Rangers Reborn
Rangers Reborn
Over the past half decade, supporting Rangers was slightly less gratifying than it had been during 9IAR.
All bears will always be 100% proud of who they are, and of supporting the right team in Glasgow, but it is a sad yet undeniable truth that seeing bitter rivals Celtic gallop into the distance with every trophy available in recent memory left an exceedingly sour taste permeating the taste buds.
There is no question that Alex McLeish did a good job with embarrassingly limited resources. Seven trophies goes a long way to justifying his tenure, albeit his Rangers side did not dominate the league nor ever look like established pace setters. Then Le Guen arrived and instead of invigorating the side managed to set it into further decline following its fall at the end of Eck’s time.
At this point the fans, seeing Celtic enjoying victory after victory and comfortably gaining another SPL crown began to seriously wonder where a turnaround was ever coming from.
Cue the arrival in January 2007 of former manager Walter Smith to steady the ship. Many fans were actually disappointed at his return, feeling it was an unambitious appointment but in light of his recent astounding success with the national side were by and large willing to give him a chance.
Nine months later, runners’ up slot in last year’s SPL secured, a defensive record which has been shored up to almost unrecognisable levels, a uniform solidity throughout the side alien to previous eras, entrance to the group stages of the Champions League secured, and a current proud leadership of the SPL from the second match to present give some idea of the transformation of the club’s lot.
Add to that serious investment in the team during the two transfer windows of 2007, bringing in, among others, former Bordeaux striker Jean Claude Darcheville, Lens forward Daniel Cousin, American international and former PSV winger DaMarcus Beasley, and the conclusion of the summer’s epic saga in the acquisition of promising Kilmarnock striker Steven Naismith, and one is left with a radical overhaul of the entire playing staff.
Results on the pitch are night and day to the old eras, and the ability of the players to perform with heart and gusto is singularly down to Walter Smith.
Indeed, this week has encapsulated everything that is good about Rangers right now; from superb qualification to the group stage of the Champions League, before the draw from the stars to place ourselves alongside the very cream of continental competition with Olympique Lyonnais, VfB Stuttgart and a small club from a Spanish province by the name of Barcelona.
Then on Friday the transfer window shut with the news the Naismith saga had come to an end and Rangers had finally got their man.
Last but not least is yet another SPL victory against strugglers Gretna. Fair play to the newly-promoted side for having a go at Ibrox, but Rangers’ strength showed and a 4-0 victory was the outcome and another three points added to the Govan side’s haul domestically.
Only two goals conceded at Ibrox, one away, with none at all in Europe and it seems pretty convincing to believe this team has turned a corner.
Yes, Celtic are not going to lie down easily, evidenced by a 5-1 victory at Love Street, but nevertheless, this Rangers side will not lose this league by an embarrassing margin while Smith is in charge. Quite the contrary, the fans expect and demand the crown this year, which savouring top dollar ties in the Champions League.
This is what it should be to be a Rangers fan.
It may have taken a while to get here again, but good things come to those who wait.
Over the past half decade, supporting Rangers was slightly less gratifying than it had been during 9IAR.
All bears will always be 100% proud of who they are, and of supporting the right team in Glasgow, but it is a sad yet undeniable truth that seeing bitter rivals Celtic gallop into the distance with every trophy available in recent memory left an exceedingly sour taste permeating the taste buds.
There is no question that Alex McLeish did a good job with embarrassingly limited resources. Seven trophies goes a long way to justifying his tenure, albeit his Rangers side did not dominate the league nor ever look like established pace setters. Then Le Guen arrived and instead of invigorating the side managed to set it into further decline following its fall at the end of Eck’s time.
At this point the fans, seeing Celtic enjoying victory after victory and comfortably gaining another SPL crown began to seriously wonder where a turnaround was ever coming from.
Cue the arrival in January 2007 of former manager Walter Smith to steady the ship. Many fans were actually disappointed at his return, feeling it was an unambitious appointment but in light of his recent astounding success with the national side were by and large willing to give him a chance.
Nine months later, runners’ up slot in last year’s SPL secured, a defensive record which has been shored up to almost unrecognisable levels, a uniform solidity throughout the side alien to previous eras, entrance to the group stages of the Champions League secured, and a current proud leadership of the SPL from the second match to present give some idea of the transformation of the club’s lot.
Add to that serious investment in the team during the two transfer windows of 2007, bringing in, among others, former Bordeaux striker Jean Claude Darcheville, Lens forward Daniel Cousin, American international and former PSV winger DaMarcus Beasley, and the conclusion of the summer’s epic saga in the acquisition of promising Kilmarnock striker Steven Naismith, and one is left with a radical overhaul of the entire playing staff.
Results on the pitch are night and day to the old eras, and the ability of the players to perform with heart and gusto is singularly down to Walter Smith.
Indeed, this week has encapsulated everything that is good about Rangers right now; from superb qualification to the group stage of the Champions League, before the draw from the stars to place ourselves alongside the very cream of continental competition with Olympique Lyonnais, VfB Stuttgart and a small club from a Spanish province by the name of Barcelona.
Then on Friday the transfer window shut with the news the Naismith saga had come to an end and Rangers had finally got their man.
Last but not least is yet another SPL victory against strugglers Gretna. Fair play to the newly-promoted side for having a go at Ibrox, but Rangers’ strength showed and a 4-0 victory was the outcome and another three points added to the Govan side’s haul domestically.
Only two goals conceded at Ibrox, one away, with none at all in Europe and it seems pretty convincing to believe this team has turned a corner.
Yes, Celtic are not going to lie down easily, evidenced by a 5-1 victory at Love Street, but nevertheless, this Rangers side will not lose this league by an embarrassing margin while Smith is in charge. Quite the contrary, the fans expect and demand the crown this year, which savouring top dollar ties in the Champions League.
This is what it should be to be a Rangers fan.
It may have taken a while to get here again, but good things come to those who wait.
posted by RangersMedia @ 9:09 PM
