So today on Ibrox Noise there’s been a bit of a stramash about Rangers’ summer signings so far – the bulk of the readers are of the mind to ‘give the new boys a chance’ while others point to Cantwell and Raskin.
Ibrox Noise agrees. At no point has anyone on Ibrox Noise dumped a new signing before he even got to kick a ball, and we’re not about to start.
The success of Todd Cantwell and Nico Raskin has earned Michael Beale, in the eyes of many, many fans, a huge amount of faith – of course, one look at their CV was a big clue about how good these two were, so it didn’t take Stevie Wonder to suss they were serious quality.
There’s maybe more doubt about Sterling and Dowell, but it’s the faith Beale has earned from fans thanks to his January signings that earns him a tonne of breathing space when it comes to any additions that fans might have some doubt over.
And Ibrox Noise shares that – while some of us have a few misgivings about both of the first two signings, and we’re not just going to have blind faith that Wee Rabbie McGlinchie, 22-year-old striker fae Arbroath is good enough just because Michael Beale signed him, what we will agree on is the give them a chance motto.
All new signings get that chance, and Beale does have some trust because of the success of January.
No judgement is passed yet, we wait till the autumn to see where the club is before we assess any new additions.
But. That said.
We are allowed an opinion. All of us. That includes blind optimism and caution in equal measure – and just because ‘Michael Beale signed him’ doesn’t mean Wee Rabbie McGlinchie will immediately win every single fan over before he even kicks a ball.
The number of fans we’ve seen to react in horror at some of the links we’ve been connected to, and that included Dowell and Sterling before we signed them, does suggest that some have a few reservations.
But when they sign on the dotted line, we back them. They become one of our own and we wish them success.
There is nothing more satisfying for any good Rangers fan than slating a player, him proving you wrong, and you happily admitting you were miles off about him.
One such gentleman did that only a few days ago – proudly admitted he was completely wrong about John Souttar, having slaughtered him, and was gorging on a meal of his own words, eating them as he was.
So those who have doubts about one or two signings here and there, it’s ok. As long as we all back these players and support them, then they can make those with a reservation or two look silly.
Works for us.