yuddie

Looking at those percentiles he looks more of a technician than a destroyer. In vogue atm are Ecuadorian talents, rightly so as well so maybe he is a gem we can't pass up. Toulouse keen as well, apparently they're pretty good on the recruitment side of things. Not sure if that's a barometer of his talent though.

Valid point, no one expects or wants him to lead the line but if he can keep getting 20 g/a a season with 15-20 starts a season + sub appearences in a 60 game season then I'd be happy with that. Also a wider point on expectations now vs 20/30 years ago and past greats, I firmly believe if Neil McCann had played for us today fans would scream for him to be punted because his 'numbers' were poor. Even compared to Kent. Modern change in mindset. There's a few heroes and greats who are like that.

Agree mate, his career is eerily similar to McGregor at the same age, he's possibly played a handful of games more. Not seen any links or credible rumours with us and Nisbet but if we could sign him for 1-2 million I think that would be good value. Young enough to get better especially with better players around him. Bring in Palma as well and it's starting to come together. Hopefully ha.

I'll start off by saying I'm fond of Fashion and I'm pro keeping him in the squad. I wanted to see what you guys thought as generally the online discourse in the fanbase is pretty negative and absolute on the guy. I've heard podcasters, bloggers etc say 'he gets numbers' in an almost disparaging way, almost like damning him with faint praise so I thought I'd look into his actual numbers and see what he offers: (Transfermarkt as the reference, not sure if that's reliable or not) G/A: Goals and Assists. p90: per 90 22/23 Total Minutes: 2,341 G/A: 17 p90: 0.65 Prem Minutes 1,564 G/A: 17 p90: 0.97 SFAC Minutes: 177 G/A: 0 p90: 0 SLC: 368 G/A: 0 p90: 0 UCL Minutes: 236 G/A: 0 p90:0 Starts: 25 I've heard the argument that he needs to start games regularly to contribute so here's his numbers from last season as an irregular player: 21/22 Total Minutes: 2,182 G/A: 19 p90: 0.78 Prem Minutes: 1,465 G/A: 15 p90: 0.92 SFAC Minutes: 230 G/A: 4 p90: 1.56 SLC Minutes: 42 G/A: 0 p90: 0 UCL Qual Minutes: 55 G/A: 0 p90: 0 UEL Minutes: 390 G/A: 0 p90: 0 Starts: 15 Prem Total Minutes: 3,029 G/A: 32 p90: 0.95 Domestic Total Minutes: 3,846 G/A: 36 p90: 0.84 Total Minutes: 4,527 G/A: 36 p90: 0.71 That's pretty much it, his numbers outwith Europe are pretty staggering to be fair, as a squad option you can't really sniff at it. Haven't looked into his xG or other stuff just wanted to have a quick look and write it down, he probably compares favourably to furuhashi. Hopefully this makes sense, might've made some errors. Cheers.

I didn't think he let us down per say but Tav wasn't 'at the races'. He just looked gammy getting about the pitch and was slow to react. Just beat them by 3 so it's nitpicking but watching the game back he did have a decidedly average game compared to his teammates, in a really good team performance. Sorry to pipe up n be negative like.

Not a rumour at all but I'm surprised we haven't been linked with Conor Bradley at Bolton (on loan from Liverpool) considering Beale's nous with the EFL market and contacts at LFC. Appreciate Sterling is a done deal but a loan to buy with Bradley would be shrewd, the kids doing brilliant at Bolton and for NI.

Pretty sure Cantwell is the only right answer haha. Although to be fair, there's a case for Raskin being the best player in the second half 🤷

Late to the thread, decent encouraging win! Mainly took away that whilst people think Beale whitters on (paranoia from the online discourse probably helps, although he does at times) he's actually pretty bang on with his takes on us and them, especially in the last 3 games where really it's just down to poor execution and defensive howlers that's cost us. 3-0 with Sakala and Matondo up front, that's nuts. Thought Cantwell and Raskin were standouts and I'd give McCrorie a chance at No.1, seems like he can play off both feet which is a bonus. I'd also keep Sakala to be honest, as a squad player of course. I just think if he can chip in with 10-15+ g/a in 20 starts next season then that's sound, especially if it's a 60 game season. The sooner we're comfortable with rotating our frontline the better. Looks like when it's all said and done there'll be a 4 game turnaround at the end of the season, considering how lauded this Celtic side is that sounds pretty small. Especially considering the gap between us and them during 55. Good signings and a pre season and hopefully we can attack next season, starting with the ucl. Let's go!

C'mon lads let's get the win, don't be afraid to pull the trigger! Would love to see a ratty performance from raskin today.

Hope I've quoted this properly, was a good read. It's not even that we need to be dominant in the OF head to heads, if we break even over a season in those games then normally the fans would accept that. Problem is we lose most and get pumped at parkhead with this current crop. Add in that they're putting in 15 game winning runs either side of a draw or something like that we turn into humanities last hope. Obviously we aim to dominate the OF because that does tend to indicate towards a championship winning team, but this is unsustainable from them so let's not go into next season thinking we have to win every old firm to win the league, that pressures stupid if we then think we have to win every other domestic game. Still, 3-1 Rangers. C'mon lads.

Honestly if you're not laughing at that you're crying.

Fuck me.

Our pass selection has been beyond strange. Still amazes me how it sets in through the whole team.

True but I would argue he didn't actually start a run of fixtures until Beale came in, he's improved loads under him. I take your point though, maybe not THAT rough ha.

Not too savvy with Ecuadorian youth football but heard that their talent at youth level is pretty potent in passing on the radio and online. I think the talents there in the MLS, probably some bargains as well it's just doing the proper hwk and being thorough (cpt obvious 🫡). Heck, Almiron looked like a world beater not so long back so maybe we were too hasty with Sands haha. If we can get a few rough diamonds like Sakala on a bosman out of the MLS and let Beale work on them then the squad will look healthier.

If what the January transfer window is anything to go by I was expecting 3 or 4 signings to come in with what the manager was saying and we got 2. So I'd probably say 5 or 6, just hoping we don't retain players we don't need to e.g Morelos, McGregor, Arfield. Positions I'd say GK, ST, CM/DM, RW. Maybe a couple in those positions as well like ST or GK. If it's only 5 signings but they're quality then I'll be happy with that tbh, the squad needs trimming.

Bit late to the thread, thought it wasn't a 5-2 game as pretty much everyone else and the manager does. Points taken away: desperate for a new gk even if McCrorie gets a run and comes good. Cantwell looks like he could be great business, hopefully him and Raskin can drive the team on. Probably unpopular but I understand why we bought Matondo and am convinced there's a player in there somewhere, he's kind of like a skinny Adama Traore. But hopefully we won't forever be waiting for it to 'click'. Motm Cantwell.

Agree with the McCrorie shout above. I'd like to see us try 3 at the back, why not. I'd go: McCrorie Souttar - Goldson/King - Davies Tav - Raskin - Cantwell - Jack - Yilmaz Tillman - Sakala I'd see it being fluid though between a 5 or 4 man midfield, with a man in the hole if it is a 4 man behind 2 strikers. So: McCrorie Souttar - Goldson/King - Davies Tav - Raskin - Jack - Yilmaz Cantwell Tillman - Sakala Our striking options are what they are at the minute so I'd give Tillman a go upfront with Sakala. Nows the time to experiment so why not.

Find it a bit mental how many people are saying scrap the DoF position or asking if we even need it. Even seen people ask if Celtic have one as if that makes a blind bit of difference. The manager sorting contracts, scouting players and overseeing the medical n youth departments is the kind of thing done in non-league football, a few steps down into non-league as well. Trust the process, if this didn't work then any of the teams that are serious in Europe or their country's top league wouldn't have one. Case in point being Liverpool who were derided under their previous DoF Damien Comoli (butchered that probs) because they had a transfer comitee. He left and a couple of seasons down the line they're ucl champions with the same principles and structure except under Michael Edwards.

Yeah that really would be best case for me.

Bit of a Rangers Da shout here but could David Weir be viable? I know he's a technical director at Brighton but unsure how involved he is in recruitment. If he's been in and around it though I'd go and get him, their recruitment has been stellar for a few seasons now.

Agree, it's more that it's still tough to hit 90+ in a season imo. It hasn't got that much weaker since 5 subs that we're posting 100 odd points now.

I'd probably see us getting 90+ points. A pessimistic guess would be 5 wins and a couple of draws or draw and loss, which would give us 92/3. But that's pessimistic, we could feasibly win the rest of the fixtures and finish on 97. Just on that, taking a step back I do think we've now got our head round the rest of the spl outside of Celtic (finally). Fully aware that even if we get a big total and finish second it's redundant but I'd still argue it's encouraging, if we consistently get 90+ every season titles will come and I don't buy the narrative that the SPL is weak so that should happen. Apart from the star alignment of 55 we've not come close to 90+. And we've got levels to go. As for the cup, it'll be another odd goal game I think. Thought Beale had Postecoglous number the other day but he just fell foul of the usual suicidal tendencies of our defending.

Seen a bit of revisionism post match in regards to the manager and making changes. Pretty sure when Ally mentioned it there was 55 on the clock and the game was pretty even, you can't legislate for a brainfart from your centre back. I'd say it's too early to go gung ho at that point. It's a mental complex this squad has against Celtic even if we did show a better face. The managers sussed the rest of the league and today I thought he had Postecoglou's number if it weren't for players putting it on a plate for the opposition. Motm Raskin for me if it even matters, but I think we're desperate for a mobile striker.

Don't follow the bbc but saw the article from the Rangers Review lads quoting Kenny McIntyre, he's pretty certain that Morelos is gone on sportsound. To be honest I won't miss Alfredo, defending him became exhausting after awhile and I became a bit bored with him and his Rangers career. It will be damning of the transfer and coaching team if we can't replace an overweight and out of form Morelos in this team. https://www.rangersreview.co.uk/interviews/23441539.hes-gone-bbc-report-alfredo-morelos-not-beales-rangers-plans/ That's the article from RR, apologies if it's behind a paywall. I'd rather pay for that than the tripe in the msm.