The Rambling Ger

 

 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...

It's been a while since I had the chance to sit down and write, between the craziness of Seville and family life it's been manic. It's not just that though, I wanted to stop and take stock of the season and my hopes for the future. 2021/22 I don't think I'm speaking out of turn when I say it was disappointing to finish the season with only one piece of silverware. If you had told me at the start of the season we'd be 6 points clear at Christmas, we'd face Hibs in the Semi-Final of the League Cup, we'd face Frankfurt in the Final of the Europa League and we'd face Hearts in the Final of the Scottish Cup I would have had numerous thoughts: We'd end up with at least a double, if not a treble, and dare I say it a quadruple How on earth has Gerrad led us to so many finals in one season (tongue in cheek) Are you insane saying we'd be in the final of the Europa League? That being said, there may be initial disappointment that we didn't win more,...

  Bit of a new one for me, writing from Ibrox... but you have to seize moments like this!! We're on our way!!! This team deserve so much credit, what they have achieved with this milestone is unreal. European football is not designed for teams from Scotland to make finals anymore, yet here we are.  Gio also deserves tremendous credit, the job he's done in Europe is amazing. He's had his criticism, fairly, in the league at times but what he's achieved these last few months can not be praised enough.  It's also important to note how much the team are playing for him. Two old firms we've come from 1-0 down to get results. A Europa Quarter Final and a Europa Semi Final coming back from 1-0 defeats in the 1st leg. These results don't happen if the squad aren't playing for the manager. All this with no Alfredo Morelos too! What a great first goal as the captain, Tavernier made the run in to the back post to score the goal that I'm sure makes him Europa Lea...

  This past week has been amazing. Just as things seemed on the cusp of disastrous, yes I'm aware that's very strong language mate, the team has shown fantastic mental strength and desire. A strength and desire I wasn't convinced were there. I'm delighted to have been proven wrong. Braga I did think we would likely win this game, but I wasn't quite expecting it to be as dominant a performance as we saw. It could easily have been 5 or 6 for Rangers, and if VAR hadn't stepped in it would have been quite a commanding result.  That being said VAR was right to step in, and you'll hear no complaints from me about the decisions. It's worked in our favour by making sure correct decisions have been given, and with that territory comes the expectation it will work against us in making sure correct decisions are given also. It was good to see Borna come back into the team and play well, he looked sharp and hungry. He also showed some backbone on a number of occasio...

  It's easy to write a blog when things are going well. Last season was a breeze, everyone was happy, the team were playing free-flowing football (at times) and despite what was going on in the world we had our own little microcosm of joy. It's not so easy to write a blog when things are not going well. I don't want to write one straight after a negative because I'm an emotional person, I wear my heart on my sleeve, and if I was to come on straight after a defeat, especially in the Old Firm, I'm likely to go too heavy on the criticism. It's also hard to get the motivation to write one as, I'm sure like many of you, how Rangers are doing affects my mood and motivation levels. After watching the game on Thursday though I'm not sure I can see where things are going to get better this season. Yes, we're only 1-0 down, and to a limited side, so it's certainly not insurmountable by any stretch of the imagination. However, if you dial back 3 weeks I was...

 It's been a busy week, once again, in the life of a Rangers fan. Two massive games in our league campaign, away to St Johnstone and at home to Aberdeen, as the league draws down to single figures left to play and the long awaited 150th celebrations. Leave it to the current board to take most of the focus off this monumental milestone in the history of our club and create a negative atmosphere.  Sydney Super Cup I am of course talking about the Sydney Super Cup, or the Ange Postecoglu homecoming.  How such a decision could come across the boards desk and they unanimously agree to it is beyond me. As I said on the latest The 4Th Official podcast, I don't necessarily blame James Bisgrove, his job is to make the club money and this will net the club more than a full SPL season (why is Doncaster employed??).  However the board are meant to be the custodians of the club and our representatives, yet they've happily sold the clubs soul by agreeing to be a side attraction on...