Rangers and Celtic could both be heading for England’s top flight in the not-so-distant future.
However, before fans get too excited – or traditionalists too outraged – it’s the Women’s Super League rather than the Premier League who are exploring the possibility of the Old Firm joining them down south.
The idea of the men’s teams moving away from the Scottish leagues has been much discussed over the past 30 years or so.Â
Whether their women’s sides crossing the border would set a precedent they could follow very much remains to be seen. Certainly, given the idea has reared its head on many occasions without ever bearing fruit means supporters won’t be holding their breath.
Yet, the women’s teams leaving the SWPL certainly seems to make sense.
Inviting the Scottish giants to become part of the English top flight is understood to be one idea being explored by Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), the company who oversee the WSL and the Championship.
Rangers women could one day find themselves playing in the top English league
The Women’s Super League are exploring possibility of Old Firm joining their ranks
Jo Potter is in charge of a Rangers side who are one of the dominant forces in Scottish game
WPLL are also looking at the possibility of the WSL becoming a closed league, and therefore removing the threat of relegation, just like their American counterpart.
Rangers and Celtic are now the dominant forces in the Scottish women’s domestic game, along with Glasgow City, but struggle to achieve the commercial success of WSL teams.
The women’s game in Scotland is still incredibly lop-sided in terms of those who have money to spend and those who don’t… not unlike its male equivalent.
That has stifled both growth and interest, with the women’s national team also struggling of late.
A move for the strongest clubs to join a more competitive league might just be the boost the Scottish game needs.
Martindale’s men can be the making of Robbie FraserÂ
Rangers youngster Robbie Fraser has hit the ground running for Livingston after joining on loan for the rest of the season.
Fraser scored the winner in a 2-1 win over Airdrie on Tuesday night as Livi continued their push for promotion back to the Premiership.
Robbie Fraser, shown with the Glasgow Cup, is currently learning his trade at Livingston
The 21-year-old left-back is highly regarded at Ibrox and is under contract until the summer of 2026.
As an academy graduate, Rangers will hope that his loan spell at Livi can help him fulfil his potential ahead of next season.
Fraser’s commitment as a tough-tackling full-back has been evident in the handful of appearances he’s made for Rangers so far.
Spending a few months under the tutelage of David Martindale, and playing more regular football, will no doubt ensure that he is battle-hardened as and when he returns to Ibrox in the summer.
Unsettled Cifuentes is a problem that Koppen really needs to solveÂ
The legacy of Michael Beale’s ruinous year in charge of Rangers seems set to linger for some time to come.
Handed carte blanche to do as he pleased in the summer 2023 transfer window, the Englishman had far more hits than misses.
Chief among those who fell into the latter category was Jose Cifuentes who was lavished with praise even before he’d kicked a ball in light blue.
Jose Cifuentes had high hopes when he arrived at Ibrox but the move hasn’t paid off
The low point for a dejected Cifuentes was when he was red carded against Dundee
‘He’s a player that can take us to another level,’ Beale confidently declared of the ÂŁ1.2million capture from Los Angeles FC.
‘He is a midfielder who can play in a variety of roles, both as a box-to-box player and in a more defensive role. He has excelled in the MLS and for his national team.’
It didn’t quite pan out like that, though. Cifuentes, who signed a four-year deal, looked like a square peg in a round hole from the off.
After Beale had been sacked, Cifuentes was given a chance to redeem himself under Philippe Clement. A red card against Dundee that December was the final straw.
He was packed off to Cruzeiro in Brazil for the second half of that season before joining Greek side Aris Salonika for the entirety of this term.
Cifuentes actually started the season promisingly, helping his club to the top of the table.
But Aris’s form since then nosedived, with manager Akis Mantzios fired in December and replaced by Marinos Ouzounidis.
Reports in Thessaloniki now claim that Ouzounidis is already planning a major reboot of the squad this summer, and that Cifuentes isn’t part of his plans.
Rangers technical director Nils Koppen needs to find a buyer for Cifuentes
It looks like Rangers technical director Nils Koppen will need to get creative, either to find a buyer for the Ecuadorian or another club willing to cover his wages.
Rangers hoping lightning strikes twice against old foe AmorimÂ
With a visit to Old Trafford on the cards next week, Rangers are preparing to renew their acquaintances with new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim.
Amorim was in charge of Braga back in 2020 when Rangers knocked the Portuguese side out of the Europa League after winning 4-2 on aggregate over two legs.
Amorim left Braga shortly after to take charge of Sporting Lisbon, where his career moved on to a new level.
Only a few weeks ago, Rangers would have fancied their chances of causing an upset as United continued to stumble from one disastrous result to another.
But Amorim finally seems to be getting a grip on things. After a valuable draw against Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League, United were excellent as they won away at Arsenal on penalties in the FA Cup last weekend.
Rangers are well placed in the Europa League and can certainly travel to Old Trafford without any fear, even despite their own shortcomings at the moment.
Ianis Hagi scores against Ruben Amorim’s Braga at Ibrox back in 2020
Amorim makes his presence felt on sidelines during Braga’s 3-2 defeat to Rangers
Steven Gerrard and Amorim embrace at end of Europa League clash in Govan
As a venue, it doesn’t carry the same fear factor it once did. It should be a game to relish and enjoy as Philippe Clement’s side look to escape their domestic blues and continue their good form in Europe.
Big Sam’s still smiling at happy memories of Walter, Ally and DurrantÂ
Rangers supporters pining for better days could do worse than listen to the latest episode of the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast with Sam Allardyce.
The veteran manager is joined by former Rangers player Charlie Adam, who was more than happy to reminisce about his days as a youngster at Ibrox.
First there is the story about a trip to the US, when Adam had a few drinks before a friendly against LA Galaxy and was hooked at half-time by manager Walter Smith.
An apoplectic Smith went through the 21-year-old midfielder during the interval. ‘You will never play for this club again,’ he raged.
When Adam replied that it was just a friendly, Smith grew only more angry. ‘There are no friendlies at this football club. Don’t you ever disrespect this club thinking you can swan around. You embarrass yourself and you embarrass this football club.’
Adam admits that his face went white, but he rounds off the anecdote by describing the late Smith as ‘an absolute gentleman’, prompting Allardyce to recount his own experience of the Rangers legend.
Charlie Adam, above left, and Sam Allardyce chat during the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast
Allardyce will never forget hilarious night he spent in company of Durrant, McCoist and Smith
Charlie Adam during his days as a Rangers midfielder (pictured scoring against Stuttgart in 2007)
The former England manager was in charge of Blackburn Rovers when he and his staff had a night out in a restaurant with their Rangers counterparts at a pre-season tournament in Australia.
Allardyce already knew Smith, who previously managed Everton, but he didn’t know Ian Durrant and, with Ally McCoist also in attendance, it turned out to be an entertaining soiree.
‘It was one of those nights I will remember for a long, long time,’ he says. ‘The camaraderie we had between each other because it was football-related and it was pre-season… just a great trip. It was a great experience. Seeing [Smith] there… the three of them… I think they could have been Comedy Central. Honest to god.’
At that time, those in charge of Rangers set high standards. They applied them to every challenge and represented the club with expertise, authority and no little personality into the bargain.
The club’s disillusioned supporters could do with some more of that right now.
