Rousseau

I'm delighted he's finally coming good. I thought he was a real prospect when I first saw him in the third division; he was doing the same things as he is now, albeit not as successfully. He's a modern european-type player, technical rather than physical, which could easily have been overlooked in Scotland for a more physical player -- almost did with McCoist!

He's the model. If we can produce more players, or develop and encourage more technical players, we'll be creating a good foundation for the future.

The last player (recently -- relatively recently) -- there might have been others that I'm omitting -- I thought was a real prospect was John Fleck. I think his game was more technical than the norm up here, and it was wasted as a result.

I agree the centre-backs deserve criticism this season, and perhaps we do need better quality. It's unfortunate though. Kiernan exemplifies the situation for me: when he's on top-form, I think he can be sublime; positioning, ball control, distribution and tackling and general defending are all good, and very good in places. However, it's not consistent enough. For me it's the inconsistency that is the most frustrating: it's there, the ability, but we don't see it enough.

We dominated from start to finish -- outwith a 5-minute spell here and there -- but we really lacked penetration. We struggled to created chances through slow play in the final-third. We gifted them 3 goals -- quite literally 'gifted' them, or at leat 2 of them -- the third was poor defending.

We seem to be using a mix of zonal- and man-marking at the corners. There is a line of 3 players on the 6-yard box defending the space, then the rest man-mark. A mix is probably the best way to go, but it's not working a the minute: we concede for too easily from set-pieces -- although a lot of that is down to having several smaller players. The zonal-players deal with the ball well enough (as in prevented a header on goal), but I don't know how Gunnarsson managed to get free at the back post?

Foderingham has just 'boobed'. I thought it was hilarious that the home-fans kept jeering with anticipation every time a ball was passed back to him. He's fluffed an easy catch, yes, but he was impeccable with the ball at his feet; Control was good, distribution was good, and he invariably found his man. It was just one of those things with the catch. He rarely makes a mistake with his feet.

I'm really disappointed in O'Halloran: he's not confident enough to create angles with a pass -- and tends to pass backwards as a result -- and then when he tries to use his pace on the outside, either he loses the ball to the defender or wiggles through only to fail to pick out any player in blue with a cross. He's got the raw ability, but I don't think he's quite in-tune with our way of playing yet.

Mmm... McCrorie instead of Bell as back-up 'keeper? Bell looks to be surplus to requirements.

Strong side. Surprised to see Ball start, but it is a 'big' game; we need that defensive 'steel' in the middle of the park.

RANGERS: Foderingham, Tavernier, Kiernan, Wilson, Wallce, Ball, Halliday, Holt, O’Halloran, Miller, McKay

Subs: McCrorie, Burt, King, Law, Shiels, Clark, Zelalem

http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/one-change-hibs/

I must admit, I'd still take him if he was let go as I think he is a good player and would fit into our team well. I wouldn't offer them any money, though!

No matter what you do the relegated team should go down.

 

Sky won't allow a league where They only get 2 old firm games.

They should have taken the opportunity to re-structure once we had been demoted.

A meme almost as old as the internet itself, but it still makes me chuckle.

"Mein Fuhrer, [they] pumped us after extra time and penalties..." Magic.

I'm gutted.

I'm gutted.

Ah - more complex than I remember. So, we're glad it happened (Cromwell), but also glad it didn't continue?

He certainly has many flaws, physique and work-rate being first among them, but he has the raw talent and technical ability. The former can be taught and/or will come with time, the latter cannot.

I'd be delighted to get him back next year. Even if he is just a squad player, he gives us control in the middle of the park.

nice one. He could be leading a group of roundheads. Warburton's New Model Arm,y

I think we'd be Cavaliers would we not? Roundheads were Republican.

Our strategy and philosophy is superior to anything in Scottish football -- and all but the best in Britain too -- at the moment; if we can add to it by acquiring better quality players, then we'll do well and go far.

I agree we out-sung them also. The only thing I heard them shout/sing was 'boo'; witty...

I've retweeted a few of those 'ye ragin' mate?' Foderingham tweets. Brilliant. That pic of him was made for it.

Immature, but hey ho...

Ha! The Rangers site is struggling to deal with the traffic.

Their two giants in the middle of the park look tidy.

Every time a Rangers player stepped up to take a penalty, I was not confident. To see Zelalem step up was terrifying, but fair play, it was a perfect penalty. Even Law took his well. Tav got carried away.

Tierney and McKay play different positions though.

 

You also have to remember that we have been playing in a lower division so there will always be question marks over how good a player is. McKay put that beyond doubt today. Tom Miller said it best.... 15 million quid for Patrick Roberts yet McKay comfortably out played him today.

I meant how can a pundit highlight Tierney and McGinn and not mention McKay. You're correct, though.

Depends on the tint of your spectacles.

I agree. It's sad. There should be objectivity when it comes to pundits etc.

McKay took the piss out of the £20m-Tierney. He was imperious. I really can't understand how someone can pick out Tierney and McGinn in front of Barrie. Puzzling -- or, perhaps not really...

His issue is he gets caught up the emotion of it when he is involved.

Very true -- I think we're all guilty of that. It's difficult to be objective in these situations.

Zelalem was just what we needed at the time. He doesn't get drawn into physical tests, instead moves himself and the ball into space easily.

Law worked hard, but he got pushed off the ball too often and never used his pace.

fair play to him though, he just admitted rangers played by far the best football

I may be committing an egregious sin here, but he normally does speak well.

Look at Lennon's face! Priceless.