Rangers banter 10

29 Sep 2026 10:36:45
Got my picture took with Neil Lennon at Faro airport yesterday with my Rangers top on. I couldn't resist it, he was fine about it. Always hated him when he played, but think he is a balanced pundit.

Poor guy was trying to float under the radar as well and was a wee bit apprehensive about the attention as I imagine he has had plenty of unwanted encounters over the years 😂.

29 Sep 2026 11:18:24
I quite like him as a pundit as well, I do think he's fair and balanced.

29 Sep 2026 11:19:39
I met him as he arrived with Dunfermline team for indoor training. I was in the wrong place. In walks Neil. Met him. He was very nice and willing to talk. No issues with him.

29 Sep 2026 11:48:20
He always seems like a good guy, got a very unfair amount of abuse 10 / 15 year ago, not sure if the younger members remember the Hearts fan trying to attack him mid game on the touch line.

He was a great player back in the day, the kind of guy you loved to hate but once the dust settles from that your just left with a great rival.

29 Sep 2026 11:49:19
Dont mind him am as a pundit although not sure i would go out my way to get a picture with him.

29 Sep 2026 12:33:08
Goid post dado 👍.

29 Sep 2026 12:56:49
Met him at Hampden at the Commonwealth Games football. My mates were cringing . more worried about what I was going to say to him. He was Ok. It was his side kick Gary Parker who was growling at me.

29 Sep 2026 13:26:11
Met him a few times, was always polite and willing to speak for a few minutes.

29 Sep 2026 14:04:50
Yes he got abuse, but he wasn't slow in spitting and stamping on scarfs, didn't do himself any favours as a player.
Completely different character off the pitch and wouldn't be the first or last to be so.

29 Sep 2026 14:37:12
Spoke to neil lennon once at wishaw general hospital when he was in visiting. He was very polite and he seen my Rangers tattoo on my arm and said I see you're a Rangers man but continued to talk and be very pleasant and i actually got his autograph for my big Celtic supporting mate back home 👍 Regarding lennon as a pundit he's easily one of the very best and fairest there is and calls it honestly and how he sees it 👌Ally mccoist and neil lennon for me easily the best 2 pundits there is just now 🤔👌🇬🇧.

29 Sep 2026 15:58:09
Come on we all know Hartson is the best 😂.

29 Sep 2026 16:04:00
A trip to Ibrox I said to him sorry to bother you Neil, but I need to get a picture of you with this top on. That was the whole point and I'm hardly going to be hanging it above the fireplace in the living room. Some folk man honestly.

29 Sep 2026 16:27:11
Where is John Hartson?

29 Sep 2026 16:44:40
I'm away out ma way to find him yately 👍🏻.

29 Sep 2026 16:57:45
Meant to be good company on a night out. He's a very good pundit and I actually enjoy listening to him.
Couldn't stand him when he was Hibs manager and when he was a player but by the time he was back at Celtic as manager for a second time I think he had mellowed out a bit and wasn't as provocative.

29 Sep 2026 18:28:58
BAR72 par for the course as far as I'm concerned mate, obviously riles us up but we'd be loving it if it was the other way around. That's how the rivalry goes. Good, balanced pundit and seems approachable.

29 Sep 2026 07:39:20
{Ed's Note - OptimumShots has posted a new article entitled, What a Fair Punishment for Manchester City Should Look Like

28 Sep 2026 21:06:57
Didn't know big kelsy's middle name was "jesus" excellent goal he scored.

29 Sep 2026 10:30:54
He really does look like a quality player Boy Blue. I love his work rate and hold up play, he's also proved he can finish. You know I do like a couple of strikers of this calibre up top so this is right up my street and I'm like a Cheshire cat with my grin of self satisfaction. We have not had much luck either in recent years from the MLS market but both Kelsey and Makhanya look to be a real find.

It would appear that we have upped our game considerably when it comes to scouting particularly with the MLS boys and Neil from the Championship. So I guess with McInnes at the helm I'm quite happy to go shopping again in these markets. In Del we trust💪.

29 Sep 2026 10:34:10
Jesus (hess ooss) is a very common name in South American Spanish speaking countries.

29 Sep 2026 10:34:12
Bb, his full name is Kevin Jesus Kelsey Genes.

29 Sep 2026 10:57:34
You have called for 2 up top for a while del, hopefully we can achieve something with it mate.
Didn't know the genes part John, just thought it was Kevin Jesus Kelsy, every day's a school day.

29 Sep 2026 11:33:44
Thanks Boy Blue, I appreciate the acknowledgement. We won't always play two up top, we have to adapt when needed but its a great tactic to have in our armoury particularly against teams who will sit in and where we have to be a threat from crosses. We have dropped so many points against these sort of teams in the past which has cost us titles.

I think now with McInnes tactical knowledge of our game, our Two up Top set up will be the solution against these teams and pick us up points where we would have previously dropped.

29 Sep 2026 12:37:55
I really hope so del, I honestly can't take any more of these false dawns, my nerves are shot to pieces tbh. Still we follow!

29 Sep 2026 13:55:08
I'm the same Boy Blue, that's why I couldn't get behind the last few managers. I mean I hoped that it would work out but in my heart of Hearts I knew that it wouldn't work. I could tell by their tactics and the type of player that we were signing that they were destined to fail. I know that there are a few that will back every player and every manager to be a success but I'm far too honest to follow blindly.

Its been hard on us all but this time I feel its different. For the first time in a long time I am confident that we will be a success. This team are playing for each other and the badge. We are in good hands with McInnes Boy Blue.

29 Sep 2026 14:39:46
The two up top under McInnes isn't just a rigid/strict 4-4-2 it's very versatile depending what's happening during the game 👍🇬🇧.

29 Sep 2026 15:08:37
That's correct SirwalterOBE and it's very refreshing to have a manager like McInnes who is fluid in his setup and tactical approach and will adapt throughout the game. For too long we had managers who were too stubborn to adapt tactics ultimately leading to failure. Penrice into midfield and an overload in the press was just an example of how fluid McInnes can be.

29 Sep 2026 17:01:40
442 you need rapid/dynamic wingers. The difference from when he tried to play with Aasgaard and Diomande out wide to now with Minsu and Gassama on form is night and day. Going to be an exciting watch when we can bring the likes of Bouanni, kosta, Rommens etc off the bench as attacking changes teams are going to be on their knees and then they'll see all they lads coming on.

29 Sep 2026 21:08:59
Aasgaard and Diomande were never good enough for us.

28 Sep 2026 18:25:18
Nice to see some small works being done at Ibrox: <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.rangers.co.uk/news/stadium-improvement-projects-underway-ibrox">article here</a> on the Rangers website.

28 Sep 2026 18:47:41
Saw that today, at least the international break has some use.

28 Sep 2026 17:58:12
Just a wee thing about Hugh Keevins; my wife and me were at a Rangers sponsors dinner years ago at the Radisson blu in Glasgow and every table had a member of the board or X player. we had big Derek Johnstone who was brilliant company. we were talking about radio appearances and I said about Hugh Keevins and of course who he supports.

Derek said in all honesty, he was one of the most straight down the middle guys you will ever meet and how much he loved doing Clyde super scoreboard and other things with him. He said he tells it how he sees it and doesn't let the green tinted glasses in anyway affect his judgement. A true gentleman, apparently.

28 Sep 2026 19:21:47
Another vote of support for Hugh Keevins- i always feel he is very fair, at times i feel he is over critical of Celtic and their title chances.

28 Sep 2026 20:21:33
Hugh is a genuine great guy.
He's supported me with a few charity projects and has freely given up his own time to help promote and host.

29 Sep 2026 08:36:54
I don't know him personally but he always comes across very well on SSB - seems like a true old-school gentleman; something that is sadly in serious decline in today's society.

28 Sep 2026 14:01:25
Listening to talksport this morning, it seems the guilty findings of Man City has been leaked as opposed to official league/football authority release of information.
I don't know if any appeal halts or suspends the punishment phase.
Just wondering if any of the premier supporting clubs Eds are hearing any views from their clubs or if they are keeping their powder dry at present.

{Ed001's Note - They are all busy preparing legal action in case it becomes possible.

28 Sep 2026 19:29:12
How much damage do you think will happen due to law suits Ed001. Seems this will continue to drag on for years.

{Ed001's Note - impossible to say, they might have the sense to head it off but giving punishment in the form of compensation payments, but I doubt it. This will almost certainly never be adequately resolved.}

29 Sep 2026 01:40:29
They absolutely will get demoted no doubt aboit it.

Can't see trophies and money being compensated though too messy.

Leicester want £1bn c'mon

I think demoted and minus 40 points when they return.

I've read efl are against accepting rhem.

It'll be a Juventus situation

They'll go to Championship I can't see them in league 2 tbh but it's interesting to see what Rangers fans think after what we had to do.

Championship 100m fine for players retired fund and 5 year ban of signing players

But they'll give them one last window before hand like Chelsea got

It's a farce dressed up as a punishment.

28 Sep 2026 23:26:54
I read Leicester are pre papa £1BN claim to the Premier League , u heard of that Ed.

{Ed001's Note - they are certainly considering action, not sure how they can have the cheek though considering they only got promoted through financial doping themselves! They are one club that should be just thankful they kept getting away with their own version of what City did.}

29 Sep 2026 17:04:11
Stevie I don't see them being demoted mate. Il be amazed if tht happens. Money talks sadly and having the richest owners will get them out of jail.
Having been demoted ourselfs and seeing the glee of every other fanbase il never call for it for another team or take joy in it happening to another team.

Think they'll get a big points deduction and a big fine.

28 Sep 2026 15:20:23
Just finished listening to the open goal podcast with Connor Goldson. I'm not sure what everyone else's thoughts were, but the one thing that stood out for me was how fragile he was mentally or how insecure he was.

I would have expected better from a Rangers player with the level of experience he had.

And until now, i have totally dismissed the whole playing without fans argument, but after listening to him and how difficult he found playing at Ibrox with the moans and groans then it probably was a factor for those lads.

28 Sep 2026 15:39:23
Zikos if its a factor then they don't have the mentality to play for Rangers in my opinion.

28 Sep 2026 15:45:37
Tbh is the one thing that annoys me most when fans moan and groan when not playing well, not playing forward but when they do and lose the ball it is the same reaction like what are the players meant to do becauseit makes them scared and nervous, our fans never used to be like that.

This isn't just a Rangers problem but think we are the worst for it. I get that you need to give fans something to cheer but it doesn't help from kick off some are already on their backs. I would never boo my team off at full time, nevermind half-time like some do.

28 Sep 2026 16:49:49
The moans and groans from the Rangers fans have effected far better players than goldson. Rangers fans are so bad for this now. Been like that for decades. Watched it also and though it was a great interview.

And we all knew the club paid him to leave. If he didn't have to cover Tav way up the park and looking out of position he would have been higher thought of.

28 Sep 2026 17:56:08
Very few players arrive with the required metal strength and resilience to cope with the pressures of playing for Rangers - most have to develop it and the club needs to ensure it has the right infrastructure to support the players, which is something that's been missing for a long time.

28 Sep 2026 18:10:48
Del totally agree.

EHL, to me what I find most surprising is the difference in mentality between individual event athletes and team athletes.

I know it seems obvious but individual event athletes are more confident and assured of themselves. Whereas team event athletes always have someone else to shoulder the responsibility or the blame.

I just think that players when they play as many games at Ibrox as Goldson did then he should be able to block out the crowd.

28 Sep 2026 18:14:28
I've always thought the mentality of various leader groups was weak, Goldson included. His comment that he knew we were beat at half time against Hibs said it all for me. No proper leaders for years just finger pointers.

28 Sep 2026 18:21:20
right mentality, what does that mean, how do you score right mentality, you boo a player it's abuse, you have no idea how much or how little abuse is needed to affect someone mentally.

how do you scout a player to play for Rangers, no one in any other country has played for Rangers in Glasgow goldfish bowl environment. Connor didn't even leave his house, how sad is that, that anyone is scared to leave his house because of his job.

28 Sep 2026 18:55:35
I still blame him for the Europa cup final defeat due to not stopping the pass across goal, he pulled his foot away for some strange reason.

28 Sep 2026 19:26:43
100% spot on Parlane. Its been an issue for years. Thankfully Jim Gillespie was determind to get McInnes who then brought in proper leaders.

Orygbmb same here, if Goldson stops that ball, which he should easily have done then the game does not got to extra time or penalties and win the game in 90 minutes.

Geesadodothat, again that's down to poor mentality.

28 Sep 2026 19:35:56
Geesa I 💯 agree. He s the best CB we've had in 15 years bar Makanya so far. He's playing 2days after his kids born playing through injury. To me that's the right mentality.

Imagine you became the top/one of the top performers in a company and when you got things wrong 50000 people booed you. Shouted absolute filth at you it might make me question if I was good at my job.

28 Sep 2026 20:09:44
Zikos, I've never really encountered a marked difference in confidence/ self belief in athletes in teams sports vs individual sports.

So that's a new one to me.

28 Sep 2026 21:31:11
Zikos, I don't agree. He also mentioned how world class players in Europe struggled when they came to Ibrox. Our fans are a massive part of the problem sometimes. Thought it was brilliant when he said how he coped with the groans by looking into the crowd and asking himself "how many of these people can actually play football" not many.

28 Sep 2026 22:02:02
Orygbmb and Del gets it, go listen to the reason why he never stopped the cross. In the teams analysis of Frankfurt that player cut the ball back every single time he was at the by line and Goldson anticipated that.

He's damned if he does and he's damned if he doesn't because if he went to the byline to stop it folk would no doubt say he should've stayed back to block the cut back.

28 Sep 2026 23:30:51
Rangers56, don't be in an industry where people stand watching and shouting, cheering or booing at every level from grass roots to huge stadiums in every ground in the whole world then. It's nothing like any other company job. Not many jobs too where u get richly rewarded with safety of long contracts regardless of if players like him admitted giving up in games.

29 Sep 2026 09:44:31
Kaiser you are right to an extent, but it still isn't right. i think our fans are a special lot, who would boo players off at half time, in fact we used to boo certain players being subbed on.

Players do hide if they are being boo'd just how is that conducive to getting them to play better.

29 Sep 2026 10:36:05
I wasn't exactly sure what he was trying to say about the Kostic cross tbh. Was he trying to say that because he never went to the by line he wasn't expecting a cross? Regardless he was in a good position to clear it and decided for some reason to let it go and we all know what happened next. Even now trying to blame the analysis team for his decision or error?

And EHL, you never hear a boxer blaming a defeat on being boo'd. They might refer to a hostile atmosphere but never do they say they couldn't throw the punch they wanted to.

I think there is a huge difference in mentality between the 2 types of athletes and would be surprised if there wasn't studies done on the subject? I know this is your field.

29 Sep 2026 10:38:20
I think players need to learn to embrace it, and if they can it will benefit them their entire careers.

I've never heard him speak on it - but would love to hear Craig Moore's thoughts on it. In his 1st spell with us it really seemed to impact his game, and when he returned he came back a different player. I'd love to know what changed from his pov.

29 Sep 2026 12:31:59
Listened to the podcast last night , Connor said some interesting things . He explained his mistake in the Europa final , no excuses just the reason that he defended the cross the way he did. He also gave a bit of insight into the Ross County and Dundee games which cost us the title , he admitted he played badly but the revealed he had a sore foot which was diagnosed as a stress fracture and that he shouldn't really have played .He also gave the background to the following season when despite missing all pre season Beale asked him to play in the opening game with Killie and how he felt that he was never really fit all season.

Guys like him and Tav who played through injuries when other wouldn't, took the brunt of the criticism inmo. The way Goldson was forced out of the club by Stewart and co was a disgrace and I would love to see him and Tav back at some point for a proper farewell from the fans.

29 Sep 2026 17:08:58
I listened to the podcast and I don't think he came across as having a poor mentality at all. To me he had struggles at the start which he came thru, which imo he did from start of 55 till his injury v Liverpool he was a rock. As he said in the interview he wasn't the same player after that injury and I actually gained a bit of respect for him when he spoke of how many times he played thru injury and pain for the club to me that shows he has the mentality that's needed for our club.

He wasn't the reason we didn't win more trophies during that period.