THESE are hard times for "Rangers Men" - and women. There is a very-real chance that the club they love - even when, as is the present case, the XI on the field are reduced to the level of a tribute act - could suffer a second entry into administration, if not a second liquidation.
So, to have Sandy Jardine die yesterday was a case of catastrophy on top of disaster. Sandy was a real Rangers Man, a club legend. He fought a very brave and public battle against cancer. He tried to educate Charles Green as to the enormity of the club he had taken-on and about what was expected of him. Yes, with that wonderful thing, hindsight, Sandy probably made mistakes - just as Rangers did all those years ago, when they released him to enjoy an Indian Summer at Hearts.
But, speaking as one who knew him for over 50 years, Sandy Jardine was one of the good guys. His end came far too early. But, he is at peace now - shame the same cannot be said about those squablling over what remains of the Famous Glasgow Rangers.
SPEAKING of which. Who has got the bigger task in his hands, Graham Wallace at Rangers of his opposite number at Manchester United?
On reflection, probably Wallace. All Manchester United need is a trophy, and a return to the top four in England. If they spend enough, not even too-wisely, they will achieve the latter reuirement, and probably the former too, simples.
Wallace needs to finally, after nearly 30-years of excess, to bring some responsibility and pattern to Rangers spending, while at the same time, putting in place a means of satisfying the entitlement culture of the fans.
Let's not kid ourselves here; getting from the second tier to the top tier in any sporting league system is always the hardest upward step - though not perhaps as difficult as remaining in the top flight once you get there.
Next season, we could have the situation whereby four of the traditional "Big Six" Scottish clubs are battling for the single automatic place out of the Championship into the Premiership. Rangers will be there, as will Hearts, while I would not bet against Hibs and Dundee also being in that second tier - whch would make for one helluva competitive division.
At one time, post-Craig Whyte, when it became obvious Rangers would have to be re-born in the bottom tier, I had visions of a new Rangers, chastened, anxious to please, well-run, perhaps rising to just below the top tier, then, appalled at the way the Celtic-led Premiership had gone, saying: "No thanks" to the SPL and leading a new, fairer Scottish League to a brighter tomorrow.
Sadly, new Rangers became hostage to the spivs and chancers, the SPL bought-out the Scottish League and, I am afraid, we will be stuck with the same-old, same-old, for years to come.
The disease is spreading too; we wait to find-out if Killie have been playing fast and loose with the regulations, with allegations of signatures being forged on signing documents.
Scottish Football really is in a mess.
No comments:
Post a Comment