Bobtap

Big Soapy for me, He still has a mistake in him, but he had a solid game last night!

There wasn't a lot between the teams over the 2 ties. The first leg is what killed us. Unlucky with the pen decision, and then Goldson putting in his own net. Last night they took their only real quality chance that was created. Hopefully, the reception the players got at the end, will give us a reaction for the Dundee game, and we get that one out the way comfortably.

Lunny has to be renewed. He has improved massively since Clement has come to the club, and is viewed as one of big phils leaders on the pitch. That being said, the deal needs to be right for everyone.

If King is leaving, that would suggest we have someone else coming in at CB. I think its a good move for King, and hope there is a recall clause of some form in there. Players like King and Lowry need the game time, and its clear they arent going to be starters at Ibrox for the moment.

PSV 1 Rangers 2 FGS Dessers

I’ve gone for big Souttar, felt he had a cracking game. Special mention must go to Lunny as well. Felt he was excellent yesterday, and hopefully a performance he can build on moving forward. He was much more positive, and moved the ball quicker than normal. Great to see Roofe back and scoring too, if we can keep him fit……….

3 points, down the road,with no injuries would be fantastic

Ross County 1 Rangers 4 FGS Danilo

Rangers 2 PSV 1 FGS Dessers

This was a trophy we wanted to win to kick start the season properly, it’s now turned into a must win, and we cannot let this chance go. A win on the 3rd, and the first trophy of the season would be a huge boost for the squad, and the support. It would also be a massive opportunity for us to turn the pressure up on Brenda

I would actually be tempted to replace raskin from the weekend with Jack, and keep cifu in the middle with Cantwell. Felt Raskin tired 2nd half, and wasted possession a few times. think Sima will come in for Dessers, and would play Danilo through the middle. Goldson will come back in for Balogun if fit, and barring injuries that will be the changes. more than enough to spank this mob in the squad

Big Soapy wins this one for me If we can keep him fit, what a player he will be for us. special mention does need to go to Balogun and Matondo

Servette 1 v Rangers 3 FGS Todd the prod

Cantwell for me, but a special mention to Jack. he provided a solid base for Cantwell and reskin to push forward. importsnt that he steers clear of injury, as he was excellent last night

Rangers 4 Livingston 0 FGS Cantwell

I loved Sakala, but they quite clearly are. I’ll maybe give you Sima, at the moment they seem very similar, and I would have kept Sakala over what I’ve seen from him, but the glimpses from Lammers show he’s a cut above Sakala Dessers is a completely different striker. More of a target man, but he’s also not up to full fitness. His positioning is getting better, but still would like to see him be a bit stronger in the final third. I can forgive the mis placed passes etc as that shows improve as the team get to know each other more, as they play more games.

Lots of positives to take from last night imo first half, moved the ball well, created some great chances, and should really have been a few more up. Bit of rustiness, some wrong choices and a glaring miss meant we didn’t increase our lead in the first half. second half was a bit more of a struggle, but it was always going to be when they went down to 10. I’ve seen a lot of folk get really angry about us not simply cutting them open, but sometimes it isn’t that easy. Remember we drew with UFa while playing with 9 men for about 25 mins away from home. If you are organised, you can pickup the slack from being that man down, after that first half showing, I’m feeling more confident. Yes there is more to come from the team, but if they continue to get used to each other, you can see the movement and space they were trying to create, especially in that first half. Jack was excellent last night, and Cantwell deserved his MotM. Also best I’ve see Borna for a while, but we see that on occasion, and then he’s back to his usual self!

Rangers 3 - Servette 1 FGS Lammers

Rankin for me. Was the only one trying to drive forward continually, but lack of movement ahead of his left him frustrated. Butland had a decent game as well.

Probably the expected squad tbh. don’t forget, we can change the registered squad between each round, so expect the likes of Roofe and Lawrence to come into it once they have caught up on fitness, this round probably just too early for them.

I think with Sima it’s confidence over ability. I should have mentioned him in the not too impressed with list. There is a player there, he was cracking at slavia, but need to see how he gets on the first few games.

Agree re europe, but still think we are capable of a decent run in the Europa. Coefficient points are the same for a win etc, and likely have more chance in that competition that the champs league. Tbh, I think I’ve seen enough little glimpses of a few of the players to think they will be a quality additions. The only one I haven’t been too impressed with is Dessers, but I’m not going to judge any of them in pre season.

These are the types of games I would love to see the likes of Rice get some game time with the first team squad. If we don't, we risk frustrating them and potentially losing them. He looks a cracking prospect, and it would be great to see what he could do as part of the wider squad this season

For this season, the minimum must be the title. We need to win this, and I firmly believe we can. I know the performances havent been that great in pre season, but midfield and attack I think we will be strong, with not just starting quality, but also in depth across most of those positions. The concern is still defence. I think Yilmaz has the potential to be our starting LB, but a few dodgy moments in pre season is beginning to make me doubt this. We also need another centre half through the door, as we saw in the Hoffenheim game, we ended up with no centre halfs finishing the game! Regarding Europe, I don't really care what competition we end up in, what I want us to do is maximise the amount of co efficient points available, to help our chances of qualifying for the club world cup, as that would be a major boost for the club financially. The team is going to take time to gel, so we need to have some patience while they get to know each other etc.