Super_Ally

This signing has been hilarious. Billed as an AC Milan star. Reputed �£60,00 wages. Absolute mince. Becomes a regular under Mowbray and now he's for the off after just a couple of regular starts.

With the embarrassing showing of Aberdeen, Celtic, even Hearts first leg any additional coefficient points gained will be needed. Does that win make much/any difference?

Once the euphoria of a 2-1 victory at Tynecastle had died down, yet again I was left pondering this very question. Sure, some may argue that a narrow hard fought victory at the home of our capital rivals is no great feat. However, the circumstances of the victory should be considered. Hearts are the perennial third force in Scottish football and a visit to Tynecastle is arguably the second most difficult match on the Rangers fixture calendar. We also have to bear in mind that a harsh red card for Kevin Thomson saw the rest of the team having to battle against a full strength Hearts team for over 80 minutes (including injury time). Even more impressive than the result was the manner in which it was achieved. Viewers tuning in for the second half could be forgiven for thinking that it was Hearts that were competing with a man less as we dominated the second period and the last minute penalty, won by Naismith and converted by Boyd, was just rewards for our play. Boyd�s late arrival onto the field of play was perplexing to myself as well as a number of other fans I have spoken with. With Celtic disposing of St Johnstone by a 3 goal margin the previous afternoon, 3 points at Tynecastle was imperative if we did not want to be playing catch up at this early stage. So, with a Hearts side struggling for results and confidence this season, it was a little disappointing that Smith did not make a positive or aggressive change at half time. With his team down to 10 men, Smith decided to sacrifice the youthful energy and direct running of Fleck for the defensive grit of Stevie Smith in the midfield. His decision to leave Boyd on the bench, who had admittedly been struggling with illness through the week, appeared to lack ambition. To Walter�s credit however, the substitution and tactical switch changed the complexion of the game. Stevie Smith, a natural left back, helped shore up a midfield reduced in numbers, but the diminutive left back also got forward well from his midfield berth and his deliveries were a constant thorn in Hearts rearguard. It was from a Smith delivery, albeit a set piece, that led to McCulloch�s opener. The much maligned former Wigan man is joint top scorer at Murray Park. And Steven Naismith was unfortunate not to add to his account for the season from another wicked Smith delivery. The performance of Stevie Smith and indeed the dominance of Rangers in the second half more than justified Smith�s tactical changes and half time substitution. And, of course, it allowed Smith to retain the ace up his sleeve until he really needed him. The influential substitution of Smith for Fleck may in part have been forced by Boyd�s lack of match sharpness due to illness. Whatever the truth, the manager deserves the benefit of the doubt. And when he did finally introduce Boyd to the fray, the big Ayrshire man did what he does best. With his first touch of the match, Boyd did what the forwards had struggled to do for large portions of the game. He got the better of the impressive Goncalves, winning an aerial joust and directing the ball on for the onrushing Naismith. Boyd�s former Kilmarnock strike partner drove into the box and although there was initial contact outside the box, the offending challenge occurred inside the box and for once referee Craig Thomson called it right as he pointed to the spot. Boyd has an enviable record from 12 yards and his winning goal was no more than his team mates deserved in outplaying a Hearts side with a numerical advantage. Whilst Walter�s second tenure at the club has seen some remarkable results, some football purists have questioned the tactics that have secured the results and the trophies. On that impressive run to Manchester, even some Rangers diehards groaned at the brand of football. So after groaning at half time when Walter made what could be considered a negative change, in bringing off an exciting young forward player for a gritty left-back to bolster his midfield, I am left asking yet again: do the ends justify the means? Damn right it does!

Excellent summation of SDM's Chairmanship. Strikes the right balance between the positvie and negative. Though no doubt some will not be happy with that. I guess Murray stepping aside (and maybe selling the club) is what we have all been looking for. But now it is happenning it does leave me a little concerned for the short and long term future.

Ha ha, didn't realise that. Must be a concern for them. Can't win away, nor at home now it seems.

Realistically, to your average fan, silverware comes above all else.

I haven't read that article yet. Like to wait and read anything in depth when i'm fully awake and concentrating. I guess that explains it though.

Ha ha. Quality.

Some comments are just too good to be held back.

Gav, your post made me look at Norris' pic again and I immediately thought there's gotta be a YMCA type photoshop opportunity there.

:cheers: Sounds good. Though one wonders why, if he's been on the board all this time, we haven't been reaping the benefits already?

Sevilla please!!!

I sense a latest edition of taxi?

Years of Nakamura, Petrov, Sutton, McDonal, Larsson, etc, etc, etc.... ..... karma? :devil:

Thought Landzaat looked awesome when he played against us. Didn't seem to work out in England.

Ha ha. Can't fault him there guys.

Here's hoping there's a bit further for him to fall yet.

Think it was Big Spliff who told me it was nearer �£3mil.

1-1. Pot 2 back on?

Subbed off before he was sent off tonight. Should already be off imo. Should have had a yellow before he got one. Did another "Norway" type tackle. Ball played up to a striker just in the Celtic half with back to goal and Caldwell coems through the back of him. That was before he tried to get a free kick after rugby tackling an Arsenal player and got himself booked. Does anyone honestly believe he was better than Boogie or Weir last year? Or Davis or Mendes? As I said elsewhere. Those out with Scotland hear he's our POTY. Then the watch him play and think my god Scottish football must be worse than we thought. Just picking their favourite Celtic players as POTY does our game no favours! Great start to the season though. Keep it up.

One Fiorentina goal will do me. :spl:

One wonders if the McLelland episode was merely a ploy to make Murray's own stewardship look positive by comparison?

That's what I thought. Yet the commentators said they hadn't been outplayed? Thought they were getting ripped apart at will first 20 minutes and Arsenal just missed the killer touch. Was a dive. But McDonald ahd 3 in the first 20 minutes so would be hypocritical to complain just because Eduardo managed to do it in the box. :devil: Also from the reverse 2nd they showed, the one the ref had, it looked a stick on. I was positive on first viewing.

I'm happy to take it if you want?

Fiorentina on sky sports 3 tonight.