buster.

The only way we compete with them and beat them is if we get in their faces, play a high press and play very well. Yesterday we played European Away tactics (happy with a 0-0). It allowed them to dictate the play and they are a better team than any we've came up against in the 4 summer qualifiers. We did so, probably because of a lack of the necessary collective energy to be able to employ an effective high press. Several things..... 1. They focused and raised the quality of their game (especially retention of possession) from the inconsistent Colin Nish they had previously been playing. This will nearly always happen for OF matches and we have to be ready for it. The less 'noise' we make prior to these games the better. 2. Villareal game on the 20th will be a long night unless we can vastly improve on retention of possession. 3. Despite all the signings, we are currently light on options. All that said, we need to forget about them and concentrate on improving ourselves. We have an excellent management team in place and the base of a good squad. This season will see teething problems and humps in the road but we are going in the right direction.

Put that under (bad) 'experience for all concerned' and move on. They focused and returned to form and we didn't have the legs or energy to press them effectively.

Good point.

A goal is coming if the same story develops in the second half. We need to retain some possession and get up the pitch.

Very difficult, no quality balls coming his way. We aren't able to get to a place in the pitch with the ball under control that gives a better chance of a quality ball.

They are dominating that much, Candeias wouldn't have made a difference IMO.

They are playing well and we are not at the races. Only positive is that we are still level and broon is booked. We need a boot up the erchie but energy levels won't be full.

We'll see. Tend to think Tav needs someone who'll have the discipline to cover for him and IIRC Kent can play either flank.

I'd imagine Lafferty will play left, Kent right. Lafferty may have instructions to get in the box, interchange with Morelos when the wee amn comes deep. Surprised at Candeias not starting. Kent has good game discipline but perhaps not the same level of understanding with Tav. Words are cheap and repetitive,..........it's now down to the players to get out there, believe and carry out the game plan with controlled agression. 'Get intae them'...........

HT Sheffield Utd 3-0 Villa John Fleck showing John McGinn how it's done.

Damaged goods, don't touch !

Soccerway have pre-empted the inevitable announcement wrt move to Sundays Thu 20/09/18 UEL Villarreal 18 : 55 Rangers More info Sun 23/09/18 PRE Rangers 16 : 00 St. Johnstone More info Thu 04/10/18 UEL Rangers 21 : 00 Rapid Wien More info Sun 07/10/18 PRE Rangers 00 : 00 Hearts More info Thu 25/10/18 UEL Rangers 21 : 00 Spartak Moskva More info Sun 28/10/18 PRE Hibernian 00 : 00 Rangers More info Thu 08/11/18 UEL Spartak Moskva 18 : 55 Rangers More info Sun 11/11/18 PRE Rangers 00 : 00 Motherwell More info Thu 29/11/18 UEL Rangers 21 : 00 Villarreal More info Sun 02/12/18 PRE Hearts 00 : 00 Rangers More info Thu 13/12/18 UEL Rapid Wien 18 : 55 Rangers Sun 16/12/18 PRE Rangers 00 : 00 Hamilton Acade… https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/scotland/rangers-fc/1899/matches/

Red card in match ? Interesting to see the view of those expert in weighing up probability,........bet365 will only give you odds of 7/4 on a red card. Contrast that to the same company offering 5/1 for a red card in Chelsea v Bournmouth.

Doesn't F about does SC, reading from a prepared statement is typical of his general approach #organisation He's right about the lack of transparency.

At least it won't involve travel. Just don't get injured.

Start the 'ITK Prep for next Transfer window' thread

Given we can't be sure of the levels of the opposition as yet, it's pure speculation but it's what us fans enjoy doing. Realistic objective for me is to perfom as well as we can and see where it takes us. Meaningless speculation for me is that we'll finish 2nd or 3rd.

Don't see why they would even consider shifting it.

An interesting group. Three very decent sides but I reckon we'll do better than our seeding suggests. Whether that's good enough to get us into the KO stages remains to be seen. Looking forward to it and for those suggesting prioritisation of the weekend league games, I can't see it. These are the big games that we have missed for years and from the support, to the management team to the players....we'll be wanting to make an impression on a bigger stage.

That didn't take long

Him leaving with no replacement can only be a positive for us. They are left with two decent forwards, but with a significant injury history. Resticts options.

I'd agree that we'll probably go for the tried and tested four along the back with the usual faces plus Barisic. From what I can see, Worral hasn't played a first team game for 5 months and this isn't the match to ease his way back in. The other option of a defensive three (with Flanagan) is still an outside bet, whether it be from the start or at sometime during the match. I don't like the prospect of two Celtic forwards running wider channels between a three and creating space for others to move into,.... but given Dembele has gone and Edward* is coming back from an injury, I doubt they'll start that way. Options appear to be limited in the middle. Halliday/McCrorie are options if one of the 'UFA three starters' isn't 100%. Coulibally would be a huge boost but unless we are planning a surprise curveball, that's doubtful. It's the middle where we will need the energy to stop them from dominating possession, it's a big ask for another full 90 minutes. Playing a highline comes with risks but reducing the distance back to middle would help us get up the pitch. Candeias will surely start, he gets the big games and only played 45 minutes against Ufa because of an enforced tactical switch. Morelos looks like starting. Whatever the thoughts about him and what he did the other night, it was too late in the window to consider anything other than support him and hope. I'd be planning contingencies for the next transfer window. Lafferty or Kent ? You can make a good argument for both but Laff brings a real goal threat and if we want anything out of this game, we'll need to score. Another game where warning the players not to do anything stupid and get sent off is stating the bleeding obvious. Celtic will be actively looking to bait our players, especially Morelos, Lafferty, Candeias and Jack. I think we have to try and seize the initiative from the start, not let them settle and hope we get a lead that we can build on. I'm more relaxed about this one after qualification for the group stages and all I would ask is to continue in the same vein of effort and commitment and keep 11 on the pitch.

pre-Aberdeen: Players are warned about discipline and keeping 11 men on park 11 minutes in, bait is taken and red card. Player will have been took aside and told to screw the nut. Biggest game for years Half an hour in: Reckless stupidity ------------------------ Conclusion You can't trust him, no matter how much you tell him to 'calm down'.

The 7M headline might be based on Jack Shit and put there as topical clickbait

My understanding is that Red Card suspensions are carried through to the group stage. Morelos may end up with more than a one game suspension.