Rousseau

Morelos hasn’t scored since Miller was dropped. While Miller hasn’t been playing well this season his runs and energy have still created space for others.

I wasn't sure. It seems like Pena has taken advantage of Morelos' movement, rather than the other way round with Miller.

Miller's movement and intelligence is excellent, but he trap a ball, passes backwards too often and misses too many chances. Oh, for a younger player like Miller that can actually trap a ball!

Surely Colinstein is taking the p***?

Will be interesting to see morelos's reaction to miller being back.

Now that you mention it, did he not score more [Morelos] with Miller in the team? Then Pena scored more when he was out.

There are rumours coming out of Auchenowie of a " blow your mind " announcement possibly as early as next monday or Tuesday , if the guy involved can tie up loose ends , no other info getting leaked , in fact the guy who did start this must be regretting opening his mouth .

That can go two ways: either Guardiola is sick of Manchester, or Kenny's getting the job. My mind would be blown if it's the former, and I'd blow my own brains out if it's the latter...

To be honest, I'm probably not that critical of the board. It did seem a bit of a bizarre appointment but sometimes that's what you need to do if you want the chance of something special - especially when you're not going to be able to attract those with well established success.

 

On hindsight, having seen Caixinha in the interviews, you can see why he was so compelling to the job interviewers. He comes from a country that for its size are world leaders in football philosophy and did have some notable success in Mexico for not the biggest and richest side around. If nothing else he talks a good game, and sometimes his team plays a good game, just not often enough for a club like us.

 

I don't think going with a safe choice will get us close to Celtic, firstly as they have more money at the moment, and secondly Rogers seems to be far better than any of the safe choices available.

 

We needed someone more clever than Rogers and Pedro looked like he might be that guy.

 

Now I'm thinking we need someone like Rogers - who has been somewhat (however mildly) successful in a top league. I probably wouldn't personally want Moyes, but he's the type that fits that bill.

 

Frank De Boer and Michael Laudrup are the more exciting choices for me, but I'm not sure if we can get them - as while their reputations maybe need rebuilding, Rangers are a huge gamble as a vehicle for that. We can both make or break a manager's career.

I don't think it's necessarily the 'success', but rather the philosophy. Rodgers has a philosophy and is able to implement it. Any well-implemented philosophy will work wonders in this league, IMO.

SSN: former Rangers player Billy Davies not in running to replace Caixinha as manager

We've appealed Jack's suspension, so he's available for tomorrow's game.

Miller's back in the squad too -- which has been mentioned already.

I see lots saying bring back Walter ,l say leave the man to enjoy his retirement and do nothing to anything that could ruin his legacy.

Imagine he failed and got sacked !

I stick with my first preference Alan Pardew ,he has profile worked at big clubs extensive contacts and help lift our profile down south where all the money is

You say "big clubs", but are Crystal Palace, West Ham, Newcastle, Charlton and Southampton big clubs. Some historic clubs there, but I wouldn't say they're big clubs, relatively speaking.

It'd be an interesting press conference...

They're now all playing for their futures. I expected a reaction after the Motherwell game, so if they don't react now there's no hope for them.

I think you're 100% correct that we need a pragmatist at the helm. Allerdyce though really worries me. He's from the Sammy Lee/Frank McParland school of economics.

So he comes with an extra revenue stream...?

Acquire a copy of Photoshop (or GIMP) and I can send you the layered file for future use....

I've actually got both...

After sleeping on it everything points to McInnes.

Not sure if I've used this for a similar answer, but...

I'd much rather Big Sam than McInnes. He's better at a 'similar' approach, and actually more progressive than many suspect -- he just prefers a more pragmatic approach.

I've added in your expected team mate...

I spent ages on those <*center*> and <*/br*> tags, but OK... I suppose yours is better...

Halliday was awful at DM, but that wasn't his position. He's a OK player that can do a job in a more advanced position, or covering at LB; he'd certainly run through a brick wall for us.

I am a critic of jack but i think he is a good player and should certainly not be kicked out. He does however need to be coached to be more forward thinking imo.

I disagree with that. I think players should stick to what they are good at: Long gone are the days of all-round, combative, attacking midfielders. He's good at what he does, and he does pass forward more than most IMO. He'd probably be better in a better side, no?

Yes, I can definitely see Miller coming in for Pena -- although, I hope not!

I wasn't sure about Dorrans.

MURRAYFIELD -- It was a black February night as Rangers were humbled 1-4 by Hearts at Tynecastle. Mark Warburton and his men trudged off the park, unable deal with the intensity that Hearts showed, both physically and mentally. It was the beginning of the end for Warburton, and Rangers would yield 2nd place not long after and Graeme Murty would be put in charge. Flash forward 7 months, and not much has changed.

The previous meetings between the sides last season epitomised Rangers' form and mental fragility. Reasonable wins at home -- 2-1 and 2-0, respectively -- were contrasted with defeats away from home. The 1-4 defeat was particularly galling as Rangers showed a real lack of character and intensity. It wasn't until Pedro Caixinha arrived that we were able to beat another side in the top four away from home.

The last meeting this season followed a different pattern, as the sides played out a dull 0-0 draw. In the midst of managerial uncertainty, caretaker manager Jon Daly set up ultra-defensively in a low block at Ibrox. They conceded little space, and brought very little to the attacking third, having only 7 shots the entire game with none on target. Rangers in contrast dominated, but couldn't break down a stubborn defense.

Hearts seem to be half-way through a stabilisation job, after Craig Levein was appointed permanent manager, replacing Ian Cathro. Hearts record this season has been indifferent. They don't score many, but don't concede many either. A decent 1-0 win against St Johnstone last week was followed up with a disappointing 0-1 defeat to Edinburgh rival's Hibernian. Levein, unsurprisingly, has set them up to be difficult to beat, while still struggling to create and score chances. It could well be a repeat of our last meeting.

Hearts have shown some flexibility in their tactics. Whenever they are expected to dominate a game they have lined up in a flat 4-4-2. But, whenever they've faced a 'better' side, or simply matching them, they've lined up in a 3-5-1-1, or 3-5-2. Whatever the formation, Levein has them compact and well-drilled. Their main attacking play is through the wings, especially Walker.

Our form has been indifferent for too long. A humiliating result against Motherwell was followed up with a deflating draw against Kilmarnock. The players have not reacted, and it's hard to foresee any team that will gave us pride after 90 minutes.

Jack was stupidly suspended midweek, and Alves will also be suspended for Saturday's trip; with Dorrans injured too we're down to the bare bones. Pena may return after a midweek knock, and Cardoso may have sufficiently recovered from last week's assault. We could see a youthful centre-back pairing of Wilson (Aiden) and McCrorie -- the latter is one of the few bright sparks this season. Holt may well retain his place after a goal-scoring performance midweek. Barjonas came on for the final 15 minutes against Killie and may well be forced to play with our desperately thin squad. We'll likely continue with our 4-2-3-1, but it's anyone's guess who plays:

The unknown variable with regards to this game is the venue. Tynecastle has been a horrid place to visit over the last few years, with a small pitch and a baying crowd that are almost snapping at the ankles of our players. This game will be played at Murrayfield, as the finishing touches are put to a new stadium at Tynecastle. Murrayfield is a bigger pitch, set back from the crowd. We'll also be able to bring a substantial contingent of our own to boost the morale of the players.

Lafferty has been in good form lately, scoring against St Johnstone last week. He will be a handful: he's quick and powerful, albeit lacking in technical ability; our defenders will be troubled. Our defenders will need to be aware of him. Of course, Walker will be the main attacking outlet on the right of midfield. John has shown a defensive fragility thus far, so he'll need to be sharp to deal with Walker's speed and constant cutting inside onto his favoured Left-foot.

Graeme Murty takes charge for what will be his second spell as caretaker manager at Rangers. Murty did an admirable job last time during in what was a difficult spell, but results were not great. A 50% win-rate against teams we should be beating, like Inverness and Dundee was disappointing. Murty's main achievement was gaining a point away to Celtic -- a surprising result considering we'd failed to take any points under our previous manager; and haven't since, for that matter. We shouldn't expect anything special, tactically. Murty should have us organised, with a 'defensive', reactive style.

Speaking to the 'media' before last Sunday's League Cup Semi-final, Pedro Caixinha summed-up what it means to be Rangers: "We only have two options: Win, or Win." Although these are just words -- words that ultimately did not materialise on the pitch, costing him his job -- this type of mentality has been missing for far too long. Hopefully we see the character required of a Ranger against a formidable foe. It will be a battle. “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more".

"respected" - seems I have fooled you rangers_syntax [sic] - oops.... ranger_syntax

I was going to say, he still manages to have a wee dig!

I see most of those as 'first-team' players that can bulk out a very thin squad. They're not great options, but options are needed.

Murty may trust some of the youngsters more, having worked with them closely.

Nice signature...

Bill Davies and his pals Tommy Sheridan & Anvar Khan what a threesome.

As demoralising as sacking a manager is, there is a strange catharsis involved; as if a weight has been lifted, promising some optimism for the future. Only time will tell.

I like the sound of a Paulo Sousa, or Michael Laudrup -- someone to come in and instill a modern philosophy, with a bit of tactical nous. They're probably towards the 'interesting' and 'unlikely' side of the spectrum, but we have occasion to hope!

It's gonna be McInnes, isn't it... well, there goes my optimism!

Finally confirmed on SSN.

Paulo Sousa is available... or is it too soon for another Portuguese manager?

SSN still "awaiting confirmation".

It's not true until Kirsty says so.

Ancelotti is out of a job