In The Cold Light Off Day

[CammyF 8,017]

In theory, getting to the last sixteen of the CL and UEFA Cup in successive seasons should be hailed as a decent achievement for Rangers considering our relatively poor European showings for the last 30 odd years.

 

It is hard to fathom out how we actually managed this ââ?¬Ë?featââ?¬â?¢ as they coincided with arguably our worst 2 domestic seasons in over a decade and happened during crisis and change within our club.

 

There is no doubting that getting to the last sixteen of the CL was the best achievement but in comparison to this years UEFA Cup run, we struggled in the group stages (4 draws, a win and a defeat). However, as 3rd seeded team, progressing is a wonderful achievement. We were up against decent Inter and Porto teams and lets not forget how Artmedia qualified for the group stages. The highlights of the group stages were obviously the victory and draw against Porto and the draw against Inter that secured our qualification.

 

In reflection, we can count ourselves unlucky to have been knocked out by Villarreal, we certainly matched them over two legs and its worth remembering that Villarreal were themselves unlucky to be knocked out on the semis by Arsenal.

 

In comparison this season, we coasted through the group stages including securing Scotland�s only domestic success on Italian soil. It wasn�t the hardest group we could have faced, but you can only defeat what is put in front of you and we did that with consummate ease. We then had a comfortable aggregate win in the first knock out round but struggled against Osasuna both home and away.

 

Would we have gone any further under if PLG was still the manager? Weââ?¬â?¢ll never know. Iââ?¬â?¢d argue that performances against Osasuna would have been ââ?¬Ë?betterââ?¬â?¢ but donââ?¬â?¢t know if the result would have been any different, we are simply not good enough. Organisation only takes you so far and class always tells. However, last 16 two seasons on the bounce is the sort of achievement that Rangers should be striving for. We should be in the last 16 every year. The problem with getting there though is that the expectation (rightly) is to get even further and land the dream of actually winning a European trophy again.

 

Without a long-term strategy, we�ll NEVER again win a European trophy, but clubs like Craptic and Middlesboro have shown that reaching a European final, especially the UEFA Cup is not out-with our capabilities.

 

In summary, this seasons run, like last seasons was a welcome distraction for our dire domestic situation and the fact that we have gathered much needed co-efficient points shouldn�t be ignored either.

 

Cammy F

[Super_Ally 0]

More co-efficient points than ourselves last year or Cecltic this year in reaching the last 16 of the CL. Some small positive.

 

You are right in praising these European "acheivements", but we need to match it with a strong domestic season.