Rousseau

I'm hearing rumours that Shankland was at the Rangers game on Saturday. Make of that what you will...

My ears did prick up at automatisms. Interesting. You can sort of see it, but they're still quite out of sync. I'm always wary of managers speaking too in depth of their tactics. It feels like they're giving away state secrets. I would like to hear about his main principles, though.

Going by the context of the question and the answer, he clearly means experience. Clement definitely thinks we need experience in that position: we've tried to sign - if reports are to be believed - McLean and Jordan. I'm not jumping to his defence per se; I'm merely pointing out that you've drawn a conclusion that disregard a lot of the context of the Q&A. People can now draw their own conclusions from the full quote, which I transcribed.

It suggests something structurally wrong. You're correct, though - maybe I'm just naive in trusting him.

I wanted more from our fitness, but Clement has been quite clear it'll take time. I need to trust him with that. The next bit is sementics. We've cleared a lot of the deadwood, whether moved on or released, or let contracts expire. It's a very good start. It's freed up a lot of wages. We've not strengthened the first team. I just said that. Unforgivable? Okay. I don't know what that means.

'[To] lead the team out of midfield'. This is stupid.

No it is not. Your quote: "We missed Lundstram today." What was actually said: Interviewer: 'What do you put that [poor first half] down to? You've got a lot of players [...] that were here last season, so they know what to expect.' Clement: 'Yes, but also some that missed preseason, others also that are new, like Connor Barron ... You miss an important part with Lundstram there to lead the team out of the midfield.' The whole context of the question was experience.

He did. You've just picked out a couple of words to have a dig.

It should, generally, but our medical/fitness have been mismanaged for several seasons, as Clement has repeatedly said. We've all been saying it for a while. We can't control what they do. We're half way there by offloading all the rubbish, but we've not made progress on adding to the first-team. I'm writing off this season, yes. That's just me. I think this is the rebuild we all wanted - but it won't be as easy as everyone seemed to think it would be.

We can't control that. From Clement's comments, it's a wee bit of rotation to get players up to speed after a season or two of awful fitness or another buildup of injured players. It's not good to hear, but we'll just need to put up with it.

He meant the experience.

He has given his reason for that, though. We're just not fit enough yet, even after pre-season - which just goes to show how bad it was. It'll settle down when they get up to speed.

Slow start for everyone. Correct Result (1 pt): Franc and r_s. Correct Number of Rangers Goals (1pt): - FGS (2 pts): - Correct Score (3 pts): - Latest Standings:

Clean sheet. Point away at Tynecastle. Not a bad result.

Tavernier's legs have gone. He can't do what his brain is telling them to do. Everything is just wrong with him.

We're getting sucked into that niggly game where they just draw fouls and lump balls into the box.

Tavernier asking everyone to concentrate after almost putting it in his own net ... again ...

Balogun takes no prisoners.

Davies off for Balogun. Cerny replaces Wright. I would've taken Lawrence off before Wright, but-- *Lawrence almost scores a worldie*

Cerny!

Tavernier has two players through on goal with a single Hearts defender in the middle not closely covering anyone ... and he passes it to the Hearts defender!? Dafuq?

Dessers should be scoring there...

That was my preferred XI, but it's too early for subs, so I was just thinking of simple ways to change things up.

I'd like to see Wright and Lawrence switch position.

That's really unfair: a wet wipe has decent internal strength.