Deathsdoorstep

Perhaps Gordon Brown will be elected as PM. Perhaps not. But changes are happening faster than some can accept them. When I was just a little kid in the 1970's it would have been unheard of for workplaces to cancel Christmas Parties or call them "Holiday parties" because of inclusiveness or alleged lack thereof. It would have been laughed at for gays to talk of marriage or adopting children. A black man as President of the USA? A woman Prime Minister? Yet all of these things have come to pass. I remember being in Montreal 10 years ago and seeing catholic churches for sale! The Bible speaks of the great falling away (for you proddy boys who practise). This also has come to pass. Rangers FC has recognized the direction of the wind. Their stuck-in-the-past rivals have not. They think that they will continue to attract anything irish/catholic to their brand. They will not. Because nobody will identify with it or care. Rangers FC has debt, to be sure. But think of the debt loads that some of the giants in the TV leagues carry and continue to mount on. Their irresponsible ways will bring about the kind of change that will benefit Rangers.

For various reasons I haven't posted on this site in a very, very long time. But, being a Rangers fan here in Canada, and one that has never once seen Rangers FC play in the flesh, I have a few things to get off my chest, should you care to read. I am a born and bred Canadian. My mother was born in Scotland, but I have never visited. I am a Rangers fan through bloodlines. And while I must watch on TV or the internet, I still support, and have for years. This is the trend in sports. In my own city of Edmonton, there are people who have never seen the Edmonton Oilers play live simply because it costs too much. Those of a generation younger than me are growing up knowing "big league" sports from television only. So please do not dismiss my views. While not everything is as we would like at Rangers FC, I believe the future is bright for Rangers, and I'll be arrogant enough to tell you why I feel that way. As a Canadian, I see many of the same socio-economic changes happening in my country, where old lines of race, religion and language are beginning to blur as are happening in the UK and across Europe. Some of those similarities fuel my perspectives. Much of what I have to say will anger you. It will be controversial. It will be met with angry replies. Good. Let your blood boil and follow follow on...... Rangers Performance We all witnessed the asinine comments this year from Stuttgart's keeper regarding Rangers not being fit for European competition, specifically the Champions League. Of course those comments were complete and total garbage, spoken by one who is ignorant regarding anything beyond his own nose. Rest assured, Scotland and the SPL matter. And Rangers are running away with it this year. They are the reigning champions. They have won the SPL 5 of the last 10 campaigns. In Europe, which seems to be the only thing that matters to the Stuttgart keeper, Rangers have been in the group stages in 3 of the last 5 years. They reached the UEFA Cup Final only two years ago. Are we to believe that because Rangers did not have a successful Champions League campaign THIS season that they should not qualify in ANY season? Ridiculous. In 2002/03 Rangers crashed out to minnows Zizkov. The following 5 seasons showed Rangers progress to the Group stages, the final 16, the 4th round of the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Cup final. Nobody in their right mind can state that an unsuccessful campaign in one year means the end of the club as a force. And the reality is that considering the league that Rangers are in and the money that they have to spend compared to other big clubs from the big TV leagues, Rangers have punched above their weight for a long time now. I doubt that will change, even with the financial difficulties facing the club. Rangers had the exact same problem in 2002/03. Scottish Premier League The SPL. Not the biggest or most respected league in the world, that's for sure. But that does not mean that it isn't a league to be proud of winning. It is simply a league overshadowed by the television monster that is the English Premiership. The same applies to Spain, Italy and Germany. But rest assured, this is not unique on the planet. Nobody would claim that MLS here in North America is a great league. Yet in Toronto, TFC sells out every game in the 20k BMO. They have a season ticket waiting list of 14k. Do they care that it isn't the EPL? No. Neither do the Brazilians, Argentinians, Mexicans or any of a handful of other leagues that care about winning the title in their own land. Is the football the same quality as EPL? No. Does it have to be to enjoy and take pride in? No. Now take Rangers FC. This is a club that is closer to the EPL in terms of quality and support than any club of any league I have just mentioned. Should Rangers play in England's league? No. Rangers aren't in England! And unless there is to be a British Premier League (as their should be considering the political reality) instead of each British province having their own league, then you could make a case for it. But until people put away their old politics and embrace the Union Jack, that's not going to happen. Let me know when a Scot gets elected Prime Minister and then we can talk about a British Premier League. Those old political lines need to blur much more in order for this to happen. Will it happen? In an age where liberalism, immigration and disinterest in religion grow, the lines will blur between what is English and what is Scottish. Bank on it. "British" will be on the rise. Just as in Canada, the separatist movement in Quebec is dying, it is doing so for the same reasons. Television Versus Turnstiles and Debt Versus Responsibility Football clubs are the playthings of rich people. That is fact. Rangers FC may be in debt, and Sir David Murray may be both hero and villain to some, but the fact remains that some of the biggest clubs in the world are in far larger debt. This in spite of the fact that they have television revenues that clubs in Scotland do not have. The willingness to spend far beyond their means at big clubs in the television leagues will lead to serious changes in football across Europe. It is inevitable because it is unsustainable. In the past, during days when football was at 3PM on Saturday, players and supporters had a far closer connection. It was far more likely that fans would meet players in the pubs they went to. This was because the players made similar wages to the fans that supported them. These days, players are not even from the country they play in, let alone the same community. They make more in a week at minnow clubs than hard working supporters make in a year. It simply cannot be sustained. And it forces many fans in front of the television rather than in the seats. It damages national programs, and it ensures that large clubs with rich owners dominate. Think of it: people may complain about the SPL having two teams that compete, but just how many clubs in the EPL have a real chance to finish at the top of the table? 3? 4 at the most? Out of 20. How many in Spain? Italy? It is no different. Over time this will change. And if Manchester United thinks that it cannot happen to them, they need look no further than Leeds United. Like in North America, leagues in Europe are now struggling under the financial weight of their own irresponsibility. And the salary caps and luxury taxes that have brought success and parity (and HUGE profits) to North American leagues and their owners will come to Europe. Perhaps not tomorrow, but soon. The fact tat even the largest of clubs in Europe are losing money like water in the Titanic should be enough to convince you. In the future you will cease to have schedules that change mid-season to accommodate television. In the future the schedule of fixtures will be MADE by television networks. Old Times Have Past Like in every freedom loving democracy in the western world, the UK has seen it's historical and racial lines blurred by immigration. That always causes consternation among those who want their land to stay the way it is. Here in canada many want us to keep everything we can of our British heritage and not cede ground to immigrants from Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean or Asia. But the reality is that it's not possible to not change. And in a world were people of different backgrounds, religions and races are mixing and mixing again, the politics of old will die. Will it matter to keep Scotland "scottish"? Your personal reaction may be "yes". But the long-term reality will be "no". Your Scottishness (as with my British heritage in Canada) as you've known it is being diluted as we speak. That's just a natural occurrence. And as generations of immigrants and immigrants' children become more and more of a defining feature of our countries, and people of different backgrounds mix, inter-marry, and blend, the old politics of race, religion and creed will die. It's natural. It is inevitable. It is happening. You, your parents or grandparents may care about Protestant/Catholic lines, fighting the influence of the Pope and the rest of it. Your immigrant neighbours two doors down who are having kids at three times the rate your family did don't give a damn about it. Your other neighbours who know that Rome's influence is dying and who believe that gays should marry care even less except to be hostile to it. But they do watch football and cricket. And the football club in Scotland most able to take advantage of this is none other than Rangers FC thanks to their work to re-invent themselves. . Clubs Are Now Becoming Brands, Not Social-Economic Symbols Have you been angered in recent times by the banning of old Rangers chants and songs such as "The Billy Boys"? Have you seen the arguments over actions taken by the club to stamp out "sectarianism"? Of course you have. But these actions show foresight on behalf of the management of Rangers FC. They realize that what I have stated above in regards to the old politics dying is true. Football clubs are now becoming sporting brands, rather than symbols of social, economic, or political groups. The club in Scotland that has most recognized this and positioned itself to take advantage of this is Rangers FC. This is why Rangers have taken so many steps to rid itself of the old "protestant" label. It is becoming of less and less import to those who watch football, especially young people. While Rangers' rivals across the city, Celtic, remain stuck in the past, complaining about their treatment as poor wee Irish immigrant victims, Rangers FC is trying to move forward into the era where they are a sporting brand, not a political or religious one. And the number of people in Britain who could give a shit about such things is growing. They look for a more professional brand. That brand, in Scotland, is Rangers. It certainly isn't Celtic. They will fall prey to what has made them a successful global brand. They identify themselves with the racial and the religious. In the future, that will be the biggest possible mistake for any sports club or franchise to make. With all of these changes in economics, society and sport in mind, you can see how Rangers FC has been positioning itself to be successful for years to come. It's largest rival seems to be doing everything it can to ensure the opposite. Now, argue if you like. Much of what I have said will cut some to the quick. I certainly mean no offense to anyone. This is simply one fan's perspective.

Ah. That feels better. It's like a dark cloud has been lifted. Thank God. Rangers are champions. Fuck Celtic. WATP!

Beasley is playing worse Agreed. Worse than Lovenkrands was on the left. Get a grip. The fans at the game are absolutely doing my head in. Anytime a player passes the ball backwards they start groaning. It's called ball retention, god. Beasley's playing like shit.

Beasley is playing worse Agreed. Worse than Lovenkrands was on the left.

Kris Boyd is having a shit game.

What a fantastic signing! 2 nice signings in a row. And Rangers can focus on the SPL and domestic Cups. A treble would ease a lot of minds, no?

Cuellar will get eaten alive in the EPL.

"Robust exchange of views" LMFAO!!! Supporter: "You fucking cunts, look what you've done to our club" Murray, Bain et al: "Zzzzzzzzzz"

Boyd's stats speak for themselves. Play him. He scores. FACT.

Boyd scores against SPL teams. That's all we'll be playing this year. We should keep him.

Rangers FC shouldn't be afraid of its own history. It has traditionally been a unionist, protestant club. And there's nothing wrong in that. Not one thing. I grew up here in Canada hearing about it. I was never taught to hate caffliks either. That's not what it's about. But Murray wants Rangers to be a sterile brand name. He thinks that will sell globally and he is dead wrong. Now, Rangers play in a small, poor league. But they are a big club with a massive fan base. There's no excuse for Rangers to be in the position that they are in. It makes me so sad to hear fellow Rangers supporters who talk of Murray splitting off the revenue generating facilities at the club from Rangers and into his own companies so that the club makes no money...but HE does. It makes me sad to see the club go on a Cinderella run and make a Euro Cup final only to have Murray and Bain cry poverty and give the manager nothing to spend. As if the club didn't earn anything oin that run. Suuuure. Then they're angry when the inevitable happens. It's a sham. The solution begins and ends with a Rangers man owning the team.

Until the club is under new ownership it will not greatly improve.

What's the damned difference financially? We get to a Euro Cup final and they still cry poverty. It's a fucking sham. Who pocketed that money? Oh...wait.

Maybe I'm just jumping the gun here, but I'm starting to panic about Rangers' prospects this season. Struggling against minnows. Humped by giants. Injuries piled up high. No creativity. Questionable squad selection. This may be a long year.