Kris Boyd offers two Rangers players new positions at Celtic, one of whom can “fill in at centre-back”

Beating Ross County is one thing, but for Rangers and Philippe Clement, it’s quite another to break through their lengthy losing streak on the road against Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Furthermore, the manner in which the Gers destroyed Glasgow 6-0 on Saturday will provide them with a much-needed confidence boost before their otherwise difficult trip across town, but it also presents a dilemma for the Ibrox manager.

Does he continue to use the same Cyriel Dessers-inspired squad that defeated Ross County six games to none, figuring to “let it go”? Or does he adjust Rangers’ style to suit the opposition, making them a little less flamboyant and a little more calculated?

Prior to Sunday’s match, Clement’s team will be asking itself those kinds of questions.

Philippe Clement has important choices to make before Celtics vs. Rangers

“It’s very difficult to change that for Rangers coming off a 6-0 victory,” the legendary former striker Kris Boyd tells the Scottish Sun. “I understand, though, that you’re travelling to Celtic Park, a place that hasn’t been kind to you in recent years, away from home.

“The way the Rangers conducted themselves on Saturday impressed me greatly. Positive performances were evident there; Tom Lawrence scored two goals, Cyriel Dessers scored two goals, and Rabbi Matondo scored two goals.

“After watching the game again, I also felt that Jefte did a good job at left-back, even though he will face a completely different challenge at Celtic Park.”

Given the injury to fellow left-back Ridvan Yilmaz, Jefte is very likely to remain in the starting lineup.

Following the thrashing last weekend, Clement expressed his interest in seeing how the young Brazilian handled the biggest challenge of his Rangers career to date. It also appeared that Clement would include the excellent Connor Barron on his team sheet.

Still, Boyd is curious as to whether the adaptable Jefte could suit a different role against Celtic than he did against Ross County.

One of the main focusses of Rangers’ summer hiring campaign has been finding flexible players who can fill a range of positions. Jefte, for example, is a full-back by trade but has shown he can play a more advanced role on the wing.

Boyd believes that Rangers’ best chance of stopping Celtic’s formidable widemen at the source may lie in positioning Jefte on that flank ahead of Clement’s most versatile player, Dujon Sterling, who can play in all weather conditions and all positions.

Kris Boyd suggests a collaboration between Jefte and Dujon Sterling.

When Jefte one is up, will Sterling move to left back? Perhaps a little more circumspect?” Boyd enquires, casting doubt on the availability of Robin Propper, Leon Balogun, and Rabbi Matondo, who is connected to the exit.

“What will happen with Rabbi Matondo between now and Friday is unknown. Balogun (against Ross County) went off hurt. Propper, what’s going on over there?

“Sterling may need to step in at centre back.”

Only two of Rangers’ five games this season have been started by the former Chelsea player Sterling. The hard-charging 24-year-old has, however, frequently reserved his best performances for important events against important opponents.

In the exciting 3-3 draw against Celtic in April, he made an impression playing left back. Furthermore, it would be reasonable for Clement to question whether such success could be achieved this time around given how brilliant Nicolas Kuhn is right now.

In the meantime, the Rangers manager has downplayed rumours that Matondo might join Blackburn Rovers following his incredible display the previous time out.

Michael Gannon: Rangers may approve a loan transfer for the Ibrox star who is set to leave this week

Micahel Gannon reports that Rangers may approve Todd Cantwell’s loan departure before the August 30 transfer deadline.

The midfielder from England has submitted a transfer request to leave Ibrox this summer, and Philippe Clement has confirmed that he wants to go before the transfer window closes.

Where Cantwell will end up after this week is still unknown, but Daily Record writer Gannon thinks that if a permanent transfer cannot be arranged, Cantwell may be confirmed out on loan.

“It’s hard to see a way back for Cantwell,” he wrote in a Monday, August 26, Daily Record article.

If a permanent move cannot be arranged, a late loan deal is probably in store.

Will Todd Cantwell leave the Rangers before the deadline for Ibrox transfers?

Though Clement has stated time and time again that he will never close the door on Cantwell or any other player for that matter, it does feel as though there is no way back for the Englishman in Glasgow, as Gannon suggests.

Unlike Ianis Hagi, the 26-year-old appears to have no desire to improve, as evidenced by the fact that he isn’t even playing for the B Team [Rangers Review, 23 August], a decision that Clement confirmed was made by the player, not him.

Ideally, the Light Blues would locate a long-term partner who would not only cover Cantwell’s salary but also compensate him for his services, but there is not much time left to make that happen.

Todd Cantwell is trying to leave Rangers

While a loan agreement would only be a short-term fix, it would free up much-needed salary space for the Rangers, which could then be utilised to finance additions in the final days of the transfer window.

Ideally, a move of some kind can be arranged as soon as possible. The Gers simply cannot afford to let Cantwell’s future remain uncertain as they approach September; else, this will cause a significant distraction as the title race heats up.

An iconic figure from Celtic criticises the Rangers, saying, “My wife couldn’t believe what was happening to them”

Champions League controversy persists following a “ludicrous” refereeing call.

Gordon Strachan, the former manager of Celtic, has shown compassion for Rangers following their Champions League elimination earlier this month. He also thinks the referee who dismissed Jefte during their 2-0 loss to Dynamo Kyiv ought to find another line of work.

Last week, Rangers’ chances of qualifying for Europe’s top competition were dashed when they lost to the Ukrainians. After a 1-1 draw in Lublin, the match was evenly poised at Hampden until Brazilian defender Jefte challenged Oleksandr Karavaiev for an aerial ball and was controversially given a second yellow card by referee Marco Guida. Rangers, down to ten men, lost 2-0 and will now play in the Europa League.

Self-described “sympathiser” for Celtics, Strachan managed the team from 2005 to 2009. He claimed his wife was questioning the decision because it was so obviously wrong. The Italian official received harsh criticism for his actions; Philippe Clement, the manager of Rangers, called it one of the worst decisions he had ever made.

“It was very unfortunate what happened to Rangers in the Champions League,” Strachan stated. The red was the most absurd—and I do mean absurd—thing I’ve seen in a long time. It makes perfect sense to me why Philippe was furious. Mrs. Strachan and I were watching the game together because she is familiar with it. She’s watched over 2,000 live football games, so she knows the game. She was astounded by what was occurring to Rangers.

“The referee’s posturing afterward. He appeared to be thinking, “I’ve got this perfect; why are you talking to me?” We’re talking to you, but why? since it is absurd. After that, the referee ought to pursue another career. He ought to try something different, something that would make people truly detest him.”

The former player’s manager, Strachan, couldn’t disguise his disappointment in Rangers manager Philippe Clement at Coventry. Speaking to Lord Ping, the 67-year-old continued, “I was devastated for them, and for the players, who put in a great performance in the first leg.” “The dismissal had a significant effect on the outcome, and they now have to worry about earning a spot in the Europa League. Even though I support the Celtics, how could a football fan not feel the same way when they have a decision like that in a game that matters so much? It’s not nice, and I am aware of the feeling.”

Philippe Clement tells a young Rangers player which he wants to hear, putting the kid “on top of the pile”

For Robbie Fraser to repay Clement’s trust, he needs to step up and shine for the first team this season.

Back-to-school week makes Robbie Fraser think of the time when he was the new kid in class.

It has been 14 years since the young Rangers player first showed up at Ibrox to learn how to play football. The Glasgow boy had just started wearing short trousers when he signed up with his childhood heroes when he was seven years old. Over the past few years, there has been a thorough examination. Fraser has had to compete with many other hopefuls who were all trying to take his place as they finished each grade in Govan.

Fraser outlasted them all, and now that he’s 21, he’s finally moved up to Philippe Clement’s squad. This is when the real work for the Scotland Under-21 defender starts as he tries to pass his test for the first team. “Fourteen years is a crazy amount of time,” he said. When I joined the club for the first time, I was seven years old. It’s been a while, and I’ve seen everything at the club.

“I still remember my first day at the club.” I used to be a shy and nervous boy when I first came in. I didn’t like being around the players at first, but now I feel like I’ve come out of my shell. I’d like to move on from here.

“The club started on the street where I grew up and goes through me, my family, and everyone I know.” Like when I was younger, I had a season ticket. Being on the pitch with my family cheering me on makes it even better. I’m, so to speak, at the top of the list, and I hope I can stay here.

Robbie Fraser with his family

“That trip is something that not many people can take away from me.” Working on my craft every day has been very hard for me. I’m so proud to play for the Rangers’ first team. Thanks to all the coaches who have helped me over the years, I couldn’t name them all. But Brian Gilmore is one; he’s on the first team now.

“He worked at the school.” It’s great that we can come up with each other and for him to come up with me. A lot of coaches are in the gym, like Cal MacMaster, David McCallum, Malky Thompson, and Greg Statt and other guys like that when I was younger. There have been many great coaches.

“We’ve worked hard to get here. Is this the start of the real hard work?” That’s a whole different side of things. While you’re in the academy, you are working hard, but when you make it to the first team, things are very different. Yet I believe I am able to complete it.

Clement agrees without a doubt. Fraser was given a new two-year contract over the summer, just a few weeks after making his first-team debut against Dundee in May. This shows that he already believes in the young defender.

And last week, he said he wouldn’t be signing another left back to fill the spot left by Ridvan Yilmaz’s latest injury. He said this was Fraser’s big chance to compete with Jeffe for playing time in the first team. “That’s great to hear,” said Fraser, who came on as a substitute in the second half of Saturday’s win over St. Johnstone in the Premier Sports Cup. It was only his third senior game.

“That’s exactly what you want.” I work every day to try to make the most of any free time I have. Ridvan is a great player, and the team will miss having him on the pitch. I have the chance to step in and show what I can do, though.

“Every day you work for moments, and you have to be ready for them when they come.” I have to be alert because the manager often talks about how he can believe in young players.

“This is a big step up.” I’ve been training with the first-team guys for a while now, so you do get used to it more. Getting some time on the pitch is very helpful. I’m happy and feel like I’m a part of it now. I don’t want to be known as the younger one. I want to make it to the first team and try to stick there. I’ll try to keep going from here.

“The boss has been great.” He says nice things about me, talks to me, and thinks I’ll do well in life. No changes were made to the sentence.

“He doesn’t want me to change.” Keep up the same attitude and work ethic, because he can tell that my pitch is good, which is great to hear. He didn’t say for sure that I’d get X number of games, but he did tell me to keep doing what I’m doing, and chances will come up, like Saturday night against St. Johnstone.

“All I have to do is wait.” I’m aware that there are some great players nearby. It makes sense that I might not get the minutes I want, but I’m in a great place to work and I can only see myself getting better.

With an easy win over Craig Levein’s team last weekend, Gers began their defence of the League Cup. After beating Dundee, they will host them in the last eight next month. Fraser said, “We’re really happy to be through.” That was the most important thing. That was the goal before the game on Saturday. Though we had hoped for a smoother process, we did our part and are now moving on to the next round. We will see how we do there.

Rangers ‘repeatedly’ extend offers to teams for the player, who has made multiple starts in 24/25 game – Chris Jack

Chris Jack claims that Rangers have not heard back from any serious suitors for winger Scott Wright this summer.

The winger has been “repeatedly” offered to England’s lower leagues, but there hasn’t been any real interest in the 27-year-old, according to a post on the Rangers Review website [August 20].

Given that Wright is in the final year of his contract and that Rabbi Matondo and reports of a move to Leeds United [Football Scotland] have been played down, it seems more likely that Wright will depart Galway this summer.

Most likely, Scott Wright will depart the Rangers this summer.

It appears that none of the current Rangers players will be safe until the transfer window closes on August 30.

In addition, Tom Lawrence, Adam Devine, and Alex Lowry are all in the last year of their contracts and may be traded this summer if the Giants are unable to raise the money to extend them.

Under Philippe Clement, Wright started every game in the 2024–2025 season, including games against Hearts and Dynamo Kyiv. However, in the last few weeks, he has fallen back in the lineup, trailing Václav Cerny, Matondo, and Ross McCausland.

The attacker has a £2 million price tag [Daily Record] set by the Gers; his 120 appearances have yielded 12 goals and 7 assists, so it would be best for all parties if he left right away.

Wright now has to wait to see if a team will accept the winger for the stated fee; the longer it takes for a team to make a move, the more likely it is that the Light Blues will have to think about reducing their asking price.

With just ten days remaining in the transfer window, Clement must move quickly to ensure he doesn’t field a team full of unwanted and underperforming players. Rangers are in a holding pattern, waiting to sell their unwanted players to make room for new additions.

Clement is planning a move for Rangers to get their dream replacement for Yilmaz, who is said to be as “brave as a lion”

The loss on Tuesday night means that Glasgow Rangers are already out of the Champions League before the playoff round.

The 2-0 loss to Dynamo Kyiv was expected given the current state of the team. This puts even more pressure on Philippe Clement to try to improve his team before the end of the month.

This season, some positions don’t have enough depth to be competitive in all of them. At the present time, there are holes in the squad all over.

Injuries were a big reason why they didn’t do well in 2023–24, and since the season has already begun, Oscar Cortes and Ridvan Yilmaz may have to miss some time.

 

The latter hasn’t had the best luck at Ibrox when it comes to injuries. Could his most recent one keep him from playing for a long time?

A injury happened to Ridvan Yilmaz against Dynamo Kiev.

The Turkish defender has been the best choice at left back so far this season. He has come out from behind Borna Barisic, who has been playing there since 2022.

Yilmaz has a lot of potential, but he needed consistent minutes to build up his confidence. That’s exactly what he did at times last year.

In fact, he played in 33 games across all competitions. Likely, it would have been more if he hadn’t been hurt while playing for his country in March and had to miss a few weeks.

Since then, he has started all four of his team’s first four games this season, but things went horribly against Kyiv last week.

Not long after taking a shot at goal, Yilmaz was seen being carried off in obvious pain. The young defender didn’t look good.

Since then, Clement has said that the Turkey international will be out for four to six weeks. During that time, the Gers will be short-handed in that position.

EXCLUSIVE! Ridvan Yilmaz Rangers injury fears grow as former Man Utd golden boy emerges as potential transfer replacement | Keith Jacksonhttps://t.co/NaZ5FUR6As pic.twitter.com/ikSLdtgRkK

— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) August 15, 2024

Could this force Clement’s hand in the window for transfers? As he only has Jefte and Robbie Fraser to choose from at left back, and both aren’t very experienced at this level even though they have a lot of potential.

As far as the Gers’ transfer activity goes, they might try to sign a former Manchester United starlet…

Rangers want to get a new defender from Manchester United.

The Daily Record says that the Belgian could look for a replacement for Yilmaz in the transfer market.

To fix his problems on the left side of the defence, he might turn to Brandon Williams, who used to play well for Manchester United.

It says that the club has been interested in the former England youth international all summer, and this new development could make them move for him as they plan a possible swoop.

The English player was let go by Manchester United at the end of the 2017-18 season. So, he can be transferred for free, which Clement might be very interested in since he doesn’t have any money.

The club might have another choice in this part of the pitch, which would give Jefte the chance to move up to a more advanced role on the left wing.

Rangers are looking into a deal for former Manchester United defender Brandon Williams this summer after suffering a major injury blow. Written by @DMFv2 https://t.co/or5sksZByB

— GiveMeSport (@GiveMeSport) August 16, 2024

Williams might not be the big-name player that fans at Ibrox are hoping for right now, but he could be a good addition to the first team as a dream replacement for Yilmaz.

The numbers for Brandon Williams’s time at Manchester United

The defender made it to the United first team during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first full season as manager of the club, which was the 2019–20 season.

He played 36 times in all competitions, scored once, and set up another goal. It looked like he could be the next player from the academy to become a regular on the first team.

The Norwegian coach even said nice things about the left back after he won a penalty that helped United beat Partizan Belgrade in 2019.

“And I thought Brandon was the best player,” he said. He’s done great in the few games he’s played. “The kid is brave as a lion and helped us win.”

Unfortunately, he couldn’t really get better after this. Over the next three seasons, he only played 15 times for Manchester United, including a loan stint at Premier League club Norwich City.

Erik ten Hag finally decided that he had a future at United after another loan spell, this time at Ipswich Town. He scored two goals in 15 games for the East Anglian team, but was released at the end of the season.

What could the Rangers get from Brandon Williams?

The defender played 47 times in the Premier League for both United and Norwich. This shows that he has the right mindset to do well in one of the best leagues in the world.

Williams did show how good he was at defence in the Championship during his loan spell with Ipswich in the first half of last season.

This run and finish from Brandon Williams for Ipswich sums up the freedom they are playing with at the moment.

Kieran McKenna deserves huge praise, they look as though they’ll be in the automatic promotion race for the long haul. pic.twitter.com/R0YzuFk0k1

— HLTCO (@HLTCO) October 8, 2023

In fact, he won 4.7 competitions per game, which is 58% of the time. He also made 1.9 tackles, 0.9 interceptions, and was only dribbled past 0.7 times per game.

In the next 14 men’s competitions, Williams was in the top 5% for tackles per 90 minutes (3.14), and he was in the top 10% for interceptions per 90 minutes (1.57). This is more proof of his defensive prowess, but on a much bigger scale.

Last season, Yilmaz won 3.4 duels, but he only made one tackle and 0.7 interceptions per game. This shows how different the two defenders are.

Williams, who is only 23, could be a good addition to Ibrox for Clement, especially since he isn’t very good on the left side of the defence.

This is a move that has little risk and a lot of reward. When the time comes, Williams could be sold for a profit if the move doesn’t work out.

If that happens, Clement will have gotten a good defender from the Premier League for very little money. He will now be part of the first team.

Now it’s your turn, Clement and Co.

After a “tragic death,” a heartbroken former Rangers star pays tribute to his brother

In remembrance of his recently deceased brother Alan, former Ibrox favourite Dave MacKinnon posted a video of pipers performing in the city centre while he and his wife visited the area.

Former player Dave MacKinnon has paid tribute to the “good man” and shared the tragic news of the death of his younger brother.

On Thursday, the former Ibrox favourite took to social media to announce the death of his brother Alan.

In his post, MacKinnon, 68, included a video of pipers performing in the heart of the city and mentioned that he and his spouse had travelled into the city to honour his brother.

He wrote: “Today, after being ordered to remain grounded due to the tragic death of my younger brother Alan, I spent an impromptu day in Glasgow’s tunnel with my amazing wife.

“To his memory, the magnificent meal at the Ivy was a magnificent start, followed by the talented young pipers.”

“Life is precious enjoy.”

MacKinnon played four years for the Light Blues (1982–1986), making 168 league appearances.

The defender, who was born in Glasgow, has also played for Dundee, Forfar, Partick Thistle, and Airdrieonians.

He was at the Ivy on Thursday in tribute to Alan. (Image: X.com)

He disclosed that his brother passed away following an episode of encephalitis, a dangerous illness that causes inflammation of the brain.

Additionally, he expressed his concern that Alan might have contracted the West Nile virus that has been ravaging Europe this summer.

“Thanks to all for your kind thoughts, he was on holiday in Cyprus and may have been bitten by a mosquito carrying the West Nile virus sweeping Europe,” the brother said, sharing a photo of himself with his sibling.

He was among the tiny percentage that was unable to combat the encephalitis that resulted from it.

“A good man and a wonderful brother.”

Why VAR refrained from interfering in the horrifying Jefte Rangers red card decision

VAR was unable to overturn the red card given to Jeffre during Rangers’ defeat to Dynamo Kyiv.

After a second caution in the second half, the 20-year-old Brazilian was substituted out.

Replays revealed there was nothing wrong with the challenge as the player had won the ball fairly, even though Jefte was declared to have elbowed his opponent in the face during an aerial duel at Hampden.

Despite this, Rangers manager Philippe Clement called the decision made by referee Marco Guida to dismiss Jefte for a second yellow card “the worst in 30 years.”

Replays of the Champions League third round qualifying match, which the visitors won 2-0, showed Jefte’s innocence, but VAR was unable to intervene in the situation.

This is due to the fact that a second yellow card is not a decision that VAR can reverse.

Only four “match-changing scenarios” are eligible for VAR intervention: goals and offences leading up to goals, penalty calls, straight red card calls, and mistaken identity.

For that reason, after Guida’s decision to dismiss Jefte for a second yellow at Hampden, there was nothing the VAR officials could do.

The Champions League guidelines regarding the use of VAR state: “In four match-changing scenarios—goals and offences leading up to goals, penalty decisions and offences leading up to penalties, direct red card incidents, and mistaken identity—the Video Assistant Referee will only step in when they have the evidence for a clear and obvious mistake.

“This includes goals scored after a foul during the attacking phase, or from an offside position.”

According to James Tavernier, the referee had explained why Jefte had been sent off for elbowing. “I spoke to him [the referee] as it happened,” he declared.It was an elbow in the face, he clarified.

“When I think back on it during the game, he rises really early. It didn’t even seem like a free kick to me. I assumed he rose early. What he’s done has no malicious intent.

A 50/50 ball is being thrown into the air. Jefte rises very early. He gives him a flying kick. I’m not sure how much communication there is. That obviously has a significant impact.”

Kris Boyd lashes out at Rangers’ Champions League suffering as the Ibrox hero rushes to rework VAR after a red card

The analyst lost all control of his rage as Dynamo Kyiv defeated the Light Blues.

Rangers’ disastrous Champions League exit made for a difficult evening for Ibrox hero Kris Boyd, who was covering the match in the Sky Sports studio.

The game was close, but referee Marco Guida controversially gave Jeffre a second yellow card, which turned the tide and put the Scottish Premiership team on the defensive at Hampden as they tried to find a way into the group stage of Europe’s top competition. Oleksandr Pikhalyonok and Nazar Voloshyn scored goals in the final ten minutes to send the Light Blues crashing out of the Champions League, taking advantage of the extra man.

And Boyd, a beloved player by Rangers supporters, was unable to contain his rage when watching the two late strikes on TV. The former striker, known as “Boyd-cam” in the studio, was heard angrily screaming “no” and raising his arms as Pikhalyonok found the net. Boyd reached boiling point once more a few moments later when stand-in Voloshyn discovered the net, yelling and hurling his pen throughout the studio.

Even though Boyd’s response after the game was more reserved, he was still perplexed by the man in the middle’s choice. “It’s beyond me how it is given as a second yellow card,” he continued. The player from Dyanmo Kyiv falls to the side, and the referee sees it and gives him a yellow card.

“I understand that VAR does not allow you to check a second yellow card, but this situation is appallingly bad.” However, you need to get over that and move on. After that, Rangers had a few more opportunities, but it seemed like they could have played all night without scoring. Dynamo scored two goals after hitting them on the counterattack.”

Big match verdict: empty seats at Hampden indicate apathy on the part of Rangers fans, and things have just gotten much worse

The city did not experience the Ibrox atmosphere as the Light Blues were eliminated from the Champions League.

a sound barrier. When Dynamo Kyiv last visited Glasgow to play Rangers, that’s what they encountered. The Ibrox punters who were there probably still have it ringing in their ears almost forty years later.

The sound was overwhelming. And generally acknowledged as one of the best stadium atmospheres ever experienced, if not THE best. It’s unbeatable for devotees of a particular vintage. The triumph over RB Leipzig on the way to the Europa League Final two years ago will be cited by the younger generation. Or the legendary victory over Parma in 1999, when big Tony Vidmar had the crowd in stitches.

However, no. When asked about the loudest roar they have ever heard while watching Rangers, many people will cite Dynamo Kyiv on September 30, 1987. That night, there were astonishingly just 44,500 in the ground. The guests, however, were unable to hear themselves think. Neither could Graeme Souness or his team in a thrilling second-leg European Cup match.

The audience contributed in that way. Against all the odds, the Rangers defeated the Dynamo team, winning 2-1 overall. Keep in mind, that team was full of USSR superstars. It was therefore hard to avoid drawing comparisons when they appeared in Glasgow’s south side last night. Here in the main stand stood Alexei Mickhailichenko, who had played for both clubs as well as Dynamo in the past.

But there’s no denying that things have changed. To begin with, the Rangers aren’t actually at Ibrox. Furthermore, the atmosphere of the recollections of ’87 was always going to be in stark contrast. Last night, Hampden was not even half full. Their brief, pre-season jaunt was bound to turn off some fans. Not to mention the customary expenses.

But what was really noticeable was how many seats were empty in the old Celtic end. Does it go beyond that? Is this fan base becoming more and more apathetic? Who can blame them if there is, considering the Ibrox debacle, a lack of transfer funds, a glaringly unbalanced and untalented squad, and an overall lack of clarity regarding the club’s true direction?

And what about last night’s noise? It never came close to matching the volume of Kyiv’s previous visit here. The teams did not make the sound of an aeroplane taking off when they came out of the Hampden tunnel. The muted cheers of the fans were drowned out by Simply the Best. In contrast to 1987, the players were responsible for igniting the crowd rather than the other way around.

There was a quiet hush over Hampden after the opening song from the home end. The players could be heard yelling at one another. Barely a second passed thirty-seven years ago without a clatter of some kind.

Even now, when you see Mark Falco score the first goal by taking advantage of a mistake made by the Kyiv keeper, you’ll get a tingling sensation in the back of your neck. And the roof fell when Ally McCoist met a cross from Trevor Francis at the Copland Road end, tricking and confusing the goalie with his header. Very tingling in the spine.

One more recollection from that Dynamo match is Souness’s fly strategies prior to the ball being kicked. Recall how he told his ground crew to close in the lines and narrow the Ibrox pitch in an effort to neutralise Kyiv’s dangerous wingers?

The way the Rangers used that move to exhaust their opponents was quite effective. Strangely enough, last night the punters were clamouring for Vaclav Cerny, the Czech wide player, to provide them some width. However, the atmosphere was further deflated when Philippe Clement chose to start him on the bench. Gers’ doctors reportedly told the Belgian that there would be too great a risk.

Rangers’ Jefte rues a missed chance

If that’s the case, though, how come Cerny, who had been tearing Motherwell to pieces over the weekend, was fired after just 55 minutes? To the delight of the home support, he was eventually introduced at halftime.

And after Jefte’s absurdly harsh red card, they finally raised their voices and stood up in 53 minutes, expressing their sheer frustration and defiance. They stood up once more after James Tavernier won a corner, and Clement motioned for them to stand up with his arms.

They were definitely needed by their team. However, they were unable to stop Dynamo from scoring twice in the latter stages of the game to send Rangers reeling. The farewell had a significant effect. However, in the clear, their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League have been dashed before the play-off phase.

The mood was set in 1987 when Souness and his team believed they could win the European Cup heading into their match against Kyiv. It was an optimistic support for the Rangers. Now? Simply put, that is untrue. Actually, it’s the exact opposite. The events of this summer at Ibrox have only added to the pessimism of the punters. And the outcome from last night made it much worse.