AS a dyed-in-the-wool Rangers supporter, former Ibrox midfielder Bob Malcolm is sick to the back teeth of watching Celtic picking up silverware, and he is desperately hoping the Light Blues can not only halt Celtic’s march towards 10-in-a-row, but stop them lifting back-to-back trebles.
Rangers suffered their second defeat in a week at home to Kilmarnock on Saturday after the gut-wrenching loss to Celtic last weekend, and Malcolm believes they have to regather their momentum as quickly as possible with the Scottish Cup semi-final looming.
Malcolm thinks that the Rangers team owe their supporters a big performance on the day to throw a spoke in the wheels of the Celtic juggernaut.
“They have to get back on track, and they have to be prepared to mount a title challenge next season,” said Malcolm.
“The talk is inevitably turning now to Celtic getting 10-in-a-row, and the club has to do everything in its power to make sure that doesn’t happen. First things first, they need to stop the back-to-back treble. They have to do it for their club and for the fans. It would signify some sort of progress, and would give the club something to carry into next season.”
Despite the wobble of the last week, Malcolm believes that Rangers should stick with Graeme Murty as manager for next season, with continuity key to hitting the ground running and mounting some sort of a tilt at the title.
“I would stick with Graeme,” he said. “There have been a few disappointing results, especially at home, but that’s just where we are right now.
“He has definitely improved things, and he should be given the chance to take that on. If another manager comes in, he will likely want to bring his own players, and will it be feasible to bed in another new set of players in time to challenge Celtic for the league?
“It’s up to the board of course, but if Graeme can get second in the league and knock Celtic out of the cup then he will give himself a great chance.”
Malcolm will join former teammates and some of his former heroes as they pull the boots on for the Rangers Legends game at Ibrox this Saturday, with proceeds being split between the Rangers Charity Foundation and the Rangers Youth Development Company.
It will be a chance for supporters to see some of the big names of old, and Malcolm admits he may be a little starstruck himself getting to play alongside guys whose boots he used to clean.
“I can always remember my dad taking me to training and us getting autographs, and then the next thing I knew I was in training with them,” he said.
“You learn so much from these guys, but it’s changed days now. Back in that day, you came in and you had to earn their respect. They taught you the values of the club, and kids now get the trappings much quicker than we ever did. They don’t really know what it was like to go through something like that.
“I cleaned 15 pairs of boots every day for the likes of Andy Goram, Richard Gough, Gazza and big Jorg Albertz; it wasn’t too bad a squad in those days. There was pressure on you, and it was a pain the backside before matches because the team used to travel to hotels the day before away games and you had to pack the hamper.
“You would get awkward guys like Durranty who wanted their Adidas boots tippexed before every game, and then you would find out that he didn’t even wear them. But that was their way of making sure you knew that you had to do what they told you.
“I’ve only got half a shin and no ankle now, and it’s the same now for most of the boys. Although I saw big Jig (Lee McCulloch) the other day and he looked as though he could still play. Unfortunately, it was Jig’s touch that let him down!
“It will be good to get back with all the guys, and on a personal note for me it will be great to play with people that I grew up looking up to, like Ally McCoist. Getting on the park and playing beside them will be something special for me.”
*The Legends Return, Saturday 24 March, 3pm, Ibrox Stadium. Tickets are priced at £12 for adults, £8 for concessions and £6 for juveniles.
A family package is also available for two adults and two children for £32.
Tickets can be bought online at rangers.co.uk, by visiting the Rangers Ticket Centre, or calling 0871 702 1972
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