DMAA

Arfield played his best football at Rangers as a number 10 and not as a centre mid. It is a bit unfortunate that he is only getting to play in a position that isn't his best.

Loans have been ruled out by Gerrard. It's permanent or nothing. However if we sell to Hibs we better put a huge sell on clause in his contract because he is only 22 and could go on to make them a bit of money. I really felt Docherty was good enough to be a squad player so I am a bit disappointed it looks like he is going. I've said for a long time that McCrorie isn't good enough though.

I don’t agree. He can play in the 10 because he is good enough to adapt but it’s not his natural position. He is excellent on the right side of the midfield three, providing creativity from a deeper position. His ball winning and ball retention are excellent too and we get more out of him there. That’s where the second goal game from yesterday, Aribo cleverly finding Hagi from that position.

A win is a win and to score 3 goals is always pleasing, but a little disappointed we just let the game fritter away. In the manager’s defence, Livingstone away is one of the toughest games of the season and it is likely they decided to take it easy.

I’m only listening on the radio but I expected a bit of a ponderous performance when I saw the team was the same. I wish he would mix it up more. What a player we have in Barisic though, he’s really proving his worth.

He doesn’t need to be exactly like Aribo, I just meant a player who can create as many goals as him.

I would include Aribo so it is 8 players to 3 spots. I agree the problem is quality and not quantity. I think ideally you would have two Aribo type players on either side of Jack or Kamara for most SPFL games. If we could bring in one player with that kind of creativity in that position I would feel far more confident that we won't eventually succomb to the same issues against the low block again this season.

Could it be that there is an element of appeasement in it too?

The amount of grown men who can't bring themselves to say the word "Rangers" in this country is embarrassing.

The first test of the mentality of the team this season.

I forgot about Jordan Jones ?‍♂️ it's a matter of time

And they will hopefully have a crowded fixture list later in the season with at least two postponed games to squeeze in. You have to wonder how it will affect Bolignoli too.

If detailed protocols weren't documented and agreed for scenarios like this before the season started then the SFA have demonstrated that they are incompetent on quite a staggering level.

Humza threatening to pause the season now. Sounds like a better idea than making Aberdeen and Celtic suffer the consequences. At the very least, postpone their games for the next fortnight and then they can deal with the backlog.

Bizarre stuff. I just hope our players know better.

That was Aribo. BLM will be on your case for that one. It was an excellent ball, Aribo is going to be huge this season. He’s our most important player IMO.

So they weren’t under huge pressure at that stage but would be if they went 4 points behind in August? Regardless, the point is that they have been under a lot of pressure from us much further on in the season and they passed the test and we failed. We will need to overcome those mental challenges this season. After all, it’s no coincidence we slipped up immediately after going top every single time.

Well, they were under huge pressure after December 31st last year and they came through it and we crumbled. We need to show we can match their mental strength because there's no hiding that it's an area we've failed in.

Killie were very comfortable. One thing I have enjoyed so far is how we have been playing first. I think it is better psychologically to be top of the league and playing first to keep it that way. We are about to lose that advantage as they play before us on Wednesday and then at the weekend.

It is good to see how much Barisic has come on. He is starting to look like a leader, full of confidence and taking iniative. We'll do well to hold onto him.

I've only seen the RTV highlights (11 minutes long!) but it was quite incredible how many chances there were. From the highlights it really seemed like a bombardment. I really liked that third goal. Tap ins are the kind of goals we want to be scoring because they are normally the result of breaking a team down with good play. Who knows how long Morelos will be with us but if that is his final game I'm delighted he has signed off on a more positive note. And it doesn't feel like much of an achievement but another clean sheet is always good to get. Counting friendlies we have now kept clean sheets against Nice, Lyon, Coventry, Aberdeen at Pittodrie, Motherwell and St Mirren. We conceded 1 to Leverkusen. Sure, we do expect to keep clean sheets against the level of opposition we are now facing in the league but I think the signs are good. And I wish I had seen more of Balogun but from what I'm reading it seems we have unearthed a much higher quality centre back than any of us expected too which could be crucial when the inevitable injuries and suspensions take their toll. Plenty to be optimistic about at the moment and we have Itten and Roofe's contributions to look forward to.

I’m sure they aren’t Bill. And I do trust Gerrard and the board to manage the situation. But given 2020 form I would be surprised if the fee wasn’t pretty close to that number.

It has never been popular but I’ve said for a long time that he is overrated by our support. A bit like Kent at times, the expectation on the player became increasingly detached from reality (including the fee he will fetch). If we have indeed rejected a £16.5m bid the club better be sure Lille aren’t going to walk away.

Gerrard's achievements in Europe are staggering. The team over achieved this season again and went out to a team we had no chance of competing with.

That looks the most likely lineup to me, except Jack? Is he out? I would like to see Patterson get a start but Gerrard isn’t going to drop Tavernier.