The Old Firm Thread

[AJ]

Yeah, congrats to Rangers.

Feel a bit sorry for the people of Manchester though

[Bell End]

A true embarassment on European football that such negative tactics can prove so effective. Perhaps one of the worst technical sides to grace a european final. Never seen the game was at work so cant comment but from all accounts scotlands shame pretty much parked the team bus on the goal line and had no attacking threat whatsoever. Were playing for pens after the 60th minute, bit of a farce if thats the type of football which is successful.

You know what, we all know Zenit have the quality to win this competition, remember watching their away game v Leverkusen and some of the football they play was frightening, but I aint gonna say the huns will get humped because frankly they should have been humped by their last three opponents and yet somehow have managed to undersevedly scrape their way through. Please God dont let them win it.

(Is it that obvious I'm bitter??)

[steveadam23]

Originally Posted by Bell_1988

A true embarassment on European football that such negative tactics can prove so effective. Perhaps one of the worst technical sides to grace a european final. Never seen the game was at work so cant comment but from all accounts scotlands shame pretty much parked the team bus on the goal line and had no attacking threat whatsoever. Were playing for pens after the 60th minute, bit of a farce if thats the type of football which is successful.

You know what, we all know Zenit have the quality to win this competition, remember watching their away game v Leverkusen and some of the football they play was frightening, but I aint gonna say the huns will get humped because frankly they should have been humped by their last three opponents and yet somehow have managed to undersevedly scrape their way through. Please God dont let them win it.

(Is it that obvious I'm bitter??)

What's the problem??? Professional football is all about results and we certainly get them. Doesnt matter how you get them - yes its not pretty, but it is effective. Maybe you should look at tonights performance as a mesterclass of defending. Fiorentina respected Rangers counter-attacking abilities, so didn't put too many people forward eliminating our chances going forward. On the flip side though, how many saves did Alexander have to make? Not many I can remember of, however, that was partly down to possibly the best defender in Europe, Cuellar was immense once again.

What you call negative football is actually a result of long hours on the training pitch and is testiment to the coaching staff at Rangers. We know we cant compete technically with Bremen/Lisbon or Fiorentina so why try? Our tactics have been spot on - and we rightly deserve to be in the final.

Would be nice to see some support from the other side, but I suspect you are more bothered about how poor you have been this season than celebrate Scottish football being at the forefront of European football. Which makes it even sweeter, seeing that you lot are gonna end up empty handed this season. This win tonight will carry us forward to at least a domestic treble - maybe even the UEFA cup and the perfect season.

Steve.

[R & R]

Originally Posted by Bell_1988

A true embarassment on European football that such negative tactics can prove so effective. Perhaps one of the worst technical sides to grace a european final. Never seen the game was at work so cant comment but from all accounts scotlands shame pretty much parked the team bus on the goal line and had no attacking threat whatsoever. Were playing for pens after the 60th minute, bit of a farce if thats the type of football which is successful.

You know what, we all know Zenit have the quality to win this competition, remember watching their away game v Leverkusen and some of the football they play was frightening, but I aint gonna say the huns will get humped because frankly they should have been humped by their last three opponents and yet somehow have managed to undersevedly scrape their way through. Please God dont let them win it.

(Is it that obvious I'm bitter??)

: rollin

[Bell End]

How great would it be after all this build up, scotlands shame still manage to blow it. Only end up with the diddy CIS cup, it could still happen. Now that would really be something to : rollin about. May even justify a few or

[kevshat]

Walter Smith has got to be right up there in terms of managers in the world these days surely. What he did with Scotland and now Rangers is absolutely incredible. Enjoy your night in Manchester chaps and make it a British double in Europe this season .

[Bell End]

Originally Posted by steveadam23

What's the problem??? Professional football is all about results and we certainly get them. Doesnt matter how you get them - yes its not pretty, but it is effective. Maybe you should look at tonights performance as a mesterclass of defending. Fiorentina respected Rangers counter-attacking abilities, so didn't put too many people forward eliminating our chances going forward. On the flip side though, how many saves did Alexander have to make? Not many I can remember of, however, that was partly down to possibly the best defender in Europe, Cuellar was immense once again.

What you call negative football is actually a result of long hours on the training pitch and is testiment to the coaching staff at Rangers. We know we cant compete technically with Bremen/Lisbon or Fiorentina so why try? Our tactics have been spot on - and we rightly deserve to be in the final.

Would be nice to see some support from the other side, but I suspect you are more bothered about how poor you have been this season than celebrate Scottish football being at the forefront of European football. Which makes it even sweeter, seeing that you lot are gonna end up empty handed this season. This win tonight will carry us forward to at least a domestic treble - maybe even the UEFA cup and the perfect season.

Steve.

Never seen the game like I said so cant really comment on it, was working so only caught the pens but from all accounts (celtic and rangers fans I'll add) rangers were outplayed for 120 minutes and it was clear from quite a long way from the end the only way Rangers were going to scrape their way to the final was on pens. A final should be a showpiece event, where we see some great football from both sides. Tonights result has put paid to that idea. I think the majority of Europe after 20 moniutes of the final will be willing on the attacking side in Zenit, if they play anything close to what they did v leverkusen then they should win. Again without seeing the game ao not 100% sure but I think it'll be safe to guess that Fiorentina dominated possession but made the mistake of trying to play high balls into the Rangers defence, something which weir and ugly betty have mopped up all season. Zenit dont play like that, they use their pace to drive through teams and have more creativity than any team Rangers have played this season, but I've written off Rangers too manytimes this season yet somehow they've bn jammy enough to scrape through so wont totally write them off again. I bet Watty has them practicing pens as soon as the get back to Murray Park, only chance they'll have of winning this thing.

Still a lot of work to do yet to get your domestic treble, i think that all boils down to Sunday, hopefully the tired and fatigued legs will give way and Hibs can at least get a point. All kidding aside, if Rangers drop points on Sunday, I think Celtic will nick the league, if they win at Easter Road its game over, even depite all their fixtures I cant see them not winning 4 out of the remaining 5 to win the league. This sunday is the big one.

[Bell End]

Originally Posted by kevshat

Walter Smith has got to be right up there in terms of managers in the world these days surely. What he did with Scotland and now Rangers is absolutely incredible. Enjoy your night in Manchester chaps and make it a British double in Europe this season .

No arguements there. Smith did a sensational job with Scotland. Made us organised, hard to beat and now he's done the same thign with Rangers. Despite the shit looking football, what he has done in his career is some achievement.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by kevshat

Walter Smith has got to be right up there in terms of managers in the world these days surely. What he did with Scotland and now Rangers is absolutely incredible. Enjoy your night in Manchester chaps and make it a British double in Europe this season .

100% agree Kev, utterly brilliant, for the gers to have come past Lisbon, La Viola and Werder is brilliant, no one can argue what that all.

Well done to the gers and I'll be there in manchester to cheer you on over Zenit.....up the Huns!

[theboybroon]

Originally Posted by kevshat

Walter Smith has got to be right up there in terms of managers in the world these days surely. What he did with Scotland and now Rangers is absolutely incredible. Enjoy your night in Manchester chaps and make it a British double in Europe this season .

Walter smith, Ally mcoist and Barry ferguson sit before god and he questions there belief. Barry says "being loyal and honest" and god sits him down. Mcoist goes up and and says "i believe in courage, honour and passion on the pitch" to which god thanks him and sits him down. As Walter steps up he asks "and what do you believe in my son" to which walter replies "i believe you are sitting in my seat".


As a great manager once said "the difference between players is not always their quality but their mentality"

WELL DONE SCOTLANDS No 1:cla p

[theboybroon]

Tell all the tims you know,
That were manchester bound and your no,
We'll be havin such fun,
In the rovers return,
While your signin that strachan must go.

[davidmphill]

Congrats to the Gers, hope they win it now.
Wally Smith is a very impressive manager.

[AJ]

Talk about bitter......

Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli said Rangers did not deserve to reach the Uefa Cup final.

"We have to accept it," he said after his side were knocked out on penalties. "It has been a beautiful night and it could have ended better for us.
"I have to thank my players, who kept on fighting until the last minute. "A team that has renounced to play has won, football is like this. Football sometimes awards teams that don't deserve it."

[R & R]

Originally Posted by Bell_1988

Never seen the game like I said so cant really comment on it, was working so only caught the pens but from all accounts (celtic and rangers fans I'll add) rangers were outplayed for 120 minutes and it was clear from quite a long way from the end the only way Rangers were going to scrape their way to the final was on pens. A final should be a showpiece event, where we see some great football from both sides. Tonights result has put paid to that idea. I think the majority of Europe after 20 moniutes of the final will be willing on the attacking side in Zenit, if they play anything close to what they did v leverkusen then they should win. Again without seeing the game ao not 100% sure but I think it'll be safe to guess that Fiorentina dominated possession but made the mistake of trying to play high balls into the Rangers defence, something which weir and ugly betty have mopped up all season. Zenit dont play like that, they use their pace to drive through teams and have more creativity than any team Rangers have played this season, but I've written off Rangers too manytimes this season yet somehow they've bn jammy enough to scrape through so wont totally write them off again. I bet Watty has them practicing pens as soon as the get back to Murray Park, only chance they'll have of winning this thing.

Still a lot of work to do yet to get your domestic treble, i think that all boils down to Sunday, hopefully the tired and fatigued legs will give way and Hibs can at least get a point. All kidding aside, if Rangers drop points on Sunday, I think Celtic will nick the league, if they win at Easter Road its game over, even depite all their fixtures I cant see them not winning 4 out of the remaining 5 to win the league. This sunday is the big one.

This is eating away at you and absolutely killing you isnt it??

How many time are you going to say undeserved, lucky, uattractive football etc...??? Rangers have destroyed the "Beautiful Game" etc.... The UEFA cu will not hold the same value this seaon, as a team playing "negatively" might win it.

I personally feel you have let your own bittereness cloud your judgement. I personally like to look @ Rangers European Success story this season as a triumph of Hard Work, Spirit, Team Performance, Man Management, Tactial Awareness and A Dogged, Dogged Never Say Die Attitude.

We did have chances to nick the game last night, so it wasnt COMPLETELY La Viola..... and in actual fact, I only really remember Alexander making one save of note.....

Red Star Belgrade 1-1 draw away 0-0 home
Stuttgart 2-1 win home 2-3 away
Lyon 3-0 win away 0-3 away
Barcelona 0-0 home 0-2 away
Werder Bremen 2-0 home 0-1 away
Panathanaikos 0-0 home 1-1 away
Sporting 0-0 home 2-0 win away
Fiorentina 0-0 home and away

Our results in Europe this season, particularly away from home, make very impressive reading....... cant all be down to luck...

[AJ]

In all fairness to the "bitter mob" on here, I do remember seeing a fair few Porto tops around in Glasgow when Celtic made the Uefa cup final in 2002.

Our Hunnish friends haven't always been great at signing up to supporting the Scottish team in europe. However It's their turn to gloat, I remember all the Celtic fans at Ibrox wearing police hats, before the uefa cup final. "We'll be in Seville whilst you're watching the bill..... etc etc

It's a full 25 years since a Scottish team won a European trophy, be nice if Rangers could bring this one home.

[R & R]

Originally Posted by AJ

In all fairness to the "bitter mob" on here, I do remember seeing a fair few Porto tops around in Glasgow when Celtic made the Uefa cup final in 2002.

Our Hunnish friends haven't always been great at signing up to supporting the Scottish team in europe. However It's their turn to gloat, I remember all the Celtic fans at Ibrox wearing police hats, before the uefa cup final. "We'll be in Seville whilst you're watching the bill..... etc etc

It's a full 25 years since a Scottish team won a European trophy, be nice if Rangers could bring this one home.

I remember the banners afterwards as well

"We were watching the bill whilst you were getting humped in Seville"

[QuietLife]

"this team was built on character and discipline"

its funny that the more drivel that was written on this thread about rangers' chances, the more confident i got. when the italian coaches started whingeing i knew we had them rattled.

Oasis - you make this thread worth reading, have a good life you child.

all i need now is a ticket and a qantas flight.

[WASP]

Well done Rangers

I've just managed to snaffle an all expenses paid hospitality seat for the final

[Bell End]

Originally Posted by AJ

In all fairness to the "bitter mob" on here, I do remember seeing a fair few Porto tops around in Glasgow when Celtic made the Uefa cup final in 2002.

Our Hunnish friends haven't always been great at signing up to supporting the Scottish team in europe. However It's their turn to gloat, I remember all the Celtic fans at Ibrox wearing police hats, before the uefa cup final. "We'll be in Seville whilst you're watching the bill..... etc etc

It's a full 25 years since a Scottish team won a European trophy, be nice if Rangers could bring this one home.

Best one of all was the famous "Beachball Sunday" after we made it to the UEFA cup final. The huns will never match that. I've never hid my attitude towards Rangers in Europe, I want them to do well to boost the Scottish co-effiecient that is until celtic get knocked out. Once that happens I want them knocked out asap. Personally I dont see much wrong in that.

Look we all know Rangers technically are pish but can defend well are well structured and hard to break down. Thats the only reason they are in the position they are. We've all seen what happens when they actually come out and have a go, they lost 5 goals in their last 2 domestic games trying this new tactic. Here's hoping Zenit can get a victory for "The Beautiful Game"

[Bell End]

Originally Posted by R & R

This is eating away at you and absolutely killing you isnt it??

How many time are you going to say undeserved, lucky, uattractive football etc...??? Rangers have destroyed the "Beautiful Game" etc.... The UEFA cu will not hold the same value this seaon, as a team playing "negatively" might win it.

I personally feel you have let your own bittereness cloud your judgement. I personally like to look @ Rangers European Success story this season as a triumph of Hard Work, Spirit, Team Performance, Man Management, Tactial Awareness and A Dogged, Dogged Never Say Die Attitude.

We did have chances to nick the game last night, so it wasnt COMPLETELY La Viola..... and in actual fact, I only really remember Alexander making one save of note.....

Red Star Belgrade 1-1 draw away 0-0 home
Stuttgart 2-1 win home 2-3 away
Lyon 3-0 win away 0-3 away
Barcelona 0-0 home 0-2 away
Werder Bremen 2-0 home 0-1 away
Panathanaikos 0-0 home 1-1 away
Sporting 0-0 home 2-0 win away
Fiorentina 0-0 home and away

Our results in Europe this season, particularly away from home, make very impressive reading....... cant all be down to luck...

Eh is this the away record which stands at 2 win 3 draws and 4 losses??? Yeah real impressive. Lost nearly 50% of your away matches. Our away record incidentally on the way to seville was 4 wins 0 draws and 2 losses. Which one would you say was more impressive?? I dont think my bitterness is clouding my judgement. In my honest opinion the only tie you deserved to go through was against Sporting. Sensational away performance that night, much like our Anfield on our way to Seville (although it must be said we had a far superior side in the final to what your mob will put out, and I think that Liverpool team were far superior to the Sporting side you knocked out but I hope you can see the point I'm making). I think every other tie you have had a huge slice of luck to make it through, Panathinaikos late goal after Panathinaikos missed a sitter. Bremen keeper sells the 2 goals. Last night penalties. Now come on I'm being realistic, you must be letting the euphoria of last night cloud your judgement if you cant see you've carried more than your fair slice of luck to reach the final. We made it to the UEFA final by playing FOOTBALL, not by parking the team bus on the goal line.

Heres hoping your luck runs out soon, starting this sunday.