Rousseau

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.

It's all relative. To go back to the main point, he was still a young player with potential. Are you trying to say he had no potential? He had potential, therefore Caixinha was looking to unearth young gems. Hindsight's a wonderful thing. I would still say he has potential, although I doubt it'll be fulfilled here. Papac is an example of a player looking less physically imposing doing a good job for Rangers. Your claim that to be a successful CB you need to be a physical brute is quite subjective. And I certainly don't think a Centre-back has a more physically demanding job than a FB.

Semantics. They were Caixinha signings; he had the final say. There were question marks around Cardoso, but most saw him as a good prospect; young, technical with a potential sell-on value. I think players come to this league all the time, lacking that physical presence and then develop it here to become better players. Wanyama is the perfect example -- and even Van Dijk to a lesser degree. Wanyama barely played initially because he could not deal with the physical nature of the league, but once he did, he became a superb defensive midfielder. It's a bit of a generalisation to state CB's "aren't successful at Rangers with those characteristics". Papac was pretty weak and poor physically when he arrived but developed into a superb LB. There may be more demanded of a CB initially, but I think the same applies: they become better as they become more muscular, more physical. That applies to Cardoso. Just because he's not physical now doesn't mean he can't in the future. I will concede he's not developing quickly enough, though. I think he has become stronger, but certainly not enough. On balance, I don't think he'll be good enough. Just because he's not developed, doesn't mean he didn't have the potential. It doesn't matter. I agree with the two-pronged approach -- although I would like to see it supplemented with quality players now, regardless of nationality. I only disagreed with your claim that Caixinha didn't use the tactic; he did, although he didn't use it enough.

I could get behind that statement. Your previous statement was just plain wrong. Of course he has to get credit for the above signings; they were signed when he was manager. Now you're just massaging the facts. At the time it looked like Cardoso was a good signing; young prospect, for not too much outlay. I don't think he'll be on that much, but he's certainly not at the quality we need. We were paying for potential there, though; which was one of your points. We did need experienced players too that could play to a good standard now. Candeias and Alves have fit that bill.

Caixinha didn't use either? What about Morelos, Cardoso, Jack, Dorrans? We also need quality players that can play now, which is what Caixinha did with Alves and Candeias.

That statement doesn't mean anything without the context. Barton was guilty of gross misconduct but wasn't solely responsible for that incident as the other guy was also guilty of gross misconduct by trying to set Barton's shirt on fire in the first place. It wasn't even an apprentice. There's no comparison, IMO. You seem to have made up your mind, though, so I'll leave it with you.

Joey Barton is nothing like Lennon. That's just silly.

You can click 'choose files' at the bottom of the text box, which opens up your files.

Congratulations!