stewarty

I guess this maybe also pours a touch of cold water on the idea of a reconciliation with the BBC given the rumoured visit by King last week.

I think the difference with Niko though is that even when he had got himself fitter and was getting regular games, he was still woefully off the pace physically. Also, he was back training full time circa November from memory, so if he is unable to get himself fully fit and functioning after 10-12 weeks then I'm afraid he never will. I can't fault his attitude or effort. by all accounts he's well liked in the squad and is a positive influence... He's just not physically equipped to do the things his brain wants to do. And its a real shame.

@blueger I guess the only consolation at this point is that the U-20 games programme seems to be a success and your son will be getting exposure to some different players, styles, conditions, etc. Noises coming from the club are that this is having a degree of success. Is that reflected in how you and possibly other parents/ players are viewing it? PS - genuinely no idea who your son is

Without knowing the details its really hard to offer much advice other than perhaps to go back and have the conversation again, perhaps referencing what has happened previously and asking for a decision to be made one way or the other as you move towards the summer, so that perhaps you can start planning the future if its not with us.

Obviously don't know who your boy is but but from a laymans point of view, I've always found that the best approach is to have an open and frank discussion with the management team to find out exactly where you stand, is the best policy. Does your son have an agent? They'll be used to having such conversations and perhaps would remove some of the anxiousness that someone like yourself might feel if not used to such a situation. Hope it works out for you and your son whatever happens.

Agreed. Its like what we mentioned about Jordan Jones and the way Killie rejected out bid so publicly and essentially stated they felt he was worth £1m? If that is the case, are they reflecting his value in his wage packet? The same logic would apply to how we are remunerating Morelos. Keep him motivated, let him develop, give him a rest (i.e. when Cummings is fit enough to start) and lets see if he can't kick on and push that value up and over £10m.

Agreed. Games like last night on a tight, soft and bobbly pitch, showed how exposed his distribution can look. Its definitely something that can be improved but probably never going to be his strong suit.

I think it makes a lot of sense to cash in, but given we didn't manage to bring in a replacement I'd be disappointed if he goes before the summer.

Kris Boyd's comments on Niko Kranjar last night were very strange indeed. He seemed to be eulogising his performance and Commons also joined in with the chorus, as they played a clip of his best moments in the match. Now, I think its fair to say that between them they know far more about playing football than I do, but what game were they watching? Yes it was poor overall, but Niko especially, those couple of glimpses aside, was absolutely dreadful. He's shot as footballer and just doesn't have the legs to compete. I lost count of the number of times he was outpaced and oumuscled, the number of times he misplaced passes and gave the ball away, or was stretching to reach a ball because he wasn't quick enough to reach it in the first place... it was embarrassing quite frankly and I can't fathom why he was given a run out unless it was some sort of final hurrah for being a good guy round the squad and because the U-20s were playing Villareal the other day. Was Boyd over-compensating for his ridiculous comments on our bid for Jordan Jones? He's fast moving into Chris Sutton territory for me.

After a nervy final 24 hours of the transfer window, with Chinese bids received and rejected for our top scorer, we survey the state of the squad and look forward to welcoming Hibs to Ibrox this weekend. Lennon's side will undoubtedly be combative. Look no further than the last game between the sides at Ibrox in August and the refereeing performance of John Beaton. At times it felt like a wrestling match Beaton was overseeing; and like all wrestling matches - he seemed to be steering towards a pre-determined outcome. Jesting aside, like many, I struggle with the idea that referees are actually biased. But that doesn't meant that they don't jump through some ridiculous mental hoops when it comes to how they referee us. Are we judged to a different standard? It often seems that way. But more likely, the standard of our officiating reflects the standard of the Scottish game overall. One of the the key protagonists for Hibs back in August was Anthony Stokes who, curiously, left Hibs yesterday by mutual consent. it seems even the bold Neil Lennon will only put up with his clear attitude and behavioural issues for so long, and that tells you something! Lennon has however brought in Florian Kemberi on loan from Grasshoppers Zurich to replace Stokes. He also brought in Cammy Bell from Kilmarnock, who replaces the departing Scott Bain who was on loan from Dundee and has now joined Celtic; as well as another couple of loanees - Jamie Maclaren and Faycal Rherras. Simon Murray who scored Hibs' first goal back in August has joined Dundee on loan, with Liam Fontaine going to Ross County. How much of an impact those player changes will make for Hibs remains to be seen. But as ever at a clubs like ours, it comes down to our own attitude and application first and foremost. We will need to win the battle first, before we can settle to play the game on our own terms. Murty has instilled a bit of grit to the team and its clear we find the big games easier to play in. With the new additions to our own squad, coupled with a productive training camp in the US for the Florida Cup, we've started the new year with confidence. Hibs will no no doubt put us under pressure at various times. The last game between the sides in December saw them go a goal up in the first few minutes and they were clearly the better side until we scored two goals late in the first half through Windass and then memorably Morelos, with his cheeky near post finish after a glorious bit of skill to eliminate his marker. We saw the game out but Hibs were wasteful at times and the game could have gone either way. Fans favourite Morelos remains with us for the time being. Murty's post match words on Sky following last night's scrappy win against Fraserburgh seemed to suggest that perhaps there wasn't much substance behind the bids from China. Given their transfer window still has another month to go, speculation will no doubt continue. I would however start Morelos and resist the obvious GIRUY temptation to start with Cummings on Saturday. I think its important we put an arm round the lad and make sure he knows he is loved and can progress his career with us. If he continues to improve he will get the move he wants so its not in our interests to stand in his way long term, unless we want to have a Dembele-like situation developing. Much of the rest of the team picks itself in my view, based on the game versus Ross County. Cummings for me is a stick-on to come off the bench and get a goal. I for one can't wait to see his celebration and the look on the spoon burner's faces. Match Prediction: Rangers 3 - Hibs 1 Morelos FGS

I'd like him to stay as also think he can be worth more if he spends another year with us. If he wont sign an extended contract I'd be inclined to try and maximise the deal from our end and reinvest in improving the squad overall. Sometimes you've got to work with what is on the table rather than risk the lad losing form, picking up injuries or even just playing the homesick card.

Somebody said something on Twitter. Somebody else said something else. There endeth the journalism lesson for today.

Apparently his wife is American which likely explains the choice of location. Whilst I'd prefer to keep him, I wouldn't be playing him the money he's rumoured to be after. Especially with his consistency and injury track records. Hopefully we can at least get a nominal fee in the door for him.

Some suggestion that Dave King has been meeting the beeb today. Some light at the end of the tunnel?

Agreed - its not his best position. I'm just musing about how we match up to the threats Aberdeen will pose. There isn't an obvious answer, hence why I'm wondering if Halliday might get the nod to provide a bit of extra dig.

Another rumour is that WIlson wont start tonight.

I thought Halliday gave us a bit extra drive in the Florida Cup, and given the absence of Jack and McCrorie, I wonder if he might be in with a chance of starting tonight against a very physical team. I'd also start Bates at the back - Aberdeen are very direct and play lots of long balls... exactly the stuff he seems to revel in.

Seems there may be some truth in the "Wilson out" rumours, according to @estconsultancy on twitter. However he is still in negotations about a new deal. I'm assuming there have been inquiries to his agent given he's soon to be out of contract.

I'll do the Hibs one on the 3rd... someone PM and remind me though

From memory she's been in post for well over a year, so I would assume that nothing much is likely to change for the time being.

Indeed, but that would require an SPFL that was also capable of treating us fairly and seeking to represent the interest of one of its key members. Other than big bad Rangers agitating loudly, I can't see any obvious way that this will be resolved without some changes in personnel at the BBC.

Are there any examples of a club/country taking circa 3 months and failing to appoint their main target, where things work out well?

Both sides are entrenched in terms of their positions, so I wonder what it will take to break the deadlock? I also wonder what the SFA and SPFL, effectively our trade bodies and key stakeholders for the BBC, have to say on the matter?

I think if we can any sort of fee its a bonus. For me the aim is to get him off the wage bill. He just hasn't had the impact we hoped and if we have an "out" at this point I don't image we'd be hard to deal with.

I wouldn't put it past McInnes having given Jackson a bit more detail off-the-record, and that yes, the reason for knocking us back was actually his concern about the workings of the Board. If that is the case, fair enough, but I can't help but wonder why he didn't seek to enquire on this topic, to test the waters and lay down a marker in terms of the conditions he would require in terms of his relationship with the Board. After all, no job is perfect, and for all the eulogising about his relationship with Milne, that will evaporate faster than you say "Aberdeen have won just 4 points out of the last 18" should that (or similar) transpire at any time. Also, to not even speak to the club to give his reasons or even allow the club to address them in some way, speaks volumes for why perhaps McInnes wasn't the right man for the job anyway.