Davie P

Really disappointing performance, imo only Hill and Halliday got pass marks. If Wes is in the team ahead of Gilks for his distribution, then Gilks must be missing a leg. I don't believe that any GK could distribute the ball worse than yesterday's performance. Terrible passing and lucky not to get caught in possession on a couple of occasions. Was he unsighted with that shot at the end? Tav defended better than he did last season, but appears to have lost his attacking mojo. His crossing was abysmal to say nothing of his shot that he couldn't even put into the side netting. Kiernan cannot pass or tackle, must have some compromising photos of the manager to play at this club. Wallace - could Hodson do any worse? Almost cost us a goal at the end when he passed it square, after taking an eternity with a shy in injury time. Playing for the draw? Holt, Windass, Garner; - Woeful, Holt doing his best Nicky Law impression; Windass couldn't find a player with a pass if he was three feet away from him and Garner, just can't believe that we spent 1,8m on a player from the English championship. Would have been far better to have taken that money and looked for a hungry young striker from Eastern Europe or Scandinavia. 1,8m will not buy you quality in the English Championship, that's almost a given. If he was 'married' to the 4 4 2 formation, why bring him to a club where we will not deviate from 4 3 3? O'Halloron appears to be a poor man's Arron Lennon i.e. drop the left shoulder and go past the defender on his right. Nothing particularly wrong with this, (although any decent defender should work you out quickly) but you have to have an end product once you have created the space. Miller at least worked hard and covered Wallace a number of times, but that cannot be his role surely. After his shot early in the first half, he no longer provided an attacking threat. From the bench, Waghorn looks like he doesn't want to be here (assume that he has still not signed the contract extension?), Dodoo I think touched the ball once in his 10 minute cameo and McKay just didn't impose himself on the game. However, you can see that there is something special about this boy even when he is not playing particularly well, he has wonderful control and vision, perhaps better as a Number 10 in the absence of Kranjcar? Remember the defence splitting pass to Tav? All in all, very little or no improvement since the 5-1 match. No moving the ball quickly, bullied in the midfield, haphazard at the back and pedestrian up front. The only match where I thought we were unlucky not to get something was against the sheep, but right now, we are where we are because of our lack of quality throughout the team/squad. I just cannot see how this team is going to be good enough for second place this season, never mind laying the foundation for future title challenges. I think Dave King has bigger challenges than Mark Warburton - he needs to find some serious money to bring in the quality that 40 000 season ticket holders deserve.

What I find interesting is that there almost appears to be an anti-Warburton crusade at the moment. We have become so used to the Scottish Media painting Rangers in a bad light (and there has been times when we have deserved it) but the target seems to have moved towards the manager. Perhaps the media are not getting the inside scoops that they used to and would therefore welcome a new man, who may be more pliable? For what it's worth, I do think that Rangers had to be re-built from bottom to top. This should have happened when the demotion occurred, but it didn't and we have to accept that without any real investment/marketing income, the academy has to be properly developed, the signings that are made have to add value (both while they are playing for Rangers, and if we are looking to sell), which means that we are fairly limited in the pools that we can dip into (i.e. English Championship/Division One). One scout is not going to unearth the next Messi for example. That's not to say that MW should be exempt from criticism. The team has not played well this season (Killie apart) and I thought his formations and personnel choices were naïve against Celtic on both occasions. However, we are seeing progress both off and hopefully going forward, on the park. I do think that second place should be non-negotiable, but if signs of progress are being made, I will trust that those in charge are moving every aspect of the club in the right direction.

I thought MoH played reasonably well last night, considering he hasn't started too many matches this season. I would be inclined to keep him in rather than Miller, even if is just to utilise his pace against Steven Smith, who I assume will be at left back for Killie?

I thought Garner probably had the best chance to put us in the lead, when he headed down into the ground and the keeper pushed over the bar. In hindsight, I bet he wished be had taken it on his chest and smashed in the volley!

Thanks Elfideldo, appreciate the feedback. Unfortunately, that has been a problem in that he is still registered to his South African club, so could only take part in friendlies. Over the time of his trial, they have played two development league games (in which Graeme couldn't take part) so he only had the training sessions and this friendly to make his mark.

It was indeed, Graeme (Triallist no 6) said he thought he did quite well, was his first 90 minute match since the beginning of August due to a groin injury and he was getting tired in the second half. Hopefully done enough for Graham Murty to take a closer look at him over a longer period.

Thanks Craig, it is almost surreal. The chances of a young boy from Durban getting the chance to be spotted by Rangers and to have supported the team all of his life, is just beyond belief. He was taken around Ibrox and Auchenhowie on Monday and sent me the photos. Thought I was going to burst with pride!

Both my daughter and son were bedecked in Rangers apparel from birth. It was a more innocent time then, and this did not create a moral dilemma. As we do not live in Scotland, this was my way of supporting the club financially as we were unlikely to get the chance to attend matches on a regular basis. My favourite photos of my children are of them proudly either wearing or holding up the jersey. If they have been brainwashed into supporting Rangers then I consider that I have succeeded as a parent! My son is currently on trial with the Rangers U20's. I am firmly of the opinion that the fact that he has been a supporter from birth (albeit in a foreign land many miles from Ibrox) and had the photos to prove it, probably was the final factor in Craig Mulholland agreeing to the trial! Although I will not personally purchase any Rangers branded equipment due to the retail 'arrangement', I would never condemn any other supporter for their decision. There may be a myriad of reasons why they have made their purchase and every individual ultimately needs to weigh these up and make their own decisions.

Kennedy and Souness are as thick as thieves. I think that Kennedy is a hard nosed businessman and he would do a deal that would best suit him financially, but I have to say that if he values his friendship with Souness, then I would be surprised if he worked with Ashley. Also the saving grace is that when ill Phil says anything about Rangers, he always gets it spectacularly wrong!

I wasn't complaining when we were steamrollering teams last season playing 4 - 3 - 3, but I do think in terms of our existing personnel, that a 3 - 5 - 2 may suit us better. Tav and Wallace basically play more offensively in any case, but we desperately need that third central defender to tidy things up. If we could go out and get a Baresi or Maldini, perhaps we could stick to the 4 - 3 - 3, but with Wilson, Hill, Senderos and Kiernan, none of whom fill me with confidence, a third player in there may shore things up at the back. I also think that Garner would be better as part of a twin striker partnership, he seems totally lost as a sole striker. Neither McKay or Waghorn ever got close to providing him with support. If we are to continue with 4 - 3 - 3, then Waghorn would be the better option as a striker.

Definitely read that as referring to Forrester mate. When I read the article initially, my first thought was that this is Lennon all over. Poor hard done by Celtic, always the victim.

I don't think he was ever fully fit to start with, but at 34, not quite as easy to get up to speed as it would be for a youngster. However, I think it is all irrelevant anyway, likeliest outcome would be for the contract to be mutually cancelled and his fitness becomes someone else's problem.

A three week suspension means that he will not be playing again for a minimum of 6 weeks, as he will need to do a 'pre-season' fitness regime to get back up to speed. Personally, I think it is all over for him, can't see any way back. Perhaps just sorting out the terms of the cancellation of the contract. If the training ground bust up was just that, no problem, happened regularly when I was playing, but I didn't get the chance to go on radio and put my point of view across. In my view Barton's actions are insubordination and undermining the manager. Should just have kept quiet, came back into training this morning, apologised to his team mates for any offence caused and got on with it. Problem solved.

I think MOH for Forrester and Niko for Windass, with the rest being spot on. This would probably be a bit unfair on Forrester, who has been one of the more consistent players this season, but MOH does offer us blistering pace and has always played well against them for St. J. Niko is a class act, and hopefully has achieved a level of match fitness. A repeat of his goal against Linfield will be more than welcome! Forrester could also play in the 10 role, but I think he is seen more as a wide player. If Waggy is fit, I would start him on the bench. Never been a Kenny Miller fan, but I wouldn't play Waggy just coming back from injury and throw him straight into an Old Firm match. I am also concerned about Senderos lack of match fitness but hopefully all of the action is at the other end of the field! Kiernan will seriously need to step up his game, but he did well against them in the Semi final, so we need a similar performance. I haven't seen Celtic play since the semi final and I hope that it is media hype building them up. If so, they could be going into the match complacent. C'mon Rangers!

Based upon the highlights of the Linfield game, I though MOH was excellent, which is something that cant be said of Barry McKay, so far this season. I might be tempted to play Forrester on the left, MOH on the right and Garner through the middle, although Kenny Miller will definitely start against Celtic. Best team (Team v Celtic in brackets) Wes Tav Senderos (Kiernan) Wilson (Senderos) Wallace Barton Holt (Rossiter) Kranjcar (when fully fit)/ (Halliday) MoH (Forrester) Garner (Miller) McKay

The SFA may in fact have inadvertently done us a favour. After Motherwell getting their ridiculous 'smack on the hand" sanction (!) surely any fan in Scotland (i.e. non Rangers fan), must see this organisation for what it is. If anyone ever believed that they are neutral and impartial, this decision to ignore the attacks on the Rangers players must have removed any lingering doubts. Petrie must have some pics of Regan in compromising poistions to get away with this! Time to move to England, God willing, and start over again in the 5th division rather than spend a further minute under this backward, prejudiced, cowardly and corrupt organisation.

I think that there is a player in Wilson. He is probably our best passer from defence, but he does seem to have too many brain fart moments. I don't know if this is just switching off at inopportune times, or whether he is only effective when he has a 'Davie Weir" type organiser screaming at him. Is Wilson/Keirnan our best CB combination? Would definitely bring in Senderos to replace Keirnan, if the deal is done. Imo Wilson had an excellent match in the SC SF when he had to have his wits about him the entire time, so perhaps it is a concentration issue. Also, his comments about a Scotland recall. The CB's in the squad just selected don't exactly fill you with confidence, so if Wilson plays well, I think that he has every chance of getting back in again.

With that I have to ask is picking 3 defensive midfielders and a striker who drops deep the best option to finding that cutting edge. Our pitch geography regularly looks more like a U-shape rather than that sharp diamond cutting edge needed to carve through the opposition defence. I think that is the best description of Rangers start to the season that I have ever read. Summed up in two sentences! No problem with the mobile and rotating strikers, but that works best if the defence is following them and being dragged out of position. If their defence are all sitting behind the ball plus their midfield, our striker dropping into space to receive the ball is not going to hurt them. I reluctantly agree with you iro Halliday. I was probably his biggest fan (have always loved the Rangers supporter who makes it as a player), but the combination has just not worked. If truth be told, I haven't been impressed with Barton either. Rossitter is the only midfielder that seems to have hit the straps from the get-go. In Holt's absence, Kranjcar may replace Halliday, but my guess is that MW will retain the same midfield again with Nico coming on around the 60th minute.

My dad always used to use 'The' before Rangers i.e. as in "I'm off to see the Rangers play". I never knew if it was a Glasgow colloquialism or if it was the full name of the club. Subsequently, I have always used the term The Rangers. Glasgow Rangers is always used in the South African media but perhaps this is done in order to differentiate Rangers from QPR.

I don't know who Barrie is in competition with for a place, but I have to say that his performances so far this season have not been anywhere close to the standard that he showed last year. Is this due to his playing against better players, or the combination with Wallace not working (again, against the consistently high levels of last season), but I am not overly impressed as yet. Strachan does appear to select the same group of players irrespective of form (not sure when Hutton last had a good match for Villa, or if Anya has even played for Watford this season) and no doubt, we will get the same outcome i.e. failure to qualify for a major tournament. Only good news is that Brown has retired from international football, so that has to lead to some improvement in the centre of midfield.

I think that most of the players mentioned would be before his time, but they still bring through young players into the Southampton first team on a regular basis, so clearly doing something right.

Lescott was a good player at Everton and the big money move to Man City never really worked. He had a hard time at West Brom and Villa was a disaster last season. He didn't help himself with his silly social media photos and comments. His best days are well behind him and I don't see him as a Davie Weir kind of defence organiser. In addition, he is another left footer. That means that Wilson, Hill and Lescott are all left footed, leaving Kiernan as our only right footed CD. For the life of me, I cant think of a single Central defence partnership that comprised two left footed players (not just Rangers, any club at any time). Plenty of brilliant right footed partnerships but cant recall two left footed central defenders combining for any length of time. I don't know why this is, just seems unbalanced.

I think that any sound minded individual would be in agreement with MW's comments, however, I am concerned that we only appear to have targeted the (lower) English leagues for Bosman signings. Surely the Scandinavian and Eastern European leagues would offer better value for money?

Direct result of the insane decision to demote Rangers! Had they not done so, Celtic would not have downsized and may even have qualified for the group stages every so often. The runner up in the league (either Celtic or Rangers most years) would at least have progressed in the Europa and improved the Scottish co-efficient. The Old Firm matches (irrespective of the dross of the remaining matches) would have ensured that Scottish football had a higher profile than it actually deserves and may then even had a direct invite into the big boys table. As you sow, so shall you reap. (F*****g half-wits)

All about the Rangers!