One final push after another after another after another - the Gub's Old Firm preview

Last updated : 15 April 2008 By The Gub
Hell, I even think I was the first in my street to get a Raleigh Chopper, that pseudo American big long chair, three-speed bike thingy that was all the rage in 1970.
 
    Although it has to be said, that far off children's status symbol was not without its problems. Did I get a vivid red Raleigh Chopper? No I didn't! Did I get a Rangers blue one? No I didn't. What I got was a bright fecking luminous yellow effort that could be seen from the moon.  Riding my bright yellow Chopper in a 'Pea souper' of a fog worried me not a jot, Motorists could spot me from the other end of the street.
 
    I spent my formative years referred to as the 'Cathkin Braes Buttercup', and these things run deep at such a tender age, but despite it all, I loved my Chopper. The moral of the story is; I reckon I appreciated everything I got back then, and still do.
 
    But it's strange because that benevolence and happiness at my emotional and physical lot down through the years has never quite transferred into my thoughts about my football team.
 
    I mean, look at what's happened this season thus far. You know the drill; Walter takes over shambles last season, steadies ship last season, makes modest signings in the summer, och, the rest as they say is history. You have to ask how many times you can pinch yourself at the progress of our footballing pilgrims this season?
 
    A main feature of the FF message board over the last month or so is how we've punched way, way above our weight and we should just be grateful at what we've achieved so far this term.
 
    Well, I'm sorry, but for the first time in my life I'm beginning to get a little greedy.  I don't want punching above my weight and that's my whack; I want pampering. Sod lemon hued Raleigh Choppers, this is me living the dream as Paris Hilton's wee dug.  A new pair of Ray-Banns here and a wee Armani over-coat there. Possibly a walk on part in the next home video - I'm sorry, but I want it all.
 
    This season really is heady stuff and a rare vintage. I reckon this is the first time since our first forage into European football that we've still been competing on all the fronts there is to compete in at this stage of the season. Of course you may point to 1992/93, but I reckon the European angle is different this time around due to the knock out stages as opposed to a CL group section back then.
 
    It is also very scary the demands we are placing on our players. For instance, it is astonishing that less than a week after their heroics in Lisbon we're demanding more of the same from them tomorrow night at the cesspit. And for me this really is the most important league fixture of the title run-in.
 
    Of course history will show that this game should have already been played and out of the way, with the odds low on a Rangers win into the bargain. History will also show that the game was postponed because of the cynical exploitation by the management at the cesspit of the tragic death of a former player. Should you ever need to remember how low Sellik FC can possibly go? Then just remember Phil O'Donnell.
 
    Then to top it off, Liewell has since trumpeted the notion that there should be no extension to the season to accommodate Rangers, as it would put a dent in the 'integrity of the competition.' As if the people running Sellik FC  would know anything about integrity.
 
    But the events surrounding Jan 2nd 2008 will be no consolation to our club tomorrow night and will be completely forgotten as we take to the field in what for Timbo is their make or break fixture. Make no mistake they will be up for this one big time and it will be up to us to be equally determined. Will we be up to the challenge?
 
    Well, unless we are in for a huge change of heart on Walter's part I reckon we can safely put our dosh on a continuation of the 4-5-1 formation. The thing is, despite what we have achieved thus far and despite the splendour of still firing on all cylinders in the middle of April, I'll never be a convert to these tactics.
 
    Put simply I still do not believe we have the personnel at Ibrox to deploy these tactics successfully. I also believe we are now missing Alan Hutton's foraging gallops down the right wing big time. Still, there's no use crying over hived off right backs.
 
    I also don't believe in sitting deep and inviting Timbo to have a go, a tactic that Walter excelled in first time around it has to be said, as it does sometimes depend on a frantic rearguard action. But all it takes is for them to get an early goal and then their tales really are up.
 
    Yet despite all my misgivings, the images of those two classic counter attacking goals last week in Lisbon have meant that the cockles of my heart are still on a steady heat. They are garbage all over in defence and we can pick them off.
 
    You look at the behaviour of Timbo and his press apologists this season. The press whitewash of the fan encroaching on Milan's goalkeeper earlier in the season. Again the media whitewash after the claims by the 'voodoo chile' tending the yahoo goals, that Rangers players spat on him at Ibrox in October. (Shame on you Rangers for not contending this)
 
    Lest we forget the SPL have conveniently forgot to land Celtic with an automatic fine because of their indiscipline that sunny October day when NINE yahoos out of thirteen were booked. Then of course, there was the crocodile tears and the outrageous demands for the Phil O'Donnell postponement.
 
    Yet, despite all that, we won't win any points for our continuing 'dignity' and no club ever won a match because they rested on their moral laurels. The sad fact is, despite using every trick in the book, and some that are not included, this shower will be a formidable opponent tomorrow night, or 'a wounded animal', as Ally McCoist neatly put it, who still believe that they are in with a chance of nicking this league.
 
    Is it too much to ask that we put them out of their misery tomorrow night? Just do it Rangers and I promise I won't make any other demands on you till the 24th of April.
 
    Yours as ever in Rangers,
                                               The Govanhill Gub