match thread (image) [FT] St Mirren 0 - 2 Rangers (Roofe 27; Morelos 33)

[BlackSocksRedTops 3,473]

2 hours ago, buster. said:

Hats off to the team for getting over the Paisley defeat and putting together 3 more league wins on the bounce.

 

If we were only at K2 Base Camp 2/3 weeks ago, now after the December fixtures negotiated successfully, we've reached Camp 1 (of 4) on the way up to the summit. It's possible to get to Camp 2 in just 90 minutes but it is the most difficult part of the climb and the weather is unpredictable.

 

As others have suggested, we are going to have to up performance levels on Saturday from what we've been producing in recent weeks, in what has in the main been a league performance blip (rather than results). When it comes to defending, we are missing Ryan Jack but haven't really been punished as yet. I think we have to go for the throat, look to take the initiative early, rather than the now customary slow start that builds into a head of steam 15-20 minutes in. If we allow them to take the initiative, they have the players to take advantage and I think we would struggle to turn it round. 

 

SG&Co have had their fingers burnt in this fixture when taking a conservative approach. He'll know what we have to do and it'll be down to the players to go to the well once again and put in one of those performance levels you reach, only a few times a season.

 

Difficult to overstate the importance of this game.

 

 

I'm less concerned about the Celtic game than what the rest of January offers (Aberdeen, Motherwell and Hibs away). The Celtic game will look afer itself but that's a tough month on the road. If we get full points from those 3 away fixtures I will be over the moon

Edited December 31, 2020 by BlackSocksRedTops

[DMAA 3,603]

11 hours ago, Bluedell said:

I'll be shocked if Hagi starts against Celtic. I reckon Gerrard will bring Kent back in as he does more off the ball and perhaps he thinks that the team is more balanced when Kent plays.

We shouldn’t be dropping players who have clearly earned the shirt for reputations. 

[Gonzo79 13,590]

I have absolutely no doubt Kent will start on Saturday.  Gerrard's post match interview certainly gave that impression. 

 

I don't agree with it but Kent tends to turn up for this fixture, so I won't be losing any sleep over it either.

[BlackSocksRedTops 3,473]

10 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

I have absolutely no doubt Kent will start on Saturday.  Gerrard's post match interview certainly gave that impression. 

 

I don't agree with it but Kent tends to turn up for this fixture, so I won't be losing any sleep over it either.

He is also has an important role with Borna in mitigating Frimpong and who ever plays in front

[buster. 4,808]

1 hour ago, BlackSocksRedTops said:

I'm less concerned about the Celtic game than what the rest of January offers (Aberdeen, Motherwell and Hibs away). The Celtic game will look afer itself but that's a tough month on the road. If we get full points from those 3 away fixtures I will be over the moon

Saturday (Celtic) is huge and is about killing any chance of a change in momentum at what is traditionally a pivotal time.

 

We win, we reach camp 2.

We lose, we go back to base camp approach.

[DMAA 3,603]

19 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

I have absolutely no doubt Kent will start on Saturday.  Gerrard's post match interview certainly gave that impression. 

 

I don't agree with it but Kent tends to turn up for this fixture, so I won't be losing any sleep over it either.

There’s Morelos too though. Has he earned a place over Hagi? Not for me, especially with how well Roofe has played centrally. 

[buster. 4,808]

Just now, DMAA said:

There’s Morelos too though. Has he earned a place over Hagi? Not for me, especially with how well Roofe has played centrally. 

It's about what team he thinks is better equipped to do a collective job, facing this specific challenge.

 

It's not just about who is playing well. ie. Kent will start

 

#NoSentiment

 

 

[BlackSocksRedTops 3,473]

Kamara has been magnificent of late and he and Davis will have to keep tabs on young Turnbull who plays at the top of their new midfield diamond. He's their standout player at the moment IMO

 

[Gonzo79 13,590]

I'd go with Hagi, Roofe and Morelos up front.  Gerrard will go with Kent, Morelos and Roofe.

[Bluedell 5,329]

1 hour ago, DMAA said:

We shouldn’t be dropping players who have clearly earned the shirt for reputations. 

You're accusing Gerrard of picking players due to reputation rather than what they bring to the team? That he's not going to pick the team that he feels has the best chance of beating Celtic? Wow.

 

Or could it be that Gerrard sees things both in training and on the pitch that is beyond you and me and that he picks the teams that he believes will perform the best?