A slow start by Kris Boyd in his new career at Middlesbrough has been eagerly noted while Charlie Adam's stroll in the English top tier appears to trouble some of his detractors.
Commentators have suggested that Boyd is at a tougher level with his new club, and yet Adam's brilliance last season at the same weight was frequently dismissed because the standard was supposed to be no better, or maybe even worse, than in the Scottish league.
Adam is now experiencing the giddy heights of life at England's elite level, and discerning watchers aren't surprised at the ease of his transition. He continues to impress at Blackpool, and those at Ibrox who were quick to dismiss him seem reluctant to give him a well-earned pat on the back.
Incredibly, it has even been suggested that the pressure is off Adam now, and this is why he is flourishing, which is as nonsensical as it is wildly inaccurate. Charlie is a ball player, and footballers blessed with this kind of gift are rarely troubled by "pressure". They are comfortable with the ball; they release it when they are ready to, not when panic-ridden fans urge them to, and they step up to the plate when lesser mortals don't want to know.
They have no fear of possession: they eagerly seek it. Being in the spotlight and taking responsibility is where they live. If pressure troubled them, the ball would be a hot potato rather than the means to display their artistry.
In the tense atmosphere of an Old Firm fixture, it takes a self-believing courage to deliberately play a free-kick under the defensive wall, and yet this young man did exactly that - and scored. Pressure? Adam doesn't know the meaning of the word.
Adam has little in the way of pace, but players with genuine ability have never required this attribute. A keen football brain, an astute touch, a powerful shot, innate vision, a tough tackle, a slide-rule pass and an ability to have an ongoing positive involvement in the game make this player a gem amongst the stones.
He's the captain and penalty-taker at Blackpool, and it's evident that his manager understands, and is able to exploit, Adam's ability and character. Charlie is in the Scotland squad too, although it remains to be seen if a manager who has taken negativity to a new level will fully appreciate his worth.
Coincidentally, as I write this, a radio phone-in is discussing the merits of young Charles, and the comments are very positive. One contribution, apparently from a Liverpool fan by e-mail, suggested that Charlie Adam is a player that the legendary Bill Shankly would have signed. Praise doesn't get more glowing than that.
Charlie's career will hopefully continue on an upward spiral, and he must be true to himself as a professional to make sure that it does, but for those Rangers fans who never doubted Adam's ability, like me, it's important to put on record the fact that many Rangers supporters enjoyed and appreciated his quality.
We wish Charlie every success, and maybe one day we'll see him in a Rangers jersey again, although I suspect that it'll be a while before we can afford him. Until then, just keep playing football, Charlie - especially now that you've found your level.