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Rangers only successful European season ranks as one of it's most intriguing and fascinating. There is a puzzle wrapped enigma in the triumph because it was neither expected nor predicted. Typically over the decades, Euro success arrives after a period of domestic dominance. Ajax, Bayern, Liverpool, .............. etc are all examples. It's the crest of the wave epitomised by Nottingham Forest, win the Second Division, win the First Division, win the European Cup, successfully defend it; all in four short years. Rangers were at the end of five years of domestic doldrums. The League Cup had been secured by DJ's famous header at the end of October'70 but the season was completely overshadowed by the Disaster at Ibrox on the 2nd of January'71 in which 66 died and 145 were injured. Rangers finished the League season in fourth, behind champions, Celtic; Aberdeen and St Johnstone finished second and third. We had been knocked out the Fairs Cup at the first attempt by Bayern Munich and, progress in the Scottish Cup came after a semi-final replay single goal victory over Hibs. The old firm final ran to a second game too. Jim Denny made his debut, played well and, we lost 2-1. After the match, I was walking down the Polmadie Road with a couple of schoolmates, one offered a thought we had qualified for the European Cup Winners Cup? Yep, given our separated brethren had won the league, meant as defeated cup finalists we were destined to participate in a trophy for cup winners. The Rangers team that evening was, McCloy, Denny, Mathieson, Greig, McKinnon, Jackson, Henderson, Penman, Stein, MacDonald and, Johnston. Colin Stein finished the season as the club's top scorer on 12 goals. Polmadie Road bottomed out along with the optimism. A new season(71-72) dawned and aspiration levels were sky high, we sang, "bring on the Celtic". The League Cup section draw had awarded our wish, with both Morton and Ayr United providing ballast. We experienced a five Saturdays sequence whereby we played the champions on three occasions, all three at Ibrox. It was home and away League Cup sectional games(due to construction of a new main stand at Parkhead, the game was transferred to Ibrox) and the season's first old firm league match. We lost 0-2, 0-3 and, 2-3. We were out the League Cup on the first day of September and had lost our first two league games, the aforementioned 2-3 defeat to Celtic was replicated at Firhill. We had drawn the French cup winners, Rennes in the first round of the ECWC. The Bretons were due to play their second ever European tie against Rangers, a club that already lost two ECWC finals against Fiorentina and Bayern Munich. We have seen the Rangers debit column, the credit one was paltry, two pre-season victories against Everton(2-1) and Spurs(1-0) and, securing the Glasgow Cup against Clyde(2-0). The French club were lying second in their championship and the most popular local newspaper, 'Ouest France' saw no fear claiming, "Waddell, raised in the Protestant traditions of the club was hurting because his club were declining at the same time as the rise of Catholic Celtic". It was the first but not the last such comparison during our Barca' quest. Tomorrow on the 50th anniversary of our visit to Rennes, we will follow follow Rangers on their first steps to European silverware.

The Tom Devine interview was a proper carve up. I hope the club and support don't just let it pass without redress.

2,300 Viewers! Fellow Gersnetters, you may remember two and half years past, BBC Scotland launched it's new channel, 'BBCScotland' on the satellite listings? It was launched at considerable cost and has an annual budget of £32 million. We know Stuart Cosgrove is a heavy hitter in UK media circles because he never tires of telling us all so. He predicted a new, modern Scotland would embrace the new channel whole heartedly because there was a distinct need for Scots folk to be recipients of news specifically honed to their needs. Of course, DrStu' is in a prime position to dip his ladle into such a gravy train, remuneration for any documentaries requiring his Perth tones will be viscous. Yesterday we were given two new pieces of information. Firstly, one of the two main Presenters of the flagship news show, the Nine', Rebecca Curran has begun maternity leave and an advert to fill the position is offering a salary between £48,000 and £82,000. Secondly, the latest viewing figures are horrendous. The flagship Nine has regularly attracted an average of 15,000 viewers, the last quarter is suggesting a further fall to between 10,000-12,000 viewers and, on occasion just 2,3000 viewers have tuned in.I wonder what the other main Presenter, the ever professional Martin Geissler thinks of this debacle? I suspect he thinks his co-Presenter has experienced tremendous fortune? Now, as a BBC License Fee paying Rangers supporter; may I suggest a reason for this calamity? Earlier this week, with the Daily Record - Rangers supporter spat erupting(it's now made the pages of Private Eye), the Nine handed James Cook ten minutes to interview Prof' Tom Devine on sectarianism. Remember, James Cook and his then Producer both offered unreserved apologies to both the then club Manager, Ally McCoist and the Club itself for deliberately re-Editing an interview with McCoist. Cook posed a question on sectarianism to Ally, then cut the film to show McCoist laughing. The Club's top scorer complained at being portrayed as someone not taking the matter seriously and has not spoken to PQ since. Why was James Cook awarded such on air time, given his previous subjective behaviour on this particular matter? I believe Cook is a Dundee United supporter and voraciously ambitious. He was rewarded for his efforts eight years past by achieving the BBC Correspondent in America for three years. He was tempted back because of the high remuneration on offer and, finds the best way to retain his place on the gravy train, is to continue to sink the boot into Rangers. At 2,300 viewers, James would be better off taking a megaphone to Tannadice.

The First Steps. The process of walking before learning to run was most important to Rangers relatively new management team of Willie Waddell and Jock Wallace. Former star player of two decades, Waddell retired from playing and took up the managerial vacancy at Rugby Park. After seven seasons and three cup final appearances he led Killie to the League championship at Tynecastle on the last day of season'64-65. He retired and became a Journalist for the Scottish Daily Express. He nailed his predecessor, Davie White in the Ibrox hot seat by penning a column entitled, 'the Boy David'. Waddell believed in knowing your opposition and was meticulous in providing his own players with all the facts concerning their opposite numbers on the field. Jock Wallace was a Platoon Sergeant and Physical Training Instructor in the Kings Own Scottish Borderers. When not in the field, he was on the field as a Keeper. He coached Berwick Rangers to their Scottish Cup victory over their far most famous Glasgow namesakes, then became Hearts Trainer before, joining Waddell as Rangers First Team Coach. Big Jock believed both soldiers and Rangers players should be able to run forever. Group morale was just as important, there were no cliques in a fire trench. Playing off the cuff was out, you were prepared and in this state you ran and gave your all and, then some for the Rangers. The cantankerous Deedle and gruff senior NCO, Big Jock had enjoyed initial success with the new mindset but, the League Cup victory was being quickly forgotten as the new season lurched from one disappointment to another. When Rangers stepped off the plane in Brittany, the focus among the players was putting some type of run together in the league. Playing Rennes was a welcome interference until Waddell pointed out that the Bretons were lying second in the French championship whilst Rangers had secured nil points from two games. Goalkeeper, Peter McCloy reflected on Rangers approach in Europe that season, "we played a strict 4-4-2 system, only the front pairing of Stein and Johnston had any freedom". Sandy Jardine offered, "We had been losing silly goals and Waddell kept us on the training field for over an hour the evening before the game. We worked on defending corners, set pieces and Rennes known set plays". The teams lined up in the first leg, 15th September'71 as thus : Rennes - Aubour, Cosnard, Cedolin, Chlosta, Cardiet, Garcia(Rendon), Keruzore, Terrier, Musjov(Periault), Betta and, Lenoir. Rangers - McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Greig, McKinnon, Jackson, McLean, MacDonald, Stein, Penman and, Johnston. Attendance : 20,000. The game began with Rennes on the front foot, pushing and confining Rangers to their own eighteen yard box for the first 15 minutes. The Bretons had won nine corners but the prior evening's work on the training field was working as all were defended. It took 20 minutes before the combination of Greig and Doddy in midfield allowed Penman to find Stein with a raking pass. Colin was upended on the edge of the penalty area. Penman curled the free kick around the wall, grazing the outside of the post. The stop start nature of the game was suiting Rangers, with the Skipper's determination negating the effect of playmaker, Betta. We went in at half time nil nil. Jock Wallace demanded more application in the second half, wanted more aggression and adventure. Rangers won a couple of corners and the second was flighted by McLean on the 68th minute. Stein's run was early and he was under the ball, taking two defenders with him. Bud Johnston was lurking at the back stick and prodded the ball home. The players remembered the width of the Rennes pitch, it was comfortable knocking the ball into wide areas, allowing Bud's pace to take the team up the pitch. Being higher up saw Betta slip his marker and take the ball wide right to the byeline, he turned and floated a cross which was met by substitute Redon sliding in at the back post. It was 1-1 in the 78th minute. The game finished one all and the French side were not happy. Manager, Jean Prouff fumed, "Rangers did not play football here, what they did had nothing to do with football. They came only to defend. They took the spectacle out of the game and the Breton fans feel cheated". Talented midfielder, Raymond Keruzore was frustrated with Greig's constant attention, "there was nothing I could do, he shadowed me everywhere I went". Ouest France Journo, Andre Mausson grumbled, "The Scots achieved their goal in the most unpleasant of means, the whole affair was not very catholic". On hearing French complaints Willie Waddell was unsympathetic, "it's not the responsibility of Rangers to please Rennes fans". My personal favourite post match quote came from Journo, Roger Glemee, "Rangers were a dirty team and if they had been in the front line during world war two, it would only have lasted a week". Big Jock took that as a major compliment. Generally, the Scots Press praised Rangers display but the Herald niggled with, "Rangers deserve to be complemented despite three bookings. Johnston epitomised this approach by both scoring and receiving a caution". My old man took two daily newspapers, the Glasgow Herald for news and correspondence and the Scottish Daily Express(then a broadsheet written and printed in Albion Street, Glasgow) furra fitbaw. John Fairgrieve reported on the Saturday morning after the match, Jean Prouff has received letters from Celtic supporters encouraging his team to continue playing football the right way and he has confidently stated, "the result is not important to us, it is the way we play and the correct way is by attacking. I will not lose my job if we get beat". Fairgrieve also reported in his rumour mill that he had heard Wullie Henderson had ended his feud with the Rangers management team and was back training. Saturday the 18th September'72, Rangers were due to play Falkirk at Brockville.

Looking forward to this. For me it's a free hit and we don't get many of these. If we get any kind of result it will be epic. If we lose it would hardly be a surprise. this is a very very good side.

I hope we gegenpress intae them!

It was a disgrace that James Cook allowed this shocking diatribe without correction. Especially the part that no other club in Scotland has a problem with their fans that this is purely a Rangers problem. I await Rangers FC's response. The silence is deafening so the haters will keep beating the same old drum.

Aye, apparently talking about sectarianism is a waste of time and we need a national enquiry into Rangers FC. He came across as a demented loonball. Perhaps his brother's past behaviour has impacted his mental health.

That is a big blow.

All incomers to Rangers suffer by comparison to illustrious predecessors. We were wanting a replacement for Ian McMillan. Neither Penman or Alex Willoughby before him could do that. Let’s face it. Who could? Penman did very well, though and at Dundee he was consistently excellent in a top team. Perhaps the early sixties Dundee was a better side than the late sixties Rangers?

I watched Olympique Lyon beat Strasbourg 3-1 on Sunday night. They were very impressive.

"As an aesthete, Bosz [likes] ball retention, direct and on the ground passing game and gegenpressing to retrieve the ball in just a few seconds." "[You] might want to fight for ball possession – provided you have technically gifted enough players to avoid gegenpressing – or you may choose to operate in transitions."

A defensive mistake cost United last night and Chelsea had to work to get their result ,best bet on offer last night was the evens for Bayern to win at Barcelona.

The Tippy-Top of the Toppermost. Yesterday, at two O'Clock the Referee at Tynecastle blew the final whistle, bringing an abatement to the blood and thunder/huffing and puffing by the competing Capital crews. The sharp shrill confirmed Rangers climb back to the top of the SPFL Premiership table. Simultaneously, a collective sigh lifted from the PQ Gang Hut. Big Dick announced Rangers summit position and, Michael Stewart and Tom Anguish furiously launched into a joint exercise in turd polishing, "the best nil-nil game ever". Craig Gordon is the best Keeper in the country, both Hearts and Hibs are defensively sound and, can go to Ibrox and Parkhead to challenge. After thirty minutes, Michael took a breath whilst viewing his social media and opined, "you can't please everybody, the view on Twitter is the game was not that exciting". Well we know, when Michael has a taste for something you cannot stop him, that ever present sh1t-eating grin is clear evidence. Tom thought those not in thrall with the Edinburgh Derby were probably Rangers supporters. It continued into the next programme, the consensus of Cosgrove, Cowan and, special guest, Susie McCabe on Off the Ball was, "a pulsating fire cracker of a game". It's only last week Cosgrove was reminding the listenership of the copious amounts of Brasso required these days at McDiarmid Park, his elbow was intent upon putting a shine on the keech. "Rangers fans never forget", stated DrStu' and, he invited Tam and Susie to provide personal examples. Cowan lamented not having a pound for every Gers fan that had reminded him of a 'Well supporter hitting Lee McCulloch with a flagged stick. Susie was hesitant thus Cosgrove offered, "they've never forgiven Michael O'Halloran for being their player, he got it hard after scoring on Saturday". Susie chimed in twice with agreement, "yes, yes, absolutely". What I have never forgotten or forgiven reference dearest Michael, is that as a Rangers player he attended a Scottish Cup semi-final against ra Sellik at Hampden and, sat with his old man in ra Sellik end. What I have not forgotten or forgiven about Susie McCabe is her gig at the FanZone in Glasgow Green during the recent Euros. The disparaging crowd found Susie not to their taste as a Comedian and booed her efforts. Susie left the stage to sound of her tackety bits, returned home and, engaged with Twitter; where she blamed. "the H-u-ns in the crowd". Imagine Off the Ball's Producer bringing Susie on to the show in light of what's been going on these last two weeks? He/She couldn't help himself/herself, just like Cosgrove roaring, "with what's happening to Janey Godley, there's a lot of comedy work up for grabs". A silence was followed by Cosgrove and McCabe laughing and chorusing, "ah'm saying nothing". Is this an example of Ann Frank's drum kit? Answers on a postcard to Paul Sweeney MSP. It's where the Gang Hut is these days, whatever goes on, whoever appears, they are protected as long as they keep sinking the boot into the H-u-ns. Two weeks past it was former Scottish Government Minister, Aileen Campbell. Ten years at Holyrood, a couple of junior minister appointments and, an unfailing Nicola cheerleader earned Aileen a near six figure pay off on stepping down earlier this year and guaranteed her the position of Chief Executive of SWFL. Cosgrove and Aileen could swap notes on Quango remuneration and love for the Perth Saints. Four Euro games, two defeats and, two draws makes for a hard luck tale or as Aileen offered, "if only we had the fortunate draw awarded another club"? In between, the guests have been Jackie McNamara, Sellik Park tour guide, Mathew Joseph Campbell and the afore mentioned, Susie McCabe. Seriously, you would think someone would know why Dominic McKay resigned? How about why Gordon Strachan is allowed two different jobs with two different SPFL clubs? Even better, is Dundee's John Nelms necessary? It's not just Gordon Strachan or the conveniently provided spam folder when a cast vote had to be delayed. No, it's what do we do with a 31 year old player who sex pests 14 and 15 year old girls? Favours done at Dundee for a peppercorn fee. If only ra Sellik had defended that corner, if only the Jambos or Hibs had notched a winner and, if only Janey Godley had kept her Tweets to H-u-n skelping.

There is so much evidence to counter that claim, it's beyond preposterous that anyone would make it. Since 55, there's a definite sense that the narrative is being further skewed. Referring to sectarianism has being ditched in favour of 'anti-Catholic', 'anti-Irish' and 'racism'. In any rational, objective society, we could laugh this nonsense off but elected officials, senior Police, the press (including PQ CSC) and now a widely respected Scottish historian are getting behind it. Rangers fans who want us to keep apologising will regret it soon enough. As much as I'm amused that Janey Godley and several DR 'journalists' got sucked into the offence archeology situation - is that really the way we want our society to go?

Always good to beat the frogs ?

Ach--Helander's slow as stop anyway...

John Nettles was indeed Bergerac and morphed into Barnaby in Midsommer Murders followed by Neil Gudgeon as said. Usually retire to computer when on or use it as a sleep tonic.?

Massive howler from Lingard right at the end. Shame ?

That's a great description if I may say so.

I think that would be an excellent result even at our best.

Looks like Goldson will be available...

Our performances against Malmo and Alashkert, as well as a fairly dull start to the domestic campaign, have me thinking I'd be content with a draw tomorrow.

It'll be a transition game. We won't have the possession to gegenpress - which tends to be intentional from SG in Europe. I would like to see us press, though; to take advantage of any potential lapses and the fact that they're early in their adoption of Bozs' style.

For all those wondering, no it isn't me the cops are chasing for giving McGinn some stick on Saturday

It's male, pale, and stale, as they say in The wokest Garngad. (And they are probably correct.)

drove to Aberdeen and back this weekend and the timings somewhat forced me to listen to Off the ball twice. It's just an awful show which must have a very select and dwindling audience I am 46 and it was way too old for me to be listening to. There is so much vibrant coverage of Scottish football in the many many podcasts surely we can do better. Had it's usual mixture of bias. Wasn't too bad cosgrove grudgingly admitted it was a pen, everyone was wowed by Tav's goal. Radikanu isn't British some how and the guest was of course a massive celtc fan no one has ever heard of.

Typical Tom Anguish. I feel sympathy for those members of the Westwood RSC who were not present on the supporters bus last Sunday. They are being punished for something where they played no part. However, those who did participate deserve all the punishment that came their way. To sing the song with accompanying actions is stupid in these times, to film yourself doing so is seriously stupid and, to post the footage on social media is the equivalent of shooting yourself in both feet, followed by shooting yourself in the head. Beyond stupidity. Joe and Tom amplified the incident by talking about it for a dozen minutes. There's a major piece of whataboutery doing the rounds. It'a clip shot inside a club where an amplified band on stage lead a grouping of Yahoos in the following: "he's a bastard, he's an orange bastard, his name is Jimmy Bell, we hope he dies, we hope he dies". Joe and Tom are more than happy to equate racism with sectarianism within the parameters of the Westwood RSC footage. They ignore the awkward and inconvenient footage of a Rangers employee being abused in the most vile, sectarian terms because it does not progress their preferred prejudice. Further, at the beginning of the Paddy Power sponsored talk show, Joe and Tom are talking GAA sports. Tom is a big Limerick supporter. His home town club celebrate GAA victories by playing, 'Sean South of Garyowen' over the PA. Sean South was a member of the IRA, a Fascist anti-semite and, participated in a cross border raid that saw the deaths of a RUC catholic constable and himself. Tom expects and receives comfort on such matters, as Chief Sports Writer for BBC Scotland; he never reciprocates.