Staring into Oblivion
January first, 2007. A fresh new year at Ibrox, with the hope the second half of the season would improve upon the woeful first. A dreadful draw at home to St Mirren had brought the curtain down on 2006, and the faith of all supporters was being tested to the extreme as a result of the catastrophe of so many abject performances which belied the good and great name of Rangers FC.
The one player to come through this dark period with serious credit was Barry Ferguson, a bluenose through and through, a player who would walk on nails for Rangers and a player gifted to a level whereby his performances were carrying his club through one of the toughest periods in its history.
Indeed, with the exception of the curious display in Falkirk, Ferguson’s quality had been shining through exceptionally for at least three months, and had surely elevated him to the top of the SPL tree.
So when January 1st’s news filtered through, it was met with incredulity from every angle, and even Celtic supporters were staggered by events unfolding from Ibrox.
Barry Ferguson had been stripped of the captaincy, dropped for the Motherwell match, and his future seemed to be over at Ibrox, with Gavin Rae the new wearer of the armband.
This truly sent shockwaves through the heart of the club.
Arguably the darkest day at Ibrox for 30 years was unfolding before the eyes of all bewildered watchers, as the captain of the club was deposed, kicked out for reasons unknown.
This news spread like wildfire, naturally, and rumours began to balloon out of proportion, too numerous to list. Supporters were in three courts; the majority backing Ferguson 100%, the minority believing PLG had to be justified in his actions, and a sizeable number trying to keep subjectivity out of proceedings and renege on committing judgement until the full facts emerged.
It was widely reported that Le Guen would issue a statement, or at least explain the reasons for this staggering decision the following day, and it went without saying that this bred further rumours, with supporters left to their own devices, in the dark as they were.
Cue the following day, and Le Guen’s pre-match promise that all would be revealed after the game.
Further to the chaos though was news Barry was not the only player dropped. Indeed, Novo, Adam and Papac all found themselves out of the picture, with Le Guen promoting ‘freshness’ in the team. A curious decision given his previous insistence on ‘stability’. Nevertheless, changes were being made, and the match was underway.
It was a fraught affair with end to end football and little quality – plenty of effort and passion was being exhibited by both sides, who managed, for now, to put off-pitch shenanigans to one side and play with heart. When Prso won a penalty, Boyd dispatched it and that ended up the winner. This did not tell the full story of the game though.
When Boyd scored, by all accounts he dedicated his goal to Barry, with a signal of ‘6’ fingers, IE Barry’s number. Prso allegedly pointed to this in support.
Furthermore, during one severe ruckus in the Rangers box, a massive free-for-all ensued and Fitzpatrick and Prso received red.
Then Boyd was hauled off by PLG and rumours later abounded of a confrontation between him and the manager in the dressing room where Boyd was alleged to have sworn allegiance to Barry.
Post match, Le Guen gave the promised interview, and in truth revealed very little. He suggested this was something which had been brewing for a very long time, and that he felt Barry had too much influence over the team. Interestingly he managed to insult his new captain by stating Barry was more talented.
Later quotes were even more scathing of the former captain as a figurehead, claiming Ferguson was not setting a good example.
What this all shows is just how desperate times now are at Ibrox. Not just on the pitch, but off too. The heart and soul appear to be dying in Govan, and it seems only one man has the clout to save it, David Murray. Sir, David Murray.
Allegedly he was not privy to Le Guen’s actions, and did not sanction them, and when he was informed of events, chartered a flight back from France immediately.
It seems the future of Rangers is in the hands of Murray, and the next 48 hours will be telling – will he back the manager he worked so hard to obtain, or will he side with the player he gushes about?
These are troubling times for all bluenoses, and it seems no exaggeration to say this is a pivotal moment in its glorious history.
Murray; it is over to you.
The one player to come through this dark period with serious credit was Barry Ferguson, a bluenose through and through, a player who would walk on nails for Rangers and a player gifted to a level whereby his performances were carrying his club through one of the toughest periods in its history.
Indeed, with the exception of the curious display in Falkirk, Ferguson’s quality had been shining through exceptionally for at least three months, and had surely elevated him to the top of the SPL tree.
So when January 1st’s news filtered through, it was met with incredulity from every angle, and even Celtic supporters were staggered by events unfolding from Ibrox.
Barry Ferguson had been stripped of the captaincy, dropped for the Motherwell match, and his future seemed to be over at Ibrox, with Gavin Rae the new wearer of the armband.
This truly sent shockwaves through the heart of the club.
Arguably the darkest day at Ibrox for 30 years was unfolding before the eyes of all bewildered watchers, as the captain of the club was deposed, kicked out for reasons unknown.
This news spread like wildfire, naturally, and rumours began to balloon out of proportion, too numerous to list. Supporters were in three courts; the majority backing Ferguson 100%, the minority believing PLG had to be justified in his actions, and a sizeable number trying to keep subjectivity out of proceedings and renege on committing judgement until the full facts emerged.
It was widely reported that Le Guen would issue a statement, or at least explain the reasons for this staggering decision the following day, and it went without saying that this bred further rumours, with supporters left to their own devices, in the dark as they were.
Cue the following day, and Le Guen’s pre-match promise that all would be revealed after the game.
Further to the chaos though was news Barry was not the only player dropped. Indeed, Novo, Adam and Papac all found themselves out of the picture, with Le Guen promoting ‘freshness’ in the team. A curious decision given his previous insistence on ‘stability’. Nevertheless, changes were being made, and the match was underway.
It was a fraught affair with end to end football and little quality – plenty of effort and passion was being exhibited by both sides, who managed, for now, to put off-pitch shenanigans to one side and play with heart. When Prso won a penalty, Boyd dispatched it and that ended up the winner. This did not tell the full story of the game though.
When Boyd scored, by all accounts he dedicated his goal to Barry, with a signal of ‘6’ fingers, IE Barry’s number. Prso allegedly pointed to this in support.
Furthermore, during one severe ruckus in the Rangers box, a massive free-for-all ensued and Fitzpatrick and Prso received red.
Then Boyd was hauled off by PLG and rumours later abounded of a confrontation between him and the manager in the dressing room where Boyd was alleged to have sworn allegiance to Barry.
Post match, Le Guen gave the promised interview, and in truth revealed very little. He suggested this was something which had been brewing for a very long time, and that he felt Barry had too much influence over the team. Interestingly he managed to insult his new captain by stating Barry was more talented.
Later quotes were even more scathing of the former captain as a figurehead, claiming Ferguson was not setting a good example.
What this all shows is just how desperate times now are at Ibrox. Not just on the pitch, but off too. The heart and soul appear to be dying in Govan, and it seems only one man has the clout to save it, David Murray. Sir, David Murray.
Allegedly he was not privy to Le Guen’s actions, and did not sanction them, and when he was informed of events, chartered a flight back from France immediately.
It seems the future of Rangers is in the hands of Murray, and the next 48 hours will be telling – will he back the manager he worked so hard to obtain, or will he side with the player he gushes about?
These are troubling times for all bluenoses, and it seems no exaggeration to say this is a pivotal moment in its glorious history.
Murray; it is over to you.
posted by RangersMedia @ 1:21 AM
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