Thomas Buffel was this week’s guest on my podcast https://www.ten10podcasts.com/rangers-connection/ and I got the chance to ask the Belgian star his favourite memories and his thoughts on the current situation with Rangers.
Thomas Buffel scores against Celtic.
Buffel played over fifty times for Rangers and returned eight goals for the club including a memorable strike against Celtic in a 3-1 Ibrox triumph. He was part of the memorable Helicopter Sunday side that triumphed at Easter road and indeed it was his trademark through ball that saw Nacho Novo break the deadlock that famous day. He also produced a similar cutting through pass for Peter Lovenkrands to score against Inter and seal Rangers passage through the Champions league group stages.
There was many highs for Thomas during his time at Rangers in which he won the league and league cup double in that famous 2004-05 year.
Buffel’s first goal against Hibs in a 3-0 win.
What I really wanted to know was what was his favourite memory of his time at Ibrox?
Thomas joked ‘From what I remember, I was mostly always pissed!’
‘Seriously, definitely Helicopter day. It was a brilliant day, coming from a difficult position. We were a lot of bodies down and I remember a great meeting with the gaffer at half time in which he made a great mental point with us all. ‘Try to win the game because you don’t want that hanging over you if things go our way elsewhere’.
‘Then five minutes from the end you heard the roar and the Rangers fans explode!’
I then wanted to ask Thomas if he would take anything from his time into his new management career?
‘Yeah I definitely think so’ remarked Thomas.
‘As well as what I said before about the meeting with Alex at half time on Helicopter day, he was always brilliant about the honour and the club’s position which was inspiring. The way he spoke about the club and the respect we must give it to earn the right to play is something I will always try to follow no matter where I go’
Buffel scores against St Mirren.
On Gerrard and Rangers current title charge Thomas beamed with joy, you can see the club is still dear to him.
‘They are doing brilliant!’
‘It’s never easy when you are doing European football as well domestic stuff but they are doing so well’
Buffel scores first of a double against Motherwell.
‘It’s very impressive’
‘You see the team how Gerrard was as a player, he was very technical, strong and tactical. But most importantly we have the passion which Gerrard had as a player and you see it in the team now’
It’s clear to see that Thomas still has passion and fond memories of the club. Was great to speak to him and you can hear a full interview with him on Rangers connection podcasts with Mark Hateley and Alex Rae, as well as my own questions on the Fans corner podcast.
Coming later this week on 4lads we will have another history blog in association with Rangers Pools and I speak with Colin Stewart on the new Tunnel area and Ibrox changing rooms.
We will also have match reaction to Dundee United tomorrow as we took another step closer to 55 and reaction from the return of Antwerp this Thursday.
Good luck to the team and management for Thursday as well as the forthcoming league matches.
Our time is nearly upon us
Four Lads Had A Dream 