Glasgow Rangers – The Power Shift

Posted on by passandgroove

Nine. Nine long years. If you’d have told a member of the blue side of Glasgow back in 2011 that they wouldn’t win a SPL title for at least another 9 seasons, you’d have been ran out of the place. Even the most ambitious of Celtic fan will have struggled to predict the outcome of the next 9 years. This is a club who have won more domestic league titles than any other club in the world. They are not just a club who has had a bit of success, or a few good seasons, Rangers have been dominating the topflight of Scottish Football since the late 1890s. The only blip of any note, being more recently in their well-documented financial downfall, resulting in their subsequent struggle over the last decade to grasp control of the SPL.

Whilst Steven Gerrard’s managerial stint at Ibrox has been met by mixed reviews so far, it is hard to argue that there hasn’t been a definite improvement. Specifically, in Europe, before Gerrard took over, they had only won 2 of their previous 25 games. Since Gerrard, they have played 36, won 18 and only lost 5, battling it out against the likes of Porto, Galatasaray and Feyenoord. Whilst the league is the bread and butter, those European nights under the lights at Ibrox are such momentous occasions that the club have been missing out on for nearly a decade. With Gerrard gradually bringing them back, the good times appear to be back on the horizon. A return to the Champions League will be Gerrard’s next task, which of course, in Scotland, requires winning the league. With the squad and their associated winning mentality seemingly getting stronger year on year, it seems that Rangers are more than heading in the right direction.

Regarding their improved squad, they are now attracting a higher calibre of player than in previous years. Long gone are the days of Lee McCulloch plundering 26 goals a season against Stirling Albion, albeit fond memories I would imagine. Signing a right back who scores every week like James Tavernier, along with plucking (and keeping) 30 goal a season man Alfredo Morelos from the Finnish league, has been crucial in Rangers’ development on the pitch. Add in to that some steel at the back in Connor Goldson, experienced Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis and you’ve suddenly got the core of a useful side. The transition from a Scottish Championship side to a club that clearly want to be back challenging Celtic for the top perch, has been clear to see.

There is no need for me to describe the importance of Rangers surpassing Celtic this season. Winning the league itself is the goal but, stopping the dreaded “10 in a row” is also a major factor in why the time is now for Gerrard’s band of merry men. The phrase has been lingering around like a bad smell for a few seasons now. Whilst I sit neither side of the Old Firm fence myself, the constant battle between the two sides is fascinating, especially the matches themselves. The last decade has not always provided that, so it is brilliant to see Rangers flying high once again and the tussle for top spot commencing as it should. Even the biggest Celtic fan would surely admit, a team winning the title ten years in a row really isn’t that entertaining and it isn’t a great advert for the league. A strong Old Firm is what Scotland needs and deserves, and thankfully we are getting those days back. Rangers’ recent 2-0 away victory at Celtic Park confirms this, setting up what could be one of the most exciting SPL seasons in several years. Whilst there are still plenty of games to be played this season, it seems to be more of a when, rather than an if, Rangers will reign supreme in Glasgow again. Groove Out.

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Published by passandgroove