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This rebuild is what the majority of the fan base wanted. We have to take the consequences of that.

Rightio, some more time on my hands now, so let's go over this ... after watching it from essentially the sidelines behind the managers's benches. Typical 4-2-3-1 again, with probably some more focus on getting players to know each other and back to fitness levels than truly going for a win. Hence the inclusion of Jefte, who looked okay, but is IMHO no starter ahead of Ridvan. As soon as the Turk went into the game, he whipped in more dangerous crosses than Jefte did in two games. Tavernier looked sluggish from far and near, and while I accept that he didn't train much (for whatever reason), you do expect more from a professional athlete and sportsman. His sub King was clearly not a right-back, but we almost went three at the back with him, Balogun and Souttar, which helped to cut much of their attacking threat (despite Union's substitutions). Ridvan played more advanced than Jefte too. The defence at their goals in the first half looked suspect, not least these two long cross-field balls for number 1 and 3. The penalty was a joke, even from 60 metres away, the ref is a Bundesliga 2 regular (which should still be better than Premiership level) and can do better. Star of the show was surely Diomande, who tackled and worked tirelessly throughout, has an eye for a pass and a good shot in him too. Hope he gets enough protection from the refs this season. Barron, despite his size, was the Stuart McCall type of midfield dynamo we've been begging for for a long time. The two CMs worked really well and were playing positively throughout. We DO need some sort of Davis-type creator from the back still. Far too much is left to the centre-halfs in terms of build-up play. Lawrence played some sort of secondary striker role, which is fine when we have the ball, as he find spaces to shoot from. The constant pressing that we need (home and abroad) is clearly not his core competence, though he gave his best. Cortes has bags of speed and skill, with a bit more experience, he'll sure be a fine asset. This game was much better than the one in Birmingham. Wright worked away as usual, though I still think he will be better used more centrally once Cerny gets the right-wing slot. What he and McCausland brings is a lot of work and pressing the opposition, both worked back pretty well. Dessers ... I honestly don't know what causes all the negativity. He worked their defence and goalie tirelessly, took his goals well, missed a few opportunities too. Generally, a very solid striker. What we need is more like him, or, even better, another one next to him (mantra gong applied). Butland ... maybe it is just me, but he looks to be at 75 % at the most. If it was me, I'd put Kelly in goals next Saturday, though I suspect that Butland will be number 1 no matter what. All in all, an entertaining day, the Union chap who invited me said at HT that this may well end 5-5, which I agreed too.

That's silly TBF. You can't prepare for Rangers. From the executive issues, to the stadium, to the funds for transfers, injuries, the fans...absolute nut house. Manager and player alike at Rangers, you recognize, accept, endure, hopefully win, and get up the road. If you're lucky, with a few fond memories. You can't fault Clement for being a normal human in an abnormal environment.

Let's face it, every defender we have is either an injury or bombscare issue...most are both.

I thought he sounded very uncomfortable and unconvincing, which explains why he doesn't speak much publicly. He also came across as someone who has just stumbled over all these issues, not someone who's been on the board for 5 years and is partly to blame, along with the other directors for the mess we are in.

We probably do need a sobering talk about how long it will take to get back on track though, and he does swerve that a bit outside of calling it a bigger rebuild than he thought.

Tbh what he's said is fine imo. if you've got a problem with how he's said it then that's a different thing all together. He was going to get butchered for this interview regardless of what he'd say because our fans like to project, and sure enough he has been. Only gripe I have is no update on the Academy Director role.

May be the reason he was overlooked as one of England's Euro keepers.

New Trafford.

Butland you have to ask is he good enough how many points a season will he save us does he at present have any resale value if Kelly looks like a player then sell him while we can earn some money from him instead of paying a handsome wage

Never a penalty

Was their penalty really a penalty? Didn't look like one from behind the goal, as Diamonde seemed to win the ball fairly.

Still a long way to go in the window but sadly our season starts soon and goes 0-60 in record time while other teams can start slow. The whole transfer market windows and European qualification timings needs a total revamp.

True, but point is, to get into CL, we need our business concluded before 1st August. Also, we've been told this transfer window has been 6 months in planning and 5 days before the season kicks off we've managed to be WEAKER than we were last season. That takes some doing.

He only spoke for himself and his fellow politician elite. Would not be missed over here. @Gonzo79, you need to clear your ears. Union in German starts with a U and is spoken with the correct pre Great Vowel Shift pronunciation.

He struggles to play two games a week, so that puts him in the 'injury issue' box.

He'll keel over in the 1st 10mins, we'll be told he's out for a week and not see him back in the team until Santa's been and gone.

Some interesting stuff in here - nothing new per se but I'm glad to see the manager remain stoic in his attitude.

Aye, I don't see that we're any weaker either. A good team is always greater than the sum of its parts, PC inherited a fragile group mid season, did pretty well to push as far as we did, and now has a pre season behind him. Borna had shat the bed, Lundstram played when he fancied it, and Goldsons legs are gone.

I'm surprised he didn't try with two strikers up top for one of the matches i don't go for this 4 3 2 1 formation attack attack attack more so with our shaky defence

The missed chances, the poor link up play, losing the ball regularly, diving, waving at the referee and trying to be best mates with opposition players (who all ignore him), for starters.

Don’t know if you’ve noticed bud but the one constant since 2012 has been nothing but chaos.

I’d forgotten QP were still playing at Hampden because lesser Hampden still not ready. Now that the SFA own Hampden do QP pay the SFA to use Hampden? And if so how much do they pay in comparison to what Rangers will pay?

I think Scotland loses the automatic CL place after this season. Not 100% sure though.

The Germans have been trying to onite Europe, one way or another, for some considerable time. Maybe that's why.

Well, it is not the Germans' fault that you cannot speak your Germanic language properly these days Just look at Underground, Ulster, union, united etc. Rule Britannia and 10 German bombers will most likely not have caused any bother with the locals or the police. There was a very limited number of police there yesterday. Probably only a third of a usual Bundesliga match. The guys around me liked the song sung during the second half. Thanks to @der Berliner for providing the words of "Ibroxonia".

And the locals let you escape with your scalp from the Alter Försterei and East German territory?

Neither a chart, nor a spreadsheet, is required to explain that Tav is rubbish.

Tav was rubbish today.

I think a quality DM would solve a lot of our problems at present

Is it not the pattern with Butland that he loses form/confidence for spells? You can carry an outfielder through a short bad spell but not a ‘keeper.

I've had a 'mare today: Criticise Lawrence - Goal! Criticise Butland - bodied by @Frankie Criticise Dessers - Goal!

It never leaves you mate...

Jefte is covering the striker, who should be covered by the CB, IMO, leaving Jefte for the WB.

But like RJ he's the fans favourite so normal rules don't apply.

Diomande - could be ok, jury out. Raskin - I thought he’d be a good signing. I may be wrong. Injuries prevent him from getting a settled run of games. Barron - still novice. Dowell - oh dear. Rice - promising eighteen months ago. No progress. Lowry Mk 2. McKinnon - is he promising yet? So really Diomande, Raskin and Barron.

To be fair, to see players sold - even at a small loss - rather than allowing them to run their contracts down is a step in the right direction.

Mejbris 'Aye', Mejbris, 'Naw'....