Rangers and the paradox of a painful exit that boosts their trophy chances
All new managers want to hit the ground running. But landing with a dull thud has never been a barrier to future glory, certainly not at Ibrox. Take Graeme Souness, whose start as Rangers’ player-manager put the ‘pish’ in ‘inauspicious’. On his league debut, away to Hibs, he was sent off in the first half after a revenge attack on the wrong mullet. Rangers lost 2-1 and were beaten in the third game as well. Graeme out! Rangers won the League Cup and finished the season as champions for the first time in nine years.When I reflect on the lack of support for my very reasonable case from 1,057 people (Football Daily letters passim), I find consolation in the fact that I won letter o’the day, and none of them did. The Football Daily merch, when it arrives, will have pride of place in the trophy room at Cushion Towers” – Bob Cushion.So Arsenal are looking to spend €30m on Ezri Konsa as defensive cover. Meanwhile, the club I support, Exeter City, don’t have two brass farthings to rub together (ask your dad). Something wrong here” – Dave Hill.I will admit to the occasional snigger, but today was the first time in a long time that I’ve actually laughed out loud at a joke in the Fiver – the one about Portugal and Euro 2028. It was a joke, wasn’t it?” – Bill Muskett.That 6ft 4in striker Brian Madjo has a very high ceiling is the most common sense, practical thing about modern football I’ve read in a long time” – Peter Oh. Continue reading...
