Rangers banter 2

19 Mar 2026 07:14:43
I did wonder if the expansion of the champions league would have a detrimental effect on English teams, getting smashed or knocked out earlier. With half the teams qualifying in Europe there's not the same push to become elite and the quality of the big clubs has dropped off a cliff both in Europe and in the league.

19 Mar 2026 07:29:43
Should be Champions only. The big leagues get too many places, for me, to the detriment of smaller League Nations.
I get it's a marketable commodity, but it stinks of the rich getting richer. It's devalued for me from when we first qualified.

Too many hurdles placed in the way for qualifications across the 3 tournaments now, which, for us, would be games in preseason more or less, when we're not up to speed.

19 Mar 2026 08:03:05
Exactly, Fork, it's all about money, but it shows bigger isn't always better. It is making things harder for small leagues, but it's also ruining the competitions themselves and their league.

19 Mar 2026 08:06:24
In my opinion, the Champions League is ruining the game. It should be a level playing field for all nations. Every competing nation's champion should be automatically in, then equal play-offs for all nations' teams. How can so-called lesser nations grow in football? They say the top 5 leagues. All other leagues should pull out, highlight this, then await and see what they do.

19 Mar 2026 08:08:39
I agree re too many teams being allowed to qualify from the top leagues to the detriment of the lesser leagues. However, UEFA is in this just for UEFA. It allows them to keep their snouts in the trough.

I think, though, it is too early to say if it has had a detriment on English teams who qualify.

Last year was the first time they had all 6 get through to the knockout stages, and this year 4 of 6 have been knocked out in that stage. So, is it the start of a decline, or is this year just a statistical anomaly?

19 Mar 2026 08:37:18
I really hope the whole EPL blows up in their face tbh, it won't but I can hope. The money is obscene, shady goings on Chelsea, Man City, and who else, nothing to see here, carry on, and we're left to "squabble for the scraps from Doncasters table". 👀 😇 👍

19 Mar 2026 09:03:11
It damages not only the likes of our league, which unfortunately has always happened, but it's also ruining the top imo. Yes, Angus, it is early to judge, but it was something I felt would happen before, and the sharp drop off in quality is evident. I remember managers like Wenger being criticised for viewing 3rd as a trophy, as it was then. So it's not a new thing. Now it's down to 5/6th. Yes, the middle of the league gets more incentive, but the quality at the top is miles off.

Liverpool have had a nightmare, but not because the others have got better. Man United and Chelsea have been awful, and needed to sack a manager. Villa have been on a bad run. Man City are nowhere near as good, but all look safe because they don't have to be great. Spurs even had a manager admit writing off half their league because he could win a substandard Cup, and look where they are now.

19 Mar 2026 09:15:43
Davie, I think they'd love that, though, because then they can have their Superleague.

19 Mar 2026 09:22:57
In time, I can see the CL only being a tool to keep the Top 5 leagues happy.
The EPL are already imploding at the thought of 4 teams going out at this stage.

19 Mar 2026 09:24:14
If it wasn't for Ed, my punctuation would be shocking👍😄 thanks bud👍

19 Mar 2026 08:27:49
The champions league has been rotten to the core since we were cheated out by the bribery by the French cheats.

19 Mar 2026 10:30:26
Kaiser, I agree, and there are still only so many top quality players in the world, and the majority of those would still choose Real Madrid or Barcelona over the EPL.

It could just be, though, that Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City are in the midst of a transition of styles and players. Poor recruitment plays a part, but it is probably the only league in the world as well where everyone can take points off the top of the league.

So, by March, with the number of games and inability to rotate for easy games, the players are more tired. Too many do qualify from those leagues, but it will never change due to the money element (greed?).

But, I still think it is too small a sample to be sure it is a decline in European competition for them. I think the same can be said of us and our poor season in Europe. Hopefully, for us it is. Don't really care about the EPL.

19 Mar 2026 10:20:43
Fork I am glad it isn't just me. I thought he was acting as my very own PA for a while 😂. thanks Eds.

19 Mar 2026 10:42:29
It's laughable to call it the Champions League. When you have countries with 3, 4, 5, 6 teams entering, maybe they could rename it the teams with most money League. It wouldn't surprise me if the Saudis became involved in the not too distant future also. The suits at UEFA are only interested in the 💰 for themselves. 🇦🇺🇬🇧

19 Mar 2026 16:12:29
Let's face it, the competition has taken a nose dive over the years due to UEFA just wanting the biggest teams from the biggest leagues in it for them to make more money.

Let's be real here, and just say what a farce it actually is that a team who finishes 5th in the EPL could now be champions of Europe, but can't win their own league. Absolute joke.

18 Mar 2026 17:10:29
Just heard Danny Kelly on Talksport say he's been diagnosed with Cancer and wanted to reiterate his message. Guys were pretty rubbish at this but Get yourself checked out and don't ignore things. Thoughts and wishes for any affected. Take care of yourself.

18 Mar 2026 17:27:33
Wise words, Kaiser. I had a shotgun marker blood test. Checks everything n flags up anything dodgy. 👍

18 Mar 2026 17:27:59
Here here, Kaiser.

18 Mar 2026 17:36:21
Shotgun marker blood test? Never heard of it, Fork.
Do you get that at a certain age? Or do you just request it?
I'm at the age where I'm s***ing on a stick every 2 years, but I think that's all I get. 🤔

18 Mar 2026 17:41:29
Spot on, Kaiser. We, as men, think we're big & tough, but unfortunately bravado doesn't get you anywhere. Look after yourselves, troops.

18 Mar 2026 17:46:21
Anyone else thinking the beautiful game is being over analysed.

18 Mar 2026 18:21:31
I agree wholeheartedly, Kaiser. I was actually at the Beatson today, taking a very good friend in for a procedure not long back. Get checked out regularly, guys; the quicker it's caught, the bigger the chances of survival.

I have also been to a good friend's funeral in the last week. He never went to the docs until it was too late. 😥

18 Mar 2026 18:22:13
MPH, no bud, I wasn't too gd, and the doc wanted to do a full blood panel, called a shotgun marker test, his words lol.

18 Mar 2026 18:23:52
Never heard of it either, Fork. Sounds like a good idea. Wish it was easier sometimes to get some kind of MOT rather than just when u feel something.

18 Mar 2026 18:35:32
Fork, my doc calls it scatter gun, multiple bloods twice a year, I call it my mot.

Mrph, well done re poo test. Refuse zero screening, u will be headed for aota scan, prostate blood annual, but u need to ask, shingles jag x2. Most only need done once.

18 Mar 2026 18:40:54
Kaiser, scary thing is that it is available in England. They do the MOT for ages 40-74, which focuses on vascular and circulatory health. We are too busy giving free bus passes and prescriptions, it seems.

(don't want a political argument, as sitting calmly having a G & T. 😉)

You can go private, and the cost is about £500, which includes the blood panels Fork talks about. If your company does it, then it may be free.

18 Mar 2026 18:55:12
Aye John, probably the same, mate. I've had it a few times now, also do the poo test every time it comes thru, been doing it since my 40s.

18 Mar 2026 19:00:26
I'm elderly. I've got stage 3 prostate cancer, which means I'm ok but need regular blood tests. It's a fact that 8 out of 10 men will have some sort of prostate problems. I've had a scope in every orifice in my body.

First sign of blood in your poo, or not pissing properly, get up to your GP FA presto. My urologist said, at my age it's unlikely my prostate probs won't advance.

18 Mar 2026 19:03:20
Well said, Kaiser. This horrible disease is always at someone's door.

18 Mar 2026 19:18:09
I just turned 46 yesterday, St Paddy's Day. Should I be getting things like this done? Probably sounds like a stupid question to some, but I've never had testing for anything. In saying that, I very rarely go near a GP.

18 Mar 2026 19:33:09
BB4, re the prostate one, the advice I got from my GP was that testing was recommended at 50 unless you had some symptoms. The main ones are urinating more often without reason, drinking after 9.
There is a 'test' on the NHS website which is detailed and asks a lot of questions.
However Prostate Cancer UK have a 3 question test on their site. I did it for you (possibly), so if you are your age, no family history of prostate cancer and aren't black or of black origin then you are fine unless you are having any issues with your bladder.


My advice would be, if you feel odd or something is different, then go see your GP asap, same to everyone really. They tend to triage these days, so probably it starts with a phone call and is relatively simple.

18 Mar 2026 19:34:44
Absolutely, guys, get the bloods and MOT tests done. It's a potential life saver. 🙏 I just got my blood test for my prostate PSA test about a month ago, which again came back at a normal reading of 1.1. 🙏

18 Mar 2026 19:35:43
Will, advancem. What's the matter with my typing. 😡

18 Mar 2026 19:39:16
Finger up the bahookie time, BB, or a PSA test. Ask for it, as you're at that age. (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test.

18 Mar 2026 20:06:09
Thanks, Angus. Yeah, definitely worth it, Fork.

18 Mar 2026 20:10:34
Danny Kelly as a broadcaster has to be one of the best ever. A great Spurs man, and I hope he has a recovery. ✌️✌️✌️

18 Mar 2026 20:16:25
Fork, I had a young Asian female doctor for my test. She said both couldn't be done at the same time, so asked which I would like to have done first. When I said the finger test to wind her up, you should have seen the look on her face.

I couldn't stop laughing, and she did the same when I said the PSA test first. I did think she hammered the needle in a little too vigorously, though.

18 Mar 2026 20:21:27
I was in for a blood test last week also. They did a full test, but also checked for the prostate, PSA, as I'm now over 40.

One of my friends recently went for a test and found he had blood cancer, so I echo the call to go for tests.

18 Mar 2026 20:22:34
A few minutes discomfort for peace of mind, priceless. 👍

18 Mar 2026 22:08:03
Back to comment, this time last year, I was diagnosed with bowel cancer after the poo stick test. By mid April I had surgery to remove bits & pieces. So far all clear.


Get All the tests you can guys, I seem to have been lucky by getting caught early & having something done.
Good luck to everyone in a similar position.
Now back to my hibernation.

18 Mar 2026 22:08:05
Appreciate the response, guys. As Angus says, I think it changes a bit once u hit 50. I'm 46 too, Bb4, but was able to get checked a few years ago because of my Dad's history. Apart from that, unless u do private, u won't know if anything underlying, so can't ignore even the slightest thing to catch it early. Stay safe all.

18 Mar 2026 22:40:00
Glad to hear that Bar72.

18 Mar 2026 22:43:37
I work for a cancer charity as a counsellor, guys, so I would recommend everyone gets PSA checked for prostate cancer if available. I'm working with guys as young as 38 with prostate cancer.

A 32-year-old died of bowel cancer in December because he thought blood in his bowel movements was just piles.

As scary as it can seem, better safe than sorry. Look for lumps, blood, unexplained fatigue or pain, changes in bowel movements or urinary patterns, or even drastic urine colour changes. Get checked.

18 Mar 2026 22:50:53
My story is much different. I have a severe needle phobia, even after attending two clinical psychologists and having hypnosis twice. I am now 75, and only once did the hypnosis help, when I had my Covid jags. It's so strange, because when I played football in my young days, I had stitches in both ankles, around both knees, and in my head. I also had an op on a mangled wrist.
The issue started when I was about 45, and I walked out of a dental surgery when I was overcome with fear. I realise that since then I have been amazingly fortunate to have avoided any tests or treatment, avoiding needles, and I have got away with suffering from a single kidney stone.

I know the time will come when someone will have to stick a needle in me, and I dread that day. Right now, however, I cannot be in the same room as a hypodermic or watch someone having an injection, even on TV.
And I'm so relieved about being able to post this anonymously. It's been therapeutic. Don't be like me. Get all the work done, lads.

19 Mar 2026 00:11:09
Had my prostate checked a couple of weeks back, and having had it done before, I dreaded it, but as per usual it wasn't as bad as I thought I remembered. Definitely get all these checks done regularly if possible, and as Fork says, it's great for peace of mind.

19 Mar 2026 06:41:38
You all make very good, worthwhile points, guys, and that is so much appreciated on here. 👍 So sorry for everyone who's battling cancer or any life threatening illness, for that matter. 🙏 So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend Storm. 😢🙏

19 Mar 2026 07:46:29
Nice to see you pop on, Bar72. I mind you going thru that. Glad you're doing well, bud. 👍

19 Mar 2026 08:09:52
I had my first m.o.t late last year. S***ing myself of the results, but luckily all OK for now. Yes, at a certain age it's best to get checked.

19 Mar 2026 08:24:14
Get tested. I started passing blood in my urine, straight to the doc. Cameras in the bladder, prostate and kidneys were checked. Thankfully everything OK, but get checked.

19 Mar 2026 09:07:57
I keep scrolling down to 1st line of next thread. ⬇️ Maybe we need to get those opinions checked too, MPH. Sorry.

19 Mar 2026 09:15:07
Thornton try eye jags into the eyeball

19 Mar 2026 11:15:54
BB4 I've got my bowel check in 2 months. Get it every 3 years after turning 50. I'm now 63.
John, I had both my cataracts done a few years ago. The first one they froze my eye. No problem. Second they didn't, ouch. 🇦🇺 🇬🇧

19 Mar 2026 11:18:11
I am writing this post as I receive my chemotherapy treatment. I have been fighting lung cancer for a couple of years now. I have had a chunk of lung removed and several rounds of chemotherapy. I am optimistic and will continue fighting. I cannot stress the importance of getting checked. A simple blood test can mean so much.

19 Mar 2026 11:47:07
Wishing you all the best, Tophs, mate. Keep fighting. 💪

19 Mar 2026 11:59:12
Tophs, my thoughts and support are with you, mate. All the very best to you and yours, bud. 👍

19 Mar 2026 16:38:58
You keep fighting, Tophs. Thoughts totally with you, pal, and pray you'll beat this, and you absolutely can. 🙏 Take care, my friend. 🙏

18 Mar 2026 15:25:16
Opinions are like ar$eholes, we all have one.
Some just get paid to come out with belters.

Barry Ferguson lost his job to Russell Martin but thinks the former Scotland defender will prove to be "a very good appointment" as Rangers head coach.
Former Ibrox captain Ferguson ended the season in interim charge, but the Scottish Premiership club's new owners turned to the former Southampton boss instead.
"If you watch the way his teams play, I think the Rangers fans will enjoy his approach to it, Ferguson told Go Radio.
"I spoke to him a few weeks ago and was very impressed by him and I'll get right behind him. "
Ferguson picked out the summer acquisition of midfielder Joe Rothwell from Bournemouth as significant.
"Joe Rothwell is an experienced campaigner, he is a very good player who has played at a good level, " he said. "Some of the signings I've been impressed by and I think they'll do a very good job for Rangers. ".

18 Mar 2026 15:37:49
Mb, why Fergie is not a manager. imo, great player, poor manager.

18 Mar 2026 16:28:58
In my opinion, he would have been a better appointment than the Vegan fraud, who somehow blagged his way in. Possibly not the best manager out there, but his team would have been challenging in my opinion.

18 Mar 2026 17:24:06
Challenging for relegation, Dtb. 😉

18 Mar 2026 17:47:18
Shows his opinions are no better, no worse than anyone on here.

18 Mar 2026 18:23:24
Good post, mph.

18 Mar 2026 18:43:28
I agree that it is only an opinion; and a paid for one, so can we even trust it?

The issue I have is we all do it, so when McCoist says anything about Chermiti not making runs, and it ties in with what I/you believe, then we will quote that.

We are all guilty of it to some extent. Not a criticism, just the other side of the coin.

18 Mar 2026 19:40:22
I agree, Angus. 😲

18 Mar 2026 11:52:23

18 Mar 2026 13:09:20
{Ed's Note - EHL2020 has posted a new article entitled, Why Preseason Conditioning Shapes Tactical Success

18 Mar 2026 13:09:42
Great read, my friend, thank you.

18 Mar 2026 13:12:09
Bravo. Well put, Ehl. Love reading stuff like this rather than the generic "aww we're rubbish". The damage done by Rm is substantially more than a lot are willing to acknowledge. Hence why you've seen Rohl go into the market for much more physically imposing players.

Could be a massive explanation to Skov Olsen's form as well, especially given how little he had played the 18 months prior to his arrival. Still, don't think he's done enough, but could offer an explanation.

18 Mar 2026 13:17:32
Love the insight. It certainly helps to understand some of our performance issues this season. It seems like we went from one footballing philosophy to the polar opposite mid-season.

18 Mar 2026 13:21:06
Thanks for the article, Ehl.

18 Mar 2026 13:26:54
Cheers, Ehl, good insight, mate. 👍

18 Mar 2026 13:30:30
Ehl, best post to date. Just sent to my grandson for his take. He says similar to u in terms of importance of a full pre season.

He believes that's part of Skov's issue.

Boba, I think your summation is very on point.

18 Mar 2026 13:55:50
That's the catch22, you build the team to play a certain style, then when it's not working, it's impossible to change overnight.

With the schedules we have, and as Ehl said, trying to change mid-flight is near impossible.



I think, going forward, we stick with the Rd style, and should he leave, we need to replace like for like, ie a manager who carries on with that style; else, we get a wholesale change of players yet again.

18 Mar 2026 13:58:51
Brilliant Ehl. It explains a lot. Appreciated.

18 Mar 2026 14:03:40
Geesa, that was the Mark Allen plan. Dof sets the style, bring in a manager to deliver. If a manager leaves, bring in another manager to deliver the style, not replace 12 players every manager change.

18 Mar 2026 14:39:15
Great article, Ehl, and very enlightening. I think this is why we will be having a club style rather than a managerial one, so when we sack one, the other has the same footballing philosophy. So not only turnover of players, but difficulty in getting the ones we have to change the way they play mid season.

18 Mar 2026 14:40:40
Geesa, there's a slight difference between Rohl and Martin.

In that, Martin's philosophy requires a specific style of player.

Whereas Rohl's philosophy is adaptable, so he'll change formations to suit the players, but apply his philosophy within that.

The issue we have at the moment is in terms of the physical conditioning of the players.

18 Mar 2026 15:06:59
Yeah I had been saying on here for months, Ehl, that our squad was nowhere near fit enough. Your post explains why. In the last few seasons, our fitness would see us earn many points that would otherwise have been lost, but, imo, it's the other way around this year, and it's blatantly obvious and really hampering us in the run-in.

18 Mar 2026 15:11:19
Good read, Ehl.

18 Mar 2026 15:21:43
Brilliant insightful read, Ehl.

18 Mar 2026 16:20:28
Ehl, that's a great point about having a club philosophy. If it's too rigid, as in RM, and it turns out wrong, the whole structure of the club needs to be changed, whereas a more adaptable one can be sustained even with managerial change. It would only need tweaks according to personality.

18 Mar 2026 16:56:18
Very good post, Ehl. 👍

18 Mar 2026 16:59:53
Great insight, Ehl, as always. I understand it's irrelevant now, but maybe this was why, in the 2nd half of the league game against Celtic, they seemed to overrun us after we had a high intensity 1st half. The players couldn't keep that level for the full 90mins because of their fitness levels.

18 Mar 2026 17:01:27
Good insightful read, Ehl.
What can you see for pre season this coming season, in terms of the new season starting?
Will we see a fitter squad then for the new season ahead?
Any players you have concerns about going into this pre season and season ahead?

18 Mar 2026 17:15:46
Every new manager will want to implement his own style, not change his philosophy to suit the dog.

18 Mar 2026 17:24:31
Dog not dog.

18 Mar 2026 17:34:21
DOF. Jeeze.

18 Mar 2026 18:00:17
WMN, I think we will be looking at coaches who do fit our philosophy rather than just picking a coach and then saying he has to. More like the process at Brighton, etc., where they have the whole club adopting the same philosophy from a certain age group to allow a track to progress to first team.

18 Mar 2026 18:25:55
Sco11, the only thing I would come back on in this point is the game at Parkhead where they pummelled us the 1st half and we pummelled them the 2nd half and won 3-1.

So, as good a post Ehl has given, it's not entirely true and still only one man's opinion.



Maybe that game was a one off. The Hearts game at Ibrox went right to the end also, so maybe adrenaline got us through those games.

18 Mar 2026 18:45:01
Storm, could the Celtic game you mention be the reverse? We didn't do any running in the first half, so had all our energy for the second. Didn't have an explanation for the Hearts game other than the adrenaline one you gave.

18 Mar 2026 20:57:20
It could well be, Angus. I don't know, I was just posting a different perspective for a change to get a good debate, mate.
The Celtic game, they didn't let us do any of that, imo.

18 Mar 2026 22:01:21
I think both of the games were the reverse. Half time gave that momentum switch, and neither could gain it back. Both sides lack confidence as well, but as soon as they got on top, they suddenly played like they did. I like a good debate, so feel free any time. 👍

18 Mar 2026 22:20:41
Great post, Ehl. Enjoyed reading that. Def rings true.

18 Mar 2026 22:22:32
Cheers Angus 👍

18 Mar 2026 10:15:14
Hope you're well ehl.

18 Mar 2026 11:17:45
Echo these sentiments.

18 Mar 2026 11:24:06
Me and EHL don't always see eye to eye, but hope he is doing good. Think he said he was popping in and out these days.

18 Mar 2026 11:58:01
Was just thinking that last night that I hadn't seen many recent posts from him. Hope all is ok, Ehl.

18 Mar 2026 12:04:28
He said he would still be looking in.

18 Mar 2026 12:58:27
Totally agree, lads, Ehl always gave us some excellent information. It must be hard though with his current job. All the best, Ehl, keep in touch.

18 Mar 2026 13:09:23
All good, guys - thanks for asking.

18 Mar 2026 13:30:51
Good stuff, Ehl.

18 Mar 2026 16:59:22
Excellent read Ehl!

Now, would you like to get drawn into a boring, weeks old debate on the virtues of Connor Barron??? 😂

For me and a few others it's pretty obvious he's got more technical abilities than others give him credit for. Sorry! 😁

18 Mar 2026 20:19:48
Rostosto, when did it get boring? 😉

18 Mar 2026 06:37:26
For all the Connor Barron doubters and sconcers out there, get a read about how highly barry Ferguson rates him and what he said about him yesterday🤔 Don't tell me baz doesn't know a midfielder when he sees one and into the bargain when he was interim Rangers manager he worked closely with Barron 🤔🇬🇧

18 Mar 2026 07:45:58
Ferguson was mince as well 😄 😇 👍 but better than Barron. 🎣

18 Mar 2026 08:27:40
Nice try, Fork, ma pal. You nearly had me. 😜 Hope you're doing well, mate. 🙏

18 Mar 2026 08:29:57
It's just another opinion. Everyone has one.

18 Mar 2026 08:31:49
I'm good, Coops. Cheers, bud. 👍

18 Mar 2026 08:40:49
I really like Barron. He seems to be one of the only players, along with Chermiti, who maybe ain't the best but give 100 percent and run all game, trying. To me that's something.

18 Mar 2026 08:49:17
Good to see u back, Fork, so soon. Hope you're on form. Angus tried, but he's no replacement. 😜

18 Mar 2026 08:51:15
Walter, give it a rest. I've asked u two questions. Is he worth more than your valuation of 20 million re Raskin?

Name the top twenty midfielders you have seen in a Rangers jersey in the last twenty years.

Baz says the best midfielder he has seen in the last twenty years in Scotland is McGregor.

18 Mar 2026 08:56:40
Kaiser, I have never been a dad, so the type of dad jokes Fork comes out with was always a stretch for my many other skills. 😂

Fork, good to see you back. 👍

18 Mar 2026 09:07:20
Walter, it is another man's opinion.

Listen to Peter Lovenkrands speak about Andreas Skov Olsen.

I doubt his opinion will sway people, just like Ferguson's opinion won't either.

18 Mar 2026 09:08:46
We all know YouTube isn't brilliant for checking out players, but there is a Barron video on it. Check it out!

I know what I see with my own eyes, and can't believe there are doubters about his technical ability.

18 Mar 2026 09:52:39
Barron doesn't have a creative bone in his body, but he's ok at stopping opponents being creative.

18 Mar 2026 10:02:26
And yet, despite that lack of a creative bone, he has managed to log 2 assists, 21 chances created and 5 big chances in his 19 league games so far. 🙈

18 Mar 2026 10:16:17
My post should read seen in last thirty years.

18 Mar 2026 10:17:40
My star, how about u naming 20 best midfielders at Rangers in last 30 years.

18 Mar 2026 10:32:46
McGregor is too old now.

18 Mar 2026 10:49:00
Ok, Barron is not the silkiest midfielder to grace a Rangers jersey in the past 2 or 3 decades. What he brings is a consistent level of contribution, around 7/10 each time he plays. He enables others around him to express themselves.
In my opinion, this type of player gets you through the more awkward games and makes a significant impact on our season overall.

18 Mar 2026 10:49:24
John, I love your posts, mate, but this task of discussing the best midfielders in the last 30 years isn't fair if trying to compare them to Barron.

He's had 18 months at the club. The first season was decent, but this season he's stepping up a level and has been injured for 3 months.

Going on his form from August to January, he was the best midfielder in the league, mate. He was playing better than Raskin, and Raskin has missed him alongside Barron.

Barron is better than Ryan Jack, and I really liked Jack.

The best 2 midfielders we've had in the last 20 years are Fergie and Davis. If Barron keeps working hard, and develops the way he has since coming here, then he could be a great player.

Currently he's a very good player for us. Let's keep watching and bigging up our successes.

18 Mar 2026 11:09:29
Barron may not have the technical ability, as, say, Raskin, but what he has is heart, and he gives 110%. He's a terrier. If he could add goals to his game, we could make a tidy sum when he's eventually sold.

18 Mar 2026 11:12:48
Rostoto, is it any different asking best Scottish Rangers team u have seen, best non capped team, best English team, best foreign team.

My star, funny how u all give me hard time start of season re Souttar, now u all run him down.

Someone on here recently wrote Barron is worth more than Raskin, absolute nonsense.

I've made my point, as no one wants to name top twenty, as they know who won't be on it. Not one player in our squad today gets a game under Souness or Advocaat. That's how far we have fallen.

18 Mar 2026 11:29:09
Just don't get why Barron annoys folk so much.
It's actually becoming hilarious. 🤣

Oh, and I'll have a go -

In no particular order, apart from position 1.

1. Paul Gascoigne.
2. Barry Ferguson.
3. Steven Davis.
4. Durant.
5. Tudgay.
6. Reyna.
7. Hemdani.
8. Buffell.
9. Ryan Jack.
10.

Van Bronckhorst.
11. Arteta.
12. Albertz.
13. Laudrup.
14. Gattuso.
15. Charlie Miller - maybe?
16. Jonas Thern.
17. Trevor Stevens.
18. Stuart McCall.
19. Can I include Davie Cooper - even though a winger?
20. Ray Wilkins.

Caniga although a winger.

Think a few more could be added, but notably wingers??

18 Mar 2026 11:30:54
If we take it back 30 years we're back in the Gazza, Albertz, Ferguson and Gio era. There's no one in the team anywhere near that kind of level, or may ever be again, so that's a hard comparison sadly.

But if u compare him with the last 15-20 years, I think he compares quite favourably, potentially just behind the likes of Jack and Kevin Thompson, who also rarely scored, but I was also a big fan of.

18 Mar 2026 11:35:52
Good list, Stig, but I would have Barron at number 15. 😉😂

18 Mar 2026 11:38:32
John, it's not a great point, mate. Under Souness we were buying English internationals. We broke the world record transfer fee for a goalkeeper in C. Woods, mate.

It was similar under Advocaat. We broke the Scottish record transfer fee, and it still stands a quarter of a century later.



I could name loads of great midfielders, mate. It's not going to make a blind bit of difference what I think about Barron. Still enjoy your posts, chief. 👍

18 Mar 2026 11:40:28
Souttar has been poor since coming back, but easily our best centre half in the last 18 months and Scotland's best too. Hope he finds his form again.

18 Mar 2026 11:46:54
Of course, a lot of today's players probably wouldn't get into some of the old Rangers squads, but football isn't the same game it was back then.

In those days, players had much more freedom. There was real creativity and flair. Midfielders could roam, express themselves, and take risks without being locked into rigid systems.

Now the game is far more structured. It's all about positional play, tactical discipline, and shape. Players aren't really allowed to drift or improvise the way they used to.
Because of that, it's hard to directly compare players from back then to today's players. They're operating in completely different environments.

Personally, I think players were more robust in the past.
They weren't afraid of the physical side of the game. Football has changed a lot with new rules and regulations, VAR, and much stricter refereeing.

You simply can't defend the way you used to. Those flying tackles and strong shoulder challenges would be fouls every time now.

From my own perspective, I preferred the older era. I liked seeing flair, creative freedom, and proper tackles without the game being stopped every few minutes.

I agree Rangers have fallen from where we once were, but that has to be viewed in context. The liquidation and being forced down to the bottom of Scottish football changed everything. It's not a straight comparison.

Hopefully, if the new owners stick around and invest properly, we'll see Rangers rise back to the level we were at.
But Scottish football as a whole also needs to raise the bar if we want to attract top-class players again.

Just my opinion.

18 Mar 2026 11:47:50
Star, we have spoken at length about this.

You can make a point that is equally as valid as anyone else without telling people who disagree with you they are clueless.

Let's remain respectful to each other.



Like I have said previously, Jose Mourinho knows a player's ability, yet got rid of Mo Salah and Kevin De Bruyne. Players who turned out to be some of the best at their position in EPL history.

18 Mar 2026 11:52:38
I would play Barron and Chucky, and move Raskin up one beside Moore.

18 Mar 2026 12:35:21
One thing about Barron, he's certainly decisive. 😄

18 Mar 2026 12:36:57
No, Aphelion, I'm saying Barron is a much better midfielder in what he does than what some on here make out, mate. 🤔 I don't spout he's a worldbeater, but he's good at what he does. How hard is that to understand? 🤔

18 Mar 2026 12:52:27
I've yet to see anyone say Barron is a bad player. I think some people are overhyped, and when someone doesn't agree with them, they are wrong. It doesn't make them clueless or an average fan because they don't have the same opinion as others. Also, with Souttar, I don't think he's good enough to be a starter for Rangers, and he hasn't been the best cb for the past 18 months.

He gives away too many chances, but I'm forgetting he's Scottish, so you're not allowed to say anything against our Scottish players. If Barron was as good as some on here are making out, he would be in the Scotland squad, supposing he's just back from injury or not. Or is our international manager an average fan as well?

18 Mar 2026 11:34:05
He had Raskin playing well too mate. And you're 100%, if anybody knows what it takes, its barry. didn't think he was anywhere near ready to manage Rangers but his opinion on a midfielder carrys more weight than most. Especially us lot.

18 Mar 2026 13:05:47
Gersman, Clarke has regularly spoken highly of Barron and his ability to step up and play for Rangers. Barron was also in 6 of the 8 squads in 2025. So I would suggest it is the fact he is coming back from serious knee ligament injury and has only played 18 minutes after that recovery, which might have been the deciding factor.

However, I have never spoken to Clarke on it so it may be he has just suddenly decided he isn't good enough.

18 Mar 2026 13:09:57
Last thing am going to say on Barron no one doubts his energy and heart but for to be a Rangers player that is the bare minimum can he get better yes will he get better who knows

18 Mar 2026 13:10:17
Walter, you're the guy who keeps it going.

If u can direct me to a post where I rubbish Barron, I simply say IMO nowhere near as good as u make out.

18 Mar 2026 13:13:52
Walter re red your post, , I ask for debate u do what u always do run away and hide u have your opinion I have mine he's a very average player

18 Mar 2026 13:16:34
Some rate him, some don't. Why the constant merry go round on it? It's boring. 😴

18 Mar 2026 13:33:20
Stig, thanks for your reply and list, very, very similar.

18 Mar 2026 14:47:21
Angus, if he rates him so highly, he could've still had him in the squad. He's back from injury and could've given him some minutes. Going by what you're saying about Clarke rating him so highly, he must be a stick on for the World Cup squad, barring injury then.

18 Mar 2026 15:09:55
Gersman, I am saying he has picked him in 75% of squads before. He wouldn't pick players who he doesn't think are good enough to play in the squad. I think that is factual rather than my opinion.

But he is 18 minutes back from injury, so, as a manager, do you pick someone with that little match fitness, or do you play someone who is match fit and has been playing, as you no doubt want to win, even a friendly.



But that is me guessing why Clarke made that decision. For the latest squad I suspect he would be fighting for a place with Andy Irvine or Lennon Miller, as the others are all more established in the squad. However, that is a guess and an opinion.

18 Mar 2026 15:21:30
Gers man that's good post mate.
We have had this about Souttar only a month or so ago and those backing Souttar have all went quiet because he is rank. He always never been good enough for Rangers.

Bb4 completely agree it's the same people making post after post about it just because people don't agree with them. They do it all the time.


Coops, how much in your opinion is Barron worth and how much is Raskin worth?

18 Mar 2026 15:38:43
Angus, I'm not saying that. You said Clarke spoke highly of him, so I'm asking if he's speaking so highly of him that he will be in the World Cup squad, since he's been in 75% of the squads. He's not match fit, but is fit, so he easily could've taken him with the squad and given him some minutes, as I'm sure he will play some minutes for us on Saturday, so that will be more minutes in his legs.

In my opinion, he's not in the squad, as others are in front of him now. I hope he makes the World Cup squad, but I have my doubts, as I don't even think he's a starter for Rangers.

18 Mar 2026 16:07:31
Gersman, I read several articles where Clarke spoke highly of him, and he has picked him for 75% of squads. Facts? 🤷

Others were always in front of him, as probably 6 of 8 named midfielders are stick ons for places, so let's say 2 places up for grabs for WC squad, with Barron, Miller and Irvine fighting for those. So no, he isn't guaranteed a place.

You are right, he could have taken him in the squad, but the fact that he hasn't doesn't mean he doesn't rate him, that is your opinion.

I was merely giving my opinion on another reason why he might not have been, so just trying to have a discussion on the topic with you really and suggesting a different way of looking at it.

Not saying that Barron is great or otherwise, although I can see a good developing player. Is he a Scottish international at the moment? Well, not for me, but Clarke seems to think so.

18 Mar 2026 16:12:12
Storm, it feels like you're so focused on disagreeing with me that you're not actually reading my posts. It's not the first time recently. I clearly stated I was 'guessing' why Clarke made that decision, not claiming to know his thoughts.



Also, for you to point out that others keep posting because people disagree with them, while you've just posted three times in a row doing the same, does that not seem a bit contradictory. 🤷

18 Mar 2026 16:25:07
Re Hanley getting straight in, Storm, sadly that's because we are so short of options. We have other good options for cm, so Barron has a harder battle to get back in.

18 Mar 2026 17:01:31
Storm, I reckon Raskin is worth around the £15million mark, and could rise depending on how good a World Cup he has. 🤔 Regarding Connor Barron, I reckon if a club, for example, in Italy came for him, I reckon we would easily get £5million upwards for him. 🤔 So what's your valuation of both? 🤔

18 Mar 2026 17:04:33
I absolutely disagree with you Storm, surprise surprise, regarding your assessment of John Souttar being rank rotten. 👎 I'll give you he's been well off it since returning from recent injury, and currently both Fernandez and Djiga deserve to be playing in front of him, but Souttar isn't rank rotten, pal, behave. 🤔

18 Mar 2026 17:12:19
He's going to Bologna. They haven't gone away; they just missed out in the window, I believe. I can't remember who found it; might have been me even.

18 Mar 2026 18:30:14
Souttar has always been poor for us. I have said it from day one, Coops.

Angus, I have to agree with you on the posts the last few days, and you also didn't answer my question on why Clarke has picked Hanley, who has been out for 2 months and not played.

Angus, I don't deny doing it. I call myself out all the time for doing that, but thanks for noticing.

It's like you just like to call me out again, which you do all the time to me but no one else. Is that contradictory?

Coops, 2/3 million for Barron, and I would agree with Raskin. Just funny you want that much for a player but say Barron should be playing ahead of him. 🤔

18 Mar 2026 19:04:24
Storm, I probably do it to you as a defence mechanism, as I don't see anyone else doing it so regularly to me. Also, I probably pay more attention to your posts; that isn't bad by the way, as I see you as someone I can have a debate with.

You just do seem to be picking up my posts incorrectly recently. I feel I react rather than instigate, but that probably isn't entirely correct, and, anyway, it keeps the ill will going when I do respond, but you know how difficult it is not to respond, hopefully. I am good at giving advice but don't always take my own. 🤷

Call me out like this if I am out of turn, as sometimes I don't realise I am doing it. I believe in calling it out when I see it. It isn't meant to offend, really, just to try to raise awareness of it.

btw, I am nowhere near perfect, nor do I think I am, but I suppose, like, my posts to you create a reaction, yours to me do the same.

I will try to be less abrasive for at least the next day. No promises, mind you.

I thought I had replied to you re Hanley by saying I don't know what goes on in Clarke's mind. But, if I were to answer, it would be like Kaiser says - smaller pool of CBs.
Also, Hanley is one of the core stick on for places, imo; unlike Barron who is just recent to the squad.
Also, he hasn't ever let the team down in Clarke's opinion (a supposition, as I don't really know).
Also, Hanley was out since start of February and Barron since start of January, so I assume injury wasn't as serious and match fitness wouldn't be as impacted by the shorter length of time.

However, the selection points I make are all conjecture but happy to have a 'nice' discussion on it.

I enjoy your different views to me, but what we think doesn't make us bad guys even if we don't agree. 👍

18 Mar 2026 19:49:35
Storm, where did I say Barron should be playing instead of Raskin, mate? I didn't. I did, however, say that Barron should be in our midfield and play domestically ahead of Diomande. 🤔

18 Mar 2026 21:00:29
Angus, no problem, mate. I apologise if I have picked you up wrong in the posts, as sometimes I read very quickly and I shouldn't, as I am dyslexic. 😬 But I still do it.

Coops, he isn't the same position as Dio. 🤔

18 Mar 2026 21:45:37
Nope not doing it, want to but I'm not. 😇

18 Mar 2026 22:04:43
Fork, if you do, then your counsellor post is right out the window. 😂

Storm, no problem. I know we wind each other up a lot, as we have different opinions. We need to remember we are both Rangers fans, who just think differently. That I never doubt.

On to tomorrow, when the battle/debate will resume as normal. 😂😂😂

19 Mar 2026 06:52:20
No, Barron is not in the same position as Dio, Storm, but by playing Barron, Chuckwuani and Raskin together, I think would be the better balance, with Raskin playing slightly further forward, mate. 🤔 I truly think these 3 would compliment each other. 🤔

19 Mar 2026 07:39:32
An itch needs to be scratched. 🤣🤣

18 Mar 2026 06:22:47
Of course it's sad to see any of our players injured with it now looking like mo Diomande out the rest of this season with a shoulder injury ☹️So the timing of Connor Barron now fit again after his injury lay off could be pivotal/crucial in our 8 remaining league games, especially if he quickly gets back to the form he was in before his injury in january, where he was playing superbly well and was easily our best midfielder, before injury struck 🤔If Barron gets back to this form for Rangers, imo we won't miss Dio at all 🤔

18 Mar 2026 07:49:09
Bonkers Dio will be missed. Better technical player, but Barron will do ok in his absence. Chance for him to get up to his level before his injury.

18 Mar 2026 08:10:47
I think Dio will go in the summer. Manager seems to prefer Raskin and Chucky to him.

18 Mar 2026 08:17:45
May be either him or Raskin, or both. Think it depends on how Raskin fares at the WC tbh. 👍

18 Mar 2026 09:46:32
Does Barron and Diomande play the same position, or am I missing something.

18 Mar 2026 10:26:47
Who said they play in the same position? Barron can shore up M/F.

18 Mar 2026 10:51:53
Can see both Diomande and Raskin moving on in the summer.

18 Mar 2026 11:22:22
Fork Coops is alluding to Barron replacing Dio in his post, so I guess that's what Gees means.

18 Mar 2026 12:04:36
Exactly Strom, imo if Dio is out he will play another player as a 10 or attacking Mf.

18 Mar 2026 12:45:21
Geesa, is that not the issue? We don't really play traditional AMs or a number 10. We play 2 who do more sitting, and our two wide players seem to be asked to 'tuck in'. I wondered if that was why Dio hadn't been playing, as he is better as that AM.

18 Mar 2026 14:14:45
Got u Geesa, apologies. 👍

18 Mar 2026 18:51:25
Angus, Dio had never really played that way tho. That's why he hasn't really been starting in that formation. When he came on against Celtic, he wasn't tucked in, mate, and I am not disagreeing with you for the sake of it. 👍

18 Mar 2026 20:32:05
Storm, I don't think you disagree with me for the sake of it. I think we often have different opinions and don't have an issue with that. Let's not go over it.

You are right, when he came on, he was more advanced. I had to check, but he came on for Naderi rather than one of the wide MF/wingers, so I don't know if that had a bearing on his movement and meant he didn't have to tuck in to the second 2 up front.



When he did use to play as one of the '6s', my memory was he did move about a bit more. But we now have changed so that Tochi and Raskin sit more, and Moore and Olsen are meant to tuck in. That is what 4-2-2-2 seems to suggest to me. So Dio doesn't fit into that system really. 🤷 Am I missing this completely?

18 Mar 2026 21:02:53
No, I agree. I don't think he does fit in, as he is best in a midfield 3, the same as Raskin is. Danny Rohl is not playing the correct formation to get the best out of our midfield.

I think he is doing it to try and get the best out of our strikers, but I don't think that is working. I am not a fan of 4222 or 442.

18 Mar 2026 22:09:31
He is maybe trying to get the best out of our squad but also trying to find a way to overcome that 'low block' we face all the time. 4-3-3 hasn't worked for us for ages, so do we need to try something else or are we always trying to do Plan A better. tbh I think he does make changes to system and personnel.

John said in another thread we have a list of players whose time needs managed; Dio has a shoulder injury which may have stopped him playing since OF.

So there are always things we don't know is happening. Perhaps I give the benefit of the doubt too much, but there is always more happening than we know.

However I don't mind 4-4-2 but just can't get my head around the 4-2-2-2. I do think it stops Olsen playing the way I think he can, as he is used to playing wide, so does 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 suit him better.