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We're currently addressing 40 years of infrastructure neglect, millions have been spent on repairs which were absolutely vital but people simply don't notice i.e new roofing on 3 stands which would have resulted in the refusal of a safety certificate if not attended to. You may recall a section of the Govan Stand roof becoming loose and fans having to be shifted during a game. I remember on one occasion a dozen or so wheelchair fans had to leave a game before half time because they were absolutely drenched because lumps of water were cascading down from the Club Deck roof onto them, when I complained to Jim Hannah the following week he said "Ach it's ok they hadn't cleaned the gutters but they'll be cleaned now." Maintenance doesn't come much more basic than that that's how far we had fallen, I also remember a conversation with the guy who recorded the videos of the training sessions for analysis he said his work was being hampered because he couldn't get a new battery for his camera as every item of expenditure costing over £100 had to be personally authorised by Stockbridge. After the sp.ivs the Club was in a far worse state than imagined way, way worse than the Three Bears believed. It's still going to take tens of £m's and years to catch up yet. That's something that could and should have been communicated far better than it has been. One example is the new wheelchair facilities that will be installed something that could and should have been addressed decades ago and will now cost £m's to rectify and result in a significant ongoing reduction in stadium capacity and the associated ongoing revenue reduction. Have the Board made mistakes? Absolutely, should they be criticised for thst? Absolutely. Personally I think they got their priorities wrong i.e. refurbishing the tunnel area and dressing rooms which could have been delayed and the monies put towards ticketing and customer service areas of failure which are now biting them on the arse along with their cack handed attempt to address the PR shambles which after a promising start has regressed. While we were being raped left, right and centre by various owners those across the city had a free ticket to European riches, their player trading model (I concur with your point about it being exaggerated) has been ongoing for over a decade while as Bennett pointed out ours is six months old, we'll be playing catch for quite a while yet too something we really have to learn to accept. There is also the 10k stadium capacity shortfall which is often forgotten, it's to try and mitigate that which is behind the high cost of CL tickets etc. It's correct to scrutinise the Board and it's fair to highlight their shortcomings and to criticise them where it's, merited. They are not infallible. However some of the stuff I've been reading of late (not on here it has to be said) is pure off the scale batshit mental and totally detached from reality. With Rangers there appears to be only heroes and zeros when in reality there's a world in between. Boardrooms like teams are organic and evolve over time, sometimes both need revolution as opposed to evolution we had the revolution we're now in a period of evolution and we should be thankful for that. The current board (along with King it has to be said) not only stepped up and played they stepped up and paid over and over and over again. The torches need to be extinguished and the pitchforks returned to the barns. People need to be careful what they wish for because they just might get it. The AGM should be fun with the likes of William Stanch ESA, DLA, PIP lecturing successful billionaire businessmen and a group of self made millionaires on how to successfully run a business.

Thanks. Yes the needless communication failures of the Board are causing them unnecessary issues and it's baffling that this situation still exists.

An example of what I was on about.

I wouldn't say devastated, more crestfallen that I've had to discard my matching Scoulding PJ's and duvet set. In all seriousness. Its probably time for a change in that area.

Interesting. I'm the opposite. To say I'm 'happy' with the squad would be a stretch, but I maintain that it is, on the whole, fine. It's the manager that is the issue, for me.

Murray totally neglected Rangers during his last 10years of ownership

Well it was nice to hear from Mr Bennnet and he talked quite a lot but never really said much. Well apart from saying all "pillars" are now operating how they want them to. I note the Stewart Robertson has also been speaking to Rangers Review regarding our finances but not listened to the interview as yet. Hopefully this is just the beginning of "fan engagement" and we see / hear more from thr board.

Ultimately, David Murray is to blame for our ongoing financial problems. I wonder if I'll live long enough to see us recover from 2012.

No comment

There is the real issue for most fans, regarding most topics. We do not know. Is there a good reason for the lack of transparency would be my question.

The relatively new UEFA distribution model has had an effect and will continue to do so. Ie. The ten year co-efficient and being paid a sum according to what your number is, relative to the other 31 teams. We are 31st this season and get 2 shares of over a million euros each. IIRC, they are getting in the region of 9m euros. Big difference, then you have to add a 55/45 split of TV money in their favour (latter has a short term resolution possible / win the league) Similar thing happened last season in the EL, but numbers were much more modest (EL share worth around 10% of CL and about x3 of Conference). At the other end, Real Madrid rake in 32 x approx. 1.2m€. Keeping the elite clubs onside, for now.

Good post. Lots of detail I wasn't aware of. 👍

Even someone like Matondo: I like the profile: young, cheap, incredibly quick with lots of potential. He's not started well, at all - although, he has 1 assist fewer (2) than Kent (3) in half the minutes played... He should be playing, though. Surely it's better to let him get used to the culture, rather than shoehorn in Arfield? I don't quite understand why GvB can't utilise him? Unless there are some disciplinary issues, but then why do we sign him in the first place?

Wilson's the head of that department, so he's ultimately responsible. I think you're right, though: we should be blaming the scouts for not finding the best targets. Hold on! Weren't you devastated that Scoulding was leaving, and that he was being replaced by Park?

Predicted in June, alongside communication being a big problem and the squad not being good enough. #trumpetblower

According to the Rangers Review the board will present a plan to upgrade the disabled supporter facilities at the AGM. That's one off field project I can back investment on. Should have been done long ago. I used to sit just behind some disabled supporters and the section they get is the worst view in the stadium and exposed to the elements. No doubt the usual suspects will complain about safe standing but IMO this comes first.

Kvaratskhelia stood out the second he touched the ball in highlights I watched before the game, his touch and control of the ball is what all wingers should aspire to. Although to be honest it’s not really something you can teach, you have it or you don’t. What I like about Napoli is that they don’t content themselves with 1 or 2 creative players the way we do (Kent 😑), something that frustrates the life out of me, they have loads of players who can dribble and create. Anyway I watched this video after the game, a joy to watch that player.

Interesting interview with football financial expert Kieran MaGuire

The last 3 or 4 transfer windows have been a huge disappointment. Who is to blame?

Should we care about what they think ? I think realism helps and there are challenging times ahead. Not surprised that John Bennett said running Rangers is the biggest challenge in business that he as faced. Part of that is managing expectation levels. If you fuel them and don't deliver, rational two-way communication becomes more difficult. IMO, better to keep the paying support onside with realism and have them buy into another strategic well communicated plan. Would hopefully mitigate constant fire-fighting and reactionary measures.

A mistake, yes. It was almost as if the recent dominant M.O. (squeezing as much revenue as possible from fanbase) naturally went the route of RTV subscriber only. Then someone analysing the feedback realised the irony of a trailer finishing with a line about fixing communication from club to fans being only available to a few. --------------------- If the fans want the club to grow on and off the pitch, they need to be prepared to pay top dollar and regularly. Short of finding & selling a Calvin Bassey every window, there appears no way round this. Primarily, beyond basic survival, this is about keeping up with the neighbours and domestic success that opens the door to (the possibility of) CL money. FFP will eventually limit our spending on salaries, transfer/agent fees, etc. to 70% of revenue. Historically, at least as far back as I paid any attention to the accounts, we have been run in what could be termed as an unsustainable business model. We became used to buying our way out of problems. Too often, it was only buying in more problems. Kicking cans down the road was the order of the day. In 2009, a set of events was put in motion by Lloyds that would lead to Feburary 2012 (obviously on the back of Sir Duped's business model). Our more recent losses, post March 2015 were projected and funded. Covid pulled the rug from under projected timescales and here we find ourselves looking at UEFA imposed FFP regulations to conform to. In short, to operate at a competitive level with the neighbours, never mind Europe. We are somehow going to have to up those revenue levels and keep them there. That has to be paid for and the support are as John Bennett said, the lifeblood. Lowering costs would probably mean lower salaries which points towards playing more of our own youngsters. Great, if they are good enough because it also boosts revenue (player trading model). The only viable option ? The supporter model would then need to incorporate patience. Why not, when the supposed saying that Rangers is all about winning (the League title) has gone by the wayside in the last decade or so. If we've grown acustomed to not winning it, perhaps it is time to try something else.

Bielsa would be great