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I don't believe I've ever seen the levels of hysteria from our on-line support as I have in the last 48 hours. The manager should go. The board should go. The players aren't good enough etc etc etc. Yes, Saturday's performance wasn't good enough, but I don't see the need to go overboard. If we look at the 9 in a row seasons, only 4 had better league starts to the season than this one. Even the famous 92-93 season was worse at this stage. I hate to think what the internet would be like back then. We've qualified for the Champions League group stages. A fantastic feat, which appears to have been forgotten. We were in a European final a few months ago, the run to which have at least 5 games which would easily feature into my top 20 favourite Rangers games of all time. I don't believe any other season would have as many and wouldn't trade the memories of them that Gio helped give us. We didn't spend in the transfer window and I'm as disappointed as most on that, but there's a few potential reasons for that, including FFP, the SDI settlement being a lot higher than we'd thought, and future cashflows. We are still inherently loss-making and while we may be profitable last season and this season, we still need to plan ahead and look at next season and the cashflows required. There's even been allegations that the board are keeping the cash for themselves to repay their investments, but as he club will never pay dividends, that's patently untrue. Things may not be perfect at the moment but they're far from the disaster that many are suggesting.

So you're saying we should have a word in their shell-like?

The football landscape has changed since those heady days. You had Abderdeen, Motherwell and others who regularly took points from both us and Celtic. Now, the results of OF games determine the outcome of the league and we are more susceptible to dropping points outwith OF games. To be fair to those calling for Gio's head, this isn't just a recent phenomenon it's been happening (rightly or wrongly) since last season. His European record is fantastic, is domestic record is questionable, especially away from Ibrox. 2 heavy OF defeats in 3 visits to Parkhead isn't gonna get him plaudits. The board aren't going anywhere as we are not an attractive financial investment. We play in a provincial league with little domestic income. Punching above our weight in Europe has helped our brand awareness and brought in much needed finance. However, the board should never be above questioning and their "customer communication" is horrific. Things aren't perfect and haven't been since securing 55 - 1 ScottIsh Cup isn't a great return (isn't the worst eaither) especially when we were 6 points ahead when Gio took over. Europe has gotten him some grace (as it did with SG) but domestic form needs to improve and become consistently better or questions will remain and / or intensify.

Even with backing he still takes the Villa job, IMO. I was wanting him gone anyway; we were stale.

It should be becoming clear to everyone just how much the club was damaged in 2012 and how hard the climb back up really is. Winning 55 was always on when they announced Lennon was returning, otherwise I doubt it would have happened, and reaching Seville was some kind of a miracle that I still don't understand - but I think these also served to wake up the people in the east and remind them to strengthen their own efforts. I fully expect we will be the top dog again but more time is needed.

I would say a 50% success rate over a six year period. So 3 titles over the next 6 years (which would mean 4 out of 8). Don't think that is an unreasonable expectation. What we can't allow to happen is for them to have another 9-in-a-row opportunity

I thought it was quite funny. ☹️

Who knows with this team? Sneak a win/draw at Ajax, then draw/lose at Aberdeen. I would not be surprised.

Imagine we lived in a world of transparency where the board issued a communication and cleared this up for us.

Fück off. 😁 I've always been civil 😉

Aye, communicate the cold hard reality (without the fine detail) and how we intend to reach stated objectives. Everyone in it together Ps. Civil conversations between you and I make me think there might even be hope for Ukraine/Russia.

Yeah, but not me as I'd clam up.

An important part of this squad have in all seasons bar 55, shown themselves to be unable to keep together a consistent league season. When we got 55, we immediately handed the title back when we should have consolidated our position. They won't be for doing the same and we won't even get close.

And reasoned and well-made posts like this are fine and required. The club does need to be questioned but the whole toys out the pram attitude that we've seen elsewhere is of no help and in many cases is counterproductive.

Hulot! Hulot! We are the Billy Boys!

Realistically, all three of our group stage opponents should be giving us a hiding but this squad have exceeded expectations previously and can do it again.

GvB deserves to see out the CL groups. I agree with gunslinger though, if we go out of Europe and our domestic form doesn't improve, it might be time to look at alternatives. Our away form in 2022 has been nothing short of a disgrace.

Given his record in Europe we should give him this run at the CL. But if that goes bad or if their isn't a huge improvement in the league by the time we break up for the world cup we should use that break to find a new manager.

The last couple of days have been a very good example of why fans should never run football clubs. Financially, we still have a considerable distance to go but very few seem to want to accept this.

Havent read the full thread yet to get an idea of the overall opinion but I would say Gersnet over the years has always been more reserved and not so much knee jerk reactions. Gio seems a bit of a tactical genius in the Europa league but there is a pattern being created domestically of not changing it. On Saturday after 15 minutes I was screaming he needs to make at least one sub else it would be 3-0 by half time but he tried to ride the storm hoping we would come in the game. Its been seen many a time by the likes of Mourinho that he doesnt care how many minutes have gone in a game, if a change is needed then do it for tactical reasons at a minimum. FWIW I originally would have very slightly preferred Gattuso with his mass passion but overall thought Gio could perhaps be better for long term building - and it hasnt been one year yet so its to early to make a change now for me.

That was some forum user feedback. I adopted it in an attempt to inspire others. I can't tell if it is working or not. In this case I'm thinking about the prospect of facing Calvin Bassey. A chain is only as strong as the weakest link.

Kamara looked like he had no idea where he was supposed to be playing or what he was supposed to be doing. To me, he was asked to occupy McGregor but I don't think he got within three yards of him until he was hooked. But there's no point in moaning about one player or the other - the collective were shameful. utterly shameful in application and desire. For that the manager, needs to read the riot act to not just Morelos it seems.

Said yesterday the our board (and I've heard this from a very good source) have prioritised Europe over domestic success. As long as Gio or who ever is the manager continues to bring in £30-£40M from Europe, domestic negligence will be accepted. I don't see Gio doing a SG and leaving due to not being backed. Someone said yesterday that Celtic are our barometer. If that is the case, they have shown that you can't rule domestically as well as excelling in Europe. Their model is simple - win the league and get automatic qualification to CL. If that doesn't happen, sell 4 or 5 players at an profit. Also, if Celtic are our barometer, check the difference in transfer budgets - their spend dwarfs ours. There is so much wrong with our Club - ticketing, customer service, safe standing, catering, diasabled access to name a few issues and now we've been added to UEFA FFP watch-list, the purse strings are not going to be lossened. Our board are NOT what we need to take us forward but they aren't going anywhere soon so we're stuck with them. The league is not lost, but its now an uphill battle to get back into the race but with (financial) pressure on us to progress in Europe, all our energy and focus will be on that. After the sale of Aribo, Patterson and Bassey we don't have players sales to fall back on - Kamara would be the only player we could sell for a profit in the January transfer window. Bleak period ahead... unless this team clicks and goes unbeaten from now until end of season which I can't see happening.

For Scotland no, but given our position in Europe, we are very much the 'little guy'. Look at our group in CL--Rangers valuation is 30% that of Ajax, and Napoli..(~$400M)...~3% that of Liverpool ($4.4B). Having stated that, clubs of ANY size can encounter economic issues if directed improperly. Rangers should be completely aware of that.

VAR is like a bad tradesman with all the fancy tools useless

Can he play wide right?

Still Tanzanian unless the freak was born before 1964.

If we are thinking the same freak he was born in Zanzibar.

Thats a yellow, bordering in red card.....😀

Being hysterical for the sake of it is pointless. But there have been numerous board and manager red flags we ignore at our pearl.

The alternative is to cross our fingers and hope the Gio can catch Celtic (which is unlikely) and continue to produce miracles in Europe. We're losing money either way.....

No matter what happens on Wednesday I don't think I'll get over this defeat. even if we qualify from our CL group, if we haven't won the league next May I will feel something is missing. Unless Keltic were to turn out to be some exceptional team which I don't think they are (they were horsed by Bodo Glimt amongst others).

I thought that was obvious? I never wanted GvB in the first place.

Sarcasm and lowest form of wit and all that and once again you completely ignore the points raised Maybe Darius leaked them to me....

Last time In Holland I predicted a heavy defeat and we won! Ajax 4 Rangers 0 FGS Tav

Lovelace, Stevens and Nsio all came on against QOTS but I think it's fair to assume they'll be on the fringe first team this season.

That depends on their level, the coaching and a manager who is prepared to trust them. From a strategic POV, it shows some foresight. The difficulty at a club like Rangers, is for under pressure managers putting them in. Perhaps, a clear and well communicated strategy could prepare the support in showing some patience. I fully realise how difficult that would be but with FFP, is there another way ? The Ajax model has been talked about for years. We need to stop talking and DO something similar.

Polls on the managers future might have some utility if they weren’t conducted a day after being thrashed by Celtic.

The selection really wasn't the problem yesterday. The truth is that we are slack. I can't understand why. We can't coast against other S.P.F.L. sides so why should we be able to against Celtic? That's true even before you consider the work ethic of this Celtic side. While Kent appealed for a throw in at the first goal I was shouting for him to get his head back in the game and defend. No surprise that a goal followed. I hate watching our players shout at the ref for stuff like that. No shortage of other examples of the problem.

Time for the January thread so that I can speculate about where Matondo and Ridvan will go on loan.

Feburary 2022 2 : Celtic 3 Rangers 0 17 : Dortmund 2 Rangers 4 20 : Dundee Utd 1 Rangers 1 24 : Rangers 2 Dortmund 2 27 : Rangers 2 Motherwell 2 Up and doon like a whore's knickers Lost a league (more or less) Famous result in Europe Can't see lightning striking twice in Europe Better win ALL domestic games

About 50/50 then, if you're an SNP supporter 😆 As always the problem is who do you replace him with, how much would it cost to remove him and his team, and how much compensation would we have to pay for a new management team. Unless we're going with someone currently out of work? If we win on Wednesday, wonder how much the poll would change!

I completely understand the challenges they face, don't think there is anyone on here who doesn't. However, that doesn't excuse them for continually failing to deliver and improve in areas that have been broken for decades. Issues are real, they affect 1000 of fans week in and week out and are not being addressed and fans are continually "shouted down" when they raise these issue. Having helped run a RSC I have first hand experience of how good the people who work on the ticket office are but their job is continually firefighting issues created by the lack of a functioning ticket system. We have examples of ST seats being sold during public sales and then the stewards telling ST holders that the public sale takes the seat and ST holders moved. We have numerous examples of people doubling up to get access to big games denying people who actually pay for their tickets their seats. Plus people standing in Isles which is a safety hazard. People turning up 1hr before kickoff with kids and not being able to get hot food at kiosks. Some kiosks didn't have water. None of the above is tribal, its factual and its criminal that its not being addressed.