Stick or Twist
As we enter July I, along with probably 99.9% of the fans were expecting most of our transfer business to be done by now... Now we'll be hoping there is a lot more to come.
We've been conditioned over the last few seasons to think the club likes to have its business done early, that's the mantra we've been fed from Ibrox and, for the most part, it's been what they've done. This year, however, we've only done one deal for next season in John Souttar, and that was done in January. So long ago it feels that we've basically decided to stand still for next season.
I don't think it's unfair of the fans to criticise the current football operations team, last season we should have been able to build on 55 and pull ourselves clear of that other lot. Instead, we settled for only a couple of signings in the summer, and then some loans in the January window, as we allowed the other lot to take the title back.
Yes, there was a fantastic European run in there, one that ultimately ended in heartache, but was a great ride. One that most of us never expected to experience again after Manchester. However, that shouldn't be considered enough. To be runners-up in Europe and runners-up in the league is not enough for Rangers, we need to win one of those for the season to be considered a success.
They've also allowed a number of top stars to run down their contracts. Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos, and Joe Aribo are players we should be talking about getting upwards of £20m each for, but instead, we're in a situation where we'll probably be happy to get half that now. The club has continually pushed the "we're comfortable with the contract situation line", first with Goldson and now with these three. They'll point to Goldson as a reason why, but I don't believe without that European run he does end up staying, and we can't bank on that happening again.
I do think it's unfair to send too much criticism on them for the lack of signings yet though. As I said earlier, we're conditioned to think we get our business done early, but I'd prefer we get the right business done rather than the quick business done. If that takes a few extra weeks then so be it.
The thing that's probably driving most of us fans mad though is something that should be considered a pro... there are no leaks. Without leaks, we can't get excited about transfers until they're done. We're still not used to that, and in a period where there's no football (cheers FIFA) we rely on transfer rumours to give us our football hit.
The very few links there are though have us acting like Rangers fans... disagreeing with each other and going to different ends of the spectrum, ignoring the in-between. I say that tongue in cheek (mainly) but there is some truth to it. Take Colak for example, depending on who you speak to the lad is either mince or brilliant.
I don't know many folk who watch Greek or Swedish football to have formed these opinions. Some critics will point to his stats, but the same person will also tell you stats don't tell the whole story when Ryan Kent's stats are pointed to, or that Scott Sinclair's are better than Brian Laudrup's (I've never actually checked to see if they are because I don't care if they are, to say Sinclair was better than Laudrup is laughable).
Some lauding him as a great signing will point to how he played against us, some of them are the same folk who will point out people play harder when they play us. They'll also be a number there who were raving about signing Bongani Zungu, who nobody had heard of till we were linked with him.
I prefer to wait and see the player perform on a regular basis before forming an opinion. I was slightly caught up in the hype of Sakala last summer, then when he wasn't the 2nd coming of Ronaldo (original) I found it hard to get truly excited when he would play. But the truth is he was a solid if unspectacular player. I just wanted more. It's a mistake I've not made often and will try to stay sensible about signings going forward.
Easier said than done mind you, because I'm a Rangers fan, and fan is short for fanatic... so extreme feelings are often associated with supporting a team.
One thing is for sure, if we had a World Cup to watch right now we'd not be half as worried about the lack of, or perceived lack of, movement so far. Instead, we get to have the World Cup interrupt our regular season... cheers again FIFA.
Podcast
On a separate note, it was great to get recording the podcast "Whose Team Is It Anyway" again, and in this latest episode, we had David Martindale on, providing us with his all-time 11 British players. Mr. Martindale was a great guest and was really approachable and accommodating when trying to organise recording.
The episode went live on Patreon for The 4th Official on Monday and goes live on free-to-air platforms later this week. Once it's released on Spotify and Apple Music I will update the article with links.
In the meantime thanks for reading, thanks for listening and I hope the wait for signings is worth it.
Andy Goram
As I've said before, I won't actively advertise when I mention the loss of a legend in one of these articles as I don't want to use grief to generate clicks but I will always acknowledge it.
It's been a tough 12 months for the Rangers family, we've lost a number of legends over this time, but this one hits the hardest for me. The Goalie provided me with many a fond memory in my childhood, and was a man who you could see loved the club and the fans.
We've been fortunate to have some world class players at Rangers over the years, Gazza, Laudrup, the DeBoer's, but ive said before and I stand by it, in 92/93 Goram was the best in the world at his position. That is special.
To see someone taken so young is tragic, but hopefully he's at peace now and my thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
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