der Berliner

I'd be happy with people of the Sterling type, not one or two more project players. I'd take the latter on top. And on another sidenote, Igamane has played quite a bit last season, scored a double for Morocco's u23s in their 2-0 win against Wales earlier this year too. He probably is not exactly up to European/British training standards, but I guess he's not a million miles away from the standard Morelos had in Finland. Is the tool of the game any different in North Africa? Has he actually been seen with the first team as yet? Mulder? Scully?

... and those 100 % were appreciated. If the 100 % a player has are not "enough", so be it. We are where we are. As with Dessers, the constant bashing of people who give all that they have is not helpful and just adds to the negativity that has become such a feature on the board. One does not need to portray anything as being rosy - and no-one is. But as we can see with Dessers and Wright, this negativity creates a momentum so that everything they do is being put under the microscope. The black and white mist descends and more often than not, with some players they become ever more shyte with every single misplaced pass (no matter the 15 good passes in-between), while others get away with "murder" (my go-to bashing victim Tavernier was caught up field quite a few times yesterday, but Barron and Co. pulled him out). So I am not free of that negativity either. Anyway, as a Union supporter told me back at the Alte Försterei, there is one rule they have there: never boo or badmouth the team if they give their all. Even if they get hammered. I concur with that.

Highlights from Kiev's youtube channel, no commentary ...

Wee sidenote ... both Jefte and Ridvan can play wingback. They've shown what they can do TOGETHER tonight. We do need to get the infield house in order. Lawrence was essentially not there. We might as well play Danilo and Dessers. Likewise, we need a cool head in DM. If Diomande is injured, I'd play Dowell there. He at least can pick a decent pass. Sterling needs to get fit and stays that way!

Indeed 😝

The ref is handing gifts to Ukraine .... 🤪

.... like we the support knew who our targets were and whether we did not try to get them.

Honestly, how naive are some folks? It's a couple of weeks into pre-season for most players, some, like we, started earlier, some later. The Bundesliga (Wolfsburg, remember) only starts in two weeks. It was obvious that some people are behind our schedule. That aside ... the transfer market is no shopping centre where you always get what you want at the time you want it. You know that as well as I do. Sometimes you think people only started watching football last June and never seen this before.

All in all not much between the teams. We clearly lack someone to control the game and spring the passes about. What little comes from the back is pretty average. Souttar asleep for the goal, doubly frustrating as he looks at the guy and then concentrates on the ball. Lawrence the big anonymous guy on the field. He is doing very little, hardly ever comes back to collect the ball if it ain't comes to him, and is doing little pressing. One shot in 45 mins as your sole contribution is pretty poor.

Well, that's British line-up ... people-wise Butland Tavernier - Souttar - Balogun - Ridvan Diomande - Barron McCausland- Lawrence - Wright Dessers Subs: Kelly, Propper, Matondo, Cerny, Dowell, Sterling, Jefte, Davies, King, Fraser, McKinnon, Danilo. I would assume Clements counts on the MCCausland, Wright and Barron to press, while Lawrence shoots or makes telling passes.

I see. Thing is, "wasn't any better" still managed to win us NIAR and all. I'd rather have a bit of that "quality" these days - alongside stellar players like Laudrup or Stevens. Thing is too ... people are so much down from years past that they seemingly think we are just above dung-heap level, no matter the player. Hence, these chaps get FLAK like there is no tomorrow. It is quite obvious that people see this somewhat different, yet, I, for one stop a country mile or two short of calling such an opinion drivel. I don't mind people like Wright in our team, as long as they give 100 %. It is where we are right now and once we can get better, fine.

Homework? Nonsensical? Explain.

It ain't Christmas. We bought Cortes as a right winger and he lasted minutes, playing on the left. Last season, this season. I thought we bought Matondo a as right winger too, as he has played equally on either side (and usually goes centra to use his right foot), and play him on the left. Both look far more project players than McCausland, for if you put Ross on, you see commitment, bite and drive ... at his current quality level. With the other two, it seems to ebb and flow. Like McCausland, you know what you get with Wright. Somehow, you get the notion that people still can't realize the situation we are still in. While it is all fine and well to do some finger-pointing or blame someone of the board et al, the reality remains. We can wish for people of higher quality, yet, if those we have give all they have, we should still be sober enough to recognize this. Far too many seek the easier route and indulge in this "not good enough" singing. Much like Stuart Munro or Davie Robertson were no Stevens, Ricksen, Papac or - dare I say it - Tavernier, they gave the 100 % they had. Wright is no Kanchelskis, Mikhailichenko, or Laudrup, but closer to McCann, who also ran himself into the ground for the Gersey. Every now and then, people should come down to the more normal levels and give credit where it is due.

Had a look at the new format ... well, we've come a long way since the European Cup and Cupwinners Cup games. Anyway, someone somewhere will have checked this before: should we bail out this round, do we go into some other competition? Same question for the next "play-off" round.

Sterling might be fit for tomorrow, I heard Clement say, so that might be a bonus. They are not further down "their" season than we are, so who knows how well they will eventually shape up. Sitting back should not be the option, but I would assume we cannot play as open as we did on Saturday, or they will hurt us. Surprise us (again), Rangers!

Funnily enough, before I had a first look at the board I thought: let's see whether the mhedia got up in arms about that penalty not given against Barron. Far less conclusive than the one Germany didn't get at the Euros, but the rules and their application these days are a joke anyway. And suddenly I remembered the days when we had this Compliance Officer, who sprang to the Yahoos' help time and again, castigating our players on hindsight, or reducing Yahoo cards. As long as it was a useful tool, it was in the news and active. Haven't heard of him/her for the best part of two years now? Maybe we see it back, either for Barronmania or these idiots with strange fetishes ...

Rangers probe 'unacceptable' pro-Nazi flag at Hearts match as UEFA keep close eye ahead of Dynamo Kyiv clash Rangers have launched an investigation into an "unacceptable" pro-Nazi banner that appeared in the away end during their 0-0 draw against Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday. The blue flag with a Totenkopf skull - also known as the "death head" - was hung from the section housing the Rangers supporters in Gorgie. The symbol represented the SS during the Second World War and became the logo of the 3rd SS Totenkopf Panzer Division, which committed war crimes during the six-year conflict. ... https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/rangers/latest-rangers-news/rangers-probe-unacceptable-pro-nazi-flag-at-hearts-match-as-uefa-keep-close-eye-ahead-of-dynamo-kyiv-clash-4728556 What's the problem and faux outrage? The Ukrainians will warmly welcome this sort of imagery and if they and theirs wear it every other day in next to each war snippet you see on TV, no-one takes note or looks actively away. Before you ask, of course either of the above should be condemned and banned. You'd have to ask these banner chaps why they have it about ... and the police why they don't grab it at the entrance.

He was the TRIalist that tried to score from our three corners, but somehow failed to hit the target from less than a yard out. He sure is a natural scorer these last few years, but like every striker we have signed since Warburton, he would have to lead the line against packed defences, something he hardly ever does for Hearts. It would be a rather new environment for him and not even the Fates know how he would fare with us. Let him stay at Tynecastle till the end of the year and hope he'll hurt the Scum, then offer him a pre-contract in January. If anything, I wonder why Clement hasn't raided the Belgium or similar market. He and his sure know some cool old heads and talented youngsters.

No goals conceded against super-top-notch striker this side of Saturn's rings, again. Never an easy place to go, the deficits in the team are not new, and need no repetition. Ceterum, peto ut mutanda ratio!

So far, all look steady enough, Butland with a fine save. Early season bout with Hearts, as per usual. Some fine crosses by Ridvan, a good shot by Barron and Dessers a touch unlucky. Hearts, after a few bold minutes, simply (again) rely on hitting on the counter or grab a corner free-kick. Devlin the epitome of this modern day Iberian Plague. Kicks Wright in the knee, then falls flat and claims a foul for effectively nothing. Same with others. Shame of the game these days.

RANGERS: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Davies, Ridvan, Barron, Diomande, Lawrence, Wright, Cortes, Dessers Subs: Kelly, Matondo, Cerny, Dowell, Jefte, Balogun, King, McKinnon, Danilo. I'd call that 11 out of 11.

North Central Edinburgh, South East Berlin, East Central Edinburgh ...

Without wanting to tempt fate, our games against Hearts last season were interesting, but out of six we drew only one. I have no idea in what sort of shape they are right now, though as per usual, they'll probably give it a go. I doubt that we will see Pröpper from the start, so most likely the same that started vs Union. It looks like Clement wants to play Lawrence as the shadow striker, then switches Wright into that role once he brings on fresh legs for the wings. Dessers will start up top, unless there is a late knock. Cortes looked dire in Birmingham, much better in Berlin. Even though, like Matondo, he was not that good at tracking back. Hopefully Matondo gets his head down and has a good season. IMHO, Ridvan should start over Jefte, as he is far more settled in the team and environment. We lost two bad goals down Jefte's side last weekend, even though the centre-halfs didn't help much. Going by those who are fit and acquainted, it would be reasonable to expect Souttar and Davies. Either one may be exchanged for Balogun, who IMHO still is the coolest head of the lot. There will be no way around Tavernier for the time being, though I expect Sterling taking over when fit. I'd go for Kelly in goal, but it will be Butland. Barron and Diomande are the only two chaps ready and raring to go in that midfield duo thing, alas, Diomande "thinks forward". Butland Tavernier - Souttar - Davies - Ridvan Barron - Diomande Wright - Lawrence - Cortes Dessers

Rangers name their Euro squad - CL GK: Jack Butland, Liam Kelly, Lewis Budinauckas DEF: James Tavernier, Ridvan Yilmaz, Robin Propper, John Souttar, Dujon Sterling, Jefte, Ben Davies, Leon Balogun MID: Oscar Cortes, Connor Barron, Mohamed Diomande, Kieran Dowell ATT: Cyriel Dessers, Tom Lawrence, Rabbi Matondo, Vaclav Cerny, Scott Wright, Hamza Igamane, Danilo ... plus a host of youngsters.