28 May 2026 11:58:25
Had an interesting chat with some former colleagues who outlined the scale of the challenge facing us over the coming transfer window.
Over the course of the season our players played just short of 60, 000 minutes.
Once loans and contracts expire, we'll have lost around 20, 000 of those minutes from the squad, and players who contributed around 22, 000 minutes have been advised that they should be looking for another club.
Big ask looking to replace and embed around 2/3 of the minutes played.
28 May 2026 12:20:53
Ehl
Interesting and scary stat.
I posted yesterday about the scale of the job at hand. I don't believe it can be done in one transfer window.
In my opinion we have to keep some of the players we already have.
28 May 2026 12:33:17
EHL, a few weeks ago you said "the club won't be overly active this window", so what is it that's changed or is it just pie in the sky?
28 May 2026 12:47:32
Bornabear, I have no idea what you are referring to?
28 May 2026 13:09:51
EHL, is the management team aware of this and is this the kind of stats all modern day managers look at now rather than just how good a potential new signing could be??
28 May 2026 13:22:00
EHL - Replacing potentially 2/3 of the minutes played last season is a massive task, not just in numbers but in terms of chemistry, leadership and adapting to the demands of Rangers.
I get that, but at the same time, if the current squad hasn't shown the consistency or mentality required to win titles, then a major rebuild becomes necessary rather than optional.
The key thing now is whether the recruitment structure is finally better aligned with a clear style, profile of player and long-term vision.
If it is, then a big rebuild can actually accelerate our progress rather than hurt it.
For me it's less about fearing the scale of change and more about trusting that there's finally a proper football structure and direction behind it.
Going by AC statement, I think there is.
28 May 2026 13:53:40
Interesting, EHL, but as a player you want to play all games barring injuries. Food for thought here. As a youngster, my long distance running was good. My village had a feat with a junior and senior race. Around 4 miles. I won the junior race by a country mile and record time. About 45 mins later, once the junior race finished, I was told I should enter the senior race. Age 16+. I think I was about 12 or 13 at the time. Anyhow, I did. I finished 2nd, not far behind 1st also.
Pro players, in my opinion, barring injury, shouldn't have a problem playing football games or 2 times a week. For more context, in adult life I used to work in the oil industry. 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week, sometimes for up to 4 months before a day off. I think this myth of footballers having a hard time playing so many mins, barring injury, over a course of a 9 month season is ridiculous. Couple hours training each day, then travel to and fro to matches. No excuses really.
28 May 2026 14:02:46
Good post Ehl. I said a few weeks ago how big the turnover would be in this window, but when you highlight it from a statistical perspective, it's even bigger than I first suspected.
The Scottish/SPFL experience is vital this summer.
28 May 2026 14:28:28
Davie, that was my grandad that won the seniors race that day, not bad for a 76yr old. You forgot to mention that the village only has 29 ppl, of which 9 are children and 8 are o.a.p ?, but well done Liz McColgan.
28 May 2026 14:43:37
I'm not questioning you, Davie, but if what you said is true, your company is breaking all kinds of laws by not giving you the required number of rest days.
28 May 2026 15:07:59
Of the players who remain that have not been told to actively seek alternative clubs, you will find there are clubs actively seeking to offer them alternative employment to farther complicate things.
28 May 2026 15:09:44
You didn't work for 4 months every day, 12 hour shifts, for one. That's not how it works. You're on a 4 week on 4 off, or at most 6 and 2 by law, and, when it comes to safety on the rigs, it wouldn't be allowed. ?
28 May 2026 15:29:45
I think he meant to say weeks tbf, Manchester.
28 May 2026 15:38:30
Manchester gets, I done 4 months 12 hours every day in Abu Dhabi and France on a vessel, it can be possible ha.
28 May 2026 15:39:48
Also, oil industries don't always mean rigs can be on land like Grangemouth etc.
28 May 2026 15:44:39
For the people doubting my work hours. Standard practice across the oil industry. First thing you do is sign a contract at the time out of European Union working operatives and agree to company policies. Now, you say I never worked those hours or days. I'll tell yous right now I worked those days and hours, which is standard in the oil rig repair business as an advocate Rigger for many different companies at home and abroad, so don't tell me I never worked like that when it's standard.
Here's a thought. You think oil companies care about days off when their oil rig is in the ship yard for repair earning nothing. If anyone is going to try question me, at least know what you're talking about. Just to note, I had to work in care islands, aka Grand Canaries, 4 times for 4 months each time, every day 12 hour shifts. Like I say, if you don't know, don't think you're correct.
28 May 2026 15:45:12
Boy Blue, not weeks, no. Months are correct
28 May 2026 15:46:45
Manchester Ger. You can't even get offshore rotas correct. May I add, offshore being the operative word, which is normally 2 on 2 off. But nice try.
28 May 2026 15:48:16
Manchester, you're trying to educate me who's got 15 years working worldwide on oil rigs in shipyards, how long you can work. Aye, ok then.
28 May 2026 15:49:42
DTB, he said he used to, and he is correct. It happened all the time back in the day. I done it also.
I work now 2 on 2 off onshore 12s, and there is no time to be tired, as I work with radiation. One wrong move and yer fecked.
28 May 2026 15:50:10
Manchester, you are completely wrong.
28 May 2026 15:51:03
Pushed button too quick. He never said he was on the rigs. He also stated he used to. This could have been years ago, and I know for a fact he is correct, as a lot of us did that back then.
28 May 2026 15:56:36
Gjd. Some people don't understand. Being in the shipyard, I think, was worse in repair game. Let's say estimated time is, say, 3 month refit, then when near they add on another month as repairs fallen behind.
With you doing similar, tiredness is weird. First few weeks are hard, then into a routine. Once job complete I'd be ok for about 2 days, then tiredness hits me and knackered for good few days.
28 May 2026 15:58:32
Did you have a good tuck shop, Davie?
28 May 2026 16:03:50
Radiation storm. You testing welds. Can't mind official name for it tho.
28 May 2026 16:04:26
As I mentioned above, your company has broken rules, not you. Normally, I would have left it, but given your overly aggressive approach to your response, I Googled it. Every single site I was reading stated clearly that employees must work under EU working time directives. That means you must be given two days off every 14 days. Now, again, let me say clearly that I am not saying that you aren't telling the truth.
What I am saying is that companies have exploited you.
For clarity, I have never worked in the oil industry, but a good friend of mine is a director of a company in Houston, Texas after working his way up through the ranks. I messaged him your comment, and he said he would sack a manager telling you to work like that.
28 May 2026 16:07:00
48 hours a week is allowed, Google it, it's no hard. ?
28 May 2026 16:20:22
Smart comment, four lads, but yes very good. Great chocolate.
28 May 2026 16:27:37
I would never doubt you, Davie, and I know about hard graft.
But comparing elite athletes or footballers to ordinary hard work is akin to comparing lemons with cheese.
It doesn't compare, the strain on muscle and fibre and everything else involved in high level training and playing, the knocks, tears, and injuries are not something you can take a couple of tablets for and carry on, or you would be shown up in minutes.
It's elite level, not a run in the park. Players everywhere need proper training, and especially proper rest, along with so much more to stay "elite fit".
28 May 2026 16:33:00
That's also my rotation now after training for my certs last year.
2 weeks on 2 weeks off - 12hr days when on.
I'm also off shore.
28 May 2026 16:34:48
If it's chocolate it has to be Lindt, Davie. ???
28 May 2026 16:51:08
Working Time Regulations can easily be got around. You can opt out of the 48 hour working week at any time (and opt back in). The company can't force you to opt out, but in practice you are told the job, agree, sign a contract to do it, and bob's your uncle.
28 May 2026 18:11:04
Manchester ger out with North Sea and Dutch sector, you can generally do as long as you wish offshore, especially vessels.
28 May 2026 18:14:25
This has got to be one of the weirdest thread deviations yet.
28 May 2026 18:58:46
It's the norm these days, Ehl. ?♂️
28 May 2026 19:06:34
Davie, you are correct mate. Seen it all my days in the oil and gas industry. Nuclear sites was 13 and 1. Changed days now, right enough, especially if there was an accident the company would get crucified. You can blame the company, but some guys in our game are hungry b's. Never worked off shore, never fancied it.
28 May 2026 19:08:20
Apologies, Ehl, lol. My original point being is how can players not play these games over a 9 month season. I was trying to make. What I won't stand for, though, is people calling me a liar when clearly they don't have a clue. Good to see few offshore troops on the forum tho. Stay safe, troops.
28 May 2026 21:22:05
I hate to be THAT geek but it's covered by the Euro Working Time Directive which is then turned into legislation by each country. In the UK it's the Working Time Regs.
Basically you need to be given 1 day off in 7 or 2 days off in 14.
Yes, you can sign to opt out of the 48hr per week limit for any given week, but only if by the end of the reference period (17 weeks), your average working week is 48 hrs.
You must also be given a minimum 11 hrs break between the end of one shift and the start of the next one.
Sorry. I almost sent myself to sleep there!
28 May 2026 13:27:37
Gazza 8 I would not view it as Scary, I would view it as a great opportunity. Meghoma might stay, Moore might stay, Curtis is back to cover for Moore if he leaves. As for strikers Danilo might go and so might Miovski but Shankland will cover both their minutes. To be honest not sure if above figures are wholly accurate only two with a lot of minutes that will go will be Tav and possibly Moore. So right back is needed but we still have Sterling. That leaves Olsen, Djiga and Arrons they can easily be replaced, with Gassama or McCausland and Souttar. Arrons had not much minutes so easily replaced as we have Rommens. Yes we need more players but currently we have replacements.I don't see anything to be scared about other than we need to strengthen.
28 May 2026 22:41:59
Have I missed something??? I was reading about the task at hand for recruitment and stats of minutes played and lost, then I'm reading about oil and rigs??
What the Fudge. ?