match thread (image) Rangers 0 - 1 Kilmarnock

[Frankie 8,145]

Like most Rangers fans ahead of last week's match against Celtic, I was confident of a good result.  Not 'cocky' as some of the more conspirational of Celtic 'legends' have since suggested - just, for the first time in a long time, cautiously optimistic we could beat our rivals.

 

And, for much of the game, that optimism was well served.  Ironically, it wasn't until Celtic had a man sent off that that belief seemed to wane.  The Parkhead men sat in and, as was the case before our resurgence after the New Year, we struggled to break them down, moved the ball far too slowly and then conceded an avoidable goal on the counter.  The heads went down, our chance of a win was gone and even a deserved draw fell out of our grasp as the otherwise excellent Alfredo Morelos missed a sitter late on.

 

With all that in mind, it's been a difficult week contemplating what if.  Many fans have been understandably sore and several players have been criticised for poor performances whilst Graeme Murty has also had his influence questioned.  Indeed, it's not easy to take strong issue with such comments.  Quite simply, we didn't play well enough and didn't react positively to Celtic losing a man. Morelos may have missed the literal open goal, but the whole team we're guilty of same.  However, I do think we have to avoid being too despondent and there's no need to throw the baby out with bath water. 

 

First things first, for the second match in a row, we did go toe to toe with Celtic and anyone denying that's progress needs to re-evaluate their outlook.  Yes, we conceded three cheap goals but they were also great finishes from an experienced team that cost (and costs) considerably more than ours.  We also missed three good chances but I'd be more worried if we weren't creating these.  All things considered we're not too far away and, if we can maintain confidence (and realism), we can continue to close in.

 

As such, a returning to winning ways this weekend is vital.  Not just in terms of re-energising disappointed fans but to show Aberdeen, Hibs and Kilmarnock that we're better than them.  And a win against Killie - a team we've failed to beat this season - would go a long way to securing second place in the league.  Yes, we're down after last Sunday's defeat but given Killie's midweek penalty kick defeat in the Scottish Cup, we're not the only ones hurting.  It will be fascinating to see whom out of Murty and Steve Clarke can lift their dressing room most effectively.

 

In that sense, some fans suggest a few changes to the team might work best.  Perhaps it's time to test a different combination in midfield?  What's our best central defensive partnership now David Bates is also unavailable?  Should Jason Cummings replace Morelos in attack or can they play together?  Are we getting the most out of our wide players?  When will Dorrans, Wallace and McCrorie return to the squad?

 

It's actually difficult to answer such questions easily as all points put forward have merit.  After an impressive start (much like Emerson Hyndman last season) Sean Goss hasn't been quite as good in the last two games.  In defence Alves and Cardoso didn't cover themselves in glory either last Sunday.  Meanwhile, surely a rest for Morelos wouldn't go amiss at some point?  The problems occur in that not enough of the fringe players available to us have played enough lately to really warrant selection.  That's one of my main gripes with Murty so far in that he doesn't rotate his side - not necessarily from the start of games either - he just doesn't make enough changes during games and certainly not early enough; even from comfortable positions.

 

This means that as much as someone like Jason Holt can usually get himself up to speed there a few others who look as if they could step into the side and provide an upsurge of not just energy but quality.  Cummings is one but there are doubts over Miller, Herrera, Dodoo, O'Halloran and Halliday whom, Miller aside in his best form, are unlikely to bring a spark to the team.  Yes, we can ask questions of Josh Windass' contribution over 90mins but would any of these players offer more?  Not as long as Dorrans remains short of full fitness.

 

A change of system then?  This is perhaps more likely but it's uncertain Murty's preferred backup diamond formation is suitable tomorrow given Killie are not only strong in central midfield but have a real threat in wide areas.  Yes, two up front against the likes of Ayr Utd might be agreeable but, tomorrow at least, it could be considered a risk.  However, we are at home against a side that had to play 120mins on Wednesday night so it's not beyond the realms of possibility.  It would certainly address the issue of our tactics being too predictable at times.

 

All in all though, and as I touched on earlier and in the article title, tomorrow's system and personnel might not be as crucial as the more fundamental aspects of football.  Motivation and man-management after morale-sapping setbacks are vital and a huge part of breeding success in teams.  Indeed, post-red card that's what arguably won Celtic the game last weekend and I'd argue it's been a big part of Steve Clarke's impressive work at Rugby Park this season.  Our response to setback will be most enlightening at Ibrox tomorrow - players, manager and fans alike.

 

Possible team (4-2-3-1):

 

[Gaffer 1,665]

Spot on Frankie, and great preview.

 

This is 5% about the formation and tactics, but 95% about morale and motivation for this game.  It's a must win game because it's our next one.  If we're up for it, we win.

[compo 6,105]

This will be a  hard match Killie have been doing well under Clarke so we will have to be on our toes and forget last week's disappointment but if we play to our strengths we should win .

[der Berliner 3,231]

As long as our front-row union keeps scoring goals, we should be fine. Killie will probably play it differently than at home, and we should sure watch Jones and Boyd. I'm certain that Alves and Martin can handle the latter, Tav may need a helping hand with Jones though. It would be good to have Holt keeping an eye here, as I'm not sure Goss is as defense-minded. But we shall see.

 

As I stated earlier, if Windass doesn't click during the first half, I'd replace him with Cummings. I wouldn't mind if we go in "top-heavy" and put them under the cosh in their half/area at the start, changing things later on, if they have to open up when behind. While I know people will scream at that - and it is sure better to decide for someone who sees him on a daily basis - I  would start thinking about giving Morelos a rest. He's been constantly playing football for over a year now, with hardly any break at all. We sure need him for the run in and against the Scum in the cup, so I would take this opportunity and these kind of games to hand him the odd break.

[MacK1950 2,230]

Good review agree with some that maybe slight changes might be made but then again your selection is what I expect to see.

Let's hope Windass doesn't score early as it might keep him interested then.

[DMAA 3,603]

Is tomorrow Steve Clarke's interview?

[DMAA 3,603]

We have a pretty poor record against on form sides. We struggled against Motherwell when they were on for, Hibs and obviously Killie themselves.

 

Hopefully tomorrow we can take the game to them and put away some early chances. I'd like to see Cummings starting (not ahead of Morelos), we need his goals I think.

[JFK-1 1,666]

If you consider their 2 cup ties with the sheep as draws they have lost only 1 of their last 18 matches which included a defeat of the yahoos.  That's impressive form but in saying that I believe we're considerably better than they are and I still expect a comfortable win overall.

 

 

[Gonzo79 13,581]

In view of both sides' form, Killie will be a tough test today.  Any kind of win will do me.

[Rousseau 9,351]

Any win will do too, for me.

 

Killie are an organised, well-drilled side which will be difficult to break down. 

 

I don't think they are that good going forward, but we're still shaky defensively, liable to make a mistake, so anything can happen.

 

I dismissed Clarke very early as an option for us, but he's turning my head; I'm still not sure he's quite right for us, though.