match thread (image) [FT] St Johnstone 1 - 4 Rangers (Tavernier 12 pen; Windass 25; Goss 41; Morelos 56)

[pete 2,546]

A warm blast from the West: St Johnstone v Rangers Match Preview

 

 

Just when I thought the winter Olympics were finished our supporters have to travel up or down to Perth where we meet St Johnstone which will probably be like watching football on Ice. Well the field with under-soil heating will make the park playable but with minus eleven degrees predicted the heating will be well tested to keep the park soft. The big worry for me is the weather conditions supporters will have to travel in before and after the match. I hope the S.F.A. take this into consideration and cancel the game early, if need be, before people travel if it looks like the weather could turn into a winter wonderland.

 

Last weekend the team put on an extremely polished performance against Hearts. Apart from the first fifteen minutes we really had Hearts pinned back in their own half. A fantastic goal from Jamie Murphy, who in scoring sold more dummies than Boots the chemist, before side footing the ball into the net leaving two defenders on the goal-line looking like puppets that had just broken their strings, with their hands and legs flailing in all directions.

 

If we have a complaint then it has to be that the score should have been far higher. Josh Windass could have easily had another match ball as he missed at least three chances that he really should have scored. Alfredo Morelos also had a chance with a header but the cross was just too high for him and let's face it Buffalo's are not known for their jumping ability. If you look at the heading chances we have had this season then I think you can safely say that is a skill we certainly can improve on. On saying that I don't really care how the ball enters the opposition net.

 

Another point that popped up was that John Beaton was the referee for the first time since his horrid performance against Hibs. Lets be clear on the uproar over that performance this was just not the wrath of defeated supporters, he wasn't demoted to the lower leagues for nothing and that says it all really. While he actually had a decent game he missed the biggest decision he had to make and that was a clear foul by Christophe Berra kicking the supporting foot of Alfredo Morelos away. Beaton even gave a foul against Morelos which was a little mystifying.

 

Unexpected hero Russell martin sliding in at the back post got his first goal in a Rangers Shirt and made sure of the points just before the clock moved on to the 90^th minute. Securing the win which was really never in doubt after the first fifteen minutes.

 

So tonight Rangers go again against St Johnstone.Yesterday the news broke that Declan John will be out for at least four weeks so that is the first problem that Graeme Murty will have to consider. He has three options in my opinion. Lee Wallace would normally be his first choice but as it will be his first game back after months of injury lay-off will it be wise to push him in on such cold conditions. Andy Halliday came in to cover the last time John fell out so he may get the nod to fill the left back position. Lee Hodson is also an option but he has fallen out of favour recently and certainly wouldn't be the fans choice. The General conscensus being that Hodson now falls below the standard of the present Rangers team.

 

I really can't see Mutry changing too much else to be honest. The midfield was outstanding on Saturday and the old adage is that you should never change a winning team. I suppose he may consider bringing in jason Cummings for Alfredo Morelos or Josh Windass but I think he will wait to Saturdays Scottish Cup game with Falkirk to do that. It would be better in my view to give the Cumdog a little more game time than seventeen minutes at the end of the game though. He should get at least a good half-hour to keep him happy and hungry for more.

 

I think the team will be:

 

         Foderingham

 

Tavernier Bates Martin Halliday

 

Candeias Docherty Goss Murphy

                           Windass

      Morelos

 

So let's hope that driving conditions for the supporters stay good and the terraces are snow free. Secondly I hope the Rangers team produce a red hot blast of football to to keep the fans clapping their hands and jumping up and down. Every game is a must win game now if we want to put a late push on for the league title. Every goal scored or lost could be pivotal if Celtic should slip up.Let's hope the Gers are on fire.

 

C'mon the Gers!!

[ian1964 10,875]

 

[Frankie 8,961]

With Declan John apparently now out for the next wee while, there will obviously need to be a change at left back going forward.

 

Lee Wallace looked really trim in yesterday's training photos but I suspect tonight will be too soon for him to start a game so it should be between Hodson and Halliday.  I suspect the latter may get the nod given his more attacking qualities and left-sided balance.

 

[buster. 5,772]

13 minutes ago, Frankie said:

With Declan John apparently now out for the next wee while, there will obviously need to be a change at left back going forward.

 

Lee Wallace looked really trim in yesterday's training photos but I suspect tonight will be too soon for him to start a game so it should be between Hodson and Halliday.  I suspect the latter may get the nod given his more attacking qualities and left-sided balance.

 

Will be surprised if that isn't the team.

[pete 2,546]

44 minutes ago, buster. said:

Will be surprised if that isn't the team.

So will I.

[der Berliner 4,252]

Left back slot is Murty's choice between Hodson, Halliday or risking Wallace.

 

You wonder whether Windass will be changed for Cummings. I noted that Morelos was roving about a lot (Miller-style), while Windass despite some decent runs (and woeful finishes) didn't cover the territory I wish he had when Morelos was not in his position. Thus, with Docherty's threat from central midfield, why not try Cummings as shadow striker behind Morelos. Also gives the opposition something to ponder.

[der Berliner 4,252]

Talk of a pitch inspection at 16.00 hours ....

[buster. 5,772]

1 minute ago, der Berliner said:

Left back slot is Murty's choice between Hodson, Halliday or risking Wallace.

 

You wonder whether Windass will be changed for Cummings. I noted that Morelos was roving about a lot (Miller-style), while Windass despite some decent runs (and woeful finishes) didn't cover the territory I wish he had when Morelos was not in his position. Thus, with Docherty's threat from central midfield, why not try Cummings as shadow striker behind Morelos. Also gives the opposition something to ponder.

Better to leave such experiments for the Falkirk game IMO.

[der Berliner 4,252]

Just now, buster. said:

Better to leave such experiments for the Falkirk game IMO.

Windass is playing very much like a shadow striker and IMHO, Cummings will give us a better attacking option (despite Windass' goals), as he is always lurking where it hurts the opposition. No harm done here, as Windass pace can be a vital tool later on. Anyway, there is little chance that Murty will change his starting formation unless enforced ... and thus becomes a touch too predictable for my liking.

[buster. 5,772]

Just now, der Berliner said:

Windass is playing very much like a shadow striker and IMHO, Cummings will give us a better attacking option (despite Windass' goals), as he is always lurking where it hurts the opposition. No harm done here, as Windass pace can be a vital tool later on. Anyway, there is little chance that Murty will change his starting formation unless enforced ... and thus becomes a touch too predictable for my liking.

If a settled team keep winning then I don't mind predictability.