On February 14 Rangers’ season suddenly became about survival rather the perpetual pursuit of success. Fans, players and management had to recalibrate expectations and football matters quickly receded as financial concerns took precedence. The entry of a consortium, fronted by former Sheffield United Chief Executive Charles Green, has led to a sense of cautious optimism that a positive resolution may be close. While it is difficult to measure precisely, it is reasonable to assume that the off-field uncertainty has had a negative impact on the performances of the team.
The players have taken a wage cut and manager Ally McCoist has had to devote more time than he would like to things he had no wish to know about. Despite this, Rangers finished the season strongly, scoring 12 goals without reply against fellow top 6 clubs Hearts, St Johnstone and Dundee United. Despite a 10-point deduction they finished a comfortable 11 points ahead of Motherwell. They also recorded a notable victory over Celtic back in March, one which prevented their rivals winning the league at Ibrox. This salvaged little more than prestige but that is a precious commodity in a rivalry a fierce as that which exists between Rangers and Celtic-particularly when one of the teams is enduring an insolvency event.
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Truth be told, Rangers had been stumbling through a far from vintage season prior to entering administration. Despite going unbeaten for 13 games from July through October, they suffered a poor November and December which saw the team drop points against St Johnstone, Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Celtic. The apparent league invulnerability prior to that had been punctured by embarrassing defeats in two European competitions and the League Cup. Trying to critically assess the overall performance of the team under McCoist seems churlish given their collective sacrifices and redundant given the uncertainty about how many of the current squad will remain at Ibrox. Why try and identify areas of improvement when the team may be radically altered come the start of next season? It seems more appropriate to single out players for praise, especially if they have reminded fans of the purer elements of football that have been obscured by the nonsense of corporate mismanagement.
A season of darkness has made Sone Aluko seem all the brighter. The former Birmingham City player and Nigerian international joined Rangers in November after contributing towards a £150,000 compensation payment to Aberdeen. Aluko is out of contract in the summer but there is the option to take up a two year extension. The uncertainty about the club’s future makes it difficult to predict whether or not this will be exercised but it seems safe to assume that most Rangers fans and manager Ally McCoist would want his services to be retained. His performances have merited a high level of appreciation and his attributes have evoked fond memories of a time when the Ibrox crowds could enjoy more regular displays of virtuoso talent.
The fact that Rangers teams in recent years have largely been characterised by collective endeavour at the expense of the game changing individuals makes Aluko stand out by comparison. This is not to say that Rangers haven’t had quality in their team in recent years: Allan McGregor, Nikica Jelavic, Steven Davis and Steven Naismith are all outstanding players in their own right. But Aluko has the ability to run at players and beat them. This remains one of the most exciting things in football despite, or maybe because of, the impression that it seems to be a declining part of the British game.
He is also lethal from set-pieces and has already scored a number of memorable goals-as testified to by his 3 entries on the shortlist for Rangers’ goal of the season. Aluko seems keen to stay at Rangers despite the off-field problems and the rumours that Rayo Vallecano wanted to take him to Spain. The fans will be hoping that McCoist is allowed to use his considerable charm in an attempt to make Aluko extend his stay in Govan.
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He has been arguably Rangers best player over the whole season & without doubt Ally’s only good signing. He is in a position he can get a bigger club to go to than before he went to Ibrox or hold gers to ransom for more than he’d normally earn due to the transfer embargo.
Well-written article. Totally agree with all your comments .. Aluko did struggle a bit earlier on in his career with the Gers, but has definitely bounced back and will be worth a igher price tag. That goal at Ibrox .v. Celtic was a stunner.
Thanks for the comments. I think McCoist made at least two more decent signings in Bocanegra and arguably Wallace. Had my doubts about Wallace for some time and he didn’t distinguish himself during first half of season but he has really come on over past few months. I hope we manage to hold on to Aluko, he is a game changer and we haven’t has many of them at Ibrox recently.