Tannochsidebear

Thanks for that, thought the date had to be significant somehow.

Looking forward to the game today, and what line-up and system Clement is going to play. Is he going to persevere with Lammers & Dessers in attack and if so will we begin to see any improvement in them? Or does he drop them and give others a chance, thereby letting everyone know the standards that must be met? Does Davies retain his place in the side at the expense of Souttar, even though Goldson continues to be our worst defender, or will he be the first manager to see Goldson as the mistake-laden, slow weak link and drop him? I think the line up will look similar to last weekend with perhaps small donner replacing Barasic if he isn’t fit enough and Cantwell starting, either for Lammers or Wright. Either way I’m looking for a continuation of the progress from last week with some decent football, a visible shape, pace, and of course a victory.

Butland for me, the difference between us and a hiding in the first half. Had that early goal went in, I shudder to think what the end result would have been. Really pleased with the result and the way we hung in, fought and scrapped to half time, then the manager got it changed and we were much brighter in the second half. I am much more confident of progress than I was 2 weeks ago.

A draw would do me tonight, not entirely sure if we will be good enough to get it but hopeful we are. What I definitely want to see though are obvious tactics in play, a defined shape with players looking like they know their role, and if required, changes mid-game to deal with the on-field situation. If we make individual errors which cost us the game but get the previously mentioned, I could probably live with that, but I want to see that he can pick a side to go out and, with a fair wind, get a positive result.

Why today? Is it his birthday or the anniversary of his death?

Rangers 3 Hibs 0 fgs Dessers

Is there no smoke coming from Ibrox Towers yet? FFS how long does it take! If we are to believe it is a two-horse race with Clement & Muscat, with a lot of indecision around I sometimes play the old opposites game, where you ask yourself if the tims were looking for a new manger and it was down to these two, which one would you be hoping they DIDN'T get? That therefore gives you the answer as to who we want. That draws me towards Clement and away from Muscat. But in fairness either of these look as if they have the experience and credentials we are looking for so would be ok with either and as long as it isnt McInnes, Lampard or any other serial losers or anti-football merchants then it is a step forward from the snake-oil salesman.

St mirren 1 rangers 2 Fgs Roofe

I'd love to see that happen as well but you know fine well Steve Davis is not the man to make wholesale changes. These failures are all his teammates. I will doubt if there are more than 3 changes from Limassol to Paisley.

3-0 Rangers sima fgs

LIke others, the list has an awful lot of names that if they were chosen would make it awfully difficult to go and watch the team again. But having endured a year of Bealeball I probably know I will continue to follow follow anyway, and in any event its probably only for a few months if we get it wrong again. The big issue this time round is that if they choose one of the undesirables, the board risk losing the fans goodwill completely. The angst will go to the board and not the manager/players. Some interesting names I would like to see how they get on, can they get a visible style of play and attractive winning football?

Bringing in Lampard is the sort of ridiculous marketing strategy just to raise profile and be seen to have brought in another big name to the club, without the slightest thought of whether it might work or not, or if said high profile name is actually a talented coach or not. Sounds like the sort of scheme only a commercial manager promoted beyond his talent to CEO would think of. Thank goodness we dont have such a man in charge of us!

I'm looking forward to seeing how the players are reacting to these changes. I've heard more than enough from all of them, time to show us instead. I suspect thats kind of what you meant as well.

Steve Davis and Alex Rae? Surely that’s a spoof release? That’s not even funny.

You have missed Dowell as well, but fear not you can safely dump him in the dud category with everybody else apart from the keeper of the summer window signings that were apparantly all Beale's picks and he didnt need a DOF overseeing him or asking questions.

Surely the past tense would be more appropriate than the future tense?

Thanks SBG, never heard of him. In the big picture, its a background role just like the admin team, sports science, kitchen team, etc. Dont know why the role seems to be seen as overly important. Ensuring the team have the right training and playing kit seems the easiest job in the world at a football club, dont see the fuss.

I've no idea who that is in the picture with Gerrard, but I do know for sure that McGregor's dinner was never going to be in NEH as they have 650 tickets sold and there is only 2 rooms in Glasgow big enough to hold such an event, what are both the Hiltons.

Gladly, but I’m jumping out before the car goes over the cliff!

Has he gone yet?

I had actually forgotten he was only here on loan. That makes me feel a very little bit better that it is another dud from the Beale '23 collection we dont need to pay off or try to find a buyer for, we can just return to sender with a note saying faulty goods. Yes a good goal last night, and easily his best performance to date, but he doesnt look anywhere near the sufficient quality to me from what he has produced so far, which has largely been absolute dross.

Rangers 3 Motherwell 1 fgs Tav

The one summer signing that has been a success. Coincidentally the only summer signing I had heard of prior to us signing them, and the only one with any pedigree whatsoever that looks like a fit for us. Some good saves last night when the pressure was on. I dont think he has had any worldies yet, but I cant think of any costly mistakes either. That is a very good record to have.

Rangers 2 Betis 1 fgs Tav (who else?)

The minimum requirement is 2 wins and a draw at home, and one win and a draw away. That should ensure top spot in the group. We are top seeds for a reason, and Beale keeps telling us he has brought in fantastic players better than those he has got rid of, and having previously managed similar results in this diddy cup then nothing less should be acceptable. However as Beale is in fact the weak link himself, I see no chance of us topping this group with him in charge, so avoiding defeat at home and avoiding heavy defeat away will be more likely the scenario if we keep him in charge. I go tonight with zero confidence, but tons of blind hope.