cooponthewing

What kind of cat?........ Top Cat perhaps?? Officer Dibble! Lol.

I know I get pelters for this in some quarters but I would still got for Billy Davies and Alex Rae as no2. Davies managerial record is good (although I admit I have reservations over his temperament) and along with Rae they present a viable option imo.

Never mind the ball pete, just 22 guys having a square go on any random field (actually there might be some PPV value in that? Lol)

Just watching the OF game from last season where Miller got halved in two with studs up and two feet. Guess who the ref was....yup John Beaton! This guy is a shameless rangers hater who does not hide it. Reason I highlight this is that it was Beaton again who facilitated Motherwell’s assaults at the weekend. Tomorrow it’s Bobby Madden who referees the match. Let’s hope we get in about them and get a fair shout while doing it?

Aha.....I save all mine Craig, don't know why, I'm in my forties and have hundreds of them. Just always have:rfc:

I’m on the website Bearger and when you log into online sales you can purchase the match day programme. It’s under “shop”. They are up to St Johnstone at the moment so give it a week or so and last nights will be there. I have no doubt the club will sort you out though.

Yes, I didn't attend that match 26th but remember the hundreds of bananas that were thrown onto the pitch. I watched the highlights and remember monkey chants and racism which you just wouldn't believe now. As you say the usual suspects in the MSM have removed this episode from history.

Walters cross to Hateley, then an unstoppable header and Yeeeeeeesssssssss 1-0 v sheep last day of 1991 season!

I have to say this is a very objective and balanced post. I agree with it 100%. Murty holds the fort for now. The team and situation is a mess right enough. Appointing a new manager off the cuff benefited nobody after McInnes declined. We should be getting behind GM till the end of the season. It is what it is right now.

I hope everyone has had an enjoyable Christmas with friends and family as we now look forward to the annual circa New Year Old Firm fixture. Visiting Celtic Park is never an easy task. Over the years we have taken many great sides there and in my lifetime the NIAR years especially. However, the one that sticks in my mind is from Feb 2011 and it was a 1-1 draw with a big Lee McCulloch bullet of a header from a corner around 80 mins cancelling out a Scott McDonald opener a minute or so previously. The reason this particular game sticks in my mind is more for peripheral personal reasons than the match itself. The game was pretty dull with Celtic being on top and we were under the cosh until big Jig popped up with the equaliser. It had many similarities with the last game Graeme Murty was in charge of at Parkhead where Clint Hill popped up late on with an equalizer. Anyway, back to the game in 2011. It was the first and only game my good lady who is no longer with us went to at Parkhead. Jean had always point blank refused to go there. This time I had talked her into it and she eventually succumbed to my obvious charm…. Problem was she refused to tell anyone, especially her dad as in her words “he would have gone mental” so nobody new she was going and as far as I know her dad still doesn’t (hence I still have the ability to write this preview). It’s never a pleasant sight for any bear walking into what is a cauldron of venom from the stands. She seemed to take it in her stride and after we left we managed to sneak our way back up towards the louden on duke street with scarfs up our jackets (backside clenched in case the scarves fell out!) So, this Saturdays fixture is on December the 30th which bizarrely is Jeans birthday. Now I’m not one for divine intervention but if there is any kicking about I am more than happy to accept some come noon on Saturday. A funny story about jeans birthday and the 30th of December is that when we first met this was unfortunately very close to the 31st of December which is Hogmanay. I remember the first birthday I had with Jean and we had been out on the 30th as it was still the xmas festivities (I was on the booze at the time). So all was fine until I arrived to meet Jean and her friends that day after with a bunch of flowers (expensive too) and a Happy Birthday card! Wow! That didn't go down well. She had just thought that the nights out were her birthday but then realised I had the days wrong! Two things happened that day, 1, I never forgot Jeans birthday was the 30th of December again and 2, I learned to run much faster! After last night’s fixture with Motherwell at Ibrox I am unusually optimistic about this Saturday. It will be a blow to lose Ryan Jack who took a heavy knock last night being stretchered off. Never a pleasant sight to see that happening and let’s hope it’s nothing too serious. The reason for my optimism is that I hope and believe we can adapt and play a far better system when sitting on the counter. Mirroring the game back in 2011 ns also last year we will be under pressure for much of the match and is up to our defence and midfielders to soak this up and look for a good out ball and break to work with. We must also hope we can potentially take advantage of any set pieces that come our way? Things can seem bleak at times and it’s not unusual to be like this. Our season has been up and down like a Florida rollercoaster and emotions as supporters can end up being somewhat bi-polar. The matches versus Hears, Hibs and Aberdeen yielded great results yet our other fixtures versus St Johnstone and Kilmarnock leave us contemplating some form of footballing collective counselling? Therefore, predicting what kind of team or performance we can expect this Saturday is near impossible. Add to this it’s a New Year Old Firm Fixture at Parkhead then its real is anyone’s guess? All that being said I would like to see us start with a 3-5-2 formation which is fluid. This easily becomes a 5-4-1 when required which I am aware will be the majority of the game. The main game plan for me is to keep the midfield flooded and adapt to game situations. I would simply hope we start with the option of being able to break forward when and if we have the opportunity. There is bound to be a point within the game where we have control too. It will be a bonus to utilise a fluid formation when these moments occur. Having said all that, would it be safe and simple to stick with a 4-5-1? Picking the side is dependent on injuries and we now expect Jack to be out. Therefore, if we were to begin with a 4-5-1 we would have Wes in goal and a back four of Alves and Wilson who in my last preview I slated but felt he was solid versus Motherwell so would have him in there beside Alves. This leaves John and Tavernier on either side. Playing five in midfield would be Jason Holt, Ross McCrorie, Josh Windass, Jamie Baronjas who I feel would do a job for this game and Candeias. The reason for Candeias is to support Tavernier if and when they can dove tail? This leaves us with Morelos to run the line up front, give the defenders a hard time and look for a mistake. Nico had a good game last night but I feel this game would pass him by, although with him playing last night that may mean he starts this Saturday? The only easy thing to predict this Saturday is that it will be a tough game but we have shown with our performances versus Hearts, Aberdeen and Hibs that we can both play well and win when under pressure. We have quality in our side and when we play as a team we are capable of determination and good football. It was a cold February day back in 2011 and I expect it will be another cold winter day on the 30th this Saturday. I would happily take a 1-1 draw right now but still believe our side have the quality to leave with three points. This along with any help of the unseen kind from and loved ones who are no longer with us is more than happily accepted this festive season! C’mon eh Bears!

You can still buy them from the club I’m sure Bearger? Ring the lotto department I reckon they might be able to help?

Completely agree Ian we were awful at times. I actually thought Nico had a decent game and his mind is crisp (as his passing is also) although the body ain’t. Agreed with McCrorie MOTM too. Motherwell are a shower of thugs and went after us. Hope Jack is ok but didn’t look good? I have to say I am reasonably optimistic about the weekend. I reckon we can frustrate them and you never know? It’s a different scenario when we can play on the counter.

Cheers Pete. It’s -1 walking along PRW at the moment. Only going to get colder....Heated seat at Ibrox please lol.

I wanted something to occupy my mind mate so I offered a while back. Horrible time of year for me.

You will get one outside no problem mate. Usually folk outside subway and all the way up.

Was thinking the same myself? Now bearing in mind my “previous” you know what I thought when I seen the Dundee game at 12.30.......thankfully it was just a bizarre decision to play one game on Boxing Day and the rest when many are back at work. Just another strange day in the life of a Scottish football supporter.

Between 0 and -1 degrees tomorrow evening. Which is a vast improvement on the -5 predicted by 7-8pm in Glasgow this evening. It’s going to be another frost fest!!

Oh well that’s it! John “the b”@&£?@d Rangers hating official of Bart and wells Beaton” (of blackadder fame) in charge. Motherwell assaulted us in the semi final I fear the red phone at the southern will already be twitching at this news.......... I wish it was yesterday again?

SBS what’s the issue with Murty? Referring to our manager, a guy who had given us 100% commitment as a “plonker” is just breathtaking? I don’t doubt he is finding it difficult but he is a genuine guy with feeling for the club. He is also a very intelligent and educated football coach who has been asked to do his best which he is doing. The least we owe him is to get behind him.

That’s actually a fair point big jaws. Names removed from article. I was in a rush and still smouldering from yesterday.

Lets hope Jack steps up to the plate? Graeme Murty needs a man on the park and Jack should be him.

Pena and Herrera were the most blatant. They were standing on the by line at the Chadwick stand having a rare old chat. Maybe they were discussing tactics? What do I know? I’m sure admin will edit it if they need to. No problem with that.

Firstly, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous new year. It has been a turbulent time of late so I wish everyone merriment and enjoyable festive season. I am penning this preview on Christmas eve, the day after spending an afternoon that I will never get back at rugby park yesterday. At this time of year bears all over the country and the world spend hard earned cash on merchandise for friends and family as we all share a collective love for our club. It was particularly unsavoury to witness the complete lack of desire shown by our team during yesterday’s second half. I was also genuinely shocked to observe two substitutes standing with hands in their pockets like schoolboys having a laugh. If that is the attitude of the substitutes on the bench, then they should not be on the bench. Clearly, they have no desire to be part of our club. All we ask of players as fans and supporters of our great club, is that you give 100% on the park. We know things are not as we would like off the park and we also are aware that players are human and can be affected by it. It has also been noticed that this lethargy in the side is a symptom of a much bigger problem within the club. If there are problems at boardroom level then this is clearly affecting the players. However, as generations of Rangers’ supporters have followed our club we will not accept anything less than 100% commitment and desire on the park. I sincerely hope Santa drops some motivation, fortitude and professionalism at the door of some of our players? Graeme Murty took charge of the game as officially Rangers manager for the first time. I like Graeme Murty and I also believe he can do a job for us. The players have a responsibility to stand up and fight for themselves, the club, the supporters and for Graeme Murty. Like it or not, Graeme Murty is now your Gaffer, I hope he makes sure they are aware of this in no uncertain terms. It’s time we all got behind the manager. As far as I can see he is one of the very few who have shown complete loyalty, commitment and desire to the cause on a continual basis. He can’t do anything about what’s going on off the park and I have tremendous respect for him standing up to be counted in the knowledge he will face criticism should he not hit the ground running. I have spoken enough about matters peripheral to this Wednesdays home fixture versus Motherwell. This fixture is being held on the 27th of December at 19.45 yet we have been sold out for the last week. Again, this is quite incredible from our support which will see 50k Rangers supporters cheer on our side on a bracing winter evening! The last time we faced Motherwell was at Hampden where we witnessed another inept performance bereft of passion or desire. Although it must be said we had enough chances in the first half and should have been ahead. My own opinion is that by this time the collective belief had gone and the majority of the side had lost the heart for any kind of fight. Therefore, Motherwell took full advantage and with the help of another shocking refereeing display proceeded to virtually assault us off the park and bully us to a humiliating 2-0 defeat. Louis Moult that day provided more examples of why we should have made a greater effort to sign him? After what I witnessed yesterday it’s not particularly easy to be optimistic with team selection? I would not start with Hodson as he just doesn’t cut it at Rangers. Unless Beerman is injured I would put him back in if we are playing DJ further forward? I am also unsure of the situation with Bruno? So, if we presume Bruno is fit I would go with a back three of Alves-McCrorie-Cardozo. I will openly say that I don’t and have never rated Wilson therefore if Cardozo is fit I would play him. Tavernier would be on the right and DJ on the left. This leaving Jack to come back in along with Holt and Windass. This could introduce Hardie who could play off Morelos. There is no future in talk of Nico or Pena etc they are both well overweight and not fit for purpose in my opinion. Candeias is a good impact player from the bench but we are even struggling to find that as Hererra is not the answer either? All in all, it’s a tough time for us bears and the team I have picked there would hopefully be good enough to see off Motherwell? Then again, I am not the gaffer Graeme Murty. I will predict my usual 3-1 home victory with Windass fgs. I genuinely wish everyone a very merry xmas and I hope Santa treats you well? It would certainly cheer us all up if said Mr Claus was kind enough to drop off sacks of commitment and desire to our team. If they apply themselves on a consistent basis I am sure they are capable of turning things around! C’mon eh Bears!

I’m promising myself I’m not going to worry about it till Boxing Day. Going to write the Motherwell preview later then forget about it until Tuesday. We could all do with enjoying Xmas mate.

That’s a fantastic post TBH! I won’t elaborate any further than to say I agree with everything your have written. Have a good Xmas yourself! If you ever needed an excuse to find solace in a bottle, then this is it (pity I’m back on the wagon again lol).