Disappointment in Manchester would be tempered by domestic glory but SPL title bid now hangs by a thread
IF RANGERS go on to complete the domestic treble, whoever was charged with the task of picking the players up after Wednesday night's defeat should be sent up to collect the trophies. Whether parroting a mantra or truly able to look forward rather th
an back, the players left the City of Manchester dressing room in remarkably positive mood.
The glum faces told the story of the evening's disappointment but instead of dwelling on that which had already eluded them, they were already turning their attention to the two trophies still up for grabs. One after the other Charlie Adam, Kris Boyd and Lee McCulloch filed through and one by one they reminded anyone listening that the UEFA Cup had always been the bonus prize. The real targets are those which remain attainable.
"We're disappointed because the UEFA Cup final doesn't come around very often and it was an opportunity for us to win it but now we have to prepare for the remaining league games," said Adam, who fought back from injury to earn a place on the bench and now hopes to get involved in he climax to the Scottish campaign. "That's the way football goes and we'll pick ourselves up. We still have a league to win and a Scottish Cup to win. We're going for a treble so it could still be a fantastic season for us."
Yesterday's slip at Motherwell means Rangers' hopes of regaining the title have receded. But no-on at Ibrox is ready to give up yet.
The players have become used to compartmentalising their season but the magnitude of their UEFA Cup run, and the sense of despair at reaching the final without fully scaling the heights of winning it, may yet hit them.
There are those who will argue that battling so relentlessly on four fronts may have undermined their European aspirations. But if one proved a distraction to the other, that diversion is now welcome, according to McCulloch, who says the busy programme means despondency is a luxury they cannot afford.
"We will not be feeling sorry for ourselves or anything like that. There's still two medals up for grabs this season and, of course, the treble and what a season that would be. That makes it easier to take. In the dressing room there we were just saying that, with two medals still up for grabs, as of tomorrow we need to get the pressure back on again and get the heads up."
And rather than forget the European run, it can be channelled as a source of inspiration. Notable scalps are an indication of just how far the club has progressed under the stewardship of Smith, says Adam. "We've had a fantastic campaign, from the first Champions League game right through to the UEFA final we've been fantastic and we need to keep that going for another three games. There's not long to go but we have three tough games, ending against Queen of the South in the Scottish Cup final. We could end up with a treble and that would be a fantastic achievement, if we can sit back in the summer and look back on three trophies that would take away the hurt.
"The manager, Coisty, Durranty and Kenny McDowall are all there, each says his piece and they are fantastic coaches. They are fabulous people to work for but the guys know how to pick themselves up."
Adam, McCulloch and Boyd have proved themselves more adept at that than some. Even amid the highs of the season, each has had their disappointments. All have bounced back and performed when called upon, contributing effectively to the cause. Sidelined for key matches through injury, the midfield duo are now back to fitness and keen to be involved in the run in, while Boyd is still hoping to get game time and medals to help end a frustrating season with happier memories.
In the UEFA Cup final, his cameo appearance was too little, too late but the goalgetter and hero of the CIS Cup final triumph over Dundee United believes he still has a part to play.
"All along, the UEFA Cup was a bonus," reasons Boyd. "We set out to win the league. The support was unbelievable down there and we're disappointed for them but this experience will help us for next season, although we want to get straight into the Champions League. First we've got a league and a Scottish Cup to win and hopefully finish this season on a high. I've obviously been disappointed I haven't played. That's life as a footballer though. You get highs, you get lows – and hopefully my highs are still to come this season."
2002-03: ALEX McLEISH
Rangers last won the treble five years ago during McLeish's first full season. They pipped Celtic for the title on goal difference and beat the same rivals in the League Cup final. Victory over Dundee in the Scottish Cup final secured the clean sweep.
1998-99: DICK ADVOCAAT
The Dutchman won everything in his first campaign. St Johnstone lost the League Cup final, the SPL was won from Celtic by six points and Rod Wallace netted the only goal in the Old Firm Scottish Cup final.
1992-93: WALTER SMITH
Smith's finest season in his first spell at Ibrox saw Rangers just miss out on the Champions League final. They also won the treble, with Aberdeen the unlucky runners-up in all three domestic competitions.
1977-78: JOCK WALLACE
Aberdeen were the main challengers but trailed Wallace's side by two points in the league and lost the Scottish Cup final. Celtic lost the League Cup final.
1975-76: JOCK WALLACE
Wallace's first treble had Rangers seeing off Celtic for the league and League Cup, and beating Hearts in the Scottish Cup final.
1963-64: SCOT SYMON
Kilmarnock, champions the following season, were Rangers' nearest challengers in the league, while Dundee and Morton were seen off in the cup finals.
1948-49: BILL STRUTH
Rangers won the title from Dundee by a single point, and beat Clyde and Raith Rovers in the cup finals.
The full article contains 1045 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
