Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

In June 2015, Rangers FC announce Mark Warburton as their new manager.   

I must admit at first I was fairly pessimistic. Ex Brentford manager didn’t really sound the most promising at the time. I kept on hearing about how he worked wonders on Brentford and almost got them into the Premier League but flukes do happen.
The first sign that he had his head screwed on was the fact he signed Danny Wilson. To lure Wilson Hearts, especially after the previous season (as our main rivals) would take either hypnosis or one bloody good plan. 

 
The 3 year plan was then mentioned to the media and the reception from Rangers players regarding the plan was certainly promising. At an outlay of circa £700k , Warburton proceeded to sign James Tavernier, Andy Halliday, Martyn Waghorn, Jason Holt, Wes Foderingham, Jordan Thompson and Rob Keirnan.
Another 7 promising signings who were much better quality than any other players at Ibrox over the past three years.
  

After a carefully crafted pre-season , the first game approached against Burnley in a friendly at Ibrox. I attended this game and the first thirty minutes of the game were utterly amazing. Tika taka I believe is what the Spanish call it. That’s right! SPANISH FOOTBALL AT IBROX!!! We did however lose 1-0 yet there was many positives to take in that game. For the first time in God knows how long it seemed like Pep Guardiola was in charge of the team rather than Sam Allardyce.
The patience. The composure. The determination. 

A breath of fresh air to say the least.
Wilson and Keirnan were solid at the back. Wes seemed to know what he was doing yet seemed a bit nervous. Holt and Halliday bossed the midfield, a perfect replacement for Law and Black in my opinion. Waghorn however seemed a bit complacent and lacked enthusiasm, similar to Boyd last season. And finally Lord Tavernier showed the potential to be the most gorgeous sight I have ever seen at Ibrox.
A proper no 2. No more Foster, what a time to be alive.  

Finally the introduction of McKay after his previous loan deal out of the club gave me confidence that youth still has a place and that it all maybe good again, sooner than anticipated. This seasons average team age is now 24.4. I don’t think we had anyone 24 years old in our team last year?

Since the 4-0 win against East Fife when McKay made his debut. I’ve said he should start. Throughout the journey the tactic seemed to be that youngsters would be welcome for half a season and then they’re as good as non existent. At long last he’s returned and I definitely feel he’s proved me right, his first touch is perfect almost every time, he possesses pace and still improving.
I reckon he could’ve been as good, if not better, as Lewis Macleod. Another sign that we are back! Lest we forget. 

 
First competitive game was against Club Club.
One word, FITNESS. 

The Ramsfrac Cup has been fairly cruel to us previously and I was excited to watch us play a team that isn’t 6″5 Burnley with the Warburton mentally.
We went 1-0 down early to Club Club from a Foderingham mistake. He received quite a lot of stick for that which was unfair considering he’s a 24 year old keeper and considering the play that we’ve adapted, sloppy goals conceded are inevitable.
Around the 40th minute Hibs give away a free kick.
Up steps Lord Tavernier and my dog starts to go mental, jokingly I say to myself that my dog has superhuman (or dog) powers and can predict a goal but I dismiss this unrealistic optimism.
I forgot that this was the Warburton era.
What a strike! To bend it in from so close to the box? He must be a magician!  

5 minutes later? 5″4 Holt shrugs off Hibs jolly green giant centre back and slips a ball into Waghorn who scores. Last year we would’ve not even imagined having the heart to equalise but to then score another? Unheard of!  

Straight after the interval we’re at it again, Wallace plays a gorgeous ball to Waghorn who gets lucky with an Oaxley deflection. 

 
And then it begins. 

FITNESS. 

Another 3 goals including one spectacular Halliday shot shows Hibs can’t keep up. After 70 minutes of making the ball do the work and watching Hibs chase the game shows that we are just too good.
It’s a long time overdue but most welcome. 

 
Finally Peterhead. 

A game of domination in which we won 3-0 and Peterhead didn’t even get a single shot on target. Finishing was poor. Final pass needs some work during these triple training sessions surely? Brilliant to see Tavernier score again however.  

In my opinion, fans need to remain patient and don’t take anything for granted (no matter how hard that may be). Mistakes will come with the way we play especially in defence but as I said, patience , triple training sessions , match time and Warburton will sort it.
As for Warburton, I’m no longer pessimistic, infact, I can’t wait.
Over the past three years I’ve been the one that’s kept me and my old man from leaving games early, we’ve applauded teams who have outplayed us in the leagues below and now, Warburton is the one who’s making me restore faith in football at Ibrox.

Bring on St Mirren, bring on this league, bring on the football. WATP
(Don’t forget to wear your retro kit for St Mirren)

Twitter – @AnonymousGer72