The Widow's Son

I've spent some part of the day reflecting on the various responses. Is our time over? Can it come back? What needs to be done? Most responses recall another time, era or context when Rangers were dominant/challenging on the field and dominant off it. I think that the responses that make most sense recognise that circumstances have changed, that the opposition is much more articulate and savvy than in the past. "We don't care" is something that merits serious consideration; did we rest on our laurels too much? When I think of Rangers today, I think of an institution loved by hundreds of thousands the world o'er but one that has lost it's confidence. I hope that we can recover.

A very interesting comments methinks. Since I don't live in Scotland - and haven't done so for many decades - I can't comment on this one. But I'm intrigued by it. Explain if you please.

Shortly after he became CEO with Celtic, I remember Fergus McCann stating that "Celtic had few friends" in the administration of Scottish football. I don't think that this is the case these days. It seems that they have gained so much power in the Scottish game and are using this power in a direct way. Witness their recent comments on the tax case decision last week: would a club with little power be so confident in making they response that they did? Perhaps they are making moving moves in the background to see titles removed. This begs the questions: if Celtic are in the ascendancy in the high offices of the Scottish game, where does that leave us? Why were they able to gain such influence? What can our club do to assert itself and regain a measure of the power we appear to have lost? An earlier thread asked us to sum up the past five seasons: we have lost our confidence, our never, our bite. Would that a Jock Wallace type figure was at the helm of the board as well as the team. Do they exist anymore?

Met both Davie and Bobby Tait at a craft/sports dinner some years ago when on holiday back in Scotland. Very neat, well-dresed, gentlemanly, belongs to another era really. Good to see both are brothers out Cambuslang way, Lodge Buchanan if I remember correctly

I always thought him a fabulous player who lasted well at the highest level. Apparently a teetotal non-smoker which was unusual then and perhaps now even more so. He played in good Rangers teams of the early 1960's but I don't recall why he left. I do remember him playing for Dundee Utd. later in his career and read some years ago that he waited on the touchline to congratulate Jimmy Johnstone on a fine performance. That is true sportsmanship. I'm still curious why he left Rangers - injuries, loss of form, age, new regime. It couldn't be that he was a bad professional because he was one of our best. Over to you.

One of the posters mentioned the 1969 Scottish Cup Final and I was there, reasonably sober. Almost 0-1 at half-time and next thing, it's 0-3, making mistakes all over the park. I think they even scored a fifth goal in the second half but it was ruled offside. And to think that Davie White had opened the gates at Ibrox to let the fans see the parade of the trophy. I was also present at the 1957 League Cup Final and even though it was a bad doing, my dad and I stayed to cheer on the players. Still a trauma.

And the Marseille game. To this day, I think that we had the beating of them but got frightened when we realised what we could have done.

In August, 1994, I made my first trip back to Scotland for many years and had planned it so I could see three consecutive Rangers games at Ibrox (How often does that come around?) Managed to snag a ticket for the Old Firm game but we lost 2-0 on the Saturday; we lost 2-0 against AEK Athens in midweek and then lost in the League Cup to Falkirk ....... don't remember the score for that one. So, to recap: travelled 12, 000 miles round trip, spent a fortune in getting there and we lost all three games. But I did enjoy seeing family, friends and the old sights.

Still remember this old BB hymn from long ago. Hope that everyone stands up strong in work/play today because the static will be frightful. I'm planning a long walk around Stanley Park this morning and dinner with (non-fitba loving) friends. Thoughts to the bears/bearettes who have to endure this morning.

Always impressed with the responses to threads on this forum. Questions, serious or humourous, always get fine responses. Thanks to one and all.

I saw Durrant a few times, both pre- and post accident. He was such a joy to watch, young, strong, fearless, playing good football and scoring some fine goals too. I think that he was just as good when he returned. Very personable too - I met him briefly in the airport shortly after his father had died. Can any friendly bear remind me of his Scotland career - caps and goals? Memories too.

Hope that this isn't the case. I haven't owned a season ticket ever (didn't have them for punters like me in the 1950's/1960's) and I've lived overseas for decades. Still follow, follow from 6,000+ miles away as best as I can.

Right up there with Colin Jackson and Jimmy Millar in my pantheon of heroes. Played well for Scotland too as my Celtic supporting mates always remind me.

Still remember and recall with great fondness the bold Jimmy Millar. Was not aware of his health problems. Very sad to hear of this.

Seem to remember a flute band marching round Ibrox with the team. Was it Govan Protestant Boys? Can any bears clarify? Were you a member of the band?

Remember an interview with John Greig a good few years after the final. He stated that he hadn't seen the game since ......... which is a tragedy. I'm trying to remember the year of his interview and I'd settle at the early 1980's. Was the technology not available? Or was it not deemed significant enough?

Is there no escape? Is it everywhere? Are the media awash with memories of Lisbon '67 from all and sundry? I remember reading that John Greig conceded that he wanted Celtic to win that night for Scottish football. And that the Rangers directors were part of the welcoming party at Glasgow Airport when the Celtic party arrived back from the game. As I've noted on this site several times , there are some advantages to living over 6, 000 miles away.

For those who missed it, Bob Dylan's 31st birthday. In those days, I used any excuse to drink and I had a few drinks for both events.

I've thought long and hard (and often) of the Marseille game and anyone that has listened to me has heard me state that: we had the beating of them that night. We lost our bottle when we realised where we were and how close were were to the final. Still remember Big Fat Ron commenting on Big Slim's "lack of recovery pace", the first time I had ever heard that phrase.

Love to read stories of how the fans meet their heroes and find that they are ......... humble, down to earth fans themselves. Perhaps this all belongs to another era.

Nothing new in this posting. We know the problem; who will invest?

There was a time when I enjoyed a bevvy before, during and after an Old Firm game. In fact, any game. In fact, even if there was no game. Served my apprenticeship as a young idiot. Clean and sober since October 11th, 1978 and my sponsor in AA was a Celtic fan. My addiction is still on my shoulder, doing sit-ups and jogging, patient and persistent. I don't visit licensed premises. Still cheer on the teddies.

Hope that it wasn't to painful for the bears at work yesterday. I always enjoyed the banter in the week leading up to the game but if we lost (rare occasion), it was a tough one. Don't get too down and don't forget who you are. Courage, brother, do not stumble.

Vancouver early risers - 4am kick off over here.

Did all the right things as a young dad - bought the scarves, strips, played the songs at home. My two sons and daughter were duly enrolled in the local "soccer" league and my wife and I went to every game. All have been at Ibrox for games and tours. And guess what? My sons preferred playing music, the younger one has done really well in ballroom dancing and my daughter ran track all the way through college. When they visit, they ask me how "the Rangers" are doing? Maybe if they'd been raised in Larkhall or Bridgeton it may well have been a different story.