T-1000

Do you really think that Barisic can improve because so far there has been evidence of that to date. When he receives the ball, if there is a defender in front of him his standard reaction is to pass inside to Niko or one of the midfielders. You very rarely see him taking a defender on or cutting inside. It may be just lack of confidence preventing the former but I have my doubts that this is the case. I feel he is very one footed and is probably weak on the right hand side and that partly explains why he is reluctant to cut inside. If we are to get the best out of Barisic offensively then he needs to receive the ball when he is ahead of the last defender and can cross the ball in; so far this has not happened. He does make runs down the wing that takes defenders away from the Rangers player who is wide and this at least helps create more space but is that enough to justify being our first choice at left back. Lastly, defensively he has been caught wanting on a few occasions and seems reluctant to physically dominate the opposing winger.

Overall, a rather mediocre performance from Rangers with a tendency to over-elaborate and dwell to long on the ball. The passing needs to be quicker and more incisive. Aribo had a very good game in the first half but drifted out of things a little in the second half; I wonder if he is involved so much in the first half that he then tires in the second half. Some good flashes of skill from Ojo who was unlucky that none of what he created was put away. I think we also need to improve at left back because Barisic does not provide much and is too often wrong sided by players. Finally, as usual our long range shooting was mainly atrocious.

Overall, a good victory and giving Gerrard plenty to think about in terms of his best combination in central defence and midfield. Only disappointment was that neither Jones or Ojo made any great impression.

Derby started well and seemed to be finding quite a lot of space but midway through the first half we started to counter that. Kamara has been a bit hit and miss at the moment, looking a slightly off the pace. Jones has tried hard but mot quite coming off for him at the moment.

Rangers website reporting that Kyle Lafferty leaving Rangers by mutual consent.

I thought Jones did ok but agree re Ojo who I thought was a bit of a disappointment. Tav's performance was a little below his level of last season and Kamara looked a bit complacent and was too slow in moving the ball on.

i noticed that Amy Muir, who was the women's player of the season has left Rangers to go to Hibs.

Agree with the comment about Durrant, and it made me wonder what his input was when he was assistant to McCoist.

I thought Flanagan was not included because he has had some minor surgery.

If correct, does this signal that Rangers expect one (or more) of the current players to leave for a sizeable fee.

The Hibs side contained McGregor, Hanlon, Gray, McGeough, McGinn, Stokes and Cummings whereas the Rangers side included Kiernan, Wilson, Zelalam, Holt and Miller. The composition of the two teams I would argue does not merit the suggestion that in comparison with the Rangers lineup Hibs were a shit side.

From Kent's displays against various opposition it is evident that he is regarded by them as a dangerous player who they have to watch closely. This can be seen by the way opposition players swarm round him. This, in itself, is useful because it opens up space for other Rangers players. The issue I have with Kent is that he does not always play with his head up and tries to do too much. He has to realise that having drawn players to him he can then release the ball to a colleague rather than attempting to dribble past the opposition. If Kent can improve his decision making then he will be a real asset for Rangers.

I may be going out on a limb here but I can genuinely see us not just challenging but actually winning the title strongly next season. BlackSocksRedTops, whilst I agree with your sentiment I think you have to also consider the other side of the coin. Celtic will have a new manager and assuming this is not Lennon that may give them a bit of a lift. It is likely that there will be at least some overhaul of their playing staff in the summer. Judging from the results against ourselves and earlier ones where they squeezed out a win it is apparent that their squad does not have the necessary strength. The directors of Celtic I am sure will have been annoyed that they lost to us, since undoubtedly they want to go for ten in a row and see that this is now in jeopardy. For that reason I can see considerable funds being made available to whoever becomes the manager. Let us hope that they choose the wrong manager and that they buy flops.

DMAA, I take your point about lack of end product particularly goals but prior to the introduction of Defoe this might also have been said about other players in the team. At various times during the season we have been heavily reliant on Tav providing the spark that leads to a goal. Both Kent and Middleton need to improve certain, different, aspects of their game. Incidentally, I thought Tav would have been a better candidate for POTY.

Being nominated for POTY and YPOTY suggests otherwise.

Johnnyk, not doubting your recollection of the conversation but I am surprised that SG would make a comparison with one of our current players.

I thought he was strong in the air but just average on the ground. Against a quick and lively centre forward I think his deficiencies might have been more exposed than they were today.

We saw about a week ago Aberdeen drew with Celtic by sitting deep and going man to mani in the midfield. We knew it was likely they would do the same against us. Equally predictable was the team and shape we played; this would not have been a surprise to McInnes. Aberdeen were in their comfort zone playing the game they wanted to play. I think SG should have have started with one or two surprises, such as two up front, a backline of 3 or at least something that would be different from our norm. Aberdeen would then have to react and possibly we would have more joy as they adapted. Another issue apparent from last night is how bereft we are off game changers on the subs bench. Davis and Coulibaly have both been mediocre of late and so far Lafferty and Defoe have been ok but not much more than that. I think there is plenty for SG to ponder over.

Good to see Worrall getting his goal and he put in some solid tackles in the second half.

I think Alfredo may well leave in the Summer to an EPL club anyway but with Rodgers being more aware of his potential I think it just increases slightly such a move happening. Losing Kent to Leicester would be a blow.

I think Kamara's top must have been through the wash a few times.

I think one of the issues for Kent is that teams have sussed out he is one of our most creative outlets and are looking to stifle him by doubling up and reducing the space in which he operates. I would, however, agree that he needs to play with his head up a bit more and when to charge forward and when to pass.

It was a disgraceful high boot by Power. You can see that just prior to the incident Power had a look and knew Jack was there and likely to head the ball. Therefore it appears to me that the high boot by Power was premeditated and that it had a good chance of connecting with Jack's head.

Ferguson was booked.

A good full back with Clyde in the 60s.