Arthur's Column // 8th March 2022

It's the start of yet another big week with the Europa League game against Red Star Belgrade at Ibrox and then away to Dundee in the Scottish Cup.

That's what being at Rangers is all about. You want these massive fixtures all of the time. If you would prefer for your schedule not to be as hectic then you should not be playing for our great club.

I had this kind of conversation last week when we had some 5 Stars events in Glasgow. My former Gers managers, Dick Advocaat and Alex McLeish, were in the city and it was great to spend time in their company.

We also had Kris Boyd's night at The Armadillo with Frank and Ronald de Boer and Graeme Souness.

The Rangers supporters turned out in huge numbers to see them all.

Dick was overwhelmed with the reaction he got from the fans and how much they still loved him for the success he brought to Rangers.

We also took time to go to the Rangers training complex to visit Giovanni on Friday afternoon. Giovanni was in good form and it was nice to see him and Dick chatting about football and about life.

Dick signed Giovanni for Rangers in 1998 and that's when the relationship with Rangers started. Giovanni now has the privilege of being manager and Dick is very proud of him. I'm sure Giovanni would have picked up little nuggets of information from being with Dick for that few hours. It wouldn't have done any harm whatsoever.

Dick has a wealth of experience and also knows the pressures and demands that come with being the Rangers manager.

So, these little chats can be priceless.

Dick managed to get Rangers some big results in Europe and everyone will be hoping for another cracker on Thursday night.

We are just 180 minutes away from the last eight of the tournament and if we can find the form we showed against Borussia Dortmund then we will give ourselves an outstanding chance. The Cup quarter-final on Sunday at Dens Park is sandwiched in between and it has the makings of a very testing period.

But we go into feeling good after the 1-0 wins against Aberdeen and St Johnstone. Sure, the performances in the last two league games might not have been vintage, but victories are what matter at this stage of the season.

I hope we are celebrating more important wins in the next 10 days.