buster.

The problem is that it's become very predictable and in the vast majority of cases, it isn't working. Ryan Kent is the one (current loan) that so far bucks the trend but a judgement on his season still has a way to go. I don't like the idea that loan players from certain clubs need to get X% of minutes and more importantly, I doubt some of our own players like it either.

Gerrard v Lampard in transfer battle seems like too much of a convenient double rumour for a rag like The Sun.

Past loan deals for youngsters from big clubs (IMO Roma and Benfica are big clubs) Oduwa Zelalem Ball Dalcio Sadiq Toral Ejaria I can see a pattern that we get players that will never make it at parent club. I think we'd be better off developing our own players. eg. Ejaria might have more footballing talent than Ross McCrorie but he hasn't got the same size of cojones or understanding of the club. The likes of McCrorie should be our future and they need games. Bringing in 'talent' without the right mindset won't take us forward.

Surprisingly long deal considering ! I've nearly as much chance of becoming a Liverpool regular first team starter as Ovie has. A degree of talent isn't enough at a big club.

No prizes for guessing how Hamilton will set-up. We've had a good run of getting early goals in our league matches at Ibrox and that was very much the main reason behind the good home run we had. Stating the bleeding obvious but if we get one today then it's likely we'll end up with a comfortable victory but if we don't it might get frustrating and uncomfortable. Our last two games at Ibrox, we have produced 2 red cards and no goals. One of those cards mean that Morelos is suspended today which will probably give Lafferty a start. No Kent (injury) and no Ejaria (gone) will mean opportunities for others. I'd like to see Ross McCrorie continue and get back to where he was a year ago. As for creativity, I think it'll be our full backs (Tav & Barisic) who'll be relied upon but Lafferty can't be left up front without close support.

If you go through the list of young players we've had on loan from 'big' English clubs,...............you have to question the policy when set against developing your own players.

An important aspect of SG's mindset has to be real belief that he can achieve what he's being tasked to do. As a player it was never a problem for him but this is now a very different set of responsibilities with limits to how he can effect things. Expectations are way beyond current reality and what that does is create a next to impossible environment to take the time necessary to develop something that reaches the set goals in a reasonable time frame.

IMO if we want to compete at the top end, we'll need a better first choice centre forward than Ryan Hardie. As you alude to Ian, one of the big difficulties for us and any manager in charge is that there is seldom the luxury/opportunity of giving a youngster a decent run of games unless injury forces the situation or the youngster is exceptional.

I'd take him as a Bosman to replace Kent for 19/20. At the sametime, trying to reduce dependency on loan deals.

A Rapid Capitulation !

Jones would be a good signing for next season on a Bosman* * I think but ain't 100% that he's in his last year.

Yes, very much agree with that. It's been a difficult start for him and we need to be patient.

We can't discard players after a few games, especially players who cost decent money. Grezda is a player who has ability but would seem to be in one of two camps, 1) needs time to adapt / lacks pre-season isn't 100% or 2) a player who won't take to the Scottish game / pressure of playing for a big club. He may spark into life in the second half of the season, especially if we can bring a creative midfielder in.

Did Kent shag your Mrs ? Kent has been a big positive and you can't fault him because of an injury. If anything he was used too much given his body will have never played so much of this level of football before. Ejaria has went the way of some past loanees, good start and then drift. In a way, it's got a logic to it but this 'current situation' will make it a big risk to put him back in the team when it is relatively struggling and the crowd is a result or two from getting on it's back.

The way things are going, December could prove to be a difficult month but we have to keep focused on the bigger picture, however difficult that may be. Much of this squad have reached a point when they are running on not far from empty, mentally and physically. We desperately need a player or two to step-up at this point and help get us through to the winter break with minimum damage. To start with, Lafferty is relatively fresh and needs to come to the party on Sunday and lead the line well, he looked sharp in his short cameo in Vienna and I'd be tempted to puch Barisic up one and give Middleton a rest. We have to give Grezda more minutes and hope he starts playing. Finaly, I hope McCrorie now gets a run, if he can get back to how he played a year ago we'd be in better shape.

Better for all concerned if he leaves now. He's 21 years old, not 16..................Doesn't bode well for his career, certainly at the top end.

Not unlike the past really. Good start in group, followed by slide DWDLDL and exit. Athough we've punched above our weight in Europe this season, this group has ended up being a real opportunity squandered or at least that is what it feels like. 55 countries enter European competition. 48 teams left in Europe 23 belong to Spain, England, Germany and Italy. The financial gap keeps growing, it's getting to be like a different sport................ a reflection of parts of society.

Just call him Willie (Vass)

We need different options so as to provide possible solutions to different problems that will arise.

First ever sell-out !!! What an away support,...can't be a better one in Europe. This should be jumped on by the Scottish media.

The loss of Kent over the past few games has been felt negatively. As well as being occasionaly brilliant, he works hard and does a tactical shift and a half. Unfortunately, I think his body is telling him to slow down for a bit as it isn't used to so much intensity at this level.

It would certainly help placate the support in the short-term and you'd hope it would boost the players confidence/belief,... but I think for some that is becoming fragile as they clock up more gametime at this level than their bodies have ever experienced. Coming at the end of a hectic first half of the season, the December fixture list is brutal and I think for some players, it is becoming an issue. With that in mind, you're probably right wrt the importance of a 'mental boost' at this stage. IMO we were unlucky to get Celtic at the end of a brutal August and I think the same has happened wrt December. A comparative lack of squad depth/quality gives them a decided advantage wrt dates. Looking ahead, I think the financial angle is huge. An extra 3M with the possibility of more could be a quality addition in a future window and bottomline, to progress, that is what we need to bring in.

McGregor Tavernier - Goldson - McAuley - Barisic McCrorie - Jack Grezda - Arfield - Middleton Morelos I think it's time Ross McCrorie was given an opportunity from the start to stake a claim for a regular slot.

Doesn't sound good. I'll be surprised if we see him on the pitch again this year. That's the two European wide stalwarts of this campaign both out for Thursday (Candeias suspended) and we lose a lot of tactical discipline from the side. Considerably lengthens the odds of us getting awin IMO.

Decent listen, mostly down to the common sense and IMO relevant logic coming from the Rev.I.M. Jolly I don't understand anyone not caring that much about getting through to the European KO stages or not. It's tangible prestige that comes with financial reward. I'd estimate at around a minimum of 3M sterling (although by the time we'd be paid part of that it might double given exchange rates/brexit shambles & effects ).