Rousseau

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.

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.

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

I've actually got both...

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 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 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".

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...

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.

I don't believe anything until it's on SSN... ..or the Rangers website (usually in that order, because Rangers can be a tad late in getting info out).

Aye, you're right -- but that's not exactly what I meant...

"he did ok last time"...?

None of the names mentioned excite me. They're all old-fashioned, reactive British managers that don't really have a clue about the way the game is played in Europe or the way the game is going. (Rodgers is one of the few that does know this philosophy, unfortunately...). I think we need a German-style coach: they have a modern passing, proactive philosophy, and an intensity that will adapt to our game. Wagner and Farke are doing very well at Huddersfield and Norwich, respectively. Does Thomas Tuchel not want to take a step down... or Nagelsmann?? I do see, and accept, the need for a 'steady hand' but I can't really see that 'steady hand' taking us forward. Moreover, Rodgers will trounce any 'steady hand', IMO...

Jack was playing very well last night, recovering the ball 4-5 times from what I recall; he was tidy on the ball too. He was stupid at the red card. Jack's not your new Miler is he?

The refereeing was abysmal -- you couldn't write it. It's a penalty, albeit a soft one, but he dithers for ages before going over to the linesman. Kirk steps/stamps (whatever?) towards Jack's foot several times. Jack pushes, or certainly makes a movement with his legs -- not sure what it was tbh? -- and Kirk goes down holding his face!? There's a big stamash, that takes an age to sort out -- the players weren't even that aggressive -- before Jack gets a yellow. 2 minutes pass -- still waiting to take the penality -- before the referee stops and goes over to give Jack a red. He probably deserved a red, but that refereeing is just incompetent. It's not the reason we couldn't see out the game, but it certainly contributed to the way the game ended: anyone waiting 9 minutes to take a penalty is under serious pressure, and the 10 men and the players all bunched up field. The game was drifting anyway, and was slipping well before. I've lost patience. Ironically, I don't think it was Pedro's fault: We were humiliated, despite playing OK, against Motherwell and I fully expected a reaction; there was none. I'd sack every player, but ultimately it has to be the manager that takes the blame. We are utterly demoralised. It's only going to take a new manager to refresh us.