Rousseau

#WindassLoyal

We have this problem with players over the long-term too: when they don't do anything in 1-2 games, they're 'shite', we want them out; that's too soon. It's taken Windass a season to get into this goal-scoring form. Most would've had Tavernier sold after 2 games; he's now arguably our best player. Patience.

Windass was anonymous the first half, but the second half he was everywhere. He just couldn't score; it just wasn't his day. This is our problem: we want him shafted after 20 minutes, then for him to score goals and create dangerous chances. He was poor first-half, but he was at the heart of every decent move in the second.

I thought it was a penalty as soon as I saw it; it's even worse from the replay. The only defence is that it was close; perhaps too close at full speed?

We're playing well; aggressive, dynamic going forward, look like we can score. I don't like our vertical compactness; the distance between Morelos and the CBs seems too big to me, which may cause problems when Hearts break, giving them too much space in between the lines. But, we've done well. Morelos needs to work on his heading. 16 goals for a guy that can't head the ball is unbelievable! That's something we can improve.

That was only early on, really; for the majority of the match has was good. (He gave the ball away 2-3 times? But he won the ball back much more than that.) He was a little more defensive than I expected, but that looked to be the role he was assigned.

I think that's pretty much our strongest line-up. Docherty was good last week and deserves to keep his place.

This is the type of game in which we need to do better: Good, hard, organised defensive teams at Ibrox. We've struggled at Ibrox, and the signings in January were geared towards overcoming this obstacle. It'll be a tough game, but I'm really looking forward to this!

I find it funny how we always seem to say 'this game's a must win', like it's a unique situation; when in fact every game is 'must win'. Win or lose against Hearts today, the next game will still be 'must win'.

I'm not going to consciously boo any player, but a few expletives may stumble out now and again, incidentally.

I tuned into the Dumbarton game to see Wilson (who didn't play) and Burt (was quite lively, and almost changed the game, although not perhaps through his direct involvement; looks a tricky wee player -- very wee though), so I'll do the same here. I've not actually seen much of Hardie.

Lafferty, no; Naismith, yes. Simple.

I caught the reaction in the BT studio afterwards -- I was waiting on the Atalanta-Dortmund game but it'd already started on the other channel, just to analyse what went wrong, or how Celtic were wronged -- and I can't believe how good they think they are? Hartson totally believes the hype: 'Zenit were just an OK side; Celtic are better; it was bad management, but I don't blame St Brenda, the players managed it badly etc.' I hate it when English sides assume their more 'famous' team should be beating a team not as well known, just through that alone; when often that other side are quite good. Atalanta-Everton was a good example: they expected a simple win for Everton, but anyone who's watched Atalanta would tell you it was not an easy tie -- they just dropped out against Dortmund after leading for most of the tie. But, this 'hype' around Celtic is worse; they are so far up their own arses it's unbelievable. Zenit are a good side -- not what they were, but a good side -- especially at home. Just because you've played well and they haven't, and you've sneaked a 1-0 at home doesn't mean the tie is a given! Mental.

I don't know how you can look? I expect them to get a lucky away goal that'll sneak them through. I won't revel until it's over.

The Challenge Cup has perhaps shown the way towards an Atlantic League -- although that would be a tad more complicated -- by bringing in teams from Wales and N. Ireland. Even at our recent best we were never going to be competing with the teams mentioned (Ajax, PSV, Anderlecht, etc. -- Celtic only beat Anderlecht because they were in turmoil after a manager sacking). The point was to expose us to better, technical opposition and more money, to elevate us to a level where we could climb up the European ladder again. At the moment we are languishing in the doldrums; and it will only get worse as the CL spots dry up. I am in favour of this route, but it won't be easy; and it certainly won't be any time soon.

It's not so much the Split, per se -- it works reasonably well in Belgium -- it's their desperation to have as many Old Firm games (and games against the Old Firm) as possible that's making it unfair and mental, in a League that has too few teams for it to work.

That's not quite a GIf, though, is it...

When I click the text box, to post a comment/reply, there is an attachment section at the bottom; it says, "Drag files here to attach, or choose files...". This is on my laptop, so it may be different for an iPad?

I don't think £1.3m for a 23-year-old defender is excessive. I still think it's too early to say. He's only been here 6 months, with little football; and although he's not developed -- not surprising, really -- I think he's still got potential. We've not developed him yet. There's no doubt that was the intention, though; so he has to fit into that category.