JohnMc 2,801 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 (edited) Apologies in advance to anyone looking for tactical insight or even the likely team. The Renaissance Men – Rangers v Raith Rovers The ironic thing about The Renaissance is it required the Dark Ages and the Bubonic Plague to create the circumstances for it to happen in the first place. Plague carrying fleas living on rats spread terror and death throughout the fourteenth century, the population of Florence literally halved during one year, the population of England reduced by 25%. As no one knew what caused the plague and how it was spread the traditional medicine men were impotent, people turned on each other, schisms appeared and minorities were persecuted, brutally at times. People were helpless, insanitary conditions encouraged its spread and everyone was affected; it was a living hell. Yet from that hell eventually came opportunity. Those who remained fit were sought after and this led to freedoms previously unheard of. People born in poverty were now able to command much more as the need for labour outstripped the supply. The price of food dropped, there were far fewer people to feed after all, and so diets improved for everyone else. More importantly people who had lived so closely with death on a daily basis began to embrace life like never before. From this pit of despair and horror the first shoots of what we now know as The Renaissance took root. The Renaissance was a cultural movement that had a profound affect on life both at the time and indeed right up to the present day. Starting in Italy, and spreading to the rest of Europe its influence was felt in literature, philosophy, art, music, politics, science, religion, it was a time of enlightenment, of opportunity and of advancement. The word renaissance comes from the French and it literally means to be born again; rebirth. It’s been a difficult few years for the Rangers support. Rats of a different kind brought a plague to our house and for a long time we knew of no antidote and weren’t sure there would be any survivors. The medicine men we’d previously loved and relied on were impotent in the face of such wanton destruction. Factions created, fault lines appeared and public schisms were the order of the day. The plague-like happenings off the field were matched by the malady on it. A Rangers team being trounced, twice, by an impoverished and very limited Motherwell side was a fitting end to a dark, dark period in our history. Yet here we are, some three or so months later, in a time of Renaissance. I don’t use the word renaissance simply because we’re winning matches again, it’s because of the way we’re winning these matches. Frankly watching Rangers this season is like watching a different club, you know, one of those good ones from somewhere else. But then we are literally a new side and, most importantly, we have a new leader. Whatever anyone thinks of our current board of directors the appointment of Mark Warburton already looks inspired. An Englishmen with no previous connection to the club or experience in Scotland, who has never played professional football and only actually became a manager two years ago should have been a divine comedy of a signing yet looks like being the smartest move we’ve made in a long time. On paper it’s an appointment that should have seen us remain in hell, yet suddenly our purgatory doesn’t seem so bad and the promise of a return to paradise, or at least the SPFL Premiership, looks a distinct possibility. Our support are once again embracing life, not only are we filling the dear old stadium but we’re looking forward to it again, no, better than that, we’re actually enjoying it. So we should be. After years of persecution from outside and what Police Scotland and the Procurator Fiscal currently view as criminality inside the club, we’d forgotten that this is meant to be fun. Those highly paid, pampered and feted athletes are supposed to thrill us, inspire us, and leave us wanting more. After a diet of Ian Black and Kevin bloody Kyle it’s no wonder I’m gorging myself on this current side. Ironically the pass and move, the possession game, the angles, the runs from deep, the overlaps and the work ethic when not in possession are disguising the fact that Rangers don’t currently have players of great quality. Seriously, Bradford didn’t deem Andy Halliday worthy of a new contract and James Tavernier couldn’t get into the Wigan side. Even more damning than that Barrie McKay couldn’t get into the Rangers one last season! Now those three and the rest have us on the edge of our seats as they link and move and drive and cover and score, oh do they score. Fourteen goals in four league matches, that’s double what the next best in the league has scored. Goals are coming from all over the pitch, fullbacks, deep-lying midfielders, wide players you’re never sure where the next goal is coming from, yet already you’re sure it’s coming. Our side on Saturday is unlikely to change from the one that comprehensively beat Queen of the South last Sunday. If Wallace is out I suspect Ball will start, but it could be Aird. Wallace would be a miss if he’s injured and as most of us still see our defence as our potential Achilles Heel losing anyone from it will stretch resources. Yet, frankly, if Warburton chose to play another forward instead of a left-back I’d cheer, out scoring our opponents is where it’s at right now, and I love it. Our visitors on Saturday are the never glamorous Raith Rovers. The Kirkcaldy side are unbeaten at home this season but have lost every match away since a narrow win in July against Cowdenbeath in the Challenge Cup. Indeed Raith Rovers haven’t even scored a goal away from home since then. The recent addition of Jon Daly to their attack isn’t likely to change that statistic if his performances last season are anything to go by. I’m being unfair on the big Irishman though, nobody should be judged on last season. If both sides play to their potential Rangers should win comfortably, we’re in form and full of confidence, it’s been a long, long time since I wrote that. Embrace life and enjoy the renaissance, you’ve earned the right. Edited September 5, 2015 by pete 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappa 0 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Great preview, thanks John! We'll get it published tomorrow. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,652 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Brilliantly written and I'm sure most bears feel exactly the same way... I'm golfing all day tomorrow so I'll let Zappa take care of the publishing (again). 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,652 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Going by Willie Vass' photos, it doesn't look like Lee Wallace trained today so assume a first Ibrox start for Dominic Ball on Saturday. Tom Lang may feature on the bench! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott7 6,158 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Brilliant. First Raith/Rangers article I've ever read that gets by without mentioning Baxter. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
26th of foot 6,114 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Enjoyed that. Reference Scott7's contribution; allow me to mention witnessing our 10-2 victory over Raith in '68. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aweebluesoandso 290 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Enjoyable read, i like a history lesson. We wont win every game, but you just know now this team will come back more determined than ever for the loss. It's such a small ask for your team to give 100% every game, but it's what we've come to expect from this team now. That's down to Warburton and Weir, we really have won a watch with those two. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinstein 294 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 why didn't you mention Jim Baxter ! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Germinal 27 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Wonderful preview. Many thanks! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Moon 1,346 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 What a great read John Mc. Very cleverly done and beautifully written. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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