Leaderboard

Like most Rangers fans ahead of last week's match against Celtic, I was confident of a good result. Not 'cocky' as some of the more conspirational of Celtic 'legends' have since suggested - just, for the first time in a long time, cautiously optimistic we could beat our rivals. And, for much of the game, that optimism was well served. Ironically, it wasn't until Celtic had a man sent off that that belief seemed to wane. The Parkhead men sat in and, as was the case before our resurgence after the New Year, we struggled to break them down, moved the ball far too slowly and then conceded an avoidable goal on the counter. The heads went down, our chance of a win was gone and even a deserved draw fell out of our grasp as the otherwise excellent Alfredo Morelos missed a sitter late on. With all that in mind, it's been a difficult week contemplating what if. Many fans have been understandably sore and several players have been criticised for poor performances whilst Graeme Murty has also had his influence questioned. Indeed, it's not easy to take strong issue with such comments. Quite simply, we didn't play well enough and didn't react positively to Celtic losing a man. Morelos may have missed the literal open goal, but the whole team we're guilty of same. However, I do think we have to avoid being too despondent and there's no need to throw the baby out with bath water. First things first, for the second match in a row, we did go toe to toe with Celtic and anyone denying that's progress needs to re-evaluate their outlook. Yes, we conceded three cheap goals but they were also great finishes from an experienced team that cost (and costs) considerably more than ours. We also missed three good chances but I'd be more worried if we weren't creating these. All things considered we're not too far away and, if we can maintain confidence (and realism), we can continue to close in. As such, a returning to winning ways this weekend is vital. Not just in terms of re-energising disappointed fans but to show Aberdeen, Hibs and Kilmarnock that we're better than them. And a win against Killie - a team we've failed to beat this season - would go a long way to securing second place in the league. Yes, we're down after last Sunday's defeat but given Killie's midweek penalty kick defeat in the Scottish Cup, we're not the only ones hurting. It will be fascinating to see whom out of Murty and Steve Clarke can lift their dressing room most effectively. In that sense, some fans suggest a few changes to the team might work best. Perhaps it's time to test a different combination in midfield? What's our best central defensive partnership now David Bates is also unavailable? Should Jason Cummings replace Morelos in attack or can they play together? Are we getting the most out of our wide players? When will Dorrans, Wallace and McCrorie return to the squad? It's actually difficult to answer such questions easily as all points put forward have merit. After an impressive start (much like Emerson Hyndman last season) Sean Goss hasn't been quite as good in the last two games. In defence Alves and Cardoso didn't cover themselves in glory either last Sunday. Meanwhile, surely a rest for Morelos wouldn't go amiss at some point? The problems occur in that not enough of the fringe players available to us have played enough lately to really warrant selection. That's one of my main gripes with Murty so far in that he doesn't rotate his side - not necessarily from the start of games either - he just doesn't make enough changes during games and certainly not early enough; even from comfortable positions. This means that as much as someone like Jason Holt can usually get himself up to speed there a few others who look as if they could step into the side and provide an upsurge of not just energy but quality. Cummings is one but there are doubts over Miller, Herrera, Dodoo, O'Halloran and Halliday whom, Miller aside in his best form, are unlikely to bring a spark to the team. Yes, we can ask questions of Josh Windass' contribution over 90mins but would any of these players offer more? Not as long as Dorrans remains short of full fitness. A change of system then? This is perhaps more likely but it's uncertain Murty's preferred backup diamond formation is suitable tomorrow given Killie are not only strong in central midfield but have a real threat in wide areas. Yes, two up front against the likes of Ayr Utd might be agreeable but, tomorrow at least, it could be considered a risk. However, we are at home against a side that had to play 120mins on Wednesday night so it's not beyond the realms of possibility. It would certainly address the issue of our tactics being too predictable at times. All in all though, and as I touched on earlier and in the article title, tomorrow's system and personnel might not be as crucial as the more fundamental aspects of football. Motivation and man-management after morale-sapping setbacks are vital and a huge part of breeding success in teams. Indeed, post-red card that's what arguably won Celtic the game last weekend and I'd argue it's been a big part of Steve Clarke's impressive work at Rugby Park this season. Our response to setback will be most enlightening at Ibrox tomorrow - players, manager and fans alike. Possible team (4-2-3-1):

Here we are five days after several of our fans, one a child, were hurt by the those vermin squatting in the Broomloan, and the club have not uttered one word in their defence. Frankly that's not good enough, the fan's safety seems to have a indifferent attitude from this board , that's an appalling situation for a club like Rangers.

But he's useless, and a coward

It was a red all day long. The linesman called it right. No story.

He nearly scored a 2nd in the first half, just missed connecting from a Morelos cross, then had a great shot well saved which led to Morelos missing an open goal..............

LOL that made me laugh.......are you serious ??? Windass thoroughly deserves this award. He has been magificent this season as his goals & assists record proves. And he is only going to get better. I can't remember when I last saw such an improvement in a player in such a short space of time asWindass from last season til now. Long may it continue.

never forget Rangers win permission to build memorial garden paying tribute to the 66 lives lost during the 1971 Ibrox disaster The club had submitted the proposals to Glasgow City Council to build a memorial wall containing a section for the interment of ashes. RANGERS have been given permission to turn an unused car park at their stadium into a memorial garden partly commemorating the 1971 Ibrox disaster. The club had submitted plans to Glasgow City Council to build a memorial wall containing a section for the interment of ashes. The club said they wanted to turn an unused car park at Copland Road into a memorial garden which would have a wall, gates, fencing, public realm improvements and associated works. Drawings for the ambitious plans also revealed the club want to include an Ibrox disaster memorial within the garden. A total of 66 lives were lost and more than 200 people were injured during the 1971 Ibrox disaster which was a crush among the crowd at an Old Firm game. Earlier this year, a yob scrawled a sick slur about the disaster on a medical centre wall just days after the anniversary. The plans also show there will be a touchscreen device for information and charging points for smartphone devices. Rangers have agreed to use car parking spaces reserved for players to compensate for the loss of 34 spaces to create the garden. The garden will operate 8am to 8pm daily. A decision approving the plans has now been announced by Glasgow City Council. A planning document said: “The proposal was considered to be in accordance with the development plan and there were no material considerations which outweighed the proposal’s accordance with the development plan.” The work has to be carried out within three years. Claire Wallace, general secretary of the Rangers Supporters Association, welcomed the plans. She said: “This is a lovely place for fans to spend time and reflect. “It is a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives in the Ibrox disaster and I hope it is the first of many new developments around Ibrox and the surrounding area.” https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/2372341/rangers-win-permission-memorial-garden-ibrox-disaster/

Naaaah! He's sh*te, and he hides!

We didn't have a local MP/Councilor who gave a shit.

A fantastic idea but suspect it will have to have 24hour security to protect it from the yahoos.

Never mind what they say about us always remember this ,we are the people

Perhaps you could ask them why Brendan O'Hara and Julie McKenzie have retained their positions despite using sectarian language to describe Rangers supporters, particularly given they are the party who introduced OBFA and instructed and encouraged the Police service to adopt a zero tolerance approach to such conduct.

Cowdenbeath FC crisis raised at Parliament amid fears club faces closure within a year Cowdenbeath FC could be forced into closure within a year unless at least £135,000 is ploughed into the club, its president has warned. Scottish Government officials are to meet the Blue Brazil board to discuss the deepening crisis at the former mining town. Raising the issue in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, Fife MSP Claire Baker called for football lovers around the world to chip in to save the 137-year-old club. Alex Anderson, president of the club, which is cut adrift at the bottom of the football league, said losing the Central Park outfit would be “another nail in the coffin to a small community like this”. “Within a year the club could disappear and I honestly don’t think people in Cowdenbeath appreciate how serious it is,” he said. Mr Anderson said the £135,000 would allow them to keep going for a year after relegation from League Two – but they would have to achieve the “tall order” of bouncing straight back to avoid a fresh cash crisis. Mrs Baker, for Scottish Labour, said: “The club is 137 years old and it is very important to the local community. “The club no longer has the large mining community that it used to have for its support and the rent from the weekly market and the stock cars no longer comes to the club as it lost its ownership of Central Park. “An emergency general meeting and a public meeting had to recently be cancelled because of the snow, but the club is clearly in a mode of fighting for survival.” Aileen Campbell, the public health minister, backed the Labour MSP’s call for “locals and football lovers in the world all over to help save the club”. She said she had instructed her officials to meet with club staff to discuss what can be done. “I’m happy to lend my name to that call for people to get behind the club’s campaign,” Ms Campbell added. “Fans are the lifeblood of Scottish football and certainly if anyone can make the difference to the club then I know it will be the club’s supporters.” A club statement earlier in the month said “many, many options” had been explored since the fans took charge of the club’s operations in 2010 but it “must be concluded there is no white knight on the horizon”. Last year, the Miners managed to avoid relegation for third season in a row – and dropping out of the Scottish Professional Football League – by beating East Kilbride in a play-off. https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/618128/cowdenbeath-fc-crisis-raised-parliament-amid-fears-club-faces-closure-within-year/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter If you click on the link there is a video of this being raised in Parliament, can't remember that happening with us!

A five game ban is nowhere near enough for this vile excuse for a human being. He behaves as he does because he knows he can get away with it here in Scotland. He has friends in the right places including the SFA who treat him leniently when these incidents occur which is far too often. In England he wouldn't get away with it. The English FA would then hammer him so hard no club would employ him. When he left the yahoos in 2014 he probably expected a premiership job but no club was interested in him. Not difficult to understand why. The only club he got was Bolton who were under a transfer embargo at the time. And he didn't last long there before they got rid off him. As for the KIllie game in question I thought the referee was perfectly entitled to award a penalty. The ball was heading towards goal & hit the defenders arm.

And the barrage continues. “Do not give Rangers ANY decisions!”

Is tomorrow Steve Clarke's interview?

He nearly caused a riot at Ibrox when he assaulted a Rangers player on the trackside right in front of the Derry. A love for ra sellik despite them appointing Billy McNeil as manager while he [Hay] was still in the same job. Not the brightest tool in the box.

We need to strengthen this area in the summer, 2 good CB required

Good review agree with some that maybe slight changes might be made but then again your selection is what I expect to see. Let's hope Windass doesn't score early as it might keep him interested then.

Hi All, Just wanted to say hullo and that I look forward to conversing with everyone! Cheers.

Yet we have no shortage of Gersnet members telling us that politics has nothing to do with football. Of course that denial in itself is almost always political. Rangers has never been identifiable as a Tory club but that’s probably the only party not rushing to stick the knife in our backs.

As long as our front-row union keeps scoring goals, we should be fine. Killie will probably play it differently than at home, and we should sure watch Jones and Boyd. I'm certain that Alves and Martin can handle the latter, Tav may need a helping hand with Jones though. It would be good to have Holt keeping an eye here, as I'm not sure Goss is as defense-minded. But we shall see. As I stated earlier, if Windass doesn't click during the first half, I'd replace him with Cummings. I wouldn't mind if we go in "top-heavy" and put them under the cosh in their half/area at the start, changing things later on, if they have to open up when behind. While I know people will scream at that - and it is sure better to decide for someone who sees him on a daily basis - I would start thinking about giving Morelos a rest. He's been constantly playing football for over a year now, with hardly any break at all. We sure need him for the run in and against the Scum in the cup, so I would take this opportunity and these kind of games to hand him the odd break.

This will be a hard match Killie have been doing well under Clarke so we will have to be on our toes and forget last week's disappointment but if we play to our strengths we should win .

Spot on Frankie, and great preview. This is 5% about the formation and tactics, but 95% about morale and motivation for this game. It's a must win game because it's our next one. If we're up for it, we win.

Much better for you to post in threads on those topics then. If you complain about it in here then you just bump the thread and keep it alive. This post does that too .

The island of Ireland is part of the British Isles. I love reminding Irish people of this. Referring to England, Scotland and Wales as 'the Mainland' also has a rather amusing effect.

At the end of the day, it was a red card. Regardless if the linesman was a Communist, a fascist, a Zionist or an Islamic fundamentalist - HE WAS RIGHT.

It's incredible how heated this thread has been at times. It seems that too many people think that they'll convince others to change their way of thinking just by repeating themselves over and over again. It's now bizarre and I think it's the strangest thread ever. We all have our own beliefs, whether they be about religion, politics or football. Having a diverse fan group is NOT a weakness, it's a strength. That is of course unless we spend more time squabbling about the things we completely disagree on, rather than the important things that brought us to this site in the first place - Rangers. We've got a big game coming up and it'd be great if we could get back to discussing that now instead. If we can't agree on politics, can we agree to close this down and get back to important business: - what formation should we use - has Murty done enough to be our manager, and if not what must he do? - what players or positions do we need to bring in the summer? - will Bates return to fitness ahead of the semi final game? id like to read about opinions on that rather than much of the stuff on this thread. Anyone else agree?

This story is just another example of the Scottish press making it very clear that if you make a decision in Rangers’ favour, whether it is correct or not, you will have your name dragged through the mud. it really is sinister.

You are missing the sub text behind all this stewarty - title stripping is still on the table. The moonhowlers are determined to succeed. Given the chair shuffling currently going on at the SFA and SPFL it wouldn't surprise me if that's what happens. Liewell is playing the long game without having his own name in the frame.

Linesman who did his job... gets another job, shocker! This is embarrassing.

Such an interesting point about behaving one way on the internet and another way in a face to face encounter. I mean if each person who criticised the Union Bears online would turn up to a match and deliver this criticism face to face then perhaps things would be different.