T-1000

I think the problem in this game was that most of the players had a sound game without any particular individual standing out. It was Balogun's first game, he settled in well and looked composed and therefore one could argue a case for him being man of the match. However, in response one could argue that since Aberdeen's attack was dire, particularly in the first half, he wasn't put under any pressure and therefore it is difficult to assess his ability, but first signs are positive. Tav, Goldson and Borna did fine but nothing spectacular. Kent scored a fine goal but other than that he just had a reasonable game, Morelos made some good layoffs but never looked like like scoring, Aribo again showed his class but perhaps was a bit quiet compared to how he performed in the pre-season friendlies. Jack and Kamara were quietly efficient, breaking up play and being the anchors in the team. One issue with playing both Jack and Kamara is that neither strikes you with their capability to go forward with purpose and take the game to the opposition, that is, they tend to be more reactive than proactive. It would be good to sign a player that could complement either Jack or Kamara rather than someone who plays the game similarly to them.

Good result but second half performance was average and we didn't work the Aberdeen goalkeeper enough.

Aberdeen 1 Rangers 2 FGS: Morelos

A mobile forward would be fine but our build-up play at times can be so slow that it partially negates the mobility of any forward due to the lack of space when the opponents have the time to arrange their defence. If we want to utilise mobility we need to be quicker in our build-up play. I recognise having a front line that can interchange is beneficial but more so if we break quicker. On many occasions we seem to rely on Barisič or Tav slinging crosses into the box. This being the case then we need a forward who has a physical presence in the box. This is part of the reason Defoe can look ineffectual in games because he relies on predatory instinct and for that he needs to be able to make a yard or two of space which in a crowded area is difficult. To provide us with alternatives I would hope we sign two forwards, perhaps Roofe for the mobility and versatility and maybe Dykes for the physical presence. It would be useful if our midfield could also chip in with some goals but last season suggests that they are not very prolific in this area.

With Wigan going into administration I thought you would be lobbying to have Windass back.

I noticed that Rangers did not review his contract. Seems a bit odd since the women's team has only professionalised in the last year and have signed a number of new players and Vignal has been central to those changes. I wonder if there was some underlying issue that prompted the decision.

Also, possibly he wasn't very keen on the idea of playing second fiddle to McGregor.

Let us hope he is better than Joe Dodoo our previous acquisition from Leicester.

I think you are being a bit unfair here. Rangers submitted their dossier called for suspensions and an independent inquiry. Unfortunately, this was not supported by other clubs. What other action would you have expected from Rangers.

I disagree. McLean has been a regular in the Norwich team playing in the premiership, all be it, they are bottom of the league. In comparison, Davis wasn't getting a game at Southampton, Goldson likewise at Brighton, Aribo came from Charlton who are near the foot of the championship, Tavernier spent most of his time playing at championship or league 1 clubs, Kamara didn't make the grade at Arsenal. All of this, taken together, suggests to me that McLean would improve the quality of the team.

Rangers 2 Bayer Leverkusen 2 FGS: Morelos

Ross County 1 Rangers 3 FGS: Morelos

I thought in the first half Rangers were in control with some good passages of play. We had some half-chances but were just lacking a goal but I thought with the pressure we had this was only a matter of time. We started the second half a bit slow and then after the Hamilton goal we became too frantic with too many hopeful balls swung into the area. I was surprised with the substitutions and considered that Kamberi was having a reasonable game and Kamara apart from a few errant passes was providing good link-up play especially with Aribo. Their replacement by Defoe and Kent did not improve us and I felt that in this type of physical contest Defoe makes little impact and probably at this stage in his career is not good enough for Rangers apart from when no-one else is available. I also think that Morelos was not at his best. We create some good space in the wings with both Barisic and Tavernier seeing plenty of the ball but the latter's delivery is too hit and miss but with a preponderance of misses. Barisic's delivery was better but I think we need more invention from him rather than floating hopeful ball after ball into the area.

Rangers 3 Hamilton 1 FGS: Kamberi

I can see why SG used him on Saturday. He was probably hoping that with Hearts pressing there would be space in the Hearts half for Ojo to use his pace to create chances. Unfortunately, with a couple of exceptions this did not work out, partly because we were not feeding him with good balls and also because he is too one dimensional. He doesn't have the skill of Kent for going past players and he almost always wants to get the ball on his left foot which makes it easier to defend against him.

I think it is becoming clear that Morelos will leave in the Summer. That being so, we want to maximise his transfer value. Leaving him out of squads is unlikely to achieve that end and may exacerbate the tension between him, SG and the rest of the squad. If, as CammyF has suggested he has apologised to the rest of the squad and knuckled down in training I would include him as one of the substitutes with a view to putting him on at some stage but would start with Kamberi.

His post-match interview when he said he needed 24/48 hours to think things over. Journalists have interpreted this as suggesting he is considering exiting Rangers. This was all said in the aftermath of a defeat so one would not have expected him to be full of enthusiasm for the future. Another interpretation of what he said might be that he needs time to determine how the team and the tactics need to be altered to bring the success he craves for the team.

Prior to the break we seemed to work more as a unit and collectively put pressure on the opposition player who had the ball. That intensity seems to have dropped off which is giving teams the opportunity to move forward in attack and create chances.

McGregor Tav, Weir, Bougherra, Papac Edu, Davis, Jack, Jelavic, Miller, Naismith

Having seen how Hearts, with some success, played the last time we met it should have been clear that they were likely to adopt similar tactics; press our defence/midfield and be aggressive. We needed to circumvent this by spreading our play rather than trying to play short passes in a confined space which made it easy for Hearts to apply pressure. This was most notable at throw-ins where we were always shut down and there was a lack of of movement by our players into space. Unfortunately, this was compounded by our most 'in your face' players , Jack and Arfield, having to go off leaving us with too many players who were not up for the fight. In the midfield we should have been looking for some control and creativity coming from Davis but sadly he was well off-form. Finally, looking at our bench it was not obvious that there were any possible substitutions that would have made a major difference and that is very depressing. Although, the cause of the defeat lies mainly with the players, SG and all his backroom staff need to share some of the blame for not working out how to counter what were the likely tactics to be employed by Hearts. SG and his staff have to work out how to deal with this because it will be no surprise if some of our future opponents don't also take this approach when we play them.

Hearts 1 Rangers 3 FGS: Aribo

Braga 3 Rangers 1 FGS: Kent

SG probably brought on Davis to help control the midfield and retain possession and that seems quite a reasonable decision. We didn't lose the second goal because of Davis but as a result of poor defending.

We are not moving the ball quick enough and trying to play in small areas whereas we should be looking to spread the play and stretch the St Johnstone defence. I also felt the passing today was poor with too many balls in the air making control more difficult in what was a poor pitch.

St Johnstone 1 Rangers 2 FGS: Morelos