buster.

The board need to decide on a viable strategy, who they want to be in charge and make a realistic call. Personally, I think the new FFP rules point toward our own version of the Ajax model. Parts of it are (at least partly) already in place, eg. Improvement in youth development, early stages of player trading model, commerce, etc. .... looking to improve .... It won't happen but I would be looking at around the AGM time / WC break to go with it. Ruthless, yes but we won't get to where we want to be, as it stands. Timescales are always difficult and we may have to go a step backwards, to actually get to where we need to.

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.

Question for the board is simple. How do we regain League title (asap)?

It isn't so much that it is currently a "disaster". It's more about the direction we are going. I said a while back that this squad (as it stood) was getting stale, had several issues and it wasn't going to achieve much this season. The OF match brought that into harsh focus. We operate in a two horse race. That isn't hysteria in my book. It is rational thought after looking at what is going on. To simply take a more optimistic view is just as valid but I don't think it would be easy to justify.

Mention of the Ajax model should be accompanied by a mention of tacit approval by Ajax themselves, with the signing of Bassey. Currently an exception to the rule, we need to find different versions of Calvin Bassey on a relatively regular basis. Not easy but It is what good youth systems do.

The changing regulation allied to the environment we operate in may end up meaning it is the only way to go.

You never know, you have already got a High mark from the Low Countries this season.

Yes, I was meaning further down the line. However, we need to start producing players good enough to challenge for first team by the time they are 18.

Good Luck !

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.

Very possibly. But if things had been done differently, he would have left us in better shape. Building upon and freshening up a title winning side isn't rocket science. It is going to be more costly not to have done so.

Summer Transfer window 2022 might eventually be seen as very good. FFP is going to restrict our scope to buy our way out of trouble. The obvious route to go is predominantly youth. Just as well we have improved this side of the club. The signings like Ridvan will hopefully come good but I particularly focus on the 5 (?) youths signed within a couple of days of each other.

I'd agree that it would probably be unreasonable, costly and generally seen as kneejerk to axe GVB just now. On the other hand, speculative argument, but how long do you give something that is (or appears) destined to fail.

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

Re. GVB There is a poll on FF started at about 9pm last night (some time to reflect) Would you replace Gio ? YES : 756 (54.3%) NO : 637 (45.7%) Quite a good sample size. No immediate issue but it doesn't leave much margin for more backwards steps until the numbers start to get really bad.

Changing executive directors should always be a consideration. You see what can happen (eg. SPFL/Doncaster) if you don't. Gets too comfortable, doesn't deliver but gets high pay increases. Without knowing the fine detail around Robertson and what he delivers..... Like many, I feel we might benefit more with better/stronger leadership from a CEO type figure rather than MD. Downside, it may cost an extra 0.5M pa.

I'd very much agree with the better the devil you know line. They are the right people. It isn't easy. They could do it better.

If, but and maybe content warning !! Maybe another season, who knows....... He was always going South when a decent offer came up post league win. Just maybe, with the right recruitment he would have committed for another full season.

The board need to improve communications with the support. Given recent history, much of the support would understand or take it into consideration, if told that finances were still a major challenge and although strides had been made, we hadn't yet reached a completely secure place. What has happened is that in most communications that have touched upon finance or something connected, have been bullish messages of everything is fine and dandy. This creates a general impression that isn't quite realistic and false expectation at transfer windows. Example Message : We've sorted Sports Direct out, no problems anymore Reality : We have fcuked up against someone who knows what he is doing and it won't be inexpensive to find a way out of this Whilst a business obviously won't disclose too much detail, it shouldn't make a rod for it's own back either.

SG was hungry to improve year on year. Perhaps, the time to get busy in the transfer market both in and out was straight after 55. SG wanted more quality. Had we had a good proactive summer recruitment/sale in 2021 we wouldn't be in the mess we are now. We have kept this squad together for too long. Recruitment is why they recovered so quickly. If's, but's and maybe's but it may have meant CLGS last season, league title and CL automatic this....less a European Final in '22.

Come back to me at the end of the season and we'll see if we've turned it around. Of course, we could win a game at Ibrox but IMO over the piece, the better team will take more overall points from the fixture. Just as the better team/squad tend to win the league. They are a team/squad on the way up. We are on the way down / undergoing light reform. The big negative for me is that when we were the team in the ascendancy (and they were in full implosion mode) that we were unable to secure a second league title (and automatic CL qualification). Just as we have had recent difficulties keeping it going during a whole season (post winter break), we couldn't keep the winning mindset going into a second season and let them back in far too early.

Barkley, surely not. Ages to get up to speed Not available for CL High wages We have seen this movie before

Another part of the squad that hasn't been managed properly. I was wrong about McLaughlin, he doesn't seem to be good enough/have the right mentality. Still don't know why we extended McGregor. We don't seem to have much belief in McCrorie.

The League is already gone because of three main reasons. 1. 5 point lead plus GD 2. They have our number in OF league matches and we don't have the squad/mgmt. to turn that round in short term. 3. Speed, tempo, goalscorers all over the pitch, energy, motivation, belief, direction. They have it in spades (we don't) and provincial teams look to mitigate damage. Against us, they know they have a chance. Our runs of league wins rarely go beyond 4. They tend to do 7/8.

The players didn't seem to have the belief or purpose required. On seeing the respective starting lineups, there seemed a horrible inevitably as to what would happen. Losing Lawrence was a big blow and the alternative used brought about the inevitability. Alternatives may well not have worked either but the dynamic may have started differently. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the players didn't believe in the game plan. The collective attitude on the pitch contributed to the inevitability of events and meek surrender. If the coaches complain of players not taking on board basic messages (readiness for quick throw-ins, etc.), then it highlights a major and vital problem. Perhaps we need a coach to coach the coach of the coaches. Perhaps we just need a new direction.