Comments on: Rangers fall to Stuttgart 3-2

By: Martek

Martek — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:34:38 +0000

Ian, I’m with you, though as a Bhoys fan, I’d prefer Celtic in the CL and Rangers in UEFA Cup. Jan, I think for prestige reasons alone we need at least one team in CL, though I understand your point about points.

By: Ian

Ian — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 02:12:35 +0000

You’re right when it comes down purely to coefficients. I guess what I want is what happened last season – one Scottish team in the Champions League knockouts, one in the UEFA Cup knockouts. Because I’m in the rare position of being a Scotland fan but not particularly a Rangers or Celtic fan domestically, I would prefer the CL team to be Rangers, so that Celtic don’t get too far ahead financially. Basically, I’m somewhat satisfied either way. In the CL, there’s a lot of money and a higher profile. In the UEFA Cup, you’re right, there’s a better chance to gain points for the SPL. Win-Win.

By: Jan

Jan — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 01:31:27 +0000

As you mention the 5-year-ranking: wouldn’t it be ‘better’ for the Scottish league if both Celtic and Rangers continue playing in the UEFA Cup next year. Wins and draws are worth the same in both competitions and the clubs would face less dangerous competition and could thus earn more points…?

By: Jan

Jan — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 01:22:54 +0000

I enjoyed watching Stuttgart’s possession (65% vs 35%) and passing (85% vs 69% success rate) game, which is why I thought the victory was deserved. On the chances side the game was evenly matched – so yes, a draw would have been a just result from that perspective.

By: Ian

Ian — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:15:30 +0000

I guess I can’t argue that Rangers deserved this win, but I’m not sure Stuttgart did either. I thought the teams were very evenly matched on the day. Both had a few nice bits of play, but really both just took advantage of the other’s mistakes. And there were a fair number of mistakes on both ends. I think a draw would have been the result most indicative of the run of play, but again, anything other than a win really doesn’t matter, aside from costing the SPL a few league coefficient points that would have been nice. Oh well. Like you said, the December match should be a nice final, and will have a cup final feel to it.

By: Jan

Jan — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 23:44:09 +0000

The way things went over in Lyon, the Stuttgart result didn’t really hurt the Rangers. Only if Barca had kept their lead a Rangers win would have sent them through – given I remember the math behind this group correctly. This way Stuttgart served their fans a win (and I think it was a deserved victory) and we’ll get a proper final at Ibrox in December.