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Its literally the definition of insanity to keep doing the same things and expect a different outcome . Like it or lump it we need to give Clement and Koppen time to sort out this boards mess , they should have backed Gerrard they didnt , they should have backed Van Bronckhurst with the players he wanted they didnt , they then allowed Beale to go Rogue , we are now coming to see the end of this , we need to back him , we need another central mid , and a striker as well as a proper center half .

We can't keep sacking managers every year. I wouldn't blame Clement for considering his position, as things stand. I suppose the next few weeks will have a huge bearing on how things go.

I am not sure who holds the ace in the hole here. I suspect that it is Clement: if only because it will be easier for him, if he leaves, to explain himself to a prospective future employer than it will be for the board to explain itself to a prospective future employee.

I only ever join in with the bigoted stuff. 😀

Cantwell has some degree of footballing talent but isn’t able to deploy it consistently or for that matter, effectively. Not at all sorry to see him go. (Nothing to do with his daft beard and stupid haircut, honest)

Can't wait for headlines like, 'Hannibal Silences the Lambs at Pittodrie' !! Get him signed.

Heard he's good at taking on the Romans. 🙂

£'000 EBT/ IHT 41,648 Small tax claims 4,079 Craig Whyte era 10,273 Total 56,000 Don't believe anyone can buy the company as they may inherit the debt that's not been paid. Not 100% sure on that though as it's not my area of expertise.

Did we pay anything for Cantwell? If I were from another club, I wouldn't touch him. Flatters to deceive and brings a pathetic level of aggravation. Need to try and sell him to one of those clubs who repeatedly f**k up and never learn, eg. Sunderland or us.

We are looking at starting competitive football with half a squad, and folk are worried about hairlines. Charlton, Zidane, to name but two baldies who could play a bit.

That was as poor a half of football as I can recall, we were woeful. It's worth remembering Birmingham are in the English third tier. I know it's a friendly and perhaps the players have been getting run mercilessly for 2 weeks with an eye on a long season or something, but I'd still expect us to put up a better showing than that. The fact I was actually pleased when Wright and Dessers came on depresses me. I'm starting to wonder if so many senior players leaving, or trying to leave, is causing issues behind the scenes. We didn't look like a team last night, or at the weekend. I fully accept a couple of good signings could change everything, so I hope they happen soon. As an aside I liked the look of the Birmingham right back in the first half. Laird I think was his name. Obviously he was given the freedom of the wing and our tactics of not running or tackling and passing to Birmingham players might have enhanced his performance.

With just ten days until Rangers kick off their competitive season at Tynecastle next weekend, it's fair to say it's been less than a positive summer for our supporters with two main lowlights dominating the discussion in recent weeks. For many, the main point of contention will be the issues related to stadium improvements at Ibrox. Work to construct an additional cantilever section of seating similar to that of the Govan Stand in 2006 was brought to an abrupt halt apparently due to a shortage of steel from Asia - though there are suggestions that's not the only reason. This means with a fortnight left until our first 'home' game of 2024/25, we know that match will be played at Hampden but that’s it. From average Joes in the Copland to high profile commercial club partners, none of us know our seat or the logistics associated with getting there. Worse, we’ve no idea how long this will be for. To call this a shambles is an understatement. Now, the intentions associated with the works are good ones. From providing better facilities for our disabled fans, to ensuring we’re fulfilling UEFA rules for European matches, such improvements are often non-negotiable and necessary. However, with a tight schedule for the project any issue was always going to be problematic and some things can happen which are unforeseen, no matter how well you plan. However, to not account for such simple eventualities as material supply really is embarrassing for all associated with the works. Material orders should have been made with back-ups in mind and Rangers could easily have ensured they had alternative stadium agreements already in place in the event there were delays. It seems this didn’t happen and someone – not just the individual apparently fired – should be clear and up front why the process was so flawed. Either way, our summer wasn’t off to a good start when initial rumours turned to formal delay announcements last month. No matter, even with the red face we all have to complement our new Rangers strips (the emails asking us to buy these weren’t delayed), surely the more important stuff of improving the squad would take our minds off having to sit at Hampden instead of Ibrox? An unsuccessful season last term – albeit with a reasonable European run and winning the League Cup despite having to change our manager early doors – and a raft of players coming to the end of their contract meant wholesale amendments to the squad were required. Again, this was no easy task. With seven players either leaving on a free or their loan deals ending, that was the minimum number of additions needed over the summer. To that end, we have seen eight players come in but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Two of these were players returning from loan: Sam Lammers and Ianis Hagi whose Rangers careers appear to be all but over with neither likely to feature for the first team again. Similarly, Oscar Cortes was already here on loan last season. That leaves five new players (Kelly, Jefte, Nsiala, Barron and Igamane), none of whom could be considered first picks, to supplement a bloated squad that was always going to need further urgent, quality upgrades. In fact, Jack Butland aside, it’s difficult to make the case for any player as being essential for the future and even the big Englishman might be dispensable to help pay for reinforcements. Indeed, a variety of players have been linked with moves away. From captain James Tavernier (who hasn’t featured in any pre-season game so far) to his declining deputy Connor Goldson and mercurial midfielder Todd Cantwell, suggestions of their exit appear strong with the hope reasonable compensation will be agreed for their services, allowing us to replace them with better. Yet, at the time of writing, none and have actually moved on and no-one else has arrived. Add in the failure to find buyers for more fringe players such as Davies, Dowell, Matondo, Wright and Lawrence – all who have been shown to be unreliable in terms of fitness and/or quality – then fans are rightly confused ahead of our two final friendlies this week and a closing deadline for the vital CL qualifier in early August. All this means criticism of the club has been quickly building in recent weeks as fans start to lose patience. Stadium problems are one thing but a demonstrable lack of direction and leadership is quite another. The club have released empty emails on the Hampden move but when it comes to matters on the pitch, our communication is even worse. We’ve seen conflicting statements to (and by) the manager about strengthening the team and its uncertain just how long Phillipe Clement will put up with what appears to be a lack of support for his ambitions. What was the Belgian told last year before he took the job? What has changed since? Why are squad changes taking so long? Who is responsible for the day-to-day decision-making at the club and is this delaying all these essential processes? Why has this unacceptable situation been allowed to develop? Only one person can answer these questions and that’s the chairman/temporary CEO John Bennett. Conspicuous by his absence in terms of fan communication, the scrutiny and pressure upon him is now intense. Ultimately, the buck stops with him and all the negative issues of recent years are arguably his responsibility. It doesn’t matter if it’s the farce of Old Firm ‘friendlies’ abroad or the more critical lack of joined up thinking when it comes to managers, sporting directors and the football department, it’s very difficult not to think Bennett and his fellow board members are out of their depth. The chairman has promised a more in-depth statement by the end of this month. However, I think we must make it abundantly clear before this happens, his interview cannot consist of generic soundbites, excuses and moonbeams but be accompanied with clear actions. What we need to see is players moved out now with better replacements brought in immediately. Equally, we need a new Chief Executive with genuine experience and board members with gravitas that can work from Ibrox on a day-to-day basis; not part-time from afar. And, if this can’t happen quickly enough, then be honest, be transparent and be clear too. Is this season to be one of longer-term transition? Should our expectations be more cautious as a result? Will the appointment of suitably qualified directors take more time? When will we return to Ibrox? Is the manager on board with all the above? In conclusion, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say John Bennett is in the last chance saloon with many Rangers fans. Yes, his financial support of the club has been essential in recent years and that backing cannot be under-estimated. Likewise, we just can’t snap our fingers or stamp our feet and have a range of rich benefactors ready to invest into or buy the club. But neither can that mean poor performance is excused and there is too much evidence of serious mistakes across the club in recent seasons that tell us leadership is lacking. The clock is ticking then: not just for the completion of the Copland Road and not just for changes to the squad but for changes to the very fabric of how the club is run for this season and beyond. With the club’s competitive foundation of success in increasingly clear question, we cannot be found wanting.

Hannibal Mejbri (Arabic: حَنِّبَعْل المجبري; born 21 January 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Manchester United and the Tunisia national team. A mobile centre-mid, and, perhaps, the answer to a maiden's prayer. There is nothing that Hannibal Cannae do.

That was the guestimate quoted in the media at the time but I have been told by someone who would know that we got him effectively for nothing.

And therein lies at least part of your problem.

It looks PATHETIC☠️😠

Is that tie-dyed? Whatever it is, it's a bloody mess.

Dessers, Danilo, Lammers.

I think last night should put the 'play the youngsters' chat to bed. Lowry and McKinnon are nowhere near good enough. Can't say I'm looking forward to Saturday's match. Or the season.

Fans of Norwich City won't be at all surprised to see the Cantwell situation, they've already lived that one.

No surprise to see Cantwell the next player to be moved on. In May many fans wanted big changes to the squad and the leadership group removed. That is happening (albeit too slowly) and, as per PLG in many ways, it's very much a case of the manager leading the way. Can he deliver and take the players (new and old) with him? FWIW, Cantwell is talented but less so the application. Social media use is his business but when he loses focus because of it and fails to accompany his big claims with big performances then fans will always lose patience. It's a negative pattern for him to change now.

Turning up for 5 or 6 games a season isn't good enough. Disappearing in pivotal games that shape the destiny of our season is definitely not good enough. Saying that, Cantwell is not on his own in that category. That's why we need a clear out after all.

It sounds from the outside like there is a few guys wanting to go. It’s up to the manager now to bring in his own guys and put his same demanding mentality into them. As has been said earlier in the thread we wanted most of these guys gone and looks like we will get it. I for one thing it’s the plaster that needed ripped off and will benefit us long term. Things do look off at the moment but it may just take time for a few new leaders on the park and at the training centre to emerge. I like the approach to recruitment so far so even if it takes a few windows I think we can build a better team the other side of this with Clement at the helm. PS have Belgium appointed a new manager yet?

I'd just like to add that version of Caledonia we're singing is flippin' awful. Depressing dirge (and I like the song itself).

Don't exaggerate they're not that good

Contract up at end of season as well so potential to get him permanently

While agree to most of this, would the appropriate question not be: Can they actually back the (respective) gaffer? (Both in terms of having/investing money and "financial fair-play".) In the here and now, it looks very much that Clement will / may only get all the money we rake in from "transfers out", which may very well be a significant sum? Generally ... And, at the end of the day, injuries and freak-refereeing/VARing aside, we pulled them back to one point last season, only to throw it away in 2 weeks. And "it" refers to direct CL qualification and the money that comes with it, without playing a single CL game. Any gaffer has to deliver, and neither of them changed the team in a way that wrought success - i.e. we just toiled along with 4-2-3-1 against any team out there. It beggars belief that people can be so blind/stubborn ...

Pity it didn’t work out for Cantwell I thought there was a player in there but maybe Rangers and Scottish football wasn’t for him

1.5m ish.

Nobody ever went bust underestimating the taste of the public. QED.

I think it looks pretty good. As for the timing, these things are scheduled months in advance.

Not suitable attire for an athletic contest. Be thankful, I suppose there are no pinks or greens in it.

Sort of sums up the whole club atm.

Is he any good?

So as it stands our team for Tynecastle will look like this : Butland Tav / Sterling Balogun Souttar Ridvan / Jefte Dio Barron Wright / Lawrence(?) MaCausland Dessers Cortes very few options to change that 11 or bring on from the bench. Just have to hope and pray any players signed before Tynecastle have had a good pre-season, are fit and ready to hit the ground running.

Well said Leon

I believe that it's all been settled now. There was a settlement agreement with HMRC of £56m of which they received around £8m. The company is due to be dissolved on 24th October.

The footballing part of the general Omnishambles continues at pace (the stadium, less so).....!! The atmosphere and general vibe around the players has to be toxic given the amount of players that the club want to move on. To bring youngsters into that type of dressing room is far from ideal. The manager is herding cats at the moment and the short term forecast is for more stormy weather. It has to be said that Clement is now showing a side that is less than convincing but we have to hope he can (& wants) to ride the storm out and starts to regain control and build something, once this transfer window is closed. This would require a successful few weeks of recruitment, on the cheap and our patience, if results go Pete Tong. Last summer and beyond, we have went for outside bets in the transfer market. Trying to squeeze quality out of the 'elderly', out of favour or injury prone. Predictabily, it didn't work. Now the whole shooting match is an outside bet. I would require long odds to be tempted into putting any money on it.

IMO, there are very much elements of PLG's time at the club right now. To say the manager has been less than convincing over the last few months is an understatement. Only a decent initial 3-4 months has credit in the bank for him (unlikely PLG who never got going at all). Guys like Tav and Cantwell are not Barry Ferguson either but it does seem like the manager is removing various leaders from the dressing room to change the culture. Another difference to PLG's time is that we (or at least a lot of us) wanted that change so I think we need to allow Clement lee-way now. However, a bad start to the season will see any and all goodwill removed.

Great post mate, apart from the last line 😋

We seem to be in a terrible state it looks like the manager doesn't know his starting eleven with the league starting and a European tie coming up , who'd be a manager.

I'm not a huge fan of Cantwell and think this scenario has been coming but it's weird we're starting with Lowry at 10 when we have Cantwell available. He's much, much better at creating chances (not that he's very good at it, mind you). I said it in the friiendlies thread - something just feels completely off. This season is shaping up to be a horror show.

My god... we have a squad full of really bang average footballers.

I wouldn't change any of this at HT. Unless we are talking of youngsters. This looks like a B-Team game and should have been advertised as such. Imagine we manage to get any of the half-decent first teamers out there or on the bench injured ... There is no midfield whatsoever, Diomande pretty bad, McKinnon non-existent, Lowry shocking, Tavernier half-asleep. There is next to no service to Danilo or McCausland, Matondo at his average best. Ridvan, Nsiala and Balogun doing what is needed.

Danilo is utter rubbish, Beale should be up at The Hague for his crimes against buying strikers.

Comparing ourselves to Celtic is obviously the main metric but it really is all about our own shortcomings at the moment. We can't be side-tracked by what they do or don't do.

100% spot on Frankie - brilliant article.