However I had faith in Alex McLeish. I cannot sing his praises enough (bit like that “magician” guy at the AGM). I still could hardly believe that we had won the double in Big Ecks’ 1st season, never mind comprehend how he guided us to the treble last year. Then we found ourselves top of the league and top of our champion’s league section. Everything in the garden was rosy.
Or was it?
A few days after the Stuttgart game I started thinking. I thought we had over achieved last year and here we were taking on the best in Europe and competing well. Phone ins were full of how we were qualifying for the last 16 and how this team is of better quality than last years. I, being an optimistic supporter, rather hopefully agreed with this view, but I’ve just returned from the Man Utd game and it has revealed a few unfortunate home truths.
Our team basically do not have enough quality, which I am sure most Rangers supporters accept. When you think back, how many games would you say we have played to a high standard in the past 2 years? I think you would be struggling to lose count on your fingers. I reiterate that I do not blame McLeish at all for this as he has brought the best out of the players at his disposal. However I do have to question his pre-season signing policy.
Players out – Ferguson, Amoruso, Cannigia, Muscat, Numan, McCann
Players in – Emerson, Berg, Capucho, Khizanishvilli, Ball, Vanoli, Ostenstad
Due to financial constraints I thought that these players were of equal or even better quality, than those leaving. However I have recently began to question the ability, or commitment, of some. I would give Berg pass marks easily (apart from his obvious lack of fitness at Pittodrie) and I was very impressed with Zurab and Ball initially though their performances have waned in recent weeks. They both have the ability and age on their side to go on to do very well though. Vanoli has also impressed and he was needed for cover on the left hand side. The jury is still out on the other three and it is here I start to answer the question of where do we go from here.
Anybody remember Chris Burke on his debut and at the beginning of this season? What a joy it was to see a youngster full of enthusiasm willing to run at players. His work rate for a winger was also extremely good. Anybody else remember when Ferguson was injured 2-3 years ago and a young skinny boy called Hughes replaced him and we hardly missed him. This young boy also played an important role in the latter part of last season. And I also remember a young striker McLean coming on at Firhill last year who helped set up the equaliser and was getting rave reviews in the reserves and now down south.
These three youngsters have proven that they can do a job for the team. So why the need to bring in three 30+ replacements on high wages? We hear about our scary financial situation and how the wage bill needs to be slashed drastically. I am sure Emerson and Capucho will be two of the highest earners at the club, and from what we have seen so far, can anybody say they are worth it? In fact, is our wage bill actually lower this season than last?
I would go even further than the 3 new signings. From some of the performances this season some other high wage earners are not up to the job and I think it may soon be time for us to start to breed the youngsters. People argue that we cannot if the youngsters are not there, but I would still rather see us signing young up and coming players with a point to prove (McFadden instead of Capucho anybody?). Our opponents tonight are the ultimate example.
Man Utd are one of the best teams in the world. Yet how many of their players have they splashed out big money on? From the starting 11 against us only Ferdinand, Van Nistelrooy and Keane (when he was signed) were big money. So if it is good enough for the richest team in the world then should it not be good enough for Rangers in our poor financial position? The enthusiasm and passion of the team in 92-93 got us to the European Cup Semi Final and we cannot compete with the big spenders in Europe so I see this as our only way forward. I hope that all the passion of this team did not travel down south with Barry “Rangers are the only club for me” Ferguson.