As Rangers enter a new dawn both on and off the pitch, it’s time the club’s fans left an era of toxic negativity in the past.
Over the course of the last 10 years or so, Rangers fans have become well versed in negative coverage, news and emotions at Ibrox.
But with the corner turning on the pitch and some exciting news about fan ownership in the background, it’s time the toxic atmosphere was lifted.
After drawing 2-2 with Benfica at Ibrox, members of the support berated Rangers for losing a two-goal lead.
Similarly, some of the club’s fans went over the top with their disappointment three weeks previously as the club lost two goals to draw 3-3 in Lisbon.
Yes, perhaps there’s some disappointment to be expressed here, but anyone genuinely criticising a side who’re yet to be beaten this season need their head checked.
Not least for criticising the team for drawing with the fourth highest spenders in global football.
Similarly, as Rangers romped to a 4-0 win over Falkirk, there was commentary aplenty on Twitter hazing Swiss striker Cedric Itten.
A summer signing and a 23-year-old moving abroad for the first time – during a pandemic no less – the player sometimes cuts the figure of someone trying too hard to impress.
But any notion that we should write this powerful-looking forward option off because he’s still settling into life in Glasgow is just ludicrous.
There was a stench of negativity from some quarters concerning Cedric, who will be looking to cement himself as a strong option for Rangers in the second half of the season.
It isn’t warranted.
After Dave King announced plans to sell his shareholding to Club 1872 – a move which would future proof the club against future investors driving it into the ground – there was a mixed reaction from fans.
Over the piece, this is surely good news, but questions do remain over how this will actually work.
After all, the 20,000 fans who invest around £650 will want to know what they get for their money.
But once again an air of suspicion, ego and negativity wafts around this – and not always justifiably so.
The reality is that Rangers have been through so much over the last decade that supporters have almost been conditioned to look for negatives amid optimism.
We’re too used to having our fingers burnt and collectively there are wounds there which require success in order to fully heal.
But as a support, it’s on us to cultivate a more positive atmosphere around the direction we’re taking now that we’re surely, finally, on the right track.
