Positive article by ADRIAN DURHAM

[pete 2,499]

Rangers will run Celtic close in Scottish Cup semi-final... Mark Warburton has overseen a revolution at Ibrox

Rangers have drawn Celtic in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup

The runaway Championship leaders will prevent a stiff test for the Bhoys

Mark Warburton has overseen a revolution at Ibrox since taking over

They will undoubtedly run Premiership leaders Celtic close

By ADRIAN DURHAM FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 07:34, 8 March 2016 | UPDATED: 10:44, 8 March 2016

 

 

I had a mixture of emotions when I heard the Scottish Cup draw at the weekend: an Old Firm semi-final? YES! Bring it on!

But unfortunately I fear it's too soon for Rangers, who are still in the process of restoring pride and greatness to Ibrox.

This juggernaut of a cup-tie might just be too soon for Mark Warburton's runaway Championship leaders – even against Ronny Deila's stumbling Celtic side.

 

Mark Warburton has done a fantastic job at Rangers this season and beating Celtic would cap things off

Celtic will have to make a decision on Deila in the summer, but if he somehow contrives to lose this tie, his departure is guaranteed.

Mark Warburton's season so far has been incredible. I watched Rangers tear Hibs apart last July at Easter Road and it was the shape of things to come. The Gers have proved too strong for the challengers this season. The Rangers Revolution is definitely happening.

 

One big hurdle has been overcome by Warburton: when paired with top flight sides Rangers had struggled in recent seasons. But now a win at Kilmarnock has been followed by an absolute hammering of Dundee in the quarter-finals, and the self-belief just keeps on growing.

Saturday was a rout and Dundee are no mugs. This is a side having a decent season in the top flight.

Rangers goals were sensationally good: Harry Forrester's rocket into the back of the net after just 14 seconds set the tone; wonderful football was finished off by Jason Holt's header for the second; Andy Halliday's free-kick couldn't be kept out by the visiting keeper; and skipper Lee Wallace's finish was top class for the fourth. It was a joy to watch.

 

What Mark Warburton has done at Rangers is seriously impressive. When Rangers met Celtic in the League Cup a year ago, it was men against boys and the Gers were lucky to escape with a 2-0 defeat. But Rangers were a mess then.

This time around, Celtic have got worse, while Rangers have improved – on and off the pitch. But have they improved enough? Warburton will tell you the job isn't even half done. He set himself serious targets when he took over, and he worked out a plan of how to achieve them.

A massive game against Celtic in his first season wasn't part of that plan, but Warburton will have a good crack at this tie.

Take a look at some of the players Warburton has pulled together: full back James Tavernier is a creative beast; keeper Wes Foderingham came from League One in England; Harry Forrester has arrived more recently to finally show the kind of talent that made him a teenage sensation 10 years ago; until he picked up an injury recently Martyn Waghorn had been banging in goals for fun.

Andy Halliday ambled around some lower division English clubs – he scored for Bradford in that Cup shock at Chelsea last season – before arriving back home in Glasgow last summer; while Rob Kiernan had more loans than Wonga before pitching up at Ibrox.

All of them in their mid-20s meaning they're ready for the rigours of a full season now, and are at the right age to stick around for a few more years yet.

It's shrewd stuff from Warburton. But it's a team that is building and growing, and probably not quite ready for Celtic just yet. Warburton had pencilled that contest in for next season.

 

Striker Martyn Waghorn has been sidelined with an injury but he will hope to return in time to face Celtic

What happened at Brentford is now history, it's gone. There were no takers in the top flight in England, but Warburton took on a true test of his managerial abilities at Rangers. It's a job with pressure, everyone knows that.

So who can predict the semi final outcome? You'd have to go for Celtic, but anything can happen over 90 minutes, as Dundee found out when a Rangers rocket hit them on Saturday.

And don't forget Warburton can call on the experience of Kenny Miller, with all his Old Firm know-how. I interviewed Warburton on talkSPORT this week and he said he cannot speak highly enough of Miller. He might just make a difference next month at Hampden.

 

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...ion-Ibrox.html

 

Good positive article.

[Bluedell 5,356]

Durham is one of the few journalists who can't wait to have a dig at Celtic.

[Bearman 9]

And don't forget Warburton can call on the experience of Kenny Miller, with all his Old Firm know-how. I interviewed Warburton on talkSPORT this week and he said he cannot speak highly enough of Miller. He might just make a difference next month at Hampden.

 

I love this kind of reporting...KM has been hot and cold admittedly but some would prefer to dwell on his cold performances instead of his all round contribution over the course.

 

I've said this from day one...Kenny Miller is a top player to us right now and I'm not just saying it because MW thinks so, the man's input is more important to himself than anything else don't forget, he's in the twilight of his career and looking at media work or a career in management in his future.

 

Right now in this given time he's doing what he's always wanted to do since being a kid...play football!

 

Some might say he has lost a lot of ability now...I say he has matured the way most guys at the end of their careers mature...guys like Totti of Roma for example who tonight at the age of 40 played in the CL.

 

Miller might not have reached that level but he's doing a bloody good job in our predicament.

[BlueMazza 0]

Really good article and quite rightly points out that Warbs has a plan and he's sticking with it. The problem he has is his plan is working so well a lot of us feel confident for this tie. I for one will not hold this match against warbs or the players. it's big for us. It's huge for them. There is a chance the occasion will help or hinder them. I mostly want to see us just stick with our game plan. I hope we go in without fear, and stay confident in our abilities.

 

Despite those who keep talking about our shaky defence, we haven't lost a goal at ibrox in something like 8 hours. We've one of the best defensive records in the country (if not the best, I haven't checked), We've no need to fear or change.

[MacK1950 2,249]

Agreed it is a good article and although I had a sense of foreboding about Dundee match after display on Saturday I now think in a cup game we have the mentality to win them.

Saturday was as good and enjoyable as it gets unless if we dispose of the manky mob that would be dreamland.