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Rousseau struggling to get past Cammy's low block on this thread. It's just like Ibrox because the spectators and bored/frustrated and several are leaving early.

Handbags away, ladies. To change tack slightly, I thought Beale deserved some credit for his substitutions. Livi were leaving space in the channels and we weren’t attacking it with balls over the top or into the channel. It was evident for a good while before the subs were made so it was interesting to hear Beale say that he left things to see if the team could work it out. When he did make the changes, instantly we had more pace and width, which also then challenged some tiring Livi legs and we got the late goals. There have been hundreds of league games at ibrox that have gone in a similar fashion. A work in progress but we’re moving in the right direction.

Interesting debate on the chances created. I don't think we created enough during Livingston's low block, I watched the game and was frustrated. But, we do need to find a solution. We won comfortably in the end, but Livi came out too early in the second half, like an 800m runner sprinting ahead with 400m to go. That's unusual for Livi, especially as Martindale said he thought his team looked dangerous going forward at times. So they should have continued to frustrate us and hope they could steal a point from a counter. They will learn their lesson as will the other 8 teams that will do the same. We also need to learn to counter the low block better, it's the biggest issue we face in the league.

I'm a big fan of Tavernier, but he was rinsed a couple of times. He looks sluggish; slow in thought and action. Barisic was good.

100% agree and 100% accurate. We've been quick to criticise managers (Gio and MB in particular) for leaving it to late, or making the incorrect subs. Yesterday MB was brave introducing Matonda and Sima, two players who've been roundly lambasted by the some sections of the fanbase (two so called fans near me left the stadium in disgust when MB made the subs shouting they'd never be back). Previously, we've not had these options from the bench - a strong squad means replacing quality with players with different qualities and strengths.

That's a stat.

I think 4-0 flattered us. The switch to more of a counter-attacking style when Livingston chose to gamble was great; that got us three goals. However, the inability to break down low blocks remains: We created bugger-all for the majority of that game. Defensively we were solid - that block or interception from Souttar at the near post when it was almost a tap-in equaliser was superb - but Livingston didn't do much.

Just watched the highlights and noticed a couple of things I missed at the game; - Balogun and Souttar completely dominated the Livi striker, especially in the air. He normally bullies our CH's. - at the disallowed goal, we should have been awarded a penalty as Balogun is clearly fouled when trying to meet the corner. - when Sima had the chance in 2nd half which the keeper saved, he was to honest as he stayed on his feet when the defender attempted to tackle him. If he'd gone down it was a pen (with Robertson, you never know tho). - Butlands save from Shinnie was top class but as my old man says (he's not got any sympathy for goalies), that's his job 🙂 - Lastly, there must be 1000s of fans who were at the game who missed the 2nd, 3rd and 4th goals.

It’s ridiculous to give Martindale a 2 minute interview. He’s the most straight forward and fair assessor of all the managers in the league. Compare that to the banal “how important is the game today?”/ “how difficult has the last week been?” Questions that we get when it’s our manager. I cringe sometimes when I hear them.

That's embarrassing. I'd ban them, idiots.

Typical wee-team mentality: no style of play of their own so they resort to hammer throwing. My xG is through the roof, though...

Aye, it's wishful thinking. The whole 55 squad needs moved on in the near future, if you ask me.

Now, my old man loved Jimmy Millar. I retain the warm memory of being a Primary schoolboy at Hampden for the 1966 Scottish Cup final replay against ra Yahoos. When the Rangers team was announced and Millar was the replacement for Saturday's Watson, the old man lifted me and spun around proclaiming Millar's involvement meant the cup was won. Thankfully, King Kai did the needful from 25 yards. I think the final replay was Millar's final appearance for Rangers?

I agree that Cifu is a stick-on. I'd personally have Cantwell as the #10: Danilo - Lammers Cantwell Raskin - Dowell - Cifu Barisic - Souttar - Goldson - Tavernier Butland Jack misses out, though.

Standard procedure. If its a hand ball when a goal is scored it is automatically chalked off - no need for an "on-field" review. What was weird was that once it was established Cifu handled the ball and goal was disallowed that Robertson wasnt then asked to look at the foul on Balogun that was a definite penalty IMO.

I don't think it did - we totally dominated the game with the exception of a 5 minute spell in 2nd half. We had over 20 shots at goal and 9 of those were on target from circa 70% possession. we created a lot of chances, had a goal disallowed and could / should have had 2 penalties. I've read that because we scored 3 goals on last 15 minutes, it flattered us. Really? Doesn't matter when you score as long as you do.

He should be fine. Not only do most probably speak English, one is Canadian and at least two others are virtually English through their parents or being in English youth academies. He should be learning German, though.

Queueing for the subway is far more interesting than watching Rangers, apparently. I think his game is based a lot on his fitness/physique but he's now past his best.

Newcastle and Villa surprised me. Newcastle did much better than I expected and Villa did much worse than I expected. I still think Newcastle will not make the CL spots, though. It may just be early season rustiness for Villa.

Balogun was solid today , won everything in the air and he was MOM for me.

I don't think we're playing to Dessers' strengths just yet. He's still not quite match sharp either.

We relied on a couple of good stops from Butland just after half time

Alex Lowry starting in Norway for Hearts, can't see how this loan won't do him wonders. Best of luck to the boy.

I wouldn’t expect to see anymore signings until we’ve moved on the likes of Kamara and Ben Davies.

Wasn't that just a Kenny Miller suggestion in today's media?

I wouldn't recommend leaving early. I'm about to "open up" so you may miss Rousseau late 3 goals (or how many XG predict) 🙂

I have another memory of that Scottish Cup final replay victory over ra Yahoos in 1966. It was after the game and my Grandfather, Father and, myself made our way down Polmadie Road. We were level with the old British Oxygen plant when a flat bed lorry(coal wagon) passed with several dozen Bears on the back celebrating. The truck had to brake suddenly and all but a few Bears fell off the wagon, most climbed back on and the party continued. We can only assume King Kai's 25 yard raker had relaxed the Rangers support and were thus immune to injury? The song being sung on the back of the wagon was : Singing Kai aye yippee yippee aye, singing Kai aye yippee yippee aye, singing Kai aye yippee , Jock Stein's a fcuking hippy, singing Kai aye yippee yippee aye. Catchy?

Bold XI for Liverpool against Chelsea. Got 4+ written all over it.

Many happy returns to Mr Kitchenbrand.

My brother won a goldfish shooting at the shows. We called him Kitchenbrand. The fish, not my brother. Don Kitchenbrand or Maxie Murray? The debate was never settled until Jimmy Millar put an end to it.

I think he should play as the #6, freeing up Raskin to move forward. I think I'm alone in that thought, though. @DMAA gave me a right good scolding...

Just making the point that we've covered this before, and I turned out to be correct in my worry. Did I not say 'bugger-all', initially, in regards to chances? That's not specific, but I always meant quality - quantity is part of it, I suppose. No - they were not 'quality' chances: Dowell's, for example, was a worldie, where the xG is 0.04, or something. We're not scoring those every time; it's not a high quality chance. Quality goal, but not a 'quality' chance. Danilo's was a high quality chance. The Dessers shot was a high quality chance. I think 1.8 xG in that second half was much better. If we can hit 3.5 - 4 xG over a match, that would be better. I'd be more optimistic. If we're taking 20 shots from 40-yards, I'd be very worried - we're not that bad, though. However, the majority of those chances were towards the end of the game, when Livingston opened up. We've taken advantage of the state of the game, which is great, but my concern is still a lack of quality chances against the low block; that's our bread-and-butter. We need to be able to churn - see what I did there? - out chances against a low block, both quantity and quality. I don't include penalties. I don't include set-pieces either. Set-pieces are important, but as a top team in our league, we can't be relying on set-pieces for our goals. That's just a bonus, IMO. I don't need xG to confirm it. I watched it with my own eyes. We didn't create enough against the low block. I'm sorry, that's just a fact. You're too caught up on results. It's football: a team can dominate for 89 minutes with 90% possession and lose the game 1-0 to a fluky, scuffed shot. You're the type to say, 'job done' if it's Rangers that won. I'm the type to be concerned about needing a fluky, scuffed shot to win the game. It's just a matter of interpretation. I think I'm right, over the long-term. If teams are consistently lucky, it'll come back to haunt them.

I've not been impressed with Dowell but that was some strike.

Meant to say did the Kieran Dowell goal yesterday not remind you of Jorg Albertz 20 odd years ago? where I sit in the SJ rear I had a great view of it…..what a strike🤠 It’s a while since we’ve had a naturally left sided MF player like Dowell. Hope he can keep this up. His career did seem to have stalled a bit before he joined ifs.

Unfortunately Tav is a fixture in the side - Mr Rangers - and the only way we get him out the team is to sell him.

The other guy who should be in the running for MOTM is Luiyi de Lucas I thought he was outstanding in the Livingston defence.

Could not pick between Souttar and Balogun, so went for Cantwell.

Just need to keep it going. A win in midweek or result that puts us through will increase confidence. Souttar has been immense. Fingers crossed he stays fit. Thought Matondo did well too - No really I did

I really like the way both Balogun and Souttar are prepared to carry the ball out of defence when the opportunity arises. Btw you're right about Raskin. He cuts a frustrated figure these days and something about the current set up isn't working for him.

I've never been so insulted in my life. It's just a way of quantifying what I'm watching.

Pep's Man City? The infamous Pep Roulette and fantasy football, he's a nightmare.

We got him for nothing so the profit would be decent. Still think we could have got more if he is away to Saudi. Jota went for 25 million but both players have similar stats from last season. Fashion - Goals 12 Assists 7 Jota - Goals 11 Assists 10