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Introduction Well, the much dreaded international break didn't disappoint. It was every bit as tediously boring and excruciatingly long as feared. Tragically, some would eventually succumb to madness as everyone from Paddy Roberts to Alan Power were "linked" with sensational switches to Ibrox as the prospect of even a crumb of a genuine rumour became less and less likely before the end of the break. Fortunately, there was a welcome relief from the deafening silence around Ibrox in the scintillating football played by Steve Clarke's dynamos as Israel were bravely thwarted at Hampden and Czechia's C team were effortlessly brushed aside in Olomouc. But for now, the only thing that matters is that our players came back injury-free. The visit of Dundee United to Ibrox is the first in eight and half years and promises to be an entertaining occasion. On the way back from demotion, a United side very strong at the time put Rangers to the sword twice in the cups and there will be just a little bit of a sense of revenge in mind on this occasion as the balance of power has reverted to the norm. On to this season, both sides will be happy with the start they have made. Rangers have gone six games without conceding and top the league. In early August, spirits were high as the red carpet was rolled out for long term target Kemar Roofe and Swiss striker Cedric Itten. Unfortunately, the green carpet of the Toni Maccaroni put a premature end to their honeymoon period as Rangers toiled to a no-score draw and the usual debates began to rage among the support (Jack and Kamara anyone?). Dundee United may sit in eighth place but they have given their support reason for optimism in the season ahead. The Opposition Tough opening fixtures have perhaps masked the fact that Dundee United have made a comfortable return to the top flight. They have picked up wins at Fir Park and Dingwall and have been very unlucky not to take all three points from hosting St Johnstone and not to take any from the visit of Hibs. The young side took plaudits for holding off Celtic for 83 minutes before cruelly losing the game to a jammy Ajeti strike. But while they have held their own against several top half sides and showcased some good football, their soft underbelly was exposed in a 4-0 humbling at the hands of an experienced, physical and clinical Kilmarnock side. What has not yet been tested is how they can cope with the particular pressures of an away tie in Glasgow. Unlike many Premiership sides, they do not have experience of playing with their backs to the wall and it doesn't seem they have recruited the players to play that kind of system. They normally line up in a 4-1-4-1 with two attack-minded centre midfielders in front of a holding midfielder, but the signing of six foot five centre back Ryan Edwards has given them the option of switching to a 3-5-2 which might give them more of a chance of holding out at Ibrox. Dangermen Despite currently looking like a bottom half side, the Arabs have not one but two strikers who have made a name for themselves as prolific goalscorers. Lawrence Shankland has scored an incredible 89 goals in 106 games and often only needs one chance to score. Nicky Clark has never quite rediscovered the form that saw him score 41 goals in the 12/13 season, but showed his worth last season when he scored or assisted a goal in all but one of the last 12 games of the season and has carried that form into this season. On the creative side, Manchester City youngster Luke Bolton is on loan for the season and possesses devastating pace on the right wing. In a game where the Tangerines' strategy will be all about the counter attack, any chances created are likely to come from the ball being played into space behind Barisic for Bolton to run onto before trying to find Clark or Shankland with a hard and low cross. Rangers Rangers will be looking to pick up where they left off after bouncing back from the disappointment at Livingston to pick up two 2-0 wins. The loss of Aribo to injury for another month is a big blow, and all but confirms that the team will remain unchanged in the middle of the park for the time being. McGregor's injury confirms that Jon McLaughlin will keep his place in goals too. The experienced keeper perhaps hasn't had the praise he deserves for his role in our new clean sheet record and former Hearts boss Craig Levein was keen to point out that Jon McLaughlin broke a 100 year clean sheet record in his time at Hearts too. Further up the park, the returns of Defoe and Itten are a big boost to Gerrard in terms of the options available to him but the two big talking points are likely to be whether Morelos will return and whether Barker will retain his place. Morelos has been training well and, according to Gerrard, is looking sharper. Both questions may be answered in one change with Kemar Roofe dropping into Barker's position behind Morelos, but I think it is more likely that Gerrard will go with the same team. Whatever the line-up, it is of course essential that Rangers pick up three points, but fans will be hoping to see the forwards being far more clinical in front of goal too and taking the opportunity to send a message to Celtic that this season we aren't going to give up the top spot so easily. Verdict Dundee United possess much more danger on the counter attack than St Mirren, St Johnstone and Kilmarnock, but their dismantling at Rugby Park has rung some alarm bells among the Arab support and their first visit to Ibrox after promotion is likely to be one they will want to forget. Rangers 3-0 Dundee United Predicted Line-up
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Pleased to say the inimitable @Fat Eck is back on match preview duties this week. Enjoy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I thought Saturday’s result, entirely jammy in how it came about, merely papered over the cracks of what has been a frankly disgraceful start to the season. The sight of Walter Smith by the side of the pitch only brought home how shamefully un-Rangers it all was. I mean I only got logged on in time for the coverage beginning at 2.30pm because I thought it started at 2. My half hour of trying to find and then work an access code the club e-mailed me in July - which I’ve used twice already - typified the embarrassing form I’ve displayed in trying to operate RangersTV on my laptop since the start of 2020-21. What did I really expect though, after a shocking pre-season in which I resorted to watching our Motherwell and Coventry friendlies on an Irish Sports channel rather than get some solid preparation under my belt. But, while I continue to think “casting to your TV” is a catchphrase from that Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse fishing programme, Rangers have enjoyed a record-breaking, record-equalling, solid as the Welsh-quarried redbrick on a listed main stand frontage, start to the new SPFL Premiership season. And what we did at Ibrox against Killie last weekend made me even happier than the fact this Saturday’s trip to Hamilton is live on Sky (even I can work a remote). Yes, another clean sheets milestone was lovely. Proving we can mix it up tactically, dominate and win with neither Alfredo Morelos nor Joe Aribo in the squad is further encouragement. But, for me, it’s all about the grind. It has become an obsession for more bears than just me, but the only recurring fault I can find with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers is our occasional inability to grind out a result against low-blocking elevens representing low-achieving clubs. On Saturday we ground out a result. And we ground it out against a team who, in the league, have always ground down Stevie G’s Gers. On each of the three previous occasions Kilmarnock have visited Gerrard’s Rangers we’ve managed just one goal; All scored by Alfredo Morelos who, you may have deduced from Michael Stewart’s manic delivery and discernibly higher register on Sportscene, was absent from Saturday’s squad. Yes, Gerrard’s stuffed them home and away in the Cups, but this was just our buoyantly coiffured gaffer’s second home league win over Kilmarnock. And this time we scored twice without reply, and this time Killie never threatened; And this time we didn’t need our Colombian talisman to dig us out of a hole. And it’s the digging ourselves out which pleased me most. Now that the match is won, I’m actually glad we went in 0-0 at half-time. Now that the three points are secure and we top the table, I’m delighted I was so bored and frustrated at the break. I’ve seen all the Ibrox romps I need to see to tell me Gerrard has the ability to win stuff. Coasting’s nice but we’ve done that. Now I want to see us overcoming those little road blocks of frustration and boredom – the kind Kilmarnock have placed across our path better than anyone else this last three years – which evidence the mental fortitude required to fulfil potential. Six days earlier the same blank score-line reigned at full-time in Livingston. It was Monday before I’d recovered my composure. But this last eight years I’m always too high or too low in the 24 hours after a Rangers triumph or setback. Regarding a draw, at a ground where no-one scores goals, as a disaster rather than an acceptable blip, is purely about my inordinate desperation for 55. In fact, to continue Clive Tyldesley’s lovely contextualising of this season’s ambitions during Saturday’s commentary, it’s not even “55” as such. That just happens to be the number of our next title. Like you, I just need to see Rangers back on top domestically to know we have finally and fully recovered from 2012. I need that for my soul and it makes me impatient. But that’s a mania, a psychological legacy of liquidation. By Post-Match Hour 25 I can usually see that, yet again, we’re making season-on-season progress. That’s the only guaranteed way to our next major trophy. Three straight poor halves of football, as the manager himself called them, may seem the weirdest way yet to confirm progress but I Tweeted at half-time on Saturday that the bore-fest we’d just watched, following hard on the heels of the Livi damp squib, presented a massive opportunity. All Gerrard’s squad have left to demonstrate is that they can shift mental gears, dig deeper and even mix metaphors when required - that they can, ye know, grind. At this point in the league last season we went on a sizzling three game streak, winning 4-0 in Perth before beating both Aberdeen and Hamilton 5-0 at Ibrox. There has never been any doubt that when Gerrard’s Rangers are in the right mood – particularly when we get a confidence-boosting early goal – we can decimate and dismantle all bar one in the SPFL. We do turn on the style. We really can entertain. But while these performances are also essential - while the players absolutely need the psychological respite afforded by the occasional goal deluge – the campaigns that produce league titles are marked by spreading the goals more evenly across the season. There is no law against winning each of 38 straight games by five clear goals. But there is little evidence of it happening in any title-winning campaign. And if the sight, around 5pm last Saturday, of Steven Gerrard on the same Rangers TV podium as Walter Smith doesn’t remind you of this then nothing will. Sir Walter has been called a few things. Master of the Grind never has and, really, never should be one of them. But the man who took us closest to winning the two European trophies not already silhouetted in red above the Rangers Store, did so in epic, nerve-sapping, marathon seasons which also went all the way on every domestic front. At Rangers it has never been about how comprehensively you win – it’s about how often. This demands an almost forensic weighing, division and distribution of, if not goals, then game-winning moments. With Super Ally’s “help”, Walter may have required a replay to beat Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup and extra-time and penalties to beat St Johnstone in the semi-final. But he only needed nine men to beat St Mirren in a League Cup final. Gerrard is cut from the same cloth – win everything. But he inherited a squad which wasn’t. His European runs prove he can take us places. His domestic implosions prove his players need upgrading. Or, to hammer home the wider point about spreading the good stuff more evenly, his player pool needs a better balance of talent. It’s an age thing, I suppose. I was delighted to see Itten and Roofe doing reasonably well on their first starts – and was seriously encouraged by Brandon Barker seizing on his opportunity to impress beside, across and behind them. But while I enjoy analysing why or how we won, I know I’m no Michael Beale. My favoured arbiter of progress is results. All I really know is we did better hosting Kilmarnock in the league with two half-fit strikers, an unfancied midfielder and a slow first half, than we ever did with an Alfredo Morelos firing on all cylinders. If Gerrard knows what he’ll get from a player he can better deploy him. If we’re less dependent on whether or not our star man will turn up, the team is less likely to be held hostage by any one collective mood – we won’t stop if it isn’t going our way and we won’t think we’re world-beaters when it is. If we stop playing at 3-0 up against St Mirren and St Johnstone it’s probably because we’re learning we’ll need something in reserve for that Ibrox afternoon Aberdeen might take a point or that mid-week when Hamilton once took all three. Because Stevie G is a quick study. Hamilton is where he won his first league away game as Rangers manager. It was October. In a season which began with us conceding injury time equalisers at Pittodrie and Fir Park, Accies levelled with ten minutes remaining. But this time we won 4-1. So I’ll tune in on Saturday tea-time, hoping for an easy away romp on the plastic but knowing that, should we struggle to a one-goal win, it’s just more sand in the oyster grinding out that pearl – more gristle in the meat, grinding our teeth into shape … Yeah. I promise not to use the word grind ever again. As long as you promise to help me find Sky Sports on my telly… or is it BT? Maybe Setanta? I don’t know. Just gonnae show me where I key in my season ticket number… Possible starting XI (4-2-3-1):
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In the weird and, not so wonderful, pandemic affected world we currently live in, it's not really a surprise that the start of the new Scottish Premiership season has been an equally strange one. With Aberdeen and Celtic players falling foul of restrictions placed upon them (eight at the Dons and two at Celtic), and subsequent postponements of their games, the league table already has a somewhat unfamiliar look after just three games (well three for those able to actually fulfil their fixtures). The good news for Rangers fans is that we top the table, and with good reason, after three solid (if unspectacular) wins in our first three games including seven goals for and zero conceded. That means that Hibs who also have a 100% record have to be content with second place. Meanwhile, six teams in the bottom half of the table haven't had good starts, including our opponents this Sunday, Livingston who have taken just one point from their opening three games whilst looking uncharacteristically vulnerable at the back, even at home where Hibs hammered them 4-1 last Saturday. On paper then, this represents another good opportunity for Steven Gerrard's men to extend our winning run and apply more pressure to Celtic who won't be playing again this weekend. Of course it won't be a case of simply turning up to secure the points. The Tony Macaroni Arena with it's dreadful artificial surface has rarely been a stadium we look comfortable in. Yes, we beat Livi in all four games we played against them last season but we didn't open the scoring until the second half in each of our home league matches whilst both games we played in West Lothian (one in the league, one in the cup) were tense and tight affairs. We can expect more of the same on Sunday. Team-wise I don't see many changes from Gerrard's preferred XI so far this season. Allan McGregor continues to have an apparently generic niggle so will likely not be risked on a plastic pitch for now and, after coming off with a knock against St Johnstone on Wednesday, Leon Balogun is awaiting scan results on a quad muscle problem that will keep him out for the short term. In saying that Filip Helander didn't look overly comfortable on the plastic last season and is also coming back after a long spell injured so the left side of central defence is uncertain at the time of writing. The manager would do well to consider this fully given Lyndon Dykes (oft linked with our club over the last year) usually plays well against us and will have an extra point to prove after being overlooked in the transfer market it seems. Livi's new signing Alan Forrest (younger brother of James) has also scored against us twice in the past so we will need to be attentive at the back against any counter. The rest of the team should pick itself. Many fans remain unconvinced with our balance in midfield via the continued selection of both Glen Kamara and Ryan Jack who some see as too similar. However, playing both does allow the manager to be more flexible with his attacking choices with the deeper midfielders able to pivot to allow our full backs to provide a high width. Moreover, Joe Aribo can play deeper if required in a more orthodox midfield three or form part of an attacking three behind the striker. Indeed, Aribo has arguably been our more consistent player this summer, not just contributing outstanding skill but creating chances and scoring himself. Our other attacking midfield options are rather impressive with Ryan Kent and Ianis Hagi showing glimpses of what they can do in most games whilst Kent has also scored two important goals already this season. And, with Barker, Jones and Murphy in reserve, we should be able to unlock most domestic teams. It goes without saying that scoring goals will be vital if we're to be successful this season. Our defence again looks pretty strong this year after matching Celtic's goals against column in 2019/20. However, our main issue was turning our dominance in possession and territory into goals. With that in mind, it wasn't a surprise to see us bulk up in attack - both with respect to squad depth and in the literal physical sense. The additions of Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten bring strength, hard-work and an aerial dimension which we've not always had in recent years. No-one can deny the continued importance of Morelos (who, it seems, will remain first choice as long as he remains focused as our player) but having other strikers ready and able to share the scoring burden - not forgetting Jermain Defoe either - is a necessity over what is hopefully going to be a long, busy campaign. In conclusion, it can be argued that last season wasn't a complete write-off for our club. Yes, we didn't win any trophies but a dominant cup final appearance and our impressive efforts in Europe and Parkhead showed we are capable. However, the fact remains there was nothing tangible for our efforts and our downturn in form after the winter break and our inability to put stuffy sides to the sword were of a concern as we entered 2020/21. Thus far at least we've demonstrated we can break down defensive blocks in our three wins through early August and this challenge will continue in Livingston on Sunday, with an added physical element from the likes of Dykes, Bartley and Ambrose. Such a test is nothing new though so the manager and players need to take another opportunity to show our early league position is something we intend to keep right through to next May. Dropping points on Sunday may not end any title challenge but taking all three with goals to spare will demonstrate we believe we can be successful and continue to reaffirm the kind of winning mentality and habit expected at Rangers. Not to mention apply just a bit more pressure to those teams behind us who are not playing and have also already dropped points. Let's take the early initiative and really push on... Possible team (4-2-3-1):
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@JFK-1 previews the first home match of the new season! The first home game of the season and the first competitive game at Ibrox since covid-19 changed the face of football brings St Mirren to the home of Rangers. League wise the Buddies come off the back of a good start after their 1-0 home victory against Livingston while Rangers also recorded a 1-0 win away to the plague infested sheep of the North. Regardless of the Rangers starting 11 both sides are going to be facing a sharp contrast in terms of the class of opposition in comparison to their most recent games. With all due respect to St Mirren they're no Leverkusen and St Mirren for their part will be well aware that Rangers are no Livi and not in a comforting sense. For this reason I would be more than surprised if St Mirren set up with anything other than a highly defensive formation we are all well accustomed to seeing visiting teams employ at Ibrox. This game introduces some unknowns into the equation for Rangers in the shape of two new strikers and debate around which or either of them may play whether be it a start or a substitution appearance. While defensively It's been many a year since I felt so confident in the Rangers defence and especially so in terms of the wealth of CB's we now have at the club. Such an over abundance of riches even with Nikola Katic out injured potentially for up to 6 months I have no great worries about whatever CB pairing Steven Gerrard may opt for. Connor Goldson is a stick on with a number of reliable alternatives available to play alongside him. I'm expecting to see Goldson and possibly Balogun after a sterling debut performance last week with Tavernier and Barisic either side of them. Beyond the defence there are also top quality options in the shape of Aribo, Kent, and Hagi etc but in the middle of the formation there are also a variety of alternatives which make it something of a guessing game regarding the starting line up. Then when looking at striker options there's the question of will one of our new strikers play? Will Morelos start? If one of the newbies take a spot either from the start or a substitute I expect it be Itten since I have doubts about the availability of Roofe fitness wise. If we go with the usual one striker a part of me wants it to be Alfie since there's always the chance this may be the last time we see him in a Rangers jersey and it would be a fitting farewell if he could play and bag one or two. On the other hand Alfie hasn't been quite himself of late turning in relatively lacklustre performances and showing little in the way of a threat. None of us are going to forget the contribution of Alfie during his time at Rangers. He was key in our Euro qualification run and our qualification for the knockout stages and a lot more besides. All of us will wish him well in the next stage of his career. But if he's likely to be leaving in the next week or do might it not be best to try to fit in say Itten for a start to get him bedded in as quickly as possible before tougher ties than St Mirren at Ibrox appear on the horizon? Obviously the manager will decide what's best for the team on the day. On paper no matter who plays this should be a comfortable standard home win for Rangers with at least a couple of goals in the St Mirren net by the end of it. While i'm often reluctant to be too over confident my expectation is that this will indeed be the case and i'm feeling at least 3 goals may be on the cards for Rangers with hopefully 0 in reply. We all know how absolutely vital every point is this season and maybe especially so home points. Despite it being early there is no wiggle room given that there's always the possibility we may again face a curtailed league. This is just another of many must win games to come. Go Rangers, 3-0 and hopefully 5 or even more to match the yahoo tally of last week. We need to get that GD difference down. Possible team (4-3-3)
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Fifty nine: After 59 minutes on the 20/02/2020 we were 0-2, v Braga in Hummel chevrons familiar to us but with change shorts removing their usual colour scheme from confusion with Arsenal. They looked relatable but unique, neither too different nor too ordinary. Their opening goal, pinged in from a distance almost as long as the Brazilian scorer’s full name, may have stemmed from a Rangers mistake but, in execution, looked so much like one of Ryan Jack’s brace at Ross County earlier in the season. In short, my admiration for the visitors was matching my sadness for us hosts. These guys were slick, cool and classy. If it had to be anyone I was glad it was them. In Europe, Stevie G’s Gers don’t do Hearts- and Hamilton-style humiliations. We beat who we should beat and only lose after epic struggles. Braga did induce some boos at this point. They were taking so long to celebrate the goal which had surely won the tie. But most of us were quite happy for them to take their time. This was a team who hadn’t lost their previous 13 European ties. They’d done super rich Wolves at Molineux. The BT clock hits 60:02 before Ruiz is back in his own half and Ryan Kent can finally restart the game. Sixty minutes. I spent much of the next five minutes worrying we might get skelped. We don’t embarrass anyone in Europe under Gerrard but we don’t get embarrassed. Then it hit off the back of number 60 and into the Copland net and within a heartbeat we’re winning 3-2 and, six days later, amid unseasonal sun and Iberian balm, precisely as the clock hit 60:00, Connor Goldson made the interception which led to the only goal of the night – the killer pass played by Ianis Hagi, the man who’d really won the tie, who was born on 22 October 1998, the night we beat Bayer in Leverkusen in the UEFA Cup. I wondered who we’d draw in the next round... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To misquote a German born ten months before Bayer Leverkusen, to write poetry in the middle of a global pandemic is barbaric. But Theodor Adorno was an accomplished composer as well as a renowned philosopher, and he wouldn’t fail to see the lyrical symbolism of Steven Gerrard’s two European campaigns as Rangers manager. Gerrard’s first competitive game in charge of our club was a Europa League qualifier first leg, won comfortably at Ibrox on, of all 2018 dates, the 12th of July. The last game his Rangers played before we entered those four Covid-afflicted months without our club – when over 46,000 Rangers fans last breathed the same air as our team - was a Europa League Round of 16 first leg. Between times he led us through two epic qualifying round campaigns and two exhaustingly tight group stages. Rangers produced the most thrilling of all their performances to triumph over Braga in the 2019-20 round of 32 but “easy” is a rare concept in these unrelenting European runs. It’s fitting we’ve had to wait five months to play our 32nd UEFA competition game under Stevie G. It’s trite to say even Covid-19 couldn’t put this side out of Europe. But one year before Gerrard’s arrival, our all-time most humiliating European result came, like a tacky limerick, against a club called Progres. From March to August 2020, while the SPFL divisional titles were called early and we pondered another domestic silverware blank, there was something almost inevitable about each leg of this tie straddling lockdown like a heroic couplet. A second leg providing another 3-1 win for the away team would complete the most beautiful rhyme imaginable but, if I’m honest, this Thursday I just want to see us make a game of it - maybe even a tie. Live Podcast this Sunday This Sunday at 9.30pm we'll have another Gersnet Podcast live on Youtube. Don't miss it and remember you can take part via the chat facility! VISIT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL Leverkusen aren’t as match fit as ourselves, their last competitive game being the German Cup final of one month ago. They’re a side who missed out on the 2020-21 Champions League thanks to occasional, massive glitches in form, losing by the kind of score-line which would indeed put us into the 2019-20 Europa League quarter-finals. But their usual form is sublime. They can still easily qualify for that Champions League by winning this Europa League outright. The total lack of fans in the Bay Arena this Thursday may have freaked them out slightly more than us if it hadn’t been for the fact they acclimatised to it when the Bundesliga restarted and completed 2019-20, from May to July. Most of that was live on BT Sport and Leverkusen, as the last team I’d seen win in the flesh, were of particular interest in this first few weeks of football back on the telly. They were as worryingly impressive from my sofa as they were from my seat in the Main Stand. Wunderkind Kai Havertz may be off soon. However, even if he departed for pastures Chelsea before Thursday, Leverkusen have quality all over the park and seem to produce child prodigies faster than oor Alfie gains fat in the off-season. Florian Wirtz became, at one month over 17, the Bundesliga’s youngest ever scorer back in June with a consolation against Bayern bloody Munich. Our own main hope is that Mr Morelos does like Daniel Cousin at Parkhead in August 2008 and advertises himself to the continent’s big spenders by putting in his finest performance yet. But even if, come kick-off, Alfie’s disinterested, 'unavailable' or even sold, it’s when you have the phrase “we’re up against it” on your lips, but can’t quite spit it out, that you realise exactly what Gerrard’s done for us. Villarreal effectively beaten on away goals in two group stage draws with a Liga side; Rapid Vienna, Legia Warsaw, Porto and Feyenoord beaten at home – the last three all unable to beat us on their own patches; Braga beaten home and away when we suspected they may be a step too far and then looked like a side on a different level for one sobering Ibrox hour. For me it’s easy to imagine Gerrard communicates to his side what he experienced as a player: Being expected to win, especially domestically, can be a burden – up against it, usually in Europe, invariably produces magic. For every domestic embarrassment under Stevie there is a nine men in Ufa, a one down after mere seconds at El Madrigal and a heading for extra time knowing one slip against Legia Warsaw denies us the group stages. We’ve only conceded four goals once under Stevie G and that was during a crazy Muscovite night which saw us winning 3-2 and have a perfectly good fourth disallowed. He may have won more European trophies as a player than Rangers have in their entire history but we’re a club that should always worry Leverkusen. Surviving in Europe, in terms of pure time, longer than any other Scottish club in any one season is another strange boast to add to our historic continental collection. As well as becoming the first side ever barred from defending a European trophy (1972), we enjoyed Europe’s biggest ever quarter-final win (1960-61) the season after we suffered the biggest ever European semi-final loss (1959-60) – both against German clubs. As a player Gerrard won the previous version of the competition, also in North Rhine-Westphalia, in nearby Dortmund. He scored in that final (along with his current assistant Gary McAllister), just as he did in Istanbul when things seemed impossible for his side in his first Champions League final. After he hit the net in Istanbul Liverpool still trailed 3-1, just as Rangers do going into Thursday’s game. My ambition is always for us to win the tie. If we do, watch out world. But what I need at the very least is our result against Leverkusen, the only side to score three at Ibrox against Stevie G, to make a respectable closing line for these two epic European runs. Everyone involved deserves a standing ovation, even if it is from our sofas. Reflecting on our most recent Europa League campaigns, our support must understand they’re more than the equivalent of lifting either domestic cup – that, in terms of marking our progress under Gerrard, they have been sheer poetry. Possible team (4-3-3):
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After the best part of five months and what feels like an eternity, Rangers are finally back in SPFL action tomorrow lunch-time. And, off the back of a fairly impressive friendly programme, fans are excited to see what Steven Gerrard in his third season as Rangers manager can deliver during this campaign. Can we offer a sustained title challenge? Can we take an extra step in the domestic cups? Will we be able to maintain our progress in European competition? None of these questions are easy to answer. For the last two seasons any challenge offered to Celtic has faltered after the winter break whilst we've been unable to secure a domestic cup for almost ten years - despite leading in one against Hibs and outclassing Celtic in another last year. Fortunately, our performances in Europe has perhaps been a more accurate barometer of progress with good work against several decent continental outfits across the last two seasons. Indeed, we're still not officially out of last years Europa League just yet! With all this in mind, it's interesting to note that this summer squad changes have, so far at least, been kept to an absolute minimum for Gerrard's third season. The global pandemic may have ensured a stagnated transfer market but is this also a sign that our manager feels his squad is capable of delivering trophies? With only Ianis Hagi arriving as a genuine first XI player then, as it stands, we certainly have to hope that's the manager's thinking. Yes, Jon McLaughlin, Calvin Bassey and Leon Balogun have also strengthened the squad but with Niko Katic injured for the longer term and the likes of Andy Halliday and Jon Flanagan not having their contracts renewed, that means a more streamlined look to our squad with a nod to youth in certain areas, particularly at right back in the exciting Nathan Patterson. Of course it would be remiss of me not to mention the Alfredo Morelos situation. At the time of writing it appears a renewed bid has been made from France for his services and it's nearing the (inevitable?) stage where the Colombian will move on sooner rather than later. In fact, it's not a guarantee he'll play in tomorrow's opener given his uncertain situation and one only need look at our opponents to see how an injury can affect the possible sale of your biggest asset. Aberdeen will be missing both their first choice strikers and, with Defoe again injured for us, it's been a big surprise and disappointment that we've not brought in another striker ahead of the game. Irrespective of Morelos' status, we need another centre forward and it's an undoubted gamble not to have back-up at this stage. It has been suggested that Gerrard doesn't want squad players (such as Kamberi) but genuine quality so if a suitable fee is agreed for Morelos, the manager may think the gamble of waiting will pay off with two new strikers capable of competing for the role brought in on the bulk of any transfer proceeds. As it stands though, I don't think the manager will hesitate to play the Colombian tomorrow, even if we've seen other attackers such as Barker, Stewart, Murphy and Hagi all work well together across the front-line in pre-season. Indeed, if we look again at the starting XI for those friendly games, the manager seemed fairly consistent in his favoured side and coincidentally that is the same sort of XI we seen in our last league game in March. At that time James Tavernier and Ryan Jack were struggling with injury but those two players aside, the team that started against Ross County is effectively the one that took us through pre-season undefeated and likely to be the one that will open our season tomorrow. Our defence is fairly easy to predict. A couple of summer niggles and a positive start to Jon McLaughlin's Rangers career aside, Allan McGregor remains our first choice 'keeper and a key player when it comes to a winning mentality. In front of him, our back four should also be a consistent one as the season progresses with only the left centre back uncertain for now. George Edmundson should retain his place until Filip Helander is fully fit once more but the big Swede showed enough pre-Christmas last season to be Connor Goldson's preferred partner. At full back James Tavernier and Borna Barisic remain two important players, particularly in a creative sense, but both will need to demonstrate the mental strength required to ensure they can lift trophies as Rangers players. Moving into midfield and the deeper part of our system especially, we have four players battling for three positions. Steven Davis, Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara and Joe Aribo are all fine players but the manager has often found it tricky to find the right blend in some domestic matches. That amalgam of defensive wherewithal along with the ability to move the ball quickly and vertically remains one of our biggest challenges in the stuffy arenas and artificial pitches of the Scottish Premiership. This perhaps explains why Ross Wilson and the manager are happy to pay the best part of £3million for Bongani Zungu who may well arrive imminently. Davis will miss tomorrow's game with a niggle but should be available for the midweek trip to Germany. We also have several options further forward. Signing Ianis Hagi on a permanent deal should be a good move in terms of creativity and a goal threat whilst the form of Kent and Brandon Barker across pre-season also bodes well for the real thing. Achieving consistency from these players, as well as enough game-time for the rest of our forward options will be the key to unlocking this squad's full potential. Hitherto fringe players such as Barker, Stewart, Jones and Murphy really need to be playing regularly to show their best form but this is difficult with others ahead of them in the reckoning. Scott Arfield is another who can play in the advanced or defensive roles and we'll be hoping for a better season from him as well. We've already discussed how short we are for strikers but we are where we are for now so let's hope Morelos can get back on the goal trail quickly until such a time he does leave. However, the responsibility of scoring goals should not be placed on just one player. All things considered, we clearly still have a good squad of players with an agreeable mix of experience and potential with undoubted quality across the manager's preferred 4-3-3 system. However, a cursory look at last season's results show we weren't clinical enough in certain situations and it's no secret we struggle to break down teams utilising low/medium blocks and concede cheap goals when we lose our own positional discipline when pushing for goals. The management team will have to prove they can overcome that if we're to win trophies and Pittodrie will prove a good initial test of that tomorrow. In conclusion, this is a big year for Steven Gerrard. In terms of his position as Rangers manager, he's in a unique situation with the Covid virus offering difficulties no other has had previously in the post-WWII era. Yet, he's now been in the job for two years so he's no longer the inexperienced youth coach that arrived from Liverpool. Therefore, as he did as a player, he now needs to show he's learned from every minute of being in charge; from the lows to the highs, and bring success back to Rangers, just as he's seen happen at his former club. Conversely, for our part as fans, we have to remain patient. I have no doubt in my mind that Steven Gerrard is the right man for this job and whilst it may have taken a bit longer than I have hoped for him to win trophies, I firmly believe he will this coming season. In that respect, leagues aren't won on the first day of any new campaign but we have to get off on the front foot and there cannot be any excuses as we move further into the competition. Once more unto the breach, dear friends... Possible team (4-3-3):
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match thread (image) [FT] Ross County 0 - 1 Rangers (Kent 77)
Frankie posted a topic in Rangers Chat
Wednesday night at Ibrox was a complete nightmare. To the goal we lost, to the chances we missed, to the final result, to Celtic dropping points, to the traffic afterwards; what could go wrong, did go wrong and I have to admit it took me until this morning to update our main with the match highlights. Then, for some reason, despite being unable to sleep after that result the other night, I decided to watch the bulk of the game, as sometimes it's worth doing so on TV as you can miss some stuff actually being there. At Ibrox, I thought we did OK up until Hamilton scored, then lost confidence as the crowd lost their patience. Yet, without playing well per se, we actually didn't do as bad as I thought later in the match and how we didn't score at least once in the 90mins was quite incredible. Of course the reaction to the result has been that of outrage, quickly followed by resentment. And, given recent events and performances, that's understandable. Petty it might be but it's also easy to appreciate supporter indignation when under-fire players feel sorry for themselves in press interviews, whilst driving away from stadiums in six figure super cars. Quite simply complaining about struggling with the pressure won't wash with fans expectant of success - or at the very least a goal or two across two matches against the Premiership's bottom two teams. Let's be honest; when players sign for Rangers, they should be made for life; most will earn thousands per week and the opportunity of millions over their career. The same can't be said for the lads Hamilton play. Often moving from club-to-club for the chance to impress for a small capped wage is more likely and when they do retire from the sport, they won't have pension investments and property portfolios to rely on. That's a pressure more in line with supporters, who often struggle to make ends meet following their club. Nevertheless, we can't have it both ways. When Rangers were winning title after title or, in this era, erm, doing well in European games, we didn't ask what kind of car our captain was driving or how well paid they were. Nor did we complain about how much it cost us. Football is football and, as much as the money floating about - even at SPFL level - can be eye-watering and impossible to relate to for most of us, players deserve to be paid, even when they play badly. C'est la vie. For Rangers fans, as much as we demand success, we also expect effort and application to be just as prevalent. Similarly, as much as we can forgive the occasional mistake, not learning from them must be one of our biggest frustrations. That's why James Tavernier and Connor Goldson have been the focus of so much scorn this week. Our captain and vice-captain respectively, both have sold the jerseys in our last two games and it really is impossible to explain their mindset. Was it over-confidence or a lack of ability? It can't be the latter as both have shown they are good players when focused so it has to be the former which is misplaced when the team is struggling so badly. It's with merit then that supporters expect both to be dropped for our next game. After all, other players have suffered from such: be it Niko Katic, Ryan Kent, Glen Kamara or various others for their poor form. If the manager wants to retain the respect of those players and other fringe lads, who still can't get into what is now a losing team, then surely he can't favour player A over player B when they cost us points? Unfortunately, football isn't quite as simple as that. First and foremost, whilst Ross County (a team who have never beaten us...yet) may not represent the kind of challenge that shouldn't allow us to 'rotate' our side and 'rest' a few struggling players - even key ones - we've all seen how much we've laboured against other clubs in the bottom half of the Premiership of late. More importantly though, it's the games following that one that are of more interest, being them against Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 of the Europa League and those either side of the third Old Firm league match of the campaign. Any title aspirations may be all but gone and our chances of beating the Germans 50/50 at best but these are vital matches nonetheless and perhaps not the time for an erratic Jon Flanagan or the inexperience of Nathan Patterson at right back. And can we really rely on an untested partnership of Katic and Edmundson centrally? Sure, someone like Patterson or a Matt Polster (if properly fit) should arguably be playing in Dingwall and why not test out a new centre-back pairing while we're at it? And don't forget to chuck in Halliday at left-back since Borna Barisic has reverted to his fickle form of last season. Are you more or less confident of European progression and another win over Celtic? The fact is, as much as key players like Tav and Goldson have let us down badly (and I mean really badly) of late, I'm not quite ready to give up on them yet and I also don't feel offering up one or two scapegoats works either. It's like saying we can't play Morelos again for missing chances or that Kent will never pay back his inflated transfer fee. At 23, those two lads are still fairly young and still learning. They need our support, as difficult as that may seem when they spurn a chance or pass it out the park. With all the above in mind then, how do we approach Sunday and the subsequent run of three very tough fixtures? Do we drop Goldson, Tav, Davis and the rest of the players letting us down? Or do we show our supposed insanity by sticking with those failing us? Well, it's my preview, and as much as I completely understand and share the calls for changes to the team, I'm disinclined to do so right now. At the start of the year no-one could have seen this 2020 collapse coming (sic) but collapse it has. I won't pretend to know how so many key players have been so bad. And, for what it's worth, I don't think it was Dubai's training camp, a dressing room fall-out, a broken system or any other daft rumour. I believe it's just been the perfect storm of key player form, suspension and injury. Occam's razor, m'lud. If we consider Tav, Barisic, Jack, Davis, Kent and Morelos to be our key players (and they are) then none have shown any sort of good form this year. That's also more than half our team. I'd fancy if Foster, Julien, McGregor, Brown, Christie, Forrest and Edouard stopped doing the business for Celtic, they'd also struggle. Only twice have our six key players played in the same starting XI this year and it's no coincidence we won both matches (v Hibs and Braga). However, that's not an excuse and that's where criticism of the manager comes in for not being able to adapt: either in terms of ensuring we have the squad able to cope and/or changing the system to suit. Consequently, it's no surprise to see the manager's position being questioned as well. Criticism has been increasing - from his tactics to his (over)-reliance and protection of some players. How can younger lads like Katic be thrown under buses for costing goals whilst their supposed peers are excused for same? That puzzles fans and it's something the manager could do with explaining. As should his apparent inability to address his squad's keenness to prefer an underdog status at a club that has historically been the favourite. Ultimately, there are more questions than answers for this Rangers team. For every win over Celtic, there's a loss to Hearts. For every European tactical master plan there's a struggle to deal with even the most basic of Scottish football presses. It seems for every step forward, there's the inevitable step back. But, surely, even after the events of Wednesday night we can't throw the baby out with the bathwater? And we certainly cannot afford another change of management and other 15+ player rebuild in the summer. Yes, it seems a cheap and increasingly irrelevant claim right now but we have made progress. As a departure from the norm, I'm now going to post two possible teams for Sunday. OK, it's taking it to extremes a wee bit, but one will offer all the changes many fans seem desperate to see. The other will offer something that may seen even more silly and go against every emotion we felt leaving Glasgow the other night: in other words one or two enforced changes but effectively a defence for an XI that (all merited criticism aside) were actually a wee bit unlucky the other night and an XI we know are a good team capable of winning big games. When you see the two XIs together, you'll soon realise it's not really a choice and, as much as I'm still raging with several players, I still believe good players don't turn wholly bad overnight and our team's form will only return by playing our best players and supporting them through bad times. That may go against the current mood but I don't see many credible alternatives. Be gentle, please! Possible XI (a) Possible XI (b) -
At the back of seven last Wednesday evening, you'd be hard pressed to find an unhappy Rangers fan. Yes, a dreadful draw in Perth the previous weekend had basically ended any hopes we had for a 55th title but progress in Europe and the chance of winning the Scottish Cup meant confidence was renewed again. Our impressive victory in Braga meant the players had showed once again they had the quality required and the management team had fixed any systemic issues with the tactics. Fast forward 72 hours and all that was was undone with another defeat at Tynecastle. Not only had the players capitulated once more but the manner of the defeat was even more of a concern. We were tactically inept, physically weak, mentally fragile and simply outfought right across the pitch. Yes, on paper we may supposedly have more quality than Hearts but after several very difficult trips to Edinburgh, you'd think the players (and manager) would know by now the very least you can expect is a fight for every single blade of grass. Instead, not one of our players assumed responsibility for their own performance and the assurance we seen in Portugal was replaced by fear. Post-match things didn't improve with the manager less than clear about his future juxtaposed with fan frustration over his inflexibility with player choice and formation. Add to this the disciplinary issues over Alfredo Morelos, the positive events of last Wednesday seemed a life-time ago. At the time of writing, things have settled down somewhat. Tuesday morning's press conference has seen Gerrard commit his future to the club, Morelos has apparently shown 'remorse for letting down his team-mates and fans' and the supporters have reflected constructively on Saturday's defeat across forums. OK, we're not quite ready to charge the Alamo yet but I think most fans realise that despite recent poor form, progress has still been made this season and a change of manager along with a complete rebuild of the squad may not be the best option available to us. However, neither should that excuse further poor performance. At the very least, the fans need to see a genuine reaction from the players to recent events at Ibrox this midweek. It may be unlikely we'll witness us back to our best form immediately but 90mins of obvious graft, commitment and spirit will be the minimum we expect. Unfortunately, further injuries to Jack, Arfield, Helander and Polster may mean we don't see whole-scale changes to the team and the manager may give certain players one final chance to show the fact they do actually care about their Rangers futures but neither can Gerrard allow such a terrible display go without change - both with regard to personnel and formation, though the latter may not happen against Hamilton given the expected nature of the game. In defence, I don't expect many, if any alterations to recent matches. Allan McGregor might not be the worst offender of late in goal but he really needs to command his box a lot better. Too often, he's stuck to his line and not able to take the pressure off by taking crosses or sweeping up long balls. And screaming at officials doesn't show you care as much as actually ensuring the defenders in front of you know what they're doing. Nevertheless, the performance of the four in front of him hasn't been good enough with only the away game in Portugal an indicator of how good these players can actually be. If Matt Polster was fit, he would replace Tavernier and the skipper will still be very lucky if he keeps his position ahead of someone like Nathan Patterson. The captain has had a very poor season all things considered and simply must improve his contribution offensively and at the back. Patience has now run out. Meanwhile, Connor Goldson has very much been up and down this campaign and we can't keep using the excuse of differing central partners for his inconsistent form. Even so, it will be interesting to see if Gerrard changes this partner again tomorrow. As good as Edmundson was in Braga, he was the polar opposite in Edinburgh. Indeed, shortages in midfield may mean he's pushed forward, allowing a return for Niko Katic who has also been very poor of late. At left back Borna Barisic has reverted back to his ineffectual self of last season and will also struggle to retain his position. As a unit the defence must improve and not one player is immune from such criticism. In midfield, the loss of Jack and Arfield will result in changes within the engine room for the visit of Hamilton and again for the weekend. Steven Davis is another key player who has been nothing short of awful recently but, as with Tavernier, our lack of options may see the manager expect him to turnaround his form. Glen Kamara - another who has been very poor when selected - may find himself back in the team by default with a third player selected from Edmundson, Aribo, Hagi and Halliday. I would actually play Hagi in the deeper playmaker role and see if he can be the one to get us to play a bit quicker from further down the park. In attack, I'm expecting a three-pronged approach. For all his faults and recent issues, Alfredo Morelos remains our best player so it would be a big surprise if he didn't start. Kamberi is again available for selection, so after some decent showings, the Albanian international should start with Ryan Kent also played off the Colombian. Kent has shown glimpses of his talent but they're fee and far between for a £7m outlay. The likes of Jordan Jones, Greg Stewart, Sheyi Ojo and Brandon Barker might expect to grab a place in Kent's stead but, other than Stewart who can create in and around packed defences, Kent arguably remains our best option. All in all, the conundrum for the manager is fairly clear. His preferred XI haven't been performing but neither do we have players ready and capable of stepping up in case of poor form or injury. Yet, can the manager really afford not to make changes when the same players keep letting him and the fans down? And, as much as we can cast doubt on the ability of a Jones, Ojo or Barker, they've not had the same kind of extended run in the team that others have. Why were the signed if they're not to be played regularly when others aren't doing the business? Ultimately, I don't think the manager can let what has happened of late go. He has to change the team and he has to change how we line up. It might be difficult to make defensive changes but further forward we can and we must. That's the leadership required here and the players have to be made to understand if they don't play well - or least work hard - they will be replaced. Second best isn't good enough at Rangers and that's a lesson that now needs to be given at every opportunity. Possible Starting XI (4-3-3):
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In the absence of a proper preview, I'll point everyone in the direction of today's press conference thread on Twitter. After such a tough game physically the other night, I'd like the chance to make a few changes to the team but I think we need to play our strongest XI tomorrow and perhaps allow more players a rest next Wednesday at home v Hamilton. As such I'd go with an XI along the lines of below. I would rest Kent: he worked incredibly hard the other night and I don't think the tight Tynie pitch will do him any favours. In saying that, Hearts have been playing a very open game lately so it may depend on the manager's thinking in terms of finding space on the counter. Nevertheless, I'd replace him with Stewart who might work better in this game. Joe Aribo might also fancy his chances of making the starting XI as Ianis Hagi might be another who could start from the bench. Arfield has been in good form recently and we'll need him again tomorrow but with him, Jack and Davis all playing the full 90mins in Braga, one of the three may well drop out as well for Aribo or Kamara. Good news is that Morelos is available again (and has to start scoring again soon surely) whilst the manager has also said that Jermain Defoe might make the squad after his recent injury. Possible Starting XI (4-3-2-1):
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Sorry there was no match thread, could this be made the match thread?
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It’s fair to say 2020 hasn’t really been kind to Rangers so far. A combination of suspensions, injuries, poor form, bad refereeing and awful weather means performances and results haven’t been of the standard required since we return from the winter break. With that in mind, turning our attentions back to European football over the next week might be a welcome distraction for everyone connected to the club. Firstly, as has been the case for the bulk of our Europa League campaign, we’re not really expected to progress against Braga. That lower expectation decreases pressure on the players and may allow them to play with a bit more freedom than they have of late. Similarly, unlike most of the Scottish teams we’ve faced this year, Braga are much more likely to be positive themselves, meaning we get more room to play and actually get some of our attacking players into the game. There’s no coincidence that we’ve often looked more comfortable against European opposition. Games have tended to be more open and we usually do well on the counter. Conversely we also appear happier in a defensive sense with deeper midfield cover for our full-backs, meaning we’re not usually exposed to the counter ourselves like we can be when having to commit so many players forward in domestic matches. Unfortunately, injuries and suspensions means the manager may again be unable to choose his strongest team; certainly in the first leg. Ryan Jack was sent off against Young Boys so misses this match whilst Borna Barisic picked up a knock at Hamilton ten days ago and hasn’t featured since. In terms of replacements, as much as Joe Aribo has proved his worth in Europe, he doesn’t offer the same presence or leadership as Jack so the latter will be a huge miss tomorrow night. Similarly, whilst Andy Halliday rarely shirks any role he’s offered in the team, neither does he offer the same quality of Barisic at left back. Jon Flanagan isn’t in the squad so won’t be an option at wing back. Despite these missing players, the starting XI should still have a fairly recognisable look to it. Defensively we now have plenty experience with McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson and Katic having all played in earlier rounds. The same can be said for our likely midfield three of Arfield, Davis and Kamara who are all capable of not only winning the ball back effectively but are positionally sound and able to keep the ball when we have it too. Further forward we also have several options. Jermain Defoe will miss both these games and Jordan Jones is another who didn’t make the squad for this round. However, Ianis Hagi has impressed since joining from Genk on loan and Flo Kamberi also showed against Livi that he could be a useful alternative should he be required. Most importantly for Rangers though will be getting Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent back in form. The Colombian has been unlucky with some poor officiating ruling out two perfectly good goals in his last two games but hasn’t looked quite as sharp as he did in 2019. The same can be said for Kent who looks well short of confidence and hasn’t done anywhere near as much in a creative sense of late. However it would be a surprise if both didn’t start leaving one more attacking midfield role for either Hagi, Kamberi, Aribo, Greg Stewart, Sheyi Ojo or even the lessor spotted Brandon Barker whom the manager has turned to before in European games this season. Whatever the team chosen, it’s not an easy task at all against Braga. When the draw was made last year, we were certainly more confident than we are now. The Portuguese outfit have since shown better form than us this year though and, although well behind Benfica and Porto in the Primeira Liga, have won matches against both over the last month. With players such as Francisco Trincão (who will be moving to Barcelona in the summer for €35million) they have undoubted quality. Nevertheless, what some of our fans and, perhaps the players as well, have forgotten recently is we do too. As such, this represents a great opportunity for us to restore some of that belief and increase morale with what is effectively a free hit at progressing to the last 16 of the Europa League. With a few months still to go in that tournament, as well as the Scottish Cup and Ladbrokes Premiership, Steven Gerrard’s Rangers can still make a challenge in all three of these competitions and the Englishman should be keener than ever to make that clear to the players. As winter hopefully blows itself out here in Scotland soon, fingers crossed we can see some shoots of recovery in our season by the time we enjoy the warmth of Portugal next Wednesday. Possible team (4-3-2-1):
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match thread (image) [FT] Rangers 1 - 0 Livingston (Arfield 59)
Rousseau posted a topic in Rangers Chat
There is no doubt it has been a frustrating few weeks, to say the least. A couple of defeats to Hearts and Kilmarnock, and more worryingly in my opinion, a series of pathetic performances have littered our fixture list. Any potential title challenge we had within our grasp has been wrenched from it -- perhaps irrevocably? As is right, the manager has been at the forefront of some robust criticism. There have been some over-the-top, knee-jerk reactions (such as, 'Gerrard should go!'), but there are valid questions to be asked. The main criticism is his reluctance to use the bench. We are well past the hour mark before he makes his first change, even when it is clear the game is not going the way it should well before. Gerrard is almost damned if he does, damned if he doesn't here, though -- Were we not complaining about constant changes to the first XI last season, and now we're complaining about him being too obstinate? It doesn't matter what he does, as long as the end result is the right one: there were a couple of glorious European performances that were based on not changing things. I'm not so sure we have the quality on the bench to change things. The only player I think that has been unlucky, with regards to minutes on the pitch, is Stewart. Stewart is not blessed with pace, but he is a clever, technical player capable of unlocking stubborn defences. He is also not shy to shoot from distance. He is a natural forward, than has that instinct to get into the box. I'm not so sure the players on the bench should be getting more game time. Polster has not done anything wrong, but he is a replacement for Tavernier, so won't play often, and shouldn't; Docherty doesn't quite suit the system, and is now on loan; Jones has been injured; Ojo has been disappointing; and Edmundson has Goldson, Helander and Katic ahead of him, so he's not going to play much. Add to that they are different types of players from the ideal first XI players. In the attacking positions, Gerrard wants players that can take the ball in tight situations, between the lines. Jones and Ojo are not able to do that. It is clear we need more attacking options off the bench, more suited to our system. I'm not so sure the criticism around our formation is valid either, or at least not entirely so. The 4-3-2-1 was working very well, and then since the break we've struggled to create chances and score goals. Gerrard is not even being obstinate here, for he has tried to change that with a recent shift to the 4-2-3-1, which adds another attacker to the mix. (I would question the make-up of the two sitting players: I don't think this role suits Arfield.) We are still struggling. For me, the problem is not personnel or system, but the lack of movement from the first XI. If we look at the blueprint Gerrard is trying to emulate, or take inspiration from, Klopp's Liverpool, we can see several instances of this lack of movement. Mane and Salah are constantly running into the channel, in-behind; our guys are standing there waiting for the ball. Liverpool also have Robertson and Alexander-Arnold running on the overlap too, or coming into the channel to make space for the wingers out wide; our Full-backs are quite static, waiting for the ball -- although Barisic is better than Tavernier in that respect. Even Henderson and Wijnaldum break forward; our Centre-midfielders seldom break forward. If you watch Robertson, Mane and Wijnaldum, the left side of their team, they are constantly rotating position. Robertson will lay it off to Mane out wide, and drive into the channel, and Wijnaldum will drop off to take Robertson's LB slot. Sometimes Mane will cut inside, while Wijnaldum will drive out wide, or into the channel to create space. Sometimes Robertson is out wide, with Mane coming back to cover Left-back. There is constant rotation. As well as creating space and moving players about, their positioning keeps passing options open. Our first XI is good, in my opinion, but we need to work on movement on and off the ball; rotations, making space for each other, third man runs, running in-behind to stretch the defenders, etc. I think it's an almost old-fashioned way of playing to say 'go out and express yourself' -- it is too vague and you need to be a good player for that, and we don't quite have that calibre of player. Our players need to be given more detailed instructions, like a Guardiola or Bielsa: if X has the ball, Y moves here, Z moves there, etc. To make that next step, I don't think wholesale changes are needed. Taking on Livingston on Saturday, we need to see better attacking movements. We could switch to a front two--which is an easy change to make--but, it means dropping Kent or Hagi for Kamberi, and going to a 4-4-2 (diamond)/4-1-2-1-2, with Hagi or Kent as a lone #10. However, if we continue with the same impotent attacking movements, nothing much will change. I would revert to the 4-3-2-1 that has stood us in good stead for a while. It is a more defensively stable formation, and packs in most creativity. I think Kent has been off form, so I would replace him with Stewart to play in one of the #10 roles. He has a natural instinct to get into the box, which can benefit us. I would also like to see Aribo play deeper, with a license to drive forward. He suits the deeper role: he is good at winning the ball back, has good close control, and can beat a man with his power and pace. (Kamara is better in a sitting role, because as with Jack and Davis, he can't really break the lines by beating a man.) I think we have the components of a good side. If we can show a little more courage, aggression and creativity in the final third we can get back on track. It is important to get back to winning ways, so any win will do: whether that is 1-0 or 5-4. If we can pump some confidence and energy back into our attacking players, we'll see a much improved side. Results will follow. -
match thread (image) [FT] Kilmarnock 2 - 1 Rangers (Arfield 32)
Frankie posted a topic in Rangers Chat
Looks like the wind might ease off in time for tonight's trip to Rugby Park. As always a very tricky game awaits so will be interesting to see if the manager tinkers with his team. Although I think Edmundson will retain his position, Katic might return alongside Jack and I think Barisic will make it too with Kamara dropping out. You have to think Davis will start as well so, despite his important second goal on Saturday, Aribo may join Kamara on the bench. Midfield balance key with Dicker and Power always a strong partnership for Killie. Vital we play our own game though and avoid a physical contest. Possible starting XI: -
Hamilton Academical host Rangers in the 5th round of the Scottish Cup today. Kick-off is set at 12.31 GMT to raise awareness of mental health issues in sport. Steven Gerrard wants Rangers to build on an "extremely positive" second-half show against Hibernian as they try to reach the Scottish Cup quarter-finals. A late Ianis Hagi goal sealed a comeback win on Wednesday to keep Rangers seven points behind Celtic. And the Ibrox boss wants a similar approach in their last-16 cup tie at Hamilton Academical on Saturday. "I'll be looking for the same standards, people being really tuned in to get the right result," said Gerrard. "This is a club that demands that you give everything in every competition, you can't pick and choose. "We'll be going to Hamilton in decent shape, certainly on the back of the second-half performance against Hibs, which was extremely positive and very close to where we've been for most of the season. Hopefully we can take off from there." Having fallen behind, Rangers drew level with Hibs in first-half stoppage time and went on to dominate the rest of the match, pinning the visitors back for long stretches. "It was a really strong 45 minutes," said Gerrard. "Collectively, everyone was at it. Both in and out of possession, the intensity levels were exactly where I want them. "We had 15 corners and I think it was the second most crosses we've put in in a game. We could have scored another two or three goals, but for their keeper and players not taking chances at the time." Midfielder Ryan Jack remains sidelined but on-loan Florian Kamberi is available after sitting out against parent club Hibs, with Gerrard saying there "won't be wholesale changes" for the cup tie. Rangers have won on their last nine visits to Accies but Gerrard remains wary of a side who drew at St Mirren on Wednesday after staying level with Celtic for 77 minutes despite a first-half red card for Jamie Hamilton last weekend. "Every environment is different," he said. "They are very effective on their pitch. They've got a good coach and they have players who can hurt you if you don't defend properly. "Every time we've gone there, they've tried to stay in the game for as long as they can. We've had to finish them off late on." https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51412598
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A week is a long time in football so a lot has happened since my last match preview last month ahead of the Stranraer game. In that preview I was extremely complimentary of the players given our strong league position tucked in behind Celtic with a game in hand. I discussed our points tally improvement as well as progress made in terms of goals scored and conceded. Importantly I also discussed the character of the team with what seemed an improved belief in the squad when it came to adversity. Winning at Parkhead at the end of 2019 was clearly evidence of that after disappointment at Hampden. Unfortunately, since then we've went backwards in frustrating style: losing to Hearts and drawing at home to Aberdeen, meaning we've dropped five points in six days, falling behind Celtic again and minimising any supposed title challenge in short order. The manager has since spoken of 'missing a spark' and he's right. Suffice to say we've not played well in any of our five games in the new year and although we won our first three, unconvincing and functional were as good any 'praise' got. As such, it wasn't a huge surprise that we struggled against Hearts and Aberdeen: two physical outfits that usually cause us problems. The reasons for this loss of form are less easy to put a finger on. Yes, we've been without a combination of key players since the winter break: Morelos was suspended for three matches, Tavernier has been injured for all five and Ryan Jack has missed the better part of two games. Arguments can be made for the likes of Goldson, Davis and Barisic but, in my opinion, the three that have been unavailable are our three best players and any team would miss such. Even worse is that those you'd expect to step up such as Davis, Arfield and Kent haven't played well recently either whilst no-one else in the team (aside from perhaps McGregor and Goldson) have found the level of form they had towards the end of last year. All things considered, when you're not sure of an answer, the simplest solution is best so any lack of quality is demonstrably down to the loss of key players: either via their unavailability or just a loss of their form generally. Yet other worries also persist. Our preferred 4-3-2-1 system has worked well for the last nine months or so. Within this setup our football is good to watch and usually played at a high tempo with various players capable of creating or score goals; especially with the focal point of Morelos. However, when the tempo is missing and when teams pack their defensive areas, we can struggle and that has been fairly obvious in recent weeks. Yes, aside from the Hearts game, we've still dominated most of the matches (and should do so at Ibrox in any case) but we have failed to reliably breach defensive setups when faced by them. Opposition sides haven't necessarily parked the bus per se but they're working very hard across medium blocks and in half-spaces to stifle our creative outlets. Davis becomes anonymous, Kent can't find space, Kamara continually turns back, Defoe isn't physical enough and our full-backs are closed down very quickly too. Indeed, it's often left to the centre halves to make the play and you'll even find any opposition attacker trying to limit Goldson's use of the ball. Quite simply teams aren't giving us the oxygen to breath and we don't have the imagination to combat this. So much so that, for the first time in a fairly long period of time, we changed system at least twice in our most recent match against Aberdeen. First of all, Sheyi Ojo was brought on to play more as an orthodox winger as opposed to one of the 'double tens' we usually deploy. That didn't work so we even tried a 3-5-2 later in the game with two men up front and new signing Ianis Hagi trying to play vertically from deeper positions; again without success as Aberdeen sat deeper and deeper towards the final whistle. This shows finding the missing spark isn't necessarily as simple as changing the formation, though it can be argued without being more flexible across more games, subtle changes won't work when used 'off the cuff' or when under pressure. And that last word is proving interesting as well. I mentioned character above and, as much as it's difficult to suggest this team lacks it (see our December results), in certain positions we do seem to lack belief. Not necessarily when reacting to tricky situations but when put under pressure ourselves. For example, we've done very well in Europe this season with little expectation at the start of the group stage. However, as soon as we were expected to qualify, our form wasn't quite as good. Similarly, when behind Celtic in the league, we seem to tick along fairly well but as soon as we become de facto favourites, we look lost. We couldn't beat a ten man Celtic side in the League Cup Final and twice this season we lost league title initiative almost as quickly as we grabbed it. That should interest Steven Gerrard and any sports psychologist. A final valid point, and I don't need to wear tin foil whilst making it thanks to Rick Roberts' fine polemic on the site yesterday, is the effect of the officials. A common sight this season has been opposition teams attempting to disrupt games right from the first whistle. Not only do we see a large number of niggly, cynical fouls made throughout games but time wasted as well. Bizarrely, officials don't seem keen to clamp down on either of these so we find a general lack of rhythm to our matches, decreasing our tempo, increasing player knocks and generally stopping us playing our usual game. OK, it's hardly a scientific answer but it is a factor nonetheless and one the manager and players can't really account for - or even change. All the above should represent food for thought for Gerrard when attempting to find our spark. There's no doubt in my mind losing our three best players has affected us most of all and contributed more than anything else to our loss of momentum. Having James Tavernier back for the visit of Hibs will help and getting Alfredo Morelos' mind back on the job will be key to any aspirations of success we have. Yes, Ryan Jack remains injured but good sides should be able to cope with that so Gerrard and his coaching team will be eager to prove that on Wednesday night. After all player form is partially their responsibility with team selection, the system(s) used and how we deal with gamesmanship all part of how players will perform. With all that in mind, I'm hoping for a proper reaction at Ibrox tomorrow and I suspect we'll see some changes to reflect that. Tav should return to the starting XI and I think the likes of Katic and Kamara would benefit from a rest too. Kamberi will miss the next two games of course but having Hagi and Stewart available should help creatively if Hibs fancy playing for a point. Meanwhile, the combination of Aribo, Arfield and Hagi allows for flexibility in attack with all three capable of drifting wide and supporting the attack or making passes from deeper positions if required. We certainly have plenty of options so finding a spark needn't be as complicated as at first glance. If only football was as simple as that... Possible team (4-3-2-1):
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The late Jock Wallace is often characterised as the archetypal old school manager; gruff, authoritarian, intimidating, bellowing orders and ruling through fear. Some of that might be true, but it’s also true of many football managers of that era. What’s so often overlooked about Wallace was his subtle use of psychology. Wallace was faced with a daunting task when he assumed the mantel of Rangers manager. Not only was he in direct competition with Jock Stein, a manager of incredible ability, but also a Celtic side containing hugely talented and experienced players who knew how to win the league. Wallace’s first season in charge saw Rangers finish 5 points behind the champions and one point behind second place Hibs. Wallace knew that Rangers had good players, we’d won the Cup Winners Cup only a couple of years before, and any squad that contained Greig, Jardine, McLean, MacDonald and Johnstone was as good as any in the league. Wallace understood that what was missing was belief and a mental toughness. Wallace needed something that made his players believe they were unbeatable, something that gave them a psychological edge over their opposition. Wallace found the answer on a beach overlooking the Firth of Forth close to where he was raised. Murder Hill, as it came to be known, is simply a long, steep sand dune. Wallace knew about it from his childhood, local sports clubs, including Hearts, had trained on the Gullane sands for years before Wallace took his Rangers side there. But most of the Rangers players didn’t know about it. The squad were made to run up and down it, sometimes carrying medicine balls, sometimes teammates. The mix of the coastal wind and the sand made the players thirsty, the sand would get everywhere making them uncomfortable and the gruelling nature of the training exhausted this band of fit young men, as all pre-season training does. Wallace was able to convince his players that this pre-season work had made them fitter than they had ever been before. He convinced them they were now the fittest team in the league, that no other side could live with their strength. His final masterstroke was telling the press about it. Not only did the Rangers players believe it but so did the support and, importantly, the opposition too. We welcome, if that’s the right word, Aberdeen to Ibrox this Saturday. Unusually for a match between the clubs it takes place at 3pm on a Saturday. Aberdeen arrive in poor form with only one win in their last four, a scrappy 1-0 over Dumbarton in the cup. Their support are restless, the turgid, pragmatic football Derek McInnes sets his side up to play can be tolerated when it brings victories but finds you friendless when it doesn’t. It’s almost surreal to think 24 months ago we were still smarting from being unable to prise him from Aberdeen’s grasp. As Ross Bennett on the Gersnet Podcast quipped it’s the greatest bullet dodge since The Matrix. I expect Aberdeen to bring a defensive mindset, giving us the ball until the final third, then filling it with bodies and closing the space. They’ll aim to frustrate our players and perhaps our support. Prepare for a physical match, lots of niggles, off the ball stuff and gamesmanship. We enter the match still missing our captain and first choice right back and our most influential midfielder in Jack along with Helander and Defoe. At the time of writing we look to be signing Hagi and possibly one or two others. I wouldn’t expect any of them to start though our bench might contain some new faces. Polster should retain his place, personally I think anyone looks good when compared to Flanagan, but in the case of Polster he does seem to bring something to the team. Aberdeen will be a test of his attacking ability, he’ll spend most of the match in their half, so his passing and crossing will be vital. I expect Arfield will also retain his place in midfield, along with Davis and Kamara. Whether Ojo has done enough to keep a starting spot is harder to guess, I suspect not and think Aribo with start along with Kent. Defoe’s absence is lessened by the return of Morelos. Morelos will be targeted by the Aberdeen players and probably their support. A support who think nothing of singing about the 66 football supporters who tragically died whilst at the site of that disaster are almost beyond redemption. I suspect Ian Durrant will get a mention too. Morelos has more reason than most to be fearful of opposition supporters. Already this week police are investigating an incident with his car and intruder close to his home and a man called Sean Baillie appeared in court charged in relation with throwing a cup of scalding liquid at Morelos during a recent Motherwell match. Morelos has to face this whilst living thousands of miles from home and with his wife expecting their first child. Gerrard has played down the incidents and their affect on Morelos, as is Gerrard’s style, but I’m not sure if I believe him. The hatred Morelos faces has long ago crossed the line from supporter rivalry and into something altogether more sinister. The man in court this week is 30 years old, he’s not some daft teenager. For me this is the culmination of years of public demonisation of Rangers. The neanderthal narrative some love to peddle stops being banter and turns into something much darker when it fuels the kind of incidents we’re seeing now. That we face Aberdeen this weekend, one of the more enthusiastic participants in the denigration of our club and our support, is fitting. That they went to the bother of creating a banner, in Spanish, aimed squarely at Morelos tells you all you need to know about the mindset of some of their support. This act by their support was ignored by the SPFL and the police, but hey, it’s only the funny wee foreign lad after all. It’s been open season on the league’s top scorer for a while now, players, managers, referees, supporters and the media have all been complicit in this. As for the match itself we should win comfortably. But then we should have won our last encounter with Aberdeen comfortably too. Throwing away a 2 goal league was very disappointing, particularly after having dominated the match. We were mentally weak that night, unable to match Aberdeen’s rise in tempo and direct style. That weakness was evident again last weekend at Tynecastle. This will be our third league match in 7 days, surely we’re now over any rustiness that set in after the winter break. The clever thing about Murder Hill of course is that you don’t actually get any fitter running up and down sand dunes than you would running on a treadmill or round a track; you just think you do. Wallace understood this, he knew the dunes helped the side’s mental strength far more than its collective stamina. Gerrard needs to find his Murder Hill, the thing that galvanises the squad and makes them fully believe they are unbeatable. Saturday would be the perfect day discover it.
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Big game today. We've already dropped points at Tynecastle this season and can't afford to do it again. This time, we're missing our main threat and our captain and I suspect Hearts, who have just added a striker, will be very competitive. We need Aribo and Kent to play well and to make sure we're switched on at all times. Step up and play Rangers!
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match thread (image) Rangers 1 - 0 St. Mirren (Defoe 34)
der Berliner posted a topic in Rangers Chat
Since no-one is in the preview list ... The Scottish Premiership Ibrox Stadium Rangers FC vs St. Mirren FC Referee - Nick Walsh Assistants - Alan Mulvanny and Graeme Leslie Fourth Official - Steven Kirkland Missing - Filip Helander (foot), Alfredo Morelos (suspended), James Tavernier (infection), Greg Stewart (calf), Glenn Middleton (foot) LIVE on RTV, KO 7.45 -
It's only been a few weeks since Rangers got the better of Celtic but, as the winter break finally comes to a close with a return to action in the Cup against Stranraer, that victory in the East End of Glasgow already seems a long time ago. Yet, there's a sense of familiarity with the position we're in - especially compared to this time last year. Going back to January 2019, we were getting ready for a Cup tie away to Cowdenbeath, still basking in the glow of a home win at Ibrox against Celtic and excited by the fact we were tied with our greatest rivals at the top of the table. That positive feeling didn't last long: the Cup game was postponed and a clearly sluggish Rangers team went down to a defeat in our first match of the new year to Kilmarnock. Joe Worrall was the scapegoat as we lost the game despite taking an early lead but it was fairly obvious the whole team lacked that extra bit of belief, the winners' mentality any successful side requires to win trophies. Any league title challenge was gone without really starting and it was back to square one in terms of offering any sort of competition to Celtic. Fast forward 12 months, the top of the league table is eerily similar so at first glance, you'd be excused for thinking we hadn't made progress since last season. However, you'd be wrong. This time Celtic have played a game more, thus, if we win our game in hand, we'll actually be top of the league on our own. Moreover, although Celtic's points tally has increased, we've also won more games, drew less games and lost only once this campaign. Most importantly though is the way we've found that improvement: whilst no Rangers supporter can say we've been excellent throughout the league campaign, there has been an obvious advancement in the way we're able to achieve three points. Indeed, from the very first game - ironically away to Kilmarnock - the character in the side is a lot clearer. There now appears to be a belief in this Rangers team that they can win any game and, crucially, even when suffering from setbacks. Of course goals win games and skill on the ball excites fans more than anything else. But, if you don't have mental strength, then you can forget any sort of winners' medal. With that in mind, Rangers' efforts through this season and in December in particular, were very impressive. To come back from the disappointment of an avoidable draw in Aberdeen as well as a League Cup Final defeat and win every domestic game since has demonstrated a strength of will that I wasn't sure this Rangers team had: in fact, there was a small part of me that thought this crucial element of desire may have gone from the club itself. Thankfully, I've been proven wrong in little over four games with tricky away wins at Motherwell and Hibs as well as hard fought victories against Killie and Celtic. Quite simply we wouldn't have done that last December so this new found confidence of the players and coaching team should be appreciated by the fans. We wanted progress. We've got it. However, the real challenge is just about to begin. OK, it might not come tonight at Ibrox against Stranraer and tougher tests are on the way but don't prepare correctly for this match and the same slackness will affect us in the league. Accordingly, whilst many fans are quite reasonably expecting in effect a reserve XI, I'd prefer as strong a team as possible - even if it means some accepted first choice players come on from the bench. Yes, we've come a long way in terms of general squad quality since we drew with the Wigtownshire Blues in 2013 but, with one eye on next week's match against St Mirren, we need all of our players back as sharp as possible as quickly as possible. Given we'll also be without captain James Tavernier and top-scorer Alfredo Moreos for at least the next three games, then we need the rest of our best XI to find the top of their game in advance of resuming our league campaign. Consequently, tonight's team/squad pretty much picks itself again for me with only Tav's replacement the real source of debate. Does the manager go for experience with Matt Polster (apparently free to leave on loan but reluctant to do so) or Jon Flanagan (rarely a let down on the left side but, even of his preferred right flank, hardly an attacking option like his skipper) or will 18 year old Nathan Patterson be offered the chance given he does like to get forward. Personally I suspect the latter tonight with one of the first two in future games. In attack Jermain Defoe will again deputise for the suspended Alfredo Morelos. In the face of some disgraceful reporting in the media of the Colombian, Rangers supporters are quite right defending their talisman but his preventable loss of discipline in his last two away games has represented his manager with a problem. Fortunately, even from when Defoe joined Rangers this time last year, the veteran Englishman has rarely let us down in terms of goal supply so the onus will be on him for the next three games and, most probably later again in the season. One wonders if the manager may be tempted into signing another striker for back-up purposes? In terms of the rest of the side, cases can be made for various fringe players to come into the team. Going by yesterday's press conference, George Edmundson will be starting instead of Connor Goldson and Wes Foderingham will likely displace Allan McGregor as well. Others such as Steven Davis or Ryan Kent may be utilised from the bench as opposed to starting but I'd like to see both given a good run out as they will be the creative players tasked with unlocking a stubborn St Mirren defence next midweek. Yes, we need minutes in the legs of fringe players but after a three week break, the same can be said for the whole squad. Finding that balance may not affect tonight's outcome but it will across the rest of the month. In view of this, we may see some some of hybrid starting XI tonight: in effect a combination of fringe players needing game-time and first-teamers requiring a staged return to full sharpness without risking fitness longevity. Ergo, a team along the following lines seems likely: Possible starting XI (4-3-3): Foderingham Patterson | Edmundson | Katic | Barisic Arfield | Jack | Aribo Ojo | Defoe | Jones From the bench, I'd expect Steven Davis, Glen Kamara and Ryan Kent to feature later in the game whilst players like Goldson, Halliday and Barker will also fancy same minutes alongside the youngsters who've recently trained with their first team in Dubai. All things considered, I'm perhaps being overly cautious when it comes to worrying about the fitness (or at least the sharpness) of players. Other teams will have the same concern but, for me, it's all about learning from past lessons. In that regard, I do think we were unfortunate last January with the postponement of the Cowdenbeath Cup tie and I did think it cost us to some degree in our first match back at Rugby Park. As such, I'm really keen for us to use tonight's match not as a training game or as some sort of friendly but give it the competitive respect it deserves. That's not to say we can't involve fringe players or promote younger talent but that we do ensure the bulk of our usual first XI - those who will be tasked with delivering the league title above all else - are ready to resume that challenge in perfect condition next Wednesday. We won a fantastic battle on the 29th of December, let's not lose the war this time.
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Rangers travel to Celtic in the Old Firm derby on Sunday looking for a first Parkhead win since 2010. Sky Sports News reporter Charles Paterson analyses who will strike a winter blow in the title race. New Year is always a special time in Scottish football. It is a chance to pause for reflection and look forward to a well-earned break - but not before a catch-up with the neighbours. On Monday the Scottish Premiership heads into cold storage for three weeks. Celtic and Rangers are bound for warm weather training camps in Dubai but before then they meet one last time in 2019 at Celtic Park on Sunday, with the hosts looking to open an eight-point lead at the top and land a massive psychological blow in the title race. It is not just a new year on the horizon - Rangers supporters will gladly wave goodbye to the decade ending next Tuesday. The club's financial meltdown nearly seven years ago led to years in the wilderness and, as they floundered in the lower divisions, Celtic racked up the silverware. In this decade Rangers have won just once at Celtic Park - in October 2010, when Kenny Miller scored twice in a 3-1 victory. That season Walter Smith's side went on to win the league championship on the final day; Rangers have not won a major trophy since. Their best chance to end that barren run was just a few weeks ago at Hampden Park, but despite dominating the League Cup final Rangers could not find a goal and 10-man Celtic took home the glory. It was a thoroughly dispiriting day for the men in blue, in particular Alfredo Morelos, who passed up numerous chances, including missing a penalty. Fraser Forster was outstanding in goal for Celtic but the Colombian's profligacy was extraordinarily uncharacteristic. Morelos has been sensational for Rangers since his arrival two-and-a-half years ago. With 28 goals in just 34 games this term he is already on the verge of surpassing last season's total of 30. It is a massive return on the minimal outlay to bring him from Finland in 2017, yet in 10 games against Celtic across three seasons he has never scored. Morelos is in the form of his life. There is an argument - which Steven Gerrard dismissed last season, but which is rearing its head once more - that Rangers are overly reliant on him. Jermain Defoe has scored 11 league goals this season but the pair rarely play together; the next highest scorer in the squad is Joe Aribo, with six. Rangers have lost just one domestic game under Gerrard when Morelos has scored - against Kilmarnock on the final day of last season. Sunday represents his latest opportunity to break his Old Firm duck; if he doesn't, his side's chance of victory significantly diminishes. If he does, Rangers may finally lay to rest their Celtic Park hoodoo. This season the home of the champions has been an ominous venue for any visiting side. Celtic's record in their own stadium is outstanding - only one defeat, in a Champions League qualifier to Cluj with a last-minute winner - with 18 victories in all competitions, scoring 59 goals and conceding just 12, four of those to Cluj. "Relentless" is a word Neil Lennon has repeatedly used to describe Celtic's drive for results. Eleven successive league wins since mid-October display an unmatched hunger and steely mentality during a punishing fixture list. Perhaps the most impressive achievement has been to top their Europa League group but their domestic dominance remains absolute. As talismanic as Morelos is for Rangers, so too is Odsonne Edouard for Celtic. His presence as an attacking focal point was sorely missed in the first hour of the League Cup final; once on the pitch, Celtic got a grip on the game as Rangers' threat diminished. Unlike Morelos, Edouard has consistently delivered in the heat of Old Firm battle, scoring five times in the fixture including the opening goal at Ibrox in September. The Frenchman is not a pure goalscorer like the Colombian but offers something Morelos does not: the ability to influence the players around him. When he is on song, James Forrest, Ryan Christie and Callum McGregor thrive around Edouard's link-up play; Celtic's Scottish triumvirate have scored 35 goals between them this season. The striker who prospers on Sunday may well decide the game but Celtic, five points clear, begin the afternoon with the stronger hand. Rangers dare not let the gap stretch any further despite their game in lieu, but the psychological advantage to be gained from a victory before the league pauses is not necessarily clear-cut. A year ago Rangers won this fixture at Ibrox to send the teams into the winter break level on points. They then lost at Kilmarnock upon the league's resumption and drew at home to St Johnstone a few weeks later, while Celtic won eight successive league games to create an insurmountable cushion. Rangers have proven in 2019 they are closer to Celtic, and at times capable of outplaying them, but their only Old Firm win this year came in a largely meaningless match in May. Once again it is Gerrard's team who have the bigger questions to answer on Sunday. Celtic, time and again, have proved to possess a mentality for the big occasion. As they chase nine-in-a-row and a possible quadruple-treble, Lennon will be sure to prime his squad for one last push before the bells toll for 2020. It promises to be a fascinating encounter. Team News Jonny Hayes returns to the Celtic squad for the Premiership clash with Rangers at Parkhead on Sunday. The left-back has recovered from a shoulder injury and is back in contention. Boss Neil Lennon has no fresh injury worries after the 2-1 Boxing Day win over St Mirren, with Mohamed Elyounoussi (foot), Hatem Abd Elhamed (abductor) and Jozo Simunovic (knee) still out alongside Daniel Arzani (knee). Rangers will be at almost full strength for Sunday's Old Firm clash at Celtic Park. Midfielder Steven Davis made his return from a foot injury against Kilmarnock as a late substitute while Jordan Jones was back on the bench after recovering from the knee injury he sustained against Celtic back in September. Only defender Filip Helander (foot) remains out for Steven Gerrard's team. https://www.skysports.com/football/celtic-vs-rangers/411340
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Rangers vs Kilmarnock Scotland – Premiership Date: Thursday, 26 December 2019 Kick-off at 15:00 Venue: Ibrox Stadium. Steven Gerrard’s side have the chance to close the gap on Premiership leaders Celtic when they take on an out-of-sorts and manager-less Kilmarnock. Rangers vs Kilmarnock: Head-to-head Overall Stats (85 games): Rangers 60 wins, Kilmarnock 10 wins, 15 Draws. Rangers have won 33 of their 44 home games vs Killie. Four of the last six head-to-head duels had over 2.5 goals. Both teams have scored in four of their last 6 encounters. The reverse fixture between these two sides in August finished 2-1 to Gers. Helander misses out with a foot injury. Davis returns from injury and Jones may have a spot on the bench. Morelos is available again after suspension.