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Showing content with the highest reputation on 10/11/18 in all areas

  1. With another international break imminent, Rangers host Motherwell this Sunday in another important match at Ibrox. Recent weeks have been frustrating for fans, players and manager Steven Gerrard alike with just one win in the last five games: the team haven't played badly but inconsistency, attacking impotency and defensive mistakes have seen us lose games or drop points we should have won. In all these games, Rangers have had periods where they've dominated possession and even in the games we lost (v Aberdeen at Hampden and Spartak in midweek) fans have come away disappointed knowing we could and should have done better. Add in two home draws to Spartak and Kilmarnock then last week's win at St Mirren is our only solace of late. With that in mind, it's interesting to note the lack of consistency in team selection. Injuries and suspensions have proved problematic in this five-game period and the manager has been forced into changes he probably didn't want to make ahead of this international break. Yet, he also made five changes on Thursday night for the trip to Moscow from the team that won in Paisley so not every change was enforced. Given the defence's performance in particular against Spartak, fans are now asking why he won't persevere with a first choice back four instead of rotating Flanagan, Halliday, Katic and Worrall? Sure the sheer number of games will mean defensive change is necessary but wouldn't one at a time be more prudent than two? Midfield has been another area of concern recently with the management team apparently struggling to find a suitable balance in the midfield three and again having to make regular changes. It has to be said none of Coulibaly, Ejaria or Arfield have really found genuine form lately whilst the likes of Rossiter and Jack seem unable to play two games a week due to injury concerns. Meanwhile, Ross McCrorie who had a decent debut season last term has struggled to get any game-time at all this season. We do have plenty depth centrally so it's vital we find a balance we can rely on. Moving into attack, poor discipline at times aside, the contribution of Alfredo Morelos has been fantastic but the question is how long can the young Columbian maintain his goal-scoring and goal-creating form? With Kyle Lafferty unsurprising injured or having off-field issues, his signing has been a poor one so far - especially when the manager and fans seem less than enthused by Umar Sadiq. Morelos is one more booking away from an inevitable two-match domestic suspension so we have to have an alternative ready, willing and able for when this kicks in. In support of the main striker, a jaded looking Ryan Kent has succumbed to a hamstring strain so it was good to see youngster Glenn Middleton start and score in his first European game on Thursday. However, to become a first choice, he has to certainly work on his positioning and concentrate at key moments. On the opposite wing, Daniel Candeias has been his usual reliable self but because of a laughable red card will be missing on Sunday. This should mean another start for winger Eros Grezda who has struggled to find full fitness after a pre-season injury at Osijek. The Albanian should prove to be a pivotal creative player through the rest of this season so fingers crossed he can enjoy a full Ibrox Stadium this weekend. As for the opposition, they've won their last two SPFL games so will visit Glasgow in good spirits. We can expect further physical, direct play but the pace and creative play of guys like Chris Cadden and Allan Campbell cannot be ignored. As always Curtis Main will be their attacking focal point alongside Ryan Bowman who I'm sure will get a warm welcome from the home crowd. Their main threat may well be at set-pieces and after scoring three times against us at Fir Park, they'll want to do the same this weekend. Ironically in that match (for some of the opening period anyway) Rangers deployed a back three so the manager may consider that again this week - especially if Kyle Lafferty is available. In closing, after this game Rangers will have two weeks off but Sunday's match and the next two (v Livingston and Villarreal - all at home) are vital ahead of an increasingly difficult and hectic schedule in December. Win all three and our season is poised perfectly ahead of nine (yes, nine!) games next month so that's the challenge the players and manager must set themselves. Despite our inconsistency they are capable and they'll have three sell-out crowds cheering them on while the rest of 2018 will certainly tell us a lot about the squad quality and depth we have. Keep believing seems ever more apt! Possible team (4-3-3): McGregor Tavernier | Goldson | Katic | Halliday Jack | Arfield | Rossiter Grezda | Morelos | Middleton
    2 points
  2. 2 points
  3. Its 10 games with tomorrow's fixture included. 27 points
    2 points
  4. At the end of 16/17 (Pedros arrival), I think Miller was both trouble and an asset. Jackson, at the Record was virtually campaigning for a Miller contract extension and there were people from within Auchenhowie were telling Jackson that Pedro didn't have a clue and wouldn't last long (fair to speculate that KM might have had a conversation or several with Jackson). In the end, PC got rid of a fair few but Miller got his contract extension. Further down the line, prior to the Hamilton away game you could see the anger within PC wrt to player(s) who he obviously thought had undermined him, ie. the relationship between PC and KM wasn't great. You can take anyone of several views on this but given Miller and Murty had issues then it backs-up the allegation that KM wasn't for respecting the manager. I'd say it was pretty much an omnishambles.
    2 points
  5. Anybody else a wee bit concerned about the lack of game time for Ross McCrorie? he seems to be the forgotten man!.
    2 points
  6. Coulibaly won't play on Sunday, as he has returned home due to a family bereavement. Never good to hear - best wishes to him and his family. From a footballing point of view, I think we have sufficient cover with Jack and Rossiter available.
    2 points
  7. It is safe to say we have been inconsistent and unpredictable this season so far. We have taken just 21 points form our first 33 in the league. Between now and the end of 2018 we have a further 10 league games with quite a tough run of games. Out of the 30 points available, guess how many we will get. The winner gets some stale turkey and flat beer! Sun 11/11/18 Rangers v Motherwell Sat 24/11/18 Rangers v Livingston Sun 02/12/18 Hearts v Rangers Wed 05/12/18 Rangers v Aberdeen Sun 09/12/18 Dundee v Rangers Sun 16/12/18 Rangers v Hamilton Wed 19/12/18 Hibernian v Rangers Sun 23/12/18 St. Johnstone v Rangers Wed 26/12/18 Rangers v Hibernian Sat 29/12/18 Rangers v Bheasts I will go for 23 points out of the 30. Its just a bit of fun guys!
    1 point
  8. Gonzo’s not saying that. I think he means Remembrance is solemn, not theatrical.
    1 point
  9. This is entirely my opinion but the poppy displays have become too much. Respect should be a solemn thing. Card displays and wearing scarves with Lest We Forget all year aren't solemn acts.
    1 point
  10. https://youtu.be/_HtmPXFZInk Found this fascinating. Boys at Tifo do a grand job.
    1 point
  11. If Morelos can't play due to injury or suspension I'd consider Umar Sadiq. I thought he did reasonably well in the semi-final and if he were to score it would give him the confidence he needs. Play Middleton beside him to feed off his knockdowns.
    1 point
  12. As Big Jaws said, we can only get a maximum of 27 points from 9 fixtures....unless the SFA are planning to give us an additional 3 due to our maltreatment over the past decade.
    1 point
  13. I couldn't care less what Josh Windass or Kenny Miller have to say about anything.
    1 point
  14. JW said the game he referred to was a 1-1 draw away to Kilmarnock under Pedro. There was a 0-0 away to Killie right at the start of Pedro's stint and a 1-1 home draw to Kilmarnock in Pedro's final game in charge. JW talks of a series of draws leading into the game and it being away from home, that suggests it was Pedro's third game in charge Sun 12/03/17 PRE Celtic 1 - 1 Rangers View events More info Sat 18/03/17 PRE Rangers 4 - 0 Hamilton Acade… View events More info Sat 01/04/17 PRE Rangers 1 - 1 Motherwell View events More info Wed 05/04/17 PRE Kilmarnock 0 - 0 Rangers You'd have to ask, what was the dressing room dynamic so early into Pedro's reign and was this one of the reasons why Pedro was so reluctant to give Miller an extension ? ----------------------- I'm sure the Windass interview will be well worth a watch.
    1 point
  15. Honestly, Lövenkrands had the ability to produce some stunning strikes, but there were also times where you prayed that it was not him receiving the ball in the area, as he wouldn't hit a barn door from 5 yards out. Middleton looks to me like a fine left-winger or inside left, his left foot is a treat and he knows how to glide past people and send dangerous crosses in - even with people about him. Same with his corners, who all caused havoc. He offers so much danger that it looks a crime not to utilize him properly. The threesome of him, Candeias and Morelos looked the part, you would hope that we find an able "10" or second striker to complement them and be there in the middle. Obviously, such an open game suits them and they may look "dire" when they are up against the entrenchment-brigade of the SPFL. That's the big challenge we face.
    1 point
  16. A thin squad needs these breaks. The next block of matches is really going to test the squad in various ways. - physical, 11 games in 36 days - mentality, turning up for a lot of big games, then keeping the level against the likes of Hamilton Villareal on a Thursday and Hearts(A) on the Sunday Hibs on the Wednesday and Celtic on the Saturday - squad depth etc Sat 24/11/18 PRE Rangers 16 : 00 Livingston More info Thu 29/11/18 UEL Rangers 21 : 00 Villarreal More info Sun 02/12/18 PRE Hearts 13 : 00 Rangers More info Wed 05/12/18 PRE Rangers 20 : 45 Aberdeen More info Sun 09/12/18 PRE Dundee 14 : 30 Rangers More info Thu 13/12/18 UEL Rapid Wien 18 : 55 Rangers More info Sun 16/12/18 PRE Rangers 16 : 00 Hamilton Acade… More info Wed 19/12/18 PRE Hibernian 20 : 45 Rangers More info Sun 23/12/18 PRE St. Johnstone 13 : 15 Rangers More info Wed 26/12/18 PRE Rangers 16 : 00 Hibernian More info Sat 29/12/18 PRE Rangers 13 : 30 Celtic
    1 point
  17. Ibrox Remembers 100 Years On https://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/ibrox-remembers-100-years-on/
    1 point
  18. So its your fault pete. A swift boot in the haw maws is yours when we eventually meet up
    1 point
  19. You won't find many serious observers who think Rangers will be ready to win titles under Gerrard in less than two seasons, at least not without a sensational collapse over at Torbett Towers. The objective this season is to finish the league campaign with a coherent platform for progress, something we've not done since Walter left. Only then will we be able to move on. Anyone can muster outlandish criticism if their expectations are equally misplaced. Gerrard has a long and difficult job on his hands, let's allow him to do it.
    1 point
  20. I think the club have boxed clever with this one..... The incident was clear - Candeias did absolutely nothing wrong. I don't think there is a single "expert" or pundit out there that believe he deserved a yellow. As clear a case of the Ref getting it wrong as theres gonna be. So the club challenge it. Even though there is not an actual mechanism to challenge a 2nd yellow, the club used the "mistake identity" clause. The appeal was NEVER gonna be successful & the club knew it. What the club did get from the process was the chance to confront the Ref face-to-face & to question directly. The ref had no option but to state that it wasn't a case of mistaken identity as there were no other Gers players there, and he did in fact book the opposition player as well. Therefore the Ref must have seen "something" to warrant a card - even though there wasn't anything. Therefore the ref got it WRONG. This then lends weight to out request for a rule change and a closer look at the behaviour & quality of the Refereeing in Scotland.
    1 point
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