match thread (image) [FT] Rangers 3 - 0 Livingston (Candeias 20', Morelos 83', Arfield 88')

[Frankie 8,146]

If there's one thing worse than these modern two week international breaks, it's losing the game immediately before it.  Fortunately, in our last game against Motherwell, not only did we win, we routed the Lanarkshire side 7-1 so, despite the fortnight's holiday since, confidence should remain high in the Rangers camp.  And, given this week's return to SPFL action is against Livingston who beat us a couple of months back, what better way to start a run of 11 games in 35 days than with another decisive Ibrox victory?

 

Of course, despite our excellent home form this season, it's not always as simple as that.  First and foremost, Livi deserve a lot of credit for their campaign so far.  Yes, their style may not be easy on the eye from time to time; yes, their artificial pitch is very poor, and, yes, they may have dropped down the table since we last played them but to come up from the Championship and do so well after losing two managers since then, says a lot about the character and belief in their squad.  Defensively they are very good (with former 'Gers Liam Kelly and Craig Halkett leading the way) but they're also well organised in midfield and work hard throughout the rest of the team to not only concede few goals but to take any chances they do get in attack.  As such, Saturday's match is by no means a foregone conclusion and it's unlikely we'll see another seven home goals.

 

The good news for Rangers fans is that since that last league defeat in West Lothian, we've only dropped two points in the league and, despite some indifferent form, have climbed the table ourselves back into third place just two points behind Celtic and Hearts.  Moreover, with almost a full squad of players at his disposal, Steven Gerrard will be keen to consolidate and improve upon that position over the winter period.  Indeed, with Celtic at Ibrox in five weeks time ahead of the winter break, how good would it be to go into that game, knowing a victory would take (or even keep) us top of the league?

 

Obviously there's a lot of football to be played before that match and Rangers have a hugely demanding run of games.  Not only do we still have two vital Europa League games left which could see us progress from our section against what seemed unlikely odds, we have nine league fixtures to complete: including two against Hibs as well as matches versus Hearts and Aberdeen before Celtic visit at the end of the year.  It couldn't get any tougher really and we'll see exactly what our players (and manager actually) are made of physically and mentally during the rest of 2018.

 

In that sense, our inconsistency this season has perhaps been understandable.  Wholesale changes - not just in our playing squad but in the management/coaching team - means patience has to be a byword for, well, often impatient fans.  Of course dropping points against teams like Livi or Killie the other week is disappointing but neither do we have the right to win every game and play well also.  With that in mind, the chances of us winning every game between now and the start of 2019 are rather low so whilst we rightly demand the best, it's important we remain behind the team and manager no matter what happens going forward.  That's not to excuse bad performance just to understand we have to be realistic in terms of the bigger picture.

 

Even so, realism tells us we should win this weekend.  Although these breaks are never good for squad continuity it will have allowed Gerrard and his players time to work on their play and those two weeks will be invaluable as we go into a period of games where rest and recovery will be just as important as actual training.  As such, this will mean every player playing their part given it will be impossible to play the same team in every game on this run.  This Saturday though demands three points so Gerrard will be keen to play a strong team even if he'll be tempted to keep some players back for the visit of Villarreal on Thursday night.

 

As such, I'd expect an XI along the lines below to start this Saturday.  Aside from any likely changes in defence, the way we cleverly handled a physical Motherwell side, should allow for the same attacking players to get the job done against Livi though niggles for the likes of Middleton may now permit that.  Luckily, it says a lot about our squad, that guys like Middleton, Lafferty, Katic and Barisic (who could be a key player if he can stay fit) may not start this weekend.  Indeed, for the first time in a long time, we could easily start a second XI to do the business in most SPFL games so every player should consider themselves capable of getting into the team at some point.  Such competition for places will go a long way to deal with the schedule and deliver the kind of points tally required to offer a genuine title challenge.

 

Is talk of a such a challenge realistic?  Perhaps not, perhaps it's too ambitious and certainly premature given the discussion above but at some point we need to believe again and there's no time like the present.

 

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

 

 

 

 

[Frankie 8,146]

And, FWIW, here's the second XI we could also play (and that doesn't include guys like Dorrans, Murphy and Wallace)...

 

[Gaffer 1,665]

First of all, excellent preview Frankie!  I enjoyed reading that, and when you see that second team it just shows you what a difference a year makes.

 

Was there a reason you left Middleton out?  I realise he has lots of areas to develop but he did so well in that last game that I just can't see how Gerrard can leave him out in this one.  I think he'll keep Grezda (barring any knocks) on the right to further develop his match sharpness.

 

These international breaks are probably ok for fans of the national team, but if (like me) you have little interest there now, it'll just be great to stop those withdrawal symptoms.  In some ways they're worse when the breaks come after such a great display of attacking football against Motherwell.

 

This game will be another real test of our ability to break a team down.  Live are so well disciplined and tight at the back, AND have a goalie who is arguably the most in-form at the moment.  If we can win this game by a couple of goals it'll set us up nicely for the end of year run of games.

[Frankie 8,146]

Middleton didn't play last week for the Scotland youth team after a niggle so, whilst he's been back training, I just feel the manager may decide to ca' canny with the lad and, given Gredza's good performance for Albania, may be keen to get him playing on the left.

 

Jack is also back training after his national team withdrawal so he may be another that doesn't feature.

 

This is where the squad comes in and the manager has to find a balance of playing his strongest side whilst finding time for fringe players to keep them fit, sharp and interested.  If he can do that well, then we can win the league in my opinion.

[pete 2,499]

I think he may keep Candeias fit for Thursday and play Middleton( if fit) and Grezda. Candeias has proven he is a class act in European games but is less productive against packed defences. I agree McAuley will play and had him in my team.

[Dave M609 100]

Great preview Frankie, I'm so glad internationals are over and we are back to the good stuff. The run of games up to Christmas are going to be interesting, like you say, if we are in touch or above Celtic by the time the old firm comes round I hope we can lay down a marker and give them a tanking ( i'd settle for a 1-0 scrappy OG). Get some bodies in the door in January, like many, I have a feeling Sadiq will be away and there was a storey in the news a few weeks ago we are looking to bring 4 in, that would be a good boost to the squad

 

Although there are a lot of changes within the squad, this year I think we have a manager who is mentally more capable than anyone we have had in recent history, his determination and drive will be a big factor in the next month, we need Celtic to have a bit of a wobble again though, it was evident from the start of the season, and his time at Liverpool that Rodgers doesn't like bad press and really struggles with the mental side of the game if things aren't going their way.

 

The squad is also really strong, I hope Middleton and Grezda play on Saturday, particularly Grezda as it looks like he is starting to get up to speed and we can see why Gerrard bought him, would be good to give Kent some game time to get him back up to speed also. I hope McCauley gets a game as well, I think he could be invaluable for the rest of the season if he can stay fit. Livi are going to be tough to break down, they will probably have 2 banks of 5 if we are being honest, the wide pitch might work in our favour though, stretch the game, I'm going 3-0.

 

 

[pete 2,499]

11 minutes ago, Dave M609 said:

Great preview Frankie, I'm so glad internationals are over and we are back to the good stuff. The run of games up to Christmas are going to be interesting, like you say, if we are in touch or above Celtic by the time the old firm comes round I hope we can lay down a marker and give them a tanking ( i'd settle for a 1-0 scrappy OG). Get some bodies in the door in January, like many, I have a feeling Sadiq will be away and there was a storey in the news a few weeks ago we are looking to bring 4 in, that would be a good boost to the squad

 

Although there are a lot of changes within the squad, this year I think we have a manager who is mentally more capable than anyone we have had in recent history, his determination and drive will be a big factor in the next month, we need Celtic to have a bit of a wobble again though, it was evident from the start of the season, and his time at Liverpool that Rodgers doesn't like bad press and really struggles with the mental side of the game if things aren't going their way.

 

The squad is also really strong, I hope Middleton and Grezda play on Saturday, particularly Grezda as it looks like he is starting to get up to speed and we can see why Gerrard bought him, would be good to give Kent some game time to get him back up to speed also. I hope McCauley gets a game as well, I think he could be invaluable for the rest of the season if he can stay fit. Livi are going to be tough to break down, they will probably have 2 banks of 5 if we are being honest, the wide pitch might work in our favour though, stretch the game, I'm going 3-0.

 

 

Kent is out for another 2 weeks so you can count him out.

[MacK1950 2,231]

Is Candeias not suspended due to incompetence by the hobbit??

[Dave M609 100]

10 minutes ago, MacK1950 said:

Is Candeias not suspended due to incompetence by the hobbit??

Nah I think it was just the Motherwell game he was suspended for

[Frankie 8,146]

Yeah, just the one match for Candeias so he should be available.

 

Kent, Murphy and Dorrans definitely out with injury.  Barisic probably unlikely to start but may make the squad.  Jack and Middleton should be available.