I've written a couple of articles like this over the past couple of years as Rangers lurch from one crisis to another.
I have had a wee laugh about some of the more comical aspects in recent times, as I think most rival fans do, the T-shirt this morning was quite funny and losing to QotS is worth a bit of stick but I feel that the darker aspects of the Rangers saga make me feel quite the opposite.
Maybe its because I live on the doorstep of another footballing giant that was stripped and broken by money men but I find myself quite worried and disturbed by it all. The suffering and demise of Leeds Utd has had a massive effect on the community. Families and friends go to the football together and its one of the greatest gifts football gives to the world. Meeting new folk united by the love of your club, going to watch your team across the country and sometimes abroad, it makes those who have a tough life perhaps escape from it for 90 minutes.
I've read about and know many bluenoses who are disaffected by Rangers plight and its got to the stage where they are indifferent to countless body blows both on and off the park.
Scottish football is not exactly blessed with a large fanbase and it cannot handle losing a generation of fans from one of the biggest teams in the country. And that is the reality here, if people stop going and bringing their children we will lose a generation of fans to the game. I think its very concerning that we have articles from Rangers fans tonight talking about chucking it in.
As far as McCoist goes, you just have to look at how much the job has aged him, I don't think for all the money in the world is it worth putting the years on you like he has and there was something about the distress in his voice after the game tonight that made me think that it was cruel to see a guy reduced to that, a club legend being used as a bullet magnet for all his many many flaws as a coach.
Perhaps it doesn't sit well with the more hardcore Celtic fans but I find myself having a degree of sympathy for the decent bears that just want to have a team to be proud of and to take their kids to watch.
Its not the responsibility of Celtic or the other clubs in Scottish football to bail Rangers out, I'm not suggesting that, but on an occasion where an OF League Cup game has sponsors looking to pay 6 figure sums into our game, it might be best to reconsider pointing and laughing as they get clubbed round the head by the latest spiv on the block.
Celtic were once on the brink and were saved. Rangers have been on the brink, saved and then flirted with abyss for the last 2 years, that must be absolute torture.
I do enjoy a laugh at some of the finer details like the T-shirts and the funny performances on the park but taking enjoyment in the suffering that comes with not knowing if you will have a club to support one day to the next is not for me
I have a degree of sympathy
posted on 13/12/14
As a Liverpool supporter with a leaning towards Celtic I too should feel happy about their plight. But that could so easily have been us. Plus, I don't ever feel sorry for any business men losing money as it was their choice in the first place. Being a fan is an entirely different thing.
posted on 13/12/14
I'm close to chucking it.
And I completely deserve it as well.
I was way too naive to place faith in those running the show and now we are where we are.
We're fooked and there is absolutely no chance of getting back.
The sooner the plug is pulled for good, the better it will be for all our sanity.
posted on 13/12/14
Good post Tom...and I agree with most of the sentiments. I'd be very happy if rangers were back in the top league next season. The fans have suffered enough....although I don't remember getting a lot of sympathy when they were in their 'pomp'.
As for the impact a stronger rangers would have on Scottish football...I'm not sure about that.
It might encourage Celtic to spend a bit more and give us a stronger team for a while...but I wouldn't bet on it.
Our game was already in rapid decline before rangers' problems became evident. The advent of tv money as one of the biggest revenue streams in the bigger countries and the investment that has followed it has opened up a huge gap between the haves and the have nots. We're a have not...simple as that.
Celtic and possibly rangers have to find a way out or accept the position. The other clubs have to find ways to compete better...that's been the case for 50 years or more.
Rangers coming back won't alter this general trend. The corruption and greed at the top of the game (and rangers were an early adopter of the financial madness we are in) will ensure that the gap keeps getting wider and wider....and we got conned by FFP as well btw
posted on 13/12/14
"Cracking post"
The pain is endless and at times really hard to understand.
On the matter of McCoist what an absolute dissapiontment he has been for Rangers on the coaching front.
Perhaps the writing was on the wall as he is from the school of Walter Smith and all the hopes of a club legend ex striker would bring attacking football has been one big myth. "Never happened" perhaps if the football was better while witnessing effort on pitch by players fans might not have been scrutinising his signing policy.
We are in serious serious danger of entering admin and facing a deduction of points ending any hope of promotion.
posted on 13/12/14
To hell with them. They laughed in our faces when it was us that was in trouble. They still rub our faces in it with their tainted nine in a row.
This is what they get for spending money they didn't have.
posted on 13/12/14
http://www.rangersmegastore.com/club-tax-disc-holder-845978
Shameless!
...And out of date!
posted on 13/12/14
Nice post tom
posted on 13/12/14
Great read.
posted on 13/12/14
comment by Hector (U3606)
posted 1 hour, 51 minutes ago
http://www.rangersmegastore.com/club-tax-disc-holder-845978
Shameless!
...And out of date!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A bit hypocritical of them to expect their fans to pay taxes
posted on 13/12/14
Thank you UTC.
As a Rangers diehard it warms my heart to hear words such as yours expressed about my club.
It does have a personal impact on people,families,and indeed communities,here and in Scotland.
When a few celts wished Rangers dead,it did hurt and anger us,even though we expect banter and rivalry.
A decent Rangers set up benefits us all in fitba.