Why Lee Wallace must be made captain
When Lee Wallace made that
gesture yesterday at full time to the Rangers fans mocking the media, imploring
fans not to believe the press, before he kissed the badge with sheer passion,
it sent out a message.
gesture yesterday at full time to the Rangers fans mocking the media, imploring
fans not to believe the press, before he kissed the badge with sheer passion,
it sent out a message.
No one is going to deny Lee
Wallace’s performance the past two seasons have not been stellar; despite the
fact he is our best and most valuable asset (formerly Lewis Macleod aside), he
has not been completely consistent and, possibly dragged down by incompetent management
under Ally McCoist then Kenny McDowall, has not shown the same appetite and
enthusiasm he did in Division 3.
Wallace’s performance the past two seasons have not been stellar; despite the
fact he is our best and most valuable asset (formerly Lewis Macleod aside), he
has not been completely consistent and, possibly dragged down by incompetent management
under Ally McCoist then Kenny McDowall, has not shown the same appetite and
enthusiasm he did in Division 3.
It is hard to completely blame
him. Yes, we want our players to bleed blue for the cause, but it is worth
remembering Wallace truly did sacrifice his Scotland career for Rangers by
staying in 2012. This was a player on the cusp of establishing himself as the
national team’s first choice LB, and yet he ditched that in favour of joining
the fight to restore Rangers to where we belong.
him. Yes, we want our players to bleed blue for the cause, but it is worth
remembering Wallace truly did sacrifice his Scotland career for Rangers by
staying in 2012. This was a player on the cusp of establishing himself as the
national team’s first choice LB, and yet he ditched that in favour of joining
the fight to restore Rangers to where we belong.
Lee Wallace is a player who could
easily have left, who would, and still can, get a far better gig in England,
who could have done what they all did in 2012, what McGregor, Naismith, Davis
et al all opted for and left for nothing.
easily have left, who would, and still can, get a far better gig in England,
who could have done what they all did in 2012, what McGregor, Naismith, Davis
et al all opted for and left for nothing.
Instead he elected to TUPE his
deal over and stuck with us. Even despite interest over the past two years from
the likes of Nottingham
Forest.
deal over and stuck with us. Even despite interest over the past two years from
the likes of Nottingham
Forest.
It is why no one has earned the
Rangers captaincy more than he has. Wallace gave us the best years of his
career, and nothing meant more to him than Rangers beating Hibernian yesterday.
Rangers captaincy more than he has. Wallace gave us the best years of his
career, and nothing meant more to him than Rangers beating Hibernian yesterday.
Indeed, his display itself was
absolutely superb. The odd incorrect passing decision aside, Wallace bombed up
and down the flanks like the Wallace of old, and the will to win was abundant.
absolutely superb. The odd incorrect passing decision aside, Wallace bombed up
and down the flanks like the Wallace of old, and the will to win was abundant.
His candour too in standing by
his decision is admirable:
his decision is admirable:
“I’ve got to stand by my decision but I’m
not going to lie and say I’ve never rethought it, more so this season with how
bad it has been. It was a decision I made at the time, knowing I wanted to be
part of this journey coming back up. The guys who moved on had all been a
success at the club and they had won trophies and become full
internationals.”
not going to lie and say I’ve never rethought it, more so this season with how
bad it has been. It was a decision I made at the time, knowing I wanted to be
part of this journey coming back up. The guys who moved on had all been a
success at the club and they had won trophies and become full
internationals.”
I also recall someone I spoke too
a year or two ago mentioning how Wallace, outwith Rangers, was coaching his son’s
team voluntarily. I had no way of verifying it at the time but the man has
confirmed it:
a year or two ago mentioning how Wallace, outwith Rangers, was coaching his son’s
team voluntarily. I had no way of verifying it at the time but the man has
confirmed it:
“I’m a football man, I’ve taken my mate’s
amateur team on a Tuesday and Thursday night in pouring rain for the last four
years, going halfway across Scotland for midweek games.”
amateur team on a Tuesday and Thursday night in pouring rain for the last four
years, going halfway across Scotland for midweek games.”
If anyone at Ibrox deserves
respect it is Wallace. Is he a vocal shouty sort of captain type? No. But all
the players need is someone they all admire and respect, and all the fans want
is someone who deserves to lead this colossal Club.
respect it is Wallace. Is he a vocal shouty sort of captain type? No. But all
the players need is someone they all admire and respect, and all the fans want
is someone who deserves to lead this colossal Club.
Wallace fits that bill. And given
the man is also an unsung hero in terms of coaching, he can clearly lead and
instruct, even if he does not go blue in the face while barking instructions.
the man is also an unsung hero in terms of coaching, he can clearly lead and
instruct, even if he does not go blue in the face while barking instructions.
There is no doubt Lee Wallace
should be installed as Club captain. If McCall wants to continue to take the
team forward, it is a no-brainer.
should be installed as Club captain. If McCall wants to continue to take the
team forward, it is a no-brainer.