buster.

4 minutes ago, der Berliner said:

OP updated for ...

 

OUT - Josh McPake - Gateshead or Yeavil - permanent deal - LINK

 

Get your finger out Alex Lowry or this is what happens

1 minute ago, the gunslinger said:

and Hagi

Thanks GS !

Post edited.

1 hour ago, DMAA said:

Raskin and Cantwell alone would make it an excellent window. The talk seems to be that Whittaker will be done too. Quite surprised there aren’t senior outgoings because that would leave us with a big squad. 

Beale metioned transfer outgoings and with finances needing to be looked after, you'd imagine it won't just be McCann  leaving this window.

If Cantwell is the "first teamer" in the creative role behind the forwards, you wonder if the Tillman option gets less likely to be taken. I'm sure Beale would want him but can the finances support that deal and everything else that needs addressed ?

Beale speaks of 2 players for every jersey

Would that be Cantwell, Tillman, Hagi and Lowry for the 10 role ?

There are ideal options and choices but viability increasingly comes into the equation and alters what can actually happen.

22 hours ago, alexscottislegend said:

My grandpa used to take me to Firhill so I kind of have a nostalgic affection for them. Hope we don't over-punish them.

We had another set of players who reached a European Final but couldn't take care of The Jags (then in the Championship/ mid-table finish) at Ibrox in a Scottish Cup tie. 2008, just when we didn't need SC replays we drew with Thistle at Ibrox and beat them in the replay. 

9 hours ago, Bill said:

A great deal is made about our attacking fullbacks delivering crosses and on their day they can make a huge impact. However the truth is that in most games the quality of their deliveries in actually very poor and the ratio of goals to crosses is very low and certainly scant reward for having fullbacks whose defensive capabilities are so inadequate. 

Just thinking about the cross ball and goals reminded me of Tommy McLean and Derek Johnstone. 

On 22/01/2023 at 21:28, Gonzo79 said:

Think the player and Swansea are having a bit of a stand-off.  Quite normal when a player wants away.

 

Definitely wouldn't put Beale off.  

The Bosman ruling brought into sharp focus how players (with help from their agents) really think about cash and loyalty.

Ignore the pish and wind that is spoken and just hope (if they sign), the on field performance and results are good.

St.Johnstone 1  Rangers 2

Morelos

4 minutes ago, PoohBear said:

Possibly, but why would Goldson be more attractive to an EPL side now? 
 

Anyway, I'd probably take money for him. He'd be a big loss but we need to churn the squad, buy in a younger defender.

I don't think he is good enough for that level tbh.

But then you look at the likes of Shane Duffy. An absolute comedic bonbscare up here but went back and was doing ok for Brighton for a bit.

Funny old game 

46 minutes ago, PoohBear said:

I’m not sure Goldson would leave, he chose to stay with us after his contract expired so I doubt he wants to move on now.

Mibbes aye, mibbes naw...

More money is usually the key.

9 hours ago, RANGERRAB said:

Hearing there was an EPL club bid for Goldson yesterday 

Just thinking out loud regardless if such a bid was true, or not.

You could look at some of the pros and cons (below) but the quantum of any such bid would probably be the important factor, alongside what the player actually wanted. Given that he just turned 30 in December, I doubt the quantum would be that big.

We saw what happened when Goldson went off injured against Liverpool.

ie. No doubting he is an important player for us.

We can't rely on Souttar to stay fit.

We would have to finance replacement.

The League is finished.

We could do with money to help finance rebuild.

We would get a significant wage off the books.

He is far from infallible as a player and isn't a stranger to important mistakes.

St.Johnstone tend to go on extended blips of success or failure.

Below we have their last 14 matches-

Bookended with 8 defeats. 

LLLWWWDDWLLLLL

0/9 points, followed by

14/18 points, followed by

0/15 points.

Treat with due care and attention

They are the only diddy club to beat us since before Gio arrived in the dugout (see results above)

They put us out of the SC and hence the only domestic team to come away from Ibrox with anything in the 55 season.

Earlier this season, Celtic needed a 95th minute winner up there.

On 18/01/2023 at 23:36, Scott7 said:

Got smacked for five by Hearts. That semi must have taken a lot out of them.

 

When did they last lose five to a Scottish team other than Rangers or celtic?

2015: Aberdeen 1 St.Johnstone 5

2010: Hearts 5 Aberdeen 0

Bigger pcture

Diddy teams generally getting worse doesn't help us at all.

If Hearts hadn't wasted so much money on generally poor recruitment over the past few seasons, they could be closer to us than the rest below. 

edit

Chasing McInnes wasn't a good idea.

Expecting more than he was providing was an unrealistic dream.

1 hour ago, Bluedell said:

Yeah, I knew Viaplay had it for the UK, but there's a chance that I may be overseas on on Saturday evening so was hoping to buy it on RTV.

Millport ?

25 minutes ago, compo said:

Urgently needed are a right back a left back a centre half all who know how to defend and we might as well throw in a goalkeeper until such positions are filled I can’t see us winning anything.

As it stands, we are more than capable of winning domestic Cup competitions, but not the League.

A solid defence tends to be fundamental to winning over the long haul but tbh, it isn't the only area we lack in. It is all over the pitch and you can add energy and leadership.

7 hours ago, Malangsob said:

I like this Raskin...Cantwell not so much.

 

Whoever it is, they just need to stay healthy!

 

Like a GD black magic curse on the team.

 

 

Beale'e success or otherwise will be determined by recruitment.

What was interesting on the other side of the city, was that their best sustained burst of recruiment (in memory) came after the then new first team manager (AP), was given control over it. Unfortunately, the hit rate has been outstanding and that is why they are, where they are.

Previously, Peter Lawwell and his lackies played the most significant part in recruitment. From a financial/player trading model it was generally successful, but the hit rate was dubious, bringing in a lot of pish, as well as the odd success. It passed muster because we provided little competition during much of the time. It failed when we applied pressure, bad and complacent squad mgmt. and an awful managerial appointment in the Hampden showers.

Finance is fundamental to recruitment options and that is where we stuggle in relation to direct competition.

In an attempt to level things up, we have tried to squeeze value out of bigger risks (eg. injury prone, lost their way, etc.). I think we have done this too much and we are now suffering some of the consequences.

8 hours ago, CammyF said:

 

 

Look like a pair of shoes that a bird from a couple of decades ago may have worn to the disco.

Disclaimer: General comment, rather than on Cantwell.

If we were playing the likes of Napoli, we'd be getting horsed as we did under Gio.

This squad are running on fumes. Change is desperately needed.

Just as well the diddy teams are increasingly diddy.

Kilmarnock  1  Rangers  2

Sakala

1 hour ago, YoungDavy said:

I think this will be another huff n puff game with us winning by one goal 

Last time we won a League game by more than a goal at Rugby Park was in May 2011.

6 minutes ago, ranger_syntax said:

 

Why am I reading silly flights of fancy about a 'sweeper' keeper?

Silly really, we already have the best in the business #Goldson 😁

4 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

McGregor barely moved for their two goals.  We should play McLaughlin until we can get someone better in.  

It seems to be becoming a regular thing. It is as if he is modelling for his statue.

14 minutes ago, Rousseau said:

A sweeper-keeper would have dealt with both of their "goals", IMO.

Perhaps, but many (including me) went on about McLaughlin being so much better than McGregor with his feet. But we shut up when he had a brain fart at the Brendanbeu.

We can't afford a top goalkeeper. Whoever it is will have his faults. We'd be as well trying to develop McCrorie.

On 14/01/2023 at 12:32, BEARGER said:

We have been enquiring about this guy recently I believe.

 

Nikola Krstović (Cyrillic: Никола Крстовић; born 5 April 2000) is a Montenegrin professional footballer who plays as a striker for DAC Dunajská Streda of the Fortuna Liga. He is considered to be one of the most promising young talents in Montenegro

We certainly need a centre forward.

Come on lads, keep your distance 😁

41 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

We made heavy weather of that.  

 

Our defence is lacking something.  It's all a bit powderpuff.  

 

Winning is all that really matters in a semi final though.  

The team is lacking all over the pitch.

No surprise, it is a work (just started)-in-progress.

The positive is under Beale, there is more belief that we are going to win games and over 90/120 minutes we find enough to actually win games.

Makes for a very interesting Final next month, especially given we may have a handful of returning or new players in the squad. 

A real opportunity to strike a blow.