der Berliner

Referee - Nikola Dabanović (MNE) Assistants - Milovan Djukić (MNE) and Vladan Todorović (MNE) Fourth Official - Miloš Bošković (MNE) Video Assistant Referee - Matej Jug (SVN) Assistant Video Assistant Referee - Jure Praprotnik (SVN) Missing - Ryan Jack (not yet fit), Nnamdi Ofoborh (heart problem), Filip Helander (knee), Jack Simpson (not in squad) Doubtful - Glen Kamara (ankle knock), Ryan Kent (maybe not yet fit) Live on BT 3

I think we don`t want to look at the "goals scored from chances created against us" - column anytime soon. Gut feeling says above 50 % ...

That goal early on aside, that was a rather polished performance, one you would not have predicted before KO. Was having one of my 4 cans of Carlsberg Elephant (10,5% Vol) readied for this game off after the goal, but in the end it was sufficient ? Arfield and Sakala breathe a fresh air into the side. Especially the Zambian being a constant thorn in their side, a player not many Scottish defenders have a clue about yet. Tav ... well, the only thing you have to say about him is that he simply needs to play like that every (other) week. No critique today though.

We are clearly dominant, gave away the silliest of goals and worked our way back. Tav finally did what we ask all the time, just take a shot and don`t pass the ball into the net. Likewise for the second: a quick precise ball up the park, not 35 passes into the area. If we keep going like we played thus far, we should see this out. Sakala so far in fine form, attacking and tracking back perfectly.

They have hardly been in our half, we gift them a corner, no-one covers the post and that lumb of wood scores from the tightest of angles. Some feat there ... Rangers.

Today will be about will and craft, as per usual against the Steelmen. Not sure how the players will actually line up, perhaps some sort of midfield diamond. Hope Sakala and Morelos grab a chance or two, should they present themselves. We are firing far too many blanks ...

People are already calling for Kent to return ... As it stands, we don`t need another winger/AM trying his luck with a varying degree of success against a tight and packed defense. It`s not like Kent was banging them in like CR7 or the like. Its not his job either. I see people drumming on about modern football et al, de facto, a 4-3-3 robs us of one striker and one winger against tight defenses. But, but the fullbacks are attacking too?!?!?! So what, in a 4-4-2 the fullbacks attack too, effectively giving us somewhere between 4 and 6 attcking players, with 2 CHs covering (as they do now, one DM clearing up the midfield and one MF being creative. Turn it as you will, our current setup is not up to the game as it is played in Scotland. We have one main striker who has to do it on his own against 2 or 3 CHs, who now goes deep or drags defenders to the wings ... only to leave an empty space behind that is not well covered by the MFs (simply because we play 2 DMs who are not really willing to attack and/or shoot). Aribo`s position is an enigma to me this season, as he pops up here and there and you have to hope that Hagi and him come up with something ... only to see them try the double- or triple-one-two in that super-tight area in and around the box. And rest assured, with Kent it is the very same. How often have we put balls into the area this season with hardly anyone from us covering the spaces or running into attacking areas (like Arfield did when he came on, as it is his game)? We are probably top of the charts in possession, not least around the half-way-line, with Kamara and Co. spraying passes and we hope for a killer pass from one of our centre-halfs, mind you. Thing is, we don`t change the way we play in any sort of way, no matter the opposition, no matter how we toil, how matter the glaring problems we have. As long as we win, somehow, all is fine. But essentially, we walk a thin line every game and only our super-tight defence last season kept us from more bother. The most disappointing thing is, that it is not exactly rocket science to see the problem. If we need a solid defence, yet still have enough attacking power, play e.g. 3-5-2. Balogun - Goldson - Bassey Lundstram Wright - Arfield - Hagi - Kent Morelos - Roofe We have 2 CHs and one DM playing cover these days anyway, so if the opportunity arrises, either Balogun or Bassey can move forward with the other two or Lundstram (Kamara, Jack, doesn`t matter) can cover. Arfield the combatitive MF he tackles back but also runs into attacking spaces vacated by others, Wright, Hagi and Kent rpovide amo for the two strikers, who`s main job is the pester the defenders all game long. But fullbaaaaaaacks. We can more often than not spare the fullback role, as Tav and Barisic are up the park. But if I want wingers, I play wingers (who can easily track back too, if need be ... modern game and all). And Kent and Wright/Bacuna/Patterson will sure, over a time, get into the same stats as Tav or Barisic.

Will we ever see Tavernier being dropped for performances like tonight, when he delivers exactly one good cross and scores from the spot? Patterson is long overdue a run in the side, but by the looks of it, he`ll rather play on the right wing than right fullback. For long spells today, there was a large gap between our attackers and the CM. hardly anyone running into spaces and if, they didn`t look for a route to goal, but a way to pass the ball. Kamara, for all his technique and skill, was more or less a passenger and luxury, with Lundstram covering most spaces. Aribo drifts in and out of games, far too often looking for the double and triple one-two around the area instead of shooting. The service to Morelos and Roofe were poor, despite us dominating large spells of the game. If we keep on going with 2 DMs against team like that, with no players for penetrating runs and willingness to shoot, this season will become another toil.

Has anyone got a clue why the SFA/SPFL removed the 5-changes-per-game rule that is still in place in European games? Any clue that does not start with S and ends in FA/SPFL would be preferred ...

Two from headers (straight at him), one from Hagi?

Saints came out storming, cracking shot by the loaned Irishman, even though McLaughlin had the Sun straight into his eyes (no excuse, just an observation). Roundabout the 30 min mark Saints tired and the equaliser was well deserved ... Alfredo`s 100th was sweet. We need to weather any early storm after the break, which is bound to come, perhaps get on Sakala and Bacuna early on for counter attacks and to spare Alfredo a red ... given that he just needs one foul for a yellow in Scotland ...

Has the Rangers team bus arrived in Paisley by now?

Referee - Fran Jović (CRO) Assistants - Hrvoje Radio (CRO) and Luka Pušić (CRO) Fourth Official - Mario Zebec (CRO) Video Assistant Referee - Pol van Boekel (NED) Assistant Video Assistant Referee - Jochem Kamphuis (NED) Missing: Ryan Jack (injury), Nnamdi Ofoborh (heart prolem), Filip Helander (injury), Ryan Kent (injury), Glen Kamara (suspended) Live on BT Sport 3

IMHO, Rangers managers should be able to change players and tactics when either fails. We persist far too long with the same system and same under-performing players, not least with favourites like Kent, Tavernier or Morelos. Previous laurels are for reference and history books, in the here and now we need players who are up for it. Waiting for Kent`s magical moment, that one or two good crosses from Tav or Morelos killer-instinct to return is nothing e.g. Sir Walter would have done as long as we do these days. And it costs us.

Right on time ... Andrew Dickson @mrandrewdickson Following an investigation by an ethics and disciplinary inspector, UEFA have concluded there was "insufficient evidence of racism or discriminatory conduct" at Sparta Prague v Rangers to warrant the opening of disciplinary proceedings against the Czech club. UEFA could just as well call a day on their Respect and anti-racism campaign ...

You have Sakala and Roofe on the bench, watch Morelos firing blanks and bring on Bacuna for Wright and Roofe for Hagi, our most potent attacker. As long as we keep our one-striker-philosophy and don`t sub people when they are off the boil, as well as hoping that our defense holds tight, this season will be much like the last ones ... unnecessarily tight games. It remains utterly disappointing that we simply do not progress ... BTW, that Halkett guy could have had half a handful of yellows today.

I`m likewise not fluent in Idiot, so I can`t help you here ...

We play to slow for long spells, not quick enough up front. And once the ball is up there, people take far too many touches or look for someone else rather than shooting. Main culprit Aribo. Hope we see Sakala and Roofe for Aribo and the constantly fouled Wright.

Referee – Nick Walsh Assistants – Graeme Stewart and Calum Spence Fourth Official – Colin Steven Missing - Ryan Jack (injured), Nnamdi Ofoborh (heart problem), Filip Helander (knee OP), Ryan Kent (thigh) Doubtful - Connor Goldson (some knock), Juninho Bacuna (thigh) While I haven`t heard the presser myself yet, it is being said that Goldson had a knock rather than a Covid-issue.

I haven´t seen the Motherwell game, but given how Goldson and Tavernier have played part in many an opportunity and goal by the opposition this season, Simpson should easily get "another" chance. Maybe people have forgotten the blips of Gough, Brown, Amoruso and Co. every time I saw Simpson (bar his first outings last season), he wasn`t a Kiernan or Perry. Truth be told, our defence on Thursday was pulled all over the place and I was wondering why SG kept Lundstram that long on the bench, given how he played these last few games in DM/CM, calming many a dangerous opportunity before it became critical - Jack-style, almost. Thus, I very much assume that Balogun and Simpson will play, as well as Lundstram. As will most likely do Tavernier, even though he should get it more in the neck than Barisic, as neither have been running at 100 % this season. Given we face a battle, Bassey may slot in at LB, yet I can`t see SG being bold enough to play Patterson. As said before: We should start with Roofe - Morelos - Sakala up front, Hagi behind them.

Wee sidenote: the racist cries of the kiddies in Prague have been noted over here in Germany too. Sparta - and to some extent UEFA - get it fully in the neck.

EL is a bonus. Lyon is no benchmark and one can loose in Prague, especially with that defense. Could easily have been 3 or 4, yet that also shows their quality. We are good enough to beat that lot, yet we are not exactly clicking. You just have to hope that we will pick up points against Brondby and Sparta at home too, and that was always Plan A. We should have started with Lundstram in DM. As I said before, if Aribo doesn`t start well, its almost like a man down. The odd bit of sharp skill isn`t enough to warrant a starting slot. Likewise, Wright should have been on for Bacuna, so we had some speed and penetrating runs, Hagi is for the creative department. In the end, there was too much craft on the park, and not so much attacking power and ability. That has seen us struggle before. As for Sparta, they have some decent players, and some of the scum variety. Slavia too. Claiming fouls, falling down like pole-axed and whatnot, yet looking bewildered when they hand it out. That incident with Kamara was just the icing on the cake. As for Prague, dear gods, what a shithole if even the kids start screaming at Kamara. You just hope a neat fine is coming Sparta`s way ...

Disgraceful, dishonest scum .. what a freak country this has become ...

We could easily score 3 or concede 3 in this game. They look neat attacking (not least against our makeshift central defence), but also vulnerable at the back. Its another game where Aribo slips in and out of things ... now with Hagi on, I wonder whether we should send on Wright too and let Hagi dictate the attacking game. Wonder what they did to the surface, given how our players slip and slide about. NB: How I hate that modern dishonesty in players, like that idiot charging into Sakala then looking bemused at the ref as he gives a foul. NB 2: Had we scored such a goal, we`ll gloat over it for quite some time.

Well, reaching the group stages would have put a big smile on the faces of our accountants, yet, when you see the quality of football being played there, the Bears would probably have been in for a rough ride. As Goldson and Helander are out and Simpson not in the EL squad, it looks like Balogun and Bassey, as only Leon King and Tavernier are players for that position, and given Tav`s lapses in defence against Dundee, I doubt he will be there. That also means that it probably is Lundstram, Davis and Kamara in midfield. Roofe, Morelos and Hagi up top.