Spinning a positive on today’s otherwise Diabolical Debacle at Dundee, it’s clear this was a postponement with a heavily silver lining for Rangers.
With 10+ players out injured, and form not exactly shining at present, this match was a huge banana skin waiting to happen.
It was a tricky one, and even though some Rangers supporters suggest that Celtic beat the Dee 7-1, well, that was at home, and Rangers put away Hearts at Ibrox to a similar scoreline not long ago either.
Away? Different situation entirely.
And on a pitch that would still have been tricky had it passed the safety inspection, this match was ripe for a slip, a nasty slip. Quite literally.
This postponement was actually, as infuriating as it was for so many, a silver lined cloud.
It stops any more injuries, it gives a glut of our players extra time off for injury recovery with an international break now upon us, and it gives us critical regroup time offering what will ultimately be an 18-day break.
It actually, ironically, could not have been more welcome.
We have so many players out injured, there is a bit of a chance a few of them will be fit by the time Hibs come to Ibrox at the end of the month, and that could be pivotal.
It also means, as mentioned, we won’t pick up any more injuries (outside of anything that happens in training to those who don’t travel on international duty) which is beyond indispensible.
And lastly, we regroup, reform, and rest – because the players are utterly dead on their feet at the moment.
Most of the players most exhausted aren’t internationals – Tav, Goldson, Lundstram… these three have barely rested a minute and will get a huge time out the next 14 days.
The ones who will be going on duty, Diomande, Souttar, Dessers, and Matondo (yeah that’s it we think) are pretty fit and in good condition at the moment. Matondo can GAIN match fitness via this international break.
So in reality, while Dundee’s conduct was deplorable here, it’s a complete fillip for Big Phil.
It’s a few days extra and gives Rangers a chance to breathe again.
View publisher imprint