Thoughts of Sunday
Can it really be that a quarter of a century has passed us by since a certain Alistair McCoist wrote his name into the Ibrox history books by becoming the first and to date only Rangers player to score a hat trick in a major domestic Old Firm final?
Well it is, and although an awful lot of water has passed under the bridge since then - and in my opinion the good just shades it over the lamentable - it would appear, from what we are led to believe, the same Ally McCoist will be out to mastermind another Old Firm final victory over them, this time as manager. Or at least as assistant manager with a major say in cup tournaments.
So what are the main differences between then and now? Well on the park, not much I'm afraid to say. Back then, we had an abysmal defence, as a unit and of course individually.
Nowadays, again, in my opinion we are much the same. Apparently, we have as strong a defensive unit as anyone else in the SPL this season, but for me seeing is believing, and quite frankly I don't believe it.
The main cause for concern for me is a lack of pace throughout the defence, (Bougherra apart) and of course a complete lack of composure on the ball and playing it constructively out of defence. Although to be fair to our modern day heroes, I wasn't much of a fan of Richard Gough's distribution of the round thing either.
In midfield, the most crushing blow for us this term undoubtedly has been the injury to Kevin Thomson. It is only when he is not there that you begin to realise his worth to the team. The bottom line is he does the unglamorous stuff, the stuff we don't really appreciate coming out of a game, and contemplate over that post match Breezer. What we can say is that we have no one remotely capable of filling KT's boots.
We can talk all day about who is worth more to the side: Bazza or Pedro? The bottom line is, they should be able to compliment each other but up until now these occasions have been few and far between. Sunday would be as nice a time as any for them to start getting into the groove.
Then we have that little enigma on the right, Steven Davis. This time last year as a loan Ranger he was sensational, the latter part of his loan period saw him fade away.
It was a tough call for me (not that I have anything to do with the finances or signing of players you understand) buying the wee Ulsterman at the start of the season. Based on the first part of his stay last season, then it would have been a resounding yes. Because of the latter part, it would have been a case of Govanhill says no.
It has to be said the wee man has blown hot and cold all season, and I understand there are reasons for this. Again, like his compadres elsewhere in midfield, Sunday would be an ideal time for us to see the Steven Davis we fell in love with a year ago. Not only that, but a return to form for these three midfielders would give us a real cause for optimism for the rest of the season.
Then there is the small matter of the forward line; so little real quality and so many permutations. Novo if fit would always be in my team against that lot. Not the sharp shooter in front of goal I'd ideally like, but what a shift you get from him. However, at time of writing I very much doubt he'll be fit, far less match fit for Sunday, so we can probably say the wee man won't figure.
However, speed is an absolute key against this lot and between his pace, and the management duos' absolute insistence and defiance in face of the facts, that Kenny Miller is a very, very average footballer; we can say that in all probability Miller will be in the starting X1.
So who is left? Well, Kyle Lafferty had a nightmare game against Timbo last time out, especially in the first half, but then again Pele would have cut a forlorn figure that day, when we think of the manager's negativity.
It's hard to judge the guy. He was abysmal out wide against Aberdeen at Ibrox earlier in the season but looked a completely different proposition altogether when he was moved into centre that day. Then there was his lovely finish at Tannadice also. Who knows?
Kris Boyd, we hear, might still be in contention for a final place, at least still be included in the squad.. I reckon he's now well and truly passed the stage whereby the manager can cajole him any more.
This is where McCoist's experience comes in because if there is anyone at Ibrox has went through what Boyd's been, or going through, then it is 'The Judge' himself.
I refuse to believe that Ally McCoist hasn't reminded Boyd of his own time 'on the bench' due to the whims of the manager; so whichever way you look at it, Boyd to me is now on borrowed time at Ibrox.
If Boyd does have a future at Ibrox, and to me at this moment in time he is hanging on by the slenderest of threads, he'd do worse than watch a replay of that 1984 League Cup final as he'll get all the inspiration he needs. Then again he could always chap on the assistant manager's door and have a real heart to heart.
Some shrewd observers out there might have noticed that I've never been Walter's biggest fan, but in all fairness I have to praise him for giving youth, in the shape of John Fleck, his chance at Parkhead last month in what was a critical league match for us.
Although the game passed the wee man by, I'm sure the experience will stand him in good stead for the next time out. I'm not so sure though that this weekend will see the manager play him, as to be fair, JF's been blowing hot and cold since making the breakthrough. I'm sure this bedding in period will be the making of him.
Since then we've had the Spanish youngster Aaron coming in and doing well also, which is also a bonus. Who knows it may be that Sunday has come too soon for this pair.
I didn't start out to try and name the Rangers team for Sunday and I don't believe I have. And there's always the chance that we'll be treated to that 'surprise' old firm choice.
In many ways there have been aspects to this season that have 'scunnered' me as much as any in the past. Yet the thought of beating that lot and being in with a real tilt at another domestic treble has lifted the gloom, even if only slightly.
It is true, that I'm not a great fan of this present Rangers team, but I do believe we are better than that lot, especially if we take the game to them and take our chances this time. Are you listening Davis and Boyd?
Just do it Rangers.
Oh, and PS, there is another major difference between 1984 and now. We had Davie Cooper back then, oh how I wish we had him now.
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Can it really be that a quarter of a century has passed us by since a certain Alistair McCoist wrote his name into the Ibrox history books by becoming the first and to date only Rangers player to score a hat trick in a major domestic Old Firm final?
Well it is, and although an awful lot of water has passed under the bridge since then - and in my opinion the good just shades it over the lamentable - it would appear, from what we are led to believe, the same Ally McCoist will be out to mastermind another Old Firm final victory over them, this time as manager. Or at least as assistant manager with a major say in cup tournaments.
So what are the main differences between then and now? Well on the park, not much I'm afraid to say. Back then, we had an abysmal defence, as a unit and of course individually.
Nowadays, again, in my opinion we are much the same. Apparently, we have as strong a defensive unit as anyone else in the SPL this season, but for me seeing is believing, and quite frankly I don't believe it.
The main cause for concern for me is a lack of pace throughout the defence, (Bougherra apart) and of course a complete lack of composure on the ball and playing it constructively out of defence. Although to be fair to our modern day heroes, I wasn't much of a fan of Richard Gough's distribution of the round thing either.
In midfield, the most crushing blow for us this term undoubtedly has been the injury to Kevin Thomson. It is only when he is not there that you begin to realise his worth to the team. The bottom line is he does the unglamorous stuff, the stuff we don't really appreciate coming out of a game, and contemplate over that post match Breezer. What we can say is that we have no one remotely capable of filling KT's boots.
We can talk all day about who is worth more to the side: Bazza or Pedro? The bottom line is, they should be able to compliment each other but up until now these occasions have been few and far between. Sunday would be as nice a time as any for them to start getting into the groove.
Then we have that little enigma on the right, Steven Davis. This time last year as a loan Ranger he was sensational, the latter part of his loan period saw him fade away.
It was a tough call for me (not that I have anything to do with the finances or signing of players you understand) buying the wee Ulsterman at the start of the season. Based on the first part of his stay last season, then it would have been a resounding yes. Because of the latter part, it would have been a case of Govanhill says no.
It has to be said the wee man has blown hot and cold all season, and I understand there are reasons for this. Again, like his compadres elsewhere in midfield, Sunday would be an ideal time for us to see the Steven Davis we fell in love with a year ago. Not only that, but a return to form for these three midfielders would give us a real cause for optimism for the rest of the season.
Then there is the small matter of the forward line; so little real quality and so many permutations. Novo if fit would always be in my team against that lot. Not the sharp shooter in front of goal I'd ideally like, but what a shift you get from him. However, at time of writing I very much doubt he'll be fit, far less match fit for Sunday, so we can probably say the wee man won't figure.
However, speed is an absolute key against this lot and between his pace, and the management duos' absolute insistence and defiance in face of the facts, that Kenny Miller is a very, very average footballer; we can say that in all probability Miller will be in the starting X1.
So who is left? Well, Kyle Lafferty had a nightmare game against Timbo last time out, especially in the first half, but then again Pele would have cut a forlorn figure that day, when we think of the manager's negativity.
It's hard to judge the guy. He was abysmal out wide against Aberdeen at Ibrox earlier in the season but looked a completely different proposition altogether when he was moved into centre that day. Then there was his lovely finish at Tannadice also. Who knows?
Kris Boyd, we hear, might still be in contention for a final place, at least still be included in the squad.. I reckon he's now well and truly passed the stage whereby the manager can cajole him any more.
This is where McCoist's experience comes in because if there is anyone at Ibrox has went through what Boyd's been, or going through, then it is 'The Judge' himself.
I refuse to believe that Ally McCoist hasn't reminded Boyd of his own time 'on the bench' due to the whims of the manager; so whichever way you look at it, Boyd to me is now on borrowed time at Ibrox.
If Boyd does have a future at Ibrox, and to me at this moment in time he is hanging on by the slenderest of threads, he'd do worse than watch a replay of that 1984 League Cup final as he'll get all the inspiration he needs. Then again he could always chap on the assistant manager's door and have a real heart to heart.
Some shrewd observers out there might have noticed that I've never been Walter's biggest fan, but in all fairness I have to praise him for giving youth, in the shape of John Fleck, his chance at Parkhead last month in what was a critical league match for us.
Although the game passed the wee man by, I'm sure the experience will stand him in good stead for the next time out. I'm not so sure though that this weekend will see the manager play him, as to be fair, JF's been blowing hot and cold since making the breakthrough. I'm sure this bedding in period will be the making of him.
Since then we've had the Spanish youngster Aaron coming in and doing well also, which is also a bonus. Who knows it may be that Sunday has come too soon for this pair.
I didn't start out to try and name the Rangers team for Sunday and I don't believe I have. And there's always the chance that we'll be treated to that 'surprise' old firm choice.
In many ways there have been aspects to this season that have 'scunnered' me as much as any in the past. Yet the thought of beating that lot and being in with a real tilt at another domestic treble has lifted the gloom, even if only slightly.
It is true, that I'm not a great fan of this present Rangers team, but I do believe we are better than that lot, especially if we take the game to them and take our chances this time. Are you listening Davis and Boyd?
Just do it Rangers.
Oh, and PS, there is another major difference between 1984 and now. We had Davie Cooper back then, oh how I wish we had him now.
Discuss this story on our message board.
http://forum.followfollow.com/showthread.php?t=528752