Time to Start all Over Again
The season has now completed, the side ending their SPL campaign with a whimper, two defeats in a row to Kilmarnock then Aberdeen signalling the end of a season to forget. It was a campaign which promised so much thanks to an exciting new manager and a host of new players, but as the season drew on the dream disintegrated as bitter rivals Celtic raced clear in the league, and even second place began to look beyond the men in blue. A change in manager saw a change in SPL fortune, and the runners’ up spot was secured to clinch Champions League.
The final game of the season was not a league match but a friendly in the USA versus David Beckham’s new side, LA Galaxy. Rangers put in a pretty impressive performance, comfortably winning 1-0, but the notable point to draw from the game was the extremely inspiring display from new signing Alan Gow. This was a young man of 24 years, joining a massive club from small town side Falkirk, on his debut, thousands of miles from home, alongside players he had only ever played against previously, and was only on at half time rather than from the start, and yet his ability shone through remarkably. He had conviction on the ball, fought for scraps, had presence thanks to his height, used the ball extremely well, demonstrated good balance, and of course produced a fantastic through ball for Boyd to then miss embarrassingly! On the surface all the above bodes extremely well for Gow’s future at Ibrox, but if one takes into consideration that prior to the game he was given the sad news of the passing of his grandfather then his performance looks even more impressive. His manager Smith told him he did not have to play, and left it up to him. He chose to play. And provided a truly heartening show. He definitely has every chance of developing brilliantly as a bluenose, and seems to have it all.
Moving on though, now it is that time of the year when the tabloids go crazy with speculation about new players; it is called the ‘Silly Season’ when the media has little better to do than link seemingly random players with random clubs. In recent weeks Rangers are being linked with all and sundry. Two potentials stand out though; Bosko Balaban and Claudio Pizarro. Balaban had an extremely poor season in England for mid-table side Aston Villa, but his career has otherwise been extremely effective for every club he has played for, and he has enjoyed a fruitful international career. Former Ger Dado Prso has praised the club to him, and he is on record as wanting away from present side Bruges in Belgium, with a public declaration of interest in the prospect of switching to Ibrox.
Pizarro is a curious case; Scotland Today, a Scottish news broadcaster who very rarely if ever get their facts wrong reported that talks have taken place between Rangers and Peruvian Pizarro, who has found himself frozen out at present club Bayern Munich. Other significant clubs are being linked to the striker, such as Juventus, Sevilla and Villarreal, and his wage demands are hefty, but unless Scotland Today got their facts wrong, Rangers have officially showed interest. Silence on this situation has been deafening since, and the old ‘no news is good news’ will have to be relied on if fans are to have any hope of signing the player.
One confirmed signing was Arsenal youth forward Giorgos Efrem, signed on a three year deal. Little is known about this lad though, and our motives for signing him are unclear. But a product from Arsenal cannot be all that bad.
Another was of course Frenchman Jean Claude Darcheville, signed on a Bosman from French cracks Bordeaux. Having been linked with him extensively, Rangers have now finally captured their man – he aided his former side to a Champions League spot, and has pace, guile, strength and craft in his locker. Plus a one in three goal tally as a non-goal getter is not at all bad.
Other links are Nicky Weaver, Pascal Feindouno, Cuellar, DaMarcus Beasley etc etc.
Next few weeks and months will be fascinating viewing.
The final game of the season was not a league match but a friendly in the USA versus David Beckham’s new side, LA Galaxy. Rangers put in a pretty impressive performance, comfortably winning 1-0, but the notable point to draw from the game was the extremely inspiring display from new signing Alan Gow. This was a young man of 24 years, joining a massive club from small town side Falkirk, on his debut, thousands of miles from home, alongside players he had only ever played against previously, and was only on at half time rather than from the start, and yet his ability shone through remarkably. He had conviction on the ball, fought for scraps, had presence thanks to his height, used the ball extremely well, demonstrated good balance, and of course produced a fantastic through ball for Boyd to then miss embarrassingly! On the surface all the above bodes extremely well for Gow’s future at Ibrox, but if one takes into consideration that prior to the game he was given the sad news of the passing of his grandfather then his performance looks even more impressive. His manager Smith told him he did not have to play, and left it up to him. He chose to play. And provided a truly heartening show. He definitely has every chance of developing brilliantly as a bluenose, and seems to have it all.
Moving on though, now it is that time of the year when the tabloids go crazy with speculation about new players; it is called the ‘Silly Season’ when the media has little better to do than link seemingly random players with random clubs. In recent weeks Rangers are being linked with all and sundry. Two potentials stand out though; Bosko Balaban and Claudio Pizarro. Balaban had an extremely poor season in England for mid-table side Aston Villa, but his career has otherwise been extremely effective for every club he has played for, and he has enjoyed a fruitful international career. Former Ger Dado Prso has praised the club to him, and he is on record as wanting away from present side Bruges in Belgium, with a public declaration of interest in the prospect of switching to Ibrox.
Pizarro is a curious case; Scotland Today, a Scottish news broadcaster who very rarely if ever get their facts wrong reported that talks have taken place between Rangers and Peruvian Pizarro, who has found himself frozen out at present club Bayern Munich. Other significant clubs are being linked to the striker, such as Juventus, Sevilla and Villarreal, and his wage demands are hefty, but unless Scotland Today got their facts wrong, Rangers have officially showed interest. Silence on this situation has been deafening since, and the old ‘no news is good news’ will have to be relied on if fans are to have any hope of signing the player.
One confirmed signing was Arsenal youth forward Giorgos Efrem, signed on a three year deal. Little is known about this lad though, and our motives for signing him are unclear. But a product from Arsenal cannot be all that bad.
Another was of course Frenchman Jean Claude Darcheville, signed on a Bosman from French cracks Bordeaux. Having been linked with him extensively, Rangers have now finally captured their man – he aided his former side to a Champions League spot, and has pace, guile, strength and craft in his locker. Plus a one in three goal tally as a non-goal getter is not at all bad.
Other links are Nicky Weaver, Pascal Feindouno, Cuellar, DaMarcus Beasley etc etc.
Next few weeks and months will be fascinating viewing.
posted by RangersMedia @ 2:53 PM
