Steven Gerrard and Rangers are back to reality….

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Steven Gerrard and Rangers are back to reality….


It’s the day after the night before. Rangers’ European adventure is no more. But few of us at Ibrox Noise are genuinely gutted about the result last night.

We can’t speak for the whole fanbase, of course, but we have more of a sense of how well we actually did rather than the disappointment of failing to get to the last 32. Sure, it would have been nice, but what we achieved with a squad that was well below capable of doing much more was in itself absolutely outstanding.

To actually make it to the group stage itself was stunning, following four gruelling rounds of qualifying competition, and that alone made the club millions while gaining us a tonne of credibility globally. We’ve been damaged in that respect in recent years, so Rangers punching at what should be their weight against continental opponents was the kind of shot in the arm we needed.

But to not only make it to aforementioned group stage but actually genuinely compete against some very fine European teams in Spartak, Villarreal and Rapid was extraordinary. We had a squad assembled for around £15M total (Gerrard’s summer business only cost £10M) up against teams who had individual players who’d cost that or were worth that or more and we not only competed well but we matched these sides in places and even managed to beat them.

It says a lot for the progress Gerrard has made in a short space of time on the European front.

Domestically we know it’s a different ball game and it’s all very mixed, but if Rangers fans had been offered six points and a third place in Europe before a ball was kicked, few would have rejected it.

So, we are not going to cry too much about our exit, and it finally lets us get on with the serious business of mounting some sort of proper challenge in the league.

That’s our bread and butter – Europe was fun, it was an adventure, and frankly the team did us pretty proud overall.

But time to get back to reality now.

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20 COMMENTS

  1. Well said. I want us to win every game but having done brilliant to qualify this year I always felt the league should be our number one priority. We have a team put together in 1 transfer window, now it's time to regroup, focus on the league then add some genuine quality in January for the 2nd half of the season. Steve Davis MBE come home! #55

    • A thought it was quality we brought in from Stevie G now this quality has to go and bring in even more quality how many are we going to hear this Turkish Delight.

  2. Totally agree… now get some attacking players in January and start scoring goals. Alfredo needs rest time and some support up front

  3. The European desk has been cleared. We can totally concentrate on a settled winning team with less loss to injuries. In truth our players have had one helluva schedule and can all benefit without more midweek flights to near and far.

  4. Yeah let's get another player who feeked off from our club in 2012. What is it with some of our fans, it's as if they want the full 2012 team back. Remember that team didn't win the league that season, so what sencw does it make to get them back together now they are nearly at retirement age.
    Davis was good back in the day but he can't even get a game in the worst Southampton team that they have had for about 5 years.

    • Could not have put that better myself to many people on here with blinkers on and can't see the bigger picture.

  5. We knew this was going to be at least, a five-year-plan. We have to be realistic. We've done no bad, with what we've been handed. But a money injection, is still needed. Time for King to open his fat, S-African wallet and buy some value for money, quality.

  6. Absolutely correct IN. Though some fans need to be realistic. We clearly need offensive players to create chances and score goals but there isn't a football superstore where you can just go and buy them, even if we could afford it. These players are hard to come by and every club in the world is looking for them. It might take a few attempts but hopefully some day we'll find the right guy that can transform the club. A bit like Larsson did for a second rate Ceptic..

    • As much it pains me to say it you say a second rate Celtic team but did the beggers not win the league when he signed that season we should watch how we put things across sometimes. It was a bit like a couple of weeks ago when IN put it out there that Celtic where in decline who have now won 7 trophies in a row as I said before I do wish our team where in this sort of decline let's not act and sound like the East End beggers.

    • I don't get your point. I'm not certain of the details and am not inclined to look them up. My point was that one player transformed a mediocre Ceptic team who went onto tremendous success. I hope that one day we can find someone like that who can provide us with that shortcut to success.

  7. really good article and glad to see fans being realistic. we've come a long way in a short space of time and it's time to get back to basics and get some wins under our belt in the league and get our attacking play going again. let's go

  8. Very good posts guys..I was very proud to watch and support all of the great European nights…like us of old !. Now its time to have a small clear out and some signings loan or otherwise , recall Docherty for one. No Steven Davis for me Chris Brunt yes . Need a goal threat ..young Shankland at Ayr ??? Worth a punt ??

    • I don't know much about Shankland other than he scores a lot of goals. I doubt if you know much more. But let's not forget we signed Nicky Clark after he scored 41 goals for Queen of the South and that didn't turn out too well. Let the club scouts do their job and decide if he is good enough.

  9. It's time stevie gives depo mebude his first team debut he is a rising talent him and Glenn Middleton are our future come on stevie let the kids show how good he is against Hamilton

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