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Amen to that. There were times I wondered if I'd ever see the good times again and there's no way I'm going to waste one minute of this by fretting over trivial issues. One day soon we're going to see silverware lifted by a Rangers captain and "the journey" will be over. And you know the best thing ? All those bastards who tried to do us down will be there to watch us arrive.

What a shocker - we're not perfect. Whisper it, we sometimes make mistakes. There is no absolute in football, only progress and improvement, a moment's success or failure. Everything is only ever relative. We're a better team than we were, we play better football than we did, we're a better team than Celtic, we're an inferior team to Liverpool, we need to be an even better team next season. We'll never be perfect, we'll always make mistakes and accepting that allows us to focus on the bigger picture and remain positive about games like last night. What we're achieving in Europe since Gerrard arrived is beyond spectacular for a club with our budget. Now we're starting to see the same progress domestically. So when we lose a couple of goals to one of Europe's really big spenders, am I disappointed? Or am I basking in the warm glow of success and thinking back to a no-scoring draw at Montrose at the start of this journey. Frankly, any Rangers supporter who isn't enjoying every morsel of this revival needs to seek urgent therapy.

It's worth bearing in mind that the BBC 'boycott' is a BBC Scotland Sport management decision, not one made by individual journalists or presenters. As we've pointed out in this thread before individual BBC employees have fallen out with specific clubs or managers in the past and it's not resulted in those clubs being largely ignored. Sir Alex Ferguson refused to speak to Alan Green for years, Alan Green was one of the leading commentators on Five Live and Match Of The Day during that time, indeed a much more high profile position than Chris McLaughlin has. Strangely the BBC didn't choose to stop attending Old Trafford, they just sent a different commentator. Likewise Harry Redknapp and Sam Allardyce, both high profile Premier League managers at the time, refused to speak to the BBC, which led to their assistant managers giving post match interviews for several years. Again, the BBC continued to cover their matches in a normal fashion. While I assume Ms McLaughlin supports her brother, it's unfair to criticise her for doing her job correctly. She's welcome at Ibrox and will continue to be if she can do her job in a half competent manner. I mean it's not like the bar is set all that high for the average Scottish football journo; simply treat our club the same way you treat all the others. It's worth reiterating that the BBC aren't banned by Rangers and only one of their journalists had his press credentials refused. It's their choice not to cover our games. Once again this ludicrous decision looks petty and unprofessional. It was easy for them to ignore us when we were in the Championship or stumbling around the SPFL. But now we're the leading side in the country, playing superb football, achieving results not seen by Scottish sides for decades with a high profile, young, charismatic and media friendly manager and their decision to ostracise our support over something this petty surely breaches their own guidelines. Of course the longer this goes on the harder it becomes for anyone to concede ground, so our support suffer for their arrogance and intransigence. The danger for the BBC is nature abhors a vacuum. The hole they're leaving is being filled by others, both professional and not so professional. Glasgow has a new radio station this year, one that's made sport a big focus. There are numerous podcasts devoted to Rangers now too (although some have little quality control around who they invite on...), recently News International launched The Times radio station on DAB. I think you'll see more of this type of media crossover in the future and it's only a matter of time before someone else tries to buy the radio broadcast rights for the SPFL. We might not like Rob McLean, or countless others, but I suspect few are willing to risk their jobs to support what is an increasingly ridiculous stance.

I find it crazy that some Rangers fans are complaining about any of our matches just now! I know every fan is entitled an opinion, however opinions is all they are. Our manager and his backroom staff are the professionals and are paid to make the team successful and so far they are on track. I mentioned on here the other day how good a team we are! brilliant to watch! still unbeaten in all competitions!. Fantastic to what we have been seeing since 2012. We were all sitting in a packed Ibrox watching dross on our way back up the leagues, yet here we are playing excellent football and none of the fans can get into Ibrox to witness it!

I thought Tav's header was poor (he admitted as much in his post-match interview). Benfica's second was something else - four or five top class quick passes, an excellent finish and one of those goals you just have to accept.

what we have to realise is if we drew no matter what Gerrard did we would be grumbling. say we made 5 subs at 2-1 and drew we would be going what was he thinking making so many changes. That's human nature. Sure with hindsight I would have liked changes as well. I am basking in the results across these 2 legs though. we would have put them out on aggregate. Quite some scalp in that sense.

Put me in the 'why didn't we make any subs' camp. I'd have replaced our forward three with Barker, Hagi and Itten and either Davis or Arfield with Helander when it was 2-1. We were clearly struggling to match them at that point as their 4 subs injected freshness and energy to their play. Looking at our bench you realise we're still a bit thin squad wise. It feels like Stewart and Barjonas are simply being kept around to make up the numbers as neither looks like ever playing while Dickson and King are not close to being ready for this level. That grumble aside I can't lose sight of the fact we just went toe-to-toe with Benfica and produced two wonderful matches. Ten goals, some wonderful football from both sides, and, in truth both sides can feel fortunate to have drawn while also feeling they could have won. The simple truth is our first team are now at the same level as Benfica and if we can maintain that this season we'll play European football after Christmas and we'll win the league. No slip ups, no distractions, keep focused and keep playing as we can and it won't matter if they appoint Guardiola assisted by Klopp, this will be our season. We can all see the potential now, we know 55 is in our own hands and if they can keep entertaining us with that beautiful football we play then so much the better.

all to do with interfering with play / phases of play

Disagree. The only reason that bench looked weak is because of the European rules on homegrown players - that is why King, Dickson and Barjonas were on the bench.

Bit of a gap in the middle of the defence for the Benfica opener?

And as an aside to those points above , over the 2 games , we were behind for the grand total of 22 minutes over 180 .

Every game I'm left in wonder at how far we've come in the last couple of years - as a team, as a club. Pride, relief, joy ... it's all there

Benfica, Porto, Villarreal and Feyenoord have been unable to beat us in the last couple of years. That would be impressive for any Rangers side. I'm happy with our European performances.

For everyone justifiably disappointed by drawing at home against Benfica after being 2 up and having a stonewall penalty ruled out by the blind linesman , just pause and draw breath , think back to a small filed in Luxembourg a few short years ago. This team are amazing IMHO , I'm so so proud of them and love watching them , we had a midfield that cost 50 grand , not 50 million , 50 thousand pounds .just let that sink in , 1 more point seals qualification .

Benfica have spent circa €100M in 2020, have players with years of CL experience, and we've effectivly drawn 5-5 on aggregate with them and lead them in the group with two games remaining. On paper we should be fighting for 3rd or 4th place in the group but in reality we are well placed for 1st or 2nd place. That is nothing short of outstanding.

Seeded in pot 4 and unbeaten thus far and 1 win away (possibly a draw) from qualification with a home game next week. Would have bitten your hand off for that at start of competition. We are punching way above or weight tonight and didn't look our of place. Deep breaths, calm heads, our EL destiny is still in our own hands as we top the group 5 points clear of 3rd and 4th placed teams.

Reminder. It's Thursday 26th November, tonight we play a renowned European side with genuine pedigree, Benfica. We have the opportunity of qualifying for the knock out stages of the Europa Cup after four group stage games. Meanwhile, ra Sellik travel to Prague hoping for a miracle. They sit bottom of their Europa Cup group. I watched BBC Scotland's news bulletin at 13.30 hrs, and they reminded viewers of tonight's football and coverage on BBC Radio Scotland. Here's the reminder, both clubs have elderly, infirm, lonely, remotely isolated, and living those lives on fixed incomes. Both sets of supporters pay their license fees, in return receiving a service from BBC Scotland. One grouping is more equal than the other, they will receive, "all the build up and full live commentary from Prague". The other grouping will receive, "updates from Rangers against Benfica". The Gang Hut's usual suspects get to talk sellik and are rewarded with an early night. The naughty step crew(actually, it will be just the one, probably Billy Dodds) will be contained in a studio, watching BT Sports coverage and doing both half-time and full time updates beginning with the phrases, 'we believe' or, 'apparently'. On Sunday, Liam McLeod commentated as live from SKY TV's coverage; obviously, there's a problem for PQ to acknowledge doing the same with BT or Rangers TV? In this country, we do not have a single MSP or MP prepared to highlight how one part of the community is exclusively shafted, again and again. We cannot expect the Gang Hut to acknowledge taking Rangers supporters' license fees and deliberately continuing to supply a much lesser service. Five years and counting, those fees have contributed to their salaries and expenses, they have helped pay their mortgages and school fees for their privately educated children. The departing words of Bill Whiteford appear to have fell on Steve Carson's deaf ears?

I thought Kamara was outstanding

Unbelievable and they are not sponsored by Specsavers like the Scots ones?

i work with a Benfica fan he is so impressed with us. Says the Commentator last night was talking about how we are Europe's surprise package this year. He was also saying they were talking about how we had been getting big press in France, Spain, Italy and the like.

Certainly up there but maybe not numeral uno.

he has to say that he is in charge of football at the club. Their issues are structural in that they have bought terribly since he came in. How anyone could spent 7 million on a defender that can't defend or 5 on a keeper who doesn't shot stop or command his box is beyond me. He basically takes the by kicks then picks the ball out the net. That's just some of the ridiculous spending. There is about 20 million of players there we can't even judge as they have never made the first team.

Curiouser and curiouser. I think that makes three BBC Scotland regulars not in a state of solidarity with Chris McLaughlin. Rob McLean, Paul Mitchell, and now Connie McLaughlin all members of the Blacklegs Loyal RSC. Again, reference Connie and her psychological strengthening efforts, ra Sellik manager was asked last night if Celtic's form will improve? His reply was pertinent, "there's no reason why we won't improve, I don't think it's a major football issue, it's more psychological than anything else". What has Connie been doing?

Roofe morelos Kamara all great

Going through the team, Barisic was the pick of the defenders and showed his importance on the European stage yet again. Both goals came directly as a result of his runs and his ability to get the ball into dangerous positions. After an early mistake I had a feeling Tavernier wouldn't recover and he didn't really. Goldson almost gifted them a 3-2 win, Balogun was good but could have done better at the second goal I think. I actually thought all three midfielders were good. Arfield won the ball loads and drove us forward. Kamara was good and Davis was probably the pick of the three for me. Roofe was the pick of the forwards and MotM for me. His all round game was fantastic. Excellent out of possession and just as good in possession. When the ball comes to him he either wins the header and aims it to one of our players or, if it comes to feet, the ball just sticks to him and he keeps possession. His header was key to the first goal and the second was just yet another solo goal. In my opinion he is our best forward and I really hope he doesn't have any more recurrences of his calf problems this season. It was a bit of typical Kent performance for me, outstanding out of possession but just lacks quality in it and too many of our attacks break down with him. Morelos had another good game against a Portuguese side.

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Morelos was great. A lot of selfless work for the team.

Don't trouble your bookmaker on that, old boy.

Heart and Hand Postmatch Podcast by David Edgar Regarding subs, while I was thinking about it too, IMHO, the only players that SG would have thrown on if available would have been Aribo, Jack and probably Zungu. Stewart might have given us someone to hold the ball up field and spray a few passes, Hagi might have provided some spark too and Itten some power. We'll never know. As it is with some of our chances - for as opposed to Benfica, for all their good play, we should really have had a penalty to make it 3-0 while Alfredo was unlucky with that shot at 2-1. (In saying that though, I would not want to tempt fate, as we have had quite a few "lucky" episodes these last few weeks, e.g. the 2 deflections at the weekend that helped us to an otherwise still very much deserved win.)

What is the issue with SG and subs? I don’t know whether it would have worked tonight- but it worked for them.

Best is I thought Morelos had an excellent match tonight, they can only get better

Good performances from a number of players, Balogun, Borna, Kamara and so on but for me Roofe stood out for his tireless running to help the defence and of course his goal.

I thought Kamara was exceptional again tonight

Well worth noting, had Jack, Aribo or even Zungu been fit tonight, we'd have won that game.

The players were knackered, they ran themselves into the ground, I agree they were magnificent. I would probably have brought on Barker for Roofe just to run with ball away from danger areas, and possibly Helander for Arfield to strengthen the back line. But hey, you’re right, in the end the result was a good one. Frustrated nonetheless not to have taken a huge scalp. I am proud of them, and they deserved to win. Bad call by the ref and assistant for the penalty. Should have VAR in the group stages tbh.

The players put a lot into that game against a team that technically is better than us so a draw is a good result if disappointing because we were two nil up against them. I would have been more disappointed if we had lost four one and only had one point in the Europa league.?

Yep. It’s easy to get greedy and forget that it is actually very unusual for us to do this well in Europe. Gerrard is working wonders in Europe.

Barker or Itten for Kent who had run his race and would have been happy with Hagi as well. Even Helander or Bassey could have replaced one of the forwards. Like I say may or may not have helped but it was obvious we were struggling, mentally as much as anything in those last 15mins.

Sorry manager has to take the blame there. I understand subs might not work when it comes to defensive organisation but we were losing our shape due to tiredness and we really should have made changes. However, if you'd said we'd draw both games beforehand, of course, we would have taken that but to draw again from 2-0 up is very, very disappointing.

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Sunday Morning Coming Down. Kris Kristofferson's seminal lyric perfectly describes BBC Radio Scotland on a Sunday morning/afternoon, particularly when Rangers have a noon kick off at Ibrox. Kris tells the story of waking up in a small town, after the Saturday night gig, the night before. He needs a couple of beers to straighten out before donning his cleanest dirty shirt. Really, there's nothing short of dying, half as loansome as the sound of Jane Lewis attempting to stimulate some life into the Naughty Step Crew. Liam McLeod was joined by Billy("I no longer consider myself a Rangers supporter")Dodds and Richard Foster. Rangers home games ensures all the Naughty Step Crew can remain socially distanced and seated in a PQ studio, whilst watching SKY TV. I suspect Dandy Liam is not too happy because when SKY run a replay of Roofe being upended in the box, Liam has no room for manoeuvre? Apparently, Rangers were the beneficiaries of facing a Covid weakened Aberdeen, a couple of deflections, and a soft penalty award. Big Dick's "undiluted rage" appears to have disappeared like the dreams of yesterday. Dreary, drab, dreich, ......... are the emotions issued by the PQ QM. Monday evening saw the return of Tom English. There's a fire to be fought, Neil Lennon is under pressure. Kenny MacIntyre hosted, Craig Levein and Darryl Broadfoot added to the conversations. Broadfoot defended the SFA, Tom and Craig attacked the national association over their handling of the Under 21s and Covid. All three agreed Lennon remains the very man for ra Sellik job. Tom reminded the listenership of the fragility of Neil's mental health, lambasted Edouard, called two or three other Sellik forwards, "underachieving failures", and did the full symmetry by reminding the listenership of the fragility of Leigh Griffiths mental health. There was no insight into Gerrard and Rangers, Tom finds the whole Rangers thing frustrating. Craig Levein offered improved psychology on Gerrard's dealing with the media. He recalled Rangers winning at Tynecastle a couple of seasons past and Gerrard and backroom staff celebrating like the league had been won. This season, Gerrard's reactions are far more measured. We could hear a hurrumpf from Tom at this opinion and Craig showed he is a fast learner. Levein got after Kenny MacIntyre, "you'll be happy being a big Rangers man". Tom was guffawing. The demands of PQ are even getting to Craig. Still, it's good to know Tom can continue to laugh.