So that was it, the much talked about transfer window has closed and, surprise surprise, Rangers have made significant additions to the squad and resisted the temptation to sell off what quality is still at the club. In have come an injured (!) Scot, an experienced Dutchman and an unknown Dane, while it is goodbye to Jesper Christiansen and Billy Gibson, neither being too great a loss unless Gibby returns to haunt us a la Stephen Dobbie. Fingers crossed.
The Gavin Rae signing certainly gets my vote. For some time now we have lacked muscle in the midfield and, as Fernando's inability to handle the hassle suggests his days are numbered, the new man should slot straight into that role. I've dealt with the FdB signing elsewhere and Bajram Fetai appears to come well recommended so I have no complaints there.
My big gripe about the inward traffic has been our reluctance to follow up our initial interest in Nacho Novo and the decision to let Steven MacLean stay on at Scunthorpe until the end of the season. Rangers' failure to put opponents to sleep has been a big worry so I would like to have seen MacLean given the chance to continue his recent fine form in a Rangers jersey and I'm sure Novo's pace would have been a big asset to our attack.
This has not been a time without worry for this particular Bear. Maybe I'm too cynical for my own good but I was convinced major men like Stefan Klos and Mikel Arteta would be offski at the window. There had been a few whispers about clubs showing interest and, while much of it was if-your-stuck-make-it-up Press pish, there were a few grounds for concern, not least of all our club's inclination to sell off anything which isn't nailed down.
For starters, with an eye problem and loss of form (surely not unconnected) casting a dark shadow over Oliver Khan's future at Bayern Munich, I believe the fact that Stefan Klos was cup-tied with Rangers was all that stopped Bayern from moving to sign him for the latter stages of the Champions League. And once he returns to the Bundesliga, there is no reason why Stefan shouldn't walk straight into the German national team.
Nor has the recent extension to Stefan's contract eased my worries. Cast your mind back just a year fellow Ffers when Baz signed a new deal and was proclaiming that Rangers were the only club he ever wanted to play for. All his signature did was get Rangers a greater transfer fee (I still reckon we were robbed there) and I've no doubt Bayern will come calling during the summer, Martin Bain will give himself a big pat on the back, brag about pulling off such a good deal for the club and point out that Allan McGregor has been overdue a run between the sticks. Remember where you read it first.
And Mikel Arteta has made no secret of his desire to return to Spain. Only Baz's departure and the availability of the central midfield role has kept him at Ibrox this season but, having seen the Treble-winning team dismantled and found himself playing in a side struggling to rise about mediocrity, I'll be surprised if he sticks around for too much longer. Look out for Mikel's homesickness again grabbing the headlines this summer and Bain grabbing the chance to pull in a few pesetas (or is it euros) with the sale of more of the family silver.
So while we appear to have got through the transfer window unscathed, like so much associated with Rangers these days, we know better than to enjoy it too much. In the current climate, a boot in the barnacles is never too far away and those at the head of the house are seldom slow to deliver the blow.
Downbeat? Don't be silly! C'mon you Gers (pass the prozac!!!)
LITTLE BOY BLUE