Rousseau

Nooooooooooo...!!

I can't see Warburton making any significant changes, so it'll be a change we've seen before; Clark seems the obvious choice, despite not being the most encouraging.

This made me laugh:

"All he can do is tackle and run, which the Dutch rank just slightly above turning up for the match on time."

That is Scottish players in a nutshell! Interesting how little it counts in the Netherlands!

That was a good read Pete, thank you.

He's not a striker, but a midfielder with decent athleticism, running ability and strength; he's not technically gifted, but has knack of assisting and being in the right place at the right time. He could be a decent asset. Ideally, we'd want someone a little more rounded as a player, but I'm all for acquiring players that can do specific jobs: getting a big, tall, physical midfielder -- with some aggression -- would be a good alternative. (We've been crying out for a more physical threat from midfield!)

I think we'll find it tricky to find someone who fits the bill. As has been stated, a traditional 'striker' is not going to cut it; we someone a little more creative. Hardie is clearly prolific, but Warburton obviously thinks there is something missing -- and you can see it. It's more beneficial for us to have 4, 5 players scoring a decent amount (10/15), than any one striker scoring 25+.

He also plays as a striker or between the midfield and forwards. Would guess he will fill the shiels, law role at the point of the three

I get your point, but I wouldn't define him as a striker; a forward certainly, being able to play those roles you stated, but I would still class him as a midfielder, albeit a very attacking one. He's certainly versatile, so defining him as either is a stretch!

His father Dean was a striker; Josh is a Midfielder. I think you've just misread it CS.

Although, as TB says, facts don't count for much on these publications.

Nice touch Ian; very kind of you.

Bournemouth have some on the inside of their stands; looks quite good, adding to the atmosphere and covering what is an awkward aspect of a stand.

Where else are these banners going?

There were some good moments in the game where we did get in behind; some of the passing and link-up play to do so was splendid. To be fair, the performance isn't indicative of our form, or ability, as we never got out of first gear.

I thought that was a ponderous display; slow and lacklustre. I agree Miller was at the heart of everything, but I still thought his touch was poor and he was slow to pass. Of course, the pitch did not help the performance for anyone! The result was never in doubt -- simply because Peterhead couldn't string two passes together and their only tactic was get a free-kick and lump it into the box -- but we dominated possession, and controlled the ball well. It was all about the victory today: It feels great to finally get this Cup in the trophy room; full-sweep!

It's always tricky against teams that stick 10-men behind the ball. It'll be more open next week IMO, so we might see better/more goal-scoring opportunities. The reverse is we may get exposed at the back. It'll be interesting.

Why can't a new manager have a new system?

He can, but it'll be detrimental to our continuity. I'd prefer to see us go down the Southampton/Swansea route, whereby any potential candidate has to conform to the system already in place. It's not great to have to start again every time a new manager is announced. If we had a manager that could've built upon what Advocaat started, then we'd be in a better position IMO.

Well, my team prediction was well off! Looks like he's going as strong as possible. Possibly a tester for next week? No youngsters on the bench either.

Foderingham; Tavernier, Kiernan, Wilson, Wallace; Ball, Halliday, Holt; Forrester, Miller, McKay.

There are no major surprises on the bench either, with Cammy Bell, Dean Shiels, Nicky Law, Gedion Zelalem, Michael O’Halloran and Nicky Clark joining the aforementioned King.

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

Any potential manager needs to be similar to Warburton. In other words, any potential candidate must be able to fit seamlessly into the system that Warburton has started/built. That would rule out McInnes IMO, because he's nothing like Warburton. (Not that he's a candidate, but Brendan Rodgers would be a fit.) A candidate must fit into the system, rather than us renewing the whole system every time we change manager.

I'll miss BBC Alba and the unintelligible commentary. In saying that, I hope never to need it again.

Does a sentence count as a paragraph?

I've read it three or four times and still don't get it, or its relevance to our match on Sunday.

 

An otherwise excellent preview Rousseau, many thanks.

 

 

Ok, I was going to leave it at that but I can't ��- "rousing" ??? For someone so clearly at ease with the English language, you pick rousing to describe our victory over Dumbarton!!! I'm certainly no wordsmith, but I can think of many adjectives I would use to describe that game and rousing wouldn't be on that list. Drab, dull, lacklustre immediately spring to mind, but I would also agree with historic, satisfying etc.

Yes, I was thinking of you when I posted that! I think the poem works: It's about stepping back outside the 'nitty-gritty' to remember why we do things. In our case, winning trophies. The Challenge Cup is a trinket compared to what we've won in the past, but it is a trophy nonetheless.

The performance was indeed "lacklustre", but the victory was "rousing"...IMO. Historic would be a nice way to go.

You should have a go at a preview sometime!

It says it all when an innocuous and pleasant comment is followed by such hatred and bile. It's getting ridiculous -- it is ridiculous.

I saw a little of the game and it was embarrassing to be honest. Neither side could string two passes together and, as has been said, the ball spent most of the time in the air. There is just no control. It's like Sunday League football but with 'better' footballers; there's still no tactical awareness or coherent game-plan IMO. We were just waiting for the ball to bounce fortunately! For this to be a top-of-the-table clash (or 2nd and 3rd) is unreal.

I agree with Craig, that despite us having control of the ball, a coherent game-plan etc. that doesn't necessarily mean we'll trounce every side; that's not how football works. If we can control games, and look like we're approaching things the way they should be approached (tactical, technical, with a coherent game-plan and philosophy), then I'll be content; even if that means we loose a few. I believe that with our philosophy we only need better players than we currently have to get to the stage we're we are trouncing teams. We're doing things the right way; I'm delighted with that. It's a shame backward football can still be 'effective' in this country.

Excellent stuff and in a week of understandable sentimentality I enjoyed the poetic references.

 

I do wonder if Miller may be the player that's rested as we can't afford for him to miss the Celtic game. I also think Forrester will start as the manager has been working on his match fitness with an eye on the Celtic game. Might also be worth playing Ball in defence to give him game time.

 

Like you say, as much as we're favourites here, just turning up on Sunday won't be enough. Let's hope everyone concerned takes the game seriously!

 

PS: Bell has been fit and on the bench for some while now...

Really? I had no idea Bell was back. Corrected.

I agree Miller may be rested, but I just couldn't see Clark, O'Halloran and King playing. I think the latter two will be included because of their situation next week. Ball could come in also. It's a tricky one to call: we expect a few decisions to be made that he hasn't made before.

It's nice to hear an unbiased opinion for once.

Terrific point from the Rangers fan towards the end also -- compare that to those that come before and they come across as petty. It's Sad.

(I apologise in advance to those that do not like the poems -- I can't help myself!)

HAMPDEN -- It is easy to become lost in the many details of a season, lost in the nitty-gritty of churning out results, that we can forget what Rangers is all about: winning trophies. These last few years have been a journey, and in many ways the steps taken are unimportant and forgettable, for nothing matters except completing that journey. But in other ways the steps are important. When we look back we tend to forget the details, but, among the memories of particular goals, moments, players, it is the trophies claimed that give shape to our history. The Challenge cup may indeed be a trinket in comparison to many past accolades, but it is a another trophy to add to our glittering list, another chance to add to the history of Rangers.

Our record in this competition has been nothing short of embarrassing, failing not once or twice, but thrice to lift this trophy. With resources many times that of our competitors, it is inconceivable -- even on our worst day -- that we have not been able to succeed in this quest. Our first campaign can (maybe) be forgiven for the youthfulness of the line-up: youngsters will always be at a disadvantage against men. But to then lose in the final against Raith, then to be humbled by Alloa in Semi-final (after leading 2-0) in successive years will always bring back painful, unacceptable memories.

The Scottish Challenge Cup will never be the most prestigious of trophies, being comprised of lower league teams, but it has been a popular addition to the football calendar. Intended to run for only one season, the Challenge Cup was created in 1990 to mark the centenary of the formation of the Scottish Football League. However, due to its popularity the competition was renewed thereafter, and has since been expanded to include Highland and Lowland league sides. Giving smaller sides their only real opportunity to claim silverware, the later rounds generate relatively high attendances, with a full capacity crowd of 11,000 for the first final -- unsurprisingly this record was broken when Rangers fans attended the 2013/14 final. This record will be shattered again at 3pm on Sunday.

Rangers' route to the final began in spectacular style, with a 2-6 thrashing of Hibs in Mark Warburton's first game as Manager -- a precursor for what was a blistering start to the season. Routine victories over Ayr United, Livingston and St Mirren, conceding no goals in the process, saw Rangers comfortably through to the final.

Similarly, Peterhead have eased through to the final scoring 13 goals in 4 games. An unexpected 3-5 victory against Falkirk being one of their most impressive results. Rory McAllister scored 5 goals in that game and is the competitions top scorer with 7.

The League One side are currently in the Play-offs and have a good chance of promotion, but being comfortably second to Dunfermline and unable to now win the league, they have been in poor form. In the last 6 games they have won only twice, losing twice. Despite possessing the leagues top goalscorer in McAllister, Peterhead have struggled to find the net of late, scoring only once in the last four games. Generally, Peterhead score quite a few goals, but also concede a lot too.

Despite a rousing, albeit narrow, win against Dumbarton to finally clinch the Championship title, Rangers have been in indifferent, almost disappointing form. The last win came after only one win in three; goals have been free-flowing, but so have the goals conceded.

The head-to-head record between the two sides is disappointing reading for Rangers fans. Our last meeting was a 3-0 win in August of this season. That comfortable victory was a long way from the previous meeting: a 1-2 home defeat in the Third Division in the 2012/13 season: McCulloch's early opener was eradicated by goals from Ross and -- that man again -- Rory McAllister. In fact, our first game in the Third Division was against Peterhead, which ended in a frustrating 2-2 draw. Two subsequent victories corrected that record somewhat. Even though our pride may remember, history forgets these games. Only the fact that we won that Third Division title -- and that we've just won the Championship title to regain our rightful place in the top flight once again -- is what matters. History only remembers the trophies.

Peterhead line up with a 4-4-1-1, with McAllister being the focal point. The squad features former Rangers Goalkeeper Graeme Smith, who has been a mainstay in the side over the last few years. Also present are former Celtic youngster Simon Ferry (who thereafter played for Swindon and Portsmouth), former Inverness striker Shane Sutherland and former Dundee player Nicky Riley. These players have played at a higher level, most playing over 100 games for half-decent clubs in Scotland and England. It seems over the last few games the manager has been resting several regular first-team players -- possibly with Rangers in mind? They will be well-organised, with their core group of players looking to bring all their experience to bear.

Long-term absences remain missing (Templeton and Waghorn), but otherwise there are no new injury worries for Rangers. The bench will likely see some youngsters, and it would be good to see some get experience of playing in a Cup Final. Some of the fringe players may get a run-out and we may see some players rested also, with next weeks game in mind. O'Halloran and King are cup-tied for next weeks Scottish Cup tie, so they may start on Sunday. I predict the following line-up:

An experienced Peterhead side will be well-organised and shrewd in everything they do; and Rory McAllister leading the line will always be a threat if we're not careful. It will be an opportunity to correct some of the bad results against 'The Blue Toon' over the last few years. It's possible Warburton may give some game time to youngsters and fringe players, while resting some of our key players for next week. Peterhead will be well rested and up for the game, but we are undoubtedly favourites.

For many, the Challenge Cup represents just another step in the journey, a mere trinket. But perhaps, it's another opportunity to add another trophy to our glittering history. It may not be as prestigious as the Scottish Cup or Premiership title, but it is a trophy nonetheless. And what is the history of Rangers without trophies? Like Whitman's "learn'd astronomer", frustrated by his everyday routine, it's only when he takes a step back and gazes up at the stars that he remembers why he does what he does. When we look back in years to come, at the many gleaming accolades accumulated, both prestigious and not, we can look back "in perfect silence", and smile. It won't matter what it is, as long as it adorns our trophy room; it will be just another layer in the long, illustrious history of Rangers.

Outwith the veracity of his figures, I don't really disagree with what he is saying. Celtic do indeed have a much bigger budget, but I don't think it'll require us to match it per se. There is a gulf in class, but I don't think it's as big as he suggests -- although he is one manager who'd know. I think Hearts have reverted to a more simple game. They played some nice stuff last year, but have since gone back to a game that simply seeks to match opponents for energy, strength, desire etc. If we can add that without having to sacrifice our philosophy, then we'll do alright IMO.

To be honest, I don't think we'll be competing with Celtic next year. I'd just like to see us get top 3, and to compete with Hearts and Aberdeen. Not what we want, of course, but I think that's a reasonable target for our first year back.

I'll do the Cup final. Might as well make it a hat-trick!

IBROX -- There was a collective sigh as the embattled ground saw the first shoots of spring and the warming rays of the sun. It was one of the worst winters on record, with blizzards battering the length of the United Kingdom, and the public were relieved to see the light at the end of the tunnel. On the 25th of April, 1891, Rangers welcomed Dumbarton to Ibrox Park for game 16 of the 18-game season. A crowd of 12,000 saw Rangers claim the points, winning 4-2 thanks to goals from McPherson, McCreadie, Hislop and Kerr. Finishing level on points, Rangers and Dumbarton would go on to draw a play-off decider 2-2, ensuring that the first Scottish Championship was shared.

It would be the first of many league titles as Rangers would carve an illustrious history, laden with silverware. Meanwhile, The Sons -- derived from the phrase 'Sons of The Rock', a term used to describe those born in the town of Dumbarton, under the rock -- despite going on to win the second Scottish Championship the following year, never reached the same heights, and settled into a position of mediocrity outside the top flight.

54 league titles and 125 years later, Rangers and Dumbarton square-up again with another title at stake; this time 50,000 will watch Rangers go for the lesser prize of the Scottish Championship. It comes at the end of a particularly difficult period for Rangers as the club has fought to regain its rightful place at the top of Scottish football, after being demoted to the 4th tier. In the wider context of the history of Rangers, the Championship title is nothing special, but after four years of turmoil, both on and off the pitch, it represents another priceless step completed.

In the narrower context of this season, the game comes at the beginning of a series of 'big' games, where the proverbial eyes could quite easily be taken off the ball. The game comes at the start of a grueling run of 4 games within two weeks, including a Petrofac Challenge Cup Final and an Old Firm game. A young and inexperienced 'Gers side has never dealt with a series of games of this import -- despite these games not being at the level that the fans are used to, it does represent a new challenge.

The Sons have shown indifferent form over the past two months. An excellent victory against Hibs and a draw against Falkirk -- arguably two of the best sides in the league -- have been the only high points in series of games that has seen them lose 5 of their last 9, including a 6-0 mauling at the hands of Queen of the South. The results against Hibs and Falkirk suggest that have some ability when they get it right.

Rangers' form has also been indifferent of late. Coming off a 15 game unbeaten run, Rangers have lost to Falkirk, narrowly beat Queen of the South and drew last weekend against Raith. The most worrying aspect is the 9 goals conceded in those 3 games. The only upside is that goals-scored remain abundant, with 9 goals scored in the last three. With the end in sight, Rangers seem to be stuttering and stumbling towards the title.

The head-to-head has been the most one-sided of any match-up this season. In the three games played thus far, Rangers have won all three, scoring 12 goals. Invariably well organised, Dumbarton frustrated Rangers in the first game before eventually falling to two Waghorn goals, then goals at important times (just before and then just after the break) opened the floodgates in the next two meetings, paving the way for 4-0 and 0-6 victories.

Dumbarton generally set up with a 4-4-2, but have experimented with a narrow 4-1-2-1-2 formation recently. A solid defence includes the experienced Frazer Wright (once of Kilmarnock and St. Johnstone) and former Motherwell and Scotland prospect Steven Saunders; the experienced Darren Barr strengthens the midfield. The powerful Christian Nade -- fresh from his Player Of The Month award -- and experienced Paul Heffernan lead the line; a somewhat immobile front two, but both can provide a serious threat at set-pieces. There are no new injury worries.

Rangers, likewise, have no new injury worries (outwith the long-term absences of Bell, Templeton and Waghorn) and no after-effects from the recent international call-ups for the younger players.

There will be no change in the formation, with the 4-3-3 used in every game this season. With almost every player available, I predict the same line-up as last weekend against Raith. The game is there to be won and the prize self-evident, so the defensive aspect of Ball's game is unnecessary. I predict the following line-up:

Dumbarton are invariably well-organised and can provide a strong test for our offensive line, but with the prize of Premiership football next season it's important that we finish the job. A series of 'big' games in the space of a fortnight could easily be a dangerous distraction for our young and inexperienced side. Despite being in poor form, Dumbarton can pose a danger as their results against Falkirk and Hibs indicate.

Silverware is the prize at the end of it; it's there waiting to be taken. It may not be the league title we want, but it is silverware. The history of Rangers is synonymous with silverware. More importantly, it represents another stage completed in our struggle to regain our place in the top flight; and one more step towards league title number 55. In the immortal words of Winston Churchill: "Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."

I've done the Dumbarton preview. I know not to post now, but when do we usually post it? On the day or the day before?