I’ve been thinking about this recently… it’s such a mixed bag.
I once read a quote about how football was mostly disappointment, peppered by moments that excite and entertain. It’s very true - anyone who has played the game at any level understand that half the time to are making up for mistakes of your own or your teammates.
My teenage and into 20s years were spent watching Rangers win NAIR and that entire run was built on solid 1-0/2-0 victories with a few 4 or 5 goal scuddings of opponents, and a few tight victories in games against big rivals that gave us all some great times.
Looking back, I’m not sure that I went to Ibrox to be entertained every other week - I definitely went to see a Rangers win but entertainment was a bit of a nice to have over the points.
The game, the salaries for players and the whole presentation of football as an entertainment option has changed over 30-odd year though and given the talent in this squad, and the expensive spectacle that football is nowadays then I think we are entitled to demand a bit more.
As my username suggests, I value the mechanics of a successful team, the effort of working hard for the victory.. Nigel Spackman was the kid of player that NIAR was built on - he worked his nuts off to give the more talented guys their moment to entertain.
I enjoy that in football but it has to lead to some entertainment. Earn the right to play football and all that.
In the current team, I see the balance - we have workers and performers.. but something isn’t clicking.
Personal view is that this must be Hagi’s season to push forward and become a major player for us. A few minutes on the park the other night and Rangers had scored.. that’s the impact the lad has and that’s why I would want to see him as a major player this season and one to bring the entertainment on a regular basis.