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After a physically tough and nervy 90mins on Wednesday night, Rangers and their fans will be glad to be back to home territory this Saturday. Unfortunately, the challenge won't be any easier with old foes Aberdeen the visitors who, as always, will be keen to inflict the most possible damage on us tomorrow. Rangers The Light Blues looked a tired bunch as the final whistle blew the other night. Alfredo Morelos was exhausted on his own up front whilst the likes of Jack, Tavernier and our central defence knew they'd been in a game as well. Even the rested Steven Davis had to come off the bench after 20mins for the injured Joe Aribo so I'd fancy most players enjoyed an ice-bath of sorts yesterday at Auchenhowie. It says a lot for the efforts of Livi over the last couple of seasons that our manager kept changes to a minimum in West Lothian when some fans, yours truly included, felt rotation to some degree would be likely. Instead, aside from Davis, Steven Gerrard went for pretty much his strongest XI available to him which was a slight surprise, knowing the difficult match ahead this weekend - followed by next midweek's trip to Switzerland. Does this mean the manager will make changes for tomorrow or ask his preferred first XI to give him three more 90mins of endeavour before some can take a well-earned rest over the international break? Personally, I think it's asking a lot but with Aberdeen themselves just off the back of an extra-time and penalty loss to Hearts, perhaps the team won't need to be as fresh as we'd normally like meaning changes can again be kept to a minimum. On the other hand, it has to be frustrating to some of the fringe players that they've been unable to feature for more than the odd cameo when some of our players are clearly tired and not in the greatest of form. For example, James Tavernier remains a key outlet for us but is playing poorly, whilst the same can be said of Scott Arfield ahead of him. Connor Goldson and, especially, Filip Helander didn't enjoy their task the other night either so after he was 'rested' on the back of a poor display against Livi in the league, Niko Katic may well be expecting a recall at some point this week. Generally though, I doubt the manager will be tempted into rotation this weekend. He's on record as saying he wants to keep this defence playing together and, some dodgy moments aside, we have had three clean sheets in a row. Midfield will see an enforced change with the head injury Aribo suffered meaning Kamara should retain his place in the starting XI alongside Davis and Jack. Further forward is where we may seen some revision though. Alfredo Morelos has been top class recently but was clearly exhausted as the game ended on Wednesday. Jermain Defoe didn't feature the other night but did score two last week and started against Aberdeen when we beat them 2-0 in April; making a nuisance of himself throughout. The aforementioned Arfield also remains off-form so he or the inconsistent Ojo may be taken out for King, Stewart or Barker if fit. Aberdeen Our visitors haven't had the best start to the season and threw away a winning position twice against Hearts. However, last weekend they did beat Livingston (sans the suspended Dykes) so will remain a tough proposition tomorrow. They have lost players like Dominic Ball, Max Lowe and Graeme Shinnie from last year's team so it's not a surprise they've perhaps lost a bit of competitive edge but the likes of Lewis Ferguson and the impressive Sam Cosgrove remain so anyone thinking Derek McInnes or his squad will roll over at Ibrox are in for a rude-awakening. Nevertheless in our last meeting five months ago, we were by far the better team so our manager will be looking for that same quality (and more clinical finishing) this weekend. Coincidentally James Tavernier scored two penalties in that game and referee Don Robertson sent someone off for a flying elbow so sometimes your expectations are met! Conclusion Other than our loss against Celtic at the start of the month, it's been a decent September results-wise for Rangers. Yet, at the same-time, it's not unfair to say performances have not been as consistent or as good as we'd like. There have been some excellent periods of play in our four wins but, too often for me, also the kind of sloppiness on the ball we seen in the Old Firm defeat. Similarly, as much as players like McGregor, Jack and Morelos have been at the top of their game, other key figures such as Tav, Arfield and Goldson have not. With that in mind, it's been a shame we've not seen more rotation but in the race for silverware and European co-efficient credibility, perhaps chopping and changing his team is a luxury our manager can't afford. After all, Rangers fans demand wins and demand success so risking any momentum in any match is a risk when Celtic especially remain unbeaten. That's just how it is at Rangers and, in a week where Steven Gerrard was recommended as Jurgen Klopp's (eventual) successor at Liverpool we're fortunate to have a manager - albeit still a novice - who understands the often unreasonable expectations of fans. As such, we'll have to trust his judgement when it comes to player selection and game management during busy schedules. However, another win will be expected tomorrow with no mitigation offered if three points aren't forthcoming. The pressure is only just starting to build... Possible Starting XI

Great night. Remember sitting on the wooden bench in the centenary stand with my then fiancee and recall the atmosphere being electric despite the new look stadium being under construction. 2 weeks later we were a married couple and both us and the club are still going strong 41yr later....

https://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/rangers-partner-with-bengaluru-fc/ Friday, 27 September 2019, 15:00 by Rangers Football Club 2259 RANGERS Football Club is today delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with Indian professional football club Bengaluru FC. The two year collaboration will present a number of footballing and commercial opportunities for each club during the period. Bengaluru FC is an Indian professional football club based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and plays in the 25,000 seater Sree Kanteerava Stadium. The club was established in 2013 and since then has won three league titles, two federation Cup titles, and a super cup championship. During the length of the link-up, the Light Blues will look to have an active presence in the Indian footballing market enabling the club to grow its international audience. The partnership will also encompass a scouting link up with the Indian Super League side to identify India’s best talent with a view to opening up opportunities. The Rangers Academy will travel to India and be welcomed at Bengaluru’s state of art training centre as part of the strategy to prepare our young players for the challenges and experiences which lie ahead for them in the future. Rangers Soccer Schools will also be holding training camps in Bengaluru and will be bringing tour groups to Glasgow to see how to play and train the Rangers way. A Rangers Legends side, packed with players who have played for the Gers in the past will travel to India to play and also to take part in fan engagement events whilst also visiting Soccer Schools camps. A culture of knowledge sharing will also be fostered, with experiences and opportunities discussed across a number of different departments across both clubs. Rangers will also look to grow into the Indian market by hosting screening events in Bengaluru for fans. Rangers Managing Director Stewart Robertson said: “We’re excited and proud to announce our partnership with reigning Indian Super League champions Bengaluru FC, especially at this time when football in India, a country of 1.3 billion people, is entering a period of unprecedented growth. Mandar Tamhane, CEO, Bengaluru FC: “The partnership is based on an exchange of knowledge and services, one that we are looking to make the most of. Bengaluru FC’s endeavour has been to help grow Indian football and our association with Rangers is a big step in that direction. “We are excited about the development our academy, Soccer Schools and grassroots programmes will be exposed to, in the coming years. There is also the prospect of our first team visiting and playing a game at the Ibrox, which is something we are looking forward to. We are certain of the success of this partnership.”

We've done this before in Australia and China and nothing came from it, and was a waste of time, effort and money.

Always been a big fan of Bengaluru FC.

Sorry I am not giving them any room for sympathy on that BD. It is well recorded that they are a danger in a crowded stadium and are banned so for me arrest and a life ban for those involved. it would seem the UB think they are a law to their own. I would rather have a quiet stadium than run the risk of people getting burnt.

Give them their own singing area. At Central police station during every Rangers game

Great lamb vindaloo pies at Ibrox. I can't wait to get back.?

The decision to sign Andy king looks a better and better one

The sheep followers view is that Rangers will probably win possibly heavily but that’s only because we apparently try harder against them. Nothing to do with the fact they don’t have a single player who could make our first 11.

There is no talking to these morons, they just don’t care what damage is done to the club.

Im bigging up you both for backing West Ham. If my flutter fails I'll know who to blame ?

Heard on a show earlier the next two matches v San Marino and Kazak are being played at Hampden. That is tragic. Id be stunned if more than 12000 turn up for the San Marino game. how can they expect to make money on that and how can that give the team confidence when playing in an empty stadium. SFA and plonks...just switch it to Rugby Park, Tynecastle or Easter Road and get a almost full house. The squad has potential it doesnt need let down by playing in reserve attendances. Lampard said Gilmour was MOTM other night for Chelsea - throw him in for Scotland

I will be amazed if Niko Katic doesn't return as the best option for confronting Cosgrove. I also think Morelos is a shoe-in to start but is unlikely to play beyond 60 minutes. Arfield should start in place of Kamara, with King on from the get go.

It’s reassuring to see the main supporters organisation promoting its members’ interests by condemning this incident.

Not really. It tells you more about the team than him. He has only started in one win against them.

I think most of the doubt comes from your readiness to circulate the rubbish that Celtic fans say.

Rangers have announced that there will be a FanZone in the surrounding grounds of Ibrox Stadium ahead of their match with Aberdeen this Saturday. The Ibrox club are set to host their northeast rivals at 3pm Saturday and in the run-up to the Scottish Premiership clash Rangers are inviting supporters to a range of events in the FanZone. Not least an appearance from former Rangers captain and 9 in a row legend Richard Gough, who is the FanZone’s special guest this weekend. Gough captained the Ibrox club during their most successful years in the modern era and continues to act as an ambassador and powerful figure at Rangers. This is a special chance for fans to ask Gough what life was like at Rangers and about any old war stories from his time as captain. The former Scotland international will be taking part in a special Q & A as part of the FanZone. On top of that, there will also be a range of special activities, giveaway and even an appearance from the European Cup Winners’ Cup. Mascots Broxi, Roxi and Boris will be on hand to provide entertainment, whilst Rangers fan Jodie will be performing a mixture of Rangers songs and popular hits in a live performance. There will also be updates on the Rangers Women side and the Academy as fans are invited to the free to enter FanZone this weekend from 12pm. https://www.rangersnews.uk/news/rangers-invite-supporters-to-fanzone-ahead-of-crunch-aberdeen-tie/

However it's known who threw the banger last night and it wasn't a UB, so if people are trying to imply that it was them then that's unfair. There's enough to criticise the UBs for without them being falsely accused for stuff that doesn't involve them.

Totally agree. I just about sh*t myself last night. Was totally concentrating on the game and then boom. Wee arseholes

Only if they play Celtic in the coming weeks. Otherwise you get plus points for injuring Rangers players

Find them and jail them , just a bunch of mugs out to ruin it for everyone.

Last night Morelos was clearly exhausted at the end of the game (same with the Feyenoord match) so we're going to have to be careful with him if we want to avoid burning him out. The physical work he does and the ground he covers means he must be knackered after games. We have to find a way of rotating more players in whenever possible. We only made two subs last night and, whilst I can understand why to an extent, there was no reason someone like Stewart or Defoe couldn't have came on for the final period at least.

This resulted in a penalty in the Chelsea v Valencia game where the ball struck a defender whose arm was by his side but his palm was out and was hit. The ref gave no penalty at first then looked at the VAR screen then gave the penalty. I have to agree that some refs are interpreting the rules differently. Ultimately it didn't matter, as the player who took said penalty couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo anyway.

Agreed, which is what Gerrard said in one of his interviews. McCoist too. Both said it wasn't deliberate but it endangered a fellow player (can't be disputed). Gary Mac, however, said the ref got it right, meaning he agreed it wasn't serious foul play.

Then he needs Specsavers