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I think it's fair to say that if we rewind a few weeks back to September 1st, most of us were in a disappointed mood after being beaten at home by Celtic in the league. As such, it was vital that, after the international break, the team got back to winning ways: not just in terms of fan morale but for the players and any thoughts of trophy success we might have. To their credit and, although our form hasn't exactly been consistently sparkling, we have won all three games since, including a wonderful (and rather emotional) win last midweek in the Europa League. All things considered, I find it somewhat interesting that instead of arguing about us losing points in games we should have won (see recent reasons), some fans are now debating our best two centre-halves or our attacking midfield balance, no matter whether we win 4-0 or 1-0. Rangers With the above in mind, Wednesday night's match away to Livingston in the Betfred Cup is an interesting one when we want to discuss team selection. Does the manager risk progression in a tournament that may provide a chance of some much-needed silverware by rotating the bulk of his starting XI? Or will he stick with a core XI of trusted players capable of providing a result in West Lothian and being fit and ready for the visit of Aberdeen to Ibrox just 72 hours later? As I write this, I'm still not sure of the answer and may well change my mind by the time I reach the end of this preview. On one hand, our squad is a big one and should be capable of rotating players in and out with ease. I also don't think it's disrespectful to suggest teams like Livingston would love to have the option of players like Polster, Edmundson and Kamara to freshen up their side. However, making too many changes could also unsettle the team and, in the last round against East Fife, the 'deputies' were hardly outstanding on the artificial surface of the joint League 1 leaders. Let's not forget Livingston also beat us at home last season on their own 4G pitch so anyone approaching tomorrow's match expecting an easy win hasn't been paying attention. For what it's worth though, I think the key factor may well be the fact we have such a tough match on Saturday. As such, asking the bulk of the side to play Thursday and Sunday of last week, as well as this Wednesday and Saturday doesn't make sense when you've put together such a large (and capable) squad. Of course having a settled team is best but managing the load of players - more so our best players - is very important in modern football. We seen as much when our player of the season so far Ryan Jack returned injured from international duty. That means I think we will see a markedly different team from that which won handsomely in Perth; indeed it may well be similar to the one that beat East Fife last month. That could mean starts for the likes of Foderingham, Polster, Edmundson, King, Stewart and Defoe. And it's been no coincidence that both the manager and Michael Beale have sung the praises of most of these fringe lads in their interviews of late. My team at the bottom of the preview represents nine changes from Sunday and that does make me rather uncomfortable but not so much as injuries or avoidable strain on players I'd consider first choice ahead of two important matches this weekend and next Thursday. The manager's thinking will be fascinating tomorrow night in that regard! Livingston It's only been ten days since we played Gary Holt's men at Ibrox in what turned out to be a tense league affair. After a fairly wasteful first half where Rangers were guilty of missed chances and some bad luck, Livi took the lead from a stonewall penalty just after half-time. Fortunately, we replied quickly with some good fortune and fine finishing to run out comfortable winners in the end. However, the 3-1 win doesn't tell the full story. Although he was sent off just after our second goal, Lyndon Dykes stood out for the away side for most of the game and arguably gave Niko Katic in particular his toughest physical/aerial test of the season. The big striker worked our back-line hard for much of his time on the park, won the penalty and helped create space for his team-mates at set-pieces as we struggled to contain his physical play. After missing Livi's game at the weekend against Aberdeen due to that red card he'll be extremely eager to offer the same threat tomorrow. And, with other experienced, strong players such as Bartley and Erskine, the home side will again be a danger if we don't match them in effort and strength. Perhaps another reason for ensuring the team is fresh? Conclusion Guessing the Rangers team is a past-time we all enjoy ahead of games and it's usually good fun amongst fans. Chopping and changing the team for games against East Fife is also easily dismissed without concern when we have Europa League qualifiers a few days later. However, as cup competitions progress and league games get steadily more meaningful, the juggling act of squad rotation without affecting consistency and quality becomes an increasingly tricky and serious skill. How many changes can you make to your best XI without compromising results? Two or three? Five or six? The whole team? Ultimately, it's down to the manager: he signs the players and he knows whom he can rely on thereafter. At least at Rangers there's one constant. We have to win all our games. That's not too much to ask, is it?! Possible team (4-3-2-1)

Can't have a McCoist thread without this goal! Golden balls indeed!

It's the great man's birthday today and an excellent excuse to look at some of the wonderful moments he gave us. I think this remains my favourite. I watched this from the front row of the Rangers end, the geniuses who designed Hampden hadn't matched up the end of the roof with the front of the stand and it was pouring all match. The front row was also subterranean giving us a worm's eye view of the match. Oh, but all that was forgiven when Mr McCoist slotted home what proved to be the winner. Football has always been a great escape for me, and for the rest of that match I might as well have been on a Spanish beach in July for all I noticed the rain.

I can't see Gerrard making that many changes. Fod and Defoe are definates to start and probably Kamara too.

BBC Scotland 22:30

Bully for DrStu'. This morning was a surprise, soft autumnal rain was falling on the hills of the Dordogne. It couldn't last, by afternoon the staccato beat of hard pitter-patter crackled the leaves. The Cafe Tabac had taken in it's tables and chairs, arm held bundles of baguettes from the Boulangerie were no longer pinned by brown paper, plastic bags were necessary, and flip-flops, shorts, and t-shirts confined to the back of the wardrobe until next May. A realisation that summer had drawn a last breath. Not for the truffle pigs, sniffing around ever-green oak trees is just beginning. Last year, a truffle sold in St Astier for £2,500. Those autumnal rains heighten expectations. A week past on Saturday, I heard BBC Radio Scotland whilst traveling to Ibrox for the Livi' game. PQ's finest snorter, DrStu' was in a state of excitement, his nose twitching in anticipation of black fungi. The two unsuspecting truffles were Kirsty Wark and Amy McDonald, guests on Off the Ball. The Scots songstress from Bishopbriggs has enjoyed a long term relationship with Scottish professional footballer, Richard Foster. He is unique in the number of occasions he has enjoyed double spells at clubs ie Aberdeen, Rangers, Ross County, ... etc. Recently, he was involved in a spat with Saints boss, Tommy Wright, which saw him return to Dingwall. DrStu' had his nose in the air throughout, I suspect Amy had been booked whilst hubby was still resident at McDairmid Park? There was a pungent opening, "do you want the story you have been spoon fed, or would you rather hear the real deal"? DrStu' stuck his nose up his arse as Amy told of training ground bust up that culminated in Tommy uttering, "fcuk off", and Richard did just so. Apparently, the club Directors and staff were firmly on Rickie's side. DrStu's nose enjoyed the aroma of his own bahookie, confirmed his preferred prejudice, and he decided to achieve revenge the only way he knows how. Unsuspecting Kirsty Wark was first, her Rangers supporting husband, Producer Alan Clements was ripe for betrayal. DrStu' told of visiting Clements man-cave in the Wark household in days past, Rangers share certificates were framed upon the wall. His punch line arrived, "of course these days, the frames are worth more than the shares". DrStu' roared with laughter, whereas Kirsty offered, "really, I never venture in there". DrStu's affirmation of Rangers are deid was follow followed by Rangers players and fans are thick bastards. Barry Ferguson enters Italian restaurant with retinue and decides to order for all, "we'll have the Pageone", the waiter retorts, "that's page one of the menu". Salivating at the rapier like wit being displayed, he thrusts a coup de grace, "looking at those tattoos on your arm Amy, what does FTP mean"? Both girls chorus, "too far". An insight into an everyday training ground conflict sees DrStu' resort to type. The careful hate is immediately abandoned for the comfort of 'yer deid', yer thick', and 'yer bigots'. DrStu' loves to pig out. Sadly, his Producer allows him such largess. The word is last year's truffle pig has lost it's mojo, being comforted by tons of acorns. Like Sunday's result, there's a new reality. DrStu prefers his nostrils stuck up his own Ronson, He won't smell next year's air dried ham.

I think it can be difficult harking back further than say the mid 1960's. I would opine that the professional game back then was effectively amateur in comparison to pre 1960's and current standards. I think it's safe to say players from that era couldn't live in say a current Rangers side due to the athleticism and physicality of the modern game. It's possible some of these greats from a bygone era would never have been able to achieve the levels of athleticism and physicality required and I actually know a guy who could have been a top player but didn't make it because he simply couldn't live an athletes life. He came up through Celtic youth ranks during the O'Neill era and made a few substitute first team appearances but never got into the first 11. Inveterate gambler, heavy drinker, prone to disappearing on drinking binges, failing to turn up for training, or turning up heavily hungover. At age 20 he was transferred to Premier league St Johnstone for 200K then after 3 years and 69 appearances it was a rapid tumble through numerous clubs in just a couple of years to land at the likes of Stenhousemuir. This guy had the talent in abundance but just couldn't live the life of a modern top level professional footballer and I believe many players from pre modern eras could have gone down a similar path. Because when you think about it back then that type of behaviour wouldn't have been viewed as so out of touch with a footballers life. It's possible many of them actually lived in a similar manner to this guy I mentioned though maybe not quite to that extreme but could still play at an elite level because all teams were littered with guys like that. But in saying that it takes nothing away from their achievements in their era. They were the best of their time and you can't do any better than that.

It was close but I don't think it matters if he was standing in the box.

They can interpret the penalty rule whichever way they want, but when that handball on Sunday stops being a stick on penalty then we might as well abolish them altogether. I've no idea what Dallas was thinking. Maybe he lost concentration and was thinking about his Sunday dinner rather than watching the game. Whatever the reason he'll be embarrassed about it now. It was so bad that apparently even Sutton was saying it's the most stonewall penalty you'll see.

You can also use the ratings to make up your mind on our best player. Make your vote using the poll!

this one must be near the greatest for the whole build up as well.

Just back from a leg break. To many to name them all but loved the Terry Hurlock assist ? at parkheed when he puts Bonner on his arse before slotting home. Favourite has to be his goal at Elland Rd....whit a finishing heeder that was.

As clear as clear can be.

Never mind Rangers/celtic, Magpies/Makems, Liverpool/Everton this fixture in the English League Cup tonight is, according to Talksport, one of the world’s needle derbies. Apparently Poileas Portsmouth think so too. Riot police, dogs, horses drones and helicopters on standby for an invasion of 2,000 rabid So’ton ultras. So, forget Boca/River. South coast sandcastle builders are the top firms. Now that Parliament has been deemed to have been unlawfully prorogued, I hope Mr Speaker will set aside the consideration of Brexit so that urgent questions can be dealt with about England’s shame. My question; which of Pompey and Saints are the d.o.bs? One of them must be, surely.

I did - more than once. That’s a powerful team if they play up.

Having sat on the same Rangers Fans Board I arrived at the opposite conclusion.

Has to be Pompey! McCrorie plays for them

The referee is not entirely correct. It's explained in more detail here: http://theifab.com/laws/chapter/32/section/92/ In effect attackers can still 'accidentally' handball but if they create or score a goal from it, then it wouldn't stand.

I'd fancy for 'security' reasons: i.e. to cut down on the number of travelling fans.

They're basically trolling us at every turn, including these kind of comments and the deliberate errors with stats and scores etc. It's the behaviour of children.