Only two years ago Kilmarnock and Steve Clarke were saying “bye, bye Rangers” as they defeated us on the final day of the1/19 season to secure European football.
The Rugby Park side were a continuing thorn in Rangers’ side and were increasingly outspoken as their dodgy plastic pitch proved difficult in Gerrard’s first season in charge.
I honestly don’t need Snapchat reminding me of how we just qualified for Europe under Clarke two years ago just a day before we go into the play off battle.
However Stevie Clarke will forever have my heart, whether it be with killie or Scotland 💙 #byebyerangers pic.twitter.com/Ol3WW5mbDj
— Lisa Mckenna (@LisaM_x) May 19, 2021
But since Clarke has left – and despite all the posturing over Rangers from the now Scotland boss – Kilmarnock have officially been relegated from the Scottish top flight.
Taking their controversial surface with them, Kilmarnock fell to a 4-2 aggregate defeat to Dundee and end a 28-year spell in the top tier of Scottish football.
Killie join Hamilton in being relegated meaning that plastic pitches in the Scottish top tier will drop from three to one next season with Hearts and Dundee bringing grass surfaces up the leagues.
According to journalist Stephen McGowan, this now also presents an opportunity to banish plastic pitches permanently by earning an 11-1 to vote in the Scottish Premiership.
https://twitter.com/mcgowan_stephen/status/1396929842315239427
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has previously claimed that these surfaces have “no place” in elite level football and Livingston are the only team with an all-weather surface.
Owing to the plastic pitch, Gers fans have been rejoicing online as Killie are sent south and they can look forward to eight less Scottish Premiership games a season on the surfaces.
But the entire thing has an extra edge owing to Steve Clarke’s comments in 2019 as Rangers fans effectively extinguished any notion of a rivalry between the two clubs:
Bye Bye Rangers – not aged well for anyone who have ever muttered the words. Remember that
— Harry 🍊 (@HarryJohnston9) May 24, 2021
This aged well. We are the champions and yous are in the championship bye bye rangers indeed😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/VXNdrPbmLY
— Craig Taylor (@craigtaylor_72) May 24, 2021
I’m shocked Steve a Clarke never got manager of the year for saying “Bye Bye Rangers”
— MacVanB (@MacGerrard_) May 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/J_WTB1/status/1396928099439333381
League has just improved by getting rid of another plastic pitch. Bye bye Kilmarnock 👋🏻👋🏻
— David (@DavidGW95) May 24, 2021
Bye Kilmarnock. 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻 https://t.co/ZlwTjuVInQ
— H.E. Pennypacker (@HEPennypacker01) May 24, 2021
I know a lot of good people who support Killie, and for you I sympathise. However, I’m thankful to see another plastic pitch out of the top flight. Bye bye Kilmarnock 👋🏼
— Dougie (@CF3Loyal) May 24, 2021
https://twitter.com/DazSmith1872/status/1396927484478771201
Twitter summed up tonight… BYE BYE KILMARNOCK! 😂😂
— ᴄʜʀɪs ʙᴏʏᴅ (@chrisboyd_92) May 24, 2021
Everyone get their 'bye bye Kilmarnock' at the ready.
— Calum (@CalumMorrison13) May 20, 2021
The only shame about this is Dundee are the promoted Club…
That said, bye bye Kilmarnock 👋🏻 https://t.co/aDoDVXjxUJ— Andrew Wilson (@Andy_Wilson1) May 24, 2021
Bye Bye Kilmarnock 😁 another plastic pitch out the league 👏🏻
— Chrissi (@Chrissim1994) May 24, 2021
Bye bye Kilmarnock, you won't be missed 😂👋👋
— Louise (@weelouise83) May 24, 2021
Bye bye Kilmarnock! 2 plastic pitches gone in 1 season 👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/7DU7WxofKP
— Shmandog🇬🇧🏴 (@Pandy297) May 24, 2021
👋 bye Kilmarnock.
With zero regards,
Rangers fans.
— 🏁🏎💨🚦 (@AmatoTheArcher) May 24, 2021
https://twitter.com/lukemcrn/status/1396930118510170114
Kilmarnock and Hamilton you will not be missed. Bye bye 👋🏼
— Rab (@SinFoxx) May 24, 2021
Another plastic pitch down 🥳
No to modern football!
— Ross (@RossMcG1872) May 24, 2021
There is now only one plastic pitch in the top flight. That’s a plus
— The Louden Tavern (@TheLoudenTavern) May 24, 2021
https://twitter.com/Pena_Cartel/status/1396929535724167172
https://twitter.com/marshalldave38/status/1396905855266836486
Steve Clark “bye bye plastic pitches”
— D4nny_80 (@d4nny_80) May 24, 2021
Perhaps the only think Gers fans might take umbrage with is the fact Dundee – yes the same vote-losing, vote-changing outfit from last season – are being promoted.
Speaking about that SPFL, reports are suggesting a legendary ex-Rangers captain could be about to hook up with an SPFL chairman who many consider anti-Gers.