08 Feb 2026 22:28:31
EHL, you made a comment about Gassama becoming "one of the many whipping boys".
Can you please elaborate on that, what exactly is a whipping boy - because when I go to matches I do t hear any heckling or booing towards individual players.
I do agree however there are definite whipping boys on this site. So definitely agree there. And probably other forms of social
Media.
But surely you can't be encouraging/hoping players leave if they get negative posts, if that's the case then we should stop trying to develop any player with a mobile phone.
I genuinely just can't wrap my head around that.
We need players that are resilient, determined and have self belief.
If you're saying the likes of Gassama, Igamane etc don't have that then I agree with you. But if they do then we work with them to make them and the team better.
Only my opinion - and although I can't understand yours, I respect it.
09 Feb 2026 08:13:51
Zikos, a few points of correction:
The definition: A whipping boy is a player unfairly blamed for the team's wider incompetence.
The heckling: It's surprising you claim this doesn't happen. If that's your experience, then it's vastly different from most others I know.
The source: As stated in my previous post, my opinions aren't derived from this site.
The straw-man: You're twisting my words regarding Gassama and Igamane. I never questioned their resilience or desire to stay.
My stance: This remains that a parting of ways is sometimes the healthiest move for all parties, and I hope Gassama moves on.
09 Feb 2026 08:39:43
Gassama is resilient and has plenty of self belief, that's why every time he's on the pitch, he still tries to take players on and score from outside the box. He just gets grief when it doesn't come off.
People are already loving Naderi and how he's just what we need, he's young, etc, etc. He's the same age as Gassama, and how long ago was it Gassama was getting the same praise? Now he is a whipping boy.
09 Feb 2026 08:50:22
I think it goes to the broader point, as well, that paying for a ticket gives you free licence to boo and shout rubbish at players all game long. It doesn't even need to be booing or heckling, just that audible groan every time the player does something. Yes, I know it sounds very low level, but players then start to over-think everything they do to perform to a level the crowd will accept. Not mentally weak, just human nature.
Said before, the comments on this site are a microcosm of the fanbase in general.
If you want the perfect example of a whipping boy, then you need look no further than Tavernier, who is seen as the reason why we haven't won trophies. Have his performances, even now towards the end of his time, merited this? I would say not.
Players are never going to play to their best abilities when this is the case, so best for them to move to someplace they are appreciated more.
09 Feb 2026 09:05:13
Also, it doesn't count as a whipping boy if people call out a player's nonsense.
Like Gassama always diving, or his end product missing most games.
09 Feb 2026 09:30:52
I agree with Zikos, he doesn't get it any worse at games, home or away, than any other players. In fact, I'd say there are a few who get it a lot worse than he does. However, online, I would say he gets it tight.
09 Feb 2026 09:57:13
I've heard players boo'd during games after they have been subbed, and even when they are coming on as subs. Must have selective hearing.
09 Feb 2026 10:31:43
Ally, you believe what you want, but every player in the modern game takes little contact and goes to ground. Do I like it? No, but it happens. The issue is that fans only see certain players do it.
It used to be Dessers, and now it is Gassama. They are our players, so why not ask why the ref isn't giving free kicks for him, in the same way they do for the opposition for exactly the same.
09 Feb 2026 11:38:39
This is moving on to a slightly different topic than that of my opinion that I think it would be better for Gassama to move on.
However, some of the abuse our own players get from our fans, particularly those who play in the wide position is awful and it is something that the players discuss.
I can't talk about this season, but I can tell you that over the last couple of seasons it has been pretty horrific at times.
I also remember highlighting on here - for which I got a good bit of stick - the impact that the 'Defend Europe' banner had on our Muslim players. In particular Igamane who was particularly upset about it.
09 Feb 2026 12:17:10
Exactly, Angus, nobody has a problem when it's Souttar or Fernandez throwing themselves to the ground.
09 Feb 2026 12:56:57
How can you mention Igamane when talking about players lacking self belief? The guy was full of confidence in his own ability and tried things others wouldn't dream of.
09 Feb 2026 13:55:23
Wsl, this is a common issue when posters either accidentally, or deliberately, take posts out of context in order to suit their own arguments.
At no point in the previous thread was there any reference made to players' resilience or to their self-confidence.
The original thread was based on me saying that even though I rate Gassama, I would be happy if he moved on. I was of a similar opinion with Jefte, Igamane and Nsiala.
09 Feb 2026 15:02:16
For me, Gassama is so frustrating. He has more ability than most, but doesn't seem to learn. Same errors, and he goes down too easy. Still time to learn, i hope he does it with us.
09 Feb 2026 16:00:17
Well, as a very critical fan, who at times is even critical of the fanbase in how they act and what songs they sing, I will say categorically, in 40yrs of going to Ibrox, I've never heard an individual Rangers player being booed.
I have heard, as one of the other posters mention, groans, but if that's what we're calling a whipping boy, then football with fans is done.
Ibrox can be a difficult place to play, but you know what, so it should be. The same and no different from every other big club with a tradition of winning trophies.