Rangers are preparing for a special Weekend of Legend’s friendly match – but the announcement appears to have riled more than a few Nottingham Forest fans.
A special Rangers Legends XI are preparing to welcome a star-studded World XI in a commemorative friendly match in late March as part of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
But in unveiling the friendly clash – which the club hope will be played in front of a sell-out crowd before a special dinner in the evening – one claim has frustrated Nottingham Forest fans.
Rangers claim that they are the first major European club to reach the 150th anniversary milestone, pointing to the Gers’ sizeable international status.
But according to some Nottingham Forest fans – as exemplified by this piece on Nottingham Forest News – this claim is an incorrect and disrespectful one.
Nottingham Forest fans fume at Rangers “major European club” claim
Forest were founded in 1865 – seven years before Rangers – and generally pride themselves as being one of the oldest and most established football clubs in Britain and by proxy the world.
Where fans of Nottingham Forest have taken umbrage with Rangers is in the claim the Gers are the first major European club to reach the 150 landmark.
And they aren’t the only ones; senior Athletic journalist Daniel Taylor also took aim at the suggestion with a snark about liquidation thrown in for good measure.
Whilst the Ibrox side don’t explicitly say it, Nottingham Forest and their fans have clearly taken umbrage with the suggestion they are not a major European club.
Forest are two-time European Cup winners under the legendary Brian Clough and there is no doubting their golden era deserves major credit for these achievements.
That legendary team won the European Cup in 1979 and 1980, adding the Super Cup in between.
But in the modern era – and even those leading up to Forest’s double European Cup triumph – the suggestion Forest were or are a European powerhouse doesn’t exactly hold weight.
Nottingham Forest have been underperforming in England for decades
The club have one English top flight title to their name. They have won seven major domestic trophies in their entire history.
In their 150th year, they finished 11th in the Championship and they haven’t played Premier League football since 1999.
That’s not to besmirch Forest; they are clearly an iconic club with a rich history and proud identity.
But the question is does the club’s legendary double European Cup triumph qualify them as a major European club?
Nottingham Forest fans seem to think so; Rangers apparently don’t.
Meanwhile, John Swinney has made a startling admission regarding crowds ahead of the upcoming Old Firm derby.