Blog Hits

Wednesday 23 May 2012

Huns Fit For Radio

As the song says "Have you seen a Handsome Hun?" the answer is almost inevitably "NO". Here i'm taking a look back at some of those who have donned the colours of Rangers and have sparked mass debate as to what species they actually are. Yes the players who thankfully weren't around for the advent of HD Tv, those who wouldn't be out of place in a Nordic wood carving chasing children. For those who remember these oddities I apologise for any relapse this may cause. And to those young enough not to remember, be warned these things are still out there...
Seb Rozenthal : the Chilean goal scoring machine arrived in Jan 1997 amid great fanfare from Universidad Catolica (yes really!!). Rangers fans were promised a slick South American striker, what they got was a short, chubby, pasty looking guy that could have came from Partick. Having spent most of his 5 years at Ibrox in the treatment room the only talent he showed was the ability to make a wall with his ample arse that could be done by the normal 5 men.
Robert Prytz : The ugliest Swede ever seen by man, that is all that can be said for the 80's midfield man. The frizzy blonde hair and massive nose not your typical swede.
Terry Hurlock : Signed by Souness, Hurlock was undoubtedly one the most psychotic players Britain has ever seen. Seriously Joey Barton has nothing on this nut job, need proof watch his assault on Toomy Coyne in the St Paady's Day massacre in 91. Not only that he was one ugly bastard, scraggy hair and a face that resembled a scrotum.
Davie Dodds : You can almost hear the villagers scream by the mere mention of his name. The first ever case when facial hair made someone's ugliness more prominent rather than hide it. If it wasn't bad enough having to watch this guy play, he then moved to backroom staff and we had to endure close ups of his monstrous mug. Even just picturing his face makes want to grab a pitchfork and a flaming torch.
Bob Malcolm : With a head like Kryten from Red Dwarf and the swift feet of the incredible hulk with an elastic band round his knob. Bob Malcolm was a complete player....complete shite. From his debut as an 18 year old who already looked 35, against Celtic and proceeded to fall on his arse when Henrik ran at him, this guy gave us years of golden moments. My favourite being in the 2004 New year game at parkhead where young Bob attempted a cross field pass and almost conceded a corner. The physics of that pass as well as his appearance were mind boggling. Hail Hail

Friday 18 May 2012

A Season In The Sun

Like a jigsaw everything this season just seemed to fall into place perfectly. After losing out on the league title by a single point the previous season, this year the determination of the squad to clinch that first title for themselves and Neil Lennon was there for all to see. Records broken, a decent run in europe and of course the complete implosion that unfolded across the city, for me this was perhaps my favourite season in the nearly 3 decades I've followed the Hoops.

The opening months of the season were largely forgettable, players struggling for form, Izzy's injury in the second game at Pittodrie. The disasterous first Rangers game was particularly disheartening and the usual clamour for complete change top to bottom at the club. Thankfully cooler heads prevailed because for me our season really began away to Rennes in the Europa League, where we claimed a well earned draw. The general consensus seems to be that Half time at Rugby Park was the turnaround in the season, but i believe it was Joe Ledley's equaliser in France that showed me this team was up for the challenge.

The introduction of Wanyama and the return to form of Beram Kayal in the midfield was a massive step on the road to recovery, particularly in the 2-1 win against Motherwell at Fir Park. Where as usual Mccall's team proceeded to kick us of the park, a fighting spirit which incredibly disappears when thaey play teams from Govan funny that isn't it. In fact from that win up to The win against Rangers at Parkhead, for me that run won the league for us. After that win in December Rangers never looked like getting back into the race, even if they will have you believe it was the 10 point deduction that killed their season. We all know different dont we. A 17 game winning run and 25 game unbeaten run and we still get the ' Tainted Title' pish thrown at us.

There were many players who had good seasons, Hooper, Kayal, Samaras, Rogne, Wanyama, Matthews, Forster, Forrest and Brown. All of these players had great spells during the year ocassionally form, injuries and suspensions would curtail part of their season. But as we all know 2 players consistently payed well throughout the campaign and set the benchmark for the rest of the SPL. Charlie Mulgrew and Joe Ledley were star performers this year, both were a goal threat from multiple positions, both contributed with many assissts and when played in defence both were solid and dependable. For me Joe Ledley just shaded it for my Player of the Year, I like the no fuss style of play he adopts. Gets on with the job at hand tidily whether he's in the middle, out wide or at Left back.

As for Neil Lennon, he has shown that he's progressing well for a young manager, unlike a nera 50 year old "Rookie" manager who I will not name even though he likes naming people himself. Neil Lennon has bought well again with some exceptions ,Kelvin Wilson lets be honest the guys not up to snuff. Bangura and Brozek have been, pardon the pun, hit and miss. Overall the signings of Matthews and Wanyama have far outweighed the other signings. 

Three disappointing results near the end of the season did little to dampen my sense that this was a good season. The league cup final, Cup semi-final and the Rangers game at Ibrox are games where it just wasn't happening on the day. The most important thing for me is throughout the season after taking the knocks the team have come back stronger.

Here's looking forward to next year no matter who we are playing.




Hail Hail.

Wednesday 29 February 2012

Success Fills Seats!

For the first time in ages I've listened to Clyde Superscoreboard every night for the past couple of weeks. Obviously for the daily revelations coming out of the Hun Dome, each day it gets better and better. For those that haven't been listening I want to go over a few points that have been brought up, some serious points about our club and the rest severe delusions by the Orcs.

Firstly the wide held belief that Rangers are to big to go under(pretty sure they said that about the Titanic too) and that everything should be done to ensure Ranger's survival. The main aim from fans and media alike was that the government should intervene and bail Rangers out, yes you heard me right an organisation who withheld funds from said government should be saved by the government.....Just let that sink in a bit.

Secondly the fans themselves can muster up a rescue package. Much akin to models in place in Germany and Spain. That's right the Global Rangers Community which stretches as far as Ayrshire, are going to dig deep and buy the club with the help of some Ex Directors.... Again let that sink in. The very same fans who came to their beloved club's rescue only a few years ago and raised £51m in a share issue... Oh wait it was only £1m because Dr Strangelove underwrote £50m.

Thirdly from the Hack's point of view there was no way to no Rangers were in this much trouble... Okay so the fact that for the past 18 months any Celtic fan who phoned in asking whether stories on The Rangers Tax Case Blog were true, were met with snide, curt put downs that 98% of that blog was crap. Everything I've read on that blog has come to fruition as well as scoops from Phil Mac and Brian Mcinally both Ex Pat Journos who didn't partake in any succulent lamb.

Lastly the point that really riled me, If Rangers go under in a couple of years Celtic fans will get tired of winning the league every year and just stop going to games.....What??? This point has been made several times mostly by Rangers fans however any pundit who has taken the question has agreed with it outright. This completely goes against my understanding of football, when you are successful no matter the opposition you will have a strong backing. On top of this we are also being told that if Rangers are liquidated and come back under some form in a lower division their support will be even stronger...What??? Ask any relatives you may have that can remember both our 9 in a row and their 9 in a row. They will tell you there wasn't a massive drop in attendance after 5 or 6 title wins on the trot. Was Hampden half empty when they reached their 8th cup final in 4 years... No of course not. So this vision the media have built has no substance and no president. I don't no about you guys but I'm a Celtic supporter because I love Celtic not because I hate anyone else.

Hail Hail

Friday 27 January 2012

More of the Same Please Celtic

It's an old cliche but "Games like that win you titles" has never been more true than celtic's current form. Not spectacular but we now look like a team that is hard to beat, a renewed sense of calm throughout the club. No dramas, no 47 game touch line bans, finally the main talking points are football. Neil Lennon has brought out a fighting spirit in this squad that looked severely lacking in heart 3 months ago. Winning ugly especially during the winter months is necessary to get that League Title back. Even the 2-1 wins at Parkhead are not causing me much stress anymore, mainly because last season those games would've finished 2-2. Under Martin O'Neill and Gordon Strachan how many games were one in injury time, home or away. Obviously you want the odd humping of someone( preferably a Hun team, I know there are plenty of them). But I honestly couldn't care less about score lines and performances as long as its a Celtic win.

The defence is looking rock solid, no coincidence when Rogne is playing we always look solid. You just need to draw comparisons against the two Derby games this season. When we got humped at HMRC Park Jellyfish actually looked a player when our back four were woeful that day. Fast forward to December and the guy never got a sniff at goal from Rogne's back pocket. Apart from two pathetic overhead kick attempts. Which they actually showed on the highlights????? Midfield takes care of itself now as long ad Big Victor is in there we can grab hold of the midfield against most teams now. Up front is where we could have, I wouldn't say improvement, more another dimension. It's plain to see a big mobile striker that can hold the ball up and link the play against more stubborn defences. Whether we get that striker before the deadline on Tuesday remains to be seen, however I like the way our business has been conducted during this window. Players have been brought on with the minimum of fuss. Unlike a certain tax allergic club situated near the Govan area, which by the looks of it really needs a Tesco with a huge car park.

Anyway more of the same please Celtic.

Hail Hail.