Rousseau

I'm on publishing duties this week, so that's it published, Pete. https://www.gersnet.co.uk/index.php/news-category/match-analysis/899-match-preview-celtic-v-rangers-redemption I agree that there will probably be very few changes, if any; I think with Windass fit (or if he's fit?) we could see the same team as the last meeting. Like you said, the best team doesn't always win these games.

That's a good solid move from Bayern; they're not scrambling to appoint some 'big name', or someone based on a dated record, merely a promising coach who's been doing a very good job at Frankfurt (they play some nice stuff). That's what we should be doing, but there's just no real talent in Scotland; every team plays the same sort of way, and no one is tactically progressive. Jack Ross is probably one of the more promising, but he's not wildly different from the rest.

Very good manager, but I think he's out of our league. He's also a bit of a mercenary.

I don't really care for Butcher now, but he bloody loves it there!

Radical? Hold my beer. Foderingham McCrorie - Alves - Wallace Goss Tavernier - Docherty - Dorrans Candeias - Morelos - Murphy Think Man City. Tavernier/Candeias and Dorrans/Murphy interchanging in the half-space and wing. Tavernier can drop back to make a 4-3-3. Goss like Fernandinho, and Docherty moving about to create overloads like De Bruyne. Pointless, but fun. I can dream...

No matter how much belief Holt has, he still gets out-muscled too easily for this game. Like I said, I like Holt, a lot; he's got good technique, he tries, he brings great energy etc. However, so does Docherty -- perhaps with less technique, but that'll not be needed in this game -- but with that added physique. I don't think it's "rose tinted" to say that. Holt's experience is the only issue. Miller over Candeias is mental to me. I'll never agree with that.

McCrorie in front on Alves works well, though. Alves was probably best when McCrorie was in front, doing the running, allowing Alves to cover and 'blooter' headers back up the pitch.

I like Holt, but I've lost count the number of times he gets pushed off the ball against them; he just doesn't have the strength. I don't agree with Miller over Candeias: Candeias is just superior in every way, even against them -- he dominated Tierney in the last game, so we can't omit him.

I think Ian has a good team there. The 4-1-4-1 looks solid, if we play it tight -- and Murty usually does against them, to be fair. Foderingham Tavernier - Martin - Alves - John Goss Candeias - Docherty - McCrorie - Murphy Morelos I like Goss' control, but he's not a presser; more a sitter, covering passing lanes. He's a decent sitter, but will need energy in front of him, which McCrorie and Docherty have in abundance. Dorrans might be a more solid option, though; in which case, McCrorie would play DM and Dorrans further forward (Ian's team): FoderinghamTavernier - Martin - Alves - JohnMcCrorieCandeias - Docherty - Dorrans - MurphyMorelos

How can you go for Holt over Docherty, and Miller over Candeias?!?!

The roar in the Stadio Olimpico when Roma scored was something else. I watched the City-Liverpool game, but kept switching over. I dislike Man City and Barcelona so it was almost a perfect night for me.

We have a DoF, so any incoming manager will/should not get to do that; he'll have an input but he'll not be choosing players personally.

Yes, I'm not convinced by FdB; he's too steeped in Ajax, that he's not got that ability to change things too much. My heart says idealist, my head says pragmatist.

Here's a video on FdB's tactics when he was at Crystal Palace (obviously he was sacked three games after):

I agree, but I can't help feel deflated at that. A part of me still thinks an idealistic approach can work. And, I do worry that a pragmatic manager won't better Rodgers -- McInnes has an awful record, Clarke's a bit better.

Three in the middle would probably help, but we still should be better with the two. Virtually every side in Europe played a 4-2-3-1, with a double-pivot, but none get opened up the way we do. It's brutal. Closing the distance between the two wingers would help. Guardiola likes wide wingers to hug the touchline, but only at one side; our wingers are out of the game, isolated. Another simple thing would be to close the gap between the CB and Morelos; it's massive at times. Any pressing on the defensive transition takes too long as players are too far away from each other. Dundee were running at our box before our players noticed! Three in the middle would perhaps help, but it goes deeper; the spacing, and structure of the team is not good enough. I can't help but feel even with three we'd still be chasing opposition players who've broken through our lines.

There's only one response to this type of thing, which appears to be quite normal for them...

It was a poor game. I think it was just that extra ''quality'' we had that counted in the end.

I thought Murphy was anonymous today, but he scored. That must mean he should be dropped.

Aye, but Cummings has got that funny tattoo, and he's a really nice guy...

To be honest, I wasn't saying that; I was trying to capture the general mood. I like to see how players do first. I'd rather not play Miller, but like I posted above, I understand why he's playing in that position; there's no one else that naturally fits.

I would rather change set-up than accommodate Miller, but I understand why he's been put in there: Its a more natural swap with Windass; Cummings just doesn't fit there. We'd need to change set-up with Cummings -- to be honest, Murty is either not capable of changing that much (which is fair enough, as he's not experienced), or the pressure is dictating he goes with what he knows.

*Miller starts* Me: Why the hell is Miller in there? He's past it! *Miller Scores* Me: King Kenny!! What a player, what a professional!