Ah, let us delve into the grand old story of Rangers - not the one you're thinking of, mind you. This is the narrative of a phoenix club, established in 2012, not a history stretching back to the 19th century. Situated in the heart of Scotland, it plays its home games at a concrete behemoth known by its inhabitants as Ibrox Stadium.
Now, before we get ahead of ourselves or start reciting an updated footballing version of David and Goliath, let's be clear. This isn't some underdog story. The squad, thanks to their penny-wise board, has a market value hovering around the £85m mark. This handy snippet of information is available for your perusal at the all-knowing oracle named Transfermarkt.
The team, comprising 31 sprightly individuals with a carefully calculated average age of 25, don't exactly fit the image of the grizzled veterans of Scottish football. Yet somehow, they find themselves signed up for a staggering five competitions this season. Over-commitment, anyone?
The Premiership, where they idly sit in 3rd place, desperate for a glimpse of that coveted top spot, takes prominence. But don't forget the League Cup, where they can look back wistfully on a premature exit in the Semi-Finals. Then there's the Scottish Cup, where so far they've stumbled their way into the Fourth Round. Add the Champions League Qualifiers, ending only in the tantalising Play-Offs, and last of all, the Europa League's League Phase, where Europe's second tier awaits them. Quite the busy schedule, then.
So there you have it - the tale of Rangers, and the packed schedule they've somehow chosen for themselves. Life in the shadows of their own history might not be all that rosy, but at least they have a lot of football to distract them.
