Manchester takes a deep breath on Tuesday night and welcomes Rangers to Old Trafford hoping the Scottish hordes leave Piccadilly in a better state than on the club’s last visit when 150,000 supporters arrived for the 2008 UEFA Cup Final. Fewer than 4,000 will make the trip south this week for the Champions League group tie.
Scottish champions Rangers arrive having survived two years of financial problems that restricted manager Walter Smith’s spending and precipitated the departures of key players to England over the summer.
But having steered Rangers into the Champions League group stages for a second successive season former United assistant manager Smith can finally see light at the end of this tunnel. Indeed, Rangers have begun the new season with four Scottish Premier League victories on the run.
“Rangers have seen a number of players leave this summer, including top scorer Kris Boyd and midfielder Kevin Thomson,” says Andrew Muirhead, editor of Scottish football website, Scotzine.
“While they have a huge debt, two seasons of automatic qualification has seen the bank loosen the purse strings to bring in a couple of players.
“Rangers have struggled in the games they played so far this season, bar the game against Hibernian. Last Saturday they struggled to beat St. Johnstone, needing a controversial winner to take all three points.”
The Gers also beat Hamilton Academicals 2-1 at the weekend, although the side’s away form is a concern.
While top-scorer Boyd packed his bags for Championship side Middlesbrough over the summer and teenage defender Danny Wilson joined Liverpool, Smith can still call on the bulk of a Rangers squad that has eased to the Scottish title over the past two seasons.
In Steven Davis, James Beattie, Madjid Bougherra and Kenny Miller, Rangers has a core group players with significant Premier League experience. However, the much heralded John Fleck, once dubbed the “Scottish Wayne Rooney,” finds himself on the sidelines.
“Bougherra shackled Rooney in the World Cup in England’s game against Algeria. While Davis has Premier League experience with Fulham and Aston Villa,” adds Muirhead.
“Up front Kenny Miller is the man to watch as manager Walter Smith will likely play a 4-5-1 formation in Europe.
“Fleck was hyped up too much by the media north of the border. He is a good young player, but off the field issues have knocked him down a peg or two. The loan signing of Vladimir Weiss will see his chances limited even more.”
Qualifying from the group remains an outside bet for Rangers though, who finished last in 2009/10 and failed to drop into the Europa League. As a minimum Smith’s side will aim to beat Bursaspor to third place. After all, while Turkish club football is in the ascendency, Bursaspor will play its first season in Europe’s premier competition.
“If we can compete this season against Valencia and Bursaspor for second spot we are doing well,” says James Grant of Rangers Media.
“The biggest problem our club has is the lack of television revenue that allows a small club in Premier League club, such as Stoke, to offer £10 million for players.
“But if this side stays free from injuries it is better than the one you faced seven years ago.”
Rangers performance is also significant for Scottish football overall, with the club the sole representative in European football this season. Such is the paucity of performances north of the border that it is inevitable the country’s co-efficient will fall and places in the Europa and Champions Leagues will be lost.
“Scottish Football needs a boost,” adds Muirhead.
“However the damage has already been done with Hibernian, Dundee United, Motherwell and Celtic being knocked out of Europe.
“The co-efficient will drop no matter what Rangers do this season and in reality I doubt they will do much.”
But even if disappointment for Rangers is the outcome on Tuesday night Manchester is unlikely to see a repeat of rioting visiting fans. After all, Scottish football has largely enjoyed a reputation for peaceful travelling support. The UEFA Cup final aside.
The biggest concern, says Muirhead, is whether the Greater Manchester Police will take a hard-line on Rangers fans after the 2008 final – especially those fuelled with alcohol.
Indeed, while Rangers and United supporters have rarely shared the relationship held between Celtic and Ferguson’s side there are enough mutual connections to make sure the evening ends well.
Not that Rangers fans have lost any love for Scotland’s greatest manager, who played for the club between 1967 and 1969.
“Most Rangers fans have no affinity with Manchester United,” adds Grant.
“Sir Alex, although a player and a Rangers fan, will be remembered as Aberdeen’s manager when they challenged the Old Firm’s dominance of football in Scotland.
“And as they say in Glasgow, he’s ‘a greetin faced b*stard'”
To the Sassenachs south of the border it’s an acceptable jibe – so long as United win of course.
—
Ed was speaking to Andrew Muirhead of Scotzine and James Grant of Rangers Media.
Rangers Huge debt 20 million pounds.Fuck you Jimmie, or mair likely Fuck you Malcolm.
Watch out for the loan lad they got from Citeh. VLadimir Weiss.
Forty old Davie Weir should have a tough time up against a “rested ” Wayne and hopefully Chicharito later in the game, to use his Usain Bolt speed.
Cmon you Reds. Its Gonna be pure dead brilliant.
Stopped reading after you named Andy Bhoy at Scotzine as your source, a guy who I would describe as a Sellick fan if it were not for the fact that “rangers hater” fits better.
Oh well, i’m sure he reported us in a good light (that’s sarcasm BTW)
Bill – He’s perfectly reasonable and fair but why let your own hate get in the way, hey?
John Fleck, not Robert!
@Bill I think everybody likes to put a few Red Herrings in there posts just to see if you are paying attention.Eh. lol
John is the nephew of Robert its a very close intimate little Club.
Not suggesting they like to keep it in the family or nought. lol
Yep might be there to keep us on our toes!
Nope – just had Robert in my mind and I couldn’t get him out. Even typed up the quites as Robert too. Duh.
Rangers will shock the Reds tonight and maybe take them down a peg or two !!!! 6,000 are travelling but they are true fans, any trouble will be from the internet with firms away from the ground and we will get the blame – I hope not but I have heard a few rumours !
David Wilson not Steve mate
no I am winding you up he is called Danny Wislon – he is only 18 and came through the Murray centre – played only 25 or so first team games and went to Liverpool for 3 million – bad move when he could have stayed and got the best training in Britain at Murray Park and more games to improve ! eejit !
A OPEN QUESTION ARE THEY GETTING THERE Innoculations at Wigan, As a precaution for Wigan and Manchester.
I BET they bring some Tartan and sheep.
Plus knowing Glesga fowk a wee trip over to the lights at Blackpool. Fantastic. Most of the them aint seen daylight for years centuries even.
Cmon you Reds
C’MON YOU REDS PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE TAKE SEVEN OFF THAT HORRIBLE LOT AND GIVE US THE BIGGEST LAUGH EVER. THEY DESERVRE IT FOR THEIR BEHAVIOUR THE LAST TIME. HAIL HAIL
I really hope we take your cocky fans right down to earth – we will shock you tonight and that is a promise – We will also be singing win,loose or draw but no fights – thats the ICF and they will be getting watched by the Polis !
Dominic,
I get the feeling some of you Rangers-haters would love a repeat of the scenes at the UEFA final just so you could say “I told you so”
Please keep in mind 99.9% of fans who travelled were not involved in any trouble in Manchester.Also,Rangers fans had no trouble inside the ground.
They might have got drunk and left a mess but then that’s no big deal for football events is it?
manchester made £25million from UEFA Cup final.less than £1million to clear it up.
scot_ger – Source? Also I’ve deleted your other post with the offensive reference. What is it with biggots – just can’t give it up can you? Listing the banned followfollow as a link. An embarrassment to your club.
scot-ger – did Rangers compensate the businesses that got trashed? No. What a bullshit argument – money is no excuse for going on the riot.
ABSOLOUTE GARBAGE MATE – the fans travelling are the hrad core and no trouble will come from them – they may sing all game long something you lads are not used to but any trouble will beaway from the ground from firms that are not connected to Rangers !
I think there are two Bills posting here – mine comments are the constructive ones!
Bill – get yourself a gravatar from gravatar.com or a Twitter account and then you’ll have a regular picture up here 🙂
We have a great chance tonight – Scholes as a sitting mid – Davis will take him and no doubt Scholes will get booked as he cant tackle – Fletcher will have his work cut out against big Lee and Bougherra will put Rooney in his back pocket !
We must keep things tight and on the break we have pace with Weiss, Naismith and Miller – they will make at least 2 or 3 chances and Miller must be on the ball – 1-1 I will predict and shut you cocky Reds right up – the Bears are coming ! and the estimated 6,000 will travel !
Will do!