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The type of football played today is different to the football played in the 1950s and the 1970s and even the 1990s. As such the type of player who thrives in it has changed and the type of fitness they possess, or build, is different. I'm surprised there's even a debate that today's players are fitter, I don't think there's any doubt about that, but I accept there's a debate around whether they are stronger or more robust. The English FA did research back in the early 2000s around elite player fitness. Dr Neil Phillips was a medical advisor to the FA during the 60s and 70s. He tells the story of Alf Ramsay wanting to introduce warming up before training to the England side and it being met with resistance by many players. Jimmy Greaves in particular was quite vocal in his resistance to this, seeing it as "namby pamby", despite Ramsay getting the idea from witnessing a training session by Brazil where they had done a warm up. It might be coincidental but Jimmy Greaves retired from first class football at only 31. Does anyone think Harry Kane will retire from first class football at 31, despite being financially secure for 10 lifetimes? The FA's research also compared data taken from the English top flight First Division in 1976, they found that the distance covered in a game was an average 8-11 kilometres, 25 per cent of which was walking and 11 per cent sprinting. By the early 2000s physiologists reckon that Premiership footballers now cover around 12-14 kilometres per match and that a greater percentage of that distance is run at top speed. There was further research published in 2019 around body shape of professional footballers. "The research team included sports scientists at Portsmouth and Cardiff Metropolitan universities and was led by University of Wolverhampton. They examined how body size, shape and age characteristics had changed for footballers since the 1970s. Findings showed footballers have steadily been getting taller, with an average height increase of a centimetre per decade, but in the most recent decade are now also lighter, nimbler and much more angular. Dr Webb, an expert in sports management in the Department of Sport and Exercise Science, said: “We were quite surprised at the findings, and in particular the changes in body shape of those players who are successful in the modern game, these changes appear to have occurred very quickly. "Obviously, the game is developing and evolving all the time but, even so, there does seem to be a very quick shift in the body type of some of the most successful players, at successful clubs. This has added consequence for the clubs and the recruitment of young players, as well as any player transfer strategy. “Clubs should be aware of these developments, and it could help to inform any talent identification and development strategy at an elite club. Clubs take into account physiological metrics, as well as other factors, in any talent identification strategy or approach, and as such these findings will be of interest." Perhaps more pertinent to this thread; "Lead researcher Professor Alan Nevill, a biostatistician and Professor of Sport at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “Footballers of today have adapted to the modern game, and as a result their body shape has altered. Modern players are ectomorphic, characterised by a lean, slender body, as opposed to the muscular, mesomorphic builds which were more common in the 1970s and 80s. “A lot of this can be attributed to the increased quality of playing surfaces where footballers train and compete. Modern pitches are immaculate and well-maintained and not the mud baths that they used to be. Pitches used to get very heavy and soggy, particularly in mid-winter, which accounted for players being bulkier and more muscular.” As recently as December last year, Belgium international and Manchester United star Romelu Lukaku admitted that his poor form at the start of this season was because he was too muscular. Professor Nevill concurs: “Today’s players are more like endurance athletes than power athletes. To compete at today’s high levels, they are also working harder and harder so are much leaner.” The findings, which examined more than 2,600 top-division players using football yearbook data, also showed a dramatic decrease in BMI, which Professor Nevill believes is more a measure of muscularity as in athletes it is an indication of lean body mass rather than fat mass. He said the research could have an impact on talent scouting for the future. “Body shape is clearly important and English professional clubs might be advised to attract young, less muscular, more angular players as part of their talent identification and development programmes to improve future chances of success,” said Professor Nevill. “In an industry that is so financially competitive, any advantage that can be gained has the potential to positively influence future performance.” Lastly, one hundred percent agree with the posters who stated that Murder Hill was psychological rather than physical. Wallace was far smarter than he gets portrayed. The whole 'jungle fighter' 'fire in their bellies' narrative does him a huge disservice. Wallace took over a Rangers side that was good enough to win a European trophy but couldn't beat Celtic for the league. He, correctly, realised that this was a mentality issue in the team, they didn't believe they were better than Celtic, who were managed by Stein and on the way to winning 9 titles in a row. Murder Hill was Wallace's way of changing that mentality. He told the players running the sand dunes would make the fitter. That running them until the were literally sick meant they were now the fittest team in the league, no one was fitter than them, they had an advantage. It was nonsense, but the players believed it, or at least enough of them did. Wallace went on to win the league and followed that up with 2 trebles. In reality you're no fitter running up sand dunes that running up the terrace steps at Ibrox, which is what the players did before this. Fitness is vital, but the right mentality even more so.

The Senior Football Writer at the Herald is Graeme McGarry, a Claret and amber man. However, Graeme has endured a dozen years of Peter conditioning and these days can be relied upon to behave in full useful idiot mode. Peter put something inside him. Today, Graeme has penned a puff piece with the help of Uri Levy, the only Israeli Journo who exclusively covers Palestinian football. Who brought Graeme and Uri together? Anyways, Graeme is once again most sympatheTIC to Stade de Gadd concerns over Lil Abada. The support ie the Green Brigade are anti-Semitic eg constant haranguing of both Nir Bitton and Ian Livingston and, now warning Abada not to display his Israeli heritage. Graeme has been selected to remind the Herald readership and Abada that Sellik are open to all. Now, we suffer the slings and arrows, the barbs often laced with vile sectarianism. However, the placemen work hard utilising euphemisms such as, 'rivalry' and, 'cheeky'. I propose we engage with cheeky rivalry and accepting our need for a pacy forward, let's offer Lil Abada a new more welcoming home. An end of season loan deal with an option to buy should suffice.

If we get Bulat, Doig and Silva in this window then I might actually start to take our recruitment seriously. Sky sports reporting we have an interest in Doig.

Absolutely dreadful deal if true. Verona are skint and having a fire sale. Staying up is highly unlikely. Unless we have something good lined up this seems very counter productive.

The former player fetish prevalent amongst Bears is equally tedious and depressing.

While it is often said that nobody likes a smart arse, there are many on here that push that to the limit.

Herr Wagner has signed a new deal in Philadelphia. Sima has shown what Kent lacked. A direct drive to goal and the ability to score with most of his chances. He's a better all round left sided attacker. Whether we can afford him will probably hinge upon us snatching the title and securing the CL group slot and automatic cash. As of now, we have 6 (SIX) players who can play on the left wing. We might talk endlessly about quality, but that position is covert. I, for one, would rather play Ridvan there ahead of Kent 😱. Dunno what to make of the Ridvan talk. He's been playing, is contributing and doing well. Why on earth would he want to go to Italy's bottom side, unless there are off-field issues or something.

Or he might get injured and barely play which is more likley.

That was my reaction too when I saw this but I suppose if he shows up well something else might come up, however, I can't see how this helps us in this window. We are losing an expensive player with no income from the deal mmmmm

The right price would be the same amount we got for him £0

Polaris was the missile carried by the sub, as far as I recall, and not a bad moniker for a striker. Better than 'Scud', anyway. I take the point that the player was perceived to be be less surface to air than air to surface. I have heard a story that John Greig declared his intention to 'build his team' around John McDonald, which perhaps explains something about his tenure as Manager.

Explains the career of Peter Crouch. Basically, then, Rangers should recruit young, slim, bony ('angular'), players, and should have them hang from the wallbars for a couple of hours every morning, until they stretch to the desired height.

He's only 22, must have seen some stuff.... Either that, or he's been off at Croatia's version of Gullane

Old boy don't look right in the head.

I believe Peat and Diesel are eulogising, 'the Hochmagandy Cup' on their next album. Come on Boydie light my byre.

Going to go back and look at all the preseason/winter training threads. Then I'll take a look at how long it takes for Gullane to be mentioned. After that I'll take a look at the number of (pointless) words that are posted in response to it.

Kent is finished. No reason why we can't speculate on his return for another 10 years.

I'd imagine we have another LB lined up. Even if Verona get relegated, Yilmaz might do well and earn us a decent fee in the Summer.

I've got a club for him..

He did some good work defensively in the latter stages with us but he didn't create enough or score often enough so it is a definite no from me.

Rangers review speaks to an Alaves journo about how Hagi is getting on for anyone interested:

regardless of the answer to that, its too much

It's a forum. Most posts are subjective opinion. Surely you're aware of that?

I wouldn't read too much into that tbh. GG has just been asked a question about one of their players, he's not gonna turn round and say he's shite, and no good enough for us, is he.

Sima has scored some important goals, which have kept us in the title race and helped us qualify for the EL last 16, so the loan has been worthwhile. The simple truth is, we can't afford the transfer fees or wages for EPL players (there might be the odd exception) but that doesn't mean we shouldn't make use of the loan option.

I'd love to know a bookie taking bets

His nickname was 'Polaris' to be precise. Which not only dates me but also the UK's nuclear deterrent programme too.

Like building an immunity. I agree, to an extent. The human body is an amazing thing ....before you hit your mid 30s.

Away and chase yersel, American fitba is aboot 5 mins actual 'play' across 4 hours of drivel, and they wear bigger shoulder pads than dynasty and dallas combined! 🤣🤣🤣

Needs support from Rangers football club

One thing like many did notice about the person doing the interview was Hagi was in the top 3 but lacked confidence after that penalty, Shows you how much Beale affected the majority of players at Rangers , Everything else Hagi was excelling in , if I was Phillipe I’d be looking at the positives and soon as he comes back spend time on him like he has done with so many players at Ibrox, Dare I say it we could have the old Hagi back in no time after his loan is over, I honestly think he needs to come back to Ibrox and work with Philippe especially if he isn’t getting game time due to confidence issues or lacking in the final hurdle, That’s Beales fault and Rangers football club also I believe so we should be looking after our players when Beales broken so many players be it lack of confidence that Hagi has clearly got.

Marko Bulat will likely be transferred to Rangers, a transfer fee of around 5 million euros is expected to be paid to D. Zagreb. yeet

Will this transfer window never end?

Yes, but these guys, be it Jack, Lundstram, Raskin et al usually have no record of scoring goals. In games against the "lesser" teams, I'd rather have a second striker converting some more of all these 15 to 30 chances we create.

Worth remembering that a player who sits in the DM area of the pitch doesn't necessarily mean that they are a defensive minded player. Sterling works in midfield as a 'destroyer' type player but he won't bring that creativity from a true midfielder thats needed consistantly.... In my opinion of course

Marko Bulat is a very good player, but, he would cost a fair chunk of change for a January signing

After typing that post, I thought it may have been Polaris! Decent wee player for us mainly in a barron time success wise.

Don’t think he is injured again do you?

Yes, exactly. People think it was about fitness, wrongly.