting half way and no compromise in the PR war. When this is over we should not stop. When we are back on top we should proactively chase everyone of them for their lies and attempts do destroy us. No retreat, no backing down, we go after them all. There spurious fictional reporting has been designed to harm both club and supporters. It’s not just the BBC, but they, along with the DR are the biggest haters out there.

I think it was Stevie who was commenting on how big a player Arfield is becoming. Have to say I totally agree and I think he's going to be a huge player for us. He's not always pretty on the eye as we saw againt Villareal, but he is a goalscorer. I am struggling not to get carried away with my expectations because I'm excited by how many goalscorers we have in the squad and how much depth we have. To have any chance of winning the league you need players who will score goals, regardless of how well they've played. Arfield made his finish against Villareal look easy, as did Lafferty his finish against Saints, but these are the kind of chances we haven't been scoring because we haven't had natural goalscorers. Grezda will be coming in to the squad over the coming weeks and months and is another player who has a record for not only doing his bit for the team as a winger, but scoring plenty of goals too. With Dorrans and hopefully Rossiter ready to strengthen the squad, and Middleton emerging as a real talent too, I think we are in for a great season.

This is all down to the B.B.C. Rangers shouldn't budge an inch.

Bang on Coop. THIS is the only way to deal with the BBC. Anything else is not only craven but pointless.

With respect those aren't the only options. It's not beyond the wit of both organisations to come up with a statement that allows both to save face and allows supporters to enjoy proper coverage of their club again. Intransigence just means no one moves forward.

If anything, Rangers should be more aggressive and call them out for their uneven coverage. Why are Rangers fans shortchanged like this? And they should regularly invite English based BBC journalists up to speak to Gerrard.

If he has then I hope the Rangers lawyers have not left any loopholes this time.

Many words have more than one meaning TBS, enjoy; possess and benefit from. "the security forces enjoy legal immunity from prosecution" synonyms:benefit from, have the benefit of, reap the benefits of, have the advantage, have the use of, have available, avail oneself of... When faced with the choice of no coverage or the BBC's coverage I'd rather the latter. Many supporters can't get Clyde where they live, the BBC then becomes their only option for commentary.

In all seriousness how can you enjoy coverage from the BBC? Can't stand listening to the low brow coverage from them or Clyde

Sometimes if you take a step back and think about just how ridiculous this subject has become, you might well conclude the world has gone utterly mad. Adults across an allegedly developed society fretting over the words of a football song. Football governing authorities ruling over supporters' songs. National governments passing legislation to curb the lyrics of choice in football chants. Church leaders pontificating over the moral compasses of football fans. Wtf is going on? Is this really what needs our attention? Are there no more important issues in this world in need of the time and energy wasted on petty shite like this? It's embarrassing just to think about it but it does at least serve as a credible benchmark for the stupidity and pointlessness of much of modern society. The immaturity is staggering. I'm glad I generally manage to rise above it.

Folks, I will post my review of the Ayr United this evening.

Listen to me display my Love for Stevie Gerrard & a barking debut from the dog! ?

Is there a more iconic image of a Rangers player than the one of Alan Morton in full flight? It's used on that 100 years poster and it's just one of those wonderful images that captures something special. Photography is an art form and that image, right leg fully stretched, left leg as high is can go to control the ball, both arms outstretched for balance, captures the essence of the player and all that's beautiful about football. There's movement, artistry, concentration and timeless quality to it. The light blue of the jersey, the style of boot, the perfect timeless haircut, that heavy ball and the fact that you can see other players but not make the out, the photo is all about Morton and his dynamism. You can tell he's small from the photo, which helps you conjure up his personality and his courage. Images of the Colin Stein in Barcelona, Gasgcoine, arms bent in front of him, numerous images of McCoist, Hateley wheeling away after that header against Aberdeen, Papac in Florence in front of the support are all great images, but that one of Morton, a player most of us never saw and some will never have heard of, just embodies something special. I just love it.

Great as always mate. thanks.

A statement? Seriously, do you really think the current situation is going to be resolved by a f**king "statement". Get a grip of yourself.

Here's a 'sevco of the week' for next week. From kiddydale st unsurprisingly. ?

I wouldn't mind winning this cup just for Stevie and the team to capture some silverware but it is a bit of a paper cup these days. I really want anyone but the yahoos to win it ending their treble treble raving right from the start.

Who cares? Flaunt your reasonableness to someone else. It’s boring as hell.

Oh let's not forget them. Ooops I've already forgotten about them. How sad.

Fair enough buddy. Just being super cranky tbh. The podcast is fantastic. I guess I just hate to listen to anything about their loon ball tendancies

its not about 'them' its a light hearted review of some of the previous weeks crazy comments by supporters of other clubs in a closing segment that lasts 1-2 minutes tops. If its not for you then you can skip past it to the following weeks schedule and credits. Each to their own.

Great blog. My only negative comment would be is that I'm not a fan of the Sevco section. I know how unhinged they are when it comes to Rangers but I don't really want to hear about them on a Rangers podcast. It just seems odd to highlight them being obsessed and then spend time talking about them on a Rangers podcast. Maybe it's just me?

Dog doesn’t care to be honest, she only cared when it was Delivery time ?

It would be an option that wouldn't excuse or solve the issue at hand, ie. the national and publicly financed broadcaster not fullfilling it's obligations to licence payers. Simply put, we have a right to get proportionate independent coverage and that is over and above the 'ongoing issue' stemming from McLaughlin and the withdrawal of his press privilages. It seems clear that PQ are now adopting an increasingly in your face 'f**k you' approach with decisions around recent coverage.

Rangers radio is clearly the best solution. I think I'll write to the club about it.

Rumours that JD Sports are going to get a delivery of kits to go on sale shortly too...

You should hear the patter\bunders that are not recorded or sent out. It would make an excellent Christmas special. I doubt we would be online for a few weeks after though with red faces. Graeme has us at his mercy.

To be honest I think If we win the league the BBC will revel in them keeping silent on it. I think they are past feeling stupid. They just don't give a shit about rangers or their supporters.

I was driving home on Sunday and tuned in to Radio Scotland to see how Rangers were getting on. All I got was a discussion about Celtic's defeat and their poor form. Eventually there was a very brief mention that Rangers were leading 1-0 then back to Celtic. I managed to tune into Radio Clyde who were also banging on about Celtic but did have a detailed update on what was happening at Ibrox at regular intervals. What I wanted of course and what other Rangers fans want is a continuous commentary on the game. Something needs to give or change.

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I might get the wee man a strip for Christmas. Grown men in football tops (unless playing football) tend to look a bit silly.

Yesterday was more of the same for license fee paying Rangers supporters. PQ's live coverage of Killie/Sellik began at midday and went all the way until eight minutes to three. It was the full bhuna furra Bhoys. Big Dick, Liam McLeod, Pat Bonner, Gary Holt(for a semblance of balance), and Chic Young doing pitch side. Before and after the match, Chick interviewed both managers, Stevie Clarke and Brendan Rodgers. Teams and substitutes were read out, speculation on both sides' formations and styles of play offered. Live commentary was augmented by Bonner's and Holt's insight. Table positions read out and both sides' next opposition mentioned and speculated upon. At quarter to three, Hugh MacDonald and Tom English were introduced and immediately they joined in on the crisis being experienced by ra Sellik. They agreed that Hearts were the beneficiaries, Hibs and Aberdeen would be relieved at the Rugby Park result too. Tom rattled on about ra Sellik's annual wage bill of £60 million and concluded the Board were backing Brenda. Hugh dismissed having pants on his head with two pencils stuck up his nose, Sellik had recently battered Rangers, again! However, there was mild alarm. Big Dick had to interrupt to allow Rob McLean to begin being across events at Ibrox. The man who groaned his way through both Rangers equalisers in Spain, read out both teams at eight minutes to three. He did not mention subs and there was no speculation on formations or styles of play. In fact, being across events ended at the teams. Big Dick, Hugh, and Tom began talking rugby union. Over the next two hours, the three Amigos talked tennis, rugby, and golf. Their was a several line half-time report from Rob that announced Rangers were on easy street. The last update was the Saints penalty. Big Dick vented some angst with, "Rangers will move into second position on goal difference. Still, they remain five points behind Hearts". We did NOT receive a full time report because Craig Connolly(Ryder Cup Caddy) had joined the crew and was regaling the trio with golfing vim and brio. The Producer ran the show until five O'Clock with no further mention of the Rangers game or final scorer. After the five O'Clock news, the girl providing the Sports Report mentioned Candeias had scored Rangers fifth in a 5-1 victory. Further, it appears PQ no longer calls the opposition manager post match. Being across events means both teams being read out, a short halt-time report, an occasional haphazard update, and the final result being broadcast in the hourly sports report. ......... and still they continue to take our monies for little to no service.

Don't listen to it

Liverpool isn't that far in the grand scheme of things. His family situation is his business.