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It's madness. Matondo has been written off already. After Hibs a game we would almost certainly have won without a wrong red card Gio was to be sacked. Half the team was no where near good enough. McLaughlan has been slaughtered for weeks but just secured us 20 million plus with a great performance. Tav used to take pelters week in week out. Lundstum was 5 man of the matches in and still getting dogs abuse last year now hes the best on earth. I do think it is often Yahoos pretending to be rangers fans but it's too prevalent just to be that.

Have we got worse with the endless discussion that comes with the internet? I often mention that arguably our best performing side (02-03) had Bob Malcolm and Maurice Ross in it. They each made about 30 appearances that season. Ricky Foster played a part in Walter Smith’s sides. As did a fairly raw Gregg Wylde. Edu maybe an even better example because he was a proper regular, despite being a fairly limited player, he was used well though. Cole and Hutton started our last Champions League game, which was under Walter too. Today it feels like every position has to be perfect. Not just the starting 11, the backups have to be perfect too. Even an established player like Barisic (compare to Foster) gets crucified and completely written off after a poor performance. If your weakest player is Barisic then you are in good shape! Some very good Rangers teams have had weaker links than that.

I've always thought that Rangers fans, as a collective, have a kind of mental block when it comes to players - it's maybe a British thing. When they see a player that has flaws, their immediate response is, 'he's not good enough', 'we need to strengthen' and/or 'we need to replace [player X]'. I don't think that's what Ajax would do, for example. They would look at the attributes the player does have, then work at developing the deficiencies in their game. You can't do that without playing them. Sands has the raw attributes to be a good CB, but with some obvious flaws. My view was always, he's got the tools, lets give him a run of games and iron out and improve the flaws. Then, we have a superb player that we can then sell on for a lot of money. Remember Bassey: his first few games at CB were terrible.

I also didn't give us a chance against Dortmund, Red Star, Braga, Leipzig, USG or PSV... I am a woman's blouse.

Enlightening PQ piece as always @26th of foot. Interestingly, it puts into context the filed copy report on PQ web next day. From it's begrudging title "Dogged Rangers fight way to place with big boys" ' the article sets a tone of a very fortunate win from a "little team" riding their luck to the limit to grab a fortunate place at Europe's top table. All the profligate PSV players are named and shamed, as the article slanders PSV's failings. Tom rolls out full verbal armoury. "Slapstick, purgatory, wastefulness, missed chances etc", As for Rangers? By the end of first half according to Tom, "Rangers were "Hanging on" and "needed that whistle like they needed their next breath" No hope for our supporters, steeling ourselves to saying goodbye to glamour CL ties and " Hello Europa League old friend. We're back" Now it doesn't take a genius to figure all this copy would be written at half time as Tom prepared the final stamp on our death warrant. So dear old Tom was forced to change the narrative. Searching for that acceptable line. He has to up the tempo. Rangers "doggedness" is mentioned several times. Lawrence, Colak and Tillman are the only 3 Rangers outfield players mentioned. PSV has 7 or 8 players referenced. Our away record in Europe is poor. Only one win since the beginning of last season. Apparently for our goal, Ramalho was entitled to miss the danger caused by Tillman, as for the first hour, the most powerful telescopic lens could not have picked him out. No mention from Tom of the great team counter pressing for the goal. Rather "one of the most glorious tap-ins in our history" For a Chief Sports writer the article is downright sloppy and underwhelming. You can almost sense his disappointment between the lines. It belittles and disregards our teams European exploits over 4 seasons. It downplays the Europa League as a "little boys" competition conveniently overlooking the fact that most of our achievements in the EL have been beating teams "parachuted" out of the "big boy" league. Without actually stating the fact, it implies that the other Glasgow club somehow belong in this heady environment? Why not remind your readers Tom? To which club do Celtic have to thank for their automatic entry to the CL? As you state @26th of footObjectivity? Not from the man from Limerick I fear. Really poor stuff!

They almost did it last night but poor finishing and the sending off destroyed their chance.

Have to say it’s great to see James Sands, who didn't start in Seville, getting 20 votes for man of the match for this game of all games. What a turnaround for him, I’m chuffed for him. I have wanted him to do well since he joined, I’m not sure why, part of it is the fact that he’s come across the world to better himself and it’s always a shame when that doesn’t work out, but he also just comes across like a good guy and a good team player. He’s also been written off plenty by our fans. Anyway, I’ve nothing to add to what others have said about his performance other than that even though I knew he had more aggression and strength than he got credit for, I was surprised last night at just how tough he was. As things stand, he certainly looks like a ball playing centre back rather than a centre mid, and our £4m signing has a job on his hands to displace him.

Need to start making lighter work of this type of fixture. Ie. Being two or more goals to the good by HT and making use of 5 subs by 65/70 minutes.

With new signings it's often about expectations. He's only had one season of regular senior football and patience will be required. Davies will have the £4m tag hanging over him a bit too for some fans. Lundstram was free, but there was a clamour for a big signing in centre mid who was very creative and a goalscorer, a different type to Davis, Jack and Kamara. For a while Lundstram looked similar to those in level and style. I voiced some concerns about his fitness at the time, I'm sure he later said he struggled for a while after having had COVID. The level of criticism was insane though, when the January transfer window closed loads of people were "very disappointed" that we hadn't moved him on!! I wasn't a big fan of the signing, but better to have him around the second half of the season than not! I don't think any of us saw that scale of a turnaround coming though.

I was of the mind that Rangers had never played at Anfield. I looked it up and found we have played an FA Cup tie against Everton on the ground in 1886, we won 1-0. I was NOT in attendance that day, I had a Band of Hope meeting.

"I fear for Rangers, I really do". The above quote is from BBC Scotland's Tom English, it was the conclusion of his half-time summing up of events in the PSV's Philips Stadium. In his two minute interval report on BBC Radio Scotland, he fired off five timings, all opportunities for PSV to take the lead. In boxing parlance, Rangers were slumped upon the ropes and taking a pounding, the break was most welcome otherwise, "the Rangers bench would have been searching for the towel". As I was standing outside the Howf listening to my pocket radio, I thought Tom needed a towel to mop his feverish brow? I had watched the first half in the pub and thought we had endured a sticky 10 minute opening spell, had played our way in and, controlled 15-20 minutes in the middle of the first period. I recognise the Dutch had made a couple of openings but, they had NOT worked our Keeper. Steven Thomson at the match and Neil McCann in the PQ studio agreed with my observations. Lundstram had whistled a shot past the post and, both Tillman and Colak had shot directly at the PSV Keeper. Further, everyone agreed the Dutch players' movement had tested Rangers in the final five minutes of the half. "PSV made enough chances to win two, three games"? The above quote is from BBC Scotland's chief commentator, Liam McLeod, it was his final sentence of a full time summation. Again, both Thomson and McCann talked up the achievement and, highlighted Lawrence rattling the goal frame with a wonderful strike after displaying quick feet in the box. Both agreed the final 30 minutes had been comfortable for a thoroughly professional Rangers. A full fifty minutes after the final whistle, Tom English reappeared from the depths of PQ, we were told he was filing copy? Now, Tom has filed copy on dozens of occasions whilst broadcasting and he usually takes 15-20 minutes. He is a well practised Journo. At ra Stade de Gadd, Tom is back in the fold within 20 minutes to offer his views in breathless excitement. What was Tom doing for the extra thirty minutes on Wednesday evening, was he searching for the acceptable line? Both Tom and Liam had the script and refused to deviate from a pre-penned narrative despite, what their eyes told them. I fear for objectivity at BBC Scotland, I really do. BBC Five Live's approach differed from PQ, enthusiastic at Rangers performance and, in agreement with both Thommo and Terry in their appreciation of Rangers professionalism. Yesterday, the Scottish Daily Express published a column asking why two arms of Auntie Beeb had arrived at differing narratives? Tom's copy was heavy on tough, dogged and, redoubtable Rangers, the accompanying unnamed piece asked, 'what do two clubs in the Champions League do for the Game'? You will not be surprised to hear our qualification creates a widening gulf and any benefits to the Scottish game are dependent upon what you want from the game??????? There you are Gersnetters, do NOT do drugs. I suspect we all thought Rangers reaching the Europa Cup final last season created a seismic shift in our game. We were quickly informed by the usual suspects that losing the match on penalties was devastating. Immediately after events in Seville, Michael Stewart Tweeted : "Winning the Scottish Cup for Rangers or Hearts will be huge. It will round off a great season for Hearts with European group football already guaranteed, for Rangers it will mean not finishing empty handed. Missing the Champions League money is a MASSIVE blow to their finances". The MASSIVE capitals were all Michael's. He extrapolated on BBC Radio Scotland, reaching the Europa Cup final had temporarily dug Rangers out of a financial hole, players will have to be sold, "they didn't win the cup, the gamble may have failed. We will have to wait and see"? Since the above Tweet, Michael's Twitter feed has ignored the Scottish Cup final result and, Rangers Champions League qualification. He is fixated with Scottish independence and the tranquility of Catalonia. Like Tom's copy I am sure Michael is awaiting further narrative advice from the Kerrydale Accountants? A comfort blanket, a much treasured comfort blanket has been wrenched from the collective PQ hands. We know in three and half years they chose not to interview Steven Gerrard, we know they have not interviewed Gio either, so far. When they do sit down with the Rangers Gaffer, I hope he does not miss, Michael Stewart is a MASSIVE target.

The exact figure is unkown but the mid single figure £m's is what Rangers will use as an estimate as a differential between what was guaranteed in the EL group stages and CL group stages. People tend to forget the extra costs involved, bigger bonuses paid out for qualifying, bigger bonuses paid for taking part, even highly contingencies on transfer payments that include CL qualification clauses etc.

Wee aside Europa League groups A Arsenal, PSV, Bobo/Gimp, Zurich D Braga, Malmö,. Union Berlin, Union SG

I get the logic but historic trends often (not always) end up continuing in a similar vein. We nearly always do well against Danish sides but never against Swedish, eg. Malmo. We do wonderfully against the Portuguese but can't lay a glove on their Iberian neighbours, the Spanish. Although against Villarreal, you can count on a draw (4/4).

Must be me, but that makes absolutely zero sense to me. Recent form are the teams you play against now, not 50 years ago. The comparison between PSV of Wednesday night and PSV beating Ajax 3 weeks ago is far more relevant and pertinent than comparing our poor results against Ajax 30-50 years ago. You will need to do quite the amount of explaining on how you come to that conclusion.

they also seem to expect them to come in like they are 80 million quid seasoned pros that turned down Real for us. Not the free transfers etc they often are.

In midweek Rangers confounded me yet again and proved what most people know already that I know nothing about football. Gratitude. Now, don’t mess it up against Dross Clarty.

Guys only 21, its madness.

Just looked it up, that was 2005. But yeh a good team. And yes, Bob Malcolm, Ian Murray and Namouchi started that game. Not exactly a team full of a stars.

Just to go against what a few others have said, I think Sands can and will play in midfield but, just as has been the case in his performances at centre-back, we just need to see more of him there to realise how useful a player he is.

Beat Napoli 5-2 Ibrox friendly 1958. Liverpool away, thrice 1899 , win 2-0 Later same year, loss 2-3 1924, win 2-0 Overall 10 friendlies against the burglars. W4, D2, L4 *1924 was billed as unofficial British championship. 6 games against the cloggies. 4 competitive defeats 1 friendly win and 1 friendly draw

If this draw goes on for another 30 minutes it’ll be the longest Celtic have lasted in Europe since 2003.

Wish him all the best.

Hearts may pick up some co-efficient points against the Latvians. ECL Gp.A Istanbul Basaksehir Fiorentina Hearts RFS Riga

I know where you are coming from with this. There are some very odd historical trends that for some reason seem to be followed. Footballing fate if you like.

Aye, probably the bigger difference is Celtic having to split the coefficient money with us

Lunchtime kick offs are shite.

Bound to be asked about transfers which will be interesting.

Started 2 games and was quality and got 2 assists in one of them. nuts

this is exactly the conveyor belt of talent we need. We sell our left cb for 25 million and in steps another young lad who looks like a 30 million quid player in the making. A good CL and world cup and we will be buying sands and selling him on the same day next summer.

Agree, he can play centre mid. Centre back is just where he has got his chance. We haven’t seen him excel in centre mid yet though.

The other three clubs in the group have spent considerably more than we have. They should really all be beating us but we know we can give them a game, especially at Ibrox. Hopefully not too many tourist type fans manage to get tickets (noticed a few around me at the PSV match who looked like they'd never been in a football ground before).

Koulibaly is a loss, but the aging Mertens and Insigne have not been good for a couple of seasons. They've signed Simeone, Raspadori, and Ndombele; along with adding a Georgian winger for £10m, and making the Anguissa move permanent for £15m. They still have Osimhen and Lozano. They've stated the season well. Liverpool will get into gear when their injuries subside. I feel Ajax are the most vulnerable of the lot, because they've lost a lot of players. As they do, they've drafted in youngsters. Saying that, their team at the weekend was still pretty good. We'll find them a challenge. I don't give us a chance against Liverpool or Napoli, outwith the odd magical night at Ibrox.

Its possible but Liverpool need to get thier heads together. Have started the season very poorly. Mane is a big miss. Nunez not settled. Napoli have made a few changes to the playing staff this year, Koulibaily off to Chelsea, Maertens away, Insigne away.. basicially thier three main players over the last few years. Ajax - will either top the group or prop it up. Big changes again for them this year, new manager. Lost a few key players (hope Man U buy Antony right at the death of the window).

I think that’s likely. PSV were being tipped for the title by some, maybe wrongly, but Ajax only just beat them to the title by 2 points last season, and it remains to be seen whether they have effectively replaced the players they sold.

I think Liverpool and Napoli walk the group, with us challenging Ajax for 3rd.

The difference in income from us qualifying last night and not is a lot less than people believe it's in the lower to mid single figure £m's once everything is factored in. That excludes any money we might get for winning or drawing.

I noticed in the first half he had a couple of lobs over our defence for someone to run on to. I don't know if that's one of his signature moves but in the second half Tavernier did the same thing, (I think it was after we had scored) as if to say "Joey, watch a master"

Only by a whisker, they won't get past Madrid and i doubt Leipzig and Shakhtar seem to cause difficulties away. Think Gers have a chance with Napoli home and away and can beat Ajax at home, maybe squeak into 2nd place - depends what Ajax are like for me.

Top of the head stuff. I have witnessed four Rangers - Ajax Euro games. The very first Super Cup in 1973 was a two legged final. We lost 3-2 in Amsterdam and 1-3 at Ibrox for a 3-6 defeat on aggregate. The third and fourth were Champions League mid-nineties, we lost 4-1 in the Amsterdam Arena and 0-1 at Ibrox. I have attended two Rangers - Liverpool friendlies lost both 0-2 and 0-4. I cannot remember any games with Napoli. Thus, we are buggered. Give us the dosh.

This is really perceptive. I remember a while ago a continental manager talking about 'pressing' and how the trick is knowing when to do it. His point being that no side can do it all the time, it takes too much energy and good sides pick when to do it. As DMAA has said we created the mistake, first Laurence closes down the blonde fullback, Kamara closes out his forward pass so he's forced to pass back to the centre half, Colak then closes the centre half forcing the pass to keeper, the only pass available as Kent and Tillman have moved up stopping a pass to the other centre back. The keeper should have punted it but he needed a touch because of the hurried pass to him and as Colak was sprinting onto him he had only one possible pass. Everyone knows what happened next. But DMAA is right, this was no accident, it was tactical and done really well, something I didn't fully appreciate watching the game live.

Even if he IS considered a midfielder, I suspect that he is going to get much more game time at CB than he would in midfield. Not only that, but he loves making vertical passes through the lines. Passes like a midfielder but can actually defend like a CB. And surprisingly good in the air defensively. I think that CB position is his to lose now, even when Davies/Souttar/Helander are fit again.

I'm going to give it to Sands again. Once more he showed a great appetite for the game and wasn't phased on or off the ball. Not only that he's aggressive in the challenge and does very well aerially against bigger players. I do think he can still be guilty of over-playing at times but that's clearly what the manager wants so we'll just have to get used to the odd stray pass.