Alex Mooney - A Rangers Christmas in 2125 reimaged

As a Rangers fan, there’s the added excitement of the New Year’s Day game at Ibrox against Real Madrid. It’s the biggest fixture in world football – two giants of the Planet Super League in the first game of 2125. It will also be an extra special occasion for the wealthy entrepreneur.

The morning routine in his Govan penthouse seldom changes – a double espresso downed in two gulps then 20 minutes in the gym before showering.

The view from his luxury pad on the top floor of the highest building in Britain is breathtaking. It offers a spectacular panorama of the stadium and he gazes down at the famous ground, as he does every morning.

It’s the centrepiece, the jewel in the crown, of an incredible city-scape surrounded by exclusive apartments, hotels and upmarket office buildings.

The iconic red brick front is untouched from back in the day when it held 50,000 but the rest of the ground had been upgraded many times. Now it has a 150,000 capacity and every match is sold out five years in advance.

Six levels of concourses crammed with shops, bars and restaurants surround the imposing structure. The vast edifice, cocooned by a rippled glass top bathed in shimmering blue light, conveys the Blue Sea of Ibrox – harking back to a favourite fans’ song from long ago. It’s a wondrous sight that lights up the sky – and Scotland’s top tourist attraction.

But there’s no time to waste savouring the vista and Jonny leaves for his office block round the corner. The 50-year-old made a huge fortune in finance and tech before he was 40 but he’s grafted for it – he gets stuff done when others can’t and his brilliant brain always seeks fresh challenges. Now he’s found the most important one closest to his heart.

He works from seven till nine at his desk then breakfasts at his favourite diner – Coisty’s. Staff in the exclusive establishment treat him like royalty and he has a booth to himself as he tucks into a Loch Fyne kipper followed by poached eggs on toast and more coffee.

As he’s leaving, he bumps into David Clifford, Rangers’ suave chief exec, at the front door with some of his senior staff. The timing is good, as he needs a favour. Jonny says: “Something’s come up. I need two VIP seats for the game.”

“Of course. No problem. The build-up to this is epic. Never known anything like it.”

Real’s fans love coming to Glasgow for the Ne’erday match and they have a 50,000 allocation. It’s become the hottest ticket in town and never disappoints. How could it when both sides are crammed with superstars playing dream football?

Jonny says: “Good man, David. Got to rush. Enjoy the big day tomorrow, guys.”

The request for briefs was never going to be rebuffed. Clifford is one of only a few people who know that Jonny will become the new owner of the club in a massive deal to be announced after the Real game.

As Jonny walks back to his apartment, he stops to enjoy the Christmas lights and carol singers. The area is already filling up with tourists and last-minute shoppers and there’s a feelgood buzz in the air – it looks more like Manhattan now than the old Govan.

Once home, he walks into the room that houses his impressive collection of Rangers memorabilia. It’s packed with hundreds of Gers tops – not replicas but the actual jerseys worn by players in famous games. The room is humidity controlled and kept at a perfect temperature to preserve its priceless treasures.

He finds his favourite jersey – the 2030 Champions League Winners strip worn by captain Lewis Ferguson in the legendary 5-1 demolition of Barcelona.

This incredible triumph moved the Teddies into the elite of the beautiful game – and kept them there. Despite Gers bagging a record haul of trophies over the ensuing decades, this match is seen as the club’s finest hour. That’s why Jonny had to pay a record £10million for the prized top but he reckoned it was worth every penny. He takes it off the peg and folds it carefully into a festive wrapper and bag. He always spends Christmas Eve with his wife and kids at the family’s stately pile overlooking Loch Lomond so he has to get moving. On the drive there he makes a detour to see his late dad Bob’s best friend, Derek Jack.

Bob and Derek were season ticket holders at Ibrox for more than 50 years and sat next to each other. They rarely missed a game but, since Bob’s death five years ago, Derek couldn’t bear the thought of going back to Ibrox without his best pal.

Derek, 85, looks well for his years. He says: “Good to see you, Jonny. You must be busy with all the stuff you’ve got on your plate.”

“Don’t be daft. Some things are more important than business. I’ve brought you a present from Santa.” He puts the top under Derek’s tree. “And you can’t open it till tomorrow!

“I’ve also got a wee surprise for you on New Year’s Day – VIP tickets for the game. I know you’ve not been back since Dad died but the next best thing is to go with his son.”

Derek pauses. Then his eyes moisten and he says: “I must admit I’ve missed the old place. So many fantastic times we had there. Maybe I could go as a one-off…”

Jonny gets a call from Derek on Christmas morning – a call he’s expecting. “I’ve just opened your present,” he says. “I’m lost for words. I know you paid a fortune for that. I can’t possibly take it.”

Jonny says: “I tried to get the top for Dad but by the time I did he was gone. You two are Rangers royalty. You deserve it. I’d rather you have it than a faceless investor. Enjoy it. And, no, I’m not taking it back. Happy Christmas!”

Jonny picks up Derek early for the Ne’erday game and on the way he tells him: “You’re sitting next to the new owner of Rangers as from today. It’s taken an age to put the deal together but it’s all done now.”

Derek is gobsmacked. “Really? That’s amazing. Your Dad would be so proud of you.”

Matchday at Ibrox begins early. With a 4pm kick-off today, there are at least 100,000 fans at the stadium complex by noon. Real’s support arrive on early flights from Madrid then board the Sky Bullet monorail train from the airport. The journey takes just three minutes, soaring above the city then dropping them at Ibroxonia station on the top concourse. There’s also a one-minute Bullet train loop from the city centre to the ground.

Rangers and Real have met so many times over the decades in major finals that both supports get on famously with each other. Being the two biggest clubs in the world brings with it a special bond.

One thousand bars, clubs, diners and posh restaurants spread over the first five concourses comfortably accommodate up to 200,000 happy souls before and after the match. The most exclusive club is Four Lads and this is where Jonny and Derek have a leisurely lunch. It’s crammed with royals, celebs, politicians and sporting superstars past and present.

Derek’s mind drifts elsewhere. He’s thinking of Bob and how much he would have loved being here today. Their usual choice for a pre-match snifter was Fat Eck’s pub on the ground level where the banter was razor sharp – unlike up here with the movers and shakers making polite conversation.

When they began attending games as youngsters in 2050, the team had already won eight Champions League trophies including the last one before the tournament format changed. After that, Rangers joined the new Planet Super League in 2050.

The Light Blues’ move to the PSL meant the era of Old Firm fixtures had ended. It also led three years later to Celtic’s ultimate demise after bitter in-fighting among their fans destroyed the club.

Rangers, meanwhile, went on to win a record 20 PSL titles and become a global phenomenon, alongside Real who won it 14 times. Derek knows that he and Bob had been spoilt rotten by their heroes.

Most fans are in their heated seats an hour before kick-off to savour the pre-match entertainment. After a fine meal, Jonny and Derek settle into their exclusive box to enjoy the build-up.

The advance of bionics means players rarely miss games because of injuries. The top stars’ key body parts are cloned and swapped out in a simple routine op. There’s little body contact in the game anyway. Fans want to see skill, not the blood and thunder tackles from the old football.

The game flows, with few stoppages. The old, decrepit VAR system was replaced by Artificial Intelligence Data. The hybrid pitch has 100,000 sensors embedded in it and every action and decision is analysed by AID in a fraction of a second. It never gets anything wrong. Ever. The referee only adjudicates in matters of human interaction between players and coaches.

Both sides are at full strength today in a contest watched by billions around the world. The players are super fit and show dazzling touches that send the crowd into raptures. Perhaps the greatest star is Rangers midfielder Alexis Messi who scores a sublime hat-trick in a 4-1 drubbing of the Galacticos.

At the end, as fans stand to applaud the players from both teams, Derek wipes away tears of joy at seeing his beloved Teddies again. He realises just how much he loves Ibrox. It’s like a second home and he’s missed it badly.

Jonny gives him a hug and silently vows that, while he’s in charge, his dad’s old chum will never miss another game.

After the big announcement to a frenzied world media about Jonny’s takeover, a club driver takes Derek home. Before he goes to bed, he pours himself a wee nightcap and stares at the famous top.

He thinks about Jonny’s words in the car, when he told him that many of the club’s shareholders were only in it for the money.

Between you and me, he’d said, I had to get rid of them. After I’ve sorted everything out, I’ll give all my shares to a Trust owned by the fans. Derek knew he meant it and Ibrox was now in the best of hands. He falls into a deep slumber.

The alarm goes. Viv nudges her husband. “Wake up.”

He’s grinning in his sleep.

“It’s New Year’s Day. Wake up!”

She gives him another prod and he slowly rouses, looks confused, and stares at his wife for a few bleary seconds.

“I’ll tell you what, Viv – you won’t believe the dream I’ve had, you absolutely won’t believe it. I’m telling you right now, you won’t believe it. Wow…”

She frowns then gives him a hug. “Welcome to 2025, Alistair McCoist.”