buster.

The League is already gone because of three main reasons. 1. 5 point lead plus GD 2. They have our number in OF league matches and we don't have the squad/mgmt. to turn that round in short term. 3. Speed, tempo, goalscorers all over the pitch, energy, motivation, belief, direction. They have it in spades (we don't) and provincial teams look to mitigate damage. Against us, they know they have a chance. Our runs of league wins rarely go beyond 4. They tend to do 7/8.

The players didn't seem to have the belief or purpose required. On seeing the respective starting lineups, there seemed a horrible inevitably as to what would happen. Losing Lawrence was a big blow and the alternative used brought about the inevitability. Alternatives may well not have worked either but the dynamic may have started differently. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the players didn't believe in the game plan. The collective attitude on the pitch contributed to the inevitability of events and meek surrender. If the coaches complain of players not taking on board basic messages (readiness for quick throw-ins, etc.), then it highlights a major and vital problem. Perhaps we need a coach to coach the coach of the coaches. Perhaps we just need a new direction.

Not all, but generally this group of players are stale, not as hungry and motivated as opposition, not as fit, not as high energy levels and haven't got the leadership on or off the park to change it.

I think we'll get found out in Europe (CL) this season. We need to start a rebuild with a couple of the younger players and do some major surgery in the next couple of window (in and out). I don't think Gio is the man for the job. We continue as we are, things will just get worse.

Collective non-award for me

Switch the managers around and he'd change alot of the players. Our squad is inadequate, not balanced, doesn't have enough energy, is only occasionally motivated and is primed for finishing 2nd in a 2 horse race. This manager hasn't got what it takes to turn this around.

Talking about youngsters... Cole McKinnon scores Thistle's second

His team might ship four or more this evening against Manchester City. Ironic that Gerrard and Rodgers are 19th and 20th. Arteta 1st,....up the road

Taking it on the chin and learning from it. How many times do you get to repeat that line ?

It won't happen immediately but subject to finding an adequate replacement, I think that is where this is going. Gio needs to do relatively well in Europe, beat the provincial clubs and beat them at Ibrox at New Year.

This is CL, not EL. We'd need to up our levels to get similar results. I don't think this squad is good enough, relative to opposition. I might well be wrong.

It was energy, movement, speed and belief. The errors became almost inevitable, it was a matter of time.

It tends to be difficult to give youngsters extended runs at Rangers. Under pressure managers tend to stick to the tried and (previously) trusted. Now that the window is closed, a brave and practical manager might see opportunity, rather than risk. At the end of the day, we won't know if they are good enough unless they get a chance.

Moreso when it is the second

Drop anything at Sheepsville next week and the Gio out noises will start to get loud. edit ps. unless we do well in Amsterdam.

Should do. #Pathwaystartshere

Slightly unfair on SG. He built a squad that done wonderfully well in Europe and progressed year on year. My feeling is that it reached it's European peak with the EL Cup Final and we should have looked to freshen things up more.

This game was where we always going to find out about this squad (and theirs) We took the sore one in Feburary, solutions had to be found. They appear further away or the gap appears greater.

It isn't winning the League and that is what matters above all. It might win a Cup, who knows. I can't see us finishing anywhere but bottom of our CL group, It is another level. Although I'd give us a better chance of finishing third in CLGp., than winning the league.

Time will tell but I'll repeat what I said months ago. I don't think this squad has enough balance, depth or quality to do much this season.

Domestically, we only lose to them (since Gio has been here). Domestically, the same problems mean we drop more points to provincial Scottish sides than them.

I wouldn't bank on performing well in Europe with the group we are in and the squad/players unavailable we have. A couple of scuddings are on the cards.

We'd need some new players

They have more energy, speed, movement and belief. Their attacks go forward, ours tend to go backwards before we ponder moving it forward

If Ajax are watching they won't be showing us much respect on Wednesday.