T-1000

Rangers 3 Hearts 1 FGS: Morelos

Feyenoord 2 Rangers 2 FGS: Morelos

There were two or three occasions when Hamilton caught us on the blind side and we were found wanting. Fortunately, Hamilton did not make the most of these chances but something SG has to sort out.

In the snippets of games I have seen he always looks quite a tidy player who is seeking to play a meaningful pass. As I expect he is not on that high a salary probably worth keeping for another year to see if he develops. I suspect Gerrard might see him as having greater promise than Docherty who is about three years older and is currently not included in the match-day squads. In terms of the midfield I am sure a priority for Gerrard will be someone who can control the midfield and take over from Davis when he retires.

Solid contributions from Helander, Goldson and Barisic but I think Davis just pips them because of his tireless work in holding together the midfield.

A number of very good performances but I will go with Helander because he made a couple of interceptions and tackles that more than likely prevented Porto from scoring and kept us in the match.

A little surprised not to see Arfield in the team if nothing else because of his industry. The selection of Barker (and Kent) who has not had much playing time recently suggests that SG believes we can catch Porto on the break.

Last season Tav's defensive indiscretions could be forgiven because of the attacking dimension and assists he created. The latter has not been so apparent in games this season and therefore he probably needs a rest to take some of the pressure off him. I felt Hearts controlled the nature of the game, with long balls and a lot of the play in the air. This is Hearts' strength but not ours and we didn't seem able to impose our brisk passing game. Another worrying aspect was the lack of chances we created and the extent to which Morelos looked a bit isolated in the attack. I also thought we missed the aggression and drive of Jack today.

Unfortunately lost 4 nil in the final. We very rarely looked like scoring. Some good individual play but did not play well as a team with poor passing and movement and too many of the players trying to do too much on their own.. The goalkeeper also put us in trouble a few times by playing risky outballs.

It's Greg Stewart for me, a player with good footballing intelligence.

Not defending Tav but there was an element of back luck with the first goal we conceded. Yes, Tav should have been quicker and kicked for touch, instead he cannoned it off the Young Boys player and the ball goes behind Tav and ends up at the feet of the Young Boys player who then crosses it for the goal.

I was surprised that King did not come on when Ryan Jack had to go off. I felt he would have added a bit of calmness to midfield and it would have meant that Arfield could remain as one of the front three. With respect to Tav, although his performances have not matched those of last season if Flanagan was used as right back we would lose some attacking flair. Polster might be an alternative but we have not had much opportunity to see if he can perform at a consistently high level and provide an offensive threat. Finally, when we saw the group we were in it was apparent that it was going to be tight and after two games we still have all to play for though it would be useful to get a result in the next match against Porto.

SG has said that Katic is a real warrior who attacks the ball. However, in this game where it would have been useful for him to play and combat Dykes, he is left on the bench. It seemed an odd decision. After watching the match tonight I would think that McInnes will tell Cosgrove to be in the face of our centre backs.

I don't think we want to get drawn into a physical battle as it unsettles our rhythm and passing. We want to move the ball quicker and improve the accuracy of our passing, many of which were wayward in the first half.

Aribo injured with head injury, replaced by Davis.

Rangers 1 up, Kamara scored.

From the team selection SG is making sure we progress to the next round.

Doubt if there will be major changes but suspect that Foderingham and Defoe will play and with the possibility that Davis will be given a rest and maybe King being brought in.

Absolutely agree about Helander. It could be that SG sees the combination of Goldson and Helander as first picks for European games and is giving them an opportunity to build up their relationship.

Katic is not among the subs that might suggest he is a bit out of favour at the moment. The dropping of Arfield to the subs bench is not unexpected given the amount he put into the midweek game.

I suspect SG will make changes where he believes certain players need greater recuperation time and retain those players he believes are fresh enough for the game.

Ojo scores an important, terrific and decisive goal but no votes (so far) which demonstrates the power of some of the other performances from the likes of Jack and Morelos.

I agree, and also thought he improved in the second half when the game opened up a bit

Goldson and Katic have formed a good and solid partnership (with Katic winning the defensive headers and Goldson looking to make the forward pass and link up with the midfielders) and therefore it would have been very risky last night to change that by introducing Helander (or Edmundson). More especially, as Helander has had limited game time playing with either Katic or Goldson and on one of the occasions he did feature it was against East Fife who are not a team with high quality players. In interviews Helander has expressed the view that he is ready to play and I suspect SG will want to see what extra he offers the team and therefore I would not be surprised to see him start on Sunday. On anther note, I thought that last night Aribo was a bit less dominant than what he has been in previous games but he still put in a solid performance and like the views expressed by others I thought Jack had a very good game..

I think Davis will start more so because Kamara is likely to be out. I would keep Morelos up front and see how Hibs defenders can handle him (note;McGregor was an unused sub when they played St.Mirren). As Hibs lack pace I would be tempted to keep Jones in the side. As Fianagan has only come back after surgery it might be that a second match in three days is a bit too much for him. If so, I would expect Barisic to play. Arfield still seems a bit below his normal standard and looked very tired at the end of the game so possibly he might be replaced. I hope he retains Goldson and Katic but would not be surprised if there is some rotation at the centre half position.