Many abroad (or is that 'a broad'?) say it would be a cool thing to have your favourite Rangers players come into your local and talk with you over a pint. TC Member Tawd describes what it's like.

When you’re in Toronto, you’re not often afforded the opportunity to see any of the Rangers in person. We are cursed with the same "privileges" of every other Bear abroad. Dodgy reception from satellite-fed televised games. Having to get up on a Saturday like it’s any other workday. The early pub-style breakfasts that seem like a good idea at the time but remind you of their presence at around 3:00pm. Add to this the opening of the taps at 11:00am, right around half time coincidentally enough, and suddenly the day slips away, lubricated by lager and tater-tots. Then there are the midweek matches that make you fake flu, migraines or a burst appendix just to see Rangers play Dundee away. Yes. We’re dedicated.

The pleasure of seeing Rangers play at Ibrox is one that we never take for granted. Whenever one of the members returns from seeing a game from the Copeland Road stands, the response is always the same. It doesn’t matter if Rangers played St. Johnstone or Celtic, "You lucky b*st*rd!" is always the reply. It’s one thing to see the lads settle a match at Ibrox. Yet another to meet them outside of the stadium or bump into one or two of them as they go about their daily business. But to have them rubbing shoulders with you and conversing over a pint in your local, well that’s something altogether different.

Ally McCoist. Smiling politely.

The lads were coming. This was something that had to be planned. Everyone in the club had to know about this. Not just to prevent the inevitable pint-glass-heaving-fit that would have occurred if one of the members missed out. By warning the members, this prevents the dull thuds of them hitting the floor as they come into the pub and clock an unsuspecting McCoist having a pint. The shock would be too, too great. And frankly, there aren’t enough paramedics in Toronto to go around. Sure, sounds a bit dramatic, but realistically, Toronto is one of the last places you’d expect to see these guys.

Stuart McCall with married members Wendi and Robin. Wendi seen here showing Stuart what she has to put up with. We hope it’s a camera.

Admittedly, it wasn’t the easiest of times for the players when they arrived. Many decisions were being held over their heads, whereas others had already come crashing down upon them. Late spring of ’98: some players were wondering if they’d still be wearing the light blue shirts for Rangers next season, let alone the dark blue of Scotland over the summer. Some already knew. McCoist understood he wouldn’t be in the Celtic reserve team known as the Scottish National Side. He blamed it on his hair colour. Durrant knew he wasn’t going to be invited back to play for Advocaat. He too, blamed it on McCoist’s hair colour.

Ian Durrant and Ally McCoist: Co-Founders of the Toronto Central Kilmarnock Supporters Club

If nothing else, this gathering granted us the opportunity to see our favourite players for the last time together. Well, as part of a Rangers squad, anyway. Because of McCoist and Durrant, it’s amazing how many of us have turned into part-time Killie supporters. McCoist and Durrant weren’t the only ones present. We got to chat to players we didn’t normally get to see in action like Moore, Miller and McInnes. All of them very easy to talk to and get along with. Hell, buy them a pint and they’d never shut up. It’s also interesting to note how they handled themselves in the tempest of supporters. They were class acts the entire time. The receiving line in front of them was relentless. The pursuit of autographs, photos and tidbits of their favourite games was ceaseless. Yet every one of them took the time to talk, sign and smile. The more we were appreciative, the more generous they became, the more appreciative we were, the more generous…you get the picture. We were all happy.

Coisty checks to see if TCRSC member Dave is still alive. Much to the chagrin of the other members, he is.

This event was not restricted to our members. Because our club is centred out of a public house, this was not an exclusive event. Anyone who wanted to was welcome to come by. The audience ranged from long-time NARSA members to those non-club members who catch the odd Old Firm match. Those that found themselves in the pub accidentally were soon put straight as to the importance of this momentous occasion. A couple I talked to were impressed not only by the turnout, but also by the fact that the players traveled so far to see their fans in this intimate a setting. Yeah, we were a little proud of ourselves.

Though they were in the company of fans and the pressure of league play was long since over, the players’ tone wasn’t as celebratory as it could have been. The boys were obviously discontented with not taking "10 in a row" or the Cup for that matter. All were also concerned about their future in the organization. Advocaat was moving in and that didn’t make much room for most. McCall? Gone. Durrant? Off to Killie. McCoist? World Cup pundit. The reality was the players didn’t have to come over here at all. With their future with the club all but gone, they could have bolted and asked us to shove our little gathering up our collective arses. But they came for the us, the fans and we were lucky to have them in our presence on our home turf. They weren’t "Former Rangers". They were still Rangers. The League, the Cup, their dismissals from the team, that was behind them and us. This was our opportunity to thank them, not just for the previous season, but for all the ones they gave us.

Cheers lads.