Rousseau

I think he's a good professional -- I can't remember who said it, but in the match programme last week, he's apparently always training or in the gym. He's a good player to have around, and he does a solid job. I don't want him in the first-team, though. We need someone better.

Saying that, we'll beat them tomorrow and get screwed by 'Well in the final...

Article about Germany's superb young coaches: Germany's youthful coaching revolution is showing the way forward in Europe https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/bundesliga-hoffenheim-julian-nagelsmann-schalke-04-domenico-tedesco-a7839166.html

Yes, I know of Largs. It's different, though. I'd need to do more research, but it's not just about getting your badges, but about developing methodologies, tactics, training methods etc., and I think it's linked to clubs as well. No, I think most managers will work under a DoF nowadays -- unless it's an old-fashioned British type that wants absolute control; but we don't want -- or should not -- want to go down that route. I don't think Murty was ever going to get the job. I believe -- or perhaps it's hope -- that a new man will be appointed at the end of the season.

Of course, but you still need the best mix to create that collective. You were the one who identified individuals without recourse to the game-plan. I'm just thinking about the type of game we might play and trying to fit in the players to suit that; as were you. However, like you said elsewhere, I'll take a win any way we can get it!

Double for Windass... Has to be Tavernier/Candeias, and you'd be hard pressed to overlook Morelos.

I don't get how you can drop players for inferior players, just because they've 'done it before'? It was actually a draw, where we played with backs against the wall and they took shot after shot at our goal. It wasn't great; our last game against them was better. I don't mind the tactical shift to a deep block -- not a bad idea, and it could work -- but, for me, Holt, Miller and, to a lesser extent Halliday, don't provide the best options for that; Docherty and Goss are actually better suited in that sense, as they are tougher in the tackle, can carry the ball (Docherty) and control the ball in tight quarters and pass it accurately (Goss) when we break. Windass is unsuited for this too -- unless he's playing up front. I'd prefer a high pressing game though; which would require Windass and Docherty -- even Holt, but you know how I feel about him -- but not a Goss. It's amazing how some players seem to become world-beaters once they've been out of the team for a while!

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Fair enough. I do appreciate that argument; my head says it's a logical argument, but my heart yearns for something more...

True, but my main point was that they (Germany) have progressive young coaches coming through; we have nothing. It's not come out of nowhere, because they've set up coaching academies. I also think they have good grounding, and good ideas, that they'd be able to do a job at most clubs. Why couldn't we go and get a young German coach? Rodgers has transformed a poor Celtic side, without spending a vast amount on that first team -- although, he has wasted a lot on fringe players. We're very close-minded, I think.

Oops!

Bundesliga sides have an extraordinary track record of promoting youth coaches straight into top jobs. Klopp was a youth coach at Mainz before getting the first-team job, before going to Dortmund; Tuchel followed the same route. But you've also got Nagelsmann (Hoffenheim), Tedesco (Schalke), Titz (Hamburg), Dardai (Hertha), and now Kovac (Frankfurt). They've all generally been promoted straight from the Academy, and they're all tactically progressive. I believe the German FA actually run a coaching academy (-type thing), where these young coaches are given the time and space, assistance and knowledge to develop and learn. Nagalsmann and Tedesco are actually called 'Laptop managers' in Germany, but it's not pejorative! Cathro was ridiculed here -- OK he didn't do a great job, but we're very dismissive of anything different. Our managers are just ex-players that haven't actually developed or learned anything as coaches.

This is a video of Guardiola's earliest forays into management -- it's really impressive the way he's experienced different styles and methods to aid him.

Yes, that's an issue. As is the fact that he's on'y managed in the Championship thus far. Can he make the step up? Alex Neil is probably the best young Scottish manager at the moment, but he's (a) not too different from what the rest do and (b) probably out of our reach, being a success in the English Championship is a good stage. None really stand out. I watched a video about Guardiola's early managerial apprenticeship, and nothing really compares here -- he's choosing clubs in Italy and Mexico to work with managers and learn their methods. We're rather close-minded when it comes to this stuff.

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?!?!