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Cowdenbeath v Rangers: It's freezing but the heat is on...
With an overnight frost across Eastern Scotland, it was certainly freezing cold last night and the temperature isn't much higher this morning under clear skies. On this side of the Forth, today's race meeting at Musselburgh has already been abandoned so I don't hold out much hope for Rangers return to action after the winter break tonight across the water in Fife. We should know around lunchtime if the game will go ahead after the covers come off the Central Park pitch at 11am. Fingers crossed this preview isn't moot!
Rangers 2018-2019: The season so far...
The winter break arrived at a fantastic time for Rangers. From the league, one domestic cup competition and our Europa League run we’ve played the equivalent of a full league campaign with 38 games fitted in since 12th July with very few weeks going past without two games being played.
Old Firm media embarrassment and VAR control
Over ten years ago, in a moment of unguarded and wholesome clarity, Tom English, now of the BBC, once declared that “Celtic don’t want consistency from referees, they want decisions, good or bad, in their favour.”
He was right of course. It applies to all teams. It applies to all fans in the latent natural bias that exists in being a supporter. I don’t watch a Rangers match as an impartial observer and any decisions for and against my club matter and in the fog of battle you will claim and cling onto almost anything. The commentators are there to provide insight, information and hopefully some balanced reason to the unfolding spectacle.
Gersnet Podcast 029 - An Old Firm hammering to end the year
Towards the end of last season, we launched our Gersnet Podcast and we've been delighted with the response across the community with thousands of views and subscribers already across the various platforms. As promised the pod will be available on a regular basis so today we're very happy to bring you our last episode of 2018. May all our listeners have a happy and prosperous new year!
One last push - Rangers v Celtic
It's been a long, hard six months for Rangers players. Yes, they might not work the kind of gruelling shifts many of our fans do and they all earn a lot more than most of us can even dream about but the best part of 40 games in less than six months is still a big physical and mental test. After Saturday's game we will have played 38 matches - the same as our whole domestic league season. That cannot be downplayed.
Gersnet Podcast 028 - The Colombian who saved Christmas
Towards the end of last season, we launched our Gersnet Podcast and we've been delighted with the response across the community with thousands of views and subscribers already across the various platforms. As promised the pod will be available on a regular basis so today we're very happy to bring you our latest episode of season 2018/19. Merry Christmas to all our subscribers!
Gersnet Podcast 027 - Out of Europe but back on top domestically
Towards the end of last season, we launched our Gersnet Podcast and we've been delighted with the response across the community with thousands of views and subscribers already across the various platforms. As promised the pod will be available on a regular basis so today we're very happy to bring you our latest episode of season 2018/19!
Rapid Vienna v Rangers: The roller-coaster ride continues...
It's been exactly five months since Rangers started their competitive season. The World Cup Final was still to be played, most of us were on our summer holidays and it's fair to say (new manager notwithstanding) few of us were confident about making much progress (that's progress) in the Europa League again this season.
Gersnet Podcast 026 - How can we regain momentum?
Towards the end of last season, we launched our Gersnet Podcast and we've been delighted with the response across the community with thousands of views and subscribers already across the various platforms. As promised the pod will be available on a regular basis so today we're very happy to bring you our latest episode of season 2018/19!
Boxing clever: Dundee v Rangers
Watching Wednesday's game against Aberdeen made my mind travel back to 1974. Nothing to do with a football match but to the best boxer the world has ever known, Mohammed Ali, or Cassius Clay as he was originally known. Ali was to take on George Foreman in a fight that was to be called 'The Rumble in the Jungle' because it was to take place in Zaire (today's Republic of Congo). An ageing Ali, the punch and move boxer, who's favourite saying was “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee; The hands can't hit what the eyes can't see.” Ali, though, was the massive underdog to the younger, stronger, iron-fisted, hard hitting Foreman. Very few could see Ali coming away with a victory.
The Captain Debate
Despite the impact of James Tavernier this season and his expressions of his qualities, does he have the attributes to be a Rangers captain? Barry Ferguson, you will never meet a bigger Rangers man. He was a player I grew up watching and along with Nacho Novo, a player I admired. But, even Ferguson was stripped of the armband during his impressive career at the club.
Alfredo Morelos: no quarter given, no quarter asked
“A liability”, “an irredeemable hot head”, “notorious mood swings” “temperamental” and “no brains”.
You would be forgiven for thinking that the comments above are drawn from the social work report of a seasoned violent criminal. Some further context may provide more of a clue on the individual the subject of these damning comments is:
“Could just as easily have been sat on a therapist’s couch given the scale of the issues and demons that seem to follow…and psychiatrists who would be falling over themselves to write case studies”
Nope, still not a violent criminal I promise. Here is another clue:
“He continues to let himself and his team mates down….he is suspended or not fit as much as he is available”.
Can Gerrard 'make us dream'?
Finally, during a rare day off work, I managed to view the recently released Amazon documentary about Steven Gerrard. It’s important to note right away, there’s nothing about Rangers in it. Instead it’s a biography of our manager’s playing career – specifically at Liverpool – and the incredible highs and cruel lows within it. It’s an essential watch for any football fan about the loyalty and drive of a legendary player in the modern era. And its relevance to Rangers isn’t just noteworthy but timely.
Gersnet Podcast 025 - Top of the league at last
Towards the end of last season, we launched our Gersnet Podcast and we've been delighted with the response across the community with thousands of views and subscribers already across the various platforms. As promised the pod will be available on a regular basis so today we're very happy to bring you our latest episode of season 2018/19!
Rangers v Villarreal: Forget mathematics, just win!
Tonight, we welcome Villarreal to our rebuilt fortress Ibrox for the next game in the oh so exciting, or is it stressful, Europa league. These are the games we have been looking forward to since 2012. And what a group this has turned into.
Gersnet Podcast 24 - What Christmas gifts are on the way?
Towards the end of last season, we launched our Gersnet Podcast and we've been delighted with the response across the community with thousands of views and subscribers already across the various platforms. As promised the pod will be available on a regular basis so today we're very happy to bring you our latest episode of season 2018/19!
Ambition v realism: Rangers v Livingston
If there's one thing worse than these modern two week international breaks, it's losing the game immediately before it. Fortunately, in our last game against Motherwell, not only did we win, we routed the Lanarkshire side 7-1 so, despite the fortnight's holiday since, confidence should remain high in the Rangers camp. And, given this week's return to SPFL action is against Livingston who beat us a couple of months back, what better way to start a run of 11 games in 35 days than with another decisive Ibrox victory?
Rangers v Motherwell: Consistently inconsistent
With another international break imminent, Rangers host Motherwell this Sunday in another important match at Ibrox. Recent weeks have been frustrating for fans, players and manager Steven Gerrard alike with just one win in the last five games: the team haven't played badly but inconsistency, attacking impotency and defensive mistakes have seen us lose games or drop points we should have won.
Gersnet Podcast 023 - A week of disappointment
Towards the end of last season, we launched our Gersnet Podcast and we've been delighted with the response across the community with thousands of views and subscribers already across the various platforms. As promised the pod will be available on a regular basis so today we're very happy to bring you our latest episode of season 2018/19!
Demanding and delivering success: Aberdeen v Rangers
After what was a fairly frustrating European night at Ibrox during the week, the big games keep on coming for Rangers. The clocks might only be going back later tonight as we approach Halloween but already we've played 22 games this season. And, so far at least, progress has been pretty good.
Gersnet Podcast 022 - Getting out of jail
Towards the end of last season, we launched our Gersnet Podcast and we've been delighted with the response across the community with thousands of views and subscribers already across the various platforms. As promised the pod will be available on a regular basis so today we're very happy to bring you our latest episode of season 2018/19!
Sticks, stones and fan-zones
When the Ibrox fan-zone scandal first leaked out it is fair to say that most Rangers fans knew something wasn’t quite right. The recent revelations via good work by Club1872 in the form of freedom of information requests proved our suspicions to be well-founded.
Gersnet Podcast 021 - SPFL and Europa Excellence
Towards the end of last season, we launched our Gersnet Podcast and we've been delighted with the response across the community with thousands of views and subscribers already across the various platforms. As promised the pod will be available on a regular basis so today we're very happy to bring you our latest episode of season 2018/19!
A Rapid return to winning ways? Rangers v Rapid Vienna Preview
Rangers will bid to maintain their strong start to their Europa League campaign when they host Rapid Vienna at Ibrox next Thursday. Steven Gerrard’s men vanquished Shkupi, Osijek, Maribor and FC Ufa during four qualifying ties to roar into the group stage of the competition. They landed in a group of death alongside Villarreal, Spartak Moscow and Rapid Vienna, but they have made a superb start and confidence should be high among the troops.
Gersnet Podcast 020 - A Livingston lament and other tales
Towards the end of last season, we launched our Gersnet Podcast and we've been delighted with the response across the community with thousands of views and subscribers already across the various platforms. As promised the pod will be available on a regular basis so today we're very happy to bring you our latest episode of season 2018/19!
Gersnet Podcast 019 - More Euro joy and another home rout
Towards the end of last season, we launched our Gersnet Podcast and we've been delighted with the response across the community with thousands of views and subscribers already across the various platforms. As promised the pod will be available on a regular basis so today we're very happy to bring you our latest episode of season 2018/19!
Riding the wave - Rangers v St Johnstone
It's Friday morning and I have to admit I'm still basking in the glow of last night's excellent draw in Spain. OK, it might not have been our best ever European performance and we didn't even win the match but the positives are there for all to see.
Match Preview: Villarreal v Rangers
While playing two games a week puts a strain on the players, it is absolutely great for the supporters only having to wait three or four days for the chance to watch the famous. The games will be coming quick and fast up until Christmas due to the teams fantastic performances in the Europa league. After climbing the mountains of the qualifying stages as one of the few teams to go through to the group stages from the first qualifying round, we now start the first round of the group stages against the Spanish Europa League regulars, Villarreal.
Gersnet Podcast 018 - Tayside teams and our chances in Spain
Towards the end of last season, we launched our Gersnet Podcast and we've been delighted with the response across the community with thousands of views and subscribers already across the various platforms. As promised the pod will be available on a regular basis so today we're very happy to bring you our latest episode of season 2018/19!
Ready to go again: Rangers v Dundee
After a whirlwind set of opening fixtures which began on the 12th of July against little known Shkupi and ended in disappointment against somewhat more familiar opposition on the 2nd of September, Gerrard and his team have finally had a chance to take a breather, regroup and prepare for this next set of crucial fixtures ahead of the October international break.