ascender

Thing is, yesterday wasn't a one-off. We've seen that sort of performance many times this season in all competitions and that's another reason I'm delighted (if a bit amazed) that we won the league. I think that's why some people aren't sure about WS being in charge next season. We've been rank rotten and seemingly lacking motivation & drive in a lot of games this year and the concern would be that this is carried over to next season.

I think Weir's problem rather than lack of pace is that because of the position he plays, there's nowhere to hide, so if he has a poor game (which is inevitable at various points through a season) its blindingly obvious. I was just thinking that whenever we seem to be playing too deep or criticising him for his lack of pace etc it never seems to last and within a game or two the defence is looking solid again. I've noticed a definite improvement since Alexander came in and Whittaker has had a run in the team at RB, the defence is looking more solid again. That said, it would be good to see a long-term replacement come in now and learn from Weir, phase him in next season maybe. I still think we've got a ready-made replacement in Webster if he's finally fit, which it would appear is the case at long last. I'm sure I read that Broadfoot is always one of the few who does extra training and I think he was doing stuff over last close season as well with a coach, not sure if he was one of ours or a guy that Kirk had hired. I don't think there's ever been any doubt over his commitment and attitude though, but still nice to hear about stuff like that.

You really can't argue with that article, makes a good read and summary of the last while. Its been a strange season though in terms of our up & down performances. Look at the Ferguson & McGregor thing for example, was that a blessing in disguise given our results since they were dropped?

Good work, well done everyone!

I actually found him quite funny when he was managing in England, but when he came up here he seemed to lose all sense of humour and perspective and became a grumpy wee sod. Of course, he was never really accepted by their support which is just bizarre given the success he's brought them.

Ya dancer, 0-0!

Boruc is up for a corner.....

Mendes is another one of those who I think should have been dropped instead of persisting with him. Maybe he'd have a positive reaction to that and come back stronger? I just don't think its a healthy culture to have round a club where players who play below par are never dropped. Who'd have replaced him? While we don't have any naturally wide players, we still have options and could have shuffled round the midfield. I still think that's been Walter's biggest problem with Fergie, that he seemed "un-droppable".

I take back what I said last week. This is the most nail-biting game in ages.

That gets more and more cringeworthy every time I see it.

Yesterday doesn't really change anything long term in my eyes. It wasn't the first time we played like that this season and it wasn't really a surprise. The main thing is we got the three points and just need to make sure we get another three in our last game. We all know what the problems are that need addressing, but they're not going to get fixed overnight. FWIW, I thought Lafferty was a disgrace, but what's even more disappointing is the reaction of many fans who think he did well and that as other players get away with it, why shouldn't we resort to that? Which is ironic, because on other matters the same fans bang on about how we shouldn't do anything which isn't the "Rangers way". As for Boyd, he was poor yesterday, but in light of his recent performances which have been very good indeed, where he's been doing everything that people have been saying he can't, I can put it down to an off day. Particularly when so many others played poorly. We need change, that much is clear. But its a shame when we're so close to the title that we're not even getting committed performances on the pitch from many.

No, I think he should go. He did a great job steadying the ship to speak and gave us some great matches to remember last season and a European final. But unfortunately, for me at least, his second spell in charge has been a case of "what if?" as he's made some bizarre decisions during this time both on the field and off it which have left me baffled as to what he's thinking. He's been up against a poor Celtic side and having spent a reasonable amount of money, seems unable to motivate the players or get the best from them when the chips are down. Beating Celtic 4 times a season is fine, but is ultimately pointless if we struggle to beat many of the other teams in the SPL, which is exactly what we've been doing. I know that we suffered last season with the fixture pile-up, but he just compounded that by using a small selection of the squad available to him during the season. And while I don't want to be negative when we can still win the league, we could have (and should have?) had the title done and dusted by now. His first tenure for me was typified by the team spirit shown by the players he signed. Regardless of his failings in Europe, in Scotland at least, he had players all over the park who fought tooth and nail for him and the club in every match. We've just looked toothless and gutless at times to be honest. And I know I bring this up every time we have this kind of conversation, but why has he not addressed the obvious failings on the park that we've had to suffer for, well, I've forgotten how many years to be honest..... Lack of creativity; lack of width; lack of a decent set-piece taker; lack of leadership; playing players out of position etc. I just get the feeling that we do have the nucleus of a good team here. We've got some very good young players who we could build a team around, but to do that we need someone who'll get the best out of them, can motivate them and also give them a chance to shine. Its been very frustrating to see how our midfield has played at times this season, but the same players would line up game after game while guys like Edu never got a sniff until later in the season. I don't care if Ferguson is our club captain. I don't care if Mendes was our "star" signing. If they're not producing the goods, someone else deserves a chance. I've never understood Smith's blind loyalty to some of our players. Walter is a legend for me. When I was growing up, he and Souness were responsible for some of the most amazing and long-lasting memories of Rangers I'll ever have. I'd love for nothing more than him to add one more to that list by bringing home the title this year, but I think he should then step aside and we need to hope that SDM can bring in the right person to move the club on. I know we don't have a lot of money to spend, but I honestly don't think we need to throw money at the problem. By cutting the wage bill, selling a couple of players on, we could buy wisely, strengthen the squad in the areas that need strengthening and assuming we have a decent coach and tactician, could win the SPL next season. I still find it funny when i see Bears saying we need a coach who can bring us European success. For me, we need a coach who can make us a real force in Scottish football first and foremost. Someone who can make it so that teams are afraid to come to Ibrox again. Yes we need to qualify for Europe each season for the financial rewards alone (not to mention the experience gained by playing European opposition), but the SPL is our bread and butter and we need to concentrate on dominating here before even thinking about competing seriously in Europe. Oh dear, I've gone so far from the point, I'd forgotten what that was. Never mind, let's get 3 points and 6 goals against the sheep this weekend!

Time to get behind the team and hopefully they'll respond. They have been on a very good run of wins recently so you can see why Walter put out the team he did. Would be great to see Lafferty up front alongside Boyd on Saturday with WS being positive.

There was a piece in the Scotsman about him today. I think he's played about 41 games this season alone and the UEFA final was his 61st for us, so has played over 100 for us now. The piece was just saying how he commands real respect in the dressing room from all players and he's saying since he took over the armband he hasn't changed anything in his game. He's not moved his family up here yet so is still doing a lot of traveling which I guess means he's still looking to play somewhere next season. I still think we should be trying to persuade him to join the coaching staff in some capacity when he does retire.

Can't decide if this is good news or not to be honest!

Boogie & Webster should be our first choice pairing for next season assuming he really is fit now.

I thought Fleck's natural position was as a striker or playing just behind the front two?

Bizarre. I don't know why he wasn't given the nod to face Hearts. If he's fit and match-fit, then surely he should be given a chance?

How fit and match-sharp will he be though after being away from the first team for the last while? There's also the fact that we've been winning games without him and it would be a real kick in the teeth for guys like Edu who've played well recently to suddenly be dropped for a "big game". I know the midfield hasn't exactly been firing on all cylinders, but it was never really doing that all season, so why should we change things now? A good performance in a match like this could be the making of Edu.

Good news. Would be a much more settled back line with him at LB and Whittaker at RB.

Not sure Its a difficult one because Davis is already being played out of position on the right while Mendes has been inconsistent at best in the middle. Thomson seemed to be improving slowly but surely and looking much more assured in the middle before his injury. I've been impressed with Edu since he came in as well, for a young, inexperienced player, he seems to be settling. It will be interesting to see what happens next season, but I think if we look at players in their natural positions, we could have a very strong central 2 or 3 man midfield from those at our disposal. Perhaps one holding with two in front. Even with just one holding and one in a more forward role, you could have a pretty strong subs bench. Just depends what WS decides I guess and whether he moves to sort out the wide positions or continues to play guys out of position and not drop those who are maybe not performing as well as they could be.

I've heard similar things from a few people since Adam went down there. I think we could do a lot worse than give him a run in the team in his preferred position.

Sorry, never realised it was in the other thread. I generally posted in the Transfer Rumours one about potential signings but I guess it works both ways!

Hateley had a really tough time of things trying to win the fans over as McCoist spent a lot of time on the bench (remember The Judge?) as a result. I think for me, as a young lad, it was great to see us signing so many famous players. Even the guys at the end of their careers (usually former internationalists) who weren't with us for long, they used to contribute something to each of the league title or cup wins before moving on again.

I still think that regardless of his poor individual form, he brings "something" to the team and an influence on those around him, albeit somewhat diminished these days. The midfield hasn't exactly covered itself in glory this season and while I think it would be wrong for him to just come back and replace Edu for example (a young player slowly finding his feet) I think there is room for him in there somewhere.