der Berliner

It's been a tough week, yet calling Rangers players bastards or making unnecessary fun of fellow Bears when questioned is not exactly what you expect on Gersnet.

... though as much. Sad usage of the word "bastard" ...

Indeed. Remarked on this before, yet, as long as we win games, who would argue with SG? We could easily switch to "3" at the back and throw another MF or striker on, not least when the opposition essentially has no existent attacking threat. BTW, "3" does not really mean 3 central defenders. In recent games we saw how often Goldson went forward or acted as someone to spray passes and get people going. His ball towards Morelos yesterday was quality stuff. It is more like a DM dropping a little deeper and assist the 2 CHs. Still, I reckon Hagi can provide a spark that we lack, the return of Stewart may bring a different option to the right ... IF SG agrees that Ojo's quality come too sporadic to validate his frequent starts / games.

Methinks Andy Little noted it in the commentary that we had rather difficult times against Aberdeen this season, only scraping a couple of 1-0 wins before today. Going by our form, a result like today was probably expectable, if unwanted. Rather inopportune timing, but there you go. Saw quite a bit of over-reaction elsewhere, as the end is seemingy nigh. My calendar says February 1st though. I do expect the Scum going off track every now and then still, they are not exactly an über-team either. Games coming thick and fast now, next Wednesday it is home to Hibs again, they are away to Motherwell. You would hope that - like we did late on today - we change formations earlier and should have done against the brickwall brigade much much earlier this season. We cannot change how other teams play against us or what the Scum does. But if things do not work, we can change what we do.

What? Who does that refer to?

How pathetic this all was again. Not a sliver of doubt that one or two Sheep would have walked - first half even - had this been the Scumhut. Came to defend, had a few good counters and dug in. My arse, what a shambles. We should have treid more from the outside of the area, had our chances, but in the end not enough. Good game from Polster again, great saves from McGregor and some bright sparks from hagi. Let`s hope the Scum drop points tomorrow ...

As you might have noted, I edited my comment about 30 secs after posting the original, when the line-up was just out.

When you think you just saw bad refereeing, up comes another week and some atrocious stuff by linesman and referee alike. Dallas Snr. should have a word with Jnr.. Let Aberdeen`s ruffians have all the fun they want ...

I'd assume that neither Hagi nor Kamberi are readdy just yet, permit-wise? EDIT: well, both are on the bench ... McGregor Polster - Goldson - Katic - Barsisic Davis - Kamara Aribo - Arfield - Kent Morelos SUBS: Foderingham - Edmundson, Tavernier, Barker, Ojo, Hagi, Kamberi. Not sure why Barker is preferred to Jones, unless the latter is injured.

Seemingly a common misconception, as most know him as a winger. Thing is, he is actually a central striker by trade, but given his versitality, trickery and ability to find a pass, often used as a winger. TM may help here ... Greg Stewart - all season stats Saying that, I would assume that SG may still actually see him more as a right attacker than a central striker, yet, of course, in a single-striker line-up and Morelos and Defoe in front of him, his chances as a main striker are by default limited. Kamberi, on the other hand, has primarily played as a striker (though Hibs et al hardly play a 4-3-3 or the like). At Rangers the opposition will play different to what he had at Hibs, so having him on loan to test his skills against that is a wise choice. His comments may have burned a few bridges at Easter Road though. Would have liked to see Barker and Middleton get a loan deal, as they sure won't get that many chances as long as Kent and Jones are fit.

Looks like Vydra has to stay, as Burnleyhasn't got a substitute striker yet ... or ready. According to "Sky Sports Scotland" ...

Come on, it is not like waiting for Santa. Whatever will be will be, whether you sleep or not. BTW, Mr. Hagi is being commented upon over on TM as well, including a quick link to his stats. Ioannis Hagi at TM After Grezda left, loaning Jones would leave us with Barker as a back-up for Kent. Unless we shoe-horn someone in there or use Hastie. Well, well ...

The price of a player is made up by the demand of him, the willingness to sell, lengthof contract, country he plays in etc. pp. TM puts a "value" in there according to age, international status, club, league, length of contract etc. so they can rank him in their system and provide a list of similar players. It can be way over the price someone is willing to pay or for what he is sold ... or below. Take Morelos, who is sure not listed with the 20, 30 or 50m we might demand for him. It s just a generic stat for TM alone. TM is a source for football stats first and foremost.

A SFA referee's comment on Defoe's injury. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EPfBhmlX0AEqMrP?format=jpg&name=large

You mean a defenders first job is not defending? With all due respect ... I think SG will agree with me and then point out that a defender will have to do more in this day and age, a view I share.

sherbrook over on FF stated that we are hopeful of 2 signings and those mentioned in that thread, Miller, Windass, Cosgrove or the like are way below the intended targets. No names just yet though.

A defender's first job is to defend. Everything else is a bonus. Tav has had massive boni over the years, but his prime job is marred by inconsistency or lackadaiscial defending. He is not a bad defender per se. People might get somewhat confused about me criticising Tavernier and thinking I'm talking his contribution down. I simply state that IMHO he is not the ueber-fullback that oozes out of various comments. Or someone that we need "or else ..." And you base that on 2 and a half appearances Polster has had? Tav played in all those shockers (1-5, 0-5, 0-4 et al) vs the Scum, the 5-5 vs Hibs, and he played against Niederkorn. His back-assist killed any title hopes last season ... and I could go on. This stuff is not filling my mind though, nor does his penalty-taking and assist rate of last season. I see Barasic and his forward runs, flanks, crosses, corners and free-kicks, PLUS his defending and say: that is a good fullback. We haven't had somesuch for many a long day, as he is consistently good in everything he is doing. If Tav gets up to that level, we can debate again.

I simply do not see that apparent world-class guy others see in Tavernier. He's a fullback that does a shit-load of running, sometimes pressing the opposition. But so too do others, like Polster tonight. He pressed them too and - for a change - defended when needed and with some skill. But each to his/her/their own.

Ahem ... nope.

Tillson should have had 3 yellows in the last 20 mins, and a few others gotten a card too. What a shambles of a refereeing performance again. Didn't spot the boot into Morelos either. Hard work, three important points and sadly an injury to Defoe. Might get us moving in the transfer market still ... not least given the card-happiness of some refs untowards Alfredo and the injuries to the other two. Good game from Arfield, Kamara and Polster, Barasic his usual self.

County shutting up shop and have been dangerous on the break. There was a reason it needed Clancy on Saturday. Far too many stray passes, crosses being over-cooked et al, but County defend doggedly, as expected. When Barasic and Polster go forward, they are usually confronted by 3 guys. A yellow here and there would help, as they became ever more physical. That last straight leg and studds showing attack on Katic by Mullen should have been a tad darker than it was in terms of cards. I reckon they will open up a little, so space for Morelos and Jones to exploit.

Flanagan not even on the bench ... Hope Polster provides the same spark that he showed on Sunday.

And another cute face and good footballer re-signs ... Bourma Signs New Contract RANGERS Football Club are delighted to announce that Daina Bourma has signed a contract extension with the club. The 20-year-old signed for the Light Blues in September, and has now extended her stay in Scotland with a new one-year contract. https://media.rangers.co.uk/uploads/2020/01/070120_daina_bourma_signs_extension_01.jpg Read more here: https://rangers.co.uk/news/women/bourma-signs-new-contract/ And on we go ... Martinez Extends Rangers Deal ANGERS Football Club are delighted to announce that Lisa Martinez has extended her loan deal from Montpellier. The French internationalist who joined in September, and has now signed a six-month contract extension. The 19-year-old defender settled into the back-four at the end of last season, before injury ruled her out for the last few months of the campaign. Read more here: https://rangers.co.uk/news/women/martinez-extends-rangers-deal/ ... and now we are global too: Rangers Sign Indian International Bala Devi RANGERS are delighted to announce the signing of India National Team attacker Bala Devi from Manipur Police Sports Club, subject to international clearance. The 29-year-old joins the club on an 18-month-deal after a successful spell on trial at Rangers in November. https://rangers.co.uk/news/women/rangers-sign-indian-international-bala-devi/ And we have a new head coach ... Malky Intrigued By Challenge MALKY Thomson said the intrigue of a new challenge attracted him to becoming Joint Head Coach of Rangers Women ahead of an exciting 2020 season. The 51-year-old hopes he can bring his coaching experience to the women’s side, having worked in the English Premier League with Birmingham City and in Asia. Read more here: https://rangers.co.uk/news/women/malky-intrigued-by-challenge/ Keep up to date with the RFC Homepage's women site: https://rangers.co.uk/news/category/women/

He played little of late, as can be seen from his stats. BTW, he did play against St. Joseph`s and in the League Cup vs East Fife. AFAIK, by default, he played for two clubs this season and can`t play for another. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jake-hastie/leistungsdaten/spieler/392375

Jake Hastie recall officially confirmed RANGERS can confirm that Jake Hastie has returned to the club after a mutual agreement was reached with Rotherham United.