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And the winter break starts, I think enough time has elapsed to make a valid initial assessment of Philippe Clément, who was appointed manager of Rangers on 15th October. In that time he appears to have transformed a chaotic playing squad that was on its knees and collapsing. He has persuaded the same players to qualify top of our Europa League group, place silverware in the trophy room and re-engage with the league title race. But more than that, after the long years since Walter left, he has finally returned a missing credibility to the office of manager at Rangers. The absence of bullshit is tangible. While it's still early days, he looks very much like the real deal to me, someone to believe in and dare I say it .... trust. It's beginning to feel like Rangers again and I can't wait to see what we will achieve under Philippe Clément.

We need to ignore the possible offside that was never actually tested. The only reference to offside in that incident was as a subsequent determination that played absolutely no part in the denial of a penalty. The issue here is that the referee either failed to notice the handball or chose not to act on it .... then that VAR either failed to see that a handball offence had occurred or did notice it but decided the handball didn't amount to a punishable offence. These are the ONLY issues that should be debated and only the audio conversation between VAR and the referee will clarify what happened and who played what part. The fact a bye kick was awarded following the decision not to award a penalty makes it clear that both VAR and the referee both decided the ball did not come off the defender's hand or body ... again, that is the ONLY conclusion. The upshot is that VAR, having the luxury of examining the video footage, did one of two things ..... it either made a complete hash of interpreting the video or it deliberately ignored the evidence to hand. The subsequent and rather dubious business of the possible offside is utterly irrelevant to whether or not there was either gross incompetence or deliberate corruption at play.

I agree it's beyond annoying that so many Rangers supporters have been drawn into the offside trap. Why are we doing the authorities' job for them instead of pursuing the clear and obvious cover up. If it really was "arm in a neutral position" then why award a bye kick instead of a corner? Basically, none of it adds up at all.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67858866 Who would ever have guessed it would turn out this way?

Great 3 points against a good side. I really like the kind of football we are playing like now and our tenacity, playing with a real intent that hasn’t been there for some time.

I think that was a strong performance today with a few contenders for MOTM, Ridvan being the sponsors MOTM, I wouldn't disagree with, however I thought Cantwell & Lundstram had good performances, and I thought Dessers worked his socks off, young McCausland was good. Main thing is we bounced back well with an all round good team performance and good win.

Time for Sima to pick up a wee knock that is serious enough to keep him out of African Nations but not serious enough to stop him plating for us after winter shut down 😀

Finally we're getting glimpses of what Ridvan can offer. Not there yet but a run of games is starting to pay dividends where this young man is concerned. Keep the progress going. Love the positivity.

That goals been coming for Ross - I've seen him live a couple of times and his movement is noticeable, he's constantly making runs that go unnoticed and unused. Big Jack in goal doing what he does every week. Ridvan motm for me so far though - how anyone can watch him today and come away saying they prefer Borna is beyond me. Let's put on a show Rangers, on today especially!

What's the chance we get a pen today? 🤣, more controversy 😮

Was he not the last ref do give us a pen at their midden about 12 years ago? The aftermath of that game has undoubtedly shaped his refereeing since. ie. He likes his double glazing intact.

You are absolutely spot on. I live on Tyneside, the hype over this side is unbelievable. When they qualified for CL their fans were sure they would go at least to semi's, but probably not make the final until Munich in 2025! FFS! They punched well above their weight to get a CL place last season and reach a LC final. They were mauled at Anfield last night. Liverpool xG 7.1, highest ever in EPL. Profligacy in front of goal (Nunez in particular) and amazing keeping kept the score down. At FT, cue Whats App meltdown over "2nd penalty (very soft granted) and Klopp's a cheat but little to be said about how they rode their luck for the vast majority of the match. Howe's job's safe. He's done well to haul them from the bottom to safety. It's their fans that are getting carried away by unrealistic expectation.

First game of 2024 and enjoyed some of our play which was at times electrifying. For first time in a while I thought there were no real failures,although Dessers continues to exasperate,but his ball to McCausland was sublime. Defence much steadier and a couple of really good Goldson clearing headers. Had talked with my son on the way up from the subway about need for a left back then saw Ridvan have a deserved MoM of match award. Although we still need a couple of signings I wonder how thing might be when we have our injuries cleared up. Anyway a good start to 2024 that we must keep up.

As I said before, it's a stupid rule which needs to be binned. Not just us it's happening to.

Whilst I largely agree, I think itz too early to put Yilmaz in this category. A decent performance today but we've seen flashes of that previously. He now needs a run of consistent performances and stay injury free. Not convinced he is what is required and think we need a new left back in January. No coincidence that we have been linked with a couple

Wee Ridvan was excellent today. Beaton getting revenge on us for daring to question spI refs. Thought Dowell & McCausland were very good too. The big failing was no fourth goal to make my prediction come true.

It's becoming so difficult to know what a penalty is these days! aye the ball hit his arm, however what is a player meant to do with his arms in that kind of situation? it was a last minute lunge to try and prevent a cross! how is it possible to do that without moving your arms?.

He is a full back! yet he looks too god to be playing full back! he's a machine, strong, reads the game! powerful!. He really has a lot to offer and reminds me of the impact Bassey made when he came into the team!.

Comfortable second half. Good three points.

Cantwell's run across the front post is exactly what our strikers should be doing.

He can't have an arm, Cammy. Simples.

Dowell hasn't been consistently involved but there were moments of brilliance; an interception to create a chance, a wonderful run, and a couple of pin-point vertical passes.

Brilliant pass to McCausland for the 1st goal, perfect. Sima brilliant goal. Thought that was a strong 1st have from us. So far so good. Good chance we will see Silva get a wee run out late on, especially if we get another couple of quick goals?. With Sima heading of to the African Nations Cup Silva will probably replace Sima?.

Killie are a decent side you can clearly see their defensive shape and structure it’s hard to play through. The first goal was a perfect way to play through them. We have applied a very direct style of play and played with a good intensity. It’s exactly the way to play against these opponents.

Ridvan Yilmaz looks on the verge of believing in himself

"Just can't get it out his feet Dessers" How many GD times do I have to hear that line?

Manager said he would asses him after Celtic game when he started training. So never mentioned lack of eligibility.

I believe so, as long as International clearance was cleared!.

Shaggy might be one of them, going by his choice of colours.

Is that Shaggy from Scooby Doo?

I've said it on the OP but will repeat. Dessers will undoubtedly feature today and we need to back him. Regardless of what happened at their place, we need him today. Leave the boos for Killie players.

We need referees mic'd up, or a review show like the one with Howard Webb. I doubt our referees ever agree, though, as it will just show up their incompetence.

The Morelos one is a joke. If anything Johnston is fouling Alfie, realises he is losing the battle and simply falls over.

Correct. The SFA are trying to muddy the waters here but we must stick to the facts. We are refereed differently to them. However, what are the odds that we get a ridiculous decision in our favour today so the narrative can change again (I.e VAR and refs favour Rangers).

I haven't changed the narrative, the VAR team did that by showing the "offside" still and saying that was the reason the penalty was not given. I said above, if they had NOT released the still, this would have all blown over. Now, they've changed the narrative, tried to cover incompetent referring (or cheating) and mudded the water. The rules clearly state that offside doesn't come into the equation when debating / deciding if it was a penalty, so why did the VAR team go down this road? I also said earlier this is now about the process (cheating) rather than penalties and offsides. The VAR team caused this and it needs to be investigated and if any underhanded behaviour is proven, then they need to be removed.

Bring on Shaggy, Philippe!

Perfect timing

Sterling & Dowell are the two in form CM's imo.

She can't be that overrated.

I'd rather play Robbie McCrorie up front than Lammers.

I'm sure it opens on the 1st Jan

For the offside to have been investigated there would need to have been a VAR review(play halted, referee puts finger to ear) as opposed to a VAR check( background check by VAR ref play not stopped) In this instance I believe all there was only a VAR check which missed the handball. A VAR review (assuming it saw the handball) would maybe have meant lines drawn across the pitch from the 2nd last defender & sima using VAR’s Hawkeye as opposed to the SKY image we got midway thro the second half which was nothing more than a photo from a camera with thick lines drawn across the pitch from defender & sima Totally inconclusive

My understanding was VAR and Bly rules on offside at goals. Yesterday wasn’t a goal so VAR couldn’t call offside

Yes, the Referee and/or VAR should be giving the penalty. However, it would have been ruled out anyway in this instance. In another instance (no offside in build-up) we would have been robbed.