JohnMc

Whilst I worry a little that I've seen this Euro movie before; a great start, some good performances but a running out of steam and ultimately missing out I'm constantly reminding myself that any Europa League participation this season was a huge bonus. For me the matches against Villareal, Rapid and Spartak have done one very, very important thing; they've returned pride on the field to the club. We've not had that for a good number of years. Other clubs are taking us seriously again, we're defending like the Rangers sides of old and the support, the one constant through all the setbacks and false dawns, are being entertained and excited again. We're competing in Europe again, we're in a cup semi final and we're pretty well placed in the league despite playing two games a week since mid July and not finding any real consistency. Had I been offered that last June I'd have taken it in a heartbeat. There will be disappointments this season, nothing surer, but there's a very real chance of glory, of silverware and of genuine peer recognition. I really didn't think that was likely just a few months ago. We should have beaten Spartak last night, oh, but how wonderful it is to just be saying that sentence.

I can't comment on the quality of merchandise or someone's expectations of it. From my perspective working in partnership with established retailers like JD Sports and Greaves solves the problem of having a high street presence. The simple truth is if Rangers merchandise is popular enough it'll be given more space in-store. We're not yet living in 'normal' times with regards merchandise. The Sport's Direct issues haven't been resolved and as such we're clearly still very limited in where our merchandise can be sold. I don't think we can be properly judged on this yet.

Why do you think owning shops is a way of making money? The one at the stadium aside I can't think of one good reason we should be moving into high street retail again. I'd be astonished if Celtic make any money from their shops these days.

I'm surprised at the Brian Laudrup revisionism, I'm also not sure I agree with it. I think it's fair to say Laudrup struggled in Italy, but that was due to a number of factors, the three foreigner rule in particular. He did well in his first season in Florence. Remember that AC Milan side he was in won the league and the European Cup that season. The fact his appearances were largely kept for the European arena rather than the domestic one isn't much of a criticism. His Chelsea move was a mistake, one he realised before he joined and tried to get out of whilst still playing for us, you can't judge anyone on 3 months, most of which was spent trying to leave. Why is his time at Ajax seen as a failure? He was a key player when he was fit, and I'm not sure a career ending injury can be used as a criticism of his time there. Brian Laudrup was a world class footballer, anyone with eyes could see that. He wasn't the best player in the world, that's different, and he arguably didn't achieve as much in his career as someone with his ability should have, however he played at a time when football was quite different to it is now, where defenders could tackle from behind with impunity, indeed stiffening the nippy winger was generally accepted as part of the game, full backs were 'allowed' a couple of heavy challenges before being spoken too. In today's more sanitised game Laudrup would be a sensation. Laudrup was unlucky with injuries. Not so much that he experienced more than his contemporaries, rather their timing. After a good first season at Bayern, and a career ending one at Ajax. At the same time a largely injury free period at Rangers, at the peak of his powers, allowed him to dominate the game here and provide us with a insight into just how entertaining a footballer can be. Ultimately though Laudrup's legacy is his international career. Among average to good Danish players he excelled. Two international tournament wins (for a country with only 5 million people), 82 caps and a final performance, against World Cup runners up Brazil, that showcased just how good a footballer Brian Laudrup was. Find that match on You Tube and watch it, Laudrup should have been in the Brazil side.

Made my drive to Aberdeen much more bearable, well done all involved. As an aside it automatically downloads into my 'Podcasts' file on my iPhone now.

I suspect there are reporting restrictions in place on this case. It's not just the BBC who are skirting around his most famous employer's name, all the media are. I suspect there's been a ruling on this until the case is finished. For what it's worth I doubt it's to protect Celtic, rather it's to ensure reporting of the case remains cautious and avoids sensationalism, as can happen in Scotland when a football team is involved. I'd be very surprised if it's not front page news, with multiple mentions of Celtic, when the case finishes. Away from that I caught 10 mins of the BBC Radio Scotland evening sport's programme last night. Michael Stewart and Tom English had a real on air barney, it was quite entertaining. Stewart nearly completely lost it a couple of times as English basically accused him of lying. Who knew anyone could get that worked up about this current Scotland side.

Fascinating Moonlighter, thanks for sharing.

Are any of us actually surprised at the craven behaviour associated with this? I mean the SFA are involved so don't expect leadership for a start. As a few have mentioned I was also surprised at Gascoigne's nomination. For me whilst hugely enjoyable his time at Rangers wasn't long enough to warrant inclusion in the Rangers Hall of Fame far less the Scotland one. But Gascoigne had, and still has, such a high profile that his 'fame' transcends normal standards. Perhaps, for that alone, he should be nominated. However, this withdrawal is disgraceful. Had any of his 'issues' happened since the nomination then perhaps a case could be made, but as all the incidents happened long before there is no excuse. Scottish football sickens me. As an aside, if short periods at Rangers are enough I think we should consider a campaign to get Mark Walters inducted. I'm sure the Celtic-minded on the board and in the media would welcome the opportunity to apologise publicly for the genuine racism he received and the sickening scenes we all witnessed.

I really hope this links okay... I've heard Gullit speak about Cooper before. For those too young to remember Gullit as a player he was one of the best footballers in the world for a time, which is why his words carry some weight. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/45824290

I'm the guilty one there. You should hear my pronunciation of Tavernier, that'll really grind your gears!

?? They caught me on a good night, lucky they didn't ask me to do the pod after Livi!

Holm Park is being refurbished currently, the Clydebank Trust agreed to seek entry to the senior pyramid once the ground is up to scratch. In theory they could be in the South of Scotland or even the Lowland League this time next year.

I don't have a favourite exactly although I've been to see Yoker a few times in recent years and keep an eye open for their scores. I've Ayrshire mining stock on one side of my family and recall being taken to see Cumnock in the Junior Cup final many moons ago. But growing up Petershill were my preferred side, the old Peasie Park was a great ground. Went to see Ashfield and Rob Roy too, even played at Adamslie Park as a boy. In some ways I'm sad that many of the Junior sides are joining the senior set up. At the same time Junior football is largely drawing from the same playing stock as lower league senior sides so I suppose it makes sense. Watching the grand old Junior grounds gradually disappear is sad though, but that's progress I suppose.

I certainly don't think we're the finished article. We don't create enough chances for the possession we have, our decision making in the final third is often poor, we've too few options up front and we're still susceptible to a ball in behind. But last night was what is magical about supporting Rangers. I know Rapid Vienna aren't world beaters, but they're a decent side from a league viewed as being considerably stronger than the one we play in and they've a good support. The fact their players aren't household names adds to the magic for me. It reminds of when I first went to European and International matches and whilst you'd know the name of team you were playing many of their players were a mystery to you. We came back from a goal down, our side wouldn't have done that last season against Motherwell far less Rapid Vienna. We didn't tire, indeed we upped the pace as the match went on, we scored three goals and their keeper pulled off a wonderful save, the stadium was rocking, the players reacted to the disappointment of the weekend and gave us a night to remember. Don't lose sight of what our side is composed of. Last night's starting 11 had a veteran keeper, 4 players on loan from clubs they can't get into the first team of, two defenders whose careers had lost their way for various reasons, a young forward playing in Finnish football 18 months ago, a Portuguese mid-table journeyman, another midfielder deemed not good enough to get picked for the worst Scottish national squad ever and a captain many supporters felt until fairly recently wasn't good enough to play in the SPFL. That was our starting 11 last night. Bloody hell guys enjoy it, if the past has taught us anything it's these nights are not guaranteed.

How can anyone criticise Morelos for that performance? He was outstanding last night, he closed down their defenders constantly, he made runs in the channels, he dropped deep to link up play, he tracked back when they broke, he scored two goals and won a penalty. What more do supporters expect from him? I love the Europa League. I know the Champion's League is where all the money is and so most of the attention, but the Europa League is a genuine competition in that almost every side in it could win it. Obviously some are rank outsiders, us included, but it's the kind of competition that's thrown up surprise sides over the years. Rapid Vienna aren't world beaters, but they're decent. Plus they've got a great name. Beating them in that manner was massively enjoyable. That was real cup tie, both teams wanting to win, both teams capable of winning, but the side that wanted it more came out on top. Brilliant night.

I've tried that one, it's quite bitter.

There's no way Hampden, Queens Park or the SFA were going to waive the match fee, why should they? This mess isn't of their making. They'll have budgeted for that fee, why should they take the hit because Aberdonians can't hire coaches and don't own cars.

Really, I'd have thought that kind of patter was all the rage in Westphalia! ???️

Celtic used Murrayfield as a home venue for European matches in recent seasons, as well as a lengthy sojourn at Hampden when rebuilding their own ground. Frankly I don't really mind where we play, but it sticks in the craw that firstly Aberdeen and their supporters in BBC Scotland and now Celtic are getting to decide it.

Barrie McKay is a forward player and played over 100 matches for us but he's not an out and out striker. John Spencer and Gary McSwegan didn't make 50 appearances between them and they're the last forwards of any talent I recall us producing. Before that it was Fleck and John MacDonald before him. Not exactly a stellar record. To be fair we've not got a stellar record developing young players full stop, although we're not alone in that.

The BBC Scotland coverage of the semi finals is approaching hysterical. At what point is someone going to point out that 150 miles actually isn't all that far do you think? It's the same distance as Newcastle to Manchester and I've never heard anyone complain about that being some kind of insurmountable distance. From a players perspective it evens out, both sides will stay in a hotel locally the night before. Lunchtime kick-offs aren't perfect for preparation but it's the same for both sides. For the support of both sides Sunday matches create inconvenience. Public transport is generally less frequent and non-essential road works take place. This isn't news, it's always been that way. Add to that the fact that Aberdeen in particular were one of the main driving forces behind the SPFL and are directly involved in the running of the body and the appointment of its officers I find the hysteria over this hard to stomach. Now they want half the tickets, for a match they apparently are unable to attend because their entire support takes the fuckin train everywhere.

He's not a journalist, he's a presenter. He can read an autocue whilst someone speaks in his ear piece. It's not the hardest thing in the world but it's not something everyone can do. He started out as a journalist but he's not done that for decades now. I knew his late mother and from what I understand he's a bluenose. Maybe he feels he needs to be harder on us to avoid accusations of bias, I'm only guessing though.

Mmm, do I feel solidarity and sympathy for Aberdeen and their supporters? Just checked and turns out I don't. Play the game at 9am, in Dumfries. I missed the concerted outrage when our match at Pittodrie kicked off at 1pm earlier this season. You'd think Aberdeen was 3 time zones away to hear them whine. It's a 3 hour drive on a quiet sunday morning, they'll be home in time for them to watch their beloved Celtic later in the day.

Okay, I read it again. When you said "This will never happen" what did you mean? Because it reads awfully like you've already given up to me. I'm not "resorting" to anything, it's how I read your post. If I've misunderstood it I'm happy for you to correct me.

Well I'm fairly confident many don't, but I'm not sure I know of a way to prove it either way so I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. A serious question? As opposed to all the humourous ones that've been coming my way up to now! ? My first Rangers match was John Grieg's testimonial and my last Kilmarnock at home last season. I'd a season ticket for 20 years. I'm no longer a season ticket holder, I probably attend around five to ten home matches a season these days and the occasional away match.