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It’s fair to say 2020 hasn’t really been kind to Rangers so far. A combination of suspensions, injuries, poor form, bad refereeing and awful weather means performances and results haven’t been of the standard required since we return from the winter break. With that in mind, turning our attentions back to European football over the next week might be a welcome distraction for everyone connected to the club. Firstly, as has been the case for the bulk of our Europa League campaign, we’re not really expected to progress against Braga. That lower expectation decreases pressure on the players and may allow them to play with a bit more freedom than they have of late. Similarly, unlike most of the Scottish teams we’ve faced this year, Braga are much more likely to be positive themselves, meaning we get more room to play and actually get some of our attacking players into the game. There’s no coincidence that we’ve often looked more comfortable against European opposition. Games have tended to be more open and we usually do well on the counter. Conversely we also appear happier in a defensive sense with deeper midfield cover for our full-backs, meaning we’re not usually exposed to the counter ourselves like we can be when having to commit so many players forward in domestic matches. Unfortunately, injuries and suspensions means the manager may again be unable to choose his strongest team; certainly in the first leg. Ryan Jack was sent off against Young Boys so misses this match whilst Borna Barisic picked up a knock at Hamilton ten days ago and hasn’t featured since. In terms of replacements, as much as Joe Aribo has proved his worth in Europe, he doesn’t offer the same presence or leadership as Jack so the latter will be a huge miss tomorrow night. Similarly, whilst Andy Halliday rarely shirks any role he’s offered in the team, neither does he offer the same quality of Barisic at left back. Jon Flanagan isn’t in the squad so won’t be an option at wing back. Despite these missing players, the starting XI should still have a fairly recognisable look to it. Defensively we now have plenty experience with McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson and Katic having all played in earlier rounds. The same can be said for our likely midfield three of Arfield, Davis and Kamara who are all capable of not only winning the ball back effectively but are positionally sound and able to keep the ball when we have it too. Further forward we also have several options. Jermain Defoe will miss both these games and Jordan Jones is another who didn’t make the squad for this round. However, Ianis Hagi has impressed since joining from Genk on loan and Flo Kamberi also showed against Livi that he could be a useful alternative should he be required. Most importantly for Rangers though will be getting Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent back in form. The Colombian has been unlucky with some poor officiating ruling out two perfectly good goals in his last two games but hasn’t looked quite as sharp as he did in 2019. The same can be said for Kent who looks well short of confidence and hasn’t done anywhere near as much in a creative sense of late. However it would be a surprise if both didn’t start leaving one more attacking midfield role for either Hagi, Kamberi, Aribo, Greg Stewart, Sheyi Ojo or even the lessor spotted Brandon Barker whom the manager has turned to before in European games this season. Whatever the team chosen, it’s not an easy task at all against Braga. When the draw was made last year, we were certainly more confident than we are now. The Portuguese outfit have since shown better form than us this year though and, although well behind Benfica and Porto in the Primeira Liga, have won matches against both over the last month. With players such as Francisco Trincão (who will be moving to Barcelona in the summer for €35million) they have undoubted quality. Nevertheless, what some of our fans and, perhaps the players as well, have forgotten recently is we do too. As such, this represents a great opportunity for us to restore some of that belief and increase morale with what is effectively a free hit at progressing to the last 16 of the Europa League. With a few months still to go in that tournament, as well as the Scottish Cup and Ladbrokes Premiership, Steven Gerrard’s Rangers can still make a challenge in all three of these competitions and the Englishman should be keener than ever to make that clear to the players. As winter hopefully blows itself out here in Scotland soon, fingers crossed we can see some shoots of recovery in our season by the time we enjoy the warmth of Portugal next Wednesday. Possible team (4-3-2-1):

If we can produce a five star performance it could be the tonic we badly need .

Borrowed from a thread on FF: I was at ibrox today for the RSC focus group meeting on the future membership scheme. Lots of stuff spoken about and the basic principle of the scheme was laid out, however nothing is set in stone and the club are collating feedback before making a final decision. That being said some of what they are saying you can tell is 100% happening. I’ll try be as brief as I can and explain the basics: • CCCS and the Travel Club are being scrapped • Being replaced with a loyalty system which gets you points • Points will be given for example for buying your season ticket outright (upfront) attending home games (every time it’s swiped for a game you get points), Using seat sub if you can’t go. • End goal is to give points for buying merchandise and using club facilities for functions etc etc • Home game points are worth more than away games, an example was give that it could be a home league game is worth 20 points but an away game 5 points. • Points will also be given for attending friendlies • The Scheme will start by putting everyone into a tier system - Gold, Silver and Bronze. • Your position in this is determined on your loyalty over the last 5 years • It rotates in a similar manner to the travel club, but will be done every 3 years • Away tickets will be distributed similar to how buses work, a top down points system • They are still looking into the best way to involve RSCs, atm they are considering putting RSCs into a tier system like above rather than A+, A etc and then splitting the tickets by a % • They are looking at charging RSCs a membership fee to join, or charging them a per head figure for each member. • This is to eradicate “ghost buses / clubs” which rangers have made clear is an absolute priority for them. That is the basics and it’s still very much getting tweaked every day but this is effectively what’s going to girl the new membership scheme. No details over a price to join were given. What will happen now is they will collage all the feedback and then the feedback from the general fan base before setting out what they believe is the best solution. Either way it’s 100% changing. The club are saying they are trying to please everyone but they want to reward those who travel everywhere, regardless of league position or opposition as best they can given the allocations we receive.

I think the Goldson handball at Hamilton is the main decision in our favour that I can remember but it was hardly clear cut going by the rules.

I can see positives and negatives about the scheme. Part of it is to obviously improve the club's cashflow, particularly if credit card companies are only releasing cash after each game is played.

It depends how Braga approach it. Their games against Porto, Sporting and Benfica were tight, 1-0 wins, so they can defend. They play 5-2-2-1, which suggests counter-attacking, but they seem to have matched the above teams for possession, 50/50. (Or, the Portuguese game is based on the transitions?) If they are going to sit back, we'll need Hagi's creativity. If they want to play, then a more counter-attacking player like Aribo, Arfield will be needed. If they are good on transitions, we might be better letting them have the ball and counter. I think I'd leave out Hagi; go with the aggressive, pressing players that can counter. We can always bring Hagi on late on if we need some creativity, when the space will appear. I just noticed they get a lot of fouls and free-kicks -- this could be an exasperating match!

If the roles were reversed, the press would have been in uproar about us complaining about it when our fans actually did do it. Celtic are continuing to deny and deflect the racism in their support.

Social housing was my understanding. Don't laugh but public transport anyone?

Like most i can count half a dozen possible match changing decisions that have gone against us since we beat the yahoos in December and probably about the same number again prior to that match. What i am struggling with is trying to remember a big decision that has gone our way this season, can anyone help me out? Also, as much as we seem to be on the wrong end of decisions thus far i bet you sods law will dictate that the same will happen on Thursday night with VAR.

knowing SD won't match terms and proving it in court are 2 different things. SD will put something together that will make it very difficult for us.

We all want the best outcome and hope springs eternal. However, I look at our lacklustre form since the winter break and compare it with that of the opposition ... and I can't find any rational basis for expecting us to beat Braga. Much as I wish it was otherwise, I don't give us a cat's chance in Hell of progressing further. Right now I'm just hoping we don't embarrass ourselves by getting thrashed. That's how I feel about it and unless this manager and these players have undergone a complete transformation since the weekend, I see absolutely no reason to think differently.

EVening out .. methinks there was an article recently saying that since the Yahoos will have played the assumed top-half teams after the split 2 times away already, they will get something like 5 home games for the run in post split. Methinks TLB lamented last season and Hibs got one more uncalled for home game, I would assume that if things come to pass, he will turn a blind eye and demand all everything and for the "integrity of the game" will get it.

Or is this so that when we are in court next year , we can prove that we publicly opened up the bidding to any company .

For those up to speed with what is happening with our brand / kits / boycotts etc, what does this mean? The end of SD and Ashley? The end of Hummel (who I thought were a decent partner - apart from stock)? Are we still OK to use the store at St Enochs? Not up to speed with the off-field side of things now!

Let the conspiracy theories commence .?????

He has been excellent in Europe. He really seems to rise to the occasion.

Delighted that Barasic looks like he will make it. Anything 0 for Braga - even 0-0 and I would fancy us over in Portugal

There's no way Gerrard is going to change the European formation that's brought us so much success this season. He's going to continue with the 3 in midfield, presumably with Kamara, which will allow the full backs greater freedom. 10 places are stick-on, in my opinion, (assuming Barasic is fit) with the only question being over Hagi's inclusion. Are you referring to Hagi? I believe the deal is €5 million.

No shortage of evidence that he can cross, pass and shoot. I think you are talking about his form rather than his technical ability.

Braga's form is incredible. Since the 18th of Decemeber they have won 9 and drawn 1. The wins included away league wins over Benfica and Porto, a semi-final win over Sporting Lisbon and a cup final win over Porto. The 1 draw was in a game they got a player sent off in after going 2-0 up in the first half. This is a team who have a winning mentality and don't concede many. On the other hand with 4 red cards in 6 games they are almost as bad as us for dicipline!

No goals conceded at home would be my priority. Confident we can score over there and make it a real one off cup tie.

Im thinking more along the lines of us scoring and it being ruled offside or similar...?

VAR can only help us, IMO.

I would agree racism is not a big issue in Scotland Bill but if he is called a black B it is racism however it’s dressed up. It doesn’t matter if they don’t shout racist abuse at their own black players. They are using pejorative phrases and the first thing that enters their heads is the colour of the guys skin. If for whatever reason they start to dislike their own black players then these people will be capable of racism against those players.

Let's hope they don't take away too many prawns from your sandwiches as well...!

Considering what Barcelona and Real Madrid get away with this is a ludicrous decision

Compare it with what happened to us. Knocked down three fucking leagues and prevented from playing in Europe. We were singled out compared to everyone else. City, Juve, Saracens. Nobody got more screwed than Rangers did.

I'll take your word for it .?