Rousseau

Premier League returnees Burnley are welcomed to Ibrox on Saturday for what will be our final pre-season game before our long-awaited return to the Scottish top-flight. Despite the last four games being competitive in nature, it has been a gentle introduction to the new league campaign, with Burnley our last and toughest assignment. Mark Warburton has been generous with his squad rotation, and while we have gradually seen a distilling of the first-XI, it's still tricky to pick our strongest XI. Saturday will perhaps give us a glimpse of the team to begin our Premiership campaign next week. While our last few games have been in the League Cup, they have essentially been pre-season games. Lower league opponents, Stranraer, East Stirling and Annan, proved no real test. Motherwell were arguably our toughest opponent, and certainly the highest positioned side we faced, but the game came early and both sides were nowhere near full fitness. But, 4 wins from 4, 10 goals scored and zero conceded saw us top Group F and qualify for the next stage; job done, with a few highlights and nothing much to complain about. Warburton has been vocal in his criticism of the pre-season schedule, but it has allowed him to be generous in his squad rotation and allowed most of the new signings the opportunity to get game-time. In many ways he had no choice but to field a patchwork side; 4 games in 9 days is a grueling schedule at the best of times, but even more problematic when one's squad is still feeling the effects of the summer break, where injury is a real concern. Ideally you would like 5-6 games, gradually building-up quality and intensity. While the first part of pre-season has been less than perfect, presumably the last game provides the step-up in quality and intensity required to elevate the side to peak physical condition? In contrast, Burnley have perhaps had the type of pre-season Warburton would've preferred -- not too surprising as Warburton and Sean Dyche, great friend off the pitch, are from the same footballing school; with Dyche the more conservative and pragmatic of the two in terms of style. An easy win against Swiss amateurs FC Stade Nyonnais was followed up by a draw against Morecambe, and then wins against Bradford and Bolton. This gradual increase in quality and intensity will see them face Rangers next, before heading back to Turf Moor for their final pre-season game against Spanish side Real Sociedad. It has been an indifferent period for Burnley in terms of new signings, with more going out than coming in thus far. A couple of loan returns and a couple of youth signings has been about the most of it. The only real first-team acquisition has been Charlton's Johann Berg Gudmundsson; the fast winger had a fantastic Euro Championship campaign with Iceland last month. The big movements have been departures: Michael Duff and Steven Reid, Premier League regulars from two season ago, have left; but the most high profile, and interesting for us, is the departure of Club Player-Of-The-Year Joey Barton to Rangers. Despite the less than ideal pre-season preparation for Warburton's men, it has perhaps been a blessing in disguise, allowing several new signings get game time. The light squad last season has seen 7 first-team players added and now looks to have real strength in depth; so much so that picking a first-XI looks a difficult prospect. In fact, Warburton has stated that he doesn’t want to know his best 11 because, for him, it won’t matter this season; he expects to use every player to the max during the forthcoming campaign. Speaking to RangersTV, Warburton said: “It’s not about the best 11, it’s about the squad; 11 won’t win anything this season. We have to make sure we have a squad there where everyone understands their role and maintains a real level of fitness and desire.” (http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/warburton-squad-aims/) Dyche typically has his teams line up in a 4-4-2, and going by their pre-season he doesn't look like deviating. Burnley blew away the league last season with a pragmatic, disciplined and direct style. Burnley play with two out-and-out strikers (or one will drop into the hole), who look to play on the shoulder. Vokes, Gray and Barnes all took turns playing up front, and all possess power and pace in abundance. Warburton knows Andre Gray well, having bought him for Brentford before selling for an undisclosed fee reported to be over £7m -- something Warburton is quick to reference when asked about player value. Instead of playing with traditional wingers, Dyche prefers inverted wingers. George Boyd and former Falkirk player Scott Arfield tend to play in the half-space to provide guile, creating a makeshift 4-2-2-2 in attack. Both full-backs are conservative but provide the width, and always look to get crosses into the box for the big target-men. The back four is usually protected by two DMs, with Barton and Marney doing the job last year; Marney has continued this role with Jones coming in to replace Barton. This set-up doesn't look like changing, and looks to be the team Rangers will face at 3pm on Saturday. Rangers also have a settled way of playing, but Burnley look to be the perfect foil for that style. Burnley will be well-disciplined in defense, and quick on the counter. Their direct, counter-attacking play caused untold damage to side after side last season, steering them to the Championship title. They can build up slowly from the back, but with pace out wide and up-front, they will be dangerous. On top of that, they have strong, powerful players throughout; most of whom are excellent in the air. Both are areas where we struggled last season. Predicting a potential line-up is tricky. Quite frankly, I don't have a scooby! And the best XI discussion thread on Gersnet (http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/vb/showthread.php?79246-Four-games-in-what-s-our-best-first-XI) was hardly conclusive. If I head to guess -- and it would be a guess -- I'd go: My prediction even omits Dodoo, Windass, Holt, O'Halloran, Hill, Rossiter and Miller; all arguably deserve a place in the side. We have a good sized squad, with several players who can play a variety of positions, and all of comparable quality. It's a really nice position to be in, and it can only bring a smile to the face of many a Rangers fan. The last time we played Burnley was during last season's pre-season, when they won 0-1. It was a stiff test last year and will be again. However, with our added quality, increased comfort in playing Warburton's philosophy, and perhaps also that we are slightly ahead of Burnley in our pre-season schedule, could lead to an evenly matched game. Burnley potentially have the tools to rip us apart, so it will be a big test of our side. But, we're confident in our style of play, and I'd expect to see us dominate possession and hopefully score a few goals. The real test will be the defensive aspect: can we add to the 4 clean sheets picked-up already? At the very least, this match will give us a glimpse of the starting line-up for next weeks Premiership opener against Hamilton. That's what this game is all about: wracking up the quality and intensity so we are at peak physical fitness; the final test before we kick-off our long-awaited top-flight return.

You spelt Cooponthewing incorrectly...

I'll do the Burnley game.

Ah, BBC Alba... A welcoming resource throughout the long journey back to the SPL. I'll miss the incomprehensible mutterings of the commentator interspersed with English punditry, but I'm glad I don't have to rely on it for various games this year.

Yes, he was always box-to-box, but he's reverted to a DM role as he's got older; it utilises his good tackling and organisational skills.

Of course the kids want to play; that's not the issue. The issue is what they are being taught. There are lots of enthusiastic kids coming through, but they are shite footballers, and aren't improved in the slightest by coaches in this country. I somewhat disagree that these coaches shouldn't need qualifications. Perhaps not traditional University degrees, but I certainly expect a UEFA coaching degree; and for them to be students of the game, not relying on what went before and what they've done. Carlo Ancelotti is a student of the game, even penning research articles/papers on football as he learned the ropes as an assistant. In my opinion Italian coaches are the best, tactically, in the world, because of that academic element ingrained early.

I doubt Ball is quite what we require. Promising young player, but no matter how good we think he is, or can be, he did struggle to get ahead of 'dumb and dumber' last season (I don't think Wilson and Kiernan are that bad but love that label -- thanks TB!). Ball was 2nd choice at DM and 3rd choice a CB; we now have better players in both positions, so where does that leave him? As GS said, Ball might be good for competition, but I'd prefer a better first-choice CB to be signed.

Having seen little of the last game, I'm looking forward to seeing some of the new guys. I think Dodoo will play some part, if not start.

Got it, Cheers! The link looks the same as the Russian!

Are there any highlights released yet? I didn't get to see the game -- other than 15 minutes on Periscope! I saw McKay score funnily enough, but I was more pleased to see both Gilks and Hill shouting out instructions on the pitch. From what I read, Barton was also quite vocal. For me, this is great to see, for we missed this last year.

IMO, it's not as easy as it sounds moving a RB to Right-Wing (we don't have a RM). He could play there, but I don't think he has the versatility, and our wingers are more inside forwards anyway; he's never a forward. Now that I think about it, Di Maria is a wide player, but played RCM (or maybe Left) to great effect for Real Madrid and PSG; a good high-energy option in the middle to help in the bigger games when needed. However, we have better players for our midfield.

Finally, someone said it! We forget that we don't actually play a Right-Midfielder, so moving Tavernier into 'midfield' would mean playing him as a Right-Winger; which is not as easy/simple as Whittaker moving from RB to RM.

I see it. Oh yes, competely. I just happen to agree with him here -- hopefully that's the last time!

What about that idiot that threw the ball away? Idiotic behaviour. Total contempt shown towards our Captain, and players in general to be honest.

Agreed, they are as annoying as each other. Sutton was quite adamant it was a handball from the defender in the box, but Stewart kept suggestion is wasn't deliberate!? Mute does look like a good option with those two...

We looked lively throughout going forward, but one always got the impression that Motherwell could get chances; a combination of lack of cover and poor aerial ability let us down. Two wonderful goals. We struggle to deal with any ball lumped into the box. Motherwell are a poor side, and we got away with their poor finishing. O'Halloran looks good, but he showed that pace and trickery last year without doing much with it; we need to wait and see how it goes. Kranjcar looks slow and heavy, but with a cultured right-foot he looked good also; he was unlucky not to get a goal. Windass also was good on occasion, running at defenders -- loved the nutmeg! I think we'll all enjoy watching Josh this season. All-in-all, some good additions; adding quality to the side. I thought Waghorn was better second-half when he played central, after Miller went off. I don't mind Kiernan; I think he'd do better with a better partner. Wilson looks slow and cumbersome.

I think that was Stewart, not Sutton. His voice is grating but I think I agree with him on the final few decisions.

Looks like Kranjcar is about to come on. And O'Halloran. Forester and Miller go off.

We're dominating -- as one would expect -- but one gets the feeling Motherwell can cut us open with a stupid long-ball. It's encouraging offensively, but it's the same old problems defensively.

I know what you mean, but I don't think it's tactics per se; it's individuals not winning an aerial duel or not staying with the runner.

We're not dealing with silly long-balls! Halliday is not defensively-minded enough -- he was in the box for that last attack!? They've had 2/3 one-on-one's! We look lively going forward, though.

Sheesh! We are very nervy at the back.

The butterflies have started, but I'm excited for this! C'mon!

Here I was looking forward to seeing some of the new guys and none start! Gilks, Hodson, Hill, Kranjcar and Windass are on the bench; it's nice to see Thompson on the also on the bench, though.

Mmmm... [tweet]754300446496395264[/tweet]