Rousseau

When he signs I expect the CO to come back to that tackle.

Oof! I never thought of that, but that makes us look even worse!

Shinnie is an arsehole. We could use more arseholes in our team. Although, I think McGregor and Morelos are carrying the team just fine in that regard.

Clearly our deal is a joke. However, I'm not so sure more money would help. Look at the value countries such as Austria and Sweden -- even Switzerland -- extract from their deal: They have a decent brand of football, and their sides regularly get to the group stages of the Europa League. Rapid Vienna weren't great, but they got there [group stages], approached the game in a decent way and they're currently mid-table in their season. LASK are a much better team; Austria Vienna are a much better side. And that's not to mention RB Salzburg. We [Scottish football] are nowhere near that level. It's going to take a cultural change before we see real change.

Steven Gerrard looks to take Rangers a step closer to their first major silverware since 2011 as they go to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup last eight. The former Liverpool midfielder, who won the English FA Cup twice with the Reds, has seen his side win three on the trot, scoring 14 goals and conceding none. He cannot wait for the tie at Pittodrie on Sunday, particularly the hostile environment. "The players are in a good place, there has been a lot of positivity in our play in recent weeks," said Gerrard. "But we're aware that this cup tie is a big challenge for us. It's a huge game for us, a competition we want to do really well in, so we can't wait for the game to start. "You don't want to be remembered as just a good player, you want to be remembered as a winner. "That's always the challenge, but for me it's a wonderful game to look forward to as a player, to go to Pittodrie in that hostile environment, against a good Aberdeen team, that's got to be exciting for a player." Aberdeen trail Rangers by one place but eight points in the Scottish Premiership, and manager Derek McInnes feels it will take a big performance to knock Gerrard's side out. "Rangers are a good side but on the day we'll pick an 11 that we feel can do the job. It'll take a big performance but we are obviously capable of winning the game." Team news Scott Arfield and Andy Halliday are both doubts for Rangers going into Sunday's game, having not quite recovered from injury. Max Lowe, James Wilson and Gary Mackay-Steven are in with a chance for Aberdeen. Greg Halford, signed as a free transfer this week, is not match fit but could feature for the hosts. https://www.skysports.com/football/aberdeen-vs-rangers/preview/406305

I think I got the 'lies, damn lies and statitistics' line trundled out every time I posted stats. Stats are important. They can highlight the skillset of the player, what he actually does on the pitch, and how that compares to others in the league. It's one thing to watch him and think, 'Oh--he's doing well', but breaking it down like that provides a more objective overview; what exactly is it he's doing well, what's he not doing so well? Most of the statisticians identified Kamara -- along with Docherty, actually -- a couple of years ago because he had such high numbers in certain metrics. It seems like Kamara came out of nowhere, but he came to my attention last season because of these stats. For me, the stats were a trigger to watch out for him. Hopefully we keep looking out for these gems through their stats.

Celtic Fans: "Shocked", "Gutted", "Disgusted". Me:

As good as Kent has been, he does really need to improve his final product. If he does that, there's some player there.

Oh, yes, he's never going to be the first-choice striker, but I meant as a replacement, coming off the bench etc. He's been left out altogether quite often.

Agreed (the second part). We like a moan...

I feel Lafferty is so unlucky. He gets into so many good positions, and gets some terrific chances, but it always seems like does what he needs to do to score -- get a good connection, hit the target etc. -- but the 'keeper will save it, or there will be a deflection somewhere. And, because he's not getting that end product, he's been left out.

Sure, but I'm unconvinced it was as prominent, or the primary cause of fewer goals scored.

Sure, but it was unlikely that we'd have scored another 4; it doesn't work like that, no matter how we approach it. We caught them tactically, and dominated, and were clinical. They changed it second half, too, which negated that numerical superiority we enjoyed in the first half. Edit: I had a look at their results -- I did not care for it ? -- and they've done what we've done, several times: Running away with it in the first half, then not continued.

FT, 0-5 Rangers. Rampant performance. I thought Jack and Kamara strolled it.

Finally! Lafferty gets his goal. Lovely ball up the line from Davis, easy cross from Candeias, and cool finish from Lafferty.

Davis and Lafferty come on, off go Arfield and Kent. Straight swaps, it looks like: Lafferty wide left, Davis #10.

Partly, I suppose, but I think we've dropped Tavenier and Halliday back a touch, so we've not got as many players further forward. It also means Hamilton are able to mark Kent. And, if you consider that fact they've went to a back-three, we're outnumbered up front.

That was sexual. A delightful one-two between Arfield and Defoe, almost created a one-on-one with the 'keeper.

I'd like 8, but I'll settle for 6.

Half-time, 0-4. Absolutely brilliant performance, and clinical.

0-4, Tavernier.

Penalty! I didn't see it at the time, but the replay shows a stone-waller. Well done Ref'.

Our positional play is reminiscent of Man City in the build up (I'm not saying we're playing like Man City, but the build-up and offensive structure looks impressive -- and obviously we're playing with confidence because of the early goals): Defoe Kent - Arfield - Candeias - Tavernier Kamara - Jack Halliday - Worrall - Goldson

Tavernier is noticeably higher on the right, whereas Halliday is deeper and narrower. Jack is coming wide right to take up that Tavernier position, which Hamilton are struggling to pick up.