Arthur's Column // 3rd November 2022

The Champions League table doesn't make for pleasant reading and there is nothing anyone can do about it. At times, it's been quite painful to watch. Seeing the players being outplayed time after time was not part of the plan.

We also missed several excellent chances to score in a few of the games and that is never helpful. However, it's gone. It's in the past. There is nothing to be gained by dwelling on the number of losses and the amount of goals conceded.

But, despite all of this, I still want to see Rangers back there next season. And I also want Giovanni to still be the manager.

The route to get us back there is to win the SPFL Premiership. That is now the main focus.

It starts on Sunday, away to St Johnstone, and the players need to be ready to leave Perth with the three points. If we dazzle during the 90 minutes and come away with a three or four goal victory, then great. However, right now, I'd settle for a scrappy 1-0 win.

I'd take that in every game between now and when domestic football stops for the World Cup in the middle of this month. Giovanni, his staff and the players can then get a week or two off to recharge and put some of the disappointments of the past few months behind them.

That is going to be so important. They need to be 100 per cent ready mentally and physically from mid-December until the end of May.

Any player who is not willing to give their absolute all should be disregarded. The club can't afford to carry any passengers in that six month period. The Old Firm game will also be crucial on January 2nd and you'd have to say that we need to take three points from that fixture.

I still believe we can win the Premiership and I still have faith in Giovanni.

Right now, there might be a few fans who are a bit unsure about him and I understand that. Everybody is entitled to an opinion. But I believe he can turn this around. Being unified on and off the park will help achieve this.

And if he is allowed to bring in two or three quality players in the winter transfer window, then we will be fully equipped to regain the title. I hope there are funds made available to go out and strengthen because we can't afford to stand still.

We also need a little bit of luck in terms of injuries and I hope there aren't as many guys on the treatment table during the second half of the season. Having so many key players out at crucial times hasn't been helpful and, surely, Giovanni will have players available to him as we move on after the World Cup.