Article by: Richard Fillingham
I
believe that some Rangers supporters need to take a reality check with our
signing ambitions in the current transfer market. It is only five years ago that
we came close to being wiped out and had to build ourselves up again.
believe that some Rangers supporters need to take a reality check with our
signing ambitions in the current transfer market. It is only five years ago that
we came close to being wiped out and had to build ourselves up again.
We
were left bereft of experienced Rangers class players with the exception of
four or five stalwarts who for one reason or another decided to stay and fight
for our survival and a very inexperienced manager in Rangers scoring legend,
Ally McCoist.
were left bereft of experienced Rangers class players with the exception of
four or five stalwarts who for one reason or another decided to stay and fight
for our survival and a very inexperienced manager in Rangers scoring legend,
Ally McCoist.
There
were two ways things could go for us in 2012. Ally could sign decent young
players with the potential to win the 3rd Division easily, which
would leave them in good stead to go on and improve with experience and then to
proceed to win the 2nd Division in their second season together.
were two ways things could go for us in 2012. Ally could sign decent young
players with the potential to win the 3rd Division easily, which
would leave them in good stead to go on and improve with experience and then to
proceed to win the 2nd Division in their second season together.
Unfortunately,
the worst Rangers manager in our history (McCoist in my opinion), took the
wrong route by signing too many duff experienced old pros and still managed to
win both leagues – what a fantastic missed opportunity – and we are still
paying for that disastrous decision today.
the worst Rangers manager in our history (McCoist in my opinion), took the
wrong route by signing too many duff experienced old pros and still managed to
win both leagues – what a fantastic missed opportunity – and we are still
paying for that disastrous decision today.
Now
we are back in the SPL and although we failed to finish 2nd in the
league (which I admit was very disappointing), we have still qualified for
Europe next season. In any other country that would be regarded as a major
achievement but not in Scotland, where we are slammed in such a negative way by
the press and other clubs. Give us some credit where it’s certainly due. Hearts
were in a similar position as us and could only finish fifth behind St
Johnstone.
we are back in the SPL and although we failed to finish 2nd in the
league (which I admit was very disappointing), we have still qualified for
Europe next season. In any other country that would be regarded as a major
achievement but not in Scotland, where we are slammed in such a negative way by
the press and other clubs. Give us some credit where it’s certainly due. Hearts
were in a similar position as us and could only finish fifth behind St
Johnstone.
Through
the years Rangers have bought from other Scottish clubs to try and enhance our
own team and at the same time, making them that bit poorer off by buying their
best players. It may be time to buy some local talent who have shown that they
can succeed at other SPL clubs if given a chance. Here are some of our past
successes (of varying degrees):
the years Rangers have bought from other Scottish clubs to try and enhance our
own team and at the same time, making them that bit poorer off by buying their
best players. It may be time to buy some local talent who have shown that they
can succeed at other SPL clubs if given a chance. Here are some of our past
successes (of varying degrees):
Davy Cooper (Clydebank), Alex McDonald (St Johnstone), Colin Stein (Hibernian),
Richard Gough (Dundee United &
Spurs), Jim Baxter (Raith Rovers), Jim Bett (Aberdeen), Ally McCoist (St Johnstone &
Sunderland), Peter McCloy (Motherwell), Andy Goram (Hibernian), Theo Snelders (Aberdeen), Bobby Shearer (Hamilton Accies), Ian McMillan (Airdrie), George McLean (St Mirren), Dave Smith (Aberdeen), Andy Penman (Dundee), Tom Forsyth (Motherwell), Örjan Persson (Dundee U), Tommy McLean (Kilmarnock), Bobby McKean (St Mirren), John Brown (Dundee), Dougie Bell (Aberdeen),
Spurs), Jim Baxter (Raith Rovers), Jim Bett (Aberdeen), Ally McCoist (St Johnstone &
Sunderland), Peter McCloy (Motherwell), Andy Goram (Hibernian), Theo Snelders (Aberdeen), Bobby Shearer (Hamilton Accies), Ian McMillan (Airdrie), George McLean (St Mirren), Dave Smith (Aberdeen), Andy Penman (Dundee), Tom Forsyth (Motherwell), Örjan Persson (Dundee U), Tommy McLean (Kilmarnock), Bobby McKean (St Mirren), John Brown (Dundee), Dougie Bell (Aberdeen),
Stewart Kennedy (Stenhousemuir), Gordon Smith (Kilmarnock), Ian Redford (Dundee), Dave MacKinnon (Partick Thistle), Craig
Paterson (Hibernian), Stuart Munro (Alloa),
Paterson (Hibernian), Stuart Munro (Alloa),
Ian Ferguson (St Mirren), Davie Robertson (Aberdeen), Alec Cleland (Dundee United),
Neil McCann (Hearts), Kenny Miller (Hibs), Kris Boyd (Kilmarnock), Steven Whittaker (Hibs), Kevin Thomson, (Hibs), Steven Naismith (Kilmarnock), Kirk Broadfoot (St Mirren), Lee Wallace (Hearts), Barrie McKay (Kilmarnock) and Danny Wilson (Hearts)
Hence
going SPL might be a better idea than it seems:
going SPL might be a better idea than it seems:
Callum Paterson is still recovering
from an horrific knee injury that wrecked his proposed move to Derby County,
and now Cardiff City and Rangers want to sign the Scottish international who will
soon be a free agent. The 22-year-old
athletic and talented right back would be a real asset to this new Rangers
side. Paterson – who scored 10 goals
in 24 matches for Hearts last season – is a marauding attacking full back who
offers more awareness than the unreliable Tavernier.
from an horrific knee injury that wrecked his proposed move to Derby County,
and now Cardiff City and Rangers want to sign the Scottish international who will
soon be a free agent. The 22-year-old
athletic and talented right back would be a real asset to this new Rangers
side. Paterson – who scored 10 goals
in 24 matches for Hearts last season – is a marauding attacking full back who
offers more awareness than the unreliable Tavernier.
Ryan Jack, the central midfielder,
is believed to be Ibrox-bound and the bad blood between Rangers and Aberdeen
will no doubt last throughout the summer.
The Dons’ former captain is expected to sign after the Scottish Cup Final
… after being stripped of the armband by Derek McInnes ahead of their
showdown with Celtic. Ryan is
another free agent and his grit in the engine room is desperately needed. He’ll no doubt get dog’s abuse at
Pittodrie for years to come, because he had the audacity to improve himself, but
Ped the Ted won’t care as long as the 25-year-old can make a big difference to the
‘Gers.
is believed to be Ibrox-bound and the bad blood between Rangers and Aberdeen
will no doubt last throughout the summer.
The Dons’ former captain is expected to sign after the Scottish Cup Final
… after being stripped of the armband by Derek McInnes ahead of their
showdown with Celtic. Ryan is
another free agent and his grit in the engine room is desperately needed. He’ll no doubt get dog’s abuse at
Pittodrie for years to come, because he had the audacity to improve himself, but
Ped the Ted won’t care as long as the 25-year-old can make a big difference to the
‘Gers.
Steven Naismith left in acrimonious
circumstances, but it’s understood he could be heading back to Rangers. He will
be 31 in September and has enjoyed an excellent career despite three serious
knee injuries threatening his livelihood.
Steven was an important player at Everton under Roberto Martinez and David
Moyes. He might receive an indifferent welcome back to Ibrox, but there is no
doubt he will improve our current side.
circumstances, but it’s understood he could be heading back to Rangers. He will
be 31 in September and has enjoyed an excellent career despite three serious
knee injuries threatening his livelihood.
Steven was an important player at Everton under Roberto Martinez and David
Moyes. He might receive an indifferent welcome back to Ibrox, but there is no
doubt he will improve our current side.
Louis Moult –
Appearances & goal scoring record for the last four years.
Appearances & goal scoring record for the last four years.
Season
2016-17 – 34 games and 18 goals for Motherwell – SPL
2016-17 – 34 games and 18 goals for Motherwell – SPL
Season
2015-16 – 42 games and 18 goals for Motherwell – SPL
2015-16 – 42 games and 18 goals for Motherwell – SPL
Season
2014-15 – 32 games & 7 as Sub and scored 16 goals for Wrexham – Football
Conference
2014-15 – 32 games & 7 as Sub and scored 16 goals for Wrexham – Football
Conference
Season
2013-14 – 36 games & 7 as Sub and scored 17 goals for Nuneaton – Football
Conference
2013-14 – 36 games & 7 as Sub and scored 17 goals for Nuneaton – Football
Conference
Does
Louis ever get injured and have to miss out in games? He has a phenomenal
record of playing throughout the last four seasons and in almost every game. I
can fully understand many die hard blue noses looking down their noses at
trying to sign a Motherwell centre forward, but Moult has the credentials and
potential to succeed at Ibrox.
Louis ever get injured and have to miss out in games? He has a phenomenal
record of playing throughout the last four seasons and in almost every game. I
can fully understand many die hard blue noses looking down their noses at
trying to sign a Motherwell centre forward, but Moult has the credentials and
potential to succeed at Ibrox.
He’s
scored 18 goals in each season at Fir Park and has a habit of scoring in big
games. He’s scored four times against Celtic and a goal at Ibrox this season
and is powerful in the air. Motherwell are looking for around £500,000 and Michael
O’Halloran in exchange.
scored 18 goals in each season at Fir Park and has a habit of scoring in big
games. He’s scored four times against Celtic and a goal at Ibrox this season
and is powerful in the air. Motherwell are looking for around £500,000 and Michael
O’Halloran in exchange.
And
from overseas:
from overseas:
Bruno Alves – The big
prize.
prize.
Forget
the fact he is 35, Bruno Alves would be the club’s biggest statement of intent in
the transfer market. This is a defender who has operated at the highest level
of European football for well over a decade and has enjoyed a good season with
Cagliari in Serie A. Bruno is a powerful stopper, who thrives in winning aerial
duels and would add steel to the current team. Many teams will be keen on a
player who won Euro 2016 with Portugal, but if Rangers can add his signature it
would be a huge boost for Caixinha.
the fact he is 35, Bruno Alves would be the club’s biggest statement of intent in
the transfer market. This is a defender who has operated at the highest level
of European football for well over a decade and has enjoyed a good season with
Cagliari in Serie A. Bruno is a powerful stopper, who thrives in winning aerial
duels and would add steel to the current team. Many teams will be keen on a
player who won Euro 2016 with Portugal, but if Rangers can add his signature it
would be a huge boost for Caixinha.
And
today we are linked with a glut of new players including Hearts’ Jamie Walker.
today we are linked with a glut of new players including Hearts’ Jamie Walker.
Going
SPL-based is a technique that worked for managers like Walter in the past, and
signing them in concert with some wise imports from overseas and down south is
a prudent approach. We might not win the SPL with it yet, but it would be
progress. If strategically and carefully planned.
SPL-based is a technique that worked for managers like Walter in the past, and
signing them in concert with some wise imports from overseas and down south is
a prudent approach. We might not win the SPL with it yet, but it would be
progress. If strategically and carefully planned.
An interesting article and some great names there from back in the day. Was a big fan of Stuart Munro, the ultimate in unsung heroes. John Brown was a colossus at the back as well. My first ever memory of watching the Gers was seeing the ball go through Peter McCloy's bandy legs (what seemed like) every weekend; I think I caught him at a bad time though. Andy Goram was for me world-class. Goughie, God, what we would do to have these players in our team today. Brilliant.
Some good comments Richard .I like Moult he is strong not highly skilled but a serious presence and goal threat I keep going on about the lad Murray from Dundee Utd .Whilst I wouldn't want to give them our money he is a good prospect . I would also have another look at Heneghan he is raw but could be decent . Keep the conversations going especially doom and gloom GordoRFC lolol
i thought he could do a job so im not surprised,the other2 i would consider is doolan & schalk(free transfer) ?
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Honestly is this as good as its going to get? As I said previously we are challenging Aberdeen for second place next season and cannot even contemplate challenging Celtic with this standard of player.
Totally agree with you EmcC. Moult plays for Motherwell for a reason and is no where what Rangers need to challenge for the title next season. Ryan Jack was lost against shellic, therefore, what benefit will that be to our team next season to challenge for the title. Paterson (aka-Peg Leg Prodan), enough said.
We need strong, athletic, fast, skilful players that can take on the beggars physically. We can't take on lightweights who wont be able to handle the responsibility of putting on the most precious jersey in the world.
Ibrox noise – Please start thinking "Strong as an Ox and Standards High", because the players your plugging are very much Sub Standard and will not deliver the title. You seem to be accepting second place next season?!
Hats aff Richard cracking article that and well put..
E McC you ever heard the saying from small acorns? Being second next year is still progression bottom line.. Some doom and gloom merchants on here lol
I have to totally agree with the first section of your article Richard, we were let down through Ally McCoists inexperience as a manager in the circumstance our club was left in. In saying that, the first season in charge he achieved promotion with the loyal players he had left at the club and youngsters. What he didn't do after was look at the outstanding players in the league he was in and the division above ; this is where he failed as there were players to supplement the team he had, young players like Robertson and Shankland whe were withQueens Park and there were others, as we know Robertson is now a full Scotland cap and has been playing in the English Premiership.
I agree with you players we should sign, but we must bring two solid centre halves to the club and as I have said on here before we have to get money and bring either or all of these midfield players to
Ibrox; James McArthur, Dorians, Morrison and John Fleck. Any or all of these midfielders have grit, strength and skill which our midfield needs in spades.
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