NEVER has the Blue Toon been so blue.

In fact, as supporters made their way towards Balmoor Stadium yesterday it was difficult to tell if they were wearing Peterhead or Rangers shirts.

When Celtic came here for a Scottish Cup tie last season, the Third Division club had to remove Gers memorabilia from the supporters’ club.

But they wouldn’t have had that problem when Ally McCoist and his star-studded squad arrived up north.

For one day at least they were on the same level – together in the bottom tier of the Scottish game – and the locals were going to enjoy their special day.

Media from around the world descended on the town to witness football’s equivalent of a circus.

The list of reporters included correspondents from the New York Times and Le Monde in France, so that gives you an idea of the global interest created by Gers’ fall from grace.

A temporary hospitality tent was erected outside the ground and a piper welcomed their visitors to Peterhead.

But if you ignored the party atmosphere and cup-tie feel prior to kick-off – and reflected on what you were witnessing – it hit home just how momentous a day it was for Rangers and Scottish football.

This was it. Forget the hedge at Glebe Park and the Ramsdens Cup victory. Or the 4-0 Ibrox stroll in the League Cup against East Fife in midweek.

The long journey back to the top really did start here. Following all the turmoil and controversy which has surrounded Gers, there had to be a point where everyone in the game acknowledged “this is where they are” – and yesterday was that day

For the 3,000 Gers punters who made the trip, it was number one of 54 away trips before they are back to where they feel they belong.

The Balmoor DJ’s first track of the afternoon was Greatest Day by Take That.

A bit of hyperbole, perhaps, because in truth this was Rangers at the lowest point of their 140-year existence.

In saying that, you got the feeling their support sensed this was also the beginning of something memorable.

After a year of HMRC, EBTs, administration and liquidation, this was the moment they’d been waiting for. The start of a three-year redemption mission, to cleanse themselves of past crimes and return in better shape than the SPL clubs who had sent them down.

And it began in a town most famous for its prison. But judging by the red, white and blue flares set off by the Rangers fans during the first-half, they weren’t too unhappy at the sentence dished out to them.

They were housed behind Neil Alexander’s goal, with bits of scaffolding acting as barriers and Peterhead’s fishing boats in the distance. Apparently, stewards at the ground were attempting to test the terracing before the game to ensure it would hold up to a “bouncy bouncy” from supporters.

It was surreal but what else could it be after the chaos which has engulfed Scottish football over the summer?

When MailSport turned up at Balmoor, Peterhead’s players were milling around the foyer with their boots on. Scott McLaughlin even nipped out, as if he was looking for family or friends.

That just wouldn’t happen in the SPL. The “press area” consisted of a row of seats at the back of the main stand – within earshot of the directors box and the tiny dugout where McCoist and his backroom team barked out orders.

And a few of the players – not to mention Sky’s former Celtic striker Andy Walker – found out to their cost, being in such close proximity to the crowd isn’t always a good thing.

What Gers skipper Carlos Bocanegra, who has a century of USA caps to his name, thought of his surroundings is anyone’s guess. He would probably have been surprised to see some punters in the HOME end jump in celebration when Barrie McKay put Rangers in front.

It was fitting that a teenager should score the first goal of a new era. McKay, along with midfielder Lewis McLeod and other kids, MUST provide the cornerstone to what Rangers are trying to achieve. The club may have flexed their financial muscle in recent weeks, attracting Ian Black, Dean Shiels and Fran Sandaza to Ibrox. But if they are to re-invent themselves in the next three seasons, McCoist has to put his faith in kids such as McKay – and ensure they’re ready for when they finally reach the top again.

Despite Charles Green’s claims that billionaires are about to come on board, it was throwing cash at the team that got Rangers to this point. And after drawing the first game of a new dawn yesterday, Green, McCoist and the fans will surely realise it’s not the colour of money that’s important any more.

(daily record)

Man charged over sectarian chants at Peterhead v Rangers game

Police have confirmed that an 18-year-old man has been charged over sectarian singing at Peterhead’s game with Rangers.

Grampian officers are also investigating the lighting of flares in the away end at the football match

The Third Division game at Balmoor Stadium at lunchtime on Saturday was a 4,500 crowd sell-out.

It was the first game in the lower league for the new Rangers club. They drew 2-2 with Peterhead

(bbc football)