Gersnet Season Review 2008/09 ââ?¬â?? August, September & October

[CammyF 7,972]

Rangers approached season 2008 / 2009 on the back of a frustrating end to the previous season with opinions split as to whether 2007 / 2008 had been a success. On first look, it appeared that 2007/08 could be classed as a success, but under closer scrutiny, some fans, myself included would argue that 2007/08 wasnââ?¬â?¢t a ââ?¬Ë?successââ?¬â?¢. Yes, we managed to secure the domestic cup double. However, we struggled to defeat DUFC and QotS in the respective finals. We managed to take the SPL title race into the last game of the season, but ultimately lost the league race. There were many excuses given for losing the league and whilst most, if not all, had their merits, the truth of the matter was that we were so far ahead that losing the league was criminal. One aspect of the season that was a success was our European run. A good showing in the CL was followed by an appearance in the UEFA Cup Final.

 

It was ironic that we started the 2008/09 season with a European tie and ironic that after such a great adventure last season, our European ambitions were killed off before they got started. Drawn against Kanaus, we fully expected Rangers to progress but sadly, we lost the tie and would have no European football to look forward to. We were hardly ââ?¬Ë?activeââ?¬â?¢ in the transfer market prior to being knocked out of the CL qualifiers with little or no players to ignite the imagination, never mind the season. Once knocked out of Europe however, SDM gave the green light for Walter Smith to sign much needed players. Carlos Cueller was sold to Aston Villa and we signed Boogie, Mendes, Miller, Lafferty, Velicka, Edu and Davis (apologies if Iââ?¬â?¢ve missed anyone). Joining CC out of the door would be JCB and Daniel Cousin but Daniel Cousin would deliver an unforgettable leaving present.

 

Our SPL campaign stared with a trip to Falkirk Stadium and it was hardly an auspicious start to the league. We struggled from start to finish and can thank Allen McGregor for making a fine save from the penalty spot before Velicka scored on his Rangers debut when he tapped in a Lafferty cut back. We then welcomed Hearts to Ibrox and secured a 2-0 victory in a vastly improved performance. After setting up Velicka the previous week, Kyle Lafferty opened his Rangers account with a well placed shot from the edge of the box. We didn�t secure all three points until deep into injury time when Kris Boyd opened his account for the season from the penalty spot after Kenny Miller�s penetrating run was halted by a crude challenge. Next up was our first visit to our friends in the Granite city where we were denied a third successive victory thanks to the first of many questionable refereeing decisions going against us. After David Weir nodded us in front, we conceded a soft equaliser but wwnt on to dominate the game. As the match draw to a close, Beasley slammed home a sweet shot that everyone in the ground assumed to be the winner. However, the assistant referee flagged (wrongly) for offside and Rangers were robbed of a deserved victory. Hardly the ideal preparation for our first visit of the season to Parkhead�..

 

As per usual, we approached the OF game wondering what weird and wonderful team selection WS would deploy. As the teams were announced the surprise inclusions were that of Charlie Adam and Daniel Cousin. Both would play a part in what was an awesome performance and a fantastic victory. Daniel Cousin opened the scoring with a majestic solo effort leaving Wilson for dead before firing past the Polish Clown. Samaras equalised for Celtc, but Rangers went from strength to strength and steamrollered their hosts. Two goals from Kenny Miller on his return to Parkhead (one fantastic volley and one gift wrapped tap in courtesy of the Clown) added the icing to a breath-taking Pedro Mendes strike. Nakamura scored a late consolation direct from a free-kick for the home team after he was blatantly fouled by a blade of grass. That strike failed to dampen the celebrations in the away end as Rangers ran out easy winner.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR-hiAyFFIA&feature=related]YouTube - The Filth 2-4 Rangers (HIGH QUALITY)[/ame]

 

Following the OF victory, Rangers faced Motherwell and Kilmarnock at Ibrox and securing six points from those two games was a must as our next away fixture as a tricky looking visit to Easter Road. We managed to secure all six points with two close fought 2-1 victories in uninspiring performances. In the middle of these SPL fixtures we played Partick Thistle in a League Cup fixture and can count ourselves lucky to have left Firhill with a extra-time victory. However, no one could deny the quality of our goals from Boyd and Mendes ââ?¬â?? two absolute screamers. Our visit to Easter Road was similar to our visit to Parkhead in that we completely dominated the game and ran out 3-0 winners thanks to two wonderful finishes from Kenny Miller and one from Boogie. It was a fantastic way to finish off the month of September as we were only scheduled to play two SPL fixtures in October. Firstly we visited Love Street for the final time with St Mirren languishing at the foot of the SPL title. We were absolutely woeful in the game and St Mirren deserved their 1-0 victory. We then travelled to a wet and wind-swepted New Douglas Park and found ourselves a goal down and staring at back to back defeats. Up stepped Kris Boyd to bag a brace and Nacho Novo secured all three points with a late strike. We also hosted Hamilton in the League Cup and Ibrox and progressed thanks to a 2-0 victory.

 

Highlight of the opening months ââ?¬â?? the form of Pedro Mendes and Steven Davis ââ?¬â?? the 4-2 OF demolition and the 3-0 victory at Easter Road

 

Low Point ââ?¬â?? the 1-0 loss to St Mirren plus the poor performance at Falkirk

 

Player Of The Opening Three Months ââ?¬â?? Pedro Mendes

 

Cammy F - :spl:

[pete 2,499]

Good read Cammy. What a yo-yo season last season was. If they make a film about it and i had to give it a name it would be the Good the bad and the ugly. Kaunus was definitely the ugly. Well if you take that 4-2 game at Parkhead and winning the league maybe it should be the brilliant the bad and the ugly.