ACCORDING TO KRIS BOYD RANGERS WILL WIN THE LEAGUE, THIS IS WHY FANS IN OTHER LEAGUES LAUGH AT US
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
“Rangers will win the league next season” according to Kris Boyd.
Well, there you have it folks, the final say, the ultimate analysis, delivered to you, straight from the horse’s a*se.
Kris Boyd Rangers Verdict is Predictable, But Pundits Shouldn’t Just be Blind Fanboys
I have to admit, I cringe when I see numerous football punditry shows, newspapers and podcasts line up Chris Sutton and Kris Boyd as some kind of “Old Firm Double Act” (their words, not mine).
The two really aren’t comparable.
Now, Kris Boyd is obviously a Rangers fan, and much like I said about John Brown earlier today, there’s nothing wrong with that. Indeed, I respect the honesty.
However, John Brown is a paid employee of Rangers, he speaks his mind, because that’s the role he plays. He’s a fan with a mic. Boyd is supposed to be offering balanced, fair analysis, on a national TV network, paid for by subscribers who are fans of numerous clubs, not just Boyd’s beloved Rangers.
Chris Sutton played for Celtic, he clearly loves Celtic to this day, but the difference is, he is not afraid to criticize us when its warranted. He knows that it’s his job to give an honest appraisal of the situation, even if it’s not what Celtic fans necessarily want to hear.
Boyd instead seems content to play the role of the Uber-fan, the one who will never concede an inch no matter how obviously erroneous his opinions clearly are.
That might earn him some kudos with the hardcore elements of the Ibrox support, who seem to value “staunchness” as more important than the basic principles of logic, evidence and common sense. However, it's the subject of laughter and ridicule for almost everyone else.
Celtic won the league by 17 points last season. This was despite mostly underperforming from mid-February onwards, and losing twice to Rangers.
I do not believe that the Celtic Board, Brendan Rodgers and especially the Celtic players themselves will allow such sloppiness to take hold again next year. And as I said the other day, I am encouraged that we do seem to be working to actively strengthen in a number of key areas of the team over the last couple of weeks.
However, again showing his ability to maintain a balanced and critical viewpoint, Chris Sutton expressed concern today at Celtic’s lack of new signings, as things stand. This will probably will change within the next few days though, with several signings thought to be imminent or in the later stages of negotiation.
Meanwhile Rangers have yet to be seriously linked with any new players let alone sign any this summer. They have let some players go, and I expect others will follow, as they try to rebuild and adopt a more sustainable economic model under their new owners.
They will, no doubt, bring in some fresh faces too, but not at anything like the fees or salaries that the Daily Record has been trying to fool the denizens of Snake Mountain into expecting.
However, as things stand, if the league started tomorrow, Celtic would still be heavy favorites. There is no demonstrable evidence to suggest otherwise, and it’s sad that any “pundit” can get away with just choosing his favorite team as the title favorites because “it’s the staunch thing to do”.
We would laugh at and ridicule Willie Miller if he came out and said he thought Aberdeen would win the league next year, despite his deserved reputation as a Pittodrie legend.
So, why does Kris Boyd continue to get a free pass in this regard?
If it’s his honest belief that Rangers will win the league then fine, but he needs to back it up with evidence. I can’t come on to The ACSOM Blog and just say “I reckon...” and then spout a load of unsubstantiated guff. I need to back up what I say with demonstrable proof, evidence and sources.
Boyd does none of that, because, ultimately, his employers don’t want him too. It’s not necessarily his fault; he’s clearly being instructed on the public role he’s expected to play. However, ultimately, he is doing himself and the team he loves a disservice by continuing to play the role of the unrelenting Rangers cheerleader.
Such myopia, and lack of a critical eye was what got the original Rangers killed back in 2012.
Scottish football fans deserve better for the already inflated sums we pay to watch games on various TV services.
