JohnMc

That's, erm, different. I'd a mate worked for the Royal Bank and his work 'team' decided to do a corporate race thing along the West Highland Way. It was a miserable experience, the weather was shocking, the terrain challenging and their fitness a little suspect. There were 6 of his colleagues and him and they all fell out, a couple of them spectacularly, nearly coming to blows at one point. One went off on the sick right away, another 3 left completely within 3 months. He tells me now they just go to the pub after work like normal people.

He doesn't hang around anywhere for very long, does he, 5 clubs in 3 years is some going. Surely this can only be a loan, there's no way we're spending £10 million plus on a left back. I'd never heard of him before now but having played for Slavia and Benfica you'd expect him to be of a decent standard.

It's worth noting that Helander has played 10 competitive matches for Odense since the summer. Rangers have played 33 competitive matches in that same time period.

The type of football played today is different to the football played in the 1950s and the 1970s and even the 1990s. As such the type of player who thrives in it has changed and the type of fitness they possess, or build, is different. I'm surprised there's even a debate that today's players are fitter, I don't think there's any doubt about that, but I accept there's a debate around whether they are stronger or more robust. The English FA did research back in the early 2000s around elite player fitness. Dr Neil Phillips was a medical advisor to the FA during the 60s and 70s. He tells the story of Alf Ramsay wanting to introduce warming up before training to the England side and it being met with resistance by many players. Jimmy Greaves in particular was quite vocal in his resistance to this, seeing it as "namby pamby", despite Ramsay getting the idea from witnessing a training session by Brazil where they had done a warm up. It might be coincidental but Jimmy Greaves retired from first class football at only 31. Does anyone think Harry Kane will retire from first class football at 31, despite being financially secure for 10 lifetimes? The FA's research also compared data taken from the English top flight First Division in 1976, they found that the distance covered in a game was an average 8-11 kilometres, 25 per cent of which was walking and 11 per cent sprinting. By the early 2000s physiologists reckon that Premiership footballers now cover around 12-14 kilometres per match and that a greater percentage of that distance is run at top speed. There was further research published in 2019 around body shape of professional footballers. "The research team included sports scientists at Portsmouth and Cardiff Metropolitan universities and was led by University of Wolverhampton. They examined how body size, shape and age characteristics had changed for footballers since the 1970s. Findings showed footballers have steadily been getting taller, with an average height increase of a centimetre per decade, but in the most recent decade are now also lighter, nimbler and much more angular. Dr Webb, an expert in sports management in the Department of Sport and Exercise Science, said: “We were quite surprised at the findings, and in particular the changes in body shape of those players who are successful in the modern game, these changes appear to have occurred very quickly. "Obviously, the game is developing and evolving all the time but, even so, there does seem to be a very quick shift in the body type of some of the most successful players, at successful clubs. This has added consequence for the clubs and the recruitment of young players, as well as any player transfer strategy. “Clubs should be aware of these developments, and it could help to inform any talent identification and development strategy at an elite club. Clubs take into account physiological metrics, as well as other factors, in any talent identification strategy or approach, and as such these findings will be of interest." Perhaps more pertinent to this thread; "Lead researcher Professor Alan Nevill, a biostatistician and Professor of Sport at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “Footballers of today have adapted to the modern game, and as a result their body shape has altered. Modern players are ectomorphic, characterised by a lean, slender body, as opposed to the muscular, mesomorphic builds which were more common in the 1970s and 80s. “A lot of this can be attributed to the increased quality of playing surfaces where footballers train and compete. Modern pitches are immaculate and well-maintained and not the mud baths that they used to be. Pitches used to get very heavy and soggy, particularly in mid-winter, which accounted for players being bulkier and more muscular.” As recently as December last year, Belgium international and Manchester United star Romelu Lukaku admitted that his poor form at the start of this season was because he was too muscular. Professor Nevill concurs: “Today’s players are more like endurance athletes than power athletes. To compete at today’s high levels, they are also working harder and harder so are much leaner.” The findings, which examined more than 2,600 top-division players using football yearbook data, also showed a dramatic decrease in BMI, which Professor Nevill believes is more a measure of muscularity as in athletes it is an indication of lean body mass rather than fat mass. He said the research could have an impact on talent scouting for the future. “Body shape is clearly important and English professional clubs might be advised to attract young, less muscular, more angular players as part of their talent identification and development programmes to improve future chances of success,” said Professor Nevill. “In an industry that is so financially competitive, any advantage that can be gained has the potential to positively influence future performance.” Lastly, one hundred percent agree with the posters who stated that Murder Hill was psychological rather than physical. Wallace was far smarter than he gets portrayed. The whole 'jungle fighter' 'fire in their bellies' narrative does him a huge disservice. Wallace took over a Rangers side that was good enough to win a European trophy but couldn't beat Celtic for the league. He, correctly, realised that this was a mentality issue in the team, they didn't believe they were better than Celtic, who were managed by Stein and on the way to winning 9 titles in a row. Murder Hill was Wallace's way of changing that mentality. He told the players running the sand dunes would make the fitter. That running them until the were literally sick meant they were now the fittest team in the league, no one was fitter than them, they had an advantage. It was nonsense, but the players believed it, or at least enough of them did. Wallace went on to win the league and followed that up with 2 trebles. In reality you're no fitter running up sand dunes that running up the terrace steps at Ibrox, which is what the players did before this. Fitness is vital, but the right mentality even more so.

His nickname was 'Polaris' to be precise. Which not only dates me but also the UK's nuclear deterrent programme too.

I'm sure Sportsound are working hard on a documentary exposing the running of Dundee Utd and the simply unsustainable losses and level of debt they currently have. That level of financial doping in the Championship requires exposure to a bigger audience. I'm sure the public service broadcaster is making the final edits as I type.

We booked in advance, and it was busy on Saturday. I imagine there are days it's busier and days it's quieter, worth checking that before you head off though.

Went to the museum on Saturday, along with my Dad and my two sons. All of us thought it was excellent. I'd my doubts as to the viability of a museum but I now think I was wrong, it's a great addition to our club and well worth the time and relatively small expense required to visit. I booked it in advance and there weren't many spaces available for Saturday when I was booking, so be aware of that. There's a real mix of exhibits and information. My eldest, who is leaving to study architecture in the summer, was taken with the Archibald Leach made model of the Main Stand and the information around that. Strangely, something that really struck me was Colin Jackson's contract. A player I remember watching and a man I met in later life professionally. Highly recommend a visit.

BTW is there an image of this new cantilever area?

I'm delighted it finally looks like the club is addressing the wheelchair accessibility issue. I hope that's enough space and it meets the needs of our supporters who use wheelchairs. As someone who is well into their 6th decade I think it is beholden on the younger generation to annoy people my age, usually excess noise and general exuberance will do it. Having the young guys who sing and chant all match in the Copland feels like a spiritual home coming, the Copland was where you went if you wanted a sign song when I first started going to Ibrox. Old guys complaining about the noise is inevitable. It happens to us all eventually.

Well, you've got to extend the potential readership somehow and what better way than to include the Champions in it... Seriously though, I didn't know about this book, good luck with it, it looks like a real labour of love.

Carloway, pah! West Side loyal 😉.

I've no insight into Cantwell's life, but it's entirely possible he could have a serious family issue that requires him to remain at home, and so not travel to Spain, but not prevent him from training or playing in matches in Glasgow. Again, I've no idea if that is the case.

When I was a teenager chants of 'If you hate the Glasgow polis, clap your hands', were common place. Glasgow being replaced by Edinburgh, Dundee, Paisley whatever, depending where we were that day. I don't agree with the premise, I didn't agree with it back then either, but it's football and perhaps not to be taken too seriously.

Players have more agency in this than we're giving them credit for. If we approach Hearts for example and make a bid of say £1.5 mil for Shankland Hearts are within their rights to say 'no' for a variety of good reasons, not least their inability to replace Shankland and his contribution to their side. But, if Shankland knows moving to Rangers would give him a signing on fee of say £500,000 and see his salary treble, he's perfectly entitled to go to Hearts and say 'you're stopping me bettering myself and my livelihood, will you match Rangers salary offer'? If Hearts say 'no, you've got a contract honour it', then they've an unhappy player and, potentially unrest in their changing room, as it won't be just Shankland speaking with their agent about this. Shankland has 18 months left on his Hearts contract, he's a diminishing asset, worth less now than last summer and worth less next summer if he doesn't sign a contract extension. Hearts would need to weigh up criticism from their support and the loss of an important player, with cashing in on a player who by that point may no longer want to be there. This is the same scenario if we made a bid for an Aberdeen player or a Hibs player or any club in Scotland with the exception of Celtic. It's all very well for Aberdeen or whoever to play hardball and demand well over the odds for a player, but it's not without consequences not least pressure from the player himself. It was reported that the reason we allowed Sakala to leave in the summer was the offer made to him by the Saudi side was not one we could match and so we wouldn't stand in his way. I expect it was the same with Aribo and Bassey the summer before. Every club has to balance the books, keep their support onside and their playing squad happy. It's easier for Aberdeen or Hearts to convince a potential signing to join if they can point to a 'pathway' to a bigger club with higher salaries, even if the club is Rangers.

Butland. It's defeat without him.

Whatever it is people see in Ridvan, I don't. I'd sell him tomorrow. For a club that's spent money on Dessers, Lammers and Pena in recent times I see Ridvan in that same bracket, no idea what it was we saw in him. I genuinely wonder if Ross Wilson bought him just so someone at the club was smaller than him.

We will lose players during the next month, there will be knocks, injuries and suspensions that's inevitable. We might play in some shocking conditions, it's winter in Scotland after all so poor pitches and poor conditions are going to be a factor too. What Clement needs is luck, good luck. If we can keep key players fit and in form we've a chance of coming through what is a farcical amount of football in a short space of time. More importantly though is if we don't, if do lose some key players, if we drop some points, endure some disappointing results, that we don't overreact. Our squad isn't as strong as it should be, and it seems our fitness and medical standards aren't what they should be either. It's remarkable what Clement has managed to achieve results and performance wise in a short time, but he's not a magician, there are players in our squad who simply aren't good enough, who we'll need to persevere with for now. It's great to be looking forward to watching us again, to be hopeful instead of pessimistic, but Clement has shown enough in a short time to be afforded some leeway if there are hiccups in the coming weeks.

Yeah, probably. Although I suspect there are some players we'd hold out for a really big offer for as we'd rather not lose them at this stage, and others we'd let go more easily.

Clement will be familiar with Hagi from his time in Belgium and may already have an opinion on him. Hagi has ability, that's clear for everyone to see, but I suspect if a side make us a decent offer for him we'll take it. It might be that a more technical league, like Spain, suits him more. What we'd accept for him is another matter, breaking even might be as good as it gets.

I'm getting confused by the positions and formations but the best attacking midfielder I've watched in light blue was Ian Durrant. Before his injury Ian Durrant was an utter joy to watch, he had an uncanny ability to ghost into space, he'd wonderful balance, superb vision and perfect timing. Durrant scored big goals, goals in cup finals, Old Firm matches and European games. He worked hard too, he covered every inch of the pitch. If you ever get a chance to watch the 2-2 Old Firm match where Butcher and Woods were sent off, watch Durant's performance in the second half. He was playing every position in midfield while supporting McCoist up front. His run in the last minute for Gough's goal couldn't be matched by Celtic, his strength and stamina really showed that day, as did his will to win. My formative years watching Rangers weren't very happy ones. Greig as manager followed by the false dawn of Wallace's return. The glimmer of hope was the skinny wee midfielder with the mop of curly hair who broke into the side under Wallace. There are players who have a higher profile and played more games for Rangers, but at their best there were few who could best Durrant at his best.

I'd an irrational dislike for Gary Stevens. Don't ask me to explain it or justify it, I can't. I just didn't like him. It has to be Jardine. Many people think Danny McGrain was the best right back Scotland has produced, but he was played at left back for Scotland because Jardine was such a good right back, this at a time when Scotland had genuine world class players. When he left Rangers everyone assumed his career was over. He only went and won Scottish Player Of The Year at Hearts. Jardine 'managed' a charity side I played in at Ibrox once. He was faced with a dressing room full of guys who'd bid for a place in the team. We were mainly a motley mix of overweight, middle-aged men living a childhood dream. He took a look at us and said 'lads, it's a big pitch, let the ball do the running.' I should have listened, I could barely breathe after 10 minutes. My father would say Bobby Shearer should win this, and his record is really something.

Butland, Cantwell, Raskin, Goldson, Danilo, Soutar and Davies all have a value just now from a few million up to around £8 or £9 million depending on how desperate the English club side are who want to buy them. There's also the outside possibility that Matondo, McCausland and Rice could be worth something by the end of the season too. All things considered I think these are disappointing annual figures.

George Young, who I never saw play but whose record speaks for itself and who is held in such regard by those who did see him play that there seems little doubt to his incredible ability. Richard Gough, a natural leader and as good a centre half as there was playing anywhere at his peak. Terry Butcher was arguably the best centre half in the world when he joined us, and was immaculate in his first season. However I'd vote for Young and Gough simply due to their longer time spent at the club. But a centre half line up of Butcher and Frank De Boer at their peak would have been something to see.

I'm late to this but it has to be Numan. Having Brian Laudrup playing in front of him was of immense help to Robertson, but frankly Brian Laudrup could have made me look like a decent full back as he took 3 defenders with him wherever he went leaving acres of space to charge into. Robertson was good, but Numan was class.