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Showing content with the highest reputation on 19/08/22 in all areas
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In the Age of Ange'. 'We Never Stop' is the new mantra at ra Stade de Gadd and it has come as no surprise that many of PQ's usual suspects have adopted the nuance in their approach to Rangers and Rangers supporters. In the fifteen months since our Club secured title 55 and as a result, stopped ten in a row; I have come to realise how much this has hurt the Gang Hut members. The winning margin of 25 points received scant mention until Ange' regained the Premiership for the Happy Hoopsters and, suddenly we were told continually of the 29 point turnaround. Ange' has restored dominance. Of course, not everything Ange' touches turns to gold. PQ never mentions Ange' was stopped, specifically in three separate European competitions in the one season, last season. There is another unwanted narrative running alongside Ange's unique failure, Rangers have improved their European fortunes in four successive seasons, if we defeat PSV next week and, qualify for the Champions League, it will be five. Think about it, Rangers have had to play nearly two dozen qualification games to reach the Europa Cup group stages. Throw in the games played in the groups, the knock-out rounds and, the Europa Cup final and, the arithmetic surpasses seventy. It would appear in Europe, Rangers never stop. The most heard Rangers related phrase across BBC Scotland these last several weeks is, "over the last couple of seasons". They seek to minimise the multi season European achievement. The pertaining narrative is to reduce Rangers success to a couple of years and ignore ra Sellik and Ange's participation completely. It is what is known as, 'A Celtic State of Mind'. This brings us to last Sunday at Balmoral Park, Cove, Aberdeen. The SWPL Champions, Rangers ladies are playing their second game of the season away to Aberdeen and BBC Scotland decide to once again cover the match live on their i-Player. This week after a five minute black out, BBC Scotland's i-Player worked throughout. Commentating was Amy Canavan and co-commentary was proved by Pauline MacDonald. The first 30 minutes was all Rangers possession but the Dons Keeper had not been worked. The next ten saw Rangers notch a quick double and Amy was NOT happy. She was opining the injustice the Dandies must be feeling on the cusp of half time when Rangers knocked in a third, Pauline agreed Aberdeen do not deserve to be 0-2 down when Amy squealed, "the Referee has awarded Rangers a penalty" It was a disbelieving squeal? I do not know if Amy was upset at Pauline not keeping up or, Rangers had the opportunity to go in at the break four ahead? I should point out Amy Canavan has been a Presenter and regular contributor these last several years to a Podcast - A Celtic State of Mind. After a few years of being in funding conflict with UEFA, the organisation known as FARE(Football Against Racism in Europe) has been returned to Ibrox. Representatives were seated in the Broomloan Front for Tuesday evening's CL qualification against PSV Eindhoven. FARE last visited the Stadium in 2011. Correctly, once again the Club warned elements of our support reference the songs being sung. Any report of sectarianism( defined by FARE as ant-Irish racism) will lead to either partial or full ground closure. These last five years(or a couple of seasons in BBC Scotland-speak), we have become used to Euro wide reports of the fantastic atmosphere generated at Ibrox on Euro evenings. BBC Scotland deliberately boycotted the Stadium for seven years, they preferred to sit in a PQ studio watching a satellite company's live coverage and, make mundane comment. They chose to divorce themselves from the atmosphere generated. I should point out that FARE's first representative was BBC Scotland's own, Alex O'Henley. The Gaelic commentator from South Uist participated in Spanish practises in Villarreal. FARE's Executive Director is Piara Powar and he is married to Glasgow born and bred Aashma Mir. The Sellik minded Ms Mir has worked at Aunti Beeb for thirty years in numerous senior positions. BBC Scotland's Chief Sports Writer, Tom English returned to Ibrox on Tuesday evening for the PSV clash. Tom did not mention the atmosphere but he did post match conclude Rangers got what they deserved. I do not think we can disagree, we failed to defend two corners because of our new adoptation of zonal marking. Tom expanded, Rangers were sloppy, Rangers were fortunate with their second goal and, Rangers were hanging on in the last several minutes. Again, hard to disagree. However, in the Age of Ange' Tom's Sellik state of mind came to the fore reference Ryan Kent. Tom decided the Rangers winger was not all that. It was the manner he chose to discredit Kent that gave the game away. He thought Kent was decent first half but disappeared in the second period and concluded, "he is not good enough, he should be dropped". Further, he compared Ryan with Sellik's explosive game winners, "if this was Jota or Abada, they'd be ripping it up". Realising his state of mind had spoken he added quickly, "Rangers supporters won't thank me for saying that". Why did Tom say it? Think about it, a player that has participated in over 50 of those Euro games these last four seasons. We have watched him take it to numerous well known respected Euro sides. Only three months past, he played well in the Europa Cup final, nearly winning it for Rangers in the last moments. I suspect the vast majority of Rangers supporters are more than happy with Kent's Euro contribution? It was Tom's choice to compare Ryan with Jota and Abada, how did they perform in Sellik's last Euro outing, were they both ripping it up? I can tell you the Norwegian minnows from the Arctic circle, Bodo Glimt defeated Tom's beloveds 1-3 on their own midden and a week later won 2-zip at home for a 5-1 aggregate victory in the Europa Conference Cup. Should FARE launch an investigation into BBC Scotland's Celtic State of Mind?7 points
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Havent had a chance to comment on the game yet, but I thought the first half was one of the bests halves of football I have witnessed for a long time. Both teas playing at a pace and intensity you just dont see very often, with skillful players on show on both sides. Really enjoyed it apart from being so nervous and us conceding a really poor goal, thought we deserved to be in front at HT. Second half our legs went after the first half exertions, and Gio, who got it spot on tactically (zonal defence apart) which RVN admitted, couldnt change when we saw PSV changed their approach in the 2nd half, and as a consequence PSV were certainly the better side in the 2nd half. Our subs were not right, we needed legs and we bring on Kamara to stroll around, when it should have been Arfield and Alfie should certainly have had the last 10 mins or so as Colak tired after a great shift. Anyone else want to see them together, I think the two styles would lead to tons of goals? Ok, the elephant in the room continues to be Goldson. Both goals are his fault, no doubt about it. The first goal he actually ducks down, a feeble header right into the danger zone then turns away on the net-bound shot. This despite him not having a man to mark (awful zonal system to blame for that). The second he gets outjumped by a midfielder. H simply MUST win those headers, or do enough to ensure it is not a goal-bound effort. I will say that i agree this system dictates that others must be blocking off these runs to add some protection, and they failed also, but he is our main centre half and is positioned accordingly at the most dangerous zone and it is his job to ensure that if the ball comes into his zone, he wins it. He failed. Again. Sick of it but he aint going anywhere or ever getting injured or dropped so I am left with hoping he can improve, and that his mistakes go unpunished.3 points
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Haven't Mr Powar and Ms Mir gone their separate ways? I'm sure I read an article about 'single parenting' she wrote. If i'd sent my weans to Bearsden Academy and they'd left being a Celtic fan I'd want my money back.2 points
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I am fairly certain Soutter was recruited to replace Goldson as they suspected he wouldnt renew his contract. Souttar now becomes the back-up rather than first choice - somewhat fortuitously given his lack of availability thus far2 points
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1 point
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Hardly. Walter might make the 2nd v 3rd playoff but admittedly will finish ahead of Greigy. 😉1 point
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He wasn't cowering down. he was doing the only thing possible to get his head on the ball ffs.1 point
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Not quite. Had Ramsay scored his penalty this would not, in itself. have delivered the trophy.1 point
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1 point
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We seem to be in the hunt for Evander from FC Midtjylland. Scores a lot of goals from midfield and scored against us and them.1 point
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I honestly cant see him being that way. Certainly doesnt come across as a Dele Alli type. He was working on his fitness all the way through pre-season1 point
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It would be a fair shout in all honesty.... this season maybe1 point
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The first goal Goldson had virtually zero time to react as the ball dropped over the players in front of him. The second goal he didnt get outjumped by a midfielder. Obispo is a centre half. Seems we fans make mistakes as often as Goldson. Goldson was involved in both their goals but suggesting he is to blame for them is unfair IMHO. First one, no time to react. Second one was nothing to do with being outjumped, it was all to do with the zonal system - zonal system will ALWAYS give the attacking player the benefit when going up for a ball because he will be attacking it at pace, giving himself leverage - and the defenders have to somehow compete from a standing start. Defenders will always be at a disadvantage. Goldson often gets criticism and merited - but on Tuesday night there was little he could have done about either goal - IMHO of course.1 point
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King is also comfortable in either side of CB, that versatility is important. His time will come for sure1 point
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1 point
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Michael Stewart's punditry during last night's Hearts match in Zurich was, again, very poor. He just waffles a load of shite.1 point
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Monday is next week, compo. I expect Liverpool will beat them but it's a funny old game.1 point
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Two teams from the lower reaches will be taking centre stage this week United v liverpool1 point
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Sands is a CB. I'm not having this Sands in CM nonsense.1 point
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Just watched the whole match again. Evenly matched teams, poor ref, we can go there and get the correct result, it won't be easy but it is not to be feared and is achievable1 point
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No matter who we eventually have to replace Tav with.... we will NOT get anything like his stats in ANY replacement. That is just one reason why, for me, Tav's status as a Rangers legend is absolutely assured !1 point
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at this point going into the CL or EL probably makes any business we do very different. Stuck in limbo till next Wednesday probably.1 point
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A great read as ever. The little snippets dropped in are fantastic - "I traveled with Hamish, an Old Etonian whose family owned most of Caithness. He knew nothing of football but enjoyed adventure and cheese."1 point