French revolution?! Now where did I put that guillotine…?

By: Craig | November 9th, 2006

Don’t say I didn’t warn you! Last night’s shock result - if it’s possible to call it that - was the latest gold star on Owen Coyle’s fast-growing CV. Credit must go to the only First Division side in the semi-final line-up.

A great result for the neutral, sure - but few neutrals would contest that St Johnstone were not so much helped as given a new dishwasher, a car, a holiday in Paris and £1000 spending money by a Rangers side who just didn’t bother playing after the opening half-hour.

A few hundred Rangers fans - not much more were left in the stadium at the final whistle - let their feelings be known with a protest outside Ibrox, a significant moment at a club who tend to resort to such gestures less than their rivals in the East.

Chairman David Murray is also renowned for his loyalty in the hard times. But even he must be wondering if the last few weeks have really just been a nightmare. The worry over Paul Le Guen a few months ago was whether or not such a promising manager would come to a club like Rangers. Now the question is, what will a club like Rangers do with a manager like Paul Le Guen? No more signings are expected in January, so Gers fans are stuck with the summer arrivals who seem to lack an iota of the grit required for the domestic game.

All in all, the week’s results will be met with a mixture of joy and despair at the SFL. Joy because their blue riband tournament has finally emerged with serious credibility in the light of the Old Firm’s fall - this season’s semis will not involve either side for the first time in 26 years. Despair because ticket sales will now be well down for the semis and the Final. They’ll be secretly crossing fingers that Hibs - who beat Hearts 1-0 in John Collins’ first full match - make it to Hampden.