The timing could not have been better. The Mhankies have just clattered back to earth with a bhump, they are looking at the prospect of a potless season and, dear oh dear, what do those big bad Rangers do? They twist the knife by making sure Captain Fantastic will be strutting his stuff at Ibrox for another five years. Just the news troubled Timmy wants to hear to help him sleep soundly in his fleapit at night. Ho-ho-ho.
Much of what has happened this season has been formulated elsewhere. Our early season form was, in my humble opinion, down to some solid groundwork done on the trip to New York in July, while our ability to maintain the momentum after the winter break owes much to an excellent week of bonding in Dubai. But if, as John McClelland has suggested, the first move to secure Baz's long-term services was made on the Middle East jaunt, the trip will have been worthwhile for that factor alone.
Over the past couple of years we have seen the one-time wild child mature into a genuine class act. While Dick Advocaat is due great credit for giving Barry his chance where Walter had been reluctant to expose a raw youngster to the dangerous midfield minefield, he was unable to harness his naive enthusiasm properly. And when things began to turn sour for Tricky Dicky, his protege suffered, often fighting a frustrating lone battle as his team-mates lost the stomach for the fight.
The captaincy of a struggling team was a heavy burden for him to carry and, when stories began to circulate linking him with a move to Leeds, nobody would have been surprised to see him pack his bags. But the arrival of Alex McLeish has transformed the Ibrox landscape and the skipper has benefitted more than most. His aggression, which had so often got him into trouble, became more controlled and, with the exception of one silly tackle at Dunfermline, he has channelled his fighting spirit into the right areas and been nothing short of an inspiration.
Now the man who was supposed to be on his bike for seven million quid is being mentioned in deals worth twice as much and, given Rangers' rocky financial situation, the fear has been that somebody down south, or maybe from Europe, would make an offer we can't refuse. But the man is a Ranger, a dyed-in-the-wool True Blue who wants to realise all his ambitions at the club he loves. There ain't too many like him around and the omens are good when the board recognise the fact and move heaven and earth to hold on to such a gem
Of course, there is no absolute guarantee that Baz will still be wearing the blue jersey in five months time, never mind five years from now. How well I remember Trevor Steven signing a seven-year contract back in 1991, only to be on his way to Marseille just a few months later. But by putting pen to paper he gave Rangers the power to get the terms they wanted from the deal, rather than let Marseille call the shots, and it all paid when Bernard Tapie's cheques started bouncing and Clever Trevor was back at Ibrox within a year. Captain Fantastic's new deal ensures that, should he ever get itchy feet and fancy his chances elsewhere, our club will be able to demand a fee which mirrors the player's true value.
Meanwhile, Baz had made a giant declaration of faith in Rangers' future and given Big Eck the security of knowing he can mould his side around the main man for a few years to come. It ia a major plus at a time when we have to grab the initiative at every opportunity, pressing home every advantage and repeating over and over again that the Gers mean business. It ain't what our enemies want to see and, if only for that reason alone, there must be no let up.
After a couple of difficult years, we are back on top but there are those who doubt Rangers' ability to hold on as the run-in gathers pace. Every tool in our armoury must be utilised and the feelgood factor from Baz's commitment, and the corresponding deflation felt elsewhere, is very welcome. The Freckled One will, I trust, be planning another one or two similarly subtle tonics as he prepares to inspire his troops in the final hours of the battle.
Barry Ferguson's onfield contribution this season has been phenomenal but, contrary to Jonathan Watson's repetitively boring pisstakes, he has also shown himself to be as bright as a button off the park. It wouldn't surprise me if he'd planned to go public on his new deal in the immediate aftermath of Sellick's trip to Liverpool. Of course, that one didn't work out as expected but, as he watched the pride of Europe (joke!) toil at Inverness on Sunday, it might have crossed his mind that it would be a good idea to rattle their cage a wee bit more.
Was that the noise I heard on Monday morning? Or was it just the sound of their bottle crashing?
LITTLE BOY BLUE