Leaderboard

There's no doubt Goldson has his flaws but who doesn't that plays in our league? I'd imagine his new contract will be in the region of £35-40K per week costing us the better part of £7-8m over the next four years. A lot of money! However, for those that wanted better, I'd be interested to see who we could afford at those sort of wages and with a substantial fee on top? By way of comparison, Helander cost us the best part of £4m in 2019 and arrived from Serie A as a fairly established Swedish international player. He's undoubtedly a good defender, but in those three seasons he's played just 59 games for club and country. During the same period, Goldson has played 169 times for Rangers alone - three times as many games! Yes, there are times where Goldson frustrates me - he can be beaten too easily in wider areas and, certainly this season, he's allowed too many balls into the six yard area by failing to clear. His long diagonals are good but can be inconsistent and his 'vertical' passing unreliable as well at times. However, to suggest he's not good enough in general is a serious under-estimation of a player who rarely lets us down, and has effectively led us to 55 and a Europa League Final. Another four years of him - hopefully in his prime - will certainly do me!

Win together, lose together. We play as a team, continuing to blame the EL final on one player is so disappointing.

Whatever anyone’s opinion of Connor Goldson, the deed is now done, the decision taken and set in stone. Whether celebrating or dejected at the prospect, it would surely be in all our interests to get fully behind the player and embrace his commitment to Rangers.

What I liked about the Goldson saga was how the media were caught blindsided, with the report the day before he resigned that he was off to Nottingham Forrest. Rangers seem very good at keeping things under wraps. If the media wont speak to us, don't expect us to feed them any morsels.

"certain supporters"? I took myself to a bar one hundred metres from the River Ebro, the cooling breeze lifting off the flow was most welcome in a hot Zaragoza night. Scotland's performance was woeful, we deservedly lost 1-3 to Ukraine. As is normal in most Spanish cities, the local Argentine ex-pats were sounding off wildly, they had just stuffed Italy 0-3 in their own midden. Zaragoza is on one of the official Camino routes and, a couple of fellow middle aged Scots alighted from their bicycles to take in the game. As Ukraine went one up, they were in the midst of telling me their scallop shells on said bikes were from the Isle of Barra. Further, Nicola was attending Hampden. PQ Ganghuttery quickly descended into PQ Shithousery. Tom Anguish, Pat Nevin, Michael Stewart, .......... et al determined someone was to blame for our abject performance and, it was NOT Steve Clarke. Now, we know Nationalism demands blame be attributed to the Rangers player(s) or the Anglos on occasion. Oh, Ryan Jack withdrew from the squad injured and, Souttar was stuck on the bench. Kieran and Andy are the right type of Anglos. Shoehorn in the demonised and marginalised supporter grouping who do not subscribe to the Brigadoon constantly presented by the Tartan Army. Michael Stewart snapped : "I see certain supporters are talking about a Kilmarnock style manager. total Garbage. Yes there were mistakes made tonight But Steve Clarke is a top drawer manager and even they don't get everything right". Michael did relent and get after Scott Mctominay -"no natural defensive instincts and to blame for the second goal". I note the Scottish press commented long and hard on travel arrangements for the game. Michael did NOT contribute. Extra train services were organised to take the Tartan Army home. Although if you had an island destination, you would have settle for the comfort of a cardboard funnel. Nicola has one of those 28 Chauffeur driven Scottish Government cars. She has the one with the really BIG boot, it has to accommodate £20 million ring fenced monies put aside for a second Independence referendum or, as Nicola said on Monday, "it's a good investment". Why didn't Nicola just fly home on her Broomstick? It is like asking Michael to define, "certain supporters", you will not receive an answer?

https://www.gersnet.co.uk/index.php/news-category/current-affairs/1528-from-regrets-to-rebuilds This time two weeks ago, I was full of excitement. I was in Spain, had my Europa League final ticket confirmed and Wednesday evening could not come quick enough. A fortnight later and, as much as our Scottish Cup winning efforts should not be downplayed, regret remains an unavoidable daily emotion. Time for some cathartic writing… First and foremost, losing to Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville hurt badly. Yes, the players gave their absolute all in difficult circumstances: the temperature was stifling but, more importantly, no Morelos or Roofe undoubtedly cost us – even if the German side were tactically clever and ultimately deserving of the trophy. Of course, we can be proud of our efforts in reaching the final and being just one kick short of lifting it (be it by the foot of Goldson, Kent or Ramsey) is something I doubt any Rangers supporters would have envisaged last summer. However, losing the reward of winning the competition – both in a prestige and in a financial sense – just made the initial disappointment worse. Beating Hearts at Hampden soothed that Spanish hangover for a few hours but the sore head is still there. Season 2021/22 was an interesting one in many ways. Failing to secure Champions League group stage football was an early blow and, despite some inconsistent form in the first half of the campaign, losing Steven Gerrard was equally painful as we still topped the table. The board acted quickly and Giovanni van Bronckhorst was a popular replacement. Initial results were decent, performances improved and only a rejigged fixture list stopped our momentum at a crucial stage by the end of 2021. Post winter break, the outlook (domestically at least) quickly changed. Celtic strengthened their squad immediately whilst we left it very late in the window and could only bring in loan players. On the face of it Ramsey and Diallo’s reputations suggested quality whilst the potential of James Sands replaced that of the departing Nathan Patterson. Again, most fans were happy but draws with Aberdeen and Ross County before a humbling to a resurgent Celtic meant that by the end of February and further dropped points at Tannadice the league appeared beyond us. Already fans were questioning Gio and their concerns had some merit. To his credit, our efforts in Europe and progress in the Scottish Cup were maintained and, indeed, improvement amongst the squad amidst more tactical flexibility became more obvious. Wins over Dortmund, Red Star, Braga and Leipzig in the Europa League impressed whilst a vital Scottish Cup semi victory over Celtic and a credible draw at Parkhead in the league showed that whilst we could not retain our SPFL title, we still had enough quality to make a renewed future challenge. Nevertheless, with only the Scottish Cup to show for our 65 game endeavours, it is difficult to make the case season 2021/22 was a success. No matter these regrets though, we must move on and this summer has to be a busy one throughout the club. As it stands, a cursory look at the squad still shows a decent one on paper. However, if we delve a wee bit deeper then uncertainty seems to be the prevailing feeling. Various players are (or are soon to be) out of contract whilst several more are moving into their last year. This is the case from the goalkeeper to the attack. First team regulars McGregor, Goldson and Balogun are about to be out of contract. Meanwhile, Helander, Jack, Aribo, Kent and Morelos will be this time next year. Only John Souttar has been confirmed as incoming with Arfield and Davis extending their deals by a year as well. This means the football department has a conundrum on their hands and it needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. As seems to have happened with Connor Goldson do they allow shorter contracts to run down and try to get the best out of these players over one final season? Alternatively, do they sell now for reasonable sums to reinvest monies into replacements? Can they persuade them to sign new deals to deliver squad continuity ahead of further CL qualifiers on the horizon? One of the biggest positives in having a Sporting Director such as Ross Wilson is to minimise such headaches. Along with Andy Scoulding, Wilson is tasked with ensuring recruitment remains efficient and contracts an ongoing budgetary juggle. As such, it is an undoubted frustration that so many key players are in the same uncertain contractual situation with minimal clarity on their future. By mid-June, tens of thousands of fans will have renewed their season tickets and most will do so in anticipation of squad improvement. Add in the funds secured via the departure of Gerrard and Patterson as well as the substantial income generated by our run to Seville, it is safe to say supporters won’t be sated by further loan deals. Ramsey and Diallo appeared exciting but both lacked any sort of substance so whilst that need not mean the right loan at the right price can’t work, the emergence of home-grown players like Lowry and King should see less reliance in such gambles. Similarly, the overall contribution of some players has to be examined. For example, the quality of players like Helander, Jack and Roofe per se can be defended but their unfortunate injury records cannot. In addition to that, as much as experience in the dressing room is always welcome, how often should a Davis or Arfield appear ahead of a McCann or Lowry? Where is the line between stifling talent and properly developing it? Overall, the arguable first XI this season was McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Bassey, Barisic, Jack, Lundstram, Kamara, Aribo, Kent and Morelos. Add in five preferred deputies in Balogun, Davis, Arfield, Sakala and Roofe then only a few at best of these 16 players are likely still to be here for the season after next. That is a huge (and costly) turnaround over the next 12 months and will need to be carried out over the next three windows to offer some semblance of continuity. With that in mind, Wilson’s remit has never been more vital – both logistically and financially. The likely record-breaking income (though not clear profit!) from season 2021/22 and from any summer sales should offer enough working capital to make several signings up front and perhaps extend the deals of one or two existing players. Guaranteed Europa League group stage football at a minimum should also allow further changes in January with the opportunity for more next summer. I would be pleasantly surprised if we’ll need to book complicated journeys again for European finals in Istanbul, Budapest or even Prague next May but positive runs in at least one of these competitions will help balance the books outwith essential player purchases. In conclusion, I started this editorial with understandable regret from recent events. However, just over 1000 words later, and even with the uncertainty surrounding the squad, the excitement of the inevitable rebuild and the opportunity to see new players at Ibrox next season means I’m now looking ahead to what we can expect in season 2022/23. As always, the league title should take priority and we simply must offer more consistency and quality domestically but the European adventures of recent seasons and the necessary monies gained from such can be considered almost as important. Even so, no matter what we consider success or the context around it, the time for looking back has gone. The next step is now vital and we cannot stand still. In some ways, that was a fair criticism of the club last summer so it cannot be this season. We must move forward and with genuine authority.

I reckon 55 season was the best, most flowing football I've seen us play in my 47 years on this earth. This season is the best I've seen us play in Europe, we feared no one, and blew some 'better' teams off the park. You would think some folk have been watching Saltcoats Vics. Ross Wilson has done very well for us, and I can't wait to see us after Gio has had a proper transfer window and preseason. Bring it.

Castore are growing rapidly. We were one of the first to collaborate with them, and then we had Newcastle and Wolves join too. Andy Murray. McLaren. The England Cricket team use Castore apparel, along with SA and West Indies. I've just read that Aston Villa, Bayer Leverkusen, Feyenoord and Sevilla will be using their stuff from next season too. It's quite impressive.

If we had just signed one of the frankfurt CH on a free folk would be excited and they are no where near as good as goldson.

It certainly will! Tbh when SG left MB was the reason I was disappointed, he's clearly a very good operator. Whether your average over inflated English player looks beyond him not being 'a name' is another matter.

Exactly so.

35 grand for all those flaws and 1 title in 4 years? No thanks.

I think winning individual MOTM votes has very little to do with selecting a POTY. Two different things altogether ... you could run away with POTY without ever winning a singe MOTM vote. PS - thanks for doing the analysis.

It was almost mystifying. Three at the back is Clarke's way of getting his 'best player' ,ie the Balsawood Bassey, into the side, on those occasions when he is not injured, or ill, or otherwise dodging the column. To persevere with it when he is unavailable, and with inappropriate personnel, was folly.

Mckenna is just off winning promotion to the EPL, Soutter was the best Scottish player on the park in the Scottish cup final and Hendry is better than any of the starters. The manager is very much at fault here.

All new signings should wear the blue.

I have a serious question. Who does their sizing, Warwick Davis? I have never had to wear a 4X in anything. Disco is dead. Let a man breath for God's sake.

Stats revealed around lunchtime today but I'm going for Calvin Bassey. The growth in his play from positional uncertainty early in the season to immense contributions both at centre half and at left back right through the vast majority of the campaign have made him one of the first names on the team-sheet for me right now. MotM performances in Seville and at Hampden the other week highlighted that. There are still some flaws in his game - he can lose concentration at times and he could use the ball a bit quicker occasionally but if he can address those small issues in the same way he has managed to improve his crossing over the last year, then he should be even better next season. Whether that's at Rangers or elsewhere is testament to the year he's had. As Rousseau has said others in the squad have had good periods - Aribo was by far our best player before the winter break, Hagi was effective before injury, Tav led by example time after time, Lundstram has really grown into the shirt and Morelos was largely excellent after Gio arrived - but, for me, Bassey is the only player to have performed right across the whole season at a high level so is my PotY.

Stop it!

You're judging our defence on their worst performance of the season? That's ridiculous. Did Liverpool fans judge their 2020/21 defence on their hammering at Villa? Of couse not.

You should apply for Gio and / or Ross Wilson's jobs

The Balsawood Bassey: a fragile, fitful, creature who occasionally masquerades as Scotland's best player, and is regarded by the tartanistas as some kind of hybrid of Beckenbauer and Breitner; he is such a totem and talisman that any setback on the field of play may be explained by his absence, which is frequent.

I suspect that you are correct. I am glad he didn't play, to be frank, just from the injury p o v. I don't know how Clarke rationalises his team selection to himself, far less explain it to Souttar, or, indeed, even to McKenna. It can't be good for a player's confidence to sit on the bench, while dildoes are, well, making dildoes of themselves on the field. Clarke is popular with the tablecloths and Timberlands, and, apparently, adored by the press and other media, despite looking like a muppet, last night, with that old 'worried but clueless' look on the face. Ultimately, I could care more. If I put my mind to it, I could probably care less.

Well deserved, and makes up for last season's ridiculous decision! His numbers over the season, the improvement in his defending, and the massive strides he has taken in his leadership qualities, not to mention the crucial opening goal in 4 successive home European knockout rounds (will never be matched I dont think), and his top scorer in the Europa achievement meant it would be rather absurd if he didnt win our POTY. The fact he wasnt even mentioned in the national players or writers awards just shows them up to be the fools and bigots we all know to be true. One Goldson balls-up away from a statue and eternal legendary status at our club.

With 69% of the main end of season forum vote, the captain – who played in 58 of our 65 games of this season and finished highest scorer in the Europa League - wins the Gersnet Forum PotY vote for season 2021/22. In terms of the PotY race that we were running based on match-by-match votes, Joe Aribo was the defacto winner of that with 8 MotM awards followed by John Lundstram and Calvin Bassey who had 7 and 6 awards each respectively. Interestingly, Tav only won 7% of the total votes cast across the season with 12.4% votes cast for Lundstram. 11.5% votes cast for Aribo and 10.1% of votes cast for Bassey. Lundstram was placed in the top three most often (19 times) followed by Bassey (18 times) and Aribo (17 times). Tav was in the top three 14 times. As such, you could also conceivably make the case for John Lundstrum as our most effective player; especially as he only played in 48 games. FWIW, Tavernier won just 4 man of the match awards and could only muster 7% of votes cast so it's fascinating that people seem to have gone for his consistency over the whole season in the main final vote. Interestingly, like Tav last season, Joe Aribo won all his 8 MotM awards by the end of January so there's no doubt the 62 appearances he played across the season for club and country may have cost him our prestigious prize as his form dipped after the African Cup of Nations. Do these figures change your opinion?

At risk of being pedantic, it's always best to use language that expresses what you actually mean. He didn't say amateurish. He described Castore as amateurs, which they're clearly not.

I wore a kilt once and that was only because I got paid to do it (background staff at some fancy event and I was skint at the time). Never again! It's not Scottish national dress, it's Highland dress. And we all know what Highlanders are like! Reiver In Trews RSC.

They do. In my opinion, the Castore stuff is average (not bad but not great). Even the lilac top has sold bucketloads, which goes to prove they'll sell well even if they're crap.

Plus, they bring out a new training range at least once a month. 🤣

We didn't half miss Jack last night. Bet everyone wished we forfeited now.

I still don't get McTominay. At all.

In no way does that make them “amateurs”.

Castore definitely have their faults but our merchandise is selling like hotcakes, so most fans don't seem to mind them. As for Souttar, I'm glad jakey Clarke didn't play him last night but any idiot can see he's a better CB than McTominay. Strange decision.

Wouldn't surprise me if he had offers from E.P.L. teams that are likely to struggle. It must be hard to go from the later stages of European football to a relegation battle. The money is enough for most but not all.

Don't care if its orange, pink or yellow. We must be the only club that is promoting their 3rd strip before our main strip. Castore are amateurs IMO.

Broom?

Sorry to a grumpy bar steward but why are these pressers (Soutar, Goldson) using that awful orange strip as opposed to the next seasons home kit? Seems like an opportunity wasted?

The window opened 1 day ago FFS.... EDIT - is it even open yet? June 10th rings a bell.

Best team won - bye, bye Clarke (a dinosaur of a manager).

Apologies if it's been posted elsewhere, but I see that ex Rangers coach Michael Beale has been appointed as head coach at QPR. It will be interesting to see how he fairs going solo.

Never waste a chance to turn excellent news into a good grump.

As the saying goes, judge a man by the company he keeps. Part of me wishes he'd succeeded if only because the readon for his sacking from the the Rangers Fans Board would probably be revealed. Not my gift to give alas.

Definitely keep Balogun. He turned in some really impressive performances towards the end of the season and was always a safe pair of feet to turn to. Good pace too.

As with any signing there's an element of risk and the lad's injury issues over the years increase that here but to get him for free and, considering his development in recent years, then this was a sensible move for the club. Lads speaks very well here. Welcome to Rangers, John!

"The Suvul Sooks"? "The Suvul Sooks" is the name given by RAB Cosgrove to those employed by PQ that traveled to Seville to provide coverage to Rangers supporting BBC Licensing Fee payers. Although, given RAB's behaviour at the weekend, it could apply to Rangers supporters lapping water from Seville toilet bowls in favour of drinking Holy Water? It has taken over a week to compile a comprehensive list of al those attending on a Presentation basis. We know RAB and Tam Cowan did not trap because they were not asked to do so and, didn't they complain about it? RAB has a keen sense of entitlement in this regard, it is a Quango state of mind. Serving on the RST Board for over five years saw a number of matters of interest come across one's desk. Launched in 2003, one of the burning questions at the time, was just how many Hamilton Drive employees attended Seville'03 on the Beeb dime? It took months but, we received an official answer from the then BBC Scotland Controller, Ken MacQuarrie. We remember the double decker bus driven to Spain, we remember Jackie Bird presenting the News that week from the bus and, how that bus parked in front of the stadium with entertainment going, attracted hordes of ra green'n'grey hooped horrors. Ken told us eighty-eight(88) attended, no break down of designations. Nineteen years on and a move across the river saw no double decker bus, no Jackie Bird and, no(well at least one or two) hooped horrors. The definitive list is : Laura Miller, Al Lamont, Amy Irons, Steven Godden and, Chris McLaughlin.These five were in situ' for at least three days. The footballing side were flown in and out within a 24 hour time frame and included : Liam McLeod, Richard Gordon, Tom English, Mark Hateley and, Richard Foster. I believe these days you can multiply those ten by two point five to include Producers, Directors, ...... Technicians. There you go, 88 became 25 maybe?

I've always fancied Hull... https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/history/hidden-story-king-billy-statue-3869325

There are a variety of ways to share the plain text of an article. Here is one more: https://txtify.it