match thread (image) [FT] Rangers 4 - 0 St Mirren (Tavernier 3' pen, 55' pen, Defoe 80' pen, Kent 81')

[pete 2,494]

Bang! The transfer window has closed. Rangers had done most of their business early so Steven Gerrard had predicted that no more players would be coming in. As a true poker player Gerrard held a stony face as his aim was obviously putting pressure on Dundee to sell Glen Kamara for a price that suited Rangers.

 

Rangers already had Kamara signed on a pre-contract to join in the summer but had in the beginning postured to Dundee that if he were to be released early Rangers would be willing to pay a small fee to bring him to Ibrox early. If we are to believe the rumours being passed around then Rangers had 50.000 pounds on the table but Dundee tried to hold out for more. Eventually just before the window shut Rangers increased the offer to 100.000 which Dundee were happy to accept and Kamara could head to Ibrox to sign the needed forms. Many supporters felt that Rangers were in the driving seat for the deal and should have left him at Dundee and get him for nothing in the summer.

 

The problem I have with that is that Kamara had not played for the last three weeks and if Rangers had left him at Dens Park then the chance was that we then got a player who had not played or trained for five months and it would have taken a lot longer to get him up to speed. I know 100.000 sounds a lot of money to us on the lower end of the financial ladder but what is it really in football terms. After all it was almost forty-two years ago Rangers paid 100.000 pound for one David “Davie” Cooper. If Kamara can do a quarter of what Davie Cooper did then it will be money well spent. Another measurement on what it is to pay 100.000 pounds was when West Ham showed interest in Michy Batshuayi who ended up at Crystal Palace. When they heard he earned 160.000 pound in a week they quickly lost any interest.

 

Anyway it is what it is and Kamara will probably be added to the eighteen man pool for our game at Ibrox against st Mirren later today. I personally doubt if he will get any game time but I do believe he will be put on the bench to give him the feeling of the fantastic Ibrox atmosphere.

 

For me Steven Gerrard should have the easiest job in picking a team than he has ever had. The simple fact is you should not repair what is not broken. With the exception of Katic in for the injured Goldson then the team that has performed against so fantastically against Celtic and Livingston should be the first pick. This team showed far more aggression and the mobility to perform the high press that has become pretty standard in modern football. As far as I know Matt Polster was in pre-season in the MSL so he will be a few weeks away from the fitness needed.

 

For me the team should be:

 

M.Gregor

 

Tavernier Worrel Katic Barisic

 

McCrorie Jack

 

candeias Arfield Kent

 

Morelos

 

While I did say the same players that played against Celtic, and I really love Andy Halliday but I do think Barisic is a better player than Halliday and therefore Barisic will be my choice for that left back spot.

 

I would be lying if I said I know a lot about the St Mirren team. They have added two players in Vaclav Hladky a goalkeeper from Slovan Liberec and Brad Lyons from Blackburn. Their tactics won't have changed with the signing of these players it will still be to keep it tight at the back and try and hit us with the proverbial sucker punch on the break. Lets hope the 'Gers are up for this one and I am going for a 4-0 Rangers win.

 

C'mon the 'Gers!

 

[WorthingBear91 102]

But if he is to tinker this is the match at home against a team who is going to sit in just as long as the defence does it job we will break st mirren down eventually, so play two up top and no wingers if that is a system he wants to develop just get the win.

Edited February 2, 2019 by WorthingBear91

[Gribz 743]

I'll just take 3 points in any way today. The hard work was done at the end of 2018 to get level albeit with 1 game extra played but now its a case of catch up again due the fixtures not falling too kindly. So its all about keeping within touching distance.

 

Its without doubt the strongest squad we have seen in many a year now and with a low injury list we can have a right good go between now and May. 3 pts today and Im perhaps looking forward to being at our next game.

[buster. 4,808]

2 hours ago, WorthingBear91 said:

But if he is to tinker this is the match at home against a team who is going to sit in just as long as the defence does it job we will break st mirren down eventually, so play two up top and no wingers if that is a system he wants to develop just get the win.

As the weeks pass, alterations in formation and of players are inevitable for obvious reasons. However, we want and need a consistency of positive results and to this end, the tinkering aspect to it should be kept to a minimum. In other words, if you want consistent results, be as consistent as possible in selection.

 

SG&Co have to quickly decide on what way they are going to go and who they are going to trust in. Central defence is one example, decide on the best pairing and stick with it. Up front, we can't be chopping and changing to accommodate a player. 

 

You'd like to think that today will be something of a formality. On paper, it's about as straightforward a fixture as you'll get and I trust that we'll get the business done with something to spare. Hopefully, giving the manager some license to use the bench relatively early.

 

Guessing the starting line-up has been more difficult than the score this season (and I've been useless in the later) so I'll pass on that but I'd hope to see Davis showing some quality today and McCrorie back in the team.

 

 

 

Edited February 2, 2019 by buster.

[ian1964 10,386]

McGregor
Tav Worral Katic Barasic
McCrorie Davis Arfield Kent
Morelos Defoe

 

Can see this team starting

[pete 2,494]

1 hour ago, Gribz said:

I'll just take 3 points in any way today. The hard work was done at the end of 2018 to get level albeit with 1 game extra played but now its a case of catch up again due the fixtures not falling too kindly. So its all about keeping within touching distance.

 

Its without doubt the strongest squad we have seen in many a year now and with a low injury list we can have a right good go between now and May. 3 pts today and Im perhaps looking forward to being at our next game.

Not Rangers news I know but it possibly could affect us. Benkovic and Rogic are out long term and rumours that Tierney has a serious problem that is not an injury but growth related and could also be out for the rest of the season at least..

[WorthingBear91 102]

What competitive game would be better for trying out a new system as we need to have a tried and tested back up ? But I do agree in the long run a consistent team is the way to go.

[Gonzo79 13,553]

It feels like ages since we played at Ibrox.

I'm looking forward to seeing Defoe playing at some point today and hope we can make it a comfortable victory because the next two matches will be difficult and wins are required in both.  

[buster. 4,808]

20 minutes ago, WorthingBear91 said:

What competitive game would be better for trying out a new system as we need to have a tried and tested back up ? But I do agree in the long run a consistent team is the way to go.

Today would certainly have been better than Rugby Park.

If we want to stay in touch at the top, I don't think there is much scope for experimentation, period.

 

Today should be straightforward but tinker too much and there is scope for complicating the task.

 

The ideal: Win the game in 60 minutes and use the 30 for tinkering.

 

Edited February 2, 2019 by buster.

[ian1964 10,386]

Heading off soon, day for the thermals me thinks! looking for a strong performance today and a good result, mon the GERS!