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Worth noting second leg is to be live on BBC Scotland....

There are plenty others I would sell before Kamara. It is more than noticeable that when he is out we struggle to control games. The way Bassey is playing I would sell Barisic before Kamara, and Tavernier too. I think in Patterson and Bassey we have more than capable replacements there, whereas Kamara brings something different to anyone in that midfield 3.

Kamara still has 2 years left on his deal so not a huge rush to sell him and, if we didn't, I'm not sure we'd be able to find as a good a player to replace him. Someone will need to go - arguably 1 or 2 from Tav, Goldson, Helander, Barisic, Kamara, Aribo, Hagi, Kent or Morelos - to help ease any financial pressures, even if we qualify next week. Every one of those players is worth at least £10m with a few worth double that but it's important we do realise their true value to maximise what we can spend on any replacement(s) on top of addressing any debt concerns. We also have guys struggling to really impact on the first XI such as Arfield, Itten, Barker and one or two more that we may look to move on. We have the best part of 30 players now in the first team squad and that's too many.

Good

SPFL Competence? Today, Partick Thistle received a packaged delivery from the SPFL. Also, Hearts were similar beneficiaries of a SPFL package. Both packages contained League Championship flags, both clubs had won their respective Championship and League One titles. The SPFL Chairman, Neil Doncaster has NOT been invited to either flag day unveiling. The Jambos and the Harry Wraggs think Neil and his fellow vote fixing cabal of MacLennan and McKenzie are incompetent wankers. Obviously, Neil and Co are anxious to flash their incompetence credentials and they sent the maroon and white saltire flag to Maryhill and, the talk of the Toon received a red and yellow St Andrews cross. You couldn't make it up, Neil and Co do, often!

Arfield is at the end of his career, Barker, I don’t think, is ever going to have one but Itten should be kept.

And it's a 4pm kick off.

You could make a clips YouTube video of any professional footballer and make them look like a world-beater. It's called editing.

Sorry gonzo but that attitude got us down to 10 men.

His brain’s fast. Ian McMillan was no greyhound but I’ve never seen a better inside forward play for Rangers. (Attacking RM, should that be?)

The only thing preventing Hagi from being a true star, IMHO, is that he lacks a yard of pace. Has everything else and, as said, is now much stronger. If he had that yard of pace he wouldn't be at Rangers IMO.

I wouldn't have thought that the decision to broadcast has anything to do with Rangers. That is a decision for the Armenians surely? I would doubt they will be sending a team of PQ broadcasters / reporters on an 11 hour round trip (it's not ra Sellick after all!) More likely to have purchased the live feed and broadcast from the PQ cupboard. Then Big Dick et al can pray in privacy that we get pumped! ?

Went for Bassey as he was consistent through full game,Hagi was much better 2nd half but for full 90mins my choice was better.

Kent has always had dips in form. Some fans just seem to forget about them though. He was awful for spells last season, so much so that I couldn't believe SG persisted with him. Lundstrum's form is a bit of a worry. Possibly a Joey Barton/Shane Duffy thing going on (played in the EPL and probably think Scottish football will be a walk in the park). Now is the time for leaders to stand up - SG, Tav, Goldson, Davis and Defoe, get it sorted.

Morelos secures win for ten man Rangers If Rangers get the result they require next week in Yerevan to secure passage to the Europa League group stages for the fourth consecutive season under Steven Gerrard, then John Lundstram will owe his teammates a huge debt of gratitude. It was the Englishman’s sending off late in the first-half which put a huge question mark over a tie which was deemed as a fairly routine affair for Rangers, although they had huffed and puffed for large parts of the first-half. But Lundstram’s dismissal, after a second booking, put Rangers in a speculative position, and one which will not have pleased manager Steven Gerrard. All the chat prior to the game surrounded the capture of Juninho Bacuna from Huddersfield Town. The 24 year Dutch midfielder provides further options for Gerrard in an area where he has not been short of problems so far this season. Speaking to Rangers TV Bacuna seemed delighted at his move. “There was interest last season, unfortunately it didn’t go through”, said the Dutchman. "I am ready to prove myself and learn from the boys, learn from the manager. I am ready to get started and I can’t wait. "I had experience in the Premier League and unfortunately it didn’t go like I wanted but I will take the experience from that and bring it here and show what I can do here. "I think the style the team is going to play will suit me and I think I can be at my best here." This was a tie that Rangers had hoped to avoid, but the capitulation against Malmö last week ended the prospect of reaching the Champions’ League group stages and the riches that come with it. The two defeats to Malmo are the first that Steven Gerrard has experienced as Rangers manager in Europe in qualifying stages. He is well versed in these Europa qualification ties, which added to the sense of inevitability to tonight’s game. However Rangers looked slow and ponderous in a poor first-half where the only real chance fell to Ryan Kent when he somehow managed to strike the bar when scoring seemed easier. The Englishman has struggled so far this season to find the form which has him highly tipped for a big money move at some point in the future. This was the latest in a line of performances littered with loose distribution, wild attempts at goal and attempted runs which resulted in possession being lost. Gerrard has been remarkably loyal to Kent during other periods of poor form. The fact that Kent did not reappear for the second-half suggested the manager’s patience with one of his mainstays had worn too thin on an important evening for the club. Kent’s replacement was Scott Wright, a player who must be wondering what he has to do to earn a start. The former Aberdeen man’s running and urgency gave life to a support that had started to doubt. All of a sudden there was an improved vigour about Rangers’ play. At the heart of that was Alfredo Morelos. He had a hooked shot cleared off the line, then headed wide when he should have scored after a great cross in from Ianis Hagi. But the Columbian got the goal he deserved on 68 minutes when he latched on to a long ball from James Tavernier and drove his shot low and hard through the legs of Cancarevic to give Rangers a deserved lead. Rangers should have made it 2-0 when Connor Goldson headed wide from close range, meaning Rangers would have to settle for the one goal lead going into the second-leg. The result is a positive one given the circumstances, but there is yet again feeling that Rangers had somehow managed to take less from a game they were in a position to take a lot more from. Much of the talk will centre on Lundstram and his reckless sending off. His first booking, for a trip on David Khurtsidze, could be deemed as taking one for the team. But his second booking, for a pull on Jose Embalo after he had needlessly conceded possession, was an incredulous act of naivety for a player who came to Scotland boasting English Premier League experience. The Liverpudlian has had a poor start to his Rangers career, he needs to realise the required levels soon if he doesn’t want to join a long list of players who found the Rangers jersey too heavy for them. For Steven Gerrard the result leaves him with problems he would have rather avoided. A more convincing scoreline would have allowed him to avoid taking some key players on a ten hour all-round flight to Armenia three days before the first Old Firm game of the season, and that frustration showed in his post-match comments. “In terms of our performance collectively it was so far away from how I wanted it to look in the first-half. It is difficult for me to comment on that”, said the Rangers manager. “At half-time the players listened to the information we gave them and we went out and carried it out. I am sure the fans appreciated their efforts in the second-half. “But in the first-half? Honestly, it was so far away from how I want it to look and how far away I need it to look.” Rangers now head to Dingwall on Sunday for the league game against Ross County, before travelling to Armenia for the second-leg on Thursday and “welcoming” Celtic for the first Old Firm game of the season next Sunday. It’s a busy schedule, and one which will require more than Rangers offered in the first-half tonight. RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Helander, Bassey, Lundstram, Davis, Aribo, Hagi, Kent, Morelos. SUBS: McLaughlin, McCrorie, Itten, Simpson, Patterson, Wright, Balogun, Kelly, Arfield, Barisic ALASHKERT: Cancarevic, Voskanyan, Kadio, Tiago Cameta, Boljevic, Grigoryan, Hovsepyan, Papikyan, Khurtsidze, James, Jose Embalo. SUBS Yedigaryan, Gome, Aghekyan, Bezecourt, Glisic, Tankov REFEREE: Anastasios Sidriopoulos

I This is a massive season for the club given the prize at the end of the season and we have no time for passengers. Lundstram shouldnt be anywhere near the first team given his performances so far . Kent as well as has been shockingly poor as well which is a complete mystery given his form last season. We need to start playing players on merit, not by reputation.

The tweet is taking a while to come through, but it's published: https://www.gersnet.co.uk/index.php/news-category/match-analysis/1398-morelos-secures-win-for-ten-man-rangers @Frankie @Govan Rear Bear

I was delighted to see his hunger and aggression last night. A lot of our fans didn't take to him before now, I think he is winning a lot of them over by playing like that. I would love to see him make himself a regular this season but he has strong competition.

Hagi has impressed this season. I think he's always had the tools, but always looked weak, to me. I think he's really bulked up; he can hold off players now. If he adds goals to his assists, he'll be a good asset -- one which is hopefully sold for £20M plus!

I hope not. I’d keep Hagi ahead of Morelos, Aribo and even Kamara.

Kamara and Roofe returning is massive. Bacuna is an interesting signing and after tonight I think we’re all glad to have another option. Ryan Jack is also reportedly very near a return. I think things will get better soon but it is concerning when the old firm game is fast approaching.

The great debate just now about what player is out of form etc etc , we as fans tend to go on game by game-basis when rating players , apart from that pair of arseholes I had to sit beside last night who gave every player it right from the first whistle , where as managers and coaches tend to look at the bigger picture and how things tend to even themselves out over the course of a season . we don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes or in training, we either trust our management team or we don’t , some fans seem to have reached def con 12 already .

Yes kent has under achieved this season. Hes been terrible but still got picked regardless. There are players in our squad who would get dropped like a stone if they turned in such performances in 1 game . Right now we dont have time for passengers as winning the league is paramount this season. We win the league this season and we could leave celtic in our wake. They'll certainly leave us in theres if they beat us to it. We have to win the league this season. We dont have time to wait on players getting their form back. Id much rather play players on their merit . Wright is the prime example, on form and showing the desire but struggles to get a start .

The late Bobby Moore was one of the slowest but a yard ahead of everybody by his ability to read a game .

Hagi played like a man possessed last night; I've never seen him quite so up for it. Suggests to me he badly wants to stay.

The wee prime minister would have won many a man of the match awards . And in his Airdrie colours as well.

The Shape of Things. Gunslinger has correctly highlighted BBC Scotland's grudging acceptance of Rangers victory last evening. Elevating the grudge is to be expected but, another element was included in the full report, 'the comparative'. Here it is : 10 man Rangers edge out Alashkert. Ten man Rangers avoided a sobering draw at home to Alashkert as Alfredo Morelos' goal kept them on course for the Europa League group stage. The last time the Armenian champions visited Glasgow was in 2018, they were beaten 3-0 by a Celtic side who played 79 minutes with a man short. This time Rangers had John Lundstram sent off just before the break but, Morelos' second goal in European competition this season means they take a narrow advantage to Yerevan. The comparative is in the second line. I wonder why BBC Scotland did not include the comparative when Sellik crashed out of the Champions League qualifiers to Midtylland? They could have mentioned in 2019 that rAngers had defeated the Danes 2-4 away and 3-1 at Ibrox for a 7-3 aggregate victory. Of course they didn't because it's not really relevant. How is something that occurred even further back was deemed appropriate for association with last night's game? It's just Gang Huttery. It was a long evening for the Beeb, full commentary for both the Aberdeen game in Azerbaijan and St Johnstone in Austria. The Dandy Dons Dimension of Big Dick, Wullie Miller and, Liam McLeod told of and blamed the Qarabag pitch for Considine's injury, the conceded goal and, JET's lack of mobility. The Saints were plucky, including the now handsome Glenn Middleton. The only Scottish team to win, Rangers are now ahead of ra Sellik in UEFA rankings, but that was NOT mentioned. PQ's coverage of Rangers at Ibrox last night was being ridiculed on Pie and Bovril, "Richard Gordon and a couple of others watching CeeFax". No live commentary, not even from the studio TV. When Morelos notched, Big Dick announced we had scored by added, "we cannot tell you anything of the build up to the goal or how the ball hit the net". Michael Stewart thought Alfie was offside and deserved a red card.

He is a very hot and cold player. When he’s on form he is great, when he is not on form he is so poor. The opposition last night was really weak and he still couldn’t beat a man or create anything. It was a good chance to regain some confidence. I’m hopeful that the competition from Wright will do him good this season though and I’m confident Gerrard will use that. He has already started to, last season he would very rarely sub Kent when he wasn’t at it but it’s been different this season. And I thought he hinted that Wright will start at the weekend in the press conference.

easily Hagi

Voted Hagi as he was, in my humble opinion, head and shoulders above everyone else last night. Aribo, Wright and Bassey worthy of a mention, as is Alfie for his goal alone, the others were way under the standards set / required (outfield players as Greegs was a spectator for most of the game).

I think he'll attract bids too, but I don't think he's ready to sell. If he continues his form, he should be sold next summer or the one after. This season he's played every game, apart from when he's been injured, from what I recall.

I'm hoping Lundstram is just needing time. Wright had 6 months, in a league he's familiar with, to get to this stage. Even Hagi had a long-ish settling in period. I was always quite clear that Kamara was a good player, but there were a lot of criticism in his early period.

yeah you could but their style would still be evident. I didn't say he was good I said he was what we are missing. Someone who when he gets the ball drives forward and makes things happen.

We need to steady the buffs hold a strong defensive line get the middle sorted out and get our strikers hitting the target .

Agreed. Every signing is a gamble, every single signing, so far under SG and the scouting team, we have done very well, sometimes players just need a new experience and different coaching to fulfill their potential. Every season we have improved under SG and his backroom staff, of course there has been ones that didn't work out, like most teams. What is encouraging is when Bacuna said in his interview contact was made last season but it just never happened! so that at least proves Rangers have been keeping him on the radar! yet he could still flop!.

i would love to see us passing and moving like them.

That was absolute torture , topped of by my seat , sitting right beside 2 absolute bellends who berated every player from kick off , luckily one went to the Louden at half time , seriously why some people go to games is beyond me . Now I am , or I like to think I am , a patient bear , however I just don’t see what John Lundstram brings to our midfield other than confusion and slowing the game down , maybe him and Davis just can’t play together , time will tell . That team we’re pissibly one of the worst football teams I’ve ever seen , that we didn’t batter them is cause for concern , in fact the first 45 mins has to go down as THE worst in Europe under SG , normally we are so controlled , we were all over the place . 2nd half , standouts , Scottie Wright , Ianis Hagi and Calvin Bassey , take a bow lads , outstanding , oh and Mr S Davis , the rest need to seriously up their games , especially Ryan Kent , who did a fantastic job of impersonating the invisible man , anyway onwards and upwards .

We asked for a reaction in the 2nd half and we did get one - even if we were still a bit sort in terms of quality at times. Scott Wright added some much needed confidence whilst Aribo and Bassey were excellent down our left hand side alongside some hard work from Hagi and Davis which provided what was, IMO, still a deserved win against, IMO also, a very poor side. The 2nd leg might be different but with Kamara returning for the away game, we must go to Armenia, control and game and score the goals that will take us into the Europa League for the 4th successive year which is no mean feat. Let's not forget the positives on our haste to be critical.

Everything else in Scotland is based on secrecy and corruption, so why should football be any different?

As painful as Tuesday evening's result was, it is important this diary is updated. Richard Gordon sat in PQ, half a mile from Ibrox with Mark Hateley, Charlie Adam and, Chris Burke for company. No live commentary, just chat. There is no excitement in Rangers being in the Champions League, however temporary that particular existence. If you want joy, tune in this evening when Scotland's important Euro competitors are involved. We all pay the same license fees, we receive differing services.

I believe leaning towards the lavender in Armenia guarantees ten yeas in the salt mine?