craig

I agree. We have an opportunity to apply increased pressure on Celtic given they arent on league duty, and at a ground they have dropped points this season. We must continue to apply that pressure to a creaking Celtic. We have gone away to Aberdeen, Hibs and Celtic and returned with 7 from 9 points (with the only two points dropped being thanks to an offside goal for Hibs) which is commendable. From those same 3 games Celtic have only had 4 points (two of those games were at home rather than away) - so arguably the 2nd round of fixtures are more difficult for them - we need to make it doubly so by continuing to pick up 3 points and ensuring that Celtic have zero breathing room to drop points. They haven't had this kind of pressure in a decade - we mustn't let them off the hook. 3 points a must tomorrow - and I couldn't care less how ugly it is achieved.

But they have only ever argued that we are a new company, ergo new club..... the owner becomes an irrelevance

Thanks Uilleam, I suspected as much. The whole "separate entity" claim without actually using said words - subtle, less antagonistic way of saying they are a different company.... would that not mean any trophies won prior to 1997 are now part of a previous entities history ?

I think it is grossly over the top to expect Castore to not do a deal with Newcastle simply because of the issues Rangers fans have had with Ashley. In fact, it isnt based on any rationality whatsoever. Newcastle are one of England's biggest clubs with incredibly loyal fans. They are a coup for any football brand given the numbers of merchandising sales they potentially provide. It is also incredibly egotistic for Rangers fans to think that Castore should be solely considering our fragile emotions over Ashley - they are a business and, rightly so, couldnt care less about our thoughts over Ashley, particularly IF Ashley has nothing to do with the running of Castore and, specifically, nothing to do with the merchandising deal we have with Castore. To suggest that fans shouldnt buy any products with Ashley if he buys a piece of Castore is ridiculous IMO. Ashley is a multi-billionaire who will have stakes in many, many companies that Rangers fans already do business with, and make purchases from. Castore only have two clubs in their portfolio because they are a fairly new company and are trying to build that brand out - you need to start somewhere. And when you are trying to break into what is almost a monopolistic industry you will take whatever business you can that allows you to break in and possibly challenge the establishment. Sometimes we need to take a step back and think more rationally than emotionally.

This is now to our benefit IMO - I am happy that all and sundry defend Lennon because he is so volatile a character he will now only be one or two results away from full meltdown and (even more) players downing tools. He did it at Hibs and he did it at Bolton too. The longer he is in charge at Celtic, the longer he throws his own players under the bus, the longer everyone in the mhedia defend him - the better it is for us - let us go quietly about our business, winning game after game, pretty OR ugly, and before they know it they will have little option but to accept we are now a match for their heroes....

What is the relevance/importance of Celtic continually referencing "prior to 1997" - has to be some legal loophole they are trying to utilise

DMAA's avatar suggests inherent bias

They won't be able to as UEFA won't postpone the Euro's again.

Yep, agreed, as does SG - but he is still our best striker. A more natural finisher than Morelos IMO. The fact he can play wide in a front 3 helps because it gives us options for those positions - Itten is the same, can play wide as well as through the middle - something SG mentioned with respect to both last night.

He is our best striker

Couldnt agree more with this GS. It is actually GOOD for us if they continue to believe that they are a good team and that Saturday was nothing more than a blip against a "not very good" Rangers. Their continued delusion can only be to our advantage.

I hope he isnt as they likely will spend money on a decent manager.

Made exactly the same points on Twitter.

I dont think the OP implies that at all. I find it a statement of fact that their run of games is more difficult than ours and that it IS an opportunity for us to take maximum points and apply pressure. Nowhere in the OP does it state that we should be picking up more points than them. I guess it is all about interpretation, but I dont see any implication.

I’ll tell you what... as soon as you stop prevaricating on answering the contradiction between “part time” and “professional” then I’ll agree he was referring to the top division. However, your argument, as proven by YOUR specific highlights, were around “part time” and “professional”, not the league.

You really didn’t because you’re now trying to conflate two different statements. you tried to say that “part time” wasn’t “professional. You then tried to backtrack by using the top league as a way of justifying you being wrong. Again, can you highlight JohnMc’s contradiction where you try to state that “part time” and “professional” are contradictory statements ? You also do realise that John was also correct that the league may not completed - we’ve already seen multiple games called off because of Covid and some last minute. The SPFL have already stated that they don’t have any space should there be cancellations in games..... so it’s more than remotely feasible the season doesn’t complete by summer - and it can’t extend beyond then given European competition too.

Stating Celtic have a harder run of games than we do and saying it is a test for them hardly qualifies as “jumping the gun” ?

Gonzo, you highlighted the words "part time" and "professional" and then said that it was a contradiction of terms. Can you tell me where JohnMc said "top flight" in his response ?

There is absolutely ZERO contradiction in those two comments. Scotland already has many part time clubs who are professional. Indeed, the majority of professional clubs in Scotland are part time. You may want to go back and see what the definition of professional football is in Scotland, because it most certainly isnt that in order to be considered professional you must be full-time.

Where in this thread has ANYONE said "we just won a big game so will win everything" - there isnt one single post saying that. And, likewise, when was the last time you say ANYONE on here suggesting that "Gerrard must go". You are seeing things you want to see, not things that are actually there.

Really not sure how you can say this thread suggests our support is bipolar. Reasoned I would call it.

It was interesting to me to hear Goldson talk about the complete drop off when we returned from Dubai last season - I would like to think that they now understand that anything less than everything simply wont be enough. We do now have much better depth in the event that players go off the boil. We are definitely in pole position - but we just HAVE to keep winning because as bad as Celtic are, they still dont drop that many points against the lesser lights....

I have a feeling that Hibs will do us more than one good turn on Celtic this season. And others may follow.

I would actually say back 5. Strange though that sounds. Because, little though McGregor had to do.... if he doesnt come out and close that angle when Griffiths is put through, and force him wide, then it is almost certainly a goal which leads to a much more nervy end to the game at 2-1.

Absolutely - consistency against the other teams in the league has been our problem, and Celtic's major advantage, over the last couple of seasons. I see a different Rangers team this season though. There is a steely determination to not drop points - the next couple of weeks could be pivotal as Celtic go to Pittodrie and we then also have a league game whilst they have a cup game. Pick up 6 or 9 points from next 3 games and they could legitimately be 7 points or more behind, pressure they havent actually been under in a decade. And I am not convinced their players have the mental fortitude to overcome that. And Lennon seems to slowly but surely be losing the dressing room too. Their better players dont look like they want to be there - and with how their recruitment has gone lately you wouldnt trust them to spend any transfer revenue wisely. One thing is for sure - I would much rather be where we are right now than where they are.