Over the years we have seen European teams visit Old Trafford only to be three goals down with half an hour left, and I often wondered what went through the minds of the away supporters at the time. We were unfortunate enough to find out exactly what this was like during our Champions League tie a couple of years ago, but Tuesday night took that to a whole new level. What could go through your mind when your team is six goals down in such a massive game after just an hour of play?
After a performance like that it's only natural for supporters of other clubs to make a comparison with their own. Comparing with a stunning performance from the biggest club in the world may be unfair but there are still lessons to be learned, and it's sad to see Bears accepting the downsized Rangers with almost no ambition to reach the next level.
The main argument to settle for less - and a point accepted universally I'm sure - is Rangers' lack of cash. Let's kill this non argument dead: we cannot and will never be able to afford the Ronaldos and Kakas of this world so long as our TV money is pitiful so let's forget about splashing millions on players and stop using it as an excuse for being average. Does that mean we're destined for a lower tier of football? It would be short sighted to think so.
Rangers were founded by four teenagers and the early team gained prominence largely thanks to their youthfulness. "The Light and Speedy Blues" they were called. A youth system isn't just the only sensible option but it would also be a return to the foundation of the Rangers.
Our club is in a unique situation. We have the strongest pull in a country of five million and, thanks to two big fish in a small pond, the SPL is seen as a step up from several of the European leagues. This is a perfect opportunity for a network of scouts at home and abroad to build up a dossier on players at all levels. The idea of course is that a manager is allowed to manage, concentrating on first team affairs, while a youth system and scouting network operate in the background.
There is clearly talent out there - in Scotland and abroad - but simply signing some and crossing our fingers and toes as per the current plan isn't going to bring success. We need a system that ensures generations of youngsters are given every opportunity to succeed and are brought up with a football mentality. A mentality where the Playstation comes after hard work and training and one where fitness and proper diet are second nature. We seem to have players signing for Rangers thinking they've made it. Instead, joining Rangers should be just the beginning.
This is hardly a groundbreaking idea. We are already well aware that top-flight players in Italy, France, Spain and England take their professions seriously. They train as athletes and live like athletes and this is second-nature to everyone at the club.
Given our recent experience when attempting to change the Ibrox culture and listening to recent rumours from Easter Road, you would think Scotland simply lacks the desire to be good at the game we pioneered and took to the world. The Tartan Army revels in glorious failure and this seems to be the general Scottish attitude to sport, with the 'Braveheart' nonsense commonplace. Overcoming this would clearly be a massive obstacle for any one club but it could be done with a regime that embraced change from the top of the club.
Whilst the general trend with other clubs that focus on young talent is to sell for a profit, the attraction of bringing through our own youngsters could ensure that Rangers supporters want to stay at Ibrox to become Rangers legends. There's a market to be scouted in northern Europe, particularly Scandinavia, and players from there would most likely want to use the SPL as a stepping-stone to a bigger league but this would be to our financial advantage, something that takes us on to another point.
Martin Bain's record in the transfer market is utterly abysmal. Considering the rugby man's CV, running Rangers is clearly far above his level, but to receive nominal or no transfer fee for so many players - in some cases vastly experienced players - is a disgrace. At the other end, the failure to release more money to capture an obvious talent like Elmander is again unacceptable. Sevilla have shown it is possible to buy cheap and sell for a massive profit, thus ensuring more money is available for a youth system or scouting network. It isn't beyond our club but it does appear to be beyond those in charge.
The problem here is clearly one of ambition. If you watch Champions League games and don't think Rangers could compete at this level, filling an 80,000 arena for each game, you're supporting the wrong club. Throughout much of the 20th century Rangers were clearly the biggest and best in Britain. Sky money south of the border has created a monumental power shift but is that reason to accept mediocrity and an excuse to settle for below par?
Money isn't everything in football. You can spend it and fail or be prudent and succeed and there are examples of both in recent times across Europe as we know. The trend amongst successful teams is that someone has put in place the foundations for success and has the club working properly. We need only look at Lyon, Ajax or Sevilla for this.
All of the above is nothing new. A youth system and proper scouting network is clearly the only way forward for Rangers but we need someone in charge with that ambition, with the vision to put the foundations in place. I would be far happier trundling along through mediocrity if I knew there was someone at Ibrox with a master plan, but there isn't. What you're seeing is what you're getting for the coming years.
With no Russian billionaires on the horizon - and let's be honest, do we want to become a plaything for another football-vacant rich man? - a change of culture and long-term plan is the only thing to escape the depression of dire 1-0 yawn-fests like we were subject to on Sunday.