Super_Ally 0 Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 (edited) In December we were devastating. Our January performances were jaded. What then for our fortunes in February? Our results over the past two months have allowed us to open up a healthy 10 point gap at the top of the SPL table as we seek to retain the title. The December demolition of some of the league’s leading clubs is well documented. A maximum 18 points accrued, scoring 26 and conceding just 4. Equally well documented were our New Year struggles. Madjid Bougherra has been missing since the final game of December representing Algeria in an impressive African Nations run to the semi-final. Scotland’s deadliest strike duo; Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller have missed most of our January fixtures through injury and suspension. We also had to cope without (the now departed) Pedro Mendes, DaMarcus Beasley, Steven Naismith, Maurice Edu and Nacho Novo at various points throughout the month. In fact, in the league fixture against Hamilton we could not list a full complement of substitutes. Last weekend after we dropped points to Hearts, whilst Celtic eventually overcame ten-man St. Johnstone, the media were effusive in their praise of a resurgent Celtic. Mowbray was ridding himself of the deadwood and moulding the team in his own image. A resounding victory, ignoring the fact they only overcame the Perth outfit once Derek McInnes’ team were at a numerical disadvantage, was evidence of this. It may surprise some to note that during a month in which we have often competed with only one fit senior striker and could not always name a full 18-man match day squad, a month in which our form and results were questioned, we extended our Championship advantage. Rangers: Celtic (A) 1-1 Hamilton (A) 0-1 Hearts (H) 1-1 St Mirren (A) 0-2 Falkirk (H) 3-0 Celtic: Rangers (H) 1-1 Falkirk (H) 1-1 St Johnstone (A) 1-4 Hibs (H) 1-2 Hamilton (A) 0-1 Team P W D L F A Pts Rangers 5 3 2 0 8 2 11 Celtic 5 2 2 1 8 4 8 We have extended our lead by an additional 3 points and 2 goals in the goal difference column. I warned earlier on this month that we would only realise the benefit of our scintillating December performances if we maintained our form throughout January. Despite struggling in the triple header with Hamilton and at home to a stodgy Hearts side we have progressed in the Scottish Cup and forged further ahead in pursuit of the league crown. Unlike for our great rivals, Hibernian (and United) did not prove the stumbling block that was hoped for as we produced our best form in December and a decimated squad did not derail our title defence in January. With such a healthy advantage it is only natural we will look ahead to our remaining fixtures to examine the obstacles to securing title number 53. After a League Cup semi-final against St Johnstone and fifth round cup tie with St. Mirren we face a potentially tricky trip to Fir Park. Motherwell head up the chasing pack behind Dundee United and Hibernian who are competing with Celtic for second spot. Their confidence will be soaring having secured a 3-0 victory at Pittodrie and will look to cement their position in the top-six. We failed to take maximum points from this fixture back in September, but a 6-1 victory in December at Ibrox, coupled with the return of Boyd, Bougherra and Miller should give us the confidence to maintain our unbeaten run. A home game against John Hughes Hibernian should not be taken lightly as Tony Mowbray and Celtic will attest. It was Hibs midweek Parkhead victory that allowed us to return the gap from ourselves to Celtic to 10-points. Hibernian took an early lead when we travelled along the M8 to Leith, but Kenny Miller inspired a Rangers comeback as we ran out 4-1 winners. So, whilst Hibernian cannot be treated lightly, if we play to our capabilities we can put another nail in Celtic’s coffin this season. Anything less than three points at McDiarmid Park is unacceptable and victory would set us up nicely for a colossal Old Firm encounter at the end of February. If we can match or exceed Celtic points haul across the February fixtures we could effectively end their title hopes with a home victory on February 28th and who would argue against that with Walter Smith at the helm? Of course we have seen over the past two seasons especially that a small advantage this early in the season is not decisive and often doesn’t lead ultimately to success. Many fans more sensible than I would guard against such flagrant optimism. However, we are not competing on four fronts with midweek trips across the continent and an unprecedented backlog of fixtures. The destination of the league title is far from a foregone conclusion and there will be plenty of points dropped by ourselves and Celtic over the remaining fixtures, but our ten-point cushion affords us the luxury of playing without pressure and we can look forward to four February SPL fixtures with optimism and expectation. Celtic’s game against Killie should allow them to cut the gap to seven-points, but we know we must merely concentrate on what we do and keep the Championship outcome out of their hands. Three victories or at least matching Celtic’s result ahead of the penultimate Old Firm encounter will pile the pressure on a side that Mowbray has shorn of its SPL and title winning experience. Rangers’ February SPL fixtures: Motherwell (A) Wed 10th Hibernian (H) Sun 14th St Johnstone (A) Sat 20th Celtic (H) Sun 28th Celtic: Killie (A) Tue 2nd Hearts (H) Wed 10th Aberdeen (A) Sat 13th Dundee Utd (H) Sat 20th Rangers (A) Sun 28th It is maybe uncertain that we can maintain a winning record heading into the Celtic game, but it is equally likely Celtic will not make it through four testing fixtures unscathed. We have shown Championship character in negotiating our recent fixtures and maintaining our advantage in the league without the services of many of our key performers from this season. As the squad returns to full strength there is every reason for confidence in the remainder of the season as we seek another glorious treble! Edited January 31, 2010 by Super_Ally Drink!!! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,199 Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Gus McPherson's team ? You been drinking ? You mean Derek McInnes 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Ally 0 Posted January 31, 2010 Author Share Posted January 31, 2010 Gus McPherson's team ? You been drinking ? You mean Derek McInnes Ha ha. Aye, evidently. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,199 Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Sorry bud, should have said - another fine piece. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Ally 0 Posted January 31, 2010 Author Share Posted January 31, 2010 Sorry bud, should have said - another fine piece. Na, good to have a shocker of an error like that pointed out. Getting my Saints mixed up, but we all know who the sinner are. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,457 Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 It really is a big month,if we can get to the OF game undefeated then pump them at Ibrox well I would be a very happy bear 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gers4Life 0 Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 It really is a big month,if we can get to the OF game undefeated then pump them at Ibrox well I would be a very happy bear We just take one game at a time, thats all we can do guys 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,457 Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Just a nice wee reminder http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/table/default.stm 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,457 Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 We just take one game at a time, thats all we can do guys Of course,that old cliche is so true,however if we win our next four league games the title stays at Ibrox,IMO. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,186 Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Missed this article... Great read mate and hopefully it will be a fantastic February! Now on the main site! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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