There’s a point that keeps getting lost in these debates about who you’d pick, who’s the best option, or who looks the part in the league. Ability is great. Potential is lovely. But at Rangers, none of that counts for much until it’s actually shown in our team.
I’m not even saying a player doesn’t have it. Quite the opposite, plenty of them do. The issue is we’ve watched far too many lads arrive with a decent reputation, a highlight reel, or a handful of good games behind them, then struggle the minute they’re asked to deliver under the Ibrox spotlight.
“Good player” isn’t the same as “Rangers player”
Scottish football can chew you up if you don’t settle quickly. The tempo is different, the pitches can be different, and the physical side of it is relentless. But it’s not even just the league. It’s Rangers.
You’re expected to win most weeks. You’re expected to break teams down when they sit in. You’re expected to handle the noise after one bad half of football. That pressure changes things. Some players thrive in it. Others freeze.
That’s why I’m always wary when folk talk about ability like it’s a guarantee. It isn’t. If a superstar name turned up, I’d still want to see them do it here first. Sounds stubborn, but it’s really just the lesson Rangers fans have learned the hard way.
Match fitness matters more than people admit
There’s also the reality of match sharpness. If someone isn’t match fit, you’re not getting the full version of them straight away. You might see flashes, maybe a nice touch, a clever pass, the odd sprint, but the consistency won’t be there until the legs are.
And in this environment, supporters don’t always have the patience for “give him a few weeks”. That’s not being harsh, it’s just how it is when every dropped point becomes a crisis.
It’s debate, not a dig
The other part of this is simple: these picks and choices are meant to be a bit of fun. If someone else wants to choose a player based on what they’ve done in the league, fair enough. It’s a valid way to look at it.
My brain just goes the other way. I want to see it in a Rangers context, in our system, with our demands, and in our colours, before I’m fully convinced. That doesn’t mean I’m having a go at anyone for picking differently. It’s just the mindset I’ve ended up with after watching too many “can’t miss” players miss.
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Rangers News Views offers daily Glasgow Rangers coverage including match reaction, transfer analysis, SPFL context, tactical breakdowns and opinion-led articles written by supporters for supporters.
