THE Rangers Tribute Act's loss to St Johnstone was THE story of the midweek League Cup ties, at least as far as the Mainstream Media was concerned. But, overall, with Morton beating Motherwell and Hibernian eliminating Aberdeen, it wasn't entirely a good night for the domestic top-flight sides.
Let's be honest here, both the Premiership and the Championship are largely full-time divisions. There is a bit more quality in the top-flight, but, as we have seen over many years, on any given night, in cup ties, relative status will be over-turned.
I don't think Mark Warburton will be too upset at his side losing at home to Saints. The RTA is a work in progress. For instance, if, as expected, the RTA win the Championship this season, the team which they field in the opening game of season 2016-17, will, I wager, be significantly different from the XI which kicked off this season.
The young loan players will go back to English football, there will be the usual turn-over in personnel. Sure, one of the purposes of the RTA is to look like a real Rangers team. RR teams rarely, if ever, lost at home to St Johnstone. But, the side Warburton is managing is not a RR team, it is a RTA team, there is a difference.
Losing to Saints enables the RTA boss to say to the men in the board room: "We are not where we want to be yet". If the view of PMGB, over there in Donegal, is to be believed - and, make no mistake, he has been more on the ball than anyone in watching and interpreting events at Ibrox since 2011, all is not well at the Big Hoose and further pain is ahead.
PMGB doesn't think there is a "War Chest" in place; certainly the club's finances are still in a mess, making the rebuilding which will be necessary once the RTA are in the Premiership, likely to be very difficult.
In the bigger scheme of things, losing a League Cup tie wasn't that big a deal. But, considerable difficulties remain to be overcome, before I can stop referring to the RTA and start calling the Ibrox club, simply Rangers.
As regards the game itself, the RTA payed some good stuff, but, like some Arsenal sides, and they were guilty of this some years ago - they played their best football in front of the St Johnstone defence - there was little or no penetration.
The Perth team were clinical. In the first half, for instance, they were up the park five times, scored twice, Steve MacLean missed a chance he would normally bury, while Simon Lappin forced the save of the night. That's a good return from so few attacking sorties.
The RTA move the ball well, going forward, but, I would like to see the exciting Nathaniel Oduwa taking-on more opponents. He has the skill, let him show it.
As for the RTA defence, least said, soonest mended.
MANAGEMENT, the Lady in My Life, lives close-enough to Rugby Park, to follow events there via the cheering. She said it was particularly noisy there last night, as Hearts staged that late smash and grab raid to eliminate Killie.
The match was, by all accounts, a five-goal thriller. What a pity Kilmarnock appear unable to muster bigger crowds, however.
BBC SCOTLAND gave a wee plug to the SFA Schools of Excellence this week. I remain entirely unconvinced about grass-roots/youth development in Scotland, and, while I wish schemes such as this no ill-will, I don't think it is the way ahead.
On a subsidiary point. Given his experience at Manchester United, Brian McClair might well be the ideal man to lead the SFA's Youth Development Department. Now, call me old-fashioned if you like, but, appearing on tv, unshaven, with an open-necked shirt, to me gave the wrong impression. Also, Brian doesn't come across well as a talking head.
Presentation skills coaching called for, perhaps.
BY the way - Celtic "only" beating Raith Rovers 2-0: good or bad result - discuss. OK, they are in the last eight, job done, but, should they not have won by a greater margin?
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