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You can understand the reluctance to want to see McGregor dropped. For many fans it feels like disloyalty to a great club servant. However, the very best managers take these difficult decisions in their stride and one thing that marks out Gerrard's tenure has been his apparent reluctance to address approaching storms before they arrive. McGregor is one, the captaincy is another. Then there's the decline of Morelos and Davis, the reluctance to allow Patterson to develop as he could, and more. The result has been a squad that's become stale and has lost it's dynamism. It's not about money for recruitment, this has always been the hallmark of the inexperienced manager.

I can't believe any self-respecting footballer would say they knew the game was over when they're two goals down at half-time. What an embarrassing thing to say.

I'd be playing McLaughlin at the moment as, for whatever reason, the usual McGregor hasn't turned up this season at all.

McCrorie is not the answer anyway. His stats are terrible and his performances at Livi were a massive disappointment. I think McLaughlin is a safe pair of hands and his record is good. McGregor has been playing this season based on reputation alone. The position needs investment and maybe we can improve on McLaughlin. I don’t find it an easy position to assess tbh.

how he gets voted in is beyond me.

Roy Makaay saying to Kent, "[T]ricks are for the circus"! Brilliant.

Were top heavy with nitwits in Scotland

I could understand that if he was playing for Brighton against Real Madrid but even then, it would be a shameful thing to admit. No Rangers player should think like that and if they do, they definitely shouldn't admit it. We were playing a Hibs side in poor form.

Steerpike in yesterday Spectator Online is staunch in his ridicule of this representative of the people (but what people?) ”It’s been some months since Mr S last reported on the antics of James Dornan, the SNP MSP and amateur Hate-Finder General. The gaffe-prone Glaswegian managed, in the space of just one week, to get himself embroiled in multiple minor scandals after accusing an Edinburgh bus company had stopped services on St Patrick's Day because of 'anti-Irish racism’ (an untrue claim for which he had no evidence) and then for refusing to apologise for claiming Rangers’ players had sung a sectarian tune (another untrue claim based on poorly-doctored footage). Three weeks later he also told the Catholic leader of the Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg: ‘If your God exists you will undoubtedly rot in hell.’ Nice! Undaunted by past controversies, the amateur sleuth is back on the detective trail again. The Sherlock Holmes of Holyrood has deduced that the perpetrators of an attack on his office – in which a sign was taken down and allegedly urinated upon – were none other than... Gers fans. Steerpike is no fan of such stunts but is there any evidence that 'Rangers supporters' taking 'out their anger and hatred' were responsible for this act? More than 24 hours after naming and blaming the Ibrox club, Dornan is yet to corroborate his claims. He has posted screenshots from a Rangers website in which anonymous users express their hopes that supporters were responsible – but crucially, nothing to show that they were in fact responsible. In light of Dornan's habit of throwing around allegations without evidence, it seems only fair to ask: does he have any proof to back up his accusations? As mentioned previously, it’s not the first time Dornan – the poor man’s Mike Russell – has had run-ins with Rangers. In March 2019, the Celtic-mad MSP was forced to apologise to Rangers fan group Club 1872 after complaining they ‘abuse him regularly’ on their website and that moderators fail to monitor their user content. Amusingly, this is the same MSP who subsequently penned an article for the Times titled: 'Keep politics out of football and we'll all be winners.' A member of Scotland's governing party using his position to repeatedly demonise one of his city’s biggest clubs? Even Poirot wouldn't have trouble solving this one.” That bit should have been his city’s biggest club of course but top marks otherwise.

Whilst McLaughlin isn't at that elite level where he regularly pulls-off world class saves, he's a very good top-level keeper who hasn't let us down. He's also much better and faster at distributing the ball than McGregor. I think its a bit of a catch 22 at the moment where not having a settled back line is affecting the keeper and the defenders. On top of that, there's something off with McGregor - it could be age, it could just be confidence, but its clearly not working for him, so I'd put McLaughlin back in there asap. I wouldn't be surprised if GVB's team finds a young-ish Dutch keeper by next season who will be our new number 1 along with a CB or two.

Dornan is a useful idiot. For more than one organisation

Another reason to love the Spectator. And at least someone is asking him to prove it.

yeah against. may not be quite right but recently we had lost 3 goals to 3 shots on target over 2 games and sunday was 3 on 3 goals. we are either very unlucky or there is a serious issue to address and it may be in goal.

The boy Rory Wilson has apparently been scouted by Man City. They have no fear about throwing 18 and 19 year olds into the EPL and Wilson has I hear been playing for older age groups. Also Alex Lowry is highly thought of. I would be seriously annoyed if we lost another Gilmour.

There should be rules to limit this.

Rangers have to win every match but can't afford to pay 16/17 year olds 5-10k a week, whereas Chelsea can afford a huge squad of first team stars and well-paid potential stars (most of whom get loaned out). That's the reality of it.

Suffered a seizure and collapsed during his game tonight. Walked off the pitch and is on way to hospital - hope and pray he makes a full recovery🙏

Agreed. I’d suggest McGregor has been struggling since the Malmö game.

The 3 keepers are in the EL squad are they not?

Dick Advocaat has resigned as Iraq manager - interesting timing....😁

If they're good enough then they are old enough

You hit the nail on the head in this post. I've been saying all of that for most of the season.

Andrew Brews seems like a decent sort.

Here is Dornan in his pomp: A man who displays, overtly, support for a muderous, sectarian, illegal, terrorist organisation, is thrown into fear and perturbation, by a tweet which was not even addressed to him. Go figure. What does this cretin offer to the people of Cathcart? Beyond vile bigotry and hatred, that is..... Former soldier fined for sending menacing tweet about James Dornan MSP Gordon Currie Tuesday November 23 2021, 12.01am, The Times James Dornan told the trial he had been concerned by the language and phraseology in the tweet https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/former-soldier-fined-for-sending-menacing-tweet-about-james-dornan-msp-qnq9hsqcm A former soldier has been found guilty of sending a menacing tweet suggesting that James Dornan, the controversial MSP, should be assassinated. Andrew Brews, who served in Northern Ireland, said Dornan was “another dirty little Nationalist rat” who “deserves one behind the ear”. Brews, a private residential landlord, admitted the phrase was one used during the Troubles to refer to a method of assassination. He said he had posted the message on a Twitter thread after seeing a picture of the MSP posing in front of a flag linked to a proscribed terrorist organisation. Brews said the post had been a “knee-jerk reaction” to seeing a taxpayer-funded politician smiling in front of an Irish Republican Army flag. Dornan, who was sent the tweet by supporters, told the trial he had been particularly concerned by the language and phraseology. Brews had written: “As I have told him, if he thinks standing posing and smiling in front of a flag belonging to a Republican proscribed organisation isn’t sectarian then he’s deluded. Just another dirty little Nationalist rat, deserves one behind the ear.” Sheriff Alison Michie told Dundee Sheriff Court: “Mr Dornan said he receives tweets like this, but nothing as concerning as this particular tweet. “He was clear what he took it to mean and perceived that to be a threat and something that could encourage others. The accused has indicated it is an old military saying and conceded he considers it to mean shooting somebody. “I do consider the tweet does meet the criminal standard and is menacing in character. I accept it was a knee-jerk reaction. The political background is not a consideration for the court.” She told Brews: “You have accepted from the outset that you sent the tweet in question and that it was placed on a public forum where anyone could see it. “You have indicated it was simply a throwaway remark to some extent. I am sure you can appreciate the degree of anxiety and concern such remarks cause.” Brews, 59, from Leuchars, Fife, was found guilty of sending messages to Dornan on 26 February, 2019, that were grossly offensive, or indecent, obscene or of menacing character in that it suggested he be shot. Gavin Burton, the fiscal depute, said: “The evidence of Mr Dornan was that he saw the tweet and he expressed concern about his staff and his family. “The evidence of Dornan was that he was involved in combatting sectarianism in Scottish society and he described the comment of ‘one behind the ear’ as being an assassination-type method used in Northern Ireland.” Brews said: “If I was believed to be a serious threat to anybody why did it take the police eight months to come and charge me? The whole thing was around Mr Dornan’s perceived sectarianism. “Seeing that picture made me very angry that someone in the pay of the public was clearly supporting a terrorist organisation that has killed members of that public. “I am an ex-soldier. I have been troubled by my past experiences, especially in Northern Ireland. I have been on medication for 30 years and undergone counselling — all to do with incidents I took part in. “I have no interest in Rangers or Celtic. His supporters simply cherry-picked the comment and highlighted it to him. The Pope could have read it, the Queen could have read it. “It was not sent to him. It was about him because the picture was about him. I don’t believe Mr Dornan is trying to combat sectarianism in Scotland. “Mr Dornan sees himself as a tough Glasgow hard man who is affected by nothing. All of a sudden he is affected by this message that wasn’t even sent to him. “The SNP have a strongly anti-Unionist agenda and I strongly believe that is what this whole case is about. It is a chance for him to get at someone he considers anti-SNP.” Sheriff Michie heard that Brews had no previous convictions and had stopped using Twitter. She fined him £400. Outside court, Brews described the prosecution as “a stitch-up” and said he was considering an appeal. James Dornan is the SNP MSP for Glasgow Cathcart and has been involved in several controversies related to the sectarian divide in Scotland.

Nationalists vote for any nitwit put in front of them. Just like Labour before them.

There's been a bit of a 'reaction' to Conte and Gerrard banning food stuffs, like Ketchup etc., in club canteens. To be honest, I thought that was standard now? Of course, Sean Dyche requires players to drink 3 pints of Ketchup pre-match, and a Full Roast dinner at half-time. Can't handle it? Sold. It's that simple.

I’ve actually wanted McLaughlin to be our number 1 since last season. Last season he was only exposed in Europe but this season I don’t understand why McLaughlin hasn’t been given a proper chance to become our number 1. McLaughlin has conceded 5 in 8 domestic games. McGregor has conceded 11 in 8 domestic games, several of which he was at least partly culpable for. That is a very quick and dirty comparison of course, but the goalkeeping stats you sometimes see on Twitter haven’t been kind to McGregor for a while. I did a quick check on their goals conceded rate for last season and there is a significant disparity too.

Against? Jeez. Either we're conceding very big chances, letting in soft chances that should never go in or we're extremely unlucky. Mix of all, probably. Either way, it's not good. To only allow 6 shots on target in three games is actually good going, though - If I'm understanding you correctly. We just need to cut out the p*sh.

They don't have to. Abrahams signed for Roma for £34M. Tomori went to Milan for £26M. Geuhi went to Crystal Palace for £21M. Livramento went to Southampton for £8M, and they have a buy-back clause. He's doing very well. That's just this season, which was an especially good one. Last year Pasalic went to Atalanta for £14M, which was the biggest sale. They generally sell a few players every season for £5-10M each. Reece James is now in the squad, alongside Loftus-Cheek, Chalobah, Mount and Hudson-Odoi. They have all had a few seasons out on loan. Gilmour and Gallagher are currently out on loan with good prospects. Even if they don't make it at Chelsea they'll be going for big money.

I actually think our defence and team would suit a sweeper 'keeper more than McGregor. We see a lot of long balls over the top that would pose little danger if our 'keeper burst off his line to sweep up, like Alisson. McGregor barely comes out for a headed back-pass from the 18-yard line! But, McGregor is McGregor; you're not dropping McGregor at his best. Time takes it toll, though.

Arfield for me who was busy throughout the game and looked like the one player capable of grabbing us a goal (which he did). I love watching Aribo but he has to move the ball quicker in more situations.

There have been a few games this season where a 'none of the above' option would be applicable, but it screws the results.

Can’t remember what Chelsea offered him but it was well above what we were paying him. Money talks. That’s why he left

I don’t think Davis intended to play as often this season but Ryan Jack was out longer than expected & Lundstrom has struggled at times. Ive been saying all season McGregor is finished & has been costing us goals. And this has played its part in unsettling our defence behind a shaky keeper

There was nothing in that press conference that informed anyone, nor should we have expected any surprises. What we need to see are tangible changes in the team and tactics that make tomorrow look a better bet than today.

Over reaction? Dont think so. Davis should have retired at the end of the season as should mcgegor. Our defence is an absolute shambles and good luck to anyone who thinks they will suddenly get better. As i said earlier there are first team picks that have ran their course at the club and they need to move on. Were not going to get better trying the same thing week after week hoping things click. It just not going to happen.

A wholesale clear-out isn't going to happen. Hopefully GvB can sort a few of them out, pronto.

Or knuckle down, train hard, apply themselves and get back to last season's levels.

Has he not had a few injury issues? I agree though. If we're selling him, he'd need replaced. Although Bassey has some good attributes, he isn't good enough to be first choice (yet).

Dundee was an ideal opportunity for McCann. He didn’t have to win anything, just get them to first or second in the bottom six which shouldn’t have been too difficult for a good manager. I reckon Dick Campbell could have done it.

I was annoyed when John Fleck and Charlie Adam were let go. It's not so much "[losing] a diamond", for me; It's losing good squad players. Players like Chris Burke, Ross McCormack, Barrie McKay, Lewis Macleod, Kal Naismith, Jamie Ness, Ryan Hardie, Ross McCrorie. They're not world-class, but they're decent. We could use them, as squad players - until we get a decent offer for them.

Both Patterson and kelly are attracting serious attention from other clubs and theyve hardly kicked a ball this season, speaks volumes. Given our financial situation it makes perfect sense to look at our own up and coming players but gerrard never seen it as an option. Hope Gio gives our youth a chance, you never know you just might find a few gems in there.