buster.

Alfredo represents the type of business we need to do on a relatively regular basis, if we are to match then better Celtic on the pitch. They spend somewhere in the region of 9M on a forward who can do the business. We spend 1M on our main forward but is every bit as good as their 9M man. It's not so much the amount spent, it's about getting value.

The fitbaw culture in Scotland will mean there is a sympathetic reception for what Gary Holt is saying and that is before you factor in the Rangers angle. It should be fairly simple with governing bodies taking the following action... - Instruct referees to do their job properly and not let 'anything go' because it's Scottish fitbaw. - Outlaw plastic pitches in the top tier.

The hoovering up of elite level schoolboys by the rich and powerful should be discourged by governing bodies #HeavyDutyTariff What is the point of youth development if you are going to lose the very players that might be good enough to develop relatively quickly and produce both on the pitch and in eventual transfer fee revenue. It's fair enough to talk about providing pathways but realistically, you need your best prospects, so as it makes sense for the first team manager. Under the present rules / rich club strategy...Barry Ferguson might not of ever played a first team game for Rangers.

In his preview, JFK1 talked of going back to the bread and butter SPFL. I'd add the Livingston trademark of blood and snotters served on a plastic plate, often watched by more than 2 plastic seats to every paying customer. The governing bodies should be looking to reduce the plastic and discourage such a unedifying menu if it wants to improve general standards in the game. I don't think this is going to be a game for the faint of heart or too many 'fringe players'. I think the terms often used are go again and max-out prior to the International break. Not a game to start slowly either. The fast start and early goal in our League Cup win was fundamental to progress that night. Opposition teamsheet will be of interest today, to see if Dykes starts or not. For us, two from Ojo and Arfield/Aribo might come in (for Kent and Barker) Unless Davis or Jack have knocks/niggles, I'd play both. I'd start Morelos but look to give Defoe 30-45 minutes dependent on how the game was going. Defence the same. No excuses, has to be a non-negotiable 3 points.

You could see when at Dens Park that his style of play was somewhat incongruent with Dundee FC and the rest of it's first team squad. He had the ability, the background but the doubt was obviously in his attitude and ability to cope at a bigger club. Before he made his Rangers debut, I said on here that I thought he'd do better than Steve Davis (joined on loan at the same time) and I think for those 5 months, he did. Thankfully, SD is now very much up to speed as well. We took on a low stakes gamble and it's paid off. The club get quite a bit of stick for their transfer dealing, credit where credit is due.

Club Bruges coach Philippe Clement explained the punishment was because Hanas Vanaken was the designated penalty taker and not Diagne.

This is a hugely important consideration and what they need from Santa in December is a League Cup trophy. The younger generation need to experience us win silverware sooner rather than later.

We've now won 6 European home games on the bounce this season. When was the last time we did that ? (clue: it was over several seasons).

There are potential achievements this season which if secured would make your potential praise somewhat downbeat

The country value will always have huge significance because it applies to determine the stage when clubs will access competitions. It could be argued that it has never been more important for countries around about where Scotland are currently positioned because of the up and coming new competition set-up (intro of Euro Conference).

Useful Co-efficient Links The first features Rangers and the second is the redoubtable Bert Kassie's fantastic website. https://www.football-coefficient.eu/team/322-rangers-fc/ https://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/

It's a pity Glasgow City Womens team don't contribute. A sort of independent/original XI have come a long way and are in the last eight of the womens CL.

A few months ago I talked about the way Ryan Jack was so precise and deliberate in his finishing. Staying in the last third of the pitch, how about the very deliberate and precise ball into Alfredo for his goal...our wingers and full backs should take note. There is always speculation about bids for Alfredo but I'd be surprised if Ryan Jack is going unnoticed. Once they've finished celebrating the title win,...55 Million for the pair next summer would do nicely

You can add the 76 minutes he played in Porto with a yellow. Joins Helander and Morelos at one booking away from a suspension.

If you think back to Walter's team in our run to the UEFA Cup Final in 2008 and compare it to SG&Co's team in Europe...You could say that we now have an upgrade in that we have the defensive organisation and ability to keep clean sheets (Tav @ YB notwithstanding) but you can add a cutting edge and the reason we are winning games opposed to draws is mostly down to Alfredo. The likes of Helander, Goldson and others can help keep it tight but the gold dust is provided by Alfredo.

I wouldn't worry too much about the rumour mill. In the clickbait era, there are probably 20+ rumours for every actual approaches/bid.

I'd agree that money won't be his main driver and that he'll very much want to accomplish what he came up here to do. As long as he keeps making us better and incrementally moving towards objectives, I'd also agree he'll be inclined to stay. Whisper it, but qualification for the EL KO stage and a League Cup Win would be MASSIVE increments.

Just when you were thinking he hadn't done much of note in this European game for any interested parties to get more interested, Alfredo comes up with a classy goal and terrific assist to not only win the game but to make us comfortable. Morelos is the Man Regards the first goal, a quick mention in dispatches for the part played by Tav and our new right winger, Ryan Jack...what a ball.

In the little we have seen them, Jones appears to cope with the weight of the shirt a little better and just gets on with his game. Barker may need time to grow into it.

It reminded me of a goal he scored against Werder Bremen in that it was a second goal coming quickly after the first (playwise because it was at the very start of the 2nd half, Cousin having scored just before the break). It was a double one-two that came from no-where and set us up for the win. Indeed McCulloch should have got a third just after the Davis goal. Brings back the memory of McGregor and his wonder save in the second leg.

Night's like last night not only provide a stage for players. We've got a very good manager and coaching team that seem to excel in Europe. When you look at the numbers, their European record is exceptional and it now deserves qualification to the KO phase. I hope we have a substantial number inserted in his contract if another team think about approaching him. Talking about numbers, it was not only a full house, a Half Million win bonus for the club, another win which will increase our share of the pot created by drawn matches but it adds value to our players and is another incremental step in the right direction for our business model. The slow start turned into another fantastic night for our history books. First time we've won two home games in a 4 team European group (12th attempt) It's now eight undefeated at home against the Portuguese (6 wins) Pepe may have 3 CL winners medals but he cannae get anything from Ibrox (2005 & 2019)

I'm liking the positive vibes man !

He's become about 50% of the team in recent weeks. When everyone else is on their game as well we are world beaters.

Porto turned up with their game heads on and started like the team we always thought they were and we couldn't really cope with it. Positive is they didn't make many chances and we got back into things, all be it without getting any real control on the ball. All to play for but stating the bleeding obvious is that we'll need to improve markedly to get a win tonight.